Don’t ask me why I obsessively look to rock ’n’ roll bands for some kind of model for a better society. I guess it’s just that I glimpsed something beautiful in a flashbulb moment once, and perhaps mistaking it for prophecy have been seeking its fulfillment ever since.
- Lester Bangs
The first time I ever heard Amos Lee I was floored by the soulfulness in his voice. I swore I was hearing the second coming of Otis Redding. Ridiculously impossible expectations to live up to, I know. And while he may not be Otis version 2.0, Mr. Lee has still become one of my favorite singer/songwriters around.
His latest record, 'Last Days At The Lodge' came out today...and I am not the least bit disappointed. A great album.
And with those ironically appropriate words, Aimee Mann welcomed the crowd and the show was off and running. I have to say, this was one of the most unique and most enjoyable shows I have ever been lucky enough to see.
It was a freewheeling affair that kept rolling at a super quick pace and never, even for a second, got anything close to dull. The format of the show was like that of an old time radio variety hour...think a holiday themed, much hipper 'Prairie Home companion.' Aimee was on stage and playing most off the night, mostly Christmas tunes...a mix of old classics and her original stuff from her Xmas album released last year.
Guests including Amos Lee, Nellie McKay, Jackson Browne, and Grant Lee Phillips each came out for a couple of songs each. The highlights for me where the incredibly charming Nellie McKay singing 'Feminists Have No Sense Of Humor' and Jackson Browne's amazing version of Steve Earle's 'Jerusalem'...but noting topped Amos Lee singing a heartbreaking rendition of John Prine's 'Christmas In Jail.'
Who knew live Christmas music could be SO much fun!
...or my email is anyway! Hey, it's me Blair...the Certain Songs staff of one. I just do this for the love of the music and am in no way trying to rip anybody off, so if you are an artist or a record label and you are not happy that I am promoting your music, or you want me to take a song down, just shoot me an email and I will most definitely oblige.
And please support the artists I post here in whatever way you can if you do download a song...go to a show, buy some merch, buy an album...these songs are the soundtrack to my life and I just love to share them. But I can only do that if the insanely talented artist responsible for said songs are able to eat.
I also love hearing new stuff...so any submissions can also be sent to my email, I will try my bestest to listen to everything and get back to you all...peace,love,rock n' roll.
csmusicblog@gmail.com
Monthly Mix Tape
Mission Statement
I guess you're old enough to know. Kids out on the east coast. Roughly twenty years old. Got coaxed out by a certain perfect ratio. Of warm beer to the summer smoke. And the meat loaf to the billy joel. Certain songs they get so scratched into our souls.
She goes low on the seats when she gets high in her car. She looks shallow but shes neck deep in the steamy dreams of the guys along the harbor bars. She's pulling out her shirttails and jacking up her socks. Stern and stoned and confident, coming up towards the jukebox. Born into the only songs that everybody finally sings along. B-1 is for the good girls. It's only the good die young. C-9 is for the making eyes. It's paradise by the dashboard light. D4 is for the lovers. B12 is for the speeders. And the hard drugs are for the bartenders and the kitchen workers and the bartender's friends. And they're playing it again. Ellen Foley gives us hope. Certain songs they get scratched into our souls.
I guess you're old enough to know. Kids out on the west coast are taking off their clothes. Screwing in the surf and going out to shows. They get high and ride around in gtos. I guess you're old enough to know. CERTAIN SONGS THEY GET SCRATCHED INTO OUR SOULS. - The Hold Steady
