"Long Hot Summer Comin' On"...
Better believe it!
To quote a song title from Larry Kirwan and Black 47.
To be honest it's nothing to get really all that excited about. The fact, not the song. The song is great! But, I don't have to tell you...the winter's are getting a little too cold and the summer's are getting a little too hot. Don't know what else to tell you. Heck, it's not even summer yet and it's been plenty hot already. Oh wait, it’s currently cool again.
Not sure what we can do about it.
Maybe keep cool with some tunes? There's always that.
I do find the weather worrisome in recent years and I don't think I'm alone in that regard.
But you didn't come here to chat about the weather, did you? No, of course not.
Music is pretty good at getting our minds off things. So, what should we talk about?
Have you heard anything good lately? Did you make it over to your favorite local record store for Record Store Day? Did you find that vinyl or CD you were looking for? Do you have any plans to make it to a music festival or two this summer? Or just any concerts in general?
What artists have you been spinning around your turntable lately? I still find it a little hard to believe that vinyl is as popular as it is in this day and age. I mean, hey, I get it. It sounds great! But, with all of our space age technology flying around, you can't really get much more retro than a vinyl record and a turntable. Trust me, I'm not knocking it. In fact, I love it! But, it does still surprise me to a degree.
I made it out to Record Store Day mainly because I was looking for a CD of Bruce Springsteen's new RSD exclusive EP. I did not find it. In fact, I didn't see it at all. I heard the store only got 15 copies max and that all the participating stores could only order about 15 at most. So, I didn't come up with the goods. And I got to the store about 30 minutes early. That was obviously not early enough as there was already a huge line formed in the back parking lot. As I finally worked my way through the line I got to the outside patio which was filled with all the RSD exclusives. Only one row was for CD's. All the rest were vinyl albums. There were probably about 20 rows worth. So, that's what everybody is in line for! Yes, vinyl is back in a big way and people are gobbling it up. One not so small thing of note though...the price of vinyl? Well, let's just say, new vinyl isn't exactly $9.99 a pop as it was back in the 70's and 80's. Now, because the pressings are remarkably limited compared to what they were in the vinyl heyday, prices are more around 20 to 30 bucks a pop with albums often split into two vinyl discs. That's obviously a significant increase in price for new vinyl even if the sound is of a higher quality. Yet, collectors are still going gaga (vinyl gaga...not radio gaga) for the crisp sounds of the needle in the groove. Of course, you can still find plenty of used vinyl for about 5 bucks a pop or so. There's a 'whole' lot of used vinyl around. That's because everybody got rid of it. But, what comes around goes around...dig? Did I just quote Ratt? Pretty sure I did. Anyhow, listening to music, live or recorded...it's truly one of the great pleasures in Life. Is it not?
Please stop by The Crossing on Facebook. Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingMusicMovies
Just click on the 'like' button and away you go.
A foolproof sonic experience that will keep you up to date with today's goings-on in both Music and Movies. Mostly Music to be honest, but I do occasionally post movie related stuff...trailers and cool articles. I send out the recent music performances from the various late night shows such as Letterman, Fallon, Kimmel, Myers, Daly, occasionally some morning shows if they have anybody of note on. I post recent videos of artists appearing in the list, some are picked at random, always searching for groups that are making a splash of some sort...doesn't have to be the biggest splash...really just any splash. I also pick out an artist of the week and put up the latest album cover and a killer photo of the ascribed artist! Right now I have Tori Amos up. Before her it was Natalie Merchant. And before her I had Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. And before them I believe it was John Wesley. And, before them I had a picture of…well, you get the idea. It may be named after one of the greatest debut albums of all time, (Big Country; 1983.) but The Crossing is here to keep track of the new and the current. That's the idea. So come on by. Stay for as long as you like. Conversation and feedback are very welcome!
Now, on with the show...
Recently released and not mentioned in last edition:
* Bruce Springsteen - American Beauty EP
* King’s X - Out of the Silent Planet (Remastered reissue.)
* The BoDeans - Amped Across America: Live 2012
* David Byrne - Who is William Onyeabor? (A Nigerian artist.)
* The Choir - Shadow Weaver
* Scars on 45 - The Sun, the Moon and the Truth EP
* Sean McCann - Help Your Self
* Lizzie Weber - S/T
* Magnolia Summer - The Hill or the Climb
* Hurray for the Riff Raff - Small Town Heroes
* Lydia Loveless - Somewhere Else
* Jamestown Revival - Utah
* Lindsay Katt - Picking Out Boxes
* Amanda Shires - Down Fell the Doves
* Scott Miller - Big Bad World
* Robert Ellis - The Lights from the Chemical Plant
* The Shilohs - S/T
* Lambchop - Nixon (reissue.)
* Paperbird - Rooms
* Tristen - Caves
* Superchunk - Indoor Living (Deluxe.)
* Tonya Gilmore - Phantoms Fill the Sky
* Cate Le Bon - Mug Museum
* Dent May - Warm Blanket
* Matt Campbell - No Tattoos
* Rod Melancon - Parish Lines
* Ryan Joseph Anderson - Albion
* Martin Van Ruin - Every Man a King
* Kate Miller-Heidke - O Vertigo
* Washed Out - Paracosm
* Moon Taxi - Mountains Beaches Cities
* Pretty Little Empire - S/T
* San Fermin - S/T
* Eternal Summer - The Drop Beneath
* Divino Nino - Pool Jealousy
* Guerrilla Swing - Under the Catalpa Trees
* Thumpers - Galore
* Dead Rider - Chills on Glass
* Bible Belt Sinners - Sunday Best
* The Map Room - S/T
* No Sinner - Boo Hoo Hoo
* Staggering Mutineers - Friends Lovers Rivals
* Courtney Barnett - The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
* Parker Millsap - S/T
* Broken Anchor - Fresh Lemonade
* The Colourist - S/T
* The Eagulls - S/T
* The Strypes - Snapshot
* Night Terrors of 1927 - Guilty Pleas EP
* Doug Johnson - Notes to Self
* Better Than Ezra - Live at Jazzfest 2013
* Drivin N Cryin - Songs for the Turntable EP
+ Girl Rising
+ Oldboy
4/1
* Will Kimbrough - Sideshow Love
* John Wesley - Disconnected
* Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line
* Carrie Newcomer - Permeable Life
* Robert Cray - In My Soul
* Kaiser Chiefs - Education, Education and War
* The Used - Imaginary Enemy
* Manchester Orchestra - Cope
* Band of Skulls - Himalayan
* Johnny Two Bags - Salvation Town
* Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else
* Inventions - S/T
* Christina Perri - Head or Heart
* Matt Andersen - Weightless
* Jon Langford - Here Be Monsters
* S. Carey - Range of Light
* Leon Russell - Life’s Journey
* Nathaniel Rateliff - Falling Faster Than You Can Run
* Chevelle – La Gargola
* Lacuna Coil - Broken Crown Halo
* Magnum - Escape from the Shadow Garden
* Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual (Deluxe.)
* Brothers & Sisters - Dylan’s Gospel
* Ronnie James Dio Tribute - This is Your Life
* Jackson Browne Tribute - Looking Into You
* Charlie Daniels Band - Off the Grid: Bob Dylan Tribute
* M83 - ‘You and the Night’ soundtrack
+ Brian May & Kerry Ellis - Candlelight Concert: Live in Montreux 2013
+ Anchorman 2: the Legend Continues...
+ 47 Ronin
+ Once (Blu-ray.)
4/8
* Katie Herzig - Walk Through Walls
* Carlene Carter - Carter Girl
* The Honey Trees - Bright Fire
* Mirah - Changing Light
* Faint - Doom Abuse
* Asia featuring John Payne - Recollections (British covers.)
+ The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
+ August: Osage County
4/15
* Needtobreathe - Rivers in the Wasteland
* Justin Currie - Lower Reaches (Del Amitri front man.)
* Rodney Crowell - Tarpaper Sky
* Ingrid Michaelson - Lights Out
* Matthew & the Atlas – Other Rivers
* Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love
* Woods – With Light and with Love
* Afghan Whigs - Do to the Beast
* The Both - S/T (Aimee Mann and Ted Leo project.)
* Emerson Hart - Beauty in Disrepair
* Dan Wilson - Love Without Fear
* Bobby Bare, Jr. - Undefeated
* Ziggy Marley - Fly Rasta
* Lillian Axe - One Night in the Temple
* H.E.A.T. - Tearing Down the Walls
* Jack Bruce - Silver Rails (Deluxe.)
+ Billy Bragg - Live at Union Chapel
+ Philomena
+ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
+ Great Expectations
+ The Invisible Woman
+ Copperhead
+ Grudge Match
+ Black Nativity
+ The Nut Job
+ Paranormal Activity: the Marked Ones
4/22
* The Rainmakers - Monster Movie
* Eels - Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett
* Keb Mo - Bluesamericana
* Bailiff - Remise
* Tears For Fears - Ready Boys and Girls (import.)
* Black Prairie - Fortune (Members of The Decemberists.)
* The Menzingers - Rented World
* Neon Trees - Pop Psychology
* Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s - Sling Shot to Heaven
* Augustana - Life Imitating Life
* Sebastian Bach - Give Em Hell
* Winger - Better Days Comin’
* Joe Satriani - Complete Studio Recordings Box
* Paul Stanley - Face the Music: A Life Exposed (Memoir.)
4/29
* Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - The Independent
* The Old 97’s - Most Messed Up
* The Pixies - Indie Cindy
* Wye Oak - Shriek
* Ben Watt - Hendra
* Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots
* The Currys - Follow Up
* Jackopierce - Live 25
* Howlin’ Brothers - Trouble
* Tommy Malone - Poor Boy
* Pink Mountaintops - Get Back
* Brigitte DeMeyer - Savannah Road
* Dave Keller - Soul Changes
* Rodrigo y Gabriela - 9 Dead Alive
* Edguy - Space Police
* Saliva - Rise Up
+ Toto - 35th Anniversary Tour: Live in Poland
+ Gimme Shelter
+ Labor Day
+ The Best Offer
+ Gloria
+ The Legend of Hercules
+ Devil’s Due
5/6
* Natalie Merchant - S/T (First all original new album in 13 years.)
* Sarah MacLachlan - Shine On
* Jill Sobule - Dottie’s Charms
* Imogen Heap - Sparks
* Luka Bloom - Head & Heart
* Ben and Ellen Harper - Childhood Home (Mother and son.)
* Michael Sweet - I’m Not Your Suicide (Solo album) and Honestly: My Life and Stryper Revealed (Memoir.)
* Santana - Corazon
* Michael Stanley - The Job
* Brian Eno and Karl Hyde - Someday World
* Ray LaMontagne - Supernova
* Roddy Frame - Seven Dials
* Fiona Bevan - Speak to Strangers
* Kina Grannis - Elements
* Caitlin Park - Sleeper
* Nikki Lane - All or Nothin’
* Jenny Scheinman - The Littlest Prisoner
* Lily Allen - Sheezus
* Young Magic - Breathing Statues
* Paws - Youth Culture Forever
* Romona Lisa - Arcadia
* Matrimony - Montibello Memories
* Atmosphere - Southsiders
* Papercuts - Life Among the Savages
* The Tune-yards - Nikki Nack
* Lykke Li - I Never Learn
* People Under the Stairs - 12 Step Program
* Tiny Ruins – Brightly Painted Ones
* The Rails - Fair Warning
* South Rail - Stars EP
* Eden Brent - Jigsaw Heart
* Gruff Rhys - American Interior
* The Horrors - Luminous
* Liam Finn - Nihilist
* Kyng - Burn the Serum
* WAMI - Kill the King
* Morning Parade - Pure Adulterated Joy
* Black Stone Cherry - Magic Mountain
* David Byrne and Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love (Soundtrack.)
+ Still Mine
+ Veronica Mars
5/13
* The Black Keys - Turn Blue
* Tori Amos - Unrepentant Geraldines
* Michael Jackson - Xscape (Lost album.)
* Eleanor McEvoy - Stuff
* Swans - To Be Kind
* Joseph Arthur - Lou (Lou Reed tribute.)
* Walter Martin - We’re All Young Together (Walkmen’s singer.)
* The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Days of Abandon
* Mad Caddies - Dirty Rice
* Westerlies - Wish the Children Would Come On Home
* Mirah - Changing Light
* Guided By Voices - Cool Planet
* Bane - Don’t Wait Up
* Dylan Gardner - Adventures in Real Time
* Amen Dunes - Love
* Megson - In a Box
* Douglas Dare - Whelm
* Nick Mulvey - First Mind
* The Trouble with Templeton - Rookie
* Midnight Faces - The Fire is Gone
* Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
* Wovenhand - Refractory Obdurate
* Weatherbox - Flies in All Directions
* Reformers - Abolish
* Django Django - Late Night Tales
* Structures - Life Through a Window
* Mimicking Birds - Eons
* Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke
* Rascal Flatts - Rewind
* John Mayall - A Special Life
* La Sera - Hour of the Dawn
* Sylvan Esso - S/T
* Sean Nicholas Savage - Bermuda Waterfall
* Beaty Heart - Mixed Blessings
* Patrick Park - Love Like Swords
* Kris Delmhorst - Blood Test
* Emily Kinney - Expired Love
* Esme Patterson - Woman to Woman
* Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Axels & Sockets
* Michael W. Smith - Sovereign
* Blondie - 40: Greatest Hits (Deluxe.)
* Killer Be Killed - S/T
* Everclear - Very Best Of
* Dio - Live in London 1993
* The Who - Live Concert Series
+ Her
+ I, Frankenstein
+ Stalingrad
+ That Awkward Moment
5/20
* Coldplay - Ghost Stories
* Conor Oberst - Upside Down Mountain
* Brody Dalle - Diploid Love
* California Breed - S/T
* Jolie Holland - Wine Dark Sea
* Dex Romweber - Images 13
* Spoon - No Silverware
* Plaid - Reachy Prints
* Jon Hassell - City: Works of Fiction
* Neil Schon - So U
* Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Goin’ Home
* Phillip Phillips - Behind the Light
* Brian Jonestown Massacre - Revelation
* Smoke Fairies - S/T
* Copeland - Because I’m Worth It
* White Sea - In Cold Blood
* Trans Am - Volume X
* Flaming Lips - 7 Skies H3
* R.E.M. - Unplugged ‘91-’01: Complete Sessions
* Nirvana - In Utero 2013
* War - Evolutionary: Greatest Hits
* Oasis - Definitely Maybe (Deluxe.)
* Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl (Deluxe.)
+ Billy Joel - A Matter of Trust: the Bridge to Russia 1987
+ The Monument’s Men
+ Pompeii
+ 3 Days to Kill
+ About Last Night
+ In Secret
+ Vampire Academy
5/27
* Neil Young - A Letter Home
* Sharon Van Etten - Are We There
* Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis - Our Year
* Owen Pallett - In Conflict
* John Illsley - Testing the Waters
* Amy LaVere - Runaway’s Diary
* Crowder - Neon Steeple
* Moe - No Guts No Glory
* Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
* Babes - S/T EP
* Mark Jones - Breaking Even
* Hundred Waters - The Moon Rang Like a Bell
* Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare
* Zoe Muth - World of Strangers
* The Ready Set - The Bad and the Better
* They Might Be Giants - Idlewild: A Compilation
* Nels Cline - Macroscope
* John Fullbright - Songs
* Jerry David DeCicca - Understanding Land
* Haunted Hearts - Initiation
* Ghost Wolves - Man Woman Beast
* Buffalo Killers - Heavy Reverie
* This Wild Life - Clouded
* Watter - This World
* Unisonic - For the Kingdom EP
* Marty Friedman - Inferno
* Lillian Axe - One Night in the Temple: Live
* KISS - 40: Best Of
* Helix - Bastard of the Blues
* Deep Purple - Made in Japan (Deluxe.)
* Tommy Bolin - Zephyr (Deluxe.)
* Nektar - Remember the Future (Deluxe.)
* Nils Lofgren - Face the Music (Box.)
+ Endless Love
6/3
* Joe Henry - Invisible Hour
* Ethan Johns - Reckoning
* Bob Mould - Beauty & Ruin
* Echo & the Bunnymen - Meteorites
* Peter Murphy - Lion
* Paul Weller - More Modern Classics
* Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Run
* Camper Van Beethoven - El Camino Real
* Matisyahu - Akeda
* Nazareth - Rock N Roll Telephone
* Robert Francis - Heaven
* Hamilton Leithauser - Black Hours
* The Pierces - Creation
* Curtis Harvey - The Wheel
* Lucy Hale - Road Between
* Sunny Pompeii - Vinegar
* Panama Wedding - Parallel Play
* Birdy - Fire Within
* Fu Manchu - Gigantoid
* John Doe - Best of
* Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal
* The Orwells - Disgraceland
* Rich Robinson - Ceaseless Sight
* Hurtsmile - Retrogrenade
* Led Zeppelin - I,II,III (Deluxe editions.)
* Soundgarden - Superunknown (Deluxe.)
* Stevie Ray Vaughn - The Fire Meets the Fury: 1989 Radio Broadcasts
+ Son of God
+ Lone Survivor
+ Robocop
6/10
* Jack White - Lazaretto
* Chrissie Hynde - Stockholm
* First Aid Kit - Stay Gold
* Tesla - Simplicity
* Night Ranger - High Road
* Mary Gauthier - Trouble and Love
* O.A.R. - The Rockville LP
* Cowboy Mouth - Go
* Rival Sons - Great Western Valkyrie
* Big Wreck - Ghosts
* Passenger - Whispers
* Jim Keller - Heaven Can Wait
* Hollie Cook - Twice
* Craft Spells - Nausea
* Ghost Town - The After Party
* Alexis Taylor - Await Barbarians
* Tiny Victories - Haunts
* Mike Rosenberg - Whispers
* Royal Tusk - Mountain
* Stagnant Pools - Geist
* Dirty Loops - Loopified
* Memory Map - The Sky as Well as Space
* The Fresh & Onlys - House of Spirits
* Say Anything - Hebrews
* Glass Animals - Zaba
* Rebelution - Count Me In
* Kasabian - 48:13
* Uriah Heep - Outsider
* Clutch - Earth Rocker (Deluxe.)
+ The Who - Quadrophenia: Live in London
+ Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
+ Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
+ Non-Stop
+ Omar
+ Tim’s Vermeer
+ Visitors
+ The Secret Lives of Dorks
6/17
* David Gray - Mutineers
* Willie Nelson - Band of Brothers
* James - La Petite Mort (import.)
* Linkin Park - The Hunting Party
* The Mastersons - Good Luck Charm
* Felice Brothers - Favorite Waitress
* Antlers - Familiars
* Sam Smith - In the Lonely Hour
* The Forest and the Trees - Mission
* Hiromi - Alive
* Vanna - Void
* Amity Affliction - Let the Ocean Take Me
* The Nighthawks - 444
+ The LEGO Movie (Awesome!)
+ The Attorney
+ Ernest & Celestine
+ Joe
6/24
* Anberlin - Lowborn
* Ed Sheeran - X
* The Babys - I’ll Have Some Of That (New lineup.)
* Mastodon - Once More ‘Round the Sun
* Phish - Fuego
* Bad Suns - Language & Perspective
* Peter Matthew Bauer - Liberation
* Speak - Pedals
* Bernhoft - Islander
* Vacationer - Relief
* A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Sea When Absent
* Cassie Blanton - Not Old Not New
* Peter Frampton - Hummingbird in a Box
* Eric Johnson - Europe: Live
* Ace Frehley - Space Invaders
* Corrosion of Conformity - IX
* Jackson Browne - Late for the Sky (Deluxe.)
+ Peter Gabriel - Back to Front: Live in London
+ A Hard Day’s Night (Blu-ray.)
+ The Grand Budapest Hotel
+ Blood Ties
+ Enemy
+ Repentance
+ Rob the Mob
+ Winter’s Tale
+ 300: Rise of an Empire
7/1
* Old Crow Medicine Show - Remedy
* Jim Lauderdale - I’m a Song
* Mark Kozelek - Live at Biko
* Red Wanting Blue - Little America
+ Elton John - The Million Dollar Piano
+ Ride Along
7/8
* John Mellencamp - Trouble No More: Live at Town Hall
* Manic Street Preachers - Futurology
* Lucky Peterson - I’m Back Again
* Fink - Hard Believer
* Cloud Boot - Model of You
+ Bad Words
+ Le Weekend
7/15
* John Hiatt - Terms of Surrender
* Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls
7/22
* Kix - TBA
7/29
* Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Hypnotic Eye
* Angus & Julia Stone - S/T
* Marc Broussard - A Life Worth Living
* Imelda May - Tribal
* Eric Clapton - The Breeze: Tribute to J.J. Cale
8/5
* The Empty Hearts - S/T (Members of Blondie, The Cars, The Romantics.)
8/12
* Neil Bryden - Wayfarer
* Sinead O’Connor - The Vishnu Room
9/1
* Bill Mallonee - Winnowing
LYRICS of the MONTH:
“Ain't no gift like the present tense
Ain't no love like an old romance
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin'
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Slammin' this door with a heavy hand
Signin' this line like a deed to land
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go
Always tryin to be the one outlaw
Goes where he wants never does get caught
Pushing this line like the Lord ain't comin'
Building this house like they're scared of something else
Be my winter in this living hell
Be my one last dying wishing well
oh well
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go
Got'sta make hay when the sun is shinin
Can't waste time when it comes time to dance
Keeping in touch with the windows down
Dreading this night since the rain hit the ground
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
That piece you can find
That part is the whole
It never lets go
Long live the heart
Long live the soul
That knows what it wants
No matter how far
How heavy this load
It never lets go.”
Needtobreathe, the song “The Heart” from their 5th album Rivers in the Wasteland.
At the Grand Ole Opry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehg6edt7qo0
Official video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Yo99VjE2o
On Letterman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY0mgqK154U
On Ellen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPMaqBF1ORM#t=17
On CBS This Morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y10MU5uEy4
Discussing Rivers in the Wasteland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7jbqxruhZ0
There are a few other clips to be found ;-) This is the lead-off single off the album. The whole album is really, really good. Check it out if you haven’t already and definitely go see them in concert if they come by your way.
Stay cool or should that be warm?
Chris
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.