Chicago's Tasha has announced her debut album, Alone at Last. Father/Daughter Records will release the artist/activist/poet's seven-track effort on October 26th. An associate and tourmate of fellow Chicago voice Jamila Woods, Tasha has been at the forefront of the fight for political change, whether as a member of the racial justice group Black Youth Project 100 or by joining in at protests throughout her hometown. Through her guitar and music, however, she seeks to find a sense of healing and peace in these troubled times, something she hopes Alone at Last can also bring to others. “I'm only able to handle the world because I can write these songs,” she said in a press release, “so I'd like to think that I help other people deal with the world for the same reason… These songs are bed songs. Songs about the place that one might go when they finally need to be away from whatever it is that might be causing them stress or anxiety or sadness or fear.” On the lead single “Kind of Love”, that place is in the arms of a lover. Over a gently gliding guitar and simple bossa nova embellishments, Tasha speaks of escaping the pains of the world by curling up with someone meaningful. “Tenderness they're first to take/ So tenderness we find,” she sings. “Bring your sleepy bruising bones/ I will kiss them fine.” Take a listen below. Pre-orders for Alone at Last are now live, and you can find the full tracklist and cover art below. Alone at Last Artwork: Alone at Last Tracklist:
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Madonna is drawing criticism for her VMAs tribute to Aretha Franklin, and for good reason. Much like how Donald Trump managed to make Franklin's death about himself (“She worked for me on numerous occasions”), Madonna's own tribute to the Queen of Soul ended up becoming a tribute to Madonna. Near the end of last night's VMAs, the legendary pop singer, who celebrated her 60th birthday last week, shared a long-winded story about an early audition in which she sang Franklin's “Natural Woman”. Aside from her singing one of Franklin's songs, Madonna's story had absolutely nothing to do with Franklin. To illustrate that point, I've bolded every instance in which Madonna references herself. “Aretha Franklin changed the course of my life,” began Madonna. “I left Detroit when I was 18. Thirty-five dollars in my pocket. My dream was to make it as a professional dancer. After years of struggling and being broke, I decided to go to auditions for musical theater. I heard the pay was better. I had no training or dreams ever ever becoming a singer, but I went for it.” For those counting, Madonna's opening paragraph contained nine “my” or “I”s, but just one reference to Franklin. It only got worse from these. “I got cut, and rejected from every audition. Not tall enough. Not blend-in enough, not 12-octave-range enough, not pretty enough, not enough, enough. And then one day, a French disco sensation was looking for backup singers and dancers for his world tour. I thought, 'Why not? I could go back to getting robbed, held at gunpoint, and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third floor walk-up that was also a crack house.' That's right, I'm a rebel heart.” “So I showed up to the audition, and two very large French record producers sat in the empty theater, daring me to be amazing. The dance audition went well. Then they asked me if I had sheet music and a song prepared. I panicked. I had overlooked this important part of the audition process. I had to think fast. My next meal was on the line. Fortunately, one of my favorite albums was Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin. I blurted out, 'You make me feel.' Silence. 'You make me feel like a natural woman.' “Two French guys nodded at me. I said, “You know, by Aretha Franklin.” Again, mm-hmm. They looked over at the pianist. He shook his head. I don't need sheet music, I said, I know every word. I know the song by heart, I will sing it a capella. I could see that they didn't take me seriously, and why should they? Some skinny-ass white girl is going to come up here and belt out a song by one of the greatest soul singers who ever lived? A capella? I said, 'Bitch, I'm Madonna.' No, I didn't. I didn't say that. Because I wasn't Madonna yet. I don't know who I was. Still with us? “I don't know I said. I don't know what came over me. I walked to the edge of the pitch black stage, and started singing. When I was finished and drenched in nerve sweat. You know what that is, right nerve sweat? They said, 'We will call you one day, maybe soon.' Weeks went by and no phone call. Finally, the phone rang, it was one of the producers, saying. 'We don't think you are right for this job.' I'm like, 'Motherfucker, why are you calling me?' He replied, 'We think you have great potential. You are rough around the edges, but there is good rawness. We want to bring you to Paris and make you a star. Well, we will put you in a studio, with the great Giorgio Moroder.' And I had no idea who that was, and I wanted to live in Paris and I wanted to eat some food. “So, that was the beginning of my journey as a singer. I left for Paris, but I came back a few months later. Because I had not earned the life I was living. It felt wrong. They were good people, but I wanted to write my own songs and be a musician, not a puppet. I needed to go home and learn to play guitar, and that's exactly what I did. And the rest is history.” So. You are probably all wondering why I am telling you this story. There is a connection, because none of this would have happened, could have happened, without our lady of soul. She lead me to where I am today. And I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight. In this room tonight. And I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-e-s-p-e-c-t. Long live the queen. Final count: 72 mentions of Madonna 4 mentions of Aretha Franklin From that point, Madonna went on to announce the winner of the VMA for Video of the Year… while still making it all about herself. Another anecdote I would like to share: In 1984, this is where the first VMAs were, in this very building. And I performed at this show. I sang 'Like a Virgin' at the top of a cake. And on my way down, I lost a shoe, and I was rolling on the floor and trying to make it look like it was part of the choreography, looking for the missing stilleto, and my dress flew up, and my butt was exposed, and oh my God, quelle horror. After the show, my manager said my career was over… So, I would now like to present the nominees for the video of the year.” Remarkably, Madonna refrained from announcing herself as the winner. Watch Madonna's “tribute” to Aretha Franklin below. And to think, I've yet to even mention the accusations of cultural appropriation leveled against Madonna for dressing in traditional African garb. Banner job, Madge.
A new compilation is set to feature a number of unreleased tracks from some of music's biggest names, including a cover of AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' by Tom Morello. Back in 1997, Jim Musselman founded Appleseed Recordings, an American folk music record label that has gone on to release work by the likes of Pete Seeger, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and even The Byrds' Roger McGuinn. Now, for the label's 21st anniversary, Appleseed are set to release a 3 CD compilation featuring tracks from of the biggest names in music, including Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, and Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, who has contributed a cover of AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'. Of course, some fans might have heard Tom Morello's cover of the AC/DC track in the past, as his 2008 tour of Australia as The Nightwatchman saw Morello covering the likes of AC/DC and Midnight Oil, the later with members of Anti-Flag. “The CDs in this 21st-anniversary set have been loosely organized by separate, but frequently overlapping themes,” explained Jim Musselman in a statement. “They match my three goals in forming Appleseed Recordings – to provide an outlet for songs of social justice, both current and past; to release newly written songs of personal experience and emotion in modern times, and to keep alive the centuries of still-vital traditional songs from our country's and our world's history.” “To learn how to move forward, we can never forget the lessons, or songs, of the past.” Appleseed's 21st Anniversary: Roots And Branches, is set to be released on October 19th, and will also features tracks from the likes of Joan Baez, Donovan, John Wesley Harding, and Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt. Check out Tom Morello performing AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' live:Appleseed's 21st Anniversary: Roots And Branches TracklistDisc One: “Let the Truth Be Told”1. Pete Seeger – Oh Sacred World Disc Two: “Wisdom Keepers”1. Jesse Winchester – Get It Right One Day Disc Three: “Keeping The Songs Alive”1. John Gorka – The Water is Wide Silver Jews will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their third full-length record, American Water, with a brand new reissue. Out September 28th, the new version of the 1998 classic is available for pre-order now via Drag City. For the LP edition, American Water was remastered at half-speed at the iconic Abbey Road Studios “to provide depth and nuance for all future vinyl listeners.” The CD version will be presented in its original form. It will also be available on cassette for the first time ever, while digital downloads will come in both MP3 and FLAC formats. Along with the rest of Drag City's catalog, the original record is now available on services like Spotify, TIDAL, and Apple Music after years of streaming holdout by the indie label. American Water Artwork: American Water Tracklist: Revisit the video for “Random Rules” below. Canada's Ken Mode are bringing their noise rock and post-hardcore stylings on their upcoming album, Loved, and the band is joining forces with Consequence of Sound and Heavy Consequence to exclusively premiere the fiery track “Not Soulmates” (listen below). Formed by brothers Jesse (singer-guitarist) and Shane Matthewson (drums), Ken Mode are closing in on 20 years as a band. The trio is rounded out by Skot Hamilton (bass, vocals). Speaking on the track “Not Soulmates”, Jesse Matthewson tells us, “The main 'chorus' line, I suppose you could call it, “You're going to continue enjoying this mistake with me”, was conceived by Skot's wife. This song is about the many complexities of love and the humor that surrounds its entirety - whether people choose to process it or not.” He adds, “It's got riffs you can throw round-house kicks to and is an ode to the Melvins and Zeni Geva.” In addition to the acts that Jesse mentions, there are hints of Fugazi and Jesus Lizard in the song, as well. Ken Mode's new album, Loved, was produced by Andrew Schneider (Cult of Luna, Converge). The disc arrives on August 31st via Season of Mist, and can be pre-ordered at this location. Additionally, we also have an exclusive tour announcement from Ken Mode, who will be embarking on a lengthy fall tour of both North America and Europe. Following a three-show Canadian jaunt in late September with the band Shallow North Dakota, Ken Mode will be joined by Birds In Row for a North American run that launches in mid-October. Both bands will then be joined by Coilguns for a European trek that runs into December. See the full list of dates below. KEN Mode 2018 tour dates: ^ = w/ Shallow North Dakota Loved album artwork: |
Maureen Lave
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