Holiday Song Update

In my last post, I mentioned Daniel Iorio's "Angels In The Snow." I said I'd buy it if it were for sale. Well, I got word from Daniel that it is indeed available here. Guess what's in my collection now? Cheers!

No Jingle Bells Here

With Christmas being but a week away, the airwaves are filled with Christmas songs. I'm not really much of a holiday song fan. Every year we get bombarded with remakes of "classic" songs done by various artists in every genre imaginable. There are also the annoying songs like "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" which frankly, I'd be happy never to hear again. Why do people like that song?! With that being said, I thought I'd share some of the holiday themed songs that do get a spin in my music player.

Killola's "Santa, Give Us Something We Can Use" ... nice folks that Killola are, you can download it free on their MySpace page. If you're into the more traditional holiday song, you may want to skip this one. But, if you're into the shall we say, more alternative song with a sense of humor, than this one might be right up your ally.

Bob Schneider's "All I Want For Christmas Is My Methadone" ... I believe there's a version on a record he did with The Scabs and there are plenty of live versions floating around.

The BellRays' "Mary Christmas" ... from their Christmas album A BellRays Christmas. This is for those who like their holiday songs funky and rockin'.

Daniel Iorio Group's "Angels In The Snow" ... Daniel got in the holiday spirit and whipped up a great new song apparently last weekend. You can have a listen over on D.I.G.'s MySpace page or on Last.fm. It's a "demo" but I'd put this on the list of holiday songs I'd buy if it were for sale.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Christmas Time Again" ... the title track from their Christmas album Christmas Time Again. The Southern rockers show off a bit of soulfulness with this holiday piece.

John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" ... yeah, this is about as "classic" as I get when it comes to holiday songs.

http://www.myspace.com/killola
http://www.myspace.com/bobschneider
http://www.myspace.com/thebellrays
http://www.myspace.com/danielioriogroup
http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com
http://www.johnlennon.com

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For Upcoming Shows In The New York Area

On Sale Wednesday, December 17, 2008
January 22, 2009 -- Action Painters / The Orion Experience / Alexa Ray Joel at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

February 21, 2009 -- Noah and the Whale at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

On Sale Friday, December 19, 2008
February 24, 2009 -- 3 Doors Down at Hammerstein Ballroom
http://www.mcstudios.com/boxoffice/

February 26, 2009 -- Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com

March 12, 2009 -- Throwing Muses / 50 Foot Wave at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

March 28, 2009 -- Perpetual Groove at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com

On Sale Saturday, December 20, 2008
February 8, 2009 -- The Black Keys / Doug Gillard at Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com

February 22, 2009 -- Cardinals at Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com

March 7, 2009 -- Lucinda Williams / Buick 6 at Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com

Around New York ... December 15 - December 21, 2008

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

December 15 -- School of Seven Bells / War On Drugs at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 15 -- Appomattox at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
December 17 -- Boss Hog at The Bowery Ballroom (pictured)
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 17 -- Gene Ween Band at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
December 17 -- Up The Empire at Mercury Lounge http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 17 -- Leona Naess at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 17 -- Oasis at Madison Square Garden
http://www.thegarden.com
December 17 -- Meow Meow at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com
December 17 - 21 -- Béla Fleck & The Flecktones at Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
December 18 -- Ingrid Michaelson at Town Hall
http://www.the-townhall-nyc.org
December 19 -- Jesse Malin at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 19 -- Dark Dark Dark / Callers at Union Pool
http://www.myspace.com/unionpool
December 19 -- Ledisi at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (pictured)
http://www.bbkingblues.com
December 20 -- The Slackers at Music Hall of Williamsburg http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
December 20 -- Longwave at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 20 -- The Mugs at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
December 20 -- Xylos at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 20 -- Mental Notes at Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
December 21 -- Matisyahu / The Crystal Method at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com

Bob Schneider Goes Solo In Brooklyn

Bob Schneider: December 10 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

I went over to the Music Hall of Williamsburg to see Bob Schneider do a solo show. It's a nice venue to catch a show. It's set up very similar to the Bowery Ballroom, good sound though the stage is a little high if you're in the front row looking up and, they have a Happy Hour!

The show opened with Adam Taylor who was joined by Kate Young. They did a great set. Both are very talented and strong voiced. I'm going to have to check out his music more.

After having the audience properly warmed up and getting the stage set, Bob came out. The first thing I noticed was, he seemed a lot more relaxed and rested than he did at his show at the Bowery last month. This show we got a talkative Bob who smiled a lot. While I love Bob with a band, I love stripped down shows. This show was about as stripped down as you could get ... vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica.

I was happy to hear "Game Plan." Some songs it doesn't matter if they're done with a band or solo but, that one, I prefer solo and acoustic. Bob's got soul and in its acoustic form "Game Plan" shows that off. There are other songs that show off his soulfulness too but I like that one. No matter how many times I hear "Fist City," it still gives me a giggle. Amie Miriello was in the house. She came out and sang on "Changing Your Mind." There were plenty of sing-a-long with Bob moments. This being the holiday season, we of course got a Christmas song. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we were treated to the classic sit around the fireplace family sing-a-long, "All I Want For Christmas Is My Methadone" ... all that was missing was the eggnog!

One of the things I love about Bob Schneider is he has these not right moments. For those who don't know what that means, I'll explain. There are points during shows where the man just goes off the deep end and you look up at the stage at him and say to yourself, while laughing, 'oh that man ain't right!' Not surprisingly, we in the audience happily dive in head first with him. Well, we got one of those not right moments at the Music Hall. It occurred during "Batman." I'll never look at rats and male body parts the same way again. Of course, the story made my subway ride home more amusing. For some reason, people tend to stare at you funny when you look at rats scurrying along the tracks and burst out laughing. Another thing I love, he inspires man love. For some reason there seemed to be more men yelling out random declarations of adoration then women.

I had a great night. The last time I said I would gladly go out in the rain and sound like an off-key frog again for Mr. Schneider. Well, it was raining again. I didn't sound like an off-key frog while singing along this time though. No, I was just off-key! Is it possible for a twenty-five song set to be too short? The answer to that question is, yes, if you're at a Bob Schneider show.

Set List

• When The Sun Breaks Down The Moon
• Game Plan
• The World Exploded Into Love
• Blue Mountain
• Gold In The Sunset
• Fist City
• I'm Good Now
• Love Theme From Mork & Mindy
• All I Want For Christmas Is My Methadone
• Bullets
• Changing Your Mind (w/Amie Miriello)
• Ready, Let's Roll
• 40 Dogs & Cigarettes (Romeo And Juliet)
• Mudhouse
• 2002
• Everything I Have Means Nothing To Me Now
• ? (can't read my own writing!)
• Big Blue Sea
• Weed Out The Weak
• Come With Me Tonight
• ? (forgot to write it down and nobody could remember what it was later!)
  
• Metal And Steel
• King Of The World
• Batman
• Love Is Everywhere

The dark and grainy videos (we'll pretend I was being avant-garde) ...
Bob Schneider - Bullets (live)

Bob Schneider w/Amie Miriello - Changing Your Mind (live)

bobschneidermusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bobschneider

Photo: © L.R. Adams

Adam Taylor Live

Adam Taylor & Kate Young: December 10, 2008 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

Adam Taylor and Kate Young opened up for Bob Schneider and did a really great set. If you like pop/folk/singer-songwriter music and they happen to play near you, check them out.

Photos and video from Adam & Kate's set.The video quality is dark and grainy but if anyone knows which song this is, drop me a line. I really liked it.

**Update** The song in the video is titled "Painting Leprosy"
Adam Taylor Live

Set List

• Jazzonia
• 12:51
• Coffee
• Untitled
• The Box Pt. I - III
• Elvis
• Whale Song
• Bobbing
• Lucy
• Cat & Mouse
• For A While
• Cats Cradle

http://www.myspace.com/adamtaylormusic

All Photos: © L.R. Adams

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For Upcoming Shows In New York

On Sale Thursday, December 11, 2008
January 10, 2009 - John Doe & Exene of X at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

March 28, 2009 - Primal Scream at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com

On Sale Friday, December 12, 2008
January 23, 2009 - Dar Williams at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com

On Sale Saturday, December 13, 2008
February 28, 2009 - Robert Earl Keen at Terminal 5
http://www.terminal5nyc.com

I haven't had a chance to see Primal Scream. I think I just might have to pick up a ticket and check them out.

Around New York ... December 8 - December 14, 2008

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

December 8 -- Kindred The Family Soul at S.O.B.'s

http://www.sobs.com

December 8 -- The Northern / Black Gold at Mercury Lounge

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

December 8 -- Spirit Family Reunion / Sharon Van Etten at Pianos

http://pianosnyc.com

December 8 -- Les Paul at Iridium

http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

December 9 -- MI3 at Union Hall

http://www.unionhallny.com

December 9 -- Friendly Fires at The Annex

http://www.theannexnyc.com

December 9 - 14 -- McCoy Tyner Trio plus Savion Glover at The Blue Note

http://www.bluenote.net

December 10 -- Bob Schneider at Music Hall of Williamsburg (pictured)

http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

December 10 -- Lonely, Dear / Melpo Mene / Boy Genius at Mercury Lounge

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

December 10 -- Radar Bros. at Union Hall

http://www.unionhallny.com

December 10 - 14 -- Pharoah Sanders at Iridium

http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

December 11 -- Letters to Cleo at The Bowery Ballroom

http://www.boweryballroom.com

December 12 -- The Lisps at Pianos

http://pianosnyc.com

December 13 -- The King Left / The Howlies at Union Pool

http://www.myspace.com/unionpool

December 13 -- Meat Puppets at Music Hall of Williamsburg

http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

December 13 - 14 -- Ronnie Spector at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

http://www.bbkingblues.com
December 14 -- Dr. Glory's Youth Theatre “Snow Comes in Many Colors” at The Riverside Theatre (pictured)
http://www.theriversidetheatre.org

December 14 -- The War On Drugs plus Drink Up Buttercup / Tab The Band at Union Hall

http://www.unionhallny.com

Metallica Gets Magnetic

I finally got around to buying Death Magnetic, the newest album from Metallica. I'm a long time Metallica fan. I heard many people hail this as the 'return of old school 'tallica.' It's been a spell since I've heard this kind of excitement for a Metallica record. After hearing so many people speak so highly of Death Magnetic, I began to get a bit excited myself.

Unlike some fans, I didn't cry foul when they released their monstrously huge Metallica (The Black album) ... people mature and grow. I was fine with Load and I was okay with Reload while others felt the mighty Metallica of old were just images on the back of milk cartons. St. Anger was the first Metallica record I couldn't hang with. I just couldn't get into it at all. While I wouldn't have called them sellouts, has beens or whatever other term that has been tossed at Metallica since The Black album, I found myself primarily listening to the first five records.

So, with whispers of excitement still floating around in my head, I sat down to have a listen. Death Magnetic does indeed have more of an old school vibe. It's the closest to pre-Black album Metallica sound and feel wise. Looking at the titles, my first thought was, 'let's just skip "The Unforgiven III" and spare myself. I wasn't all that fond of "The Unforgiven" and I was even less fond of "The Unforgiven II" so, I was leery of a third titled such. But, that's not fair to myself or the record so I didn't skip it. Should they come out with an 'Unforgiven IV' I'm just going to be unfair and pass right over that one.

Other than my lack of fondness for all things 'Unforgiven,' I like Death Magnetic. The standout tracks, "The End Of The Line" (which musically gives me glimpses of "The Four Horsemen" and "Sad But True"), "Broken, Beat & Scarred" and my personal favorite, "My Apocalypse." The latter reminds me of a mix of "Whiplash" and "Battery" music wise. The other notable tracks, "The Day That Never Comes" and "All Nightmare Long." I think this album has something to satisfy all Metallica fans. Death Magnetic is an excellent blend of old school and radio friendly Metallica.

Track Listing

• That Was Just Your Life
• The End Of The Line
• Broken, Beat & Scarred
• The Day That Never Comes
• All Nightmare Long
• Cyanide
• The Unforgiven III
• The Judas Kiss
• Suicide & Redemption
• My Apocalypse

http://www.metallica.com
http://www.myspace.com/metallica

Some Velvet Morning

Sometime late last year, British indie rock trio Some Velvet Morning released their debut album Silence Will Kill You. Earlier this year, I was trolling around Amie Street as I'm prone to doing and came across this effort.

Desmond Lambert (vocals/guitar), Gavin Lambert (bass) and Rob Flanagan (drums) put together a dozen songs that rock, roll, simmer and burn. The song "Propaganda" reminds me of early U2 both musically and vocally only more pleasing. "The Madness of Crowds" for some reason, though I can't really put my finger on why exactly, reminds me of Paul McCartney with a bit of Elton John tossed in. The standout songs, "Losing My Mind," "Pretty Girl" and "Settle Down." The other standout, "Stolen Love Song" is my personal favorite. About once a month this song gets put on repeat. I'd call this song a modern day "Layla" though with less intensity.

Silence Will Kill You is a really good record. So far, I think it has slid under the radar escaping notice which is a shame. I look forward to hearing what they have in store for their next record. If it's anything like this one, I'll be in for a treat.

Track Listing

• Let The Good Times Come My Way
• Losing My Mind
• One Day You'll Love The Things You Hate
• Pretty Girl
• Stolen Love Song
• Stone Cold
• Propaganda
• Godless
• Settle Down
• The Nightshift
• The Madness Of Crowds

http://www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/somevelvetmorning