Roll Call Member Certificate

One reason My Morning Jacket has such a loyal following is because of the appreciation they have for their fans.  Recently they set up a fan club as a means to have a direct connection to these fans and vice versa.  Benefits for members include exclusive access to video's and songs from the band, the opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public, and primo seating at said concerts.  Last week I received my member certificate in the mail.  I got a good laugh reading it.  Hopefully the statements in the 2nd paragraph turn out to be true.

New to Me: Turntable.fm

I read an interesting article on CNN this morning titled "Turntable.fm:  The cool kids' Pandora".  The article states that what makes Turntable.fm different from other online music streaming sites is that "instead of computers, real people pick the songs, in real time.  The site turns this process into a concert-like game."  Visitors to the site can choose to be part of the audience or to be one of the DJs choosing what songs are played.  Although I like the concept of people being able to share and discover music with each other online, the idea of being part of an 'online audience' in real time via an avatar doesn't appeal to me.  We spend enough time sitting in front of computers as it is, is there really a need for a virtual version of a concert or DJ show?  Sorry, but I think I'll stick to the real thing.

New Music & Videos: Wilco "I Might", The Black Keys cover Buddy Holly, Eddie Vedder on Letterman

• Wilco "I Might" -  Just saw this posted on Stereogum this morning.  "I Might" is our first glimpse into the next Wilco album due out in September.  Follow the link below to give it a listen:
• Wilco - "I Might" - Stereogum
• 'Rave On Buddy Holly' is a tribute album featuring the likes of My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse, She & Him, Paul McCartney, & more.  Songs on tribute albums can be very hit or miss in my experience, but one song on 'Rave On' that hits the nail on the head is "Dearest" by The Black Keys.  They keep it short, simple, and sweet.  Check out "Dearest" below or go to NPR's First Listen to hear the entire album.
• Earlier this week Eddie Vedder performed "Without You", a track off his new album 'Ukulele Songs', on Letterman.  Note Ed's tribute to the late Clarence Clemens written on the body of his Uke.

New To Me: Givers

Givers are the Artist to Watch in June at XPN.  Their first full length album titled "In Light" was released yesterday while the band is currently out on the road making a big name for themselves at festivals like SXSW.  Although I've been thoroughly enjoying the new releases by some of my favorite artists (Fleet Foxes, Death Cab, My Morning Jacket), it's always refreshing to come across a new artist.  Givers are young, energetic, enthusiastic, and it all flows right into their music.  I just picked up "In Light" and I'd encourage you to do the same.  Here are a couple videos of Givers at SXSW 2011.

Video: My Morning Jacket on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

My Morning Jacket played last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  The band is out in support of their new record "Circuital".  Check out the Web Exclusive performance of 'You Wanna Freak Out' below.

Concert Review: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Grand Opera House, DE 6/2/11

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the original lineup of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones.  The group's core trio of Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, and Roy "Future Man" Wooten recently reunited with piano/harmonica player Howard Levy who appeared on the group's first 3 albums.  The setlist consisted mostly of material off those 3 albums and their new album titled "Rocket Science" which was released in May.  Since this was only the 4th stop so far on the tour the crowd even got to hear the live debut of a song called 'Wolf Laruel' which is a bonus track to the album when purchased on iTunes.  If you're a fan I'd highly recommend going to see them on the current tour, and if you're not familiar with them you can find a number of live recordings here at Archive.org.  Here's the setlist from last Thursday:

Setlist:
Gravity Lane
Nemo's Dream
Prickly Pear
Like Water
Sex in a Pan
Life in Eleven
Wolf Laurel
(Intermission)
Big Country
Sweet Pomegranates
Sunset Road
Bottle Rocket
Falani
Blu-bop
(encore)
Flight of the Cosmic Hippo
Slipstream