festivals and subdudes
If I had my way, I’d hit all of the big festivals.. the Coachellas, the Bonnaroos, the Lollapaloozas, etc. But add the tricky dynamic of wife and kids (not to mention a shitty economy), and a guy like me has to choose his battles festivals. So 2008 is shaping up to look exactly like 2007, which works just fine for me.
I’ll be hitting two festies, a local and a biggie. The local is Scottsdale’s 5th Annual McDowell Mountain Music Festival , coming April 25th & 26th. Not too shabby of a lineup: Gov’t Mule, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, the subdudes, the John Butler Trio, Blues Traveler, the Wailers, and JJ Grey & Mofro.
And nationally, I’ll once again be attending the Austin City Limits Music Festival, for the second year in a row. It takes place September 26-28, so too early for lineup announcements – but they never disappoint. Can’t wait!
At last year’s McDowell Mountain Festival, my highlight was the Crescent City’s own Neville Brothers. This year, the subdudes will be representing New Orleans. A nice laid back mix of soul, rock, and cajun influences, lead singer Tommy Malone and the boys have been shredding up the stages on and off since 1987. Their very first gig was an impromptu one at Tipitina’s – a great place to be born.
My favorite tune of theirs comes from a mid 90’s album of theirs, Annunciation. “Save Me” is beautiful and heartfelt – a tune that I always return to.
Links: the subdudes official site | myspace
Liam Finn’s Second Chance
Full of sunny melodies, Beatles-esque harmonies, and of course more than a hint of his old man Neil, Liam Finn’s debut solo album has been getting some frequent plays over at El Casa de Ickmusic. I’ll Be Lightning was recorded in early 2007 at his dad’s studio in Auckland, New Zealand. It was released overseas last summer, but it took until last month for the U.S. release on Yep Roc.
Liam is clearly not just the son of a famous musician capitalizing on his situation, but is a huge talent in his own right. Check out one of my favorites…
Liam Finn – Second Chance
Links: Liam Finn’s Official Site
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: February 22, 2008
First was Kevin, then came Lucy, third in line was me. And this Friday were mixing up some starfish & coffee, maple syrup and jam, some Butterscotch clouds a tangerine and a side order of ham so pull up a seat and join in the jam.Previously on the ‘Friday Five’, LL was doin’ it (and doin’ it and doin’ it well), Alice brought the realness, Raekwon and his Clan-mates shared his love of 32 flavors, the Fab Four started a revolution and Miles gave us a lesson in love. If you’ve missed the ‘Friday Five’ to date its quite easy, I hit the shuffle button and share the first five tracks along with thoughts, quips and memories.
The rest is up to you; feel free to add your random five in the comments.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Herbaliser – A Little Groove (from If Ya Can’t Stand Da Beatz, Git Outta Da Kitchen)
Now there’s nothing like a little acid jazz groove to start the shuffle! I bought in on the whole Acid Jazz movement in the 90’s and I’ve got hours upon hours of Ninja Tune records to prove it. Out of the many faceless groups the UK duo of Ollie Teeba and Jake Wherry stand out for their hip-hop leanings and the fact that they are one of the only artists still around.
2. The Doobie Brothers – Without You (from Listen to the Music: The Very Best of the Doobie Brothers)
Not my favorite track, that honor would be reserved for the classic Michael McDonald vehicle “What a Fool Believes”, but this is a nice slice of rock n’ roll to get the juices flowing. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is the star in this one serving up some tasty licks.
3. Madhouse – Two (from 8)
A slice of funk from His Royal Badness’ and his band of new power jazz cohorts is next on the skillet. While the fusion of jazz and funk never really caught on en masse, this record is a must for all Prince fans.
4. Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence (Live) (from Condemnation)
I’ve never had the chance to actually see Depeche Mode live and recordings like this make me regret that. There is something so very pure in David Gahan’s voice and while very synth driven the music still retains some fluidity and is clearly ‘live’.
5. Iron & Wine – Jesus the Mexican Boy (from The Sea and the Rhythm)
This track struck a chord as I look out the window at the snow falling. Something about Sam Beam’s music always equates itself back to weather. This is a nice coda to an interesting shuffle.
What’s cooking in your shuffle this afternoon?
First Listen: Last Kiss…
It’s been 12 years since Seven Mary Three released their debut record, American Standard. In that time they’ve gone from indie to major and have now landed back in the indie world with their new record Day&Nightdriving. I’ll have a full review soon, but had to share this tune now as it’s too good to keep to myself. Check it out!
Seven Mary Three – Last Kiss (Streaming MP3)
Buy Day&Nightdriving: Amazon
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Review: The Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden
Photo: Bao NguyenDave Grohl is truly the savior of arena rock and last night he was received with open arms at one of the Meccas of all things rock. He and his merry band of Foo Fighters took the stage and rocked the Garden for a solid two hours only letting up briefly to show the band’s softer side with a mid-set acoustic break. It astounds me that last night was the first time that the Foos played Madison Square Garden. What further shocked me is it’s the first time Dave Grohl has played the venue (I did some historical digging and confirmed that Nirvana never played MSG either). Despite being ‘first timers’ they managed to make the arena feel like a much smaller venue.
#41
Occasionally you come across cover tunes that so perfectly capture the original sentiment and transcend it with a renewed sense of devotion. This cover of the Dave Matthews Band song “#41” is an example of just such a track. I’ll admit that I know very little about the performer of this song. I found it quite a few years ago while participating in a discussion on a DMB message board. I know that it was arranged and played by a (then) college student named Jay Wood. I know that it was recorded sometime in 2003. That’s about the extent of what I know about the tune. My wife and I used this particular piece of music as the recessional in our wedding ceremony. To me, it captures the beauty of the lyric and melody perfectly with just the piano and makes for a perfect soundtrack to this rainy Monday in New England.
Jay Wood – #41 (MP3)
Buy Dave Matthews Band – Crash: Amazon | iTunes
Links: DMB Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Review: Los Lobos at the Mesa Arts Center
Eleven years had passed since I last saw Los Lobos (1996 at the Electric Ballroom in Tempe). But like fine wine, time only makes them better and intensifies the experience. A gray bearded David Hidalgo and his band mates of thirty plus years took the stage Saturday night at the beautiful, 2-year old Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Arts Center. For the next two hours, the band took us on a journey that clearly showed why they remain one of the tightest, most eclectic bands out there today. It also reminded me how grossly underrated these living legends are. A freakin’ travesty, to be honest.
Of Mekons and Diamonds
Any Mekons fans out there? They’re another band I need to spend some quality time with. They were one of the bands that formed out of the 1977 British punk scene. Among the art students at the University of Leeds were Jon Langford, Kevin Lycett and Tom Greenhalgh. They formed the Mekons. Also forming out of the Leeds art school around that time were Gang of Four and Delta 5.
Jon Langford eventually settled in Chicago, and has been involved in a number of projects, most notably the Waco Brothers. His brand of music fuses post-punk, folk and country. Good, good stuff.
I heard this newer Mekons tune on Sirius a few weeks ago, from their latest, Natural.
Mekons – Diamonds
And this is my favorite off of the Waco Brothers Do You Think About Me? record. I have good memories of cranking this on a solo drive to Vegas to see Bruce in 2000.
Waco Brothers – Wickedest City
Buy: The Mekons – Natural | Waco Brothers – Do You Think About Me?
Links: Jon Langford on Instagram
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: February 15, 2008
Monday may have been blue, but its Friday I’m in Love. So while everyone is binging on the spoils of Valentine’s Day let’s all hit shuffle and let the tunes get us through the remains of the day.What to say about last week? It inspired my Valentine’s Day card to my wife and took us from Peter Gabriel to Kanye West in just 5 short steps. It also revealed Pete’s got a thing for Johnny Cougar and our readers are digging playing along and have music collections that are all over the map. For those new to the ‘Friday Five’ it’s quite easy, I hit the shuffle button, hope the Spice Girls don’t pop up and share the first five tracks along with thoughts, memoirs and the occasional fun fact.
The rest is up to you, feel free to add your random five in the comments and remember honesty is the best policy!
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. LL Cool J – Doin’ It (from All World)
Well if it’s gonna be that kind of party… What a way to kick the post Valentine’s Day five into gear. I’ll say that I don’t have much other to say about this track than, Mmm-Hmm!
2. Alice Smith – Fake is the New Real (from For Lovers, Dreamers & Me)
Great track from one of my favorite ‘new to me’ artists of last year. If you’ve not checked out this record you owe it to yourself to remedy that situation.
3. Raekwon – Ice Cream (from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
There was a time when The Wu Tang Clan could do no wrong. From coast to coast everyone was feeling the vibe and buying in on the brand. It was genius marketing, a crew nine members deep with each ready, willing and able to release solo records that everyone was clamoring for. Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Cappadonna all chime in with a verse on this track but for me it’s Ghostface Killah who delivers the KO.
** Not suitable for little ears!
4. The Beatles – Revolution (from 1967-1970)
For as much crap as I can talk about The Beatles (and trust me, I’ve got volumes) I do enjoy their music. If I’m being completely honest this does just remind me, to this day, of the Nike commercial.
5. Miles Davis – I Fall in Love Too Easily (from Love Songs)
Over the years I’ve amassed a rather large collection of Miles Davis recordings. I find myself often coming back to the early 60’s material with Gil Evans as a safe haven of some of the most beautiful and tasteful melodies ever committed to tape.
That’s it for me, now it’s your turn, you know what to do!
Good Cop – Bad Cop
I don’t know how long these have been around, but these Will Ferrell shorts are just making their way to me. Allow me to stray from the music for a few…it’s worth it…
