Entourage

We were catching up on the new season of Entourage tonight. So far, after the first 3 episodes, it looks like it is going to be a good season. This is a track from when the boys arrive at Vince's movie premier.

Paul McCartney - Dance Tonight

Son Volt

Son Volt released a new album, 'American Central Dust', a copy of weeks ago. I have listened to several of the tracks and I like what I have heard so far. I loved Son Volt's first album, Trace, but I feel they lost there way for some time. With the new album, Jay Farrar and team might be back on track. Here are a few tracks from the new album, let me know what you think.

Son Volt - When the Wheels Don't Move

Son Volt - Down to the Wire

Son Volt - Cocaine and Ashes

Under The Covers

Levon Helm has a new album out called it Electric Dirt. It is a solid follow-up to his critically acclaimed album Dirt Farmer that was released a couple of years ago. Electric Dirt starts off with a cover of the Grateful Dead's Tennessee Jed.

Levon Helm's life story is very interesting. He is originally from Arkansas and went onto to become the drummer/singer for The Band. In 1998, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and his famous singing voice went silent but he continued to play drums. He started inviting local musicians to his Woodstock, NY barn to perform with his band at 'Midnight Rambles'. As you can hear his voice has recovered and the 'Midnight Rambles' continue. How cool would it be to attend a one of these Midnight Rambles?

Levon Helm - Tennessee Jed

Grateful Dead - Tennessee Jed

James McMurtry at Telluride Mountain Village

All summer there are free concerts on Wednesdays in Telluride Mountain Village. While we were in Telluride we got to see Texas troubadour James McMurtry. I have always been a big fan of his; however, some of his live songs were a little pounding at times.

Here are a couple of songs he performed:

James McMurtry - Levelland

James McMurty - Choctaw Bingo

Visit with Geoff & Ellen

During the end of our trip we visited Geoff and Ellen in Albuquerque. We had a great time and we got to see Ellen's sister Leslie who was also visiting. They have an awesome view of the mountains and city. They have a great sound system and Geoff is the first one to admit that he is stuck in the eighties. Here are a few tracks you might here if you visit them:

The English Beat - Save It For Later

Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

New Order - Temptation

Since there was no video made for P.Y.T. I thought this was funny.

Back Home Again

After traveling over 2,000 miles in the car we are now back home in Dallas. The trip was great but it is good to be back home.

Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Dallas

Joe Ely - Dallas

Fiery Furnaces - Drive to Dallas

Bear Creek Falls

We hiked up to Bear Creek Falls today in Telluride. What a beautiful place!

John Denver - Rocky Mountain High

Technical Difficulties in La Veta, CO

I am unable to post songs from my mother-in-law's house. I guess this is what I get for bringing my computer with me on vacation. I will try post again when we get closer to civilization, maybe this weekend. For now, I am just going to take a hike and enjoy the cooler mountain air.

Under The Covers

My brother-in-law picked our daughter up at camp this morning.  It was great seeing her, especially since we have not seen her for a month.  I am sure after being away from home for a month she would prefer to go home but she is now joining our adventure.

Here is a cover of one my daughter's favorite songs.  At least it was before she left for camp.

Sharif - Disturbia  (I am not sure who this guy is but I kind of like the acoustic version.)

The Vox Collective - Disturbia (I like this downtempo version but I do not know who they are either.)

Here is the original:

Rihanna - Disturbia

Beck's Record Club

If you have not heard yet, Beck has started a record club where he is bringing in random people to record an album in a single day.  The first edition of the record club features Velvet Underground & Nico.

Beck - I'm Waiting For The Man

Beck - Sunday Morning

Here is the Velvet Underground's version:

Discovery

Members of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend have combined to form the band Discovery.    I really like both of these bands.  If you need an electronic pop fix this summer, this is it.  It is kind of ironic since the album was just released this week but it contains a cover of The Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back'.

Discovery - Orange Shirt

Discovery - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

Discovery - I Want You Back

Here is something from Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend:

Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine

Vampire Weekend - Walcott (Insane Mix)

Rubik's Cube Fun

Here is something fun that Russell sent to me.  I can never figure out how these are done but it is cool.

The Beatles - Come Together

The Clash - London Calling

I also ran across this video of Will Smith solving a Rubik's Cube in less than 2 minutes.

Under the Covers with MJ

Today is the memorial service for Michael Jackson so if you have not gotten your fill of MJ tributes, here are a few covers of Michael Jackson's songs.  

Belle & Sebastian- Billie Jean (the quality is not the best but it sounds like they had fun with the cover)

Ben Gibbard - Thriller  (a different interpretation by the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie.)

Michael Schiefel - I Want You Back  (I do not know much about this guy, but I like his version)

KT Tunstall - I Want You Back (this is my favorite.)

Deer Tick

I posted a cover by Deer Tick last week.  The band is led by 23 year old John McCauley, a Proidence, RI native.  The band received its name when John got a deer tick on his head while hiking in Bloomington, IN.  I have been listening to these guys a lot lately.  They have a ragged and rockin' sound that has similarities to Credence Clearwater Revival.

Brian Williams from MSNBC  is a big fan, too.  He actually has a great music blog.

Deer Tick is definitely worth checking out.  Their latest album is 'Born On Flag Day'.  

Deer Tick - Art Isn't Real (City of Sin)

Deer Tick - Easy

Deer Tick - Friday XIII

Happy 4th of July!

Elvis Presley - America the Beautiful

4th of July Weekend

The boys and I hit the neighborhood parade this morning.  Not much of a parade but all the kids get to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, etc..  My youngest won a prize for the most patriotic hair.  He does have a slight advantage since he is a natural redhead.

Tomorrow is going to be an action packed 4th of July.  We are heading down to the Lakewood 4th of July parade to watch the parade at our friends' house.  My oldest son will be in the parade with his baseball team that won its third championship in a row.  Tomorrow night we are watching fireworks with friends.

It is going to be hot out there this weekend so make sure you have cod drinks handy.  Happy 4th of July!

Here is a mix for the 4th of July Weekend BBQ:

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

James Brown - Living in America

David Bowie - Young Americans

The Grateful Dead - U.S. Blues

John Mellencamp - R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.

Neil Diamond - America

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - American Girl

Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band

The Guess Who - American Woman

John Mellencamp - This Land Is Your Land

Here is a song to play with the fireworks grand finale.  You cannot beat Ray Charles rendition of America The Beautiful

Ray Charles - America The Beautiful

The Hangover

I went to see The Hangover last night.  It was great!  It is the kind of movie that you will laugh out loud many times.  A movie that has Mike Tyson, a tiger and a guy wearing a jockstrap is definitely Oscar material.  You have to check this one out.

Here is a song from the movie:

Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight