Rock It From The Crypt: New Jimi Hendrix Song

The Jimi Hendrix Estate, far longer in existence than the Jimi Hendrix Experience ever was, would seem to have scraped the bottom of the barrel so hard, it must shine in the dark.  So how to explain that 30 years hence, we have the prospect of a “new” Hendrix album, with the teaser song released today? “Valleys of Neptune” tracks familiar territory — starting out like “Angel,” and then invoking a softer chord progression than “Freedom” — and we’re probably listening to guide vocals.  But Hell, it’s Jimi Hendrix, and we haven’t heard this song before.  Thank you, God, or Mr. Hendrix, or whatever lawyer or studio archivist who found these tapes and made them available.

Now it says these tracks have never been released, though surely we’ve heard some of the songs contained in the album, to be released one month hence.  ”Here My Train a Comin’,” “Red House,” and “Lover Man” were all released in studio versions, and we’ve heard “Sunshine of Your Love” live.

If the title track released today is indicative, what we’re going to hear is a good showcase for Hendrix’s final line up — Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell backing him up.  This thing came out of nowhere, as I far as I knew, we’re damn glad it did.

The Blizzard of 2010, Cont…

The Nation’s Capital is pretty well immobilized.  Even as people try rushing out to buy The Business of Happiness (see post below), 28 inches of snow conspire against them.  For a gallery of images, go here.

For a sense of what a complete mess D.C. neighborhood streets are in right now, see below.  Leica M9, 50 mm Summilux, taken Sunday, en route (mostly by foot, since you can’t drive) to the Washington Capitals great victory over the Penguins:

The Business Of Happiness Is Out: GO BUY IT.

Today, The Business of Happiness by Ted Leonsis with John Buckley was published, and for those who want a terrific, inspirational, cannot-put-it-down read, go here.

For those who want to see Ted’s terrific interview on CNBC this morning, go here.

Tulip Frenzy will, this day only, drop the mask and its author will admit what a blast it was writing the book with Ted Leonsis.

Ted is one of the great human beings on Earth, a brilliant executive, a fun and unpretentious person, and the living refutation of the biblical adage that it is harder for a rich man to get to Heaven than a camel through a needle’s eye.  He has a really wonderful story and a great perspective on happiness.

Go buy the book.  You’ll learn from it, as I did working with Ted on it.  Not only that, but buying the book will keep the lights turned on at Tulip Frenzy World HQ.

What are you waiting for?

The Business of Happiness

Available in hardcover or for Kindleat

The Blizzard of 2010 Crushes The Blizzard of 2009

This is what’s outside the window on this afternoon of Snowmegeddon, or the Snowpocalypse, as they’re calling it in these here parts:

And back in December, we thought this was big…

And the storm’s not even over… and we’re halfway through winter…

Washington, D.C. 2/6/2010.  Both images Leica M9 and 35 mm Summicron.

The Rolling Stones, Courtesy of SnagFilms

Our friends at SnagFilms have just posted a five-part documentary on the Stones. We haven’t seen it all, but did dig the footage from the ‘72 tour, and Villefranche-Sur-Mer, where Exile On Main Street was recorded.  Good Lord, is that really Anita Pallenberg, circa 2006?  Check out Just For The Record – Part 2, which shows the Stones sucking in the ’70s. Thanks, Snag!

Oh Thank Heaven, The New Pornographers Have Not Forsaken Us

This just in:

The New Pornographers will have a new album out, entitled Together, on May 4th.  12 Tracks, produced by Phil Palazzolo who produced Challengers.

After a long week, good news…

Savoire Adore At D.C.’s Velvet Lounge 1/22

“Leave the winter behind,” sing Savoire Adore, the latest fun pop duo from Area Code 718, and while we can’t quite do that, we can go see a band that reminds us of Dean and Britta, or even the Asteroids Galaxy Tour.  This doesn’t quite do justice to a really original band that showcases confident craftsmanship and oddly beautiful songs that are just enough off kilter, if you pushed them they’d tip over and land in a different, amusing shape each time.  Songs to sing around an electric campfire.  Fun, pretty ditties with plenty of confectioners sugar atop something much grittier.  Nourishment for a winter’s evening.  At the Velvet Lounge, 915 U Street, Friday night.

Mardi Gras Approaches

Leica M9, Nokton 50 1.1 wide open.

The Coolest Postage Stamp Ever

The cover of London Calling is now a stamp, courtesy of the Royal Mail.  And we wonder why the U.S. Postal Service is losing money…

New Songs From “Exile On Main Street”?

Uncut reveals that the remastered version of  the Rolling Stones masterpiece Exile On Main Street will be released on April 12th.  But if that information sets the heart beating fast, consider this:  It will include three previously unreleased songs.  Now, neither “Following The River,” “Plunder My Soul,” nor “Sophia Loren” show up in Martin Elliott’s The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions,” and we don’t seem to have them on any of the bootlegs stored deep in the secure vaults of Tulip Frenzy World HQ.  So this is a very exciting announcement, and we’ve but 90 days or so until we see if this is right.