“That’s sure a lot of tags, Pa…“

As many of you readers know, Austin Girl Music Guide’s tagline is Reviews for Regular People (new readers check out my “About This Blog” page to learn more!).  I love music and the main goal of this blog is making music accessible.  I want to share the music I’m currently listening to with whoever decides they might want to read/listen.  Many times that means talking about stuff from the 90s that I’ve just discovered, alternative genres, and also it means that I don’t necessarily listen to every new album as soon as it’s released.

So, when thinking about what AGMG might do to mark the end of the year (really only 8 months of blogging to date – wow!), doing the typical End of Year list didn’t seem quite right considering I haven’t listened to a bunch of albums released in 2009 yet.  In keeping with AGMG’s theme and goal, I decided to implement a new Christmas tradition…the first annual Austin Girl Music Guide’s Christmas Tuneskies!  I made some simple burned CDs for my friends and family (some of whom don’t frequent blogs) in order to share some of my favorite music discoveries from the past year.  The ever-creative Seanningham created this badass CD cover, printed and cut them at Kinko’s, I assembled everything together in a colorful CD case, and there you go…one Christmas tradition begun just like that!

Click on the jump to read what tracks I chose and why, plus get the links to the 15 songs on YouTube and links to the reviews I’ve done and lots more (and if you’re a friend or family member reading this early, um, Merry Christmas)!

Track Listing

1. “2000 Miles”, Coldplay, Charity Recording – 2003 (Pretenders Original 1983)

I wanted to bookend the Christmas Tuneskies album with actual Christmas songs.  For my money, Coldplay has recorded some of the best covers of Christmas songs, starting with this great cover of the Pretenders’ Christmas classic, “2000 Miles.”

2. “Highly Suspicious”, My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges – 2008

A great album and one of the very first reviews I wrote.  Of all the songs on this Evil Urges, nothing signals Christmas mayhem quite like “Highly Suspicious.

3. “Victims of A System”, Rootz Underground, Movement – 2007

I’ve written quite a lot about Rootz Underground this year, including an album review, a concert review, and a musing about their FREE live album, AND I got to interview their lead singer, scoring a shout out.  What other reason do I need to include them in the 2009 Tuneskies?

4. “Waitin’ For A Superman”, Iron and Wine, Around the Well – 2009 (Flaming Lips Original 1999)

Iron and Wine is one of my favorite artists in general and earlier this year, I reviewed his 2007 album The Shepherd’s Dog.  I just recently downloaded Around the Well and was amazed by this cover of The Flaming Lips song “Waitin’ for a Superman” from The Soft Bulletin.  Review of Around the Well to come in the new year!

5. “Southern Point”, Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest – 2009

I reviewed Veckatimest shortly before the ACL Music Festival where I saw them live and they blew me away.  They’re an amazing band and this song is particularly fantastic.

6. “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None O’ This Jelly Roll”, Willie Nelson with Asleep at the Wheel, Willie and the Wheel – 2009

I saw the ACL taping of Willie and the Wheel earlier this year and it was terrific.  I just got the album and decided to include one for all the Willie lovers out there.  Just for fun, check out this version of the song.

7. “Living Thing”, Peter, Bjorn and John, Living Thing – 2009

Peter, Bjorn and John are another band I’ve talked about nonstop on this blog.  Earlier in the year I reviewed the album Living Thing, then more recently, I reviewed their Austin show.

8. “Wavin’ Flag”, K’naan, Troubadour – 2009

I made up for missing half of K’naan’s ACL show by including one of his great tracks here.  “Wavin’ Flag” was recently named as the FIFA World Cup anthem for 2010.  Look for my review of Troubadour in the new year!

9. “The Mountain”, Heartless Bastards, The Mountain – 2009

Again, making up for missing the great Heartless Bastards ACL show by including a song from The Mountain.  Keep your eyes here for a very special guest review of The Mountain after Christmas!

10. “Will It Grow”, Jakob Dylan, Seeing Things – 2008

One of the very earliest AGMG reviews!  A great folk album that didn’t get listened to by nearly enough people.

11. “Holes”, Mercury Rev, Deserter’s Songs – 1998

Deserter’s Songs was one of my absolute favorite discoveries of 2009.  Why did I not know about this band or album before?  No idea, but it’s probably because I was listening to Tom Petty and The Beatles instead.

12. “Sabali”, Amadou & Mariam, Welcome to Mali – 2008

I reviewed Welcome to Mali back in May and then shortly after, saw Amadou & Mariam open for Coldplay in Dallas and Houston.  This song, produced by the Gorillaz Damon Albarn, is one of the most interesting from the album.

13. “Watching the Planets”, The Flaming Lips, Embryonic – 2009

It’s no great secret that I love The Flaming Lips and talk about them constantly, so it’s only natural that I include a song from their latest album.  Despite the naked video, “Watching the Planets” is as family-friendly as the Lips get.  Watch for the review of Embryonic in 2010!

14. “Alcohol”, Gogol Bordello, Super Taranta! – 2007

Another of my earliest reviews was of Super Taranta! and recently I reviewed their live show at Stubb’s and posted an awesome video edited by Seanningham.  What Christmas album would be complete without a song called “Alcohol” anyway?  Eugene Hütz also played a major role in the Christmas Tuneskies CD cover.

15. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, Coldplay, Mince Spies – 2000

Alright, it’s official…I talked about Coldplay more than any other band on my blog in 2009.  Like The Flaming Lips, it’s no secret that Coldplay is one of my favorite bands.  I reviewed their live FREE album LeftRightLeftRightLeft, travelled to Dallas and Houston two days in a row to review their shows, and created the very first AGMG “…In 10″ video based on footage we took of their concerts.  Closing out Christmas Tuneskies with their beautiful version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” seems very fitting.

There it is folks!  Try out my mix…I’m sure you’ll find it just as delightful as I have.  Merry Christmas all!

Air Date: December 11, 2009

Playlist: System of a Down, The Nightwatchman, Iron Maiden, The Electric Sheep, Jane’s Addiction, Jakob Dylan, Rage Against The Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Black Eyed Peas & Justin Timberlake, Tom Morello & Bruce Springsteen, M.I.A. and Aerosmith.

Download: http://axisofjustice.net/audio/Axis_121109_part1.mp3

More: Axis of Justice Website

Elvis Costello’s TV show Spectacle has featured a superstar ensemble of performers.

Watch some behind-the-scenes footage from one episode featuring Jenny Lewis, Zooey Deschanel, Tennessee Thomas, and Jakob Dylan playing together.

Here’s “Carpetbaggers” with Jenny Lewis, Johnathan Rice, Elvis Costello, Farmer Dave, Zooey Deschanel, and two drummers: Tennessee Thomas (The Like) and her dad, Pete Thomas:

Here’s “Change is Hard” by She & Him:

Air Date: December 11, 2009

Playlist: System of a Down, The Nightwatchman, Iron Maiden, The Electric Sheep, Jane’s Addiction, Jakob Dylan, Rage Against The Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Black Eyed Peas & Justin Timberlake, Tom Morello & Bruce Springsteen, M.I.A. and Aerosmith.

Download: http://axisofjustice.net/audio/Axis_121109_part2.mp3

More: Axis of Justice Website

http://alphainventions.com                 http://blogsurfer.us

Hi guys. Nasty weather in the area…already lost power and internet once.
Quick one…ready?….

Fab Four Fun Facts for 12/9
~1995 The Beatles’ first new tune in 25 years, “Free as a Bird,” debuts on a six-hour ABC documentary on the Fab Four. The Beatles’ “Anthology I” quickly shoots to the top of the charts.  (I had all 3 Anthology’s…wish I hadn’t sold them now…would love to hear them again)
~1961, The Beatles played at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot to a crowd of just 18 people. The date had not been advertised, owing to the local newspaper’s refusal to accept the promoter’s cheque. After the show The Beatles became rowdy, getting themselves ordered out of town by the local police.

Big 3 Birthdays
~1957 Donny Osmond is born in Ogden, Utah. The seventh son of George and Olive Osmond, Donny becomes a member of the Osmonds in 1963. His biggest solo single is the No. 1 song “Go Away Little Girl.” And who could forget such classics as “Sweet and Innocent” and “Puppy Love”? Then there’s the ground-breaking TV broadcast of The Donny and Marie Show, which was then reprieved in the time-slot now occupied by “The View”. Then you got your “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, Broadway, Vegas, and Dancing with the Stars.

~1932, Born on this day in Memphis, Junior Wells,  blues singer, harmonica player. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. He died on 5th January 1998.

~1969, Born on this day in NYC,  Jakob Dylan. “The Wallflowers won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song. “One Headlight” also won the VH-1 Video of the Year for 1997.” They’ve got 5 albums under their belt but the status of the band is currently unknown since their recording contract ended in 2005, although there was a brief reunion tour in 2007. Jakob remains very active as a solo act, along with stints with the Gold Mountain Rebels.

And Then There’s These…
~1950 Joan Armatrading is born on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, raised and currently residing in England. Singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist and a 3-time Grammy nominee.
~1922 Redd Foxx St Louis MO, comedian (Sanford & Son, Redd Foxx Show) 
~1960 1st broadcast of “Coronation Street” on British ITV
~1965 “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premieres 
~1994 5 meter meteor 1994 XM1 passes within 100,000 km of Earth
~1994 Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders resigns after masturbation comments

And More Misc Music Notes
~1984 The Jacksons play their last show together in Los Angeles.
~1964 The John Coltrane Quartet records the jazz classic “Love Supreme.”
~1967, The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Before the show a policeman found singer Jim Morrison making out with an 18 year-old girl in a backstage shower and after an argument the policeman sprays mace in Morrison’s face. Once on stage Morrison tells the story of the backstage episode and starts taunting the police who drag him off the stage and arrest him. The crowd riots leaving the venue in disarray and many are arrested. Later over 100 protestors gathered at the police station in demonstration and more arrests were made
~1972, Helen Reddy went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Am Woman’
~1972, The Moody Blues started a five-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Seventh Sojourn’.  (Awesome)
~1978, Chic started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Le Freak’
~1988, According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third.  (Ummm, okay…??)
~2000, U2 made their first-ever appearance on the long-running NBC program ‘Saturday Night Live.’ The band played ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Elevation.’
~2003, Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne’s accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message.

Warm and Fuzzy…or Blah-blah-blah
~”The act of giving is more important than the merit of the receiver.”

Bye now…thanks for coming by…and stay safe

I don’t exactly know when or why I ceased being able to focus on a single task when I am by myself, but whether it’s watching sports, writing a Blog or downloading music I need to have multiple distractions in the room.

For example I can’t simply sit on the couch and watch a sporting event, relax and take in the action anymore. That would be too easy, too mundane. No, I need to be on the computer reading articles, looking up stats or searching for music while listening to the game and only glancing up to watch significant plays periodically.

Likewise I can’t just sit at my computer and download music. I need to be eating and folding laundry while the songs stream to my hard drive. Even as I write this article I am definitely not completely focused on finishing the piece. In fact, I am also snacking on a chocolate chip Clif Bar, listening to the new Jakob Dylan album “Seeing Things” to figure out whether I like it or not and between typing paragraphs highlighting sections of Saturday’s play-by-play from our game against Longwood.

What is wrong with me?

Why can’t I just sit down and type a Blog without engaging in 12 other tasks?

Although by far the worst example of my need for distractions is when I’m driving. I think I’m a fine driver but sometimes I drive very recklessly because I can’t just sit there and solely focus on driving. Focusing on not getting into an accident or speeding apparently isn’t enough motivation for me to give driving my undivided attention.

Nope, while I’m driving I have to be talking on the phone, eating, or (engaging in the most reprehensible and egregious of actions while drive) texting.

I know, I know. You don’t even have to say it. I’m an idiot for texting while I’m driving, but I promise you that I’m trying really hard to quit. It’s just that I get so damn antsy and uncomfortable when I am only focused on one thing that I can’t seem to break this terrible practice. I’m like a fucking smoker who can’t seem to kick the habit because they keep convincing themselves over and over that this one is the “last one.”

Texting aside, in general I don’t want to be this way. I used to be able to relax on the couch for hours just vegging out in the front of the tube, or get lost in some tunes during my daily commute without worrying about doing 10 other things to occupy my crazy mind, but for whatever reason I just can’t anymore.

I used to think that my need for multiple distractions was due to the fact that I was lonely and therefore needed to keep my mind occupied, but I no longer think that’s true. Perhaps my solitude was the reason in the past but now I think I have just evolved into a person who thrives on the feeling of being productive.

Before I believed that I couldn’t relax as a result of doing 8 things at once, but now I’m starting to think that this is how I relax. Maybe my obsession with work and my career has transformed me into a person who needs to feel the high of productivity all hours of the day to keep me calm and balanced.

In a crazy way I feel as if I allow myself to focus on one entity or task when I am alone that this, in some warped way, would serve to devalue my time since I knew I could be getting more accomplished.

Sometimes I think that it is my crazy obsessions, like this one, that will either ascend me to greatness or precipitate my fall because as people have pointed out in the past, how long can I really go on living like this?

Well, I can’t honestly answer that question, but I can say this; I have never been one for conventional wisdom or following the past most commonly traveled. Like many aspects of my life or decisions that I have made they don’t appear to make sense or lend themselves toward any logical direction at the time, but in my head they are all pieces of one master plan.

Whether it’s the fact that I eat pancakes for dinner, stay late at the office when I don’t have to or engage in 6 different tasks to help me relax these things works for me, and until I decide that they no longer serve a purpose I am going to continue to live my crazy life and not apologize for it.

1. It’s okay to call a song “One Hit Wonder.”

2. You’re probably a shitty kind of friend when you can’t even remember when you’ve “lost (your) only friend.”

3. If your “only friend” had “died easy of a broken heart disease” there must be some foul play involved. Get a court order to have the body exhumed by a bonafide medical examiner.

4. You can determine someone’s cause of death by listening “through the cemetery trees.”

5. If you see “the sun coming up at the funeral at dawn,” you must be overstaying. You can only do that at wakes.

6. What’s definitely ”better than in the middle” are lyrics by the older Dylan.

7. Sure an old place can “feel just like a beat up truck” but it requires quite a stretch of the imagination to “turn the engine” which “doesn’t turn.” (edg)

New screen captures from the film, Fighting Fish with Val Emmich and Anna Moore @ ValEmmichFans. Remember who brought it to you first! Also. Who keeps searching for this film(“val emmich movie fighting fish”) and ends up here in my blog?? Come out and reveal yourself! LOL

Anyway, Val has some plans for me in the future. Very exciting stuff but it’ll be awhile from now.

I’m also waiting to hear back from Jakob Dylan’s management.

I can’t really say much on both matters.

Waiting…
Waiting…..
Waiting……..

I forgot I have a set of photos from the T-Bone Burnett tour. Jakob Dylan opened for him back in 2006. I was I think 7 months pregnant with my second child at the time when I attended the show. I was huge and uncomfortable in the seat, but I enjoyed the show nonetheless.

If you haven’t visited Jakob-Dylan.com recently, you should. The site’s been freshened up and now you can follow updates on Twitter.

Get your copy here. For every Wallflower fan. This was made by a fan. It’s unofficial but great nonetheless. I already have all the songs from years ago lol. I’m that hardcore.

Abrimos de nuevo de par en par las puertas de nuestra sección Qué canción es mejor con una de mis favoritas de David Bowie, Heroes. Publicada en 1977 en el disco del mismo título (segundo de su “trilogía berlinesa”), el duque blanco la compuso mano a mano con uno de sus productores fetiche, Brian Eno. David Robert Jones nos cuenta una historia de dos amantes en tiempos de la guerra fría con el telón de acero de trasfondo. La melodía tan característica que dibuja la guitarra es obra de uno de los guitarristas fundamentales del rock progresivo, Robert Fripp (miembro de King Crimson). El video que he elegido es el de la actuación en el Live Aid del 13 de julio de 1985.  Por cómo la tocaron en aquella ocasión, por la actitud del público y del propio Bowie, y por ser un día tan especial, es considerada por muchos como la mejor interpretación que ha hecho de la canción.

Fijaros en dos detalles. Cuando presenta a la banda, el de los sintetizadores es Thomas Dolby, afamado músico al que sus compañeros de estudios le apodaron “Dolby” por los Laboratorios del mismo nombre. Y la dedicatoria que hace a su hijo y a todos los niños del planeta, que plasmaba el cambio paulatino en el frío carácter del “camaleón” por una mayor cercanía a su primogénito y más sensibilidad hacia las causas sociales. Duncan Jones, también conocido como Joe Bowie tenía entonces 14 años. Hoy es un prometedor director de cine que ha ganado recientemente el festival internacional de cine fantástico de Sitges por su película Moon.

Se han hecho multitud de versiones como os podéis imaginar. Desde coetáneos de Bowie como Blondie, el grupo de Debbie Harry (ver video), hasta Oasis (ver video) y Kasabian (ver video) pasando por el DJ de moda David Guetta (ver video). Me he decantado por poner una del grupo canadiense Arcade Fire, que además ha compartido escenario con el mismo Bowie en los últimos tiempos por cierto.

Otra de las versiones más logradas fue la que hizo el grupo The Wallflowers, el de Jakob Dylan, el hijo de Robert Zimmerman. La incluyeron en la banda sonora de la película Godzilla en 1998 y es bastante fiel a la original.

El guaperillas de Bon Jovi y sus colegas hicieron su aportación de forma acústica añadiéndole una orquesta. Por este detalle el resultado final se aleja del resto de versiones, dándole otro matiz a la canción.

Por último, la banda finlandesa de metal Apocalyptica, famosa por tocar canciones heavy con violonchelos, se atrevió a hacerla aunque se encuentra fuera de su órbita sonora. Para la ocasión, contaron con la colaboración de Till Lindemann, cantante de Rammstein. Otra peculiaridad más es oirla en otro idioma como el alemán.

Pues abrimos una sección nueva, con listas de canciones.

Ahí va una lista de 7 canciones, para empezar bien cada día de la semana…

Lunes: Something good this day comes (Seeing things) – Jakob Dylan

Martes: La luna debajo del brazo (Daiquiri Blues) – Quique González

Miércoles: Días Sin (La ciudad de las agujas) – Amaro Ferreiro

Jueves: Jet Lag (Mentiroso mentiroso) – Ivan Ferreiro

Viernes: Street lights (Nashville) – Josh Rouse

Sábado: Can’t sing straight (A piece of what you need) – Teddy Thompson

Domingo: Our song (Civilians) – Joe Henry

Feliz semana

:electricalkid:

Oh Jakob Dylan, you still have my heart. Just added 30 photos from Aspen, Co show 07.29.09 @ Jakob-Dylan.com.

Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers perform in Aspen, CO on July 21, 2009. Posting soon in jakob-dylan.com.

Freeport, Maine, will continue to draw crowds for more than just camping supplies and outer wear again this weekend, as the LL Bean Summer Concert Series is in full swing.

On Saturday, August 15, at 7:30pm, fans will again be entertained by the Grammy Award Winning group, The Wallflowers, featuring frontman Jakob Dylan. We understand from the Public Relations folks at LL Bean that there will also be a special opening performance for all to enjoy. Arrive early, as this show will again be packed!

Another note…We have been contacted by the folks at LL Bean to remind concert attendees that LL Bean could use your assistance to “Help Fight Hunger” as they work with local and statewide food pantries to collect non-perishable foods. If you would be so kind as to bring a canned or boxed, non-perishable food to the concert with you to donate that would be very much appreciated. Thank You and enjoy the show!!!

For more information on upcoming shows (there are four more after this weekend) please check out; LL Bean Concert Performance Lineup

Visit Jakob Dylan’s Moonfruit at www.jakob-dylan.com

Because I’m a good friend and a sucker for everything 90s, I accompanied TDub to the Wallflowers show last week at the Newport (a venue with a capacity of 1700 located right across from the Ohio State University on High Street in Columbus, Ohio if you’re not familiar.) I had no expectations other than hearing “One Headlight” and seeing TDub get drunk.

(I was pleased on both fronts.)

When we made it in the doors, I was shocked by the lack of merch offered. In my many years of professional concert-going, I’ve come accustomed to seeing posters, stickers, twelve different kinds of t-shirts and a selection of a few over-priced hoodies arranged precariously on wire racks behind the merch table. Wallflowers concertgoers, however, were given two options: two white shirts (each with random images that I now forget. I can tell you that they were of a multi-colored scribble variety, and not of Jakob Dylan’s beautiful face.) Unimpressed, we moved onward.

I’ve been to a LOT of shows at the Newport. From Children of Bodom to Plain White T’s, and the various groups of fans that converge for each event. While the fans at the Wallflowers were anything but abundant (only the lower bowl was open, and it was barely half-full at the beginning of the show,) they made up for their numbers in enthusiasm. Somehow, without even trying, Tiahna and I got spots front row. We had ample personal space, an occasional breeze thanks to the side doors opening and closing, and an unfettered view of the man we were there for: Jakob Dylan.

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I’m HUGE into Bob Dylan. During the Wallflowers’ entire set, I couldn’t stop poking Tiahna to point out similarities between Jakob and his father. Speaking voice? Check. Sense of humor? Check. Choice in hats? Check.

The fans around us were pleased with the choice of songs performed, including “Sixth Avenue Heartache,” “God Don’t Make Lonely Girls,” and “The Difference.”

A really cool aspect of the performance was Jakob’s interaction with fans. Several times throughout the set he called out to specific people in the audience, asking what song they would like the band to perform. After hearing one request that was inaudible to Tiahna and I, he dismissed it: “I can’t play that one! Has too many chords.”

The hands down sweetest moment of the night came during one such interaction with a girl named Erin from the audience. Erin was atop her boyfriend’s shoulders, dancing and trying to get Jakob’s attention. When she did, he invited her onstage. As she made her way up on stage, shaking with excitement, she nearly tackled Jakob. He hugged her and asked her if she sang at all, inviting her to share the mic with him.

HOLD ON. This doesn’t happen in real life, does it?

Yes, it does.

Erin sang (away from the mic), danced like a hooch, and was later joined onstage by her very bulky boyfriend (who was ALL ABOUT the mic.) Erin and co were onstage for two shows before Jakob kindly and cleverly brushed them off. Before she exited, though, Erin snagged both a picture (no cameras be damned!) and tripped over an amp’s wire. It was too charming to be embarrassing.

In the end, here’s what you need to know: The Wallflowers are charming, have a great sound live, and make their fans very happy.

Because I’m a good friend and a sucker for everything 90s, I accompanied TDub to the Wallflowers show last week at the Newport (a venue with a capacity of 1700 located right across from the Ohio State University on High Street in Columbus, Ohio if you’re not familiar.) I had no expectations other than hearing “One Headlight” and seeing TDub get drunk.

(I was pleased on both fronts.)

When we made it in the doors, I was shocked by the lack of merch offered. In my many years of professional concert-going, I’ve come accustomed to seeing posters, stickers, twelve different kinds of t-shirts and a selection of a few over-priced hoodies arranged precariously on wire racks behind the merch table. Wallflowers concertgoers, however, were given two options: two white shirts (each with random images that I now forget. I can tell you that they were of a multi-colored scribble variety, and not of Jakob Dylan’s beautiful face.) Unimpressed, we moved onward.

I’ve been to a LOT of shows at the Newport. From Children of Bodom to Plain White T’s, and the various groups of fans that converge for each event. While the fans at the Wallflowers were anything but abundant (only the lower bowl was open, and it was barely half-full at the beginning of the show,) they made up for their numbers in enthusiasm. Somehow, without even trying, Tiahna and I got spots front row. We had ample personal space, an occasional breeze thanks to the side doors opening and closing, and an unfettered view of the man we were there for: Jakob Dylan.

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I’m HUGE into Bob Dylan. During the Wallflowers’ entire set, I couldn’t stop poking Tiahna to point out similarities between Jakob and his father. Speaking voice? Check. Sense of humor? Check. Choice in hats? Check.

The fans around us were pleased with the choice of songs performed, including “Sixth Avenue Heartache,” “God Don’t Make Lonely Girls,” and “The Difference.”

A really cool aspect of the performance was Jakob’s interaction with fans. Several times throughout the set he called out to specific people in the audience, asking what song they would like the band to perform. After hearing one request that was inaudible to Tiahna and I, he dismissed it: “I can’t play that one! Has too many chords.”

The hands down sweetest moment of the night came during one such interaction with a girl named Erin from the audience. Erin was atop her boyfriend’s shoulders, dancing and trying to get Jakob’s attention. When she did, he invited her onstage. As she made her way up on stage, shaking with excitement, she nearly tackled Jakob. He hugged her and asked her if she sang at all, inviting her to share the mic with him.

HOLD ON. This doesn’t happen in real life, does it?

Yes, it does.

Erin sang (away from the mic), danced like a hooch, and was later joined onstage by her very bulky boyfriend (who was ALL ABOUT the mic.) Erin and co were onstage for two shows before Jakob kindly and cleverly brushed them off. Before she exited, though, Erin snagged both a picture (no cameras be damned!) and tripped over an amp’s wire. It was too charming to be embarrassing.

In the end, here’s what you need to know: The Wallflowers are charming, have a great sound live, and make their fans very happy.

Great show, but all I could think about is how Jakob Dylan is SO his father. Mannerisms, voice when speaking, choice of hat (hah!)

Po kasecie magnefotonowej przyszedł czas na płytę winylową/ gramofonową/ czarną/ winyla.

Płyta winylowa to wynalazek Hemila Berlinera. Rozróżnia się dwa rodzaje płyt: single – odtwarzane z prędkością 45 obr./min oraz longplaye – odtwarzane z prędkością 33 1/3 obr./min.  Rozwój “czarnej” płyty gramofonowej zakończył się już w 1958 r., kiedy wytwórnia Mercury Records wyprodukowała pierwsze płyty stereofoniczne z zapisem obu kanałów dźwiękowych po dwóch zboczach tego samego rowka. Później już nic nowego w kwestii winylu nie wymyślono. Aż do czasu tego posta.

Jest rok ‘77. Rewolucja punkowa rozkręca się na dobre. Lider Sex Pistols zakłada na koncert koszulkę z napisem “I hate Pink Floyd”. Waters/Gilmour i spółka niewiele sobie z tego robią. Płyta “Animals” sprzedaje się świetnie. Za motyw na jej okładkę posłużyła podlondyńska elektrownia Battersea – największa w Europie budowla z cegły. Samo zdjęcie jest zaś fotomontażem, gdyż w dniu gdy zrobiono zdjęcie elektrowni wielka świnia zerwała się ze sznura i pomimo akcji łowieckiej z użyciem helikoptera znaleziono ją dopiero 3 dni później… Okładka (jak niemal wszystkie inne PF) jest dziełem genialnego Storma Thorgersona -> check this out!

Wydana w 1987 r. Nothing Like the Sun to płyta, na której pojawili się m.in. Branford Marsalis, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton czy współpracujący z Anną Marią Jopek Mino Cinelu. Prawdziwa plejada gwiazd. Prawdziwie wspaniała muzyka. Sting still stings!

Rodzice kupili dziesięcioletniemu Elvisowi gitarę, ponieważ była o wiele tańsza niż upragniony rower. Podobno do końca życia ElVis im tego nie wybaczył. Nie mający nic wspólnego z Elvisem Levi(s) Strauss w 1853 r. założył w Kalifornii firmę, która jako pierwsza wyprodukowała niebieskie jeansy.

Szkoła Podstawowa nr 65 i “The Wall“. Powie ktoś, że ten cover jakoś nie pasuje do reszty wymyślnych okładek albumów Pink Floyd. Oto odpowiedź: tę do The Wall zaprojektował sam  Roger Waters.

ABBA jest ze Szwecji, a Queen to zespół angielski. Jego legendarny wokalista tak naprawdę nazywał się Farrokh Bulsara i urodził się na wyspie Zanzibar. Zmarł w 1991 r. mając 45 lat.

Sam już nie wiem, czy to Bob, czy Cate Blanchett. Dylan ma syna Jakoba, który muzykalność odziedziczył po ojcu. Posłuchajcie Wallflowers – zespołu, któremu lideruje Dylan jr.

Albu m The Dark Side of The Moon spędził na amerykańskiej liście Billboard 200 bez przerwy 741 tygodni (14 lat!!!) -  dłużej niż jakikolwiek album w historii. Chyba nic więcej dodawać nie trzeba.

I am listening to “Sleepwalker” at work

So today I would like people to think about Jakob Dylan.

Lead Singer from the Wallflowers….

Here he is in a hallway:

here he is playing a guitar:

He can still drive it home with one headlight.

♫LAUREN

CONDRON.US