Classic Clips: Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel...

Sing, Sweetness Sing...

I had the good fortune of catching Patty Griffin at Schuba's in Chicago last Sunday. The beauty of this show was the fact that Schuba's is a tiny little club...so the setting was perfect. She amazed fans with her crystal clear voice, as she belted out most of the songs on her new album (due out Feb. 6th) She had a backup band that included a percussionist, an upright bass and her guitar partner, Doug Lancio. She also did several songs solo on both guitar and piano. Sweet Lorraine was a huge hit with a crowd that was loving the chance to hear an old hit in such an intimate venue. Luckily, someone caught some of the show and posted the clips to YouTube (see below). This picture was taken by Jen Caputo and posted on Pattygriffin.net, a great fansite...check it out.

Sweet Lorraine:



Clip #2

Clip #3

Who Called The Police...

It's an official Police Report! Sting, Andy and Stewart are staking out the Grammys (Sun., Feb 11th) as the site of their reunion gig. Should be a hit with old fans longing to see them back together. Could there be more dates ahead? This case is not closed yet!

Mic Test #14: Fionn Regan...

Fionn Regan:
Acoustic/Folk/Alternative
*Note: The music featured in the Mic Test is typically new to me, too. Just throwing out some info. about bands that seem to be offering something exciting. Enjoy.

How to Follow a Ghost...

Pitchfork has confirmed that Jeff tweedy recently announced the name and release date for Wilco's follow up to A Ghost is Born. Apparently, Tweedy told the crowd at a solo show in Nashville that the album will be called Sky Blue Sky and it will be released by Nonesuch Records on May 15th, 2007.

In other Wilco news, you can visit their official website to get some FREE downloads they have made available. Click here to check out the special page on their site.

Mic Test # 13: Explosions in the Sky...

Explosions in the Sky:
Rock/Indie/Instrumental
*Note: The music featured in the Mic Test is typically new to me, too. Just throwing out some info. about bands that seem to be offering something exciting. Enjoy.

Forever Young...

Neil Young has planned a March 13th release of live vintage concert from a solo show in 1971 at Massey Hall in Toronto. Reprise will release the work, which includes Neil performing Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done, Heart of Gold, Ohio and Down by the River. There are more archival releases of audio and video planned as Neil delivers on his promise to clear the vaults of unreleased gems.

R.E.M.ember...

R.E.M. has has been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007...a nice honor and well deserved. The original members will all reunite to play in New York City on March 12th. But in bigger news, there are rumblings that the original line-up may collaborate for more than the one night show. Nothing has been confirmed, but long-time fans would be happy to see drummer Bill Berry return after retiring in 1997. The four have played together for the occasional gig, including an induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame last fall. Stay tuned...it could happen.

Here are some clips from an interview R.E.M. did in the mid-80s.

In Swing With The King...

In honor of a King who made the world a better place.

Classic Clips: Led Zeppelin...

Mic Test #12: Brett Dennen...

Brett Dennen:
Folk Rock/Pop/Indie
*Note: The music featured in the Mic Test is typically new to me, too. Just throwing out some info. about bands that seem to be offering something exciting. Enjoy.

Some Quick Martin-izing...

Here's the dirt...Singer-songwriter and all around vocal acrobat,
Martin Sexton has just announced some springtime tour dates to support the release of his latest CD. Hungry fans, longing for some fresh material, will be happy to know that Seeds will be available on April 3rd.

Here is some of the album description as posted on Martin's own website: Seeds oozes with that soul... infused with spiritual hunger and child-like joy, all delivered with Sexton's fervent vocals. On songs like the incandescent "Wild Angels" and the sassy "I'm Here," there's a constant streaming of humanity that resonates a universal chord. "Happy" is a realization of dreams coming true in the form of a catchy pop song. The night Billy Preston passed, Sexton paid tribute to his hero recording "Will It Go round In Circles," ... This rendition rocks with fuzz bass and Leslie vocal shimmer. E Street Band's Nils Lofgren lends his lap steel to the western-swing tune "How Far I've Come" and jammer Keller Williams cheerfully plucks his Dobro on the twangy "Goin To The Country."

More dates are expected soon. Stay tuned.
Visit this link for Pre-Sale ticket info.

4/03/07 SEEDS RELEASE DATE
4/05/07 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts
4/06/07 New York, NY Nokia Theatre
4/07/07 Boston, MA Avalon Ballroom
4/11/07 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Theatre
4/12/07 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
4/13/07 Chicago, IL Park West Theatre
4/14/07 Minneapolis, MN Pantages Theatre
4/15/07 Fargo, ND House Of Rock @ Playmakers Pavilion
4/17/07 Bozeman, MT Emerson Cultural Center
4/19/07 Seattle, WA The Showbox
4/20/07 Petaluma, CA The Mystic Theatre
4/21/07 Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues
4/22/07 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Park - Green Apple Fest.
4/25/07 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
4/26/07 TBA TBA
4/27/07 Council Bluffs, IA Whiskey Roadhouse
4/28/07 St. Louis, MO The Pageant

Sample some sweet soulful sounds.


WME...Amazing Grace

Apple Juice for Everyone...

If you are into Apple technology, it is easy to feel like you are in a constant game of cat and mouse...it is impossible to stay with it. The innovation just doesn't stop...and today was no different as Steve Jobs introduced the world to the new iPhone. Technology always comes with the good, the bad and the ugly...but damn, this gadget has it all! Just when you thought the Video iPod was the coolest thing on the block...now this. This is how it is described on the Apple site:

iPhone combines three products — a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching — into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting you control everything with just your fingers. So it ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, completely redefining what you can do on a mobile phone.

And check out this brief video that highlights the iPhone's music functions.

The Police are Under Investigation...

No, it's not what you think (although we know it could be). But perhaps the same bumblebees that inspired Gordon Sumner's nickname, Sting, have now started to buzz about a possible reunion for The Police in 2007. The rumor goes like this...2007 is the 30th anniversary of the band's existence, so to commemorate the times, Sting, Andy & Stewart will tour the U.S. & the U.K. in May and June.

The most recent bit of evidence feeding the idea that something is going to happen came in the form of a post on Sting's website last week.
Your honor, may I introduce Exhibit A, which reads as follows: "As the 30th anniversary of the first Police single approaches, discussions have been underway as to how this will be commemorated. While we can confirm that there will indeed be something special done to mark the occasion, the depth of the band's involvement still remains undetermined." Uh huh, just as I thought... you're guilty Sting and you know it. Besides, why would you deny the fans the chance to see the magic happen one more time.

Speaking of magic, check out this video of the first ever live performance of Message in a Bottle (circa 1979).

Inspiring Minds Wanna Know...

The Living Camera, an amazing talent.

Mic Test #11: The One AM Radio...

The One AM Radio:
Decide For Yourself
*Note: The music featured in the Mic Test is typically new to me, too. Just throwing out some info. about bands that seem to be offering something exciting. Enjoy.

World ?uest Takes Root...

?uestlove, drummer for The Roots, has taken the time to make a "Game Theory Tour" Video Diary of their current tour through Europe and Africa. Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany...it's all there...with brief behind the scenes clips of life on the road. This is a great way for fans in the U.S. to stay satisfied while we wait for The Legendary Roots Crew to come back to America. It won't be long now. Tickets are starting to go on sale for select North America dates. Be sure to check out Day 24, which explains how they put together the song The Seed, one of their biggest hits to date. Interesting stuff.

Here is the video diary for Day 1 in Oslo, Norway to get you started.

Rouse in the House...

Josh Rouse has plans to release an EP at the end of this month. She's Spanish, I'm American is already available for download on iTunes (or pre-order on Awarestore for actual physical CD). You can also preview the tracks on both sites. This EP has him singing duets with Paz Suay. They have put together a special Myspace page for this side project. Also, if you are in the Chicago area on April 14th, Mr. Rouse is performing at the Old Town School of Folk Music, a great listener's venue. Expect additional U.S. tourdates to keep popping up.