The Friday Five: February 4, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Naima” by John Coltrane (from Giant Steps, 1959)
I spent the better part of my 20’s as a full on record store junkie—albeit, a paid one. On the occasions where I found myself opening the store on a Sunday morning, I had only one requirement: Coltrane was to be played for the first three hours of the day. It’s a ritual that I carried for years, and to this day, when I’m up early on a Sunday morning I’ll revisit one of his classic sides.
“P Control” by Prince (from The Gold Experience, 1995)
Oh, Prince … you dirty motherfucker, how I miss you.
“Boy” by Ra Ra Riot (from The Orchard, 2010)
I’m still quite smitten with The Orchard.
“Burning Up” by Madonna (from Celebration, 2009)
I think it was my musical “brother from another mother” Mike Heyliger who started the discussion on Madonna’s lesser appreciated singles a few weeks back. I completely forgot about “Burning Up,” opting instead for “Angel.”
“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” by U2 (from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, 2004)
Speaking of under-appreciated singles, this should have been every bit as big a hit as any of the band’s hits of the aughts.
What’s on your shuffle today?
New Funk: Michael Dean’s ‘Stroke the Mind B4 the Behind’
Followers of the Funk, lend me your ears. You won’t be sorry…
Friend of Ickmusic and fellow avid Prince fan Michael Dean not only runs one of the coolest funk-centric sites on the web (Freedom Train), but the man is clearly a talented funk-man in his own right. I have to admit, I was pretty floored when I listened to his brand new album, ‘Stroke the Mind B4 The Behind’.
Like the purple man from Minneapolis, Michael produces, arranges, composes and performs everything you hear. As for the content, it had me from the start. “Kingdom”, which leads off the record, hooked me in with the insatiably funky groove. The hand claps, the synths, the sly exchange between Michael and his guest lady friend.
For you Prince fanatics, tell me that Michael’s vocals – especially on “Kingdom” – don’t remind you a little of André Cymone?
I’m impressed. Every track has something good: a little techno on “She Was a Problem”; the Four Loko funk of “I’m Coo”; slowed down R&B on “Epic Fail”; the 80’s new-wave soul of the title track (speaking of Mr. Cymone).
It’s like Michael takes everything we love about that Minneapolis sound in its prime and updates it for 2011. I’ve already listened to Michael’s joint more times than Planet Earth. That says something.
Michael Dean – Kingdom
Buy the Stroke the Mind B4 The Behind digital album for only $0.99. That’s a buck, funk lovers. Just do it.
And be sure to check out Michael’s ongoing series of Prince podcasts on his YouTube channel. .
Anders Osborne: “Meet Me In New Mexico”
Thanks to Alligator Records for sending out the link to this video today. I’m buying American Patchwork based off of this song alone.
Can’t say I’ve ever given Anders Osborne his proper due (other than really liking “Stuck On My Baby“). But that changes today.
I’m Tired Joey Boy
A beautiful Van Morrison tune (from Avalon Sunset), covered by Tom Petty. I’ve had this MP3 for years, and was surprised to find the video tonight on a spur of the moment search.
Tom dedicates the song to Bill Graham, who had passed just a month earlier. “I’m Tired Joey Boy”, from November 23rd, 1991:
The Friday Five: January 28, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
It’s been one of those days, here’s what just shuffled up:
“White Summer / Black Mountain Side” by Led Zeppelin (from Boxed Set, 1990)
“Taking It Away” by The Jesus and Mary Chain (from Hate Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1995)
“Who Will Survive in America” by Kanye West (from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2010)
“The Stars Are Underground” by The Frames (from Dance the Devil, 1999)
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson (from Thriller 25, 2008)
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Colossus of the Twin Cities
Much like their song King Kong, American Revival is straddling the Twin Cities with one giant left foot in Minneapolis and one giant right foot in St Paul. Since writing about them last November, I have truly enjoyed following this local band as they begin to play bigger venues around town. It has been far too long since I’ve had some home town boys to geek out over and these guys have been exceeding my expectations with each gig I see.
Here is a video from a stellar show last December at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. It’s very illustrative of their energy, professionalism, and amazing sound.
You can pick up their EP on iTunes here. American Revival is currently in the studio working on their first album. Follow them on Facebook for updates and check back here with me for a story on the making of the album.
The Friday Five: January 21, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Breakdown” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (from The Live Anthology, 2009)
Recorded in June of ‘81 at The Forum, in Los Angeles; this take simply smolders its way through six solid minutes of groove. It’s definitely a testament to the power of a solid shuffle. The “Hit the Road Jack” tag towards the end of the jam is a bonus. Despite having this in my collection for over year, I still haven’t listened to the entire collection.
“I’ve Seen All Good People” by Yes (from Highlights: The Very Best of Yes, 1993)
This is shaping up to be one of the longest shuffles in recent memory, clocking in at just shy of seven minutes, the prog-rock pledge of allegiance demands attention. Rise up! Grab your 12-string laúd and recorder and salute Roger Dean.
Let’s hope for a shorter song to follow …
“Infinite Arms” by Band of Horses (from Infinite Arms, 2010)
Make that the Grammy Nominated album, Infinite Arms. Dreamy and serene, this is probably the closest tie on the record to their impeccable debut, Everything All the Time. Naturally, it is a favorite of mine. The crickets at the close remind me of being a kid sitting out on the back lawn
“Delicate” by Damien Rice (from B-Sides, 2004)
Another live performance, this time from perennial Irish sad bastard, Damien Rice. That’s not to say that Ireland isn’t teeming with sad bastards, that is; rather, to say Mr. Rice is famously especially sorrowful in his bastard ways. Add to the fact that this version of “Delicate” is played just a hair slower than the original, amping up the dirge quality.
“Candy” by The Silver Seas (from Château Revenge!, 2010)
Ahh … a perfect power pop song close to what was becoming a very heavy Friday Five. I’m sure I’ve shared the story of how I came to know and love The Silver Seas, so I’ll spare you all the gory details, but I will share that the band has just released a brand-spanking new “3 AM” version of Château Revenge! for your listening pleasure. You can hop on over to http://chateaurevenge.com/ and pick up the “Blue” as well as the original “Red” versions of the record. It came in at number two on my Top 12 of 2010, and is a must-listen.
What’s on your shuffle today?
Cheap Trick perform “Dream Police” on Conan
I’ve never been the biggest of Cheap Trick fans, but I’ve always had an appreciation. My oldest brother cranked the Budokan album when I was a wee lad. And it was from him that I inherited the Dream Police record. “Way of the World”, “Gonna Raise Hell”, and of course the title track… at 9, 10, 11 years old, I was eating these songs up!
I’m sure you have a similar album – one where you’re not necessarily a fervent follower of the band, but there’s one seminal album that made a huge mark on you way back when? Count Foreigner 4 among those for me too (and every other preteen and teen in 1981)…
So it was a trip back in the time machine when Cheap Trick dropped by Conan last week. There’s Rick Nielsen (he’ll be buried in that hat, don’t you think?), Tom Petersson on bass, and the ageless Robin Zander on vox. The one missing link in the performance – drummer Bun E. Carlos! I asked the question on Twitter, and someone mentioned that he may have some back problems holding him down. So Bun – get well bro!
Cheap Trick brought along a string section for the “Dream Police”, and they kick some ass during the mid-song breakdown. Good times!
Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John
The latest Belle and Sebastian album crossed my radar a few weeks back, thanks to the “Recent Activity” social feature on Rdio. One of the people I follow had added it to his collection. I decided to take a listen, so *click*… and now, a few weeks later, I must have listened to it four or five times straight through.
It’s simply a great, accessible pop record. Great melodies, and just a nice overall vibe.
The album includes a song called “Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John”, with Norah Jones joining singer Stuart Murdoch. Of course, the mere mention of Norah Jones means I get to perform a thorough Google Image search. Woo hoo! Be right back.
Nice, but need something more current, right? 
But I have to include this one. Stubebaker? 
That’s more like it. Updated Norah. There. That was nice.
So listen to the song – a slowed down ditty about l-o-v-e just out of reach. The song appears not only on B&S‘s latest one, but also on …Featuring Norah Jones, an album of Norah’s collaborations.
Chris Rea’s ‘Auberge’
A lost treasure was unearthed yesterday while the wife was on a mission to clean my daughters’ bedrooms: a spindle of old CD’s. Lots of Springsteen bootlegs, old mixes… but what I was most excited to find: Auberge.
British singer/guitarist Chris Rea released Auberge in 1991. Like most of Rea’s work, it didn’t make much of a ripple in the USA. I’m not sure why. Featuring Rea’s low, smoky vocals, the record is an atmospheric, emotional masterpiece.
Hearing a few of selections doesn’t come close to capturing the feeling you get after listening to the record straight through, from “Auberge” to “The Mention of Your Name”. But they do give you a glimpse into the sweeping ambience of the album – soothing, wistful, joyous, bittersweet… a critic might call it melodramatic at times. But that’s just fine with me…
♦ Gone Fishing – Hey Chris, tear my heart right out of my chest, why don’t you? Rea wastes no time getting deep down into it on track number two of the record, throwing up his hands and heading out on the water… “you ain’t ever gonna be happy, any how, any way / so I’m going fishing, and I’m going today”.
♦ Sing a Song of Love To Me – Pure, heartfelt longing for love. “Sing a song of love to me, as the shadows start to grow / And I won’t be sad lonely any more”.
♦ Looking For The Summer – One of the more uptempo numbers, with a bluesy, rootsy crawl. Looking for a path out of the darkness.
Check out Auberge on Amazon.
Official Web Site: ChrisRea.com
Here’s a nice video from Rea’s 1993 tour. A nice slide guitar intro into “Auberge”…
A good man named Hans from Germany sent me this link on Twitter this afternoon. He put it best: “it doesn’t get any better than this.”
That’s the truth. I was speechless after watching this…
