In the early Nineties, some musician/taper was playing New York’s Sin-é club at the same time as a young rising star named Jeff Buckley. Unnamed fella was taping Buckley’s Monday night sets, and has recently put together a compilation of these live tracks, largely covers. Thanks to a tip from a reader in Brooklyn named Adam, I have been listening to these chill-inducing recordings all morning.
Two versions of “Hallelujah” (Cohen), “Funk 49″ (James Gang), “The Way Young Lovers Do” and “Sweet Thing” (Van Morrison), “In A Different Place” (Ride), “May The Circle Be Unbroken” (traditional gospel), “Twelfth Of Never” (Johnny Mathis?), “Calling You” (Bob Telson), “Strange Fruit” (Billie Holiday), “Julia” (The Beatles), “Lost Highway” (Hank Williams), “Dink’s Song” (traditional), “I Shall Be Released”, “If You See Her, Say Hello” and “Mama You’ve Been On My Mind” (Dylan).
I haven’t even heard many of these covers. What a gift.
The Park West is a veritable old Chicago theatre that’s been hosting events in classy style since the 1920s. A few Saturdays ago, I walked in under that mirror ball for the first time to see the Eccentric Soul Revue, curated by Chicago’s own Numero Group.
Recently named the best label in Chicago, I wholeheartedly believe that the Numero Group is one of the most clever and exciting labels releasing music right now. The handful of guys behind the releases operate out of a basement office, digging through their own (extensive) personal collections and hitting the road to track down the stories and sounds of forgotten music that still deserves to be heard.
They reissue sub-genres, niche sounds, and should-been-stars through series like the Eccentric Soul compilations, the scalding Cult Cargo line, and rich Local Customs releases.
The show they curated on April 4th was one of the most authentic and fun concerts that I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. Numero pulled together a soulful lineup of legends from Chicago’s Twinight label (The Notations, Renaldo Domino, The Kaldirons, Nate Evans, and the legendary Syl Johnson) — some of whom hadn’t played a live show in thirty years.
As I stood there in the front row alongside my photog friend Natalie, we delighted in the the dusted-off shiny shoes, the matching blue suits (maybe with a button replaced here and there), the choreographed moves, and the gold belt-buckles emblazoned with first names. I want one:
The music from each group was tight and shimmering (backed by JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound), sets loaded with original classics like “Is It Because I’m Black,” “Not Too Cool To Cry,” and “Brotherman,” as well as covers like “Different Strokes” and the final hurrah with all the artists on-stage for Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.” The sold-out crowd in attendance was a wonderfully eclectic blend of Pitchfork-reading indie kids and older folks who probably saw all these groups the original time around.
Every act brought their A-game, their yowls and grunts, their thrusts and slides (oh, how Syl brought the thrusts, about a foot and a half from my face). I found myself thinking as I stood there how very lucky we were to be seeing this slice of history revived in brilliant technicolor, and wishing Numero could find a way to bring their show on the road.
Yesterday felt like full-on summer crouching outside my door. I even went for a run so hard and lovely that I almost threw up. Awesome. Today is grey and rain just started falling on my office window, little rivulets gathering speed by the minute. I am wishing I didn’t wear open-toed shoes.
But the good thing about this weather is that it needs some pensive tunes to go with it, and I have just the one — the perfect song for this and all grey days. As I previously mentioned, Steve Earle is releasing a full album of covers of songs written by his friend Townes Van Zandt. Townes may be one of the greatest songwriters of the last generation, with so many hidden gems that I am still uncovering.
We got the sky to talk about
And the earth to lie upon
Days, up and down they come
Like rain on a conga drum
Forget most, remember some
But don’t turn none away
Everything is not enough
And nothin’ is too much to bear
Where you’ve been is good and gone
All you keep is the getting there
Well, to live is to fly
Low and high
So shake the dust off of your wings
And the sleep out of your eyes
The album features appearances from Allison Moorer (she must provide the lovely harmonies on this track), guitarist Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine and recent folkier project The Nightwatchman), and for the first time on one of his dad’s records, Justin Townes Earle. Considering his name, this is a fitting album for Justin to be featured on.
I cannot get this song or this artist out of my head. Joe Pugis a young man from Chicago, with a mop of curly hair and songwriting that injects fire and ache into my veins.
His whole name is only six letters, pops off the tongue quickly. This 24-year-old carpenter crafts folk songs steeped in stories that stop me in my tracks, and laden with lyrics that feel weightier than your standard fare: “The more I buy the more I’m bought, and the more I’m bought, the less I cost.”
Pug cites a love of stark authors like Whitman and Steinbeck, and that rugged depth cracks out of his music as well.
I want to listen to his Nation Of Heat EP over and over, because I keep getting something new out of it each time I listen.
Also check out his videos on My Old Kentucky Blog’s rad Laundromatinee project. Pug plans to release his debut full length record in 2009.
JOE PUG TOUR DATES * with M Ward
# with Horse Feathers
Apr 18 – Hope College Holland, Michigan
Apr 27 – The Phoenix Toronto *
Apr 28 – Le National Montreal *
Apr 29 – 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN #
Apr 30 – Univ of Madison, Der Rathskeller Madison, WI #
May 1 – Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL#
May 2 – Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL#
May 3 – Canopy Club Champaign, IL#
May 4 – Rumba Cafe Columbus, OH#
May 5 – Mohawk Buffalo, NY #
May 6 – Bug Jar Rochester, NY #
May 7 – TT’s Boston, MA#
May 9 – The Bellhouse Brooklyn, NY #
May 12 – Joe’s Pub New York, NY #
May 13 – World Cafe Live Upstairs Philadelphia, PA #
May 14 – The Black Cat Washington DC #
May 15 – Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC #
May 16 – Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA #
May 17 – The Basement Nashville, TN #
May 19 – The Bottleneck Lawrence, KS #
May 20 – Bluebird Denver, CO #
May 21 – B-Side Lounge Boulder, CO #
May 23 – Summer Camp Festival Chillicothe, IL
Jun 13 – Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
Jul 4 – Bukta Tromso Open Air Festival, Norway Tromso
Jul 9-12 – Winnipeg Folk Festival Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jul 14-15 – Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival Ottawa, Ontario
Jul 18 – Mile High Music Festival Denver, CO
Jul 25 – 10,000 Lakes Festival Detroit Lakes, MN
Aug 1 – Pickathon Portland, OR
I hope that your Easter looked as good as that one. We got heavy wet snow and I wore my Easter dress anyways, out of defiance (yes, I still try and get a new Spring-y dress every Easter). I am glad to report the usual arsenal of Cadbury Creme Eggs and no Peeps.
Several songs in these past days have set my blogger heart ablaze in the best way. My friend Dainon pointed out that I am on a sky kick lately when it comes to song lyrics, and I was surprised to realize that he is absolutely correct. Lately I can’t get enough of the clouds, the stars, and the atmospheric explosions.
Something in the endlessness, I think.
Sleep All Summer
(Crooked Fingers cover)
The National & St. Vincent
Start with the song that I’ve listened to the most these past few days, probably close to a billion times. Matt Berninger opens with the lyrics, “Weary sun, sleep tonight, go crashing into the ocean… Cut the line that ties the tide and moon, ancient and blue,” his voice vulnerably cracking just a little on the high notes. The National and St. Vincent pair up to cover Denver’s Crooked Fingers (of Eric Bachmann, Archers of Loaf), and wistfully wrench at my heart in the best way. The songwriting here made me run immediately to go research Crooked Fingers. I am thoroughly impressed with how much exceptional material Merge crammed onto their newest 20th anniversary covers bacchanalia SCORE! (and oh, it is). You can stream the full album here for a limited time, featuring folks like Ryan Adams, The Shins, Mountain Goats, Okkervil River and Bright Eyes.
I Won’t Be Found The Tallest Man On Earth
The influence of Bob Dylan on countless young American musicians is well-worn, and almost genetically hotwired into entire generations by this point, but to find a young Swede who sounds so convincingly authentic in his folk howls and sweeping lyrical songscapes — that’s something that excites me. Kristian Matsson performs as The Tallest Man On Earth and grew up listening to rock and punk in faraway Scandinavian lands, but through Dylan he “just fell into the ocean of American folk-blues.” On this song he sings about the Serengeti, levees of stars, and growing diamonds in his chest. His album Shallow Grave is out now, and also check the twangy theme song he created for the excellent Yellow Bird Project t-shirt site for charity (I’m a happy owner of that National one).
The Sound
Human Highway
There is an effervescence and simple joy in this number from Nick Thorburn (of Islands & The Unicorns) and Jim Guthrie (Canadian musician who was also in Islands, and is Woody’s grandson). Human Highway was named after the Neil Young song (or maybe the movie), and their album Moody Motorcycle was recorded in Guthrie’s Toronto apartment over a span of two weeks. It has a spontaneous feel to it, full of humble guitar picking and familiar-feeling harmonies that would make the Everly Brothers turn their heads. It was released last summer on my birthday, but I am just discovering it now — a little burst of last summer in the final gasps of winter.
Hallie and Henry (unreleased demo) Say Hi
There are several reasons that I can deconstruct liking this unpolished demo from Say Hi‘s Eric Elbogen, ranging from the way his slightly ragged, earnest voice reminds me here of Pete Yorn, or that restrained pulse of the guitar. But mostly? If we’re gonna be honest, I think I like this song because the intro practically begs you to bust out with “Josie’s on a vacation far away, come around and talk it over.” TRY it. Say Hi has released a fabulous album called Oohs and Aahs on Barsuk, and is currently on tour with Cloud Cult.
Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye (Leonard Cohen cover)
Lemonheads & Liv Tyler
This vocal pairing is something I can totally picture occurring in the break room of Empire Records after Rex Manning leaves, Evan’s golden hair falling over his eye as Liv puts aside her studying for a few minutes. Harvard can wait. Starlets who sing can be a very bad idea, but Liv Tyler actually has a dusky, delicate singing voice she can be proud of. Here she joins with Evan Dando’s golden, malleable croon to cover one of Leonard Cohen’s bittersweet gems of a relationship’s twilight (“let’s not talk of love or chains and things we can’t untie”). The results join covers of artists like Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons and Linda Perry on the forthcoming Lemonheads covers album Varshons (due June 23 on The End Records). Kate Moss also sings. The concept could go terribly awry, but I enjoyed the last Lemonheads album so much that I hold out hope.
One of the most compelling new acts I’ve seen in the past few months is the Henry Clay People — the kind of compelling that sends little frissons of electricity down your spine and makes you feel sometimes like you want to burst into twenty directions. I saw them in Denver in February and again a few breathless times in Austin.
They are taking over Los Angeles’ Spaceland every Monday for the month of April, playing with some unbelievable support acts — Mike Watt last week? The Broken West tomorrow? It’s free. Go.
HENRY CLAY PEOPLE @ SPACELAND
(in their own words)
APRIL 13
DJ – Solid Todd
9pm-WRITER (our San Diego buddies, who are also brothers, who are great at making typically quiet music loud and fun)
10pm-THE BROKEN WEST (listen to “Down in the Valley” and “Auctioneer”–2 songs we wish we had written)
11pm-US
12am-THE WORLD RECORD (Best band in LA? I think so. My parents do too. You will agree. Plus everyone in the band is also in Parson Red Heads—come from good blood.)
___________________
APRIL 20
DJ-Velvet Touch
9pm-MARVELOUS TOY (Heartfelt rock n roll with radical pianos)
10pm-the WHIP (All the way from the U.K.)
11pm-US
12am-ADELINE AND THE PHILISTINES (Lovely, Pretty, and all that)
___________________
APRIL 27
DJ-Mr. Shovel
9pm-SWIM PARTY (More buddies from San Diego—the bass playing will make you melt, and make you hungry)
10pm-YOUNG LOVE
11pm-US
12am-FLYING TOURBILLON ORCHESTRA (singer Hunter Cousteau kind of resembles Jacques Cousteau, just not as naval)
“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another, his mother called him ‘WILD THING!’ and Max said ‘I’LL EAT YOU UP!’ so he was sent to bed without eating anything. That very night in Max’s room a forest grew and grew – and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around and an ocean tumbled by with a private boat for Max and he sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost a year to where the wild things are…”
Tonight I sat in a dimmed theater and watched a preview for the film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic Where The Wild Things Are. My ears perked up from the opening strums of Arcade Fire‘s soundtrack to the scenes of ferocity in golden sunlight. Forthcoming from director Spike Jonze, Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) is also listed as one of the music directors.
I kinda like how this mini-mp3 I ripped (two minutes, totally listenable) ends with barbaric yawps. It is fitting to the spirit.
A few weeks ago, Radiohead‘s first three albums —Pablo Honey (1993), The Bends (1995) and OK Computer (1997)— were re-released, each packaged with all kinds of fancy accouterments like bonus discs of rarities, demos and live cuts and DVDs of videos and TV performances. Full tracklists here.
I’ve got a set of all three to give away to one of you guys! As I sat in the haze of work on Friday afternoon thinking about how to best run this contest, I was gchatting with my friend Josh. He is a rather intense Radiohead fan (and in fact just made me a lovely 2-disc collection of HIS favorite rarities and live cuts).
Superfan Josh’s idea for this contest was simple: “Ask ‘em what they think the dude says at the end of the ‘Just’ video.”
So there you have it; a fascinating idea. People who can read lips may not enter, and folks that live outside the U.S. can’t win (sorry! sorry!). You have one week, til next Saturday the 18th. GO.
Later this month (April 21), Capitol/EMI will also reissue 12 Radiohead EPs on 180-gram vinyl as part of the “From The Capitol Vaults” vinyl series. I do not get to give those away, but it’s pretty cool.
Gregory Alan Isakov is a South African-born, Philly-raised musician whose music is all tones of sepia and creeping warmth. He’s recommended for folks who appreciate warmly intelligent, rich songwriting like Jeffrey Foucault or Josh Ritter. Now living in Colorado, we are proud to call him an adopted native son. I love the sly sincerity in his voice, like he knows a secret that’s making him smile.
Today I absolutely cannot stop listening to this new song from his forthcoming album This Empty Northern Hemisphere (due May 19). Not only does it blend all the scratchy, old time feelings that I love from him, but he is joined by friend Brandi Carlile on backing vocals! Together, they are perfect. I never do get tired of her strong, clear voice.
That Moon Song (w/ Brandi Carlile) – Gregory Alan Isakov
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
that full-bellied moon, just a-shining on me
and she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea
Last time I saw Gregory, he was wowing the sold-out Calexico crowd; I look forward to his record release party on May 15th. He is currently on tour with Ms. Carlile (*starred dates) and in them Netherlands.
GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV TOUR DATES
Apr 10 Alltel Center – Mankato, MN*
Apr 11 Hoyt Sherman Theatre – Des Moines, IA*
Apr 14 Wheeler Opera House - Aspen, CO*
Apr 16 Meadowlark: Netherlands’ Tour Sendoff - Denver, CO
Apr 17 Platte Canyon High School - Bailey, CO
Apr 18 Everyday Joe’s - Fort Collins, CO
THE NETHERLANDS ARE LOVELY THIS TIME OF YEAR
Apr 24 De Bosuil - Weert, Limburg
Apr 25 Muziekpodium Bakkeveen - Bakkeveen, Friesland
Apr 26 House Concert - Bakkeveen, Friesland
Apr 27 Crossroads Radio - Bergen op Zoom
Apr 28 Q-Bus - Leiden, Zuid-Holland
Apr 29 Korsakoff - Amsterdam
May 2 Shouting Boots Radio Show (Afternoon) - Hilversum
May 2 In The Woods – Lage Vuursche
May 3 Huis Verloren - Hoorn, Noord-Holland
HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN
May 15 Fox Theatre: CD Release w/ Bela Karoli & The Widow’s Bane – Boulder, Colorado
May 19 The Belcourt Theatre – Nashville*
May 20 Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, Georgia*
May 22 WorkPlay Theatre – Birmingham, Alabama*
May 23 Blue Gills – Spanish Fort, Alabama*
May 24 House Of Blues - New Orleans, Louisiana*
May 27 House Of Blues – Houston, Texas*
May 28 Gruene Hall – San Antonio, Texas*
May 29 Granada Theater – Dallas, Texas*
May 30 Texas Union Th. @ Univ. Of Texas – Austin, Texas*
Just in time to prep me for seeing them for the first time on Friday night, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released “Nikorette” off their forthcoming album Outer South for free download this week, and I can’t stop listening.
…But nothing makes sense when the wave rolls through
Nothing makes sense when the wave comes through
Well, if there’s something in me, well, I know it’s in you
If there’s something in me, well, I bet it’s in you
I don’t want to wait until the moon gets blue
I don’t want to dream if it don’t come true
This first sample off the new album has a bright and appealing open-road energy to it that also heavily reminds me of “Sausalito” from the self-titled 2008 album. If this is the direction of the whole new album then I am delighted, and as I sang along all day today I’ve been interspersing lines from both into one happy conglomerate.
**TOUR DATES**
CONOR OBERST & THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND
Apr 9 The Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska Apr 10 Ogden Theater Denver, Colorado
Apr 11 Belly Up Aspen, Colorado
Apr 12 Barnett Harley Davidson El Paso, Texas
Apr 13 Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque
Apr 14 The Marquee Tempe, Arizona
Apr 15 The Glasshouse Pomona, California
Apr 17 Coachella Indio, California
Jun 17 Black Sheep Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jun 18 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Telluride, Colorado
Jun 19 Star Hall Moab, Utah
Jun 21 Knitting Factory Boise, Idaho
Jun 23 Wilma Theater Missoula, Montana
Jun 24 First Ave. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jun 25 Summerfest Milwaulkee, Wisconsin
Jun 26 Anchor Inn Omaha, Nebraska
Jun 28 Beaumont Club Kansas City, Missouri
Jun 29 The Blue Note Columbia, Missouri
Jun 30 Headliner’s Music Hall Louisville, Kentucky
Jul 1 Grog Shop Cleveland, Ohio
Jul 2 Bearsville Theater Bearsville, New York
Jul 3 Toad’s Place New Haven, Connecticut
Name: Heather Browne Location: Colorado, originally by way of California Giving context to the torrent since 2005.
"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel." —Hunter S. Thompson
Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.
“Can ya hit it ten times?” 
Pug cites a love of stark authors 
The Tallest Man On Earth
Say Hi
. My ears perked up from the opening strums of 
Name: Heather Browne
