Archive: 2010

Legendary rocker Neil Young performed at the Bell House in Brooklyn last night as part of wife Pegi’s backing band, The Survivors. According to reports on Brooklyn Vegan and Rolling Stone (via JG), Young took a few guitar solos, played harmonica and shared vocals with Pegi on the set-closing Doghouse – an unreleased track the […]

As we previously reported, the Gorillaz have been celebrating the holidays with an advent calendar on their website, which each day revealing exclusive band-related content. With just ten days to go on the calendar, the fictional cartoon band had revealed the details of what’s in store for Christmas day, as they will release a free […]

The four CDs and one DVD in West Coast Seattle Boy seek to dispel the shadows cast over the late guitarist’s legacy by the spate of questionable releases that flooded the marketplace in the wake of his untimely death in 1970. Containing more than a few extended and/or complete recordings that previously appeared in truncated form, this box set also compiles, in rough chronological order, a plethora of song sketches and unfinished master takes that presents what is perhaps the most accurate portrait to date of Jimi Hendrix’ working methods in the recording studio.

Earle’s material toes the line between earnest and confessional singer-songwriter in the vein of his father and a traditionalist in the mold of Hank Williams.  On Monday night, both sides were on display with songs like “One More Night in Brooklyn”, “Christchurch Woman”, and “Midnight at the Movies” reflecting the former, while “They Killed John Henry”, “Move Over Mama”, and “South Georgia Sugar Babe” echoed the latter.  This duality plays well on his albums as the listener is constantly surprised by the wide ranging sounds of his catalog, captivated by both the lyrical insights and the toe-tapping country arrangements. 

Beck is producing the new solo album from Sonic Youth‘s Thurston Moore. Moore confirmed the news in an interview with Philadelphia Weekly, in which he also said that the new album will be titled ‘Benediction’ – it features contributions from violinist Samara Lubelski and harpist Mary Lattimore. Moore said the album, his third solo effort […]

Response Records has announced the upcoming release of Apollo, the hugely anticipated new album from Stockholm Syndrome.  The album – which follows the band’s 2004 debut, Holy Happy Hour – arrives everywhere on February 15, 2011. Stockholm Syndrome is the collaborative brainchild of two gifted musicians, Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools and singer/songwriter Jerry Joseph.  […]

Taper Scott Bernstein continues to release new installments of his BARN series, which features wonderful uncirculated recordings from his collection. BARN release #67 hits right in this column’s wheelhouse. God Street Wine unveiled a number of new songs towards the end of the Summer of ’93 including Mile by Mile, Into The Sea, Run To You, […]

As we mentioned last week, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reunited for their first performance of 2010 at the Carousel House in Asbury Park, NJ on December 7th. The Boss and his long-time backing band treated the small crowd to many of the songs off Springsteen’s The Promise album, a few of which […]

This week, featured columnist Brian Bavosa lets legendary artist Bob Marley do most of his talking for him by sharing this playlist of videos that represent who Marley was…

There are few artists we have ever known that are considered by some more than just a mere mortal. Some are revered to legendary, idol-esque status, for not only mastering their craft, but the very essence of their being and what they represent. One such musician is Bob Marley.

There is nothing more that I can say about Marley that you don’t already probably know, or is written about in dozens of books. So instead, this week’s installment of Postcards was simply inspired by my walks to and from work these past few days in the freezing temperatures of New York City. Being a man of many words, I figured I’d mix things up for you loyal readers this week, and instead focus on a man and an icon that speaks volumes by himself. So, sit back, relax and simply enjoy this playlist of some of my favorite – and most poignant – Marley tunes to help get you over hump day.

1.) This first track, War, is a timeless piece that still resonates today. In a recent issue of Rolling Stone, musician Jack Johnson speaks of Marley as “royalty” in the islands, and has some specific comments about this track. “Marley was able to dive into politics and take on the darkest issues. That’s what made him amazing. The thing is, he had sweetness in his voice, but he also had fire, and when he opened up, nobody could do it better.”

READ ON for clips and Brian’s thoughts on six more Marley tracks…

As the flood of year-end album lists continues to roll in (yeah, yeah, we’re working on it), one album that seems to be popping up with some regularity is the recent release from The Mynabirds, What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood. Using loping, piano-driven country songs as their vessel, The […]

Among all the fleeting genres that show up briefly as a blip on the popular culture radar screen only to quickly fade away, there are a few that really manage to stick, and ultimately define a sub-culture or even a generation. We’ve seen it to varying degrees with genres like punk, heavy metal, or rock n’ roll itself; all essentially made up terms that went on to mean everything.

For better or worse, another one that stuck was “alternative.” Initially, an outcrop of the grunge scene, alternative went on become an all-consuming pop culture multi-beast; taking hold of not just music, but cinema, fashion, and art as well. Alternative was everywhere, which begged the question: to what exactly is this an alternative? It was a brand, a marketing gimmick that was consumed – no, devoured – by the mainstream.

Yet beyond the irony of it all, it also represented a relatively heroic period in popular music whereby genuinely awesome bands ruled the radio. Pop culture, the mass media, and most of all, kids, were actually listening to good music. It was one of those rare times in modern music history where to some extent, the best bands were also among the biggest, most famous, and widely listened. READ ON for more from Ryan…

Fistful of Mercy playing the Somerville Theatre, Somerville MA 11.17.10.

Conspirator, the duo of Disco Biscuits’ staples Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner which often feature guest musicians in the live setting, has announced a series of “full band” performances featuring RAQ’s Chris Michetti and a rotating cast of first-class drummers, a concept that is both new and refreshing for the band and fans, alike. While […]

In tandem with Bright Eyes’ eagerly awaited seventh studio album, The People’s Key (out February 15th on Saddle Creek) comes the band’s first full run of US dates in over three years.  Since 2006 the once revolving cast of Bright Eyes players has settled around permanent members Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nathaniel Walcott with […]

Dead Confederate is excited to announce 4 special holiday shows in Georgia… The band will be performing the classic 1975 Neil Young album Tonight’s the Night in four Georgia cities around the Christmas and New Year holidays.  Various guest musicians will appear with the band to add to the festivities.  Check out the dates & […]

The Televangelist and the Architect is a MIT PhD student named Jerry Chen (with various friends helping out) who seems to get a kick out of hiding his face in the band’s promo photos. Then again, when you produce something that is simultaneously pompous and dull (a nifty trick) anonymity could be a blessing. 

Legendary Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter took the stage recently to a loud revelry of respect, then quietly and calmly drove home some amazing licks that only proved how he has become an idol to just about every musician who has ever plucked some strings on an old guitar since 1969 when he released his first album.

Of all the extraordinary aspects of Bob Dylan’s flair for composing early in his career, the prolific nature of his writing may be the most awe-inspiring. As demonstrated by The Witmark Demos, Dylan’s output reached and remained at a prodigious level not just in terms of quantity, but in the scope of the writing.

The votes are in and next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class will include Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love and Dr. John. Leon Russell will be receive The Award For Musical Excellence (formerly the sideman category) and industry legends Jac Holzman and Art Rupe will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun […]

While Bon Jovi may have made more money on the road than any other band this year, but there’s one thing they didn’t accomplish – getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 2011 inductees will be announced tomorrow but word has spread that Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Dr. John and […]