Finding An Old Friend Too Late

by Bob Boilen

I just learned about the death of an old friend. I began to loose touch with Don Bernstine when my music tastes went more toward Talking Heads and his went more toward Def Leppard.

I've spent the past few hours catching up on Don's life and he did pretty well for himself. Turns out he's the guy who bought so much of that great rock memorabilia for the Hard Rock Cafe.

This picture slays me on so many levels. Don and I worked in a record store together in 1973 when the first Queen record came out. We got one copy in the store, looked at the cover and both thought: "Who are these guys? This looks great!"
We blasted that record over and over. It was our common ground, I loved Queen for the band's unique, arty sound, and he loved them because they rocked. We even went to see Queen on the group's first U.S. tour.

Seeing Don sitting next to Queen's guitarist Brian May is like seeing an old friend who's just found his dream. It makes me happy and makes me cry at the same time.
Goodbye Don Bernstine, I'll miss you.

10:18 PM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: OK Bear

by Robin Hilton

Download "Sant Feliu De Guixols (right-click or control-click and save to your computer)

Jeremy Enigk has been making smart, inspired pop for more than 15 years, first emerging as the frontman for the Seattle-based band Sunny Day Real Estate. Though the group never formally broke up, it's at least been dormant, while Enigk has resurfaced again with his third solo album, the whimsically titled OK Bear.

Enigk has an incredible voice, one filled with sorrow and beauty. A lot of the tracks on OK Bear soar majestically, if only for the passion in his vocals. Enigk recorded the album in Barcelona with a group of musicians introduced by a mutual friend. He says the band managed to turn most of the songs on OK Bear into heavier rock numbers, even if they were intended to be more restrained. Percussionist Victor Garcia, in particular, does a fantastic job of driving and pushing the mix on drums, with some tastefully unpredictable rhythms.

All that said, this is one of the album's more wistful moments. It's the closing track, called "Sant Feliu de Guixols."

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

4:54 PM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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Michael Jackson Public Tribute: Apollo Theater

Live June 30th until 9:00PM EST
(we may loose audio from time to time)

Listen to Live Audio from the Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater in Harlem has opened its doors today to the fans that have been gathering outside it since Thursday night. The theater, where Michael Jackson won Amateur Night in 1967 with the Jackson 5, has become an unofficial memorial to him. Today's tribute, which runs until 9 p.m. ET will include eulogies delivered by the Rev. Al Sharpton and others, as well as music videos and DJ sets.

Fans at the Apollo on June 26, 2009. (Photo credti: Amy Sussman / Getty Images)

3:16 PM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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Old Music Tuesday: 40 Years of Giving Peace A Chance

by Bob Boilen

This Saturday, July 4, 2009, the song "Give Peace A Chance" turns 40 years old.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded this anthemic song with just four microphones and a four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder. It was released first in Europe, as a single, followed by a US release a few days later.

The phrase "give peace a chance" had come spontaneously to Lennon while answering a reporters question at a "bed-in," Lennon and Ono's way to protest war and promote peace by staying in bed all day. They held two, week-long bed-in sessions, one in Amsterdam and one in Montreal.

It was at a Montreal bed-in that the song was recorded. Those in attendance included Timothy Leary, Dick Gregory, Petula Clark, Derek Taylor, Murray the K and Allen Ginsberg. John Lennon played acoustic guitar and so did Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Some of those names became part of the lyrics.

Though it may feel trite or be thought of as simply naive, there was always a joy in the early days of the song, to sing the song's refrain out on the streets with hundreds of thousands of other voices, with hopes of ending war and hate.

Continue reading "Old Music Tuesday: 40 Years of Giving Peace A Chance" »

3:15 PM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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Another Magazine Down In Flames

by Bob Boilen

According to Gawker.com Vibe Magazine is folding.

Vibe was started in 1993 by Quincy Jones with a focus on R&B and hip-hop.

Is it sad or does it even matter?

2:35 PM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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Live Chat Today With Moby

Join NPR Music for a live listening party and chat with Moby, beginning at 11:15 a.m. ET, today (June 30). The artist will talk with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen about Moby's new album, Wait For Me, play selections from the record, and take questions from listeners through our online chat. Wait For Me is Moby's best new album in a decade, full of beauty, sadness and celebration. You can hear the entire record online as part of our Exclusive First Listen series.

10:18 AM ET | 06-30-2009 | permalink

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The Beatles Catalog And Michael Jackson

by Robin Hilton

Earlier this year, the British tabloid The Daily Mirror reported that Michael Jackson had drawn up a will, giving the publishing rights to some 250 Beatles songs back to Sir Paul McCartney. Though a number of other sites were quick to report the news, The Mirror cited unnamed sources, and the reports have never been verified. Now, with Jackson's passing, the question is very much up in the air.

For those who don't remember or never knew, Jackson and McCartney recorded a couple of hits together back in the '80s, "Say, Say, Say" and "The Girl Is Mine."

More after the jump.

Continue reading "The Beatles Catalog And Michael Jackson" »

3:06 PM ET | 06-26-2009 | permalink

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Start Your Morning Right: Michael Jackson Videos

by Lars Gotrich and Tom Huizenga

We're all still reeling from Michael Jackson's sudden passing. You can keep up with all the latest updates and remembrances by clicking here. In the meantime, spend your coffee break watching some classic MJ videos.

"Thriller" (1983)

More classic videos, after the jump.

Continue reading "Start Your Morning Right: Michael Jackson Videos" »

9:11 AM ET | 06-26-2009 | permalink

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Remembering Michael Jackson

by Robin Hilton

Michael Jackson has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 50.

I came of age in the 1980s, back when Jackson was the single biggest pop star on the planet. I, admittedly, was never a huge fan at the time. I spent most of my high-school years listening to rock bands from the '60s and early '70s and didn't have the radio on much. But I watched television and was there, along with millions of others, glued to the set when Jackson introduced his moonwalk while performing "Billie Jean" on the Motown 25th-anniversary special.

It still gives me goosebumps. Just look at him. Look at those moves! And "Billie Jean" has one of the sweetest bass lines and grooves around. He blew our minds, time and time again, deftly mixing funk, disco, soul, rock, pop and R&B like no other artist at the time, while seemingly defying the laws of physics with his dance moves.

Read more, after the jump.

Continue reading "Remembering Michael Jackson " »

6:07 PM ET | 06-25-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: The Champion And His Burning Flame

by Robin Hilton

Download "Kids And The Van"

I always feel like an idiot when I discover and fall in love with a band that other people apparently have been talking about for months, especially if that band made a point of actually sending me its CD. The latest is a 5-piece group from Nashville, Tenn. called The Champion And His Burning Flame. The group's beautiful debut EP, The French, came out last Fall and has been drawing high praise, but only recently made its way to my desk.

The French features a little more than 20 minutes of reflective, acoustic pop ballads and gentle jams. The songs take a lot of cues from the work of Elliott Smith, with wispy vocals, sweet harmonies, and the kind of production that makes the mix seem to radiate with a cozy, warm glow.

Members of The Champion And His Burning Flame are seekers. They say they like to write about redemption and forgiveness and the beauty they see in these uniquely human experiences, and that they're searching for "importance in art." From what I've heard on The French, it sounds like they've already found it. This song is called "Kids And The Van."

Read more about The Champion And His Burning Flame on the band's Web site.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

3:26 PM ET | 06-25-2009 | permalink

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Sky Saxon: Punk's Early Seed Dies

by Bob Boilen

Sky Saxon, the lead singer of the '60s psychedelic garage band The Seeds, died today. His wife Sabrina Sherry Smith Saxon broke the news on her Facebook page.

"Sky has passed over and YaHoWha is waiting for him at the gate. He will soon be home with his Father. I'm so sorry I couldn't keep him here with us. More later. I'm sorry."

YaHoWha was the founder of a commune where Saxon lived, and where he wrote much of his music. It was a key part of life.

Saxon was an original -- a singer whose voice sounded like no other on the radio in 1966. Take a listen to this lip-synced performance and think of some of the singers who were inspired by Sky Saxon:

Share your own Sky Saxon memories.

Continue reading "Sky Saxon: Punk's Early Seed Dies" »

1:59 PM ET | 06-25-2009 | permalink

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Wilco (The Album) In 140 characters Or Less

by Bob Boilen

We are streaming the entire new album by Wilco. It's called Wilco (The Album), and it'll be online until June 30.

It's full of sounds from bands gone by Television The Beatles, Velvet Underground. Still it's a strong band playing mostly strong songs.

And that's my review of Wilco (The Album) in 135 characters; you can use up to 140 and put it here on the blog. Or you can use Twitter: Just put the tag #wilcothealbum at the end of the review and it'll show up in our little widget below.

Have fun!

1:00 PM ET | 06-25-2009 | permalink

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Rock 'n' Roll Summer School: Jump Blues

by Bob Boilen

Every Wednesday this summer, we're offering a quick course in early rock 'n' roll. Your professor will be Tom Moon, NPR contributor and author of the book 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. These overviews, mostly from the 1950s, are not intended to be comprehensive, but to help curious listeners dive in and explore some of the genre's often-overlooked building blocks. Whether you're a novice or a rock snob, join the conversation below...

THIS WEEK: JUMP BLUES

by Tom Moon

Way before the "official" dawn of rock 'n' roll, the rock 'n' roll spirit was on the loose in America -- as jump blues, the loose party music known for its risque lyrics and ferocious horn solos.

Jump erupted in the late 1940s, and was hugely popular through the '50s -- it's the direct link between swing, with its brassy shouted choruses and spry rhythms, and rock 'n' roll. One of its prime movers, the saxophonist and bandleader Louis Jordan, got his start playing in big bands -- it was no problem for him to transfer the jitterbugging energy of the big bands to smaller, more employable combos. Then, crucially, he added a dollop of showmanship: On hits like 1950's rollicking "Saturday Night Fish Fry," Jordan reels off preposterous comic narratives, his casual phrases propelled along by the urbane, hard-swinging rhythm section. Here's one of his iconic shouts, "Caldonia."

LINK

Others came at jump blues from different angles. The Kansas City belter Big Joe Turner was fluent in the blues and boogie. Turner's undeniable, steamrolling sound contains all the essential ingredients of rock 'n' roll. Among his triumphs is the first-ever hit on "Shake, Rattle and Roll," in 1954.

LINK

ESSENTIAL LISTENING
Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five: "Saturday Night Fish Fry," "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "Caldonia."
Big Joe Turner: "Shake, Rattle and Roll," "Flip, Flop and Fly."

EXTRA CREDIT
Wynonie Harris: "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well," "Good Morning, Judge."
Roy Brown: "Good Rockin' Tonight."
Roy Milton and His Solid Senders: "The Hucklebuck."

DISCUSS
Compare three versions of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" -- those recorded by Big Joe Turner, Bill Haley and the Comets and Elvis Presley. Is it possible to tell where jump blues ends and rock 'n' roll begins? Do any of the latter-day jump-blues "revivals" catch the spirit of the music? (Points off for anyone who begins his or her response with the solo work of Brian Setzer...)

NEXT WEEK
Chess Records and its Proto-Rockers: Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, etc.

9:52 AM ET | 06-24-2009 | permalink

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Who Are The Monsters Of Folk?

by Bob Boilen

I just started listening to The Monsters of Folk: Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), M. Ward, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis. I'll report back soon as I listen more. The record isn't out till the fall. Five songs in, I find the music to be more pop, less folk and all fun.

I've gotten a lot of questions since I mentioned this on Twitter and Facebook, so below is the press release. For right now is really as much as I know.

Continue reading "Who Are The Monsters Of Folk?" »

6:31 PM ET | 06-23-2009 | permalink

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Jay Bennett Autopsy: An Accident

by Bob Boilen

Musician Jay Bennett's death last month was caused by an apparent accidental overdose of a common prescription pain-relief medication.

Bennett was found dead last month in bed at his home. Duane Northrup, the Champaign County Coroner, said that tests show the 45-year-old musician died from an overdose of Fentanyl, a drug commonly found in patches and prescribed to treat chronic pain.

Bennett for years suffered from pain caused by a stage dive back when he was with the band Titanic Love Affair. He had recently learned that hip-replacement surgery would relieve his pain, and was preparing for surgery.

If you've not read the caring thoughts of fans and friends, take a look at an earlier blog post. Add your own thoughts, as well. So sad.

5:13 PM ET | 06-23-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: All Smiles

by Robin Hilton

Download "Maps to the Homes of Our Former Foes (right-click or control-click and save to your computer)

I've been sitting on this one since it came in a couple of months ago. It's the kind of album I wanted to share with everyone right after I first heard it, but the label understandably wanted me to wait until closer to the release date. All Smiles is the band, and the album is called Oh for the Getting and Not Letting Go.

All Smiles is the music of Portland, Ore., artist Jim Fairchild. If the name sounds at all familiar, it's because he was the guitarist for Grandaddy before the band broke up in 2006. I've talked a lot about former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle this year, and how his own solo album (Yours Truly, The Commuter) shows that he was the great talent and creative force behind the band. But Fairchild is incredibly talented in his own right.

On Oh for the Getting and Not Letting Go, Fairchild takes over on lead vocals and does a solid job. I love his voice. His songwriting seems to take more cues from The Beatles than anything Grandaddy ever did, particularly in the harmonies, which make the songs a little sweeter and happier than Grandaddy's work.

All Smiles features a cast of supporting artists, including percussionist Joe Plummer, who's played with The Shins, Modest Mouse and The Black Heart Procession. Also: Nik Freitas, one of the members of Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band, Mike Cresswell, Solon Bixler (Earlimart) and Danny Seim (Menomena).

This is my favorite cut from Oh for the Getting, particularly for how it takes off around the 1:40 mark. It's called "Maps to the Homes of Former Foes."

You can read more about All Smiles at the band's Web site.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

3:09 PM ET | 06-23-2009 | permalink

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Ali Akbar Khan: Farewell

by Bob Boilen

Start the music, then read.

I'm told he made 95 albums, but I only have three of them. He composed 4,000 tunes; I've probably heard 30 of them, and yet Ali Akbar Khan brought such joy to my life. The song you're hearing is called "Come Back My Love," from a CD called Journey.

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan played the sarod, an Indian instrument that's fretless and about the size of a lute. But it has sympathetic strings that make those rich overtones, giving the sarod its deep character.

This week, we lost the world's great sarod player, and one of the most gifted musicians on this planet. According to the Ali Akbar College of Music Web site, Ali Akbar Khan died of kidney failure on June 18. He was 87.

Continue reading "Ali Akbar Khan: Farewell" »

5:08 PM ET | 06-22-2009 | permalink

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Donny And Marie Do 'Star Wars'

by Robin Hilton

A friend of mine sent me this link today and dared me to watch all 10 minutes. For those too young to remember, Donny and Marie Osmond had a musical variety show in the '70s called, appropriately enough, The Donny And Marie Show (she was "a little bit country" and he was "a little bit rock 'n' roll"). I was in elementary school at the time and actually watched it pretty regularly. But I don't remember this incredible moment:

Donny and Marie lead an all-star cast in this number. Kris Kristofferson plays a too-cool-for-school Han Solo, while the comedian Redd Foxx plays Obi-Wan Kenobi and Paul Lynde is an Admiral with the Empire. There are also dancing Storm Troopers. Wow. I can't take my eyes off it.

2:47 PM ET | 06-22-2009 | permalink

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In Case You Missed It: Our Favorite NPR Music Features

by Camden Andrews

This blog was conceived as a way for us to tell listeners about any music, videos or thoughts that excite us but can't fit into a weekly half-hour podcast. But there's a lot that goes on at other parts of NPR Music that excites us, too. Digging through everything the site has to offer can take time, though, so we'll publish a post like this periodically in an effort to keep readers up to date. Here's a list of our top picks:

• Hammock Jams: Party in Your Backyard
• Here's Your Late Pass: Right Music, Wrong Time (Monitor Mix)
• First Listen: Regina Spektor, 'Far'
• Heat Wave: A Summertime Mix
• Metric in Concert
• Dirty Projectors: Balancing Head and Heart (CD review)
• Vocal Styles: Whiny, Tiny, or Just Fine-y (Monitor Mix)
• White Rabbits: Something Novel (Song of the Day)

6:05 PM ET | 06-19-2009 | permalink

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What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?

by Robin Hilton

My iTunes library is packed to the gills with guilty pleasures. Let's start with the soundtrack to E.T. That's the John Williams score to the 1982 movie. John Williams penned the soundtrack to my youth! I was 12 when that movie come out. Give me a break.

There's also Andy Griffith (he sings "old-timey" songs), Justin Timberlake, Peter Frampton, several former American Idol contestants (like Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert), New Age pianist George Winston and Gordon Lightfoot, to name a few. Then there are some borderline guilty pleasures like Stone Temple Pilots, Sheryl Crow, Indigo Girls and The Wallflowers. I'm not sure those count, though I'm sure plenty of people would think they do.

It occurred to me recently that I've never heard All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen play or admit to liking any music that could be considered a guilty pleasure.

Continue reading "What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?" »

5:09 PM ET | 06-19-2009 | permalink

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Fire Destroys Famous Theater In Athens, Ga.

by Robin Hilton

I was saddened to learn today that a fire has destroyed a grand old theater in my former hometown of Athens, Ga. I can't tell you how many shows and films I've seen in the Georgia Theater, but for many years it was home to a diverse range of acts, from Wynton Marsalis and Dave Matthews to the Ramones, Tom Waits, R.E.M. and many, many more.

Though investigators aren't sure what caused the fire, there's speculation that it was set off by lightning sometime this morning. Sadly, the theater's new owners were nearly finished with a $1.5 million renovation of the place.

You can read the full story online at the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper site.

2:37 PM ET | 06-19-2009 | permalink

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Beck Launches Record Club, Covers The Velvet Underground

by Michael Katzif

I'm a major fan of Beck: For me, he's one of those musicians where, no matter what direction he takes, I'll follow. Some albums are better than others, but the guy's music earns a free pass from me because it's always evolving while still sounding like, well, Beck.

So when news came out the other day about a new Beck project surfacing on his Web site, it was hard not to be excited.

The project, called Record Club, looks to be a lot of fun: Beck and a slew of other musicians and friends will record another artist's album in its entirety, in a single day, without any rehearsing or arranging done beforehand. Over the next month, Beck will release those songs one by one on his site. The first album they're tackling? The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Starting with The Velvet Underground is ambitious, but should yield some inspired moments.

Continue reading "Beck Launches Record Club, Covers The Velvet Underground" »

10:09 AM ET | 06-19-2009 | permalink

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Watch This Man Destroy His Guitar Over And Over Again

by Lars Gotrich

Okay, first, watch Creston Spiers destroy his guitar:

I was there that sweaty summer night at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens, Ga. The local band Harvey Milk had just reunited, and I was a relatively new fan. The set list ran the gamut of the band's sludge-encrusted discography, including a few songs from the then-in-the-works Special Wishes, but it was fresh to me.

Continue reading "Watch This Man Destroy His Guitar Over And Over Again" »

10:01 AM ET | 06-19-2009 | permalink

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Is 'Frampton Comes Alive' The Greatest Live Album Ever?

by Robin Hilton

"I hate that record so much." --Bob Boilen (Jun. 18, 2009, 4:43 p.m. ET)

Yes, yes. Frampton Comes Alive is one seriously cheesy record. It's also the best-selling live rock album of all time. By many estimations, it set the standard for all live arena-rock records that followed. I admit, without apologies, that I own it and rather love it.

Earlier today, Bob and I were having one of our recurring discussions about lyrics (they're the first thing he notices in a song and the last thing I notice), and he threw out the line, "Baby, I love your way" as an example of a lyric so painfully bad he couldn't bear to listen. I don't especially love that particular song, but it made me want to pull out my copy of Frampton Comes Alive and hear some sweet "talk box" action on the song "Do You Feel Like We Do?"

What do you think is the best live rock album of all time? Do you love or hate Frampton Comes Alive?

5:00 PM ET | 06-18-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: Shuta Hasunuma

by Robin Hilton

Download "Vol. Struggle" by Shuta Hasunuma"

Shuta Hasunuma is a sharp electronica artist from Japan with a gift for three-dimensional production. He's about to release the whimsically titled Pop Ooga Plus, his third full-length LP; like his first two albums, it's full of delicately woven glitches and pops that seem almost tangible, as though they're tumbling out of the speakers. Pop Ooga Plus is a mostly instrumental album, but Hasunuma sings on this short but sweet cut called "Vol. Struggle."

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

4:20 PM ET | 06-18-2009 | permalink

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Moby (The Dog) Interviews Moby (The Alien)

by Bob Boilen

Here's everything you want to know about the new Moby record Wait for Me in snackable cartoon form.

This interview is also a lesson for anyone wishing to become a music journalist: Don't ever be the dog, and always hope your alien is as nice as Moby. By the way, you can hear the entire album before it comes out as part of our First Listen series. It'll stream on the site until June 30.

Animations by Robert Powers, Justin Simonich, Ian Jones-Quartey, Chris Timmons & Chris Conforti

10:51 PM ET | 06-17-2009 | permalink

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Can't Get 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head' Out Of My Head

by Robin Hilton

Earlier today, we had the band Telekinesis here to record a Tiny Desk Concert. While they were warming up, I heard the group's lead singer-songwriter, Michael Benjamin Lerner, picking out the Electric Light Orchestra song "Can't Get It out of My Head." He sounded great, and I love that song, so during the performance, I put him on the spot by asking him to do it again. He said he didn't really know the whole song, but he gave it a shot, saying that his father had gotten him into ELO when Michael was growing up. He was a good sport about it.

Another one of the producers here, Mike Katzif, is on a mission to find different versions of "Can't Get It out of My Head." My hat's off to him for digging up this live version ELO performed on The Mike Douglas Show. The band does some other songs, but "Can't Get It out of My Head" starts at the 4:42 mark.

Now the song is stuck in my head. Or, really, it's just the refrain, repeating over and over again. "I can't get it out of my head," skip, "I can't get it out of my head," skip "I can't..." You get the idea.

Bob Boilen talks about a couple of particularly addictive songs on the latest edition of All Songs Considered -- The ApSci song "Crazy Crazy Insane" and The Phenomenal Handclap Band doing "15 to 20."

What's a song you're helpless to stop once it starts playing in your head?

5:27 PM ET | 06-17-2009 | permalink

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F The Bass

by Bob Boilen

If I go to one more show where the bass drowns out the vocals, I'm going to scream. Not that anyone will hear me, because the bass is too damn loud.

It used to be guitarists. They'd crank their amps so loud on stage that the only thing a sound engineer could do is make everything else louder. These days, the offender is more often the big bottom end. It not only comes off the bass guitar, but also the kick drum, the keyboards and of all places the vocals, which are "fattened up" by equalization and then put through a bit of reverb. After all that, you'll never understand a word.

I used to blame the sound system, but these days, clubs are pretty well equipped. These days, I blame it on the sound person.

Whether the band is playing too loud for them to make the proper adjustments or whether the engineer has just gone deaf from too many shows, basically it's their fault. If the bass player's cabinet is cranked, it's the sound engineer's job to tell him to turn it down. If the guitarist cranks it up so that everyone else cranks it up to be heard, then it's the sound engineer's job to tell them to turn it down.

I think it's time that, as fans, if we think the sound sucks, we walk up to the sound person and tell them. It's time to raise the bar. It's time to make our voices heard. What do you think?

2:43 PM ET | 06-17-2009 | permalink

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Live Tiny Desk Concert: Telekinesis

by Robin Hilton

Our live Tiny Desk Concert today featuring Telekinesis has ended. If you missed it, we'll post the archive here in the coming weeks.

2:43 PM ET | 06-17-2009 | permalink

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An Early Guitar Master, Dead At 75

by Tom Cole

Start music: then read

I wanted to be Bob Bogle (and later Nokie Edwards, The Ventures' bass player, who switched places with Bogle at lead guitar). I wanted to be Dick Dale, too. But The Ventures came first.

The Ventures (left to right: Mel Taylor, Don Wilson, Bob Bogle, John Durrill, Gerry McGee) pose for a portrait in the late 1960s. (photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Bob Bogle, co-founder of The Ventures, died Sunday at the age of 75. He suffered from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The Ventures will always be remembered for Walk, Don't Run and an early-'60s West Coast rock sound. The influence of Walk, Don't Run is HUGE. While few guitarists could master the smooth alternate picking of the Johnny Smith original or the distinctive fingerwork of Chet Atkins' remake, The Ventures provided a way in for every kid who touched an electric guitar in the early 1960s.

The Ventures became known as The Band That Launched a Thousand Bands. Every budding guitarist I knew in junior high could pick out a rudimentary version of Walk, Don't Run.

The Ventures' co-founders, Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, heard the tune on a Chet Atkins LP. The story goes that they met at Wilson's dad's car dealership in Tacoma, Wash., where the younger Wilson was struggling as a salesman. Bogle was working construction, and the money was more dependable, so Wilson quit selling cars.

Wilson told The News Tribune of Tacoma, "We found out that we each knew a few chords on the guitar, you know, and we had a lot of time on our hands. But neither of us owned a guitar."

So they went to a Tacoma pawn shop and bought two guitars and a chord book, and a band was born. Not too different from the stories of the thousands of musicians who followed them.

Wilson played rhythm guitar and Bogle played lead; he learned how to work the vibrato bar (players call it a whammy bar, and it's attached to the guitar's bridge, allowing the player to bend strings) to create a kind of liquid sound that became one of The Ventures' trademarks. That and the reverb that Dick Dale pioneered became the defining sounds of surf music.

There's something infectious about the sound of instrumental rock from the West Coast back then. The Ventures were based in the Pacific Northwest, while the surf bands lived down south. The melodies are simple and the beat is driving.

It makes you want to play.

It makes you feel like you actually could play.

Thanks, Bob Bogle. Rest in peace, knowing you inspired a bunch of us.

4:30 PM ET | 06-16-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: The Legends

by Robin Hilton

Download "Always the Same" by The Legends

A group from Stockholm, Sweden, The Legends' members have put together a fantastically crunchy, introspective rock album called Over and Over. Though there are quieter, gently strummed moments on the record, much of the guitar work on Over and Over recalls My Bloody Valentine or The Jesus and Mary Chain, with dreamy waves of screeching feedback, which is why I fell in love with it immediately. The Legends' members mix these beautifully dissonant sounds with a surprising mix of '60s girl-group harmonies and Krautrock with great results. This song from Over and Over is called "Always the Same."

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

4:13 PM ET | 06-16-2009 | permalink

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Review Moby In 140 Characters

by Bob Boilen

We are streaming the entire new album by Moby. It's called Wait for Me, and it'll be online until June 30.

The new Moby album is full of sadness and hope. It is a beautiful listen. And, though I've enjoyed many of his records since falling for Play, I love this one the most.

And that's my review of Moby in 136 characters; you can use up to 140 and put it here on the blog. Or you can use Twitter: Just put the tag #waitforme at the end of the review and it'll show up in our little widget below.

Have fun!

12:54 PM ET | 06-16-2009 | permalink

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Today At NPR Music: A Daily Cavalcade Of Links

by Stephen Thompson

Every day at NPR Music, we run a whole mess of stories through the publishing pipeline: concerts and interviews, studio sessions and reviews, and all sorts of other opportunities to hear, discuss, discover and wallow in new music. For those who read this blog but don't always peruse every inch of the site, we're going to start including a daily post to round up the highlights. So here goes...

Today at NPR Music, we've got a full-album stream of Moby's new album, Wait for Me; a six-song playlist in which a beer expert and a jazz expert match up the best possible beer/jazz pairings; our first-ever classical Tiny Desk Concert, with marvelous guitarist Jason Vieaux; Carrie Brownstein's thoughts on graduation music in her Monitor Mix blog; a fun discussion of the Least Appropriate Wedding Songs Ever (with 200+ comments and counting); a Song of the Day with Sarah Siskind (look for her Tiny Desk Concert in the weeks to come); a half-hour concert from WXPN, featuring Meat Puppets; the latest episode of All Songs Considered, featuring old music (from Neil Young) and new music (from The Phenomenal Handclap Band and others); and much more. As always, we invite everyone to poke around the NPR Music site and check back often for updates and new additions. Thanks!

12:15 PM ET | 06-16-2009 | permalink

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Tiny Desk Concert Double Header: The Tallest Man On Earth and John Vanderslice

by Bob Boilen

Our live Tiny Desk concerts for today, featuring John Vanderslice and The Tallest Man On Earth have ended. But if you missed it, don't worry. We'll post video of both performances on the NPR Music site in the coming weeks.

10:57 AM ET | 06-16-2009 | permalink

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Suburbia Is So Gangsta

by Robin Hilton

This video has been making the rounds for a while. But in case you missed it, a writer/comedian who lives outside Washington, D.C., and goes by the name Remy has put together a funny rap mocking his home of Arlington, Va. Really, though, it could be about any suburban city in America.

11:15 AM ET | 06-15-2009 | permalink

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Scary Poppins

by Bob Boilen

A recent blog post addressed soundtracks that are better than the films accompanying them. Here's a different twist that perfectly illustrates how music directs our emotions.

Remember that delightful family comedy, The Shining?

What about the frightening tale of Mary Poppins and her talent for scaring the life out of children?

Of course, television soundtracks can pull at your heartstrings. Gary Coleman's tragic thriller Diff'rent Strokes comes to mind.

Can you think of a movie soundtrack that completely missed the mark? How about the perfect soundtrack?

11:05 AM ET | 06-14-2009 | permalink

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Make Your Own Music Video

by Robin Hilton

This is one of the most amazing things I've seen online in a while: The Spanish band Labuat has created a Flash-based video to go along with its song "Soy tu aire" ("I'm Your Air"). As the song plays, the video streams past your screen, leaving a trail of black, splattered ink behind your mouse cursor. As you move the cursor around, the ink follows. If you click, it leaves bigger splotches. Every now and then, the trail of ink will erupt and reveal a glimpse of larger images, like a face or a butterfly or birds. It's just stunning.

The Arcade Fire had an equally cool interactive video for its song "Neon Bible" a while back. I'm not sure which is better, The Arcade Fire's or Labuat's. What do you think? What do you think the future holds for music videos, or are we already there?

2:12 PM ET | 06-12-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: Leif Vollebekk, 'Inland'

by Robin Hilton

Download "Inland" by Leif Vollebekk

Lief Vollebekk is a Canadian singer-songwriter with an enchanting voice. On his new album, Inland, he sings gently plucked, sparely arranged ballads in both French and English. There's no shortage of singer-songwriters in the world, but I found Inland to be a particularly beautiful, memorable and moving collection of songs. Vollebekk has a great sense for melody and arranging -- he knows when to give a song space to breathe -- and he's a gifted multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar and piano, harmonica and violin.

This track from Inland is called "Don't Go to Klaksvik."

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

10:11 AM ET | 06-12-2009 | permalink

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Your Favorite Music Of The Year So Far

by Bob Boilen

Robin Hilton and I think that, if the year ended right now, this would be one of the best years for music we've encountered. What do you think?

As we hit the halfway point in 2009, I want you to list your favorite three songs of the year and your favorite three albums so far. We'll compile a list of the songs and albums most mentioned, and in a week or so, we'll make a poll. Let's see how it unfolds.

If you don't already follow us on Twitter, you can find us @allsongs. That way, you'll know when the poll goes live. We also have a newsletter you can sign up for, and we'll announce it there, as well.

So go ahead and make your list and post it on the blog. And, while you're at it, answer this question in the poll below about music in 2009.

8:14 AM ET | 06-12-2009 | permalink

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Are Short Shows A Rip-Off?

by Bob Boilen

There was glee and some grumbling when Passion Pit left the stage of Washington, D.C.'s Black Cat the other night. The 40-minute set included a one-song encore, and left many wanting more.

Just how long should a headline act play? When The Beatles played Shea Stadium to a crowd of 56,000 screaming fans, the band played a dozen songs and left the stage in less than 30 minutes. In the late '70s, when bands like Ultravox or Devo would headline a show with one LP under their belt, a 50-minute set wasn't unusual. Truth be told, I always thought that was the perfect length.

These days, it isn't unusual to see sets that are double that. Of course, it depends on the band; a 45-minute set by Wilco would leave a lot of favorites out of the set list. Here's what I'm wondering: Do you ever stand at a show and wish it were over? Do you find yourself thinking, "Please play my favorite and say goodnight"?

What's the optimal concert length for you? Would you rather leave a show wanting more, or err on the side of too much of a good thing?

7:55 AM ET | 06-11-2009 | permalink

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Did The Beatles Destroy Rock 'n' Roll?

by Robin Hilton

Newsweek just reviewed a new book by Elijah Wald with a provocative title: How The Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll.

It's a title most likely contrived to boost sales more than anything, but Wald makes the argument that the artier, studio-based music of The Beatles segregated styles that used to be more unified under the "Rock" umbrella, and ultimately isolated listeners from one another. In the beginning, The Beatles, like many other artists, drew as much from white artists like Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly as from African-American musicians like Little Richard and Chuck Berry. But when The Beatles became more experimental, and other bands followed, black and white musicians split into two different directions. By 1965, Billboard magazine, which once grouped pop and R&B together, created separate charts for each. At the same time, the rhythmic and danceable styles of earlier rock gave way to the experimental music of The Beatles, which people were more likely to listen to by themselves on headphones.

This is all debatable, of course, and Wald's book explores much more than that (there's a more detailed synopsis on his Web site). But it's a compelling argument. What do you think?

11:53 AM ET | 06-10-2009 | permalink

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Free Mix Tape From Sub Pop

by Robin Hilton

Want new music from Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine and Flight of the Conchords? Download it now, for free, on a new mix tape from Sub Pop Records. The label is calling it the Sup Pop Cybersex Digital Sampler (2009). It's got 14 tracks in all, featuring artists from some of the label's upcoming releases.

It's a great gift to fans, but Sub Pop is making no bones about it: It states clearly on its Web site that it wants you to like what you hear so you'll buy the full albums from the artists once they're available.

What do you think of the label's move as a marketing tool? Does getting the music for free like this make you more or less likely to buy it later?

10:54 AM ET | 06-10-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: The Soundcarriers

by Robin Hilton

Download "Falling for You" by The Soundcarriers. (Right-click or control-click to save to your computer.)

The four members of The Soundcarriers all grew up together in the Nottingham area in England, and it's easy to hear the Britpop and rock influences on their new album, Harmonium. When they were teenagers, they started off playing mostly improvised instrumental music together, but eventually moved into more psychedelic territory with vocal pieces. Harmonium is full of rich washes of gorgeous sound with some fantastic grooves and bass lines. It's also got an expansive, cinematic feel to it, which isn't surprising since the group claims to be inspired in part by film soundtracks -- particularly the work of John Barry, who did the Midnight Cowboy score, among others.

This track, from The Soundcarriers and Harmonium, is called "Falling for You." Give it a second to get going. It starts off with a really slow fade in.

As always, let the artist (and us) know what you think of the music in our comments section below.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

3:36 PM ET | 06- 9-2009 | permalink

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JazzTimes Suspends Operations

by Bob Boilen

It's now official: JazzTimes has suspended its magazine publication. Below is the statement.

An Important Message From JazzTimes Management

By JazzTimes

To our readers and members of the jazz community:

JazzTimes has temporarily suspended publication of the magazine and has furloughed the bulk of its staff while it finalizes a sale of its assets. The brand and operation will undergo reorganization and restructuring in order to remain competitive in the current media climate. Print publishing is expected to resume as soon as a sale is closed. New information and statements will be posted at www.jazztimes.com as they become available.

Thank you for your patience during this challenging period.

JazzTimes Management

It's good to know that there is intent to restart publication, but in the meantime, this is awfully sad news.

Speaking of jazz, a few weeks ago, NPR added a blog to its jazz coverage, to go with its concerts from the Village Vanguard, Studio Sessions and other offerings.

How about you -- how do get your jazz fix? And please feel free to offer your thoughts about JazzTimes in the comments section below.

9:30 AM ET | 06- 9-2009 | permalink

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Weekend Wake-Up Music

by Bob Boilen

I woke up this morning to what I think of as the perfect wake-up music. It's a band I'm just discovering called The Dry Spells.

This song is called "Black is the Color" from an August release called Too Soon For Flowers

I love a melodic piece of music on a weekend morning -- something a bit slow, a bit of energy is fine, and nothing too angular. If no one is around, I like to sing along. So what makes great weekend wake-up music for you? And is your Saturday-morning music any different from your Sunday-morning music?

12:50 PM ET | 06- 7-2009 | permalink

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Singer Jeff Hanson Dies At 31

by Stephen Thompson

Sorry to keep being the bearer of obituaries, but we just got word that singer-songwriter Jeff Hanson was found dead in his apartment Friday, the apparent result of a fall. He was 31.

All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton placed Hanson's third album, Madam Owl, at #3 on his list of 2008's "Top 10 Great Unknowns." Hanson's music was showcased on All Songs Considered and Second Stage during the same year, but he's been been making music for a lot longer than that, building a modest but loyal worldwide following in a career spanning nearly 20 years. (Hanson got his start in the Milwaukee emo-pop band M.I.J., releasing several albums with the group before going solo.)

In December, Robin wrote, "The 12 pop symphonies on Madam Owl resonate with tremendous emotional depth, making Hanson one of the year's most memorable singer-songwriters in a crowded field." A large part of what made Hanson's singing voice stand out was how eerily androgynous it was -- if anything, it wasn't so much androgynous as definitively feminine. His albums (Son, Jeff Hanson and Madam Owl) consistently bring to mind a female Elliott Smith, with all the feathery beauty and delicacy that implies.

For those unfamiliar with Jeff Hanson, please take a few minutes to soak up some of his lovely music. Here's hoping more people feel moved to seek out his sweet songs in the wake of his death.

"This Time It Will"

"If Only I Knew"

9:12 PM ET | 06- 6-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: That's The Spirit

by Michael Katzif

Download "Orienteering" by That's the Spirit

Like so many great journeys, "Orienteering" begins with a quiet moment of introspection and finishes with loud, rocking catharsis. Alongside bandmates Tom Thompson (pedal steel guitar, keys), Brennan Pilkington (drums), Simon Wright (bass), and Nicholas Dyson (trumpet), songwriter Ben Wilson records as That's the Spirit. "Orienteering" is one of those songs that seems perfect for an early-morning road trip through the countryside.

The folky pop songs on the band's debut album (Staying Places) are held together by gorgeous production, intricate arrangements and a travel-based theme that Wilson says was made for "explorers and armchair travelers alike" -- and was inspired by "misadventures as much as adventures."

Listen to "Orienteering":

Ben Wilson from That's the Spirit. Photo by: Tom Thompson.

If you liked this song, tell the artist what you liked about it or offer constructive criticism in the comments section.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

11:35 AM ET | 06- 4-2009 | permalink

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On Losing (And Trying To Save) The Music Press

by Stephen Thompson

This morning brings bleak rumors surrounding the fate of JazzTimes magazine. Since its creation in 1970, JazzTimes has won armloads of awards and been a crucial voice in the jazz world, so seeing it fold would be a devastating blow. Expect more word to come out in the hours ahead.

As if that weren't bad enough, yesterday was an awful day to run a music magazine: Performing Songwriter and Radio & Records both announced that they're folding outright, while Paste remains in the midst of a desperate fundraising drive in an effort to stay afloat. These are troubled times for the economy in general -- and print media in particular -- but this has been an unusually grim and sad 24 hours.

Losing old favorites and saving another, after the jump.

Continue reading "On Losing (And Trying To Save) The Music Press" »

1:33 AM ET | 06- 4-2009 | permalink

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A Look Back At Koko Taylor, Queen Of The Blues

by Stephen Thompson

Listen to Morning Edition's remembrance of Taylor.

Blues legend Koko Taylor died this afternoon. That's one of the few introductory sentences about Taylor that don't also include the words "The Queen of Chicago Blues" -- or, more ambitiously and just as accurately, "The Queen of the Blues."

The 80-year-old legend (born Cora Walton), who died following complications from May 19 gastrointestinal surgery, experienced her greatest commercial success performing Willie Dixon's classic song "Wang Dang Doodle" (also popularized by Howlin' Wolf), for which you can watch a video here:

But that song crashed the charts in 1966, and Taylor has been a beloved, award-winning blues staple ever since. Since signing with the Alligator label in the mid-'70s, she's won a Grammy (for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1985), not to mention literally dozens of Blues Music Awards -- the latest of which she won on May 7. (Taylor gave her last performance that night.) More importantly, she remained a touring powerhouse until very recently, bringing a raw and gutty sound to blues clubs and midsize theaters across the country well into her old age.

In the days to come, look for impassioned tributes to Taylor from the singers who succeeded her -- particularly the brash young likes of Shemekia Copeland and Susan Tedeschi, who owe her a tremendous debt. Taylor earned every kind word they say.

Koko Taylor with Lonnie Brooks and Junior Wells, recorded live at the Woodlands in 1993:

Hear more of Taylor's recorded legacy below, and leave your thoughts on the singer's legacy in the comments section.

"I Got What It Takes":

Purchase: Amazon.com / Amazon MP3 / iTunes

"Piece of Man":

Purchase: Amazon.com / Amazon MP3 / iTunes

"Wang Dang Doodle":

Purchase: Amazon.com / Amazon MP3 / iTunes

6:41 PM ET | 06- 3-2009 | permalink

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Talk Show Team-Up: Paul Simon Performs With The Roots And Antibalas

by Michael Katzif

When I first heard that The Roots were going to be the "house band" for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, I was pretty excited. A great launching point for new artists, it's one of the best backup bands out there. (If you haven't seen it, check out Michel Gondry's great concert film, Dave Chappelle's Block Party.)

Naturally, I assumed The Roots could serve that function on the late-night circuit; that is, when a musical guest comes to perform, the collaboration would make it something special.

It hasn't totally worked out that way. Outside of a handful of guests like Ludacris, The Lonely Island and The Beastie Boys, who've taken advantage of appearing alongside the band -- and the occasional slow-jamming of the news -- The Roots' immense talent (and ?uestlove and Black Thought in particular) has seemed a bit wasted since Fallon took the reins from Conan O'Brien earlier this spring.

But last night, Paul Simon made his appearance so much more exciting than the typical, perfunctory plug of a new album. Simon performed a great rendition of "Late in the Evening" (from One Trick Pony), backed by The Roots and a stellar horn section from the Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas.

More artists should take their cue from Paul Simon (they should anyway, on many things) when they appear on late-night talk shows. Original musical team-ups can be incredibly fun, while giving the audience something they can't see or hear anywhere else. It can create an inspired and exciting television experience.

If you could pick an artist to sit in with The Roots on Late Night, who would be a good fit musically? Who would you like to see?

3:47 PM ET | 06- 3-2009 | permalink

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All The Old Dudes: Happy Birthday, Ian Hunter

by Bob Boilen

Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople turns 70 today. Here's a video of "All the Young Dudes," with Mick Ronson on guitar and David Bowie (who wrote the song) on sax.

Hunter is a good songwriter in his own right, so I'm including this version of "All the Way to Memphis." Happy birthday, Ian, and thanks for so many good records -- even the recent ones.

11:27 AM ET | 06- 3-2009 | permalink

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Second Stage: Salim Nourallah

by Michael Katzif

Download "Be Here Now" by Salim Nourallah

Salim Nourallah is a Dallas, Texas-based singer-songwriter and producer who crafts simply constructed songs tinged with wistful and evocative lyrics. Nourallah's last album, Snowing in My Heart, got some attention thanks to the single "Don't Be Afraid," which appeared on HBO's acclaimed series The Wire. But now Nourallah has returned with his fourth solo album, Constellation, a tight collection of joyful indie-pop melodies written and recorded with songwriter and producer Billy Harvey. The album also features a guest appearance from Austin musician Bob Schneider. Take a listen to this cut "Be Here Now," a perfect little love song about embracing moments of happiness.

Listen to "Be Here Now":

Dallas, Texas-based musician Salim Nourallah.

If you liked this song, tell the artist what you liked about it or offer constructive criticism in the comments section.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

12:53 PM ET | 06- 2-2009 | permalink

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Sex Leppard?

by Bob Boilen

Sometimes, the press release says it all. So here it is:

It's without a doubt that two of the most legendary and important bands in the history of rock music have been Def Leppard and The Sex Pistols. Combined, they have left an indelible stamp on all of the bands that have since followed in their wake. Now, Def Leppard's lead guitarist Phil Collen, Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, along with old friend Simon Laffy will finally bring their old school rock trio Man Raze to the U.S. this summer for select dates.

My questions: What's with the name? Man Raze? Did they just miss the obvious, Sex Leppard or Def Pistols? Also: Do you care? The rest of the press release can be found by clicking the continue link.

Continue reading "Sex Leppard?" »

12:17 PM ET | 06- 2-2009 | permalink

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Do Lyrics Matter?

by Bob Boilen

I'm a "lyrics first" kind of guy.
When I first hear a new record, if they words are lame or cliche, I'm done. But sure, great music can make me forget bad lyrics. How else can I explain having James Brown's "Sex Machine" in my collection?

So, take the survey and add your thoughts. What are some great songs with lousy lyrics, or lousy songs with great lyrics?

2:34 PM ET | 06- 1-2009 | permalink

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Banking On The 'Black Sabbath' Brand

by Lars Gotrich

This past Friday, Ozzy Osbourne -- the heavy-metal godfather turned bumbling reality TV star turned failed variety TV host (okay, it's not technically canceled yet) -- sued his on-again/off-again bandmate Tony Iommi for rights to the "Black Sabbath" brand.

For the uninitiated, a painfully brief history: Four English blokes form the seminal rock band Black Sabbath in 1968 and release eight albums from 1970 to '78 (six of them among the best albums of the '70s, two of them among the worst). Guitarist and main songwriter Iommi fires Ozzy from the band in 1979 for not caring enough about Black Sabbath, former Rainbow/Elf frontman Ronnie James Dio takes over the mic (restoring Sabbath's good name), Dio leaves for solo career in the mid-'80s and comes back and leaves again. And then there was the '90s, which were fairly negligible.

Okay, back to the issue at hand. You'll want to note that it's the "brand" and not the "name" that Ozzy's after. As the statement below seems to indicate, Ozzy doesn't seem to care that there was a touring entity known as "Black Sabbath" without him; he just wants his cut.

So the question really comes down to: Who should own the "Black Sabbath" brand? And should that list include Dio? After all, Dio's return to Sabbath as vocalist in recent years has been overwhelmingly praised -- perhaps a bit too much.

Why Dio rules, plus Ozzy's full statement, after the jump.

Continue reading "Banking On The 'Black Sabbath' Brand" »

10:15 AM ET | 06- 1-2009 | permalink

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