MT Jones is another British, retro soul singer who I didn't want to
like. The first song I heard, sent to me by a friend, was a real turn
off, like third rate Daptone, which is already second rate soul music,
save Sharon Jones, who was first rate. But my friend put up a decent
argument so I went in. And I really dug it all. Nothing Earth
shattering, as my friend said, but something I could definitely go back
to. When he's not trying to be Marvin Gaye, he reminds me of Mick Hucknall, and neither is a bad thing.
Check out a few favorites from the new album "Joy."
My old pal Rob and I used to work weekly shifts from hell together at
Smash CD on St. Mark's Place. Three 12 hour days and then two 14 hour
days on Friday and Saturday. We still had fun because we laughed a lot
and listened to a ton of great music. Rob was/is a stoner and a Dead
Head, and back in the early 90's, I still couldn't deal with The Dead, who I now love. I had no patience for them, but I tolerated them more than I did Quicksilver Messenger Service, who
Rob loved just as much and would play way too often.
It was torture for
me. I couldn't figure out what he loved about this band, which at the
time, sounded like generic music played by really stoned people. It was
worse when Rob was high and would start talking about John Cipollina.
It's because of this I haven't listened to a Quicksilver record since
1992...until today, when I listened to two.
Why did I listen after 34 years of avoiding them like kale smoothies?
I posted something fun on Facebook. I wanted to get away from politics and the vitriol from both sides and just say something positive. So I posted "WONDERFUL THINGS" and I asked people to comment one wonderful thing at a time. I began with the following:
•A 2AM hot dog and vanilla egg cream at Dave's Corner.
•The first sound of Zydeco when you get to New Orleans.
•The first moment the Zydeco stops once you've been in New Orleans for a few hours.
•When Charlie's drums kick in about halfway through "Sister Morphine."
•Art Carney addressing the ball---'Hellooo ball!"
•Every time, and I repeat, every time the house lights go on at the start of “Born To Run” in concert.
•Every movie made between 1970-1979, no matter how terrible
•Raymond Burr noticing Grace Kelly’s finger wag in Rear Window.
And the thread continued beautifully. My friend Matty said "The tone of John Cipollina's guitar."
That was all I needed.
And guess what?
I loved what I heard, especially the live "Who Do You Love Suite" from the Fillmore, which on paper, is exactly what I had no patience for when I was working with Rob.
This stuff is great!
I wish I could understand just a little bit about how I could make such an about face. If this was a rare phenomenon, it wouldn't be something to talk about. "Oh, maybe you were tired from working all those hours." Yeah, except, why didn't I hate all the other music played during those shifts? I seem to make these 180's regarding music every other week.
All I know is, that Quicksilver debut really hit the spot and "Happy Trails" was even better. Cipollina is a great guitarist. Matty is right!
I'm less interested in your thoughts on the band, and more interested in your experiences, if any, with the about face about certain music.
Tim Vega first turned me on to Redd Kross in 1986. We were record shopping at the legendary St. Mark's Sounds and he made me buy "Born Innocent." We then got to see them twice at The Ritz, once as headliners and again opening for the Butthole Surfers. The band was always on my radar right on up to 2013, when I saw them play live again at Santo's Party House. Since 2013, Redd Kross released two more albums, including 2024's self-titled release which was on a number of "best of" lists for the year.
Still, I always just "liked" Redd Kross. I thought their records were good, solid records, but not great records. In 40 years, they never ended up on heavy rotation, except for a little while in 1997 when "Show World" came out. That record knocked me out. It's hard to find a power pop song as good as "Mess Around."
But after watching "Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story" this weekend, I felt something I hadn't felt before. There was so much I did not know about this band and its leaders, brothers Jeff & Steven McDonald.
I'm sure this has happened to you. One thing--- a fact, an incident, a song, a story, a different point of view ---and suddenly your heart shifts one way or another.
This documentary is essential. If you are unfamiliar with the band, start here. If you love the band, I can't imagine you not loving "Born Innocent." Or, if you are like me, more than a casual fan, but not quite all in, this film may seal the deal.
The McDonald brothers are beyond engaging. The talking heads do a great job of selling their love for the band. The ever-changing band members are never bitter. And the overall direction of the film is superb.
Run, don't walk to your nearest streaming service and dial up "Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story" toot sweet.
Party Out Of Bounds- The B-52's It's My Life- Tages Animal Zoo- Spirit Lucy Leave- Pink Floyd We Always Come Back Strong- Sam Dees Time For Livin'- Sly & The Family Stone If You Let A Man Kick You Once- Corey Harris & Henry Butler
This holiday weekend brought out a lot of bad people. I found out the hard way through social media, that I know a few too many of them. But the good news is, I know a hell of a lot more amazing people than I do shitty people, and for that I am grateful. The losers can take a hike.
It was unintentional, but I love how those last three songs come together.
Everyone loves a good cover. And it's been some time since I put together a mix of covers. And I will not claim that the covers on this mix have not been shared here before. But I will claim to have enjoyed them all in this setting.
So when you get back from watching the plate spinners, and the collie that plays "Peg O'My Heart" on the xylophone at the White House State Fair, sit somewhere cool and enjoy the mix.
Be safe everyone.
TRACKLIST
Barrytown- Ben Folds Take Me With U- Marshall Crenshaw I Can't Stand It- The Hotrats With A Girl Like You- Henry Buckley Bus Stop- Fountains Of Wayne Who Loves The Sun- Madison Cunningham & Alan Hampton Trouble- Mike Viola Drift Away - The Rolling Stones A Way To Say Goodbye- Tim Christensen Come See About Me- The Afghan Whigs On Broadway- Jimmy Scott Apples & Oranges- Andy Partridge Be Nice To Me- Rumer Since I Fell For You- Bonnie Raitt Begin The Beguine- Pete Townshend
I've lived in NYC my whole life. Whether in Sheepshead Bay or Greenwich Village, at some point during the dog days of summer, if you were outside, you would hear amazing music like this coming out of a car stereo or a boombox.
Stay cool everyone. Let Ray Barretto take the heat!
