Author Archives: Chris Moore

The Court Yard Hounds’ “Court Yard Hounds” (2010) – Yes, No, or Maybe So

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The Court Yard Hounds’ Court Yard Hounds (2010) – MAYBE NOT

The Court Yard Hounds' self-titled debut (2010)

The Court Yard Hounds' self-titled debut (2010)

By Chris Moore:

(May 4, 2010)

Review:

As Robison and Maguire have been playing together in the Dixie Chicks for over two decades, it is difficult to consider Court Yard Hounds a debut release; that being said, although it has its strengths — a particularly strong first four tracks followed by solid efforts here and there — it simply does not fully satisfy (although I must admit my bias in holding this duo’s material up to the Dixie Chicks’ outstanding 2006 release Taking the Long Way).

Top Two Tracks:

“See You in the Spring” (with Jakob Dylan) & “The Coast”

Christmas, Volume 3 – Playlists on Parade

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By Chris Moore:

And so we come to the final installment of the ever-so-cleverly titled “Christmas” playlist series.

I don’t have much to say here, as I’ve already explained the process I went through and the purpose of these three Christmas playlists I’ve posted on the blog.  I will mention that this third volume seems to be a more relaxing, laid-back set than the previous two, especially after the first couple songs.  I didn’t mean for it to work out that way, but I’ve found this one quite soothing to listen to as I do some work around the house tonight.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through them, and don’t miss next Saturday, when I’ll publish the final “Playlists on Parade” post of the year, which will serve to wrap up my work with Christmas music this season.

1. “Angels We Have Heard on High” – Relient K

2. “Elf’s Lament” – Barenaked Ladies

3. “Christmas to Remember” – America

4. “The Christmas Guest” – Johnny Cash

5. “December Snow” – The Moody Blues

6. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – The Beach Boys

7. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Bing Crosby

8. “The Christmas Blues” – Bob Dylan

9. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee

10. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms

11. “Santa Claus is Back in Town” – Elvis Presley

12. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – Elmo and Patsy

13. “What I Really Want for Christmas” – Brian Wilson

14. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen / We Three Kings” – Barenaked Ladies (with Sarah McLachlan)

15. “Merry Christmas Darling” – Mike Fusco (with Jim Fusco)

16. “Holiday” – The Bee Gees

17. “Step Into Christmas” – Elton John

18. “White Christmas” – The Drifters

19. “Santa’s Beard” – The Beach Boys

20. “Joy to the World” – Brian Wilson

WCJM Free Internet Radio Station: “The Millennium ‘Mayhem’ Show” – 2000

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By WCJM Free Internet Radio:

After the success of the two Christmas shows, Jim Fusco wanted to do another show, and soon.  He decided to do a show based on the new millennium, which was coming up only a few weeks after the second Christmas show.  The cast reluctantly agreed on a date to hold the show- January 1st, 2000.  The time was set only twelve hours after the millennium would hit, meaning that even though the cast would be tired, they would give another show a chance.
But it wasn’t going to be that easy.  Dave Perrelli, a friend of Jim’s, asked him to join the free Internet radio show.  This ambition came after he listened to the comedy Christmas tape when Jim and Mike went over Dave’s house.  Dave loved the tape and begged Jim to be part of the show.  So Jim agreed, and David became the fifth, and last member of the show.
Everyone was fired up for the start the new show and the new millennium at the same time.  The songs were chosen for their resemblance to the new millennium, including titles from Jim Fusco and Chris Moore’s song libraries.  New equipment was being used for the show, including a new Aiwa stereo with a noise reduction tape recorder, and a mini disc player playing all of Jim songs.  This new technology made the tape come out better than all the rest (sound quality-wise), but Jim packed the first side with so much music, there was hardly any room for leisure talking.  However, on the second side Chris’s songs were played with much more room between them, giving time for each of the hosts to talk.  But Chris had to leave near the end of the second side, leaving the four member cast to finish off the tape.  Dave begged Jim to produce the final minutes of the tape, and Jim reluctantly agreed.  However, this was Dave’s first chance at using the sound mixer, so the levels were off that times, reducing the quality of the final minutes of the tape.

But in the end, this tape showed the spirit of the cast of Moore Hits in the Morning because they, after a long night before, had come together to make this tape.  Even though Jim’s voice was louder that all the rest, using the headset microphone, the content and music of the tape reflected Jim’s main goal- throwing a millennium party Moore 94.2 style.

This is merely the first in a whole new millennium of side-splitting free Internet radio available from WCJM!

“Not Fade Away” (Buddy Holly, Rolling Stones Cover)

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By Federico Borluzzi:

Acoustic cover of “Not Fade Away,” a song written in 1957 by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty and covered by the Stones in 1964. I had the Rolling Stones’ version in my mind while I was covering it.  I play my acoustic guitar and my G-tuned harmonica.

** EDITOR’S NOTE: **

For his second Guest Session, Federico has chosen one of the all-time great cover songs.  After all, Buddy Holly may have written “Not Fade Away,” but the Rolling Stones took it to the next rock’n’roll level as their first single.

A few other artists and bands have covered it since, like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen.

Although I enjoy the Rolling Stones version better, there really is an innocence to the Buddy Holly & the Crickets version from 1957.  I’m listening to it as I type, and that guitar sound may be simple, but the Fifties band vibe is inimitable.

So thank you, Federico, for bringing your recording of this classic song to the Laptop Sessions acoustic cover song music video blog!