The Pink Spiders - Sleeping On The Floor

“Don’t let this room spin around my head.” This honestly should be a Friday night party song, because the story is about a heavy-duty hangover dream. “We were swimming in tequila, now we're sleeping on the floor.” No matter, the shouting and fun drums make this a Monday, wake up and face the week song for me. “We haven't had enough until we've had a little more.” I really don’t think I could handle this hi-energy pop’n’roll with a hangover. Not at my age anyway, but it’s a great, fun tune for folks of all ages. “I think I'm watching television, I'm not really sure.” The Pink Spiders

Tracy Chapman - Save Us All

“My God is good in the kitchen. Makes a good meal from bread and fish, and feed the hungry, pour the wine, everybody’s welcome to have a good time. Sit at his table, enjoy the food.” It’s great to find a kindred spirit who worships the same God I do. It’s my bet many in the world will rejoin the pack over the next few years, once the politicians tone down their rhetoric of hatred, and start enjoying the mass of differences created for all of us to enjoy. Thanks Tracy, for creating a song we can all hang onto. Shoutouts for Our Bright Future and Conditional. Tracy Chapman

The British Columbians - In The Leaves

“Here in the leaves of the fallen trees, my body’s breaking down on me. I pay no mind at all.” Good Sunday afternoon meditation material. Acoustic guitars surround the narrator, with some tasty fingerpicking. “Ain’t nobody know nothing ‘bout the way I feel right now.” The drums enter for the second verse and brings up the energy to a climax where we here “a lot of people go crazy, living in the past. Maybe I’m no different, I just can’t live like that.” The first shoutout tune is an instrumental tune, working for me as a place to contemplate on the issues presented in the leaves, The Rolling Tide. The second shoutout is a more traditional sounding By And By. Sure would like to hear these guys in a pub setting, though my bet is they’ll be playing much larger venues very soon. The British Columbians

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Marianne Faithfull - Black Coffee

This bluesy cut is a good introduction to the concept of this album. This Sarah Vaughn song is paired with Salvation by the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Seemingly not reconcilable. But on this intriguing album - covering everyone from the Decemberists to Judy Garland/Bessie Smith, from Brian Eno to Billie Holiday, from Randy Newman to Merle Haggard - Faithfull makes it work as a whole because of her unique artistry. The band helps to tie it all together, with some interesting guest stars. I truly cannot shout-out a specific cut on the album as a stand-out, because it works together as a whole. A worthy investment. Marianne Faithfull version 1 Marianne Faithfull version 2

Taj Mahal – Scratch My Back

“Chicken in the barnyard. Scratch scratch scratch scratch scratch!” Dancing shoes only, please. Funk galore, picture Taj dropping his deep folk roots into the lap of James Brown and you have Scratch My Back with a touch of Funky Penguin. Ouch! Reach those notes! “I’m itching, and I don’t know where to scratch. This album has a healthy share of must-have shoutouts. The regaae flavored Black Man, Brown Man, and the happy version of the oldie Diddy Wah Diddy are a good place to start. Fun party album. Taj Mahal

Meiko - Heard It All Before

“I’m so tired of staring at the wall”. Yep, we’ve heard it all before, but Meiko manages to bring a freshness to the concept that is relaxing and thought-provoking. There’s enough space in the song to allow for self-reflection. “I keep finding a little piece of me every time we disagree.” Shoutout for another thought provoker, How Lucky We Are. Meiko

Rita Engedalen - Where Does Everybody Go?

A voice that transcends ages, with songs that perfectly complement the angelic bluesiness. The guitar players flavor this meal gently, without overwhelming. The background choir enhances the gospel spices that sprinkle the entire CD. The narrator is considering the folks in her past and the way our modern world has us always on the move. It’s not horrible, as there are always new friends around the corner, but where does everybody go? The CD continues into a more shout-blues hump-day party album. Great fun, with lots to think about as I dance in circles! Shoutouts for Keep On Going, Lord Help The Poor And Needy, They Go From The North To The South, You Are The Light. Rita Engedalen

Conor Oberst - Sausalito

“There's no sorrow that the sun's not gonna help.” I quote lyrics a lot in this blog, because I love a good line, a story, something to catch onto to remind me I’m alive. I also read a lot of poetry, and have a tendency to separate song poems and literary poetry, mostly because the literature works more subliminally, using language to emote more than what’s being said on the page. Why bring all this up? What intrigues me about Conor is his imagery. I’ve listened over and over and will capture one image and dwell on it for awhile, enough to miss the rest of the song. Next time another image lingers. For example, in this song we go from a short story about Sausalito to an iceberg, then quickly to the pilgrims. It works on the level of poetry, bringing all these images into feelings that are extremely personal and self-satisfying. What intrigues me about this is the music is so good, and works. It doesn’t hurt that he’s very confident in his performance. I believe he means it, and even if I can’t pretend to understand the story, I understand the emotions I’m being moved to feel. Shoutouts for Get-Well Cards (“all the peacock people left the plumes in a pile”), and the powerful meditation Milk Thistle (“You bring peace to midnight like a spotted owl”).

A special note for the lovely tune Danny Callahan (“What gauge measures miracles?”), mostly because whether I’m right or not, seems to me to be about a young boy who died from cancer. That’s what I get from the lyric, one of the few I can follow as a full, deeply felt story. Sometimes when I listen to the album I’m feeling like this entire album is about Danny Callahan. There’s another key song, I Don't Want to Die In the Hospital, that enhances this thought for me.

Conors been on stage for many years now, and is a master at bringing the audience into his world. He manages to capture that fairly well on this new album, however his recent internet performance is absolutely mesmerizing. [LINK TO STREAM] I love this lyric from Nikorette: “I don’t want to go to your Mason lodge. There’s nothing more sad than a lynching mob full of rational men who believe in God.” I know exactly where that lyric comes from because I live in a very small town with 7 churches and a Mason Lodge. The men who are Lodge Members belong to these churches. I have acquaintances among them, most of them men who are not many years older than me. I always come away from the conversations extremely sad and confused. These men are proud of participating in some of the last lynchings that took place in Texas – right here in this ton and the next county over – in the 1970’s. I was at a “Christian Youth Concert” earlier this year as a volunteer and hear on stage one of the performers waxing on about the fact that there are no Jewish Synagogues anywhere to be found in the hills of Texas, and people, including children, were actually cheering. I asked the guy sitting next to me what that was all about and he smiled and said, “We chased them out of town even before we chased the blacks out.” No regret, no sadness, a true sense of pride.

Scary people I am living among. These are the same type of people that were shouting “Kill him Kill Him” when Sarah Palin spoke and were Booing when McCain mentioned Obama in his concession speech. They’re still alive and walking among us. I have talked about this with another guy, a bit younger than me, and I thought a bit more knowledgeable about the rest of the world because he has done some traveling and teaching overseas. He pointed out that when I was in the army, and then came home to protest against the war, that the Vietnam war was filling all the newspapers – people in the hills were simply ignored by the media. Then he said a few scary things. I think its Texans in general, they simply have this feeling that God is white. I know there’s a book in all this. Just the fact that lynchings were taking place in America in the 1970’s simply amazes me – it’s not a part of our popular history. It’s in all their collective memories, and there seems to be no guilt or shame. One of my supervisors told me that when they were younger there was a huge sign right outside of town that said “If you’re black, turn back.” This is not new, and I’ve probably told bits and pieces of this story in this blog before, but it all comes pouring out of my brain and into my fingers because Conor said all this and more in 25 words or less. A true poet. “I don’t want to go to your Mason lodge. There’s nothing more sad than a lynching mob full of rational men who believe in God.”

Conor Oberst

Squarepusher – Delta V

I don’t usually talk about the blurbs inside the records, but this particular artist is largely instrumental based, plus his story is fascinating. He had a vivid daydream about a band, and the surreal stage set that became an integral part of the band. I won’t give away any of the good parts, but I will let you in on the fact this is basically a soundtrack to a daydream. And, it works. Delta V is a full-force rock band waking me up without the need for coffee on a Monday. Vivid, colorful, and exciting – my week is alive with energy already. Shoutouts for some other parts of this dream, Potential Govaner & Duotone Moonbeam. Squarepusher

The Spinto Band – Vivian Don’t

“Vivian, don't ever insist they will if they won’t. And why should I wait until you swear to stay when you left yesterday?” The grammar is fun to follow with these guys, and the music is fun, and believe it or not the singing is fun. Point is? These are fun songs by a bunch of guys looking for a party. Shoutouts for Summer Grof (I looked up grof – no luck), The Cat's Pajamas, They All Laughed, and the philosophical Alphabetical Order (“Alphabetizing can be calming. It's easy to order your life by the arbitrary symbols of phonies. I'd like to see what life was like before we were reading. I'm sure we'd be needing some sort of organization to categorize our things. Would we need arranging if A means nothing? And finding it means meandering in between the ends of nothing in writing”). The Spinto Band

Phil Keaggy – Phantasmagorical (CD)

This is not an official Christmas album. In fact, it came out in August. However, it’s my favorite seasonal album of the year. I can’t tell you why it feels seasonal to me – I think it has to do with the overwhelming sense of peace that Phil is able to elicit from his instrument. Beauty is a word that fits. I look back at all the music Phil has enlightened me with over the years, and I should be amazed at how much this album affects me, but I’m not. I first knew him as a master songwriter, inspiring me to think fully of my place in the world, and in the 70’s and 80’s I came to know him as a master musician who had the gift of translating the gifts he was given from the Master onto physical recordings. I’ve seen Phil play in small churches, and it’s easy to become emotionally involved in his creativity in a small group setting. Everyone gets touched by the spirit that is unique to live music everywhere around the world. Capturing that spirit on a recording is not as easy. Phil has that gift, and it works for me all year round. As I get old and sentimental and simply falling more and more deeply in love with the depths we are allowed to visit emotionally as humans, I savor this album for the Season for Joy, the Season of Peace, the Season of Love that we celebrate, while at the same time praying with the whole world that this season stops being several weeks a year, but find it carried over to every hour of every day of the year. Some titles that bring the depth to the surface are Like Snow Before The Sun, The Journey Home, Oh Boy, and Father And Son. Phil Keaggy

Andy Juhl - Feeling Bliss

I’ve been in this situation. Pour out your sweat and tears in front of an audience for 3 or 4 hours and I feel like I’m just warming up. Tons of energy is still flowing through my body. What to do? Some people know. The musicians gather and really start jamming. “The crowd has all gone home, it’s not too late for music from the band.” No longer performing, but living the music, it’s a tremendous feeling. “Friends gather round with arms wide open and I’m feeling bliss, singing through this hazy mist.” As the sun begins to come up the musicians realize they need to move on to their day jobs, but still, for the main character the “music lingers in my open mind, the sound is keeping me always on the run.” Cool poetry, with a matching melody, I’m loving this.

Send The Rain is a folk tune for the past few years, where the drought has made even more small farmers close up shop. “There is no more green grass left for the cow.” The narrator of this song is moving on, but he’s still praying, “help the poor people who are left behind.” I love the way Andy decided to keep the instrumentation sparse and sounding as if the farmer himself is singing the song.

Prairie Home is about a country gentleman who went to the city, but decided for his own sanity to return to his roots. He made a friend while in the city, and sings, “I won’t see you again, but I’ll smile each time you’re on my mind.”

The Wind And The Buffalo is a simple instrumental guitar tune that pulls it’s strength from the intensity of the guitar strumming.

We Belong To The Earth is a full band tour-de-force that relishes the irony that mankind has created rules that are totally ignorant of the truths that live among us. “You say you own this piece of land? You better listen to the wind.” Our rules and customs seem to completely ignore the fact that we are only here temporarily, and our actions leave a footprint. This album begins with the feeling of bliss, and leaves us that way. Nice work!

Andy Juhl

Andy on Eartaste

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Concha Buika - Culpa Mia

The narrator sings that “it’s my fault.” Whosever fault this is, it’s fantastic. Just as spectacular as her other albums (good gift ideas for the people you know who ‘have everything’). We start this tune with a flamenco feel and a minute in we’re joined by trumpets, evoking dreams of the world dancing together. The pianist adds to the spell, and the recipe that comes to fill my ears can only be described as flamenco jazz. Scrumptious, I love the way the song builds in strength. Shoutouts for the title tune, La niña de fuego, and the more traditional flavors of Mentirosa. Concha Buika

Other fine albums by Concha Buika:
2005 - Mestizuo
2006 - Buika
2007 - Mi Niña Lola
2008 - Niña de Fuego

Worth Digging Out Desk Cleanup 3 of 3

Herman Dune - 1 2 3 Apple Tree
Noah And The Whale - 5 Years Time
Emiliana Torrini - Big Jumps
Yelle - Dans Ta Vrai Vie
Spirit Of The West - Another Happy New Year
Field Music - Don't Pass Me By
The Grates - Carve Your Name
Broadcast 2000 - Everybody And Me
The Explorers Club - Do You Love Me
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
The Sea And Cake - Fuller Moon
Beck - Orphans
Tilly And The Wall - Jumbler
Bloc Party - Signs
The Raconteurs - Many Shades Of Black
Cold War Kids - Something Is Not Right With Me
Stereolab - Neon Beanbag
Bears - Wait And See
The Faint - The Geeks Were Right
Corey Crowder - Look How Far We've Come
Ian McGlynn - This Is The Sound

Worth Digging Out Desk Cleanup 2 of 3

Little Man Tate - Hey Little Sweetie
Lykke Li - Let It Fall
My Little Pony - MacGyver Blues
Stars - 14 Forever
Hello Saferide - Anna
The Courteeners - No You Didn't No You Don't
The Hot Puppies - Clarinet Town
The School - I Want You Back
A Big Yes And A Small No - I'm Always Manic (When I'm Around You)
My Little Pony - MacGyver Blues
Pearl And The Puppets - Because I Do
Sam Roberts - Detroit '67
The Foxes - Trauma Town
Ben Folds - Bitch Went Nuts
Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum
Johnny Foreigner - DJ's Get Doubts
The Spinto Band - Vivian, Don't
Chairlift - Bruises
Dressy Bessy - Do You Whisper
Her Space Holiday - The Truth Hurts So This Should Be Painless
Lykke Li - Let It Fall
All Girl Summer Fun Band - This Will Never End
Electric Six - Flashy Man
Of Montreal - For Our Elegant Caste

Worth Digging Out Desk Cleanup 1 of 3

I'm cleaning up my desk & trying to bring some order back, so for the next few days you'll see a list of cool songs by cool groups that you can dig out on Amazon or CDBaby. Worth the search.

The Submarines - Epic Air Voyage
Noah And The Whale - Shape Of My Heart
The All New Adventures Of Us - Firetruck
Anni Rossi - Machine
Of Montreal - And I've Seen A Bloody Shadow
The View - Five Rebecca's
Pearl And The Puppets - Make Me Smile
The Boat People - Awkward Orchid Orchard
Conor Oberst - Gentlemen's Pact
Josephine Oniyama - No Fiction
Beach House - Used To Be
The Smittens - Half My Heart Beats
Death Cab For Cutie - No Sunlight
Liam Finn - Better To Be
Dear And The Headlights - I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You
The Walkmen - On The Water
Her Space Holiday - The Year In Review
The Apples In Stereo - Same Old Drag
The School - Shoulder
Stars And Sons - In The Ocean
Hello Seahorse! - Won't Say Anything
Bearsuit - Itsuko Got Married
Psapp - Part Like Waves

Brad Paisley - Huckleberry Jam

Been enjoying the guitar laying on this album for over a week now. While slightly country-flavored, I can taste lots of spices that have influenced this guy to practice practice practice and keep my earbuds alive with sweet hump-day dancing alongside a margarita bliss. I have always wished for an instrumental album from some of these guys who sound like they know what they’re doing on guitar but throw in silly lyrics to keep our minds off their instrumental abilities. Not this time. Lots and lots of guitar. Shoutout for Turf’s Up, Kim, and goodness, gracious, Kentucky Jelly smiles with lots of other instruments joining in the virtuoso party. And no hump-day party would be complete without a bit of swing, so there’s more shoutouts where those came from. I love the tribute to Les Paul, slyly called Les Is More. What? You want more? Okay, just for you. I can’t sit down for Cluster Pluck, and love the head banging dance giggle of Cliffs of Rock City. Of course, the night isn’t complete without BB King coming by and joining in on Let The Good Times Roll. “Hail to the king!” A party I won’t forget for a long time, because I plan to keep repeating this CD for a long time. Regular readers will recall I shouted out a part of this album on election night last week, so if you haven’t figured out by now - this album is an excellent investment of your ear time. Brad Paisley

The Handcuffs - I Just Wanna Be Free, Man

“Yeah man, I’m planetary bound.” I love any song by a space alien, and this one even does the shang-a-lang. Musically we’re traveling through the airwaves of the 60’s with tasty pop psychedelia, “I’m getting bored and I cannot wait, man.” Jump and jingle jangle all night with flavors snuck into the mix from late 70s girlpunkbliss. A shout-out for God Is Sure One Funny Girl (“there’s always somebody got something to say”) ! Should be out & for sale soon! I’ll see what I can do about letting you hear it on our little radio on the left while we wait. The Handcuffs

The Handcuffs on Eartaste

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Adam Marsland & Cockeyed Ghost - Big Big Yeah

“The inside joke was on me”. Raving pop full of humor, both lyrically and musically. Apparently there’s a party of sorts, a lame band is playing, and there’s free food to be had. Well, when there’s food in a song you know I’ve got to taste it, and this one comes across as a wild and woolly wake me up it’s Monday enjoy the week and laugh at life pop and roll. So, I will. Thanks! Adam Marsland

Putumayo Presents A Jazz And Blues Christmas (CD)

The season is upong us, and I thought I’d review a batch of these early this year so you can have new music floating around your house directly after the thanksgiving meal. This is America, after all, and the CD I’m listening to is a perfect example of America. Putumayo has put together a compilation of seasonal songs that are very seldom heard by great artists, and there’s no reason for it except for our silly traditions of “White Christmas”. This year we can happily lay that aside and hear BB King doing Christmas Celebration, Ray Charles rocking out on Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Charles Brown (who wrote several Christmas hits for Elvis) doing a wonderful Santa’s Blues, and a very special treat – the Ramsey Lewis Trio performing Here Comes Santa Claus. There’s much more to enjoy – Randy Greer doing another Charles Brown composition, plus a regular stable of Putumayo selections of lesser known artists from around the globe who belong smack dab in the middle of your palette, Mighty Blue Kings, The Dukes of Dixieland, Emilie-Claire Barlow and the Ignasi Teraza Trio. A total gourmet package with many flavorful seasonings – a perfect hour to start off this season with. A Jazz And Blues Christmas

Putumayo on Eartaste

Los Lonely Boys - Christmas Spirit (CD)

“It’s all about giving & spreading love & peace and joy.” Amen to that. As the narrator sings “I long for Christmas all year long” I think we have a year in which this deep longing in our society can return. The severe and angry Christians in our country who have preached hatred of all things human for 20 years are re-examining their lives while the hopeful flavor of Christianity has returned to the air. This CD rocks and brings me to the dance floor with plenty of joyful swing, and of course some sweet guitar work. Even when the Boys take off into the traditional flavors, like Carol Of The Bells, the playful spirit excels and excites. The bar spirit of Jingle Bells even brings me hope that someday we may be able to have a community bar of love again here in the hills of Texas. Los Lonely Boys

Sheryl Crow - Go Tell it on The Mountain

When listening to Sheryl’s pop albums it’s easy to hear the soul in her voice, but not the band. This Christmas classic rectifies that. The pick-up band here has many seasoned jazz and soul players. Tasty and hopeful. Sheryl Crow

Casting Crowns - I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

A traditional sound, performed with a traditional small chorus. No surprises, but the performances are excellent. I need some tradition for a traditional feeling, and these kind folks fit the bill, with shoutouts for O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night and Joy To The World. A special shoutout for a new song for the season, While You Were Sleeping (“Oh Bethlehem you will go down in history as a city with no room for its King”). So many things slip by each one of us as we focus on ourselves and our immediate needs and surroundings. Casting Crowns

Melissa Etheridge - Glorious

A love song about family and friends for the season. “Love is glorious.” Warmly and beautifully performed. Shoutouts for Blue Christmas, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Ring The Bells & It’s Christmas Time. Melissa Etheridge

Enya - O Come O Come Emmanuel

A prayer we all say, some of us every single day of the year. Enya

Sarah Brightman - Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring

Not often heard by a solo singer, this is a treat. Sarah Brightman

Aretha Franklin - Angels We Have Heard on High

A marvel. It’s difficult to believe this is only Aretha’s second Christmas album. The gem one would expect, with a sexy and soulful shoutout for Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love), and a special loving snicker for the hilarious performance of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Thanks Aretha! Feel free to make us a new season’s greetings every year. Aretha

Sixpence None The Richer - The Last Christmas

“I feel your heart beating inside my own skin and I think of Mary in Bethlehem, that night in a stable our Saviour was born.” A tender and beautiful song sung by a mother to her unborn child. This touched a world-weary man like myself, so you gotta know this is a special tune worth seeking out. The title comes from the fact that each Christmas from now Christmas will be spent with this loved child. Very cool take on the season. Shoutouts for Angels We Have Heard On High & Riu Riu Chiu. Sixpence None The Richer

Loreena McKennitt - A Midwinter Night's Dream (CD)

A central part of our celebrations for 12 years, Loreena has finally added 8 songs to her Christmas ep from 1995, making this joyous year complete with the righteous flavors she evokes seemingly with such ease. It’s great to revisit the songs from the earlier ep alongside the new ones. Thanks for all your seeds of love, and may they be planted in the heart of each person that hears your careful, powerful and dare I suggest hypnotic work. All God’s sailors love a dance. Loreena McKennitt

Lucinda Williams – Real Love

“Standing up behind an electric guitar - it’s a real love.” It always thrills me when someone I know and love comes out with something that helps me know and love them better. Music is the real love we all come home to. What’s even better is when the album sounds even better than ones I already love. That’s rare, but Lucinda has pulled it off with this new CD. Every emotional state is explored and shared, but of course I’m going to shout out the party tunes for Saturday night. Party down with Tears of Joy, and the special loving rocker she calls Honey Bee. The party continues smiling down on me with the sensitive Heaven Blues, the hilarious Jailhouse Tears, and the dance-floor shouter It’s A Long Way To The Top. Great fun. Lucinda Williams

Blow Monkeys – The World Can Wait

When old friends come back completely in tune with the hour, yet sounding oddly familiar, I can’t help but be grateful that it’s possible to age gracefully and hope I am reflecting this image in their eyes. The world can wait while we catch up on the intervals and marvel at all the dreams we had that are being fulfilled in front of our eyes. We can pick up our guitars and play rhythms we learned the past few years, and still fall into some grooves that are oddly familiar. Tasty times. It’s nice to know, as one shoutout says, We Can Win. Other shoutouts include I Don’t Mind, The Bullet Train, Frontline, I Dream Of You, and Traveling Soul. Blow Monkeys

Ingrid Michaelson - Be OK

“Just give me back my pieces.” Bubblegum that pleases many sense, and tastes extremely happy. Freeing oneself from some of the anxieties of the past. I’m ready. The world is ready. Let’s go! Let’s Be OK! If you’re on the side that is filled with fear by your favorite media stars, then Ingrid has a great shoutout tune for you on this album – Keep Breathing! For the rest of us I love this little shoutout ditty for Bush: Oh What A Day (“now that you’re gone I can roll on to something good!”).
And, if you can take yet another Thursday night happy, there is a lovesong shoutout about buying everybody a sweater, You And I. Smile. Be OK. Ingrid Michaelson

Joshua Radin – Brand New Day

“Some kind of magic happens late at night when the moon smiles down at me and baths me in its light.” A song that feels good. I feel good. I’m intrigued at how the singer is able to whisper and yet hit different notes – almost like singing. But happy. And the musicians sound like they’re ready for something good to happen, too. Fits the post-election aura perfectly. Let’s ride with this feeling for as long as we can. Thanks Josh! Joshua Radin

Dar Williams - Alleluia

This spirit of praise for all that is good with the world fits well in my meal tonight. The flavor spices up everything I feel, and I can enjoy the wild vocal swing of Dar as she manages to pull an alleluia out into 23 syllables. Lots of fun to fill up a fun week of exciting dreams for the future. The cover of her album emphasizes that the seeds we have planted shall grow into a flower of beauty if we careful nourish and nurture the next few months. Dar Williams

Pink – Bad Influence

“Alright sir, sure I'll have another one it's early. Three olives, shake it up, I like it dirty. Tequila for my friend it makes her flirty, trust me.” LOL!! Ah, lighten up, it’s hump day – having a fun party song to go with your drink is great, especially when you can dance along. “Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! I can't help it, I like to party, it's genetic! It's electrifying, wind me up and watch me go.” Be ready for a good time when the laser hits the disc! But also be ready to think about why this escape is necessary, because Pink is willing to take us there. Shoutouts for Ave Mary A (“Motorcycle's in the parking lot revving their engines and it just won’t stop - matches the noise screaming in my head”), Crystal Ball (“Sometimes you think everything is wrapped inside a diamond ring. Love just needs a witness and a little forgiveness and a halo of patience and a less sporadic pace and I'm learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes”), Funhouse (“I'd rather live out on the street than in this haunted memory”), and the obligatory country song Mean (“When the spark has gone and the candles are out, when the song is done and there's no more sound, whispers turn to yellin' and I'm thinkin', ‘how did we get so mean?’” Pink

Brad Paisley - What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Election Night)

I'm a political junkie, and interested in how close the election is turning out to be (popular votes). So, I'm listening to the radio instead of music tonight.

I will report that when they get really boring I've been listening to a really cool new album - Play by Brad Paisley. I'm very happy with the guitar playing on this album - I'm inspired to pick up my guitar! Will be writing about it more for sure soon, but tonight I'll shoutout track 15, the very beautiful solo acoustic piece What A Friend We Have In Jesus.

BB King – One Kind Favor (CD)

A delight all the way through. BB is allowed to play his guitar, and sing to his heart’s content. And he’s sounding great. I’m thrilled! Classic tunes done BB style – an instant classic – a perfect gift for those you know who “have everything”. This is an album to play when you have the blues, because there’s no way you can keep feeling blue when BB plays them. I’m not going to shout out one tune because there’s not a clunker on the album. Or, I can say that in a more positive way – every tune here is a shoutout! There are many varieties of blues flavors presented here, and the back-up band glorifies each one. BB King

Susan Tedeschi - Back To The River (CD)

Every song touches me on this album. Talking About opens with a guitar riff that leads right into a riffing voice – “I tell you somebody knows what you’re talking about!” Lol! How often I need to hear that – someone somewhere will understand me. 700 Houses is a beautiful tale about a town destroyed, “silence all around me deafening the air – not a sign of anyone, I just have to stare”. I especially love the line, “where have all my saints gone, will they come marching in?” As the song continues we are reminded of the storms of life – “another storm to overcome” – both physical and spiritually. And the album continues, with a personal flavor that pulls the listener in as a full participant in each story. Great bluesy guitars and a powerful voice make for a perfect eartaste combination. Susan Tedeschi

Vargas Blues Band - Ya Ya Ya Looking For My Baby

If there is such a thing, this is a happy blues song, filled with flavors from all the world, but deeply rooted in the blues. I love the organ player adding his flourishes, the steady drums, and the wow me guitar work. Its fun having fun with the blues. Shoutout for Blues Para Lucia, a tune with a much slower pace, but again with flavors of the world beautifully accenting the blues base. The spanish-guitar styled blues is especially tasty – perfect for dessert. Vargas Blues Band

Trampled Under Foot - May I Be Excused

A slow, soul reaching vocal that pours directly into my heart. I love the way the band pulls the end of each line of vocal into a higher plane. “You’re just another battle I ain’t ever gonna win.” Fantastic performance. Shoutout for the more up-beat band flavors of another down-hearted blues, My Fault To Stay (“When you hit me, I was surprised. But the pain wiped the tears right from my eyes”). Trampled Under Foot

Blindside Blues Band - Bluesion

An instrumental explosion of a great playing in unison – every instrument adding to the flailing electric guitar. A perfect companion to the 13 minute Jam that follows. It’s not often anymore we’re treated to a 5 or 6 minute drum solo on record. Refreshing! Blindside Blues Band

Ani DeFranco – Alla This

“I won't let you make a tool of me, I will keep my mind and body free.” An independent soul. Ani, of course, is the epitome of this, starting her own record company way back before anyone came up with the term “indie”. “I will not be your bankroll,” she’s still willing to say. I agree with her sentiments 100%, and have found that through the years not many people agree. Most people are simply willing to be fed what’s given them, because it’s simply too much work to be a free thinker. Thinking requires thought. “I won't forfeit my creativity to a world that's all laid out for me.”

We are not born into this world craving the deaths of people ½ way across the world, we are slowly transformed into believing that someone with power knows more than us what is going on. The last 8 years should have shown us that this is simply not true. The WMD were never found. I was sucked into the army at an early point of my life, but found I couldn’t bring myself to kill people just because someone said to, so while I was facing court-martial a pastor came to me that explained the concept of conscientious objection. That fit me, and I have never figured out why that doesn’t fit everyone.

The point of this tirade is another line in this song that I agree with 100% - always have, always will: “I can't support the troops, cause every last one of them is being duped.” The simple truth is – if you support the troops, you support the false dreams of the government. The troops do not have to kill people ½ way across the world. They are choosing to. The troops each have a mind of their own, and they are choosing to use it to blindly follow lies.

Shoutouts for love songs that belie Ani’s reputation as “an angry one”, Smiling Underneath (“I don’t mind the twinge when I walk on that knee that I hurt”), Way Tight (“it's just that kind of evening that cracks open like a half shaken beer”), and Star Matter (“love sets fire to your schedule and then calls an end to time”). Ani DiFranco

Dido – Quiet Times

“It’s hard enough to see the world as it is and hold on to my faith without these quiet times.” The story is about someone who has lost a loved one and needs time to breath and focus. After meditating on this and thinking of a need for quiet time, she decides “gonna have to run away, I’m sure that I belong some other place.” Excellent portrayal of emotions – scattered, confused desires (be still and quiet or run away), a song that will help others know they are not alone. This will be one of those songs that will last far beyond its creation because of its ability to speak for those who are unable to form words for what’s going on deep inside. “I miss you, I want you, but I can’t have you even when you’re here.” Dido

Heather Nova - Looking For The Light

“I’m looking for the Spirit in life, I’m looking for the beautiful.” A fragile voice, alone with a guitar, is perfect for words like these. “I’ve heard the words of Jesus, but I can’t find mine.” The sound of the recording has me picturing a lone singer on a cliff with a cave behind her singing to her neighbors below, exposing her soul to the entire village as the sun goes down. “I’m looking for the light to drive these doubts away.” Fine performance. Shoutout for Ride (“I need a stranger to tell me I’m beautiful”). Heather Nova

The Cure – Only You

“I love what you do to my head.” It’s fascinating how many new bands are able to recreate the early 80’s. It’s even more fun when someone who was there can take us back on a cloud of love. “I love what you do to my heart – it’s the best, oh yeah.” Shoutouts for Reasons Why, Freakshow & It’s Over. The Cure

Loquat - Harder Hit

This song begins like a visit over the high deserts of Africa, gathering spirits from every edge of the world, but quickly joins a solid ground until the chorus. At that point we are transported high above the arctic with voices freezing into each other in the atmosphere. Very cool trick – I really like this experience. It’s like we’re being given the opportunity to fly along the magnetic forces of the earth. I can see how that could get old if these tricks were used throughout the album, but Loquat was wise enough to only use this mind-blowing trick on Harder Hit. Shoutouts for the more down-to earth production of Who Can Even Remember and In My Sleep. Loquat

TV on the Radio - Dear Science (CD)

It’s always a pleasure to find a perfect album by a pop group. What makes a perfect album? Each song has a life of its own, yet adds to the magic around it. Each song here could be a hit single, yet doesn’t need to be because it adds tonality and flourishes to the songs that introduce and follow. Anyone who spends a day or two around here will know I very seldom shoutout an entire album, but TV on the Radio has produced an album on which not one song stands out heads above the others. They are all integral and create a single unit of space that is kept tight so that no one section goes on too long, nor is anything too short. Intelligently written, and well-produced with arrangements that enhance the entertainment value. This will be one of those rare records that will stay close to your CD player for several years. TV on the Radio

Guns & Roses – Chinese Democracy

A varied album with flavors firmly rooted in the 70’s. Everything from Elton John, Journey to the SexPistols can be sampled here, with a generous helping of Zepplin. The star of the show is the guitar playing, for sure, which is gracefully featured throughout the CD. Extreme licks with purpose all add to the ambience of the record keeping the rock rocking & the ears begging for more. Lyrically this represents juvenilia, but that’s okay, the musicianship more than covers the reason one will be listening to this album in the years to come. The title tune is sweet listening. Shoutouts for Better, There Was A Time, and The Blues. Guns & Roses

Putumayo Presents - Women of Jazz (CD)

Stating with a singer from New Jersey, we travel all over the world stopping in Paris, Russia and many more jazz hot-spots to enjoy a relaxing hour of excellent jazz that creates a sensual desire for a glass of wine and some candlelight. We meet some 20 year olds just starting their career, and wonderful dreamers 20 plus years into their careers. Melody Gardot, Madeleine Peyroux, Cassandra Wilson, Sophie Milman, Hope Waits, Kate Paradise, Jennifer Hartswick, Stacey Kent, Della Griffin and Etta Jones share the artists palette of dreams. Many flavors of jazz are sampled, from New Orleans to New York, Kansas City, and the West Coast. A varied and loving hour of music. Women of Jazz

Putumayo On Eartaste

Paul McCartney - Highway

“Running through the nighttime baby, looking like a wreck.” Excellent hi-energy, with some real tasty bass playing pulling us all out to the dance floor hoping sir knight will hit the highway again with a band able to recreate this energy on stage. Much different than earlier Fireman albums, but that’s okay because I believe each album should have its own distinct flavor. This one definitely does, with a full course dessert planned for all party travelers. Shoutouts for a slower dance Light From Your Lighthouse and the mood piece Is This Love? Paul McCartney

Alex Arrowsmith - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Special note from Alex:

Hey Rich, long time no type! Just wanted to alert you to a new video of a new song that you might like: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

It should be on my next album, Public Domain Rainbow, coming out...sometime. It's mostly finished, it's just a matter of getting the funds to do a bigger release than I've done yet.

Hope you enjoy! Best, Alex

Coulda saved two hours of my life if I had listened to the song instead of watching the two hour movie. The song is great fun either way.



Reviews of Alex Arrowsmith on Eartaste

FileFactory.com

The Youngers - Heritage

“I’m a railroad man, I wake up at 3 AM. I run the engine IO all the way to Charleston. I save whenever I can, put half my money toward a pension plan, but there ain’t no hope for the working man.” Perfect folk song for our times, with a beautiful folk performance for our times. I’m one of those who was against the bail-out of the rich because Lord knows they had their off-shore accounts long before their greed made a mess of the system. Shoulda let them all go bankrupt and let the middle class come back. Guess it’ll never happen, but that makes The Youngers song all the more powerful, “How ‘bout some relief for the railroad man…the steel mill man…the farming man…the truck driving man?” Or as the song finishes, we are reminded exactly about what our country never has really stood for, “How ‘bout some relief for the working man?” Ever since I was a young pup the rich have got richer, while the people that make the country happen have gotten poorer. Seems to be the way of the world, and the older I get the more I realize that’s been the plan all along. I’ve been a public school teacher long enough to know all the political talk about paying teachers a living wage will never come true – I even heard a school board member say in public, “they’re all women anyway”. You know times are bad when they can openly say such discriminatory things and get away with it. Sure, they all think that way, we’ve always known it; but there used to be laws against open discrimination. No more, at least not in Texas. Shoutout for Right All The Wrongs (“the past is a memory that’s slowly starting to blur.”) The Youngers

Mama’s Cookin’ – Run Up Quick

Pull those old records off the shelf – remember the labels that gave you a huge clue as to what you would hear when you watched the label dance round and round – “Atlantic, Buddha, Stax, and Hi – Let the needle kiss the record, let it open wide.” Put together a band that can emulate an era while sounding fully placed in the new century and you have Mama’s Cookin’. Sweet, savory blues full of joyful dance and hard time contemplation. A party record in a MarvinGaye sorta way – with social consciousness raised while dancing. Shoutouts for What I Am (“I’m colder than cold when it comes to the blues”), Black Reign (“let’s learn from the apst and wake up y’all”) and Aquarius Skies (“My grandmother told me one time she sat so still that she saw the divine.”). Mama’s Cookin’

The Devastators - Surrender

The interplay between the vocalist and the saxophone payer makes Surrender stand out in this fine reggae-flavored treat. The story is about a couple working their way toward the culmination of a fine party evening, the narrator desiring something that is “not just a midnight fling”. He pulls this off with a beautiful falsetto pledging to “surrender” his love. Fun story is made even more fun by the wonderful musicians keeping the dance moving sexily through the night air. The Devastators