Root Down in the Shadow

I've never been a fan of end of the year lists that down allow you to experience the selections.  Just reading about some great songs doesn't allow validation of the list.  For this brief list, I placed a playlist on the Daytrotter.com website, so everyone can hear it! You do need to register for the site to listen to the list, but it is so worth it.  For $2/month you get access to some of the best sessions out there for live music PERIOD.  You can register for a free trial, to see how great it is on your own.  If you are not interested in the site.. Here's a rundown of the list! Although a short list, I didn't want to waste time with so-so songs.   The first two are from the must have session, Mumford & Sons and Friends . #1 Reincarnation , is a Roger Miller standard. In this take, the "friend" of Mumford & Sons is Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes . It's such a simple and pure song, that I find my self singing it to my daughter during ou

One of my favorite series here @ Root Down in the Shadow by McGurkMusic is the Cover Song of the Week I was listening to some Beck with my little Molly. I came across 'Halo of Gold' and for some reason decided to learn more about the song. I've had a copy of  Beck 's 'Halo of Gold' since 1998 via a  CMJ New Music Monthly  sampler disc.  Sadly, I only found out the history of it today.  I had no idea it was a cover of "Skip" Spence's 'Furry Heroine'  According to Wikipedia on the'Tropicalia' song page, "It was released as a single in the UK in December 1998. The b-side "Halo of Gold" is a drastically reworked cover version of "Furry Heroine (Halo of Gold)" by  Skip Spence ." I've had the Skip Spence  OAR  album on my wish list in iTunes since the Daniel Lefkowitz interview back in April, but I haven't taken the chance yet.  Needless to say, Beck Hanson's stamp of approval seems

Before I started blogging, I spent a good bit of time surfing the web, checking out band sites for tour or new album news.  It was either that or checking out tidbits on the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates, my other main obsession.  Earlier this year, I landed on the creativity jackpot.  Not only did I find excellent music, but I found it done in quite a new way. Looking at Beck.com, I found RECORD CLUB Now Bec k, as insanely creative as he is, likes different music than I do, but I was intrigued by the INXS album. First off, these hits are the same songs I have in my iTunes from INXS' "Greatest Hits". Who needs a greatest hits, when you have an album this full of hits. Second, I had come across St. Vincent (via a Rolling Stone video podcast) last year, and her song 'Actor Out of Work' is compelling, so I wanted to hear more.  Here is the best of what I found.  Enjoy! 'Need You Tonight' by INXS recreated by "record club" Featuring St. Vin

Really, there is nothing worse that falling for a band/artist looking forward to what's coming next, to only find that there is no next.  Back in college, I was receiving the CMJ New Music Monthly , at the time a premier music magazine full of reviews, great articles and awesome musical tidbits.  My favorite were the R.I.Y.L. section of the album reviews.  The reviewer would mention a couple other bands that were similar or reminiscient.   It always made me think, rather than hey here's four bands just like this new band, I'd much rather read, something like the classic Tenacious D intro: "Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Molly Hatchet could not be here tonight, but they all had sex and are proud to announce the birth of their two-headed baby, Tenacious D." In the case of the Getaway People , after hearing 'She Gave Me Love' via CMJ New Music Monthly  I felt Beck and  G. Love had many an every so poptastic funky offspring. the Getaway People - &#

About five years ago, I was gifted my first iPod at a not-so surprise birthday party.  Having the iPod, was the catalyst that lead to today's blog.  It was the spark that pushed me to dig into iTunes and the world of podcasts.  Soon after, I discovered KT Tunstall , Lady Sovereign , and solo Mike Doughty via the INTERFACE podcast (which at the time was audio only, but is now full video and mostly performance).  I spent more time on iTunes and all of its search features.  I had hit the jackpot, now besides the obvious pickup of KT Tunstall's Eye To The Telescope album; I searched for more KT, and found KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza .  The Acoustic Extravaganza contained 10 stripped down versions of KT Tunstall songs.  It is a wonderful package of songs, as it skipped her hits 'Black Horse & The Cherry Tree', 'Other Side of The World, and 'Suddenly I See' including only 'Miniature Disasters'.  Instead it focused mainly on "B si