Bob and Willie!

Thanks to the ever amazing You Tube, I stumbled across this gem of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan performing the Townes Van Zandt classic "Poncho and Lefty". This was from the Willie Nelson 60'th B-Day TV special that aired in 1993.

Great stuff from two treasures.

What a Beautiful Buzz!

Proof that the 3D movie craze has gone much too far, here is a clip from the new Phish 3D concert film. Yes you read that right....Phish in 3D. And as much as I love their music, I don't think I'd want to see any of those guys coming at me on a huge screen in 3D. Now if they can figure out how to give the movie audience the contact buzz that the fans at the concert had, we'll talk!

With that said, this clip from the film makes me so glad Phish are back and sounding better then ever. If ever a band was greater then the sum of its parts, it's Phish! I hope they can stay healthy and creative for years to come. As the kids today say, this clip is "sick"!

Before Billy Corgan shaved his head and started played football stadiums, the Smashing Pumpkins were one the most original and creative bands to come out in the early 90's. I'll go on a limb and say they WERE the best from 1990-1995. I'll never forget seeing them in a tiny, ridiculously oversold club in Chicago the week "Siamese Dream" was released. After the first song it was clear they were already too big for the room. Money, fame, egos, and infighting eventually killed The Pumpkins for good which is a shame. I still hope that Billy Corgan has more great work ahead of him, and time will tell if the just begun 44 song project "Teargarden for Kaleidyscope" will have some of the magic of the old stuff.

Surfing the net, I found this amazing acoustic gig from 1993 that really shows how great their songs were even when totally stripped down. I may even like these versions as much as their loud and bombastic originals.

Listen to this if your a Pumpkins fan, or if you need a reminder of why you should be....



London, England-Raymond Revue Bar
July 4, 1993

01. Intro - 2:58
02. Rocket - 4:41
03. Cherub Rock - 5:18
04. Rhinoceros - 5:04
05. Today - 3:47
06. Spaceboy - 4:02
07. Siva - 6:32
08. Dancin' in the Moonlight [Thin Lizzy] - 4:09
09. Disarm - 4:36
10. Starla - 6:17
11. Outshined [Soundgarden] (tease) - 1:05
12. Suffer - 7:12
13. Hummer - 7:42
14. Drown - 4:35
15. banter - 1:27
16. Kooks [Bowie] - 3:18
17. Smiley - 4:10
18. Bye June - 1:17
19. banter - 4:00
20. Crush - 5:16

New Roky Erickson

After 14 long years, the brilliantly off the wall Austin, TX artist Roky Erickson is back with a fantastic album recorded with critic darlings, Okkervil River. It's very early yet, but I don't see how this won't be on my best of 2010 list. I just can't stop playing it. It's hard to even describe the sound, but if you think you know the "Roky" sound, the music and lyrics will blow you away. If you have no expectations or don't know Roky, prepare to have a new favorite record and artist.

Below is a taste, and you can listen to the whole thing here until April 26.

Mark Olson and Gary Louris-Live

When I first heard The Jayhawks masterpiece "Hollywood Town Hall" in the early 90's I wasn't sure what to think. I was deep into Sonic Youth at the time and the Jayhawks blend of Neil Young, The Byrds, and Gram Parsons was just not my thing. But after a few listens I began to fall in love with the record the same way I did Bob Dylan and The Beatles classics growing up. The writing, the harmonies, and the great guitar playing became exactly what I was looking for, even though I didn't know it. It's impossible to count how many times I've played that album, as well as the band's subsequent releases. It now feels like I've been with this band all my life.

When Mark Olsen left the group after only 2 major releases, I was sure they were finished. But Gary Louris carried on the band name and made altogether different sounding albums, that were just as good in their own right. But nothing can compare to the way these two guys sound together. When the two finally got back together last year to make the low-key "Ready for the Flood", I assumed a full scale Jayhawks reunion was eminent. While that still hasn't happened, we have that album and this great document of their acoustic tour. Enjoy!

Watch Mark Olson & Gary Louris and other great gigs on Moshcam.