The New Cars
Here’s news. The Cars are reuniting! Well, sort of. The New Cars, as they’re called, is without Ric Ocasek, drummer David Robinson, and bassist Benjamin Orr, who, sadly, died of cancer in 2000. Only two original members return: keyboardist Greg Hawkes and fellow lefty guitarist Elliot Easton. But an interesting (and surprising) replacement for Ocasek… Todd Rundgren. Former Tubes drummer Prairie Prince on drums and bassist Kasim Sulton round out the group.
The New Cars debuted on Jay Leno tonight, performing “Let the Good Times Roll”. Pretty spirited performance, Rundgren fits in well. And Greg Hawke, the uber geek keyboard player, has white hair!! I’m getting old.
So here it is, along with one of my favorite Cars album segueways…
The New Cars:
Let the Good Times Roll(mp3) – from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 3/14/06The Cars:
Shoo be Doo / Candy-O(mp3) – from ‘Candy-O‘, buy it on Amazon.P.S. I tried finding the official site of the New Cars, but didn’t feel like sifting through 50 Google pages of auto sites.See the comments for links to their web sites.Number 3 and Counting
It’s my 3rd wedding anniversary today, so I feel the need to pull out one of my favorite looove songs. Say what you will about Garth Brooks, but I love this song. The song was written and recorded by Bob Dylan on his excellent ‘Time out of Mind’ album. It was soon re-recorded by Mr. Brooks for the ‘Hope Floats’ movie soundtrack.
Dare I say it, I’ll take Garth’s version over the original any day. Sappy, sweet, whatever, but it’s a downright beautiful song. Happy Anniversary babe.
Garth Brooks:
To Make You Feel My Love(mp3)>> Buy the Hope Floats soundtrack
>> Buy Bob Dylan’s Time out of Mind
Jr. Gong All Night Long
Another great tune recently heard on Sirius Disorder… this one comes from Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s third and latest release, ‘Welcome to Jamrock” (2005). The album is produced by Damian and brother Stephen. Jr. Damian is the youngest singing son of Bob Marley, and his nickname is based on his dad’s oft-used nickname “Tuff Gong”. I love the groove on this one. It’s not reggae per se, but some other island flavored style. Anybody know?
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley:
All Night(mp3)>> Buy Welcome to Jamrock on Amazon.
>>Damian’s Official Web Site
Rotten: Bugger to the Hall of Fame
I just caught John Lydon (AKA Johnny Rotten) on Jimmy Kimmel Live a few nights ago. He is one entertaining and honest guy. He was ranting about the Sex Pistols induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In a nutshell, eh, they ain’t goin’. Though they’ve been history for a long time, it’s admirable that a band so anti-establishment has stuck to their principles so many years later, and not bowed down to the “system”.
Cheers to them for causing a little stir… here’s my favorite Sex Pistols song.
The Sex Pistols:
Bodies(mp3) – from Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex PistolsHere’s the letter written to the Hall of Fame, thought to be John Lydon’s handwriting (Link to John Lydon’s Official Site with a larger image of the letter):
Next to the SEX PISTOLS rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Your museum. Urine in wine. Were not your monkey and so what? Fame at $25,000 if we paid for a table or $15,000 to squeak up in the gallery, goes to a non-profit organization selling us a load of old famous. Congradulations. If you voted for us, I hope you noted your reasons. Your anonymous as judges. but your still music industry people. Were not coming. Your not paying attention. Outside the shit-stem is a real SEX PISTOL.
Name that Old School Tune
Okay, attention all old school connoisseurs (even I had to look that one up). I need your help!! I’ve been digging through my old tapes, and need help identifying the artist that performs this song… the old trick of putting the lyrics into Google is not working!
This old school joint comes from a mix on a Milwaukee radio station that used to have a nightly hot mix (WLUM). I taped a bunch of them between 1984-1986. One of the mixes has this song thrown in… I would be indebted to anyone who could help me figure out who recorded it. I figure someone out there will know…
Mystery Old School Jam: “
Don’t You Wanna Dance” ?? (mp3)A Little Electrik Boogie
Thanks to the fine folks at Eighteenth Street Lounge Music, I got my hands on a copy of the upcoming release by Ursula 1000, which is basically NYC-based multi-instrumentalist and “mild-mannered” DJ Alex Gimeno. I’ve really enjoyed listening to the CD over the last couple of days. It’s an entertaining and fun listen, with break beats, electronic, old school, and funky rhythms pervading the eardrums. You’ll see what I mean by fun when you hear these two tracks.
“Kaboom!” is goofy, non-sensical pop-funk, and in my opinion a great album opener. With the Austin Powers-ish “Hello Baby”s and Izumi Ookawara belting out “wham wack zonk zing”s and “thud fizz plop ring”s.
“Electrik Boogie” harkens back to 80’s synthesizer funk. Alex definitely was listening to some of the same stuff I was: Prince, Zapp, Midnight Star. You’ll hear it…
Ursula 1000:
Kaboom!(mp3) |Electrik Boogie(mp3) – from ‘Here Comes Tomorrow‘, set for a March 21st release. Pre-order it!- Official Site: http://www.ursula1000.com
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Did somebody say Midnight Star?
Bonus: Midnight Star:
Freak-a-Zoid(mp3) from ‘No Parking on the Dance Floor‘Gone for Good
Here’s a great live version of a great indie-country song (indiecow? countrindie?), sung by a great singer, James Mercer of the Shins. Do enjoy.
James Mercer: Gone for Good (mp3) – live 07 Jan 2004 – studio version comes from Chutes too Narrow
Two New Prince Tracks
2 new Prince tracks up at The Music Slut: ” Get on the Boat” (with Maceo Parker on sax) and “Love”.
Pre-order 3121 here.
Check out Prairie Oyster
I have a boat load of old cassettes that I’ve been digging slowly through and getting on to my hard drive. So following along that country-influenced path, here’s one from Canadian country swingish outfit Prairie Oyster. What drew me to this song was singer Russell de Carle’s voice, especially the “I’ve forgotten somehowwwww” part. He’s got great command of his voice. It looks like Prairie Oyster is still active up in Canada.
Prairie Oyster:
I Don’t Hurt Anymore(mp3) – from A Different Kind of FireWe’ll go Stepping Out
Thanks to those of you who have followed me from my old web address to another one, and now finally to this one. I promise, this is the last stop! As you can see, I finally got my domain sorted out, and got my WordPress blog transferred over to it. For you bloggers out there, I definitely recommend WordPress. Blogger / Blogspot is a great way to get started, but if you’re ready to make a leap to better blogging software with cooler and more robust features, look at WordPress.
First off is the Waco Brothers. Jon Langford, founding member of the Mekons, formed alt-country-rock-punk band the Waco Brothers in the mid-90’s. Jon’s from the UK, but expatriated to Chicago, and obviously has a soft spot for that American rootsy country sound with a whole lot of brash punk sensibility thrown in. This one’s great, and reminds me of a drive back from Las Vegas years ago with this tune cranked (truly the wickedest city in the world).
Waco Brothers:
Wickedest City(mp3) – from Do You Think About Me