The Best of Syd Barrett-Wouldn't You Miss Me?

Here is a best of compilation that was released in 2001. If you have a hard time getting though Syd's albums give this greatest hits disk a listen. There are moments of brilliance and moments of what's going on here. It has the previously unreleased versions of Bob Dylan Blues and Two of a Kind. Bob Dylan Blues was posted on the idisk before we had the blog thing. By the way here is the link to HYGIY.

Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds

In honor of Greg, the Manitou Monster, I've posted an album by Great Lake Swimmers, Bodies and Minds. Fans of Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens should dig this 2005 release. Enjoy, or don't.

Mr. Lif - Mo' Mega

For the sake of introducing some more hip-hop, I am posting the most recent offering from Boston-based lyricist, Mr. Lif. While Mo' Mega is not his best work (see his Emergency Rations EP), this is still a good listen. Often political, sometimes silly, and always tight. Produced by El-P, there are some great cameos from Aesop Rock, Blueprint, and Murs. Mr. Lif is one of my favorite MCs in the game today. So, enjoy or don't.

Syd Barrett Passes Away

Over the years there have been many rumors of Syd Barrett passing away but today it appears to be true. Syd Barrett (Roger Keith Barrett) founding member of Pink Floyd passed away a few days ago in Cambridge, England. He was the brilliant burnout who created the sound of early Pink Floyd. Today, I am posting his two solo albums: Madcap Laughs, released January, 1970 and Barrett, released November, 1970. Ever since I was a teenager I have been moved by Syd’s free-spirited, optimistic lyrics and his inventive melodies. He is one of my all time favorite musicians. If anyone is interested in early PF (posted it before the days of our Steal this Song blog) or music from HYGIY drop me a line and I can upload them. Also have mpgs of early PF videos/performances and a great BBC special about early PF and Syd, Omnibus - Crazy Diamond.

Bartok's String Quartet No. 2

I have a friend in Boston named Steve. He is an accomplished musician, composer, and songwriter, having studied at the Berklee School of Music. He plays classical guitar, but he specializes in Brazilian music and his own compositions.

One day 6 or 7 years ago I half-jokingly asked him what he thought was the best piece of music ever composed. I didn’t expect a straight answer. Who can really answer such a ridiculous question? I expected a discussion to follow, about what criteria to use, whether you can really compare music of different genres and cultures, etc. But he answered without hesitation:

“Bartok’s Second String Quartet in A Minor.”

He played a recording for me; I didn’t get it. It is a thoroughly modern piece, composed in 1917. It’s not strictly atonal, but it might as well be, with its strange dissonances and bizarre tonalities. I must admit I didn’t understand it. But I was intrigued by his certainty about the greatness of the piece and wanted to learn to appreciate it.

So I decided that over the next few years I would listen to classical music with the goal in mind that it would lead eventually to my being able to appreciate Bartok. The most helpful music to listen to were Beethoven’s late string quartets, the ones he composed when he was totally deaf, with their dramatic and unconventional (for the time) structures that pointed the way toward Bartok’s quartets.

Now, after 6 or 7 years I can say that I've learned to love it. It's challenging, difficult, haunting, beautiful. I don't know if any of you are "classical" music lovers. If so, you might already know and love this work.

Best piece of music ever composed? I don’t know. But maybe it will take you somewhere, like it did me.

Neko and Pornography for all

A repost of Neko Case's Fox Confessor Brings the flood was requested so here it is. This album is in my top 5 so far this year. It is awesome. Because I am posting Neko, I thought I would accompany it with Neko's collaboration with some Vancouver area musical stalwart, AC Newman. The band is called the New Pornographers. Last years release is called Twin Cinema. Pure power pop. It was one of my top ten of last year (actually coming in at #2 behind Andrew Bird's Mysterious Production of Eggs).

I will only leave them up for a couple of days.

I am too tired and didn't want to deal with hyper links.

This post updated while listening to Weather Systems by Andrew Bird.

Dreams Schemes and Themes...

It is Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan. So I was thinking, instead of me wasting precious iDisk space I thought I would direct you all o the place where I get Bob's XM show. That way if you want it you can downloaded there yourself. I go to a blog called White Man's Stew. This link is to the music section of his blog. He has some interesting things at time but way to classic rock and old hippie stuff for my tastes. But he is nice enough to share Theme Time.

What you will need to do is find the Theme Time Post with the Theme Time Logo. It is generally a couple of pages. Currently the Theme Time post is on page 3. You'll be able to find it. Most times he is able to host the file himself. Apparently he is out of bandwidth right now and can't host the files, so they are all on RapidShare. Which is annoying since those files are broken in to tracks. The files I have been posting are one track, which I like a lot better. When I get them this way I combine them with an apple script called Join Together, from Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes. Doug's scripts are great, and if you don't have any scripts for iTunes then you are not using iTunes to its fullest potential.

A new Theme Time Radio Hour comes out every Wednesday mid day. Generally White man's Stew has it up by Thursday or Friday.

If you need any help with downloading these files please let me know and I can walk you through it.

Also as a note Theme Time Radio Hour is an XM radio product if you have the means you should subscribe to XMRadio to get your weekly Theme Time fix.

enjoy

This post updated while watching The Best Week Ever Posdcast.

Glenn Kotche

If any of you caught Jeff Tweedy's solo show at the Orpheum last year then you also had the pleasure of hearing Glenn Kotche open for him. Kotche is the drummer for Wilco, and if his performance that night was any indication, he's a musical experimenter in his own right. That night he performed on marimba and what I can only call a "prepared" trap set: drums with springs and stuff pasted to the heads which he used to create some very interesting sounds.

This album, Mobile, which I bought this weekend, features some of the pieces he performed that night. To me it sounds like contemporary art music, limited to percussion instruments and various electronic noises. A little like listening to John Cage scrape pieces of metal across a metal surface, but with a good beat.

I hope you enjoy it.

Over The Hedge Soundtrack

Earlier this year Dreamworks put out an animated movie called Over The Hedge. The movie is based on the comic strip, Over The Hedge by Michael Fry and T Lewis. I have not seen the movie nor I have I ever actually read the comic (I am a Get Fuzzy Man myself.)

The soundtrack to the movie featured 6 "new" songs by Ben Folds, who I think is one of the better song writers alive today. The songs are ok, a bit throw away, but perfect for a soundtrack. The best thing on the album is the "Rockin' the Suburbs" update. The original version appears on his debut solo album which just so happens to be called Rockin the Suburbs. The original version was written from the vantage point of twenty something disgusted with the state of crappy music of the neo metal band of the late 90's and early 00's. The song is great. Now the new version is written from a perspective of a middle aged suburbanite. Not necessarly disgusted but resigned to the fact that he lives in the suburbs. It is fantastic. The new version is more family friendly, but a better criticism on suburban life. Plus Ben's good friend Bill makes a great cameo.

Also there is a so-so version of the Clash's "Lost in the Supermarket." The words are changed to fit the movie, which is lame in this instance. "I particularly like the song "Heist."

This post updated while listening to Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah. Man they totally want to be the Talking Heads.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Radiohead front-man, Thom Yorke, is about to release his first, um, solo album. Not exactly sure what wasn't working with Radiohead that he felt he had to do it this way. Still produced by Nigel Godrich, this is a pretty good album. Pretty good, but not great. I've only listened to it once and I might be missing something on the first go 'round. But it feels like The Eraser is missing something. Haunting piano layered on top of beeps and blips along with classic Thom Yorke vocals. Pitchfork has a pretty good breakdown of the album here. Give it a listen and post your comments here.

Neko on Lettermen

So I have you know I totally love Neko Case. I think she has one of the most amazing voices in recent memory. She is so gosh darn talented. Her work with The New Pornographers is only surpassed by her work as a solo artist. On June the 14, she played "Maybe Sparrow" on Late Night with David Letterman. You can find the orginal version on the excellent Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Here is the YouTube version of it.

Enjoy

This post updated while listening to the ceiling fan in my office.

"arlo, folk songs are serious"

love that quote.

this may be a bit behind the folk wave that hit a few weeks back, but i wanted to pass along this link to an npr piece on pete seeger... majority of it is an interview with the man in 1984. he goes on about playin nickel songs with woody guthrie, gettin folk tunes on mainstream radio with the weavers and being blacklisted for 'associating with unamerican types'. interesting guy. downloads as a real player or windows media player file.

mm&w - uninvisible

i'm really not such a fan that i can refer to these guys as an acronym. medeski, martin & wood... it is a bit of mouthful. however i can say that this 2002 album has ever-so slowly grown on me. much like a foot fungus i had a few years ago. one part groove jazz, one part avantgarde improv... always innovative.

The Village Green Preservation Society

I have a friend named Aaron Scholz. He plays his laid back alt-country, singer songwriter stylings in and around town. Many of you know him, or have seen him live. Unfortunately I think his music career has taken a back seat to a career of being a dad. He has not put out an album since Come Back Down in 2002. But this post is not about Aaron. In the liner notes he wrote "Listen to The Village Green Preservation Society by the Kinks." Now in 2002 I was not sure what that meant. I mean, album by the same guys who fouled the airways with "Lola."

My friend Kristian loves the Kinks. He told me under no certain circumstances that I was to bad mouth "Lola." And if I knew what is good for me I would pick up Village Green Preservation Society. So about a month ago I did. Man was Kristian and Aaron right. This album is fantastic! Of course you will remember the song "Picture Book" which was on the ubiquitous HP commercials about a year ago.

The album is truly solid from start to finish. You can hear almost every late 90's and early 00's British band. I mean Belle and Sebastian might as well just give it up and say they are a Kinks cover band. Jack White, I mean lay it down man to the alter of Ray and Dave Davies. Without this band there would be no Big Star, and well everyone knows my feelings on Big Star.

From their allmusic.com biography they remained true to their English roots. After reading that I would say The Kinks are the English Beatles. The Kinks will remain in the pantheon of under appreciated artists that have way more influence than you would have ever imagined.

So I leave you with the words of Aaron Scholz, "Listen to Village Green Preservation Society."

This post updated while listening to my iTunes on shuffle (you can see how much time I spend on this thing. I am a geek.)
I have heard:
Firecracker - Ryan Adams
Someday - Ween
Black Diamond - The Replacements
Miss Teen Wordpower - The New Pornographers
Illumination - Gogol Bordello
You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) - The White Stripes
No More Parades - Son Volt
Pads, Paws And Claws - Elvis Costello
Goodnight My Friends - They Might Be Giants
Too Far Gone ("lost session" version) - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Controversy - Prince
Johnson Rag -Esquivel

Apple Rooftop Concert

On January 30, 1969 The Beatles performed live for the last time ever. It just happened to be an unannouced performance of on top of their London Studio, Apple. I have been able to garner a copy from my various sources. So my sources are your sources. With the recent death of Billy Preston, I thought it was an appropiate time to post this gem.

There are a lot of double takes and repeat songs, this recording does not make any cuts or edits. It is straight from the audio of the cameras. So take that with a grain of salt. There are a bunch of sites that talk about this concert, the best one I found is here. It actually is a great story of the Get Back sessions.

Enjoy

This post updated while listening to the Cubs v Astros.

Theme Time Radio Hour #3

schemes, Dreams and Themes, it is the Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan. Number three is up there for you. This episode is all about the hooch. I really was hoping for Gin and Juice by the Dogg, but still some good stuff. Plus Bob's recipe for a mint julep.

While we are on the topic of drinks, my new favorite summer drink is a mojitio. Tasty.

Also heard Dylan's new Album Modern Times will be out in August.

This post updated while listening to an album I shouldn't have.

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

You've probably heard the buzz about this project, and if not, I assume you can use Google. So I'll spare you an involved critique except to say that this is merely adequate hip-hop that's geared to appeal to indie rock tastes.

Notable are the lead single "Crazy" and the Femmes cover "Gone Daddy Gone". I'm still digesting it, but Danger Mouse has clearly done better work, and has probably jumped the shark.

RADIO DAVIDBYRNE.COM

Since we are talking about famous musicians being a DJ check out DavidByrne.com and listen to his monthly playlist. This months theme is Avant Pop. The 30-40 songs rotate 24-7 all month. View the archives to see past months playlists: Latin Rock, Psychedelic, Rednecks, Racists and Recationaries: Country Classics, etc. For the last 6 months I have looked forward to checking out his new playlist at the beginning of every month. There are a couple of Mum songs in the rotation this month.

The Twilight Singers

I saw The Twilight Singers two week ago and wasn't so much impressed by the band as I was by the passion of the crowd. But I was intrigued, and after getting some distance from the show and listening to Blackberry Belle, their acclaimed album from 2003, in the much quieter comfort of my own home, I've come to understand a bit of what the crowd was screaming and pumping their fists for. Here, for your enjoyment is Greg Dulli's The Twilight Singers.

Theme Time Radio Hour #2

Well as I said before I got Bob's Theme Time Radio Hours 1 - 5. So right now I am posting # 2. It was the Mother's Day special. So theme of course is mothers. It is quite good. Who is with me in saying that Bob is a better DJ than performer?

mark mallman - who's gonna save you now?

it's really about time i become an actual contributor, need to live up to that title on the right. for my first blogging entry i supply Mark Mallman's 'Who's Gonna Save You Now?' EP. good local TC tunes... he puts on a hell of show, a madman at the keys really. hope you like.

Newest and last Grandaddy album

A few weeks back I had made a shout out for anyone with the newest Grandaddy album – Just Like The Fambly Cat. I managed to scrounge a copy for myself so I uploaded Grandaddy’s self-proclaimed “last album.”

I haven’t had much time to listen to it; however, it seems to be getting mixed to reviews – from a “brilliant masterpiece”, to a “worn out and used up.” Either way you look at it, almost everyone agrees that between the space-aged power chords the album carries a certain weight of death.

Judge for yourself . . .

Band of Horses - Everything All the Time

I think I may have posted this album before, but it's worth posting again for those that didn't grab it the first time. Last night I saw Band of Horses at the 7th Street Entry. Somewhere between Red House Painters and The Flaming Lips, this Seattle based band is both loud and introspective. Lead signer and songwriter Ben Bridwell switched between the lap steel and electric guitar. Their short set lasted less than an hour and included a cover of "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates.

Mason Jennings - Boneclouds

I used to love Mason Jennings. I thought he was the second coming of Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, and Jesus Christ. I remember I would be at the 400 Bar every Thursday watching him and his band play. I prolly extolled his virtue to many of you as well. Of course I then left Minneapolis. I saw him less frequently, listened to his CD's more. Still loved his self titled debut and Birds Flying Away had some great songs on it. The Simple Life a collection of songs that did not make Birds was also quite good.

Then came Century Spring. Man that album sucks. I mean if you wanted a collection of sappy, pretentious, coffeehouse ballads pick up this piece of crap. I mean wow this album was one of the biggest disappointments in my music listening career. I gave up on Mason. I didn't even bother with Use Your Voice, because everything I heard it was as bad as Century Spring. So it turns out he was not Paul Westerberg he was a weak sauce John Mayer.

Mason's latest effort is called Boneclouds. I got this album because Mason had peaked my interest again. Think this is his first "major" label record (going from Bar-none to Epic). The record company seems to be pushing him a bit more. He was on the excellent CBS Sunday Morning (which is the only show I watch on CBS - take that CSI.) Also I have heard some good things about this album. Though the album cover looks a Greatful Dead reject, which worries me. I have note yet heard one note of this disc. So if you grab it off the old iDisk let me know what you all think.

This post updated while listening to Aramis Ramirez hit a grad slam against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Theme Time Radio Hour #5

As I mentioned before I would post Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour as I found them. Unfortunately it has not been as easy as I originally thought. Nor have I been as resourceful as I could be. Needless to say I have found Bob's Theme Time Radio Hour #5. The theme this week is coffee. I am about half way through it right now. Now if I can just find hours 2, 3, and 4.

This post updated while listening to Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour # 5 (Black Coffee in Bed by Squeeze).

****UPDATE AS OF 10:00 AM*****
I have found the reamining Theme Time Radio Hours. Hopefully this site will stay up for awhile. I am in the processing of downloading them right now. I will post them in a bit.

Updated while listening to Burned by Wilco

All Things Must Pass - George Harrison

This is the 2000 remastered version of "All Things Must Pass" George Harrison's first real solo album, in fact this is the first solo album by a Beatle. Phil Spector's classic Wall of Sound effect is in full force on this album. There is a bonus track "My Sweet Lord 2000". George's personality is all over this album, from his mysticism and faith, songwriting, and his awesome guitar work. Remember, he was the Beatles lead guitarist. Give it a listen, it is a classic. I have his last album "Brainwashed" if anyone is interested.

Rather Ripped-Sonic Youth

A straight up rock and roll album with the classic Sonic Youth sound.

Mi and l'Au

This self-titled debut is the product of a French model and a Finnish music-industry employee falling in love and hiding away in a remote cabin in the Finnish countryside. Fans of múm and Low will appreciate the sparse music and somber tones of Mi and l'Au. Enjoy.

**UPDATE**

I think I've finally uploaded working files for both Mi and l'Au and Cat Power. Sorry about the delay. Give 'em a try and let me know if they work. Both albums are worth the download.

Updated while listening to Paper Scratcher by Blind Melon .

Cat Power - Myra Lee

Chan Marshall is know for her shaky and quiet vocals, sparse acoustics, and haunting piano. Often she is so overwhelmed emotionally that she can't finish her live shows. Myra Lee was her second release and displays a rockin', fully bodied side to Cat Power. There is a great cover of Hank Williams, Still in Love. Her last two albums are also fantastic. If you would like me to post either You Are Free or The Greatest, let me know.

AM Demos - Wilco

Here is a copy of the 8 song demo of Wilco's first album AM. Not much new, some slightly different versions of classic AM tunes. There are a couple of tracks that did not make the album. They are a bit more fun. I especially like the Replacement-esc "Lets Here it for Rock."

With these demo's and the official version of AM you can defiantly hear how Jay Bennett made Wilco. If you really want to hear some good Wilco do yourself a favor and listen to Being There.

As a side note I do have a copies of the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot demos (both engineers and original) and Summerteeth Demos if anyone is interested. The YHF demos are a lot better and you can actually hear the progression of the songs.

This post updated while listening to Elliot Smith's Figure 8.

The Beatles White Album (mono)

Yes, folks, you read it right: mono. Original, glorious mono.

Stereo was a newfangled fad back in the 1960s, so the boys spent most of their time personally working on the mono mixes and left the stereo mixes to the engineers who would typically toss them off in a few hours. That accounts for the annoying experience we get now listening to the Beatles with headphones: drums in the left channel, voice in the right channel, etc. In "Eleanore Rigby" they even mess up the stereo placement of Paul's voice when he begins singing the first verse and sloppily correct it. But the mono versions of their albums have no such distractions.

The White Album, actually, was the first album, I think, that they spent a lot of time on the stereo mix, so the mono mix was put out only in England and only for one pressing (I think). This is why I choose to upload it: it's rare.

You'll hear a lot of little differences. No handclaps in "Why Don't We Do It In The Road," the original, messed-up fiddle ad-lib at the end of "Don't Pass Me By," and lots of other things you may not have noticed in stereo. It's fun to compare.

Also included are 20 bonus tracks of outtakes, also all in mono.

If you want, I can also provide the mono mixes of "Revolver," "Yesterday and Today" and "Sgt. Pepper". Those (especially the former two) reveal many interesting mixing changes that will change the way you listen to these albums. Let me know if you want them, and I'd be glad to post.

Wilco and the Mash-up Revolution

I don't know what you all know about mash-ups, but I am sure you have heard at least one. There is the ever popular Grey Album blending the music of the Beatles White Album and Jay-Z's the Black Album. Which is actually quite good. Also the '80s really saw the first mash-up of sorts with Run DMC's, "Walk this Way."

There have been mash-ups of all kinds of music, some of really cool, but most of it bad (from what I have heard.) Generally a mash-up are two seemingly polar opposite types of music. The genius of DJ who creates the mash-up is blending these songs/artists into something that is good and fun to listen to.

There is a fellow, by the name of iDigworms, who thought it was good idea to do a couple of Mash-ups of Wilco and the Beach Boys. I have found two tunes that he created, "That's not War" (That's Not Me and War on War) and "You Still Believe In Trying to Break Your Heart" (You Still Believe In Me and I am Trying to Break Your Heart). The songs are taken from Pet Sounds and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If you don't have either of these albums, I suggest you turn in your music listener card and buy yourself Coldplay's X&Y. Yeah, cause that is a good album. I digress.

After a couple of listens, the songs are ok. But here is the thing, Wilco basically did a Beach Boy's record with Summerteeth, and have been toying with similar pop harmonies ever since. So there is not much of a wow factor with these songs. Yes the songs are 30 or so years apart, but musically are they that different? The interest factor just isn't there to keep me listening to these songs over and over again. Now if someone could do a mash up of Coldplay and Chicago, that would be cool, (just think horns of "25 or 6 to 4," with the awesome lyrics of "Clocks").

this post edited while listening to, "40 Grand in the Hole." By Mike Doughty

Theme Time Radio Hour w/ Bob Dylan

So apparently Bob Dylan has a weekly radio show on XM radio, called Theme Time Radio Hour. I was able to get my hands on a copy of the first show, which aired on the 3rd of May. Of course it is up on the iDisk. I figured the Dylan freaks on the site (Colin and Vocarl I am pointing at you) would want this. If I am able to get the others I will of course put them on the iDisk.

I am glad to hear this so I don't have to pay 12.99 a month for XM. I had XM in a rental car once. It kinda sucked because I was flipping around the 100 plus stations, and not settling on one. Enjoy

This post updated while listening to "Down to This" by Soul Coughing.

Fambly Cat WANTED

Does anyone have the new Grandaddy, "Just Like the Fambly Cat"?
If so I would like to give it a listen.

Also, who the hell are Gnarls Barkley . . .and why do people keep talking about them?

Less Folk - More Music from British Comedians

So I came to the realization that there was way too much folk being placed on the iDisk. So I thought I would counter act this by putting up the opposite to folk, a failed music venture from British comedy legend, Ricky Gervais. Apparently Ricky, like every effeminante Brit was in a 80's new Wave band called, Seona Dancing. From what I have cobbled together from allmusic.com and SeonaDancing.com, The music is like all 80's new wave, pretty much crap. I guess it sounds kinda like a New Orderish, Suede, Cure type of thing. I was only able to get through two of the four songs, so I guess I am not the best person to give an honset oppinion. I admit I use to love me some Cure, Depeche Mode, and Information Society, but I was 14 and weird. Seona Dancing is worse then all of those bands. Which is a good thing since Ricky gave us "The Office" and Karl Pilkington. So we can laugh at that rather then seeing Seona Dancing on some god awful VH1 special.

But hey, here it is for you guys. I figure you can go to a party and when "The Office" comes up in conversation you can say, "Hey did you know Ricky Gervais was in a new wave band in '83 called Seona Dancing? I just happen to have it hear on my iPod, wanna listen?"

Put it on, and then sit back drink your Blatz from a can; adjust your trucker hat ever so slightly; unsnap your plaid cowboy shirt to show more of your ironic faded '80's rock tee; gain mega hipster points. Enjoy!

New iDisk URL

Apple has just made it easier for us to share music. Now you can access the iDisk public folder through your web browser. I'm not going to post the actual URL here because I do not want that information public, but you can find it by going to "idisk.mac.com/membername-Public" Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Please, as with the iDisk info, do not share this URL with anyone without first asking me. I really like our little music sharing club and I'd rather not put a password on it. Here's the info from Apple, note their mention of "legal sharing." Ha!

New easy iDisk Public folder web address

We're pleased to announce a new simpler way to access iDisk Public folders with a browser. Simply entering the URL idisk.mac.com/membername-Public now produces a page that automatically includes download links for whatever's currently in membername's Public folder. All you need to do is give the URL for your iDisk Public folder to the friends and colleagues you share with. They'll see and be able to download whatever you put in there, whenever they visit the page.

You can also let friends and colleagues use your iDisk Public folder page to upload and share files themselves. Just select the iDisk pane in .Mac System Preferences and pick the Read/Write option for your Public Folder. You can even add password-protection if you want to limit access only to those you give the password to. If you add password-protection, your visitors will be prompted for a password when they first visit your Public folder. Note: your visitors should enter "public" (without the quotes) in the Name field when prompted for the Name and Password by Safari. Finally, it goes without saying but we're going to say it again anyway: You can only legally share what you own and have the right to share.

More Guthrie than is good for you

Since we are getting all folksy at the moment I uploaded “Woody Guthrie, The Asch Recordings Vol. 1-4”.

This 4-album, 105 song collection of some of Guthrie’s most influential work was recorded by Moses Asch in the 1940’s. The collection was compiled and released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.



Vol 1 - This Land is Your Land
Vol 2 - Muleskinner Blues
Vol 3 - Hard Travelin’
Vol 4 - Buffalo SKinners

Living With War

Living With War, the new album from Neil Young criticizes government policy and makes the assumption that America is a fundamentally good, freedom-loving nation being led astray by corruption, and the misguided leadership of George Bush and his cronies. Give it a listen it is vintage Neil Young.

Pete Seeger

I made a playlist of nearly all the songs (all but one) from Springsteen's Seeger album done by Pete Seeger himself.

So, if you're curious about where it all came from, how the Boss changed them, or just what the big deal is about this skinny banjo picker who traveled with Woody Guthrie and presided over the folk revival of the 1960s, look no further.

(If you like and want more, I have tons of Seeger's music. Or Woody Guthire. Or Jack Elliot....)

Hi, We're the Replacements

So, if you didn't know the Replacements are coming out with a best of album which comes out on Rhino Records June 13. The album is a called, Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of The Replacements, any music fan worth his salt has a majority of these songs, if not all. However there are two newly recorded tracks, Message to the Boys, and Pool and Dive. You can sample all the tracks here. But because I like you guys, Scott Vocarl, notwithstanding, I have posted on the iDisk, Message to the Boys. I received it from Minneapolis music guru Kyle "Solace" Matteson. Don't ask how I know this guy it is too embarrassing. But needless to say he always comes through with music and information, has a cool blog, if you live in the Twin Cities, and is a pretty nice guy.

Also on the 'Mats front, some guy put together a Replacements bible, with every article ever written about them. If you have a couple of hours you can read it all here.

This Post was updated while listening to the Penn Jillett radio show from 5/5/06.

Seeger Sessions

Howdy, fellas. Thanks for inviting me.

I've posted the new Bruce Springteen album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. Good Americana. The Boss does American Folk Music, a la Pete Seeger.

Enjoy.
Colin.

Death Cab for Cutie

Per Mr. Hartzell's request, I'm posting two Death Cab for Cutie albums, Plans & The Photo Album. I don't listen to Death Cab for Cutie, so I make no claims about either album.

Enjoy. Or don't.

Gomez - How We Operate

Apparently they operate like Wide Spread Panic. I have always thought that Gomez sounds like a better version of WSP. I like Gomez. "Get Myself Arrested" from their album Bring It On, is one of my favorite songs of all time. They even won the Mercury Prize back in 1998.

I know some might find them boring and the vocals a bit grating, but I really dig 'em. How We Operate, is the latest from the band out of Manchester. I have only listened to it a couple of times, and although good, it doesn't have the humf or power as their earlier work. Though, I have a feeling this one might be a grower. So needless to say it will be up on the iDisk Friday morning.

That is all for now

This blog entry was updated while listening the Chicago Cubs get beaten by the Diamond Backs 5-0 in the bottom of the 6th.

New Golden Smog - My Space

Hey kiddo's Golden Smog has four tracks from their forthcoming album, "Another Fine Day" on their my space page. I don't know what I think about them yet.

Golden Smog - My Space

Raconteurs free iTMS download

In the iTunes Music store (iTMS) they often do free downloads. Most of the time it is not any band that I care about. This week's free download is from the Raconteurs. It is an "acoustic" version of the single, Steady as She Goes. It is an ok version. It is very sloppy. But hey it is free. I thought you all would to know about it.

Here is the link:


Steady as She Goes (acoustic)

Gay Cowboys Eating Pudding

because I am on an uploading spree, and I love this blog thing, I am putting up the Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack.

In recent months, the movie and the music from it have become a cliched joke. When you hear the opening notes of Gustavo Santaolalla Brokeback "theme" you can't help being reminded of every stupid, lame Brokeback joke you have heard. Which is unfortunate. Santaolalla's music is truly great and a perfect accompaniment to a great movie. There are also several great songs, by Rufus Wainwright, Teddy Thompson, Willie Nelson, and others. This album is worth the listen. If you haven't seen the movie, do so, if you have see it again.

Songs for Children

I have uploaded two albums to the old iDisk.

1) They Might Be Giants - Here Come The ABC's
2) Jack Johnson - Sing-a-long and lullabies, music from the motion picture, Curious George

They are not the greatest albums but they are a fun listen. Say what you will about Jack Johnson, but the album is fun and a lot better then 85% of the kids albums out there. My son, and Kyle's nephew, love to dance to the first track. It is quite funny.

The TMBG album is just plain weird. It as you may have guessed an album about the ABC's . TMBG continue their geek/children dominance with this album.

So I thought if any of you have kids, or know kids, or you are a kid you might enjoy these albums.

My Friend

I have invited a friend of mine, to the iDisk. He will be using the blog to notify us all of the great new music he will post. My Friend is a pretty cool guy. He taught me the limited guitar cords I know. He also is a Dylan fan so Scott Vocarl will have someone to freak over Dylan with. His music collection is wide an varied. Hopefully he will put some good stuff up there for us. Thank is all

*note all names have been removed to protect the innocent

Kevin out

The Walkmen

Posted the Walkmen "everyone who pretended to like me is gone". Good stuff. NY band, apparently after mild success they saved up money and bought a studio so they no longer have to pay the Man.

Hope y'all like it.

M