R.E.M. fans were devastated at the news that, after 31 years, the band decided to " call it a day".
Their final album will come out November 15, a 40 song retrospective that collects, for the first time ever, songs from R.E.M.'s entire back catalog, including the early years on IRS. A brand new song " We All Go Back to Where We Belong" will sent available October 18.   Â
The album " R.E. M. Part Lies, Part Heart. Part Truth, Part Garbage" is available for pre-order on Amazon. com.
Here's the line-up!
Disc 1:
Gardening At Night
Radio Free Europe
Talk About The Passion
Sitting Still
So. Central Rain
(Don't Go Back To) Rockville
Driver 8
Life And How To Live It
Begin The Begin
Fall On Me
Finest Worksong
It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
The One I Love
Stand
Pop Song 89
Get Up
Orange Crush
Losing My Religion
Country Feedback
Shiny Happy People
Disc 2:
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Everybody Hurts
Man On The Moon
Nightswimming
What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
New Test Leper
Electrolite
At My Most Beautiful
The Great Beyond
Imitation Of Life
Bad Day
Leaving New York
Living Well Is The Best Revenge
Supernatural Superserious
ÃBerlin
Oh My Heart
Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter
A Month of Saturdays
We All Go Back To Where We Belong
Hallelujah
Adele Atkins, better known just as Adele has a new album coming out February 22 titled "21". Just like her "19" album, most of the songs in this new album were done when she was 21.
So, with that in mind, here are 21 things to know about Adele.
 favorite movie is Godfather 2
favorite food is Malaysian
favorite color is green
loves cleaning her ears with Q-Tips
the Cure was her first concert. She was 3
she gets nervous before performing
her favorite spot on earth is her bed
she almost ran over P. Diddy with a golf cart
favorite video game is Ray Man
drinks her tea with two sugars
she's a great cook
favorite actress is Meryl Streep
favorite TV show is East Enders
She's addicted to Ikea
She's terrified of flying
her dog is Louis Armstrong, a dachsund
if she could be anyone famous it would be Drew Barrymore ( who wouldn't?)
favorite song: Bette Midler's "Wind beneath My Wings"
her idols are her Mom and Bette Midler
favorite actor is Al Pacino
favorite Michael Jackson song is " Man in the Mirror"
What an awesome show Weed's has become. It started with a suburban mom, recently widowed trying to earn money by selling pot to her neighbors. After 5 seasons, the show has taken many dark turns, involving grow houses, Mexican drug lords and gun smuggling, leaving us with quite a cliff-hanger. I, for one, can't wait to see what happens next.
The promo for the new season shows great promise, using the song " Terrible Things" from April Smith and the Great Picture Show. Check it out:
How can you not love a band that names itself after a drumlin?
Madison's Bascom Hill, named after the hill on campus which once was the site of 1008Â Pink Flamingo's are on the brink of national success.
Originally from Kenosha, this band formed over 12 years ago, but cut their musical teeth here in Madison where they are now based. If you are a long time fan, you'd have recognized their songs on America's Top Model, Cheerleader nation, MTV's real World, Rock Rules and a whole bunch more.
They've got a new album out called Bascom Hill is out and available for download!
Check out this really cool video for their wong " My World ( Sucks to be You)"
As Triple M Music Director, I'm always on the lookout for cool new bands. So please meet Mumford & Sons.
Although the band hails from London , they sound a bit like the US jam/rootsy scene and are HUGE in Australia. You might have caught them on Letterman or Craig Ferguson.
I was also excited to hear that they will appear on a soon to be released album of Ray Davies and Kinks cover songs.
Check them out with this official video of Little Lion Man.
Remember OKGO's video on the treadmill?  Well, they're out with another AMAZING video that you have to see to believe! So here it is:
If you want to know more about the creator of this Rube Goldberg-esque video, check this out
What a great way to end the year and decade... a new song and soon to be released album from the John Butler Trio.
I have loved this band from very first time I heard Zebra. He has been in to Studio M and totally captivated the crowd. He can make his guitar sound like a whole band, and I don't really understand how. All I know is, Wow!
Here's the official video for the new single, " One Way Road". You can download it now at CD Baby and the other usual download places.
This is the time of year people put together their top ten lists. Since it's also the end of a decade, the lists have been expanded. Rolling Stone lists the top 100 albums of the decade and the top 100 songs of the decade.
So I started making my lists and realized that there are just too many songs and albums that I loved over the years to narrow it down to ten. Since I started working at Triple M in 2002, for me, that's when the musical decade began, so, in no particular order, here are some of the artists I fell in love with at FIRST listen over the last 7 years.
Los Lonely Boys, Will Hoge, John Butler Trio, Gnarls Barkley, Amy Winehouse, Ray Lamontagne, Vampire Weekend, Mika, Jet, KT Tunstall, Umphrey's McGee, Stephen Kellog and the 6ers, Duffy, James Hunter, Altered Five, Run Side Down, OK Go, The Killers, Donavon Frankenreiter, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, DeSol, Ryan Shaw, Regina Spektor, Eric Hutchinson, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Jackie Greene.
I'm sure I left some out but these are the one's I can think of right now. . What were your favorites?
Next time, some of my most memorable concerts.
I admit it. I am a vampire fan. But not Twilight-type vampires, the rock and roll type... Vampire Weekend.Â
I first heard of them a few year ago when their self-titled album was released. I mean, how can you NOT like a band with songs like " Blake's Got a New Face"Â , "A-Punk"Â " Cape Cod Kwasa Kwasa" and " Mansard Roof". I call this kind of music Geek Rock, in a very loving way. I inclulde them in that group with They Might Be Giants and Barenaked Ladies. There's nothing like a clever song.
It's been a while since we've heard from them, but the wait is almost over. Contra will be released January 12, but you can download the single now at itunes!
They can cram SO much music into a 2 and a half minute song. Here's the video for " Cousins". YAY! New Vampire Weekend music!
I'm a real sucker for a creative cover song. Anyone can take a song and perform it just like the original artist , but when you take a very familiar song that everyone knows and give it a total new slant, that's magical.
So we start with the song that everyone knows, even if they were not a fan of the Jackson Five...I Want You Back.
We now move to one of the coolest things I've heard in a while, a 6 person accapella group called Sonos. On their album Sonosings, they give us THIS version which you can find on itunes: Since they are not allowing embedding of the official video, please enjoy this taste here and then follow this link to the full video.
And we round out this trio with emerging artist Jer Coons, a young man with a very bright future!
Here are the songs played on Thursday, October 15
Just Jinjer " What He Means" Album title Can I Have More. This California band, originally from South Africa is the best selling rock band in South Africa history. Music has always been a strong instrument of political commentary and Just Jinger follows in the footsteps of artists like Bob Dylan, Ben Harper and Michael Franti with music that moves and has a message. " It doesn't matter what book you read" is a refrain in this awesome song with a very moving video.
Chuck Prophet " Let Freedom Ring", album title Let Freedom Ring, available October 27. CHuck wanted to make a " political album for non-political people" and went to Mexico City to record in a 1957 state-of-the-art sudio . Find a documentary video about the making of this song on my blog, and here is Chuck singing this song live.
Black Crowes " Good Morning Captain" another song from the latest album Before the Frost
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, October 13
Tinsley Ellis " Sunlight of Love" album title Speak no Evil. Billboard Magazine said Tinsley Ellis released consistently great blues albums, and this one is no exception!
Clarence Bucaro " Let Me Let Go of You" album title New Orleans. Cleveland native Clarence as made New Orleans his home, as seen by the album title and the NOLA sound. Here he is performing this song live:
Old Crow Medicine Show " Motel in Memphis" album title Tennessee Pusher. See this great new-grass band at the Barrymore Theater Nov 8!
Here are the songs played on Monday, October 12
Rickie Lee Jones f/ Ben Harper " Old Enough" album title Balm in Galead, available now
Nuke the Soup " Ocean" album title Make Waves, Not war, available now
Mika"Blame it on the Girls" album title The Boy Who Knew Too Much, available now
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, October 6
Rey Fresco " Precious Time" album title The People, available later this month. Rey Fresco is a multi-cultural group from California with a unique sound. How many rock bands do you know that utilize a full sized 36 string harp? Enjoy this live performance.
Los Lonely Boys " Roadhouse Blues" album title 1969, available Oct 13. Fans of LLB will need this 5 song EP in their collection. They cover songs originally recorded in 1969, hence the title.
Covered artists include Santana, Free, The Beatles, Tony Joe White and this Doors song.
Steez " Hot N' Sweaty", album title Creepfunk Crusade, available now. This Madison band is back from touring the Easd Coast to rock your soul again. Check them out!
Here are the songs played on Monday, October 5
Rickie Lee Jones" Subterranean Homesick Blues" AND
Bruce Hornsby " Darlin' Be Home Soon" both songs from a new project called " The Village: A Celebration of the Music of Greenwich Village", available Nov 3
Lyle Lovett " Natural Forces" album title Natural Forces, available Oct 20. It is always fun to get a new album from this hard to categorize artist. I can't wait to hear the rest.
I couldn't find any new videos from this new album, so enjoy an old favorite.
I love Los Lonely Boys. I remember the first time I heard their song " Heaven".
It arrived, like they always do, in a large pile of new CD's that demaned my attention. I usually start listening to bands I've heard of first, then start making my way through the rest of the pile. Sometimes it takes weeks before I listen to a CD from an unknown artist. I also talk to record company people on a regular basis, who try to get us to play their songs on the radio. I kept putting off listening to Los Lonley Boys, but one day the label guy was so convincing that I listened to it while we were on the phone. It took the opening bars for me to say " WOW! I have to listen to the rest" and hung up. That was the beginning of my love affair with the Garza brothers, or should I say, the MUSIC of the Garza brothers! If you've ever seen them perform live, you know how totally exciting their show is,and a new new album from them is always a joy to receive. And that leads us to their latest mini-project. A five song CD called 1969, where they perform 5 songs from 1969, including Evil Ways, Roadhouse Blues and this cover of the Beatles " She Came In Through the bathroom Window".
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, September 29:
Chris Smither: "Don't Call me Stranger" album title is Time Stands Still, available now
Son Volt: " No Turning Back" album title is American Cedntral Dust, available now
White Denim: " I Start to Run" album title is Fits, available October 20. This is a power trio from Austin Texas, who won the 2008 Best New Band award at the Austin Music Awards. The video is very cool...
Here are the songs played on Monday, Sept 28:
It was sensitive singer-songwriter night on the 9:00 news!
Joshua James: " Coal War" album title is Build MeThis, available now.
Matthew Perryman Jones: " Save You" album title is  Swallow the Sea, available now.
 Grant-Lee Phillips: " Little Moon", album title is Little Moon, available Oct 13.
Learn more about this artist here!
Here are the songs played on Thursday, September 24:
Parachute: " Under Control" album title is Losing Sleep, available now.
Edwarde Sharp and the Magnetic Zero's: " Home" album title is  Up From Below, available now. If you are an Andrew Bird fan, I think you will like this song.
Don Ray Band: " Boom Chika Wah Wah" album title is On Top of the Heap, available now
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, September 23:
The Swell Season: " Low Rising" album title is Strick Joy, available October 27. This is another project from the folks who brought you "Falling Slowly", Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Everclear: " At the End of the Day" album title is In a Different Light, available October 6.
Avett Brothers:"I and Love and You" album title is I and Love and You, available Sept 29. Here they are performing this song.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 22, and we'll let the artists speak / sing for themselves!
One Eskimo: " Kandi" album title is One EskimoMarcy Playground: "Devil Woman" album title is Leaving Wonderland in a Fit of RageBrian Setzer: "Trouble Train" album title is Songs from Lonely Avenue, available Oct 13
Here are the songs played on Monday September 21:
Lovemakers: "Love is Dead" album title is Let's Be Friends, available now.
Snow Patrol: "Just Say Yes" album title is Up to Now, available Nov 11. See the video below!
Third Eye Blind: " Bonfire" album title is Ursa Major, available now. See TEB at Freakfest on Halloween night!
Here are the songs played on Thursday, September 17:
Black Crowes: "I Ain't Hiding" album title is Before the Frost, available NOW
Mark Knopfler: "Border Reiver" album title is Get Lucky, available now
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers: "Prairie Dog Town" album title is Levitate. Did you catch Hornsby last night on Jay Leno? Eric Clapton helped him out. This is a great album! I highly recommend it.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Sept. 15:
Lucero: "Smoke" album title is  1372 Overton Park, available Oct 6. Back in the late 70's there was a comedy bit passed around radio station professionals. It had to do with a station format change to Punk/Country with the song " I wanna whip your cow, show me how, show me how". It was such a strange concept back then. WELL, it's 2009 and not such a joke. Lucero is what they are calling punk country and it sounds great.  Guess the joke was on us.
Los Lonely Boys: "Evil Ways", album title is 1969, available Oct 13. This is an interesting project, which will consist of a total of 5 songs all originally from 1969. The songs on this EP will be "Evil Ways", "Well All Right," originally by Blind Faith,"She Came in Through the Bathroom Window", Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie" and the Door's "Roadhouse Blues". They will be touring this fall, Look for them in Chicago Oct. 23 at Old Town School and Milwaukee Oct 24 at Northern Lights Theater.
Robert Earn Keen: " The Rose Hotel" album title is The Rose Hotel, available Sept 29. If you're not familiar with this Texas artist who has been putting out albums for decades, see him perform "The Rose Hotel" at Lollapalooza.
Here are the songs played on Monday, Sept 14:
7  Worlds Collide: " Hazel Black" album is title The Sun Came Out, available on CD Sept 29, 2 disc vinyl on Oct 27. This is a group made up of Neil Finn, Johnny Marr, KT Tunstall and members of Wilco and Radiohead. Here's KT performing this song live.
Derek Trucks Band, feat. Susan Tedeschi: "Back Where it Started", another song off Derek's album Already Free. It's always nice when a husband and wife perform together. The family that plays together, stays together.
Keb' Mo': "Better Man" album title is Playing for Change: Songs around the World, available now.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 10:
Fun: "All the Pretty Girls" album title is Aim & Ignite. There's nothing better than hearing new bands that sound great. Here they are for you to enjoy too.
Jack Johnson: " Better Together", album title is En Concert. This is a live concert albunm, recorded in Paris.
Gov't Mule: "Frozen Fear, album title is By A Thread. Â Another teriffic album from Warren Haynes and the band, available October 27Â .
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 3:
Cage the Elephant: "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked", album title is Cage the Elephant. This indie band is from Kentucky and if you were at Lollapalooza in Chicago, you might remember seeing them perform. If not, here they are! You can also see them on Halloween, performing at Freakfest!
Sea Wolf: " Wicked Blood", album title is White Water, White Bloom, available Sept 22
Serena Ryder: "All for Love" another cool song from this Canadian Juno award winner I found on her album Is It OK?
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, Sept. 2:
Cross Canadian Ragweed: "51 Pieces", album title is Happiness and All the Other Things. The 15th Anniversary limited edition CD is  available as of Tuesday! You'd think this band from Oklahoma would be a country band, but check this out!
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Drive-By Truckers: "Like a Rolling Stone", album title is The Fine Print. This is a collection of what they call "oddities and rarities" from 2003-2008. Hey, you gotta love an album with a song called "George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone Blues".
Proclaimers: "Notes & Rhymes", album title is Notes & Rhymes, available Sept 8. Yes, this identical twin Scottish duo who brought us 500 Miles is out with some new music.
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 31
Rusted Root " Suspicious Minds", album title Stereo-Rodeo, available now. This is a very cool version of this old Elvis song. Wanna see them do it live?
Eric Hutchinson " Oh" another song off Sounds Like This. have I mentnioned how much I LOVE this young man's music? Such a fun show. Here he doing Oh.
Hockey " Too Far" album title Mind Chaos, available Sept 28. This band from Portland Oregon is one to watch. I predict good things for them.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, August 26
Jackson Browne " Here" from Soundtrack to the Kevin Spacey movie Shrink. Another great song from this classic artist.
Brett Dennen feat/ Natalie Merchant " Heaven" another song off Hope for the Hopeless. This song is BEAUTIFUL!!! Listen to the lyrics and you will be reminded of John Lennon's Imagine. Don't forget, Brett will be opening for O.A.R. Sept 3. The show has been moved from Alliant Energy Center to Overture Hall. Take a few minutes and listen to this song.
Kyle Hollingsworth " Way That it Goes", album title Then There's Now, available Sept 15. Kyle is the keyboardist for String Cheese Incident. Here he is at last year's 10,000 Lakes Festival, with the Mickey Hart Band. Enjoy!
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 24
Wilco " You and I", another song off Wilco ( The Album.
Weezer " ( If You're Wondering If I Want You to) I Want You To. Album title Ratitude, available October 27. HOWEVER, this song was leaked on line, so they released this single way early. I looked for some video's of Weezer performing this song, but all I found were people doing cover versions. Cover versions of a song that won't be released for months. The interwebs sure are changing the way we get our music, aren't they!
Killian Mansfield w/ Dr John " Scratch My Back" album title Somwhere Else. This is a very interesting project. Killian is a 16 year old who lives in Woodstock NY, home of many fine musicians. Five years ago, Killian was diagnosed with a rare cancer,which he is battling with integrative therapies.
This album was put together with love, with artists like John Sebastian, Kate Pierson, Levon Helm and more, joining him. All proceeds of this album will go to the Killian Mansfield Foundation to promote the use of these less invasive treatments for children with cancer. It's a cool album and the kid has talent!
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, August 11
Wooden Houses feat Cory Hart " Paper Fins" Look for Cory to perform Saturday August 22 at the Madison Roots Festival at the Capitol Brewery.
Bob Dylan " I Feel a Change Coming On" another song from Together Through Life. If you USED to be a Dylan fan, but lost interest, check this album out. I think you'll be pleased at how excellent it is.
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John Fogerty feat Bruce Springsteen " When Will I Be Loved", album title The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again, available Sept 1.
Back in 1972, Fogerty's solo album was performed with the mythical Blue Ridge Rangers but it really was just him). Now he has enlisted a whole bunch of great artists including Bruce Springsteen on this old Everly Brothers song. Fogerty plays classics on this album from artists like John Prine, John Denver, Buck Owens and Rick Nelson. It should be a great album!
Here are the songs played on Monday August 10
Fruit Bats "The Ruminant Band", album title The Ruminant Band, available now
Blitzen Trapper " Black River Killer" album title Black River Killer, available August 25. Now, you'd think a band called Blitzen Trapper would be some heavy metal band, but NO WAY! Check ' em out.
Finlay Morton " Devil Ain't Getting My Soul" album Back to Basics, available now. I like this guy too.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, August 5
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers " Prairie Dog Town" album title Levivate, available Sept. 15
Paolo Nutini " Coming Up Easy" album title Sunny Side Up, available now
Loomis & the Lust " Bright Red Chords"  album title Nagasha, available now. This Santa Barbara foursome make some catchy pop tunes! They have a great sound considering they just formed last year. Here's a cool video of the band for this song. I predict we will heare more from these guys in the future.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, August 4
Robert Cray Band " Trouble & Pain", album title This Time, available August 11. This is the first studio album in 5 years from this 5 time Grammy Award winning blues artist.
Mika" We Are Golden" album title We Are Golden, available Sept. 22 . I have totally loved this impish singer from ondon since his 2006 album, Life in Cartoon Motion and his song Grace Kelly. See below for a video of this cutie-pie.
Subdudes" Standing Water" album title Flower Petals, available August 25. At first listen, I think this album is a bit of a departure from their funky sound like Papa Dukie and the Mudpeople, sounding a little more alt-country. It's still the Subdudes though, and OK in my book!
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 3.
Will Hoge " Even if it Breaks Your Heart", album title The Wreckage, available August 25.Â
Will's album title is appropriately named, as he was in a major accident last year. He was riding his motor scooter and was run over! He was in the hospital for a long time and we almost lost this amazing talent. It's great to be getting a new album from this artist who I think should be a MAJOR STAR!
Bob Schneider " 40 days ( Like Romeo and Juliet)" album title Lovely Creatures, available October 6. It's always great to get a new album from Bob, and if this song is any indication. it's going to be a good one!
Spencer Day " Till You Come to Me: album title Vagabond, available September 8. If you are a fan of the jazz stylings of Harry Connick Jr, George Gershwin or Cole Porter, you will love this guy's album.
Here are the songs plyed on Tuesday July 28.
White Rabbits " Percussion Gun", album title It's Frightening, available now. This 6 piece Indie band is based in Brooklyn NY, where a lot of young bands live because it's a lot cheaper cheaper than Manhattan. This is their second album, produced by Britt Daniel of Spoon. Check out a video of this band later on this blog.
Leah Andreone "Never Stop Trying" album title Avalanche, available Sept 1. Leah's debut album came out in 1996 and she has workd with all kinds of artists over the years including 9 Inch Nails and David Lowrey of Cracker. This lady can rock.
Scott Miller and the Commonwealth " Wildcat Whistle" album title For Crying Out Loud, available now. Scott used to be the house band on Blue Collar TV. This latest album is produced by Steve Earle.
OK.. Here's that video of White Rabbits!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 29
Five for Fighting" Chances" album title Slice, available Oct 20. This is a project by John Ondraski who goes under the name Five for Fighting. This is his first studio album since 2004!
Gomez " Little Pieces" another song from A New Tide
Brendan Benson " A Whole Lot Better" album title My Old Familiar Friend, available August 18. Brendan took time from producing and working with the Raconteurs for this project.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 23
Astrid Williamson " Store" album title Here Come the Vikings, available now. Astrid is from an island off Scotland and is a classically trained pianist.
Owl City : Fireflies", album title Ocean Eyes, available July 28. Owl City is really one guy, Adam Young, who started making music in his parent's basement. This 23 year old received over 5 million views on Myspace with his song Hello Seattle. See below for a video of him performing Fireflies!
Bottle Rockets " Hard Times" album title Lean Forward. Look for this new album from these St Louis rockers to be available August 21.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday July 22
Jayhawks " Cure for This", album title Music from the North Country, available now. This is a double CD which includes old favorites as well as several previously unreleased songs.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe " Shake it Out", album title Brother's Keeper, available August 25. Another great song from these jam band favorites.
Joe Henry " The Man I Keep Hid" album title Blood from the Stars, available August 18. Joe is a singer- songwriter-producer, who's musical styles includes Alt country, rock, jazz and folk.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 21
Monsters of Folk " Say Please" album title Monsters of Folk, available Sept 22. This is a super group made up members of Bright Eyes ( Conor Oberst), My Morning Jacket and singer songwriter M. Ward. Download this song at www.monstersoffolk.com use keyword " Please", as it IS the magic word you know.
Dujalu " Ruby Red Ruby Green" album title Dujalu, download at itunes. Last week, the drummer of this band, Tim, dropped off this CD for me to listen to. The other members of the band are from Australia. He said if enough people buy the album the rest of the band can come back to the USA!
Pearl Jam " The Fixer" album title Backspacer, available Sept 20. It's always a treat to get something new from Eddie and the boys and this one will not disappoint!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 20
Stephen Kellog & the 6ers " Shady Esperanto & the Young Hearts" album title The Bear, available Sept 8.
Zero 7 " Medicine Man" album title Yeah Ghost, available Sept8
Imogen Heap " First Train Home" album title Ellipse, available August 25
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 16
Sonic Youth " Antenna" album title The Eternal, available now
Duke Spirit "Lassoo" album title Neptune. This Brit band's second album is available now .
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson "Relator" album title Break-up, available Sept 8. Yes, this is the same Scarlett Johnsson who is an actress, and released her first solo album, a cover of Tom Waits songs in 2008. Wanna see her sing?
Here are the songs played on Wednesday July 15
Needtobreathe " Something Beautiful" album title The Outsiders, available August 25.  See Needtobreathe at the Majestic August 21!
Brian Wilson " What Love Can Do" album title What Love Can Do. This is an album from a variety of artists, who recorded one old song and one new song. Produced by Phil Ramone, this album also includes Kris Kristofferson and Kenny Loggins and is available August 4
Ana Popovic " Putting Out the APB" album title Blind for Love, available July 21. Ana is from Yugoslavia and plays guitar like Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Check her out:
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 14
Danny Kalb " Shake Sugaree", album title I'm Gonna Live the Life I sing About, available now. Long time fans of 60's folk music and Blues Project will recognize Danny.
Indigo Girls " Love of Our Lives" anotehr song from Poseidon and the Bitter Bug.
Delbert McClinton " Mama's Little Baby" album title Acquired Taste, available August 18. This album was producd by the great Don Was!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 13
David Gray " Fugative" album title, Draw the Line, available Sept 22
The Features " Lions" album title Some Kind of Salvation, available July 28. This indie band from Tennessee has seen a lot of activity in the UK and are ready to take the USA by storm!
Imelda May " Johnny Got a Boom Boom" album title Love Tattoo, available August 11. Imelda comes from Ireland and is totally into the Rockabilly sound. Check her out!
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 9
 3 song from R.E.M.
"Harbor Coat", "Second Guessing" "Â Pretty Persuasion"
All songs from a re-release of 1984 album Reckoning
The two-CD deluxe edition of Reckoning features the original album remastered plus a bonus disc of a previously unreleased concert recorded during the bandâs Little America tour at Chicagoâs Aragon Ballroom on July 7, 1984 . On the Deluxe Editionâs bonus disc, the group performs eight of Reckoningâs ten songs, âGardening At Nightâ from 1982âs Chronic Town EP and âRadio Free Europe,â â9-9â³ and âSitting Stillâ from Murmur but also new songs that had yet to make it onto tape: âDriver 8â³ would later debut on R.E.M.âs third album and âHyenaâ on its fourth.
Look for the Reckoning 2 CD set to be released in the fall.
Wow! That's what I thought when I put Emelda May's "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" in the CD player.
I have always been a fan of rockabilly, whether it was Carl Perkins from the 50's or Robert Gordon of the 70's or the Who covering Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues. Here in the US, radio stopped playing the rockabilly artists as the Beatles ushered in the British Invasion. However, over in the UK, the sound still flourishes.
Meet Emelda May, who, as a 9 year old in Dublin was the only one in her class not into a-Ha. The youngest of 5 kids, she was influenced by her older siblings albums and started singing with her sisters folk group.
Jump ahead to 2006 when she went solo sharing the stage with Van Morrison and Scissor Sisters , to name a few.
Her debut album " Love Tattoo" was almost entirely self-written and produced , winning her heaps of awards like Rising Star 2009, Jazz Artist 2009 and Irish World Newspaper Award- Best Female Newcomer.
This is why:
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, July 8
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Sister Hazel " Take a Bow" album title Release, available July 21
Black Crowes " I Ain't Hiding" album title Until The Frost, Available Sept 1
Moby "Pale Horses" album title Wait for Me, available now
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 7
Brian Lindsay " Esperanza" album title Esperanza, available nowÂ
Peter Bjorn and John "It Don't Move Me" album title Living Thing, available now
Matisyahu " One Day" album title Light, available August 25
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 6
Cheap Trick " When the Lights Are Out"Â album title The Latest, available NOW
A Fine Frenzy " Blow Away" album title Bomb in a Birdcage. This album will be available Sept. 8
Broken Records "If the News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It" album title Until the Earth Begins To Part, afvailable July 7. This Scottish band was named " One of the countries most exciting band".
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 2.
Ha Ha Tonka " Walking on the Devils Backbone" album title Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South, available now
Danielia Cotton "Devil in Disguise" album title, Live Child. This awesome blues sing's album will be available July 21
Assembly of Dust, feat. Keller Williams, album title " Second Song. This AOD album is full of guest artists like Mike Gordon, Martin Sexton, Richie Havens and many more, and will be available July 21.
Pat Gallagher's favorite band, Cheap Trick is out with a new album called " The Latest". This morning I brought the song in to play for Jonathon. Pat Gallagher reminded us the song, " When the Lights Are Out" is a cover of an old Slade song and turned me on to this very cool video where someone synced the new song with some old video! Check out how young these guys look and don't miss Bun E Carlos smoking a cigarette!
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, July 1
Good Old War " Looking for Shelter" album title Only Way to be Alone, available now. If you like the Jayhawks and Son Volt and bands like that, you will love Good Old War.
Cary Judd " The Ah-Ha Song", album title Goodnight Human, available now. Cary hails from Wyoming. He with his guitar and looping machine is on tour now.
Spoon " Got Nuffin" . I found this on a 3 song single. Look for a 12 inch vinyl to be released later this month.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday June 30
Anna Egge " Storm Coming" album title Road to My Love, available now. Anna has been releasing albums for the last 17 years ( but is new to me). Lucinda Williams called her a " folkie Lucinda Williams".
Kate Earl " Melody" from an EP called Introducing Kate Earl. Originally from Alaska, I'm sure  we will hear more from this artist in the future.
Coal Men " Kids with Songs" album title, Kids with Songs-The Coal Men. Headed up by Dave Coleman, this band includes artists from Son Volt and the Jayhawks. Their third album is scheduled to be released in the near future.
Here are the songs played on Monday, June 26
Dolores O'Riordan " The Journey" album title No Baggage. This solo album from the former Cranberries singer will be available August 25
Ingrid Michaelson " Maybe"Â look forIngrid's new album Everybody to be released August 25
Mike Droho & Compass Rose " Equilibrium" Pick up the album These Parts Unknown  from our Project M winner today.
Here are the songs played on Thursday June 25
Luce "My Life Alone" album title Corner of the World...download NOW!
Great Lake Swimmers " Pulling on a Line" album title Lost Channels, available now
Assembly of Dust/feat. Richie Havens " All That I am Now", album title Some Assembly Required, available June 21
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, June 23
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Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo " Hypnotize" album title It Ain't Easy. This great local band will be opening for Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam at the Majestic this Friday and will be playing Bamfest 09 in September at the East Side Club. ( More on this as we get closer).
Jet " She's a Genius" album title Shaka Rock, available August 25. THis trio from Australia is still rockin' if this song in any indication.
Sean Michael Dargan "Little Miss Sunshine" Look for SMD's ep called Feel Good Hit of the Summer. Always dapper in his bowtie, Sean Michael is a local favorite in Madison.
Here are the songs played on Monday, June 22
Nanci Griffith " Not Innocent Enough", album title The Loving Kind. Nanci is back with some beautiful as well as political songs. The title track is about the couple that forced legal changes allowing interracial couple to marry. The song we heard was about A tennessee man who was executed even though ther ewas new evidence that he was not guilty.
Mindy Smith " Highs and Lows" album title Stupid Love, available August 11. You might remember Mindy from her album Come to Jesus.
Noisettes " Never Forget You" album title Wild Young Hearts. This is a cool trio from London, with a female vocalist and a very cool retro sound. You can pick up this album now as an import.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, June 18
Miike Snow " Animal" album title Miike Snow. This Swedish band is named after a Japanese film director, Takashi Miike. The album is available now
Lemonheads " Waiting Around to Die" album title Varshons, available June 23. Yes Evan Dando is back and this time with an album of cover songs from folks like Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, The Cramps and Leonard Cohen .
Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet " Cheap Wine" album title Soul Monster, available now. Another great album from this blues harmonica player.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, June 17
Gabe Dixon Band "Find My Way" from the soundtrack to The Proposal.Gabe was asked by Paul McCartney to play keyboards on his last tour, but gabe prefered to work on his OWN album!
Jill Hennessy " 4 Small Hands", album title Ghost in my Head. You might remember Jill fromLaw and Order, but she was a singer and wongwriter long before L&O!
Mark Karan " Bait the Hook", album title Walk Through the Fire, available June 30. Mark is the guitarist of Ratdog!
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, June 16
Jeff Healy " While My Guitar Gently Weeps" album title, Legacy: Vol 1... Helping him on this song is George Harrison, Paul Shaffer and Jeff Lynne..
JJ Grey and Mofro " The Truth" album title Orange Blossoms
K'Naan " Wavin' the Flag" album title Troubadour. K'Nann is a Somalian/ Canadian musician and poet.
Here are the songs played on Mnday, June 15:
Red Carpet Rats " Photographic Memory" album title The Year of the Rat, download now
Mars Volta " Since I've Been Wrong" album title Octahedrom, available June 23
Maia Sharp " John Q. Public, album title Echo, available now. Produced by Don Was!
Here are the songs played on Monday May 11.
Tim Brantley "The Race" album title Goldtop Heights, available now.Â
Marshall Crenshaw " Live and Learn" album title Jaggedland, available June 2
Diane Birch " Nothing But a Miracle" album title Bible Belt, available May 19
Here are the songs played on Thursday, May 7.
Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks" album title Veckatimest, available May 26
Jimmy Buffett " Summerzcool" download on itunes now
Willie Nile " Give me Tomorrow" album title House of a Thousand Guitars, available now
I don't know what it is about swing music that makes me feel so good. I love all kinds of swing from big band to country to rockabilly. One of the bands still touring and delighting audiences with his swing is Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.
They burst on the scene in 1969 in San Francisco ( of course) and released their first album, Original Recordings in 1970, followed by Where's the Money, Striking It Rich and Last Train to Hicksville, to name the first few titles.
 You gotta love a band with song titles like " How Can I Miss You if You Won't Go Away"
I doubt they got rich, but is making people happy can make you wealthy, than he is one of the richest people on the planet.
The band will be back in Madison May 15 at the Majestic Theater, with Madison's Harmonious Wail opening the evening in this seated show. ( YAY! seats!) Here is a taste of what they sounded like when they were in Madison in December 2007 to celebrate his birthday!
Here are the songs played on Wednesday May 6.
David Berkely " Hurricane" album title Strange Light, available May 26
Honey Honey " Black Crow" album title First Rodeo, available now
Steve Earle " Lungs" album title Townes, available May 12. This album is a tribute to the late great song writer Townes Van Zandt.
Alice Peacock " Love Remains" album title Love Remains, available now. A Chicago based artist, Alice sang the Star Spangled Banner when the White Sox received their World Series rings.
Josh Hoge feat. Caitlin Crosby " Space" album title Everything She Was, available now. Josh is Will Hoge's brother and looks a lot like him! What a talented family.
Barry Cowsill" Going Home", album title US 1. Barry was a member of the 60's pop group The Cowsills. He was in New Orleans during Katrina, and lost his life there. His family heard from him right after the hurricane, but then never heard from him again. This guy could ROCK! It's a shame we hear this album now.
Here is part 4 of a series of videos played at a memorial service.
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Here are the songs played on Monday May 4
Phoenix " 1901" album title Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, available now. This band is getting a LOT of buzz!
Chris Cornell " Long Time" album title Scream, available now. The former leader of Soundgarden.
Rusted Root " Dance with the Middle" album title Stereo-Rodeo, available now. It's been AGES since we've heard from Rusted Root.
New Riders of the Purple Sage " Higher" album title Where I come From, available June 2. Yes! the old 70's band back again.
Tim Brantley " Spirits in the Night", off 4 song ep Goldtop Heights, Look for a full CD from this Atlanta-based emerging artist ,who plays a wicked piano soon.
Chris Barron " I Must be the King" album title Pancho And the Kid, available May 19. Chris Barron is  a Spin Doctor!
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, April 29
Rhett Miller " I Need to Know Where I Stand" album title Rhett Miller, Available June 9. Rhett and Old 97's coming to the Barrymore Theater July 21
Jonatha Brooke w/ Davey knowles of Back Door Slam " Taste of Danger" album title The Works, available as well on new Back Door Slam album, available June 15
Thenewno2 " Bluesy" album title You Are Here, available now... Band features George Harrison's son Dhani
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, April 28
Silversun Pickups " Panic Switch", album title Swoon, available now This one ROCKS!
Meat Puppets " Rotten Shame" album title Sewn Together" available May 12... this band has REBANDED after years and years
Blue October " Say It", album title Approaching Normal, available n0w . This is the band that did "Into The Ocean!"
Here are the songs played on Monday, April 27
Rob Thomas , lead singer/songwriter for Matchbox 20, " Her Diamonds" album title Cradle Song, Available June 30
Brett Dennen, coming back to open for O.A.R. at the Alliant Energy Center Sept 3, " Ain't Gonna Lose You', another song off Hope for the Hopeless, available now
Ben Harper and The Relentless 7, a new band, although the Innocent Criminals has not broken up, "Fly One Time' album title White Lies for Dark Times, available May 5
Here are the songs played on Thursday, April 23
Jason Ricci and New Blood " Sweet Loving" album title Done with the Devil, available now: If you like great blues harmonica, you will LOVE this guy!
Seth Walker " Leap of Faith" album title Leap of Faith, available now. Seth reminds me a little of James Hunter, the blue- eyed British soul singer who opened for Susan Tedeschi last November.
Aimee Allen " On Vacation" album title A Little Happiness, available June 9.
Aimee is a LA singer songwriter who has written a ton of things for other artists, including the song" Cooties" for the soundtrack for the movie Hairspray.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday April 22
Willy Porter " How to Rob a Bank" album title How to Save a Life, available June 2
Charlie Mars " Listen To the Dark Side" album title Like a bird Like  a Plane, available now
Conor Oberst & the Mystic valley Band " Nikorette"" album title Outer South, available May 5
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, April 21
Leslie Mendelson " Hit the Spot", album title Swan Feathers, available June 30
Eilen Jewel " Shakin' All Over" album title Sea of Tears, available now
Insomniacs " At Least I'm Not With You", album title At Least I'm Not WIth You, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, April 20
Fleet Foxes " Mykonos" album title Sun Giant ( EP) available now
Fray " Never Say Never" album title The Fray, available now
Ian McLagan & the Bump Band " I Will Follow" album title Never Say Never, available now
Here are the songs played on Thursday April 16
Paolo Nutini " Candy" album title Sunnyside Up, available June 2
The Ditty Bops " What Happened to the Radio" album title Summer Rains, download now on itunes... Barrymore Theater June 17
Astrid Williamson " Shut Your Mouth" album title Here Comes the Vikings, available June 9
Here are the songs played on Wednesday April 15
Nicole Hart " Higher Ground" album title Treasure, available now
Commander Cody " Tennessee Plates" album title Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers, available now
Dave Matthews Band " Funny the Way It Is"album title Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King, available June 2...free download now!
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, April 14
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses " Dylan's Hard Rain" album title Roadhouse Sun, available June 2
Paul Carrack " I Don't Wanna Hear Anymore" album title I Know That Name, import available now
Cyril Neville " Brand New Blues" album title ,  Brand New Blues available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, April 13.
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Carbon Leaf " Miss Hollywood" album title Nothing Rhymes With Woman, available May 19
Ziggy Marley " Family Time" album title Family Time, available May 5
Pete Yorn " Don't Wanna Cry" album title Backand Fourth, available June 23
Here are the songs played on Wednesday April 4
Aqualung " When I Finally Get My Own Place" album title Words &  Music, available now
Derek Trucks Band " Get What You Deserve" album title Down in the Flood, available now
Mark Croft " Never Going Back" album title The POssibilty of Disaster, CD release party Sat night at the Brink!
Todd Snider is a clever singer songwriter similar to John Prine. You might remember him from his song " Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues", about a band that refuses play their instruments. He's a funny guy.
His new album "Â The Excitement Plan" will be available in June, and it will include a song called " America's Favorite Pasttime". Not just about America's love of baseball ( GO CUBS), this song tells the story of pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates Dock Ellis.
June 12, 1970, thinking he had the day off, Ellis ingests some LSD, only to be told by his wife that he had to pitch that night. So he heads to the ballpark, tripping his brains out.
Guess what? He pitched a NO HITTER! In his words " I zeroed in on the catchers glove, but I didn't hit the glove too often" ( despite the catcher  putting reflective tape on his fingers). " The ball was sometime smaller, was large sometimes, sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't." And yet, still, he pitches a no hitter.
Let's watch Todd singing "America's Favorite Pastime" while famed producer Don Was listens.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, April 7.
Todd Snider: America's Favorite Pasttime" album title The Excitement Plan, available now
Yusef ( former Cat Stevens)" Thinkin' Bout You" album title Road Singer, available May 5
Airborne Toxic Event " Sometime Around Midnight" album title Airborn Toxic Event, available now
Melody Gardot " Who Will Comfort Me" album title My One and Only Thrill, available April 28'
Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers " Best of times" album title Pandemonium Ensues, available now
Bruce Cockburn " If I Had a Rocket Launcher", album title Slice of Live:Live Solo, available now
Here are the songs played on Thursday, April 2
Bob Dylan " Beyond Here Lies Nothing" album title Together Through Life, available April 28
Dom Brown " Vanity" album title Between the Lines, available now
Jesse Harris f/ Norah Jones " It will Stay With Us" album title Watching the  Sky, available now
How many rock stars have won a Pulizter Prize? One. Bob Dylan.
He was awarded a special Pulitzer prize in 2008 for his " profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power".  Wow. Very cool.
April 28 marks the release date of his 46th album, " Together Through Life", his first studio album in almost 3 years.
I've been a fan since his first album was released when my sister received it for a birthday present. He's come a long way since he was the darling of the folkie protest movement of the 60's. Here's a little treat filmed  in 1963.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday April 1
Franz Ferdinand " No You Girls" album title Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, available now
Hill Country Revue " You Can Make It" album title Make a Move, available May 12
The Veils " The Letter" album title Sun Gangs, available April 7
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, March 31
Cracker " Turn On, Tune In Drop Out" album title Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey, available now
Better Than Ezra " Absolutely Still" album title Paper Empire, available May 12
Jack Tempchin " East of Eden" album title Songs, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, March 30
Ben Lee " What's So Bad (about feeling good) album title The Rebirth of Venus, available April 28
John Wesley Harding " Love or Nothing" album title Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, available now
Steve Forbert " Stolen Identity" album title The Place and the Time, available now
Here are the songs played on Thursday, March 19
Company of Thieves " Oscar Wilde" album title Ordinary Riches, available now
Freddy Jones Band " Home Thing" album title Time Well Wasted, available April 14
Old School Freight Train " Heart of Glass" album title Six Years, available now
One of the best parts of my job is discovering music from a new artist like Jon Troast.
Hailing from Lake Geneva, this singer- songwriter has a wonderful sound.. sometimes folky, sometimes funky. And talk about hard-working! He has performed in more than 150 living rooms in the last year and a half.
That's right, living rooms.
He says he got tired of playing in bars where he wasn't sure anyone was listening, so decided to try house concerts, which he calls " The $100 Dollar Tour".  He enjoyed his first mini tour in 2007, so starting tomorrow he is beginning his 100 concerts in 100 days tour, taking him through Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and North Carolina.
For a feel of what these house concerts are like, check this out:
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, March 18
B.B. King " Stormy Monday Blues" album title Live at the BBC, available now
Steve Earle " Dead Flowers" album title Live at the BBC, available now
Michelle Malone " Yesterday's Make-Up", album title Debris, available March 31
Here are the songs played on Tuesday March 17
Young Dubliners " Rosie" album title Saints and Sinners, available now
Flogging Molly " Float" album title Float, available now
BellX1 " The Great Defector" album title Blue Lights on the Runway, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday March 16
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears " Gunpowder" album title, Tell 'em What Your Name Is! Available now
Phish " Chalkdust Torture" album title Clifford Ball DVD, available now
Tragically Hip " Morning Moon" album title We Are the Same, available April 7
Here are the songs played on Thursday March 12
Johnny Bennet " World on Fire" album title The Violet Hush, available now
Fastball " Little White Lies" album title Little White Lies, available April 14
Tyrone Wells " More" album title Remain, available now
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, March 11
Living Things " Let it Rain" album title Habeus Corpus, available now
Mick Fleetwood Blues Band " Black Magic Woman" album title Blue Again, available March 17
Wild Light " California on my Mind" album title Adult Nights, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, March 9
Angelique Kidjo " Mysterious Ways
Tony Allen " Where the the Streets Have No Name
Les Nubians " With or Without You"
all songs from " In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, available now
This is a very happy day in the world of Phish Phans! Tonight marks the first of 3 sold out concerts in Hampton VA!
Of course I plan to see the band when they come to Alpine Valley this summer, but that doesn't take away any jealousy I am feeling for the lucky thousands in Virginia this weekend.
BUT, this is Phish, so you know they will be doing it right for ALL their fans. If you visit their website for live downloads, Live Phish, you can order all three shows as a free MP3 download, or pay for a FLAC file or a hard copy CD. Just leave your email address and they will let you know when the show will be available to download. Hopefully it will be tomorrow, since I"M WAY EXCITED!
Still more good news for the Phans, this week, a 7 DVD box set was released of the band's first 3 day festival, the Clifford Ball. Seven DVD's... Guess I know what Gabby will be doing this weekend!
Here are the songs played on Thursday, March 5
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Justin Nozuka " Golden Train" album title Holly, available now
Plain White T's " 1,2,3,4, I Love You" album title Big Bad World, available now
The Trews " Paranoid Freak" album title No Time for Later, available April 7
Here are the songs played on Wed. March 4
Pearl Jam " Just a Girl"Â album title Ten ( reissued), available March 24
Ernie and the Automatics " Blues Town" album title Low Expectations, available now
Caitlin Crosby " Still Have My Heart" album title Flawz, available in May
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, March 3
Rocco Deluca and the Burden " Open Pages" album title Mercy, available March 10
Joe Bonamassa " Stop" album title The Ballad of John Henry, availble now
Lex Land " All We've Ever Done", album title, OrangeDays on Lemon Street, available now
Pearl Jam fans will be excited about their latest project: a reissue of one of the albums that helped usher in the Grunge Era. " Ten".
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But Pearl Jam likes to do things a little differently. First, the reissue will include previously unreleased songs, and unplugged versions of others, which isn't exactly a new idea.
 However, look for several versions, which will include a DVD, 2 versions of Ten, including a remastered copy and one remixed by famed producer Brendan O' Brien. Look for vinyl copies and an Eddie Vedder styled notebook of personal notes and mementos. The album will be released March 24.
But for the fans, it's really about the music. So check out the Pearl Jam game Pearl Jam Game to unlock the songs. You need to get each puzzle correct to get to the next song! Have fun!
Here are the songs played on Monday, March 2
Neil Young " Johnny Magic" album title Fork in the Road, available April 7
Stevie Nicks " Crash Into Me" album title The Soundstage Sessions, available March 31
Mishka " Above the Bones" album title Above the Bones, available now
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Feb. 26
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Sharp and Harkins Band " High Heels" album title To each His Own
Depeche Mode " Wrong" album title Sounds of the Universe Available April 21
Ari Hest " Dead End Driving" album title Twelve Mondays, available March 10
Pat McGee, of the Pat McGee band has a new album coming out March 10, called These Days.
The album includes a very poignant and personal song called " Come Back Home". This was written after his long time friend and drummer , former Army soldier John C. Williams passed away suddenly. The song started off as a reflection of how military families deal with separation. But the song was released, sadly, John's little brother Blake was killed in Iraq. His platoon used this song as the audio to a memorial slide show they did in Martch of 2088, honoring all those men and women who lost their lives in Iraq in  March 2008 .Â
Pat dedicates this song to all those who serve our country with such bravery.
Here's Pat doing the song along with some artists you might have heard first on the 9:00 News, Ernie Halter and the Benjy Davis Project.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, Feb. 25
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Jeffrey Foucault " Hello in There" album title Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes, The Songs of John Prine download now
Angel Taylor " Make Me Believe" album title Love Travels, available April 7
Kings of Leon " Use Somebody" another song from Only By the Night
I am a diehard Frank Zappa fan. We are a breed apart from most. We are the ones who know this man is more than " Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" and " Montana". We're the ones who KNOW his music is genius, the ones who rate his guitar work with some of the greatest. The ones who know he was very active politically and testified before Congress regarding censorship and album ratings. Most of the friends I still have from my college days are Zappa fans. I own at least 65 Zappa albums.
So it was with great interest that I learned of a new 3 CD set called Lumpy Money. Lumpy Gravy and We're Only in it for the Money albums PLUS a third disc of rare and unreleased pieces.
Rolling Stone's website has a version of a song from this collection that radio refused to play in 1968 because if was " too weird". You can judge for yourself by clicking here.
If you're not that familiar with Zappa, here is a video of him doing a song that would be my personal theme song, "Peaches En Regalia"
In the words of the man himself:
"Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdon is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is Best"
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Feb. 24
Great Big Sea " Love Me Tonight" album title Fortune's Favor, available now
Mat Kearney " Closer to Love" new album ( no title yet) avalable May 19
Robyn Hitchcock " Up to Our Nex", album title " GoodnightOslo" available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, Feb. 23
3 songs from the brand new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon
Magnificent
Breathe
Stand Up Comedy
album available March 3
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Feb. 18
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Benjy Davis Project " I Love You" album title Dust, available now
Susan Tedeschi " People" album title Back to the River, available now
Justin Townes Earle " Midnight at the Movies" album title Midnight at the Movies, available March 3
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Feb. 19
Feist & Ben Gibbard ( Death Cab for Cutie) " Train Song"
Bon Iver " Brackett WI"
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings " Inspiration Information"
all songs from benefit album War Child presents Heroes, with proceeds benefiting children affected by war. The album will be available Feb. 24, but visit them on Myspace/warchildheroes
What do you get when you have Sir Paul McCartney asking his musical peers to select one of their songs and choose a young artist to perform it, with proceeds going to benefit children affected by war?
You get War Child Presents Heroes!  Â
This album has Beck covering Bob Dylan, The Kooks coverning the Kinks, TV on the Radio doing David Bowie's Heroes , The Hold Steady with their version of Bruce Springsteen's Atlantic City and Duffy with an awesome version of Sir Paul's Live and Let Die.
War Child has a total of 16 tracks on it and will be available on Feb 24. If you can't wait, the entire album can be streamed on their their My Space page.
here are the songs played on Thursday, Feb. 12
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Chris Isaak " We Let Her Down" album title Mr. Lucky, available Feb. 24
Buddy and Julie Miller " Gasoline and Matches" album title Written in Chalk, available March 31
Lily Allen " The Fear" album title It's Not Me, It's You, available now
As you may know, I am the Music Director here at Triple M. One part of my job is to listen to new music the record companies and artists send me. Another part is to talk to those people who all want me to play their songs on the radio, which I couldn't do even if one day were 100 hours long.
ANYWAY, today was music call day, and people kept asking me what I was all excited about right now. I gave them a handful of songs that I was liking. But this evening, while stumbling thru You Tube I landed on an Andrew Bird video, live from Bonaroo. Bird, from Chicago, received his degree in violin performance, so I knew he could play, but this video has taken me from a casual fan who liked his song to someone who HAS to see him live as soon as possible. WOW! I love creativity in music and artists who take chances and give you the unexpected sometimes.
Take a few minutes to enjoy these videos. I think you will agree with me.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, Feb. 11
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Bascom Hill " Save Me" album title Inevitable, available early April
Gomez " Airstream Driver" album title A New Tide, available March 31
Shemekia Copeland " Never Going Back to Memphis" album title,Never Going Back, available Feb 24.
See Shemekia Thurs March 21 at the High Noon Saloon!
Meet one of Fort Worth's favorite band...Green River Ordinance. Formed by a pair of brothers this band's debut album, available on download only helped propel them into local stardom, winning Artist of the Year 2 times.
They are now coming out with their first album on a major label called " Out of My Hands". Look for it Feb. 24. They will  also be at the High Noon Saloon on Sunday, Feb 22.
Check them out, performing their song "Come On" on " The Rock Boat" cruise.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Feb. 10
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Greg Laswell " How the Day Sounds", album title Three Flights from Alto Nido, available now
Killers " Spaceman" another song from Day and Age
Van Morrison " Sweet Thing", album title Astral Weeks Liveat the Hollywood Bowl, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, Feb. 9
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Taj Mahal " Hello Josephine" album title Maestro, available now
Decemberists " The Rake's Song" album title The Hazards of Love, available March 18
Green River Ordinance " Come On" album title Out of My Hands" available Feb 24
Here are the songs played on Thursday Feb. 5
Young Dubliners " Rosie" album title Saints and Sinners, available now
Kaier Chiefs " Good Days Bad days" album title Off With Their Heads, available now
Serena Ryder " Little Bit of Red" album title Is It OK, available Feb. 10
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Feb. 4
Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles " Do It For Free" album title The Stars are Out, available March 24
Ben Kweller " On Her Own" album title Changing Horses, available Now
Ruthie Foster " Stone Love" album title The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, available now
This May, Ben Harper will release a new album with a new band called Relentless 7. If you're an Innocent Criminals don't worry. That band has not broken up. Ben just wanted to do something new for this album. His new band consists of Jason Mozersky on guitar, Jordan Richardson on drums and bassist Jesse Ingalls.
( No truth to the rumor that he only wanted musicians whose name begins with J)
Look for his album " White Lies for Dark Times" on May 5.
Here's the band covering Queen and David Bowie's " Under Pressure"
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Feb. 3
Clarence Bucaro " Till a Spring Wind Blows Again", album title Til Spring, available now
Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 " Shimmer and Shine" album title White Lies for Dark Times, available May 5
Oren Lavie " Her Morning Excellence" album title The Opposite Side of the Sea, available now
Here are the songs played on Tuesday Feb. 2
Matt Duke " Sex and Reruns" album title Kingdom Underground, available now
Peter Bjorn & John " Nothing to Worry About" album title Living Thing, available March 31
Damon Flower " Third Rate Romance" album title Sugar Shack, available now
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Jan 29
Dar Williams " The Easy Way", another song from Promised Land, available now
JJ Cale w/ Eric Clapton " Roll On" album title Roll On asvailable Feb 24
LeeDing Zero's " Words" album title Ear Candy CD release party Feb 13 @ SCATZ
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Jan 28
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Chris Cornell " Scream" album title Scream, available March 10
Ryan Adams " Magick" another song from Cardinology, available now
Sonya Kitchell " Effortless" album title This Storm, available now
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Jan. 27
Glasvegas " Geraldine" Album title Glasvegas, available now
Raconteurs " Top Yourself" album title Consolers of the Lonely, available now
Lisa Hannigan "I Don't Know" album title "Sea Saw" available Feb. 3
As music director, my mailbox is full of emails from record company promoters, ( or music weasels, as we tend to call them). Everyone writes to tell me their artist is the next big thing and i ought to check out their song/video, yadda yadda yadda.  If I worked 24/7, I'd never get around to listening and watching everything.
That being said, I'm very glad to took the time to check out the video from Israeli artist Oren Lavie, ( pronouncer LEAVE-AA). He's a theater director as well as singer/ songwriter and you can certainly see the creativity put into this video.
The album, The Opposite Side of the Sea will be released March 10, but is available on itunes today.
  Oh yeah, I like the song, too!
Here are the songs played on Jan. 26, 2009
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Madelyne Peyroux " You Can't Do Me", album title Bare Bones, available March 10
Seal " If You Don't Know Me By Now" album title, Soul, available now
Beck " Modern Guilt" another song off Modern Guilt
Ray Lamontagne " Let it Be Me" another song from Gossip in the Grain
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit " Seven Mile Island" album title Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, available now
Mark Olsen/ Gary Louris " Tun Your Pretty Name Around" album title Ready for the Flood, available Jan. 27
Seal is out with an amazing new album of soul covers, ranging from James Brown's " It's a Mans Mans Man's World" to Otis Redding's " If You Don't Know Me By Now" and Curtis Mayfield 's " People Get Ready".
Why an album of soul covers? As Seal put it, "...you can be listening to a song 1,000 times and then you hear it one time and it means something completely different". The song was Sam Cooke's " A Change is Gonna Come"
That's the song that opens this 12 song album. I love the arrangements on this album ( even if there are a little too many strings foir my taste) . Here's Seal performing " People Get Ready"
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, Jan. 21
My Morning jacket " Thank You Too!" another song from Evil Urges
Amy MacDonald " This is the Life" album title This is the Life, available now
Shoeless Revolution " Repeat" album title Speak Up, available now
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Jan 15
Saffire the Uppity Blues Women " Nothing in Your House" album title Havin' the Last Word, available Jan 27
Bacon Brothers " Go My Way (the ipod song) album title New Year's Day, available now
A.C. Newman "The Palace at 4AM" album title Get Guilty, available Jan 20
Itâs mere days away from the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States.
His candidacy inspired many songs from people like Will. I. Am to Maria Muldaur.
Now add to that a group that used to call themselves Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys, the Corrigan Brothers from Ireland. Their sense of humor and Irish pride are evident in this song, âNo One is as Irish as Barack Obamaâ.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Jan. 14
emith " High Sierra" album title 13 Seasons, available in March
Jorma Kaukonen " Nashville Blues" album title River of Time, available Feb 10
Guy Davis " Hoochie Coochie Man" album title Sweetheart LIke You, available Feb. 10
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Jan. 13
Death Cab for Cutie " Grapevine Fires", another song from Narrow Stairs
O.A.R. " This Town" another song from All Sides
Joshua Radin w/ Meiko " Sky" album title Simple Times, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday Jan. 12
Sam Roberts " Them Kids" album title Love at the End of the World, available Feb. 17
Eric Hutchinson " OK, It's Alright With Me" another song from Sounds Like This
Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel " Hesitation Blues" album title Now Playing! Willie and the Wheel, available Feb. 3
Here are the songs played on Wednesday Jan. 7
Amy MacDonald " This is the Life" album title This is the Life, available now
Razorlight " Wire to Wire" album title Slipway Fires, available now
Raul Malo " Hello Again" album title Lucky One, download now on itunes, available in stores in March
Here are the songs played on Tuesday Jan 6
Bruce Springsteen " The Wrestler" from the movie soundtrack
Blues Traveler " Forever Owned" album title North Holloywood Shootout, available now
G. Love " Soft and Sweet" album title Superhero Brother, available now
Here are the songs played on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009
The Gourds " Fossil Contender", album title Haymaker, available now
Jeb Loy Nichols " Countrymusicdisco45" album title Parish Bar, available Jan. 13
John Primer " Going Back to Mississippi", album title All Original, available now
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
I first heard of them a few year ago when their self-titled album was released. I mean, how can you NOT like a band with songs like " Blake's Got a New Face"Â , "A-Punk"Â " Cape Cod Kwasa Kwasa" and " Mansard Roof". I call this kind of music Geek Rock, in a very loving way. I inclulde them in that group with They Might Be Giants and Barenaked Ladies. There's nothing like a clever song.
It's been a while since we've heard from them, but the wait is almost over. Contra will be released January 12, but you can download the single now at itunes!
They can cram SO much music into a 2 and a half minute song. Here's the video for " Cousins". YAY! New Vampire Weekend music!
June 12, 1970, thinking he had the day off, Ellis ingests some LSD, only to be told by his wife that he had to pitch that night. So he heads to the ballpark, tripping his brains out.
Guess what? He pitched a NO HITTER! In his words " I zeroed in on the catchers glove, but I didn't hit the glove too often" ( despite the catcher  putting reflective tape on his fingers). " The ball was sometime smaller, was large sometimes, sometimes I saw the catcher, sometimes I didn't." And yet, still, he pitches a no hitter.
Let's watch Todd singing "America's Favorite Pastime" while famed producer Don Was listens.
Of course I plan to see the band when they come to Alpine Valley this summer, but that doesn't take away any jealousy I am feeling for the lucky thousands in Virginia this weekend.
BUT, this is Phish, so you know they will be doing it right for ALL their fans. If you visit their website for live downloads, 
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But Pearl Jam likes to do things a little differently. First, the reissue will include previously unreleased songs, and unplugged versions of others, which isn't exactly a new idea.
 However, look for several versions, which will include a DVD, 2 versions of Ten, including a remastered copy and one remixed by famed producer Brendan O' Brien. Look for vinyl copies and an Eddie Vedder styled notebook of personal notes and mementos. The album will be released March 24.
But for the fans, it's really about the music. So check out the Pearl Jam game 
