Video: Tom Waits, Fernwood Tonight, 1977

August 11, 2011

One of many memorable Tom Waits television appearances over the years was this funny performance and interview on Fernwood Tonight, aka Fernwood 2Nite, a short-lived parody talk show hosted by Martin Mull and Fred Willard set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. Watch Waits sing 1976 Small Change cut “The Piano Has Been Drinking [...]

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Video: Bruce Springsteen – “Growin’ Up” (1972)

August 6, 2011

Humble beginnings of The Boss, opening for former Bob Dylan mentor Dave Van Ronk in Dylan’s old stomping grounds, Greenwich Village, at just 23. This was the same year Springsteen was first signed to Columbia by John Hammond, the same guy that discovered —  you guessed it — Bob Dylan. Note the physical resemblance as well.

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Video: Billie Holiday & Louis Armstrong – “The Blues Are Brewin’”

July 17, 2011

52 years ago today, we lost the great Billie Holiday after only 44 years amid incredibly sad circumstances. Rather than mark the occasion with some of her most infamous recordings — “Strange Fruit,” “Summertime,” “Gloomy Sunday,” et al. — I thought it best to recall this lesser-discussed footage of Holiday performing alongside Louis Armstrong in 1947’s New [...]

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Elliott Smith Tells Elvis Story

July 2, 2011

One of my favorite examples of the late Elliott Smith’s wonderful sense of humor. * Just found audio of the Elvis rant he’s describing.

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Video: Tom Waits on the Don Lane Show, 1981

June 22, 2011

A glimpse at the great troubadour during a pivotal point in his career: right after he quit smoking (not for good), drinking (sorta), and married Kathleen Brennan (his wife and songwriting partner ever since).

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Bill Withers w/ James Gadson on Old Grey Whistle Test

June 16, 2011

One of my favorite newcomers, Michael Kiwanuka, just name-dropped drummer James Gadson. (Skip to the 1-minute mark above for the clip mentioned.) “He still sounds the same,” Kiwanuka said of the pair’s recent sessions.

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Photo: Will Oldham & Nick Cave

June 5, 2011

This shot was reportedly taken by Glen Hansard at 1999’s Liss Ard Festival, where Bonnie “Prince” Billy covered Bob Dylan’s “New Pony” with Nick Cave. Anyone have audio/video of this potentially awesome duet? In any event, here’s a bit ofbackstory: Nick Cave and Will Oldham met at Lollapalooza 1994 and talked about music. Will recalls: [...]

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