MUSIC THREAD

If you enjoy the authentic r & b of Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, you'll definitely dig James Hunter's US debut 'People Gonna Talk'. It was recorded retro style, live in the studio with spare effects and no overdubs. He's white and he's a Brit, but he's the real thing.

Sample: http://jameshuntermusic.com/

 

WTF? White?
WTF? British?
WTF? New?

I've been hearing a few of this guy's songs on XM and thought all along it was some old school R&B vinyl they'd dug out of the vaults. Wow. I don't know that I've ever been so shocked to see the person that music is coming from. I need to pick this up. Good stuff. Thanks for the website link.

 

This is a weird one, and it's not in my usual wheelhouse, but the extended version of Funky Squaredance by Phoenix is pretty damn good. It's more than nine minutes long, and it's kinda like three songs in one -- country, rock-funk, electronica -- and the singer just impregnated Sofia Coppola. Hard to find (it's on the album United), but worth the effort.

 

Been listening to the DBT's "Dirty South" all afternoon. What a great CD, especially "Where the Devil Don't Stay" and "Danko/Manuel."

 

Phoenix is a good band for those of us stuck in the 80s. "If I Ever Feel Better" from that album is great, too.

 

Heard me some Phoenix on XM the other day. Me liked.

 

I second this. Excellent album all around. My favorite is "Goddamn Lonely Love." I could listen to that on continuous loop for hours. I was kinda disappointed by their newest album. Not enough Jason, in my opinion. DBT is touring with the Black Crowes this summer with a couple of solo dates interspersed. If you haven't seen them live, go. They put on a GREAT show.

 

i'm kinda up and down on a 'blessing and a curse' -- love the dirty south

we'll see if i feel up to the dbt/crowes show... not quite sure yet

good news is a friend of mine is playing pedal steel for them on this tour. he plays on their albums, but hasn't toured with them much, 'cause they'd do it low-budget. but on this big tour with the crowes, they've got room for him. pretty cool

 

This show will be in Pittsburgh soon:

Drive-By Truckers
Robert Randolph & Family Band
Black Crowes

I'm stunned it's not sold out. Then again, hospital tailgates are keeping the rabble busy here these days.

 

Can't speak for the Crowes (never seen them live) or DBT (never heard 'em), but if Robert Randolph comes anywhere near you, try like hell to go see him. I can't even begin to describe what a great show this guy and the band put on. Energy. Energy. Energy. You will dance. I don't care if you are the whitest white guy to ever live, you will dance. And you will enjoy dancing. This shit hits you somewhere way down deep. Please go see this show.

 

They're playing at least two solo dates in between the Crowes show. One is in DC (and is $20) and the other, I think, is in Utah. The full tour schedule is on drivebytruckers.com.

 

That triple bill is in Boston, too, I think.