Feeding the Band and other Adventures

You know times have changed when NPR Morning Edition mentions the birthday of one of the Arctic Monkeys…(it happened last week).

If you can't play, cook!
1. EILEN JEWELL – Letters from Sinners & Strangers (Signature Sounds)
Jewell’s publicist, an old friend from Back in the Day, sent me this new album, which came out on July 17th, to pitch the singer/songwriter’s upcoming show at the IOTA on August 10th. Turns out that’s the week I’m off duty from the Post, but I was delighted to learn from the initerary that Jewell was playing a free show in the park at Lake George, NY, where I just happened to be this week, visiting family.
I asked my publicist pal to pass on an offer of local hospitality to Eilen (rhymes with hard-wheelin’, as he told it) and her traveling band, so the five of them (singer, three collaborative musicians and a good friend from the area) came for a burger, chops and veggie dog grill last night. The assembled musicians seemed to enjoy having a home-cooked meal on the lake view porch, and I loved supporting the arts in my own small way.
Since it had rained most of the day, the outdoor show was moved into a lakeside bar, where the neon bar signs made a perfect compliment to Jewell’s gentle western swing/folk. My pricey (but bartered) digital camera has been positively wonky lately, but I got a few shots I’m not ashamed of…




I wanted to purchase Eilen's first CD, but she wouldn't let me pay for it...
2. EILEN JEWELL - Boundary County (self-released)

But there are other places I spent My Own Cash Money:
3. FACES – Good Boys…When They’re Asleep (Warner Archives/Rhino)
Sad to say that, as I was preparing for an interview with Ian McLagan for a Post preview, the local Best Boy had nothing at all to offer in the way of Faces or Small Faces music, let alone McLagan’s indie solo output. Sure, they had some Rod Stewart collections, with the Faces listed in small type as an afterthought (how fitting to the tales told of his rising star hurting the band), but only Barnes and Noble had this single CD to bring more balance to the band’s contribution. McLagan played at Jammin’ Java July 9th and did a fine show that covered all aspects of his career from Small Faces ("Itchykoo Park") to his upcoming solo CD. Here are a few shots from the gig:





After talking to the charming guy on the phone, I had to say hello, and my friend Sally took our photo together:


While searching for Faces albums in the rock classics discount section, I found these two collections for less than $4 each.
4. The SHANGRI-LAS – Golden Legends
5. JUDY COLLINS – Golden Legends
And there were some online purchases, too:
6. PAUL McCARTNEY – Memory Almost Full (Hearmusic)
June 18 was Paul’s 65th birthday. May I be so full of spirit, grace and energy when I hit that landmark. I was surprised to see the album offered on emusic, but that seems to be in keeping with his alternative marketing strategy.
7. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Instant Karma (Amnesty International)
High School Girl bought the iTunes version of the album (more extra tracks) as a Father's Day gift for her dad. Some great stuff here from surprising sources (who knew Christina Aguilera could handle "Mother"?!)
8. LULLABY BAXTER – Garden Cities of To-Morrow (Boompa)
College Girl bought this for her dad as a Father's Day present.

Recent Promo Acquisitions:
9. INGRID MICHAELSON – Girls and Boys (Cabin 24 Records)
If you can’t wait for the next Regina Spektor album, this should tide you over nicely. Not quite as out-there quirky as RS, but sweet strong female stuff.
She played at Jammin’ Java on July 17th.
10. ANANDA PROJECT – Fire Flower (Nite Grooves)
11. VARIOUS ARTISTS – NZ CMJ sampler
A second copy of the CMJ-related sampler, sent all the way from New Zealand. Which reminds me...
"FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS" RULE! It's biz-niz, it's biz-niz time, baby!
12. The JUNIOR VARSITY – Cinematographic (Victory)
13. JUNE – Make It Blur (Victory)
14. ERIK FRIEDLANDER – Block Ice and Propane (Skipstone)
15. EMERSON HART - (Manhattan)
16. SILVERSTEIN – Arrivals & Departures (Victory)
17. The CHEMICAL BROTHERS – We Are the Night (Astralwerks)

Advance Music:
18. The LOVE MAKERS – Misery Loves Company (Fuzz)
Out July 24th.
19. CARMEN RASMUSEN – Nothin’ Like the Summer (Lofton Creek)
Out August 14th.
20. VARIOUS ARTISTS – SXSW Live 2007 (Shout! Factory DVD)
Out August 21st.
21. PETER HIMMELMAN – The Pigeons Couldn’t Sleep (Himmasongs Recordings)
Out August 21st
22. MICHAEL McDERMOTT – Noise from Words (One Little Indian)
Out August 28th.
23. The DEADLY SYNDROME – The Ortolan (Dim Mak)
Out September 11th.
24. STEPHEN KELLOGG & The SIXERS – Glassjaw Boxer (Everfine)
I spoke with Kellogg last year (here's the preview) when he had a college gig in the area, and he was totally psyched about the new album (but not in the knee-jerk “this is my best album ever” way that most musicians have).

Coming to Town:
25. WE ARE THE FURY – Venus (East/West)
Opening for Silverchair at the 930 Club on July 24th.
26. SILVERCHAIR – Young Modern (Eleven/ILG)
Like I just said - July 24th.
27. The INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS – Fork in the Road (Sugar Hill)
Playing the Birchmere on Wednesday, July 25th.
28. The ALTERNATE ROUTES – Good and Reckless and True (Vanguard)
Duplicate copy, sent to pitch the band’s July 16th show at the Birchmere, when they opened for Jonny Lang, but they’ll be back headlining Jammin’ Java on August 4th (with a date opening for Squeeze in-between).
29. The SAW DOCTORS – In Concert Live in Galway (Slamtown??DVD)
Playing the Birchmere on August 9th.
30. MIRAH and SPECTRATONE INTERNATIONAL – Share This Place (K Records)
Out July 24th (says the disc) or August 7th (press release);
Playing the Black Cat on July 21st.
31. The PIETASTERS – All Day (Indication/Red Eye)
The Post previewran today; playing at the State Theatre on July 21st and the new CD comes out August 21st.
32. ACUTE – Arms Around a Stranger (Help Records)
Indie rock with horns, soaring falsetto, strings, and some smarts. For reasons I don’t quite understand, the band’s video for “Follow You Home” is getting airplay on MTV Latin America (I don’t feel that vibe.) Produced by Dave Trumfio, who’s worked with Wilco and My Morning Jacket.
Opening for Jesse Malin at Jammin Java on July 21st.
33. DEAD ROCK WEST – Honey and Salt (Populuxe)
July 31st at the IOTA, with John Doe.
34. MIA TYSON – Parking Lots (Black Door)
Opening for at the Birchmere on August 1st.
35. The LAST GOODNIGHT – Poison Kiss (Capitol)
Opening for Rocco Deluca at State Theatre on August 8th.
The CD drops on August 28th.

And more misc...
A promo...
36. ABRA MOORE – On the Way (Sarathan Records)
Fun trivia – the Seattle-based label was founded by Jonathan Kochmer, one of the first 10 employees of Amazon,com and half of the duo Two Loons for Tea. And more – her music has been used in more than 25 movies and TV shows, including Felicity, Dawson’s Creek and Happy Texas. And finally – her last album, recorded for Clive Davis’ J Records was shelved due to creative differences. (What could Kelly Clarkson teach her?) And I forgot – she used to be in Poi Dog Pondering, a greatly underrated band.
A purchase...
37. MAROON 5 – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (A&M)
Actually Grace paid, but since I hear it whenever she remembers to bring it into the car, I count it. I think this is an able band, but Adam Levine grates on me and I sort of resent when I find myself humming along.
A few more digital additions:
38. BEIRUT – Lon Gisland
As an eMusic member, I can take a chance on lots of stuff I might not otherwise, ‘cause the tracks cost less than 50 cents each. You gotta love a title like “My Family's Role in the World Revolution,” and as a former Queens resident and Stony Brook University student, I can relate to “The Long Island Sound.”
39. AMY WINEHOUSE – Back to Black (Republic)
Posters for this woman are sniped all over London when we were there in January and now she’s starting to buzz in America. Terry thinks she’s got a gimmick, not a true sound, but I like it. “Rehab” still hasn't overstayed its welcome, and I drive my family crazy singing the "no no no" refrain.

Thanks for hanging in. Here's your Free Music Fix:
40. KURT HAGARDORN – Ten Singles (Bladen County Records)
“You Are My Girl”
The comparisons to Ray Davies, Harry Nilsson, Ben Kweller are pretty apt. He'e got a bright pop thing happening.
Out July 24th.
41. AMERICAN CATASTROPHE – S/T (Oxblood Records)
Described as “Nick Cave fronting Sixteen Horsepower,” and came in a classy package - letterpress cardboard with a genuine wax seal with the AC initials on it. You can download “The Well.”
42. SCHOONER – Hold On Too Tight (54 40 or Fight!)
A double dose:
"There's Enough To Do"
"They Always Do!"
43. The TRIALS of DARRYL HUNT soundtrack (Young American)
A mix of cool alt rock (Andrew Bird, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Portastatic, M. Ward), hip-hop diatribes against the justice system (deserved) and music from the score by Paul Brill.
Here you hear Paul Brill’s “Powerlines."

O/CD YTD Total: 604