Just taking a few minutes from a busy schedule to remind and invite everyone about Carbondale’s Annual Light’s Fantastic Parade coming up this Saturday, Dec 4th at 6pm on the strip in Carbondale Il. WDBX is excited to be having a float this year thanks to many enthusiastic volunteers!
We invite you all to celebrate the holiday season by coming out early, have a nice dinner and cheer for your favorite radio station. In addition, long time radio personality Jean Armstrong (Grandma from Grandma’s Jazz) will be on board will be our very own “star” on the tree so to speak. After 25 years of on-air time, I believe she quite deserves this honor.
We are working up some fun, up-beat and parade ready holiday style music that we think you will enjoy!
We will be bringing the joy of music with us for sure. And of course – the light’s will be, well , FANTASTIC!
Thanks to all including Carbondale Main Street for continuing a wonderful holiday tradition.
SHOULD BE A GOOD TIME – HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Momma C
WPC Radio: Musical Comfort Food with a World of Spice
This November we witnessed a true “once in a Blue Moon” which by official definition is the third moon of a season that contains four full moons. And all of my life I thought a Blue Moon occurred when two moons went full during a single month. So don’t be surprised to see celebrations of the season and moons in today’s playlist.
As we put a wrap on November, I originally planned on sampling some more Native American music. Yesterday, Morningstar put together some music I would only pale at the attempt to imitate. So instead, I’d like to urge you, my readers to visit her FaceBook page. Support our local Native Voices by “like”-ing it. While you’re at it, check out the older playlists at Whirled Peas Café on FaceBook, as well.
Today’s playlist also includes the final three songs of Fellowship, Lizz Wright‘s new release. All three of today’s selection are sultry and soulful in a hybridized gospel tradition. Since Neil Young was also prominent on my mind this Harvest season, I couldn’t help but include a live version of Lizz’s cover of his classic Old Man…from his album Harvest, of course.
Perhaps the best part of today’s show for me was my chance to share my visit with local wildlife photographer, Al Parr. The joy he gets from his regular walks on Campus Lake is evidenced in the stunning catalog of pictures that document those forays. Thank you, Al, for sharing your passion and expertise with us. And thanks to Dia for sharing Al with us. For more information about Al’s slide presentations and artwork, visit his website: www.dialparr.com. But for those of you who caught this morning’s show, you would understand that Al can be found at many of the local craft shows, the next one being at the SIUC Student Center Holiday Craft Show Dec 2nd-4th. As much as Al enjoys the solitude of his nature walks, I believe he enjoys communing with budding photographers and wildlife enthusiasts even more. Stop by this weekend and ask Al the questions you wish I had asked. I guarantee he will greet them with the same generosity and excitement he gave to our interview. I”m still working on developing my technical skills. I hope to attach an audio to this post later in the week. For now, enjoy this slide show of some of Al’s Campus Lake shots.
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Four Seasons: Autumn (Vivaldi)Conductor, Lamberto Gardelli & Sand Artist Ferenc Cakó
Early AutumnRaya Yarbrough Feed the LightLizz Wright HarvestNeil Young Old ManLizz Wright
Harvest MoonNeil Young Adiyo KeridaZorzal Be One NowLittle Feat Fire Is LowFreshlyground Gypsy MoonRanger And The Re-Arrangers Hatching DayAnne McCaffrey, Tania Opland, et al I Remember, I BelieveLizz Wright ImagineJohn Lennon Pastures Of PlentyAlison Krauss & Union Station Sweeping Through the CityLizz Wright
As we have passed through the Thanksgiving Holiday, we now come upon the Christmas season. This is the time of year that I usually dedicate to seasonally appropriate music, and this year shall be no different. But I do this not out of requirement. Some of the most wonderful pieces of music ever written were composed expressly for the Christmas holiday, and given the general historical focus of my program, I feel that I would be amiss if I failed to give this music the appropriate airing.
The focus of the next two weeks, owing to the length of the piece, will be Georg Friederic Handel‘s masterpiece Messiah. Writing in just 3 weeks time, having started on August 22, 1741, completing the music by September 12th, and filling in the orchestration by September 14th, Handel premiered the work on April 13th, 1742 in Dublin, Ireland as a benefit performance for charity. Handel revised the work on multiple occasions after its premiere (a common practice, also done by Bach and Mozart), often to make use of the musical resources at his disposal, and the version that we are most familiar with was finally heard at a similar benefit in 1754.
After Handel’s death there were a number of popular revisions of the work, including that by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1789 (he added a number of woodwind parts), that resulted in a trend towards larger orchestras and larger choirs. However, the recent trend towards historically informed performance of Baroque era music has resulted in a number of scholarly editions of the score that reveal to us the true beauty and delicacy of the music, and bring us ever closer to the vision that Handel had.
Tonight’s recording is a wonderful 1970 rendition that features excellent singing by soloists Margaret Price, Yvonne Minton, Alexander Young and Justino Diaz, with the bosso continuo done by noted harpsichordist Colin Tilney. Handel occasionally arranged the piece so that two sopranos would alternate between the soprano arias; while I have played a few recordings of such arrangements on The Galaxy in the past, this recording reverts to the standard SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) arrangement. Justino Diaz, in particular, is quite commanding in his arias.
Thus, I give you today’s playlist (the original can always be found here):
Great Blue Heron of Campus Lake, photographed by Al Parr
Tune in tomorrow morning from 7-9am as Whirled Peas Café Radio celebrates the ending of the Harvest season with Local Wildlife Photographer & Friend of Campus Lake, Al Parr.
Scrap.edx — Autotransformer (from Nonlinear Interfacing,” on DTA)
Scrap.edx — Audible Gasp
Scrap.edx — Spasm Engage
Unagi Patrol — Unabomber (from “Elevate and Pool,” on Carpet Bomb)
Unagi Patrol — Elevate and Pool
Unagi Patrol — Andy’s On My Pillow
Quench — Nightshelf (from “Punctuated,” on n5md)
Quench — Zane
Quench — Nemm
Gunshop — EE Hates Crusher (from self-titled album on CIP)
Gunshop — First Lesson in Antimagnetics
Varathane — Untitled 1 (from “Ruddy Brown Primer,” on Hydrant)
Varathane — Untitled 2
Unagi Patrol — King Kamehameha
Livestock — Lawndrop
Mice Parade — Circle 1 (from “All Roads Lead to Salzberg,” on Bubble Core)
Thank you grandma jean for so many wonderful years of great music!
Dan Zanes – House Party
The Blankies – Robot
The Dirty Sock Fun Time Band – Music
L.L. cool J – Big Bad Wolf
Miss Lindsay – Putting On My TuTu
Mr. Richard – Cheese – Polka Dot Puzzle
Frances England - Jacques Custeau – Mind of My Own
Maria Lewis – We all Laugh in The Same Language
Seseme Street Kids – Sing – Putamayo Kids Playground
Story -” The Lesson of The Land” Listen To The Story Tellers
Stacey Earle- Wonderful Life
Groovegrasss -
The Monkees – Daydream Believer
The Fugees – Happy To Be Me
Nina Simone – It Don’t Mean a Thing if YOu Don’t Got That Swing
Bobbi McFarrin – Water Music
Sergio Wals – Nobody Knows Where Our Bus Driver Goes -
Julie -ANdrews – Do Long Farewell
I’ve performed an aural “hard reset” following Sneaky Pete’s six-hour Jimi Hendrix birthday show– much of which I witnessed firsthand, while sleeping on the couch in the foyer. There’s nothing quite like the tenuous sleep of a tall man on a short couch, particular when it’s punctuated with the periodic awareness of Hendrix roaring out of the studio monitors. Luckily, I’m a big Hendrix fan, and loved every bleary-eyed moment of it… particularly the 8/31/70 version of “Machine Gun,” which runs over 20 minutes!
Here’s the playlist for today’s special psychedelic tribute to Paula Deen:
Grey Park — 10 Dollar Habit/Immediate Resignation (from “Halogen Ball,” on Negative Foundation)
The Free Players — On Another Side of the Blue (from self-titled album on Last Visible Dog)
Erik Satie — Upsud: Ballet Chretien; Act I, A Deserted Beach
Erik Satie — Upsud: Ballet Chretien; Act II, The House of Upsud
Erik Satie — Upsud: Ballet Chretien; Act III, The Summit of a Mountain- Upon It A Crucifix (this, and next, from “Paris X,” on Furious Artisans and Innova)
Dane Rudhyar — Tetragram #3: Rebirth
No One Pulse — Kapok (from “LINGK,” on Lona Records)
Paula Deen, Jamie Deen — “Be rough with it…”
Paula Deen offers listeners a chance to "hard reset" their arteries, too.
Eddie the Rat — Sunny’s Up All Night (from “Insomnia Sound Bible,” on Edgetone)
Eddie the Rat — Freak Out & Die
Eddie the Rat — Cough Up The Life Units
Sensible Nectar — Neurological Problem (from split c20 w/Casket At the Altar on Violent Noise Atrocities)
Sensible Nectar — Liplike Structure (from “Tectonic Grind,” on Rainbow Bridge)
Sensible Nectar — Hiding Microbe (from “Catholocyst,” on Chaosynod) Sensible Nectar — Fuck Chamber (from “Death Panels,” on Danvers State Recordings)
EPISODE SUMMARY: News includes solar hot water heating information; Buy Nothing Day; National Day of Mourning; Jdimytai Damour Day. Happenings include Native American cuisine for Rice and Spice; The Garden film and discussion at Big Muddy IMC; the last Farmer’s Market of the season; Vigil for Peace; Alternative Gift Fair.
Nowadays, Hot Honey Rag, and Finale – From “Chicago the Musical”
Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
Cherry Poppin’ Daddy Strut – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
One By One – Billy Bragg & Wilco
Always a Friend – Alejandro Escovedo
Down in the Valley – Justin Townes Earle
Fitz & the Dizzyspells – Andrew Bird
Open Arms – Journey
Stain Yer Blood – Paul Westerberg (From the Friends Soundtrack)
Sentimental Heart & Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? – She & Him
O Valencia – The Decembrists
Indian War Whoop – John Hartford
Each Day of Sorrow – John Mellencamp
Under Pressure – Queen
Naked and Famous – The Presidents of the United States
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – From the “Once” Soundtrack
The World at Large – Modest Mouse
Oh No You Didn’t – The Wojahn Brothers
My Love is Like Whoa – MYA
Intruder – Janis Joplin/Big Brother & the Holding Company
Science vs. Romance – Rilo Kiley
Blue Angel – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Pinch Me – Barenaked Ladies
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
When You Got It, Flaunt It – From “The Producers” soundtrack
Jesus Loves On – Jewel
A Very Happy Thanksgiving to all of my listeners and blog-followers! In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the playlist is heavy on indigenous representation. Thank you to Morningstar of Native Voices for giving suggestions to some of this week’s selections. Former member of The Band, Robbie Robertson contributed to a few of this week’s songs. Robbie is a registered member of the Mohawk tribe, and his more recent work reflects that heritage.
This week we are continuing to sample Lizz Wright’s new album, Fellowship. The album reaches back to her Georgia gospel roots, but her song book is quite contemporary.
Lots to be thankful for…including my garden that keeps on giving, this mild weather for late November, the blue moon of harvest, and too much food this coming Thursday. Before you succumb to a turkey induced coma, tune in to CNN Heroes 2010 for a special celebration of humanity at its best (in many cases, responding to humanity at its worst). I’ve added a Special Bonus track below that is a reminder that no matter how small the contribution is, every drop matters.
Ain’t No More Cane Bob Dylan & The Band Lullaby The Cat Empire Longform The Dodos Undercurrent John Trudell
Hannah Freelance Whales Persian Odyssey Kiu Haghighi Fellowship Lizz Wright Wild World Joan Osborne I’ve Got To Use My Imagination Lizz Wright Somewhere Down The Crazy River Robbie Robertson
If I Had a Boat Lyle Lovett Like A PrayerMadonna
BatalleNayas All The SeedsLizz Wright Let Them TalkLizz Wright Ulali Ghost Dance Robbie Robertson et al
Without Love Nick Lowe Georgia On My Mind Ray Charles
Silence is a Weapon Black Fire
Beauty in music comes in many colors, just as beauty does in nature. Sometimes we can find beauty in that which is fast-paced and loud. Other times we find it in the delicate strains of a violin. It is easy and common enough to find beauty in the work of American or English musicians, but sometimes an excursion to a far-away land can have worthwhile results. While everyone loves a love song, upon occasion we can find beauty in a song memorializing a Massey Ferguson tractor. Sometimes there is just as much beauty to be found in the journey as there is in the eventual destination. So it pays us to keep our eyes open to the various sights and experiences as they present themselves.
We begun tonight’s show with a sampling of both studio and live recordings from the great Led Zeppelin. It had been a while since I’ve been able to touch on some Zeppelin, so it was quite a joy to hear some this evening, with a blend of material from the mid-point of the band’s tenure, and from two of their later albums (Physical Graffiti and Presence). Of course, there is some controversy involved with their live material, as there are accusations that Jimmy Page stitched together recordings of various individual songs from various concert sources. With that said, the recordings as they now stand represent one of the better live bands in rock history, a rare band that could make a song live and breathe onstage. It is unfortunate that the band has not released any of their post-1973 concerts outside of the 2003 DVD release, from which the following live clip of Achilles Last Stand comes.
The piece that I consider to be the centerpiece of tonight’s show is one that I had intended to play a few weeks ago, upon the occasion of Arnold Schoenberg‘s birthday. Verklärte Nacht is an early work of his, written when he was 25, and was inspired by Richard Dehmel‘s poem of the same name, as well by the feelings felt by Schoenberg when he first met Mathilde von Zeminsky, his teacher’s sister, whom would eventually become his wife. Dehmel’s poem tells an exquisite story of two people, a man and a woman involved in a relationship, walking through a cold, bare wood. The woman tells the man that she is pregnant with a child that is not his, and expresses the remorse that the child was conceived before they had begun their relationship. The man responds thusly:
“Do not let the child you have conceived
be a burden on your soul.
Look, how brightly the universe shines!
Splendour falls on everything around,
you are voyaging with me on a cold sea,
but there is the glow of an inner warmth
from you in me, from me in you.
That warmth will transfigure the stranger’s child,
and you bear it me, begot by me.
You have transfused me with splendour,
you have made a child of me.”
He puts an arm about her strong hips.
Their breath embraces in the air.
Two people walk on through the high, bright night.”
In this manner, the poem speaks of love that reaches beyond circumstance and transfigures two souls in its warmth. I could not think of a more beautiful concept. (Note: the link found in the playlist below takes you to the Wikipedia page, where the full poem, both in the original German and translated into English, is shown.)
Miles Davis had a most interesting musical career, taking major roles in the development of multiple sub-genres within the jazz music idiom. His drive to try new things led him to be among the first artists to incorporate electronic instruments into jazz music, and almost single-handedly established the format that would eventually be called “jazz fusion” into a formidable force. Yet his initial vision of this fusion of jazz and rock was quite a bit different than what fusion would become. His fusion, at least initially, was far more avant garde, with dense layers of often chaotic sound. He took his recordings, cut them up and restitched them together in the studio in a manner that was often vastly different from how they were originally recorded. He had envisioned working with Jimi Hendrix, and might have done so if not for the guitarist’s untimely death, and he did at least a portion of his tour supporting the Bitches Brew album as an opening act for Neil Young and Steve Miller (concerts which are happily documented in recent live releases, some of which we play on the show from time to time). While we might weep at the loss of what such a collaboration might have produced, we are still blessed with this revolutionary music.
We closed tonight’s show with a lovely set of songs from Takk, the 2005 release from the fine Icelandic band Sigur Rós. Sigur Rós has, over the years, sung many of their songs in “Hopelandic”, which is essentially their form of scat singing (at least, that is how I define it; the titles, however, are in Icelandic). They have a unique, otherworldly sound which can alternate between delicate, ethereal and wispy, and grand, glacial slabs that sound as big as the glaciers that dominate their homeland. Several of these songs were also featured in Hvarf/Heim, their 2 cd EP from a few years ago, including Heysátan, an ode to a Massey Ferguson tractor. Much of their at-times massive sound is achieved by lead singer’s Jonsi’s use of violin bow on the guitar, a technique notably used by Jimmy Page, but with vastly different results. In the end, they have created some of the most beautiful music that I’ve ever heard.
Sigur Rós is one of those bands for whom a simple aural presentation doesn’t really do them justice. Their live performance is something to behold. Below you find clips of several of their songs that we have featured this evening. Gong and Andvari are from the same Reykjavik show, while Svo Hljótt and Heysátan are from a wonderful sounding clip recorded in Italy. Sadly enough, I was forced to miss a recent performance of singer/guitarist Jonsi in St. Louis, of which I have had excellent reports.
HOPE YOU TAKE A MOMENT TO BE THANKFUL
artist song cd
Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke – Rise and Shine – Rise and Shine -
Okee Dokee Brothers – Wash Your Face – Take It Outside
The Ameoba People – Cosmology, Your Futon and You
Funky Mamas – The Toogh Fairy Twirl – Rolling Alomng
Flying Purple Puppy Dog – Dogs Just Want To Have Fun
Tom Glazer – 3 Crows – Honk Hiss Tweet GGGGGGG
Miss Nina – Opposite Day
Charlie Hope – Mr. Sun
Justin Roberts – I Chalk! – Meltdown!
The Sunrise Call – A Zuni Native American Song The RCA Victor Orchestra
Miss Cynthia Reads – The Know Nothing’s Talk Turkey
An author’s note – Grand Parents LOVE to be Read to – too!
Barry Louis Polisar – Turkeys In The Straw – Juggling Babies
Trout Fishing In America – Fill It Up – It’s A Puzzle
Miss Cynthia Reads – Not a Worry In The World
I had an interesting conversation with some folks who stopped by the station tonight. They’d called in earlier in the evening, to mention that the show sounded like “someone eating potato chips.” I assumed that, like many late-night calls one receives in the DJ booth, I was getting less than humanity’s best and let the call end there.
But my callers were rather earnest about things, and set out on foot– from nearby Tropicana– to let me know, ostensibly so I could correct whatever malfunctioning piece of equipment was causing the noise, or to clue me in that my snack was accidentally being broadcast live.
I ended up having to show them the album as proof, and ended up playing a few songs from it as well. Although I’m not certain of their final opinions regarding Hwaet’s debut album (but nowhere near the first for either of the artists involved!) I was intrigued by their interpretations of the various sounds– that, rather than hearing it as a work of improvisation, it was something like overhearing everyday events in the life of the artists.
One track sounded like eating potato chips. Another was heard as a woman ironing. Later on in the track, my guests decided that the scene had changed to this same woman, angrily preparing a meal while her husband returned home.
Nerfbau — Plastic Head Cage
Nerfbau — Who Are You Looking For…
Nerfbau — “Helpless Against Evolution”
Nerfbau — Everybody Knew
Nerfbau — Lights Out
Miya Masaoka, Audrey Chen, Hans Grusel, Kenta Nagai — Dialing (from self-titled album on Resipiscent)
EPISODE SUMMARY: News includes Kentucky coal plant canceled by grassroots alliance; world’s biggest art installation calls for climate action; Americans need to stop multitasking while eating alone. Special guest Sarah Lewison talks about H2Oil film showing at Big Muddy IMC; Moroccan food for Eid Al-Adha; Farmer’s Market; Vigil for Peace; Farmer Network Event; Alternative Gift Fair.
These Roses – Gin Wigmore
Humanize – Sola Rosa
Thunder on the Mountain – Bob Dylan
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
So Real – Jeff Buckley
I Ain’t No Fool Either – Big Mama Thorton
Ecstasy – Rusted Root
Fidelity – Regina Spektor
Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
Alma Matters – Morrissey
When You Sleep – Cake
Common People – William Shatner
The Pharoahs – Neko Case
Theme of The Glowing Amigo – Diego’s Umbrella
End of the Road – Boyz II Men
Adrift – Jack Johnson
Each Day of Sorrow – John Mellencamp
You and the Mona Lisa – Shawn Colvin
Life on Mars – David Bowie
Bowies in Space – The Flight of the Conchords
Whoever Wins in November – David Rovics
Song for the SOA – David Rovics
Duality of Deathening – Talkdemonic
Deja Vu (All Over Again) – John Fogerty
Here I Am – Lyle Lovett
My Lovely Man – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Minnie the Moocher – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Let’s Go To Bed – The Cure
Scott Rogers stopped by this morning. He has been a member of a Buddhist meditation group that sits weekly at Marion Prison. He and Randy Osborne had stopped by a month or so ago to share their experiences in Buddhist practice and working with the prisoners. This Saturday the prison is having a training and paperwork processing. A necessary step to sitting with the inmate population. Please contact Scott at <dharmavet@yahoo.com> for more information.
We continue to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This week the spotlight is on the Navajo Nation or, as they refer to themselves, the Diné. Radmilla Cody has won the Miss Navajo title. If you’ve ever seen the Independent Lens special, you will know that she has some serious indigenous skills. It isn’t all cans of hairspray and Vaseline slathered teeth. Try sheering a sheep and other real life Rez skills!
Still have plenty of plum tracks to sample from Lizz Wright’s new album, Fellowship. If the Gospel Medley doesn’t make a believer out of you, listen up to her rendition of the Eric Clapton classic, Presence of the Lord. Gloria Griffin wrote God Specializes, but after you hear it I think you will agree with me that Lizz ownsit!
Sound the Alarm Theivery Corporation Nobody Knows Me At All The Weepies WingPatti Smith I’d Like Freshlyground Gospel MedleyLizz Wright You Are My Sunshine Ray Charles House of the Rising SunOdetta
Presence of the LordLizz Wright The Star Spangled Banner (Navajo)Radmilla Cody Dreamin’ About the DayJoan Osborne Stagefright Bob Dylan & The Band Folsom Prison BluesJohnny Cash Hey Hey HeyChris Smithers Raging FireGarrision Starr Bushwick BluesDelta Spirit
Heart of Gold Neil Young Soldier After All John Gorka America, The Beautiful (Navajo)Navajo Ensemble A Beautiful DawnRadmilla Cody
Over the course of my lifetime, I have found myself experiencing an extended process of growth and examination. At times I have come to explore different musical experiences that I once thought I would not be interested in, but upon further reflection, experimentation and examination, I would come to change my mind. You could say that my life has been a constant process of reexamination, of finding interest in things that once seemed uninteresting, or may be not so interesting. Maybe we can call this a side effect of maturation. Maybe we can credit this to the enhanced perspective given us by life experience. Or maybe we can say that life experience and maturation are part and parcel to the same process.
The band that we begun the show with is a fairly known quantity, System of a Down, and their Grammy-nominated song, Chop Suey. However, if you saw the video for Spiders, from their first album, you might have thought them closer to Rob Zombie – but this is not the fact (Rob Zombie’s music is not even 1/10th as politically motivated as System’s tends to be. The fact is that I had not played any SOAD for quite a while, so maybe I was due.
The centerpiece of tonight’s show is a rendition of Aaron Copeland‘s Appalachian Spring, in appreciation of Copeland’s birthday. Appalachian Spring fills two separate roles: great piece of music, and great example of 20th century ballet. Alas, radio does not allow us the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Martha Graham‘s wonderful choreography, but the music, with its central Shaker theme, is truly timeless music. Graham commissioned the piece in 1944, and it was premiered at the Library of Congress, with Graham herself dancing the lead role. The work earned the 1945 Pulitzer Prize. Copland rearranged the work in 1945 into an abbreviated suite form (similar to Tchaikovsky rearranging the Nutcracker into the popular suite version).
There is a 1959 film of the ballet, with Martha Graham dancing beautifully in the title role. It is in 4 parts, and I have clipped them below:
Now, I say this about growing to appreciate certain pieces, or types (or whatever) of music because tonight we have a few samplings of music for which my appreciation is not the result of first impressions. At one point, in the halcyon days of my youth, I told myself that I “didn’t like 20th century classical music as much.” Maybe you can say that first impressions meant more to me then than they do now. But with time and experience, my appreciation for 20th century classical music has grown by leaps and bounds.
The same can be said for some of the other bands that we are playing tonight. Following Appalachian Spring we heard a nice set by Siouxsie and the Banshees that is pulled from their wonderful 1983 live album, Nocturne. Siouxsie and the Banshees is a band that has really grown on me over the years, especially their early ’80s work. Of course, one aspect of this recording that never fails to escape me is Robert Smith‘s razor-sharp guitar lines. Yes, this is the same Robert Smith who is more well known for his work with the Cure, whom we have also heard this evening. At one point in the early ’80s, Smith befriended the Banshees, even going so far as to record a side project with Banshee bassist Steven Severin (that album, Blue Sunshine by The Glove, is occasionally heard on the show). Of course, fans of the Cure will be quite familiar with Smith’s guitar skills, but this live album features him playing in a style that is somewhat different from what we usually hear him doing with the Cure. Quite refreshing, really. I’ve also been able to find some video of those performances, including a good shot of Smith, with short hair, doing some of the sort of guitar work that we really wouldn’t hear in the Cure’s music until several years later (consider the acoustic guitar part on Inbetween Days).
Another band that I can say this about is August Burns Red, who made significant advances in their songwriting in their 2009 album Constellations. Based on that album, I now see them as a band with a lot of exciting long-term potential. Now, here, I tie two songs together that feature some rather interesting songwriting. While I would hesitate to call Marianas Trench “progressive metal”, it does feature some truly interesting, thoughtful songwriting. It felt quite natural for me to follow this up with a song that is quite progressive, yet defies categorization, Mastodon’s Hearts Alive, from 2004. I’ve found a rare(ish) live clip of the song that was featured on The Workhorse Chronicles (which I dearly wish I had). It is only a portion of the song, as YouTube time limits make it impossible to post a clip of the entire song, but is highly worthy of examination.
Of course, given that my chosen mission in life is to demonstrate the common threads between seemingly disparate forms of music, I’m going to remain progressive while moving from metal to jazz, with Return to Forever’s Captain Señor Mouse, from their album Hymn to the Seventh Galaxy. This is easily referred to as “fusion jazz“, but this was as hard rock as fusion really got, with some smoking guitar parts from Bill Connors, not to mention Stanley Clarke. It would have been interesting if fusion jazz had continued in the direction that this song seemed to point in.
So below you will find a copy of the Official Playlist. The original, as always, is posted on the Galaxy website.
Good evening! Those of you who know me well are aware of what slide guitar does to me. Tonight I’m celebrating not an instrument per se, but a musical accessory, a method of making a most delicious sound by sliding a solid object down steel strings. Slides are made from many things. Some people refer to it as bottle neck guitar, from the old habit of using a broken beer bottle as a slide. Modern folks are fond of pretty molded glass slides, I see those often, but many things will work. I have an old photo of a friend of mine, playing her guitar with a plastic vibrating novelty toy. Smokin’
We’ll hear dobro, lap steel, pedal steel, guit-steel and resonator guitars tonight. From sad bastard, cry in your beer tunes to Bob Log III growling at us through his bubble helmet. I hope you enjoy!
Rainbows and roses-Lloyd Green
Pay Day Fight - Cliff Carlisle
Loose Talk – Cowboy Copas
Two Left Feet – Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs
Slide Guitar Ride Junior-Bob Log III
Tough Guy Blues – Woodbox Gang
Snake Song - Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
The Other Woman in My Life – Cindy Cashdollar
Concrete and Barbed Wire- Lucinda Williams
He’s Only a Memory Away - Kurt Wagner and Cortney Tidwell Present KORT
Long Road Home – Whitey Morgan
I Hung it Up – Junior Brown
Sinkin’ Down – Scott H. Biram
Kidnapping Venus – Stace England & the Salt Kings
Rogers Park - Justin Townes Earle
Killing the Blues – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
A Little Rain – Tom Waits
Klan Meeting – Ry Cooter
Smoke Rings – Jon Rauhouse
I’m A Honky Tonk Girl – Butcher Holler featuring Eilen Jewell
Brother, Drop Dead - Redd Stewart & His Kentucky Colonels
If You’ll Come Back to Me – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
Help Me Make it Through the Night - John Doe & the Sadies
If You Think You’re Lonely - Ray Price
I Found a New Baby - Spade Cooley
Hot Rods to Honolulu – The Blue Hawaiians
Ruby Jane – Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Now and Then - Roy Lanham and the Whippoorwills
Makin’ Up Time – Dale Watson
I’d Be Lonesome - Robbie Fulks
Borrowed and Broke - Paul Burch & the WPA Ballclub
