Music thoughts, criticisms, addictions from three people located in different parts of the country and with different music tastes. We range from indie to country to blues and jazz to jamband tastes.
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Calling All Aspiring Artists
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This being my first post on the KGB blog site, I'd like to thank Bryan for setting so much of this up and thank Noog for getting his server back online to host our impending webcast. I'm glad that Bryan has begun to almost daily post on this site. I resolve to similarly up my posting quota though I also intend to avoid posting the the kind of mindless drivel he seems to be fond of (seriously, what do politics have to do with burritos?).
Instead I'll focus on the issues. And here's the current issue - the incomprable JJ Cale has recently released an album of new songs with his protege, Eric Clapton (go ahead, voice your complaints). This disc is called Road to Escondido and I anticipate it greatly. It was released on November 7th, though when I went to Borders on Nov 21st in Nashville, TN I was pleasantly surprised to find the album sold out. I have thus made my purchase on a favorite internet site and eagerly await its arrival. Until then here's what I've found on the subject:
An interesting interview (long and short versions) involving both artists and a few of the new songs.
I don't know if they plan to do any touring together, but, damn, wouldn't that be the day. I'm looking forward to enjoying this album and I hope you're able to do the same.
Oh, those silly Russians. The guys in the Kremlin are dishing out tons of free publicity for us here at KGB. Anyone see the news concerning the former KGB spy poisoned in London (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/23/obit.spy.ap/index.html)? Of course, he accused Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and a former KGB operative himself, as behind the dastardly deed. What I find compelling about the situation is its timing. Just when we relaunch KGB, the other KGB guys start getting back into the news. WTF?!? I am calling you out, Mr. Putin, for trying to wrestle the limelight away from us. It will not work. I suggest you continue consolidating your power and re-constituting the bloc in more subtle means and stop stealing our thunder, mmmkay.
P0wn'd: Vladimir Putin Chuck Norrising all who oppose him.
Assuming I do not end up getting eliminated by some highly toxic chemical or a gunshot wound to the head, our first podcast should be available within a couple of weeks. Until then, you'll have to put up with our incessant ramblings.
One of the things we support here at KGB, unlike Russia, is freedom of expression (unless you say something stupid, like you enjoy the Pink song introducing NBC Sunday Night Football -- seriously, I'll Putin your ass so fast....). Over at my Myspace page, I liked to periodically list my Top 5 favorite songs a la High Fidelity and The World Cafe and solicit my readers to contribute their favorites as well. It's a good way to hear about music I've overlooked.
So, without further delay, here is my current Top 5, in no particular order:
1. The Sundays -- Wild Horses :: This Rolling Stones' cover is a classic and I am sure you're familiar with it. I really enjoy this cover because of Harriet Wheeler's voice. This song was meant for great female vocals and I currently cannot stop listening to it.
2. The Drive-By Truckers -- Bulldozers and Dirt :: Old school Truckers song from the album Pizza Deliverance. More alt-country than what the Truckers do these days, this cut is heavy on pedal steel and actually features some sweet vocals. In fact, check out this video over at YouTube featuring Patterson Hood and Friends playing the song from the recently held Musickfest Benefit Concert.
3. Jay Z -- Show Me What You Got :: Ok, ok, I know it's Jay Z.
Wreckx-N-Effect might say: "All I want to do is a zoom zoom zoom and a boom boom."
I don't know shit about Jay Z and apparently this song is not even considered one of his better songs. Yet, I cannot stop listening to it. I am actually hypnotized by the sample Jay Z uses from Johnny Pate's song, "Shaft in Africa," that you hear throughout the song.
The only lyrics I've noticed are the eloquently phrased opening words: "This is state of emergency, bitches!" Not to mention, the video features Danica Patrick and samples of Wreckx-N-Effect's classic, "Rump Shaker." Please see obligatory Danica photo.
4. The Hold Steady -- You Can Make Him Like You :: I've been digging these guys for the last two months since their critically acclaimed album, Boys and Girls in America, was released. This song has grown on me and become one of my favorites from the album because it deals with the hard hitting issues for teenage girls of our day. Seriously, how the hell would you propose to deal with the dealers when you want to get high alone? As the song indicates, a very troubling inconvenience with no clear answer for a teenage girl. Like oh my god! That's why it's so important to make the guys like you. Seriously though, I like this song.
5. Ryan Adams -- Chin Up, Cheer Up :: This song was originally recorded on Adams' 2002 Demolition album. There are some great October 2006 recordings (soundboards!) over at the Live Music Archive with Adams and his band The Cardinals. The following link should allow you to listen to Chin Up, Cheer Up from the 10/16 show in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
There ya have it. I know millions of you are reading this, so post some comments with some of the music my ears need to be embracing. Mr. Putin, I would very much love to hear some of your favorite Russian artists and songs. It better include at least one T.A.T.U. song (let's not kid ourselves, it's probably your entire top 5).
What up everybody? A man smarter than myself once said "If you will it, it is no dream." Although Theodor Herzl was referring to the creation of the Israeli state, I can't help but think he was also predicting the return of Gerdon and I and KGB.
Theodor Herzl, probably pondering the ramifications of KGB on the world.
Yes, your ears are not deceiving you, KGB is back motherfuckers! What began as the two of us getting drunk and spinning tunes at Hanover has now evolved into a full blown revolution. We are taking this shit international folks as we intend to use this blog to spread our good taste in music. Look for podcasts, reviews, and anything else on our mind musically. We hope all three of you will come back often to check us out or at least berate us with insults.
<--- Drunk Kendall
<--- Drunk Gerdon
To get this party started, I want to post a video from You Tube taken from an old PBS show called Sessions at West 54th Street. This is Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams covering an old Gram Parsons song "Return of the Grievous Angel." Although he died in 1973, GP's music continues to resonate and I suggest you check him out, first with The Byrds and then with The Flying Burrito Brothers (mmmm...burrito, although, dare I say, is the burrito below a disgusting burrito? I would normally think there's no such thing, but look at that thing. I'll let you judge for yourself.)
(Fucker won't embed so you'll have to go there yourself -- believe me it's worth it!)
For those of you who hate videos, I'm including a link to Ryan Adams and Gillian Welch covering Grievous Angel from a 1999 show at the Exit/Inn in Nashvegas Tennessee. This is brought to you from the good people at the Live Music Archive.
I don't know if they plan to do any touring together, but, damn, wouldn't that be the day. I'm looking forward to enjoying this album and I hope you're able to do the same.
