I think we have some Liz Phair fans here. Well she’s coming to The Turf Club in June. With Soccer Mommy. Looks like a fun show.
http://first-avenue.com/event/2018/06/lizphair
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All posts by freealonzo
Friday Music Day — EAB
The Series Vinyl on HBO was a bit a mess and got cancelled after one season, which is too bad because the music was bad ass and it was starting to find its feet in the last couple of episodes. The scene below was pretty good. Great representation on how most music follows a basic structure. Or you could just argue that every song is just a variation of Maybelline. Warning video below has some swears.
Drop your lists. Source Chuck Berry when you do.
FMD — Wither CDs?
There was an article this week that Best Buy will stop selling CDs sometime this summer. I'm sure Spooky has good insider info on this but its no surprise, the CD section in BB has been shrinking for years. Quite the switch from maybe 10 years ago when there were aisles of CDs. It was the place to go to get a wide variety of music.
http://www.startribune.com/billboard-report-says-best-buy-will-stop-selling-cds-this-summer/472797583/
The article also stated that Target is still selling CDs but increasingly asking the label companies to provide the discs on consignment so that they aren't holding unsold music.
Do you still buy CDs? If so from where? If not, do you just stream or download music from iTunes, etc. Or have you have gone all vinyl? I'm a mix of buying CDs, streaming, and downloading. If I stream something enough, I typically go and a acquire it. I also still get music from the library as well.
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The Fall — Big New Prinz
The Fall was one of those bands that were hard to get into. For every cool song, there'd be 2-3 others that were hard to listen to. We lost Mark E. Smith this weekend, who basically was The Fall. Great voice, you definitely know a Fall song when you hear it.
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Loading... FMD — Spiritual Dylan
Late 2017, the latest Bob Dylan bootleg series was released. This covered the “Christian” Dylan years of 1979-81. Is as usual with the Bootleg series, there is a large (in this case 13 CDs) release and a 2-CD “Best of.” I was always interested in this phase of Dylan but woefully uninformed, except for a couple of songs, specifically Gotta Serve Somebody. So I picked up the two CD set and was immediately blown away.
Most of the tracks are live renditions from this period, a time when Dylan’s band was excellent. Also the crowd’s were a little on edge as they wanted to hear the hits and let’s face it, Dylan always responds when the crowd’s on edge. Although not included on the 2-CD set, Dylan was actually testifying to the crowd during these shows. (some of these sermons are included on the 13 CD set or can be found on You Tube.) One particular incendiary song is Blessed is the Name, which I am pretty sure is a Psalm I’ve sung at Catholic Mass.
Anyway, if at all interested in this era of Dylan, I would strongly recommend picking up the 2 CD set. It’s a fascinating look at a fascinating phase of a fascinating artist.
Go forth and drop they lists.
FMD — New Year. New Hope
A new year is suppose to bring a clean slate, a time to start over. Politically, however, it seems rather hopeless. When things are dire what songs do you go to bring some hope? As usual Robert Pollard pretty much nails it with Hold on Hope, but I am sure there others. Also drop your lists.
The Smithereens — Behind the Wall of Sleep
It got lost in the end of year Best Of's but sadly Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens died in December. Jersey rockers to the core, The Smithereens were banging it out for over 30 years with some national success in the late 80s. Pat DiNizio was the voice and considered an all around great guy. He'll be missed.
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Loading... LCD Soundsystem — Call the Police
I was surprised this album was so good. This song is a great LCD Soundsystem song and is a good window to their entire oeuvre.
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FMD — More Cowbell!
I have a soft spot in my heart for songs that include a well placed cowbell. Typically at the end of a song when the cowbell comes out of nowhere and signals that the end of the song is upon us.
One great example is the cowbell at the end of the Rolling Stones’ Dead Flowers. The cowbell comes in right near the end of the song at the 3:48 mark. Two stark and clear peals, it’s off the beat and partly masks Mick’s singing but provides such a coda. The cowbell effectively ends the song and is the ultimate kiss off on what is an excellent kiss off song. It’s a great little touch from Charlie Watts.
Another great example is the cowbell at the end of The Replacements’ Don’t Ask Why. Different from Dead Flowers in that its part of the cacophony at the end of the song. It first comes at 1:41 of the song and and its three strikes mirror Paul singing “Don’t Ask Why.” Actually the first time there is only 2 peals and I always wondered if that was an error. Technically I don’t think this is a cowbell as there is an upward tone in the 3rd peal, although it could be where the bell is struck. Much like Dead Flowers, the bells put emphasis on what is another fantastic kiss off song. It drives me crazy. I was at the Replacements Tribute last weekend at the Turf Club and I missed it when the band didn’t have those bells.
Honorable mention goes to what I think is an electronic chime at the end of The Tourist from Radiohead. It’s literally the last thing you hear at the end of the song and the last thing you hear at the end of the entire album. I could write a whole post about the meaning of that chime.
Are there other small elements of a song that you always look for? Any good examples? Also drop your lists.
FMD — There at the creation
Is there a concert or recording session that you wish you were at to experience? Recording sessions would be cool to see how an iconic song or album was created and of course who wouldn’t want to see Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison or The Rolling Stones at The Excelsior Amusement Park?
A couple shows I’d love to have seen include The Beatles at the Cavern Club and maybe the Elvis Comeback show. Also when Dylan went electric at Newport to figure who booed.
Discuss and drop your lists.