• Fairytale of New York single cover
    Christmas,  Irish

    The Greatness of Fairytale of New York

    / December 9, 2007

    If you celebrate Christmas like me, and you haven’t even started to think about buying your first gift, worry not. You are not alone! Year after year, I let the pre-Christmas stress build like a killer Nor’easter. Not quite sure why I torture myself every year. I guess I know no other way.

    But as stressful as this season can be, there’s always the music to take the edge off a little. Topping the list for me, year after year, is the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York”. Nothing tells me it’s Christmas time like the beautiful, poetic snarl of Shane MacGowan and the sweet voice of the late Kirsty MacColl. It’s Christmas in the drunk tank, bee-otch.

    The Pogues – from If I Should Fall from Grace with God

    Here’s another great live version of the tune from Irish legend Christy Moore.

    Official Site

    Check out the video, circa 1987, with Matt Dillon appearing as the cop who escorts Mr. MacGowan to the slammer.

  • Rock,  Video

    Yer Blues by the Dirty Mac

    / December 4, 2007

    Since I signed up for Netflix a few months ago, I’ve been catching up on all the essential music movies of the past. The latest DVD to hit my doorstep is the The Rolling Stones – Rock and Roll Circus. Here’s just a little portion of rock & roll history from the 1968 film…

    The song: “Yer Blues”
    The band: The Dirty Mac (Eric Clapton, guitar; John Lennon, vocals, guitar; Keith Richards, bass; Mitch Mitchell, drums).

    Not too shabby of a lineup, eh?

  • Christmas

    Ho Ho Ho it’s a Holiday Show! … The Boss & Friends

    / December 4, 2007

    Between 2000 and 2004, Bruce gathered up his crew and played a series of holiday benefit shows in Asbury Park. Bruce, his buddies from the E Street Band, the Max Weinberg 7, Southside Johnny, Bobby Bandiera and others have all come together to raise money for local charities.

    There have been some gems, and this is clearly one of them. There’s an intimate and cozy feel to the gig, as Bruce and his buddies rock out the small Convention Hall in Asbury Park.

    Some random thoughts about this show:

    • “Lucky Town” sounds fresh and alive with a full horn section.
    • An amazing “E Street Shuffle”! Listen as Bruce teases the crowd beforehand: “Shhh! We gotta tune up.” Then… magic ensues.
    • Listen, Patti is a very talented musician and singer. But when she sings with her heavy vibrato, I always picture someone behind her shaking her by the shoulders.
    • “Blue Christmas” leans more toward Hank Williams than Elvis.
    • “My City of Ruins” makes its live debut. Many don’t know that the song was written pre-9/11 – dedicated to Asbury Park.
    • It doesn’t get much better than this.

    Here are the charities & organizations mentioned by Bruce during the show.

    The Epiphany House – www.epiphanyhouse.org – Epiphany House is committed to promoting recovery and self-sufficiency for chemically dependent women with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
    The Center – www.thecenterinap.com – Their mission is to be of personal service to those in the community affected by HIV disease. Both those actually living with the virus, as well as their family, friends, and caregivers.
    Save Tillie – – www.savetillie.com – An all volunteer organization comprised of 1,000 friends of Asbury Park. Founded in July of 1998, their original goal of saving the Palace’s iconic Tillie image expanded in 1999 to an attempt to save the entire Palace.
    Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce – www.asburyparkchamber.com

    ===========

    Bruce Springsteen, The Max Weinberg 7 & Friends
    December 17, 2000
    Convention Hall
    Asbury Park, New Jersey

    Download (ZIP)

    Jingle Bells
    For You
    Blue Christmas
    Powerhouse
    Run Run Rudolph (Jimmy Vivino, vocals)
    Lucky Town
    The E Street Shuffle/Move On Up
    Kitty’s Back
    Rose (Patti Scialfa, vocals)
    As Long As I Can Be With You (Patti Scialfa, vocals)
    This Time It’s For Real (Southside Johnny, vocals)
    Good Is Gone (Southside Johnny, vocals)
    All I Needed Was You (Southside Johnny, vocals)

    Shine Silently (Nils Lofgren, vocals)
    Merry Christmas Baby
    So Young And In Love
    Roll Of The Dice
    Bobby Jean
    Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
    My City Of Ruins
    I Don’t Wanna Go Home (Southside Johnny, vocals)
    Rosalita
    Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

    ===========

    BUY: Magic (Springsteen) | The Best of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes | Play It as It Lays (Patti Scialfa) | The Max Weinberg 7 | Ultimate Collection (Nils Lofgren)

  • Folk,  Laid Back

    A Few Moments with Joni Mitchell

    / November 30, 2007

    Joni Mitchell first came into my consciousness more than 20 years ago when Prince mentioned her as one of his biggest influences in an interview. He’s covered Joni’s “A Case of You” (“U”, naturally, when Prince does it) over the years, and “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker” has that Joni influence as well.

    Oh, I’ve heard “Big Yellow Taxi”, and I’ve seen her sing with The Band in The Last Waltz. But beyond that, not much Joni in my life.

    But I heard her new single, “Shine”, in the car a few weeks ago (on Sirius of course – “terrestrial” radio would never play such a song – at least not in Phoenix: Radio Wasteland America). It’s a beautiful, fascinating song. I can’t quite measure the feeling it gives me. It’s contentment, but guilt. Joy and sadness, if that’s possible. Just read her amazing lyrics to this song. Well, listen first, then go back and read along the second time.

    It’s raining steadily outside right now for the first time in ages. Has been all day. It’s dark, quiet, and all I hear are the rain and this beatiful song. They perfectly complement each other.

    Joni Mitchell – Shine

    Buy: Shine

    Joni’s Official Site

  • Nudges

    A Nudge in the Right Direction

    / November 30, 2007

    • Ear Fuzz breaks down the Beasties’ “Shake Your Rump”, with a look at the ten songs that are sampled.
    • Craig over at Songs:Illinois gets us ready for the holidays with a righteous Christmas mix, including John Prine, Asylum Street Spankers and Asleep at the Wheel.
    • My buddies at Hidden Track take a look at the 10 Least Dangerous Rock Stars (#’s 4 thru 1 are priceless).
    • Matt kicks down some Zambian acoustic guitar action at Benn loxo du Taccu.
    • Led Zeppelin’s complete BBC Radio sessions, anyone? That Truncheon Thing‘s got you covered here (part 1) and here (part 2).
    • Eliot at Wired’s Listening Post likes the new Pixies tribute album, including Mogwai’s cover of “Gouge Away”.
    • Like Krup says, Best National Anthem ever (goosebumps).
    • Finally (and not music related), Dusty at Pork Tornado (aka Salami Tsunami) is one of the most entertaining writers I’ve come across on the web. Check out his latest post here, where he talks about his new job and an ugly abscess in his tooth as only he can. He doesn’t post that often, but they’re always worth the wait.
  • Giveaway,  Rock

    Ickmusic Giveaway: New Joshua Tree Deluxe Edition

    / November 28, 2007

    I’m about to make a U2 fan – or the U2 fan in someone’s life – very happy. I have a fresh copy of the newly remastered Joshua Tree album. But not only that. This is the deluxe edition, baby, and includes a second CD of B-sides and demos from the original sessions. It’s got a beautiful hard cover booklet to go with it – and I can’t quite figure out why I’m not greedily grasping on to it, but I’m givin’ it away. Must be the Christmas spirit. It’s certainly not due to the dismal amount of comments I’ve been receiving around here lately – you slackers.

    So as exhibited in a giveaway of yore – we honor U2’s roots and return to the Irish limerick contest. This one has to be good. Here are some groundrules:

    • Leave a Comment below with your limerick. Be sure to include your email address (no one else can see it).
    • It has to at least loosely adhere to the rules of a limerick. A rhyming scheme of AABBA. Here’s the Wikipedia entry on limericks. Or follow the steps here.
    • It has to mention a member of U2: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, or Larry Mullen.
    • Bonus points for working in a lyric or song name.
    • UPDATED: I’ll allow 2 entries per person if you’re inspired…
    • I’ll pick my favorite from the Comments in a week or so.

    Leave ’em in the comments below and let her rip! Good luck!

    Now for some assorted U2 goodness…

    Find out more about the new Joshua Tree release after the jump.

  • Bruce Springsteen

    Breaking: Ickmusic to Take Over Sirius E Street Radio

    / November 28, 2007

    …well, for 30 minutes anyway!

    Sirius channel 10 is E Street Radio, dedicated to the music of the Boss. Every morning at 10am Eastern, they hand over the reins to a Bruce fan for a half hour.

    I’ll be playing five of my favorite Bruce tunes, passing along a few anecdotes, and basically dominating the satellite airwaves for thirty minutes. Look out, Howard Stern!

    Stay tuned for more details…