Neo-Retro Friday

Have a Pixi-fied weekend, you lot!

Last One There Pays for the Rest of Us!

See you there.

Shit and Double Shit

If you haven't read his autobiography, do yourself a favor and do so immediately.

Myth of the Tortured Artist

Tweedy's the shizzle.

I See A Band of Angels

The Johnny Cash Project gives disciples an opportunity to illustrate individual frames from the "Ain't No Grave" video. Basically what you do is choose from one of 3 frames, and use the simple drawing tools to trace over the frame. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you figure out the GUI, it's kind of fun. The resulting video is also pretty cool, especially if you like crosses.
From the site:

The Johnny Cash Project is a visual testament to how the Man in Black lives on – not just through his vast musical legacy, but in the hearts and minds of all of us around the world he has touched with his talent, his passion, and his indomitable spirit. It is this spirit that is the lifeblood of The Johnny Cash Project.

Sigh.

Crazy Heart

Caught this last night. Bridges is excellent and after the first few minutes, you can buy that back in the day he might have run with the Waylons, Willies and Billy Joe's. Unfortunately the rest of the movie doesn't really keep up with him. I can' t really make an objective call on Maggie Gyllenhaal as she is just too cute for words, but it's pushing the ick-factor limit to see her getting it on with a fat hairy Bridges. Colin Farrell as the protege/rival country singer is also a bit of a stretch, but you get the point.

Overall, it was a pretty good little movie, but without Bridges, and without the very well-done soundtrack (T-Bone Burnett did it, natch), it would be pretty standard former hero hits bottom, falls in love, gets shit back together, etc etc story, with a touch of predictability added in for good measure. Bridges was nominated for this, and he was damn good, but it's a stretch to say he deserves a win.

I actually loved the movie and would recommend it, especially if you have any love for the old outlaw country period or Maggie Gyllenhall in her underwear. In other words, Jay, you can skip it.

A Show I Love

I know we're all far too cool to watch television programs, but IF I did watch a show, it would be Psych. I like it for the following reasons:

1) Pop Culture referencing almost non-stop, with a special emphasis on the 80s.
2) Awesome theme song as performed by the show creator's band.
3) Portrayal of male friendship that every male wishes he had.
4) Hilarity.
5) It is set in Santa Barbara but is clearly filmed in Vancouver, BC.
6) Rips mercilessly on the CBS show 'The Mentalist' which was ripped off from the premise of this show.

It's on Wednesdays (info in the above ad notwithstanding).

When I was a boy, blowing up the moon was just a beautiful dream!

Sound familiar?

Olson and Louris, Louris and Olson

I don't know if ya'll ever got into the Jayhawks, but I did in a big way. The original principals, Gary Olson and Mark Louris, have reunited for an album that has yet to be released (I think they let it go in Europe, though). Chris Robinsin of the Black Crowes produced. I've been streaming it on the New West site and it's great. If you've got the time or the inkling, it's here.

From the record company:

Ready for the flood captures the stripped down, fingerpicked guitar playing and Laurel Canyon sound of an earlier time, with allusions to English folk – Bert Jansch, Nick Drake, John Renbourne, whom both Mark and Gary had both been getting into independently – and a simpler, live recording technique where capturing the right vibe was as important as the sound. It’s an album that only two career musicians and friends could make – organic, intuitive and loosely confident, heartfelt and moving, echoing with the combined experience of two kindred spirits reuniting to do what they do – and love – best.

Mmmm......

Cardinology + IV

Picked up the new Ryan Adams yesterday, as well as the latest from one my new favorite bands, Chatham County Line. Haven't listened yet, so no review, but Finding The Product is easy.

Young Brians

OK, here it is. The first and only album by my band from the last century. Released in 1989, I promise this album got good reviews. From reliable sources. Promise. Anyway, my blatant infatuation with M. Stipe probably stopped us from Grunge Glory. Still, some good songs, and a chance to hear J. Nebel play lots of excellent guitar. He was nineteen. Frankly, That's Progress.

Frankie's Gun

I adore this song. The band is the Felice Brothers, who strangely enough are actually brothers (three of them are, anyway). The fourth guy is named Christmas. They've clearly listened to the Basement Tapes a time or two. Enjoy.

Again with the Ryan Adams

Lost Highway is reissuing Whiskeytown's biggie label debut, Stranger's Almanac on March 4th. I know outside of Dave and I, you other bastards aren't huge Ryan Adams fans, but we know enough to be excited about a full disc of bonus tracks, including takes on Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," JC's "I Still Miss Someone," Gram's "Luxury Liner," and "The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over" by the great True Believers, in addition to acoustic demos from the album and previously bootleg-only songs from other sessions.