Ben Harper New Project

Um, how many bands does Ben have? I got a cryptic email today from the Ben Harper newsletter with a simple billboard and link to this:

Fistful of Mercy from Fistful of Mercy on Vimeo.

The band also features Dhani Harrison, the son of the late George Harrison.

Brendan James Is Back

Astoria Brewhouse Playlist

Hmm. I need to change it up a bit.

AC/DC "Hell's Bells"
Bob Marley "Redemption Song"
Boston "More Than a Feeling"
Christina Aguilera "Dirrty"
Dave Matthews Band "Number 41"
Evanesence "Bring Me to Life"
Sade "No Ordinary Love"
U2 "Where the Streets Have No Name"
Prince "When Doves Cry"

Marc Cohn Revisits 1970

Marc Cohn, one of my favorite recording artists (I've seen him live 7 times since 2005), is coming out with a new album this year -- an album of covers. He is recording versions of songs from 1970, a year he says played a huge role in his decision to become a musician.

The new album will be called "Listening Booth: 1970" from Saguaro Records.

From the label's blog:

The album features Marc’s personal interpretations of classic songs written by and/or made famous in 1970 by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, John Fogerty and CCR, Smokey Robinson, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton and several more.saguaroroad.com, Saguaro Road Records » Blog Archive » About the NEW Marc Cohn record, May 2010

You should read the whole article.

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These are the Marc Cohn shows I have attended:

Town Hall, New York City, 2005

Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Conn., 2006

Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City, 2007

Highline Ballroom, New York City, 2007

Capital One Bank Theatre, Westbury, N.Y., 2008

Paramount Center for the Arts, Peekskill, N.Y., 2009

Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, N.Y., 2009

End-of-the-Year Playlist

Many of the usual on this selection played at O'Hanlon's in Astoria... I'm very predictable that way.

AC/DC "Hells Bells"
Journey "Don't Stop Believin'"
The Black Crowes "Remedy"
Boston "More than a Feeling"
Bob Marley and the Wailers "Redemption Song"
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"
Coldplay "Politik"
Damien Rice "The Blower's Daughter"
David Bowie "Heroes"
Dire Straits (feat. Sting) "Money for Nothing"
The Eurythmics "Sweet Dreams"
Guns n' Roses "Sweet Child o' Mine"
The Police "Message in a Bottle"

Saturday Night Short Playlist

AC/DC "Hells Bells"
Def Leppard "Photograph"
The Police "Message in a Bottle"
The Police "King of Pain"
Journey "Don't Stop Believin'"

End of Summer Playlist

AC/DC "Hells Bells" (if it's good enough for the Marines in Fallujah, it's good enough for me)

Boston "More Than a Feeling" (thank you, Scrubs for showing me the brilliance of this tune)

Bob Marley "Redemption Song" (how can one not shed a tear at the lyric "How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look" or feel empowered by "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery")

Counting Crows "Mr. Jones" (I seem to know all the lyrics... "Yeah, we stare at the beautiful women")

U2 "Pride" (a song about the message of one of those prophets Marley alludes to: "Free at last, they took your life, they could not take your pride")