Any of you listened to the whole Bettye LaVette album yet? KEXP is playing a couple of tracks. It sounds very interesting.

I found a source for The T.A.M.I. Show and The Big T.N.T. Show even though they're both out of print and tied up in legal wrangling.

Bo Diddley rocked so hard in T.N.T., and damn but the Duchess is cool in an evening gown, towering beehive and electric guitar. Of course, James Brown deservedly gets best in show, but The Ronnettes and Ike & Tina were also really spectacular. Plus Ray Charles with go-go dancers.

Note on Lead Singer Performing Styles of the 60s: It was required during the early through mid sixties for the lead singer (if he didn't have a guitar) to have some kind of percussion instrument in his hand while singing. Gene Clark is the coolest tambourine wielder, Keith Relf gets points for bongo work during "For Your Love" and Mick Jagger is a bit of a spazz with maracas.

Bo Diddley rocked so hard in T.N.T., and damn but the Duchess is cool in an evening gown, towering beehive and electric guitar.

"Hey, Duch, whadda you think about these guys doin' our, uh, material?"

"I don't know. I just came over here to see the changing of the guard and all that jazz."

"Jerome, what do you think of these guys doin' our material?"

"Uh, where's the bar, man? Please show me to the bar!"

And of course Mick was a spaz. The joint was rockin', goin' 'round and around.

I still can't figure out the goofy phyrigian cap thingie that Tina Turner is wearing, though.

Who wouldn't wear a Phrygian cap, given the chance?

Our own Jon B. is namechecked by Alex Ross of the New Yorker on his excellent blog, The Rest Is Noise. We knew him when!

Free Rudolph Hess! [link]

iTunes stole my idea:

THE CURE FOR YOUR FEVER: Is the amusing new iTunes Essentials collection--"More Cowbell!" The folks at iTunes have managed to compile 75 songs you probably know that feature the cowbell, beginning (naturally) with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," but giving you a veritable tour of pop music that I didn't realize featured cowbell (and could, as always, have been improved with more cowbell), including "(You Drive Me) Crazy," "Baby Got Back," "More, More, More," and "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough."

I love whoever did that at iTunes. LOVE.

Corwood, babe, insent to profile.It's what I get for giving a fuck when it's not my turn. Jim, I'm a complete moron for not recognising that...so much so that I'ma spell it old-school for you, bunk. But I had "Truth Be Told" out yesterday and the light came on, and...topic? David Simon says that sometimes he purposely has something really wrong playing in a scene because "Life doesn't give us the perfect song." True or not? Bonus points if anyone can tell me when I can type "David Simon says," and not think "Touch your nose, motherfucker." Seriously. I think that kind of thing may be why I'm perennially single. At least I think I'm funny, right?

Funny indeed, chica.