Friday, July 10, 2009

Award-winning Children's CD, The Ocean Of Love, Is Back

The Ocean of Love, the award-winning CD by Ari Frankel, is back! When the album was first released it was rather limited ... meaning it was printed privately and distributed to friends and Frankel's growing fan base. Well, now he has re-mastered the album, designed new adorable packaging and has secured distribution making the effort available everywhere good music is appreciated and sold.

I happen to be a fan of stuff for children. Correction, I'm a fan of good stuff for children. A lot of people insist on providing children with annoying drivel that only serves to warp a growing child's musical taste buds and get on parents nerves when their kids insist on listening to it for the five million and forty-seven thousandth time. Frankel however doesn't fall into this category. He has put together a record full of catchy, educational, non-annoying songs that are fun and don't insult children or their parents.

Frankel, a cross-genre artist covers many bases with this record. The songs offered up allow children to swim in the waters of pop, jazz, reggae, folk and Latin giving them the opportunity to sample the various genres without being heavy handed about it. The breezy reggae tinged "The Ocean of Love" brings to mind lazy days on the beach building sand castles with your favorite little one while "Drivin' U.S.A. is a number reminiscent of the Beach Boys and "Change Me" is rather Beatlesque. Anyone who knows me might find this a bit odd as I'm not a fan of Latin music, but, my favorite track on the album is the Latin flavored "Hug You."

If you have a little one in your life, The Ocean of Love is certainly a record to include in their music collection.

Track Listing
  • the ocean of love
  • what do you think, that it’s easy to be a kid?
  • i say, you say
  • wipe my nose
  • drivin’ u.s.a.
  • hug you
  • sandbox sunday
  • brush it
  • change me!
  • good grief
  • the snow song
  • bedtime story
www.onceuponaparent.com/ocean
www.childmattersmedia.com
www.arifrankel.com

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Juliette Lewis Set To Release New Record In September

Over the last half dozen or so years, Juliette Lewis (yes, the actress) has cemented herself as a bona fide rock chick. For those living under a rock and who may have missed out on some good music, Lewis fronted the brilliant Juliette And The Licks. Alas, The Licks are no more but Lewis is still rocking like there's no tomorrow. She's set to unleash her new album, Terra Incognita, on September 1. The upcoming album was produced by Mars Volta leader, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Lewis wrote most of the 11 songs with long time friend and musician Chris Watson. Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on the new record. For a taste of what's to come, you can stream tracks from the album on Lewis' MySpace page.

And if that's not enough, she'll be on the road this summer with The Pretenders and Cat Power! Say wha?! Yeah, you read that correctly. Now that's a line-up! For those in the New York area, they'll be making a stop at Central Park SummerStage on August 10.

www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

Check Out The New Single From Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons

Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons are releasing their debut album, Death Won't Send a Letter, on September 29. Check out "Born Again," the first single from the record, HERE.

corychisel.com

Medeski Martin & Wood Set To Release Radiolarians III

Medeski Martin & Wood will release the third installment of The Radiolarians Series. Radiolarians III, which was recorded in December 2008, is scheduled to be released on August 4. Check out "Undone" from the record HERE. The three albums from The Radiolarians Series will be compiled into a limited edition boxed set with in-depth packaging, vinyl as well as bonus audio and video content. You can look for that package later this year around holiday season time.

www.medeskimartinandwood.com
www.myspace.com/medeskimartinandwood

Monday, July 6, 2009

Around New York ... July 6 - July 12, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

July 6 -- The Wallflowers at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com
July 6 -- Daria
n Cunning / Dexter Scott at Pianos
pianosnyc.com
July 6 -- Yo
ur Vegas / U.S. Royalty at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
July 8 -- London Souls / Rawson at Public Assembly
publi
cassemblynyc.com
July 8 -- Handsome Furs at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

July 8 -- Def Leppard / Poison / Cheap Trick at Jones Beach
jonesbeach.com

July 8 -- Jet at
at Blender Theatre At Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
July 9 -- Those Darlins (pictured) / Heavy Trash at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
July 9 -- Matisyahu / Umphrey's McGee at Central Park SummerStage
www.summerstage.org
July 10 -- The Brunettes / Sharon Van Etten at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
July 11 -- Blood Street / Reckless Sons at The Annex
www.theannexnyc.com
July 11 -- The Friggs / Jesse Bates & His Flying Guitars at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
July 11 -- W
akey!Wakey at Blender Theatre At Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
July 11 - The Dreamscapes Project at Arlene's Grocery
www.arlenes
grocery.net
July 11 -- Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women (pictured) at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
July 12 -- Judas Priest / Whitesnake at Jones Beach
jonesbeach.com

Friday, July 3, 2009

The Dreamscapes Project To Play NYC!

DC band The Dreamscapes Project are coming to NYC. They're set to take the stage down on the LES at Arlene's Grocery next weekend, Saturday, July 11.

For those who aren't familiar with The Dreamscapes Project, think The Decemberist or The Dave Matthews Band if you need something to compare. They're a dynamic acoustic based rock band featuring a 12-string acoustic guitar and a cello. When's the last time you popped into a rock club and saw a band break out a cello? Yeah, that doesn't happen often, does it? Of course, you can listen to them for yourselves and see what they're about. Nice guys that they are, The Dreamscapes Project have decided to hook folks up with an MP3. They've sent over the song "Excess" from their album Pity In A Heartbeat which you can download HERE (right click, save as) for free.

Swing by Arlene's next week and check them out if you're looking for a show to go to and or just happen to be hanging about the LES. They're on the road venturing to other places besides NYC too. Check out their website to find out what other stages they'll be rocking in the coming weeks.

www.theScapes.com
www.arlenesgrocery.net

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Woodstock Experience

If you remember it, you weren't there. That's the line that has rolled out of many mouths in regards to Woodstock, the historic music festival that took place in the summer of 1969. Three days (August 15 - 17, though it carried over into the 18th) of peace and music took place at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, NY.

In celebration of Woodstock's 40th Anniversary, a new website has been rolled out as well as five classic 1969 albums recorded by festival headliners. These 2-CD packages known as The Woodstock Experience were released yesterday, June 30, via both retail and digital outlets. These albums couple the classic albums recorded in 1969 with the artists performances at Woodstock.

The Woodstock Experience titles are:

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE - THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE

(Volunteers, RCA/Legacy 88697 48240 2, originally issued April 1969, as RCA Victor 4238) Disc One – Selections: 1. We Can Be Together • 2. Good Shepherd • 3. The Farm • 4. Hey Frederick • 5. Turn My Life Down • 6. Wooden Ships • 7. Eskimo Blue Day • 8. A Song For All Seasons • 9. Meadowlands • 10. Volunteers • (Recorded Live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 17, 1969: PART ONE) 11. Introduction (previously unissued) • 12. The Other Side of This Life (previously unissued) • 13. Somebody To Love • 14. 3/15 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds (previously unissued) • 15. Won’t You Try / Saturday Afternoon • 16. Eskimo Blue Day.

Disc Two (Recorded live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 17, 1969: PART TWO) – Selections: 1. Plastic Fantastic Lover • 2. Wooden Ships (previously unissued) • 3. Uncle Sam Blues • 4. Volunteers • 5. The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil (previously unissued) • 6. Come Back Baby (previously unissued) • 7. White Rabbit • 8. The House At Pooneil Corners (previously unissued).

JANIS JOPLIN - THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE

(I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, Columbia/Legacy 88697 48243 2, originally issued October 1969, as Columbia 9913) Disc One – Selections: 1. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) 2. Maybe • 3. One Good Man • 4. As Good As You’ve Been To This World • 5. To Love Somebody • 6. Kozmic Blues • 7. Little Girl Blue • 8. Work Me, Lord.

Disc Two (Recorded live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Saturday, August 16, 1969) – Selections: 1. Raise Your Hand (previously unissued) • 2. As Good As You’ve Been To This World (previously unissued) • 3. To Love Somebody • 4. Summertime • 5. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) • 6. Kozmic Blues • 7. Can’t Turn You Loose (previously unissued) • 8. Work Me, Lord • 9. Piece Of My Heart • 10. Ball & Chain.

SANTANA - THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE

(Santana, Columbia/Legacy 88697 48242 2, originally issued August 1969, as Columbia 9781) Disc One – Selections: 1. Waiting • 2. Evil Ways • 3. Shades Of Time • 4. Savor • 5. Jingo • 6. Persuasion • 7. Treat • 8. You Just Don’t Care • 9. Soul Sacrifice.

Disc Two (Recorded live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Saturday, August 16, 1969) – Selections: 1. Waiting • 2. Evil Ways (previously unissued) • 3. You Just Don’t Care • 4. Savor • 5. Jingo • 6. Persuasion • 7. Soul Sacrifice • 8. Fried Neckbones.

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE - THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE

(Stand!, Epic/Legacy 88697 48241 2, originally issued April 1969, as Epic 26456) Disc One – Selections: 1. Stand! • 2. Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey • 3. I Want To Take You Higher • 4. Somebody’s Watching You • 5. Sing A Simple Song • 6. Everyday People • 7. Sex Machine • 8. You Can Make It If You Try.

Disc Two (Recorded live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 17, 1969) – Selections: 1. M’Lady (previously unissued) • 2. Sing A Simple Song (previously unissued) • 3. You Can Make It If You Try (previously unissued) • 4. Everyday People (previously unissued) • 5. Dance To The Music • 6. MEDLEY: Music Lover / Higher • 7. I Want To Take You Higher (previously unreleased) • 8. Love City • 9. Stand! (previously unissued)

JOHNNY WINTER - THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE

(Johnny Winter, Columbia/Legacy 88697 48244 2, originally issued May 1969, as Columbia 9826) Disc One – Selections: 1. I’m Yours And I’m Hers • 2. Be Careful With A Fool • 3. Dallas • 4. Mean Mistreater • 5. Leland Mississippi Blues • 6. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl • 7. When You Got A Good Friend • 8. I’ll Drown In My Own Tears • 9. Back Door Friend.

Disc Two (Recorded live at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 17-Monday, August 18, 1969) – Selections: 1. Mama, Talk To Your Daughter (previously unissued) • 2. Leland Mississippi Blues • 3. Mean Town Blues • 4. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now (previously unissued) • 5. I Can’t Stand It (with Edgar Winter) (previously unissued) • 6. Tobacco Road (with Edgar Winter) (previously unissued) • 7. Tell The Truth (with Edgar Winter) (previously unissued) • 8. Johnny B. Goode (previously unissued).

It looks like I'll be adding more Janis and Sly to my collection!

www.woodstock.com

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Middle Distance Runner @ Mercury Lounge This Friday!

DC band Middle Distance Runner will be in the city this weekend. They'll be over at Mercury Lounge on Friday, July 3. You can kick off your holiday celebrations early ... go check them out if you're hanging about the LES.

www.middledistancerunner.com

Anna Ternheim Announces Tour & Set To Release New Album

Sweden's Anna Ternheim has announced a fall tour. She'll be making a stop in New York at The Bowery Ballroom on Friday, October 16. Check out her website for dates in other parts. Terheim also has a new record, Leaving On A Mayday, which is scheduled to drop on August 11. In the mean time, check out the video for an acoustic version of "What Have I Done."



www.annaternheim.com
www.myspace.com/annaternheim