Saturday, April 30, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 356: Up The Junction

Up The Junction - Squeeze (1979)

Jools Holland wasn't always just the best musical variety show host in the world. He used to be in Squeeze with Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford.

And they were awesome.

"Up The Junction" is a sad tale of working class love and loss, set in one of the happiest power pop melodies you could ever hope to hear. It never registered in the states, but made it all the way to number two in the UK.

I'll never understand the strange separation between English and US hits. Thank God for the BBC being online! Their charts are much more interesting.




The British also pick better songs to cover! Here's Lily Allen and Travis!




Friday, April 29, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 355: The Highwayman

The Highwayman - Loreena McKennitt (1997)

Alfred Noyes' immortal lyric poem "The Highwayman" was re-invigorated on a triple platinum platter in 1997 by Canadian mystic folkie Loreena McKennitt. It's already haunting narrative is married to a perfect musical partner here. Loreena is one of those artists that I get excited to search for at record stores because I know that whichever album I pick up from her catalog is going to be an esoteric aural journey into the ether.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 354: Centurion

Centurion - Glass Hammer (2002)

Prog Rock heaven delivered by a stellar group from Chattanooga, Tennessee, of all places! Glass Hammer have been going strong since their Lord Of The Rings-inspired debut in 1993 all the way up to 2010's If, but this track from 2002's Lex Rex (which tells the story of a Roman soldier's spiritual journey) is one of the best examples of symphonic prog since Yes, which must explain why Jon Anderson has worked with them. Listen well readers, this is rock and roll at its most beautiful.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 353: The Fat Lady Of Limbourg

The Fat Lady Of Limbourg - Brian Eno (1974)

Brian Eno has done many things. He created ambient music. He helped make U2 what they are today. He played synths in the first incarnation of Roxy Music. He has made strange, wonderful music with artists as diverse as Robert Fripp and David Byrne.

But I'll always love him for his solo albums, especially his first flawless five. Today's track comes from Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), number two, and is reported to be about an insane asylum in Limbourg, Belgium where the inmates outnumber the people that live in the town....

.......creepy......and amazing......all at once.....

Thanks again Velvet Goldmine, you had quite a soundtrack!



Ummmmm, I will be downloading this album!

JDIZZY's 365 # 352: The Hangman And The Papist

The Hangman And The Papist - The Strawbs (1971)

This song will give you chills, especially if you're a student of British history during the birth of the Anglican Church.

And if you are a fan of the above mentioned music that makes up this blog's name, than meet the most perfect conglomeration of Prog, Folk and Such. I can't recommend The Strawbs enough. Start with From The Witchwood because it features Rick Wakeman, then spread out. I promise that soon your Strawbs collection will be fruitful and multiply.

JDIZZY's 365 # 351: Paxton Quigley's Had the Course

Paxton Quigley's Had the Course - Chad & Jeremy (1968)

Chad & Jeremy were a lucky bunch! After releasing their brilliant failure Cabbages & Kings, Columbia Records allowed them to make an equally magnificent bottom seller entitled The Ark! These discs are eons away from "A Summer Song", but they are also two of the best albums you've never heard. Today's track, from the latter, is all about the generation gap. It is told in such dayglow colors that the listener is swept away and never made to feel like they are getting a history lesson. If Panic At the Disco were still the band that made Pretty Odd!, this would have been a perfect cover choice.

JDIZZY's 365 # 350: Knight In Rusty Armour

Knight In Rusty Armour - Peter & Gordon (1967)

Psychedelic Pop at its finest, from the boys who made their careers singing unreleased Beatles Songs. Peter Asher would go on to record James Taylor, while Gordon Waller released a few 45's and waited for the inevitable reunion tour. For further listening, get the severely out-of-print summer of love flop Hot, Cold & Custard. It's magical!!

JDIZZY's 365 # 349: No Milk Today

No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits (1966)

Manchester's finest before the Gallaghers had to be Peter Noone and the boys! They released many a perfect single in those invasion days, but this one has always stuck in my head. It expertly shows how love can affect your job, evidenced by the poor milkman who can't make his deliveries because of a broken heart. Get their greatest hits, then branch out into b-sides and album cuts. You'll find some forgotten wonders.



10CC's Graham Gouldman wrote this song and recorded it himself in 1968!

JDIZZY's 365 # 348: That's How I Don't Love You

That's How I Don't Love You - Jamey Johnson (2010)

Thank you Jamey Johnson. Country music hasn't sounded this Outlaw or authentic in years.

And a double album in 2010?!!!?? That takes some guts AND skill!

Man, I can't wait to see what you do next, especially after this "tear in a beer" classic!

JDIZZY's 365 # 347: Finale: Children Will Listen

Finale: Children Will Listen - The Cast Of Into The Woods (1987)

Spiderman, take note. Every Broadway show should strive for a finale this powerful. If you aren't moved by this song, than I think you need a visit from the Care Bears. Stephen Sondheim's re-imagining of classic fairy tales is one of the best musicals ever to grace the Great White Way. In fact, that can be said for a lot of his masterpieces......

.......but more on that later.........

Sing Bernadette, sing!



Oh Babs, look at you taking other people's songs!

JDIZZY's 365 # 346: Garden Party

Garden Party - Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band (1972)

Back in the late 50's/early 60's, Ricky Nelson was a teen idol on the level of the Beebs today. But in 1971, Rick Nelson was booed off the stage for playing his new material at a rock and roll oldies concert in Madison Square Garden. The experience resulted in one of the best songs ever written about growing older in the pop music circus. It's also some fine country rock from one of the genre's unheralded progenitors.


Ricky Nelson - Garden Party


Here's some former power balladeers singin' their daddy's song!!!!




Tuesday, April 19, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 345: Glosoli

Glosoli - Sigur Ros (2005)

This song has brought me to tears twice.

The first time was when Taak, Sigur Ros' fullest statement of beauty through heavenly noise and gibberish, was released. Youtube had just come along and I was so excited by the prospect of seeing the music video from a band outside the mainstream without having to wait for a dvd. (It seems I had already given up on MTV 4 and Vh1"....no really, we only play classic videos" 2 ever happening!). Watching the video embedded below on my parent's computer in 2006 took me to another world of art, commerce and ethereal music. I hadn't cried while watching a music video since Johnny Cash's "Hurt", but I wept openly because of these Icelandic geniuses. No video has made me do so since.

The second time was watching my fiancee's little sister dance to this song in her Spring Recital. It is a song that will forever conjure childhood in my mind because of its visual aide, and watching children passionately involved such a meaningful song in a performance backed by such an outstanding soundscape( played through very good speakers!) broke me down again. I tried my best to hide it from the soon-to-be-wifey's family, but they probably saw. But I assure you I wan't the only one moved to waterworks in that auditorium. Sigur Ros has a way of attacking your emotions head on.

For the uninitiated, Taak is an excellent starting point for this insanely important band.

I promise you, you won't just want more, you'll need it.

JDIZZY's 365 # 344: Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be)

Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) - Sly & the Family Stone (1973)

You may have your "Dance To the Music". You may have your "Everyday People". You may even have the twin back-to-back masterpieces of Stand! and There's A Riot Going On.

Just leave me this Doris Day cover from the insanely underrated Fresh, cause it's the funkiest thing the family, Sly and the rest of the world ever did.

It's time to wake up Sly, and take your spot back.

JDIZZY's 365 # 343: Liza & Louise

Liza & Louise - NOFX (1992)

Silly crass pop punk from my childhood that seems now like a beautiful ode to acceptance.

This little ditty came at just the right time in my existence, when Punk had lit a fire under my Chuck Taylors. Featured on the phenomenal Epitaph Records' compilation Punk-O-Rama, it is a song that never ceases to make me pogo up and down like a 15 year old, like so many others from Fat Mike's now "classic" band, as well as his various other projects.

JDIZZY's 365 # 342: Mandolin Rain

Mandolin Rain - Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1986)

Though there have been many highlights in his career in the 25 years since its release, The Way It Is looms long in the story of Bruce Hornsby.

As it should.

It's a perfect album.

It also contains today's track, the fourth and final single to be taken from the monster. It's one of the only instances I know of where a song was on the Billboard 100, the modern rock, the adult contemporary and the country charts all at the same time.

That's quite an achievement for a Virginia boy, no to mention the fact that he pinned a number one hit for Huey Lewis, co wrote and played on Don Henley's finest moment as a solo artist, and was a member of The Dead for two years.

And in his own way, with this song and the monster disc it appeared on, Bruce Hornsby paved the way for Dave Matthews to put his own spin on the "Virginia Sound" and make it his own.

So we not only have the gorgeous sadness of "Mandolin Rain" to think the man for, but we have the cottage industry of Charlottesville's greatest export, who ironically were signed to RCA just like Mr. Hornsby.


Bruce Hornsby - Mandolin Rain by jpdc11

Pam Tillis does a gorgeous version as well.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 341: Dire Wolf

Dire Wolf - The Grateful Dead (1970)

Many people (outside of the colorful world of Deadheads) consider Workingman's Dead and its sister album American Beauty as the finest albums The Grateful Dead ever recorded. While Blues For Allah, Terrapin Station and Anthem Of The Sun all hold special places in my heart, I have to agree with this broad statement. In a career that inspired every Jam Band that came after, the Dead truly represent their soul on these two albums (Much in the way that The Band could easily be summarized by the back-to-back twins of Music From The Big Pink and their self-titled second disc.). Today's track could have been written a hundred years before on the wild prairie, but it was written in California in 1970 with the aftertaste of the sixties hanging heavily on the nation's tongue. The Dead's back-to-basics approach wasn't the first of its kind (That would be Dylan), but it inspired just as many artists as its predecessors. Listening today to this milestone is just as fresh as it must have been way back when, thanks to rhino's exhaustive reissuing campaign. Enjoy this music on a spring afternoon,on the porch, with a fine craft beer in your hand. You'll feel the smile creep over your face right before you sing along to the chorus.

JDIZZY's 365 # 340: Love In Vain

Love In Vain - Robert Johnson (1939)

There really isn't much to say here. Without this legendary figure, no one on this list (besides Scott Joplin and Kenny G) ever records a note of music. That may be "It's A Wonderful Life" drastic, but it also is 94.6% correct. Johnson's legacy covers more ground than any other musician of the 20th Century. Today's selection is the antithesis of Milkcows, Hellhounds and Judgements. It is the honesty that is the blues broken down into the analogy of a steam whistle and a broken man's painful cry. The scratchy recording seems to come from another world, but its honesty, influence and power will resonate long after the human race disappears and other sentient beings discover what we as a people accomplished. Robert Johnson might even be revered as an ancient race's god by the creatures who will indelibly feel the music's power as millions of us have. Satan himself would be proud.



After Dandelions, Satanic Majesties and Drag Shows, The Rolling Stones found their roots again and presented one of the best covers ever made.

Friday, April 15, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 339: Isle Of Islay

Isle Of Islay - Donovan (1967)

This guy was a lot more than the sum parts of Saffron, electric bananas and Mellow Yellow.

Even there though, you had an effervescent pop concoction that featured the folky Scot jamming with Macca and John Paul Jones!

Famously made fun of by Dylan in DA Pennebaker's Don't Look Back, Donovan should be remembered for how much he brought to late 60's music, combining folk and psychedelia far more convincing than any of his peers and/or his followers in the modern freak folk movement. He reached his apex in 1967 with the double album A Gift From A Flower To A Garden. Even among that sea of song pearls, "Isle Of Islay" stands out. It is an achingly beautiful sketch, grasping for a zen like nostalgia while forging ahead far away from the fabled land. By the time he reaches the haunting line of"Felt Like A Tide Left Me Here", the listener is stunned, until they are able to gather the strength to hit the reset button.

In-between recording Johnny Cash's American Recordings albums, Rick Rubin found the time to produce Donovan.

If that doesn't speak volumes for the Mr. Leitch's talent, depth and longevity, I don't know what does.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 338: Tumbling Down

Tumbling Down - Cockney Rebel (1974)

I was 18 years old when I first heard this song.

That was 13 years ago but I still remember what it was like, sitting in a dark movie theater in Richmond, VA , watching Velvet Goldmine for the first time.

Today's track played in the part of the story where everything literally was doing what the title said. Brian Slade (eh hem, David Bowie) had faked his own death and pissed off his fans. Like other moments in this hideously underrated film, the action was described in the vise of a music video.

I don't think any opening line to a song has ever grabbed me the way " Gee, but it's hard/When one lowers one's guard/ To the vultures." did. I sat bolt upright in my chair, my mind's eye recording every rhyming couplet to memory as they spilled from Jonathan Rhys Meyers' lips. I had to have this song in my collection.

Luckily the much missed music chain Tower Records was located right beside the cinema and the film's soundtrack was promptly purchased on the money my parents placed into my bank account every other week. After getting the disc home, I saw that the track was written by one Steve Harley, who I promptly searched for on allmusic.com. His greatest hits was also purchased on the money my parents gave me for food from the now defunct CDNOW (Amazon just sold books back then.) In the excitement of the discovery of such a great song I failed to realize Mr. Harley had two more songs on the soundtrack. "Make Me Smile" made the album but "Sebastian" would be only truly heard when the Cockney Rebel's greatest hits platter arrived in the mail. Both are flawless, as are most of Harley's work from the 70's.

But "Tumbling Down" can still give me chills with its effortless fantastical poetry, especially in the harrowing ending section's pain of seeing what they've done with the blues, blues, blues.

There's a lot of music I discovered when I was 18 that I've kept with me, but none like this.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 337: Gossip Folks

Gossip Folks - Missy Elliot (2002)

Missy Elliot has kind of dropped out of the public eye as of late, but in the late 90's and early aughts, she was one of the shining lights of hip hop. Before he became Justin Timberlake's wingman, Timbaland created with Missy some of the most inventive hip hop that the world had ever heard. My favorite disc of hers is still Under Construction. Its second single is today's pick because of its funny way of dealing with rumors, a hard to top Ludacris cameo, and the immaculate sampling of "Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith.

The fact that a woman was the coolest thing in hip-hop for half a decade should not be lost on anybody. It's a misogynistic game, and Missy broke through strong and hard.

Come back Misdemeanor. The game needs your voice. You and Nicki Minaj could do some sick work together!

Monday, April 11, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 336: Jackie Brown

Jackie Brown - John Cougar Mellencamp (1989)

First he was Johnny Cougar, a teen idol gimmick created by David Bowie's manager Tony Defries that never panned out success-wise. Then, he was John Cougar, a tough rock and roller who got his first hit when Pat Benatar covered " I Need A Lover". Through that name change, he also became a star with the peerless American Fool and Uh Huh albums.

When he started using his real last name along with the "Cougar" Moniker however, that's where the story gets juicy.

Scarecrow was one of the best albums of the 80's, and its followup The Lonesome Jubilee showed that this guy was in it for the long haul.

But Big Daddy....none of us were ready for that.

The man now simply called John Mellencamp sowed the seeds of what he is today on that 1989 release. Here we were shown that rock wasn't Mellencamp's shining genre. It was folk, and he was damned good at it.

"Jackie Brown" is one of those songs that instantly attach itself to the artist who created it. It may not be his biggest hit, and he has definitely continued to improve in his journey towards being one of the best roots artists in the world. But "Jackie Brown" showed us what was to come. In its simple story of a downtrodden American, John showed us his humanity. It wasn't just focused on select groups like farmers anymore. Jackie Brown was all of us. Its concept of struggle is universal and still reverberates ever so strongly in these times.

John Mellencamp is the closest thing in music today that we have to Pete Seeger in his prime (Sorry Boss!)
Those who have written him off as the "Jack and Diane" guy have some major discoveries ahead of them. Enjoy the journey.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 335: Whistle For The Choir

Whistle For The Choir - The Fratellis (2006)

I thought The Fratellis had a nice Goonies reference of a name, but I didn't check them out until my fiancee made me a mix cd featuring today's song. Needless to say, I was a fan from my first listen. Their Kinksian delivery was right up my ally, and you gotta love Brit Pop with a mandolin! Also, the lyrics are freakin' adorable, making this a timeless song that easily could have been recorded by Herman' s Hermits, Seals & Crofts, or Dexy's Midnight Runners in their respective decades.
Although the group seems to have gone on extended hiatus after the release of their second disc in 2008, their music is some of the happiest of modern indie rock. Both discs, as well as side project Codeine Velvet Club and Jon Fratelli's upcoming solo debut, are not to be ignored.

Thank you amazing music loving fiancee. I never would have known of these guys without ya!

Friday, April 8, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 333: Librarian

Librarian - My Morning Jacket (2008)

I was a latecomer to the MMJ cult. I slept on their first three discs and didn't quite get their fourth, Z, when I purchased it so I didn't spin it too much.

Folks, JDIZZY was wrong, wrong, wrong.

Two words changed my mind, making me go back to appreciate their back catalog and anticipate their May 2011 release Circuital.

EVIL URGES.

On a flawless disc that traipses styles like Ween of old, my favorite track has got to be this ode to unrequited bookworm love. Jim James sells this song like its gospel truth, when you know he probably came up with it in his talented ass sleep. The man can do no wrong, folks!

This is the band to watch right now: Kentucky's more focused and direct Radiohead.

This is the new release by an established artist to get the most excited about.

Well, besides GAGA. Let's not kid ourselves!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 332: Paper Planes

Paper Planes - M.I.A. (2007)

Hip Hop hadn't been this visceral in a long time.

It even alerted the big boys to what was up.

And it all rolled downhill from a pint sized Sri Lankan who may be the most unique voice in music right now......in the whole world.

And don't write her off because of her recent controversial music video. She's way too solid (over three albums; deja vu Midlake?) for that.

Just enjoy the song that brought her to national attention through two perfect placements in film, and realize what we people who read music magazines and blogs already knew from two years before: M.I.A. is sick!!



Oh white boys, what will you think of next?

JDIZZY's 365 # 331: Roscoe

Roscoe - Midlake (2006)

On first listen to this gem, I thought I was hearing "Rhiannon" re-written by America with electric guitars. Then, I remembered I had clicked on a link for the band Midlake, so that thought quickly left my brain.

But it kept coming back while listening to their peerless sophomore album The Trials Of Van Occupanther. This is a band who studied their 70's rock. They even moved into prog and folk metal on their third disc!

Still, "Roscoe" gets me whenever it shows up on my ipod, or when I seek it out. Maybe its the stonecutter's reference in the first line. Maybe it reminds me of how stylistically different the boys have been on their three releases. Or maybe they are just the kind of band I'd like to be in when I grow up.....

The options are limitless.



UK sensation Ellie Goulding does a wonderful singer/songwriter take on the song here.

JDIZZY's 365 # 330: Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly - Mika (2007)

It doesn't get any more sugar coated pop confection than today's track. But in a time of "Friday", "iYiYi", and pop stars who don't even try, "Grace Kelly" really can make you nostalgic for 2007, when a little guy from England with a high voice referenced Freddie Mercury (and his writing style!) and Miss Rear Window in the same fantastic hit. Thankfully, Mika has a new disc set for release this year, and if it is anywhere near as solid as his first two UK smashes, then I think we have nothing to worry about in the pop realm. Quality always shines through the garbage anyway.

Now if we can only get the Beebs to release something like this!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 329: Thin Blue Flame

Thin Blue Flame - Josh Ritter (2006)

No one has really deserved the "New Dylan" tag like Mr. Ritter. His career has legitimately been an audible highlight reel of folk rock majesty that has pleased his listeners to no end. His masterpiece is featured here today, for those who missed its post 9/11 apocalyptic power when it was released on his "King Among Kings" disc The Animal Years. This song will move you more than you may be prepared for, but that's what great music does for you when you allow it in.

You can always cry about its beauty on my shoulder.

I've been there and I can talk you through it.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 328: Alcohol

Alcohol - Brad Paisley (2005)

All modern country (....shudder.....) should aspire to be as good as the work Brad Paisley has released. You don't get much more mainstream than this guy, and he has the gall to write a wonderful tribute to our favorite poison as well as marry the girl from Father Of the Bride and put out a semi-instrumental album that showcases how good of a guitar player he is! Get his greatest hits, then branch out into his albums, which display so much less filler than the normal "Nashville machine" records that it's almost jarring.

JDIZZY's 365 # 327: The Blind Leaving The Blind: First Movement

The Blind Leaving The Blind: First Movement - Punch Brothers (2008)

No other album released in the last 5 years ( Besides Decemberists' releases) has excited me more than Punch. Named after a fantastic Mark Twain short story, this is bluegrass in instrumentation only. It is jazz, it is pop, it is cathartic cocktail hour music for intelligent listeners. If you haven't heard this disc, I can't tell you a better place to start than this first section of the four piece Blind saga. Capturing the feelings of Thile's recent divorce with simply staggering dexterity from its players, the thirteen minutes it takes to hear it fly by in a noxious breeze of tonality and skill. Unless you've only been reading this blog as an act of kindness, I truly believe this will leave you wanting more. Thankfully, it seems the restless spirit that is Chris Thile seems happy with his new band of brothers, as last year's equally engaging Antifogmatic can attest to.

PS
Don't forget to check out the group's first disc, back when they were known only as The How To Grow A Band!



Friday, April 1, 2011

JDIZZY's 365 # 326: I Feel Just Like A Child

I Feel Just Like A Child - Devendra Banhart (2005)

Devendra Banhart brought the ISB-inspired genre of Freak Folk to our attention with his brilliantly curated compilation, 2004's The Golden Apples Of The Sun.

But he wasn't just The New Weird America's Lenny Kaye.

His music defines what this grouping of strange beautiful artists stand for.

He came to my attention with his 2005 release Cripple Crow. It is the logical evolution of his lo-fi roots, moving toward the soundscapes of his last two albums while never losing sight of what made him an icon in the first place: beautiful tunes, cryptic lyrics and multi-ethnic instrumentation. I could pick anything from this disc, but I will focus on "Child" because it wraps up Banhart's gift into an accessible pop package.

Start here to begin your journey, but beware.

The bearded one's music is damn near infectious. You might just be listening to him for a while.