Dad's Car Radio

The other morning on local radio station WBAL, they were talking about the Baltimore Ravens’ upcoming playoff appearances and wondering if there was a song around to capture the spirit of the games and the hearts and minds of the population as "Who Let the Dogs Out" did back in 2000.

They did a keyword search for "Purple"  and came across Gorgol Bordello’s rousing "Start Wearing Purple".  This was a new one on Dad, but I had heard the band’s name before. They are a lower east side of Manhattan band made up of eastern European immigrants who play a music best described as "Gypsy Punk".  They have released several albums and toured  extensively. A nice bio entry on Wikipedia can be read here.

The front-man, Eugene Hutz,  bears a striking resemblances to Borat and is highly energetic and entertaining, and damn if this song isn’t catchy.  See and hear for yourself.

Could this emerge as the most unlikely NFL theme song ever???  Beats the heck out of the Baja Men in Dad’s humble opinion.

You make the best of what’s still around. 

In that 1980 hit Sting and The Police sang ,"Turn on my VCR, same one I’ve had for years James Brown on the T.A.M.I. show same tape I’ve had for years"  This week after the passing of The Godfather of Soul that line came into my head and I realized that I, unlike Sting in yet another way – had never seen that performance. Luckily there’s You Tube.

Like reviewing movies I have not seen and recommending books I have not read, compiling this list borders on the insane.  Luckily the border security is about as intense as the Montana – Alberta border and I can walk right in, grab a Molsen and some pretzels, and slap a few imaginary albums on the old Gramophone.

 

#1. M. Ward – Post War. Heard a nice interview on NPR’s All Songs Considered, listened to a couple tracks. He sure sounds like my kind of guy.

#2. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat – Radio Hannibal has this as his Number 1 for the year and he has rarely steered me wrong.  I have not heard a note. Revised 12/27 – I’ve now heard one song "The Charging Sky" and it is damn good. Looking forward to more.

#3. The New York Dolls – Some Day it Will Please Us to Recall Even This – Just for being there again after all these years.  I’ve heard two tracks and met David Johanson in 1981, so here on the list!

#4. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped  These guys are as old as I am and still walk the cutting edge – barefoot! I recently listened to their amazing 1990-something  Daydream Nation on my way to work and was once again awed by their brilliance, power and confidence.  I know I’ll love this one!

#5. Lindsay Buckingham – Under the Skin  I am confident that he is still a masterful musician, compelling songwriter and affecting vocalist.  I plan to admire this album, as soon as I hear it. Revised 12/27 – I’ve now heard the title track 3 times and it’s a quiet, quirky cup of coolness.

#6. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America  This is also the favorite live show I didn’t see this year. They played at The Ottobar and I would have had such a great time!  Teh track I have heard is ragged glory.

#7. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards  I am very well versed in Tom Waits – going all the way back to the afternoon in 1974 when "The Heart of Saturday Night " appeared on my doorstep unshaven, hungover and looking for a turntable to spin on for the night.  This 50 song collection is half old and half new more or less and I cant wait to hear the new ones…

#8. John Mayer – Continuum When his Room for Squares was in heavy rotation on Mom’s Car radio, and Mom was convinced that he was gong to be around for years and make more great albums. I debated it, I doubted it. I was wrong.  Heard the single "Waiting for the World to Change" many times, love it and I have a feeling there’s more where that came from.  Plus – they sell it at Starbucks! It HAS to be good.

#9. Wolfmother – They were one of the first bands to play at the Virgin Festival back in September – and I heard them from my front porch – sounded great! Like a revved up Led Zep.  A song or two has hit me via radio – I wonder if Wolfmother II will be as big a leap as Led Zeppelin II was?

#10. Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass  From the telling a book by it’s cover department – This one is here for the title every bit as much as for the potentially brilliant music it contains. Don’t know – Haven’t heard it.

Found this in-depth list from a site called Pop Matters. It’s a top 60 list with loads of YouTube video Links and lots of stuff I’ve never heard.  A quick skim finds The Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s "What’s Going On" at number 10.  I think this CD is brilliant and most brilliant of all is their re-working of Marvin Gaye’s "Inner City Blues"  You know that one "Make me wanna holler – throw up both my hands" ??? Seek this track out!

If you have not been to Wolfgang’s Vault – you really should check it out.  Wolfgang’s Vault sells vintage concert memorabilia – original editions of concert posters, tickets, all sorts of stuff from the golden age of rock and roll. In addition they also offer free streams of hundred’s of concerts from the archives of Bill Graham Productions.  Shows from the 60’s and 70’s at the Fillmore (East and West) Winterland – and various other venues.  All these archives were part of the Bill Graham Productions assets when the company was acquired by Clear Channel Entertainment. the name of the site is a tribute to Bill Graham who was born Wolfgang Grajonca in Berlin.

I have listened to a couple shows, Miles Davis at the Fillmore East in 1969, Neil Young and Bob Dylan at a Keyser Stadium benefit show around 1970/71, a bit of a Bruce Cockburn show recorded in Chicago in the early 80’s.  The shows are streamed for free and while the quality is decent – these are all soundboard recordings and never overdubbed, remixed, or brushed up for release. Those who go here and stream this stuff are FANS. The most dedicated audience for these acts plus kids who have just heard the name, heard the legend or alway s wondered what it was like back in th eday can get a peek intot the past. And then go out an Buy something  else from the Doors or WHo or Zeppelin or Grateful Dead. It’s like exploring a library of treasures. It’s a wonder and a joy.

So of course there had to be a lawsuit.

Musicians Sue Wolfgangsvault.com

Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 6:00 AM ET

MUSICIANS INCLUDING CARLOS SANTANA, MEMBERS of Led Zeppelin and The Doors have filed a lawsuit against the operator of the Web site wolfgangsvault.com, which sells memorabilia like vintage concert posters, and also allegedly streams pirated recordings of live concerts. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California against William Sagan, who acquired the material when he purchased the archives of concert promoter Bill Graham from Clear Channel Entertainment. +++++++++++ There’s a longer article in the LA Times While I am no fan of the explioitation of musicians and feel they probably do have some rights with regard to images, logos and likenesses, let the streaming concerts live, Dudes.  In contrast, one of the guys from Big Brother and the Holding Company was quoted in a recent article about the Vault’s streaming of his band’s concerts. "I’m just glad people can hear the music. "  Peace.

The Best of 2006 lists are rolling in. I’m looking for trends.

Here’s Newsweek’s list – Full article Here

1. At War with the Mystics – The Flaming Lips

2. Broken Boy Soldiers – The Raconteurs

3. Food & Liquor, Lupe Fiasco

4. Savane, Ali Farka Touré

5. Once Again, John Legend

6. Ta-Dah, Scissor Sisters

7. Kingdom Come, Jay-Z:

8. What it Is! Funky Soul and Rare Grooves!!! Various Artists

9. Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, Tom Waits

My Comments: This is one of those all inclusive types of lists – skimming the cream from a number of genres.  The Tom Waits collection appears to be great, spanning 30 years with rarities outtakes and, of course, the Best of.

THREE of these artists played at the Virgin Festival  – Flaming Lips, Raconteurs and Scissor Sisters. 

All I’ve heard form the Jay-Z record is what’s on the Budweiser commercial…

I keep seeing Lupe Fiasco mentioned, but haven’t heard a note. Must investigate.

Behind the wheel here at Dad’s Car Radio, we love Christmas music. So, Chelsea and I have decided to compile our own personal lists of our favorite Christmas tunes.  We aren’t claiming theses are the best, just our favorites.

Dad’s List

White Christmas – Etta James – She just flat out  owns this song – it swings and shines.

We Three Kings – Rahsaan Roland Kirk – The mysterious mood created by this recording is both spooky and enchanting. Multi-instrumentalism took on a new meaning with Kirk, he would play two or three wind instruments – at the same time! Blind of sight but with powerful visions…

2000 Miles – The Pretenders – Their version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is now one of th most played songs each holiday season – for good reason – but I love the sweet swing of the Christmastime song of Long distance love and longing.

John and Yoko – Happy Christmas (War is Over, if You Want it) – At least once a season it makes me cry, and every other time it brings me hope and peace.

Brig Crosby and David Bowie – Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth – Recorded for a Bing Crosby TV special in 1977 – this was an historic event, and it is great fun to watch.

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters – Listen to this song and allow yourself to be amazed by Karen Carpenters magnificent talent.  The fullness of that voice, the richness of tone and masterful control are some things that don’t seem to exist in today’s pop music.  The arrangement is lovely and the production is lush – but it is all just a framework to showcase That Voice.

Father Christmas – The Kinks – Many rock bands have written Christmas and holiday tunes and most suck. This one rocks!

Let it Snow – Michael Franks – This guy will never have to have Polyps removed from his vocal cords… No stress there. A cool take on a chilly classic.

And now,

Chelsea’s List

The latest Las Vegas production from Cirque Du Soleil is "Love" featuring the music of the Beatles.  The soundtrack was released last week and it’s a joy. Mixed as a continuous 73 minute mash up of about 100 Beatles songs it flows with style and grace taking a drumbeat here a guitar riff there a vocal flourish here a sound effect there and painting a lovely backdrop for the 21st century circus art of Cirque Du Soliel.  I have not yet seen the live show, but the one that plays in my head is pretty good.