Who's the 5 best rappers in the World?.....

Dylan (pronounced Die-lan), Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan

Ya'll are lucky to be getting a double dose of the Groove this week. There was a certain Bob Dylan theme surrounding the day that definately had me doing some intense research.

Early in the day I heard a great cover of "I Was Young When I Left Home", which didn't even make it onto any Dylan albums; it probably would have been on his first. Interesting to mention that out of 13 tracks on his first album, "Bob Dylan", only 2 were written by the great poet himself. Regardless, the cover of that great tune can be found on a brand new album called "Dark Was the Night", produced by The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner, just released. The original can be found on Martin Scorcese's soundrack to the documentary, "No Direction Home".

That got me searching for some old school Dylan. A little bit of Highway 61 Revisited ensued. Later I heard another great Dylan cover done by Phish. Always one to nail a great cover, during a live performance in Washington, circa 1994, the band ripped into a killer, rockin' "Fixin to Die".

So continuing with the theme of the day, here is one of my favorite Dylan tracks. Widely considered as being the origins of rap, its definately a rhyme-flowing, rollicking, energetic, playful track...From Bringing All Back Home, this track is awesome! check it

download: "Subterranean Homesick Blues"

or watch the video

Furr

Think a conglomeration of the eclectic nature of early Beck, lo-fi, indie sound of Pavement, rock genius and country twang of Neil Young and Bob Dylan, and the pop sound of the Beatles rolled into one. Portland, Oregon's Blitzen Trapper puts out its second album in fine fashion. This is a solid release. Raucous, gritty, organic, raw sound that manifests that rock is still alive and well. If you haven't heard it yet, you will; and if you already are hooked as I am, keep on rockin'.

check this track out:

Luckiest Man

There is a time and place for every song. You are the one with the chocolate on your tongue when you're drinking from the chalice of truly good music. The Wood Brothers' "ways not to lose" is a hopeful album with a backbone rooted in folk. The pen drops close to the heart for Oliver and Chris Wood. It runs through a a myriad of chill jams and tight grooves. defiinately check it out if you want a departure of the hassels of every day things.

pinback

I picked this album up a couple of months ago and its been consistantly in the rotation. Some great indie rock. Good hooks, good rhythms. Here are some gems. I love the changes in this first one. Listen to these in succession.

download: 02 Barnes

download: 03 Good to Sea

Electric Church

Most notably remembered for being the flamboyant drummer in Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, Buddy Miles died two weeks ago. I thought it fit to give a tribute. In addition to being 1/3 of the shortlived Gypsys, George "Buddy" Miles had also played with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Mike Bloomfield, John McLaughlin, George Clinton, Carlos Santana, and Bootsy Collins. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, his response was this:

"The baddest of the bad. People say I'm the baddest drummer. If that's true, thank you world."

I think that says it all. Here's one of his very best. "Them Changes" is now part of Clapton's set on tour as a tribute. It is rumored that Buddy heard Clapton playing it through his cell phone the day before he died. Whether true or not, thats pretty damn cool.

The Band of Gypsys (live 1970): Changes

King Curtis (also live 1970): Them Changes

The Boognish is back

The crazy, scotchguard huffing, blue blazing, kids are at it again. Although they're not kids anymore, they are still 'painting the town brown' as they say. And as the jazz/jam style single "Your Party" keeps on getting radio play (at least on Sirius), Gene and Dean Ween still refuse to be grouped into any genre whatsoever. They return on this, thier latest release "La Cucaracha", with an album that spans almost every type of music the band has ever been a part of. In classic Ween style, it mixes equal parts rock, reggae, bluegrass, mexi-folk, techno, jazz, jam, and slow jam into an album that you can listen to front to back. It's definately one of those albums that will keep growing on you. Pick it up if you get a chance.

check it:

download: learnin' to love

download: my own bare hands

(explicit lyrics)

download: your party

ween has always been awesomely wierd. this is a great pic

http://gener47.zenfolio.com/p362646266/?photo=874823283

Asphalt Road

Sorry about the lack of posts.

Pavement. The ground that we walk on. A fitting name for a band that dominated the indie rock scene of the early 90's and, shall I say "paved" the way for many indie bands today. They were a fiery ball of energy and feedback. Their creative, powerful sound, accompanied by frontman Steven Malkmus' playfully witty lyrics, defined the lo-fi, noise pop genre. Here's a couple of ditty's from a band whose songs never seem to get old.

One of my favorite songs of all time.

download: Range Life

another great one from Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

download: Unfair

check out this live cut from the Palace in Hollywood circa 1994

download: Summer Babe