Bob Dylan’s list of pseudonyms is long. His never-ending tour is longer. Tonight I will be seeing Mr. Robert Zimmerman, a.k.a. Bob Dylan, a.k.a Zimbo, a.k.a Bobby The Hobo, a.k.a Luxury/Boo Wilbury, at Binghamton’s Event Center. And, whatever name he chooses for the performance will be just fine with me. Seriously, I would not mind a Traveling Wilbury reunion tonight. Roy Orbison can come back from the dead for an amazing reborn performance.
The never-ending tour is just that. Bob Dylan has performed around 100 shows a year since 1988. That is 22 years folks. I am 21. Maybe there should be another name addition for Dylan. The Machine. That is what he has become.
I saw the tambourine man a few years ago at Nassau Coliseum. The show was an interesting experience. It was not what I expected. Dylan transformed his well-known pieces into unrecognizable tracks. I looked at the set-list after the show and seriously questioned whether I heard some of the songs on it. But, after reviewing the concert over in my head I realized something.
This is Bob Dylan. He is a cryptic trend-setter. The man changed rock n’roll and didn’t care what you thought. That’s why we love him right? From social activism to electric to country to swing to gospel, who cares. Bob Dylan effortlessly amalgamates genres and creates a bubbling cauldron mixture of excellent music and lyrics. So, for those going tonight, take a spoon. The soup may taste weird, but, this is Bob Dylan we are talking about. If it didn’t taste odd, something would be wrong.
In preparation for tonight here is one of my favorite Dylan songs off of my favorite album:
This is the image you are greeted with when you go to Apple.com. The fab four have never gotten this spread on Apple, mainly because they were not on iTunes. Well, now they are.
Oh, that massive library of hits. Apple has been trying to get their hands on that for a long time. And, finally, a promotion is awaiting the people who settled the differences and worked around the finances of the band.
That link takes you to the download page on iTunes.
What does this mean for you?
Well, if you don’t currently have the entire Beatles’ library on your iPod (I do) then you can now purchase choice Beatles’ songs for 99 cents a pop. But, be careful. A spending spree may be in order for many listeners. Similar to Pringles, once you pop you can’t stop downloading songs!
Yesterday, I brought you a post saying that it might happen and today I bring you this saying that it did. I am happy when I am right. So, go on iTunes and enjoy some Beatles’ downloading…and make the richest band ever, richer!
Now, the real question of the morning is what song should I use to celebrate this agreement. It may be just as complicated as the whole Apple+Beatles situation. Okay, maybe not. I got it. Symbolism?
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.
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.
Well Fall this year is actually beautiful. Aside from the fact that it has been raining at least once a day consistently for at least two weeks, I think it hit like 80 degrees one day this week. It felt and smelt like summer. You know that summer smell where the air is just telling you to go do fun things. If only finance could be done without using books, writing utensils, or calculators and could be done in the woods. Staring at trees is just as productive as staring at stock price fluctuations anyway.
All this summer weather reminded me of my favorite band from a couple months ago. Hailing from Australia (which is now only preparing for its summer) is Tame Impala, with their debut album Innerspeaker!
I couldn’t find my favorite song off the album on youtube, so you get two other ones! (And neither three are the single at that!)
“I know where you went, but I don’t know how you get there”
I’d be sitting in a car with my friends on a warm day watching people walk by doing things, and I’d be smiling because this is probably one of the best lines ever.
Not to mention the music is like being transported to 1970 where everyone still kept the 60’s chill-out vibe. They sound like the Beatles would have if they started playing hard rock. No one else seems to agree but the singer sounds like John Lennon!
The random talking, the noises, reverb mixed with phasers. The lyrics speak to exactly the sound they are aiming for! If anything can describe this, it is simply professional. These Aussies definitely knew what they were doing. Specially considering that there are no Impalas in Australia. They must have envisioned this entire musical project a good while before it was enacted.
This band lists Dungen as one of their influences which excites me because I hear it and it is awesome. It is specially evident on my favorite song, with its psychedelic break-down at the end. Tame Impala can easily be the summer component to the winter Dungen.
I want everyone to listen to this music, close their eyes, and imagine summer. It’s like casting a spell and when you do it right you will start to feel warm inside as if the sun is shining upon you. Or it’s actually just meditation – same thing.
-oko
P.S. My favorite song is Desire be, Desire Go. There is only a live version on youtube, which I honestly didn’t listen to all the way. lol &)
The Music Court 