Band of Horses recording in Muscle Shoals
I can easily say that for me, Band of Horses has had the fastest trajectory from off-the-radar status to obsessive, can’t-get-enough status of any band in a long, long time. And they’re just getting started, with only two studio albums to date.
A couple weeks ago, the boys made the pilgrimage to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a legendary town in the music recording spectrum. They have holed up at Fame Recording Studios to record their third album.
Keep up with the band on their blog. They just updated it with some great pics from Saturday’s Bridge School Benefit concert.
Fame studios has hosted the likes of Duane Allman, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, and a bunch of others. Hell, even the Backstreet Boys, Liza Minnelli and the Osmonds have recorded there.
Here’s a legendary track that came out of Fame Studios…
Wilson Pickett w/ Duane Allman – “Hey Jude”
Z-Trip’s Obama Mix
I pretty much make a habit of asking my 4 year old who’s singing the songs I play on my iTunes. I just had this encounter while playing Prince’s “I Love You, But I Don’t Trust You Anymore“…
Me: Okay, who’s singing this?
Daughter: Umm, Bruce’s wife?Well played, my little music nut, well played.
I thought I’d pass along this Obama-inspired mix created by DJ Z-Trip…
Recently, Shepard Fairey and I threw some fundraisers for the Obama campaign. We called them “The Party for Change”…
I’ve been wanting to put the mix I’ve been doing at these shows online, in hopes of spreading the word to people who need to hear it most.
To download the mix, check out Z-Trip’s site.
One. More. Week.
Shocker: Prince Videos Online!
Wowee! The artist formerly known as one who embraced the internet but got all grumpy and now has no official internet presence (T.A.F.K.A…eh never mind) has a slew of videos available on MTV’s new video site, MTVMUSIC.COM.
Lordy only knows exactly how long it will be before the cease & desists hit MTV, but in the meantime, let’s embed legally while we can!
They even have the 17 + minute live video of “I Would Die 4 U” / “Baby I’m a Star” – the very same one I still have on VHS from a late 1984 Friday Night Videos. Prince in his prime. Huzzah!
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.
Dire Straits in old ’92
Howard Stern and his gang were discussing their top guitarists the other day. Howard’s top three? #1: Jimi Hendrix. #2. Eddie Van Halen. #3: Leslie West. It’s pretty hard to argue against Jimi, but from there, all bets are off. Everyone’s got their opinion. Howard likes his Van Halen and he loves his Mountain from back in the day.
In my top 5 would have to go Mr. Mark Knopfler. His style of playing – those clean, distinct Strat solos – are, well, music to my ears. Think about it, how many times have you heard “Sultans of Swing” on the radio, and air-guitared along every time? Or finger-guitared in my case. I’ll shake my fingers around like I actually know what I’m doing. And those Dire Straits tunes, they never get old!
Looking back to 1992, it was the year after the release of Dire Straits’ final studio album, On Every Street, and their final tour was in full swing. This show could easily make it as a live album. Y’all will enjoy…
Dire Straits
Basel, Switzerland
June 28th, 1992
‘Ticket to Heaven’Part One
01 – Calling Elvis
02 – Walk Of Life
03 – Heavy Fuel
04 – Romeo And Juliet
05 – The Bug
06 – Private Investigations
07 – Sultans Of Swing
08 – Your Latest TrickPart 2
01 – On Every Street
02 – Two Young Lovers
03 – Telegraph Road
04 – Money For Nothing
05 – Brothers In Arms
06 – Solid Rock
07 – Theme From Going HomeIckmusic’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)
Arriving at Fort Nightly
A tip o’ the hat to Last.fm‘s recommendation engine, which graciously passed White Rabbits’ “Fort Nightly” through my ears last night. There’s something exotic – nay, sexy, my friends! – about this song. Maybe it’s the multi-rhythmic quality that drives the song. And by multi-rhythmic I mean White Rabbits employ two drummers. Bang Bang!
And the piano interlude at 01:28 make me think of a smoky French ballroom, where a Scarlett Johanssen-esque figure emerges through an ornate 15 foot archway, a glass of champagne in her hand – her gaze seductively fixed on you – er – I mean me. She walks up to me, leans into my ear – her perfume intoxicating – and whispers: “That’ll be $8”.
I hand her a ten, say “Keep the change” and hand the glass to my even sexier wife. [Editor’s Note: Hey, the Mrs. reads my posts. I’m not stupid, you know!!]
Photo credit: Lucy HamblinGreat tune. Five stars. What a first impression!
White Rabbits – Fort Nightly – from their 2007 (and latest) album Fort Nightly
Links: Official Site
Greg Brown’s Eugene
Boy, does this song hit me juust in the right place on so many levels. Greg’s low-down baritone narrative, and the purely American imagery his lyrics evoke, make me close my eyes, sit back, and just listen. The detailed vignettes he weaves together in this song are wildly entertaining, funny, thought provoking, and not without a hint of bittersweet sadness.
This song is about traveling this great country, and the freedom and independence a person can find in the outdoors. A song about fly fishing. A song about overcoming “the blandification of our whole situation.” A song about how “sometime you gottta go not look for nothin’.”
It’s a song that’s about going away from civilization and rediscovering this world, reminding yourself that when all the ugliness of mankind is stripped away, it’s a staggeringly beautiful world we live in.
It’s a song that makes me want to go back to the mountains of southwest Colorado and go fly fishing with my dad.
Greg Brown – Eugene
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?
