Music

Tom Russell Fans, Rejoice

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I don’t know how many Tom Russell fans there are among the Chicago Boyz and Grrlz and Readerz, but whatever the number is, I think it should be greater, because TR is IMO one of the best singer/songwriters working in America today. He’s just published a new book: 120 Songs, with lyrics, guitar chords, and stories about how each of the songs was inspired and written.

I reviewed Russell’s album The Man From God Knows Where, a song-cycle about the American immigrant experience, here.

Some other TR songs:

Stealing Electricity

The Pugilist at 59

Bucking Horse Moon

Russell’s concert tour is now on the east coast; schedule here

Inappropriately Appropriate Lyrics

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Singer Tom Petty is an Obama supporter and doesn’t like it when Republicans/conservatives use his songs…still, I can’t help thinking of his lines:

Well the good ol’ days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

Jonathan is right that we should eschew despair; still, we need to face the fact that the situation is very, very serious.

Cover Songs – Ryan Adams on Bob Mould

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I have been following the cover song debate here at Chicago Boyz with the mantra “if you are going to do a cover, make it your own.”

Here is Ryan Adams covering Bob Mould’s “Black Sheets of Rain” on Letterman. I always liked Bob Mould and of course Husker Du (just downloaded the new album and will be giving it a spin, sounds great) but I have to say that Ryan Adams improved upon Bob’s version of this great song.

I started the video about at the 2:25 mark… typical of Ryan Adams there is a self indulgent time when he wanders around getting ready to play. But hell, the guy is a genius, so what do I know.

[Jonathan adds: I wasn’t able to get the video to start at the right place. You will have to move the slider to the 2:25 mark to get it to start there.]


See “Celebration Day” the Led Zeppelin Movie

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“Celebration Day” is the Led Zeppelin concert movie commemorating their 2007 one-time only show in London with John Bonham’s son Jason on drums. Here is a link to the web site trailer and show times.

I highly recommend that you head out and see the show in a theater, preferably one that is LOUD. Led Zeppelin sounds fantastic, playing a variety of songs from their 10 album catalog, with some unexpected choices. Robert Plant’s voice sounds great, Jimmy Page can still play everything, John Paul Jones plays a variety of instruments (including an amazing 10 string bass), and Jason Bonham is great on drums (with a bit of vocals on “Misty Mountain Hop”).

Cross posted at LITGM

Boxing-as-a-Metaphor Songs

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In the wake of the first Presidential debate, a lot of people have been using boxing metaphors, analogies, and images. Which reminds me of three good songs:

Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer

Tom Russell, The Pugilist is 59

Tom Russell, The Eyes of Roberto Duran

Others?