Sunday, May 28, 2017

Todd Rundgren Trolls Trump: (The Man In The) "Tin Foil Hat" feat Donald Fagen (Video)




We've loved Todd Rundgren since, well, forever. "Hello, It's Me" is a classic for the ages, and Todd's been deeply involved in music as a writer, performer, producer, and more for decades. Recently, he's happily helmed Ringo Starr's All-Star Band, and now has released a new album.

His new song "Tin Foil Hat", feat. Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, used an anti-Trump video in concert, leading to some walk-outs, and a warning by Rundgren that Trump voters would not enjoy his show and should avoid it.



He's coming down the escalator
With a girl from east of here
He wants to make the country greater
We've got nothing left to fear
Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup d'etat
But it's gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that
'Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is tweeting like a teenage girl
He puts the Pluto in plutocrat
It's gonna be a yuge, yuge, yuge new world
He hasn't got the time for losers
Unless they do as he commands
He's writing checks to his accusers
With those tiny little hands
Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup de tat
But it's gonna be a yuge yuge yuge new world
'Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is gonna drain the swamp tonight
And fill it with up with alternative facts
It's gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that
'Cause the man in the tin foil hat
Is tweeting like a teenage girl
He puts the Pluto in plutocrat
It's gonna be a yuge yuge yuge new world
Because the man in the tin foil hat
Is sitting on the throne tonight
It kinda feels like coup d'etat
It's gonna be great, tremendous, amazing and all that


------------------------------

We need our artists now more than ever, to give us hope, lift our dreams, and fight the good fight. Hats off to artists like Todd who care and dare to share.



Monday, May 22, 2017

Roger Waters Blasts Trump In Concert "Pigs (Three Different Ones)"




Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame did a dress rehearsal last night (May 21, 2017) in New Jersey for his massive U.S. summer tour.

The Pink Floyd song "Pigs (Three Different Kinds)" from 1977's Animals featured unflattering pictures of Trump - one labeled "CHARADE" and another where Trump's face appeared on the body of a pig -  on the massive screens behind the band as they played.











Saturday, May 20, 2017

2020 Playlist For The Inevitable Folk Revival

Lead Belly American Epic
The Carter Family American Epic
Leonard Cohen Upon A Smokey Evening (2 CD, Live in Bonn, 1979)
Barbara Dane Anthology Of American Folk Songs
Barbara Dane & Lightnin' Hopkins Sometimes I Believe She Loves Me
Barbara Dane & The Chambers Brothers Barbara Dane & The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers Time Has Come Today
Eric von Schmidt & Bob Dylan Bob & Eric Blues (Dylan 50th Anniversary Collection: 1964)
Eric von Schmidt Live In Concert YMCA, Boston, 1960
Eric von Schmidt The Folk Blues Of Eric von Schmidt
Eric von Schmidt "Believer", "Stewball", "Fast Acne", "Who Knocked The Brains Out Of The Sky?"
Rolf Cahn & Eric von Schmidt Rolf Cahn & Eric von Schmidt
Dick Fariña & Eric von Schmidt Dick Fariña & Eric von Schmidt (2 CD version)
Rolf Cahn California Concert With Rolf Cahn
Rolf Cahn Live At Ash Grove
Elizabeth Cotten Live!
Rodriguez Cold Fact
Bert Jansch & John Renbourn Bert & John (1966)





American Epic, a documentary series on PBS here's their site promises to give an in-depth view into the very beginnings of the music industry. They are also releasing several albums of music, including these two excellent selections

Lead Belly American Epic
The Carter Family American Epic

Newly released show from Germany in 1979. Any excuse to listen to Leonard is amazing.

Leonard Cohen Upon A Smokey Evening (2 CD, Live in Bonn, 1979)

Barbara's just turned 90 and celebrated by releasing a new album and performing several shows. The perfect occasion to dip back into her extensive catalog of incredible recordings (and The Chambers Brothers and their 11-minute masterpiece "Time Has Come Today",  just because it's so right)

Barbara Dane Anthology Of American Folk Songs
Barbara Dane & Lightnin' Hopkins Sometimes I Believe She Loves Me
Barbara Dane & The Chambers Brothers Barbara Dane & The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers Time Has Come Today

No folk revival would be complete without Bob Dylan and cohorts such as Eric von Schmidt and Richard Fariña. Barbara Dane's ex-husband, the late Rolf Cahn, was a pillar of the folk scene in Cambridge, Berkeley, and Santa Fe. In the early 60's he produced a folk program on KPFA radio in Berkeley, often broadcasting live from The Cabale folk club. The von Schmidt concert from Boston was broadcast on the show and is available online. Stellar folk talents Elizabeth Cotten, Rodriguez (currently on tour), Bert Jansch & John Renbourn round out the playlist.

Eric von Schmidt & Bob Dylan Bob & Eric Blues (Dylan 50th Anniversary Collection: 1964)
Eric von Schmidt Live In Concert YMCA, Boston, 1960
Eric von Schmidt The Folk Blues Of Eric von Schmidt
Eric von Schmidt "Believer", "Stewball", "Fast Acne", "Who Knocked The Brains Out Of The Sky?"
Dick Fariña & Eric von Schmidt Dick Fariña & Eric von Schmidt (2 CD version)
Rolf Cahn & Eric von Schmidt Rolf Cahn & Eric von Schmidt
Rolf Cahn California Concert With Rolf Cahn
Rolf Cahn Live At Ash Grove
Elizabeth Cotten Live!
Rodriguez Cold Fact
Bert Jansch & John Renbourn Bert & John (1966)

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Ireland's The Strypes Cool New Song "Behind Closed Doors" (Video)





Here's the lads doing a cover last year of one of my favorite songs "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding", by Nick Lowe, popularized by Elvis Costello.

                         "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding"

As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

And from 2014, some videos I shot of the band in San Francisco on their (I believe) second U.S. tour...



Friday, May 12, 2017

What I'm Listening To This Week...



New and Newish:

The Afghan Whigs In Spades

Bonnie "Prince" Billy Best Troubador - Billy's tribute to the late Merle Haggard skips Hag's greatest hits to reveal the artist behind the legend

Fleet Foxes Crack-Up

Kasabian For Crying Out Loud

Palma Violets Danger In The Club

P.J. Harvey "A Dog Called Money"/ "I'll Be Waiting" (Single)

Paul Weller A Kind Revolution

Real Estate In Mind

Taj Mahal And Keb Mo TajMo - a bit over-produced at times, but good clean fun for the most part by two living legends


Old:

Bert Jansch Various Albums

Elizabeth Cotten Live!

Fred Neil Various Albums

Lightnin' Hopkins & Barbara Dane Sometimes I Believe She Loves Me

Muddy Waters The Complete Plantation Recordings

Rolf Cahn California Concert

Sister Rosetta Tharpe Spirituals In Rhythm

Swet Shop Boys Cool New Song "Thas My Girl" (Audio)