Bria Valente: Prince’s New Talent
If you saw the Lakers-Celtics game on Christmas Day, you may have seen Prince in the crowd, next to an attractive brunette. A shocker, I know! Her name is Bria Valente, and while I hesitate to call her Prince’s Flavor of the Month, or 21 st Century Vanity, he has spent some time with her in the studio. The track is “Here I Come”, and has Prince written all over it. The lyrics, guitars, and every other piece of instrumentation most likely.
Bria’s bedroom eyes My mind is not blown, but it has a nice, quiet storm feel to it. You can hear it on P’s new playground on the web: MPLSound.com. Not sure who the tech gurus are behind this venture, maybe Prince himself? That, or someone in need of a tutorial in 21st century web design. But have a listen, and look at a slide show of the lovely Ms. Valente.
The Year in (Ick)Music – Pete’s List
It always takes some work on my part to parse out what was released this year, because I’m always discovering great music from years past too. But I’ve done it (and thrown in some pre-2008 tunes – I’m sneaky that way).
So without further ado, here’s my list! – Pete
Albums of the Year
1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend: The hipsters give this band a lot of shit – why, I’m not sure. But I’m not a hipster, I’m just a dude who knows a catchy, original album when I hear it, and Vampire Weekend’s debut was one of my top albums of the year. “A-Punk”, “Campus”, “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”. Mansard Roof”, “Oxford Comma”… this album is full of great songs.
2. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
:: I love variety, and these guys bring it with every album. On ‘Evil Urges’, we get Jim James’ best Prince impression (“Highly Suspicious”), and some deep down and soulful grooves that reach back to 70’s soft rock and soul. Standout tunes: ‘Touch Me, I’m Going to Scream, Part One”, “Thank You Too!”, “The Librarian”, “Smokin from Shootin”.
3. What Laura Says – Thinks and Feels :: It was refreshing (and surprising) to be so blown away by a local band. Tempe, Arizona’s What Laura Says is on the rise. Their label debut, ‘Thinks and Feels’ is retro psychedelic indie rock. With influences ranging from late 60’s psychedelia to Simon & Garfunkel to Dr. Dog and Ben Folds, this is an album I can play straight through 10 times and find something different every time. Beautiful harmonies and melodies, and a lot of surprises.
4. Cadence Weapon – Afterparty Babies: Edmonton rapper and former Pitchfork writer Rollie Pemberton aka Cadence Weapon has one of the most unique sounds out there. On ‘Babies’, Cadence lays down his quirky rhymes over techno grooves.
5. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins: Led by my favorite of the bunch, ‘Lost Coastlines”, this album has not left my iPhone/iPod since I bought the album.
And growing on me fast:
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes: Appalachian church / folk music. You’ve undoubtedly seen this album on a bunch of top album lists. Initially, I wasn’t blown away, but this is an album that creeps up on you. Standout tune: “White Winter Hymnal”.
Songs of the Year:
1. “Strange Overtones” (mp3) – David Byrne :: “Joyous” is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this song. I first heard it on one of Radio Free Wohlman‘s podcasts earlier in the year. And then I saw Mr. Byrne come out on stage in Austin, he and his band dressed in white, and perform the hell out of this song in the show opener. This tune gives me goosebumps and doggone it, it makes me happy.
2. “Get Better Soon” (mp3) – What Laura Says :: An outlaw country shuffle of a tune. Great opening line: “Don’t worry about me, it’s you that needs the help”.
3. “Thank You Too!” (mp3) – My Morning Jacket :: My favorite from their ‘Evil Urges’ album. Laid back, smooth – exuding that late 70’s rock n’ soul vibe.
4. “Sausalito” (mp3) – Conor Oberst :: Like MMJ’s Jim James, Conor’s another one of those younger prolific MF’ers, and I really enjoy what he has to offer. “Sausalito” has that country roots feel I love so much, and it’s a pretty damn infectious tune.
5. “Oh Please” (mp3) – Jon and Roy :: Jon and Roy are one of those great under the radar singer/songwriter talents. They call Victoria, British Columbia home, and sometime this year, I must have got an email, and I stumbled across “Oh Please”. I love this tune. Simple. Soft. Real.
Cover of the Year
“Creep” (video) – Prince – Live at Coachella :: Prince has done some cool covers (Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”), and some not so cool (‘I Can’t Make You Love Me”, “Everyday Is A Winding Road” – a Sheryl Crow cover on a Prince record? Come on dude..), but his version of Radiohead’s “Creep” was something fresh and exciting to hear – even with the re-worked lyrics that changed the feel of the song. I would have loved to be at this Coachella show, or, as Prince calls it, “Co-A-Chella”.
Disappointments of the Year
John Mellencamp – Life Death Love and Freedom: I gave this album a few serious tries. I’m a big admirer of Mellencamp, and I was really looking forward to it, especially after hearing the lead single “My Sweet Love”. But I found it too dark, and too in need of hooks and melodies, which JM is surely capable of. It’s a rootsy, bluesy, morose record, and has received some stellar reviews. It’s John’s “dark” record. But truth be told, it didn’t do a thing for me. For dark Mellencamp, I’ll take “Jackie Brown”.
No Boss in Phoenix :: I’m still at a loss as to why Bruce’s Magic tour, with two full U.S. legs, totally skipped Phoenix, Arizona – the 8th largest metro area in the USA. Granted, most of the time I feel like I’m in a cultural wasteland with no soul, but that’s beside the point. I did travel to Anaheim for a show, though, and got to see Tom Morello shred it up with Bruce on “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.
Best Live Show of the Year
George Michael, June 22, U.S. Airways Arena, Phoenix :: Say what you will, but George’s show here in Phoenix was my live highlight of the year. Ol’ George is now back to his old ways (amphetamines and public toilets and whatnot), but as anyone who saw this tour can attest to, George was in prime form. His 80’s classics, his humble and genuine stage presence, his stage setup (Giant Screen!), all made for a show that ranked 10 out of 10 in my book. I was riding a GM high for weeks after this.
Band of Horses, September 28, Austin City Limits Music Festival :: After discovering the greatness of Band of Horses in January, I was looking forward to their ACL set from the moment I saw it was scheduled. I lingered around the stage all afternoon and made my way front and center when it was time for their set. I was not disappointed. Ben Bridwell and company rocked out with great tunes like “The Funeral”, “The Weed Song”, “No One’s Gonna Love You”, “Is There a Ghost”… And just as cool, the next morning at the Austin Airport, I met Ben Bridwell and told him just how great his music is.
Other great shows this year: Los Lobos, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Citizen Cope, Erykah Badu, John Fogerty, Gogol Bordello.
Best New (to me) Artist/Song:
Band of Horses :: 2008 was, for me, Year of the Horses. It took me until January 2008 to discover their incredible two albums, ‘Everything All the Time’ and ‘Cease to Begin’. In September, I got to see them front and center at Austin City Limits Music Festival. Ben Bridwell (above) is one of my new musical heroes. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in the future (right now, they’re recording their third album in Muscle Shoals, Alabama).
Jenny Lewis :: I may not dig Jenny as much as my five year old daughter, but I was happy to discover her music this year – particularly her album with the Watson Twins, ‘Rabbit Fur Coat’. This video to “Rise Up With Fists” is what initially reeled me and my daughter in.
“Missed the Boat” (mp3) – Modest Mouse :: “While we’re on the subject, can we change the subject now…” Another of my most listened to songs of the year. I love Isaac Brock’s voice, and on this tune, James Mercer pops in for some sweet backup vox as well. Great song that I didn’t hear until this year.
“Just Can’t Forget” (mp3) – Jonny and Josh :: I stumbled across it on MySpace early in the year. Someone had it streaming on their profile. Jonny and Josh are singer/songwriters in the Denver area, and they wrote a song here that connected with me immediately. Dark and melodic, with a rhythm and hook that sticks with you.
“Nobody Knows” (mp3) – Faces :: I’ve discovered a lot of the Faces catalog this year, and this song is one of the best. Rod Stewart and Ronnie Lane (I believe?) share vocal duties here.
“Diner” – Martin Sexton :: Quick and catchy, with that old timey feel.
“Lover’s Waltz” – A.A. Bondy :: A warm, pleading, gentle tune.
“The Story” – Brandi Carlile :: I heard this about a gajillion times during the Olympics, but it didn’t get old. Really a great pop song, and a great voice.
The Temps’ Silent Night – Merry Christmas
I was searching around for some info about when the Temptations version of “Silent Night” was recorded, and stumbled across a very heartfelt 2004 piece from the Washington Post. Writer Neely Tucker describes his relationship with the song – one of joy and sad nostalgia.
Turns out the song was recorded in 1980, with the post- Eddie Kendrick and David Ruffin Temptations lineup : Otis Williams, Richard Street, Melvin Franklin, Glenn Leonard, and Dennis Edwards (who replaced Ruffins as lead vocalist). In the piece, Tucker describes the origin of the tune:
So this is the part in the story when I tell you how the song was recorded at Motown in Detroit, at the tiny “Hitsville USA” studios on West Grand Boulevard on a snowy winter night back in the day, with the Rev. C.L. Franklin (Aretha’s daddy) doing the arrangements, and I would love to, except for the fact that it isn’t true.
The best Christmas song ever put to disc was recorded off Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles in a couple of hours on a sunny day in the summer of 1980, according to Otis Williams, the only surviving original Temptations member.
“Gil Askey had the arrangements there when we went over to his house, so we sat down and worked out the melody line and vocals,” says Williams, speaking from his home in Los Angeles. “Then we went to the studio. I think it took a couple of hours.”
I certainly recommend you click right here and take some time to read Tucker’s piece. You’ll be better for it.
From the House of Ickmusic to wherever you may be, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas…
The Temptations – Silent Night – My favorite version of my favorite Christmas song. Ever.
Bruce’s Greatest Hits, exclusively at Walmart
First, the cover for Working on a Dream. Now comes news that a new greatest hits compilation will be released exclusively at Walmart on January 13th – a couple weeks before his Bridgestone Super Bowl Half Time show.
1. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
2. Born to Run
3. Thunder Road
4. Darkness on the Edge of Town
5. Badlands
6. Hungry Heart
7. Glory Days
8. Dancing in the Dark
9. Born in the U.S.A.
10. The Rising
11. Lonesome Day
12. Radio NowhereIs 2009 the year that the Boss appears on American Idol??
Prince emerges from the studio
Not one, not two, but FIVE new Prince songs made their debut yesterday. Four of them on L.A.’s Indie 103.1: “4Ever”, “Wall of Berlin”, “Colonized Mind”, and “Crimson & Clover”, a loose cover of Tommy James & the Shondells (with some new lyrics), interspersed with some Jimi-esque “Wild Thing”.
Also making its debut a couple of days ago was MPLSound.com, which is streaming the mp3 of another new tune, a retro “classic” Prince joint called “(There’ll Never B) Another Like Me”. Ch-check it out!
12/19 Update – Looks like mplsound.com has quickly faded to black, joining its cousin, 3121.com. Here’s hoping the purple man can get a web site going again, for more than a day or two next time…]
Dexter Gordon
It’s high time we jazz things up around here. I ran across this Dexter Gordon gig recently, and thought there may be some jazz fans out there in Ickmusic land as well. I recommend downloading this show, and letting it accompany you as you wrap those last minute presents, or crank up the heat and get comfortable during these cold months. If you’re down south of the equator, it just as easily sizzles.
I’m a fan of classic jazz, but I still have a long way to go in discovering the greats. I have a lot of Miles, a lot of Coltrane, some Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith, Bill Evans, Monk… but I need to really dig more into that classic era. Dexter Gordon is a good start. In 1948, photographer Herman Leonard snapped one of the great photos in music history – Dexter Gordon, his tenor sax, and cigarette smoke wafting lazily in the air at the Royal Roost in New York City (the pic above, obviously). He was just a 25 year old kid in that picture, unknowingly rooting himself in classic jazz history.
In the 60’s, Gordon relocated to Europe, spending a lot of time in Copenhagen, Denmark. This particular gig is a 1969 private event at Club Caloo in Kalunborg, Denmark. It’s reeeeeaaal easy to get lost in Dexter’s sweet tenor sax. Dexter passed at the age of 67 in 1990. RIP Dexter.
Enjoy.
Dexter Gordon
Club Caloo
Kalunborg, Denmark,
2/22/691. The Rainbow People
2. The Blues Up And Down
3. The Shadow Of Your Smile
4. Hot House
5. Rhythm-a-ning
6. Straight, No Chaser
7. Fried Bananas
8. In A Sentimental Mood
9. Misty
10. 2nd Balcony Jump
11. Interview w/ Dexter Gordon (July 15, 1969)The Wrestler
Over the years, the Boss has been very selective about his contributions to motion picture soundtracks. I can only count three off the top of my head: “Streets of Philadelphia” (from the Philadelphia soundtrack), “Dead Man Walking” (from the Dead Man Walking soundtrack), and “Secret Garden” (from the Jerry Maguire soundtrack). Film director Jonathan Demme asked Bruce for “Philadelphia”. I’m assuming Tim Robbins or Sean Penn asked for a contribution to Dead Man Walking; and I’m not sure about Jerry Maguire, but director Cameron Crowe has a way of compiling some outstanding soundtracks. I’m sure he heard “Secret Garden” on Bruce’s Greatest Hits compilation and asked for it to be used in the film.
Darren Aronofsky’s new film, The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei, features a new contribution from the Boss: “The Wrestler”. It’s a slow acoustic tune that reminds me of “The Ghost of Tom Joad” with some of its lyrics.
Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you’ve ever seen that scarecrow then you’ve seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you’ve ever seen a one-armed man then you’ve seen meReminds me a little of Bruce’s quote in “Tom Joad” from The Grapes of Wrath…
Now Tom said “Mom, wherever there’s a cop beatin’ a guy
Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there’s a fight ‘gainst the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me Mom I’ll be there
Wherever there’s somebody fightin’ for a place to stand
Or decent job or a helpin’ hand
Wherever somebody’s strugglin’ to be free
Look in their eyes Mom you’ll see me.”If I was in college, I’d write a paper about the contrasts and similarities between Tom Joad and The Wrestler. But suffice it to say, the character in the “The Wrestler” is a signature Boss character – a man beat down, hanging on to life by a thread, only to rise again. I’ve only listened to the song a few times, and I’ve already managed to make comparisons to other songs, but I know it will grow on me like they always do, and forge an identity of its own.
It turns out Mickey Rourke reached out to Bruce…
In an interview with Uncut, Mickey Rourke stated, “I wrote Bruce a letter, because we’ve known each other over twenty years, and he knows what I used to be, or whatever. Where I went. What I’d been reduced to. I told him how I felt lucky now and didn’t have to end up being this guy, being Randy (character from The Wrestler). A while later I got a call in the middle of the night: he said he’d written a little song, for nothing. It’s fucking beautiful, right? I was honored he took the time, because he’s a busy cat. I mean, I’m so goddam proud of this magical movie and to have Bruce’s input… ain’t nobody in Hollywood with all their millions can just ring the man and he’ll do a song, y’know?”
Spoken like only Mickey Rourke can.
I can’t remember the last adult movie I’ve gone to the theater to see, but I’m going to make some time over the holidays for this one. Here’s the whole song on YouTube…
The single is now available on iTunes. Click little Mickey down there to check it out and buy.
The song will also show up on Bruce’s new album, Working on a Dream, due January 27th.
Check out the trailer for The Wrestler here. It premieres in NYC and L.A. today (Dec. 17th), with a wider release coming soon. Find out when the movie will open near you.
Sirius Backspin Will Return, and doggone it if it ain’t raining
As a guy who came of age in the classic age of early hip-hop, aka the 80’s – I was seriously bummed when Sirius’ Backspin channel was canned after the Sirius – XM merger. Sirius and XM did a pretty good job of consolidating, and holding on to the genres, whether on the Sirius or XM side. Old School Rap, unfortunately, was a casualty with no replacement on the XM side.
Fast forward to today’s press release, that, due to subscriber complaints, Backspin will make a triumphant return on January 15th! Sweet! I can can get my fix of the greats: Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, Eric B. & Rakim, Grandmaster Flash, and all the other Old School pioneers.
1/19 Update: Backspin is indeed back. I confirmed today. It doesn’t show up in the menu yet (probably not until Sirus-XM’s next update, whenever that is). You can find it on Channel 39 on the Sirius side.
Stay tuned for an Old School mix I’m putting together, featuring a bunch of my favorites from the era.
So the question you’re asking yourself at this point is: “Why the photo of Keith Sweat in a lightning storm?” Well, Keith is most definitely old school, and something rare has come to the my hometown – Rain. I’m talking all day, steady, beautiful rain. And since the late 80’s, when Make It Last Forever was released, “In the Rain” has been one of my favorite rain songs. Okay, yes, I know Zeppelin’s “Rain Song” is legendary, and so is CCR’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” and “Who’ll Stop the Rain”, and of course, Prince’s “Purple Rain”.
Buut, old Keith’s rain tune always pops into my head when the rain falls, which isn’t very often in these parts. Listen to Keith’s rain song, won’t you?
Keith Sweat – In The Rain
From the 1987 album, Make It Last Forever.
Alan Parsons in a Winter Wonderland
If I knew Photoshop / Image Ready a little better, I would’ve added some sweet wintry sparkles to this picture of Alan Parsons. But it involves things like rasters and vectors and “noise”, and I’m just not up to that level yet.
As the man behind the Alan Parsons Project, and the man who manned the controls in studio for Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon, Mr. Parsons is clearly not someone to be messed with. But Jason Lytle and his now defunct band Grandaddy had some fun with him in this holiday ditty.
Jason’s web site has shown promises of his first solo album sometime in 2008, but the clock is ticking, and there is no word from Mr. Lytle. So enjoy this. And if you don’t have The Sophtware Slump, go get it!
Grandaddy – Alan Parsons in a Winter Wonderland
New Wendy & Lisa: “White Flags of Winter Chimneys”
After several months of teasers, Wendy & Lisa this week released White Flags of Winter Chimneys, their first new album, not counting their soundtrack work, since 1998’s Girl Bros. Of course, Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are probably best known as members of Prince’s former band, The Revolution. But the pair, good friends since childhood, have made a name for themselves as a duo since being fired from The Revolution in 1986. Though their three albums as Wendy & Lisa and one under the moniker Girl Bros. weren’t huge commercial successes (though their first album, Wendy & Lisa, did spawn a moderate hit single, “Waterfall”), they are highly respected by critics and fans alike. Their work scoring television shows, such as Heroes, Carnivale, Crossing Jordan, and films, such as Dangerous Minds and Something New, has brought them quite a bit of positive attention in recent years and fans, like me, have been eager for them to release a new album of original Wendy & Lisa songs. After several listens to this new record I have to say that they did not disappoint.
Fans got a taste of the new material over the summer when Wendy & Lisa previewed two tracks, “Balloon” and “Invisible” via their website and MySpace page. I was quite pleased with both songs when I first heard them and was really excited to get my hands on the full record. I kept checking their site to see if there was any word on when it would be released, but nothing. I was getting worried that we wouldn’t see the album until 2009, but was pleasantly surprised to come home from work Tuesday evening to find an email announcing that the album had finally been released. They have made it available in three formats: digital only, CD with digital download and a deluxe package that includes limited edition colored vinyl, CD and digital donwload. Each format contains the full album plus four bonus tracks. I went for the digital download since I’m a little strapped for cash right now, but I kind of wish I’d gone for the deluxe package instead. Oh well.
White Flags follows the same path that started with the Girl Bros. album, which was definitely more laid-back and intimate than their previous work. With an eclectic mix of acoustic ballads, like “You and I” gorgeous piano-based pieces like “Balloon” and “Sweet Suite (Beginning at the End)” and funky rockers like “Salt & Cherries (MC5),” White Flags is probably one of their best, most complete works to date. The four bonus tracks are all demos from the ’90s. One is an early demo of the track “Niagra,” which appears on White Flags. Also included are demos of the songs “Viste” and “Waiting for Coffee,” which many fans will recognize from the bootleg of the unreleasead Wendy/Lisa/Trevor Horn project known as Friendly Fire, and another unreleased track, “The Dream.” I’m happy they included these and I’d love to see them dig further into their vault and give us more demos and unreleased tracks.
White Flags of Winter Chimneys was definitely worth the 10-year wait, though I hope they don’t wait that long to release another album. I’m really holding out for a Wendy & Lisa tour, though I haven’t heard of any definite plans. Perhaps when their full site is relaunched, we’ll know more. To get your grubby little hands on this album, head on over to wendyandlisa.com.
Wendy & Lisa – Salt & Cherries (MC5) (download)
