General

Thu - October 30, 2008

Moving Blog to onlymusicleft.com

It's with a heavy heart that I leave rogerzmusic.com. I've been blogging on this platform since February 2005. I started this blog as an outlet for my excitement for new music, going to concerts, and general music news. It's served that purpose well, but I wish I could say the same for this blog platform. It was the ideal solution, using iBlog to connect to my MobileMe iDisk, giving me lots of power and flexibility at no cost or 3rd party hosting environment. About a year ago (maybe longer), iBlog was essentially abandoned, in the middle of a major upgrade no less. That left many, many months of trudging along with an outdated tool in a quickly changing landscape.

Amidst major changes, now is the time. Of course I couldn't find the ideal replacement blog setup, but I've found a very good one - using a free, hosted Wordpress account and ecto. This also gives me the flexibility to blog from Flock and my iPhone. And while the new platform isn't quite perfect (paying for CSS, no iFrames, etc.), neither will the transition. I had dreams of a sharp cut over to the ideal layout and structure. Ha. Still, it's a start and a good foundation to build from, rather than an abandoned ship.

Eventually, I would love to make an effort to make onlymusicleft.com a major Cleveland music blog... Keep your eyes out.

Posted at 10:09 PM |

Fri - October 3, 2008

Spiralling is Infectious

I admit I liked Keane when they first came out, but haven't been paying much attention since. However, I LOVE this song! Where the hell did this come from??

Looks like I'm going to have to keep an eye on Keane again.

Posted at 07:52 AM |

Wed - September 24, 2008

Cathedrals

Wow, this is becoming the women's music blog lately... Nothing wrong with that I guess.

One of the surprise tracks on Joan's new CD is "Cathedrals" which is originally a Jump Little Children song. The original was great, and Joan's cover is okay... It's worth hearing:

You should still listen to the original here:

Posted at 07:44 AM |

Wed - September 10, 2008

Live Patty Griffin Album out Today

I've already downloaded my eMusic quota for the month, so this album is on my saved list until October. :-( But the previews sound good!

PATTY GRIFFIN: LIVE FROM THE ARTISTS DEN CD SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 9 DIGITAL RELEASE
AN ARTISTS DEN RECORDS AND ATO RECORDS JOINT RELEASE

On September 9, 2008, Artists Den Records and ATO Records will release the digital CD, Patty Griffin: Live from the Artists Den, filmed at an invitation-only concert on February 6, 2007, the day her latest album, Children Running Through, was released. The special concert took place at the Angel Orensanz Center for the Arts, a converted synagogue on New York's Lower East Side.

The digital CD will feature 16 live tracks – including a never-before-released cover of the traditional French song, "J'irai La Voir Un Jour" as well as Griffin's take on the Sam Cooke classic, "Get Yourself Another Fool."

February 6 was a bitterly cold winter day in New York City that turned into an even colder night, with temperatures dropping to nine degrees Fahrenheit as devoted fans huddled together outside the Orensanz Center for a chance to see Griffin perform songs from her new album for the first time. Inside, the historic building's neo-gothic arches were lit with the warm glow of candlelight as Griffin stepped into the packed house to play a special concert, filmed for the television series Live from the Artists Den.

Griffin's crystal-clear voice filled the room with newly penned songs as well as Griffin classics, accompanied by new band members and longtime players alike. A special treat on some songs was the addition of legendary keyboardist Ian McLagan (Small Faces, the Rolling Stones) – who appeared for this night only – and a five-piece string section. At the end of the evening, the enchanted audience walked back out into the biting cold braced with the warmth of an unforgettable night.

That next week, Children Running Through went on to garner Griffin her biggest first-sales week of her career, bowing with 26,834 pieces and the 34 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart, nearly doubling her previous best. The media reaction to the record was stellar: "Griffin's release has it all" – Billboard, "Griffin's pure voice never misses" – Entertainment Weekly, "When she opens her mouth, everything else falls away" – USA Today.

With her heartfelt, insightful songs and singular voice, Griffin has won a fiercely loyal fan base. Originally from Maine, and now a resident of Austin, Texas, Griffin has also had a tremendous influence across all genres of music. Among the many artists who've recorded her songs are the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, and Emmylou Harris. Children Running Through, her most successful album to date, continues the remarkable creative evolution that's quietly established Patty Griffin as a vital and original force.

The Artists Den presents both emerging and established musicians in unique settings around the world. Some of the notable musicians who have performed in Artists Den concerts include Alanis Morissette, KT Tunstall, Crowded House, Aimee Mann, Regina Spektor, the Swell Season, and Ani DiFranco. A movable feast, Artists Den concerts take place in such unconventional venues as a natural history museum, a Masonic temple, Christie's auction house, a 100-year-old ship, an Archdiocese cathedral, and a 1930s movie theater. In January 2008, the Live from the Artists Den series debuted on the Ovation TV network, presented by Grey Goose Entertainment.

Posted at 07:46 AM |

Fri - September 5, 2008

Dan Black

Here's a great cover on Notorious BIG's Hypnotize (one of my fav rap songs) by Dan Black. Don't know who he is, but the cover is great and the video is equally cool.

Click here to be taken to the Queerty page which also posts the original video.

MySpace

Posted at 07:13 AM |

Wed - September 3, 2008

Lucy Wainwright Roche on NPR

There's so much going on in my life right now (read break-up), which is why I've been slacking. But the news doesn't stop and I still have a lot of great things to share. One of which is the lovely Lucy Wainwright Roche performing on NPR. Click the image to be taken to the story and listen in.

Also, you really need to check her out live. She'll be performing in Oberlin at the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse on Saturday, September 27th. I really hope to be there.

MySpace

Posted at 07:50 AM |

Tue - August 5, 2008

Dar Williams Deal of the Century

This Fall is shaping up to be a whopper for new music releases from some of my favorite women... New Ani, Joan, Catie, and Dar oh my! I also just received an email from the Beachland that pointed me to a link where you could pre-order the new Dar Williams for $10. I though "hey... I'm down with that."

I follow the link and see that the non-sale price was $18.98!!! (wtf!) No wonder people aren't buying CD's anymore. However, I also notice a "Similar Shoppers Purchased..." section and see another promotion for Dar. TWO CD's AND a bonus DVD for 15.00!!!!! Amazing. The strangest part being that this was on MusicSpace.com. Quite strange seeing such a great offer from a site who's speciality is selling cheesy compilations, one of which being the obnoxious Kidz Bop albums. Whatever...

I couldn't order these fast enough. Now I just need to figure out who I'm going to give the other Dar album to. Interested?

MySpace (new song posted!)

(Don't forget to get your Dar tickets... 9/16/08 @ the Beachland)

Posted at 07:55 AM |

Indie Indigo Girls & New Amy Ray

I guess Indigo Girls stint with Hollywood Records didn't last long, but I'm VERY glad to see they're on their own now. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner, as they seem the quintessential band to accomplish this.

As many or all of you know, we are now officially a fully independent band, and the newest record will be our first independent ‘album’ release since 1987 when we released ‘Strange Fire’. Things have come full circle, and it feels liberating and centering, even in the midst of change. In addition to releasing the studio tracks recorded with the band (Matt Chamberlain: drums, Clare Kenny: bass, Mitchell Froom: keys, me and Amy), we will also release recordings of the same songs done acoustically. Amy and I sat in a room together with our instruments (Alison Brown joining in on some banjo), and recorded the same songs live together (plus at least one new song not on the band record and possibly another to come). We thought you might enjoy both versions of the new set of songs.

(keep reading...)

Also, another Amy Ray solo album... hope this comes with a tour!

Didn't It Feel Kinder / August 5th

Didn't It Feel Kinder marks Ray's first solo effort utilizing a producer. Greg Griffith (The Butchies, Le Tigre, Loudspeaker, Vitapup), a fearless listener and multi-talented musician, worked with Ray to incorporate a variety of sounds and influences as diverse as Al Green, The Pretenders, OutKast, and Violent Femmes, to create her unique and evolving voice throughout this record. Ray rose to the challenge to redesign the halls of rock and folk that have housed her for so long: "I just thought I wouldn't break new ground unless someone was making me do it." The two took Ray's back-of-the-napkin GarageBand maps to structure every song - another first for Ray's solo work, because she normally has arranged her music and harmonies in a live setting. Overall, the album teems with the Clash-esq energy that drives so much of Ray's solo work, bouncing and begging the listener to shout along. But as it rocks out, it starts to groove, and then waxes poetic in a well-balanced sequence of intensity, beauty, and fun.

(keep reading...) Also, check out the cool Limited Edition LP (w/ CD)!

Here's a player from the new album...

Posted at 07:49 AM |

Sun - August 3, 2008

Joan Osborne Back To Her Roots (finally)

I have high hopes for this album. I've been excited about every one of her releases, but none have matched up to her music before, and up to Relish. This sounds promising...

Joan Osborne has reunited with producer/writers Rick Chertoff, Rob Hyman, and Eric Bazilian on her new album 'Little Wild One,' scheduled for a September 9 release on her own Womanly Hips label in partnership with Plum Records. The team last worked together on Osborne's breakthrough, debut album 'Relish,' which sold five million copies worldwide and yielded the smash hit "One Of Us" as well as scoring six Grammy nominations.

'Little Wild One' features eleven new songs, most of them written by Osborne in collaboration with Chertoff, Bazilian and Hyman. Highlights include "Hallelujah in the City," "Sweeter Than The Rest," "Cathedrals," the haunting title track "Little Wild One" and the stripped-down "Bury Me On The Battery," an ode to Osborne's coming of age hometown, New York City.

In a career that spans over fifteen years, Joan has proven to be an artistically restless yet consistently enthralling performer. In 2002, she cemented her reputation as a top tier soul singer with an incredible turn in the acclaimed documentary film 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown,' followed by a tour with legendary Motown backing band The Funk Brothers. In 2003, Osborne toured with the Dixie Chicks and then surprised and wowed audiences touring throughout America for two years as the lead singer for The Dead. In 2007, she graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Osborne loves to sing and perform in many different genres, but she comes back to her soulful rock roots on 'Little Wild One.' Watch for Joan to tour extensively around the release of her new album.

'Little Wild One' Track List

1. Hallelujah In The City
2. Sweeter Than The Rest
3. Cathedrals
4. Little Wild One
5. Rodeo
6. To The One I Love
7. Daddy-O
8. Meet You In The Middle
9. Can't Say No
10. Light of This World
11. Bury Me On The Battery

Check out some of these new songs on her MySpace Page!

Posted at 12:36 PM |

Fri - August 1, 2008

New Pretenders Album, Innovative Distribution

Can't say I'm a huge Pretenders fan, but I definitely enjoy them... and hey, they (used to be) local. Take a listen (or download) The Nothing Maker over at iLike.

(via Billboard)

The Pretenders will roll out their new album, "Break Up the Concrete," as one MP3 per week with a different partner leading up to the Sept. 23 CD street date via Shangri-La Music.

The first song, "Boots of Chinese Plastic," is available for free download via AOL's Spinner.com and the Pretenders' Web site. Subsequent tracks will roll out with partners such as QuickTime, ClearChannel.com, CMT.com, iLike, iMeem, MP3.com, VH1 Classic, Yahoo!, CBS Radio and MSN Windows Media.

Keep Reading...

MySpace

Posted at 07:36 AM |

Thu - July 31, 2008

Why I Love Xavier Rudd...

New album out on August 19th.

MySpace

Posted at 07:12 AM |

Tue - July 29, 2008

Lennon Video

Enjoy!! (I did)

Posted at 07:39 AM |

Mon - July 28, 2008

New Ray LaMontagne

UPDATE: This release has been pushed back to September 30th.

(via Billboard):

On the heels of his 2006 album "Till the Sun Turns Black," Ray LaMontagne is set to release his third studio album, "Gossip in the Grain," Sept. 9 via RCA.

With producer Ethan Johns once again helming the decks, the 10-song album will feature more fleshed-out arrangements with help from LaMontagne's touring band -- bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood – and Johns on drums. Also featured is singer/songwriter Leona Naess on "A Falling Through" and "I Still Care for You."

Keep Reading...

MySpace

Posted at 07:48 AM |

Sun - July 27, 2008

New Faint!

About damn time... I really hope they hit Cleveland when touring for this release!

(via Spinner)

The Faint wrote, recorded, produced and will release the new album on their own (on new imprint blank.wav), with the inspiration behind their independent attitude coming from bands of their youth.

"Fugazi, Superchunk -- bands like that -- they just took care of business and they made sure that they were not sacrificing their art along the way," Thiele says. "We've kind of always looked up to people that started their own labels and just kind of made it their lifestyle. The digital thing is what makes it possible for artists to do it more themselves. Now is the time. You can really take advantage of it and hopefully it will continue to flourish."

Though 'Fasciinatiion' took four years to make, Thiele says the group made a conscious decision to refrain from getting too out there."When I listen to our older records, I can't believe how fast some of the songs are," he says. "I'm like, 'What were we doing?' It's a little too bombastic sometimes. We've learned how to pace ourselves a little better, but it's still really upbeat. It's kind of what we do."

Posted at 07:57 PM |

Thu - July 24, 2008

Out of Our Heads

So I'll admit it... I was a huge Sheryl Crow fan back in the day. And following along with many, she kinda dropped out of my good graces as she became more popular and less innovative. It almost kinda felt like she was following a formula, but that's how things seem to go with big name artists on major labels.

However, her new album (Detours) isn't that bad... One of the stand out tracks is Out of Our Heads. I've played this song for people without prefacing the artist. I love that everyone likes the song, but no one correctly guesses the performer.

Just ran across the video for this song yesterday and thought I would share: