So you say that your finances are under more pressure than Rod Blagojevich and you still have gifts to buy for the holidays? Join the club. When you think about it, books make a really sensible gift. In addition to providing hours of pleasure for your loved ones, they cost very little in the scheme of things, and with online discounters like Amazon offering free shipping for orders over $25, well, it’s somewhat of a no-brainer. I completed most of my list last week by spending less than ten minutes online, and the order arrived at my door two days later. No malls. No lines. No parking nightmares.

This year there are a lot of good book options for the music lovers in your life. None of the books that appear here cost more than $30 on Amazon, and most are considerably less expensive. There are coffee table books, and interesting biographies. Know someone who is not that interested in music? I’ve provided some good choices for them as well, with a couple of excellent novels, a wise and witty look at the first colonists of this country, and a biography of one of the pre-eminent journalists of the last half-century.

The books are listed in order of genre, not preference. Without further ado, here are my gift choices.

Coffee Table Books

The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey and Passions - by Quincy Jones

It’s good to have friends, and Q has a lot of them. Before his own recollections even begin, there are introductory valedictories from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Bono, Clint Eastwood, and Maya Angelou. This beautifully put together volume provides extraordinary access to a man who has been at the forefront of the music business for decades, working with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson. There are private notebooks, correspondence, and photographs, along with reproductions of report cards, track sheets, and accounting ledgers. (more…)

He’s 67 years old now. The still-full head of hair is graying. There are a few extra pounds around the midsection of the once lanky frame. His eyes reflect a sadness that most of us will never understand. Remarkably, especially given his tragic history, Brian Wilson is writing and producing some of the most vital music of his career these days. His most recent album, That Lucky Old Sun, is a nostalgic look back at the southern California of his childhood, a place defined by a mythos that no one was more responsible for creating than Wilson himself.

To call Brian Wilson a cult figure seems a little odd considering how many records he’s sold during his career, and yet to some extent, that’s what he is these days. Yes, there are Beach Boys fans, a surprising number of young people among them, who will come out to hear the hits, and Brian and his stellar band deliver those every night. These same people are likely to go to a show by the band, led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, that tours as the Beach Boys these days. But there are hardcore Brian Wilson fans who want nothing to do with Mike Love. They are there to hear Brian’s newest music, and not just one song, but the entire album, start to finish. Over the last few years, Brian has rewarded those fans with full takes on his masterpieces, Pet Sounds and SMiLE, and now, a performance of his latest opus, That Lucky Old Sun.

Until recently, the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ, was a down-at-the-heels old movie theater surrounded by a community that was rapidly gentrifying. New ownership entered the picture, and they have done a miraculous job of restoring the old place, which re-opened in October. Not only is the theater looking and sounding great, but get this, the staff is actually polite and seems grateful for your business. Imagine that if you can. The Wellmont is a perfect example of the fact that we don’t need to cover every inch of ground space with new buildings when wonderful older buildings are awaiting restoration. (more…)

We are pleased to announce that we have acceded to modern technology and established ourselves a presence on Twitter. If you would like to follow our insane ramblings there, we have decided, in a burst of creative energy, that our username on Twitter will be, well, popdose. You can find us on the Twitter site at Popdose on Twitter.

Seriously, we’ll update Tweeters on a regular basis regarding just posted stories, breaking news of interest to our readers, and perhaps a sneak peek at things to come.

There’s no use denying it. The future is now. Join us on Twitter.

The parallels between 1976 and 2008 are undeniable. Back then, the economy was in shambles, suffering through a wicked bout of inflation. Late in the year, hope arrived in the person of Jimmy Carter, a Democrat who was elected president to put an end to eight dark years of Republican rule. Sound familiar?

Sadly, no such parallels exist within the music world. In 1976, record companies were on the verge of seeing some of their biggest sales ever. Artistic giants prowled the stages of the world. Concert venues were sold out everywhere. New York City was soon to give birth, nearly simultaneously, to both the disco and the punk movements, even as the city faced financial ruin.

Elsewhere on the musical landscape, funk was in its ascendancy, and the undeniable kings of the genre were Parliament-Funkadelic. George Clinton had founded Parliament as a barbershop quintet back in the ’60s, and that is literally what they were, as Clinton earned a living my styling hair while rehearsing with the vocal group. Parliament had a #3 R&B hit in 1967 with “I Wanna Testify,” but the winds of change were blowing, and it wasn’t long before Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone showed up on the scene to change things forever. Of course, no discussion of funk can even begin without talking about the man who invented the genre, and James Brown was at the peak of his powers.

It was a combination of these musical influences, together with the rise of the black power movement, and the availability of psychedelic drugs that informed Clinton’s next move. While Parliament continued on, he created a rock band that he called Funkadelic. They toured the northeast, often sharing the bill with white bands like the Stooges, and the MC5, and also hit the black college circuit in the South and on the East Coast.

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Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Cardinology (2008)
purchase this album (Amazon)

It’s been fashionable for the last few years to slag Ryan Adams at every turn. There’s no doubt that he’s brought some of this animosity on himself by virtue of some less than discrete behavior, notably at his live performances.

I’ve always been one to believe that the proof is in the grooves, or whatever they call the equivalent on a CD. When judged by this criteria, it’s hard to think of another artist who has created the sheer volume of music that Adams has in recent years, while maintaining reasonably high standards. Sure, he’s shot and missed, but his misses are generally more interesting that a lot of other artists’ hits.

Word has it that Ryan Adams wanted this album to be billed as being by the Cardinals, without his name involved. In interviews he’s said that he is happiest just being a member of the band, and at live shows he has lined up with the other band members, and not claimed his spot as the frontman. It appears that a compromise was reached with his record company. The new album, Cardinology, carries the credit Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Apparently Adams got his Cardinals, and Lost Highway got their Ryan Adams. (more…)

October 30, 2002 - It was close to the end when Warren Zevon made what everyone knew would be his final appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. The cancer had already taken a tremendous toll on him, and every small movement was an effort. Letterman loved Warren’s music, and had supported his career for years. I like to think that it was because Dave recognized that Warren was willing to cross a line that Dave could only approach before retreating. During the Q & A that night, Dave asked Warren what the one thing was that he wanted people to know. The dying songwriter famously replied, “enjoy every sandwich.” Less than a year later, he was gone.

Warren left us with a beautiful farewell album that he called The Wind, and he laid out his final wishes on the emotional closing track:

Shadows are falling and I’m running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you that doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile

And so we have kept him in our hearts over these last five years. For many of us, hardly a day goes by that Warren doesn’t remain a presence. When his sandwich metaphor is applied to his music, Warren made sure that we would enjoy every sandwich. It’s not just about his music though, any more than our memories of Hunter S. Thompson, surely a kindred spirit to Warren, are just about his writing. In their too-short lives, both men managed to find a freedom that few of us will ever know. (more…)

When I was in my early 20s, I worked for a major concert promoter here in New Jersey. I recall that each time I walked into his office, I would see cartons on the floor, full of the latest LP releases from the record labels of the day. I also recall wishing that someday I could get on the label’s mailing lists so that I would get their new releases every month. As the stacks of CDs threaten to overtake my small space here, I’m reminded of the old adage “be careful what you wish for … “

It’s no secret that music writers get a lot of free CDs from artists, PR firms, and record labels. It’s one of the perks of the job, along with concert tickets, and a free drink now and then. Many jobs have perks. If you work at MacDonald’s, you probably get free fries. If you work at a Wall Street investment bank, you get to rape the taxpayers of this country. If you are the President of the United States, apparently you get to enrich your friends with the sweat of working people.

Despite the fact that I get a lot of music for free, I still get music from the Internet. That’s right, I’ve been known to download a song or two, and if you’re a regular visitor to Popdose, you have too. I believe strongly that the major labels have been ripping off consumers for years, and now the chickens have come home to roost, but I try hard not to download music by hard working independent musicians, unless they invite me to do so. Sometimes that approval is tacit, as most indie bands welcome the promotion that having songs posted at blogs like Popdose can bring. They tend to understand the value of sharing their music more than the majors ever will.

I know the struggle that these artists face all too well. I’ve seen it up close and personal. Living in a van for weeks at a time, on the road away from family and friends too much of the time, trying to scratch out a living when it’s like trying to find water in the desert. If I see an indie band that I like in a club, I make it a point to buy their CD. It’s really the very least I can do. (more…)

She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs’ tears run down his face - Billy Bragg

So now what are we supposed to do? The world is falling apart, and Levi Stubbs is gone. One of the few things we could count on is lost forever, and the tears are running down our faces.

Levi never went solo. Who knows why. He certainly could have easily had a great solo career just like Smokey Robinson did after he left the Miracles, or like Jerry Butler did after the Impressions, or Ben E. King after the Drifters. But Levi stayed with the Tops, and if I had to guess, I’d guess that it was because for him, some things were more important than fame and fortune. Things like friendship and commitment. I wonder how many people realize that the Four Tops, who formed in 1953, performed for more than four decades with the same lineup. It makes bands who whine about “artistic differences,” and break up after a couple of years, look silly, doesn’t it?

The sad fact is that now there is only one original member of the Four Tops left. Abdul “Duke” Fakir is the survivor. Lawrence Payton died of liver cancer in 1997, Ronaldo “Obie” Benson was taken by lung cancer in 2005, and now Levi Stubbs is gone. Duke Fakir had this to say about his longtime partner: “It seemed like the world really loved him. He had one of the best voices, ever. He could take any kind of song and take you with him. He had that kind of power and love for the lyrics.” Duke is still out there on the road with the current Four Tops, and as long as they’re out there singing those great songs every night, the Tops and their music will never be forgotten.

I guess I shouldn’t neglect to mention the hits. It’s just that they’re as familiar to me, hell to all of us, as the backs of our hands. In the ten year period beginning in 1963, the Tops had 20 top-40 hits. Most of those came in Motown’s golden era of 1964-1967, and were produced by the legendary Motown hitmaking team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. To name just a few: “Ask the Lonely,” “Can’t Help Myself,” “Bernadette,” “Seven Rooms of Gloom,” “Reach Out,” “Shake Me, Wake Me,” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love.”

It’s funny, as much as I love those Motown hits, and they were my very lifeblood growing up, my favorite Levi Stubbs vocal came in 1982, when the Tops were well past the peak of their fame. It’s a gentle ballad called “I Believe In You and Me,” which is billed as a Four Tops record, but other than some backgrounds in the bridge of the song, the only voice on the record is that of Levi Stubbs. When he hits that falsetto, see if the tears don’t run down your face.

So now I’ll put my Four Tops tape back in its case. The whole world is falling apart and Levi Stubbs is gone. God help us.

The career of a music writer certainly does have its perks. While it very often lacks in financial reward, it occasionally compensates with rewards of a more soul-satisfying sort. Last week was a perfectly good example. Over the course of three nights, I was able to see two of America’s most outstanding and individualistic musicians, in settings as disparate as a small rock n’ roll bar in Asbury Park, and a prestigious concert hall in Boston.

It began on Wednesday night when I took the familiar ride to Asbury Park to see singer/songwriter, and occasional Popdose contributor Matthew Ryan for the first time. If you think that Matt is just a guy who occasionally contributes to our esteemed journal, think again. He is one of the most respected songwriters in America, and each or his ten or so albums has been highly acclaimed. If you would like to familiarize yourself with his music, please check out the Popdose Guide to Matthew Ryan.

The Saint is the kind of bar that is vanishing all too quickly from the landscape, one of the last holdouts against the corporate takeover of live venues in Asbury Park, and NJ for that matter. It’s a pure rock dive that has been a stop for some of the most acclaimed bands in the world at some point in their careers. If there are 100 people in the house, the place is jam packed. Stickers and graffiti cover nearly ever inch of wall space. The sound system is superb, the beer is reasonably priced, the crowd is local and friendly. In other words, a club you can love.

I went to see Matt as a fan, not as a journalist, so I didn’t take any notes, or write down his setlist. What I can tell you is that he gave a wonderfully warm, intimate performance accompanied only by a talented violinist and keyboard player named Molly. I just knew it was going to be a special night when, after his first song (“Dulce Et Decorum Est” from his most recent album, Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State), he took his vocal mic from the stage and placed it on the audience level, where it, and he, remained throughout the set. The rest of Matt’s performance featured songs from his new album, including “American Dirt,” and “It Could’ve Been Worse,” plus songs from nearly every era of his long career. At the end of the night, when it was time to field requests from a crowd that was obviously familiar with his work, Matt unplugged completely and performed the requested song standing next to the person who had asked for it, seeming to sing it just for them. (more…)

John Lennon would have been 68 years old today. God bless you, John. We miss you, and we need you more than ever.