Badinger's "Baby Blue"

Here’s my weekly reminder to listen to Sinking with Sylvia (and Sometimes Todd) on Little Radio tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Tomorrow they don’t have a guest, but they do have a theme – the 7” show.

Each week I give you a reminder to listen and also write about one of my weekly selections on the show. On 12/13 they did their best of 2007 and my pick was Okkervil River. I’ve already written enough about them, so I’m going to skip that. They were on vacation until 1/10/08, but I was preoccupied with family matters and didn’t make a pick that week, which brings us to the show on my birthday, January 17th. My pick that day was Badinger’s “Baby Blue.”

When I was growing up I didn’t know the difference between Badfinger and Bad Company. I didn’t get into the band until a good friend of mine played those long lost Pete Ham solo records for me in the late 90s. It was an odd entry point to the band, but better late than never. I pretty quickly tracked down Magic Christian Music, No Dice, Straight Up and Ass. I’ve been listening to them a lot lately because for Christmas my girlfriend tracked down the out of print biography of the band, Without You – The Tragic Story of Badfinger by Dan Matovina. The excellent VH-1 Behind the Music on the band (which they don’t air anymore) had piqued my interest.

As the title of the biography suggests, Badfinger’s story is one of the most tragic in rock history. The band members were the victims of disorganized labels (Apple), naive personal managers (Bill Collins) and extremely unscrupulous business managers (Stan Polley) and bad girlfriends/wives. The band never developed a strong enough identity for themselves. After signing to Apple and having a hit with McCartney’s “Come and Get It” they couldn’t shake the Beatles comparisons. Then Harry Nilsson had a #1 hit with their song, “Without You.” Management is stealing from them, lawsuits abound and a new record deal with Warner Bros. led to ridiculous pressure. For a sensitive guy like Pete Ham, it was just too much and he hanged himself in 1975. His best friend and band mate Tom Evans followed eight years later. The book is well researched and thorough and a really interesting read for fans (although it's a hefty read).

Fortunately for us, Ham and the rest of Badfinger left behind a strong catalog of songs. Capitol put out an excellent introduction to the band called, The Very Best of Badfinger which is a great introduction to the band. I tend to prefer to the Pete Ham songs, but Tom Evans wrote a few gems too. Ham’s “Baby Blue” is probably my favorite Badfinger track. I was re-watching Scorsese’s The Departed the other day and noticed its inclusion. I really like those Ham post-humous released too. “Catherine Cares” kicks off 7 Park Avenue and gives you insight into the kind of guy Ham probably was. It’s such a sweet song about his mom. “Just Look Inside the Cover” is another standout about outward appearances and racism.

Badfinger Myspace page (fan site but you can stream "Baby Blue")
Badfinger performing "Baby Blue" on TV (from YouTube)

New Music Releases 2/5/08

Another week and a few reasons to make it out to the record store. The release of the week for me is the Kelley Stoltz, but the School of Language album was a nice surprise.

Things I've heard:

Basia Bulat: Oh, My Darling (Rough Trade) – The Canadian singer has already gotten a following in Canada and the UK. The All Music Guide compares her to Natalie Merchant, which is a decent enough description. Live at the Hotel Café on 2/19/08

Dead Meadow: Old Growth (Matador) – These guys relocated to LA a while back and this is their fifth album. Once again, the All Music Guide nails it, saying it sounds like a blues-rock version of Spiritualized. It’s probably their mellowest record yet. Download "I'm Gone" and "What Needs Must Be" Live at the Echoplex on 2/5/08

Devastations: Yes, U (Beggars Banquet) – These Aussies have a dark sound along the lines of Nick Cave and the Tindersticks.

School of Language: Sea from Shore (Thrill Jockey) – This is the new band from David Brewlis who was the lead singer of Field Music. It veers from more experimental, heavily looped tracks to more sedate, acoustic tracks. Some of the tracks have a Shudder to Think, TV on the Radio vibe while other tracks sound like good old fashioned guitar pop. At the heart of it all is good songwriting and a strong sense of melody. Recommended.

Kelley Stoltz: Circular Sounds (Sub Pop) – Kelley Stoltz’s last album was my record of the year in 2006. I haven’t spent enough time with this one yet to tell you if it’s as good as Below the Branches, but my first impression is that at least half of the songs stand up. The Brian Wilson and Ray Davies influences are still there. The first single, “Your Reverie” has more of a garage rock vibe and even has the line “I would gladly let you set the scene” which I’m pretty confident is a reference to Love, not this blog. You can stream the record from his Myspace page. Highly recommended. I do have a gripe though. Apparently Sub Pop decided that it wasn't economically feasible to sell this one on vinyl. They had the decency to license it to Cass Records, who do a nice job (gatefold), but you won't get a digital download.....
Download "Your Reverie"

Other Releases:
Jason Collett (Troubadour on 3/17), Hot Chip (Coachella 4/26), k.d. lang, Lightspeed Champion, Bob Mould (El Rey 3/25), Nada Surf (The Fonda 3/19 – tour with the Little Ones), Ocrilim, Dax Riggs, Samamidon, Say Hi (Spaceland 3/21), Sons & Daughters (Coachella 4/27), Assassination of Jesse James soundtrack (Nick Cave and Warren Ellis), Nigeria Special compilation

For more new releases check out Largehearted Boy's POST

Los Angeles Live Music Options 2/4/08 - 2/10/08

The Pity Party - That's What Friends Are For

I made it out to a couple of shows last week before getting violently ill. The Radar Bros. show at the Echo was a great time. Most of the eastside music scene was in attendance to pay its respects. I’ll post some photos to my flickr account soon. I also made it out for the Peter Moren show at the Hotel Café. It was pretty sparsely attended which is a shame because that guy’s really charismatic and writes great songs. I forgot my camera, but Pitchfork has photos HERE. I’m still way too sick to go out tonight, but hopefully I’ll feel better by mid-week.

Monday 2/4/08
[Recommended] Vampire Weekend @ Amoeba (Free) – 7:00 PM – Their show at the El Rey next month is already sold out…
[Recommended] The Henry Clay People / Le Switch / Coco B’s / The Natural Disasters @ the Echo (Free) – The Henry Clay People are one of my favorite LA bands these days. Their new EP should be available at the show tonight. It’s well worth picking up. You should already know how I feel about Le Switch too.
[Recommended] The Pity Party / The Happy Hollows / Light FM / Rademacher @ Spaceland (Free) – The Pity Party kick off their residency with a very strong lineup. The Happy Hollows can’t be too far away from doing their own residency, as they’ve already been handpicked by the Silversun Pickups to open shows. We gave away a couple of tracks from Rademacher’s most recent album late last year.
[Recommended] Benefit for Matt Cronk of Qui @ Cha Cha Lounge – Another one of our local musicians has massive medical bills after a long stay in the hospital due to heart problems. Tonight Paul the Guy will be hosting Matt’s karaoke night at the Cha Cha. If you can’t make it out tonight, try contacting Matt or Paul on Myspace to see if you can donate some other way.
[Recommended] Jim, Son of James @ the Scene (Free) – Jim from Helen Stellar
Robert Francis @ Silverlake Lounge (Free) - I'm hearing good things about Francis.
Rickie Lee Jones @ Echoplex ($25 seated / $20 standing)
Carla Bozulich @ Pehrspace
The Karabal Nightlife / Kissing Cousins @ Bordello ($5)
Idyllyst / Icarus Line / Ungdomskulen @ Viper Room ($10 or free with RSVP to VR’s Myspace)
[POSTPONED] Hot Chip @ El Rey [POSTPONED]
The Stevenson Ranch Davidians / The Digs @ Mr. T’s Bowl (Free)

Tuesday 2/5/08
[Recommended] Black Mountain / Howlin’ Rain @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Vancouver’s Black Mountain have a new album on Jagjaguwar which is a good bit of proggy, Acid rock. Download “Tyrants”
[Recommended] Dead Meadow / Midnight Movies @ Echoplex ($15) – This is the record release party for the (newly) LA band. Old Growth comes out on Matador tomorrow. Download “What Needs Must Be” and "I'm Gone"
Blue Cheer @ Knitting Factory ($15) – Very influential hard/acid rock band. Their first album, 1968’s Vincebus Eruptum was their best. Probably unfortunate their playing the same night as Dead Meadow and Black Mountain.
Artichoke @ Bordello ($5)
The Harpeth Trace / Kind Hearts & Coronets @ Safari Sam’s ($5)
Jesca Hoop @ Hotel Café ($10) – Nic Harcourt favorite

Wednesday 2/6/08
[Recommended] Le Switch / Frankel / Blair / The Weather Underground @ Silverlake Lounge ($8) – Presented by the Aquarium Drunkard. I’m a big fan of Frankel’s album from last year and I still haven’t seen him live. Le Switch is a favorite. Blair recently moved here from New Orleans.
Club NME: Ungdomskulen / Minipop @ Spaceland ($8)
Gran Ronde / Bloodcat Love / Wartapes / Bigbang @ Bordello ($8)
Willoughby @ Tangier ($10)
Lukas Haas / Biirdie @ the Roxy ($10)
[Recommended] Buddy @ Hotel Café ($10)
Velvet Revolver @ Wiltern
Limbeck @ Knitting Factory Alterknit ($12)
The Donnas @ Crash Mansion ($18)

Thursday 2/7/08
[Recommended] The Entrance Band / Tweak Bird / Mountain Party @ Silverlake Lounge ($13) – A couple of local heavy, psych, acid rock bands I haven’t seen yet.
The Kooks / The Morning Benders @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – British buzz band.
[Recommended] Blood on the Wall / Afternoons / Anders and Woods @ Spaceland ($8) – Blood on the Wall is a well respected 90’s style indie rock band from Brooklyn (by way of Lawrence, KS). Afternoons has four of the guys from Irving.
Ceci Bastida @ Bordello ($10)
Lilys /Magic Mirror @ the Echo ($10)
The Gourds @ Safari Sam’s ($14)
Ironworks Music Showcase: Rocco Deluca / Honey Honey / Billy Boy on Poison @ the Roxy ($13.50) – Ironworks is the label that Kiefer Sutherland runs.
Macy Gray @ Hotel Café ($20)
Blunt @ Wiltern
Summer Darling / Twilight Sleep / You Me & Iowa @ Charlie O’s in the Alexandria Hotel
Limbeck @ Knitting Factory Alterknit ($12)

Friday 2/8/08
[Recommended] Super Furry Animals / Holy Fuck / Abe Vigoda @ Echoplex ($18)
The Kooks / The Morning Benders @ the Echo (Sold Out)
Rhett Miller / Jennifer O’Connor @ Troubadour ($20) – The Old 97’s frontman.
Rumspringa / Bad Dudes @ the Scene
Wyclef Jean @ House of Blues ($35)

Saturday 2/9/08
Editors / Hot Hot Heat / Louis XIV @ the Wiltern
Robyn @ Troubadour (Sold Out)
[Recommended] Holloys / Tigers Can Bite You / Shiloe @ Spaceland
I See Hawks in LA @ El Cid ($10)
Mixhell @ the Echo
Crystal Antlers @ the Scene
Bipolar Bear @ the Smell
T-Pain @ House of Blues

Sunday 2/10/08
Oliver Future / 5 O’Clock Somewhere @ Hotel Café
Electrocute / The Lady Tigra @ Spaceland (Free)
Alex and Sam @ Tangier ($10)
Kid Congo Powers @ the Echo ($5)
Wyclef Jean @ House of Blues ($35)

New Music Releases 1/29/08

Several worthwhile releases last week.......

Things I’ve Heard:

The Helio Sequence: Keep Your Eyes Ahead (Sub Pop) – The Portland duo doesn't get much respect from the indie snobs. Pitchfork compared their last album to Dave Matthews and invoked Blues Traveler, which doesn't make any sense to me (although it does make more sense when you look at these Pitchfork writers' Myspace pages, personal blogs, poetry and see what kind of music they're into making). Helio Sequence is pretty good. They play dreamy,well constructed (mostly) electronic pop. You could easily hear a song like "Lately" or "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" in the background of a CW show and there's nothing wrong with that. They put on a powerful live show, which you can see at Spaceland on 2/26. Recommended for fans of the genre. Download “Keep Your Eyes Ahead”

Human Bell: Human Bell (Thrill Jockey) – This is Dave Heumann from Arbouretum and Nathan Bell from Lungfish. It's instrumental, largely acoustic music. I've been listening to it a lot while I work. Recommended for fans of the genre. Download "The Singing Trees"

Joe Jackson: Rain (Rykodisc) - This is Jackson with his original drummer and bass player. Jackson's a great piano player and writes really good songs. Sometimes it's nice to hear well crafted, professionally played music. I've been listening to this a lot more than I would have expected. See him at the Orpheum on May 13th. 

Radar Bros.: Auditorium (Merge) - I really like it and already wrote a long review of this record. See it here. 

Thao: We Brave Bee Stings and All (Kill Rock Stars) - Her voice is similar to Chan Marshall's (Cat Power) but her music is more upbeat and easy to listen to. See her at the Echo on 4/11. Download "Bag of Hammers" and "Beat (Health, Life, Fire)"

Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (XL Recordings) - There are few people in this world I identify with and care about less than east coast, prep school types. Vampire Weekend have been getting buzz for almost two years and I couldn't be bothered with them. Just the site of them in their Izod shirts and a glance at their song titles made my stomach turn a bit. When their publicist finally sent me their album a couple of months ago, I was very pleasantly surprised. It's the most immediately catchy indie pop to come along since those early Voxtrot and Little Ones songs. Hearing them sing about Wellesley girls, Louis Vuitton, Mansard roofs and oxford commas is still slightly annoying, but they more than make up for it with their catchy tunes. The fact that they're able to incorporate ska rhythms and not make it completely awful is a feat in itself. Highly recommended for fans of indie pop.  See them live at Amoeba on Feb. 4th or at El Rey on 3/20 or Coachella on 4/25. 

Local Interest:
[LOCAL] Beck: Odelay [Deluxe Edition] (Geffen) 

Other Noteworthy New Releases:
The Blind Boys of Alabama, Dub Trio, Ida, Jeffrey Lewis, Louis XIV, Shelby Lynne, The Mars Volta, Willie Nelson, Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie), Xiu Xiu, Classic African American Gospel compilation

KCRW News

The fine folks over at KCRW are in the middle of their winter pledge drive. Please take the time to call in or donate online. Some of those premiums they offer are pretty great and if you're like me and spend $100/month on DirecTV, then what's $50 or $100 a year to KCRW? We're lucky to have one of the most influential stations in the country in our backyard. If guilt's not enough, consider the value. They constantly do ticket giveaways that are only available to KCRW members, so you'll probably get your donation back in free stuff.

In other KCRW news, they've announced their SXSW showcase. The show takes place Wednesday March 12th from 8PM to 2AM and features You Set the Scene's friends Division Day as well as Duke Spirit, Ting Tings, Salt & Samovar, Goldspot and Jesca Hoop.

The station also recently announced a series of intimate benefit shows at the Malibu Performing Arts Center. The first of these shows will take place on April 24th with Sia (who, these days, lives part of the year in Echo Park). Tickets go on sale to KCRW members only on March 18th.

And check out what blog they have listed in the Music Resources link on their website. How nice of them.