Music Worth Buying (For Free) 02/24/09

Free tracks don't always stay free forever so get them while you can. 


Record label samplers are something I tend to avoid (even if they are free) but Chess Records has released a free 3 song sampler that features Howlin Wolf, Etta James Muddy Waters doing the original version of “You Shook Me" (I am sure that many of you are familiar with the Led Zeppelin version).  You just can't go wrong with this little trio of classic blues.....and it's FREE
Get some great vintage Blues gold for FREE here


 

 

Also: Alive Records has released a free 8 song sampler highlighting tracks from their artist roster. This is fun 60's style garageband rock with just a bit of grunge. by the 2nd listen I was enjoying every song on this sampler and hope you do too.
Get the Alive Records 2009 FREE sampler here

Music Worth Buying 02/23/09 Bruce Springsteen

This review was submitted by Robert Kinsler 

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Album: Working on a Dream

Worth Buying: Yes

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Bruce Springsteen's The Rising and Magic albums from this decade.

Tell Me More: It took only a play or two for me to fall completely in love with Bruce Springsteen's latest album, the aptly-titled Working on a Dream. A strong follow-up to the New Jersey rocker's excellent 2007 effort Magic, Working on a Dream is the first album released by Springsteen since the death of E Street Band member Danny Federici and the disc is dedicated to the keyboardist. 

Federici is remembered here on "The Last Carnival," a song that reminds us how truly gifted Springsteen is with words when he sings: 

“We’ll be riding the train without
you tonight/The train that keeps on movin’/Its black smoke scorching the evening
sky.”

But it is the miraculous way the Boss fuses lyrics and music that is so special and keeps discerning audiences welcoming each new Springsteen release. Across Working on a Dream moving songs are delivered amidst the emotive backdrop of the E Street Band in a guarantee that this is another masterwork. "Kingdom of Days" may be my favorite song, with its authentic and confessional description of a love that stretches on past youthful innocence, but highlights abound on this 13-song album.

The propulsive pop of "Surprise, Surprise," the hard-charging "My Lucky Day" with its celebration of love, the Delta blues blasting "Good Eye," and a sonically-lush romantic fantasy that comes to life in "Queen of the Supermarket" are immediate favorites.

Springsteen continues to stretch his musical universe, as evidenced by "This Life," which boasts lush vocals that continue to build and are used to good effect around an amazing Clarence Clemens sax solo. Produced by Brendan O'Brien, Working on a Dream is sure one of the best releases of 2009.

 What about the packaging? I recommend the limited edition version, which includes the full-length album, as well as a 40-minute, behind-the-scenes DVD and a fully-illustrated booklet that features lyrics, photos and illustrations, as well as a wonderful eulogy for Daniel Paul "Danny" Federici (the E Street Band keyboardist/accordion player who died on April 17, 2008).

 Listen to samples and buy in mp3 format here

CD Format

Recommended tracks to download: Kingdom of Days ,The Last Carnival and My Luck Day

Music Worth Buying 10/23/09 Tom Petty

Artist: Tom Petty 

Album: The Last DJ 

Worth Buying: Yes except for maybe one song

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Great songwriting, American Rock'n'Roll, & Concept albums.

Tell me more: I can remember growing up that the only thing that came in close 2nd to being a musician was being a radio DJ. Of course this was back when Radio DJ's could program their own show, this was back when the music a DJ played was an extension of their personality.  A really great radio DJ knew the music, and was passionate about what they played. They would find creative ways to present the music with sets that introduced you to new music while giving you a new perspective on your old favorites. But this was before a few media giants started owning all the radio stations in America. Before Program Directors started creating nationwide playlists that homogenized music radio in America.

So I understood what Tom Petty was getting at when he released the title track of his CD "The Last DJ".

The problem for me though, was while I could appreciate what he was trying to say with the song, I just wasn't that into the song. 

So I didn't give it much notice. 

Bad mistake on my part. 

The Last DJ puts up a mirror up to the some of the Darker aspects of current American Pop Culture (some of which I have talked about in my mailing list). The cult of celebrity, our worship of fame over talent. And while money and art have always been at odds with each other, with songs like "Joe" and "Money Becomes King", Tom Petty comes to the sad realization that Money has indeed won

my name's Joe I 'm the ceo
yeah, I 'm the man
makes the big wheels roll
I 'm the hand on
the green light switch
you get to be famous
I get to be rich

go get me a kid
with a good-looking face
bring me a kid
can remember his place
some hungry poet
son of a bitch
he gets to be famous I get to be rich

or bring me a girl
they're always the best
you put 'em on stage
and you have 'em undress
some angel whore
who can learn a guitar lick
hey, that's what I call music

But of course all phases of society are temporal. And nowhere on this album is that better stated in the song Can't Stop The Sun 

Well you may take my money
You may turn off my microphone
But you can't steal
What you can't feel
Can't stop the sun from shining
Down and down and down
And you may think you control things
But there'll be more just like me
Who won't give in
Who'll rise again
Can't stop the world from turning
'Round and 'round and 'round

Hey mister business man
Be sure to wash your hands
Be careful where you stand
'Cause life goes on and on and on

And you may think it's all over
But there'll be more just like me
Who won't give in
Who'll rise again
Can't stop a man from dreaming

This album came out in 2002 (And I am sorry I didn't catch up to it till now), but it's commentary is still (sadly) relevant. But all commentary aside. The Last DJ is an empowering album with songs to give you hope that things will change. 

What If I am not ready to buy the whole album? Try Money Becomes King or Can't Stop The Sun

What about the packaging? The CD comes in a beautiful three fold gateway digipak with a lyrics booklet 

Get the Last DJ in mp3 format here

Get the enhanced CD version here

I am BACK on Youtube

We just won our first victory in this whole American Idol / Fremantle International / Youtube thing.

The Youtube page has been resotred with all the videos except, our original "American Idol" video.

We are woking on getting that video up and running again too.

Thanks to all who have shown their support.

Music Worth Buying (For Free) 02/18/09

All Free songs are free as of this writing. Get them while you can



 

 

 

 

Seven Mile Island by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, is a cool re-working of Americana Blues with some new twists. I liked this song instantly.

Get Seven Mile Island for Free While you still can

 



 

 

 

 

Feel Love Thinking Of by the Faunts is a cool bit of 80's style Synth Pop, but without, what I consider, to be the pretentiousness of this genre. What struck me about this song was the rough almost folksy style of the vocals. Check this one out.
Get "Feel Love Thinking Of" for Free While you still can

Music Worth Buying 02/16/09 Kid Rock

Artist Kid Rock

Album Rock'n'Roll Jesus

Worth Buying? Hell yeah!

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Classic Rock, Lynnyrd Skynyard, Old School Country Music, Blues, & Kickass white boy Rock'n'Roll!

Tell Me More: Sometimes all it takes is one great live performance to make you want to get the album. Case in point Kid Rock's lastest album "Rock'n'Roll" Jesus".

Kid rock is on of those artists whom I am casually familiar with. I had the opportunity to hear his breakout album "Devil Without A Cause" album and I can remember enjoying a number of tracks from the album. I admit that I have never heard much (if anything) from his later releases. But many of you may remember that I was knocked out by his performance during the recent Grammy Awards.  He performed a medley of three songs from his latest album. A smart marketing move to be sure, but all that aside, it didn't take long (and I didn't even need to hear the songs in their entirety) to realize that these where great songs.

Rock'n'Roll Jesus is classic rock album that jumps around combining roots, country and blues. On songs like "So Hott" He delivers the usual blistering white boy kickass rock that he is known for (and he does it well), but on songs like "Amen" Kid Rock is not only making, and succeeding, at social commentary through his music, he is also tapping into the kind of production that Elton John used during his Tumbleweed Connection days. On a song like Half Your Age, its pure humor laden country.

There are two things that really strike me about this album. One is how authentic it all sounds. It doesn't matter if he is being deadly serious, completely in earnest, flashing some macho bravado or being a jester in these songs (and he spends time wearing all these hats), because they all come off as authentic.

Kid Rock made a name for himself as a Rock/Rapper, so the other thing that strikes me, is how little he relies on Rap during this album. This time around there is only one song on the whole album where I can say that he is actually Rapping. Rappers have often sampled other popular songs to then rap over. In the song "All Summer Long" he employ's that trick, but instead of sampling  Lynnyrd Skynyard's Sweet Home Alabama, he has his band play the song, while he sings about days gone by.

Like I said, sometimes all it takes is one outstanding performance to make you say "I gotta go get that album"  (That's what Elvis Costello did for me on his SNL performance). Rock'n'Roll Jesus lived up to the expectations of the performance and it is (so far) one of the best new albums that I have heard this year.

As of this writing, Rock'nRoll Jesus is only 3.99 at the Amazon MP3 Store

 

But you can get it on CD here

What if I am not ready to buy the whole album? Try the track Amen

Music Worth Buying (FOR FREE) 02/11/09

All Free songs are free at the time of this writing. Get them free before they change their minds. 

Here is a cool bit of Rap/Electronica/Punk/Whatever from N.A.S.A (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip). 

I dug this song right away.

Get the free song Money here

Grammy 2009 Town Hall

While I don't attend the Grammy Awards in person (can't afford it) I do attend the yearly Grammy Town Hall meeting. Advocacy has become a cornerstone of The Grammy's current administration. This year we had 3 Senators on the panel ( Marsha Blackburn R-TN, John Conyers Jr. D-MI & Darrell Issa R-CA), a Supreme (Mary Wilson), and artist manager Simon Renshaw.

The topic of this town hall meeting?  Legislation that will require radio to pay recording artists a royalty when they play their songs..........Waitaminnute! Don't all artists get a royalty every time a song is played on the radio?

Most people think so.  But the real truth of the matter is "no they don't".

Songwriters receive a royalty (and thank goodness since they don't get much per sale). But artists receive zero royalties from radio when their songs are played on the radio.  Every other developed nation on earth pays a royalty to its artists for radio play.  The United States is the only developed nation that does not.

But gee whiz, those artists are all rich, they don't need more money, and radio provides them with free promotion....right?

Artist provide radio station with free content that the radio industry make billions with. It is the content that drives listeners, which drives advertising, which drive their business. Without the content they have no business.....And the vast majority of artists whose songs are on the radio are not rich.

Radio station argue that they are providing free advertising then they play an artists song that turns into record sales, but during the evening it was Mary Wilson who said it best when she pointed out that for many older and now retired artists , that this is now the only income stream they have. Being a recording artist does not come with a retirement plan and many are physically unable to make a living performing anymore.  Dave Navarro of Lowen and Navarro hammered the point home even further, when he mention that his first couple of albums where released and owned by a record label  that will not re-release them and for this reason the radio play will not equal sales. He then added that his musical partner is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and that royalties from radio airplay is needed since his sickness will make them unable to perform.

Music Worth Buying 02/09/09 - The Bird And The Bee

 

 

 

 

 

Artist: The Bird And The Bee

Album: Rayguns are not just the Future

Worth Buying? You betcha!

You might be interested in this album if you are a fan of: The Carpenters, Alt Pop, Jazz, Electronica, & Fun music.

 

Tell me more: When I first heard the Bird and the Bee’s last album I said: Imagine a more electronic and edgier version of Carpenters. With their latest release "Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future" I find that this still holds true but now the elements of Jazz are more predominant than in the last album. Also gone is the humorous use of the “F” word. But what also remains is more of the same sweet, lush, catchy pop that dominated the last album. Within the 3 listens I was already hooked. For too long the word "Pop" has been maligned by pre manufactured "fake" artists who are just figureheads for a record label production team. Albums like this one remind us that Pop music is sweet delicious music from talented individuals who want to make the music smile at you.

What about the packaging? Unfortunately I only got to experience this album as digital download. If you want to describe the CD the packaging for the rest of us, Drop me a line and I will update this entry.  

 

 



Listen to Samples and buy this album in the mp3 format here

LP format here

Music Worth Buying (FOR FREE) 02/09/09

Free tracks don't always stay free forever, get them out while you can.

 

 

 

Nels Cline’s latest album "Coward" features a fantastic acoustic guitar instrumental entitled Prayer Wheel. If you love atmospheric acoustic instrumental music, you will want to check out this track. You can check out the album here, and get the free track here

 

 

2009 Grammy Wrap Up

My comments on the 2009 Grammy Awards are in regards to the live performances ONLY!!!!

U2:

The show starts with a bang with U2 performing their new song "Get on Your boots".  Lyrics flash on a big screen behind the band....LYRICS!..... Remember lyrics? It's a great live performance, and then to my surprise Bono introduces Whitney Houston to present the first award. Haven't seen Whitney Houston in years.

 Al Green, with Keith Urban, Boys II Men, and Justin Timberlake: 

 From the first note, this performance is pure awesomeness! Its teams up like this that make the Grammy's stand out. You can't see this anywhere else. I have never listened to a Justin Timberlake album but he sure can kick pretty much anyone's but in the vocals dept. Keith Urban proves what a tasteful guitarist he is and that he can play beyond Country and B2M provide some of the strongest backup vocals ever.

 Coldplay 

I have yet to really get into Coldplay, but it's a solid and professional performance

Carrie Underwood

The last time I heard Carrie Underwood was at the Grammy awards. This is now the second time I have listened to her. The only thing country about the song she is doing is the twang in her voice. This is a Rock song. It's good to see the band get coverage too. Her lead guitarist is awesome and she gets a lot of coverage. I hope it's because she's good, and not because she is pretty.

I think a lot of the guys in the pit where torn between looking at the cameran and looking up Carrie Underwood's skirt. 

Kid Rock: 

Wow! I wasn't expecting this. I mean, I've enjoyed Kid Rock in the past, I haven't heard his new album yet, but now I want to. He did a medley of 3 songs from his latest album. I think I'm going online to buy this one before the evening is over. Even John Mayer was knocked out.  Kid Rock, ROCKED!

Taylor Swift and Miley Cyruss

I am naturally pre-disposed to hate this kind of music. Taylor has a warm folksy voice and Miley has a bad Stevie Nicks thing going on. They are both teen idols. But the difference is that Taylor is the real deal. Taylor is 19 and they are singing a song that she wrote about being 15. If Miley had recorded this song it would have been written for her by a guy in his 30's or 40's.

Jennifer Hudson

Poor girl, She has been through so much lately. I am not into this song, but she is an absolutely OUTSTANDING vocal talent (One of the best). 

The Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder

This is the first time I have heard the Jonas Brothers. It's good to see a boy band that is a real band and can actually play instruments You can't go wrong playing "Superstition" (one of the hottest grooves ever)! During the performance one of the brothers choked on his opening line. I can just hear internet talkbackers giving hate over this, But he just swallowed wrong. It happens to everyone. He had the grace and professionalism to keep going. 

Katie Perry

This is the first time I have heard Katie Perry. At first I was hating this. I was thinking "She really can't sing". She falls off key a lot. But then I realized that unlike most pop singers of her genre (who run around and dance a lot through their overkill stage show), that at least it was a real live performance and wasn't relaying on pre-recorded tracks (unlike a lot of pop singers in her genre).  So let me see, here......I am saying that she is off key, but giving her props for not lip synching.....I don't know if it's a good or bad thing.

Kanye West and Estele 

The two of them rap and sing to pre-recorded musical tracks and pre-recorded background vocals. I don't know whose song this is. but I like the song. 

Kenny Chesney

I don't listen to Kenny Chesney. I don't know much about him except that he's a big name in Modern Country music......I don't know, I might like this song if I heard it a few more times. It's well performed. It's more Country than what Carrie Underwood performed. 

Mia

Mia comes out pregnant wearing a shear outfit. I don't know if she is trying to be funny and ironic or not...She also has a lot of big name rappers joining her..But I don't get this. This did nothing for me. 

Paul McCartney (with Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters on drums) 

It's fun watching Dave Grohl head banging while he backs McCartney. I love this song of course. Paul's lead guitarist Rusty does a killer solo on this song.

I hope I can rock as well as Paul when I get to be his age.  

Sugarland &  Adelle

Now this sounds Country (Sugarland that is). I might like this song if I heard it a few more times. They're really good. 

I heard a song by Adelle the other day that I liked (But it wasn't this one). I haven't heard much from Sugarland. Maybe I need to check out both of them in more detail in the future

Seeing a new artist like Adelle performing on the Grammy's gives me hope that the modern music industry will start caring more about talent, and less about super model figures.

Radiohead and the USC Marching Band 

Awesome! 

Justin Timberlake & TI

Like I said, I have no desire to buy a Justin Timberlake album, but he never ceases to impress me with his vocal prowess. I don't know who TI is.

I don't know whose song they did, I think it's a medley of songs they both recorded. They had an orchestra and I think the rest of the musicians are from Justin's regular band. He has a great live band.

Jamie Fox, Neo, Smokey Robinson, and Duke Fakir pay tribute to the Four Tops. 

Three stars team up with the last remaining member of the Four Tops to help pay tribute. Another real high point of the evening. Paul McCartney was wowed by this performance and so was I. 

Neil Diamond 

It's always harder for the older guys to vocally sound as on top of it as the younger guys, but you don't hear his age too much. You can close your eyes and still recognize him.

John Mayer, BB King, Keith Urban, Buddy Guy Pay tribute to Bo Diddley

This was so understatedly cool. Four great guitarists sing as much with their guitars as they do with their voices. Pure awesomeness! 

Lil Wayne, Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint

This is one of the better Raps and Pop mash ups. I have never heard Lil Wayne or Robin Thicke (I have only heard of them). I liked Lil Wayne's rap. Robin Thicke seems to me like a cross between George Michael and Justin Timberlake. Then Allen Toussaint starts cranking on the piano and the musicians take center stage. This was a really cool performance, everyone was really good. 

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss 

I have this album, I like this album. This was a good solid performance of some good solid material. I wouldn't have been surprised to see more, I would've been surprised to see less.  

FINAL WORD

To me this was a very strong Grammy Awards telecasts for live performances. There where a lot of strong performances (and only a few weak moments) and this years show was clearly about the live performances and that's what I watch this for. If you missed this show, try to catch some of these on the internet.

Music Worth Buying 02/10/09 - The Subdudes

Artist: The Subdudes

DVD: Live at the Ram's Head & Unplugged at Pleasant Plains

Worth buying: Yes

You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of:  Sonny Landreth, Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" album


Tell Me More:  THE SUBDUDES – LIVE AT THE RAM’S HEAD & UNPLUGGED AT PLEASANT PLAINS offers the perfect opportunity to see, hear and delight in the music of one of the most talented and original groups to emerge out of New Orleans’ thriving music scene. Filmed over the course of three days in Annapolis Maryland, the Subdudes’ first-ever DVD collection chronicles 15 songs delivered over two nights on disc #1. The second disc includes 70 minutes of interviews, an unplugged set and footage of the troupe in the studio working on their 2007 “Street Symphony” album with producer George
Massenberg in Nashville Tennessee.

Check out the Subdudes here

UPDATE: A just-released companion 2-disc CD features 19 recordings and is
also available at the site.

This review was contributed by Robert Kinsler

Music Worth Buying 02/02/09 Paul McCartney / Fireman

    

 

 

 

Artist: Paul McCartney / Fireman 

Albums: Memory Almost Full / Electric Arguments

Worth Buying? Yes, both of them

You will be interested in these albums if you are a fan of: Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Pop, Pop Rock

Tell Me More: Last year Paul McCartney released his latest solo album "Memory Almost Full". This year saw the release of the latest CD by his side project The Firemen, entitled "Electric Arguments". 

I probably listened to Memory Almost Full (AMF) about 3 times when I began to realize that this is some of the best stuff he's done since his peak 70's output. 

I would rate this album just slightly below favorites like "Band on the Run" and "Venus and Mars". 

The title: Memory Almost Full is something that those of us who have joined the digital generation are all facing now. We all need more hard drive space, more space on our cell phone. But the title also aprapo for someone who is looking back on a very long life. Just before we leave this mortal coil our Memories are almost full. 

And while many of the songs find Sir Paul looking back on what has surely been a very full life there is a universality to his writing that allows all to relate to those feelings (even if you have quite some time to go before your memory is almost full). 

No where is this more evident than on the song "The End of The End". 

At the end of the end
It's the start of a journey
To a much better place
And this wasn't bad
So a much better place
Would have to be special
No need to be sad

On the day that I die I'd like jokes to be told
And stories of old to be rolled out like carpets
That children have played on
And laid on while listening to stories of old

There are plenty of other songs dealing with this theme like "That Was Me", "Ever Present Past" and the very Strawberry Hills influenced "Vintage Clothes". But this album is not all just reminiscence. The album opens with "Everybody Dance" which is one of those instantly likable McCartney melodies that garnered him hit after hit in the 70's. After a beautiful classical string intro the song "Only Mama Knows" rocks out like something from the  Paul's "Wings" era. And the song "Mr Bellamy" is a very quirky song that gives a point of view of someone trying to talk someone else (In this case Mr. Bellamy)out of committing suicide. The album closes with the very White Album influenced "Nod Your Head".

Fast forward to this year and the release of "Electric Arguments" by the Fireman. The Fireman is Sir Paul's side project that is himself and music producer "Youth".

To be honest I have not listened to the previous albums from this project, but I had heard they where electronic and instrumental. Well the previous albums may have been, but this album is nothing of the sort.

Paul's vocals are on every track and there is nothing electronic sounding about this album. All the tracks feel real and organic. 

The album opens with Sir Paul dipping into Zeppelin style blues with the track "Nothing too Much Out of sight" where he howls about a woman betraying him. This is followed by the acoustic and sparse "Two Magpies" which fits in perfectly with previous songs like "Blackbird", and "Bluebird". 

In fact, overall (and in spite of it's title) Electric Arguments is a very warm and acoustic driven album filled with mostly hopeful and uplifting themes.

I personally enjoyed Memory Almost Full just a bit more than Electric Arguments (Your results may vary), but I think these two albums bookend and compliment each other very well.

AMF is an album where McCartney looks back on his life but never gets to nostalgic for it's own good. When it came out, I thought to myself that if this was the last thing he ever did it would be a fitting closing, But on Electric Arguments he sounds like a fresh new artist just getting out of the gate.  

What about the packaging? Memory Almost Full (the standard edition) comes in a jewell case with a fold out insert but only some of the lyrics. There is a deluxe edition with a DVD.  Electric Arguments comes in a digipak with a big booklet but no lyrics.

listen to Memory Almost Full and buy as Mp3

Memory Almost Full CD

Listen to Electric Arguments and buy on Mp3

Electric Arguments CD

Electric Arguments LP