Plumplechook

Seen some great shows this year. All these in Sydney. War on Drugs - my first time seeing them just last weekend. Blew me away. My gig of the year. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - what a performer, what a voice. White Denim - just wow Courtney Barnett - can't wait for her first proper album next year Queens of the Stone Age - always deliver live The Datsuns - ditto. A band that only make sense live (could start a thread on that) The Wonder Stuff - nice blast from the past The National - my third time seeing them and havent let me down yet

Damn that is so sad. Saw Ian McLagan a number of times with the Faces - and I loved his work with the Small Faces. Such a talent. A bad week for old rockers - coming a couple of days after Bobby Keys passing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rLF-QAS67I

Saw Courtney Barnett in concert here in Sydney a few weeks ago. Great show. 'Sea of Split Peas' is actually a collation of her first two EPs. Her first real full-length studio album is due out early next year I believe. Love this duet she did with Billy Bragg recently on an Australian TV rock quiz show - covering the Velvets 'Sunday Morning':

Meth is a hell of a drug.

So no 'Impossible Germany'. That must the first time for a very long time (other than the covers show at Solid Sound). Great set list.

A fun read - apart from the recycled dad-rock meme. http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/14-characters-whom-wilco-helped-grow-up.html

Simon Sweetman is known as a deliberately provocative contrarian in NZ and this is typical of his style of review. He seems to enjoy antagonizing fans and artists alike with his glib and dismissive reviews which usually include multiple references to himself (its all about him you see). Most folks in NZ have learned to ignore him - although I still do occasionally read his blog - but mainly for the entertaining readers responses below.

Alah Las - Worship the Sun

I'm a big RA fan but don't really like this new album. Sounds kind of bombastic with lots of straight-out 4/4 rockers. For me it lacks the subtletly and melodic invention of his best work. Hate to say it, but there's even a couple of songs that put me in mind of Bryan Adams. Sigh.

No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.

New album streaming on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2014/08/31/343973366/first-listen-ryan-adams-ryan-adams?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nprmusic&utm_term=music&utm_content=20140831

J Geils Band Live Full House was released in '72.

Not strictly an autobiography, but a guy named James Young spent a few years in Nico's touring band and wrote a book on his experiences called 'Nico, Songs they Never Play on the Radio'. It's the funniest, saddest, and most brilliantly written music bio I've ever read.

Very sad news. 'Johnny Winter And' was one of the first live albums I owned. Was in awe of his and Rick Derringer's guitar playing on that record. Saw Johnny live at the Lone Star Cafe in NY in 1980 and he just blew me away with his guitar chops and energy. RIP.

Damn - NSFW

Beck - Morning Phase Liam Finn - The Nihilist War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream Real Estate - Atlas Blank Realm - Grassed Inn

I guess cocaine and close three-part harmonies are not the best mix. But some of the Stills/Young guitar work I've heard on preview tracks (e.g. Almost Cut My Hair) sounds great!

RIP Jerry Goffin. He and Carole King one of the great American song writing partnerships.

Yep - I turned up to see him a couple of weeks ago at the Enmore theatre here in Sydney - and he was a no-show. Promoter said the broken wrist he sustained a few months ago had flared up and he'd flown back to the US to get treatment. Govt Mule, who were the support, ended up playing the whole show - but a lot of folks, including me, took the refund that was offered.

I remember seeing Santana in Auckland NZ back in the '70s and the entire Harlem Globe Trotters team was brought on for the encore. No idea why. They just stood round in groups and clapped and shimmied to Soul Sacrafice. Random.

Really loving this new Beck album. I've appreciated his stuff in the past but never loved it - his detached persona seemed to create a barrier to enjoyment. But this is a beautiful collection of songs that just draw me in. A few of the songs have a real Wilco flavor - particularly Blackbird Chain and Country Down which would sound right at home on SBS or TWL.

Saw The National last night playing in front of the Sydney Opera House. Amazing gig. It was streamed live - and the whole thing can be replayed on the link below. Well worth checking out - great sound/vision quality (show starts at the 14 minute mark):