Want to see Lambchop in Santa Monica tonight?
I have an extra ticket to the sold out 8pm show. McCabe’s is the best room in LA. It’s going to be a phenomenal show. Email or hit me on Twitter if you want it.
We miss you already.
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Bill Callahan - Heaven Help the Child (Mickey Newbury cover)
Drag City recently re-released Mickey Newbury’s “Heaven Help The Child” on 7” vinyl. On the B-side is this cover by Bill Callahan. Like almost anything Callahan touches, it’s gold.
Previously:
Bill Callahan - So Long Marianne (Leonard Cohen cover)
Bill Callahan - Baby’s Breath
And more…
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George Harrison - My Sweet Lord (Demo)
A volume of George Harrison’s demos and early takes was released this week alongside the DVD of Scorsese’s documentary, “George Harrison: Living in the Material World.” Harrison’s widow Olivia assembled the tracks with help from Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin. She says about the music:
[T]hese early takes really get to the essence of the songs. You can almost hear the excitement in George singing these songs, which he’d written maybe a few months earlier, or perhaps the year before.
This is his first take on “My Sweet Lord;” the first time George played what would become his biggest solo hit with a band. (Source: LA Times)
The whole collection is mesmerizing for a fan of George. He covers Dylan and The Everly Brothers, talks to the band, and sounds fresh and inspired throughout. This release is a real treat.
Tracklist:
01 – My Sweet Lord (Demo)
02 – Run Of The Mill (Demo)
03 – I’d Have You Any Time (Early Take)
04 – Mama You’ve Been On My Mind (Demo)
05 – Let It Be Me (Demo)
06 – Woman Don’t You Cry For Me (Early Take)
07 – Awaiting On You All (Early Take)
08 – Behind That Locked Door (Demo)
09 – All Things Must Pass (Demo)
10 – The Light That Has Lighted The World (Demo)
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Father John Misty - Only Son of the Ladiesman - Live on Letterman
Wow, Josh Tillman has moves! His performance on Letterman was kind of hilarious but also a demonstration in stage presence.
I really like the new album. Stream the whole thing via SubPop on Soundcloud:
Father John Misty - Fear Fun
Previously:
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Nancy From Now On
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The Rolling Stones - Prodigal Son (Live - Orig. Robert Wilkins)
I’ve had the Stones on constant rotation since I started reading Keith Richards’ autobiography. It’s such a trip to read the stories of how these albums came together and listen along with new perspective. I think the reality was even more outrageous than I’d imagined.
“Prodigal Son” is my favorite track on Beggars Banquet (this month). It was written by Rev. Robert Wilkins and performed by him at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival (listen). This live version is on Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out, which also includes opening sets by BB King and Ike & Tina, recorded in 1969. Dig it!
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Patrick Watson - Into Giants
Patrick Watson’s new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard, drops tomorrow. The lead single has already made the rounds and received widespread praise. If you haven’t yet, give this a listen, and stream the full album on NPR: First Listen. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
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Peter Wolf Crier - Beach
These guys opened for Damien Jurado in LA a few weeks ago and they were great. They’re a two-piece out of Minneapolis, signed to Jagjaguwar in 2010 before dropping their first LP. You’ve already heard this song, but if you dig it, check out some more.
Bandcamp | Website | Tumblr | Twitter
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Happy birthday, Hype Machine! You’ve never looked better.
We’re 7 today! Put your favorites on shuffle and revisit all the good stuff you’ve discovered here through the years.
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Beck - Corrina, Corrina (B. Chatman, M. Parish, and J. Mayo Williams cover)
“Corrina, Corrina” is an old standard in the tradition of music by Lead Belly, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and their cohorts. It was written in 1928 before country, folk, bluegrass and blues were so clearly divided. Covers of “Corrina, Corrina” (sometimes “Corrine, Corrina”) have been recorded by everyone from Muddy Waters to Doc Watson to Bright Eyes. And it’s safe to say that anyone who has ever picked up a guitar has played this chord progression and sung this chorus.
Beck recorded this excellent version for an Every Mother Counts benefit compilation due May 1. The album will also feature covers by David Bowie, Lauryn Hill, Patti Smith, Coldplay, and more. Heads up via Pitchfork.
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Megafaun - State/Meant (Daytrotter session)
I’ve been listening to a lot of Megafaun since I wrote about them last week. It’s one of my favorite bands of the last few years. 2011’s self-titled album is really strong, and 2009’s Gather, Form & Fly has been one of my most-listened year over year. Both are on the great indie label, Hometapes.
The guys played a Daytrotter session last month and a couple of the tracks are terrific. Well worth a listen, but even better: go see them if they come to a town near you. They’re awesome live.
Previously:
Megafaun - These Words
Megafaun - Heretofore
Megafaun - State/Meant
Megafaun at McCabe’s Santa Monica (Photos: 1, 2)
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Father John Misty - Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Former Fleet Foxes drummer Josh Tillman has made several excellent solo albums as J Tillman. For his new project, he’s recording under the name Father John Misty. It’s no surprise that the percussion on this track is ridiculous. It sounds like a funeral march played by Dylan’s Rainy Day Women band.
Tillman has talked about opening up as a songwriter and eschewing preciousness for something real on this album. He tackles uncertainty, sex and death without a hint of fussiness here.
Fear Fun is out next week on SubPop. Watch the video below. I think he’s settling nicely into his post-Fleet Foxes Laurel Canyon life.
Previously: Father John Misty - Nancy From Now On
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Exfm User Spotlight: Chewable Vitamins
Hey look, I’m on Exfm’s Spotlight series. Thanks, guys!
exfm:
What is one of your favorite/most magical musical experiences?
October 16, 1992. I was 14-years-old, full of teen angst, in the throes of Nirvana madness. I was watching the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration on PBS with my parents and, I’m sure, wishing I were somewhere else.
I loved Dylan and I dug some of the artists slated for the tribute. We watched familiar faces perform familiar tunes. I certainly didn’t expect anything revolutionary.
I was indifferent as Richie Havens took the stage. I’d seen video of his performance at Woodstock and wasn’t impressed. But when he began to play, I fell in love. I sat stunned as he sang Just Like A Woman. I didn’t really get the lyrics at fourteen, but his performance shook me to the core. I think I knew that he was singing about experiences and emotions I couldn’t understand, with an ownership and authority that a kid just can’t summon. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but looking back, I think I realized that night that I would live my whole life with music, that my relationship to it would change over time, and that it would always fulfill me. I still get the chills watching it now. Here’s a link to it on Youtube.
If you had to pick a favorite artist(s) who would it be? (tough one I know)
Led Zeppelin is my favorite band of all time. My dad brought me up on Motown and my mom is the world’s biggest Johnny Cash fan. When I started to pick my own favorites, I fell in love with almost anything made in the ’60s and early ’70s. The Stones, Hendrix, The Doors, CSNY, The Band, all that Woodstock stuff.
My favorite working bands of the last decade are probably Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Band of Horses, The Antlers, and The Books (RIP).
If you had to share one artist right now who would it be? Why?
I’m really hot on Megafaun right now. Brad and Phil Cook and Joe Westerlund have been around the block and are criminally underrated. Most people call them psych-folk, but they include elements of blues, country, bluegrass, jazz, and, of course, psych and folk. They’re musicians’ musicians, almost virtuosic at their instruments and amazingly fun and improvisational live. Real Slow (Megafaun, 2011) and The Fade (Gather, Form & Fly, 2009) are great tracks to start with.
What genres of music are you into most?
I love everything from punk to hip hop, but Americana’s in my blood. Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Fleet Foxes, The Low Anthem, The Avett Brothers, Akron/Family, Laura Marling… those artists speak to me.
Recently Loved Tracks from Jen:
And be sure to check out her blog Chewable Vitamins. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better one. Thanks Jen!
If you’d like to be featured or have someone you think should be drop us a line
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St Vincent - GROT
This is the best Record Store Day release I’ve heard so far. From KROKODIL 7”. Annie Clark continues to surprise and amaze.
Previously in this vain: ST. VINCENT covers BIG BLACK. It doesn’t get any better than that.
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The Record Company - Born Unnamed
Oh man, The Record Company has the blues! These LA guys are blistering hot. This track is from their forthcoming album, Super Dead, and there are a few more here: http://soundcloud.com/therecordcompany.
If you’re in LA, don’t miss their May residency at Harvard and Stone. I’ll see you there.
Hat tip Bruce Warren for the discovery.
Photo via Buzz Bands LA
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