"Alternates For Bill" : THE WEEKEND MIX

"Sal, with all the Deluxe packaging these days, will you please do a weekend mix of your all-time top 20 favorite alternate mixes?
Thanks,
Bill"

Sure Bill. How about 14? And what if they aren't my all time favorites, but at least alternates I really like...a lot? (Most of'em, anyway.)


It's not often I get requests that I want to honor or am able to do physically. So Bill, this one's for you.

TRACKLIST


Grapevine (Remix) Gladys Knight & The Pips
(This Questlove remix of the Motown classic couldn't be any funkier. I actually play this one and like this one more than the original.)

Such A Night (False Starts) - Elvis Presley
(I'm pretty sure I first heard this on Scott Muni's show long before outtakes and studio chatter became commonplace on reissues. Love hearing him instruct the band. Still a Top 5 Elvis song for me.)


You're So Good To Me (New Stereo Mix) - The Beach Boys
(Self-explanatory really. Just a big, bright, new stereo mix of a Beach Boys classic.)

Baby Blue (Single Mix) - Badfinger
(Todd Rundgren's production gets a bigger drum sound for the single mix.)

Dear God (Band Demo) - XTC
(Speaking of Todd, this is the pre-Todd demo of the "Skylarking" hit." Doesn't sparkle like the finished version, but worthy of inclusion nonetheless.)


Walking In The Rain (Rare Stereo) - The Ronettes
(The super-rare, and "super-irior" stereo version)

It's Different For Girls - Joe Jackson & Elaine Caswell
(Found on the b-side of JJ's "Stranger Than Fiction" single, this acoustic piano duet is a killer and truly one of my all-time favorites "alternates.")

Twilight (Alternate) - The Band
(I think this alternate works much better than the steel-drum infected single version.)

You Can't Resist It (remix) - Lyle Lovett
(The drums get pumped up, the tambourine gets louder, and the overall feel of this remix makes the album version seem flat.)

Lady Stardust (Demo) - David Bowie
(A piano and a double-tracked Bowie vocal. That's it.)

Alison (US Single Version) - Elvis Costello
(I know many who hate this version, but I am a sucker for harmony and strings.)

Once In A Lifetime (Extended) - Talking Heads
(Longer? Yes. Better? Don't think so.)

Bold As Love - Jimi Hendrix
(Longer? Yes. Better? HELL YEAH!!!)

Born To Run (Alternate) - Bruce Springsteen
(Interesting and maybe amazing. Decide for yourself on this one.)

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ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

See ya Monday with reviews of both Ray Davies and Roger Daltrey live (at least in Ray's case) in Times Square.

Really? The Olympics?

I'd like to think I know a little about music. How did this slip by me? I really thought it was an original tune by the Young Rascals. I found out yesterday that it was not.

Here are The Olympics with THEIR tune, "Good Lovin'."


And for good measure, a tune I had always associated with NRBQ, "The Same Old Thing," from one of the greatest records of all time, "NRBQ At Yankee Stadium," also...The Olympics.

My Morning Racket

"Yim Yames is the thinly veiled alias of Jim James, the guitar-playing frontman of My Morning Jacket. Although chiefly known for his work in that band, James played a wider role in indie rock during the early 21st century, appearing on albums by several artists (including Bright Eyes, M. Ward, America, and Bobby Bare, Jr.) while also pursuing a small solo career under the Yim Yames moniker. He made his solo debut with 2009's Tribute To, a short collection of George Harrison covers recorded shortly after the guitarist's death in 2001."

I think I've made it clear a number of times on these pages that I was not a fan of Jim James or his overrated band, My Morning Jacket. I mean, the records are worth some time, with the occasional tune offering something, but this band headlined Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve for Pete's sake. Really? This is how you want to ring in the new year? Packed (maybe) in a big hockey barn listenng to a gloomy indie band? Kinda makes Guy Lombardo's Waldorf gig seem like a dirty BBQ roadhouse hootenanny. And how the hell did they get THAT gig anyway?

Still, I find Jim James...uh...Yim Yames'"Tribute To..." E.P. fascinating. It has that low-fi, lazy approach that has always been the big turn off for me with indie bands. (I don't care how many pop gems Guided By Voices has recorded, their records sounds like shit.) But at the same time, the thin, "gloomy" approach makes these George Harrison songs almost sound as if Hank Williams could have recorded them.

Unzip and take a listen to "Behind That Locked Door" and "All Things Must Pass."

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And if that doesn't kill ya, there's always this.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date: 11/17/09

ELVIS COSTELLO- SPECTACLE SEASON 1- DVD

A music television highlight of this past year gets some pretty shabby treatment for its DVD release. From what I can see, only 4 unaired bonus tracks have been added from the dozen or so episodes that were filmed. That's a bit of a Momofuku to the fans, no? Anyone remember seeing the snippet of Elvis doing Elton's "Ballad Of A Well Known Gun" over the closing credits of Episode One? Well, that's here at least. Still, the entire season of this brilliant show is worth more than its weight in bonus features.







DAVID BOWIE- SPACE ODDITY 40TH ANNIVERSARY (2 CD EDITION)

Bowie's 1969 debut gets the big upgrade with new remastering and an entire CD of unreleased material, including early demos, stereo mixes and live BBC tracks. Not quite "there" yet, Bowie tries his hand at a few different styles of music on this debut, but most of it works. One of my favorites and certainly an underrated gem.







SHERYL CROW- TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB 2 CDs/1 DVD

The record that put Miss Crow on the map after years of paying her musical dues, gets the usual "bells and whistles" treatment applied to it. A bonus disc with unreleased material includes covers of Led Zeppelin & Eric Carmen, as well as a DVD of videos have been added. Nice package. (The CD set, that is.)










FALL OUT BOY- BELIEVERS NEVER DIE

This is a greatest hits collection. They've put out 4 records. Testing...testing...Is this thing on?







TIM FINN- NORTH/SOUTH/EAST WEST

2 CD retrospective of Split Enz founder and quirky older Finn brother, Tim, features songs from the Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers and his solo career, some newly recorded. Nicely done, me thinks.

FULL TRACK LIST

Disc: 1
1. I See Red
2. My Mistake
3. Poor Boy
4. Six Months In A Leaky Boat
5. I Hope I Never
6. Dirty Creature
7. Maybe
8. Stuff And Nonsense (New Recording Featuring Missy Higgins)
9. Fraction Too Much Friction
10. Made My Day
11. So Deep (New Recording)
12. How Am I Gonna Sleep
13. Not Even Close
14. Many'd The Time (In Dublin)
15. Persuasion
16. Into The Water
17. Nothing Unusual
Disc: 2
1. Weather With You (New Recording Featuring Neil Finn & Liam Finn)
2. How Will You Go
3. It's Only Natural (New Recording Featuring Bic Runga)
4. Underwater Mountain
5. Dead Man
6. What You've Done
7. Subway Dreaming
8. Angels Heap
9. Disembodied Voices
10. Luckiest Man Alive
11. Winter Light
12. Couldn't Be Done
13. Astounding Moon
14. Straw To Gold
15. Out Of This World
16. The Saw And The Tree
17. Light Years Away
18. Poor Boy (Instrumental)








NORAH JONES- THE FALL

Norah Jones dumped both her boyfriend and her band of 8 years, hooked up with some friends of Tom Waits and now releases the fruits of her new life. It's a slightly different sound for Norah and it's actually not bad. Her voice still rarely gets above a peep, but the songs and overall feel give "The Fall" and her career a welcome jolt. This is Norah Jones' "rock record." Still, I wouldn't be so quick to trade in your Bass Weejuns for some MC boots.







MADNESS - ONE STEP BEYOND (2 CD ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

You know the drill, kids. Remastered sound, unreleased tracks, b-sides, remixes, recipes, travel plans, super 8 footage of Suggs in Niagara Falls and more, all make this twice as exciting as the original release. At least this record is a classic.


FULL TRACK LIST

Disc 1

Audio:
1. “One Step Beyond”
2. “My Girl”
3. “Night Boat To Cairo”
4. “Believe Me”
5. “Land Of Hope and Glory”
6. “The Prince”
7. “Tarzan’s Nuts”
8. “In The Middle of the Night”
9. “Bed and Breakfast Man”
10. “Razor Blade Alley”
11. “Swan Lake”
12. “Rockin’ In Ab”
13. “Mummy’s Boy”
14. “Madness”
15. “Chipmunks are Go”

Video:
1. “The Prince”
2. “One Step Beyond”
3. “Bed and Breakfast Man”
4. “My Girl”
5. “Night Boat To Cairo”

Disc 2
1. “The Prince” (Peel Session)
2. “Bed and Breakfast Man” (Peel Session)
3. “Land of Hope & Glory” (Peel Session)
4. “Stepping Into Line” (Peel Session)
5. “One Step Beyond” ( 7-inch single version)
6. “My Girl” (Mike Barson demo)
7. “Mistakes” (B-side “One Step Beyond”)
8. “Un Paso Adelante” (”One Step Beyond” Spanish version)
9. “Nutty Theme” (B-side “One Step Beyond”)
10. “My Girl” (Ballad-Flexipop)
11. “Stepping Into Line” (B-side “My Girl”)
12. “Un Paso Avanti” (”One Step Beyond” Italian version)
13. “Deceives The Eye” (Work Rest & Play EP)
14. “The Young And The Old” (Work Rest & Play EP)
15. “Don’t Quote Me On That” (Work Rest & Play EP)
16. “Razor Blade Alley” (Live from “Dance Craze”)
17. “Night Boat To Cairo” (Live from “Dance Craze”)
18. “One Step Beyond” (Live from “Dance Craze”)







PAUL MCCARTNEY- GOOD EVENING, NEW YORK CITY

Paul has toured the USA 5 times as a solo act and each time has released a live document. "Wings Over America" is legendary and "Tripping The Live Fantastic" was just that, in that it had been 13 years since we heard Macca rock up the Beatles' catalogue. And boy, did he sound great. But since then, his repertoire hasn't changed that much, with the exception of the inclusion of some weak-ass new material, so the next two live sets, "Paul Is Live" and "Back In The U.S.," seem pointless, cute titles notwithstanding. This new 2 CD document of his historic CitiField stint, got a big ol' eyeroll from yours truly, but as a fan, I had to listen, and you know what, it's damn good! The band rocks, Paul sounds fantastic, and it's not that expensive. Stocking stuffer!!








JOHN MAYER- BATTLE STUDIES

Mayer is not a blues guitarist. He is not a jazz man. He is not a soul singer. He is not Burt Bacharach. He isn't even Babyface, yet he's tried on all those hats. He appeals to the tender souls who are frightened by the real thing. This is Mayer's attempt at big, pop radio. I just don't care for him. And what's with the cover of this CD? Who is he "The French Lieutenant's Woman?"








DAVID RAWLINGS MACHINE- A FRIEND OF A FRIEND

"The much anticipated debut album from Gillian Welch's secret weapon, David Rawlings, includes appearances by Morgan Jahnig (Old Crow Medicine Show), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers), Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes) and Karl Himmel (Neil Young), and of course, Gillian Welch. It's a coming out party for an unsung hero of American roots music, and it's on Acony."

I can't wait to hear this one.



On the other hand...





THEM CROOKED VULTURES- THEM CROOKED VULTURES

This is an unpleasant and colossal disappointment from John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. Don't tell him I said this, but I blame Josh Homme. There isn't a single song here. It's a series of 3rd rate Zep riffs being chugged out on top of Grohl's always powerful drumming, but it's Josh Homme's non-voice and even nonner personality fronting it all that stands out most. Bad.



NEW FROM THREADHEAD RECORDS

2 excellent new releases from the fan-funded, New Orleans inspired Threadhead Records Label:


PAUL SANCHEZ- FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE





Singer-songwriter Sanchez' offers up more than most on this autobiographical musical journey, as he tells stories about the inspiration behind the music, and mesmerizes the listener with his heartbreaking voice and heartfelt words. Each song is an engrossing slice of life and Paul Sanchez welcomes you into his world with the warmth and grace one expects from the great people of the great city of New Orleans.


A VERY THREADHEAD HOLIDAY





The impressive Threadhead roster of artists gets their yule logs on and delivers one of the finest Christmas CDs in recent memory. Susan Cowsill, John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Matt Perrine, Glen David Andrews, Shamarr Allen, Ingrid Lucia, Alex McMurray and more all contribute to this collection of mostly original tunes served up in a New Orleans style.


Remember, the names and titles of each CD are live links to Amazon, making your holiday purchases just one click away. (Did that sound like a Walmart commercial?)

And there's your lot.

"Try To See It My Way..."

"I always think it's amazing how two huge fans of the same artist could see the same show and have the opposite experience."

A friend, and Bruce Springsteen devotee said that to me during a discussion about the recent MSG stand. It amazes me as well, but I have always had a hard time understanding exactly why someone likes one thing and hates another. What's more difficult for me to understand is my need to understand. A particular instance where a family member had raved about Fountains Of Wayne's second album, "Utopia Parkway," but just about vomited his hatred for their debut in my face, led to a still ongoing moratorium on speaking to each other. (The records are not that dissimilar. I don't understand.)

As for the Bruce shows, my friend went on to explain how his friend didn't care for the live performance of "The River," which as you've read on these pages, I did. Here's what his friend said:

"...thought Bruce was holding back, some tempos were off, Bruce not giving his all. Thought Wreck On The Highway was the best. Thought Crush On You was a highlight."

Tempos were OFF? When has Max Weinberg's tempos ever been ON? "Wreck On The Highway?" It followed "Drive All Night." How could anything following "Drive All Night" be "the best?" "Crush On You?" What's wrong with this guy? Well...nothing. He also thought the final Giants Stadium show was the best in years. Might have been. I don't know, I wasn't there. (But I'm sure it wasn't.)

The discussion between me and my friend continued, now focusing on a mutual friend who, "loves Manilow and Manson, Neil Diamond and King Diamond, but just doesn't like Jimi Hendrix, Jazz, or Joni. He'd rather see John Mellencamp than Jimi Hendrix." Okay by me, and why shouldn't it be? There are people who aren't fans of the blues or reggae because they think it all sounds the same. It's not my place to inform them that they are wrong.

Speaking of wrong...

Has anyone heard Phish's recent Halloween performance of "Exile On Main Street?" It's the closest thing to sacrilege since Tony Curtis as Antoninus uttered "I soive da mastuh dat I look fuh." in Spartacus. Phish needs to be stopped. But that's just me.

I sent my friend a copy of the just released, Japanese only Jason Falkner album, which I like a lot. Her comment, "It sounds different than the stuff you've already sent me." Interesting to me since, a) I sent it to her because she loved what I had already sent her; a homemade compilation featuring the best (in my opinion) of his first 3 records and b) one of Jason's problems is that almost everything sounds the same. This new record is no different...at all. But that's not how she hears it. She also blew a gasket after I blew a gasket when she said she hated Hall & Oates. (She no longer does, but that's because she somehow managed to pull an "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" and got those MTV videos out of her head.)




Johnny Ramone once came into my store looking for a Canned Heat compilation. As it happened, I had two. One was priced at 7.99 and had ten songs. The other was priced at 6.99 and had 16 songs. He wanted the one for 7.99. "But Johnny," I exclaimed," this one is a remastered import with 6 extra songs for a dollar less." "Yeah," he honked, "but I only want these songs." I didn't see it then, but I do now. Does anyone prefer the "Director's Cut" of their favorite movie?

I've been a huge fan of David Bowie and Queen for as long as I can remember, and two people who I love & respect have a hatred for these artists that I find irrational and at times, lazy, though the person who hates Bowie has backed it up nicely with years of listening and fair and intelligent reasoning. I just don't agree. I wish I could say that about the other friend who hates Queen. Thankfully, he has plenty more going for him. (He's come around...a bit...to Hall & Oates.)

I'm accused, daily, of taking these musical opinions personally. (I admit to having a problem.) But...





Don't we all have friends who have expressed a dislike for say....sushi, then seconds later admitted they never tasted it? Can you honestly say you've never wanted the rational explanation whether discussing Eno or uni? It's not just me! (well...it is, a little) (OK, more than a little.) SHUT UP!

I was completely satisfied with my Bowie-hating friend's feelings. He explained it in gory detail. When discussing music, I need it explained to me in gory detail. I never tire of the discussion. Let's talk for as long as you want. Then, after a healthy chinwagging, if you still don't care for what you don't care for, we can move on. But until then, "I hate Queen!" is not good enough. As for my friend's friend who did not like "The River," I'm still on the fence about how I feel about his comments. He's a respected musician himself. He should know better. Then again, maybe I should know better. But honestly, what fun would that be?

One more thing--

I have a friend who has more Ben Folds in his iTunes library than Bob Dylan.

Rag Mama Rag

Thought I'd sneak this one in. It'll put (most of) you in a great mood.

"November" : THE WEEKEND MIX

Maybe some of you have been burned out by the bevy of Bruce bogging up Burning Wood blately. I know I haven't...been... but I anticipate some hate mail from a few of my loyal, but troublesome readers who seem to think that little north of the Alamo is worth their time. This "WEEKEND MIX" isn't really FOR them, but at least it's a step out of Freehold...for now.

No real theme here, folks. Again, it's just some stuff that kills me for one reason or another. It's posted so that maybe it might kill you. I mean that in the best possible way.

SOME HELP:

Susan Cowsill hosts a series at Carrolton Station in New Orleans called "Covered In Vinyl," where she and some friends perform a classic album in its entirety. Here she is, along with friends, Bangle & Drifter Vicki Peterson and the incomparable Paul Sanchez and this is from the Mamas & Papas' "If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears" night. (That's one long and f**ked up sentence.)

Rare solo single from Brian Eno, inspired by my long lost friend Chris Fish, who chose to post this on Facebook and remind me that Brian Eno used to be a likeable freak as opposed to an old, boring, bald freak.

I know very little about The Four Bags, but I saw them at one of the legendary downtown NYC "Loser's Lounge" shows. This one, a night of XTC. They performed this album cut and it left me limp.

Not sure where I got this Raconteurs cover by Corinne Bailey Rae. (Raconteurs cover--JEEZ)

The best Trash Can Sinatras track from their best album, their debut. Pop perfection.

Bobby & Ali, live on CMT's Crossroads.

A New Orleans fave, Jon Cleary, with his funky spin on The Valentinos classic, live for the BBC.

The inferior, original version of Prince's track and Sinead's hit. I actually despise this version. But it's rare, so it may please some of you.

The superior cover of the John Hiatt track by the sublime (at least on this song) Katy Moffat.

Put on your seatbelt and wait for 3:23 of this James Booker gem. (0:00- 3:22 ain't no bag of dirt either)

The Ervin Webb track is here because it needs to be here. You'll feel it. I have faith in you.

Did I forget anything?

Have a great weekend.


FULL TRACK LIST


Monday, Monday - Paul Sanchez, Susan Cowsill, & Vicki Peterson
Men Without Shame - Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Seven Deadly Finns - Brian Eno
Humble Daisy - The Four Bags
Steady As She Goes - Corinne Bailey Rae
Obscurity Knocks - Trash Can Sinatras
Black Dog - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
It's All Over Now - Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Flowers In The Window - Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop
Nothing Compares 2 U - The Family
Shoot The Moonlight Out - Garland Jeffreys
We Ran - Katy Moffat
Black Minute Waltz - James Booker
I'm Going Home - Ervin Webb
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Wilco

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