PopTodd

"Andalucia" by John Cale - I heard the Yo La Tengo cover version first.

EDIT: Oops. I missed the whole "newish" part. So, now that it's "newish" I will say: Family Atlantica Their new album, Cosmic Unity, is just what the doctor ordered—a hybrid of various African musical styles, mashed together and sung and performed with pure, unbridled joy. I adore this band.

I am well aware. But, it's cool that Live thinks enough of TFUL to have them on the bill. Like I said, not a fan of Live, but this makes me think more of them, I guess.

I never liked them. But, TFUL282 as an opener is actually kinda cool.

Yup. Me too.

Okay, so I think that I have my top 30 of the year: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Talk Tight Family Atlantica - Cosmic Unity David Bowie - Blackstar Fumaça Preta - Impuros Fanáticos Flamingods - Majesty Klaus Johann Grobe - Spagat der Liebe Ultimate Painting - Dusk Cate Le Bon - Crab Day Tom Zé - Canções Eróticas de Ninar Dinosaur Jr. - Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not Barry Adamson - Know Where To Run Goat - Requiem Omni - Deluxe Teenage Fanclub - Here The Flat Five - It's a World Of Love and Hope Parquet Courts - Human Performance Magic Shoppe - Wonderland Tindersticks - The Waiting Ro

Richard Lloyd (Television)—I interviewed him when I was writing for a local music rag in college. I wouldn't call him "friendly" per se, but he was very, very talkative and more than willing to answer all my questions in his thick Brooklyn accent. Told some really great stories, including one about the night that he got decked by Jimi Hendrix. Exene Cervenka (X)—Popped her head into the room to say "hi" when I was interviewing another band for the same music rag. Only talked for a few seconds but she was bubbly, effervescent, and just came off as a total sweetheart. Neil Schon (Journey)—I

Tom Zé at the Park West (Chicago) in May, 1999. It was in this tour: http://www.mtv.com/news/513949/tom-z-recruits-tortoise-for-inaugural-us-tour/ And it is still the only time that Zé has come to the States. His backing band was Tortoise and the show was a spectacular, bizarre, amazing spectacle, with no need for any pyrotechnics, save for the musical ones created by the musicians, themselves.

I forgot... I saw Falstaff (the Shrimp Boat spinoff that was not The Sea and Cake) 4 or 5 times. And I saw The Sea and Cake 3 times.

Good to see that I'm not the only one!

Wipers Tragedy Wait a Minute Doom Town Youth of America D-7

You gotta use the tag: [ video] link [/video ] Only no spaces anywhere where I have put spaces above. I just did that so it wouldn't render.

My old Russian-built Sovtek Big Muff. Thought that it was lost in a flood, but my old bass player showed up at my door last week with it, all fixed up and ready to go. Works for the wear, but totally functional and sounding great! Buzz, buzz, swirl, swirl..

I thought that I had lost this pedal in a flood in my old rehearsal space. But then, my old bassist showed up at my door last week with it, all fixed up and fully functional! Sure, it's looked prettier, but the thing still sounds amazing. My old Russian-built Sovtek Big Muff. I love it!

I heard the Blondie version of "Hanging On the Telephone" before the original by The Nerves.

Twist and Shout - The Beatles (The Isley Brothers)

That was awesome. Hard-hitting pub rock. Love it.

Actually, the Brinsley Schwarz (that is the name of the band and the real name of their lead guitar player) version was a hit in the UK in the early 70s, apparently. Nick Lowe was their primary singer and songwriter. He wrote the song and sang that original version, and he also produced the Elvis Costello version. Here is the very outstanding, but very different original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_u2OK_IKw0 And here is the truly outstanding original version of "Samson and Delilah." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjFHR3NCu6Q

I find this astonishing.

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?" heard the Elvis Costello version before I heard the Brinsley Schwarz version. And, speaking of Rev. Gary Davis: Heard the Grateful Dead's version of "Samson and Delilah" before that of the right reverend.