Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Gentlemen, N: Jamie Ness

Song: "4 Track Mind"

Jamie Ness:   MySpace

DJ Comments: Jamie Ness is a singer-songwriter out of Duluth, Minnesota. I only know him because he and my brother were friends several years ago. It's hard to find information on him, but it looks like he's playing in a band called Taconite.

I'm unsure of how you can get a hold of his work, but one of my favorite songs is about how he puked on his girlfriend. Good stuff.

Gentlemen, N: Nas

Song: "It Ain't Hard to Tell"
From the album Illmatic

Nas:   Web site

DJ comments: I might be the whitest guy who owns Illmatic. — cwc

Gentlemen, O: Otis Redding

Song: "Ole Man Trouble"
From the album Otis Blue

Otis Redding:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Despite dying when he was only 26 years old, Otis Redding managed to make his way into the Rock Hall of Hame. We can all thank Little Richard for bringing Redding into the music world -- he was a direct influence who lived in the same town (Macon, Georgia). — BJ

Gentlemen, O: Conor Oberst

Song: "The Calendar Hung Itself..."
From the Bright Eyes album Fevers and Mirrors

Bright Eyes:   Web site

DJ comments: Conor at his most Robert Smith-ish. — cwc

Gentlemen, P: Joe Price

Song: "La Crosse Fever Blues"
From the album Designated Driver

Joe Price:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Joe and Vicki Price currently live in Lansing, Iowa, about a 15 minute drive from the town where Chris and I were raised. They will play in Iowa City on June 13. — BJ

Gentlemen, P: Prince Rogers Nelson

Song: "Do It All Night"
From the album Dirty Mind

Prince:   Web site

DJ comments: I would prefer to listen to "Sister" off Dirty Mind, but it's hard to get those MF bombs on the radio at 3 p.m. — cwc

And if you know anything about Prince Rogers Nelson's relationship with YouTube, you'll understand why I'm not linking/embedding video here.

Gentlemen, Q: Finley Quaye

Song: "Sunday Shining"
From the album Maverick A Strike

Finley Quaye:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Finley Quaye is a British Reggae artist. It seems he picked up a lot more notoriety in the UK than the US.

Though his music is fun, I chose it mainly because I needed a Q and Chris already chose Q-Tip. So there you have it... — BJ

Gentlemen, Q: Q-Tip

Song: "Wait Up"
From the album Amplified

Q-Tip:   Web site

DJ comments: Q-Tip gets much love from this show (and this DJ in particular) not because his moniker fills a tough letter on our playlist but because he's really good at what he does. (It also helps that I have a clean version of the Amplified album.) — cwc

Gentlemen, R: Josh Ritter

Song: "To The Dogs Or Whoever"
From the album The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This album is fantastic. — BJ

Gentlemen, R: Emitt Rhodes

Song: "Lullaby"
From the album The Royal Tenenbaums

Emitt Rhodes:   Web site

DJ comments: Unlike many artists used in Wes Anderson movies, Emitt Rhodes is not a member of the British Invasion; rather, he was born in Decatur! — cwc

Gentlemen, S: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

Song: "Gardenia"
From the album Real Emotional Trash

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It seems half the boys I know have a man crush/hard on for Stephen Malkmus. It's an odd phenomenon to observe -- I feel many of my indie friends would prefer Stephen Malkmus to a nude Victoria's Secret model lying spread eagle in their bed. — BJ

Gentlemen, S: Stevie Wonder

Song: "Uptight (Everything's Alright)"

Stevie Wonder:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: In my eyes, Stevie Wonder is THE gentlemen. He sings beautiful songs about women, sings to children, plays multiple instruments, produces music and does a whole hell of a lot more. What a man, what a man. What a mighty good man. — BJ

Gentlemen, S: Kevin Shields

Song: "City Girl"
From the album Lost in Translation

Kevin Shields:   Wiki entry

DJ comments: I'm pretty sure that if I started a supergroup, Kevin would be my guitar player. — cwc

Gentlemen, T: Booker T. and the MG's

Song: "Green Onions"
From the album Green Onions

Booker T. & the MG's:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: This was a request from my dear friend Shani, who lives in New York. Shani, if you read this, I love and miss you. — BJ

There's some crazy dancin' going on in this video.

Gentlemen, T: Adrian Thaws (aka Tricky)

Songs: "Christiansands" and "Strugglin'"
From the albums Pre-Millennium Tension and Maxinquaye, respectively

Tricky:   Web site

DJ comments: Since his real name and his artist name both fall under the T category, I am going to play two of his songs, and say "fuck you" to the U slot today (and X, for that matter). — cwc

Click here to see the Christiansands video.

And below, you can hear "Strugglin'" while staring at an album cover:

Gentlemen, V: Chad VanGaalen

Song: "Bones of Man"
From the album Soft Airplanes

Chad VanGaalen:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I haven't yet had the opportunity to listen to this entire album, so I can't provide much input on its worth. I can tell you the video posted below is sweet as hell, though. — BJ

Molten Light video:

Gentlemen, V: Eddie Vedder

Song: "Society"
From the album Into the Wild

Eddie Vedder:   Wiki entry

DJ comments: I guaran-fuckin-tee if I played Pearl Jam, I'd get some snide comment from the music gods around here, even if it was something off the more recent (read: less popular) albums. — cwc

Gentlemen, W: Tom Waits

Song: "Chocolate Jesus"
From the album Mule Variations

Tom Waits:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I've heard he's big in Japan. — BJ

Gentlemen, W: Muddy Waters

Song: "Loving Man"
From the album Chess Blues Guitar

Muddy Waters:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: I need a loving man, but typically when I meet a Manish Boy, a term that describes the majority of males in Iowa City, I tend to feel how Muddy sings. — BJ

"Manish Boy" live:

Gentlemen, W: Rufus Wainwright

Song: "The Art Teacher"
From the album Want Two

Rufus Wainwright:   Web site

DJ comments: The piano isn't all that complicated, at least to my ear, but I always thought it was great. — cwc

value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M1ReFah2lCQ&hl=en&fs=1">

Gentlemen, X: Xavier Rudd

Song: "Messages"
From the album Food in the Belly

Xavier Rudd:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Much like Mr. Quaye, I needed an X...

Xavier Rudd is Australian. He plays lots of instruments... and he's hella sexy. That's right, I said "hella." — BJ

Gentlemen, Y: Young M.C. (Marvin Young)

Song: "Principal's Office"
From the album Stone Cold Rhymin'

Young M.C.:   Wiki

DJ comments: You probably know this man from his timeless classic, "Busta Move." Apparently this was his second biggest hit. Can't say I've ever heard it before, but I suppose I'm a bit out of the Nineties loop. Perhaps Chris can discuss the success of Young M.C. — BJ

Gentlemen, Y: Yusuf Islam

Song: "Heaven/Where True Love Goes"
From the album An Other Cup

Yusuf:   Web site

DJ comments: Cat Stevens in da house. — cwc

Gentlemen, Z: Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention

Song: "What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?"
From the album We're Only In It For The Money

Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention:   Web site   MySpace

Zappa on Crossfire:


Gentlemen, Z: Zach Condon

Song: "Postcards from Italy"
From the Beirut album Gulag Orkestar

Beirut:   Web site

DJ comments: My favorite song by Mr. Condon. — cwc

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Gentlemen, A: Dan Auerbach

Song: "Whispered Words (Pretty Lies)"
From the album Keep It Hid

Dan Auerbach:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: The guitar-wielding Black Key put out his self-produced debut solo album in February. No surprise here -- it sounds just like the Black Keys.

Auerbach is currently on tour in Europe, but we lucky Midwesterners have the opportunity to see his solo show at Lollapalooza this August. — BJ

Gentlemen, A: Ryan Adams

Song: "Chin Up, Cheer Up"
From the album Demolition

Ryan Adams:   Web site

DJ comments: Mandy Moore (Mrs. Ryan Adams) recently said that Adams could always join her backup band if he needed work. Seeing as he's the same guy who takes those "Bryan Adams" jokes so well, I hope Mandy's OK after saying this. — cwc

Gentlemen, B: Devendra Banhart

Song: "Lover"
From the album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon

Devendra Banhart:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I've been a big fan of Devendra Banhart for a few years, but hadn't heard this song until recently watching Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Needless to say, I scrambled for 2007's Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. Thank you Michael Cera for opening my eyes to everything good in this world.

Anywho, Banhart formed a new band with Priestbird drummer Greg Rogove. The name, you ask? Megapuss. Yum.

According to his Myspace page, Devendra is finishing another solo album. Not sure when, but you can expect it soon. — BJ

Gentlemen, B: Syd Barrett

Song: "Octopus"
From the album The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett:   Web site

DJ comments: I think Syd and Pink Floyd both benefit from his early departure from the band. The Floyd evolved beyond Barrett's quirky psychedelia to make some of the greatest space rock ever, while Syd made some interesting music as a solo man and maintained his legend as a tragic genius. Tragic if you consider a hermit's life after an inordinate amount of LSD something tragic. — cwc

Gentlemen, C: Ray Charles

Song: "(Night Time Is) The Right Time"

Ray Charles:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: I just remembered that Ray Charles was the spokesman for Pepsi for a long stint during the Nineties. That's an easy one to remember, but there's another ad series that may not play in your head as easily -- check out video two. — BJ

Diet Pepsi Ad featuring Ray being a pimp:


An even cooler ad featuring Ray Charles:

Gentlemen, C: Leonard Cohen

Song: "Avalanche"
From the album Songs of Love and Hate

Leonard Cohen:   Web site

DJ comments: "Everybody Knows" is a great song, but I wanted to play something off Cohen's fabulous Songs.... Get this great album. — cwc

Gentlemen, D: Nick Drake

Song: "From the Morning"
From the album Pink Moon

Nick Drake:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I just wanted to thank Chris for giving me Nick Drake's Family Tree LP for my 23rd birthday.

Apparently Nick had a pretty lame career during his lifetime (he died in 1974), but he has a relatively huge fan base these days. His music was featured in Garden State and The Royal Tenenbaums. Hell, Brad Pitt narrated a BBC radio special about this D. — BJ

Gentlemen, D: Donovan

Song: "Colours"
From the album Fairy Tale

Donovan:   Web site

DJ comments: I first heard this song during an interesting split-screen scene in the Roger Avary adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's The Rules of Attraction. Great song, great movie. Probably freaked out 99% of James Van Der Beek's fans at the time, which is awesome.

Easton Ellis is probably best known for his book American Psycho, which is highly overrated as a book. His books have made for some good movies, except for the first case I'll cite...

Less Than Zero: GREAT book, bordering on god-awful movie.
The Rules of Attraction: Good book, great movie.
American Psycho: Average book, great movie by Mary Herron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon, Chloe Sevigny, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Mathis, and Jared Leto.
Lunar Park: Good book.

Anyway, this started out about Donovan... — cwc

Gentlemen, E: Elliott Smith

Song: "The Biggest Lie"
From the album Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Not that Elliott Smith is depressing or anything, but reading about his childhood is fairly upsetting. To say the least, he had a strange relationship with his stepfather. I guess you could say it's heart wrenching. — BJ

Gentlemen, E: Joe "Bean" Esposito

Song: "You're the Best"
From the Karate Kid soundtrack

Joe "Bean" Esposito:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Holy shit. The guy who did this song is a Grammy winner. I wouldn't have guessed that in a thousand years.

You'll find the accompanying Karate Kid video below. Watching this reminded me of something that always bugged me about the casting of the Cobra Kai: how did the guy who ended up playing Lamar in Revenge of the Nerds land a role wearing the golden snake of the Kai? The same guy who threw the floppy javelin for Lambda Lambda Lambda has no business in the "strike first, strike hard, no mercy" karate crew. — cwc



Also thought I'd include this awesome near-end-of-movie-montage-theme from Teen Wolf. This is "Win in the End" by Mark Safan.

Gentlemen, F: Lowell Fulson

Song: "Reconsider Baby"
From the album Chess Blues Guitar

Lowell Fulson:   Wiki

DJ comments: Lowell Fulson can be compared to T-Bone Walker. During the 1940s, he worked with other West Coast artists such as Ray Charles, before he was Ray Charles. Today Fulson is probably best known for his songs "Why Don't We Do It in the Road?" and "Tramp", which was covered by Salt-N-Peppa on Hot, Cool & Vicious. — BJ

Gentlemen, F: Fatboy Slim

Song: "The Rockafeller Skank"
From the album Why Try Harder

Fatboy Slim:   Web site

DJ comments: If we had more time, I would definitely be playing the 11-plus-minute "Song for Shelter," which is used effectively in the Larry Clark film Bully. — cwc

Gentlemen, G: Al Green

Song: "Love and Happiness"

Al Green:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Al Green is still alive. In reality, he's pretty lucky to be 63 years old -- a former girlfriend, who was married at the time, assaulted him before she killed herself. How did she assault him, you ask? She poured hot grits and oil on him. Talk about a psycho bitch. — BJ

Gentlemen, G: Serge Gainsbourg

Song: "Bonnie and Clyde" (with Brigitte Bardot)
From the album Comic Strip

Serge Gainsbourg:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: Keeping the G's in the family, as I picked Serge's daughter Charlotte for my G during our Ladies show two weeks ago. — cwc

Gentlemen, H: John Lee Hooker

Song: "Walkin' the Boogie"
From the album Chess Blues Guitar

John Lee Hooker:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: I generally like hookers, but this one is a very special one. You may know him from one of the greatest music movies ever made, The Blues Brothers, in which he played his best-known hit, "Boom Boom". He was an obvious choice for the movie, as John Belushi based his character Jake after the boogie-woogie blues man.

Outside of The Blues Brothers, Hooker played with the likes of Van Morison, Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt.

I guess you could say this is one hooker who doesn't suck. — BJ

Gentlemen, H: Ben Harper

Song: "I'm Breakin' Down"
From the album Welcome to the Cruel World

Ben Harper:   Web site

DJ comments: Great song off Harper's stellar debut. — cwc

Gentlemen, I: Bon Iver (Justin Vernon)

Song: "Flume"
From the album For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I could lie and pretend that I cheated on this one, which I did, but I simply had a mental block. I forgot that Bon Iver is not the name of the singing man, it is the name of the band. I'm a moron, but we'll keep the entry as I've already played the song.

Justin Vernon is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which is not too far from where Chris and I call home. I love finding out that great musicians are from the Midwest -- let people know we're not just a bunch of rednecks having fun with pigs on our parents' farms. I suppose I shouldn't speak for everyone who lives in this wonderful region... — BJ

Gentlemen, I: Iggy Pop

Song: "Sister Midnight"
From the album The Idiot

Iggy Pop:   Web site

DJ comments: So what if Iggy's pimping Carnival cruises these days... — cwc

Gentlemen, J: Mason Jennings

Song: "Jackson Square"
From the album Boneclouds

Mason Jennings:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I wonder how Mason Jennings likes Minneapolis after being born in Honolulu, Hawaii. You know, because January is just a little more enjoyable when it's 75 degrees instead of -35. — BJ

Gentlemen, J: Jack Johnson

Song: "Holes in Heaven"
From the album Thicker Than Water

Jack Johnson:   Web site

DJ comments: Still don't quite get all the hate directed at Jack. It's not that he's overplayed by the radio. Is it that "unhip" kids like him? Is it that much of his music sounds the same? He writes some great tunes, he has a cool voice...I don't know what the problem is. — cwc

Gentlemen, K: B.B. King

Song: "3 O'Clock Blues"
From the album Original Greatest Hits

B.B. King:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Do you think B.B. King sold his soul to the devil, like they suggest in Metalocalypse? He's 76 with little to show for it outside of some gray hairs. This year he has an extensive European tour planned to follow his West Coast installment.

Fun fact: B.B. King's real first name is Riley. — BJ

Gentlemen, K: Lenny Kravitz

Song: "Come On and Love Me"
From the album Are You Gonna Go My Way

Lenny Kravitz:   Web site

DJ comments: Unlike Jack Johnson, I do understand why some people dislike Lenny. Some of his late '90s stuff is weak. But I love his first three albums, and I especially like this gem, which is buried on Are You Gonna Go My Way. — cwc

Gentlemen, L: Lyrics Born

Song: "I Changed My Mind (Stereo MCs Rattlesnake Mix)"
From the album Same !@#$ Different Day

Lyrics Born:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Hey, I played this song this week last year.

Lyrics Born just played Iowa City. Hopefully you were there to witness the madness. I was not able, but I'm sure it was a hoot. — BJ

Gentlemen, L: John Lennon

Song: "Look at Me"
From the album Plastic Ono Band

John Lennon:   Web site

DJ comments: Far and away my favorite Beatle, it's too bad John's solo output isn't a little better. But I do love almost every track on Plastic Ono Band. — cwc

Gentlemen, M: Mos Def (an RJD2 remix)

Song: "Wylin Out (RJD2 Remix)"
From the album RJD2 Is God

Mos Def:   Wiki   MySpace

DJ comments: I'm not sure what to say about Mos Def outside of the fact that he is one hell of a man. He's sexy, he can act, he can write, he can rap, I've heard he's hilarious and I'm sure he can do a slew of other things I can only dream about. — BJ

Don't know who it is, but I love that there's a burnt out hippie-looking dude jamming to the right of Mos Def.

Gentlemen, M: Bob Marley

Song: "Redemption Song"
From the album Uprising

Bob Marley:   Web site

DJ comments: Some days I'd rather hear the more upbeat Marley ("Is This Love" or "Could You Be Loved"), but today I'd rather hear the more sedated Bob. — cwc

Usually when embedding is disabled, I say fuck it, but here's a link to a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFGgbT_VasI

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ladies, N: Natalie Merchant

Song: "Carnival"
From the album Tigerlily

Joanna Newsom:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: I started with a Joanna Newsom song, but had to go to Natalie Merchant. In 1993, the lead vocalist for 10,000 Maniacs left her band to pursue what would be a very successful music career. This song is off her first solo album.

This song defines a particular time in my life -- one filled with Duckman, Goosebumps and Waukon's giant, rectangular swimming pool. Ah, to be young again and not have to pay my health insurance. — BJ

Ladies, N: Nico

Song: "Chelsea Girls"
From the album Chelsea Girl

Nico:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: In my first life as a college radio DJ, back in the '90s at Iowa State, one of the station directors was talking about Nico as if he had partied with her back in the days of Warhol's Exploding Plastic Inevitable. It always cracked me up. College radio station directors are so dorky! — cwc

Ladies, O: Karen O

Song: "Maps"
From the album Fever To Tell

Yeah Yeah Yeahs:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Just so you know, the O stands for Orzolek.

Fever To Tell came out in 2003. I bought it shortly after it came out, and it probably repeated in my car's CD player 300 times before I moved onto the next album. — BJ

No Embedding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKvpRKJHUC0

Ladies, O: Beth Orton

Song: "Concrete Sky"
From the album Daybreaker

Beth Orton:   Web site

DJ comments: Beth Orton edges out Sinead for the O. — cwc

Ladies, P: Amanda Palmer

Song: "Coin-Operated Boy"
From the album A Is For Accident

Patty Griffin:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I wish I could have a coin-operated boy. Chris, do you come with a coin slot? If only I could get your comments when I need them...

I love Amanda's sense of humor. For instance, her Web site is called Amandafuckingpalmer.com. Outside of liking her humor, I'm not a big fan of her music, solo or Dresden. Sorry to all the cult followers. I hear there are a lot of you. — BJ

Ladies, P: Poe

Song: "Hello"
From the album Hello

Poe:   Web site

DJ comments: I liked Poe's first album—this is the title track of said album. Then she put out a second album with a cover image that resembles Bowie's Hunky Dory. Haven't heard much about her since. Still doesn't undo the goodness of her debut. — cwc

Ladies, Q: Tegan & Sara Quin

Song: "Monday Monday Monday"

Tegan & Sara:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is BY FAR my favorite Tegan and Sara song. These girls are identical twins and they are too freakin' cute for their own good. Imagine how many male fantasies take place at their shows... a lot, I'm sure. — BJ

Ladies, Q: Astrid Quay

Song: "The Caterpillar"
From the album Perfect As Cats

Astrid Quay:   Winter Flowers Web site

DJ comments: Even in a show dedicated to the ladies, I find a way for the Cure to represent. Apparently Ms. Quay stepped away from her band Winter Flowers to record this Cure cover. — cwc

Ladies, R: Diana Ross

Song: "Where Did Our Love Go"
Performed with The Supremes

Diana Ross:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I understand that this is not an alternative song, but it's Diana fucking Ross. She is literally Supreme. — BJ

Ladies, R: Leslie Rankin (aka Ruby)

Song: "Flippin' Tha Bird"
From the album Salt Peter

Ruby:   Web site

DJ comments: First Poe, now Ruby. I'm going full-on mid-'90s on everyone. — cwc

Ladies, S: Caroline Smith

Song: "Clench My Teeth"
From the album Backyard Tent Set

Caroline Smith And The Good Night Sleeps:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I realize I've been playing too much Caroline Smith lately, but that should just be indication as to how utterly phenomenal this album is. — BJ

Ladies, S: Sally Shapiro

Song: "He Keeps Me Alive"
From the album Disco Romance

Sally Shapiro:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is just what the doctor ordered after an annoying day. — cwc

Ladies, T: Tracy Chapman

Song: "Fast Car"
From the album Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Yet another fantastic track from the greatest decade ever... the Nineties. During her peak, Tracy won four Grammys, scored herself an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts and probably earned herself millions of dollars. Now she's just touring Europe and probably driving several fast cars. — BJ

Ladies, T: Rosie Thomas

Song: "The One I Love"
From the album These Friends of Mine

Rosie Thomas:   Web site

DJ comments: R.E.M. via Rosie Thomas with assistance from Sufjan. An equation that adds up somehow. — cwc

Ladies, U: Tracy Ullman

Song: "They Don't Know"

Tracy Ullman:   IMDB   Wiki

DJ comments: Apparently Tracy Ullman was a singer before she was a comedian. I thought this song was just something she put together for her series. Apparently not. Apparently she was good enough that Ben Gibbard chose to cover this song.

Do yourself a favor and check out some of her other videos. — BJ

Ladies, U: Regina Spektor???

Song: "Us"
From the album Soviet Kitsch

Regina Spektor:   Web site

DJ comments: Yes, I'm basing my U Lady off the song title. Blow me. — cwc

Ladies, V: Victoria Legrand

Song: "Wedding Bell"
From the album Devotion

Beach House:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you like this one, hopefully you caught the Beach House show when they played Mission Creek. I heard they did a great job, but I was at the These United States show.

Perhaps someone who attended the Beach House show can clear up some confusion of mine. The Maryland duo claims to play under the Visual genre. I'm not quite sure how a duo could be that visual. The Black Keys are about the only duo I've been utterly impressed with and I still wouldn't call them too visually appealing. I guess that's a lie, Dan Auerbach is pretty sexy. — BJ

Ladies, V: Laura Veirs

Song: "Ocean Night Song"
From the album Saltbreakers

Laura Veirs:   Web site

DJ comments: Laura is another example of someone I assume has way more appearances on our show than she has in reality. Haven't played her since Week 1. What a shame. — cwc

Ladies, W: Amy Winehouse

Song: "Wake Up Alone"
From the album Back To Black

Amy Winehouse:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I was going to make a post about Amy Winehouse not being in the news as much as, say, a year ago. But then I did a news search and found this gem: http://www.welt.de/english-news/article3558506/Amy-Winehouse-s-husband-impregnates-woman.html

Yes, Amy's husband knocked up some chick in a bathroom, "toilet" if you prefer the English term, while in rehab. I guess he couldn't say No, No, No. — BJ

Ladies, W: Leigh and Chandra Watson

Song: "Just Like Heaven"
From the album Fire Songs

Watson Twins:   Web site

DJ comments: Pretty cool version of a pretty perfect song. — cwc

Ladies, X: Exene Cervenka

Song: "Motel Room in My Bed"
From the album Beyond and Back

X:   Web site

DJ comments: A favorite of Alphabet Soup, and not just because Exene and company conveniently fill a tricky letter slot (today is a stretch, but come on....) — cwc

Ladies, Y: Mama Yancey

Song: "Monkey Woman Blues"
From the album Yancey Special, 1951

Mama Yancey:   Wiki

DJ comments: So the name of this song is "Monkey Woman Blues." I had to choose it for historical reasons. Can you imagine if Rhianna came out with a similar song title?

Speaking of Rhianna, we decided to start calling a pint of Black and Blue (half Guinness, half Blue Moon) a Rhianna. Get it? — BJ

Embedding Disalbled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmvma-b5mVA

Ladies, Y: Yoko

Song: "Kiss Kiss Kiss"
From the album Double Fantasy

Yoko:   Web site

DJ comments: I can't say a whole lot for Yoko's art as a whole, but this song is pretty cool. And PAUL killed the Beatles, not Ms. Ono Lennon. — cwc

Ladies, Z: Moon Zappa

Song: "Valley Girl"
From the album Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch

Moon Zappa:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: I can kind of understand naming your child Moon, but to then give that child the middle name Unit -- I'm not sure I agree with that. Maybe I'll name my first boy Huge Unit and assume that one of two things would happen: 1. My son would get laid by default and love his mother; 2. My son would disappoint a lot of women and hate his mother.

Anyway, Frank Zappa and his daughter Moon Unit released this song together in 1982; that's one year before the debut of that fantastic movie starring Nicholas Cage as a teenage heartthrob. Like, oh my god, he is so awesome. — BJ

Music Video:


Movie preview:

Ladies, Z: Zooey Deschanel

Song: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"
From the album Volume One

She & Him:   Web site

DJ comments: Does Zooey really need to ask such a question? She's welcome anytime. — cwc

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Ladies, A: Fiona Apple

Song: "Parting Gift"
From the album Extraordinary Machine

Fiona Apple:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It's almost as if all of Fiona Apple's marketing and Web pages stopped in time when she released Extraordinary Machine. One of the headlines under the NEWS section on her Web site (listed above) is "the long awaited new album
extraordinary machine, in stores now"... If you don't remember, E.M. was released in 2005.

It took six years to make E.M. and we've heard very little from Apple since... perhaps we can anticipate a new album in another two years. — BJ

Ladies, A: Tori Amos

Song: "'97 Bonnie and Clyde"
From the album Strange Little Girls

Tori Amos:   Web site

DJ comments: The original version of this song (by Eminem) sounded almost jokey, whereas this Tori Amos version brings out how fucked up the song is in a different context. This version is incredibly spooky, truth be told. — cwc

Ladies, B: Pieta Brown

Song: "Remember The Sun"
From the album Remember The Sun

Pieta Brown:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Pieta Brown played at The Mill during Mission Creek week. She and her husband, Bo Ramsey, never cease to amaze me together. Outside of working with Pieta and her father, Greg, he has also produced some of Lucinda Williams work.

Brown released her newest album, Flight Time, late last year. Remember the Sun was her previous album, released in June, 2007. I suggest everyone start a Pieta Brown collection, as all her releases are fantastic. — BJ

Ladies, B: Bjork

Song: "Army of Me"
From the album Post

Bjork:   Web site

DJ comments: I would like to see Bjork team up with Sigur Ros for an entire album. Iceland, unite! — cwc

Ladies, C: Cat Power

Song: "Woman Left Lonely"
From the album Jukebox

Cat Power:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Wow, Chris, Cat Power is older than you. I didn't think such a thing was possible.

Chan Marshall was born in Georgie on January 21, 1972. After dropping out of high school, she took on the name Cat Power to perform around Atlanta. In the early-Nineties, Cat Power moved to New York City where she opened for acts like Liz Phair, leading to her work with Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley.

I've been reading a 2006 interview with Spin magazine, and Cat Power sounds a bit crazy. She was an alcoholic for a long time, and she's been noted for seeing visions... She's been diagnosed with severe depression. This is an excerpt from the interview:

On the fourth day, I woke up and I was like, "Shit, Susanna is not coming back. Maybe Susanna is just part of your split personality. Maybe everyone's part of your split personality. Maybe your mom doesn't exist. Maybe you aren't you. Maybe you're really 75 years old and you're homeless with cancer and you're on a respirator, and when you open your eyes, you're going to see that you're dying." So I got out of bed and went right up to the mirror. At this point, I was raw. I hadn't seen myself. I hadn't brushed my hair. I wondered [if I looked in the mirror], would it be me? And I looked. And I looked like me. Like the inside of me. Like a little kid. When I saw my face, all I wanted to do was protect that person. And I realized, "What are you doing here?"

Anyway, "Woman Left Lonely" is a Janis Joplin cover. — BJ

Ladies, C: Jill Cunniff

Song: "Happy Warriors"
From the album City Beach

Jill Cunniff:   Web site

DJ comments: Luscious Jackson (and now Jill Cunniff) is one of those bands I don't listen to very often but when I do it makes me happy. — cwc

Ladies, D: Kimya Dawson

Song: "Tire Swing"
From the album Juno

Kimya Dawson:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: One of Dawson's influences on Myspace is Jesse and the Rippers... awesome.

I had no idea Kimya Dawson was one of the original members of The Moldy Peaches. I also had no idea she named her child Panda... how do celebrities come up with their kids' names? — BJ

Ladies, D: Marianne Dissard

Song: "Le Lendemain"
From the album L'Entredeux

Marianne Dissard:   Web site

DJ comments: French, the language of love. Madame Dissard has hooked up with one of those Calexico fellows, so she has some smarts as well. — cwc

Ladies, E: Erykah Badu

Song: "Sometimes..."
From the album Baduizm

Erykah Badu:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Erykah Badu is collaborating with Steven Lopez, a Los Angeles artist, adding to his Midnight Series. You can read up on his celebrity portrait series here and here.

Badu is also playing Bonnaroo this year. I highly suggest checking out the lineup. She's one of MANY fantastic artists making their way to Tennessee. — BJ

Ladies, E: Eleni Mandell

Song: "It Wasn't the Time (It Was the Color)"
From the album Artificial Fire

Eleni Mandell:   Web site

DJ comments: A little cooler than the Mandrell sisters. Check out this song from Mandell's new disc. — cwc

Ladies, F: Aretha Franklin

Song: "Chain Of Fools"

Aretha Franklin:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My family and I recently went to a trivia night in Davenport, and this was one of the questions we missed:

"Who was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame?"
Answer: Aretha Franklin

— BJ

Ladies, F: Leslie Feist

Song: "One Evening"
From the album Let It Die

Feist:   Web site

DJ comments: One of the numerous gorgeous songs on Let It Die. — cwc

Go here for the awesome video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqVKOilZO2A

Ladies, G: Laura Gibson

Song: "Spirited"
From the album Beasts of Seasons

Laura Gibson:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Go see Laura Gibson at the Picador tonight. — BJ

Ladies, G: Charlotte Gainsbourg

Song: "The Songs That We Sing"
From the album 5:55

Charlotte Gainsbourg: Web site

DJ comments: Last time I thought about Serge Gainsbourg's daughter, it was back when she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage following a water skiing accident. She's doing better now; in fact, she's working on a new album with assistance from Beck. — cwc

Ladies, H: Billie Holiday

Song: "What A Little Moonlight Can Do"
From the album Billie's Best

Billie Holiday:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Probably my all-time favorite female musician. I love, love, love Big Band music, and Billie (Lady Day) is the queen of the genre. — BJ

Billie and Louis Armstrong:

Ladies, H: Polly Jean Harvey

Song: "Down by the Water"
From the album To Bring You My Love

PJ Harvey:   Web site

DJ comments: Originally I always found PJ a great musician but not all that easy on the eyes. And then this song (and accompanying video) came out. Mind changed. — cwc

Ladies, I: Ingrid Michaelson

Song: "Be OK"
From the album Be OK

Ingrid Michaelson:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I never know whether someone is popular on regular radio stations, mainly because I never listen to music outside KRUI and whatever is on my iPod. This girl is pretty poppy, but she's a good I girl. Perhaps we'll play it before the Top 40 stations do. — BJ

Ladies, I: Janis Ian

Song: "Tea and Sympathy"
From the album Between the Lines

Janis Ian:   Web site

DJ comments: While I was tempted to play "At Seventeen," I decided to go with this lesser known track, one that deserves some love. — cwc

Ladies, J: Etta James

Song: "How Big of a Fool"
From the album R'n'B Dynamite

Etta James:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: Etta wasn't the prettiest, but she had a lot of talent and a lot to say. She won four Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards, and she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame... twice. You ain't no fool, Etta. — BJ

Ladies, J: Sharon Jones

Song: "Inspiration Information"
From the album Dark Was the Night

Sharon Jones:   Web site" target="_blank">Web site

DJ comments: Another cool contributor to the latest hip compilation. — cwc

Ladies, K: Alison Krauss

Song: "Rich Woman"
From the album Raising Sand

Alison Krauss:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: A country girl who gets to share duets with a former Zeppelin, James Taylor and Elvis Costello. That's impressive. What's more impressive is that she has won 26 Grammys -- five more than Stevie Wonder. She holds the record for women, so it was only appropriate that she be involved on our Ladies List. — BJ

Ladies, K: Carole King

Song: "Smackwater Jack"
From the album Tapestry

Carole King:   Web site

DJ comments: Tapestry is one of those albums you take for granted, I suppose. A true sign of something good, right? — cwc

Ladies, L: Peggy Lee

Song: "Fever"
From the album The Best of Miss Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee:   Web site   Wiki

DJ comments: This has to be one of the sexiest songs ever performed. I love the rest of Peggy Lee's collection, but "Fever" has to be her most recognized song, and for good reason. Meow. — BJ

Ladies, L: Loretta Lynn

Song: "Portland, Oregon"
From the album Van Lear Rose

Loretta Lynn:   Web site

DJ comments: Featuring Jack White on the guitar. A song about Brittany's favorite city in the world. — cwc

Ladies, M: Aimee Mann

Song: "Momentum"
From the Magnolia soundtrack

Aimee Mann:   Web site

DJ comments: Until the PT Anderson film Magnolia, I had a low opinion of Aimee Mann, having only experienced her work with 'Til Tuesday ("Voices Carry") and her solo album I'm With Stupid, which didn't have much staying power for me. However, the Magnolia songs won me over. On a side note, I just read the great rock 'n' roll memoir by Aimee's good friend Jen Trynin, who will have to make an appearance in next week's show. — cwc

Ladies, M: Alanis Morissette

Song: "Hand In My Pocket"
From the album Jagged Little Pill

Alanis:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Alanis is by far the most influential female musician from my early life. I've probably listened to Jagged Little Pill more than any other album, solely because it came out when I was 10 or so. Fuck the Spice Girls, Alanis provided all the Girl Power young Brittany Jade ever needed. — BJ

As the movie Dogma showed us, Alanis Morissette's voice might kill you. — cwc