Bayou16's Hypelist of this week brought me to listen to R&B/Soul music and finally to create a mixtape. Due to the help of my lovely friends Bayou16 and JulianeJuly a wide choice of artists/songs of this genre has been compiled, 3 hours in total, starting with the classics of my youth up to the shining new stars of today.
A lot of artists here I don't remember listening to or haven't gotten around to doing so (In fact there are a few I don't remember listening to lol), but I certainly plan to in the future.
Bono and the 'vision' thing - He now preaches 'vision over visibility' and, in the end, it's the team, not the frontman, that turns the vision into the visibility. [Will Dana's editorial]
Some quotes from the 'Tanking CD sales shutter stores' (the death of the record store):
'If you want some deep catalogue, you've just got to go to Amazon.' 'Two thirds of music consumers buy music exclusively on CD, but this is not enough to keep most record stores in business.' 'One winner in all this has been Amazon.com, which sells both downloads and physical CDs and has boosted its proportion of music sales from 6 percent in 2007 to 8.3 percent in 2008' [Amazon also allows its users to sell used CDs through their website - check my link in my main page.] 'And strong indie record stores, from Amoeba Music in California to Twist & Shout in Denver, have survived piracy and iTunes to thrive on a mixture of used and new CDs.'
Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck played together in Japan recently and, most likely, will schedule additional dates.
PBS presents Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, which highlights the rise of Stax Records, death of Otis Redding, the seizure of the entire Stax catalog by Atlantic Records, the label’s eventual recovery, and Isaac Hayes rise to stardom.
Popular new releases on soundamus 23 Feb 2009 to 01 Mar 2009
Use soundamus to create a feed of new and upcoming music releases from the artists you listen to on last.fm.
4. Time To Pretend EP by MGMT.
Only album available on Emusic by them, mostly downloaded to decide if I should buy their very hyped album. Not sure yet.
Also, a few more tracks from Shaft by Isaac Hayes to complete my 65 monthly downloads.
Das Jahr 2008 ist zu Ende - und ich mache mir mal Gedanken, welche Interpreten mein musikalisches Jahr bestimmt haben und welche Interpreten in der Jahresendabrechnung meine Favoriten sind:
ALBUM DES JAHRES - TOP 5
PLATZ 1: YOUNG KNIVES - SUPERABUNDANCE
Was hatte ich Schiß, das mit den Young Knives meine absolute Lieblings-Indie-Kapelle ihr zweites Album nach dem meisterhaften Debüt verpatzt - nichts davon ist eingetreten. Zwar etwas weniger punkig, aber textlich dennoch gewohnt bissig und musikalisch in der Summe nicht weniger messerscharf legen die Knives das Album vor, das mein Album des Jahres 2008 ist!
PLATZ 2: COLD WAR KIDS - LOYALTY TO LOYALTY
Ich habe die Cold War Kids überhaupt erst im vierten Quartal des Jahres entdeckt, als ich die Single "Something Is Not Right With Me" auf dem Sampler des Rolling Stone gehört habe - dann habe ich mir ein paar Gratis-Tracks (Link und dann runterscrollen) angehört. Seitdem sind die Jungs aus meiner Musiksammlung nicht mehr wegzudenken. Ein verdienter zweiter Platz!
PLATZ 3: WALTER BECKER - CIRCUS MONEY
Ok, Walter Becker (für mich ja wegen Steely Dan längst ein Gitarrengott!) bringt ein neues Album raus. Es war im Grunde sofort klar, das dieses Album in der Jahresendabrechnung gut abschneidet. Becker hat sich wieder das beste Personal zusammengesucht und eine lässige Scheibe eingespielt, die warscheinlich keiner so machen könnte - außer vielleicht Donald Fagen!
PLATZ 4: LAST SHADOW PUPPETS - THE AGE OF THE UNDERSTATEMENT
Mit einem zumindest im Mainstream-Bereich einmaligen Konzept haben sicher nicht nur mich dieses Jahr die Last Shadow Puppets überrascht. Rockmusik mit klassischen Elementen und Sixties-Flair zu verbinden ist sicher nicht ganz neu - aber Alex Turner und Miles Kane haben da schon was eigenes draus gemacht, was es so noch nicht gegeben hat. Den Höreindruck habe ich jedenfalls. Platz 4.
PLATZ 5: DIRTY PRETTY THINGS - ROMANCE AT SHORT NOTICE
Das Debüt "Waterloo to Anywhere der Dirty Pretty Things war mein persönliches Album 2006 - trotz der Tatsache, das die Arctic Monkeys auch gerade ihr Debüt rausgehauen haben - die zweite etwas schwächere Scheibe wurde leider von der Nachricht überschattet, das Carl Barat die Band leider auflöst. Platz 5.
Die Enttäuschung des Jahres sind ziemlich deutlich die Kings Of Leon, leider. Ich liebe vor allem die ersten beiden Alben "Youth and Young Manhood" und "Aha Shake Heartbreak" - die erste Single "Sex on Fire" ließ vermuten, das da was Großes folgen würde - aber die Jungs schrammeln mir inzwischen leider zu wenig. Schade!
CLASSIC-ENTDECKUNG DES JAHRES
Die Entdeckung des Jahres im Bereich "Classic" sind eindeutig Blood, Sweat & Tears - was für eine perfekte Mischung aus Rock, Jazz, Blues, Funk und Soul. Alles drin. Das gleichnamige Album habe ich hoch und runter gehört und ich werde meine Sammlung auf jeden Fall noch um weitere Alben erweitern. Außerdem ganz groß dieses Jahr: der Shaft-Soundtrack von Isaac Hayes
AUSBLICK
Kaum erwarten kann ich natürlich die nächste Scheibe von den Young Knives, die schon Anfang des Jahres 2009 erscheinen soll, wenn man der englischen Wikipedia Glauben schenken darf. Ich freu mich drauf. Außerdem wird man sicherlich mal wieder was von den Arctic Monkeys hören dürfen. Ansonsten sind weitere Kandidaten auf eine Platzierung im nächsten Jahr noch nicht wirklich absehbar.
I got a record player for Christmas. I also inherited some 45's and a couple of albums thanks to my dad. Here's what I picked out:
45's:
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine / Elanor Rigby Ben E. King - First Tase of Love / Spanish Harlem Chic - Le Freak / Savoir Fair Del Shannon - Runaway/ Hey Little Girl The Del Vikings - I'll Never stop Crying / Bring Back Your Heart Donovan - Atlantis / To Susan on the West Coast Waiting The Drifters - There goes my baby / Oh my Love The Drifters - On broadway / Let the Music Play Duane Eddy - The Lonely One / Detour Duane Eddy - Cannonball / Mason Dixon Lion Duane Eddy - Rebel Walk / Because they're young The Edwin Hawkins' Singers - Oh Happy Day / Jesus, Love of my Soul
Flashdance - Love Theme from Flashdance / Flashdance...what a feeling Gary Numan- Cars / Metal Hank Williams - I'm so Lonesome I could Cry / Candy Baby Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat / Star-O The Hollies - Just One Look / Running Through the Night Issac Hayes - Theme from Shaft / Cafe Regio's James Brown - Get up I feel Like Being Like a Sex Machine Part I & II John Coltrane - The Believer / Dakar John Lennon - Imagine / It's So Hard Kim Carnes - Bette David Eyes / Miss you Tonite Lionel Richie - Hello / You Mean more to me Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes / Cryin' in the streets Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side / Perfect Day Martha & The Vandellas - Go Ahead and Laugh / What am I going to do without your love Marvin Gaye - I heard it through the grapvine / You're What's Happening Michael Jackson- Got to Be there / Maria (You were the only one) The Monotones - Book of Love / You never loved me Mystic Moods Orchestra - Homeward Bound / Sounds of Silence/Scarborough Fair/Canticle The Partridge Family - If you Ever go / Am I losing you Petula Clark - My Love / Where am I going The Rolling Stones - (I can't get no) Satisfaction / The Under assistant west coast promotion man The Temptations - Papa was a Rolling Stone (instrumental) / (Vocal) Tom Jones- What's new Pussycat / Once Upon a Time Weird Al Yankovic - Eat it / That Boy Could Dance
Albums:
Animal House sings and plays The Muppet Show Theme
Bill Black's Combo *Turn on Your Love Light* Herman's Hermits - 15 Greatest Hits Jackie Wilson - The Jackie Wilson Story Martha & The Vandellas - Live!
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Show The Rolling Stones - December's Children (and Everybody's) The Rolling Stones - Historia De La Musica Rock
STAND BY ME OS
We Believe in Toledo! (First Federal Savings of Toledo)
This year I learned the titles of and artists behind many songs that have been replaying in my mind since my youth. I also spent a lot of time in the car and away from computer (oh noez!) so my charts aren't all that accurate. I've also had tons of computer issues. I've switched over my music library about three times and still haven't fully integrated it to my spiffy macbook. Hell, I'm still having issues with my machine.
The musical act that dominated my ears and thoughts in 2008 would have to be The Eppard Brothers. I've been a huge fan of Josh Eppard and Joey Eppard separately for years. I listened to old bootlegs from when they used to perform together, but caught on too late to witness it for myself... until their live musical reunion on March 22nd.
What I knew would be a historic event turned into something I couldn't have ever in my wildest dreams fathomed. Josh used his acoustic kit and the Vic Firth Hot Rod sticks. Maaan it was better than the Evening With Coheed and Cambria show I saw at Irving Plaza in 2005... and that show was nearly impossible to top. Josh is such an incredible drummer. His ability to find grooves is way beyond the cage of solely focusing on one musical project. Joey's singing, songs, and guitar work reminded me that I have no business touching a guitar. That pair is unstoppable. If that wasn't enough, Billy Riker (electric guitarist in 3), Chicken (aka Robert Burke who recorded bass, drums and percussion on Stranded In A Treetop on Been To The Future; produced, recorded and mixed "Stranded in a Treetop" and Static; mixed and produced a majority of Summercamp Nightmare; among many other things), Dave Daw (owner of Darkworld Studio, bass player in Counterfeit Disaster) and Dave Parker (Recording, engineering and production credits on Friends and Nervous Breakdowns, keyboard player in Weerd Science, guitar player and writer of Counterfeit Disaster, Darkworld Studio Engineer, live keyboard player in Coheed and Cambria from Sept 2005 to Dec 2006) joined the brothers for a few songs (You've Been Shot, Earth and Sky, Lay Down The Law, Endless Alibi, Bedroom in Hell, Stranded In A Treetop). It was quite the family gathering. The love filling the packed restaurant was so great that the dudes played freely and didn't quite stick to the setlist. They jammed like crazy. Then at some point someone told Joey that Chris Bittner was in the house. Joey called him up to the "stage" and they took about 2 measures to get right into the groove of Earth Rotates (one of my all-time favorite grooves). Dude probably hadn't even heard the song since 1997! It was an experience, that's for sure. I never thought I'd ever be able to see the original 3 line-up on stage together! Chris, Joey, Josh and Billy then went into Wrongside. Chris tried to remember a few more and hung around for a few songs. Then at some point Billy and Josh tried to remember Box of Hammers. It turned into an instrumental full band version... absolutely amazing! I wish I could remember more. The show began around 10:30 and ended around 2:30... only because Josh broke all his sticks from playing like a monster! The place was so packed, 50+ people were left outside in the cold. Even Joe Stote and Gartdrumm were shut out! I was then fortunate enough to catch the next 3 special Eppard Brothers performances which featured Daniel Grimsland (of 3), Jimmy Eppard!, and Mic Todd. They were all truly genuine and unique experiences. I just hope there's some time in 2009 for another slamming magical musical get together! And some more wicked poster art by Daniel Root. He designed the most incredible posters for the first and last Eppard Brothers shows. They were soo good the first one was turned into a t-shirt that I proudly rock wherever I can. |
(make sure to click the images to see their full beauty)
Pleasantly surprising
bands I either caught live opening for someone else or heard about through the grapevine who truly rock and blow me away... These artists are forward moving with a classic sensibility... worth checking out
• Consider The Source[myspace.com/considerthemusic] - 3 piece Progressive/Psychedelic/Jam Band from NYC. These guys surely are a sight to see. They're composed of Gabriel Marin on Fretless Guitar, Fretless Chaturangui (22-String Indian Slide Guitar -- dude never whips out a straight up guitar), John Ferrara on 4&5 String Basses and Justin Ahiyon on the drum set, percussion, samples. These dudes had me absolutely mesmerized.
• Jolly[myspace.com/jollyband] - 4 piece mellow, melodic progressive rock band in the vein of Porcupine Tree. I heard their demo/ep and immediately felt like it's exactly what my ears have been searching for.
• Back Door Slam[myspace.com/backdoorslam] - 3 piece Blues Rock band from Isle of Man. They're each 21, but have incredible chops. They're currently on tour with Gov't Mule. They are Davy Knowles (vocals, lead guitar, mandolin, lap steel), Ross Doyle (drums) and Adam Jones (bass).
• Sam Kininger Band[myspace.com/samkiningerband] - Funk/jazz/hip-hop based around alto-saxophonist Sam Kininger - who is best known for his work with Soulive. Sam is from Boston and is a Berklee alum. He's also performed with Dave Matthews and Wyclef Jean. He performs with a keyboard player, bassist and Nikki Glaspie on drums. Nikki is incredible. She is also a Berklee album and recently has been drumming on tour for Beyonce. I see her face from time to time in drummer magazines.
• Pete Levin Band[myspace.com/petelevinband] - 3 piece Freeform jazz covers of classic music lead by the very talented brother of King Crimson bassist Tony Levin. The musicianship of Pete Levin (keyboard -- has also worked with Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius and John Scofield), Harvey Sorgen (drums), John Cariddi (guitar)
• Sampson and the Folkadelics[myspace.com/sampsonandthefolkadelics] - 5 piece Funk/Hip-Hop/Reggae band from NY. They play super unique, tight, and completely danceable cover songs with a focus on vocal harmonies. One guy plays guitar, beatbox and contributes vocals. Another guy plays the fucking MANDOLIN (wah-wah style) and contributes vocals. Then there's the main vocalist. Drummer. Bass player.
• Earl Greyhound[myspace.com/earlgreyhound] - 3 piece Rock band from NYC in the vein of 1970's rock/soul. Very visually stimulating. The three members are: a super skinny long-haired white dude who reminds me a lot of early David Gilmour (he plays guitar and sings), a super skinny black chick with a sizeable afro (she plays bass and sings - the harmonies and contrast of the two voices is really something), and a medium sized groovy black dude (he tears up the drums)
• Heavy Hand[myspace.com/1heavyhand] - 3 piece Rock band from Philadelphia in the vein of 1960's and 1970's rock
Why the hell didn't I start listening to this earlier?
• The Breeders - Kim Deal of The Pixies' band formed in 1988. Her twin sister, Kelley Deal, is also part of the project. They had a huge hit in 1993, Cannonball. I'm sure you've heard it.
• Thievery Corporation- last.fm describes this DC-based duo as, "downtempo/electronica with influences of dub, acid jazz, Indian classical and Brazilian styles fused together with a lounge aesthetic." I describe them as an eargasm.
• The Ventures - I swear you've heard all of their songs. You just didn't stop to think about who the artist was. They formed in 1958. Were among the first bands to really mess with distortion. They're still making music, creating their own unique instrumental covers.
• Yes - British Prog band from 1968... still rockin' to this day
• Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999) - talk about a concept album! This is a fucking masterpiece... and I'm not into super pretentious over-the-top technical shit. I couldn't digest Dream Theater until I heard this record from start to finish.
• Mastodon - Blood Mountain (2006)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Best Show Line-Up
- Roman Klun (with Anni Krueger, Daniel Grimsland, Billy Riker, Daniel A. Weiss), Joey Eppard, Pete Levin Band at Colony Cafe on 11/15/08
- 3, Kiss Kiss at Keegan Ales on 11/28/08 (they performed in the special brewery room that's pretty much never open to the public)
- Sampson and the Folkadelics, Consider The Source, Lachi at the backyard on 06/21/08
- "Pieces of 3" Threez Louise (Tom Benton, Joey Eppard, Billy Riker, Chris "Gartdrumm" Gartmann), Joey Eppard at The Colony Cafe on 02/09/08
Favorite Show
- The Eppard Brothers at Mariner's Harbor on 03/22/08
- The Eppard Brothers, Dent (Joe Stote & Gartdrumm), Astronauts at BSP on 04/18/08
- The Eppard Brothers, DENT, Dead Unicorn, Instant Asshole (John Eppard's band. Despite a gruesome skateboarding accident uncle John The Baker still performed!) at The Basement on 06/08/08
- The Eppard Brothers (with special guest Mic Todd) at Mariner's Harbor on 08/29/08
Isaac Hayes
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
