I don't know what it is...but it seems we often see Madison-based artists everywhere BUT in Madison.
We discovered Bascom Hill in Rock Island. And, earlier this week, we caught the inimitable Freedy Johnston in Portland.
Great show in a cool club called the Missisippi Studios (if you're ever in Portland. go).
For this music Friday, I'm sharing the song that I can't shake: Bad Reputation.
And, all the best for a great weekend!
There is something so gut-wrenchingly painful in this simply stunning work from The Airborne Toxic Event.
You can feel the tightness in the protagonist's chest, the sly, planned coquettishness of his former love and the helplessness of the hour. The raw wire, sparking on a beer stained floor. The naked desperation.
It's "Sometime Around Midnight." And, we've all felt it.
Here's hoping you won't on this Music Friday.
Prince was da bomb in the 80s. When I was in radio, my station helped break a lot of new talent to an unsuspecting audience...and Prince was one of those artists. By the time 1999 hit, we were four or five tracks deep, turning our listeners on to way more than the title track. When Purple Rain came out, it was the entire album...not just the "hits."
In time, as with most artists, the flame dimmed, the hits were less omnipresent and the artist faded from view.
But, Prince is one of those artists that, when he walks on a stage...it's like the '80s. Or, at least 1999. It's like he never left. And every eye is on him, every ear focused.
For your consideration on this Music Friday, a twofer: his solo at George Harrison's induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. While Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne handle the vocals...it's Prince that seals the deal with a searing guitar solo.
But, if you only have time for one...check out his smoking duet with Lenny Kravitz on the Guess Who classic "American Woman."
Welcome to a purple weekend...hell yeah.
Most of our Music Friday posts harken back to tracks that are faves or have been sadly overlooked (or both). Today, it's fresh meat, babies.
Joe Bonamassa posted the title track to his upcoming album release on YouTube on Tuesday. Since then...over 36,000 views.
If you haven't caught his latest treasure, we have it for you right here, my friend.
And a live version he tried out on a crowd in England a few months back...with a hilarious intro.
Happy Happy Weekend!
I don't remember how it came up, but I was talking to someone the other day and I quipped that Tom Jones wasn't planning any U.S. dates because he's part of the UK edition of "The Voice."
She gave me that look, like WTF? You like Tom Jones? Really?
Hell yeah. We've featured him before on Music Friday with his smokin' new look and kick ass groove.
Today's find is from an earlier time...with the Cardigans, covering the Talking Heads.
En.Joy.
The cancer that robbed him first of his voice and then his life couldn't slow Levon Helm's music. He was still playing with friends like Donald Fagen and Paul Barrere last month in Chicago's Old Town. And that is just so cool.
A truly original singer/songwriter, he was probably never as well-known as he should have been. Like so many of the most talented, his music was hard to categorize. Americana, roots, whatever...and that meant that radio often didn't know what to do with him.
But those of us that didn't let radio rule our tastes found him...and loved him. If you're late to the party, spend some time on YouTube this weekend with some of his recent solo work.
For our Music Friday farewell, we offer a two-fer: Levon and John Hiatt dueting on "The Weight" at the Ryman back in 2009...and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," 36 years ago with a little outfit known as The Band.
RIP, Levon...and thank you.
It's so over. As much as I loved Steve Jobs, Apple killed the CD. And that is so sad.
I know we live in a society that is all about picking winners and ignoring the rest...but there is something just so perfect about spending more than 4 minutes with an artist.
Yes, there are a lot of albums with one or two tracks...and eight fillers. And that opened the door for Sir Steve.
But, there are those CDs that are magic from start to finish.
Madison has some amazing talent. And, in an era when I'm often listening to internet radio from some other country, there are those times when I load a CD into the stereo on the porch and just luxuriate in the magic.
My porch collection includes Madison's Emmettville, the Moon Gypsies, Mike Massey...and now Kyle Henderson.
"Life Goes On" is one of those albums that grabs you at hello...and doesn't let go.
It makes me remember my youth, when I'd listen to every new album from start to finish.
Kyle's new album makes me miss those times.
If you're a "singles" kind of person...it's "Aeroplane." But, download the whole album...it's perfect porch music for this upcoming summer of kick ass good times.
And, perfect for this Music Friday.
In the days that MTV was about...ummm, MUSIC, there were the videos that just made us melt.
Or, at least gave us cutis anserina.
This is one...from a 1985 Tina Turner concert in England where Bryan Adams joined her for their smokin' duet, "It's Only Love."
Hot, sexy and rockin' on a Music Friday...
Which is, of course, a load of horseshit. Even if the candidates really, truly believe they can...they can't. The deck is too stacked.
The Temptations had it right in 1970 (and I so want a pair of those shoes)...but I'm really digging this remake of "Ball of Confusion" from Love & Rockets, circa 1985.
Regardless, we'll be voting here in Wisconsin next week. And, I can't not.
You shouldn't either.
I was at the unveiling of MTV.
I can't remember the hotel ballroom...but I was there in 1981/Chicago when Bob Pittman changed the world.
Today, MTV is a joke for those of us that came to love the videos of the songs that moved us.
Since MTV became a reality channel, video as an art form has struggled to be relevant. Thankfully, YouTube has replaced MTV for so many of us.
Which is where I discovered The Subways...and, quite possibly, one of the best music videos I have seen in years.
You won't see it on MTV...but you will here on Music Friday.
Enjoy...and pass it on!
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