Talkin' Tunes...

R.I.P. - Yusef Lateef

2013-12-27T07:28:00.001-05:00

The man made music for 70+ years.

Another jazz original is gone.

There are so few left!

Here's an interesting one!

Erotica

2013-10-09T20:40:00.004-04:00

In 1992, a Welsh band called The Darling Buds released a record called Erotica. It was their swan song. It fit somewhere between "shoegaze" and "top of the pops". There are some absolute gems on this record. I'm feeling old as I realize this was 21 years ago... Give it a listen!

Old Favorites

2013-06-06T23:12:00.000-04:00

Recently, after discussing Bob Dylan with students I realized I haven't heard the records I'm telling them to listen to in a very long time.

I try hard to avoid superlatives... but,

The Times They Are A'Changin is one of the most important recordings ever made!

Rather than give my interpretation of each song, I just have a simple request...

Listen to it. Now!

If you already own this record, get it out and look at it. Look at the 'punk' on the front cover! If you haven't listened to it in a long time, play it. Now!

When I listen to Dylan anymore, I end up listening all night.

Luckily, I get a (small) continuous dose as I play "The Times They Are A'Changin", "Only A Pawn In Their Game" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" every year for my students.

Dylan songs blow my students' minds every year. Even the kids who want to hate it because it appears to represent everything they think they aren't. They can't explain why they dig it, but they definitely do. Perhaps, because he's speaking to young people and they hear it differently. I certainly remember how I felt at nineteen hearing Bob tell the people to gather from wherever they roamed. That voice! That guitar! That crazy harp!

I love playing music for my students! Every time I see a kid's face light up upon hearing new music I remember why I feel music is so important. The United States has such a rich musical history that to keep the radios and televisions tuned to pop icons is to truly miss the American message! Here's the message as far as this record goes: "the present now will later be past... and the first one now will later be last."

Mendacity

2012-06-17T10:20:00.001-04:00

1961, Max Roach - Percussion Bitter Sweet.

This is a stellar record! Max bangs the drums like no other. Eric Dolphy blows his horn like a man possessed!

But, the standout for me is the fifth song, "Mendacity", sung by Abbey Lincoln. Arriving in 1961, the song acutely depicts the deceit and trickery of the mid-century American political system and is particularly poignant. Abbey's biting lyrics about black disenfranchisement and extreme southern racial violence during the height of the Civil Rights Movement is imperative!

There are no disappointments on this record! Buy this!

R.I.P. - Doc Watson

2012-06-04T18:31:00.000-04:00

On May 29th, 2012 the United States lost a musical treasure. Doc Watson was a blind man from Deep Gap, North Carolina. He was Appalachian music. He could pick, sing, interpret songs and carry a crowd better than most!

Unfortunately for the world, Doc wasn't "discovered" until the Folk Revival of the 1960s. However, born in 1923, Doc Watson began playing guitar in his youth and was somewhat famous in his corner of Appalachia. Following the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, Doc began releasing records for Folkways and Vanguard. Most of which in the 1960s-1970s were quite good!

The first Doc songs I heard were renditions of John Henry and Sitting on Top of the World. They were both great, but it wasn't until I found his 1966 record Southbound that I fully understood the power and importance of Doc Watson. That record also featured his very talented son, Merle.

Doc Watson, like Pete Seeger, is a name synonymous with traditional American folk music. He was among the greatest American musical talents of all time. I was truly moved recently when a student of mine recognized one of Doc's songs in a documentary I showed my class. His legacy will surely live on!

~ R.I.P., brother Doc Watson

Heaven.

2012-05-30T09:28:00.002-04:00

The Walkmen have just released a new album called Heaven. It threw me for a loop. They have, as all bands do, changed their sound. They use much less of Hamilton's voice. It is a much tighter and more polished sound than their previous records. That doesn't mean it's no good. It's different... especially for them! Someone starting here would probably find it hard to get into the older records. I was not impressed with the first listen. Just skip song one! But, each time I hear it it seems to make a bit more sense. It is a Fat Possum Records release.

The single, also called Heaven, struck me instantly! It sort of sounded like their previous record, Lisbon. While Lisbon had plenty of the qualities of their early recordings, it signaled the changes they have made on Heaven. Heaven is not a disappointment, it just may take longtime fans a while longer to understand. (I need Hamilton's wail!)

My favorites are "Line By Line", "Song for Leigh" "The Love You Love" and "Heaven", but of course you have to listen to the whole album to get the whole picture! Happy listening!

Young Ned of the Hill

2012-02-23T17:21:00.000-05:00

The history of Ireland is fascinating. The Irish were invaded by the English on several occasions and fell victim to English oppression for extended periods of time.

Many powerful songs have been written about these episodes. My personal favorite is the variation on an old Irish folk tale, "Young Ned of the Hill", on The Pogues' 1989 album Peace & Love. This song embodies the spirit of punk while embracing elements of traditional Irish folk music.

Shane McGowan didn't write this song, but I can't imagine anyone else singing it! What a great song about a terrible event!

Beatles?

2012-02-10T06:22:00.011-05:00

I heard a rumor about myself yesterday. It's been said that I don't like The Beatles. Not true. Not false.

First of all, there is more than one band called The Beatles. There's the early version of the band that adored US blues music and sang repetitive love songs and then there's the other band. I don't dislike either. I don't, however, have any need for the early version of the band.

But, the band that created songs like "The Fool on the Hill", "Something", "Norwegian Wood", "She's Leaving Home", "Within You Without You", "Dear Prudence", "Eleanor Rigby", "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "The Inner Light" is relative and necessary.

These days I'm more likely to play individual Beatles songs rather than sit down and listen to an entire album. I tend to gravitate more often to the offerings of mister George Harrison in favor of the more famous duo of songwriters. I suppose, it's a question of time and place rather than like vs dislike.

Sometimes, you just HAVE to listen to George Harrison's interpretation of India or John Lennon's comments on religion. Sometimes, you may even need to listen to Ringo as he begs her not to "pass him by"!

Here Comes A Regular....

2012-01-31T19:17:00.003-05:00

"All I know is I'm sick of everything that my money can buy. A fool will waste his life, God rest his guts."

This 1985 song didn't come to me until college. But, it quickly became my midnight tear-in-my-beer song. An absolute underground gem!

Paul Westerberg was already known to me. I'd had his early 90s solo albums since middle school, but had yet to really devour The Replacements. He was also featured on the soundtrack to my favorite teenage movie, Singles.

My brother and his friends were fans and that's how The Replacements came to me. I knew a few of the rowdier Replacements songs, but "Here Comes A Regular" shined a brand new light on them for me.

This is as good a story as any of the period. Better, in fact, than most. Every time I hear it I am transported to the dark corner of a dank bar where a nostalgic tippler sits in a cloud of smoke muttering to himself of the departed good old days before his sunken frame wanders out into the deep, dark, frozen night...

Black Francis

2012-01-30T19:44:00.002-05:00

Recently, a student asked me if I liked the Pixies. Seriously? Do I "like" them? No. My fascination with Pixies is far beyond "like".

The first time I saw one of their records was in 7th grade (1991). It was their final release, Trompe le Monde, from the same year. This (relatively) odd girl that sat next to me in English had several of their albums one day and we were checking them out. It was one of those weird moments where "you know something's happening, but you don't know what it is!"

I listened to them all and found them strangely exciting. I had never heard anything like it before. Trompe le Monde is a stunner! Not a bad song from start to finish. Nothing even resembling a bad song. There are plenty of hands-down standards: "Planet of Sound", "Alec Eiffel", "The Sad Punk", "U-Mass", "Subbacultcha", etc...

Their previous record, Bossanova (1990), opens with an instrumental cover called "Cecilia Ann". It is full of energy, but the next song is an absolute shredding masterpiece simply called "Rock Music". After blowing your hair back with both openers, they simmer down with a sort of epic called "Velouria". This was the initial standout. Of course, the two songs that follow are even better.

"Is She Weird" was the song that proved I was listening to something that no one else was listening to. With plenty of starts and stops as well as a bit of shouting and screaming, many of my friends said it was "too weird". Perhaps, that was the message.

After devouring these two seemingly flawless albums, I went back to the beginning. The first EP released by Pixies was titled Come On Pilgrim. It came out in 1987. The top three songs that year were by George Michael, Heart and Whitney Houston. Needless to say, this flew under the radar!

Come On Pilgrim opens with the seductive "Caribou". Then, Black Francis quietly begins speaking Spanish. After the band catches up he switches back to English. "Vamos" is a great, fast-paced little ditty. However, once they draw you in they smash your head with "Isla de Encanta" sung nearly all in Spanish. "The Holiday Song" is anthemic, but "Nimrod's Son", with it's declaration that the subject of the song was born of incestuous union, is unparalleled. Still, I prefer "I've Been Tired". Great!

Obviously, fans and critics agree that Doolittle is their best. I say this... Do I like Pixies? Very very much. Where to start? Doesn't matter! Just start!

Black Freedom

2012-01-15T09:33:00.003-05:00

That is the translation (from Swahili) of the name of the ineffable roots group Black Uhuru. I knew about the group long before I actually knew the group. I really only knew two songs: "Sinsemilla" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". Both are good. Neither are amazing.

When I lived in Prague, I found a music store that carried primarily English-speaking music from the US & UK. It was overpriced, but the selection was shockingly good.

I was in island mode, for some reason, for most of my time there. I was on a mission for the late-70s bands of the second wave of roots music. Black Uhuru is easily the best of the bunch.

I happened upon their 1981 release, Red. It was about $10 (75 Czech Crowns at the time). Too much. But, I was in dire need of new tunes. I bought it, took it home and proceeded to have my mind absolutely blown! This is a stellar record! The energy on this album is infectious. Impossible to pick favorites, but the following are standouts: "Youth of Eglington", "Sponji Reggae", "Sistren" and "Utterance".

They followed Red with the more club-friendly Chill Out in 1982. Also a good record with hardly a dud on it, but very different from Red. But, I shouldn't forget the record that preceded Red, Sinsemilla. This has a more relaxed feel than the later records.

This was the record that brought them out of Jamaica. It solidified them as the new sound. Michael Rose's voice is unique and is complimented perfectly by Puma Jones. Yet, the essential sounds of Sly & Robbie are what give the early 80s records of Uhuru so much power!

You will not be disappointed with any of the following records: Sinsemilla, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Red, Tear It Up: Live or Chill Out. All of these came out in a three year period (their best!).

Misguided Angel

2011-12-20T06:33:00.005-05:00

I always get the question, "What is your favorite song?" I always give the answer, "Are you serious?"

Perhaps, this morning I can give a straight answer. However, check with me next month...

Canada. 1988. Siblings.

The group called Cowboy Junkies were known to me in this period of time, but I didn't pick up on them until some time later. The Timmins family made some great music. Sister Margo's voice is angelic in many instances.

That statement brings me to my "favorite" song. The second song on their second release, The Trinity Session. "Misguided Angel".

This song beckons you. It seduces you. Listen...

It starts with a moaning harp and guitar. Margo's voice comes in with the band as she tells a story of forbidden love. Generally, I reserve my "favorites" for songs with more of a sociopolitical bent. But, in this case Margo's plea is as irresistible as the music. The song is far from a rocker, but its power draws you in and carries you along.

Great songs, for me, tell great stories. This song is great. My favorite? Well, certainly one of them!

Soulful

2011-12-05T05:59:00.003-05:00

Just in case the Chess Christmas album didn't whet your appetite for the alternative holiday soundtrack try the Atlantic Records release simply titled: Soul Christmas. This one may even be better than the Chess album. Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Booker T. & the MG's... Though, the best is probably Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa". This is the song that Run-DMC samples on "Christmas in Hollis". This Atlantic release is another good alternative to the sappy overplayed morning news show dreck (think Bublé!).

Must we?

2011-11-30T16:30:00.003-05:00

It's officially here... The worst season of the year for music. Every place of business will now be playing holiday music for the next four weeks! Must we endure this? Not that there isn't any good holiday music. In fact, for people looking to spice up the holidays with something actually worth listening to I would recommend purchasing Chess Records' holiday compilation: Have A Merry Chess Christmas.

With two Chuck Berry offerings, you're already off to a good start. But, the gems may be "Christmas Ain't Christmas, New Year's Ain't New Years Without the One You Love" by the O'Jay's and "Blue Christmas" by the Meditation Singers. Truth be told, there really isn't a bad track on this album.

So, if you must play holiday music... and sometimes you must... this album gives the season a good twist!

Don't Follow

2011-11-22T15:32:00.004-05:00

Prompted by a friend's post, I took a look at my 90s tunes. One of my all-time favorite songs quickly came to me..."Don't Follow" by Alice in Chains on their 1993 album Jar of Flies.

One of Alice in Chains' best-kept secrets, this song has a special place in my heart...

In 2006, I moved to Prague. One night myself, two English friends and a random guy I worked with were out at a very small bar. We were the only ones there so the young bartender let us pick out some songs on our guitars. After cycling through a handful of well-known numbers our Czech bartender could sing along with and throwing in a few obscure ones we each liked we began running low on ideas.

A moment of silence passed before Billy the Brit began picking out "Don't Follow". He very nearly stopped as he thought no one knew what he was playing. I urged him on and sang it (eyes closed) with all I had.

That was the spark that set the fire and we belted 'em out for another hour!

Page One; New Soil

2011-11-17T17:33:00.001-05:00

Still diggin jazz...

Been listenin to Joe Henderson's 1963 record Page One and Jackie McLean's 1959 record New Soil all day. Literally, all day. Can't stop...

Avant-Garde

2011-11-07T16:33:00.002-05:00

I'm really feeling jazz these days...

Dusted off some old Blue Note albums this weekend.

First, Elvin Jones' Live at the Lighthouse from 1972. This album is a great jam session. It's late for the Bop Era but retains many qualities associated with Bop. It's much more free form or avant-garde.

Besides Jones, who is always on time, there is a great crew of players. Each has time to stretch out on their own and they all produce. Dave Liebman has some exceptional moments on tenor and Gene Perla has a sweet rambling bass throughout. Well worth checking out if you're in a jazz mood.

Also, been jamming on Hank Mobley's Workout from 1961. This album totally grooves. One of my favorite drummers, Philly Joe Jones from Miles Davis' group, keeps the pace and the soulful guitar of Grant Green provides the vibe. Along with Wynton Kelly's piano and Paul Chambers' bass, this young group lead by Hank Mobley's impressive tenor sax steams through 45 minutes of great Hard Bop jazz! This is an essential recording.

Gangsta?

2011-10-20T15:50:00.003-04:00

There are far too many musical fakers today. "You either are or you are not, hard." That's what I always say. Peter Tosh was hard. Period. His message was plain as day in songs like "Stepping Razor" and "I Am That I Am". Unlike many high-profile artists, he never pulled punches. He often said the wrong thing at the wrong time because that was what was really on his mind. He seemingly had no fear. Pete was even intimidating in interviews.

Obviously, I knew about Tosh from listening to the Wailers, but my first exposure to Pete's solo career was when a college friend bought Equal Rights on vinyl. We went back to his house to listen to it and I was in awe. I had long been a fan of reggae, but this was something else!

The record opens with "Get Up, Stand Up", which the Wailers had recorded nearly a decade before this album was released in 1977. It seemed like it was always meant to be Pete's song. The original never sounded the same again!

He is the type of singer that has the ability to have a conversation with his audience while he sings. The song "Brand New Secondhand" is that kind of song. But, I knew that about Pete from way back.

The Wailers' debut album, Catch A Fire, showcases Pete's talent on "400 Years" and "Stop That Train". These songs are tough. They are quite different from the songs Bob sings. Pete has an edge that is impossible to fake. The man is a singular talent and yesterday would have been his birthday.

Unfortunately, Jamaican thugs murdered Pete on September 11th, 1987. R.I.P, brotha!

The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice!

2011-10-18T17:13:00.009-04:00

Charles Edward Anderson Berry.

His songs have been covered by almost everyone you can think of... and there's a reason for that! He redefined all notions of popular music.

Dig this list: Elvis, Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Sex Pistols, Peter Tosh, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buck Owens, Judas Priest, The Beatles, Johnny Winter... that's just who's covered the song "Johnny B. Goode".

Anyone who spouts off about the importance of Elvis is probably a white person trying to give him credit for rock n' roll. There is no Elvis without Chuck Berry. Most of the British Invasion bands would never have arrived either. They had been listening to raw country blues (acoustic) and trying really hard to imitate something that did not explain their existence. Once they heard Chuck Berry plug his guitar in and shred the blues and R&B they dug, they plugged in. Not vice versa.

The man did the Duck Walk! Forget gyrating white hips. Forget hair metal bands and glam rock! Chuck Berry is it! If you want to know what the desperate teenagers living in the Age of Conformity turned to for excitement (and danger!), go buy the compilation The Great Twenty-Eight! All the classics are there as well as some hidden gems.

Nobody got down like Chuck. Several late 50s rock n rollers picked up what he was into, but no one could get down like the original!

Happy 86th Birthday, Chuck!

This Mystic Decade!

2011-10-15T09:49:00.003-04:00

Hot Snakes. Five short years was all the time this killer band was together. But, in that short time they hammered through several great albums. Their music is filled with so much intensity and power that it is impossible to turn off.

I was introduced to them through a record store employee/acquaintance of mine in college. He was standing near me when I picked up their second album Suicide Invoice. He very excitedly informed me how badly I needed to buy it. It was a self-released album from former members of Drive Like Jehu (Rick Froberg) and Rocket From the Crypt (John Reis), so I figured it was probably worth it.

I put it in the CD player in my car as I left and... it was more than worth it. From the first bouncing, manic, scathing guitar riffs to the final drum beat this record creates its own place in the world of music. I left it in the player for weeks. Unfortunately, I never came across another of their records until years later.

In fact, I was in Flagstaff, Arizona when I found their Peel Sessions. This is the most fabulous angst-ridden 9:08 you'll ever hear! If you do nothing else today... buy it!

Is That Mould?

2011-10-12T05:51:00.000-04:00

I learned about Bob Mould from my brother. The first time I remember dropping his name was as a LatchKey kid in St. Louis. It was probably 1988. Some older kids were watching us younger kids and we were taking turns writing band names on the chalkboard trying to one-up each other.

Some kid wrote Hoodoo Gurus and I wrote Hüsker Dü. I really only knew what the album covers looked like, but it blew him away nonetheless. I then drew the Dead Kennedys symbol and an anarchy sign. Suddenly, he thought I was pretty cool...

As I grew up, I really got into Bob Mould's music. I started out with his solo record from 1990 called Black Sheets of Rain. I was really getting into this record and Hüsker Dü's last record Warehouse: Songs & Stories when my brother told me I better check out Mould's first solo record, Workbook. This was far more mellow and introspective than Black Sheets of Rain. I wasn't quite ready for it. Mainly because it was 1992 and Mould had a new band: Sugar.

I was given Sugar's first album for Christmas (again, same brother) and they became a staple of my youth. Complete Hard-Charging Sonic Face Melt! Perfect for a teenager! Hüsker Dü was perfect teenage music too.

Mould's music runs the gamut of musical expression. Even during Hüsker Dü's lifetime he created some introspective stuff (Candy Apple Grey). He was a key figure of the early 80s hardcore scene and an openly gay man. His music is important and should be remembered. Especially today. Happy Birthday, Bob!

Introspection

2011-10-08T22:38:00.000-04:00

Robert Zimmerman was definitely the first singer that shook me. However, the songs of John Prine & Townes Van Zandt shook me nearly to death. Many of my episodes of introspection wander through those two... American treasures... that's all I have to say.

Nebraska

2011-10-06T06:35:00.000-04:00

For whatever reason I'm in an introspective mood... this morning that translates to Springsteen's 1982 album, Nebraska. Somehow I knew when I bought this record I was in for a ride. I had The Boss' records from the early 70s and liked them. But, I was reticent to go near the "Born in the U.S.A." era due to the excessive hype (and airplay) it received during my childhood. It wasn't until much later that I actually listened to the lyrics of that song and realized how serious it was.

Anyway, the second I saw it, I knew I was going to buy Nebraska. I was surprised it was released in 1982, but the cover drew me in instantly. It's stark, sweeping Midwestern agricultural scene was too much to ignore. It just called to me.

Nebraska is a quiet, often haunting record and it completely changed my image of Springsteen. I listened to it three times in a row when I bought it and suddenly understood why they called him The Boss. This record is totally boss! I suppose if I had to pick a song it would be "Highway Patrolman". A tragic story about two brothers told by a wonderful storyteller!

Reluctant to admit...

2011-10-04T17:20:00.000-04:00

Ok... last night I watched a documentary about Irish music and this morning I went on iTunes and bought a record I learned about: Rory Gallagher's live album from his Irish tour in 1974. It absolutely shreds! What an exhilarating album!

And, it's pretty cool to just push a button and buy something... so, I guess I truly have a love/hate relationship with modern musical technology. Today = love!

'Fore Day Creep

2011-09-30T06:38:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I forget just how many 60s bands from England paid tribute to American bluesmen. Unfortunately, when their records made their way to the US most teenagers were unaware that they were listening to electric/psychedelic renditions of classic American tunes. I found out because my father knew and I used to read every single word inside the jacket covers of my dad's albums.

Here's an example: Cream, 1966, Disraeli Gears, "Outside Woman Blues". Their version is great! But, it is an old song that many bluesmen had in their bag of riffs. My favorite version may be Brownie McGhee's. But, he called it "'Fore Day Creep".

Is there anything better than American blues music?