If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 3/31/09

Here is a short, but potent list of what's exciting this week.













BOB DYLAN REMASTERS

4 more Dylan titles get a much needed audio upgrade. This week it's "THE BASEMENT TAPES," "BEFORE THE FLOOD," "DYLAN & THE DEAD," (which sounds a lot better than I remembered it sounding,) and one of my very favorites, "NEW MORNING." Each is packaged in a limited edition digipak, and serve as a nice precursor to the forthcoming album of new material, "TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE," hitting the streets on 4/28.




Of course, to appreciate the sound quality and packaging, it means actually buying a CD, so...good luck with that.





GOMEZ- A NEW TIDE




I've tried for years to get this band, but they always seem to elude me. I can't pinpoint why, and that may be the problem. Here's someone else's description of "A NEW TIDE"-

"The British band follows 2006's acclaimed How We Operate with their most adventurous and ambitious work to date. A wide range of styles is incorporated into A New Tide's matchless musical brew. Flavors of Delta blues, psychedelia, and Krautrock all come into play, resulting in a musically mischievous and remarkably forward thinking collection."

I just listened to the entire record and while I didn't hear one Krautrock tune, or anything that didn't sound like everything I have ever heard from this band, I did confirm what I said in the first paragraph.





PJ HARVEY & JOHN PARISH- A WOMAN, A MAN, WALKED BY

This is the second collaboration from Harvey & Parish. Their first, 1996's "Dance Hall At Louse Point," was a moderately received follow-up to Harvey's critically acclaimed "To Bring You My Love." UNCUT describes this new release as "Grunge! Banjo! Dub! Swearing!" Coincidentally, that also described my confirmation.





DIANA KRALL- QUIET SONGS

12th release from Mrs. Costello, features arrangements by Claus Ogerman (of the Kennebunkport Ogermans) on 10 standards in a bossa nova style.



PICK OF THE WEEK




JOHN SCOFIELD- PIETY STREET

"I'm just shifting the balances for this one. I've always wanted to record and tour a blues project. That's where I started as a guitarist and I'm feeling that music more than ever of late. I launched a personal search for musical inspiration beyond the standard 12 bar blues and found it in "old time gospel" music - the closest relative to and inspiration for the R& B that we all love. I've always treasured Gospel but never really dug deep into it. My search led to countless songs that really move me. It's really powerful stuff. Of course, it will be Gospel done my way - all the arrangements are mine. "

That is John Scofield on his new release, "Piety Street," named after the famed New Orleans studio where the record was recorded. I spent most of the weekend listening to and loving this CD. Scofield enlisted some NOLA greats, George Porter Jr., Jon Cleary, John Boutte and Shannon Powell, along with current Bonnie Raitt drummer and Cleary bandmate Ricky Fataar, for a unique take on traditional gospel. Jon Cleary takes the lead vocals on the majority of the record, leaving the wonderful John Boutte with three of his own. The songs groove, with Scofield keeping his jazz fusion chops to a tasty minimum, and the band locking in for some upbeat, almost funky takes on familiar tunes.

My relentless praise for all things New Orleans, along with the mention of the word "gospel," may be exactly what turns you off about this release. I make my own eyes roll sometimes. But, "Piety Street" is a fantastic record with a great spirit and great players, and it doesn't need me to gush all over it. Listen to some of it here.


FINALLY---

SHAMELESS PLUG # 3



THE COOL JERKS HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED



If you're around on Friday evening, stop by Desmond's Tavern and check us out. We'll be doing two sets featuring some of your favorite soul tunes and some of our favorite soul tunes. (Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Grand Funk)

ADMISSION is either FREE or $5, depending on what time you get there and who's watching the door. It's not often you get to hear me sing. So, come on down!

(Leave the tomatoes at home.)

Live Review- WILL BERNARD BAND

I went to see Will Bernard and his insanely funky bandmates at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday. Simply put, it was hot shit! I wrote about Bernard's excellent new record, "Blue Plate Special," back in September. Here's what I said:

"Bay Area guitarist Will Bernard has played with people as diverse as avant-garde saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum to hip hop band The Coup. Most recently he has been part of Galactic drummer Stanton Moore's trio, whose two releases on the Telarc label, "III," and "Emphasis (on Parenthesis)" contain some of the baddest badass grooves this side of Funky Town. On "BLUE PLATE SPECIAL," Bernard enlists Moore for the backbeat along with John Medeski and Andy Hess for a record that absolutely sizzles. From the slinky groove of the opener "Baby Goats," to the space age, James Brown funk of "Blister" to the sweet and soulful take on "How Great Thou Art" which closes the album, these 4 musicians show off, but never lose touch of the melody. Bernard is a player with finesse, never getting carried away with his instrument, always allowing space for the musicians to interact. And that's what you will hear on this very unique collection of songs. Should be clever enough for serious jazz-bos and thanks to Stanton Moore's impossible drumming, "Blue Plate Special" will keep you moving."









That pretty much sums up the performance, as well. I realize there is a "fear of jam bands" that so many suffer from, that potential dread of never-ending head-bobbing, dude-calling, and hacky-sack. But these four guys are seasoned vets, with so much music under their belts, it never feels as if they will lose their way. Remember The Meters? Bernard's original tunes all have memorable melodies, so when the band locks in, they lock in on more than just a groove. Of course, as a drummer, when I watch Stanton Moore, the other band members might as well be The Shaggs. Whether he likes it or not, Moore becomes the star of the show, regardless of whose name is in lights on the marquee.

Here is a zip of a few tunes from a few nights earlier in Denver. Listen for yourself. I took the pics. Those are from Thursday.

ZIP FILE

"Give The Drummer Some" : THE WEEKEND MIX

How do you know when a drummer is at your door?

He doesn't know when to come in.



This weekend's mix highlights some of my favorite moments from my favorite drummers.



It's (almost) never about the solo, but the groove and the space. A few here need no introduction, but I will say this about Ringo Starr: if anyone has any doubt about him being one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time, this live version of "Roll Over Beethoven" should convert the non-believers.



In terms of creativity, it's hard to beat Bill Bruford's on this King Crimson track from the album "Red."














My favorite drummer still working harder than any musician I have ever known, is New Orleans' great Stanton Moore. It doesn't get badder than this. (You know, when I say "bad," I mean good, right?)This track is from his most recent release on Telarc, "Emphasis! (On Parenthesis)

(Photo taken by me from last night's performance at The Highline Ballroom, featuring Will Bernard, John Medeski, Andy Hess, and Stanton Moore. Review and more pics coming Monday.)




Representing my favorite drummer of all time is the backing track from a song that you all should know. John Bonham was otherworldly, a powerhouse, a madman and a machine.

And here is the man that created that shuffle, BERNARD PURDIE.







Now, I did say "almost" never about the solo. The video at the top of the post is from Frank Sinatra's "Concert For the Americas" from 1982. Here is Buddy Rich with what I think is the single greatest live performance by any drummer. Yes, the solo is sick! But, it's his finesse on the cymbals, his speed, his snare dynamics, and his cool--specifically that move from 2:38-2:42. And he's wearing a tuxedo.

TRACK LIST

Leaving Here- The Who (KEITH MOON)
Roll Over Beethoven (Live) - The Beatles (RINGO STARR)
Barracuda - Heart (MICHAEL DEROSIER)
(at the) Maple Leaf - Stanton Moore (STANTON MOORE)
Bad Reputation- Thin Lizzy (BRIAN DOWNEY)
Fire - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (MITCH MITCHELL)
She Sells- Roxy Music (PAUL THOMPSON)
One More Red Nightmare- King Crimson (BILL BRUFORD)
Fool In The Rain (Backing track) Led Zeppelin (JOHN BONHAM)

ZIP FILE

As Long As We're Laughing Today....

Check out my friend Holly's hysterical piece on The Huffington Post about reality TV.

"I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a sling shot. "

I am sure we can all use a little mid-week diversion from the sturm und drang. This did it for me. Tomorrow, more music.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 3/24/09

JOHN BOUTTE & PAUL SANCHEZ- STEW CALLED NEW ORLEANS

Currently available exclusively at the coolest record store in the world, the LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY, long time pals and New Orleans' treasures John Boutte and Paul Sanchez have released a record that is the pure embodiment of the great city it's named after. "Stew Called New Orleans" is a heartfelt, spontaneous, and jovial collection of original songs (as well as 2 choice covers by Paul Simon and Jelly Roll Morton) by two artists who have lived through the best and worst New Orleans has to offer. With the help of another frequent collaborator, the great Leroy Jones on trumpet, Boutte and Sanchez create an album that sounds like Sam Cooke, Dan Hicks, and Louis Armstrong sitting on a back porch, easing the day away. I love these guys!







1990s- KICKS

"Cookies," the Bernard Butler produced debut from this Glasgow group was full of short, sharp bursts of pop excellence recalling the best of 80s new wave. The Suede guitarist is back behind the scenes and on "Kicks" we get more of the same only better. This record is hook-filled, with nods to "Drums & Wires"- era XTC and even a bit of Eno-era Bowie.









CONDO FUCKS- FUCKBOOK

No, this isn't really a new Condo Fucks CD, but a new collection of covers from Yo La Tengo. Artists tackled on this set include The Kinks, The Eels, The Troggs, and Slade. Cool?










THE DECEMBERISTS- THE HAZARDS OF LOVE

"Exciting (?) new concept album (?) from the award winning (?) Decemberists, it's a 17 song suite rooted in ancient language and imagery, yet modern and accessible (?). Lead female vocals (?) are done by Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond (oh boy) , and Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond (oh boy). Also performing are My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and the Spinanes Rebecca Gates (finally).









PETE DOHERTY- GRACE/WASTELANDS

New solo release from ex-Libertine/ex-Babyshambles/ex-con Pete Doherty. This is actually a not bad, low-key affair that sounds like some of Ray Davies more melancholy tunes.







FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY: THE BEST OF (2 CDS)

2 CDs? I am pretty sure they only recorded 2 CDs. So what are they saying, EVERYTHING is their best? Am I being grumpy?







ERIC LINDELL- GULF COAST HIGHWAY

Joined by Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio, the rhythm section behind New Orleans funk outfit Galactic, Lindell makes some subtle changes to his swamp blues sound, and heads into more soulful waters. His best to date features some choice covers of Delbert McClinton, Buck Owens, and Willie Nelson, as well as a dozen original tunes.







PEARL JAM - TEN (DELUXE EDITION)

This now legendary debut from a now legendary band gets its first upgrade, and BOY, what an upgrade! The history making debut of Pearl Jam is being presented in 4 different new and expanded editions! Each edition will include two versions, the remastered original version and a remixed version. It also includes SIX BONUS TRACKS, a 36 page booklet, and a DVD which contains a previously unreleased MTV Unplugged performance from 1992. A bigger and much more expensive version will contain all of that, plus 4 LPs, notes from Eddie Vedder and a 'history making cassette?'" This will retail for $175.00. Seems reasonable in this economic climate, no?




RADIOHEAD EXPANDED REISSUES

The first three releases from Radiohead, "Pablo Honey," "The Bends," and "OK Computer," each get repackaged with an additional CD of b-sides, remixes, and rarities. Even more deluxier editions include a DVD with promo videos and live footage.

Sorry to report, no new Willie Nelson CD this week.

And for those keeping track, here is last night's E-Street Band setlist from the first of two rehearsal shows before the big tour.

Setlist:
Outlaw Pete
My Lucky Day
Night
Out in the Street
Working on a Dream
Johnny 99
I Ain't Got No Home
Good Eye (with Jay Weinberg)
Radio Nowhere (w/ J.W.)
Candy's Room (w/ J.W.)
Because the Night (w/ J.W.)
Mary's Place (w/ J.W.)
The Wrestler
This Life
Long Walk Home
Surprise, Surprise
Badlands
No Surrender
* * *
Hard Times
Mustang Sally (w/ John Eddie)
Thunder Road
Born to Run (w/ J.W.)
American Land (w/ J.W.)
Seven Nights to Rock

"Derek" And The Allman Brothers

As promised, here is the Allman Brothers' set with Eric Clapton, from Thursday, 3/19.

Nate Chinen's full review from the NYT is HERE

I was called a "grumpy, old man" on these very pages in response to my disappointment over seeing the boys from Phish on my one visit to the Beacon Theater during this Allmans' run. I've been called worse AND deserved it. But after listening to the Brothers and Boz set I posted earlier, and now this stellar set with E.C., am I wrong for simply expressing my misery over what seemed like extended noodling? I'm just not a phfan. That does not make me grumpy or old.

Well, enjoy the damn free music and get off my lawn, boy!

Derek & The Brothers ZIP FILE

EDDIE BO, R.I.P.

FROM THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, NEW ORLEANS

Singer-pianist Edwin Joseph Bocage, known to fans and those in the New Orleans music industry simply as Eddie Bo, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 79.

Bocage's death was confirmed Friday by his close friend and booking agent, Karen Hamilton.

Hamilton said Bocage had a "sudden, massive heart attack" while out of town Wednesday.

"Dueling Band-Hos": THE WEEKEND MIX

You must have heard about it by now; the great Jeff Beck/Eric Clapton tour of Japan. It's been on various blogs, as well as in the new issue of Rolling Stone.

Here is their closing set from 2/22/09. The shredding will make your eyes spin.

SET LIST

YOU NEED LOVE
LISTEN HERE>COMPARED TO WHAT
HERE, BUT I'M GONE
OUTSIDE WOMAN BLUES
LITTLE BROWN BIRD
WEE WEE BABY
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER

ZIP FILE


Monday, more on E.C.'s appearance with the Allman Brothers. Keep your fingers crossed for some audio.

Ian Hunter: "I Need Your Love"

Its not a great song, but it's a good song. And it's from a good album, not a great album. But when three of your favorite artists, all playing what is essentially three different genres of music in 1981, convene for a big ol' hootenanny, it's hard to pay attention to small details. My ears heard nothing but the signature Todd Rundgren harmonies behind the man who brought us Mott The Hoople, singing with one half of The Clash. "I Need Your Love," from Ian Hunter's "Short Back 'n' Sides" got respectable FM airplay, right alongside "Central Park And West" and "Lisa Likes Rock N Roll," all from Hunter's 1981 "new wave release."





Here's a bit of what All Music has to say about this record:

On this 1981 album, Ian Hunter gives his sound a new wave makeover. This is achieved through the efforts of producer Mick Jones, one of the leading creative forces in the Clash and a longtime disciple of Hunter's work. The end result occasionally catches fire but fails to work just as often. Jones' production style emulates the dense, cluttered production style of the Clash's then-current album, Sandinista: "Noises" is a gimmicky spoken word number drenched in synthesizer effects and "Theatre of the Absurd" has a spacy reggae sound reminiscent of the Clash's "Junco Partner." This avant-garde approach is hit and miss when applied to Hunter's traditional style of songwriting: "Lisa Likes Rock 'N' Roll" works nicely because the gimmicky sound effects fall into line to support the song's retro-rock melody but the synthesizer effects that dominate "Noises" bury its spoken dialogue instead of enhancing it. Also, some of the songs come off surprisingly under-produced despite the thick soundscapes.


"Short Back 'n' Sides" has been long out of print, though you can download the whole record for less than $10 on Amazon.com.

Here is "I Need Your Love." ZIP FILE

BREAKFAST AT SULIMAY'S: Why Didn't I Think Of This?

My friend John Dunbar sent this to me yesterday and it immediately became my favorite thing. Please watch this. You will not be sorry.

COOL JERKS UPDATE

For those of you who planned on attending our gig on Thursday night, please don't. We have been cancelled; bumped in favor of a jukebox full of Clancy Brothers records.

THE COOL JERKS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.

Sorry and thank you.

Faith And Begorrah, If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 3/17/09

"Long live rock, I need it every night,
Long live rock, come on and join the line,
Long live rock, be it dead or alive."

Professor Irwin Corey
(or maybe it was Pete Townshend)


NEW STUFF








BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS- TELL'EM WHAT YOUR NAME IS

You need to hear this one! One part James Brown, one part Detroit Wheels and one part Moms Mabley, this is a late night party just waiting to be raided. Highlights include "Bitch, I Love You," "Master Sold My Baby," and "Booshay." BUY THIS RECORD.






BONNIE PRINCE BILLY- BEWARE

Billy is one of those melancholy, singer-songwriter eccentrics who has a respectable bandwagon that I refuse to get on. Maybe it's the beard. But if you crave something a bit more helpful, read this.

"Though 'Beware' shares spit with its immediate predecessor, 'Lie Down in the Light,' its reach is longer, its arches more grandiose. Where fiddle & steel contribute their rustic timbre alongside guitars & voices, a thickening thud of low tone rolls beneath, giving the record a bottom that's fun to watch bounce in new clothes. Bonnie's most ambidextrous record to date. A listen or two through and you too may conclude that this could also be the great Bonnie ''Prince'' Billy contempocountry CD."

Helpful?









MARIANNE FAITHFUL- EASY COME, EASY GO

3rd collaboration between Faithful and producer Hal Willner, "Easy Come, Easy Go" features some heavy duty guests (Keith Richards, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, The McGarrigles and more) on a selection of covers by artists such as Merle Haggard, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Decemberists, and Billie Holiday.








NICK LOWE- QUIET PLEASE: THE BEST OF NICK LOWE (2 CDS AND 1 DVD)

This package, courtesy of the great Yep Roc label, is exactly what a collection should be- jam-packed and affordable. The 2 CDs cover all 20 of Lowe's releases, while the DVD boasts the original videos from the seventies, as well as a full length concert from 2007, at the low list price of $24.98. That's 49 songs, 9 videos and a full length concert. First 20 callers receive Nick Lowe oven mitts and a pair of spats autographed by Billy Bremner.









WILLIE NELSON- NAKED WILLIE

Another day, another Willie Nelson release. This collection, conceived by Nelson's longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael, features 17 songs stripped of the strings, backing vocals and gloss that "ruined" so many of Willie's Nashville sides from the 60's. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Any Willie is better than no Willie. (Or maybe that wasn't me)



AND FROM MERRY OLE ENGLAND








VARIOUS ARTISTS- RESPECT: ARETHA'S INFLUENCES AND INSPIRATION

This killer 24 track collection from the ACE label features the original versions of songs that Aretha both covered and sang as a child. Here's what All Music says:

"The idea behind Respect: Aretha's Influences and Inspiration is a very good one: to collect a couple dozen versions of songs, often the original ones, that Franklin herself would record, usually on Atlantic in the late 1960s and early 1970s (though songs that she recorded prior to 1967 on Columbia and even her teenaged '50s gospel sides, are also represented)"

Track list is impressive. Check it out HERE.








THE WHO SELL OUT- DELUXE EDITION

The release of another repackaged Who record is usually a red carpet for my big balls of bile, but...it is my favorite Who record. And, one of my favorite records of all time. So more can't be bad.

Here is what you get this time 'round, courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

•Stunning reissue of the classic Who album from 1967, now upgraded to a greatly expanded 2 CD version in the acclaimed Deluxe edition range.

•Remastered from the original stereo and mono masters for the first time.

•The first official re-release of the mono mix (in the US and UK) since 1967

•Eleven previously unreleased songs and/or mixes.

•28-page booklet contains unseen photos and 1960s period advertisements. CD sleeve features out-takes from the original October 1967 album cover photo session by David Montgomery, the esteemed portrait photographer.

•Introductory essay by noted rock writer Dave Marsh and in-depth liner notes by Who biographer Andy Neill.

Disc 1
1. Armenia City In The Sky Incl. Two "Radio London" Jingles
2. Heinz Baked Beans Incl. "More Music" Jingle
3. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand Acoustic/Incl. Premier Drums Commercial/Radio London Jingle
4. Odorono Incl. Radio London 'Smooth Sailing' Jingle
5. Tattoo Incl. 'Church Of Your Choice' Radio London Jingle
6. Our Love Was Incl. Pussycat/Speakeasy/Rotosound Jingles,Commercials
7. I Can See For Miles
8. I Can't Reach You Incl. Charles Atlas Commercial
9. Medac a.k.a. Spotted Henry
10. Relax
11. Silas Stingy
12. Sunrise
13. Real (1 & 2)
14. Rael - Naive Incl. John Mason's Cars (Rehearsal) Commercial
15. Someone's Coming Incl. Radio London 'Weather Word' Jingle
16. Early Morning Cold Taxi incl. Radio London News Bulletin Jingle
17. Jaguar incl. Extra Wonderful Radio London Jingle
18. Coke After Coke
19. Glittering Girl
20. Summertime Blues Previously Unreleased
21. John Mason Cars
22. Girl's Eyes Incl. Bag O' Nails Jingle
23. Sodding About Previously Unreleased
24. Premier Drums Full Version Previously Unreleased
25. Odorono Final Chorus
26. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand Mirasound Version
27. Things Go Better With Coke
28. In The Hall Of The Mountain King
29. Top Gear
30. Rael (1 & 2) Remake Version - Incl. Track Records Jingle

Disc 2
1. Armenia City In The Sky
2. Heinz Baked Beans
3. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand Mono Version
4. Odorono Original Version
5. Tattoo
6. Our Love Was
7. I Can See For Miles
8. I Can't Reach You
9. Medac a.k.a. Spotted Henry (mono)
10. Relax (mono)
11. Silas Stingy (mono)
12. Sunrise (mono)
13. Rael (1 & 2) Incl. Track Records Run-Off Groove
14. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand U.S Single Version originally released as US B-side to `I Can See For Miles'
15. Someone's Coming U.K Single Mix - Originally released as US B-side to `I Can See For Miles'
16. Relax Early Rehearsal
17. Jaguar Original Mono Mix
18. Glittering Girl Previously Unreleased Version
19. Tattoo Early Mono Mix
20. Our Love Was Take 12 Rejected Mono Mix
21. Rotosound Strings With Final Note
22. I Can See For Miles Early Mono Mix
23. Rael Early Mono Mix
24. Armenia City In The Sky Isolated Backwards Tracks

Rejected mono mix of "Our Love Was, Is," anyone?


And finally, SHAMELESS PLUG, #2:




New York's only Irish band not to have one Irishman, The Cool Jerks,
will be playing all your favorite Irish hits by O'tis Redding, Wilson O'Pickett, Sean & Dave, The O'Jays, Al Green, and James Brown at

Desmond's Tavern
Thursday, March 19th.

First long set at 8:45.

Admission is $5 or free, depending on what time you get there and who is watching the door.

Desmond's Tavern
433 Park Avenue South @29th Street.

212-684-9472

The Cool Jerks are-

Sal N.
Johnny P.
Peter R.
Little Stevie
Bobby S.
Johnny C

And making his Cool Jerks debut,

Mark Z.


"Soul, blues & rhythm by 7 guys who live it!"

Hope to see you there!

IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

EAT A PIECE: Boz & The Brothers At the Beacon

Week one of the Allman Brothers March residency at NYC's Beacon Theatre has come to a close; five shows, each featuring a different set of music and special guests. I attended Night Three and thanks to the internets, have listened to three additional shows.




With set lists tightened up to include little to no material post 1976, and mini sets from such legendary people as Levon Helm, Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, and Boz Scaggs to celebrate the ABB 40th anniversary, each show has been better than the last.

Here is the purported guest list for the remaining shows:

3/16 - John Hammond, Bonnie Bramlett
3/18 - Sheryl Crow
3/19 - Eric Clapton
3/20 - Eric Clapton
3/21 - TBD
3/23 - Aretha Franklin
3/24 - Billy Gibbons, Sonny Landreth
3/27 - Gary Rossington, Ivan Neville, possibly Kid Rock
3/28 - Weir & Lesh

Sad for me that my show with Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell of Phish left me cold. Ironically, I had some bad fish before the show, so maybe that had something to do with it. Still, the 4 song, hour long second set, which included a 22 minute "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed," seemed less like southern Allmans jamming, and more like Grateful Dead noodling...to me. Other reviews have been a lot more favorable, calling it "off the hook," "stepping to a new level," and "absolutely sick!" I threw in the towel before the 30 minute "Jessica."

My highlight from Week One is from Night Four.

Here is the mini set featuring the Brothers, Boz Scaggs, and the Southside Jukes Horns.

TRACK LIST

1. SOUTHBOUND
2. IT TAKE A LOT TO LAUGH, IT TAKES A TRAIN TO CRY
3. SICK & TIRED
4. AIN'T NO LOVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
5. LOAN ME A DIME

ZIP FILE

"Geraint Watkins & The Dominators"- THE WEEKEND MIX

I mentioned a few weeks ago just how much I was enjoying the new Geraint Watkins release "In A Bad Mood."

The longtime sideman of Nick Lowe has been making records since the seventies and his first, "Geraint Watkins & The Dominators" has yet to see its release on CD.

On his debut, which is here in its entirety, The Dominators run through a dozen or so rock and roll classics with a bit of a New Orleans and Cajun twist. (Watkins DOES play the accordion.) I'm thinking Nick Lowe meets Professor Longhair.

Enjoy.


Track listing

1. "Man Smart Woman Smarter"
2. "Casting My Spell"
3. "In The Night"
4. "Grow Too Old"
5. "Blue Moon of Kentucky"
6. "Gotta Find My Baby"
7. "Paralysed"
8. "Nobody"
9. "Deep In The Heart of Texas"
10. "Don't You Just Know It"
11. "If Walls Could Talk"
12. "My Baby Left Me"
13. "Cakewalk Into Town"

Personnel

* Geraint Watkins - vocals, piano, organ, electric piano, accordion, percussion
* Andy Fairweather-Low - drums, bass, vocals, moog bass, acoustic guitar
* Micky Gee - guitar, vocals, backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar
* John David - bass, vocals, percussion, backing vocals
* Dave Charles - drums, backing vocals
* Steve Gregory - saxophones, backing vocals
* Buddy Beadle - saxophones, backing vocals
* Henry Spinetti - drums, backing vocals
ZIP FILE

"WHIPPING POST!! WHIPPING POST!!"

It's that time of year again, March Madness, when hundreds of bearded, wide guys descend upon the Upper West Side of Manhattan to check out a few more bearded, wide guys, The Allman Brothers Band.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the band, and the 20th anniversary of their March residence at NYC's Beacon Theatre. I've been going for years, each year thinking the same thing, "Why bother? I've seen them enough." Then, I leave wanting more and going again just a few days later.

Special guests Taj Mahal, Levon Helm, Johnny Winter & Los Lobos have the joined the "Brothers" for "Night One" & "Night Two" of this 40th anniversary celebration. Other rumored guests for the run have been Eric Clapton, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Bramlett, Dr, John and B.B. King. I will be attending my first show of the run, "Night Three" this evening. The way things have been going lately, tonight's special guests will be Jaimoe's nephew and Taylor Hicks. Keep your fingers crossed for me

"Thanks, I Needed That."

"


"

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 3/10/09

"With Virgin Megastore closing three of its six remaining outlets in April and May, Circuit City shutting all 567 of its stores, Borders threatening to cut its movie-and-music shelf space by 70 percent, and 30 other music retailers going out of business so far in 2009, the record industry is bracing for the death of the 27-year-old compact disc."

Rolling Stone Magazine







THE BODEANS- LOVE & HOPE & SEX & DREAMS (COLLECTOR'S EDITION)

The Bodeans 1986 debut has become a cult classic, and this new, 23rd Anniversary (?) reissue ups the ante by featuring new remastering, unreleased songs, a NEW song, and a DVD with a live performance from 1985.





KELLY CLARKSON- ALL I EVER WANTED

Anyone who did not see the brilliance behind "Since You've Been Gone," just wasn't listening. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" wasn't bad either. But her last CD, "My December," was released amidst drama and controversy, and just didn't have a single with the same punch as the two I just mentioned. That's not to say Kelly Clarkson doesn't have a full album of pop perfection in her. This is. "Kelly Clarkson doesn't have a full album of pop perfection in her." The new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," is just a silly, annoying, rewrite of "Since You've Been Gone," and the 30 seconds I heard of each subsequent song sound like rewrites of themselves. And that my friends, is 50 words too many on Kelly Clarkson.





CHRIS CORNELL- SCREAM

One of my favorite voices currently making music has just released a new CD that to my ears is on par with such legendary mistakes as Frank Sinatra's "Duets," the Yankees signing Steve Balboni, and Michael Bolton. I am actually quite confused. Cornell has abandoned the formula of his previously successful bands, Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, and Audioslave, for a misguided foray into electronic beats, and cheesy dancehall sounds. Hip-Hop producer Timbaland is behind the scenes for a record that makes bad, post-Bad Michael Jackson sound good.







MADELEINE PEYROUX- BARE BONES

Peyroux hit it big after a 9 year span between her debut and the critically acclaimed 2004 release "Careless Love." "Bare Bones" is more of the same "Billie Holiday learns acoustic guitar and strums her way through love and loss for 40 minutes." This is NOT a bad thing.




GLENN TILBROOK & THE FLUFFERS- PANDEMONIUM ENSUES



Currently available as an import only, with a US street date of April 7th, "Pandemonium Ensues," the 3rd solo release from pop genius and one half of Squeeze, Glenn Tilbrook could be his best. With the exception of one song, an obvious misstep thanks to some sad lead vocals by the bass player, each song seems to invoke a favorite Squeeze hit of the past. Tilbrook has not lost his knack for melody or the hook, of which there are many on this upbeat collection of pop joy. Well worth the reasonable import price tag.

Here's a cool clip of "Still" from "Pandemonium Ensues." Enjoy.