Dr. John Brings Bonnaroo To Brooklyn

February 2, 2012 By Kyle Leave a Comment

If you haven’t already heard, the legendary Dr. John is set to perform a staggering nine nights at Brooklyn Academy of Music this spring. I first discovered the doctor in high school, as ‘The Last Waltz’ became the soundtrack to many late nights out – particularly “Such a Night,” in which the doctor coolly croons over The Band’s tight groove:

In college, I had the privilege of witnessing Dr. John perform in person during his special late-night Bonnaroo set. And not only in person, but in character, as his psychedelic voodoo alter-ego The Night Tripper. (Fun fact: Dr. John can be thanked for the Bonnaroo name, as his 1974 album ‘Desitively Bonnaroo’ popularized the word, meaning “a really good time” in Ninth Ward slang.) Here’s what he looked like on that impossible-to-forget night:

Now, as Dr. John prepares the release of his new album with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, ‘Locked Down,’ I’ll have the opportunity to see him three weekends in a row – one a Louis Armstrong tribute, one dedicated to ‘Locked Down,’ and one a tribute to everything New Orleans – right in my backyard. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

(More info on the BAM run here: http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=3972)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: BAM, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Dr. John

A Crooning Country Gem in Brooklyn

December 6, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

Here’s a voice you need to hear to believe.

I’ve previously blogged about Gypsy jazz virtuoso Stephane Wrembel – the Django-schooled guitarist who has composed for the last few Woody Allen pictures – and his regularly mind-blowing shows throughout NYC.

I’d now like to make note of another Brooklyn-based gem seemingly from another era: Tamar Korn, whose angelic, old-timey voice is just as jaw-droppinrg as Stephane’s breakneck swing licks. At shows with her groups Brain Cloud and Cangelosi Cards, as well as various other side projects, she croons on vintage country classics from the likes of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Louvin Brothers, and Bob Wills.

Though an online video doesn’t come close to showcasing her live presence, below is Korn at Williamsburg’s The Drink performing with a few musically like-minded friends of mine from my hometown of Scranton:

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Brain Cloud, brooklyn, Tamar Korn, Vocalist

The Grey Lady Unveiled

October 18, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

Anyone remotely interested in the business of media, politics, journalism – particularly at the New York Times – needs to track down ‘Page One: Inside the New York Times.’ The 2011 documentary spans the WikiLeaks saga, Comcast/GE deal, and bankruptcies at daily newspapers across the US, all while examining the rapid shift from printed word to Tweet.

It’s an unusually inside look at the NYT war rooms, particular the media desk, creating something of a meta “media covering media covering media” story that stays surprisingly clear and focused. Particularly compelling is David Carr, the straight-shooting reporter (and former crack addict) who ends up as the unlikely protagonist, defending the NYT while sparring with representatives from new media entities like Gawker.

Whether you’re a senior White House correspondent or aspiring music blogger, I’d highly advise you to set aside two hours for ‘Page One.’

‘Page One: Inside the New York Times’ trailer:

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: David Carr, documentary, Inside the New York Times, new york times, NY Times Doc, NYT, Page One

Rolling Thru the 80s

September 22, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

So lately I’ve been going a bit overboard on late ’70s/early ’80s Rolling Stones. You won’t find many folks who’d say this is their strongest era – ‘Exile on Main Street’ perennially sits atop my all-time favorite albums list – but the oceanic divide between Mick Jagger’s increasing obsession with disco, celebrity and fashion and Keith Richards’ increasing obsession with not really caring make for some pretty endearing, if not bizarre, tunes.

The contrast couldn’t be more clear and ridiculous than on 1978’s “Shattered,” a grimy ode to New York City. Really, what is going on here? And why can’t I stop listening? Tongue-in-cheek, campy, overblown, underthought, call it whatever you want – they made some great stuff in this era, particularly the two songs I’ve featured below. The mock-country “Far Away Eyes” in particular hasn’t left my head in a week.

“Far Away Eyes” (from 1978’s ‘Some Girls’)

“Waiting on a Friend” (from 1981’s ‘Tattoo You’)

This one isn’t the Stones or a particularly good song, but worth noting here for purely comical purposes…

Mick Jagger and David Bowie – “Dancing in the Street” (from a 1985 Live Aid charity single)

Any other bands whose mid-career output deserves a second look?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 80s, Dancing in the Street, Some Girls, Tatoo You, The Rolling Stones

A Big Gigantic Zoo

September 6, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

Took my first trip up to Randall’s Island this past Sunday to wade through the Electric Zoo, the three-day electronic music festival that featured artists such as Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Diplo, Moby and Chromeo. Although I was only there for a few hours in the afternoon, I experienced a lot – outrageous neon costumes, persistent public nudity, people staring at the grass, fist-pumping, Dougie-ing 300 lb. security guards, and a delicious dumpling truck, to name a few.

Musically though, I was there to witness hip-hop-infused electronic duo Big Gigantic, who were a bit of an outlier at the Zoo due to their use live instrumentation (Dominic Lalli on sax/laptop and Jeremy Salken on drums). Once the tunes started though, the crowd flocked to their tent and never left. The Boulder, CO gents, who are releasing their new album ‘Nocturnal’ this October, tore through a handful of their frenetic numbers, weaving in remixed recent hip-hop hits like Kanye West’s “POWER” and Aloe Blacc’s “I Need a Dollar” (fan-shot video below). The band and crowd were completely on fire, and I’m not sure that they, or I, had ever seen music performed like that.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Big Gigantic, Electric Zoo, Moby, Neon Clothes, new york, Randall Island

Wrapped Up in Adaptations

August 26, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

The news that The Decemberists’ new “Calamity Song” video was to based off of David Foster Wallace’s ‘Infinite Jest’ really messed with my head at first, as someone who often pokes fun at the former and has spent too much time reading (and unsuccessfully trying to write as well as) the latter. Are these guys really going there and messing with a novel that’s closer to my heart and brain than most?

But hey, it’s not so awful. ‘Parks and Recreation’ creator Michael Schur’s vision of Eschaton, the bizarre computer and tennis ball-based war simulation game, was actually not far from my own, besides a bearded Colin Meloy being involved. Still, it made me frightened once again that some ambitious young filmmaker is going to attempt to adapt the completely unadaptable ‘Infinite Jest’ into a full-length feature. If forced to, I can maybe imagine an HBO/BBC miniseries. But really Franco, stay away.

The Decemberists – “Calamity Song”

In other disconcerting literary adaptation news, they’re going ahead and releasing another adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s ‘The Rum Diary.’ Why this is necessary, beyond getting people to the theater to spend money on seeing Johnny Depp as Thompson again, I have no idea. 1980’s ‘Where The Buffalo Roam,’ the first adaptation with Bill Murray as Thompson, has gotten a lot of crap over the years, but something about it is oddly endearing. I’m of the opinion that this is a quick money grab, but we’ll see.

‘The Rum Diary’ trailer

Any novels that you’d prefer director – or indie-rock bands – to stay far, far away from?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Adaptations, Calamity Song, David Foster Wallace, Eschaton, Hunter S. Thompson, Infinite Jst, Johnny Depp, Michael Schur, The Decemberists, The Rum Diary, Where The Buffalo Roam

Even Better Than The Real Thing

July 26, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

Along with most other Shore Fire employees, I delved into Spotify recently and it’s blown me away. It’s almost too overwhelming. Since I don’t even know where to start most of the time, I’ve caught myself typing in a favorite artist followed by “demo” or “live” just to see what I haven’t heard yet. It reminded how many artists tinker with songs well past perfection – and on the flip side – how many artists give it another shot only to completely nail it.

Below are a handful of demos, alternate versions and second tries that I believe exceed the original album version, from the simple country twist on Velvet Underground’s “I Found a Reason” to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s slightly tongue-in-cheek but completely gorgeous reworking of his own “New Partner.” (Unfortunately, Dylan tunes are hard to come by on the web unless you’re looking for embarrassing bedroom covers, but I’ll gladly throw his demos of “Mississippi,” “You’re a Big Girl Now” and “Idiot Wind” into the discussion.)

In the spirit of Spotify, open the program, copy and paste the below links into your browser and they’ll play instantly. For those who have yet to take the plunge, I’ve included a few YouTube links as well.

The Velvet Underground – “I Found a Reason” (Demo):
http://cleanify.net/play/track/the-velvet-underground/i-found-a-reason-demo-version

Red House Painters – “Have You Forgotten” (‘Vanilla Sky’ soundtrack):
http://cleanify.net/play/track/red-house-painters/have-you-forgotten

The National – “Terrible Love” (Alternate Version)
http://cleanify.net/play/track/the-national/terrible-love-alternate-version

Big Star – “Thank You Friends” (Demo)
http://cleanify.net/play/track/big-star/thank-you-friends-demo

The Strokes – “I’ll Try Anything Once” (‘Somewhere’ soundtrack)

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – “New Partner” (‘Sings Greatest Palace Music’)

What are some of your favorites?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Alternate Takes, Big Star, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Demo Version, Spotify, The National. Red House Painters, The Strokes, velvet underground

The Best Guitarist in NYC?

July 6, 2011 By Kyle Leave a Comment

Since moving to New York last year, I’ve seen some of the most amazing music of my life – from The National with St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens at Radio City Music Hall to an unamplified Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy in a grimy Brooklyn basement.

Still, there’s no one I’ve seen live that comes close to Stephane Wrembel. A Paris-born Gypsy guitarist in the tradition of Django Reinhardt (think Woody Allen’s ‘Sweet and Lowdown’ if you’re not familiar), Wrembel is the single most awe-inspiring, “holy sh*t”-eliciting musician I’ve ever experienced.

Wrembel has caught the public’s attention in recent years when his “Big Brother” was included on the soundtrack to Allen’s ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona,’ with the jazz-nut director then asking Wrembel to compose a song specifically for the ‘Midnight in Paris’ soundtrack.

Though he’s recorded with David Grisman, sat in with Patti Smith and coached Mariah Carey, Wrembel caught my attention by jamming with my longtime Scranton friend and ex-bandmate Roy Williams. What started as a casual coffeehouse jam with one of his musical idols turned into a full-time gig for Williams, who’s now his default rhythm guitarist, playing out 5-6 nights a week in Brooklyn and Manhattan. While rooted in traditional Gypsy, the music is laced with Indian, African, contemporary jazz and rock ‘n roll influences.

Wrembel, Williams, and company perform at Fada in Williamsburg every Saturday and Barbes in Park Slope every Sunday. On most Thursdays they can be found at Bar Tabac in Carroll Gardens, and tonight Williams and his own crew of Scranton Gypsies (yes, I know how bizarre that sounds) will appear at Williamsburg’s Radegast Hall as they await Wrembel’s return from France.

I’m not an old-fashioned music elitist, a French Gypsy, or a shameless promoter of friends, but this is truly some of the most virtuosic, unbelievable music you will ever hear, performed by one of the world’s most highly-renowned guitarists. Set an evening aside to check it out for yourself.

http://www.stephanewrembel.com/

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Stephane Wrembel, Woody Allen

Rediscovering The Great Tom Waits, Again

April 1, 2011 By Kyle 1 Comment

Though he’s long been one of my favorite songwriters, performers, philosophers, actors, interviewees, and yes, singers, Tom Waits has been all over my brain recently. It started when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by one of my other all-time favorite folks, Neil Young, earlier this month.

2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and performance:

Naturally, watching him take the stage to speak and perform kicked off yet another listening frenzy, from his folky singer-songwriter days of “Ol’ 55″ and “I Hope I Don’t Fall In Love With You” in the early 70s all the way through 2006’s massive masterpiece ‘Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards.’ This rediscovery (one of many over the years) in turn inspired me to re-watch Robert Altman’s ‘Short Cuts,’ in which Waits plays a twisted variation of himself, as he does in all of his films, ranging from ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ and ‘Mystery Men’ to ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ and ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.’

At the risk of sounding too snobbish, it’s always bugged me a bit that me that views of Tom Waits have traditionally fallen into one of two camps – that he’s either one of the absolute all-time greats or simply “that funny-looking guy with the godawful voice” who elicits a giggle and the “skip” button.

For those in the latter camp, I’ve included below a few of the best and most diverse examples of what makes Waits such a talent – or as Young called him, “a magician.” These live performances showcase his unique knack for seamlessly transforming from lounge singer to carnival barker to deranged preacher, often within a single verse or gesture.

“Tom Traubert’s Blues” (From 1976’s ‘Small Change’):

“Cemetery Polka” (From 1985’s ‘Rain Dogs’):

“Chocolate Jesus” (From 1999’s ‘Mule Variations’):

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: tom waits