• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 9, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    Darling, I Hum Our Song” by Martha and The Vandellas (from The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 3: 1963, 2005)

    There is nothing like a bluesy torch song to kick off the Friday Five. A few weeks back I mentioned the most intimidating set in my collection was The Complete Stax-Volt Singles: 1959-1968. I have to recant, and give that title to The Complete Motown Singles.

    Final Count of the Collision Between Us and the Damned” by Public Enemy (from Fear of a Black Planet, 1994)

    Damn segues!

    “Under the Gun” by Schleprock (from (America’s) Dirty Little Secret, 1996)

    ANGST! ANGER! ANARCHY! CORPORATE SPONSORS! Schleprock’s dirty little secret was the fact that they were Atlantic Records’ last grasp at the mid ’90s punk revival.

    Wolfman’s Brother” by Phish (from 2004-06-19: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, 2004)

    For as much Phish as I have in my library, I’m not intimately familiar with it all. The good thing about this is I’m always discovering new jams. This one is a greasy slice of funk, featuring a great bit of sparring between Trey and Mike.

    Deep River Woman” by Lionel Richie (from Dancing on the Ceiling, 1986)

    I’m really not sure what to say about this. Lionel, for all his R&B and Pop leanings loves him some country music. Case in point: “Deep River Woman”; which blends Lionel’s smooth vocal with the equally polished harmonies of Alabama.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 2, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    “AC/DC Bag” by Phish (from 2004-06-18: KeySpan Park, Brooklyn, NY, USA, 2004)

    Nothing like easing back into the Friday Five with a jammy bit o’ goodness from Vermont’s finest. After six days without power, I probably resemble a touring phan more than I’d care to admit.

    “Crank Me Up” by BulletBoys (from BulletBoys, 1988)

    Well it isn’t “Smooth Up in Ya,” or “For the Love of Money,” so … next!

    “Now” by Prince (from The Gold Experience, 1995)

    “Don’t worry about my name, it’s 2 long 2 remember. I could tell U now, but we’d be here ’till next September” For as clunky, and dated, as some of the material on The Gold Experience is, it still kicks a good bit of ass.

    “Beck’s Bolero” by The Jeff Beck Group (from The Rolling Stone Collection: 1967-1969, 1993)

    Duh-da-da-da-duh-da-da-da-duh-da-da-da-duh-duh-duh

    “Snakes in Schubas” by Jason Mraz (from Selections for Friends, 2007)

    So before I close this out, I want to thank Jeff Giles for picking up my slack last week. I also want to give a plug, and plea, for everyone to check out After the Flood: A Compilation to Benefit Upstate New York Victims of Hurricane Irene. It’s a few bucks for a good cause, and in return you’ll get a great collection of tunes from some of New York’s finest singer/songwriters.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 4, 2010

    Friday Five

    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?

  • Jam

    Phish + ACL Music Festival? Yes. Please.

    If this rumor turns out to be true, then it’s clear to me that the music gods are on my side. A few weeks ago, I tried for a ticket (one ticket) to see Phish play Telluride’s Town Park in August. My folks live there during the summer, my first Phish show was in Colorado twenty years ago, yada yada yada…

    I would even have forfeited my October trip to the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

    But I had no luck. Telluride tickets sold out in minutes. “It wasn’t to be,” I sighed and told myself.

    So the ACL Festival it was. I secured my three day pass on April 20th, booked my flight and hotel, and all was well. I’ll be returning for my third ACL…

    And NOW look – straight from the rumor mill – it’s looking like Phish could be announced as one of the headliners for ACL! Could this be any more perfect (other than a lineup also including Springsteen, Prince, 70’s Stones, and a resurrected Joe Strummer and Elvis Presley)?

    Phish. ACL Festival. Yes. Let it be.

    Source: Coventry Music: – Phishy Rumor: 2010 Austin City Limits Music Festival

  • Jam

    Phish confirmed for Telluride Town Park

    If the ticket gods are kind, then come August 9th and 10th, I’ll be in one of my favorite places on earth – Telluride, Colorado – to see Phish! My first Phish show was 20 years ago, when Phish came to my school (Colorado College) for an outdoor Earth Day show with Pike’s Peak in the background. Since then, I’ve seen them play in Arizona, Las Vegas, Wisconsin, and London.

    When I heard that Phish may play Telluride this summer, a heavenly spot where my parents live during the summers, I knew that I’d need to find a way. Well, if I can score the tickets, I will be there! Oh hell yeah…

    See all the dates from their just announced Summer Tour right here.

    And here’s a “Lizards” from their Colorado ’88 collection (the cover features Trey & Mike crossing Telluride’s main drag, Colorado Ave).

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: August 14, 2009

    Watch the shuffle, everywhere, keep looking! Keep watching the shuffle!

    Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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:

    The Band – “Up on Cripple Creek”  (from Greatest Hits, 2000)

    I’ll admit that I’ve heard this track covered more often than I’ve heard the original.

    Phish – “The Divided Sky” (mp3) (from 2009-03-06: Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, USA, 2009)

    In this case, I’ll let the music do the talking.

    John Mellencamp – “Jack and Diane” (from The Best That I Could Do 1978-1988, 1997)

    Pop Quiz: What unique quality does “Jack and Diane” have in common with Prince & The Revolution‘s “When Doves Cry”?

    Jellyfish – “Will You Marry Me” (mp3) (from Fan Club, 2002)

    I recently acquired this fantastic collection of demos, outtakes, b-sides and live material from what could easily be my favorite band of the early 90’s. As evidenced by my last.fm chart, I’ve been on a steady diet of Jellyfish ever since. “Will You Marry Me” is easily one of the band’s strongest unreleased tracks and was only performed live.

    DJ Shadow – “Mashin’ on the Motorway” (from The Private Press, 2002)

    I’ve been a fan of DJ Shadow from the first moments of Entroducing…. in 1996. In the years between solo outtings he released an early singles collection and worked as part of the U.N.K.L.E. project but nothing could compare to what he does best

    Side Note: The first person to correctly guess the “Pop Quiz” question gets a copy of Assembly of Dust‘s Some Assembly Required.

    What’s up next on your shuffle?

  • Bruce Springsteen,  Jam

    Bonnaroo: Bruce Springsteen on stage with Phish

    As a Bruce and Phish fan for more than a quarter century and almost 20 years respectively, my mind was just about blown last night when I was reading through my Twitter feed, and saw this from Bruce’s official Twitter:

    I guess the opportunity was ripe, with Phish and the Boss co-headlining the festival, but it just didn’t seem within the realm of possibility that these two forces in popular music – different realms of the spectrum, one could argue – would collide and collaborate. But it happened. At the end of Phish’s 1st set on Sunday night, Trey Anastasio introduced his “boyhood and still hero”, Bruce Springsteen.

    They tore through “Mustang Sally”, “Bobby Jean”, and “Glory Days”.  And suffice it so say, I’ll be scouring the interwebs for any and all video of this moment. Bruce was also spotted taking in Band of Horses earlier in the day as well. It just keeps coming together, doesn’t it?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 27, 2009

    To Our Members, We're the Fourth Emergency Shuffle.

    For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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 more the merrier!

    The Five:

    “Contact” by Phish (from Junta)

    It’s samba time! I love this side of Phish, the kitschy lyrics and overt melodies (“Hula Hana of Kamana Whala Hula Bay” is clearly quoted during one of Page‘s solos) and a funky twist in the middle and the sing a long. Hopefully you all got in on the free offer of the first three nights of their reunion tour!

    TV Mama” (mp3) by Shuggie Otis (from In Session: Great Rhythm & Blues)

    Ickmusic favorite Shuggie Otis delivers a solid 12 bar blues with some tasty slide work.

    “Better Than Heaven” by Bloc Party (from Intimacy)

    This record never really connected with me. There are a couple of really good songs (this being one of them) but most of the tracks seem very disjointed and cold. The exceptions really being this track and “Biko”.

    Baby’s Coming Back” (mp3) by Jellyfish (from Bellybutton)

    … Excuse me, time to do the Peanuts dance, care to join me?

    Rainy April Day” (mp3) by Fury in the Slaughterhouse (from The Hearing and the Sense of Balance)

    This track is a sober condemnation of Kurt Cobain‘s suicide. It’s not a great selection to close out an otherwise upbeat Friday Five, but you can’t end them all with rainbows, unicorns and trombones!

    What’s shuffling you down to the weekend?

  • Jam

    Phish Returns

    This past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, Phish played their first shows in five years at the Hampton Coliseum (aka “the mothership”) in Hampton, Virginia. I was one of the lucky ones who saw them in their very early years, during their first forays outside of the northeast. In 1990 and 1991, Phish stopped through my college in Colorado three times, and I was introduced to the wonder and weirdness that was the live Phish experience (two of these were costume-required Halloween shows, which added to the weirdness).

    Since those college years, I’ve seen a healthy pile of shows here in Arizona, Las Vegas, Alpine Valley, and London – and have watched them soar in popularity as one of the premiere live acts of our time. I was saddened when they shut down shop in 2004, possibly for good.

    But this weekend, the boys returned for a much anticipated run of shows in Hampton. And what has to be a first for an act of their caliber, they are offering free high quality MP3’s of the shows, released just hours after the last notes of the encores are played. This weekend was Phish weekend, not only for those inside the coliseum, but anyone around the world with a computer, who wished to share in the experience.

    I haven’t listened to anything else since I downloaded Friday’s show on Saturday morning. Each morning has been met with a good dose of music geek excitement, as I get the opportunity to listen to the previous night’s Phish show. For this long time fan, it means a lot.

    Check out LivePhish.com, where you can download these shows for free (for a limited time).

    PhishFluffhead (mp3) – their first song on Friday, 3/6.

    Phish2001 (mp3) – from last night’s show (3/8). I love Phish’s take on Also Sprach Zarathustra. They don’t get any funkier…

  • Nudges

    A Nudge in the Right Direction

    Get out of the car long hair!

    Editor’s Note: It’s been a busy ‘music news’ day, here is what has my attention…

    U2 is following this weeks “No Horizon on the Line” with what Bono describes as a “sister release” titled “Songs of Ascent” later this year. Here’s hoping it’s the pretty sister. [stereogum]

    Phish kicks off their reunion tour on Friday and is giving away free high quality downloads of the first three shows. [livephish.com]

    Wayne Coyme of The Flaming Lips is not a fan of Arcade Fire. [Rolling Stone]

    From the ‘no duh’ file, Daft Punk will be providing the soundtrack to Tron 2.0. [The Yellow Stereo]

    Looks like Prince is recycling a few old tracks for his upcoming “LotusFlow3r”, peep the full track list at Prince.org (as it’s already been pulled from Amazon by the Purple Police) [Prince.org]

    Finally, our friends at Popdose open the crates and pull out the brilliant remixes of Peter Gabriel‘s “Steam” for White Label Wednesday. [Popdose]

    Bonus! I happened to have the underrated “Quiet Steam” version in my collection (which was available on the “Digging in the Dirt” single), now you can add it to your collection…

    Quiet Steam” (mp3) by Peter Gabriel
    [audio:03 Quiet Steam.mp3]