Top 30 Albums of July 2009! – HOT SUMMER MUSIC for JULY 2009

July 2009

1. Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do [Explicit] [Downtown 2009]
2. Chali 2na  – Fish Outta Water [Decon 2009]
3. Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away [Music Road 2009]
4. Zee Avi – Zee Avi[Brushfire Records 2009]
5. Lady Saw – Extra Raw: The First Lady of Dancehall [VP Records 2009]
6. Aswad – City Lock [Rhythm Riders 2009]
7. Rhett Miller – Rhett Miller [Shout! Factory 2009]
8. Mishka – Above The Bones [J.K. Livin Records 2009]
9. Bob Dylan – Together Through Life [Columbia 2009]
10. Micachu – Jewellery [Rough Trade 2009]
11. Scientist – International Heroes Dub [Tameki Wambesi Dove 2009]
12. Mojo Morgan – got Mojo? [Gedion Soldiers 2009]
13. The Lemonheads – Varshons [The End Records 2009]
14. The Aggrolites – IV [Hellcat 2009]
15. The Low Anthem – Oh My God Charlie Darwin [Nonesuch 2009]
16. Various Artists – Riddim Driven: Sweet [VP Records 2009]
17. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm [Jagjaguwar 2009]
18. Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [Lost Highway Records 2009]
19. Eminem – Relapse [Explicit] [Aftermath Records 2009]
20. Jason Lytle – Yours Truly, The Commuter [Anti/Epitaph 2009]
21. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan [Yep Roc Records 2009]
22. Son Volt – American Central Dust [Rounder Records 2009] 
23. Mos Def – The Ecstatic [Downtown 2009]
24. Levon Helm – Electric Dirt [Amazon Exclusive] [Vanguard 2009]
25. Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati [Explicit] [Independent Media/iM Culture 2009]
26. Doom – Born Like This. [Explicit] [Lex Records 2009]
27. Laura Izibi – Let The Truth Be Told [Deluxe] [Atlantic 2009]
28. J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid [Explicit] [Nature Sounds 2009]
29. St. Vincent – Actor (Amazon Exclusive) [4AD 2009]
30. Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs – Under The Covers: Vol. 2 [Shout! Factory 2009]
31. Wilco – Wilco [The Album] [Nonesuch 2009] 

Weird Al Yankovic and the King of Pop

 

Weird Al Yankovic rode the Michael Jackson coat tails quite unlike any other performer in modern history. When you listen to artists like Weird Al Yankovic, DJ Spooky, Q-Tip, Herbie Hancock, and LL Cool J speak about Michael Jackson on the Thrillercast podcast you learn just how huge a superstar Michael Jackson actually was. In fact Jackson created an entire industry. Just think about the popularity and the money made from the parodies.“Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Eat It” and “Fat” made hits out of Jackson’s super hits “Beat It (Single Version)” and “Bad.” Jackson and Yankovic share the royalties of the parodied songs.  On the recent Thrillercast, a podcast celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the album Thriller 25 Super Deluxe Edition, Yankovic said he bought a very nice house with the royalties from the Michael Jackson parodies.

I loved Weird Al Yankovic as a kid and his videos were very funny.  My brother, friends, and I memorized the Even Worse album.  I even was a fan of his film UHF. Perhaps Michael Jackson is the King of Pop but Weird Al Yankovic must be the King of Pop Parody. I always thought Weird Al Yankovic was the son of the “King of Polka” Frank Yankovic. However, readers have informed me of the truth. “Weird Al” is not the son of Frankie Yankovic. Anyways go ahead and check out Frankie Yankovic and the Yanks on the album Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks’ Greatests Hits. Frankie Yankovic played a wonderful “Beer Barrel Polka.”

The Human Nature of Michael Joseph Jackson

Smokey Robinson opened the service reading condolence letters from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela. Watching the Michael Jackson memorial I was struck by Mariah Carey’s “I’ll Be There.” And then Queen Latifah read a poem “We Had Him” written about Michael Jackson by the famed poet Maya Angelou. Lionel Richie performed “Jesus Is Love.” Berry Gordy of Motown Records gave a stirring memorial detailing how little Michael Jackson blew him away in Detroit as part of the Jackson 5 and then blew him away again with the moonwalk at the 25th anniversary of Motown Records when Michael broke off on his own and went solo with “Billie Jean (Single Version).” Gordy called him “simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” Following Gordy, Stevie Wonder made his way to the piano to thunderous applause and performed “Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer.”

Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson addressed the crowd. Magic Johnson recalled his experience starring in the “Remember The Time” video and sharing a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken with Michael Jackson. Magic thanked Jackson for “opening doors” for African Americans across the world. Jennifer Hudson then performed “Will You Be There.” Al Sharpton spoke of the working-class Jackson family with nine children coming up and out of Gary, Indiana and Michael Jackson’s ability to breakdown racial barriers. “There’s nothing strange about your Daddy” Sharpton told the children of Michael Jackson, and then he thanked Michael Jackson for never stopping.

John Mayer performed “Human Nature” letting his guitar lead the song. After the weeping guitar solo Brooke Shields spoke of her friendship and bond with Michael Jackson. Shields claimed Michael Jackson’s favorite song was “Smile” written by Charlie Chaplin. Jermaine Jackson then performed a heartfelt soulful rendition of “Smile.” Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, the children of Martin Luther King, Jr, remembered Michael Jackson and spoke of loss and of the way that Michael Jackson reached out to Coretta Scott King. United States Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, Texas spoke of the healing power of music making me proud once again to be a TEXAN. She talked about the message in Michael’s music. “Beat It (Single Version)” was about beating the violence and “Man In The Mirror” asked men and women to really take a look in the mirror at themselves. Congresswoman Lee reminded us that Michael Jackson visited wounded troops at Walter Reed Hospital.

An emotional Usher performed “Gone Too Soon.” Smokey Robinson recalled Michael Jackson singing the hit “Who’s Loving You” written by Smokey, but sung so wonderfully by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 that it became a huge Motown hit and many assumed it was Michael’s song.  The child singer Shaheen Jafargholi then performed “Who’s Loving You.” The performers from the upcoming tour sang “Heal The World” and “We Are The World” with the memorial guests. 

I’ve been listening to Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 albums this week. The guy could sing. And when you see the videos the man could dance. Can’t believe MC Hammer ever challenged Jackson to a dance contest. Jackson would have slaughtered Hammer on the dancefloor. I’ve also been listening to remixes and different versions of his hits. Tarrus Riley’s version of “Human Nature” is one of the best reggae covers of a Michael Jackson song that I have heard.

TOP 20 ALBUMS OF JUNE 2009 – BEST OF 2009 SUMMER MUSIC

Top 20 Albums of June 2009

1. Bob Marley and the Wailers – B Is For Bob [Tuff Gong/Def Jam/Island Records 2009]
2. Various Artists – Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation) [The Red Hot Organization/4AD 2009]
3. N.A.S.A. – The Spirit Of Apollo [Anti/Epitaph 2009]
4. Alborosie – Escape From Babylon [Greensleeves 2009]
5. Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King [Bama Rags 2009]
6. The Itals – Let Dem Talk [Ital Records 2009]
7. Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band – Outer South [Merge 2009]
8. DJ JS-1 – No Sellout [Ground Original 2009]
9. The Dub Machinist – Worldwide Dub [Control Tower France 2009]
10. Various Artists - Reggae Gold 2009 [VP Records 2009] 
11. Ini Kamoze – 5150 Rule [Hottis 2009]
12. Amadou & Mariam – Welcome to Mali [Nonesuch 2009]
13. Los Granadian del Espacio Exterior – Donde Ningun Hombre Ha Llegado Jamas [Liquidator Spain 2009]
14. Method Man & Redman – Blackout! 2 [Explicit] [Island/Def Jam 2009]
15. Regina Spektor – Far [Sire 2009]
16. Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) [Interscope 2009]
17. 311 – Uplifter [RCA/Jive 2009]
18. The Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca[Domino Recording 2009]
19. Natural Black – Guardian Angel [Zion Roots Music 2009]
20. Sonic Youth – The Eternal [Matador 2009]
21. Paul Wall – Fast Life [Explicit] [Asylum/WB 2009] 

“Life is one big road with lots of signs,” Bob sings “So when your riding through the ruts don’t you complicate your mind.” On this album we see why Bob Marley and the Wailers ruled the world of reggae music, especially with roots reggae tracks like “Wake Up And Live – Pt. 1.”  On the new album B Is For Bob executive producer Ziggy Marley reworked some of the Bob Marley classics giving them a kid friendly edge. The album pulsates with positive vibrations. A stripped down acoustic version of “Three Little Birds” leads off the album followed by a classic acoustic version of “Redemption Song.” These two songs make for fun summer road trip  sing-a-longs. I found the version of “Satisfy My Soul” to be very sensual and in my opinion this song could be one of the best lovers’ rock tracks ever cut. A bongo almost-dancehall infused “Jamming” and new takes on “Small Axe,” “Bend Down Low” and “Stir It Up” fill out this nice addition to the Bob Marley discography. “Could You Be Loved” and “One Love / People Get Ready” also fit perfect with the kid album theme. “High Tide Or Low Tide” excellently caps off the work.

Finding their way to the top of the Jam-Tex music charts this June are a cadre of Indie-rockers and rappers. The benefit album and compilation Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation) and the N.A.S.A. hip-hop project The Spirit Of Apollo. Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation) includes indie rockers collaborating to make wonderful music and really this album needs to be listened to in its entirety for the best effect. The Dirty Projectors team up with David Byrne on “Knotty Pine,” while Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings provide some soulful “Inspiration Information.” The Decemberists perform “Sleepless,” while Feist and Ben Gibbard team up on “Train Song.” Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, and Arcade Fire all appear on the album.

On N.A.S.A.’s The Spirit Of Apollo George Clinton and Chali 2na Fish rock “There’s A Party (Feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)” and dancheall wonder Sizzla joins Lovefoxxx, and the nasty female rapper Amanda Blank on the track “A Volta (Feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank & Lovefoxxx).” My favorite duo on any of these indie compilations appears on the N.A.S.A. album when Tom Waits and Kool Keith collaborate on “Spacious Thoughts (Feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)”. M.I.A., Santogold, Nick Zinner, and Spank Rock drive the electro-rap jam “Whachadoin? (Feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)“. The N.A.S.A. album certainly contains the most interesting lineup of artists, including David Byrne, Gift of Gab, Chuck D, DJ Z-Trip, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, KRS-One, Seu Jorge, Ras Congo, and Scarface on tracks like  ”Money (Feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip),” “The People Tree (Feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift Of Gab & Z-Trip),” “Hip Hop (Feat. KRS-One, Fatlip & Slim Kid Tre),” “Strange Enough (Feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Fatlip),” and “The Mayor (Feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, Scarface & DJ AM).”

Alborosie, Ini Kamoze, the Itals, and Reggae Gold 2009 provide this year’s sweltering summer reggae soundtrack. On the new Dave Matthews Band album Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King the track “Funny The Way It Is“ proves the band is still putting out quality music. DJ JS-1 gathers some talented indie rappers on No Sellout, for example, Aesop Rock and C Ray Wallz rock the mics on “Karma Killerz.” 

Texas Style Gardener and Writer

I love this writer Kelly McMichael. Check her our at kellymcmichael.wordpress.com and homestead101.wordpress.com. She gives helpful gardening tips and has written a wide variety of history books on Texas. Her newest book, Sacred Memories: The Civil War Monument Movement in Texas (Fred Rider Cotten Popular History), on Texas Civil War monuments looks at myth making and the collective memory of the Gilded Age/Progressive Era (1870-1930) monument builders. The work published by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Press is a guidebook to the state’s Civil War monuments and has a considerable theoretical framework. McMichael considers new trends in historical memory and gender issues. In an era when women didn’t have the right to vote, Texas women found social empowerment in their attempts to erect the monuments.

South Padre Island and the Reggae Armadillo

I’ve been hanging out on South Padre Island this week and it got me thinking about songs written about the Texan island. My favorite is “My Kind of Day on Padre” by Gary P. Nunn. You might have heard of Gary P. Nunn. He wrote the classic Texan ballad “London Homesick Blues / Home With the Armadillo,” which he later remade into “Raggae Armadillo.” Nunn captures the essence of the Texas mindset and landscape in his songs. I own the album What I Like About Texas – Greatest Hits and find it to be like comfort food, returning to the album when I need something familiar.

Come and Take It!

I travelled to Texas Revolutionary sites this week. In Gonzales, Texas, home of the “Come and Take It” cannon, the Guadalupe River meets the San Marcos River and here is where Mexican soldados met Texan settlers for the first significant fight in the Texian War for Independence. In 1835 the Mexican authorities came to the tiny settlement to reclaim the cannon that had been left to defend the village from Indian attacks. The Texians refused to be left defenseless and determined not to hand over the cannon. The conflict over the cannon eventually forced a violent confrontation between the armed Anglos and the Mexican army. The recalcitrant Texan rebels taunted the Mexican soldados to “Come and Take it.” The Texans repulsed the Mexican assault and  forced the soldados to retreat. Perhaps the moral of the story is don’t try to take a Texan’s gun away–just try to “Come and Take It.” But more likely the story is about natural resources, geography, and environment. Here at Gonzales, Texas two beautiful spring fed rivers come together cooling the hot dry land and giving life to South Texas. And this is where the two opposing forces of colonialism met on the banks of the cold clear river. Texans hungry for land had settled at a veritable oasis in South Texas and the Mexican authorities were not willing to give up that land to the Anglos.

One of my favorite albums about Texas revolutionary history is Asleep at the Wheel’s Asleep At The Wheel Remembers The Alamo. The Wheel even plays the hauntingly beautiful tune of “Deguello,” which is the song General Santa Ana played to indicate no quarter to the Alamo renegades.

Top 15 Albums for May 2009!!!

May 2009

1. Neil Young – Fork In The Road [Reprise 2009]
2. Ziggy Marley – Family Time [Tuff Gong 2009]
3. Julian Marley – Awake [Tuff Gong 2009] 
4. Steve Earle - Townes [New West 2009]
5. Queen Ifrica – Montego Bay [VP Records 2009] 
6. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love [Capitol 2009]   
7. Vybz Kartel – Most Wanted [Greensleeves 2009] 
8. Bushman – Most Wanted [Greensleeves 2009] 
9. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – La Luz del Ritmo [Nacional 2009] 
10. Gomez – A New Tide [Ato Records 2009] 
11. YT – Born Inna Babylon [Sativa 2009] 
12. Booker T – Potato Hole [Anti 2009] 
13. Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton – Live from Madison Square Garden [Reprise 2009] 
14. UGK – UGK 4 Life [Zomba 2009] 
15. The Flatlanders – Hills & Valleys (Dig) [New West 2009] 

 

Neil Young’s Fork In The Road pays tribute to cars and praises the new advancements in green car technology. It seems Young was so inspired by Wichita mechanic Jonathan Goodwin’s work on Young’s Lincoln that he wrote some wonderful songs about it. Goodwin converted Young’s 1959 Lincoln Continental adding battery power, biodiesel, and old jet engines in a fashion that increased gas mileage to 100 mpg and at the same time doubled the horsepower from 300 to 600. This album is timely, deep, and insightful. Neil Young continues as a cutting edge songwriter.

Ziggy Marley’s Family Time brings together some great artists making fun reggae sounds for the entire family. Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Toots Hibbert, and others lend their voices to the great tracks. Willie Nelson and Ziggy Marley rework the spiritual “This Train (feat. Willie Nelson)” while Ziggy and Toots Hibbert sing “Take Me To Jamaica (feat. Toots Hibbert).”

The Marley Brothers have been prolific and Julian “JuJu” Marley’s new album Awake displays the excellent quality reggae being produced by Bob’s progeny. “Violence In The Streets” with brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley packs a political message inside a driving riddim. “Boom Draw” celebrates the “healing of the nation” that grew on King Solomon’s grave. The tracks “Things Ain’t Cool,” “Awake,” and “On The Floor” rock and ”A Little Too Late” with brother Stephen “Ragamuffin” Marley is pure melodic funky reggae. 

Queen Ifrica’s Montego Bays caprtures the best of female roots reggae from Jamaica. “Keep It To Yourself” is a lesson in good vibes and “Daddy” is an interesting raw social commentary.

BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL 2009

This year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival offered a fine mix of music from bluegrass to reggae to indie rock and jam bands to afro-pop and electronica music. The reggae musicians included Midnite, the Itals, and the Wailing Souls. I unfortunately missed Midnite on Thursday but I got to see amazing sets from the Itals and Wailing Souls. The Itals played roots reggae including songs like “In a Dis Ya Time.” And they played new cuts from the upcoming album Let Them Talk. The Wailing Souls played Saturday and dropped roots reggae classics like “Shark Attack ” alongside reggae covers of the Doors song “Love Her Madly” and the Grateful Dead classic “Casey Jones.” The Wailing Souls also played “War Down at the Pawn Shop” a track written by Sublime headman Bradley Nowell.

Phish played two shows. The first show on Friday night rocked with originals like “You Enjoy Myself” “Wolfman’s Brother,” “Wading In The Velvet Sea,” and “Chalk Dust Torture” and a cover of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.” For an encore Phish covered the Beatles‘ “A Day in the Life.” The second show on Sunday night included a guest appearance by the Boss–Bruce Springsteen. The Boss and Phish played a brilliant extended version of “Mustang Sally.” Trey Anastasio and the Boss traded and then dueled guitar solos. It was an amazing show with a jammed out version of “Glory Days.”

Bruce Springsteen played his three hour show on Saturday Night with the amazing E-Street Band, which included Max Weinberg on drums. “Outlaw Pete,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Born to Run,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Devils & Dust” among other favorites kept the crowd on its feet. The Boss is quite a performer and storyteller.

The Beastie Boys played an amazing and energetic set with favorites like “So What’Cha Want [Explicit],” “Sabotage,” “Shake Your Rump,” “Paul Revere,” and “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” on the set list alongside punk rock favorites “Gratitude [Explicit],” “Tough Guy,” “Egg Raid On Mojo [Explicit],” and “Heart Attack Man.” Instrumental Jams like “Sabrosa” laced the Hip Hop and Punk Rock tracks. The Beastie’s DJ Mixmaster Mike is more than a DJ. The man is an exquisite turntablist and musician. MCA, Mike D, and AD Rock still have it going on after all these years. Also rapper NAS performed with the Beastie Boys on a track coming soon on the new Beastie album.

Rodrigo y Gabriela, Santagold, Girl Talk, Brett Dennen, Amadou & Mariom, Booker T with the Drive-By Truckers, Gov’t Mule, Merle Haggard, the Decemberists, and Snoop Dogg all played notable sets. I caught Booker T and the DBTs (Drive By Truckers) playing “Green Onions” and Merle Haggard covering Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Jackson.” The Hag played his own hits too, singing “Mama Tried,” “Working Man Blues,” “That’s The Way Love Goes,” and “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.”

Immediately after seeing Merle Haggard’s set I trucked to the main “What Stage” to see Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound. Snoop strolled through hits “Gin And Juice,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?,” “Ain’t No Fun.” The LBC rappers paid tribute to 2pac with “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.” Snoop can still move the crowd. He even transitioned into Jamaican patois at one point sounding pretty good as a potential dancehall artist. Snoop needs to do a reggae album.  Merle Haggard and Snoop opening for Phish Sunday night seemed a perfect way to end this diverse mix of music. 

The Best of April 2009!!!

The Best of April 2009!!!

1. Graham Wilkinson & the Underground Township - Yearbook [Township Records 2009]
2. K’Naan – Troubadour [Octone Records 2009]
3. Buju Banton – Rasta Got Soul [Gargamel 2009]
4. Bob Dylan – Together Through Life [Columbia 2009]
5. Cunninlynguists – Strange Journey Volume One [QNS 2009]
6. J.J. Cale – Roll On [Rounder 2009]
7. B Real – Smoke and Mirrors [Duck Down 2009]
8. Jah Cure – The Universal Cure [SoBe 2009]
9. Souls of Mischief – Tour Stories [Hieroglyphics Imporium 2009]
10. Jahmali – El Shaddai [Penthouse 2009]
11. Various Artists – Evolution Dub Volume 1: The Origin of the Species [Greensleeves 2009]
12. Various Artists – Evolution Dub Volume 2: The Great Leap Forward [Greensleeves 2009]
13. Sizzla – Ghetto Youthology [Greensleeves 2009]
14. Bitty McLean – Movin On [Taxi 2009]
15. John Brown’s Body – Re-Amplify [Easy Star Records 2009]

Graham Wilkinson and the Underground Township released a new album on Township Records, Yearbook, this month that brings the best of Texas roots music to the fore. Graham Wilkinson has proven himself not only as a songwriter but also as an arranger. Some of the songs on this album come from earlier albums but here they are arranged in new and lovely ways. On the track “Ragamuffin,” Hayes Carll lends his voice and Lloyd Maines plays his pedal-steel guitar. “Let It Go” stands out as an americana roots jam and “La Briza” casts an easy groovy spell. “Boys and Girls” is a reggafied track that has a ska sound.  On the strings laden “Ghosts,” a previously unreleased track,  Alejandro Esovedo adds his voice to this rock n’ roll piece of art. Graham Wilkinson and the Underground Township and the boys at Township Records, including producer and bassist Wayne Dalchau, have done it again. And this time the album artwork and concept of the Yearbook make it worth getting the hard copy of this album. Get the digital album if need be but the artwork and music make this album a tangible item one needs to hold, see, listen, and appreciate. Like the old days before the digital single this album harkens back to the good old days of the concept album. This album, Yearbook, captures a year of creativity, music, and Austin vibes. 

K’Naan the Somalian rapper dropped sweltering rhymes over fat beats on his new album Troubadour. The track “I Come Prepared” with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley stands out as a powerful song and the track “ABC’s” with Chubb Rock is slamming. Chali 2Na Fish, Mos Def, and Adam Levine also co-star on this album. But K’Naan shines on solo tracks too. The track “T.I.A.,” which stand for “This Is Africa,” samples Bob Marley & the Wailers’ “Simmer Down” with heavy bass drops chopping the old rhythm into a new dancehall beat. The Somalian rapper shows his softer side on ballads like “Wavin’ Flag” and “Take A Minute.” I am looking forward to seeing the live show.