A bit stiff, a little corny… but what a piece of rock history, televised. The Ventures‘ rock ‘n’ roll version of “Walk, Don’t Run,” which had debuted on Seattle’s KJR radio, was on fire in 1960. “Walk, Don’t Run” was hardly epic or complicated in design, but in the hands of masonry workers-turned-guitarists Bob Bogle …
Here’s a short film which the producers describe in this way, “A simple question, “How many have you loved?” Is your answer, one and only? Or is it several, all of whom have shaped your life?” What’s more important is that it stars singer-songwriter and internet sensation, Kina Grannis.
New Depeche Mode:
Here’s a catchy and surprisingly rockin’ version of “Along Comes Mary” performed by the Association at the Monterey Pop Festival. http://youtu.be/7g23arjqsjQ
There is a music gene in the human genetic code that contains an understanding of music. Sometimes it shows up in a family of non-musicians, sometimes it’s passed down through generations. It makes learning music easy. Becoming a musician still requires a lot of hard work, but those who have this gene have a big …
Here’s another band that I met while driving around Portland, Glassbones. Or at least I met the singer-guitarist, Colin, who is truly a nice fellow. He mentioned he’s a cook by trade. (He’s hot, he plays in a band AND he cooks, ladies. For what more could you possibly ask…) They released an excellent album …
Here is a previously unreleased early 70’s Van Morrison recording, never been issued, (yanked from several releases), Van says, “It’s hard to work out why you didn’t put something out at the time. Usually it felt like it didn’t fit… When I was with Warner Brothers they were very minimalist.” – Pat Thomas is the …
Loving this Moby Grape family tree, gig list and discography website, it’s a truly fine thing….. http://www.chickenonaunicycle.com/Moby%20Grape.htm – Pat Thomas is the author of the recently released work, Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975
I’m going to try to live today, as I do every day, according to the principles set forth by Jimi Hendrix in Axis: Bold as Love. – John Roderick [John Roderick will be performing with friends at the Showbox in Seattle on Oct. 29. Follow him as he tweets his wisdom @johnroderick.] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xTcLrTabS4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kicCnvPC4
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour released their sophomore album in January to praise from NPR and the New Yorker to Rolling Stone and SPIN. Known for their contagious energy and catchy pop hooks, they’ve had songs featured in an iPod commercial, a global Heineken campaign, and on a handful of hit TV shows. Go here for …
A few weeks ago, I was driving around Portland and met a very nice fellow, Andy Strange, bass player for Portland’s crime-a-billy band, The Strange Tones. They play a fun mix of Americana, blues and surf. Last year they put out a fine Christmas album which never got the publicity push it needed because Andy …
With her combination of profound lyrics, haunting melodies, and radio-friendly hooks, there is no music like that of singer/songwriter Lorelei Carlson in today’s music industry. She is intriguing listeners with her unique flavor of indie pop on her new EP, 20mg, which displays an alternative, yet universal appeal that reflects her cosmopolitan upbringing in cities …
Dang girlfriend… You are out of this world. To say the least you’re the most. – Hugh Gerrard
Why is that bands named after continents are especially terrible, Asia and Europe come to mind, and we could shoehorn in America as well… – Pat Thomas is the author of the recently released work, Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975
I have been asked whether I have World Series tickets, well… Standing Room Only starts at $400. The price goes up significantly at this level, probably because now the beautiful people and the high rollers will be showing up. My bankbook isn’t quite in that league, which is why for the last two Giants Octobers …
Whatever it is at the heart of Rock n’ Roll that made Mötley Crüe inevitable is a thing I wouldn’t cross the street to save from a fire. – John Roderick [John Roderick will be performing with friends at the Showbox in Seattle on Oct. 29. Follow him as he tweets his wisdom @johnroderick.] http://youtu.be/6nm1BJPe-pg
While looking for “The Lemon Tree” I came across this live version of “This Land is Your Land” which has some suave, electrified-folk charm to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8w0ebSqdOw
Back in Chicago in the 1970s in my early teens my dad took my brother and I to see Oscar Peterson at the now defunct Rick’s Café Americain (one of many such named and themed Casablanca bars of the time). As a budding keyboard player, I was struck then and now, by how that guy …
Of all the great, great music of the 80’s, the one number that makes me the most nostalgic is not a political bombast or a depression-dirge. No, it’s a song sung by an androgynous singer for his identity-conflicted drummer/lover. Those who know me might be surprised by this revelation; those who know me well, however, …
Hey kids, here’s a minute of pure bliss, Sandy Denny with Fairport Convention in super high quality video, during the era that Faces/Who Producer Glyn Johns was steering the ship…… If the Fairport Convention video above didn’t move you, this vintage footage will finish you off. Today I walked into a bar in Aalborg, Denmark, …
I appreciate it that older rock dudes want to keep the dream alive, but when I see the “Paul Weller hair” on a chunky dad I wince. – John Roderick [John Roderick will be performing with friends at the Showbox in Seattle on Oct. 29. Follow him as he tweets his wisdom @johnroderick.]
If life gives you lemons, make a lemon cannon. – John Roderick [John Roderick will be performing with friends at the Showbox in Seattle on Oct. 29. Follow him as he tweets his wisdom @johnroderick.]
Although not as well known as his peers (Roy Harper, John Martyn, and Bert Jansch), the name Michael Chapman is an important one in the lineage of English folk rock guitarists and singer/songwriters of the late 60’s/early 70’s. The guitar and voice of Michael Chapman first became known on the British Folk Circuit in 1967. …
Haha! This vid is supposed to be controversial?! Who in their right mind would take this group seriously? Totally missing the point. I’d still like to hear the stories that got them dropped from Interscope Records though! – Marco Collins is currently rocking at JetCitystream.
If you are new to owning an artificial Christmas tree, you may discover that decorating it with lights is done a little differently than when you put strands of lights on a live Christmas tree. Although it generally takes more time to put light strands on an artificial Christmas tree, the benefit is that once …
I’m saddened that the ship has sailed for Fela and Kenny Rogers to do a split single covering each other’s song… Fela who had many many wives singing what is in effect a Lionel Richie song singing about there being no other love like our love, well that would be funny. Rogers doing a song …
EVERYONE’S A STAR, the new album by LOLA DUTRONIC, includes this single “EVERYBODY LOVES YOU WHEN YOU’RE DEAD,” which features backing vocals from: Chris Frantz & Tina Weymouth (Tom Tom Club) Hugo Burnham (Gang Of Four) Mona Mur & En Esch (KMFDM) Jeremy Gluck & David Buckley (The Barracudas) Eric Debris (Metal Urbain) Ian MacKay …
Liberals are super-worried about how an action affects future generations. Conservatives care about tomorrow, and eternity. – John Roderick [John Roderick will be performing with friends at the Showbox in Seattle on Oct. 29. Follow him as he tweets his wisdom from @johnroderick.]
Think Romney can’t win? In 1972, a highly decorated war hero, history professor, Heartland-bred campaigner on the war on poverty, future champion in the war on hunger and admired, anti-war U.S. Senator got beat in one of the country’s biggest landslides by Richard “tricky Dick” Nixon. At the tail end of the Vietnam war, when …
Forty years later, both Kolchak: The Night Stalker and its unforgettable intro have lost little of their “cool factor.” One of the most criminally cut-short series in TV history, the show lives on as a cult favorite… especially during October cable scare-a-thons. There were so many aspects about that show that made a lasting impression, …