Bright Eyes--Biggest Lie

Here's Conor straight up nailing a cover of Elliott Smith's "Biggest Lie" at what looks to be a mellow Halloween party. Have fun trick-or-treating, people.

PJ Harvey--To Bring you my Love

This slinky tune is a hypnotic slow burn of the highest order.

Rilo Kiley - Always

The Phantom is watching you...

Mother Cow

When I first heard Hindus referring to "Mother Cow", in my heart I knew it was true. I don't know how someone can enjoy ice cream and not want to protect the source. How about a little gratitude?

Bruce Springsteen--Dancing in the Dark (live, Hyde Park)

"I'm sick of sitting 'round here trying to write this book..."

Bright Eyes--The Calendar Hung Itself (Austin City Limits)

Conor busted out a Bright Eyes classic at ACL Festival 2011. 

Tori Amos--Tear in Your Hand (Live at Glastonbury)

This is my favorite era of Tori performances. This is most likely from 1998. I've been to more Tori shows than just about any major touring musician. She can be absolutely mesmerizing by herself, but I prefer seeing her with the band because there's not as much ear damage from the audience singing along. Also, at this time in her career, she had four killer albums and dozens of amazing b-sides and covers to choose from. Every song selection was a surprise.

Slavoj Zizek on OWS

Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek recently discussed Occupy Wall Street with Charlie Rose.



On Wednesday, Zizek spoke at St. Mark's Bookshop in the East Village.

Tori Amos--Bliss

"A bliss of another kind..."

Wait Mister, You're Drinking a Candle!

Outstanding!

Occupy Mordor

Where is Mordor? Wherever the RNC happens to be...traitors...

Joan Osborne - What If God Smoked Cannabis?

Indeed, what if God did?

Keni Thomas--Another Mexico Song

I was surprised to find an email in my inbox from singer/songwriter Keni Thomas yesterday. He was nice enough to thank me for writing about his appearance on Louie, which had a pretty profound effect on me.

It turns out Mr. Thomas went to high school right around the corner from the house I used to live in. It was great to trade emails with such a grounded, talented and accomplished individual. With a little research, I learned that he also happens to also be a decorated military veteran with an incredible life story.

He has two fine albums and a memoir that I look forward to reading soon. I wrote about his moving breakthrough appearance on a episode of Louie entitled "Duckling" over at my personal blog.

This is a really fun single of his called "Another Mexico Song," which is available on iTunes.

Slow Club--It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful

"Waitin' never quite felt like waitin' when waitin' was with you."

Pete Seeger Energizes Occupy Wall Street

Seeger at OWS, NYC

Pete Seeger has been protesting against oppression since the 1930's. He is one of America's most enduring, living icons.

Read the article.

Jane's Addiction--Ocean Size (Live 1997)

"I was made with a heart of stone, to be broken with one hard blow..."

John Lennon - Working Class Hero

Notice the children following "John" into Strawberry Fields, at the end. This is one of the greatest videos ever made.

Elliott Smith--Between The Bars

Youtube user Dufftones writes, "I dedicate this video not only to Elliott, but to everyone out there who's life he saved, mine included."

Bright Eyes--I Believe In Symmetry (Austin City Limits)

People of Australia, look for Bright Eyes in your land next month.

Faith No More--Midlife Crisis

Bit of a sloppy performance from their 2009 reunion tour, but come on, it's Faith No More!



Incidentally, the band that I was in back in the early 90's, Fuse, sampled this song on our not-hit "Through Out," which can be enjoyed here.

Weezer--Creep (Radiohead Cover)

This is pretty crazy--Weezer lead a room full of musicians in a rousing cover of Radiohead's "Creep".

Weezer--Getchoo

Weezer jamming in their practice space on this Pinkerton-era classic.

Glass Onion

Bright Eyes--One For You, One For Me (Austin City Limits)

From Austin City Limits Festival 2011.

Scroobius Pip--Let Em Come

This is a proper song but this version, sans band, stands up well as poetry. 

LiliAna Rose - Freedom

All it needs is a little production, and it's a hit. In my book, anyway. LiliAna Rose is a very strong contender for the TWS Talent Competition.

Rilo Kiley - With Arms Outstretched

Don't fool yourself into thinking you're more than you are...

Blackbird

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Esben and the Witch--Hexagons IV

From the All Saints Basement series.

Belly--Super-Connected

Excellent performance by Belly on Letterman from a time before HD. 

Patrick Ball - Carolan's Dream

Everyone has their favorite Wheel of Time music. I guess we are all film directors when it comes to the Wheel of Time. I would play this music as the Emond Fielders are riding away with Moiraine, Lan, and Tom, not knowing if they will ever return.

This would be Egwene's music.

10000 Maniacs--Stockton Gala Days

From an old appearance on David Letterman's show. 

Cannabis Use = Child Neglect? Please...

This is a very good article about a very scary situation in New York City, where the Administration for Children's Services has been taking children away from their parents because the parents were caught with very small amounts of cannabis. Now, that is demonic.

Read the article.

Paul McCartney - Too Many People

A great guitar solo.

Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed

As they say in India, it is "too good."

Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die

Old Mac kicks out the jams. He is still quite the entertainer.

Rick Steves Says "High Is A Place"

Steves says he likes to go places, and "high is a place." I concur. Steves is, after Marco Polo, probably the most famous world traveler the world has ever known. Shouldn't we hear what he has to say?

The Walrus Speaks Honors Brownie Mary

Brownie Mary, cannabis activist

"San Francisco General Hospital volunteer, Mary Jane Rathbun, realized that marijuana eased the suffering of AIDS patients and allowed them to eat. Brownie Mary, as she became known, was arrested and charged with drug distribution for baking pot brownies and giving them to AIDS patients. Rathbun refused to take any plea bargain, demanding a jury trial and creating a media disaster for the district attorney. The charges were dropped, and Brownie Mary was free to help Peron open the Cannabis Buyers Club and advocate for Prop 215."

This is from a comprehensive article about the history of medical marijuana in California. The article is from 2009, right after Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Obama administration would honor its campaign promise to not prosecute legal marijuana dispensaries in California. The administration has since issued letters of warning that these dispensaries will be raided.

Why, Mr. President? Why do you dishonor the memory of Brownie Mary?

Bono and The Edge Rock Clinton Foundation

The better half of U2 played a 40-minute set on Saturday for the Clinton Foundation at The Hollywood Bowl, which included a birthday serenade for President Clinton.

California Doctors Say Legalize It

Read the article.

All You Need Is Love

It's easy...

Quicksilver - Maiden Of The Cancer Moon

The strangest of the San Francisco sound.

Jack White--Love is Blindness (U2 Cover)

Took the money, honey
Blindness

Jonathan Richman - I'm Straight

Hippie Johnny gets all the girls...

Yael Naim - New Soul

Inspirational.

LiliAna Rose - Rise Up With Fists

Outstanding. A very strong contender for the Walrus talent contest.

10000 Maniacs--What's The Matter Here

Some old school 10,000 Maniacs. 10,000 is an approximate count. Not sure what the margin of error is on the maniac count.

Zuccotti Park Cleanup Cancelled, Showdown Averted

Al Jazeera covers the tension over an attempt to vacate the site of the Occupy Wall Street protest.

The Civil Wars--Billie Jean

Following up on Chris Cornell's version, here's The Civil Wars doing "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.

Damien Rice--One (U2 Cover)

The great Damien Rice takes U2's "One" onto another plane of consciousness.

One by u2mexico

LiliAna Rose - Carry On

"Wall Street's got the Dust Bowl blues."

Carry On by LiliAna Rose

Rocky Racoon

Jenny Lewis - Rise Up With Fists

One of her very greatest performances of all time, seriously.

Gillian Welch - The Way It Goes

Very solid music.

The Civil Wars--Between the Bars (Elliott Smith Cover)

The Civil Wars played this sweet Elliott Smith cover at a sound check in Kansas City back in June.

Neil Young - Cortez The Killer

Lean and mean.

The Hush Sound--Not Your Concern

In 2008 The Hush Sound played live at Paste's studios.

Moody Blues - For My Lady

Rilo Kiley--Silver Lining (Live on Q985)

From May 2008, at Omaha's Q-98.5.

Big L.A Cop Says Legalize It

The recent PBS documentary by Ken Burns, "Prohibition", has folks thinking in a common sense way about cannabis prohibition, too.

Read Downing's article.

Gillian Welch - Scarlet Town

Ms. Welch has the chops, yes she does.

The Decemberists--NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

The stripped down version of the band play three songs from their album The King Is Dead.

Battle of the Bands--Weezer Vs. Foster the People

Up first, Weezer, firing the first salvo, covering "Pumped up Kicks" by Foster the People.



Foster the People fired back almost immediately, covering "Say it Ain't So" by Weezer.

Alison Krauss - Maybe

This is an unusual sort of music for Krauss.

Alison Krauss And Union Station - Man Of Constant Sorrow

These are the real Soggy Bottom Boys, with of course, one very lovely fiddle player.

Los Campesinos!--Romance is Boring, There are Listed Buildings

A couple more songs from the RockFeedBack sessions.

Judy Collins - Both Sides Now

Composed by Joni Mitchell.

Portishead--Mysterions

Poritishead played a couple of tunes on Fallon's show last night. Here's "Mysterions" in all its glory.



Check out their other performance here.

Jenny Lewis--Better Son Daughter, Happy

Lewis revisits a great Rilo Kiley song then makes a seamless transition into "Happy" from her debut solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat.

Merlin's Magic - The Heart Of Reiki

So absorbed in meditation, plants grow on him!

This You Tube video, unfortunately, will not allow embedding. Normally I don't post links to You Tube, but for this meditation music I will make an exception. If you want to relax with soulful, sattvic sound vibrations, this is for you.

Nick Drake--Don't Think Twice, It's Alright

I don't know anything about Nick Drake, but I just listened to a few of his songs at Derek's recommendation, and the man is phenomenal. His music is soulful, pretty and timeless. He seems to have influenced Elliott Smith quite a bit. Still, I never would have guessed that he died just a few months after I was born.

Colbert Demystifies Rove's Fundraising Techniques, Eats Part of Ham Look-a-like

Funny AND informative.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Los Campesinos!--The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future

Part of a set for RockFeedBack. 

Kristin Hersh & Tanya Donelly--Dragonhead

Over the years Throwing Muses founders Kristin Hersh & Tanya Donelly have gotten together on occasion to reprise some of their early work. In this clip they play the song "Dragonhead".



And here's the original.

Jenny Lewis--Pretty Bird

Jaw dropping performance by JLew in Seattle back in 2009. 

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

The first time I heard this song, I went crazy. First I discovered the Beatles (well, who didn't), then Dylan, and then Hindu deities. And that pretty much describes me.

Peter, Paul, And Mary

Mary Travers passed away a few years ago.

Tom Paxton - The Last Thing On My Mind

An overlooked artist.

Woody Guthrie & Pete Seeger

That's Sonny Terry on mouth harp with Guthrie. I don't know who the other guitarist is. It sounds like Seeger narrating. He is 92 years old.

Tom Waits - I Want You

I'm still discovering Waits. This is nice. Short and sweet.

Rural Alberta Advantage--Don't Haunt This Place

One of my favorite songs of the last few years. The drums are just revolutionary. 

U2--October

Deeply enjoying this month and it's marvelous weather.

Feist--I feel It All

From AOL's Spinner Session. This is number two with a bullet on The Good the Bad and the Unknown's list of the top 11 Feist songs.

The Stooges - I Want To Be Your Dog

We play variety at KTWS Radio.

Rural Alberta Advantage--Stamp

From Spin's series "Every Passion Has A Road." 

It Is Now Navaratri - Durga Puja

It's time to worship the Divine Mother.

Standard Fare--A Night With a Friend

From their Groupee session in 2010. 

The Police--Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

I resolve to call her up a thousand times a day
Ask her if she'll marry me
in some old fashioned way
But my silent fears have gripped me
long before I reach the phone
And before my tongue has tricked me
Must I always be alone

What Really Happened In Abbey Road

Or something like that.

I Am The Walrus

I read somewhere that the Beatles liked to watch the cartoon show. Especially John, of course.

Octopus' Garden

Let's go there!

Nowhere Man

Sister Act - My God (My Guy)

This is pretty cute.

Chris Cornell--Billie Jean

One of the best performances I've ever seen Cornell give, well, on Youtube anyway. I had the good fortune to see Soundgarden play a couple times in the early 90s as they were rising to power.



Here's another version if you were left cold by that one cutting off mid-solo.

You Must Chill!

My favorite moment from Say Anything.

Lord Of The Rings - Theme With Vocals

I like to start my day with this. Perhaps my struggle will lead to something.

Natalie Merchant--Verdi Cries

Natalie Merchant reprises her 10,000 Maniacs classic in this very intimate performance of mysterious origins.

Pearl Jam--Mother

Pearl Jam covers the cornerstone of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

"You Should Be Here" (Video From 5th and 6th Day of Occupy Wall Street)

Here's a look at some video shot during the 5th and 6th day of Occupy Wall Street. It may or may not be THE revolution, but it's revolutionary. If you're not there, or at one of the other protests around the country, you can still help out.

Would You Eat A Dog?

These dogs have been roasted at a Vietnam restaurant.

These dogs are scheduled for execution.



These dogs have already been executed in the U.S. But wait, they are not dogs! They are not pets.."so it's O.K. to eat them." Isn't this a hellish mentality?

Tom Waits - Had Me A Girl

A friend, who lives homeless in Arizona, turned me on to Waits.

Male Circumcision OK, Female C. Not OK

Is this your idea of holy? Maybe I don't want to know you...

This just in--

The Governor of California, Jerry Brown, "has signed a bill that will prevent local governments from banning male circumcision." Understand that we are talking about child circumcision, not adult. So the Governor or California is siding with religious groups, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, instead of the rights of minor U.S. citizens to have the body God--or nature, if you prefer--gave them left intact and inviolable.

Shame on you, Governor Brown. What's wrong with allowing an adult to make such a decision concerning his own body, when he becomes an adult at 18? After all, abortion is legal largely because of the argument that a woman has legal rights to the dispensation of her bodily existence. I accept this argument. Jerry Brown, are you saying that minors, unlike women, have no rights? This is very disturbing.

What about female circumcision? What is the position of the federal government on this issue? Read on.

Title 18 – Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Part I - Crimes

Chapter 7 - Assault

Section 116 - Female genital mutilation

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia majora or labia minora or clitoris of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(b) A surgical operation is not a violation of this section if the operation is--

(1) necessary to the health of the person on whom it is performed, and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a medical practitioner; or

(2) performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth by a person licensed in the place it is performed as a medical practitioner, midwife, or person in training to become such a practitioner or midwife.

(c) In applying subsection (b)(1), no account shall be taken of the effect on the person on whom the operation is to be performed of any belief on the part of that person, or any other person, that the operation is required as a matter of custom or ritual.

(Added Pub. L. 104-208, div. C, title VI, Sec. 645(b)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-709.)

Why is it legal to circumcise minor boys, but it is not legal to circumcise minor girls? The answer is plain. Circumcision of boys is a part of Judeo-Christian culture, but circumcision of girls is not. Why the double standard? Why isn't religious circumcision of any minor, male or female, a form of religious extremism?

Bill Withers--Use Me

A little funk for your Sunday.

AutoVaughn--The Cycles

Just found this excellent band right in time for their indefinite hiatus. Always two full lengths albums late and an EP short.  

Happy 20th Anniversary, Mr. Charlie Rose

Our buddy Derek pointed out in comments that the great Charlie Rose celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his show last week. Rose turned in a great deal of amazing interviews over those 20 years and he has long been one of my favorite TV hosts. Here's a clip from Mr. Rose's talk earlier this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who I will not insult because I am doing this post in my classy Charlie Rose voice.  

George Harrison - Stuck Inside A Cloud

Only thing that matters to me is to touch your lotus feet.

Paul McCartney - Jenny Wren

Poignant.

Beatles

This guy was eight when he met the Beatles, but I was seven, in January, 1964. And they have been with me ever since.

Quicksilver Messenger Service - The Truth

Howling guitars, wailing vocals, and some mean keyboards.

Chris Cornell--Seasons

Chris Cornell plays his first solo song "Seasons," which was on the amazing Singles soundtrack in 1992.  

Rilo Kiley--Portions for Foxes

L.A. 2003.

Flogging Molly--If I Ever Leave This World Alive

Live in Bern, Switzerland. Back in 2006.

Make Your Own Kind of Music (Lost Rewatch Update)

On to Season Three of my first Lost re-watch. The first two seasons are awesome and hold up better than I thought.

Here's a look at the Season 2 Trailer. The song is "Make Your Own Kind of Music," by Mama Cass.



And here is Mama Cass doing it live, introduced by none other than Sammy Davis, Jr.

The Strokes--Machu Picchu

I've often been critical of The Strokes, but this song works for me. Could this be a turning point in my relationship with this band? You probably don't care, but it could be. Stay tuned.