Ben Harper Contest Winner

Thanks for all the great entries for the CD and poster. Lots of different songs and reasons to choose from, but here is your winner from Jihan Mandilawi....

My favorite Ben Harper cover is John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy." When I
first heard this cover (which was released quite recently), I was
overwhelmed with emotion. Ben's voice in the song is painstakingly
genuine and honest. There are times when you know he is smiling
because you can hear it in his voice: "Every day in every way it's
getting beter and better." But at the same time, there are moments in
the song where his voice is overwhelmed with emotion, creating a
melancholy tone: "Life is what happens to you when you're making other
plans."

Ben has a multifaceted, versatile voice that is whimsical and romantic
in some ballads such as "She's only Happy in the Sun," or "Happily
ever after in Your Eyes.", while powerful and demanding in more
political tunes such as "Black Rain" and "Like a King."

What I find so brilliant about the "Beautiful Boy" cover is the fresh
sound of the recording. It is as if Ben is sitting right in front of
a small, intimate audience playing the song live.

In addition, the work is a creation of John Lennon, one of the most
meaningful songwriters of all time. Finally, this cover is of special
significance because it was created and produced for such a needed
cause, the conflict in Darfur.

Country, Bluegrass & Blues

Meant to get a post up on this yesterday, but Hilly Kristal owner of the legendary CBGB's died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Rock Daily has some great stuff up on his life and legacy - head here and here.

CBGB's was the epicenter of an amazing music scene in the 1970s and you have to hand it to Kristal for insisting that bands play original music if they wanted to play the club. Thought Sonic Youth's "Do You Believe In Rapture" would be a fitting tribute to the man and his club....

Last Chance To Win - Ben Harper CD & Poster Giveaway

I'll be selecting a winner later on this afternoon for the Ben Harper CD & Poster giveaway, so there is still time to email me at hitsfromthebloggiveaway@yahoo.com and tell me about your favorite Ben Harper cover song. Gotten some great responses so far, so keep them coming.




Also for more on Ben and his music Heather of I Am Fuel, You Are Friends has a fantastic post up on him - give it a read here.

I Love Tuesdays

Here's the lone purchase of the week....

Ben Harper - Lifeline

Only a couple more days left of my Ben Harper CD & Poster giveaway - head here for details.

Coachella Dates & First Rumor

The summer music festival season is almost over, but fear not if you're already looking forward to planning your 2008 well thanks to The Daily Swarm you can circle April 25 - 27 as the dates for the fest that usually kicks starts it all the Coachella Music Festival.

They are also reporting the first rumor about it too, claiming seminal shoe-gazers My Bloody Valentine will reunite to play for the first time in over a decade - read about it all here (Billboard also has a something on this as well - head here for that).

So to feed the frenzy here's MBV with "Only Shallow".....

Bloggy Goodness

Here's what some other people have going on....

nyctaper is offering a set from yesterday's Fiery Furnace show (damn that's a quick turnaround) at the Socrates Sculpture Park along the East River - download away here.

While it seems to be hip to hate the new Rilo Kiley album CSVMIAD thinks it's their best work yet - see what they have to say about it here.

Yeti Don't Dance interviewed up and comers Ra Ra Riot prior to their set at the After The Jump Festival - check that out here.

Looks like Partyin' Peeps is back to posting after a three week hiatus - find out what was going on between posts here.

music is music has a lengthy post with some great pictures about last month's Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Fest - head here.

Cover song time - this time i guess i'm floating has the Foo Fighters, Ben Folds and Arctic Monkeys covering Arcade Fire, The Postal Service and The Strokes respectively - listen here.

Come Pick Me Up has a new favorite band and they're from up north and they're called Attack In Black - find out why here.

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions.

Also there is still time to enter my Ben Harper album and poster giveaway - details here.

Music Video Mondays

This seemed like the perfect video as the summer is winding to a quick end and families are hitting the road, I'm sure we all remember the feeling. Here's the Black Crowes with "Blackberry".....



The Crowes are in the midst of a monster tour that keeps them on the road till November and a new album due next spring.

Revenge of the Book Eaters - Update

As if the line-up for this Sunday's Revenge of the Book Eaters at the Beacon isn't cool enough - you've already got Jim James, Feist, A.C. Newman and Britt Daniels on the bill. Well they dialed up their indie-rock cred just a bit more with it's latest addition - Kevin Drew with his band mates Broken Social Scene. I know what you must be thinking, this has got to be sold out, well you're in luck tickets are still available - get them here, so seriously what are you waiting for?

Real People Do Win - Ben Harper CD & Poster Giveaway

I'm very excited to present to you my first contest here at HFTB and it really doesn't get much cooler then to start with with an artist like Ben Harper. So here's the deal I've been asked to give away 1 copy of Ben's new album Lifelines - which hits stores next Tuesday - as well as this very cool limited edition poster, check it out....

I know what you're saying to yourself - "What do I need to do here, because I really want to win." So here's the deal simply email me at hitsfromthebloggiveaway@yahoo.com and tell me what your favorite cover tune that Ben does and why you dig it (I have a feeling a lot of you will be going with "Let's Get It On" - so surprise me). One winner will be chosen a week from today and his/her response will be posted, so start thinking.

For more info on Ben and his new album - head here.

Albums In The Stream

Can't wait till next Tuesday to hear Ben Harper's new album Lifeline? Well you're in luck as it's streaming exclusively all week over at MSN - head here and give it a listen. While I usually reserve music videos for Mondays, I'll buck the system a little and offer up the first single off the album "In The Colors", enjoy.....



Ben along with the fantastic Innocent Criminals hit the road next month a lengthy North American tour with Piers Faccini and Donovan Frankenreiter splitting opening duties throughout. To find out when he's hitting your town check out the dates here.

I'm Not There Trailer

Finally a trailer has surfaced for the Dylan biopic I'm Not There, check it out....



If that doesn't get you excited then we're not friends anymore.

In other Zimmy news his never-ending tour rolls on with a new set of dates. Elvis Costello (who will be doing solo sets) and Amos Lee opening - check out the dates here.

I Love Tuesdays

Here are the purchases for the week.....

Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight

New Pornographers - Challengers

LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver

Ben Kweller - Live & Solo At The Artist Den

Music Video Mondays

Here's Spoon with the catchy as hell, hand clapping, single camera Scorsese-inspired video for "The Underdog".....



Is it me or doesn't that remind you a early '70s Neil Diamond? Their latest album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is in stores now.

30 Years Ago Today

A little late on getting this up, but today marks the 30th anniversary of the passing Elvis Presley. I don't really get a chance to put up posts on people like Elvis, but he was and still is The King and responsible for much of what music is today. Check out this great clip from his '68 Comeback Special - this was Unplugged way before MTV ever existed....



They actually turned this whole performance into a stellar live album that I highly recommend called Tiger Man - pick it up.

All Hallow's Eve

Halloween has often been the neglected holiday here in New York for great shows, but this year it very well may best Thanksgiving weekend and New Year's Eve as the night to go see music. Here are your options so far.....

The Black Crowes - United Palace Theater - Get Tickets

Phil Lesh & Friends - Nokia Theater - Get Tickets

The Police - Madison Square Garden - Get Tickets

Ryan Adams - Hammerstein Ballroom - Get Tickets

The Rapture / The B-52's - Roseland Ballroom

Zappa Plays Zappa - Beacon Theater - Get Tickets

I've already got my P&F tickets. Should be quite the night for music, so get your best Flight of the Conchords costume ready, or whatever you plan on dressing up as October 31st is right around the corner.

R.I.P. Scooter

Taking a brief detour for some sad news from the world of baseball with the passing of Phil Rizzuto who died at the age of 89. Growing up and watching him on WPIX he was the voice of the Yankees for me and a few generations of fans who didn't get to see him play and we all were fans of his quirky, but endearing broadcasting style.



Read the New York Times obit here.

I'm Not There Track List Revealed

October 30th is shaping up to be the most anticipated day of the fall at least if your a Bob Dylan fan as it's the release date of the double disc soundtrack for I'm Not There (which has been getting a lot of attention over Rock & Roll Daily). Check out the track list that was announced yesterday.....

"All Along the Watchtower" - Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers
"As I Went Out One Morning" - Mira Billotte
"Ballad of a Thin Man" - Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
"Billy" - Los Lobos
"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window" - The Hold Steady
"Can't Leave Her Behind" - Stephen Malkmus and Lee Ranaldo
"Cold Irons Bound" - Tom Verlaine and the Million Dollar Bashers
"Dark Eyes" - Iron & Wine and Calexico
"Fourth Time Around" - Yo La Tengo
"Goin' To Acapulco" - Jim James and Calexico
"Highway 61 Revisited" - Karen O and the Million Dollar Bashers
"I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" - John Doe
"I Wanna Be Your Lover" - Yo La Tengo
"I'm Not There" - Bob Dylan
"I'm Not There" - Sonic Youth
"Just Like a Woman" - Charlotte Gainsbourg and Calexico
"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" - Ramblin' Jack Elliot
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - Antony & the Johnsons
"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" - Mason Jennings
"Maggie's Farm" - Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
"Mama You've Been on My Mind" - Jack Johnson
"The Man in the Long Black Coat" - Mark Lanegan
"Moonshiner" - Bob Forrest
"One More Cup of Coffee" - Roger McGuinn and Calexico
"Pressing On" - John Doe
"Ring Them Bells" - Sufjan Stevens
"Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)" - Willie Nelson and Calexico
"Simple Twist of Fate" - Jeff Tweedy
"Stuck Inside of Mobile With Memphis Blues Again" - Cat Power
"The Times They Are a Changin'" - Mason Jennings
"Tombstone Blues" - Richie Havens
"When The Ship Comes In" - Marcus Carl Franklin
"Wicked Messenger" - The Black Keys
"You Ain't Goin 'Nowhere" - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

They're covering a lot of ground, from rarities to songs from his first album all the way up to Time Out Of Mind. Read about it here.

Also head on over to The Playlist for more on the soundtrack - head here.

I Love Tuesdays

Here are the purchases for the week....

Donavon Frankenreiter - Recycled Recipes (EP)

Various Artists - The Hottest State Soundtrack

Elton John Tribute

Remember back in April when everyone seemed to be raving about the Bruce Springsteen tribute that happened at Carnegie Hall - the guy did show up and perform at his own tribute. Well on October 10th Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin are set to get the similar treatment at the famed venue. Here's who on the bill so far....

Shawn Colvin
Aimee Mann
Edie Brickell
Phoebe Snow
Page McConnell
Ryan Shaw
Jill Sobule & Lloyd Cole
Brendan Benson
David Broza
Joshua Radin
Nikki Yanofsky

Read about it here.

Tickets are on-sale now.

Music Video Mondays

The music of Leslie Feist seems to be unavoidable this summer (and for good reason) - commercials, promos for TV shows and even in the Gap. I'll avoid the ubiquitous "1,2,3,4" and go with the equally as infectious "Mushaboom".....



Feist will playing McCarren Pool on August 29th with Broken Social Scene who will be performing Kevin Drew's Spirit If album and Grizzly Bear - get your tickets here.

12 Years Ago

Grateful Dead - 1984-04-30 - Nassau Coliseum - Uniondale, NY - "He's Gone"

Farm Aid Full Line Up

It's been too damn hot to post the last couple of days, though I did manage brave the sweltering heat and humidity to go see the Beasties last night in Central Park (read Ace's review here). Anyway while I was basking in my AC yesterday the line-up for the first ever New York edition of Farm Aid was fleshed out with the addition of a bunch of acts, here's the whole bill.....

Full Sets:

Willie Nelson
Neil Young
John Mellencamp
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
The Allman Brothers Band

Partial Sets:

Counting Crows
Matisyahu
Guster
The Derek Trucks Band
Warren Haynes
Supersuckers
The Ditty Bops
Montgomery Gentry

Pretty damn solid, and a great cause. Tickets are on-sale now.

Here's Neil Young backed by the Phish from the '98 version of Farm Aid with a monster 19 minute version of "Down By The River"....

I Love Tuesdays

Here are the purchases for the week.....

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - This Is Somewhere

Vampire Weeekend - Vampire Weekend

Music Video Mondays

How about a little Polyphonic Spree this morning? Here's all 23 members of the choral-pop group with "Running Away".....



The video actually consists of 70,000 pictures taken of the band while they were on the road over a ten day span - pretty cool. Their new album The Fragile Army is in stores now.

Lollapalooza Webcast

For those of us that are not fortunate enough to be in Chicago this weekend for Lollapalooza fear not. As has become the custom with big music festival of late the fine folks over at AT&T's Blue Room will be webcasting the festivities all weekend long - beginning at 12:30 CST each day, starting tomorrow.


(Photo: Justin Ward)

Here's a tentative list of the acts you'll be able to see......

Amy Winehouse
Interpol
LCD Soundsystem
Blue October
Jack's Mannequin
Satellite Party
G. Love and Special Sauce
The Black Keys
M.I.A.
Motion City Soundtrack
Pete Yorn
Lupe Fiasco
Kings of Leon
Paolo Nutini
Ben Harper
And many more!

Watch it all here.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

The fat man would have be 65 today, so let's take a few minutes to take a look at him in action. I always loved when the Dead played acoustic, so here they are with "Deep Elm Blues".....



And here's one more for good measure, Jerry sitting in with Carlos Santana (watch him dance starting around 2:12 - it's fantastic)