Let Me Introduce Myself
She’s from Ohio, she’s nuts about music, and she’s here to give this joint a woman’s touch. Please welcome Kelly – our newest contributor to Ickmusic! – Pete
Hello, Ickmusic readers! I’m thrilled to be contributing to Ickmusic, and I want to thank Pete for asking me to join the team. Some of you may know me as the commenter “Skittles” here on Ickmusic (most of my comments have been on the Friday Five). I am also the owner of the almost-defunct blog, Looking at Them. Because I am in the process of shutting my blog down, Pete’s offer to contribute to Ickmusic couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m excited to be able to still write about the music I love and not constantly have a guilt complex because I’m just too busy to post often.
Before I jump in with my first “real” post, I wanted to give you a little of my musical background, so to speak. I have been obsessed with music since I was a little girl, rifling through my parents’ modest, but excellent, record collection. I grew up on Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Chicago, just to name a few. Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve sitting around the turntable with my dad, listening to his favorite records and hearing him tell me why he loved a certain song so much.
As I got older, my music taste became more diverse. I loved almost all genres of music and always fancied myself a more sophisticated music lover than any of my friends. I remember one trip to the record store when I was 13. The friends I was with bought Color Me Badd and Vanilla Ice. I bought Prince & The New Power Generation’s Diamonds and Pearls. They were just as confused about my purchase as I was about theirs. There were times when I did follow the crowd and listened to what was popular, but when I strayed from the pack, I really strayed from the pack.
High school brought “alternative rock” to my attention and I think that time in my life had the biggest influence on my current taste in music. I started listening to WOXY (“97X…BAM! The future of Rock and Roll) and my discovery of some of the most amazing music I’ve ever heard came from the hours and hours I listened to that station. My collection now is more diverse than ever and I’m discovering new things to love every day.
I must tell you that I do tend to get obsessed with certain artists and won’t stop until I have everything they’ve ever done and every version of my favorite song I can get my hands on. I will see them live as many times as I possibly can (and, if finances and time allow, I have no problems getting on a plane or going on a long road trip in order to see my favorites perform) and I always do my best to meet the artist. So, don’t be surprised to see me post some of my tales of these adventures.
Now that you know a little bit more about me, I’d like to share some random songs I’ve been listening to a lot this summer. I hope you enjoy!
Betty Davis – He Was a Big Freak (from They Say I’m Different)
Edith Piaf – La Vie, L’Amour (from The Voice of the Sparrow: The Best of Edith Piaf)
Zach Galifianakis featuring Fiona Apple – Come on and Get It (Up in ’Dem Guts) (I believe this was all over the Internets a couple of years ago)
New Edition – My Secret (from New Edition)
Dolly Parton – Baby I’m Burning (from Heartbreaker)
LeRoi Moore 1961-2008
From the official Dave Matthews Band site:
We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.
On a personal note, I’ve been a fan of the band since ’93 and my wife and I have spent many, many summers with the band and this year was no exception. This is an incredible loss. Our hearts go out to family, the band and friends in this most difficult time…
#40 (Always)
Tables turned again
And you, my friend
You and I face each other
All time and time out
I know it’s sometimes hard
But knowing just, oh
That we will get along
Until we are old and gray
And huddled up
And doubled up, we’ll sit…
And laugh of times were hard
Laugh of times when we thought all
It would end it all, it’s over
And then again…
And though all I know is this way
And to leave you
Well, I’d die
Oh, my friend
It will be you until the end with me
Always…
Always
Always
AlwaysRonnie Wood’s Journey
I just wrapped up Ronnie Wood’s autobiography, Ronnie. Now, I consider myself a pretty big Stones fan. Of course, I missed them in their prime (which I consider their career through 1981’s Tattoo You). I didn’t really learn to appreciate them until I was a senior in high school in ’87-’88, when I came of age with albums like Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, and Let It Bleed.
I’ve only seen the Stones live once – high in the nosebleed seats at Tempe’s Sun Devil Stadium during their Bridges of Babylon tour in 1997. The wind was swirling, messing the sound up, and I honestly was too far to get any true enjoyment out of it. Not big on stadium shows am I.
When you start to know a band’s music inside and out, you feel you have a pretty good understanding of their background and roots. But after reading Ronnie’s autobiography, I discovered that I had a lot to learn, and that most of my focus over the years has been on Mick & Keith.
Only over the last couple of years have I started to get into Faces, one of Ronnie’s pre-Stones bands (along with the Jeff Beck Group). And I admit to having no idea that Ronnie has a rich solo catalog, which started with 1974’s I’ve Got My Own Album To Do. Ronnie built a studio in his home at the time, called the Wick (I wish my house was impressive enough to name). This album’s recording took place before Ronnie was in the Stones, but he had already befriended Mick and especially Keith. So they show up on the album, as do Mick Taylor, Rod Stewart, Pete Townshend, and even George Harrison, for crying out loud.
One of the amazing things about the British music scene in the late 60’s and early 70’s is that every musician seemed to know eachother – it was a pretty tight knit club . They also knew eachother’s girlfriends. Pattie Boyd, who was married to George Harrison, and would go on to marry Eric Clapton, actually dated Ronnie in between. Ronnie tells some incredible stories about he and Harrison openly cavorting with eachother’s wives. Pattie Boyd must’ve been something – look at the songs she inspired: “Wonderful Tonight”, “Layla”, and “Something”.
If you want an entertaining read, and want some great behind the scenes stories from a legendary musician – not to mention an accomplished artist – check this book out. Obviously, Ronnie is not without his demons. The book details his struggles with cocaine and alcohol – a struggle which continues to this day. Ronnie’s currently in rehab in Woking, England. And the tabloids say he may leave Jo – his wife of 30 odd years – for a 19 year old Russian waitress. No, you can’t make this shit up.
Underneath all the vices though, is a sweet, funny, talented man. And it shines right through in the book. The guy is/was friends with seemingly everyone: from Slash to Kate Moss to Tony Curtis to John Belushi (who tried his best to steal Jo away from Ronnie).
So here’s one from his first album. You’ll hear Faces bandmate Rod Stewart singing background. I’m really enjoying this album. It’s like unearthing a hidden Stones/Faces hybrid. And over the coming weeks, I’ll be picking up the rest of his solo albums.
Get well Ronnie…
Ron Wood – Mystifies Me
Official Site: RonnieWood.com
Buy I’ve Got My Own Album To Do.
Check Ronnie out on Amazon
Any recommendations for top-notch music autobiographies?
Olympic Ads: Brandi Carlile’s The Story
Say what you will about music in advertising, but I for one am happy I found this song – and I wouldn’t have heard it if not for a GM commercial. If you’re in the U.S., you’re hearing it about every 20 minutes during the Olympics.
Powerful tune…
Amazon MP3 Store: The Story (Album Version)
Rhymin’ and Stealin’: Kid Rock’s All Summer Long
Okay, so I guess Kid Rock’s idea was to borrow heavily from two of his summer favorites growing up: “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London”. The result, “All Summer Long”, is zooming up the charts as we speak (currently #34 on the Billboard Hot 100).
It’s an interesting concept. And depending how popular the song gets, you have to wonder if the copycats will soon follow. What does this say for originality in songwriting? Come to think of it, hip-hop artists have been doing this for years now. Some sampling is so blatant, and shapes the song so much, it’s a wonder they can get away with it at all (I keep thinking of that Puff Daddy song that was basically Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”, with Diddy “uhh”ing and “yeah”ing his way through it).
So what do you all think of this? Lynyrd Skynyrd and Warren Zevon’s estate have to be getting paid for this, right? (or whoever owns the songs)…
Kids…. this is Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama“, and this is the late, great Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves in London“.
Gotta hand it to Kid Rock though. He’s hitting that nostalgia vein hard – playing to the masses like the populist he is.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwIGZLjugKA]
Hawaii Mud Bombers: Swedish Surf Rock!
They’re the Hawaii Mud Bombers. They’re from Sweden. And they r-r-rraawwk. I am telling you. Swedish surf rock! They impressed Little Steven so much that he signed them to his Wicked Cool Records label. They released Mondo Primo in the U.S. last summer, but being that I just discovered it, the album quickly moves to the forefront of my Summer of 2008 soundtrack, and my “get off my ass and run” music.
Hawaii Mud Bombers are made up of:
- Hans Jörnlind, Guitars and vocals
- Petter Godske, Vocals and guitars
- Mats Carlborg, Drums
- Mattias Utterström, Bass
Quality tunes. Make Mongo happy.
Hawaii Mud Bombers – MTV
Hear a handful of tracks from the album streaming on their web site in GREAT quality, may I add. Seriously. Go there, let it play, and go about your web surfing. You won’t be sorry. It will urge many of you to, indeed….
BUY Mondo Primo!!
More mp3’s from the band here.
Hittin’ the Road: Jason Mraz
Singer-Songwriter Jason Mraz recently announced the second US leg of his tour behind the brilliant We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. I’ve made no secret of just how much I enjoy the lyrical gymnastics of Mr. A-Z and have already secured tickets for the Radio City Hall date in October. To whet your appetite, here’s the official “unofficial” video for the track “Make it Mine”:
Buy We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things: Amazon
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Tour dates after the jump.
Bob Dylan’s New Bootlegs, “Dreamin’ of You”
Dylan fans, mark October 7th on your music calendar. The latest installment of Dylan’s Bootleg series will be released on that Tuesday. This one (the 8th in the series) is full of unreleased and alternate tracks from some of his greatest albums over the last couple of decades: Time Out of Mind, “Love and Theft”, Modern Times, and Oh Mercy.
A revamped Dylan web site also launches today, and they’re offering up a full mp3 of one of the unreleased songs: “Dreamin’ of You”. It was produced by the great Daniel Lanois for 1997’s Time Out of Mind (a personal favorite).
Be sure to check out the Dylan Geo section, a super groovy interactive tool that lets you click around the globe to see where and when Dylan has played throughout the years.
Bob Dylan – Dreamin of You
→ Go to BobDylan.com to download the full mp3.
See the track listing for the 3-cd Tell Tale Signs after the jump…
New Wendy & Lisa: Balloon
Prince may have dropped Wendy & Lisa from the band back in the 80’s, but the ladies certainly never hung it up and called it a day. They’ve released a number of well received albums over the years, and contributed to film and television scores (e.g. Heroes).
Late this week, Wendy & Lisa announced a new album, White Flags of Winter Chimneys. Along with the news comes the lead track available for download on their website and their MySpace. The song is called “Balloon”, an atmospheric, gently haunting tune. Check out the stream here, then go over to W&L’s place to download.
Wendy & Lisa – “Balloon”
Wendy & Lisa Links: Official Site | MySpace
Mellencamps’ My Sweet Love Video
Here’s the artist formerly known as Johnny Cougar’s new video for “My Sweet Love”.
How does it make you feel? I could do without the large subtitles, and I’m sure John’s wife would like to know who that brunette is with which he’s traipsing about town.But a cool vid to a great tune.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/1305674 w=400&h=225]
My Sweet Love (official) from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
