Supergroups & Opinions on Mos Def
Mix one famous musician and stir in some others. The results can be a recipe for success, or disaster. Jim and Greg discuss rock's best and worst Supergroups. Then, they review the newest album from Mos Def.
Music News
First up in the news, Pepsi is launching a music label in China. This is a strange, but perhaps smart move considering the large, untapped market there. The soda company will produce a "Battle of the Bands" television show to find artists to record. In addition, those artists will be featured in Pepsi ads.
Two sad news items follow. First is the death of Mink DeVille frontman Willy DeVille. DeVille was one of the key artists from the CBGB punk scene. But, he distinguished himself from the Blondies and Ramones with his unique sound. He was more a child of the Brill Building music of the '60s, and actually introduced Jim and Greg to a lot of those influences. To honor DeVille they play his Jack Nitzsche-produced track "Spanish Stroll."
Another recent death is that of director, writer and producer John Hughes. While Hughes isn't necessarily a music figure, Jim and Greg know that he was a huge fan. His musical choices in films like "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles" influenced what young people heard, and for many teens it was their first exposure to "alternative" music. In honor of Hughes, Jim and Greg play the original version of "Pretty in Pink," by the Psychedelic Furs.
Supergroups
Jim and Greg ponder the history of the supergroup. This is the rock phenomenon where musicians from different bands join together to form a new group. Sometimes this is a great success, and sometimes the ingredients just don't mix. Recently there have been a number of new supergroups such as Them Crooked Vultures, Tinted Windows, Dead Weather and Monsters of Folk. For Jim the keys to a winning supergroup are that the members be individually "super," and that they have chemistry together. Greg adds that there needs to be more compelling the super-union than just business.
Here are some hits and misses throughout history:
- Traveling Wilburys
- Chickenfoot
- Million Dollar Quartet
- Cream
- Blind Faith
- Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young)
- UK
- Golden Palomino
- Electronic
- Temple of the Dog
- Audioslave
- Lucy Pearl
The Ecstatic Mos Def
Mos Def first gained attention as a member of Black Star with fellow rapper Talib Kweli. He went on to have a successful solo career, but these days more people might recognize him as an actor than a musician. Now he is back with The Ecstatic. Jim and Greg both thought his rap career was all but over, so this record was a welcome surprise. Jim heard it more like an unfocused mixtape than an album, but he loved Mos Def's energy and the work of his producers. Greg found the rapper more engaged on this album and calls it a triumphant return to form. The Ecstatic gets two Buy Its.
Featured Songs
- Mink DeVille, "Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl," Cabretta, Capitol, 1977
- Mink DeVille, "Spanish Stroll," Cabretta, Capitol, 1977
- Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)," single, Virgin, 1985
- Yello, "Oh Yeah," Stella, Vertigo, 1985
- The Psychedelic Furs, "Pretty in Pink," Talk Talk Talk, Columbia, 1981
- The Traveling Wilburys, "Handle With Care," Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1, Rhino, 1988
- Damnocracy, "UltrAlive Pt 1," demo, 2006
- Chickenfoot, "Soap on a Rope," Chickenfoot, Redline Entertainment, 2009
- The Million Dollar Quartet, "Just A Little Talk With Jesus," The Million Dollar Quartet, RCA, 1990
- Cream, "Swlabr," Disraeli Gears, Reaction, 1967
- Blind Faith, "Can't Find My Way Home," Blind Faith, Atco, 1969
- CSNY, "Teach Your Children," 4 Way Street, Atlantic, 1971
- UK, "Night After Night," Night After Night, E.G., 1979
- Asia, "Heat of the Moment," Asia, Geffen, 1982
- The Golden Palominos, "Omaha," Visions of Excess, Celluloid, 1985
- Electronic, "Get the Message," Electronic, Warner Bros., 1991
- Temple of the Dog, "Hunger Strike," Temple of the Dog, A&M, 1990
- Lucy Pearl, "Don't Mess With My Man," Lucy Pearl, EMI, 2000
- Mos Def, "Supermagic," The Ecstatic, Downtown, 2009
- Mos Def, "Life in Marvelous Times, " The Ecstatic, Downtown, 2009
- Rich Boy, "Drop," Drop, Interscope, 2009
- Blondie, "Hanging on the Telephone," Parallel Lines, Chrysalis, 1978
- Pelican, "Lost in the Headlights," City of Echoes, Daymare Recordings, 2007
- M Ward, "Were You There," Duet for Guitars #2, Ow Om, 2007
- The Fiery Furnaces, "Ray Bouvier," I'm Going Away, Thrill Jockey, 2009
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