Just got back from a great camping trip...worn out and slightly sun burnt.



Reading Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer (Amazon link / Quimby's link) It's an interesting read, although at times it spends a bit too much on the distant past. I started it right after a friend of the family was killed. A sad story in its own and it made the beginning of the book hard to get through. Got a ways to go in it, so I'll keep you updated as I finish it.



The new Bat for Lashes single is out...don't have it yet, but liked the music video. They've got an exclusive live version of "The Wizard" available if you join their mailing list, jump over there and get that done.

Blitzen Trapper have a new video out ... (it's a trippy video) and a remix of their song "Sci-Fi Kid." Check it out:

Blitzen Trapper - Sci-Fi Kid (Principal Participant 'Kingswood' Remix)

Gotta run...cheers.

TechTag: Music

Ferryesque

I've never been a huge Bob Dylan fan. I've always appreciated his work but his voice hasn't made him high on my list. Bryan Ferry, on the other hand, made it pretty near to the top. He's been a part of my musical experience as long as I remember. His new album, Dylanesque, is a meshing of the two, an album of Dylan covers as done by Ferry.

Bryan Ferry's voice is slowly changing as he ages. It's notably different on this album. I wouldn't say it's a change for the better or for the worse, though. It's just a bit different, a bit more restrained.

The strength of the album, coming from someone who isn't familiar with all of the songs, is that it makes one realize the strength of Dylan's writing. It wraps it in a glossy, Bryan Ferry sound and makes you understand that at heart, Dylan really writes pop hits.

There are a few misses on the album, but over all it's well worth a listen:

Bryan Ferry - Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (streaming)

So take the time to search it out.

TechTag: Music

Working Stiffs

Just read that Graham Coxon (ex-blur) recorded some tracks with Paul Weller. 3 tracks for a single released in the UK on July 30th. First track, "This Old Town<," is a Coxon/Weller collaboration. The B-sides are "Each New Morning" (Coxon) and "Black River" (Weller). Guess they'll be available on the UK iTunes as well. Anyone heard any of it yet?



TechTag: Music