Root Down in the Shadow

In 1998, the Beastie Boys finally put out a new album.  It seemed like an eternity to me, as they had put out two albums when I was in high school, but it took nearly my entire college career until a new album hit.  It is not their strongest album to date, nor since.  But, it was unique and new.  The highlight was their return to scratching and the abundance of samples, who else could be so awesome that they could sample a their own song from over a decade ago? (3:19 of 'The New Style' from Licensed to Ill sampled in 'Body Movin').  The return to heavy mixing coincided with worldwide introduction of Mix Master Mike as a Beastie Boy partner.  I can't say 4th Beastie Boy as that title has been held by numerous others, Mario C, Bobo, Biz Markie, Money Mark , etc) and really there are only 3 Beastie Boys.  Excerpt from 'Three MC's and One DJ' from Hello Nasty  "Hey yo, Adam, what's up? This is Mix Master Mike calling from Sacramento. Um......

As I do these Pearl Jam & Beastie Boys Songs of the Week , I try to stay away from the obvious hits and point out some equally awesome selections.  For this bi-weekly Beastie Boys selection, I flipped the tape over on Check Your Head going opposite of ' So What'cha Want '.  After ' The Blue Nun ' which is essentially the album interlude, the songs pick back up for a second half party including favorites ' The Maestro ' and ' Professor Booty '.  Stuck in the middle is quasi-live track ' Live at P.J. 's 'Live at PJ's' just rocks! The bass line is fantastic; the cow bell goes great with the keyboards. And, Adrock's raps are just fun overtop of this upbeat track: excerpt from Beastie Boys - 'Live At PJ's' "I'm gonna bust my shoes I'm gonna bust my socks I'm gonna spread my word From standing on this box This drive through world it just ain't right Gonna run to Joe and Tony's ...

I know, I started the Pearl Jam Song of the Week , but I thought I would spice things up for the long term, by rotating the Song of the Week with tracks from the Beastie Boys as well.  Two excellent groups of which, many songs folks know, many songs that people do not.  Likewise, there are many good stories behind the music and many. many memories for me with both bands. For the inaugural Beastie Boys Song of The Week , I have chosen a stellar single, 'Shadrach' from the B side of the album, Paul's Boutique .  The song is pure party in a can.  'Shadrach' has great beats, raps, and stellar samples. Beastie Boys - 'Shadrach' The 'Shadrach' starts off, with sampled female vocals, and heads straight into the rap and some scratching.   After that, it's some quick rapping and some fun beats.  Admittedly, I never gave the song much thought through the years other than I like it. REWIND - A LOOK BACK  When Paul's Boutique came out, it bar...