Trader Rock

The Teardrop Explodes - Reward

2012-01-24T19:26:00.000-06:00

The Teardrop Explodes - Reward.

Trader Rock Tumblr

2011-12-22T21:05:00.000-06:00

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.

Crack the Sky - Nuclear Apathy

2011-12-16T17:17:00.000-06:00

Crack the Sky - Nuclear Apathy.

Hat tip to my friend Randy at Bear Mountain Bull.

Deep Feeling - To a Lady in Black

2011-11-25T12:47:00.000-06:00

Deep Feeling - To a Lady in Black.

Vanilla Fudge - Where Is My Mind

2011-11-20T09:03:00.001-06:00

Vanilla Fudge - Where Is My Mind.

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

2011-11-17T18:07:00.003-06:00

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up.

Gang Starr - Gotta Get Over

2011-11-16T17:28:00.000-06:00

Gang Starr - Gotta Get Over.

When You're Strange: The Doors documentary

2011-11-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

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.

You can watch the film here or rent/buy it via Amazon.com, if you prefer.

Check out these extra interviews with Robby Krieger and John Densmore at PBS' American Masters webpage. Ray Manzarek was also fond of the film, which he felt got The Doors' story right.

Def Leppard - Let It Go

2011-11-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

Def Leppard - Let It Go.

If you liked this, check out the full album playlist: High N' Dry.

Black Sabbath - Back Street Kids

2011-11-01T19:30:00.000-05:00

Black Sabbath - Back Street Kids.

Oasis - Supersonic

2011-10-25T17:00:00.001-05:00

Oasis - Supersonic.

Urge Overkill - Positive Bleeding

2011-10-24T07:58:00.001-05:00

Urge Overkill - Positive Bleeding.

Loud Lucy - Ticking

2011-10-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

Loud Lucy - Ticking.

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.

The Turtles - Elenore

2011-10-13T12:47:00.000-05:00

The Turtles - Elenore.

"Elenore, gee I think you're swell. Ah-haaa!"

Brian Eno - The True Wheel

2011-10-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

Brian Eno - The True Wheel.

Spacehog - In The Meantime

2011-10-06T12:19:00.001-05:00

Spacehog - In The Meantime.

Mother Love Bone - Bone China

2011-10-04T10:08:00.003-05:00

Mother Love Bone - Bone China.

Jobriath - Inside

2011-10-03T14:45:00.002-05:00

Jobriath - Inside.

Roxy Music - A Really Good Time

2011-09-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

Roxy Music - A Really Good Time.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Listen to Her Heart

2011-09-27T11:36:00.001-05:00

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Listen to Her Heart.

Big Star - September Gurls

2011-09-26T10:05:00.000-05:00

Big Star - September Gurls.

The English Beat - Save It For Later

2011-09-24T13:15:00.000-05:00

The English Beat - Save It For Later.

Nikki Sudden - Chelsea Embankment

2011-09-21T16:49:00.000-05:00

Nikki Sudden - Chelsea Embankment.

1919 - Caged

2011-09-17T22:22:00.002-05:00

1919 - Caged.

Ozzy Osbourne - Suicide Solution

2011-09-13T20:33:00.001-05:00

Ozzy Osbourne - Suicide Solution.

Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard of Ozz / Diary of a Madman documentary

2011-09-07T23:53:00.002-05:00

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.

Blackfoot Sue - Standing in the Road

2011-09-02T16:28:00.000-05:00

Blackfoot Sue - Standing in the Road.

The Clash - White Man In Hammersmith Palais

2011-08-24T22:45:00.000-05:00

The Clash - White Man In Hammersmith Palais.

Boytronic - You're The One Who Stays

2011-08-19T17:10:00.000-05:00

Boytronic - You're The One Who Stays.

OMD - She's Leaving

2011-08-16T14:59:00.001-05:00

OMD - She's Leaving.

The Sound - Winning

2011-08-15T18:57:00.001-05:00

The Sound - Winning.

Joy Division - Disorder

2011-08-10T15:26:00.004-05:00

Joy Division - Disorder.

The Monochrome Set - In Love, Cancer?

2011-08-09T18:23:00.000-05:00

The Monochrome Set - In Love, Cancer?

Suicide Twins - Sweet Pretending

2011-08-05T15:48:00.001-05:00

Suicide Twins - Sweet Pretending.

Mick Ronson - Angel No. 9

2011-08-03T22:35:00.000-05:00

Mick Ronson - Angel No. 9.

Velvet Underground - Rock and Roll

2011-07-29T14:33:00.003-05:00

Velvet Underground - Rock and Roll.

Hollywood Brats - Nightmare

2011-07-28T21:58:00.000-05:00

Hollywood Brats - Nightmare.

T. Rex - Teenage Dream

2011-07-25T22:37:00.001-05:00

T. Rex - Teenage Dream.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas - Heatwave

2011-07-20T14:38:00.001-05:00

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas - Heatwave.

The Hollies - Dear Eloise

2011-07-19T23:37:00.002-05:00

The Hollies - Dear Eloise.

Hanoi Rocks - Oil & Gasoline

2011-07-14T16:31:00.000-05:00

Hanoi Rocks - Oil & Gasoline.

Guns N' Roses - Yesterdays

2011-07-11T15:54:00.001-05:00

Guns N' Roses - Yesterdays.

Enuff Z'Nuff - New Thing

2011-07-07T16:05:00.002-05:00

Enuff Z'Nuff - New Thing.

Chicago boys and our late-stage entry to the 80's glam/hair-metal scene. Back when rock was silly, flashy, catchy, and fun.

Ramones - Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment

2011-07-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

Ramones - Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment.

The Stooges - 1969

2011-07-03T11:47:00.001-05:00

The Stooges - 1969.

Big Brother and the Holding Company - I Need a Man to Love

2011-06-29T15:23:00.001-05:00

Big Brother and the Holding Company - I Need a Man to Love.

Rolling Stones - Shine a Light

2011-06-27T15:43:00.000-05:00

Rolling Stones - Shine a Light.

Townes Van Zandt - Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel

2011-06-21T00:42:00.001-05:00

Townes Van Zandt - Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel.

The Cult - Brother Wolf, Sister Moon

2011-06-10T17:15:00.001-05:00

The Cult - Brother Wolf, Sister Moon.

My Chemical Romance - Cubicles

2011-06-06T14:05:00.002-05:00

My Chemical Romance - Cubicles.

At the Drive-In - Invalid Litter Dept.

2011-06-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

At the Drive-In - Invalid Litter Dept.

Seaweed - Losing Skin

2011-05-31T22:23:00.002-05:00

Seaweed - Losing Skin.

Stevie Nicks - Sleeping Angel

2011-05-27T15:08:00.003-05:00

Stevie Nicks - Sleeping Angel.

Love - August

2011-05-16T19:49:00.000-05:00

Love - August.

The Deviants - First Line (Seven the Row)

2011-05-13T22:39:00.002-05:00

The Deviants - First Line (Seven the Row).

The Five Day Week Straw People - Feel Like Having a Party

2011-05-12T00:36:00.002-05:00

The Five Day Week Straw People - Feel Like Having a Party.

July - Dandelion Seeds

2011-05-11T11:45:00.003-05:00

July - Dandelion Seeds.

Blondie - Rapture

2011-05-06T11:21:00.003-05:00

Blondie - Rapture.

Roxy Music - Ladytron

2011-05-03T22:03:00.003-05:00

Roxy Music - Ladytron.

Slade - Gudbuy T' Jane

2011-05-02T18:51:00.000-05:00

Slade - Gudbuy T' Jane.

Queen - Stone Cold Crazy

2011-04-28T15:25:00.000-05:00

Queen - Stone Cold Crazy.

Shoes - Okay

2011-04-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

Shoes - Okay.

The Chameleons - P.S. Goodbye

2011-04-24T22:14:00.001-05:00

The Chameleons - P.S. Goodbye.

OMD - Secret (Original 12" mix)

2011-04-22T16:07:00.002-05:00

OMD - Secret (Original 12" mix).

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

2011-04-14T17:03:00.001-05:00

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill.

Yacht - Healthy Student

2011-04-13T22:24:00.001-05:00

Yacht - Healthy Student.

Hole - Malibu

2011-04-09T14:07:00.001-05:00

Hole - Malibu.

Suede - Beautiful Ones

2011-04-06T18:07:00.002-05:00

Suede - Beautiful Ones.

Prime example of what I was saying earlier about Suede as a great singles band. Sharp video as well, no?

The Smiths - Under Review (documentary)

2011-04-04T18:50:00.004-05:00

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.

Related articles and posts:

1. The Smiths - Panic.

2. The Smiths - This Charming Man.

The Smiths - Panic

2011-04-02T17:03:00.001-05:00

The Smiths - Panic.

The Move - Fire Brigade

2011-03-30T12:35:00.000-05:00

The Move - Fire Brigade.

David Bowie - Bombers

2011-03-29T18:09:00.001-05:00

David Bowie - Bombers.

Nico - Nibelungen

2011-03-28T18:55:00.000-05:00

Nico - Nibelungen.

Joy Division - She's Lost Control (Peel Sessions 1979)

2011-03-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

Joy Division - She's Lost Control (Peel Sessions 1979).

The Cure - Primary

2011-03-22T22:16:00.001-05:00

The Cure - Primary.

My Bloody Valentine - Never Say Goodbye

2011-03-18T21:23:00.001-05:00

My Bloody Valentine - Never Say Goodbye.

The Accent - Red Sky At Night

2011-03-14T19:14:00.001-05:00

The Accent - Red Sky At Night.

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit

2011-03-07T20:42:00.002-06:00

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit.

Joy Division: Grant Gee documentary (2007)

2011-03-04T20:28:00.005-06:00

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.

Trader Rock playlist IV

2011-02-28T18:45:00.004-06:00

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.

Suede - Stay Together (Full version)

2011-02-25T15:10:00.000-06:00

Suede - Stay Together (Full version).

Nikki Sudden - Death Is Hanging Over Me

2011-02-24T14:18:00.000-06:00

Nikki Sudden - Death Is Hanging Over Me.

The Heartbreakers - It's Not Enough

2011-02-23T10:51:00.000-06:00

The Heartbreakers - It's Not Enough.

Guns N' Roses - My Michelle

2011-02-22T12:45:00.000-06:00

Guns N' Roses - My Michelle.

Rocket From The Tombs - Ain't It Fun

2011-02-21T15:53:00.000-06:00

Rocket From The Tombs - Ain't It Fun.

Destroy All Monsters - Nobody Knows

2011-02-17T10:01:00.000-06:00

Destroy All Monsters - Nobody Knows.

The Dogs - Teen Slime

2011-02-15T12:48:00.001-06:00

The Dogs - Teen Slime.

Milk N' Cookies - The Last Letter

2011-02-14T07:36:00.000-06:00

Milk N' Cookies - The Last Letter.

Brett Smiley - Solitaire

2011-02-11T14:48:00.000-06:00

Brett Smiley - Solitaire.

Richard Hell and the Voidoids - All The Way

2011-02-10T15:28:00.000-06:00

Richard Hell and the Voidoids - All The Way.

The Chronics - Test Tube Baby

2011-02-09T20:26:00.000-06:00

The Chronics - Test Tube Baby.

U2 - Saturday Night

2011-02-08T23:05:00.002-06:00

U2 - Saturday Night.

Love - Nothing

2011-02-02T18:38:00.001-06:00

Love - Nothing.

The Doors - Soul Kitchen

2011-02-01T19:04:00.001-06:00

The Doors - Soul Kitchen.

The Faces - Bad n' Ruin (Top of the Pops 1971)

2011-01-28T19:54:00.001-06:00

The Faces - Bad n' Ruin (Top of the Pops 1971).

Rod and the boys miming it on Top of the Pops, and having a real good time.

The Go - Capricorn

2011-01-26T12:15:00.001-06:00

The Go - Capricorn.

Patti Smith interview with Charlie Rose

2011-01-25T20:22:00.005-06:00

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.

Enjoy the interview.

Little Richard - Rip It Up

2011-01-22T11:08:00.002-06:00

Little Richard - Rip It Up.

Chuck Berry - Almost Grown

2011-01-21T09:32:00.001-06:00

Chuck Berry - Almost Grown.

The Turtles - You Baby

2011-01-20T12:26:00.000-06:00

The Turtles - You Baby.