Archive | November, 2010

The Dogs of Southern Rock…from Seskatoon

11 Nov

We travel in our Music Court time machine to 1973. Nixon is in office and you are about to jump in your 73′ Dodge Monaco for a weekend down by the pond with some beers and good ol’ fashioned southern rock booming out of the radio. Gregg Allman is singing about being a “Ramblin’ Man.”

Cut the nostalgia.

Flash forward to 2010. Most music is watered-down hip/hop, mainstream rock, and rap. A pervasive culture of indie/folk controls a popular underground. There is good music out there, but, let’s be real, not much.

As a music blogger, it is my responsibility to provide readers with music that breaks the barrier of the mediocre. And, I do not shy away from my devoir.

1973 may be in the past, but, the music does live on in the extensive libraries of classic rock radio stations. 1970’s classic country rock is quite accessible. But, the youthful vigor once associated with that music has naturally aged. Gregg Allman is 62 years old (and still freaking awesome). But, he is 62. Who continued the southern rock legacy? Well, do I have a treat for you nostalgics. Time to return home to the 1970s. And, oddly, this return to ‘better days’ lives in the north. Yes, you heard it here first. Southern Rock currently resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan…in Canada. Don’t believe me?

Scary resemblance, right. Well, welcome to the world of The Sheepdogs. The torch of classic Southern Rock has been passed on to them and they do rock’n’roll in style.

The band consists of Ewan Currie – lead vocals, guitar, Leot Hanson – guitar, backing vocals, Ryan Gullen – bass, backing vocals, and Sam Corbett – drums, backing vocals. Their Facebook band description states that the band sports, “the long-haired looks of their musical forefathers.” Well, the hair is not the only similarity.

The video above is straight out of “Dazed and Confused.” It is like an ode to the 1970s. And, the music. Wow. “I Don’t Know” features an infectious guitar riff, an effortless chorus melody, and Ewan Currie’s lead vocal which alludes back to southern-rock to greats like Toy Caldwell (just less guttural) and the Van Zants. The guitar solo is flavorful and the toe-tapping repetition ends the song well. “I Don’t Know” may be a song removed from its time comfort zone because of a time separation of 40 years, but, it is right in The Sheepdog’s cozy niche.

The Sheepdogs have independently released three full-length albums. Each album has seen success, charting on Earshot’s national monthly top 200 chart. Their 2010 release, “Lean & Burn” reached spot 21 on the list. The Sheepdogs have toured coast to coast in Canada and have passed over the Canadian border to perform down in the U.S.A. In everything they do, they keep the passion of 70’s music alive. How about another track.
“Southern Dreaming” is just that, a taste of the carefree excellence of double riffing and jamming. The vocals are spot on and I must admit, the harmonies are powerful. It is just freaky how much this band is straight out of the 1970s. And, it is also refreshing. Their brand of rock is authentic, creative and fun.
I classify this band as a must listen. The music is crisp and clean. The Sheepdogs is as close as one can get to the early 1970s in modern music. So, add The Sheepdogs to your classic, southern rock playlist. They certainly have earned their spot.

Check out the Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/thesheepdogs

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Ukulele and Conan O’Brien

9 Nov

The two subjects in the title are only related by the broad overhang of music. Just wanted to make that clear.

The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain

I like the ukulele. I just don’t like what it has become. Modern pop musicians have found a trick to receiving thousands of listeners. Catchy music with a ukulele. Train took advantage of this easy formula. The ukulele got them their first hit in 10 years. Do I like them less for using the ukulele. No, of course not. I am not a big fan of “Hey Soul Sister,” but, the song gave them tremendous success. But, come on. A few simple chords on a higher-pitched instrument. What happened to the good ukulele. Well, it is out there.

Their faces may be hidden, but, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a group of talented musicians who love their ukulele. Heck, they may be shielding their faces out of shame of what has become to their beloved instrument. Check out this awesome video I found on Fark:

That is a live mash-up right there. No need for an audio program to create that. The ukulele got me in the mood for one of the most popular viral ukulele videos out there. Seriously, it has amassed over six million views since it was uploaded in 2006.

In Other News:

Conan O’ Brien is back on the air. His first episode of his new TBS late-night show aired yesterday and he expressed no harsh feelings to NBC, the network that royally screwed him over (but then paid him a lot of money)…not really. A lot of jokes centered around the controversy that sent him off television. But, he is back, and back with force. Jack White, his good friend, rocked out with Conan to the tune of “Twenty Flight Rock.” Good stuff.

An Adventure in Philadelphia: Weepies!

8 Nov

I will say it. I may hate the Philadelphia Phillies, but, the city of brotherly love is quite nice. Yes, it may be a pain to drive through. Conflicting one-ways and odd voluminous circles do not assist drivers by any means. But, Philly has a quaint charm even when you are surrounded by large colleges and skyscrapers. So, yes, I like the city’s aesthetics. But, in my two visits to Philly, I have experienced both a snowstorm and, just last Friday, a true adventure after seeing The Weepies in concert.

Let me explain.

Those people above were great. The Weepies performed Friday night at World Cafe Live, a small venue by UPenn’s athletic facilities. How do I know? Well, I parked in a UPenn owned lot when my friend Anthony and I arrived at the venue after our quick drive from Binghamton. Seriously, we hit one spot of traffic entering Philadelphia, and, I only made one wrong turn.

The concert started an hour after we first stepped into the venue. Credit brick breaker for helping that hour go by.

Now, when I say this venue was intimate, I don’t only mean it was small. The Weepies like to set the mood before their shows. The lights were dimmed after the opening act (which was Weepies’ lead man Steve Tannen’s brother Greg…very talented by the way) Electric candlelight (I feel like I am setting up the scene of “Lola”) was provided by several fake candles. The setting was delightful. It was also exactly what one would expect from a pop band like the Weepies. Their music is infectious and innocuous and therefore, the concert set-up should imitate that description.

Steve and Deb are excellent together. They opened the concert with “Please Speak Well of Me,” one of my favorites off of their new album. Take a listen

Listen to the background of the track. Hear the rhythm. That was executed by the band’s lead guitarist and drummer who imitated the sounds through natural sounds (banging their legs with open hands and snapping). Who else opens I show like that?

The night continued with a good mixture of old and new songs that were all sung by the relaxed audience. Seriously, the band reflects the audience and this crowd was just lulled into a good Weepies’ trance.

Steve and Deb obviously have awesome chemistry, heck, they are husband and wife. They were laughing on stage as both told stories on how songs were created. One involved pornography, and yes, I am not kidding. I love hearing how lyrics are written, so, this was welcomed.

By the end of the night, The Weepies swept through all of their known material. They ended the night with a kiss and left the stage. It was a great show. The post-game party was not at all what Anthony and I expected.

I disagree Philadelphia. It was most certainly dark out. Here was the plan. Anthony has a friend who goes to Villanova. We would stay with him and then leave the next morning. No need to make the long drive back up to Binghamton after the concert, right? Well, in short, wrong. In the opening act, Greg Tannen premised a song by saying it had a long story that went with it, but, not wanting to expatiate, he just told us that he was with a girl and now he is not. I could do the same and leave my story at what I told you all above, but, I am going to explain.

Anthony’s friend didn’t answer our first phone call. His phone was not even on, and, according to an automated female voice, his voice message box with full. Okay, not what we wanted to hear, but, Anthony and I had plans to eat dinner after the concert anyway. The dinner plans were abandoned after we could not find parking. This also came after phone call #4 to said friend. Every phone call produced the same voice. The prognosis was bleak.

I decided that we might as well drive to Villanova and eat something there while we waited for his friend to call. Yeah, we did not take down his address. Yes, captain hindsight, it was a bad idea. On our way to Villanova, we did pass the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, AKA Rocky Steps, and like the dimwitted tourists we are, Anthony and I ran up them. It was awesome.

We arrived in Villanova and still did not receive any word from the friend. I took off my coat and got comfortable. After a stop at a Wawa (best place to get gas and eat after 12 a.m.), I started the drive home. In the span of 12 hours, I drove for half of that time. But, we did get to see the Weepies, so, when all was said and done it was definitely worth it.

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Weepies On The Morrow

4 Nov

Track 4 on the Weepies’ new album Be My Thrill sings that “I Was Made For Sunny Days.” According to the popular comedy show, it is always sunny in Philadelphia. That is where my friend Anthony and I will be traveling to see The Weepies perform tomorrow night at the World Cafe Live. And, such a coincidence can only be a fantastic omen for a night of chill songs that highlight a melodic blend of pop and folk music.

If you have never checked out the Weepies before I suggest you find them on Youtube and listen to some of their music. Or, better yet, I will embed a song below. The reason I initially got into this band was because their music stuck. It is innocuous, yes, but like the common cold (which I am currently suffering from) it is so damn catchy, or, better yet, infectious. Ever since becoming a pair, Deb Talan and Steve Tannen have created harmonious music. Their smooth voices effortlessly jump between somber and effervescent pieces.

The Weepies’ music is also marketable. It has been featured on several television shows, including Scrubs (where I first heard the Weepies), Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, How I Met Your Mother, etc. “Can’t Go Back Now,” which I will include below, was included in a campaign ad for now President Barack Obama (and it obviously was the sole reason he was elected to office).

Be My Thrill was released in August and has been seen as a success. Some songs even feature slight experimentation. The Weepies, though, are best in their niche, which they have mastered. Soft folk/pop is alive and well in their shows and as they continue on their first tour in four years, we will be meeting up with them to celebrate their great music.

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Happy Election Day

2 Nov

Note: The song starts at one minute but I suggest listening to Roger McGuinn’s great opening talk.

November 2nd. A great day for democracy. Where every citizen of the United States has a chance to vote for the candidate they believe will represent their beliefs the best. And, as people from the gargantuan skyscrapers of New York City to the bucolic prairies of the Midwest make it to the polls, I am about to get dressed and go to class.

But, not before I post this fabulous piece by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy. Little fun fact. Jacques Levy also co-wrote “Hurricane” with Bob Dylan. Is that important to this post? No. But, in case you were wondering, there you are. McGuinn and Levy pulled “I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician” from a failed Broadway play that the two were writing. It tells the tale of Gene Tryp and his running for president of the United States. Byrdmaniax, which was released in 1971 with a line-up of McGuinn, Clarence White, Gene Parsons and Skip Battin, also features “Kathleen’s Song” a song about Gene Tryp’s lover waiting for him to come home from his travels.

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