Thanks, George!
I'd like to take a moment to thank President Bush for scheduling his State of the Union speech for tonight, and bumping "Love Monkey" off the air.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 1:33 PM | Comments (1)
January 30, 2006This week's new releases (Jan. 31)
Here's a look at some of the new releases for Jan. 29:
Barry Manilow "The Greatest Songs from the 50s" - Can't he write some new ones of his own?
Temptations "Reflections" - My "What year is it?" of the week.
Train "For Me, It's You" - Wow, I didn't know they were still making records... Not like I'm a fan of them, anyway.
As always, the bands with animal-related names releasing albums this week: Wolfmother
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 5:51 AM
January 28, 2006Concert review: Susan Tedeschi
I'll admit that I wasn't a big fan of Susan Tedeschi before Friday night's concert at Ziggy's.
It's not that I disliked her in any way, it was just that I wasn't familiar with her music.
However, after Friday night's show - I'll be sure to pick up some of her CDs.
The soulful blues/rock singer rolled and tumbled her way through a two-hour long set in front of a crowd of about 500.
A good portion of her set came off of her latest release, "Hope and Desire."
From the slow - "You Got the Silver" - to the upbeat - "Evidence" and "Rock Me Right" - Tedeschi had the crowd rocking back and forth or straight-up dancing for most of the night.
Ziggy's was the perfect intimate venue for her heart-felt music. The club's wooden surroundings offered the ideal "vibe" for the blues songstress.
Her vocal and guitar talents were on display all evening - and her talented backing band - helped show why she's been nominated for five Grammys.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 11:37 AM | Comments (1)
January 27, 2006Last minute ideas
Looking for a good show tonight?
Susan Tedeschi and The Gourds are playing over at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem.
The Tremors - a Greensboro rockabilly band - are playing in downtown Greensboro at the Next Door Tavern.
Enjoy!
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 4:51 PM
January 26, 2006On this day in history....
Head over to Billboard.com and you can see events that happened on this day in music history.
Among the highlights:
1999 - The National Transportation Safety Board concludes that singer John Denver died in a 1997 airplane crash because he took off with too little fuel in one tank, had trouble switching to his backup tank and inadvertently put his plane into a roll while his attention was diverted.
1998 - In a big surprise upset at the American Music Awards, rapper Puff Daddy loses in all five categories in which he is nominated for an award.
1984 - Michael Jackson is hospitalized with scalp burns after a spark ignites his hair during filming of a Pepsi TV commercial.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 1:58 PM
January 25, 2006I'm getting hooked
Have you caught Love Monkey yet?
I'm getting hooked. It's not about the story lines - who's dating who, having the hots for a nanny, etc. - for me, it's all about the music.
Did you notice the cameos on last night's show - that was N.C. native Ben Folds and LeeAnn Rimes.
Sometimes the dialogue are lyric quotes, and the soundtrack is good too.
I hope the show lasts and doesn't become another 2-week wonder.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:48 AM
January 24, 2006New releases for Jan. 24
Here's a look at some of the new releases for Jan. 24: '
Ahleuchatistas "What You Will" - Say that band's name 10 times fast and you'll win a prize...
Marty Casey and the Lovehammers "Marty Casey and the Lovehammers" - The runner-up of RockStar: INXS gets to release an album that doesn't have to sound like INXS.
Cat Power "The Greatest" - Not a greatest hits album, but rather a rocked-up version of the melodic mellow vocalist.
Ace Frehley "Greatest Hits Live" - I didn't even know he had hits, let alone great ones... I mean, without Kiss.
The Gourds "Heavy Elementals" - They're playing Ziggy's on Friday night...
P.O.D. "Testify" - The Christian rockers are back with another album that will probably include some reggae songs and the word "Jah" and make you wonder why they're considered a Christian band....
UB40 "Who You Fighting For?" - My "What year is this?" of the week.
Yellowcard "Lights and Sounds" - This "poor man's Green Day" isn't even that good. I have no clue why they are constantly on MTV and the radio. Maybe it's because they're one of the few rock bands out these days...
Bands with animal-related names releasing albums this week: AIDS Wolf, Catfish Haven, Cat Power, Golden Dogs
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:41 AM
January 22, 2006Concert review: Lenny Kravitz/Aerosmith
I hadn't seen Lenny Kravitz before, but his performance on Saturday night was simply great.
The sound quality was perfect, the stage was simple and he truly seemed to be having a good time.
Kravitz played for an hour and 10 minutes, and his set was basically a "greatest hits" compilation.
"Where Are We Running" kicked off the night as a jeans-clad Kravitz performed with a large lit-up LK in the background.
"Believe," "Lady" and "Fly Away" were among the other songs played.
"I didn't know Greensboro was a rock and roll town," he shouted before "Always On the Run."
One of the highlights of his set was an extended version of "Let Love Rule" that was heavy on crowd participation.
Toward the end of the song, Kravitz took the time to walk around the perimeter of the floor, shake hands with fans and wave to the upper deck.
Though Kravitz performs most of the music on his CDs, his touring band is packed with incredible musicians. Drum and trumpet solos got the crowd roaring.
Fun fact: Read your CD liner notes - on his albums, Kravitz usually plays all instruments on the recording - drums, bass, guitars, pianos, etc.
Kravitz also said, "I can't wait to come back on our next tour." If he does, I'll be in line for tickets.
After a brief intermission, a video montage of Aerosmith through the years was played on a large screen over the stage.
As the video ended, the band tore into "Helter Skelter."
While the band's 15-song set was heavy with hits, they also threw in some more obscure songs - "Seasons of Wither" and "No More No More" to name a couple.
The band was energetic, but they lacked some of the intensity I had seen when they performed in Greensboro with Kiss a few years back.
The band made a lot of use of their stage set up, which had a "U" of ramps jutting out from the stage for 70 feet. This enabled members to walk down the ramp and get closer to the crowd.
This is the second time I've seen Aerosmith - both times in Greensboro - and both times singer Steven Tyler has had problems with his ear monitors. No idea if it's the venue or the crew....
While the band still has plenty of energy left - Tyler looked like a kid again after putting on a purple hat he got from the audience - guitarist Brad Whitford seemed the most "rough" of the group. He simply looked drained and worn out.
However, the music still sounds good, Tyler still has his voice and the band is sure to keep on rockin' for years to come.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:00 PM | Comments (1)
Aerosmith/Kravitz set lists
Review coming on Sunday.
Set lists from the Lenny Kravitz/Aerosmith show on Saturday night in Greensboro:
Lenny Kravitz (1 hour, 10 minutes)
1 - Where are we running?
2 - California
3 - Lady
4 - Dig in
5 - Believe
6 - Can't get you off my mind
7 - Always on the Run
Band intro
8 - American Woman
9 - Fly Away
10 - Let Love Rule
Encore - Are you gonna go my way
Aerosmith (1 hour, 40 minutes)
1 - Helter Skelter
2 - Walk this Way
3 - Same Old Song and Dance
4 - Cryin'
5 - S.O.S. (Too Bad)
6 - Livin on the Edge
7 - Shaking My Cage
Bass Solo
8 - Sweet Emotion
9 - Seasons of Wither
10 - What it Takes
11 - Dream On
12 - Walkin' The Dog
13 - No More No More
14 - Baby Please don't Go
15 - Train Kept A Rollin'
Encore
1 - Back in the Saddle
2 - Draw the Line
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 12:20 AM | Comments (1)
January 19, 2006RIP Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett has died of a heart attack at age 64.
Pickett was known for "Mustang Sally" and "In the Midnight Hour."
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:08 PM
January 18, 2006TV Review: Love Monkey
Sure the name of the show sounds kinda goofy, until you understand its meaning.
Love Monkey is about Tom Farrell (Tom Cavanagh), an A&R rep for a record label and his troubles with love.
Thus the title - if you're swinging from relationship to relationship like a monkey....
Anyway, Farrell is working for a major label, when he realizes it should be about the music, not the money. You guessed it - those comments get him fired.
So he's now working for an indie label and trying to sign "Wayne."
If you saw the show, Wayne is actually Teddy Geiger who was signed to Columbia Records last year at age 17.
Geiger's Wayne is a John Mayer-type singer who actually sounds pretty talented, just based on the show.
In summary, it's not too heavy on the music and record label side, but enough to keep me interested.
It's on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. - check it out.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:34 AM
January 17, 2006American Idol kicks off tonight
Every season, I watch the first few episodes just to see the next generation of William Hung's of the world.
And every year, I wonder - How do these people not know they are awful?
Here's a tip - if you want to audition for American Idol: Tape yourself singing and then listen to it. Compare it to the radio and MTV (or some channel that actually plays music.)
It will save yourself and a lot of other people from a lot of heartache and ruptured eardrums.
But it is funny to watch...
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January 16, 2006This week's new releases (Jan. 17)
Here's a look at some of this week's new releases:
Breaking Laces "Lemonade" - Nobody likes it when they're tying their shoe and the laces break, so why would you name your band that?
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones "The Hidden Land" - And they're coming to Greensboro's Carolina Theatre soon too...
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 1:59 PM
January 14, 2006Eminem remarries
Eminem has re-married his wife, Kim.
I guess he'll have some explaining to do for all those songs where he wished she was dead.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 7:50 PM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2006Friday is locals night
Looking for something to do on Friday night?
Over at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, Mudjunkie will be having a CD release party. GoTriad will be there to cover all the mayhem and mud-slinging.
In downtown Greensboro, at Greene Street, The Five L's will be filming their music video for Fuse TV. You can literally get in on the action there tonight.
Who said there's nothing to do in the Triad?
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:37 AM
January 11, 2006Ashley Parker Who?
For weeks on MTV, there were constant promos for a new reality show called, "There and Back."
They would tell you the show was about Ashley Parker Angel.
My first thought was obvious - Ashlee Simpson got married and changed her name. Then I realized Ashley was spelled differently, and that Ashley was a guy.
Finally, after a few weeks, MTV wised up to everyone wondering who in the world they were talking about and said, "from O-Town."
Oh, like that was supposed to make it better? They also claim they were a platinum-selling group.
Seriously? I mean, I've met closet Backstreet Boys and NSync fans, and even people who have purchased an Ashlee Simpson album. However, like Lindsay Lohan, I have never met anyone who has purchased one of O-Town's albums.
Sure, the demographic is way off from me, but seriously - can anyone name an O-Town song?
I've never bought an NSync album, but I could probably name a song, or come close, just because they were always on the radio.
But O-Town? Wow....
They also talk about how Angel has used up "all his O-Town money." Again, were they that popular that they made that much money?
I don't recall an O-Town doll, lunchbox or candy hitting the shelves.
So, anyway, this guy has a new reality show where he tries to make it back into the music business.
My honest thought - if he has any talent, he should be able to make it back. Why? Because no one remembers O-Town.
People still dislike Justin Timberlake just because he was in NSync. People stay away from Nick Carter because he's a Backstreet Boy. Heck, they even stay away from Aaron Carter because he's related to a Backstreet Boy.
But no one remembers O-Town. This Angel kid just might have a chance... Only time will tell.
Then again, if he sits there and remembers the "good 'ol O-Town days" all the time, he's sure to be a failure.
No one likes to be reminded that they were a sucker who bought a boy-band album when they were 14 and naive.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 5:36 AM
January 10, 2006This week's new releases (Jan. 10)
A look at some of this week's new releases (Jan. 10):
BR549 "Dog Days" - Every time I hear this band's name, I have to stop a moment and think about if the person is talking about a band, or the morning-after pill.
Hurricane Party "Force of Nature" - They might want to rethink their name after last year...
Morningwood "Morningwood" - The band is made up of ex-members of Cibo Matto, Spacehog and the Wallflowers, but when I hear the name, I can't help but laugh like Beavis and/or Butthead.
Randy "Randy the Band" - I had to sit and stare at this one for a little while. This is probably one of the worst band/album name combinations I've heard in a long time.
No food this week, so I'm going back to animals - I've had the most success: Azalia Snail, Dragonforce
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:26 AM
January 6, 2006Rascal Flatts coming to Gso
It was announced that the Rascall Flatts will be performing at the Greensboro Coliseum on Feb. 24.
Tickets go on sale Jan. 14. through the coliseum and www.livenation.com.
Blake Shelton is the opening act.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 4:43 PM
January 5, 2006Foxx isn't corny?
Jamie Foxx said he's different from other actors who have released CDs, because he "isn't corny like them".
Really? He's not corny? Have you heard his first single, "Unpredictable"?
I heard Foxx perform the song on the Today show, and kept waiting for the round of laughter to break out. I just sat there thinking, "Is he serious?"
Maybe he's been listening to R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" - which still isn't good, either.
Here are Foxx's lyrics for his single.
And everyone talks about Foxx having a big impact on Kanye West's "Gold Digger."
You know why so many people like that song? Because Ray Charles has been a hit recently.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 2:40 PM
January 4, 2006Van Halen reunion?
A Van Halen reunion is "inevitable" if you ask their former singer.
No, not Sammy Hagar, but David Lee Roth.
Roth made the comments during a recent interview, saying he recently spoke with Alex Van Halen.
Take it for what it's worth. The last reunion the band had with the original members lasted all of about 5 minutes - from the time the band presented an award to the time they walked off stage.
We'll see if there's any truth to the story, or if it's only Roth's dream.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 3:54 PM
January 3, 2006This week's new releases
Here's a look at some of the new releases for Jan. 3:
The Strokes "First Impressions of Earth" - The Strokes hit it big a few years ago, and they were rumored to be "the next big thing." Everyone was talking about them...for about a week. Then they disappeared. Their second album didn't get much attention. It remains to be seen how their new one fares.
A new trend? How about bands with food-related names? This week's entry: Cake Bake Betty
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:54 AM
January 1, 2006Best of 2005
It's difficult for me to decide what the best albums of the year are - in some kind of numbered order.
So, here are my picks (in no particular order) for
Some of the best:
The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute
System of a Down - Mezmerize/Hypnotize
Mudvayne - Lost and Found
Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
Juliette and the Licks - You're Speaking My Language
Pink Floyd - Reunion for Live 8
Honorable mentions go to:
10 years - The Autumn Effect
Audioslave - Out of Exile
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
Shakira - Oral Fixation Vols. 1 and 2
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
Nonpoint - To the Pain
Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business
The Redwalls - De Nova
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Disappointments
(Those who released albums that weren't up to par with previous efforts)
George Clinton
Limp Bizkit
Ministry
Santana
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 11:30 AM
