Christmas Song of the Day: “I Believe in Father Christmas” – U2

This song was released last Christmas as part of Bono’s (RED) WIRE project to fight AIDS in Africa. While it is not as good as Greg Lake’s original, it’s not bad. Enjoy

(RED) WIRE Official Website

U2 Official Website

Grammy Nominations 2009

The 52nd annual Grammy nominations came out last night with one glaring omission. Green Day’s excellent 21st Century Breakdown was not nominated for Album of the Year. How is that possible? While I like the new Dave Matthews Band Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King album, it’s not better than Green Day. The Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. sure as hell isn’t. While I’m sure Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Beyonce have their moments, song for song, there is no way they compare with Green Day.

Bruce Springsteen showed up as a courtesy in a few of categories. Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song for “Working On A Dream” and for his “Sea of Heartbreak” duet with Rosanne Cash, but his Working On A Dream album was a no-show. Producer Brendan O’Brien, however, is up for Producer of the Year. U2’s weak No Line On The Horizon LP also appeared in couple of categories, but was shut out of the major ones. Steve Earle’s excellent Townes showed up in the Best Comtemporary Folk Album along with Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone and Elvis Costello’s  Secret, Profane and Sugar Cane (I love Costello, but this is a joke). Wilco, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams and Levon Helm were also nominated for “Best Americana Album.”

Some pleasant surprises (besides the Americana category) include Adele’s nomination for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance for “Hometown Glory,” Willie Nelson’s American Classic nominated for Best Traditional Vocal Performance, AC/DC’s Black Ice up for Best Rock Album and Megadeth’s Head Crusher being recognized in the “Best Metal Performance.”

The show airs on CBS Sunday, Jan. 31. Maybe Kanye West will steal someone’s thunder again. Maybe Lady Gaga will poor blood on herself again, or maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to see Wilco, Steve Earle, Springsteen/Cash or AC/DC play live. We can only hope.

2009 Grammy Nominations

Willie and the Wheel – This Weekend on “Austin City Limits”

Willie Nelson joins Asleep at the Wheel on this weekend’s episode of “Austin City Limits.”  Check your local listings, etc.

Great Video For An OK Song

This is a wild video, for the group Sour’s Hibi no Neiro (Tone Of Everyday). I have never seen this many people cooperate with each other so well.

 

Song of the Week: “Sticky Finger” by Orange Is In

Orange Is In Official Website

Orange Is In Facebook page

Orange Is In Twitter page

30 Days Exclusive Interview: Tommy Farese, vocalist, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Part 3

This is our third interview with the great Tommy Farese, vocalist, for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO). Farese is lead vocalist for the tunes “Ornament” and “This Christmas Day,” two show highlights. With a new album and a new tour starting this weekend, we figured we would check in with Tommy to see how things were going. Enjoy.

30 Days Out Exclusive Interview: Anna Phoebe, violinist, Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Anna Phoebe is the dynamic, sexy, and ultra-talented violinist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO). When Phoebe is on stage, her presence is such that it is hard to take your eyes off her. She’s that good. After releasing their latest disc, Night Castle, Tuesday, she and the rest of TSO hit the road for their annual winter tour beginning this Sunday. If you haven’t seen them yet, I suggest you buy a ticket. It’s amazing show with some of the best musicians in the world. Phoebe was nice enough to take the time to speak with us during a break in rehearsals and tell us about her beginnings, how she got involved with TSO, her love for Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and her solo work.

Review: “The List,” Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash is one of those rare artists that sounds like she’s sitting in your living room playing just for you. Her voice is confident, sexy, and one you can count on to make you feel better when times are tough. On her latest collection, The List, she honors her father Johnny Cash by performing 12 songs (13 if you get it off iTunes) from a list he gave her when she was 18 years old. It contained what he called the “100 essential country songs.” Everything from folk to protest songs to delta blues to gospel to Appalachian music was on that list. I am so glad that she decided to share this piece of her history with us because this disc is nothing short of outstanding.

Song of the Week: “Ride Like The Wind,” Christopher Cross

From “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” Christopher Cross, the Roots and special guest Michael McDonald.

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“Wrecking Ball” – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

We posted a version of “Wrecking Ball,” Springsteen’s ode to the end of Giants Stadium, the other day, but here is a complete and much better version. This is taken from night two of a five-night stand. Enjoy.

Bruce Springsteen Official Website

Backstreets Magazine