Blues, Music Calendar, Patti Smith, Punk, Rock

Today: Patti Smith is 66

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Patti Smith BF-3

Patricia Lee “Patti” Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses.

Called the “Godmother of Punk”, her work was a fusion of rock and poetry. Smith’s most widely known song is “Because the Night”, which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen and reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978. In 2005, Patti Smith was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, and in 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On November 17, 2010, she won the National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids. She is also a recipient of the 2011 Polar Music Prize. (Wikipedia)

Patti Smith BF-1

Patti Smith has been a part of my musical life since 1979. I have followed her since, but i first got to see her in concert this year at Bergenfest, it was great. She was so warm and looked so calm and confident. She gave us a wonderful show with a very good band. She played highlights from her long career including this years album, Banga.

Happy birthday, Patti!

My top 5 Patti Smith albums:

Easter_cover Horses coverWave coverGone_AgainRadio_Ethiopia

1. Easter (1978)
2. Horses (1975)
3. Wave (1979)
4. Gone Again (1996)
5. Radio Ethiopia (1976)

This day’s chosen album must be Easter:

PATTISMITH-EASTER

 

More Patti Smith on JV 

 

Patti Smith BF-2

– Hallgeir (I also took the pictures)

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Bob Dylan, List

Best albums of 2012: number 1 to 5

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COLUMBIA RECORDS BOB DYLAN ALBUM

1. Bob Dylan – Tempest

“Playing to the big crowds Playing to the cheap seats 
Another day in your life until your journey’s end
Shine your light, move it on, you burn so bright, roll on John”

When Tempest was released back in September.. I listened to the album intensely for a couple of weeks… It was very likable..  I felt it was way better than Together Through Life & probably better than Modern Times. Now @ EndYear I’m still not certain how good it is.. when you admire an artist as much as I do with Dylan.. this is serious shit. It is however better than TTL, Modern Times.. I’m not sure. Anyhow.. It’s the best new album released this year.

-Egil

There are at least 3 masterpieces on Tempest (and some really good songs in addition to those three) and that earns it the top spot on my year-end list. It is funny to see how it has divided people, it has become a love it or hate it record, we love it. Dylan has changed his singing style (because he has to) and he has changed his music, as he has done so many times before. And everytime he do this, people seem to get offended, it is personal to them, I can understand that, but open up, let the new Dylan in, you will be rewarded with the best album in 2012. Fact.

– Hallgeir

Highlights:


Justin-Townes-Earle-Nothings-Gonna-Change-The-Way-You-Feel-About-Me-Now

2. Justin Townes Earle

– Nothing’s gonna change the way I feel about you now

“Hear my father on the radio singing “Take Me Home Again”
300 miles from the Carolina coast and I’m
I’m skin and bones again
Sometimes I wish that I could get away
Sometimes I wish that he’d just call
Am I that lonely tonight, I don’t know…”

 Justin Townes Earle has returned with his 5th album and it is a great one, more Memphis, less Nashville but still very, very good. Again he’s brutally honest, and this album is almost painful in it’s honesty, he really puts himself down. It doesn’t make me pity him, it makes me think that I repect a man that has such insights and has the nerve to face his demons. It sounds as if it’s born out of recovery, and it probably is…

His melodic sense is fabulous and the lyrics are getting better with each release.

Honest country songwriting with a Memphis sound.

– Hallgeir

Highlights:

  • Egil: Am I that lonely tonight?, Look the other way, Nothing’s gonna change the way you feel about me now
  • Hallgeir: Look the other way, Nothing’s gonna change the way you feel about me now, Memphis in the rain, Am I that lonely tonight?


patterson hood-hlritd

3. Patterson Hood –

Heat lightning rumbles in the distance

“I was 27, my band broke up, I got divorced and left my hometown to live in Memphis…”

Pain, Booze & guilt has often helped artists create great art…  There is a lot of all three in this collection of songs from the Drive-By Truckers front man. These are heartfelt songs telling stories from a period in Patterson Hoods life when he was really down… even considered suicide.

“…  My car got stolen, our band’s truck got stripped and I fell in love. I fell out with my family (who I was very, very close to) and had my heart broken. I seriously pondered killing myself several times but instead wrote literally over 500 songs in a three-year period.”
~Patterson Hood (from promotional materials for Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance.)

Nearly all songs on this album are great, but Come Back Little Star shines brightest.. and is a strong contender for a top 5 position on my list for the best new songs of 2012.

-Egil

Highlights:

  • Egil: Come Back Little Star, (untold pretties), 12:01 & Leaving Time
  • Hallgeir: Come back little star, (untold pretties), After the damage, Leaving Time


Unknown

4. Jack White – Blunderbuss

“And you’ll be watching me, girl
Taking over the world
Let the stripes unfurl
Gettin’ rich, singin’ poor boy”

“Blues singers and people who are singing on stage have the same feelings and emotions that someone who is called to be a priest might have.” – Jack White

Music is Jack White’s calling, it is his mission in life, and we at JV are regulars when he preaches. Jack White is a musical genius. He’s a rock auteur. You can hear “his voice” on everything he’s involved in. That is a good thing, and his first solo album really shines.

The music is less raw than with The White Stripes, this doesn’t mean that it is too polished, but I guess that it is an easier introduction into Mr. White’s world than any of his previous projects. His chosen musicians are a tight band and they really brings something to, and enhances his songs. His solo project sounds more like a band than The White Stripes ever did (for the record, I really love The White Stripes).

A tight band and Jack’s guitar explosions on a marvelous break-up record.

Highlights:

  • Egil: Sixteen Saltines, Freedom at 21, Blunderbuss & Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy
  • Hallgeir: Sixteen Saltines, Freedom at 21, Love interruption,  Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy

the-south-cover

5. The South – The South

This album is the one I’ve played most often in 2012, and I do not get tired of it. It  is a great americana album. It’s varied and very well produced by Motorpsycho’s Bent Sæther. It sometimes sound like Little Feat, sometimes Allman Brothers, then The Band and then in goes into the Laurel Canyon landscape. The South is an extremely competent band and they really know their music history.The ballad, Walk in your shadow (a duet with Ida Jenshus) sounds like classic Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris .  This may sound as if they’re not original, but they are, you listen to a song and even if it reminds you of former bands it still sounds brand new.

The album has a soft organic sound, but the band dynamics really comes through, and the guitars are still the main instrument.

The 5th best international album this year and clearly the best Norwegian album in 2012.

…the best part of the album is when the guitars are let loose on I’ll be the one, about 3.45 into the song and right until the end, magnificent!

Country, soul and rock’n roll in one big stew.

– Hallgeir

I’ve just gotta add one comment here.. “The South” is a wonderful album.. BUT live in concert.. they even sound way better! A great live band!

-Egil

Highlights:

  • Egil: Can’t find my way back home, I’ll be the one, Walk in your shadow, Juggernaut
  • Hallgeir: Can’t find my way back home, I’ll be the one, Walk in your shadow, Juggernaut

 

Link to the complete LIST

 

Memphis, Music Calendar

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):

Alex+Chilton+alexchilton

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

Album of the day:

Big Star – #1 Record (1972):

Coverfront

 

…. 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)

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Great albums, Leonard Cohen, List, Neil Young

Best albums of 2012: number 6 to 10

NY_PP_6

6. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill

@ first listen this immediately felt like vintage Neil Young… and it still does, especially on the 3 best songs: Ramada Inn, Walk like a Giant and Driftin’ Back. The lenght of these 3 songs combined lands at about 60 min! Long guitar driven songs where Crazy Horse holds the fort while a liberated Neil Young shines in this wonderful noisy landscape. These songs are not as good as the classics Cowgirl In The Sand & Down By The River, but they are close… Ramada Inn is closest.

The other songs on the album are much weaker, but who cares… we got 60 bloody minutes in Neil Young & Crazy Horse heaven!

-Egil

Highlights:

  • Egil: Ramada Inn, Walk like a giant and Driftin’ Back
  • Hallgeir: Ramada Inn, Walk like a giant and Driftin’ Back

 

bill-fay-life-is-people-300x300

7. Bill Fay – Life is people

“There are miracles in the strangest of places”

I didn’t know who Bill Fay was until I heard Life is people, but I’ve since read myself up on this so called “cult-artist”, his music is wonderful. This album is long overdue and it is a great come-back record. Bill Fay’s first album since 1971!..and it is only his third proper release.

This is spritual music, music full of wisdom and serene honesty. It’s as if Van Morrison and Randy Newman decided to make music together. The album is loaded with strong melodies and meditative lyrics.

…and Jeff Tweedy guests.

Melodic, spiritual and a fantastic come-back

– Hallgeir

Highlights:

  • Egil: Never Ending Happening, There is a Valley, Jesus Etc & The Healing Day
  • Hallgeir: The Healing Day, There is a valley, The Coast no man can tell and Jesus,  Etc.

 

LC_OI_8

8. Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas

I’ve got no future, I know my days are few
(from “Darkness”)

Mortality, Death & loss mixed with Warm Humor….

I love to speak with Leonard
He’s a sportsman and a shepherd
He’s a lazy bastard
Living in a suit….
(from “Going Home”)

Yearning, spirituality, love, lust, and this heavenly voice (He was 77 when recording the album) that still makes me shiver, his brilliant live-band helps out, this is a Leonard Cohen in top form.

-Egil

Highlights:

  • Egil: Darkness, Going Home & Show Me The Place
  • Hallgeir: Going Home, Anyhow and Darkness

 

Iris-Dement-Sing-the-Delta-300x300

9. Iris Dement – Sings the Delta

“I stopped in the church to pray
it was the middle of the day
and I don’t even know if I believe in God”
– The Kingdom has already come (Iris Dement)

“Iris’s songs talk about isolated memories of life, love and living.”
– John Prine

What a return after 16 years! It is the same theme, love, family, religion, hard life and memories, but Iris Dement it at the top of her game. And her game is at the highest level. The songs are often dark and about death, but at the same time they are achingly beautiful.

Dark traditional country, beautifully sung.

– Hallgeir

Highlights:

  • Egil: The Night I learned how not to pray, Sing the Delta & Before The Colors Fade
  • Hallgeir: The Night I learned how not to pray, Sing the Delta and Morning Glory

 

calexico-algiers-300x300

10. Calexico – Algiers

Don’t wanna be alone for long
I don’t wanna be on this dark road alone

I read somewhere that Calexico’s music was labeled Tex-Mex Noir, that captures my view on their music to the point. I think Calexico is having a very good period as a band, all albums from 2003’s Feast of Wire have been great. Calexico has relocated to New Orleans for this record, but the band still deftly mixes Americana, mariachi, country, jazz and indie rock to create something instantly recognisable. Thankfully, it sounds like Calexico.

Algiers’ sonic landscape is fascinating, they still manage to evoke a distint feeling of space and place, I get transported to that little bar on the Mexican border, I can still taste the tequila.

Music with a stong sense of place, and they get better and better.

– Hallgeir

Highlights:

  • Egil: Fortune Teller, Epic, Sinner In The Sea
  • Hallgeir: Epic, Fortune Teller and Para

Link to the complete LIST

Music Calendar

Today: Phil Spector is 73

PS

I am dysfunctional by choice, and I love my attitude problem.
~Phil Spector

If the average man is made in God’s image, then Mozart was plainly superior to God.
~Phil Spector

Strictly speaking, Phil Spector wasn’t even a performer — he’s a musician, but he very rarely released records under his name. However, as a producer — and, to a significant extent, songwriter, label owner, and session player — he has influenced the course of rock & roll for more than all but a handful of performers.
~Richie Unterberger (allmusic.com)

The Ronettes – Be My Baby – Stereo:

From Wikipedia:

Birth name Harvey Phillip Spector
Born December 26, 1939 (age 73)
Origin The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Genres Pop, rock
Occupations Record producer, songwriter, session musician
Instruments Guitar, piano
Years active 1958–2009
Labels Philles Records, A&M Records, Apple Records, Warner Spector, Phil Spector International, Pavillion Records, ABKCO Records, Sony Legacy
Associated acts The Ronettes
The Crystals
Darlene Love
The Righteous Brothers
John Lennon
The Teddy Bears
Ike and Tina Turner
George Harrison
Dion DiMucci
The Ramones
The Beatles (Let It Be)
Leonard Cohen
Ben E. King
Gene Pitney
Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
The Wrecking Crew
Starsailor, Ronnie Spector, Sonny Charles and the Checkmates Ltd., Cher, Cher & Harry Nilsson, Jerri Bo Keno.
Website http://philspector.com

PS2

Ike & Tina Turner – River Deep – Mountain High:

Phillip Harvey “Phil” Spector (born Harvey Phillip Spector on December 26, 1939) is an American record producer and songwriter.

The originator of the “Wall of Sound” production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s girl-group sound and produced over 25 Top 40 hits in 1960–1965. Some of his famous girl groups are The Ronettes and The Crystals. After this initial success, Spector later worked with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison, and the Ramones with similar acclaim. He produced The Beatles’ album Let It Be, and the Grammy Award–winning Concert for Bangladesh by former Beatle George Harrison. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 1965 song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'”, produced and co-written by Spector for The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. airplay in the 20th century.

In 2009, Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home. He is serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life.

Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’:

The Wall of Sound:

The Wall of Sound is a music production technique for pop and rock music recordings developed by record producer Phil Spector at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California, during the early 1960s. Working with such audio engineers as Larry Levine and the session musicians who became known as The Wrecking Crew, Spector created a dense, layered, reverberant sound that came across well on AM radio and jukeboxes popular in the era. He created this sound by having a number of electric and acoustic guitarists perform the same parts in unison, adding musical arrangements for large groups of musicians up to the size of orchestras, then recording the sound using an echo chamber.

Album of the day:

Back to Mono (1958–1969) – Released November 12, 1991

backtomono

 

At the time Back to Mono was released in 1991, Phil Spector’s reputation as one of pop’s great visionaries was intact, but there was no way to hear his genius. It wasn’t just that there were no collections spotlighting his productions, there weren’t collections of artists he produced. It wasn’t until Back to Mono that there was a thorough overview of Spector’s greatest work, and while it’s not without flaws, it still stands as one of the great box sets.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)

Back to Mono is not available on spotify… So we’ll have to do with another collection:

Phil

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