The Gates Of Delirium

(lyrics by Jon Anderson)

Stand and fight we do consider
Reminded of an inner pact between us
That's seen as we go
And ride there
In motion
To fields in debts of honour defending

Stand the marchers soaring talons
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom
Fighting we know,
Destroy oppression
The point to reaction
As leaders look to you attacking

Choose and renounce throwing chains to the floor
Kill or be killing faster sins correct the flow
Casting giant shadows off vast
Penetrating force
To alter via the war that seen
As frictions spans the spirits' wrath ascending to redeem

Wars that shout in screams of anguish
Power spent passion bespoils our soul receiver
Surely we know.
In glory we rise to offer,
Create our freedom, a word, we utter a word.

Words cause our banner, victorious our day
Will silence be promised as violence display
The curse increased we fight the pow'r and live by it by day
Our Gods awake in thunderous roars and guide
The leader's hands in paths of glory to the cause

Listen should we fight forever
Knowing as we do know
Fear destroys?
Listen should we leave our children?
Listen our lives stare in silence
Help us now

Listen your friends have been broken
They tell us of your poison
Now we know
Kill them give them as they give us
Slay them burn their children's laughter
On to Hell

The fist will run
Grasp metal to gun
The spirit sings in crashing tones we gain the battle drum
Our cries will shrill the air will moan and crash into the dawn
The pen won't stay the demon's wings, the hour approaches
Pounding out the Devil's sermon

Soon oh soon the light
Pass within and soothe this endless night
And wait here for you
Our reason to be here

Soon oh soon the time
All we move to gain will reach and calm
Our heart is open
Our reason to be here

Long ago, set into rhyme

Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here

Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here

Alex Chilton RIP

(December 28, 1950 - March 17, 2010)

American pop-rock musician Alex Chilton, best known for his work with the pop-music bands the Box Tops and Big Star, passed away Wednesday at the age of 59.
As lead singer for the Box Tops, Chilton enjoyed (at the age of 16) a number-one international hit, "The Letter."
In 1971 Chilton joined the power-pop group Big Star and recorded the song "In The Street" for Big Star's first album #1 Record, a track later known as the theme song of That '70s Show.
Alex would continue touring and recording as a solo artist from the late-1980s through the 1990s, and also added to his schedule concerts and recordings with the reunited Box Tops and a version of Big Star
Alex Chilton was taken to the hospital in New Orleans on March 17, 2010, complaining of health problems, and died the same day of a suspected heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and son, Timothy.

Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)

I've been a craft beer enthusiast for quite some time , and anyone that's visited Jimmy's blog knows of his passion for good brew.

Maybe it's time to advance to the next level.



The Beer Judge Certification Program or BJCP is a non-profit organization formed "to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer, and to recognize beer tasting and evaluation skills." It has been described in the press as a "hands-on ... study program designed to teach aspiring beer enthusiasts about the essence of any kind of beer". The BJCP certifies and ranks beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.
The BJCP was founded in 1985, when the first exam was given at the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) annual conference in Estes Park, Colorado. During its formative years, the program was jointly sponsored by the AHA and the Home Wine and Beer Trade Association. Both organizations sanctioned local homebrew competitions, and each had a national competition. Consequently, both were interested in fostering the improvement of judging skills and building up a pool of experienced beer judges.
In August, 1995, after a successful ten year history, support was withdrawn by the AHA, which had intentions of starting its own beer judging program. The HWBTA was unable to continue operating the program by itself, so the BJCP was expected to simply fade away. However, a considerable number of judges had been built up by this time, and many of them were quite active. A small number of these activists decided that the program could be operated solely by volunteers from among themselves, and decided to attempt the continuation of the BJCP as an independent entity.

Phil Lesh Turns 70!!!

Musician Phil Lesh, best known as bass player and founding member of the Grateful Dead, turns 70 years old today.

One of the strongest intellects and most extraordinary musical talents in rock history, Phil Lesh re-defined what the bass could sound like, and in so doing heavily influenced what the Dead sounded like. Instead of being part of the rhythm section, Phil's bass was a low-end guitar, and his improvised interplay with Garcia and Weir made the Dead the not-quite-rock-band rock band that it was.




After the demise of the Grateful Dead, Lesh continued to perform with the group Phil Lesh and Friends,not a traditional group in that several different lineups of musicians have played under the name, including groups featuring members of Gov't Mule, Phish, Little Feat, and the Zen Tricksters among others.
In 2009, Phil Lesh went back on tour with the remaining members of The Grateful Dead and called it The Reunion Tour. Following the 2009 summer tour Lesh proceeded to found a new band with Bob Weir named Furthur, which debuted in September 2009.
The latest incarnation of Further is currently on tour, and played a concert event, this past weekend, honoring Phil's birthday.



Listen to the Birthday Bash:


click here to download.

Phil up on some great '68

Al "Damn" Gore

Jackie & Dunlap are ashamed to call Al Gore a fellow Tennessean.

Warning: contains language that may not be safe for work--but that all depends on where you work.

Bob sounds-off on the Census

Not one, but two rants from Drinking With Bob concerning the upcoming U.S. Census.

"they can't even run something a simple as the freaking census, and You Want the Government in Charge of Healthcare???!!!"



"if the government would stop spending OUR MONEY on nonsense this country might have a chance at survival. sad thing is they're not even considering stopping."

Keep To Movin'

I've seldom used this forum to post reviews, but Keep To Movin' -- the latest offering by the Rock/Americana/Alt.Country group Graylight Campfire -- just screams for exception.

They're "Straight-up 3 piece rock and/or roll with a little twang and a positive vibe" and quite possibly the finest musical act to emerge from Fairfield County.

(photo by Mike Thut/Terrapin Studio)

Graylight Campfire, "the super-delegates of rock n roll", is made up of former Rafter Bats, Dave Hogan on guitar/vocals and Brian O'Callaghan on bass/vocals, and Pete May on drums. Dave and Brian also perform as an acoustic duo.

Keep To Movin' is the Stratford, Connecticut band's follow-up to 2008's All Are Welcome Some May Stay and there's no sophmore slump here.
The album kicks off with the warm and welcoming "Hello Old Friend", a country rocker that'll have the listener tapping their toes and singing along on the chorus. The toe-tappin' quickly turns to foot-stompin' with the next track "Start All Over". From there the band continues to explore various musical genres, from ska to southern tinged rock-n-blues, and rockers reminiscent of the Stones or Faces. Their playing has a fresh but rootsy feel and there's plenty of twang. The vocal harmonies are also of note. AND these boys can jam. Some of the heavier moments conjure up images of a Yellow Fever-era Hot Tuna. Most of all what makes this album a stand out is the songwriting. Mr. Hogan wrote 5 of the albums tracks, with the remainder penned by/or co written with Brian O'callaghan.
On this outing the trio is augmented by guest musicians Scott Camara, "T-Bone" Stone, and Dan Tressler on dobro, keyboards, and fiddle respectively.
I know it's only March, but this IS a top ten release for 2010. Buy it.

BONUS
Here's a couple of videos of the group performing material featured on this album.

Barack barely knew Obama

“Listen, the rumors of my sobriety are greatly exaggerated”

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Keith Richards confirmed that those stories about he and Ron Wood quitting drinking together were too good to be true.



Is anyone shocked?

Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

Founding Grateful Dead member Ron McKernan passed away on today's date in 1973.


Starting a rock band was actually Ron McKernan's idea, and he was its first front man, delivering stinging harmonica, keyboards, and beautiful blues vocals in the early years of the Warlocks/Grateful Dead. Nicknamed "Pigpen" for his funky approach to life and sanitation, he was born into a family that was generally conventional, except for the fact that his (Caucasian) father was an R & B disc jockey. And that sound put Pig's life on the rails of the blues from the time he was 12. Liquor, Lightnin' Hopkins, the harmonica and some barbecue - it was an unusual life for a white kid from San Carlos, but it was Pig's life. And the hard-drinkin' blues life began to catch up with Pig by the very early '70s. He played his last show with the band in 1972, and on March 8, 1973, he died of internal hemorrhaging caused by his drinking.

"Pigpen was the only guy in the band who had any talent when we were starting out. He was genuinely talented. He also had no discipline, but he had reams of talent. And he had that magical thing of being able to make stuff up as he went along. He also had great stage presence. The ironic thing was that he hated it - it really meant nothing to him; it wasn't what he liked. We had to browbeat him into being a performer. His best performances were one-on-one, sitting in a room with an acoustic guitar. That's where he was really at home and at his best.

"Out in front of the crowd he could work the band, and he'd really get the audience going. He always had more nerve than I could believe. He'd get the audience on his side, and he'd pick somebody out (like a heckler) and get on them... He was the guy who really sold the band, not me or Weir. Pigpen is what made the band work."

~ Jerry Garcia





Here's Robert Petersen's poem for Pigpen, written in 1973:

& pigpen died

my eyes tequila-tortured
4 days mourning
lost another fragment
of my own self
knowing
the same brutal
night-sweats & hungers
he knew
the same cold fist
that knocked him down
now clutching furiously
at my gut

shut my eyes
& see him standing
spread-legged
on the stage of the world
the boys prodding him
egging him on
he telling all he ever knew
or cared to know

mike hand cocked like
a boxer's
head throwed back
stale whiskey blues
many-peopled destinations
neon rainy streets
& wilderness of airports
thousands maybe millions
loved him
were fired instantly
into forty-five minutes of
midnight hour
but when he died
he was thin, sick, scared
and alone

like i said to laird
i just hope he didn't hurt
too much

+++++++++++ RIP Pigpen

"Detrimental To Baseball"

"detrimental to baseball," so quoth former Major League Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn about Jim Bouton's tell-all autobiography Ball Four.

Former Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton, who celebrates his 71st birthday today, was ostracized from baseball after writing the controversial book which was a combination diary of his 1969 season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.
Despite its controversy at the time,it is considered to be one of the most important sports books ever written.The book was also the basis for the short-lived 1976 CBS TV show of the same name, which starred Bouton. The TV show was canceled after a few episodes.

Jim Bouton started his major league career in 1962 with the Yankees, where his tenacity earned him the nickname "Bulldog." He also came to be known for his cap flying off his head at the completion of his delivery to the plate, as well as for his uniform number 56, a number usually assigned in spring training to players designated for the minor leagues (Bouton later explained that he had been assigned the number in 1962 when he was promoted to the Yankees, and wanted to keep it as a reminder of how close he had come to not making the ball club.
Bouton retired midway through the 1970 season after the Astros sent him down to the minor leagues. He immediately became a local sports anchor for New York station WABC-TV. It was not long after, that a cult audience saw Ball Four as a candid and comic portrayal of the ups and downs of baseball life and Jim Bouton went on the college lecture circuit, delivering humorous talks on his experiences.

Happy Birthday Jim!

Since the Academy Awards air tonight (yawn)....

.... here's Jackie & Dunlap's Oscar picks for the 2010 Liberal Academy Awards.

For Alfred

You either love or hate Al's Palace, the blog by the outspoken and abrasive Alfred.
I recently stumbled upon this "how-to" piece on starting an internet talk show.
I'm sure Al could be bigger than Rush in the world of conservative talk radio (albeit internet).

How to be an Internet Talk Show Host in under an hour! (9 Easy Steps)

1. Make sure your broadband or DSL connection is properly set up and maintaining a steady internet connection.
2. Visit www.shoutcast.com and download the Shoutcast software, including Winamp and all plug-ins, and follow the instructions to install and configure it.
3. Visit www.skype.com and download the Skype software. This is what is known as a Voice Over IP phone and is necessary if you want to take live calls during shows or wish to broadcast over another network.
4. If you wish to have more than a handful of listeners tune in to your broadcasts, you will have to pay for bandwidth. Visit http://shoutcast.serverroom.us and choose a plan that best suits you. Plans can be purchased to accommodate anywhere from 30 up to "Unlimited" listeners.
5. Hook up your PC or studio mic, any mixers you may have, and headphones.
6. Have topics ready. The great thing about Internet radio is that there are no limits to what you can say or do. While copyright guidelines do exist when it comes to playing music, FCC regulations do not pertain to the Internet. Free speech at its best!
7. If you are recording your broadcast, load up any recording software (Sound Forge, Adobe Audition, etc) and click record.
8. Load up and connect your Shoutcast software.
9. Talk
   

=

"I wanted to get in touch with my songs again"

-Ray Davies, on performing stripped-down versions of Kinks tunes on his latest tour.

"The Kink’s English"

A Kinky Conversation betwixt Ray Davies and Weekender editor Michael Lello.

Ray recently completed his chorale album and tour, is in the midst of a stripped down solo tour, and is working on a new collaboration album of Kinks classics with special guests (a long list of established and new artists from both sides of the Atlantic).

Still, Kinks fans long for the band to reunite. Ray says he is open for a Kinks reunion, but says it’s up to his brother Dave Davies.

Dave has replied,

"If Ray replies to my emails and addresses the outstanding business and creative issues we have then anything is possible- it is very much up to Ray -

The old tapes are out takes of earlier Kinks albums-RD is thinking of repackaging- and recently he rarely consults me on these issues also – There are NO new recordings of Kinks material-

thanks

Dave Davies – The Kinks"

Personally, I don't see a reunion happening anytime soon.

The Man In Black (repost)

Music legend Johnny Cash was born February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas.

J.R. Cash (his given the name because his parents could not agree on a name, only on initials.) was the son of poor cotton farmers, and one of seven children.His family's economic and personal struggles during the Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught by his mother and a childhood friend, Johnny began playing guitar and writing songs as a young boy.
He made his first single, "Hey Porter", for Sun Records in 1955.
In 1958 he moved to Columbia Records.
He had long periods of drug abuse during the 1960s, but later that decade he successfully fought his addiction with the help of singer June Carter Cash, whom he married in 1968.
In 1975 wrote his autobiography, "Man In Black", which is now out of print.
In the late 1980s he moved from Columbia Records to Mercury, then in the next decade moved again to American Recordings.

Amongst his biggest hit records were "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire" and "A Boy Named Sue".

Cash disliked being defined as a "country" artist, feeling that his music wasn't really genre-defined and noting that he often stood well outside of the Nashville mainstream (particularly towards the end of his career). Technically, his music contains elements of rock 'n' roll, folk music, bluegrass, blues and gospel as well as country-style music.
Johnny Cash is the only person besides Hank Williams to have been inducted into the Songwriters, Country Music, and Rock And Roll Halls of Fame.(Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Johnny are the only three musicians to have been inducted both to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.)
From 1969 to 1971, Cash starred in his own television show, The Johnny Cash Show, on the ABC network. The Statler Brothers opened up for him in every episode; the Carter Family and rockabilly legend Carl Perkins were also part of the regular show entourage. However, Cash also enjoyed booking more contemporary performers as guests; such notables included Neil Young, Louis Armstrong, James Taylor, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton (then leading Derek and the Dominoes), and Bob Dylan.

Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes, after several years of ill health, on September 12, 2003, only a few months after the death of his beloved wife.

Listen to Johnny Cash Radio.

M4GW: Frozen Wasteland

Some upset Minnesotans are sticking it to Al Gore. They want Global Warming and they want it now!



Lyrics:
Up here on the farm
We chop wood To stay Warm
We all could use some Global Warming
We all need to fight To preserve our rights
I don't want to be taxed a just for breathing
Open your eyes
Don't believe their lies
It's just a Frozen Wasteland
Al Gore is a liar
His pants are on fire
Plus he's getting rich from carbon offsets
He's loose with the facts
All he wants is a tax
Lets get together Before it gets much colder
Frozen Wasteland
Its just a Frozen Wasteland
Frozen Wasteland
Frozen Wasteland
WE'RE ALL FROZEN!!

visit the Minnesotans For Global Warming website -

because it's stupid to politicize the weather!

Sneak Preview

Enjoy what some call "one of the best-ever versions" of Not Fade Away> Jam> Goin' Down The Road> Not Fade Away, plus a rollicking take on Johnny B. Goode.

It's all part of the listening party for Road Trips Volume 3, Number 2, Austin 11/15/71.

Click Image to listen

PLAY IT LOUD!!!

"A GOOD selection of Belgian-style ales is like the very best kind of buffet, offering an assortment of flavors, aromas, styles, strengths and types"

Those that know me, know of my fondness for the Belgian ales.


The panel’s blind tasting of 20 Belgian-style ales was truly glorious, beer at its highest level.

(via New York Times)

Beer reviews always make for provocative consumption, but I would encourage all to sample the brews and draw your own conclusions.
Jimmy features an ongoing series of beer reviews at his site. I strongly suggest a visit!

Giant George is one Great Dane

This huge dog has officially entered the record books today as the world's tallest dog



The four-year-old canine weighs 245 lbs. and is a towering 7ft 3in when 'standing' on his hind legs.

Abe Vigoda is alive...

... and today's his 89th birthday!!!

Abe Vigoda grew up in New York City, the son of a tailor. He first appeared on stage at the age of 17. After serving in World War II Vigoda studied acting at the American Theater Wing. For years he played small roles on stage, screen and television. He is most recognized for playing Detective Fish on the ABC sitcom, Barney Miller.
In 1982 People magazine mistakenly reported Vigoda's death. Those rumors still persist more than 20 years later.

Abe was even in a Super Bowl ad this year.

"... General Motors is going to go bankrupt way before the CEO of Toyota is forced to come out and say 'I so sorry' to the American public"

"the media keeps talking about Toyota when they should be talking about General Motors. They are the problem!!! "

Ernest Dale Tubb (February 9, 1914–September 6, 1984)

Ernest Tubb is country music personified. He was among the first of the honky tonk singers, and the first to achieve national recognition.
Over the years, Tubb toured widely with his Texas Troubadors, pressing the flesh with fans after shows that featured his many hits, including "Slippin' Around," "Two Glasses Joe," "Tomorrow Never Comes," "Drivin' Nails in My Coffin," "Rainbow at Midnight," "Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello," and "Driftwood on the River."

Tubb was one of the first country artists to record in Nashville.
In 1947, he opened the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, which he promoted through the Midnight Jamboree, a radio program he designed to fill the post-Opry slot on the radio. That year, he became the first country star to play Carnegie Hall in New York, signaling how much he had done to increase country music's popularity across the United States.
In 1965, he became the sixth member to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He was also one of the first artists inducted to the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame.
In 1966, Tubb was diagnosed with emphysema and in spite of the doctors' warnings, he continued to tour and record actively into the early '70s.
In late 1982 Ernest was forced to retire due to his health. During the last days of his final tours, he had to take oxygen and rest on a cot between shows.

Ernest Tubb succumbed to emphysema on September 6, 1984, leaving behind an enormous legacy that helped shape the face of contemporary country music.

Today, his great-nephew, Lucky Tubb carries on the family's honky tonkin' legacy.

David Russell Gordon Davies

Guitarist Dave Davies turns 63 today.
Davies, along with older brother Ray, was a founding member of British rock band The Kinks.
Although Dave Davies played a largely subordinate role to his brother, he would make occasional contributions on the Kinks' records as lead vocalist and songwriter.
Dave was responsible for the signature distorted power chord riff on The Kinks' first hit, "You Really Got Me"and in 2003, Davies was ranked 88th in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

On 30 June 2004, Dave Davies suffered a stroke, but by 2006, he had recovered enough to be able to walk, talk and play guitar, and will return to touring in this year.

Jackie and Dunlap discuss PETA wanting a robotic stand-in for the beloved Groundhog Day host Punxsutawney Phil.

"by the the time they're all through, PETA have us all eatin' robot hamburgers!"

-Jackie Broyles

On one hand, PETA’s robot suggestion, while humorous, is disappointing. Where’s the militancy? Where’s the intolerance? This isn’t the extremist group that we’ve all come to know and love.

Happy Birthday Klara!

My German Shepherd Dog, Klara is 10 years old today.
Below is a photo of Klara and her cat Tabby relaxing in the bohemian loft from which this blog originates.

Edward Meeker - The Argentines, the Portuguese & the Greeks 1922 Edison 78rpm

~LYRICS~

Columbus discovered America
in Fourteen Ninety-Two.
Then came the English and the Dutch,
The Frenchman and the Jew.
Then came the Swede and the Irish-man,
To help our country grow;
Still they keep on comin'
And now everywhere you go!

There's the Argentines
And the Portuguese;
The Armenians,
And the Greeks!
One sells you paper,
One shines your shoes;
The other shaves the whiskers off your cheek.
When you ride again,
In a subway train,
Notice who has all the seats!
And you'll find that they're held
By the Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

I am in love
With the sweetest girl;
The sweetest girl
Loves me!
Though she's sweet
And hard-to-beat,
Our ideas don't agree.
I love to dine in the swell cafe;
Terrapin and wine
My girl has a different craze,
And she just loves to dine

With the Argentines,
And the Portuguese;
The Armenians,
And the Greeks.
She loves to rally,
Down among the garlic
And her breath will knock you over
When she speaks!

But the fate I dread,
Is the year we're wed,
And our child has aged three weeks!
It will look just like
All the Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

There's the Hupmobile,
And the Oldsmobile;
The Ca-dill-ac and Ford.
They are the mo-tors
You and I can own;
The kind that everybody
Can afford.

But the Cunningham,
And the Mersideez [Mercedes]
And the Rolls-Royce Racing Prix
Ah, they are owned
By the Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

They don't know the language,
They don't know the law
But they vote in the country of the free!
But the funny thing
When we start to sing
"My Country 'Tis of Thee"
None of us know the words
But the Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

They all love their liquor,
They don't give a nickel for
The stuff that runs in rivers
Brooks and creeks!
But there'll come a day
When they sail away
From this land where laws are freaks
And we'll all be aboard with
The Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

There's a little flat
Where you hang your hat
As myst'try I'll explain:
The janitor is Irish,
The hall-boy is a Pole
And the other lazy fellow is a Dane.
But who is the gent?
Who collects the rent?
At the end of each four weeks?
Ah, that is all done
By the Argentines,
And the Portuguese
And the Greeks!

Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman

Actor Gene Hackman turns 80 years old today!

Here's a tribute to the genius of Gene by Hoodoo Gurus.

Jackie and Dunlap respond to Obama's State Of the Union Address

Must've Been High

This album is essential listening.

"HONEST. Pure. Simple. These are the qualities that attracted us to punk rock. The fact that the four of us, or any like-minded jackasses for that matter, could get up on a stage and just rock out is something that we find immeasurably appealing. And it has been our search for the best that rock-n-roll has to offer which has inevitably led us down that old dirt road to the country. Simple, (there's that word again) three chord songs, sung from experience, played on an old beat up acoustic guitar--that's what we're talkin' about here. We're no virtuosos, but we had a damn good time makin' this record and we're hoping you have a damn good time listening to it. We must've been high."

- The Supersuckers

Here's an outstanding live performance from the band.

"(I'm Hungover In) The Walmart Breakroom"

By D. Striker

"HE CAN'T SING, BUT YOU CAN'T HELP LISTENING" -- Robert K. Oermann, @Music Row

I first discovered D. Striker on one of my frequent visits to "A Truer Sound" (great blog, always worth a look).

From his website: Every Friday the 13th since 1998, D.Striker has published RR, a zine which tackles Nashville's past and present while throwing up a salute revelry and crazy people. Past issues have given readers finger holes to fill to make Tammy Wynette's legs, the history of the Kenny Rogers phone sex scandal, and a first person account of a night out during "fan fair" wearing a T-shirt with iron-on-letters, "I'll take your photo for a beer." Given the freakish publication schedule, Jim Ridley of the Nashville Scene called the zine, "A beast as elusive as the centaur or free beer night." Quite often, D.Striker brings the new issue of RR to life on stage with his band, featuring members of Ole Mossy Face, Hands Down Eugene, The Carter Administration and Duraluxe. Country music historian, Robert K. Oermann once wrote of D.Striker's music, "He can't sing, but you can't help listening." On stage, the shows can get wild. An audience member's face was once bloodied up during an overzealous attack on a Glen Campbell effigy. Such is Friday the 13th with RR and D.Striker.





D.Striker has a new album, I Can Handle It. You can stream all the songs and download them for free at dstriker.com

"Nashville Radio"

'

A modern renaissance man, Jon Langford is not only a musician, but also a painter and comic artist. As a founding member of The Mekons, Langford was one of the leaders in incorporating folk and country music into punk rock. Over the years, he has released a number of solo recordings as well as recordings with other bands outside of The Mekons, most notably the Waco Brothers, which he co-founded after moving to Chicago in the early '90s.
He is strongly involved with the Chicago-based independent label Bloodshot Records.
Langford also runs a group called the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, a country music cover band, whose high-powered members take turns interpreting music by some of the genres' great songwriters like Johnny Cash or Bob Wills.
Jon is also a prolific and respected visual artist best known for his striking portraits of country music icons like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. His paintings appear on bottles and other items for the Dogfish Head Brewery.



.

"Oranj Symphonette Plays Mancini"

"Free Improvisation is a lot of fun for the musicians, but it has a tendency to leave the audience in the dust. However, when your original reference point is as well known as, say, 'The Pink Panther Theme', you don't lose people on the ride. There is a long jazz tradition of re-working popular songs into vehicles for improvisation. This band just gets its material from some unusual sources."- Matt Brubeck

There have been numerous tributes to the music of Henry Mancini, but none have been half as zany as this Oranj Symphonette release from 1996.



Cellist/bassist Matt Brubeck (the band's leader and son of jazz legend Dave Brubeck) met guitarist Joe Gore and Ralph Carney (sax, trombone and slide clarinet) while recording the Tom Waits soundtrack album for the film Night On Earth in the early 1990's.
In 1993 they became a group with the addition of drummer Scott Amendola and began playing in the San Francisco area on a part-time basis the following year with their main purpose being to reinvent Henry Mancini songs. With Pete Scaturro added on organ and Diarmid contributing zither playing and bird calls, the band tears apart a dozen Mancini tunes on their frequently hilarious debut album.

"Scientists ain't nothin' but crooks!"

Jackie and Dunlap discuss Global Warming, Climategate ... and Humanure.

Today's Date In Music History: Banyan

Live at Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco, CA - January 13, 2007

Banyan is an art rock/jazz/punk/improv group, based in Los Angeles, California.
The band is led by drummer Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction, Porno for Pyros). The core members of the band are Nels Cline (Wilco) on guitar, Willie Waldman on trumpet and Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, Dos, Stooges) on bass. Mike Watt also sings on some Banyan songs.
L.A. artist Norton Wisdom paints on a wet-erase board while the band plays, and the imagery he creates interprets the music much in the same way that lyrics might.
Saxophone player Steve Mackay (Stooges) has also joined the group during select live shows.
In liner notes and personal conversations, members of the band cite both Igor Stravinsky and Miles Davis as influences.



1.) Mad as a Hornet 2.) Oh My People 3.) A Million Little Laughs 4.) El Sexxo 5.) Lovin Them Pounds 6.) TV Eye 7.) Om Om Om 8.) Maggot Brain 9.) A Love Supreme 10.) Fun House 11.) New Old Hat
12.) E Ticket Ride 13.) We Are Time

Download full show

More Live Banyan

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Grateful Dead Donates Archives

(original post date: 4/25/09)

The Grateful Dead will donate their huge archival stash to be displayed at U.C. Santa Cruz.

Update: Their new homepage is up.

Here it is: http://library2.ucsc.edu/speccoll/GD_archive.html

The Kinks Choral Concert

==Ray Davies performs with the Dessoff Chamber Choir at Town Hall in New York City on Nov. 20.


As the front man and lead songwriter of the Kinks, Ray Davies helped lead the British Invasion of American pop music. The group's influence has grown over the years, as an increasing number of young musicians cite them as an influence.
The latest release (November '09) by Ray Davies, The Kinks Choral Collection — featuring the Crouch End Festival Chorus — is a collection of songs focusing mainly on The Kinks' three legendary albums (Something Else, The Village Green Preservation Society and Arthur) while also including some early material and the exceptional "Working Man's Cafe" from his solo album of the same title.

Hat tip to NPR Music.

Bonus audio material from NPR:

Hear Jeff Lunden, who sings in this concert, talk about it on All Things Considered

Hear Ray Davies Spin Some Of His Favorite Songs For 'All Songs Considered'

"I had to start drinking to understand some aspects of country music."

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Hank Williams III: Drunkard Of The Month

(from the Modern Drunkard Magazine Archives)

For seven decades the legendary Williams family has sang about the bottle. Now it’s Hank Williams III’s turn.

First taste: I was four or five, I remember sticking my finger in a glass and licking it off.

The usual: Jack and Coke. When I’m on stage it’s whatever they got.

Drunkest on stage: I probably just fell down from trying to rock out or head butting some friends.

Why we must drink: To not be sober. I had to start drinking to understand some aspects of country music.

The bar on the bus: Fridge full of beer and a bottle of Jack Daniels a show.

Ever get sick of answering questions about your grandfather? Still not sick of talking about Sr. I’ll never get tired of it.

Best city to booze in: Wherever I have the most friends that are buying and wanting to show us a good time.

Why the hooch and heartbreak left country: The radio stations and CMT and bullshit Music Row killed country. There needs to be more outlaws today.
Drinking songs: Couldn’t tell ya how many drinking songs I know but I know a few, I would say.

Three musicians (living or dead) you’d like to go on a bender with: Sid Vicious, Jerry Lee Lewis, and GG Allin.

Describe the evening: I’d say a drunk punch fight.

Are you going to do a “wide release” hellbilly album? Don’t know. Curb Records is in the way. He needs to be killed.

Drinking ritual: No drinking rituals, just bottoms up. If you’re into drinking, fucking knock it back, go crazy. If you’re not, more power to ya.

How long have you been a vegetarian: Nawww, I eat meat. I’m skinny enough as is. Fuck the veggie shit.

Drinking on the road: I love the road when I’m healthy and hate it when I’m too sick too party, which is like every 6 weeks. I’m sick as fuck but no matter what the show must go on.

Line from a drinking song that best sums up life: I drink to think.

You can check out Hank’s country music at hank3.com and his side
project with Philip Anselmo from Pantera at superjointritual.com.

—Interview by Nick Esposito