Man! I’d never heard of Barbara Lynn until catching a little bit of an American Routes episode that Townsmen Meanstom and BigSteve discussed a couple of weeks ago. BigSteve sent me a collection of her work, and rather than pretend I know anything about the artist in the week I’ve been digging her stuff, how about if I simply post a few tracks for you to savor?
In an effort to shift the nation’s focus from memorial-related grief over the 9/11 Twin Towers attack, 50 Cent has thrown down the gauntlet on that other tower of rap music, Kanye West. Both artists have new releases planned for 9/11/07, and Cent has said that he will retire from solo performances and recordings should his album not sell as many copies as West’s. A spokesperson for Cent, who’s real name is Curtis something, confirmed the artist’s true intent of this throwdown, “It’s about helping the nation move on.”
In other news you’ve already heard, Factory Records and Hacienda founder Tony Wilson died. The Manchester scenemaker was 57. He was a great man.
Please knock before entering. Phoebe Cates’ got nothin’ on these cats!
Despite my well-known resistance to the burgeoning Apple iTunes Empire – or perhaps because of it – within weeks of my wife switching us from a PC to a Mac, a representative from Apple contacted me through RTH Labs to gauge my interest in participating in a Phase II study on a digital weight-loss program that is tentatively titled iLose.
I was initially flummoxed by Apple’s interest in my participation, but I could stand to lose some weight, and the promise of a steady supply of preselected, potentially weight-loss promoting tunes was hard to turn down. If nothing else, I figured, I’d get turned onto some new music, get a chuckle out or two, and stick it to the iMan by mocking this experimental program for the benefit of Rock Town Hall. After 3 weeks on the program, however, I’m becoming a believer.
The playlist from my most recent iLose session follows. Consider it a trial version of this possibly revolutionary weight-loss program!
“Clear Spot”, Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
“Walkin With A Mountain”, Mott The Hoople
“Riot Industry”, Cobra Verde
“Blow Daddy-O”, Pere Ubu
“Allah Wakbarr”, Ofo The Black Company
“The Blue Mask”, Lou Reed
“St. George`s Dragon”, Baby Grandmothers
“Ship Of Fools”, The Doors
“Amazona”, Roxy Music
“You Baby”, The Turtles
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DISCLAIMER: The health information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace a discussion with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider and consider the unique characteristics of each patient.
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…than Bruce Springsteen playing a solo acoustic show?
Maybe I need to clarify this question. There are the acoustic albums: Nebraska and The Ghost of Tom Joad, the latter exposing how boring the former really was. That’s all right, though, if you’re not comfortable liking one of the decent, somewhat rocking Bruce Springsteen album that the sweaty masses love. I’m pretty sure I know which of you dig Nebraska, and for today’s discussion, I’ll grant you a pass.
Today, I’m interested in knowing if anything in rock is less interesting than a solo Bruce Springsteen show. We get some high-def music channel that shows the same four programs: a Green Day concert, some “Honors” concert for Heart, a concert with Bon Jovi jamming with country artists, and Springsteen playing a solo and acoustc. The concert reeks of that Tom Joad period. The Boss is dressed in black. His muscular stubby arms are awkwardly wrapped around his acoustic guitar. (Discussion for another day: Can muscles and guitars coexist?) He mumbles unintelligibly through every damn song! Can Springsteen ever perform one of his songs in an acoustic, solo setting as if he’s not praying in hoarse, hushed tones at 2:00 am, so as not to wake his cellmate? Is it not enough that he’s already The Boss, does he really need to be E.F. Hutton?
So this is why I ask if it can get less interesting than Bruce Springsteen playing a solo acoustic show. Surely there are worse shows and artists to see, but what the hell does one focus on when seeing Bruce solo? I would imagine it would be so boring I couldn’t even cut up on him.
I look forward to your comments.
Towsman Rick sends in the following report from the recent Newport Folk Festival.
I spent the weekend at the Newport Folk Festival, where they sold beer and wine for the first time. They and the town were nervous, of course, about the potential problems, so they made a beer area way at the end of a pier (the festival is at a Revolutionary War fort on the water). And they charged $6 to $8 for lousy beer.
And people thronged to it. The second they opened the gate, the wait was 20 minutes. By mid-afternoon (the festival went until 7:00 pm; beer closed at 6:00 pm) the wait was about an hour. And people were doing it!
We’ve spoken of beer before, but I don’t recall us actually discussing the appeal. Because I don’t get it at all.
I’m not a big drinker; that might be one thing. But while I drink the occasional beer, neither I or anyone I know would ever wait in line for an hour to pay $8 for a beer in a bar. Does anyone have any idea what it is about being out hearing music that suddenly makes it worth it for so many people?
(It’s even more baffling at sheds: At least at this festival you could still hear one of the three stages; why anyone who has paid $75 to hear one band volunteers to miss 2 to 3 songs for the privilege of paying $8 for a beer is even more alien to me.)
The Eagles are putting the finishing touches on an album’s worth of all-new material. They promise to tour extensively in 2008 in support of this album. Their smug mugs and highlighted, remaining wisps of hair will never fade away. Joe Walsh claims that the new material will “go in some really, really new, different directions. It’s hard to compare to anything that I hear out there now.”
Bring on the Psychic Oblivion!
In related news:
Van Halen, Roth to announce tour next week
New Jimmy Buffett Song ‘Cold Weather and Personal Responsibility’ Disappoints Long-Time Fans
