The new record by the Monkees, Good Times, is great. Like, not just decent for a bunch of older guys getting back together because of an anniversary, but genuinely good. The songwriters' fingerprints are all over it, but it works... a typical Monkees record was all over the place musically, anyway, so sounding like XTC here and Death Cab there really doesn't feel out of place. And hey, it turns out I've been waiting for Mickey Dolenz doing a passable Andy Partridge imitation my whole life... who knew?
And thanks to old tapes and new technology, we get new vocals from both Davy Jones (to be expected) AND Harry Nilsson (a surprise and a treat), so yeah, there's that.
Kick in the extra buck or so for the Deluxe edition... the second version of "Me and Magdalena" is terrific in a completely different way than the "official" one, and I think I may even like it a little better.
Completely agree with your assesment. The Andy Patridge written song is right off their King for Day/Mayor of Simpleton album but Dolenz nails it. I also agree with the Me and Magdelena alternate take being better. I love Papa Nez's solo stuff but was actually surprised that it was a Ben Gibbard song. I buy about one new album a year and I'm glad I picked this one.
Somehow I missed a slew of Shooter Jennings releases. I'll talk about 2 of them once the CDs come in (later this week).
Countach (for Giorgio) - this is a giant love letter to Shooters childhood and Giorgio Moroder. It's not country it's electronic 8bit pop, and it's pretty good.
In other listening news Drive-by-Truckers dropped a new album, and so did Lukas Nelson. I'll talk about both of them after I get a chance to listen.
If you like the Truckers or Jason Isbell try Hayes Carll's new album Lovers and Leavers. This is by far his best album.
It was inevitable that no matter how hard I tried my daughter would discover the "joy" of kids singing to other kids. II want to run over the Cedarmont Kids with there own bus.
Fortunately my wife found Mister G who has some really fun Spanish albums about reading and animals. I prefer the animal one.
Disney songs are a top five playlist. Since she has never watched a Disney movie the frozen soundtrack isn't a problem.
The only other edition of non kids music to Kid's Music Corner is the slow introduction of good country music into her life. She loves songs about Mexico (Roger Creager' Long way to Mexico Live is her favorite). I'm not sure what she thinks Mexico is, but she knows you need a pickup truck to get there.
Luckily I never had to go through the “kids singing” crap with either of my kids. With my daughter, we would usually listen to audio books when it was just the two of us in the car. My wife usually listened to ’80s stuff with her.
My son went through an obsession with Disney’s The Jungle Book, but I didn’t mind playing that soundtrack at all. I think it (the Louis Prima song anyway) may be a big reason he’s such a fan of big band jazz music today.
But both my kids learned to love Johnny Cash at an early age. Neither really got into bluegrass though.
My son went through an obsession with Disney’s The Jungle Book, but I didn’t mind playing that soundtrack at all. I think it (the Louis Prima song anyway) may be a big reason he’s such a fan of big band jazz music today.
But both my kids learned to love Johnny Cash at an early age. Neither really got into bluegrass though.
Lucky you and I love the jungle book soundtrack.
As for Johnny Cash it's going to be hard for me to get back to him for a while. America VI is one of my top 5 albums released since 2000 and just the thought of listening to any Johnny Cash crushes me since Luke passed away.
On a lighter note do you think there were any concert goers that made both recordings at the Folsom and San Quentin shows?
Last night opened up Strugill Simpsons new album A Sailors Guide to Earth .
I admit I'm a Strugill mark; the guy created one of the best new country albums with Metamodern Sounds. I love the new album a lot; he makes Waylon Jennings music. His new album is different than Metamodern, but it holds it's own. The cover of Nirvana's In Bloom is incredible.
Last night opened up Strugill Simpsons new album A Sailors Guide to Earth .
I admit I'm a Strugill mark; the guy created one of the best new country albums with Metamodern Sounds. I love the new album a lot; he makes Waylon Jennings music. His new album is different than Metamodern, but it holds it's own. The cover of Nirvana's In Bloom is incredible.
Never heard his stuff before, as I don't really follow country music. Just listened to “In Bloom” and it was pretty cool. I still prefer Nirvana, but I really liked the horns towards the end.
I'm very picky about what I like in country. I always have been. There are a few country radio acts that I have enjoyed, but those are few and far between (and almost nonexistent right now).
Toby Keith's bro-country revolution almost destroyed my interest in a genre of music. It was already almost gone from my dislike Brad Paisley/Tim McGraw/Rascal Flats country.
Thank God for Shooter Jennings, Hank 3, and a handful of Texas singer songwriters. I would have written off 20 years of country music.
I'll listen to some alt-country like Lucinda Williams and stuff like BR5-49, but most of the country and semi-country stuff I listen to was recorded before I was born.
Just found out Ralph Stanley has died from skin cancer. He is my absolute favorite bluegrass artist, and the main reason I learned to play banjo. I saw him at a small show back in 1997 or ’98. No opening act, just Dr. Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. During the intermission, he and the band came out to the lobby to sell CDs and other merchandise, and I was able to shake his hand. They took requests, and I got mine played (see below). They would have played it anyway at some point, but still...
A unique and powerful voice both in his singing and his picking. Thank you, Dr. Stanley.
Just found out Ralph Stanley has died from skin cancer. He is my absolute favorite bluegrass artist, and the main reason I learned to play banjo. I saw him at a small show back in 1997 or ’98. No opening act, just Dr. Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. During the intermission, he and the band came out to the lobby to sell CDs and other merchandise, and I was able to shake his hand. They took requests, and I got mine played (see below). They would have played it anyway at some point, but still...
A unique and powerful voice both in his singing and his picking. Thank you, Dr. Stanley.
Sad day, but 89 is a good long life and he left a legacy. So many country music makers, from Ricky Kaggs to Keith Whitley owe their careers to Ralph Stanley. May he rest in peace.
Just found out Ralph Stanley has died from skin cancer. He is my absolute favorite bluegrass artist, and the main reason I learned to play banjo. I saw him at a small show back in 1997 or ’98. No opening act, just Dr. Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. During the intermission, he and the band came out to the lobby to sell CDs and other merchandise, and I was able to shake his hand. They took requests, and I got mine played (see below). They would have played it anyway at some point, but still...
A unique and powerful voice both in his singing and his picking. Thank you, Dr. Stanley.
Lot's of Shooter is still grneat try Aviattors from Electric Rodeo.
So some /most might think i'm a big dumb redneck, but I did marry a classically trained violinist. I knew the difference between fiddle and violin long before I met her. So there's were a few good kickstarter jazz and classical albums.
I haven't got time to read the 14 pages of this thread, but if any one has mentioned it before I'll add a big thumbs up for the Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Album.
For any fans of The Office (UK version), the David Brent and Foregone Conclusion album is equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. If you a fan of the UK Office you should love this album.
For any fans of The Office (UK version), the David Brent and Foregone Conclusion album is equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. If you a fan of the UK Office you should love this album.
I hadn't even heard of this. I will have to check it out. I think I've watched the UK Office three times all the way through. For those who know my TV viewing habits, I think that says exactly how much I love that show.
For any fans of The Office (UK version), the David Brent and Foregone Conclusion album is equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. If you a fan of the UK Office you should love this album.
I hadn't even heard of this. I will have to check it out. I think I've watched the UK Office three times all the way through. For those who know my TV viewing habits, I think that says exactly how much I love that show.
In that case, if you also haven't heard, there is a movie associated to the album David Brent: Life on the Road. Surrounding Brent, funding his own tour with band on his road to 'fame'. Been out in the UK for a while, not sure when/if it's released over there. It's a great addition to the series. Like the album equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. A lot of subtle throw backs to the series for those big fans. Worth a watch if you can.
For any fans of The Office (UK version), the David Brent and Foregone Conclusion album is equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. If you a fan of the UK Office you should love this album.
I hadn't even heard of this. I will have to check it out. I think I've watched the UK Office three times all the way through. For those who know my TV viewing habits, I think that says exactly how much I love that show.
In that case, if you also haven't heard, there is a movie associated to the album David Brent: Life on the Road. Surrounding Brent, funding his own tour with band on his road to 'fame'. Been out in the UK for a while, not sure when/if it's released over there. It's a great addition to the series. Like the album equally great, cringeworthy and hilarious. A lot of subtle throw backs to the series for those big fans. Worth a watch if you can.
Cool! I hadn't heard of this either. I'll have to dig around for it.
I was listening to Styx on Spotify last night (with my daughter), and I came to a personal moment of clarity.
Cartoons have ruined them for me.
I can't listen to Sail Away without Cartman singing in my head. But the real death nail was the KISS Forum from Family Guy. "Is this Dennis DeYoung, lead singer from Styx, come clean man.... You want that you high voiced bastard!" Everytime I hear Styx I want to call Dennis DeYoung a high voiced bastard.
Any band worth listening to tends to also have a thing or two you can make fun of.
Dennis DeYoung's theatricality, Kevin (REO Speedwagon) Cronin growing that mustache that time, KISS making a disco album (which admittedly I enjoy), Bono's "MacPhisto" period, that guy who replaced Vince Neil for an album in Motley Crue, etc...
Comments
Somehow I missed a slew of Shooter Jennings releases.
I'll talk about 2 of them once the CDs come in (later this week).
Countach (for Giorgio) - this is a giant love letter to Shooters childhood and Giorgio Moroder. It's not country it's electronic 8bit pop, and it's pretty good.
In other listening news Drive-by-Truckers dropped a new album, and so did Lukas Nelson. I'll talk about both of them after I get a chance to listen.
If you like the Truckers or Jason Isbell try Hayes Carll's new album Lovers and Leavers. This is by far his best album.
It was inevitable that no matter how hard I tried my daughter would discover the "joy" of kids singing to other kids. II want to run over the Cedarmont Kids with there own bus.
Fortunately my wife found Mister G who has some really fun Spanish albums about reading and animals. I prefer the animal one.
Disney songs are a top five playlist. Since she has never watched a Disney movie the frozen soundtrack isn't a problem.
The only other edition of non kids music to Kid's Music Corner is the slow introduction of good country music into her life. She loves songs about Mexico (Roger Creager' Long way to Mexico Live is her favorite). I'm not sure what she thinks Mexico is, but she knows you need a pickup truck to get there.
My son went through an obsession with Disney’s The Jungle Book, but I didn’t mind playing that soundtrack at all. I think it (the Louis Prima song anyway) may be a big reason he’s such a fan of big band jazz music today.
But both my kids learned to love Johnny Cash at an early age. Neither really got into bluegrass though.
As for Johnny Cash it's going to be hard for me to get back to him for a while. America VI is one of my top 5 albums released since 2000 and just the thought of listening to any Johnny Cash crushes me since Luke passed away.
On a lighter note do you think there were any concert goers that made both recordings at the Folsom and San Quentin shows?
I admit I'm a Strugill mark; the guy created one of the best new country albums with Metamodern Sounds. I love the new album a lot; he makes Waylon Jennings music. His new album is different than Metamodern, but it holds it's own. The cover of Nirvana's In Bloom is incredible.
Toby Keith's bro-country revolution almost destroyed my interest in a genre of music. It was already almost gone from my dislike Brad Paisley/Tim McGraw/Rascal Flats country.
Thank God for Shooter Jennings, Hank 3, and a handful of Texas singer songwriters. I would have written off 20 years of country music.
A unique and powerful voice both in his singing and his picking. Thank you, Dr. Stanley.
There aren't a lot of that generation left. I guess you saw where Guy Clark passed away last month.
http://ironmaidenlegacy.com/
OK Taylor Swifts 1989 still a great album.
Lot's of Shooter is still grneat try Aviattors from Electric Rodeo.
So some /most might think i'm a big dumb redneck, but I did marry a classically trained violinist. I knew the difference between fiddle and violin long before I met her. So there's were a few good kickstarter jazz and classical albums.
Cartoons have ruined them for me.
I can't listen to Sail Away without Cartman singing in my head. But the real death nail was the KISS Forum from Family Guy.
"Is this Dennis DeYoung, lead singer from Styx, come clean man.... You want that you high voiced bastard!"
Everytime I hear Styx I want to call Dennis DeYoung a high voiced bastard.
Dennis DeYoung's theatricality, Kevin (REO Speedwagon) Cronin growing that mustache that time, KISS making a disco album (which admittedly I enjoy), Bono's "MacPhisto" period, that guy who replaced Vince Neil for an album in Motley Crue, etc...
Listen to 'em anyway.