Kermit Ruffins, "St. James Infirmary"

To continue with the NOLA tribute, here's Kermit Ruffins & Co. with the classic once recorded by Louis Armstrong... live from Tipitina's.  Ruffins, a New Orleans legend, kicked off his career by co-founding the Rebirth Brass Band while in high school in Tremé in the early 1980s.  These days, you may recognize him from his appearances on HBO's Tremé.  Enjoy. 

Hot 8 Brass Band, "What's My Name (Rock with the Hot 8)"

To kick off the first weekend of Jazz Fest, here's the Hot 8 performing live in Paris.  If you start getting funny looks for jumping up and shaking it... it's everybody else who is crazy, not you.  Enjoy.

Pixies, "Here Comes Your Man"

Exhibit A in the case of how much more uncool I'd be had I never met Maura: it took the Pixies' reunion tour in 2004 for me to realize what I'd been missing.  A little googling further educated me thusly: evidently the band's distaste for music videos in general, and lip-syncing in particular, led to the video of Frank Black and Kim Deal with mouths agape whenever their vocals were playing.  This supposedly hindered their popularity on MTV.  Awesome.  This is from the classic album Doolittle, released in 1989.  Enjoy.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Mambazo"

Today is Freedom Day in South Africa.  To celebrate, have a listen to the beautiful Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which was formed around 50 years ago by Joseph Shabalala. and first heard by many of us on Paul Simon's Graceland.  For further exploration, check out this recent feature on NPR regarding their latest effort--a collection of Zulu children's songs.  Enjoy!

Oscar Peterson and Count Basie, "Jumpin' at the Woodside"

From their concert together in--I believe--1974.  Love the facial expressions.  Basie left us 27 years ago today.

Tilly and the Wall, "Rainbows in the Dark"

One of my favorite songs in recent memory... the Omaha band's album (Bottoms of Barrels) was recommended to me by the fine folks at the late Atomic Records in Milwaukee (ca. 2006).  It's been a long time since I've had that experience--standing in a record shop with headphones on, oblivious to my surroundings and completely engulfed in a new sound.  And the tap dancing in lieu of drums... genius.  Enjoy.

R.E.M., "You Are the Everything"

Beautiful song from Green.  Favorite line: "You're drifting off to sleep with your teeth in your mouth."  It also brings back fond memories of a 48-hour road trip from Lawrence to New Orleans... and back.  Total non sequitur, I realize.  Nonetheless, please enjoy for your own reasons!

Aretha Franklin, "Spanish Harlem" (Ben E. King Cover)

With Dr. John on the keys, Aretha outcharted the original with her decidedly rollicking take, 11 years later in 1971.  Enjoy!

Charles Mingus, "Peggy's Blue Skylight"

On what would be his 89th birthday, here is Mingus, live in Berlin in 1972.

TV on the Radio, "Family Tree"

Photo by Josh Rothstein, rollingstone.com

Gerard Smith, TVOTR's bassist, has lost his battle with lung cancer.  He was 36.  Here is a beautiful song from Dear Science, the first album for which he was a full-fledged member of the band (he contributed to Return to Cookie Mountain before that).

Marlena Shaw, "California Soul"

Unbelievably, I'm only 42 years late to the party on this one... originally written by Ashford and Simpson and performed by the 5th Dimension in 1968.  Not exactly sure why a dancing Garfield shows up halfway through this YouTube clip.  H/T CJ.

Peter Gabriel, "The Book of Love" (Magnetic Fields cover)

Another one brought on by Mike's and Morgan's wedding, here's Peter Gabriel covering the Magnetic Fields' song for his album Scratch My Back.  Maura and I were fortunate to witness Gabriel's show last year at Radio City Music Hall, the first half of which was a performance of the album in its entirety... with a 52-piece orchestra. It was fantastic, especially this song.

The Beatles, "I've Just Seen a Face"

Thanks to Maura's cousin's wedding in Austin, we've been singing this one for the past week.  Love it.  Depending on which side of the pond you're on, it's either from Help! (U.K.) or Rubber Soul (U.S.).  Unless you're from the 21st Century, in which case it's on iTunes.  Enjoy.

The Mudbugs, "Je Suis Fière de Toi"

Straight outta Wellington, meet the Mudbugs.  If you think Kansas Cajun sounds ridiculous, you're ridiculous.  Give it a chance... I think it will be worth it.  For further discovery, see their mini-documentary of their trip to NYC for the Prairie Home Companion Battle of the Bands.  Enjoy.

TV On The Radio, "Halfway Home"

What?!  Three Brooklyn bands in a row?  Yes.  These guys are one of my favorite bands of the last few years, and this track is one of the best, from the album Dear Science.  Dig it.

Sleigh Bells, "Riot Rhythm"

Back-to-Back Brooklyn Bombs.  Killer track, first impressed upon these unsuspecting Brooklyn ears by friends in Madison.  Imagine that.  Bonus points for a nice video.  H/T J&J.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Turn Into"

OK.  So I have to pace myself, or I'm liable to post 20 straight songs by these guys.  I love this one, especially Karen O's drawn-out phrasing--"I'll hear it in my head re-eal lo-o-ow..." 

The Secret Machines, "Sad and Lonely"

To be honest, I'd never heard of these self-described "space rockers" from Dallas until a friend tipped me off recently.  The noisiness and the atmospheric sounds of the percussion are pretty mesmerizing.  It feels like straight-ahead rock, but the vocals and the guitar solos give it something of a lazy drawl.  Trip the light, rock out, and enjoy.  H/T VS.

The Polyphonic Spree, "Lithium" (Nirvana Cover)

Deliriously exuberant take on Nirvana (fitting, I suppose)... sounds much like the original, but looks nothing like it.  The Spree is from Dallas, which is of course why I'm posting it today.  Lace up your white Nikes, grab your purple blanket, and enjoy the show.

Erykah Badu, "I Want You"

In the Big D today, so here's an extended dose of Dallas' finest, from her album Worldwide Underground.  Enjoy!

Explosions in the Sky, "First Breath After Coma"

A band I'd never really listened to until digging up some dirt on the Texas music scene before our trip... beautifully epic songs.  No words, which probably explains why I hadn't given them a chance before.  Plug in and soak it up.

George Strait, "Amarillo by Morning"

Strait Outta Texas, I won't say that this is my favorite karaoke song.  I'll just say I kind of like doing karaoke, and I kind of like doing this song.  Now subsititute "really" for "kind of."

Amy Correia, "Powder Blue Trans Am"

If you haven't had the chance to see Amy Correia live, your opportunity is here.  Tomorrow (Saturday, April 9) at 7:30pm, she'll be playing at the Bowery Electric with Matt Keating and Linda Draper.  Don't worry if you can't make it--she comes through NYC fairly frequently, and she'll be back on May 7.  This is an old fan favorite that was recently recorded for her latest album, You Go Your Way, which was produced almost entirely with fan contributions.  Enjoy.


Amy Correia Live (7/22/10) "Powder Blue Trans Am" from Michael Rosenthal on Vimeo.

Spoon, "The Underdog"

Heading to Austin today, so serving up a little Spoon is only fitting... from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

Robert Johnson, "Come On In My Kitchen"

Maura and I are flying to Texas today to spend a week there, beginning in San Antonio.  Today's selection, from blues pioneer Robert Johnson, was recorded in a guest room at San Antonio's Gunter Hotel in 1936.  Legend has it that Johnson recorded the whole session while facing the wall.  Enjoy.



UPDATE: Unbeknownst to me when we booked it, we stayed in the Gunter Hotel last night... two doors down from Johnson's makeshift recording studio in Room 414! Awesome. I only wish we would have heard the plaintive cry of the Delta blues last night, instead of trucks on the street.

She & Him, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here"

Great video from Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, from the album Volume One.  Lovely, but morbid.  Enjoy!

Michael Franti and Spearhead, "Say Hey (I Love You)"

Sure to make you jump up out of your seat and shake it, a happy song from a favorite of Maura's.  We saw him a few years back at Summerfest--performing barefoot, of course.  Vevo doesn't always allow embedding of videos, so you may need to click to go to YouTube.  It's worth it, if you value happiness.  Enjoy.

Loretta Lynn and Jack White, "Portland, Oregon"

From the album Van Lear Rose... I'm fairly certain Jack White has a crush on Loretta.  Just watch the video.

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek, "Too Late" (Explicit Lyrics)

A great one by Talib Kweli--sharp, haunting and smooth.  I've seen him three times live now, and I'll see him as many times as I get the chance.  One of the best.  Plus, he's from Brooklyn.  Someday soon, I'll check out his latest album (Gutter Rainbows).  Stay tuned.  Until then, enjoy.

Wilco, "California Stars"

Tweedy & Co. performing a classic from their album with Billy Bragg, Mermaid Avenue (featuring the lyrics of Woody Guthrie).  Every time I listen to this, it makes me happy.  I hope it does the same for you.