Christmas Basics

This post will go back to the blogs beginnings with some Lightnin' Hopkins. Merry Christmas friends.

Christmas Blues

Merry Christmas

Heavy Snow

Death Might Be Your Santa Claus

On the Twelfth Day...

I did it! Twelve days! I didn't think I could, and I almost didn't But I did! Here I am! Happy Xmas everyone! Enjoy it however you celebrate it!

Here is Chuck Berry at his very best.

I somehow somehow found 11 other versions. Enjoy it to the max.

On The Eleventh Day...

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town is just a plain old fun Christmas song. It makes it an easy song for artists to cover and make their own version.

Hey! There is even a Christmas special with the name starring Fred Astaire. More known for his dancing than singing voice, he recorded quite a few songs over the years.

Plenty more for ya...

On The Tenth Day...

For some reason Little Drummer Boy is one of my earliest Christmas song memories. I don't have the slightest idea why. For whatever the reason, I enjoy it.

Here is a truly splendid version from Frank Sinatra.

Many more drummers after the jump...

Go Easy, Step Lightly, Stay Free

On this day, we lost two of the greats much too early. Both Joe Strummer and D. Boon encompass what art should be about. Open-minded, unapologetic, edgy, political. If ever the word inspiration was needed, it's to describe this music.

This is I Felt Like A Gringo from the "Acoustic Blowout" show, which is included as part of the bonus goodies from the We Jam Econo documentary (if you haven't seen this, go watch it. Right now.)

This is a great performance of Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC from 1999. Music doesn't get better than this.

On The Eighth Day...

I've always enjoyed Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. My Grandmother didn't. She thought the song was okay but didn't like the 'Little.' Nothing about Christmas was little with her. Being from a large family, the only way to celebrate Christmas was to go big. Despite all that, she was a fan of Judy Garland so here is the original from the Film Meet Me In St. Louis.

Some more after the jump.

On The Seventh Day...

Not going to be able to get home for Christmas this year. Probably gonna be a bit blue.

Although not originally recorded by Elvis, it is hard to imagine anybody doing a more definitive version. Here he is performing this during the sit down session of his comeback special.

Now here are some others trying to out do the King of Rock...

Happy Birfday To Keef!

Time to celebrate Keith Richards' 69th birthday with some of my favorite recordings he's ever done. This bootleg is a collection of early solo sessions, and the Toronto tracks from 1977 are especially incredible. Long live Keef!

Long View Farm, Brookfeld, Massachussetts, May 1981 (track 1-9)
New York City 1978 (track 10)
Sounds Interchange Studios, Toronto, Canada, March 12th-13th 1977 (track 11-18)

1. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

2. Say It's Not You 

3. Don't

4. Blue Monday 

5. Oh, What A Feeling 

6. Sing Me Back Home

7. The Nearness Of You 

8. Apartment No. 9

9. All I Have To Do Is Dream
10. Key To The Highway
11. Worried Life Blues
12. Sing Me Back Home
13. She Still Comes Around
14. Apartment No. 9 
15. Sing Me Back Home 
16. Worried Life Blues
17. Apartment No. 9 

18. Say It's Not You

DOWNLOAD

On The Sixth Day...

This song would probably work better for day 12 but what can you do. Possibly the easiest Christmas  song to parody and oh yes, there will be parodies. We start out with Johnny Cash and the Cash family singing The Twelve Days of Christmas on the Johnny Cash show.

More versions after the jump

On The Fifth Day...

"Joy to the world the teacher's dead

We barbecued her head!"

This post started out as Joy To The World but that is changing mid post. I'm keeping the opening picture because I want to use it somewhere.

First up is a favorite of mine from Nat King Cole. First released on his 1960 Christmas album The Magic of Christmas.

On The Fourth Day...

I guess this would have made more sense yesterday. You'll just have to deal with four versions of We Three Kings. Always a favorite of mine.

Released in 1967 we'll open with a beautiful version by Ella Fitzgerald

Three more kings after the jump

On The Third Day...

One thing I remember about the Christmas season when I was a child is my dad's The Beach Boys' Christmas Album cassette. I have memories of sitting in the front seat of the car as we went to different family Christmas parties while this played over and over. One song that stuck out to me was Little Saint Nick. It was released as a single a year before the release of the album. Despite being a Christmas song it is one of the perfect examples of The Beach Boys' sound.

a couple of covers after the jump

On The Second Day...

Upload MP3 and download MP3 using free MP3 hosting from Tindeck. Free MP3 download: 01 Merry Xmas Everybody.m4a

Christmas Playlist!

1. James Brown – Soulful Christmas
2. Alex Chilton – The Christmas Song
3. Detroit Junior – Christmas Day
4. Chet Baker – The First Noel
5. Lightnin’ Hopkins – Heavy Snow
6. My Morning Jacket– I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Live in NYC)
7. The Beach Boys – Merry Christmas, Baby
8. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan – Baby, It’s Cold Outside
9. Roger Miller – Old Toy Trains
10. William Bell – Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday
11. Eels – Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas
12. The Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)
13. The Marquees – Santa Done Got Hip
14. Lou Reed – Xmas in February
15. John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
16. She & Him – The Christmas Waltz
17. Roy Orbison – Pretty Paper
18. Linda Cassady – Is Santa Claus a Hippy?
19. The Soul Stirrers – Christmas Means Love
20. Tom Waits – Silent Night/Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis (Live in Sydney) 

Download Here

On The First Day...

In an effort to revive things on my end here, I am starting a 12 days of musical x-mas binge post spree. Without any planning ahead, I am going to post multiple versions of songs increasing each day concluding on Christmas Eve. I'm going to make this work damnit!!! Well to start things off here is a wonderful original song from Smashing Pumpkins.


Upload MP3 and download MP3 using free MP3 hosting from Tindeck.

Free MP3 download: 02 Christmastime.m4a

Favorite Songs of 2012 (Part 2)

Agent Ribbons' Let Them Talk EP has been in constant rotation. The dreamy melodies, the intelligent lyrics with a tinge of dark humor, the sensible use of space in each song...you'll soon find out why even after you stop listening, these songs don't leave you. 

 

Once again, it's probably apparent how much I love National Anthem from previous posts. But here's an incredible live version (probably the only version I haven't posted).

 

Seeing the return of The Woodbox Gang this year made me incredibly happy. Hugh DeNeal and Alex Kirt are one of the most unique songwriting duo's going. The ups and downs of Hugh were well documented in a movie about his life called Confidence Man, and his ultimate imprisonment and release make the lyrics on Glorious Scars all the more poignant. "You write it all right, but you live it all wrong. Stay up your whole life working on a song..."

Redd Kross know how to craft an incredibly catchy, intelligent rock song. Researching the Blues contains 10 of them.

Banga is beautiful, stark and truly captivating. Patti Smith's words have always cut through all the bullsh*t, and her voice and delivery only add depth.

Favorite Songs of 2012 (Part 1)

Not only did Dirty Three release one of my favorite albums this year, they were easily one of the best (and loudest) live music moments. Seeing them was like an out of body, religious experience. A more fitting name may be Dirty One, as it was remarkable how tightly they played as a unit. Some ignoramus in the crowd kept talking during the show and at one point asked Warren, "what's your favorite flavor?" To which he responded, "what kind of stupid f*cking question is that?" before tearing into the monstrous Rain Song. This NPR concert has a beautiful version (along with The Pier and Last Horse On The Sand).

My Jerusalem put out a record full of the most interesting rock music I've heard in a while. It's catchy, fearless, and there's a passionate urgency behind every song that reminds me of The Gun Club. Warning: this is going to get stuck in your head. For days.

In a time where mass consumption and immediacy seem to rule, it's refreshing to listen to an album that requires a little more attention. The songwriting and lyrics are beautiful throughout In The Dusk Of Everything, and the stripped down nature of the album reveals truly great songs.

It's probably apparent by now how much I love Dot Hacker's music, but this song deserves to be posted at all times.

See How We Are is one of my absolute favorite songs, and the live version released on John and Exene's recent Singing And Playing album makes my goosebumps get goosebumps.

Amy's Favorites Albums of 2012

I'm making up for not posting in ages with a cliche list of my favorite albums this year (in no particular order)...

Dot Hacker – Inhibition
Redd Kross – Researching The Blues
Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas
John Doe & Exene Cervenka – Singing And Playing
The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten
The Orwells – Remember When
Heartless Bastards – Arrow
Matthew Ryan – In The Dusk Of Everything
Cat Power – Sun
Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet On Sky
OFF! – OFF!
The Woodbox Gang – Glorious Scars
The Tallest Man On Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Flea – Helen Burns EP
The Evens – The Odds
Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
Mark Lanegan Band – Blues Funeral
Thee Oh Sees – Putrifiers II
Death Grips – The Money Store
Bob Dylan – Tempest
Cory Branan – Mutt
Screaming Females – Ugly
My Jerusalem – Preachers
Deer Tick – Tim EP
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
John Frusciante – Letur-Lefr
Agent Ribbons – Let Them Talk EP
Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
Dirty Three – Toward The Low Sun
David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant
Justin Townes Earle – Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Jack White – Blunderbuss
Burial – Kindred EP
Scott Walker – Bish Bosch
Swans – The Seer
Craig Finn – Clear Heart Full Eyes
Bob Mould – Silver Age
Disappears – Pre Language
Patti Smith – Banga

Your Favorite New Songs #6

Never fear, we're still here! (P.S. there are only nine songs because one of my picks is Nocturnal Emissions by one of my favorite musicians, Shilpa Ray. The song was released this week, and I feel you need to see the video, not just hear the song. Check it out.)

The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (Live in Seattle - 1989)

Leonard Cohen - The Partisan (Live on French TV - 1969)

The "5" Royales - Catch That Teardrop

The Jam - The Butterfly Collector (Live - 1981)

Dot Hacker - Neon Arrow

Deer Tick - Twenty Miles

The Tallest Man On Earth - Love Is All (Later with Jools Holland)

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Zig Zag Wanderer

Thurston Moore - Benediction

Boooo!tiful Tunes

I made a pretty pretty prettyyy great playlist of some pseudo Halloween songs. My sister made the amazin' artwork and Bill came up with the title. Don't listen with the lights off...

1. David Bowie – Please Mr. Gravedigger
2. The Meteors – Corpse Grinder
3. Tom Waits – Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard
4. Roy Orbison – Running Scared (Live)
5. Roky Erickson – Bloody Hammer (Live)
6. Grandpaboy (Paul Westerberg) – Vampires & Failures
7. John Doe – Hotel Ghost
8. The Gun Club – A Devil In The Woods
9. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Little Ghost Song
10. Neil Young – Vampire Blues
11. Skip James – Devil Got My Woman
12. Talking Heads – Psycho Killer
13. Black Sabbath – Children Of The Grave
14. Johnny Cash – Ain’t No Grave
15. The Whites Stripes – Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground
16. Elvis Costello – Ghost Train
17. Bo Diddley – Bo Meets The Monster
18. The Flaming Lips – Halloween On The Barbary Coast
19. Eels – Friendly Ghost
20. John Frusciante – The Will To Death
21. The Cure – Fear Of Ghosts
22. Neutral Milk Hotel – Ghost
23. Joy Division – Dead Souls
24. Joe Henry – Scare Me To Death
25. New York Dolls – Frankenstein
26. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put A Spell On You
27. The Cramps – Zombie Dance
28. The Black Keys – Stack Shot Billy
29. The Pogues – Down In The Ground Where The Dead Men Go

Download

"You know I am unsure, but aren't we all?"

Dot Hacker released my favorite album this year. I knew this creation was going to be something special after first discovering the band through bootleg recordings, and felt like Ralphie after he got his Red Ryder BB Gun when it was announced an official release was coming. You can feel the love this band has for the music they create, and the musical bond they share. The songs are timeless, like they have always been around. I think Bill said it best: Dot Hacker didn't so much as compose the music, as much as captured it.

For something a little different and to go back to what first introduced me to this incredible group, I uploaded a "live" version of Inhibition from various recordings. Enjoy!

Download 

1. Order/Disorder (Troubadour – 3-14-12)

2. Idleidolidyl (The Echoplex – 4-3-10)

3. Eye Opener (The Echoplex – 4-3-10)

4. Discotheque (Troubadour – 3-14-12)

5. Be Leaving (Spaceland – 3-29-10)

6. The Earth Beneath (The Echoplex – 2-16-09)

7. Inhibition (Spaceland – 3-29-10)

8. The Wit Of The Staircase (The Echoplex – 2-16-09)

9. Quotes (El Cid – 2-27-09)

10. Puncture (Troubadour – 3-14-12)

 

Purchase Inhibition

Your Favorite New Songs #5

Wanda Jackson and Justin Townes Earle - Am I Even A Memory?

Grinderman - When My Baby Comes (Exit Festival 2011)

Radiohead - Bodysnatchers (Live From The Basement)

PJ Harvey and John Parish - Black Hearted Love


James Brown - Lost Someone (Live at the Apollo)

 

MaxNormal.TV - Tik Tik Tik



John Frusciante- I'm Eighteen



Best Coast- The Only Place



Shirley Manson- Samson and Delilah



Die Antwoord - Never Le Nkemise

Doom & Stones

With the Rolling Stones set to begin their 50th anniversary celebration, you knew another greatest hits compilation was around the corner. GRRR! is set to be released around the time they hit the road in November. It will be available in both 50 and 80 track versions covering pretty much any and all hits/fan favorites. Along with it are the inevitable two new songs, Doom & Gloom and One More Shot. On their most recent release A Bigger Bang, the stones proved on a few tracks that they still can put together a classic number. Doom & Gloom again proves why The Rolling Stones are still a viable rock act even after 50 years.

Immediately the opening riff brings back flashbacks to the bands peak period of the early 70s. Though a bit weathered, Mick Jagger's vocals recall that period as well. It's obvious the band was inspired from their sessions for the deluxe editions of Exile On Main Street and Some Girls. It is easy enough to say that this is the best Stones 'best of compilation new song,' however much that says.

After the Jump enjoy a nice Rolling Stones treat

Clockwork Rush

It is no secret that Rush is my favorite band. They were the first band I listened to thanks to my dad, a lifelong diehard. The complex music plus their desire to continue to improve has kept me listening to them for 15 years now. Just this past year they released their 20th studio album, Clockwork Angels. An amazing feat for a band approaching 40 years in the industry. Even more amazing is that this may very well be their most ambitious and complete album to date.

Although throughout their career, Rush has performed many concept songs, this is the first time they have done a full blown concept album. It's a standard Rush story about a young man unsatisfied with the way he is told life is supposed to be. Set in a steam punk world the narrator leaves his village because he 'can't stop dreaming big.'

Birthday Bootleg Extravaganza!

It’s Bill’s birthday! It’s probably obvious from our blog tagline and various posts that both Bill and I are big fans of any Bob Forrest related music project. So to celebrate, here’s a download for The Bicycle Thief performing live in Seattle, WA while opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2000 (I think it may be the only Bob Forrest related thing Bill hasn’t heard)...

1. Intro
2. It's Alright
3. Aspirations (Stoned)
4. Song For A Kevin Spacey Movie
5. Cereal Song
6. Hurt
7. Boy At A Bus Stop

Download

Your New Favorite Songs #4

Bippity boppity boo. Ten more songs for you.

The Replacements - Only If We Must


Matthew Ryan - And It's Such A Drag (Click for free download)


Chet Baker - 'Tis Autumn


John Doe (ft. Kathleen Edwards) - The Golden State

Tift Merritt - To Myself 


Loaded - Seattle Head


Flame Shark - 50 Years
 

The Jackson 5 - The Love You Save
 

John Lee Hooker - Homework


George Harrison - Beautiful Girl (Demo)

"This is Fun!"-- Fidlar

"Hello! Bonjour! Mushi Mushi! fuck I'm on drugs." That was my introduction to the band Fidlar. I was just walking by the stage as they were starting up. I had no intention of really watching them. After hearing that I was hooked. Playing a modern take on classic LA punk, Fidlar was one of the more entertaining bands of Lollapalooza.

Your New Favorite Songs #3

I've been slacking and Bill is without internet, but here are ten more lovely songs to make up for it.


Band of Horses - Slow Cruel Hands Of Time
 

My Morning Jacket - Dondante (Red Rocks 2011)


Bob Forrest (with Elijah Forrest) - Black Empty
 


Dirty Three - Everything's Fucked



Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Walk Like A Giant



The Sheepdogs - How Late, How Long



Jane's Addiction - Ocean Size



The Smashing Pumpkins - Starz



Bonnie Prince Billy - Black



John Lee Hooker - I'm Bad Like Jesse James

Your New Favorite Songs #2

That time has come again for our favorite songs for the week. For the tenth track/one of my picks, see the YouTube video in the post below.



Ali Farka Toure - Savane

Paul Westerberg - My Road Now


Rival Sons - Get Mine

John Doe - Little Tiger (Twangfest)



Bonnie Prince Billy - Another Day Full of Dread

The Black Angels - Bad Vibrations

 
Bonnie Prince Billy - I See A Darkness (Live on KEXP)


Elmore James and His Broom Dusters - The Sky Is Crying


Eric Avery - Maybe