W♥M

Flashback: Sean Lennon at First Avenue, Minneapolis (12/11/06)

Sean Lennon Setlist First Avenue, Minneapolis (12/11/06) Read More John Lennon This upcoming collection focus on the Beatles, featuring five interviews with John Lennon & Yoko Ono between 1969 to 1972 and George Harrison in 1970. … Jim Noir Jim Noir and I are friends. Well, MySpace friends anyhow. I was really excited to see that he had new music up on his page, and I was even more excited when Barsuk sent along a copy of his new …

Here is another flashback article, documenting some old shows I've seen prior to W♥M.

As you know, Sean Lennon is the son of Yoko Ono and John Lennon. John's other son, Julian Lennon, also became a musician, but that's another story. I went out to see Sean Lennon at First Avenue in Minneapolis on a cold December day in 2006.

Luscious Jackson Ticket Stub 07/25/99

I've actually accidentally seen Sean Lennon before, in 1999, when I saw Cibo Matto for their Stereo*Type A tour (supporting Luscious Jackson). We were standing in line and there were all these fans with Beatles T-Shirts. I was pretty clueless, but it soon became clear when Cibo Matto took the stage that it was Sean Lennon playing bass in the band. I didn't know it then, but at that time period, Sean was dating singer Yuka Honda from Cibo Matto. That was the first time I saw Sean Lennon.

Sean Lennon Ticket Stub 12/11/06

I caught Sean Lennon again for his Friendly Fire tour in 2006. Opening up for all his December dates was Jim Noir, from Manchester, England, although I am told that he was a no-show that night. He would have likely playing songs from his then-debut album Tower of Love.

I do have a photograph of Sean Lennon's setlist, as you can see, he basically played the entire Friendly Fire album live ("Friendly Fire", "Falling Out of Love", "Dead Meat", "Parachute", "Spectacle", "Wait for Me", "On Again Off Again", "Headlights", "Tomorrow").

The only non-Friendly Fire songs were a T-Rex cover, "Would I Be the One" and Into the Sun's "Mystery Juice". I hadn't heard Friendly Fire so the show wasn't that memorable for me, but it was apparent to me that Sean loved his new songs and was eager to test them out live.

Currently, Sean Lennon can be seen live at odd shows, including his appearance with Spacehog and Liv Tyler for the David Lynch Foundation. Sean is currently half of the duo The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger with girlfriend Kemp Muhl. Also, a little known fact, but last year, Sean and Greg Saunier of Deerhoof form Mystical Weapons, with their self-titled debut album from Chimera Music.

Sean Lennon at First Avenue, Minneapolis (12/11/06)

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Jim Noir - Jim Noir

Jim Noir and I are friends. Well, MySpace friends anyhow. I was really excited to see that he had new music up on his page, and I was even more excited when Barsuk sent along a copy of his new album. I liked it so much, I almost forgot that I actually had work to do. On with the review!

Those of you who are going "Jim who?" chances are that you've already heard him. Remember that really catchy Adidas commercial with the little boys playing soccer? That was Jim Noir. A version of "My Patch" off his first albumb Tower of Love was used by Target during this past holiday season as well.

Ships And Clouds

Jim Noir

Jim (he and I are on a first name basis) plays all instruments on his albums, and does all the finishing work. It's very much a DIY operation. His sound could best be described as electronic pop with a 70's feel, and my two favorite songs are very much in that vein.  Jim has been on every summertime playlist I've had the past few years, and he's always enjoyed by everyone.

All Right

Jim Noir

"All Right" is a groovy little tune, with a nice dancing beat and layered vocals is like summertime in an mp3. If you don't do a little shimmy or two while listening, then your heart is probably two sizes too small. "Ships and Clouds" is also another one of my favorites. Different funky beat, but same layered vocals. I think I enjoyed this album a lot more because Jim's vocals have improved a lot since Tower of Love.

Jim Noir was released April 8th and is available at your fine record retailer or via iTunes.  Check out Jim Noir via Barsuk Records or better yet, friend him on MySpace and catch him on tour!