Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “The Hero Takes A Fall” by The Bangles Power pop doesn’t get any better than this! Along with The Go-Go’s, The Bangles were the main purveyors of the 1980s girl group sound. But while The Go-Go’s were lightweight and effervescent, The Bangles’ brand of rock was rooted in the sound of The Byrds and early Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, giving them much more clout with critics and music aficionados alike. After forming out of the Los Angeles “Paisley Underground” music scene and changing their name from The Bangs to Bangles, sisters Vickie Peterson on guitar and Debbie Peterson on drums, plus Susanna Hoffs on guitar and Michael Steele (formerly of...

The Replacements to play Riot Fest in Toronto, Chicago and Denver It started as a hot rumor today. Now it’s official. The Replacements will be playing all three Riot Fest concerts this fall. The Fests are August 24-25 in greater Toronto, September 13-15 in Chicago and September 21 and 22 in Denver Colorado. Riot Fest has already begun changing their posters to show the addition of The Replacements to the bill. We’re not sure exactly who will be playing along with Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson. These are the first three shows that we know about at this time. We’ll let you know if and when we hear about more.  Ticket Information Here is ticket information for Toronto  Here...

  A little change of pace today….. I did this last year on the Cool Album of the Day facebook page and today I’m going to make it an official tradition and take it to the website as well. On this day, the Sunday before Memorial Day is the day that The Indianapolis 500 is run, and on that day, we’ll always be featuring “Back Home Again in Indiana.” I do know that it is not an album but a song.  However, we’re pretending not to notice this one day of the year. For those of you that do not know, that song has been sung before “The 500 Mile Race” as it used to be known, since 1946...

Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Poem 58” by Chicago Transit Authority The fact that Chicago Transit Authority was the horn band of the late 1960s has obscured the fact that Chicago was also one hell of a guitar band. Proof positive is this somewhat obscure track from their eponymously titled debut album from 1969. (Play the track and continue reading.) This song has it all! The track kicks off with a funky rhythm guitar pattern that quickly moves into an extended guitar solo courtesy of one of the most underrated guitarists of all time Terry Kath. Heck, even Jimi Hendrix was a big fan of Kath, and his intuitive and imaginative playing is what sets this...

  We’re sad to announce that Richie Havens, the man that opened Woodstock with his famous acoustic song “Freedom,” has died at the age of 72. Here is the official announcement via his longtime representatives, The Root Agency: “RICHIE HAVENS was gifted with one of the most recognizable voices in popular music. His fiery, poignant, soulful singing style has remained unique and ageless since his historic appearance at Woodstock in 1969. For four decades, Havens used his music to convey passionate messages of brotherhood and personal freedom. Billboard Magazine writes, “This acoustic soul giant truly seems to be getting more inspiring and graceful with age.” From Woodstock to The Isle of Wight to Glastonbury to the Fillmore Auditorium to...

  For quite some time now I’ve been harsh on today’s country music, or more specifically, the state of today’s country radio. Now I’ve been joined by Vince Gill in its critique. It’s sad when Taylor Swift can dominate country radio and Merle Haggard can’t get a sniff. And I’m not talking about Merle’s old great albums I’m referring to his last couple of albums. They’ve been great yet completely ignored. Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues” also did not receive any country airplay. – Larry Carta Vince’s career began with country-rockers Pure Praire League. He recently spoke with Great American Country’s Sarah Wyland. This appeared on their website. ———— Vince Gill released his latest album, Guitar Slinger, in...

  Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#851 in the Series) is Kevin Ferderline, Playing With Fire I love surprises in the music business. Some surprises are better than others. I also like when one of those surprises is a “rag to riches” story or even a story about when someone makes the most of them-self and takes their unknown to most talent and moves beyond where they were and into the spotlight. Kevin Federline is the perfect example. Who knew when he was just a background dancer for Britney Spears that he had this kind of talent? Who knew that he could write songs as well as these? Who knew that he could sing like this? I didn’t, I bet you...

  One of the things that many music websites do this time of year is publish what they call “The Best Albums of Year..blah blah blah.” All I have to say is, if you claim your list is a best of, then you better have heard every album that was released. I read a ton of these lists and I know for sure, these people are deciding on what is a best of and they haven’t come close to doing enough homework. Yes, we’re putting out a list as well. But we’re calling it our “Favorite Albums of 2012. I know darn well that I didn’t hear nearly enough to think that I what I have to say is...

  MIMI BETINIS w/Special Guest Scott May & His One-Armed Orchestra Sunday, June 10th, 2012 Showtime: 7pm Back in the mid-to-late 70′s and the early ’80′s, Mimi Betinis’ Pezband ruled the Chicago power-pop music scene.  Mimi was (and still is) a master of melody-and-hook-laden pop, all full of crunchy, tasty guitar riffs.  Members of Pezband went to to form other legendary Chicago bands such as Off Broadway. Mimi took some time off to raise a family and to pursue his other passion – art. Mimi went back to school and obtained his teaching credentials and has taught art in Chicago-area schools for years. However, the call of the music was never too far away and last year, Mimi recorded and released...

  For quite some time now I’ve been harsh on today’s country music, or more specifically, the state of today’s country radio. Now I’ve been joined by Vince Gill in its critique. It’s sad when Taylor Swift can dominate country radio and Merle Haggard can’t get a sniff. And I’m not talking about Merle’s old great albums I’m referring to his last couple of albums. They’ve been great yet completely ignored. Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues” also did not receive any country airplay. – Larry Carta Vince’s career began with country-rockers Pure Praire League. He recently spoke with Great American Country’s Sarah Wyland. This appeared on their website. ———— Vince Gill released his latest album, Guitar Slinger, in...