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Video: Valentine’s Day Grab Bag

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Because we’ve all got that one, you know the one I mean: it never works but you always want to think it will. And they always know exactly when to call.

Joshua Kadison Jessie LIVE

 

Sometimes it goes so, so well, for a while:

http://youtu.be/0peTfMOdDoo

 

Other times, you end up going all the way down the rabbit hole:

Father John Misty - Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

 

When it finally crashes and burns, you have to remember, you are still a rock star, with rock moves:

 

Though not everyone is so into all that DRAMA.

BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS ( Complete Original Video )

 

Though, okay, maybe a LITTLE bit of drama is fine:

Joshua Kadison - Painted Desert Serenade

 

Just enough to get your pulse going:

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

 

And maybe lead to shenanigans in public:

John Legend - P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)

 

Especially if it ends  happily ever after:

Christina Perri - Arms [Official Music Video]

 

Because against all odds and in defiance of experience and good sense, I do believe in a thing called love:

THE DARKNESS - I Believe In A Thing Called Love [Hammersmith. Nov 2011]

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Have You Met Elbow?

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I sometimes forget that, even though I think a band is big shit, not everyone has heard of them. I was genuinely surprised when I made a post of various Mark Lanegan videos a little while back, and it helped people discover him for the first time.

In that vein, I’ve been listening to a lot of Elbow this weekend, and while I surmise that they are a decently big deal in the UK, they don’t seem to be as known as they deserve to be Stateside. They traffic in full, lush, sweeping arrangements set off by Guy Garvey’s gritty, wrought vocals (keeping his accent beautifully intact and not trying to sing like an American, thank you very much – I love Garvey’s voice to pieces, if you can’t tell). Their songs are tailor-made to be played with a full orchestra, and, hey, whaddya know? They’ve done just that. Here’s a selection from a concert Elbow played with the BBC Concert Orchestra and choral group Chantage.

 

“Starlings”

 

“Grounds for Divorce”

 

“An Audience with the Pope”

 

“The Fix” with Richard Hawley

 

“One Day Like This”

 

And, as a bonus, the song that introduced me to Elbow, a thoroughly delightful, off-kilter cover of Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Woman”.

 

 

Elbow Official Website

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Video: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston

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Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I was 12, in 1987. I was also a dancer. A terrible one, it must be said, but I loved it. And I loved (still love) this song because it put the words to the daydreams I had about being a grown-up. Or even just going to high school.

I’ve been struggling since yesterday to put this into words, but I think what this song did was make being a grown-up and having serious relationships seem like both an attainable goal and something that might be fun.

There are other Whitney Houston songs I’m fond of (So Emotional, How Will I Know) and some that I’m not (Greatest Love Of All) but this one remains my favorite.

Rest in peace, good lady. We shall miss you very much.

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Saturday Matinee: Rock and Roll Singer

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I had an itch to listen to Gene Vincent last night, then woke up this morning to find that, hey, it’s the anniversary of Vincent’s birth today. The intense rock ‘n’ roller would have been 77 today. This documentary, Rock and Roll Singer, filmed for the BBC, covers the first four days of a 1969 tour, beginning in England.

 

 

It was recently announced that a number of backing bands would this year be following their lead men into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among them, Vincent’s Blue Caps. Here’s Gene and his Blue Caps performing the slinky “Baby Blue”, I believe from the 1958 film Hot Rod Gang. (This clip typifies what HiLobrow has to say today about Vincent’s appeal. Yow.)

 

 

And here’s another performance from 1958, this time of Vincent’s most enduring song, the incomparable “Be-Bop-A-Lula”, played on the Town Hall Party television show.

 

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Drew Smith: Smoke and Mirrors

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Canadian musician Drew Smith first showed up on NTSIB when we shared his enchanting video for “Love Teeth”. Here we have him again with this lovely, “outsourced” video for “Smoke and Mirrors”.

 

 

Both “Smoke and Mirrors” and “Love Teeth” appear on Smith’s album The Secret Languages, which you will likely read more about here very soon.

 

Drew Smith Official Website

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The Ridges at the Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH, 2.3.11

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First, they grabbed the room’s attention by throwing everyone off a little. The Ridges mounted the stage in the Beachland Tavern… and then proceeded to file down through the thick crowd to the middle of the floor, where they formed a circle and played “Invented Love”, sans amplification. While the sound sometimes bounced off the walls and ceiling and sometimes was absorbed by the surrounding bodies, it did make people lean in and pay attention.

And that attention was held as the band again took to the stage to continue their set, chomping into the attention-grabbing “Not A Ghost” with abandon and electric energy, but never dropping their well-honed edge. Indeed, this is the overall impression of the Ridges live: a band tight, well-practiced, but not staid. The passion and fire radiates from them with strike-force power. (I had goosebumps at one point that night, and even watching them again in the below video, Victor Rasgaitis’ howl just gave me goosebumps all over again.)

 

“Not a Ghost”, “When the Bell Tolls”, “Dawn of Night”

 

Their set hit all points of their EP except “The Insomniac’s Song” and added “When the Bell Tolls”, “Dawn of Night” (which feels like it may have a touch of Greg Dulli-influence), and “Jackson Pollock”. And even with the additions, it was just too damn short. My concert companion, Shan from Two Sisters and a Show, and I enthusiastically agreed that we wanted them to keep playing.

 

“War Bonds”

 

It’s been a pleasure to watch this band grow, and if they keep ascending the way they have in just the past year, it won’t be but a minute before they’re back in Cleveland and headlining the Ballroom.

 

video credit: kingofthecastle7

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Postcards from the Pit: The Darkness / Foxy Shazam / Crown Jewel Defense, Irving Plaza, 2/4/2012

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IMG_5006

This past Saturday night I went to the third show of The Darkness’ current North American tour, which is their first visit to these shores after a six year hiatus. It was an amazing evening; one of the many highlights of my time in the pit was the multiple occasions the dudes around me started air-guitaring along with the band.

The setlist was a mixture of old and new songs, and included the entirety of their first record, Permission to Land. Highlights: One Way Ticket, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us, Get Your Hands off My Woman, Love Is Only A Feeling, Everybody Have a Good Time and, of course, in I Believe In a Thing Called Love. If the new tunes are anything to go by, the record they’re working on right now is going to be a banger. I can’t wait to hear the rest of it.

And now, some pictures, starting with the first opener, Crown Jewel Defense, who have a record out.

IMG_4957Taylor Hood and Steve Ford

 

IMG_4942Nick Clinch

 
Next up was Foxy Shazam, who have become somewhat ubiquitous (omnipresent?) in my concert-going adventures in the last couple of years or so.

The first time I saw them was during their own headlining tour, where the first show I attended concluded with Eric Nally literally half-naked and swinging from the lighting rig on the ceiling.

But more recently I’ve caught them as an opening act for Panic! at the Disco and Courtney Love. In all instances, they have put on a SHOW (all caps totally appropriate) and the audience reacted with either enthusiasm or bafflement (Panic!) or else just plain bafflement (Courtney Love).

This time around, they won over a restive crowd within one song. The dudes around me especially appreciated Eric Nally sticking his head into the drums, and also his mid-song headstand. (I’m fond of that move myself.) I got approximately three decent pictures of them, though at this point I think all y’all know what they look like.

Anyway, here is a Eric Nally singing while bathed in moody green light:
 
IMG_4980
 
And then it was time for The Darkness. Here was where everyone (including me) really got going and started jumping, singing, and waving their hands in the air. There were one or two crowd-surfers, and at the end, someone on the balcony climbed down onto a riser and jumped into the crowd. It was complete chaos, and it was glorious.
 

IMG_4993Dan and Justin Hawkins

 

IMG_5003Justin Hawkins and Frankie Poullain

 

IMG_5020Dan Hawkins, Ed Graham is behind those drums, and Justin Hawkins

 

IMG_5022Dan and Justin Hawkins jamming out on the drum riser.

 

IMG_5023
Justin Hawkins playing his guitar behind his head.

 

IMG_5039Dan Hawkins, Ed Graham is (still) behind those drums, and Justin Hawkins.

 

IMG_5044Frankie Poullain

 

IMG_5049And then Justin Hawkins took his jacket-shirt thing off.

 

IMG_5051The tattoo on his stomach says “Lowestoft”, which is where they are from. It’s a town on the east coast of England, and Wikipedia tells me it’s also the most easterly point in England.

 

IMG_5056
I just like this one. Isn’t his moustache dashing?

 

IMG_5060
He donned a special fancy hat for Holding My Own.

 

IMG_5073

I think this costume change happened while I was trying to avoid being trodden upon by glamazons.

 

IMG_5070
The new costume again in color, because I like the purple light in this one.

 

Every once in a while I get a shot that I think “now that is a damn beautiful picture of [insert name here]” in an almost abstract way, as if I had just stumbled over it and not, you know, taken it. This is one of those pictures:

 

IMG_5031

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Feel Bad For You, February 2012

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The Feel Bad for You February mix is 25 songs worth of badass designed especially for YOU! (The universal you, not you specifically. Get over yourself.) If you’ve never downloaded an FBFY mix before, lovingly crafted by music lovers, music makers and music enablers (for more information about your generous contributors, check the FBFY site), this is the one to start your habit. First hit’s free.

 

 

Download.

 

1. Title: Weight of the World
Artist: Shayfer James
Album (year): Counterfeit Arcade (2011)
Submitted By: Popa2unes
Comments: Shayfer James is devilishly captivating and deliciously unusual. A man of bewitching grace, grisly humor, profound story telling, and whiskey-flavored wit.

2. Title: Don’t Lie to Me
Artist: “Mississippi” Charles Bevel
Album (year): Charles Bevel – Meet “Mississippi” Charles Bevel (A&M Records SP-4412, 1973)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: First heard this track on an Oxford American Music edition CD a couple of years ago and loved it, always gets me up and dancing around. I’ve managed to track down a dinked 7” single but still looking for the album…….

3.Title: Unmade
Artist: Timothy Bracken
Album (year): Long Untied (2012)
Submitted By: philnorman
Comments: Great songwriting, great hooks, great guitar sounds all over this record. You need these songs. Name your price at http://timothybracken.bandcamp.com/

4. Title: No Draws Blues
Artist: Valerie June
Album (year): 5 Dollar Cover Soundtrack
Submitted By: Autopsy IV (ninebullets.net)
Comments: Stumbled across this song the other day. Had forgotten how much I liked it.

5. Title: You Used to Be a Sweet Clover Shaker
Artist: Robert Pete Williams
Album (year): Mojo: Brotherhood, a compilation of tracks from Mojo, from 2011, I think
Submitted By: Brad Kelley
Comments: Sometimes I think he’s the only blues artist that really matters, then sometimes I think he’s the only artist that matters. There’s nothing like him in the history of blues. His most famous song, I’ve Grown So Ugly, was covered by the Black Keys (on Rubber Factory).

6. Title: One Way Or Another (I’ll Be Free)
Artist: Dirty Bourbon River Show
Album (year): Volume One (2010)
Submitted By: Romeo Sid Vicious
Comments: I have been in a little bit of a slump lately and digging through my older gems to find some solace and rediscovered this little beauty. I love the guys in DBRS and this song has music that’s kind of happy and jumpy as well as lyrics that give a nice big “Fuck you” to just everything bringing someone down. It’s a fun little tune!

7. Title: Behind The Nut Love
Artist: John 5
Album (year): Songs For Sanity (2005)
Submitted By: erschen
Comments: I make to no bones about my metal head past and I love to watch That Metal Show on VH1 Classic. They have a different musician (mostly guitarists) that take them to break on each episode. I was quite intrigued by John 5, unique and varied styles. I knew he was a shredder and was most famous for being Marilyn Manson’s guitarist but I didn’t know that he has been a session guitarist for folks ranging from K.D. Lang to Garbage to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Ozzy. He’s a big Buck Ownes fan and has a penchant for chickin’ pickin’ as well. Really love this track, a bit of twang on this one. He’s fingering the strings behind the nut to make it sound like a pedal steel.

8. Title: Unfolding
Artist: Folk Family Revival
Album (year): Unfolding (2011)
Submitted By: Mike Orren
Comments: My friends literally dragged me out to McKinney, Texas, to catch this young Houston band a few weeks ago and I’ve worn out their album since. In their early twenties, these three brothers and their best friend are turning out some of the most mature, nuanced lyrics I’ve heard in a while with a sound that at times echoes the Avett’s, the 97′s and Ray Wylie Hubbard. It’s spiritual music, but not in a preachy way. It sneaks up on you and manages gravitas and fun in the same number. My only quibble is another tune where they have a beautiful line about being alone and maybe, like Johnny, finding your June Carter when you’re old. (Sorry boyos, I refuse to call 36 old.) That said, it’s a varied and polished disc without a clunker– but this song, the title track is my favorite. It’s become the theme song of my 2012 to date.

9. Title: My Epitaph
Artist: Ola Belle Reed
Album: Rising Sun Melodies (2010)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: Beautiful song from one of Appalachia’s most unsung artists.

10. Title: Jack and Joan
Artist : The Bear
Album : 7″ split w/ Belle Adair (2012)
Submitted By: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments : Just another Muscle Shoals band…doing good things. This is from their recent split w/ fellow Shoals-ians Belle Adair. This is available via Itunes and you can order the 7″ through Pegasus Records. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that they will have a new record done at some point later in the year. Backtrack to their 2010 self-titled one if need be. I love it…lots.

11. Title: Spotlight
Artist: David Allan Coe
Album: Longhaired Redneck (1976)
Submitted by: Adam Sheets
Comments: The best song from a truly underrated, but deeply divisive songwriter.

12. Title: For You
Artist: Roky Erickson (with Okkerville River)
Album (year): True Love Cast Out All Evil (Deluxe) (2010)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Roky Erickson doesn’t need any explanation. And if it does, then watch his documentary “You’re Gonna Miss Me.”
Also, and this is just a silly random note, next time you need to pass anyone anything (for instance…the telephone, salt, the remote, french fries) sing the first line of “For You” but replace an actual lyric with the item you’re handing them. Just like this….”For You, I’d do anything for you, For You there ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do…For you, your beauty makes the sunrise, For You, so I’m passing you these fries” and see if they get it….if they do, give them a high-five and become best friends forever.

13. Title: Don’t Love Me Wisely
Artist: The Setters
Album: Self-Titled (1994)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Though we have no defined theme for the month of February, I felt compelled to submit some sort of love song. Right? The Setters was a Super … err, umm … Way-Above-Average Group featuring Alejandro Escovedo, Walter Salas-Humara from The Silos, and Michael Hall, who once fronted The Wild Seeds before releasing several solo albums. The release was produced by solo performer, guitarist for Lucinda Williams, and champion of the music and legend of Blaze Foley, Mr. Gurf Morlix. Hall – who now writes for Texas Monthly magazine – is on vocals with Escovedo on guitar. Salas-Humara contributed percussion rhythms by riffing on snare drum cases, Tropicana orange juice crates, and metal shelving.

14. Title: I’m So Bored With The U.S.A.
Artist: The Clash
Album (year): The Clash [US] (1979)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Here I sit, wearing my Clash t-shirt. I wanted to hear something from the 70s, created a playlist, hit play and this was the first song up. Must be an omen.

15. Title: The Gravedigger’s Song
Artist: Mark Lanegan
Album (year): Blues Funeral (2012)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: Love me some Mark Lanegan. First track off of his new album that should be out by the time this mix is posted (2/7/12).

16. Title: The Great Atomic Power
Artist: The Louvin Brothers
Album (year): Weapon of Love (1962)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: One of my new years resolutions is to listen to more pre-1970 classic country music. You don’t get much more classic than the Louvin Brothers.

17. Title: Say Goodnight to the World
Artist: Dax Riggs
Album (year): Say Goodnight to the World (2010)
Submitted By: Shooter

18. Title: Marley Purt Drive
Artist: Bee Gees
Album (year): Odessa (1969)
Submitted By: TheSecondSingle
Comments: An unexpectedly great homage to The Band by one of the lamest (and secretly greatest) bands of the ’60s. Sure to turn even the most ardent Bee Gees hater around (however slightly).

19. Title: Angel From Montgomery
Artist: Old Crow Medicine Show
Album (year): Broken Hearts And Dirty Windows (Songs Of John Prine) (2010)
Submitted By: Mike Beebe
Comments: I defy anyone to listen to this song and not instantly be a fan of both John Prine AND Old Crow Medicine Show.

20. Title: Get Your Ass On Out Of Here
Artist: Texas Wettnex
Album: Leaning In (2006)
Submitted by: Mando Lines
Comments: Just discovered Michael Wren in the last couple of weeks. He was the singer songwriter for the Texas Wettnex, now he’s a solo act. His most recent record is Rien Vraiment. You can stream some of his songs at www.michaelwren.com. Good stuff.

21. Title: Sweet Red Wine
Artist: Some Dark Holler
Album (year): Some Dark Holler EP (2011)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: These guys/gal are awesome live plus their EP is FREE on thisisamericanmusic.com!

22. Title: Tar Hani (My Love)
Artist: Bombino
Album (year): Agadez (2011)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: The recent Rubber City Review post about Bombino reminded me that you all need a shot of this desert rock. This is another one of those gems that Rick Saunders introduced me to, and it is sublime stuff. This song is a particular favorite because it makes me think of Sandinista!-era Clash.

23. Title: Drift (Live on InDeKringloop.nl)
Artist: Kim Janssen
Album (year): to be released on “Ancient Crime” – March 2012
Submitted By: Slowcoustic
Comments: As a member of The Black Atlantic, Kim Janssen is no secret to the “folky” community and this song proves he is coming into his own. His sophomoric album “Ancient Crime” should see him gain many fans on the genre. This audio rip is of the video of his performance that can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-r60xATwUg

24. Title: Uncle Sam
Artist: Anthony Leon & The Chain
Album (year): The Pistol, The Bottle & Shaded Pastures
Submitted By: Dusty Vinyl
Comments: Good friends of the Imperial Rooster; Santa Fe’s Anthony Leon & The Chain are really great country rock and roll. This is an awesome song about getting weed.

25. Title: Blood Relations
Artist: The Maldives
Album: Listen to the Thunder (2009)
Submitted By: Captains Dead

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Songs for the Superbowl

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And to conclude this edition of remix week / in honor of the Super Bowl (GO BIG BLUE!), here are some football-related tunes.

First, let us examine the ongoing evolution and remixing of Whiz Khalifa‘s Black and Yellow. This is the original, written last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow [Official Music Video]

 

Then Lil’ Wayne took the beat and adjusted the lyrics to reflect support of the Green Bay Packers, and called the result Green and Yellow:

Green & Yellow (HD Music Video) - Lil Wayne 1920x1080

 

This year, Frank Henny updated it for the Giants. His version is called Blue and Red:

"Blue & Red" - ( Black and Yellow Remix) New York Giants

 

And Lil Ryan (who is not the 7 year old rapper of the same name, as far as I can tell) was one of  the many people who revised it for the New England Patriots. His version is called Red and Blue:

Lil Ryan- Red and Blue (Patriots Anthem)

 

Bonus viewing: The UN-official video, made by a high school improv class in Minnesota, for Super Bowl Hero by RAM, which is Ryan Ross (The Young Veins, Panic! at the Disco), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet, JJAMZ, Mark Ronson and the Business INTL) and Michael Runion (JJAMZ, The Chances). The song was written last year for the victorious Green Bay Packers.

http://youtu.be/vpJBrkBCX9g

 

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[Strangers] – Video Grab Bag

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The last time we checked in with the [Strangers] was last spring. Since then they’ve put out three EPs and released a series of amazing remixes and covers which I  present to you now more or less in order of appearance:

Lana Del Rey – Video Games  – I may or may not be starting a collection of covers of this song. This one is actually the first one I heard; I like it because it picks up the pace a little bit while still retaining the dark, dreamy character of the original.

 
http://youtu.be/De8HJUI-dLo
 

 

Tears for Fears – Shout – I had Songs From The Big Chair on tape – still have it, probably, somewhere – but I haven’t listened to it in years. Here, [Strangers] nail the propulsive power of the original while still putting their own spin on it.

 

http://youtu.be/yF-pO3HdC-8

 

Massive Attack – Teardrop – This is dreamy, trance-y ear candy. Be sure to turn it up.

 

http://youtu.be/5yfUmNHUj8c

 

AND NOW, one of their original works: Promises (feat. Lara Smiles), from EP3.

http://youtu.be/poAlMlIDhK4