“Joan of Arc rules Northeast, where the poor and the hipsters meet”

Sleater-Kinney – “Light Rail Coyote” from One Beat (2002)
Bill Fox – “Portland Town” from Transit Byzantium (1998)
I’m off to Portland, OR for a week of this, this, and this. So I offer two of my favorite Portland songs, including one from our main man, Bill Fox.
What are your fave geography tunes?
Buy S-K
Bill Fox is on [...]

“Country fair in the country sun”

Sly and the Family Stone – “Hot Fun In The Summertime” from Greatest Hits (1970) [originally released 1969]
Ya know what’s sad? (No, not the death of Michael Jackson.) Sly Stone (nee Stewart)’s slow descent into addiction in the 1970s, and his sad attempts at reemergence in recent years. Before that he was one of the [...]

“Turn around, summer’s almost over”

I didn’t even realize that we’d passed the solstice.  But that’s how Summer goes.
I don’t know why I haven’t made a Beau Brummels post yet.  Though not as prolific or flashy as their LA contemporaries the Byrds (in all candor, they even scooped the Byrds, having formed earlier in 1964), this band played a critical [...]

“Well, all right/You know our lifetime love will be alright”

Blind Faith – “Well…All Right“  From Blind Faith [1969]
A while back I posted the Buddy Holly version of this song.  This is the Blind Faith cover.  I like the original because the lyrics, which are beautiful, are easily heard.  I like the Blind Faith version because Blind Faith is awesome.
Now, what does the above photo [...]

Elvis Costello, live

I caught Elvis Costello at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA Thursday night.  I haven’t heard much of his new bluegrassish album but he and the band sounded pretty good.  To be honest, I have trouble dealing with great rockers outside (particularly, after) their prime, be it EC, Dylan, or otherwise.  It just seems weird.
In keeping [...]

Neil Young Archives, Vol. I; or, Harrowing Decisions about Audio Fidelity

Hey folks, there’s been a lot of ink spilled about this Neil Young Archves, Vol. I business.  As the biggest NY fan I know, I feel compelled to weigh in but also solicit your advice and thoughts on the matter.
I really want to get this box set but am not planning on doing so (right [...]

“All he asks of us is we give each other love–oh yeah!”

Marvin Gaye – “God Is Love” from What’s Going On (1971) & “God Is Love (B-Side Version)” from “What’s Going On” single (1971)
What’s Going On is a well-worn classic. Though the hit singles (“Mercy Mercy Me,” “Inner City Blues,” and the title track) are awesome, “God Is Love” shows the album at its most triumphant. [...]

“Finance is all that he understands”

Curtis Mayfield – “Little Child Runnin’ Wild” from Superfly (1972)
I’m becoming increasingly convinced that Curtis Mayfield was one of the best and most inventive songwriters of the ’60s and ’70s. Certainly he had one of the best voices — that soft, sneaky insistence — and best ensemble sounds, both with the Impressions and on his [...]