It’s is a rare night when I can go out to a bar these days sit down with a whiskey and a DJ is playing a song that was made and released within the year. It depresses me. I live in Los Angeles. DJs should be breaking new talent not catering to nostalgic weekend warriors. I’ve been starting a revolt against all music recorded prior to 2004. Unless it’s a Donovan song. (Hurdy Gurdy Man anyone?!) And I’m purposefully using the word song and not record. I don’t care if you or your bar only spins vinyl! Who the fuck would care when you're just spinning the same fucking Blondie song every fucking Thursday night! Oh my bad, you have some Prince and Morrissey vinyl too...what a party! Play fucking CDs, play fucking MP3s and play fucking NEW MUSIC. With the fall of the record industry, more and more real talent is flooding the streets and yet no fucking DJs take the fucking chance to break these guys in bars and clubs. You have friends in good bands? Play their fucking record for them, asshole!
Thankfully tonight is going to be different. The ShortStop in Echo Park is hosting a listening party for a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW compilation entitled “Dark Was the Night.” And guess what kids...the official release isn’t for another 2 days! Eat that DJ Vinyl only circa '78! Can’t get much newer than that. Yeah, I’m psyched. This compilation comprised of 31 exclusive tracks will be available as a double CD/triple vinyl and via download all to benefit the Red Hot Organization – an international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture.
I was given a copy of it last week and I haven’t been listening to anything else since. (Except “The Essential Donovan” CD, of course). The compilation really is fantastic and beautiful. Stand out tracks that kill are David Sitek's (TV on the Radio) "A Girl Like You," "Amazing Grace" as performed by Cat Power (who's voice will soon rival that of one Aretha Franklin /Joni Mitchell hybrid), “Lua” a heartbreaking duet by Connor Oberst and Gillian Welch, “Cello Song” (Nick Drake) as performed by The Books and Jose Gonzalez, “Train Song” by Feist and Ben Gibbard and Antony from Antony and the Johnsons absolutely devastated me with yet another of his amazing Bob Dylan covers, “I was young when I left home.”
C'mon. You know you want to sip whiskey at The ShortStop with me and hear this stuff before anyone else! Don’t worry, Blondie and Grand Master Flash will be back next weekend. Oh, I forgot to mention duets by Grizzly Bear and Feist, new New Pornographers as well as new Iron and Wine. The set is not to be fucked with. And it’s for an amazing cause! And its entry to the listening party is free with your RSVP. But buy the CD… or MP3s… or if you must, the vinyl.
Visit http://www.darkwasthenight.com/ for more info, free downloads and to order your copy of the compilation!
And check out the flyer to RSVP for tonight's event and your chance to buy the music in advance!
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