Forgot to say that I'm now posting a lot of stuff at my new Trader Rock tumblr.
Here you'll find photos, extra videos, MP3s, and reblogs of other stuff I find interesting or cool. Having fun with the more social, sharing elements of the tumblr platform. Check it out.
When You're Strange, Tom DiCillo's 2009 feature on The Doors, is not your typical recent-vintage rock doc. filled with interviews from random talking heads.
Rather, this film is largely comprised of original footage of the band and its charismatic lead singer and focal point, Jim Morrison. Johnny Depp narrates as the film follows the group's formation and early days through to the recording of their studio albums, live shows, and not-infrequent controversies.
There's some valuable discussion of the group's musical influences, from Sinatra and the blues to fellow L.A. rockers, The Byrds and Love. I especially enjoyed this aspect of the film, as the legacy and influence of their Sunset Strip contemporaries is sometimes overlooked.
Does anyone remember this Loud Lucy single? This came out when I was about 16, back when the Chicago alternative rock scene was speeding through a minor post-Pumpkins gold rush.
Had to check the production credits to find the name of Brad Wood - I recall that he was the local producer of note at that time, having worked with Liz Phair and other Chicago notables.
This single has that sound of your friends' now-seasoned senior year band, shined up with a bit of mid-'90s production gloss. Takes me back.
Interesting sidenote: Amazon includes a review from Jim Dero, who notes the band's debut album was originally recorded with Jack Endino, but scrapped as it was "too polished"(!). That's not a tag I expected to be hung on the engineer of Nirvana's Bleach and the first Thrown-Ups album.
Been on an Ozzy kick this week and had to post this great documentary on the 30th anniversary of Ozzy's classic first two solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman.
There is some great footage of Ozzy and friends listening to album tracks and looking back on the making of these classic records which helped launch Osbourne's solo career.
Unfortunately, this clip totally glosses over the musical contributions of his rhythm section and album co-writers, Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake. It's disappointing, but no big surprise given the history of lawsuits and fighting over unpaid royalties and missing songwriting credits on these records.
While the original rhythm tracks have rightfully been restored to the 30th anniversary album remasters, it seems the Osbourne camp preferred to focus on Ozzy's and Randy Rhoads' musical legacies for this retrospective.
Having said all that, the spotlight on Randy Rhoads' playing is incredible, and you can see that Ozzy & Co. are all still floored by Rhoads thirty years on. Just watch Ozzy's reaction to the studio outtakes and you'll see the amazement in his face, eyes bulging out behind the purple shades.
I'm still amazed as well. Enjoy the music and the footage.
Want the albums? Click the links above for the 2011 remaster editions.
Interviews and recording clips provide a look back at the music and influence of The Smiths in this Under Review series documentary. Kick back and enjoy.
Beautiful and dark, both in tone and subject matter, Grant Gee's 2007 documentary Joy Division is a must see for rock fans and pop culture enthusiasts.
The film traces the group's development back to its roots in decaying, post-industrial Manchester and the punk scene that grew from its bleak, urban center.
Of course, as we now know, 1977 became 1978 and punk soon morphed into post-punk. Joy Division were at the vanguard of this new style and, following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980, have been forever ingrained as the leading light of the post-punk period.
As Tony Wilson explains:
"Punk had enabled you to say, "Fuck You." But somehow it couldn't go any further...
...Sooner or later, someone was going to want to say more than fuck you. Someone was going to want to say "I'm fucked". It was Joy Division who were the first band to do that."
Now in the early part of the 21st century, Joy Division are seen as one of the most influential and important groups since the Sex Pistols. This is the story of how they got there, and how the world we live in has changed since that time.
Just completed: Trader Rock playlist volume 4, a non-stop collection of hits from your favorite rock n' roll jukebox.
Press play and you'll have tunes for days. A great selection of continuous play rock whether you're in party or work/chill mode. All chronologically mixed from our last 100 blog posts.
Some of the artists and groups you'll find in Vol. 4: The Byrds, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Suzi Quatro, David Bowie, Sun Ra, Os Mutantes, Roxy Music, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Cure, Orange Juice, Rocket From The Tombs, Guns n' Roses, Nikki Sudden, Jeff Buckley, and Suede.
I've been totally lax in mentioning these playlists on the blog, as evidenced by the fact that we're already on number four and this is the first post in which I've mentioned them. Click the playlist link above to hear the full 100 song list (YouTube's embedded playlists cut off at 50 songs) and check out our Trader Rock YouTube channel for more.
Charlie Rose recently interviewed singer & writer, Patti Smith about her latest book and her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
While I've never been particularly interested in Patti Smith's music, having regarded her in the past as more of an NPR icon and a safe figurehead of New York punk, I really enjoyed this interview.
Smith comes off as a really cool person, and it's great to hear her talk about her early days in New York and the bond that grew between two young artists.
She also tells some nice stories about her late husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith (of the MC5), the nature of celebrity, and some of the great musicians and artists she came to know as a young singer living in New York.
Here's the famous cover photo from Patti's debut album, Horses, that Mapplethorpe shot. Story behind the photo is also revealed. It is a great image.
Trader Rock. Rock n' roll jukebox for traders, investors, and other free spirits. Dig it. Got a suggestion or request? Want your song taken down? Email me or leave a comment.
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