Now seventeen, he’s finally a teen (spirit)
Over twenty six million people bought this album with young (and naked) Spencer Elden on the cover. Want to see what he looks like now? Click here.
Four mistakes that killed the record industry
This week, musician/blogger Jeff Balke wrote (for the Houston Chronicle) about the four things that ruined the record industry. He writes:
Four Mistakes That Killed the Record Indstry [sic] Before File Sharing
Most everyone who follows the record industry knows that it is slowly imploding and most don’t care seeing as how its leaders have basically ignored technology and tried to sue people to push their profit margins back in line. But, the demise of the record industry actually began long before technology gave it the final push over the edge. It started in the 80′s with the birth of the CD and the swallowing of independent record labels by major corporations to the point that now there are only four majors left.
In each critical moment, record labels had the opportunity to think ahead and look beyond their immediate revenue streams. Like many large corporations, they were unable to do so. As a result, they forgot that music is about people and they continue to ignore that fact at their own peril.
For myself, I believe the record industry – and this includes radio – made four mistakes that preceded their ignorance of technology and lawsuit happy antics of present day.
Read what the four mistakes were here.
Murphy Andrews — Golden Retriever
In celebration of our golden retriever’s 9 months on this planet, we’ve included a photo of him. Ladies and gentlemen, Murphy Andrews.
Peter Tosh — Steppin’ Razor
Peter Tosh live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. From 7/16/1979.
Trey Anastasio & Warren Haynes
Funky Bitch, yo…
Deja Vu — Neil Young’s Movie Documenting CSN&Y 2006 Tour
Neil Young’s tries his hat once again as film director (credited as Bernard Shakey), in the 2008 release, Deja Vu, which documents CSN&Y’s 2006 tour.
Review from the Sundance Film Festival: In 2006, rock ‘n roll icons Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young played a “Freedom of Speech” tour to protest the war in Iraq. The band that wrote Ohio, one of the most famous protest songs of the Vietnam era, decided that the country needed a wake-up call, some of the same spirit of protest and activism that once shook national policy and changed our nation forever. CSNY Déjà Vu is a documentary based on this tour.
Being a rock star must be the ideal profession because you get all the girls when you’re young and somehow you’re never too old. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young were an average of 62 years of age on the tour, but still audiences gave them license to “get down” on the stage, and generally applauded wildly with love and admiration. But don’t expect the typical fawning fans of a concert movie. This is all about the tour, about why they hit the road, what they believe, and how fans, concertgoers and the American public reacted.
Writer and ringleader Neil Young deserves tremendous credit for being candid and revealing. He quotes the glowing press reports of course, but also the negative ones and even the stinging mockery. He also shows both sides of the audience reaction, with the most antagonistic occurring in the southern (red) states, where many fans walked out of the concerts in disgust, coming for the music without realizing they were in for incessant politicizing, including a song entitled “Let’s Impeach the President.” And he even shows Stephen Stills falling off the stage, looking every bit like the fat old man that he has become. (Only Graham Nash really looks good. David Crosby looks like your uncle. And Neil Young just looks a little craggy, until he takes his hat off. Then he looks like his age as well.) It is fun and nostalgic to see the old footage interspersed, and to follow the band as they meet people, and introduce those that affected or were affected by the experience. CSNY Deja Vu is not a great movie by any means. There’s not enough music to make it a concert film, and not enough action to pick up the slack. But there is nevertheless something admirable, even touching, about their breed of 60′s style activism, their belief that people are dying needlessly, and their genuine heartfelt desire to make a difference. As they repeatedly demonstrated, they have profound respect for the servicemen overseas, but don’t see continuing the war as the best answer. Agree or not, it strikes me as the sincerest form of patriotism.
Sundance Moment Someone in the Q&A said that he had lost a brother in Iraq, and told Neil Young that “you have no idea what you’re talking about.” It was a tense moment in the very liberal Sundance crowd. I’m guessing that Young has dealt with this kind of thing dozens of times on the tour, and he chose to handle it by, essentially, backing down. “I think you’re right,” he said. “We’re just trying to get people to talk about it.” Well, that might be an easy answer, but I’m not sure it’s honest. A song like “Let’s Impeach the President” is something more than an invitation for dialogue, it’s a political statement of the strongest kind. I respect the band’s sincerity, but was disappointed they were something less than forthright when challenged.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band — Rosalita (1979)
Here’s Bruce and the gang from the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1979.
This has always been one of our favorites, but we just heard it in the car today and were reminded what a great song this is.
Story is that this song is an autobiography of sorts. Bruce received a $25,000 advance from Columbia Records when he signed his first record deal and wrote this song as a “kiss off”, he said, to everyone who doubted him and told him to get a real job.
Tea Leaf Green — from “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” documentary
From the Rock ‘n’ Roll Band DVD. Just because…
Mofro — Live Show Broadcast (7/27/08)
Tune into WRLT in Nashville or click here on Sunday night at 8pm to hear Jacksonville’s JJ Grey & Mofro live.
Crosby, Stills & Nash — Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Performed at Woodstock in 1969:
One week from now…
One week from now (Saturday afternoon), we’ll be recovering after seeing Umphrey’s McGee on Friday night, and getting ready to go see them again on Saturday night!
Here they are playing WorkPlay in Birmingham in May 2007. It’s not the best recording, but it was such a fun show. That’s a great venue if you haven’t been before; we’ve seen Umphrey’s there a few times and it’s always a good time.
