Welcome to the 7th podcast/download I’m co-hosting with Ryan Schleicher at 91.7 WMSE. This week we spotlight one of our mutual favorites, Gram Parsons. Whether it was on his own, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds, or the International Submarine Band, Parsons found plenty of ways to stand out in his time.

Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 7:

International Submarine Band – “Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome” / The Byrds – “Hickory Wind” / The Flying Burrito Brothers – “Wild Horses” / Beck & Emmylou Harris – “Sin City” / Wilco – “One Hundred Years From Now” / The Flying Burrito Brothers – “Hot Burrito #1” / Gram Parsons – $1,000 Wedding” / Whiskeytown – “A Song For You” / Chris Hillman & Steve Earle – “High Fashion Queen” / Gram Parsons – Ooh Las Vegas” / Gram Parson – “One Hundred Years From Now” / The Flying Burrito Brothers – “I Shall Be Released”

Download/Stream: Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast: Volume 7

By Jodi Root

Words can’t really describe what Dan Deacon and his Ensemble just pulled off at the Metro this evening, so I’ll keep my blurb minimal and let the photos speak for themselves. There was definitely an abundance of smiley, sweaty, leaping bodies, bright flashing lights, and some crazy ass chaotic nightmare gameboy sounds in effect. The Metro was temporarily morphed into a bouncing, glowing, all ages dance party, with one helluva participating crowd. From a mass kneeling, vocal warm-up exercise chants, to a neon green skeleton mascot and crowd circle trot–Deacon kept the kids to their feet and heavily involved. The eclectic soundtrack was just a bonus. Whether or not the obscure experimental digi-beats are your forte, there’s no denying Deacon’s ability to keep a crowd moving. Definitely the most unusual set I’ve checked in ages–even a dislocated shoulder couldn’t keep the master composer from doing his thang–although the barricades at the Metro nearly did, which Deacon scoffed as “sneaky and deceitful.” Don’t worry dude, no barricades could keep your fans from lovin’ you–after all, you ride the Cool Bus.

I caught Leonard Cohen in Chicago last night. It was his second night at the Chicago Theatre, and, over the course of three hours, he did not disappoint. I went in expecting to be amazed and I was. That doesn’t always happen when lofty expectations are on the line. I’d forgotten what a troubadour Leonard Cohen is. His always present or just out of reach muse remains the revolving door of his creativity and mastery. Then there’s faith. There’s a duality in the make up of his catalog, equal parts heart and faith. There’s little here that I can write that would cut close to the pure enjoyment I got out of being in the audience last night. Watching people in disbelief each time Cohen skipped back out on stage. People cried, bottled up with joy, long contained and now released.

For years Leonard Cohen’s name sat amongst a list of artists whose live show I thought would never present an opportunity to be seen. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

Discuss: Have you seen any shows on this tour? Please leave your thoughts/reviews of the shows in the comments. Favorite album and songs are welcomed discussion as well.

Buy: Leonard Cohen – Live In London

I walked out on the Akron/Family the one and only time I saw them live. In fairness, I wasn’t supposed to be in town, but Hurricane Rita rendered my travel to Austin for ACL impossible. I thought I’d be in the mood for live music that night, but just wanted to get home after spending a good eight hours in the Milwaukee airport.

Yesterday, they released one of my favorite record so far this year. It’s called Set Em Wild, Set Em Free and comes wrapped in some of the finest album artwork of the year. However, it’s the depth of the music that makes this record a necessity. They’re supporting Wilco on a handful of dates in Spain, and I fully intend to catch them on their return through the states at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on Thursday, July 24th. I promise/intend to stay for the entire thing.

If you’re not familiar, grab and audio sample below. Recommended for fans of Megafaun.

Buy: Akron/Family – Set Em Wild, Set Em Free
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Myspace: Akron/Family
MP3: Akron/Family – “River”

I think I’ve read every review and photo (multiple times) from last night’s Dark Was The Night concert held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Many MoB favorites including Bon Iver, David Byrne, The National, My Brightest Diamond, and Feist were in attendance. I’ve watched enough YouTube by this time that I feel like I was there – in spirit at least. If you haven’t picked up a copy of the double-disc greatness that is this compilation, please do follow the link below and serve yourself up some of the finest music of the year. Seriously.

Related Video: Bon Iver w/ Matt Berninger: “Big Red Machine” 5/3/09 @ Radio City
Elsewhere: Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon Talks New Project

Buy: Dark Was the Night

We’re enjoying the ride of great re-issues from Light In The Attic. Today marks the first official re-release to follow up the MoB approved Cold Fact from the Sixto “Sugarman” Rodriguez. If you dug that record, I’m certain you’ll be able to get behind Coming from Reality, which embodies the same great “he said what?” folk elements that he’s made his trademark. Highly recommended.

Muzzle of Bees Giveaway: We’ve got a copy of Coming from Reality on vinyl and CD to give away. To enter, drop a comment letting us know the next concert you’re going to see and we’ll select two winners next week.

Update: Make sure to visit our friends at Daytrotter today and download the four-song set from Rodriguez.

Previously: Photos: Rodriguez + Diplomats of Sound – High Noon Saloon
Previously: Review: Animal Collective + Rodriguez – Metro, Chicago

Myspace: Rodriguez
MP3: Rodriguez – “Heikki’s Suburbia Bus Tour”
MP3: Rodriguez – “Sugar Man”