Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Fond Farewell to 2009

Regardless of whether you got your butt kicked, or you did the butt-kicking, it has been a very eventful 2009. Personally, I found myself experiencing moments of both, but my feet and butt can both agree that cathartic outlets have been at a premium this year. Many amenities we assumed were given have become casualties of a recession. This year has been an especially good one to learn that if you don't have a passion to fill the space that might be vacated by things (see also stuff), you might not have anything. Hold on to Health, Happiness, Music and Love this year. Thanks for sharing the tail end of 2009 with me here at Every Day, Another Song. I'll let the King of Pop (Bubbles rest his soul) play this year off. Be safe, I want to see you tomorrow in one piece.

Song #29: Michael Jackson - Rock with You

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Penultimate 2009 Post

I hope you all are all getting your plans in order for NYE tomorrow. 2009 has been, for the most part, an overall wacky year. I feel that, as Americans, we have been all over the place and that we need to get back to some of the simpler, more natural things. I can think of no musical act that showcased more of a natural vibe then The Band. In today's musical climate of Auto-Tune, The Band would never have survived. There are tons of mistakes (or Artistic Decisions) in each song, but they tend to contribute more to the overall sound and feel of the album more than any amount of Robo-voice could. The Band played each concert, each rendition of each song, slightly different from any other time. It's one of the reasons they were able to keep things fresh and interesting on the road for as long as they toured. In essence, The Band toured so often they basically became musical story tellers, with the intricacies and details of the story changing each night. They passed their words on through song for many years and many miles but still remained humble. I will vouch for The Band, even with their "mistakes" they are one of the best rock groups in history, in fact, I have heard them referred to as "The Quintessential American Band.” The only problem with that statement... 4 out of the 5 of them are Canadian (These colors don't run, Levon). Today's song comes from one of my definite "Desert Island Picks". Listen to it all the way through (especially Side B) for the full effect, you will not be disappointed. Here is to 2010 being a much more good-humored and bountiful year.

Song #28: The Band - King Harvest (Has Surely Come) & Long Black Vail

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Did they have a Mustache?

This band was the first Canadian Rock Band to score a #1 hit in America... Can you guess who?

Give up?


Song #27: The Guess Who - No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature

Monday, December 28, 2009

The United States of Jameraica

Due to some saddening circumstances, I had to postpone Biggie Sunday until today. However, as you know, today is also Rasta-Mon-day, so I found myself wondering how to remedy the issue. Needing both a roots oriented reggae song from a real Rastaman and a some authentic rap from a tried and true lyricist, I decided to skip the middle man and post this gem that my old roommate used to play back in the day. It marries the two categories like they were meant to be together and It's even already dedicated to Big. Enjoy this Mash-up featuring Guru from Gangstarr and the most famous Reggae artist ever, Bob Marley.

Song #26: Bob Marley Featuring Guru - Johnny Was

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Tyler

Last night, we lost a longtime member of the family. A kind, sweet, noble dog, and a great friend. Rest easily Tyler. You will be greatly missed.



Song #25: Jefferson Airplane - Good Shepherd

Biggie Sunday/Reggae Monday tomorrow...

Saturday, December 26, 2009

A Sho' Nuff Bucket

It's raining well hard on this Post-Christmas day here in New York and It brings up one question...

Best Afro/Teeth combination in the biz... Eddie Bo 

The first time I heard this song, I was at a party in Brooklyn. The theme of the party was for my friend to get his roommate to like eating fish. So he threw him a party where we all ate fish and listened to funk music. Looking back, the fish was a little over cooked, but the funk came out just right. I dare you to try not to dance to this one.


Song #24: Eddie Bo - Check Your Bucket

Friday, December 25, 2009

Chingedy-Ching

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Every Day, Another Song!


Song #23: Lou Monte - Dominic The Donkey

Thursday, December 24, 2009

"Imagine what he could do with a Wii Controller"


Merry Christmas Eve to all you Ladies and Gents out there, in anonymous blog-reader-world. This is a perfect time to already thank you for spending any of your Yuletide moments here at Every Day, Another Song.

(Today's title comes from one of the comments on the youtube video itself.) Click through to listen to "Three Little Bears", a rare and favorite Jimi-Jam of mine from the Axis Outtakes Collection.


More importantly, enjoy your holiday!



Song #22: Jimi Hendrix - Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Affirmative

I recently began listening to some "Prog Rock." I didn't think I was going to like it, probably because in the 70's when it began I wasn't born yet, as opposed to rolling a joint in my mom's basement on a copy of "Lord Of the Rings." Before long I was drawn to it's symphonic complexity and at the same time, astounded at how is similar it is to today's Jam Band music. I had figured that most Jam Bands, such as Phish, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident and moe. had been most influenced by the original jammers like the Grateful Dead and The Band, it appears that the overlap between Prog and today's festival circuit is just as strong.

Song #21: Yes - Long Distance Runaround

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I wish I was a Rock N' Roll Doctor. Wait, am I?

As far as Southern Rock goes, a lot of attention is given to rebel mainstays The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Now, I like Free Bird as much as the next person (well, maybe not this person), but as far as I'm concerned, Little Feat could be the best, most versatile act to ever use that Grand Ol' Country Style. One of the vital aspects of this music is the distinct wailing sound of the guitar. Lead singer and band founder, Lowell George is almost wholly personally responsible for the revival of the Slide, or Bottleneck Guitar in the 1970's.

One of the most impressive aspects of Little Feat is that their live music always sounded just as good, if not heaps better, than their produced studio stuff. For the best of both worlds, check out this live studio recording from 1974 where they just utterly rip it up one song after another. Highlights include Two Trains, Spanish Moon and Fat Man in The Bath Tub... Actually, the entire performance is a highlight.

Shout outs to my boy Benitals for turning me on to this one...

Song #20: Little Feat - Rock N' Roll Doctor

Monday, December 21, 2009

A Quick History of Jamaican Music

Possibly my favorite part about Reggae Music is the subject matter. Jamaica's musical scene has been constantly changing and evolving since it gained Independence from the UK in 1962. In the beginning there was a fast, instrument based, syncopated form of dance music called Ska, which throughout the 1960's blossomed into another (and my personal favorite) genre, called Rocksteady. In about 1966, influenced by Soul and R&B acts in America, Ska began to slow down and take a more vocal and lyrical emphasis, although still mainly confined to Love Songs. By the 1970's many of the lyrics were intertwined with the Rastafari movement as well as the migration of many Jamaicans into large ghettos and shanty-towns like Trenchtown, Kingston. Similar to their American counterparts at Motown Records, Jamaican songwriters like Alton Ellis, Bob Andy and Jimmy Cliff expressed the difficulty of growing up in such tight and poor conditions while remaining dedicated to a lifestyle of hard work and spirituality ("Jah is love, or God, whichever way you might accept it." Dennis Brown ). Before long, Roots Reggae was coming out of these communities to unite and inspire the masses through song. Today, almost 50 years later, the message still rings true.


Song #19/RM#3: Jimmy Cliff - Use What I Got

Sunday, December 20, 2009

SNOW DAY

The Northeast has been completely covered in snow, and just like almost everything around here, I am sorry to announce that Biggie Sunday has been snowed out. It is just to much of a winter winterland out there to ignore it in today's song choice. Last night there were over 6 standing inches of snow almost everywhere in the city. This is what we were dealing with.

I was looking through the archives for a good song that expresses the feeling of snow, because I have always felt that Music is supremely environmental. I believe this is true in a broad sense, with factors such as Homeland and Culture, and on a slightly smaller level, like one's situation within the above categories or even the particular home, but even on a more meta level, as with the specific climate of the day (see my previous post, How do you deal with the Rain?). For some, snow is a debilitating obstacle, but for me, snow is always rich with the feeling of childhood and wonder. Sometimes its hard to find music that has those qualities since most recorded music is built around more adult themes, (such as life, love, loss). However in perusing my more modern selections I came across a song that directly expresses my feelings.

Song #18: Animal Collective - Winter's Love


UPDATE: Ok, I couldn't leave you guys without a Biggie Sunday Song. Here is the coldest, iciest, most frosted rap collab between two of my favorite New York rappers ever. Warning though, super explicit, just like Ol' Dirty Bastard's entire life. If you have any favorite snow songs, or even if you just like the blog use the comments section to LET ME KNOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW.

BONUS SONG: Busta Rhymes featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard - Where's Your Money

Saturday, December 19, 2009

You're My Little Stefonia

Today's song comes with a free piggyback-track. One of my favorite guitarists of all time.


Song #17: Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information (Followed by Island Letter)

Friday, December 18, 2009

TGIF

You might notice both George Harrison and Eric Clapton on guitar (Ringo Starr is also back there somewhere), you also might notice the best spontaneous  dance break ever.


Song #16: Billy Preston at the Concert for Bangladesh - That's The Way God Planned It

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Diet Shooting Stars

Woops, somehow I accidently reposted RastaMon-Day's Barrington Levy Post, but you guys already know that Reggae is only for Mondays. Hopefully I can get that taken care of, even though I am very very new to Blogspot and could use a little help if anyone is experienced enough. I am also looking for anyone with decent HTML skills to help me get a little more consistency in these posts. If you are interested please contact me.

Moving on, I saw this picture today on the ole' interwebs... These are acoustic listening devices created by the Dutch army as part their defense systems research between World Wars I and II. Really they just look like the headphones I rocked in High School.



Anyway the other day I received word that, the late indie-composer, Elliott Smith, had all of his independent label released, reissued by the ironically named Kill Rock Stars Records. The are re-releasing his amazing eponymous record and Either/Or as well as other lesser compilations both on CD and VINYL!! I went to the site yesterday and picked up Vinyl copies of both (even though they are currently out of Either/Or which is dumb because "Elliott Smith" is way better) and I am super excited for them to come. I haven't really listened to Elliott Smith since college, except for the other day when out of nowhere, my alarm clock which is set to an international station just for kicks woke me up to Smith's super melancholy track, "Between the Bars"



Song #15: Elliott Smith - Single File

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Sorry Cleveland

Sorry Cleveland.

It appears that I have been receiving a little bit of heat for a comment I made in last Sunday's Bone Thugs Post. Apparently some of my Ohio friends were mad that I called their city the "worst ever." To be fair, as a Columbus Man, I only made a few trips up to Cleveland, but most of the time spent, was listening to my hosts complain about how bad it sucks.

It can't be that bad, except that Cleveland has never won a professional sports title in anything ever, and they are usually ranked among the Top 10 Most obese cities. Basically, Cleveland is the Ralph Wiggum of cities.
All in all, I have actually had some great times up in "the Land" and I look forward to going back and seeing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Congratulations to recent inductee Jimmy Cliff), Bone Thug's neighborhood at St. Clair and anything involving LeBron James.

In hopes to smooth things over with an entire population, I present to you, one of Cleveland's finest exports, Joe Walsh and James Gang doing a furiously trippy version of their song Walk Away.

Song #14: James Gang - Walk Away

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Moon

For about a year the lovely lunar experience known intimately as The Moon has descended upon the Royal Oak lounge in Williamsburg. Hosted by the hilarious and multi-talented Nat Towsen and his and baby-faced scamp of a co-host Bob Walles, The Moon has been the highlight of my week, twice a month, for the whole year. In fact here is Bob interviewing my dog, Tia a month or two ago...



The Moon is an old school, legitimate variety show showcasing of some of the best Stand-Up Comedy/Sketch Comedy/Music/Dance/Vaudeville Acts/Robots working today. You can check out a collection of their videos here, and a seperate website dedicated to their ongoing, 44 Part Series about the 44th President, here.

A tight cult following has watched as The Moon grew over this last year and in honor of their 2009 finale, today's song is dedicated to them. Good luck tonight Moonkids.

The (presumably) Unofficial theme song to The Moon is the song of the day. Enjoy!


Song #13: Baby Huey & The Babysitters - Hard Times

Monday, December 14, 2009

RastaMonday

Here is the second installment of a series I meant to call Rasta Mon-Days. The torch (or whatever) is passed from Peter Tosh to another all-time Jamaican great. This man was a huge star by the young age of 14 and released one of my favorite reggae albums, (that includes today's song) Robin Hood, at 16. His trademark voice and singing style make him one of the most loved singers in Jamaican History. He is one of the hardest workers in the industry and is still touring heavily. In fact I saw him at the Alrosa Villa in November of 2007. That is the same Heavy Metal club in Columbus, Ohio that Pantera Guitarist, Dimebag Darrell was killed at, but one day a month the best vinyl shop, Roots Records, puts on the biggest baddest reggae show. I went to 3 and they were all amazing.

Here is proof...


Without further ado, your Rastamonday jam for today...


Song #12/RM #2: Barrington Levy - When Friday Comes

Sunday, December 13, 2009

A Beginner's Guide to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Part 1

Sorry for posting so late and probably throwing off your whole Biggie Sunday plans, but I come bearing the first part of a new and vital series here at Every Day, Another Song...

A Beginner's Guide to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Part 1:
Dedicated to Tiger Woods


My interest in the Tiger Woods saga has been decreasing since the initial Thanksgiving Car Crash. However, the other day some text messages were brought to light that caught my eye. Not because I'm interested in how he was able to get a million skanks to bang him on the low, but because he used a certain reference that blew me away.
Tiger: [later, in response to Jaimee's mention of a date who was "full of himself"] you kinda like that for some reason which is weird why you decided on me.
Tiger: having an asian mother and a military father you cannot and will not ever be full of yourself
Jaimee: I have fun with u, you always make me smile and I am not afraid to be myself or say anything to u ... the day I met u I thought u were going to kick me out a few times but for someone reason you didn't and u have told me numerous times I talk to much but slowly as I get to know u iI think your absolutely amazing
Tiger: you are wrong I'm bone thugs in harmon[y]
Wow. Awesome. Now I don't claim to know Tiger Woods, but it takes a certain person to claim that they are "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony." Bone has a very specific and hardcore cult following. Based in the ghettos of the worst city ever, Cleveland, Ohio; Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy and Wish mix a unique melodic style with some of the most hardcore,  Thuggish, Ruggish lyrics in rap. They also have a very distinct range of song topics... the following quote explains the group's growth from their first album to their second:

"While Creepin' On Ah Come Up's subject matter was focused almost entirely on violent criminal activity. In 1995 E 1999 Eternal saw Bone diversify its content and musical style [Skip one sentence] A considerable portion of the album's concept was built upon violent subject matter, yet Bone also incorporated deeper themes, as its songs dealt with more spirituality and occult mysticism. E 1999 Eternal also introduced Bone's trademark tracks devoted entirely to the use of marijuana."
As you can see, I was surprised when Tiger Woods compared himself to these guys. I mean they are HARDCORE and before the last month, Tiger Woods was nothing more than a lovable golfing cherub.  As a student at OSU I ran into a lot of kids from Cleveland who told me all the local stories, like this gem as reported by Krazie Bone in an interview referencing one of his many arrests...
Didn't it have something to do with an altercation with Wish Bone? 
Yeah, it had to do - it wasn't an altercation it was like me and him was like - we was like driving around drunk doing stupid shit and um I accidentally shot him. Shot him in the leg with the uh twelve gauge and it was like a whole big thing. He went to the hospital, police came, you know what I'm saying, took me to jail and everything.
Ok so, Tiger, although he ruined his squeaky clean image, although purportedly had affiars with at least 10 women, although he got in a domestic dispute, crashed his escalade and had his face clawed up, he's no Bone Thug, but he's well on his way. Stay tuned for the next installment of "A Beginner's Guide to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony"


Song #11: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Mo' Murda

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Friday, December 11, 2009

Dap-Dippin

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are a throwback to the old soul sounds of the 60's and 70's. Daptone Records, which comes straight out of Brooklyn is one of the coolest and truest labels making music today. Ms. Jones herself is a throwback to the olden times. From Augusta, Georgia, the same town as James Brown, she carries a voice and work ethic rarely seen in today's music. Maybe it is because she didn't receive her big break until she was 40, or maybe it is because she used to be a Corrections Officer at Rikers Island Prison, but she is as talented as she is humble. The rest of the Dap-Kings are über-talented supporting cast of hipsters, funksters, jazzmen, bluesmen, songwriters and record collectors. I saw them play last Valentine's Day at the Nokia Theater and the show was UNREAL. Here is Brooklyn Vegan's Report, including amazing photos by someone named Natasha Ryan (including the one below).

Unfortunately, the next day, Daptone Record's Brooklyn headquarters was robbed. Regardless, she put on the best show, and then she signed my copy of their newest album, 100 Day, 100 Nights, and then kissed me on the cheek. Amazing.



Song #9: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Tell Me

Thursday, December 10, 2009

What fellow isn't Stubborn... Kind of?

Marvin Gaye was my first favorite singer. This is his first big hit. Stay tuned for more Marvin as this blog continues. I couldn't imagine being 25 without listening to him.



Song #8: Marvin Gaye - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

How do you deal with the Rain?

It is storming here in the city. I woke up and it was pitch black and all I could here were the sounds of rain on the window. The weather usually dictates the music I listen to for the day, especially when it's bad/existential. Rain usually accentuates the ethos of The Blues, as it does for Country. Rain and Jazz also pair up well, probably due to the improvisational nature of both. However there is a grossly under-appreciated Rain-Genre out there, it especially mixes well with the Matrix-like Green Sky we are having. GRUNGE! Grunge came roaring out of Seattle and the Greater Northwest in the 1990's, when the area averaged 150 days of Rain per year. In fact in 1992 Seattle had 20 Consecutive days of rain, its also the year Nirvana's "Nevermind" reached #1 on the charts... Coincidence?

Regardless, I'm not going to go with Nirvana in this situation even though I was Kurt Cobain for Halloween. I've heard rumblings of these guys possibly reuniting in the near future. Chris Cornell writes a mean rain track. In this example you can really see the duality between Cornell's crazy, reserved grunge voice, and his skin peeling screams. Enjoy.




Song #7: Soundgarden - The Day I Tried to Live

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Oh my my my my....

Speaking of Mick Jagger & Keith Richards...


I know all the words, but I still need to get Mick's ridiculous hand and body motions down before I can unleash this baby at Karaoke.

Check out this amazing performance on Britian's "Top of The Pops" from 1967. It is chock-full-o Jagger-Spasms.



Or if you prefer... The studio version


Song #6: The Rolling Stones - Let's Spend the Night Together

Monday, December 7, 2009

Get your fake Jamaican accents out... It's Reggae MON-DAZE, Mon.

Hey Mon! Welcome to another reoccurring segment here at EDAS called Reggae Mon-Days. Get it? I have a huge collection of reggae music, predominantly Rocksteady and Roots music, and I used to listen to it all winter just to keep warm.

The first Reggae Song is by the man who taught Bob Marley how to play guitar, one of the original Wailers, Peter Tosh.

Forget Jah, judging from the montage it looks like he let that giant gun Guide him. However neither did him much good. In the midst of a career resurgence in 1987 that included a Grammy nod and a successful collaboration with Mick Jagger & Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, he was brutally murdered in his Jamaica home by robbers. It was the shortest jury deliberation in Jamaican History... 11 Minutes.




Song #5/RM #1: Peter Tosh - Jah Guide

Sunday, December 6, 2009

44

During my Sophomore year at College I lived in a house with 4 roommates at 44 (Fo-Tee FO) Chittenden in Columbus. We made a tradition to spend every Sunday sitting around, usually licking our weekend wounds, and listen to Biggie. Later we expanded it to include all the great rappers starting with B: Big Pun, Big L, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Busta Rhymes, Blackstar... After about 6 months of Hip Hop Sundays, we even opened the floor up for the Blues. I dont recall what reasoning we had for only listening to music beginning with the letter "B" but here at EDAS I'm going to be carrying the 44 Chitt tradition on... That doesn't mean that I'm gong to quarantine all Rap & Blues to Sunday, just that we'll be kicking it old school every God's Day.




Song #4: Notorious B.I.G. - Everyday Struggle

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Relax Baby Be Cool

I just want to thank everybody that came out last night for my birthday. Good Times...


Can any linguist help me translate this one?


Song #3: Serge Gainsbourg - Relax Baby Be Cool

Friday, December 4, 2009

Allow me to explain...

According to this Birthday-Fortune, I should continue my MacGuyver-style, life approach.


How rude of me. I know we were never formally introduced. My name is Matt and I have long studied the different musical traditions this world has to offer. As you may already know, I just turned 25. Living in New York City there has barely been a day when I have not been greatly affected by a sonic experience, so wanted to relay some of the music and experiences that have made me the person I am today. I'm looking forward to hearing critiques and comments from readers (if I ever get any) and creating a sort of comunal feel amongst those who love to listen to, and share music. I'm not really sure how this endeavor is going to turn out, but I just hope you will join me to see where it goes.

Song #2: Small Faces - I Feel Much Better

Thursday, December 3, 2009

So I'm 25...

This morning, I woke up, and it was my 25th Birthday. Somehow, I got the idea that it might be interesting if I posted a different song, every day for the whole year. Here we go...



Song #1: Blind Melon - Change