Author Archives: admin

Feels like forever when your mind turns to fiction

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There are endless ways to find new music. We’ve been raving on and on about our addiction to turntable.fm, but pay attention, because new sources of music can hit you anywhere. Check your local city guide for free events you might not have otherwise attended. Is there an amphitheater anywhere in your county? Who’s playing? Just go see them. Especially if it’s free. Library or other cultural center? You might be surprised what you will find.

Mookie and I went on a long-awaited Big Celebration Date Night recently and decided afterward to wait in a lounge while a band unknown to us set up. And set up they were! You wouldn’t believe how many instruments were being set up on an impossibly small stage. A cello? An organ! Drums, guitars, lots of band members… What were we about to witness?

Click to Enjoy Other Lives – As I Lay My Head Down

Ladies and Gentlemen, it was Other Lives from Stillwater, Oklahoma. And those were also castanets you heard, and we saw. Add that to the list of instruments this quintet expertly styles to lend to their unique sound. Fourteen months to craft their current album, Tamer Animals, which happens to be their Sophomore release.

The sound is intense and specific. There is no feeling that this is a jam session. You’re listening to the beautiful accompaniment to what could be a journal entry or a random bit of prose that the artist conjured after it came to him.

you caught me smiling

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Few people have changed the face of music as much as Sylvester Stewart, better known as Sly Stone. From the late 1960s on, the development and advent of styles such as funk, hip-hop, and rap owe a huge debt to his talent and vision. Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Prince…the list of artists who cite Stone as an influence is large and impressive. Sly and the Family Stone also happens to be one of my favorite bands, which is the most important thing. Right?

Outside his amazing musical career, Sly Stone has seen some troubled times. The band broke up around 1975 amidst a flurry of drug abuse and contention. Stone released a few more albums on his own before he slowly disappeared from the public eye. In the past 20 years he hasn’t released an album and has only made a few public appearances. That will all change next week.

The album I’m Back! Family & Friends is scheduled to drop on Tuesday, August 16th. This will feature 3 new songs, the first new material we’ve heard from Sly in a long time. The other 11 tracks are reworkings of well-known songs from his earlier catalog, often featuring guest artists. It’s an exciting release; one of those once-in-a-lifetime deals. I’m in a bit of a quandary over it, though. Will it be good? Will it fall flat and bum me out? I don’t know, and I refuse to listen to any previews. I’m going in with an open mind and hoping for the best.

I may do a further writeup on the album later, but I wanted to mention it for any fans out there. Keep an eye out and come back here to let me know what you think. In the meantime, here are original cuts of some of the tunes that will be on the new record. At the very least we can all agree that these songs are, and will always remain, great.

Click to play Sly & The Family Stone – Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Click to play Sly & The Family Stone – Hot Fun In The Summertime

Click to play Sly & The Family Stone – Family Affair

Click to play Sly & The Family Stone – Dance To The Music

Let There Be Songs To Fill The Air

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It’s a bittersweet 8 days every year between August 1 and August 9 for Jerry Garcia fans, celebrating his birthday (August 1, 1942) and the anniversary of his death (August 9, 1995). I have to admit, I wasn’t always a fan. It wasn’t until 1994 when someone shook some musical sense into me and took me to my first Dead show, that I realized what all the hype was about. (Thank you Aric, I am forever grateful). Up until that point, I was an 80’s hair band girl. Yes, BIG hair and all! Oh what you can do with a blow dryer and White Rain hairspray!

Now every August 9th, I remember where I was the day I got the news of his death. I still get a tear in my eye. I guess it’s the same for those who remember the passing of Elvis or Lennon. I was fortunate to see Jerry a couple times live and actually saw his 2nd to last performance at Solider Field in Chicago in 1995. A show I will never forget. Although he slipped on some lyrics that night, the passion behind “Visions of Johanna”, was well… words don’t do it justice. You just have to listen for yourself…

Click to enjoy “Visions of Johanna”

So thank you Jerry for giving us amazing songs that continue to fill the air.

Secret Sisters

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While “attending” the Newport Folk Festival Sunday (from my couch. thank you NPR), I was reminded that my music collection consists of “The Secret Sisters”, (which by the way, should not be a secret) and how I should be listening to them more often.

The Secret Sisters consists of Laura and Lydia Rogers who are really sisters and hail from Alabama. The sweet, simplistic blend of their vocal harmonies that only family can capture, take you back to the innocence of the 50’s, while their traditional country sound makes me want to grab a lemonade on the porch or cry in my beer.

While onstage at Newport…

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/31/137184180/newport-folk-2011-secret-sisters-live-in-concert

the elder sister admitted they do fight a lot on the road together, but she has been a fan of her sister’s voice since the day she was born. I can see why. The new to the scene twosome are finding their way quickly and shared the stage with Amos Lee at NFF, have played with Willie Nelson, are currently on tour with K.D. Lang and have collaborated with Jack White on the cover of Johnny Cash’s “Big River”.

While most of their self-titled, debut album, consists of covers such as George Jones’ “Why Baby Why, and Hank Williams’ “Why Don’t You Love Me”, original tunes include “Tennessee Me”

Click to Play Tennessee Me

and “Waste the Day”

Click to Play Waste the Day

and at NFF they played “River Jordan”, which will be on their upcoming album due out early 2012. Can I get a hallelujah?

Serious Indie Cred

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I tell you what, it’s hard to get back over here to write an album review. Lately I’ve been so addicted to turntable.fm that I don’t know what it’s like to listen to my own music! Are we all here now? Just hit mute on the speakers, and come listen to some Wye Oak with me. Buy an album or two so you will know which track is the best to share on your next venture into the virtual club.

Wye Oak is another he-she band (sorry! No, it’s not a tranny band. I mean, it’s a she and him he and she matt and kim except their names are Andy and Jenn band) and I’m sorry to lump them into that group but they don’t do a whole lot to differentiate themselves from the sounds I hear when I think of Pomplamoose or She & Him. I found an album review for Wye Oak’s 2008 album If Children wherein the author called this sound endangered. Yup. Endangered. Well, it isn’t. Folk music, indie music, earnest-sounding music, frontwomen who sing through clenched jaws: we still like it.

Click to Enjoy Wye Oak – Dog Eyes

On this and on each of their previous three albums, they alternate between reserved and noisy. And the noisy ones sound good, too. They like the noise, not for noise’s sake but because, well, sometimes shit gets… blustery. And you will find plenty of reviews describing their sound as “punch-in-the-gut”, “moody and powerful”, or “huge-sounding”… But as turntable is teaching me, there are a lot of opinions on music out there! Did you ever notice?

(tongue)
(cheek)

If I want moody but powerful, I reach back for Toni Childs I guess. So I have an asshole and I have an opinion. But I like Wye Oak fine. And you will too. You will be showing serious indie cred if you drop this in a turntable room full of music snobs.

Thanks Dad

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On the morning of June 13th , I received a call from my 75 year old dad saying he thought he was having a stroke. After I hung up and proceeded to call 911 (since he didn’t), the paramedics came, rushed him to the hospital and sure enough, he unbeknownst to us, had suffered from his 3rd stroke. The good news is, he has no lasting effects from any of the strokes, however, his heart is not functioning to its full capacity and further treatment will be necessary. During his recovery, I spent the first 2 weeks straight with him at the hospital, where I had time to think about the memories we share and the impact he has had on my life.

I now realize that my love for music has come from my dad and his influence started at an early age. Like me he’s not a musician and can’t carry a tune, but I can remember being in his yellow Ford truck and hearing one of his favorite songs on the radio, Kim Carnes, “Bette Davis Eyes” and also dancing to “Rockin’ Robin” in the living room.

The one memory that makes me laugh the most is when I was about 5 years old, and wanted to listen to one of my kid albums. I threw a FIT because he was listening to a Fats Domino album and wouldn’t put mine on. Little did I know that I would carry that memory with me all these years and one day even like Fats Domino and all the other music he made me listen to.

Click To Enjoy Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill

Still to this day, my dad has the same turntable and 8 track player that was there when I was a child. Yes, it still works (although after he put his treadmill on 10mph, zipped off the back and crashed into it, I’m surprised it still does) and the man never throws anything away. No, he is not a hoarder. More like a saver who is stuck in the stone ages. No computer or cell phone has he nor does he want either of the previously mentioned. Ahh… the simple life.

So thank you Dad for making me listen to great music that would stick with me for a lifetime and thank you for calling me on June 13th to hear my voice in case you died, but next time please call 911 immediately. Every second counts and I would like to have you around a lot longer.

Wu are you?

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A few weeks ago I was pointed to a website by a friend who shares my love for the band Fugazi — shoutout to Gushy V for the tip. I clicked the link and was suddenly very excited. It turns out a couple guys thought it would be a good idea to mash Fugazi with the Wu-Tang Clan. It was one of those “why didn’t I think of that” moments, except that I don’t do mash-ups and probably don’t know Wu-Tang as well as I should. Beyond that I totally should have come up with the idea first. Anyway, the project is fittingly called Wugazi.

Click to play Wugazi – Sleep Rules Everything Around Me

“Sleep Rules Everything Around Me” was the first track I heard, as the full album hadn’t been released at the time. It almost acted as a leading single, particularly since it uses one of Wu-Tang’s better-known tracks, “C.R.E.A.M.,” on the lyrical side. I was impressed enough to keep an eye out for the album release, though I felt the track wasn’t the strongest representation of Fugazi. I hoped for more.

Having heard the full album now, I’m only in a slightly better state. Let me start with the good: there are some great tracks and a few moments of genius on the record. Every once in a while everything just hits the right spot and it’s something new. Here’s a track that really works, in my opinion:

Click to play Wugazi – P.L.O. Squared

The rest of the album, sadly, leans more toward pretty decent than great. The trick, as I gleaned from that first listen to “Sleep…,” is to make sure you capture the essence of Fugazi. Too much chopping or simply swiping great basslines doesn’t really fit that bill. Too often I feel like we’re left with Wusomethingthatisn’tquiteFugazianymore. It’s still worth a few listens and it’s an impressive feat, but it just leaves me wanting something a little more. Props to the creators, regardless. I totally repect your vision and hope everyone here will listen to it and send you money to keep working on creative projects. The album can be downloaded or streamed from www.wugazi.com.

Click to play Wugazi – Shame On Blue

The other album I’ve had on repeat lately seems to be a symptom of the summer weather we’re finally starting to see here in Portland. When the warmth gets here it’s time for Pimm’s #1 and ginger, lots of oscillating fans, and smooth music to drive to. Right now that last item is Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly. It’s somewhat likely you already know this album but in case you don’t: this is Mayfield’s soundtrack to the film with the same name. Isaac Hayes may have won the Oscar for his work on Shaft, but the funk Curtis brings on this album puts that to shame. It’s mellow. It’s cool. It has the perfect grooves for cruising in the hot sun. It says “hey man, I’m hep and I’ve got nothing to prove.” Just like me. Just like you. Here’s my favorite track from the album, “Pusherman.”

Click to play Curtis Mayfield – Pusherman

Be cool, my people. And check out that Pimm’s link if you haven’t had it before. It is seriously the best summer drink of all time. OF ALL TIME!

Stage Fright Alone Could Scare You To Death

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And I never thought that I’d act this way
The way I act today makes me feel ashamed
And I know that I may have lost my way, may have been led astray
But I’ll make it right some day

Click to Enjoy Scoundrels – Arrogance Blues

I believe that in every relationship debacle there is an opportunity for growth and connection. Of course there is also an opportunity for it to turn into a huge irreconcilable fight. Unfortunately, many of us fall too easily into the latter category. To avoid falling into the pit of relationship despair, several things have to happen. Two of which are: you must learn how to tolerate your own feelings when you’ve hurt someone and you must learn how to tend to the hurt you’ve caused your loved one. –Julie Cohen, MFT

I Just Got Out From A Minor Operation

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Yuck.

Yuck is what you get when you take two dudes from London band Cajun Dance Party, add your sister for supporting female vocals, and then throw in a Japanese female bassist and a drummer from New Jersey.

Daniel Blumberg and Max Bloom, the aforementioned two dudes, met in Israel although both are from London. They connected over an Animal Collective t-shirt. They later found their drummer in Israel, as well, although at the time he was still a college student in New Jersey. They all decided to give up any other plans they may have had to join the London music scene. And they were soon labeled “Revival Grunge.”

“It’s weird that there’s a certain label of bands called ‘grunge revival’ when there’s been guitar bands consistently making amazing music. There hasn’t been a stop or start or anything. There’s just been more attention given to it” explained Max Bloom.

I wanna be well designed
I wanna be well designed
Cause you talk and I just feel so
Cause you talk and I just feel so

Revival grunge? Meaning this is what grunge is now? Hmm. Paul Lester from the Guardian calls it more like a “shoegazey Sonic Youth.” YES. That’s it. Shoegazey Sonic Youth. Or Dinosaur Jr. Or Teenage Fanclub. There you go.

I try to think but I just don’t fuckin’ know

Quite honestly, I think their best track is “Rubber”, which closes out the album and lasts 7 minutes and 14 seconds. Mogwai remixed it and managed to stretch it out to 8 minutes. The self-titled album is interspersed with slow and brooding tracks like “Rubber”, a few faster but oddball love songs, and a few good ones that mix the two, like “The Wall” and “Operation.”

Click to Enjoy Yuck – The Wall

Click to Enjoy Yuck – Operation

Slottsfjel Festival in Norway today, can I get a shout out?! 😉 OK, how about Pitchfork in Chicago on Sunday. Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Seattle, check your venues, because Yuck will be there soon. Full tour list on their MySpace – and yes, they update it!