Tis The Season To Be Cranky

Wasn't it the great philosopher Billy Squier who said, "Christmas is the time to say I love you?" December is still a day away, and yet I can feel the pressure rising, the bank account failing, and the collective composure getting lost. This really isn't the most wonderful time of the year. It certainly isn't as wonderful as January 2nd, the day we can all feel good about starting over... yet again. Sorry to be a Scrooge Head, but it's just not realistic to think all is well just because most of America has dug out their Andy Williams' sweaters. "I love yous" are getting a shove to the side for the more popular "Why won't these f**king tree lights go on?!"

I wasn't always like this, but I understand it more and more.


Here's what's going on at Burning Wood during the month of December.

While the rock and roll halls get decked with the traditional year-end dregs, "If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date" will be truncated due to the lack of worthwhile releases.

Burning Wood however, will spend the next month focusing on giving. (That's the spirit!) I will be taking requests. Wanna hear something? Live performance you'd like to see posted? Out of print record you've been looking for? Artist you'd like to see raked over the coals? Let me know. My Santa suit gets hot and itchy more quickly these days, so act now.

In addition, I will be compiling my year-end favorites and biggest disappointments. And as I did last year, I will be accepting your e-mails with your Top 10 records of the year. I will post them for all to see and ridicule.

The season has just started, so there is still plenty of time for it to get better or worse. I will do my part to make it better. Hang in there, kids.

For now, let's take one more opportunity to let it all out. Whatever is pissing you off, just remember, it's not me. (Right?)

Hit play, crank it up, and bang your head to "Ace Of Spades." You'll feel better.

"Black Friday" : THE WEEKEND MIX

"Radio Shack opened at 5AM this morning,'cuz ya know, kids are always asking Santa for RF switches and cr2024 batteries."

Giving thanks is officially out of style. It's time to throw an elbow in some woman's face and grab that duvee set for 30% off. Ah yes, Happy Holidays.

I found this mix earlier this week. It was labelled "July," but I am pretty sure I never used it. After some minor tweaking, it sounded ready to go. With the exception of a live version of "Black Friday" from Marian McPartland's radio show, I see no real theme here, except it all sounds great together.

Would love to hear what you think after you listen.



TRACK LIST

Go To Mexico - Cassandra Wilson
Baby, It's You - Smith
Hum Along And Dance - Rare Earth
Love Child - Booker T. & The MGs
Baby Please Don't Go - Mary Flower
Waitin' Guilty- The Black Crowes
I've Got Your Love - Boz Scaggs
It Ain't Gonna Work - World Party
Heartbreaker - The Booga
Just Dropped In... - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Since I've Been Loving You- Corinne Bailey Rae
Feel Up - Grace Jones
Hot For Teacher - David Grisman
Black Friday - Steely Dan



ZIP FILE

Happy Thanksgiving

A Holiday Story

Here is Paul Leary, guitarist of the Butthole Surfers, explaining the origin of the band's name:

"Well, we started out being called Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food, and we were like---no, I'm sorry, it gets complicated. We started out as the Dick Clark Five in San Antonio. We had this deal about wanting to change the name of the band for every show we did, so the next show we were the Dick Gas Five, and then we were Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food. Then we were Vodka Family Winstons, and we were Abe Lincoln's Bush. Then we were The Inalienable Right To Eat Fred Astaire's Asshole, and then the next show we were just plain Right To Eat Fred Astaire's Asshole. Then one night we were playing as something really ridiculous, I think it was Independent Worm Saloon. We had a song that Gibby (Haynes, the singer) wrote called 'Butthole Surfer,' and we were getting ready to play, and some guy got up and introduced us as the Butthole Surfers. At the end of the night we got paid a hundred and fifty bucks, so we thought we were going to get rich, and we stuck with that name, and well, here we are."

(Taken from "Rock Names: From ABBA To ZZ TOP" by Adam Dolgins.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 11/24/09

SUSAN BOYLE- I DREAMED A DREAM

Scottish phenom releases her first album full of big melodrama and sweeping strings. Includes such showstoppers as "I Dreamed A Dream," "Wild Horses," "Daydream Believer" and "Silent Night." No, really. Deluxe edition comes with a box of Kleenex and a coupon for bon bons.







BUDDY HOLLY- NOT FADE AWAY: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS

"Long awaited 2009 six CD box set from the influential Rock 'n' Roll legend containing all of his official studio recordings. The 203 tracks range from his earliest recordings when 12 to 15 years old to demos with Bob Montgomery; from his earliest recordings with The Crickets and a set of garage recordings to his first studio recordings for Decca in Nashville; from the Coral and Brunswick recordings and hits that made him famous to his heralded apartment tapes. There are 6 previously unreleased tracks, including most of an August 1955 session, plus another 11 recordings previously unreleased in the U.S. Furthermore, all of the original, locatable undubbed original recordings are here as well as all 57 of the overdubbed versions recorded both in New York City and Clovis months and even years after the 'day the music died."

Word.








ADAM LAMBERT- FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

I listened to this record last week on the strength of the song "Time For Miracles," which might as well be Cheap Trick, AND the fact that I have never seen a single episode of American Idol. I am sorry to say, I liked it. I mean...you know...as far as pop albums go, he has something. You know? But then apparently, a little show by the name of the American Music Awards aired and suddenly this kid is the antichrist. Ok, I didn't see the show, but from what I understand, people are now wishing for Adam Lambert's death or at least an immediate exile to Pluto. Next...









TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS- THE LIVE ANTHOLOGY (4 CD SET)

Just got mine in the mail, and so far have only read the liner notes. (Did you know Tom Petty was from Florida?)


Here is the tracklist:


Disc: 1
1. Nightwatchman
2. Even The Losers
3. Here Comes My Girl
4. A Thing About You
5. I'm In Love
6. I'm A Man
7. Straight Into Darkness
8. Breakdown
9. Something In The Air
10. I Just Want To Make Love To You
11. Drivin' Down To Georgia
12. Lost Without You
13. Refugee
Disc: 2
1. Diddy Wah Diddy
2. I Want You Back Again
3. Wildflowers
4. Friend Of The Devil
5. A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)
6. It's Good To Be King
7. Angel Dream (No. 2)
8. Learning To Fly
9. Mary Jane's Last Dance
10. Mystic Eyes
Disc: 3
1. Jammin' Me
2. The Wild One, Forever
3. Green Onions
4. Louisiana Rain
5. Melinda
6. Goldfinger
7. Surrender
8. Dreamville
9. Spike
10. Any Way You Want It
11. American Girl
Disc: 4
1. Runnin' Down A Dream
2. Oh Well
3. Southern Accents
4. Crawling Back To You
5. My Life/Your World
6. I Won't Back Down
7. Square One
8. Have Love Will Travel
9. Free Fallin'
10. The Waiting
11. Good Good Lovin'
12. Century City
13. Alright For Now

Seems pretty killer to me! A big and stupid deluxe edition is also available for about $150 more. Here's what you get.

2009 UK 'Limited Deluxe Collectors Edition' Multi-Format Box consisting of 5 CDs, 2 DVD, 1 Blu-Ray and 1 vinyl LP - Comprising 4CDs of recordings drawn from thirty years of incredible live performances from around the world, representing the best tracks as chosen by producers Tom Petty, Mike Campbell & Ryan Ulyate, along with a Bonus 5th CD of 14 exclusive additional live tracks; 2 DVDs consisting of the previously unreleased New Years Eve 1978 Santa Monica, CA concert and the '400 Days' documentary film made during the 1995 Wildflowers Tour; a Blu-Ray Disc containing all 62 tracks in both stereo and surround sound; a vinyl LP of the remastered 1976 Official Live 'Leg bootleg album. Presented in deluxe packaging [designed by famous artist Shepard Fairey who became widely known for his Barack Obama 'HOPE' poster in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election] complete with a deluxe book with liner notes offering personal perspective by Tom Petty, Warren Zanes, Bill Flanagan, Robert Hilburn, Joel Selvin, Austin Scaggs, and Phil Sutcliffe; a 12" x 12" Lithograph reproduction of Shepard Fairey Cover Art; a 8" x 12" Reproduction of 1997 twenty night Fillmore stand concert poster; the 'Live Anthology' notebook; and assorted authentic vintage backstage satin passes! Universal. 2009.








TOM WAITS- GLITTER & DOOM LIVE

2 CD set compiled from the 2008 tour, features a 36 minute bonus disc highlighting Tom's brilliant skills as a raconteur, entitled "Tom Tales," which I'm feeling may be even more exciting. Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't give you the option to buy the second CD as a download.



ALSO OUT THIS WEEK:

New records from:

BEYONCE- I AM SASHA FIERCE...(DELUXE EDITION w/ 8 additional tracks)
8 less tracks? Maybe.


THE COWSILLS- THE COWSILLS
First official release of the pop band's debut, remastered from the original mono source with 8 additional tracks, none of which feature Beyonce.


LADY GAGA- THE FAME MONSTER (DELUXE EDITION w/ 8 NEW SONGS!!)
I swear!

REGIS & JOY PHILBIN- JUST YOU, JUST ME
Legendary TV personality and his possibly talented wife finally bring their stage revue to the studio. Finally.



RIHANNA- RATED R
"THE WAIT IS OVA. Rated R is the fourth studio album by Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna. The album's first single, ''Russian Roulette,'' was written by Ne-Yo and Rihanna, and produced by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony. Album includes collaborations with Young Jeezy, Slash, Will.I.Am." Heh. Barbadian.

WAIT, THERE'S MORE....

SHAKIRA- SHE WOLF
She Wolf, Shakira’s 6th studio album, was written and produced by Shakira with some guest collaborators, and features mostly English compositions. “The worst that can happen to me is repeat myself and repeat the same old formula,” said Shakira in a Rolling Stone interview. Producer John Hill (Santigold), Lil’ Wayne, and Pharrell are among the many to collaborate with Shakira for this culture fusion album."

(So many things to choose from for my Amazon Wish List.)



ANGIE STONE- UNEXPECTED
"Brand new from Angie Stone, first single hitting the airwaves is ''I Ain't Hearing You'', she is appearing in a new film this November, ''Pastor Brown and the School Girls''"



Okay, my apologies. That's enough.




HAPPY HOLIDAYS?

Greetings From Buffalo, N.Y.

SETLIST


Wrecking Ball (with Curt Ramm)
The Ties That Bind
Hungry Heart
Working on a Dream
Blinded By the Light
Growin' Up
Mary Queen of Arkansas
Doe This Bus Stop at 8nd Street?
Lost in the Flood
The Angel
For You
Spirit in the Night
It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Restless Nights
Surprise, Surprise
Green Onions
Merry Christmas Baby (with Curt Ramm)
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (with Curt Ramm)
(I Don't Want to) Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
Boom Boom
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Long Walk Home
The Rising
Born to Run
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out (with Curt Ramm)
I'll Work For Your Love
Thunder Road
American Land (with Curt Ramm)
Dancing in the Dark
Rosalita (with Curt Ramm)
Higher and Higher (with Curt Ramm)
Rockin' All Over the World

DISC ONE

DISC TWO

DISC THREE

It's Really Good To See Them Rockin' Out And Having Fun

The first half of Ray Davies' performance last Thursday at NYC's Town Hall was charming, if a bit familiar. Opening with an acoustic guitar and just his lead guitarist accompanying him, Davies ran through a pat set of Kinks favorites that included "I Need You," "Ape Man," "I'm Not Like Everybody Else," "Sunny Afternoon," and "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion," a run of songs that has not changed much from his last few tours. Ray was in fine voice, good spirits, and though looking more and more like Jack Warden every day, still had more energy than people I know half his age. After a few more acoustic numbers, including a couple off of his most recent solo record 'Working Man's Cafe," the band took the stage, with 70's Kinks' member Ian Gibbons on keys, to rock but ultimately rush through a few more gems. I was excited about the choir too, but we were all already there. Play the songs like you mean it.







It was after the brief intermission when this show was lifted from average to special. Taking the stage while the house lights were still on, the Dessoff Chamber Choir Of NYC, filed into their chairs, and minutes later, Ray & the band performed selections from "The Kinks Choral Collection," the recently released album of Kinks' classics, reworked to include this wall of sound. Every song was a triumph. Not in a "big marching band, cheer on the team way," which is what I had originally expected to feel once I heard about this record. But more like a "sit on the edge of your seat wondering how this will come off, then being fulfilled to the point of goose bumps" kind of way.

There's a subtle but important line that shouldn't be crossed here. It's the same uncrossed line that makes a New Orleans brass band funkier than a mosquito's tweeter and NOT some halftime extravaganza at the Ohio State/Michigan game. This project could have been very wrong. Instead, it was very right. It was all just wonderful.

Take a look.









(my pictures, but not my video)








Then on Friday, just a few restaurants and Asian caricaturist tables away at Times Square's Nokia Theatre, another rock legend, Roger Daltrey took the stage with Simon Townshend, Phil Entwistle and Warren Moon (ok, not rea...nevermind) and put on a should-have-been-great solo show. Through no fault of the excellent band or the killer set list which included some rarely performed Who tracks such as "Pictures Of Lily," "Tattoo," "Naked Eye," and one of my favorite Pete Townshend songs "Blue Red & Grey," this show suffered a bit more than a bit, thanks to Daltrey's misguided storytelling.







After listening to some performances from the early part of the tour, I had been dreading this evening, company excluded. Daltrey's voice was going from bad to worse, sounding about as musical as Jack Webb after a pack of Luckies. Thankfully, Daltrey kicked his bout with "the grip," and sounded better than ok. This wasn't the problem. The problem was that for every song, there was a 3 minute story about the song; a gimmick that might have worked in a sit down setting, with some prior notice. But standing nuts to butts with maniacal Who fans in a sweltering theatre was not the time to wax nostalgic about your early days with "The Ox." One friend commented, "It's not a Who show. It's a Daltrey show. He can do what he wants. He's not a smart guy, but he's sincere." All true, but it still doesn't change my feeling that, what could have been a very fine evening, suffered from awful pacing.









There were more than enough highlights though, including kick-ass versions of "I Can See For Miles," "Young Man Blues," and "The Real Me." Plus, my favorite moment of the night, Simon Townshend's flawless take on "Going Mobile."





Good weekend of music, despite some minor complaints.

Here's Ray On Letterman.




Eerily similar review below, which posted 30 minutes after mine, by the way.

http://www.billboard.com/#/news/roger-daltrey-gives-voice-a-workout-on-solo-1004045032.story

Really? The Olympics?

I'd like to think I know a little about music. How did this slip by me? I really thought it was an original tune by the Young Rascals. I found out yesterday that it was not.

Here are The Olympics with THEIR tune, "Good Lovin'."


And for good measure, a tune I had always associated with NRBQ, "The Same Old Thing," from one of the greatest records of all time, "NRBQ At Yankee Stadium," also...The Olympics.

My Morning Racket

"Yim Yames is the thinly veiled alias of Jim James, the guitar-playing frontman of My Morning Jacket. Although chiefly known for his work in that band, James played a wider role in indie rock during the early 21st century, appearing on albums by several artists (including Bright Eyes, M. Ward, America, and Bobby Bare, Jr.) while also pursuing a small solo career under the Yim Yames moniker. He made his solo debut with 2009's Tribute To, a short collection of George Harrison covers recorded shortly after the guitarist's death in 2001."

I think I've made it clear a number of times on these pages that I was not a fan of Jim James or his overrated band, My Morning Jacket. I mean, the records are worth some time, with the occasional tune offering something, but this band headlined Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve for Pete's sake. Really? This is how you want to ring in the new year? Packed (maybe) in a big hockey barn listenng to a gloomy indie band? Kinda makes Guy Lombardo's Waldorf gig seem like a dirty BBQ roadhouse hootenanny. And how the hell did they get THAT gig anyway?

Still, I find Jim James...uh...Yim Yames'"Tribute To..." E.P. fascinating. It has that low-fi, lazy approach that has always been the big turn off for me with indie bands. (I don't care how many pop gems Guided By Voices has recorded, their records sounds like shit.) But at the same time, the thin, "gloomy" approach makes these George Harrison songs almost sound as if Hank Williams could have recorded them.

Unzip and take a listen to "Behind That Locked Door" and "All Things Must Pass."

ZIP FILE

And if that doesn't kill ya, there's always this.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 11/17/09

ELVIS COSTELLO- SPECTACLE SEASON 1- DVD

A music television highlight of this past year gets some pretty shabby treatment for its DVD release. From what I can see, only 4 unaired bonus tracks have been added from the dozen or so episodes that were filmed. That's a bit of a Momofuku to the fans, no? Anyone remember seeing the snippet of Elvis doing Elton's "Ballad Of A Well Known Gun" over the closing credits of Episode One? Well, that's here at least. Still, the entire season of this brilliant show is worth more than its weight in bonus features.







DAVID BOWIE- SPACE ODDITY 40TH ANNIVERSARY (2 CD EDITION)

Bowie's 1969 debut gets the big upgrade with new remastering and an entire CD of unreleased material, including early demos, stereo mixes and live BBC tracks. Not quite "there" yet, Bowie tries his hand at a few different styles of music on this debut, but most of it works. One of my favorites and certainly an underrated gem.







SHERYL CROW- TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB 2 CDs/1 DVD

The record that put Miss Crow on the map after years of paying her musical dues, gets the usual "bells and whistles" treatment applied to it. A bonus disc with unreleased material includes covers of Led Zeppelin & Eric Carmen, as well as a DVD of videos have been added. Nice package. (The CD set, that is.)










FALL OUT BOY- BELIEVERS NEVER DIE

This is a greatest hits collection. They've put out 4 records. Testing...testing...Is this thing on?







TIM FINN- NORTH/SOUTH/EAST WEST

2 CD retrospective of Split Enz founder and quirky older Finn brother, Tim, features songs from the Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers and his solo career, some newly recorded. Nicely done, me thinks.

FULL TRACK LIST

Disc: 1
1. I See Red
2. My Mistake
3. Poor Boy
4. Six Months In A Leaky Boat
5. I Hope I Never
6. Dirty Creature
7. Maybe
8. Stuff And Nonsense (New Recording Featuring Missy Higgins)
9. Fraction Too Much Friction
10. Made My Day
11. So Deep (New Recording)
12. How Am I Gonna Sleep
13. Not Even Close
14. Many'd The Time (In Dublin)
15. Persuasion
16. Into The Water
17. Nothing Unusual
Disc: 2
1. Weather With You (New Recording Featuring Neil Finn & Liam Finn)
2. How Will You Go
3. It's Only Natural (New Recording Featuring Bic Runga)
4. Underwater Mountain
5. Dead Man
6. What You've Done
7. Subway Dreaming
8. Angels Heap
9. Disembodied Voices
10. Luckiest Man Alive
11. Winter Light
12. Couldn't Be Done
13. Astounding Moon
14. Straw To Gold
15. Out Of This World
16. The Saw And The Tree
17. Light Years Away
18. Poor Boy (Instrumental)








NORAH JONES- THE FALL

Norah Jones dumped both her boyfriend and her band of 8 years, hooked up with some friends of Tom Waits and now releases the fruits of her new life. It's a slightly different sound for Norah and it's actually not bad. Her voice still rarely gets above a peep, but the songs and overall feel give "The Fall" and her career a welcome jolt. This is Norah Jones' "rock record." Still, I wouldn't be so quick to trade in your Bass Weejuns for some MC boots.







MADNESS - ONE STEP BEYOND (2 CD ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

You know the drill, kids. Remastered sound, unreleased tracks, b-sides, remixes, recipes, travel plans, super 8 footage of Suggs in Niagara Falls and more, all make this twice as exciting as the original release. At least this record is a classic.


FULL TRACK LIST

Disc 1

Audio:
1. “One Step Beyond”
2. “My Girl”
3. “Night Boat To Cairo”
4. “Believe Me”
5. “Land Of Hope and Glory”
6. “The Prince”
7. “Tarzan’s Nuts”
8. “In The Middle of the Night”
9. “Bed and Breakfast Man”
10. “Razor Blade Alley”
11. “Swan Lake”
12. “Rockin’ In Ab”
13. “Mummy’s Boy”
14. “Madness”
15. “Chipmunks are Go”

Video:
1. “The Prince”
2. “One Step Beyond”
3. “Bed and Breakfast Man”
4. “My Girl”
5. “Night Boat To Cairo”

Disc 2
1. “The Prince” (Peel Session)
2. “Bed and Breakfast Man” (Peel Session)
3. “Land of Hope & Glory” (Peel Session)
4. “Stepping Into Line” (Peel Session)
5. “One Step Beyond” ( 7-inch single version)
6. “My Girl” (Mike Barson demo)
7. “Mistakes” (B-side “One Step Beyond”)
8. “Un Paso Adelante” (”One Step Beyond” Spanish version)
9. “Nutty Theme” (B-side “One Step Beyond”)
10. “My Girl” (Ballad-Flexipop)
11. “Stepping Into Line” (B-side “My Girl”)
12. “Un Paso Avanti” (”One Step Beyond” Italian version)
13. “Deceives The Eye” (Work Rest & Play EP)
14. “The Young And The Old” (Work Rest & Play EP)
15. “Don’t Quote Me On That” (Work Rest & Play EP)
16. “Razor Blade Alley” (Live from “Dance Craze”)
17. “Night Boat To Cairo” (Live from “Dance Craze”)
18. “One Step Beyond” (Live from “Dance Craze”)







PAUL MCCARTNEY- GOOD EVENING, NEW YORK CITY

Paul has toured the USA 5 times as a solo act and each time has released a live document. "Wings Over America" is legendary and "Tripping The Live Fantastic" was just that, in that it had been 13 years since we heard Macca rock up the Beatles' catalogue. And boy, did he sound great. But since then, his repertoire hasn't changed that much, with the exception of the inclusion of some weak-ass new material, so the next two live sets, "Paul Is Live" and "Back In The U.S.," seem pointless, cute titles notwithstanding. This new 2 CD document of his historic CitiField stint, got a big ol' eyeroll from yours truly, but as a fan, I had to listen, and you know what, it's damn good! The band rocks, Paul sounds fantastic, and it's not that expensive. Stocking stuffer!!








JOHN MAYER- BATTLE STUDIES

Mayer is not a blues guitarist. He is not a jazz man. He is not a soul singer. He is not Burt Bacharach. He isn't even Babyface, yet he's tried on all those hats. He appeals to the tender souls who are frightened by the real thing. This is Mayer's attempt at big, pop radio. I just don't care for him. And what's with the cover of this CD? Who is he "The French Lieutenant's Woman?"








DAVID RAWLINGS MACHINE- A FRIEND OF A FRIEND

"The much anticipated debut album from Gillian Welch's secret weapon, David Rawlings, includes appearances by Morgan Jahnig (Old Crow Medicine Show), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes) and Karl Himmel (Neil Young), and of course, Gillian Welch. It's a coming out party for an unsung hero of American roots music, and it's on Acony."

I can't wait to hear this one.



On the other hand...





THEM CROOKED VULTURES- THEM CROOKED VULTURES

This is an unpleasant and colossal disappointment from John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. Don't tell him I said this, but I blame Josh Homme. There isn't a single song here. It's a series of 3rd rate Zep riffs being chugged out on top of Grohl's always powerful drumming, but it's Josh Homme's non-voice and even nonner personality fronting it all that stands out most. Bad.



NEW FROM THREADHEAD RECORDS

2 excellent new releases from the fan-funded, New Orleans inspired Threadhead Records Label:


PAUL SANCHEZ- FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE





Singer-songwriter Sanchez' offers up more than most on this autobiographical musical journey, as he tells stories about the inspiration behind the music, and mesmerizes the listener with his heartbreaking voice and heartfelt words. Each song is an engrossing slice of life and Paul Sanchez welcomes you into his world with the warmth and grace one expects from the great people of the great city of New Orleans.


A VERY THREADHEAD HOLIDAY





The impressive Threadhead roster of artists gets their yule logs on and delivers one of the finest Christmas CDs in recent memory. Susan Cowsill, John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Matt Perrine, Glen David Andrews, Shamarr Allen, Ingrid Lucia, Alex McMurray and more all contribute to this collection of mostly original tunes served up in a New Orleans style.


Remember, the names and titles of each CD are live links to Amazon, making your holiday purchases just one click away. (Did that sound like a Walmart commercial?)

And there's your lot.

"Try To See It My Way..."

"I always think it's amazing how two huge fans of the same artist could see the same show and have the opposite experience."

A friend, and Bruce Springsteen devotee said that to me during a discussion about the recent MSG stand. It amazes me as well, but I have always had a hard time understanding exactly why someone likes one thing and hates another. What's more difficult for me to understand is my need to understand. A particular instance where a family member had raved about Fountains Of Wayne's second album, "Utopia Parkway," but just about vomited his hatred for their debut in my face, led to a still ongoing moratorium on speaking to each other. (The records are not that dissimilar. I don't understand.)

As for the Bruce shows, my friend went on to explain how his friend didn't care for the live performance of "The River," which as you've read on these pages, I did. Here's what his friend said:

"...thought Bruce was holding back, some tempos were off, Bruce not giving his all. Thought Wreck On The Highway was the best. Thought Crush On You was a highlight."

Tempos were OFF? When has Max Weinberg's tempos ever been ON? "Wreck On The Highway?" It followed "Drive All Night." How could anything following "Drive All Night" be "the best?" "Crush On You?" What's wrong with this guy? Well...nothing. He also thought the final Giants Stadium show was the best in years. Might have been. I don't know, I wasn't there. (But I'm sure it wasn't.)

The discussion between me and my friend continued, now focusing on a mutual friend who, "loves Manilow and Manson, Neil Diamond and King Diamond, but just doesn't like Jimi Hendrix, Jazz, or Joni. He'd rather see John Mellencamp than Jimi Hendrix." Okay by me, and why shouldn't it be? There are people who aren't fans of the blues or reggae because they think it all sounds the same. It's not my place to inform them that they are wrong.

Speaking of wrong...

Has anyone heard Phish's recent Halloween performance of "Exile On Main Street?" It's the closest thing to sacrilege since Tony Curtis as Antoninus uttered "I soive da mastuh dat I look fuh." in Spartacus. Phish needs to be stopped. But that's just me.

I sent my friend a copy of the just released, Japanese only Jason Falkner album, which I like a lot. Her comment, "It sounds different than the stuff you've already sent me." Interesting to me since, a) I sent it to her because she loved what I had already sent her; a homemade compilation featuring the best (in my opinion) of his first 3 records and b) one of Jason's problems is that almost everything sounds the same. This new record is no different...at all. But that's not how she hears it. She also blew a gasket after I blew a gasket when she said she hated Hall & Oates. (She no longer does, but that's because she somehow managed to pull an "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" and got those MTV videos out of her head.)




Johnny Ramone once came into my store looking for a Canned Heat compilation. As it happened, I had two. One was priced at 7.99 and had ten songs. The other was priced at 6.99 and had 16 songs. He wanted the one for 7.99. "But Johnny," I exclaimed," this one is a remastered import with 6 extra songs for a dollar less." "Yeah," he honked, "but I only want these songs." I didn't see it then, but I do now. Does anyone prefer the "Director's Cut" of their favorite movie?

I've been a huge fan of David Bowie and Queen for as long as I can remember, and two people who I love & respect have a hatred for these artists that I find irrational and at times, lazy, though the person who hates Bowie has backed it up nicely with years of listening and fair and intelligent reasoning. I just don't agree. I wish I could say that about the other friend who hates Queen. Thankfully, he has plenty more going for him. (He's come around...a bit...to Hall & Oates.)

I'm accused, daily, of taking these musical opinions personally. (I admit to having a problem.) But...





Don't we all have friends who have expressed a dislike for say....sushi, then seconds later admitted they never tasted it? Can you honestly say you've never wanted the rational explanation whether discussing Eno or uni? It's not just me! (well...it is, a little) (OK, more than a little.) SHUT UP!

I was completely satisfied with my Bowie-hating friend's feelings. He explained it in gory detail. When discussing music, I need it explained to me in gory detail. I never tire of the discussion. Let's talk for as long as you want. Then, after a healthy chinwagging, if you still don't care for what you don't care for, we can move on. But until then, "I hate Queen!" is not good enough. As for my friend's friend who did not like "The River," I'm still on the fence about how I feel about his comments. He's a respected musician himself. He should know better. Then again, maybe I should know better. But honestly, what fun would that be?

One more thing--

I have a friend who has more Ben Folds in his iTunes library than Bob Dylan.

Rag Mama Rag

Thought I'd sneak this one in. It'll put (most of) you in a great mood.

"November" : THE WEEKEND MIX

Maybe some of you have been burned out by the bevy of Bruce bogging up Burning Wood blately. I know I haven't...been... but I anticipate some hate mail from a few of my loyal, but troublesome readers who seem to think that little north of the Alamo is worth their time. This "WEEKEND MIX" isn't really FOR them, but at least it's a step out of Freehold...for now.

No real theme here, folks. Again, it's just some stuff that kills me for one reason or another. It's posted so that maybe it might kill you. I mean that in the best possible way.

SOME HELP:

Susan Cowsill hosts a series at Carrolton Station in New Orleans called "Covered In Vinyl," where she and some friends perform a classic album in its entirety. Here she is, along with friends, Bangle & Drifter Vicki Peterson and the incomparable Paul Sanchez and this is from the Mamas & Papas' "If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears" night. (That's one long and f**ked up sentence.)

Rare solo single from Brian Eno, inspired by my long lost friend Chris Fish, who chose to post this on Facebook and remind me that Brian Eno used to be a likeable freak as opposed to an old, boring, bald freak.

I know very little about The Four Bags, but I saw them at one of the legendary downtown NYC "Loser's Lounge" shows. This one, a night of XTC. They performed this album cut and it left me limp.

Not sure where I got this Raconteurs cover by Corinne Bailey Rae. (Raconteurs cover--JEEZ)

The best Trash Can Sinatras track from their best album, their debut. Pop perfection.

Bobby & Ali, live on CMT's Crossroads.

A New Orleans fave, Jon Cleary, with his funky spin on The Valentinos classic, live for the BBC.

The inferior, original version of Prince's track and Sinead's hit. I actually despise this version. But it's rare, so it may please some of you.

The superior cover of the John Hiatt track by the sublime (at least on this song) Katy Moffat.

Put on your seatbelt and wait for 3:23 of this James Booker gem. (0:00- 3:22 ain't no bag of dirt either)

The Ervin Webb track is here because it needs to be here. You'll feel it. I have faith in you.

Did I forget anything?

Have a great weekend.


FULL TRACK LIST


Monday, Monday - Paul Sanchez, Susan Cowsill, & Vicki Peterson
Men Without Shame - Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Seven Deadly Finns - Brian Eno
Humble Daisy - The Four Bags
Steady As She Goes - Corinne Bailey Rae
Obscurity Knocks - Trash Can Sinatras
Black Dog - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
It's All Over Now - Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Flowers In The Window - Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop
Nothing Compares 2 U - The Family
Shoot The Moonlight Out - Garland Jeffreys
We Ran - Katy Moffat
Black Minute Waltz - James Booker
I'm Going Home - Ervin Webb
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Wilco

ZIP FILE

Me On Dolly Parton And Ya Ya's

Click below

ALTERCATION

Stuff That Made Me Laugh

These bits of tid were found over at Billboard.com and I'm quite sure none of this information was meant to be funny. You decide.


Beyonce, Paul McCartney To Star In Thanksgiving Specials

TV network ABC says Paul McCartney and Beyoncé will star in back-to-back one-hour specials Thanksgiving night. The evening starts at 9 p.m. EST with a Beyoncé concert that was taped over the summer in Las Vegas.

That will be followed by a McCartney special that includes highlights from his July concert at Citi Field in New York City. The stadium in Queens is next to the former site of Shea Stadium, where he and his fellow Beatles rocked at the height of Beatlemania. Footage from that 1965 concert also will air during the special.

Both specials will offer interviews and personal glimpses of the stars.



Records: Jackson's Funeral Cost Nearly $1 million

The final tally of costs included $855,730 to Forest Lawn for cemetery and funeral charges including the purchase of other plots within the same mausoleum that houses Jackson's body.

Also listed were: $35,000 for burial garments; $1,975 for wardrobe for the family; $2,000 for usher costumes; $3,682 for framing of a photograph of Jackson next to the casket; $959 for embroidery; $11,716 for invitations and programs; $16,000 for flowers; $30,000 for cars and security; and $15,000 for a funeral designer. There was also a charge of $21,455 for the "funeral repast" at a restaurant after the ceremony.

During the period that the family waited to bury Jackson, they were charged $5,000 a month for holding the remains in a temporary vault.

($3,682 for a frame?)




Rapper Lil' Boosie Sentenced To Four Years In Prison




Jawbox T.V. Reunion, Reissue May Lead To Tour



Timberlake Granted Restraining Order Against Woman

A judge has ordered a woman to stay away from Justin Timberlake for the next three years. Timberlake wrote in court filings that Karen McNeil repeatedly showed up at his house and trespassed on his property last month.

McNeil, who represented herself in the case, opposed the court order, writing in a court document that she thought she was destined to marry Timberlake and "to rule" with him.

During the hearing on Monday (Nov. 9), Judge David S. Cunningham III ordered a five-minute recess after an outburst by McNeil when the judge issued the order.

Outside court, McNeil said, "That was all lies. I did not break into Justin's house. I was let on the property."

The 28-year-old Timberlake was filming a movie and didn't appear in court. He has won multiple Grammy Awards for songs such as "SexyBack" and "Cry Me a River."


You can always count on Billboard for the latest in music news.

(And thanks Power Pop for the use of the phrase "bits of tid.")

"The River" : NIGHT TWO

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, 11/08/09



DISC ONE

DISC TWO

DISC THREE


Enjoy.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 11/10/09

AC/DC- BACKTRACKS

2 CD and 1 DVD boxed set from the Aussie bad boys that pulls together oddities, rarities, and soundtrackities. The DVD features rare videos and live tracks bringing the previously released "Family Jewels" DVD up to date.








BAD LIEUTENANT- NEVER CRY ANOTHER TEAR

New side project from New Order's Bernard Sumner sounds a bit more guitar heavy than New Order, less melodic than Blur, and not as interesting as Echo & The Bunnymen.







BON JOVI- CIRCLE

I like this band. I didn't always. But for every big and stupid rock anthem that sucks, there is a big and stupid rock anthem that doesn't. Untangle your shorts, turn off your Stan Brakhage film, and enjoy half of this record.








THE CRIBS- IGNORE THE IGNORANT

Brit rockers or punks or mods or poseurs? You decide. The Cribs have put out some fine music. New band member Johnny Marr adds some maturity. (Whatever that means)






RAY DAVIES- THE KINKS CHORAL COLLECTION

Already released in the UK, and inexplicably being re-released in England on 12/8 to feature a newly recorded duet with Chrissie Hynde, this wonderful album gets an annoying Hynde-less stateside release this week. (That's annoying.) Aside from that bit of a screw-up, this newly recorded collection of Kinks faves with the Crouch End Choir works!! The classics, even rockers such as "You Really Got Me," adapt nicely to the new orchestrations and big vocal additions. Big time recommendation from me. Up to you to decide which version to pay for.








LUTHER DICKINSON & THE SONS OF MUDBOY- ONWARD & UPWARD

"Just three days after the death of his father, Memphis (and Muscle Shoals and Miami) music legend Jim Dickinson, Luther Dickinson opened the doors to the family's Zebra Ranch studio in Independence, Mississippi and recorded Onward and Upward, an album of gospel songs and hymns over the course of a few hours. Luther, one third of the North Mississippi All-Stars and now a member of The Black Crowes, was joined by an ad hoc group dubbed The Sons of Mudboy (an homage to his late father's influential rock band Mudboy and the Neutrons) who were all close to Dickinson the elder and wished to address his loss in a musical way. The Sons of Mudboy include two veterans of the original Mudboy: Sid Selvidge (guitar, vocals) and Jimmy Crosthwait (washboard, vocals). Also on the session were Jimbo Mathus (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals) formerly of the Squirrel Nut Zippers and of the South Memphis String Band, Steve Selvidge (guitar, dobro, vocals) and Paul Taylor (washtub bass) as well as vocalist Shannon McNally."









ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN- THE FOUNTAIN

New record from original Bunnymen Ian McCulloch & Will Sergeant is a semi-bland affair that at best, sounds too much like a collection of U2 outtakes and at its worst, like a montage scene from a John Hughes movie. A shame really, since their 2005 release, "Siberia," was quite good.









KING CRIMSON- IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING BOXED SET

"Digitally remastered and expanded six disc (five CDs + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) edition of the legendary Prog Rock band's 1969 debut album, released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the original release. The classic album has been mixed for 5.1 Surround Sound from the original studio masters by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), with Crimson founder Robert Fripp acting as executive producer. Disc One features five additional tracks drawn from the original recording sessions. Disc Two features the 2004 remaster of the original album plus bonus tracks. Disc Three features a complete album's worth of unreleased/alternate takes and instrumental mixes by Steven Wilson plus a de-clicked transfer of the original pink label Island pressing of the album. Disc Four features audio restored bootlegs of the band's legendary performances at Hyde Park, London in July 1969 and Fillmore East in November 1969. Disc Five is a bonus disc featuring a vinyl transfer of the ultra rare, U.S. radio promo only, mono album plus the equally rare US radio promo only single edit of 'Court of the Crimson King'. The DVD-A features a 5.1 DTS Mix and High Resolution Stereo mixes."




Or, you can just not buy it.




">
GRANT LEE PHILLIPS- LITTLE MOON

Haven't heard it yet, so read this:

"With golden voice and silver-dipped pen Grant-Lee Phillips presents another milestone in a career brimming with the like. Little Moon is track after track of well-anchored classic American music - Rock and Folk swirl under clouds of cinematic strings for a primer on the art of the timeless tune. His legendary well of melody is in full display on Little Moon, with even the most lilting piano ballad standing comfortably on a thick, powerful trunk ('Older Now'). Long one of Los Angeles' most sought after songwriters, Grant-Lee meets Little Moon with positive inspirations including the birth of his daughter Violet ('Violet') and a creative calm that saw the songs well up organically from earlier live collaborations with drummer Jay Bellerose, producer bassist Paul Bryan and keyboardist Jamie Edwards. Captured live in the studio with limited overdubs, the album keenly chronicles the sunny day feel of the songs and that ever-elusive in the moment groove of a finely-tuned band working out equally finely-crafted material."









ROLLING STONES REISSUES

The last batch of the recent set of Stones' reissues covers the live records--"Love You Live" & "Stripped" (both damn good!) and "Still Life," "Live Licks" and "Flashpoint" (all really horrible)