• Rock n' Folk

    Clay Pigeons – John Prine on Austin City Limits

    April 27, 2008 /

    I was catching up on some recorded episodes of Austin City Limits this afternoon, and came across a goldmine: a repeat of the John Prine / Amos Lee episode that aired about 2 years ago. It was John’s version of “Clay Pigeons” that really affected me, and led me to the original songwriter, Blaze Foley. I wrote about that day here.

    I checked YouTube back then for the Prine ACL version, but no go. And today, after seeing John’s amazing performance again, I checked again, and lo and behold, here it is. I trust there’ll be a few of you who are just as affected as I was.

  • Prince

    Prince’s Big Weekend in SoCal (Coachella, Leno)

    April 27, 2008 /

    Looks like our boy Prince had one his best weekends in a while – since last year’s Super Bowl Sunday at least. Friday night he debuted a new chicken scratch funker called “Turn Me Loose” on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (vid below). And last night, as Saturday’s Coachella headliner, what does he go and do? Brings out Morris for “Jungle Love” and “The Bird”; brings out Shelia E. for “The Glamorous Life”; and debuts a live cover of – get this – Radiohead’s “Creep”! Wha-wha-whaaat?

    I hope the DAT recorders were rolling (don’t tell the purple one!)…

    Set List (thanks T.):
    The Bird (performed by Morris Day) /
    Jungle Love (performed by Morris Day) /
    Glamorous Life (performed by Sheila E.) /
    Instrumental Jam /
    1999 /
    I Feel For U /
    Controversy (with snippet of “Housequake”) /
    Little Red Corvette /
    Musicology /
    Cream /
    U Got the Look /
    Shh /
    Anotherloverholenyohead /
    Creep (Radiohead cover) /
    The Arms of an Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover performed by backup singers) /
    7 –> Come Together (Beatles Cover) /
    Purple Rain /
    Let’s Go Crazy

    [redlasso id=’e5a48730-b64b-4791-ab0e-ceae86507fb4′]

  • Friday Five

    Ickmusic’s Friday Five: April 25, 2008

    April 25, 2008 /

    It's A Bit Of A Shuffle.

    While I’m doing my best Tim Allen impression (the TV version, not the reality version) I’m again going to have to phone in the very late edition of the Friday Five.

    As I had mentioned last week I’m in the midst of a home remodeling project and have had the tunes on non-stop to get me through the trying experiences of being a non-handy type being handy. That said, here’s what came up the most during the last 7 days of home ownership bliss. Last week the Fivers played along with the playlist theme and no one seemed to have a single tune with improvement in the title (yours truly included). We’ll do more themed weeks in the coming months and perhaps a guest feature or two! Due to the lack of time, this week will be an all-video edition but never fear, we’ll be back to the random MP3 format next week.

    Now, on with the show!

    Here are this week’s tracks:

    1. Jason Mraz – I’m Yours (from We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things)

    I’ve made my no secret of appreciation for Mr. A-Z, and this tune in particular happens to have a wonderful video that reminds me very much of my Honeymoon in Hawaii. This has been in heavy rotation for weeks and I think that everyone should get his new record when it comes out May 13th.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A 336 278]

    2. Beastie Boys – Shadrach (from Paul’s Boutique)

    Aside from being a damn funky record, this is one of my default ‘working’ albums.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFolUn88q-o 336 278]

    3. Rolling Stones – Paint it Black (from Forty Licks)

    Apparently this is my son’s favorite song as he’s played it on his iPod 20 times in the last few weeks and so it worked it’s way into my playlists more often as well. It could be worse, he could be listening to Miley Cyrus.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLFGLHIfVTU 336 278]

    4. Pearl Jam – Black (from Ten)

    Another one of my default ‘working’ records. Even over 15 years later it stands as one of the best records I’ve ever heard.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVlJAi3Cso 336 278]

    5. Billy Joel – A Matter of Trust (from The Bridge)

    Billy came up a whole lot this week for some reason. I don’t know why… this has always been one of my favorites.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx53c_6h-W4 336 278]

    Now it’s your turn, what’s helping keep you sane?

  • Indie,  Rock

    New Tunes: Bridges and Powerlines

    April 23, 2008 /

    I hadn’t heard of NYC’s Bridges and Powerlines until they hit my inbox. But it’s a great sign when a song grabs me by the 00:03 second mark, which this one did. After the intro, a “Road to Nowhere”-like rhythm eases in, and what ensues is four minutes of quality power-pop.

    The band formed back in ’05, and is made up of singer Andrew Wood, bassist Keith Sigel, guitarist Jon Crockett, and drummer Pete Mucek. Their first full length album, Ghost Types, was released just yesterday (April 22). I haven’t had the opportunity to take in the whole album yet, but if this very strong opener is any indication, you’re gonna want to dig a little deeper into these guys.

    Bridges and Powerlines – Uncalibrated (mp3)

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    BridgesandPowerlines.com

    Buy Ghost Types on: emusic, itunes, insound, tonevendor

  • David Hidalgo and Louie Perez
    Latin,  Roots Rock

    Review: In Tucson with David Hidalgo and Louie Perez

    April 22, 2008 /

    This past Sunday, I jumped on I-10 East and headed down to Tucson for a Dave & Louie show. Dave & Louie being David Hidalgo and Louie Perez, two members (and the main songwriters) of Los Lobos. The atmosphere and show format could not have been cooler: two 45 minute sets of music followed by a Q&A session – where audience members could step to the microphone and ask questions. Did I step to the mic? But of course! More on that later.

    Sunday’s Tucson show was the final stop on a short seven city tour of the West, celebrating almost 40 years of writing songs together.

  • McDowell Mountain Music Festival

    Coming Right Up: McDowell Mountain Music Festival

    April 22, 2008 /

    For those of us in the southwest U.S. who can’t make it to Prince’s Coachella debut this weekend, a great alternative exists with the 5th annual McDowell Mountain Music Festival in Scottsdale.

    I’ll be heading out Friday to see the Subdudes, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, and Friday headliner Gov’t Mule.

    Saturday’s lineup includes the John Butler Trio, Blues Traveler, the Wailers, and J.J. Grey & Mofro.

    So grab the sunscreen (forecast of 90 degrees), hit the noon to 4pm happy hour ($2 beers), and catch some quality tunes with Ickmusic! (or Pete, as I’m known in these parts)…

  • Hip Hop,  Video

    Can I Kick It?

    April 22, 2008 /

    The Tribe That Refreshes.

    Yes you can! The annual Rock the Bells tour line up has been announced and it is, for my dollar, the most jam-packed bill of any tour crossing North America this year. Headlining the trek is the reunited members of A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, 1/3 of the Wu-Tang Clan and the master himself Rakim. So indeed, “before this, did you really know what live was?”

    De La Soul – Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) (Video)
    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTkxCwEZx3A 500 418]

    Check the rest of the line up and the dates after the jump.

  • Rock

    My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges

    April 18, 2008 /

    I want to be the 840th blogger to post the new My Morning Jacket single, “Evil Urges”! I don’t know how it sounds to you folks, but it sounds like Jim James is channeling his inner Prince here? However you wanna swing it, cool tune all around, in my opinion.

    My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

    From the forthcoming album of the same name, due out June 10th.

  • Friday Five

    Ickmusic’s Friday Five: April 18, 2008

    April 18, 2008 /

    Got a Shuffle? You're in Luck.

    Good Morning Friday Five Family!!

    My wife and I are in the midst of home improvements and the iPod and iTunes have been providing the soundtrack. In honor of my current project 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:

    Name > contains > House
    Name > contains > Home
    Name > contains > Work
    Name > contains > Improve
    Name > contains > Better

    I was pretty surprised by the number of tracks that came up (just over 300). And thus the first ‘themed’ Friday Five is born. Last week the fearless fivers picked up my slack by bringing it, this week I’m giving back with this very special edition of the Friday Five.

    Now Driver, Move That Bus!!

    Here are this week’s tracks:

    1. City and Colour – Comin’ Home (from Sometimes)

    I came across City and Colour while I was working in Toronto a few years ago. The acoustic side project (and polar opposite) of Alexisonfire front man Dallas Green really resonated deeply with me when I first heard the track “Save Your Scissors” on MuchMusic (that’s the Canadian version of MTV for those who are not aware). I highly recommend this record to just about everyone.

    2. John Legend – Coming Home (from Once Again)

    I remember reading an article last year where John Legend was talking about how much Jeff Buckley influenced him. This track, to me, is one example of where I can hear that influence. Stark and honest this is as close to topical as Legend comes and the delivery is without doubt heartfelt.

    3. Francis Dunnery – Homegrown (MP3) (from Fearless)

    In the early 90’s I had a friend who worked A&R at Warner Records and he introduced me to Francis Dunnery. To this day I still pull this record out at least once every other month and it feels as fresh and vital as it did the first day I listened to it.

    4. Bruce Springsteen – Long Walk Home (from Magic)

    This to me has all the makings of a classic Springsteen track. Topical without beating you over the head, great lyrical hook and a healthy dose of Jersey shore imagery. “Long Walk Home” is without a doubt one of my favorites from Magic.

    5. Jon Regen – Better Days (MP3) (from Let it Go)

    From New Jersey’s favorite son to another New Jersey native with a penchant for writing beautiful and moving songs. When I said in my review of Let it Go that it felt like home, this was the song that earned it that description. There is something familiar and warm not just to the timbre of Jon’s voice, but the song itself in the way it wraps around you and lifts you up.

    So what’s taking you home today?