http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Wed, 20 Nov 2002 14:49:18 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/11/20/144918.php Craig JensenI've been listening intensely to Brainwashed, the new George Harrison album. Admittedly my first reaction was one of relief -- relief in discovering that the album is as good as it is. My subsequent reactions have been a mix of emotion and discovery. While George Harrison is iconic in stature, to me he feels more like an intimate -- a big brother. I came of age and developed my youthful idealistic social consciousness listening to the songs of The Beatles and George Harrison played a significant part in that early development. So the music on this album imparts an unavoidable saddness. Beyond that, however, Brainwashed is deeply moving and perhaps his best effort since All Things Must Pass. It seems clear to me that George Harrison, in writing and committing these songs to tape, was addressing his loosing battle with a premature death, but they are neither morbid nor do they elicit pity. On the contrary, the songs seem to be putting on record his deep spirituality, his love for those close to him and his continuing, often frustrating, quest for enlightenment. He is frank in his critical self-analysis and his willingness to impart some of the wisdom and insight he has gained in his life.And the music is wonderful. Considering Jeff Lynne was involved in the production of Brainwashed, the sound is remarkably restrained. When listening it's hard to believe that George wasn't there for the entire production. Of course this adds to the poignancy of the album, but more importantly the authenticity. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Brainwashed by George Harrison and then listen to it numerous time, without interuption or distraction, and feel the river run through your soul.You can find more George Harrison links at my weblog, BookNotes, here and here. Music1945@blogcritics.org Wed, 20 Nov 2002 14:49:18 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/15/124444.php Craig JensenThe Dixie Chicks don't need a plug from me. They're going to sell a lot of copies of their new CD Home. They had chart topping success with their last two efforts Fly in 1999 and Wide Open Spaces in 1998, selling more than 10 million copies, each. Even the dry spell resulting from their several year legal fight with Sony couldn't kill all the market momentum behind the Chicks.I came to know of and appreciate The Dixie Chicks quite reluctantly, being introduced to them by my then 12 year old daughter. Their over-hyped Nashville image was a big turn-off for me and my cynicism led me to prematurely judge them as another extruded country top forty product. But everytime my daughter played their cds I found myself listening and liking what I heard.Still, nothing prepared me for how much I like Home. Once again, I came to their latest effort reluctantly. I read about their long legal battle with their record label and admired their tanacity. It also didn't hurt that fellow bookbinder and leading Austin session bassman, Glenn Fukunaga, is on at least half of the tracks. Plus, beside several songs of their own compostion, they have chosen songs from some of Austin's and country music's best singer songwriters including Bruce Robison's "Travellin' Soldier", Patty Griffin's "Truth No. 2" and "Top of the World", and Radney Foster's "Godspeed" (with Emmylou Harris providing backup vocals), among others.They recorded and co-produced Home on their own terms, away from the influence of Nashville's hype-machine and their label's lawyers, right here in Central Texas, at Austin's Cedar Creek Studio with Natalie Maines' father, legendary steel guitarist and producer, Lloyd Maines. I have read that the total cost of recording and production was $150,000 -- pretty cheap by big-label best-selling artist standards. The music has a warm and intimate feel, like live music in a small but acoustically superior space. There is no evidence of over-dubbing or layering that is so common today. This suits me just fine, as lately my musical taste has been leaning more toward a woody acoustic sound. Mind you, I still like to rock, fortunately bluegrass seems up to the task as is evidenced by "White Trash Wedding" and the instumental "Lil' Jack Slade".For my limited music buying budget, Home is worth every penny. I stongly recommend it and if you've got more money to spend than I do, buy the cds of the contributing songwriters. There is much more that can be said about Home:10 Albums for Fans of the Dixie Chicks by Craig ShelburneThe Dixie Chicks come 'Home' with a new accoustic album, review by Malcolm MayhewThe Dixie Chicks Go Home and a Cache of Early Cash, review by Edward MorrisDixie Chicks return to bluegrass bliss, review by Mario TarradellDixie Chicks fly high again with no. 1 albumDixie Chicks: Home, review by Greg Kelton The Dixie Chicks Bring It on 'Home', review by Sean DalyDixie Chick: Home, review by AnnMarie HarringtonWith new album, Dixie Chicks again do things their way, review by Amy CarlsonThe original posting of this review and links can be found at my website, BookNotes and is archived in the Featured CD section. Music1309@blogcritics.org Tue, 15 Oct 2002 12:44:44 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/02/165646.php Craig JensenThe Austin City Limits Music Festival was a world class and uniquely Austin experience. The sound and scheduling of the bands was flawless. The were some major clitches with ticket purchases at the gate and food availability throughout the first day due to a 33% greater turnout to the event than was expected -- 40,000 people were there on Saturday. Since I bought my tickets in advance, showed up early. and ate a hearty meal before I arrived, I was relatively unaffected by these problems. My only personal complaint is that there was so much good music to choose from that for every performance I saw I had to consciously decide to miss one or more others. I guess that's a good problem to have. The word is that there will be a 2nd Annual Austin City Limits Music Festival next year. Based on my experience at the first I can say I will go out of my way to attend the second. I also recommend that all you music lovers out there start planning, right now, to come to Austin next year -- you won't regret it. At my weblog, BookNotes, I have posted a slide show of the performances that I saw at the festival. Here's the first image and here's the index. Culture1038@blogcritics.org Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:56:46 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/25/141239.php Craig JensenBartender! Make that one bourbon, one scotch and one beer.No! Not John Lee Hooker, the Boogie Man, Texas Slim, Johnny Lee, Birmingham Sam, John Lee Booker. Man, it really hurts when one of the giants passes on. The other day I asked the question Who's Your Daddy?, wondering who the "real" father of rock and roll was. Ultimately I was unable to assist in coming to any final conclusion. But I do know this for certain--We are all John Lee Hooker's boogie chillun.Kieth Richards said, "You're not going to mistake John Lee Hooker for anybody else--it was just such a fascinating sound, and so different to the other stuff I've heard; in a way more archaic. Yet it felt so electric, and sounded as if he'd somehow jumped a generation. It was so dark and swampy. I learned those John Lee Hooker chords, which are very strange shapes, and it immediately affected everything I did since then."My son Nick and I had the good fortune of seeing John Lee Hooker three years ago at the Annual Antone's/KGSR Blues Festival here in Austin. I'm so glad we did. He sang, among other songs: I'm In The Mood I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, I'm in the mood for love I said night time is the right time, to be with the one you love You know when night come baby, God know, you're so far away I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love I'm in the mood, in the mood, baby, in the mood for love I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone But my mama didn't know what that little, girl was puttin' down I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, in the mood for love I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, in the mood for loveBy John Lee Hooker and Bernard Besman. Bluesman John Lee Hooker Dies by Marcus Errico. John Lee Hooker, the transcendent Delta bluesman whose electric boogie grooves and odes to fast living made him one of the 20th century's most influential musicians, died early Thursday morning at the age of 83. Bluesman John Lee Hooker Dies at 83 For six decades, John Lee Hooker's rich sonorous voice coupled with a brooding rhythmic guitar inspired countless musicians and electrified audiences with songs like "Boom Boom" and "Boogie Chillen." The legendary bluesman from the Mississippi Delta sang of loneliness and confusion. Neither polished nor urbane, his music was raw, primal emotion - and remained hypnotic and unchanged throughout his career. "There are no superlatives to describe the profound impact John Lee left in our hearts," musician Carlos Santana said Thursday after learning of Hooker's death. "When I was a child he was the first circus I wanted to run away with."The Rosebud Agency: John Lee Hooker John Lee Hooker, the greatest of all bluesmen passed away peacefully in his sleep last night (June 20) at his home in the San Francisco Bay area, at the age of 83. Hooker influenced countless generations of musicians and inspired music fans around the world during his sixty year career. He was loved dearly by millions and we will all miss him greatly. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced shortly. We thank everyone for their kind wishes and condolences. The John Lee Hooker Family The Official John Lee Hooker Website John Lee Hooker Discography. There are 900 different recording listed at this site. Boom Boom Boom John Lee Hooker: The coolest man in show business! In the beginning was a stomping right foot, accompanied by a distorted electric guitar. A fast, simple rhythm that strikes a bridge from Africa to Mississippi, from the rainforest to the cotton fields, from prehistory WHAM! straight into the 20th century. Then the voice, deep as the darkness at the center of the earth; John Lee raps, 35 years before anyone would think about calling it that. And then the break: the guitar stops (the foot keeps stomping, relentlessly) and *twang* *twang* *twang* *twang* braaaaaang! Dead silence. Boogie Chillun! and the rhythm starts over again and each stomp, each bass note from the worn guitar is a hammer stroke on the chisel that is hewing rock'n'roll out of the ancient rock. John Lee Hooker: The World's Greatest Blues Singer 1917-2001.---This tribute to John Lee Hooker was originally posted at BookNotes upon the passing of the Boogieman. The orginal posting includes some pictures and has proved to be one of the most popular at BookNotes. Appolgies for broken links. Music: Blues868@blogcritics.org Wed, 25 Sep 2002 14:12:39 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/08/23/112144.php Craig JensenYou might want to consider a trip to Austin, Texas for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Zilker Park, September 28, 29, 2002. 15 acres, 6 stages, 65 acts, 2 days, only $40.00! Look at the list of acts. Talk about music overload.And, if you've got lots of money, you might consider a Friends of the Festival Package. I don't. Maybe someone will invite me to be in the their group of guests? 206@blogcritics.org Fri, 23 Aug 2002 11:21:44 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/08/21/194124.php Craig JensenFollowing is a review of the Buffalo Springfield Box Set. I noted the news of the impending release and then did my review in parts over 4 days on my website Craig's BookNotes. I included numerous links to Buffalo Springfield related websites. If you are interested you can check out the original posts. July 11, 2001 Music News, Part 1--July 18, 2001, Part 2--July 19, 2001, Part 3--July 20, 2001 and Part 4--July 21, 2001.News of release I am one of those "rare" Buffalo Springfield fans that actually became a fan when they were still together as a band. I remember seeing them at the Melodyland Theatre in Anaheim, California, back in the 1960's. My friend and I had actually gone to see the British pop duo Chad and Jeremy. Buffalo Springfield was the opener. We were blown away. Chad and Jeremy were anticlimactic and they knew it.Rhino is releasing later this week Buffalo Springfield (Boxed Set). "Compiled and produced by Neil Young, this first-ever complete career retrospective brings together the band's first two albums, Buffalo Springfield (mono) and Buffalo Springfield Again (stereo)--both remastered in their entirety--along with 36 previously unreleased tracks, including demos, outtakes and alternate mixes. Deluxe packaging includes liner notes by Buffalo Springfield historian Ken Voila, plus tons of photos and rare memorabilia."Now, where can I get the cash?Part 1 The release was a little late. It didn't show up at Waterloo Records until yesterday (July 17, 2001). I went down last night and plopped down my 50 bucks, came home and listened to the first disk. All of the tracks are from 1966 and most of them are demos. It's revealing to hear a song as it was originally conceived--usually just a straight melody line with accoustic guitar accompaniment. 'Out of My Mind', 'Flying on the Ground is Wrong', 'Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing', 'Sit Down I Think I Love You', 'Down, Down, Down', the list goes on. There are several songs that never made it to an album. It's an ear opener and it's already worth the money. Part 2 I've now given the whole set a couple of complete plays. The unreleased mixes and demos are real gems. It's a shame there are no known live recordings in existence.Disc 2 starts out with the second unreleased version of 'Down, Down, Down', which will be most familiar to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fans as part of the medley of Neil Young songs called 'Country Girl' on CSN&Y's Déją Vu album. Also on disc 2 is the demo version of Stephen Stills 'Hung Upside Down', which he apparently intended as a longer song than what finally ended up on the album Buffalo Springfield.The weirdest track is 'Kahuna Sunset', a "surf" instrumental co-written by Stills and Young, complete with bird and wave sounds in the background, hawaiian sounding slide, heavy reverb and hypnotic tom-tom rhythms from Dewey Martin on drums.There are various alternate song mixes and a couple of "dippy" love song demos, that, for good reason didn't make it into release, but demonstrate the songwriters' emerging styles. Disc 2 also features an interesting unreleased version of Still's 'Pretty Girl Why' and an unreleased version of Neil Young's 'Down to the Wire' featuring Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John, on piano.Part 3 What can I say? The set is great. Disc 3 includes several outstanding Neil Young demos, stuff that didn't come out until Young started his solo career, including 'Old Laughing Lady'. There is a Poco preview with an unreleased Buffalo Springfield version of the Richie Furay tune 'What A Day', and probably my favorite cut of the whole set, Stephen Stills demo version of 'Four Days Gone'. Part 4 The fourth CD for the Buffalo Springfield Box Set is a remix of the band's first two albums, Buffalo Springfield and Buffalo Springfield Again. This mix is cleaner, especially on Buffalo Springfield which was badly bungled by the band's first producers Charlie Greene and Brian Stone. Music: Classic Rock and Oldies183@blogcritics.org Wed, 21 Aug 2002 19:41:24 EDT