One of my favorite Beatles songs but something a little more special about this solo version by George.
Monthly Archives: March 2019
Song of the Day 3/23/19 Jenny Lewis “Heads Gonna Roll”
On the Line is Jenny Lewis’ followup to her great 2014 debut, Voyager. That album was highlighted by the song One of the Guys” . There is a lot to choose from on this new effort. Standout tracks include “Red Bull and Hennessy” and “ Heads Gonna Roll.” ( The organ solo alone makes this one worth a listen)
Song of the Day 3/10/19 Rodrigo y Gabriela “Echoes”
This acoustic guitar duo from Mexico has been along time favorite of mine. An 18 minute Pink Floyd cover is the perfect addition to this rainy Sunday morning.
Song of the Day 3/9/19 Dave Hause “The Ditch”
You know how some good songs just get better when you play them loud, in the car, in your kitchen, on the treadmill, etc? This new one by Philadelphia artist Dave Hause is like that. (New album coming this spring will almost definitely be on heavy rotation for me this summer!)
New Little Steven and Disciples of Soul! Superfly Terraplane
Little Steven is back! Off the forthcoming album Summer of Sorcery out May 3. And looks like he is touring the US this fall! While I have read that the album will not be as political as previous ones, on first listen this song sounds like the exception. But really dig the rock and soul groove!
Song of the Day 3/8/19 Black Keys “Lo/Hi”
After five years, something new from the Black Keys. Worth the wait
Song of the Day (TBT) 3/7/19 George Harrison “What is Life”
From one of the best post Beatle Beatle albums, All things must Pass
New Music Discoveries
Love Keep Kicking – Martha
I included a song by this band in a January new music post (here), although the song Heart is Healing was actually from 2018, and was a teaser for a forthcoming album. Well, they have a new single out, Love Keeps Kicking, which is the title track for the album due April 5 on Dirtnap Records. Like Heart is Healing, Love Keeps Kicking is a smart pop punk song with a catchy as hell guitar line about the travails of love.
You said love keeps kicking the shit out of me and there’s no solution I can see
No happy pill, no drinking bleach, no permanent lobotomy
Seventeen – Sharon Van Etten
From her 5th studio album, Remind Me Tomorrow, Seventeen is Sharon Van Etten‘s homage to her old neighborhoods in NYC, and how her favorite haunts have disappeared or permanently changed. Its also her talking to her seventeen old self, with both nostalgia for the way she used to be, knowledge of what she did right (or not) back then, and conjecture as to how her teenage self would view her adult self. Much more expansive than her previous work (the addition of synths helps), the song continues to grow on me with every repeated listen.
Maggie Rogers – Fallingwater
Maggie Rogers is a 24 year old singer/songwriter from the Eastern Shore of MD who incorporates electronica influences into folk song structures. She first gained some attention a few years ago when Alaska, a composition class song she put together for a masterclass with Pharrel Williams visibly moved him (you can see the video here). I first saw her when she opened for Mumford & Sons last year here in DC. Fallingwater is from her debut album Heard It in a Past Life. I love her voice, and also that a 24 year old local is doing her own thing, blazing her own trail into pop music.
Killer – Palehound
Palehound is a guitar trio from Boston led by Ellen Kempner on guitar and vocals, Larz Brogan on bass, and Jesse Weiss on drums who formed in 2014. I heard this song on a NPR Music new music show and was immediately taken by its dark, moody atmospheric feel, the whispering vocals, and the ominous lyrics about protecting your friends whatever it takes (literally). The guitar line propels the song along, and the lyrics give enough clues for you to know that the man who mistreated the singer’s friend will not have a happy ending.
When you winced and turned your head and wept, that’s when I knew
That it’s not enough to run that dog out of this town
My weapon’s cold in the backseat, hunt that monster down
Til next time….
Song of the Day 3/3/19 David Gray “You’re the World to Me”
Here’s one that’s a little more upbeat than my usual Sunday morning selections.
Concert Review: Flogging Molly and Lucero 3/1/19
Penns Peak is a concert venue in Jim Thorpe PA and my first experience there was last night when I was lucky enough to see Flogging Molly and openers Lucero.
I have seen both bands previously when each was touring with (oddly enough) Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls. The prior performance by Lucero was as an opener for FT and like this one was abbreviated to about 40 minutes. This band has been around for over 15 years and has produced a 12 albums of new and live material and after a deep dive into their music last year I can attest to how great this band is. Unfortunately, a short opening set only wets the appetite. The band members are top notch musicians and they got the show off to a great start, hi lighting material from their 2018 release “Among the Ghosts” By the time they got to the barroom rocker”For the Lonely Ones” the band was in high gear but ended their set. This band is one my watch list for headlining shows when they can really stretch out and dig deeper into their catalogue.
Flogging Molly has produced 8 albums since their debut “Swagger” in 2000 including Live at the Greek Theater from 2010. (A must-hear if you’ve never seen the band live. the accompanying videos are a great intro into how great this band is live). Their blend of Irish folk, punk and rock and energetic live shows ( complete with mosh pit) have gained them a reputation of one of the best touring bands around.
2 great versions from the Greek theater concert ( Yours truly had a technical glitch with his phone during these 2 songs at last night ‘s show)
FM played music spanning their entire career hi lighted by crowd favorites Drunken Lullabies and Seven Deadly Sins. An unexpected high point for me was Float which is a concert staple for the band but seemed to take on added resonance last night. Dave King definitely placed himself in the top tier of frontmen that I’ve ever seen with his energetic acoustic guitar playing , his stories and banter between songs, references to his early life in Ireland and loving, funny shoutouts to his departed parents.
It only adds to the everyman vibe of the band that after the final encore, the lights come up and the PA plays “Always look on the Bright Side of Life” (a song all Monty Python fans will know) while Dave King stays on stage to dance around and say hi to the crowd.
All in all , a great first concert of what I hope to be another great year of live music for me.
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