THE BEST MUSIC I NEVER HEARD!: WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY KENNETH

 Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends! The show we call music! It’s a sad day today after hearing that R.E.M. is breaking up after 31 years. I actually remember being in college when “Radio Free Europe” first broke out on college radio (oh no, I think I just gave away my age!). So many great songs spread out over three decades of making music. There are not many bands that can make that claim. So until the first reunion tour (thoughts of the Eagles already entering my mind), I guess “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).

I didn’t expect to be writing about this newer release ( and it has certainly had enough written about it) but I must give serious credit to Jay Z & Kanye West for their collaboration “Watch The Throne”.  From top to bottom this is a truly well crafted body of work that is raping and rocking along with all the sounds and samples you want to hear. Check out these two tunes from the CD; “No Church In The Wild” & “The Joy” which features the legendary Curtis Mayfield.

Another band that has just released a new CD that has been around for a while now but do not get enough attention are The Jayhawks. The new release is called “Holly wood Town Hall” and check out the song “Waiting For The Sun”. Tell me if you agree that these guys blend together the sounds of  Wilco and the Wallflowers.

 Here’s one I know that you’ve never heard before. It’s a quirky fun tune that I think would do very well with some radio play. The artist’s name is David Fuit and the song is called “Say What?!” Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm7KKB9P-_I

It’s great to be back in action. So much more to come, so listen to the music!

VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR!

 First, Happy Birthday to all my friends over at MTV, the network turned 30 yesterday. It’s almost impossible now to think of music without the visual images that MTV founded. As great as Michael Jackson was (and I do mean GREAT!), the song “Thriller” would never have been as iconic as it is if not for the video. There is not a better made music video. Some can and do argue that MTV ripped the soul out of songwriting and made to many “prefab” stars. Personally, I’m a big fan of putting visuals together with my music, either a concept video or live performance; it’s all good to me.

 Here we go again; I just got the bad news that Kings Of Leon has canceled the balance of the United States summer tour, citing “vocal issues” troubling lead singer Caleb Followill. The man appears to have a serious drinking problem and I can only hope that he will seek help and be able to return to their music in a positive way.

 Have you heard about the new Super Group yet? I am usually not a big fan of “super groups, I think the term is over used. There have been super musicians and super voices that have teamed up over the years to make some very memorable music. My favorites would be; Blind Faith; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; The Traveling Wilburys, Oysterhead, Velvet Revolver and Chickenfoot.  The new super band is called Super Heavy, and features together: Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Damian Marley and AR Rahman. The first single is called “Miracle Worker”. Check them out at the link below:

 http://superheavy.com/

 There is a great band out of Santa Barbara, CA that you should check out. The name is “Rey Fresco” and the sound is a refreshing combination of Bob Marley, Jack Johnson and a hint of Sublime. What’s really cool is the combination of original tunes (“Precious Time”) and covers like “Just a Friend”, “Caution” and even “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath.

http://reyfresco.com/home

 Another new artist worth checking out is the rocker named Colleen Rose Novak. Hearing her music makes me think of early Deborah Harry and Blondie (early MTV staples). Turn up the volume and listen to the songs, “Memories Remain” & “It’s Not the End”.

http://www.reverbnation.com/1forgod

Fun fact of the day, the Canadian Rockers, “The Sheepdogs” have just been named as the first unsigned band that will grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

THE BEST MUSIC I NEVER HEARD: COUNTRY!

 In case you haven’t been paying attention to the overall music scene for the past few years, here’s a news flash: Country Music Has Exploded!! More CD’s of country artist (total) have been purchased over the last decade than any other single genre. It only makes sense that the Country music sound has inched itself into most genres these days. This is a great thing since country ain’t just that twangy sound of yesteryear, which you either loved or hated. Maybe it was just the Southern Rock sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Allman Brothers that was as Country as it got for many. There should be very little surprise that this past seasons American Idol finals featured two budding Country stars getting the most votes. Kid Rock is now a Country superstar and awards host (gotta love that). Darrius Rucker got rid of The Blowfish and is a “new” Country star. Jason Aldean has merged Country with Rap on the current hit “Dirt Road Anthem”. Lady Antebellum’s smash crossover hit “Need You Now” will be played for years to come. One of my favorite groups is the Zack Brown Band. The first time I heard “Toes” I thought, wow, this is the next Jimmy Buffett (yes, I’m a Parrot Head) and now they have a marvelous duet on the charts called “You Get What You Give”.  A brand new duet that’s on the radio already is the perfect summer song, “You and Tequila” by Country superstar Kenny Chesney with rising Rock star Grace Potter (Grace Potter & the Nocturnals). Check out her version of “White Rabbit” if you have not heard it yet.

A few newer artists to check out are;

Thompson Square

with “I Got You” and Ashton Shepherd, who just released the CD called, “Where Country Grows”.  This young lady from Alabama can really sing!

Here’s a newcomer to the scene. His name is Kevin Jacoby and his debut CD called Truth is now available. Check out these songs at the link below “I Don’t Mind” & “Inside”. I hear a lot of Dave Matthews in his style. What do you think?

  http://kevinjacoby.com/music/

Final note for the day, there is still hope for the CD as 7-Eleven (that right 7-Eleven) is now stocking CD’s with a broad selection based on the local neighborhood. Long Live Music of all kinds. Country for today!

LET IT BLEED!

 It’s been another crazy week in the music industry. I am very saddened by the death of Amy Winehouse, such a talent, and loved her gritty vocals. Yet another music star at that crossroads age of 27 could not escape her demons. So many incredible talents, so much creativity lost at that tender age of 27.  Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, just to name a few, the list is a long one if you look it up. I wish Amy Winehouse had the personal strength and support around her to have altered her path in recent years and avoided her tragic death. More music would have been loved by millions!

 Another sad loss that went under the radar (because he made it to sixty I guess) was Dan Peek who was a founding member of the band America. I believe that “Sister Golden Hair” & “

Ventura Highway

” are two all time American Pop classics.

 On a much happier note, Happy Birthday wishes go out to Mick Jagger who turned sixty eight years young yesterday! I do believe that Mick and Keith Richards will outlive us all (and probably still be touring!).

 Here are a few new things to give a listen to. First up is a Texas style rock band called Ron Rogers & The Wailing Wind. The tune is called “Alabama Chrome” and here is a really well produced music video to enjoy. I think Ron Rogers has a Bob Dylan/Tom Petty feel, what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta_9WCC3TD8&feature=youtu.be

 Do you like the sounds of Radiohead and Muse? If so, there is a Houston based rock quartet called Pale that deserve a listen. Their new CD is called “In The Time Of Dangerous Men”. I predict a bright future and lots of radio time for Pale including this song; “That Sinking Feeling”.

 http://www.palerocks.com/index.html

  There is a Dutch born singer who now lives in Los Angeles that recorded a sweet version of the Kings Of Leon song “Use Somebody”.  By the way, I’m a huge fan of KOL and have been for many years. “Molly’s Chamber” & “California Waiting” have held a steady place in my playlist. The CD is called “Bells”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzcOUOY5YY

Music makes legends and heroes out of so many artists. Some seem to stop time and keep going like Tony Bennett (who recorded a duet earlier this year with Winehouse of the song “Body and Soul”) while others will leave the precious few recordings we can hold on to. As I now think about the late greats; John Lennon and Elvis Presley, I will say in parting for today, music will make you rise up but make sure you don’t “LET IT BLEED”!

THE MUSIC NEVER STOPS!

 After a few (much needed) days off and not writing, I must say that it’s good to be back and can not believe how much “Music I Never Heard” was waiting for me. Not to say that I haven’t been hearing music (while riding roller coasters at Magic Mountain) almost everywhere I have been. Luckily, The Music Never Stops! (Quick footnote, while “The Music Never Stops” is a classic Grateful Dead tune, we will not be talking about Jerry and the boys today.)

 Check out this newly released EP titled “Gloss Drop” from the band called Battles. This second release showcases the band’s (minus frontman Tyondai Bratton who has left the band) full sound. I really like the Indy style of these guys. Here is the video for the song “Ice Cream”.  

http://bttls.com/video/

 There is a band out of North Carolina that has been making some cool alternative radio music called the Electric Owls. Their most recent EP released on Vagrant Records is called “Cullowhee Songs”.  I highly recommend these guys a lot; here is a link to listen to the new EP. Check out the first tune “Silverfawn” which is my favorite, and yes they play a Ukulele!

http://www.myspace.com/electricowls/music/albums/cullowhee-songs-ep-16904417

 This is a young lady with tons of talent, she is a singer, songwriter from Montclair, New Jersey (I once lived there myself!). Her name is Jenny Owen Youngs, her new CD is called “Transmitter Failure” and this video below is of the song “Last Person”. I do believe we’ll be hearing more from Jenny in the future. I’ve also attached an enjoyable acoustic solo version of the Kelly Clarkson hit “Since U Been Gone” to give you a better idea of her talent range. Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLsV1IWB8nY&feature=channel_video_title

http://jennyowenyoungs.bandcamp.com/track/since-u-been-gone

This Rock band from Canada deserves our attention. You may know them and if not you will want to get to know them. Redlight King has just released their debut CD and its killer!! They have taken the iconic Neil Young classic “Old Man” and added a hip new rock sound. They just did a live version of this song on Conan.

 http://redlightkingmusic.com/

Speaking of live performances on TV shows, if you did not see David Letterman this past Tuesday night get ready for this one! U2’s Bono & the Edge stopped by to chat with David and performed an acoustic version of the song “Stuck In A Moment”.  Neither one of them leaves their chair during the song which is sung with such passion by the two of them that I have already logged a dozen plays of this masterful version. Here it is for you to enjoy (and bookmark!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_hw1xcfylI&feature=fvsr

On a bit of a sad note from the other day, Alex Steinweiss, who was the creator of the album cover died at the incredible age of 94. Steinweiss first

Graphic cover was for a Rodgers and Hart song collection. He designed over 850 album covers for Columbia, Decca and other labels.