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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09-16-06 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 the announcement of this year’s Mercury Prize winner. The Arctic Monkeys take home this British music prize, following in the footsteps of PJ Harvey, Dizzee Rascal, Badly Drawn Boy and Pulp. The prize is usually awarded to a non-commercial artist as an alternative to the more mainstream Brit Awards. Jim suggests that the U.S. equivalent would fall between the Grammy Awards and the more-eclectic Village Voice Pazz and Jop Critics Poll. The Arctic Monkeys were a surprising choice because they were perhaps the most obvious choice. To say they were a huge phenomenon in the U.K. is an understatement. Their album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, was the fastest selling debut album in UK history. However, despite high profile appearances on Saturday Night Live and at the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, they did not wow American audiences on the same level. Jim and Greg both gave the record a Buy It rating, however. You can check out that review here.
2 Also making headlines is soul legend Ronald Isley. The Isley Brother, also known as “Mr. Biggs,” was sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion. He was also ordered to pay $3.1 million to the I.R.S. This is the maximum sentence Isley could have received. Jim and Greg had hoped that the judge would show some leniency to the musician, who recently suffered a stroke and a bout with kidney cancer, and is expecting a baby in January. Our hosts also cite Isley as one of the great talents of our time, and note that he has had a major hit in every one of his six decades as a performer. They suggest that it is Isley’s friend, R. Kelly, who deserves the harsh hand of the law.
3 While “Mr. Biggs” can stay “Mr. Biggs,” even in prison, “Diddy” can no longer be “Diddy” in the U.K. The artist formerly known as P. Diddy, Puffy, Puff Daddy, and Sean Combs by his family has agreed to drop the Diddy name as part of a legal settlement with a London-based producer named Richard “Diddy” Dearlove. Diddy became Diddy in 2001, but Dearlove had a hit under the name in 1997. Combs, however, announced that he can now add a new name to the list. It seems Diddy is going to be a daddy.
4 The final bit of news is the release of Justin Timberlake’s second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. The ex-teen heartthrob is all grown up and has aligned himself with producer Timbaland, as well as Rick Rubin and will.i.am, for a darker, more cutting edge, and yes – sexier – sound than ‘N Sync fans are used to. He’s also launched an impressive live show that has the charismatic singer fronting an 11-piece band. It’s just one of many adventurous moves that are impressing our hosts. Jim explains that with the exception of one bum track which tells the sad story of “a life ruined by meth addiction,” the diverse array of songs on FutureSex/LoveSounds all succeed. He gives it a Buy It rating. Greg agrees, explaining that the songs are fairly avant-garde and hook-less for a pop record. He does not think Timberlake is the best singer in the world, but he pulls off dance music as well as old-school soul. He also gives the album a Buy It.
5 Sound Opinions H.Q. should note that Timberlake is not the only former-Mouseketeer “dropping” a project this week. We want to extend hearty congratulations to his former girlfriend, Britney Spears, now the mom of two.
6 This week Jim and Greg are joined by percussionist extraordinaire Glenn Kotche. He is best known as being one of the members of Wilco, but he also has a number of side projects and a new solo album entitled, Mobile. Glenn joins our hosts to discuss all things drumming and play some of his inventive music. What makes Glenn’s drumming style so special is that it ranges from the avant-garde to the straight-ahead rock he does with Wilco. It’s always in service of the song. You can hear his solo songs “Monkey Chant” and “Projections of (What) Might” during the show, and check out the full version of “Monkey Chant” (all 15 minutes of it) here.
7 After playing for a bit, Glenn gives our hosts a little tour around his kit. Some of Glenn’s toys include crotales, a glockenspiel, contact mics (which amplify and alter the drum sounds), and a superball mallet (or half of it). The drummer also has a prepared snare drum which is affixed with different springs and wires, similar to a John Cage prepared piano. He also stole his wife’s fruit basket, which the two received as a wedding present. But, perhaps the most exciting and unusual percussion instruments that Glenn uses are light-sensitive toy crickets that anyone can pick up in Chinatown.
8 Glenn, Jim and Greg’s discussion ends with a conversation about some of the best (and worst) rock drummers. Some of their favorites include: Mo Tucker of the Velvet Underground, Meg White of the White Stripes, Elliott Smith, Levon Helm of The Band, and Keith Moon of The Who (despite the accusations of overplaying).
9 This week listeners get a rare treat—double Desert Island Jukebox picks. Both Jim and Greg pick their favorite drum tracks. Jim goes first and explains that if you asked any drummer to pick out his favorite, they’d most likely point to John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Bonham is known for his amazing power, but Jim notes that he is also remarkably subtle and soulful. This is particularly evident in the song “Dancing Days.” During the song, listen to where Jim points out what makes Bonham so special. And then check out his own drumming abilities.
10 Greg moves away from the rock arena for his pick. He loves soul, R&B and funk drumming, specifically that heard in James Brown’s music. Brown doesn’t ask everyone to “give the drummer some” for nothing. You’ll hear that command, not one, but six times, is “Cold Sweat.” Greg explains that the song also marks a turning point in Brown’s music where everything became focused on the groove. The horns, guitar, and even Brown’s voice mimicked the sound and rhythms of the drums. The drummer in this case is Clyde Stubblefield, who is one of the most sampled drummers in music history, and for good reason. Stubblefield’s drum solo in “Cold Sweat” is not just rhythmic, but melodic, and is one of the only drum solos that you can actually dance to. And for that reason, Greg takes it with him to the desert island.
Songs Featured in Show #42
Arctic Monkeys, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor," Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, 2006
Isley Brothers, "It"s Your Thing," Timeless, 1979
Diddy, "Diddy," The Saga Continues, 2001
Justin Timberlake, "My Love," FutureSex/Love Sounds 2006
Justin Timberlake, "Love Stoned/I Think She Knows (Interlude)," FutureSex/Love Sounds 2006
Justin Timberlake, "Sexy Back," FutureSex/Love Sounds 2006
Glenn Kotche, "Monkey Chant" Mobile, 2006
Glenn Kotche, Mobile, "Projections of (What) Might," 2006
Wilco, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, 2002
Wilco, "Spiders (Kidsmoke)", A Ghost is Born, 2004
Velvet Underground, "Heroin," The Velvet Underground & Nico, 1967
The White Stripes, "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," White Blood Cells, 2001
Glenn Kotche, "Mobile Pts. 1, 2, and 3" Mobile, 2006
Led Zeppelin, "Dancing Days," Houses of the Holy, 1973
Credits: James Brown, "Cold Sweat," Papa¹s Got a Brand New Bag, 1965
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