I myself find it a bit odd that I'm still mesmerized by an artist that only released one full record during his lifetime. I can point to several albums that I played over and over (and over) many times around the time of its release, then it's just something I go back to every once in a while. Grace is far different from those.
I can still remember how blown away I was the very first time I heard Jeff Buckley's voice. And no matter many versions of his songs I hear, I will always be interested in hearing anything that might be new to me. Other fans tell me about other demos and other recordings and certain bootleg live shows that I must hear. And I hope I do. But this collection of mostly television performances of nine of Grace's ten songs is quite stunning on its own. And being a fan of hearing music in a live setting when hearing any artist for the first time, it's a nice, interesting place for people not that familiar with Buckley to start with his music.
He may look uneasy on camera at times, but there's always Buckley's talent for almost reinventing each song each time he played it, as if it was the song's first airing ever. Some songs get multiple versions from different tapings and the DVD inserts some interview footage with Buckley between most of the songs. It gives you yet another look at where this band Buckley had assembled were capable of and makes you, once again, lament what could've been if the second record was ever completed.
This comes in two versions: one has the DVD with 17 tracks in total and a CD containing audio from 10 of the cuts from the DVD. Which has a nice, lower price tag for a combo release. For a little more money, it's worth it to get the deluxe version with the added DVD of Amazing Grace, an independently made hour-long documentary about Buckley's life, music and musical legacy. I could list off some of the remarkable things this film shows, but it might dull what you see. There are early performances and a good portion of background about his days playing at Sin-E, the New York venue where his debut 4 song EP was recorded. Some insight is provided by four of the musicians who played in Buckley's band and other artists that were inspired by him. After hearing about this film for so long, for it to not only be so interesting and compelling, but also that it was part of this package, for not a lot of cash, I am very happy with the job Buckley's estate and record company did with this release.
Here's the trailer for the bonus DVD documentary, Amazing Grace:
And if you click here, it will take you to an electronic press kit for the entire release.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My 10 Favorite Things in Music in 2008
Not necessarily my top 10 favorite records released in the last year, just what I enjoyed most about music in the last year.
10 Daytrotter
I found this site before 2008, but over the last 12 months, it not only introduced me to many new artists to listen to. It also offered up some great sets by bands and artists I already knew about. The two that are sticking out most in my mind right now are Kelley Stoltz and Headlights. There are many great places online to check out songs, whole albums, videos, but Daytrotter remains one of my favorites.
Link to the Kelley Stoltz session
Link to the Headlights session.
9 The Whigs on The Late Show with David Letterman
I had been reading about the Whigs and had a bit of an aversion simply because their name is so close to the Afghan Whigs. Thought it was kinda lame. But I saw they were going to be on Letterman and set the DVR. And I got to hear/see "Right Hand on My Heart". Then got my hands on the album, Mission Control. As a whole, it wasn't one of my favorite records of the year. But this song and this clip made me do something I hadn't done in a long time: run right out and get new music. Their drummer alone is worth the price of admission to see them.
8 R.E.M. remembering what they do better than most
It's really all right there in the first single from their Accelerate record, "Supernatural Superserious". Not only does it have one of the best riffs Peter Buck has committed to record in years, there it is...right around 50 seconds in, in this particular version. The Voice. When Mike Mills kicks in with a harmony vocal, it reminds me most of what I love so much about R.E.M.'s sound. So much so, that it made me go out to a store on its release date and buy it as soon as I could. I didn't do that too much this year, and haven't done that for a R.E.M. record probably since Automatic for the People. And the whole album is great. Such a surprise for me; I haven't really enjoyed their recent output. But this one rocks. This is a clip of them performing "Supernatural Superserious" on MTV, I believe in Italy.
7 Music on Comedy Central shows
Not normally where one would look, but Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert had some unique televised musical moments this year. Wilco was on to play "Wilco: the Song", which was a new tune at the time. Willie Nelson, John Legend and Feist were great on Colbert's Christmas special (not to mention Feist's appearance the Report itself). Rush played "Tom Sawyer", seemingly, for 24 hours and R.E.M. had to look up at him on a large, large stool. Even Jon Stewart had on Hall & Oates to sing a farewell to Alan Colmes leaving Sean Hannity to the tune of "She's Gone". And worked in the word "douchebag" to boot. Go to their sites and search, the songs come up pretty easily. To not have this post any longer than it is, I can't pick just one. Go to Colbert Nation or The Daily Show sites and search.
6 The Future is Unwritten
Just when I needed a reminder about how great Joe Strummer was, this Julien Temple documentary reminded me. I only wish it would've been shown on a screen somewhere here in my town, but at least I have the DVD. And so should you.
A clip of the trailer is here
5 Cheap Trick reissue of Live at Budokan
For the amount of time I spent as a kid listening to this album, playing along on my drums, and imagining what the show looked like just by studying the album jacket and gatefold cover, I finally got to see what it was like with the 3 CD/1 DVD reissue that was put out this year. I read a lot of reviews saying it was too much of a good thing, but not for me. I never got my hands on the two-disc CD reissue from years ago and liked getting all that with the film, the bonuses and all the artwork. I think it was just aimed at fans like me. If you're complaining about the price tag or how much new stuff there actually is, then you probably weren't that interested in it in the first place. It's awesome...
Sony has a clip of "Surrender" from the original 1978 show here
4 The love I have that continues to grow for the Faces
You can see it earlier in this blog; this year, I got the 4-disc Five Men Walk Into a Bar... and have been immersed in the sounds of one of the most overlooked bands in rock ever since. I already said it. i could repeat it. Or you could just find that entry. Either way, the Faces, collectively, are one of the most talented groups of musicians that there ever was. The rumors of another show are nice, but it's important that they carefully think about who takes the late bassist/vocalist Ronnie Lane's place. Here, again on this site, is one hell of a performance of "Stay with Me"
3 The love I have that continues to grow for Guided By Voices
There's always another album or five to hunt down. There's the solo records that I've barely scratched the surface of. The numerous side projects. Why is it so addicting? Well, partially because there is so much of it and also because you can repeatedly find My Favorite GBV Song. Then change it a week later. Then go back to it. Then change to another. Every couple of songs on every album will stick out and then spend a long time stuck in your internal jukebox. I re-read the book by former bassist Jim Greer. I watched the DVDs I have over and over. And listen to them walking to work more than almost any other band. Here's a video of one of my current favorites, "The Official Ironmen Rally Song"
2 The Replacements reissues
I don't have them all yet, but plan to. Not only do the records sound great, but the real reason to get them is for the excellent bonus tracks. From singles, out-of-print vinyl, some of demo cassettes that Paul Westerberg gave to former manager Peter Jesperson, it's all exciting to hear for a 'Mats fan like myself. And most of the origins of each bonus track is explained in the liner notes by Jesperson himself. It's like getting those long-promised box sets of unreleased stuff spread out over eight records with the actual bonus being the original recordings sounding better than they ever have on compact disc. Does that ruin the spirit of the earlier stuff? Maybe, but it's still real good to have. Like I said, I still need them all, but it's great to know they're out there. And just the version of "20th Century Boy" keeps a smile on my face as I wait to collect them all. Insert your own baseball card reference here. Or just watch this '81 clip of "Kids Don't Follow" live I found on YouTube.
1 Paul Weller
It's that simple. Weller. The Modfather. I have always listened to Weller and had a few of his records going into 2008. But this year, I went into the deep end. This year alone I got my hands on the live Catch-Flame! from 2006, the 2-disc deluxe reissue of Wild Wood (which I now have no idea how I went so long without owning that album), the Live at Braehead DVD from 2003, his stellar new record 22 Dreams (easily my favorite 2008 release) and, amazingly and thanks to my fiancee, the incredible At the BBC 4-disc set that was released here in December. It has songs from acoustic sessions, full concerts that were aired, from all points of his career: the Jam, the Style Council and his solo work. It was just all about Weller for me this year. Every time I put one record aside, another one took its place in my stereo. Weller's music formed much of the soundtrack to my year. And there's still more I need to get. First is Weller performing one of the singles from 22 Dreams, "Have You Made Up Your Mind" on Later with Jools Holand and then a performance of one of my favorite Weller songs, "From the Floorboards Up" from 2005's As Is Now from BBC4 Sessions.
10 Daytrotter
I found this site before 2008, but over the last 12 months, it not only introduced me to many new artists to listen to. It also offered up some great sets by bands and artists I already knew about. The two that are sticking out most in my mind right now are Kelley Stoltz and Headlights. There are many great places online to check out songs, whole albums, videos, but Daytrotter remains one of my favorites.
Link to the Kelley Stoltz session
Link to the Headlights session.
9 The Whigs on The Late Show with David Letterman
I had been reading about the Whigs and had a bit of an aversion simply because their name is so close to the Afghan Whigs. Thought it was kinda lame. But I saw they were going to be on Letterman and set the DVR. And I got to hear/see "Right Hand on My Heart". Then got my hands on the album, Mission Control. As a whole, it wasn't one of my favorite records of the year. But this song and this clip made me do something I hadn't done in a long time: run right out and get new music. Their drummer alone is worth the price of admission to see them.
8 R.E.M. remembering what they do better than most
It's really all right there in the first single from their Accelerate record, "Supernatural Superserious". Not only does it have one of the best riffs Peter Buck has committed to record in years, there it is...right around 50 seconds in, in this particular version. The Voice. When Mike Mills kicks in with a harmony vocal, it reminds me most of what I love so much about R.E.M.'s sound. So much so, that it made me go out to a store on its release date and buy it as soon as I could. I didn't do that too much this year, and haven't done that for a R.E.M. record probably since Automatic for the People. And the whole album is great. Such a surprise for me; I haven't really enjoyed their recent output. But this one rocks. This is a clip of them performing "Supernatural Superserious" on MTV, I believe in Italy.
7 Music on Comedy Central shows
Not normally where one would look, but Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert had some unique televised musical moments this year. Wilco was on to play "Wilco: the Song", which was a new tune at the time. Willie Nelson, John Legend and Feist were great on Colbert's Christmas special (not to mention Feist's appearance the Report itself). Rush played "Tom Sawyer", seemingly, for 24 hours and R.E.M. had to look up at him on a large, large stool. Even Jon Stewart had on Hall & Oates to sing a farewell to Alan Colmes leaving Sean Hannity to the tune of "She's Gone". And worked in the word "douchebag" to boot. Go to their sites and search, the songs come up pretty easily. To not have this post any longer than it is, I can't pick just one. Go to Colbert Nation or The Daily Show sites and search.
6 The Future is Unwritten
Just when I needed a reminder about how great Joe Strummer was, this Julien Temple documentary reminded me. I only wish it would've been shown on a screen somewhere here in my town, but at least I have the DVD. And so should you.
A clip of the trailer is here
5 Cheap Trick reissue of Live at Budokan
For the amount of time I spent as a kid listening to this album, playing along on my drums, and imagining what the show looked like just by studying the album jacket and gatefold cover, I finally got to see what it was like with the 3 CD/1 DVD reissue that was put out this year. I read a lot of reviews saying it was too much of a good thing, but not for me. I never got my hands on the two-disc CD reissue from years ago and liked getting all that with the film, the bonuses and all the artwork. I think it was just aimed at fans like me. If you're complaining about the price tag or how much new stuff there actually is, then you probably weren't that interested in it in the first place. It's awesome...
Sony has a clip of "Surrender" from the original 1978 show here
4 The love I have that continues to grow for the Faces
You can see it earlier in this blog; this year, I got the 4-disc Five Men Walk Into a Bar... and have been immersed in the sounds of one of the most overlooked bands in rock ever since. I already said it. i could repeat it. Or you could just find that entry. Either way, the Faces, collectively, are one of the most talented groups of musicians that there ever was. The rumors of another show are nice, but it's important that they carefully think about who takes the late bassist/vocalist Ronnie Lane's place. Here, again on this site, is one hell of a performance of "Stay with Me"
3 The love I have that continues to grow for Guided By Voices
There's always another album or five to hunt down. There's the solo records that I've barely scratched the surface of. The numerous side projects. Why is it so addicting? Well, partially because there is so much of it and also because you can repeatedly find My Favorite GBV Song. Then change it a week later. Then go back to it. Then change to another. Every couple of songs on every album will stick out and then spend a long time stuck in your internal jukebox. I re-read the book by former bassist Jim Greer. I watched the DVDs I have over and over. And listen to them walking to work more than almost any other band. Here's a video of one of my current favorites, "The Official Ironmen Rally Song"
2 The Replacements reissues
I don't have them all yet, but plan to. Not only do the records sound great, but the real reason to get them is for the excellent bonus tracks. From singles, out-of-print vinyl, some of demo cassettes that Paul Westerberg gave to former manager Peter Jesperson, it's all exciting to hear for a 'Mats fan like myself. And most of the origins of each bonus track is explained in the liner notes by Jesperson himself. It's like getting those long-promised box sets of unreleased stuff spread out over eight records with the actual bonus being the original recordings sounding better than they ever have on compact disc. Does that ruin the spirit of the earlier stuff? Maybe, but it's still real good to have. Like I said, I still need them all, but it's great to know they're out there. And just the version of "20th Century Boy" keeps a smile on my face as I wait to collect them all. Insert your own baseball card reference here. Or just watch this '81 clip of "Kids Don't Follow" live I found on YouTube.
1 Paul Weller
It's that simple. Weller. The Modfather. I have always listened to Weller and had a few of his records going into 2008. But this year, I went into the deep end. This year alone I got my hands on the live Catch-Flame! from 2006, the 2-disc deluxe reissue of Wild Wood (which I now have no idea how I went so long without owning that album), the Live at Braehead DVD from 2003, his stellar new record 22 Dreams (easily my favorite 2008 release) and, amazingly and thanks to my fiancee, the incredible At the BBC 4-disc set that was released here in December. It has songs from acoustic sessions, full concerts that were aired, from all points of his career: the Jam, the Style Council and his solo work. It was just all about Weller for me this year. Every time I put one record aside, another one took its place in my stereo. Weller's music formed much of the soundtrack to my year. And there's still more I need to get. First is Weller performing one of the singles from 22 Dreams, "Have You Made Up Your Mind" on Later with Jools Holand and then a performance of one of my favorite Weller songs, "From the Floorboards Up" from 2005's As Is Now from BBC4 Sessions.
Friday, January 2, 2009
From Where the Name Came...
While I hammer out my top 10 of 2008, here's wishing you a happy 2009 with some Paul Westerberg. I looked at a lot of old Replacements stuff too, but the quote I got the name for this blog from comes from the film Come Feel Me Tremble, which was made during his continuing solo career. So here's some good clips of solo Paul with one full-band clip as well:
"Alex Chilton" from a show that seems to be from the run of shows documented for Come Feel Me Tremble
"Can't Hardly Wait" from around the same time, 2002, I think
And even an old Jools Holland appearance with his great 1993 line-up: Dave Minehan on guitar, Darren Hill on bass and the omni-present Josh Freese on drums. I got to see this band on this tour and they sounded incredible! This was an excellent band that did Paul's songs justice and then some. The beginning of this song sounds loud even on my computer speakers.
Paul Westerberg's Website.
Happy New Year! from Candybar.
"Alex Chilton" from a show that seems to be from the run of shows documented for Come Feel Me Tremble
"Can't Hardly Wait" from around the same time, 2002, I think
And even an old Jools Holland appearance with his great 1993 line-up: Dave Minehan on guitar, Darren Hill on bass and the omni-present Josh Freese on drums. I got to see this band on this tour and they sounded incredible! This was an excellent band that did Paul's songs justice and then some. The beginning of this song sounds loud even on my computer speakers.
Paul Westerberg's Website.
Happy New Year! from Candybar.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
All Ash, All the Time
I had a friend play Ash's first record, 1977, for me and I was instantly hooked. I had to wait five years, until 2002, to see them play live after that and I made up for it in bulk. I had the opportunity to see them five times over the span of six weeks. And I did. They were touring to promote the American release of Free All Angels after a year of solid touring elsewhere in the world behind the record. Needless to say, they were incredibly sharp and each set seemed to be better than the one I saw before. The last one of that run, in particular, was excellent. They had an amazing energy, which the crowd gave right back to them. It was the only time I'd ever been to that venue in Orlando, the House of Blues, and seen an opening act get such a big crowd response. It made sense; they played every one of the sets I saw as if they were headlining. And the set lists were jam-packed with some of their catchiest songs, all played a click or two faster than the recordings. That fifth set is still one of the Top 5 Shows Ever. And looking for videos for that last post, I got sucked into watching so much Ash stuff (about 90 minutes or so), that I figured they just deserved their own little entry today.
I'll start with "A Life Less Ordinary". The song was originally put out right around when Charlotte Hatherley joined the band, I believe. They have a bunch of great songs, but this one I could listen to ten times in a row and still not be sick of it. The pace they play it at here reminds me of those shows. Blistering tempo.
Maybe you should check out the video for the song as well. Good clip. I just said I can listen ten times in a row; you can listen to it twice...
And there's always "Lose Control", the song that opened all those sets, if my memory serves correctly. The aforementioned 1977 just got a remastered re-release overseas and this song kicks in the door right after the Tie Fighter soundbite blasts through your speakers. Excellent song.
And they had some big hit singles elsewhere that I always thought would make them more popular over here. Like "Burn Baby Burn"
Or "Shining Light".
Or "Girl From Mars" (US version of the video, mostly because it's the one I first saw and remember the most)
And some personal favorites, like "Clones"
"Envy"
I better stop before I just end up slapping every video I can find up here. Just go search around the web for more about this band. I like this band. A lot. Still do. Any record collection could do with some Ash.
Official site for Ash
I'll start with "A Life Less Ordinary". The song was originally put out right around when Charlotte Hatherley joined the band, I believe. They have a bunch of great songs, but this one I could listen to ten times in a row and still not be sick of it. The pace they play it at here reminds me of those shows. Blistering tempo.
Maybe you should check out the video for the song as well. Good clip. I just said I can listen ten times in a row; you can listen to it twice...
And there's always "Lose Control", the song that opened all those sets, if my memory serves correctly. The aforementioned 1977 just got a remastered re-release overseas and this song kicks in the door right after the Tie Fighter soundbite blasts through your speakers. Excellent song.
And they had some big hit singles elsewhere that I always thought would make them more popular over here. Like "Burn Baby Burn"
Or "Shining Light".
Or "Girl From Mars" (US version of the video, mostly because it's the one I first saw and remember the most)
And some personal favorites, like "Clones"
"Envy"
I better stop before I just end up slapping every video I can find up here. Just go search around the web for more about this band. I like this band. A lot. Still do. Any record collection could do with some Ash.
Official site for Ash
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Denali, Helmet, the Rich Kids
I was thrilled that Denali got back together this year, but also bummed that none of their shows were an easy commute for me down here in Florida. But alas, I can still check how they sounded. Even better than I thought they would sound, it turns out. It's tough to pick just one here, but "Gunner", one of my favorite songs of theirs, will do.
Another gem from the old MTV show Jon Stewart once had. Some of my favorite bands of the time were on that show. I look for those clips a lot. This one from Helmet is classic. The tune is "Wilma's Rainbow" and this is one of the best band performance on TV that I've ever seen. One of the best heavy bands ever. And they sound amazing here.
And the Rich Kids, a band from the late 70's with ex-Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock. This is a clip from a TV perfomance of their song, "Ghosts of Princes in Towers".
Another gem from the old MTV show Jon Stewart once had. Some of my favorite bands of the time were on that show. I look for those clips a lot. This one from Helmet is classic. The tune is "Wilma's Rainbow" and this is one of the best band performance on TV that I've ever seen. One of the best heavy bands ever. And they sound amazing here.
And the Rich Kids, a band from the late 70's with ex-Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock. This is a clip from a TV perfomance of their song, "Ghosts of Princes in Towers".
Monday, December 1, 2008
John Doe and Kathleen Edwards
This pairing is just brilliant. I won't go on about their backgrounds, especially his (that would make this term-paper length), but Edwards sang on some songs on Doe's last record, the amazing A Year in the Wilderness, including the lead single, "The Golden State". All the way back to X, Doe has sounded excellent when matched with the right female vocalists. And all I could think is that the two of them just needed to do a whole record together.
I hope that day does come, but, for now, they just did a short tour together, which they dubbed The Hurtin' and Flirtin' Tour. The tour stopped nowhere near me, but thanks to this vast internet, I still get to see some of the results. I just spent a long, long time watching these videos and here some of the best.
This is them playing the aforementioned "The Golden State"
One of many clips I found of them playing Zankel Hall in NYC. This is a cover of "We'll Sweep Out the Ashes" by Gram Parsons, a song they sang together at a benefit a few years ago.
Another cover for good measure, this one is "When Will I Be Loved" by the Everly Brothers.
If you just search both their names, you'll turn up a handful of other clips, including one of Edwards' videos, "Back to Me", which featured Doe in an acting capacity.
John Doe on MySpace and official site
Kathleen Edwards on MySpace and offical site
I hope that day does come, but, for now, they just did a short tour together, which they dubbed The Hurtin' and Flirtin' Tour. The tour stopped nowhere near me, but thanks to this vast internet, I still get to see some of the results. I just spent a long, long time watching these videos and here some of the best.
This is them playing the aforementioned "The Golden State"
One of many clips I found of them playing Zankel Hall in NYC. This is a cover of "We'll Sweep Out the Ashes" by Gram Parsons, a song they sang together at a benefit a few years ago.
Another cover for good measure, this one is "When Will I Be Loved" by the Everly Brothers.
If you just search both their names, you'll turn up a handful of other clips, including one of Edwards' videos, "Back to Me", which featured Doe in an acting capacity.
John Doe on MySpace and official site
Kathleen Edwards on MySpace and offical site
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Thank you, Internets! - John Doe, Dean & Britta, GBV
I can spend hours just going through websites looking for new music, odd covers, whatever. Just want to hear something I don't have in my collection. Or find some new band to get into. Whatever. I find some things I think more folks should see. So...
Here's John Doe covering the Replacements' "Here Comes a Regular". One of the greatest singer/songwriters covering another at a Replacements tribute show in San Francisco at 12 Galaxies in May 2006.
And Dean & Britta covering New Order's "Ceremony" at Johnny Brenda's from February 2008. I think I say "wow" right around the same time you hear it in this clip.
And Guided By Voices on the old Jon Stewart talk show from March 1995. When Mitch Mitchell comes back in around three minutes in, it's a great moment in televised rock history.
Ok...I'm working on some more articles, I swear.
Here's John Doe covering the Replacements' "Here Comes a Regular". One of the greatest singer/songwriters covering another at a Replacements tribute show in San Francisco at 12 Galaxies in May 2006.
And Dean & Britta covering New Order's "Ceremony" at Johnny Brenda's from February 2008. I think I say "wow" right around the same time you hear it in this clip.
And Guided By Voices on the old Jon Stewart talk show from March 1995. When Mitch Mitchell comes back in around three minutes in, it's a great moment in televised rock history.
Ok...I'm working on some more articles, I swear.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Luna Tell Me Do You Miss Me (DVD)
I read some great reviews of the DVD release of the Luna documentary Tell Me Do You Miss Me and one night, I was just wandering around through a music and DVD section of a store looking for something new. Something I could take home that I didn't even think about buying when I walked into the place. I have my favorite artists, but every now and then, I want to find something new to get interested in. So I found this in the racks and remembered the good buzz I heard on it. I had missed on Luna through the 90's, being more enamored with pop/punk and discovering the Replacements at the time. I had the summer before actually picked up their swansong album, Rendezvous and liked it quite a bit, but did not really look back into their catalog to check more of it out.
I sat in a dark room and popped the disc in. After the first song, "Fuzzy Wuzzy", all i could think to myself is: how did I completely miss the boat on this band? The film begins with the end, with a performance from their last set of shows in New York city in February 2005, and then backs it up to the time of the release of Rendezvous, with three of the members discussing their break-up press release. From there, the global criss-crossing to promote the album leads you back to the place where the movie starts.
The music serves as both a soundtrack to the fantastic images and a best of covering the band's career. The filmmaker, Matthew Buzzell does an excellent job with letting his images, which in many cases are some of the best photography I have ever seen in a documentary, and the music tell most of the story. There are a few interviews conducted with a band member looking into a camera, but mostly, events are just observed and the band themselves just tell the story of the band, past and present. You're watching the farewell tour, but hear many many stories over the history of the band, combining with the music to present a bigger picture of what this band actually was.
And for that matter, continues to be. The day after I watched this for the first time, I spent the entire next afternoon driving all over my city, going to every place that sells music, trying to find as much of their catalog as I could. I could only turn up a best of from Rhino, which is a great place to start. Between ordering on-line and being able to hit good record stores in another town, I had their entire catalog in a month.
Now, the songs contained in this film have, over the last three years, become favorites. This film marked the first time I ever got to hear the hypnotic intro to "23 Minutes in Brussels". The first time I ever heard the riff from "Sideshow by the Seashore", which I heard thousands of times since. As soon as I could piece it together with my collection, I put together a soundtrack CD of most of the songs featured in the film and began listening to it as I walked to work or drove around the city and that disc is still in the CD player as I type this. As good as all of the recorded versions are, the versions in the film are even better in most cases.
It makes little sense to me how this movie meant to show a farewell became such a good introduction, but that's exactly what it was for me. I may have missed out on seeing them live myself, but at least I still eventually heard this. This is not the first time that's happened to me with a band either. As much as I listen to things, there are still a lot of bands either I never get to chance to hear or no one ever suggests them to me, thinking I wouldn't be into it (and probably, to be honest, at the time, I probably wouldn't have listened to it the same way I do now) and I eventually figure it out. I was able to see Luna members Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips play the music they make now in Atlanta, shortly after the release of their Back Numbers record, which I will write about on here very soon. It was the first time in a long time that I got really excited about going to a show. But more on their current stuff later.
Check out a couple of things here:
First, you can check out the trailer for Tell Me Do You Miss Me here, because my internet non-skills can't seem to get the image to imbed into my blog, like I just did with that Faces thing in the last entry.
Second, here's a miwxit tape of some Luna tracks that are a good mix of their originals and some great covers.
I sat in a dark room and popped the disc in. After the first song, "Fuzzy Wuzzy", all i could think to myself is: how did I completely miss the boat on this band? The film begins with the end, with a performance from their last set of shows in New York city in February 2005, and then backs it up to the time of the release of Rendezvous, with three of the members discussing their break-up press release. From there, the global criss-crossing to promote the album leads you back to the place where the movie starts.
The music serves as both a soundtrack to the fantastic images and a best of covering the band's career. The filmmaker, Matthew Buzzell does an excellent job with letting his images, which in many cases are some of the best photography I have ever seen in a documentary, and the music tell most of the story. There are a few interviews conducted with a band member looking into a camera, but mostly, events are just observed and the band themselves just tell the story of the band, past and present. You're watching the farewell tour, but hear many many stories over the history of the band, combining with the music to present a bigger picture of what this band actually was.
And for that matter, continues to be. The day after I watched this for the first time, I spent the entire next afternoon driving all over my city, going to every place that sells music, trying to find as much of their catalog as I could. I could only turn up a best of from Rhino, which is a great place to start. Between ordering on-line and being able to hit good record stores in another town, I had their entire catalog in a month.
Now, the songs contained in this film have, over the last three years, become favorites. This film marked the first time I ever got to hear the hypnotic intro to "23 Minutes in Brussels". The first time I ever heard the riff from "Sideshow by the Seashore", which I heard thousands of times since. As soon as I could piece it together with my collection, I put together a soundtrack CD of most of the songs featured in the film and began listening to it as I walked to work or drove around the city and that disc is still in the CD player as I type this. As good as all of the recorded versions are, the versions in the film are even better in most cases.
It makes little sense to me how this movie meant to show a farewell became such a good introduction, but that's exactly what it was for me. I may have missed out on seeing them live myself, but at least I still eventually heard this. This is not the first time that's happened to me with a band either. As much as I listen to things, there are still a lot of bands either I never get to chance to hear or no one ever suggests them to me, thinking I wouldn't be into it (and probably, to be honest, at the time, I probably wouldn't have listened to it the same way I do now) and I eventually figure it out. I was able to see Luna members Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips play the music they make now in Atlanta, shortly after the release of their Back Numbers record, which I will write about on here very soon. It was the first time in a long time that I got really excited about going to a show. But more on their current stuff later.
Check out a couple of things here:
First, you can check out the trailer for Tell Me Do You Miss Me here, because my internet non-skills can't seem to get the image to imbed into my blog, like I just did with that Faces thing in the last entry.
Second, here's a miwxit tape of some Luna tracks that are a good mix of their originals and some great covers.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Faces Five Guys Walk Into a Bar...
"Really? Rod Stewart?!?"
That phrase, or a variation of it, enters the conversation within the first 60 seconds almost every time I mention the Faces to anyone. With some of the things he's subjected the listening public to, I can almost understand that. Never mind "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?", even though I love the bassline to that song, anyone remember that horrible "Love Touch" song from the mid-80s? But I quickly can end any argument on Stewart's merits with one of two sentences: 1.) Yeah, he put out some cringeworthy stuff, but you cannot deny that "Young Turks" is one of the best songs from the 80s and 2.)Yeah, but he was in the Faces.
First, I have to say that you can have a great debate about this one at your own bar that you frequent or at work on a slow day, but I feel that the Faces are the most evenly talented band ever, all five of them together. You can definitely talk about other guitarists being better than Ron Wood (not many), but does that other guitarist have a bassist in their band half as good as the late Ronnie Lane? Probably not. Or a drummer as solid as Kenney Jones? Most likely not. They definitely don't have a keyboardist on par with Ian "Mac" McLagan because there is no one else with the feel that Mac has. Others may sound like him, but you have to him to get that feel. To each instrument, this band has some of the most amazing musicianship ever assembled.
And Rod? He sings the hell out of this stuff. Bluesy, soulful, powerful, raspy, it's all there. And he never sounds like a singer with a backing band. His phrasing and delivery make his voice just another important instrument to the whole formula. He's a force while being totally complementary.
I have a best of, Good Boys...When They're Asleep, that's a good place to start and readily available. The original albums are still in print as well. But this box set is the way this band was meant to be heard. There are remastered tracks from the originals that still sound great, but the Faces were reputed to be a storming live act. Their shows, with bar on stage, were said to be a party. A party that extended backstage, to the hotel, to the bus and on to the next town. Five Guys Walk Into a Bar... is a perfect title for this set. And there's a bunch of live BBC recordings and other live tracks that illustrate how they just started with the song and could take off in any direction they wanted.
And it's something you can easily hear in other bands. Just look at some of the folks that write testimonials in the booklet for this: Jeff Tweedy (you can really hear influences in the first two Wilco albums), Glen Matlock (who had Mac in his touring lineup of the Rich Kids in the late 70's), Paul Westerberg (in a lot of ways I've learned to love the Replacements more since I've heard the Faces), Rich Robinson (again, especially evident in the early Black Crowes records). But even with all these great musicians influenced by them, no one truly sounds like the Faces. They are the sum of these five excellent musicians that no other band lineup could ever match.
Not to mention the good luck they had to have three great writers in one band in the persons of Lane, Wood and Stewart. You can have all the chops in the world, but it wouldn't amount to anything without the riffs or the songs. And they are there. In the booklet, McLagan, who produced this collection, mentions that he originally set it up chronologically, but opted for a listing that flowed more like a live set. And it works. It doesn't matter that some songs appear twice, sometimes on the same disc. The live and studio versions all have their own quirks and charms and, as a whole, the four discs do play nicely on their own as a single record.
I try to tell as many people as possible about this band. Quite a few get thrown off by Rod, though I don't really get it. Their loss. The Faces packed a ton of great music into the five years they recorded together, 1970-1975. They are one of few bands that repeated listens don't wear you out on them; it just makes you hear different parts of the songs that you never heard before. They're the kind of band that you reach for when you want to hear something you always know you're going to be in the mood for. I could hear them every day and never get sick of them.
If you have one of those download internet jukeboxes where you drink, shoot pool, bowl, whatever, it's a terrible jukebox unless there's some Faces in it. But don't just take my word for it; click on what's below, a performance of one of their best known songs, "Stay With Me", from a TV show circa 1972, I think. They could've extended the end of this song for another five minutes and I'd still be riveted...
And then I also found this one. It's a performance of their cover of McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed"
That phrase, or a variation of it, enters the conversation within the first 60 seconds almost every time I mention the Faces to anyone. With some of the things he's subjected the listening public to, I can almost understand that. Never mind "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?", even though I love the bassline to that song, anyone remember that horrible "Love Touch" song from the mid-80s? But I quickly can end any argument on Stewart's merits with one of two sentences: 1.) Yeah, he put out some cringeworthy stuff, but you cannot deny that "Young Turks" is one of the best songs from the 80s and 2.)Yeah, but he was in the Faces.
First, I have to say that you can have a great debate about this one at your own bar that you frequent or at work on a slow day, but I feel that the Faces are the most evenly talented band ever, all five of them together. You can definitely talk about other guitarists being better than Ron Wood (not many), but does that other guitarist have a bassist in their band half as good as the late Ronnie Lane? Probably not. Or a drummer as solid as Kenney Jones? Most likely not. They definitely don't have a keyboardist on par with Ian "Mac" McLagan because there is no one else with the feel that Mac has. Others may sound like him, but you have to him to get that feel. To each instrument, this band has some of the most amazing musicianship ever assembled.
And Rod? He sings the hell out of this stuff. Bluesy, soulful, powerful, raspy, it's all there. And he never sounds like a singer with a backing band. His phrasing and delivery make his voice just another important instrument to the whole formula. He's a force while being totally complementary.
I have a best of, Good Boys...When They're Asleep, that's a good place to start and readily available. The original albums are still in print as well. But this box set is the way this band was meant to be heard. There are remastered tracks from the originals that still sound great, but the Faces were reputed to be a storming live act. Their shows, with bar on stage, were said to be a party. A party that extended backstage, to the hotel, to the bus and on to the next town. Five Guys Walk Into a Bar... is a perfect title for this set. And there's a bunch of live BBC recordings and other live tracks that illustrate how they just started with the song and could take off in any direction they wanted.
And it's something you can easily hear in other bands. Just look at some of the folks that write testimonials in the booklet for this: Jeff Tweedy (you can really hear influences in the first two Wilco albums), Glen Matlock (who had Mac in his touring lineup of the Rich Kids in the late 70's), Paul Westerberg (in a lot of ways I've learned to love the Replacements more since I've heard the Faces), Rich Robinson (again, especially evident in the early Black Crowes records). But even with all these great musicians influenced by them, no one truly sounds like the Faces. They are the sum of these five excellent musicians that no other band lineup could ever match.
Not to mention the good luck they had to have three great writers in one band in the persons of Lane, Wood and Stewart. You can have all the chops in the world, but it wouldn't amount to anything without the riffs or the songs. And they are there. In the booklet, McLagan, who produced this collection, mentions that he originally set it up chronologically, but opted for a listing that flowed more like a live set. And it works. It doesn't matter that some songs appear twice, sometimes on the same disc. The live and studio versions all have their own quirks and charms and, as a whole, the four discs do play nicely on their own as a single record.
I try to tell as many people as possible about this band. Quite a few get thrown off by Rod, though I don't really get it. Their loss. The Faces packed a ton of great music into the five years they recorded together, 1970-1975. They are one of few bands that repeated listens don't wear you out on them; it just makes you hear different parts of the songs that you never heard before. They're the kind of band that you reach for when you want to hear something you always know you're going to be in the mood for. I could hear them every day and never get sick of them.
If you have one of those download internet jukeboxes where you drink, shoot pool, bowl, whatever, it's a terrible jukebox unless there's some Faces in it. But don't just take my word for it; click on what's below, a performance of one of their best known songs, "Stay With Me", from a TV show circa 1972, I think. They could've extended the end of this song for another five minutes and I'd still be riveted...
And then I also found this one. It's a performance of their cover of McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed"
Monday, June 23, 2008
Here's a mixtape...
Thanks to the wonderful mixwit site, you can make a playlist and post it other places with a graphic of a mixtape. It's not quite the same as sitting in front of the stereo and creating a perfect mix, but it's close enough. The site does have some interesting songs, quite a few i didn't expect to find. And this is properly set up as a side a/side b 60-minute mixtape format, because that's all I know how to do; I still set up mix cds as the first half/second half. I guess I just miss flipping things over.
So, below is a track listing with a few words, again, just like I would if I was making a mix. The hyperlink on the artist's name will zoom you through the internets to a link of some of the live performances or videos. The graphic itself is how to work the tape. Just run the cursor over the tape and you can play, skip through songs, etc.
Please to enjoy...
Side A
1 "Swing Your Heartache" Young Galaxy
I absolutely love how this song builds through the first verse until that guitar riff into the first chrous just kicks the song widescreen. The swell works better in headphones, but I think even through computer speakers, you'll get the idea.
2 "This Isn't It" Giant Drag
I saw this band three times in a week during CMJ '04 and this song burned its way into my mind and hasn't gone anywhere since. I was kinda surprised that this record didn't make an impact when it came out; there was some major buzz overseas and some buzz over here. I tend to not dig the two-member (i.e. no bass player) line-ups, but it really works well for their overall sound, with the washy, distorted guitar not needing much more additional backup.
3 "Second Chance" Liam Finn
So far, his I'll Be Lightning is the best 2008 release I've heard. It's got a pop sensibility with a frantic, almost creepy melody thrown on top of it. The beauty of the record is that Finn, who usually plays most everything in concert himself with the aid of loops and pedals, makes the recordign should almost as immediate as the live performance. It doesn't sound like it has been fussed over and slicked up in a studio. It still has the fire. Click on his name above and check some of it out.
4 "Behave" Charlotte Hatherley
One of the best things I heard last year. Great hooks, catchy choruses, atypical song structure - this song is as good an introduction to Hatherley's music as any other. Both her records are only available as imports, but worth the money and time hunting them down.
5 "Words You Used to Say" Dean & Britta
And this was my favorite record of last year. And still up there this year. After becoming completely immersed in all things Luna in the summer of 2006. This was the first new music I got to hear after accumilating their entire catalog. So, there was quite a buildup in expectation. And this song and the whole album, Back Numbers far, far, far exceeded anything I expected. Driving four hours away to see them in Atlanta gave me a rush at a show that I haven't experienced in years. I was so hyped up, and it was amazing. Just simply amazing.
6 "Apartment Story" The National
The National are quite unique. Maybe because of that, this song was the huge breakout hit I thought it should have been. After one listen, you'll be repeating it in your head, or if you're more brave, singing it aloud.
7 "Come On/Let's Go" Paul Weller
I've already flashed my Paul Weller Fan Club credential on this blog with my effusive praise for Wild Wood, but couldn't find any of my favorite tracks from that on Mixwit. So here is a blazing tune from his 2005 record, As Is Now. Doesn't sound like a guy who's running out of ideas or spark. Cannot wait for the American release of his new one, 22 Dreams, that just came out in Europe.
8 "Me & Joe Drove Out to California" Drag the River
The two vocalists in the band, Chad Price and Jon Snodgrass, are two of my favorite writers ever. And how they have slipped under the radar for so long is beyond me. They take everything I like about rock and everything I like about country and make damn good music. As do pretty much every other band they're associated with, All (Price) and Armchair Martian (Snodgrass) chief among them.
9 "Suffering" Shawn Smith
Smith sang this song in Satchel on their 1994 debut, EDC, and this one is a live version done solo with Smith at the piano. Satchel changed the way I listen to music and got me out the tunnel-vision I was in around that time listening to a lot of pop/punk and hard rock. It showed me that you can rock with more than just speed or volume (not that there is anything wrong with either of those).
Side B
1 "The Good in Everyone" Sloan
Do you like 70's power-pop? Like a band that can deliver the goods live? Then you probably already know this band. Or should. Some very smart, tasteful people I know insisted I go check them out live some years back before I even heard a single song. And I just stood there in front of the stage, with my mouth hanging open like an idiot, just in awe of how incredible all four of these musicians are. They all write, they can all sing and nothing extra is there. The songs never drone on, they're just right. Always.
2 "Teenage Wristband" The Twilight Singers
Black out the windows, it's party time. This song sounds huge just with the intro, never mind that chorus. Hearing a room full of people singing this at the top of their lungs is the recommended way to hear this song, but this here will do. This revolving lineup, led by Greg Dulli, has a consistent mood and swagger to them that makes the records and show consistently good. And most of the Singers are currently touring as...
3 "Idle Hands" The Gutter Twins
Just add vocalist Mark Lanegan and some other folks and while you think it may be dark and bleak, it's not nearly as apocalyptic as I thought it would be. The full-length, Saturnalia, may require a few spins to take, but it will.
4 "Motor Away" Guided By Voices
I made the mistake of taking a flyer on GBV throughtout their career, only listening to them right after they broke up and missing several opportunities to see their legendary live shows. I've tried to repent for this by collecting as much of their immense catalog as possible and a good number of DVDs as well (the Austin City Limits show is one of the most gloriously unhinged shows I've ever seen). They have a good deal of tunes that sound like a greatest hit the first time you hear it. I would be hard pressed to just select 90 minutes of their music to put on a tape as "the best GBV songs". I couldn't imagine the agony over deciding what to leave on and what to leave off.
5 "Mexico" Billy Reese Peters
And I feel quite the same way about these guys. They have less than 20 songs recorded, but they're all classic in my mind. Anytime I see them play, it's some of the most fun I have hearing live music. The lyrics are permanently memorized and not going to fade away no matter how much scotch or beer might try to wipe them away. No mix I make would be complete without them.
6 "Unsatisfied" The Replacements
Or this band. There are a ton of musicians who are heavily indebted to this band, and I am one of them. No matter what different things I check out musically, I always go back to the Replacements.
7 "Helpless" Sugar
This was fairly popular when it was out, but I'm surprised that more people today are listening to this 90's band led by Bob Mould. It was a college rock staple, but always seems left out of any mention of music from that era. I still listen to both records (and the stellar live CD that was a limited bonus with their B-sides disc) quite a bit.
8 "The Golden State" John Doe
The legendary John Doe (from X) gets better and better with each release. I've thought after this last couple of records that he couldn't improve on the next one. And he repeatedly does. I used to automatically hear Exene from X whenever I hear John's voice. Their singular sound is one of X's cornerstones, but the last few records have seen John singing with many other vocalists and Kathleen Edwards may be the best match in the bunch. This is from his latest, A Year in the Wilderness, one of the songs Edwards appears on. And the beauty here is after being utterly bewitched by this tune, I started checking out Edwards' own records and now have some more great music to listen to as a result. And to see a fantastic covergence of one talented writer covering another click here.
9 "Message of Love" The Pretenders
I almost forgot about how much I love the Pretenders. Almost, until Rhino reissued their first four records with a slew of bonuses. I started out played drums in the late 70s and Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers was one of my idols. He had a sound unlike anyone else in that era and a feel that no one could reproduce once he left the band before the recording of their fourth record in 1986 (returning in the mid-90s). This track from Pretenders II has been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. And I spent hours playing along to it, first as a young drummer, then years later when I switched to bass.
So, below is a track listing with a few words, again, just like I would if I was making a mix. The hyperlink on the artist's name will zoom you through the internets to a link of some of the live performances or videos. The graphic itself is how to work the tape. Just run the cursor over the tape and you can play, skip through songs, etc.
Please to enjoy...
Side A
1 "Swing Your Heartache" Young Galaxy
I absolutely love how this song builds through the first verse until that guitar riff into the first chrous just kicks the song widescreen. The swell works better in headphones, but I think even through computer speakers, you'll get the idea.
2 "This Isn't It" Giant Drag
I saw this band three times in a week during CMJ '04 and this song burned its way into my mind and hasn't gone anywhere since. I was kinda surprised that this record didn't make an impact when it came out; there was some major buzz overseas and some buzz over here. I tend to not dig the two-member (i.e. no bass player) line-ups, but it really works well for their overall sound, with the washy, distorted guitar not needing much more additional backup.
3 "Second Chance" Liam Finn
So far, his I'll Be Lightning is the best 2008 release I've heard. It's got a pop sensibility with a frantic, almost creepy melody thrown on top of it. The beauty of the record is that Finn, who usually plays most everything in concert himself with the aid of loops and pedals, makes the recordign should almost as immediate as the live performance. It doesn't sound like it has been fussed over and slicked up in a studio. It still has the fire. Click on his name above and check some of it out.
4 "Behave" Charlotte Hatherley
One of the best things I heard last year. Great hooks, catchy choruses, atypical song structure - this song is as good an introduction to Hatherley's music as any other. Both her records are only available as imports, but worth the money and time hunting them down.
5 "Words You Used to Say" Dean & Britta
And this was my favorite record of last year. And still up there this year. After becoming completely immersed in all things Luna in the summer of 2006. This was the first new music I got to hear after accumilating their entire catalog. So, there was quite a buildup in expectation. And this song and the whole album, Back Numbers far, far, far exceeded anything I expected. Driving four hours away to see them in Atlanta gave me a rush at a show that I haven't experienced in years. I was so hyped up, and it was amazing. Just simply amazing.
6 "Apartment Story" The National
The National are quite unique. Maybe because of that, this song was the huge breakout hit I thought it should have been. After one listen, you'll be repeating it in your head, or if you're more brave, singing it aloud.
7 "Come On/Let's Go" Paul Weller
I've already flashed my Paul Weller Fan Club credential on this blog with my effusive praise for Wild Wood, but couldn't find any of my favorite tracks from that on Mixwit. So here is a blazing tune from his 2005 record, As Is Now. Doesn't sound like a guy who's running out of ideas or spark. Cannot wait for the American release of his new one, 22 Dreams, that just came out in Europe.
8 "Me & Joe Drove Out to California" Drag the River
The two vocalists in the band, Chad Price and Jon Snodgrass, are two of my favorite writers ever. And how they have slipped under the radar for so long is beyond me. They take everything I like about rock and everything I like about country and make damn good music. As do pretty much every other band they're associated with, All (Price) and Armchair Martian (Snodgrass) chief among them.
9 "Suffering" Shawn Smith
Smith sang this song in Satchel on their 1994 debut, EDC, and this one is a live version done solo with Smith at the piano. Satchel changed the way I listen to music and got me out the tunnel-vision I was in around that time listening to a lot of pop/punk and hard rock. It showed me that you can rock with more than just speed or volume (not that there is anything wrong with either of those).
Side B
1 "The Good in Everyone" Sloan
Do you like 70's power-pop? Like a band that can deliver the goods live? Then you probably already know this band. Or should. Some very smart, tasteful people I know insisted I go check them out live some years back before I even heard a single song. And I just stood there in front of the stage, with my mouth hanging open like an idiot, just in awe of how incredible all four of these musicians are. They all write, they can all sing and nothing extra is there. The songs never drone on, they're just right. Always.
2 "Teenage Wristband" The Twilight Singers
Black out the windows, it's party time. This song sounds huge just with the intro, never mind that chorus. Hearing a room full of people singing this at the top of their lungs is the recommended way to hear this song, but this here will do. This revolving lineup, led by Greg Dulli, has a consistent mood and swagger to them that makes the records and show consistently good. And most of the Singers are currently touring as...
3 "Idle Hands" The Gutter Twins
Just add vocalist Mark Lanegan and some other folks and while you think it may be dark and bleak, it's not nearly as apocalyptic as I thought it would be. The full-length, Saturnalia, may require a few spins to take, but it will.
4 "Motor Away" Guided By Voices
I made the mistake of taking a flyer on GBV throughtout their career, only listening to them right after they broke up and missing several opportunities to see their legendary live shows. I've tried to repent for this by collecting as much of their immense catalog as possible and a good number of DVDs as well (the Austin City Limits show is one of the most gloriously unhinged shows I've ever seen). They have a good deal of tunes that sound like a greatest hit the first time you hear it. I would be hard pressed to just select 90 minutes of their music to put on a tape as "the best GBV songs". I couldn't imagine the agony over deciding what to leave on and what to leave off.
5 "Mexico" Billy Reese Peters
And I feel quite the same way about these guys. They have less than 20 songs recorded, but they're all classic in my mind. Anytime I see them play, it's some of the most fun I have hearing live music. The lyrics are permanently memorized and not going to fade away no matter how much scotch or beer might try to wipe them away. No mix I make would be complete without them.
6 "Unsatisfied" The Replacements
Or this band. There are a ton of musicians who are heavily indebted to this band, and I am one of them. No matter what different things I check out musically, I always go back to the Replacements.
7 "Helpless" Sugar
This was fairly popular when it was out, but I'm surprised that more people today are listening to this 90's band led by Bob Mould. It was a college rock staple, but always seems left out of any mention of music from that era. I still listen to both records (and the stellar live CD that was a limited bonus with their B-sides disc) quite a bit.
8 "The Golden State" John Doe
The legendary John Doe (from X) gets better and better with each release. I've thought after this last couple of records that he couldn't improve on the next one. And he repeatedly does. I used to automatically hear Exene from X whenever I hear John's voice. Their singular sound is one of X's cornerstones, but the last few records have seen John singing with many other vocalists and Kathleen Edwards may be the best match in the bunch. This is from his latest, A Year in the Wilderness, one of the songs Edwards appears on. And the beauty here is after being utterly bewitched by this tune, I started checking out Edwards' own records and now have some more great music to listen to as a result. And to see a fantastic covergence of one talented writer covering another click here.
9 "Message of Love" The Pretenders
I almost forgot about how much I love the Pretenders. Almost, until Rhino reissued their first four records with a slew of bonuses. I started out played drums in the late 70s and Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers was one of my idols. He had a sound unlike anyone else in that era and a feel that no one could reproduce once he left the band before the recording of their fourth record in 1986 (returning in the mid-90s). This track from Pretenders II has been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. And I spent hours playing along to it, first as a young drummer, then years later when I switched to bass.
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