The Lucky Thirteen: 10/31/11

Ever since I started doing my radio show, I've really backed off of the Lucky Thirteen playlists. And while the radio show meets the vast majority of my needs for sharing music, there are rare exceptions where a playlist works better. This is one of those exceptions.

As you may know, I've made a Halloween tradition out of doing a playlist consisting exclusively of cover tunes. Cover songs may not seem obviously connected to Halloween, and yet there is a connection. The cover song allows the musician to do a sonic dress up of sorts, putting on their favorite song by another artist. So for those who love a good cover as much as I do, then this playlist will be right up your alley.

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

1. "Hello Susie", THe BAcksliders
   When I first received this single from THe BAcksliders, I just assumed it was a new tune of theirs. When I looked at the songwriting credits, I came to realize the track was not theirs originally. Instead, a British bands from the 1960's called The Move were the original performers. So, now you know. And no, I wasn't going for a BAcksliders reference with that, but I'll keep it anyways.


2. "Shut It Down", Sarah Jaffe
   Much like how people often dress up as Halloween characters that are unlike his or her normal personality, covers can often showcase aspects of an artist's taste that would seem unlikely. This cover of Ms. Jaffe's of the Drake song would definitely qualify as unlikely. The amazing thing is how her haunting voice so brilliantly transforms the song into sultry, moody, and gorgeous. I shouldn't be surprised though. This is, after all, Sarah Jaffe.


3. "To Love Somebody", Slobberbone
   Slobberbone does a fine job of capturing the heartache of this Bee Gees classic.


4. "Dangerous", Nicholas Altobelli
   Mr. Altobelli is full of surprises. Those who know him would likely expect a cover of a Ryan Adams song, or maybe something of Sam Cooke (he has a real weakness for classic soul music). But Nicholas singing Roxette? Roxette??? Still, it's a quite interesting listen.


5. "All The Pretty Girls", Lovie
   I think this song has made it on each covers edition of my playlist that I've done. Just thought I'd share that.


6. "Driver 8", Old 97's
   Out of all the covers in the list, this one seems to sound the closest to the original. The biggest difference? Rhett Miller's voice is much less nasal than that of Michael Stipe.


7. "Folsom Prison Blues", Frankie 45 & Ben Martin
   Frankie, you're still missed.


8. "Don't Worry Baby", Little Black Dress
   LBD's cover of The Beach Boys is a perfect blend of staying true to the original while adding enough new sonic elements to keep this cover sounding fresh. The band's shoegaze style is a perfect fit for the song.


9. "Beauty School Dropout", Toadies
   Sometime back in the 1990's, someone got the idea to release Sandy Does Dallas. The concept was to have local artists cover the soundtrack to Grease. It's sad that while in many ways it has become easier for bands to record, nobody is pushing the idea of cool compilations and tribute CDs like this anymore. Heck, I'm still waiting for that Toadies tribute CD that Kirtland talked about years ago.


10. "Revolution", Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights
    This is a live recording from New Year's Eve 2009 at Granada Theater. Technically, this song was really recorded on New Year's Day. I was there for the show, and all I can say is it was the perfect choice for ringing in the new year.


11. "Never Let Me Down Again", Kristy Kruger
    Before I met or listened to Kristy Kruger, my strongest memory of her was that she won a Depeche Mode box set from the Dallas Observer. Having been such a big fan of the band back in my high school days, I envied her for winning it. So it's only fitting that I put her Depeche Mode cover on the playlist.


12. "You May Be Right", Holy Moly
    The band's new CD, Grasshopper Cowpunk, is easily the best effort ever put out by the band. But for today, I go back to Drinkin' Druggin' and Lovin' (the CD, that is) for this fun Billy Joel cover.


13. "Lithium", The Polyphonic Spree
    When Kurt Cobain sang the song, he sounded like a man in desperate need of Lithium. In the Polyphonic Spree cover, the band sounds as if they have overdosed on it.

Frankie 45 Memorial Concert Tonight

Here's a quick rundown on everything you need to know for tonight:

1. The show at Club Dada will start at 7 pm with a DJ set from Bad Holly. She will continue to spin tracks between band sets.


2. Motorcycle riders are encouraged to come on their bikes. There will be special racks for the bikes in front of The Bone, Dada, and Kettle Art. To kick off the show at 7, bikers are encouraged to make as much noise on their bikes as possible.


3. The musical acts start at 8, with a new band starting every half hour. In order from first to last, performers will include Legsweeper, The Double Downs, Missile, Here Holy Spain, The Phuss, The Marfalites, Barry Kooda Combo, THe BAcksliders, and The American Fuse.


4. I wouldn't be surprised if a few extra guests decided to show up and perform.


5. There is a recommended $10 cover at the door, and all proceeds go to the Deep Ellum Community Association (DECA).


6. If you've seen the number of people RSVPing on the Facebook event, you're probably wondering how Dada will hold so many. Obviously, I recommend arriving early, but I know other clubs will be accepting the spillover, and will be contributing a portion of their profits to DECA.


7. If I've missed any critical details, PLEASE share them in the comments section.

Other than that, expect a lot of rock, and a lot of emotion tonight. And while there will be plenty of tears undoubtedly, let's also make this a celebration of a beautiful life that ended way too soon.

Video Playlist

The original goal was to post my top 40 countdown podcast today, and then on Tuesday, I was going to do a Lucky Thirteen recognizing my 13 favorite local shows of the year. The podcast is not ready yet due to technical difficulties, but barring any further problems, should be ready tomorrow. I would do a Lucky Thirteen playlist, but I'm going to be honest: my heart is not in that right now. My thoughts are still too much about Frankie. The Lucky Thirteen will return next week, but today I offer you a video playlist of Frankie 45 performances, both with Spector 45 and solo.

Also, I'd like to take the opportunity to get some comments here. I'd like to get a collection of people's thoughts and memories on Frankie. Anyone who'd like to write something about Frankie, send it to me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com. I'll assemble a collection of other people's thoughts and memories on him and post it on the blog. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this video retrospective.

Local Edge Playlist: 1/2/11

"Another Year", Sunday Drive
"We'll Go Walkin'", The O's
"to the 9's", hormones
"Tunnelvisionary", The Flowers of God featuring Sarah Jaffe
"Prophet", Datahowler
"Knife Fight", Calhoun
"Stories", Heard
"Icing", Roy Robertson
"Beautiful Girl", Mr. Sleaze
"River Song", Seryn
"Killswitch", The Red 100's
"Shivonne", Menkena
"Finger Trace", Ryan Thomas Becker
"Time", Frankie 45 & Ben Martin

Memorial Show Info

I think I can speak for the local music community when I say we are all still in shock and in pain from the loss of Frank Campagna Jr., aka Frankie 45. When I was at the impromptu memorial last night at Kettle Art, it really showed me the impact he had on everyone's lives he touched. I was surprised not only by the number of people who showed up, but in some cases, surprised by seeing individuals that I didn't even know were acquainted with Frankie. I simply call this The Frankie Effect. It didn't matter if you hung out with him on a regular basis or had a few brief passing moments with him; anyone who met him was affected by him. No one made it through the night without tears.

For those who couldn't make the tribute last night, or who simply wish to continue honoring the man, there will be a memorial show this Thursday at Dada. I had heard the term "wake" to describe the show, and in many ways I think this is an appropriate term. I think that the show will be a true celebration of a life that ended much too soon. Among the confirmed acts are Legsweeper, Here Holy Spain, THe BAcksliders, The American Fuse, and Rev. Horton Heat. The Nervebreakers will also reunite for this show. Some of you may recall that Spector 45 covered their song "My Girlfriend Is a Rock", changing the lyrics and renaming it "My Girlfriend's In Iraq". I will keep you posted as I know more details.

Also, I wanted to pass on to readers that the Campagna family, in lieu of flowers, to please send a donation to the Deep Ellum Community Association and help the neighborhood that Frankie loved.

Frankie 45

(Photograph courtesy of Daniel Driensky)

Last night, I rang in the New Year to the sounds of Spector 45. As usual, the band gave 110% of itself in the performance. At one point, lead singer Frankie Campagna aka Frankie 45, did one of his standard leaps into the audience, getting on the floor and playing his guitar while practically in the face of another woman. It was classic rock and roll, and more to the point, it was classic Frankie. The performance was vital and filled with life. So it came as a total shock when I received the phone call this morning and found out the news: Frankie 45 died early this morning. It seems so surreal, considering that I was chatting with him only hours before his death.

My heart breaks for the whole Campagna family, as well as those who knew Frankie. I wish I could say I know him better than I did, but I will say that Frankie simply personified coolness, and was simply a nice guy. He was a good friend to those who knew him well, and to say that he'll be missed just doesn't go far enough.

There will be a memorial service tonight at Kettle Art, located at 2714 Elm Street in Deep Ellum. Anyone who wants to come and pay their respects to his family and friends is encouraged to do so. There is no word as of yet on a funeral, or whether it will be open to the public or only the closest family and friends.

Goodbye, Frankie. Deep Ellum just won't rock as hard without you.