“I can see as well as you,” says Blind Boys of Alabama leader Clarence Fountain. “There’s somebody up there watching over me.”
When the Blind Boys play the Belly Up Tavern this Sunday, March 7, you should be watching too. Continue reading
LCD Soundsystem Announce New Album
After a few months holed up in a Los Angeles mansion aptly called “The Manshun”, LCD Soundsytem‘s James Murphy has emerged with a 65-minute, as yet untitled new album and a slew of tour dates to support it. The nine-track album is set to be released May 18th on DFA/Virgin. Continue reading
Review: Ray Manzarek; February 28, 2010; Anthology, San Diego
It’s been almost forty years since The Doors lit anybody’s fire, but keyboardist Ray Manzarek has devoted most of his time since then to keeping the flames burning.
Following Jim Morrison’s death in 1971, Manzarek and the other surviving members put out two studio albums under the Doors moniker before finally disbanding. Over the years, Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger have reunited under a variety of names, including The Doors of the 21st Century and Riders on the Storm. And, when Manzarek isn’t performing alongside his longtime band mate, he plays gigs with blues guitarist Roy Rogers. Continue reading
Video: St. Vincent; February 21, 2010; Diesel Club, Pittsburgh, PA
St. Vincent, a.k.a. Annie Clark, takes her stage name from Dylan Thomas, a Welsh Romantic poet. In 1953, he died at New York’s St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center.
There are a few theories about why he died: was it alcohol, diabetes, or heart attack? Or something else, or all of the above? There has never been a consensus. When asked about why she chose that specific moniker, Ms. Clark replied, “Because that is where poets go to die.”
I recently had the pleasure of seeing her perform and I found her live show to be charming, whimsical, and yes, poetic. So much so that I decided to film the encore and share it with all of you. I also thought a piece by Mr. Thomas entitled “The Map of Love” would serve as a nice artistic accompaniment to St. Vincent’s musical poetry. Read, watch and listen below. Continue reading
Poetic Memory: Langhorne Slim (List)
A few weeks ago, Langhorne Slim and his ridiculously good band played the Casbah. We loved it, and as with many who’ve seen him on this tour, an obsession was born.
We recently asked Langhorne and his band — Jeff Ratner, David Moore, and Malachi DeLorenzo — to reveal their Poetic Memories, and they came back with a wide-ranging and reliable list that sheds light on what they’re reading, watching, and playing. Check it out below. Continue reading