Gram Parsons coined the term “Cosmic American Music” as a way to describe his unique blend of country, Americana and rock. It’s a term that I couldn’t get out of my head when I finally got a chance to see the Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper – two bands that I’ve previous fluffed on this here blog – on Saturday night.

I was absolutely blown away by both acts, who have a very throwback quality to their sounds. The Fleet Foxes easily would have fit into the Laural Canyon scene with their lilting CSNY-esque harmonies, while Blitzen Trapper may have been found up in San Francisco on the psychedelic ballroom circuit. Since I can now vouch for their live show, I wanted to give you a taste…

Their joint tour continues over the next month, so if it’s coming to a city near you go and see it. We bet you won’t be disappointed.

Our friend and oft-contributer Neddy attended a benefit for Scotty Hard at the Highline Ballroom on March 19 and filed this report about that magical evening:

I guess it’s part of the human condition. It goes beyond just the proverbial lemonade. When the fickle dice of the Fates turn up a losing roll for one of our own, we rally around him and do our best to bring him back from the abyss. Fuck fate, we’ll make our own rules the best we can. So it was Thursday night in Manhattan: a guy who only needed one or two of his allotted six degrees to connect to most of the major names of good music in the city and beyond got pushed to the physical limits by the gods of shitty drivers. And what was the natural reaction of his friends and colleagues? Throw a fucking party, that’s what!

All Photos by Greg Aiello except where noted

The Highline Ballroom donated the space, an A-list cast of musicians brought the goods and the guy who makes it happen helped make it happen all to support Scotty Hard quite literally get back on his feet. I don’t know him nor have I met him, but under the two golden rules — “do unto others…” and “any friend of…” — plus the other part of the human condition — i.e. not wanting to read about what I missed the night before — ensured that I was in the house.

A full rundown would be a ridiculous attempt on my part to remember all the names and faces that passed over the stage last Thursday night, not to mention missing the forest for the trees, but I’ll do my best. I got there midway through what I think was the first set, with John Medeski and Billy Martin with John Scofield on guitar, DJ Logic on turntables and big grins and, I believe, Mike Rivard on bass playing slippery groove music and getting the crowd all lathered up.

Read on for more of Neddy’s review of the Scotty Hard benefit…

HT welcomes the final opening day at the current Yankee Stadium with a mash-up put together by our resident Bruce Springsteen expert Hal Hansen:

Life is good for fans of the New York Yankees and Bruce Springsteen. The bitter memories of last year’s post-season have given way to a cautious excitement as the final season at the current Yankee Stadium begins today. With regards the latter, The Boss is in the middle of yet another leg of his seemingly never-ending tour, supporting the critically-acclaimed 2007 release, Magic.

Bruce, Bernie and Patti Scialfa

The month of March has been especially fun for these fans.

Yankees box scores came back into the world of the stat-obsessive fans, along with daily updates from the spring training complex in Tampa, FL. Are Phil Hughes’ three wins this spring a sign of things to come in the regular season? Will Robinson Cano be the first Yankee since Bernie Williams to win a batting title in pinstripes? How will Joe Girardi fare in his first season as skipper? Such topics are just a fraction of the questions posed by Yankees fans leading up to today.

Similarly, the last thirty days have given Springsteen fans more than a dozen shows and set lists to read, digest and analyze. Fans across the country are probably still in disbelief that these spring training shows have led to three performances of Rosalita, the tour premier of twelve more Bruce classics, including Rendezvous, Lost in the Flood and Trapped, as well as the heroic appearance of Danny Federici, who had left the E Street Band in November to pursue treatment for melanoma.

Read on for Hal’s Yankee/Springsteen mash-up…

Dean Ween spent the last few years looking for an adequate backup guitar without much success. The master luthiers over at the Fender Custom Shop came up with a solution by offering to replicate the red frankenstein stratocaster the Ween guitarist has been playing forever. Deaner recently sent the axe to the custom shop, where the guitar makers took the guitar apart to photograph and weigh each of the components. Check out this page for a detailed set of photos.

Here’s a batch of links to keep you busy this morning:

• The Dolans plan to renovate MSG instead of building a new one
• Axl Rose hires two of the best managers in the biz to guide his career
• Vampire Weekend’s Chris Baio considers the backlash a compliment
• Tomorrow marks the beginning of the monthlong, three-program tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
• British ska legends The Specials talk to the BBC about a reunion
• Stephen Malkmus doesn’t think the Jicks are a classic jam band
• As always Uncle Neddy keeps us updated on the shows of the week
• Andrew Bird describes his songwriting process in a blog on NYTimes.com

And we couldn’t end this column without taking Jim Harrington of the Costa County Times to task. Harrington put together a list of his 10 favorite concert films, and put the Beastie Boys’ Awesome I F*ckin Shot That ahead of The Last Waltz. The Beasties’ film certainly offers a fresh look at the live music experience, but putting it ahead of Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece?

Leave a comment below if you think I’m way off base…

Friday [all times Eastern]:

• Later with Jools Holland welcomes Crowded House, Richard Thompson and Battles [Rave HD 8:00 PM]
• Classic Albums looks at Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast [VH-1 Classic Midnight]
• Ziggy Marley performs on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson [CBS 12:37 AM]

Saturday:

• Juanes make their Austin City Limits debut [PBS Check Local Listings]
• If you missed Wilco on SNL, tonight you’ll get a second chance [NBC 11:30 PM]

Sunday:

• CBS News’ Sunday Morning profiles R.E.M. [CBS 9:00 AM]
• Devo whip it good on Live From Central Park’s Summerstage [HDNet Noon]
• This week’s BBC Crown Jewels features a classic Joe Jackson performance [VH-1 Classic 2:00 AM]

We tend to stay away from politics at HT, but with the presidential election rapidly approaching we thought it was finally time to jump into the fray. Let’s welcome Jennifer Kirk who will provide a weekly column discussing politics and music. Here’s Jennifer’s first column, which is about her experience with HeadCount:

Since 2004, I have been involved with HeadCount. HeadCount is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that’s primary purpose is to register voters that are involved with the live music community. HeadCount staffs volunteers at concerts and festivals across the country. HeadCount is endorsed by many artists including: Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Ratdog, Gov’t Mule, Foo Fighters, and many, many more. So I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my HeadCount experiences as a volunteer as well as address issues surrounding music and politics.

Teams of HeadCount volunteers in several major cities across the country register concertgoers before, during and after shows. Recently, the Drive-By Truckers made a pit stop in Nashville to promote their new release Brighter Than Creation’s Dark. The HeadCount volunteers arrived to the venue an hour prior to doors opening in order to set up our table and organize our clipboards, voter registration forms and other supplies. HeadCount was allowed to have four volunteers for the show, so some of us staffed the table while others signed people up outside the venue. We were also allowed the opportunity to take turns watching some of the rock show.

There is a reason that I have been involved with HeadCount so long — passion. Not the passion I possess (though it is required to work the long shifts at Bonnaroo in June) but the passion and excitement that I see in the faces of the people that we register. It’s an exciting feeling to empower these people to make their voices heard; not just in Tennessee but all across the country.

Read on for more of the debut edition of Land of Confusion…

The Grateful Dead and The Band came together in the summer of 1973 to play a magnificent run of shows at Watkins Glen and Jersey City. Now, 35 years later GD bassist Phil Lesh and The Band’s drummer/vocalist Levon Helm are teaming up for seven shows during Lesh’s lengthy summer tour. Larry Campbell will do his best Warren Haynes imitation by playing with both bands.

• Robert Plant hints at future Led Zeppelin one-off gigs
• Stream the Rolling Stones’ Shine A Light soundtrack
• Billy Joel’s The Stranger gets the reissue treatment
• Dean Ween shares photos of his recent fishing trips
• Juliana Hatfield rants against MTV’s The Hills
• ESPN’s Wright Thompson can’t get enough of Panic
• Jimmy Herring sits for the Jambands’ reader interview

We leave you with the latest episode of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ This Is video podcast series. Read on after the jump to see Grace play Sneakin’ Sally with The Meters on Jam Cruise and a whole lot more…

We don’t cover too much comedy around these parts, but when I saw that the sketch comedy troupe Kids In The Hall were heading out on a rather lengthy tour – their first in over six years – I figured it was worth a mention here.

If you’re not familiar with their comic stylings, take a peak at them in action:

If you don’t like to laugh, then maybe one of these recently announced tours are for you…

• They should probably just dubbed this the I Love The 80s tour as Journey, Heart & Cheap Trick join forces (begins: 07/09)
• Legendary L.A. punk-rockers X hit the road (begins: 03/28)
• Here’s one you’re girlfriend will probably be dragging you to as Maroon 5 and Counting Crows head out together (begins: 07/25)
• The Godfather of Indie Cool Lou Reed lines up a handful of shows (begins: 04/20)
• British folkie Kate Walsh comes across the pond for some club dates (begins: 05/12)
• Los Lobos put together a smattering dates over the next seven months (begins: 03/28)
• Prog legends King Crimson put together a mini-tour with multiple nights in New York, Philly and Chicago (begins: 08/06)

Finally, here’s something your mom has probably been waiting for: the announcement of the Today Show’s Summer Concert Series. Some of the acts scheduled to perform outside of 30 Rock include Neil Diamond, The B-52′s, Coldplay and Sheryl Crow. There will also be with a special “surprise” reunion scheduled for May 16th – anyone want to venture a guess on what craptastic nostalgia act will play?

We thought we’d celebrate the ninth anniversary of the Disco Biscuits monumental tour closer in Pittsburgh with some music. Before you check out the recording, DaveO provides some background on what some consider the best show the Biscuits ever played. Let’s set the HT time machine for 1999…

03/27/99 Graffiti, Pittsburgh, PA

Set I: Run Like Hell> Nughuffer, Boogie Stop Shuffle, The Very Moon> Hot Air Balloon, Jam> Aceetobee

Set II: Magellan, Voices Insane, Mindless Dribble> Above The Waves, Nughuffer> Run Like Hell

Encore: Plan B> Magellan Reprise
Encore 2: Above The Waves > Basis For A Day

First of all, I guess I’m a little confused ’cause I only count 49 shows of the tour…but this is how Marc Brownstein welcomes the crowd to this tour-closing show back in 1999. Sidenote: Any time Brownie playfully addresses the crowd over a full band jam of some sort, normally a good sign that he’s feeling it.

In true blogger form, I’m going to keep this short and simply rip off some comments already made about this show. ‘Headgame’ over at the LMA comments says that, “Much like the Antelope from 4/16/92 where Trey is “rock star” esque, the Waves>Basis (in my opinion) showcases Barber doing something very similar and plotting to take over the world. No doubt about it, definitely the best show from top to bottom. Each song is played perfectly, from the jam into Run like Hell to the final notes of Basis. You will not be disappointed.”

“107th or 108th set in 2 and a half months. So we’ve been saving it all up for this very set here.” – Jon The Barber at the start of the 2nd set.

I also personally cannot say enough good things about the show as it’s got the whole package: Inspired playing, a few well executed segues and a band that despite two straight months on the road simply does not want to stop playing (They dropped a double encore for this 3+ hour show).

Oh, and I’ve got a request: The first person who can hook up a link to a version of the 4/16/92 Antelope gets a gold star. Anyone have Return to Gamehenge?

• CLICK HERE FOR THE REMASTERED RECORDING OF 03/27/99

Ever wonder what the rest of the Jackson 5 is up to these days, besides waiting for that reunion tour. Well the New York Post has the skinny on the whereabouts of Randy, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito – I guess those royalty check from their Saturday morning cartoon ran out long ago. Where’s Janet when you need her?

• Idolator gives us five musical genres you’ve forgotten to miss
• Check out this mix from Panic’s fall stop in Milwookie
• Mike Greenhaus spends a moment with MMJ’s new album Evil Urges
• BWE lists the Top 10 Favorite Albums I Never Listen To Anymore
• The Wall Street Journal (yes, that WSJ) profiles The Black Keys
• For the ADD set: Top 10 Songs On Elbo.ws Reviewed Within 50 Words

After a long winter we’ve finally made it to the cusp of the 2008 baseball season. The Red Sox and A’s just finished kicking things off in Tokyo, while the rest of the teams finally play real games on Sunday and Monday. It’s time to play ball!

We thought we’d begin our baseball coverage by asking U-Melt’s Rob Salzer, who’s a huge Mets fan, to list his ten favorite Metropolitans of all-time.

Let’s see what he came up with:

1. Keith Hernandez
2. Dwight Gooden
3. Mike Piazza
4. Jose Reyes
5. David Wright
6. David Cone
7. Edgardo Alfonzo
8. Sid Fernandez
9. Ron Darling
10. Darryl Strawberry

Be sure to read on for Rob’s thoughts on the acquisition of Johan Santana…

The Allman Brothers Band announced today that they are postponing their annual run of 15 shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre set for May 5-24, with rescheduled dates TBA. In addition, they have also canceled their upcoming performances at the Wanee Festival that they host every year in Florida (set for April 11-12, Wanee will continue as planned despite the fact that the Allman Brothers Band will not be appearing). For the past six months, founding member Gregg Allman has been receiving scheduled treatments for Hepatitis C, a virus that, with these treatments, has become curable in recent years. The treatments so far have been successful and the virus has been eradicated from his system.

However, the recovery time from the side effects of the treatment are taking longer than originally projected. Since the Allman Brothers Band are known for exhilarating and exhausting concert performances they don’t want to give fans anything less than they have come to expect; so the band members made a group decision to delay the first round of dates. “I’m getting better but I’m still tired,” says Gregg. “I need to be at 110% to do the shows the way we do them. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support and understanding my Brothers and our fans have given me.” [via ABB]

Axl Rose entered the studio to record Chinese Democracy in 1994, and fourteen years later we don’t even have a release date. It turns out the good people at Dr. Pepper are as frustrated as we are by the lack of any new Guns N’ Roses material. They’ve upped the ante by announcing that they will give a free can to everyone in America if Rose releases Chinese Democracy anytime in 2008.

The best part of the offer is that Rose’s sworn enemies, Buckethead and Slash, are the only people in the country excluded from the deal.

Now this is totally a publicity stunt we can get behind. Especially after Dr. Pepper’s last debacle involving trapping a shitty band in a bubble on the Hudson River. Axl showed he has a sense of humor by responding on GnR’s website:

We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album “Chinese Democracy,” as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead’s performances are on our album, I’ll share my Dr Pepper with him.

What a guy! Great, now would you just fucking finish the album already.

One of the few disappointments during my trip to Langerado was that I didn’t run into Mike Greenhaus and Benjy Eisen. It turns out were busy recording the latest batch of Cold Turkey podcasts for Relix. So far they’ve released five episodes featuring Dr. Dog, New Mastersounds, Matt Pond PA, Matisyahu/311, and Bassnectar. And that’s just the first round! No wonder I didn’t see them.

We’re gonna change up the format a bit this week:

• Led Zeppelin – 05/26/1977 SBD [via Quality Boots]
• Umphrey’s McGee – 07/10/2001 SBD [via Bands That Jam]
• Nazz Nomad’s Gambling Mix [via Bleedin' Out]
• Amy Winehouse 10/15/2007 FM [via T.U.B.E.]
• Talking Heads – 08/24/1979 SBD [via Nargo's]
• Heavy Pets – 03/13/2008 SBD [via Bands That Jam]
• Various Artists – Free Tibet Concert ’96 [via Talkin' About My Revolutions]
• Bob Dylan and Tom Petty – 7/4/86 SBD [via IckMusic]

Finally, I’m on the lookout for MP3s of the matrix mix from Wilco’s 02/16/08 gig from their residency in Chicago. Someone sent me a link a week ago, and I can’t find it anywhere. Can somebody hook a brutha up?

Saying there are an abundance of music festivals these days is like saying Britney Spears kind of lost it for a while there…it’s a major understatement.

It seems like every day there is a new festival with a new name and a new promoter in a different part of the world. The annual staples – Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, New Orleans’ JazzFest, Lollapalooza – are being challenged by newer festivals with slick names that can draw big name acts to sites near major cities making travel in and out easier than ever. Nothing ruins a festival experience faster than poor organization in terms of getting fans in and out.

It used to be one or two musical festivals a year would dot the landscape of the concert scene. But this year, it’s looked more like an urban jungle with festivals popping up everywhere. This isn’t a bad thing as more festivals means more chances for fans to see more music they probably wouldn’t pay to see on its own. At a festival, you can check out multiple bands throughout any given day and skip the bands you don’t want to see. Read on for more…