Few tunes are so genuinely New Orleans as the Earl King penned “Big Chief.” Though King wrote the song, it was made famous and catapulted to legendary status by Professor Longhair in 1964. Below, Dr. John calls on Earl King to join Professor Longhair and The Meters for an evening closing version of “Big Chief.” Basically, you’re seeing the DNA of New Orleans music as we know it today all on stage together. Good stuff.

Since we’re on the subject. I’m looking to expand my New Orleans music collection and am seeking your recommended artists and albums. If you’ve got something our ears should hear, please do drop us a comment.

Side Note: If the song sounds familiar to you, it could be by way of Lily Allen’s “Knock ‘Em Out,” which sampled the driving piano part that makes the song such a beauty.

Another day, another Wilco post! With LP7 underway, Wilco have used recent shows to debut material that may appear on the upcoming record. We already watched Jeff perform a new song in Spain, and there’s that version of “One Wing” floating around out there as well.

In between trading versions of “Jesus, Etc” with Norah Jones at last weekend’s Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California, Wilco found a spot in their abbreviated set list each day to offer up a new song. That’s right, two new tunes below!

Thanks to our good friends at Via Chicago for the info and the songs! Madison fans don’t forget that Wilco will be in town on Saturday for a special Concert For Change. Hopefully we’ll hear some new material from them while they’re in town. Who’s going?

Photo: Brianne Karabetsos
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Myspace: Wilco
MP3: Wilco – New Song #1 (10/25/08) Removed @ Request of Label
MP3: Wilco – New Song #2 (10/26/08) Removed @ Request of Label

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

I woke up this morning, unsure if last night’s psychedelic sequence of ninjas, buddhas, tigers, soldiers and loud pop music was indeed a real occurrence, or just a really tripped out dream. I think it was a little bit of Column A and a little bit of Column B. Not sure if I was actually at a concert last night at the Riv or if it was some staged theatrical production of mysticism and eccentricities—but I’m pretty certain Of Montreal was somehow involved. That’s what my blurred out Kodak digi-pics explain, anyway.

I had a bit of an idea what was in store for me after reading various reviews of the recently kicked off tour—with the theatrics ranging from Kevin riding in on a white horse in NY to leaping out of a foam filled coffin. However, what I didn’t realize was how solid the group could hold their live sound together in the midst of all their shenanigans.

Barnes and crew took to the multi-leveled stage at around 8:00, playing out track after track without a pause for nearly two hours. OM showcased mostly Skeletal Lamping, with some oldies mixed in as well. Particularly amazing non-Skeletal tracks included “So Begins our Alabee,” “Disconnect the Dots,” “She’s a Rejector” and the closing encore number “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Loud, unapologetically disruptive and insane, the crowd rocked their dancing shoes to the max during the latter of the tracks.

Kevin Barnes is officially my newest hero. Not only does he have incredibly sexy dance moves with his hops and skips, but the dude’s got a set of lungs on him that can out-howl the wildest beast. He looks damn good in hot-pants and has got some pretty extravagantly freaky visions. Who the hell else can get away with leaping out of a coffin full of shaving cream, being escorted on stage in a golden prison carried by a pack of buddahs, singing in the midst of a self-executed hanging, and meanwhile never losing a beat skipping amongst children, ninjas, soldiers and creepy animal people?

Good times were had by all—that is, except for the two underage teen girls with Miller Lites who were escorted out by security after “forgetting their cards” in their car. Oh, the joys of all-ages shows.

Discuss: Have you seen Of Montreal on this tour? What was the most bizarre part of the whole show? What do you think of their take on “Smells Like Teen Spirit?” What do you think of Skeletal Lamping?

Myspace: Of Montreal

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Having just seen Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings at Lollapalooza and at Red Rocks, I can enthusiastically endorse their live set. Brimming with energy atop a funk/soul foundation, it’s a live experience that few can match.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings will play the Barrymore Theatre in Madison on Wednesday, December 3rd.

Tickets: $20 Advance / $22 Day of Show
On Sale: Now

Myspace: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Old school fans of New Orleans based Galactic will no doubt recall the tender soul and groove that Theryl “Houseman” Declouet brought to the mix. It was his presence and delivery that made essential listening out of records like Coolin’ Off and Crazyhorse Mongoose. In a live setting, watching “The Houseman” strut from side stage and deliver the funk with his trademark shuffle/dance was always a welcomed element to the live Galactic experience – one that is sorely missed since health problems halted his continued participation in the group.

While his involvement in Galactic may have passed and along with it the annual ability to see him live, that hasn’t stopped The Houseman from adding a few solo records to his credit. In 2001, he released The Houseman Cometh! and last year he released The Truth Iz Out. Still present is the raspy vocals that you’ve come to adore and expect, and though you miss the other elements that made Galactic what they were together, the album isn’t one to be passed over.

Below, get a taste of the latest record with “The Truth Iz Out,” a driving number that could have just as easily appeared on any of those old Galactic records, but instead starts out his latest record with an old familiar start.

Myspace: Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet
MP3: Theryl “Houseman” Declouet – “The Truth Iz Out”

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

I know, two consecutive Wilco related posts… You’d think we named our blog after them. Last weekend some MoB favorites (Band of Horses, Cat Power, Death Cab for Cutie) descended on Mountain View, California for the Neil Young hosted 22nd Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert. In addition to Wilco performing “Jesus, Etc” during their set, Norah Jones also brought out her own take, featuring her on guitar, and providing concert goers a double dose of the song.

Catch the grainy, but decent sounding video below:

Norah Jones – “Jesus, Etc” (Bridge School Benefit :: Mountain View, Ca)