Monday, June 26, 2006

Academy Of The Underrated


Dave Alvin's grimacing mug- a testament to the passion of The Blasters

This is the first blog in an ongoing series on artists that haven't received due credit for their talent, output and musical contributions.

The Blasters were like distant cousins of The Stray Cats... only without the flash. But they never got the MTV, radio or media exposure they deserved.

This straight ahead, blue collar, rockabilly band hailing from Downey California, featured brothers Phil and Dave Alvin. Dave has also been known to play with X and their alter ego The Knitters.

Phil and Dave's driving guitars and Dave's passionate vocals make you want to get up and dance. This infusion of musical energy is more powerful than any caffeinated concoction you will find at Starbucks. And it's cheaper too!

The Blasters best known songs, "Marie Marie" and "Border Radio" got played a lot locally in So Cal back in the 80's. The Blasters still tour together and Dave Alvin has solo albums out.

Other great Blasters songs:

American Music
I'm Shakin'
Kathleen
Long White Cadillac
So Long Baby Goodbye

Next time you need a fix of Rockabilly and are tired of hearing "Rock This Town", check out The Blasters. Their 2003 live album, "The Blasters Live: Going Home" is a good place to start.

Friday, June 16, 2006

New Wave Keeps Rolling 20 Plus Years Later

ipodg
Ure Gonna Like It!

Some of the latest releases from original New Wave Heroes:

Reap the Wild Wind- Midge Ure
album- Re*Live

Solsbury Hill- Erasure
album- Other People's Songs

Blackened Blue Eyes- The Charlatans UK
album- Simpatico

No Orders (single)- J. Peter Schwalm featuring Brian Eno

In the Future When All's Well- Morrissey
album- Ringleader of the Tormentors

Life Is a Pigsty- Morrissey
album- Ringleader of the Tormentors

A Town Called Malice- Paul Weller
album- Catch-Flame! (Live)

Nothing's Impossible Depeche Mode
album- Playing the Angel

John the Revelator- Depeche Mode
John the Revelator - EP

Blind Love (single)- Dave Alvin

In the Margins- Echo and the Bunnymen
Scissors In the Sand - EP

Gloomy Sunday- Elvis Costello & Marian McPartland
album- Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast

Watching the Detectives- Elvis Costello
album- My Flame Burns Blue (Live with the Metropole Orkest)

On Your Way Down- Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
album- The River In Reverse

This Time You Got It- Cheap Trick
album- Rockford

Riddles- Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
album- Sinner

Reena- Sonic Youth
album- Rather Ripped

Planet Earth- Duran Duran
album- Live from London

Minimal- Pet Shop Boys
album- Fundamental