Author: April

2 Comments

Marone!

  By

I am half-Italian/Sicilian-American on my father’s side. As such, I feel both a deep part of and an alien to my family’s culture. I’ve never been to Italy, though my heart clenches like a fool in love when I see an Italian landscape. I have taught myself a bit of proper Italian, though the first Italian I learned was the end-vowel-clipping tones of those who came to seek the American dream from the lower calf of Italia’s boot. As such, I have a love/hate relationship with the fake Italian songs so popular in the early 1950s, before rock ‘n’ roll really took hold of America.

Arguably, the greatest practioner of fake Italian songs was one of my great loves, Dino Paul Crocetti, i.e., Dean Martin. Dino’s story reflects my own father’s story in some ways. Like my father, he was born in Ohio (my father from Cleveland, Dean from Steubenville), and part of his family came from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Like my father, he spoke mostly Italian until he was five years old, like my father, he loved to sit in his favorite chair and watch Westerns. And, like my father, a handsome man (I am told I look just like my father, so this compliment may be self-serving).

So here, per voi, this Friday slackday, is a selection of the best fake Italian songs of that Italian-loving era. Per voi, cafones. Va’ fa’ un culo! (Don’t translate that.)

 

The greatest of fake Italian songs:
 

 

Here’s Rosemary Clooney, of Irish descent, telling the story of how Mitch Miller talked her into singing one of the biggest hits of her career, a song which was actually written by the great Armenian-American author William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks). (Thanks to Rick Saunders for the illuminating information.)
 

 

Dino and Rosemary duke it out on this fake Italian song, “Mambo Italiano”.
 


 

 

I was going to include Sergio Franchi’s “Pizza-zza” here – despite the fact that Franchi was native Italian, this song sounds ridiculously fake – but there are no videos for it available. So here instead is the only mildly fake Italian “Buona Sera” by the inimitable Louis Prima.
 

2 Comments

Old Gray Mule: A Day in MS, a Night in TX

  By

 

This year’s Deep Blues Festival, my first, was full of highlights both music and personal. One of those highlights was seeing Old Gray Mule play, partially because of their musical prowess and service to the groove and partially because watching C.R. Humphrey and C.W. Ayon joke around like a couple of schoolboys on the verge of a giggle fit is so damned enjoyable.

It is great to hear that slightly mischievous, good-time atmosphere brought to OGM’s new release A Day in Mississippi, A Night in Texas. “Alright, this song’s got cussing in it,” Humphrey announces as OGM kicks off a live set, recorded this past July at the 2nd annual Junior Kimbrough Birthday Party in Austin, Texas. After a little more joshing around, OGM ease into their gritty take on “Stagger Lee”, showing not only that service to the groove but also showcasing Ayon’s sharp vocal attitude as he relays the fateful story. Ayon is a good match for Humphrey, who has played with a few different drummers under the Old Gray Mule handle. The swagger of Ayon’s vocals reflect the cool assurance of Humprhey’s guitar playing as Ayon also backs up on drums with a beat calculated for maximum hip sway.

 

Stagger Lee/My Babe Told Me So by Old Gray Mule

 

And can we talk about Humprhey’s guitar playing? From fuzzed-out riffs inspired by north Mississippi hill country blues masters like Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside and T-Model Ford to funked up waka-chika (their take on Burnside Exploration’s “Bitch, You Lie” rolling into Parliament’s “Flashlight”, with Julia Magness of the Original Bells of Joy, is an ass-shaking good time) to the soulful picking that characterizes their cover of Junior Kimbrough’s “I Cried Last Night” (with Meredith Kimbrough of Mother Merey and the Black Dirt) that will have you closing your eyes, nodding your head and wishing you could morph into a guitar string to be so sweetly caressed, Humphrey is sharp.

But before the party night in Texas, there is the day in Mississippi where Humphrey and Ayon record with guitarist Bill Abel who has played and recorded with greats like Paul “Wine” Jones, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Carr and more. For me, the highlight of this four-song section is the sleek, slow-grooving “I’m Bad Like Jesse James”.

 

I’m Bad Like Jesses James by Old Gray Mule with Bill Abel

 

If you need a little more convincing (But why would you? Did you listen to those songs up there? Fucking great!), head over to Deep Blues where Rick Saunders has another taste from the album for you, a little zydeco number. Then get yourself out to a show and pick this up for yourself when Old Gray Mule hits your town (the opportunity will be coming up shortly if you’re in Australia).

Old Gray Mule Official Website

No comments

Feel Bad For You, October 2011

  By

 

The October installment of the Feel Bad For You mix is here, with contributions from music makers, pushers and lovers. Free for you to stream or download and enjoy while imbibing the libation of your choice.

Nota bene: Due to an oversight, my contribution was not included this month. If it had been, you’d be hearing Little Walter’s “Juke” in this mix. Take your grievances to Matt.

 

 

Download

Title: For Stormy
Artist: Chelsea Crowell
Album: Crystal City (2011)
Submitted By: Mando_lines
Comments: For Stormy is an instrumental track off of Chelsea Crowell’s upcoming record, Crystal City. The song originally had lyrics, but Ms. Crowell made the decision to jettison the lyrics and had her producer, Loney Hutchins, play lap steel in place of her vocal track. A Tennessee thunder storm (and tornado siren) are in the background, if you listen closely. Conveniently, the siren was in the same key as the song.

Title: Twilight On Sometimes Island (SoulQuest 17)
Artist: Lil’ Cap’n Travis
Album: Twilight On Sometimes Island (2007)
Submitted By: Erschen
Comment: Love me some Pedal Steel

Title: Fortune Cookie
Artist: Los Straitjackets
Album: The Further Adventures of Los Straitjackets (2009)
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Everyone’s favorite Mexican wrestling mask-wearing, Chuck Taylor-clad, surf and garage instrumental rock band, we had these guys play at a traditional Hot Rod Show I was involved with a couple summers ago, they know how to have a good time and get everyone dancing.

Title: Townsend, TN
Artist: The Royal Court of China
Album: Self-Titled (1989)
Submitted by: toomuchcountry
Comments: The Royal Court of China was a Nashville-based, Elliston Place/Rock Block staple band in the late 1980s who later took a shot at the big time with a relo to LA. Bands such as The Questionnaires (featuring great songwriter Tom Littlefield), Government Cheese, Will & The Bushmen (fronted by Will Kimbrough), and RCC were among the second and larger wave of memorable bands that followed the original Nashville rockers, Jason & The Scorchers. The band got its name from a magazine interview with Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers. In the interview, the two of them mentioned that they had rejected RCC as a name for their name and instead chose The Firm. RCC’s second album, Geared & Primed, was hard-edged and included their only hit – Half The Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4JNLthoQRU). But their first and self-titled release included a wider range of guitar playing, a mandolin, some slide to give it a distinctly-Nashville touch, a few more harmonies, and this instrumental named for one of the most beautiful, tranquil parts of East Tennessee.

Title: Hobo’s Blues
Artist: Paul Simon & Stéphane Grappelli
Album: Paul Simon (1972)
Submitted By: Phil Norman | @philnorman
Comments: I’ve been on a Paul Simon binge lately, and I was already thinking of submitting a gypsy jazz track when I remembered this little ditty with the master himself, Stéphane Grappelli.

Artist: Japancakes
Song: Only Shallow
Album: Loveless (2007)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments: featuring Pedal Steel God John Neff of DBT before he was
John Neff of DBT…always a badass.

Title: Drivin’ South
Artist: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album: Radio One (1989)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: What else is there to say?

Title: Maggot Brain
Artist: The Volebeats
Album: Bloodshot Records: Making Singles, Drinking Doubles (2002)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: in the pantheon of great rock instrumentals, Funkadelic’s maggot brain is certainly near the top. This is a killer version with some absolutely necessary steel guitar.

Title: A New Life
Artist: Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard
Album: Northline (Soundtrack To The Book) (2008)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: Love Willie Vlautin’s writing for Richmond Fontaine and his books are equally fantastic – the book and soundtrack idea works wonderfully well.

Title: Into the Lungs of Hell
Artist: Megadeth
Album: So Far, So Good… So What (1988)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comment: Having sent instrumentals the last 2 months, this actually was a challenge this month. Pulled up Glenn Miller’s “Goin’ Home” — way too mellow and sad. Fired up some Xavier Cugat and remembered I had a cover of Ray Charles doing “One Mint Julep”. Then I realized I submitted the Cugat in 2008. Dammit. So here’s some Megadeth. Enjoy!

Title: Ghost Song
Artist: Slithering Beast
Album: Werewolf Ballads (2006)
Submitted By: bootlegend (In My Basement Room)
Comments: One of my favorites from a criminally underexposed band out of Louisville.

Title: Arkansas Traveller
Artist : Norman Blake
Album: Live At McCabes (1976?)
Submitted By: Bowood
Comments: This could be why I play guitar, or it could be why I don’t.

Title: Stairway to Heaven
Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
Album: Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz

Title: Bombs Over Baghdad
Artist: Outkast
Album: Stainonia (2000)
Submitted By: Autopsy IV of ninebullets.net
Comments: Bob your head. Rag top.

Title: Squid Omelet
Artist: The Queers
Album: Grow Up (1990)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Ok, so when I think instrumental I automatically think surf music. and I LOVE surf music. Dick Dale and the Dale Tones, The Ventures, Frogmen, Sentinals, The Rumblers, Beach Boys (although honestly I don’t listen to them as much as the others I’ve mentioned). I could go on and on about surf music. BUT I wouldn’t have ever gotten started listening to surf music if it weren’t thru a weird backdoor way of getting exposed to it, thru punk. So, I decided to put up the song that got me started really listening to surf instead of one of the other surf bands I mentioned. The Queers are a great band that are pretty heavily influenced by surf music, and you can really hear it in their songs, I love them. Although I had heard surf before I didn’t really appreciate it until after getting into punk. Confused now? Me too. By the way, this song ends kind of abruptly, because it’s supposed to lead right into the next track…so this might not really be the greatest pick for a random mixtape….but I’m telling a story with this song, so, suck it.

Title: Good Grease
Artist: Mark III Trio
Album: Single
Submitted By: @mikeorren
Comments: Off a great bootleg instrumental soul compilation that sadly seems to be unavailable on now. The comp disc was called “Bucket o’ Grease”

Title: Si Paloma
Artist: Sun Kil Moon
Album: Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: I’m not a big fan of instrumentals, but that’s the theme…so here’s a submission from one of my favorite albums of all time.

Title: Moanin’
Artist: Ray Charles
Album: Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961)
Submitted By: Adam Sheets

Title: Cissy Strut
Artist: Butch Cassidy Sound System
Album: Butches Brew (2004)
Submitted By: noteethleroy

Title: Peace in Mississippi (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Artist: Earth
Album: Pentastar: In the Style of Demons (1996)
Submitted by: TheSecondSingle
Comment: Stoner rock at its best. This may not be most people’s cup o’ tea, but you have to admit: it’s pretty badass.

Title: Green Onions
Artist: Booker T. & the M.G.s
Album: Green Onions (1962)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Thanks to TheSecondSingle for the inspiration via spotify!

No comments

Scott H. Biram: ‘Til I Hit That Open Road

  By

“In England, last year we were over there, and my friend John from the Black Diamond Heavies – well, you can’t have no pocket knife in England, and we were partyin’, and he was yelling at these old geezers about something or they were yelling at him. They saw he had a pocket knife in his pocket, and they told one of the bobbies outside, and they took him to jail. And we said, ‘Is there anything we can do?’ And they said, ‘No’, and I said, ‘Well… okay!’ And we went back in and started dancing again, and my friend was in jail.

The next morning, he came swaggering up. He said [adopts rough, John Wesley Myers voice], ‘Man, that’s the nicest jail I ever spent the night in. But they took my coon dick bone!'”1

This is the story behind the centerpiece song of Scott H. Biram’s new album Bad Ingredients. Aside from memorializing John Wesley Myers’ confiscated good luck charm, the boogie woogie rockin’ “I Want My Mojo Back” also pays tribute back down the line to Lightnin’ Hopkins and the whole mojo hand tradition.

 

 

Though known as a punk-blues songster, Biram tends to draw on a variety of forms, from blues to bluegrass to country to metal and other points between. And while that remains true for Bad Ingredients – his almost out-of-place cover of Bill Monroe’s tender “Memories of You, Sweetheart” being the most obvious example – this is probably Biram’s bluesiest album to date. From the fiery, highly idiomatic “Dontcha Lie to Me, Baby” to the stellar “Born in Jail” with its slow hip-drag groove to the slinky Lightnin’ Hopkins cover “Have You Ever Loved a Woman?” and on, this album is made for a sweaty juke joint. Though, as ever, it is indelibly stamped with Biram’s ornery, furious brand of passion.

And it’s just damn good. This is one of those rare albums where I can’t pick one favorite track because so many of them are excellent (aside from ones mentioned, “Just Another River” and “Victory Song” also vie strongly for attention). If you’re already a Biram admirer, this album, which drops tomorrow, is a given. If you’re uncertain, watch that video posted above, get the song download below and be convinced.

 

 

As ever, Scott H. Biram is touring, and you should not miss the opportunity to see him live.

Oct 14 2011 Riley’s Tavern – Hunter, TX
Oct 27 2011 Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX
Oct 28 2011 Triple Crown – San Marcos, TX
Oct 29 2011 Scoot Inn – Austin, TX
Nov 5 2011 VZD’s – Oklahoma City, OK
Nov 7 2011 Bender’s Tavern – Denver, CO
Nov 8 2011 Belly Up Aspen – Aspen, CO
Nov 10 2011 Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 10 2011 Heavy Metal Shop (FREE INSTORE) – Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 11 2011 Trap Bar at Grand Targhee Resort – Alta, WY
Nov 12 2011 The Palace – Missoula, MT
Nov 15 2011 Media Club – Vancouver, BC CANADA
Nov 16 2011 Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
Nov 17 2011 Dante’s – Portland, OR
Nov 18 2011 Humboldt Brews – Arcata, CA
Nov 19 2011 Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA
Nov 20 2011 The Satellite Club – Los Angeles, CA
Nov 22 2011 Casbah – San Diego, CA
Nov 23 2011 Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
Nov 26 2011 The Mohawk – Austin, TX

Scott H. Biram Official Website

 

 

1 source

No comments

Southern Independent, Vol. 3

  By

 

Shooter Jennings and the crew at Give Me My XXX are on a roll, and the latest Southern Independent compilation may be the best yet. Not only do they have a team-up from Waylon Jennings and the Old 97s, a song off of Scott H. Biram’s upcoming album, Bad Ingredients (a song inspired by a true life incident involving John Wesley Myers), my favorite Austin Lucas song and a great Brett Detar song, but there is some goddamn hip hop! A great track from Waylon Jennings’ grandson Struggle, along with Yelawolf, featuring a sample from Waylon’s “Outlaw Shit”.

You can get it all for free by signing up over at Give Me My XXX.

Here’s the tracklist for further enticement:

1. The Other Shoe / Waylon Jennings & The Old 97’s
2. I Want My Mojo Back / Scott H. Biram
3. Officer Guererro / Lucky Tubb
4. What Happened Last Night? / Amanda Shires
5. Another Love Song / Ted Russell Kamp
6. To The Victor Go The Spoils / Have Gun Will Travel
7. Run Around / Austin Lucas
8. Hard Times / Tyler Childers
9. Nola / High or Hellwater
10. Gettin’ By / Six Shot Revival
11. Lesson In A Bottle / Blackberry Smoke
12. The Devil’s Gotta’ Earn / Brett Detar
13. Jumping The Sharks / Carter Falco
14. Heaven Anywhere / Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
15. Outlaw Shit / Struggle feat. Yelawolf

No comments

Rockhall Nomination for 2012

  By

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was newly-established and first began inducting musicians, writers, producers, etc., back in 1986, the pool of contenders was like the selections in a really good candy store, and the first class of inductees was pretty much unfuckwithable. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rodgers, Sam Phillips, Ray Charles, Jimmy Yancey, John Hammond, Alan Freed… it’s difficult to even place that list in a hierarchical order. And the inductees kept being good for several more years.

But in recent times, just knowing the nominees are about to be announced makes me cringe. A little piece of my soul shrivelled up when ABBA was inducted, and don’t even get me started on Neil Diamond. But who am I to say these music creators who make my skin crawl don’t deserve a place in the Incongruous Semi-Pyramid on the Lake? I realized that I was rejecting these artists based on personal preference when I attempted to debate with someone that his disdain for the choice of Public Enemy as a representative of the best of rock was wrong-headed. Yes, hip hop is not, specifically speaking, rock, but neither is soul, and I would volunteer to smack anyone who would deny the rightful place of Otis Redding in those hallowed halls.

(I won’t get into my torturuously conflicted feelings on the very idea of the Rock and Roll Museum, but if you’d like to play at home, you can begin by combining the fact that the Rockhall is one of my favorite places to visit in the world [I’ve been there approximately seven times and my first visit was six hours long] and my strong identification with John Lydon’s observation that something honoring the true heart of rock music should not resemble an ancient mausoleum.)

So, what do you think readers? What would be your criteria for inductees? Can you remain objective about such an emotional art form?

Here’s this year’s list of nominees, followed by a few videos from some of my favorites.

· Beastie Boys
· The Cure
· Donovan
· Eric B. & Rakim
· Guns ‘N Roses
· Heart
· Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
· Freddie King
· Laura Nyro
· Red Hot Chili Peppers
· Rufus with Chaka Khan
· The Small Faces/The Faces
· The Spinners
· Donna Summer
· War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Official Website

No comments

He-Chaw Frunk: What?

  By

One of the biggest perks of this music blogger gig is getting to be friends with some really talented people. Case in point, they of the band name that people are never sure they’ve heard correctly, He-Chaw Frunk. Not only are they as local to me as you can get, but they have a dark musical sensibility that moves me. Here they are playing one of their original songs, “Time”, at Brothers Lounge.

 

 

How about the vocal chords on Chris Bishop? And that beautiful guitar-playing from Sasha Kostadinov? And the slinky groove held down by Matt Rusincovitch and Mark Slater?

Check out more of their songs and live videos at the He-Chaw Frunk website, and if you’re in the Cleveland area, be sure to catch them live.

One Comment

V-Roys Giveaway: Winner!

  By

First off, I swear on all my grandparents’ graves, plus the graves of Joe Strummer and Mark Sandman, that this wasn’t fixed. I put the names in a jar, and the NTSIB intern/helper monkey/my son picked a name at random. I repeat, at random.

So, as you’ve likely already figured out if you looked at the comments on the original giveaway post, the winner of the signed copy of the V-Roys lovely compilation album Sooner or Later is popa2unes. Congratulations, popa, and thanks to Jason and Ben for participating.

No comments

The Payroll Union: There Are Songs to Be Sung

  By

 

Our favorite musical history professors are back. Pete David & the Payroll Union have dropped the “Pete David &” from their name (though lovely Pete David himself remains) and have released a new EP, Your Obedient Servant. The band from Sheffield continues to lay moody, moving music rooted in Americana traditions under stories of love, war, disease and death taken from the time when America itself was an infant.

 

 

Below you can get a sample from Your Obedient Servant as well as a sample from their previous EP, Underfed and Underpaid. Then you can follow the official site link to purchase both EPs. I happily and heartily recommend both.

 

 

 

The Payroll Union Official Website