Yes, today is the day, boys and girls. The day when My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges arrives on our doorsteps and takes us on a magical musical journey to, well, Ear X-Tacy if you were lucky enough to get a ticket for today’s in-store… or maybe Bonnaroo this weekend… perhaps Toronto or Montreal… or the grand finale of their short run, the sold out show at Radio City Music Hall.

To honor this momentous occasion, please enjoy this special edition of Hey Mr YouTube DJ with Jim James.

JAMES BROWN, MICHAEL JACKSON AND PRINCE - LEGACY TELETHON 1987

What more can I say about this?? It’s fucking James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince, who rides in on a wizard at the end. Alternate time warp. Is this real?

JIM HENSON - TIMEPIECE

This is one of Jim Henson’s early art pieces. The music is great, the thought is great, the direction is great. What is time and we are constantly running out of it. Henson was a master of blending sense with the surreal. The genius at work.

MARVIN GAYE - WHAT’S GOIN ON/WHAT’S HAPPENIN BROTHER

This live clip is simply priceless. A rare look at Marvin live, at the piano no less. He looks so
peaceful and beautiful here - the clips of city life interspersed are so beautiful as well. Perhaps the greatest music ever made by humans - forever relevant and forever powerful. Touched by the divine.

SAM COOKE AND MUHAMMAD ALI - THE GANG’S ALL HERE

A rare look at two of the biggest legends of all time. Sweet and funny - Muhammad’s intro- “Mr. Sam Cooke, as you can see like me he’s awful pretty.” Awesome.

JOHN PRINE - ALL THE BEST

This song kills me - a great old clip here, a nice acoustic version, some sweet finger picking. It seems like John has been through so much and always comes out on top. Carl and I were lucky enough to get to open for John and even share the stage at the end of his set. One of the greatest thrills of my life. We recently covered this song for a Prine tribute. He is the man.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this visual feast, and I hope you enjoy MMJ’s new offering as much as I am (and I’m not just saying that. For reals).

Please email us at musicblog@sxsw.com if you’re so inclined. Subscribe to the feed that feeds here.

You’ve gotta like what you see, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: June 10th, 2008 under Hey Mr YouTube DJ, Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

Comics guru Kevin Church runs the popular blog Beaucoupkevin.com, writes the internet comic The Rack (among others) and loves the Pet Shop Boys.

Kevin also used to write one of my favorite blogs ever, Hulk’s Diary That is on the Internet. I still miss it.

He’s this week’s YouTube DJ… please enjoy his juicy picks.

PULP - THIS IS HARDCORE

It’s hard to imagine a more stylish video than Pulp’s “This Is Hardcore.” Shot by Doug Nichol, whose big break came when he was Director of Photography on Madonna’s egomaniacal Truth Or Dare documentary. He’s done over 50 other videos, including some by names like Aerosmith and Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice, you know,) but nothing managed to hit this lofty high again.

THE PET SHOP BOYS - I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BUT I CAN’T GIVE IT ANY MORE

When Tennant and Lowe opted for a new look to accompany their 1999 album Nightlife, director Pedro Romhanyi created an original story for it, complete with Kubrick references, Japanese wardrobe men, and some massive dogs. I’ve always appreciated their attempts to create an aesthetic that could be identified with a particular album.

KRAFTWERK - THE ROBOTS (MINIMUM-MAXIMUM’04)

Kraftwerk are the greatest live band on the planet, and that’s a damned fact.

AIR - ALL I NEED

“All I Need” from Air’s first album, Moon Safari. Remember when all those clichés were fresh and new and you were going to be with that person forever? Not even I can be cynical about this Mike Mills tribute to young love.

DEPECHE MODE - LOVE IN ITSELF

So, Depeche Mode are in a cave and decide to mime out one out of their songs while some stock footage from a foundry is projected over them.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Hey Mr. YouTube DJ.

Email us at musicblog@sxsw.com. Subscribe to our feed and get posted SXSW style automatic-like.

Have a prosperous weekend, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: June 6th, 2008 under Hey Mr YouTube DJ, Linda Park.
Comments: none

Welcome, boys and girls, to the inaugural edition of Hey Mr YouTube DJ where cool peeps (do people still say “peeps”?) discuss their favorite music vids, be they comedy, homemade mashups, vintage performances and more.

First up is Tom Blankenship (the bassist formerly known under the nom de rock Two Tone Tommy) from My Morning Jacket. MMJ’s fifth full-length album, Evil Urges, hits stores in a week and a half. The band will play Bonnaroo, Toronto, Montreal and Radio City Music Hall in June before they head over to Europe.

And without further ado, please enjoy today’s Hey Mr. YouTube DJ…

SAXON - RIDE LIKE THE WIND

Awesome! British heavy metal band Saxon cover Christopher Cross’ “Ride Like the Wind”. Somehow they manage to make it hilarious without the participation of Michael McDonald. No wonder they were the real life inspiration behind Spinal Tap.

KING DIAMOND - WELCOME HOME

From the unintentionally comedic side of metal to the.. err, intentionally comedic? With truly creepy lyrics like “You will find your rocking chair and the tea pot that Missy found” shrieked by a guy in face paint and a cape, I’d hope so. Throwing a welcome home party for your Grandma? King Diamond has the soundtrack for just such an occasion.

BILL EVANS TRIO - NARDIS

On to the land of black metal, Norway, where we switch gears with a live clip of the Bill Evans Trio performing “Nardis” on October 28, 1966 in Oslo. This is shortly after bassist Eddie Gomez joined who, at 22 years old, was already a mustachioed badass.

ZACH GALIFIANAKIS - YOU BRING ME JOY

By now everyone has seen Zach Galifianakis’ video for Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’” (yep, the one with Will Oldham). But just as brilliant is this, his similar treatment for Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy”.

STANLEY CLARK - SCHOOL DAYS

Speaking of bringing the joy, how can you not smile watching Stanley Clarke & George Duke jam Clarke’s “School Days” in 1981 on the Old Grey Whistle Test? It’s okay to look like you’re having fun making music. Really. For proper evidence check the geek out & grin session around the 3:00 mark.

Thanks for stopping by. It’s always a pleasure to have you join us over here at the ol’ SXSW Music Bloggy. You can email us at musicblog@sxsw.com and subscribe to our super groovy rss feed here.

Have a splendorous weekend, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: May 30th, 2008 under Hey Mr YouTube DJ, Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none