AZ Incoming: Old 97’s
The good Lord knows Dallas alt-country stalwarts Old 97s don’t come through my town very often. So on June 6th, you will be seeing my Old 97s lovin’ ass at Martini Ranch – in the heart of old town Scottsdale. The last time I saw them in town was May 9th, 2001 at the old Nita’s Hideaway in Tempe (the original one on Rio Salado), with the Honeydogs opening.
So mark your calendars for Monday, June 6th – less than three weeks away… grab your tickets here.
MP3: Oppenheimer (from Fight Songs)
MP3: Salome (from Too Far To Care)
Clocking in at 2:28
A lot can be accomplished musically in two minutes and twenty eight seconds. What brought this to mind was a Little Feat tune I heard on my way to work recently: “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now”. It funks and it rocks & rolls and grooves…makes me wanna strut down a crowded street with a sweet hat and some big fat shades – a grin on my face. “GIT the hell outta my way people, I’m coming THROUGH!”
I sorted my iTunes by Time, and found 37 tunes in my online collection that clock in at 2:28 (three of ’em by Jim Croce, go figure). Here’s that sweet-ass Little Feat tune and eight other nuggets of 2:28 goodness…
If you’ve got a spare 22:12, listen to ’em all!
Little Feat – Feats Don’t Fail Me Now – from Feats Don’t Fail Me Now
Steve Earle – South Nashville Blues – from I Feel Alright
Reverend Horton Heat – Baddest of the Bad – from Liquor in the Front
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Who’ll Stop the Rain- from Cosmo’s Factory
Old 97’s – Coahuila – from Drag It Up
The Byrds – I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better – from Mr. Tambourine Man
Calexico – Sunken Waltz – from Feast of Wire
Jim Croce – Time in a Bottle – from The Definitive Collection
Paul Weller – Spring (At Last) – from Illumination [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]
Ickmix 2
I used to really enjoy creating mixes for friends and – well – especially girlfriends. Inspiration would smack me like a freight train, and I’d dig into my collection and weave together tapestries of musical brilliance (at least I thought so!) and what I thought to be clever proclamations of affection. Well, the girlfriends are no more (my wife would kill me), but I have to get my mix fix in every now and then. So indulge me, my internet friends, and take in my new Ickmix.
It’s a fairly mellow mix. I’m a mellow fellow. I hope you enjoy. If you do, let me know. It may give me a kick in the pants to make more.
Ickmix 2 (mp3 – 63MB – 46:00)
Playlist:Bob Schneider – “The World Just Passes You By”
Tom Petty – “Casa Dega”
Los Lobos – “The Town” – from The Town and the City
Wilco – “Pieholden Suite”, from Summerteeth
Old 97’s – “Valentine”, from Fight Songs
The Shins – “Gone for Good”, from Chutes Too Narrow
Steve Earle – “Telephone Road”, from El Corazon
Little Feat – “New Delhi Freight Train”, from Time Loves a Hero
John Prine – “Morning Train”, from Fair & Square
My Morning Jacket – “The Way That He Sings”, from At Dawn
Phish – “Esther”, from JuntaHappy New Year! An Ickmix just for You…
So how was 2007 for you guys and gals? I can’t complain here. I’m blessed with a beautiful wife and two precious girls, I have a steady job (knock wood), and my family and loved ones are healthy.
I thought I’d punt the blog into 2008 with my premiere podcast on Ickmusic. I used Garageband for the first time, and it made podcast makin’ a breeze. I’ll have to figure out some of the bells and whistles so I can include sound effects and some DJ action next time. For now though, we stick strictly to music – some tunes that will get you kick started for a great New Year’s Eve, even if it only involves sitting at home. That’s what I’ll be doing! Woo hoo!
Enjoy, and I’ll see you on the other side.
Download: Ickmusic’s New Year’s Eve Ickmix (mp3 – about 42MB)
Playlist (30:35):
Reverend Horton Heat- “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin'” – from E Flat Boogie
The Ramones – “Surfin’ Bird” – from E Flat Boogie
The Clash – “Lose this Skin” – from E Flat Boogie
Trouble Funk – “Trouble Funk Express” – E Flat Boogie
Shaggy – “O Carolina” – from Oh Carolina
Buckwheat Zydeco – “Ma ‘Tit Fille” – from The Big Easy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Old 97’s – “W. Texas Teardrops” – from Too Far to Care
Calling out to the Old 97’s
Where are the Old 97’s? I know they have some tour dates scheduled, but we haven’t seen any new studio stuff since 2004, when they released their debut on New West Records, Drag It Up. The formerly Dallas-based band has released some gems over the years, my favorite still being 1997’s Too Far to Care. Fusing country, punk, rockabilly, and later on more of a pop-oriented sound, the Old 97’s really shine on the stage. These guys put on an amazing live show. An energetic and spastic live show. A late 90’s Old 97’s show at Nita’s Hideaway in Tempe is one of my live music highlights.
The guys are apparently still together, though I need to figure out if a new album is in the works. They left Texas a while ago. I believe lead singer Rhett Miller still lives in NYC (Rhett lived right near ground zero with his girlfriend on 9/11/2001), and bassist and singer Murray Hammond lives in L.A.
Though they have an arsenal of barnstorming, shit-kicking songs that will knock your pants off and have you hopping around like Hee Haw’s Grandpa Jones, I especially enjoy the slowed down Old 97’s. Here are a couple of great down-tempo Old 97’s tunes…
Old 97’s: Salome – from Too Far to Care
Old 97’s: In the Satellite Rides a Star – from Drag It Up
Old 97s Official Site.
A Texas Prayer – Old 97s “No Mother”
Led by Murry Hammond and Rhett Miller, the Old 97’s have been putting out their Texas brand of super-charged country punk for the better part of twelve years. Last year, they released their sixth album, ‘Drag it Up’. The album wraps up with a – well – it can be best described as a dirge.
Tsunamis, the horrible mudslides in California, and of course, the ongoing living Hell that is Iraq… I figured this song fits the bill right about now. I’ll be back at ya with some more high spirited, up-tempo selections, but this song seems appropriate at the moment. May all those poor souls rest in peace…
Cherish every moment of life and count your blessings.
Buy Old 97’s on Artist Direct.
See the Old 97’s Official Web Site.
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