The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp

I believe this is the first TWS posting of "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp," from Harrison's 1970 opus, All Things Must Pass. And it is great.

Greg Giraldo, 1965-2010

Comedian Greg Giraldo died of an overdose yesterday at the age of 44. Giraldo was most famous for his work on comedy roasts, but he was much more than simply an "insult comedian". He gave up a career in law to become a comedian and he was very good at what he did. Comedian James Adomian recalls his trip with Giraldo to Monticello over 20 years ago.

Jenny and Johnny--Just Like Zeus

Jenny and Johnny played a set and chatted a bit this week at Minnesota Public Radio's Current studios.

This is a song they did not play, "Just Like Zeus".

Tony Curtis -1925-2010

Curtis's film The Defiant Ones with Sydney Poitier was an important influence in my youth. He is one of the greats. He was 85.

Jenny and Johnny--My Pet Snakes

"A song about friendship," Johnathan says.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone--Scattered Pearls

People of Houston, Texas, go see Casiotone tonight! Denton people, see Casiotone tomorrow! The rest of the tour is here. It will be the last Casiotone for the Painfully Alone tour EVER.

Nirvana--Lithium

Yay, ay, ay, ay, ay. Yeah!

All You Need Is Love

It's never too early for Valentines Day...

Krishna Das - Om Namah Shivaya

The Erotic Ascetic

Tegan and Sara--Living Room

I love this threatening lyric: "I hope I never figure out who broke your heart, because if I did..." What would happen? Asses would be kicked is what would happen, and it is what did happen when Tegan and Sara played "Living Room" live at Amoeba Records in that other Hollywood, the one in California, back in like 2007 or something.

I Met The Walrus

"In 1969, a young boy snuck into John Lennon's hotel room with his tape recorder and persuaded him to do an interview."

The kid was somewhat of a fool, as anyone can see by some of his nonsensical ideas, but he had the great fortune of getting Lennon's interview. I think Lennon had a soft spot for youth.

In fact, I am sure of it. You must hear this interview.

Jenny Lewis - The Highs And Lows

A great performance.

Reds' Aroldis Chapman Throws Fastest Pitch in MLB History

105 mph, people.

Holly Miranda--Ex-Factor

This is a Lauren Hill cover Holly Miranda played in the back of a cab.

John Lennon - Come Together

A great live performance.

Lennon Says War Is Over...

...if we want it. He sold peace to housewives, like soap. Perhaps this is a good place to start. Let's have Christmas today!

Holly Miranda--Ænema

Holly Miranda of Jealous Girlfriends covers Tool's apocalyptic screed against materialistic culture as found in the city of angels.

Beatles LP Countdown - Get Back

So this was the last Beatles song on the last Beatles album released, not produced. Loretta's mama is wearing high heel shoes, and a low neck sweater. Exactly how old is Loretta's mother? What's up with that?

Though not their best album as albums go, Let It Be is chock full of great music. So get back.

Marijuana Initiative Gains Strength

I emailed the Station Agent this afternoon, complaining that there was little to celebrate these days politically, and he sent me an article on the California marijuana initiative. So now I am in a better mood.

Read the article.

Warpaint--Undertow

People of Oakland, see this band tonight. Tour dates here.

Coconut Records--Any Fun

One of the many musical heirs of Elliott Smith is actor Jason Schwartzman, who replicates the soul and tone of Smith, if not his precision as a multi-instrumentalist or his sharpness as a songwriter. That is not criticism of Schwartzman, Smith's is a tall shadow to pass under.

I bring this up because Schwartzman is getting his third album ready. This is one from his last album (h/t TwentyFourBit).

Stewart, O'Reilly Tangle, Crossfire-style

Jon Stewart crossed lightsabers with Bill O'Reilly on Fox. Here's how it went down:

Pt. 1:


Pt. 2:

Youngbloods - Get Together

Love may not be where every answer ends, but it must be where every answer begins.

Little Joy--Next Time Around

Los Angeles supergroup Little Joy is between albums right now. This tender slice of goodness is from 2008.

Donovan - Universal Soldier

Herman Dune--My Home Is Nowhere Without You

"There is nowhere like the ocean to drift
And the world is wonderful as it is
Now I might try to settle down on some beach in Malibu
But my home is nowhere without you"

Rilo Kiley--Science Vs. Romance

As for those things that act as markers in your life
but in between you can't remember
and so it seems that you've grown up and over me
and these silly things i like to dwell on...

Grateful Dead - Friend Of The Devil

Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay

Jim James, Levon Helm Band--The Weight

My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk member Jim James joined the Levon Helm Band for a crisp performance of The Band's classic "The Weight" (h/t You Ain't No Picasso).

Beach Boys - I Get Around

Screaming Trees--Dollar Bill

Trying to make it easy on you
Trying to make it better
Make it easier on you
It's all I came to do

Beatles LP Countdown - The Long And Winding Road

Because this song appeared on the last Beatles album released (not produced), it had a particularly lachrymose effect on many people. It still does. But all things must pass, as George Harrison noted.

The King is dead. Long live the King!

The Defibulators--Get What's Coming

From their appearance at the 2010 Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN, earlier this month (h/t The Late Greats).

In The Morning Light

Relax, and enter your inner space.

Dexter

My wife and I are nuts for this show. Like a lot of other people. Hey, he only kills bad guys!

Fiona Apple--Extraordinary Machine

Not sure when this happened, but it went down at Largo in LA. Word around the campfire is that Fiona will out out a new album in 2011.

Take it Down a Notch For America

Yesterday Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced competing rallies to be held on the Mall in D.C. on Oct. 30. Stewart's rally will be called The Rally to restore sanity. Colbert's rally will be called The Rally to Keep Fear Alive. You can watch both announcements over at TPM.

Gold Motel--Safe in L.A.

From the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Not sure what happened to the drummer, but it sounds quite good, regardless.

Velvet Underground - Femme Fatale

This song is dedicated to the Right Reverend Richard Tak, of Psychedelic Church, Wimberley, Texas.

Bob Marley - Ganja Gun

A rare track.

Apache Indian - Om Namah Shivaya

It's Indic-reggae fusion. Very sweet.

Jenny Owen Youngs--Clean Break

Jenny Owen Youngs has a couple of shows coming up in Virginia and New York.

Sting - Fields Of Gold

Today Is Radhastami

Hindus all over the world are celebrating today the appearance of Srimati Radharani, the gorgeous divine girlfriend of Sri Krsna. She is eternal and unborn, but She appears at specific times.

Hail to the Goddess.

Jesus Christ And The Rolling Stones - Beatitudes And Wild Horses

Don't ask why I think "Wild Horses" goes with Beatitudes. I just feel that it does.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Christina Perri--The Blower's Daughter

Overnight sensation Christina Perri unleashes a soulful cover of Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter."

Beatles Rock And Roll

"Roll Over Beethoven."

"Long Tall Sally."

"Twist And Shout."

"Shout."

"Rock And Roll Music."

I posted all of these songs because I recently heard someone claim that the Beatles didn't actually do rock and roll. Such people usually claim that the Rolling Stones did rock and roll much better. What these people don't realize is that the Stones' music has a higher percentage of rock and roll because their musical repertoire was not as deep. To the undiscerning, what can you say?

Rilo Kiley--Capturing Moods

Excellent fan made video.

Sam Seder--Racism and the Tea Party

Sam Seder talks to teabaggers about racism.

Black Crowes--Remedy

From Jimmy Kimmel live. The Crowes reworked many of their best songs for their latest album, Croweology.

Beatles LP Countdown - One After 909

Good morning Beatles people. The local time is 11.54 am, and the thermometer outside our beautiful studio shows 88 Beatle degrees. This is your trusty DJ Dr. Diego here, mollifying my aching head after a wild night of too many homemade donuts, served with honey and powdered sugar--ouch. Anyway, my rock and roll addicted brain whispered to me just now that a bit of thumping notes would be just the thing for my splitting head ache--if it was from the Liddypool Four--and, counter-intuitively, it was right, at least for a short while. Of course that would only be counter-intuitive if you were not a Beatles person, which is quite possible if you are a pup or a nasty Rolling Stones fanatic. And there is a passel of the latter wandering around (the former are being schooled by the Station Agent and I, so they get a temporary pass), but who said it was a perfect world?

My head ache is returning without the soothing strains of Beatles rock and roll, so I had better write quickly. It so happens that Polythene Pam send me a Spacebook thread (or is it My Face?) that included some inane comments from a person I used to respect, but now makes that impossible by insinuating that the Beatles did not do proper rock and roll, and besides she was a purist. There was also something said about the Stones. I have heard this line of f-c-s so many times before that it now rates a ten on my barfometer, and did I mention that she mentioned Mssrs. Jagger and Company?

Anyone who even hints at better rock and roll credentials than the Beatles obviously doesn't know their work, or for that matter, the music of the Rolling Stones. Not really. And wouldn't a so called purist stick to scratchy recordings of Robert Johnson, and sip moonshine from an old fruit jar? Why, in my old age, am I haunted by these people, still ignorant after all these years?

In this post I include a better sound version and the live version, which has the benefit of the London Bobbie scene and the sound of The Boys from the street--Abbey Road, to be exact. What a way to make your last public performance! Unfortunately there are no images of the late Billy Preston on organ.

Don't you like George's biting guitar comments? I think you do. Unless you are a purist, in which case you can go f...wait! This is a family blog!

Just keep it here folks. That's www.thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com broadcasting from America's Deep South 24/7, on your cyber radio dial.

Republican Phil Davidson Brings Extreme Intensity to Stark County Treasury Race

This whole system is out of order! (h/t Rainn Wilson)

Lissie--Ramona

Lissie's world tour comes to the states in October. In this clip, she cover's Dylan's "Ramona".

The Young Turks--Class Warfare

Cenk breaks down income inequality in America. For more, see my post here.

Tori Amos--Sugar

If I could take
25 minutes
out of the record books...
Sugar,
Brings me sugar...

Tristan Clopet--Breaking the Girl

Nice cover of a Red Hot Chili Peppers' classic.

The Daily Show--Are You Ready for Some Midterms?

Check out the chop job Fox does on President Obama's speech, changing the meaning of his words with some diabolical editing.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Are You Ready for Some Midterms? - MSNBC's Political Narrative
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Indian-Pakistani Tennis Team Kicks Ass...

Qureshi and Bopanna

...for peace. I don't know jack about tennis, but I like this. I really do. Station Agent?

Read the article.

Jenny Owen Youngs--If I Didn't Know

HD, this one is quickly becoming "the other Jenny".

Madeline Adams--Dead Moon

If you live in Chicago, Bloomington, Louisville, or Chattanooga; catch Madeline's current U.S. tour.

Madeline from Slow RECORDS on Vimeo.

Rilo Kiley--With Arms Outstretched

From Coachella 2008.

DariMarie--Loose Lips

DariMarie does an excellent job with Kimya Dawson's "Loose Lips," a definite entry into the never ending talent contest.

Rilo Kiley--Absence of God

From October 2004.

Byrds--Turn! Turn! Turn!

First TV Ad For Medical Marijuana

This just goes to show that what I have said since 1969 is coming true--it is not a question of if there will be total legalization, it is only a question of when. And it looks like that when is coming very, very soon, and not a moment too soon.

Aerosmith--Movin' Out

Good morning glory, hallelujah to ya.
What is the story and what's been goin' through ya?
Livin' like a king off the fat of the land,
Workin' like a dog in a rock n' roll band.

Garfunkel and Oates--Me, You and Steve

Comedy duo Garfunkle and Oates with another cute song.

Neil Young - After The Gold Rush

There is a line in this song about the 1970's, but without seeing the printed lyrics it sounded to me, when I was young, like he was saying something about 1917. And he also mentions lying in a bombed out basement, and hoping for replacement. So I put all of this together and concluded he was singing about World War I. This is not my fault.

Even the great Neil Young should be concerned with diction, if lyrics are important. It's the only fault I can find with Young, and even the Beatles. Why should you have to read the lyrics to know what the song is about?

Anyway...

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

I'm not a fan of Rod Stewart, but I'll post "Maggie May" once in awhile.

Creedence - Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

I'm doing the classic rock thing today on KTWS Radio. That's www.thewalruspeaks.blogspot.com on your cyber radio dial.

Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You

One of their best.

Kate Wolf - Give Yourself To Love

Portugal. The Man--All My People

Portland's mesmerizing Portugal. The Man.

Florence and the Machine--Dog Days Are Over

The dog days are over, people. Football season is here.

A Day In The Life (Unproduced)

Sugar plum fairy, sugar plum fairy...

Beatles LP Countdown - I've Got A Feeling

I usually don't think much of remastered Beatles music, but this one hits the spot. Also, when I was younger I wasn't very fond of "I've Got A Feeling," but this song has grown on me. I like the unusual way John and Paul are singing separately.

Real Love

Regina Spektor's cover is the best I've heard. Truly excellent.

Here's the Anthology version.

Here's a still earlier version, just Lennon and his guitar.

Here's the official Beatles "Real Love." Fifteen years after his assassination, we were treated to a beautiful Lennon melody. Now, that is what I call a gift from God.

Regina Spektor--The Man of a Thousand Faces

One of the commenters on this clip wrote, "Reg is better than perfect."

Obama's Long Con

Sam Seder gets the straight story from a teabagger.

Blind Willie Johnson - Soul Of A Man

Johnson's stock has been rising lately among blues people. And he so deserves it, God and Goddess bless his soul.

Joan Baez - Diamonds And Rust

I think of Joan Baez as the Sonic Goddess.

Thao Nguyen--Tallymarks

From 2008, at Salt Lake City's KRCL.

Shamanic Cheerleaders - Om Krishna

When A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada brought the religion of Krishna to America in 1965, he could not have foreseen this. Or maybe he could, and that's why he set the standards so high!

He's So Fine/My Sweet Lord

Here's the song that George Harrison had to compensate the composer for; the claim was that he plagiarized it with "My Sweet Lord." I'll let you decide the merits of the case. While not an attorney, I do agree that there may have been subconscious plagiarism, but the amount of damages is the part that kills me. The attorney that wrote the article agrees--it was very excessive, given all the details.



I feel that this episode in musical history proves that no good deed goes unpunished. Harrison's song is spiritually uplifting and non-sectarian, bringing together people of different religious faiths in a common aspiration. So why did he have to pay through the nose for it?

Ask God. He and She seem to be making the rules.

Chris Cornell--Hunger Strike

I don't mind stealing bread
From the mouths of decadence
But I can't feed on the powerless
When my cup's already overfilled
But it's on the table
The fire is cooking
And their farming babies
While the slaves are working...

Rilo Kiley--We'll Never Sleep

Sailing away just isn't right just because you're angry,
If you go, i think i might lose it all together.
And how long will we last before we go insane?

Today Is Krishna's Birthday

He's so cute his mother constantly exudes breast milk out of love for him. His father goes into a trance thinking about him while at work all day, and when he is older all the women love him. As a small child he steals food and makes a mess. His elders intend to chastise him for this, but he is so charming they simply cannot. The little rascal!

You will not find such details of a personal God anywhere outside of Hinduism, to my knowledge. So just remember, today is Janmastami--the birthday of Krishna, the charming God. And being God is not the greatest thing about him! What do you think of that?

John Astin - Love, Serve, Remember

I'm going to keep posting this until I get a response from Richard, who is pastor of an outfit called Psychedelic Church out in Wimberley, Texas.

Glenn Beck For Dog Catcher

The caption reads, "I'm Glenn Beck, and I'm here to take back the civil rights movement."

Really.