Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day weekend. Take a few moments, reflect, and think about all of those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. And think about all of those overseas, who put their lives on the line day after day – while we get to be with our family and friends, barbecue, and drink beer.
Here, John Prine is interviewed by Bobby Bare, talking about and singing “Sam Stone”. John was 38 at the time, which puts this at 1984.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=206XaNxQ5LQ]
Here’s Bruce singing “Shut Out the Light” in Paris, 1985.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAqbN9HO68A]
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: May 23, 2008
Despite Mother Nature’s insistence on having a spring that actually lasts a few months, it’s the official “unofficial” beginning of summer. That said it’s time for another themed Friday Five, this time it’s the ‘summer’ edition. I set up the following smart playlist in iTunes (I’m including this in case any of the faithful fivers want to play along at home):
Match > All
Playlist > is not > Ω Archive
Name > contains > summerThis only turned up 75 tracks which is more than enough to shuffle up a Friday Five. Last week was a blur for me but it looks like the friends of five made sure that the shuffle kept rolling through the weekend (though Jim’s ‘Monday Five’ was noticeably absent). For those of you reading this for the first time, here’s how it works… I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.
Then it’s your turn!
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime (MP3) (from Greatest Hits)
What more can I say? It’s not summer until I hear this track.
[audio:03 Summertime.mp3]2. Candy Dulfer – Summertime (from Candy Store)
It’s impossible to hate on Candy Dulfer. She’s an absolute knockout who can blow like there’s no tomorrow. She can hang with Maceo, dazzle with Prince and hold her own as she does here. Her solo records tend to fall on the Acid Jazz side of the flop and this is no exception.
3. Incognito – Summer’s Ended (from Jazz Funk)
Speaking of Acid Jazz here’s the group that all but invented the genre from their 1981 debut record. It’s an astounding statement that 27 years later this record still sounds vital and fresh as it does.
4. Less Than Jake – Summer Nights (MP3) (from Greased)
Who can resist power-punk/ska versions of the soundtrack of Grease?
[audio:01 Summer Nights.mp3]5. Y & T – Summertime Girls (studio version) (from Open Fire)
I blame Jeff Giles of Popdose for this one. Seriously, I had managed to forget the power and majesty that was Y & T until Jeff posted this track and it sent me on a shame spiral of finding and purchasing the catalog that I had long lost when I owned the cassettes and LP’s.
All fun aside, before you head out this Memorial Day weekend to your picnics, barbecues and family gatherings take a few moments and remember the 4,079 men and women who have lost their lives in operations in Iraq and the 505 lost in Afghanistan. Whether or not you agree with the current administrations direction it’s imperative to honor the men and women of the armed forces who have died in military service to their country.
Have a great and safe holiday weekend and let us know what’s taking you there!
The Ramones in London: the spark that lit the fire
The British punk explosion of 1976-77 can pretty easily be traced to one night in London: July 4th, 1976. That was the night the Ramones came to town. It was their UK debut, opening for the Flamin’ Groovies at the Roundhouse in Camden.
In attendance were current and future members of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, and the Damned, among countless others I’m sure. The quality is pretty bad, but it’s still amazing to listen in on such an important night in music history. A 35 minute set that shaped the future of music. Pretty sweet.
The Ramones
Live at the Roundhouse, London
July 4th, 1976Intro / Sound Issues
Loudmouth
Beat On The Brat
Blitzkrieg Bop
I Remember You
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
Glad To See You Go
Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
53rd & 3rd
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Havana Affair
Listen To My Heart
California Sun
Judy Is A Punk
I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You
Today Your Love Tomorrow The WorldGivin’ It Away: ScarJo’s New CD
Hmm, I must think of creative way to give away a brand-new copy of Scarlett Johansson’s new album, Anywhere I Lay My Head (looking at this picture, I have a very vivid idea of where I’d like to lay my head, but that’s neither here nor there). The album hit stores today (May 20). You scan still stream several of the tunes here.
We have a creative bunch hanging around here. We’ve done haikus, and we’ve done limericks. For this contest, I think we’ll open it up to some freestyle poetry slammin’. In the Comments section, hit us with a haiku, or hit us with a limerick, or impress us with some obscure poetic stylings. Keep it simple, or get into it, it’s up to you.
The topic? Why, Scarlett, of course. You can wax poetic about her films, her music career, her decision to dive into the Tom Waits song book, and/or, of course, her beauty. All I ask is that you keep it clean. If you’re going to bust a haiku about Scarlett’s elevator encounter with Benicio Del Toro, well, you’re just gonna have to keep it classy. Because we all know elevator sex is classy.
One submission per person. I’ll pick a winner later in the week.
Good luck!
Scarlett’s Official Web Site
Click to buy the album…
Video: Barack and Hillary on Mad TV
Digging the Virtual Crates: Catherine Wheel
I hear that Rob Dickinson is re-releasing his 2005 solo debut Fresh Wine for the Horses on June 10th with a bonus disc of acoustic Catherine Wheel tracks. I can’t wait to pick this up myself.
Pre-Order Fresh Wine for the Horses: Amazon
Catherine Wheel – Delicious (Video)
Bringing Quirky Back: Alan Wilkis
Falling on the right side of fine line between contrived and convincing, Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Alan Wilkis brings an indie sensibility to the electro-pop sound of the 80’s with a huge dollop of soul on his solo debut Babies Dream Big. From ABBA to Zappa the entire lexicon of pop is well represented and feels so, so good. Among the 10 cuts you’d be hard pressed to find a moment that is not crafted with the utmost respect for it’s influences which range from the Stevie Wonder-esque funk of “It’s Been Great” to the 50’s Motown of the tender “I Wanna Know” with nods to Prince, ELO and Nintendo along the way. This is a must-have for all fans of all things 80’s. Don’t just take my word for it, check out my favorite track “It’s Been Great” below and hop aboard yourself.
Alan Wilkis – It’s Been Great (MP3)
A Weekend with Ye Olde Style Council
We’re just over a month away from Paul Weller’s new album 22 Dreams (on Yep Roc), which I really look forward to hearing. I thought I’d take a trip back to his great blue-eyed British soul band of the 80’s, The Style Council. Wanting to incorporate R&B, soul, and jazz into his songwriting, Weller had walked away from his pioneering, mod-revival band The Jam in 1982 at their peak and formed the Style Council in 1983. The Style Council sort of fizzled out by the end of the decade, but Weller has continued on with a strong solo career as the Mod Godfather of the British music scene.
This is the kind of show that accompanies a nice sunny day, a cool breeze, and a nice lemonade (preferably spiked) on the front porch. No daytime front porch action for me, by the way. High of 102 on Sunday, and 106 on Monday. And heeere we go. Another summer in the Sonoran Desert.
JamBonus → Oh, also, a blog synergy bonus: Steve at Maybe We Ain’t That Young Anymore has a sweet Jam show from 1980.
Enjoy!
The Style Council
March 10th, 1984
Goldiggers, Chippenham, UKIntro – Pete Drummond (BBC)
Meeting Over Yonder
My Ever Changing Moods
Speak Like A Child
The Whole Point Of No Return
Le Depart
The Paris Match
Party Chambers
Money Go Round
Headstart For Happiness
Hanging On To A Memory
Dropping Bombs On The White House
Long Hot SummerIckmusic’s Friday Five: May 16, 2008
You can’t hurry love, but this week I’ll be hitting you all with a ‘speed round’ of the Five…
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Jay-Z – ’03 Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Beyoncé Knowles) (from The Blueprint²: The Gift & The Curse (disc 1: The Gift))
Mr. & Mrs. Carter rocking a cover (in the loosest term) of 2Pac’s “Me and My Girlfriend” with a little twist of Prince’s “If I Was Your Girlfriend”. I have to say that I have more respect for this couple for managing to be very high profile celebrities and not allow every moment of the lives be invaded by the media. They should be role models for how to live a celebrity life!
2. Maceo Parker – Georgia on My Mind (MP3) (from Life on Planet Groove)
There’s no doubt that when it comes to funk there are few funkier than Maceo. I always love hearing him taking his talents and applying them outside of the funk as well. Here it’s all about the voice. I just found out the Maceo and Soulive are performing at the Tarrytown Music Hall and if my schedule allows I’ll be in attendance.
3. Steve Perry – Girl Can’t Help It (from 1994-11-22: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA, USA (disc 1))
There is no substitute. This was taken from one of the great circulating bootlegs from his For the Love of Strange Medicine Tour.
4. The Cure – A Letter to Elise (from Wish)
This track is a masterclass in how to pour your entire heart, soul and being into a song. One of, if not my absolute, favorite Cure songs (it’s a tie between this and “Pictures of You”).
And every time I try to pick it up
Like falling sand
As fast as I pick it up
It runs away through my clutching handsBrilliance…
5. Portishead – Silence (from Third)
The opening track from Portishead’s latest. I’ve not totally gotten into this new record yet despite numerous tries.
So what’s playing as you are rushing out the door?
New Tunes: Jonny and Josh – Just Can’t Forget
I don’t cruise MySpace too much, but on one of my quick treks bouncing from page to page this week, catching up on some old friends, I came across a really great tune someone had streaming on their profile. It’s one of those songs that creeps up on you, and by a couple minutes in, you’re asking yourself, “Who is this?”
The song is “Just Can’t Forget” by Colorado duo Jonny and Josh. Based in Boulder, they spend their time playing for people up and down the Front Range. The song is a haunting, touching tune about that old standby, a love lost. The vocals have that rough edge I like – I hear Eddie Vedder and, may I say, Everlast – in a good way.
So take a listen, and check out their MySpace for some other quality tunes. These guys are unsigned, but if they keep churning out music like this, it won’t be for too much longer.
Jonny and Josh – Just Can’t Forget
Buy Stone Crack here on Amazon.
Website: Jonny and Josh’s MySpace page
