Attention United States Record Executives and Employees!!!!!
As the Chicago Blackhawks made their way to winning the Stanley Cup, did anyone notice the theme song they adopted? “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis, one of many great bands that hail from the United Kingdom. Seeing thousands of Blackhawk fans (and hockey fans) sing this song over and over again warms my heart being the Brit rock maniac that I am. It also serves as a notice. If any of you reading this blog work for US record labels, I am begging you to vanquish that tired old bias that goes back to the Beatles regarding British music. “It’ll never sell here” has been proven wrong time and again and Chelsea Dagger, I’m hoping, is the final piece of evidence that proves that Brit rock is amazing, not just in style but in potential sales as well. Download and ringtone sales have gone through the roof in the last few weeks with this track. Industry people, you are looking at a potential goldmine filled with amazing music that large quantities of American Idol bored people are going to lap up like kittens with milk. Any one of you could be the person to revive a somewhat stale industry that is in need of some serious fire…quality fire! Absorb NME every week and make it a point to give these bands a real chance in our country. You can start with Paul Weller’s new album, Wake up the Nation (review by me coming soon). It has at least two or three hits on it that will sell like salt and butter at a popcorn store. Be King Arthur and take the sword from the Lady in the Lake. You won’t be disappointed.
New Music from Deer Tick, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, What Laura Says
It’s Tuesday, June 8th – also known as a good day for new music in my world. Have a look at this trifecta of aural goodness.
First off, check out Deer Tick‘s new one, The Black Dirt Sessions
(Amazon) now available for only $3.99. Rootsy and gritty rockin’ folk music.
Jamband sexpot songstress Grace Potter & her Nocturnals release their fourth full length record. a self-titled album
($5.99). It seems like I’m am always crossing paths with Grace’s music, and I enjoy it more and more as times passes.
Arizona band doin’ good What Laura Says release Bloom Cheek
today ($7.99). Retro psychedelic sounds, Beatles-influenced harmonies; fresh and unique sounds – definitely worth a listen.
Prince’s 52nd Birthday
Shout out to The Kid today, as June 7th marks the occasion of Prince Rogers Nelson‘s 52nd birthday – a milestone that Prince himself will choose to ignore, as Jehovah’s Witnesses tend to do.
So what is the State of Prince at the moment? Not much this year, it appears, at least from a fan perspective. There is a brand new issue of Ebony that features an interview, which I haven’t picked up yet. But as far as music goes, his last effort was the triple CD release of Lotusflow3r last year. Seems so long ago, right? It was March 2009 when we saw a flurry of activity with the release of Lotusflow3r, MPLSound, and ladyfriend Bria Valente’s Elixir album – along with three straight nights on Jay Leno, and a special series of shows in Los Angeles. It also saw the debut of www.lotusflow3r.com – which offered fans the chance to enter Prince’s online universe at a fee of $77 (nope, didn’t bite).
2009 carried on, and, except for a few one off performances here and there (mostly overseas), Prince’s enthusiasm for the project apparently faded quickly. Once again, no tour. In fact, it has been six years since Prince has toured (Musicology was the last).
So once again we’re faced with a lull in Prince Land. Even Lotusflow3r.com has gone offline, and we’re looking again at a major artist who chooses not to have an official online presence in the 21st century – a concept that befuddles me.
There is one bright spot this year, however, and that’s the re-emergence of quality Prince videos on YouTube. He’s either given up the fight, or his attention has shifted elsewhere. But it’s good for us, as all sorts of good stuff is popping up again.
For me, I look to the 80’s. This video (parts 1 and 2 below) was filmed in Atlanta on the Purple Rain tour. It was late 1984 during Christmas break when Friday Night Videos aired this entire performance of “I Would Die 4 U” and “Baby I’m A Star.” Other than the performance footage in Purple Rain, this was my first glimpse into Prince as a live performer. I was 14 years old, I had just discovered this eccentric, indefinable force of an artist, and – needless to say (because here I am 26 years later talking about it) – I was just blown away.
Here’s a 26 year old Prince at the top of his game. Prince the showman; Prince the presence, the undisputed ringleader.
UPDATE: There’s a new Prince song making the rounds today. It’s called “Hot Summer“, and here it is…
The Friday Five: June 4, 2010
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Editor’s Note: “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.” Today, I’m feeling a bit like the bug. – Michael
“Let Me Ride” by Dr. Dre (from The Chronic, 1992)
Puff, Puff, Pass…
“Every Woman in the World” by Air Supply (from Greatest Hits, 1988)
Shameless.
“Your Love” by The Outfield (from Play Deep, 1985)
Somehow, this has charted as my favorite ’80s tune. Undeniable.
“Pray Your Gods” by Toad the Wet Sprocket (from Fear, 1991)
Somber, haunting.
“Light” by Phish (from Joy, 2009)
The last Phish record has stuck with me longer than any of their previous. Very aptly titled record.
What’s on your shuffle today?
“Glory Days” – from London Calling: Live in Hyde Park [Boss Time]
Only a few weeks until Bruce’s latest live DVD hits stores. London Calling: Live In Hyde Park captures Bruce and the E Street Band’s June 28th, 2009 performance at London’s Hard Rock Calling Festival – and judging by this preview clip of “Glory Days”, the quality (both video and audio) will be top-notch baby. Check it out…
Pre-Order: London Calling: Live in Hyde Park (2 DVD)
London Calling: Live In Hyde Park will be available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on June 22, 2010.
London Calling: Live In Hyde Park Tracklisting:
London Calling
Badlands
Night
She’s The One
Outlaw Pete
Out In The Street
Working On A Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
Youngstown
Good Lovin’
Bobby Jean
Trapped
No Surrender
Waiting On A Sunny Day
Promised Land
Racing In The Street
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born To Run
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Hard Times (Come Again No More)
Jungleland
American Land
Glory Days
Dancing In The Dark
Credits (Raise Your Hand)BONUS MATERIAL:
The River: Glastonbury Festival, 2009
Wrecking Ball: Giants Stadium, 2009
