• Friday Five

    Ickmusic’s Friday Five: May 30, 2008

    Shuffle, and on, and on...

    Four day work weeks always throw me for a loop. If it weren’t for the season finale of Lost being on last night I may very well have missed this week’s Friday Five. That said let’s cut straight to the main course…

    Here are this week’s tracks:

    1. Crash Test Dummies – Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm (from Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm)

    This has to be one of the oddest tunes ever. Three seemingly unrelated tales with a disjointed chorus that consists merely of a hummed tune and somehow it was a huge hit.

    2. Taco – Puttin’ on the Ritz (from Taco: The Greatest Hits)

    It’s shaping up to be an odd shuffle with another bizarre “one hit wonder” track, this time from the 80’s. Taking the Irving Berlin and putting a new wave twist on it this was a radio staple for the better part of the decade. It’s aged surprisingly well and I really enjoyed hearing it again. I imagine ya’ll might too…

    3. Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name?) (from Doggystyle)

    Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Funky as hell, Snoop never disappoints.  A little bit of Funkadelic‘s “(Not Just) Knee Deep” and a sprinkle of George Clinton‘s “Atomic Dog” makes for a instant party starter.

    4. Beastie Boys – Body Movin’ (Fatboy Slim remix)  (from Anthology: The Sounds of Science)

    Looks like the shuffle is gonna keep the party moving with some help from Bed-Stuy’s favorite sons with a detour to Kent courtesy of Mr. Norman Cook.

    5. Shania Twain – You’re Still the One (from Come on Over)

    There was a time when you could not escape this tune. Hell, even Prince covered it. Perhaps a bit ironic these days (the tune was written by Twain in response to critics of her and soon to be ex-husband Robert “Mutt” Lange) it still stands as a beautiful testament to the power of love.

    Now it’s your turn, grab a Coke, Pepsi, Stella or Mojito, hit shuffle and let the world know what’s getting you started on your weekend!

  • Rock

    Money at the Moon by Matt Hartin

    A combination of job-related sleep deprivation, a stomach ailment of some sort, and post-holiday weekend laziness have conspired to keep me away from posting any new material for a few days. Apologies to those who notice.

    I got a short & sweet email (just the way I like ’em) from Matt Hartin last week: “I’ve been checkin your blog lately and thought you might like this.” Spooky. I did like it. And I think you will too.

    The song, “Money at the Moon”, has that alt-country, saloon duet feel that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Steve Earle album. I could picture Mark Knopfler rockin’ this tune too. Don’t know what it is… But this song belongs to Matt Hartin. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, right? This tune reached out and grabbed me, and I’ll be checking out more of Mr. Hartin.

    Matt has a nice little site he’s put together. In one of the sections, he writes about what inspired him to write “Money at the Moon”…

    While attending an art gallery opening, a painting caught my eye. The title was Throwing Our Money at the Moon. I spoke to the artist, Jamie Frankie, who told me that he and his wife like to take their coin jar down to the big tree in the field behind their house when the moon is full. They make a wish and throw their money at the moon. Mrs. Frankie’s first name is Penny. Seriously. Thus inspired, the words just spilled out and were put to a melody I had laying around for a long time.

    Matt Hartin – Money at the Moon (mp3)

    Buy the Let It Go EP for $5 (you can preview the EP here):
    Visit: Matt Hartin.com

  • Folk,  Video

    Memorial Day

    Happy Memorial Day weekend. Take a few moments, reflect, and think about all of those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. And think about all of those overseas, who put their lives on the line day after day – while we get to be with our family and friends, barbecue, and drink beer.

    Here, John Prine is interviewed by Bobby Bare, talking about and singing “Sam Stone”. John was 38 at the time, which puts this at 1984.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=206XaNxQ5LQ]

    Here’s Bruce singing “Shut Out the Light” in Paris, 1985.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAqbN9HO68A]

  • Friday Five

    Ickmusic’s Friday Five: May 23, 2008

    Shuffle, Take Me Away.

    Drrums Please!!

    Despite Mother Nature’s insistence on having a spring that actually lasts a few months, it’s the official “unofficial” beginning of summer. That said it’s time for another themed Friday Five, this time it’s the ‘summer’ edition. I set up the following smart playlist in iTunes (I’m including this in case any of the faithful fivers want to play along at home):

    Match > All
    Playlist > is not > Ω Archive
    Name > contains > summer

    This only turned up 75 tracks which is more than enough to shuffle up a Friday Five. Last week was a blur for me but it looks like the friends of five made sure that the shuffle kept rolling through the weekend (though Jim’s ‘Monday Five’ was noticeably absent). For those of you reading this for the first time, here’s how it works… I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.

    Then it’s your turn!

    Here are this week’s tracks:

    1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh PrinceSummertime (MP3) (from Greatest Hits)

    What more can I say? It’s not summer until I hear this track.

    [audio:03 Summertime.mp3]

    2. Candy Dulfer – Summertime (from Candy Store)

    It’s impossible to hate on Candy Dulfer. She’s an absolute knockout who can blow like there’s no tomorrow. She can hang with Maceo, dazzle with Prince and hold her own as she does here. Her solo records tend to fall on the Acid Jazz side of the flop and this is no exception.

    3. Incognito – Summer’s Ended (from Jazz Funk)

    Speaking of Acid Jazz here’s the group that all but invented the genre from their 1981 debut record. It’s an astounding statement that 27 years later this record still sounds vital and fresh as it does.

    4.  Less Than JakeSummer Nights (MP3) (from Greased)

    Who can resist power-punk/ska versions of the soundtrack of Grease?

    [audio:01 Summer Nights.mp3]

    5. Y & T – Summertime Girls (studio version) (from Open Fire)

    I blame Jeff Giles of Popdose for this one. Seriously, I had managed to forget the power and majesty that was Y & T until Jeff posted this track and it sent me on a shame spiral of finding and purchasing the catalog that I had long lost when I owned the cassettes and LP’s.

    All fun aside, before you head out this Memorial Day weekend to your picnics, barbecues and family gatherings take a few moments and remember the 4,079 men and women who have lost their lives in operations in Iraq and the 505 lost in Afghanistan. Whether or not you agree with the current administrations direction it’s imperative to honor the men and women of the armed forces who have died in military service to their country.

    Have a great and safe holiday weekend and let us know what’s taking you there!

  • Punk

    The Ramones in London: the spark that lit the fire

    The British punk explosion of 1976-77 can pretty easily be traced to one night in London: July 4th, 1976. That was the night the Ramones came to town. It was their UK debut, opening for the Flamin’ Groovies at the Roundhouse in Camden.

    In attendance were current and future members of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, and the Damned, among countless others I’m sure. The quality is pretty bad, but it’s still amazing to listen in on such an important night in music history. A 35 minute set that shaped the future of music. Pretty sweet.

    The Ramones
    Live at the Roundhouse, London
    July 4th, 1976

    Intro / Sound Issues
    Loudmouth
    Beat On The Brat
    Blitzkrieg Bop
    I Remember You
    Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
    Glad To See You Go
    Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
    53rd & 3rd
    I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
    Havana Affair
    Listen To My Heart
    California Sun
    Judy Is A Punk
    I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You
    Today Your Love Tomorrow The World

  • Giveaway

    Givin’ It Away: ScarJo’s New CD

    Hmm, I must think of creative way to give away a brand new copy of Scarlett Johansson’s new album, Anywhere I Lay My Head (looking at this picture, I have a very vivid idea of where I’d like to lay my head, but that’s neither here nor there). The album hit stores today (May 20). You scan still stream several of the tunes here.

    We have a creative bunch hanging around here. We’ve done haikus, and we’ve done limericks. For this contest, I think we’ll open it up to some freestyle poetry slammin’. In the Comments section, hit us with a haiku, or hit us with a limerick, or impress us with some obscure poetic stylings. Keep it simple, or get into it, it’s up to you.

    The topic? Why, Scarlett, of course. You can wax poetic about her films, her music career, her decision to dive into the Tom Waits song book, and/or, of course, her beauty. All I ask is that you keep it clean. If you’re going to bust a haiku about Scarlett’s elevator encounter with Benicio Del Toro, well, you’re just gonna have to keep it classy. Because we all know elevator sex is classy.

    One submission per person. I’ll pick a winner later in the week.

    Good luck!

    Scarlett’s Official Web Site

    Click to buy the album…

    Scarlett’s MySpace

  • Indie,  Rock

    Digging the Virtual Crates: Catherine Wheel

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PmB3qs6lC0 425 355]
    Catherine Wheel – Delicious (Video)

    I hear that Rob Dickinson is re-releasing his 2005 solo debut Fresh Wine for the Horses on June 10th with a bonus disc of acoustic Catherine Wheel tracks. I can’t wait to pick this up myself.

    Pre-Order Fresh Wine for the Horses: Amazon

  • Electronic,  Funk,  Indie,  R&B,  Soul

    Bringing Quirky Back: Alan Wilkis

    New Thinking. New Alan Wilkis.

    Falling on the right side of fine line between contrived and convincing, Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Alan Wilkis brings an indie sensibility to the electro-pop sound of the 80’s with a huge dollop of soul on his solo debut Babies Dream Big. From ABBA to Zappa the entire lexicon of pop is well represented and feels so, so good. Among the 10 cuts you’d be hard pressed to find a moment that is not crafted with the utmost respect for it’s influences which range from the Stevie Wonder-esque funk of “It’s Been Great” to the 50’s Motown of the tender “I Wanna Know” with nods to Prince, ELO and Nintendo along the way. This is a must-have for all fans of all things 80’s. Don’t just take my word for it, check out my favorite track “It’s Been Great” below and hop aboard yourself.

    Alan WilkisIt’s Been Great (MP3)

    Buy Babies Dream Big: CDBaby | iTunes

    Links: on Last.fm | on MySpace