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
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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.
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
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.
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.
Monday, February 9, 2009
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
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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
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