Thursday, September 29, 2011

Weekend Not Quite a Listomania: Special Nice Jewish Boy(s) Edition

ESSAY QUESTION:

Erik Jacobsen produced the first three albums and most of the hits of The Lovin' Spoonful, "Hello Hello" by The Sopwith Camel, "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, and every note Chris Isaak recorded through 1998, including "Wicked Game." Why isn't he a) a living legend and b) in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Discuss.

Bonus Points: Pick the most over or under-rated producers in rock.

Meanwhile, because things will doubtless be a little quiet around here till next week, enjoy Norman Greenbaum's inexplicably less celebrated follow-up to "Spirit," the theoretically non-Kosher "Canned Ham." Also produced by Jacobsen.



God, I love this song.

Weaselmania!!!

Please enjoy (if you can) the recently exhumed Official Music Video (circa 1980-81) for The Weasels infectiously New Wave (recorded-in-a-basement) ditty "Bad News."

[Technical Note: Because, as with the previous Weasels video I posted, the film's soundtrack had been somewhat ravaged with the passage of time, I have thoughtfully included a slightly higher quality mp3 of the song directly below the YouTube. You're welcome.]




This song -- on which I play both guitar and bass -- marked my last recorded appearance with The Weasels until 2010. It's a complicated and painful story -- basically I had recently converted to Orthodox Druidism, and the rest of the guys found my constant exhortations to join me at the neighborhood Stonehenge somewhat offensive. In any case, when it came time to shoot the "Bad News" video, I was long gone. (That's drummer Mike Sorrentino -- NOT the same guy as The Situation from Jersey Shore -- with the bass guitar, pretending to be me.)

I should add that if you listen to my bass part, you will note that I'm doing my damndest to sound like my then idol, Joe Jackson bassist Graham Maby. In fact, the whole track is pretty much an homage, however inadequate, to Jackson's sound at the time.

I should also add that the song was written and sung by Weasels' multi-instrumentalist Glenn Leeds, who plays the guy in the bed.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Machine Stops

Having temporary (one hopes) computer problems; I should be posting the interesting and alarming stuff you've come to expect from me again by tomorrow.



Incidentally, the title of today's post is from a 1909 E.M. Forster short story -- cautionary sci-fi, which I suppose is not what most people asssociate with him -- that is stunningly relevant to this modern world and definitely worth checking out.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I Will Never Be Through with The Bangles


And no one's more surprised about that than me.

The Bangles have a new record, which drops today. You can get it at all the usual places, plus there's a single streaming at MTV's Hive. Recorded with Matthew Sweet, Sweetheart of the Sun is supposed to be a return to the folkier Bangles, leaving aside their foray into mainstream pop in the mid-80s.

While Sweetheart finds the group covering two Nuggets-era garage rock tracks, lead single “I Will Never Be Through With You” recalls the delicate melodies of the Byrds and Big Star. They may always be known to some as “that Egyptian band,” but Sweetheart is a sound attempt at breaking out of that fossilized shell of their former selves.


It's a beautiful song, and I'm quite taken with it.

I ignored the Bangles for a little while: though I was never much of a hipster, and I adored "Hero Takes a Fall," I was in college during the Egyptian phase and the Eternal Flameout, and so had that college student disdain for all things popular. I hope they made a gazillion dollars, though. It took a while for me to get back to them: by the time I was done with grad school, Susanna Hoffs was doing stuff with Matthew Sweet and I had gotten over my cool snit.

It's nice to see them recording again.

Come to Think of It, the Word "Duck" is 3/4 Obscene....

Somebody doing to The Eagles what ALWAYS should have been done to The Eagles.



Actually, the funniest thing about this is that Joe Walsh probably thinks it's hilarious too.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Like Ethel Merman On Acid

From sometime between October 31 and November 22 of 1966, here's Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, in RCA's cavernous Music Center studio in Hollywood, with the original unaccompanied vocal track to "White Rabbit."

The sound doesn't actually start until about the 30 second mark, i.e., at the end of what would be the instrumental intro if you could hear it. So be patient -- it's worth it.




I was originally going to title this post "Monday Moment of Creepy," but I thought better of it.

I should also add that the more I ponder Jefferson Airplane of late, the more it occurs to me they had far more in common with the punks that followed them then they've been given credit for.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Weekend Listomania (Special Alleged in Their Own Time Edition)

Well, it's Friday and you know what that means. Yes, my Oriental spring roll-in-the-hay Fah Lo Suee and I are...well, I don't actually have a joke ready, but after three weeks in DivShare Hell, the List is indeed back. Tanned, rested and ready, as was said of Richard Nixon or somebody.

That being the case, and given that it's going to be a little uneventful around here for the next day or two, let's get right to the traditional little project for us to wile away the idle hours that might otherwise be spent in neurotic self-contemplation:

Best or Worst Documentary on a Pop/Rock Artist or Group Who Is/Are Not Necessarily a Household Word!!!

No arbitrary rules, but as a bonus additional theme: As Yet Unmade Documentary You'd Most Like To See About a Pop/Rock Artist or Group Who Is/Are Not Necessarily a Household Word !!!

And my totally top of my head Top Five is:

5. The Doughboys -- Rock N' Raw Live

Formed in the immediate aftermath of the British Invasion, The Doughboys, featuring drummer and future powerpop god Richard X. Heyman (his 2006 Actual Sighs album is a bona fide heartbreaking work of staggering genius) were Plainfield, New Jersey teenagers who eventually recorded "Everybody Knows My Name," one of the cooler regional hit singles of the era. (Here's the b-side, "Rhoda Mendelbaum," which just might be my favorite 60s song title ever). [Correction:"Rhoda Mendelbaum" was the A-side of their first single, and "Everybody Knows My Name" the A-side of their second single, both on Bell Records. The B-sides, respectively, were "You're A Pip, Mr. Hip" and "Candy Candy". I regret the error. -- Ed.]




They went their separate ways soon after, but in the last couple of years they've been recording new music, playing clubs all over the place, and generally making some of the most intelligent and convincing garage-rock noises on the planet.



This new film, on a DVD which includes a complete recent live show (with an accompanying CD) and a lot of evocative period footage -- is a vastly entertaining look at their rise and fall and rise again. Great music, and positively inspirational on a lot of levels; you can view a clip from it and order it over at the band's website here. I'd do it now, if I were you.

4. The Monks -- The Transatlantic Feedback



Five American G.I.s, stationed in Germany at the height of the Cold War, shave their heads and invent Blank Generation punk rock ten years ahead of schedule. Still the weirdest saga in all of rock, and the film is pretty much the last word on it.

3. Scott Walker -- 30 Century Man



That's Scott Walker as in The Walker Brothers, as in the transplendently gorgeous 60s hit "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore." And a career since then that has defied easy characterization on any level. As I said in my review in 2009, this is one of the most remarkable music documentaries in ages, and certainly the absolute best ever made about a guy who went into a studio to record the sound of a man punching a side of pork.

2. The Remains -- America's Lost Band



Boston's finest -- they stole the show on the 1966 Beatles tour, by all accounts -- but they never really broke through, despite stellar turns on the Sullivan show and Hullabaloo. This 2008 documentary, narrated by long time fan Peter Wolf, does them full justice

And the Numero Uno if-you're-so-great-why-don't-I-know-your-name flick of them all simply has to be....

1. Dean Reed -- American Rebel



The short version: Reed was an American folk singer, groomed to be a teen idol in the late 50s, who wound up moving to Communist East Germany and finishing his career as a sort of Hero of the People's Republic before dying under mysterious circumstances in 1986. The guy was charismatic enough, although his music kind of sucked, but it's an interesting story to say the least, and the film gets to the You Can't Make This Shit Up strangeness of it quite effectively.

Alrighty then -- what would YOUR choices be?

An Early (And On Balance Rather Disturbing) Clue to the New Direction

Attentive or charmingly tolerant readers are aware that I have toiled since time immemorial for a garage band called The Weasels (although -- as you will soon see -- the perhaps more accurate phrase would be basement band).

In any case, here's the recently rediscovered official video for one of our greatest songs -- the authoritatively rocking "Sweet Geraldine," from our 1976 masterwork Endless Bummer.





A few details, for those who care.

1. Given that the audio on the film soundtrack has been somewhat ravaged by time, I have -- quite thoughtfully -- included a high quality genuine stereo mp3 of the song directly from the album master, and it shouldn't be too hard to turn the volume down on the YouTube and sync the thing when you watch. On the other hand, it's an awful lot of work for a fairly feeble payoff, but the point is you're on your own.

2. Glenn Leeds -- the Weasels' multi-instrumentalist genius (who wrote and sang the song) -- is seen in the video doing his dead-on accurate impressions of the other guys in the band. His performance as me -- with the velvet jacket and the eye makeup -- is particularly good, and it's clear that Glenn deserves his nom de cinema as "The Man of 1000 Faces (All of Them The Same)."

3. The mystery guest star Glenn is revealed to be singing the song to is the Weasels' (for want of a better word) mascot and living legend Roy Kalish. It's a long story.

In any case, enjoy.

And a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded to the first reader who gleans the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Everybody Else -- Just Pack It In, Already.

You know the old story about the guy who shut down the Patent Office because there was nothing left to invent?

Well, in the case of the music business, it's time to officially close shop and go home.



Really -- after the above, what's the point?

Belanova - Sueño Electro II

Sueño Electro II is the fifth studio album by the Mexican Pop/Dance group Belanova, formed by Denisse Guerrero, Ricardo Arreola and Edgar Huerta. It's also the second half of the Sueño Electro series, which the first part released last year. The album was released on September 6 and features the singles Mariposas e Haste El Final.

Watch: Mariposas

Sueño Electro II(2011)
01. Mariposas
02. Flash Eléctrico
03. Todo Mi Amor
04. Hasta El Final
05. Infame
06. Luna
07. Aquí
08. Dulce Amor
09. Tic-Toc (feat. Lena Katina)
10. Mariposas (Sussie 4 Remix)
11. Mariposas (Capri Remix)
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Million Dollar Movie

My old chum Bart Goldberg -- the bass player of my college rock band, who can be glimpsed in Party, the student film I bugged you about a while back -- has unearthed another product of the C.W. Post College cinema department.

So, from 1970, please enjoy Fanny Meets the Fickle Finger. Written and directed by the aforementioned Bart Goldberg, and featuring barely adequate silent film piano stylings by some guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels.


I think we can all agree on two things after viewing this. To wit:

1. It is no surprise that I never had a career as a film composer.

And...

2. Linda Megna -- who plays the girl on the railroad tracks -- was cute as a bugs ear.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Medina - For Altid

For Altid is the fourth studio album, third in Danish, by the Danish Pop/Dance diva Medina. The album was released on September 19, on iTunes and stores across her country. The album spawed two singles, the Platinun-certified For Altid and Synd For Dig, which is the most recent one. I loved her album, I can't wait to hear any English version of the songs, they sound terrific!

Watch:
Synd For Dig and For Altid

For Altid(2011)
01. Synd For Dig
02. For Altid
03. Vend Om
04. Kl. 10
05. Lyser I M○rke
06. 12 Dage
07. Gode Mennesker
08. Ejer Hele Verden
09. Har Du Det Ligesom Mig
10. Lykkepille
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

"Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Lord."

From 1978 and Some Girls, here are those Rolling Stones guys again and the official video for "Far Away Eyes."

Which I somehow never saw before I found it on YouTube last week. In fact, I didn't even know it existed, and the song's Wiki entry makes no mention of it either.



Having seen it now, of course, I have to say that the expression on Jagger's face when he gets to the Jeebus line is absolutely fricking priceless.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Hannah - Everything Is Changing

'Everything Is Changing' is the sixth album by Estonian Pop/Dance singer-songwriter Hannah, also known as Hannah Ild. The album was released on October 8, 2007 and featured the singles 'You Are', 'I See' and 'Everything Is Changing'. Since Hannah released this album more Pop/Ballad, the fans are waiting for a dance album. Listen/Buy the album Here.

Hannah Official Website

Tracklisting:

01. Please Please
02. Everything Is Changing
03. I See
04. Hold Me
05. Oh Baby
06. They Said
07. The Way
08. You Are
09. These Days
10. Let Me Show You
11. Lonely
12. Call Me
13. They Said (Unplugged)
14. You Are (Radio Version)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Captain Jack - The Captain's Revenge

The Captain's Revenge is the third studio album by the Eurotrance act Captain Jack, formed by Franky Gee and Maloy in this album. The album was released on 1999 and features the singles Only You, Get Up!, Dream a Dream and The Race. This is my fav. released by them.

Watch: Dream a Dream and Only You

The Captain's Revenge(1999)
01 .Introduction
02. Dream A Dream
03. Get Up!
04. The Race
05. Turn It Up
06. Set Me Free
07. 2000 (Millennium)
08. I Feel
09. Where The Party At?
10. What Goes Around
11. Magic In You
12. Robotman On Holiday
13. Cosmic Evolution
14. The Race (Instrumental Mix)
15. Dream A Dream (Dumonde Shortmix)
16. In The Navy (Mix '99)
17. Get Up! (Radio Dance Mix)
18. Outroduction
19. You Win Again
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Kim Wilde - Snapshots

Snapshots is the twelfth studio album by British Pop/Rock singer Kim Wilde. The album was released on August 26, 2011 and features only cover versions, like the singles 'It's Alright' originally by East 17 and 'Sleeping Satellite' originally by Tasmin Archer. Listen/Buy the album Here.

Kim Wilde Official Website
Kim Wilde Official Facebook

Tracklisting:

01. It's Alright
02. In Between Days
03. About You Now
04. Sleeping Satellite
05. To France
06. A Lilltle Respect
07. Remember Me
08. Anyone Who Had A Heart
09. Wonderful Life
10. They Don't Know About Us
11. Beautiful Ones
12. Just What I Needed
13. Ever Fallen In Love
14. Kooks
15. Forever Young
16. I'll Stand By You

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Yehonathan - Remember When

'Remember When' is the third album, second in English by Israeli Dance/Pop singer and actor Yehonathan Gatro. The album is a collection of remixes and was released on March 2, 2010. It features remixes of previous singles, aswell new songs like 'Remember When' and 'Waiting For You'. I hate the original front cover, like on his 'My Turn' second album. But the remix collection is amazing! Listen/Buy the album Here.

Yehonathan Official Website

Tracklisting:

01. Remember When (RNR Remix)
02. How Much (Offir Malol 2010 Remix)
03. Across The Universe (Lyrik's Remix)
04. Heaven (Jive 64 Remix)
05. Way Back Home (Samuel Blacher Remix)
06. Waiting For You (El-Zi 2010 Remix)
07. Just Another Summer (RNR Electro Remix)
08. My Turn (Lyrik's Electro Remix)
09. Across The Universe (Offir Malol Remix)
10. Just Another Summer (Lyrik's 2010 Electro Remix)
11. Just Another Summer (RNR Extended Electro Remix)
12. Way Back Home (Samuel Blacher Extended Remix)
13. Remember When (RNR Extended Remix)
14. Across The Universe (ElectroField Remix)
15. My Turn (Vic's Nyc Remix)
16. Just Another Summer (Lyrik's Extended Electro Remix)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Alexandra Stan - Saxobeats

'Saxobeats' is the debut album by Romanian Dance/Pop singer-songwriter Alexandra Stan. The album was released on August 29, 2011 and features the singles 'Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)', 'Mr. Saxobeat', 'Get Back (ASAP)' and the brand new 'One Million'.

Alexandra Stan Official Website
Alexandra Stan Official Facebook

Tracklisting:

01. Mr. Saxobeat
02. Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)
03. Ting-Ting
04. Crazy
05. Get Back (ASAP)
06. One Million (Feat. Carlprit)
07. Show Me The Way
08. Bitter Sweet
09. Mr Saxobeat (Maan Studio Remix)
10. Get Back (ASAP) (Maan Studio Remix)
11. Lollipop (Param pam pam) (Club Version)
12. Mr. Saxobeat (Extended Version)
13. Get Back (ASAP) (Extended Version)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Frida Gold - Juwel

'Juwel' is the debut album by German Electro/Pop/Dance band Frida Gold, formed by the lead singer Alina Süggeler, Andreas Weizel (Bass), Julian Cassel (Gitarre), Thomas Holtgreve (Drums) and Andre Pittelkau (Keyboard). The album was released on April 15, 2011 and features the singles 'Zeig Mir Wie Du Tanzt', 'Verständlich Sein' and 'Wovon Sollen Wir Träumen'. Listen/Buy the album Here. Bonus tracks not included. If you have them, plz share with us, thnx.

Frida Gold Official Website
Frida Gold Official Facebook
Frida Gold Official Myspace

Tracklisting:

01. Morgen
02. Wovon Sollen Wir Träumen
03. Unsere Liebe Ist Aus Gold
04. Verständlich Sein
05. Undercover
06. Zeig Mir Wie Du Tanzt
07. Waffen Und Pferde
08. Aufgewacht
09. Nackt Vor Deiner Tür
10. Komm Zu Mir Nach Haus
11. Denn Liebe Ist...
12. Cold Hearted Baby
Bonus Tracks:
13. Breathe On
14. Amour De Soi

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

3rd Party - Alive

Alive is the debut and only album by the Eurodance group 3rd Party. The grnup was composed by Maria Christensen, Karmine Alers and Elaine Borja. They are most known for their hit Can U Feel it and Waiting For Tonight, which was remade by Jennifer Lopes on her debut album and charted well around the world.

Listen: Can U Feel It

Alive(1997)
01. Can U Feel It
02. Love Is Alive
03. Round & Round
04. Waiting For Tonight
05. Second Nature
06. So Inspired
07. One Night
08. Step By Step
09. Love And Emotion
10. If My Heart Could Talk
11. Listening To The Rain
12. Can U Feel It (LCD Galactica Mix)
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Demi Lovato - Unbroken

Unbroken is the thid studio album by the American Pop singer Demi Lovato. It was released The album was elected as the most awaited album of the year, in front of artists like Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Lady GaGa. It's her most mature album, and show us a different sound that we expect to hear from her. It was mainly produced bx Toby Gad, Timbaland and Ryan Tedder. The album features the single Skyscraper. All Night Long and Who's That Boy are single possibilities. The track Mistake is a English Version of Girl's Generation's Born To Be A Lady, present on their Japanese debut album.

Watch: Skyscraper

Unbroken(2011)
01. All Night Long (feat. Missy Elliott and Timbaland)
02. Who's That Boy (feat. Dev)
03. You're My Only Shorty (feat. Iyaz)
04. Together (feat. Jason Derulo)
05. Lightweight
06. Unbroken
07. Fix a Heart
08. Hold Up
09. Mistake
10. Give Your Heart a Break
11. Skyscraper
12. In Real Life
13. My Love is Like a Star
14. For The Love of a Daughter
15. Skyscraper (Wizz Dumb Remix)
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Kristin Chenoweth - Some Lessons Learned

Some Lessons Learned is the newest studio album from the American Pop/Country singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth. The album was released September 13th by Sony Masterworks. The album features the lead and only single to date, I Want Somebody (Bitch About). She is most known for her Broadaway musicals and for guest-starring Glee as April Rhodes.

Watch: I Want Somebody (Bitch About)

Some Lessons Learned(2011)
01. I Was Here
02. I Want Somebody (Bitch About)
03. Fathers & Daughters
04. What Would Dolly Do
05. God & Me
06. Change
07. What More Do You Want
08. Wreck You
09. I Didn't
10. Borrowed Angels
11. What If We Never
12. Mine To Love
13. Lessons Learned
Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Present at the Creation

Still in DivShare Hell, alas, so once again no Listomania this week. I promise, though, that by hook or by crook I will have this issue resolved in the next few days, and the List will return next Friday -- all tanned, rested and ready.

In the meantime, from late 1956, here's takes 1-4 of Elvis Presley in the RCA studios working on "Jailhouse Rock." Take 4 -- which starts about a minute into the clip -- is complete, although not the one ultimately used for the single.

And the whole shebang is in, as they used to say at RCA, Living Stereo. As nature intended.




There's still something rather startling to me about hearing 50s rock, especially the familiar mono radio classics, in multi-channel sound. It's like going from black-and-white to Technicolor, and the sense of immediacy is really palpable; the music no longer sounds like history, if you know what I mean.

In any case, I think we call agree that the band here -- I believe that's co-composer Mike Stoller on piano -- really kicks ass.

Rosie Ribbons - Misbehaving

'Misbehaving' is the unreleased debut album by Australian-born, UK-raised Pop/R&B singer Rosie Ribbons. The album was originally titled 'Levitate' on the official artwork of the first single 'Blink'. When the second single 'A Little Bit', a Jessica Simpson cover was released, the name of the album was changed to 'Misbehaving'. It was planned to be released on January 27, 2003 but it's never happened. However a promo copy leaked on the net.

Rosie Ribbons Official Website [Off]
Rosie Ribbons Official Myspace
Rosie Ribbons Official Fansite

Tracklisting:

01. Good Thing
02. Blink
03. A Little Bit
04. Deadly Sin Number 8
05. Heaven
06. Coming Up For Air
07. Trusted
08. No Space To Rent
09. Even Angels
10. Aint That The Way
11. Colours

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Liz Primo - Exposed

'Exposed' is the first EP by American newest Pop/Dance singer Liz Primo. It was released independently through the download site like Amazon and Junodownload on September 13, 2011. The EP features the first single 'State Of Amazing' a extraordinary song, like the rest of the EP. Just one word can describe this album: Amazing! Can wait for more Liz Primo songs. Listen/Buy the EP here.

Liz Primo Official Facebook

Tracklisting:

01. State Of Amazing
02. Exposed
03. Wasted Love
04. Candy Man
05. Wind Me Up
06. Won’t Dance
07. State Of Amazing (Mix)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Thursday's Moment of Creepy

New York City, 2004: The former Stefani Germanotta dances with her dad at her high school graduation.



I'm sorry folks, but this woman has more issues than National Geographic.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Street the Beat: Part III

"Falling in Love."

The studio version.



Yes, as a commenter the other day noted, there's a purity to the busking incarnation of this band that shouldn't be messed with.

But damned, if this isn't the prettiest thing in the fricking world...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Street the Beat: Part II

Apparently they DID make it into a recording studio.



Words fail me. These guys should have been huge.

Monday, September 12, 2011

And Speaking of Gorgeous...

New York City in the late 70s and early 80s may have been a scary place -- with rampant crime, abandoned crack vials on every street corner, and that Ed Koch idiot standing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge demanding that people tell him "How'm I doin'?" -- but at least one thing, thankfully, hasn't changed since those long ago days; the quality of our street musicians. Then, and now, they were and are the best in the world.

I bring this up because, for some reason I can't account for specifically, I started thinking about The Iranian Beatles the other day.

They weren't actually Iranian, of course, although that's how everybody I knew referred to them at the time, but in the late 70s and early 80s they were a Manhattan fixture, particularly in the area around Greenwich Village -- three vaguely swarthy guys playing acoustic guitars, another one simulating drums with a couple of cardboard boxes, and all of them singing covers of Beatles songs in the most astoundingly pretty harmonies you could possibly imagine.

Here they are on a corner somewhere back then doing "I Saw Her Standing There," which will give you an idea of how utterly charming they were.



Eventually I found out they were actually Latino ex-gang members from the South Bronx, and that they were called Street the Beat. They used to absolutely make my day whenever I would run across them in performance (you never knew where they were going to show up, which was, of course, part of the fun). To my knowledge, they never went into a recording studio, but they did do the occasional club show at Folk City, where (I can tell you from personal experience) they were no less amazing than they were al fresco.

And they had a couple of original songs in a Merseybeat vein that would, or should, have been hits in the context of the early New Wave, when such things were being re-appreciated. Here's one of them -- "Falling in Love," as seen on an early morning Public Affairs show on NYC Channel 9 in 1983.



I have no idea what happened to the band, although apparently the drummer has a Facebook page. In any case, if "Falling in Love" doesn't make you swoon, or weep for what might have been, there's no hope for you.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Tereza Kerndlová - Have Some Fun

'Have Some Fun' is the third studio album by Czech Pop/Dance singer Tereza Kerndlová. She rose to fame as a member of the trio Black Milk since 2001. After the trio split in 2005, she started a solo career. The album was released on November 30, 2007 and featured the single 'Have Some Fun', with this song Tereza Kerndlová represented the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Listen/Buy the album Here.I love this album, hope you enjoy like me.

Tereza Kerndlová Official Website

Tracklisting:

01. Have Some Fun
02. Control Freaky
03. If You Wanna See A Broken Heart
04. Ztracena
05. You're Bugging Me
06. Free Again
07. My Number One
08. Tell It To The Rain
09. Jsem Bez Viny (Through With Love)
10. Careless Whisper
11. New Horizons
12. Surviver
13. Have Some Fun (Ultimax Remix)
14. Kristinka Iba spi

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Tymes 4 - The Covers

'The Covers (UK R&B Essentials)' is the second album by UK Pop/R&B girl group Tymes 4. It was released on January 26, 2005, two years after release thier debut album. Maybe it's a old material they've recorded before, because the group split after the release of their debut in Asia in October 2003. That would explain why they didn't took any photo shoot for the album.

Tymes 4 Official Myspace

Tracklisting:

01. Always Be My Baby
02. Get Down On It
03. Break My Heart
04. Ribbon In The Sky
05. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
06. No Scrubs
07. Killing Me Softly
08. Rock With You
09. I Believe I Can Fly
10. Close To You
11. Time After Time
12. Easy Lover

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

21st Century Girls - 21st Century Girls

'21st Century Girls' is the self-titled debut and only album by British short-lived Pop/Punk girl band 21st Century Girls. The album was released in 1999 and featured the singles '21st Century Girls' and 'Teenage Attack'. The group split up and the same year.

21st Century Girls At Discogs Site

Tracklisting:

01. 21st Century Girls
02. Drive
03. Teenage Attack
04. All Of You
05. Do Anything You Wanna Do
06. Yesterday Morning
07. Scream & Shout
08. I Wanna It Now
09. Record Shop
10. Teenage Rampage
11. We're On Holiday
12. If You're Mad Enough
13. Cats & Dogs
14. 21st Century Girls (Acoustic Version)
15. Teenage Attack (Karaoke Version)
16. 21st Century Girls (Paul Oakenfold Techno Rock Mix)
17. 21st Century Girls (Paul Oakenfold Techno Rock Dub)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Thunderbugs - Delicious

'Delicious' is the debut and only album by British short-lived girl group Thunderbugs, formed by Brigitta Jansen, Nicky Shaw, Stef Maillard and Jane Vaughan. The album was released on July 17, 2000 and featured the singles 'Friends Forever' and 'It's About Time You Were Mine' The group split up and the same year. Special Thanks goes to Iggypig, for share it.

Thunderbugs At Discogs Site

Tracklisting:

01. It's About Time You Were Mine
02. Friends Forever
03. Walking On Air
04. You Got Something On Me
05. You and Me
06. Does Your Heart Still Break
07. Angel Of The Morning
08. Miracle Baby
09. Jealous
10. Delicious
11. Alright Now
12. First Time
13. Here I Am
14. It's About Time You Were Mine (Skeewiff Thunder Funk Mix)
15. Friends Forever (K-Klass Klub Mix)
16. It's About Time You Were Mine (Soda Club Mix)
17. Friends Forever (Pump Friction & Precious Paul's Club Mix)
18. It's About Time You Were Mine (Funk Force Vocal Mix)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Made In London - A Perfect Storm

'Perfect Storm' is the unreleased debut album by British short-lived Pop group Made In London, formed by the British Kelly Bryant and Sherene Dyer, and Norwegian Marianne Eide. The album was planned to be released in 2000, but was shelved after thier two singles 'Dirty Water' and 'Shut Your Mouth' failed to get the top of the charts. However, some copies leaked. Their debut single 'Dirty Water' was covered by Australian girl group Bardot. Special Thanks goes to Iggypig, for share it.

Made In London Official Website [Off]

Tracklisting:

01. I'm Not
02. Dirty Water
03. 24 Little Hours
04. We Don't Do No Wrong
05. Shut Your Mouth
06. Ain't Another Love Song
07. My Friend
08. Believe
09. Hit Or Miss
10. If You Don't Wanna
11. From The First Time
12. Magic
13. Satisfaction
14. I'd Wish
15. Pull Up To The Bumper
16. Wishing Well
17. Hit Or Miss (Bold As Brass Miss)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

It's the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 and Amazingly Enough, I Don't Feel the Slightest Bit Patriotic


Quite the opposite, if truth be told. And rather than watch the all-day jingoism-and-denial porn that will be on my teebee non-stop, I'm off to a party where we're going to get stinking drunk and watch bad movies.

And speaking of bad (well, actually pretty good) movies, here's something I originally posted over at BOX OFFICE on a previous 9/11 anniversary. Just to put a little blame where blame is due.

[From a press briefing on May, 17 2002 by (then) National Security advisor Condoleeza Rice, about the events of 9/11.]

DR. RICE: "I don't think anybody could have predicted that these people would take an airplane and slam it into the World Trade Center, take another one and slam it into the Pentagon; that they would try to use an airplane as a missile, a hijacked airplane as a missile."

Apparently, Dr. Rice doesn't go to the movies. Well, maybe she goes to the movies, but we certainly know she didn't go to see the very popular [worldwide gross: $121,969,216] 1996 thriller Executive Decision starring Kurt Russell and Halle Berry.

A movie in which some Middle-Eastern terrorists hijack a commercial airliner, load it with a huge bomb, and try to detonate it over Washington D.C.



A movie, we should add, that was made with the full cooperation of the Pentagon.

"I don't think anybody could have predicted..."

Oh, well. At least they killed Steven Seagal off in the first half an hour...
I should also add that the pilot episode of The X-Files spin-off, The Lone Gunmen (originally broadcast in March of 2001) is even more prescient, i.e. terrorists slam a plane into the World Trade Center.



Again -- who could have predicted?

Have a nice day, everybody.

V. Rose – V. Rose

'V. Rose' is the self-titled debut album by American Pop singer-songwriter V. Rose. It was released on August 16, 2011 and features as first single 'Not So Average'. This album is an amazing fusion of Christian Contemporary, Pop, and Rock music. Listen/Buy the album Here. I love it, hope you like too.

V. Rose Official Myspace
V. Rose Official Facebook

Tracklisting:

01. Not So Average
02. Christian Girl
03. Battery (Feat. Flame)
04. Hater
05. Run That Way
06. Dear Adam
07. In Dependence
08. Girl, What U Lookin' At?!
09. Let's Go Home
10. Love Pursuit (Feat. John Katina)
11. Forgive Me
12. Cry Holy

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

It's Another Friday in DivShare Hell...

...and as a result no Listomania again, alas.

In case you're wondering, for the last several weeks -- inexplicably, and out of the blue -- DivShare simply stopped working on my PC. Nothing uploads. For some reason, I have no problem with it on a certain shady dame's Mac in another borough, so it's not my account per se, but it's obviously incredibly annoying just the same.

In any event, I have sent the DivShare help desk several sternly worded e-mails, so I'm hopeful this will be cleared at up at some point this century. And I thank you all for your patience and forbearance in this regard.

Meanwhile, just so today isn't a total loss, here's a pretty great un-released Stones track from 1971 -- a stunning live version (with the Exile horn section) of "Love in Vain."




The show it's from was apparently recorded and mixed for an album that was shelved at the last minute, for reasons that remain unclear. One track from it -- the greatest version of "Let It Rock" ever heard by sentient mammalian ears -- appeared, legitimately, as the B-side to the English "Brown Sugar" and as a replacement for (the censored by the still dead Francisco Franco) "Sister Morphine" on the Spanish LP of Sticky Fingers.

On balance, it's not as good a live album as Ya-Yas, but as you can hear from the above, it sure has its moments.

Don't Worry Baby

The Beach Boys. Live in Chicago, March of 1965. Carl Wilson on Rickenbacker 12-string; Brian Wilson(!) on lead vocal and bass.

In glorious stereo, as nature intended.





This must have been one of the last shows Brian played with the band before he left the road after his famous nervous breakdown. (I saw them at Asbury Park in June or July of that year, with Glen Campbell filling in).

In any case, the next time somebody tells me these guys were whitebread and a crappy live act, I swear to Jeebus I'm gonna take a hostage.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Jamie Benson - My Confession

'My Confession' is the debut and only album by British Pop singer Jamie Benson. She is best known as a member of the British Pop/Rock band Hepburn. The album was released on June 10, 2002 and featured the singles 'Invincible', 'Dumb (Slip & Slide)', 'Stay' and 'When The Sun Hits The Sky'. I don't have the bonus, if you have it and HQ front cover, let me know.

Jamie Benson Official Website [Off]
Jamie Benson Fan Site
Hepburn Fan Site

Tracklisting:

01. Invincible
02. Heroin
03. Shut Up & Kiss Me (Or Just Shut Up)
04. Dumb (Slip & Slide)
05. No Other Day
06. Over My Dead Body
07. Stay
08. Wonder Woman
09. When The Sun Hits The Sky
10. On Your Shore
11. My Confession
Bonus Tracks:
12. Rose Coloured Glasses
13. Here Comes Napoleon

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Wednesday Essay Question

A Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar, well played, is the most beautiful sound occurring in nature. Discuss.



Still in DivShare Hell, BTW, but frequent commenter David Klein has thoughtfully provided us a brief but interesting set of lesser known 12-string songs -- including Glen Campbell's cover of Guided By Voices "Hope on Hold" -- to add to the fun.

Download it here.
ZIP FILE

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tuesday Moment of Dark Psychedelia in E-Minor

Okay, pardon another little self-indulgence, but here's the fabulous Floor Models and "Fade Into Grey". Our fairly blatant rip-off of "Eight Miles High" as heard on that recently re-discovered cassette of our earliest (circa 1981) home demos I bugged you about a couple of weeks ago.
,



This is one of the first songs we worked up as we were getting our act together, although I think writer and lead singer Gerry Devine had it lying around for some time prior to the band. In any case, the forthcoming Floor Models The Album We Never Made CD project will feature a much better recorded version, done a couple of years later, after we'd written an instrumental bridge to the thing.

But I love -- nay, lurve -- the backwards guitars just before the final verse here; kudos to our producer, Beatlemania alumnus David Grahame.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

The Way They Were

In case you didn't see it in yesterday's NYTimes Magazine -- Paul McCartney and Astrid Kircherr on the beach at Tenerife, late August 1963.







This was the Beatles first real jet-set vacation, and the last before the onset of all-out Beatlemania world wide. Kircherr says the picture was probably taken by George Harrison, with her camera. Ringo Starr was also along for the trip; John Lennon was on his own separate holiday in Barcelona, where he famously did or did not have sex with manager Brian Epstein.



In any case, a remarkable photo; on Sept. 24 and 25, the actual print -- along with 600 more pieces from Kircherr's Beatles photo archives (negatives included) will be auctioned off at Guernsey's in Manhattan.

Britannia High - Britannia High

Britannia High is the soundtrack album by British musical television series Britannia High, performed by Mitch Hewer as Danny, Georgina Hagen as Lauren, Sapphire Elia as Claudine, Matthew James Thomas as Jez, Marcquelle Ward as BB, and Rana Roy as Lola. The album was released on November 24, 2008 and featured 18 songs from the show. So, I listed the leftover tracks as bonus. Listen/Buy the album Here.

Britannia High Official Myspace

Tracklisting:

01. Start Of Something (The Cast)
02. Missing Person (Danny)
03. Best Of Me (Lauren)
04. Watch This Space (Lauren & Claudine)
05. Growing Pains (Claudine & Danny)
06. What Good Is Love? (Lola & Stefan)
07. So High (Lauren)
08. Wake Up (Jez)
09. Body To Body (Lola & Stefan)
10. The Things That We Don't Say (BB)
11. Proud (Jez)
12. Fight Song (BB & Jez)
13. Do It All Over Again (Claudine)
14. Picking Up The Pieces (Lola, Lauren & Claudine)
15. Confessions (BB)
16. Without You (The Cast)
17. Weight Of The World (Jez)
18. Changing Man (Danny & Lauren)
Bonus Tracks:
19. Britannia High Megamix (The Cast)
20. I'm The Man (Danny)
21. I Am Who I Am (Jez)
22. Overnight Sensation (Lola)
23. Get Over Yourself (Claudine, Lauren & The Cast)
24. You Got Nothing On Me (Claudine)
25. Wake The Dead (Claudine & The Cast)
26. Obsession (Lola & Stefan)
27. Body To Body (Jez, Lola, BB & Danny)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!


Original Front Cover

Yehonathan - My Turn

'My Turn' is second studio album, first in English by Israeli Dance/Pop singer and actor Yehonathan Gatro. The album was released on April 14, 2009 and featured the single 'Just Another Summer'. It's a amazing Dance album, I highly recommend it. I hate the original front cover. So I did one, hope you like. Listen/Buy the album Here.



Yehonathan Official Website



Tracklisting:



01. My Turn

02. Children Of The Sun

03. Field Of Emotions (Feat. Lyric)

04. Just Another Summer

05. Heaven

06. Across The Universe (Feat. Lyrik)

07. Way Back Home

08. You Will Always Be My Love

09. Say Goodnight

10. My Turn (Vic's NYC Mix)



Do you want it?

Check our twitter to get it!




Original Front Cover

Madasun - The Way It Is

'The Way It Is' is the debut and only album by British Pop/R&B girl band Madasun, formed by Vicky Barrett, Vonda Barnes and Abby Norman. The album was released on September 4, 2000 and featured the singles 'Don't You Worry', 'Walking On Water' and 'Feel Good'. The girls were dropped, due to poor sales, in January 2001. Special Thanks goes to Iggypig, for share it.

Madasun Official Website [Off]

[CD1]
01. Don't You Worry
02. Walking On Water
03. Feel Good
04. Don't Hate Me
05. Sunday Morning
06. That's The Way It It
07. Get Away
08. Fine Line
09. All I Want
10. These Are Your Days
11. Like A Wall

[CD2]
01. Don't You Worry (Radio Edit)
02. Walking On Water (Radio Edit)
03. Feel Good (Radio Edit)
04. Don't You Worry (Radio Remix)
05. Walking On Water (Bump & Flex Radio Edit)
06. Feel Good (B-15 Project Radio Edit)
07. Don't You Worry (Club Vibe Feat. Smooth)
08. Walking On Water (Bump & Flex Club Mix)
09. Feel Good (B-15 Project Club Mix)
10. Don't You Worry (RGB Mix)
11. Walking On Water (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Dub)
12. Feel Good (Mickey P Full Length)
13. Feel Good (Live Acoustic)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Hepburn - Hepburn [EP]

Hepburn is a selftitled fan-made EP by British Pop/Rock group Hepburn, formed by Jamie Benson, Lisa Lister, Sarah Davies, Beverley Fullen and Tasha Bayliss in 1999. Their name is inspired by the famous actress Audrey Hepburn . It's features all thier b-sides aswell plus remixes bonus tracks. Special Thanks goes to Iggypig, for share it.

Hepburn Fan Website
Sarah Davies Website

01. Sleeping Beauty
02. Butterfly
03. Cold World
04. Alibi For Life
05. In Case You Forget
06. I Quit (Acoustic Version)
07. Bugs (The Wiseguys Remix)
08. Deep Deep Down (Daves Way Down Mix)
09. I Quit (Dave Sears On Time Mix)
10. Bugs (Dave Sears Reaching Out Vocal)
11. Deep Deep Down (Ray Rocs Soul Latin Club Mix)
12. Deep Deep Down (Radio Edit)

Do you want it?
Check our twitter to get it!

Samantha Mumba - Gotta Tell You

'Gotta Tell You' is the debut and only studio album released by Irish Pop/R&B singer and actress Samantha Mumba. The album was released in UK on October 31, 2000 and re-released with new cover and tracklist in US on September 06, 2001. It featured the singles 'Gotta Tell You', 'Body II Body', 'Always Come Back To Your Love', 'Baby, Come On Over (This Is Our Night)', 'Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)' and 'Lately'. Here you can find my edition, with all tracks featured on 3 version UK, US and Japan, aswell the b-sides. Hope you enjoy with this amazing album. Listen/Buy the album Here.



Samantha Mumba Official Website [Off]

Samantha Mumba Official Myspace



Tracklistng:



01. Gotta Tell You

02. Body II Body

03. Baby, Come On Over

04. Isn't It Strange

05. Lately

06. What's It Gonna Be

07. Always Come Back To Your Love

08. Lose You Again

09. Feelin Is Right

10. Never Meant To Be

11. Believe In Me

12. Til The Night Becomes The Day

13. The Boy (Feat. Omero Mumba)

14. Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)

15. Stand By Your Side

16. Signed, Sealed, Delivered

17. The Boy (Remix Feat. Will.I.Am.)

18. Always Come Back To Your Love (With Rap)

19. Baby, Come Over (This Is Our Night)

20. The Way It Makes You Feel

21. Where Does It End Now?



Do you want it?

Check our twitter to get it!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Our Talented Readers (An Occasional Series)

Still in DivShare hell, so no Listomania this week (I'm working on it, I'm working on it).



But in the meantime, from 2001, please enjoy sterling New York City tribute band Tru Brit, and -- in keeping with our discussion of the other day -- their ace live cover of the glorious Manfred Mann hit "Pretty Flamingo."









That's frequent commenter FD13NYC [pictured right] on second guitar and harmony vocals, BTW, and a splendid job indeed. Kudos and huzzahs all around.

Mia Martina - Devotion

'Devotion' is the debut album by Canadian Dance/Pop singer Mia Martina. The album was released on August 29, 2011 and features the singles 'Stereo Love' a cover version with Romanian musician and DJ Edward Maya and the brand new 'Latin Moon'. It's a amazing album. Listen/Buy the album Here.



Mia Martina Official Website



Tracklisting:



01. Stereo Love (With Edward Maya)

02. Latin Moon

03. Devotion

04. Missing You

05. Go Crazy (Feat. Adrian Sina)

06. Stay With Me

07. In Your Arms (Feat. Jump Smokers & Belly)

08. Miles Away

09. Burning

10. Turn It Up (Feat. Belly)

11. Chasing The Rush

12. Phare De La Lune (Latin Moon)



Do you want it?

Check our twitter to get it!

Instrumental Backing Tracks of the Gods (An Occasional Series): Special Meaning of the Universe Edition

From 1966, and what I think is (on balance) the best album The Byrds made in their classic line-up (Gene Clark is actually on it, despite not being in the cover photo) please enjoy what seems to be the final instrumental take of Roger McGuinn's fabulous not-an-acid song "5D."









Sing along, won't you?
Oh, how is it that I could come out to you,

And be still floatin',

And never hit bottom but keep falling through,

Just relaxed and paying attention?



All my two-dimensional boundaries were gone,

I had lost to them badly,

I saw that world crumble and thought I was dead,

But I found my senses still working.



And as I continued to drop through the hole,

I found all surrounding,

To show me that joy innocently is,

Just be quiet and feel it around you.



[Bridge]

And I opened my heart to the whole universe,

And I found it was loving,

And I saw the great blunder my teachers had made,

Scientific delirium madness.



I will keep falling as long as I live,

Ah, without ending,

And I will remember the place that is now,

That has ended before the beginning ...



Oh, how is it that I could come out to you,

And be still floatin',

And never hit bottom but keep falling through,

Just relaxed and paying attention?
The actual single/album track fades out about fifteen seconds earlier than this, and of course this lacks Van Dyke Parks' brilliant Hammond organ work on the ending (not to mention the inimitable Byrds harmonies).



But I think this is pretty damn impressive in its own right, if only for the wonderfully live immediacy of the thing. And if anybody ever tells me again that drummer Mike Clarke was the weak link in this band, I swear to God I'm gonna take a hostage.