Interview with Dub Gabriel (Part 2 of 2) [Listen 31:40] Gathering the voices of the Revoultion with Dub Gabriel S04 Ep04
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Revolutions, remixes, and peace with Dub Gabriel 2
Special Guest: Dub Gabriel (Part 2 of 2): is a producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and is one of the biggest names in dancehall, dubstep, and global bass to come out of the U.S. and is one of the most in-demand and respected dub producers in the world. He has worked with a diverse set of musicians including Michael Stipe (of REM), Reggae Toasting legend U-Roy, the Scientist, punk icon Keith Levene, David J, Balkan Beat Box, and many more. His new album “Raggabass Resistance” is an ambitious project taking three years to make, spanning continents and brings together an array of artists and musicians all collaborating on the album.
Dub Gabriel is set to release his 4th album, Raggabass Resistance, on limited vinyl on the 20th of April. The fantastic list of collaborators include: U-Roy, Warrior Queen, The Spaceape, Brother Culture, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Dr. Israel, MC Zulu, Juakali, PJ Higgins, David J, Pedro Erazo, and Mark Pistel
What's Going On?
David Bowie and Bon Jovi, battling it out on the charts. Dylan and ZZ Top putting out an album that made top ten on many lists. It's a world that seems more familiar in the early 70's than 2013. I'm not knocking the music, the music's pretty good. It's just that these events are a little unfamiliar in such a great quantity. I've always gone back, looking for gems throughout the ages and discovered some truly remarkable gems that shine timelessly. You might want to take a look at the Little Jimmy Scott interview that we did in the first season to get a grasp on what's out there when you do a little scratching. Click Here
But for these artists to be making such an impression on today's charts really seems unprecedented. To put this in perspective, it's more like Bing Crosby busting through the charts in the 70's amongst Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin. Ya, those days saw great change in music, but for purposes of illumination, you see what I mean.
it's more like Bing Crosby busting through the charts in the 70's amongst Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin.
Combative types might say that Tony Bennett had a hit record 1n 1970 with "Tony Sings the Hits of Today!", but that's not quite the same. And he's only one man, (yes Tony, you are) and there's more than just the occasional old rocker making it into today's charts and making an impact. The music's amazingly good from these stalwarts, and it's so much better to see than burnouts being pressured by record labels to turn out whatever crap gets made. But Besides the music being good, the question remains why these gentlemen still gather so much popularity. What might contribute to the success of these figureheads of the 70's is that classic rock stations seem to play the same songs, and while I won't criticise their success, I still can't stand to listen to a classic rock station. The songs never change. They really haven't changed for 20 years, and ya, most of the tunes they play are solid, but there's so much more that's good that doesn't get played, (I guess they don't stack up to advertisers ratings, etc.) But their popularity with the mainstream might depend, in part, to these classic rock stations that never change their rotation. Fancy that.
"Tony Sings the Hits of Today!"
Another reason why these greats of the classic rock era are continuing to produce is simply because people happen to be living longer. In the usual course of events a few decades earlier, statistics would have had these guys knocked off a decade ago. Heart attack, and stroke being the best candidates. Besides people generally living longer, it's the advancements in medical science that keeps the living going strong. Bowie already had a heart attack, and Dylan almost succumbed to a fungal infection in his lungs some 15 years ago. I suspect this trend will continue, and when it does, imagine what the music scene will be a few decades from now when we get some of the great pop divas still writing songs after they've got something like 90 years of experience of writing pop hits since their sexualized pre-teen breakout days! I can't wait.
Tortoise Live from the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor [Listen 1:25:54] S02 Ep08 (Part 3 of 3)
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S02 Ep08 (Part 3 of 3) - Tortoise Live in Ann Arbour
Interview Date: April 27, 2012 @8pm EDT
Bands and Musicians Battle Royale (Part 1 - The Attack of the Classic Rock)
It’s time to play battle of the bands. Choose which band or artist you prefer from the sides given, and back up your choice with reasons why. Debate with your friends when you've run out of religion and politics. The battles are obviously more fun with more people involved. Come up with your own for the next battle (you can post battles & your results in the comments). We start off with the most classic example and build from there. Enjoy.
The Beatles versus The Stones
The classic battle. The introspective artists vs. the bad boys. Tom Wolfe is reputed to have said "The Beatles want to hold your hand, but the Stones want to burn down your town."
Beatles versus Bob Dylan
Addictive melodies vs. snarling lyrical genius.
The Stones versus Bob Dylan
Dylan challenged the bad boy throne by going electric. Et tu Judas?
The Stones versus The Kinks
Before you say "No Contest" in favour of the Stones, consider that the Kinks had a resurgence
Interview with Blues legend Syl Johnson – “Getting Funky with Syl” – S02Ep01 (3 of 3)
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S02Ep01 (3 of 3) - Syl Johnson - Getting Funky with Syl
Interview Date: November 23, 2011 @8pm EDT
Special Guest: Syl Johnson (part 3) – This Chicago Blues/Soul man has been making his style of music for 60+ years. Starting off as a Blues man when he was a teenager, Syl Johnson later morphed into making Soul music for Twilight and Hi Records. Born in Mississippi and later moved to Chicago, Syl Johnson is as good as they come. Famous for some of the most touching and soulful music ever; he's the artist behind the songs "Concrete Reservation" and "Is It Because I'm Black." He has been part of the Chicago Blues Scene from the beginning, playing and associating himself with some of the top blues people of all time; people like Magic Sam, Junior Reed, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Freddy King, and many more. He is now been re-discovered by the new hip-hop scene with a vengeance and is now one of the most sampled artists of all time. What more needs to be said? He's a man that strikes the hearts of the individuals... In this podcast we talk about his smash hit "Is it Because I'm Black," his collaboration with Melody, the song "Take me to the river," funny stories about Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and much much more.
Respects to Rhythm and Blues
Last week, two titans of the music industry passed away. You may have heard if your ear is to the ground, but if you haven't, I'm speaking of Etta James and Johnny Otis. They will be missed by many, for certain. They were loved.
Interview continued with Blues/Soul legend Syl Johnson – Come on, sock it to me – S02Ep01 (2 of 3)
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S02Ep01 (2 of 3) - Syl Johnson - Come on, sock it to me
Interview Date: November 23, 2011 @8pm EDT
Special Guest: Syl Johnson (part 2) – this 
Chicago Blues/Soul man has been making his style of music for 60+ years. Starting off as a Blues man when he was a teenager; Syl Johnson later morphed into making Soul music for Twilight and Hi Records. Born in Mississippi and moved to Chicago; Syl Johnson is as good as they come. Famous for some of the most touching and soulful music ever; songs like "Concrete Reservation" and "Is It Because I'm Black." He has been part of the Chicago Blues Scene from the beginning, playing and associating himself with some of the top blues people of all time; people like Magic Sam, Junior Reed, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold, Freddy King and many more. He is now been re-discovered by the new hip-hop scene with a vengeance and is now one of the most sampled artist of all time. What more needs to be said? He's a man that strikes the hearts of the individuals...In this podcast we talk about Magic Sam, Wu Tang Clan, How he first starting singing, the story behind twilight and twinight Records and his recent smash hit "Different Strokes" which has been sampled at least 134 times.
Blues Folklore - Getting Your Mojo Workin'
The story of Robert Johnson's deal with the devil is pretty well known, or one of those variations it comes in. Apparently, at first he was only a mediocre musician. He disappeared from town for a while but returned later possessing an absolute mastery over the guitar. Stunned by the remarkable change, people who heard him afterwards assumed he must have made a pact with the devil. Johnson didn't deny it. In his songs, he sings about meeting the devil at the crossroads; (at highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi (although, there's some debate--there's always some debate)). He lived recklessly, and reveled in the attention of women. He died at the age of 27 most likely a victim of poisoning from a jealous husband, making him one of the first in the 27 club. If you're into the blues, or anybody that was influenced by him like The Rolling
Season 1 Episode 3(2 of 2): The day that music didn’t die (living in the times of the tribute bands)
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We are living in bizarre times when pretend is replaced with words like virtual; where human organs are grown on the backs of pigs; people are able to move prosthetic arms with their minds; and everything on your computer will soon be stored in the Clouds. We are walking among kids who clock more hours in the ‘World of Warcraft’ or playing ‘Rock Band’ than they do living in actual ‘real’ lives. We now have more tribute bands touring then we do have original bands playing their actual original music.
If you were too young to see Led Zeppelin, why not go and see ‘Black Dog’ or ‘The White.’ If dancing the night away to ABBA is your thing, go see ‘Björn Again.’ Can’t afford Rolling Stone tickets? Why not go see ‘Hot Rocks’? Heck I even turned on the TV recently and saw a full TV commercial for a Beatles Tribute show called ‘Rain.’ There are literally thousands of Tribute Artists out there and I happen to think it’s great.