Doug Martsch. Age 42.

Joyride was recorded in 1993 and released in 1994, when Doug was 25. How long has this song been written, dormantly sitting in Doug’s head?

“He likes his guitar solos meaty and imprecise, but handles his songs like delicate babies that he wants to see grow up and love the world…” – CD Universe .com

Built to Spill recently announced their only tour date of the year. They will be playing Seattle’s City Arts Festival on October 25th.

What can be said when you discover a great American rock band – and I don’t use that term loosely – from 40 years ago? I mean, I know you’ve heard them. I heard them and didn’t know who they were until I made That 70s Connection. The thing about Big Star is people love them. And for someone – me – who grew up strictly on classic rock, it’s bizarro that I had never heard them before. It’s also surprising to me because they were one of Jeff Tweedy’s biggest influences. Lyricism, developed song writing and (well, I guess) pure magic can be found in these records.

#1 Record

Take a moment to appreciate some under appreciated rock and roll from Memphis, TN. When I listen to them, I still want to like them more. But I keep going back because that’s the kind of band they are.

Poet, Canadian, folk hero – call him what you want – this record is still gold.

Neil Young makes me think of a kid I went to high school with. Ray Fallon wore pajamas almost every day, or sweat pants. He was a champ in our AP English class and ended up acting through college. Now I think he still lives in my hometown and has plans to buy land and start a farm. I guess some things never change.

This is his third record, out in 1970. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it again. Either that or realize that Southern Man is more than just an overplayed song on all radio stations. The guitar solo on that track is a reminder, or education of, the fact that Young is a forgotten guitar hero. You’ll dig it once you forget you’re listening to Southern Man. Don’t forget what your good book says.

not pictured: dill bovre

Farmer’s Market Sundays include – swiss chard, cucumbers, peaches, cherries, white button mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers (that smell fresher than any pepper you’ve never smelled), sourdough bread.

And the best two dollars I’ve ever spent goes to:

Frankie Says Relax

Today’s plans include the usual. Lunch, cooking, soaking beans, watching the newest Netflix arrival, Mystic River, and playing Michael Jackson records – as yesterday was the 2nd anniversary of his death. Saw Dinosaur Jr. last night, and Henry Rollins (real last name: Garfield, and is from Glover Park – right here in DC) interview them on stage before they played BUG (download here.) Even with ear plugs my hearing is still very deaf. Accomplished weekend of writing, drinking pots of coffee and replacing my brake pads.

Found a new band WU LYF. I’d have you download it but the internets removed it due to illegality? Who knew that was a thing? Indie meets screams and shouts of rasp and moanin’. Recorded in an empty church, and used as a sound itself, this record is a new sound and actually quite refreshing. Inquire within.

Need some reading?

A due congrats to New York State for passing Gay Marriage, effective in 30 days. Between that and Obama pulling more folks out of Afghanistan, I say we’re finally getting some things right.

euphoria! live!

Recorded in 1969 in Dallas and San Francisco, released in 1974, there is a volume 1 & 2 (on CD. Vinyl is two discs.) Lou Reed chats up the Texas crowd before the first track for about a minute. And by chat up I mean he offends them. Full of long Velvety drone jams, on vinyl the quality is old and has been passed around. But that is just how you want your live Velvet Underground. Rare and gritty.

As it is my birthday I moved my stereo out to the living room. Angeline is celebrating her sister’s graduation from Drexel in the Philly heat today and then heading to the cooler Buffalo for most of next week. That means loud records all the time.

On slate for today: homemade tzatziki, falafel and white bean hummus. And for dessert homemade strawberry rhubarb pie and homemade vanilla ice cream. To the sounds of This Year’s Model, Speaking In Toungues, The Specials, Some Girls, Highway 61 Revisited and lots of Jefferson Airplane. But I will say there is nothing quite like live Velvet Underground. Doug Yule has stepped in for John Cale but the rest of the gang’s all here – Moe Tucker, Sterling Morrison and (with) Lou Reed. Here to download.

Today’s high is 97. I know that it is getting hot everywhere and we all are going through heat waves. But something about living on a swamp and below the Mason Dixon line makes me feel like my complaints rank higher above your dog days of New York City, or Boston. Don’t think LA counts. At least you live in California.

After a visit to Ithaca I am feeling the financial drought of spending a hundo on vinyl at Angry Mom. But hey, it was totally worth it. This Year’s Model, Physical Graffiti - with the cool building window cut outs – Easter, Joe Cocker, The Velvet Underground Live 1969, Best Of Vince Guaraldi, Charlie Parker Big Band, Miles Davis Live at the Black Hawk in SF, Four & More Miles Davis Live, Allman Brothers Band Live At The Filmore East, Blonde on Blonde (finally!) and my favorite five dollar find, The Specials (self titled.) Then I managed to find more of my records and get them down here on the train. Recent new favorites like Rain Dogs (thanks to my crazy Aunt Angela) found my Highway 61 Revisited and my Nashville Skyline, Surrealistic Pillow, Parallel Lines, …you know what – the list goes on.

As for new. There is a lot of stuff including new Battles (a band I hadn’t heard before.) Gloss Drop.  Despite the drawingly-cool cover photo there is really only one track to pay attention to if you just want to, well, gloss over it. Ice Cream.

NPR has a lot going on. You can stream all the Sasquatch! Music Fesitval shows – I hear the Wilco one is just to die for (including a new song. Stay tuned new Wilco this september. Expect a full press obsession.) Their first listens haven’t impressed me. Only because I am not drawn to the music of Fucked Up, Marissa Nadler or BOBBY BOBBY. But I will say, the Givers’ In Light is a keeper for later.

Apple announced its iCloud – cloud computing. Nothing scares me more. People tell me it’s the wave of the future. I think its just the future of huge energy eating buildings that store our data files. We never have to see them or deal with them, but who does? Where are the? Big brother called……he knows Steve Jobs.

Gil Scott-Heron died. And last night I found myself watching a VH1 produced one-on-one interview with Lady Gaga about her life growing up in NYC/BK (her and her best friend named their bikes Karen and Henry from Goodfellas - winning my heart? Maybe?) and how she was a young classical pianist and took singing lessons. I’ve never been more fascinated with something I could care less about. Isn’t life interesting? The stories never end. Granted I was at work till 1a (back again at 9:30 the next morning) for the kick off of CMA music week and a special night of the Grand Ole Opry filled with Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and friends. So. Fun.

Pitchfork is raving about Fucked Up and Cults - neither of which I think is really worth anyone’s time. Too bad I can’t decide for you. Yo La Tengo and the National (why is this band popular?) are touring together (why the hell are they paired together?) Broken Social Scene and TV On The Radio are touring together too. But they aren’t coming here – so why should I care? There is new Steve Malkmus. And in scary news, E.Coli is a very real thing. Thanks Mark Bittman.

Yes, I know this is quite a random-fleeing collection of findings and interpretations. But I needed a kick start back. Enjoy the links. And hopefully I will get back on the wagon. Also, Saturday is my birthday. There is nothing worse than a Facebook birthday wish. I never partake in them. I try to find a more ‘intimate’ way to wish someone a Merry Birthday. So how about a challenge? Try something new.

the JEFFs

Here is a short interview with the dad of the JEFFs. I’m glad he encouraged them. I’ve never fell so hard for such grit before. My brother-brother-in-law who lives in Portland and drums in a band (bands?) sends and discusses music with me. It’s nice to have someone seek out your opinion, and take it seriously, on something they’re creating. Like sharing writing, only more intimate. Reading about these punk brothers who dressed up as Luke Skywalker and Batman only makes me wish that my sisters and I would have veered from musical theater and blanket-tent-building to the world of heavy fuzz guitars and doo-wop sing-a-longs. (Although Zoe and Kyle gave me Cake and Joni Mitchell, respectively, I still wish there had been some Pavement, Pinkerton and Dinosaur Jr.) They are a cool band. It’s just another reminder when the deeper tracks of their records creep into my headphones that greatness ≠ fame.

Sometimes when I see old ladies with sleeve tattoos it makes me want to have some tattoos. Then I’m reminded not only the wrath I would face from my mom but that I one day would also be an old lady with sleeve tattoos. You don’t have to travel the world, shop in the dodgy end of town or lose your lover to side effects of a parasite from a foreign country to have fun with your clothes. In fact this week I found myself a real lady wearing mascara (rouge is next?) regularly and a different pair of pants (fun pants, yes, that I accidentally have become known (?) for) every day this week. Forget the fact that I got chocolate all over my jeans on Monday baking whoopie pies and remember that the more pants you have the less laundry you have to do. See: link above, the interviews in in VICE are witty and highlight sometimes, just the strangest. It’s a nice reminder that everything doesn’t have to be peachy-keen and straight laced. Their publication thrives on retelling awkward situations (included but not limited to) haggling, making rude comments, cleaning up filth and taking heavy drugs with strangers. It was the music portion that led my to JEFF The Brotherhood in the first place.

Since I’ve reached my limit on the 20 allotted NYTimes articles a week ago (stay tuned Morgan knows the way around the firewall) I’ve found myself creeping around to parts of the Internet that I hadn’t frequented before. Who knew it was so big. I guess I was under the spell of the Times. Sometimes when you’re everywhere, so good and so well respected I suppose a publication love affair needs to be cut off by just that, a firewall. So here’s something new.  Before you think you’re better than me because you live in NY/BK (okay, sometimes I really do wish I lived there due to the foul functioning, cursed Metro system here) here’s a reminder of just how great you’ll never know DC is. RE: check out number one.

"MMJ"

And just as a side note. A favorite thus far from this year, and perhaps the sleeper hit that I hope no one overlooks – My Morning Jacket’s Circuital. A band I’ve never loved or hated, I’m finally turned on. Join me.

what do i have to do to prove my love to you?

1983. Milwaukee, WI brings to us our album of the day. Opening with the ever popular among movies, radio, tv and obnoxious sing-a-longs Blister In The Sun – a song I always skip past. But we also have Kiss Off, Add It Up and Gone Daddy Gone. It’s full of charming hatred and lust.

This record is so good. Malkmus, Reed (big claims here) and Gordan Gano – he sings, he talks and he bo do wah du waohp whops his choruses. Painful love and sex has never sounded so harsh and, well, good. I hope this band never becomes forgotten. Listen to the whole record (download here). That’s your assignment of the day.

(In other news, my biking wounds have healed nicely. No more limp on a harsh knee, my face is pretty much back to normal (insert joke here) and my shoulder has one hell of a scab on it. Back in the saddle, I’ve never felt more fit.)

(Also, making it to Ithaca for Memorial Day weekend. If you’re around the area/there, I’d like to see you – whoever you are.)

Their distaste for West Coast hippies, while remaining hippies themselves all the way from Hudson, NY, is reflected in the tunes. Smart, funky, jazzy – their music has unique sounds and stories that make them who they are. (For an unknown reason, people I’ve come across in our parent’s generation and our own, always hate on this band. I never know why.) I saw them live with my dad in Camden, NJ in 2006 (Michael MacDonald opened) and it was great. I’ve loved them ever since.

i have this tee shirt somewhere..

charlie bird parker