Essentially he argues that songwriters and musicians who upload their music to social networking sites, or anywhere on the Internet for that matter, add value to these websites and therefore the artists should be compensated with some sort of royalty. The music on these sites helps the companies who own them to attract advertisers and also increases the value of the websites making them more attractive to investors.

After all, when a site like Bebo sells for $850 million, you have to wonder, as Billy Bragg does, shouldn’t the artists whose music has contributed to the value of this sale receive some compensation?

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There were no gimmicks, dancers, or headphone mics to be had at this show. There was, however, a legendary songwriter without a set list, about fifteen acoustic guitars, and a piano. His collection of vintage acoustics was impressive. At one point, he made a joke about giving the impression he was competing with George Gruhn who owns the famous Gruhn Guitars shop down the block from the Ryman.

Browne basically took requests the whole night, which made for some interesting renditions of a few songs. Hey, with a catalog as deep and diverse as his, he is bound to forget a few chord changes right? Letting the crowd choose the set was a great idea except there were a few people who really wanted to hear “Free Bird,” (Lynyrd Skynyrd) “Franklin’s Tower,” (Grateful Dead) and “You Light Up My Life” (too many to mention).

Now the “Free Bird” folks can be forgiven. In fact, hearing a request for “Free Bird” at a concert is to be expected, but the other two requests were just plain ridiculous! If it had been Ryan Adams instead of Jackson Browne on stage, these people may have (should have?) been thrown out.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Jackson Browne on any of his solo acoustic tours recently, he has released two live albums full of songs from previous solo acoustic tours. I highly recommend these for anyone who would like to hear stripped down versions of both old and newer Jackson Browne songs. Check out his store.

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My post about this show is a little late, but here it goes…
We saw Wilco last Sunday night at the Ryman Auditorium. This was easily one of the best shows I have EVER been to. Definitely in my top 5, more likely in the top 3, and now that I really think about it, maybe even higher. The set list was incredible. As many have commented, their recent 5 night “Residency” at the Riviera in Chicago where they played every song they have released on an official Wilco album, plus some B-sides and Mermaid Avenue tracks, has led to some varied and exciting set lists.

March 2, 2008 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium

Via Chicago
Blood of the Lamb
Pieholden Suite
California Stars
Company in my Back
You Are My Face
Side with the Seeds
Pot Kettle Black
Shot in the Arm
She’s a Jar
Handshake Drugs
Impossible Germany
It’s Just That Simple
Pick Up the Change
Too Far Apart
Nothingsevergonnastandinmywayagain
Jesus etc.
Hate It Here
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Encore 1
Someone Else’s Song (Jeff Tweedy without the PA)
Misunderstood
The Thanks I Get
Red Eyed and Blue -> I Got You
Monday
Encore 2
The Late Greats

I started listening to Wilco about 12 years ago when their Album Being There came out. It wasn’t until somewhat recently, however, that I have really begun to appreciate the subtle genius in the songwriting and performance. Many long time fans have said that Wilco has never sounded better live, and that the band has reached a new high point in their career. I don’t have any past shows to compare this one to, but I can say that they were unbelievably good last Sunday night.

On a side note, the night before we went to see Will Hoge and Jason Isbell. Jason Isbell was sitting just a few rows in front of us at the Wilco concert! I also saw James Haggerty, the bass player in Josh Rouse’s band. You know a band is great when there are other extraordinary musicians showing up to see them.

There was also a film crew during the show with tons of cameras. Supposedly they are filming a documentary of this tour to be out on DVD in the future. I can’t wait!

Despite the Ryman’s anti audio recording policy (even if the artist allows it), somebody managed to record the whole concert! Here are a few tracks from the show:

Wilco - Too Far Apart (live)

Wilco - The Thanks I Get (live)

Wilco - Jesus etc. (live)

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Despite the fact that I could barely walk yesterday (I threw out my back again) we went out to the Will Hoge & Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit show at the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville last night. I think this redefines what it means to be a dedicated fan. Seriously, I had trouble getting in and out of the car, and then standing on my feet for four hours for a rock show…? There are those who pretend to enjoy live music, who would much rather chat with their friends and really only go for the beer and night out on the town. Then there is me, putting up with increasing pain in my lower back just to check out a couple of bands I have never seen live before.

As expected, both Will and Jason put on an amazing show! I think they have been taking turns closing each show on their “co-headlining” tour. Being that Nashville is Will’s home town, it was only appropriate that he closed last night’s show. He played for over two hours and ended the night with a cover of the The Faces classic, “Ooh La La.” The only bad part was the idiot who literally stood on my feet the whole night. There was clearly three or four feet of space in front of him that he could have moved into. During every song this guy would regurgitate some comment or fact about the band to his friend who was also practically standing on my feet. If you are that big of a fan, just shut up and listen to the music.

While I would definitely call Will Hoge’s music rock (whatever rock means these days), here is a live version of “The Highway’s Home,” which is a country flavored song and one of my favorite tracks from his newest album, “Draw the Curtains.” I’ve always thought that a good rock band can do country better than just about any new country band can.

Will Hoge - “The Highway’s Home”

This was recorded at WFPK in Louisville, KY on 9/28/2007

Photo Credit: Drew Gurian

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So unless Tom Petty asks me to join the Heartbreakers on the road this summer, (I’ve been mildly depressed ever since I learned he is not coming to Nashville, and I won’t be able to go to the nearest show in Atlanta) then I should have a little more time to devote to the blog.

…unless all that guitar and piano renders my fingers too bloody sore to type.

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I was kicking around Hit By A Train, an Old 97’s fan site the other day trying to find the name of one of their older albums and stumbled upon a whole bunch of free mp3s. This is obviously old news to long time fans, but if you’ve never really listened to any of the the Old 97’s’ music before, these mp3s are a great introduction to a rock/alt-country band that has been around quite a while.

On the discography page there are two or three full versions of songs from many of the band’s albums available as free downloads. In addition, they provide several demo/outtake tracks on a separate download page. Some of these might be more interesting to the die hard fans, but are still fun. One of my favorites from this page is a song that was written by a guy named Homer Henderson called “Beer Cans.” The melody gets stuck in my head for days.

Old 97’s - Beer Cans

The character in this song loses his job and starts picking up beer cans on the highway so he will have enough money to marry his girl…? You’ve gotta love this guy’s level of commitment.

Old 97’s MySpace: www.myspace.com/theold97s

Old 97’s Website: www.old97s.com

Old 97’s fan site: www.hitbyatrain.com

Photo Credit: Theresa Ortolani

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Die hard Tom Petty fans will surely be psyched to read Daphne Carr’s article that came out in the LA Weekly on Wednesday. This has got to be one of the niftiest pieces written on Tom Petty that I have read (more like interacted with) in a while.

Any longtime fan knows that there are numerous references to Southern California in both Tom Petty’s songwriting as well as his (and the Heartbreakers’) rock and roll story. The article is paired with a map of Los Angeles that has the locations of various song references and critical points in Tom Petty’s journey marked and numbered.

Here is the map: Tom Petty’s Los Angeles

Check out the article to get the skinny on how all of it fits together.

Artwork and map by Scott Gursky

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On Sunday night we went out to 3rd and Lindsley for the Sons of William and Need to Breathe show. I have become a huge Sons of William fan over the past few years. They’re a rock and roll outfit from Louisiana that impresses me more each time I see them! My only complaint is that they didn’t get to play a longer set. After all, they were one of the main reasons for me deciding to peel my face from the computer screen and head out to the club.

After hearing Need to Breathe’s headlining set, I was left wondering how I had never heard of them until now. They put on a great show with their blend of melodic, accessible rock that seemed to genuinely impress the packed house in Nashville. The lead singer for this band could seriously double as Kid Rock (he probably gets that all the time and is annoyed by it, sorry). I’m talking about looks only here. He is actually a much better singer than Kid Rock.

Need to Breathe snuck in the third verse of the Counting Crows’ A Long December into one of their encore songs and made my night! It was complete with a beautifully sappy audience sing-along on the chorus. Hearing A Long December again put a big smile on my face and took me back to my high school days.

It was my senior year in high school and I somehow convinced my parents to let me and one of my friends drive four hours to Denver…over two mountain passes…on a school night…in an old borrowed car to see the Counting Crows!!! To top it all off, it pretty much rained the whole time, and we did the four hour drive back home the same night to make it to school on time the next day. We were utterly exhausted but I had such a great time. I love how just a snippet of a song can conjure up old memories.

Since I don’t have any live Sons of William or Need to Breathe mp3s, and since I’m already off topic with the Counting Crows tidbit, AND since my last two posts have had videos, here is video of A Long December. The sound quality isn’t all that great, but Adam Duritz tells the story behind the song.

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We took a trip to our new multiplex, stadium seating, 632 screen movie theater last night to see Juno. To be honest, I kind of like those old little theaters with one screen that still have some unique character. There is this great little theater where I used to live in California called The Pageant that was always a kick to go to. The multiplex, however, is literally a stone’s throw away (well maybe if I was John Elway) so we usually give in to convenience.

The movie was great, all except the part about Gibson guitars being better than Fender guitars. Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to have a Gibson hanging on my wall, but any true guitar player knows that it’s the player and not the guitar that counts. Hmm…maybe that’s why I still can’t play…

Anyway, Juno finds its way into the blog this week because of the music. The soundtrack is a great collection of songs, some of which I never would have discovered if not for their placement and meaning within Juno. I’m always a sucker for folky, quirky, acoustic numbers and there are certainly some gems along these lines here. The great part is that you can actually buy the whole collection of songs on one disk or one download (unlike some other soundtracks). This probably has something to do with the “indie” nature of a lot of this music.

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