Autumn Souvenir

A truly beautiful movie.

I only saw about ten '11 releases, so I'm sure there's a lot that I missed. 5 Poetry 4 Into the Abyss 3 Midnight In Paris 2 Buck 1 The Tree of Life

One of my earliest favorite songs.

I didn't see all that many shows this year, but two NYC shows, both in the same week, were standouts. Every time I travel back East, I spend as much time as possible with many of my lifelong closest friends. On this trip in March, I was able to see these amazing shows with a few of those friends. Big Star "Third" Tribute, Mason Hall, NYC, 3/26/11 LCD Soundsystem, Terminal 5, NYC, 3/31/11 In 2012, I will see Wilco at least twice, and Springsteen at least 48 times.

I watched five movies over the past week, all of which were great. I can't recall the last time I had a stretch of quality movies in a row. The Cruise Do the Right Thing Into the Abyss The Tree of Life (2nd time) The One Percent

Contrary to years prior, I spent most of this year's "music money" on older releases, re-issues and other nerd-soaked collections. Nevertheless, I did buy about 25-30 new releases this year. Although my time spent with each may have not been much, these are the records that hit me the most. 10 Jill Andrews : The Mirror 9 Josh Rouse & The Long Vacations 8 Joe Henry : Reverie 7 The Gourds : Old Mad Joy 6 Richard Buckner : Our Blood 5 Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit : Here We Rest 4 Tim Easton & The Freelan Barons : Beat The Band 3 Gillian Welch : The Harrow & The Harvest 2 Centro-matic : Candidate Waltz 1 Wilco : The Whole Love

To say that I have a lot to be grateful for would be a massive understatement. Over the past year, I've witnessed amazing events and strength and find myself fortunate beyond words. Thank you to my family, friends and just about everyone I've crossed paths with this year. You've all made my life incredibly fulfilling. And with that....

When I first discovered the nearly endless list of fantastic bands that made up the 1990's alt.country, Americana, etc. movement, I found myself in search of a way to read and find out about more of these acts. I was so floored by the songs, words and records that I couldn't satisfy the need. I'd hear 6 String Drag and need more. I'd see Hazeldine or 16 Horsepower live and need another band the next night. See, they weren't getting mainstream notice really anywhere, but I needed an avenue to find out about every single band that was even somewhat tied to this "movement." And I found that resource. While sitting in a computer room in college, I discovered an online list server called Postcard From Hell. The list, named after the Uncle Tupelo song "Postcard," was full of music fanatics. They wrote top ten lists at a pace that I wholeheartedly identified with. Music was more than just the words and songs; it was almost a way of being. Despite taki...

I've probably listened to this song 5,000 times, and every single time I get a knot in my throat. Quite possibly the saddest, most beautiful song I've ever heard.

It's about that time to start compiling those best of the year lists. I'm still making my way through 2011 releases, but the standout songs have already been listened to over and over and over (though I'm sure I'm missing hundreds of great songs - I just don't buy as many "new" records as I used to). I wouldn't call these the "best" songs, but rather just the songs I haven't been able to put away. Among the favorites: "Hard Times" : Gillian Welch "Whole Love" : Wilco "All the Talkers" : Centro-matic "Until It Kills You" : Tim Easton & the Freelan Barons "Try To Sleep" : Low "Pouring Rain at Dawn" : The Jayhawks "Hold On" : Alabama Shakes "I Want It So Bad" : The Gourds "Witness" : Richard Buckner "Eyes Out For You" : Joe Henry And my favorite: One Sunday Morning by Wilco on Grooveshark

In 1999, at my first SXSW, my friends and I started a SXSW tradition of spending an afternoon at Waterloo Records, essentially going on a team shopping spree. That first year, I spent about $70, which, at the time, was far beyond my budget. I recall one friend spending somewhere north of $300. Could've been more. I picked up a Richmond Fontaine record and a few others, but the highlight was the record bought via a recommendation of one of the staff. With a few records in hand, I approached a guy at the register and asked him to simply make a recommendation. Without a second to think, he replied, " Blaze Foley's: Live at the Austin Outhouse . He's unknown outside of Austin and never recorded a proper album. But this just came out." I grabbed the CD and added it to my basket.  It took me a while to get around to that record, but once I did, I was shocked at the beauty and simplicity of the songs. Just gorgeous. Like Townes Van Zandt beautiful. I started to scour t...

Last night Bruce performed "Incident on 57th Street" solo acoustic for the first time ever. The crowd's reaction when they realize the song shot chills down my back.

globalrevolution on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

There have been two times in the past decade when I nearly broke down at a live performance, both times it was Nick Lowe performing this song.

It's been about two years since I've seen Wilco live. That may not seem long, but it's my longest spell without seeing the band since December of 1994. Now three records on with the same lineup and a new record just two days out, it was somewhat odd to find my single seat amongst 15K+ others. The first time I saw Wilco at Johnny D's in Somerville, MA there were maybe 50 others on hand. From 1994-2001, Wilco's popularity grew slowly, amassing a moderate national following and able to sell out mid-sized 1-2K venues the likes of The Fillmore and Irving Plaza. And then came the songs, mystique and "taking it to the man" story behind Yankee Hotel Foxtrot . In short order, they were playing summer tent shows, touring with Neil Young and headlining MSG. Now 17 years into a career that very few thought possible following the demise of Uncle Tupelo, despite having no hit songs or a sound that can be easily explained, they are seemingly one of the most popular roc...

Thanks to one of the greatest American bands ever assembled.

Had Wilco decided to drop the fairly awful "Heavy Metal Drummer" in favor of either of these two tracks, well, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot would have been the very rare five-star record.

Unlike movies and books, when it comes to music, I find it nearly impossible to make a quick judgement after just a few listens. Most records take weeks and weeks before finally settling in to a cohesive (personal) understanding of its merits. I can think of many, many records that I loved at the outset before later concluding that they just didn't hold up, and vice versa. There's something about Wilco's The Whole Love that has me itching to say.....something. As with any post about Wilco, there's little question that I'm biased. When I first heard the notes of Uncle Tupelo's "New Madrid" in early 1994 and subsequently saw Wilco in December 1994, I've stood by at every twist and turn. Form alt.country to summery pop songs to "experimentation" to "dad rock," I just haven't been able to quit this band. Outside of Bruce Springsteen, no artist has impacted me as much as Jeff Tweedy. And I can't even really say why. I doub...

Has there been a more important Labor Day in my lifetime? Doubtful.

"Blasting Fonda" from the 1996 soundtrack to Feeling Minnesota .

"My weakness is to shout from the rooftop whenever I believe I have discovered something of vital importance.......The man who spreads the good word augments not only the life of the book in question but the act of creation itself. He breathes spirit into other readers. He sustains the creative spirit everywhere. Whether he is aware of it or not, what he is doing is praising God's handiwork. For, the good reader, like the good author, knows that everything stems from the same source." -- The Books In My Life , pages 28-29

Continuing their brilliant direct-to-fan approach. Full stream plus great design and in-screen social networking. They've reinstituted that new release Tuesday feeling and made it even bigger.

From noon CST Saturday until noon CST Sunday, Wilco will be streaming their entire new record The Whole Love, which hits "stores" on September 27th. No matter your opinion of their music, their marketing and promotion acumen is downright remarkable. If there's ever a band that's learned this business and taken advantage of the "new music industry," it's Wilco. How many bands can be dropped from a major label and have their careers then take off? Well, Wilco did just that back in 2001. And despite never releasing a hit song, they have built a massive brand behind the Wilco name and mystique. Now playing regularly to 5-8K fans, simply from a business perspective, it's astonishing what they've been able to sustain and grow for nearly two decades. I have no idea who runs the business that is Wilco, but I imagine it's a combination of longtime manager Tony Margherita and Jeff Tweedy. And now 17 years in, I can't recall a Wilco record havin...

Sometime in early 2002, I stopped by a friend's house in Brooklyn and with that grin of anticipation he immediately tossed on an advance copy of a new CD. Just a few songs in, I had no idea who I was listening to. "Who is this?" I asked. "Josh Rouse," he said firmly, knowing where the conversation was headed. "Wait, the guy who opened for Son Volt a few years ago? I bought his first record but I can't say...." "But what about this?" he fired back. "Pretty damn good." And thus began my four year love affair with everything Rouse released. From 2002 - 2005, Josh Rouse may very well have been the most consistent recording artist going. Under Cold Blue Stars , 1972 and Nashville are all great records with the middle record being his masterstroke. I still credit the song "Rise" with playing a large part in my move from New York to San Francisco. "Catch the last ride on the Brooklyn train / Thirty years old and nothin...

Back in 1995, the Scud Mountain Boys shared a bill at Tramps in NYC with Blue Mountain and Wilco. This is one of those shows my friends and I still talk about pretty much daily. I never saw the Scuds again as they soon turned into The Pernice Brothers. I went on to see Wilco about 50 times and Blue Mountain about 20. Despite many Pernice shows, my favorite Joe Pernice moment took place on the F Train in Brooklyn. I was heading into the city one Saturday, and across from me sat Joe, wearing a Smiths t-shirt. Our fashion senses similar, I was wearing an Uncle Tupelo tee. We seemed to look at each other a few times, awkwardly. As I stood up to depart at Houston, I nervously said, "Hey Joe." He didn't hear me. A few nights ago, Joe Pernice played a number of Scuds songs while on a mini East Coast tour. Rumor has it that a short tour with the entire original band will take place in December.

When I look at back at some of my favorite shows, very rarely do I think of the actual vocals. It's usually a combination of the energy from the stage, the people I'm with and the words and spirit of the songs. But this morning, as I walked to grab some morning breakfast, R.E.M.'s perfect cover of Richard and Linda Thompson's "Wall of Death" came on the iPod. I listened four times in a row. Like many R.E.M. songs, Michael Stipe's vocals on this track are damn near magical. And it brought me back to the few shows when I was mostly moved by the vocals. And there are two that stand out, both in New York, separated by about a decade. I think it was 2000 when my friend Lisa and I went down to the Mercury Lounge to see Ryan Adams. Fresh into his solo career, I still longed for Whiskeytown, one of my favorite bands of the 90s. Adams sat in the small room before 200 or so people with nothing but a guitar and a notebook. He sang almost all new songs, some from hi...

Backed by Tim O'Reagan, Razz Russell, Eric Heywood and Jim Boquist. This may be the greatest supergroup ever formed in the history of the planet.

4:38 will forever remain one of the most exhilarating live moments I've ever witnessed.

Some (everyone?) may find this odd, but when I see one of my all-time favorite records in a bargain bin, despite already having the record in multiple formats, I buy it. For some reason, I just can't bear the thought of say Springsteen's Nebraska adorned with a $1.99 sticker. While browsing Amoeba last weekend, I walked away with not one, but three CDs that I already own. One of those was Richard Buckner's Devotion & Doubt , a record that's sat firmly amongst my favorite records since its release in 1997. In terms of songwriting, I'd argue that it just might be the best written record of the past 30 years. "A Goodbye Rye," "4am," "Song of 27".....these songs come directly from places and depths that upon first few listen seem not only distant but unknown. But upon repeat listens, the words start to make sense. And whatever your understanding, if you give this record time, the emotional gifts are nearly endless. So.....if you ...

Some of the greatest rock n' roll footage ever.

Of all the Wilco lineups, this was my favorite.

There are about 40-50 videos on YouTube that I can watch again and again and again. Over the next 11 years, I will feature those videos here. And of them all, this is likely the one I've watched the most. There's something about Watt's chuckle at 2:32 that somehow sums up the spirit of this absolutely amazing band.

My mother recently mentioned that my Aunt Bonnie, who I haven't seen in maybe 25 years, casually mentioned in a phone call that she wished she had some of Bob Dylan's music. "Is that right?" I asked my mother, already considering the 15-track mix in my head. In a world of immediate access to everything from music to movies and news to sweet chicken parm recipes, I love being thrown back to a time when it wasn't so easy. So, after a morning at the gym where I maxed out at 35 lbs. on the bench, I returned home to put together this mix. Not an easy task, given that Dylan has about 1400 great songs, but hopefully this will bring her back. Visions of Johanna The Times They Are a Changin' Girl From the North Country Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Live '66) It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Mississippi Don't Think Twice, It's All Right It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Meet Me In the Morning Song to Woody I Want You Not Dark Yet The Loneso...

Mostly known for his well-revered folk/songwriter recordings, Bill Morrissey also published one book in 1996, Edson , about a virtually unknown singer-songwriting living in New Hampshire. This is the only book I've read three times and is, without question, my favorite book about music, and among the most personally impactful novels I've read to date. An amazing talent, Morrissey never penned another novel, but Edson is a masterpiece. Thanks for your words, Bill.

Growing up, I can't recall one instance when politics were discussed in our house. My stepfather, a police officer, kept his political beliefs tight to the chest. My mother just didn't want confrontation. And I had yet to develop my own understanding of not just our country, but how I viewed myself in relation to others, and vice versa. When I got to college (a Jesuit University), my beliefs and values began to take shape. I will never forget day one of a class called Black Rights: Eyes on the Prize. Just a few minutes after an introduction, our young professor pressed play on a video. It was Birmingham in the 60s, or maybe it was Montgomery. And the horrors hit me. And this happened 40 years ago, I thought? Just 40 years?? I sat frozen. I felt anger and restlessness, but mostly I just felt sadness. A deep sadness. I watched white and black men and women marching the streets simply to gain equality. Dogs attacked, men were beaten, some killed. This was an America that I simply ...

There are two kinds of music: good and bad.

K noxville, TN's The V-Roys were one of my favorite acts during the likely-never-to-be-repeated greatest run of bands in my lifetime. Along with Blue Mountain, Wilco, Son Volt, The Bottle Rockets, The Jayhawks, Old 97's, Steve Earle, Scud Mountain Boys, Marah and about 500 others, I've often cited 1995-1999 as the height of what blew the doors off my love for music. Call it Americana, alt.country or whatever you like, I will likely go to the grave firm in my belief that this was one of the greatest times for music, ever. And the V-Roys were right in the middle of it all. Now 12 years since they wrapped it all up, word comes of a "compilation" due September 27th on F.A.Y. Recordings. The collection, titled Sooner or Later , will include the following 18 tracks: “Guess I Know I’m Right” “ No Regrets” “Pounding Heart” “Sooner or Later” “Goodnight Loser” “Cry” “Lie I Believe” “Kick Me Around” “Mary” “Amy 88″ “Over the Mountain” “Fade Away” “Burned” (Neil Young cover) ...

Still catching up on a lot of '11 listening, but here are some early favorites: Gillian Welch : The Harrow & the Harvest Tim Easton and the Freelan Barrons : Beat the Band Various Artists : Rave On Buddy Holly Centro-matic : Candidate Waltz Looking Forward To: The Gourds, Slobberbone, Wilco, Richard Buckner, Blind Pilot, The Jayhawks, Bap Kennedy, Nick Lowe.....

Haven't been covering these much as this blog has turned mostly to music, but figured I'd recap a few of the movies and books I've taken in over the past few months. Movies (TV) The Tree of Lif e : A beautiful yet disturbing movie. Captures the intricacies of life like only Malick can do. Like many of his best movies, it almost demands repeat viewings. Choking Man : Nice story about a young Ecuadorian dishwasher in Jamaica, Queens. Acting left a bit to be desired, but a worthwhile movie on a lazy afternoon. Southbounder s : Though it has nothing in common with the previous film, it left me with the same aftertaste. A nice take on a well-off teen in search of something via the Appalachian Trail. Felt like a ripoff of Into the Wil d. Breaking Bad, Season 1-3 : My favorite TV show since The Wire . Here and There : Favorite Netflix streamer of 2011. Jack Goes Boating : Watched this a few months ago via Netflix. Literally can't remember a thing about it - gather it wasn...

When President Obama was elected I made a personal promise to severely curtail my time spent focused on politics. During the Bush years, I spent hours-on-end reading the Huffington Post, NY Times, even the Drudge Report. When not behind a newspaper or my computer screen, I was locked into MSNBC, C-Span, CNN, PBS and the list went on. I was a full-on political junkie. But it was taking a toll. Around the turn of the year '09'-10 I vowed to cut it back. And my personal oath has been fulfilled and then some. I just couldn't take it anymore. Of little surprise, it was the politics of the right that just left me sick. The greed, hate, intolerance and the taking advantage of the vulnerable, weak and uneducated. I find the present-day Republican Party to be absolutely disgraceful. And it's beyond politics. It's about morality and ethics. They have none. I walked away. Today, while sitting in the park on a breezy afternoon, I clicked on the Huffington Post app. I'm not ...

HSB posted the following sound clip, announcing ten of the confirmed artists via a stream of clips. Yes, I am pumped for Chris Isaak. And if that's Sting at 2:22, I am torching GG Park. HSB 2011 Sneak-Peak Medley Round 1 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Words Of Love (Patti Smith) by concordmusicgroup

Since I simply can not stop listening to Gillian's new record, I figured I'd take a break from the new material and check out some clips. I caught this live on the BBC a few years ago....breathtaking on so many levels.

The Whole Love 01 Art of Almost 02 I Might 03 Sunloathe 04 Dawned on Me 05 Black Moon 06 Born Alone 07 Open Mind 08 Capitol City 09 Standing O 10 Rising Red Lung 11 Whole Love 12 One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) Wilco Tour Dates 09/13/11 Tue Old National Centre (Formerly Murat Centre) Indianapolis, IN 09/16/11 Fri Massey Hall Toronto, ON 09/17/11 Sat Massey Hall Toronto, ON 09/18/11 Sun Metropolis Montreal, QC 09/20/11 Tue Wang Theatre Boston, MA 09/22/11 Thu Central Park SummerStage New York, NY 09/25/11 Sun Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD 09/27/11 Tue Raleigh Amphitheater Raleigh, NC 09/28/11 Wed Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Atlanta, GA 09/29/11 Thu Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Atlanta, GA 10/01/11 Sat Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN 10/02/11 Sun Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN 10/04/11 Tue Peabody Opera House St. Louis, MO 10/05/11 Wed Overture Center for Arts Madison, WI

After years of being on my must-read list, I am finally getting around to Peter Garalnick's Lost Highway , after a gracious friend recently gave me a copy. Despite barely cracking it, I'm already gripped by the eloquence and depth of the writing. And it's the following that so cleanly sums up what I've been trying to expound about popular culture for 15+ years. "In order to appear on network television, it is necessary to appeal to the lowest common denominator; all regional identification must be smothered over. So - and this is the final step in my simplified syllogism - what is entertaining people on a mass level is no longer genuinely popular culture - in which the audience at whom the entertainment is aimed, out of whom the entertainment has sprung, continues to have a real input - but a pale evisceration, a pathetic dilution of a rich cultural tradition. If Elvis came out today, you have the feeling, he would not get the airplay, simply because he was, well -...

Wilco - I Might by weallwantsome1

Absolutely fascinating.

I couldn't count on 50 sets of hands the number times my friends and I have had the "favorite Beatles record?" conversation. More times that not, I've gone with Beatles For Sale . I've always loved the stripped-down love-song side of The Beatles. As I spent more time with the foursome, I eventually turned to The White Album . I never cared that much for side two, but side one was, and is, about as good as music gets. Seemed that just about everyone else went with Revolver . Or maybe Rubber Soul . But these records never made my top five. (And yes, I have a top five for everything. Top Five Favorite Yankees First Basemen on All-Time? 1. Mattingly 2. Sweet Lou 3. Tino 4. Giambi 5. Balboni.) I like them sure, but they both seem just a bit light to me. And c'mon, Rubber Soul opens with "Drive My Car." And Revolver 's opener ain't that much better. But are they great records? Well, yeah. With the entire catalog at hand, it's only been recentl...

Bruce Springsteen, Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, 1993 I must have seen about 25 Springsteen shows at the Meadowlands in the 90s. On one string of eleven dates, I believe I made it out to eight of the shows. Then approaching a decade without the E Street Band, and showing no signs of a return, Springsteen, along with a host of new faces, shocked the packed arena as he drifted into E Street territory during the encore with "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out." As the arena literally rocked back and forth, with the widest of eyes, my brother made every attempt to to share what might be coming. "They made that change uptown, when the big man joined the band!" he screamed repeatedly. The message was that they couldn't possibly do this song without E Street Big Man, Clarence Clemons. The moment I understood the message, the crowd went absolutely ballistic, as the most beloved member of Bruce's band made the slow trot up to the stage. Slobberbone, SXSW, Cl...