Jennie Arnau "Better Luck Next Time"

OK, let’s get a tad political today, something for the most part that I try to avoid on the pages of Music Fog. Do you know that in this richest of lands, one child in five goes to bed hungry? That there are ‘sides’ to this is simply inexcusable. The Judeo-Christian ethic would hold that we love one another and take care to help one another. But we are getting further and further away from that ideal in the division between the haves and have not’s.

I want to point to a politically charged compilation album that came that out a couple of weeks ago called Occupy This Album, 99 tracks by 99 artists for the 99%. It features entries from Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne, and lots of others – household names and emerging artists. If you want to sample some of the songs, you can check a few out on Soundcloud.

Proceeds from the album will benefit the Occupy Wall Street movement. Some songs are classics that have been rerecorded for this project, and some are brand new, like the one Jennie Arnau wrote, “Better Luck Next Time.” It follows her 2010 release Chasing Giants, and shines a light on the struggle for love and happiness.

- Jessie Scott

Elliot Randall & The Deadmen "Bell Bottom Blues"

Elliot Randall is hard at work on album number three, the follow up to Caffeine & Gasoline, and but he wanted to get something out there before the new album is completed. He paused do a cover of the classic tune “Bell Bottom Blues.” I was talking to some folks just last night about how timeless the music from the late 60’s and early 70’s is. It represents a golden age, all the sweeter in retrospect as we see new generations embrace their own discovery missions to explore the greats.

Photo by David ArnspigerThe video we are bringing you today was directed by Chelsea Christer, a bay area filmmaker who does music videos, and also writes and directs her own work. She is currently in pre-production for her next short film, based on a ranch in Colorado. Elliot and The Deadmen got together to decide which song they'd like to cover, and collectively picked “Bell Bottom Blues.” They pooled their resources, found an amazing chapel in San Francisco that a friend helped secure for this shoot, and then made the video for next to nothing. Elliot felt the setting of the chapel would complement the vibe of the song. We can’t wait for the next album from Elliot Randall & The Deadmen, but in the interim, this is the exclusive Music Fog debut of the video for “Bell Bottom Blues.” Beautiful.

- Jessie Scott

Elliott, Rose, da Costa "Note"

Today is Memorial Day and we want to take a moment to honor the fallen. Each was an individual, set on this planet with skills and gifts a unique personality and people who loved them. They gave all for this country, but my mind wanders to what else these warriors and citizens might have accomplished had they lived. Today, take time to talk to a stranger and find out their history. Old, young, American born or foreign, neighbor or stranger; be open to making a new friend, and understanding them. Take time to cherish our hard won freedom, our blessed country, and our wonderful servicemen and women.

Lately, I have been having conversations worthy of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock lyrics, “I came upon a child of God…” There has been a series of memorable characters to talk to, and it has been enriching and exhilarating. Some of the people that cross my path are those that come to play the Threadgill’s School Night Sessions. Right before SXSW this year, Raina Rose played it, and blew me away when she did a cover version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You.” That is a hard song to sing, and she brought an exceptional grace to it. When the Music Fog Spring Marathon came around, she brought John Elliott, Andrew Pressman, and Anthony da Costa along. Anthony has been hailed as a comer since he emerged as a fifteen year old, and two years later, he was the subject of a rave review in the New York Times. We were delighted to have them, and here is the Music Fog version of Anthony’s song “Note.”

- Jessie Scott