Anderson East? One of my favorite voices of the contemporary world. Other than the MMJ/Nathaniel Rateliff & theNightsweats pairing, who are unfortunately coming nowhere near Chicago this summer, AE is one of the very few acts I’d drag my aching bones out to see live.
Love what the Swedes did to “Don’t Think Twice”. Pretty much proves it wasn’t “just” the lyrics.
Listening to Blonde on Blonde tonight. I’ve always loved “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” (assuming being in the right mood). Do any of you remember the Townes Van Zant song “Sad Cinderella?” Totally different song, but very similar structure. I’d always wondered about that. For what it’s worth, Dylan’s was released 2 years earlier. …
“Bed of Roses” is a joy-filled, randy trip down memory lane with the incomparable Ian Hunter, master songscribe and long time collaborator with the late, great guitarist Mick Ronson. His new album, Defiance Part I will be released on April 21. You can pre-order your copy here: https://sunrecords.lnk.to/BedOfRoses “Bed of Roses” happily describes a well-loved …
I am just sending a song from the artist I regard as our best. In every way. Hope it can be sent further. – Ron Swanson View this post on Instagram Levon’s 80th webcast benefitting Levon Helm Studios and Newport Festivals …
I’m up too early on what would have been my Dad’s 81st birthday listening to various versions of John Hiatt’s “Feels Like Rain”. When you write a song that gets covered by Buddy Guy (surprisingly sweet vocal), Bonnie Raitt, and Aaron Neville, I guess you got something right. To this day, one of the best …
Best Song ever? Gotta love a good waltz… 🙂 I honestly think that Prine is the best writer we have ever had. “I was Charlie Parker’s teddy bear”. “These are the tails from the Devil’s chin” etc… – Ron Swanson
This cover of Leonard Cohen’s song, “The Future” has been “Updated nicely,” says East Portland Blog stalwartRon Swanson, who then throws shade on all cover tunes ever by suggesting that the tune is only “for those who think perfection can always be improved upon.” Ron ends his critique on a positive note, saying, “I think …
I have been on a Modest Mouse kick of late. Love the records Good News for People who Love Bad News and We Were Already Dead before the Ship Sank. I really love those records, pretty much in their entirety, but especially, “Ocean Breathes Salty.” My right now favorite lyric of all time is: “That …
I am extremely grateful that Ian Hunter is still with us. So underrated… He has a new record coming out called Cross My Fingers. Since I saw Ian and the Rant Band on their 2001 tour I honestly don’t think anyone has put out better music since. We’ve had Rant, Shrunken Heads“, Man Overboard, and …
This is the best band playing live today. I honestly cannot say enough in praise of this touring group. I have been there at the Chicago Winery shows the last two times through Chicago. No new record? Not needed when you have a catalogue like IH does. Oh and it is so sweet to have …
I don’t know that I’ve heard this version before, but it is pretty good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=p4OxQ7960nY I’ve loved Van’s reading of it since Hymns to the Silence, but this is nice. Never had heard this either. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyCAZRKXaQk I am becoming more and more a fan of Youtube. It pretty much replaces my worn out turntable and …
I had the honor to go see Buddy Guy play at his own club recently. I am ashamed to say that I hadn’t ever done this before. Here are some random thoughts. Scott Holt, who used to play guitar with Buddy warmed up. He led a very tight three piece group through blues originals and …
How good is the Rant Band? I’ve loved James Mastro’s work since he did the free “tour” prior to Rant with Ian. I saw I and and James for free at Martyr’s on Lincoln back in 2000 and they were great. Mark Bosch is the best live guitarist the Rant Band has had and Burton …
How is it that Mavis Staples put a record out and I can’t find it on EPB? Mavis Staples, of the first family of American singers (the Cash-Carter clan is a close second, but cannot sing as well) released an excellent album of mostly Gospel tunes in 2010 called, “You Are not Alone.” It was …
The City Winery in Chicago (Racine and Randolph) is a fine new venue for seeing music. Their menu is more obscure (to my uneducated mind and palate) than the Hopleaf‘s but the intimacy and quality of sound are first rate. Nicholas Tremulis opened the show and I was pleasantly surprised by how well an acoustic …
Gritty, vibrant, haunting. I want to set a hook for Paul K – make it easy to give him a listen. Paul K has never put out music that was not worth listening to, but Love is a Gas (anagram for I heart Vegas) is more listenable than most of his offerings. For those who …
I just received Ian Hunter‘s new record, When I’m President, in the mail. I’m going to see him in Chicago at the end of the month at a new venue, called Chicago Winery, located at 1200 W. Randolph. I splurged on “VIP” tickets for the show, which seem to mean that I’ll have good sight …
Above is an interesting version of “Stairway to Heaven” which was sent my way by Mark Erickson. It’s amazing how a diligent Australian tribute band can make any song sound like a Doors song. Jim Morrison died July 3, 1971 and Led Zeppelin IV was released November 8, 1971. In strange mind related music news, …
Just found this – always been one of my favorite Tom Petty songs and this is a cool dedication to Levon Helm. The other member of the Band that he mentions is Richard Manuel who sang back up on the original recording back in 1986. It might be the last recording Manuel ever made… – …
I saw this one live at the Chicago Theatre. It was mindblowing. Leonard Cohen is one of the real deals out there. He was rumored to have done the 2010 tour as a money making venue, but he sure as hell didn’t just stand on his past work. Everyone in the band was great and …
Here is one of the best songs you’ve likely never heard, despite the fame of those involved: I have long been a huge Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes fan and when this album came out in 1991 I thought it would finally be the vehicle to take SSJ to the top nationally, instead of …
I always knew I loved this band. Wow and wow again. One more. I love this band. Go here. – Ron Swanson
I think they really got the spirit of the song right here. The Dude does indeed abide. One of the few movies I’ve watched (and liked) in a long, long time. I’d say something about My Morning Jacket being the only band around today I’d get off the couch to go see, but that’s not …
Here’s one of Crazy Horse’s finest moments. No clue why it cuts off, but who knew those guys could do harmony? – Ron Swanson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrwKQriEESs
[“For the induction of The Band into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson (backed by Blue Rodeo) perform “The Weight” at Canada’s Juno Awards (March 12, 1989).” – From the Youtube description.] This is new to me. I guess Levon was out of the country for this one. …
Getting My First Listen To Van’s Live album from 1974. But now I see a link to Wavelength.- Live. Damn, I loved/still love that one. But hey, “We gaze out on.” – Ron Swanson
Why was this not covered more widely? Or did I just miss it at the time? – Ron Swanson
This, I think, would have to qualify as one of those elusive “perfect records,” at least insomuch as many have tried to make it better and I don’t think anyone has. I first heard this song on the jukebox at Loree’s Restaurant, which used to be on the corner of Foster and Sawyer in Chicago, …
Let’s talk about Dada. Best known for “Dizz Knee Land,” their album Puzzle is really quite good. The song “Dim” is first rate (reminds me a bit of Flake – whatever happened to them?) and I go back to “Moon” from time to time as the perfect song for certain moods… – Ron Swanson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aJgdok_iRc