SEXY SONGS ABOUT SCARY TOPICS: "WISE UP GHOST AND OTHER SONGS" ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ROOTS

"WISE UP GHOST AND OTHER SONGS"
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ROOTS
Produced by Elvis Costello, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and Steven Mandel
Released September 17, 2013

I vehemently believe that we all have Jimmy Fallon to thank for this one!

"Wise Up Ghosts And Other Songs," the incredibly fruitful collaboration between Elvis Costello and The Roots, forged from Costello's frequent guest appearances on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," on which hip-hop's legendary The Roots serves as Fallon's world class house band, is undeniably one of music's most unexpected creative mergers. Thankfully, these two idiosyncratic musical entities are more superbly aligned than it may seem on the surface of their respective musical genres and leanings. For fans of Elvis Costello, this album represents yet another unrepentant musical curve ball in the long, passionately creative artistic journey of his 35 year plus career. For fans of The Roots, this album is a blessing, as well as an artistic lesson to all in our success obsessed, instant gratification fueled times. What could have truly been a "retirement gig" with Jimmy Fallon (as drummer/producer/songwriter/bandleader/author Questlove himself once worriedly mused for himself and his band), The Roots have utilized this period and their position as a launching pad for their complete artistic rebirth and ascension as "Wise Up Ghosts And Other Songs" represents another high point, equaling the new bars set by their dark concept album "undun" (released December 2, 2011) and "Wake Up!" (released September 21, 2010), their brilliant, audaciously realized collaboration with John Legend. For fans of music itself, this album is unquestionably one of the very best music releases of 2013.

As Elvis Costello has expressed himself, the music collected upon "Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs" is a series of "sexy songs about scary topics." I would dare any music writer or journalist to arrive at any description that is better suited than that one as this new album is as provocative as it is disturbing. With titles like "Tripwire," "(She Might Be A) Grenade," and especially "Come The Meantimes," this album is representative of the turbulent era in which we live, an era in which love feels futile (as expressed in the succulent "Sugar Won't Work"), where individual and societal spiritual decay is rampant and the threat and/or reality of violence, be it verbal, emotional or physical, intimate or wide reaching, real or imagined, is frighteningly imminent. "Wake Up Ghosts And Other Songs" feels like the fuse of a terrifying powered keg being lit.

The album begins with a quartet of songs that confidently strut by on streetwise swagger in both musical and lyrical attitude, but the increasingly grim stage is indeed being brilliantly set. "Walk Us Uptown," sounds as if the disciples themselves are wracked with doubt and guilt as they simultaneously support and goad their own leader ("Will you wash away our sins/In the cross-fire and cross currents/As you uncross your fingers and take out some insurance"). The defiant "Refuse To Be Saved," is a propulsive horn driven middle finger to the heavens from an individual ferociously unconvinced of finding salvation while surrounded by the ugliness of the material world. "Wake Me Up" is sneaky, shuffling, hushed spiritual lament ("In the name of the Father and the Son/In the name of Gasoline and a Gun/Wake me up, wake me up...") which sonically reminded me a little bit of the music of Isaac Hayes when he was supported by The Bar-Kays. With imagery of tolling bells, blowing horns, falling walls, an Easter day slaughter, thrown stones forcing atonement and cries of "He came back!," which are met with yawn inducing indifference, religious symbolism is ever present throughout "Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs" but Costello and The Roots engage us from the opening moments of the album

The album's midpoint arrives with a pair of sermons, which would soothe the soul if they weren't so sobering unstable. In the aforementioned "Tripwire," which sounds like a lullaby merged with a slow jam, Costello informs us that "Just because I don't read the language/Doesn't mean that I'm blind to the threat," warns us not to "open the door 'cos they're coming/ Don't open the door 'cos they're here" and reminds us that within for and against politics, "that is how the hatred begins." Continuing with The unsettling quiet and communion themed "Stick Out Your Tongue," Costello instructs us to "drink down the venom" as "the sugar-coated pill is getting bitterer still." 

As "Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs" reaches its final third, the music grows more seductive as the overall tempestuous mood builds gradually, enveloping the entire album with an encroaching sense of doom. The outstandingly sparse and incredibly well arranged "(She Might Be A) Grenade," with its repeated refrains of "she's pulling out the pin," is one of the album's standout tracks. While the song weaves a striptease slow spell, to my ears, Questlove's opening snare drum roll functions as the winding of a time bomb clock and his ensuing bracing and simplistic drum pattern serving as the relentless ticking until it pauses for an open hi-hat only to resume ticking again. The effect is Hitchcock-ian. "Cinco Minutos Con Vos," a slinky duet with singer La Marisoul escalates the erotic/violence storminess even further. And despite how enveloping those cooing harmony backing vocals are, it is highly advised that you do not take a journey to "Viceroy's Row," where Costello provides a series of grim vignettes that take place "In the crack of hours where all of the nightmares go."  

With the arrival of the album's title track, a song which made me think of The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" (not in regards to the sound but more to the emotions stirred), the apocalypse has materialized. All of the music's quiet intensity blows wide open into a swirling frenzy while Costello's vocal remain frighteningly restrained instead of growing more melodramatic. Perhaps, it was all inevitable, especially as that refrain of "she's pulling out the pin" makes a hellish return. But the real anguish announces itself with the album's final track "If I Could Believe," a shattering ballad which may return us to the mind of the defiant atheist of "Refuse To Be Saved" finding himself either awakening from gripping night terrors or fully awake in a newly unrecognizable world or even in his final moments recalcitrant to the bitter end.

If timing is indeed everything, there is no time better than right now for "Wise Up Ghosts and Other Songs" given the terror contained in our times. Despite Elvis Costello's rowdy rave ups of his early albums and the roof raising jams provided by The Roots in their past work, this album is no mere collection of party songs and jaunty musings augmenting Costello's peerless wordplay. This is a dark, disturbing, challenging album filled from start to finish with musical and lyrical juxtapositions, blistering soul searching, sharply acerbic wit, those aforementioned Biblical allegories and supremely sinister rhythms that subversively marches us all towards a seemingly unavoidable doomsday and also finds an endlessly inventive middle-ground between the genres of rock, jazz, hip-hop, blues and even torch songs.

I cannot impress upon you enough how surprisingly perfect a fit the various musical genres between Elvis Costello and The Roots are. So much so, that it is truly amazing that they have not attempted this musical communication sooner. The world of hip-hop seems to be natural fit for a wordsmith like Elvis Costello and as he references his own past lyrics (from songs like "Pills And Soap," "Impatience" and "I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore") in a few songs through the album. It is as if he has taken the sampling technique and utilized it in the way that works perfectly for his musical aesthetics. As for The Roots, they have again proven themselves to be an untouchable collective of musicians as their soundscapes perfectly merge and enhance Costello's lyrics, masterfully providing the aural template and setting for this precarious world. In addition to The Roots, Costello accompanies himself on a variety of instruments as well as his own harmony backing vocals. But special mention much go to Brent Fischer, son of the late composer Claire Fischer who shared a longstanding musical collaboration with Prince, who has provided equally evocative orchestrations throughout "Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs." And for all of the instrumentation, all participants involved have ensured that the album is not an over-produced, cluttered affair always allowing the listener to hear the space between the instruments, the notes, the sounds and the words, an effect which subsequently allows the mood and tension to develop naturally and with profound menace.

In my posting for Nine Inch Nails' latest release "Hesitation Marks," I remarked that the music sounded as if mastermind Trent Reznor was releasing his inner demons on the dance floor of his grim discotheque. With "Wise Up Ghosts And Other Songs," we could venture to just around the corner from that discotheque to a smoky yet equally grim nightclub where spirits are constantly in some stage of torment. Where Costello's lyrics and singing represents the inner turmoil, the snap of Questlove's formidable drums with the insistent, captivating grooves and sonic textures created by guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas, bassists Pino Palladino and Mark Kelley and keyboardists Ray Angry, Kamal Gray and James Poyser, keep our bodies moving so as not to end it all at the wrong end of shattered shards of glass.

Please, dear readers and listeners, do not be swayed away from this album due to its deeply troubling conceptual textures. Elvis Costello and The Roots' "Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs" is adult music for a very adult time presented with high artistry and top notch musicianship making for a creative alchemy that is in increasingly short supply these days.

DJ'S CODA:
If you are interested or if I have swayed you towards this album, please allow me to further recommend that you seek out the deluxe edition of the album which boasts three more songs entitled "My New Haunt," "Can You Hear Me?" and "The Puppet Has Cut His Strings." While these tracks do not quite fit into the overall concept of the album, they are no mere cast offs and are highly worthy of your time, attention and enjoyment.

EXORCISING DEMONS ON THE DANCE FLOOR: "HESITATION MARKS" NINE INCH NAILS

"HESITATION MARKS"
NINE INCH NAILS
All Music and Lyrics by Trent Reznor except "The Eater Of Dreams" composed by Trent Reznor and Alessandro Cortini
Produced by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder
Released September 3, 2013

"I am just a copy of a copy of a copy. Everything I say has come before..." sings Trent Reznor in the song "Copy Of A," during the opening moments from "Hesitation Marks," the first new album from Reznor's alter ego, Nine Inch Nails, in five years.

For an artist who has made a career of voicing boldly naked statements and exploring a self-examination process so self-lacerating that it can often leave bruises upon your speakers and headphones, those lyrics referenced above really struck me and made me stop cold. It is not for any sense of perceived nihilism. But entirely due to the philosophical reality. Certainly, we, as human beings, are all copies of everything that has come before, all experiencing what has already been experienced, and those who follow us will do the same. Yet, and additionally in regards to Nine Inch Nails, it seems as if Trent Reznor is not only confronting his place in the world as an artist but he is also even questioning the validity of Nine Inch Nails' resurrection in the first place.

For those of you keeping score, the musical life of Trent Reznor has taken some sharp twists and turns over the years especially since his victorious battles against depression and his past alcohol and drug addictions. Beginning with the album "With Teeth" (released May 3, 2005), Reznor, who had previously taken as long as five years between albums, began to release increasingly challenging, provocative works at a much more prolific pace, including the political and apocalyptic concept album "Year Zero" (released April 17, 2007), the instrumental double album "Ghosts I-IV" (released March 2, 2008) and finally, the almost garage band sounding album "The Slip" (released May 5, 2008), which was unleashed before embarking upon Nine Inch Nails' hiatus inducing "Wave Goodbye" tour. Since that period, Trent Reznor married Mariqueen Maandig, became a Father to two sons and even formed the band How To Destroy Angels with his wife. And even then, he somehow found the time, alongside his longtime collaborator Atticus Ross, to compose two films scores for Director David Fincher; the Oscar winning "The Social Network" (released September 28, 2010) and the three disc, three hour score to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (released December 9, 2011).   

Returning to the revival of Nine Inch Nails, and even more specifically the song "Copy Of A," I found those opening lyrics to be a powerfully striking way to begin the new album as the fullness of "Hesitation Marks" confronts this very issue of artistic relevance as one ages, and especially when the artist in question grows healthier. In contrast to earlier Nine Inch Nails material, most notably, the ferocious, nightmarish classic "The Downward Spiral" (released March 8, 1994), which to me still sounds like a baseball bat to the skull, the new album finds Nine Inch Nails at its most inviting and even intoxicating.

The title of "Hesitation Marks" refers to the term of "hesitation wounds," the self-induced marks upon one's body in preparation for one's suicide. While the album broods darkly, I never found the overall spirit of "Hesitation Marks" to be volatile or punishing. It is a spirit of intense questioning and seeking, resulting in sometimes surprising epiphanies and exclamations. While "Copy Of A" fires the first self-exploratory shots, "Came Back Haunted" delves even further into the life beyond Nine Inch Nails only to return and confront the immense shadow of their own legacy as Reznor expresses how he has "said goodbye" but now "I am not who I used to be." The following track "Find My Way" continues the theme to quieter effect while the almost Middle eastern sounding "Disappointed" seems to confront fan, critical and personal expectations head on ("What did you expect? So disappointed with what you get.") and the dazzling "Everything," with its New Order styled guitars and a harmony vocal wash that sounds like it blasted in from Queen's neighborhood, Reznor sings the very words I never thought that I would ever hear upon a Nine Inch Nails album..."...And just who you think you used to be/all begins to bend and break...I am home. I am free." 

On a less imaginative or more predictable album, "Hesitation Marks" would conclude with that sentiment of spiritual deliverance but Trent Reznor places it smack dab in the middle of the album, suggesting that worries, laments, confrontations and exhalations are endlessly cyclical...much like being an existential copy of a copy of a copy where everything has indeed been said and done before but it doesn't make it any less wrenching, painful or beautifully life affirming for any individual being on their specific life journey. With that, Trent Reznor has ensured that the concept and integrity of Nine Inch Nails never falls into the trap of becoming a nostalgic money grab and always remains a ferociously creative and vital musical entity by making "Hesitation Marks" the rock and roll illustration of his specific life journey, as well as our collective journey. But a tad more on that a bit later...

"Hesitation Marks" is indeed another Trent Reznor "headphone album" as it features his trademark gold standard artful meticulousness with sublime arrangements, brilliant sequencing and overall production. As with the entirety of Nine Inch Nails' output, Trent Reznor once again handles the lion's share of the instrumentation (he is aided by longtime collaborators Atticus Ross and guitarist Adrian Belew as well as new creative partners bassist Pino Palladino and even Fleetwood Mac's guitarist Lindsey Buckingham) as well as all of the vocal duties. Yet this time, instead of building every moment to primal screams of release, Reznor scales his vocals back into actual singing and furthermore, making the whispered sections more disturbing due to their lack of sonic force.

One extremely crucial factor of "Hesitation Marks" that has made this album such a strong listening experience is the musical element which has proven to me to be Nine Inch Nails' most rhythmic, and even dance-able album to date. The insistent, and at times, relentless rhythms augment the lyrical spiritual questioning giving then entire album an unshakable pulse that percolates, throbs, pulsates and most importantly grooves triumphantly. It feels like Trent Reznor has truly (and finally) embraced the funk, especially on the neck snapping track "All Time Low" (which features an excellent Reznor falsetto), the slow motion funk of "Various Methods Of Escape" and the outstanding, bass drum driving "Satellite." Without sacrificing any sense of rock and roll grandeur, the pace of the rhythms throughout "Hesitation Marks" give the impression that Trent Reznor is exorcising his demons on the dance floor in his private nightclub but this time, we all get to have a chance to join him behind the velvet rope and exorcise ourselves with him.

One thing that I have greatly appreciated about Trent Reznor as he has grown older is how his music has reflected not only his view of himself but his view of the world around him and "Hesitation Marks" is no exception. This album, much like this year's releases from David Bowie and The Flaming Lips, is as much about us as it is about himself and Nine Inch Nails as again, we are all copies of copies of copies, experiencing revelations and traumas just as everyone that has come before. This more universal quality to Nine Inch Nails has arrived with Reznor's growth as a songwriter and throughout "Hesitation Marks," the songwriting actually feels even tighter than ever before, a texture which also makes Reznor dial down the theatricality and aural bombast to create a work that that showcases a newfound level of subtlety and maturity without squandering any sense of establishing captivating and enveloping moods and tension.

Even though the album has been seamlessly playing on repeat in my car ever since I purchased it, I do think that "Hesitation Marks" just may not be the Nine Inch Nails album that some longtime fans (and internet "trolls") they want due to its more refined approach. But to them, and possibly to even himself, Reznor is proclaiming wisely that it is not 1994 anymore and frankly, why should he ever pretend that it is? We have all grown and moved onwards in our lives and as an artist, why should Trent Reznor not utilize Nine Inch Nails to comment upon the changes we have all existed through, instead of just becoming a lucrative and creatively empty musical jukebox stagnantly playing the same old songs so we can live in the same old memories.

I fell in love with Trent Reznor's musical vision because his music just hit me right at the pinpoint of where I live and since I do not live in the 1990's anymore either and have always entrusted Reznor to be a forward looking musical force, Nine Inch Nails in 2013 is precisely where I wish to be...and am so very thankful to be able to do so at this time.

I urge you, my dear readers and listeners to not hesitate at all if you are thinking about experiencing this album. "Hesitation Marks" by Nine Inch Nails is as purposeful and as intensely personal and universal as anything Trent Reznor has ever been able to deliver. The commitment, the artistry, the drive and the funk all congeal wondrously upon this new release and whatever fire Reznor had to travel trough in order to reach this point, thank the universe that he made it and survived...for we are blessed to have him.

WSPC SESSION NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER 2013

To open this month's activities, I wanted to share with you a new session note about the "On This Day In Music" monthly feature and the endless gratitude I feel must be shared.

With all of the seemingly useless information that swirls around inside of my head concerning music, movies, literature and aspects of pop culture, I am actually not as well versed as Synesthesia may have been leading you to believe. Yes, dear readers and listeners, my knowledge of music, I feel, is indeed fairly vast but also know that it is also a case of me knowing a lot about what I know a lot about. For the music that is most treasured to me, I have tended to immerse myself in all conceivable areas of it. For instance, take a band like Genesis, a personal favorite. I may have and know the facts and (some) dates of album and single releases, which then extends themselves into my knowledge of the band members, the lengths of their respective tenures, solo albums, guest appearances and so on. Those sorts of items are very easy for me to retain and reproduce at will, rapidly so and with complete certainty.

What I am not very knowledgeable about at all happens to be what has made up the content of the "On This Day In Music" monthly feature. The actual release dates (that is the actual day and not just the year) of albums and furthermore, the birthdays of the musical artists that I have made a point to celebrate. If you were to come up to me and ask me the date of when John Lennon was assassinated, I could tell you without skipping a beat because that date (December 8, 1980) has been forever etched into my consciousness. But if you were to ask me what John Lennon's birthday was...well, that would be a head scratcher as that is something I simply have never really known with any absolutely certainty whatsoever (for those of you playing along, John Lennon's birthday is October 9, 1940). For me to compile all of the material that is housed on this site, I owe every piece of information that I have shared with you to my friend Steve Manley, the owner of Madison, WI's very own B-Side Records, the legendary record store located on Madison's gloriously and eternally funky State Street.

When I first visited Madison at the age of 14 in 1983, one sight that literally blew my mind apart instantly was the vision of State Street, which was then loaded with one record store after another. It was nothing less than my personal Mecca to see the likes of Discount Records, Rose Records, local emporiums like Sugar Shack and even one store that specialized in classical music, all lined up and down the street alongside B-Side like brothers-in-arms all supplying music, sweet music to all who chose to enter their respective domains. During my college years, those stores were joined by The Exclusive Company and for those four years and for many, many years thereafter, I frequented every single one of those stores and I even briefly worked at Discount Records for a spell after I graduated from college in 1991. 

B-Side was the store I was actually somewhat afraid to venture inside of as the owners and staff had a certain collective nature that felt impenetrable and impervious to any sense of musical frivolity. It was obvious from my first visit that these people did not suffer musical fools lightly and that vibe could be felt instantly. It felt a little like the record store clerks from Nick Hornby's extraordinary novel High Fidelity, as well as the outstanding John Cusack starring 2000 feature film adaptation directed by Stephen Frears. 

I felt as if I had to earn some sort of unspoken trust that I was a serious music collector and passionate music lover, that I wasn't into any sense of fads or just loved an artist solely due to a hit single or cool video. I was a college radio DJ and a drummer and I hopes that through osmosis, the B-Side staff would catch my vibe and allow me to pass into their realm without fear of ridicule. Even so, I tended to make most of my purchase at the other stores and I continuously felt myself treading lightly whenever I entered B-Side. Over time, I realized that to earn some sort of unspoken credit, I had to also understand which record store was the most serious about music itself. And I learned fairly quickly that whenever I had a album release question or artist question that became increasingly off the beaten path, the staff of B-Side Records always, and I mean, ALWAYS knew the answer when all of the other stores shrugged their shoulders and stared into space. And over the years, B-Side became my record store of choice.

In the 22 years since graduating from college, and living through all of the sea changes within the music industry, B-Side Records is now the ONLY record store standing on State Street, and in conversations with Steve, this achievement is no small feat and definitely a sometimes arduous one. I did not frequent B-Side for many years due to not working or living within the campus area but I eventually found myself compelled to make the effort to return to B-Side and support not only a long-standing local business, but the very best record store I have had the pleasure to visit (and with no disrespect intended towards Mad City Music Exchange, Strictly Discs and the still standing Sugar Shack, all great stores which are all still surviving in various location in Madison). And now, with just a few minor exceptions, B-Side Records has made its full return to existing as my TOP record store of choice and I feel so fortunate to have earned the friendship of Steve Manley, who is always on the top of his game when hooking me up with the new, the old, the arcane and all in between. Thanks to him, I already have the new albums by Nine Inch Nails and John Legend in hand and I hope to be writing features on both of those this month or shortly thereafter.

This lengthy preamble leads me back to the "On This Day In Music" feature because the content of that feature is about 98% due to Steve and B-Side. Each day upon the B-Side Facebook page, Steve posts the birthdays and musical milestone that have occurred on that particular date. From there, I cherry pick the ones that are the most meaningful to me and house those facts and factoids here. Steve's daily commitment to this sharing of musical knowledge is paramount to the continuation of this Synesthesia feature but it is also a blessing for all of us as far as I am concerned. For what else is music but a gift to all, and what else are these people who possess the talent, skill, ability and inspiration to pluck something out of the ether and turn it into something that that is for our need for art and entertainment, for our spiritual nourishment, and potentially something for the ages. For music to be created, grow, build, survive and extend long beyond any of us are part of existence, we need to celebrate, cultivate and appreciate the gifts that we have been given. Steve Manley provides that service copiously, consistently, diligently and without a need for attention grabbing fanfare. Why he actually continues to perform this feat is something that you would have to ask him yourselves but I think that is it just because he loves music so very much that to not share the information and the history would be a crime.

I love music that much as well and if this site is one way to pass the torch that Steve has ignited, then I am humbled to do so for as long as I am able.

Thank you, Steve and B-Side Records for enriching my life for over 25 years. And for all of you who may be reading these session notes, as always, grab your sticks, guitar picks, microphones or just find your favorite music be it on vinyl, cassette, CD or digital files and...just sing, dance and always PRESS PLAY!!!

And also...DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WSPC PLAYLIST AUGUST 2013

August 1, 2013
"Let The Day Begin" performed by The Call
"Red Skies" performed by The Fixx
"Will The Wolf Survive" performed by Los Lobos
"Smoking Gun" performed by Robert Cray
"I Looked Away" performed by Derek and the Dominos
"My Dream" performed by Fleetwood Mac
"Medicine Show" performed by Big Audio Dynamite

"Genghis Khan" performed by Ace Frehley

August 2, 2013
"Stairway To Heaven" performed by Ann & Nancy Wilson--from Wendy

"Moments Of Pleasure" performed by Kate Bush
"Love Is Greed" performed by Passion Pit
"It's Not My Fault I'm Happy" performed by Erato
"That's The Way (My Love Is)" performed by The Smashing Pumpkins
"Turning Violent" performed by The Flaming Lips

August 3, 2013
"Innocent Child" performed by Big Audio Dynamite II
"History Song" performed by The Good, The Bad & The Queen
"Kids With Guns" performed by Gorillaz
"Hotel" performed by Tori Amos
"A Day In The Life Of Benjamin Andre (Incomplete)" performed by OutKast

August 5, 2013
"A Loaf Of Bread, A Container Of Milk and A Stick Of Butter"-Seseme Street
"The Adventures Of Letterman: Woman Bites Bear"-The Electric Company
"The T.I.O.N. Song"-The Electric Company
"Silent E"-The Electric Company
"Lost Boy Remembers His Way Home"-Seseme Street

August 6, 2013

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO FILMMAKER JOHN HUGHES
"If You Were Here" performed by The Thompson Twins
"Love Theme" performed by Keith Forsey
"The Circle" performed by Max Carl
"Elegia" performed by New Order
"In A Thimble" performed by Tortoise
"Desire" performed by Yello
"Apron Strings" performed by Everything But The Girl
"Modigliani" performed Book Of Love
"I'm Afraid" performed by Blue Room
"She Loves Me" performed by Stephen Duffy
"Whistle Down The Wind" performed by Nick Heyward
"Power To Believe" performed by The Dream Academy
"Love Of The Common People" performed by Paul Young

August 8, 2013
"Mr. Jones" performed by Talking Heads
"Everybody's Brother" performed by Cody ChesnuTT
"Aht Uh Mi Hed" performed by Shuggie Otis
Acoustic Jam performed by Frank Zappa and Shuggie Otis
"RDNZL" performed by Frank Zappa

August 9, 2013
"Ain't Nobody" performed by Youngblood Brass Band-WSPC PREMIERE

"The Breaks" performed by Kurtis Blow
"Apache (Jump On It)" performed by The Sugarhill Gang
"Take Your Time (Do It Right)" performed by The S.O.S. Band
"Fantastic Voyage" performed by Lakeside
"Bra" performed by Cymande
"Summer Madness" performed by Kool And The Gang
"Rapture" performed by Blondie
"Genius Of Love" performed by Tom Tom Club
"Ain't Nobody" performed by Chaka Khan

FRIDAY NIGHT CARTOON "Tom & Jerry in 'Pecos Pest'"

August 10, 2013
"It's Gonna Get Better" performed by Genesis
"This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)" performed by Peter Gabriel with Laurie Anderson
"The Sheltering Sky" performed by King Crimson
"Talk Show Host" performed by Radiohead
"Love Comes Tumbling" performed by U2

"President Gas" performed by The Psychedelic Furs
"Happy When It Rains" performed by The Jesus And Mary Chain
"Kidney Bingos" performed by Wire
"My Drug" performed by Love And Rockets
"Station To Station" performed by David Bowie

August 11, 2013

HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO JOE JACKSON
"Sunday Papers"
"It's Different For Girls"
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?"
"Nineteen Forever"
"Rush Across The Road"
"Memphis"
"Right And Wrong"

"Copy A" performed by Nine Inch Nails-WSPC PREMIERE

August 12, 2013
"Solar" performed by Pat Metheny
"Brothers In Arms" performed by Dire Straits

August 13, 2013
"Wayne" performed by John Frusciante

August 14, 2013
"Heavy Water" performed by Planet P. Project-WSPC PREMIERE

"Never Is A Long Time" performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers
"In Love Dying" performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Love Of Your Life" performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Many Shades Of Black" performed by The Raconteurs

August 15, 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS THE B-SIDES
"Rivers Of Avalon"
"Body Of Water"
"Out Of Range"
"Time"
"Gong-Li"

August 17, 2013
"Reflected" performed by Lone Justice

"Making Plans For Nigel" performed by XTC
"Generals And Majors" performed by XTC
"Runaways" performed by XTC
"What In The World" performed by The Dukes Of Sttratosphear
"Say It" performed by XTC

"Turn To You" performed by The Go-Gos
"Potholes In My Lawn" performed by De La Soul
"Cliffs Of Dover" performed by Eric Johnson
"Freddie Freeloader" performed by Miles Davis

August 20, 2013
"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" performed by Led Zeppelin
"Ready To Start" performed by Tears For Fears-WSPC PREMIERE
"Don't Give Up" performed by Washed Out-WSPC PREMIERE
"Still In Love With You" performed by Thin Lizzy
"This Is The Life" performed by Living Colour

August 21, 2013
"Breakfast Can Wait" performed by Prince-WSPC PREMIERE

BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO JOE STRUMMER
"Rudie Can't Fail" performed by The Clash
"Coma Girl" performed by Joe Srtummer and the Mescaleros
"Burning Lights" performed by Joe Strummer
"Global A Go-Go" performed by Joe Strummer and the Mescarleros
"Yalla Yalla" performed by Joe Strummer and the Mescarleros
"Straight To Hell" performed by The Clash
"One More Time/One More Dub" performed by The Clash
"Armagideon Time" performed by The Clash
"Police And Thieves" performed by The Clash
"Boogie With Your Children" performed by Joe Strummer

August 27, 2013
"The Long And Whining Road" performed by Public Enemy
"Inner City Blues" performed by Gil Scott-Heron
"We People Who Are Darker Than Blue" performed by Curtis Mayfield
"The Makings Of You" performed by Lauryn Hill
"All Of Me" performed by John Legend-WSPC PREMIERE

"La Villa Strangiato" performed by Rush-HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO ALEX LIFESON

August 28, 2013
"Summer" performed by Moby
"Warm Ways" performed by Fleetwood Mac
"Summer Breeze" performed by The Isley Brothers
"Saving Grace" performed by Todd Rundgren
"Down By The Seaside" performed by Led Zeppelin
"Last Lovers" (acoustic demo version)" performed by The Chamber Strings

"A Dream" performed by Common

"Tree Of Knowledge" performed by The Pursuit Of Happiness
"Hackensack" performed by Fountains Of Wayne
"The Door Into Summer" performed by The Monkees
"Let It Go" performed by The Bangles
"I Go Astray" performed by Jason Falkner
"Make It Through The Summer" performed by The Chamber Strings

August 29, 2013
"New" performed by Paul McCartney-WSPC PREMIERE

August 31, 2013
"The Gates Of Delirium" performed by Yes

"Summer's End" performed by Foo Fighters
"When You Dance You Can Really Love" performed by Neil Young
"853-5937" performed by Squeeze
"Into The Mystic" performed by Van Morrison
"Crushed" performed by Cocteau Twins
"The Last Day Of Summer" performed by Kirsty MacColl

ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC-AUGUST 2013

AUGUST 1: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Robert Cray, singer/songwriter/guitarist, age 60

Michael Penn, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, age 55

Joe Elliot, lead singer of Def Leppard, age 54

Chuck D. AND Professor Griff of Public Enemy, age 53

Jerry Garcia (deceased), singer/songwriter/guitarist and founder of The Grateful Dead, 

was born on this date in 1942.

AUGUST 2: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Butch Vig, producer/songwriter/drummer for Garbage, age 56

Garth Hudson, keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter of The Band, age 76

Jim Capaldi (deceased), drummer/multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter for Traffic and as a solo artist was born on this date in 1944.

AUGUST 3: "Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder was released on this date in 1973. Happy 40th Anniversary!!

"Highway To Hell" by AC/DC and "Fear Of Music" by Talking Heads were both released on this date in 1979. Happy 34th Anniversary!!!! 

Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Tony Bennett, age 87

James Hetfield, singer/songwriter/guitarist of Metallica, age 50

AUGUST 4: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Terri Lynn Carrington, drummer/composer, age 48

Klaus Schulze, electronic music composer/keyboardist/guitarist/

solo artist and former member of Tangerine Dream, age 66

 Today we celebrate the 112th birthday of one of music's true GIANTS...

MR. LOUIS ARMSTRONG, who was born on this date in 1901.

"You Really Got Me," the breakthrough single by The Kinks was released on this date in 1964. Happy 49th Anniversary!!  

AUGUST 5: "Revolver" by The Beatles was released on this date in 1966. Happy 47th Anniversary!

"Piper At The Gates Of Dawn," the debut album by Pink Floyd was released on this date in 1967. Happy 46th Anniversary!!

Happy 54th Birthday to Pat Smear, guitarist of The Germs/Nirvana/Foo Fighters.

Adam Yauch (deceased) of The Beastie Boys was born on this date in 1964.

AUGUST 6: IN MEMORIUM-Keyboardist/composer/singer George Duke passed away on this date in 2013 at the age of 67. R.I.P.

Happy 67th Birthday to guitarist/composer Allan Holdsworth.

AUGUST 8: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

The Edge, guitarist/songwriter/singer U2, age 52

Kool Moe Dee, age 51

Anton Fig, drummer/session musician/veteran member of "The Late Show with David Letterman" house band, age 61

AUGUST 9: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Pete Thomas, drummer for Elvis Costello and the Attractions, age 59

Jack DeJohnette, drummer, pianist, composer, age 71

Kurtis Blow, Hip-Hop legend and pioneer, age 54

AUGUST 10: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Ian Anderson, singer/songwriter/flutist/guitarist/leader of Jethro Tull, age 66

Ronnie Spector, age 70

"Off The Wall" by Michael Jackson was released on this date in 1979. Happy 34th Anniversary!!!

AUGUST 11: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Ben Gibbard, singer/songwriter/guitarist of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service, age 37

Ali Shaheed Muhammad, DJ/producer/songwriter/guitarist of A Tribe Called Quest, Lucy Pearl and solo artist, age 43

Joe Jackson, singer/songwriter/pianist/composer/producer, age 59

Eric Carmen, singer/songwriter/guitarist of The Raspberries and solo artist, age 64

On this date, 40 years ago, Clive Campbell a.k.a. DJ Kool Herc essentially INVENTED hip-hop by using the same two turntable set-up of disco plus two copies of the same record to elongate a song's instrumental break. This breakbeat DJing, using hard funk, rock, and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of hip hop music. Campbell's announcements and exhortations to dancers helped lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment now known as rapping. He called his dancers "break-boys" and "break-girls", or simply b-boys and b-girls. THANK YOU!!!!! (Special thanks to B-Side Records for this invaluable information!)

AUGUST 12: Happy Birthday to the following artists: 

Del the Funky Homosapien, age 41

Pat Metheny, composer/guitarist, age 59

Mark Knopfler, singer/songwriter/composer/guitarist of Dire Straits and solo artist, age 64

AUGUST 13: "Bossanova" by The Pixies was released on this date in 1990. Happy 23rd Anniversary!!!

AUGUST 14: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Larry Graham, bassist/singer/songwriter of Sly and the Family Stone and solo artist, age 67

Steve Martin, comedian, actor, playwright, screenwriter, author, 

art connoisseur and musician, age 68

David Crosby, singer/songwriter/guitarist of 

Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young), The Byrds and solo artist, age 72

Madison, WI's very own...Ben Sidran,

pianist/composer/producer/author/historian/ radio & TV host/film composer for "Hoop Dreams"

age 70

"Who's Next" by The Who was released on this date in 1971. Happy 42nd Anniversary!!!!!!!!!

AUGUST 15: "Garbage," the debut album from Garbage was released on this date in 1995. Happy 18th Anniversary!!!!!

WSPC celebrates the birthdays of the following artists who are no longer with us:

Bobby Byrd, vocalist and ESSENTIAL member of James Brown's Famous Flames 

was born on this date in 1934. 

Oscar Peterson, long considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, 

was born on this date in 1925.

Leon Theremin, inventor of...what else...the Theremin was born on this date in 1896!

AUGUST 16: "E.S.P." by Miles Davis was released on this date in 1965. Happy 48th Anniversary!!!

"Mother's Milk" by Red Hot Chili Peppers was released on this date in 1989. Happy 24th Anniversary!!

On this date in 1975, Peter Gabriel made the official announcement that he was departing the band Genesis, a move which would soon may way for drummer Phil Collins to take over as the band's frontman. (Again, SPECIAL THANKS to B-Side Records for this valuable piece of music history.)

AUGUST 17: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Colin Moulding, singer/songwriter/bassist of XTC, age 58

Belinda Carlisle, singer/songwriter of The Go-Go's and solo artist, age 55

Maria McKee, singer/songwriter/guitarist of Lone Justice and solo artist, age 49

Posdonus of De La Soul, age 44

Gilby Clarke, former guitarist for Guns N' Roses, age 51

Eric Johnson, guitarist/composer, age 59

"Kind Of Blue" by Miles Davis was released on this date in 1959. Happy 54th Anniversary!!!

"Substance" by New Order was released on this date in 1987. Happy 26th Anniversary!!!!

And finally, "Drums And Wires" by XTC was released on this date (and Colin Moulding's 24th birthday to boot) in 1979. Happy 34th Anniversary!!!

AUGUST 18: "Who Are You" by The Who was released on this date in 1978. Happy 35th Anniversary!!!

Jimi Hendrix performed at Woodstock on this date in 1969.

 During this performance, Hendrix's iconic rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" was unleashed to the world 44 years ago. AMEN!!!

 

AUGUST 19: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

John Deacon, songwriter/bassist of Queen, age 62

Ginger Baker, drummer of Cream, age 74

AUGUST 20: "Time's Up," by Living Colour was released on this date in 1990. Happy 23rd Anniversary!!!

Happy Birthday to the following artists:

KRS-ONE, Hip-Hop legend, age 48

Robert Plant, iconic singer/songwriter of Led Zeppelin and as a solo artist, age 65

Phil Lynott (deceased), singer/songwriter/bassist of Thin Lizzy was born on this date in 1949.

The IMMORTAL Isaac Hayes was born on this date in 1942.

AUGUST 21: 

Joe Strummer (deceased), singer/songwriter/guitarist of The Clash, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros and solo artist was born on this date in 1952.

AUGUST 22: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Debbi Peterson, drummer/singer/songwriter of The Bangles, age 52

Roland Orzabal, singer/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist of 

Tears For Fears and solo artist, age 52

Vernon Reid, guitarist/composer of Living Colour, Vernon Reid & Masque 

and Spectrum Road, age 55

Layne Staley (deceased), singer/songwriter for Alice In Chains was born on this date in 1967.

John Lee Hooker (deceased), guitarist/singer/bluesman extraordinaire 

was born on this date in 1917.

AUGUST 23: Keith Moon (deceased), the iconic drummer for The Who was born on this day in 1946.

"Grace," the debut and sole completed album from Jeff Buckley was released on this date in 1994. Happy 19th Anniversary!!!

"Nothing's Shocking" by Jane's Addiction was released on this date in 1988. Happy 25th Anniversary!!!

"Muse Sick N Hour Mess Age" by Public Enemy was released on this date in 1994. Happy 19th Anniversary!!!!

AUGUST 24: "Chronic Town," the debut 5 song EP from R.E.M. was released on this date in 1982. Happy 31st Anniversary!!!

Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Kaki King, guitarist/composer/multi-instrumentalist/singer, age 34

Jean-Michel Jarre, keyboardist/composer/producer, age 65

AUGUST 25: "Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen was released on this date in 1975. Happy 38th Anniversary!!!!

Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Jeff Tweedy, singer/songwriter/guitarist of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, age 46

Elvis Costello, age 59

Geoff Downes, keyboardist/singer/songwriter of The Buggles, Yes, Asia, solo artist, age 61

Gene Simmons, bassist/singer/songwriter and of course "The Demon" of KISS, age 64

Wayne Shorter, legendary saxophonist/composer for 

Miles Davis, Weather Report, solo artist, age 80

"The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" by Lauryn Hill was released on this date in 1998. Happy 15th Anniversary!!!

AUGUST 26: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Shirley Manson, singer/songwriter of Garbage, age 47

Branford Marsalis, saxophonist/composer, age 53

AUGUST 27: Happy 60th Birthday to Alex Lifeson, guitarist/songwriter of Rush!!!!

"Ten," the debut album from Pearl Jam was released on this date in 1991. Happy 22nd Birthday!!!!

AUGUST 28: "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye was released on this date in 1973. Happy 40th Anniversary!!!

AUGUST 29: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Elizabeth Fraser, singer/songwriter and the ethereal voice of The Cocteau Twins, age 50

Meshell Ndegeocello, bassist/singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, age 45

Michael Jackson (deceased) was born on this date in 1958.

Dinah Washington (deceased) was born on this date in 1924.

Charlie Parker (deceased) was born on this date in 1920.

AUGUST 30: Legendary and beloved British DJ John Peel (deceased) was born on this date in 1939.

AUGUST 31: Happy Birthday to the following artists:

Glenn Tilbrook, singer/songwriter/guitarist of Squeeze, age 56

Gina Schock, drummer of The Go-Go's, age 56

Van Morrison, age 68

Legendary album jacket artist Roger Dean, age 69

Bob Welch (deceased), singer/songwriter/guitarist of Fleetwood Mac and solo artist 

was born on this date in 1945.

"After The Gold Rush" by Neil Young was released on this date in 1970. Happy 43rd Anniversary!!!

Stay tuned to this dial for the musical milestones of September!!!!!