Ickmusic Giveaway: Memory Almost Full
Let’s give one away, eh mates?
In my inherently lazy way, I’ve been sitting on a copy of Paul McCartney’s new CD, Memory Almost Full, for a good month now. High time I give it away to one of you fine folks, yeah?
You know, I’m one of those people who reveres the Beatles as one of the most important, influential, and best bands of all time. Yeah, I know tastes in music are subjective, but I always felt like most people agreed. And maybe they do. But I work with a couple of guys who sure don’t. One of them, I’ll call him Jim (’cause that’s his name) likens the Beatles to the origin of crappy teen pop. He tells me the Beatles are the reason Britney Spears exists. He has never, does not, and allegedly will never like the Beatles.
When I was in college, my neighbor one door down was a Beatles fanatic. He told me and a few of my friends one time: “Anyone who doesn’t like the Beatles is in a state of denial.” We all laughed, and made a little fun of the comment later. But looking back, he was right! I mean, how can a human being not like the Beatles after listening to Abbey Road? Or The White Album? Or Meet The Beatles!?
So back to the giveaway. It’s an easy entry once again. You leave a comment below, and you’re in the running. I’m assuming those entering are fans of the Beatles (or massive Wings fans? who knows). Do you have anti-Beatles people in your life? Do you struggle to understand them? Is it worth trying to convert them?
Ok, Jim, give me your side of the story. How did you grow into adult form without an appreciation for the Beatles?
- Buy Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition].
- For the love of God, buy Abbey Road if you don’t have it.
- Paul’s Official Site.
- Memory Almost Full Sampler Stream: Windows | Mac
Jewel Case Disclaimer: the original jewel case that the CD came in has been systematically dismantled and rendered inoperable by my 15 month old daughter. Another jewel case will be provided. Jeez, this girl and my CDs!
The Sandinista! Project
If London Calling was the Clash’s masterpiece, Sandinista! – a three-LP, multi-genre assault on the senses (and the follow-up to London Calling) – was its stoned out red-headed stepchild. Thirty-six songs strong, Sandinista! was their chance to completely let loose and record whatever it is they felt like recording. I like the way The All Music Guide review puts it…The Clash sounded like they could do anything on London Calling. For its triple-album follow-up, Sandinista!, they tried to do everything, adding dub, rap, gospel, and even children’s choruses to the punk, reggae, R&B, and roots rock they already were playing…
As loose and scattered as it is, there are some killer tracks on the album: “The Magnificent Seven”, “The Call Up”, “The Leader”, and Eddy “Electric Avenue” Grant’s “Police On My Back”.
So music journalist Jimmy Guterman had a vision as a Clash fan: a tribute album. What he pulled together with The Sandinista! Project is pretty damn impressive. There are some well-known names involved: The Smithereens, Camper Van Beethoven, Jason Ringenberg (Jason & the Scorchers), Katrina Leskanich (Katrina & the Waves), Matthew Ryan, Wille Nile, and the Mekons’ Jon Langford (who also designed the album cover).
Many of the artists I had not heard of: Sex Clark Five (great name!), The Hyphens, Haale, the Coal Porters, and many more. So I thought I would share a couple from the tribute album, paired with the Clash originals.
Two of my favorites from the album are “The Call Up” and “The Leader”. On the tribute, theremin – yes theremin – ensemble The Lothars take on “The Call Up”. This would fall under the category of totally and completely devoid of resembling the original. But there’s something very strange and alien about it that pulls me in. You want originality? Here you go…
The Lothars – The Call Up
On Sandinista!, The Clash pack a whole lot of rock, urgency, and great lyrics into the minute and forty-one seconds of “The Leader”. Amy Rigby offers up a respectable version true to the original. Though there’s something about her “on a Sundayyy…” lyric that I’d like to tweak, but nice overall…
Amy Rigby – The Leader
I can’t really say that someone not familiar with Sandinista! and the Clash would really “get” or appreciate this tribute. But if you’re a Clash-ophile who worships at the altar of Strummer, as I am, you should hear this album. And if you’re new to both, why not pick up both?
I recommend getting the CD itself just for the DIY punk packaging. It’s very well done, and includes a booklet put together by Guterman called “2007 – The Armagideon Times Update.”
Buy The Sandinista! Project on Amazon.
Check out Jimmy Guterman’s blog / site devoted to the project. Included on the sidebar are PDF’s of the CD booklet and the packaging.
Buy The Clash’s Sandinista!
Prince’s “Chelsea Rodgers”
“Chelsea Rodgers” is a song on Prince’s new album, Planet Earth. The woman above is apparently Chelsea Rodgers. Nobody really knows what role she’ll play. New Prince protege? His girlfriend? Who knows right now. Does it really matter? Not really. But I’ll just stare at this picture until I find out, okay?
Steve Earle News: Washington Square Serenade
Thanks to Jeffro for alerting us that New West Records has announced details of Steve Earle’s first record with the label. Due September 25th, and titled Washington Square Serenade, it will feature the CD and a bonus DVD of Steve taking us on a walking tour of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, as well as some documentary footage.
Steve’s wife Allison Moorer duets with him on a tune, and Brazilian / NYC group Forro in the Dark joins him on “City of Immigrants”.
The track list is as follows. As you’ll see, he gives me a shout out on this album with “Steve’s Hammer (for Pete)”. ‘Bout time!
Track List:
“Tennessee Blues”
“Down Here Below”
“Satellite Radio”
“City of Immigrants”
“Sparkle and Shine”
“Come Home to Me”
“Jericho Road”
“Oxycontin Blues”
“Red Is the Color”
“Steve’s Hammer (For Pete)”
“Days Aren’t Long Enough”
“Way Down in the Hole”Steve fans, mark your calendars for September 25th. Speaking of Steve and September, I’ll be catching Steve at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Yiieeahh…
What the Kids Are Listening to: Plain White T’s
Okay, so I’m 36 years old, not ancient by any means, but what I am realizing is how increasingly disconnected I am with the current popular music scene. So I’m inspired to start a new Sunday series called “What the Kids are Listening To”, a chance for us, the disconnected ones, to take a look and listen to what’s on the kiddies’ iPods. I’ll pick one out of the top 5 and we’ll all watch the video and comment. Be as nice or un-nice as you please (example, Jen from my recent Rihanna video post felt this way: “This song makes me want to dig out my eardrums with a fork.”)
Here’s this week’s chart:
I announced my affection for Rihanna and her sexy umbrella a couple of weeks ago, so tonight I pick the only non-R&B / hip-hop tune of the bunch, which is “Hey There Delilah”, a song by the Plain White T’s. It’s sentimental, catchy, acoustic pop. And you know what? Not bad! My first thought upon hearing it was that it wouldn’t sound out of place on an Old 97’s record. It has that mellow Rhett Miller vibe for sho’. Sure, it’s as sappy as a maple tree, but I’ll take it any day over “Party Like a Rock Star” or “Buy You a Drank”.
Check out the Plain White T’s album, Every Second Counts.
Ickmusic Live: Parliament Funkadelic, 1978
A trip back to 1978, when I was all of 8 years old, buried in the snow of a northern Minnesota winter. Across the pond, George Clinton and his traveling troupe of funkateers were most likely highly enjoying themselves in Amsterdam, taking in the sights, and – no doubt – taking in all the town had to offer.
Parliament Funkadelic
December 8, 1978
Jaap Eden Halle, Amsterdam, Holland
aka Afrolicious & the Electric Pussy1. Intro
2. Cholly (Funk Gettin’ Ready To Roll)
3. Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucka)
4. Night Of The Thumpasaurus Peoples
5. James Wesley Jackson Monologue
6. Standing On The Verge Of Gettin’ It On
7. Mothership Connection
8. Flashlight
9. One Nation Under A GrooveLos Lobos – Be Still
A majestic Los Lobos tune. One of those songs where I picture the singer (David Hidalgo in this case) standing atop a high hill, tall green meadow grasses all around, looking over the Pacific Ocean sunset. Love the way the intro transitions into the great lyrics. Inspiring…
Los Lobos – “Be Still” from this amazing box set: El Cancionero: Mas y Mas
Be Still
(David Hidalgo/Louie Pérez)Let the calm, calm blue waters through
Wash your soul, passing right through you
Like the smallest rose out of the hardest ground
Like a tiny hand reaching up for the sun.
Let us pray that our hearts are one
The toughest love is the strongest one
Like a crippled man fights his bitter pain
On two tired legs that hope to walk once again
Stay gold and be still.As we grow, a river flows
Through our hearts
Finding peace wherev’r it may goLet the pure, pure blue waters through
Don’t let the wind take ’em away from you,
like the littlest star shines in the darkest night
Like a mother’s egg brings in a new life
Stay gold and be still
Pray that we all can stay gold and be still.Prince’s Future Baby Mama
Heard recently on an Atlanta radio station, and streaming on Prince’s site, it’s a hot new smooove jam from his forthcoming ‘Planet Earth’ CD, out on July 24th…Could you be P’s “Future Baby Mama”?
Larry King’s Awkard Paul & Ringo Interview
To watch Larry King make an arse out of himself interviewing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, go over to Krup’s I’m Just Sayin’ for full video coverage. Priceless…
Example: After asking Paul the question: “Where were you when John passed?”, Larry looks over to Ringo and asks: “George, where were you?”
My Tales of the Old School
Check out Jefitoblog for his Safe for Crackers series, the latest installment submitted by yours truly. Hey, who you callin’ a cracker?
Jefitoblog’s Safe for Crackers: Ickmusic Edition
