Clifford Brown

Bing Crosby, David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth

Bing Crosby, David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth

Voting Anguish (from Third Rock From The Sun)

I can relate. I knew this election was going to be a dirty one. Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right...


Voting Anguish
 

Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U & Darling Nikki

I still can't believe he is gone.

Thanks to the beautiful Krystal Wrists for finding this for me. Too many times I have sat in a dark room and sang along with my shattered heart in pieces around me. It always helped to get it out.

Prince and Rosie Gaines






I had a lot of fun with this one. ;)

R.I.P. Prince Rogers Nelson, June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016

Prince has died.

R.I.P. Our beautiful Prince

Prince meant so much to so many of us. I honestly can't tell you how many vinyls of Purple Rain I have worn out.  He was such a talented, innovative, brilliant, special, one-of-a-kind man. Another gone way too soon. I wish this was just a bad dream, but...

Merle Haggard - Today I Started Loving You Again

It is a sad day for music. We lost one of our best sons. A real man...never afraid to stand up for his beliefs. I didn't always agree, but I always respected. Merle Haggard was a talented poet and musician and his sons will carry on his legacy!



ic.

Chelsea Hotel No.2, Duet Leonard Cohen & Lana Del Rey

Someone was kind enough to do a mash-up of Leonard & Lana. Nice job. Thanks to Joseph Agius (youtuber)

Andy Warhol

Jimi Hendrix - Red House (live in Stockholm, Sweden 1969)

David Bowie - The Midnight Special (Full Show) - Live HD

David Bowie - The Dick Cavett Show [FULL]

I love this episode of The Dick Cavett Show featuring David Bowie. First broadcast: Thursday 5th December 1974. Includes performances of "1984" and "Young Americans" Enjoy.

 

'The Dick Cavett Show'. Episode No.1539, Season No.7. Filmed at ABC Studios, New York, on 2nd November 1974.

David Bowie ( January 8,1947 – January 10, 2016)

I can't do this right now. My heart is broken. I will be back.

Ziggy played guitar...

The John Coltrane Quartet My Favorite Things Belgium, 1965

Merry Christmas!

Dexter Gordon Denmark 1967

Astrud Gilberto With Stan Getz - Girl From Ipanema (1964)

I was just a young girl hanging out at my weekly movie matinee when I first saw Astrud. This movie came on and it was differant than the many Frankie and Annette beach party movies. It was different because of Astrud. She walked across the screen singing what I thought then and still do now, one of the coolest, laid back and sexy songs I have ever heard. She has a voice like silk. It was her that made it so good. I went home and fixed my hair like her and then I strolled down the block singing Ipanema in my best Brazilian accent. I wanted to be just like Astrud. I still do.

Thin Lizzy- Parisienne Walkways

This has to be one of my favorite performances of all time. All I know is it was in the early 70's and Phil Lynott and Gary Moore were on fire. I hope you enjoy.

Miles Davis Quintet Live at Teatro dell'Arte in Milan, Italy on October ...

Trumpet: Miles Davis
Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Bass: Ron Carter
Drums: Tony Williams



Sunday, October 11, 1964
Teatro dell'Arte
Milan, Italy


Enjoy!

Lana Del Rey - Chelsea Hotel No 2 + Leonard Cohen

Lana does a fine job covering Leonard Cohen. I find both of these artists incredibly sensual. Honestly, I would like to spend an evening in my secret room with either of them. Naughty I am.

I have included one of my favorites from Cohen as well.

Surrealism at Its Best: Dali on "What's My Line?"

Timothy Leary Meets Thelonious Monk

Tom Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis - Rockin´ Medley.. (1969)

Louis Armstrong - Berlin 1965

This is a treasure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

 

Louis Armstrong,trumpet/vocal
Eddie Shu,clarinet
Arvell Shaw,bass
Danny Barcelona,drums
Tyree Glenn.trombone
Billy Kyle,piano

Afro Blue Impressions | John Coltrane | 1963 | Full Album

Doc Watson & Earl Scruggs Play At Doc's Home

I was raised on this music. Pull up a stool and tap your toes...swing your head to and fro.

Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra - Love Me Tender/Witchcraft - 1960

I came across this while reminiscing about Elvis on his birthday,  Elvis was so hot and so funny. It is no wonder I fell for him. Hotness and humor...what a sexy mix.

Happy Birthday to two of my loves. Elvis Presley and David Bowie!

I have loved them both for a very long time. I confess that Elvis was my first love and he awoke passion in me. Bowie changed my world and blew my mind.


Elvis - born January 8, 1935





Bowie - born January 8, 1947

David Bowie - Five Years Live on Old Grey Whistle Test 1972

...my brain hurts a lot.

Joe Cocker "The Letter" in live 1970 (MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN)

I am very sad to hear of the death of our beloved Joe Cocker. From the first time I saw him at Woodstock, I found him fascinating. He made me feel good. I could not sit still when Joe Cocker was performing, May he R.I.P.

DR. JOHN & LEON REDBONE "CHRISTMAS BALL BLUES", 1989 {86}

I happened upon this jewel and I thought you might like it too.. I hope you enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Bob Dylan - Full Moon And Empty Arms (Audio)

I like this...a lot.

The Dean Martin Christmas Album

I always want to hear Dean during the Holidays. I hope you enjoy this smooth crooner the way I do.

Buckley, Kerouac, Sanders and Yablonsky discuss Hippies

I ran across this jewel from the 60's. I personally think they are all high, I bet Ed brought the smoke.

"A 1968 episode of William F. Buckley's Firing Line, featuring a drunken Jack Kerouac, the Fug's Ed Sanders and a clueless academic, Lewis Yablonsky, discussing the "Hippie" movement."

Johnny Cash - Christmas Songs and Memories.

I  heard my first Johnny Cash recording while I was still in the cradle. His music was always a part of life.

My Mom and Dad were huge fans. Mom loved the entire Carter Family, but Dad didn't like the women singing, he called it caterwauling. Mom and I saw Johnny once at Panther Hall in Ft Worth. I was just a tiny eight year old and I remember he was very large and tall. He reminded me of John Wayne, no one would bother you with him around.

My family enjoyed gathering with guitars and tambourines for sing-a-longs and we did it often. My great-aunts would imitate the Carter Sisters with their high pitched off-key voices, (the great-aunts, not the Carters) but it was all in good fun.

Everyone would sing, but Mom was the true talent, her voice was rich and pure, similar to Dottie West or Patty Page. She would sing The Tennessee Waltz and everyone would stop what they where doing to listen. Men melted. Here I go off on a tangent as usual, but who cares. I still miss my Mom terribly. Is this really the third Christmas with out her?

Since it is the Christmas season, I have added a couple of holiday favorites below that. I hope you enjoy.


An early Christmas duet with Johnny and June.


This is the complete 1977 Christmas Show


This one is a sad one. Get the tissues.


For Mama

Glen Hansard - Drive All Night

I have fallen for this Irish songwriter. His name is Glen Hansard. I wish I knew him personally.

Glen Hansard is vocalist and guitarist of the Irish group The Frames and also one half of the duo The Swell Season, but it is his solo work that has me all a twitter. Glen Hansard has a magical way with words and his voice is strong and soothing at the same time. I sat listening in my easy chair.. I was perfectly satisfied to listen all afternoon. I listened and watched the rain fall.

This is his new four-song LP "Drive All Night" It was released yesterday on Anti-Records.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to Little Kids Rock.
You can order here:  Drive All Night

Please enjoy the full album stream;
Glen Hansard
‘Drive All Night’

01. Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen cover)
02. Pennies In The Fountain
03. Renata
04. Step Out Of The Shadows



Glen Hansard Music

Dum Dum Girls - Lost Boys And Girls Club [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Dum Dum Yum!

Devil Makes Three - Fun has just Begun (+playlist)

I have been listening to this folk-punk band from California and I like them. It would be nice to be high on a mountain with these folk...pickin' and a grinnin'. I hope you enjoy the playlist.

Fun Has Just Begun + Playlist 




Click below to order on CD or Vinyl:

"I'm A Stranger" 
"The Devil Makes Three"

Find them here:

@Drgstrecwbys

The Devil Makes Three.com

Butthole Surfers, Pepper and a Memory

This is one of those songs that takes me back to a specific time in life. It takes me back to the nineties and Deep Ellum in Dallas. It was my favorite place to hit the clubs and restaurants. My favorite club was Trees and my favorite restaurant was The Green Room. The Green Room didn't have a sign out front, just a green light, I liked that, it felt like a secret club. Pepper reminds me of a particular night and a killer party at a million dollar plus home hidden away in the very industrial Deep Ellum. The house looked like an auto garage from the outside, but behind the doors it was lavishly decorated...very opulent. There were bowls of cocaine, a full bar and a tub full of big fat joints. I won't drop names, not that I don't want to, but it is one of those, 'What happens in Dallas, stays in Dallas" things, but it was a hellaciously good wrap party and I heard Pepper from "Electriclarryland" (first listen) blaring as I entered the door. It is a good memory...well, what I can remember of it anyways.

(I do so hate the cover art for Electriclarryland, it hurts my ear)

What do Timothy Leary, Thelonious Monk and Mushroom Pills have in common?

Timothy Leary's Dead - Moody Blues 1968
( I always think of this song when I hear Timothy Leary's name)

Johnny Marr - Say Demesne from The Messenger (2013)

I will return soon, in the meantime,  please relish this outstanding song from Johnny Marrs new solo LP.

 Release Feb. 25, 2013 Order: Vinyl Audio CD

Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit is an indie-folk band from Selkirk, Scotland, based in Glasgow and formed in 2003.

Scott Hutchison - guitarist/lyricist
Grant Hutchison - drummer
Billy Kennedy - guitarist/bassist
Andy Monaghan - guitarist
Gordon Skene - keyboardist

I like everything I have heard from Frightened Rabbit. This is from the new album 'Pedestrian Verse' coming February 2013. I am fairly certain they rummaged through my brain and stole these lyrics. I can't prove it in a court of law...so I will let it go. Seriously, I think these boys get to the heart of matters and I like that. It is best if you listen for yourself. 

Dead Now



Another from"Pedestrian Verse" - The Woodpile.

 
  This is my personal favorite song: Scottish Winds



If you like and want to hear more, here is a link to a playlist,  Frightened Rabbit - YouTube:  http://bit.ly/1297VuX 

You can pre-order 'Pedestrian Verse'  here, CD or Vinyl:  http://amzn.to/RIZ5D6

PV Site: http://bit.ly/UkirJ3
http://

Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep Mountain High (original promo)

Enjoy!

Filthy Boy

UPDATE December 2013: New LP available now:  'Smile That Won't Go Down"

James Endeacott is to raw talent what a divining rod is to water.  I reckon he vibrates when he spots a hot new band. James has brought us The Strokes, The Libertines, The View  and his latest discovery is no less talented and unique.  Meet Filthy Boy.

Filthy Boy is a new alternative band from South London.

Members: Paraic Morrissey, Michael Morrissey, Harry Weskin and Benjamin Deschamps.

If I close my eyes when I listen to Filthy Boy, it feels like I have been transported back in time to some mid-60's dark and probably aromatic hole named something like The Cave or The Cellar.

I first heard the Naughty Corner lyrics and I was intrigued, then I heard Spiral Eyes and Waiting On the Doorstep and I was in love.  I feel voyeuristic as I listen...like peeking in someones bedroom window to catch them doing the nasty. I am fascinated by the words, the deep sultry tones and the hot guitar licks...I want more.
 
Watch the new videos Waiting On The Doorstep and Naughty Corner then visit Filthy Boy's band-site and listen to Spiral Eyes and see what you think.



Enjoy the new "Naughty Corner" Video. (inspired by a 50's fetish film director called Elliot Castle)



 Find them:
@filthyboyband
FB Facebook
Oh Mercy Management, Mat Schneck / James Endeacott:  info@ohmercymanagement.com


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Dino Valente

I thought I would feature one of my favorite singer-songwriters from the 60/70's:

Dino Valente

Dino Valente AKA Chet Powers AKA Jesse Oris Farrow (real name - Chet)
(October 7, 1937 – November 16, 1994)
American singer - songwriter, and a member of the rock group Quicksilver Messenger Service during the years 1969 - 1979

My personal favorite: "Children of the Sun"



I consider this one of the most important songs of the times, it really did bring people together. "(Let's) Get Together" written by Chet Powers, was recorded by numerous artists, this is one the most well known versions:



The biggest commercial hit for Quicksilver was "Fresh Air" it's from my favorite QS album, Just for Love - 1970 and was written using the Jesse Oris Farrow psuedonium.


I wanted to share his distinctive and haunting voice, along with these beautiful songs with some of the young blood who may not have had the privilage before.
Dino Valente site


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Dirty Projectors

Listen and enjoy. I have nothing to say yet.

Two Wounded Birds Album Review

by Dona Bogart
Release Date: June 24, 2012
Holiday Friends Recording Co

                      
Two Wounded Birds

Johnny Danger - Vocals/Guitar
Ally Blackgrove - Bass
Joe Stevens - Guitar
James Shand - Drums

Two Wounded Birds are from the sea-side town of Margate (UK) and they have a retro, surf sound surrounded by an edge of punk. Think sun, sand, leather and Raybans.

I have been waiting for this self-titled album since I first heard TWB in 2009. Though they did release a well received EP, Keep Dreaming Baby in 2010,  I only considered it an tasty appetizer and I was still hungry for the main course. I have not been disappointed. This album is a heaping full pop platter and it has been plated so that each course compliments the next. This is classic pop tinged with haunting melodies and killer hooks. This band loves music and loves performing and they draw you in so you become a part of it. You can feel the energy and enthusiasm in each song. You can hear the influences of the Beach Boys, Elvis, and Neil Young, as well as The Cure, The Ramones and The Smiths. I think someone was even channeling Jerry Lee Lewis on Daddys Junk.


1. Together Forever
2. My Lonesome
3. To Be Young
4. It's Not Up To You
5. Daddys Junk
6. Night Patrol
7. The Last Supper
8. I'm No Savior
9. If Only We Remain
10. No Goodbyes
11. The Outer World
12. Growing


Starting with the upbeat Together Forever this is one of those "debut" albums where every single song is worth listening to. It is a consistently solid album that will never grow old. The sound is so full and well rounded it is hard to believe there are only four members of this band.


My Lonesome (listen above) is a song I was already familiar with. It is one of my favorites. The vocals backed by the retro Hawaiian guitar combine to give lonesome a whole new meaning. Johnny Danger does sound a bit dangerous and I have to wonder what he does all alone. To Be Young and It's Not Up To You are lovely pop songs full of of angst.

I am mezmerized by Night Patrol. It is not just the sky that is dark at night. Johnny Danger sounds sultry and mysterious and takes you on a journey somewhere exotic and possibly illegal. I love it.
The opening of The Last Supper reminds me of a Clint Eastwood Spagetti Western then it turns all groovy. The beat, the angst, the harmonies in I'm No Savior are simply beautiful.

I may have a girl crush on Ally Blackgrove, she is so impressive on bass and gorgeous to boot and especially solid on If Only We Remain. It has The Smiths influence all over it. I plainly hear young Morrissey. No Goodbyes and The Outer World  (listen above) have a 60's vibe and they both feel comfortable and familar. The last track, Growing, is a lovely song that is filled with longing and delicious melancoly.

Every song has a distinct sound yet the album flows from track one to track twelve as effortlessly as water poured down a slide. I am thrilled with this album.  I have followed @twowoundedbirds since 2009 and I personally adore them. I have watched the hard work and effort they invest in their craft and they have gained respect.  I also compliment Two Wounded Birds on their social skills. They have a great rapport with the fans and interact whenever possible.  I think you will be happy with yourself if you order today.

Pre-order here:
Two Wounded Birds - Audio CD
Two Wounded Birds -Vinyl

Thank you for reading and please enjoy this free download: To Be Young

More info about Two Wounded Birds can be found at their TWB website

Their Facebook page is here and they are on Twitter here: @twowoundedbirds.

Watch videos of Two Wounded Birds below:

(I love this stock footage, I hope they don't update it)



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Sly Stone

I associate a happy time in my life with the music of Sly and the Family Stone, it was a time when everything was fitting into place. My family, friends, career...everything was where it needed to be. One night my friends and I had a dance marathon to Sly and the Family, we had them on reel-to-reel.  I won. *blushes* Last night I was on Twitter and this came across my time-line. It made me sad. I wanted to reach out and give Sly a big bear hug and ask if I could help. This sounds like his heart is hurting and that hurts my own heart.

Slys tweet:

Sly Stone ‏@HigherSlyStone

I don't like the word happiness anymore.

Atlas Sound - Parallax

Atlas Sound's Parallax, the solo project of Deerhunter's Bradford Cox is like walking down the path of a luscious garden while barefoot.  It's not all wiggling your toes in the clover, there are a few prickly dark holes to watch for along the way, but overall you will thoroughly enjoy your stroll.

A Celebration of John Robb

If you follow me then you know I like to travel around the Twitter World finding interesting people and I'm rather fond of music too. I don't remember exactly when I started following John Robb and going on daily treks to his music site, "Louder Than War", but it was on his birthday, May 4, 2011 that I decided to celebrate his life and his career. I had to put things on a back burner due to personal issues, but here we go, better late than never:

JOHN ROBB

John Robb has turned fifty and shows no signs of slowing down. It's a good time for us to celebrate his extensive achievements and contributions. I couldn't possibly list everything he has accomplished in one blog post, in fact I need a flow chart to sort it all out, but I am going to try to do him justice.

John is a musician, producer, author, mentor, television personality, journalist, and blogger. I recently heard him referred to as "One of Manchesters Finest Sons" and he is a frequent and much sought after music authority and contributes to a variety of music blogs and magazines.

John Robb was born in Fleetwood, England on May 4TH, 1961 and grew up in Blackpool. He was undoubtedly a darling baby and a rascal of a little boy. I would almost bet that he asked "why and what for" more than the average little bear. He was born into one of the best decades in our history. The sixties were a time of change, so it's no surprise that John, growing up in these times, would embrace and enhance a genre of music that was without a doubt original and vital. Punk Rock.

Punk was finding a voice and between 1974 and 1976 punk rock music was a growing, evolving experiment, there was an anti-establishment, hard-edged, stripped down sound blasting out out of garages all over the world,  but it was 1977 that is considered the: The Year Punk Exploded and it was in 1977 that sixteen year old John Robb took it on.  John took it on and tattooed his brand on it.

Now here is the story I heard and it's a great story so I hope it's true.  John Robb and his mate, Mark Tilton were so inspired by puck rock that they formed the post punk band "The Membranes" while attending Blackpool Sixth Form College. The part of the story I love is that Rob built his own bass out of spare parts and a slab of wood and that Mark bought a 'Woolworth's special' guitar from a junk shop and they used dustbin lids instead of drums. DIY!  Also interesting to note is that their drummer, "Coofy Sid" (Coulthart) was only thirteen when he started with the band. A wee baby! I guess it was a good mix because the band stayed together from 1977 through 1990.

The Membranes first recording was "Ice Age", but the first single proper was Muscles 1982. The band signed with Criminal Damage Records and would have been the first band to sign with Creation Records and Spike Milligan's Tape Recorder would have been the first release for Creation, but alas,  Alan McGee had no money for the studio so they stayed with Criminal.

   Spike Milligan's Tape Recorder  1984




The band left or were asked to leave Creation after a night that went wrong from the beginning. The way I read it is that an argument broke out over a mix up in billing. There was a Creation Records night gig and The Membranes were supposed to be headlining, but the promoter drew lots and it ended up with Slaughter Joe headlining which made The Membranes fans miss seeing them and they took it out on Slaughter Joe who was Alan McGees best friend who then released The Membranes from Creation. A third group, The Pastels walked out in support of The Membranes. The band then signed to In Tape, the label run by Marc Riley and in 1986 they released Songs of Love and Fury which was their breakthrough album in the USA

The Murder of Sister George from Songs of Love and Fury: 1986

During his time with The Membranes, John Robb also started a fanzine - Rox and his own label - Vinyl Drip Records and produced bands, Slinky and Therapy? and co-produced Cornershop.

The Membranes released 10 albums and 10 singles between 1980 and 1997 plus a compilation. I won't list all the band changes or Discography here , I am hoping to finish this before Johns next birthday.

When the band split in 1990, Robb formed Sensurround and released two singles.

Goldblade was formed in 1994 by John Robb with Wayne Simmons and former A Witness vocalist Keith Curtis on bass, Rob Haynes on drums and Jay Taylor on guitar. I like this description from The Independents they describe Goldblade as "a shamelessly fundamentalist collision of The Ramones, James Brown and The Stooges".

The band has toured the world multiple times and have so far released nine albums and eleven singles including "City Of Christmas Ghosts" (2008) Damaged Goods (featuring the late Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex)
Please take a moment to read the touching tribute John Robb wrote on the day Poly Styrene /Marianne Joan Elliott-Said passed.  Poly Styrene RIP.

Goldblades first single was Soul Power  It was single of the week in the NME.


Strictly Hardcore was their third single and made the UK Singles Charts
(A fan made video) 



Check out GoldbladesYouTube, you can see Johns Show-Reel and watch videos of The Membranes and Goldblade.

John has eight published works.
You can purchase one of John Robbs books at Amazon.   I am anxious to read  Punk Rock: An Oral History

Psycho from Rebel Yells (2005)

I think my favorite is Riot Riot from Mutiny. I also know why. I am a pirate and Mutiny is "best described as piratical-punk" according to this reviewer at "The Quietus" 

Riot Riot from Mutiny (2008)

I have barely touched on all that John Robb has accomplished in his first fifty years . Commitment to community, time devoted to charities, media and literary contributions, honing and exploring his art, quite a resume from the boy who had to build his first guitar from scraps and it looks like he is just getting warmed up.

Here's to the next fifty years, John Robb!


UPDATE: 11/15/2011 John has been voted 'Indie Champion of the Year' at the prestigious AIM music awards 2011!

 Here is a video of John talking about the award:

For those of you that read this far - here is a bonus:

The John Robb Stalker Kit 
Kit includes: Twitter, Louder Than War, Facebook, YouTube and MySpace Links
 

@johnrobb77

LOUDER THAN WAR - Site

LOUDER THAN WAR - FB
              GoldbladesYouTube

              Goldblades MySpace

 from my room - db

The Stepkids

I am excited about this self-titled LP from The Stepkids. I have found the perfect album. It satisfies my cravings for the familar while offering a topping of fresh beats. It makes me tingle.

These three musician/songwriters, Jeff Gitelman - guitarist, Dan Edinberg - Bassist/keyboards and Tim Walsh - drummer (NYC/Connecticut based) have taken a decade of experience and created a fresh, unique yet retro sound.  The best description I can give is if you took yesterdays psychedelia, mixed in some of today's fresh electro and then threw in a touch of funky soul. It works. You just have to listen:




ORDER HERE:


Band website: The Stepkids Twitter: @thestepkids Facebook: The Stepkids




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Okkervil River - Your Past Life As A Blast

I love this video from Okkervil River's I Am Very Far. Will Sheff's dad filmed these home movies of Will as a boy growing up. It made me nostalgic, I wanted to run twirling in the wind with my arms out like wings. The video is a nice complement to a very good song.



Your Past Life As A Blast from Okkervil River on Vimeo.
Visit and Order here: Okkervil River Site


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Akira The Don - Babydoll

This will brighten up your day! Let's dance.



From the album of the year, The Life Equation. Produced by Stephen Hague and Akira The Don. The video was directed by Dr Aaron Shrimpton, and filmed by Tom Coles

The View

I love this indie rock band from Dundee, Scotland.




ORDER BREAD AND CIRCUSES













The View - Sunday



More videos from The View at MUZU.TV

Music Is Alive and in the Hands of a Scotsman!

Hello, friends. My blog fingers have cobwebs on them it has been so long, but I found something I want to share or I should say someone.

I have been editing my Music Industry lists at Twitter, "Music Discloses The Soul" and "Twifusion", oh look,  there <--- on the left. See? OK then,  back to what I was saying, I wanted to find and add more fresh blood to my list. I set out on a trek through the world of record companies and online music magazines in search of an artist/group/song that stirred or stimulated me in some way.  I read a headline recently, "Music is Dead!"  That's not what I found on my trek. I found life. I make no claim to knowing anything about the music industry, I only know what I like personally and I liked much of what I heard and saw.

There were so many fresh sounds and captivating videos I couldn't stop sharing them through my tweets(sorry for the flood), as a listener I was enamoured by many of the artists, but I believe I have fallen in love with one artist in particular. I find the pure, haunting, perfect pitch of Steve Mason mesmerizing.

Steve is a Scottish musician, best known as the lead singer and one of the founding members of The Beta Band. I was slightly familiar with him since a friend had mentioned "Boys Outside" a few months previously and I did listen to the title track at that time, but I was also doing twenty other things and I didn't give it the attention I now know it deserves.

I just found this interview, it will fill you in on his background!
Steve Mason - Interview - Montreux Jazz Festival 2010



Since I am nothing if not a good stalker, I recently started following Steve Mason's twitter and you should too. @SteveMasonKBT   Steve is quite an opinionated *cough* (We disagree on politics)and well read fellow. It is his voice that has made me want to spotlight him here though. Please listen and see if you agree with me:

This is an acoustic version of a Beta Band song. "Simple" It was recorded a the launch party for his Boys Outside album.




Click Here if you want to hear the rest of the Acoustic Set, including four tracks for Boys Outside (All Come Down, I Let Her In, Boys Outside and Am I Just A Man), two Beta Band songs and a cover of Madonna's "Borderline".

I know this is a long blog, but I want to add one more song, I am pretty sure he is singing it right to me. Don't laugh if I say I feel a kinship with Steve Mason. This Scotsman has reached across the world and touched this Texas soul. I let him in.

I Let Her In



No monkey business or copyright infringement intended here.

Bob Dylan Performs at the White House

...and tis true. The times they are a changin'

Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox greeting

"Oh Holy Night" performed by David Phelps

This brought tears to my eyes. "Fall on your knees"

Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

Halloween Music Vid - "Grim Grinning Ghosts"

Happy Halloween!

Boondock Saints II - All Saints Day Official Trailer

Coming in October. I am waiting with anticipation! I love these boys!

Boondock Saints II - All Saints Day Official Trailer

Coming in October. I am waiting with anticipation! I love these boys!

Sexy Women Duel With Lightsabers

This is just fun to watch. Enjoy.


Sexy Women Duel With Lightsabers - Watch more Funny Videos

Spy vs Spy

Today I read this at chicagotribune.com :

Obama administration approves new spy satellite program, buying more commercial imagery

PAMELA HESS Associated Press Writer
6:53 PM CDT, April 7, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Tuesday approved the purchase of pricey new spy satellites and will buy more commercial imagery from the private sector to plug immediate gaps in satellite coverage.

The new program will take the place of one that had been awarded to The Boeing Co. The Pentagon canceled that project in 2005 because it was grossly over budget and behind schedule.

An intelligence official, who spoke to reporters shortly after the White House approved the program, said the new spy satellites would offer the same capability of those now in use. Officials were concerned that significant changes in their design could break the budget for the program or delay the launch of the satellites, he said.

The official, who spoke only on the condition that his name not be used, declined to reveal the budget for the program.


Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has already complained about the price tag, which he put at more than $10 billion. The official said that figure is incorrect but would not offer an alternative.

The official would also not specify how many spy satellites would be built or when they would be launched. He said officials believed it would be soon enough to plug any gaps left by the 2005 cancellation.

However, military, intelligence and industry officials familiar with the program told The Associated Press last week that the program is called "2-plus-2" and calls for building two sophisticated satellites equal to or better than the huge, high-resolution secret satellites now in orbit. The officials all spoke anonymously because the details of the program are classified.

At the same time, the White House has also agreed to boost the amount of commercial imagery it buys. It now spends $25 million a month with DigitalGlobe of Longmont, Colo., and GeoEye of Dulles, Va., buying private imagery that can show outlines of objects as small as 16 inches.

The new contract will be large enough to pay for the construction and launch of two new commercial satellites with the same capabilities as those now on orbit. The new contract will include "guaranteed access"— that is, top priority and the ability to direct the satellites if there is a war or another emergency.

The commercial contract will be negotiated in the coming weeks, the intelligence official said.

Defense giant Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Md., is almost certain to win the secret multibillion-dollar contract for the two new high-altitude spy satellites. It built the spacecraft now in orbit that will be roughly duplicated in the "2-plus-2" program.

The intelligence official acknowledged the possibility that the massive contract could be awarded this year to Lockheed without a competitive bidding process.

Only Boeing has the facilities to build and test a massive satellite. Boeing, headquartered in Chicago, was the prime contractor on the satellite program canceled in 2005.

Boeing spent nearly $10 billion developing the secret satellite but ran into technical problems. The Pentagon pulled the plug after Boeing exceeded its budget by $3 billion to $5 billion, according to industry experts and government reports.

In adopting "2-plus-2," National intelligence Director Dennis Blair and Defense Secretary Robert Gates rejected an alternate satellite proposal from military officials at the Pentagon. The uniformed military favored developing and launching a new class of satellites that would be able to observe targets with better resolution than their commercial counterparts, but would be faster and cheaper to produce than the spy satellites approved by the White House.

The intelligence official said Tuesday at the press conference that officials had determined that the alternate satellites would not have met either military or intelligence needs.

The "2-plus-2" program is meant to avert a potential gap in U.S. imagery satellite coverage around the world. The sophisticated spy satellites now in orbit are nearing the end of their service life, and replacements must be launched in the next decade to prevent blind spots.

The plan will have to win congressional approval. A second intelligence official said the administration is confident it will pass.

The Defense Department spends about $20 billion annually on space programs.

I say:

I am tossed on this. I want the US to be at the top of our game in all areas and certainly in the areas of technology and espionage, but do I want to fiance the invasion of my own backyard? I might want to swim buck naked and I would hate to inflict that on strangers.

Moot point really though.I think the concept of privacy is no longer an issue. We already lost that battle. "Privacy, I didn't know you had any privacy!" We are under surveliance almost everywhere we go.

Oh, what the heck, lets buy some new toys and keep the playing field even or even grab the advantage. I am not really bothered by the expense. We give it away like candy, might as well get good use from it.

White House Blasts Rocket Launch

North Korea is a problem and we need to do something about them now.

I read in the Wall Street Journal today:

White House Blasts Rocket Launch

By DAMIAN PALETTA
The Obama administration blasted North Korea's decision to launch a rocket this weekend in defiance of United Nations resolutions and vowed a coordinated international response.
"The United States believes that this action is best dealt with, the most appropriate response, would be a United Nations Security Council resolution," said Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., during an interview on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. Ms. Rice said she would attend an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting being convened on Sunday afternoon to discuss an international response to the North Korea launch.
"We view North Korea as a proliferation threat," she said. "Its actions today underscore our concern about its development of not only a nuclear weapons capability, but the capability to deliver it. That's what we're most concerned about preventing."
North Korea launched a multi-stage rocket on Sunday morning, which apparently failed in its goal of putting a satellite into space. The rocket flew successfully for about 13 minutes but plunged into the Pacific Ocean as the second of its three stages was firing, officials in Japan, South Korea and the U.S. said.
Ms. Rice declined to say what U.N. actions or potential sanctions the U.S. might be willing to support, but said U.S. officials were working closely with foreign officials, particularly those in Asia. continued