Crosby, Stills & Nash To Release Demos

Legendary group Crosby, Stills & Nash are releasing an album of 12 unreleased demos simply titled, Demos. You can get your hands on it on June 2. Whether you're a long time fan, a casual fan or among the uninitiated, I think this is a collection all will enjoy. Normally, I wouldn't say that about a demo collection as most are products only die hard fans truly appreciate.

This collection features demos recorded between 1968 and 1971. Many of the tracks feature the members, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash going at it solo. The opening track, "Marrakesh Express," however, features all three members offering up the renowned harmonies we've come to know and love from them. This demo was recorded four months before the trio released their classic self-titled debut in 1969. Crosby and Stills can be heard on "Long Time Gone" recorded in 1968 mere weeks before Nash would join them. Neil Young makes an appearance too. You can hear him on "Music Is Love" with Crosby and Nash; the three co-wrote this song that would go on to appear on Crosby's solo debut.

Of the songs I've heard thus far from this collection, Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair" hands down blows me away. I will even go so far as to say that I like this demo version better than the version from their #1 album Déjà Vu. This song alone is worth the price of the record. You can hear it for yourselves, HERE, as part of this three song "listening party" that also includes "Marrakesh Express” and “Love The One You’re With."

Crosby, Stills & Nash are going to be on tour all over the place in the U.S. and Europe. For those in the New York area they'll be at Jones Beach on August 8.

Track Listing

• Marrakesh Express
• Almost Cut My Hair
• You Don't Have To Cry
• Déjà Vu
• Sleep Song
• My Love Is A Gentle Thing
• Be Yourself
• Music Is Love
• Singing Call
• Long Time Gone
• Chicago
• Love The One You're With

www.crosbystillsnash.com
www.myspace.com/crosbystillsandnash
www.myspace.com/davidcrosby
www.myspace.com/stephenstills
www.myspace.com/grahamnash

Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast @ Mercury Lounge This Saturday!

Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast are playing Mercury Lounge this Saturday, May 30. This show will also serve as a record release party. The record, Over the Undercover, will be available at shows starting Saturday and from digital stores on June 15. I've heard the record; it's something to look forward to. And, swing by on Saturday if you're in the area.

www.CaitlinKrisko.com
www.myspace.com/caitlinkrisko

Action Painters At Mercury Lounge This Thursday!

Hometown band Action Painters are doing a show this Thursday, May 28 down at Mercury Lounge. Swing by and check them out if you're in the area.

actionpaintersband.com
www.myspace.com/actionpainters

The Steps To Release Take It All In

Austin rockers The Steps channel a bit of Brit-pop and add in a dash 70's garage glam rock to come up with a modern rock sound that makes for a fun mix of tunes. They have an EP, Take It All In, that will be released on July 21. I'm looking forward to checking out this release. If you're in the New York area, they're playing at Webster Hall on June 6.

I'm really digging the single "Cold Floors." Download it HERE.

www.wearethesteps.com
www.myspace.com/thesteps

Life Is A Party, According To Kennedy

Singer/songwriter Kennedy released his album, Life Is A Party, this week, May 19. The record is filled with electro trash and retro 70's sounding pop songs. I know what you're thinking, "QNYC, you don't generally go for that kind of stuff." True, but sometimes I do.

Upon first look at the album cover, my first thought was, "Oh hell no! I'm not going to like this!" But, I gave it a listen. The first song "Karate" was ok, I liked the music well enough but the lyric didn't particularly do anything for me. I thought, so far so good, nothing horribly wretched happening to make me bail before listening to the rest of the record. Then we get to the second song, the insanely catchy "John & Yoko" which features vocals by French singer Yelle. To me, this is the standout track on the album. It's what I would call a summertime song. You know, those songs that seem to catch on like wildfire in the summer and has everybody and their mama playing it. Other songs that caught the ear, "Going Insane" and "Oh Yeah."

"Your Mama" gets an honorary mention. Why? For being somewhat catchy but, mainly for the sheer fact that the video is an H.R. Pufnstuf/Sid and Marty Krofft, 70's, Saturday morning acid trip gone awry piece of reasonably delightful cheese. I mean that in a good way as I love a good piece of cheese. If you're not old enough to remember those delightful Saturday morning shows of questionable enrichment, search them out. But, in the meantime, check out the "Your Mama" video and witness it for yourselves.

Download "John & Yoko" HERE and "Karate" HERE.Track Listing

• Karate
• John & Yoko (feat. Yelle)
• Oh Yeah
• Hillbilly Witchcraft
• Mama Made Me A Pimp
• Going Insane
• Life Is A Party
• Sleep Talking
• Let It Out
• Wanted The World
• Your Mama

www.myspace.com/kennedy
www.kisforkennedy.com

Adam Taylor To Play Milwaukee Summerfest

One of my favorite musicians, Adam Taylor, is playing Milwaukee's Summerfest 2009. The festival which bills itself as The World's Largest Music Festival runs from June 25 - July 5. This mega festival comprises of 11 days, 11 stages and is hosting a who's who of music acts.

Taylor is playing on July 5 as part of the U.S. Cellular Emerging Artists Series. There is going to be an Emerging Artists Series Compilation CD that will be given out at the festival and some other events and promotions. They're asking people to vote for their favorite artist and the 11 artists with the most votes will be on the compilation.

Go HERE, check out all of the artists and vote for your favorite; you're allowed to vote once per day. Since I live in a democracy, I can't tell you who to vote for. If I could, I'd say vote for Adam Taylor! He of course, is my pick.

If you're going to the festival, go catch Taylor's show. If you're not going to the festival but you're in the area, go just to see him! We all know how much I like his live performances ... well, you do if you've read my past postings! He puts on an incredible show and is amazingly talented. Catch him before he turns legendary and you have to max out your credit card to see him.

adamtaylormusic.com
www.myspace.com/adamtaylormusic
www.summerfest.com

Hockey Set To Unleash Mind Chaos In August

Portland band Hockey will release their album Mind Chaos on August 24 in the UK and a day later, August 25 in the US. Hockey's sound is a fun mix of unabashed somewhat funky danceable pop-rock. There's plenty of opportunity to check them out for yourselves. They're on the road this summer, mostly across the pond, playing a slew of dates. But, they're hitting a few festival dates on this side of the pond too. They'll be playing the Sasquatch Music Festival in Quincy, WA on May 24; Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN on June 11 and Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL on August 7.

Hockey is offering up a couple of remixes for download. Download "Learn To Lose" (Labrinth Remix) HERE and "Learn To Lose" (Filthy Duke Remix) HERE.

Listen to the first single from Mind Chaos, "Too Fake" ... catchy song that I can't get out of my head!

Or, you can watch the "Too Fake" video by clicking the image.

www.myspace.com/hockey
www.hockeyband.co.uk

Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2 To Be Reissued

There is good news for Ray Charles fans. Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music and it's follow-up, Volume 2 will be reissued in one expanded 24-song CD titled, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2, on June 2 via Concord Records.

Many people were shocked when Charles released Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. But it wasn't that big of a stretch for Charles who grew up listening to radio broadcasts of The Grand Ole Opry. These works have sense become legendary converting non-country music listeners into listeners and changing the way many people perceived country music. I'd wager these records are in the collections of anyone who considers themselves major music fans. But, if they're not or perhaps you need a brand new shiny one, now's your chance to pick it up in a handy remastered CD. If I'm not mistaken, Volume 2 has never been released on CD before so that right there is a big deal of sorts. The disc will also feature the original liner notes by Rick Ward and Charles' longtime recording supervisor Sid Feller as well as new notes written by musicologist Bill Dahl.

To listen to “You Are My Sunshine” from Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2, with QuickTime, click the image. Click "HERE" to listen with Windows Media Player.

Track Listing

• Bye Bye Love
• You Don’t Know Me
• Half as Much
• I Love You So Much It Hurts
• Just a Little Lovin’
• Born to Lose
• Worried Mind
• It Makes No Difference Now
• You Win Again
• Careless Love
• I Can’t Stop Loving You
• Hey, Good Lookin’
• You Are My Sunshine
• No Letter Today
• Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You)
• Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles
• Midnight
• Oh, Lonesome Me
• Take These Chains from My Heart
• Your Cheating Heart
• I’ll Never Stand in Your Way
• Making Believe
• Teardrops in My Heart
• Hang Your Head in Shame

Janid At Club Blvd Tonight

Electronica songstress Janid will celebrate the release of her third CD Twisted and kick off her Asylum-J Tour tonight, May 19 at Club Blvd. Also on the bill are Benny Ninja and Appolonia Cruz and DJ sets by Tony Rocca and DJ Chip Chop. It all kicks off at 7:00PM.

Have a listen to the title track "Twisted."

www.janidworld.com
www.myspace.com/janidmusic

Ash's Return of White Rabbit

Ash will release 26 new songs in 12 months titled A - Z Singles Collection. Starting in October, every two weeks for the next twelve months they release one single. The single will be available on 7" vinyl and digital download. All 26 songs, starting with "A" and ending at "Z" will be released on Atomic Heart records, Ash's own record label. They will be available through shops as well as the band's website by subscription.

To start things off, a bonus single, "Return of White Rabbit," has been released. It can be downloaded for free HERE or using the handy little widget below, starting today, May 18. A limited 7" inch will be available starting June 8. This bonus song isn't one of the 26 upcoming songs.

www.ash-official.com