The best thing happening, right about now

the bad revue (link)

Kentucky songwriters making songs based on a weekly (so far) theme.

This weeks theme:

answer songs

write a song in response to an already written song that asks a question - such as:

"what's love got to do with it?"

"do you know the way to san jose?"

"who let the dogs out?"

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