R.I.P. Doc Watson

Listen to Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley playing Tough Luck

Several years ago I caught Doc Watson's performance on the main stage of the Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival and became an immediate convert (ashamed to admit I had never listened to him before.) I went out and got a collection of earlier recordings of him and Clarence Ashley and just loved this Song of the Week, Tough Luck. It features Doc Watson on guitar and Clarence Ashley on banjo and vocals. I hope you enjoy.

If you ever saw Doc play I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Vinyl Frontier - Bettie Page

Song of the Week: The Shins - New Slang

We love us a good song whose melody can rattle around the brain like an old dog trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep on a sun drenched hardwood floor. Portland, Oregon's (by way of Albuquerque, NM) The Shins accomplish that with their song, New Slang. 

The Vinyl Frontier

RIP Doug Dillard

Doug Dillard, who performed with the Dillards and with Gene Clark as part of The Dillard and Clark Expedition, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75. Here he is playing on the Andy Griffith Show. 

We've featured his work with Gene Clark on this site, not once, but two times. Here are the Dillard and Clark Expedition performing Polly. Polly, by the way, was covered by Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. And here they are performing one of my all time favorite songs, Out On The Side.

The Vinyl Frontier - Marlon Brando

The Vinyl Frontier - Audrey Hepburn

Video Diary: RIP Donald "Duck" Dunn

Rest in Peace Donald "Duck" Dunn. He died this AM at the age of 70.

Song of the Week: The Jam - That's Entertainment (alt. version)

From August, 1980, a 22-year old Paul Weller, working on his 5th album, wrote his best album ever. That album is, of course, Sound Affects. And the best song on that album -- and arguably Weller's best song ever -- was That's Entertainment. Here, for you, today, is an alternate version of the well worn That's Entertainment. 

Video Diary: The Beastie Boys - Sabotage

RIP Adam Yauch

Video Diary: The Lords - Don't Mince Matter

Goofy outfits. Goofy haircut. Great song.

The Vinyl Frontier - James Dean

The Vinyl Frontier - Joan Collins