rock nyc

‘I almost killed myself about three, four, seven times. I literally started planning my death and what I would leave behind, and what I was gonna write. Three or four times in my life.”

A new DVD/cd combo is being released on November 13 in celebration of their ridiculous and long career. Revealing the highs and lows of their forty years of business all the band members and producers throw in their two cents here.

She looks great, gorgeous, and she doesn’t need the publicity so she is doing it because she looks so beautiful. Sexy but more than that, a sort of depth of sensuality and a grown up facade after years of being something of a child

”They have some new music that’s going to be added to the film…Some pretty huge artists have approached Baz and are writing songs for the film, and I don’t think Warner Bros. are going to turn down Prince and Lady Gaga knocking down your door.”

Bulletproof Pride – K’Naan – It is really a wonder that since U2 refused to perform those big beautiful ballads that made them famous, nobody has really stepped up to fill the gap. Coldplay from time to time but otherwise, not unlike Bruce Springsteen, any pretenders have been sort of useless. But this year, we’ve had “Magic” from muse and now this Somalian bore nails the door shut with Bono taking lead vocals. Makes you miss the old Irish bastard – Grade: A

Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison were proactively making the early transition from rock star to worm food (they would combine to release 3, 478,279 posthumous records). On a positive note, John Prine released what was both his debut and career album, Marvin Gaye took Motown soul into the world of political consciousness, and the Rolling Stones raised glucose levels throughout the English speaking world

The problem with this weeks Sassy Bach is that I can’t even recall when I got a hold of this album but I do remember what I was wearing. I think it must have been very early 80s there was a poster on my wall of Sylvester Stallone in the Lords of Flatbush hanging on my wall.

Raneri’s voice is absolutely gorgeous. It always is, in everything, but something about this tune just brings it out to a point where I’d probably name him top vocalist in my book. It’s the perfect balance of scratchy vocals and abundant, expansive vocals

“The band went in, and knocked them dead in 2 minutes fifty nine.”, said The Clash in Hitsville Hits UK, apparently Lana feels that four times that is the charm? Some of the imagery is actually pretty cool. I like that seedy side of things but holy hell on hamburger what is up with that voice?

In communion lies hope and this is as addictive a singalong as you will ever ever hear. It is a melodic pounding with lots gorgeous gorgeous and a great piano break and you can’t help but singalong even if maybe it is meant to be magnified solo

he best part of this is the very reasonable price, $20-25 (plus fees), and the fact that 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit agreat cause, Sweet Relief Music Fund and The Musicians Cancer Fund in order to help musicians struggling to pay medical bills

Can You Believe It – Martha Wainwright – It’s been years since we’ve gotten new material off the other other Wainwright, but this sure ain’t “Bleeding All over You”. Instead, despite a funny opening line about loving make-up sex because it is the only kind she get, this is all marital. I wouldn’t mind so much if the song was a little more brittle. PS: her pipes are in fine shape – Grade: B

Jeff Lynne is the voice of an old friend. I have always been a fan of ELO and to a fault promote them Corny? Yup! But I think the sound of Lynne’s voice has a somewhat soothing effect on me and considering the chaos I usually listen to- well its like a warm blanket.

Happy Oberst October! From now until I see the man at Carnegie Hall on November 21st, I’ll be focusing in on his music career, life, and anything that may fall inbetween.

The nominees are official and voting ends on December 17, for the 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame.. This honor has been bestowed upon some really lame people in years past but then again there have never been such amazing artists on the list. So without further delay let me congratulate Mr. Elvis Costello for his nomination into this ‘hall’.

These shots show the original band members, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts and Ian Stewart, looking as young as little babies!

But put em together on on one bill, they are playing Gramercy Theater on November 17th (a Saturday) and you may just have an awesome show indeed.

According to the Sun (and many other sources which are reporting the same thing), Lady Gaga is currently buying a lot of Edith Piaf memorabilia – clothes, shoes, perfume bottles, private letters – and is even considering acquiring toenail clippings! I

Fagen, Wainwright and Maynard are all biggies. Wainwright in particular has gotten married and had a child since her last album of new materiial. As For Lewis, this either breaks her big time here or leaves her a matter of irrelevance…

This has to be the most horrible cover Punk Goes has ever done. The music is horrific the vocals pathetic and usually you can count on an awesome hip rendition of a really popular tune. In this case it sounds like the 11th grade garage band trying to book a gig for a school dance. Totally loosing the original vibe and replacing it with absolutely nothing of value.

Apathy – Trash Talk – The loudest song off their new album is also the best off their new album, a brash hardcore piece of thrash rock exploding loudly and then subsiding – Grade: A

”Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over,” Richards added. “I’ve always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones.”

‘As for the movie, it’s a mess. The 18,000 people who were at that tribute show for late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun will tell you it was the best concert in rock history, but Celebration Day is not a good concert film

First and foremost though, Matlock is a dynamic bassist and writer who since those Pistol days has not say around like a boring old cow bitching how he coulda been a contender.

CMJ Music Marathon 2012, October 16th to October 20th, 2012 all over the city, and I will be attending as a member of the press after my co-editor Helen Bach decided I wasn’t busy enough and requested a Press Pass and somebody at CMJ baffingly, though appreciatedly, approved.

The Ellie Goulding album I wish I liked more than I do. Which is not much. It is really blah, not unlike its name. As for ELO, ten years ago I would have assumed the first rate covers album by Jeff Lynne had heralded them in, today I assume they were on sale.

Wow, Swedish House Martin beat out Adele! How the hell did that happen? I am, frankly, shocked and pleased by this turn of events but I wonder what Adele is making of it? Certainly, the song, which is crap, though the singing isn’t, deserves to tank. Still, this should have been a slamdunk if only from the millions of nosey!

She – Jeff Lynne – Remember Elvis Costello’s cover? Neither does Jeff, this harks directly to Charles Aznavour’s original, and of course it isn’t as good. Except during the break, which seems to have escaped from an ELO album – Grade: A-

Patti Smith has always been a sort of mystery to me, singing epic songs like ‘Because the Night’, and ‘People have the Power’, and writing lyrics stuffed with literary, historical and religious references, being popular and intellectual at the same time, and alternating between rock goddess and muse of the rock stars.

As we begin out trip through the essential songs of the 1970s, we will note that the disco ball production line didn’t start in 1970 and safety pins were still a clothing tool, not a facial accessory. The Jackson 5 were at the top of their classic singles run; Neil Young, Van Morrison, and The Velvet Underground released timeless albums; and James Brown was solidifying his position as the funkiest musician in the galaxy.

There are many late 30 early 40 something’s who will purchase this. They’re the same guys who fire up the John Deere on the weekends and find the battery operated singing fish Billy Bass hilarious. This is a snapshot of the decline of Western Civilization.