• Acoustic,  Roots Rock

    Blue Live

    I posted the studio version of this song last summer, but given that the live version from Lucinda’s ‘Live @ the Fillmore’ album is far superior, in my opinion, I just had to share it with you all.

    If you’re not touched by this tune, then brother (or sister), you have no soul.

    Lucinda Williams: Blue (live) [mp3] from Live @ the Fillmore | Lyrics

  • Roots Rock

    Bababooey

    It’s been an entertaining week as I’ve found myself sucked into Howard Stern’s debut on Sirius Satellite Radio. George Takei as the official show announcer? Brilliant! It’s great to hear Howard and his gang in their true element: relaxed, honest, and yes, uncensored.

    In honor of the King of All Media, here’s another anti-authority figure who takes up a good chunk of my leisure time. It’s Steve Earle, and his not too subtle thoughts on the FCC, the FBI, and the CIA.

    Steve Earle: F the CC (mp3) – from The Revolution Starts Now

    Bonus: Steve Earle: Condi, Condi (mp3)

    “People say you’re cold but I think you’re hot, Oh, Condi, Condi, Oh, Condi, Condi.”

  • BritPop

    Keen on Keane

    There’s something to be said for a well-crafted, catchy pop song. This one came along and caught my attention recently. Keane formed in Battle, East Sussex, England in the late 90’s, and caught the attention of British record label Fierce Panda Records in late 2002. Their first released single was this nice tune here:

    Keane: Everybody’s Changing (mp3) – from Hopes and Dreams

  • Blues

    Shake 4 Eddie Turner

    Eddie Turner is a Colorado-based blues guitarist who I first heard & saw at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival last summer. I really enjoyed the whole vibe he, his band, and his music emitted. The whole set is available on his web site’s music page. I recommend checking out some of those tunes.

    Here’s a sneak peek of a tune from his forthcoming CD, ‘The Turner Diaries’. With a cool guitar riff steering it, this is a really infectious and seductive tune.

    Eddie Turner: Shake 4 Me (mp3)

    • Buy Eddie’s CD, ‘Shine’
    • Eddie’s Official Site
    • Factoid: Eddie’s bass player, Kenny Passarelli, has played bass for Elton John, Hall & Oates, and Joe Walsh, among many others. He shares a writing credit on “Rocky Mountain Way”.
  • Miscellaneous

    The ChronicWHATcles of Narnia

    This is the funniest Saturday Night Live skit in a loooong time. If you haven’t seen this yet, check it out.

    Chris Parnell and new SNL featured player Andy Samberg wax poetic about their adventures on the way to see Chronicles of Narnia. F-u-n-n-y.

    Andy Samberg & Chris Parnell:  (sorry, dead YouTube link)

  • Pop

    Chillin in the Love Lounge


    (tina graham of love lounge)

    Love Lounge is a Minneapolis band formed by Mark Campbell and Tina Graham. They’re working on getting their demo available to the masses, and should have a MySpace page up & running soon. In the meantime, here is their song “The Doll”, a soft, introspective song that, as Mark says, “would make Norah Jones eat her heart out…..Tina’s voice is so beautiful on this one.”

    The Lineup is:

    Tina Graham….lead and backing vocals
    Mark Campbell….rhythm guitar
    Paul Bolin….bass, keyboards
    Ian MacKay…lead guitar
    Amy Brockman…backing vocals
    Dave Hoon…drums

    I’ll have more of their tracks available soon. If you like what you hear and yearn for more, contact Mark to get a hold of their demo. If you’re in the Minneapolis – St. Paul area, go check ‘em out live. I’ll have some live dates posted shortly.

    Love Lounge: The Doll (mp3) – written by Graham / Campbell (as are all L.L. tunes).

  • Rock

    Whiskey in Turkish Dixieland

    Happy New Year to everyone out there.

    Let’s start the year on a raucous note, with some up-tempo Irish-flavored rock n roll courtesy of Metallica, the Pogues, and Steve Earle. Take it away boys…….

    Metallica: Whiskey in the Jar (mp3) – from Garage, Inc.
    The Pogues: Turkish Song of the Damned (mp3) – from If I Should Fall from Grace with God
    Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band: Dixieland (mp3) – from The Mountain

  • Punk

    Joe Strummer Mix

    It was the holiday season three years ago when Joe Strummer left this world. In memory of one my major musical heroes, here’s a snapshot of Joe’s work through the years. We miss you, Joe.

    Joe Strummer: The IckMusic Mix (mp3) – 18.8 MB, 27m:27s

    1. Tommy Gun (The Clash, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, 1978)
    2. Bhindi Bhagee (Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros, Global a Go-Go, 2001)
    3. Janie Jones (The Clash, The Clash, 1977)
    4. Nitcomb (Mescaleros, Rock Art & the X-Ray Style, 1999)
    5. The Leader (The Clash, Sandanista, 1980)
    6. Death or Glory (The Clash, London Calling, 1979)
    7. Boogie With Your Children (Joe Strummer, Earthquake Weather, 1989)
    8. Silver and Gold (Mescaleros, Streetcore, 2003)

    In Memory of Joe Strummer: August 21, 1952 – December 22, 2002

  • Christmas

    Christmas with Cockburn

    [See this 2008 post for the show.]

    Since we’re on the final stretch to Christmas, I thought I would sneak out a few of my essential tunes courtesy of my favorite Canadian, Bruce Cockburn. In 1994, the Columbia Records Radio Hour broadcast Christmas with Cockburn, which featured Bruce with special guest Nancy Griffith. I had my cassette deck locked and loaded.

    These are the songs that make me forget about the almighty dollar and the overall stress of the holidays, and actually get me into the Christmas spirit.

    Christmas with Cockburn:

    Shepherds
    Deer Dancing on a Broken Mirror
    I’m Gonna Fly Someday
    One Day I Walk / Intro to Huron Carol
    Huron Carol
    Mary Had a Baby

    This isn’t available anywhere, but you can buy Bruce’s Christmas album, or any other of his excellent albums spanning more than 30 years.