I have a new post on the All Songs Considered blog about Paul Simon’s recent performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon alongside The Roots and Antibalas. Read that post here.
Or just watch the video if you want below:
Category: Reblogging
Great Hip Hop Video
I admittedly don’t know that much about hip hop, so when I first found this video of “Let The Beat Build” I didn’t know it was originally by Lil’ Wayne (from his 2008 album Tha Carter III). That said, this video is really fantastic.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PglfNDepTyQ[/youtube]
I really love the steadicam work on this video… especially as it elegantly glides through the shot, allowing the camera to reveal each new instrument as they’re introduced in the music. It says that this was recorded and shot all in one take which makes it all that more impressive. Plus the song is admirable for having great hooks played on real live instruments. I don’t know who Nyle is, but based on this track, I’d definitely listen again.
Reblogging: Mehldau Goes Grunge
So I am now one of many NPR Music dudes now writing for NPR’s new jazz blog A Blog Supreme. As such, here is my first post, about a recent show in San Francisco where pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Matt Chamberlain performed music from the grunge era. Read on here.
Reblogging: ‘Soft Bulletin’ on NPR’s All Songs Blog
No, this is not becoming a Flaming Lips fan blog, but, I did do a blog entry over at the All Songs Considered Blog today in honor of the tenth anniversary of their amazing record The Soft Bulletin.
Hard to believe this album came out ten years ago this summer. [ENTER I’M FEELING OLD JOKE HERE]
NPR Song Of The Day: Papercuts, ‘You Can Have What You Want’
Here’s a new Song of the Day essay about Papercuts’* song** “You Can Have What You Want” from its new album, You Can Have What You Want. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Papercuts, ‘You Can Have What You Want’
NPR Song Of The Day: Crystal Stilts, ‘The Dazzled’
There’s another Song of the Day essay: Crystal Stilts’ songs “The Dazzled” from Alight Of Night. Faithful readers might remember my post awhile back about lesser known 1960s group The Seeds, who I discovered while researching another band. This was the group. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Crystal Stilts, ‘The Dazzled’
NPR Song Of The Day: Suzannah Johannes, ‘Horserider’s Smile’
Wrote a piece on another Lawrence, Kansas artist, songwriter Suzannah Johannes, and her song “Horserider’s Smile” for NPR’s Song of the Day. Read the piece and hear the song here.
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Suzannah Johannes, ‘Horserider’s Smile’
Reblogging: Tonight You Belong To Me (Redux)
For anyone who has followed this blog in the past (hi Aryn and Greg!…and, well, Mom!), you might remember a post I made awhile back about the old classic song “Tonight You Will Belong To Me”. The song — written by in 1926 by Billy Rose and music writer Lee David — is perhaps made most famous by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in The Jerk, but has been performed by countless others over the years.
Adding to the list now, (thanks to a tip off from Aryn, via Boing Boing) is author, humorist, actor, Daily Show Resident Expert, and PC, John Hodgman, who sang the song with internet-acclaimed musician Jonathan Coulton.
Not sure why this song seems to have had a revival in recent years and become one of the staple duets but its such a great song, so I can’t complain. Take a listen here:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQZqaTMgug[/youtube]
Reblogging: The Story That Keeps on Giving
I was forwarded this story from a friend just now about a Jersey City, NJ councilman, Steve Lipski, who was arrested from Washington D.C.’s very own 9:30 Club for urinating (yes, URINATING) off the balcony during a concert.
Says the press release:
“… 44-year-old Lipski was removed from a place called the Nightclub 9:30 on Friday night.
“That’s after club staffers saw him relieve himself onto the crowd from a second floor balcony during a concert by a Grateful Dead tribute band.”
This story is wonderful from so many angles:
1) NJ Councilman.
2) 44 years old.
3) Grateful Dead tribute band?
You would think a man of his supposed age and “stature” would be able to hold his shit enough at a Dead cover band show. Seriously man, keep it together.
The band apparently according to my skill in surfing internet was the Dark Star Orchestra, who are known to recreate full legendary Dead concerts song for song based on the band’s official set lists. The show that night for anyone who cares to imagine what song he started peeing during…
Show: 1604 • 11/08/2008 Nightclub 930, Washington, DC
Setlist: 10/30/73 – Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MOSet 1: H. C. Sunshine, Me & My Uncle, Ramble On, L. L. Rain, Deal, Mexicali, TLEO, El Paso, Row Jimmy, Jack Straw, China Cat> I Know You Rider, Playin
Set 2: Half Step, Big River, Dark Star> Stella Blue> Eyes> WRS Prelude> WRS Part 1> Let It Grow, GDTRFB> Johnny B. Goode
Encore: Saturday Night
“Filller”: Mighty Quinn
I’m guessing it was probably during that totally groovin’ segue of China Cat> I Know You Rider. That would make me piss myself too.
NPR Song Of The Day: The Walkmen, ‘On the Water’
There’s another Song of the Day essay: The Walkmen’s song “On the Water” from You & Me. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: The Walkmen, ‘On the Water’