Country Music Tips of the Day

Tip #1 comes from Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover editor:

Buyer's guide to George Jones records: If Jones has a crew cut on the cover, buy it. If he has longer, shaggy hair, listen before you buy!

Tip #2 came from Bloodshot Records:

Cubs home opener is next Friday. For the 7th consecutive year, The Waco Bros. will celebrate the start of the Cubs season with a midday show at Yatzkies in Wrigleyville. Line starts forming at 6a.m. !!! I'm gonna try to make that next year, or call in sick this Friday!

Tip #3 comes from me:

The new Townes Van Zandt documentary, Be Here to Love Me, is just heartbreaking. I had no idea the level of self-destruction that Townes created for himself. I knew that he lived on the edge, but he LIVED on the edged. Only thing I thought seemed missing was any talk about gambling. I know he was a consumate gambler and would bet on anything, but I can't remember one mention of this in the movie. The movie is short on actual performances, but the interviews are very insightful. This is a must for those who count TVZ as a music legend or for those who enjoy being depressed for a couple of days after watching a movie.

Flaming Lips Category

Flaming Lips fans, put away your Death Cab cd's and log onto www.flaminglips.com to listen to the entire new record, At War with the Mystics. I've been listening this evening and I love it.

Secondly, catch the Lips live on Letterman Thursday night (3-30). (last night was Willie Nelson singing an old Eddie Arnold song...very cool)

Thirdly, I read a quote from Thurston Moore that Sonic Youth and the Lips are going to be tour partners this year!! S.Y. have a new one coming out this year too. These two bands have carried the independent flag for such a long time and remain as innovative and important now as in the old days.