Does anyone not consider this song a classic? It is certainly hard to argue with the impressive array of artists who have covered the Bob Marley classic. In this edition of our “You Pick It” series, we get Johnny Cash & Joe Strummer; Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros; Ziggy Marley & the Chieftains; Bono, Bob […]
Peter Gabriel, Billy Bragg and Mike Mills Lend Their Voices
Does anyone remember the childhood game “Telephone?†A group of people pass a whisper from person to person and see how the whisper changes as it moves through the group. The Voice Project is like a musical version, but better. One musician covers another, hopefully inspiring the covered artist to continue the chain. The project […]
SXSW 2010: The Scene
SXSW 2010 has come and gone. Over the next week I’ll be sharing a few highlights of my experience. All in good fun. Children By the Million Sing for Alex Chilton This year’s SXSW began and ended with the passing of Alex Chilton. The co-founder of Big Star was scheduled to participate in a panel […]
Levi Stubbs, 1936-2008
Billy Bragg: Live at the Fillmore
Barack Obama campaign rally or live music show? Hmm, hard to tell. On the other hand, anyone who expects a Billy Bragg show to be just music without any social or political commentary has found themselves a nice, isolated cave to live in. Billy was on a west coast tour swing in support of his […]
SXSW 2008: Say What?
“More vocals? I’m glad you actually want to hear me. I wish my mother did.” ~ Elia of the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Drunk guy: “Do you guys know where the bridge party is?” Non-drunk guys: “Well there’s a bridge but I don’t see a party.” ~ Overheard at 3am as I crossed the bridge […]
SXSW 2008: The Sounds Part 2
Alejandro Escovedo Escovedo’s Sunday night show at the Continental is the traditional unofficial closing of SXSW and this year he served up a special treat. With co-conspirator Chuck Prophet on guitar, Alejandro and company performed the entirety of Real Animal, his forthcoming release. Lyrically it finds Escovedo in a reflective mood but musically ready to […]
SXSW 2008: The Scene
I’m delirious from lack of sleep, I can barely stand due to the soreness burning through my legs, I’ve got a blister raging on my big toe and a small scratch has mysteriously appeared on my left hand. Ahh, it must be another Sunday morning at SXSW. Now, many of our colleagues in the media […]
SXSW 2008 – John’s Saturday Afternoon Highlight: Kate Nash and Billy Bragg
Saturday afternoon began for me with a touch of deja vu, as I once again started my day at Cedar Street Courtyard for the kickoff of day three of the Filter throwdown there. I didn’t know it at the time, but I’d be bookending my day parties with Filter on this day. Kicking things off […]