Holiday CD 2009 > 2010

Volume 8 / Disc 1

1) Michael Jackson – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” from THRILLER (1982)
(1958-2009) So shocking, yet not shocking at all. I was sad to lose MJ this summer, even though it felt like he died in the early 90s. He just didn’t seem meant to grow old. His death from nightly doses of anesthesia on the eve of his long-awaited comeback was as dramatic as his bizarre life. Talent oozed out of this guy at one time. I was a huge fan as a kid. The Victory tour with his brothers promoting Victory and Thriller was one of my first and most memorable concerts. I was up all night afterwards thinking about how I was now addicted to concert-going. One of my favorite memories is my experience trying to solve a fight between Michael, his family and Prince at the Jackson 5's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in `97! MJ and Quincy Jones made an unstoppable team. This song has been one of my all-time favorites since the first time I heard it. I think this is pure genius. RIP [Tip of the hat to John Hughes, 1950-2009 RIP]

2) Phoenix – “1901” from WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX (2009)
These French musicians from suburban Versailles found a unique sound for their 4th album since forming in 1999. Cadillac TV ads!

3) Phish – “Backwards Down the Number Line” from JOY (2009)
Welcome back to Phish, one of the all-time great live acts in rock. Sobriety has done them well. Halloween shows were epic!

4) The Gabe Dixon Band – “Till You’re Gone” from THE GABE DIXON BAND (2008)
Gabe formed his band in 1998 at University of Miami, became Paul McCartney’s keyboard player and background singer, then returned to do his own thing. I saw him do this song in early `09 on Conan and downloaded it immediately. Early Billy Joel?

5)Willie Nelson&Asleep At the Wheel–“BringItOnDownToMyHouse” WILLIE&THE WHEEL (2009)
GREAT album. Legendary Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler signed Willie in the 70s and wanted to do a Western swing album. They finally started pulling it together in 2008. Although Wexler chose all of the songs, he died before it was released. He’d be proud.

6) Levon Helm–“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” from ELECTRIC DIRT (2009)
You can feel the joy in this vocal! One of the lead singers (and the drummer) of The Band and one of rock’s great vocalists, 69 year-old Levon nearly lost his voice and life to throat cancer a decade ago. It has miraculously bounced back. Daughter Amy=harmonies.

7) K’naan – “Take A Minute” from TROUBADOUR (2009)
On his 4th album, this 31 year-old from Mogadishu, Somalia mixes positive messages with pop, hip-hop and world music into a unique sound. He’s come up with GREAT songs and melodies that deserve MUCH more attention. K’naan’s family fled to New York in the early 90s during the Somali Civil War and settled in Toronto, where he learned English by listening to rap music.

8) Green Day - “See the Light” from 21st CENTURY BREAKDOWN (2009)
I’m proud of these guys…they managed to do it again…another GREAT album. Other than the most classic bands, not many bands manage to make great albums this far into their career. They’ve earned a fan base ranging in age from 8-50 year-olds. Keep it up!

9) Brendan Benson – “A Whole Lot Better” from MY OLD, FAMILIAR FRIEND (2009)
Pushing 40, the Michigan native and less-famous half of The Raconteurs returns to his solo career from his new home of Nashville.

10) Rodrigo y Gabriela – “Hanuman” from 11:11 (2009)
The Mexico City natives return with another good collection of tunes as they continue to make world music hip.

11) PeterPaul&Mary–“If I Had A Hammer(live)” PETER, PAUL & MARY: IN CONCERT (1962)
This album is the first gift my parents bought for each other when they were dating. PP&M performed this song at the March On Washington in 1963, where MLK made his most famous speech. I got to see them in concert with my parents in the 80s. One of the biggest folk acts of the 60s was officially put to rest this year when Mary Travers died of leukemia at 72. (1936-2009) RIP

12) Koko Taylor – “Love You Like A Woman” was released as a SINGLE (1968)
The Queen of the Blues died at 80 after complications from surgery. In the 50s, she moved from Memphis to Chicago and became an institution after getting discovered by the great Willie Dixon and signing with the legendary Chess Records. (1928-2009) RIP

13) Them Crooked Vultures – “New Fang” from THEM CROOKED VULTURES (2009)
Led Zeppelin’s bass/keyboard player John Paul Jones teamed with Nirvana drummer/Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and Queens of the Stone Age leader/guitarist Josh Homme to form a crazy power trio that rocks!

14) The Entrance Band – “M.L.K.” from THE ENTRANCE BAND (2009)
This power trio is led by 28 year-old Guy Blakeslee, a Baltimore native who established his career at Chicago’s Hideout.

15) The Black Crowes – “Good Morning Captain” from BEFORE THE FROST… (2009)
Still a great live act, I think this studio track is their best in a long time. Crazy that it’s almost 20 years since their massive debut!

16) Portugal. The Man – “People Say” from THE SATANIC SATANIST (2009)
This quartet is based in Portland, OR but from Wasilla, AK. They agree that Palin is a twit. They’re a few albums into their career.

17) Fruit Bats – “The Ruminant Band” from THE RUMINANT BAND (2009)
Formed in Chicago in `99 by Eric Johnson, the band is now on their 4th album and based in Portland, OR.

18) Dave Matthews Band–“Funny the Way It Is” BIG WHISKEY AND THE GROOGRUX KING (2009)
Decent album paying tribute to late member, sax player LeRoi Moore. Dave was the #1 touring artist of the 00s at $529 million gross.

20) U2 – “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” NO LINE ON THE HORIZON (2009)
Bono took a break from saving the world to make some decent new tunes with his buddies.

21) M. Ward – “Stars of Leo” from HOLD TIME (2009)
Matt Ward continues to be my favorite “new” artist. He’s everywhere lately. 2010 will be no different.

21) Ali Akbar Khan – “Guru Bandana In Desh Malhar” from LEGACY (1996)
420….A world-renowned sarod player from what is now Bangladesh, Khan popularized Indian classical music in the West as a musician and as a teacher with his College of Music, based in Calcutta and Cali’s Bay Area. Renal failure. (1922-2009) RIP



Volume 8 / Disc 2

1) Les Paul & Bing Crosby – “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” released as a SINGLE (1945)
The Father of the Electric Guitar brought new meaning to the phrase “rock til you drop” by playing live shows up until he caught pneumonia at the age of 93. Paul invented multi-track recording AND the Gibson Les Paul, which is one of the first-ever solid-body electric guitars, credited with making the rock music sound possible and used by most classic rock stars. As if all that wasn’t enough, Paul had a successful recording career, is considered one of the most influential guitar players with his Django Reinhardt-influenced sound, had his own radio show and was a hit artist with his wife, Mary Ford, through the early 50s. Born in Wisconsin, he moved to Chicago to build his name. From the 80s until he got sick, he held a weekly gig in New York city. This track with Bing Crosby on vocals was a #1 hit in 1945 – it was a welcome home track to the troops from WWII. (1915-2009) RIP

2) Jo Hamilton – “Think Of Me” from GOWN (2009)
Not bad for a debut! I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot from Jo, a singer-songwriter-pianist who mostly grew up in the remote Highlands of Scotland, but also spent time in Turkey, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. Her mother is Jamaican, and her father Kenyan but of Scottish heritage.

3) Monsters Of Folk– “Sandman, The Brakeman And Me” from MONSTERS OF FOLK (2009)
GREAT album: one of my 09 favorites. The CS&N of this generation: 3 very different artists (M. Ward, Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes, and Jim James/My Morning Jacket) with unique styles/sounds make a strong, variety-filled album. M. Ward leads this track.

4) Dawes – “Love Is All I Am” from NORTH HILLS (2009)
A classy debut from the Goldsmith brothers and their friends in LA, all ages 19-24. This material feels so real because it was recorded live in a cottage in Laurel Canyon. Clearly influenced by Laurel Canyon legends CS&N, I’m psyched about this discovery.

5)The Pines - “Heart & Bones” from TREMOLO (2009)
Both David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey are from Iowa, but met in Tucson after both randomly moved there to start music careers. They chose to establish themselves in Minneapolis, and are now on their 3rd album.

6) John Mayer – “Who Says” from BATTLE STUDIES (2009)
My 24 y/o cousin bet me $5 in 02 that John’s career would grow to Dave Matthews’ level & have staying power. Do I owe him $5?

7) Langhorne Slim – “I Love You But Goodbye” from BE SET FREE (2009)
Sean Scolnick adopted the name from his hometown of Langhorne, PA. Approaching 30, he’s on his third album after graduating from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase.

8) Kings Of Convenience – “Mrs. Cold” from DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE (2009)
This duo from Bergen, Norway, formed in `99, is in their mid-30s and on their 3rd full-length album.

9) The Avett Brothers – “I And Love And You” from I AND LOVE AND YOU (2009)
Seth & Scott Avett from Concord, NC formed their group in `00. The legendary Rick Rubin produced their latest (10th+) album.

10) Jamey Johnson – “My Way To You” from MY WAY TO YOU (2009)
This 34 year-old from Montgomery, AL spent 8 years in the Marines and then relocated to Nashville to pursue a music career. He had success as a songwriter for others, was on the Fox TV show Nashville, and is now on his third album.

11) Cat Stevens (Yusuf) – “Roadsinger” from ROADSINGER (2009)
Amazing how an artist can purposely disappear for 30 years and then come back sounding like he never went away! Welcome back.

12) Zac Brown Band – “Whatever It Is” from THE FOUNDATION (2008)
From Dahlonega, GA, Zac is the 11th of 12 kids. He was a chef with a popular restaurant he owned with his dad and now is on his 3rd album, which has sold over 1 million copies. The album name comes from the foundation he started for disabled kids to go to camp.

13) David Gray – “Fugitive” from DRAW THE LINE (2009)
I’d lost interest in this 41 year-old from Manchester, England, but this song won me back.

14) Built To Spill – “Life’s A Dream” from THERE IS NO ENEMY (2009)
Now on the 7th full-length release since forming in 1992, 40 year-old Doug Martsch of Boise is on a roll, continuously improving his ability to work his guitar jams into stronger songs.

15) Chad Van Gaalen – “Willow Tree” from SOFT AIRPLANE (2008)
Chad writes, sings, plays every instrument, produces and does the art design for all of his projects. This is his 3rd full-length album, which got a lot of attention in Canada. Chad is from and currently lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for rarely leaving his basement, constantly writing new material and drawing new illustrations and animations. You can definitely hear fellow Canadian Neil Young in his music. One of his countless home demos made it into the hands of Sub Pop, who quickly signed him.

16) Wilco w/Feist – “You And I” from WILCO (THE ALBUM) (2009)
Although I’m not crazy about Wilco’s latest album, they’ve become an unstoppable live act. Feist joined them on stage at The
Wiltern in Los Angeles to perform this nice track live this summer.

17) The Alan Parsons Project – “Eye In The Sky” from EYE IN THE SKY (1982)
This song reminds me of the Jordan-era Bulls (every home game introduced the team with “Sirius”, the intro to this song) and riding the bus to school on frigid Chicago days. I hated being up early and riding the bus so I would zone out and listen to the bus driver’s radio. This song must have played every morning in Winter `82. Eric Woolfson was the singer and writer of this song and 50% of the APP. He was a lawyer and piano session player who met AP, an engineer at Abbey Road Studios, after AP worked on some Beatles records and engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. Eric died in December of cancer (1945-2009). RIP.

18) Maxwell – “Pretty Wings (Uncut)” from BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT (2009)
After taking almost 8 years off, the 36 year-old neo-soul star from Brooklyn came back strong with his 4th studio album.

19) Vieux Farka Toure – “Paradise” from FONDO (2009)
GREAT album, one of my 09 favorites. From Niafunke, Mali, Africa, the 28 year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist is the son of Ali Farka Toure. This is his 2nd album. The great Toumani Diabate plays kora on this track.


IF I'D HAD ROOM, I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED:

Air - “Eat My Beat” from Love 2
Allen Toussaint - “Bright Mississippi” from The Bright Mississippi
Amadou & Mariam - “Ce n’est pas bon” from Welcome To Mali
Andrew Bird - "Fitz and the Dizzyspells” from Noble Beast
Arctic Monkeys - “Crying Lightning” from Humbug
Booker T. - “Native New Yorker” w/Neil Young from Potato Hole
Buddy Miller - “Chalk” w/Patty Griffin from Written In Chalk
Chairlift - "Bruises” from Does You Inspire You
Chris Hunter - “Little Sunflower” from Bop City
The Decemberists - “The Hazards of Love 1” from The Hazards of Love
Eels - “All the Beautiful Things” from Hombre Lobo
Extra Golden - “Ukimwi” from Thank You Very Quickly
Florence + The Machine - "Kiss With A Fist” from Lungs
Grizzly Bear - “Two Weeks” from Veckatimest
Jerry Lee Lewis - "Mean Old Man” single
Jonsi & Alex - “Indian Summer” from Riceboy Sleeps
Kris Kristofferson - “Closer To the Bone” from Closer To the Bone
Lisa Shaw - “Sky High” from Free
Little Joy - “Brand New Start” from Little Joy
The Low Anthem - "To Ohio” from Oh My God Charlie Darwin
Marianne Faithful - "Sing Me Back Home” w/Keith Richards from Easy Come Easy Go
Mariza - “Beijo de Saudade” from Terra
Michael Franti/Spearhead - “Obama Song” single
Muse - “Uprising” from The Resistance
Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve from Middle Cyclone
Other Lives - “Don’t Let Them” from Other Lives
Oumou Sagare - “Wele Wele Wintou” from Seya
The Pains of Being Pure - “Young Adult Friction” The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
Q-Tip - “Won’t Trade” from The Renaissance
Quantic & His Combo - “The Dreaming Mind, Pt.1” from Tradition in Transition
Rokia Traore - "Zen” from Zen (Live)
Sarah Jarosz - "Tell Me True” from Song Up In Her Head
Spoon - “Got Nuffin” from Got Nuffin
Staff Brenda Bilili - “Poliomyelite” from Tres tres fort
Tom Middleton - “Shinkansen” from Excursions
Vetiver - “Everyday” from Tight Knit
White Lies - "To Lose My Life” from To Lose My Life
Whitetree - “Mercury Sands” from Cloudland
Wye Oak - “For Prayer” from The Knot
Zee Avi - “Bitter Heart” from Zee Avi

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Prince + More: Nostalgia Night 2009! (3/28/09)

To promote his new, 3-CDs-At-Once release, Prince announced he would play 3 shows at 3 venues in LA on the same night. Thanks to a friend getting great tix for free at work, I got to attend the 1st of the 3 sold-out shows, which was at the Nokia Theater. Upon entering the room, you could immediately feel the energy that comes with a hot ticket show. It reminded me of the vibe at Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon for the Purple Rain show back in the day (one of my first-ever and favorite concerts). Basically, people were just damn psyched. As the full house waited for Prince to come out and the PA blasted danceable hits from the 80s (including hits by Prince and Michael Jackson), Magic Johnson came walking in to take his seat. The people in each section Magic walked by in his seat-hunt jumped up to give him a standing ovation. It was like watching the wave at a college football game as the mixed-race crowd stood to honor the legend during his long walk through the theater.

Prince took the stage and proved that he hasn’t lost a step or aged a bit since those days of Purple Rain. In fact, he appeared more confident and at the same time more gracious and appreciative of his ability to bring people together to celebrate his music. At one point he told us that a friend of his said, “music is what we do” but Prince told him, “no, I AM music…we are all music…and music is what brings us together”. He was backed by great musicians that included a female drummer, a harmonica soloist, 3 background singers, a bass player and a keyboard player. Prince shredded on guitar and worked the room like only the best can. He played around 2 new songs, both of which unfortunately sucked. The rest of the show focused on hits and covers. The hits included “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Controversy”, “I Feel For You”, “If I Was Your Girlfriend”, “Kiss”, “1999”, and “Purple Rain”. The covers included an insane, funked up jam of “Play That Funky Music White Boy”, “Crimson and Clover” with GREAT guitar work, The Beatles’ “Come Together”, Edgar Winter Band’s “Frankenstein”, and a Prince-less, harmonica-led sick cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing”. The encores were awesome – he did 2 songs The Time recorded: The Bird and Jungle Love! Then Sheila E came out to drum and sing “The Glamorous Life”! The crowd went ballistic. For anyone who grew up in the 80s, the closing half hour felt like being sent back in a time machine to a great mid-80s party. Everyone walked out with an ear-to-ear grin.

As we got in the car, my friend said she also had free tickets to see Tom Morello’s side project away from Rage Vs the Machine, so we ran over to the Fonda Theater in Hollywood. We walked in to the half-filled club as Tom was playing some lame song and some wasted 22 year-old in the crowd was puking his guts out in the area we wanted to hang. I was ready to circle back to the door and go home when Tom invited his friends Slash and Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) to the stage to play “Wish You Were Here”! Then Sen Dog from Cypress Hill took the stage to lead the band in “Insane In the Brain” and “Rock Superstar”. Then the singer from Slipknot took the stage and became Axl Rose as Slash led the band in rocking versions of “It’s So Easy” and “Paradise City”. The crowd went crazy! Then, and this is truly strange, the band played a rocking cover of "Play That Funky Music White Boy". I haven't checked the Guiness Book but has anyone else gone to TWO concerts in the same night (weddings excluded) and heard that song played BOTH times?! Nostalgia Night 2009 was a blast.

The funniest part of the night was the Earth Hour celebration in downtown Los Angeles, showing how we can all save power by turning our lights out for an hour all around the world. As we walked out of the Prince show, we walked through the Earth Hour celebration as we headed to the car. Every network news camera was there to cover what was LITERALLY a few lights in a courtyard being turned off while a DJ played crappy music to a crowd of people who had nothing better to do. There was Los Angeles, making its best effort to show the world how “green” we can be: turning off 3 lights and celebrating it. We would have stood around to laugh for a few minutes but we had to run to the next nostalgia event.

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Holiday CD 2008 > 2009

Volume 7 / Disc 1

1)Stevie Wonder–“Signed Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED (1970)
Hallelujah!! For so many reasons, the Presidential election of Barack Obama makes me proud to be an American. I wish my mom, who taught elementary school in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects and kept the faith, could have lived to see this day. I hope this election finally puts an end to national fear politics and the ugly political cycle that has repeated itself too many times…

2) The Dave Clark Five – “Glad All Over” from GLAD ALL OVER (1963)
After becoming the first band to follow The Beatles to America, the DC5 bumped them out of the #1 spot on the charts in early 1964 with this song. Lead singer and keyboard player Mike Smith (1943-2008) died in February of pneumonia. RIP.

3) Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk” from VAMPIRE WEEKEND (2008)
In 2005, 23 year-old Ezra Koenig formed Vampire Weekend with his friends while they were all students at Columbia University. After graduation, he became an 8th grade English teacher in Brooklyn. By 2007, his band had a record deal!

4) Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” from VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS (2008)
Coldplay’s star keeps rising…Brilliant producer Brian Eno takes the band’s music to a new level on this album. Meanwhile, they’re being sued by solo-guitarist Joe Satriani for allegedly stealing this melody from him. They definitely sound alike to me!

5) The Killers – “Human” from DAY AND AGE (2008)
The Las Vegas band returns with another great song. I haven’t heard the album yet but I’m psyched they’re back!

6) Lindsey Buckingham – “Love Runs Deeper” from GIFT OF SCREWS (2008)
Fleetwood Mac’s genius proves he’s still got it with this new collection of songs. This track fits right in with the Mac sound.

7) Bo Diddley – “Hey! Bo Diddley” released as a SINGLE (1957)
The Originator (1928-2008) died of heart failure this summer. One of the founders of rock music, the unique beat and guitar sound Bo created influenced everyone including Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones (“Not Fade Away”), The Who (“Magic Bus”), Bruce Springsteen (“She’s the One”), U2 (“Desire”) and George Michael (“Faith”). Bo also influenced rap music by regularly announcing his name in his songs. Born Ellas Otha Bates in Mississippi, Bo built his career in Chicago, where he had moved as a kid. RIP.

8) Kings of Leon - “Use Somebody’” from ONLY BY THE NIGHT (2008)
From Tennessee and Oklahoma, these three brothers and a cousin (all Followills) range in age from 21 to 28 and named their band after their father and grandfather. Now based in Nashville, their sound continues to grow on their 4th and latest album.

9) Mudcrutch – “Lover of the Bayou” from MUDCRUTCH (2008)
Before forming the Heartbreakers in 1976, Tom Petty co-fronted this Gainesville, Florida band from 1970-75 with some of the same musicians. They reunited for an album and tour this year. This Byrds cover is one of my all-time favorite classic rock songs.

10) Ray LaMontagne – “You Are the Best Thing” from GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN (2008)
This 35 year-old, who has lived in Maine since high school, was inspired to become a musician after hearing Stephen Stills on the radio while working at a shoe factory in his late teens. Now on his 3rd album, Ray uniquely continues to reflect the classics.

11) Brett Dennen – “Make You Go Crazy” w/Femi Kuti from HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS (2008)
The 29 year-old, 6 foot 5 redhead from the CA cowboy town of Oakdale returns with another great song and his own sound.

12) Isaac Hayes – “Theme from Shaft” from SHAFT SOUNDTRACK (1971)
A songwriter for others (“Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”), a hugely successful recording artist and producer, a film composer and ultimately Chef on South Park, Isaac Hayes died of a stroke this summer (1942-2008). He grew up picking cotton in Tennessee until he was able to start a career as a session musician and songwriter. Hayes won an Oscar for this classic song. RIP.

13) The Four Tops – “Reach Out I’ll Be There” released as a SINGLE (1966)
They helped define the Motown sound. Lead singer Levi Stubbs (1936-2008) died this fall after cancer and a stroke. RIP.

14) The Airborne Toxic Event–"Sometime Around Midnight” AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT (2008)
25 year-old front man Mikel Jollet was working on a novel in 2006 when a break-up, his mom’s cancer diagnosis, and his own health issues inspired him to write songs and form a band. Based in LA’s Los Feliz hood, his band is off to a good start internationally.

15) Adele – “Best For Last” from 19 (2008)
Only 20 years old, this soulful singer from London built a following on My Space before landing a record deal and critical acclaim.

16) Jackson Browne – “Off Of Wonderland” from TIME THE CONQUEROR (2008)
At 60, Jackson Browne returns with a great new batch of songs including this tune about living in Laurel Canyon in its golden era.

17) She & Him – “Black Hole” from VOLUME ONE (2008)
M. Ward remains at the top of my list as he produces and plays guitar on this collection of songs by actress Zooey Deschanel.

18) Jaymay – “Gray or Blue” from AUTUMN FALLIN’ (2007)
New artist Jamie Seerman is a 27 year-old New Yorker who got an initial career push in 2006 on iTunes’ Indie Spotlight.

20) Jenny Lewis – “Acid Tongue” from ACID TONGUE (2008)
On the edge of 33, this Rilo Kiley frontwoman and former child TV actress captures today’s rebirth of Laurel Canyon’s golden era on her second solo album. Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes leads the background choir on this beautiful song.

21) Dan Fogelberg – “Leader of the Band” from THE INNOCENT AGE (1981)
Dan left U of Illinois to move to LA with Irving Azoff (now a mogul whom I work for who got Dan signed by Clive Davis), and then became a star. This beautiful tribute to his bandleader father was everywhere in 1981. I got to see Dan play some of his hits at a benefit show in 2000 with Joe Walsh and Graham Nash. Dan died of prostate cancer at the tail end of last year (1951-2007). RIP.

22) Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – “Djarimirri” from GURRUMUL (2008)
What a voice! Gurrumul is a blind, 38 year-old indigenous Australian who sings in Yolngu and plays several instruments.

23) Pink Floyd – “The Great Gig in the Sky” from THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (1973)
The Reunion can never happen now. Founder and keyboard player Rick Wright (1943-2008) died of cancer in September. RIP.


Volume 7 / Disc 2

1) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “The Rising” from THE RISING (2002)
Yes we can! The Obama campaign made great use of this song. Look for Bruce at Superbowl 2009! This one’s for Bruce fan Tim Russert, the best political newsman of our era and E Street organ/accordian player Danny Federici (both 1950-2008). RIP.

2) R.E.M. – “Supernatural Superserious” from ACCELERATE (2008)
This year saw R.E.M. return to rock and prove they’ve still got it.

3)The Raconteurs – “Many Shades of Black” from CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY (2008)
Jack White teamed up with Brendan Benson for another good album of rock. Amazing lead vocal here from Brendan.

4) Low vs Diamond – “Don’t Forget Sister” from LOW VS DIAMOND (2008)
The members of this band met in 2001 while students at U of Colorado. Originally a jamband, they moved to LA, changed their sound and got discovered by the same guy who discovered The Killers. This is their first full-length album.

5) Newton Faulkner - “Dream Catch Me” from HAND BUILT BY ROBOTS (2008)
This 23 year-old from Surrey, England, started his career in a Green Day cover band. He hit #1 in England and is working on the US.

6) MGMT – “Electric Feel” from ORACULAR SPECTACULAR (2008)
Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden formed this unique-sounding band in 2002 while students at Wesleyan U and started touring when they graduated in 2005. Based in Brooklyn, they’ve released 2 full-length albums and opened for Beck & Radiohead.

7) Miriam Makeba – “Kwazulu” from AN EVENING WITH BELAFONTE/MAKEBA (1965)
One of the biggest names in world music, Makeba (1932-2008) helped bring African music to a global audience in the 1960s. Born in Johannesburg, she started recording in the early 1950s. Harry Belafante helped bring her to the US and boost her recognition by attaching his name to this album, which won a Grammy for Best Folk Recording. Makeba was exiled for 3 decades from South Africa for singing against apartheid and testifying before the UN. She was briefly married to Hugh Masekela, performed at the legendary Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire, was part of Paul Simon’s Graceland tour, and returned to South Africa in 1990 after Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Makeba dropped dead of a heart attack right after her November performance in Italy. RIP.

8)Sigur Ros – “Via Spilum Endalaust” MEO SUA I EYRUM VIA SPILUM ENDALAUST (2008)
This intricate, melodic band from Iceland returns with their strongest album yet and continues to sing in their own, made-up language.

9)Duffy – “Warwick Avenue” from ROCKFERRY (2008)
Aimee Duffy is a pop-soul singer from North Wales who started singing at age 6 and spent years playing jazz and blues clubs while working odd jobs. At 24, she’s one of this year’s top selling artists worldwide. She was great at Lollapalooza this summer.

10) The Black Keys–“Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be” from ATTACK & RELEASE (2008)
Now in their late 20s, blues-rock duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of Akron, Ohio, released album #7. Is this classic Zep?!

11) Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” from FURR (2008)
After 3 self-released albums, this Portland, Oregon band led by Eric Earley signed with the historic Sub Pop label for Furr.

12) Conor Oberst – “Get-Well-Cards” from CONOR OBERST (2008)
The Omaha-based leader of Bright Eyes steps out for his first solo album in 12 years. Recorded in Mexico, the album shows that Conor continues to be a singer-songwriter worth keeping a close eye on.

13) Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal” from FLEET FOXES (2008)
Definitely one of the top bands of 2008, Fleet Foxes released 2 great albums on the historic Sub Pop label (this and the Sun Giant EP). Their timeless sound mixes folk, choral and rock music. Founding members guitarist Skyler Skjelset and singer-songwriter Robin Pecknold grew up in Seattle, the children of hippie parents whose record collections inspired their sound. It’s great to hear a band of early 20-somethings so heavily influenced by Crosby Stills and Nash and The Beach Boys.

14) The Kingston Trio – “Tom Dooley” from THE KINGSTON TRIO (1958)
Just a year after the Trio formed in Palo Alto, they scored their first gold hit with this traditional folk song, which also won the first-ever Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance. In the early 60s, the Trio had 4 albums in the Top 10 simultaneously. They influenced a young Bob Dylan and ruled the music scene until The Beatles came along. Singer-songwriter-musicians Nick Reynolds (1933-2008) and John Stewart (1939-2008) died this year. RIP.

15) Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston&His Delta Cats–“Rocket 88” released as SINGLE (1951)
Considered the first-ever rock song, Ike Turner wrote and played piano on this track despite creating a fake band name and giving the credit to his singer-saxophonist. Ike went on to be a talent scout that discovered and played as a sideman with major blues legends. He is most famous for discovering, marrying, rising to fame with and beating Tina Turner. Ike died late last year (1931-2007).


16) Death Cab For Cutie – “Cath…” from NARROW STAIRS (2008)
Now on their 6th album and 11th year, 32 year-old Ben Gibbard’s Washington-based band continues to blossom.

17) Radar Bros. – “Happy Spirits” from AUDITORIUM (2008)
One of my favorite albums of the year, this LA band’s 5th release is a collection of well-crafted, ultra-laid-back, stoney rock songs.

18) Vetiver – “Roll On Babe” from THING OF THE PAST (2008)
A great recent discovery, this San Fran band led by Andy Cabic has a soothing, folk-influenced sound. This is a beautiful folk cover.

19) My Morning Jacket – “Thank You Too!” from EVIL URGES (2008)
Jim James continues to lead Louisville’s finest in great new directions on their 5th album. Is this classic Eagles and Bee Gees?!

20) Dave Matthews Band – “#34” from UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING (1994)
Saxophonist LeRoi Moore (1961-2008) died from complications from an ATV accident on his farm. He co-wrote this track. RIP.

21) Merle Saunders & Friends – “Imagine” from FIRE UP! (1973)
Organ/piano player Merle Saunders collaborated often and was close friends with Jerry Garcia. I met him at the Fillmore in the mid-90s - real nice guy. Garcia and his bass player John Kahn play on this track. Merle died from stroke complications. (1934-2008) RIP.


IF ONLY I'D HAD ROOM I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED:
1) Al Green – “Lay It Down” from LAY IT DOWN (2008)
2) Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend” from REAL ANIMAL (2008)
3) Alex Cuba – “Agua del Poso” from AGUA DEL POSO (2008)
4) Amos Lee – “What’s Been Going On” from LAST DAYS AT THE LODGE (2008)
5) Atmosphere–“You”/WHEN LIFE GIVE YOU LEMONS, YOU PAINT THAT SHIT GOLD(2008)
6) B-52’s – “Funplex” from FUNPLEX (2008)
7) Be Your Own Pet – “The Kelly Affair” from GET AWKWARD (2008)
8) Ben Lee – “Love Me Like The World Is Ending” from RIPE (2007)
9) Benji Hughes – “All You’ve Got To Do Is Fall In Love” A LOVE EXTREME(2008)
10) Black Kids – “Look At Me When I Rock Wichoo” from PARTIE TRAUMATIC (2008)
11) Black Tide – “Shockwave” from LIGHT FROM ABOVE (2008)
12) Bob Mould – “The Silence Between Us” from DISTRICT LINE (2008)
13) Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” from FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO (2008)
14) Chris Stills – “Sweet California” from CHRIS STILLS (2007)
15) Crystal Castles – “Untrust Us” from CRYSTAL CASTLES (2008)
16) Daniel Lanois – “Duo Glide” from HERE IS WHAT IS (2008)
17) David Cook – “The Time of My Life” from DAVID COOK (2008)
18) Does It Offend You, Yeah?–“We Are Rockstars”/YOU HAVE NO IDEA....2008)
19) Dusty Rhodes & the River Band – “Leaving Tennessee” FIRST YOU LIVE (2007)
20) Eagles of Death Metal – “WannaBe in L.A.” from HEART ON (2008)
21) Endless Boogie – “Coming Down the Stairs” from FOCUS LEVEL (2008)
22) Eric Hutchinson – “Rock & Roll” from SOUNDS LIKE THIS (2008)
23) The Faint – “The Geeks Were Right” from FASCINATION (2008)
24) Gnarls Barkley – “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul” from THE ODD COUPLE (2008)
25) Habib Koite – “Fimani” from AFRIKI (2007)

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Lollapalooza 2008 (8/4/08)

Just completed Lollapalooza weekend 2008 in Chi-town. As always, it was a total blast. This was the 4th year that Lollapalooza was a Chicago-based music festival…and the first time they sold it out. In fact, all three days were sell outs with 75,000 people attending each day. Despite the huge influx of people, the event remains a well-run machine thanks to the City of Chicago and C3 Presents from Austin, Texas. What makes it so special? The unique location (in the heart of Chicago’s beautiful parks surrounded by the amazing skyline now known as Gotham City thanks to Batman), the great summer weather (mid-80s and not even THAT humid this year), the Midwest vibe of the crowd, the tasty food from local Chicago restaurants (ribs, pizza, pulled pork, cheesecake on a stick, pad thai, etc), the prices for food and drink ($3 for Vitamin Water, $5 for great sandwiches), the plethora of port-o-potties, and of course the incredible musical line-up.

Yes, a musical line-up that allowed us to see all of this in just 3 days: Jeff Tweedy solo acoustic, Duffy, The Black Keys, Cat Power, Raconteurs, Radiohead, Dierks Bentley, Perry Farrell, Explosions in the Sky, Okkervil River, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Wilco, Rage Against The Machine, Flosstradamus, Iron & Wine, The National, and Nine Inch Nails. The electric jolt of happy buzz from all that music is what kept us (a group in the top 1% of the age bracket) bopping around for 3 days in the heat to the endless barrage of music, noise, freaks, funny t-shirts, mile-long walks and heart-attack-on-a-plate meals while surrounded by the energy of people born between 1983-1992. I’m not used to being in places where you’re old if you were born before 1980 but that was the case here! This didn’t stop our ever-evolving crew for a second from having a blast….in fact it probably inspired us. After all, it doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were learning our way through this type of environment at Grateful Dead shows at Alpine Valley. That’s in our DNA now…

Reviews? On Friday, Tweedy played the Kids Stage and was hilarious as he kept asking the kids to shout out requests. Since that area was packed with Wilco fans (who tend to be significantly older than kindergarten), there weren’t many requests coming from kids. “Am I putting you kids to sleep? You’re all kind of nodding off and staring in the wrong direction! OK, adults – YOU shout out some requests.” Tweedy played acoustic versions of several Wilco songs and lectured the kids that “if your parents don’t have any Woody Guthrie music in your house, then they are BAD parents.” He of course launched into a Woody Guthrie tune at that point. When he played “New Madrid”, he was joined by a former member of Uncle Tupelo (unfortunately not Jay Farrar, so it was not a notable reunion…but was still great to hear). We ran from him to Duffy, who actually sounded better than her CD. She had a great voice and proved that she’s worthy of all the UK hype she has received for her retro-soulful sound. This was a definite highlight. The Black Keys did their thing and brought the garage rock to Lolla. Good stuff. Cat Power was great, although her mellow, heroin-rock vibe wasn’t an ideal fit with the bright summer sky and the rush of people throughout the area trying to get settled for the Raconteurs at the nearby stage. I’d like to see her in a small, dark club when I’m not worried about being crushed by too many sweaty young people or standing behind The Tallest Guy At The Festival for a more popular act. The Raconteurs of course rocked the house. The combo of Jack White, who can do no wrong with his wild stage presence and his guitar & vocal talents with Brendan Benson who can sing like Dennis DeYoung of Styx, is both fun and compelling. Due to some brutal scheduling (something that should be fixed for next year), we had to bail on the Raconteurs half-way through to bolt to the other main stage a mile away in time for Radiohead. Radiohead was The Headliner of the entire event. Normally this would close out the festival, but Radiohead was only available today. They were stellar as usual, covering their catalog from their most recent release, In Rainbows, all the way back to The Bends. Thom Yorke’s unique stage presence and all of the crazy sounds the rest of the band squeezes out of their instruments always makes for an interesting set that works all parts of your brain (in case the special cookies you brought and mixed into a bag of Bear Naked granola weren’t already doing that for you).

After Radiohead, we trekked all the way out to the South Loop to hit Reggie’s Rock Club (2105 South State). A guy I’m friendly with opened the club 10 months ago and I have to say it’s the best club I’ve been to in America since The Wetlands in New York. There’s a rock club in one room, an intimate acoustic-music kind of stage in another room that is surrounded by a full bar and restaurant with walls smothered in rock memorabilia, and a phenomenal record store on the top level that you haven’t seen the likes of since 1979. The owner gave us a full tour and then topped it off by showing us his penthouse loft at the top of the building! We felt like we were in an Entourage episode as we took the elevator from the club (where SPIN magazine was hosting a Lollapalooza party) to the loft that was covered in more rock memorabilia, African art, all kinds of random trinkets, hand-made furniture, sports memorabilia, and anything else unique you could think of! We sat out on the massive deck, had some beers, ate a snack at the bar-like kitchen and then headed down to the restaurant room to try out the food. After eating a burger and a portabello mushroom sandwich, I can tell you that you won’t find better food in a music club anywhere in the US. (OK, so I haven’t dined at every music club in the U.S., but I’m pretty confident I can stand by that quote.) The burger had some special spice on it as well as crumbled onion ring pieces, etc….The bottom line is: if you have any music fan in your heart or soul, GO TO REGGIES the next time you’re in Chicago!! They even have the Reggies Rock Bus that picks people up at sports events, concerts, etc…all you have to do is call the club and request the bus! The South Loop isn’t exactly Beverly Hills, so keep that in mind as you trek out there….but don’t skip the trek. As Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

On Saturday, we heard Dierks Bentley as we were walking in to the festival. I liked what I heard and intend to check out more of this country-rocker’s stuff. The rumor going around at this point was that Slash was on the grounds and was going to jam with Perry Farrell at the DJ Tent. That area was packed as people waited for the Big Moment. I stood there for 15 minutes wondering what was going on. Perry was spinning records with some friends on stage. The records were playing quietly and he was paying more attention to his friends than the music or the audience. No one knew whether his set had started or if he was just warming up. Every once in a while, Perry would grab the mike, yell “yeah, Lollapalooza” and then chug some champagne with one arm up in the air as he received applause from the crowd. It was all so bizar that I started to wonder whether something funny had been put into my purple Vitamin Water. I was solo at this point so I walked slowly through the crowd to hear what people were saying. “Dude, is this the show or is he warming up?” “Where is Slash?” “Who is Slash?” “He’s that dude with the hat from Guns n Roses.” “Who is Perry Farrell?” “He’s from Jane’s Addiction”. “What’s Jane’s Addiction?” “I don’t get it – is this the show?” After 20 minutes of this, I couldn’t take another minute of the circus act. I bailed to get my second serving of pulled pork and headed over to see Explosions In the Sky, a MAJOR HIGHLIGHT of the entire festival. This Austin, Texas quartet serves up some intense instrumental music that goes from mellow soundscapes to huge powerful crescendos as the musicians jump around like they’re testing new pairs of Nike Air. Hypnotic, captivating and moving, this is a band worth listening to and seeing live again for sure. Caught a couple minutes of Okkervil River on the way to some pulled BBQ turkey and Bud Lite. Good folkie-indie-rock. Next came Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. DAMN this was good! This former prison guard has soul oozing out of her pores. She works the stage like Tina Turner on Red Bull and is backed by a band that puts the Blues Brothers to shame. If you’ve seen Amy Winehouse perform, you’ve seen this band. I would go see this band any time in a club. Hot stuff. Had to leave early to get a good spot for Rage Against the Machine. As always, VERY powerful. This rhythm section is like a tank plowing through a building. Combine that with Tom Morello’s crazy guitar sounds and Zack de la Rocha’s passionate anger and you’ve got a ball-busting rock band with a message. The message is basically anarchy, but it’s damn exciting to watch them convey it. They had to stop their set 3 times due to the mosh pit getting completely out of control. Kids were passing out and getting hurt near the stage as the maniacs slammed around in reaction to the tunes. Zack had to make a speech about taking care of each other…and even handed the mike to a security guard as they warned that the show would be cut short if people didn’t take care of one another. They tore through their classic material as the massive audience freaked out. We left half-way through due to the painful scheduling snafu (why, C3….why?) so we could run to the mile-away other main stage to catch the second half of Wilco. All of Wilco and their visiting horn section were wearing crazy, colorful, rhinestone covered country-western suits that Tweedy bragged the band had sewn together. He even joked that they were cooler than Radiohead because Radiohead didn’t sew anything! Wilco played a great set of their strong material that dipped back to Being There. They’re still on a roll with the amazing musicianship enhancing Tweedy’s songs.

As we walked to Michigan Avenue after the show, thousands of people were crowding near the Congress hotel to scream and cheer at the top of their lungs. The youthful energy of the crowd was completely electrified by Rage Against the Machine. We were witnessing the happiest energy possible truly exploding out of everyone who attended the event. At the same time, if we didn’t know any better, we could have imagined we were at the 1968 Democratic Convention as it felt like chaos was literally taking place before our very eyes. Cops were everywhere (mostly on horseback) so nothing got out of control but it definitely had that feeling that anything could happen, good or horrible. Bodies everywhere screaming at the top of their lungs can be a bit disorienting to say the least. We jumped into our favorite post-Lolla hang, the Hilton Hotel bar. There’s nothing like a cushy couch in front of a TV and a giant window facing the concert crowd as you sip a gin and tonic and munch on bar pizza.

Sunday kicked things off with Iron & Wine. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT! His albums are amazing but live was even better, featuring incredible musicianship and harmonies adding intricate layers of sound to each song. It was unique, mellow, trippy and Grateful Dead like. I felt that he could take this show to a huge level with the right amount of hard work and marketing. Next we caught techno DJs Flosstradamus at the techno tent, where they were spinning incredibly fun, trippy techno. At least it was fun until the fat guy near us projectile vomited his beer all over the place. That led us to bail and get some pulled pork and Vitamin Water. While we ate, we talked to some of the 20-somethings who traveled from Cleveland, St. Louis and Colorado to enjoy the event. We also talked to a late 20-something army veteran who had served overseas and felt that Ron Paul should be President no matter what. Only Ron Paul can handle what lies before us, according to this veteran. His friend, who hadn’t heard of anyone in politics other than Ron Paul, George Bush, John McCain and Barack Obama, agreed that Ron Paul should definitely be our leader. After this enlightening conversation, we ran in to catch Broken Social Scene. The Canadian indie pop-rock group played a fun set of their experimental music that featured a lot of people on stage and all kinds of instruments from horns to fiddles. Then we caught a few minutes of The National. They sounded good, opening their set with “Start A War” and drawing a decent crowd. Unfortunately, the pressure to get a spot for Nine Inch Nails pulled us (and most of the attention for The National) over to the bigger stage in the area for the next set. Trent Reznor should be proud. He made headlines when he played the first Lollapalooza in 1991 and there he was, drawing a massive crowd in 2008 for a show that deserved an A+, hands down. It freaked me out to think that I was already a big, longtime concert-goer in 1991 and most of this crowd was either in diapers or learning multiplication at that time. The fantastic part of this set, other than the incredible performance, top-notch musicianship, artful lighting, and smart set-pacing was the passion the audience fed back to the band. They jumped up and down and sang along like they personally felt the angst in every lyric. When the band played “Hurt” near the end of the set, a song Trent introduced as one he “wrote while in a very dark place and then passed it on to a friend [Johnny Cash]”, the crowd literally sang along like their lives depended on it. This set, loaded with great new material that included an excellent ambient mid-set, felt like it was coming from an artist at the top of his game who still feels he has something to prove.

All good things must come to an end. Lolla 2008 ended as we were all escorted out through the gates via the long, horizontal line of Chicago police on horseback. We headed to the legendary Dues for some Chicago deep-dish pizza, part of our annual Lolla closure routine. As they called our party of 4 to be seated, “table for Trent Reznor”, we happily sat down to eat gobs of bread and cheese and begin looking forward to Lolla 2009. Festival!

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Holiday CD 2007 > 2008

Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 6 / Disc 1

1) I’m From Barcelona – “Oversleeping” from LET ME INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS (2007)
Naturally, given their name, this band is from Sweden. Led by singer-songwriter Emanuel Lundgren, he and his 28 friends create infectious pop music guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is the rare CD where every song is good, catchy and fun. The live show is great too – they rocked Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer at their American concert debut. Kids will love this CD. **

2) Josh Ritter–“Right Moves” fromTHE HISTORICAL CONQUESTS OF JOSH RITTER (2007)
Josh nailed it this time. 31 and from Idaho, Josh recorded his 5th CD in a Maine farmhouse with a variety of great sounds and arrangements. This track has a 70s pop feel that reminds me of some of John Lennon’s final solo work. Check out his live show. **

3) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “Livin’ in the Future” from MAGIC (2007)
An American treasure and one of the best live acts ever in rock, The Boss returns with a great batch of songs that recall his classic sound as he continues analyzing the gap between American ideals and American shortcomings.This track sounds celebratory but it’s actually addressing apathy and how what you never thought could happen has happened already.Do not miss this tour! **

4) Paul McCartney – “Ever Present Past” from MEMORY ALMOST FULL (2007)
This tune proves that Sir Paul can still write a hook laced with crack. The CD is just OK despite some decent Wings-like material.

5) Arctic Monkeys–“Fluorescent Adolescent” from FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE (2007)
More solid, catchy Brit-pop-rock from this Sheffield, England band of 21 and 22 year-olds.

6) Lily Allen – “Knock `Em Out” from ALRIGHT, STILL (2006)
One of the first musicians to launch a career via My Space, this 22 year-old from London writes hilarious lyrics that fit perfectly with her unique hybrid of hip-hop, pop, calypso, ska & reggae. *

7) Ben Harper – “Say You Will” from LIFELINE (2007)
Now 38 and on his 9th studio album, Southern California native Ben Harper continues to deliver good songs and grow as an artist. *

8) James Brown - “I Got the Feelin’” released as a SINGLE (1968)
The Godfather Of Soul (1933-2006), died on Xmas day of pneumonia-related heart failure. A pioneer who influenced nearly every rhythm-based genre of music, Brown took himself from utter poverty (picking cotton) to launching a recording and touring career in the 1950s that eventually led him to becoming a civil rights activist, a black community leader and an American institution. RIP.

9) Amy Winehouse – “You Know I’m No Good” from BACK TO BLACK (2007)
She sounds like a 1960s Motown soul diva but she’s actually a 24 year-old, tattoo-covered Jewish girl from London with a serious addiction problem. Producer Mark Ronson brought the hip to Amy’s soul-jazz-blues sound, creating a CD with some great songs. *

10) Brett Dennen – “Darlin’ Do Not Fear” from SO MUCH MORE (2006)
Heavily influenced by Paul Simon’s Graceland, this 28 year-old, 6 foot 5 redhead from the CA cowboy town of Oakdale is off to a good start with a distinctive sound and admirable collection of songs. I expect we’ll be seeing more of Brett. *

11) Spoon – “The Underdog” from GA GA GA GA GA (2007)
Produced by Jon Brion, here’s a great tune from the 9th release by 36 year-old Britt Daniel’s Austin-based indie rock band.

12) Bright Eyes – “If the Brakeman Turns My Way” from CASSADAGA (2007)
At 27, Omaha’s Connor Oberst continues to grow as a writer. Good album, great tour…start following this guy’s career now! **

13) Jackie Greene – “So Hard To Find My Way” from AMERICAN MYTH (2006)
Also 27, Jackie Greene is a great singer-songwriter from Monterey, CA who is less artsy than Connor Oberst and more folk-blues-roots-based. In addition to his solo career, he is currently fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band. **

14) Arcade Fire – “Intervention” from NEON BIBLE (2007)
Like the Killers in 06, Montreal’s finest has channeled their inner Springsteen to take on the world with their giant sound. *

15) Rocco DeLuca – “Speak To Me” from I TRUST YOU TO KILL ME (2006)
Clearly influenced by Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley, this 32 year-old from Long Beach, CA is signed to Kiefer Sutherland’s record label. DeLuca plays the Dobro steel guitar as he brings his Appalachian folk and blues influences to his collection of songs.

16) Ryan Adams – “Everybody Knows” from EASY TIGER (2007)
Newly sober and fresh off the road fronting Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh’s band, 33 year-old Ryan Adams has brought these events from his past year into his new music and lyrics. This is a beautiful sounding CD with some to-be-classic songs. *

17) Travis – “Closer” from THE BOY WITH NO NAME (2007)
On their 5th release, this Scottish band from Glasgow brings back producer Nigel Godrich to reclaim their influential sound. *

18) Angelique Kidjo w/Peter Gabriel – “Salala” from DJIN DJIN (2007)
Recording for almost 20 years, Kidjo hails from the West African country of Benin. Now in New York after years in Paris, she has recorded a great (yet uneven) CD featuring many celebrity collaborations. Her powerful voice and team of virtuoso musicians create a collection of compelling, unique and soulful Afro-beat pop. Here she is with the artist who first turned me on to World Music. *

20) Eddie Vedder – “No Ceiling” from INTO THE WILD (SOUNDTRACK) (2007)
Sean Penn asked Eddie to provide music for his new film…Eddie pulled through with some of his best material in years. *

21) Wilco – “Impossible Germany” from SKY BLUE SKY (2007)
As usual, Jeff Tweedy has made me proud. He got sober, quit smoking and can now sing high notes that had been out of reach. This is the first Wilco CD with members Pat Sansone and guitarist Nels Cline, who lets loose ½-way through this 70s-sounding track.**

21) Neil Young – “Boxcar” from CHROME DREAMS II (2007)
Still going strong at 62, you can always count on Neil to deliver. Uneven album but a great tour and a great work-in-progress artist. *

22) Mavis Staples w/Ry Cooder – “On My Way” from WE’LL NEVER TURN BACK (2007)
She started in 1940s Chicago with her dad and siblings as The Staples Singers, who grew from a major gospel act into the musical voices of the 1960s civil rights movement. The legendary Mavis returns at age 68 with Ry Cooder producing civil rights-era songs. *

Volume 6 / Disc 2

1) Band Of Horses – “Is There A Ghost” from CEASE TO BEGIN (2007)
29 year-old leader Ben Bridwell’s South Carolina-based rock band returns with a strong sophomore release and that epic sound. *

2) The View – “Superstar Tradesman” from HATS OFF TO THE BUSKERS (2007)
Barely out of high school, this foursome from Scotland is a hit in the UK. Influenced by the bands led by drug-addled, UK tabloid star Pete Doherty, The View writes fun, catchy punkish rock. *

3) Klaxons – “Golden Skans” from MYTHS OF THE NEAR FUTURE (2007)
Called a Nu Rave band for their late-80s and early-90s psychedelic dance-rock influences, this London-based band is a UK success.

4) Modest Mouse – “Dashboard” from WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK (2007)
Led by 32 year-old Isaac Brock from Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse continues the Talking Heads-influenced sound they started on their 2004 CD. New band member as of this CD: guitarist-songwriter Johnny Marr (former co-leader of The Smiths).

5) James Brown - “My Thang” from HELL (1974)
The Hardest Working Man In Show Business sure knew how to bring the funk. RIP.

6) Rodrigo y Gabriela – “Tamacun” from RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (2006)
After meeting in their hometown of Mexico City while in a thrash-metal band, Rodrigo y Garbriela moved to Dublin, Ireland and reinvented themselves as an acoustic guitar duo. Influenced by Flamenco and classical Hispanic music, they play with a fast-paced fire that has made World music exciting for hipsters. *

7) Radiohead – “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” from IN RAINBOWS (2007)
Oxford, England’s Radiohead, one of the world’s most progressive bands, chose to make their 7th release available only as a digital download from their website...and allowed the consumer to name the price! For those keeping track, I paid 5 pounds. *

8) Shocking Pinks – “Second Hand Girl” from SHOCKING PINKS (2007)
Nick Harte is the one-man, lo-fi band from New Zealand known as Shocking Pinks. His first American release is a compilation of songs from past Kiwi releases. Doesn’t his voice sound like Kip Dynamite? I expect good things to come from Harte. *

9) Iron & Wine – “Lovesong of the Buzzard” from THE SHEPHERD’S DOG (2007)
Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a 33 year-old folk-rock singer-songwriter from South Carolina who graduated from Florida State and moved to Austin, Texas. I’m blown away by the beauty and originality of his sound and compositions, influenced by Nick Drake and Paul Simon. I’m told there’s not a bad song in his catalog, which is extensive despite starting just 5 years ago. **

10) The White Stripes – “Effect & Cause” from ICKY THUMP (2007)
At 32, after a great year as a Raconteur, Jack White returned to home base for another solid album with x-wife Meg White. *

11) The National – “Start A War” from BOXER (2007)
Formed in 1999 by a group of friends from Cincinnati now living in Brooklyn, The National mixes gloomy rock with orchestral pop to critical acclaim. Known for their academic songs, the band is clearly influenced by Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. *

12) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Killing The Blues” from RAISING SAND (2007)
Led Zeppelin’s “golden god” further explores the soft side of Zep for an ultra-laid-back collection of old-time songs, dueting with Alison Krauss, the 36 year-old bluegrass superstar from Central Illinois. This tour should be great. Led Zep reunion tour in 08?! *

13) Joni Mitchell – “This Place” from SHINE (2007)
The songwriting goddess returns at age 64 after a 5 year absence. I love this song about the environment, but not the rest of the CD.

14) José González – “How Long” from IN OUR NATURE (2007)
His solo classical guitar sound remains compelling as the 29 year-old Swede returns with new songs influenced by our times. **

15) Fields – “Song For The Fields” from EVERYTHING LAST WINTER (2007)
Based in Birmingham, England, Fields is made up of 4 Englishmen and a woman from Iceland. This great song from their new CD was also on their debut EP last year, 7 From the Village. Although I’m not familiar with this new release, the EP was a must-buy.

16) Datarock – “Fa-Fa-Fa” from DATAROCK (2007)
This trio from Norway wears their Talking Heads and Devo influences on their sleeves while making catchy, trippy dance-rock.

17) Interpol – “The Heinrich Maneuver” from OUR LOVE TO ADMIRE (2007)
The former NYU students have now achieved their major label debut as they continue to deliver interesting, Joy Division-influenced art rock. Overall the new songs are more atmospheric and less concise. They deserve an award for wackiest CD cover of the year.

18) Iggy & The Stooges – “My Idea Of Fun” from THE WEIRDNESS (2007)
Iggy Pop reunited the Ann Arbor, Michigan band that launched his career in 1969, to record this CD produced by Steve Albini. Although the album is only mediocre, the live show was the #1 highlight of this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago.

19) Boston – “Rock and Roll Band” from BOSTON (1976)
You can’t call yourself a rock fan until you’ve played air guitar to Boston. Their 1976 self-titled debut is one of the best-selling debut albums in US history with over 17 million copies sold. Boston exploded onto the music scene when disco and punk were taking over and they haven’t left the radio since. Lead singer Brad Delp killed himself in March via carbon monoxide poisoning. RIP. **

20) Smashing Pumpkins – “Tarantula” from ZEITGEIST (2007)
Billy Corgan grabbed drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and dusted off the old band name despite the absence of James Iha and D’arcy.

21) Velvet Revolver – “Pills, Demons & Etc.” from LIBERTAD (2007)
The old Guns n Roses guys keep bringing the rock, substituting Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland for Axl Rose.

22) Linkin Park – “What I’ve Done” from MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT (2007)
Produced by Rick Rubin, these age 30-ish guys from the Valley (LA burbs) keep rocking hard and selling millions of CDs.

23) John Fogerty – “I Can’t Take It No More” from REVIVAL (2007)
At 62, Creedence Clearwater’s frontman sounds as spry as in the Vietnam era on this great flip of the bird to Bush! 1 more year...

IN CASE YOU STILL WANT MORE…

1) Blitzen Trapper – “Country Caravan” from WILD MOUNTAIN NATION (2007)
2) James Brown – “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” from HELL (1974) RIP
3) Café Tacuba – “53100” from SINO (2007)
4) Eagles – “Long Road Out Of Eden” from LONG ROAD OUT OF EDEN (2007)
5) Foo Fighters– “Long Road To Ruin” from ECHOS, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE (2007) 6) Patty Griffin – “Heavenly Day” from CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH (2007)
7) Don Ho–“Tiny Bubbles” from TINY BUBBLES (1966) RIP
8) Norah Jones – “The Sun Doesn’t Like You” from NOT TOO LATE (2007)
9) Lavender Diamond – “Oh No” from IMAGINE OUR LOVE (2007)
10) Ryan Shaw – “Nobody” from THIS IS RYAN SHAW (2007)
11) The Shins – “Australia” from WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY (2007)

CONTINUE READING THIS POST...

Holiday CD 2006 > 2007

Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 5 / Disc 1

1) Kraak & Smaak – “Money In The Bag” (remix) from BOOGIE ANGST (2006)
The hottest band in Holland, K&S formed in 2003 when 2 DJ friends from Leiden, Holland hooked up with a keyboard player. 4 of the top Dutch musicians supplement their live act, which debuted in May of 2005 and is taking over Europe. Word is they do a great show. The original version of this song is what landed them their record deal. **

2) Bob Sinclar Featuring Gary Pine – “Love Generation” from LOVE GENERATION (EP) (2005)
38 year-old Bob Sinclar is a French DJ who produces dance music in a variety of genres. This song was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia at the end of 05, running into 06. That’s Jamaican singer Gary Pine providing the happy vocals.

3) Billy Preston – “Will It Go Round In Circles” from EVERYBODY LIKES SOME KIND OF MUSIC (1973)
The guy known as the 5th Beatle died of hypertension this summer, just months shy of his 60th birthday. In addition to this #1 hit from 1973, Preston leaves behind an amazing history including being the first musical guest on SNL, the keyboard player in the last Beatles live performance (the legendary London rooftop show), a session player on the best Rolling Stones albums, multiple Beatles solo records and music by Ray Charles, Little Richard, Aretha, Dylan, Jackson 5 and more, plus the Beatles’ LET IT BE album, including the great keyboard solo on “Get Back”. His most recent work includes STADIUM ARCADIUM tracks for the RHCP and the brand new Clapton-JJ Cale CD. I saw Billy perform with a partly reunited version of The Band in 1991. RIP.

4) Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy” from ST. ELSEWHERE (2006)
Definitely the 2006 Wacky Song of the Year. You had to live under a rock to miss this one. Almost every act at Lollapalooza played their own version of “Crazy” this summer in Chicago. Gnarls Barkley is DJ-producer Danger Mouse with rapper/singer Cee-Lo.

5) Sergio Mendes Featuring John Legend – “Please Baby Don’t” from TIMELESS (2006)
Brazilian Sergio Mendes found major success on A&M Records with his group Brasil `66 starting in the mid-60’s. A keyboard player who performs pop songs bossa nova-style, Mendes’ sound helped define lounge music. From his recent will.i.am-produced comeback album, he performs this song with its writer, up-and-comer/Grammy winner John Legend, an incredibly talented Ohio native who graduated high school Salutatorian and was an English major at Penn before becoming a pop star. Sounds like a classic.

6) Loose Fur – “The Ruling Class” from BORN AGAIN IN THE USA (2006)
I couldn’t let a year go by without Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy being on the Holiday CD. Here is a catchy and goofy little ditty from Tweedy’s side project with multi-instrumentalist/producer Jim O’Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche.*

7) Sufjan Stevens – “Chicago” from COME ON FEEL THE ILLINOISE! (2005)
I ran out of space last year, so this year’s re-release of this amazing song got me to include it here. This critically acclaimed, 31 year-old singer-songwriter from Michigan claims he will make an album for each of the 50 United States. He has done MI and IL so far. *

8) M. Ward – “Chinese Translation” from POST-WAR (2006)
One of my favorite artists out there, 31 year-old Matt “M” Ward is from Portland, Oregon and puts on a great live show with a Dylan vibe. Last year’s TRANSISTOR RADIO was a superior album, but this one is good too. Definitely check this guy out. *

9) Midlake – “It Covers The Hillside” from THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER (2006)
My first discovery via Sirius satellite radio, Midlake is a band made up of former University of North Texas jazz students from Denton, TX. Their second album, TRIALS has a 1970’s pop-rock sound a la Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood Mac. **

10) The Killers – “Read My Mind” from SAM’S TOWN (2006)
This great, Vegas-based pop-rock band returned with their sophomore release and a new sound. Jury’s still out but I love this song.

11) Keane – “Is It Any Wonder” from UNDER THE IRON SEA (2006)
This English trio found huge success across Europe with this, their 2nd album. Here’s a catchy song that did well around the world.

12) Death Cab For Cutie – “Crooked Teeth” from PLANS (2005)
30-year old Ben Gibbard’s Washington-based band released this CD in 05 and continued to build on its success through 06.

13) Jerry Lee Lewis w/B.B. King – “Before The Night Is Over” from LAST MAN STANDING (2006)
The Killer (who happens to share my birthday) is now 71 and still going strong. Famous for his crazy, piano-thumping style, his 1957 hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls Of Fire” and his 3rd marriage at age 23 to his 13 year-old cousin, Jerry Lee has never stopped touring. After years away from recording, he has released a comeback CD with 22 great duets. *

14) Bruce Springsteen–“Pay Me My Money Down” from WE SHALL OVERCOME:THE SEEGER SESSIONS(2006)
One of the year’s best CDs, Springsteen formed a new, rootsy, 12-member band to record classic folk songs popularized by Pete Seeger. This album feels like one big, inspirational party as they sing songs about war and poverty in celebratory fashion.**

15) Ruth Brown – “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’ from ROCKIN’ WITH RUTH (1958)
Atlantic Records was known as The House That Ruth Built thanks to her popularizing of R&B in the 50s. She died in Nov at 78. RIP.

16) Bob Seger – “No More” from FACE THE PROMISE (2006)
Back from an 11 year hiatus, Detroit’s classic rock voice returns an octave deeper at 61, but still going strong. Great anti-war song.

17) The Who – “Mirror Door” from ENDLESS WIRE (2006)
24 years since their last record, the 2 surviving Who members return with new material. This strong song captures their classic sound.

18) The Secret Machines – “All At Once (It’s Not Important)” from TEN SILVER DROPS (2006)
From Dallas, these 2 brothers and a drummer released a strong second album that they call space rock. This song will grow on you. *

19) Neil Young – “Lookin’ For A Leader” from LIVING WITH WAR (2006)
Neil never stops! Now he’s ripping Bush & Friends a new one…and doing it well. His summer tour with CSN was the year’s best.**

20) Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” from AMERICAN V: A HUNDRED HIGHWAYS (2006)
Gone but not forgotten, The Man In Black returns from the grave with an amazing CD of songs he recorded on his death bed. **

21) Josh Ritter – “Here At The Right Time” from THE ANIMAL YEARS (2006)
Idaho’s Josh Ritter is a 30 year-old singer-songwriter who built a following in Ireland before a major label released his music here at home. His second major label release continues to show his Springsteen-Dylan-Leonard Cohen influences. Check out his live show.

Volume 5 / Disc 2

1) Lindsey Buckingham – “To Try For The Sun” from UNDER THE SKIN (2006)
The front man and producer for Fleetwood Mac’s most successful work returns with his first solo record in 14 years. The same solo artist who brought us the “Holiday Road” theme from the movie VACATION still sounds young and creative at 57. *

2) Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabeté – “Sombou Ya Ya” from IN THE HEART OF THE MOON (2005)
From Mali, singer-guitarist Touré was one of Africa’s most internationally celebrated musicians. Known as “the African John Lee Hooker” because of the way his music mixed traditional Malian music with American blues, he generated a lot of attention in the Western world via a great 1994 album with Ry Cooder, TALKING TIMBUKTU. This beautiful 2005 album, his second to last, is a collaboration with Malian kora player Toumani Diabeté (considered the world’s best) and led to a Grammy award this year for Best Traditional World Music Album. Touré died of bone cancer in March of this year at 67. RIP. **

3) Josh Rouse – “Quiet Town” from SUBTITULO (2006)
Currently living in Spain, 34 year-old Josh remains one of my favorite artists, even though this CD doesn’t compare to NASHVILLE or 1972. Be sure to give his stuff a listen and see him in concert whenever he passes though your town. *

4) John Mayer – “The Heart Of Life” from CONTINUUM (2006)
He’s one of those guys you want to hate but can’t. He’s 29, has it all, and ventured down the cheesy, pop music path…but then he shook things up and seems to have found himself musically. This is a really great song from an album that has a handful of `em. *

5) Tom Petty – “Square One” from HIGHWAY COMPANION (2006)
Approaching American Treasure-status after close to 30 years as a rock star, Petty at 56 keeps keeping on. Fair album, great song.

6) Alexi Murdoch – “All Of My Days” from TIME WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE (2006)
Born in Scottland, raised in London, 33 year-old Murdoch attended Duke University and moved to LA. A 2002 self-released 4 song EP gained him attention when TV shows and movies like GARDEN STATE used his songs. 4 years later, he released this first album.

7) Paolo Nutini – “Last Request” from THESE STREETS (2006)
Here’s a great song by another up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter. Hard to believe, but he’ll just be turning 20 in January.

8) David Gilmour – “Smile” from ON AN ISLAND (2006)
1 year after the huge Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8, Floyd’s co-front man/guitarist released his 3rd solo album (his 1st in 22 years; 12 years since his version of Floyd’s last album). Excellent tour – the 2 set show featured the entire new album and lots of Floyd classics.

9) José González – “Heartbeats” from VENEER (2006/2003)
From Sweden, yes I said Sweden, this 28 year-old singer-songwriter first released his debut album in 2003. As interest built after one of his songs was featured on the season finale of T.V.’s THE O.C., he re-released the album in 2006. His melodic, solo classical guitar sound is compelling. The live show is just like the album. Oh, and his parents are from Argentina…hence, the name. *

10) Bob Dylan – “When The Deal Goes Down” from MODERN TIMES (2006)
Bobby Z, now 65, took 5 years to release his latest studio effort. It’s another good one. Featuring his current touring band, the CD sounds exactly like Dylan’s current live shows. No new direction here, he’s basically continuing down the LOVE & THEFT path. *

11) Band Of Horses – “The Funeral” from EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME (2006)
From South Carolina, 28 year-old singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell formed this band in Seattle. Vocally he reminds me of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. On Bridwell’s list of heroes is the next band, Built To Spill. Brace yourself, this song takes it up a notch.

12) Built To Spill – “Conventional Wisdom” from YOU IN REVERSE (2006)
From Boise, Idaho, guitarist-singer-songwriter Doug Martsch founded Built To Spill in 1993. Influenced by Neil Young, J. Mascis and Steven Malkmus, Martsch has gone on to influence scores of indie bands. Martsch, who at 38 looks more like a homeless computer geek than a rock star, plays a mean guitar. This catchy song features the only extended jam of the 2006 Holiday CD. *

13) Wolfmother – “Woman” from WOLFMOTHER (2006)
This Australian trio rocks. Period. Sure, their psychedelic metal is derivative of the 70s, but they manage to make it sound fresh and fun. With one of the best albums of the year and one of the best live shows out there, Wolfmother is a band to check out. **

14) Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” from WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM… (2006)
This indie rock-punk quartet from Sheffield, England took the UK and indie rock by storm this year, but I expect 1-hit wonder status.

15) The Hellacopters – “Everything’s On T.V.” from ROCK & ROLL IS DEAD (2006)
Formed in 1994, this Swedish rock band released a great tune in 06 that shot through my car radio and caught my attention.

16) Pearl Jam – “Life Wasted” from PEARL JAM (2006)
I’m not the die-hard fan I once was, but I give PJ credit for becoming smart road warriors and for pulling together a decent CD in 06.

17) Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Torture Me” from STADIUM ARCADIUM (2006)
Still around & going strong, RHCP are true Survivors. Their 9th studio album is a great double-CD with strong songs and superior musical interplay. Their closing set for 75,000 fans at Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer was a triumphant musical moment. **

18) The Raconteurs – “Broken Boy Soldier” from BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS (2006)
Detroit friends Jack White of White Stripes and singer-songwriter Brendan Benson blended their sounds for this side project. Thanks to Jack, their live set at Lollapalooza was outstanding. *

19) Pink Floyd – “See Emily Play” from THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN (1967)
Founding member Syd Barrett died at 60 this summer from pancreatic cancer. He was Floyd’s singer-songwriter-guitarist from 1965 to 1968, when LSD-triggered mental illness left him unable to perform. (Lucky for Gilmour). This song is one of Syd’s best. RIP.

20) Starsailor – “In The Crossfire” from ON THE OUTSIDE (2006)
Inspired by Jeff Buckley, this English band (the last to work with Phil Spector) took their name from a 1970 album by Jeff’s dad, Tim.

21) Golden Smog – “Corvette” from ANOTHER FINE DAY (2006)
An ongoing side project with members of The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum & Jeff Tweedy, this gem belongs to Jayhawk Marc Perlman.

Songs I wanted to include (and recommend) but did not have room for:
Amadou & Mariam - "Coulibaly" from DIMANCHE A BAMAKO (2005)
Art Brut - "Good Weekend" from BANG BANG ROCK & ROLL (2006)
Beck - "Cellphone's Dead" from THE INFORMATION (2006)
Beth Orton - "Conceived" from COMFORT OF STRANGERS (2006)
Cheb i Sabbah - "Toura Toura" (The Nav Deep Remix) from LA GHRIBA (2006)
The Guggenheim Grotto - "Philosophia" from WALTZING ALONE (2006)
James Hunter - "People Gonna Talk" from PEOPLE GONNA TALK (2006)
Justin Timberlake - "Losing My Way" from FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS (2006)
Lily Allen - "Smile" from SMILE EP (2006)
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" from ALL THINGS IN TIME (1976) [RIP]
The Mars Volta - "Vermicide" from AMPUTECHTURE (2006)
The Mountain Goats - "Sail Babylon Springs" from BABYLON SPRINGS - EP (2006)
Prince - "Fury" from 3121 (2006)
Ray LaMontagne - "Empty" from TIL THE SUN TURNS BLACK (2006)
Richard Hawley - "Room With A View" from JUST LIKE THE RAIN - EP (2006)
Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" from CARNAVAS (2006)
Sonic Youth - "Incinerate" from RATHER RIPPED (2006)
Tapes `n Tapes - "Insistor" from THE LOON (2006)
Taylor Hicks - "Do I Make You Proud" (single) (2006)
Thom Yorke - "The Clock" from THE ERASER (2006)
TV On the Radio - "Wolf Life Me" from RETURN TO COOKIE MOUNTAIN (2006)
The Walkmen - "Lost In Boston" from A HUNDRED MILES OFF (2006)
Wilson Pickett - "In the Midnight Hour" from IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1965) [RIP]
Yo La Tengo - "Beanbag Chair" from I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU... (2006)
Zero 7 - "Futures" from THE GARDEN (2006)

CONTINUE READING THIS POST...

Bridge Benefit 2006 (10/21/06)

Neil Young was clearly in a great mood at his 20th Bridge Benefit concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater, benefitting the Bridge School for severely disabled children in the Bay Area. Whether his mood was a feeling of pride for reaching the 20th year milestone with a sell-out crowd, or instead a pure joy for life after surviving an anneurism just a little more than a year ago was unclear. Whatever the reason, Neil displayed a higher-than-usual level of affection for his wife, Pegi, and a higher-than-usual level of attentiveness to the actual performances. For much of the day, Neil was sitting on stage left, watching the performers with a smile and waiting for a chance to sit in with many of them. This year's lineup included Davendra Banhart, Gillian Welch, Death Cab For Cutie, Trent Reznor, Brian Wilson, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band.

As always, Neil kicked off the show solo acoustic after Pegi's warm introduction. He opened the show with the great "Flags Of Freedom" from his strong 2006 anti-Bush album LIVING WITH WAR. He was then joined by Pegi on harmonies for a beautiful "Long May You Run" and an exceptional "Comes A Time" with his colorful friends, the dancing Native Americans in full traditional headdress.

The first act to perform was Devendra Banhart, joined by guitarist Bert Jansch (whom Neil seemed particularly excited about). This act seemed great - mellow, trippy and weird. Unfortunately, I was starving and in need of some concert food. Not only did I miss some interesting songs, but I missed a cover of one of my all-time favorite David Crosby songs, "Traction In the Rain". Having never even seen Crosby play this tune, I was bummed to be stuffing my face rather than watching the performance. I think this band is based in LA, so I hope to get another chance to see them.

Next came the rootsy Gillian Welch with David Rawlings. They did their usual, beautiful acoustic rootsy duo thang and closed out their set with a great cover of Neil's "Country Girl", which brought Neil out in mid-song to join them. This was special, considering that Neil almost never (and maybe never) plays this song live.

Death Cab For Cutie proved to be a decent live act, especially when forced into the Bridge Benefit's acoustic setting. Songs like "Crooked Teeth" and "Soul Meets Body" translated well to this format. The surprise of their set was a great cover of Graham Nash's "Millitary Madness". This year's batch of artists was clearly in tune with the Bridge family thing with the Crosby, Nash and Neil covers.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails came next with the first solo gig of his career. Watching him with a piano and cellos was nothing compared to his powerful, electric set at Coachella 2 years ago. Although this was intense and almost interesting, I was overall kind of bored and wishing that THIS was the time I ran out to the food lines. Oh well. Trent played songs like "The Fragile", "Right Where It Belongs" and the classic "Hurt". This was not the right format for his music.

Foo Fighters came next. Damn, these guys are great. The acoustic format was perfect for them, thanks to their recent completion of an acoustic tour. Dave Grohl has a great voice when he doesn't have to scream, and here he got to show it off while singing one hit after another. This set was a show-stealer and an all-time Bridge highlight. The crowd ate up every second of it as the band played "Everlong", "Marigold", "My Hero", "Big Me", "Skin and Bones", "Times Like These". Excellent, excellent set.

Brian Wilson and his giant band kicked ass too. They brought the party music to the show as Brian took us back in time to the happy California sound he invented. Opening the set with "Heroes and Villains" from SMILE was a great way to start, given the legendary story behind the 30-year SMILE saga that was finally resolved last year. Then, Brian sat on a stool surrounded by his band and performed one great hit after another. "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B", "Row Row Row Your Boat", "God Only Knows", "Do You Wanna Dance", "I Get Around", "Help Me Rhonda", "Good Vibrations" with Neil Young on organ, "Johnny B Goode", "Surfin' USA", and "Fun Fun Fun". Fantastic set.

Pearl Jam played a great set that featured the best musical moment of the night and one of the best Bridge moments of all time. This was when Neil joined them for a killer version of "Throw Your Hatred Down" from their 1995 collaboration MIRROR BALL. Neil and Eddie traded vocals and then Neil and McCready had some ripping guitar duels that gave many the kind of ear-to-ear grins you hope for when watching musicians of this caliber. PJ's set featured "Elderly Woman", "Parachutes", "Throw Your Hatred Down", the traditional drinking song "I Used To Work In Chicago", "Daughter", the Tom Waits tune "Picture In A Frame", "Man Of the Hour", "Better Man" and the very exciting cover, "Crazy Mary". This brilliantly performed rare song took many of us back to the early 90s when Seattle ruled the country. Great set.

Dave Matthews Band was fun. "Loving Wings", "Grace Is Gone", "Warehouse", "Ants Marching" and then a fantastic "Cortez the Killer" with Neil trading vocals and dueling guitars with Dave while Boyd Tinsley did his crazy soloing on the violin. Solid set.

Neil then performed with The Prairie Wind Band, which appeared to be a rag-tag collection of his friends and neighbors. This wasn't so special. If I caught it in a bar on a random night, I would have shit my pants...but on this stage after hours of this level of music, it was just OK. Also keep in mind that it was midnight by the time they took the stage and we had been at the show since early-to-mid afternoon. This band had a honky tonk vibe that performed "Field Of Opportunity", "Homegrown", "After the Garden", "Goin' Back", "Four Strong Winds", "Harvest Moon" - a beautiful version featuring a band member sweeping a well-miked broom across the stage to capture that sweeping sound from the recording, and "Human Highway". The big encore of the night brought all of the day's performers back on stage for a rockin' version of "Rockin' in the Free World".

Overall, another great Bridge Benefit by the most genuine artist out there...who remains a vital creative force after 40 years in the business. Long live Neil Young.

CONTINUE READING THIS POST...

Tobacco Money Buying Our Congress (9/21/06)

Check it out - here is the 2006 list of the US Senators and Representatives in Congress who are pocketing the most money from Big Tobacco companies. Funny how the same politicians who preach about Jesus, Family Values and Protecting The Country are quietly pocketing thousands of dollars from companies that push the deadly, addictive products that cause the deaths of 450,000 Americans every year. That doesn't sound too consistent with protecting us or loving Jesus and families to me, does it to you?? Every year in America, tobacco kills 150 times the number of people who died on September 11th. But you won't hear about that from assholes like Rick Santorum who pretend to want to make us all safer! Does this piss you off? Let the politicians know! If they represent you, FIRE THEM! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT!

The top 20 recipients of tobacco contributions in Congress so far in the 2005-2006 election cycle:

Top 10 Senators Contribution Totals
George Allen (R-VA) $34,000
Conrad Burns (R-MT) $29,500
John Ensign (R-NV) $28,500
Rick Santorum (R-PA) $22,000
Ben Nelson (D-NE) $20,500
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) $16,000
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) $14,000
Richard Burr (R-NC) $13,128
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) $13,000
Norm Coleman (R-MN) $12,000
Click Here To Contact Your Senator!!


Top 10 Representatives Contribution Totals
Ron Lewis (R-KY) $34,500
Eric Cantor (R-VA) $26,750
Jim McCrery (R-LA) $25,500
Robin Hayes (R-NC) $25,000
Henry Bonilla (R-TX) $22,000
John Boehner (R-OH) $21,000
Edward Whitfield (R-KY) $21,000
Mark Kennedy (R-MN) $19,000
Mike McIntyre (D-NC) $19,000
Allen Boyd (D-FL) $18,000
Click Here To Contact Your Representative in Congress!!

In addition to individual contributions, tobacco PACs have donated more than $1.2 million to non-candidate committees, including leadership PACs affiliated with individual members of Congress.

Name of Leadership PAC / Affiliated Member of Congress Contribution Totals

Freedom Project / John Boehner (R-OH) $41,000

Every Republican is Crucial / Eric Cantor (R-VA) $36,000

Together for our Majority PAC / Tom Reynolds (R-NY) $35,000

New Republican Majority Fund / Trent Lott (R-MS) $30,000

Rely on Your Beliefs Fund / Roy Blunt (R-MO) $27,000

Bluegrass Committee / Mitch McConnell (R-KY) $25,128

Senate Victory Fund PAC / Thad Cochran (R-MS) $25,000

Republican Majority Fund / Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) $24,500

Committee for the Preservation of
Capitalism / Jim McCrery (R-LA) $22,500

Next Century Fund / Richard Burr (R-NC) $22,500

AMERIPAC: The Fund for a Greater
America / Steny Hoyer (D-MD) $22,500

Promoting Republicans You Can
Elect PAC / Deborah Pryce (R-OH) $22,500

"The tobacco companies have been found guilty of a 50 year conspiracy of lies, deception, disease, and death and of continuing to violate the law, but members of Congress are still taking millions of dollars from them and failing to take action to protect kids," said William V. Corr, executive director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "Our leaders should stand up to the tobacco companies, return their contributions and reject future donations from this rogue industry."

"Despite court findings that tobacco companies hurt the public interest by lying about the dangers of smoking and marketing products to children, the cigarette makers through generous campaign contributions have maintained access and influence to Members of Congress who are supposed to be protecting the public good," said Common Cause President Chellie Pingree. "The tobacco industry and its allies continue to buy their way around Capitol Hill at the public's peril."

CONTINUE READING THIS POST...

Chicago's Lollapalooza 2006 (8/7/06)

Chicago truly shined once again as Lollapalooza returned to the city’s parks for its 2006 incarnation. This time around, the event was a 3-day music festival that doubled in size to include 69 lakefront acres of Grant Park and Hutchinson Field (home to last year’s event and Radiohead in 2001). Last year’s event was attended by 60,000 total paid attendees, raised $400,000 for park improvements and pumped $15 million into the local economy via hotels, restaurants and transportation. This year, ticket sales grossed $8 million with 166,000 total paid attendees and $800,000 was raised for the parks….with significantly more money than last year entering the local economy. Again run by Austin, Texas’ Capital Sports & Entertainment, entrance to the event cost $130 for a 3-day pass. Despite a less-than-incredible overall lineup, this fee was worth every penny thanks to the combination of the beautiful setting, great food, well-behaved crowd, eclectic mix of musical talent and close-to-flawless festival execution by Capital. Sure, there were some little things that could have been better….but Capital deserves a major pat on the back for getting people in to the festival each day with no lines, keeping food and drink lines running between 1 to 10 minutes max, keeping the bands performing on schedule, and having more than enough port-o-potties spread across the fields in easily accessible locations. As for what could be better: It took 15-20 minutes to walk from the first main stage to the second. If the stages really need to be this far apart, why not book music that appeals to different types of people on each main stage? It would be nice to not have to think about missing a band due to the thought of walking for 20 minutes in the heat. Another problem this year: Bass sounds were overwhelming the North main stage the entire weekend. This is the type of issue that needs to be addressed quickly during a festival since it clearly drags down the potential enjoyment of the music. Final complaint: By having 8 stages, it meant that most available real estate needed to be filled with stages...including the food areas. Last year you were able to go to the food areas to get a break from all of the music, relax, eat and talk to friends. This year, you had to digest your pulled pork sandwich while some awful band not worthy of a better stage was screeching into the microphone, forcing you to shout to your friends to tell them how great the festival’s BBQ sauce tasted.

Don't get me wrong - there is very little to complain about from this event. The vibe was great - friendly staff, no in-your-face cops, well-behaved crowd and the usual festival freaks who dressed in clown outfits, court jester get-ups and who-knows-what-else. One day we agreed to count the clowns just for laughs...when we hit 8 clowns in one hour, we stopped because it seemed like there would be too many to count. Some people on-line have been complaining about the amount of corporate sponsorship at the event. First of all, the artists weren't being sponsored (Neil Young's biggest fear)...the event was being sponsored. Sure, every stage and just about every piece of real estate was sponsored by some major company like Bud Light, AT&T and Adidas. It's thanks to those sponsors that this festival was able to be such a success for the fans. I see nothing wrong with that...especially after attending events without sponsorship that had dirty port-o-potties and endless lines for everything.

On Day 1 of the event, our crew (which ranged from 2-10 peeps depending on the time) got to see Ryan Adams, Secret Machines, The Raconteurs, Violent Femmes and Ween. Ryan Adams played a nice set that didn’t include enough of his well-known songs to truly captivate the crowd. People instead looked at him like “what the hell is this” and talked to their friends through most of the set. We, however, were entertained thanks to his set featuring a lot of musical improvisation as well as 3 Grateful Dead covers (“Franklin’s Tower”, “Wharf Rat”, and “He’s Gone”). There was nothing earth-shattering here, but for a sunny summer day in a park with friends surrounded by Chicago’s great skyline, it made for pleasant entertainment. Thanks to that 20 minute walk (see above) and the need to eat some of Chicago’s finest (BBQ pulled pork, beer, BBQ chicken sandwiches, pizza, sausages, Vitamin Water and did I say beer?), we only caught the tail end of Secret Machines. They appeared to be playing a typically interesting, rocking, psychedelic set that would have been fun to catch in its entirety. We then faced some incredibly difficult decision-making…the type of decision-making that should be reserved for the office. We had to choose whether to see My Morning Jacket or The Raconteurs. We chose The Raconteurs. Why? We have seen MMJ in clubs and know we would see them again in clubs. The Raconteurs are a one album band that may never exist again, due to Jack White’s regular gig in the White Stripes...and why make a whole night in a club of just seeing that 1 album? We made a great decision because this set turned out to be a festival highlight. Jack White stole the show with his exciting stage personality, riffing and solos. He rocked out on some great covers, including Gnarls Barkely’s “Crazy” and Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down”. Pitchfork has compared this set to a beer commercial. God forbid the indie scene have to listen to songs that aren’t concise ideas like the Velvet Underground catalog. Lighten up, Pitchfork. Have some fun. This set rocked. Period. We caught the Violent Femmes doing their thing next. They played the classics and sounded good. Although this set would have been a blast at Metro in 1986, today it was background entertainment that would have fit in better at Milwaukee’s Summerfest. Next came Ween. I don’t know how to describe Ween other than to throw words around like weird, freak, Zappa and weird. They brought out the smoke machines and light show to enhance their bizarre songs that are stylistically all over the place while featuring solid musicianship. It was a fun set that provided a good closer to the end of the first day.

Day 2 featured the hottest weather of the 3 days as the humidity came on strong and the sun got a chance to shine as the clouds faded away. The first set we caught was Built To Spill. They were on the North main stage, which had such severe sound trouble that it was tough to enjoy the set. The band started things off with some lame songs and weak performances but the material and performances dramatically improved as the set went on. Right when things were getting great, we had to do the 20 minute hike in order to get to Wolfmother on time. We fought our way to a great spot in the massive crowd right as Perry Farrell took the stage to give the band a dramatic introduction. You could definitely feel the buzz surrounding the Wolfmother stage. The crowd wanted to see these guys….as did the large number of press photographers gathered in front of the stage. A young trio from Australia, Wolfmother knows how to rock 1970's style. They may be 100% derivative, but they’re damn fun. Their sound mixes early Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and a handful of generic 70's hard rock bands. Throw in top-notch stage performance schtick, great vocals, drums and a bass player who also plays organ and you’ve got Wolfmother. This set entertained us from start to finish while the crowd ate it up like the polish sausages being served in the food section. Wolfmother was definitely a festival highlight. We were already exhausted as a result of the music, the heat and yet another 20 minute walk to Sonic Youth by the time they took the stage. They played that North main stage with the weak sound so we all sat on the lawn and only half- paid attention to this great band. They played their new album, which sounded good. Then it was time for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, Vitamin Water and beer. Common took the stage next. This performance was considered a big deal due to the fact that last year’s festival featured no major rappers…and here was Common, a successful hometown rapper playing to an audience much larger than he’s used to. He did a great job combining moments of freestyle rap with his jazzy recordings. His band featured a great jazzy drummer, keyboard player and DJ. His set was a blast that was very well-received. This guy has talent as well as a great sound and vibe. Next came Thievery Corporation. They had a huge band that blended all forms of world music into one giant dancefest. They brought the party and had the whole crowd smiling and wanting more. We all agreed that we would see them live again any time. We then caught a few minutes of Manu Chao, who also performed a danceable set of world music. Then we headed over to the big draw of Kanye West. This was exactly what I expected: pure crap. I don’t care what the critics say but this guy is overrated. He’s a good producer and wrote a masterpiece in “Jesus Walks” but after that I just don’t see it. He drew a large crowd – probably 60,000 people. This, by the way, was probably the whitest hip-hop crowd in the history of hip-hop concerts. You would think Common and Kanye would bring at least some diversity to the festival audience! Where was the diversity?? Jazz Fest in New Orleans has such a great blend of people attending the event. Why not this Chicago event? Was there not enough hip-hop to justify the ticket price to the black community? Has the Lollapalooza name only been marketed to the white concert-going crowd all these years? It would be nice to see some diversity next time around. Anyway, back to how Kanye is overrated. The Chicago Tribune interviewed several teenagers who loved his set, so maybe that’s the level of sophistication his music is intended for. Whatever the case, after giving it at least 30 minutes, we unanimously thought it sucked…so we headed out. We walked across the street from the park to a giant hotel. We gathered in their bar with a view of Michigan Avenue, ordered drinks and stuffed our faces with food until we began drifting into comas. That’s when we all went to Wicker Park and literally crashed for 12 hours.

As soon as we woke up, it was time to head back for more! We headed out to the streets of Wicker Park with the goal of finding some Pop Tarts before jumping in a taxi to Grant Park. After all, it would be a bit rough to kick off the day with BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for breakfast. We entered a local corner store where the employee was too busy watching sports on his small black & white television to acknowledge our existence while his buddy was standing outside laughing with a shiny, silver colored garbage can-top balancing on his head. He was cracking himself up, so this overall scene made for a trippy, amusing way to start the day. We ultimately got to the festival and kicked things off with Nickel Creek. They were a perfect morning band…wholesome, happy bluegrass with the Chicago skyline behind them. Band leader Chris Thiele is a future rock star. He led the band through a great set that included covers of Radiohead’s “Nice Dream” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic”. “Toxic” was a blast and went over incredibly well. Thiele took a huge political risk by stepping into sensitive Chicago territory when he said that he liked the Cubs better than the White Sox. If it weren't for the heat or the lack of beer being consumed at that early hour, his comments might have launched a Woodstock 99-like tirade in the crowd...but that fortunately didn't happen.

I concluded during this set that musicians like Chris Thiele and Jack White are such a rare breed. It’s good to know that there are still young artists coming up who are truly mastering their craft, doing their homework to learn the roots of the music and at the same time keeping everything current and fresh. There is something ageless about artists like these. Think about Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Kurt Cobain. I’m not saying White and Thiele are or will be on the same level of artistry as those 3. But those 3 artists all had wisdom way beyond their years as youngsters and, although we’ll never know how Cobain would have progressed, the other 2 maintained their youth and creativity throughout their aging process. It’s as if they were never young…and were never old….they just always channeled something magical. I think White and Thiele share those traits….and look forward to seeing what comes from them down the road. Throw Jeff Tweedy in there too...but I'll save my praise for him until the next paragraph.

After Nickel Creek, we did the 20-minute trek to see Matisyahu. Although this was entertaining, early-afternoon festival fare, I think the whole Hassidic reggae thing lacks depth. The bearded Phish fan has a great band but he lacks the artistic depth to match their sound. The crowd seemed to like it but I think that’s due to his Flavor Of the Month status. We’ll see where he goes, but I wasn’t impressed. Poi Dog Pondering came next. I unfortunately didn’t get to see them in their prime, 10-12 years ago. I used to hear great things about Poi Dog…but this set was not impressive or entertaining. Next up was my favorite band, Wilco. It was a trip for me to be standing behind a crowd of thousands to see an artist I used to see in the 100-person capacity Lounge Ax back in 1991. Jeff Tweedy is the only artist whose career I have followed since the beginning. It’s been a thrill to watch him grow and watch the crowd slowly grow with him. Tweedy is finally starting to get the respect he deserves. He is the Neil Young/Tom Petty of my generation and I intend to remain a fan indefinitely. I expect that one day he’ll have his breakthrough record with the mainstream world, a la Bonnie Raitt in the late-80's…when he’ll be heralded as Best New Artist after having been around forever. Sporting a beard that rivaled Matisyahu’s and an I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-bought-my-outfit-at-the-local thrift-shop look, Tweedy led his band of top musicians through a solid one hour set of songs both familiar and new. He was in perfect voice - as if he finally stayed away from cigarettes for an extended period. Wilco opened with “Shot In the Arm” and the entire crowd sang along with every word. The set featured crowd pleasers like "Heavy Metal Drummer", "Via Chicago" and "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" as well as 4 new songs. A horn section sat in for a few tunes, including some of the new material. Tweedy was hilarious as always when he joked about the giant zit on his forehead and complained that he can only imagine how big it must look on the Jumbotron videoscreen. Tweedy also joked after getting the crowd to sing along with one of his songs that as the band gets bigger, he's trying to get better at the whole crowd participation thing, despite the awkwardness of it all. After Wilco came more BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, Vitamin Water and beer. Then the entire festival crowd gathered at the South main stage for the official festival headliner: Red Hot Chili Peppers. There was an endless sea of people (estimated at 75,000) as the RHCP played a kickass set of funky, jammy rock. 43-year-old bass player Flea let his freak flag fly as he jumped around the stage wearing a psychedelic unitard that looked like one, giant body tattoo. Flea's bass and Frusciante's guitar combined to create a feel that was at times reminiscent of the Grateful Dead shows that had become a summertime Chicago staple in the 90's at the nearby Soldier Field. The happy crowd of all ages danced and sang along as the RHCP served as the perfect end to a great music festival weekend. Their story of going from cult band status to heroin death, explosion of success, key band member leaving to do heroin, downhill slide, key band member returns better than ever, band surpasses their previous level of success and then gets cocky enough to release a double CD...all led to this triumphant moment at Lollapalooza 2006. They headlined Lollapalooza II in 1992, rode out many crazy years in the music business, got discovered by new generations...and in the post-dot com, post-cell phone, post iTunes, George W. Bush era, here they were, sounding at the top of their game, playing to a massive crowd of people in the heart of Chicago after a rousing introduction by their peer, Perry Farrell. The RHCP did their job and left everyone happy and wanting more.

As the festival wound to a close, I found myself exiting the grounds next to one of the event's most colorful clowns, a banana. I'm not used to walking next to bananas, so I couldn't resist striking up a conversation. I asked the banana if it was hot being a banana at Lollapalooza, given that it was close to 90 degrees and humid for the 3 days of the event. The banana, who was a bearded hippie and looked something like the lead singer of the Spin Doctors, told me, "man, you wouldn't believe how hot it was!" I asked him if lots of people wanted to take his picture. "I probably posed for 1,000 pictures today. It was great." I then asked the question I was most curious about. "What inspired you to be a banana for Lollapalooza this season?" He said, "When I woke up the other morning I just felt like I should dress up...and it seemed like being a banana would be perfect. I mean, my friend was going to be a hot dog, so I thought I should be a banana." I liked his logic. I laughed while exiting the park and thought, "I'm ready for Lollapalooza 2007."

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