radio barz

Looking for new music? Try The Waiting Room.

Quickly becoming fond of my time spent in "The Waiting Room," the new music show on WOXY. The hosts sport impeccible taste and a wicked sense of humor. And they cast a wide net for engaging new sounds.

• The Waiting Room homepage.
• WOXY Waiting Room page.

Subscribe to The Waiting Room via podcast or listen online. If you need more encouragement, just check out the fantastic laylist from the June 6, 2009 episode:

The Lovely Eggs – Tyrannosaurus Rex For Christmas
The Car Is On Fire – Ombarrops!
Lucky Fonz III – The World Wants You To Stay
Pet Lions – Roman History
The Ghost Is Dancing – Louis Riel
Andrew Bird – Ten-You-Us
The Builders & The Butchers – When It rains (Daytrotter session)
Anni Rossi – Las Vegas (Daytrotter session)
Meursault – Hard On (TWR Session)
Mahalia Jackson – In The Upper Room
The Cramps – She Said
Wall Of Voodoo – Tsetse Fly
Echo & The Bunnymen – The Cutter
Bunny Wailer – Fig Tree
Billy Preston – Will It Go 'Round In Circles
Manson Family Picnic – Back of The Sun
Boys Who Say No – No I Won't
Lost In The Trees - Fireplace
Eels – Prizefighter
Floating Action – To Connect
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Susanna – (I'll Love You) Forever & Ever
Tin Star Orphans – Jesus Freaks
Linfinity – Holy Rain
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Perfectly Perfect

Paste Reports: Dylan, McCartney and Starr plan collaboration

Bob and two former Beatles plan a new release of original music. Paste Magazine has the details.

Subscribe to Paste.

Remembering Koko Taylor

Chicago blues legend Koko Taylor dies at 80 (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune)

Blues queen Koko Taylor dies at 80 (AP)

"QUEEN OF THE BLUES" KOKO TAYLOR 1928 - 2009 (Jam Base)

Blues Legend Koko Taylor Dies at 80 (Spinner)

In memoriam: Koko Taylor, “Queen of the Blues” (TimeOut Chicago)

"I take a day at a time, because tomorrow ain't promised to none of us," Koko Taylor

Blues Legend Koko Taylor Dies at Age 80

"Blues is my life," ... "It's a true feeling that comes from the heart, not just something that comes out of my mouth" -- Koko Taylor

'Queen of the Blues' Koko Taylor dead at 80 (Chicago Sun-Times)

Blues icon Koko Taylor dies (Chicago Breaking News Center)

Happy Birthday Larry McMurtry

Happy Birthday to great American novelist Larry McMurtry. He's one of my favorite writers and Dad to one of my favorite singer-songwriters, James McMurtry. Read a few pages from Larry, listen to a song or two from James, rewind the Lonesome Dove miniseries and have a piece of cake in celebration.

Exclusive First Listen from NPR: Dirty Projectors "Bitte Orca"

"Bitte Orca," the latest from the Dirty Projectors is due out June 9, but you can get an advance listen courtesy of NPR.

Preorder your copy of "Bitte Orca," what promises to be one of the coolest, most  eclectic releases of 2009.  

Review: Eaglesmith Plays House Concert in Bend, Oregon

Whether it's an opera house, old church, dance hall, tavern or house show, Fred always delivers. This two-set stand at a home in Bend, Oregon sounds like another legendary Eaglesmith evening. (The Bulletin)

Album of the Week: Dark Was the Night

What is "Dark Was the Night?"

How about an album that includes performances by Andrew Bird, Antony, Arcade Fire, Beach House, Beirut, Blonde Redhead, Bon Iver, The Books, Buck 65, David Byrne, Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues, The Decemberists, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Devastations, Dirty Projectors, Kevin Drew, Feist, Ben Gibbard, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Jose Gonzalez, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Kronos Quartet, Stuart Murdoch, My Brightest Diamond, My Morning Jacket, The National, The New Pornographers, Conor Oberst, Riceboy Sleeps, Serengeti, Dave Sitek, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, Yeasayer, and Yo La Tengo.

What if it all went to a vital cause: To raise money and awareness to prevent and fight HIV and AIDS?

What if you don't own a copy yet?

What are you waiting for?

Dirty Projectors Live "Rise" and "Dark Was the Night" Concert

Here's a You Tube clip of the Dirty Projectors playing one of my favorite songs: "Rise Above." Let's face it. Life is just better with quirky, cool female backing vocals.

The Projectors also kick off the "Dark Was the Night" concert. You can hear the band's performance along with David Byrne, Bon Iver, Sharon Jones, Fiest and more courtesy of NPR's All Songs Considered.

Album of the Week: Written in Chalk

Yep, 2009 is not yet half over. But this will be a serious contender for one of my favorite albums of the year.