BOMBS AWAY!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR (^_^)
-HOUR ONE-
SANTANA – Savor > Jingo (2009 the Woodstock Experience, 8/16/69)
SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 – Satori (2002 Seasons 01)
LES CLAYPOOL’s FROG BRIGADE – Pigs (Three Different Ones) (2001 Live Frogs Set 2)
TOM PETTY & the HEARTBREAKERS – It’s Good to be King (2009 the Live Anthology, 9/21/06 Gainseville, FL)
-HOUR TWO-
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND – On the Run > Crow Black Chicken > On the Run (4/11/09 Fillmore, San Francisco, CA)
DUMPSTAPHUNK – Keep on Marching > Fly Like an Eagle > Slippin’ into Darkness > Fortunate Son > Soprano’s Theme (Woke Up This Morning) > Fortunate Son (3/20/09 Highline Ballroom, NYC)
LEGION of MARY – Mystery Train (4/12/75 Masonic Temple, Scranton, PA, late show)
# # #
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
BOMBS AWAY THIS THURSDAY
I'ma throw nothing but long bombs on this Thursday's broadcast - 10 minute minimum from everyone that rolls this week (^_^) HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Yes, I'm stalling so I can get my BEST of 2009 show together for 1/7/09...
# # #
Yes, I'm stalling so I can get my BEST of 2009 show together for 1/7/09...
# # #
Sunday, December 27, 2009
BEST of 2009
TOAST’s FAVORITE ALBUMS of 2009
10) DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – The Fine Print (a Collection of Oddities and Rarities 2001-2008)
Unsure of whether I can technically list this as an “album,” since it’s a collection of leftovers, but holy crap, if these are leftovers – bring on the next “real” album, you guys (Update: New album “The Big To-Do” due 3/16/10)! After listening to the unearthed Jason Isbell track “TVA,” originally recorded for “The Dirty South,” I’m sure I’ll miss his presence all the more in the future (he’s no longer with the band). This track is a mini-rock opera in itself. I also enjoy the alternate takes on “Uncle Frank” and “Goode’s Field Road,” their cover of Tom Petty’s “Rebels” plays better than the original IMO, and Patterson Hood’s “George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues” and “Mrs. Claus’ Kimono” are delightful, showcasing Hood's quite twisted sense of humor. A great collection from one of the best-sounding live bands around.
09) SAM BUSH – Circles Around Me
The elder statesman of Newgrass returns with another solid collection of originals, traditionals, and covers. Guests like Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer and (original Bluegrass Boy) Del McCoury don’t hurt, but it’s Bush’s virtuoso picking which wins the day. So many good songs here, but my favorites are “The Ballad of Stringbean & Estelle,” “Blue Mountain,” and “Souvenir Bottles.”
08) THE FELICE BROTHERS – Yonder is the Clock
These upstarts from upstate New York continue to concoct a brew which shifts between sounding like The Band on an acid bender and a genre I will call folk punk. Nothing on this disc is as memorable as “Whiskey in My Whiskey,” from their self-titled 2008 release, but “Penn Station,” “Chicken Wire,” and especially “Run Chicken Run” come mighty close. For quieter moods, try “Cooperstown.”
07) JEFF BUJAK – Alive Like the Spine
Electronica isn’t my favorite genre, but Bujak has put together an extremely listenable album here. The titles take some work remembering – not only because many of them are instrumentals, but also because I’m not sure some of these words are actually words. I’m especially fond of “Nomadd,” “Yogoque,” which is the most likely to get airplay outside my show since it has lyrics (but is also unlikely to get airplay because it’s over 8 minutes long and has a title few could guess at pronouncing – Bujak told me it’s YO-go-cue, BTW), and “Prodigium,” which incorporates a great JFK sample.
06) THEM CROOKED VULTURES
Probably not for everyone. Super-retro heavy psychedelia from Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and the one-and-only John Paul Jones. Most of my favorites are on what would’ve been “side B” in the old vinyl days: titles like “Scumbag Blues,” “Caligulove,” and “Spinning in Daffodils” may imply a tongue-in-cheek approach and maybe history will prove this album a one-off novelty. Endure the lengthy “Bandoliers” and the lengthier “Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up” before passing final judgement.
05) SHEMEKIA COPELAND – Never Going Back
The first thing that impressed me was the personnel: John Medeski, Chris Wood, Ike Stubblefield, Kofi Burbrudge, among others. But Copeland’s voice is the real star, pulling everything together into a heady blues/jazz/gospel fusion. Try “Never Going Back to Memphis,” “Limousine,” or “Dirty Water” on for size and tell me, with a straight face, that blues is a dead genre.
04) CASEY DREISSEN – Oog
How Driessen takes a style of music that pre-dates my own grandparents and somehow makes something progressive out of it is a mystery indeed. He may piss off the bluegrass traditionalists in the process, but I hope he keeps these coming. Guitarist Darrell Scott impresses even as a hired studio gun. “Uncontinental Breakfast” and “Lunar Cages” both flirt with being “world music” and remind me of some of Béla Fleck’s more experimental fancies, but my favorite is Driessen’s take on “Conversation with Death,” with the knockout “The Day Before Halloween” chaser.
03) ASSEMBLY of DUST – Some Assembly Required
This album’s biggest strength may also be its greatest weakness. Though it boasts an incredible roster of guest artists, it lacks a certain aesthetic cohesion and, therefore, doesn’t rank as highly as it might have. As an assemblage of sparkling singles, rather than a proper album, it definitely works. Personal favorites include “All That I Am Now” with Richie Havens, “Arc of the Sun” with Mike Gordon (of Phish), and “High Brow” with Al Schnier (of moe.).
02) OUTFORMATION – Fastburn
Sam Holt really knocks this one out of the park. Some of my favorite songs of 2009 are here, including my absolute favorite song this year: “Faded Memory.” You can call it simplistic, by-the-book, rock songcraft, but its hooks still make me smile after multiple spins. The jaunty instrumental “Eleventeen” is another favorite, as is the title track, “Fastburn.” This album is proof that simple doesn’t necessarily equal boring.
01) SON VOLT – American Central Dust
Jay Farrar outdoes Jeff Tweedy in the Uncle Tupelo derby this year. I would call this a true return to form for Son Volt, except I’ve never heard them sound this good. “Sultana” alone is worth the purchase price – this sprawling, heartbreaking epic is a perfect vehicle for Farrar’s talents. “When the Wheels Don’t Move” recalls a saying from the birth of union labor and fits perfectly among these folky gems. Also great are “Down to the Wire,” “Exiles,” and “Jukebox of Steel.” This is not only the best album of 2009, but the best album of Son Volt’s career.
# # #
TOAST’s FAVORITE SINGLES of 2009
These may or may not have been officially designated singles by their respective labels, and a lot of my favorite “singles” are already included on my favorite albums. These are songs which I feel deserve recognition even though the album from which they’re taken might not’ve made the “best of” list as a whole. That being said, some of them actually were singles.
10) PAOLO NUTINI – 10/10
His album “Sunny Side Up” kicks off with this lively, 2 Tone-ish number and rambles through varying degrees of Mowtown-era soul, early Van Morrison, and nouveau swing. He’s got a unique voice and I expect we’ll be hearing more from this Scotsman in the future.
09) BLOODKIN – The Viper
One of the dirty south’s best-kept secrets, and “Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again” may be their best album to date. This track almost hurts to listen to, in a really, really good way.
08) NATHAN MOORE – Hard Times
I imagine all folk singers go their entire lives without being able to say, “yup, just like Dylan woulda done.” Congrats, Nathan. Bring the new Surprise Me Mr. Davis lineup to Santa Fe sometime!
07) EILEN JEWELL – Shakin’ All Over
From outta left field, this oft-covered 1960 gem gets the surfabilly treatment via Jewell’s old-timey flavor. The whole “Sea of Tears” album is pretty good, but this track really stands out.
06) THE SOUL of JOHN BLACK – I Knew a Lady
Simply the single most memorable funk song of the year. I was singing it to myself for days after the first listen. Why this guy’s so underrated is beyond me.
05) One eskimO – Kandi
Hypnotic, tender, yearning. Like U2 in the old days but with a more minimalist approach. Many of my friends actively HATE this song.
04) WILCO – You Never Know
Jeff Tweedy continues to try his hand at being the new Beatles, this time focusing mostly on George. Wilco (the Album) is another solid effort, just not as solid as SBS or YHF.
03) RODRIGO y GABRIELA – Buster Voodoo
One of the most memorable instrumentals ever. The porn-guitar break is awesome.
02) DAVY KNOWLES & BACK DOOR SLAM – Coming Up for Air
Seventies guitar-rock is back – courtesy of a British twenty-something.
I should also mention that thirty-something Joe Bonamassa, whom I've only recently discovered, has also added some tasty riffs to the 70s guitar-rock "lictionary."
01) CAGE the ELEPHANT – Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Three minutes of perfect, crunchy, post-millenial angst. Can’t wait to see these guys live.
# # #
TOAST’s BEST of 2009 – SPECIAL CATEGORIES
BEST WIDELY-CIRCULATED LIVE PERFORMANCE –
PHISH – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (7/30 – 8/2/09)
Especially the “Boogie on Reggae Woman > Morrison Jam #3” from 8/2 – Quite possibly the perfect jam.
BEST UNCIRCULATED LIVE PERFORMANCE –
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / THE FELICE BROTHERS / CHUCK MEAD –
Santa Fe Brewing Company, Santa Fe, NM (9/22/09)
Even members of the bands seemed to agree with me on this one, though no one was taping – sadly.
BEST LIVE ARCHIVAL REISSUE –
TOM PETTY & the HEARTBREAKERS – The Live Anthology
Beats SCI’s “Trick or Treat” box set (which reminded me why I fell in love with String Cheese Incident in the first place) by reminding me why I fell in love with rock’n’roll in the first place.
BEST LIVE DVD RELEASE –
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW – Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre
I popped it in to “check it out” while making dinner, and ended up glued to it straight through. Raucous, feel-good, old-timey charm with an undercurrent of cynical, almost sinister, worldliness. Like a subversive tent revival.
BEST LOCAL RELEASE –
The GumboProject – roux EP
Despite my distaste for bands who insist on unusual capital letters (or lack thereof) as some kind of grammatical fashion statement, my only real problem with this disc is it’s only an EP! More, please!
BEST SUPERGROUP –
Forget MOSTERS of FOLK – gimme THEM CROOKED VULTURES!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Jim James, and the M.O.F. is a great listen, but the FOO FIGHTERS / LED ZEPPELIN / QUEENS of the STONE AGE combo wreaks Godzilla-like havoc by making lo-fi retro rock somehow modern. Agreed, the M.O.F. also accomplished this, but TCV made it HEAVY (^_^)
BEST DISC to PLAY while FALLING ASLEEP –
IRON & WINE – Around the Well (disc 1)
This is no insult, but a high honor in my book. One of my favorite Neil Young albums makes this category as well. Honest.
BEST SONG NO ONE OUTSIDE SANTA FE HAS HEARD YET –
JOHN COURAGE – Stuck in Encinitas
A nearly-perfect rock’n’roll record. Hopefully available in 2010 from Frogville Records!
# # #
I asked a few contributors to the show what their favorites of 2009 were, and many of their replies were new to me, which just goes to show how much great music is out there. Keep diggin' for treasure y'all, and keep the "best of" lists comin' (^_^) TOAST
# # #
ANONYMOUS / NM Guitarist
BOOKER T. JONES – Potato Hole
PELICAN – What We All Come to Need
VINYL – Fogshack Music Volume Two
PIGMENT – Pigment
CHRISTOPHER ROBIE / Homegrown Music Network
MEMORY TAPES – Seek Magic
BIBIO – Ambivalence Avenue
THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS – Ten Years On
MYKA 9 – 1969
BLAKROC
# # #
10) DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – The Fine Print (a Collection of Oddities and Rarities 2001-2008)
Unsure of whether I can technically list this as an “album,” since it’s a collection of leftovers, but holy crap, if these are leftovers – bring on the next “real” album, you guys (Update: New album “The Big To-Do” due 3/16/10)! After listening to the unearthed Jason Isbell track “TVA,” originally recorded for “The Dirty South,” I’m sure I’ll miss his presence all the more in the future (he’s no longer with the band). This track is a mini-rock opera in itself. I also enjoy the alternate takes on “Uncle Frank” and “Goode’s Field Road,” their cover of Tom Petty’s “Rebels” plays better than the original IMO, and Patterson Hood’s “George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues” and “Mrs. Claus’ Kimono” are delightful, showcasing Hood's quite twisted sense of humor. A great collection from one of the best-sounding live bands around.09) SAM BUSH – Circles Around Me
The elder statesman of Newgrass returns with another solid collection of originals, traditionals, and covers. Guests like Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer and (original Bluegrass Boy) Del McCoury don’t hurt, but it’s Bush’s virtuoso picking which wins the day. So many good songs here, but my favorites are “The Ballad of Stringbean & Estelle,” “Blue Mountain,” and “Souvenir Bottles.”08) THE FELICE BROTHERS – Yonder is the Clock
These upstarts from upstate New York continue to concoct a brew which shifts between sounding like The Band on an acid bender and a genre I will call folk punk. Nothing on this disc is as memorable as “Whiskey in My Whiskey,” from their self-titled 2008 release, but “Penn Station,” “Chicken Wire,” and especially “Run Chicken Run” come mighty close. For quieter moods, try “Cooperstown.”07) JEFF BUJAK – Alive Like the Spine
Electronica isn’t my favorite genre, but Bujak has put together an extremely listenable album here. The titles take some work remembering – not only because many of them are instrumentals, but also because I’m not sure some of these words are actually words. I’m especially fond of “Nomadd,” “Yogoque,” which is the most likely to get airplay outside my show since it has lyrics (but is also unlikely to get airplay because it’s over 8 minutes long and has a title few could guess at pronouncing – Bujak told me it’s YO-go-cue, BTW), and “Prodigium,” which incorporates a great JFK sample.06) THEM CROOKED VULTURES
Probably not for everyone. Super-retro heavy psychedelia from Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and the one-and-only John Paul Jones. Most of my favorites are on what would’ve been “side B” in the old vinyl days: titles like “Scumbag Blues,” “Caligulove,” and “Spinning in Daffodils” may imply a tongue-in-cheek approach and maybe history will prove this album a one-off novelty. Endure the lengthy “Bandoliers” and the lengthier “Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up” before passing final judgement.05) SHEMEKIA COPELAND – Never Going Back
The first thing that impressed me was the personnel: John Medeski, Chris Wood, Ike Stubblefield, Kofi Burbrudge, among others. But Copeland’s voice is the real star, pulling everything together into a heady blues/jazz/gospel fusion. Try “Never Going Back to Memphis,” “Limousine,” or “Dirty Water” on for size and tell me, with a straight face, that blues is a dead genre.04) CASEY DREISSEN – Oog
How Driessen takes a style of music that pre-dates my own grandparents and somehow makes something progressive out of it is a mystery indeed. He may piss off the bluegrass traditionalists in the process, but I hope he keeps these coming. Guitarist Darrell Scott impresses even as a hired studio gun. “Uncontinental Breakfast” and “Lunar Cages” both flirt with being “world music” and remind me of some of Béla Fleck’s more experimental fancies, but my favorite is Driessen’s take on “Conversation with Death,” with the knockout “The Day Before Halloween” chaser.03) ASSEMBLY of DUST – Some Assembly Required
This album’s biggest strength may also be its greatest weakness. Though it boasts an incredible roster of guest artists, it lacks a certain aesthetic cohesion and, therefore, doesn’t rank as highly as it might have. As an assemblage of sparkling singles, rather than a proper album, it definitely works. Personal favorites include “All That I Am Now” with Richie Havens, “Arc of the Sun” with Mike Gordon (of Phish), and “High Brow” with Al Schnier (of moe.).02) OUTFORMATION – Fastburn
Sam Holt really knocks this one out of the park. Some of my favorite songs of 2009 are here, including my absolute favorite song this year: “Faded Memory.” You can call it simplistic, by-the-book, rock songcraft, but its hooks still make me smile after multiple spins. The jaunty instrumental “Eleventeen” is another favorite, as is the title track, “Fastburn.” This album is proof that simple doesn’t necessarily equal boring.01) SON VOLT – American Central Dust
Jay Farrar outdoes Jeff Tweedy in the Uncle Tupelo derby this year. I would call this a true return to form for Son Volt, except I’ve never heard them sound this good. “Sultana” alone is worth the purchase price – this sprawling, heartbreaking epic is a perfect vehicle for Farrar’s talents. “When the Wheels Don’t Move” recalls a saying from the birth of union labor and fits perfectly among these folky gems. Also great are “Down to the Wire,” “Exiles,” and “Jukebox of Steel.” This is not only the best album of 2009, but the best album of Son Volt’s career.
# # #
TOAST’s FAVORITE SINGLES of 2009
These may or may not have been officially designated singles by their respective labels, and a lot of my favorite “singles” are already included on my favorite albums. These are songs which I feel deserve recognition even though the album from which they’re taken might not’ve made the “best of” list as a whole. That being said, some of them actually were singles.
10) PAOLO NUTINI – 10/10
His album “Sunny Side Up” kicks off with this lively, 2 Tone-ish number and rambles through varying degrees of Mowtown-era soul, early Van Morrison, and nouveau swing. He’s got a unique voice and I expect we’ll be hearing more from this Scotsman in the future.
09) BLOODKIN – The Viper
One of the dirty south’s best-kept secrets, and “Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again” may be their best album to date. This track almost hurts to listen to, in a really, really good way.
08) NATHAN MOORE – Hard Times
I imagine all folk singers go their entire lives without being able to say, “yup, just like Dylan woulda done.” Congrats, Nathan. Bring the new Surprise Me Mr. Davis lineup to Santa Fe sometime!
07) EILEN JEWELL – Shakin’ All Over
From outta left field, this oft-covered 1960 gem gets the surfabilly treatment via Jewell’s old-timey flavor. The whole “Sea of Tears” album is pretty good, but this track really stands out.
06) THE SOUL of JOHN BLACK – I Knew a Lady
Simply the single most memorable funk song of the year. I was singing it to myself for days after the first listen. Why this guy’s so underrated is beyond me.
05) One eskimO – Kandi
Hypnotic, tender, yearning. Like U2 in the old days but with a more minimalist approach. Many of my friends actively HATE this song.
04) WILCO – You Never Know
Jeff Tweedy continues to try his hand at being the new Beatles, this time focusing mostly on George. Wilco (the Album) is another solid effort, just not as solid as SBS or YHF.
03) RODRIGO y GABRIELA – Buster Voodoo
One of the most memorable instrumentals ever. The porn-guitar break is awesome.
02) DAVY KNOWLES & BACK DOOR SLAM – Coming Up for Air
Seventies guitar-rock is back – courtesy of a British twenty-something.
I should also mention that thirty-something Joe Bonamassa, whom I've only recently discovered, has also added some tasty riffs to the 70s guitar-rock "lictionary."
01) CAGE the ELEPHANT – Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Three minutes of perfect, crunchy, post-millenial angst. Can’t wait to see these guys live.
# # #
TOAST’s BEST of 2009 – SPECIAL CATEGORIES
BEST WIDELY-CIRCULATED LIVE PERFORMANCE –
PHISH – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (7/30 – 8/2/09)
Especially the “Boogie on Reggae Woman > Morrison Jam #3” from 8/2 – Quite possibly the perfect jam.
BEST UNCIRCULATED LIVE PERFORMANCE –
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / THE FELICE BROTHERS / CHUCK MEAD –
Santa Fe Brewing Company, Santa Fe, NM (9/22/09)
Even members of the bands seemed to agree with me on this one, though no one was taping – sadly.
BEST LIVE ARCHIVAL REISSUE –
TOM PETTY & the HEARTBREAKERS – The Live Anthology
Beats SCI’s “Trick or Treat” box set (which reminded me why I fell in love with String Cheese Incident in the first place) by reminding me why I fell in love with rock’n’roll in the first place.
BEST LIVE DVD RELEASE –
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW – Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre
I popped it in to “check it out” while making dinner, and ended up glued to it straight through. Raucous, feel-good, old-timey charm with an undercurrent of cynical, almost sinister, worldliness. Like a subversive tent revival.
BEST LOCAL RELEASE –
The GumboProject – roux EP
Despite my distaste for bands who insist on unusual capital letters (or lack thereof) as some kind of grammatical fashion statement, my only real problem with this disc is it’s only an EP! More, please!
BEST SUPERGROUP –
Forget MOSTERS of FOLK – gimme THEM CROOKED VULTURES!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Jim James, and the M.O.F. is a great listen, but the FOO FIGHTERS / LED ZEPPELIN / QUEENS of the STONE AGE combo wreaks Godzilla-like havoc by making lo-fi retro rock somehow modern. Agreed, the M.O.F. also accomplished this, but TCV made it HEAVY (^_^)
BEST DISC to PLAY while FALLING ASLEEP –
IRON & WINE – Around the Well (disc 1)
This is no insult, but a high honor in my book. One of my favorite Neil Young albums makes this category as well. Honest.
BEST SONG NO ONE OUTSIDE SANTA FE HAS HEARD YET –
JOHN COURAGE – Stuck in Encinitas
A nearly-perfect rock’n’roll record. Hopefully available in 2010 from Frogville Records!
# # #
I asked a few contributors to the show what their favorites of 2009 were, and many of their replies were new to me, which just goes to show how much great music is out there. Keep diggin' for treasure y'all, and keep the "best of" lists comin' (^_^) TOAST
# # #
ANONYMOUS / NM Guitarist
BOOKER T. JONES – Potato Hole
PELICAN – What We All Come to Need
VINYL – Fogshack Music Volume Two
PIGMENT – Pigment
CHRISTOPHER ROBIE / Homegrown Music Network
MEMORY TAPES – Seek Magic
BIBIO – Ambivalence Avenue
THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS – Ten Years On
MYKA 9 – 1969
BLAKROC
# # #
Saturday, December 26, 2009
SAD NEWS
Folk-rocker Vic Chesnutt dies in Geogia at 45
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 hour ago
ATHENS, Ga. — Vic Chesnutt, the folk-rocker whose sometimes dark reflections on life were influenced in part by a car wreck that left him paralyzed, has died. He was 45.
Family friend Christina Stuckey, who answered the phone at Chesnutt's home, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. Chesnutt's record label, Constellation Records, said in a statement on its website that Chesnutt died on Christmas Day, Friday.
The brief statement says "Vic transformed our sense of what true character, grace and determination are all about."
Chesnutt worked with such notable artists as R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe and guitarist Guy Picciotto of the punk band Fugazi.
Chesnutt said in a biography posted on his MySpace page that he came to "a whole new understanding of music" after the 1983 car crash.
He recently had toured with his Vic Chesnutt band, a "supergroup" of sorts featuring members of Canadian bands Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra, as well as Picciotto.
"This is a truly incredible braintrust, with all these people - we've got some of the smartest and most sensitive punk rockers out there," he told the Athens Banner-Herald for a story in October.
The rocker released two albums in the past year, including "At the Cut."
However, Chesnutt had recently struggled with a lawsuit filed by a Georgia hospital after he racked up surgery bills totalling some $70,000, the Athens newspaper reported. He said he couldn't afford more than hospitalization insurance and couldn't keep up with the payments.
The problems baffled his Canadian bandmates, Chesnutt said.
"There's nowhere else in the world that I'd be facing the situation I'm in right now. They cannot understand what kind of society would inflict that on their population," he said. "It's terrifying."
Unlike Canada and other developed industrialized countries, the United States does not provide universal health care coverage. Most Americans obtain their health insurance through their employers, but a self-employed musician like Chesnutt with pre-existing medical conditions would have difficulty obtaining an affordable health insurance policy.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Related articles
* A Sobering Note: Singer Vic Chesnutt in a Coma
Firedoglake (blog) - 19 hours ago
* Vic Chesnutt Confirmed Dead
Puggal Latest News and events - 1 day ago
* Vic Chesnutt dead?
The Daily Inquirer - 1 day ago
* More coverage (73) »
Add News to your iGoogle Homepage Add News to your Google Homepage
The Canadian Press
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 hour ago
ATHENS, Ga. — Vic Chesnutt, the folk-rocker whose sometimes dark reflections on life were influenced in part by a car wreck that left him paralyzed, has died. He was 45.
Family friend Christina Stuckey, who answered the phone at Chesnutt's home, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. Chesnutt's record label, Constellation Records, said in a statement on its website that Chesnutt died on Christmas Day, Friday.
The brief statement says "Vic transformed our sense of what true character, grace and determination are all about."
Chesnutt worked with such notable artists as R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe and guitarist Guy Picciotto of the punk band Fugazi.
Chesnutt said in a biography posted on his MySpace page that he came to "a whole new understanding of music" after the 1983 car crash.
He recently had toured with his Vic Chesnutt band, a "supergroup" of sorts featuring members of Canadian bands Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra, as well as Picciotto.
"This is a truly incredible braintrust, with all these people - we've got some of the smartest and most sensitive punk rockers out there," he told the Athens Banner-Herald for a story in October.
The rocker released two albums in the past year, including "At the Cut."
However, Chesnutt had recently struggled with a lawsuit filed by a Georgia hospital after he racked up surgery bills totalling some $70,000, the Athens newspaper reported. He said he couldn't afford more than hospitalization insurance and couldn't keep up with the payments.
The problems baffled his Canadian bandmates, Chesnutt said.
"There's nowhere else in the world that I'd be facing the situation I'm in right now. They cannot understand what kind of society would inflict that on their population," he said. "It's terrifying."
Unlike Canada and other developed industrialized countries, the United States does not provide universal health care coverage. Most Americans obtain their health insurance through their employers, but a self-employed musician like Chesnutt with pre-existing medical conditions would have difficulty obtaining an affordable health insurance policy.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Related articles
* A Sobering Note: Singer Vic Chesnutt in a Coma
Firedoglake (blog) - 19 hours ago
* Vic Chesnutt Confirmed Dead
Puggal Latest News and events - 1 day ago
* Vic Chesnutt dead?
The Daily Inquirer - 1 day ago
* More coverage (73) »
Add News to your iGoogle Homepage Add News to your Google Homepage
The Canadian Press
Thursday, December 17, 2009
TnJ 099 (12/17/09)
No broadcast next week (12/24/09), but keep your eyes on the blog and your ears on the radio (or the webstream) for Toast-n-Jam's Best of 2009 lists (^_^) TOAST
-HOUR ONE-
SAM BUSH – Blue Mountain (2009 Circles Around Me)
MAX ALLEN BAND – Gridlock (2009 Ending Sun) homegrownmusic.net
ERIC McFADDEN TRIO – Hey Bulldog (2003 Diamonds to Coal) ericmcfadden.com
DUMPSTAPHUNK – Stinky (2007 Listen Hear EP)
LUBRIPHONIC – Say Something Good (2008 Soul Solution) homegrownmusic.net
The GumboProject – Rubick’s Cube (2009 roux EP) gumboproject.com
moe. – Moth (2008 Dr. Stan’s Prescription, Vol. 1, 3/17/95 Garton’s, Vail, CO) moe.org
GOV’T MULE – Broke Down on the Brazos (2009 By a Thread) mule.net
-HOUR TWO-
DEREK and the DOMINOS – Got to Get Better in a Little While (1994 Live at the Fillmore, c. 1970)
DAVY KNOWLES & BACK DOOR SLAM – Hear Me Lord (2009 Coming Up for Air)
EILEN JEWELL – Fading Memory (2009 Sea of Tears) eilenjewell.com
THE HOT CLUB of SANTA FE – Jitterbug Waltz (2008 Musique de la Ville Différente)
ASSEMBLY of DUST featuring RICHIE HAVENS – All That I Am Now (2009 Some Assembly Required) assemblyofdust.com
SLY & the FAMILY STONE – Love City (2009 the Woodstock Experience, c. 1969)
AFROSKULL – Spyplane (2009 To Obscurity and Beyond) afroskull.com
# # #
-HOUR ONE-
SAM BUSH – Blue Mountain (2009 Circles Around Me)
MAX ALLEN BAND – Gridlock (2009 Ending Sun) homegrownmusic.net
ERIC McFADDEN TRIO – Hey Bulldog (2003 Diamonds to Coal) ericmcfadden.com
DUMPSTAPHUNK – Stinky (2007 Listen Hear EP)
LUBRIPHONIC – Say Something Good (2008 Soul Solution) homegrownmusic.net
The GumboProject – Rubick’s Cube (2009 roux EP) gumboproject.com
moe. – Moth (2008 Dr. Stan’s Prescription, Vol. 1, 3/17/95 Garton’s, Vail, CO) moe.org
GOV’T MULE – Broke Down on the Brazos (2009 By a Thread) mule.net
-HOUR TWO-
DEREK and the DOMINOS – Got to Get Better in a Little While (1994 Live at the Fillmore, c. 1970)
DAVY KNOWLES & BACK DOOR SLAM – Hear Me Lord (2009 Coming Up for Air)
EILEN JEWELL – Fading Memory (2009 Sea of Tears) eilenjewell.com
THE HOT CLUB of SANTA FE – Jitterbug Waltz (2008 Musique de la Ville Différente)
ASSEMBLY of DUST featuring RICHIE HAVENS – All That I Am Now (2009 Some Assembly Required) assemblyofdust.com
SLY & the FAMILY STONE – Love City (2009 the Woodstock Experience, c. 1969)
AFROSKULL – Spyplane (2009 To Obscurity and Beyond) afroskull.com
# # #
Thursday, December 10, 2009
TnJ 098 (12/10/09)
Special thanks to David Avery, Kevin Morris, and Matt Hogan for helping set up the interviews with Bill Nershi and Kyle Hollingsworth (both of String Cheese Incident fame, of course), and to Bill and Kyle for being their thoughtful, effervescent selves.
If you missed the interviews, I’ve posted them for playback on kbac.com
-HOUR ONE-
Interview > BILL NERSHI (12/09/09 KBAC studios, SF, NM)
EMMITT-NERSHI BAND – These Days (2009 New Country Blues) scifidelity.com
Interview > KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH (12/9/09 KBAC studios, SF, NM)
KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH – Piece of Mine (2009 Then There’s Now) scifidelity.com
STRING CHEESE INCIDENT – Exodus > Under African Skies (2009 Trick or Treat, 10/31/99 Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA) scifidelity.com
-HOUR TWO-
THE DOORS – Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) > Backdoor Man > Love Hides > Five to One (1970 Absolutely Live)
WIDESPREAD PANIC – Goin’ Out West (6/28/08 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO) livewidespreadpanic.com
MGMT – The Handshake (2008 Oracular Spectacular)
THE POLYPHONIC SPREE – Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King) (2004 Together We’re Heavy)
JERRY JOSEPH & the JACKMORMONS – Ten Killer Fairies (2002 Conscious Contact)
ROUND MOUNTAIN – Let Somebody Know You (2009 Windward) roundmountainmusic.com
ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND – Revival (1992 An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band…First Set)
# # #
If you missed the interviews, I’ve posted them for playback on kbac.com
-HOUR ONE-
Interview > BILL NERSHI (12/09/09 KBAC studios, SF, NM)
EMMITT-NERSHI BAND – These Days (2009 New Country Blues) scifidelity.com
Interview > KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH (12/9/09 KBAC studios, SF, NM)
KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH – Piece of Mine (2009 Then There’s Now) scifidelity.com
STRING CHEESE INCIDENT – Exodus > Under African Skies (2009 Trick or Treat, 10/31/99 Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA) scifidelity.com
-HOUR TWO-
THE DOORS – Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) > Backdoor Man > Love Hides > Five to One (1970 Absolutely Live)
WIDESPREAD PANIC – Goin’ Out West (6/28/08 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO) livewidespreadpanic.com
MGMT – The Handshake (2008 Oracular Spectacular)
THE POLYPHONIC SPREE – Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King) (2004 Together We’re Heavy)
JERRY JOSEPH & the JACKMORMONS – Ten Killer Fairies (2002 Conscious Contact)
ROUND MOUNTAIN – Let Somebody Know You (2009 Windward) roundmountainmusic.com
ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND – Revival (1992 An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band…First Set)
# # #
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
OH, X-MAS CHEESE, OH, X-MAS CHEESE...
Interviews with Bill Nershi and Kyle Hollingsworth (both of String Cheese Incident fame) this Thursday night! Look in the column on the right for links to the live stream or the uploaded podcast after the fact (^_^) TOAST!
# # #
# # #
Thursday, December 3, 2009
TnJ 097 (12/3/09)
-HOUR ONE-
KARL DENSON’s TINY UNIVERSE – Shake It Out (2009 Brother’s Keeper)
GARAGE à TROIS – Fat Redneck Gangster (2009 Power Patriot)
ADAM STERN – Bear Up the Stair (2009 Twang Shui)
J.J. CALE / ERIC CLAPTON – Dead End Road (2006 the Road to Escondido)
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND – If You’re Ever in Oklahoma (12/31/99 Nederland, CO)
WIDESPREAD PANIC – Travelin’ Light (1998 Light Fuse, Get Away)
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – Uncle Frank (alternate version) (2009 The Fine Print)
ALLEN THOMPSON – Virginia (2009 26 Years)
-HOUR TWO-
ANDY HALL – Deep Elem Blues (2008 Sound of the Slide Guitar)
SOLOMON BURKE f/ BEN HARPER – A Minute to Rest and a Second to Pray (2008 Like a Fire)
JIM WEIDER’s PROJECT PERCOLATOR – Dreamline (2009 Pulse)
TV on the RADIO – Golden Age (2008 Dear Science)
UMPHREY’s McGEE – Turn & Dub (Michael G Easy Star All-Stars remix) (2009 Turn & Dub EP)
GOGOL BORDELLO – Start Wearing Purple (2005 Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike)
THE FELICE BROTHERS – Memphis Flu (2009 Yonder Is the Clock)
LEFTOVER SALMON w/ JOHN BELL, JEFF AUSTIN, PETE SEARS, and JOHN COWAN – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (9/9/00 Planet Salmon, Lyons, CO) jambase.com
# # #
KARL DENSON’s TINY UNIVERSE – Shake It Out (2009 Brother’s Keeper)
GARAGE à TROIS – Fat Redneck Gangster (2009 Power Patriot)
ADAM STERN – Bear Up the Stair (2009 Twang Shui)
J.J. CALE / ERIC CLAPTON – Dead End Road (2006 the Road to Escondido)
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND – If You’re Ever in Oklahoma (12/31/99 Nederland, CO)
WIDESPREAD PANIC – Travelin’ Light (1998 Light Fuse, Get Away)
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – Uncle Frank (alternate version) (2009 The Fine Print)
ALLEN THOMPSON – Virginia (2009 26 Years)
-HOUR TWO-
ANDY HALL – Deep Elem Blues (2008 Sound of the Slide Guitar)
SOLOMON BURKE f/ BEN HARPER – A Minute to Rest and a Second to Pray (2008 Like a Fire)
JIM WEIDER’s PROJECT PERCOLATOR – Dreamline (2009 Pulse)
TV on the RADIO – Golden Age (2008 Dear Science)
UMPHREY’s McGEE – Turn & Dub (Michael G Easy Star All-Stars remix) (2009 Turn & Dub EP)
GOGOL BORDELLO – Start Wearing Purple (2005 Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike)
THE FELICE BROTHERS – Memphis Flu (2009 Yonder Is the Clock)
LEFTOVER SALMON w/ JOHN BELL, JEFF AUSTIN, PETE SEARS, and JOHN COWAN – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (9/9/00 Planet Salmon, Lyons, CO) jambase.com
# # #
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