elvis costello

The Ledge #552: Covers

The Ledge #552: Covers

With my brain focused on “Teenage Kicks” covers these days, it seems natural for me to put together another show of nothing but covers of classics tunes from the past. And tonight’s show could not have been timed better, as today Kepi Ghoulie of the Groovie Ghoulies put our a fabulous covers record, Full Moon Forever. Plus I’ve uncovered a number of other great new remakes the last few days, including Juniper’s lofi redo of “James” by The Bangles, Devil Love’s lovely tribute to Big Star’s “Thirteen”, and a trip back to my childhood with Jenny Dee & The Deelingquent’s rousing “Fox On the Run”. But, of course, the main focus is on the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series, and tonight features the very first submission! It may be a bit fitting that said cover is by the one and only Malibu Lou at Rum Bar Records!!! Yes! He’s a huge fan, as you can tell by the accompanying email: “It’s one of my top 5 personal favorite songs ever. I covered it many years in many bands!! Here’s a demo version of Malibu Lou & The Attackers performing it circa 96 in NYC!!” I couldn’t be more thrilled, and […]

The Ledge #550: 1978

The Ledge #550: 1978

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hinting that I’ll be starting 2023 with a big announcement. Well, tonight’s the night!In my eyes, “Teenage Kicks” is a perfect pop song; the greatest punk-inspired single of all time. Two minutes and 27 seconds of rock and roll at its finest. The sentiments are the same youthful expressions of the original rock and roll explosion of the 1950s. Instead of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis boogie woogie piano, it’s buzzsaw guitars that accompany Undertones vocalist Fergal Sharkey’s desire for that “girl in the neighborhood” that he wishes “was mine she looks so good”. It’s the musical template later utilized by Husker Du, Pixies, Green Day, and hundreds of other pop-punkers for decades to come (for better or worse).Since I love the song so much, I have found myself collecting all kinds of versions over the years. In fact, a little glance at my master iTunes library a few months ago showed that I owned over 30 covers of this tune. Just two weeks ago, I discovered that a Minneapolis band I loved in the 90s had released a remake as a now rare b-side (more on that next week). With […]

The Ledge #512: Drop That Needle

The Ledge #512: Drop That Needle

When Malibu Lou sent me an advance of the new Dogmatics single, “Drop That Single”, I knew I had to create something special to highlight it’s debut on The Ledge. After all, I’ve been a fan of the band since I first discovered …

The Ledge #508: 1977

The Ledge #508: 1977

“No Elvis, Beatles, or Rolling Stones!”

Sure, it was a pose. The Clash may have sung those lyrics, but they were actually true students in the history of rock and roll. But the British punk scene of 1977 was certainly a time when the wa…

The Ledge #489: This & That

The Ledge #489: This & That

After taking a week off (for various reasons that I discuss at the beginning of the show), The Ledge is back with another show of various odds and ends. There are sets influenced by some packages I received from Indonesian Junk and Lucinda Williams. There’s some memories of that great Replacements show in St. Paul six years ago with a few tunes from a show recorded earlier on that tour. There’s an oddly great tribute album to Elvis Costello that couples Latin singers with the original backing tracks of the legendary This Year’s Model album. And there’s also quite a few songs initially meant to be in the last new release show, but had to be cut for time constraints. Plus quite a few other great tunes in a variety of formats. I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes […]

The Ledge #472: Songs About Records

The Ledge #472: Songs About Records

There are times where a potential theme for a show pops up out of nowhere. This week’s episode of The Ledge is a perfect example. This past Wednesday afternoon I was on my way to a local record store, accompanied by a great power pop playlist on Spotify. Suddenly, a song came on that I hadn’t heard in many years. The tune was “I Need That Record” by Tweeds, a great under-appreciated 70’s power pop band  Besides the fact that this title was exactly why I was in my car at the time, it lit up a little light bulb in my head about a show devoted to songs about my favorite objects, records. It didn’t take long to put together the playlist. Wilco’s “Boxful of Letters” was an obvious pick. As were tunes by Todd Snider, Supersuckers, Nick Lowe, and Elvis Costello. iTunes searches came up with a vast majority of the rest of the tracks. But it was the discovery of an old Wreckless Eric track that secured the idea of this show. “33s + 45s” deals with the aftermath of a breakup, and the inevitable splitting of the music library. These lines hit me hard: “My dismantled […]

The Ledge #457: New Releases

The Ledge #457: New Releases

It’s the first show of the new year, which means it’s the first new release episode of the year! Generally, there isn’t much for new material this time of year, but this year seems to be an exception. You’ll find plenty of great…

The Ledge #450: New Releases

The Ledge #450: New Releases

In all the years of doing this monthly new release show, this may be the most varied I’ve ever done. After initial sets of folk-ish, acoustic rock, this month’s supersized show gradually built up the intensity until a final set of veteran h…

The Ledge #430: New Releases (Pt. 1)

The Ledge #430: New Releases (Pt. 1)

I didn’t expect this month’s new release show to be a two part extravaganza. But as I was throwing songs into the play folder for this week’s show I suddenly realized I had way too many tracks for one show. So once again, next week I&…

The Ledge #417: Live Albums, Vol. 1

The Ledge #417: Live Albums, Vol. 1

A few days ago I started a thread on my Facebook page asking for favorite live albums. The response I received was amazing, as close to 150 people responded with a wide range of suggestions. Obviously the question was raised in order to put together a Ledge episode, and the response was so overwhelming that tonight’s show is the first of two dedicated to the topic. This week’s broadcast consists of the choices I would have picked anyway but I still give credit to those who are so likeminded. It’s a collection of legendary classic recordings (Jerry Lee Lewis, Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, etc.), recordings that were initially bootlegged before getting an official release (Iggy & The Stooges, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, The Replacements), and quite a few others that have had a place in my collection for decades. Part two, which will be broadcast in two weeks, will focus more on material that others have picked. Some of them are records I’ve forgotten about, others come from my youth, but quite a few are releases you probably would never expect to hear on The Ledge. And, of course, I have to thank everybody for their picks. It’s been a […]

The Ledge #415: Love Kills

The Ledge #415: Love Kills

You really didn’t expect a “real” Valentine’s Day special tonight, right? I mean, come on, a Ledge episode filled with corny love songs? Of course not.
No no no. I went the opposite direction with tonight’s very special ep…

Live Ledge #398: Nick Lowe

Live Ledge #398: Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe has sort of quietly put together one of the best resumes in rock and roll history. He’s got tons of fantastic recordings, solo and with bands such as Brinsley Scwarz, Rockpile, and his recent collaborations with Los Straitjackets. He’s also one of the greatest producers of all times, helming some of the best albums or singles by the likes of Graham Parker & The Rumour, The Damned, Dr. Feelgood, Wreckless Eric, and, of course, Elvis Costello. Not to mention he was once married to Carlene Carter, which made him Johnny and June Carter Cash’s son-in-law! (Oh to be in the studio when Johnny recorded Nick’s “Without Love” accompanied by Elvis Costello, Dave Edmunds, and many others.) Inspired by the recent release of “Cruel To Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe” by Will Birch, tonight’s show is a snapshot of just a few of those great moments. If you’re intersted at all in Lowe’s life, go buy this book. It’s informative and at times pretty hilarious. After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy!

Live Ledge #382: RIP Roky Erickson + More 1989

Live Ledge #382: RIP Roky Erickson + More 1989

Minutes before the planned second episode devoted to 1989 was set to record came news of the death of legendary pyschedelic garage rocker Roky Erickson. A half hour or so of Roky’s music is aired at the beginning of the show before going into the original playlist.

Live Ledge #244: Wreckless Eric

Live Ledge #244: Wreckless Eric

An overview of Wreckless Eric’s career just hours before his Sioux Falls appearance. Show also includes Scott’s phone interview with Eric.

Live Ledge #215: Questions

Live Ledge #215: Questions

Nothing but musical questions tonight!

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge goes back to 1980 for two hours of punk, post-punk, and every other form of alt-rock from that year!

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Nothing but track eight’s to commemorate that we still have a couple days left in the eighth month of the year.

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

A simple premise – everything played tonight is the fourth track of the album they appeared on!

Live Ledge #187: Freedom

Live Ledge #187: Freedom

Nothing but songs about freedom and employment, and freedom from employment!

Live Ledge #182: 1995

Live Ledge #182: 1995

As the Beatles song goes, “it was 20 years ago” all of these songs were released.

Live Ledge #161: 4th of July

Live Ledge #161: 4th of July

A tribute to the holiday, with songs about the day and America, along with tributes to two famous concerts from this day.

Live Ledge #160: Shuffle

Live Ledge #160: Shuffle

Scott let iTunes do all the work tonight in selecting the playlist.

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

In order to prove the theory that to be a great band you have to have a run of three classic albums, tonight’s show is nothing but trios of greatness!

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

In response to the horrors of Coachella, Hudson curates his own personal music festival.

Live Ledge #151: Record Company Weasels

Live Ledge #151: Record Company Weasels

An entire show dedicated to those evil folks who control the record industry.

Live Ledge #142: 1979

Live Ledge #142: 1979

A trip down memory lane – nothing but tunes from that magical year of 1979.

Live Ledge #140: Winter

Live Ledge #140: Winter

Host Scott Hudson “celebrates” what is starting to seem like the longest, coldest winter ever.

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

An alphabetical trip through some of Hudson’s favorite bands.

Live Ledge #128: What

Live Ledge #128: What

It’s simple – nothing but songs that include the word “what”.

Rural Ledge-ucation #99: Cowpunk

Rural Ledge-ucation #99: Cowpunk

The death of George Jones has inspired Hudson to look back at some of the 80′s country-punk that led him on the path to understanding the greatness of old school country artists.

Live Ledge #109: George Jones

Live Ledge #109: George Jones

Besides commemorating the passing of legendary country icon George Jones, tonight’s Ledge celebrates various anniversaries and birthdays of the past week.

Live Ledge #107: 1982 (Again)

Another examination of the great music that came out in 1982!

Rural Ledge-ucation #92: Daylight Savings Time

Rural Ledge-ucation #92: Daylight Savings Time

We all hate it, so why not a show dedicated to daylight savings time?

Rural Ledge-ucation #89: Bitter Tears

Rural Ledge-ucation #89: Bitter Tears

A companion piece to Friday’s “lonely” episode, this morning is nothing but “bitter” tunes.

Rural Ledge-ucation #81: Best Reissues of 2012

Friday night, I unveiled my list of best 2012 albums. This morning, it’s all about the reissues, box sets, and other compilations of the past 12 months.

Live Ledge #83: Odds & Sods

No real theme for this week – just some random tracks and irritated babbling from Scott.

Live Ledge #77: The Kinks

In response to NBC’s idiotic decision to not air Ray Davies at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, tonight’s show is nothing but tunes by The Kinks!

Rural Ledge-ucation #64: Bootlegs

Nothing but live recordings and studio demos for this short Sunday morning set!

Live Ledge #75: Peel Sessions (Pt. 1)

Nothing but tunes from the late, great John Peel archive!

 

Rural Ledge-ucation #60: Marriage Stinks!

A followup to last week’s anti-wedding show, today we concentrate on songs that describe the perils of wedded “bliss”.  

Rural Ledge-ucation #59: Weddings Stink!

It’s wedding season, so here’s 90 minutes of songs that should give you silly people second thoughts about making this awful decision!

Live Ledge #68: More 1977

Last week’s ’77 theme went so well it just had to be repeated!

Live Ledge #67: 1977

Is 1977 the greatest year in rock ‘n’ roll? Check out this show and judge for yourself.

Live Ledge #65: Whine-Free

The goal was simple – to make it through an entire show without whining. Did I succeed?

Rural Ledge-ucation #55: Oh Susannah

Another show of new and upcoming releases, highlighted by a preview of the reunion of Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

Live Ledge #64: RIP Adam Yauch

Besides a tribute to Adam Yauch from the Beasties, we celebrate Link Wray’s birthday and preview a ton of upcoming releases.

Live Ledge #63: Gorman Bechard

Author/director Gorman Bechard appears to talk about his upcoming Grant Hart documentary, along with updates on Color Me Obsessed and his Archers of Loaf concert movie.

Live Ledge #61: Silly Rock News

This was one strange week in rock news, and host Scott Hudson covered them all!

Rural Ledge-ucation #49: Happy Birthday Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe’s birthday is celebrated with some of his best tunes, covers, and production work.

Live Ledge #54: Get Well Slim!

A busy show – besides a tribute to former MC5 bassist Michael Davis there’s lots of time devoted to wishing former Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap a speedy recovery.

Rural Ledge-ucation #44: Punkish Songwriters

What started out as a collection of punk-era singer/songwriters turned into something completely different.

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