Top Ten Bands I will Listen to in Hell (not according to me!)

Salon.com has posted one of those snarky lists of bands that a particular person hates, by one Sean Beaudoin, who is surely getting his share of badly misspelled, hate emails, comments, tweets by this time. Missives along the lines of "You hate Creed. Creed is the best. You our nothing butt a hater!" I won't join in the outrage, though I am a fan of most of the artists listed. In fact, I make no secret of putting the Beach Boys in my all-time top two. But I agree with Sean on another of the bands (yes, it was I who sent him the above-quoted Creed email). Even though Sean is wrong Wrong WRONG when it comes to the Beach Boy's, he makes a fair point about Creed. And he writes well, and humorously about his hates. Sean is entitled to his opinion and he appears to have done the prerequisite listening homework in making these judgments. Which makes me wonder how he can slag off whole careers instead of focusing on particular artistic "missteps." But it was a fun read.

Here is his list of the ten bands he (Sean Beaudoin) will hear in hell, along with a link to the article!

In order from 1 to 10:

Counting Crows
Beach Boys
Billy Joel
Weezer
Eric Clapton
R.E.M.
Oasis
Sting
Creed
Pearl Jam

Here is the link to the article if you want to check it out. It is a good read!

the ten bands I will be forced to listen to in hell

Set the wayback machine to August 12, 1995....

I got the thrill of a lifetime when I joined Bruce Johnston on his keyboard at the Beach Boys concert on August 12, 1995. I am too the left of Bruce. Joining us is my buddy Roy Burkhardt from Harmony House! One of the best nights of my life!

The tune, of course, is "Barbara Ann." Also onstage are John Stamos and David Cassidy!

By the way, I have posted a Spotify playlist from last Saturday's Beach Boys concert featuring their entire set list in order. Enjoy!

Beach Boys Set List at DTE Energy Theater June 30, 2012

The Beach Boys at DTE June 30, 2012

If you have ever cared about the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys then there was no other place to be than last night at the DTE Energy Theater (the Venue Formely Known as Pine Knob)! I make no secret that I believe this catalog of work to be the most important in American Popular Music and consider the Beach Boys the Greatest American Band. Their music is woven into the tapestry of American Popular Culture in a way that no other artist can lay claim. (Berry Gordy's Motown catalog arguably comes close). It is easy to spot the Beach Boys influence in artists as diverse as The Ramones, The Shins, Sinead O'Connor, of course the Beatles, the list goes on and on.


The Beach Boys proved last night that they owned harmony singing like no other band, and that includes the Eagles and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Backed by Brian Wilson's touring band, the core of which is the LA Power Pop quartet "The Wondermints" as well as a couple of refugees from the Love-Johnston "Beach Boys" they provided spirited yet note-perfect backing. This backup aggregation can sing their asses off, and they effectively double the Beach Boy's vocals giving the tunes a full sound unheard since these tracks were recorded up to half a century ago.  The audio was accompanied by a giant video screen which showed appropriate scenes from the history of the Beach Boys.

The only thing missing from last night's celebration were the two younger Wilson Brothers, Dennis and Carl who passed on way before their time. Yet, they were there in spirit as the Beach Boys' accompanied video's of their signature. Perhaps the emotional highlight of the show as first Dennis appeared on the screen, singing his great composition "Forever" backed vocally and instrumentally by the Beach Boys. Pictures of Dennis appeared and the tune ended with the words "Dennis We Love You" on the screen. Then it was Carl's turn, as the screen portrayed him taking his angelic vocal turn on "God Only Knows" again backed by full band. There were more than a few teary eyes in the crowd after this tribute.

The two main Beach Boys, Brian Wilson and Mike Love have both turned 70, and age showed on a couple of tunes, but this did not detract from their otherwise strong vocal presentation. Al Jardine literally sounds like he always did. He really brings the classic BB sound. Bruce Johnston shone on his 1971 composition "Disney Girls." Honorary Beach Boy Jeff Foskett, doubled by "Love-Johnston Beach Boy" Scott Totten nailed the falsetto tags that highlighted many a Beach Boy's classic. They also sang the parts that were once handled by the late Carl Wilson. Surprisingly, the Beach Boys secret weapon might have been David Lee Marks who unwisely left the band after their first five albums after feuding with then manager (and Brian's father) Murray Wilson. His ringing guitar licks reminded the crowd of his bandmate and "across the street" neighbor Carl, and he led the band through the instrumental "Pet Sounds" from that classic album to open up the second set. No vocals in that tune, yet still a highlight!

That tune was followed up the the sight of the Beach Boys gathered around Brian's white concert grand, as they did a semi-acoustic version of "Add Some Music To Your Day" from 1970s "Sunflower" release. This tune, as it did on the original vinyl, showcased each BB's contribution to their vocal mix.

All in all, a breathtaking evening of music.

Altogether the Beach Boys played 47 songs in a 2 hour and 45 minute show. No opening act. Setlist is below.

Go, if you have the chance. This might be the last chance to see and hear these legends. If it is, then they certainly went out on the highest note imaginable. I can imagine seeing this show again, if they tour in next year. I would probably catch a Brian live show since I like to periodically worship at the "Church of Wilson." Doubt that I would watch a "Love-Johnston" Beach Boys show as it can't possibly match this. So this might be it for me. Nearly 50 Beach Boy/Brian Wilson shows starting in 1974 and (maybe) ending in 2012. Lotta memories for me. But there will supposedly be a live DVD and CD from this tour. And there is YouTube and torrents and the original vinyl. This music will live on.

Love and Mercy to you and your friends Tonight!

Setlist

1 Do It Again
2 Catch A Wave
3 Hawaii
4 Don't Back Down
5 Surfin' Safari
6 Surfer Girl
7 Come Go With Me
8 Why Do Fools Fall In Love
9 When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
10 Please Let Me Wonder
11 Wendy
12 Getcha Back
13 Then I Kissed Her
14 Disney Girls
15 Isn't It Time
16 Kiss Me, Baby
17 California Saga: California
18 Cotton Fields
19 Be True To Your School
20 Ballad of Ole' Betsy
21 Still Cruisin'
22 Don't Worry Baby
23 Little Deuce Coupe
24 409
25 Shut Down
26 I Get Around

Intermission

27 Pet Sounds
28 Add Some Music To Your Day
29 Heroes And Villains
30 Sloop John B
31 Wouldn't It Be Nice
32 I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
33 Sail On Sailor
34 All This Is That
35 That's Why God Made The Radio
36 In My Room
37 Forever
38 God Only Knows
39 Good Vibrations
40 California Girls
41 Help Me Rhonda
42 Rock N Roll Music
43 Do You Wanna Dance?
44 Surfin' USA

Encore

45 Kokomo
46 Barbara Ann
47 Fun, Fun, Fun

Happy Father's Day from the Listening Room

My relationship with my Father, who passed away on Pearl Harbor Day 1997 was "complicated" at best. My parents split up before I was born. My Dad moved away to California to seek a career in acting. He remarried and had a second family. I had a long distance relationship with my Dad. One short uncomfortable visit from him when I was five. A 3 week trip to LA when I was 9. A weekend in Michigan when I was 11.  A few phone calls. A few letters. And then, 15 years of total non-communication. After a family tragedy when I was 24, we reconnected. My renewed relationship with my Dad was marked, at first, by a sense that I had that he felt guilty about how things went down. I tried to tell him that I had no hard feelings toward his being absent.

There were times I actually convinced myself that I believed it.

I have tried to be the exact opposite toward my kids that my Dad was toward me. Caring, involved, giver of gifts and initiator of activities. Coach of their sports teams. Trying to provide them with everything I never had. And.......I feel at times that I am steering the boat of Fatherhood into a squall of anger, defiance, rage, sullenness, you name it. Which, I guess that means I am about the same as every other Dad out there!

So, Happy Father's Day from Chadwick's Listening Room! And here is a short Father's Day playlist!

"Papa Was A Rolling Stone"

"Color Him Father"

"Daddy Could Swear, I Declare"

"My Dad"

"Father and Son"

"Father To Son"

"Theme From the Courtship of Eddie's Father"

"Cats In The Cradle"

And Finally, Brian and the Beach Boys with "I'm Bugged At My Old Man!"

I'm sure I have missed a few, probably one of  your favorites. Sorry!

Chris Richards and the Subtractions June 22, 2012 at Berkley Front

Power Pop does not get any better than this! Veteran Detroit Rocker's "Chris Richards and the Subtractions" bring their mix of hard-edged but melodic rock n roll to the Berkley Front on Friday June 22, 2012 at 9pm. Celebrating the release of their new album "Get Your La-La's Out" Chris and the boys will surely burn down the house like they did at IPO a few weeks back. Chris will have plenty of copies of the new album, and I am sure you can pick up some of his tasty back-catalog releases. Chris' new album will even be available in a special "white vinyl" release with a "vinyl-only" track, a cover of "Dogs" by the Who. The Subtractions will be ably supported by Ryan Allen and his Extra Arms and the Corktown Popes. Berkley Front is unmissable on 12 Mile, across the street from the old Berkley Theater. Many,, many fine beers are available at this local gem! Take if from Steve McGarrett, "Be There, Aloha!"

Chris Richards and the Subtractions doing "Don't Do Anything Tonight" from "Get Your La-La's Out!"

Beach Boys New CD

"That's Why God Made The Radio" aka the new Beach Boys cd hit the racks yesterday. Is it any good? Does it rank with the best work of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys? Let's answer the second question first. The Beach Boys best work ranks with the best albums recorded by any of the so-called "giants" going back to Edison's "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (covered by McCartney and Wings in the 70s). When your peak work,  "Pet Sounds" gets compared to "Sgt.Pepper" "Exile On Main Street" "Blonde on Blonde" "In The Wee Small Hours"...you can see how difficult a task it is to assess a new work by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Does it rank up there with their best. Probably not. If McCartney puts out a worthwhile album, it is probably not gonna equal "Pepper" or "Abbey Road." However, "TWGMTR" is, nevertheless, a worthwhile and rewarding listen and gets a high recommendation from this old Beach Boys fan.

First of all, the fact that we even have new Brian Wilson and the Beach Boy's music in 2012 is remarkable. The last "proper" Beach Boy's album was "Summer In Paradise" which went straight to the cut-out bins in the early 90's. Brian was not on board for that disc. Even as a fan, I didn't find much on that outing to recommend. For the Beach Boys to pull together a work as enjoyable as this release, not to mention beautiful in parts, is amazing. There are moments here that refer back to their best work.

Back in 1998, Brian recorded a solo album with country music producer Joe Thomas. The album, "Your Imagination" did successfully revive Brian's career to a degree with that effort's main criticism being a certain "sterility" to the backing instrumental tracks. Brian's vocal's were top-notch as were the vocal arrangements but the backing's had a certain "Middle-of-the-Road" quality to them. The Wilson-Thomas partnership broke up in a haze of bad vibrations, acrimony and litigation. The roots of this album are the demos that Wilson and Thomas wrote for the never-recorded followup. It seems that all but one track, the Mike Love penned "Daybreak Over The Ocean" stem from those demos. One reviewer, in assessing the new album said it was as if Brian released a new solo album and invited the other Beach Boys to contribute vocals. Not such a bad thing if you ask me.

With the exception of a couple of lyrical efforts by Mike Love to pretend that "Smile" and the last 45 years had never happened, "Spring Vacation" and "Beaches In Mind," (easily skippable in  the cd format by judicious use of the "ff" button) the album has an almost "autumnal" perspective. It seems that, at one point, Brian was working on a project that would be his swan song to recording and some of the lyrics were written from the perspective of a writer who realizes that his life's days were dwindling down to a precious few.

The album starts off with the gorgeous "Think About The Days" whose wordless vocal, and minimal instrumentation (piano and....is that a French Horn I hear?) add up to one of their most melancholy, yet beautiful pieces ever.

This intro is followed by the single, which is the title track and the bouncy "Isn't It Time" which features a vocal by Al Jardine who sounds like he hasn't aged a moment since he waxed "Cotton Fields" in 1968.

The tunes getting the most attention  are probably the "mini-suite" which closes the album. "From There To Back Again" "Pacific Coast Highway" and "Summer's Gone" flow from one to another, like the "Large Medley" on Abbey Road.  "Summer's Gone has a Wilson/Thomas/Jon Bon Jovi (?!?) writing credit!

"Summer's gone/it's finally sinking in
One day begins
Another ends
I live them all and back again."

Sadly beautiful.

Could it have been better? Brian is in strong voice with his battered vocal instrument fitting the lyrical perspective of these tunes. Al Jardine sounds like a much younger man. His "solo/Beach Boys" tune "Don't Fight The Sea," featuring as it does a vocal by beloved Wilson brother Carl, would have fit nicely on this album (maybe in place of one of the Love penned tunes?). More Al would have been nice. Honorable mention to Jeff Foskett who picks up the Carl's mantle with his wonderful voice taking the parts Carl would have sung. He also sings the falsetto parts the younger Brian would have nailed. It's time to make him a full fledged Beach Boy (if you wanna keep him on salary that's fine-give him the "title" of full fledged band member. He has earned it!.

If Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys go out on this note, it will be a fitting and appropriate way to call it a career.  At least, they would be ending it on a high note, with strong echoes of their greatest work. If they record again, I hope they meet the standard set by this album.

Highly recommended to those who already love the Beach Boys and are familiar with their body of great work!

CD Storegasm Memorial Day Weekend Edition!

As online services such as Spotify and Rhapsody become more popular, there has been more and more discussion of how the future music consumer will enjoy their favorite audio entertainment. At this time, the highest bit rate streams do not offer the sound quality achievable from a good stereo system playing so-called "hard" media, like vinyl, cds, DVD, SACDs, and Bluray. The possible audio quality achievable from for example, the Bluray of Adele's Royal Albert Hall show is unbelievable, and it's multichannel surround,too! There is just not enough bandwidth on most internet delivery systems and internet service providers to provide music in that audio quality...yet! But, that day is coming, my friends!

There has been talk of so called "all you can eat" music services where for a monthly fee, say $25.00 a month, you would be able to stream or download every note of every song ever made commercially available. If you subscribe to Bob Lefsetz's blog he covers these issues much more knowledgeably and in much more depth than I would ever be able to. The signs point to a future where you will have a monthly fee, like you do now for cable or satellite television, but in return you would have a stunningly deep and diverse world of entertainment to choose from. Whether a service like Spotify is part of this future or gets swept away like what we see happening to the major music labels remain to be seen.

I did go out yesterday and treat myself to some old media by hitting up Dearborn Music's 20 percent off sale (which runs through tomorrow). I find now, when I buy cds or albums that I stick with older titles and listen to newer titles mainly through Spotify and Sirius XM channels like the Loft.  This weekend I am listening quite a bit to the "Beach Boys Endless Summer Weekend" on Sirius XM which is playing a healthy dose of great Beach Boys hits, rarities, interviews as well as non-Beach Boys "summertime" music, centered on their 60's hits channel. The highlight is a Beach Boys concert recorded in April which was played in it's entirety on Friday night. I only got to hear the first half of the show but it was outstanding. It greatly increased my anticipation for the Beach Boy's appearance at DTE Energy on June 30.

Honorable mention to what I consider the area's best burger at Millers Bar, a couple miles down Michigan from Dearborn Music, consumed just before shopping. You can't shop on an empty stomach, as it would be impossible to give full attention to your musical needs if your stomach is distracting you. You can't hear the in-store music if your stomach is rumbling and grumbling.

But here's a rundown of what I picked up at the Dearborn Music sale:

I blogged about the Paul McCartney "Ram" reissue a couple of days ago. I have owned two vinyl copies of what might be my favorite McCartney album, and I think this is my fourth cd copy. All with different bonus tracks and extras, with the exception of the first bare bones Ram release back at the dawn of the cd era.

Next up is the CD/DVD package of Elvis Costello and the Imposters "The Return of the Spectaculor Spinning Songbook.' I have only had the privilege of seeing Elvis in Concert once (moving him into a tie with Elvis Presley who I also got to see once). The "Spinning Songbook" is a wheel of Elvis Costello songs  and covers placed prominently onstage. Elvis invites audience members up on stage to spin the wheel. Whatever random selection comes up, the band plays. I left behind in the EC bin at Dearborn the live Elvis album "Live at Hollywood High" which has an excellent track list also. Somehow that got under my radar. Maybe next time. I think Elvis is one of our finest living songwriters and performers and this deluxe package is a nice career overview. There is a single disc version if you are budget-minded. The tune I picked to highlight this package is his cover of the Rolling Stones "Out Of Time" which I find stunning. Great performance of a great song! DVD included in this package!

The Kinks reissued their first 6 albums in special Deluxe two cd sets with the original albums in mono and stereo versions, alternate takes, singles that did not make the album, unreleased backing tracks, demos...in fact just about every scrap of music the Kinks recorded over the course of their first 6 albums. If you are unfamiliar with this most British of bands, then these discs are probably not the place to start. I would recommend a comprehensive hits package or the 4 disc import "Picture Book" box set. These two cd sets are imports and they are pricey. However if you consider them, as I do, the second greatest English band, just behind the Fabs and at a level at, if not slightly above the Stones and Who, then this is a must buy. Dearborn Music had all 6 but I just needed the last to complete my collection. "Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire" gains more than a few votes for finest Kinks recording and is packed with moments that, in the hands of a lesser band, would be career highlights. "Victoria" is one of the mightiest of Kink's rockers and "Some Mother's Son" is a quite anthem of anti-war sentiment. Appropriate for Memorial Day Weekend. Essential. This is my fourth purchase of this particular cd, and I own it also on vinyl. a listen to the first 6 Kinks albums shows the same evolution from crudely-rocking band playing a lot of covers too musical sophisticates ala the Beach Boys and Beatles!

You probably never heard of the Durocs, who were not actually a band, but the studio brainchild of Scott Mathews and Ron Nagle. I was turned on to this album in the original vinyl which is still safe in it's original vinyl configuration in the Chadwick Listening Room. This one came out in High Fidelity/music store employment days and was recommended to me by my old boss, the great Warren Westfall at the wonderful Record Collector on the 9 Mile Drag in Ferndale. The new cd release has 8 bonus tracks and is touted as the "Twisted, Power Pop classic:" on the packaging. Probably the easiest entree to this album is the classic, slamming cover of Gene Pitney's "It Hurts To Be In Love" featured below!

You will be humming "stick in your head tunes" like "Saving It Up For Larry" and "Seeker (You Be Sucker) long after you put this one away. Highly recommended for Power Pop fans and those who like melodic rock and roll!

"Durocs" by the way, is a breed of pig!

I also picked up the two cd "Essential Laura Nyro" a collection by the mostly-forgotten songwriter/songstress who wrote some of the greatest tunes of the 60s and 70s. Her life was tragically cut short by Ovarian Cancer. She provided some great musical moments for artists like Blood, Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, the Fifth Dimension, Barbara Streisand and many more!

This is not a replacement for classic Nyro albums such as "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession" which was recorded in the Summer of Love and released in 1968 but it is a nice, career overview.

The tune here is "Stoned Soul Picnic" which you might recall as a hit for the Fifth Dimension and a tune included on "Eli" and on the "Essential" collection. "Can you surrey, can you picnic?"

Jerry Lee Lewis aka The Feriday Fireball aka the Killer has put out a couple of fine late releases and "Mean Old Man" is no exception. As is the pattern with "senior" artists like Ray Charles and Tony Bennett, this is a duets release, teaming Jerry Lee with a who's who of rock talent. He is in fine voice as he burns through a series or rock and country classics.

Here Jerry Lee covers the stones classic "Dead Flowers" in a duet with Mick Jagger!

The Killer, along with Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Fats Domino are the last of the 50's legends. Jerry's 77 and not moving very well anymore, and  his piano playing is not up to the standards he set when he was putting on the "Greatest Show on Earth" but he is still worth a watch and listen.

Speaking of legends, I finally picked up "Buddy Holly-Not Fade Away-The Complete Studio Recordings and More!" which is a six disc box set purporting to be every note Buddy ever recorded in his too-short life. Includes a book on the life of the great man, and is chock full of alternate takes and overdubbed versions of his tunes, mainly released after his death to soak up every available Buddy dollar possible. This set allegedly uses the masters whenever possible! This is supposed to be the last word on the man who hugely influence the Beatles by being, with the Crickets, the prototype Rock N Roll band. The Beatles name was inspired by the Crickets!

Obviously a set for those with deeper pockets and, of course, those OCD-type obsessives like myself who belong at some spot on some spectrum somewhere. There are many, many Holly collections that will give most people all the Holly they need. Not to mention the multi-album vinyl set that had stunningly good sound that was released back in the 90s. Since Paul McCartney owns the Holly catalog, this, along with my Ram purchase gives Sir Paul a much needed infusion of funds, perhaps tip money when dining in the Hamptons this summer. Recommended for those who have the original Buddy Holly and the Crickets albums but want to dig a little deeper!

I can't conclude today's entry without mentioning the disc I purchased for my son, Lucas, at his request. William Shatner's "The Transformed Man" is a psychedelic/psycho classic of over-emoting and spoken word readings of late 60's rock classics. I turned my kids on to the Shaggs and Shatner during a Friday night listening session and he could not get enough!

Here's a taste of Bill

Here's a sampling of the Shaggs if you dare! However, the simple hummable melodies will stick in your head for days (daze)!

Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day! I don't need my constant readers (Cousin Ken and Dave Guest) or any other folks calling me on Tuesday morning because they were over-served at some barbecue and decided to drive home!

Let's Take a Moment to Remember Those Who Served

As you dodge the raindrops, and blow on the hot coals to fire up the grill, let's take a moment to remember those who served so valiantly. I have become more "anti-war" as I have gotten older and think that the exercise of military power as an extension of national goals is an evil we should renounce. Maybe WWII and Korea where the last of the "Good Wars?" I do know that the US spends as much on it's military budget as the next 28 countries combined. And 27 of them are US allies. Insane.

Anyway, here are ten Memorial Day songs, courtesy of the Nation magazine with some cool, more obscure selections.

Ten Memorial Day Songs

Top of the list?

The Great Loretta Lynn with "Dear Uncle Sam."

Next up, Bill Withers "I Can't Write Left-Handed."

Paul McCartney's Deluxe "Ram" now available!

I got reintroduced to an old friend this week. Paul McCartney re-released his 1971 classic "Ram" in a deluxe box set edition with lotsa bonus tracks and extras. While most Macca mavens consider "Band on the Run" to be his greatest album (arguably so-and it got the deluxe treatment a year or so ago) I have a soft spot for Paul's sophomore release. His first "McCartney" was disappointing to me upon it's release. As a 12 year old, I did not appreciate it's DIY charms, knowing only that it was "Not Abbey Road!" Nor was it even "Let It Be." It has through the years grown to be a favorite. "Ram" was more like "Abbey Road" with melodies, arrangements and orchestration that would not have been out of place on that classic. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" was the hit single. I am not aware that Paul has ever put it in his live set list. "Ram" material rarely seems to make the cut. A few year's back Paul did perform "Too Many People" at the Palace but that's about it. Other highlights on this fine release, aside from the two tunes already mentioned are "Ram On" which would fit in nicely on the so-called "White Album." "The Back Seat of My Car" is also a favorite with an ambitious horn and string arrangement.

Here is "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" which reminds me a bit of "Yellow Submarine." A big favorite with my kids.

Strong album opener "Too Many People" which John Lennon interpreted as a dig at he and Yoko ("You took your lucky break and broke it in two"-nice line if it was!).

"The Back Seat of My Car" is the album's "Abbey Road-ish" closer!

You get a disc worth of bonus tracks such as the very fine "Oh Woman Oh Why" and the number one single "Another Day" which was on an earlier version of "Ram+bonus tracks." It does seem to have a natural place on this album. The other bonus tracks are less necessary but still a fun listen.

Highly recommended. I have put the above four tracks on the Chadwick's Listening Room playlist on Spotify but the whole thing is available on that fine pay-on-demand service (credited to "Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney). Clearly, this is gonna require the purchase of a hard copy. Available in finer record stores, and probably in a few "not so fine" ones!

Mojo Magazine's 50 Greatest Beach Boy Songs

The great rock magazine, Mojo, outa the UK just hit the newstands with their Beach Boys issue, in celebration of the Beach Boy's current world tour and imminent album release. They countdown the top 50 Beach Boys songs which I have reduced to a Spotify playlist. You also get a cool tribute cd called "Pet Sounds Revisited" with bands like the Flaming Lips covering every song on that classic 66 release.

I have posted the entire 50 song playlist on Spotify!

Mojo's 50 Greatest Beach Boys Songs


Here is the list below:


Mojo - The Beach Boys 50 Greatest Tracks - June 2012

A Mojo Contributors Favourite Beach Boy Tracks, To Be Followed Soon By A Readers Edition.

Format #. Title - Where To Find It

1. Surf's Up - Surf's Up/Smile (2011)/Brian Wilson Presents Smile
2. Good Vibrations - Smiley Smile
3. God Only Knows - Pet Sounds
4. California Girls - Summer Days (And Summer Nights)
5. 'Till I Die - Surf's Up
6. Caroline No - Pet Sounds
7. Heroes And Villains - Smiley Smile/Smile (2011)
8. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) - Pet Sounds
9. Wouldn't It Be Nice - Pet Sounds
10. I Get Around - Little Duce Coupe
11. Cabinessence - 20/20/Smile (2011)/Brian Wilson Presents Smile
12. Feel Flows - Surf's Up
13. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times - Pet Sounds
14. You Still Believe In Me - Pet Sounds
15. Don't Worry Baby - Shut Down Volume 1
16. Sail On Sailor - Holland
17. Let's Go Away For A While - Pet Sounds
18. Surfer Girl - Surfer Girl
19. In My Room - Surfer Girl
20. I Know There's An Answer - Pet Sounds
21. Do You Like Worms - Smile (2011)
22. Our Prayer - 20/20
23. I'm Waiting For The Day - Pet Sounds
24. Pet Sounds (Instrumental) - Pet Sounds
25. Fun, Fun, Fun - Shut Down Vol 1.
26. The Warmth Of The Sun - Shut Down Volume 2
27. Surfin' USA - SummerDays (And Summer Nights)
28. Disney Girls - Surf's Up
29. Darlin' - Wild Honey
30. Here Today - Pet Sounds
31. I Can Hear Music - 20/20
32. You're So Good To Me - Summer Days (And Summer Nights)
33. Break Away - 20/20
34. Barbara Ann - Party!
35. All Summer Long -  Little Deuce Coup
36. Tears In The Morning - Sunflower
37. Sloop John B - Pet Sounds
38. Cool, Cool Water - Sunflower
39. When I Grow Up To Be A Man -
40. Cuddle Up - Carl And The Passions/So Tough
41. Long Promised Road - Surf's Up
42. Let Himk Run Wild - Summer Days (And Summer Nights)
43. Little Deuce Coup -  Little Deuce Coup
44. That's Not Me - Pet Sounds
45. Wild Honey - Wild Honey
46. Do It Again - 20/20
47. Vega-Tables - Smiley Smile/Smile (2011)
48. Help Me, Rhonda - Today
49. Wind Chimes - Smiley Smile
50. Forever - Sunflower

Robin Gibbs Succumbs to Cancer

I thought that Robin might rally from his imminent demise a month or so ago. And it looks like he did recover enough to communicate with friends and family. Hopefully he died at peace with himself and surrounded by love. He will be missed. All the Brothers Gibbs are gone now, except for eldest brother Barry!

Here is Robin in prime voice!

Donna Summer passes away! So does Doug Dillard!

Does anybody remember the whole D.R.E.A.D. nonsense started by WRIF in the 80's? D.R.E.A.D.stood for Detroit Rockers Engaged in the Abolition of Disco. I love how the word "abolition" with it's connotations of the historical struggle against slavery got co-opted into being used in an "anti-black, homophobic" campaign against a genre of music. I guess it was a misguided attempt by white males to fight a rearguard action against the ceaseless march of pop culture. Like the mighty Mississippi, popular culture cuts its own channel and really, can't be stopped. As Alan Freed once said "You can't stop Rock'n'Roll." Parents and the "White Citizen's Councils" in the south couldn't stop rock'n'roll and insecure white males couldn't stop disco, punk, hip-hop, new wave...you name the late 20th Century musical movement. After a few years of this stupidity, WRIF gave up the campaign, hopefully out of embarrassment and shame and the D.R.E.A.D.card transmogrified into the "WRIF" gold card.

I started off with this history as an attempt to place Donna Summer in some sort of context for someone like me who grew up a white, suburban "rock'n'roll" kid. I was never "anti-disco" and in fact loved, and purchased a lot of the great genre classics. My entry point was probably the Bee Gees because I had loved their 'Beatlish" ballad sound and I loved their new sound, tunes like "Jive Talking" and "Nights On Broadway!" I loved a great disco single like "Rock The Boat" by the Hues Corporation. And I loved Donna Summer. Oh, I found her first hit "Love To Love You Baby" to be somewhat annoying with it's phony orgasmic moaning and lackluster backing track. Had her career ended there Donna would have been a novelty one-hit wonder, mostly forgotten.

But Donna Summer had a lot more to offer, and she would be a dominant chart force for years to come, surviving the demise of disco (though it never really went away, it was just renamed "Dance" music). I want to focus on 3 prime examples of Donna's art. All were contained on one, two disc "vinyl" album "On The Radio" Parts 1 and 2, which I still own.


First the smash single "Hot Stuff" which is her biggest hit, and likely,  most popular song. It was a huge, across the board #1 and sits at number 104 on the Rolling Stone list of greatest songs of all-time. I have posted it here but I hardly have to as you can probably conjure it up in your mind.  Donna won two Grammys with this song, including becoming the first black woman to win best Female Rock vocal. The cool, vaguely "Arabic" guitar solo is by ex-Doobie Brother/ex-Steely Dan guitarmeister Jeff "Skunk" Baxter!

Donna's next album was  Bad Girls which contained the hit title track and the number 2 charting "Dim All The Lights." The record win  the Grammy in 1980 for Best Disco Recording (a category which did not long survive the end of Disco). "Dim All The Lights" had a softer, more-ballad oriented feel while still being danceable.  It really did capture the feel of dancing at evening's end with your "special one" at the local Disco. Possibly my favorite Donna Summer tune.

The final tune in this Donna Summer 3-pack tribute is "I Feel Love" which is throbbing and intense featuring Donna's vocal soaring above an "electronica" backing by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellote. This tune was from Donna's 1977 I Remember Yesterday release. It hit number 6 on the Billboard charts but went to number 1 in the UK. More importantly, the record's use of an all-computer generated backing track pointed the way to the Electronic Music Movement that remains in full swing and appears to be growing more popular by the day. Rolling Stone marks it as the 418th greatest song of all time but it may deserve a higher ranking, just based on influence alone. It is also one of Donna's most covered tunes.

Donna passed away last week at the age of 63, remaining an active recording and touring artist until she became ill from lung cancer. Like the "anti-hero" in TV's "Breaking Bad" Donna is one of those rare cases of lung cancer being developed by a non-smoker. Her death was given maybe half the publicity of Whitney Houston's which is sad because Donna was apparently blameless in her demise.



I wanna take a moment to remember Doug Dillard the great Bluegrass musician and member of the family Bluegrass band "The Dillards." You might recall the Dillards appearing on the Andy Griffith Show as the backwoods, bluegrass playing "Darling" family. In that role they probably introduced more American's to bluegrass then any other single musician or group. Hugely influential, if not as prolific as their peers, they became the first bluegrass band to "electrify." They were huge influences on the Eagles, especially Bernie Leadon and the Byrds. They even played with Elton John on his first American Tour.

Doug Dillard formed "Dillard and Clark" with ex-Byrd Gene Clark in 1968 and did two hugely influential albums. "The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark" and "Through The Morning, Through The Night." You might remember this Dillard and Clark tune being redone by the Eagles.

Bernie Leadon was in Dillard & Clark, mainly on the first album and took this tune with him to the Eagles. Both Dillard & Clark albums are worthwhile and can be found packaged together on one disc, with bonus tracks and great liner notes.

Doug Dillard died last Tuesday at the age of 75. His death, the day before Donna Summer's, received little notice.

RIP Doug and Donna.

Song of the Day-Magic Hollow (which inspires an epic rant)

Life is not fair, as anybody who grows up a Lion's fan, or supported Al Gore in 2000 or....hell....any number of examples you can throw out there. It goes double if you are a fan of a great band who puts out tremendous music over a period of years only to see that music unjustly ignored. Sometimes a great band soldiers on, recording album after album to generally diminishing returns, while it's fan base gets smaller, older (dies off). The music satisfies the fan's but it's preaching to the choir. And, honestly, it probably is not quite as good as the music that coulda SHOULDA broken them to mass appeal (I'm looking at you NRBQ! You too Poco!).

The great NRBQ. This shoulda been on everybody's radio in the 70's. "Riding In My Car!"

Poco put a lot into the "A Good Feelin' To Know" album. When it flopped, it lead to the eventual departure of their leader Richie Furay. Another "shoulda been" hit.

Sometimes the band cruelly withers and dies way before it's prime, with great albums under their belt, zero sales and a career in insurance sales in their future when they could be putting out great albums. Their are so many of these that one can barely count them. The Zombies did an album, Odessey and Oracle, that was compared to Pet Sounds before they broke up and went on to new bands (Argent), leaving the smash hit "Time of the Season" in their wake.  It was a worldwide hit a year after they broke up. Bad Timing.

Sometimes the hits are at the start of their career, done so effortlessly that it sounds like they could do it forever like the Beau Brummells whose "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just A Little" are heard on oldies stations to this day. They went on to be present at the birth of country-rock with two classics of the genre, Triangle and Bradley's Barn, only to see the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brother's get all the credit. And the Eagles get all the money!

And our song of the Day from the Triangle album, "Magic Hollow."

Moby Grape put out a tremendously great first album. Featuring Five songwriters and five singers they had oodles of potential. The record company released just about every song on their debut as a single. None of them were hits.  They imploded in a few years in a haze of record company hype. Most of the band were out of the business in a few years, while one, Skip Spence, went really crazy. "Syd Barrett"-crazy!

It's called "Omaha" but a lot of folks think it's called "Listen My Friends!"

Love was led by the late Arthur Brown, a mercurial genius who spent years in prison on crazy, weapons violations. When released, he reformed the band, (of course, without any other original members) and did some great shows, including one at the Royal Oak Music Theater where they opened for the Zombies. Arthur was an African-American leading an all-white band, and he just generally could not hold his LSD. They produced some hit singles, and the classic Forever Changes lp. Even recorded with Jimi Hendrix. By the mid-70's they were a memory.

My favorite "Love" song, "Alone Again Or!"

Studio geniuses like Emitt Rhodes of the Merry Go Round and Micheal Brown who headed up the Left Banke, the Beckies and the Stories were not allowed to have long productive careers like a Paul McCartney but instead disappeared for decades, amid hushed rumors of JD Salinger-like-one-man-band recording.

"You're A Very Lovely Woman" by Emmitt Rhodes and the Merry-Go-Round.

Michael Brown had some big ones. First with the Left Banke.

Then this huge mid 70's smash with The Stories!

This started out as an appreciation of a fine, overlooked later Beau Brummells tune, which morphed into an angry, sad rant about the vagaries of the music business and public taste. Sorry. But enjoy the tunes. They are all great!

I have tossed these songs up on the Spotify. Go to "Chadwick's Listening Room" and sink into the musical excellence!

Donald "Duck" Dunn dead at 70!

Donald "Duck" Dunn passed away yesterday at the age of 70, while on tour with his erstwhile partner Steve Cropper. He died in his sleep, apparently peacefully. With Cropper on guita+r, he formed the soul group Booker T. and the MG's with the late Al Jackson on drums. Booker T. of course was on Hammond B-3 organ. Cropper and Dunn were white and Jackson and Booker T. were black so they were just about the first integrated soul band. I have taken the liberty of going over to Dunn's website and copying and pasting his discography to give you some flavor of the career this great Bass Player had. I had the privilege of seeing him play live twice, backing up the Blues Brothers in the 80's at Pine Knob and backing up Neil Young, also at Pine Knob in the 90's. Both shows were tremendous. Both were as different as could be in terms of what type of music Donald was called upon to play. Yet he handled both types of music effortlessly. I have posted a couple of classics to remember "Duck" Dunn by. Turn up the bass!

Backing up Otis Redding on "(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay."

"Time Is Tight" with the aforementioned MG's live with some shots of Duck Dunn.


Check out the depth and breadth of this discography. Dunn played with everyone!


Otis Redding (Pain in my heart, 1964)
Wilson Pickett (In the midnight hour, 1965)
Booker T & The MGs (Sould Dressing, 1965)
Otis Redding (Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, 1965)
Mar-Keys (Great Memphis Sound, 1966)
Booker T & The MGs (In the Christmas Spirit, 1966)
Otis Redding (Otis blue, 1966)
Wilson Pickett (Exciting Wilson Pickett, 1966)
Otis Redding (Soul Album, 1966)
Booker T & The MGs (And Now... Booker T & The MGs, 1966)
Guitar Showdown at the Dusk 'Til Dawn Blues Festival, 1966)
Eddie Floyd (Knock on wood, 1967)
Albert King (Born under a bad sign, 1967)
Otis Redding (Live in Europe, 1967)
The Mar-Keys/Booker T & The MGs (Back to Back, 1967)
Otis Redding & Carla Thomas (King & Queen, 1967)
Various Artists (Monterrey International Pop Festival, 1967)
Booker T & The MGs (Hip Hug-Her, 1967)
William Bell (Soul of a Bell, 1967)
Albert King (Blues for Elvis, 1968)
Otis Redding (Dock of the Bay, 1968)
Otis Redding (Immortal Otis Redding, 1968)
Various Artists (Soul Christmas, 1968)
Isaac Hayes (Presenting Isaac Hayes, 1968)
Booker T & The MGs (Uptight, 1968)
Booker T & The MGs (Best of Booker T & The MGs, 1968)
Booker T & The MGs (Doin' Our Thing, 1968)
Booker T & The MGs (Soul Limbo, 1968)
The Staples Singers (Soul Folk in Action, 1968)
Johnnie Taylor (Who's Making Love, 1968)
Booker T & The MGs (The Booker T. Set, 1969)
Albert King (King of the Blues Guitar, 1969)
Delaney & Bonnie (Home, 1969)
Mitch Ryder (The Detroit Memphis Experiment, 1969)
Muddy Waters (Fathers and sons, 1969)
Eddie Floyd (Rare Stamps, 1969)
Mavis Staples (Mavis Staples, 1969)
Otis Redding (Love Man, 1969)
Booker T & The MGs (Mclemore Avenue, 1970)
Otis Redding (Tell the Truth, 1970)
Booker T & The MGs (Melting Pot, 1971)
David Porter (Victim of the Joke?: An Opera, 1971)
Rita Coolidge (Rita Coolidge, 1971)
Ronnie Hawkins (The Hawk, 1971)
Albert King (Lovejoy, 1971)
Freddie King (Getting Ready, 1971)
Herbie Mann (Push Push, 1971)
Don Nix (Living by the Days, 1971)
Bill Withers (Just as I Am, 1971)
Jesse Ed Davis (Ululu, 1972)
Rance Allen (Straight From the Heart, 1972)
Freddie King (Texas Cannonball, 1972)
Doug Clifford (Cosmo, 1972)
Mel & Tim (Starting All Over Again, 1972)
Elvis Presley (Raised On Rock/For Ol' Times Sake, 1973)
MGs (The MGs, 1973)
Duane Allman (Anthology vol. 2, 1974)
Eddie Floyd (Soul Street, 1974)
Shirley Brown (Woman to Woman, 1974)
Muddy Waters (Muddy & The Wolf, 1974)
William Bell (William Bell, 1974)
John Prine (Common Sense, 1975)
Rance Allen (Soulful Experience, 1975)
Leon Russell (Will o' The Wisp, 1975)
Rod Stewart (Atlantic crossing, 1975)
Joan Baez (Gulf winds, 1976)
Carol Grimes (Carol Grimes, 1976)
Richie Havens (End of the Beginning, 1976)
Chris Hillman (Slippin' Away, 1976)
John Prine (Prime Prine, 1976)
Rod Stewart (A Night on the Town, 1976)
Leon Russell (Best Of Leon Russell, 1976)
Manhatten Transfer (Pastiche, 1976)
Mickey Thomas (As Long As You Love Me, 1976)
Sam & Dave (Back at 'Cha!, 1976)
Ritchie Havens (End of the Beginning, 1976)
Keith Christmas (Stories from the Human Zoo, 1976)
Joan Baez (Blowing away, 1977)
Shirley Brown (Shirley Brown, 1977)
Roy Buchanan (Loading zone, 1977)
Mickey Thomas (As long as you love me, 1977)
Levon Helm (Levon Helm & The RCO All Stars, 1977)
Albert King (The pinch, 1977)
Diana Ross (Baby it's me, 1977)
Manhattan Transfer (Pastiche, 1978)
Blues Brothers (Briefcase Full of Blues, 1978)
The Emotions (Sunshine, 1978)
Bruce Roberts (Bruce Roberts, 1978)
Billy Swan (Your OK, I'm OK, 1978)
Peter Frampton (Where I should be, 1979)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Damn The Torpedos, 1979)
Leo Sayer (Here, 1979)
Steve Cropper (Playing my Thang, 1980)
Blues Brothers (Made In America, 1980)
Bob Dylan (Shot of love, 1981)
The Staple Singers (This Time Around, 1981)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Hard promises, 1981)
Stevie Nicks (Bella Donna, 1981)
Eric Clapton (Money and Cigarettes, 1983)
Eric Clapton (Behind the sun, 1985)
Wilson Pickett (Wilson Pickett's Greatist Hits, 1985)
Albert King (Best of Albert King Vol 1, 1986)
Booker T & The MGs (Best of Booker T & The MGs, 1986)
Various Artists (Atlantic Blues, 1986)
Jimmy Buffett (Hot Water, 1988)
Eric Clapton (Crossroads, 1988)
Soundtrack (The Great Outdoors, 1988)
Soundtrack (Roadhouse, 1989)
Legends Of Guitar (Electric Blues Vol.1, 1990)
Willie Dixon (The Chess Box, 1990)
Muddy Waters (Chess Box, 1990)
Stevie Nicks (Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks, 1991)
Johnnie Taylor (Who's Making Love, 1991)
Various Artists (Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974, 1991)
Albert King (The Best of Albert King, Vol 1, 1991)
Booker T & The MGs (Hip Hug-Her, 1992)
Wilson Pickett (A Man and a Half: The Best of Wilson Pickett, 1992)
Booker T & The MGs (And Now... Booker T & The MGs, 1992)
Booker T & The MGs (Doin' Our Thing, 1992)
Blues Brothers (Definitive Collection, 1992)
Roy Buchanan (Sweet Dreams: The Anthology, 1992)
William Bell (Little Something Extra, 1992)
Rufus Thomas (Can't Get Away From This Dog, 1992)
Various Artists (Blues Masters Vol 1: Urban Blues, 1992)
Various Artists (Stax/Volt Review, Vol 3: Live In Europe - Hit The Road Stax, 1992)
Blues Masters Sampler (1993)
Otis Redding (Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding, 1993)
Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert, 1993)
Various Artists (The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles Vol 2: 1968-1971, 1993)
John Prine (Great Days: The John Prine Anthology, 1993)
Albert King (The Ultimate Collection, 1993)
Wilson Pickett (In the Midnight Hour, 1993)
Roy Buchanan (Guitar on Fire, 1993)
Jerry Lee Lewis (All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology, 1993)
Otis Redding (Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1993)
Ruby Johnson (I'll Run Your Heart Away, 1993)
Freddy King (Hide Away: The Best of Freddy King)
Booker T & The MGs (The Very Best of Booker T & The MGs, 1994)
Booker T & The MGs (That's the Way It Should Be, 1994)
The Original Soul Christmas (1994)
Various Artists (Texas Music, Vol 1: Postwar Blues Combos, 1994)
Manhatten Transfer (Pastiche, 1994)
Carla Thomas (Gee Whiz: The Best Of Carla Thomas, 1994)
Bill Withers (The Best Of Bill Withers, 1994)
Sam & Dave (The Very Best Of Same & Dave, 1995)
Various Artists (Blues Masters Vol 1-5, 1995)
Various Artists (Jingle Bell Jam: Jazz Christmas Classics, 1995)
Various Artists (Original Sould Christmas, 1995)
David Porter (Victim of the Joke?, 1995)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Playback, 1995)
Muddy Waters (Goodbye Newport Blues, 1995)
Tony Joe White (Lake Placid Blues, 1995)
The Soul Children (Soul Children/Best Of Two Worlds, 1995)
Levon Helm (Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars, 1996)
Albert King (The Blues Don't Change, 1996)
Rance Allen (Soulful Experience, 1996)
Freddie King (Getting Ready, 1996)
Taveres (Best of Taveres, 1996)
Various Artists (Mean Old World: The Blues from 1940 to 1994, 1996)
Carla Thomas (Love Means Carla Thomas/Memphis Queen, 1997)
Rance Allen (Let the Music Get Down in Your Soul, 1997)
John Fogerty (Blue Moon Swamp, 1997)
Yvonne Elliman (Best Of Yvonne Elliman, 1997)
Ray Charles (Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection, 1997)
The Blues Brothers (Blues Brothers & Friends: Live from House of Blues, 1997)
Tinsley Ellis (Fire it up, 1997)
Boz Scaggs (My Time: The Anthology 1969-1997, 1997)
Leon Russell (Retrospective, 1997)
William Bell (Bound to Happen, 1997)
Otis Redding (Dreams to Remember: The Otis Redding Anthology, 1998)
Stevie Nicks (Enchanted: The Works of Stevie Nicks, 1998)
Booker T & The MGs (Time Is Tight, 1998)
Soundtrack (Vampires, 1998)
Albert King (The Very Best of Albert King, 1999)
Eric Clapton (Clapton Chronicles: Best of 1981-1999, 1999)
Crosby Stills Nash & Young (Looking Forward, 1999)
The Soul Children (Genesis/Friction, 1999)
The Blues Brothers (The Blues Brothers Complete, 2000)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Anthology: Through the Years, 2000)
Don Covay (Mercy, Mercy/Seesaw, 2000)
Eric Clapton (Money & Cigarettes, 2000)
Jerry Lee Lewis (Mercury Smashes... and Rockin' Sessions, 2000)
Eric Clapton (Best Of Eric Clapton [Import Bonus Tracks], 2000)
Neil Young (Road Rock Vol 1: Friends & Relatives, 2000)
Johnnie Taylor (Lifetime, 2000)
Bill Withers (Lean on Me: The Best of Bill Withers, 2000)
Eric Clapton (Unplugged/Clapton Chronicles, 2001)
Freddie King (Ultimate Collection, 2001)
Freddie King (Texas Cannonball, 2002)
Mavis Staples (Only for the Lonely, 2002)
Albert King (Born Under a Bad Sign, 2002)
Neil Young (Are You Passionate?, 2002)
William Bell (Soul of a Bell, 2002)
Leo Sayer (Here, 2003)
Joan Baez (Complete A&M Recordings, 2003)
Booker T & The MGs (Soul Men, 2003)
Sountrack (Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey, 2003)
Jerry Lee Lewis (Southern Roots: Boogie Woogie Country Man, 2004)
Various Artists (Soul Comes Home: Celebration of Stax Records, 2004)
John Fogerty (Blue Moon Swamp, 2004)
Richie Havens (Dreaming As One: The A&M Years, 2004)

Happy 17th Anniversary! Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately?"

Happy 17th Anniversary to my Kelly, more beautiful then the day we me got married!

Van Morrison asking the musical question "Have I Told You Lately?"

Mother's Day Song of the Day-I'll Always Love My Momma

A little blast of classic 70's Gamble-Huff Philly soul for all the mothers, mom's, momma's and mommies out there! Grandmothers, great-great mothers and great-great grandmother's too. Special shout out to my mother Freda Chadwick, still going strong at....let's say a little past retirement age. Another shout out to mom-in-law Patricia Ollila enjoying her Mother's Day down in West Palm Beach! And finally to my beautiful wife and mother of my children, Kelly Chadwick who is also celebrating our 17th Wedding Anniversary. Love ya honey!

The Intruder's with "I'll Alway's Love My Momma." 

To all the Mom's!

Song of the Day-Unless It's Kicks

Okkervill River is a band out of Austin, Texas that has been around since 1998. Led by frontman, singer and main songwriter Will Sheff, the band walks the line between Alt Country and Indie Rock. They have opened for acts such as The National, Lou Reed (?), the New Pornographers and The Decemberists. They have not yet achieved the fame or sales of the acts mentioned but they have generated quite a lot of buzz in the music community. Their music is regularly played on the Sirius "The Loft" channel.

This tune seriously rocks and, while the title may not be "grammatical" you can't go wrong writing songs about, in the words of the aforementioned Mr. Reed, being "saved by rock and roll!" This song is written by Sheff and the band kicks along nicely building to a climax by song's end that shows a nice use of dynamics. The tune is from their fourth album 2007's "The Stage Names."

If you are a Spotify listener, you can find my playlist under "Chadwick's Listening Room" and give it a spin also. Several outstanding live versions are also available on the You Tubes! I have put one up for you to check out!

Song of the Day-Let's Go

Paul Collin's is the man! The leader of some of Power Pop's shining lights such as "The Beat" aka "The Paul Collin's Beat" and purveyor of cool, power pop with a 60's feel. Paul was also drummer in the "The Nerves" with Jack Lee and Peter Case. You may recall that it was the Nerves who did the memorabable "Hanging On The Telephone" later covered by Blondie.

Great upbeat tune for a Friday which has me, currently, jumping around my office!

Here are the Nerves with "Hanging On The Telephone!"

Song of the Day-Ceiling Fan In My Spoon

"Ceiling Fan In My Spoon" is the penultimate track from probably the best known and best selling and probably just best album by Evan Dando and the Lemonheads. "It's A Shame About Ray" is the album that was released twice as the original pressings did not contain their extremely popular version of the Paul Simon nugget "Mrs. Robinson." The Lemonheads were so popular at the time of this album's release that Dando was named to People' Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People list.

The track was a little high-energy punk blast that showed more than a little Ramone's influence. Dando admitted later on that he wrote the song while high, presumably while staring at a reflection of a ceiling fan in a spoon on his table. It was unclear whether the spoon contained sugar, Cream of Wheat or some other substance.

Live Adele CD/DVD at the Royal Albert Hall

Adele released this combo pack CD/DVD and CD/Blu-Ray last November (just in time for Christmas). Recorded on September 22, 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It is ubiquitous, sold just about any where music is sold. That means you can get it at your local indie store, or pick it up at your Targets and Walmarts (which under no circumstances should you do-buy music at Walmarts and Target that is!). It went on to become the number one best selling music DVD of last year, making Adele the first artist to have the best selling music DVD, best selling "single" and best selling album. You probably already own it, got it for Christmas or bought it as a Christmas gift. If you love "19" and "21" you will love this. I would not give it my highest review, maybe give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars, for a couple of reasons. Number one is that Adele,  green as a performer, is not a visually exciting performer. In fact she does much of the show sitting down. On the other hand, this doesn't distract from the final vocal performance. Number two, she doesn't vary the presentation of the tunes much from the original albums. You are getting the closest thing to a "greatest hits" live, which is odd to say about a person who has only released two proper albums. Number three is the fact that she drops the "F-bomb" a lot. In fact, I daresay that she uses the word about as many times as Ozzy Osborne does in his live DVD. That is to say that some of her language would make a sailor bluch. What is it about Cockney accents that you can only understand about half of what they say but the F-word comes through loud and clear. Me, I don't have a problem with it. But if you have a tweenage daughter like mine who LOOOOVEEEES Adele and wants to play it loud in her room with her other tween friends, well, you can see the problem.

On the plus side, her voice is a force of nature. She doesn't need much in the way of theatrics to sell these tunes. Really, she doesn't need them at all. The band, actually a small orchestra,  is crack (not on "crack") and conducts itself like it is a pleasure to back up a young lady with so much talent. Adele herself has an extremely charming stage presence. Another plus is the two tunes included that were not on her two albums. Her cover of "Bonnie Raitts' "I Can't Make You Love Me" and her cover of the Steeldrivers "If It Hadn't Been For Love." The Raitt cover, in my opinion, nearly equals Bonnie's, something I would not have thought possible until I heard Adele.

And here is the Swervedrivers cover. I was not familiar with this tune before Adele covered it.

Finally, I met my wife, Kelly 22 years ago, Tuesday, and got her this package as a anniversary gift. It is kind of anniversary month as our wedding anniversary is in two weeks. Even paid a little extra for the Blu Ray. The Blu-Ray itself looks great on our Samsung and is rendered in crisp, clean 5.1 audio which captures every live detail.

This is my wife's favorite song which I want to send out to her during our anniversary month.  Like most guys, I am lucky to have her and fortunate she puts up with my nonsense. This is "One and Only."