GOLDMINE presents: WFMU - Where Records Go To Live

Here's the second installment in the Goldmine magazine video series about record libraries & collections. Two weeks ago I put up the one about the Archive of Contemporary Music. Today's featured library belongs to WFMU in Jersey City, NJ.



This is the first video in the series "Record Spins with Michael Cumella". Each month, Michael seeks out stories, exhibitions or speaks with collectors and shares these record-centric stories through these videos. For more info and videos, go to www.goldminemag.com.

Daily Travels - West 55th Street

The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart

Here's a nice little flick for the weekend - The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart - a great BBC documentary from 1997, narrated by John Peel, featuring the good Captain, Frank Zappa, Ry Cooder and others. Playlisted in 6 parts. Dig it.

Chicks dig vinyl

By Ellen von Unworth

More film - Graham Parker, Exene Cervenka, Basquiat

In other film news, here are a few things that I'll be looking out for:

Michael Gramaglia, director of the excellent End of the Century: the story of the Ramones, has turned his cameras on Graham Parker for his next project. Being that this blog is named after one his songs, I'd pretty much be a complete jackass if I didn't mention this project. Plus it looks like it's going to be pretty good. View a trailer, and make a donation to the project at Kickstarter.



Exene Cervenka of X has exhumed an old film, shot with friends in 1986, called Bad Day. Included in the cast of this irony laced western are Chris Desjardins, Dave Alvin, John Doe, and Kevin Costner. Exene has seen fit to make the entire film available as a pay-what-you-want download via the film's official website. All she asks in return is that downloaders not share the actual file, but steer friends to the film's website to donate & download it themselves. Some of the proceeds will be donated to the Gulf Coast aid organization the Committee for Plaquemines Recovery that helps the people affected in the Gulf region.



Lastly, we have Jean Michel Basquiat - The Radiant Child, from Tamra Davis.

Downtown Calling, Horsemeat Disco

I wanted to mention that I finally got to see Downtown Calling last night. Four years in the making, and counting, it seems director Shan Nicholson and company are really close to making something happen after a hugely successful screening last night at the Latin Film Festival. Through what could have easily become a clusterfuck of fact, fiction, time frames, and memories, the film makers have managed to weave a compelling retelling of an intense, and beautifully eclectic creative time period in the history of not only New York City, but especially music and the visual arts.

Unfortunately, I can't quote from the film, but Mos Def, Danny Krivit, and Johnny Dynell, had especially astute & touching things to say about the "old days." All of the interviewees, however, were excellent. Visit the official film site here, and become a fan on Facebook here.



Those who are interested in the Downtown Calling vibe may also want to know that influential London club guys, Horsemeat Disco, will be throwing a party on August 14 at Santos as part of a wider tour which will also take in NYC (again), Toronto, Calgary, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami.

Endorsed by the DFA folks, they've hosted a whose who of DJ culture the last bunch of years in London including Maurice Fulton, James Murphy, Tim Sweeney, Daniel Wang, Dimitri From Paris, Adam Goldstone, Derrick Carter, Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), Idjut Boys, Luke Unabomber, Pat Mahoney, Faze Action, Miss Honey Dijon, Frank Tope, Victor Rosado, Trannyshack, Loud-E, Pete Z, Nine Bob & Gideon, Unit 4, Andy Butler, Greg Wilson, Louie Austen, Annie, Princess Julia, Justus Kohncke, DJ Strangefruit, Tasty Tim, Sean P, DJ Spun, Cosmo, Faith, Rub And Tug, and many others. Here's a taster from their new album:

Horse Meat Disco - Volume 2 - Mini Promo Mix by warmhq

Al Goodman RIP

Al Goodman - RIP

Daily Travels - Elvis

Fifth Avenue between 78th & 79th.

Daily Travels - Uptown N Train

Tell me who is really dangerous

This past Sunday, just as the big WikiLeaks.org story was breaking, I happened to be watching a great movie called The Most Dangerous Man In America. In case you haven't seen it, it's about a man named Daniel Ellsberg who, beginning in the 60's, works for think tank organization the Rand Corporation (still around!) in support of the US government's efforts in the Vietnam War. Simply put, through a series of events, his viewpoint switches from one of hawk to one of dove. With a top secret report in his possession called "The Pentagon Papers," which reveals a much more realistic history of the war than the one sold the US people, he attempts to gain the attention of the Congress with it, and failing that, goes first to the NY Times, and then a series of other national and respected US newspapers. The report is eventually published, and helps bring about an end to the war a few years later. It also unknowingly begins the unraveling of the Nixon administration pre-Watergate. It's a fascinating story, and a really well made film - I highly recommend it. It's the sort of thing that Oliver Stone would base a movie on.

Anyway, so this WikiLeaks story breaks, and I just thought to myself what a coincidence! How little things have changed...we were fucked then, and we're fucked now. Just as the country was lied to about the origins of the US involvement in Vietnam, and our reasons for being there, the whole current situation is whitewashed. The stats are juked. Lyndon B. Johnson says near the beginning of The Most Dangerous Man..., "We are going to win." Win what? There is nothing to win except contracts for huge weapon making companies. Welcome to the endless war cycle. War is peace, etc, etc. Yes we can, my ass.

Detroit Breakdown - bonus

Damn...I have to hand it to the Hound, he really comes up with some groovy stuff like the above photo of ? from ? and the Mysterians. Check out his short piece on them, and don't forget they're playing here in NYC - for FREE - on Saturday.

Jack Tatum RIP

Jack Tatum - RIP. This just in from the NFL...former Raiders defensive leader, Jack Tatum (aka "The Assassin"), is dead at the age of 61. He'll always be one of my all time favorites. Along with Willie Brown, George Atkinson, and Skip Thomas, he completed what was known as the Soul Patrol. Along with Kenny Stabler, he pretty much embodies what I've always loved about the Oakland Raiders. God rest his bad ass, hard hitting soul.





I remember watching this when I was a kid:

Detroit Breakdown this Saturday

As announced back in April:
The Detroit Breakdown
Lincoln Center Out Of Doors | NYC - July 31

Sixties garage icons Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and ? and the Mysterians, iconoclastic rockers The Gories and Death, nomadic bluesman Eddie Kirkland, stirring soul singers Melvin Davis and Spyder Turner, Motown hitmakers The Velvelettes and Dennis Coffey and R&B all stars The Party Stompers.

Presented by Lincoln Center for The Performing Arts in association with The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation

Melvin Bliss RIP

Melvin Bliss - RIP

Just Because - the Screamers

Read Jon Savage on the Screamers and "122 Hours of Fear."

Marilyn digs vinyl

The Pop Group - new website

It's nice to see things are getting serious in the newly reunited Pop Group camp. They've recently launched a new website, and there some goodies there to check out. Even though I've already posted about this, here's a reminder about their initial plans, and it sounds as if they're leaning towards continuing into 2011 which is excellent news.

The Pop Group return after nearly thirty years to play an four small club dates to "blow the dust off the old songs and pick up where we left off”

These initial dates serve as a brief introduction to a new generation of the band's signature caustic Molotov dub funk that manifested itself into only two albums that went on to sporn a whole genre.

Formed in Bristol in 1978, The Pop Group were for many the first and the last après punk band. After two seminal albums ‘Y’ and ‘For How Much Longer Must We Tolerate Mass Murder’ the group split in 1981.

"There was a lot left undone,....we were so young and volatile....Let's face it, things are probably even MORE fucked now than they were in the early 80's.....and WE are even more fucked off !.

The 2010 line-up features all original members, Mark Stewart (vocals),
Gareth Sager (Guitar, Keys, Sax), Bruce Smith (Drums) and Dan Catsis
(Bass).

LIVE DATES:
SEP 09TH LOCOMOTIV CLUB 9, BOLOGNA. ITALY
SEP 10TH SPAZIO 211, TURIN , ITALY
SEP 11TH THE GARAGE, LONDON
SEP 12TH THE GARAGE, LONDON

Bookmark it: thePopGroup.net

Chicks dig vinyl

Via Unusual Adult Party Items

You Can Dance To Roxy In A Dream Home

I was inspired this morning by Lindsay posting the recent appearance of Roxy Music on Jonathan Ross on UK TV. The band's performance is pretty impressive for a unit that hasn't performed as such in...how many years? While posting the Roxy video, I also decided to include the video for the new Bryan Ferry single, "You Can Dance," from his latest album, Olympia, which is of course the occasion that has brought together the original Roxy line-up. I like it a lot. It's nice to see Bryan still has a healthy appreciation for the ladies. Find out more about the album here. Too bad it's not out until October.

Music for Front Porches - August line-up!

Photographer & artist, Laura Levine, owns & runs a neat thrift shop in Phoenicia, NY, called the Mystery Spot, and it actually has a front porch. Starting last year, pulling in a few of her music connections, she organized what has become known as "Music For Front Porches," and has recently announced the line-up for 2010:

It’s time once again for the Mystery Spot’s Annual "Music for Front Porches" concert series! (As always, FREE, and everyone’s invited.)

All season long the Mystery Spot is hosting special musical performances by some of our favorite bands and musicians on Sunday afternoons. Set on our front porch on Main Street in beautiful downtown Phoenicia, these intimate and casual performances are FREE and all are welcome.

Coming this 2010 season:

- Ida (Elizabeth Mitchell & Daniel Littleton) and The Naysayer - Sun. August 1 @ 1 PM
- Holly Miranda – Sun. August 8 @ 1 PM
- Grasshopper and Jonathan (from Mercury Rev) AND Dean & Britta - Sun. August 15 @ 1 PM
- Uncle Monk (Tommy Ramone & Claudia Tienan) – Sun. August 22 @ 2 PM
- Ambrosia Parsley (Shivaree) & Chris Maxwell – coming soon!

And more to be announced. We'll be sending out invitations for each individual show, but this is the overview so far.

*please call the shop (845-688-7868) or check the blog (http://www.mysteryspotvintage.com/) often as dates may be subject to last-minute change!

Be sure to follow the Mystery Spot on Facebook to get updates on shows & sale information. The Mystery Spot has a good record department, by the way.

Before and After: I've Got My Mind Set On You

Before:


After:

Godard digs vinyl

Via This Isn't Happiness

Downtown Calling - NYC premier

I've been waiting to see Downtown Calling for a while now. Info for the showing is on facebook here. Tickets to the screening next Wednesday, which can be bought here, include admittance to an after-party that night at Santos Party House with Johnny Dynell and Sal Principato (Liquid Liquid).

Pictures On My Wall - John Squire

Best known as the guitarist of the Stone Roses, John Squire began painting at least as far back as the the band began which was in the early-mid 80's. The majority, if not all, of the band's releases featured his work on it's covers. Although his style could probably be described as a bit derivative, it happens to be derivative of a lot of other artists whom I like very much. In other words, he's got good taste, and I like where he's coming from. And he does it very well. Click here to see a short video of John discussing a recent exhibition in London. See more of John's work at JohnSquire.com.

Musicians & Books - Generation X

WORDS TO LIVE BY: "It sounds a bit stupid, but for me rock 'n' roll, and being in the group, and living the life, is the most important thing above everything else." - Tony James

The Great Record Stores

Written by Andy Schwartz for the program given to attendees of the 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions, "The Great Record Stores" manages to capture that nostalgic je ne sais quoi that I miss so much about the subject. Given Andy's past as a record store clerk, writer, editor of the NY Rocker, and much more, he knows of which he speaks. The featured stores in the piece are Wallichs Music City, Commodore Music Shop, Rhino Records, Oar Folkjokeopus, and (I'm proud to say) Bleecker Bob's. As a bonus, "Philadelphia: The Record Museum" by Jerry “the Geator” Blavat is also included.



"As someone who began his music industry career behind the counter of one such outlet, I see the entire saga of American record retail as having taken on the qualities of a vivid and slightly crazy dream. Nothing else in my life has ever replaced the record store as a locus of musical community, and probably nothing ever will. A great record store was a marketplace not only of music but of ideas and opinions – and of the innumerable schemes and scams that played out endlessly among retailers, labels, and distributors, from the inflation of Billboard sales reports to the wholesale counter-
feiting of best-selling LPs."

Download a PDF of the 3 page article here. Special thanks to Andy for permitting me to post this. Keep up with some of his writing over at http://www.nyrocker.com/blog/.

Before and After: Ramblin' Rose

Before:


After:


Thanks again to Mr. Lee.

Ralph Houk RIP

Ralph Houk - RIP

Stooges - In the hands of the fans contest

Calling all seriously Stooge-d out freaks...this contest has just been announced:

On Friday September 3rd 2010, Iggy & the Stooges are performing RAW POWER at All Tomorrow's Parties in Monticello, New York. You - the fans - will be shooting the concert film, coming out soon on DVD, Bluray, and digital stores everywhere.

Here's how it works:
1) shoot a video of yourself asking Iggy & The Stooges a question about RAW POWER
2) Read the submission rules & post it to this website
3) The fans and Iggy & the Stooges select 6 winners to film the concert

Be sure to visit inthehandsofthefans.com for all of the rules etc...

Daily travels - Shot by Godlis

I had the pleasure of Godlis' company today at lunch at Cafe Orlin on Saint Marks between 1st & 2nd Avenues. Amongst other things, he turned me onto a cool iPhone photography app called Hipstamatic...these photos are a couple of the results.

Chicks dig vinyl

Via Unusual Adult Party Items

Driving the Stooges

Here's a fantastic shot of the original line up of the Stooges that I've never seen before. It popped up on someone's tumblr page today via the Stooges last.fm page. I wonder what type of car it is? Do any of the more clued-in-about-the-Stooges folks out there have any facts regarding the origins of this snappy snapshot?

Andy Hummel RIP

Andy Hummel - RIP. Read an interview with him at Perfect Sound Forever.

Leonard Cohen - Bird On A Wire

Available in September from See of Sound is this wonderful film of Leonard Cohen performing in 1972. Also, of interest is this blog by film maker Tony Palmer (pictured left) detailing his restoration of the film in preparation for the DVD release, and debunking myth's at the same time.



Originally released in 1972 and directed by celebrated British filmmaker Tony Palmer, Bird on a Wire follows Cohen on his 1972 European tour and contains 17 classic performances, 4 poems and tour footage. After several edits it was relreleased in 1974. Like many films from the era it was thought that the original print had been lost, but in 2009 more than 290 rolls of film in rusted cans were discovered containing much of the original rushes and soundtrack of the 1972 film. Tony Palmer was able to restore much of this footage and it is now available on DVD for the first time. Also included is a limited edition reproduction of the iconic 1972 film poster and is in deluxe digipak packaging.

Track Listing * Avalanche * Suzanne * Tonight Will Be Fine * Passing Through * Sisters of Mercy * Who By Fire? * Story of Isaac * One Of Us Can't Be Wrong * The Partisan * Sisters of Mercy * Chelsea Hotel * Nancy * Famous Blue Raincoat * Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye * So Long, Marianne * Bird On A Wire

Big Takeover mag seeks fresh blood, i.e. writers

Are there any aspiring music writers out there? If so, Big Takeover magazine is looking for some help.

Rocksteady - the Roots of Reggae

It's astounding the amount of music & films that you can miss for many different reasons. It really takes a constant vigilance to feel like I have a handle on whats going on, and that I'm not missing anything. Thankfully there are tools like Google Reader to help, and friends like Mr. Lee, with blogs, who post interesting things that I may have missed. Like the trailer of this film, for example.

Here's a good looking documentary that started making the rounds last year. It combines a reunion of sorts of the original generation of rocksteady singers & musicians from Jamaica with a history of the music that they made (mid to late 60's), and includes the likes of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffith, Dawn Penn, Hopeton Lewis, Stranger Cole, Derrick Morgan, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles and U-Roy. Among the musicians are Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar, Jackie Jackson, Gladstone Anderson, Hux Brown, Bongo Herman and Scully Simms. Beautiful!

Visit the film's website here.

Daily Travels - Downtown Q Train

Goldmine Presents: What's in the Archive?

Goldmine magazine has started a video series on youtube exploring various record archives & collections. The first two in the series happen to feature two places that have played a role in keeping my time occupied over the last 12 months or so - the Archive of Contemporary Music in Tribeca downtown, and WFMU in Jersey City. If you've ever been curious about either place this will give you the scoop you've been looking for. Here's the Archive - WFMU will be up next.



This is video number two in the series "Record Spins with Michael Cumella". Each month, Michael seeks out stories, exhibitions or speaks with collectors and shares these record-centric stories through videos. This episode takes us to The Archive of Contemporary Music whose lofty goal is to collect EVERY record distributed in the USA! A lofty goal but with over 2,000,000 in their possession, they are well on their way! For more info and videos, go to www.goldminemag.com.

Edwyn Collins is Losing Sleep

But don't feel sorry for him - he's done something productive with his time. Download the title track from his next album here. Special guests on the new album include Johnny Marr, Roddy Frame, and the Cribs.