The David Rawlings' Machine

Courtesy of Billboard.com



The Dave Rawlings Machine started "accidentally," according to Gillian Welch's longtime musical partner, as a vehicle to semi-anonymously road test some new material. But with the Nov. 17 release of "A Friend of a Friend," Rawlings will take the spotlight in his own right.

"You start out singing other people's songs 'cause you love them, and at some point you start to feel like you'd like to sing some of your own," Rawlings tells Billboard.com. "I think that happens to most people. It's just happening to me much later."

Rawlings produced "A Friend of a Friend" himself, recording it earlier this year at RCA Studio B in Nashville. Welch appears on eight of the nine tracks (and co-wrote five of them), while other players include keyboardist Benmont Tench from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, keyboardist Nathaniel Wilcott of Bright Eyes and members of Old Crowe Medicne Show, whose self-titled 2004 debut and 2006 album "Big Iron World" was produced by Rawlings.

Among the songs are a version of "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)" that Rawlings co-wrote with Ryan Adams' for the latter's "Heartbreaker" album, a Rawlings-Welch composition called "It's Too Easy" that will appear on the latter's album in "a very different version" and a pairing of Bright Eyes' "Method Acting" with Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer" that Rawlings says was inspired during a tour he did with Conor Oberst and company in Mike Mogis' stead a couple of years back.

"One of the songs we played every night was 'Method Acting,' which was always a song I responded to," Rawlings recalls. "I found myself sitting on a couch a year later, strumming it...and at some point I realized it went into 'Cortez the Killer,' which was a really important song for me when I was a teenager. I have a really emotional attachment to both of those songs, so it's nice to have versions of them out there. It gives me a reason to sing them."

Rawlings says Oberst also suggested the "A Friend of a Friend" title for the project. "I thought it was nice and appropriate," Rawlings notes, "because so many people I've worked with over the years and played music with are represented in one way or another on the record." Rawlings plans to tour to support the album, with Southeast and Midwest dates in late November and December and a West Coast run in 2010. The Machine lineup will feature Welch and three members of Old Crow Medicine Show -- fiddler Ketch Secor, who co-wrote the track "I Hear Them All," guitarist Willie Watson and bassist Morgan Jahnig.

"SHA-LA-LA-LA, PUSH PUSH"

Because in just a few days, one of my favorite bands of all-time, a band I was completely obsessed with from 1973-1975, and even still now a bit, a band I was never able to see live, Mott the Hoople will be playing a string of reunion shows at the Hammersmith Odeon in England, and I won't be there.

This is a hard one but I'll be fine.

~sniff~

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 9/29/09

PICK OF THE WEEK

7 WORLDS COLLIDE -- THE SUN CAME OUT

The brainstorm of singer-songwriter and New Zealand pop legend Neil Finn,
7 Worlds Collide first came about in 2002, when Finn and a stellar group of musicians that included Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, Ed O'Brien & Phil Selway of Radiohead, and Neil's brother, Split Enz founder Tim Finn, put on a series of concerts to benefit the international medical humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres. This time, sans Eddie Vedder, but including Wilco, the concerts happened again, as well as this 2 CD studio LP, that is just remarkable from top to bottom.

This year the beneficiary of all proceeds will go to Oxfam, which you could read all about here and the full roster of musicians can be found here.











ALICE IN CHAINS -- BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE

First studio album in 10 years with new vocalist William DuVall filling in for the late Layne Staley. Sounds a lot like Alice In Chains with Layne Staley. Elton John guests. (Really)







ELVIS COSTELLO -- THE COSTELLO SHOW (LIVE AT THE EL MOCAMBO, 1978)

There are few I respect as much as Elvis Costello for his brilliant songwriting and his relentless work ethic. Not everything hits the mark- "North," his heavy-handed love letter to Diana Krall and "My Flame Burns Blue," his clumsy live record with the Metropole Orkest, both come to mind -- but you can't blame the guy for trying.

This new series of reissues about to be released over a period of time, sounds like a great idea; live concerts from the vaults. But why the hell start with something most Costello die-hards have in one form or another?

"Live At The El Mocambo" was a famous, promo-only LP that many of us had a hard time getting our mitts on back in the day. 30 years later, it finally gets a separate, commercial release after being packaged as a bonus CD in the first boxed set of Rykodisc reissues, which in all fairness to the UMG, is now out of print. But after countless reissues where the die-hard E.C. fans were made to buy the same records over and over again for the bonus material -- "My Aim Is True" and "This Year's Model," at my count have been released 6 times -- it would have been nice to see something we had never seen before.







DENNIS DIKEN WITH BELL SOUND -- LATE MUSIC

New Jersey legend, Smithereens' drummer, and pop music connoisseur Dennis Diken, releases his first solo album with help from some of his pop music buddies, Pete DiBella, Andy Paley, Jason Falkner, Andrew Sandoval and The Wondermints. Diken's got a great voice, and the songs and arrangements will hit that soft spot you have reserved for all your fave 1960s bands. Great stuff!








COREY HARRIS -- BLU.BLACK

I can't remember Corey Harris ever releasing a bad record. No artist has been as consistent with his forays into blues, reggae and African roots music, and on Blu.Black, Harris once again hits the mark. Blu.Black is a collection or originals, save one cover, Burning Spear's "Columbus," that focuses on the "African-American story of earlier centuries and connects it to present day and future generations." Harris has always remained true to his heritage and its music and this new record does not disappoint.







IAN HUNTER -- YOU'RE NEVER ALONE WITH A SCHIZOPHRENIC (2 CD 30TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE)

2009 remaster of Ian Hunter's US commercial, solo breakthrough, now features 6 bonus tracks and a full disc of live material featuring the late, great Mick Ronson on guitar. Nicely done.

TRACK LIST

Disc: 1
1. Just Another Night
2. Wild East
3. Cleveland Rocks
4. Ships
5. When The Daylight Comes
6. Life After Death
7. Standin' In My Light
8. Bastard
9. The Outsider
10. Don't Let Go - Demo
11. Ships [Take 1]
12. When The Daylight Comes - Early Version
13. Just Another Night - Early Version [aka The Other Side Of Life]
14. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
Disc: 2
1. F.B.I. - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
2. Once Bitten Twice Shy - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
3. Life After Death - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
4. Sons And Daughters - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 22/11/79
5. Laugh At Me - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 22/11/79
6. Just Another Night - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 22/11/79
7. One Of The Boys - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 22/11/79
8. Letter To Brittania From Union Jack - Live In Berkeley 7/7/79
9. Bastard - Live In Berkeley 7/7/79
10. All The Way From Memphis - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
11. Cleveland Rocks - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
12. All The Young Dudes - Live At The Hammersmith Odeon 22/11/79
13. When The Daylight Comes - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79
14. Sweet Angeline - Live In Cleveland 18/6/79










KRIS KRISTOFFERSON -- CLOSER TO THE BONE

Kris Kristofferson returns to the essentials of his finely honed craft on his new album 'Closer To The Bone." This album is produced by Grammy Award winner Don Was and includes a bonus CD recorded live at the Olympia Theatre (Dublin, Ireland 3/21/08).








MADNESS -- THE LIBERTY OF NORTON FOLGATE

The first album of original material in 10 years from the UK pop/ska legends will remind fans and critics just how much fun this band used to be and how much they were missed. Yet another fine release from the good people of Yep Roc records.







MADONNA -- CELEBRATION

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, she was raised in Cambria. Her father was a banker and a state legislator and her mother, Mary Allen (née Neal), was a painter and housewife originally from Arkansas. The family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1939 when Edwin was appointed to a position in the United States Department of Agriculture, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1942 when he was appointed as branch manager of the Office of Price Administration, and later to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the University of Wisconsin from 1947 to 1950 where she was a popular student already renowned for her beauty. She left for New York City to study drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Oh wait....that's Gena Rowlands. Sorry.








ROD STEWART -- SESSIONS: 1971-1998 (4 CD set)

"For the Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998, Warner Bros. goes deep into the vaults to reveal the secret studio history of this very public performer with a boxed set of unreleased recordings chosen from sessions spanning 1971-1998. Encompassing more than 25 years, this collection's 63 songs, outtakes, and ephemera provide extraordinary insight into the studio work of one of rock's legendary figures and paints a picture of what might have been. Many of these performances are more stripped-down and intimate than their released counterparts, so the set becomes an illustration and a showcase of Rod's creative process."

TRACK LIST

# Maggie May (Early Version)
# Seems Like A Long Time (Alternate Version)
# Italian Girls (Early Version)
# You Wear It Well (Early Version)
# Lost Paraguayos (Alternate Version)
# I'd Rather Go Blind (Alternate Version)
# Angel (Alternate Version)
# Think I'll Pack My Bags (Early Version of "Mystifies Me")
# Farewell (Early Version)
# Girl From The North Country (Alternate Version)
# (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man (Alternate Version)
# So Tired (Early Version)
# This Old Heart Of Mine (Alternate Version)
# To Love Somebody (Early Take)
# Sailing (Alternate Version)
# Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) (Early Take)
# The First Cut Is The Deepest (Alternate Version)
# Rosie (Acoustic Version)
# Innocent (The Killing Of Georgie Part III)
# Hot Legs (Early Take)
# You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim) (Acoustic Version)
# I Was Only Joking (Early Take)
# Scarred & Scared (Early Take)
# When I'm Away From You
# Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight (Early Version)
# Time Of My Life
# TV Mama
# Maybe Baby
# Stupid
# Guess I'll Always Love You (Alternate Version)
# The Great Pretender (Acoustic Version)
# Thunderbird
# Dancing Alone (Alternate Version)
# I Wish You Would
# Sweet Surrender (Alternate Version)
# Show Me
# Ghetto Blaster (Early Version)
# Satisfied (Alternate Version)
# Hard Lesson To Learn (Alternate Version)
# Heaven
# In My Life (Piano Version)
# Love Is A Four Letter Word
# Forever Young (Piano Version)
# My Heart Can't Tell You No (Alternate Version)
# I Go To Jail For You
# A Good Lover Is Hard To Find
# Let The Day Begin (Alternate Version)
# The Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar (Alternate Version)
# Windy Town (Piano Version)
# In A Broken Dream (1992)
# This Wheel's On Fire
# I Wanna Stay Home
# I'm A King Bee
# Looking For A Love
# Kiss Her For Me
# The Long Journey Home
# Now That You're On Your Own
# Dylan's Day Off
# On And On
# Rockin' Chair
# Sugar Lips
# The Changingman
# May You Never








BARBRA STREISAND -- LOVE IS THE ANSWER



A new Babs record produced by Diana Krall must be very exciting for fans of both. (Even the cover looks similar...sort of. A little?) Also, comes as a 2 CD version, with the second disc featuring "acoustic versions" of the songs. (I guess the guest spots by Lemmy and Alan Vega must be on the first disc.)

Neil Finn- Live At KCRW

Tomorrow sees the U.S. release date for "The Sun Came Out," the new
7 Worlds Collide project from Neil Finn and a very impressive roster of friends:


Phil Selway
Ed O’Brien
Johnny Marr
Sebastian Steinberg
Lisa Germano
Jeff Tweedy
John Stirratt
Glenn Kotche
Pat Sansone
Tim Finn
KT Tunstall
Liam Finn
Don McGlashan
Bic Runga
Glenn Richards
Elroy Finn
Sharon Finn

I will have more about the record in tomorrow's post. Today please enjoy a wonderful acoustic set recorded on August 17, 2009, with Neil Finn, Lisa Germano, Bic Runga and Elroy Finn.

TRACK LIST

INTRO
TOO BLUE
RED WINE BOTTLE
REPTILE
LITTLE BY LITTLE
interview
GIRL, MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND
CHANGE OF HEART
THE COBBLER
ALL COMEDIANS SUFFER

ZIP FILE

"The Fifties" : THE WEEKEND MIX

This "Weekend Mix" was inpired by Nick Tosches and the film "Revolutionary Road."

Of course I can only imagine what it was like being in some smokey juke-joint, seedy dive bar, or though less romantic, some NYC theatre hosting a rock and roll show in the Fifties, when people like The Flamingos, The Ink Spots and Cecil Gant worked regularly. Nick Tosches'"Unsung Heroes Of Rock & Roll" does everything it can to pick you up and all but throw you into those scenes. It is essential reading, and my favorite book on rock and roll.



As for "Revolutionary Road," Sam Mendes uses The Ink Spots'"The Gypsy" so perfectly, I had decided right there and then, before the movie was over, that was I going to create a mix with that song somewhere in the playlist.

That's it, really. Some amazing songs that just sound great together.

Enjoy, please.



TRACK LIST

I Only Have Eyes For You- The Flamingos
What Time Is It- The Jive Five
The Gypsy- Ink Spots
Bad Boy- Jive Bombers
Trickle, Trickle- The VideoS
It's Too Soon To Know- The Orioles
Not Going To Cry- The 5 Royales
You- The Aquatones
A Casual Look- The Six Teens
Angel Baby- Rosie & The Originals
Look In My Eyes - The Chantels
We're Gonna Rock- Cecil Gant






ZIP FILE

Voodoo Brew

I have friends who think the Rolling Stones stopped being something to pay attention to after the needle hit the inner groove of Side 4 of "Exile On Main Street." I've tried time and time again to convince them otherwise. I did not do this by playing "You Got Me Rocking" or "Sparks Will Fly," two horrendous songs from a not completely horrendous album, 1994's "Voodoo Lounge."

Before I continue, I want to go on record by saying that the Stones' output from 1973-1981, records that include "Goats' Head Soup," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," "Black & Blue," "Some Girls," "Emotional Rescue, " and "Tattoo You" are just as essential as everything prior. Some are BETTER. Not all, but some.

Back to "Voodoo Lounge," that mostly unlistenable release from '94. Amidst Jagger's crap like the 2 aforementioned songs, were real gems, specifically the first single, "Love Is Strong," and the absolutely brilliant and HUGE Keith showcase, "Thru & Thru," a monumental heartbreaker, that unfortunately got little attention until it was used years later in a pivotal scene on "The Sopranos." (I don't remember the scene exactly, but I think it had something to do with the Mafia.)

Not long after "Voodoo Lounge" was released, a 4 CD bootleg boxed set appeared that consisted of outtakes, jams, alternates and the real jewel, a full disc of Keith's versions of most the final tracklist, plus a few that never made it to the final master. This set of music showed the band naked, without the bells, whistles, and added production that usually ruins a true rock and roll band with the blues at heart. Everything on Disc One, the Keith sung versions of "Voodoo Lounge" worked better than what was eventually released.

Here are three tracks.

LOVE IS STRONG
MAKE IT NOW
THRU AND THRU

ZIP FILE

MTV UNPLUGGED: 20 YEARS LATER

MTV's groundbreaking show "Unplugged" debuted 20 years ago this October. What started out as a unique and mostly wonderful showcase for musicians to strip down their sound, and showcase some tunes old and new, soon turned into a circus, like most everything else on that network.

After the first 10 or 15 shows, which featured artists such as The Smithereens, Graham Parker, 10,000 Maniacs, Crowded House, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Dr. John getting intimate with their instruments, audience and host singer-songwriter Jules Shear--who by the way, had a major influence on getting the show off the ground-- MTV fired Jules, and the show slowly became bigger, longer, and louder.

Aside from Jules getting the axe, this was not necessarily a bad thing.

It wasn't often one got to see AND hear such huge names as Aerosmith,The Allman Brothers, The Black Crowes (not so huge at the time), Hall & Oates, Elton John and even Bob Dylan & Paul McCartney perform extended sets on television. Unfortunately, those performances were no longer "unplugged." Gone was the "campfire" feel, interaction with host and audience, and charm. Now, performing on "MTV UNPLUGGED" and recording a corresponding CD became de rigueur for anyone with a voice and guitar. It was huge!

Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Nirvana, Tony Bennett and the aforementioned Paul McCartney & Bob Dylan all released best-selling CDs (now there's an oxymoron) in quick succession.

I must admit, I enjoyed almost every single episode. Sorry Mariah and Poison.

Here then, is the audio from the very first episode starring Squeeze, with help from Syd Straw, Elliot Easton (of The Cars, Creedence Clearwater REVISITED, and The New Cars) and host, Jules Shear.

TRACK LIST:

Pulling Mussels From The Shell
She Doesn't Have To Shave
If We Never Meet Again
Messed Around
Almost Magic
I'm A Believer

ZIP FILE

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 9/22/09

BEASTIE BOYS- HELLO NASTY (DELUXE)

The Beasties' reissue campaign continues with an expanded, 2 CD version of their 1998 hit "Hello Nasty," now featuring an additional disc with 21 remixes and b-sides, including 7 unreleased songs.







HARRY CONNICK JR.- YOUR SONGS

So much more than just a romantic crooner and actor, Connick's New Orleans' roots and James Booker tutelage makes him one of America's finest piano players. Unfortunately, this record is a collection of fan favorites and oft-requested concert tunes and shows little of Connick's impressive ivory-tickling. Connick is great at this, if you like this sort of stuff.

Track List:
1. “All the Way (featuring Branford Marsalis)”…(James Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn )
2. “Just the Way You Are”….(Billy Joel)
3. “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You (feat. Wynton Marsalis)”….(George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore)
4. “And I Love Her”….(Paul McCartney, John Lennon)
5. “(They Long to Be) Close to You (feat. Leroy Jones)”….(Burt Bacharach, Hal David)
6. “Bésame Mucho….(Consuelo Velázquez )
7. “The Way You Look Tonight”….(Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields)
8. “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”….(Ewan MacColl)
9. “Your Song”….(Elton John, Bernie Taupin)
10. “Some Enchanted Evening”….(Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers)
11. “And I Love You So”….(Don McLean)
12. “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)”….Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley)
13. “Smile”….(Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons)
14. “Mona Lisa”….(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans)







EDDIE & THE HOT RODS- SINGLES COLLECTION

First ever collection from the almost legendary pub-rockers, covering all the key tracks from both their Island & EMI output. A bit short, but solid. Here's the lot:

1. Writing On The Wall
2. Wooly Bully
3. Get Out Of Denver
4. Teenage Depression
5. I Might Be Lying
6. Hard Drivin Man
7. Do Anything You Wanna Do
8. Till The Night Is Gone
9. Quit This Town
10. Life On The Line
11. Media Messiahs
12. Power & The Glory
13. At Night
14. Wide Eyed Kids









DAVID GRAY- DRAW THE LINE

First studio release in 5 years from the British singer-songwriter, "Draw The Line," features duets with Annie Lennox and Jolie Holland. I also never realized just how much Gray sounds like Loudon Wainwright III. Good stuff. I like Loudon better.







MANASSAS- PIECES

"Pieces" combines leftover tracks from both Manassas' self-titled release and "Down The Road." Amazing unreleased material featuring early versions of Stills' classics like ''Sugar Babe,'' ''Word Game'' and ''Do You Remember The Americans''








MONSTERS OF FOLK- MONSTERS OF FOLK

"Monsters of Folk" is the collaboration of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward (Him)- three of this generations most critically acclaimed voices." Really? I've always thought these "Monsters" were three somewhat talented, but insanely over-hyped singer-songwriters. Yet together, the M.O.F. create a unique and quite pleasurable listening experience that seems to include the most accessible tunes this trio has ever offered.







PEARL JAM- BACKSPACER

Eddie Vedder and the boys are back with a vengeance. "BACKSPACER" is one kick-ass ride from the word GO! Could be the best record since their seminal debut, "Ten." Clocking in at under 40 minutes, Pearl Jam not only gets old school with the three-minute rocker, but offers some of the most tuneful songs of their career. (Shows ya what hanging around Neil Finn wll do for you.)






V/A- WHERE THE ACTION IS: LOS ANGELES NUGGETS, 1965-1968

Yet another brilliant package from the good people at Rhino Records, "Nuggets 3," focuses on the L.A. scene, with songs by The Byrds, Love, The Doors, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Captain Beefheart, The Mamas & The Papas, Lowell George, Iron Butterfly, The Seeds, The Electric Prunes, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and of course, The Everpresent Fullness.

FULL TRACK LIST

Disc 1: On The Strip
1. “Riot On Sunset Strip” – The Standells
2. “You Movin’” – The Byrds
3. “You I’ll Be Following” – Love
4. “Dr. Stone” – The Leaves
5. “Go And Say Goodbye” – Buffalo Springfield
6. “Zig Zag Wanderer” – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
7. “Gentle As It May Seem” – Iron Butterfly
8. “Candy Cane Madness” – Lowell George & The Factory
9. “If You Want This Love” – The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band
10. “Baby My Heart” – The Bobby Fuller Four
11. “All Night Long” – The Palace Guard
12. “It’s Gonna Rain” – Sonny & Cher
13. “For My Own” – The Guilloteens
14. “Take A Giant Step” – The Rising Sons
15. “One Too Many Mornings” – The Association
16. “Time Waits For No One” – The Knack
17. “Take It As It Comes” – The Doors
18. “Pulsating Dream” – Kaleidoscope
19. “Tripmaker” – The Seeds
20. “The People In Me” – The Music Machine
21. “Saturday’s Son” – The Sons Of Adam
22. “Eventually” – The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
23. “Swim” – Penny Arkade
24. “The Third Eye” – The Joint Effort
25. “Girl In Your Eye” – Spirit

Disc 2: Beyond The City
1. “Jump, Jive & Harmonize” – Thee Midniters
2. “Back Up” – The Light
3. “To Die Alone” – The Bush
4. “Get On This Plane” – The Premiers
5. “Little Girl, Little Boy” – The Odyssey
6. “Hideaway” – The Electric Prunes
7. “Listen, Listen!” – The Merry-Go-Round
8. “She Done Moved” – The Spats
9. “Grim Reaper Of Love” – The Turtles
10. “See If I Care” – Ken & The Fourth Dimension
11. “He’s Not There Anymore” – The Chymes
12. “Back Seat ‘38 Dodge” – Opus 1
13. “Eternal Prison” – The Humane Society
14. “Revenge” – The Others
15. “Come Alive” – Things To Come
16. “Acid Head” – The Velvet Illusions
17. “Guaranteed Love” – Limey & The Yanks
18. “Love’s The Thing” – The Romancers (aka The Smoke Rings)
19. “Underground Lady” – Kim Fowley
20. “Pretty Little Thing” – The Deepest Blue
21. “You’re Wishin’ I Was Someone Else” – The Whatt Four
22. “Hippy Elevator Operator” – The W.C. Fields Memorial Electric String Band
23. “That’s For Sure” – The Mustangs
24. “Tomorrow’s Girl” – Fapardokly (Merrell & The Exiles)
25. “Everything’s There” – The Hysterics
26. “Our Time Is Running Out” – The Yellow Payges

Disc 3: The Studio Scene
1. “Action, Action, Action” – Keith Allison
2. “The Rebel Kind” – Dino, Desi & Billy
3. “High On Love” – The Knickerbockers
4. “Fan Tan” – Jan & Dean
5. “Halloween Mary” – P.F. Sloan
6. “Somebody Groovy” – The Mamas & The Papas
7. “Daydreaming” – Thorinshield
8. “Just Can’t Wait” – The Full Treatment
9. “Yellow Balloon” – The Yellow Balloon
10. “The Times To Come” – London Phogg
11. “No More Running Around” – The Lamp Of Childhood
12. “Little Girl Lost-And-Found” – The Garden Club
13. “Mothers And Fathers” – The Moon
14. “My Girlfriend Is A Witch” – October Country
15. “Montage Mirror” – Roger Nichols Trio
16. “Flower Eyes” – Pasternak Progress
17. “Come Down” – The Common Cold
18. “Jill” – Gary Lewis & The Playboys
19. “Daily Nightly” – The Monkees
20. “Night Time Girl” – Modern Folk Quintet
21. “Don’t Say No” – The Oracle
22. “Tin Angel (Will You Ever Come Down)” – Hearts And Flowers
23. “Rainbow Woman” – Lee Hazlewood
24. “Poor Old Organ Grinder” – Pleasure featuring Billy Elder
25. “Baby, Please Don’t Go” – The Ballroom

Disc 4: New Directions
1. “Sit Down I Think I Love You” – Stephen Stills & Richie Furay*
2. “Splendor In The Grass” – Jackie DeShannon with The Byrds
3. “November Night” – Peter Fonda
4. “Roses And Rainbows” – Danny Hutton
5. “Lemon Chimes” – The Dillards
6. “Here’s Today” – The Rose Garden
7. “I Love How You Love Me” – Nino Tempo & April Stevens
8. “Words” (Demo) – Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart*
9. “(You Used To) Ride So High” – The Motorcycle Abeline (Warren Zevon & Bones Howe)
10. “Los Angeles” – Gene Clark
11. “Once Upon A Time” – Tim Buckley*
12. “Darlin’ You Can Count On Me” – The Everpresent Fullness
13. “I’ll Search The Sky” – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
14. “Come To The Sunshine” – Van Dyke Parks
15. “Heroes And Villains” (Alternate Take) – The Beach Boys
16. “She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune” – Jesse Lee Kincaid
17. “Sister Marie” – Nilsson
18. “Last Night I Had A Dream” (Single Version) – Randy Newman
19. “Life Is A Dream” – Noel Harrison
20. “Marshmallow Skies” – Rick Nelson
21. “I Think I Love You” – Del Shannon
22. “Change Is Now” – The Byrds
23. “The Truth Is Not Real” (Single Version) – Sagittarius
24. “You Set The Scene” – Love
25. “Inner-Manipulations” – Barry McGuire








V/A- LET THEM KNOW: THE STORY OF YOUTH BRIGADE AND BYO RECORDS

BYO Records, the seminal So-Cal punk label, celebrates its 25th anniversary with this fantastic 31 track collection of punk rock's best covering songs from the BYO roster. Punk icons such as the Dropkick Murphys, Leatherface, Subhumans, Bouncing Souls and NoFx covering their faves by 7 Seconds, Upright Citizens, Adolescents, Unseen and more. This is a smart tribute to an important roster of artists.

Sittin' Here La-La, Waiting For My Ya- Ya

ROLLING STONE SAYS:

In November 1969, the Rolling Stones’ staged an epic two-night stand at New York’s Madison Square Garden that provided tunes for the band’s first official Stones-approved live album, Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ya-Ya’s!, ABKCO will release a remastered deluxe and super-deluxe edition of the live album, a three-disc/one-DVD box set complete with five unreleased songs from the MSG shows and a DVD featuring the Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out film directed by the Maysles Brothers — the documentary team behind the Stones’ classic Gimme Shelter. In the film, the Stones hang out with Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead, mess around during the Ya-Ya’s cover shoot, perform the five unreleased songs and much more.

Additionally, one disc in the set will be dedicated to the sets from the MSG shows’ two opening acts, B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner. The set will also include a replica poster and a 56-page booklet featuring photos, essays, Lester Bangs’ original Rolling Stone review of the album and much more (read Bangs’ full review here). The “super-deluxe” version of the box set will also house a three picture disc vinyl version of Ya-Ya’s, complete with etched cover images and the Stones’ signatures, as well as an enlarged version of the replica poster and 56-page booklet. To top it all off, the box set will come with a voucher allowing fans to download the Ya-Ya’s version of the Stones’ “I’m Free” for Guitar Hero 5.

The deluxe box will hit shelves November 3rd, while the super deluxe set arrives two weeks later on November 17th. Check out the track list below:

Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stone In Concert – 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
Disc 1: Get Yer Ya-Ya;s Out (remastered)
1. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
2. “Carol”
3. “Stray Cat Blues”
4. “Love In Vain”
5. “Midnight Rambler”
6. “Sympathy For The Devil”
7. “Live With Me”
8. “Little Queenie”
9. “Honky Tonk Women”
10. “Street Fighting Man”

Disc 2: unreleased Rolling Stones tracks
1. “Prodigal Son”
2. “You Gotta Move”
3 “Under My Thumb”
4. “I’m Free”
5. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

Disc 3:
1. “Everyday I Have The Blues”
2. “How Blue Can You Get”
3. “That’s Wrong Little Mama”
4. “Why I Sing The Blues”
5. “Please Accept My Love”
6. “Gimme Some Loving”
7. “Sweet Soul Music”
8. “Son Of A Preacher Man”
9. “Proud Mary”
10. “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”
11. “Come Together”
12. “Land Of 1000 Dances”
Tracks 1 – 5: B.B. King
Tracks 6 – 12: Ike & Tina Turner

DVD: Maysles Brothers’ Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out
1. “Prodigal Son”
2. “You Gotta Move”
3. “Under My Thumb”
4. “I’m Free”
5. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

MY TWO CENTS:

This is exciting...I think. The original album runs 48 minutes. The 5 bonus tracks could have easily fit on the same CD. Do we really need the B.B. King & Ike & Tina Turner sets? Wouldn't it have been nicer to have a CD/DVD package for $19.99 instead of having to shell out $45 for the extras that (I'm guessing) Stones fans could do without?

Surprise Weekend Quiz UPDATE: We Have Our Winners...sort of

Here are the 6 songs I was looking for:

YER BLUES
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS
THE BALLAD OF JOHN & YOKO
THE INNER LIGHT
A DAY IN THE LIFE
FLYING

In Revolution #9, The Beatles say "Nine."

In "Love You To," George sings "I'll make love to you."

In "For You Blue," George sings "for, you, and blue," albeit not in that order.

In, "One After 909," John & Paul sing "One After 909."

GENE L. & JEFF K. were the two who answered correctly.

DAVE L, JEFF W., JC, DAVE E., and ANONYMOUS win on a technicality.

ITSOKTOBERIGHT gets an incomplete.

CHRIS S. had a wrong answer, but what the hell?

The Jets won! Everybody gets a CD.

Get addresses to me.

Thanks for playing

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First 5 people to send the correct answers and their mailing address to me, will receive a special Beatles' Rarities CD compiled by yours truly.

Of the 226 commercially released Beatles' songs that appear on the new Stereo boxed set, name the 6, whose titles appear NOWHERE in the song?

GOOD LUCK, PAISANS.

"Live From Daryl's House" : THE WEEKEND MIX

One of my favorite vocalists of all time, Daryl Hall, has been aging gracefully with his internet-only series, "Live From Daryl's House," a perfectly executed, monthly hour, which features Daryl, his stellar band, and special guest du mois, jamming loosely but respectfully on the songs of both the host and the invitees. I have seen all 23 episodes, with special guests that have included Smokey Robinson, Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger, Nick Lowe, Chuck Prophet, Plain White T's, and The Bacon Brothers to name 6, and every single one has offered a revelation or two, no matter how surprising or off-putting the guests may seem at first. I credit the class and professionalism of its host, who shows respect for both the artists' material, and his fans, by consistently offering surprises with hits, old & new, deep album tracks, rarities and covers.

This month's episode continues with something else off of my "bucket list," the pairing of Daryl with Todd Rundgren. Todd and Daryl, or "Marvin & Marvin," as they are referred to by producer and bandmate, T-Bone Wolk, go way back, both growing up in Philly and cutting their teeth on the same Philly soul that has influenced so much of their output over the last 35 years. Rundgren produced Hall & Oates' 1974, brilliant, psychedelic soul classic, "War Babies," and now 35 years, Todd & Daryl successfully make some magic again.



This is one killer show, which you should watch HERE.

Full audio soundtrack is below, with a set list that includes covers of The Soul Surviviors' "Expressway To Your Heart" and "You Got It," by the Average White Band.

TRACK LIST

EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART
SWEET
THE WANT OF A NAIL
SOMETIMES I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO FEEL
CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS
YOU GOT IT
BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK
WAIT FOR ME


ZIP FILE
--

DETAILED BEATLES REVIEW

CLICK ON ALTERCATION FOR MY BEATLES REVIEW
ALTERCATION

Komm, Gib Mir Deine Mono Box

Has anyone heard about these new Beatles' boxes that just came out? These guys were good, right?

OK, enough. I hang my head at the tomfoolery.

But you know...

I am completely over the moon about these boxes. I had originally wanted to post something about "For No One," the McCartney masterpiece from "Revolver." As I listened, yet again, to the new stereo remaster of "Revolver," "For No One" continued to leave me frozen in place. Paul McCartney wrote this heartbreaking masterpiece when he was 24 years old. Just look at these lyrics:

The day breaks, your mind aches
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
When she no longer needs you

She wakes up, she makes up
She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry
She no longer needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years

You want her, you need her
And yet you don't believe her when she says her love is dead
You think she needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years

You stay home, she goes out
She says that long ago she knew someone but now he's gone
She doesn't need him

Your day breaks, your mind aches
There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head
You won't forget her

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years

Holy Jane Asher, Batman!!

When I was 24 years old, I was betting strangers at the Black Rock Bar & Grill that I could eat 6 of the pickled eggs that had been soaking on the bar since the day "Revolver" was released.

Paul? You win.

Then I thought, how can I help the cynics (read: my readers)? How can I convince all of you that these pricey pieces of pleasure were ALL THAT?

ZIP FILES, that's how.

Decide for yourself, using this meager example which includes 1987 mono and stereo versions, as well as 2009 mono and stereo versions of "For No One," "I'm Happy To Just To Dance With You," and "Rock & Roll Music," if the new Beatles remasters are all hype. (12 songs in all)

Why is this a bad idea? Because most of you will unzip this file and listen to it on shitty computer speakers or through tiny and painful Apple (no relation) earbuds, and that just may not help. But, it's worth a try. At the very least, you get to hear "For No One" 4 times, while I await a cease & desist from EMI.

ZIP FILE

Mary Travers, R.I.P.

The Beatles Vs. Apple

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 9/15/09

BIG STAR- KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY (4 CD BOXED SET)


Super cool boxed set that spans the years 1968 to 1975 and features a treasure trove of...uh...treasures; demos, unused mixes, alternate versions of songs, and a 1973 concert recorded in Memphis. "Back Of A Car" people! "Back Of A Car!"



ACE FREHLEY- ANOMALY

It's been 20 years since the last solo release from the Kiss axeman, in case you were keeping track. I can hear the contemptuous snorts a mile away, but it was Ace who released a kick-ass solo record in 1978, NOT Gene, Paul, or Peter. (Why do I feel like that didn't silence the snorts?)





GORDAN GANO & THE RYANS-UNDER THE SUN

Violent Femmes' leader returns with a very poppy solo effort featuring members of The Bogmen.






BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS- LEVITATE

Hornsby gets back to the sound that put him on the map after some musically, if not commercially successful projects with Christian McBride and Ricky Skaggs. Eric Clapton guests.









JAY-Z- THE BLUEPRINT III

International superstar and multi-media mogul, JAY-Z confirms the most highly speculated date in recent music history. Friday, September 11, 2009 is the official release date for the eagerly anticipated BLUEPRINT III. The follow up to JAY-Z's instant classic BLUEPRINT (2001) and the critically acclaimed BLUEPRINT II (2002); BLUEPRINT III is the final installment in the BLUEPRINT series. BLUEPRINT III is a Roc Nation / Live Nation release distributed through Atlantic Records. ''This project is all about pushing the envelope. Being an independent artist, I have an incredible freedom to utlize my unique existing relationship with Live Nation and revive partnerships with great creative teams.''
(what they said)









MARK KNOPFLER- GET LUCKY

Mark Knopfler seems to be in a very melancholy mood on his new release "Get Lucky," with only two songs "You Can't Beat The House" and "Cleaning My Gun" getting above a mid-tempo, and only slightly at that. But that's ok because Knopfler sounds at home on this quiet, and occasionally beautiful collection of songs. Have a listen to "Cleaning My Gun" HERE.











LIVING COLOUR- CHAIR IN THE DOORWAY

After a shakey, 3 song start that tries to fit in everything Living Colour is known forheavy metal, hardcore, rap, funk, and R&B--Vernon Reid and the gang settle down and let the songs do the talking. This is the best thing they've done since their 1988 debut.




ROY LONEY & THE PHANTOM MOVERS- A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR: '78-'89

Raven presents for the first time on a comprehensive anthology covering the career of one of the great cult artists of American rock n roll: Roy Loney and the Phantom Movers. This is an exhilarating, multi label collection, 28 tracks, and 77 minutes of red hot rock n roll.




MANIC STREET PREACHERS- JOURNAL FOR PLAGUE LOVERS

Manic Street Preachers return with their ninth studio album, Journal For Plague Lovers. The album follows the hugely successful and critically acclaimed 2007 release Send Away The Tigers, and the induction of the band into the NME s Hall Of Fame with their naming as the ''NME Godlike Genius'' for 2008. Produced by Steve Albini and recorded live at Rockfield Studios in Wales during the Winter of 2008, the album features lyrics left behind by former guitarist Richey Edwards across all 13 new tracks. An original piece of Jenny Saville s art is the cover of Journal for Plague Lovers, whose painting graced the cover of 1994 s The Holy Bible . Musically the band draw on their classic Holy Bible sound with elements of Nirvana s In Utero, as well as a delicate, beautiful acoustic side.









MUSE- THE RESISTANCE

This band sounds like all the bands they aspire to be, a little bit of Radiohead, a little bit of Queen and a little bit of Yes. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I really like what I've heard of "The Resistance."

City Whinery: My Problem With Sid 'N' Susie

Always the cynic, yes I know, but...please hear me out.

I raved about "Under The Covers Volume 2," the second installment of rock and roll classics from Sid 'n' Susie, better known to most of you cats as Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Really I did. Just look HERE.

I had been looking forward to Friday night's performance at City Winery for weeks. YEARS, even. (Okay, just weeks.) And it was a fun evening....kind of.

It was one of those "loosey-goosey performances", you know, where the band just wants to feel like they are in their own living rooms, chilling with friends, sipping some wine, and sharing stories about their day. This type of performance used to be a rare treat; a special night out, a diversion from the big concert hall experience. You know, the experience where the artists were actually prepared. In recent years, this non-chalant way of performing has become commonplace. I am so over the "charm" of forgetting lyrics, being under rehearsed, and "wanting to know if the audience has any questions about pottery."

I have a question. How is it you forgot your guitar in a cab, Susanna, and couldn't find anyplace in NYC for a replacement? That's my question. NOWHERE in NYC were you able to get a guitar for your performance? You're a damn Bangle. Hoffs was without an instrument for the entire show until she borrowed guitarist Paul Chastain's for the last two Bangles' tunes, "In Your Room" and "Manic Monday," which by the way, were the highlights of the show. (Apparently, she KNEW those tunes.)



Cheat sheets, "fakebooks," bad chords, and wrong lyrics were in abundance on Friday evening. The show started a little after 10PM and by 10:30, Sid N Susie had played 4 songs, 2 of which were a bit of a mess. Now before all of you start sending me "lighten up" e-mails, I am asking you for a break here. I mean, I know the lyrics to "Cinnamon Girl," and "Hello It's Me," why don't they? What are THEY doing all day? Singing and playing guitar, right?



On the upside, Susanna Hoffs' voice was better than ever; a pure singer who can effortlessly convey the melancholy of Sandy Denny and sex appeal of Linda Ronstadt, while rocking with the best of 'em. And Matthew Sweet has written album after album of pop perfection. But for Pete's sake, don't piss on your audience. The 20-30 minutes used for "unhilarious" storytelling that must have seemed a lot more amusing to the performers than to the squirming audience, could have easily been used for 5-6 more songs. And if both volumes of "Under The Covers" were created because of the love and admiration you have for the artists and songs that inspired you, why the hell don't you show these artists respect, not to mention your paying audience, by learning the repertoire?

If I sound angry it's because I am...a little. I'm mostly disappointed. If you want to sip wine and just have a hootenanny, do it in Washington Square Park. I could have saved $100, since no one is comping me to any of the shows I attend. I am a fan and I have to pay.

That said, here is my Zapruder-inspired footage of "Second Hand News." The audio gets better about a minute in, when I realize my hand was covering the mic.