Natalie Prass--So Silent So Strong

Middle Tennessee State student and Nashville singer Natalie Prass with "So Silent So Strong".

Weird Al Yankovic--Another One Rides The Bus

From 1981! 1981, people!

Lost/Full House Mashup

Here's a lighthearted re-imagining of Lost set to the theme song of the cheesiest of 80s sitcoms--Full House.

Rilo Kiley - A Better Son/Daughter

Sometimes in the morning I am petrified, and can't move--awake, but cannot open my eyes...

Paint's Peeling

For Rilo Kiley people only.

The Glass Beef--Hawaii

I love this song by the musicians and actors in The Glass Beef--Charlyne Yi and Paul Rust. Any song where the main character goes away and swears never to come back almost always works for me. So, in that spirit, I dedicate this song to newly minted indie Governor of Florida Charlie Crist, though I'm still a Kendrick Meek supporter in their upcoming Senate race. If Rubio wins, then I'm going to Hawaii or one of the other states and NEVER coming back. Except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

West Wing Rewind--CJ Cregg Meets the Cartographers for Social Equality

What if the map of the Earth you have inside your head is laughably wrong?

Beatles LP Countdown - Yer Blues

Here Lennon gets on the same track he pursues in much of his solo work, such as "Cold Turkey" and "Mother," stark, dark, and visceral. It's the thing in Lennon we all love, even if we don't care for these songs (I do). It's what distinguished his solo works from McCartney's, to be sure, most of which was commercially successful among the teeny-bopper set, but was a bit too saccharine for those with more adult tastes.

Of course, in the Beatles the balance between Lennon and old Mac was perfect.

Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue

Damn, this guy was good.

Regina Spektor--Ode to Divorce

Over at Regina Spektor's blog, she has posted a stream of a cover she recorded of Radiohead's "No Surprises." Buy it on iTunes; proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund. Radiohead is also donating their share of the funds. Great work all around.

This is called "Ode to Divorce":

LOST - Life And Death

We're all lost.

Garfunkel and Oats - Silver Lining

I thought it was going to be a cover of Rilo Kiley's "Silver Lining", but it's really cute. And so are Garfunkel and Oates.

Scrantones - "The Office" Theme Song

This is the full length version, that I heard once, while watching "The Office."



Here's a live version. Now doesn't that just make your day?

Joni Mitchell - Woodstock

Here's Joni Mitchell at her best, and it gives me the chills. It was a generation come of age.

Joni Mitchell Never Lies?

Remember the weird scratch at the end of Janet Jackson's song "Got til It's Gone," the pseudo-cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" that featured Mitchell and Q-tip? It says, "Joni Mitchell Never Lies". Well, she may not be lying, but she's not exactly being diplomatic either--scorching Bob Dylan in a recent interview with the LA Times. "Plagiarist" is pretty unreasonable thing to call Bob Dylan. But you decide.

Here's Janet:

The Mountain Goats--The Boys Are Back in Town

Amazing how a shift in tone from jocular to introspective can enhance a song's credibility.

Some Velvet Morning

Alexandre Cabanel, "Phèdre", 1880

Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra's musing of the Phaedra myth.

1967.

Rilo Kiley--Portions For Foxes

From Bonnaroo 2008. The band has gone off the grid of late. No news is not good news. Come back!

The Blow--The Long List of Girls

Khaela Maricich of the Blow accounts for her song output over the last five years on her blog. Stereogum has a post up reporting that Khaela's band, The Blow, which was a duo when they recorded the excellent 2006 record Paper Television has an EP due out later this year. The team broke up when elctro-pop maestro Jonah Bechtolt decided to focus full time on YACHT. According to the 'gum, Khaela has a new partner in music making, Melissa Dyne.

Here's "The Long List of Girls" from Paper Television:

Beatles LP Countdown - Birthday

Good Luck, Timmy

Tonight the NFL begins its 2010 draft with the first round. The second round takes place tomorrow. Hopefully Tim Tebow will go tonight or tomorrow at the latest. We Gators were very fortunate to have the greatest college football player of all time right here in Gainesville, Fl.

Thanks, Tim. Good luck. Also, I hope you don't get drafted by a team I really dislike. I'm looking at you, Buffalo.

This is a crowd shot of Timmy's last touchdown at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in a beat down of the Florida State Seminoles.

Humboldt--The Champagne of Cannabis?

Growing bud at Oaksterdam U., Oakland, Ca.

People in Humboldt County, California, are concerned that their area will go to pot without the marijuana industry, that for four decades has defined the ultimate experience in American cannabis. Should we concern ourselves with the material prosperity of this town and not legalize the sacred herb, because it is more expensive illegal? I think not.

Let them appropriate the term Humboldt, as the Champagne region in France did for its wine. Legalization is coming, and other states will follow. The hegemony of alcohol and tobacco is coming to an end, and prisons can be smaller.

I'm Hector Diego, and that's my opinion.

Read the article.

Pearl Jam--Baba O'Reilly

Pearl Jam members Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready joined the Max Weinberg Seven onstage at one of Conan O'Brien's tour stops. The video quality is not very good, but it's still worth a peek.


I'm hoping that Conan retains that awesome red beard when he shows up on TBS in the fall. 11pm Eastern, people. Tough gig going up against the Daily Show, but with re-runs, DVRs and internet clips we should be able to love O'Brien, Stewart and Colbert.

420--National Smoke Marijuana Day

Norlin Quad at the University of Colorado in Boulder

420--National Smoke Marijuana Day? This is becoming an important yearly event around the world, but my local television station and ABC Evening News did not mention it. And the Republicans are always claiming that we have a liberal media! But yesterday, April 20--4/20--saw thousands of smokers in various locations lighting up while police looked on, doing nothing. Now THAT is what I call populism. It is not a question of if marijuana will be legalized, it is only a question of when.

The Walrus Speaks never advocates the use of any substance, including alcohol and nicotine, probably the most destructive drugs used in all history.

Read the article.

Ben Kweller--Today

Nice Smashing Pumpkins cover.

The Beatles--Yesterday

My Aunt Lois has this posted on her Facebook page, so I gotta post it here.

Lauren O'Connell And Nataly Dawn - The Daylight Here

Here's Johnny!

What if The Shining were a touching, feel-good family movie? (h/t Scientist)

Phony Populism Of The Tea Baggers--Standing Up TO The Little Guy

The tea baggers have more dough than the average American, so how can they be "populist?" They are older, wealthier, angrier, and whiter. If you are younger, don't have much money, are not angry at Obama, or not white, chances are you are not a follower of Sarah Palin.

Yes or no?

Read the article.

Carissa Moore, Surf Rider

Carissa Moore

I can't surf, I can barely swim. But I grew up watching surfers in San Diego, California, and I find it impossible not to admire their grace and athleticism. So when I read an article about a young surfer with the qualities of Carissa Moore, I am fascinated.

This young woman (she's only 17) won a $15,000 prize and donated all of it to the development of a clubhouse for young surfers. What a credit to her parents!

Read the article.

And now, the Beach Boys.

Pomplamoose - Nature Boy

Alright, I'll tell it to you straight. I have flipped out for Pomplamoose. Their version of "Nature Boy" by eden ahbez is second to none.

"eden ahbez (born George Alexander Aberle in Brooklyn, New York on April 15, 1908; died March 4, 1995) was an American songwriter and recording artist from the 1940s-1960s, whose lifestyle in California was influential on the hippie movement."

Of course, most of us are more familiar with Nat King Cole's version of "Nature Boy."

From Robert Jordan to Brandon Sanderson, The Wheel Turns

The Charleston City Paper has a great article on the completion of the life's work of a local hero, the late author Robert Jordan. Jordan died in 2007 after a year-and-a-half long battle with a rare blood disorder. His work is being continued by author Brandon Sanderson.

Nataly Dawn Covers Queen

I have complained to the Station Agent that there is not much original stuff these days. I mean really original. He pointed out that there is much room for creativity in covers. I didn't think much of this idea, but now I am coming around. I would not have cared much for this song by Queen, but Dawn's cover has caught my attention.

Is there anyone who doubts that Nataly Dawn hung the moon?

Pomplamoose--Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

This wistful duet has been banging out brilliant YouTube clips of their covers and originals for a while now. This cover of Beyonce's Kanye-inspiring smash takes their strong game up a notch.

Rush Limberger On Obama

If you don't believe that Rush and his friends are radical conservatives intent on obstructing the President every step of the way, watch this. They lie, they twist, they obstruct. They admit to obstructing, but they do not believe they are lying and twisting. That's a measure of how twisted they actually are!

Twist And Shout

1964.

Here Comes The Sun

Whenever I get a piece of good news, I like to play this song. It's my favorite song anyway.

The Guess Who--These eyes

I like of few of these Guess Who tunes. The singer, Burton Cummings, was great, though in this clip he's well past his prime.

Jewel And Rob Thomas - Here Comes The Sun

I don't know my little sister could sing, but she sounds pretty good.

Run, Eddie, Run

This is the first clip from a TV show called "Marathon Man" about actor/comedian Eddie Izzard's ludicrous series of marathons for charity.

The Real John Lennon Part 4

Morning Benders--Promises

Matt Jordan over at You Ain’t No Picasso calls this song "one of the best songs of the year." I tend to agree.
"Promises"

the morning benders | MySpace Music Videos

Dave Chappelle--Hey Baby!

Glenn McDonald of Pop Matters reminisces about comedian Dave Chappelle's derailed entertainment career.

Here's a look at Chappelle at his best.

Kate Wolf - Give Yourself To Love

Rilo Kiley - Always

Ringo Starr Shrugs off Vatican's "Forgiveness"

Over the weekend, the Vatican "forgave" The Beatles, who they considered either satanic, or possibly satanic, and, given the magnitude of their recent molester-y flare up, I think the Vatican has a lot of nerve offering up "forgiveness" to a beloved group of legendary musicians who never asked for it. It's a rank PR move and Ringo Starr is not having it.

From CNN Entertainment:

In a tribute published to mark the 40th anniversary of the breakup of the band, who singer John Lennon once claimed were "more popular than Jesus," the Vatican newspaper "L'Osservatore Romano" said it had forgiven them and called them a "precious jewel."

But Starr told CNN: "Didn't the Vatican say we were satanic or possibly satanic -- and they've still forgiven us? I think the Vatican, they've got more to talk about than the Beatles."

Apparently, the Vatican forgave John Lennon in 2008, so has been doubly forgiven? Maybe every time the church as a scandal they can forgive a famous "satanist". Perhaps Wings and the Plastic Ono Band could be included next time.

Avi Buffalo--Remember Last Time

From January at Pianos in New York.

Cell Phones Pop Corn?

Pop Corn téléphone portable micro-ondes
Uploaded by sassiere. - News videos from around the world.

This is why I do not have a cell phone...

Rilo Kiley - Somebody Else's Clothes

Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire

Talk about a classic.

The Real John Lennon Part 3

Best Mimic Ever

A young Taiwanese boy nails Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" on a TV talent show. ITNNews reports.

Bits from Books--Don't Panic by Neil Gaimon

From the 2009 reissue of Neil Gaimon's biography of the late, great British author Douglas Adams, on the subject of ABC's half baked attempt in 1981, at adapting Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which had been a success as a radio show and later a book, and was also made into a British TV series that, by many accounts, could have been better:

Quite what ABC planned to do with Hitchhiker's is unknown. The script was to be by other people than Douglas, and was being written and put together by various committees:

"There were terrible stories coming back after meetings with executives, they'd make remarks like `Would an alien be green?' Eventually everything got abandoned because the first episode's budget came to $2.2 million. It would have been the most expensive twenty-two minute show ever made. The script was terrible."

Adams's work was most recently mangled in the 2005 Garth Jennings film version starring Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Sam Rockwell and Zooey Deschanel.

Spaceballs: The Blog Post

Hope you're all having a nice Saturday. Here's a clip from Spaceballs.

She & Him--In the Sun

She & Him also played "In the Sun" again at the Kimmel taping last week.

Beatles LP Countdown - Julia

"I Don't Want to Get Sucked Into Facebook..."

This week's Facebook-themed South Park was legend...



Yoohoo, down here! ...dary!

The Real John Lennon Part 2

I'm Looking Through You

Corin Tucker--I'm Looking Through You

In the wake of seminal American indie band Sleater-Kinney's demise, guitarist/songwriter Corin Tucker is working on material for a solo album.

This is a live cover of The Beatles' "I'm Looking Through You" performed in 2009.

The Mountain Goats & Kimya Dawson - Attention All Pickpockets, The Best Ever Death Metal Band

This video shows a stage where John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats talks to and plays songs with Kimya Dawson. Since waking up this morning, nothing has ruled more. It's amazing sometimes who knows who.

The Real John Lennon Part 1

I am always suspicious of any documentary or film that claims it is telling the real truth. But this film contains interviews with people who knew John personally, and we can take their testimonies for what they are worth.

John Lennon was THE artist of the 20th century.

Ringo Talks About John

George Harrison - Give Me Love

They are gone, but they are not forgotten.

D'Souza/Hitchens Debate

This is the debate I am missing tonight at the University of Florida. These guys have gone at it many times. They are getting $30,000 for appearing. I don't know if they have to split it. They go around and around with Christianity and a narrow sort of atheism.

Old hat.

She & Him--Thieves

She & Him played "In the Sun" earlier this week on Letterman, which was very nice, but I wanted to hear "Thieves." Well, the band delivered last night on Jimmy Kimmel's show. Excellent work.

Addicted To Lost

The entire family is addicted to Lost. Maybe we never should have started it! We have just finished the fifth season, and now we will have to rearrange the furniture in our living room so that we can view it on the computer.

So far, I see Lost in terms of karma and karmic lessons. Perhaps we can address our past failures by doing the right thing in the present. Maybe, in one sense we can go back in time, because time is only a mental construct!

I don't think we can actually go back in time, but I believe that time is cyclical and we will eventually come to similar points in time that we have already experienced. When this happens, we can be ready to improve our selves. Of course, there is no guarantee that this will be easy.

Lost is as good as The Sopranos, and that is saying a lot. Definitely more spiritual, too. And aren't we all lost, somehow?

Here's Lennon on karma. We should take the initiative, and behave according to dharma.

She & Him--In the Sun

She & Him played Letterman on Friday. Love the performance, but the album has much stronger tracks. I was hoping for "Thieves".

Pearl Jam--Dissident

Pearl Jam perform one of the best songs on the classic 1993 album Vs. in East Troy, Wisconsin, probably in 1999 or 2000. Also, they're freezing.

"Escape is never the safest plan..."

Beatles LP Countdown - I Will

If you want to hear the Beatles at work--how "I Will" sounded before McCartney finished it--see below. It sounds like the rhythm section was the genesis of this song.

Fiona Apple--Extraordinary Machine

Fiona Apple, performing with Nickel Creek.

Jaya Radha Madhava

If you thought the harmonium originated in India, forget it--it's British. But it has been very nicely appropriated by Hindu bhajan singers for its droning quality.

Alanis Morissette--Crazy

Alanis performs Seal's "Crazy".

What Could be Worse than a Sequel to Independence Day?

In spite of popular opinion, word on the street has it that all concerned parties, especially Will Smith, have signed off for two more Independence Day movies. Sadly, these junk movies will likely push back production on an adaption of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.

Let's Get Ponderous

The blog Overthinking It has an extended disquisition on why it's probably not a good idea to have amateurs running the government. Something that may be worth re-posting in 18 months when we're even more up to asses in Sarah Palin than we already are.

In an age where everyone is looking for a way to make everything more brief, it's nice to see someone doing long form, stream of consciousness stuff. Of course, I don't have time for that kind of thing, but good for them. If you want in on it, the fine people at Overthinking It take submissions in case you have some convoluted take on something or other.

They also do a fun, live webcast every Sunday that can be podcast here.