Songs: Ohia ‘The Magnolia Electric Co.’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (904 in the Series) is Songs: Ohia, The Magnolia Electric Co. We’ve lost some good ones over the last few months, most recently Phil Everly of course, and Phil , along with the likes of Lou Reed and George Jones, shall be sadly missed indeed. For the moment however i’d like to shine some light on someone you may not have heard of, Jason Molina, a wonderfully talented singer and songwriter whose death in 2013, at the age of only 39, was a real tragedy not least because he surely had so much more to contribute. ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ Jason was a prolific artist and between 1997 and 2002, working under the banner Songs: Ohia,...
Diana Krall ‘Live in Paris’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#889 in the Series) is Diana Krall, Live in Paris Diana Krall was another one of those artists that I knew more ‘of’ than actually knew. I couldn’t tell you anything that she had done. I’d see her listed as being on different shows etc. I had a little interest. Some of it also generated from being familiar with her superstar husband, Elvis Costello. I wonder if she’s ever worn his red shoes? So one day I’m surfing thru the television channels when I see her sitting at her piano singing this marvelous song. “OK’ I said, this sounds pretty good’ Maybe I’ll watch a song or two.” Well, about 80 minutes...
Revisiting Laurie Anderson’s 09/11/01 Chicago Concert
Laurie Anderson had a concert scheduled for September 11th, 2001. While many events were cancelled that evening Laurie decided to go on with her show. Today, Chicago Tribune Music Critic Greg Kot takes a look at his review of that moving performance. The following words are his beginning with his new introduction and then his piece from twelve years ago. ——————————————————————————————————————————– On the night of Sept. 11, 2001, Laurie Anderson decided to go ahead with her scheduled performance at Park West, even though her city had been devastated earlier that day. Here’s my Tribune review of that performance. It was one of those moments “when everything changes,” Laurie Anderson sang, in a voice that sounded like she was narrating...
The Persuasions ‘Frankly A Capella.. The Persuasions Sing Zappa’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Electric Aunt Jemimah” by The Persuasions From Gospel to The Grateful Dead, The Persuasions are an a capella group whose musical tastes know no boundaries. The group’s five original members, Jerry Lawson, Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell, Jayotis Washington, Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad, and bass vocalist Jimmy “Bro” Hayes began singing on the street corners of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn during the early 1960s. Jerry Lawson was their arranger, lead singer and producer for most of their career until his departure in 2003. Their big break came in 1968, when Stan Krause, who owned Stan’s Square Record Store in New Jersey, played a concert recording of theirs over the telephone to his friend, Frank...
The Zutons ‘Who Killed The Zutons?’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#861 in the Series) Is The Zutons, Who Killed ….. The Zutons The Zutons may very well be the summation of rock music at the turn of the century. What I mean by that is if I had to pick one album that incorporates one of the most varied mix of styles and influences from rock history, it would be their debut Who Killed…… The Zutons. The alchemy of the sound includes psychedelia, punk, folk, and garage rock. There is the raw energy of the 60’s, the flamboyant coolness of the 70’s, the tight pop of the 80’s, and the grungy bite of the 90’s. All their influences are often so seamlessly blended...
John Doe and the Sadies ‘Country Club’
Song Of the Day by Eric Berman – “Stop The World And Let Me Off” by John Doe & The Sadies I got an email a few weeks ago from Yep Roc Records alerting me to a $5.00 CD sale they were having for a limited time. Well, since I may be one of the last few hold outs in music for physical product over downloads, I couldn’t pass up a look see to find out what they had to offer. Well, several of the featured titles were interesting to me, and at that price I figured how could I go wrong, so I took the plunge and ordered myself a handful of semi-new music. The $5.00 treats that...
Sparks ‘Lil Beethoven’
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “I Married Myself” by Sparks American brothers Ron and Russell Mael formed the group Halfnelson in 1970. Their first two albums were recorded in Woodstock, New York, produced by Todd Rundgren and released on the Bearsville record label. Both records tanked on these shores, so the brothers broke up the band, changed their name to Sparks, moved to England, got on the glam bandwagon and formed a new band that has gone on to endure for decades. In a musical world dominated by David Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Lou Reed, The New York Dolls and Queen, the newly reformed Sparks caused a sensation across the pond in 1974 with songs like...
Sun Kil Moon ‘Ghosts of the Great Highway’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#848 in the Series) is Sun Kil Moon, Ghosts Of The Great Highway Ghosts Of The Great Highway is a wondrous creation. A work of great depth, texture and perception, it is, without doubt, a masterpiece. I’ve been listening to it almost constantly now for about 3 weeks and not only do I never tire of hearing it, I simply cannot find a thing about it that I don’t like. From the cover art to the singers voice to the songs (10 of them, some long, some short, mostly acoustic, sometimes electric, engaging, compelling and enthralling), it’s all good. Great album’s come about in all sorts of different ways of course and one...
The Black Keys ‘Rubber Factory’
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#835 in the Series) is The Black Keys, Rubber Factory The Black Keys have enjoyed quite a bit of success as of late. They received five nominations for the 55th Grammy Awards, tour relentlessly, and just about everybody has heard of them. This wasn’t always the case. Their first three albums began somewhat under the radar. Rubber Factory is their third album and what some people still claim is the best release they’ve had so far. If someone ever asks me what The Black Keys sound like, I always point them to this album. In a nutshell it is blues rock with an unrelenting drive and passion. When I was growing up I...
Johnny Cash “American III: Solitary Man”
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “The Mercy Seat” by Johnny Cash By the year 2000 and the third album in the American series, Johnny Cash had reestablished himself as one of the greatest singers, not just in country music, but in all music. Producer, Rick Rubin, began working with him several years before and allowed Johnny Cash do what he did best in the studio…be JOHNNY CASH! Cash began working with Rick Rubin in 1994. Rubin was the founder of Def Jam Records, and was responsible for producing seminal recordings by Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys. It must have taken quite a leap of faith for Johnny Cash to, not only work with Rick...
