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06-12-09 Footnotes
Show 185: Townes Van Zandt with guest Steve Earle, Reviews of Phoenix & Black Eyed Peas
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1 It may have been many years since you last thought about The Lemonheads, but they are making news this week. Lead singer Evan Dando is suing General Motors over what he claims is the unauthorized use of his song “It’s a Shame About Ray,” in two commercials. Jim and Greg don’t hear an alarming similarity, but regardless, they wonder if this is really the best time to be suing GM? Check out the ad for yourself.
2 Blues singer Koko Taylor died last week at the age of 80. Taylor was a longtime Chicago music icon, but as Greg explains, her influence was far-reaching. She was from the last generation of blues performers to have deep connections to the South. Initially Taylor didn’t have a lot of confidence in her singing ability, but she developed one of the most bold voices and personas Jim and Greg have ever experienced. Through her partnership with Chicago’s Alligator Records, Koko Taylor defined the Chicago blues sound and paved the way for female blues musicians. In tribute to her our hosts play “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
3 Jim and Greg are joined this week by musician Steve Earle**. Earle was a guest on Sound Opinions last year. This time around it’s not his own music he wants to talk about, but rather that of friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt. Earle recently released an album of Van Zandt songs called Townes. He believes that the Texan ranks up there with the best American songwriters. He wrote what he knew, and for the most part, that was himself. Earle blames alcohol for his mentor’s demise, and hopes this album exposes that great catalog of songs to more people.
**To see Steve Earle in a different light, check out this video.
3b A lot of people have heard of Townes Van Zandt, but not as many have actually heard him. Following their discussion with Steve Earle, Jim and Greg highlight two songs voiced by Townes himself: “Tecumseh Valley,” which illustrates the songwriter’s tragic, but beautiful melodies, and “Pancho and Lefty,” which reevaluates the myth of the West.
4 The Black Eyed Peas are hard to miss these days. After releasing a slew of hit albums and singles, they are back with The E.N.D. and its hit song “Boom Boom Pow.” Jim was concerned that Will.I.Am had lost his touch after producing a number of failures for other artists. But the self-professed fan is happy to hear that the raps and beats are as silly as ever. He calls The E.N.D. a great summer album and gives it a Buy It. Greg compares the songs on this record to other frothy one hit wonders like “Who Let the Dogs Out.” He admits the bubblegum formula is successful, but would never want to listen to an entire Black Eyed Peas album. He gives The E.N.D. a Trash It.
5 Another new summer pop album is by the French band Phoenix. Their 4th album is called Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. That title and their song “Lisztmania” may give listeners the impression that this is a cerebral record. That impression would be wrong, however. For Greg this is a perfectly sequenced, filler-free pop record that combines disco with new wave. For Jim it’s an entrancing album from start to finish. Both hosts give the new Phoenix a Buy It.
Songs Featured in Show #185
The Lemonheads, "It's a Shame About Ray," It's a Shame About Ray, 1992
Koko Taylor, "Let The Good Times Roll," Deluxe Edition, 2002
Koko Taylor, "I'd Rather Go Blind," Deluxe Edition, 2002
Steve Earle, "White Freightliner Blues," Townes, 2009
Steve Earle, "Pancho and Lefty," Townes, 2009 Live on Sound Opinions
Steve Earle, "Brand New Companion," Townes, 2009
Steve Earle, "Marie," Townes, 2009
Townes Van Zandt, "Cocaine Blues," Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas, 1977
Townes Van Zandt, "Marie," No Deeper Blue, 1995
Steve Earle, "Lungs," Townes, 2009 Live on Sound Opinions
Steve Earle, "Colorado Girl," Townes, 2009
Townes Van Zandt, "Tecumseh Valley," Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas, 1977
Townes Van Zandt, "Poncho and Lefty," Pancho, 1996
Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow,” The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies), 2009
Black Eyed Peas, “Party All the Time,” The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies), 2009
Phoenix, “19:01,” Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, 2009
Phoenix, “Lisztomania,” Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, 2009
Phoenix, “Love Like a Sunset Part I,” Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, 2009
DJ Kaos, “Love the Nite Away (Tiedye Remix),” 2009
Blondie, "Call Me," American Gigolo, 1980
Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive," Love Tracks, 1979
Minutemen, "Do You Want New Wave or Do You Want The Truth," Double Nickels on the Dime, 1984
Donna Summer, "I Feel Love," I Remember Yesterday, 1977
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