Top Albums of November 2009

This month’s music selection varies from twangy country to roots reggae to experimental jazz-hip-hop and dub. Robert Glasper’s Double Booked is chalk-full of creativity and musicianship.  Glasper, a pianist originally from Houston, Texas has performed with Erykah Badu, The Roots, Maxwell, and Mos Def. On this new album Glasper mixes hip-hop, jazz, and experimental music into a beautiful soundscape.

Conrad Crystal and Suga Roy have put together a fine album with help from some of reggae’s icons. The legendary Toots & The Maytals joins the duo on “God Bless You.” The singjay Gyptian performs “Jah Jah See Dem”  in tribute to Joseph Hill and Culture. The dancehall jam “She Call Mi Phone” features “king of the dancehall” Beenie Man and the amazing vocalist Barrington Levy. Deejays U Roy, Dillinger, and Big Youth join the fray while Reggae superstars Lee “Scratch” Perry, Max Romeo, Eek-A-Mouse, Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown, The Congos, and Inner Circle all lend their vocals. Even the amazing danechall duo Chaka Demus & Pliers makes an appearance on “Girl You Rock My World.”

The Stephen Marleyalbum Mind Control originally dropped more than a year ago. Now a newer acoustic version of the disc has been released called Mind Control Acoustic. The smooth beautiful track “Chase Dem” features Capleton layering rhymes through the original tune. Brothers Damian Marley and Julian Marley appear on the record as does rude boy Spragga Benz.

1. Robert Glasper – Double Booked [Blue Note 2009]
2. Conrad Crystal & Suga Roy – Suga Roy, Conrad Crystal and the Great Reggae Icons [Fire Ball 2009]
3. Stephen Marley – Mind Control Acoustic [Tuff Gong 2009]
4. Danny Barnes – Pizza Box [ATO Records 2009]
5. Corb Lund – Losin’ Lately Gambler [New West 2009]
6. Beres Hammond – Something Old, Something New [Penthouse Records 2009]
7. Morgan Heritage – The Journey Thus Far [VP Records 2009]
8. Drake – So Far Gone [Young Money/Cash Money 2009]
9. B.B. Seaton – Ready For The World [Soul Beat/Roots International 2009]
10. Various Artist – Joyful Noise [I Grade Records 2009]
11. Geoff Maldaur & the Texas Shieks – Texas Sheiks [Tradition & Moderne 2009]
12. James Hand – Shadow on the Ground [Rounder 2009]
13. Jack Johnson – En Concert [Brushfire Records 2009]
14. Serani – No Games [Phase One 2009]
15. The Soothsayers Meet Red Earth Collective – One More Reason [Red Earth Music 2009]
16. Del Tha Funkyhomosapien & Tame One – Parallel Uni-Verses [Gold Dust 2009]
17. Mike Zito – Pearl River [Eclecto Groove Records 2009]
18. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Speed Of Life [Sugar Hill 2009]
19. Various Artists – Riddim Driven: Clearance [VP 2009]
20. Lorenzo – Movin’ Ahead [Irie Ites 2009]

World of Reggae Music Collection: Table of Contents

The Jam-Tex selector will post a study and organization of the essential tracks of reggae music. The selector invites others to join in on the organization of these tracks.  Thus Jam-Tex presents “The World of Reggae Music Collection.”

Please feel free to comment. The selector is open to suggestions and changes. Feel free to comment on the selections, categories, genre headings, and section headings. The selector will consider track additions and removals and even the renaming of categories, sections, and genres. Without further ado…

The Jam-Tex Selector presents…The World of Reggae Music Collection

REGGAE’S SUPERSTARS

1. Reggae’s Superstars: The Lions of Jah

2. Reggae’s Superstars: The Lion Youth

SKA MUSIC MOVEMENT

3. The Ska Originals

4. Two-Tone Ska

5. Third Wave Ska

6. International Ska

ROCKSTEADY ERA

7. Rocksteady

VINTAGE REGGAE

8. The Early Years

9. Classic Reggae

The Top Albums of October 2009

“Never Give Up” with Screw Driverand Inner Circle is one of those uplifting songs that inspires and makes you want to take on all comers. It has the punch and message of the Jimmy Cliff classic “The Harder They Come.” This song is my new motto: “Never Give Up, Never Surrender.” Inner Circle’s State Of Da World deserves the attention of the world. This new album includes collaborations with reggae megastars Junior Reid, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Bushman and Luciano.  Slightly Stoopid appears on “Mary Collie Weed” and Damian Marley and  Stephen Marley make guest appearances on “Smoke Gets In My Eyes.”

Texas musicians James McMurtry, Lyle Lovett, and Robert Earl Keen all released new albums this month. McMurty’s Live In Europe features rocking versions of “Ruby And Carlos” and “Just Us Kids.” Lyle Lovett’s Natural Forces has a beautiful cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Loretta.” And Robert Earl Keen has a Townes Van Zandt tune “Flyin’ Shoes” on his new album The Rose Hotel. The single “The Rose Hotel” is free and loose and classic Robert Earl.

On the rap/hip-hop scene Wu-Tang Clan Alumni Raekwon and Ghostface Killah released new albums. The sequel to Raekwon’s classic album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx has been released. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Part II features killer solo tracks like “Ason Jones.” Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Ghostface Killah guest on “House Of Flying Daggers” and on ”The New Wu.” Old School maestro Slick Rick joins Raekwon, GZA, and Masta Killa on “We Will Rob You.”  And new school rapper Lyfe Jennings appears on the track “Catalina.” Ghostface Killah’s album Ghostdini Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City includes the notable tracks “Baby,” “Back Like That (Remix),” and “Do Over.” Also on the rap scene A Tribe Called Quest emcee Q-Tip released Kamaal The Abstract with the jazzy single “Even If It Is So.”

Greensleeves released two solid reggae compilations this month: The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2009 and The Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2009. Great songs on this year’s one drop anthems include Beres Hammond’s “Can’t Say I Never Tried” and Marcia Griffith and Busy Signal’s Automatic (Keeping It Real). The outstanding track is Romain Virgo’s tribute to the legendary Alton Ellis entitled “Alton’s Medley: Breaking Up / Ain’t That Loving You / My Willow Tree.” Also Peetah and Assassin’s “Hot A Road,” Mr. Williamz’s “No Cigarette” and Ziggi’s “Gonna Leave You” make this easy-going reggae collection worth the listen.

On the dancehall side of things with The Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2009 Black Ryno’s “Bend Over” and Vybz Kartel and Gaza Indu’s “Virginity” induce the booty shaking while the catchy “Never Change (From Mawning)” by Chino will have you singing along. This newest addition to the dancehall anthems collection stocks up on heavy hitting dancehall singjays like Busy Signal, Demarco, Mavado, Jah Vinci, Laden, and Konshens.

1. Inner Circle – State Of Da World [Shanachie 2009]
2. James McMurtry - Live In Europe [Lightning Rod 2009]
3. Lyle Lovett – Natural Forces [Curb/Lost Highway 2009]
4. Monsters of Folk – Monsters Of Folk [Shangri-La 2009]
5. Various Artists – The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems 2009 [Greensleeves 2009]
6. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 [EMI 2009]
7. Robert Earl Keen – The Rose Hotel [Lost Highway Records 2009]
8. Various Artists – Jah Live Riddim [Joe Frasier 2009]
9. International Observer – Felt [Dubmission 2009]
10. Roseanne Cash – The List [Manhattan 2009]
11. Various Artists – Penthouse Showcase Volume 4 [Penthouse 2009]
12. Various Artists – Penthouse Showcae Volume 5 [Penthouse 2009]
13. Kiddus I – Green Fa Life [Makasound/Makafresh 2009]
14. Breakestra – Dusk Till’ Dawn [Strut Records 2009]
15. Danny Malone- Cuddlebug [Township Records 2009]
16. Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon: The End Of Day [Dream On/G.O.O.D./Universal Motown 2009]
17. The XX – xx [Young Turks 2009]
18. Various Artists – The Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2009 [Greensleeves 2009]
19. Muse – The Resistance [Warner Brothers 2009]
20. Ghostface Killah – Ghostdini Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City [Island/Def Jam 2009]
21. Various Artists – 5: Five Years of Hyperdub [Hyperdub 2009]
22. Gossip – Music For Men [Columbia 2009]
23. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You [Columbia 2009]
24. Chuck Fenda – Fulfillment [VP Records 2009]
25. Omar Perry -  Can’t Stop Us [Makasound/Makafresh 2009]
26. Tribal Seeds – The Harvest [Tribal Seeds 2009]
27. Toddla T – Skanky Skanky [1965 2009]
28. Masta Ace & Edo G – Arts & Entertainment [Traffic 2009]
29. Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons – Bend In The Road [Dualtone 2009]
30. Q-Tip – Kamaal The Abstract [Jive 2009]
31. Doveman –  The Conformist [Brassland Records 2009]
32. Dawes – North Hills [ATO 2009]
33. Kris Kristofferson – Closer To The Bone [New West 2009]
34. Mark Knopfler – Get Lucky [Rerprise 2009]
35. Takana Zion – Rappel à l’ordre [Makasound/Makafresh 2009]

The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic Jam Out in Dallas

On Friday, October 16th Widespread Panic opened for the Allman Brothers Band at the Super Pages Center at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Fair Park seethed with Texas State Fair attendees and jam band fans as the two audiences collided for a memorable night of festivities. I caught the end of Widespread Panic’s set. Derek Trucks joined Panic for rocking versions of “Second Skin” and “Blackout Blues.” Widespread Panic wound down their set with one of my favorite Panic songs “All Time Low”  and concluded with “Makes Sense To Me.” I like Widespread Panic, but I was glad the Allman Brothers Band filled the headline spot. I’ve seen Widespread Panic several times. And no doubt they impress everytime. And this time was no exception. Panic came with its A game to Dallas. But the Allman Brothers Band, I had only seen once and from a distance at a past Bonnaroo Music Festival. So I was pumped to see the creators of Jam Band music perform their craft for us North Texans, especially on their 40th anniversary.

Guitar phenoms Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks joined with original Allman members to pack a powerful punch of rock and roll as this new incarantion of the Allman Brothers Band. Greg Allman’s keys and voice anchor the band while Haynes and Trucks soloed atop the driving drums and percussion.  The musicianship was par excellence with fantastic versions of the instrumental masterpieces “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” “Midnight Rider” brought the crowd alive and a killer version of “Statesboro Blues” displayed the skill and timing of these musicians. The Allman Brothers Band concluded their brilliant performance with the sweet sweet “Melissa” and a in your face “Whipping Post.” Georgia has a lot of music to offer the world and I am a big fan of the music coming out of this state. From the Allman Brothers Band to Widespread Panic to R.E.M. Georgians make good music. The Allmans Brothers Band performed above my expectations. If you get a chance see this tour.

Sunday at Austin City Limits Music Festival!

Sunday at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2009 ended up being the best day of music that I have ever seen at the event. Pearl Jam and Michael Franti and Spearhead ripped my face off. Clear skies prevailed overhead, but underfoot the trodden earth remained in a state of mud. Indicative of the diversity of the Austin music scene, the day progressed from dance pop to Texas rock to country to hip-hop-jam-band fusion to pure grunge rock.

The day began with the light-hearted dance pop of the Atlanta-based group the The B-52’s. From past punk pop classics like
”Private Idaho” to the new electronic dance hits like 
”Funplex” the The B-52’s covered tunes from all eras of their musical catalog.
The pop ballad “Roam” electrified the crowd, while fun songs like
”Strobe Light,”
”Hot Corner,” and
”Love in the Year 3000″ kept the crowd dancing. The The B-52’s pleased the audience capping the set with their mega-pop-hits
”Love Shack” and
”Rock Lobster.”

From the pop of the 1980s and 199s I transitioned to the alternative and grunge rock sounds of the North Texas-based rock band The Toadies. The sounds of the rock music of the 1990s and 2000s elicits memories about my teenage years. The new album No Deliverance has some chops like the tune “No Deliverance,” but I really like the tunes from the early album Rubberneck, such as “Backslider,” “I Come From The Water,” and
”Tyler.”
 And of course the song that took the cake at ACL was “Possum Kingdom.” The north Texas rockers played a very nice version of this hit song about murder behind a boathouse.

The Miami-based Raul Malo brought American roots music and the wonderful power of multiculturalism to ACL. Western Swing, Jazz, Country, and Latin rhythms collide in Raul Malo’s music. If Frank Sinatra, Bob Wills, and Freddie Fender had a baby, then it might look and sound a lot like Raul Malo. The former Mavericks front man opened with
”Every Little Thing About You” and played
the beautiful track “Lucky One.” The song
”Dance The Night Away” had people of all ages dancing in the mud. And finally
”It Only Hurts Me When I Cry” displayed the crooning ability of Raul Malo’s marvelous voice.

Michael Franti & Spearhead brought the house down. The set list included several songs from the new album All Rebel Rockers, which in my opinion is one of the best albums of 2009. New songs like “Say Hey (I Love You)” and
”A Little Bit Of Riddim” have been reggaefied and funkdafied and make for amazing live music. Franti pulled songs from earlier albums too like the fun song
”Hello Bonjour,” but the new tracks like
the “Rude Boys Back In Town” rocked the house.

The bass got louder with “Everybody Ona Move” and then Franti rocked us from the
”East to the West” before having us
”Yell Fire!.”
Michael Franti showed his sensitive side with two different heart-felt version of “Hey World (Don’t Give Up Version).” Then Spearhead set the stage on fire with the powerful message tune “Everyone Deserves Music” and the soul power ballad
”I Got Love For You.” The band concluded with their popular new dancehall track
”Say Hey (I Love You),” which little kids and old people alike sang together at the top of their lungs. People danced, sang, and cried. It was kind of like a spiritual revival. Michael Franti and Spearhead are a must see live music act. Their musical power cannot be understated.

After being awed by Spearhead I turned around to see Pearl Jam open their set with the 1990s power ballad “Why Go” from the legendary album Ten. We raced to the front of the main stage as the spectacular day of live music continued. The Pearl Jam set list included many well-known songs like “Corduroy” and my favorite tune “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter in a Small Town.”
From newer tracks like “World Wide Suicide” to old-school favorites like
”Even Flow,” Pearl Jam wailed and rocked and kicked out the jams. I had heard a lot of hype about Pearl Jam and it seems to all be true. These guys a true blood rock and rollers.

The set continued with sing-a-longs to “Daughter” and rip-roaring guitars over the
”State Of Love And Trust.” The new single “The Fixer” from the album Backspacer sounded as fresh as the older tunes, driving hard guitars over quality vocals and lyrics. Pearl Jam’s music making and song writing have stayed crisp and hard hitting. 
”Go” and then
”Red Mosquito” featuring special guest  Ben Harper on pedal steel kept the crowd in a constant state of awe. 
The hard rockin’ continued with “Do The Evolution” and The Who cover with
”The Real Me.”

Pearl Jam’s grand finale killed. “Alive” brought the crowd to a fevered pitch when Eddie Vedder invited a very special guest to the stage. Perry Farrell came to the stage in front of an astounded crowd for a rip-roaring cover of Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song.” The kings of alternative rock aligned for an energetic cover a classic grunge-era tune. The boys from Seattle capped the night with an amazing version of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Saturday at Austin City Limits Festival 2009

Saturday at Austin City Limits the rain came down and drenched Zilker Park. Festival goers went undeterred as the puddles turned into seas of mud. The first band I saw was Mute Math, who played a mean version of 
”Spotlight.” MUTE MATH mashes electronica and hard rock. These New Orleans musicians are excellent entertainers putting on quite the show. Lead singer and keyboardist Paul Meany literally did flips while playing his keys. Also MUTE MATH has a wonderful collection of interesting instruments from space-age synthesizers to wild effects pedal boards. Following Mute Math, I caught part of Canadian singer-songwriter Sam Roberts’s set under the tent. I heard someone describe Sam Roberts as the Canadian Bruce Springsteen and certainly the comparison seemed apt.

The rain really started to fall as Citizen Cope took the main stage. Despite the rain Citizen Cope served up some spectacular music. His laid back flip-flop rock lightened the mood with   “Back Together“
  and
  ”107°.”   And a mean version of the protest song “Bullet And A Target”  brought energy to the wet crowd.
 Clarence Greenwood aka Citizen Cope capped the set with the ballad  ”Sideways.”

Next Jamaican reggae superstar Eek-A-Mouse filled the Wildflower tent with reggae lovers and good vibes.  This unique singjay performed his smash hit  ”Ganja Smuggling”  to a most appreciative audience. Interesting enough the Mouse also performed a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic country song
 “Jolene.”  It was amazing. The Mouse soaked up the Texas outlaw sound dropping gun-slinging rhymes and rawhide whips.
 Eek-A-Mouse is quite the entertainer demanding crowd participation and ensuring sweet reggae grooves. With the crowd shouting “Irie” the Mouse dropped the reggae classic  ”Wa-Do-Dem” and closed with  ”Sensi Party.”

Mos Def performed on the AMD stage playing a red hot version of 
”Casa Bey”  from the new album The Ecstatic. The Brooklyn rapper also covered one of Bobby Brown’s love songs “Roni.”  The smooth voice and bass heavy beats of this young rhyme sayer leaves fans bobbing their heads.

Devotchka turned out to be the highlight of the evening. In fact, I consider Devotchka to be the nicest surprise at the festival this year. I knew certain bands would kick ass. But I wasn’t even planning on seeing Devotchka until some of my friends talked me into seeing them. The Denver-based band of gypsies rocked and rollicked. One amazing performing burlesque artist glided above stage on a giant red curtain. Devotchka includes multi-instrumentalists Nick Urata (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Tom Hagerman (violin, accordion), Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone, bass), and percussionist Shawn King. I highly recommend seeing this band. You will not be let down. Their music is beautiful and fun. One of my friends said she liked to listen to this band when she cleaned. I can see why. It doesn’t matter if your are cleaning or standing in the mud Devotchka deserves a listen.

The Dave Matthews Band headlined Saturday night. The group played my favorite song off the new album Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King entitled  ”Funny The Way It Is.” Also from the new album the boys kicked out “Shake Me Like A Monkey” and “Spaceman.”  The Dave Matthews Band played some classic tracks, including “Jimi Thing” and
 “Cornbread.”
 And after a brilliant cover version of the Talking Heads song “Burning Down The House,” launched into the crowd pleasers
 “So Much To Say,”  
”Ants Marching,” and  ”Two Step.”

Friday at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2009!!!

The rain fell as the music filled the park. Mud seethed underfoot and gushed between toes. Among the strong aromas and beautiful sounds, the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival came alive and offered another memorable year of music. Although environmental factors change from year to year, from stifling heat and dust to drenching rain and mud, the show never stopped. The music continued. And Austin proved itself again as the live music capitol of the world.

I caught Dr. Dog at the Dell Stage for my first show. I found these boys from Philadelphia to be quite harmonic, reminiscent of the psychadelia rock of the Beatles and The Byrds. Songs like “The Breeze” and “The Old Days” displayed that smooth 1960s sound. But my favorite song on the set list was “The Rabbit, The Bat & The Reindeer.”

I had heard of Phoenix, but I had never listened to their music. A friend convinced me to see this alternative rock band from Versaille, France. The comparisons to their French peers Daft Punk and Air interested me. Ultimately I understood the comparisons, finding the sound close to a New Order-like electronica pop. Phoenix pleasantly surprised me with tunes like “Lisztomania,” “Lasso,” “If I Ever Feel Better,” “Fences,” “Girlfriend,” “Run Run Run,” “Too Young,” “Rome,” and “1901.” Many of the songs appear on the new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

The best show of the day came from the Somalian born/Canadian based rapper k’naan. Under the Wildflower Tent the slender Somalian rocked the crowd with political prose, heart-felt lyrics, and blistering beats. Appropriate adjectives include humble, inspirational, and talented.  k’naan had a broad appeal, drawing young children and old people, and all those between the young and old. An intimate performance captivated the crowd.

The track “T.I.A. [Explicit]” thundered bass as K’naan introduced the crowd to his unique brand of hip-hop. “T.I.A.” samples Bob Marley’s classic ska tune “Simmer Down,” layers it over heavy beats, and atop raps the brilliant young wordsmith. In Africa, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, 2pac, and The Notorious B.I.G. reign supreme. k’naan studied these great performers and his sound reflects those influences. Yet the sound is original. The music is gangsta but peaceful, hard but soft, and always chalk full of the contradictions and realities of life.

From Africa the Somalian took us on a trip to “America.” On the album, Mos Def and Chali 2Na join the track with their rhymes on the studio version of “America,”  but solo and live K’naan brought this song to its full potential without the help of these great lyricists. The song “Take A Minute” brought emotion to the tent. The following love ballad “Fatima” lightened the mood. And then the hardcore rap song “ABC’s” (with a Chubb Rock sample) rocked the and rolled with pure energy.

K’naan then sang a song about “Somalia,” which brought tears to the crowd’s eyes. The lyricist played two different versions beginning with an acapella and moving into a full band version. As K’naan says “his real will makes your real look like a rental.” This track talks about the perils of childhood in Somalia and the suffering of the people. K’naan harnesses the pain and realities of the world and turns them into amazing poetry. The rapper followed the tear jerker with “Bang Bang,” a nice jamming pop tune. And he ended his set with the a sing-a-long to “Wavin’ Flag.”

K’naan was the highlight of the evening. But the jams continued with Thievery Corporation. The dub electronica duo and band played on the main stage this year kicking out funky electronica with “.” The crew from Washington, D.C. also played the sitar heavy “Mandala,” displaying their unique acumen at world music.

In a testimony to the diversity of the music at ACL I caught parts of sets from the Texas country group Reckless Kelly and the hard-rocking new super trio Them Crooked Vultures. Them Crooked Vultures features bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, drummer David Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and Josh Homme the guitarist and lead singer from Queens Of The Stone Age. Kings Of Leon headlined Friday night playing their hits “Sex On Fire,”
”On Call,” and
”Use Somebody.”

The  music continued after the festival at the ACL after shows. I went to a Township Records showcase at the Ghost Room downtown on 4th Street in the Warehouse District. I caught the end of Danny Malone’s set. This kid has a beautifully haunting voice. My wife described him as a creepy James Taylor. His new album Cuddlebug features the eerie track “Basement.” Graham Wilkinson & the Underground Township played some of my favorite tracks from the new album Yearbook, including “Ragamuffin” and “Let It Go.”

Reporting from Austin City Limits 2009!!!

Zilker Park in Austin, Texas swirls with activity as the park prepares for the Austin City Limits Music Festival 2009. I will be attending the festival for the next three days and will cover the music at the festival. This year’s show promises to be an eventful weekend with a diversity of bands on the lineup, including Pearl Jam, Eek-A-Mouse, Michael Franti and Spearhead, K’naan, Asleep at the Wheel, Citizen Cope, Dave Matthews Band, Bassnectar, the B-52’s, Kings of Leon, Thievery Corporation, Raul Malo, the Levon Helm Band, and the Decembersists.

World of Reggae Music: Third Wave Ska

Third Wave Ska

The Jam-Tex selector presents a new chapter in the “World of Reggae Music Collection” called “Third Wave Ska.”

 

The Jam-Tex selector has been working on a study and organization of the essential tracks of reggae music called “The World of Reggae Music Collection.” The selector invites others to comment on the selected tracks and to join in on the conversation about the history of reggae music.  This collection of singles began with the greatest roots reggae hits in categories entitled: “Reggae’s Superstars: The Lions of Jah”and “Reggae’s Superstars: The Lion Youth.”

Now the selector moves back in time to the roots of reggae, exploring the greatest singles from the ska tradition. Please feel free to suggest your favorite singles. The examination of the ska genre included a focused study on the founders of ska music from the late 1950s to the 1960s called: “The Ska Originals.” The next post explored the “Two-Tone Ska” movement of the 1970s and 1980s often called the second wave of ska music. This post focuses on “Third Wave Ska” music that fused ska and elements of punk.

 

In the 1990s the revival of ska music, known as the third wave, came in a raw form with strong ties to the punk rock music scene. It’s no surprise since ska music comes with a fast-paced rollicking energy that appealed to young working-class youths. British and American punks ate up reggae and ska, and the sound fused well with rip-roaring punk rock. My favorites from this genre include Operation Ivy, Fishbone, Rancid, and Sublime. Brad Nowell of Sublime had a knack for making great third-wave ska punk rock.

The Aggrolites have mad a distinct impression on the third-wave ska movement, bringing their California soul-drenched sound to the mix. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are symbolic of this genre, laying grimy vocals over ska horns and rock guitars. Some of the great punk bands have made their own ska-infused tracks, including NOFX, Goldfinger, the Offspring, and even the hardcore punk group Propagandhi.

Propagandhi’s track “Ska Sucks” is really a critique of the ska revival. As a representative of the punk intelligentsia, Propagandhi questions everyone and everything, including authority, religion, and the quality of the ska revival.  The song makes a captivating argument why the ska revival “sucks,” singing the message over a wonderful third wave ska sound.

Third Wave Ska…

1. Operation Ivy – Sound System
2. Fishbone – Party At Ground Zero
3. Rancid – Time Bomb
4. Sublime – Date Rape
5. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Impression That I Get [Explicit]
6. The Aggrolites – Countryman Fiddle (Album Version)
7. Skavoovie & The Epitones – One Mint Julep
8. Reel Big Fish– Walkin’ on Sunshine
9. NOFX – Bob
10. Goldfinger – I Love You More Today
11. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Simmer Down
12. The Offspring– Why Don’t You Get A Job?
13. Manu Chao – Machine gun
14. Propagandhi – Ska Sucks
15. Rancid – Fall Back Down (Album Version)
16. The Aggrolites – Ghost Town
17. The Stingers ATX – Painting Portraits
18. Supervillians – Resin
19. Suicide MacHines – I I Never Promised You A Rose Garden
20. The Slackers – Don’t You Want a Man
21. Hepcat – Marcus Garvey
22. Buck-O-Nine – Irish Drinking Song
23. Sublime & Gwen Stefani – Saw Red
24. Dance Hall Crashers – Lost Again
25. Sublime – Jailhouse
26. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Someday I Suppose
27. Rancid – Ruby Soho
28. Sektacore – Cool Cat
29. The Insteps – The Insteps
30. Mu330 – Hoosier Love
31. The Scofflaws – Grazin’ in the Grass
32. Westbound Train – Check Your Time
33. Hub City Stompers – Leave Me the Fuck Alone
34. The Pietasters – Out All Night
35. Deal’s Gone Bad – Movin’ On
36. The Aquabats – Pool Party
37. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Rascal King
38. Stingers ATX – Let’s Be In Love
39. Less Than Jake – We Go Together
40. Mustard Plug – Mr. Smiley
41. Sublime – Wrong Way
42. Skavoovie & the Epitones – She Sure Can Cook
43. Streetlight Manifesto – Keasbey Nights
44. Mad Caddies – Drinking for 11
45. Soweto – Blue Ska
46. Fishbone – Skankin’ to the Beat
47. Sublime – Same in the End
48. No 1 Station – Last Train
49. Skapone – Guns and Steeples
50. Soulsteppers – Warhead
51. Deal’s Gone Bad – Messin’ Around
52. Soweto – Honey Rider
53. Stan or Itchy – Feelin’ Good
54. The New York Jazz Ensemble – Haitian Fight Song
55. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Where’d You Go
56. The Pietasters – Maggie May
57. The Slackers – Better Late Than Never
58. Hepcat – Dance Wid’ Me
59. Super Villians – Mary Jane and Jager
60. Buck-O-Nine – My Town
61. Dancehall Crashers – Don’t Wanna Behave
62. MU330 – KKK Hiway
63. Deal’s Gone Bad – Be Mine Tonight
64. The Slackers – I Shall Be Released
65. The Scofflaws – Ska-La-Carte
66. The Hub City Stompers – I’ve Got A Boot
67. The Stingers ATX – Rock and Ska
68. Mustard Plug – Brain on Ska
69. Skavoovie & the Epitones – Parakeet
70. Westbound Train - Why You Cry

The Top Albums of September 2009

The Top Albums of September 2009

The masterful singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie told stories with his music. He sang songs about the plight of immigrants, farmers, and workers. He told the story of America. He represented the common man. This new collection of Woody Guthrie music is superb. It contains everything from the well-known mainstream hits “This Land Is Your Land,” “Going Down The Road (I Ain’t Gonna Be Treated This Way),” and “Hard Ain’t It Hard“ to some of  politically charged ballads like “Tear The Facists Down,” “You Gotta Go Down And Join The Union,” and “Jesus Christ.”

The legendary folk singer mastered the folk hero ballads like “Pretty Boy Floyd,” “Stackolee,” “John Henry,” and “Harriet Tubman’s Ballad Part 1.” The collection contains fun classic folk songs “More Pretty Girls Than One,”"Brown’s Ferry Blues,” and ”Ain’t Nobody’s Business” and captures the storytelling abilities of the man with tunes like “The Sinking Of The Reuben James.”

Furthermore Woody Guthrie had an extensive catalog with wonderful children songs like “My Daddy (Flies A Ship In The Sky)“ and magnificent New Deal era tales of bringing power and jobs to the country in celebratory tales like “Grand Coulee Dam.” This is an  amazing collection with good quality sound. In this new era of economic hardships the sounds of the Great Depression and New Deal seem to be a perfect soundtrack for the “Hard Travelin’” ahead.

1. Woody Guthrie – My Dusty Road [Rounder 2009]
2. Phish – Joy [Jemp Records 2009]
3. Soja - Born In Babylon [DMV Records]
4. Willie Nelson – American Classic [Blue Note 2009]
5. Polvo - In Prism [Merge Records 2009]
6. Casual Sax - Baby I’m Black [Wonder Sound 2009]
7. Pearl Jam – Backspacer [2009]
8. A.A. Bondy - When The Devil’s Loose [Fat Possum Records 2009]
9. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3 [Roc Nation 2009]
10. Pitbull – Rebelution [Jive 2009]
11. Rodrigo y Gabriella – 11:11 [ATO Records 2009]
12. John Fogerty – The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again [Verve Forecast 2009]
13. Busy Signal – Hott Ed [Greensleeves 2009]
14. The Black Crowes – Before The Frost…Until The Freeze [Silver Arrow Records 2009]
15. Yonder Mountain String Band – The Show [Frog Pad Records 2009]