Many fans of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame group The Band, are familiar with the name Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, but not all fans are familiar with the group's authentic and original blend of roots, rock, country, and blues.

As The Band's fan base continues to grow and as younger generations continue to discover them - Professor Louie is producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Louis Hurwitz, who worked with The Band in a number of significant capacities in the second half of the '80's and throughout the '90's.

Professor Louie is the name that Rick Danko bestowed on Hurwitz when they were performing together as a duo and the moniker stuck. Members of The Crowmatix also have a history of recording and performing with The Band and Dylan.

Whispering Pines is Professor Louie & The Crowmatix seventh studio CD, whose title song is a beautiful rendition of (and touching homage to) The Band classic "Whispering Pines". This version is simply stunning and at times sounds like a lost track from the Beach Boys' classic Pet Sounds album, with its lush production values, layers and textures and has been gaining notoriety on youtube.

The CD features 10 songs from The Crowmatix' vast repertoire, including covers of two other Band classics, "The Weight" and "Ain't No More Cane".

The big finish is the stunning International award winning original song "Melody of Peace" performed with The Prague Radio Symphony and Kuhn Choir and recorded in the Czech Republic with orchestral arrangement by Crowmatix members Burke, Miss Marie and Professor Louie.

Whispering Pines has Professor Louie handling the lion's share of the vocals as well as keyboards and accordion, Miss Marie singing and playing percussion, famed drummer Gary Burke, bassist Frank Campbell and guitarist Josh Colow rounding out the Woodstock band.

These days, Professor Louie & the Crowmatix are busy both in the studio and on the road, performing over 100 shows a year building a following throughout the US, Canada and abroad.

Buy Music:

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix on amazon.com

Professor Louie Official Website
The Crowmatix Official Website

It's so refreshing putting on music that when the first breath of a note begins, you can already tell the sweetness of what's to come. Inchworm captures that sweetness with ease throughout "Simple Days Without Money", the breezy, catchy opening track on their EP 'Sheep In Wolf's Clothing'.

I've been an Inchworm fan for awhile now - ever since dedicating a whole Band Weblogs Podcast Show to the Chicago based band - which is a very rare occurrence, and it's great to hear their music again after being away from it for awhile. It's always a good personal 'test' so to speak, when a band that stirred you the first time you heard them gives you that same exciting feeling the next time you listen to their music after a long break. There's just an all around wholesome sound that Inchworm brings to the table - similar to The Band - endearing vocals and harmonies, quality musicianship and well written timeless songs.

"Green House Grown" swings along with a wonderful rhythm and piano with harmonies reminiscent of The Band. "You I Aim For" is another sweet, classic sounding track on the EP. "Learn to Grift" steers the listener in a different direction from the previous Americana feel of the other tracks. A more modern/indie sound along with superb drumming. "Waltz Through the Ashes", as you can gather from the title, is a darker track with standout, sultry vocals and cool guitar parts - and tone - throughout.

"Silent Observers" is an appropriate closing track. I love the rustic sound of the piano at the intro, and the vocals waste no time coming in. There's a great build to this song, with its humble beginning, then the beautiful harmonies, excellent dynamics, soaring guitar, steady bass and then gradually building up to a somewhat experimental grand finale. Brilliant.

This EP is HIGHLY recommended and goes into my "great music for sitting around a fire at night" category.

'Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' Track Listing:

Simple Days Without Money
Green House Grown
You I Aim For
Learn to Grift
Waltz Through the Ashes
Silent Observers

If you happen to be in the Chicago area on October 10, 2008 - I've got the perfect night out for you. Inchworm's CD Release Show!! If I could be there, I would.

10/10/08
Darkroom
2210 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
Time: TBD
w/ Swell and Sleep with the Fishes
$8 adv, $10 door

Inchworm Official Website
Inchworm MySpace

By: Jenny May

Following months of internet rumour - some true, most not; some started by the band, most not - Weezer have revealed details of their new long-player, which for the third time in the band's six-album history, will be titled simply 'Weezer'.

Whether by accident or design, Weezer have released an eponymous record every seven years. In 1994 their debut, since christened 'The Blue Album', broke through on the back of worldwide hit "Buddy Holly" (watch video).

'The Green Album' followed in 2001, propelled by alterna-smash "Hash Pipe" (watch video), and now 'Weezer', already being referred to as 'The Red Album', looks set to continue that trend.

'The Red Album' not only marks Weezer's clean sweep of the primary colour chart, but also a high point in the band's 14-year evolution, and the moment where the band realises its power pop dream. The Jacknife Lee-produced lead single, "Pork and Beans", is released in the UK on 23 June, 2008.

Riding a wave of frontman Rivers Cuomo's passive-aggressive power-chord power-play, the song set the internet ablaze when it leaked in early April and is already being regarded as a masterpiece by fans and the internet mafia. It is joined on the album by nine other soon-to-be classics, including the epic slacker-cum-prog rock of "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)", arguably the most ambitious Weezer song ever committed to tape. There are also two UK-only bonus tracks: covers of Talk Talk's "Life Is What You Make It" and "The Weight" by The Band.

'The Red Album' is the first Weezer long-player to feature all four members contributing songwriting credits and singing lead vocals. "Automatic" is written and sung by drummer Pat Wilson, whilst guitarist Brian Bell delivers "Thought I Knew". Meanwhile, bassist Scott Shriner co-wrote "Cold Dark World" with Rivers.

The full tracklisting is:

1. Troublemaker
2. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)
3. Pork and Beans
4. Heart Songs
5. Everybody Get Dangerous
6. Dreamin'
7. Thought I Knew
8. Cold Dark World
9. Automatic
10. The Angel and the One
11. The Weight (UK Bonus Track)
12. Life Is What You Make It (UK Bonus Track)

Comprised of sessions produced by Rick Rubin, Jacknife Lee and the band themselves, the album is undeniably Weezer, playing like a particularly satisfying pick n' mix of the band's finest moments from the aforementioned primary colour albums, and the intervening long-players Pinkerton (1996), Maladriot (2002) and Make Believe (2005).

The album 'Weezer' is out in the UK on 9 June, 2008 (digital) and 16 June (physical).

The single, "Pork and Beans", follows on 23 June via Geffen/Interscope via Polydor

Weezer (The Red Album) on amazon.co.uk

Weezer (Red Album) on amazon.com

Weezer

The Hothouse Flowers have an interesting sound and hearing the diverse selections of songs that Jon played during the interview gave me more of an insight into their musical style. They also played live in the studio. Every now and then during certain songs I would think of Bob Dylan during his 'Jokerman' years also a bit of The Band. I highly recommend their latest album, "Into Your Heart" and if you can try to catch the interview go to the KYOU Radio website and watch the schedule for The Indie Pool: Hothouse Flowers.

I've always thought that if I was to throw a big party the one band that I would want there playing would be the Hothouse Flowers! It's strange because I never knew too much about them and was really excited to hear the interview.

KYOU is the first real radio station to go 'all podcast' with podcasts streaming live on their website kyouradio.com as well as on 1550 AM in San Francisco. We're proud to say that you can occasionally tune in to hear the Band Weblogs Podcast Show there as well as an interview that we did with Jon where he played music by our band The Babylon Cowboys!

By: Jenny May