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music

Possibly The Greatest Phish Song Ever

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Phish is back with a vengeance and their 3.0 incarnation is blowing the doors off every venue they play. They have over the past few months debuted a whole slew of new songs, starting first during their historic Hampton three show run back in March and then continuing during their recently concluded Summer tour.
As an aside, I was at the first Hampton show which I still have not written about on this blog but I can honestly say that it was such a transcendent experience that other than seeing Page and Plant live in London in 1998 – I actually saw them two nights in a row, first with 2,000 people at Shepherds Bush Empire and then the next night at a BBC studio with 200 people which is when I got to high five Jimmy Page – it was the best single concert I’ve ever attended (I preface “single” because I was at Woodstock ’94). When Phish opened the show with “Fluffhead,” a phan favorite that they never played during their 2.0 incarnation, everyone lost their shit the way that Oprah’s audience did when she gave them all a car. It was chaos and it was phantastic.
Okay, now back to the present. I’ve been lucky enough to see Phish 5 times (so far) in 2009 and while I am a huge phan of some of their new songs, like “Backwards Down the Number Line,” one song in particular, a Jon Fishman original called “Party Time” that was debuted at their Merriweather Post Pavilion show on 8/15 which I attended, is just so flat out amazing that it not only vaulted its way immediately into my top 5 all time list but it quite possibly could be the best Phish song ever.
Oh yes, I did really write that statement. “Chalk Dust Torture,” “The Mango Song,” “Harry Hood” and “Down With Disease” now have a new neighbor. Come waste your time with me? No thanks “Waste” – you are now in the sixth slot because I just checked my watch and it says that it’s party time!
I feel so honored to have been at the debut of “Party Time.” It is such a rarity to have been at the only occurrence of a Phish song but right now there is one and only one version of this song out there – from Merriweather Post Pavilion, period. Even “Backwards Down the Number Line” which I mentioned above they have played about 5 times already. While you can listen to over 100 different live versions of “Tweezer,” there is only one live version of “Party Time” and I cannot wait for the first 20 minute version to be busted out. Festival 8 is around the corner and I’m praying they open with a nice long version of it.
A fellow phan and phriend of mine said in an email to me that,

“It is a rare event when a new song is debuted and immediately accepted by the crowd. I can’t wait for it to be played again and get tighter. The energy and goofiness of the song mixed with the odd rhythms and almost impossible layering of parts that shouldn’t make sense, but somehow seem to gel perfectly is almost the definition of what I love about Phish.”

I couldn’t agree more. Don’t believe me or my phriend? Check out the video below and you’ll probably never need to ask what time it is again because it will be permanently “Party Time!” ‘Nuff said.

Video via Nib

music

Africa – Acapella Style

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A friend sent me a link to a song by Perpetuum Jazzile that is up on YouTube. Who are they? Well, they are the only Slovenian jazz choir, are conducted by its artistic director Tomaž Kozlevčar and are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.
Their repertoire consists of an ear-catching selection of vocal jazz and pop, like “Africa” by Toto, which is what I was sent. The song is almost secondary to the amazing way that they create “rain” at the beginning – you have to hear it to believe it. Even the writer of the song loves it. The band posted this email below from David Paich, the aforementioned writer:

Greetings!
My name is David Paich. When I wrote Africa I never dreamed of hearing such an innovative rendition. All I can say is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am truly honored that you not only would arrange a choir version of the song but the time and effort into creating REAL MAGIC! I have NEVER received so many emails from artists friends and colleagues on a singular performance of a song.
My hats off to all of you.
I know my co-writer Jeff Porcaro would have shared the same feelings. I know my band TOTO does.
Again, thanks you for such a wonderful gift.I would love to meet everyone sometime soon and maybe work together.
Regards………David

You don’t believe me, or him, then listen to the clip below. Enjoy!

Via Pipi

music

The Moonwalk Is Dead. Long Live the Moonwalk.

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To honor Michael Jackson’s passing, I’ve decided to post about The Moonwalk, capitalized on purpose.
The Moonwalk is one dance move I will never be able to do. I remember trying and failing repeated as young lad but I was able to kick my leg up around my waist, say “he-he” in a high pitched voice, grab my crotch and then point diagonally skyward. Who grew up in the 80’s and didn’t do that?
Michael Jackson was a lot of things – artist, performer, dancer, choreographer, side show and freak show – but his smooth, ever-so-cool, gravity-defying move has proven to be one of the most iconic dance moves in history. Hell, the dance move even inspired a movie, called “Moonwalker,” which gave us a giant robot version of MJ slaying bad guys with some seriously killer moves.
Below is, according the MSN Music, the first instance captured on video of Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalk.” It can be seen around 3:41, which is when everyone goes ballistic:

Some assorted random Michael Jackson memories of mine are:

  • Thinking he was saying “fuckee” instead of “funky” in the song “Beat It” and being uncomfortable listening to it around my grandparents.
  • Being totally scared to the point where I had nightmares by the “Thriller” video. There was one part in the haunted house that I used to close my eyes for and my friend Justin, who had cable therefore MTV therefore the video, would always be nice enough to tell me when I could open them again.
  • Wondering how the hell he got that bad motherfucker Slash to wail away on his “Black or White” track

If you are feeling nostalgic for some of Jackson’s great music, moves and mini-movies (aka his videos), check out the Michael Jackson YouTube Channel which has 36 (double chai?) videos.
I actually just watched “Black and White” and was blown away with the first minute of Macaulay Culkin and George Wendt and then the rest of the video – the dancing through the various sets to the face merge at the end. Man I forgot how he was so damn talented. Sick.
This video actually made me sad for the first time. Its really unfortunate that the recent trials, bankruptcies and general weirdness distracted me from his musical brilliance because as I’m hopscotching around his career and catalog, I’m just amazed at how good he really was.
We in America destroy our icons in life and venerate them in death and that is definitely playing out true to form. Jackson from 1975 – 1995 I will miss dearly. Jackson from 1996 – 2009 I won’t miss at all. Unfortunately thus far there is way too much coverage on the 1996 – 2009 years and I’m hoping that changes.
Through the years I’ve posted when a number of different people have passed away. Now Michael Jackson is the latest but definitely not the last. So, here’s to you Michael: your music and artistry has made my life richer and for that I am thankful.

music

Deeper Than Rap

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I have been addicted to Rick Ross’s “Lay Back” for over a week now – I just cannot stop listening to it – and I’ve posted it for you here to listen to yourself – you tell me I’m out there or if its a bangin’ track::

Best line by far: “Number 1 at whatever, I get buddles of cheddar, ditch that black cloud, you deserve wonderful weather.”
The walking dichotomy of Rick Ross, a pseudo-gangster, maybe real gangster, and his feud with Fiddy has sent him to the top of the charts and made him stand out from the rest of the rap landscape. I usually only skim the surface of what is going on in the rap world, paying attention to the most famous / popular (unless you happen to be affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan) and Rick Ross has done that here by elevating himself to a level that even I am paying attention. Not bad for a media savvy former corrections officer. Too bad for his persona though that Freeway Ricky Ross, his inspiration, has denounced him for his law ties.
One of my favorite aspects of his site is that his album drop countdown clock is totally off by one month on his MySpace page– the album has been released yet it says that is coming out over two weeks from now:
rickross.jpg
Last but not least, of course I learned about Rick Ross from the most hip of places – no, not Vibe or The Source but the Grey Lady. Yup, that is right – the N Y f’ing T baby. Believe it or not, they provide some good rap info in the Sunday Arts and Leisure section. Keep in mind that the NYT is the same place that a few years ago I learned about Ghostface Killah dropping a new album.

music

"Chinese Democracy" Review

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Usually I try to write a witty original title for a post, something that sort of implies what the post is about but at the same time adds a touch of ironic detachment. There is no way I could do that here. My title needed to be as simple as Axl’s album is complex. After 17 years a new GnR album has been released. I have it. I’ve listened to it a few times. It does not suck. In many places it flat out rocks. I’m surprised but I’m not.
Chuck Klosterman, author of Sex, Drugs and Coco Puffs (one of the funniest books I’ve ever read – I literally laughed out loud on the 6 train reading it which caused a good number of passengers to stare at me), wrote a review in the Onion AV Club section which does a great job of summing up the album. He sets the tone when he says right off the bat that,

“Reviewing Chinese Democracy is not like reviewing music. It’s more like reviewing a unicorn. Should I primarily be blown away that it exists at all? Am I supposed to compare it to conventional horses? To a rhinoceros? Does its pre-existing mythology impact its actual value, or must it be examined inside a cultural vacuum, as if this creature is no more (or less) special than the remainder of the animal kingdom?”

I too am incredibly confused and conflicted about listening to and reviewing the album. What am I supposed to do? Should I compare it to solely the GnR back catalog when the band was the band? Should I try to forget my years of longing for this mystery album, of joking about how Axl was driving the GnR legacy off a steep Hollywood Hills cliff, of thinking of Axl locked away in a studio endlessly turning multicolored knobs to get things exactly perfect and most of all of wondering if he will ever just stop and release the album?
In full disclosure, I must inform you that I love GnR. One of my great musical disappointments is not having seen the old pre-Axl buying the name and going his own way Guns n Roses live. I was a meek junior high school student when the “Use Your Illusion” albums were out and an even meeker and younger child when “Appetite” and “Lies” debuted so its not like I really had an option to go to a show but I still, I lived in that era and am super bummed I missed out, especially the Guns n Roses / Metallica tour in 1992.
Sure, this new album technically only has one original GnR member on it in Axl while the Slash’s Snakepit album from 1994 had four original GnR members in it but “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” sounds more like Tesla than GnR while “Chinese Democracy” sounds a lot like it should have been titled “Use Your Illusion 3.”
I actually started to write this post right when I got the album but I’m glad I waited to let the music seep in. Now more than ever I think the “Illusion” reference is particularly on target. An “Appetite” homage this is not – I mean, Axl even reuses the “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate” quote from “Cool Hand Luke” which was used at the beginning of “Civil War” (a “UYI 2” song). Axl’s voice is a still a strong live wire – I hear his screech and half the time my mind’s eye immediately sees Ahnold leather jacket clad on motorcycle in “Terminator 2” – I just can’t help.
The album features some fast kick ass hard rocking songs. There also some slow November Rain / Estranged like piano driven ballads which give it the “UYI” feel. I’m not in love with the album per se but I am in serious like. I keep finding myself listening to it whenever I get a chance – I keep challenging myself to see if I really like and if so, what do I think this mean about Axl’s role in the band’s past considering this album is his demonic baby.
Right now, my favorite songs are “Catcher in the Rye” (which along with “Street of Dreams” reminds me of “Yesterdays” – another “UYI 2” song) and “I.R.S.” Axl sings on “Catcher” that “If I thought that I was crazy, I guess I’d have more fun” and if that comment is about the torturous process of making this album, I’m happy to report that to me in the end it was worth the wait.

music

The Knux

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I read an article titled The Mining of Hip-Hop’s Golden Age a few weeks back which gave me a good list of meta-rap groups like the Cool Kids, Pacific Division, the Knux, Kidz in the Hall and Plastic Little to discover. For the past month, I’ve been checking them all out and in the process I’ve once again been amazed at how easy it is to use the Net to hear (maybe not “own” but hear) new music.
If you’ve never heard the term meta-rap, these types of groups “make music that is a commentary on what came before it. In hip-hop, which can be ruthlessly forward-looking, this is a novel development, and it has made for compelling and diverse music.”
One song that has been stuck in my head for the last month is Cappuccino by “The Knux.” I dig it and I hope you do too. Happy Friday – enjoy!

music

Could it be?

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My blood pressure spiked today. Reports are coming in that Led Zeppelin is hitting the road on a reunion tour next year and by Led Zeppelin, I mean Jimmy, Robert, John and Jason (John’s son). There is a reason why the Led Zep website’s URL for the O2 show back in Dec 07 is “/reunion” – I think Jason is legit – he’s family.
I first heard this rumor last Saturday – that John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page were in the studio rehearsing with Jason Bonham along with a mystery vocalist for a possible 09 tour. It made sense to me: Jimmy and John were tight when they played with Dave Grohl back in June but where was Robert?
On the Led Zep Reunion Tour, The Sun reports that,

They even rehearsed with stand-in singers — and one American was so impressive they were confident they could hit the road next year without Plant. That was what finally persuaded him to return. A source revealed: “The rest of the band had all but given up on Robert joining them, but they were determined to go ahead so had started to seriously explore other avenues. When Robert realized the band were serious about doing it without him, it made him think long and hard.

NME and MTV are quoting piece in the Sun but nothing official has been reported as of yet. In a New Yorker review I mentioned back in December, Sasha Friere-Jones mentioned,

“Rumors have floated that next summer Led Zeppelin is going to play at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, in Tennessee. This might seem like a good idea, but Led Zeppelin is a cover band now, covering its own material. Without John Bonham, the band can only sound like Led Zeppelin; it can’t be Led Zeppelin. The band should turn down the money and let its record stand.”

That sounded really good at the time, especially when she had been at the show and I was merely reading about it and wishing I had been there, but now I am thinking that maybe it would be a good idea for me to see them in person and see if I agree with her, you know, see what the facts on the ground are. That would probably be best for all those involved.
Via Keith

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Foo News

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Two huge developments from Foo land. Working backwards, Foo Fighters have decided to take a holiday. It seems they want a break – and after 14 years of ass kicking music, they deserve one. I’m looking forward to them coming back better and badder than before. When Phish returned after their hiatus, they were rocking before Trey’s drugs got in the way and I have no doubt that Grohl and Co. can pick up where they left off.
Where did they leave off? By kicking ass and taking names in England, that’s where. One of their last shows was on June 8 when the Foos played Wembley Stadium and at the 55 minute mark it got very interesting as Dave said,

“Playing here at Wembley Stadium is the fuckin….its an honor…and if we take advantage of this opportunity, the greatest fucking night in our bands’ lives, to do something special, for you motherfuckers, all you 86,000 motherfuckers who came out to see us play tonight…
We knew from the beginning that this wasn’t going to be any other show. We’ve been planning this shit for fucking six months, a long time – we knew that, this country, you guys, you made us the band that we are today…
So we’d like to invite a couple very special guests: Mr. Jimmy Page and Mr. John Pual Jones from LED ZEPPELIN!”

They played “Rock n Roll” and “Ramble On” (though only “Rock n Roll” for some reason made it onto the MSN site – more on that in a bit) and while Grohl was no Plant / Bonhaim (yes Dave jumped behind the skins for R n R) and Hawkins was no Plant / Bonhaim that definitely was not the point.
The point was that in the English National Cathedral (Westminster Abby is only it by a technicality), the Foo Fighters were able to play homage to and along with two of their childhood heroes. Led Zeppelin inspired them to start playing music in the first place. Grohl and Page rocking it out – down right sick. It really happened. Ka is a wheel.
The Foos were so fired up about the show after it was over that they quickly edited together a concert movie (the show was filmed by multiple cameras) and released it in 50 theaters in the UK. If it ended there I wouldn’t have known about it. Luckily for those who do not live in the UK, MSN picked it up and has had it on their site since July 17.
Yes, so I’m two months behind time times and it took me looking up news about the Foo break up “rumor” to learn that this collaboration even took place. Then again, before I even get into my eternal “am I slipping?” debate which I seem to air anytime anything cool escapes my immediate notice, this event didn’t happen in NYC so its not like I could have gone. Therefore, I’m just glad I found about it now and not a year from now. I’m also glad I can pass it on to you.
RO is my second favorite Zep song (it comes after “Stairway” – duh) but again, for some odd reason the Foo / Zep version, it didn’t make it up on MSN, very odd especially since the song is on the concert DVD. That just means I have to buy the DVD now (though I’m not sure if it will play as the country code will be different). Is it legal to grab a bit torrent stream of the show if I own the DVD and it won’t play in my Region 1 players? Hmmm. I just love our stupid copyright laws…
Regardless, whenever I get around to waiting all 18 tracks, not just the 13 tracks that are on the MSN site, I’m sure they will be classified as “kick ass.”

music

A SpOOOnful of Sugar

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Lately I have been joining all sorts of music sites, like Last.fm and Imeem, because I am obsessed with not just sticking to my status quo. I gotta tell you though, it’s tough finding good new stuff. First off, the radio aside from 101 RXP sucks and only plays either crap or songs I already have heard ten to a hundred times. Second, I don’t have as much time as I used to to just troll around online looking for gems on e-Music or somewhere in the Amazon / iTunes catalog nether regions. None of the sites I’ve joined do a good job of recommending new music.
So, I was pretty jazzed when I heard about a new music site called SpOOOnful. It has a pretty simple concept which is perfectly suited for my way of life right now. They send out a free weekly email newsletter that:

“introduces you to one great new artist or band at a time. You’ll get a preview of what they sound like as well as links to buy a track, a whole album, even get out to a show. We hope to turn you on to some new sounds from across many genres including indie rock, singer-songwriter, dance/ electronica, hip-hop, and jam.

The best part of this site is that they say they will “never accept money for our editorial opinions and we’re not affiliated with any record label. Most importantly, we’re going to keep it simple and easy.”
e-Music sends me a newsletter and while I read it, it’s all over the place – a classic case of too much information. SpOOOnful on the otherhand is focused and already paying benefits as its very first newsletter turned me on to Santogold whose song L.E.S. Artistes has been keeping me grooving for a week now.
Yes, the three capital O’s in the name reek of Web 2.0 nonsense and yes, I’m just dying for looming “Uma meet Oprah, Oprah – Uma” moment when SpOOOnful recommends something by Spoon. That being said, I’m really looking forward to seeing what is dished up as time goes by and I feel that overall if you care about music, this site is definitely for you. As the Tick says: