Released in 1999, this bootleg features a collection of outtakes, live versions, and demos that were too "hot" to be released by Elvis's record label. While this record is nowhere near essential for the casual Elvis fan, Cut Me & I Bleed is a unique look into a side of The King that was often hid from the public eye. It's almost comical to hear Presley swear his head off or candidly talk about drugs like he does on this record. I've posted a few tracks from the compilation including an excerpt of Elvis addressing an audience about the claim that he has been strung out on heroin.
I'm extremely particular about Hip-Hop, in fact I could probably list all of the rap artists I listen to on both hands. Big K.R.I.T is one of them. Last year he released his debut mixtape for free online, and this year he has returned with an even better mix, Return of 4Eva for the same price. He even reworked my personal favorite "Country Shit" this time with guest vocals from Ludacris, who adds even more intensity to this already tenacious song. If you've got a good sound system in your car, pop this in roll down the windows and crank this shit up.
Saw Paul Simon perform the other night at The Music Box, it was a beautiful night of music all around. He closed with the classic "Still Crazy After All These Years" which had a powerful impact on me. Here's Deer Tick covering it.
I need to show some love to Mojo Stone because for one they're friends of mine but more importantly they just released their newest EP entitled Hatchet which is available for purchase on Itunes. I remember seeing these guys perform their first show ever, it was for a benefit concert for a fellow friend who had passed away a few years prior. They stepped up introduced themselves as Mojo Stone and began to tear through Beatles covers like they'd been doing this shit for years.
Now, over a year later they have started to gain themselves a small but loyal following and have begun performing shows around town. Their EP Hatchet isn't a record that they recorded one weekend in somebody's basement. This record has a great deal of variety and structure to it. "Barefoot Boy" is a laid back folk-rock track that conjures images Delaney & Bonnie. "Gritty Love Blues" allows the band to show their teeth and jam out, they were wise to make this close out the EP because it leaves you wanting more.
What strikes me the most about Mojo Stone is they sound like have been together for years, these guys really do gel as band. Singer Natalie Meadors shows incredible range on Hatchet. One minute she can sweetly caress your inner ear like Neko Case, then the next minute she's tearing through your soul like Grace Slick. Neil, Henry and David's richly textured instrumentation and attention to detail is what gives this EP the amount of depth that it has.
I have posted their EP to stream below, if you like it buy it on Itunes, and who knows maybe next time I throw a party they can afford to bring beer. Hatchet by Mojo Stone
My Morning Jacket returns with Circuital and to tease us they have released the title track for free! I have to say with this track alone, I can tell Circuital could be a return to form for My Morning Jacket. After the shaky at best Evil Urges they seem to be delivering material as strong as Z or It Still Moves. I have my ticket to see them in Los Angeles at The Pantages Theater. Needless to say, they are going to destroy that place.
13th Floor Elevators are considered one of the first and most influential psychedelic rock groups from the 1960s. Roky Erickson helmed this Austin Texas band from 1965-1969. They weren't as popular as say Jefferson Airplane of other contemporaries, but they certainly held their own. This track "Levitation" is from their record Easter Everywhere.
Dirty Beaches' mastermind Alex Zhang Hungtai, a Canadian born in Taiwan has created a solid reverb filled record called Badlands. He cites filmmaker David Lynch as his biggest influence. This man could be ushering in the new era of crooners. Check out "Sweet 17" a throbbing lo-fi track that allows Mr. Hungtai to coo over a lovely Lolita-like figure.
For fans of our previous artist Bill Callahan or Bonnie "Prince" Billy here is a newer desolate country-folk artist who has been making waves, Josh T. Pearson who has just released his debut solo album title Last of the Country Gentleman. Pearson, a native Texan who has long resided in Europe has penned a slow-churning blood soaked gloomy record that will get underneath your skin and stick with you a long time after.
Folk-country artist Bill Callahan is about to release his newest album Apocalypse which is an extremely apt title. The first single is the morose and doom-filled "Baby's Breath" It's an absolutely chilling song with it's mix of simple guitar progression and powerful lyrics. I admit I am not as familiar with Callahan as I should be, but after hearing this song I will be checking out him more often.
Continuing with the jazz theme, here's a group that you can actually see perform today. Exploding Star Orchestra are an avant-garde jazz orchestra from Chicago. At the tail end of last year they released a new record titled Stars Have Shapes and I must say it's fantastic. I haven't encountered many modern jazz artists that I have liked, but this falls right in line with that free form experimental Bitches Brew-esque jazz that I love so much. This isn't you're grandpa's jazz band, this is some far out shit right here.
