James Brown 1933 - 2006

In honour of this funky man's shakin' off this mortal coil on this most commercial of days, I have collected some tracks, many of which are from James Brown's Funky Christmas, that prove Christmas doesn't have to go by without a little groovin. Thanks to The Sound Of Indie, Soul Of Christmas and My Old Kentucky Blog.

Christmas In Heaven

Go Power At Christmas Time

Santa Clause Is Here To Stay

Santa's Got A Brand New Bag

Santa Clause Goes Straight To The Ghetto

'Tis The Season

I guess this is what everyone is blogging about at this time of year and I must say it feels pretty sad to be doing this tonight but you now what? Christmas doesn't mean shit anymore, so who cares? Let's all just enjoy some good music. Or at least some bad music made with the Christmas spirit in mind which, however misguided, is a half-decent thing. Thanks to The Merry Swanster, Soul Of Christmas, Resonator Magazine and Counting Stars On The Ceiling

The Long Blondes - Christmas Is Cancelled

Prince - Lonely Christmas

Tori Amos - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Manic Street Preachers - Last Christmas

Sufjan Stevens - That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!

Ok, I'm going on a Christmas blogging break now. Seasons greetings and all that....

Rodrigo y Gabriela

With their new, self-titled album, guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela are finally receiving some well-deserved attention, appearing on David Letterman on Dec 18th (watch the video on YouTube). They produce really energetic, Latin Amercian Fusion tracks with metal influences.

Orion (Metallica cover)
Foc
One/Take 5 (Live)

Their next gig is scheduled for 26th Jan @ Troubadour, Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood.

Joni Mitchell Tribute Album

A new Joni Mitchell tribute album is on its way, with a fantastic list of contributors. Here's the track list...

01 Sufjan Stevens – Free Man in Paris
02 Björk – Boho Dance
03 Caetano Veloso – Dreamland
04 Brad Mehldau – Don't Interrupt the Sorrow
05 Cassandra Wilson – For the Roses
06 Prince – A Case of U
07 Sarah McLachlan – Blue
08 Annie Lennox – Ladies of the Canyon
09 Emmylou Harris – Magdalena Laundries
10 Elvis Costello – Edith and the Kingpin
11 k.d. lang – Help Me
12 James Taylor – River

Rufus Wainwright New Album

From Rufus' official website...

"Rufus' next studio album will be titled, 'Release The Stars'. It is the first album produced entirely by Rufus. Neil Tenant is the executive producer. It will be released at the beginning of May. More info to come soon."

Radiohead lives on

Just when you thought they were gone forever... the Charity Symphony Orchestra will be performing their interpretation of songs from Radiohead's 'Kid A' album at Bancroft's Great Hall in London on Sunday 17th December.

Also, Barcelona's Iguapop Gallery is currently exhibiting artwork by Stanley Donwood and Dr Tchock from various Radiohead albums.

The Music of Daria P1

And so we begin a music tribute to one of the greatest cartoons of all time. Sarcasm, social commentary, great music. And why the hell is Trent soooo hot? This is going to take more than one post! I'm going to do an individual tribute to each season. Here are a few tracks that featured in Season One...

Tracy Bonham - Sharks Can't Sleep (from 101 'Esteemsters')

Garbage - Queer (from 103 'College Bored')

Mazzy Star - Fade Into You (from 105 'Malled')

Portishead - Glory Box (from 108 'Pinch Sitter')

Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench (from 109 'Too Cute')

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit (from 111 'Road Warrior')

Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain (from 112 'The Teachings Of Don Jake')

plus the awesome Daria Theme...

Splendora - You're Standing On My Neck

and my personal favourite, Mystic Spiral (Trent's band) performing Icebox Woman in 111 'Road Warrior', thanks to pastamatik.com...

Mystic Spiral - Icebox Woman

Australia's Favourite Album

Australia's favourite albums were announced on the ABC last night. Quite a few surprises in the mix, here are the top 10...

1) PINK FLOYD - Dark Side Of The Moon
2) JEFF BUCKLEY - Grace
3) RADIOHEAD - Ok Computer
4) THE BEATLES - Abbey Road
5) THE BEATLES - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
6) NIRVANA - Nevermind
7) LED ZEPPELIN - Four
8) RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS - Blood Sugar Sex Magic
9) MEAT LOAF - Bat Out Of Hell
10) U2 - Joshua Tree

To see the whole top 100, click here. Enjoy some tunes from these records...

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Radiohead - Karma Police

Nirvana - Come As You Are

Snoop Dogg Arrested Again

Following the debut of Snoop's latest album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, at number 5 on the US charts, Snoop has once again pissed off The Law. His home and car were searched and the po-po's discovered narcotics and a handgun, resulting in his arrest on drug and weapons violation charges. He has been released on bail. I'll bet this will help his record sales...

In My Time Of Dying

I think all L Word fans out there would agree that the best version of the much covered song, In My Time Of Dying, is the one performed by The Be Good Tanyas member, Frazey Ford in Season 3 Episode 3 "Lobsters", dressed as a nun. It might have something to do with the two chicks going at it in the background, but it also might have something to do with Frazey's incredible voice. In honour of Frazey's appearence on The L Word, here are some mp3s of covers of this traditional folk/blues song, originally recorded by Blind Willie Johnson. In the first version listed below, Frazey is joined by her fellow band members on their latest album, Chinatown.

The Be Good Tanyas

Warren Muzak

Outlaw Social

Sam Rosen

Guy Maile