The Fab Four, Digital Beat Down, and Izzy & Friends

by Chris Aaland

The late, great No Depression magazine, which lives on via its website, featured a blog last week about which classic double album was better, “The Beatles” (popularly known as “The White Album”) or the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main St.” The question is ridiculous. Any true music connoisseur cherishes both. It’s like limiting yourself to pizza or barbecue. Life would be empty without both.

But I weighed in, of course. Back in 1987 when the Beatles’ catalog was finally issued on CD, I waited in line for record stores to open to pick up each of the Fab Fours’ 12 albums on the day of their reissue. The albums were released in groupings, and by mid-summer the two-disc “White Album” behemoth hit the stores. To me, that effort represented a return to rock and roll after years of psychedelic excess.

The Beatles were mythological geniuses in my mind. They broke up before I was 2 years old, and Lennon was shot when I was in the seventh grade, so seeing them play live was never an option. The Stones, on the other hand, kept cranking out mediocre swill (at least by their standards) and arena tours in the ’80s and ’90s.

But through the years, the old stuff that Mick, Keith and the boys recorded grew on me. “Exile” no doubt influenced both the bands of my youth (Guns ‘n’ Roses, the Black Crowes) and contemporary acts (namely, the Drive-By Truckers). The boozy, gritty rockers on “Exile” may, indeed, represent the genre’s high point (although “Sticky Fingers” and “Let It Bleed” make a good argument, too).

This past Tuesday saw the long-awaited and much-hyped reissue of “Exile.” The standard packaging features the remastered original album on one disc and a second that contains 10 outtakes and unreleased songs. Treasurers like “Pass the Wine (Sophia Lauren)” and “Good Time Women” now find a place alongside the best Stones: raunchy, rough and loud odes to the rock and roll lifestyle. Old reels of outtakes were plundered and a few overdubs and new vocals added. Since my beat-up, 20-year-old “Exile” badly needed to be retired, I scurried into Southwest Sound to pick up the new set. It was well worth it.

So I still can’t give you a definitive answer on where I stand in the Beatles vs. Stones debate.

The Beatles are the latest band to be honored in a KDUR Cover Night, with local musicians uniting to celebrate the songs of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Music kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Summit and Bud Lights will be priced back to the ‘60s. Acts include the Lawn Chair Kings, Aftergrass, You’re Welcome, RedEyedJinn, Tyller Gummersall, the Scrugglers, ...inaday and lots of special guests.

The Casual Fridays and Second Class Citizens play two different Durango venues this week: the Summit tonight (May 20) and Steamworks on Saturday. Primarily rooted in ska (the genre, not the beer), the seven members of the Casual Fridays have experimented with other genres of music lately, covering bands such as the Blues Brothers, Led Zeppelin and Reel Big Fish. But with a lineup that includes two trumpeters and two trombonists, there’s no doubt that ska will be heavily represented. The brass instruments also add a hint of mariachi influence.

Electronica with a progressive rock twist is featured on Friday as the Denver duo Digital Beat Down comes to the Summit. Formed in 2008 by Andrew Lubner (drums and samples) and Nick Pilz (synthesizers, samples and loops), Digital Beat Down draws on DJ culture while still providing a live band experience. Lucy opens.

The seventh annual Izzy and Friends Belly Dance Show happens at the Smiley Auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday. Internationally renowned dancer and instructor Isidora Bushkovski will be joined by belly dancers, instructors, professional dance troupes and belly dance enthusiasts from across the Four Corners region.

The Cosmopolitan hosts an evening of romantic music and fine dining to benefit Music in the Mountains at 5 p.m. Sunday. A silent auction and cocktails begin at 5 p.m., appetizers will be passed at 6 and a four-course dinner and wine pairing will take place at 7. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets cost $85 per person ($45 is tax deductible) and are available at the Music in the Mountains office at 1063 Main Ave. or by calling 385-6820. All proceeds benefit Durango’s long-running classical music festival.

The Starlight hosts a grand opening for its newly renovated patio from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday and freebies abound, including burgers, hot dogs and free suds from Durango Brewing until the keg is gone. Kentucky Deluxe plays from 4:30-8, followed by The Formless from 9-close.

Elsewhere: the Starlight hosts the two-year anniversary party for Salsa Night tonight (Thursday); Back Alley Blues plays FAC from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Purple Haze; the Bob Hemenger Trio jazzes up the Starlight from 6-9 p.m. Friday; Psychedelic Mojo plays from 8 p.m. ‘til midnight Friday at the Purple Haze; DJ Kulprit gets the Starlight dancing late night Friday; Motivator ventures into Montezuma County for an 8 p.m. Friday set at Blondie’s Pub & Grub in Cortez; Jonezy spins every Friday and Saturday at the Cosmopolitan; High Altitude Blues heads south to Rubio’s in Aztec for 5 p.m. gigs Friday and Saturday; Taos’ Rock Bottom Blues Band plays from 8 p.m. ‘til midnight Saturday at the Purple Haze; and Seven does the Starlight from 9-close Tuesday.

In honor of KDUR’s Beatles Cover Night, here are my favorites from the Fab Four:

• “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” from “Rubber Soul.” My all-time favorite.

• “A Day in the Life,” from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” A rare, late-era songwriting collaboration between Paul and John.

• “I Feel Fine,” from “The Beatles’ Million Sellers” EP. George invents feedback.

• “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” from “The White Album.” Pure craziness.

• “I’ll Be Back” from “A Hard Day’s Night.” Incredible harmonies.

• “Act Naturally” from “Help!” Ringo does Buck Owens.

• “Taxman” from “Revolver.” George never got enough songs on Beatles’ albums.

• “Nowhere Man” from “Rubber Soul.” Refreshingly depressing.

• “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” from Help!” Bluegrass done by Liverpool lads.

• “Eleanor Rigby,” from “Revolver.” The saddest song ever?

Just one drink and you’ll fall down drunk? E-mail me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net. •

t No Depression magazine, which lives on via its website, featured a blog last week about which classic double album was better, “The Beatles” (popularly known as “The White Album”) or the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main St.” The question is ridiculous. Any true music connoisseur cherishes both. It’s like limiting yourself to pizza or barbecue. Life would be empty without both.

But I weighed in, of course. Back in 1987 when the Beatles’ catalog was finally issued on CD, I waited in line for record stores to open to pick up each of the Fab Fours’ 12 albums on the day of their reissue. The albums were released in groupings, and by mid-summer the two-disc “White Album” behemoth hit the stores. To me, that effort represented a return to rock and roll after years of psychedelic excess.

The Beatles were mythological geniuses in my mind. They broke up before I was 2 years old, and Lennon was shot when I was in the seventh grade, so seeing them play live was never an option. The Stones, on the other hand, kept cranking out mediocre swill (at least by their standards) and arena tours in the ’80s and ’90s.

But through the years, the old stuff that Mick, Keith and the boys recorded grew on me. “Exile” no doubt influenced both the bands of my youth (Guns ‘n’ Roses, the Black Crowes) and contemporary acts (namely, the Drive-By Truckers). The boozy, gritty rockers on “Exile” may, indeed, represent the genre’s high point (although “Sticky Fingers” and “Let It Bleed” make a good argument, too).

This past Tuesday saw the long-awaited and much-hyped reissue of “Exile.” The standard packaging features the remastered original album on one disc and a second that contains 10 outtakes and unreleased songs. Treasurers like “Pass the Wine (Sophia Lauren)” and “Good Time Women” now find a place alongside the best Stones: raunchy, rough and loud odes to the rock and roll lifestyle. Old reels of outtakes were plundered and a few overdubs and new vocals added. Since my beat-up, 20-year-old “Exile” badly needed to be retired, I scurried into Southwest Sound to pick up the new set. It was well worth it.

So I still can’t give you a definitive answer on where I stand in the Beatles vs. Stones debate.

The Beatles are the latest band to be honored in a KDUR Cover Night, with local musicians uniting to celebrate the songs of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Music kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Summit and Bud Lights will be priced back to the ‘60s. Acts include the Lawn Chair Kings, Aftergrass, You’re Welcome, RedEyedJinn, Tyller Gummersall, the Scrugglers, ...inaday and lots of special guests.

The Casual Fridays and Second Class Citizens play two different Durango venues this week: the Summit tonight (May 20) and Steamworks Saturday. Primarily rooted in ska (the genre, not the beer), the seven members of the Casual Fridays have experimented with other genres of music lately, covering bands such as the Blues Brothers, Led Zeppelin and Reel Big Fish. But with a lineup that includes two trumpeters and two trombonists, there’s no doubt that ska will be heavily represented. The brass instruments also add a hint of mariachi influence.

Electronica with a progressive rock twist is featured on Friday as the Denver duo Digital Beat Down comes to the Summit. Formed in 2008 by Andrew Lubner (drums and samples) and Nick Pilz (synthesizers, samples and loops), Digital Beat Down draws on DJ culture while still providing a live band experience. Lucy opens.

The seventh annual Izzy and Friends Belly Dance Show happens at the Smiley Auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday. Internationally renowned dancer and instructor Isidora Bushkovski will be joined by belly dancers, instructors, professional dance troupes and belly dance enthusiasts from across the Four Corners region.

The Cosmopolitan hosts an evening of romantic music and fine dining to benefit Music in the Mountains at 5 p.m. Sunday. A silent auction and cocktails begin at 5 p.m., appetizers will be passed at 6 and a four-course dinner and wine pairing will take place at 7. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets cost $85 per person ($45 is tax deductible) and are available at the Music in the Mountains office at 1063 Main Ave. or by calling 385-6820. All proceeds benefit Durango’s long-running classical music festival.

The Starlight hosts a grand opening for its newly renovated patio from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday and freebies abound, including burgers, hot dogs and free suds from Durango Brewing until the keg is gone. Kentucky Deluxe plays from 4:30-8, followed by The Formless from 9-close.

Elsewhere: the Starlight hosts the two-year anniversary party for Salsa Night tonight (Thursday); Back Alley Blues plays FAC from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Purple Haze; the Bob Hemenger Trio jazzes up the Starlight from 6-9 p.m. Friday; Psychedelic Mojo plays from 8 p.m. ‘til midnight Friday at the Purple Haze; DJ Kulprit gets the Starlight dancing late night Friday; Motivator ventures into Montezuma County for an 8 p.m. Friday set at Blondie’s Pub & Grub in Cortez; Jonezy spins every Friday and Saturday at the Cosmopolitan; High Altitude Blues heads south to Rubio’s in Aztec for 5 p.m. gigs Friday and Saturday; Taos’ Rock Bottom Blues Band plays from 8 p.m. ‘til midnight Saturday at the Purple Haze; and Seven does the Starlight from 9-close Tuesday.

In honor of KDUR’s Beatles Cover Night, here are my favorites from the Fab Four:

• “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” from “Rubber Soul.” My all-time favorite.

• “A Day in the Life,” from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” A rare, late-era songwriting collaboration between Paul and John.

• “I Feel Fine,” from “The Beatles’ Million Sellers” EP. George invents feedback.

• “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” from “The White Album.” Pure craziness.

• “I’ll Be Back” from “A Hard Day’s Night.” Incredible harmonies.

• “Act Naturally” from “Help!” Ringo does Buck Owens.

• “Taxman” from “Revolver.” George never got enough songs on Beatles’ albums.

• “Nowhere Man” from “Rubber Soul.” Refreshingly depressing.

• “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” from Help!” Bluegrass done by Liverpool lads.

• “Eleanor Rigby,” from “Revolver.” The saddest song ever?

Just one drink and you’ll fall down drunk? E-mail me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net. •