What do most people think of when they hear "When the Stars Go Blue?" Tim McGraw? Bono? Cary Pierce? Tyler Hilton? The Corrs? Phil Lesh? ER? One Tree Hill? Who actually wrote this frequently covered song? Ahh, Ryan Adams, the ultimate songwriter.
Speaking of covers and Ryan Adams, he does one of the greatest covers I've ever heard- Oasis' "Wonderwall." He changes the tempo and emotion of the song-- in my opinion he makes the song much better (and I am an Oasis fan). If you're into songs Ryan Adams has covered, you should also check out his version of "Is This It?" by the Strokes.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
never too late for resolutions
My resolution? See more live shows. It becomes quite difficult to blog when I'm not seeing any new music (the last post was far too long ago).
I always complain about having to drive to Austin or Dallas for shows, but I was fortunate enough to start my music year in good old Waco, TX. Jon McLaughlin and Matt Wertz played the annual Omega Kids concert, which all proceeds go to Kenya. Last year Dave Barnes and Andy Davis played. Not only was I able to stay in Waco, but the tickets were only $15.
Jon McLaughlin played first, opening with "Industry" as I had imagined he would. Immediately I loved the vigor with which he played. He was concentrated on the force and passion of his songs- not on note and pitch perfection. Between every song, he had several witty remarks. He said something like, "I'm going to play some new songs that I've been working on. You won't know them. And if you do... that's creepy, because I've never played them for anyone." The new songs had more of a jazz flare to them. McLaughlin played solo with a grand piano (he said he hadn't played on a piano that nice in a long time). This allowed the songs to sound similar to the ones off "Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded." On a side note, McLaughlin was just nominated for an Oscar for his performance of "So Close" in the Disney movie Enchanted.
Unlike Jon McLaughlin, who I have been following for a couple years, I had only heard two Matt Wertz songs (he played both). Wertz entered the stage wearing a shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. I had flashbacks to the first (and only) time I saw Gavin DeGraw-- "Oh, here comes the rocker who thinks he is the man." He began playing alone, and I must admit that he plays a mean rhythm guitar. The band entered half-way through the first song and the sound significantly improved. Wertz and his band had a lot of energy and actually managed to get the stuffy Baylor crowd dancing. I didn't know it was possible. My favorite song of the night was "Wesley, Why?" a heart-felt song about the death of his grandfather.
Great show. Both are worth seeing.
I always complain about having to drive to Austin or Dallas for shows, but I was fortunate enough to start my music year in good old Waco, TX. Jon McLaughlin and Matt Wertz played the annual Omega Kids concert, which all proceeds go to Kenya. Last year Dave Barnes and Andy Davis played. Not only was I able to stay in Waco, but the tickets were only $15.
Jon McLaughlin played first, opening with "Industry" as I had imagined he would. Immediately I loved the vigor with which he played. He was concentrated on the force and passion of his songs- not on note and pitch perfection. Between every song, he had several witty remarks. He said something like, "I'm going to play some new songs that I've been working on. You won't know them. And if you do... that's creepy, because I've never played them for anyone." The new songs had more of a jazz flare to them. McLaughlin played solo with a grand piano (he said he hadn't played on a piano that nice in a long time). This allowed the songs to sound similar to the ones off "Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded." On a side note, McLaughlin was just nominated for an Oscar for his performance of "So Close" in the Disney movie Enchanted.
Unlike Jon McLaughlin, who I have been following for a couple years, I had only heard two Matt Wertz songs (he played both). Wertz entered the stage wearing a shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. I had flashbacks to the first (and only) time I saw Gavin DeGraw-- "Oh, here comes the rocker who thinks he is the man." He began playing alone, and I must admit that he plays a mean rhythm guitar. The band entered half-way through the first song and the sound significantly improved. Wertz and his band had a lot of energy and actually managed to get the stuffy Baylor crowd dancing. I didn't know it was possible. My favorite song of the night was "Wesley, Why?" a heart-felt song about the death of his grandfather.
Great show. Both are worth seeing.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Beatles...
have some pretty trippy lyrics.
Reference: Across the Universe (well, and their lyrics)
Reference: Across the Universe (well, and their lyrics)
Monday, October 22, 2007
that's so not history
So everyone has some "history" when it comes to music. Some regrets... some misinterpretations... some lost loves.
Here's my abridged history:
First full tape cassette (remember those?): "The Sign" by Ace of Base
First tape cassette single: "Run Away" by Real McCoy
First CD: "Tragic Kingdom" by No Doubt
First Vinyl: "Chutes Too Narrow" by The Shins
First music video viewed: "Barely Breathing" by Duncan Sheik
First concert: BB King & friends
The most embarrassing concert I've ever gone to is Hanson. Ok, second to O-Town (I was going through a rough time). All through middle school I tried convincing my parents that Hanson was the ULTIMATE band. I remember saying, "Dad- they play their own instruments- they write their own music- they are musical geniuses." I left out more important factors: they looked like girls- all of their "genius" songs were created in 4/4 from 1,4 and 5 chords. Saying that I liked them would be a complete understatement. I was infatuated. I'm talking... owned every CD (imports too), member of the fan club, posters covering every inch of white space in my room. It's part of my music history that I've suppressed... until now.
I'm going to see them live this weekend. I hope it is absolutely hysterical. I hope they play MMMBop.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Before They Were Played on the Radio
The Fray.
Now, I can honestly say that I'm not a huge fan of this band, but they're one of the few radio pop bands I can stand. And I can say "I knew them when..."
Now, I can honestly say that I'm not a huge fan of this band, but they're one of the few radio pop bands I can stand. And I can say "I knew them when..."
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Waiting front and center
On Sunday of ACL, Wilco was playing at one of the main stages. They've been my favorite band for five or six years now. I have seen them live several times, but I hadn't seen them live since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot had just come out. We made a group decision to miss out on some of our other favorite bands (and sit through other less exciting bands) to stake an area front and center for Wilco. The day started off great because Yo La Tengo played the stage at 12:30, and I've never seen them live. Also, we were able to hear Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams, both Texas/Austin favorites. From the stage over, we heard Regina Spektor, The National and DeVotchKa.
Their sound has dramatically changed- mostly due to their new lead guitarist, Nels Cline. They took several old songs like Casino Queen (off A.M.) and I Got You (off Being There) and created a whole new dimension while preserving the simplicity of their early work. I enjoyed listening to Handshake Drugs off A Ghost is Born, which is their most experimental album.
Speaking of Cline, he had these crazy black & white striped socks on. We yelled "nice socks" several times, but we are girls and our voices were not loud enough. We asked the guy behind us to yell it. Tweedy heard him and then continued to explain that his socks were like the Wicked Witch of the West... and maybe he was the Wicked Witch.
They still have not played "Passenger Side," which is going to be my father/daughter dance at my wedding someday.
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