Hot off the Presses
Bruce’s new album, Devils & Dust, due out April 26th. {Yahoo News}
Here’s the track list:
Devils & Dust
All The Way Home
Reno
Long Time Comin’
Black Cowboys
Maria’s Bed
Silver Palomino
Jesus Was an Only Son
Leah
The Hitter
All I’m Thinkin’ About
Matamoras BanksI’ll have a tune for you all soon. Just wanted to share what I consider to be fantastic news….
Drinkin’ Em Down with Country Dick
Well Tuesday has come and gone, and for those of us who need a chuckle to get us through a long week, even at the expense of Ol’ J.C., I offer up the Beat Farmers‘ quite humorous tune: “Are You Drinkin’ With Me Jesus?”. The Beat Farmers formed in San Diego, California in 1983. They were a cult favorite until their untimely demise in 1995, when their charismatic lead singer and band leader Country Dick Montana had a massive heart attack and up & died at a bar in Whistler, British Columbia.
But they left behind some gems, including this song, which starts:
Do you nestle by my barstool
Makin’ me so calm within
Have you touched me with your warmness
Or have I wet myself again?Good stuff. Sacrilege? Blasphemy? Hogwash! This song reaches out to J.C . in a way that would make Mel Gibson proud.
The Beat Farmers – Are You Drinkin’ With Me Jesus?(mp3) – from Viking Lullabys, 1994, Sector 2
The Lyrics and Music.
Purchase Beat Farmers music on Amazon.
Read about the Beat Farmers on All Music.
BF Press Release for Viking LulabysIt’s a Madhouse In Here
It was fun being a Prince fanatic in the 80’s. You’d get a great new album every year, and interspersed in there would be his 12″ maxi-single releases. Most would have an extended version of the album track, as well a previously unreleased B-Side (they’ve all since been compiled on to the 3rd CD of his Greatest Hits release from the late 90’s). It was all so original and fresh: “Irresistible Bitch”, “She’s Always in My Hair”, “17 Days”, “Another Lonely Christmas”, to name a few.On top of his own releases, Prince was busy working on his side projects: The Family, Appollonia 6, Sheila E., and Madhouse. Madhouse was made up primarily of Prince and Eric Leeds (Prince’s sax player at the time), with some contribution from Levi Seacer (bass) and Sheila E. (drums). It was basically an outlet for Prince to lay down some of his more jazz and jazz-funk oriented stuff. The first Madhouse album was entitled ‘8’, and the songs were entitled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. He released ‘6’ as a maxi-single, which included ‘6 (End of the World Mix)’, which I have for you now…
Madhouse – 6 (End of the World Mix)(mp3) – 1986, Paisley Park – {The album is out of print, but you can buy it on Amazon for , uhh, $110)Going South
Today’s selection comes from a an old friend of mine (and a contributor to this site), Ty. After many extended stays in Brazil, he decided to start up a band in the Denver area to try and recreate the Brazilian sound in the Denver/Boulder music scene. If you’re in the Denver area, check out Sambadende.
Ty made a bunch of great Brazilian mix CD’s for me. One of the cuts is this great Sergio Mendes track, “Magalenha”. You’ll see why I like it, precisely at the 0:44 second mark, when the percussion explodes. Turn it up and clear out the area around you. If you have a soul, you will be moved….
Sergio Mendes – Magalenha(mp3) – from ‘Brasileiro’, 1992, Elektra – {Buy it on Amazon}RIP Jimmy Smith
I didn’t discover Jimmy Smith until within the past year when I pulled out an old Blue Note Jazz Sampler that I had stashed away for years. Jimmy was a master of the Hammond B3 organ, and a pioneer of the organ as a jazz instrument. The sounds this man could put together are nothing short of amazing. I urge everyone to explore Jimmy’s music. Jimmy died on Wednesday at the age of
7976 right down the road from me in Scottsdale, Arizona [Yahoo News Story].Here’s one of Jimmy’s tunes from the early 70’s that absolutely COOKS…
Jimmy Smith – Sagg Shootin’ His Arrow(mp3) – from ‘Root Down’, 1972, Verve – {Buy Jimmy Smith on Amazon}Jesse’s Just Wanting You
Jesse Johnson left The Time in 1984, right after their success due to their part in ‘Purple Rain’, and their 2 hit singles, “The Bird” and “Jungle Love”. Jesse did alright for himself, releasing a few albums over the years, including 1988’s ‘Every Shade of Love’, which includes this song, “I’m Just Wanting You”. It’s a laid back tune, with Jesse’s guitar at center stage.
Fessin on Fat Tuesday with Professor Longhair
Well Mardi Gras has gone and snuck up on us again. In honor of Fat Tuesday, we need the sounds of Professor Longhair emanating through the blogosphere… “Fess” came up as a New Orleans piano pioneer in the 30’s and 40’s. He has influenced the likes of Dr. John and Fats Domino, and is known for his signature ‘rhumba-boogie’ piano playing style. This tune does it for me all year, but especially now during Mardi Gras, where I will celebrate wildly by going to the fridge for a beer at some point… maybe even two! Watch out… I’m wiiild!! It’s not all beads n’ boobies you know…
From ‘Go to the Mardi Gras’, Wolf Records, 1997BUY
Learn more about Fess on All MusicAccordion to Me – Arcade Fire and Willy DeVille
Well I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I have to spread the good word of The Arcade Fire, a great band from Montreal. They’ve been all over the internet, all over the music blogs, and doggone it, they’re gettin’ to me. The song posted below was my first introduction to the band. Also, I found a page with several video links to a Lawrence, Kansas performance and interviews with the band.
I’m always bad at categorizing / pigeonholing music, so I turn again to AMG, Arcade Fire is an “experimental indie rock quintet.” “Old Flame” is a great tune. Any tune that can kick it with an accordion is a-ok with me.
From Arcade Fire Demo EP, self-released in 2003.
Arcade Fire Official Site
While we’re on an accordion kick, take a listen to Willy Deville‘s “Even While I Sleep”. Willy used to be in Mink Deville, a pioneering NY-based punk pand. I only have one of his solo albums, ‘Backstreets of Desire’, but need to get more. He’s heavily influenced by R&B and New Orleans stylings. “Even While I Sleep” features David Hidalgo of Los Lobos on the squeezebox. Dig it…
From ‘Backstreets of Desire’, 1994, Forward/Rhino – {Amazon}The Hellecasters – Orange Blossom Special
If you listen to tunes when you run or exercise, one of the greatest motivators is the old standard, “Orange Blossom Special”, as done by the Hellecasters. It was released on their 1993 debut, ‘The Return of the Hellecasters’.
As you can probably guess, the Fender Telecaster plays a big role in the group. All three members of the Hellecasters are respected Telecaster players in their own right: Jerry Donahue from Fairport Convention, John Jorgenson from the Desert Rose Band, and session man Will Ray.
These fellas ride the “Orange Blossom Special” at blistering speeds. It’s 7 minutes of supercharged instrumental hillbilly rock n’ roll.
Official Web Site.Homesick by Kings of Convenience
I’ll lose some sales and my boss won’t be happy
But I can’t stop listening to the sound
Of two soft voices blended in perfection
From the reels of this record that I’ve foundRead all of the lyrics here.
Wow. It’s rare that a song blows me away like this. I heard “Homesick” for the first time yesterday, and I’ve just listened to it about 6 times in a row, and I plan on listening some more. And then I’ll buy the CD. Just beautiful. Sad. Melodic. Good stuff. I played it for my wife. She said, “sounds like Simon & Garfunkel”. Yeah, I guess she’s right. Again. 🙂 To those who the words “Simon & Garfunkel” might make you scroll immediately down the page, just give it a try anyway eh?
Kings of Convenience are made up of two fellows from Norway – Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe. These boys set quite a mood.
From ‘Riot on an Empty Street’, 2003, Kindercore -{Amazon}
See their Offical Web Site