In Indiana for a show in Fort Wayne, Keith Urban and his band (with opener Jake Owen) crash through a ragged but spirited version of Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane”. Gotta give Urban credit for diving into the tune, and then having an understanding where to let the audience pick up the vocals.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4c4DTF-Xbo]
video: rockforward faves
VIDEO: J. Geils Band in Boston – Aug. 7, 2011
The wonderful, rollicking, rolling, rhythm and blues of the fantastic, still doin’ it, dirty water-drinkin’ J. Geils Band. They tore it up in Beantown Sunday night in the first of a series of mostly East Coast dates (except for an annual pilgrammage to Detroit on August 19) . Worthy video choice here – and don’t tell me they don’t belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…
VIDEO: “Looking for a Love”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJXICp5Om7c]
VIDEO: Butch Walker – Live "Summer of '89"
What is a Butch Walker? A nuevo Springsteen? Bryan Adams? Beck? None of the above? All of them?
Here’s what I think he is: pop/rock and roll for 2011. He’s got a new album coming August 30, his second album with the Black Widows, called The Spade.
Below is a live acoustic version of the first single,”Summer of ’89”, a sly rip-off /rewrite and ode to “Summer of ’69″…in the tune, he either makes fun of Adams, pays homage to Adams, or makes fun of himself. Or maybe all three.
I am digging his live energy, his fun, and the throwback tunes that get nice and loud. We need pop rock and roll. Think Bryan adams, Georgia Satellites and a bit of every rock band that loses itself in the music played live on stage. Country music shouldn’t own this genre. And even if this particluar cut is a bit similar musically to the Dixie Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl”, I am good with it anyway…
And hang on through the first couple minutes of the video; he calls his parents and it has a pretty good payoff…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivHcxOhbV10&feature=related]
VIDEO: Brett Dennen at WTTS Radio
As radio station 92.3 WTTS continues to host artists (already in town for club/theatre shows) in their terrific Studio 92 concert space, they welcomed Brett Dennen, as he (and personal favorite Dawes) got ready to play at the Vogue last Thursday night. Dennen talked about his new album, Loverboy and The Mosaic Project.
You can hear four songs from his performance, now posted on WTTS’ webpage. We also grabbed an excellent, up close video of Dennen, shot at the radio showcase.
Seger Hits Indy Saturday – this could be the last time?
On Saturday night (May 7) Bob Seger’s show hits at Conseco Fieldhouse. Watch (at the end of the post) a video of a “Live Bullet” pairing, taken from Seger’s opening night show in Toledo. Seger says this is probably the last big tour he’ll do, and while the grey hair is prominent and it’s been almost than 50 years (on the road for most of the first 30 of those) since his first Ann Arbor and Detroit hits, the Bob is still rocking. Check out the reverberating performance from Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer in the video.
Is it cynical to call Seger a grandpa-looking dude onstage? Yes, it is. The songs? C’mon. Is there a classic rock radio artist who has more songs on the radio every day, all over the country? I would place a bet that he gets more airplay these days than either the Beatles or the Stones.
Bob Seger music, argue if you must, has represented that heartland rock/Indiana music sound far longer (and at least as well) than even our own Mellencamp, and the Michigan rocker is still embracing his inner arena rock and roll, road songs soul. Love the Seger.
Now, if only his manager would get the damn music on iTunes, so someone under 30 years-old might find him.
VIDEO: “Travelin’ Man/Beautiful Loser”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/dtxf-7_1CVU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0]
VIDEO: Bobbie Lancaster: Live at WFHB
Bloomington’s Americana singer/songwriter Bobbie Lancaster visited WFHB radio and performed as part of the station’s fundraising drive. Great sound (and isn’t that what can make this kind of simple video go from good to great?) and a peek inside the spartan and unassuming cool little radio studio that offers a consistently thoughtful blend of new folk/Americana/alt-country music.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/-XgQ3DYVhEM&hl]