Somebody, somewhere, once said that where there is love, there is pain. This week The Shuffler cranked out five songs about five different kinds of love. Sometimes randomness is a beautiful thing. I’ll just let the music speak for itself.
“All These Things,” Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
“Tired of Being Alone,” Al Green
“Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You,” Led Zeppelin
“I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You,” Tom Waits
“Lonesome Day Blues,” Bob Dylan
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
It Burns, It Burns!
“Go Fun Burn Man,” Mission of Burma
A two-minute adrenaline boost!
“Take Me Home,” Brother Ali
Brother Ali, like all great MC’s, is able to take the boasting and braggadocio of rap and make it appealing. He has supreme confidence but he displays it in a way that doesn’t turn off the audience. And the video is cool, too.
“Hours,” TV On the Radio
I’m waiting for any news of a new TV On the Radio album. Two years ago, when Return to Cookie Mountain came out, I felt like that album put the band at the head of the indie rock table. And I said so at the time. Their ability to span genres was unparalleled, in my opinion. I’m not ready to back off from that viewpoint, but if they don’t put something out soon, I may have to reevaluate.
“Keep It Hot for Daddy,” Soul Position
What a killer track this is! Love and hip-hop are often seen as diametric opposites. This is about as “sensitive” as you’re gonna hear an MC get. Blueprint’s vocal delivery is fantastic and RJD2’s beats and samples are as funky as ever.
“Nabori,” Cheo Feliciano
One of the great Puerto Rican singers. My dad was a huge fan of Cheo’s sweet voice, which was a constant presence in our house when I was a kid. Larry Harlow, who was born Ira Kahn and played a huge role in introducing salsa and boogaloo to a wider audience in the 60’s and 70’s, plays piano on this song from 1973.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Now Tell Me I Can't Tear It Up
I always wanna be by your side...
“The C in Cake,” Gastr del Sol
I love guitar noodlings, particularly on a Sunday morning when I’m trying to clear my head. Gastr del Sol was formed by David Grubbs, indie rock royalty as far as I’m concerned. Fans of Squirrel Bait and Slint know what I’m talking about. The song’s title was the inspiration for those other cool Chicago noodlers, The Sea and Cake. And it segues really well into the Shuffle’s next song…
“You Really Got Me,” The Kinks
I’m about to reveal something potentially blasphemous. Faced with the choice of the original or Van Halen’s cover, I’ll take the cover. I know, I know, it’s a shame, a disgrace, a shandeh, if you will! It’s only because the first time I heard the classic it was accompanied by Diamond Dave’s yowl and Eddie’s fret-tapping. It’s iconic for me at this point. Van Halen really messed me up.
“Last Snowstorm of the Year,” Low
From Trust. I like this record a lot. Alan Sparhawk’s other project The Retribution Gospel Choir is finally releasing its self-titled debut on Mark Kozelek’s Caldo Verde label. Looking forward to that.
“Unison,” Bjork
Bjork is on my long list of people I’d want at my dinner party. Mostly because you never know when she’s gonna freak out and beat the hell out of somebody. And her husband, Matthew Barney, is definitely invited. That dude is out there! This is my favorite song from Vespertine. Here she is giving me chills at London’s Royal Opera House.
“Show Business,” A Tribe Called Quest
Tribe hooked up with Lord Jamar and Sadat X from Brand Nubian on this cut from their masterpiece, The Low End Theory. They paint a pretty dismal portrait of the rap industry. And this was 1991. It hasn’t gotten much better. For a long time now, the major labels have been churning out a style of rap that is virtually indistinguishable from pornography.
“The C in Cake,” Gastr del Sol
I love guitar noodlings, particularly on a Sunday morning when I’m trying to clear my head. Gastr del Sol was formed by David Grubbs, indie rock royalty as far as I’m concerned. Fans of Squirrel Bait and Slint know what I’m talking about. The song’s title was the inspiration for those other cool Chicago noodlers, The Sea and Cake. And it segues really well into the Shuffle’s next song…
“You Really Got Me,” The Kinks
I’m about to reveal something potentially blasphemous. Faced with the choice of the original or Van Halen’s cover, I’ll take the cover. I know, I know, it’s a shame, a disgrace, a shandeh, if you will! It’s only because the first time I heard the classic it was accompanied by Diamond Dave’s yowl and Eddie’s fret-tapping. It’s iconic for me at this point. Van Halen really messed me up.
“Last Snowstorm of the Year,” Low
From Trust. I like this record a lot. Alan Sparhawk’s other project The Retribution Gospel Choir is finally releasing its self-titled debut on Mark Kozelek’s Caldo Verde label. Looking forward to that.
“Unison,” Bjork
Bjork is on my long list of people I’d want at my dinner party. Mostly because you never know when she’s gonna freak out and beat the hell out of somebody. And her husband, Matthew Barney, is definitely invited. That dude is out there! This is my favorite song from Vespertine. Here she is giving me chills at London’s Royal Opera House.
“Show Business,” A Tribe Called Quest
Tribe hooked up with Lord Jamar and Sadat X from Brand Nubian on this cut from their masterpiece, The Low End Theory. They paint a pretty dismal portrait of the rap industry. And this was 1991. It hasn’t gotten much better. For a long time now, the major labels have been churning out a style of rap that is virtually indistinguishable from pornography.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Washed My Face in the Rivers of Empire
It’s a Bobapalooza!
“Standing in the Doorway,” Bob Dylan
Nobody paints a picture quite like Dylan. Whether it’s a kiss-off song or a song of heartache, his music is something that isn't merely listened to; it's something you inhabit. I’ve always loved that about him. It’s like you can hear his footsteps as he’s walking along. Time Out of Mind is loaded with songs like this. Here he is as Jack Fate in a scene from Masked and Anonymous.
“Sunken Waltz,” Calexico
Calexico is the remedy as we prepare for another brutally cold weekend. I’m always in the mood for that Southwestern vibe. “Sunken Waltz” is the opening number on Feast of Wire, which I highly recommend. I just love the accordion on this track. Joey Burns talks about the tune in a 2004 interview on National Public Radio.
“Song to Woody,” Bob Dylan
I found this really interesting article from a 2001 issue of Sing Out Magazine. It does a great job of outlining Dylan’s influences and highlights the issue of borrowing from source material, particularly when it comes to the folk tradition. Here, Dylan gets a nice introduction from George Harrison in this 1992 appearance.
“Razorblade,” The Strokes
Man, this song just sounds so out of place in this set! Weren’t The Strokes going to save rock and roll around the turn of the century, or something? What we really found out was just how much Albert Hammond, Jr. carried that band.
“Isis,” Bob Dylan
Finally, here’s Dylan from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour, made up in all his glory. His band was absolutely on fire! Has anyone ever seen Renaldo & Clara, the movie that he made during this period? It may not be the finest film ever produced, but at this point it should be considered a fascinating piece of music history.
Did the Shuffle gods shine on you this week?
“Standing in the Doorway,” Bob Dylan
Nobody paints a picture quite like Dylan. Whether it’s a kiss-off song or a song of heartache, his music is something that isn't merely listened to; it's something you inhabit. I’ve always loved that about him. It’s like you can hear his footsteps as he’s walking along. Time Out of Mind is loaded with songs like this. Here he is as Jack Fate in a scene from Masked and Anonymous.
“Sunken Waltz,” Calexico
Calexico is the remedy as we prepare for another brutally cold weekend. I’m always in the mood for that Southwestern vibe. “Sunken Waltz” is the opening number on Feast of Wire, which I highly recommend. I just love the accordion on this track. Joey Burns talks about the tune in a 2004 interview on National Public Radio.
“Song to Woody,” Bob Dylan
I found this really interesting article from a 2001 issue of Sing Out Magazine. It does a great job of outlining Dylan’s influences and highlights the issue of borrowing from source material, particularly when it comes to the folk tradition. Here, Dylan gets a nice introduction from George Harrison in this 1992 appearance.
“Razorblade,” The Strokes
Man, this song just sounds so out of place in this set! Weren’t The Strokes going to save rock and roll around the turn of the century, or something? What we really found out was just how much Albert Hammond, Jr. carried that band.
“Isis,” Bob Dylan
Finally, here’s Dylan from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour, made up in all his glory. His band was absolutely on fire! Has anyone ever seen Renaldo & Clara, the movie that he made during this period? It may not be the finest film ever produced, but at this point it should be considered a fascinating piece of music history.
Did the Shuffle gods shine on you this week?
Friday, February 1, 2008
Touch It Real Good If You Want a Piece
Come on, no whammies! No whammies!
“Conventional Wisdom,” Built to Spill
Built to Spill are still touring in support of You in Reverse. They recently announced that they’ll be appearing at the Langerado Music Festival on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in southern Florida this March. Here’s a live version from a gig in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Doug Martsch is apparently a big hoops fan. You can challenge him to a game of one-on-one right here.
“Parachute Woman,” The Rolling Stones
OK, pointless debate time. Here’s a thorny question for you? What band, generally speaking, are you more in the mood for: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? I think this was the mysterious fifteenth question that the Buddha refused to answer. I’ve got to go with the Stones on this one. The short explanation is that I lean towards music that comes from the gut more than from the head. The Stones are more visceral than The Beatles and that’s just more attractive to me.
“Vicious,” Lou Reed
Featuring a guitar hook that never gets old, this is the lead-off track to Transformer. Here he is doing an extended live version in Paris in 1974. The band plays it extremely tight as Lou attempts to break the land speed record! A mellower Reed later explains Andy Warhol’s role in the creation of the song.
“Burnt Out Car,” Saint Etienne
This English trio is probably best known for their dance treatment of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” Sarah Cracknell has said the group plans to release a best-of disc later this year. Considering they put out a singles collection just three years ago, I’m not sure the world is quite ready for another one.
“Hollywood Freaks,” Beck
Nooooo! Just when I thought I’d escaped him, Beck drags me back into his funky clutches. Midnight Vultures is such a ridiculously over-the-top album. Which is exactly why it’s so enjoyable. “Hot like a cheetah, neon mamacita”? “Hollywood Freaks” was the song where I actually began questioning Beck’s sanity. He does know how to bust a move, though.
What popped up on your player?
“Conventional Wisdom,” Built to Spill
Built to Spill are still touring in support of You in Reverse. They recently announced that they’ll be appearing at the Langerado Music Festival on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in southern Florida this March. Here’s a live version from a gig in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Doug Martsch is apparently a big hoops fan. You can challenge him to a game of one-on-one right here.
“Parachute Woman,” The Rolling Stones
OK, pointless debate time. Here’s a thorny question for you? What band, generally speaking, are you more in the mood for: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? I think this was the mysterious fifteenth question that the Buddha refused to answer. I’ve got to go with the Stones on this one. The short explanation is that I lean towards music that comes from the gut more than from the head. The Stones are more visceral than The Beatles and that’s just more attractive to me.
“Vicious,” Lou Reed
Featuring a guitar hook that never gets old, this is the lead-off track to Transformer. Here he is doing an extended live version in Paris in 1974. The band plays it extremely tight as Lou attempts to break the land speed record! A mellower Reed later explains Andy Warhol’s role in the creation of the song.
“Burnt Out Car,” Saint Etienne
This English trio is probably best known for their dance treatment of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” Sarah Cracknell has said the group plans to release a best-of disc later this year. Considering they put out a singles collection just three years ago, I’m not sure the world is quite ready for another one.
“Hollywood Freaks,” Beck
Nooooo! Just when I thought I’d escaped him, Beck drags me back into his funky clutches. Midnight Vultures is such a ridiculously over-the-top album. Which is exactly why it’s so enjoyable. “Hot like a cheetah, neon mamacita”? “Hollywood Freaks” was the song where I actually began questioning Beck’s sanity. He does know how to bust a move, though.
What popped up on your player?
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