Autumn Souvenir

The things we find when doing a little housecleaning. I just came across a printout from May of 1998. I won't even get into the "others" section, which consists of about 75 records, but I figured I'd post my Top Ten from that time. Amazingly, not much has changed. These ten records, with the exception of maybe one, could land on a Top Ten list of mine today. This is how the note reads: NO ORDER, ONLY ONE RECORD PER ARTIST IN TOP 10 (Yes, I put this all in caps for emphasis): Uncle Tupelo Still Feel Gone Wilco Being There Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde Steve Earle Train a Comin' Son Volt Trace Big Star #1 Record/Radio City Richard Buckner Devotion & Doubt Beatles Beatles For Sale Neil Young Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere Bruce Springsteen Nebraska

I may have posted this already, but it certainly bears repeating. Wilco covering Buffalo Springfield/Neil's "Broken Arrow."

I don't read Twitter posts. I'm still not sure what it means to RT (re-tweet? as in sharing someone else's tweet?) or the whole @ thing that shows up on people's pages (someone else posting on your page?). I understand the attraction and why people obsess over it. Okay, I don't understand why people obsess over it, but yeah, I get it. I mean, I post Facebook updates so I'm not really that far off. And I have a blog. And I send about 455 texts per day, so by no means am I'm claiming to be "above it." That's actually not what I'm saying at all. However, when it comes to those I look up to or artist's whose work means the world to me, I beg of them not to go the route of Twitter. I understand Miley Cyrus, McCain's tedious daughter or Paris Hilton Twittering, because, well, these people really don't have much to say whether on Twitter or not. And sure, fans of say Nickelback should probably be able to read posts from those asshats, ...

I first saw Welch & Rawlings at Boston's Paradise Rock Club in 1995. They played a beautiful opening set reminiscent of The Carter Family and the greatest of pickers and songwriters. As the night neared to a close, they joined Son Volt for a raucous take on Neil Young's "Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown." Welch, along with Rawlings, have gone on to release four records, all of which are either incredible (1996's Revival , 2001's Time (The Revelator)) , pretty incredible (2003's Soul Journey ) or very good (1998's Hell Among the Yearlings) . As her fans have eagerly awaited a new record for now seven years, many are starting to wonder if perhaps she is done making records. As the wait continued, a glimmer hit us with David Rawlings' first record, last year's A Friend of a Friend . Rawlings' record proved that whether released under Gillian's name or his, they just put out stunning music. As the wait for a Welch release continues, i...

Wilco used to pick the most classic covers.

It's been at least two weeks since I've posted anything outside of photos, YouTube links or quick nuggets on here. I used to check the "unique visitors" per day a few times a week; it's been months since I've checked out those nifty graphs. That said, I have no idea if anyone's even stopping by anymore. It's become obvious to me that my time to post on this blog is becoming limited. I do hope that I can pick up the pace in the weeks to come, but at least for the next two weeks or so, posts will likely remain limited. On a quiet Saturday night, I'll just toss out some updates on stuff: I haven't touched the book in three weeks, but that's usually how "work" on the book goes. I do have a deadline, which I will meet. And it's soon. And that deadline is for me to complete a full edit, then re-read the beast one full time. When I am done with both, I will find an editor and take next steps. The photo book was also to be compiled by...

, originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon .

How do the republicans find such morons?

Charlotte G. at Amoeba , originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon . Amazingly, I kept my purchases under $50. As I was looking through the Magnetic Fields section for the Love Songs box, I look to my left and Charlotte Gainsbourg is flipping through the racks. Kinda like that time at the NYC Record Fair when Thurston Moore was nudging me over to get into my section. Well, not like that at all, but records rule.

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More to come soon.... In the meantime, have a listen here

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I went last year and that was enough. It was pretty enjoyable, especially given that some good friends had a very comfy house near the event, but it's too much of a scene for me. That said, sets by Brian Jonestown, Leonard Cohen and Okkervil River were fantastic. Nonetheless, my picks (bold are must sees): Friday : I likely wouldn't arrive until 2pm 210-255: Deer Tick 320-405: Avett Brothers 545-535: She & Him 650-740: Lucero 805-855: Grizzly Bear 905-1000: LCD Soundsystem 1050-end: Jay-Z Saturday : 1205-1245: Frank Turner 100-150: John Waters 215-300: Portugal the Man 300-350: Old Crow Medicine Show 425-515: Beach House Get a chicken parm 755-845: Faith No More Get another chicken parm 1150-1245: Devo Sunday 1255-140: Soft Pack 7-8 cotton candies 425-510: Matt & Kim 510-530: Sunny Day Real Estate 535-620: Julian Casablancas 745-855: Pavement 900-end: Thom Yorke

This story in The Times-Picayune is so moving that it bears repeating. Some may find it odd, but this portrait of Alex, to me, is a life lived honestly and a life worthy of admiration. There is so much focus and value placed on monetary success in our society and Alex didn't seem to care for it. He lived how he wanted to live. He lived how he felt he was meant to live. He didn't need the spotlight. He didn't need people fawning over him. He wanted a normal, simple and comfortable life among the people of New Orleans. Hero is a grossly overused term in our society, but when pressed to name some of mine, I always start with Martin Luther King, Jr. To me, he was the embodiment of good, courage, humility, justice and altruism. I then toss around folks like Bruce Springsteen, Woody Guthrie, my grandfather, my mother, Jeff Tweedy, William Faulkner, Paul Wellstone and a few others. Folks who either inspired me and others or played a direct role in impacting my life. But if presse...

As I announced to the world in a post some time back, I no longer have internet access at home. As a result, you've probably noticed that I'm not posting nearly as often to this here blog. But there are other factors, some of which I will outline for you here: Memoir : First version is complete. I am now midway through a first edit. Once this edit is complete, I will re-read the whole damn thing and then I'm done. There is a title. It could change but it probably won't. It will then go off to an editor. Once it returns, I will consider which steps to take next. I may seek out an agent. I may just print up 100 copies and drop them on Market and 4th. I may just upload the whole thing to my Flickr account. Photo Book : This is essentially ready to go. I just have to get over to Berkeley to pick out the paper, binding, layout, etc. and get them printed. This is going to cost me quite a few dollars. Please buy it when it's done. If not, Market and 4th. Artist Mgmt : I am...

, originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon .

, originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon .

1. $35 plus service for LCD Soundsystem is too much. A band of this caliber should be charging $25. Yes, they've put out two very solid records (one great), but LCD and Wilco should not be charging the same. (In all honesty, I'm pissed because I got hosed for $700 on my car today.) 2. I imagine the crowd at an LCD show will be more than a man can handle. 1000+ frat boys, rather hipsters, rather dongs, in one room may just drive me mad. If they are indeed done following this tour, well, I'm seeing Pavement!

Can I possibly do three straight? I've done maybe 40 or so over a few days, six times in Austin, but I am older, grayer and shorter. However, I am less of a misanthrope, which I guess makes me an anthrope. Josh Ritter @ The Fillmore, June 24 Pavement @ Greek Theatre, June 25 Steve Earle @ Great American Music Hall, June 26

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Three hours! Thirty. Seven. Songs. The back-to-back Big Star tribute of "Thank You Friends" and "In the Street" likely would have had me weeping. Alex Chilton's passing has hit me harder than I could have ever imagined. Just something about Big Star. I listened to #1 Record on the drive up 101 last night and it is honestly one of the greatest records ever, ever, ever recorded. The fact that this record was lost in some distribution snafu following release, would be like Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man having been self-published and only made available to a couple folks. Back to Wilco last night. Look at this set list! Electric: Ashes of American Flags Wilco (the Song) I Am Trying to Break Your Heart Bull Black Nova You Are My Face One Wing Shot in the Arm Muzzle of Bees Deeper Down Summerteeth Misunderstood California Stars Impossible Germany Poor Places Acoustic: Spiders You & I Kamera Hesitating Beauty Laminated Cat When You Wake Up Feeling Old Dreamer...

I was born into a succession of four German Shepherds. As a kid, when I wasn't out playing baseball or basketball or at home watching baseball or basketball, I was often as near to the dogs as possible. German Shepherds, at least the ones we had, are loyal to their owners and everyone else pales. That being the case, all four were basically hooked onto the hip of my stepfather. But sometimes they'd give me some time. I loved those dogs, even Guard, the one who didn't really like me, or anyone for that matter. I have always wanted a dog of my own. However, given jobs, travel and a desire for long nights out, I never thought it was the "right time." I always came up with an excuse. Maybe I feared the responsibility. To fill the mini void of a life without dogs, I'd spend hours in local dog parks. No, I wasn't trying to pick up women. I just wanted to hang with dogs. When a Shepherd would make its way into the park, my eyes would light up. But just like ours,...

Jay Farrar has an almost endless list of incredible songs. Some are amazing lyrically, some have an Americana beauty that few current artists can touch and some barrel you over like the best of Crazy Horse. With Uncle Tupelo, he penned some of the best songs of the early 90s with "Chickamauga," "Looking for a Way Out," "Postcard," "Steal the Crumbs," and every other song he wrote alongside Jeff Tweedy. When considering his post-UT output, most point to Son Volt's 1995 debut Trace . Although I do consider it a masterpiece, I've always been a bit more partial to their last record with the Boquists and Mike Heidorn, 1999's Wide Swing Tremolo . This record, unlike any Farrar record before or after, shows Farrar's aggressive side (Did anyone ever see him doing something like "Straightface" or "Jodel?"), without parting with the balladry that would make Gram Parsons' nudie suit get chills ("Hanging Blue Side...

Bennett , originally uploaded by ccsbandwagon .