Tag Archives: Bob Dylan

New Mountain Goats Drops Tomorrow – Radiohead Selling CD’s – Final Four Update

28 Mar

All Eternal’s Deck Released Tomorrow

The new Mountain Goat’s album drops tomorrow, and I will most certainly be picking it up prior to seeing them this Saturday in Ithaca. Yes, call me a traditionalist, but with artists like The Mountain Goats, I like to listen to the album in full by way of hard copy. It’s just one of my many archaic idiosyncrasies. But, that does not mean reviews have not been written of the album yet (by way of advanced copy or NPR first listen – which was published in late February).

The reviews are positive. Like expected, Darnielle excellent bare singer/songwriter style is bathed lightly with some new studio effects (a trend that has been duplicated on recent albums). The lyrics are hard hitting, though, and while there is no over-arching theme linking songs, each does have a wondrous effect (the Mountain Goat’s effect). I suggest you go out and purchase this album, but if you want some proof, here is two reviews (one written and one YouTubed).

AP Review – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110328/ap_en_mu/us_music_review_the_mountain_goats

YouTube-

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Radiohead Selling Well
King of Limbs was released digitally back in February. The ending track, “Separator” has spawned some thought that the digital album was only part of a larger release that would be sent out with their “magazine” release of the album in May.

Read about that here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/radiohead-ahead-of-the-music-business/

The tangible album is being shipped out today and the band created such a draw with their rapid digital release, that the physical copy was #2 on the Amazon pre-sale list. And so continues the genius of Thom Yorke. Do you want to sell an album? Hire him to do your marketing.

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UPDATE ON 1967 March Madness Tournament

The men’s college basketball March Madness tournament has reached its Final Four and it is jam-packed with Cinderellas. The Music Court’s 1967 Album March Madness tournament – which is looking for votes on the best album released in 1967 – may go pretty chalk. Here is an update and where you can vote. Remember voting ends this Friday

 

The #3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is currently beating the #6 seed: Strange Days by The Doors 5-1.

The #2 seed: The Doors by The Doors is currently avenging its sister’s demise by beating up on the #10 seed: Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane 6-1.

Vote on these two matches here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/the-elite-1967-album-eight-second-half/

 

The #1 seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is not surprisingly beating the #9 seed John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan 8-2

In the closest match-up (and potential upset) the #4 seed: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles  is losing to the #5 seed: Disraeli Gears by The Cream 6-4

Vote on these two matches here: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/the-elite-1967-album-eight-voting-begins/

 

Let your voices be heard. Don’t let your favorite album lose!

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R.I.P Owsley and Hugh – Bob Dylan…in China? – 1967 Album March Madness UPDATE

14 Mar

Owsley “Bear” Stanley, LSD Pioneer, dies at 76

Owsley Stanley took his last trip Saturday, dying of injuries sustained during a car accident. He was 76. Stanley’s influence on the LSD culture in California during the mid-late 1960’s is often understated. He produced a lot of the drug, yes, but he also inspired musicians and was a successful sound engineer for The Grateful Dead. Stanley, whose nickname was “bear” inspired the band’s dancing bear logo . Lyrics written by The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa reference Stanley and his conflicts with authorities. The Dead’s song “Alice D. Millionaire” is based on an LA Times newspaper headline about Owsley entitled “LSD Millionaire.”

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Hugh Martin Jr., composer, dies at 96

Well, it seems the news segment of the Music Court is quite depressing today. Hugh Martin wrote “The Trolley Song” for Judy Garland in the 1944 musical “Meet Me in St. Louis,” but he is most famous for his beautiful creation “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which, even though it was also written and sung by Garland in the same play, became a staple of Christmas music that still is equally as popular today. Yes, Martin’s composition is still getting air time around 70 years later. The wonder of Christmas nostalgia.

The creation of the song is actually quite interesting and particularly poignant. Originally Martin wrote the lyrics as:

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last. Next year we may all be living in the past.Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.”

But, while the song does has melancholic implications, a wise studio executive told Martin that the lyrics did have to be somewhat more uplifting. So, Martin went back and drew up what we now listen to today (starting in October – it seems) incessantly.

Here is a great version of the classic from Katie Melua:

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Bob Dylan Approved to Play in China

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine

Bob Dylan will be doing (above picture) in China. Yes, after scheduling dates in China last year only to be turned down, Dylan finally gained permission from China’s Ministry of Culture to perform in Beijing between March 30th and April 12th.

Dylan, who seemingly has played in every country, will be playing in China for the first time.

This, from the Rolling Stone article about the subject:

“The approval notice for Dylan’s appearance in Beijing will require him to stick with a setlist that has been vetted by Chinese officials. No details have been released regarding what Dylan material was deemed appropriate for Chinese audiences, but it is likely that his more politically oriented songs did not make the cut.”

LOL! Yeah, I don’t think “Blowin’ in The Wind” or “The Times They Are A’ Changin” will be played for the Chinese audience, especially now at the outset of recent protests quashed in China. I envision the setlist being quite conservative, focused mainly on blues. But, let’s be real China Ministry of Culture, Americans, who speak Dylan’s native language, cannot even understand what he is saying anymore. Do you really think a Chinese audience will understand?

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UPDATE ON MARCH MADNESS ALBUM TOURNY

After a couple of days of voting I have a quick update of the March Madness 1967 album Bracket Competition, where we are pinning the best albums of that year up against eachother.

Currently, the 1 vs. 16 battle is being led by heavily favored Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band 7-0. This can be voted on by following this link:

https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/march-madness-music-16-1-best-album-of-1967/

Other Match-Ups:

#2 seed The Doors leads Days of Future Passed 6-1

#3 seed Are You Experienced is beating Procol Harum 6-1

and…our only potential upset chance thus far (it seems)

#4 seed Magical Mystery Tour is only beating Velvet Underground and Nico by three votes 5-2

The above can be voted on by following this link: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/march-1967-madness-continues-2-vs-15-3-vs-14-4-vs-13/

More first round match-ups will be posted up on Wednesday so sit tight and VOTE!

 

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Bobby Darin covers “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”

1 Mar

Often people forget about how multi-talented Bobby Darin was. There were many talented performers in the late 1950’s and Bobby Darin is always considered by experts to be near the top of that illustrious list. Darin wrote and performed, “Dream Lover,” and also saw tremendous success with his versions of “Mack The Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” He even wrote “Splish Splash” because of a bet that he couldn’t begin a song with the line “Splish Splash, I was taking a bath.” His excellent voice merged with his remarkable ability to play pop, rock, jazz, folk and country music with ease. He was an early example of a true singer/songwriter.

Perhaps he is forgotten because he died at 37 years old. Darin knew that his poor health would eventually catch up to him and it did at such a young age. His talent is remembered by fans of his music, but it should be remembered by fans of all music. He was a trendsetter. A few years after the release of “Dream Lover,” another singer/songwriter, Bob Dylan, would release “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” (which we talked about yesterday).

Here is Bobby Darin covering Dylan’s classic.

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Bad Moments in Cover History: The Story of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

1 Feb

So heaven's passageway is through a cave.

The image above is a cool depiction of “heaven’s door,” a mystical concept that has provided hope for the living and breathing. The concept is simple. This heavenly door is the zenith of Christianity, a gated passageway into the high heavens and cloud nine and the land adorned with all the awesome stuff you ever want, supposing you repent and have a friend in Jesus (according to Norman Greenbaum). But if you are not “good” you are not given the entrance code and you are forever stuck envying those who punched in the correct digits and are now lounging and eating buffalo wings with Babe Ruth and Abraham Lincoln (who I’m sure would have a lot to talk about).

“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is not really about heaven. It was written by Bob Dylan for the movie “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” and profiles an effete deputy who is dying. The song is more about ineptitude and old age. It is a melancholic masterpiece. Dylan presents something that is both melodic and austere. The simplicity of the chord structure mixed with the repetitive lyric provides a framework for all lachrymose and crestfallen pieces.

In 1987, the prototypical hair metal band decided they would start using it in their live sets. The song was then poisoned by the melodramatic, hyperbolic fingers of Axl Rose and a song loved for its downtrodden seriousness became the toy of unnecessary and cocky bedizenment. Guns & Roses destroyed a perfectly good song. Rose’s horrendous voice is so drawn out and fake it kills the song’s wonderment. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is somber. Guns & Roses’ version is an arena rock hugger-mugger that is vomit inducing. Everything from Slash’s screeching guitar to Rose’s awful voice turns the song into a showy piece of garbage. And, do you know what’s worse? People actually like it, no, love it. They think that it is the better version. Some don’t even know that it was originally recorded by Bob Dylan. Maybe it simply signifies a change in people. Seriousness in music is simply not appreciated.

Do you want to hear a good cover. Listen to Warren Zevon’s beautiful version off of his last album The Wind. That version is the model of verisimilitude. Zevon was dying when he recorded the piece and he knew its meaning.

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The Recession-Proof Industry and Zombies, Lovin’ Spoonful Anniversaries

13 Dec

Zombie Reunion

Back on July 6, 2010, I wrote a post celebrating Odessey and Oracle, the 1968 masterpiece by The Zombies. I started out the article by saying that it was a broiler that day. 103 degree heat. Well, like I said then, at least it’s summer. It can be read here:

https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/the-underrated-album-odessey-and-oracle/

We flash back to reality and I concur with my past thoughts. Currently it’s 28 degrees out and tomorrow will probably touch single digits. Well, hey, at least it’s winter. That does not work as effectively. The Zombies know it’s all about the “Time of the Season”

In a few months, the Zombies will be celebrating their 50th band anniversary and they have come a long way since being formed while members attended Grammar School in St. Albans, England. The Zombies will celebrate their anniversary with a new album and a London concert in May. Come to America and play in the New York area. I saw members of the Zombies play at Hippiefest, but would love to see Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone together again.

Link: http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/10/the-zombies-50th-anniversary

An Unfortunate Anniversary

We move on. Let’s remember original lead guitarist for the Lovin’ Spoonful, Zal Yanovsky, who died eight years ago today. It may be the polar opposite from the weather…and season…today, but, here is the Lovin’ Spoonful’s biggest hit, “Summer in the City”

The Recession-Proof Industry

Music artifacts. It seems that everyday I get up in the morning and glance over music news to find another music artifact being sold for somewhere in between $100,000-millions. While the majority of the United States and Europe may be suffering, the super rich are buying music artifacts at a high rate daily.

Just this weekend it was reported that the original handwritten lyrics of “The Times They Are a-Changin‘” by Bob Dylan was sold to American Art Collector Adam Sender for $422,500. Holy God! I mean the lyric is a pretty awesome find, but still that is a lot of money. Well, Sender is a hedge fund manager with an extensive art collection and he is absolutely, 100 percent, recession-proof rich. The guy has a lot of money. So, I guess power to him. Someone needs to keep this music artifact business going.

But, just some food for thought. I’m not advocating shared wealth or any unrealistic communist ideals, but, it does seem rather odd that one can purchase an artifact – which is probably only a small purchase – for the money that most American’s will never make in a lifetime. And, yes, is this a joy of capitalism and the fruits of hard work and intelligence? Of course. But, while my statement does come off with harsh direction towards the super rich, in times of economic deficit maybe even the super rich should show some frugality instead of shoving it in the faces of those who are not close to that wealthy and are struggling to keep their family afloat. Because, Republicans, trickle-down does not work. It will never work.

Well, that’s about the most political I will get on this music blog. The sale of this artifact is still note-worthy and I think it was a good purchase by Sender. As a hedge fund manager he would know that this piece’s monetary value will only increase.

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