Erykah Badu’s new video – “Window Seat”
Interesting new video from Ms. Badu…
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Also, today (March 30th) is release day for her new album – check out New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh in the Amazon Mp3 Store.
New Tunes from What Laura Says [mp3’s]
Here are a couple of free & clear tastes from the forthcoming album (June 8th) by local band doin’ good What Laura Says. Below the tunes is a trippy newly released video – a “dubbed-out tanpura remix” from the new record, set to decomposed film footage of a 1960’s carnival (of unknown location – somewhere back East, apparently). I’ll have to pass on to the good folks at Shorpy, whose readers could probably name the place in a snap.
What Laura Says – I Suppose (mp3) | Training (mp3)
New Gaslight Anthem: “American Slang”
Over the last couple of days, not only did Jersey’s Gaslight Anthem join Facebook, but they also released their first single (and title track) from their forthcoming album American Slang. Stoked! This means not only will we all be rocking out to a new Gaslight album in a few short months (June 15th), but we’ll also have the chance to catch them live – which is an experience all its own. Their studio albums are impressive, but live is where their music pulses and breathes. Can’t wait.
Hear “American Slang” on the Gaslight Anthem’s Facebook page.
Here’s the track list:
01. American Slang
02. Stay Lucky
03. Bring It On
04. The Diamond Church Street Choir
05. The Queen of Lower Chelsea
06. Orphans
07. Boxer
08. Old Haunts
09. The Spirit Of Jazz
10. We Did It When We Were YoungI Shall Be Released from The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz – best concert film of all time? Certainly right up there. When I stumble upon it on TV, like I did tonight, there’s no way I can turn away.
Thanksgiving 1976. The Band. Bob Dylan. Van Morrison. Neil Young. Dr. John. Joni Mitchell. Muddy Waters. Eric Clapton. Neil Diamond. Ronnie Wood. Ringo Starr. Ronnie Hawkins. Paul Butterfield.
Still such a thrill to watch. Here’s the last song of the show, as Dylan leads The Band and all the guests in his own tune, “I Shall Be Released”…
Ick’s Pick: Josh Rouse’s El Turista
I knew next to nada about Josh Rouse before hearing of his new album El Turista a couple weeks ago. The review I read spoke of laid back Latin-inspired rhythms, the kind of vibe Stan Getz and João Gilberto exuded. That’s my kind of vibe.
After streaming the album on Lala (sounding like a broken record with Lala lately), I was hooked. One listen is all it took. And I know there are those of you out there who will lock in the same way I did.
Then, here you go: El Turista (Bonus Version). You’ll thank me later.
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).
Elvis Presley’s first Ed Sullivan Appearance
I finished up Peter Guralnick’s “part one” bio of Elvis Presley last week, a book called Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. It’s a fascinating and exhilarating look at “50’s Elvis,” including his first TV appearances in 1956.
Earlier in ’56, Elvis had made his first television appearances on shows hosted by the Dorsey Brothers, Milton Berle, and Steve Allen. These appearances shocked – SHOCKED! – the nation’s old guard. The media, parents, and citizens of high moral fortitude (yeah right) were appalled at the sexual connotations set forth by Mr. Presley. Of course, his actions then wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in today’s cesspool of cultural waste – but in 1956, ooo-weee, look out America, Elvis the Pelvis is comin’ for your kids!
On September 9th, 1956, Elvis made his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Mr. Sullivan was recovering from a serious car accident, so Charles Laughton actually hosted the program in the New York City studio. Across the country in Hollywood, Elvis was filming his first motion picture, Love Me Tender, so his first appearance on Ed Sullivan was simulcast from CBS Television City.
The clips below skip the intros by Laughton, so if you have a Netflix account, I’d recommend watching the entire show (available streaming). But what we have here with Elvis’s performances are pure magic. The show was viewed by 60 million Americans that night – a staggering 82.6% of the total television audience. I’m sure it changed some minds and solidified some others.
But man oh man, to be a music lover in the year 1956. It’s hard to imagine now, but try to think back to the mindset of 1950’s America – you flip on the television on a Sunday night and you see this…
(video no longer available – boo)
“Ready Teddy” is my favorite of the bunch. I love the way he kicks off the song with a finger point to the drummer – going from 0 to 60 in about 5 seconds. This is pure Elvis – unrestrained and one of a kind.
(video no longer available – boo)
What The Kids Are Listening To: Taio Cruz
It’s always interesting to take a peek at Billboard’s HOT HOT singles chart, the Hot 100, and to be mystified at what’s popular with our nation’s youth these days. I’m turning 40 this year, and I feel increasingly like an old fart. Last week at my favorite pizza joint (that’d be Jimmy & Joe’s in Chandler), some high school kid came over to borrow the cheese, and I was shown gratitude with a “Thank you sir.” I guess I should be happy that manners and civility are alive and well in some pockets of adolescent society, and some kids are respecting their elders. It’s just weird to be an elder.
So this week, a British newcomer named Taio Cruz vaulted to the #1 spot in the charts, knocking the Black Eyed Peas “Imma Be” from the roost. It features Ludacris (who seems very early 00’s to me). And after listening once, my thoughts are… Meh. Homogenized. Unoriginal. Annoyingly repetitive chorus. But I’m not a teenage girl – at least last I checked – and “Break Your Heart” is currently rockin’ their world.
Ya-Ka-May, the new album from Galactic
It took a listen to Sirius Jam On this afternoon to clue me into the fact that there’s a new Galactic record out – focused on the music of New Orleans (their hometown). “Bounce,” to be specific – an “energetic, highly eroticized and occasionally gender-bending” type of music native to the city. The album is full of special guests: Rebirth Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Allen Toussaint, “Wolfman” Washington, Trombone Shorty, and others.
Not surprisingly, after listening to the full album on Lala, I can confirm that the record is a non-stop party, a percussive blast of Louisiana flavor. Here are two early favorites right off the bat, “Boe Money” and “Do It Again”…
Listen…
Buy the MP3’s at the Amazon Music Store: Boe Money (Featuring The Rebirth Brass Band)| Do It Again (Again) (Featuring Cheeky Blakk)
Check out the whole album: Ya-Ka-May
Galactic’s Web Site, where you can download “Heart of Steel” (w/ Irma Thomas) and “Dark Water” (w/ John Boutte) for free.
A Taste of What Laura Says’ forthcoming album: ‘Bloom Cheek’
My favorite local band by far is Tempe’s What Laura Says. Their debut record, Thinks And Feels, was one of my 2008 highlights – and their live show is just as impressive. Organic, psychedelic, folky/retro rock n’ roll; beautiful Beatles/Beach Boys-influenced melodies; and just all-around good vibes.
So I’m really stoked to see that this year will bring a brand new album entitled Bloom Cheek (on Terpikshore). A few days ago, they posted some sneak peeks at the new record. Take a listen to the minute and a half clips below. A great sign of things to come…
“On The Fence” | Great groove!
“Keep Running Shoes Special” | I saw them do this live, and it smokes.
“Tape It Spoke” | Brings out the folksy “Fleet Fox-y” side of the boys…
