Gary Clark Jr. Can't Feel a Thing

Well, I'm numb, Yeah woman I can't feel a thing... Gary Clark Jr. - Numb

Gary Clark Jr. is a Texas blues-rock guitarist.  My daughter introduced me to him through his fine new album Black and Blu.  His bluesy/fuzzy guitar is reminiscent of The Black Keys.  This is exciting new music...

Pete Seeger: 1919-2014

One of these days I’m gonna lay this hammer down;  Leave my burden restin’ on the ground... Steve Earle - Steve's Hammer

 

U2 Back on the Radar

The sea throws rock together, but time leaves us polished stones... U2 - Ordinary Love

It is great to hear U2 once again.  I think this could be a big year for the band.  We are expecting a new song, Invisible, to be released during the Super Bowl next weekend and a new album due possibly in April.  The band has been working with Danger Mouse, whose work with The Black Keys, Beck and his bands The Broken Bells and Gnarls Barkley are exceptional.

The new song, Ordinary Love from the Original Soundtrack to the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is terrific. The song strikes the right balance of inspiration and seriousness along the lines of Pride in the Name of Love.

I Was Like the Dead Sea

I headed West, I was a man on the move;  New York had lied to me, I needed the truth... The Lumineers - Dead Sea

The Lumineer's music is so catchy and sticks in your head (in a good way).  Bands like the Lumineers are why I am constantly seeking new music!

High Hopes For Tuesday

Give me help, give me strength, give a soul a night of fearless sleep; Give me love, give me peace; Don't you know these days you pay for everything; Got high hopes... Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

Bruce Springsteen's new CD makes it's debut tomorrow; Bruce Springsteen is releasing his 18th studio album High Hopes.

Phil Everly: 1939-2014

Kentucky, you are the dearest land outside of Heaven to me;  Kentucky, I miss your laurels and your redbud trees;  When I die, I want to rest upon your graceful mountains so free for that is where God will look for me... The Everly Brothers - Kentucky

 

News has just came out that Phil Everly, one half of the brother vocal duo The Everly Brothers has died at age 74.  The Everly Brothers were huge in the late 50's/early 60's with their trademark high harmonies with hits like All I Have To Do is Dream, Wake Up Little Susie, Cathy's Clown and my personal favorite Bowling Green.  They were a big influence on many artists including The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel.  Bye, Bye Love...

The Beatles - So How Come (No One Loves Me) (Everly Brothers Cover)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone, Gone, Gone (Everly Brothers Cover)

Billie Joe Armstrong  & Norah Jones - Kentucky (Everly Brothers Cover)

2013: Best Musical News

When the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band; From the coastline to the city all the little pretties raise their hands... Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Back a few weeks ago The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame officially announced 2014's inductees.  Nirvana, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt. But the big news for me was that The E Street Band (finally) will be given the Award for Musical Excellence.  This is long overdue, but welcomed. 

The E Street Band have been around in some incarnation since Bruce Springsteen's beginnings.  Clarence Clemons and Gary Tallent played on Bruce's debut in early 1973 Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.  Danny Federici came on board later in that year on The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.  In 1975 Steven Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg were added on the great Born to Run album.  Nils Lofgren and Patty Scialfa joined later.  We recently lost 2 of the original guys in Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons.  No other group of people deserve this award more than this outfit.  Way overdue, but well earned.



Additional The Beatles manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers.