Vincent Van Gogh, Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat, 1887
Vincent Van Gogh, Wheatfield with Cypresses, 1889.
everything was alive
in your absinthe-green eyes
when only deep shades of blues
could still sooth your black moods
and red vineyards cloaked you
from the darkness
of the ever-encroaching winter
some say it was glaucoma or lead
poisoning that caused you to see
halos around everything
but maybe you were
just closer to heaven
than that drab bunch of potato
eaters who lived next door
everything you witnessed
breathed electricity
the shape of the wind
and clouds spinning in turbulent skies
as gray clouds like dark birds rose
from your pipe and sunflowers danced
with delight in the vase on your table
all the colors we knew
turned a different hue
when you painted them
and the wheat waved back in gratitude
so drop that pistol vincent,
the paintbrush will always love you better
nobody saw the world through your eyes
for another hundred years or so
and by that time, you were long gone
never knowing your paintings
— John Kruth, 2022
La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle); A Portrait of Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851–1930) 1889Vincent Van Gogh, Nursery on Schenkweg April–May 1882
From the new album Dropout Boogie, out later this month.
By PAUL ZOLLO
A brand-new classic by the Black Keys – Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney – arrived on March 10, of this year (2022) – “Wild Child,” from their new album, Dropout Boogie, which will emerge on May 13.
The Black Keys are Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach, two old tuneful pals from from Akron who teamed up in 2001. Similar to the way the duo of Becker & Fagen were Steely Dan, around which other satellites spun and which signified songwriting and record-making greatness always, Dan & Pat have united in a musical mission that has deeply enriched these times. Their songs and records shine always with the warm purity of two seriously singular songwriters in harmonic and spiritual sync with each other, and in love with the unbound power and potential of song.
And like Steely Dan – not stylistically, mind you, but in terms of their aim – their work is always reflects the ambition and diligence to make real-time, timeless, rocking records out of these songs. Classic, soulful, rock and roll, analog and digital both, dimensional, and expansive. Built to last,
They will embark on a new 12-show tour this year (see below). Like their legions of fans, I am thankful for each successive brand-new classis they’ve created over these past years. Somehow they remain plugged into the source, and connect with the real-time rock, roll, soul, whimsy, wisdom, irony, passion and fire. Few other bands, for this writer, consistently create new music that I genuinely want to keep listening to over and over. That’s what it’s all about. Their music makes me feel good. It feeds a hunger that very few new records ever feed. And they keep doing it.
And it is needed – and appreciated – now more than ever, as the foundational ideas which guide this kind of work have been dismissed, abandoned, forgotten and/or lost by so many.
And, like Tom Petty and others who kept doing it, they make it look easy. Also fun.
They also make compelling, unexpected and great videos like this one below, the official music video, starring Dan & Pat, of “Wild Child.”
The Black Keys, Patrick Carney & Dan Auerbach, “Wild Child”
“Black Keys forever, bitch.”
So ends this video with these words. We agree.
Forever. That’s what it’s all about.
On behalf of rock & roll and those who live in its forever realm, allow us to say to Dan & Pat: Thank you! This world would suck even more without you.
The new album, Dropout Boogie, Out May 13
“Wild Child” By Daniel Auerbach & Patrick Carney
I’m just a stranger With a twisted smile and I’m wondering, ah Your heart is in danger Come close now, let me tell you a lie
Wild child You got me running through the turnstile Baby, come with and I’ll make it worthwhile You’re gonna get my love today, yeah
You are a sweet dream With a tender heart and beautiful smile But things aren’t what they seem So I’ll let you go and dream for a while
Wild child You got me coming outta exile Baby girl, you know I’m liking your style You’re gonna get my love today, yeah
I just wanna hold you at the end of every day Girl, I wanna please you, oh, I’m needing you to stay The sun is gonna shine if you would just come out and play Baby, won’t you show me your wild child ways
Wild child You got me running through the turnstile Baby, come with and I’ll make it worthwhile You’re gonna get my love today, yeah
Wild child You got me coming outta exile Baby girl, you know I’m liking your style You’re gonna get my love today, yeah
The Black Keys have officially announced their 32-date Dropout Boogie North American Tour. Dropout Boogie Tour begins July 9 in Las Vegas with special guests Band Of Horses. Ceramic Animal, Early James, & The Velveteers for select dates.
Presale codes can be found once signed up and logged into your Lonely Boys & Girls club profile starting Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 10 am ET.
A limited number of VIP packages will also be available starting Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 10 AM local time. VIP packages include premium seats, sound check visit, an autographed lithograph and more!
A brand-new timeless soul classic by Chris Seefried, Derrick Thomas, Sam Plecker & Trombone Shorty
By PAUL ZOLLO
It’s one of the most infectiously uplifting soul singles to emerge in a long time. If Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, Isaac Hayes, all of Earth, Wind & Fire, and the Tower of Power horns were to team up to make one record, it might sound something like this. But maybe not as great.
From his first album in five years, Lifted, which arrives on April 29, this is Trombone Shorty with “Come Back.”
Trombone Shorty
The song and album were produced by Chris Seefried, who has written and produced great music for many bands and artists (including Andra Day, Lady Blackbird, Joseph Arthur, Counting Crows, Fitz & The Tantrums, Vintage Trouble). He co-wrote “Come Back” with Derrick Thomas, Sam Plecker & Trombone Shorty. Chris has been steadily establishing himself as one of the most soulful and savvy songwriter-producers making music now; like Mark Ronson, he ‘s got a gift for easily merging the real-time, soul magic of the analog past with the new sonics and grooves of our digital age. Usually a little more hip-hop than rock, these grooves propel timeless melodies that never fail to touch the heart, even while you are dancing.
Both romantically tender and anthemic, “Come Back” is built around an undeniably killer hook. It ‘s one of those which makes you feel happy the first time you hear it, and happier with each listening, as all its facets coalesce. It’s brand new and timeless at the same time, all about now but without abandoning those ancient elements which combine to make songs soar forever .
Since you've been away
I've been hurting
Since you've been away
Come back baby
Since you've been away
I've been hurting
Since you've been away
Come back and stay
Does it get better? This is new, true and it’s 2022.
“Come Back” ℗ Blue Note Records; ℗ 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc. Released on 18 February 2022
Producer, Arranger, Composer, Lyricist: Chris Seefried Mixer, Mastering Engineer: Mikael “Count” Eldridge Background Vocalist, Trombone, Trumpet, Vocals: Trombone Shorty Drums: Alvin Ford Bass Guitar: Mike Bass-Bailey Guitar: Pete Murano Hammond Organ, Rhodes: Brandon Butler Tenor Saxophone: BK Jackson Baritone Saxophone: Dan Oestreicher Background Vocals: Chris Pierce, Derek Thomas, Trombone Shorty Recording Engineer: Charles Smith Engineer: Seth Atkins Horan Mastering Engineer: Bernie Grundman
From his new album The Boy Named If, which burst forth in January, 2022 (it didn’t simply drop).
It comprises a song cycle which, according to Elvis, spans from “the last days of a bewildered boyhood to that mortifying moment when you are told to stop acting like a child—which for most men (and perhaps a few gals too) can be any time in the next 50 years.”
This is the single, and is perfect for this series in which we celebrate great songs which are brand new. This is a brand-new brand-new classic, written by Elvis, produced by him with Sebastian Krys, and recorded during lockdown with The Imposters (AKA The Attractions).
This is new, this is timeless, also charged, passionate, fun, mysterious, visceral, danceable, delicious, in funkified, unbridled B minor, and delightfully delightful.
“Magnificent Hurt” Words & Music by Elvis Costello
After talking in tongues, I began to preach What falls from the branch is an apple or peach Hold on to me, there’s a red alert It’s the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt
I took a little walk, I took another stimulant I shed a single tear for my predicament Don’t act surprised or insolent It’s the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt
When we first met, I knew you were beautiful You fit like the seat of a blue mohair suit And the pain that I felt let me know I’m alive And I opened my heart To the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt
I speak low and intimate Like a cardboard sophisticate What if this is true love? Not some town hall certificate It’s the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt
I stood at the door, and I almost went through with it Tight as the angle of my amen And I swore, there and then, as I feign and I flirt I unbuttoned my shirt To the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt To the way you make me feel, magnificent hurt
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