Sound Opinions, being the scholarly work it is, has provided footnotes to help you navigate through the show's vast maze of musical knowledge.
Because, let's face it—sometimes even we have no idea what the heck Jim and Greg are talking about.
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05-06-06 Footnotes
Listen to the MP3 Stream of this show: (link)
Download the Podcast: (Download the MP3)
1 First up in the news this week is a discussion with Dave Frey, manager of the band Cheap Trick. Jim and Greg talk to Frey about the recent lawsuit he and the Rockford natives recently filed against Sony BMG. The band, along with members of the Allman Brothers Band, launched the suit contending that the label has underpaid artists for digital music transactions. Currently they receive about 4.5 cents per 99 cent download. The label, on the other hand, can receive as much as 70 cents for this digital transaction. Considering that hits like “Surrender” or “Ramblin' Man” were made and paid for decades ago, the split doesn’t seem very equitable. The reason for this, Frey explains, is that many bands’ contracts were drafted long before digital technology emerged. In fact, CDs are still considered “new media” for Cheap Trick. Therefore, royalty deductions are made to account for “breakages” and “containers.” But, until Frey can understand what the container is for an MP3, and how it breaks, he stands by the suit, which is asking for $25 million from the label on behalf of all Sony Music artists.
2 Fellow rocker Keith Richards also made news. According to reports, the Rolling Stones' guitarist suffered a concussion after falling from a palm tree. What he was doing climbing a palm tree is still unknown. But, while many joke Richards suffered a head injury (or two) years ago, he seems to have emerged from this latest accident fairly intact. Jim and Greg muse that this is not the first time Richards was put in harm's way. He has broken ribs, punctured a lung, infected a finger, and battled heroin addiction. It seems Greg is correct to compare Richards to a cockroach; nothing can take him out.
3 One of the albums up for review is also in the headlines this week. St. Elsewhere is the debut album from Gnarls Barkley, the imaginary front person for a project helmed by vocalist and rapper Cee Lo and producer Danger Mouse. Gnarls describes himself as the pen pal of long-deceased rock critic Lester Bangs, soul singer Isaac Hayes, and Violent Femmes singer Gordon Gano. He also claims to be the lover of both Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey and the man who taught Kraftwerk English. Most importantly, though, he has become a British phenomenon. The first single, “Crazy,” went to number one on the UK singles chart after simply being released as a download, and Jim and Greg hope that the hype can be sustained stateside. Both critics love the combination of Cee-Lo’s half preacher, half freak vocal style and DJ Danger Mouse’s eclectic production choices. St. Elsewhere gets a double Buy It rating. It will hit US stores on May 9, but curious listeners can currently purchase it digitally on iTunes.
4 The collaboration between Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse is not the only one to be discussed on this week’s show. All of the albums up for review feature artists working with noteworthy producers. For example, singer/songwriter Paul Simon made an interesting decision to work with electronic music pioneer Brian Eno. Eno, who co-founded Roxy Music, has acted as producer for David Bowie, The Talking Heads and U2. While this is an impressive resume, Jim and Greg explain that Eno was still a surprising choice for Simon. He is infamous for dragging musicians out of their comfort zones, and Simon is certainly at a stage in his career where he could remain comfortable if he wanted. The result is literally a Surprise, though not necessarily a success according to one of our hosts. Jim is fond of both the album’s multi-layered, ambient sound and its complicated, and at times, self-deprecating lyrics. He gives it a Buy It rating. Greg, on the other hand, feels that this collaboration was a missed opportunity. He predicts that the two artists “tiptoed” around each other too much. It’s a little too gentle, too sleepy, too stagnant for Mr. Kot. He gives it a Burn It.
5 Eno’s occasional partner in crime, John Cale, also makes an appearance in this week’s show. He produced the latest release Alejandro Escovedo. The Boxing Mirror is the 9th album from the musician, who can only be described as part punk, part country and part rock, and for it he turned to one of his rock and roll heroes. Escovedo grew up admiring the Velvet Underground, so, according to Greg, the match between him and Cale is one made in heaven. Jim agrees. He has never been a major fan of Escovedo’s singer/songwriter style, but he thinks this is his best solo effort. One of the reasons for this may be Escovedo’s newly found lust for life. He survived a life-threatening outbreak of Hepatitis C just a couple of years ago, and the music demonstrates that he is indeed very happy to be alive. Greg agrees and compares Escovedo’s renewal to that experienced by Neil Young. Both hosts give The Boxing Mirror a Buy It and urge fans try to see Escovedo, along with musicians like Susan Voelz, perform live.
6 The Red Hot Chili Peppers also released a highly anticipated album this week. Their 28-song, double album, was produced by superstar producer Rick Rubin. Rubin worked with the Southern California natives on their big mainstream breakout album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, as well as later hit Californication. As the co-founder of Def Jam Records with Russell Simmons, Rubin produced albums for The Beastie Boys and Run D.M.C. He’s also acted as producer for Nine Inch Nails, System of a Down, and the late Johnny Cash. It’s surprising then, according to Jim and Greg, that Rubin would be such a poor editor on this latest effort. Both critics agree that this album doesn’t deserve to be nearly as long as it is, especially since more than half of the songs can be considered ballads—a far cry from the Chili Peppers’ punk-funk roots. The ballads are evidence of lead singer Anthony Kiedis’ self-proclaimed spiritual transformation, but Jim and Greg are not quite moved. They can still hear a few moments when Kiedis’ former, party-loving self comes through. The album, which was recorded in Harry Houdini’s former home, is worth hearing for John Frusciante’s guitar playing, but not worth a purchase. Stadium Arcadium gets a Trash It from both hosts.
7 Greg’s gets to add a track to the Desert Island Jukebox this week. His choice was inspired by the passing of Phil Walden. Walden was a major figure in the southern rock scene, and co-founded Capricorn Records, home to The Allman Brothers and Charlie Daniels Band. Greg, however, will remember Walden as the man instrumental in propelling the career of soul singer Otis Redding. He was Redding’s manager up until the singer’s tragic plane crash in 1967, and helped expand his career into the mainstream. One savvy decision was to put Otis Redding and all of the key Stax Records players on the road in Europe in the summer of 1967. The competition between Redding and Stax acts like Sam & Dave fueled the performer’s fire. The result was a high energy, high-impact performance like the one he gave of “Can’t Turn You Loose”—this week’s DIJ pick.
Songs Featured in Show #23
Cheap Trick, “Surrender,” Heaven Tonight, 1978
Rolling Stones, “Monkey Man,” Let it Bleed, 1969
Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy,” St. Elsewhere, 2006
Gnarls Barkley, “Smiley Faces,” St. Elsewhere, 2006
Gnarls Barkley, “Boogie Monster,” St. Elsewhere, 2006
Paul Simon, “How Can You Live in the Northeast?” Surprise, 2006
Paul Simon, “Wartime Prayers,” Surprise, 2006
Alejandro Escovedo, “Notes on Air,” The Boxing Mirror, 2006
Alejandro Escovedo, “Sacramento & Polk,” The Boxing Mirror, 2006
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Dani California,” Stadium Arcadium, 2006
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Especially in Michigan,” Stadium Arcadium, 2006
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Ready Made,” Stadium Arcadium, 2006
Otis Redding, “Can’t Turn You Lose,” Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding, 1993
Credits: T.I. “What You Know” (Instrumental)
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