On Friday, Dave had his official record release show at Joe's Pub. He was, of course, amazing. The sound was pristine. Not only is he one of the best friends I've ever had but he is so talented. Despite the terrible cold I had, I rallied and went to support him. I'm so glad I did. Dave is a great storyteller and gives off a lot of light and love. Give it a listen.

Pics courtesy of Kathleen's friend Matthew. Thanks Matthew!

I'm completely obsessed with Gillian Welch's cover of Radiohead's Black Star. It's one of my favorite songs from The Bends but Gillian's version of it is completely original. Her voice and the way she sings with David Rawlings haunts me. I wake up singing "I keep fallin' over, I keep passin' out when I see a face like you." Her twist on it makes me ache. Check it out here.

and BTW, the 3-song Black Star EP is effing amazing. To cover Neil Young and Radiohead in one sitting takes balls.

I almost died laughing when I saw this so I thought I would share. So funny!

Austin wins again! The Black Angels are amazing. I heard them on IndieFeed for the first time a few weeks ago and immediately downloaded all their stuff. Black Grease and Bloodhound on My Trail are two top tracks but everything is good. Their sound is nostalgic, sexy, dark. Good rock and roll. And I love that there's some females in the band. Take a listen here

I've been wanting to post this for a week. 

In 2005, I was at a Sandy Bell show at Sin-e and all seemed as usual. Great music. Good friends. Cold beer.

Her band always sounded great. Her guitarist, Jason Crigler always got me riled up. He's like a little Neil Young or something. One of my favorite players. Ever.

Then, something horrible happened. Jason grabbed his head, threw down his guitar, jumped off the stage  and ran outside. After a few moments, we all learned that he was on his way to the hospital in an ambulance. He had a brain aneurysm. After a very long road to recovery and many fundraisers, Jason is back on the scene and sounding better than ever!

It is beyond wonderful to see. Last week, at Sandy's show at Mo Pitkins, I got to hear  the guitar solos I've heard in my head every time I've seen Sandy play since that night without Jason. Here's a sample. Proof that miracles really do happen.

(The quality is not great because I took it on my Treo...sorry about that...not very tech saavy!)

I just heard an amazing cover of Bowie's "Modern Love" by The Last Town Chorus. It's hauntingly beautiful. You can listen to a sample  here. and then download it on Itunes.

Stellar.

I am so excited for this. It's about time!



From Billboard.com
Wilco Soars Into 'Blue Sky' In May
January 18, 2007, 4:45 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Wilco's new album, "Sky Blue Sky," will arrive May 15 via Nonesuch, frontman Jeff Tweedy said on stage last night (Jan. 17) during a solo show in Nashville. Among the new songs Tweedy has been playing are the title track and "We Can Make It Better."

As a full band, Wilco has also previewed the tracks "Is That the Thanks I Get," "Lullaby for Rafters and Dreams," "On and On and On" and "Walken" in the past year.

"I think people may have an idea in their head about what it will sound like, but it's going to be different than that," Wilco bassist John Stirratt told Billboard.com in November. "Jeff had a lot of creative fire. And also, the way we recorded was so cool because a lot of the arrangements just grew right there with everybody sitting around. I'm over the moon about it. I think it will be a really beautiful record. It's a great time to be in Wilco."

"Sky Blue Sky" is the follow-up to 2004's "A Ghost Is Born," which has sold 346,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Tweedy's solo run wraps Saturday in Dallas. The lone Wilco live dates on tap at present are three mid-April shows in Australia: April 16 in Brisbane, April 18 in Melbourne and April 21 in Sydney.

MUSIC REPORT FROM GOTHAM: FIL IS A ROCK STAR
*Warning: This is a gushy post.*

Fil is in town for a few weeks and was kind enough to get me a pass to go see him play with both the opening and main band at the Bowery Ballroom last night. It was a great night. Fil is so super talented. It's not fair! When God doled out musical talent, I think he gave too much to Fil and not nearly enough to me. He has grown so much. It was great to see.

Not only did I get to see him play with Poe but I finally got to check out Golden Smog. I have to say that I am totally in love with them. There's not a bad song in the entire set. I have read all about them but I had never *heard* this version of them until last night. I had the intention of going to see Fil, catch Poe's set and then leave after a couple of Golden Smog songs. I know it sounds lame, but I have to be up at the crack of dawn for work every day. But that plan was foiled quickly. I could not move. I was glued. I stayed until (gulp) 1:00 AM. It was magical.

Today I bought Weird Tales and love it. How can a music fan possibly be disappointed if members of the The Jayhawks, Big Star, Soul Asylum and Wilco come together? I don't know what I was thinking by not listening sooner. Don't miss out ..listen to them today people!

Gary Louris's voice is now back up to the top of one of my favorite.voices.ever list. I'm also in total lust with Kraig Johnson. He's drop dead.gorgeous and super sexy. I'm feeling all charged up today. It's  been quite a long time since I felt this way after a show. It feels great!

It goes without saying that Poe was great. He was his usual charming self up there. He also played a beautiful version of The Drifter. Yay!

Here are some pics of Fil being all famous and stuff.