Dave and Gil ....

.... kinda piss me off with their social ease and on-stage humor. It used to amuse me and endear them to me. I thought it personalized their music…… eh…… naw. What would endear them to me and personalize their music to me is if they were to get serious about making another album. Sure, people are free to do what they want…. to squander gifts (I’m not one to complain), to justify, to procrastinate life (Lord knows), but ….. I mean, Gillian Welch spent about 6 or 8 years putting herself on the map as one of America’s great songwriters…. incredible voice, soul and skill….. they're a great team….. perfect performances. But now it’s really gotten old. Why make appearances? I mean, how do you walk out on stage all of 40-45 yrs old and play the same shit you’ve been playing for the last 5-10 years?.... and then joke and fumble through your tunings and instrument changes, like your nervous to bear your soul? I don’t get it. The last time I saw them was a more polished version of the last 5 times I’ve seen them….. and it sucked. It sounded good, it reached out to me at times, but really it just made me sad for them.

I think it's time for Dave to put her in a room and lean an antique instrument against the door until she produces enough material for the next one.

Playlist - Just like old times

Today's playlist really started off last night. I listened to Patrick's Americana Crossroads on Morehead Public Radio. It was a fresh mix of similar tastes to my own.

Sonny & Brownie - Sonny's Squall ("Run to the Whoop"), Ryan Bingham, Avetts,...........

Started off the day with the winetree - Americana Crossroads tracks and Kentucky from their facebook page. Man, I wish these guys were more widely recognized and a bit more prolific. I believe in Isaiah's talent and taste.

Justin Earle Townes - Harlem River Blues was background for my busy mind. I'd definitely like to give it another go. I think he falls somewhere in that vast area between his namesakes and I'm starting to think he is an apple further from the tree musically yet pretty much like them both, personally.

Ryan Bingham - Mescalito I already like it, but it was good to hear it from a different source last night on Patrick's Americana Crossroads show.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee - Red River

Railroad Earth - Railroad Earth

Music For Moving Images V3 - Various This is a compilation from the Three Sixty label roster. I like almost everything on it and I like some of it a lot. I hope to follow up on some of these artists.

All India Radio - Echo Other

2010.08.17 Playlist

I just read that MMJ are recording a new album in a church in Louisville, expected to be out around the middle of next year. I really wish I had the dough to go to NYC to see them in October. They are doing their albums in their entirety.... 5 nights ending with "Evil Urges and beyond". I would love to see them perform that one live! So, I am starting my playlist with a live show from 8 years ago yesterday and it starts off with "Suspicious Minds" in honor of the anniversary of Elvis' death.

My Morning Jacket - Live at the 9:30 Club 8/16/2002

Yim Yames - Tribute to George Harrison (Aug. 2009)

My Morning Jacket - At Dawn and Tennessee Fire Demos Package (2007)

Bonobo - Black Sands (2010)

Jonsi and Alex - Riceboy Sleeps (2009)

2010.08.16 Playlist - thanks to Napster

John Prine - Fair & Square EP (2010)

Lambchop - Aw C'mon (2004)

Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame (2010)

Medeski Martin and Wood - Radiolarians III (2009)

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore - Dear Companion (2010)

- My Wealth Comes to Me is a Timeless Classic.... a super well written song! I heard these guys on E Town radio last night and got a renewed appreciation for this album. I really wish I had gone to see them when they came to Asheville. Pictured opposite above (Moore, Sollee).

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)

The Meters - The Meters (1969)

Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights (1975)

Eilen Jewell - Butcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn (2010)

- Who can blame her for loving Lorettie's songs or singing them but for the life of me, I can't understand what made her think she should make this album. Surely, she realizes what it was that made them so good to begin with. Loretta was the real deal. http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/eilen-jewell-sings-loretta?xg_source=activity

Loretta Lynn - Coal Miner's Daughter (2005 Legends release)

The Reigning Sound - Love and Curses (2009)

- There's some definite quality here, but I couldn't get into it today. I'm not sure what kinda mood I'd have to be in.

Best Coast - Crazy For You (2010)

- I just listened to a little.

NAPSTER!?

I am still mourning the loss of my beloved lala.com. The ability to listen to anything once for free is key to my musical growth and happiness. I finally took a minute to search for a replacement. It looks like for $5 a month, Napster will provide a similar service. I don't know if they will have some of the more obscure offerings (neither did lala), but I should be able to stay in touch with what's new and give a listen to whatever people are talking about (new or old).

I joined and I hope Annie don't kill me for adding another bill, but it is, after all, a need...... and I could be addicted to a lot of worse things.

I started off with a new John Prine EP, and I'm now giving a listen to "Aw C'mon" by Lambchop....... screech!!!!!!!!!!! Oh no! While writing this, I hit a problem already..... the Lambchop is just playing 10 second clips... not acceptable. I don't have time to look into this right now, but really!? WTF?!!

Hopefully, this is not common and I have entered a new happy relationship that be lasting and giving for years to come. We will see.

note: i signed out and back in and everything seems to be in tact. it now recognizes me as a paying member and is playing lambchop in its entirety!!!!

Richie Hayward (February 6, 1946 – August 12, 2010)

I saw him twice with Little Feat in the early 90's. I also got to see him from about 20 feet away once. I'm guessing it was around 2002 or so. It was Jazz is Dead at Stella Blue. The band was him along with Jimmy Herring, T Lavitz (keyboards) and a young pyrotechician on bass (I don't remember his name).

Schooooooooooollllllllllllllllll

3 online classes in 11 weeks is killing me. I am listening, but it's background for now.

I am really excited about the soon-to-come John Prine tribute album. I've heard about 5 songs from it and they are all quality. The best of which is "Angel From Montgomery" by OCMS featuring Willie Watson on vocals.

I've shied away from the Grateful Dead a little because they make we want to "drop out". Hopefully, as I get used to my new schedule, I'll find a bit of time to listen and write.

It could be my last ride on lala

Future Islands - In Evening Air - Sam Herring sounds seasoned... great band

The Flaming Lips - Dark Side of the Moon - loved it

Mary Gauthier - The Foundling - I wish I could listen a few more times. It sounded like something that would grow on me. I definitely would like to dig further.

Thumbs Up - Dirty Side Down

Grocery List

Black Keys - Brothers

Rolling Stones - Exile (remastered)

Roger Miller - something comprehensive

Bonobo

Jody Stecher - everything

Lambchop - OH

Nina Simone

Bkyln: Heavy Sounds from the County of Kings

Merle Haggard - Jimmie Rodgers

Rolling Stones - more from the psychedelic 60s

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

Napster subscription

New speakers for home stereo

dbPoweramp full rights or equivalent

Rolling

One Man's Elvis Costello is Another Man's Widespread Panic

... or Sigur Ros

Lala?

Lala is shutting down The Lala service will be shut down on May 31st, 2010. Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting new users.

Lambtrotter Session!!!

Lambchop on Daytrotter link

lala today 4.29.10

loving some

- Roger Miller - The Very Best of

- Merle Haggard - Rainbow Stew (1981) - The lyrics in the song Rainbow Stew, he says something about "when they find out how to burn water" fits the "big" news story today about a BP oil rig that burned in the Gulf and is leaking something like 45,000 gallons of oil per day.

- Willie Nelson - To Lefty From Willie (1977)

- The Meters - Cabbage Alley (1972)

- Various Artists - Essential Dub (guessing the 80's)

I just loaded up the ipod

with

Rolling Stones Live Brussels Affair 1973 (currently listening - HOT!)

Billie Holiday - Remixed and Reimagined

Doyle Lawson & QS - Once and For Always

New Riders - NRPS

Bob Dylan - Planet Waves

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Stars and Stripes Forever

Flatt & Scruggs - Carnegie Hall

GD - 70/05/01 Alfred, NY

GD - 78/09/14 Giza, Egypt Sphinx Theatre

Meters - 75/06/21 San Francisco The Boarding House

The Who - 73/12/06 King Biscuit Capitol Center Landover, MD

Random Mix Song Ideas

Black Keys - Wicked Messenger

Nina Simone - Gin House Blues

Dirty Business - NRPS

Vic

something from live Lambchop

Gomez

MMJ

M Ward - Outro maybe Hold Time

Kinks

Uncle Tupelo ?

Waylon Jennings

Calexico

Neil Young from Time Fades Away

The Dutchess and the Duke

Rolling Stones

Dave Rawlings Machine

.... and then I went and dug up

Bob Dylan - Planet Waves

Hartford Clements - live 1974

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Stars and Stripes Forever

Flatt & Scruggs - Carnegie Hall

New Riders of the Purple Sage - NRPS ("Dirty Business")

Doyle Lawson and QS - Once and For Always

Mixed tape writers block

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............................................................................

It is apparent that I am not listening to enough good stuff that is blowing me away when I am motivated to make a few new mixes but am having a major block as to what material to tap. I NEED lots of new music. I am psyched to have the A.Willett collection of bootlegs but bootlegs are not great sources for mix material. I would love to have the influx of new music that I experienced while burning through my school loans in Murfreesboro or during the dawning of the age of burn-your-buddy's cd collection technology age (2001-2004).

I keep thinking I need to reboot the old dell desktop. There's no telling what's on there. I've got lots to go through here, I'm just not particularly excited about any of it.

Oh well, the seed has been planted and like our potatoes, it might take a big rain a week or two from now, but the mixing of songs will happen.

A. Willett Files pt 2: still listening to lots of Dead

The A Willett Files - Part 1

I met a kind soul through work who has bestowed upon me a fraction (1/3 or so) of his incredibly extensive collection of Grateful Dead bootlegs along with a handful of other classic live bootlegs... all-in-all 302 G. Yes, you read that correctly. He gave me 300 gigs of Dead bootlegs.

It is so big because it is FLAC files which are not only big (of highest lossless quality), but also are hard for me to play. I have had this in my possession since last June. According to my know-how, it is not exactly easy to make this happen. To listen (preferably on my ipod), I will need to transfer these files to mp3s and store them somewhere. Until very recently, I have not had the amount of storage needed to store the mp3s once they are duplicated and still be able to keep the FLACs. Now, I do and I must begin the begin.

Also in this collection is a handful of WAV files that will also need to be changed to mp3s to put on my IPod. Of the WAVs is a Bob Marley and the Wailers show from the Record Plant in Sausalito, CA 10.31.73 along with the note "possibly the best reggae set ever"... and it is. I will start with it.

Do yourself a favor

If you ever stream music from the internet then do yourself this favor. Sign up for access to lala.com. It is free and easy. Once you sign up, you can listen to nearly any album. You can listen once to anything and if you try to play it again, you only get a 10 second sample but if you wait awhile (I don't really know how long) you can listen to it again.

It is great for checking out new stuff that there is a buzz about, a friend is listening to, pops up on your favorite music blog or whatever. It has also been great for me to go back to listen to stuff I have had in the past... maybe on cassette or vinyl. You can check out albums that are on everybody's 'best ever' lists even if you are skeptical with no commitment. Lately, I have used it as another source for streaming Grateful Dead shows.

I will be linking a lot of stuff I mention here to lala. I might occasionally try to post mp3s and may go back to trying imeem playlists. I did that a couple of times on squirrel brains and found it to be almost fun enough to warrant the time commitment. We'll see.

Record Store Day

I'm so tired of being too broke to buy music. Really! Record Store Day is this Saturday and I've got a list I'd like to cut into... but it just doesn't seem like the thing to be spending on at this time.

All I seem to need this time of year!

http://www.archive.org/details/GratefulDead

Wes Anderson Film Soundtracks

When I die, I want to end up living in a Wes Anderson film where everything is just right, heavily stylized and cool including the soundtrack and everyone is interesting.

Fantastic Mr. Fox Soundtrack link

Asa's Tunes

I need to keep track of his favorites and I keep saying I'm going to make him a mix to put them all together. As of now, what would be on it?

- Wagon Wheel -OCMS

- Monkey and the Engineer - DRM

- Sweet Tooth - DRM

- Any Monkey song

- Sleepy Monkey - WSP

- Sleeping Monkey - Phish

- What Would You Do? (Monkey on a String) - DMB

- Cottoneyed Joe - Freight Hoppers

- Boogie - John Hartford

This is actually a pretty poor list after Sweet Tooth. He's always getting down to stuff we listen to, but I can never seem to remember the songs.

OK, finally more good stuff on Spinner

I don't know if it's just been a bad year for releases or if Spinner has been missing them but sadly, it is my main source of hearing about and listening to new stuff. Well, I guess it's sad. It has really been a great source for me for the last 3 or so years. I used to work in record stores (circa '95-'98) and we got all of the new releases to play on the store speakers. I think it really developed my ears to hear the good and bad in all types of releases whether they would normally hit my radar or not. Now, I have Spinner.

I just browsed through this weeks offerings and saw 3 albums I am already really excited about.

I Learned the Hard Way by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Go by Icelandic band Sigur Ros front man Jonsi.

Shame, Shame by Philly rock band Dr. Dog

I am currently listening to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. I love love this band. They lay down an only slightly modified for modern version of old school R&B and Funk grooves that I could hear behind anyone from early Motown to Curtis Mayfield to Fela Kuti. Her vocal style fits somewhere between that early Motown sound and a version of a sorta raunchy and almost campy female blues usually backed up by a Chicago blues style backing band... something I can appreciate but am generally not much of a fan of. In this case the Dap-Kings are good enough to keep her in business.

I spun both of the others mentioned above today but didn't get a good enough listen to comment at any length. I will say Jonsi started off strong and I heard much there worth revisiting. Likewise with Dr. Dog, I will have to listen more. One of my gripes with them has always been their lack of diversity and I don't quite know where that comes from but I believe a couple of subtle changes on this one might have eased that issue a bit. I'm excited to dig deeper.

also sounding good here is:

And Then We Saw by Tunng

Sabbath and Hank

Today's highlights from the Ipod shuffle.

Could be anything

This is a diary and I'm not a writer

I want to write about how I listen to music.

I want to write about the music I listen to.

I want to do this for me.

I want to do this for posterity.