Two Album Reviews at SIMGE: Bleeding Rainbow, Billy Bragg

SIMGE Update

I know you know this already because you're a loyal site visitor who clicks regularly on the Speak Into My Good Eye link to see if there have been any new CoolDad Music postings at that site. Just in case that's not you, though, I'm here to let you know about my last two album reviews.

Last week, I reviewed one I've been meaning to get to for a while: Yeah Right by Philadelphia's Bleeding Rainbow. It's shoegazey, poppy, and kind of psychedelic at the same time; and I definitely felt a connection with the album's outlook on life.

Today, my review of Billy Bragg's latest, Tooth & Nail went up; and I was able to reflect a bit on what a big part Billy's music has played in my life over the years. I also really like the record.

Head over there and check those out, along with all of the other great content those guys provide, if that's what you feel like doing.

And don't forget. Trivia at The Downtown has moved to Tuesdays, which would be tonight.

Happy Labor Day

Hope You Enjoyed Your Weekend

I say this every year, and I believe it:  I was able to grow up in an affluent New Jersey suburb, to have my teeth straightened, to go to the doctor when I needed to, to have my dad coach my baseball teams, to take vacations with my whole family, and to earn a degree from a private university not only because my parents worked so hard, but also because my dad was in a union.

Whatever your own opinions, take a minute today and think about all the people who helped build the country.

WoodyFest

Billy / Woody Are Just What I Need

Beginning early preparations to head up to City Winery for the last night of WoodyFest.  Maybe the combination of Woody and Billy Bragg can assuage some of my anger over the All Tomorrow's Parties news and the fact that Samsung still has my phone.

I hope Billy does this one tonight.  It's always been one of my favorites from the Mermaid Avenue collection, though, I'm sure I'll miss Wilco and Jeff Tweedy's backing vocals.

Keep fighting the good fight this Friday night.  For Woody.

And rock on...

Fill In The Blank...

WoodyFest at City Winery Tomorrow

CoolMom and I are meeting at City Winery tomorrow night to celebrate Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday, which is Saturday, with Steve Earle, Joe Purdy, Amy Helm, and Billy Bragg.

Go over to YouTube and check out just how many of Woody's songs still have relevance today.  And don't forget to give him a little nod the next time you're listening to your Dylan or Springsteen albums.

Here's a Woody Guthrie centennial activity for you.  Guthrie famously labeled his own guitars with "This Machine Kills Fascists."  Fill in the blank with whatever you'd like.  I can't play very well, so I'll get all of those jokes out of the way with "...anyone within a 100 yards."

Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg Coming to America

His website is currently buckling under the strain as U.S. fans rush to see if his upcoming tour will hit their city, but Billy Bragg is coming to the States.  He'll be at City Winery in New York on July 13th.

The tour coincides with the upcoming release of the Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions box set, covering the work that Bragg and Wilco did setting a group of Woody Guthrie-penned songs to music, later this month.  That set will include remastered versions of the first two Mermaid Avenue albums plus 17 previously unreleased tracks.

According to his Twitter feed, Bragg's concerts will feature a set of Mermaid Avenue songs, followed by a set of Bragg's own work.

CoolMom and I caught Billy during his last stop at City Winery, and I hope we can make it in July.