Top 20 Albums of 2008 Part 2 - The "Upper" Half

Okay, so here go the "new" music that I spent the most time with this year. Again, I know there are some big omissions, so write in and let me know about them. Hope it doesn'take too long to load with all the videos.


The Black Keys Attack and Release

Reminding me sometimes of Creedence Clearwater, and always bringing a healthy does of electric blues riffs, these guys have some great songs on this album. The "other" Guitar drums duo.



Couldn't find any videos or seeqpod for "Oceans and Streams" but this one gives you a good idea.

The Black Keys - I Got Mine





Hercules & Love Affair S/T


Laid back disco. Grooves, cool sounding androgynous vocals. This one won't come out of my rotation. It is just fun, and if you really listen has a little more depth to it as well. Well done. This video is far out.

Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong to Him Tonight




Beck Modern Guilt

This dude just doesn't quit. If you like Beck than this is more of the same with a little more vintage to it, like a wine that is mellowing, deepening, and just plain getting better and better. Gamma Ray is perfect Beck. And there are several other tunes that stick to your ribs. Mmm. Good.

Beck - Gamma Ray



Bonnie “Prince” Billy Lie Down In the Light

Just beautiful, old-timey sounding acoustic songs, sometimes with multiple voices. Will Oldham tells stories that in this album are positive and upbeat for the most part. Catchy and lovely. There are two songs on the player.





The Walkmen You & Me

A lot has been written about this album and how it is a sort of return to form after coming out with albums that were not as well received (A Hundred Miles Off and the cover album Pussycats). I love these guys and I have enjoyed all their albums. This album is great, With a lot more depth in sound, songs and focus.








Santogold S/T

Mixes electropunk, hip-hop, global beats and just catchy stuff. Anywhere from block rockin' beats to light, fun punk. Works really well for cleaning and other menial tasks : ) Seriously though, I don't even care that she is now showing up in Heineken commercials or something.




Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes




Vampire Weekend S/T

These are the guys that are fun and easy to hate on. But I still get immense joy from listening to the first notes of A-Punk and I still want to yell out randomly, “Blake's Got a New Face!” at odd times. And it is just good, catchy pop with a little twist that Paul Simon had pioneered. Catchy pop tunes are catchy pop tunes and you can't deny well done pop. I am an unabashed fan of this album.

A treat thanks to Pfork.







TV On The Radio Dear Science

It's rocking, layered, buzzing production. Funky at times, with lyrics that are topical and meaningful. These guys are one of the heavy hitters of our times and have yet to make bad music in their career. An excellent addition to their discography, though they will have to work really hard to beat the Young Liars EP and Return to Cookie Mountain in my book. Still, really good tunes.




Bon Iver

Yes I know it was recorded in 2006, self-released in 2007 and finally picked up by Jagjaguar in 2008. I don't care. This album was definitely a highlight in music for me this year. I was lucky enough to catch these guys live at Space Gallery. It was the best show I saw this year. And as good as the album is, when I saw them the music and the group had progressed so far from the recordings, and in my opinion, improved upon it drastically. If you like well-played acoustic guitars, beautiful harmonies, and introspective, soulful songs, then you would enjoy these musicians.

MySpace Transmissions


Bon Iver - "For Emma" from MySpace Transmissions





Fleet Foxes
Just great sing-along, old-timey, in new times type music. The musicians in this group are so good, as singers and on their instruments. The songs have a chanted, tradition-filled sound but in live-sounding fidelity. The album is one that on a first listen, I thought, “that was nice” but next thing I know the songs are in my head, I'm humming them, then playing the album again and liking it more and more. I am still on an upward ascent in terms of loving it. My son has even been singing along as well.



I was in attendance for this....j



And that's it. Check it out. comment if you like or don't like what's on the list...

Happy New Year!!!

Top 20 Albums of 2008 part 1 - The "Lower" Half

Yes I know. Much later than the real blogs but hey, I have kids. So this is a list of the albums that I listened to the most, and of course enjoyed the most. There are some glaring omissions, but they are most likely because I just didn't get to hear the album, or at least not enough times to really say that I loved it that much. The Brian Eno/David Byrne album is one example of this. I have been listening to it for the last week or so, and really like it. It just wouldn't feel right if I put it on my list because how do I know if it really will stand the test of time? Anyway, I hope that you will check out some of these bands and if you like them, buy their music and go see them live if you get the chance. So, here we go! Oh, and I am not putting numbers by them because it seems a bit crazy to rank some of these over others. Roughly though, the ones at the end are the ones I really loved. So in (sort of) reverse order:


First the honorable mentions. I already mentioned David Byrne and Brian Eno. Here are some others that got more than just a casual listen:

Atlas Sound Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See

Richard Swift Ground Trouble Jaw

Cut Copy In Ghost Colours

El Guincho Alegranza

Tapes 'N Tapes Walk It Off

Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple

The Cool Kids Bake Sale


Then there are the ones that I really enjoyed:


MGMT Oracular Spectacular

More Indie pop, but this time with electronic and psychedelic thrown in. Sometimes remind me of The Flaming Lips like people say but not often. They had some great singles on this album. Really great.


click here for the "Time to Pretend" video in good quality.






Beach House Devotion

Dreamy, gothy songs that move through the air like scented flowers and settle in your ears softly, pleasantly. Old soul and country music are definitely ingredients in this unique stew.

Beach House - Turtle Island




Department of Eagles In Ear Park

Kind of in that new/old sound category. Guys from Grizzly Bear I believe are in this group. Some beautiful songs and a pretty original sound. A bit uneven like some of the others on the lower half of my list. But still well worth a listen. More than that really.

Department of Eagles - No One Does It Like You




Los Campesinos Hold On Now, Youngster

I just have a soft spot for this kind of indie pop. Girl guy vocals and jangly, rockin' forward momentum leaning music just moves me. They are in such a groove that they released two albums in 2008. And so far, I love it as well.

Los Campesinos - You!Me! Dancing!




Hot Chip Made In The Dark

This is modern music, electrofunkrock. The riff introduced on the first track is killer. Infectious and groovy, this will make you bop your head.

Hot Chip - Out at the Pictures



That's it. Look for Part 2 Tomorrow.....

Peace!

Vaseline Machine Gun (and more vintage music)

Just because it is soo good. When music makes magic.Hang on tight. Take a listen if you want to feel good. I don't know if it's just me or what, but I love how Leo is the one who is supposedly nervous yet jumps right out in front and sets the pace for the whole tune. Doc Watson, who is a legend, seems to me to struggle to keep up. Anyway, it's hot stuff.

Leo Kottke & Doc Watson
by Argiletum

in case you want more Leo.







"Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited . . . when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them."
(Aristotle, The Politics, translated by T. A. Sinclair, revised by T. J. Saunders, London: Penguin, 1981, book 8, section 5, page 466)

I just love that quote. Music is without a doubt a powerful force. And that combined With Christian Slater leads to riots.


Jason Moran (This is must watch, but it is about 15 minutes to watch the whole thing. Watch it at your leisure and ignore the poptech weird intro. Just get to the music).

Jason Moran is the one who is just boppin' along and shouting a few times, but I don't think he had his keyboard handy in...is this an airport?




Here is a raucous live concert segment:





Enjoy!

Bon Iver new album

Bon Iver has recorded a four-song CD titled "Blood Bank." The disc will be released Jan. 20. Here is a video (not super great quality) of a new song called "Blood Bank":



and yet another Fleet Foxes Takeaway Show:


Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Good is good. What can I say.

Enjoy!

Hercules! Hercules!

Picked this up relatively late but it is good. Like laid back disco I guess. Funky and catchy but not super intense. Check it out...Hercules & Love Affair My Space


Hercules & Love Affair - Blind (With Antony Hegarty) mp3



Enjoy!

I love music!!!

Just had to post this video, because I don't think I have before and I love it...




and if you want a little more saxophone, more slow and mellow.....Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Harry
Edison, Hank Jones, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, Flip Phillips, Ella Fitzgerald... Qui est le trombone ? Bill Harris ? Vic Dickenson ?




Peace!

Have been listening to these guys all year and it is time to give them a shout out...
From the album "Hold On Now, Youngster"

Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing! mp3

And from La Blogotheque (via crackle.com)

From Crackle: Take-Away Show: Los Campesinos - "Death to..."

And now I just found out they have a follow-up to this first album out now called "We are Beautiful, We are Doomed" which I am about to download from emusic very soon.

Enjoy!

Cloud Cult

Bucking the trend of brand spanking new music, how about I slow down and reabsorb some not so brand new music, like Cloud Cult. I came across them last year. Downloaded one song, really liked it, but just got swept on to other albums, songs, and LP's and just let it slip into the dark recesses of 0's and 1's. That however, has now been corrected. Here is what I am digging from them...

(Would use the Current.com direct link to the video but they seem to have been having troubles when I last checked so youtube it is)



Cloud Cult-Pretty voice mp3

This song has a lot of resonance for me lately...



Cloud Cult-Take Your Medicine mp3

Take a closer look and listen to their latest album here.

In other news, Kid Rock says,(to British magazine Metro) that the election of Barack Obama is a "great thing for Black people." Ah yes, one of our fine ambassadors spreading the benevolent, inspiring image of the U.S.A. overseas. Thanks Kid!




Enjoy!

Mad Lib Vs Cut Chemist...

One week only on Pitchfork
is this really cool video you must check out. From Dj Dusk's Root Down Soundclash.



Enjoy!
Edit: (I just realized that on my computer it cuts off the video. If you click on the Pitchfork link above, it is not cut off)

Some Ecletic songs

Morning Becomes Ecletic on KCRW is an excellent show that hooks us listeners up all the time. Here are some treats I came across recently...

Beck stripped down to just he and two others on acoustic guitars...



Iron and Wine on Morning Becomes Ecletic. My favorite is the cover of The Flaming Lips "Waiting for Superman".



Here is a studio version of the song:

Iron & Wine - Waiting for Superman mp3

Broken Social Scene has also done an excellent KCRW performance:

Broken Social Scene- Major Label Debut (live on KCRW) mp3

oh and a while back I posted a Brighton Port Authority video that was really awesome...it had Dizzy Rascal and David Byrne guesting and a cool video on top of that. the full-length album I Think We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat, is due out on February the third. This is the Fatboy Slim guy (Norman Cook)in a new project FYI.

The opening track "He's Frank" will feature Iggy Pop. Pete York, Marta Wainwright, and Emmy the Great are also guests on the album. I Think We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat hits the market on February 3 through Cook's own Southern Fried Records label. Track listing is as follows:



01. He's Frank [ft. Iggy Pop]
02. Dirty Sheets [ft. Pete York]
03. Jumps the Fence [ft. Conan]
04. Should I Stay or Should I Blow [ft. Ashley Beedle]
05. Island [ft. Justin Robertson]
06. Local Town [ft. Jamie T]
07. Seattle [ft. Emmy the Great]
08. Spade [ft. Martha Wainwright]
09. Superman [ft. Simon Thornton]
10. Superlover [ft. Thom Gandey]
11. Toe Jam [ft. David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal]
12. So It Goes [ft. Olly Hite]


Enjoy!

Fleet Foxes

Thanks to Current.com




These guys are great. Too bad they came on during naptime for me at pitchfork festival last summer.

I have only heard this song on a Louis Armstrong record called "Plays W.C. Handy" with a lady singer named Velma Middleton. I absolutely love it and this here is a great take on it....



peace!

Way Down in a Hole with M.I.A. and Blaqstarr

Pretty interesting....




Enjoy!

Another New Beck video and a sure hit from Mr. Timberlake...Roomie this is all you...

Another standout track from Beck's "Modern Guilt" album...


Beck - Gamma Ray




And stumbled across this on Pretty Much Amazing and it is bangin'...!!!

Justin Timberlake Magic (?) mp3

(question mark added by me since I don't think this is yet official.)


P.S. Things are looking better and better for The new President Barack Obama.


Peace

Beatles Footage discovered

Happy Election Day. Here is my song for the night...




In other news...

Kansas 1964. Some 15 year old (back in 1964) video taped the Fab Four and lost it. Just discovered it and is about to make all kinds of bank by auctioning the full two minute clip. Below is a 16 second excerpt. Cool. Although annoying that there isn't any audio.





I have a good feeling about tonite... This also gives me a good feeling...


Andrew Bird and Yo Yo Ma

null |MTV Music

Peace!

Esau Mwamawaya + Radioclit are "The Very Best"

So I posted a great tune featuring Esau Mwamawaya a while back, now he has released a mixtape with Radioclit. Mwamwaya was born in Mzuzu in Malawi, East Africa. He grew up in the capital, Lilongwe, where he played drums in various bands such as Masaka Band. In 1999 Esau Mwamwaya moved to London and until recently run a second-hand furniture store in Clapton, East London. They have released a free bootleg/mixtape that has some excellent tracks. Guest spots from Vampire Weekend, Ruby Suns, Santogold, Akon, MIA (and her babyfather) and BLK JKS. Radioclit and Esau Mwamawaya - The very Best Mixtape

Here are some standout tracks:

Dinosaur On The Ark mp3

Chikondi mp3



Enjoy!

Modern Guilt video

New video from Beck. By the way if you haven't checked this album out you should. It is excellent....Recommended for sure.



Enjoy!!

Broken Social Scene does a Juan's Basement segment

Can't wait to see them hopefully in a couple of weeks!!! In the meantime...




and



I really dig this song off of Brendan Cannings solo album...



Enjoy!!

The Wombats

THE WOMBATS - LET'S DANCE TO JOY DIVISION
Uploaded by lablogotheque

The Wombats-Let's Dance to Joy Division mp3

myspace

Enjoy!

Esperanza Spaulding

This is something I'm listening to right now....

23 years old or something, on the faculty of Berklee School of music, and really good at making music...



and another



Check back for an update on this and I will post an mp3 you can take away...
update: Esperanza Spaulding-Cuerpo Y Alma mp3


Enjoy!

TVOTR

TV On the Radio has officially released their latest album and from what I have heard of it, I am not disappointed.


Here is a new video for "Dancing Choose"



If you want a better quality look at the video click here


Peace!

Weird Tapes/Memory Cassette

Gorilla Vs Bear is one of my favorite blogs because they hook me up with such great new music. They come through again with some cool instrumental, loping chill beats.

Weird Tapes-A Summer of Worship mp3


Memory Cassette-Asleep at a Party-mp3

Enjoy!

Hoop Dreams

For those of you who haven't checked it out yet, hulu.com is a legitimate place to see tv shows and movies. It is the big biz's attempt to combat all the youtube and other pirating that goes on. Pretty cool, and I just found this on there. One of the best documentaries ever

Hoop Dreams



Enjoy!

El Guincho new video

These cools are cats yo, (and W2, perhaps we can start a support group. But cooler, maybe call it Support Club you know and we could have a Basketball team and compete against other support clubs and....anyway what I'm saying is, I too have problems). El Guincho was supposed to be at the Pitchfork festival this summer but they had to cancel last minute. I think that would have been quite a fiesta. He totally looks like my buddy DJ Graymatter too.

El Guincho-Palmitos Park



El Guincho -MySpace page

El Guincho-Palmitos Park mp3

A beautiful thing....

I am posting this on LiveFromApt and here because I think it's just that great. See for yourself...




Peace

Bon Iver is really f'n good...and lots of other music Cool Kids, Richard Swift, and more!

Some goodness from Bon Iver....I haven't been this excited about some new music since I don't know when, this is amazing stuff. Get it while it's hot here

National TV audience debut on Conan last night:




MySpace Transmissions

For Emma

Bon Iver - "For Emma" from MySpace Transmissions


Flume

Bon iver - "Flume" from MySpace Transmissions


Dig around there is much more of this session.


Also, new TV on the Radio here

Check out Richard Swift

Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown, Sad Song Street
Uploaded by lablogotheque

I got a free ep of Richard Swifts' over at emusic a while back that was pretty interesting, half the songs were like van morrison type retro-soul.


Cool Kids and Fleet Foxes on the blogotheque like "Black Cab Sessions"



Fleet Foxes




peace

Andrew Bird, Lori McKenna, The Bad Plus, Yeasayer, Broken Social Scene all coming our way!!!

Can you believe it?!!! All these bands are coming to Portland, Maine or nearby in the next two months!!

Here is the lowdown in chronological order:

Lori Mckenna is playing in Brownfield, ME at the Stone Mountain Arts Center Sept. 18th




The Bad Plus are playing One Longfellow Square in Portland on Sept. 21st and 22nd




Andrew Bird is playing October 8th at the Music Hall in Portland




Yeasayer is playing Bates College in Lewiston on October 23rd




And perhaps the most exciting of all, Broken Social Scene is coming to Bowdoin College October 25th!! Can't believe it!



Last I wanted to keep pumping up The Walkmen and share this clip from Pitchfork tv of them playing at Juan's Basement. (You should also check out the cool Blogotheque film of Beirut playing all around the streets of Brooklyn, they are a great band and it is a cool film)

The Walkmen-The Rat


Enjoy!!!

White Denim, Lykke LI, New Walkmen Video, Cool Kids

Sttuff I been rockin lately...


Some rockin' garage rock type stuff


WHITE DENIM - Shake Shake Shake from ACIDBIRD on Vimeo.


Freak Funkiness from Lykke Li....




pitchfork tv has the new Walkmen video for "In the New Year" very cool song and video...





Also courtesy of Pitchfork is this Cool Kids video, (this was the only one they had but the album has lots of tunes I enjoy more than this one though it's still guaranteed to get the head boppin'..).




Peace

P.S. Radiohead is webcasting live their last show for this tour in the USA. In Santabarbera over at RADIOHEAD.TV

Some Bangin' tunes from Santogold and MIA

Some bangers from Santogold with a host of others...

First up is a new version of a song from the recent Diplo Mixtape called "Top Ranking" which is worth your time. The song is called "Get It Up". The new version features an awesome singer called Esau Mwamwaya,(along with Santogold, M.I.A and Radioclit). I will include the original after this version and then a cover of The Clash's "Guns of Brixton" Fun stuff, but the first is definitely my favorite..check out the link for Esau's Myspace page above for sure...

Santogold(featuring Esau Mwamwaya - Get It Up

Santogold-Get It Up (RadioClit remix featuring M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe)

Santogold-Guns of Brooklyn

Peace

Black Moses RIP

Man oh man, first Bernie Mac and now Isaac Hayes, the man who wrote tons of great songs for Stax before getting his own career started. He was probably the most influential musician of the late 60's early 70's.
You gotta wonder if the set of Soul Men is spooked. (Bernie Mac was also starring in that movie). Well here is a track off of Isaac Hayes's album Hot Buttered Soul.

Isaac Hayes - Walk On By(mp3)

Video Clip live 1973...



Peace

The Walkmen new album out

The Walkmen are one of my favorite bands, I have really enjoyed most of what they have put out thoroughly. Anyway, they have surprised us fans by releasing their album a few weeks earlier digitally for 5 bucks and all proceeds from the online sales are going to go to a great cause, cancer research and treatment.

"All donations go to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in honor of Luca Vasallo, a friend to the band and a current patient who is seven months old and doing a great job fighting a very difficult disease, this is a very good organization that certainly deserves the attention" Go to http://amiestreet.com/artist/the-walkmen/ right now and order it up. The physical album comes out August 19th on Gigantic Music.

Have a bunch from the new album but haven't gotten a chance to really listen...here is a classic from "Bows and Arrows" Click to download the mp3.

The Walkmen - The Rat

Peace

Bon Iver show, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, and other fun bits...

*Note: (I think my email subscription notifier has been out of wack. So you may need to sign up again, or for the first time:) I think it is working now but who knows...)

First off, saw Bon Iver on Friday at the Space Gallery here in Portland and it was soooo goood! I can't even begin to say how good it was. They were really down to earth guys in the band, the lead singer looked like my buddy Volker from the west coast. They were all amazing musicians and amazing singers with great harmonies. And at the end of the show, the lead singer sang "Skinny Love" on a stool in the center of the crowd, came off the stage and set up shop amidst all the people. He was joined by the opening band as well as his band and it was a great sing-along. Great, great stuff. Check out some of his stuff over at Daytrotter here.

You can see myself W2 and B in amongst the onlookers, This was the encore... (click on pix for larger image)



Here's another (thanks to Bryan Bruchman who took these pix and was so quick to put them on flickr. Don't know you Bryan, but thank you so much and I don't really know the etiquette for doing this so if I did something wrong, let me know)


Then there is Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. The song that caught my attention is about his own death and funeral (I think) but it isn't sad or melancholy sounding really. It is daydreamy, folky sounding and it is called "Buriedfed". The names to be dropped here are Grizzly Bear (guys from the group back him up and produce) and TV On the Radio member Kyp Malone as well. Here is a video and an mp3...

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfed

And here is the video courtesy of Pitchfork TV:



(He also has a Daytrotter session here. God Daytrotter is awesome!)

And perusing Pitchfork TV turned up some fun stuff, check these out...New Fatboy Slim BPM project called Toe Jam...A bit racy in a fun way...



And I have posted about this before but I am really digging them. Here are the Last Shadow Puppets again with "Standing Next to Me"



I have more discoveries but I think this is enough for now...Enjoy!

Peace

Pitchfork Tv video of the festival...Public Enemy, Les Savy Fav, Dizzee Rascal, and Caribou

Pitchfork TV is hooking up excellent clips of the show. Wow it seems like only 4 days ago...

Public Enemy (Didn't have tix for Friday nights shows but I heard that PE was off the Hook!)



Les Savy Fav....



Dizzee Rascal...



Caribou...



Still waiting on my own pix, but pitchfork's website has a bunch up..


Peace

At Pitchfork, Sunday

Sunday there was no rain really at all. The sun was out for most of the day, hot but not unbearable, no complaints at all. Started with Boris, a japanese Hard Rock band. They were awesome. The lady on guitar was really good and it was an updated, cooler version of 80's hair metal. Then they finished a song, stopped and said something pretty indecipherable about the power I think. Pitchfork this year seemed to be plagued by minor sound issues. I think that the small stage started up late and threw some of that timing off, but not sure. Saw Health and they were pretty cool. But the show that may have stole the show for me was Les Savy Fav's set. Right when we got into the concert area, we saw a massage table set up. Some kid laying down with nothing but his Richard Simmons shorts on and this middle aged looking, balding and beer-bellied dude was lubing up the kid with some kind of lotion. He worked him over pretty vigorously. While he was going we realized that it was Tim Harrington, the lead singer of Les Savy Fav. Then onto getting good spots for the show. One of the many things that were great about the concert was the fact that you could pretty much get as close as you wanted if you really wanted to with no real agression or animosity directed at you, or you could stay back and be not as packed in but still have a great view and be relatively close. It definitely seemed like more people this year than last but can't really be sure. Anyway, back to the LSF show. It kicked ASS, simply put. The band was great and Tim Harrington was a really entertaining lead singer. He did all sorts of crazy things that I am sure will show up online all over. I was forced to choose between Ghostface/Raekwon and M. Ward and watched a bit of Ghostface and then watched the M. Ward set. I have really been listening to him a lot and was excited to see him. That crowd was pretty subdued but large and M. Ward sounded great. They have a woman on drums and the other guitar player is a Willie Nelson looking guy who was great on stage. I felt like this show was much too short. Perhaps 6 or 7 songs? I was bummed when they were done. Watched Spiritualized, who sounded great. They had 2 ladies on stage doing sort of soul, gospel backing vocals which really added a cool element to the loud, feedback filled guitar. Oh it was loud too, really LOUD. Sat through A bunch of Bon Iver's set but wasn't too worried about checking him out since I will be seeing him next week at Space Gallery headlining a show. Then was again forced to make a choice between getting good seats for Cut Copy on the smaller stage area or checking out Dinosaur Jr. and after waffling a bit went off to see Dinosaur Jr. Dinosaur Jr. was very cool, kind of just tearing through great versions of the songs. Had to choose between going to try to reunite with buddies over at Cut Copy or staying for Spoon and had to check out Spoon, I am a big fan and couldn't pass it up. Spoon was really good and professional, tight, loud but perfectly loud. They played a bunch of songs from the recent album and from a few others. But they seemed to me to just sort of simmer, and then it was over. I bet a show with more time would just be amazing. I was psyched to see what I did though. Spoon didn't disappoint. And that was that. I found out later that Cut Copy showed up really late and only played 4 songs. Supposedly the 4 songs were really good though. I have to give a shout out to my Live From Apt homie Shamala for hangin' and lookin' out for me in Chi-Town (oh to have more time in Dusty Grooves). And Mauricio and his crew in Wicker Park. They sure know how to take care of a fellow and show him a good time. Thanks guys!

I am going to update this with pictures when I get home but for now enjoy this, McCarren Park Pool show July 9th 2006. It doesn't do any sort of justice to how cool the show was, but it was all I could find quickly:

At Pitchfork, Saturday

So pitchfork started and it was off the hook. The highlight of the day for me was !!!. They tore it up. It was a huge tribal dance party. The two lead singers were great, weird ring leaders. Second best show of the day was Dizzee Rascal, who would not let the crowd be apathetic and got everyone into it. Vampire Weekend was really good too. Fleet Foxes were great but seemed to be too intimate for an outdoor concert, definitely best served in a small venue. Started the day off with Caribou and they were awesome. Although it was cool, the end of the night sort of petered out with Jarvis Cocker, No Age and Animal Collective. I am not super big into these last three and they ended the night. It was a great day of music though.

Here is some !!!


Great stuff! Peace

Some fun bits...The Ruins Movie Trailer Yay horror movies!

So I read this book when it came out and thoroughly enjoyed and devoured it in like 2 days. It was a psychological thriller that made my skin crawl a couple of times. Pretty intense. It is by the same guy who wrote A Simple Plan. (Scott Smith)

Here is what slashfilm.com has to say: (Trailer after the blurb)

DreamWorks has released a movie trailer for the upcoming big screen adaptation of Scott Smith’s bestselling novel The Ruins. Smith is of course the critically-acclaimed author and screenwriter of A Simple Plan. The Ruins follows two American couples, just out of college, enjoying a pleasant, lazy beach holiday together in Mexico , who become entangled in a brutal struggle for survival after visiting remote Mayan ruins, site of a fabled archeological dig. Directed by Carter Smith, the film adaptation stars Jonathan Tucker (The Black Donnellys), Jena Malone (Saved), Shawn Ashmore (X-Men: The Last Stand), Laura Ramsey (She’s the Man) and Joe Anderson (Across the Universe).



Peace

*Edit: My good buddy from LivefromApt (link on the left) told me but I didn't believe it. This movie actually came out a while back and is all ready on video. whoops! Good reminder to do my due diligence...

Knowledge Reigns Supreme

Happy Fourth!!

The Black Keys, Santogold and The Clipse Live

So I have been meaning to post about 2 albums that have been in heavy rotation lately...first

The Black Keys, a bluesy, rockin' guitar and drum duo that I really like. Some of the tracks really remind me of Credence Clearwater. Danger Mouse produced, and it was after The Black Keys had been in the studio with Ike Turner before he passed.
The New album is called Attack and Release...
The Black Keys - Same Old Thing

Here is a video from the self-titled Santogold album, pretty good track but there are better on the album which is really all over the place, but in a good way. Too lazy to upload music right now but enjoy this and if you want to hear some really phat beats click on this link





and last, some more lead up to Pitchfork festival here is a clip of The Clipse playing the festival last year (they tore it up by the way)

The Clipse - Ride Around Shining:



Peace

Lester "Pres" Young

I think it's time I talk about the title of this blog and Lester Young a bit.
Lester Young is one of my all-time favorites. I discovered him because of Charlie Parker. (Of whom I have blogged about before here). He was a major influence on The Bird, so I got interested and then I got addicted. He was a tenor sax player with a big sound but smooth and less vibrato then Coleman Hawkins, one of the other major figures of early jazz saxophone. He made some amazing recordings under the name "Jones-Smith inc." Because of record label issues Lester recorded with Count Basie on piano, Jo Jones on drums, Walter Page on bass, and Carl smith on trumpet under the name of the two guys who weren't under contract all ready with another record label. I am including the song that gave this blog it's name and two of the songs with "Jones-Smith" These are recorded mid thirties and early 40's.

Lester was a unique personality, eccentric you might say, an individual by all accounts. This however, in this country, especially in the days of segregation in the United States, especially for a minority, was not necessarily something that many citizens could tolerate. And so this genius, was subject to what many before and after have been subject to, degradation and violence. It took a toll on him and he seemed to loosen his anchoring a bit in the later half of his life and become a complete alcoholic as well. Drank himself to death. Thank goodness though, that he waxed his genius for us on vinyl and we have it here today, still electrifying...

Pagin' The Devil -Live from the Spirituals To Swing Concert

Lady Be Good

And last, one of my all-time, most definitely desert island pick, pieces of music...
Shoe Shine Boy

Lester was a freestyler, in the way some of the best rappers freestyle today. Battles for rep were just as common back in Kansas City (where Lester made his bones) as they were for Biggie on the corners of Bedstuy Brooklyn. Kansas City was a crazy town and it is no coincidence that some of the nastiest jazz musicians came up in that madness (Charlie Parker was also from KC). If any of you have seen the Robert Altman movie "Kansas City" you would have seen a pretty excellent recreation of a jam session battle. This isn't the scene that I think is supposed to be based on a famous battle between Lester and Coleman Hawkins (which is in the movie) but it is pretty cool clip anyway:



And just to make the comparison between jazz improv and hip hop freestylinga little more obvious, here's young Biggie on the corner:



After invoking the name of the Devil and playing that sick freestyle, I felt guilty/cursed. Here is my cure for the jinx:

The Original Blind Boys of Alabama - This May Be the Last Time

Peace

Shows Coming Up and more!!!

So the selections of songs today are tied together by this: my friend and I have embarked on a quest to convince his partner that jazz is where it's at. Any recommendations out there for a really good introduction to jazz song or album? Write in, use the comments feature, for Christ's sake, let me know if you're out there if you are out there. God, this is pitiful. I will go geek out with my mp3's now. Bye.


Also check out the local Portland, ME shows coming up...

The LadyBug Transistor@Space Gallery July 18th

Bon Iver@Space Gallery July 25th (Definitely Going to this!)

Corey Harris@St. Lawrence Community Theater July 25th (We so rarely get outsiders who rock here and now there are 2 in one night! Luckily I've seen Mr. Harris before)


Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader


Louis Armstrong Hot Fives and Hot Sevens - Beau Koo Jack


Charlie Parker - Blue n' Boogie


Thelonious Monk - Everything Happens To Me

Peace

Pitchfork Festival!!!

(I wrote this and didn't publish it, about a week ago because I just haven't had time but I am still excited)

I am going to the Pitchfork Festival. So excited. There are many bands playing. I went last year and had a great, great time. Not only because of the great music and great weather did I enjoy myself so much. The festival itself is organized so well, and they don't rip you off like so many other festivals seem to do. Water and food (and beer) were all reasonably priced. This year I have a ticket to the 2 weekend days but was too slow in figuring out my plans to get the three day pass which is now sold out. Well, actually what I have is a plane ticket and a 2 day pass for the show but haven't exactly nailed down the staying situation. I got the word from a good buddies sister that it was okay to stay at her old place with her old roommate, but he hasn't responded to my email, soo..

Anyway, I unfortunately miss the All Tomorrow's Parties organized part of the festival. Last year the lineup for this part of the show was: GZA-Liquid Swords, Sonic Youth-Daydream Nation. So good.

Here are a few of the bands I am excited about seeing:

M Ward (see below for some tunes off his last excellent album)
Vampire Weekend
!!!
Spiritualized
Caribou
No Age
Spoon
Dinosaur Jr
Ghostface and Raekwon (Heard about the Strictly Built for Cuban Links followup yet!)
Bon Iver
Cut Copy
Dirty Projectors

That's just off the top of my head, there are lots more.


Yippee!!! And for your aural pleasure some M. Ward:

To Go Home

Poison Cup

Right In The Head

Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning

Rock and roll you can shake your tail to. Dig the rhythm section and the jagged guitar that goes through the whole song. Plus I love the sound that he gets of layered distortion. Rockin' indie music! For those of you who haven't listened to Broken Social Scene, they are a must listen. I loved Kevin Drew's "Spirit If.." album as well. Brendan Canning is the bass player. On this BSS Presents he gets his own showcase and has vocal duties as well.

check it out here:

The album is called "Something For All of Us

Hit The Wall



and here is one of my favorites from Broken Social Scene off of the "You Forgot It In People" album:

Cause= Time


Peace

New Gnarls Barkley video and Last Shadow Puppets

Here is a new video from Gnarls Barkley off of the new album "The Odd Couple". It is a pretty cool video (and song) with a really strange ending. Check it out:

Gnarls Barkley - Goin On




And from the very cool pitchfork tv is a video from the guy from The Arctic Monkeys Alex Turner and a guy named Miles Kane of a band called the Rascals. I don't care what anyone says about being overhyped, I have really enjoyed both Monkeys albums. This is very cool sounding and makes me want to hear more:

Last Shadow Puppets- Age of the Understatement




enjoy!

Peace

The Zombies and a Young Rival

Avoiding responsibilities for a second here. Had to post about The Zombies. I have had Zombies on the brain since rappin with Mr. LivefromApt during a Celtics game recently. I was playing my "Best 60's music" playlist when they came on and Ryan was all over that shit. Then Stereogum hooks me up with a tune that totally reminds me of The Zombies as well. The Zombies were old-school, contemporaries of the Beatles early on. They wrote awesome funky, bluesy tunes with great harmonies. Check it out for yourselves:

First the new song: Young Rival-4:15
And for your aural pleasure:

The Zombies-She's Not There



They wrote "Time of the Season" which is awesome. They disappeared and some of their members went on to solo stuff. I think they just suffered from bad timing and people just not ready.

The Zombies-Time of the Season




I've been listening to a lot of great early 60's and 70's New York latin music. I will post some of that soon.

Peace

Islands, Mason Jennings and the Ipod Game!!

Well, it has been awhile. I was off in Gautemala with an amazing group of high school students doing some service work. It was heavy but also great. Anyways. Back to music. One of my favorite bands is getting closer and closer to releasing their new album. Islands has leaked at least one other song that I know of and here is another. The first was okay but this is more like it.

Kids Don't Know Shit-Islands


Then we have Mason Jennings, cool sort guitar folky with an edge. I believe he is based in Minnesota. Wow Minnesota, lots of good music coming out from you guys! Anyway here is a cool new song of his that I have been enjoying:

Mason Jennings-Fighter Girl


And last but not least, this weeks winner of my Ipod wheel of fortune game. Hit random and post the first song that comes up. This week the winner is.....Stan Getz-Menina Moca! A little Jazz Samba treat.

Well, there you are, lots of music to make up for my absence. Enjoy!

Peace.

Cypress Grove Blues is the winner!

Of my new game, "Musical Wheel of fortune Ipod Game". I press play on random and blog the song that comes up. Skip James was the winner with his song, "Cypress Grove Blues". Here is a taste of the lyrics:

And the old people told me, baby, but I never did know
The old people told me, baby woman, but I never did know
"The good book declare you got to reap just what you sow"
When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold
When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold
Means you just gettin' ready, honey, for the cypress grove


by
Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James

Check it out here.
I love this song. He really does create this eery effect with his tuning and his voice and the scratchiness of the recording and,I don't know what else. But you can see why Robert Johnson paid attention to Skip and why Clapton had to do a version of one of his best known songs ("I'm so Glad").

Enjoy,

Peace

Yeasayer!

I have been meaning to post about this because it is so good. It is from the amazing website I was turned on to by the good chaps over at APT called La Blogotheque. When I first heard Yeasayer it was the song 2080 which is all electronic and totally different than what they do in this video. I thought 2080 was a cool song but after seeing this video I really like and respect these guys. This song is soulful and moving and the fact that they are singing in some french subway is very cool too. Here is the video I refer to:

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave
by lablogotheque

and here is the song2080 by them.


*Also, La Blogotheque recently posted another great video from The Black Lips (who came out with one of my favorite albums of 2007) Check that out too, (but don't think this is the way the album sounds cause that is dirty garage rock).here.

Peace

Jazzy

Umm. One of the things I love about being Puerto Rican is that we are responsible for such good music. And that our culture encourages and expects that I, or anyone descended from the Island, use "we" when we talk about anything or anyone who is Boricua (the Taino name for the island). Anyway, Willie Colon is Puerto Rican. and he was a pioneer in latin music. If you want to learn a lot about him go to this website. (you'll also learn a lot about Hector Lavoe as well, another Puerto Rican product). So I wanted to post this song for everyone to check out. It is just so good. Willie plays the trombone and he was instrumental in bringing the trombone out into the forefront of latin music groups. He was also influenced in a big way by jazz music from the States (amongst many influences he assimilated). I hate to call this Latin Jazz, it's more direct about its folk music influences, it's a lot rootsier than what Latin Jazz usually brings to mind. It has an edge to it. These guys were just homies in the streets, getting loose and jamming together and before they knew it they were huge. They were even a fad for a while, (see the Boogaloo craze). Take a listen and definitely buy a lot of Willie Colon (especially the stuff with Hector Lavoe on vocals). Anyway, pick an instrument and follow it for a while and then change to another one. It's really amazing. My favorite on this track is the Timbales

Hector Lavoe-Jazzy

Que disfruten!

Peace