Play Ball!

Here we go: Opening Day of Baseball has arrived. Hope the Yanks can get it together this year and to celebrate here's Eddie Vedder's great boozed-up rendition of that ol' ballpark classic:

The Weight

Looking very forward to the release of SHINE A LIGHT this weekend and was viewing Martin Scorsese's earlier music documentary THE LAST WALTZ, widely acknowledged as the best live music doc ever made. We'll see what challenge this new flick poses this weekend, but if you've never seen this incredible chronicling of The Band's final show in 1978 I urge you to seek this out and discover this insanely good film.

Rolling Stones - Shine A Light

Stream the soundtrack to this flick, opening next Friday, at IMEEM.

Well It's All-Right!

Got around to picking up the Traveling Wilburys Collection, which came out last year.
Do you know this record debuted at #1 on the UK album charts last September, with no promotion or tour, 17 years after the band ever recorded anything?
Revisiting the material, it's really no surprise. Apart from "Handle Me With Care" which I've always had a soft spot for, I'd forgotten how special this band was. I mean, come on, Dylan, Harrison, Orbison and Petty, all in one group??!!

Spinning through the album I came upon "End Of The Line" and have been playing constantly over the last 2 days. You've gotta be shitting me with this tune! And the videol!! Imagine being in this traincar, rolling along the country side with these legends. And how about the soft tribute to Roy, who had passed away before the video was shot? The photo, the upright guitar on the rocking chair, UNREAL!! And to top it off, a glimpse of Bob Dylan smiling towards the end, something he hasn't seemed to have done since he unplugged in the 60's.
An absolutely priceless song, and there's many more. I can't recommend this album enough.

Jack Johnson Does It Again

I've really enjoyed Jack Johnson's previous 3 albums, I mean how can you not appreciate the mellow vibes and good-time sensibility. Last week I picked up the new album, SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC, started to explore but wasn't really blown away at first. Until last weekend, when I heard "Go On".
Somehow he finds a way to deliver 1 or 2 songs on each album that are truly exceptional, hitting you hard both musically and lyrically and giving you that incredibly powerful feel. So simple, so good...I've been playing this over and over and over....

For Rich and Sascha

Welcome to the world Lila.

Fake Empire

This just in: The National is my new favorite band. I noticed their album BOXER on most Best of 2007 album lists last year and I finally caught up. Thanks to AM for the showcasing on this one... :)
A fantastic record.

Death Of The Anthem

Sitting at my 19th Bruce Springsteen show last nite and once again walking out amazed at the fireball show, I also couldn't help but notice the power that his classic songs still retain. Hits like "Promised Land", "Dancing in the Dark", and "Born to Run" literally had the entire 12,000 people in the venue on their feet shouting every word. I wondered, will we ever see this again? How many artists recently have written songs that everyone knows? Do marketing channels even exist anymore to attain universal recognition?

Really don't think so. That doesn't mean there's no great bands out there with solid material, but widespread appeal has seemed to have lost possibility. Think of some of your favorite songs within the last year - how many of your friends know them as well?

Shake!

"If you want to really roll, got to do the thing with soul..."

Feel like flying? I urge you to get your hand on the Live At Monterrey Pop DVD and forward to the Otis Redding segment. What a locomotive performance, very few people since can even touch this guy.

Warpaint

After almost 7 years, a new Black Crowes record hits the streets today. I remember darting out of work to hit Moby Disc in Santa Monica, CA to pick up LIONS, and plan to do the same thing at lunch today. Reviews on this album have been incredible and its days like this that bring back the excitement of being a music fan, waiting for your favorite band to put something new out, and counting down the days like a kid around Christmas.

Not many bands left that can build this kind of anticipation with their fans but when it comes to the undisputed best American rock-n-roll band out there, get ready to make your haze blow away.

The Hells Angels Tried To Kill Mick

This is wild.