From Rolling Stone: Neil Young plans Pono launch for 2014.

Finally! I read about this in Neil’s book…it could be great because MP3’s, Apple Lossless Files, and the like have such horrible sound quality…

Click here to read more…

The great Neko Case is back (solo)…

http://www.hulu.com/watch/529183?from=fb_share

1. Live at Hollywood High by Elvis Costello & the Attractions (2010; originally released as an EP 1979)
2. The Repulsion Box by Sons & Daughters (2005)
3. PW & the Ghost Gloves Cat Wing Joy Boys by Paul Westerberg (EP; 2009)
4. I Hate Music by Superchunk (2013)
5. The Fabled City by Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman (2008)
6. The Warrior’s Code by Dropkick Murphys (2005)
7. Mirror Mirror by Sons & Daughters (2011)
8. Back to Mono (1958-1969) by Phil Spector producing various artists including the Ronettes, Darlene Love, the Crystals, the Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, and more (3CDs; compilation; 1991)
9. Alice by Tom Waits (2002)
10. The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield by Curtis Mayfield (compilation; 1997)

Here are two samples featuring a couple of the above artists for your listening pleasure:

The opening scene and title sequence from Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, featuring the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” (maybe the greatest rock’n’roll song ever)

The Dropkick Murphys’ song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” as featured in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dnfke_7iGE

1. Zen Arcade by Hüsker Dü (1984)
2. The Big Shot Chronicles by Game Theory (1986)
3. Diamond Dogs by David Bowie (1974)
4. Bareback by Hank Dogs (1999)
5. Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins (2006)
6. Talk Talk Talk by the Psychedelic Furs (1981)
7. 1984 by Van Halen (1984)
8. Turn on the Bright Lights by Interpol (2002)
9. Use Your Illusion I by Guns N’ Roses (1991)
10. Use Your Illusion II by Guns N’ Roses (1991)

Here a couple of samples from the music listed above:

There are some days when I think that Hüsker Dü was the coolest band ever…this is one of those days…the Zen Arcade album will floor you, but right now I can’t stop playing New Day Rising…I even renamed my first band Zen Arcade, circa 1986…

Minneapolis, the last place you would think of as a hot bed of musical genius (unlike Liverpool, Seattle, Athens, NYC, etc), gave use two of the greatest bands of all time, Hüsker Dü and their rivals, the equally amazing Replacements – and of course the indescribable Prince hails from the Twin Cities, as do Soul Asylum (the baby brother band to Hüsker Dü and the Replacements) and the Jayhawks…

But today, at least, Hüsker Dü is the end all be all…

Hüsker Dü: “Books About UFOs”:

Prince (coming in at the end) with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison (George’s son), Steve Winwood, and a couple of Heartbreakers:

1. This Gift by Sons & Daughter (2008)
2. Electric Arguments by the Fireman {Paul McCartney & Youth} (2008)
3. I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got {2CD Limited Edition version} by Sinéad O’Connor (1990; reissue 2009)
4. The A’s/Woman’s Got the Power by the A’s {twofer} (The A’s 1979; A Woman’s Got the Power 1981; twofer 2009)
5. The Smiths by the Smiths (1984)
6. The Delivery Man: Deluxe Edition by Elvis Costello & the Imposters {2CDs; includes The Clarksdale Sessions EP} (2004; Deluxe Edition 2005)
7. Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1987)
8. Time Machine by the Peace Creeps (2011)
9. Faith by George Michael (1987)
10. Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits by Def Leppard {compilation} (1995)

Here is some video & audio featuring two of the above artists:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIFklXp3cmQ

RIP Allen Lanier…I’m not a big BOC fan, but always respected his talent. Read more HERE.

I miss Levon, Rick, Richard, and the boys. Here’s some late period Band covering Bruce Springsteen. This took place after they reunited. Levon sounds great.

1. Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1987)
2. Young Loud and Snotty by the Dead Boys (1977)
3. King of America by Elvis Costello & the Costello Show {the Confederates w/ the Attractions; 2CD Ryko reissue w/ the Live on Broadway EP} (1986; reissue 1995)
4. The Next Day by David Bowie (2013)
5. Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles (1967)
6. Tim by the Replacements (1985)
7. Hang Time by Soul Asylum (1988)
8. Hooterization: A Retrospective by the Hooters {compilation} (1996)
9. Damaged & Jealous Again by Black Flag {twofer} (Damaged 1981; Jealous Again EP 1980)
10. Live in Texas by Lyle Lovett (1999)

Here a couple of videos that feature two of the above artists for you to enjoy!