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Radiohead & the Beatles (official collaboration)
meet 
Per NME Magazine… Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood (of Radiohead) and Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (of the Beatles) are teaming up for a special -EP- to support cancer research in the UK. They’re re-recording Radiohead’s “Just” (with Paul on vocals), the Beatles “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” (with Thom on vocals), and a newly collaborative piece with a working title “Mâche.”
Read the full story here over at NME.
~Dan
when björk meets yorke (redux)
The last time Björk and Thom Yorke (of Radiohead) got together was “I’ve Seen it All” on the 2000 EP/soundtrack Selmasongs (for the movie Dancer in the Dark). That was a pretty good pop affair (for a pretty dreadful movie, IMO).
This latest Björk and Thom Yorke collaboration produced a fun, cluster of sound that fits better within the experiment that is… Björk and Thom Yorke’s current musical psyche. One may say that their output doesn’t put any sense of “boration” in “collaboration.” But that may be considered a stretch; so let’s never say I tried to pull that off as a legit pun. Anyway, their new song is called “Náttúra.” It’s available on iTunes and other online outlets…
Náttúra is dedicated to the Náttúra Campaign in Iceland. You can find it at nattura.info and at nattura.grapewire.net. From Björk’s webpage…
The single was composed specifically to encourage active support for the Nattura campaign, which aims at collating and providing sustainable and eco-friendly options suitable for Iceland, and generating alternative ways to utilize it’s natural resources. People will be able to submit their ideas on the website for sustainable green workplaces for Icelanders. According to Björk, “It is now more important than ever before to emphasize a respect for nature…I believe that profits, technological advances and working together with nature can all go hand in hand. None need to be sacrificed at the expense of the others.”
The new single is written and produced by Björk and features Radiohead’s Thom Yorke on backing vocals, Brian Chippendale (Lighting Bolt) on drums, Matthew Herbert on synth/bass, and Mark Bell on additional electronic beats. Opening with a huge elemental swirl, “Nattura” then fires up an incendiary and fierce tribal rhythm. The song sees Björk firmly on the march in celebration of her homeland, in hopes that Icelanders harness its energy in a sustainable way.
Skerik’s McTuff bring his groovy, jazz combo to Eugene tomorrow at Sam Bond’s Garage… yay!
~Dan – np: Noctaluca –
REVIEW: Radiohead @ White River Amphitheatre (Auburn, WA – – 8/20/08)
Well, first off, I wasn’t going to attempt to take my own pictures of the show… I’m an amateur, I was far away, outdoor venue, yadda yadda. For a great review (of the Boston show 8/13) with pictures & video, check out this review.
The venue was White River Amphitheatre (outside of Auburn, WA)… bleh. Not far enough away from Seattle to avoid traffic. Two lane road going in and out of the venue. Crappy gravel parking. No food within 6 miles. Crappy sound. I don’t think I’ll ever go back there… unless there is a Pink Floyd reunion, a Faith No More / Mr Bungle reunion tour… or Chroma Key plays there. All of those events are highly unlikely.
The opener (Liars?) got completely missed. I heard them playing their last song as I was walking from my car. Oh well…
Radiohead came on just after 9pm… and played for a long time. They played a good mix of songs, but the sound at this venue (as alluded to above) was pretty much crap for any of the louder songs. The quieter songs sounded really good, but the big rock songs were mush (not the good kind of mush). Now, the lighting… holy crap. Fun / cool / awesome lighting.
(from the Boston show – Courtesy of Cole Kinsler)
Jonny Greenwood has ever so gently been eeking up in my favorites list, and I think he’s officially taken over as my favorite Radiohead (and body). He’s the anti-guitar hero. He plays with artistic conviction and an “I don’t care if you like it or if it looks cool, this is what I’m doing now” demeaner. I can dig it.
I was also lazy in the “write down the setlist” department, as I know Radiohead has their many minions. Here’s what I got over at the atease blog (thanks to Flaaneuse who submitted it & the descriptions in italics):
Radiohead’s Setlist:
- 15 Step
- Reckoner
- Optimistic
- There There
- All I Need (a fav from the night)
- Pyramid Song
- Talk Show Host (holy crap!! 90s era b-side… one of my favs from the night)
- The National Anthem
- The Gloaming
- Videotape
- Lucky (another fav from the night)
- Faust Arp [Thom messes up lyrics several times, starts singing Neil Young’s “Tell Me Why”; Jonny tries to follow along but can’t quite get the chords. Phil comes out and drops an American dollar bill out in front of Thom and Jonny and runs away laughing. Thom and Jonny crack up completely to loud cheers. Thom tries again, says “Fuck it!”, but then continues and finishes the song.]
- Jigsaw Falling Into Place
- Climbing Up The Walls (another fav from the night… I love this melody)
- Dollars and Cents
- Nude
- Bodysnatchers
- Encore 1: How to Disappear Completely
- Arpeggi/Weird Fishes
- Idioteque
- In Limbo [Tambourine accompaniment by Nigel Godrich. Thom, ‘This is Nigel’, Ed, ‘He makes our records.’]
- Street Spirit (another fav from the night… I love this melody)
- Encore 2: You And Whose Army? [Thom dedicates to the people who demonstrated against the WTO in Seattle in 1999]
- No Surprises (would have likely been a fav from the night; alas, I was on the road – starting my 4 hour trip home)
- Everything In Its Right Place
The Appropriate Linkage:
Good show… it’s a pleasure to see Radiohead just about any time. This time was in the “OK/Good” category, but not their fault. I just think I’m getting too picky to go to the big outdoor venues…
~Dan – np: John Zorn‘s The Dreamers 
Radiohead “Nude” Video
Here’s a wicked cool, new fan-made video for Radiohead‘s song “Nude.” Don’t worry, just because it’s called “Nude,” it’s suitable for work (well, assuming you’re allowed to surf the InterTubes at work).
Vimeo (HD – higher quality, click picture below):
YouTube (“YouTube quality“):
The video is unofficial (but cool). It was made by Stefan Ringelschwandtner.
.: daehoida®adiohead is a dumb palindrome :.
Originally posted 10/13/07~ (update at bottom)
Well, I’ve made it through four (4) times listening to Radiohead‘s new magnum gratis, In Rainbows. Be forewarned before reading this review that I’m in the “raving fanboy” camp. Perhaps not one who woke up at 2am on 10/10/07 to download it and listen to it 33.8 times in the first 24 hours… but I have loved mostly everything Yorke+Greenwood²+Selway+O’Brien have put out. I will admit that I haven’t listened to Radiohead’s other stuff in a while (alas, perhaps I’m only a mild fanboy), but I have driven 10+ hours roundtrip to see them live. The fact that I bothered to calculate how many times you could fease listening to it in a 24-hour period might show signs of mental instability. And I’m a silly goose who bought the physical product of the album that they gave out as an mp3 for free. (Well, the 2nd disk and the vinyl-side of things made it a no-brainer.)
Anyway, here’s my track-by-track thoughts… personal favorites are underlined:
1) 15 Step: Starts with a fun electronic drum loop not unlike the Kid A/Amnesiac era. They also seem to be back into some guitar soundscaping, which is a welcome return. This is a great lead-off track, and one of my favs on the record.
2) Bodysnatchers: A guitar rock song… fairly straight forward, but with some great sounds bouncing around. It’s what Radiohead’s known for… fairly dense music backdrop for Thom’s oft-whiney voice. 
3) Nude: This song is ancient… at least from a Radiohead fan’s perspective. It’s formerly know as “Big Ideas (Don’t Get Any).” I have it on a b-sides/live compilation I made back in 2001/2002. Slow and moving, aurally pleasing. To me, it really shows off that Thom does have some singing chops, no matter what the detracters think (SC, I’m talking to you). 
4) Weird Fishes/Arpeggi: The “Arpeggi” part of this was played out in their 2006 summer tour. The song has nice musical momentum… maybe from whence the “arpeggi” naming came. Isn’t the plural of fish just fish?
5) All I Need: It opens with slowly bowed-instrument sounds… maybe a cello or even a bowed-guitar (who knows). Drums and droning keys kick in right as Thom begins to sing this melancholic ballad. I really love this song. Maybe my favorite of the lot. I love frenetic Radiohead (“Packt Like Sardines…”), but I also love these tunes that downplay the rock aspect of the band. Another tune that shows that Thom can sing.
6) Faust Arp: This is really the only song on In Rainbows that I don’t. really. like. It just seems too derivative of something from Hail to the Thief. Plus I just don’t think the über-rhyminess works for me. The clean acoustic guitar and strings near the end are pleasant, though. I just don’t think they save the song for me overall.
7) Reckoner: Another old song like “Nude”… and a welcome old friend. Falsetto and Thom mixtures sometimes cause panic. This time, I think it works well. Maybe not Jude Christodal-falsetto level of “works well,” but pleasant and fitting nonetheless.
8) House of Cards: I’m running out of ways to character sounds… and how I feel about the song. It’s another more standard slower song. Nice “wet” sounding on some of the drums… or perhaps vacuous/hollow/distant sounding in spots rather than wet.
9) Jigsaw Falling Into Place: Another favorite track. I really love is the driving opening. This song really epitomizes a Radiohead rock song.
10) Videotape: A droning/rattling way to end the album… I can hear Thom’s grandkids in 2040 asking him “what’s a videotape?” 
Overall: Raving fanboy notwithstanding… well, I love this record. It’s got some of the electronic noise element of Kid A that I love so much. It’s also got some great songs that would fit in with OKC/Amnesiac/HTTT-era Radiohead. I think it’ll grow on me quite well. I’m also really looking forward to the 2nd disc in December… it’s got some great tunes scheduled: Last Flowers, Bangers and Mash, Down is the New Up, and 4 Minute Warning.
To get this record yourself… go to http://www.inrainbows.com/ You can get the entire album for as little as 0.45£ (ie- about $1USD)… legally. You can also pay more… it’s available for free (the 0.45£ is basically to cover server bandwidth, I gather) or whatever you feel it is worth to you. Most people that I’ve heard from are paying anywhere from $4 to $8 (or so)… which if you think of it, is probably similar (or even a better payout) to what Radiohead would have gotten under a major label contract. It’s an interesting smack in the face to the major labels. And for that (and the good music), I applaud the Radiohead gents.
~Dan
-np: christian mcbride – number two express
2/3/08~ (update)
The (free) Radiohead In Rainbows video podcast is pert good (get there by searching on iTunes). I’m about halfway through the (currently available) 10 videos. My favorite so far is “Jigsaw Falling Into Place (thumbs_down version)” which has the gents all wearing helmet cams while playing. Thom and Ed have the best movement. Jonny looks like an alien most times. Phil’s just trying to play drums while wearing gear on his head (bless him). Collin rounds out the cast as the boringest . Alas, a good watch. And FREE. :)
Thom Yorke & Cincinnati’s MusicNOW 2008 festival (unrelated)
I realized as I was typing the title that… whoa, someone might take that the wrong way. Two separate topics. Two. Separate. Topics.
Thom Yorke‘s got a new solo EP on iTunes with the following tracks:
2) Skip Divided (Modeselektor Remix)
3) Analyse (Various Remix)
And now for the Festival I wish I could attend, but dammit, I won’t be able to attend…
Last year’s MusicNOW Fest (reviewed by me HERE — sorry for the formatting) had a wonderful line-up including Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Pedro Soler, Bryce Dessner (of The National), The Clogs, The Havels, Amiina, David Cossin, Osso… yadda yadda yadda… best show(s) of the year.
This year’s fest’s lineup has now been announced… Thursday and Friday have me drooling… I dig Bill Frisell, Eyvind Kang, and Bang on a Can a bit…
Wednesday, April 2nd
An evening of music and film featuring vintage experimental films from the New York Filmmaker’s Cooperative by Robert Breer, Marie Menken, and Harry Smith along with contemporary artists Matthew Ritchie and Bill Morrisson accompanied by festival performers and special guests at the Contemporary Arts Center.
Thursday, April 3rd
An evening of American Guitar with classical guitarist Benjamin Verdery and Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet, featuring Eyvind Kang, Hank Roberts & Jenny Scheinman, at Memorial Hall
Friday, April 4th
Dirty Projectors and Bang on a Can featuring Glenn Kotche and Bryce Dessner at Memorial Hall
Saturday, April 5th
Andrew Bird and Grizzly Bear at Memorial Hall.
Unfortunately, I can’t make it (first week of the spring term -and- 2,600 miles away). but if you’re in the vacinity of Cincinnati area… check it out…
http://www.myspace.com/musicnowfestival
http://www.musicnowfestival.org/new/
~Dan – np: Sinéad O’Connor – Theology
TRIPLE-REVIEW: Tori Amos, Radiohead, Over the Rhine (3 cities in Ohio – – Aug 2003)
(originally posted to the old Over the Rhine Actwin list)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ohio is great for concerts… triple show review (8/24/2003)
Not every week do you get to see 3 of your Top 5 Artists. This was one of those weeks for me…
Tori Amos, Radiohead, and Over the Rhine.
Here’s a triple review of OHIO shows this past week…
I. Tori Amos
II. Radiohead
III. Over the Rhine (bookstore show)
I. TORI AMOS & Marc Broussard
PromoWest Pavilion, Columbus, OH (just barely outside of downtown)
Wednesday, August 20th, 2003
HIGHLIGHTS: The opener was good. Strong voice. Tori was great… there were some technical problems partway through the set, but she handled it well. Her dress ripped, too… the resulting song that came out of that one was great. :) Song highlights were: Sweet Dreams (a Winter b-side), Mr Zebra, Caught a Lite Sneeze, Mary (another b-side), I Can’t See New York, Hey Jupiter, Bliss, A Sorta Fairytale, China, Liquid Diamonds, Girl, Precious Things, Space Dog, and Cornflake Girl… a lot of great tunes. Plus a birthday number was fun, too… apparently this was her last show before turning 40. She seems to be cool with that. :) Hanging out in Columbus’ Short North was great the next day, too. Magnolia Thunderpussy (awesome music selection), Monkeys Retreat (cool Simpsons collector stuff), and coffee for me; jewelry and art shops for Margarita… lots of glass in the Cow Town. Seemed like the shops fancied it. We some some excellent Chihuly pieces… my credit card wouldn’t handle purchasing them ($32k to start). Oh, maybe next time.
BUMMER: Ben Folds not being there was the biggest bummer. This was one of the two shows that he wasn’t going to co-headline. I didn’t find that out until *after* I bought my tickets and booked the hotel. Another bummer… she seemed to play too much from To Venus and Back (4-5 songs, ugh). Oh well, she played enough other material to make up for it… :)
OVERALL: Great show… my 8th time seeing Tori, and the setlist was been vastly different every time. That’s what I love about her touring… from day-to-day, it’s a different show.
II. RADIOHEAD & Steve Malkmus and the Jicks
Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH (just outside of Akron)
Thursday, August 21st, 2003
HIGHLIGHTS: There There (with Ed on mini-drums and Jonny on mini-drums, keys, and guitar), Paranoid Android, Exit Music (For a Film), Lucky, Idioteque, Morning Bell, 2+2=5, Punchup at a Wedding, Wolf at the Door. They seemed to stick with the newer stuff, which is fine. But it seemed when they played any older stuff (Paranoid or Exit Music), that they were phenomenally tighter, and/or those songs lent themselves better to the live show. The Kid A stuff didn’t seem to lend itself as well (it did last time – 2 years ago). My favorite played was probably Paranoid Android. We moved up to the right side of the lawn, away from the crowd, after about 5 songs. We could see and hear (and breathe) way better. A nice breeze cooling us off, comfy grass to sit on, a beauty on my arm, and a great band flaoting through the air… ’twas a good time. Oh, and finally finding the only Indian restaurant in the Akron/Cuyahoga phone book was a blessing.
Different korma than our usual haunts (yummy as hell), and Strawberry Lassi (yum).
BUMMER: No My Iron Lung, Fake Plastic Trees, or Street Spirit (unless they had a 2nd encore that we missed)… also, the song “Kid A” was icky in the live performance (with a side of ICK sauce). Steve Malkmus & the Jicks were quite boring and lame. There were 2 or 3 Jicks’ songs near the middle-end that were *decent*. That’s about it. Oh, another bummer… Blossom’s parking is, like, miles and miles and miles from the venue. A 30 minute walk post-show is a drain. Oh, plus when we tried to check-in to our B&B at 3pm *no one* was there. We walked in, and *no one*. We eventually found a room with an A/C and napped until 5:30 until the proprietor finally showed up. It was surreal, at best. Quite disorganized B&B, but a KILLER house (O’Neill House in Akron) and a killer breakfast… yum.
OVERALL: Great lights, Thom’s a spaz, Jonny hates his guitar, Radiohead put on a great show again.
III. OVER THE RHINE and tons of books
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH (just outside of Kentucky)
Saturday, August 23rd, 2003
HIGHLIGHTS: Hometown (Norwood) Boy, Suitcase, Anything At All, Show Me, Fever, Ohio, trivia break (Drew Vogel, aka D.V., won a framed poster), The Seahorse, and Summertime. They also had What I’ll Remember Most, Changes Come, and Bothered on the setlist, but didn’t play them. Suitcase was great.
Show Me was better than what I’d heard prior, and Fever was stunningly sexy (as usual).
BUMMER: I didn’t have my OHIO CDs from Paste yet. I didn’t even have them by the time I got home late Saturday night. I had K&L sign my Paste Order Confirmation email instead. I crack myself up sometimes.
OVERALL: Great set, sound was a bit off, but it was a really fun time. Song highlights were… all of ’em. It was good to see them in a nice intimate bookstore venue.
My wife (Margarita) somehow puts up with all of the driving to concerts… yay, I picked a winner! :)
Ohio traveller,
Dan
written in parts throughout the day, so…
pp: bela fleck & the flecktones – ten from little
worlds
pp: living sacrifice – reborn
pp: madonna – ray of light
pp: the magnolia soundtrack
np: sarah masen – carry us through
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
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