The Long Road

To say I’m quite interested in seeing this film would be quite the understatement. I’m rather excited about it. Drooling really. While I’m not really playing much guitar these days, and haven’t for a while, I remain fascinated by it and really, guitar players in general. This seems to be a fresh approach at the whole phenomenon. Sure hope it comes to a theater near me…

Got back last night after a few days away at the Sasquatch festival. I’m off to work now, but I’ll try to write more soon. All in all we had a great time - great bands, great weather and great friends (Glenn and Jacqui) adds up to great fun.

Here’s a track by Bon Iver that I just can’t get enough of. It’s a wonderfully haunting track with fascinating sonic qualities.

We’re gonna be lucky enough to see this band in a few weeks at the Sasquatch Festival. Great looking line-up this year. Very pumped.

… comes from one of my favs. Vancouver’s Matthew Good with Black Helicopter.

I love the line “Hey Sammy, ain’t you heard? Only killers call killing progress.” Enjoy.

Had a wonderful night last night with Bev and Gerry who are in town for a visit. The Kamloops Francophone Society has an annual show that always features a great Francophone band that you’ve never heard of. Last night it was Suroît from Iles-de-la-Madelein, Québec with their wonderful blend of traditional Acadian and modern sounds. These guys can sure sing and play (30+ instruments). A great time was had by all. If you’d like to hear some of their stuff, check out their MySpace page here.

OK, so… what would it be like if Barry White was a couple of white boys from New Zealand?

…it’d be like Flight of the Conchords.

Now I have to go watch more of these guys on YouTube.

Our first visit to Thailand (back in 2003) we made sure to get a bit off the beaten path. That led us to the northern province of Nan. There, after a great bus trip (great means - interesting and fun. OK, the bus almost didn’t make it) and a couple of connections by way of the back of a couple of trucks, we made it to Bamboo Hut.

You never know who you might meet at a place like that . In this case it was a nice couple from Manitoba. This was good because Bamboo Hut is a small, hard-to-get-to place. So you get to know the few people that are there. Thus you want them to be cool. We got to know Murray and Lei Anne around the fire. By summer, they run Poor Michael’s Bookshop in Onanole, Manitoba, just outside beautiful Riding National Park. We’ve been there since, and I’m here to say that if you find yourself ever in Onanole, do stop by as they run a great place (and make a decent cup of joe too!). It is filled with treasures from far away places because come winter, Murray and Lei Anne close up shop and travel the world, importing art they find along the way.

I was first aware of Murray from our hut; I heard him before I saw him. He was playing guitar! I was missing mine after being on the road with only a pack on my back so soon found myself following the notes through the hot northern Thai air until I found the two of them. Murray was happy to play songs that showed a special kind of wit - including the one we remember best, “Lonely Planet People”. It was a funny little ditty about meeting people on the backpacking circuit.

Turns out Murray had a band back in Canada called das match SHOW! They have since renamed themselves, and are now Dust Poets, and play witty songs with intelligent lyrics and catchy melodies.

We were lucky enough to see the Dust Poets last week at the penultimate show at the Ashcroft Opera House. Yes unfortunately the Opera House has closed. Fortunately, the Dust Poets were there before it did. We enjoyed the show immensely - this is talented band - and got a chance to catch up with Murray a bit too.

You can check out their music streamed on their website. The new album starts with the great lyric, “Out on the edge of town, everything’s on the edge of town”, and gets even better from there.

There are profiles on CBC Radio 2 Blog here and CBC Radio 3 here. Check it out. And if you ever get a chance to see these players live, don’t pass it up.

Here is a great new vid from Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, maker of “Thou Shalt Always Kill”. It speaks for itself.

Oh heck, for good measure, here is an encore of “Thou Shalt Always Kill”, in case you are intrigued now.

photo courtesy of Backstreets.com

Well I finally got Mich to a Springsteen concert. He’s touring with the E Street Band right now and did not disappoint! We flew into Seattle Saturday afternoon from Seoul, S. Korea and caught the show at the Key Arena that night. We did have to shake off some jet lag cobwebs, but it was worth it. I knew the show was gonna be awesome when he started with Trapped, a rarely played little gem that has only been available on the No Nukes Album from about 1980 or so. Total surprise, and it set the stage for a great night. I’m not really going to review the show here as basically I loved it, and it’s well reviewed on backstreets.com. Click here to see more pics of the show, their review (which is as positive as my quick assessment), and the set list. Our show was on March 29th at the Key Arena in Seattle.

It was only my fourth time seeing the man, but it was probably the best show so far. Mich certainly enjoyed herself, commenting that he “puts on a great show, full of passion” and that the crowd was totally into it, but couldn’t really get passed the fact that this ain’t her music. That’s okay, at least she’s seen him now.

Recently Mich and I were lucky enough to score tix to Josh Ritter at the Commodore in Vancouver. I can’t really think of a better way to spend a Saturday night, especially since our old friends Jacqui and Glenn were able to join us as well. I’ve really been taken with Ritter’s music in the last year. The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is easily my favorite album from last year and a must have in your collection as far as I’m concerned. The Animal Years is also a stunning album that you should hear.

When I heard that he was playing Vancouver, and the Commodore no less, AND that it was a Sat. night and thus we could attend, I was excited to say the least. Tix were obtained, friends contacted and everything fell into place. The show was everything I’d hoped. The band was tight, the songs rocked, or rolled (which ever fits the song) and Josh was funny and engaging. In every clip I’ve seen or heard of the guy performing he looks and sounds, more than any other musician I can remember, like he is truly having the time of his life. I wondered if that would come across this time. It did.

Below are a few clips from that night to give you a taste, though of course it’s tough for the “feel” of the night to come across. Above is the set list that the sound guy gave me, signed by members of the band. It was a night to remember.

OK, as a bonus so you can see why this guy has been called by many as the greatest singer songwriter to come along since guys like Dylan, Springsteen, Cohen and perhaps Waits, here is a clip of the song The Temptation of Adam. If I could write a song like this just once in my life, I could be satisfied. I get the feeling though that Josh’s farts are better than any song I’ll ever pen. Oh well.

Well this one goes out especially for Craig. (You can have a glimpse into his twisted world by clicking here)

He and I both love the musical libations of one Beck Hanson. So here you go buddy, two hot new tracks from the yet to be released… “The Information” (coming in October).

Click to download Elevator Music and Nausea

(mp3’s courtesy of a soundtrack for everyone)

And as a bonus, just ‘cause it’s so weird, how ’bout Willie Nelson covering Smells Like Teen Spirit? (thanks to I’m so Sorry for this)

Well, I know it is so last year, but for the last few weeks I just can’t stop playing Funeral by The Arcade Fire. I’m thinking that this album should be in everyone’s collection. This effort from the Montreal group has a unique sound, great lyrics and a fabulous driving energy that makes it so hard to turn off - no matter which track is playing!

So if you don’t know this music, click on the link below to download the openning track of Funeral. If you like it, I would recommend picking up the CD. It’s great!

MP3 The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) (via post)
(courtesy of Music is Art)

Yay!! So apart from a staff breakfast and photo tomorrow, my summer has begun. Got my fishing licence today!!

Henry Thomas - Fishing Blues
thanks to Captain’s Dead for the MP3

Don't have XM Satellite Radio? No worries. Click the radio below to download Episode 3 of Dylan’s cool new show (in one handy zip file). This week’s theme is Drinking! Bob seems to have lots of insight on the subject. Hmmmm.

Thanks to I am fuel, you are friends for the download!

Man, I’m on this sharing music thing! See last few posts… Anyway, do you like Radiohead? Well here are some live tracks, rumoured to be part of their next album which could or could not be out this year depending on which rumour mill you believe. Blake, these are 4U!

Radiohead - “Arpeggi” (live)
Radiohead - “Bodysnatchers” (live)
Radiohead - “Cymbal Rush” (live)

MP3s courtesy of The Rawking Refuses to Stop!

Wow, I’ve now heard one of the “rehearsal shows” of last week in Asbury Park, NJ with Springsteen’s new band. Stunning. Mostly it is songs from or inspired by the new album. But Johnny 99 as a dixieland rocker? This you’ve gotta hear! You can get the whole show right now on San Diego Serenade.

Download Johnny 99
mp3 courtesy of San Diego Serenade

Here’s Ben live on KCRW, Morning Becomes Eclectic, March 24, 2006. Great version. Thanks to Kwaya Na Kisser for the link. And thanks to Grant over at Potting Along for pointing me to Kwaya Na Kisser - a great music blog. If you act fast, you can download this entire set (including a good interview with Ben) there.

Download Better Way

Well, I thought I was done blogging for the night, but no, I’m all excited and must share. I’ve known for a few weeks now that Bruce Springsteen has a new album called We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions coming out in a few days. I just heard it. I have to say that it is gonna be stunning. Those of you who are fans, like me, are getting less and less excited about Springsteen releases (Rob, this means you), but this is different. This is a barn party. It totally sounds fun. It is comprised completely of Pete Seeger songs played by Bruce and a backing band 17 strong recorded live with absolutely no rehearsal or overdubing. Anyway, you are gonna like it! Don’t believe me? Well you can hear it streamed for free until April 20 at Clear Channel Music. Do yourself a favour and go there now!

Well, the new effort from Ben Harper is in heavy rotation at our house, and in our car. It’s a cool ecclectic collection, packaged as a double disc - one of quieter accoustic stuff, the other with the full band at their best. I can’t get enough of the first single “Better Way” (which will be performed live on The Late Show with David Letterman Wednesday night if you are interested). Anyway, check it out, I think you’ll like it!

Michelle and I have long enjoyed BH’s music. I think he is one of the more interesting and diverse musicians out there these days, not sticking to any formula or even genre. You might find reggae, folk, soul, jazz, rock and funk songs all on one album. Nice.