~Z.T.~ New Orleans Jazz Fest is creeping up on us. Just three months from now we’ll be in NOLA checking out Aretha, TBA, Ben Harper, Kings of Leon, Common, Buddy Guy, … wait. Who is this TBA that they’re giving second billing.
Andy and I have been kind of in awe of that spot as soon as the line-up came out. Nothing is certain yet, but we have an inside source who says that the TBA is none other than Neil Young. The only artist I’d even want there more than Neil is Paul. Please be true.
~Z.T.~ When I think about this night, It’ll be hard to focus on the music. The music was brilliant, but I have “so much things to say” about everything else. I’ll think of the community we formed in the third row as we united around making fun of the horrible smell coming from the white guy with dreads. The drunk European guy making chopping motions with his hands before the show who, even though he looked insane, got other drunk people to do it with him. I’ll focus on Andy leaving his blackberry in the cab after the show and me sprinting four blocks in the ice to track it down. I’ll focus on waking up the next morning at … OK time to focus on the album.
Elan has got “So much things to say right now, so much things to say.” Mostly he talked about how the crowd should give $2 to feed children around the world and get a bracelet like he had.
I put Exodus on right before Andy came to pick me up at Jordy’s. I got about halfway through the album before he walked in and immediately told me to stop desecrating the 24-hour rule. Thankfully, Exodus is a rare back-loaded album like Magical Mystery Tour, where the best tracks are on side two. Exodus‘ b-side kicks off with the essential Bob track “Jammin,” moves on to the pleading of “Waiting in Vain,” the sultry “Turn Your Lights Down Low” and closing with “One Love.” Let’s get together and feel alright, indeed.
Aston Barrett is the original bassist of The Wailers. He wrote the bass line for pretty much every popular Marley song. He goes by “Family Man” because he has…wait for it… 52 children.
The Wailers started without Elan for an extended jam before getting into opening track “Natural Mystic.” The show was constantly building momentum and kicked into gear once we hit the second song, “So Much Things to Say,” an instant feel-good track. Elan was hopping and dancing around the stage as the 11-piece band built towards the monster side b.
“Jamming” had the crowd, well, jamming, “Turn Your Lights Down Low” was pure sex. You may know the next song, “Three Little Birds,” as the “Every little thing is gonna be alright” song, which feeds right into “One Love.” I’ve listened to the album four times on repeat as I’m writing it and the Wailers not only did this album justice, they pumped new life and energy into it. This was the third Wailers show we’ve seen in the last year and without question the best. Check these guys out whenever possible.
Stay irie, my friends
~Z.T.~ In 1998, TIME magazine named Exodus the best music album of the 20th century. It’s not that big an accomplishment. The 20th century was pretty weak as far as albums go.* The Wailers are performing Bob Marley’s legendary 1977 album, Exodus, at the House of Blues in Chicago Friday night.
You probably know “Jamming,” “Waiting in Vain” and “One Love/People Get Ready” as the big hits off this masterpiece. Get ready to hear them all.
The white guy is Elan and Aston “Family Man” Barrett is the bottom right.
I wish bands did this far more often. Hearing an entire album played live is the best way to listen to music that I know of. If only Bob was around to do it himself tomorrow. Luckily, we’re in good hands with Elan. We saw Elan and The Wailers a few times last summer and they do Bob proud. Elan is soulful, has the voice nailed down and is much more than the token white guy. He’s even got Bob’s spin dance move down. We’ll be there. Stay Irie, my friends.
*Joke specifically for Hodge.
-A.S. I’m looking forward to tonight’s Idol, because Louisville has a special place in my heart. I tried to go to the Kentucky Derby instead of my own college graduation. I’ve had some great times at Churchill Downs, and even caught an Umphrey’s McGee show down there.
7:01 How much time a day do you think Ryan Seacrest spends on his intro puns?
7:05 I was confused as to why they would even televise Tiffany’s audtion, until they showed her singing horrendously with her mom doing the Ravinia dance next to her.
7:07 How do they let somebody audition that Kara recognizes as somebody that was signed to a label. Sorry Joanna Pacitti, but I call shenanigans. She’s good though, and all the judges looked impressed while she was singing. Cue the waterworks…
7:10 Did anybody else see the Coca Cola “Coke Out” commercial and think it was an anti drug commercial at first?
7:16 I think Mark Mudd (above) got lost on the way to the country version of American Idol that Billy Ray Cyrus hosts.
7:24 Congratulations Patrick Warner. That Jacko dance will make you a YouTube hit.
7:25 Matt Giraud has got a great voice. I’ll pull for the dueling piano player, he’s so much better than the guys from Sports.
7:36 Nice hat dog. Glad to see you’re in the Kentucky Derby spirit, Randy.
7:37 Alexis Grace has a feel good story and they’re playing “Walking in Memphis” in the background. If yesterday taught us anything, she’s a lock. Did anybody see how terrified her baby looked to be jumping up and down to celebrate?
7:46 Aaron Williamson just told the judges he was there to be America’s Next Top Model. He might be better off finding Ben Stein for America’s Most Smartest Model. His audition got so weird Ryan Seacrest had to check in.
7:51 Kara sees that Rebecca Garcia was voted Most Humorous in High School and thinks this is a joke. The look on Rebecca’s face when she suggests that says otherwise, cue waterworks.
7:58 18 year old Lyneshia Young is another feel good story. Homeless sob story, last contestant of the day, lock it up. (The program cut out because Lost and Criminal Minds began to record. The first half a note I heard Lyneshia sing from her original song sounded good. Anybody have any feedback on Lyneshia Young?)
~Z.T.~ 10KLF dropped their initial line-up today and it’s already an improvement over last year. Let’s just hope we have more energy by the end of July than we did last year.
July 22-25th at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Dave can headline a festival with the best of them, Widespread you expect to be there and Wilco is a nice surprise. We’ll be happy to hear Umphrey’s Mantis all summer long and I’m always down to shake it at Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. Kinetix just destroyed their late night slot at the festival last year and I love those guys, so I’m glad to see them back. Also, I like beating Eric’s (the keyboardist/singer/Andy’s best friend) dad at Backgammon. That’s right, Howie. Bring it on.
I’m a little surprised there’s no Dead yet, but we’ll see what happens when more acts are unveiled…
Dave Matthews Band
Widespread Panic (2 nights)
Wilco
Umphrey’s McGee
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Kinetix
Railroad Earth
Tea Leaf Green (2 nights)
Junior Brown, WookieFoot, Trampled By Turtles, Cloud Cult, Everyone Orchestra, Kathleen Edwards, Pretty Lights, BoomBox, William Elliott Whitmore & many more!
~Z.T.~ It’s not School of Rock, but it is the cast of Mr. Show sending Yo La Tengo to rock school. “I envy you … so much rocking to do. I wish you all luck with it.” Thanks to Sami for the clip. I’ve watched it five times already today.
“Remember the Foghat principle: Your 4th album should be a Double Live”
“Do you think that Mr. Beck got an all access laminate backstage pass by NOT learning how to bow his guitar?”
-A.S. It’s that time again. I hope you all were waiting as anxiously as Zack has been. Unfortunately, familial obligations are keeping him from us tonight. He may try and add his $.02 if he gets a chance. I’ve been to San Francisco, and I hope these auditions reflect the characters that city provides.
7:02 People got married in line at American Idol? That is the lowest of the low America. Shame on you.
7:04 They’re setting Tatiana Del Toro up to be the next Ms. South Carolina. I’m pretty sure Simon just called her a hooker, and Kara seems to agree. If she’s going to laugh like that all season, I’ll put money on Simon strangling her.
7:13 This guy (above) looks like Donna’s dad, Bob, from that 70s show. At least he told us the carpet matches the pubes.
7:17 I think we can officially agree that if they play the family man card, they’re going to let the contestant advance to Hollywood. They’re bringing in the kids for a guilt trip. He called Randy dog. Signed, sealed, delivered.
7:25 This kid can do a Rubix Cube really fast, but can he sing? Nope. He’s still waiting for his balls to drop. The braces were a good touch.
7:34 Well, it only took three episodes for Kara and Simon to start going at it. I can see this as an entertaining storyline this season.
7:35 Aquila is learning how to sing gospel music through an anatomy lesson on the internet. I think they should give her a show discussing human anatomy, because she’s the Harry Caray of it. She just told the judges she came from the wrong rectum, which was almost as funny as her telling Paula she had “a very hit song in the early 80s.”
7:37 Irracnitate?! I’m pretty sure that’s what Aquila just said.
7:45 Raquel Houghton is hot. I can’t be the only one that kind of wishes she was Bikini Girl instead.
7:47 Simon just told a girl she sounded like she hadn’t had a bottle or two, but a whole crate. Is it a British thing to tell someone they’re a crates-worth drunk?
7:48 Adam Lambert is singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” which either sets you up for great success or epic failure. Wayne and Garth would be proud! Do you think it made Paula feel old when he told her he saw her when he was 10?
7:54 Kai Kalama is another feel good story. They’re even playing Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in the background. Is it possible for this guy to fail? About this time Zack would tell you someone was crying.
7:57 They’re giving Kai the Clay Aiken treatment. Telling him he can sing, but he needs a makeover before Hollywood. Mama’s boy is crying now too, but not before Kara and Simon get a chance to argue again.
-A.S. Seldom is an album released that I can’t help listening to constantly. I can probably count on one hand how many albums had that effect on me in the last year. I haven’t stopped listening to Mantis since receiving it this weekend. Zack and I listened to it on repeat the entire drive back from Bloomington on Saturday. It took me a few days to even begin to find flaws in Mantis.
The progression of Umphrey’s McGee’s studio work has been something that I have enjoyed immensely. With Safety in Numbers, I admired their ability to mature in the studio and construct complex, yet concise songs. With Mantis, they show the same intelligence in crafting their songs, but this time they’re rocking out with their cocks out.
When I interviewed Jake Cinninger last year, he told me to expect something between Rush and Yes. That provided some lofty expectations. After hearing their first single, “Made to Measure,” a couple of weeks ago, I was hearing more Beatles than prog rock. The track has grown on me and the rest of the album certainly delivers on Jake’s assessment. The almost 12 minute epic “Mantis” track is a musical feat that shows flashes of Rush, with each different section greeting you with new lyrics.
It is officially impossible to not get down to “Cemetary Walk.” The aptly named “Turn and Run” is probably the biggest face melter on Mantis, and would certainly instill fear in today’s Jonas Brothers listening music fans. The album is full of four-part harmonies, none better than the Beach Boys homage at the end of “Spires.”
Sure, there are times when I wish Umphrey’s McGee would have rocked a little harder. When I heard Rush meets Yes, I was thinking tracks more along the lines of “Wizard Burial Ground.” The fact of the matter is, Mantis is another great step in the evolution of a great band. With each studio offering, Umphrey’s McGee shows something else they’re capable of. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them.
-A.S. Last week we reported the sad news that after months of hope and speculation, there would be no Led Zeppelin reunion and no new album. How does one recover from such devastating news? Bustle In Your Hedgerow.
Last time we caught the Duo, Marco Benevento returned to the stage during the headlining act and was pouring champagne down their throats. At least he’s got the rock act down to go with the rock chops.
The Led Zeppelin tribute band, is comprised of the Benevento Russo Duo, Dave Dreiwitz of Ween and Scott Metzger of Rana. Anyone that has ever seen the Duo knows just how hard Marco Benevento and Joe Russo rock out together. Add the thumping bass stylings of Dreiwitz and the wailing guitar of Metzger, and you’ve got a Zeppelin tribute band that is a force to be reckoned with.
During the first set, which included a good mix of major hits and some rarities, the group showed they had chops. Metzger showed why he could play Jimmy Page and the control he has over his instrument as he ripped through “The Ocean.” Benevento channeled Robert Plant through his keys to play the vocal lines of “Out on the Tiles.”
The headbanging of the Zeppelin afficionados in the crowded Abbey Pub agreed that Metzger could hold his playing the controlled chaos that is Jimmy Page.
After a short set break, Bustle In Your Hedgerow returned to the stage. Perhaps all too appropriately, “Dazed and Confused” began the second set. Russo showed why he’s the drummer and not the lead singer while attempting at the intro of “Over the Hills and Far Away.” He then showed why he was a drummer capable of taking the form of the animal himself, John Bonham, while dropping jaws with “Moby Dick.” Russo had the solo down, including the barehanded part, and then made his sticks reappear as if magic.
Anybody that knows me, knows how much I like Umphrey’s McGee. The only argument I could come up with to take Kris Meyers over Joe Russo, is that Meyers can sing.
No, you can’t close your eyes and think you’re seeing Led Zeppelin while seeing Bustle In Your Hedgerow. Unless you’ve got a time machine, you’re never getting Led Zeppelin back. What you can do, is see a band that rocks hard enough to do the hardest rocking band of all time justice.
~Z.T.~ My friends and family in SoCal had been bragging about how it was a hundred degrees warmer where they were than the brutal cold we’ve been suffering through in Chicago. SoCal had nothing on how hot it was on stage at Jakes at around 1:30 a.m Friday night.
Another brilliant Girl Talk show started and ended with “Play Your Part,” with non-stop mash-ups in between. His “Casey Jones” and ODB’s “Got Your Money” was especially tight and he even made “Upgrade U” and “Love Lockdown” sound good, but other than that, I was lost in a sweaty dance mob.
Four Girl Talk shows in 10 months and I haven’t seen him pack in a crowd like this. A distinctly college crowd. A crowd pounding $4 Sparks and massive Long Islands. A crowd so eager to get naughty, at least two sets of girls were making out an hour before Girl Talk went on.
A crowd that taught me a few things:
Lesson #1: You can always make it on stage if you befriend the bouncers.
I befriended the girl in charge of bottle service by 11:00 p.m. By 12:45 a.m, the stage bouncer was calling me Shore and Jordan “the media” as we stood by, waiting for Gregg to throw a hand full of confetti in the air to signal we could go onstage.
Lesson #2: Always wear a costume to a Girk Talk show.
Three people asked me if I had rolls, girls beckoned me to dance with them and everyone around me nodded and smiled at me all night. I’d like to think this is due to my natural charm, but I gotta chalk it up to wearing a cape, red shorts over my jeans and a big red Z superhero suit.
Lesson #3: Stay hydrated and towel off
I chose three Red Bulls, two Sparks and a cup of ice water to stay hydrated, but I think exchanging one or two of those Red Bulls for water would have been smart. Girl Talk is getting toweled off by a friendly woman who, I imagine, tried to sleep with him that night.
Lesson #4: Don’t be afraid to approach any and every girl at a Girl Talk show.
I’ll admit, Jordan Lipshutz is as smooth an 18 year-old guy as I know, but when this blonde girl is following you around, you know you’re in the right place. Girl’s Gone Wild never had to come to Jake’s. Girl Talk has the same effect on girls. They go wild.
Lesson #5: Go up to Gregg after the show.
He’ll sign anything and thank you for coming. I bought a new Sharpie just so he could write “Live Forever, Girl Talk” on my magazine with him on the cover. Say hi. He might even sweat on you a little. OK a lot.
Live Forever, Zack
