Stuff that’s in my head this week
Prince and The New Power Generation – DNA Lounge, San Francisco 4.12.93 (streamed from Wolfgang’s Vault)
After playing a San Jose arena Prince took his funky band New Power Generation down to a San Francisco dance club for an aftershow and played another two sets, starting at 3:30 AM. (When did they sleep on this tour?) The band is tight and Prince is on fire with his vocals and his guitar, holding the whole room in the palm of his hand and then tearing the place apart with an epic, 11-minute version of “Come”.
Weezer – Champlain Valley Fair (Essex Junction, VT) – September 2, 2010
I had not listened to Weezer for many years but have been dipping back into their early catalog after seeing them at the fair a couple weeks ago. I got off the Weezer train at their fifth album, Make Believe, so I was worried that I wouldn’t know a lot of the songs at the show. But there were only three songs I didn’t recognize during their brisk 75 minute set.
Neil Young – Le Noise (streamed from NPR.org)
When I started listening to this I kind of groaned because I’m not usually into records with only guitar and vocals, but this one kept my attention for all eight songs. Daniel Lanois layers some nice ambient guitar sounds and loops here and there in the mix to keep it interesting, and Neil’s voice and melodies are strong throughout.
The Posies – “Daily Mutilation”
I have been gradually learning to play drums by playing along to songs and trying to copy what the drummer is doing. So lately I’ve been concentrating on drum sounds for inspiration, and this song stopped me in my tracks today. Starts with a Mo Tucker floor tom and ends in a Keith Moon frenzy, with tons of great fills in between. Not sure I can tackle it myself just yet, but it’s on my drumming playlist for future reference.
The Forty-Fives – Fight Dirty (Yep Rock Records)
A totally slamming garage-rock record from start to finish. This band would fit in great on a mix CD alongside The Real Kids, The Music Machine and The Remains. Every song slashes and burns with dirty guitars, dirty B-3 organ and dirty vocals. It’s filthy good.
The Black Crowes – Croweology (Megaforce)
A double CD with acoustic versions of their most popular songs. Sounds like a superfluous retread, I know, but it’s actually pretty fresh. A lot of the songs are well suited to this format anyway, and even rockers like “Remedy” and “Under A Mountain” sound good here. “My Morning Song” has a gospel interlude, and the drum machine on “Share The Ride” is a nice touch. I’m getting ready to see them play a two night stand next month and they’re doing 90 minutes acoustic AND 90 minutes electric every night.
Off! – “Upside Down”
I heard about this from another BT blogger, can’t remember who but thank you. Keith Morris is trying to recreate his glory days in Black Flag, and doing a mighty fine job of it. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the EP (album?).
The Cramps – “Swing The Big Eyed Rabbit”
This is one of those songs that constantly comes up on shuffle, and I never hit NEXT. Off of my favorite latter-day Cramps record, Flamejob.
The Replacements – “Kiss Me on the Bus”
We started playing this at band practice; what I originally thought would be a simple little song turned out to be really complex, and ultimately satisfying.
Velvet Underground – “Lady Godiva’s Operation”
Great late-sixties hypnotica, and I always get a kick out of Lou Reed’s way-too-loud backing vocals, shouting “sweetly” and “neatly pump air” over John Cale’s delicate lead.
