(via jmfry)

Also: The Avett Brothers – This Will Be Our Year (Zombies Cover)

The weather in Wisconsin this time of year is nasty at best. It’s a pretty consistent cycle of show, shoveling, freezing, and daydreams of sunshine. I turn to a lot of singer-songwriters as the weather takes a turn for the uncomfortable. Songs that sound best grasping a hot cup of coffee, ones whose warmth in sound and simple structure get the point across just fine. I’ve had a couple of conversations with friends about John Prine over the past month. I’ve unearthed the records I own, borrowed some, and am seeking out the diamonds of his cannon not yet known to me.

Anyone who has spent time with a John Prine album or see the him live understands he’s equal part storyteller and musician. His songs are woven with tales of past adventures and friendships. It’s an intimacy that makes you feel like you know the man on a personal level because there’s no feeling or emotion held back. It’s that raw sound feeling that draws me in and keep me coming back. Stay warm.

John Prine plays the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL on Thursday, March 4th.

Buy: John Prine Live

I spent a good amount of the holidays catching up on a large stack of albums I’d been meaning to spend some time with. A few things rose to the top right away during these mammoth listening sessions. One album that I instantly took to comes from Group Doueh who “are led by the enigmatic guitar hero Bamaar Salmou, who is known simply as ‘Doueh’ (pronounced: ‘Doo-way’).” They hail from the Western Sahara and are most accurately described as “distorted, loud and unhinged with an impressive display of virtuosity and style only known in this part of the world.”

Gotta give props to Kyp Malone for introducing me to this group during his guest DJ session with NPR.

Buy: Guitar Music from the Western Sahara
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MP3: Group Doueh – “Tirara”

Last September Langhorne Slim was in town staying with drummer Malachi DeLorenzo for a few days before heading out on tour supporting their fantastic new album, Be Set Free. We previously shared “Land of Dreams,” “Be Set Free” and “Honey Pie,” the first three videos from our multiple part video series that we were fortunate to capture in between radio appearances and a performance at the Exclusive Co. We conclude our series with the title track from Langhorne Slim’s 2009 release, which made our list of best albums of last year.

Langhorne Slim will play Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee on Tuesday, January 26th.

Previously: Muzzle of Bees Video: Langhorne Slim – “Honey Pie”
Previously: Muzzle of Bees Video: Langhorne Slim – “Be Set Free”
Previously: Muzzle of Bees Video: Langhorne Slim – “Land of Dreams”
Previously: From The Crowd | Langhorne Slim – “Honey Pie”

Buy: Langhorne Slim – “Be Set Free”
Video/Edit: Erik Ljung

“The Weight” is one of the best penned songs as far as I’m concerned. I actually got to hear Levon play it in person last year in Chicago. It’s been some time since we shared a cover of the song, but this one is far too special to let pass without a mention. Elvis Costello’s Spectacle has become essential viewing at my house. Most recently, Costello closed out his show with one of the greatest collective talents on one stage for a rousing cover of The Band’s “The Weight.”

Watch as Ray LaMontagne, Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson, Larry Campbell and Allen Toussaint join Elvis Costello & the Imposters on “The Weight.”

Happy Belated New Year! We’re pretty excited about 2010, new decade and all. Plus, we’ve got our 5-year bash going down in Milwaukee (with Madison and Chicago dates coming soon). I spent the waning hours of 2k9 with Spoon at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. New Year’s Eve turned out to be kinda massive for live music fans. In addition to Spoon, Girl Talk threw down in front of a crowd well exceeding 4,000 at the Congress Theater, The Black Keys tore up the The Riviera, and Jens Lekman played a number of dates in Chicago as well. If only I had a hologram(s) to take it all in. Since I couldn’t be in all places, I did what I usually do when I miss out, fire up YouTube. I found two clips that are essential viewing as far as I’m concerned.

The Black Keys – “Your Touch” – New Year’s Eve, Chicago
The standard New Year’s Eve roll out, confetti and balloons, but just wait for the 1:04 mark when the music and lights come in at exactly the same time, perfectly exploding the entire venue into a fireball of light and sound. Energy.

Girl Talk – New Year’s Eve, Chicago (via)
Your typical party from Girl Talk, except this was bigger and the dude had an entire furnished house constructed on stage.

See Also:
Jens Lekman – Empty Bottle, Chicago(12/31/2009)
Spoon “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” – Riverside Theater, Milwaukee (12/31/09)

Discuss: What did you do to ring in 2010? What albums, tours, etc are you excited about in the new year? Did anyone do the polar plunge in Milwaukee?