Ezra Klein: Lessons I Learned Last Night

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March 18, 2005

Lessons I Learned Last Night

Actually, it wasn't last night. Last night was probably my fifth Spearhead show. But if you've not seen them live, you really, really, should. For reasons I don't understand, blogospheric music recommendations are sole property of the Indy Music Alliance, and so all we're ever told is "go see Arcade Fire" or "Death Cab for Cutie is great". Now, I like AF and Death Cab just fine, but none of these skinny white boys with guitars can hold a candle to the six-foot-six force of nature that is Michael Franti. His shows are just mind-blowing. From beat-boxers to Louis Armstrong impersonations to covers to music that has left friends of mine in tears -- no joke -- it doesn't get any better. Ever.

What's that you say? You don't know Spearhead? Surely you jest! Well, for you poor souls out there, you can download some of their songs here ("Everybody Loves Music" and "Oh My God" are particularly good choices), or, in less legal venues (actually, iTunes carries them too), you should check out "Stay Human", "Every Single Soul", "What I Be", "Skin on the Drum", "Listener Supported", "Soulshine" and, well, really anything off Stay Human, Home, Live at the BAOBOB, or Everyone Deserves Music. But take my advice for it -- Franti and friends can change your life, or at least your outlook on it.

March 18, 2005 in Music | Permalink

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Comments

If I mention the Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, will I be Logan-Runned out of existence?

Posted by: norbizness | Mar 18, 2005 2:51:01 PM

Hell no. Though, I wouldn't recommend simply listening to DHH in your off-time, they're much more the sort of thing you have to engage. Brilliant, though.

Posted by: Ezra | Mar 18, 2005 2:52:41 PM

Franti was in Capitol Sudios while I worked there, and I have to tell you there isn't a sweeter kinder guy around. He's a special guy, and his music is wonderful.

Posted by: Stephen Anderson | Mar 18, 2005 2:55:33 PM

Hear hear, Ezra. My first ever exposure to SH was when they opened for Indigo Girls in Portland a few years ago. Franti absolutely rocked my world - I was shocked I'd never heard any of his music before. Your posting reminds me that I need to add more of his stuff to my collection. Thanks.

Posted by: Perrin Goldeneyes | Mar 18, 2005 3:07:03 PM

As a card-carrying member of the indie-rock mafia, I endorse this post with enthusiasm. Spearhead has one of the best shows I've ever seen. Franti has an extraordinary presence that's very hard to describe.

Posted by: djw | Mar 18, 2005 3:16:36 PM

I have a burned copy of Stay Human that has a B-side of 'Oh My God' all done on piano and a version of 'Soulshine' that's basically acoustic. Just a remarkable album. 'Everyone Deserves Music' is good, but Stay Human is their touchstone album in my humble opnion

I'd also recommend "Do Ya Love" and well... yeah, basically everything.

Posted by: lucas | Mar 18, 2005 3:48:38 PM

Pretty good! (And I typically like a lot the indie-type stuff)

Posted by: TJ | Mar 18, 2005 4:03:21 PM

Was Franti in Consolidated, back in the dim and distant past? Saw them once, thought they were pretentious and dogmatic. (And if one risks being Logan-Runned for a DHH reference, I assume I risk being Max Frost-ed for remembering Consolidated.)

Posted by: Tom Hilton | Mar 18, 2005 8:06:24 PM

Hmm, not bad, you can tell he believes in what he's doing, which is always good -- I dunno though, it's always seemed hard to make such straightforwardly political music without making it stilted.

To me this doesn't sound too different from "Where is the love" by Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas.

The other thing is, what if you're really digging the music, and then he says some lyric you really disagree with? The "political" mindset is very critical, whereas the "dig the music" mindset is very receptive. The two feel weird together.

Musical connection inspires receptivity, but when politics and music mix I'm concerned that it becomes propaganda.

Posted by: mk | Mar 18, 2005 8:31:50 PM

archive.org has a metric buttload of Speahead shows:

http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php?cat=Michael%20Franti%20and%20Spearhead

-b

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