To cover a Led Zeppelin song is like turning a Stephen King’s book into a movie- many have tried, but only a few have succeeded to have the same impact as the original. Godsmack (what a horrible name,) a hard rock band from Massachusetts just released a cover version to Good Times Bad Times, the 1969 Zepp hit. And (with the words of my dear wife,) I have to say, they are doing a pretty good job. Not since Minimal Compact gave their on interpretation to Immigrant Song in the mid 80’s, that I’ve heard a good Led Zeppelin cover version. And don’t talk to me about Tori Amos, cause her covers all sounds just the same!
Hope that it’s Suzanne Vega. At 48, the fiery chanteuse, is just as much a force as she ever was. Back with her new album Beauty & Crime, the subject matter, 9-11, focuses on the sadness and the rebuild of New York in the time since September 11. The album plays more like an ode to New York. Its single, “Frank & Ava” true to its title is a happy tune about New Jersey native and NY icon Frank Sinatra and his lover, actress Ava Gardner. The SF Gate gave the album a thumbs down, but I like to give Suzanne the benefit of the doubt. As a native New Yorker who’s spend the good part of her life there, I think that Vega’s emotional IQ and intelligence naturally lend herself to this project. In an effort to celebrate Suzanne’s legacy, listen to the song that made her a star, or a name to contend with, at the very least.
by Scott Register
I love Kim Richey. Freaking love her. Love her engaging personality, her witty demeanor, her talent as a songwriter and that voice, oh that voice. Few things sooth my ears and soul like the sound of Richey’s voice. It brings a peace to me like the sound of listening to my two little boys breath as they sleep. Her ability to capture a moment in time and tell an epic tale in three and a half minutes is second to none. For all those reasons, I am incredibly happy that she is back with her latest offering (the first in many years mind you), Chinese Boxes (Vanguard).
This past Sunday, Kim came down to the studio from Nashville armed with her guitar, wit and voice and I sat across the console from her with a shit-eating grin on my face that I believe still hasn’t been wiped off. If you would like to check out her performance, go here and click on her link. You will not be disappointed.
While you are there, be sure to give a listen to Adam Hood’s set from the same Reg’s Coffee House program. Adam is one of my favorite Alabama artists, hailing from Auburn/Opelika, and his music makes me want to pull out my shit-kickers, pack a fat cat in my lip and suck down ice cold Buds while I shoot pool with my runnin’ buddies. He is a honky tonker’s honkey tonker and a damn good cat to boot. His debut CD, Different Groove was recently released on Pete Anderson’s Little Dog Records and Anderson even produced it. If you want to hear the sound of the road, and the roadhouse for that matter, give it a listen.
Alright, so I just got back from a whirlwind 10-day tour – 24 hours with the family back in Bama, a couple of days at a little festival in Tennessee, 32 label meetings over the course of 5 days in NYC. And a chance meeting with Mickey Dolenz at a private party for Duran Duran.
What new stuff did we learn this time? Not a damn thing – everyone that still has a job is still kickin’ it, albeit with more challenges and smaller budgets. Sure, there was plenty of gossip, rumors, and speculation, but I’ll leave it up to Billboard to report the facts. However, talk of chain retailers behaving badly and trying to demand – not negotiate, but basically EXTORT fatter margins and better dating terms from the distributors – deserves some Woodward & Bernstein-style investigative reporting. Ugly stuff.
But while listening on the plane home to two of my top 10’s for 2007 from THE SHINS and WHITE STRIPES -– both incredible albums, signs of true artists at the top of their game — I suddenly realized that both of these bands started up exactly TEN YEARS AGO. Then I thought, “Hmm, that’s an odd coincidence. Is this true with other bands?” So I looked it up, and it holds true with a lot of modern musicians – Metallica by METALLICA? Ten years. OK Computer by RADIOHEAD? Ten years. Out of Time by R.E.M.? Ten years. Play by MOBY? Ten years. Blood Sugar Sex Magik by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS? Ten years (alright, closer to nine). Hell, even All the Right Reasons by NICKELBACK – ten years! Read More…
How was Bonarroo? You went didn’t you? Oh, if I had a dime for every time I have been asked that question I would be adding on to my house next week. But alas, I did not go this year. As a matter of fact, I didn’t go last year. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Roo and I miss it dearly but since they moved their dates to the same weekend as my beloved hometown festival City Stages (www.citystages.org).
City Stages is no Bonarroo, it doesn’t pretend to be. At the same time, City Stages is something Bonarroo isn’t, it is a celebration of civic pride and a way for a town plagued by it’s ghosts and the sins of our fathers, to show the world that this isn’t the city some in our country think it is. While I missed seeing the incredible music at The Roo (Except for The Police. I have talked to a few dozen folks who attended and inevitably the first thing out of their mouth’s is “The Police sucked!” That’s a shame. I will just keep my memories of the Ghost In The Machine tour and avoid their latest incarnation.). I did get to see a city rally to show how much it cares about a festival that in its 19 year history has had its ups and downs but continues to prove its relevance to Birmingham. Read More…
“Once” Soundtrack (Canvasback Records) – Glen Hansard (front man for Irish rockers The Frames) and Marketa Irglova have put together what will easily be my Soundtrack of the year and as emotionally invigorating and inspiring a collection of songs as I have heard in some time. As good as the Soundtrack is, it is even more compelling after you view the film. I highly recommend checking out both. Standout tracks include “When Your Mind’s Made Up”, “Falling Slowly”, “Trying To Pull Myself Away”, “If You Want Me”, and “Once”. In a world of pre-packaged corporate bullshit and hype, this music and film cleanse the pallet and quince the purist’s thirst.
Rocky Votolato “The Brag and Cuss” (Barsuk) – Between this CD and Willy Mason’s “If The Ocean Gets Rough” (Astralwerks), modern folk music is alive and well. Votolato continues to impress me with his old soul, thought provoking lyrics, and ease on down the road melodies and this is by far his greatest collection of songs.
Amy Winehouse “Back To Black” (Universal Republic) – Yes, I am still enamored with this CD and if you haven’t noticed, Winehouse is creating a quiet storm by selling a whole lot of CDs every week under the radar. Sure, there is some hype, but I don’t think there is enough and I kind of like it that way. While everyone else is “STILL” worried about and obsessed with first week sales numbers, Winehouse steadily is selling 30K to 50K a week and the momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing. Gotta love an artist development story like this one. Isn’t that what music
is supposed to be about?
John Doe –“A Year In The Wilderness” (Yep Roc) – Like a fine Cabernet, Doe just gets better and better with age and this is his BEST solo record to date. Throw in duets with Kathleen Edwards ( “The Golden State” is a perfect song), Jill Sobule and Amie Mann, and X is alive an well and sounding as fresh as ever. I love cheering for this guy and nothing makes me happier than when a new CD from him shows up on my desk. Go John Doe Go!
I’m From Barcelona “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (Mute) – I might have mentioned before that I was late coming to the party on this one as it got lost in a sea of promos but better late than never in this case as it is going to be one of my favorite releases of the year. I’m a sucker for great pop music and this Swedish collective has made one of the smartest, infectious, rollicking pop records of the decade. If you can sit still while listening to this CD and not sing along and shake your ass then I feel for ya. Pure pop goodness as its finest. Don’t miss out on this one.
Hope that it’s Suzanne Vega. At 48, the fiery chanteuse, is just as much a force as she ever was. Back with her new album Beauty & Crime, the subject matter, 9-11, focuses on the sadness and the rebuild of New York in the time since September 11. The album plays more like an ode to New York. Its single, “Frank & Ava” true to its title is a happy tune about New Jersey native and NY icon Frank Sinatra and his lover, actress Ava Gardner. The SF Gate gave the album a thumbs down, but I like to give Suzanne the benefit of the doubt. As a native New Yorker who’s spend the good part of her life there, I think that Vega’s emotional IQ and intelligence naturally lend herself to this project. In an effort to celebrate Suzanne’s legacy, listen to the song that made her a star, or a name to contend with, at the very least.
by Scott Register
by 
How was Bonarroo? You went didn’t you? Oh, if I had a dime for every time I have been asked that question I would be adding on to my house next week. But alas, I did not go this year. As a matter of fact, I didn’t go last year. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Roo and I miss it dearly but since they moved their dates to the same weekend as my beloved hometown festival City Stages (
By DJ Scott Register aka Reg of