DMB- Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King

Dave Matthews Band will be releasing a new studio album, Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King, June 2, 2009. It has been 4 long years since a studio release and they are going on a 6 month tour in support of the new CD. I'm not quite sure how they are going to do the tour without the great saxophonist LeRoi Moore, but I'm willing to attend a show for a band that I haven't seen live since 2000. To check to see if they are coming to a town near you, visit http://tourdates.davematthewsband.com/.

Wilco's Ashes of American Flags

I’m excited to report Wilco's live concert film "Ashes of American Flags" will have a limited release that corresponds with the National Record Store Day, April 18th. For participating store visit http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home. If the local record store near you isn't on the list, then you can purchase it on the wide release date of April 28th.

The 15 Minute Challenge

I was handed a challenge:

"Think of 15 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that no matter what they were thought of musically shaped your world. When you finish, tag 15 others, including me. Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill. Get the idea now? Good. Tag, you're it!

The challenge: do this in fifteen minutes; as if nobody is judging your answers..."
I have more then 15, but these are the ones that I thought of off the top of head...

Dave Matthews Band- Under The Table and Dreaming
Bjork- Debut
Nirvana- Nevermind
Radiohead- In Rainbows
Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
R.E.M- Automatic For The People
Jay- Z- The Black Album
Coldplay- A Rush of Blood To The Head
Feist- The Reminder
The Beatles- Yellow Submarine
Fiona Apple- When The Pawn...
Sheryl Crow- The Globe Sessions
Paul Simon- Graceland
City & Colour- Bring Me Your Love
Twilight Singers- Blackberry Belle

These Cd's have not only changed the way and what music I listen to, they've changed my life.

Valentine's Day

In honor of Valentine's Day, I've decided to put together a special playlist. There's a mix of songs for those who are in love and those who have fallen out of love. Enjoy...

Spectacle

The Sundance Channel has started a new music series called Spectacle: Elvis Costello with.... He interviews and sings with a wide variety of musical artists. He even interview a few public figures (like Bill Clinton) discussing musical influences in their life. I was able to see an early screening of tomorrow nights episode and let me tell you it's one to set your DVR/ TiVo for. Featured are artist who are children of or from an entertainment background:

She & Him- Zooey Deschanel (the actress) and M. Ward

Jenny Lewis- From Rilo Kiley and the movie Troop Beverly Hills fame

Jakob Dylan- You know who his dad is... and lead singer of the Wallflowers

This episode premiers Wednesday, February 11th @ 7/8 Central on the Sundance Channel. And for a listing of times go to http://sundancechannel.com.

Grammy Wrap-Up

For the categories I decided to judge, 6/9 isn’t so bad. Listed are my choices followed by the winners. And I must admit that I underestimated Robert Plant and Allison Krauss.


Record of the Year:
"Paper Planes"- M.I.A
*”Please Read the Letter”- Robert Plant & Allison Krauss

Album of the Year:
"In Rainbows"- Radiohead
*“Raising Sand”- Robert Plant & Allison Krauss

Song of the Year:
"Viva La Vida"- Coldplay
*"Viva La Vida"- Coldplay

Best New Artist:
Adele
*Adele

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
"Chasing Pavements" Adele
*"Chasing Pavements" Adele

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
"Say"- John Mayer
*"Say"- John Mayer

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals:
"House of Cards"- Radiohead
*"Sex on Fire," Kings of Leon

Best Rock Album:
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends"- Coldplay
*Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends"- Coldplay

Best Alternative Music Album:
"In Rainbows"- Radiohead
*"In Rainbows"- Radiohead

The Grammy's

Tonight is the 51st annual Grammy Awards. I've decided to make my picks for the top awards. I hope they win:


Record of the Year:

"Paper Planes"- M.I.A

Album of the Year:

"In Rainbows"- Radiohead

Song of the Year:

"Viva La Vida"- Coldplay

Best New Artist:

Adele

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:

"Chasing Pavements" Adele

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:

"Say"- John Mayer

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals:

"House of Cards"- Radiohead

Best Rock Album:

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends"- Coldplay

Best Alternative Music Album:

This is a hard one. Any of the following would be the Best--

"In Rainbows"- Radiohead
"Evil Urges"- My Morning Jacket
"Narrow The Stars"- Death Cab for Cutie


Watch tonight 6/7 central on CBS to see if I made the right predictions.

Paste Magazine CD Sampler

After playing the CD sampler in the 50th issue of Paste Magazine, I have to say that it's worth the $5.95! It's been on heavy rotation in my car for about two weeks now and there are a few song that I loved right off the bat (1, 3, 8, 12, 17). And there are some that had to grow on me (2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16). There are a few misses, but I'm not going to mention them (only because it could just take longer then two weeks for them to grow on me). I was able to find a few of the songs to create the playlist that's currently streaming. The CD list is below the songs that aren't streaming are worth seeking out!

Playlist:
1. The Guggenheim Grotto- Fee Da Da Dee
2. Kyle Andrews- Sushi
3. Neko Case- People Got a Lot of Nerve
4. N.A.S.A- Spacious Thoughts
5. Heartless Bastards- The Mountain
6. The Champion and his Burning Flame- The Expert
7. Sent May & His Magnificent Ukulele- Meet Me In The Garden
8. M. Ward- Never Had Nobody Like You
9. One Day International- Black Is the Bird
10. Shugo Tokumaru- Parachute
11. Death On Two Wheels- Calling Us Back Home
12. Andrew Bird- Oh No
13. Umphrey's McGee- Made To Measure
14. Beatbeat Whisper- Mismanaged Skies
15. Courtney Jaye- I Need Love
16. Anthony Green- Miracle Sun
17. Tina Dico- No Time To Sleep
18. David Berkeley- Willis Avenue Bridge
19. Waiting for Iris- Letting Go
20. Josh Ritter- Wildfires (Live)