Happy Birthday, Bob Mould! As a Gift to You, Free Mould Live Sugar Songs

Since today is Bob Mould's birthday and Scruffy's back to reminding you about artists with Minneapolis connections, here's another reminder about his amazing new album, Silver Age, which you can listen to in its entirety here. Now that I have heard the whole thing, it's in my top albums of this year. It seems even sweeter because I seem to remember Mould saying that when Last Dog And Pony Show tour came around, it would be the last electric band tour. Now with this recent Sugar-y record, a loud electric show might still come your way.




Warning. The following video features Mould in a sensible suit. For some reason, it really messed with my image of the guy.





Here's a nice vid with Mould and Dave Grohl.





You can download Mould's live versions of three Sugar copper Blue tunes by giving up your email address. Go here.



Photo at top of post by Peter Ellenby.

Comments welcome below.

The Jayhawks - A Quick Appreciation

A while back I started noting a few Minneapolis-area artists that have turned Scruffy's crank, and It's finally time to get back to it (the oft-valuable Fuel for Friends blog reminded me with an awesome Minneapolis Mixtape). So we come to The Jayhawks. Suffice it to say, these guys were probably my introduction to what soon became known as alt country. In fact, I'd say they also sparked a re-introduction to country period, as I had forgotten how great folks like Johnny Cash were. But more importantly, I'm not sure I would have been as open to the greatness of The Long Ryders, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, or more traditional artists such as Allison Krauss, Marty Stuart or Patty Loveless.

My oldest son decries what he calls "Hipster Country", but I haven't even played him The Jayhawks yet. The thing is, there ain't too much hipster in this band, unless you think influences like the Byrds or Bob Dylan or Neil Young are hipster-oriented. Not that the 'Hawks really ape those artists, but there's nothing wrong with stellar harmonies, the right feel as opposed to auto-tuned fakery, an emphasis on well-wrought lyrics, finely crafted melodies, and some sweet guitar that might be reverb-drenched, could be honeyed acoustic, or possibly launch into wailing Neil Y teritory.

The band's been around so long now the members have splintered and come back together and they sound as good as ever. She Walks in So Many Ways comes from 2011's Mockingbird Time, the get-back-together record, and it's really grown on me.





The Jayhawks' website has a lot of tunes from over the years for you to stream if you want to hear more, and 2009's Music From the North Country is also a good introduction.










Clifton Bridge from The Jayhawks on Vimeo.


Comments welcome below.

Grapes of Wrath - Two New Tunes, New Album Coming

The Grapes of Wrath haven't put out a new album with original members Kevin Kane, Tom Hooper and Chris Hooper for 21 years or so. The last time I saw them, their opening act was Sarah McLachlan. Yeah, that was a long time ago. So the line, "It's been a long time, but it sure is good to see you" from the new song Good to See You is apropos. Apt, even. It's a good-time song, handclaps and trademark harmonies intact. The other one, Take on the Day, is one of those quiet Grapes ballads that is wistful, melancholic maybe, but never thretens to become bombastic or sappy. The ability to craft a ballad that isn't one or the other is something that has eluded many great songwriters - you know, that song you skip? You don't need to hit that button with The Grapes. Those two new songs can be found on the recently-released Singles album (on Aporia Records) which also includes all 15 singles from back in the day. A new album is scheduled to be released in the spring, maybe as early as February.

Track listing:

Good To See You - new track
Backward Town
Do You Want To Tell Me?
I Am Here
A Dream (About You)
All The Things I Wasn’t (single version)
What Was Going Through My Head (single version)
Peace Of Mind
The Most
You May Be Right (Single Edit)
Take On The Day - new track
Misunderstanding
Stay
O Lucky Man
Away
A Fishing Tale (Radio Edit)
Love Comes Around

Tour Dates
October 12th at The Vogue Theatre in Vancouver (with 54.40)
October 13th at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver (with 54.40)
October 19th at the Royal Theatre in Victoria (with 54.40)
October 26 at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield (with Lily Frost)
October 27 at the Red Dog Tavern in Peterborough (with Lily Frost)
October 29 at the Casbah in Hamilton (with Lily Frost)
October 30 at the Mod Club in Toronto (with special guests, TBA)

Comments are welcome below.