Balkan Beat Box (w/Golem) — Live at The Orange Peel, Asheville

Copenhagen, London, Paris, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, New York, ASHEVILLE! That’s not just where Balkan Beat Box is touring, it’s what they sound like. They’ve been here a couple times before, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. It was an excellent show. And maybe I’m guilty of grade inflation lately, or maybe I don’t get out enough, but I thought this show rocked. Even the crowd rocked. This stuff is just so fresh, fresh, fuh-resh. I’ve been listening to their first, self-titled album constantly for the last few months, through their web site. I finally got around to buying it at the show, along with their brand new release Nu Med. I’m not going to try to explain the sound. Just go to their site. I recommend beginners start with “Cha Cha” and then maybe “Try Rai (Shushan).”

They came out on the dance floor with drums and saxophones to get the show started. Excellent! Then, they made their way to stage and by the second song, “Cha Cha”, (which Tomer Yosef did a lot of rapping on, unlike the studio recording) the entire crowd was jumping up and down. I have never seen so many people going off with their own crazy dance moves. Maybe the music demands inventive steps.

Opening act Golem also put on a solid show. I enjoyed them but I didn’t already know their music. After a while it all started blending together. But their playing and stage presence were great.

“When you hear the chicken… make some noise!”

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction — Planet Girl

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction -- Planet Girl

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction
• Title: Planet Girl
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it at our store, RIP Records, in Norfolk, VA
• Keeper: No

Here we go again. More Zodiac. This process of weeding out is a good thing. Who needs all these 12 inch singles? When it comes to Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction I definitely have a lot of stuff I would never listen to again if it weren’t for this web log. Zodiac is kind of like Motorhead to me. You gotta have some of it, but after a couple essential pieces the rest is really not necessary.

“Planet Girl (Invader Mix)” is typical Zodiac and two other songs here are typical Zodiac b-side filler. By that I mean they sound like half-developed demos. Those songs are “Dog Face Driver” and “Go Go Baby Dream Show.” Another decent track is a cover of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” The Cult had also covered this song on Electric. A note below the title on the back cover declares “This track was recorded in a fit of childish petulance with the specific intention of making The Cult look like a pile of shit.” Okay.

XTC — Skylarking

XTC -- Skylarking

• Artist: XTC
• Title: Skylarking
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Plan 9 Records Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Listening to music like XTC’s Skylarking reminds me that I do, in fact, have something in common with Dee Snider. I wanna rock. And this record ain’t taking me there. I’m not saying I only want to listen to crunching guitars and screeching vocals. Good classical rocks, even pop can rock, and funk is always rocking. I don’t think XTC is bad, but rarely does their music meet the need I share with Dee.

This copy of Skylarking is the first edition and doesn’t include the hit “Dear God.” More about this record.

The Wedding Present — Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

The Wedding Present -- Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

• Artist: The Wedding Present
• Title: Ukrainian John Peel Sessions
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 10 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – Got it at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The Wedding Present is a British rock band and this is not a typical record for them. This is their version of Ukrainian folk music. There are couple titles on the record sleeve and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions is not one of them. On the front is УкраїнÑ?ькі ВиÑ?тупи в Івана Піла and on the spine Ukraïnski Vistupi v Johna Peela. This is record is an oddball size, 10 inch, and it comes in a handsome package with a nice booklet. I must admit that it’s a lot better than I remember. Or, maybe my taste in music is better than it was.

Etched in the vinyl margins:
That Side — “Should I worship at the feet…
This Side — …of this God like ferret?” (Traditional)

More about The Wedding Present and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions at Wikipedia.

The Vandals — When in Rome Do as The Vandals

The Vandals -- When in Rome Do as The Vandals

• Artist: The Vandals
• Title: When in Rome Do as The Vandals
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 4
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: When? “I think someone gave it to me.”
• Keeper: No

Uh, well, more old school comedy punk from The Vandals. When in Rome Do as The Vandals came out in 1984 and it wasn’t exactly old school then, but it sounded more like early punk instead of hardcore, which had already been around for a while. The first song “Ladykiller” is an anomaly. That ditty sounds more like a bad, comic version of the early Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was probably fun then.

U2 — The Unforgettable Fire

U2 -- The Unforgettable Fire

• Artist: U2
• Title: The Unforgettable Fire
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: When? Used at Plan 9 in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Do the hits getting any bigger? I don’t think so. Maybe that’s why I was already getting tired of these guys by their fourth LP. U2 was constantly on the radio at this point, especially “Pride (In the name of love).” Of course, there are some other hits from The Unforgettable Fire. My favorite is “Wire.” At this point their earnestness and Bono’s breathy vocals were wearing on me. I did go see them on this tour, even though I never bought the album, probably because all my friends were going. This time they were at an arena and I had to pay a whopping $12.50. I think Lone Justice opened up.

Pics: Front cover, dust sleeve, ticket stub

Tears For Fears – the hurting

Tears For Fears - the hurting

• Artist: Tears For Fears
• Title: the hurting
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1983 – Somewhere in Germany when she was an exchange student
• Keeper: Yes

Mexicans have taken over my sound system! Now, I can’t stop playing Plastilina Mosh. But I did manage to squeeze in this oldie. I gave the hurting by Tears For Fears a couple plays but I can’t remember much about it. “Mad World” is definitely my favorite song. Mary bought this in Germany when she was an exchange student. So, for her it’s tied up with the fond memories of that experience. She rates it an 8.

Joe Satriani — Dreaming #11

• Artist: Joe Satriani
• Title: Dreaming #11
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Dreaming #11 by Joe Satriani is an EP that had one new studio track, “The Crush of Love”, and three live tracks on the flip. “Ice Nine”, one of my Satch favorites, “Memories” and “Hordes of Locusts” are the live numbers and they make it clear what a true maestro Satriani is. That said, despite being shred-tastic this stuff just doesn’t have the soulfulness of my new héroes de la guitarra, Rodgab. I went right back to playing their new album when this one was done.

Rodrigo y Gabriela — Rodrigo y Gabriela

• Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Title: Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Year: 2007
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2007 – Barnes & Noble in Asheville, NC
• Keeper: Yes

I was in the local Barnes & Noble the other day when I heard a great acoustic version of Metallica’s “Orion.” I headed straight to the music section where a woman in front of me was already asking about it. The clerk grabbed a copy of Rodrigo y Gabriela and I snatched up the last one. I’ve probably played it 20 times in the last few days. I bought it because of “Orion” but my favorites are the originals, especially “Diablo Rojo.”

This was the first I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it turns they’ve been on Letterman, Leno, etc. earlier this year. This record came out late last year in the US. They’re from Mexico City, but have been in Europe for a while. They’re already popular there.

I told a friend yesterday that this album was “the greatest thing ever!” I don’t know if he agrees, but I’m sure he too thinks it’s slamming. They have few, if any stylistic rules, and they have some roots in thrash metal. (Gabriela apparently tired of the “testosteronic” vibe of the metal scene.) So how would I describe it? It’s not Flamenco, but it is rhythmic and energetic. It’s not jazz, they play structured songs. Other than “greatest thing ever” and “slamming” I’ll just add that it’s two people playing acoustic guitars and there is a tasty Latin flavor.

There’s a DVD included with some great live performances where the crowds are going nuts and raising the horns. Also included are interviews, a photo gallery, and a great tutorial where they step through the techniques they use so you can play just like them. Ha!

Art Deco — Detail from Asheville Music School

Asheville has more than its share of Art Deco architecture, a good thing. There are a number of reasons for this. I would guess that the main reason is that the town was blossoming into a popular mountain resort in roughly the same period the Art Deco style was developing. That probably attracted architects like Douglas Ellington to come do their thing, or things.

This pic is from the corner of the Asheville Music School. It’s right down the street from my house and my kids take guitar lessons there. The building is not that exciting, but these pilasters are definitely handsome. There are a half dozen or so spread across the façade. The center strip appears to be bronze and terminates at the top with a light fixture. Those blue lights are a nice little surprise in the evening.