The Current Music Blog: April 13, 2009 Archive

Today in Music History: What the Hell Is He Saying?

Posted at 7:20 AM on April 13, 2009 by Steve Seel

1945, Born on this day, Lowell George, singer, songwriter, guitarist, Little Feat.
1946, Born on this day, Al Green, US soul singer
1951, Born on this day, Max Weinberg,
1962, Born on this day, Hillel Slovak, guitar, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Died from a heroin overdose 27th June 1988.
1971, The Rolling Stones released 'Brown Sugar' the first record on their own label, Rolling Stones Records, which introduces the infamous licking- tongue and lips logo.
1974, Elton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bennie And The Jets'
1974, Paul McCartney's 'Band On The Run', went to No.1 on the US album charts.
1993, the first 'Aerosmith Day' was observed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the band were given their very own holiday.

It was on this day in 1963 that The Kingsmen recorded the song "Louie Louie." What was originally a mild-mannered song recorded in the style of a Jamaican ballad by Richard Berry, the Kingsmen turned into one of the most enduring songs in rock n' roll history in a sloppy, ramshackle recording made for the hilariously tiny sum of $36. Rolling Stone ranksThe Kingsmen's version of the song at #55 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It is unknown how many versions of the song have been recorded, but Louielouie.net estimates the number at over 1500.

Just as notable, however, is the controversy surrounding the single's original release. A letter written to then Attorney General Robert Kennedy claiming the song's lyrics were obscene spurred an investigation by the FBI. After two years, the Bureau concluded that the recording could not be interpreted, that it was "unintelligible at any speed," and therefore the recording could not be declared obscene.

The entire history of the song is quite amazing. I'd recommend reading the Wikipedia entry if you're curious.

Former Phantom giving away new Coconut Records

Posted at 9:35 AM on April 13, 2009 by Barb Abney (1 Comments)

You know Jason Schwartzman as an actor in movies like I Heart Huckabees and The Darjeeling Limited. You may even remember the days when he sat behind the drum kit in Phantom Planet. These days he's concentrating on his musical career again and recently released his sophomore solo album, Davy in January. You can grab the first single from the album, "Microphone" for free on our Song Of The Day podcast as well as new songs from Kill The Vultures, Gentleman Reg, Wavves and The Thermals. Later on this week you'll have the opportunity to grab new music from Bob Mould, Obits, Royksopp and local music from Man Is Doomed.
More on Jason Schwartzman as Coconut Records.

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Three tunes that are perfect for a cloudy day.

Posted at 12:35 PM on April 13, 2009 by Barb Abney

Kimberly Larson from Minneapolis picked today's My 3 Songs set because..

"I'm requesting these songs because of the strangely melancholy and introspective mood I am in. The Smiths are my go-to for self-pitying music; Jeff and Lykke Li just have exquisite voices that I would love to hear on the Current today"

Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm Gone"
The Smiths - "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"
Jeff Buckley - "Everybody Here Wants You"

Make your "My 3 Songs" requests here.

Let's Celebrate Records!

Posted at 8:41 PM on April 13, 2009 by Mark Wheat

This Saturday is International Record Store Day! Independent stores across the globe are doing special events and bands are releasing some cool vinyl 7"s. So all week at 8.50 I will slip on a slice of the black stuff...(actually I have some colored vinyl too, remember that?!)

Where better to start than the very first single that I ever brought with my own pocket money (remember that?!?!) I took this to a party where about six couples paired off and snogged to this on repeat...we were eleven at the time!! There was nothing else to do in rural England back in 1971!! It's Marc Bolan's first single under the name T.Rex ..."Ride A White Swan".

Have you got any great first single stories?