RIP Jimmy Smith
Hammondite, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons I didn’t discover Jimmy Smith until within the past year when I pulled out an old Blue Note Jazz Sampler that I had stashed away for years. Jimmy was a master of the Hammond B3 organ, and a pioneer of the organ as a jazz instrument. The sounds this man could put together are nothing short of amazing. I urge everyone to explore Jimmy’s music. Jimmy died on Wednesday at the age of 76 right down the road from me in Scottsdale, Arizona [NYT Obit].
Here’s one of Jimmy’s tunes from the early 70’s that absolutely COOKS…
Jimmy Smith – Sagg Shootin’ His Arrow – from ‘Root Down’, 1972, Verve – {Buy Jimmy Smith on Amazon}
Jesse Johnson’s Just Wanting You
Jesse Johnson left The Time in 1984, right after their success due to their part in ‘Purple Rain’, and their 2 hit singles, “The Bird” and “Jungle Love”. Jesse did alright for himself, releasing a few albums over the years, including 1988’s ‘Every Shade of Love’, which includes this song, “I’m Just Wanting You”. It’s a laid back tune, with Jesse’s guitar at center stage.
Fessin on Fat Tuesday with Professor Longhair
Well Mardi Gras has gone and snuck up on us again. In honor of Fat Tuesday, we need the sounds of Professor Longhair emanating through the blogosphere… “Fess” came up as a New Orleans piano pioneer in the 30’s and 40’s. He has influenced the likes of Dr. John and Fats Domino, and is known for his signature ‘rhumba-boogie’ piano playing style. This tune does it for me all year, but especially now during Mardi Gras, where I will celebrate wildly by going to the fridge for a beer at some point… maybe even two! Watch out… I’m wiiild!! It’s not all beads n’ boobies you know…
From ‘Go to the Mardi Gras’, Wolf Records, 1997BUY
Learn more about Fess on All MusicAccordion to Me – Arcade Fire and Willy DeVille
Well I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I have to spread the good word of The Arcade Fire, a great band from Montreal. They’ve been all over the internet, all over the music blogs, and doggone it, they’re gettin’ to me. The song posted below was my first introduction to the band. Also, I found a page with several video links to a Lawrence, Kansas performance and interviews with the band.
I’m always bad at categorizing / pigeonholing music, so I turn again to AMG, Arcade Fire is an “experimental indie rock quintet.” “Old Flame” is a great tune. Any tune that can kick it with an accordion is a-ok with me.
From Arcade Fire Demo EP, self-released in 2003.
Arcade Fire Official Site
While we’re on an accordion kick, take a listen to Willy Deville‘s “Even While I Sleep”. Willy used to be in Mink Deville, a pioneering NY-based punk pand. I only have one of his solo albums, ‘Backstreets of Desire’, but need to get more. He’s heavily influenced by R&B and New Orleans stylings. “Even While I Sleep” features David Hidalgo of Los Lobos on the squeezebox. Dig it…
From ‘Backstreets of Desire’, 1994, Forward/Rhino – {Amazon}The Hellecasters – Orange Blossom Special
If you listen to tunes when you run or exercise, one of the greatest motivators is the old standard, “Orange Blossom Special”, as done by the Hellecasters. It was released on their 1993 debut, ‘The Return of the Hellecasters’.
As you can probably guess, the Fender Telecaster plays a big role in the group. All three members of the Hellecasters are respected Telecaster players in their own right: Jerry Donahue from Fairport Convention, John Jorgenson from the Desert Rose Band, and session man Will Ray.
These fellas ride the “Orange Blossom Special” at blistering speeds. It’s 7 minutes of supercharged instrumental hillbilly rock n’ roll.
Official Web Site.Homesick by Kings of Convenience
I’ll lose some sales and my boss won’t be happy
But I can’t stop listening to the sound
Of two soft voices blended in perfection
From the reels of this record that I’ve foundRead all of the lyrics here.
Wow. It’s rare that a song blows me away like this. I heard “Homesick” for the first time yesterday, and I’ve just listened to it about 6 times in a row, and I plan on listening some more. And then I’ll buy the CD. Just beautiful. Sad. Melodic. Good stuff. I played it for my wife. She said, “sounds like Simon & Garfunkel”. Yeah, I guess she’s right. Again. 🙂 To those who the words “Simon & Garfunkel” might make you scroll immediately down the page, just give it a try anyway eh?
Kings of Convenience are made up of two fellows from Norway – Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe. These boys set quite a mood.
From ‘Riot on an Empty Street’, 2003, Kindercore -{Amazon}
See their Offical Web SiteKihn You Dig It – Greg Kihn’s Breakup Song
One of my old favorites, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em). Greg Kihn grew up in Baltimore, MD, but moved to San Francisco in the mid-70’s. His first hit was this tune, released on 1981’s “Rockihnroll”. You’re probably familiar with “Jeopardy” too, from 1983’s “Kihnspiracy”. You’re at least familiar with Weird Al Yankovic’s “I Lost on Jeopardy”, right? Well, Greg’s been a staple of the Bay Area music scene all this time. “The Breakup Song” is just under 3 minutes of well crafted pop-rock. Brings back memories, this one…
From ‘Rockihnroll“, 1981, Berserkley – {Amazon}
Greg Kihn’s Official SitePatty Griffin’s version of “Stolen Car”
Okay, so the ladies have not been represented as yet on this here mp3 music blog called IckMusic. Truth be told, my music collection leans far heavier towards male artists. Don’t know why, I fancy the ladies and all. Hmm, I’ll ponder that for a while. One of the ladies I thoroughly enjoy listening to though is Patty Griffin. And one of my favorite albums of all time is Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River‘ (3rd and 4th LP sides particularly).
So, if you marry up Patty Griffin’s flawless voice with Bruce’s “Stolen Car”, this is what you get…
From ‘1,000 Kisses’, 2002, Ato Records – {Amazon}
Shake it with Awilo
My wife was born in Kenya and grew up in Seychelles. Me? I was born in the very exotic setting of Racine, Wisconsin. Since I met her a few years ago, I’ve been introduced to a lot of great music from that part of our planet. Among them is this tune, “Coupé Bibamba,” from Congolese singer Awilo Longomba.
Awilo will get the heads bobbing on the fellas and the booties shakin’ on the ladies. If you’re wondering how this music would be categorized, it’s called Soukous.
Jimmy Records, 2001 – {Amazon}
Wormburner – Skinny Leather Tie
I came across this homage to the 80’s the other day by a band with an awesome name: Wormburner. Here’s a clip from their web site bio:
Wormburner was co-founded in 2002 by two guys with a song they couldn’t get out of their heads. New Yorkers Steve “Hank” Henry and Terry “Terry” Solomone once played together in a cover band. When that project ran its course, Hank and Terry began developing their own sound and their own songs. Inspired by progressive guitar rock and indie pop, their songwriting partnership quickly gave life to a tune called Skinny Leather Tie. Initially conceived by Hank as a lyrical goof best-suited for acoustic performance, he and Terry took to the City’s open mic circuit and gave the song some exposure. Astonished by universally-positive feedback, the duo visited a modest downtown recording studio and laid down an electric demo version of the song. The two of them played on all tracks: Hank on vocals and guitar, Terry on drums, bass, guitar and tambourine.
It’s a catchy tune with a kick ass drum intro, and some hilarious 80’s references in the lyrics:
But the skinny leather ties
They make me look straight outta 1985
Yeah back when three remaining Beatles were alive
California Coolers with the other middle-schoolers
Skinny leather tiesBuy Wormburner on Amazon.
