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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

J. Roddy Walston and The Buisness


Little Richard meets Guns & Roses. This is the baddest album I've heard in quite some time.




LINK 

On the Beach


My favorite album from Neil. Must have been the "Honey Slides". Throughout the the recording process Young and company stayed stoned on some sort of marijuana and honey concoction. Whatever it was and however they ingested it...It made for one hell of an album.


LINK

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Clinically Depressed Mix

Friends,

Not sure what to write or how to describe this new mix. I never thought I would have a playlist so down and dark. I'm not depressed but it's the only way to describe the tone. While the music this entry is really outside the realm of my normal listening, nonetheless it is stellar. Many of the bands I would say I'm not a huge fan of, but the songs I've selected I can't stop listening too. I'm gonna lay off the individual track descriptions simply because a few bands I really don't know that much about, or they don't really light my fire outside a song or two.  The one band I will highlight for one sec is the Black Keys. I have to touch on them for a moment.

I have been hearing about these guys through certain channels for several years now. I think they really ran a grass roots campaign and finally blew up. I basically first heard about them through their festival performances. I heard over and over, "The Black Keys stole the show/weekend". They also opened up for some big name bands like Pearl Jam and Radiohead.  I've since been a casual fan. They have a ton of albums and all of them are good. I will be posting some of their older stuff that I like soon.

On this list is the song "These Days". This is the song that completely sold me on these guys. I finally "got it" you could say. I thinks its funny coming from a band that can really rock out that I find their best work is a slow song (Unusual for me). The song has so much soul its sickening. I could go on but I'll let the music speak for itself. I hope you enjoy this playlist, I have been rocking it hard lately.

Clinically Depressed Mix

1)   Bon Iver - Minnesota, Wi
2)   Band of Horses - The Funeral
3)   Black Keys - These Days
4)   Dead Confederate - The Rat
5)   The Tallest Man on Earth - The Dreamer
6)   Ryan Adams - Oh My Sweet Caroline
7)   Tedeschi Trucks Band - Midnight in Harlem
8)   Neil Young - Cowgirl in the Sand
9)   Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin
10) Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
11) Black Keys - All You Ever Wanted
12) Radiohead - Paranoid Android
13) Deer Tick - Standing on the Threshold
14) Old 97's - Let the Whiskey Take the Reins
15) Ryan Bingham - The Weary Kind


LINK 

Willie & Johnny


Two of Country Musics greatest legends on stage together for what I consider one of the best live performances ever. 


Link

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

SONGS FOR SATURDAYS VOLUME II




Friends…

I’m excited to bring you the second installment of Songs for Saturday with a play list that is about as random as you can get top to bottom. In this one we are going from Aretha to Black Sabbath and beyond. At first I really had no idea how it all came out this way, but I realized that most of the music from my computer now is albums that I feel no one should be without. After I get this up, I will put up a list of all the albums included on this mix. As for the reader/listener I hope you enjoy and I put this up with full confidence that this play-list is going to jumpstart your Saturday, and whatever other day you choose to listen.  ENJOY!

TRACK LIST:

1) Aretha Franklin - Soul Serenade
Starting off with a little Aretha today cause she just makes you feel so good. Lawd! Her voice can pierce right through you. This is no auto-tune, no computers, or other fancy technology, just unmitigated soul and God-given talent. It’s hard to imagine a time when this was what you heard when you turned on the radio. This is one of those songs that just makes you happy. It is off her 1967 album “I Never Loved a Man the Way I love You”, easily one of the greatest albums ever made.

2) Van Morrison – Into the Mystic
I don’t know where to start with song. I had a write up all worked out for it but I’m not putting up. I’m typing this as I listen to it and my words can’t do it justice. Just turn it up… 

3) Neil Young – Heart of Gold
Somewhere along the line I have become a huge Neil Young fan. Normally I can track these things back to an album I got, or a concert that blew me away, but not with Neil. But I have to say he is one of my favorite artists. I love his early stuff with Danny Whitten & Crazy Horse. The combination of his voice and the music just has such a unique and distinct sound that I love. Lyrically the man is a genius, and it shows on this track and album.  I hope to see him live soon, before he hangs it up... I hear he can still rock it.

4) Queen – Death on Two Legs
No better way to move into some classic rock than with Queen and Death on Two legs, a song about their former manager, Norman Sheffield. Coming off their tour and hit album “Sheer Heart Attack” the guys of Queen were flat broke. They had been locked into a terrible contract by there manager, and he had basically stole all their money. Rumor has it that upon learning of all this Freddie Mercury came into the studio mad as hell, sat down at the piano and wrote this scathing song. The lyrics hold back no punches about his feelings and are only more amplified by the ferocity in his voice. You can hear the anger and the feeling is matched by Brian May’s guitar. There is a sense of urgency and anger throughout this song. It is a masterpiece in my opinion and a small sample of the awesomeness of Queen.

5)      Black Sabbath – Children of the Grave
This may be a little to heavy for some but I dare you to listen to the first minute and not have the uncontrollable urge to play the air drums…I dare you. Also lyrically this is a great song, very instructive message delivered with spookiness only Ozzy could bring.

6 – 7) Widespread Panic – Machine > Barstools and Dreamers
After some Ozzy is a perfect place for this jam > song. Panic’s music live has been likened to a clangy, old battle ship moving across the sea picking up steam. I always think of this description when I hear “Machine” There are a lot of moving parts in this jam built off heavy bass and drums under Houser’s chainsaw like guitar licks. This sequence also shows off why Panic is one of the greatest live acts, when they drop seamlessly into Barstools. I get chills every time I listen to this flawless transition. You get the feeling of wonderment on where the music is going and on a dime they drop into the straight nasty, funk that is “Barstools and Dreamers”. Good God no words can describe the feeling of witnessing this live. On this recording you can hear the crowd go insane as Schools bass bombs fly, and the steady sound flowing from Jojo’s organ. As Houser moves from his low growl to his trade made heavy lead the music physically hits you in the stomach. You just can’t fight the urge to boogie. As far as “Barstools and Dreamers” goes for people unfamiliar with this band I’ll use the same description that someone used to describe the weather when I lived in Illinois, “If you don’t like it wait 5 minutes”. There are so many rhythm and beat changes in this song. They really just let the music go where it wants to as all 6 members pour everything into their instruments. I have no idea how they create such a huge sound and keep it all straight. In this version you even get a “Satisfied” rap from lead singer JB. It contains one of my favorite song lyrics of all time. “Spiritual hunger…Spiritual Thirst…You gotta change it on the inside first…and be SATISFIED!”

8) Talking Heads – Cross-eyed and Painless
There really is only one way to describe the Talking Heads and that is that they are some weird MF’ers. Their music can be really out there but great at the same time. They were so far ahead of their time when it comes to what they did musically in the late 70’s and 80’s. I highly recommend this album “Remain in the Light.” This is one of those songs that makes you want to drive fast in your car, or break into an alcohol induced MC hammer running man dance. Pure funk as only the Talking Heads can give it to you.

9) Stevie Wonder – Boogie on Reggae Woman
Staying with the grove with a little Stevie Wonder. If you can’t get down to Stevie we may never be friends.

10) The Band – Don’t Do It
“Legends of our time” That’s the only way I can describe The Band. I wish I could have seen these guys in their prime. The music, the vocals, and the song writing, they had it all. This is a perfect example of how they get down. I could listen to this song on repeat for an hour.

11) Little Feat – On Your Way Down
My girlfriend ask me a while back if I had a favorite song, and I really couldn’t come up with a song that I could say totally stood out above all others. Well after dusting off Little Feats 1973 album “Dixie Chicken” I think we might have winner. This rendition of Allen Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down” maybe my favorite song of all time. Not only is the music supersonically amazing, the message is one that all should heed. This is a very instructive tune, with deep layers of guitar, piano, drums, bass, and perfect harmony on vocals.

12) Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
I had to put these guys new tune on here. I’m really digging their new album and this is my favorite song off it. No gimmicks or fancy stuff here, just straight ahead southern rock, with heart and soul. I love the line “So find me a place with salt on the road…I’ll do what I’m told, buy what I’m sold again”

13) Drive-By Truckers – Play it all Night Long
This Warren Zevon cover really shows DBT’s southern grit. This song reminds me of weekend nights with my buddies out in the country when we were young and stupid. We had music like this playing from some ones truck, while a heated game of horse shoes goes down, giving each other hell with an ice cold cooler full of beer and bottle of hot whiskey in close proximity. The night would usually end with someone bloody or out in the woods with some ones vehicle neck deep in mud. What were we thinking?

14) Modest Mouse – Spitting Venom

I mistakenly chalked these guys up to being a band that emo suburbanite teenagers listen to while they cut their selves because mommy and daddy took their brand new car and cell phone away for a week. I was way off! This is one my girlfriend’s favorite bands and she turned me onto some of their music. I liked what little I heard. Then she took me to a concert and boy they got after it. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. If they are in your neighborhood don’t miss them.
This is song is one of my favorites. I love how its starts off so simply then rocks out. The song has a lot of layers musically and very good lyrics. Lead singer Isaac Brock is a hell of a songwriter and delivers it with a certain amount of distain and anger in his voice. This is a great band, and another group that is hard to get into because of the depth of there work. They have about 15 albums and EP’s, but they are definitely worth it.

15) Green Day – Long View
I pulled this album out the other day. Classic 90’s Generation X music. Great song for puttin a hurtin on a Saturday.

16) J. Roddy Walston & The Business
I gave my friend that needs tunes for his ipod, a list of every album from 2010. A couple weeks later he text me and says, “Check out said band”. This event has changed my life. J. Roddy Walston and The business is the best album I’ve heard in 10 years, I kid you not. This guy is the bastard child of Little Richard and Gun & Roses. I guarantee he will be a house hold name in year. GET THIS ALBUM! And get ready for it to rock your face.

17) Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – I Should Have Known It
Tom Petty…still doing it after all these years. Love some Tome Petty.

18) Neil Young – Everybody Knows this is Nowhere
Another classic from Neil. Sorry for the double post, but I can’t get enough. This is one of my favorite tunes, and very fitting as my girlfriend and I fist fight our way into New York City.

19) The Guess Who – No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
If there was ever a Song for Saturday, this would be it for me. Good ole classic rocker right here to wrap up our list. Turn it up!

20) Outro
In honor of the randomness of this mix I leave you with the most random thing I have musically, The Wu-Tang Clan over the Music of the Beatles. Yep, that’s not a type-o. There’s actually an entire album of it and it’s pretty awesome.


SS-Link

Sunday, April 10, 2011

SONGS FOR SATURDAYS VOLUME I




Friends...



My hard drive recently crashed so I have been recovering all my music. I'm almost glad it happened because I'm discovering new stuff (to me and just coming out) along with rediscovering the old stuff that really blew my mind at one time or another.

I also have a friend with a new ipod. I've been sending him stuff that I get that I think he would like, and I got the idea to start making these mixes so he could tell me what he liked and didn't. 

When I sat down to make this play list it was cold, gloomy NYC day. My mind went back to Saturdays in my home state of
Georgia. Saturdays were always filled with music. Whether it was cleaning the house, watching college football, grilling, chillin at the lake, or just a relaxing drive through the country, the tunes were cranked. Most of the time with one or more said activities going on simultaneously cold beverages would flow and good times were had with friends and loved ones. Easily the soundtracks to these memories started to flow and the list was made.

So here you go... “Songs for Saturdays Volume 1”. I'm just gonna copy and paste the email I sent my buddy. 

“Gonna try and do one of these every couple of weeks. I must advise you that all songs should be played at the highest volume you have without distortion. Careful when operating heavy machinery, or driving cause you may feel the urge to break into a jig, or drive over the speed limit while punching the roof of your car.
This is a random sample of my musical likes, but I have tried my best to put them in an order that flows. I recommend starting with track one and lettin it ride.”
Track List:

1) Little Feat - Sample in a Jar
One of the forefathers of southern rock, they got it all blues, soul, funk, just good ol rockin roll. Covering a Phish tune here. 

2) The Meters - It Ain’t No Use
One of my favorite songs all time by the greatest band you've never heard of. **Warning** There is an extremely long jam at the end.

3) Blitzen Trapper - The Man Who Spoke True
Great song off they're new album, I like what this band is doing

4) Allman Brothers - Wasted Words
Classic! If you can’t get down to the Allman Brothers we may never be friends.

5) Phish - Funky Bitch
Not the biggest Phish fan in the world but when they want to, they can rock out... Get ready for some FUNK!

6) Ryan Adams - To be Young
This guy is pretty good. He has a huge fan base. It’s hard getting into his stuff because it’s just endless... He has like 12 studio albums, countless live recordings and unreleased material. This is off his first album "Heartbreaker", great album in my opinion.

7) Grateful Dead - Goin Down the Road Feeling Bad
This is just a great tune... From 1972, but crystal clear and flawless. Pioneers of Jam and Progressive rock, the GD let it fly on this 1924
Harry Whitter tune. Jerry's guitar sooths like a woman’s touch and blisters like the sun all on one track. Case in point on why I love the Grateful Dead. A song that starts out so smooth then just gets nasty!

8) Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Great song, by a great song writer!

9) Billy Joel - Moving Out
Yeah... I put Billy Joel on here. It's Saturday.. Go Fuck Yourself.

10) Dire Straights - Setting me up
Upping the tempo here. Mark Knophler is just a genius on guitar. This Track is off their self-titled album, one of my favorites all time

11) Warren Zevon - Lawyers, Guns, & Money
The late, great Warren Zevon. "I was gambling in
Havana, I took a little risk. Dad, send Lawyers, Gun, and Money! Get me out of this... HA!
Say's it all.

12) Jason Isbell and the 400 Units - However Long
Formerly of the Drive by Truckers... This guy is going places. This is an older tune, but they have a new album coming out next month... Lots of potential here.

13) Son Volt - Jukebox of Steel
Another band that has been around for a while. Big time in the alternate country world. If you don't know what alt country is, its musicians that write awesome lyrics and make they're living out on the road bringing it every night as opposed to the fags on CMT and the radio. You get that label these days but really they just hold true to what country music originally was.

14) The Dustin Bentall Outfit - 3,000 Miles
I have no idea who these guys are. I stumbled across this song on another alt country mix-tape called True Sounds. I actually got those two previous songs of it too. It comes out once a quarter. Always good stuff on it. Its rocks, especially on Saturdays.

15) - 16) Widespread Panic - Maggot Brain>Chilly Water
This is two tracks but really should be one. I gotta put some panic on, you know that. If I would have never gotten into them I would not have been opened up to all the above music, minus the Billy Joel I guess. As for these tracks, get ready to hear someone totally annihilate a guitar. This is just a nice jam that turns into a freakin monster. Mikey is completely relentless in this solo, taking the momentum higher and higher at every round, driving the band and driving the crowd into bedlam and pandemonium. Then back to earth for a breath only to drop into the rocker that is CHILLY WATER! As my pops would say, "If this don't light your fire, your wood is wet".

17) Ray LaMontagne -
New York City is Killing Me.
Off his new album "God Willing and The Creek Don't Rise". I love it here, but I can relate to this so much. This place takes as much as it gives, and I miss my boys back home.

18) Outro
(Apache - Jump on it) Little braves homerun music remix. Happy Saturday!



M Link