• Tag Archives music
  • The Ledge #586: Replacements’ Tim Box Set

    How to talk about the new box set dedicated to one of my favorite records ever? I really can’t, to be honest, as there are tons and tons of articles floating around right now that I could never attempt to better. But let’s just say that Tim by The Replacements is certinly a record that I’ve never gone long without listening to since it’s release in 1985.
    Yet I must be honest when I say that my all time favorite Replacements record is actually the previous album, Let It Be, but I’ll concede that Tim is a better collection of songs. How is that possible? Let It Be had a powerful sound. Tim has always suffered from a thin, muddy mix that was certainly fine enough that it didn’t afffect my overall love of the record. I just preferred the beefier Let It Be.
    That opinion may now change thanks to the release of this new box set. Tim (Let It Bleed Edition) rights the wrongs of the record I’ve loved for close to 40 years. Ed Stasium, who was supposed to mix the original record, was hired to finally work his magic. And it’s wonderful. The drums are front and center. Tommy Stinson’s bass can actually be heard, and there’s little elements in each and every song that are heard for the first time. Hell, I even now sort of like the lesser tunes such as “Dose of Thunder” and “Lay It Down Clown”!
    But that’s not all that’s in this set. There’s a disc of outtakes and alternate versions, including tracks they recorded with Big Star’s Alex Chilton. There is also a fantastic show from January of 1986 that showcases Bob Stinson’s incendiary guitar. It’s obviously going to be my favorite box set of the year.
    After sampling much of this box set, it’s only natural that I fill up the show with more of my favorite Minneapolis music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, including early tracks from the Suburbs and Flamin’ Oh’s. There’s a tune from the just-released reissue of the classic Loose Rails album, Red Turns to Green. And I certainly can’t do a show like this without the likes of Soul Asylum, Husker Du, and The Magnolias!
    As for the “52 weeks of Teenage Kicks” series, I did have to take a detour out of Minneapolis. This week I headed to San Francisco with a 2004 cover from an interesting band called The Grannies. As their future label, Saustex Records, noted when they signed them for a later record, “The Grannies story began on a hot July night in 1999, as five grown men dressed as old ladies crossed 11th Street in San Francisco and hit the stage at the Paradise Lounge. 15 years, 8 Jack Endino-produced albums, 3 European tours, more than a few beer soaked houses dresses…are still at it.”
    As I do every week, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take on the classic, please contact me!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #581: 2013

    Generally speaking, when I do shows devoted to years of the past I go way back. Like, at the bare minimum 25 years, and as far back as 50 years. Looking at my shows from 2013, though, I decided tonight I’d do something a little different. Let’s go through some of my favorite records from only ten years ago.

    While I am one that believes there’s great rock and roll released each and every years (despite what many of my fellow oldsters proclaim), 2013 was even better than usual. There’s all sorts of lofi indie power pop from the likes of Mind Spiders, Bad Sports, and Fidlar. There’s the discovery of a wonderful up and coming songwriter named Lydia Loveless. There’s the second release by the reformed Superchunk (my favorite record of the year).

    And, of course, there’s also the return of The Replacements. Yes, this happened due to a tragedy, as Slim Dunlap had suffered a stroke the previous year. But what a joy to hear Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson quickly recording a handful of their favorite oldies. Even better was the Songs For Slim singles series which saw all kinds of Slim’s friends recording their favorite Dunalp tunes.

    As for this week’s edition of “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, I once again have a band I wasn’t acquainted with before. The Vamps are a UK band that formed in 2012, and over the next few years their first two records went gold in their home country. 2013 saw an EP called Can We Dance that included the live cover of “Teenage Kicks” that opens tonight’s show. And like always, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take on the classic, please contact me!

    For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #580: Some Stuff

    Tonight’s show is a mishmash of primarily recent releases. There’s some material from great box sets. There’s a set devoted to a classic old live album and one brand new one. I’ve got a set from that great new tribute album, Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies, along with more material from the tribute album I premiered last week, Goo Goo Muck – A Tribute to The Cramps. There’s also a Rum Bar Records set, and previews of new records by Graham Parker & The Goldtops, Tamar Berk, and others. It’s a show featuring a wide variety of genres that you only hear on shows like The Ledge.

    As for this week’s “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series, I have a mystery track by a band called The Shades. The cover is from the soundtrack to the Elle Fanning film, Teen Spirit, but I have yet to find out any information regarding the band. Could it be something cooked up in the studio by the film’s musical directors? Who knows? And like always, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take on the classic, please contact me!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #573: Even More Miscellany

    This week’s episode is another show consisting of material I’ve been a bit obsessed with around the Hudson compound. The first half is primarily new or new-ish material. The tribute to Justine Covault continues with tracks off the brand new Justine and the Unclean album, The Signal Light, along with new tunes by Lydi Loveless, Kate Redgate, Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire, and a great Alice Cooper cover by veteran rockers Zero Boys.

    The second half of the show is dominated by older records that I’ve recently picked up. Many were originally owned by my buddy Phil who had his semi-annual record sale last weekend. But I also have included a couple of reissues of records that I’ve been trying to acquire for years. The Lyres On Fyre, for example, was the very first truly independant record I’ve ever owned, and I desperately needed a copy to replace the one I lost decades ago. And then there’s Double Nickels On the Dime, the classic double album by Minutemen. Going for big bucks on the used market, SST finally pressed some more copies, and I just could not resist! 

    Of course, there’s also this week’s installment in the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series. Sahara Hotnights is a fantastic all-female rock band from Sweden who put out some great albums in the late 90s and early 00s. The expanded version of their second album, Jennie Bomb, included the hot version that kickstarts this week’s episode. 

    And like always, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take on the classic, please contact me!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #570: Holiday Playlist

    “Shambolic” maybe an overused word when it comes to my favorite band, The Replacements, but it’s an apt term for tonight’s show. Or at least the first ten minutes. Yes, it’s a mini-disaster. After airing this week’s selection for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series by The Vibrators, I talked about the fact that you can now purchase the version I world premiered last week by Jeremy Porter at his bandcamp. (http://jeremyporter.bandcamp.com).  In fact, please go purchase it now, as all proceeds go to the Hater Kitty Army. But after introducing a re-airing the tune, my broadcast program decided to completely rearrange my playlist and a completely different tune aired for a few seconds.

    I quickly fixed the issue, though, and everything was fine after that. Tonight’s show is a collecton of tunes that I’ve been listening to in my spare time. There’s a set devoted to my favorite rock and roll couple, Amy Rigby and Wreckless Eric, inspired by “Do You Remember This”, a clever little tale of their relationship that may or may not be true. There’s a set that sort of centers around Johnny Thunders, beginning with a couple of Kinks songs before heading into a couple of different directions.

    There’s also a long set inspired by Some New Kind of Kick, the memoir of Kid Congo Powers. Wow, what a story. What a life! A chance meeting on the street with future Gun Club leader Jeffrey Lee Pierce led to him picking up the guitar, and withn a few years he was a part of not only the Gun Club but The Cramps and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds! 

    Other sets include a handful of fabulous Rum Bar Records new releases, and favorites by the likes of Exploding Hearts, T. Rex, The Knitters, and others. Concluding the show is a little tribute to the late Tina Turner with a track from her fabled 1969 run opening for The Rolling Stones.

    And like always, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take on the classic, please contact me!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #568: New Releases (Pt. 2)

    After last week’s special Record Store Day edition of the monthly “new release” show, we’re back this week with the more traditional type of broadcast devoted to brand new tunes. And, like usual, we’re all over the place when it comes to genres. There’s some great power pop. There’s a little bit of punk. A tad here and there of garage rock. And, yes, there’s some Americana. 

    But it’s not just the varied genres of the show. It’s the fact that this music comes from all over the world. From Australia to Germany to Canada to even my little city of Sioux Falls, SD. Yes, the first set of the show is devoted to a trio of great local bands – The Rose Quarter, Thought Patrol, and Off Contact – all of whom have wonderful records that are eithier already out or about to be released.

    As for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, I have a cover that’s almost 40 years old but is still technically a new release. The version by Dawn Chorus & The Blue Tits initially came out on Stiff Records in 1985, but it has also now been included in a brand new collection of female power pop. She’s Got The Power! Female Power Pop, Punk & Garage not only includes this track but tunes by Blondie, The Dollyrots, Baby Shakes, Amy Rigby, Lydia Loveless, Shonen Knife, and many more!

    And, of course, I have to once again beg y’all for brand new covers of this classic tune. Please, please, please, if you have the capabilities, or know any artists that would be perfect to remake “Teenage Kicks”, send them my way! Next week, I will be world premiering a brand new submissions that I’m sure you’re all going to love!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #567: New Releases, Pt. 1 (RSD Edition)

    Thanks to last week’s unseasonably chilly weather, I found myself hooking up a turntable to my podcast mixer. Over the course of the next few hours I dgitized the pile of records I had picked up on Record Store Day a few weeks ago. (Why do they no longer include download codes?)

    Once finished, I decided that this wonderful pile of music deserved it’s own show, and since the start of every month commences with a “new release” episode (or two), why not spotlight this music? Technically, these are all new releases as they came out on the same day, even if some of the music dates back sixty years.

    So that’s what we have tonight. Two hours of Record Store Day highlights. From garage rock compilations to long out print albums to live recordings to specially recorded rarities, tonight’s show is varied in not only years but genres. There should be something for everybody. But true new music fans should not worry, as next week’s second part will be a more traditional “new release”, and I have a ton of great material set aside for the show.

    Of course, the one non-RSD track is this week’s edition of the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series. I’ve selected one of the more popular versions of the tune. The Northern Irish rockers Ash released it as a b-side back in 2001, and reportedly still ocassionally pulls it out in concert.

    And once again, I must reiterate that I’m looking for brand new recordings of The Undertones’ classic. If you have the capability, or you have friends in a band, please submit a version. BTW, in two weeks I will be premiering a brand new version by a band that all Ledge fans are familiar with.

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #566: Twofers

    Tonight unveils a new sort of theme for a Ledge episode – Twofers! Everybody loves a twofer deal at the bar, so why not transfer the idea to rock and roll. (Yeah yeah yeah, I know radio stations have done this for decades. But it’s new to The Ledge!)

    The inspiration was a handful of great records that I’ve been paying a lot of attention to in the last few days. Last Saturday, for Record Store Day Sioux Falls (soon to be) legends Off Contact put out a few advance copies of their upcoming debut album, Pearls Before Swine. Of course I had to air some tracks off it!

    And then two days ago I received what may be my second-favorite power pop album of the year. Paint Fumes new record, Real Romancer, is chock full of great hooks accompanied by the sort of noisy guitars that everyone knows I love so much. Of course, I couldn’t resist airing tracks from the brand new albums of original punkers The Damned and former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock.

    But it’s not all twofers on the show. There’s a “four-fer” of selections from the Record Store Day release of previously unreleased live Husker Du tracks, Tonite Longhorn. There’s five tracks from the infamous C86 compilation, picked due to my love of the new Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids? An Indie Odyssey by Nige Tassell. And there’s a lengthy set of one-off tunes by Justine & The Unclean, The Darts, The Morning Line, The Scarlet Goodbye, and Single Mothers.

    Even the latest in the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series is a twofer. When I saw that both Thee Headcoats and their all-girl cohorts Thee Headcoatees had covered the classic it just made sense to play them as a pair. Of course, I also have to remind everybody that I’m still looking for new versions of The Undertones classic. Please, please, please send them my way!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #564: 1988

    Was 1988 a good year? Well…it wasn’t if you followed mainstream culture. But that’s a given in each and every year. If you didn’t participate in that sort of nonsense, 1988 was a fabulous year. The great years in music is always the year or two before the mainstream discovers a new trend, and 1988 is that sort of year. Alternative, punk, and indie were creeping up the charts a bit higher than usual, but it was not yet time for the “normals” to latch on. It was still our little secret, and for the most part untainted by the corporate morons. Tonight’s show is two hours of my favorite music from that year. 

    As for this week’s “52 weeks of Teenage Kicks” subtheme, I found a rare live recording of Soul Asylum performing the show at a 1988 show in Charlottesville, VA. I did receive word earlier today that in two weeks I will be world premiering a brand new cover from a fabulous band that is regularly heard on The Ledge. Of course, I’m always looking for even more covers, so please get the word out to anybody who has the capability to record a cover of the fabulous Undertones classic. If you have any questions, please shoot me an email at paulisded @ gmail dot com.

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


  • The Ledge #562: First Quarter Report

    As this is the last show of the first quarter of 2023, and even airing on the last day of the month, it’s only natural that we take a look back at some of the stunning new records released so far thsi year. It has been quite a year, especialy if you are a fan of guitar-driven music. Power pop, in particular, has made a great comeback this year, highlighted by the likes of The Whiffs, Local Drags, and Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms.

    But it’s also a great year for returning legends. Yo La Tengo, The Long Ryders, The Church, and Iggy Pop released their best albums in years. Billy Childish reunited the legendary Thee Headcoats for their first album in 22 years, and it’s a smoker!

    For this show, obviously, the main highlight comes from the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” subtheme, and we received thrilling news earlier this week. The very first person I contacted when I came up with this idea was Malibu Lou from Rum Bar Records. Obviously, I was hoping that he could convince some of his bands to participate (and I still hope they do). What I wasn’t expecting was for Lou to make the very first new submission. Weeks later, Lou uploaded his cover as a free Bandcamp single, and it’s now in rotation on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage!

    As a thank you, I’m again airing Lou’s cover, but this week’s opening spot goes to The Dollyrots’ cover that was found on last year’s Down the Rabbit Hole compilation. Once again, though, I’m pleading with all listeners, musicians, labels and/or anybody else to please record their own version of the Undertones’ classic. I’d love for some more new submissions to air, and maybe it can lead to bigger things just like what happened with Malibu Lou!!! If you have any questions, please send an email to paulisded@gmail.com

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here