Notes From The New Release Show
Two bands from last night's show I thought needed another mention:
Well, let’s get things kicked off with a new disc from John Ralston. John was forced into a solo career when his former band, Legends Of The Rodeo, met their demise because of a Label Split. John ended up with no contract, no label and no outlet for his music. His luck changed upon meeting a production engineer, Michael Seamen, and they began working together in Seaman’s Tennessee home studio. The end product is the album SORRY VAMPIRE. It’s a lush collection of finely penned tunes including the one I played last night, “I Guess I Wasted My Summer Now.”
Let’s keep things moving here with the first full-length release from the Dutch Band, Racoon. The CD is titled ANOTHER DAY and was released in Europe last year and they are searching for new life here in the states. They struck a distribution deal with the Red Eye label; they handle Paul Weller, and have a transatlantic tour scheduled with the Lemonheads starting this December. It’s a pleasant little album and has the Gin Blossoms written all over it, in a good way. I ended up playing the quasi-title track “Lose Another Day.”
See you next Tuesday - TK
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
U2 Surrender All at Red Rocks
Last night's awful Ravens game in Pittsburgh was matched equally only by the awful weather. It was pouring sheets of rain and fog shrouded Heinz Field. But, trying to look at the glass half full despite the pitiful outcome for my favorite football team, last night's weather coupled with a rabid crowd got me to thinking about my favorite live album of all time, UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY.
Fog and a cold rain enveloped Red Rocks Amphitheater on June 5, 1983, the day four Irish lads took the stage amidst lighted torches and an eager crowd, and blasted out one of the most passionate performances ever recorded in rock and roll history. In fact Rolling Stone named U2's Red Rock performance as one of the "50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll."
Though, only two of the songs taped at Red Rocks actually made the album, the video of the show captured U2 at the cusp of being something way more than four guys banging on instruments. Plus, it gave us the Bono Mullet.
Fog and a cold rain enveloped Red Rocks Amphitheater on June 5, 1983, the day four Irish lads took the stage amidst lighted torches and an eager crowd, and blasted out one of the most passionate performances ever recorded in rock and roll history. In fact Rolling Stone named U2's Red Rock performance as one of the "50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll."
Though, only two of the songs taped at Red Rocks actually made the album, the video of the show captured U2 at the cusp of being something way more than four guys banging on instruments. Plus, it gave us the Bono Mullet.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
What's the scariest "song" of all time?
When I was a kid, my friend and I used to open up my bedroom window and crank The Beatles' "Revolution 9" on Halloween. Didn't need any typical haunted house music to frighten the trick or treaters and certainly the "Monster Mash" was best left for the dance floor.
No, the "tale" of the alleged death of Paul McCartney (most debunked urban legend of all time, but the Beatles had fun messing with us just the same- AND thanks to that, we have Death Cab For Cutie) from a car accident scared us out of our wits! My hair still stands up when I hear the train conductor from hell, emphatically announcing, "number nine, number nine, number nine." Of course, what he's really saying backwards is "turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man." I think the sound of ghoulish car horn and the fire are the worst parts for me.
I mean, any song that supposedly inspired Charles Manson has got to be THE scariest song of all time. So if you want a good Halloween scare, check out this video of reversed REVOLUTION NINE with subtitles. Be sure to turn out the lights!
No, the "tale" of the alleged death of Paul McCartney (most debunked urban legend of all time, but the Beatles had fun messing with us just the same- AND thanks to that, we have Death Cab For Cutie) from a car accident scared us out of our wits! My hair still stands up when I hear the train conductor from hell, emphatically announcing, "number nine, number nine, number nine." Of course, what he's really saying backwards is "turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man." I think the sound of ghoulish car horn and the fire are the worst parts for me.
I mean, any song that supposedly inspired Charles Manson has got to be THE scariest song of all time. So if you want a good Halloween scare, check out this video of reversed REVOLUTION NINE with subtitles. Be sure to turn out the lights!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Bob Dylan Sets a New DVD for Release
October 30th, it's a jam packed new music Tuesday, including the soundtrack to I'm Not There. Bobby D just announced that he'll be releasing The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 on that day as well.
Mr. Dylan was at Merriweather Post last month and put on a great performance, although I have to admit it was hard to get into him after a smoking warm up form Amos Lee and Elvis Costello. Dylan did however play a great rendition of Simple Twist of Fate, Blowin In The Wind and other Dylan Classics.
Can't wait til Tuesday? It's Mr. Tambourine Man Live from 1964, those were the days...
Mr. Dylan was at Merriweather Post last month and put on a great performance, although I have to admit it was hard to get into him after a smoking warm up form Amos Lee and Elvis Costello. Dylan did however play a great rendition of Simple Twist of Fate, Blowin In The Wind and other Dylan Classics.
Can't wait til Tuesday? It's Mr. Tambourine Man Live from 1964, those were the days...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Mark Lanegan Revives Souls
Not probably since BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by The Verve has a song come out that has the power to move in a spiritual, life-affirming way (or even to, perhaps, rev up a sports team) than REVIVAL by SOULSAVERS.
The UK duo of producer/remixers of Rich Machin and Ian Glover have put together movie scores and helped out bands like Starsailor put finishing touches on tunes.
But, on their second album, IT'S NOT HOW FAR YOU FALL, IT'S THE WAY YOU LAND, they enlist the help of Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan. He adds a powerful, weather-worn presence to a song that sounds like what would happen if you injected the Talking Head's ROAD TO NOWHERE, with a double drony dose of gospel and soul.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this song for the past couple of weeks. See and hear why and then put this on your I-Pod, jog and see what kind of effect this song has on you!
The UK duo of producer/remixers of Rich Machin and Ian Glover have put together movie scores and helped out bands like Starsailor put finishing touches on tunes.
But, on their second album, IT'S NOT HOW FAR YOU FALL, IT'S THE WAY YOU LAND, they enlist the help of Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan. He adds a powerful, weather-worn presence to a song that sounds like what would happen if you injected the Talking Head's ROAD TO NOWHERE, with a double drony dose of gospel and soul.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this song for the past couple of weeks. See and hear why and then put this on your I-Pod, jog and see what kind of effect this song has on you!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Juliana Hatfield
Talked With My Friend Ann Last Night And We Were Talking Of The Show 120 Minutes.
She Brought Up Juliana Hatfield. So Here's Some Memories.
Jon & Juliana In 94
She Brought Up Juliana Hatfield. So Here's Some Memories.
Jon & Juliana In 94
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Halloween...
It's right around the corner and dressing up is always cause for celebration, even if it happens to be as a monster rather than in a gown.
But why, you might ask, am I bringing this up in a music blog? Well, I was turned on to a new side project of Jackie Greene 's called Skinny Singers. It features the California singer-songwriter teaming up with Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. The collabor
ation is soulful and bluesy AND has incredible cover art!
I think Superhero costumes are a great idea for Halloween or any time! Hope it gets you in the mood and thinking about what to dress up as for the holiday.
And, while you're thinking, what's YOUR favorite Halloween inspired album cover?
But why, you might ask, am I bringing this up in a music blog? Well, I was turned on to a new side project of Jackie Greene 's called Skinny Singers. It features the California singer-songwriter teaming up with Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. The collabor
ation is soulful and bluesy AND has incredible cover art!I think Superhero costumes are a great idea for Halloween or any time! Hope it gets you in the mood and thinking about what to dress up as for the holiday.
And, while you're thinking, what's YOUR favorite Halloween inspired album cover?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Remember The Sweater?
With the crispness in the air, the reemergence of long sleeve clothes and football, my thoughts return to high school and things I just didn't get very well at the time. I go back to a song that had a pretty hip beat, some witty lyrics- and kind of a spacey, Laurie Anderson-like spoken word delivery. Mostly for me, though, Meryn Cadell's THE SWEATER helped me tap into what girls may have been thinking at the time, and that, gee, they too suffered angst and were mortified by things that went wrong when it came time to trying to impress the opposite sex. However, my confusion may have been confounded, once I learned "her" back story. Bongo Beat Records recently re-released the very excellent ANGEL FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Enjoy the flashback!
Attention Bruce and Arcade Fire Fans!
Bruce played in Ottawa last night and the crowd got a great surprise! Win Butler and Regine Chassagne jumped on stage for a couple of songs. Arcade Fire had just finished up a show in NYC the weekend before. Bruce often has a few special guests on his tours here and there so now, of course, it's time to speculate who might jump on stage at the Verizon Center Shows next month. Hmmmm....Do you think Al Gore can carry a tune all the way through Dancing in the Dark! :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Oasis and Jamiroquai follow Radiohead's lead
By now I'm sure you've heard that you can purchase Radiohead's new album online for as much as you're willing to spend. Well Oasis and Jamiraquai just announced that they will be doing something very similar, providing the album for free digital download. Following these announcements page views skyrocketed on the websites. (What a great way to grab attention of the public)
If you're like me, you are wondering where am I going to pay more for getting this free music? Well the bands plan on making their money in concert tickets and other merchandise, afterall this is where bands make their loot these days.
Another issue brought up in this idea of free downloading is CD sales have plummeted and it's not that necessary for a band to be backed by a record label if they can produce their own cd, release it free on the internet then tour and make a lot of money doing so. Cut out the middle man. I'm starting to like this idea...more bands might jump on this trend, meaning we can enjoy music at home and on our iPods and all that good stuff and then go see them live knowing what we are supporting.
Let's see what happens, in the mean time enjoy this new video from Oasis, Lord Don't Slow Me Down
If you're like me, you are wondering where am I going to pay more for getting this free music? Well the bands plan on making their money in concert tickets and other merchandise, afterall this is where bands make their loot these days.
Another issue brought up in this idea of free downloading is CD sales have plummeted and it's not that necessary for a band to be backed by a record label if they can produce their own cd, release it free on the internet then tour and make a lot of money doing so. Cut out the middle man. I'm starting to like this idea...more bands might jump on this trend, meaning we can enjoy music at home and on our iPods and all that good stuff and then go see them live knowing what we are supporting.
Let's see what happens, in the mean time enjoy this new video from Oasis, Lord Don't Slow Me Down
Monday, October 8, 2007
Celebration - Sweet Gloom Baltimore Style
Dark, apocalyptic and cryptic, CELEBRATION paints music that might make Bauhaus, PJ Harvey and TV On The Radio fans, well, celebrate! In fact, David Sitek, of TV on The Radio produced one their earlier albums and assisted them in hooking up with the infamous 4AD records.
The husband and wife team of vocalist/percussionist Katrina Ford and multi-instrumentalist Sean Antanaitis front the band that....get this....is from right here in Baltimore! They'll be back in the area to play a show at DC's Rock and Roll Hotel Oct. 24th.
Their new album THE MODERN TRIBE add in a little gospel, jazz and more melody to their wild instrumentation. TVOTR and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lend guest support. Check out the carnival organ swirl on this tune, EVERGREEN.
The husband and wife team of vocalist/percussionist Katrina Ford and multi-instrumentalist Sean Antanaitis front the band that....get this....is from right here in Baltimore! They'll be back in the area to play a show at DC's Rock and Roll Hotel Oct. 24th.
Their new album THE MODERN TRIBE add in a little gospel, jazz and more melody to their wild instrumentation. TVOTR and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lend guest support. Check out the carnival organ swirl on this tune, EVERGREEN.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Clapton Gets Ready To Release Autobiography/CD Compilation
On October 9th Eric Clapton releases his life in a book and in a 36 song compilation of CD's. Being a people person I'm excited to dive into the life of Clapton, if you are interested in Clapton as well or even if you are not enjoy this emotion filled trailer. The CD/Book compilation not only goes into details about the musical world of Clapton but hits on his personal life as well including his drug and alcohol issues, the death of his son and his failed marriage. Should be a good read and listen.
Has Clapton impacted your life? How So?
Has Clapton impacted your life? How So?
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tokyo Police Club With Maple Leaf
Just wanted to let you in on this quirky, Canadian indie band that's had the festival circuit buzzing this year. They've also shared the stage with Cold War Kids- and even sat in with them for a performance of St. John at the 930 Club. TOKYO POLICE CLUB recently inked a deal with Conner Oberst's Saddle Creek Records. Check out the claymation on "Cheer It On", from Tokyo Police Club...
Tokyo Police Club- Cheer It On
Tokyo Police Club- Cheer It On
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