THE BEATLES COVERS . . . A to C (A to Z part one)

Can you believe I haven’t done this already? Shame on me! The Fab Four’s pedigree needs no introduction. Easily the most influential, most talented, and least timeless rock-and-roll band of all time. I’m going to do this the way I handled all three Neil Young A to Z posts: I’ll make each post, then do a zip at the end. Hopefully, I’ll remember to put all the songs listed in the zip, but you never know. I’m kinda fergitful. Note: The zip will NOT HAVE ANY OF THE DIRECT LINK FILES.

Y’all know the rules of the blog: Songs must be non-commercial live material or by independent artists. Let’s do this.

A is for All You Need Is Love! Who, these days, would dare to write a song with a title like this (and that doesn’t have any crude references to tits or slippery sliding).

Rogue Wave version.

Twilight Singers version.

B is for Birds! If you stare at Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” while listening to the original Blackbird, from The White Album, the painting moves. I swear it. It’s not just the 3 mics of acid.

Blackbird (live)-Foo Fighters

Blackbird-Bonzai Republic (remix)

And Your Bird Can Sing-Matthew Sweet and Susannah Hoffs (in zip file). I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: Under The Covers Volume 1 is an extraordinary album. It is one of the few covers albums that is so good, you barely notice it’s not originals.

B is also for the best song about birthdays that isn’t the most famous song about birthdays.

Birthday/Yer Blues-The Gourds (direct link)

Birthday-Small Stars (direct link)

C could be for Cornershop’s wonderful cover of Norwegian Wood, but that’s a major label release. So, instead, C is for Come Together-Bela Fleck (direct link). I also recommend Shinehead’s “Unity,” which uses the chorus from “Come Together” on the hook. Great reggae/rap album.

Tomorrow: More.

MR. GNOME-“Deliver This Creature”

I tell you about lots of music that I think is good—just about an album a day, most days of the year.
But I don’t say that a lot of music is exciting. Mr. Gnome’s debut LP, “Deliver This Creature” is the exception. The album has the feel of classic 1960s heavy psychedelia, akin to the music of Black Mountain, with powerful, fuzzy bass and yearning vocals swirling overhead. With song titles like “Pirates,” “The Machine,” and “After the Sun,” the
album recalls Led Zeppelin’s overblown mystic imagery. Mixing mood and metal, the band has managed to make an album unlike any other.

Even more amazing, this alt-metal duo is fronted by a woman. This female/male twosome will draw comparisons to The White Stripes (and maybe even The Black Keys), but Mr. Gnome stands apart for several reasons. First, they don’t rely on standard three-chord progression blues. Their songs flit from the light to the heavy and back. Compare the incredibly delicate “Silhouette” with the stormy “Pirates,” and you’ll hear a range that you won’t find in any other power duo. Second, Nicole Barille’s voice is a thin, reedy whisper that somehow sounds powerful, even when it competes with drummer Sam Meister’s Bonzo-would-be-jealous sledgehammers and the kerang of her own guitar. She’s similar to Marnie Stern in the way she’s able to rise above the instrumentation . . .

And in the way she can shred.

Catch ‘em on tour, and while you’re there, buy this album direct from them, or from El Marko records. Support this artist.

05/10 Nashville, TN @ Springwater
05/12 Atlanta, GA @ Smith’s Olde Bar
05/13 Athens, GA @ Tasty World
05/14 Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
05/15 New Orleans, LA @ The Circle Bar
05/16 Houston, TX @ Rudyard’s British Pub
05/17 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
05/18 Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar
05/20 Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s
05/21 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
05/22 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
05/23 Madison, WI @ The Annex
05/24 St. Louis, MO @ The Bluebird
05/26 Denver, CO @ 3 Kings
05/27 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
05/28 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
05/29 Portland, OR @ Towne Lounge
05/30 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
05/31 Tacoma, WA @ Le Voyeur
06/02 Arcata, CA @ Jambalaya
06/03 Oakland, CA @ The Stork Club
06/04 San Diego, CA @ Beauty Bar
06/05 San Francisco, CA @ Amnesia
06/06 Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory
06/07 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
06/09 Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina
06/10 Oklahoma City, OK @ OKC Infoshop
06/11 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
06/12 Minneapolis, MN @ Hexagon Bar
06/13 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
06/14 Chicago, IL @ Ronny’s
06/20 Cleveland, OH @ Jigsaw
08/08 Cincinnati, OH @ TBD

Pirates

Rabbit

Night of the Crickets

MEN WITHOUT PANTS-”Naturally”

Based on their name, I assumed (wrongly) that Men Without Pants was some kind of satirical 80s-style band, poking fun of the masterminds behind my greatest guilty pleasure, Men Without Hats. Boy was I surprised to learn that Men Without Pants is Russell (Tiny Masters of Today, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) Simins; Dan The Automator, one of the best hip-hop producers in the business, whose CV includes projects like Handsome Boy Modeling School, Dr. Octagon, The Gorillaz, and Deltron 3030; and the guitarists from The Mooney Suzuki and Mercury Rev, two stellar indie bands. Also appearing on this jam-fest headbanger are Sean Lennon, Pelle (vocalist from The Hives), members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Mooney Suzuki and Cibo Matto. Okay, so I prepared myself for a serious listen. What hit me was something between White Zombie, Pearl Jam, and Queens of the Stoneage.

“If You’re Thinking of Me Tonight” is a stadium rocker worthy of the Killers. “And the Girl Go” is vintage Eagles of Death Metal power-chord-chant rock. “I Do” is the rare slow song here (by which I mean it doesn’t propel itself forward mercilessly—but it is far from slow), and it features really a interesting noodly lead guitar line. There are a few monotonous clunkers here (“Never Gonna Do That Again,” “Superfine”), but only a few. And even those are better than most of what you’ll find today.

How does Dan the Automator fit in here? It sounds odd to have a hip hop producer behind what may be the year’s best hard rock album, but don’t forget he’s also worked with Primal Scream, the Eels, and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. This album is simply extraordinary. Don’t miss it.

Double Life

And the Girls Go

REDBELT IS THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR (SO FAR)

Had an unexpected couple hours free this afternoon, so I jetted over to the AMC to check out the new Mamet film. I dig the man, mostly, and I’d heard this movie featured a bunch of real-life blackbelts and fighting experts. So I was curious.

Redbelt is extraordinary.

It’s about how hard it is not to fight, especially when you know how. It’s about destiny, and the tension that comes from resisting one’s fate. It’s about protecting ourselves from the things that prey on us, and how, in doing so, we often become the predator.

I can see why Mamet made the film; he’s a man with incredible technical skill as a filmmaker, and there’s no question that the big studios would be happy to get him to sign on to a big budget film. But Mamet believes in the art, not the dollar. I’d love to know the projects he’s turned down. Like Mamet, the hero of Redbelt, Mike Terry (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) turns away opportunities for easy money, believing that the art of combat is about being pure. “The hardest part is the first part: You must leave the outside, outside,” he says.

Tim Allen has a great-but-small role as the egomaniac star with a tragic flaw, who comes into Terry’s life and turns it upside down. I can’t tell you much more because, like most Mamet movies, the film is full of twists and turns. I can say that in this film Ricky Ray doesn’t do any prestidigitation, which is too bad, but Chiwetel Ejiofor turns in an incredible performance. It’s hard to believe he isn’t a real blackbelt. But there are plenty of real fighters here, like UFC champ Mike Goldberg (lots of gruesome close-ups on his cauliflower ears), Dan “The Wolfman” Theodore, Ensen Inoue, Dan Inosanto, and even Boom Boom Mancini!

I poked around on the internet, and I see that I’m the only person who loved this movie. I appreciate how Mamet has managed, better than anyone other than Bruce Lee, to film the beauty of martial arts–not in the way it looks, but in the way it thinks. The way it is about using one’s mind to understand movement and physicality. I’m not likely to say I’m wrong because so many folks dislike the movie, but I am likely to say that they just didn’t get it. This is a great, great movie. I wish more people would see it.

Boom Boom Mancini-Warren Zevon (live)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

While you’re here, why not check out my new pages, about Superhero movies and zombie movies?

BUCKSHOT AND 9th WONDER-“The Formula”

“The Formula” is the follow-up to one of the greatest underground grime albums of all time, 2005’s
“Chemistry.” Before I get into the meat of the review, I’ll get this out: No, it’s not as good as
“Chemistry.” But that album is a classic. And “The Formula” can sit proudly beside it on any headz shelf.

After the intro track, which has a good groove but doesn’t go anywhere, the album jumps into “Ready
(Brand New Day),” which has chipmunk funk on the hook but otherwise features 9th Wonder’s usual inspirational, laid back beats.

The big change here is in Buckshot. He’s still got the same low-key flow (he never shouts, never raises his voice, never spits quick or urgent), but his message isn’t as gritty as it has been in the past.
In fact, quite a few songs border on RnB. But Buck proves himself to be versatile–he’s no Cool J. These are more real–they’re not smooth talking raps, they’re just songs about relationships, and the lyrics are powerful enough to keep the album tight. It’s not gangsta, not at all. In fact, calling it “The Formula” seems intentionally ironic: There’s absolutely nothing formulaic here.

It’s quite a refreshing surprise.

For those who don’t know, producer 9th Wonder is from Little Brother (and also produced “Honey” off the wonderful new Erykah Badu album) and rapper Buckshot is affiliated with Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik. But you really should know that already. Most of “The Formula” is Buck, but there are some excellent cameos and supporting works by Swan, Carlitta Durand, Talib Kweli, and others.

Order it here

Hold It Down (feat. Talib Kweli & Tyler Woods)

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Being homeless can be fun!

EDDIE VEDDER, LIVE IN OH-EIGHT

A few tunes from a great show he did last April. Eddie’s solo shows are great. He’s one of the few real rock stars left in this world–one of the few guys who can belt out a tune, make money with music, fill stadiums, and still stay true to his roots. If you didn’t buy Into The Wild, you should. It’s good. If you haven’t been blessed with the chance to see him live, you must.

A few tastes, then a zip.

Walking the Cow (Daniel Johnston)
Drifting
Millworker (James Taylor)
You Got To Hide Your Love Away (Lennon, McCartney)
Trouble (Cat Stevens)
If You Want to Sing Out (Cat Stevens)
Forever Young
Society (with Jerry Hannan)
Growin’ Up (Bruce Springsteen)
No More
Arc (a.k.a. Mookie, the classic Pearl Jam B-Side)
Hard Sun with Liam Finn, EJ and Jerry Hannan-(Gordon Peterson cover)

ZIP!

THIS IS IVY LEAGUE

Brooklyn pop artists This is Ivy League announce their newest album. The single, “The Richest Kids,” is prototypical retro-indie pop, complete with harmonies and crisp hooks. Plus, the new record has an acoustic cover of The Arcade Fire’s “Crown of Love.” That should get your attention.

For fans of: Belle and Sebastian, The Beach Boys, Peter Bjorn and John, Simon & Garfunkel.

Stream it here.

The Richest Kids

London Bridges

Crown of Love (Arcade Fire cover)

THE CLASH-OUT OF CONTROL

This is a little mp3 bootleg that I know nothing about. It was called the “Out of Control Studio Sessions,” but I can’t find information about it. If anyone out there has a little background, please drop a comment about it. I suspect it’s from 1984, when Joe fired Topper and Mick, Terry came back, and Nick Sheppard of the The Cortinas and Vince White signed on with the band. It’s not great stuff, but “Pouring Rain” and “Rock N Roll City” got rejiggered much later by Joe solo, and become something much better. This is a curio for Clashfanatic. I don’t recommend it for the casual listener.

A few tastes and a zip:

We Are the Clash
In the Pouring Rain
Glue Zombie
Ammunition
National Powder
Are You Ready for War
Galleani
This is England
Rock N Roll City
Dictator
Out of Control
Sex Mad War
Backwoods Drive
Three Card Trick

ZIP!