The Current Music Blog: June 25, 2009 Archive

Today In Music History: That's Not Lake Minnetonka

Posted at 6:20 AM on June 25, 2009 by Steve Seel (2 Comments)

Carly Simon is 64.
Tim Finn (Split Enz) is 57.
George Michael (born Georgios Panayiotou) is 46.

1983 - The film soundtrack to 'Flashdance' started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.
1988 - Hillel Slovak original guitarist and founding member of The Red Hot Chili Peppers died from a heroin overdose shortly after the band returned from a European tour. Slovak recorded two albums with the band, Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.
In 1995, Pearl Jam canceled their tour because of an ongoing battle with Ticketmaster. They objected that the business had a monopoly and charged fans too big a surcharge on concert tickets.

Today in 1984 - 25 years ago - Prince released Purple Rain. We'll be celebrating the quarter-century of the album's release on the 4th of July weekend with Prince songs sprinkled around the clock (orginals and covers alike), but you can celebrate Purple Rain tomorrow night at First Avenue with a screening of the movie and a costume contest where you come dressed up as your favorite character from the movie. Anybody wanna go as Lake Minnetonka?

We played "I Would Die 4 U" to get in the mood this morning.

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Cry Me a Press Conference

Posted at 10:16 AM on June 25, 2009 by Steve Seel

There's nothing American TV journalism likes more than a sex scandal. Important things are happening all over the world, you know. But hoo boy, when a politician is caught in a tawdry affair, stop the proverbial presses.

So the kleig lights were on and the shutters were clicking yesterday when South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford gave his very, very, very tearful presser explaining why he was missing for days - because he was in Argentina, saying goodbye to his mistress, since his wife had thrown him out of the house after discovering his infidelity. Talk about tawdry. But if that weren't enough, more tears were shed during this press conference than you might see in a whole month of Oprah's.

So, tears, crying, sobbin' and weepin' seemed the appropriate topic for today's 9:30 Coffee Break. We had to hand it to the requester of the first song - a tune that didn't occur to us (so sue us, we were slow today). Jill does get credit, however, for tracking down the absolutely fabulous version we played.

1) Tom Jones, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"
2) Roy Orbison, "Crying"
3) The Cure, "Boys Don't Cry"
4) Rosie Grier, "It's OK to Cry" (from Free To Be ... You and Me)
5) ? and the Mysterians, "96 Tears"

Okay, the Rosie Grier track wasn't requested - I came across it and absolutely had to play it. Especially after Robert Smith had just gotten done admonishing us that boys don't cry.

Dinosaur Jr. wants YOU to know about free music...

Posted at 11:26 AM on June 25, 2009 by Barb Abney

Earlier this month Dinosaur Jr. released their ninth studio album Farm. Today on our Song Of The Day podcast we're featuring their tune "I Want You To Know" for free!

They're playing First Avenue on November 18th. If you're a member of the band's fan club, you can purchase your tickets tomorrow. (hint, hint)

If you're a new subscriber to the Song Of The Day podcast, you'll also receive new music from Placebo, Rancid, Sonic Youth and local music from Two Harbors.

Tomorrow we will be featuring a free local tune from Toki Wright.

3 funky songs...

Posted at 1:42 PM on June 25, 2009 by Barb Abney
Filed under: My Three Songs

Jessica Schilling from Saint Paul picked today's My 3 Songs set because...

"Because they're funky!!"

James Brown - "Get Up Offa That Thing"
Funkadelic "One Nation Under A Groove"
Prince - "Chelsea Rodgers"

Make your "My 3 Songs" requests here.