Saturday, January 28, 2012

Gary Clark, Jr.


If you've not heard of this guy yet, do yourself a favor and check out this NPR broadcast he did at the end of 2011.  Gary is a super smooth and talented guitarist with an outstanding voice.  He pulls off some gritty, raw blues of all styles with success.  He's got an EP out, and "Bright Lights" is a bad ass song.


Monday, January 23, 2012

The End?

Hello all.  I know I'm probably pretty late with this, but I just noticed all my links through megaupload are now dead.  It actually looks like all of megaupload and mediafire are dead as of now.  So, I'm using this post to inform the four people that check this blog that all of the links I've posted are down.

In the meantime, I'll continue to share new tunes and artists via whatever outlets are available (youtube, etc...). 

Peace for now.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

New Old Van Halen!


While I was on my Van Halen kick, I ran across this new gem, just released last year (or possibly 2010).  I think this is from the Diver Down tour.  It's a fairly rough live recording, but better than some bootlegs I've heard.  Especially good for the time 1983 or 1984 or so if it's the Diver Down tour. 

The quality is okay.  It definitely captures the energy of an early-eighties Van Halen show.  Dave forgets some lyrics and the band gets a little loose at times, but overall I really dig it.  Don't expect a polished, live recording or performance, but do expect rockin' Van Halen tunes and a hell of a good listen.  Hell, I'm listening to it for the second time as I post this.

Track listing:

Romeo Delight
Unchained/Drum Solo
The Full Bug
Runnin' with the Devil
Jamie's Cryin'
So This is Love
Little Guitars
Dancing in the Street
Somebody Get Me a Doctor/Girl Gone Bad/I'm So Glad
Dance the Night Away
Secrets
Everybody Wants Some
Ice Cream Man
Pretty Woman
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

A Different Kind of Truth


Van Halen - Tattoo from Van Halen on Vimeo.

So, back in the day I was the biggest Van Halen fan.  I mean crazy.  I loved both eras of Van Halen, and then in college, when "III" came out with Gary Cherone, I really started drifting.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love Cherone's voice, and I really dug Extreme at times, but I thought the Van Halen shit was weak.  Not just vocally, but the album just never really came together for me.  And, it wasn't from a lack of trying.

Now, with David Lee Roth back as the frontman, and Wolfgang "Wolfie" Van Halen on bass (I don't know the story with Michael Anthony, but rumors suggest he was ousted to provide a spot for little Wolfie) the band is back with a new album dropping February 7th.  I'm excited.  If for no other reason than my guitar hero will be putting out some new music. 

So, in the mean time, check out the new single "Tattoo".  I will keep my opinions about it to myself for now, but I'd love to hear some feedback from any Van Halen or Van Hagar fans, and see what you think.


Saturday, January 7, 2012

El Camino



Good morning.  And a Happy New Year to all who check out this blog.  I hope 2012 is as full of great music as 2011.

Today, I bring you the latest by The Black Keys.  Overall, rockin' band (if you haven't heard of them yet), and this one seems to pick up for me where Brothers left off.  Their sound has been in constant evolution, but they seem to have a good formula to fall back on.  If you like fuzzy, dirty blues rock with a catchy, pop sensibility, then give this a shot.

I guess my main negative about this album is the damn Chrysler-looking minivan they use for the cover photo when the album is called El Camino.  One article said the van was the same type they toured in and with back in the early days.