All posts by Egil

Today: Michael Stipe is 53

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And I don’t expect anyone can bring about a revolution in the way that Bob Dylan did – and really didn’t – in the 1960s.
~Michael Stipe

Super casual music listeners. That’s most of the people in the world. And you have to understand, that’s why Top 40 radio exists. It’s not there for people who seek out music and who love music.
~Michael Stipe

Eddie Vedder inducts REM Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions 2007:

R.E.M. – Find The River – Live 2003:

From Wikipedia:

Birth name John Michael Stipe
Born January 4, 1960 (age 53)
Decatur, Georgia, United States
Genres Alternative rock, college rock,jangle pop
Occupations Musician, lyricist, producer, visual artist
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1980–present
Associated acts R.E.M.
Automatic Baby

John Michael Stipe (born January 4, 1960) is an American singer, lyricist and visual artist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M. from their formation in 1980 until their dissolution in 2011.

Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the “mumbling” style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.’s visual image; often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band’s music videos. Outside of the music industry, he runs his own film production companies: C-00 and Single Cell Pictures.

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R.E.M. – Man On The Moon (Live 2010):

Album of the day:

Reckoning (1984):

reckoning

 

…Reckoning is clear, which doesn’t necessarily mean that the songs themselves are straightforward. Michael Stipe continues to sing powerful melodies without enunciating, but the band has a propulsive kick that makes the music vital and alive. And, if anything, the songwriting is more direct and memorable than before…
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmuisc.com)

Other January 04:

Continue reading Today: Michael Stipe is 53

Today: Stephen Stills is 68

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An artist cannot be responsible for what people make of their art. An audience loathe giving up preconceived images of an artist.
~Stephen Stills

One thing the blues ain’t, is funny.
~Stephen Stills

He’s a musical genius
~Neil Young

Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth 1967:

From Wikipedia:

Birth name Stephen Arthur Stills
Born January 3, 1945 (age 68)
Dallas, Texas, United States
Genres Rock, folk rock, blues rock, latin
Occupations Musician, songwriter, producer, political activist
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, piano,organ, percussion, drums, viola
Years active 1962–present
Labels Columbia, Atlantic, Reprise, Vision, Raven, Titan/Pyramid
Associated acts Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Stills-Young Band, Au Go Go Singers, The Continentals, Manassas
Website Official website

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Manassas – Stephen Stills – it does’nt matter (1972):

Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time. Stills was ranked #28 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s 2003 list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Stills became the first person to be inducted twice on the same night into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with CSN and Buffalo Springfield. He is often considered one of the greatest musician/songwriters of the 20th century.

Album of the day:

Manassas (1972):

stills - manassas

A sprawling masterpiece, akin to the Beatles’ White Album, the Stones’ Exile on Main St., or Wilco’s Being There in its makeup, if not its sound. Rock, folk, blues, country, Latin, and bluegrass have all been styles touched on in Stephen Stills’ career, and the skilled, energetic musicians he had gathered in Manassas played them all on this album. What could have been a disorganized mess in other hands, though, here all gelled together and formed a cohesive musical statement.
~Rob Caldwell (allmusic.com)

Other January 03:

Continue reading Today: Stephen Stills is 68

The 20 best concerts of 2012 according to Egil

DSCN1586_Snapseed

 

I landed @ 45 concerts in 2012… a great year it has been.

Here is my list of the 20 best:

  1.  Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band (The Second night in Bergen, July)
  2. Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band (First Night Bergen July)
  3. Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires (First  Concert, Bergen, June)
  4. Justin Townes Earle (Bergen, June)
  5. Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires (Club concert, Bergen, June)
  6. Patti Smith (Bergen, June)
  7. Ron Carter, Bill Frisell & Joey Baron (NYC (Bluenote), January)
  8.  The South (Bergen, June)
  9. The Deep Dark Woods (NYC, January)
  10. Afghan Whigs (Oslo, August)
  11. Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires (Oslo, August)
  12. Jonathan Wilson (Bergen, June)
  13. Lars Winnerbäck (Bergen, June)
  14. Bob Mould (Oslo, August)
  15. Abigail Washburn and Kai Welch (Bergen, June)
  16. Thåström (Bergen, June)
  17. Feist (Oslo, August)
  18. The Black Keys (Oslo, August)
  19. Robert Earl Keen (NYC, January)
  20. Tønes (Skudeneshavn, November)

 

Best Live-albums & Music Books – 2012 according to Egil

The Who - Live 1970

Lists are always fun…. here’s some more:

5 Best Live Albums released in 2012

Important list! If we had allowed Live albums on our “2012 best albums” list… all five would have featured… (at least if I would have had my way) and “Live At Hull” & “L.A. Friday” is even better albums than Dylan’s Tempest in my opinion… but than again I LOVE concert recordings.

  1. The Who – Live at Hull 1970 (recorded February 15, 1970)
    The-Who-Live-At-Hull-574058In 1970 The Who where at their live peak.. Daltrey had found his voice.. the other 3 where ready.. and the “Tommy” material is nothing but fantastic!  
  2. The Rolling Stones – L.A. Friday (Sunday 13th July 1975)
    LA Friday
  3. The Rolling Stones – Hampton Coliseum (Live 1981)
    Hampton81
  4. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Live From Alabama
    jason isbell live alabama
    It is the best “new” live album this year.. by far..
    Brilliant stuff.
  5. The Rolling Stones – Tokyo (Live 1990)
    TRS - Tokyo 1990

5 Best Music Books I read in 2012

Continue reading Best Live-albums & Music Books – 2012 according to Egil

Today: The late Alex Chilton was born in 1950 – 62 years ago

alex chilton

I never thought of myself as being a good songwriter. There are a ton of other people that are good songwriters, but I don’t think I’m in the club. What I do well is perform, sometimes sing pretty good, and accompany myself well and arrange fairly well.
~Alex Chilton

If you’re writing anything decent, it’s in you, it’s your spirit coming out. If it’s not an expression of how a person genuinely feels, then it’s not a good song done with any conviction.
~Alex Chilton

The Box Tops – The Letter (Upbeat 1967):

From Wikipedia:

Birth name William Alexander Chilton
Born December 28, 1950
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Died March 17, 2010 (aged 59)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Rock ‘n’ roll, power pop, proto-punk, hard rock,blue-eyed soul, indie rock
Occupations Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1966–2010
Associated acts Box Tops, Big Star, Tav Falco’s Panther Burns

A young Alex Chilton w/ Dan Penn:

chilton-penn

 

William Alexander “Alex” Chilton (December 28, 1950 – March 17, 2010) was an American songwriter, guitarist, singerand producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star. Chilton’s early commercial success in the 1960s as a teen vocalist for the Box Tops was not repeated in later years with Big Star and in his indie music solo career on small labels, but he drew a loyal following in the indie and alternative music fields and is often cited as an influence by many mainstream rock artists and bands.

Big Star – Thirteen (1972):

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Box Tops – I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan Cover):

Album of the day:

Big Star – #1 Record (1972):

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…. Big Star’s debut album for the first time decades after its release (as, inevitably, most people must), you may be reminded of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or R.E.M., who came after — that is, if you don’t think of the Byrds and the Beatles, circa 1965. What was remarkable about #1 Record in 1972 was that nobody except Big Star (and maybe Badfinger and the Raspberries) wanted to sound like this — simple, light pop with sweet harmonies and jangly guitars. Since then, dozens of bands have rediscovered those pleasures. But in a way, that’s an advantage because, whatever freshness is lost across the years, Big Star’s craft is only confirmed. ….
~William Ruhlmann (allmusic.com)

Other December 28:

Continue reading Today: The late Alex Chilton was born in 1950 – 62 years ago