Under the Covers #4

Since today is my birthday I thought I would try to find a cover that was about getting another year older. Deer Tick is band I have been listening to a lot and they do a great cover of Paul Simon's 'Still Crazy After All These Years'. I think this is appropriate since I am now forty-five, unemployed, blogging about music and spending time with my family. Life is good!

Deer Tick - Still Crazy After All These Years

King of Pop R.I.P.

Everyone has heard by now that Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50.  I guess I have always had some type of bond with the Jacksons since we all were born in Gary, IN.  Many people fondly remember him as the little 11 year old boy and not the creature he evolved to later in life.  During the 80's Michael Jackson was truly the King.  He released 'Thriller' and then followed it up with 'Bad', but never released anything worthwhile after that unless you are a fan of 'Ebony and Ivory'.

Jackson 5 - I want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

Who can forget the infamous moonwalk:

Here is the young Michael:

Groove is in the Heart!

Well, my very good friend Morty is going in for open heart surgery tomorrow.  It seems he has a leaky valve that needs to be fixed.  Although it is elective surgery right now, Morty has decided to get it fixed while he is young and healthy to avoid any future complications.  Keep Morty in your thoughts.

Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart

Under the Covers #3

I have always liked the White Stripes song 'Seven Nation Army'.  I just saw where the Oak Ridge Boys cover this song on their upcoming album.  I did not know what to expect but it actually is not too bad. 

Here is a cover version by The Flaming Lips where they altered the lyrics:

The Flaming Lips - Seven Nation Army

Here is the original version from The White Stripes:

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

The National team with St. Vincent

David O. recently sent me a song performed by The National and St. Vincent which he labeled 'the most beautiful rock song I've ever heard'.  The song is a cover of Crooked Fingers 'Sleep All Summer'.  I guess you can debate all day as to whether you agree with David but it is a good song.  The National is a band out of Brooklyn via Cincinnati, OH who have a very haunting sound.  St. Vincent, Annie Clark, is a talented Texan now living in Brooklyn who just released her second solo album.  Let me know what you think of the song.  What is the most beautiful rock you have ever heard?

The National with St. Vincent - Sleep All Summer

Happy Father's Day!

Today being Father's Day, I would like to share some songs with you that my father used to listen to when I was younger.   The exposure to this music was a big influence on the type of music I still listen to today.

Happy Father's Day!

Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman

Merle Haggard - The Fightin' Side of Me

Dinner Guests

Frenchie and Ann-Marie are in town so we are having them over to our house for dinner.   Things have been a little crazy today getting the house ready and going to two baseball games.  Since it is hot and Ann is cooking, I thought this was appropriate.

G. Love - Hot Cookin'

Doctor's Bumroom Party Mix

Recently, a friend from college, Doctor, survived a 50+ day ordeal in the hospital. That is Doctor on the left with Noodles and Kermit circa 1982.   It was good to hear Doctor is back on the road to recovery. 

Doctor is a good hearted man who was always up for a party in college.  Doctor had record bins with all his albums sorted by alphabetical order and genre just like a record store in his off campus house ,'The Shotgun Shack'.  Blake was in Dallas and we had some good laughs about some of the parties he and Doctor used to have at the 'Shotgun Shack'. 

Doctor glad to hear you are getting back up on your feet again!

Here is a mix of songs that Doctor could have been playing in the Bumroom or at the Shotgun Shack during the early eighties:

Talking Heads - Burning Down The House

ABC - The Look Of Love

New Order - Blue Monday

INXS - What You Need

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girl

Squeeze - Pulling Mussels From A Shell

The Cure - In Between Days

Elvis Costello - Pump It Up

Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun

The Pretenders - Precious

David Bowie - Suffragette City

Scritti Politti - Perfect Way

The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue

Dire Straits - Industrial Disease

Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

Prince - Erotic City

English Beat - I Confess

Fun Boy Three - Our Lips Are Sealed

The Black Keys

Since the intent of my blog is to expose you to new music or reacquaint you to music you have not heard in a long time.  I will do a weekly feature of a band or singer that I believe is worth checking out.

This week's band is the Black Keys.  There is a drummer and a guitarist that make up the band.  They are a hard driving blues band that hails from Akron, OH or as Freek used to say Aykron.  These guys are definitely worth checking out.  Dan Auerbach, lead singer, now has a solo album out too.

The Black Keys - Set You Free

The Black Keys - 10 A.M. Automatic

The Black Keys - No Fun

The Black Keys - Keep Your Hands Off Her

The Black Keys - Just Got To Be

The Black Keys - Psychotic Girl

Dan Auerbach - I Want Some More

Here is a video clip for 10 A.M Automatic:

Again, any comments are appreciated.  Become a follower or put the blog on your RSS feed so you know when I make an update.

Under the Covers #2

This is a cover of The Cure's 'Just Like Heaven' by the Watson Twins.  They do a great job.

The Watson Twins - Just Like Heaven

Here is the original from The Cure:

The Cure - Just Like Heaven

Additional cover versions:

Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven  (I don't know much about her but you can check out her website)

Kat Edmonson - Just Like Heaven (Jazzier version.  Here is Kat's website)

Monsters of Folk

photo courtesy Paste Magazine

Monsters of Folk is a supergroup with M. Ward, Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes).  They toured together in 2004 but now they plan to release an album in September.   I am looking forward to this one.

Here is a video from Austin City Limits in 2003 covering Bob Dylan's 'Girl of the North Country':

Here are tracks from their individual bands:

M. Ward - Poison Cup

My Morning Jacket - I'm Amazed

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band - Nikorette

Summer Mix

Since it is starting to heat up, especially in Dallas, here is a summer mix to listen to while you cool off on the patio or in the pool with a cold beverage.  

Sly & the Family Stone - Hot Fun In The Summertime

Derek Trucks Band - Sailing On

Ray LaMontagne - Skinny Dippin'

Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez - Sweet Tequila Blues

M. Ward - Big Boat

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Conor Oberst - Sausalito

Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof

Dr. Dog - The Breeze

G. Love with Jack Johnson - Rainbow

As usual, any comments are appreciated.

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!

Ernie Banks is known for this catch phrase as well as having a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Cubs.  The Cubs are struggling so far this year but the Rangers have ben fun to watch so far this season.   Everyone in Dallas is getting excited about the Rangers since they lead the American League West by 5 games.  The Rangers are usually eliminated by June 1.   Maybe they are this year's Rays?  Let's see how long it lasts.

Well, my 10 year old son's baseball team, the Blue Jays, have a doubleheader today.  It is supposed to hit 100 degrees today, so it will be a scorcher out there.  Wish me luck!

Here are some baseball tunes:

Billy Bragg & Wilco - Joe Dimaggio Done It Again

Hey Hey Holy Mackarel - Chicago Cubs Singers

Steve Goodman - Go Cubs Go!

The Brothers DeFino - WGN Radio Cubs Theme

It just isn't a baseball game without 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game' being sung during the 7th inning stretch.

Harry Caray - Take Me Out To The Ball Game

World Naked Bike Day - Get Out and Ride!

June 13 is World Naked Bike Day.  There are rides planned in over 70 cities around the world.  Check the locations to see if there is a ride in your city.   There is not a ride in Dallas so I will not have any indecent exposure.  

This event reminds me of when Bassett and Big Al used to ride their tandem around Chicago.  Is that a banana seat or are you just happy to see me?

Queen - Bicycle Race

Rhett Miller's New Solo Album

I have heard a couple of songs off Rhett Miller's (Old 97's) new solo album.  It sounds pretty good and the Dallas Morning News gave it a good review.  The album was recorded in Dallas.  Here are a couple tracks from the album.  Let me know what you think.

Rhett Miller - Happy Birthday Don't Die

Rhett Miller - If It's Not Love

Here is a track from the Old 97's 2008 release, 'Blame It On Gravity'.  The boys and I saw them play at Good Records last spring and it was great.

Old 97's - Dance With Me

Let A Stranger Drive You Home

Don't try and tell me you never sing along with this Heineken commercial.

It was killing me that I did not know what the song was in the commercial.  I finally tracked it down.

Biz Markie - Just A Friend

Here is another version:

Adam Green & Lissy Trullie - Just A Friend

The video looks like it was a very impromptu session in a bathroom somewhere.

Under the Covers

I am a big fan of cover songs.  I guess it might go back to all of the bar bands I have listened to over the years.   I am going to try to have a weekly posting dedicated to a cover song.  This week's post is a cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Glory Days' by The Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers - Glory Days

Here is the video: 

The Avett Brothers are a fun, rockin' bluegrass band out of North Carolina.  

Here is a track from their album Emotionalism:

The Avett Brothers - Paranoia in B-Flat Major

Who do you want to win the NBA Finals?

Tonight is game 3 of the NBA Finals.  Although game 2 was somewhat exciting I really have not been interested in the Finals.  Every time Kobe is touched he gets the foul.  It reminds me of when Dwayne Wade got all the touch foul calls against the Mavs in the 2006 NBA Finals.

Here is a track from Deerhoof.  They are a very eclectic band from the San Francisco area.

Deerhoof - Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back 

Happy Birthday Peter!

Ann's younger brother, Peter, turns 40 today!   Peter is a great guy who has a real zest for life.  All the nieces and nephews think he is the best.

In honor of Peter's 40th I am posting a song from one of his favorite bands that he has travelled to many different locations to see live in concert.

Big Head Todd & the Monsters - It's Alright

New Cowboy Stadium

The new Cowboy Stadium held its first event last night.  The event was a George Strait concert.  Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton & Lee Ann Womack were the opening acts.  I have not been in the stadium but it looks incredible from the outside.

George Strait - All My Ex's Live In Texas

TOM FOX/DMN

The initial review I have been hearing is that the sound was not very good.  The Cowboys plan to make improvements for the upcoming Jonas Brothers concert in two weeks.

Family Cookout with Old Friends

Our family went over to Sue and Mike's Saturday night for a cookout.  They have been long time friends of ours since we moved to Dallas.  

Mike is a big music fan and plays guitar quite well.  After a great dinner of steaks and burgers, Mike put on a Traffic CD.  This music is timeless.

Traffic - Dear Mr. Fanatasy

Mike is originally from Philadelphia and still a huge Phillies & Eagles fan.  In honor of Mike's Philadelphia roots and broad music taste here is a song from a Dr. Dog who hail from Philly.  I saw them when they came thru Dallas in April and they were great but the acoustics at the room they were in at the Palladium was horrible.   Not to mention the stage was only about a foot off the ground which made it difficult to see the band.  However, it was a treat when they played the theremin.

Dr. Dog - Hang On

Sue likes Britney Spears but I don't hold it against her.  I do not have any Britney in my music library but I did come up with a cover by Franz Ferdinand.

Franz Ferdinand - Womanizer

Queen of the Blues R.I.P.

Well, I woke up this morning and heard that Koko Taylor died today at the age of 80. I saw her about 20 years ago at the Chicago Blues Festival and she was awesome.

Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle

Summer Kickoff Concert at Dallas Arboretum

Sunday evening we loaded up the entire family with food and drinks to go see a twilight concert at the Dallas Arboretum. It was very family friendly event.

The opening act was Nathan Tasker. Nathan is originally from Australia but has lived in Nashville, TN for the past several years. This is the third time we have seen Nathan and we have had the pleasure to get to know him as well. Nathan is a Christian singer songwriter. Nathan has a very good sound and is a great songwriter. During his set he covered 'Don't Dream It's Over', a Crowded House song. You can read more about Nathan at NathanTasker.com.

Nathan Tasker - Like You Love Me

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

The Daylights followed Nathan. The Daylights consist of brothers Ran and Ricky Jackson and Svend Lerche. The band resides in Los Angeles but the Jacksons are originally from Red Oak, TX and Svend is from Denmark. Ran plays guitar and piano, Ricky plays bass and guitar, and Svend plays drums. The brothers share vocals but Ricky is the lead singer most of the songs. They are just completing a tour as opening act for Katy Perry. The band is very good with a lot of potential. You can tell they get a great deal of influence from U2, Coldplay and Radiohead. They are definitely worth a listen.

The Daylights - Little Girl

Here is are pictures Ann took of Nathan from the show:

      

Here are some pictures Ann took of the Daylights.  You can see the concert was very family friendly.

Hit It!

For many years I have been sharing music with friends. Back in College everyone made mixed tapes to pass along. You had to become very proficient at the fade when making a mix tape and hope the album was not scratched. Some people had various strategies for making a mix tape. I remember Benny used to put fast songs on side A then slow it down on side B. Also, it was key for whomever was social chairman to put a quality mix together in order to keep the party going.

Last year in an attempt to get some of my friends to share music. I sent out several CDs to about 10 friends with music that I was currently listening to along with oldies but goodies. I only received music from 3 people - Dean, Blake and Matt. Since that experiment did not work I have decided to try and share music via a blog to reach a larger audience.

The inaugural post is a classic that the Hit It band (DPU Beta house band) used to perform at Wine & Chesse in the early eighties.

China Grove - Doobie Brothers

When I was thinking of doing a blog I never thought the first post would be a Doobie Brothers song. I plan to have regular posts along with a weekly mix. This will be a work in progress in the short term so bear with me while I work the kinks out.