Archive for December, 2007
The Mix-Up
Keeping on the Jewish kick, I freakin love the Beastie Boys. We’re talkin about three jewish white guys from NYC who took the rap world by storm in the mid 80’s. First criticized by critics and hip hop musicians for being cultural pirates of sorts (especially because of thier beginnings as a punk band in 1981), the Beastie’s forged their own way and created a new post-punk, funky, psychadelic, pop, hip-hop sound that influenced a generation. Liscence to Ill was a surprising hit that paved the way for what I believe to be their best album, Paul’s Boutique. And although this LP did not recieve the accolades as its predecesor (in addition to it being a completely different sound), it did produce the ecclectic, freewheeling style that they are now known for. Check Your Head, Ill Communication, and Hello Nasty followed and were equally awesome and influential. They also released a jazzy, funky, exploratory instumental album in there called The In Sound From Way Out which I thought was great.
This leads me to thier new release, The Mix Up, which to be honest, I’m surprised hasn’t gotten more attention. Also an instrumental album, it showcases the BBoys musical skills, as they flow through numerous catchy grooves, and endless jazz and funk fused rhythms. There’s even a touch of reggae thrown in there. Great music to just chill, or be putzing around the house to. check it.
download: B For My Name
download: Off the Grid
download: The Cousin of Death
Couldn’t post some Beastie’s with out one of the classics. Here’s one of my favorites off of Paul’s Boutique:
download: Car Thief
Festival of Light and Dead
Happy Hanukkah!
Before all the hoopla begins for the Christmas music phenomenon, lets celebrate Hanukkah. But alas, there are not many songs for the festival of light (besides the Hanukkah Song penned by none other than Adam Sandler, but that’s been played out). So intead, I thought I’d bring you a story.
I recently recieved this story from my uncle Jay and it really made me think.
“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right”.
Story: Light in the strangest of places
Very eloquent words from a master of his craft. Think about it and you will realize that it is an endlessly positive message. Perfect for the Hanukkah season. Even in the darkest time of the year, there’s always a light. So in response to this, I went searching for my favorite version of Scarlet Begonias. I sieved through endless bootlegs and archival releases to inevitably fall back on this version from the Dead’s infamous show at Cornell University’s Barton Hall. You can just feel the energy oozing from this cut. There’s no denying for me that this show is my all-time favorite, and it is also known universally as one of the Dead’s best live performances. Ever. The tone, timing, and emotion are all flowing in unison on this night and the band is really ‘hitting the note’. Love it. Live it. Here it is from Ithaca, NY on May 8th, 1977:
mp3: Scarlet Begonias
Plus, as my uncle Jay put it, “Just goes to show, we are everywhere. Jews and Deadheads!”