The Music Court

The Scene at Ground Zero (New York) Last Night After News of Osama Bin Laden's Death Was Shared

Folk/Punk singer Frank Turner responded to news of Osama Bin Laden’s death in a Twitter post inspired by the apt words of Mark Twain. “”I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” And, that’s about how I felt when I was blindsided by the monumental news while watching the Mets vs. Phillies game on ESPN last night. In a meticulously organized military operation conducted by a group of multi-skilled special soldiers, Osama Bin Laden was shot in the head in a voluminous compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan yesterday. The news was remarkably propagated to the entire connected world within seconds. Oh, the wonders of technology.

It is stunning news. I was debating what diction to use on this post, and stunning stood out. That is how I felt and still feel. The killing of the single most hated person in America since Hitler is a tremendous feat that certainly portrays power and eventual success. I do not want to come off as jingoistic, but this death oozes American nationalism, and I do think it is good for our struggling country. Yes, it is eerie that we are celebrating a death, but as Twain hinted at, most American’s woke up this morning and saw a noticeable face printed in the newspaper – a face immediately linked with utter hatred – and smiled. I did the same. I was 11 when the Twin Towers fell. I watched them fall over and over again on television in a horrifying phantasmagoria. In my opinion, there are only a few heinous crimes worthy of the death penalty, and Bin Laden deserved what he got. I only wish it came sooner.

I believe it is only appropriate to leave this as the sole news item in today’s Music News. I do feel obligated to provide you with a song that somehow can encompass these events. Famous American classics have been overused already, so instead I turn to something a little unconventional.

He’s Gone. He’s Gone. And nothing is gonna bring him back.

Helplessness Blues Stream

Folk-rock extraordinaries Fleet Foxes will release Helplessness Blues to the public on May 3, but because of the wonders of the Internet, and the kindness of Rolling Stone Magazine, eager listeners (like myself) can stream the entire album from Rolling Stone. That’s right.

Follow this link: http://www1.rollingstone.com/hearitnow/player/fleetfoxes.html

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FOOTBALL! and ELEANOR!

Today is an admittedly short version of Music News, because of this writer’s busy day. For those that are still reading this post (most have probably entered the sylvan realm of Fleet Foxes), I will now provide you with the video aspect of this special Music News. Today holds two truths. First, the NFL Draft is on tonight at 8 p.m. Secondly, hard-rock guitar instrumentals of “Eleanor Rigby” can be awesome. Here are two videos displaying these truths.

Football

Eleanor

Rome to release Album May 17 (US)

A good film is composed of a solid combination of actors playing roles successfully. A band is not very different, and an album created by a collaboration of artists working towards a goal is practically the same thing. The band Rome sees four artists joining forces on a “different” project inspired by the film soundtrack work of Ennio Morricone, an Italian composer most famous for his film scores of spaghetti westerns.

Brian Burton (a.k.a Danger Mouse), Jack White, Norah Jones, and composer Daniele Luppi recorded their soundtrack-inspired album in Rome’s Forum Studios, a facility Morricone helped establish, with the help of musicians that have worked with Morricone. Rome takes from the rich musical tradition of Italy. It is no surprise that Danger Mouse considers the album to be about love.

Yes, I know what you are saying, Danger Mouse is today’s version of Bob Dylan. But let’s put the prolific producer/musician’s appearance in most modern music aside. I am very much looking forward to Rome’s debut album which is set to be released on May 17 (US). Rome is, in all sense of the term, a Supergroup. We know that the release is going to be good, but how different will it be. Can Rome fuel a new spaghetti western inspired genre, like an Italian classical folk rock extravaganza. A few songs have been released. Here is “Black.”

Danger Mouse’s influence is heard best in the chorus. The verse is folk combined with Norah Jones’ dreamy voice. “Black” is melancholic and, perhaps intentionally, the evanescent keyboard riff in the chorus is rather unsettling. The entire piece emits a frightening buried melody and, since this album is inspired by film scores, it fits perfectly.

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Lollapalooza Line-Up

Lollapalooza is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and the line-up for this three-day festival at Chicago’s Grant Park has been released. This year’s headliners do not include Lady Gaga’s crowd-surfing star-boob act that took last summer’s crowd by storm. But, who knows, if Cee Lo Green gets angry at the festival he may do something even crazier.

The festival, which runs from August 5-7, will be headlined by Eminem, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Muse and My Morning Jacket. Some other highlight acts include Bright Eyes, The Cars, Cee Lo Green, Kid Cudi, Girl Talk (will be performing in a new 15,000 person dance tent).

The National Want to Cover The Dead

The National’s Matt Berninger commands hipster respect with his deep croon. Can you imagine that voice tackling Grateful Dead hits? Well, according to bassist Scott Devendorf, The National is planning a Grateful Dead cover album for charity. Devendorf shared this information with Spinner at Coachella. According to Devendorf, the band has not decided on songs yet, but “Box of Rain” is a practical choice because Berninger’s voice needs to fit the song. I’m not sure how Berninger’s voice is going to fit. Proceeds from the album will go to charity, and, apparently other bands like Fleet Foxes are interested. But, don’t expect a run-of-the-mill cover album.

“It’s not going to be like jam bands cover the Dead,” said Devendorf. “There are so many cover bands. I think half of the record will be reinterpreting it,” he says.

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Pecknold Covers Simon and Garfunkel Before Fleet Foxes

While we are on the subject of Fleet Foxes joining the Grateful Dead cover album, here is a video of Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes) covering a Simon and Garfunkel song with fellow Seattle-based musician Aaron Mannino. The catch? Just watch the video.

Where is all of his hair? Pecknold is only 17 years old in this video, but still wildly talented (as you all can hear).

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A Very Family-Oriented Birthday for an Animal

Pun intended. Stupid puns, but band-name puns are inevitable. John Weider is in the category of musician’s that no one has ever heard of, but all have heard. Oh that pesky “of.” Weider, a talented guitarist, bassist and violinist, played with Steve Marriott (before Marriott formed Small Faces) in a band called Steve Marriott and the Moments, before he himself moved on to big bands like The Animals and Family.

Here is John Weider playing guitar on The Animals’ cover of “Shake Rattle and Roll” live in Australia.