Definitive Rod
I guess it takes well over half a dozen greatest hits packages to land at “The Definitive”. And while the word does not get bandied about as much as “The Essential” it certainly implies some form of completeness to it. Unfortunately this latest Rod Stewart collection falls short in a few places. Conspicuously missing are entries from his insanely popular “The Great American Songbook” series and a stray hit here and there (“All for Love” was an international number one, wasn’t it). Despite its shortcomings the 2 disc set manages to cohesively get you from rockin’ “Rod the Bod” to the blue eyed soul of his early 90’s material. It occurred to me in listening to the set that I am clearly a fan of 70’s and late 80’s/early 90’s Rod and could live without hearing “Infatuation” ever again. That aside it was like revisiting an old friend listening to hits such as “Maggie May”, “You Wear It Well” and “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)”. Even “Da Ya Think I m Sexy?” got cranked up in the headphones. The deluxe version of the set includes a DVD featuring 14 videos and more spandex and hairspray than a 1986 Poison concert. Far be it from me to keep all that goodness to myself so here’s two from the set.
Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I m Sexy? (Video)
Rod Stewart – Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) (Video)
Buy The Definitive Rod Stewart: Amazon | iTunes
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Ickmusic’s “Black Friday” Five: November 28, 2008
Now that everyone has slept off their L-tryptophan induced coma and quite possibly spent the morning hunting down the best deal on the latest greatest gizmo it’s time to relax and what better way to do that than with a shuffle through some tunes. And in celebration of the day, we’re limiting the results to only tunes with the word “Black” in them.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Weather Report – Black Market (from 8:30)
An absolutely masterful live performance highlighting the genius of Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine, the brilliant Wayne Shorter and the incomparable Jaco Pastorius. Jaco’s bass percolates along the afro beat rhythm as Shorter blows hard bop lines that are out of this world.
2. Metallica – Fade to Black (from Ride the Lightning)
It has always been my theory that the entire Black Album is a vein attempt to capture what the band did in what is easily one of the bands most significant tunes. From the opening movement to the fade it is Metallica at their best.
3. AC/DC – Back in Black (from Back in Black)
Classic.
4. Pearl Jam – Black (mp3) (from Ten)
This is easily one of my favorite songs from the 90’s period. Eddie Vedder is a master of conveying the depths of the human condition and this is by far one of his finest moments. Up for grabs is the classic MTV Unplugged version.
5. Prince – Black Sweat (from 3121)
This is as close to the funk as he’s come in ages.
What’s saving you from long lines and aggressive shoppers?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: November 14, 2008
Ah Friday it’s time to relax and you know what that means a glass of wine, your favorite easy chair and of course the Friday Five shuffling on your home stereo. So go on indulge yourself, that’s right, kick off your shoes, put your feet up, lean back and just enjoy the melodies. After all, music soothes even the savage beast….
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Effcee – Purple Rain (from Electro Goth Tribute to Prince)
Imagine Garbage covering Prince with a less adept lead singer (Shirley Manson is amazing) and that is about the sum of this. To illustrate just how bad this collection is, Rebecca Romijn (yes, that one) performs “Darling Nikki”. For a much more fitting (and listenable) tribute head over to Psychotic Leisure Music and check out Dump‘s That Skinny Motherfucker with the High Voice, it’s well worth the time.
2. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless Love (from 80s Gold)
I’m not sure what frightens me more, the fact that I have no less than 4 instances of this song in my iTunes library or the fact that I actually genuinely, in my heart of hearts, like this song.
3. Ra Ra Riot – Too Too Too Fast (from The Rhumb Line)
A record that is sure to place highly on my year end list, The Rhumb Line by indie pop darlings Ra Ra Riot delivers 10 undeniably catchy and sprite tunes. If you don’t have this record yet, you should.
4. Jellyfish – The Ghost at Number One (mp3) (from Socrates, Pathos, and Plato)
This is the demo of the tune from the bands power pop opus Spilt Milk. I’ve been revisiting my power pop past lately and this is always at the top of the list. The quality is not all that great but this one absolutely deserves to be played on 11.
5. The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (from Greatest Hits)
This is the first bass line that I ever tried to learn. So damn funky!
What’s kicking you into the weekend?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: November 7, 2008
A quickie this week…
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. U2 – Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (from Achtung Baby)
Apparently a young bikini-clad lady is the current answer.
2. Ani DiFranco – Providence (feat. Prince) (from To the Teeth)
I know that it’s a stretch, but listen to Ani‘s “You Had Time” (from Out of Range) and then Prince‘s “Eye Love U, but Eye Don’t Trust U Anymore” (from Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, which Ani provides guitar work) and then this track and tell me that it does not form an unholy trinity of a single story arc about relationships gone sour and the unhealthy way we handle them. One of the most demure and restrained Prince guest performances I have ever heard.
3. Jay-Z – Can I Get A… (feat. Amil of Major Coins and Ja Rule) (from Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life)
Mmm-Hmm…
4. Mike Reno and Ann Wilson – Almost Paradise (Love Theme From Footloose) (from Footloose)
So do you think that they’ll get David Cook and Carrie Underwood to perform this tune for the upcoming remake of the film? Cheese factor be damned, I like this song a whole lot.
5. Trivium – Dying in Your Arms (from Ascendancy)
I could do without the cookie monster vocal during the breakdown, but outside of that this song is rather kick-ass.
Tag, you’re it!
100 Words on Change
Countless words have been cast regarding the precipice that we as Americans (and under no uncertain terms, the world) stand upon at this moment. Yes, a change is a comin’ one way or another and it’s my sincere hope that once that course is set that the opposite sides can abide by one another, accept it for what it is and embrace it as we move forward in history. And while I won’t ask you to vote for “that one” or the other guy I do implore all of our readers who can to please do your part and vote.For information about where to vote: Google
For information on the other races and resolutions in your area: BallotpediaIckmusic’s Friday Five: October 31, 2008
I thought it only appropriate to celebrate Halloween with a special playlist:
Match ANY of the following conditions
NAME contains Halloween
NAME contains Trick
NAME contains Treat
NAME contains Haunt
NAME contains BlackiTunes only came back with a measly 180 tunes, at least ¼ of which were “Black Sweat” or “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?”. I will readily admit to skipping each of these tracks at least once in the course of this shuffle. For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words (and on occasion the song itself) for each track.
Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. AFI – Bleed Black (from Sing the Sorrow)
This is certainly a fitting start to the Halloween edition of the Friday Five. Creepiness abounds in the atmospheric info and acoustic breakdown mid-way through the tune. Off to a good start!
2. Billy Bragg & Wilco – Black Wind Blowing (from Mermaid Avenue Volume 2)
While I own both volumes of the Mermaid Avenue series they do not see the light of day very often. I’ll have to make a mental note to bring them out of hiding more often.
3. Dave Matthews Band – Halloween (mp3) (from Before These Crowded Streets)
This song is definitely in my Top 10 DMB tracks. Live, there are not many other tunes that can touch the focused energy that goes into the performance. While it’s true that Dave usually mangles the lyrics and just sings nonsense save for specific lines (think of it as Dave’s “Yellow Ledbetter”) there is something to hearing him spew the venomous lyrics (“Tell us are you satisfied with f**king?”, “Love is Hell, My Love is Hell“) written for the woman who turned down his proposal of marriage three times.
I’ve only heard the song live once on 12.21.2002 and it came as a the first encore after a blazing set featuring a 15 minute jam with James Brown on “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine”. Dave walked out wearing a Santa hat and the crowd expected “The Christmas Song” (it was even on the printed set list), he must have been possessed by the devil that night as he tossed the hat across the stage and the band kicked into a sick version of the track. And since it’s Halloween and you all deserve a treat, here is a recording of that very version.
4. Run-D.M.C. – It’s Tricky (from Can’t Hardly Wait)
Back in the day (or is it’s tha day) this was my jam! One of the first rhymes that I learned from start to finish and could flow unaccompanied, this is still one of my favorite hip hop jams.
5. AC/DC – Back in Black (from Back in Black)
Man, this shuffle kicked all sorts of ass. Short of “Hell’s Bells” or Type O Negative’s “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” I can’t think of a better track to close this Halloween Friday Five.
So what’s keeping the lil ghosts and ghouls busy in your neck of the woods?
Happy Halloween!
Gettin’ Up with the Get Up
The Abstract returns with a super dope solo joint (I’m one of the hopeful that there will be another A Tribe Called Quest record one of these days). It’s classic Tip flow with a positive message. The single is already available but the full length The Renaissance drops November 4th.
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: October 24, 2008
Is it 5:00 EST already? Who’s ready to shuffle out into the weekend?
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Counting Crows – St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream / Kid Things (from This Desert Life)
I’ve always connected with this tune. It’s laid back mid-tempo sing-song feel coupled with the big Hammond organ sound just hit me in the right spot. “Kid Things” is about as close to a ‘happy’ record as Adam Duritz could muster (this in the days before “Accidentally in Love” proved he could write a truly ‘happy’ love song).
2. Ayla Brook – Wake Up Early (mp3) (from After the Morning After)
This track makes you feel like you are sitting in the room with the band. This is one of my favorite records of 2008.
3. John Mayer – St. Patrick’s Day (from Room for Squares)
From his major label debut, this tune along with “City Love” and “Neon” showed the true potential that has come to fruition in his more recent records.
4. New Edition – If It Isn’t Love (from Hits)
My second favorite New Edition song… “Cool It Now” holds the top spot though.
5. Prince – 1999 (from Foefur’s Remaster: 1999)
Since it’s not likely that His Royal Badness is not likely to allow Warner Bros. to re-master and re-release his catalog, nor will he be inclined to do so when he obtains the masters, some brave and intrepid fans decided to take it on themselves. Truth be told, this version ‘sounds’ one hundred times better than the Warner Bros. CD version.
Ready! Set! Shuffle!
100 Words on Time
“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.” (Douglas Adams)Time may be on Mick’s side but these days I can’t seem to find time to dedicate to writing insightful reviews of the stacks of CD’s sitting on my desk and all the news swirling around the internets. Did you hear that Chinese Democracy is actually coming out? I could go on for hours about that one but alas, the salt mines are beckoning for my return and I want to be sure to have time for The Friday Five tomorrow. To tide you over until tomorrow here are three rather disparate variations on the theme for your enjoyment. Shalom!
The S.O.S Band – Take Your Time (Do It Right), Part 1 (mp3)
Skid Row – Wasted Time (mp3)
Willie Nelson – Medley: Funny How Time Slips Away / Crazy / Night Life (mp3)
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: October 17, 2008
The days are getting noticeably shorter and the foliage here in New England has sprung to life with its blazing colors as autumn kicks into full gear. Creating a soundtrack to excursions around the area usually involves hours of scouring through the collection looking for the perfect tunes to provide a backdrop to the visuals. This also means I’m ready to take a break and let the shuffle drive.
Last week the shuffle racked up some great commentary from the usual crowd and a new face or two. For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Tesla – Love Song (mp3) (from Time’s Makin’ Changes: The Best of Tesla)
This one showed up on last week’s Chartburn over at Popdose where it was promptly skewered. And while I may agree with some of the commentary (specifically the theory about the bands tour bus) I have to say that in it’s time this song f*cking ruled. I still to this day play the intro bit anytime I get my hands on a 12-string guitar.
2. Hammers of Misfortune – The August Engine Part 1 (from The August Engine)
The Hammers of Misfortune are one of two current generation heavy metal bands that I actually enjoy (the other being The Lord Weird Slough Feg, which shares a lead singer with the Hammers) and can listen to for more than a few minutes. Smart and straight forward and heavy as hell if you are a fan of classic heavy metal (Sabbath, Early Maiden, Judas Priest) I highly recommend checking out these two groups.
3. Earth, Wind & Fire – Wait (from I Am)
Who can resist a swinging ballad in 6/8 time? Seriously, this is by the numbers awesomeness. Huge 70’s brass section, vocal harmonies for days and a sickly sweet sentiment makes this a classic.
4. Foo Fighters – My Hero (from The Colour and the Shape)
Credit: WFMU’s Beware of the BlogWait, you mean to tell me that this song isn’t’ about presidential hopeful John McCain? Dave Grohl is my hero.
5. Band of Horses – Ode to the LRC (mp3) (from 2007-09-06: KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic)
From the audio associated with the video that Pete shared a couple of weeks back. It astounds me how perfectly they pull off the dynamic of the original track from my top record of 2007, Cease to Begin. I have to echo Pete’s gushing man-love for this band.
So what has got you shuffling towards the weekend?