Desktop Bluesman

I stumbled upon the Desktop Bluesman.
This cat, he sure got the blues.
Give it try, and you'll be playin' the blues, directly.

Chatham County Line

Some of the best bluegrass music is being made just down the road from where I stay. Chatham County Line are keeping traditional bluegrass music alive, which is encouraging, considering how young these musicians are. I had the pleasure of attending their CD release show a week ago and picked up their upcoming release: "Speed of the Whippoorwill."

It will be in stores on May 30, and I highly recommend it. It's steeped in lyrical tales that could easily have been written 100 years ago. These lads are sharp dressers to boot.
Photo by Mike Traister

+ Chatham County Line - Rock Pile
+ Chatham County Line - Speed of the Whippoorwill

+ Nowhere to Sleep (video)

Tom Waits - "Angels in Heaven" video

the children and the rooster at the end: priceless.

Imogen Heap

Imogen Heap, 1/2 of the duo Frou Frou, is a wonderful, burgeoning talent. Here are a couple of live tracks from 2 different radio shows, KCRW and KCBO. The stripped-down, piano version of "Let Go" is seriously worth a listen. If you're familiar with the grammy-winning soundtrack to Garden State, this song will ring familiar.

+ Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (KCRW)
+ Imogen Heap - Let Go(KCBO)

first heard at Don't Need Anything

65 Years Young

Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan!
Here's an article on how to celebrate Dylan's birthday. I fancy #6, myself.

I've also stumbled upon a Canadian article that features 65 Dylan Quotes.

It wouldn't be a proper birthday without music, so here's some classic Dylan from The Band's The Last Waltz. Dylan joins Robbie Robertson & company on stage in this rendition of "Forever Young."

And for one to grow on... I offer you Wilco, performing an original:
"Bob Dylan's 49th Beard."

Long may you run, Zimmy. Long may you run.

+ Bob Dylan & the Band - Forever Young.mp3
+ Wilco - Bob Dylan's 49th Beard.mp3

[haiku]

unnatural light

coaxing office plants

to reach higher

"Patience"

I discovered this gem of truth in Rodney White's gallery. With a solid understanding of typography and placement, he crafts these wonderful slogans in the manner of weather-worn signs from the past.

"Patience" © Rodney White

Folk meets Punk

I tend to eschew mash-ups, discarding them as novelty. But this one commanded my attention, for it combined one of the most important anthems of the 60's: Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" with the Pixies' punk anthem "Where is My Mind?"

+ Bob Dylan / The Pixies "Blowin' in My Mind"

first heard at Some Velvet Blog

Modern Psalmist

As of late, I've been listening to Matisyahu. Constantly. With a firm grasp of his Jewish roots, Matisyahu (the Hebrew equivalent of Matthew) blends Reggae, beatbox, and his Orthodox faith into a wonderful, feverish amalgam. On his latest release "Youth" one song in particular reaches me in a profound way: "King Without a Crown." It's a Psalm for the 21st century. He would make Bob Marley and King David smile & dance.

His relentless touring schedule brought him to Chapel Hill a few mos. back, but I wasn't hip enough to it at the time. But I can live vicariously through boots, of which there are many.
Enjoy.

Matisyahu
Crystal Ballroom
Portland, OR
02/26/06

01. crowd
02. Sea To Sea
03. Nigun
04. Chop 'em Down
05. Tzama L'cha Nafsh
06. Got No Water
07. Youth
08. Lord, Raise Me Up
09. Close My Eyes
10. Beat Box
11. Fire and Heights
12. Exaltation
13. Warrior
14. King Without A Crown
Encore
15. Heights

check out "Lord, Raise Me Up" & "King Without A Crown"

Matisyahu's shows are readily available, as he's very taper friendly. However, these recordings are never to be bought or sold, but shared.

Peace, er Shalom.

Matisyahu's Official web site

[senryu]

el regalo perfecto
no viene de una tienda
sino de sus ojos