Rockin' the Word With Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Today, Modern Neon Sound recalls a nearly-forgotten guitar hero. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas in 1915. After moving with her family to Chicago in the 1920s, Rosetta, who was already performing as "Little Rosetta Nubin, the Singing and Guitar-Playing Miracle" developed a love of jazz and blues that set her apart from her gospel contemporaries. She married preacher Thomas Thorpe in 1934, and the couple settled in New York City. Her first recordings of gospel music, backed by Lucky Millinder's jazz band in 1938, shocked many of her most devout fans, but marked the start of a recording career that lasted until her death in 1973. While she eventually recorded both sacred and secular music, she is best remembered as the first bona fide gospel recording star. Sadly, she was shunned by the mainstream gospel audience she loved most after recording several blues numbers in the late 1950s. At the time of her death, Sister Rosetta Tharpe had been left behind by the genre she helped to create, and she was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Philadelphia. Read more and watch the video after the jump.

Bill Hicks "Free Bird: The Mantra of the Moron"

There are very few comedians with as much pent-up anger as Bill Hicks.  One night he heard someone yell out "Freebird" one too many times - and the fury was unleashed.  Admittedly, the Hitler references may have been a bit much, however, I think once he was wound up there was no stopping him - and at the end of the day, it's not a rant against the jews - it's a rant against all of humanity. This clip is presented here because it's entertaining to watch a comedian eviscerate a heckler, but if you are not familiar with Hick's work I would encourage you to explore a bit further.  His routines are thoughtful, insightful and hilarious.  He was a major inspiration to many comics who went on to greater fame, and a real beacon of truth in a hypocritical world. Sadly, Bill Hicks died from pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the young age of 32. Watch the video after the jump.

Vampire Weekend "Cousins"

Not my first Vampire Weekend post, and I'm certain it won't be my last!  "Cousins" is from the new album "Contra" which is has a great collection of songs.  A couple of nights ago I watched Vampire Weekend perform a really awesome Unplugged show on a new channel called Palladia HD - it looks like it's on again tonight so be sure to check it out if you get the channel.  Watch the video after the jump.

David Bowie "I Can't Explain"

This video of David Bowie's cover of The Who's "I Can't Explain" is worth it just for Bowie's outfit! The song comes from Bowie's 1973 collection of cover songs, "Pinups." The album is a real time capsule of pop music - even the cover speaks to the times by featuring an image of Bowie posing with supermodel Twiggy.  Watch the video after the jump.

Charlie Daniels "Long Haired Country Boy"

I love this Charlie Daniels' song for its honest observations about social politics, economic status, religious views and human vs. hound dog behavior. I also love the fact that it's simple enough for me to play on my guitar! Alright, so I'm not at a level where I can do all that fancy picking stuff, but I can strum and sing along with Charlie, and that's all that really matters when I'm sitting here in front of my computer. Sure you might hear some coyotes howling in this distance, but hey, if you don't like the way I'm living...or singing...you just leave this short-haired-country-boy-wannabe alone.





Thanks to killerclam for the upload to YouTube.

Collins Kids "Hush Money"

The Collins Kids were rockabilly phenoms - They were born in Pretty Water, Oklahoma, but the children's parents whisked them off to Los Angeles at an early age in order to thrust the two talented kids into the bright lights of Hollywood. They appeared often on Tex Ritter's "Town Hall Party" as well as "The Grand Ole Opry" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." Lorrie and Larry Collins had several hits in the 1950's including "Hoy, Hoy" and "Hop, Skip and Jump." They were marketed towards children, but surely any adult could appreciate Lorrie's singing, and the lightening guitar style of ten year old Larry Collins. Read more and watch the video after the jump.

Badly Drawn Boy "The Shining"

Badly Drawn Boy's "The Shining" is without a doubt one of the most beautiful songs ever written.  It certainly resides in my personal top ten list.

Sam and Dave "When Something is Wrong With My Baby"

Stax recording artists, Sam and Dave, "The Sultans of Sweat," tear one from your heart at the Stax Revue from 1967.

Interesting Sam and Dave Trivia Fact:  In 1979, the duo opened shows for The Clash on parts of their US Tour, including dates at The Palladium in New York City.

Rock Is Dead and Paper Killed It

Love this t-shirt from Threadless!

Bobbie Gentry "Ode to Billie Joe"

Bobbie Gentry released "Ode to Billie Joe" in July of 1967. It was a number-one hit in the United States and has been ranked #412 in Rolling Stones' List of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is a classic Southern Gothic, or as I prefer to refer to the genre "Rotting in the South," story of a family sitting around the dinner table and nonchalantly discusing Billie Joe's suicide. Mama is the first to tell of the news she heard from Choctaw Ridge that Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. While most of the family seems unconcerned or not surprised with Billie Joe's death it is apparent that this is the first time the narrator/singer is hearing the tragic news, and she is touched in a deeper way. It appears as though there was a hidden relationship of some sort between the singer and Billie Joe. The song lyrics hold several unsolved musical mysteries: What was the relationship between the narrator and Billie Joe? What did the preacher see Billie Joe and a girl that looked a lot like the singer throwing off of the Tallahatchie Bridge? Why did Billie Joe jump off of the bridge? Read more and watch the video after the jump.