"Los Lobo" - THE WEEKEND MIX

I remember seeing these shows advertised and thinking, "Really? The David Hidalgo Band? At the KNITTING FACTORY? No WAY am I missing this!"

I missed these shows and I can't remember why. Maybe money, or a super late start time, or maybe it was just too humid out. (I'm funny that way.)

It all seemed so random. There was no solo record due. Los Lobos wasn't in town. I couldn't get much info then and I still can't now. Maybe David Hidalgo just needed to play. And BOY, does he!

This set cooks!


TRACK LIST

Someday
Bugaboo
Cissy Strut
Alligator Boogaloo
The Neighborhood
Lovelight
Mas Y Mas


ZIP FILE

Excuse Me, While I Popcorn: For Clyde Stubblefield, The Funky Drummer

I was informed by my friend Geno over at INTE BULLE, that legendary drummer Clyde Stubblefield is in need of a kidney transplant. Tom Alesia's full story is HERE. I will let his words explain.

As a drummer myself, I tend to initially lock into the groove and sound of the drums before I focus on just about anything else in a song. At live performances, I will fix my eyes on the drummer, even if Jeff Beck is front and center, tearing up "Pork Pie Hat." I just can't help it. And regarding Clyde Stubblefield, I can't stand it.
Stubblefield's steady grooves behind James Brown never failed to make my jaw drop. As good as The J.B.'s were, I have no doubt in my mind that when Clyde Stubblefield was in the band, they were better.

Here are two versions of "Give It Up & Turn It Loose." I am pretty certain that it is Stubblefield on the Mike Douglas Show, and almost certain that it is NOT Stubblefield in the clip from 1971. Both versions kick some funky butt, but there's something absolutely greasey about the version from 1969.

William Elliott Whitmore

Here's what ALL MUSIC has to say about William Elliott Whitmore:

With a voice that sounds like the reincarnation of an old gospel preacher from the 1920s and a fascination with sin, death, and redemption to match, William Elliott Whitmore is one of the most unique artists to emerge on the Americana scene in years. The son of a farmer and raised on a horse farm on the banks of the Mississippi River outside of Keokuk, IA, Whitmore's songs have a stark universality that is sketched out with minimal instrumentation, usually just a banjo or guitar and a smattering of percussion. Whitmore is rumored to have gotten his start in the music business by working as a roadie for Iowa hardcore band Ten Grand, famous for their fast and furious 20-minute sets, and Whitmore frequently stepped in with his songs to fill out the time. His voice is the one Tom Waits has been after for years (imagine a cross between Captain Beefheart and Dock Boggs), and his folk- and blues-inflected songs feel like they've been left out in the rain for months, weathered and tightened to the snapping point. Whitmore released Hymns for the Hopeless on Southern in 2003, followed by Ashes to Dust, also on Southern, in 2005. Whitmore appeared on the 2006 compilation CD/DVD entitled Let's Be Active, along with two other artists. In 2006 he released a third album on Southern, the characteristically stark Song of the Blackbird. Animals in the Dark followed in 2009.


I have had this record for months and only just got around to it. (That's because I can't stop playing "Amie" by Pure Prairie League, but whatever...)

This is not a video, just a still, and an opportunity for you to listen to "Mutiny," one of the many intense songs from Whitmore's most recent release "Animals In The Dark," a record that will leave you frozen in your tracks for its duration.

If It's Tuesday, 7/28/09, It Must Be One Dismal Street Date

The new music summer doldrums are upon us. This is the best of what I found for today's new releases.







BLUR- MIDLIFE: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BLUR

British pop darlings get anthologerized on this 25 track collection, which includes the out of print single, "Popscene."

Full Track list:

1 Beetlebum
2 Girls & Boys
3 For Tomorrow
4 Coffee & TV
5 Out Of Time
6 Blue Jeans
7 Song 2
8 Bugman
9 He Thought Of Cars
10 Death Of A Party
11 The Universal
12 Sing
13 This Is A Low
14 Tender
15 She's So High
16 Chemical World
17 Good Song
18 Parklife
19 Advert
20 Popscene
21 Stereotypes
22 Trimm Trabb
23 Badhead
24 Strange News From Another Star
25 Battery In Your Leg






IGGY POP & DAVID BOWIE- IGGY & ZIGGY: CLEVELAND '77

There really isn't anything new about this release. The performance has been floating around on one gray area CD or another for years. I happen to love the performance, which is basically an early incarnation of Bowie's underrated hard rock project Tin Machine, this time with Bowie himself on keys and backing vocals, backing Iggy on the "Lust For Life" tour. It's on the Cleopatra label, so don't expect any fancy remastering, just some wider availability.


Also from 1977, here is one of my fave clips ever, Iggy & Ziggy on the Dinah Shore show.








ELVIS PRESLEY- FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS DELUXE EDITION

"In January 1969, seeking to gain back some artistic control, Elvis produced some of his most significant work ever during a two week long series of recording sessions at American Studios in Memphis."
This is the Legacy Edition of one of Elvis' most significant albums, now featuring every song recorded during those sessions. 36 tracks in all, I think.






U.K. REISSUES

Prog-rock supergroup, U.K. sees their long out of print, 3 album output remastered and reissued, with founding member Eddie Jobson overseeing the project. The self-titled debut featuring John Wetton, Allan Holdsworth, Eddie Jobson and Bill Bruford, as well as the Holdsworth and Bruford-less follow-ups, "Danger Money" and "Night After Night," with Terry Bozzio taking over on drums, all get the much needed upgrade. It's been awhile since I've heard these, but I do remember loving all of them.

STOP THE PRESSES
As I searched for the purchase link, I now see that Amazon has these listed for August 11th.


WELL, that's your lot.

Neil, Roddy, & Graham : In The Round

As I continue the major sweep and subsequent sale of my precious and not so few CDs, I am still discovering little gems that somehow got lost over years and years of collecting. This weekend's find is a show dated 10/14/98, from Club Subterrania in London.

Three of my favorite songwriters, Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House), Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera), and Graham Gouldman (10cc) convened for a rare club appearance that would be filmed for the BBC series "In The Round," where each performer would share songwriting tales and help out the others with some tentative guitar playing and harmony vocals.

Gouldman has written many classics for many others, such as The Hollies, Herman's Hermits, The Yardbirds, Sonny & Cher and Jeff Beck, and this set includes the guys having fun with some of those hits---Heart Full Of Soul, Bus Stop & For Your Love--as well as their own---Killermont Street, Don't Dream It's Over, Fall At Your Feet & Oblivious.

Enjoy the video for "Oblivious," while you download a small ZIP FILE that features one song from each.

Click > OBLIVIOUS, I'M NOT IN LOVE, & WEATHER WITH YOU

Young Dude, Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter's performance on Thursday evening at City Winery not only showcased the brilliant songs from his just released "Man Overboard" CD, it also displayed a true legend, who at 70 years old, seems to be as relevant as he was 35 years ago.

Hunter and his Rant band had just played a free outdoor show on one of the many crap weather days we have been experiencing here in NYC, or what I'd like to call, "The Big Damp," just a few weeks ago. As wonderful as that was, the band was visibly shaken by weather-related audio problems and the crowd, while receptive, had to endure 90 minutes of sound being blown in and out of phase, thanks to the storm that managed to push out right at showtime. Whereas, on the Winery stage, the band seemed reborn, each sipping on some Syrah, and just having the time of their lives, in a beautiful, new state-of-the-art setting.

The set list was quite different than a few weeks ago, adding an additional 5 songs from the new record, a few more from the equally brilliant "Rant" album of 2002, as well as a killer "Sweet Jane, which I haven't seen Ian do in years.









Here is my full review of "Man Overboard," which appeared on ALTERCATION, where you can also read my full review of the new Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs release.




Ian Hunter: Man Overboard


I was 10 years old in 1974 and on one miserable and unpleasant afternoon, I was followed home from school by three 7th graders who wanted to beat the crap out of me because they saw me purchase The Hoople, Mott The Hoople's then current album, in Golden Disc, the record store on Bleecker Street, right across from my grammar school. For the entire walk, they threw cans, rocks, and sticks, but mostly kept chanting "Homo!" Wasn't easy being a 10 year old Ian Hunter fan in 1974 Greenwich Village. I thankfully didn't get beat up, but more importantly, the record made it home unscathed. I didn't care about my skull. Just don't touch the record. While that doesn't say much about Man Overboard, the brand new release from Ian Hunter, it does illustrate how long I've been a fan, and just what I would endure to hear something new from Hunter and the boys.



Onto the new record. Few artists have kept my interest so solidly for so long as Ian Hunter. One reason is that he doesn't have any truly bad records. Another, is his graceful transition from glam artist, to 80s pop star, to 90s recluse, to respected singer-songwriter. Man Overboard is the third release in 8 years from Ian and a core group of NY musicians known as the Rant Band and it could be the strongest yet.



"Arms & Legs" is a beautiful, upbeat love song with a killer chorus, and the opener, "The Great Escape" would not sound out of place on "Big Pink." But where Hunter really shines, as he always has, is on the ballads. "Girl From The Office" sounds like a lost Keith track from "Between The Buttons. "The title track is a heartbreaker reminiscent of Hunter's autobiographical powerhouses such as "Hymn For The Dudes" and "Saturday Gigs." There really isn't a bad cut on the record. Not bad for a rocker who is 70 years young.


"Zimmy Does Zevon" - THE WEEKEND MIX

Boy, are you in for a treat. I forgot I had this. Look at this set list. And WHAT A PERFORMANCE! And the sound quality? SHEESH!

Bob Dylan covers Don Henley/Bruce Hornsby, Jagger/Richards, Neil Young and Warren Zevon, all in the same night.

Have a great weekend.

ZIP FILE

(Remember, it is a full show, so the download will take an unbearable 6 minutes instead of 1 minute.

Bruce, Atlantic City, 3/7/03

My friend and I drove 3 plus hours to this show and 3 plus hours back. (maybe a bit less coming back) I know rock and roll fans do this all the time. It's just that I don't...usually. We parked on a side street, you know, one of those blocks you never buy in Monopoly, right in front of some topless bar, and not a second after attaching "The Club," we were "invited" by two "women" to come inside and have some fun. I was polite and explained, "I would Ma'am, but I think he will open with 'Atlantic City' tonight. Thank you and don't forget to drink a lot of water."

I have some other memories of that evening, as well. This one tune, especially. It's not uncommon to hear a band cover The Beatles in concert. But, I cant recall ever hearing too many versions of "Tell Me Why."

(He did open with "Atlantic City." But you knew that.)

TELL ME WHY

Karl Wallinger Is At It Again

Releasing only 5 albums in 22 years isn't exactly what you would call flooding the market, but this is Karl Wallinger, his band World Party, and his fan-frustrating work habits.

In 2000, Wallinger released the excellent "Dumbing Up," and finally got his act together to tour the US. Man, I couldn't wait. Then, the lazy bastard cancelled the tour. He suffered an aneurysm that shut him down completely. He lost his ability to sing and play guitar and had to learn it all again from scratch. (Talk about lame excuses)

2006, Wallinger is back, alive and healthy, singing and playing. He re-releases "Dumbing Up" with a slightly tweaked track list and tries again, this time making it to NYC on two separate occasions. I saw both shows and the man looked and sounded great.

2009, a new World Party album is near completion and tour dates have been announced, with 2 nights at my new favorite venue, NYC's City Winery. I buy tickets for both performances. (Man, I can't wait.) 2 weeks later, the shows are cancelled. Karl's health must be fine. The West Coast shows are still happening. Bastard. What gives, Karly?


"Best In Show," is a nice place to start, if you want to familiarize yourself with World Party's most famous songs. "Goodbye Jumbo" is considered the classic. And "Bang" seems to be the one I go back to most.

But for now, I give you "When You Come Back To Me." This is a tune that was written for the soundtrack of "Reality Bites," and to me it's Wallinger at his most brilliant. It's a Rutles-inspired tribute to David Bowie, basically "Young Americans" sideways, sort of.

Enjoy

WHEN YOU COME BACK TO ME

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 07/21/09

IAN HUNTER- MAN OVERBOARD

The man is 70 years old and still has plenty to say. And he's kicking some rock and roll ass saying it. This is a brilliant release, with Hunter gracefully keeping up with the youngsters. Check back later this week for my detailed review over at Altercation. For now, Burning Wood is raving over "Man Overboard," a more than solid follow up to 2007's solid "Shrunken Heads." Solid.







JAY & THE AMERICANS- COMPLETE UNITED ARTISTS SINGLES

Collectors'Choice follows up their excellent Gary Lewis & The Playboys' collection with this exhaustive 3 CD, 66 track collection featuring every single A & B side in their original mono mixes, most for the very first time on CD. Or you can download "Come A Little Bit Closer" for a dollar. "VAMOOSE! JOSE'S ON HIS WAY!"







NICK LOWE- THE BRENTFORD TRILOGY

Interesting concept from one of my favorite labels, Yep Roc, as they package Nick Lowe's three brilliant indie releases, "The Impossible Bird," "Dig My Mood, and "The Convincer" into one very affordable box. YEP ROC: "These three records always represented a kind of trilogy to Nick and now for the first time, all three are being packed together in a very limited edition boxed set for hardcore fans and new believers alike." Not really sure why the hardcore fans would need it, but COME ON "new believers."





MATTHEW SWEET & SUSANNA HOFFS- UNDER THE COVERS VOLUME 2

"Under The Covers Volume 2" is more irresistible music from Sid 'n' Susie, the cutesy moniker adopted for the duo we know as Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. This time they tackle a bunch of AM/FM radio classics from the seventies. "Volume One" saw the kids get on board the sixties train, and while it was a lot of fun, Volume 2 throws a few more curve balls with some unlikely choices that really and truly work, such as the Yes classic "I've Seen All Good People" and Derek & The Dominoes' "Bell Bottom Blues," with Hoffs pleading the lead vocal. (sigh) There is also a download ONLY bonus disc that features 10 more tunes including takes on classics by Television, The Buzzcocks, Badfinger and Elvis Costello.



ALSO OUT THIS WEEK






THE FIERY FURNACES- I'M GOING AWAY
From All Music: Winter 2009, the Fiery Furnaces recorded I'm Going Away, a simpler, more stripped-down collection that drew on the warm sounds of '70s and '80s TV show theme songs like Taxi for inspiration. (Personally, I enjoy the earlier works inspired by "My Mother, The Car.")





INCUBUS- MONUMENTS & MELODIES
15 track hits collection, featuring the prerequisite 2 new tracks tacked on for sucker appeal.






COZY POWELL- TILT & OCTOPUSS
2nd and 3rd solo releases from the late, great drummer, courtesy of the interesting but sporadic reissue label, Lemon.





SUGAR RAY- MUSIC FOR COUGARS
First release in 6 years. (Has it been that long?)





WILD THING: THE SONGS OF CHIP TAYLOR
The other Voight brother and his wonderful songwriting is highlighted on this fantastic collection from ACE UK.

1. Wild Thing - The Troggs
2. I Can't Let Go - Evie Sands
3. I Can Make It With You - The Pozo Seco Singers
4. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) - Lorraine Ellison
5. Angel Of The Morning - Merrilee Rush
6. Sneakin' Up On You - Peggy Lee
7. Country Girl-City Man - Billy Vera & Judy Clay
8. Welcome Home - Walter Jackson
9. Is That You - Arthur & Mary
10. PIcture Me Gone - Madeline Bell
11. I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face - Aretha Franklin
12. Any Way That You Want Me - Tina Mason
13. Most Unusual Boy, A - Patti Austin
14. His True Love For You - Al McCarther
15. Make Me Belong To You - Barbara Lewis
16. My Johnny Doesn't Come Around Anymore - Debbie Rollins
17. Tommy - Reparata & The Delrons
18. Don't Say It Baby - Dusty Springfield
19. Wake Up John - Little Eva
20. Storybook Children - Nona Hendrix/Billy Vera
21. Run Home To Your Mama - Evie Sands
22. I'll Give My Heart To You - Kathy McCord
23. Son Of A Rotten Gambler - The Hollies

Woody Does Radio City

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies is the "If You Are But Dream" sequence from Woody Allen's "Radio Days," in my opinion, Allen's most underrated film.

If anyone has ever had a music memory, a song that automatically transports you to a certain place and time, or a song that rattles the heart for someone long ago, this movie is all of those feelings strung together with a warm, touching, and often hilarious story of Allen's childhood.


What really strikes me about this scene is that, even in person, Radio City Music Hall never looked so beautiful.

"They Actually Use The Word 'Compassion'"

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Continuing with the "songs celebrities cite as their favorites" theme, here is one of my favorite Kinks songs, and one of two songs that XTC's Andy Partridge says he wishes he wrote. (Special prize to the first person who tells me the other.)

Letter To Hermione

A long, long time ago, I can still remember... how I was trying to force an obnoxious amount of David Bowie onto a friend who at the time, listened to Fred Astaire exclusively. "Moonage Daydream" or "Cheek To Cheek?" It was no easy task. I was a bit shocked when she offered "Letter To Hermione" as the one song she liked by David Bowie. "What the hell is that," I cried, "I just spent the last 96 hours listening to Ziggy Stardust and you're playing 'Stump The Band' with me? Who is this Hermione you speak of, and why the hell is THAT the song you know?" My odious persona had to start somewhere, right?

30 years later, "Letter To Hermione" still moves me and still strikes me as one of Bowie's hidden masterpieces. The always reliable Wikipedia says this:

"Letter to Hermione" is a song written by David Bowie in 1969 for the album Space Oddity. This ballad is a love letter to Hermione Farthingale, who Bowie met through Lindsay Kemp while mime dancing. She became Bowie's girlfriend and they lived together for a short while in London in 1968. In early 1969 she dumped Bowie for Stephen Reinhardt, an American musician and dancer she met on the film "Song of Norway."

Wikipedia also says "Letter To Hermione" is not only Ricky Gervais' favorite Bowie song, but his favorite song period. (I love Wikipedia)

When I had my cute little retail outlet from hell, I would always bust a vein when some customer would browse for an hour, buy nothing, then offer the parting comment,"There's nothing new that's good." That may have been true...occasionally. But I would argue then, as I argue now,"If you've never heard it before, it's NEW to YOU." This left the purchasing possibilities endless. Anyway, that was my feeling in 1979 when I discovered the "Space Oddity" album. 10 years after its release, and I still only knew the title track. Discovering "Letter To Hermione," not to mention "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud," "Unwashed & Somewhat Slightly Dazed" and the rest of Bowie's fantastic debut, was exhilarating. I played the record so little back then, it still sounds fresh, even now.




I give you 2 versions, Bowie's original and a recent cover by the wonderful Irish singer-songwriter, Duke Special, with Matt Hales of Aqualung. And while you're waiting for the UNZIP, you can listen above while staring at a notepad.


LETTER TO HERMIONE ZIP FILE

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 7/14/09

BEASTIE BOYS- ILL COMMUNICATION (DELUXE EDITION)

The reissue campaign continues BOYEEEZ, with a remastered 2 CD edition of another Beasties classic, featuring better sound and an additional disc of remixed goodies.






BLEU- A WATCHED POT

William James "Bleu" McAuley is an amazing songwriter with an even amazinger singing voice that at times gives Robin Zander of Cheap Trick a run for his money. For this release he continues his penchant for big production and songs with enough hooks to snag a flounder. There are some great tunes here folks, with nods to John Lennon, Motown, Harry Nilsson, and Randy Newman.







DAVID BOWIE- VH-1 STORYTELLERS

CD and DVD souvenir of the Dame's stint on VH-1 trying to explain tunes like "Life On Mars" and "China Girl." I find this very entertaining, but I am also a huge fan who has even found a way to forgive Mr. Jones for his 1987 rap duet with Mickey Rourke on "Never Let Me Down," not only the worst record of Bowie's career, but also the worst concert I have ever seen. (Maybe even the worst year in the history of the world. 1987, look it up people!)








THE DEAD WEATHER- HOREHOUND

The biggest thing since The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather is yet another side project of one Jack White. Please read my full review HERE.





EMITT RHODES- THE EMITT RHODES RECORDINGS

Hip-O Select, the once exclusive boutique label subsidiary of Universal Music Group, whose product can now be found next to the Christmas tree air fresheners at your local Pep Boys, has done a smart job here by compiling all 4 ABC-Dunhill releases by cult- hero and Paul McCartney wanna-be Emitt Rhodes. Individually, these 4 Japanese only CDs fetch many a yen. But now, they all here in affordable pop splendor. Go Hip-O.






ROBIN TROWER- WHAT LIES BENEATH

One of my favorite guitar players continues to crank-em out. Trower's recent releases have not come close to the classic 70s material, but the man could still play. (This is not a recommendation for the new CD. I have not heard it.)



NEIL YOUNG REMASTERS

WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME, YOU DAMN CANUCK!! Hot on the heels of "Archives Vol. 1," the Rolls Royce of box sets, comes the first four, absolutely essential Neil Young records sounding better than ever. "Neil Young," "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere," "After The Gold Rush," and "Harvest" all get the long-awaited upgrade. (Will we be alive to see an upgrade of "Landing On Water?" I hope not.)


Here's something new from Bleu. Enjoy.
IN LOVE WITH MY LOVER

Reservations

Wilco's performance on 9/27/01 at NYC’s Town Hall wasn't the first show I attended after the 9/11 tragedy. The Black Crowes had played 6 days earlier. That was the first. No one was really sure what to do or feel on either night. I’m pretty sure the majority of NYC, while still in shock from the events, also had this feeling, superficial though it was, to get back to normal at any cost, even if it meant pretending to actually want to go to a concert. Some didn't pretend. My friend with tickets to both shows said simply, "I can't go out yet. I'm not going." I went out.

The Black Crowes show was loud, fast and hard, with Chris Robinson exclaiming, “It finally feels like a Friday night!” Yeah...not really. I remember drinking a lot and feeling like it was the greatest concert I had ever seen. (Drink a lot of beer or the terrorists win.) But considering what had happened 9 days earlier, Michael Bolton Singing The Rob Thomas Songbook Live At Carnegie Hall may have also been the greatest concert I had ever seen, if it was that same Friday night. When you are hungry, you'll take anything.

My memories of Town Hall have Jeff Tweedy saying very little and the set feeling a bit tentative. Listening back to a wonderful recording of the show I got hold of a few days later, it's not quite that moody, although the band does seem careful. Even standard crowd pleasers like “A Shot In The Arm” and “Passenger Side” weren't as urgent. The band's arms seemed as heavy as our hearts. As the show progressed, the energy picked up. I mean, we WANTED to have a good time, right? Well, we did. I think.

Now I am pretty certain “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” still hadn’t been officially released, so it was this evening where I first heard “Reservations.”


How can I convince you it's me I don't like
And not be so indifferent to the look in your eyes
When I've always been distant
And I've always told lies for love

I'm bound by these choices so hard to make
I'm bound by the feeling so easy to fake
None of this is real enough to take me from you

Oh I've got reservations
About so many things
But not about you

I know this isn't what you were wanting me to say
How can I get closer and be further away
From the truth that proves it's beautiful to lie

I've got reservations
About so many things
But not about you
I've got reservations
About so many things
But not about you

I was left then, how I am left now, 8 years and 1000 plays later... frozen. Nothing I could say will do this song justice.

Here are both the studio version and the version from Town Hall.

Check back Friday for the "Weekend Mix." I may post the entire Town Hall show with enough encouragement.

ZIP FILE

Jamming And Taking Names; They Are Once Again

I saw Once Again, a very ambitious trio of 16 year old musicians, perform at Kenny's Castaways in Greenwich Village on Tuesday night and if what I witnessed was an early sign of things to come, this band is poised to start wowing the big time.

Yes, it was easy to get lost in the fact that keyboardist Dylan Maida, guitarist Kadin Wisniewski and drummer Dana Shepherd are just 16 years old. You sit and wait for them to suck. As a matter of fact, that sentiment has become a bit of a running joke and possible band motto: "We're Once Again and we promise we won't suck."

Well, they kept their promise. They didn't suck. But more than that, these young phenoms impressed in ways where age should matter.

Drawing from styles influenced by the daring jam improv of such bands as Medeski, Martin, & Wood and Benevento-Russo, Once Again never drifted into repetition the way so many jam bands do. They are very aware of the necessity for melody, and each of their original songs is not just an exercise in showing off, but truly musical. (The band also cites The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd as influences. And I'll be damned if you can't hear it all.)

The band offers tight grooves on original tunes such as "Shelter Puppies" and "First Song," as well as some loose chaos on "Gatorade," a song where Kadin Wisniewski's guitar playing showed signs of the avant-garde, leaving some space like Bill Frisell, then tearing it up like Sonny Sharrock. Dylan Maida's organ never fails to get the melody across, and without a bass player, it is also up to Maida keep the bottom in place, which he does solidly for Dana Shepherd, the drummer who plays hard and heavy the way a groovemaster should, yet whose speed is jaw-dropping, playing as if he had 4 hands and two feet. Have I pointed out that they are 16 years old? (I should also point out that Dana made me want to sell my drumsticks and take up basket weaving.)

Once Again still has a way to go. But for now, to see and hear such young musicians play and arrange original tunes in such daring ways, gives me hope and confidence that what I heard on Tuesday night was hardly novelty. Once Again is the real thing.

Their My Space page is HERE, but I suggest seeing them live. That's where it counts!

Michael Jackson: One Last Tribute

"Michael Jackson was, in the opinion of many, not only the first among equals in the ranks of beer judges, but essentially the inventor of many of today's commonly accepted beer styles. He was also an extremely well loved individual, by everyone who knew him.

He was born March 27, 1942, in Yorkshire, England. In his 65 years of life he touched so many people that his name will probably be coming up in conversation for another half century at least.

Michael had severely curtailed his public schedule in recent years, due to his struggle with Parkinson's disease, yet he continued to write, which was his consuming passion.

It's probably safe to say that most people in the business considered him the world's foremost authority on beer and whiskey, and some of his many books can be found on the shelves of anyone who takes a serious interest in either subject.

Next time you raise a proper pint of a good real ale, whether commercial or homebrew, give a thought to Michael and say a silent "Thanks!" for what he did for all of us."


As for the "other" Michael Jackson, there's not much I want to say. I'm sure you've all seen the Peter King video. It's HERE, if you haven't. I can't say I disagree, but he IS from Massapequa, so he loses some credibility.

News anchor Jim Watkins' piece for the Huffington Post was quite good. You can read that HERE.

Personally, I have had enough. Let's face it. Michael Jackson was over. His last significant and worthwhile piece of music was released in 1987. The last 20 years was nothing but a bad, musicless circus; a relentless comeback that failed. Did anyone really need to see Akon confirm Jackson's work ethic on The Today Show? Was that really good television? I don't even think Akon fans gave a shit.

I ask that you please read my friend Gene's excellent piece over at the always wonderful and incredibly classy Inte Bulle. I will give him the last word on this matter...at least on these pages.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled, Jackson-free programming.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be A Really Lame Street Date - 07/07/09

This is one weak week. It's the summertime doldrums. Sorry about the lack of worthwhile releases, but remember, it isn't my fault AND what isn't worthwhile to me is usually the biggest thing in the world for a week. So, check your local listings and come back tomorrow, ya hear?




DRIVE BY TRUCKERS- LIVE FROM AUSTIN TEXAS

The Truckers captured at (on?) Austin City Limits on (at?) their "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" tour. CD & DVD at an $18.98 list price.








THE JAYHAWKS- MUSIC FROM THE NORTH


The sweet (sometimes sleepy) sounds of Gary Louris & Mark Olson are featured on this 20 track retrospective spanning 6 albums. The deluxe edition is a doozy! It includes a bonus CD with 20 rare demos, b sides, live tracks and more, as well as a DVD that features 2 short films and all of the band's videos. $34.99 list, but if you act now, it's $19.99 on Amazon.com.






SON VOLT- AMERICAN CENTRAL DUST

There was an episode of The Odd Couple where Felix and Oscar thought a spirit was living in their air conditioner and they needed Victor Buono to exorcise it out. When that didn't work, they tried something out of the "Exorcising At Home" handbook, which involved Felix moaning in a high-pitched, nasal tone. Unfortunately for me, if Jay Farrar wrote 10 songs that were better than anything ever written by Bob Dylan, I will never get past the fact that his voice reminds me of Felix's high-pitched nasal moaning during the air conditioning exorcism. While that may not be fair, I've yet to like a single Son Volt record, solely because I don't like his voice. This new one is no different.





CHALI 2NA- FISH OUTTA WATER

"From his roots on the south side of Chicago to his subsequent explosion onto Los Angeles' burgeoning hip hop scene, Chali 2na epitomizes the portrait of a 21 century artist. Probably best known as front man for the groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, Chali 2na presents his first solo effort in a 15 plus year career." Chali's voice is big, and his style is unique. I am looking forward to this one.


For those keeping score, I love Wilco and Jurassic 5. I do not like Son Volt. It's ok, really.








MAXWELL- BLACKSUMMER'S NIGHT

First release in 8 years from one of the creators of the neo-soul movement. Big time review by Mike Ragogna over at Huff Po.

BONUS NEWS STORY THANKS TO LACK OF NEW RELEASES





Three's Company actress Joyce DeWitt cited for DUI.

If I Only Had The Brains

It only took 30 years and a lot of whining, but the original, indie single version of The Brains' brilliant debut "Money Changes Everything" finally found its way into my e-mail box this weekend. Many thanks to FD13NYC for not giving up and tracking this down for all of us.

The differences between this version and the version that appeared on the band's major label debut for Mercury in 1980 may be subtle to most. But the first thing that strikes me as a drummer, is the weak mix and unnecessary reverb added to the album version. A crappy drum sound is really all I need to get turned off.

You can find the crap version HERE.

And the zip of the original version is HERE.

Listen and compare.

Comments encouraged.

"Rare Lu" " THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND MIX

I found the "Rare Lu" CD online about a year or so ago. Nice little collection, maybe a bit heavy on latter day demos. I decided to replace a few of what I felt were the weaker tracks with some other winners. That's it. Plain & simple. Here's some Lucinda Williams.


Pyramid Of Tears
Can't Let Go
Breakfast In Bed w/ Donnie Fritts
Blue w/ Elvis Costello
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Big Road Blues
Get Right With God (Remix)
Positively 4th Street
Joy
For What It's Worth (live)
Gentle On My Mind



LUCINDA ZIP


ALSO,

My full reviews of Levon Helm, Cheap Trick, WOODSTOCK reissues and more at ALTERCATION






























HAPPY 4TH!!

Off The Wall

This is from Billboard.com

As predicted, Michael Jackson is once again the King of the Pop charts.

Based on preliminary sales numbers from Nielsen SoundScan, the entire top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart will house Jackson-related titles when the tally is released in the early morning on Wednesday (July 1.

Jackson himself has a record eight out of the top 10, while a Jackson 5 compilation also finds its way into the upper tier.

The King of Pop's "Number Ones" will fittingly lead the pack at No. 1 with 108,000 (an increase of 2,340%) while "The Essential Michael Jackson" and "Thriller" are in the Nos. 2 and 3 slots with 102,000 and 101,000, respectively. Last week "Number Ones" was the only Jackson title on the chart, at No. 20 with 4,000 copies; both "Essential" and "Thriller" re-enter the tally this week.

Additionally, his classic 1979 studio set "Off the Wall" re-enters at No. 4 with 33,000 while his 1987 album "Bad" returns at No. 6 with 17,000. At No. 5, the Jackson 5's "The Ultimate Collection" debuts with 18,000. Jackson's fourth studio album for Epic Records, 1991's "Dangerous," re-enters at No. 7 with 14,000 while his 2001 compilation "Greatest Hits: HIStory -- Volume 1" also comes back to the list at No. 8 with 12,000. Finally, Jackson's 2004 box set "The Ultimate Collection" charts its first week on the Pop Catalog chart, arriving at No. 9 with 11,000.

Collectively, Jackson's solo albums sold 422,000 this past week. That's extraordinary, since his titles sold a combined 10,000 in the week that ended June 21. Of the 422,000 total, 57% were digital downloads.

Additionally, the 422,000 albums sold just last week is nearly 42% more than what Jackson's catalog had sold the the entire year up through June 21 (297,000).



Back when NYCD, my infrequently money-making music retail outlet was still in business, we experienced this phenomenon often. People who never bought a single country record in their lives would come in three at a time, "Hi. Any Tammy Wynette CDs," hours after hearing of her death. I found it irritating then and I find it irritating now. Last week, the only interest at all in Michael Jackson was betting on how soon his entire run of London concerts would be canceled. Now EVERYONE just has to hear "Beat It." It's just so unfair to Michael. He could have used the money and now you are all too late.

Some poor clerks in Walmarts across the country will soon be dealing with, "Hi? Do you have the second season of Streets Of San Francisco" on DVD?

"STANDIN' BY CANDLES." Brilliant and Hilarious.