Goodbye, little darling, I'm gone...
Spring weather was made for bluegrass music. There's a few go-to Springtime albums for me, but I always find myself listening to a ton of bluegrass when the weather starts to get nice.
I credit my longtime buddy Patrick Hill and banjo maestro Bela Fleck for introducing me to Abigail Washburn. Washburn was part of the all-female bluegrass group Uncle Earl (who, oddly enough, had an album produced by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame). Patrick books bands at the Earl and told me to come check out Uncle Earl one night a couple of years ago (Uncle Earl @The Earl..weird) and I really dug the show. There's just something about a cute girl that can pick and sing that simply astonishes me.
All cheesy-sexism aside, when I learned that Washburn had formed a group that Bela Fleck was a part (not to mention he's not getting top-billing in the band name), I was immediately interested. And I cannot say enough about how fantastic the two Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet albums are that I have: "The Sparrow Quartet EP" and an album just called "Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet."
I'm basically a fan of everything Bela Fleck is a part, and I was blown away by The Sparrow Quartet. It's really just amazing music--sort of front-porch classical/bluegrass music. Washburn and Fleck on banjo, Casey Driessen on fiddle and Ben Sollee on a cello (which is really just a big-ass fiddle and them boys can saw one off I tell you what!), and Washburn's superb voice make for a really cool combination.
Washburn's vocals and the arrangements and dynamic of this tune really made it a favorite the instant I heard it.
And as a bonus, here's a live video of Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet doing another beauty "A Fuller Wine"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Track 40: "Tangled Up in Blue" by Bob Dylan
I wondered if she changed at all, if her hair was still red...
Just because no ultimate song list is complete without something from Bob Dylan.
Though I'm hardly a Bob Dylan die-hard, only a nit-wit wouldn't recognize one of the complete giants of American music.
Enough's been said about Dylan's genius, so I'm going to go shy on the word count for track #40.
I will say that Sourwood Honey was my first introduction to this song, and it was a Dylan favorite before I even heard Dylan's version.
Just because no ultimate song list is complete without something from Bob Dylan.
Though I'm hardly a Bob Dylan die-hard, only a nit-wit wouldn't recognize one of the complete giants of American music.
Enough's been said about Dylan's genius, so I'm going to go shy on the word count for track #40.
I will say that Sourwood Honey was my first introduction to this song, and it was a Dylan favorite before I even heard Dylan's version.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Track 39: "Back in the High Life Again" by Steve Winwood
We'll be back in the high life again
All the doors that closed one time will open up again
We'll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched us once will smile and take us in
Admittedly, this song is draped in a little bit of 80's cheese (especially the overcoat-laden video). But Steve Winwood is pretty awesome. The guy was only 14 when he wrote and sang "Gimme Some Lovin" with The Spencer Davis Group and went on to do some awesome work with Traffic and Blind Faith.
But this song in particular brings about a really fond musical memory of mine. Anyone that's been to Bonnaroo knows what an awesome cluster-fuck of live music it can be. 80,000 people and nearly a hundred bands on multiple stages makes for a pretty unique experience. The festival is a beast, and the only thing harder than trying to sleep in the late-June Tennessee heat for three days is the nagging feeling that whatever band you may be checking out at the time, there are a handful of great shows you are missing.
The 2004 Bonnaroo was a pretty cool experience for me. I went on a free ticket and a press pass (courtesy of the Bonnaroo Beacon, a daily paper put out at the festival that I contributed a few stories to). It sounds a lot cooler than it actually was, but at the time was sort of the pinnacle of my freelance writing days. But aside from a free ticket, attending a few press conferences, and trying to find a way to write and email a story sans-laptop at the festival, the press pass turned out to be not as cool as I had originally dreamed.
It also rained at Bonnaroo that year, like a bastard. I went to the fest with a few good pals (including my buddy and now neighbor Sean Higgins who is a HUGE Winwood fan)and it stormed just before Winwood's set. Stormed like a bastard. Before the storm broke I remember looking at the guy and was amazed at the clear division--bright and sunny on one side ominous and scary as hell on the other.
Probably the coolest part of Winwood's set was seeing him play the Traffic song (and frequent Widespread Panic cover) "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." And right when Winwood went into the chorus for the first time a well-timed bolt of lightning struck perfectly in the distance behind the stage.
At one point during the show he appeared alone, with just a mandolin, and after a few chords I knew it was "Back in the High Life Again." And there, newly drenched from a late-June downpour, on a muddy field with about 50,000 people, and a delicious, cold beer, all was right with the world.
I got to see Winwood again a couple of summers ago open for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And thought it was a great homage to the guy when Petty brought him out during the Heartbreakers' set and they covered "Gimme Some Lovin" and the awesome Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home." Music is so good.
All the doors that closed one time will open up again
We'll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched us once will smile and take us in
Admittedly, this song is draped in a little bit of 80's cheese (especially the overcoat-laden video). But Steve Winwood is pretty awesome. The guy was only 14 when he wrote and sang "Gimme Some Lovin" with The Spencer Davis Group and went on to do some awesome work with Traffic and Blind Faith.
But this song in particular brings about a really fond musical memory of mine. Anyone that's been to Bonnaroo knows what an awesome cluster-fuck of live music it can be. 80,000 people and nearly a hundred bands on multiple stages makes for a pretty unique experience. The festival is a beast, and the only thing harder than trying to sleep in the late-June Tennessee heat for three days is the nagging feeling that whatever band you may be checking out at the time, there are a handful of great shows you are missing.
The 2004 Bonnaroo was a pretty cool experience for me. I went on a free ticket and a press pass (courtesy of the Bonnaroo Beacon, a daily paper put out at the festival that I contributed a few stories to). It sounds a lot cooler than it actually was, but at the time was sort of the pinnacle of my freelance writing days. But aside from a free ticket, attending a few press conferences, and trying to find a way to write and email a story sans-laptop at the festival, the press pass turned out to be not as cool as I had originally dreamed.
It also rained at Bonnaroo that year, like a bastard. I went to the fest with a few good pals (including my buddy and now neighbor Sean Higgins who is a HUGE Winwood fan)and it stormed just before Winwood's set. Stormed like a bastard. Before the storm broke I remember looking at the guy and was amazed at the clear division--bright and sunny on one side ominous and scary as hell on the other.
Probably the coolest part of Winwood's set was seeing him play the Traffic song (and frequent Widespread Panic cover) "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." And right when Winwood went into the chorus for the first time a well-timed bolt of lightning struck perfectly in the distance behind the stage.
At one point during the show he appeared alone, with just a mandolin, and after a few chords I knew it was "Back in the High Life Again." And there, newly drenched from a late-June downpour, on a muddy field with about 50,000 people, and a delicious, cold beer, all was right with the world.
I got to see Winwood again a couple of summers ago open for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And thought it was a great homage to the guy when Petty brought him out during the Heartbreakers' set and they covered "Gimme Some Lovin" and the awesome Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home." Music is so good.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Track 38: "Squeeze Box" by The Who
Come on and squeeze me like you do,
I'm so in love with you,
mama's got a squeeze box daddy never sleeps at night
You know that whole saying about people being either Beatles or Rolling Stones fans? And certainly not to slight two of the greatest bands in rock and roll history, but I'd much rather choose between The Who and Led Zeppelin.
I've been on a big Who kick this week and listened to Quadrophenia in its entirety yesterday. I think it's one of the greatest double-albums in history and really shows of that bombastic arena rock thing that The Who basically perfected. The band has/had it all--a fantastic front man in Roger Daltry, an insanely powerful rhythm section in Johh Entwistle and Keith Moon (rip Who original Who rhythm section), and possibly one of the greatest guitarist/songwriters ever in Pete Townshend.
Actually got to see The Who perform Quadrophenia in its entirety in the summer of 1997 (I think?) and the entire concert was just amazing. And thought the band pretty much killed the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl.
But it's hard to pick just one song from Quadrophenia, let alone any one song from The Who's amazing catalog of music. There are easily 20 or so Who songs that are Playlist worthy, but there's something just perfect about "Squeeze Box."
It's fun, catchy, and, oddly enough for a British rock band, has a bit of a bluegrass tinge. And, fittingly, a great tune for a sunny Friday afternoon.
And this is a video of Tenacious D covering "Squeeze Box" at the VH1 Honors The Who.
I'm so in love with you,
mama's got a squeeze box daddy never sleeps at night
You know that whole saying about people being either Beatles or Rolling Stones fans? And certainly not to slight two of the greatest bands in rock and roll history, but I'd much rather choose between The Who and Led Zeppelin.
I've been on a big Who kick this week and listened to Quadrophenia in its entirety yesterday. I think it's one of the greatest double-albums in history and really shows of that bombastic arena rock thing that The Who basically perfected. The band has/had it all--a fantastic front man in Roger Daltry, an insanely powerful rhythm section in Johh Entwistle and Keith Moon (rip Who original Who rhythm section), and possibly one of the greatest guitarist/songwriters ever in Pete Townshend.
Actually got to see The Who perform Quadrophenia in its entirety in the summer of 1997 (I think?) and the entire concert was just amazing. And thought the band pretty much killed the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl.
But it's hard to pick just one song from Quadrophenia, let alone any one song from The Who's amazing catalog of music. There are easily 20 or so Who songs that are Playlist worthy, but there's something just perfect about "Squeeze Box."
It's fun, catchy, and, oddly enough for a British rock band, has a bit of a bluegrass tinge. And, fittingly, a great tune for a sunny Friday afternoon.
And this is a video of Tenacious D covering "Squeeze Box" at the VH1 Honors The Who.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Track 37: "Hungry like the Wolf" by Duran Duran
Dark in the city, night is a wire
Steam in subway, Earth is afire
I grew up in the 80s--back when MTV actually played music, when New Coke was all the rage, when Rocky IV showed us all that American hard-work can triumph over Communism, and when Michael Jackson was still sort of black.
As a kid, Duran Duran was easily my favorite band. I loved "The Reflex," "Wild Boys," and "View to a Kill" still ranks (in my opinion) as the best song to a James Bond film ever.
During one summer (I was maybe around 8 or so) my brother and his friend Brett Wicker (Brett was over at our house just about all the time) got into playing Dungeons and Dragons. Of course I had to get in on the action and named my knight Duran in honor of my favorite band at the time.
Unfortunately, Duran met his demise and was killed in battle (epically and heroically, I surely imagine) by some sort of hob-goblin. I was crushed. I cried. And never played Dungeons and Dragons again.
For my 23rd birthday I was doing some bar hopping in Columbia's Five Points (during the 3-4 months I spent back in Columbia after graduating college, before moving to Charleston) and just happened to walk in on an acoustic show of Josh Roberts and Ryan Monroe. At the time the two were in the Columbia-based Captain Easy. Monroe now plays keys for Band of Horses and Roberts fronts his own band Josh Roberts and the Hinges. And they did a really cool and hilarious cover of "Hungry like the Wolf."
A few months ago I was at a bar playing trivia with some friends (I tend to pride myself on my grasp of trivial knowledge, especially the music questions). The question was name the song that contains the lyrics "steam in the subway, Earth is afire."
And guess whose team got the question right?
I tried to find the original video for the song on You Tube, but none of them would allow embedding (dang). But I did happen to find a video of this tart doing some sort of sexy (fully clothed) interpretive dance. Which is silly as hell but kind of awesome.
Steam in subway, Earth is afire
I grew up in the 80s--back when MTV actually played music, when New Coke was all the rage, when Rocky IV showed us all that American hard-work can triumph over Communism, and when Michael Jackson was still sort of black.
As a kid, Duran Duran was easily my favorite band. I loved "The Reflex," "Wild Boys," and "View to a Kill" still ranks (in my opinion) as the best song to a James Bond film ever.
During one summer (I was maybe around 8 or so) my brother and his friend Brett Wicker (Brett was over at our house just about all the time) got into playing Dungeons and Dragons. Of course I had to get in on the action and named my knight Duran in honor of my favorite band at the time.
Unfortunately, Duran met his demise and was killed in battle (epically and heroically, I surely imagine) by some sort of hob-goblin. I was crushed. I cried. And never played Dungeons and Dragons again.
For my 23rd birthday I was doing some bar hopping in Columbia's Five Points (during the 3-4 months I spent back in Columbia after graduating college, before moving to Charleston) and just happened to walk in on an acoustic show of Josh Roberts and Ryan Monroe. At the time the two were in the Columbia-based Captain Easy. Monroe now plays keys for Band of Horses and Roberts fronts his own band Josh Roberts and the Hinges. And they did a really cool and hilarious cover of "Hungry like the Wolf."
A few months ago I was at a bar playing trivia with some friends (I tend to pride myself on my grasp of trivial knowledge, especially the music questions). The question was name the song that contains the lyrics "steam in the subway, Earth is afire."
And guess whose team got the question right?
I tried to find the original video for the song on You Tube, but none of them would allow embedding (dang). But I did happen to find a video of this tart doing some sort of sexy (fully clothed) interpretive dance. Which is silly as hell but kind of awesome.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Track 36: "C. Brown" by Widespread Panic
Charlie really likes his friends
But in his heart he knows that sometimes a dog is as good as any man
Trying to do as we should
That doesn't always rhyme with doing what feels good
Track 1 of my Ultimate Playlist began with "Linus and Lucy." The piano-jazz Charlie Brown theme has always been a life-long favorite song. And when I first heard Widespread Panic's "C. Brown" in high school, I immediately loved it.
I am by no means a "Spreadhead." I do like the band and have seen them several times, but have never toured with them in my dad's SUV, I don't have a 'WSP' sticker on my car, will never own or use Croakies and the only place I wear a visor is on the golf course. But with that disclaimer, Widespread Panic is a great band with some fantastic songs. And, of course, "C. Brown" is my favorite. And the line "sometimes a dog is as good as any man" is just utterly brilliant and part of my own personal philosophy.
I love the piano in this tune, it's joyous and bright, and somewhat reminiscent of the "Linus and Lucy" melody. And I absolutely love the song's ending, and it's a major reason I like Widespread Panic and the band's ability to reveal a dark under-belly.
The song's about Charlie Brown being typically dissed over the course of a day by his friends--he's stood up at the school bus stop and gets the proverbial football yanked away right before kicking it. And then, Charlie Brown reaches the tipping point:
Charlie has drawn a gun
Right there in the square he catches Lucy on the run
Aims his eye, cocks his head
In a cloud of dust, dear old Lucy's gone
Charlie's only trying the golden rule
Draw unto others as they have been drawn to you
This is just a great song. And just like "Linus and Lucy" it makes me smile every time I hear it. And though it may be a somewhat devious grin, it's a smile nonetheless.
But in his heart he knows that sometimes a dog is as good as any man
Trying to do as we should
That doesn't always rhyme with doing what feels good
Track 1 of my Ultimate Playlist began with "Linus and Lucy." The piano-jazz Charlie Brown theme has always been a life-long favorite song. And when I first heard Widespread Panic's "C. Brown" in high school, I immediately loved it.
I am by no means a "Spreadhead." I do like the band and have seen them several times, but have never toured with them in my dad's SUV, I don't have a 'WSP' sticker on my car, will never own or use Croakies and the only place I wear a visor is on the golf course. But with that disclaimer, Widespread Panic is a great band with some fantastic songs. And, of course, "C. Brown" is my favorite. And the line "sometimes a dog is as good as any man" is just utterly brilliant and part of my own personal philosophy.
I love the piano in this tune, it's joyous and bright, and somewhat reminiscent of the "Linus and Lucy" melody. And I absolutely love the song's ending, and it's a major reason I like Widespread Panic and the band's ability to reveal a dark under-belly.
The song's about Charlie Brown being typically dissed over the course of a day by his friends--he's stood up at the school bus stop and gets the proverbial football yanked away right before kicking it. And then, Charlie Brown reaches the tipping point:
Charlie has drawn a gun
Right there in the square he catches Lucy on the run
Aims his eye, cocks his head
In a cloud of dust, dear old Lucy's gone
Charlie's only trying the golden rule
Draw unto others as they have been drawn to you
This is just a great song. And just like "Linus and Lucy" it makes me smile every time I hear it. And though it may be a somewhat devious grin, it's a smile nonetheless.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Track 35: A Drivin N Cryin double-shot
I think it's a safe bet, that if you went to college anywhere below the Mason Dixon line during the 1990s, you probably have been involved in a drunken group sing-a-long of the Drivin N Cryin song "Straight to Hell."
And of all the bands that made up the proverbial soundtrack to my high school and college years, Drivin N Cryin is probably at THE top of the pile.
As one of my favorite bands of all time, DnC has given me a lot over the almost 20 years I've been a fan. I've lost track of the amount of times I've seen them live. Mostly because there were a ton of them, and also because every show ended with a drunken group sing-a-long of "Straight to Hell."
Though the band has some radio hits and a few videos back when MTV still showed bands, they largely remain unknown for folks outside of the Southeast. But what a fantastic band. Simple, straight-forward Southern Rock with such great, excellently written songs. DnC's arsenal of riff-heavy Southern anthems is nearly astounding, but they also have a a more rootsy-acoustic (slightly bluegrassy) side to them as well. The band's singer-songwriter, Kevn Kinney (yes Kevn without an 'i'), could very well be the bastard, blue-collar child of the Ramones and Bob Dylan.
Basically Drivin N Cryin plays rock and roll the way it should be played.
"Scarred But Smarter"
Karma or justice, whatever you call it
it's really there just keep looking for it
Track 1 off the band's first album. This is such a great rock song and one my favorite all time songs to hear live. This live version is from a sort of rare live EP "Live on Fire." And my god, does it rock.
"Honeysuckle Blue"
Have you ever seen the Blue Ridge Mountains boy,
or the Chattahoochie,
or the Honeysuckle Blue?
Though DnC had a few hits like "Build a Fire," "Fly Me Courageous," and of course "Straight to Hell," "Honeysuckle Blue" will always be THE Drivin N Cryin song. The guitar riff, the "whoa oh oh," just some really cool lyrics. "Honeysuckle Blue" is one of those songs that all Southern Rock tunes should be compared to.
And of all the bands that made up the proverbial soundtrack to my high school and college years, Drivin N Cryin is probably at THE top of the pile.
As one of my favorite bands of all time, DnC has given me a lot over the almost 20 years I've been a fan. I've lost track of the amount of times I've seen them live. Mostly because there were a ton of them, and also because every show ended with a drunken group sing-a-long of "Straight to Hell."
Though the band has some radio hits and a few videos back when MTV still showed bands, they largely remain unknown for folks outside of the Southeast. But what a fantastic band. Simple, straight-forward Southern Rock with such great, excellently written songs. DnC's arsenal of riff-heavy Southern anthems is nearly astounding, but they also have a a more rootsy-acoustic (slightly bluegrassy) side to them as well. The band's singer-songwriter, Kevn Kinney (yes Kevn without an 'i'), could very well be the bastard, blue-collar child of the Ramones and Bob Dylan.
Basically Drivin N Cryin plays rock and roll the way it should be played.
"Scarred But Smarter"
Karma or justice, whatever you call it
it's really there just keep looking for it
Track 1 off the band's first album. This is such a great rock song and one my favorite all time songs to hear live. This live version is from a sort of rare live EP "Live on Fire." And my god, does it rock.
"Honeysuckle Blue"
Have you ever seen the Blue Ridge Mountains boy,
or the Chattahoochie,
or the Honeysuckle Blue?
Though DnC had a few hits like "Build a Fire," "Fly Me Courageous," and of course "Straight to Hell," "Honeysuckle Blue" will always be THE Drivin N Cryin song. The guitar riff, the "whoa oh oh," just some really cool lyrics. "Honeysuckle Blue" is one of those songs that all Southern Rock tunes should be compared to.
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