Rufus

Song #267: Rufus Thomas - 60 Minute Man

Katrina

It has been 5 years since Hurricane Katrina. It's just an interesting thing to think about it. It was truly a unforgettable event, the effects of which reached far beyond the gulf and into America's collective psyche. The first mass loss of innocence for the US since 9/11 and we all watched together as the country we all believe in could barely get it together and save itself. I remember a friend continuously calling me and telling me that there was going to be a huge catastrophe in New Orleans and nobody was talking about it or preparing and I remember thinking he was crazy. I just couldn't fathom that we wouldn't be able to handle any sort of event developing out in front of everyone to see, but I was (and possibly 'we were') all wrong. 

Well here we stand 5 whole years later. We have definitely made strides in some areas. The above picture, posted by my favorite photoblog The Big Picture, now looks like this:

Well at least they put the fire out... 

Regardless of the way anything was handled, or mishandled, N'awlins is a unique and extraordinary, not to mention fragile place whose contributions to American Music can barely be measured. For that reason I dedicate today to The Big Easy in honor of the steps it has taken towards recovery, and for the opportunity to reclaim it's rightful place among the top American Cultural Cities.

Today we're doing a freakishly accurate song about how a hurricane could foreseeably destroy N'awlins by the only American member of The Band, the Drummer and a great musician in his own right, Levon Helm.

Song #266: Levon Helm – Hurricane (won't play? Click here)

100 More Days

Day Number 265! Only 100 more to go on this psycho-musicological experiment. 

Time flies...I feel like it was only yesterday that I turned 25, had small panic attack and started this blog. Thanks to everyone that has been checking in in the days since, it's been quite an interesting ride. I look forward to the final push to see where this year-long journey takes me. Please stay tuned.

Song #265: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

Bodyguard Named Betty

Hat tip to my good buddy (and frequent commenter) Sal, who sent me this Craigslist post from Philly. It's music involvement and quirkiness rivals my "Budos Butt" Missed Connection from earlier this summer.

Some "Al" out there has a very particular request. Since Craig deleted my post after a couple of weeks, I have copied the body of the request below:

Seeking Bodyguard Named Betty

I am a Paul Simon fan in my mid thirties. As my name is Al, for the past 20 years I've been searching for a friend named Betty with whom I could sing the Paul Simon song "You Can Call Me Al." Imagine how much fun we could have singing along with the lyrics and pointing at each other when our names are mentioned! We could sing it together on road trips with the windows down, at home with our stereos cracked loud, we can smile at each other knowingly when it's played in gas stations and grocery stores and text each other when we're apart and it comes on the radio. I'm especially looking forward to acting out our own version of the classic Paul Simon Chevy Chase music video. We can post it on Youtube!

Just to be clear, I'm not really looking for a bodyguard (that's a lyric from the song haha!) just a friend named Betty.

If you want we could maybe sing other Paul Simon songs at some point but I'd really rather we stick with our namesakes You Can Call Me Al. Of course I want proof your name is really Betty so when we meet I'll need to see a state issued photo ID with that name. I'll also accept Elizabeth, Roberta or Beatrix.

Please write back soon I can't wait to hang out
Sincerely
-Your long lost pal!!!

So the question is: Lonely, Paul Simon-loving weirdo, or Crazy, Psychopathic Murder? I say, no need to Pigeon hole him; why can't "Al" be both?"

Song #264: Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

Clap

Straight outta Brooklyn, we have The Phenomenal Handclap Band. If you aren't from the city, you might still be the first person on your block to hear it. Buy the mp3 Album for 5 measly bucks, or buy the single from Truth & Soul Records, here on Vinyl.


Song #263: The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Baby

And a Bottle of Rum

Song #262: The Viceroys - Ya Ho

Straight Nasty

What is nastier? Biggie's freestyle skills, or the way he looks in this Photo? I'd usually say his rap skills but this time I'm torn. Pic credit to the über-jew, Kiroshima.

Hmm, this photo really seems to showcase his lazy eye, and his love of Cosby Sweaters.

Song #261: Biggie Smalls - Freestyle at Mister Cee's Crib

Rocking the Tie Die

"Three Soldiers"

Song #260: Grateful Dead - Sugaree

Black Friday

Grab the Black Keys new album, Brothers. They are the best thing out of Akron since a certain unnamed basketball player. Happy Friday.


Song #259: The Black Keys - Everlasting Light

Sweaty, Sweaty, Hotness

Look at how sweaty Barry White gets during this dangerously smooth live performance in Belgium from 1978.  Can you blame him, the body can only handle so much sexiness before it starts to freak out. 99% of Barry's songs bring your body well beyond that point.

Song #258: Barry White - Playing Your Game, Baby

Sleepyhouse

This evening I got home from work and immediately fell asleep until now (possibly still Jetlag, but more likely due to an extremely rowdy Sake Bombing session last night. Damn you Freddy and Llama!!). If you were hypothetically in a situation where light or loud music was painful to you, this smooth little jam will suit you just fine.

Today's song is a huge favorite of mine of Blind Melon's first album. Sleepyhouse was the name of the family home in Durham, North Carolina that the band moved into to write songs for their self titled debut. It's probably one of the reasons there is so much chemistry in the band.

"...living in that house for a couple of months was like being in a band for 5 years..."

Guitarist, Christopher Thorn

This is a layout of the house made by the drummer, Glen Graham (super underrated as a percussionist); Thanks to BeeMelon.com for the pic

Think of it as the 90's Alt version of The Band moving into the Big Pink.


Song #257: Blind Melon - Sleepyhouse

Washout

Song #256 - Washed Out - Belong

Piano Mon

Jackie Mittoo is known as the "Keyboard King of Studio One." He played the organ on basically 50% of the music that was recorded on the isle of Jamaica.


Song #253: Jackie Mittoo - Drum Song

LIMA LIMA

At a ballin' club in Tel Aviv, this sick Israeli Band covered some seriously epic songs. The dude lead singer had crazy facial hair and the Girl singer may have been an Angel. All 40-some odd of us birthrighters crowded into LIMA LIMA and we tore it up.

Photo Credit: Lima-Lima DJ, Mickey Martin

I was a little שתוי myself so I don't remember every hit on the set list, but I do remember grabbing the mic and rapping Biggie's verse to Mo' Money, Mo' Problems in front of the whole crowd at LIMA LIMA.

PROOF

Every song got the crowd rowdy and it had to be one of the best partying experiences of my life. If you are ever in the Holy Land, stop by Lilenblum 42 in Tel Aviv and hit it up, tell them you heard about them from some crappy website in the USA.

Quick Note though: You should probably know on some nights it's a Gay Bar, but who's counting?

What I do recall hearing:

1. The aforementioned Mo Money, Mo Problems
2. Regulate by Warren G & Nate Dogg 
3. Pump It by Black Eyed Peas
4. Hey Ya by Outkast/ Andre 3000
5. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
6. American Boy by Estelle & Kanye West
   (Even though the Singer at Lima Lima sounded much better than Estelle, it's been stuck in my head ever since)

Song 252: Estelle & Kanye West - American Boy

How can I resist? This is one of the greatest videos ever. Puffy and Ma$e in that wind tunnel is possibly one of the best moments of the 90's.


BONUS SONG: Biggie, Puff Daddy & Ma$E - Mo Money, Mo Problems