Still toying with if/how to restart the blog, but I needed to check in with a link to yet another fun Collective Family (CLLCT) tribute project: Our Bad: A Michael Jackson Tribute Compilation , which you can download at that page. It features the work of few of my favorite songwriting/songsharing-obsess ed Internet (and somewhat beyond) friends, James Eric, Tinyfolk, iron like nylon and more. If you hear anything you like, you might want to spend a little time (mintues, hours, days, weeks, months?) checking out the work of those featuring their [...]
Still working out the details of the new blog in the midst of my job hunt, etc. Until then, I just couldn't wait to share this:
I'm thinking of moving the site away from Blogger before restarting because I hear that, even in cases where permission has been granted to host an MP3, they've removed them. Where should I look to move and/or what program can I use with my own domain/host that has similarly easy-to-navigate templates and less Big Brotherism?
Cough, cough. Is this thing on? Just more than a year ago I stopped blogging here in the hope that my life would move me in a direction to decide whether I was going to start up again or not. I stopped the blog because it seemed a little frivolous in light of the real-life crap that was going on in my life. And a lot was going on then and even more went on. I was sick, I was underemployed, I eventually relocated from Chicago to Bloomington, IN, in the hope of assisting my ill father who [...]
Sarah Gregg Millman (of the Girl Guides) "Oooh This Love is So" (Al B. Sure cover) Words cannot express how excited I was to see this covered. Sigh. Al B. The Chipmunks "Good Girls Don't" (The Knack cover) I still can't believe that such a dirty song was reworked (and barely, at that) for a kids album. The Gwen Stacys "Alive" (Oasis cover) Tiffany "Panic (Hang the [...]
Yeah, I fell off the face of the earth for a second. New post up by Wednesday. Speaking of Wednesday, before then, Chicagoans who love live music, theatre, comedy and the arts in general should contact their alderman (alderperson?) and tell them to vote NO to the proposed promoter's ordinance. You can also sign the petition against it here . If it passes, our access to the things we love will be severely stifled.
I've been posting lots of YouTube videos lately, but it's become my insomnia-fuled, late-night pastime to randomly browse for covers by everyday people. This one was a pleasant surprise: And remember adorable Anthony Hill , whose videos I posted about a year ago ? Well, he's covered my favorite Syd Barrett song (I'm in a weird Pink Floyd et. al. phase lately), and he's charming as ever. Someone [...]
I just learned via a MySpace bulletin that Heathers , a Dublin folk-punk-pop duo releasing an album on Plan-it-X Records sometime soon, will be touring the States with other Plan-it-Xer folk-punk-pop favorites (whose covers have been featured here in the past) Ghost Mice . Sadly, they do not have a show planned in Chicago proper (as of yet, anyhow), so I won't be able to catch them, but I still thought some of you might be interested in learning about them because they're pretty damned good and you might want [...]
Welcome to my late-night/early-morning post inspired by the purchases I made earlier today (technically yesterday) for $1 or less at the used record store: Paul Young "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division cover) I feel over the years I've divulged a lot of personal information about my past with music of a somewhat embarrassing nature. I believe what I'm about to admit far surpasses all previous embarrassment. You ready? Okay, here goes: This is the first version of this song that I ever heard. Oh, god. And I [...]
Apparently this deal lasts until May 15th, so if you're in the U.S. and you like getting free money and want a cheaper alternative to PayPal, give this a shot: All new accounts get a free $25 credit and if you click through from the button below and sign up by May 15, I get $10. (Likewise, anyone you refer who signs up will result in $10 added to your account, and so on.) Again, the $25 offer is only good until May 15. It's free money, kids! Edit: Offer apparently only good [...]
Ben Sollee "A Change is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke cover) Usually when a record label sends me a track to promote, I download it and forget about it for a while. Especially if the word "jazz" is anywhere in the press release. But even jaded ol' jazz-fearing Liza has a heart that will melt via R&B-influenced bluegrass and a smooth-voiced cellist with glasses, So I'm posting this nearly immediately. I'm a human being here, people! Brand New "Oh, Comely" (Neutral Milk Hotel cover) This is a [...]
Sometimes I forget I've been (too sporadically, I admit) exclusively blogging cover songs for so long. Or that I might have been the first to do it so, um, popularly. Or something. I'm weirdly modest about it, as it really is just a public extension of an insomniac hobby I conjured up for myself about 8 years ago. Still, I am pretty constantly floored at and excited by the responses I get via comments and e-mails from readers that are overwhelmingly positive. So I thank all of you reading. I'm also often shocked at the respect my cover blogging appears [...]
I'm working on a new post for later today or tomorrow. Until then, you can download Dirty Power's live tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours here , should you so desire.
Posting American Idol performances is not something I'd normally do, but I fear that many of you have written it off, which I understand. But every now and then, a phenomenally talented star will be a guest and take the stage and remind you how awesome he or she truly is. Annie Lennox singing Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" (from the "Idol Gives Back" spiel) simply blew me away. And to think I almost chose not to set the DVR!
I honestly believe my shuffle play was in-tune with my mood, as most of today's tracks are soft or smooth or reeking of beachy nostalgia. (No, I have no idea what I'm talking about either!) It looks as if this post is dominated by indie radio covers and tributes. 16 Horsepower "Single Girl, Married Girl" (The Carter Family cover) My pal Ryan is in a band that opened for another band whose members used to be in 16 Horsepower. He texted me the other night to ask if [...]
Too much coffee too late in the day PLUS too much beer even later in the day PLUS today's thrift-score glasses and mugs PLUS free association PLUS YouTube EQUALS this: ------------------------------ ------ ------------------------------ ------ [...]
This is legitimate. Remember how when Pay Pal was new you could get money for referring new users? Well, there's finally a new service with lower fees than PayPal's and they're offering the same sort of promo. Basically, all new accounts get a free $25 credit and if you click through from the button below and sign up by April 15, I get $10. Again, the $25 offer is only good until April 15. But, seriously, which one of us couldn't use the free money?
Trembling Blue Stars "Coming Up for Air" (The Go-Betweens cover) The Dirtbombs "King's Lead Hat" (Brian Eno cover) Girls Aloud "With Every Heartbeat" (Robyn cover) Guess who's going to the Robyn show in May? ME! Guess who's glad it isn't a Girls Aloud show instead? Me again! I'm also the one who wishes she could coax any of her singer-type guy friends to videotape themselves covering Robyn songs and add them to YouTube. Like this: [...]
Heh. Remember me? I'm settling down after a week or two of debauchery and general busyness and will try to get a large random post together by Wednesday. Until then, you should go download Stereogum's tribute to Bjork's Post .
Copy, Right?
Monday Music – 28 May 2012
Bison - Quill
