The Bad Plus Down South

So they did: Iverson remained hunched over the ivories, as if his piano were whispering him elusive secrets – occasionally stretching his arms backward into a fatigued superhero pose, like Superman after an all-night bender. Meanwhile, bassist Reid Anderson inhaled deeply – and frequently – as dark blue lights snaked across the stage.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-bad-plus-raise-a-ruckus-on-tour-opener-in-knoxville-20120921#ixzz27ETcsr4u

The Race Is On…

Love Goes To Buildings On Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever, by Will Hermes

Mick Jagger recently told VEVO that New York was a swirl of cultural action back in the mid ‘70s – punk mixing with disco mixing with rap mixing with art. Rolling Stone critic Will Hermes feels the same way. The sweep of his investigation into the Big Apple circa ’73-’77 is enticing. From the Bronx salsa dances to the Bowery punk escapades to the free jazz blowing that took place in downtown lofts, he scrutinizes all the creativity at hand while linking it in a way that doesn’t defy credibility. The best part is that his swirl of action always has clarity to it. A short section about the city’s 1977 blackout is turned into precursor of Foursquare. Johnny Thunders getting off a plane,Bruce Springsteen forsaking the studio, David Murray dining at Sardi’s, Meredith Monk viewing ofAnnie Hall being curtailed, and Talking Heads grilling dinner on their roof in Queens. Fun stuff. VEVO 

Avett Brothers Unplug, Get Their Roger Miller On

The Avetts are part of CMT’s ongoing Unplugged series. Their session premieres tomorrow night (July 13) on the country music channel. Intriguing band, right? But even more intriguing is their cover of “Where Have All the Average People Gone?,” an overlooked philosophical ditty by master Nashville songsmith Roger Miller. Rolling Stone has the clip. The Avetts have been doing this one for awhile, now, and it’s a strong choice.  Here’s the original below, and above is Scott Avett having a go alone.

RAY DAVIES TALKS TO JONATHAN COTT ABOUT “SEE MY FRIENDS” 

“See My Friends” moves from those chords to something closer to an Indian drone.

I got that idea from being in India. I always like the chanting. Someone once said to me “England is gray and India is like a chant.” I don’t think England is that gray, but India is like a long drone. When I wrote the song, I had the sea near Bombay in mind. We stayed at a hotel by the sea, and the fishermen came up at five in the morning and they were all chanting. And we went on the beach and we got chased by a mad dog – big as a donkey. 

It sounded as if you were singing about an English river.

I think it was the Indian Ocean.

MORE INTERVIEW 

MORE RAY CLIPS

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)