August 2007 - What are you listening to?

I really like the new Bon Jovi "Lost Highway" album.

That's their nod-to-country album, isn't it, Sue? I haven't heard it. What do you like about it? Any stand out singles?

Someone's cell phone ringing

As a former "Heartbreakers" fan I'll have to listen to the new Tom Petty. But what I'm into this summer is The John Butler Trio. My son turned me onto them and I just love the Grand National album.

Here's what Amazon's editorial review says:

The pigeonholes that exist have long been a bad fit for John Butler anyway. Roots band, protest band, jam band, groove band . . . these labels may or may not have applied in the past, but the John Butler Trio of 2007 has come too far and seen too much to sit in anybody else's niche. "GRAND NATIONAL" is more about love than injustice, more about ass-shaking than finger-pointing, and more about maintaining the funk than any particular hairstyle. It's an album of sharp focus and wide variety that matches and surpasses monumental expectations.

Anyone heard of them?

Priscilla, what is their ringtone? That marimba bit from an Apple iPhone?

Petty's new album is pretty laid back, Diana. Very much... how to say... a storytelling piece. As to "Grand National" I've seen it around but haven't given it a full listen. If you recommend it I'll give it a whirl. What do you love about it?

"I sit in the dark on the porch with Billie Holiday singing into the hot night and it's one of those nice moments in life time." - Vicky ( Summertime and the Livin' is Easy ) D. Alright. That's what I'm talkin' about, Vicky.

Aside from my usual summer fare of Jimmy Buffet, Brent Burns, and various 'beach bar' music, I'm listening to James Darren. Corny, I know, but hubs was watching an old Deep Space Nine the other night, and James Darren was playing a bar crooner name Vic Fontaine. Turns out he has a whole CD of music he sang on that show. You know, "The Best is Yet to Come", "Night and Day", "The Way You Look Tonight", etc. It's perfect for a summer evening on the patio, and dancing cheek to cheek under the stars.

What I love the most about Grand National is that it really highlights some actual talent. The John Butler Trio is truly a gifted musical group...not a marketing success.

The variety is just enough. "I used to get high" is real funk. "Losing You" showcases a mellow guitar and I challenge anyone to sit still for "Good Excuse."

Well, I'm actually re-visiting some of my old favorites lately, particularly Penthouse by Luna. I hadn't heard it in a long time and have given it a few spins. It's a very shimmery, summery album, and I think the best that Luna ever did.

Luna was the band that Dean Wareham formed after he split up Galaxie 500, the trio that was never commercially successful (well, neither was Luna) but highly influential in the indie-rock world. The music is very reminiscent of the Velvet Underground, but mostly the ballad-like songs, not so much the dirge and doom songs by VU.

Also, the new EP by New Zealand's fourth most popular folk parody duo, Flight of the Conchords, "In the Distant Future" which features studio and live versions of a few songs from their HBO show. I love these guys. They encompass a bunch of styles of music, and their lyrics are hysterically funny, in a very low key way.

of new/recent releases:
Gretchen Peters, Burnt Toast & Offerings
Grada, Cloudy Day Navigation
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Big Old Life
Eddi Reader, Peacetime
John Spillane, The Gaelic Hit Factory

Pat S brings the swank! The path to music is funny sometimes. Really, Star Trek - > lounge classics.

Mmmm funk and you-can't-sit-still music is good for summer, Diana. When I give it a whirl I'll let you know.

== sigh == Luna. Thanks, Frick. You've mentioned your love for them before (in this discussion) but it is nice to hear when people pull out their favorite goods. Speaking of Musicheads I think a little Elvis Costello & the Attractions might appear in personal heavy rotation.

Kerry, why do you have to make us listen to music we don't normally hear? *grin* Nice list. I can only imagine how diverse your own playlists are...

I'd love to see the Sweet Colleens. Kudos to Susan Budig for the heads up!

Heyyyyyyyyy Susan! Glad to see you! I seem to recall you possibly mentioning BeauSoleil and Micahel Doucet once or twice before. Possibly. Perhaps. *sassy grin* That's GREAT that you caught 'em in June. 2 shows, to boot!

You raised an important point: During summer, there's almost too many music events to schedule, catch, or even comprehend. I'm wondering if a fundraiser for the bridge collapse victims is in the planning...

It's summer, Julia, and I am listening to LIVE music!!

It's been a good season. In June I took in my perennial favorite, BeauSoleil avec Micahel Doucet. They performed two shows and after hubby and I took in the first one, I raced to drive him home, toss the sitter out at his house, and run back to the Dakota Bar & Grill for Round II. The second show was better.

The Sunday prior I saw my first performance of Los Lonely Boys. Their lead vocalist, Henri, is tres bien. Or maybe I should say mucho bueno since the band sings in both English and Spanish. Of course I hopped up to dance despite that initially only one other person did likewise. What is it with people in Minnesota? This whole Scandinavian area (inc. Wisconsin) has such a hard time loosening up and dancing without a couple beers in belly, or so it would seem.

Last month at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival I saw the Sweet Colleens, a local Celtic/Cajun/Irish band who delivers fabulous music whether one dances or not. They're playing this weekend at the Irish Fair on Harriet Island in St. Paul. I'm going to jump through hoops to see them, but I will. I also snuck in an hour with Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Cha's at the Minnesota Zoo. Nathan can still shimmy with his squeezebox.

This month I ran, for the third time, to the Minnesota Zoo to hear Femi Kuti from Nigeria. (I think!) I still need to write up the review, but I took copious notes during the show, so that's already half written. The music's wildly different, but the musician's style reminds me of Aaron Copeland. It was an amazing experience.

Coming up in another week is AfriFest with loads of musicians from all over Africa. I'll be there for work. What a great job I have.

Communities also have weekly concerts. I danced at the Minnesota History Center when the New Riverside Ramblers played. I'm also going to hear a new Cajun band, Gottadidat, in September in St. Louis Park. I know Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs have been playing around town.

I'll finally pull back indoors with the Nordic Fest at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis at the end of Sept. and beginning of October.

Whoa - outta line but at least still here. Was that a tech hiccup or repost, Susan?

Oops. I deleted my post to correct a spelling error and upon re-post I see that there were two responses already! Diana, I was intrigued by your music choices and it sounds like you are local to the Twin Cities? I'll be at the Sweet Colleens on Sunday at 4:30. I'll be dancing and you'll not miss me. So say "hi!" I'd love to connect with a fellow music-holic.

Oh, and Julia, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Doucet on the phone yesterday. Cripes if he isn't a verbally adroit fellow. Very funny.

Great comments!

New Pornographers here; Bat for Lashes; Peter Bjorn & John; Joan As Police Woman; Electrelane; Fionn Regan; old Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Let me know if anybody would like to know more!

In the last week I bought Mouthful of Bees, Metric, and the latest from Ullrich "Need a Better Stage Name" Schnauss.

May I predict that if the Mouthful of Bees hangs together for a few albums that they will become the next "Replacements"? I have listened to their album about 10 times and am impressed that a group so young can out out such a mature sound. Such a DENSE sound. Can't wait to see them tonight at the Minn Museum of (Modern?) Art.

Susan! You scored an interview with M.Doucet? *eyebrows* Details! You don't get off that easy, teasing us with that information.

Hmmm, with a list like that we're gonna have to call you "Cool Kim K." Are you running them all as albums or do you have a playlist.

All this and botski too! Please give us the rundown of the show. I'm afraid to put any money against your prediction because I don't like losing bets, but will bookmark this discussion so the future you can point to text and say, "Told ya so." *grin* BTW, you're the second person to reference Ulrich Schnauss in a week, wonder what is up with that.

Yes, it is their "nod to country" but it isn't really a strong country sound. I love the first single "Make a Memory" and I also really like "We Got It Going On" with Big and Rich, it makes you dance around the living room!

Thanks for following up, Sue. So, less of a country sound and more of a crossover sound maybe?

BTW, maybe we should make a songs-that-make-your-living-room-a-dance-floor playlist, considering how many folks have chimed in with those recommendations so far....

Fantastic idea, Julia! I'm game.

okay, songs that make my living-room-a-dancefloor:

Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks
Nothing Matters When We're Dancing - The Magnetic Fields
Nearer Than Heaven - Delays
92 Subaru - Fountains of Wayne
Connection - Elastica
Thank You Nation 1812 - Mashup of Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinmebemyselfagin) and Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1812" It really works well
You Wreck Me - Tom Petty

Kerry--Great choices (I luv Rani Arbo esp.)! I picked up Sean Watkins' most recent CD at the Nickel Creek show, I can't stop listening to Raul Malo's newest (After Hours - it's a cover album, my favorite kind), Susan Werner's The Gospel Truth, Loudon Wainwright's soundtrack for Knocked Up...

Oy, it has been a year since my last post here (for no good reason), and my avatar oozes boring. I will get something in there so I look more "IN" and alive.

I heard Ullrich on my other favorite radio station (RadioK) yesterday and being a total sucker for electronic music, especially one with female vocals (which explains the Metric purchase, and dont even get me started on Astronauts Wife) it was to be a surefire purchase. He is coming in town late September if I am not mistaken, as part of his Bloodsausagederschnellenfahrgen tour.

Don't worry Julia, the last time I predicted a band would be the next Replacements they folded soon after. R.I.P. The Soviettes. I do have a good feeling on the Bees though :) !

I'm listening to books on tape. I've gone and bought myself an ipod and am having a ball listening as I do chores around the house and while walking. I just finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and am now listening to Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippet. Next on the list, The Bastard of Istanbul.

Julia, Tom Petty is one of a select group of artists that has been pretty consistent through the years in putting out good music. Highway Companion is no exception. My favorite artist is Van Morrison and his latest is the Best Of Volume 3. On the previous two volumes I think the record companies selected the tracks with the usual record company goals in mind but on volume 3 Van took it upon himself to select the tracks to be included. It's a real hodge-podge of stuff that he's been up to over the last 10 years or so. It includes lots of live recordings of duets with other artists including Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Bobby Blue Bland and others. Van has never comfortably into any of the formatted niches that commercial radio puts people into. He does everything from soul, funk, r&b. jazz, country and celtic. Don't ever call him a rock musician because he's never really done rock music. His music has the power to heal and transport the listener to different places and times. Truly one of the geniuses of music and a treasure.

Ok, to break it down:

"Myriad Harbour" - New Pornographers
"What's a Girl to Do" - Bat for Lashes
"Young Folk" - Peter Bjorn & John
"Christobel" and "Real Life" - Joan As Police Woman
"The Greater Times" - Electrelane
"Werewolf" - CocoRosie

I seem to mix it up between the old and the new ~

Tab Benoit ~Power of the Pontchartrain or Brother to the Blues or Nice and Warm
Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits
Los Lobos - The Town and the City
Son Volt - Trace
Black Crowes - Greatest Hits 1990-1999: Tribute Work in Progress
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Reckless Kelly - Millican, Wicked Twisted Road or Reckless Kelly Was Here
Micky & the Motorcars - Careless
Mike McClure Band - Foam
Bonnie Raitt - usually Luck of the Draw, Nick of Time or Silver Linning
Will Hoge - the Man who Killed Love
Keith Gattis - Big City Blues
South Austin Jug Band - Dark and Weary World

I saw the video by the Plain White t-shirts last weekend and I liked it and I think I will have to check them out some more. I also love Tom Petty and now that y'all have reminded me I will have to go pull out my TP CD's as well.

Good think I have a 6 CD changer in the car.

Julia, like I said, I have a great job. In addition to the newspaper freelance writing, I sometimes really delve into my passion and write for creative sites. That's the reason for the M. Doucet phone call. I also talked to the maker of his violin, Jon Cooper. Both calls were memorable.

On another note, botski, do you know if a group, Wham (?) is still around? I have a couple electronic CDs, but can't seem to find the artists. I can't even remember which magazine was doling out those CDs. Some music mag.

Susan, you mean the Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Wham? I do believe they broke up quite a long time ago and I haven't heard anything about them since George Michael's embarrassing incident awhile back. Being that everything 80's will eventually come around again, I wouldn't be surprised to see them back on stage with their oversized white T's again.

The mag wasn't Futuremusic was it? I get that once in awhile and they usually showcase some electronic bands.

A JSP pre-WWII blues compilation, 4 disc box, called "When the Levee Breaks." I'm on my second consecutive time through on my mp3 player. Highlights include Robert Lockwood Jr's only pre war recordings, 4 sides: "Little Boy Blue," "Mean Black Spider," "Steady Rolling Man," and "I'm Going to Train My Baby." Wanda Jackson is next in the queue.

In the car I've been listening to a Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee Williamson) compilation. Great stuff with wonderful sound. It has the version of "Sloppy Drunk Blues" with the line "I'd rather be sloppy drunk, sitting in the can. Than be out in the streets running from the man." He also recorded it as "sipping from the can." The other cool thing about it is the cover picture is of Sonny Boy Williamson II (Alec Rice Miller.) This isn't the only SBWI compilation with this problem. A friend of mine has a different SBWI album with a different picture of SBWII on the cover. Very strange.

botski, no, it's not Wham. It's Damn. I only have one track from them, but it's irresistible. Hmmm. It has the emotional feel of Sade's Moments In Love, but with electronics and energy and beat/heat. I'll dig it out and see if I can find out more about it.

Since you said you were interested in electronic music with female vocals, I thought you might know this group.

I'm listening to The Arcade Fire's Neon Bible.
They're a Canadian indie consortium of between 7-20 members, depending how many they need for any given song, and at first they struck me as too clever by half for their own good. But under recommendation from a trustworthy source I'm giving them another go.

Van Zant, Joss Stone, Bob Marley....

spoon - ga ga ga ga ga
david bowie - "heroes"
interpol - our love to admire
the smiths - singles
blitzen trapper - wild mountain nation

just purchased this stuff in Berkeley, CA this week...

Amoeba Records in Berkeley, CA on Monday:

The Apex Theory - inthatskyissomethingwatrching
Kiss Kiss - Reality Vs. the Optimist (promo)

Amoeba Records in Berkeley, CA on Tuesday:

The Apex Theory - The Apex Theory (EP)
Ambuelette -The Lottery
Johan Matranga - There's A Lot in Here (live CD/DVD)
Marillion - Afraid Of Sunlight (2 CD Remaster..finally I own every Marillion remaster!)
The Decemberists - Picaresque
South - From Here On In (cutout)
Bockman - Chasing Dragons (total blind buy for $2, compared to Jellyfish, XTC, and The Polyphonic Spree)
Coheed And Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade (w/ bonus tracks..I have every Coheed studio release now)
Jason Falkner - Presents Author Unknown
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of...The Polyphonic Spree

Rasputin's in Berkeley, CA on Tuesday
3 - Half Life
The Receiving End of Sirens - The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi

Dream Theater (concert on Thursday..AWAKE and their new record SYSTEMATIC CHAOS),

Ours bootlegs and myspace songs
dredg - LIVE AT THE FILLMORE
Oceansize one of the new songs live "Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt"
Fair To Midland FABLES...
Karnivool - THEMATA
Silverchair - YOUNG MODERN, DIORAMA
The Dear Hunter - ACT I, ACT II, MS.LEADING DEMOS
The Pax Cecilia - BLESSED ARE THE BONDS

Definately Van Morrison, his music is very diverse, but always rewarding to listen to. I was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston today and saw a vintage Stevie Wonder video and it made me want to buy some of his older CDs.

Mainly, I like Bristish rock music..bands like Oasis, the stone roses, kasabian, etc. Here some of the singles that I play most of the week:
1. Club foot by Kasabian (Great song..Lots of energy in it and great soccer song)
2. I wanna be adored by the stone roses ( again..brilliant song ..it was released in the late 80s)
3. Fear by Ian Brown (He was in the stone roses and left the band..but he was able to produce amazing songs)
4. Whatever by Oasis (One of my favorite Oasis song..)
5. Writing to reach you by Travis (sounds like wonderwall by oasis..)

The list will go on and on..I do listen to other bands who has this same style such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Keane, The kooks, etc.
Thanks for your article and I enjoyed sharing my playlist..Keep on rocking everybody!!

I've been listening to a relatively unknown singer/songwriter in my area, Dogman Peterson http://www.dogmanpeterson.com/

He has been recording his music here in Northeast Michigan and distributing his CD's for free in hopes of donations for the Alcona Humane Society. He has a wide range of musicical styles and is very gifted singer and guitarist and his songs have a real message.

http://www.alconahumanesociety.org/

Right now I am listening to Beyone off of the Fighting Temptations Soundtrack, He still loves me

You know, Frick, pretty much any song that isn't completely morose could make the living-room-a-dancefloor. And even then, there's interpretive dance. But perhaps I've shared too much.

Ann V, you mentioned the the soundtrack for Knocked Up so I decided to check it out, but Amazon's music sampler is stalling on me. A few choice picks on Windows media and it sounds like a soundtrack, if that makes any sense - it sounds inspired by visuals. I can see where it would be good in the car.

So noted, botski, so noted.

Terrific, Beryl! The iPod is pretty nice for books on tape. It is a great way to absorb words without promising the eyes to a page.

Alan L, I'll have to check on Van's Best of III. Has he stated his picks are his favorites, or do you get a sense of what he was shooting for in the track line-up? p.s. Always glad to hear when someone really, really digs a musician's work.

Thanks for breakin' it down, Kim K!

"I seem to mix it up between the old and the new ~" Kitty S.
Kitty, that's an understatement! sounds like you keep the rotation going. If you get around to it, let me know which Tom Petty albums you pulled.

Susan, all I can do is grin at you. You've got it made. & from Wham to Damn...Man. ;-)

Nice blend, Deb Anderson, and I think you should give Joni Mitchell a call to suggest "and of course, as always" as an album title!

Nippy, a frog driving down the street with blues pourin' out the speakers must be somethin' to see.

Hey Yorgo, let us know what you think of the new Arcade Fire. The Musicheads had a little chat about their new album, but I'm always interested in what people think as they discover it.

Check you out, Elaine H..

Thanks for chimin' in Mac. It is always interesting to hear what DJs are playing when they're only firing up the high-fi for themselves.

*humming* Rah Rah Ras-pu-tin! A bit belated, but how was Berkeley, soundscapem n.? I'm lovin your purchase list, and bookmarking your films report to read while enjoying lunch.

Pick up that Stevie Wonder, Linda G.! Hope you'll be able to report you're listening to it later this fall.

Right on, Rima S. You are rockin' the Brits, aren't you? Is this pretty much a constant, or do you flirt with other music?

Thanks for droppin in, Michael W. From Spruce, Michigan, USA. Will have to check out Dogman's site.

Good the-night-is-so-late-it-is-mornin' cruisin' music, Sandra O. I don't own a lot of Beyonce, and I forget her reach.