The Showbiz Kids: Top Ten of 2011 (Part 2- Mike's list)

10. Discovering a new band right under the wire of 2011 called Alabama Shakes.  Still don't know much about them yet but their self titled EP was a fantastic discovery yesterday morning.  Just go to their website and download the EP now.

9. Bob Mould's book See A Little light . Several several years ago his band Sugar and the album Copper Blue wore out my CD player.  Then I went backwards to discover his Black Sheets of Rain and of course Husker Du.  Interesting life journey in his book.

8. Widespread Panic at the Tennessee Theatre...was my first experience of the Panic live and all the special visuals and smells that comes with it were a great experience.

7. Meeting Colin Hay on his solo tour and previously of Men at Work.  It was a special intimate setting at our local Knoxville record store Disc Exchange and he played old hits like "Overkill" and beautiful new ones off of Gathering Mercury.

6. My niece learning to play the trumpet.  She has really taken an interest in the instrument and learning to play it.  She allowed me to open her musical world up to the trumpet sounds of Miles Davis and other jazz albums.  So who knows...maybe we'll sit around one day talking about the influence of Lee Morgan and his album Sidewinder.

5. Crowded House Live in Denver   is special because its a recording that was released for Record Store Day of the same tour that my wife and I saw them at the Ryman in 2010.  I don't think sonically I have heard a better concert ever.  The band sounded great and the welcoming arms of the Ryman only enhanced the evening to be one of the best.

4. The Pixies at The Tennessee Theatre only out ranks Crowded House because it felt like a once in a lifetime to see them with all original members.  Plus they rocked...I cant remember the last time I 'head-banged' at the good ole' TN Theatre.

3. Wico Live at the Ryman was a blast.  They had released The Whole Love and I had missed them on the Sky Blue Sky tour so I was hell bent to see them no matter what.  They were all I had anticipated and an added surprises was getting to see Nick Lowe open up and play with Wilco as well as Nels playing Duane Allman's guitar on "Impossible Germany."






2. House of Cash by John Carter Cash is an excellent collection of photographs and memorabilia from Johnny Cash and the entire family.  It is essentially a scrapbook with some unique features such as handwritten notes,family recipes and Johnny's artwork.  Many times its actual pieces that you can pull out of the book as if it was the original document.

1. Circuital by My Morning Jacket The combination of the opening two tracks and seeing them live on the computer for their release party this year puts them at the top for me.  Its essentially about the music and these guys unique sound makes me a full time fan.

The Showbiz Kids: Top Ten of 2011 (Part 2- Mike's list)

10. Discovering a new band right under the wire of 2011 called Alabama Shakes.  Still don't know much about them yet but their self titled EP was a fantastic discovery yesterday morning.  Just go to their website and download the EP now.

9. Bob Mould's book See A Little light . Several several years ago his band Sugar and the album Copper Blue wore out my CD player.  Then I went backwards to discover his Black Sheets of Rain and of course Husker Du.  Interesting life journey in his book.

8. Widespread Panic at the Tennessee Theatre...was my first experience of the Panic live and all the special visuals and smells that comes with it were a great experience.

7. Meeting Colin Hay on his solo tour and previously of Men at Work.  It was a special intimate setting at our local Knoxville record store Disc Exchange and he played old hits like "Overkill" and beautiful new ones off of Gathering Mercury.

6. My niece learning to play the trumpet.  She has really taken an interest in the instrument and learning to play it.  She allowed me to open her musical world up to the trumpet sounds of Miles Davis and other jazz albums.  So who knows...maybe we'll sit around one day talking about the influence of Lee Morgan and his album Sidewinder.

5. Crowded House Live in Denver   is special because its a recording that was released for Record Store Day of the same tour that my wife and I saw them at the Ryman in 2010.  I don't think sonically I have heard a better concert ever.  The band sounded great and the welcoming arms of the Ryman only enhanced the evening to be one of the best.

4. The Pixies at The Tennessee Theatre only out ranks Crowded House because it felt like a once in a lifetime to see them with all original members.  Plus they rocked...I cant remember the last time I 'head-banged' at the good ole' TN Theatre.

3. Wico Live at the Ryman was a blast.  They had released The Whole Love and I had missed them on the Sky Blue Sky tour so I was hell bent to see them no matter what.  They were all I had anticipated and an added surprises was getting to see Nick Lowe open up and play with Wilco as well as Nels playing Duane Allman's guitar on "Impossible Germany."






2. House of Cash by John Carter Cash is an excellent collection of photographs and memorabilia from Johnny Cash and the entire family.  It is essentially a scrapbook with some unique features such as handwritten notes,family recipes and Johnny's artwork.  Many times its actual pieces that you can pull out of the book as if it was the original document.

1. Circuital by My Morning Jacket The combination of the opening two tracks and seeing them live on the computer for their release party this year puts them at the top for me.  Its essentially about the music and these guys unique sound makes me a full time fan.

"The Times They Are a-Changin' "



ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY

If you've read any of our blogs you know there's a love affair with vinyl and classic rock & pop music.  You've also had to endure my tour guide reports of my stops at local vinyl retail stores while I'm travelling.  My love for vinyl stores sticking around is not just that I selfishly like to thumb through records but that its one of those tangible,interactive,non electronic experiences that have to elbow for our attention amongst all the modern technological devices that occupy our day.  For instance, Starbucks made buying coffee an "experience" by creating a place to come and hangout and buy expensive coffee that would make our grandparents shake their heads.  So as Starbucks stores has created an "experience" so has the record store.  There is nothing magical about finding a sought after record on itunes or any downloadable site.  Its quick and convenient,but that's not always what life is about.

Here are some articles of good news and bad news.  Unfortunately we're losing an independent record store,ear X-tacy, in Louisville, KY .  Criminal Records in Atlanta is fighting to stay alive,but across the US there seems to be several record stores opening and thriving. 

Here are a few things to read:

statement from Jim James from My Morning Jacket about ear X-tacy closing

Here is an entry Indie Stores Closing-And Opening from Matador Records Matablog.

Below are excellent Knoxville stores that sell vinyl.  In fact Wild Honey Records just opened in September.  Here are their websites.
Wild Honey Records, Disc Exchange, Raven Records

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

"The Times They Are a-Changin' "



ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY

If you've read any of our blogs you know there's a love affair with vinyl and classic rock & pop music.  You've also had to endure my tour guide reports of my stops at local vinyl retail stores while I'm travelling.  My love for vinyl stores sticking around is not just that I selfishly like to thumb through records but that its one of those tangible,interactive,non electronic experiences that have to elbow for our attention amongst all the modern technological devices that occupy our day.  For instance, Starbucks made buying coffee an "experience" by creating a place to come and hangout and buy expensive coffee that would make our grandparents shake their heads.  So as Starbucks stores has created an "experience" so has the record store.  There is nothing magical about finding a sought after record on itunes or any downloadable site.  Its quick and convenient,but that's not always what life is about.

Here are some articles of good news and bad news.  Unfortunately we're losing an independent record store,ear X-tacy, in Louisville, KY .  Criminal Records in Atlanta is fighting to stay alive,but across the US there seems to be several record stores opening and thriving. 

Here are a few things to read:

statement from Jim James from My Morning Jacket about ear X-tacy closing

Here is an entry Indie Stores Closing-And Opening from Matador Records Matablog.

Below are excellent Knoxville stores that sell vinyl.  In fact Wild Honey Records just opened in September.  Here are their websites.
Wild Honey Records, Disc Exchange, Raven Records

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

We're going on a field trip to see how a vinyl record is made

Make sure you have your permission slips signed and this will get you out of class for a day.  We're going on a field trip to see something actually be made in the USA. 
Vinyl is a regular topic on Showbiz Kids so I thought I would continue in our self indulgent ways and take it upon myself to pull in videos that show how vinyl records are still made.  The first video is a little longer than the other two so don't get separated from the group.  As soon as the first video is done we'll move on to two recently reviewed albums on Showbiz and see how their vinyl recordings were made.  One is Circuital by My Morning Jacket and the other is The Whole Love by Wilco.

Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket gives a personal tour of the record pressing for Circuital at United Record Pressing

 The Whole Love by Wilco being made at Furnace Manufacturing

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

We're going on a field trip to see how a vinyl record is made

Make sure you have your permission slips signed and this will get you out of class for a day.  We're going on a field trip to see something actually be made in the USA. 
Vinyl is a regular topic on Showbiz Kids so I thought I would continue in our self indulgent ways and take it upon myself to pull in videos that show how vinyl records are still made.  The first video is a little longer than the other two so don't get separated from the group.  As soon as the first video is done we'll move on to two recently reviewed albums on Showbiz and see how their vinyl recordings were made.  One is Circuital by My Morning Jacket and the other is The Whole Love by Wilco.

Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket gives a personal tour of the record pressing for Circuital at United Record Pressing

 The Whole Love by Wilco being made at Furnace Manufacturing

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

New Music Review: My Morning Jacket "Circuital"

A giant gong sounds the beginning of the album and then a Planet of the Apes string section announces the start of the album with "Victory Dance".  A funky repetitive dark groove begins while Jim James vocals vibes a coming storm in from the distance and the silhouette of riders on their horses appear on the hill.  As the first track demolishes upon itself and while still staring into the hypnotic album cover its hard to tell if this album which started in darkness will just sink so low you wont be able to see your hand in front of your face.





As the title track "Circuital" emerges into some major power chords the mood lifts and turns into one of the best songs on the album.  "The Day is Coming" is full of pretty chords and melody floating over some sparse drums and more rhythmic keyboard.  Not even half way through this album and its evident this is an album that will hold interest and continue to keep listeners off guard but extremely pleased.  We haven't heard an acoustic folk sounding song from MMJ in a while but they give us a nice one on "Wonderful (the Way I Feel)."
Lighter moments come on "Outta My System" and the apparent first single "Holdin on to Black Metal" which during this song I couldn't figure out what or how the instruments were being used used in "Holdin on to Black Metal" to make sound.  Is it a guitar with a wah-wah pedal or keyboards?  The mystery of these guys continues.  MMJ is full of surprises on this album
In some moments of songs at the latter end of the album sound la bit like Evil Urges and Z melted together and then "Slow Slow Tune" comes on with its distant wailing pedal steel guitar and Everly Brothers tinted chorus.  This is a great album...go listen to it and let yourself experience what good music sounds like.

Listen to Circuital here.


The Showbiz Kids Rating: 9 out of possible 10 


Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids

New Music Review: My Morning Jacket "Circuital"

A giant gong sounds the beginning of the album and then a Planet of the Apes string section announces the start of the album with "Victory Dance".  A funky repetitive dark groove begins while Jim James vocals vibes a coming storm in from the distance and the silhouette of riders on their horses appear on the hill.  As the first track demolishes upon itself and while still staring into the hypnotic album cover its hard to tell if this album which started in darkness will just sink so low you wont be able to see your hand in front of your face.





As the title track "Circuital" emerges into some major power chords the mood lifts and turns into one of the best songs on the album.  "The Day is Coming" is full of pretty chords and melody floating over some sparse drums and more rhythmic keyboard.  Not even half way through this album and its evident this is an album that will hold interest and continue to keep listeners off guard but extremely pleased.  We haven't heard an acoustic folk sounding song from MMJ in a while but they give us a nice one on "Wonderful (the Way I Feel)."
Lighter moments come on "Outta My System" and the apparent first single "Holdin on to Black Metal" which during this song I couldn't figure out what or how the instruments were being used used in "Holdin on to Black Metal" to make sound.  Is it a guitar with a wah-wah pedal or keyboards?  The mystery of these guys continues.  MMJ is full of surprises on this album
In some moments of songs at the latter end of the album sound la bit like Evil Urges and Z melted together and then "Slow Slow Tune" comes on with its distant wailing pedal steel guitar and Everly Brothers tinted chorus.  This is a great album...go listen to it and let yourself experience what good music sounds like.

Listen to Circuital here.


The Showbiz Kids Rating: 9 out of possible 10 


Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids

My Morning Jacket...not just for formal breakfast dining

I can remember pulling out of my neighborhood and hearing the pedal steel sounds of "Golden" from It Still Moves floating out of my car speakers. At first I thought this was some cool 70s song I had somehow never heard before. Then this voice emerged like it was coming from the bottom of an empty grain silo. I wanted to hear the rest of the song but really I wanted it to end so I could hear who this band was. This was 2003 so the land before time didn't have iPhones and shazaam apps to identify music. I had to wait for the dj. "We just wrapped up the last set of music with "Golden" by My Morning Jacket  off their new album It Still Moves. I think I said out loud..."My Morning Jacket ...what the %#$^  does that mean"? Pulling up the album online didn't help either. I was greeted by this large grizzly bear with gold tinsel draped on it and that was all that was on the front cover.  No sign of the band...so the mystery  intrigued me.  I have been under their spell ever since.

Their new album Circuital will be released on Tuesday May 31st so in few days leading up until Tuesday I want to give a brief review of one of their last three albums.



I finally figured out where songs on It Still Moves like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" were triggering in my music DNA.  In my own mind I was hearing guitar finger picking strains of "Everbody's Talkin"performed by Harry Nilsson (Nilsson) from the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. That's just me...

If I could continue down the twisted road of my music mind their sound is like country music from an alternate universe.  It has reflections of current alt country that has been transmitted out into deep space years ago and then after alien sound mixing and editing has been sent back to earth in this form. The song "Run Thru" is a good example.

Their jam throughout this album brings in brass and guitar.  "One Big Holiday" has been one of their biggest hits and has been regular favorites at Bonnaroo festival  and on their tours.  Some of their songs seem to be like walking thru thick honeysuckle.  "Rollin' Back", "Just One Thing" and "Steam Engine" are beautiful slow rolling songs that you need to allow to grow over you like time lapsed photography.  All the songs off this record have a balanced rock sweetness that you need to listen to on a lazy Summer evening.

This album is still unique and continues to sound like nothing else to me.

Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids

My Morning Jacket...not just for formal breakfast dining

I can remember pulling out of my neighborhood and hearing the pedal steel sounds of "Golden" from It Still Moves floating out of my car speakers. At first I thought this was some cool 70s song I had somehow never heard before. Then this voice emerged like it was coming from the bottom of an empty grain silo. I wanted to hear the rest of the song but really I wanted it to end so I could hear who this band was. This was 2003 so the land before time didn't have iPhones and shazaam apps to identify music. I had to wait for the dj. "We just wrapped up the last set of music with "Golden" by My Morning Jacket  off their new album It Still Moves. I think I said out loud..."My Morning Jacket ...what the %#$^  does that mean"? Pulling up the album online didn't help either. I was greeted by this large grizzly bear with gold tinsel draped on it and that was all that was on the front cover.  No sign of the band...so the mystery  intrigued me.  I have been under their spell ever since.

Their new album Circuital will be released on Tuesday May 31st so in few days leading up until Tuesday I want to give a brief review of one of their last three albums.



I finally figured out where songs on It Still Moves like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" were triggering in my music DNA.  In my own mind I was hearing guitar finger picking strains of "Everbody's Talkin"performed by Harry Nilsson (Nilsson) from the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. That's just me...

If I could continue down the twisted road of my music mind their sound is like country music from an alternate universe.  It has reflections of current alt country that has been transmitted out into deep space years ago and then after alien sound mixing and editing has been sent back to earth in this form. The song "Run Thru" is a good example.

Their jam throughout this album brings in brass and guitar.  "One Big Holiday" has been one of their biggest hits and has been regular favorites at Bonnaroo festival  and on their tours.  Some of their songs seem to be like walking thru thick honeysuckle.  "Rollin' Back", "Just One Thing" and "Steam Engine" are beautiful slow rolling songs that you need to allow to grow over you like time lapsed photography.  All the songs off this record have a balanced rock sweetness that you need to listen to on a lazy Summer evening.

This album is still unique and continues to sound like nothing else to me.

Michael Smith, The Showbiz Kids