James Brown loves you

A day late and many, many dollars short but here's the Yuletide greetings. Peace out on earth, yo.

James Brown -- 'Soulful Christmas'

Why haven't you told me?

You probably remember this one from Mulholland Drive (great flick). The vid is just a turntable playing the 45. Simple, black, classic.

Linda Scott -- 'Every Little Star'

Respect such a tradition

A great song from a great album. I don't remember this video, apparently getting good time on the highway will subject you to alien abduction. Thanks for the tip, Big Mike! (Did you ever read Paris Trout by Pete Dexter? This song reminds me of that novel, don't know why)

'Mike Watt -- 'Piss Bottle Man'

That's some nice skinwork

The ever-quickening pace of this marching band-style drum solo is just breath taking. The video doesn't sync perfectly with the sound making the whole thing look a little goofy but this dude is the deal no doubt.

Tim Jackson --'Non Stop'

You can let it all hang out

Cool song. Marc Bolan is the guy David Bowie wanted to be--or the other way around depending on who you talk to. I've only heard smatterings of T. Rex and generally liked all of it. This is a good one.

T. Rex -- 'Children of the Revolution'

New Day Rising

I was always pretty so-so on punk rock. I dig the energy and the unswerving desire to make music and be obnoxious; but the knee-jerk disdain of anything new or even suggestive of complexity dooms all the punk rockers to be nihilistic jerk-offs. So all that energy never develops, it merely dissipates whimper-style. Husker Du was an exception because these guys took composition seriously. They liked words and voices without losing the punk rock attitude--because the attitude transcends skills allowing you to have both (a realization most punks never reach). They were punk rock singer-songwriters and here we get a Grant Hart composition followed quickly by a Bob Mould tune (which follow each other on the record too). Good vid, good sound, good songs, solid performance, this is a good one.

Husker Du -- 'The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill/I Apologize'

It's not your headdress

Jangly guitars, take charge vocals, sneaky basslines, these guys are all right. Here they are at the Noise Fest, always an interesting affair. (Did they actually win the San Antonio Chili Bowl Cookoff? Damn, these guys are more impressive than I thought!)

Tapes N Tapes -- 'Just Drums'

Dizzying is more like it

I got to admit: I've never understood the protocol at a classical recital. Perahia comes to the close of his piece, a kick ass performance, but while clapping isn't allowed apparently coughing and seat-squirming are perfectly acceptable. Why don't they clap in the pauses? Why don't they clap during the performance? People clapped for Monk or Bird or Mingus whenever they came with the solo groove where's the love for big Murray?

Murray Perahia -- Mendelssohn's 'Spinning Song'