Love Me Do

"Love Me Do", which went to 17 in Britain, is the Beatles' first hit. 1962.

Afghan Rugby Makes International Debut

Last Friday, Afghanistan's rugby team made their international debut at the Dubai Sevens. Al Jazeera reports on the team's first international match.



And here's a look at the action:

The Seedy Seeds - Verb Noun

This band is both devastatingly talented and on tour now.

Sexy Sadie

The year 2012 is being threatened by the Blue Meanies, I hear. So let's play John Lennon every day of 2012 and pray to God.

Contrary to what many think, Lennon would approve of sincere religion. He wrote Sexy Sadie to express his distaste for bogus religion. After all these years, I feel that Lennon was too critical of Maharishi, but Lennon never expressed disapproval by half measures.

Paul McCartney - Two Magpies

It's rather strange.

I Am The Walrus

As usual, Lennon broke the mold with "I Am The Walrus".

The Seedy Seeds - Drive Me To The Center

These cats are groovy. You Ain't No Picasso has their new demo. This is from their 2009 album Count The Days.

Fleetwood Mac - Storms

Pitchfork directed me to Best Coast's cover of this Fleetwood Mac tune.  Nice job, but the original is quite a gem.

N.H. GOP Approves Med Pot, Dem Gov. To Veto

Has the world gone completely crazy? A Democrat Governor vetoing a medical marijuana bill passed by Republican legislators? Well, New Hampshire is a strange political animal, but this is really bizarre. One observer, though, nailed it:

"Or maybe, the Republicans in NH are actually … gasp … Republicans. You know, those people who supposedly believe in state’s rights, individual freedom, limited government interference, and fiscal responsibility. Medical marijuana is the poster child for all of those things."

Read the article.

Jack White - Freedom at 21

Jack White appeared on the Colbert Report for a chat and a performance. White plays "Freedom at 21" with his all-male band. 

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White recently played the same song with an all female band across the Atlantic for Jools Holland's audience.



If you watch his chat with Holland, you'll see that the male/female swapping blew Jools's mind.

John Lennon - Working Class Hero

This is one of Lennon's greatest songs.

Jenny Owen Youngs - Born to Lose

 JOY describes the writing and recording process of this wonderful song over at her very great blog. 

Kimya Dawson - All I Could Do

"All I could do is keep living a lie..."

Leerone - Fill The Void

From the L.A. singer/songwriter's 2008 album Imaginary Biographies.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

It was quite innovative at the time. Like all of their work.

The Dresden Dolls - Good Day

Amanda Palmer has a new album in the works for the end of summer or fall. This is from the Dresden Dolls last tour when they stopped in Austin.

Fun - Carry On

Live performance at Uranus Recordings in Tempe, AZ.  Dig the voice and instrumentation. Good enough song.  Not sure about the band name. 

Ancient Egyptian Music?

After eight years of graduate school, I am skeptical of such claims. But here is more than an hour of some very mysterious sounds.

Todd Snider - Fortunate Son

Nice cover of CCR's classic. Snider will be headlining the 11th Annual Lebowski Fest Garden Party, on Saturday July 21st. Get on over there and abide.



The original version of this song was one of the songs that Jason Edwards and I discussed on our recent podcast episode about protest music.

Heartless Bastards - Got To Have Rock N Roll

From their recent KCRW set. Very nice, old school feel to this tune.

John Lennon Lead Vocals

KTWS Radio, all John Lennon all the time.



Let him show you!

Levon Helm (1940 - 2012)

Anyone who can sing like Helm did in "The Weight" will live forever in music land.

Alabama Shakes live at Webster Hall

Brooklyn Vegan has the lowdown on The Alabama Shakes upcoming tour. This is their set from New York's Webster Hall a couple weeks ago.

John Astin - Love, Serve, Remember

I have to post this one every once in awhile. It helps me to find the light.

Ram Dass And Neem Karoli Baba

Love, serve, remember. What else is there to know? Well, it would be nice to know the real identities of  Darkfriends or sisters of the Black Ajah, but other than that...

The Shins - Simple Song (XM)

James Mercer continues to promote the excellent new Shins album with an appearance on Marc Maron's WTF podcast.

This is a clip from Mercer's recent XM stop.

Polythene Pam

I did not post anything from Lennon yesterday, so today he gets two posts.

Justice For Seamus Romney

Keith Olbermann claims that Dog-gate is absurd. I don't think so. And the Republicans claim that Obama eating dog meat is just as bad or worse than Romney's cruelty to his dog. Why? Unless you are a vegetarian for moral reasons, why should you care if someone eats a dog? This is a cultural bias that I believe the American public will reject in relation to politics. Romney would like you to think that the two issues are related and therefore absurd, but not so fast. Seamus deserves justice.

What about all those cows, pigs, chickens, etc. that most Americans eat? One animal rights issue at a time, my friends, one animal rights issue at a time.

Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot has the right idea. Too bad they are going to jail. This just proves that there is a pernicious bond between the religious establishment and the political establishment in Russia.

Native American Chants

I don't know what it means, but I like it.

Mike McCready & Star Anna play KEXP in Seattle

Here's a great little set from Star Anna and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready. Very compelling duo. Nice to see the great Mike McCready for any reason.

The Pacific

The intro to The Pacific is extremely evocative: a pencil breaking off its lead as it writes on history's page. Sgt. John Basilone was really larger than life.

John Lennon - Starting Over

Time flies so quickly.

Meiko - Boys With Girlfriends

Meiko puttin' it down at the Bing Lounge. 

Game Of Thrones

One of the very best series right now. Fantastic.

Thirty Seconds To Mars - Kings And Queens

I just saw this thing on Yahoo about a guy named Toby Harris? And he breaks off a first date before it even happens because he discovers that the woman is into Thirty Seconds To Mars? Because this band is seriously nauseating? I couldn't finish listening to "Kings And Queens" so I have to agree.

DO NOT GET ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED WITH SOMEONE WHO IS MUSICALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH YOU! I suppose this is rule number one...

Tomorrow Never Knows

Neither does today. What is the use of eating from the Tree of Knowledge if we are not allowed to eat from the Tree of Life?

Jessica Allossery - The Scientist

Josie Charlwood's version of "The Scientist" first caught my ear, now here is another great version by Ms. Allossery.

Ted Nuget Wins TWS CRAPPO Award

I have never liked Ted Nugent. In fact, it would be more accurate to say I loathe Ted Nugent. I'm an easy-going person, so although I am a vegetarian activist I am able to tolerate Nugent's support of hunting. Kinda able to tolerate it. A little bit. But when I learned that Nugent actually goes out of his way to ridicule vegetarianism, the line has been crossed and Nugent is in my sights. He should and will be shot right between the eyes, with a squirt gun.

Yesterday I heard of Nugent's comment about the POTUS, and reacquainted myself with his extreme right wing views. But today I learned that he is also a strong supporter of the brain dead, draconian (and extremely dishonest, because they are not stumping for the illegality of alcohol and tobacco, which are REAL killers) D.A.R.E.

My children call someone that they really don't like a CRAPPO. For all of the above reasons, Ted Nugent has won this award retroactively and currently. As Goldfinger has said, he's a jerk.

Revolution 9

This is intensely Lennon.

Iron And Wine - Naked As We Came

Beautiful.

Dick Clark Goes To Rock And Roll Heaven

When I was three or four I remember waiting and waiting for the Woody Woodpecker Show. But right before it came on, my older brother and sister insisted on watching Dick Clark's American Bandstand. I was traumatized! This was in 1959 or 1960, and I distinctly remember Clark having the Coasters on his show doing "Poison Ivy."

The events of the later 1960s made American Bandstand seem passe to many of us, but Clark will be fondly remembered. Here's the Coasters.

Beastie Boys - So Whatcha Want

A lot of people say that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke. Maybe so, but this year's show, which inducted three of my favorite groups from my adolescence--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N Roses and The Beastie Boys--sounds like it was a fun time, even though certain people didn't (Axl Rose and John Fruciante) or couldn't (AdRock, who is ill) make it.

Rolling Stone has full coverage here.

Here's the Beasties.


The show airs on HBO on May 5th.

Rilo Kiley - Portion For Foxes

If you are a Rilo Kiley person, you will want to watch this.



Here's the original, with foxes. I don't really care if J-Lew is bad news. I like her.

Day Tripper

It took him too long to find out, but he did.

The Be Good Tanyas - Scattered Leaves

Vancouver's own. 

Jeff Mangum - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Former Neutral Milk Hotel frontman busted out one of the classics this weekend at Coachella.

The Cultural Influence Of John Lennon

They love him in Japan...

Will The Real Mitt Romney Please Stand Up?

This one is good for a laugh.

Thank You Girl

Lennon sings lead vocal, so I consider "Thank You Girl" to be his song.

Rilo Kiley - The Absence Of God

One of J-Lew's very great performances.

Twist And Shout

One of Lennon's very best vocals.

Garfunkel and Oates - My Apartment's Very Clean Without You

AKA Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome.

Angela Ricci - Crazy

Angela Ricci covers Gnarls Barkley.

Zen Garden

It's one hour one minute and three seconds of blissful meditation music.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Watching Bon Iver's set on the Coachella livestream. If you miss any of the acts you wanted to see, try back next weekend; YouTube will be streaming again. Here's the song BI just played, only in this clip they play it for Letterman and his audience.



Up next is Radiohead. Get on it. There's still a full lineup tomorrow, including the return of At the Drive In.

Reggie Watts on Conan

Not sure what to call it, but I love it (h/t @julianaeveryday).

Native American Pipe

It sounds like Robbie Robertson's work, but I'm not sure.

Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

From their set at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last weekend.

Across The Universe

The sound of bird's wings. I did not hear anything like that in any radio music until 1970. This sounds like a demo.

Birdy - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

Birdy covered The Postal Service. 

Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose

Taking it back to 1991.

 

Image by Ken MacMillian.

Zola Jesus - Vessel

Holes - Dig It

Yeah!

Paul McCartney - Growing Up Falling Down

This is interesting!

Primus - Coattails Of A Dead Man

Blogger and musician Ashley Mendel has penned an open letter to Courtney Love regarding her insane tweets that accuse former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl of seducing her daughter Frances Bean Cobain.

FBC has shot back with this brief response:

While I’m generally silent on the affairs of my biological mother, her recent tirade has taken a gross turn. I have never been approached by Dave Grohl in more than a platonic way. I’m in a monogamous relationship and very happy.

Twitter should ban my mother.

The whole affair reminds me of this odd Primus song from Antipop, which is an underrated album, that seems like it's aimed directly at Love.

Josie Charlwood - Making Faces

I wonder, is Charlwood British?

Alabama Shakes - Hold On

Last night Alabama Shakes played "Hold On" on Late Night. It also happened to be David Letterman's 65th birthday. Happy birthday, Mr. Letterman.

And Your Bird Can Sing

It's a good thing all the demos were saved.

Medicine Buddha Mantra

Beautiful.

Swami Prabhupada - Jaya Radha Madhava

This picture was sent in by Brad Byers, a former student of mine and a good friend.

Ringo Starr's Drumming

Normally I embed instead of provide links to music, but click here so you can hear and watch a cover of Ringo and you can read the comments drummers are making about Ringo's innovative drumming.

She Said, She Said

Classic Lennon. 1966.

Rare Beatles Film

It's for diehard Beatles people only.

Gravitron - Sleepwalk

This is South Carolina surf rock outfit Gravitron's cover of Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk."

Vassy - Somebody That I Used To Know

The parade of covers of this continues with no end in sight. This one didn't really sit as well as some of the others. Maybe the flavor has gone out of the gum on this one. 

George Harrison - I Live For You

He was a man in love with God.

Josie Charlwood - Better Days

Damn, she is good.

Seinfeld - It's Not You, It's Me

"If it's anybody, it's me!"

Paul McCartney On The Ellen Degeneres Show

This one is solid rock and roll. And, here's the studio version.

Y La Bamba - Ponce Pilato

This band has my attention. 

Michael Kiwanuka - Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye Cover)

Yet another cover of "Somebody That I Used To Know," this time by the brilliant Michael Kiwanuka.

The Year Of John Lennon - Dear Prudence

The world cannot end in 2012 if we are playing John Lennon.

The White Stripes - Stop Breaking Down

"The stuff I got is gonna bust your brains out,
Well, it'll make you lose your mind..."

John Lennon - Nobody Told Me

Nobody told me either!

Josie Charlwood - Electric Feel

This young woman is way talented. And quite a looker...

The Joy Formidable - Cradle

This substantially good band played the Current Studios in MInnesota.

Here's their video:

Asylum Street Spankers - No Song Sad Enough

I'm told this is a standard.

Drive-By Truckers - Never Gonna Change

AzCentral has 12 essential Drive-By Truckers songs.  This is not one of them, but I like it.

Happy Easter From The Grateful Dead

Listen to the words of Ripple. If Jesus speaks to you with a message of spiritual renewal, I think Jerry would be satisfied.



Here's the entire album. Happy Easter.

Branstad And The Question Of Slime

In this picture of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa, the question is whether the pink slime is going into his mouth, or coming out of it. Branstad has called on all governors in the U.S. to stand with him against the recent "smear campaign" on the beef industry. He says, "...there is a spurious attack being levied against it by some groups. You can suspect who they might be. They are people who do not like meat." So Branstad is saying the public should not believe those nasty vegetarians, because they don't care about your physical welfare like he and corporate American does? Oh, that's rich. 

Read the article.

Floating Action - 50 Lashes

Another great find by Heather at I Am Fuel You Are Friends.

Key Losers - Limited Time

So I checked out Key Losers. I mentioned them in a post of a video by Dear Nora. It's some pretty radical music, but I think I've tapped into it nicely.

Ozzy Osbourne - Mr. Crowley

I dedicate this song to the Right Reverend Richard Warfield, pastor of the Psychedelic Church out in Wimberley, Texas. Here's one for you Dick.

Tracy.

Y La Bamba - Winter's Skin

Portland sextet Y La Bamba recently played a set for NPR. They have three albums, 2008's Alida Street, 2010's Lupon and this year's Court the Storm, which came out in February. In 2010 they played a set for DickiesSounds YouTube channel.

From that set, this is "Winter's Skin."

Jenny Lewis - Pelican Bay

J-Lew will always have an honored place at The Walrus Speaks.

Peggy Lee - Fever

I think Peggy Lee is one of Jenny Lewis' inspirations.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - I Found Out

Reminds me of "Cold Turkey". 1970.

Fiona Apple - Criminal

Lindsay Zoladz has a fine post up at Pitchfork explaining how the triumphant return of Fiona Apple is about much more than 90s nostalgia.

Conversely, this clip shows the 1997 version of Ms. Apple performing her biggest hit.

Billy Preston - My Sweet Lord

I had no idea that George's version was a cover (h/t PopDose). 

Bowl Of The Winds

If you have not read any of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, half of your life has been wasted. 

Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon

I prefer that a show finish its run before I start watching it. So when a friend recommended the FX show Rescue Me, I checked it out and saw that it had a robust seven season run that wrapped in 2011 and had fairly broad critical acceptance, so I jumped on it. I'm only half-way through season one, and it's pretty solid.

The theme song, "C'mon C'mon" by the Von Bondies has taken control of my brain. It's impossible to get it out of my head. Luckily, it's grown on me and I like it a lot.

In this clip VB play the song on Carson Daly's show.

I Want You

1969.

Rilo Kiley - Does He Love You

From Coachella 2008. 



We have unfinished business Rilo. You know what I'm referring to.

ZZ Ward - Move Like You Stole It

Best ZZ ever. I'm talking to you ZZ Top. 

Dear Nora - I'm An Outcast

According to Wikipedia, this band is defunct and head honcho Katy Davidson is performing under the name "Key Losers". Good luck Katy and we hope you find your key. 

Azure Ray - Rise

Intriguing.

Doctor Robert

Tell them, John. No one can succeed like Doctor Robert. And he helps you to understand.

School Is Cool - Flame on my Head

This is a cover of a song by a band called Blaudzun live last Friday at Studio Brussel in Belgium. 

Neil Young - Comes A Time (Live at Farm Aid 2011)

Mr. Neil Young is hard at work making the way we listen to music better. 

It's Only Love

Lennon knocks it out of the park with this one. Almost every Beatles song not released as a single could have been a major hit if it had been. Their albums were not composed of one or two hits, and the rest were filler. That's another thing that set them apart from their competition.

Jim Croce - Operator

"She's living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray, a guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated..."

Los Campesinos! - There Are Listed Buildings

New tour dates are posted that run to the middle of July, including a US leg that is even coming to Florida, just not my part of Florida. 

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Get tuned up.

Rama Bhajana

The fun never ends.

Today Is Lord Rama's Birthday

He's emerald green.

ACBSP - Meditation

Dedicated to ACBSP. If you don't know what that means I am not going to tell you. But you may find out.

No Reply

Whenever I hear this song, I can picture a distraught Lennon outside some girl's house, calling her on the phone, and getting no reply. Ouch.



This is the original stereo version. What's the difference? Can anyone out there in cyber land educate me?