Here’s a little something to go with your Saturday morning coffee. Billy Bragg wrote an article which appeared in the online edition of the New York Times today.

Essentially he argues that songwriters and musicians who upload their music to social networking sites, or anywhere on the Internet for that matter, add value to these websites and therefore the artists should be compensated with some sort of royalty. The music on these sites helps the companies who own them to attract advertisers and also increases the value of the websites making them more attractive to investors.

After all, when a site like Bebo sells for $850 million, you have to wonder, as Billy Bragg does, shouldn’t the artists whose music has contributed to the value of this sale receive some compensation?

I feel completely spoiled having gone to the Ryman Auditorium two weekends in a row for two amazing concerts. Last night we saw Jackson Browne on his Solo Acoustic tour. His performance was truly exceptional. I mean what else would you expect from one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time?

There were no gimmicks, dancers, or headphone mics to be had at this show. There was, however, a legendary songwriter without a set list, about fifteen acoustic guitars, and a piano. His collection of vintage acoustics was impressive. At one point, he made a joke about giving the impression he was competing with George Gruhn who owns the famous Gruhn Guitars shop down the block from the Ryman.

Browne basically took requests the whole night, which made for some interesting renditions of a few songs. Hey, with a catalog as deep and diverse as his, he is bound to forget a few chord changes right? Letting the crowd choose the set was a great idea except there were a few people who really wanted to hear “Free Bird,” (Lynyrd Skynyrd) “Franklin’s Tower,” (Grateful Dead) and “You Light Up My Life” (too many to mention).

Now the “Free Bird” folks can be forgiven. In fact, hearing a request for “Free Bird” at a concert is to be expected, but the other two requests were just plain ridiculous! If it had been Ryan Adams instead of Jackson Browne on stage, these people may have (should have?) been thrown out.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Jackson Browne on any of his solo acoustic tours recently, he has released two live albums full of songs from previous solo acoustic tours. I highly recommend these for anyone who would like to hear stripped down versions of both old and newer Jackson Browne songs. Check out his store.

My post about this show is a little late, but here it goes…
We saw Wilco last Sunday night at the Ryman Auditorium. This was easily one of the best shows I have EVER been to. Definitely in my top 5, more likely in the top 3, and now that I really think about it, maybe even higher. The set list was incredible. As many have commented, their recent 5 night “Residency” at the Riviera in Chicago where they played every song they have released on an official Wilco album, plus some B-sides and Mermaid Avenue tracks, has led to some varied and exciting set lists.

March 2, 2008 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium

Via Chicago
Blood of the Lamb
Pieholden Suite
California Stars
Company in my Back
You Are My Face
Side with the Seeds
Pot Kettle Black
Shot in the Arm
She’s a Jar
Handshake Drugs
Impossible Germany
It’s Just That Simple
Pick Up the Change
Too Far Apart
Nothingsevergonnastandinmywayagain
Jesus etc.
Hate It Here
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Encore 1
Someone Else’s Song (Jeff Tweedy without the PA)
Misunderstood
The Thanks I Get
Red Eyed and Blue -> I Got You
Monday
Encore 2
The Late Greats

I started listening to Wilco about 12 years ago when their Album Being There came out. It wasn’t until somewhat recently, however, that I have really begun to appreciate the subtle genius in the songwriting and performance. Many long time fans have said that Wilco has never sounded better live, and that the band has reached a new high point in their career. I don’t have any past shows to compare this one to, but I can say that they were unbelievably good last Sunday night.

On a side note, the night before we went to see Will Hoge and Jason Isbell. Jason Isbell was sitting just a few rows in front of us at the Wilco concert! I also saw James Haggerty, the bass player in Josh Rouse’s band. You know a band is great when there are other extraordinary musicians showing up to see them.

There was also a film crew during the show with tons of cameras. Supposedly they are filming a documentary of this tour to be out on DVD in the future. I can’t wait!

Despite the Ryman’s anti audio recording policy (even if the artist allows it), somebody managed to record the whole concert! Here are a few tracks from the show:

Wilco - Too Far Apart (live)

Wilco - The Thanks I Get (live)

Wilco - Jesus etc. (live)

Despite the fact that I could barely walk yesterday (I threw out my back again) we went out to the Will Hoge & Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit show at the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville last night. I think this redefines what it means to be a dedicated fan. Seriously, I had trouble getting in and out of the car, and then standing on my feet for four hours for a rock show…? There are those who pretend to enjoy live music, who would much rather chat with their friends and really only go for the beer and night out on the town. Then there is me, putting up with increasing pain in my lower back just to check out a couple of bands I have never seen live before.

As expected, both Will and Jason put on an amazing show! I think they have been taking turns closing each show on their “co-headlining” tour. Being that Nashville is Will’s home town, it was only appropriate that he closed last night’s show. He played for over two hours and ended the night with a cover of the The Faces classic, “Ooh La La.” The only bad part was the idiot who literally stood on my feet the whole night. There was clearly three or four feet of space in front of him that he could have moved into. During every song this guy would regurgitate some comment or fact about the band to his friend who was also practically standing on my feet. If you are that big of a fan, just shut up and listen to the music.

While I would definitely call Will Hoge’s music rock (whatever rock means these days), here is a live version of “The Highway’s Home,” which is a country flavored song and one of my favorite tracks from his newest album, “Draw the Curtains.” I’ve always thought that a good rock band can do country better than just about any new country band can.

Will Hoge - “The Highway’s Home”

This was recorded at WFPK in Louisville, KY on 9/28/2007

Photo Credit: Drew Gurian

I saw this video this morning and just had to get it up here. As a fan of “Alt-Country,” I have had numerous people ask me what I mean. Finally, somebody has shed some light on the mystery/evolution of “Alt-Country.”

Back when I used to take piano lessons, my teacher had a sign on his door that read “Practice until your fingers bleed.” It has taken me quite a while to get a new post up here, but as you can see, I haven’t been far from the music! No my fingers aren’t bleeding yet, but if I picked up a guitar right now…

So unless Tom Petty asks me to join the Heartbreakers on the road this summer, (I’ve been mildly depressed ever since I learned he is not coming to Nashville, and I won’t be able to go to the nearest show in Atlanta) then I should have a little more time to devote to the blog.

…unless all that guitar and piano renders my fingers too bloody sore to type.

I was kicking around Hit By A Train, an Old 97’s fan site the other day trying to find the name of one of their older albums and stumbled upon a whole bunch of free mp3s. This is obviously old news to long time fans, but if you’ve never really listened to any of the the Old 97’s’ music before, these mp3s are a great introduction to a rock/alt-country band that has been around quite a while.

On the discography page there are two or three full versions of songs from many of the band’s albums available as free downloads. In addition, they provide several demo/outtake tracks on a separate download page. Some of these might be more interesting to the die hard fans, but are still fun. One of my favorites from this page is a song that was written by a guy named Homer Henderson called “Beer Cans.” The melody gets stuck in my head for days.

Old 97’s - Beer Cans

The character in this song loses his job and starts picking up beer cans on the highway so he will have enough money to marry his girl…? You’ve gotta love this guy’s level of commitment.

Old 97’s MySpace: www.myspace.com/theold97s

Old 97’s Website: www.old97s.com

Old 97’s fan site: www.hitbyatrain.com

Photo Credit: Theresa Ortolani

Die hard Tom Petty fans will surely be psyched to read Daphne Carr’s article that came out in the LA Weekly on Wednesday. This has got to be one of the niftiest pieces written on Tom Petty that I have read (more like interacted with) in a while.

Any longtime fan knows that there are numerous references to Southern California in both Tom Petty’s songwriting as well as his (and the Heartbreakers’) rock and roll story. The article is paired with a map of Los Angeles that has the locations of various song references and critical points in Tom Petty’s journey marked and numbered.

Here is the map: Tom Petty’s Los Angeles

Check out the article to get the skinny on how all of it fits together.

Artwork and map by Scott Gursky