Non Comm Wraps Up With Comebacks and Discoveries

Hola from Louisville! Just wrapping up the last night at Non Comm and what a night it's been. The triumphant return of Paula Cole, long awaited new music from Suzanne Vega and a chat with a former Drive By Trucker who wrote some of their best songs are among the highlights.

Paula brought the public radio heads gathered on the 16th floor of the Brown Hotel to their feet this afternoon. She kicked things off with I'M SO ORDINARY from her debut in '95, HARBINGER. She rolled through new songs from her forthcoming disc, COURAGE and played the amazing TIGER, from THIS FIRE. Even though we'll find out more about why she waited so long to make a record again when I play back my chat with Paula for you this week, it's baffling that she was away from music for seven years- her voice, musicianship and passion couldn't be contained!

Suzanne Vega performed at the theater next door to the hotel for the big closing show tonight. I first saw her in '85 at Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College...and it dawned on me as she played Tom's Diner, Luka and Left of Center...that it's been twenty two years since I last saw Suzanne and she, and her music, hasn't aged at all. Too bad I can't say the same for me ;)

I talked with Jason Isbell, former guitarist and lyricist for the Drive By Truckers (he wrote DECORATION DAY) and he's looking forward to putting out a Muscle Shoals soul infused album this summer. He's even got some horns on the record.

I wanted to share the story of rhythmic guitarist and soul singer Raul Midon with you. When he was an infant, he and his twin brother were blinded as infants after they spent too long in an incubator without adequate eye protection. He learned jazz at University of Miami...and honed his skills a session singer. He's an absolutely electric performer on an acoustic. Raul's new song about his late Mom, moved a few to tears today. Check out the rhythm and the horn section on this song, SATE OF MIND, and be amazed.


It was personally moving to see so many musicians and those that love and want to share music...interact in this kind of setting. From bands busking in the street, to radio folks talking about their latest discoveries...this amazing experience has been something I hope you'll get a feel for, when I play back conversations from the artists we've met. Artist. You know, everybody had ID badges with their name and station ID that we wore around our neck. But, the musicians wore tags that simply said, "Artist." I hope we bring you closer to them everyday.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for listening. Thanks for loving the music. Good-bye from Louisville. Talk to you Monday morning. Peace.

Erik

From Raging to Watching

Tom Morello is...the Nightwatchman, an observant, acoustic guitar-strumming character that you might find in a coffeehouse singing songs that Billy Bragg could have penned. It's a different image than the buzz-sawing guitar slinger behind Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.
He's not raging quite as boisterously as in years past, but the Harvard-educated social and political activist puts a quieter brand of protest on ONE MAN REVOLUTION. Sam and I chatted with Tom yesterday. We'll share that conversation with you on the TMD Morning Show next week. Find out if that Rage reunion at Coachella was a one-time event.


More later on an amazing talent with quite a moving back story: Raul Midon. Peace for now.


Erik

Where Has Paula Gone?

That's the question many music fans have been asking for years. Paula Cole's talents and intentions have always moved me personally. When I worked out west in the 90's, I started spinning her debut HARBINGER right away. It's her unwavering honesty in lyrics that take anybody whose awkward teenage years that give songs like I'M SO ORDINARY and BETHLEHEM such resonance for any generation. Then, of course, there's the often misunderstood cowboy song that got her the Best New Artist Grammy and that tune that a certain teen tv show played during every episode. But Paula disappeared from the music scene for eight years. We'll find out why Thursday at 9am on the TMD Morning Show. Tune in. Hope the weather is going to be fantastic for Preakness. Peace.

Erik

PS. More on The Nightwatchman later.

Tom Waits' Nanny and More...

Hey music lovers!

Had a chance to take in an artist you may be hearing about more in the near future. Her name is Jesca Hoop. She writes non-linear, emotionally wrought songs that may bring to mind what would happen if you took Kate Bush's voice and mixed it Tom Waits' delivery. No wonder, Jesca actually was a nanny for Tom Waits and his wife and songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennan. Tom and Kathleen slowly mentored her and helped get a copy of one of her songs in the right hands (Nic Harcourt). Hear my chat with Jesca next week on the TMD Morning Show.

Also, be on the listen for Keller Williams, Martin Sexton and Paula Cole. Yes, Paula! It's been eight years and its good to hear her play music again.

Peace for now.

Erik