Wilco Storms Chicago

The best band on the planet (WILCO) continues its 5 night residency in Chicago this week. Apparently, the goal is to cover all of their 81 album tracks over the course of the 5 days plus other rarities. This should really be something special for the fans in attendance and proves that Wilco is one of the kindest bands to their fans. During the first two nights, the band had musical comrade Andrew Bird join on violin for a few and treated fans to the rarities "Candyfloss", the Mermaid Ave outtake "When the Roses Bloom Again", and the A.M. classics "It's just That Simple", "Dash 7, and "Too Far Apart". You can read about all the shows on Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot's blog page. And for those who do the download thing; great recordings of the shows are already up on the bt.etree download site.

As a bonus, enjoy this awesome video of the rarely played "Pot Kettle Black" from the 2/15/08 show.

Politics Rock!

I always find the use of music in political campaigns very interesting. Remember when Ronald Reagan thought using "Born in the USA" was a good idea to show how wonderfully patriotic he was? Talk about missing the point. Sometimes the choices are inspired; like John Edwards using the uplifting Ryan Adams song "Firecracker" this year during a stop in North Carolina (Adams' home town). And how perfect was Bill Clinton's use of Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" in the 90's Even I caught the optimistic fever of his campaign.

Of course, the melding of politics and music doesn't always go so well. The fact that Hillary is currently using a Celine Dion song in her campaign may just cost her my vote in Wisconsin next week (among other reasons).

My favorite melding of politics and music is when the candidates use an artist's song without their permission. Last week, John Mellencamp told John McCain to stop using his tune "Pink Houses"(how unoriginal can you get McCain?) and yesterday Boston frontman Tom Scholz told Mike Huckabee to quit using "More than a Feeling"("Don't Look Back" would have been SO much cooler). By the way, when Huckabee isn't using Boston, he's cranking up the Nascar vote with "Sweet Home Alabama". Yee-haw!

Here is the "OH SNAP" quote from Scholz:
"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic senator Barack Obama."

By the way, Barack is currently using U2's "City of Blinding Lights" for his campaign. Is there anything Bono can't make perfect?

Tunes Under the Radar

How many great songs has Bob Dylan written? Far too many for me to count. In fact, Bob means so much to me that I am almost unable to be objective about his craft. For example; I love his album "Self-Portrait" that according to Dylan fanatics and critics, I am supposed to hate. I think "New Morning" is one of his best albums and no one agrees with me on that one either. So anything you ever read on this site about Bob Dylan has to be taken with a grain of salt. For the record, I am that far gone as to enjoy 1988's "Down in the Groove". That one was truly shit.

This bring us to the song called "Cross the Green Mountain". The song is a 12 verse, 8 minute masterpiece that Bob contributed to the civil war film "Gods and Generals" soundtrack in 2003. Unfortunately many people, Dylan fans included; have never heard the track. Full of biblical imagery; the song is a dying soldier's lament and it's as haunting and beautiful as anything Dylan has done. It was recorded with Dylan's touring band at the time, and has a sleepy atmosphere similar to the "Time Out of Mind" record. Like that album, this song has a timeless quality to it where you aren't sure if it's from the early 1900's or the 21'st century. I would post the lyrics, but you have to listen to the track to truly appreciate them. I hope you enjoy this under heard Dylan treasure as much as I do.

Bob Dylan-Cross the Green Mountain

"Supernatural Superserious"

Woohoo!

Behold a new REM single and video. It's really the song I'm excited about, which is called "Supernatural Superserious". This tune is a breath of fresh 'rock and roll' air from a band I was worried forgot how to do it. After the downbeat and dreary sound on REM's last 3 discs, I cannot tell how great it is for me to hear Stipe's voice along with some electric guitar and pounding drums. Dare I say this sounds like something from their 1987 masterpiece, "Document"? Ok, I will. This sounds like it could have been pulled right off that album and I couldn't be happier. Enjoy!

Meeting of the Minds

So why are two of my favorite artists (Ryan Adams and Kim Gordon) sitting together for Fashion Week in NYC? I have no idea, but this picture makes me think silly thoughts. Here's some of them....

1. If Ryan makes a move, could Thurston Moore kick his ass? I say absolutely!
2. Why is Ryan at Fashion Week looking like he stepped out of a stoner basement party Circa-1984?
3. I bet Kim Gordon (at 54 years of age) was hotter than any other woman at Fashion Week.
4. Ryan probably wrote 10 death metal songs from the time he sat down to the time he stood up.

In honer of this wonderful meeting of the minds, here is a version of Ryan Adams & The Cardinals rocking out Sonic Youth's classic "Expressway to YR Skull".
8-3-2006, Indianapolis, IN

Here is Kim looking amazing doing her "Kool Thing" with Sonic Youth from 6-14-02 in Sweden.

Songs Dave Likes

Since I am still numb from the excitement of last nights Grammy Awards show, I thought I would just put up some songs I've been grooving on lately.

Bob Marley and The Wailers-Caution
This is a great Wailers single from 1970 that I just heard for the first time today. You can find it on the amazing "Songs of Freedom" box set. Being a cold February in Wisconsin, this song is just what I needed to lift my spirits. I think Paul Simon has heard this once or twice because it sure sounds a lot like his "Mother and Child Reunion" track. Just listen to that killer reggae-surf-style guitar and you gotta love Bob singing "Hit me from the top, you crazy Motherfunky". The only bad thing about this is that it's 3 minutes too short.


Rickie Lee Jones-Show Biz Kids
This is one of my favorite covers by the tragically underrated Rickie Lee Jones. She not only has impeccable taste in covers (check her 2 covers discs "Pop Pop" and "It's Like This"), but she completely makes them her own. Dig her beatnik take on this Steely Dan classic. And if you don't own Rickie's original album "Pirates", you need to open a new browser window and go buy a copy. You will thank me later.


Windmill-Tokyo Moon
Thanks to Blogs much cooler than mine, I have discovered some great bands lately. Check out the debut album from Windmill called "Puddle City Racing Lights". Windmill is basically the brainchild and project of one Matthew Dillon. This amazing CD has an art-rock heart but without the pretension. This is anthem rock for people who never go see The Who and have no friends. Enjoy the opening track of the CD.


Levon Helm-The Mountain
Levon Helm is one of my favorite voices in all of music. And we almost lost it forever. In early 2000 when Levon was diagnosed with throat cancer everyone assumed he would never sing again. Boy were we wrong. Levon released the Grammy Award winning "Dirt Farmer" last year and it is truly a joy to listen to from start to finish. As big of a Steve Earle fan as I am, Levon's cover of Earle's "The Mountain" just slays the original in every way.

Let's Dance?

David Bowie is one of my top 5 artists of all time. His music was played on my stereo growing up more than any other. Yes, I even own BOTH "Tin Machine" cassettes. As far as I was concerned, he could do no wrong.....until I saw this abomination! This would be Bowie in 1975 pushing his "Young Americans" album on the Cher show. This would be Bowie and Cher doing a medley of some of the worst song choices ever. This would be the best advertisement against cocaine EVER. If you can make it through all 6 minutes, you may be a bigger Bowie fan then I am. Ingest something strong and hold on tight....