Dan's Recs: Going Back to the Delta

The Delta Blues is one the earliest and most influential forms of music created in the United States. It is similar to other styles of blues, but what makes it different is bottleneck slide guitars and heavy emphasis on rhythm.

The first recordings of it came from the 1920’s but the Delta Blues had been around for many years before. Most of the early recordings feature a single person singing and playing guitar, but when performed live, full bands were commonly used. The name comes from the region from which the music originated: the Mississippi Delta, which is known its fertile soil and extreme poverty. Here are a couple of my artists of the Delta Blues.

1. Howlin' Wolf



Howlin' Wolf is more associated with the Chicago Blues, but his roots come from the Delta Blues. He started playing music after being inspired by artists like Charley [sic] Patton and Tommy Johnson. In the 1950's, he had four songs in the Billboard national R&B top 50. He and Muddy Waters both recorded for Chess Records, and are regarded are two of the greatest blues artists of all time. Many influential and popular artists of the 60's and 70's covered Howlin' Wolf songs such as Eric Clapton, the Doors, and the Rolling Stones.

2. Muddy Waters



Known as the father of the Chicago blues, Muddy Waters was born in the Mississippi Delta and started playing music there until he moved to Chicago in the mid-40's. He is one of the most influential artists of all time. He helped Chuck Berry get his first record deal and influenced many popular bands and artists, including The Rolling Stones (who named themselves after his song "Rollin Stone"), Bob Dylan, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and the Allman Brothers.

3. Charley Patton



One of the founding fathers of the Delta Blues, Patton lived most of his childhood and early adulthood working on a plantation. Patton later spent his time traveling around the Delta and performing at various plantations. He is known for being quite a showman playing his guitar on his knees or behind his head or back.

4. Lead Belly



Lead Belly is one of most controversial and versatile artists of the Delta Blues. He usually played guitar but could also play piano, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, and utilized stomping and clapping in many of his songs. Lead Belly is also known for his multiple prison sentences, one for which he was pardoned by Senator Pat Morris Neff after writing a song for him.

5. Robert Johnson



Robert Johnson's life and music are shrouded in mystery and myths. Johnson lived such a short life and became an amazing in such a short period of time, that a legend was started that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his ability to play guitar.

--Dan Lesiczka, Music Director

Kevin's Recs: Starring Tommy Wiseau, Directed by Tommy Wiseau

1. "Wolfgang's 5th Symphony" - Wolfgang Gartner



Quite frankly, I can't recall where I first heard this, but I know it was at some point earlier this week. It's been on repeat often ever since. Taking house music, a genre I've been getting into more and more over the past few months, and fusing it with orchestration? Recipe for success in my eyes.

2. "Civilian" - Wye Oak



I first heard this duo when they opened for the Decemberists at the Beacon in New York. I can remember enjoying the set but also hoping that they would finish up so that my all-time favorite band could take the stage. I recently went back to Wye Oak and realized that, in my impatience, I wasn't appreciating what has to be one of the best records of 2011 thus far. "Civilian," in particular, is intense with soaring vocals and growing clatter of instrumentation that ends in a climax of a guitar solo. Oh, and did I mention that the drummer also plays keyboards -- and often both at the same time while live? Check them out, on record or otherwise. You won't be sorry.

3. "Summer Fires" - The Wilderness of Manitoba



Not since Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More has a debut album floored me as TWoM's When You Left the Fire has. I use "Summer Fires" as my means of showing them off here, but there's so many songs on the record that are more-than-worthy -- and if you're Facebook friends with me, you've probably seen me post "November" to my wall at least three times in the last two months. I have no doubt in my mind that one day these guys will break out in a big way, and I'm glad to have caught the wave before the general public does. One of my must-listens for the year. No way around it.

4. "For No One" - The Farewell Drifters



This Nashville band has been featured as part of Paste Magazine's "Best of What's Next," and with good reason. Check out this tune in particular -- a cover of The Beatles' classic "For No One." The "harmonic roots" act puts a definite Nashville twist on the song, with good results abundant. As with No. 3, I expect these guys to break out big one day. It's only a matter of time.

5. "Before the Beginning" - John Frusciante



I was telling ACRN writer/savior Christ Dubstep last night that in this nine-minute opus, the term "wailing" to describe the sound of a guitar has never sounded more applicable. Does it sound a bit like Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain"? Sure, maybe. It's been said that this track is a tribute to its predecessor -- and if so, I'd say it's a very fitting tribute. I hate that he's no longer in the Chili Peppers, but if Frusciante keeps making music like this, I can't say I mind too much.

6. "Light Up the Night" - The Protomen



The Protomen are a rock band from Tennessee that compose entire concept albums based around Mega Man. No, seriously. They played in Columbus last night, and had:
1) I not already purchased a ticket to the Decemberists and
2) it not been at an anime convention and therefore would have cost me admission/registration at the event, I would have totally gone.

7. The Room



"Hai, doggy!"

8. "Red Lake Shore" - Southeast Engine



If you haven't listened to Southeast Engine's new record Canary yet, there's something wrong with you. As perfect a slice of Appalachia as you can get.

9. "Douglas Douglass" - Pearl and the Beard



This video does a few things for me. First, it reminds me of when these three talented musicians came through Athens last November, putting on one of the best shows I've seen in this town. Second, it reminds me of the time I spent in New York last winter -- and what's more, the spot at which this was recorded was a mere five blocks from where I happened to work each day. Third? Well, "Douglas Douglass" happens to be my favorite song from PatB's new record Killing the Darlings, which came out earlier this month.

10. "Yonkers" - Tyler, the Creator



Am I being very original with this pick? Not at all. Do I care? Same answer.


--Kevin Rutherford, Editorial Director

Tate's Recs: Silly, Giggle, Wiggle Recs...

I was thinking the other day about discovering music and some of the best ways of doing so on a regular basis. Something I often turn to, other than charts or blogs, is YouTube channels. One of the channels I turn to frequently is UKF Dubstep or UKF Drum & Bass. These two pages update on an almost daily basis with the freshest of fresh tracks. Sometimes they upload unreleased tracks as well, so keep on the lookout. Checking up on these types of channels for new releases of your favorite music every day can really expand the tunes you listen to. Below are a few of my recommendations from UKF and some from some albums that have been stuck on repeat in my skull.

1. "Guilt VIP" - Nero



This is another one of Nero's absolute slammers of a track. Soaring vocal lines and killer basslines are all you need.

2. "Keep Holding On" - Dream



This one came out of left field for me. I had never heard of Dream before and at first listen, the song sounds cheesy, boring and uneventful. As soon as you hit the halfway point, however, all that changes and this becomes a monster. A very unique bassline with a clubby throwback melody.

3. "Tonight (Feat. Netsky)" - Danny Byrd



Words cannot even begin to describe how incredible this tune is. Danny Byrd has been putting out absolute club destroyers for years and years, but this is by far one of the best. That classic vocal slicing effect is apparent throughout and the combination of Netsky's extremely melodic sound makes this unstoppable. From start to end this is a winner. I recommend everything Danny has ever done.

4. "Iron Heart" - Netsky



A fine example of Netsky's work. Though this one is a little bit darker than most of what he does, it has all the definitive elements of his style. A song built around extremely meaningful melody and style.

5. "Dazed & Confused (SKisM's Baroque Out Remix)"- RacknRuin



Sounds like an outer-space vacuum cleaner. Incredible bass tone is a trademark of SKisM and this tune represents that 100 percent. Check out everything SKisM has done.

6. "M.A.D." - Hadouken!



A really fun tune. Chart topper in the UK and overall quality crossover between grime and straightforward breaks. Love it.

--Tate Galbraith, Director of Production

Dani’s Recs: Spring Cleaning

I decided it was about time to do some spring cleaning on my iTunes library. Honestly, I tend to listen to the same few artists (David Bowie, Talking Heads, Pixies, and the Velvet Underground) over and over again, and I end up forgetting about many of the other amazing artists I have on my iPod. I set out to clean up my library, and--in that process--found some great stuff that I forgot I had.

1. Crazysexycool and Fan Mail - TLC



This amazing female trio was a vital part of my child hood. I can't believe I forgot I had TLC on my iPod. I will probably have "No Scrubs" stuck in my head for a while.

2. Dance Party in the Balkans - Alaska in Winter

Overall, this album could be described as a Dance Party in the Balkans. I could to listen to “Close Your Eyes- We Are Blind” on repeat for hours.

3. Remixes Vol. 1 - Ratatat

I remember that I first listened to this album in my friend’s house in high school. I am such a sucker for a good mash-up and I am stoked to have rediscovered this album.

4. The Lion King Soundtrack



What else can I say? "Hakuna Matata."

5. Deep Cuts - The Knife

The Knife is electronic music duo from Sweden with a pretty enthralling sound.

I didn’t find this while cleaning up my library but my co-worker brought this album back to my attention a couple months ago.

Whether you are interested in any of these artists or not, I suggest that you take the time to clean up your library. It is a great way to clean up those files, rediscover artists and relive your childhood.

--Danielle Mouhlas, Traffic Director

Christine's Recs

1.The Breeders


“Cannonball” – The Breeders

I am a person that will listen to the same album or song over and over again. All spring break I listened to Pod and Last Splash on repeat. Spring break was cold sleet weather and I spent most of it on my parents couch, but I was content humming along to the ripe musical produce of the Deal sisters. I am a girl of simple pleasures.

2. Working Out


“Work It” – Missy Elliot

Specifically work-out music. I often listen to Girl Talk and Pixies albums during my hot and sweaty dates with the elliptical machine because I am too easily distracted to sit down and make playlists. Every once in a while I’ll go with hip hop or riot grrrl. I’m also doing zumba which is basically just dancing around like an idiot, at least when I do it.

3. Sleater-Kinney


“Get Up”- Sleater-Kinney

I’ve recently been revisiting THE band of my childhood and teen years. I’m thirteen again and in my bedroom and bleating along at the top of my lungs. They inspired my feeble attempts at guitar-playing and provided an outlet for my teenage rage. They got me through an early puberty and saved me from drowning in the social shark tank of being the new kid at school again and again by providing some after school relief and understanding. They are a part of why I’ve proudly and unabashedly considered myself a feminist since first having an inkling of the concept.

4. The X-Files

As you have already witnessed, nineties music is already an integral part of my life and now, thanks to Netflix, nineties television is too. I don’t remember very much from when The X-Files was originally on other than the spooky synths. This is probably due to its being on after my bedtime (I was four when this show started) and hearing it through the thin walls of the apartment while my parents or the babysitter watched it. Now that I am grown, I get the pleasure of squinting at my dark television screen while dark shapes run around yelling “Scullleee!?” and Mulllderr!?”

5. The Heavy Guitar Bible

The Heavy Guitar Bible by Richard Daniels

This was recommended to me right before spring break and I’m about halfway through the concepts. It’s heavy on theory and minimal in design. In terms of books, I’ve learned the most from black and white instructional texts that are slim and straightforward. Topics range from physics and chemistry to guitars and cooking.

--Christine Davis, Programming Director

Matt's Recs: Beats and Grooves

1. Domo Genesis & Hodgy Beats - Tang Golf/OFWGKTA


If you haven't heard Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, known as OFWGKTA, go check them out now. Seriously. These guys are ridiculously talented. I love hip-hop, and I love Wu-Tang Clan, and I love this cover. Domo and Hodgy show their lyrical skill and flow so well over this classic beat, and... just listen. And then go listen to the rest of OFWGKTA. Then be mystified and start a riot or burn down a church.

2. DJ Shadow- Number Song


This is just one of the incredible beats you can groove to off of D.J. Shadow's Endtroducing. It is just the kind of song you want to listen to while you walk to class when its 75 degrees out and sunny. It has an upbeat tempo and a really cool feel to it, plus the sample blending (the whole album is made of samples) is awesome. In an age when every kid with a computer or phone is mouthing off mindless nonsense, its cool to note that someone can communicate without even uttering a word of his own.

3. Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers


Speaking of Wu-Tang, here is more debauchery. I can't stop listening to it. I actually like this mash-up better than Danger Mouse's The Grey Album. It has a better set beat than the Grey Album, so the lyrics and music flow a lot better together. Get if you love The Beatles, Wu-Tang, or just some great mashed up debauchery.

4. DC Universe Online

Before you skip to 5, hear me out. Did you ever want to be a superhero? I bet most of you answered yes. Well, now you can. Think World of Warcraft, but with Batman. Think of questing for the sake of good with Lex Luthor gunning after you. Intense, I know. Go grab your tights and say goodbye to your free time, its time for nerd glory.

5. Go outside.

Enjoy springtime. Run around in the sun. Unless you aren't in Athens or you are in a place where its still winter. Then you should stay inside or consider moving.

Matt Wesley, Chief Engineer