R.E.M. – “Accelerate” (2008)
Written Aug. 16, 2008…
I have only two words to describe R.E.M.: “they’re back!” They sound committed and hungry once again, with clearly something to prove. And do they ever prove it. They sound like a real band again for the first time since drummer Bill Berry left back in 1997. This is clearly the most exciting, urgent and concise album of R.E.M.’s long career. It might not be their best but it is right up there. And this is also probably the most exciting album Read the rest of this entry »
The Wailers – “Simmer Down” (1963)
“Simmer Down” was the First single released by The Wailers (Marley, Tosh & Wailer), accompanied by the ska supergroup, The Skatalites, and produced by famed Jamaican producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in 1963. It was the number one hit in Jamaica in February 1964.
The song was aimed at the “rude boys” of the Jamaican ghettos at the time, sending them a message to cool down or “simmer down” with all the violence and crime going on in Kingston.
(Note: I do apologize for the average sound quality. Please keep in mind the primitive recording equipment at the time)
Junie – “Rappin’ About Rappin’ (Uh-Uh-Uh)” (1981)
A funky song from 1981 by former Ohio Players & P-Funk member Junie Morrison. This was an early rap-styled song (hence the name). This is from the Junie 5 album, which Morrison performed almost entirely by himself.
Prince Buster All Stars – “Al Capone” (1965)
“AlCapone” is another ska classic by Prince Buster & his all-star band. This song was one of the major influences on the Two-Tone ska revival in England in the late 1970s.
Mutiny – “Voyage to the Bottom of the P” (1979)
Another great song from P-Funk spinoff Mutiny’s debut album Mutiny on the Mamaship which was a devastating diatribe by former drummer Jerome Brailey against George Clinton’s arrogant and manipulative ways, set to a relentlessly funky backing. Clinton was so impressed with the album that he said he would have released it himself. Brailey obviously made his point.
Frank Sinatra – “New York, New York” (Live)
Not sure of date & location of this version, but Sinatra looks older here, so I would guess it’s from the late 80s – early 90s perhaps.
George Carlin – “The Mike Douglas Show” (1972 – Part 2)
This is the remainder of George Carlin’s appearance on “The Mike Douglas Show” on Feb. 18, 1972, w/ weeklong co-hosts John Lennon & Yoko Ono. This is the interview portion of his segment.
George’s appearance was on the last of the 5 days. When asked about it, George said he didn’t even recall being on the show that week. “Too many good drugs back then.”
You’ll notice that George was much more laid-back in that time – in his act & as an interviewee – than he was in later life.
Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are a-Changin'” (Live – 1963)
This is taken from the album Bob Dylan Live at Carnegie Hall 1963 that was never released. As you can see, a cover was printed up & it was all ready to go but was postponed at the last minute and was never released, until 2005 when it was released as an EP.
(More to come from this album…)
Jerry Wexler on Bob Dylan (Part 1)
In honor of yesterday’s passing of legendary producer & Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler, here is a clip of him talking about Bob Dylan, when he met him and later produced his Slow Train Coming album. This is an outtake from a DVD called Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan from a few years ago.
May he rest in peace…
More of this interview to come…
Elton John – “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” (TV – 2001)
From “Top of the Pops”…
The Beat Patrol 