The Countdown, Days 19-21

Well it's a long three day holiday weekend, so how appropriate is it that I hit you up with a long three artist Countdown to Bonnaroo post? I got a little sidetracked this week with the Countdown posts because the official schedule to the festival was released and Slick and I have been busy scouring over it, mapping out our 4 days, and scowling over the conflicts (Death Cab for Cutie playing at the same time as Robert Plant & Alison Krauss for example). It's also sad to say that one of our featured Countdown artists has already fallen off of the festival as The Whigs were nowhere to be found when the official schedule was released. That's a shame.

One of the dilemmas Slick and I are faced with during Roo is the decision of seeing Jack Johnson versus Kanye West. In an odd and not well thought out decision, the Roo mindset has decided to schedule two of their top billed acts AT THE SAME TIME ON OPPOSITE STAGES. Yeesh. Since this may be our only real opportunity to see Kanye, it looks like one of my favorites will fall by the wayside when we skip over Jack. Perhaps he will join in on the Super Jam the same night and I won't have to miss out.

While he really needs no introduction, Johnson is a former professional surfer turned singer-songwriter. The Hawaiian native has developed quite the following over the last 8 years thanks to his accessible laid back style, ear for catchy guitar hooks and lyrics, and relentless touring and production schedule (5 CD's and 3 movies). Today's offering from Jack is a cover of The White Stripes "My Doorbell" from an in-studio radio performance. I love the way that he can make this song his own while still staying true to Jack White's sound.








Chris Rock also needs no introduction, but I have to take a moment to congratulate him in advance for having the ginormous grapefruit to take the stage in front of 80,000 people. Not only would this be a record for stand-up, but this has got to be the WHITEST crowd that Rock has ever performed in front of. Think about it -- 90 degree Tennessee weather, 80,000 drunk and stoned white hippies, and an hour long set. This will either be the greatest thing ever or a wonderful train wreck. If I was a betting man, I wouldn't put it past Chris Rock to pull it off. He might be the only man who could.

So let's start the celebration early with the classic "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)" and since it's just too funny, let's do it up with a video this time. Plus, you get to see the late, great Gerald Levert.








Our last artist is Mark Ramos-Nishita (aka Money Mark); a producer and musician who has collaborated with the Beastie Boys many times. This is how Slick and I came to know him, but he has been a star on the underground and DJ scenes for years now. While my knowledge of his work away from the Beasties is virtually none, but I have loved most of what I have heard. Slick's love of the Beasties transferred over to Money Mark and he digs the Money Mark discs that he owns, so perhaps he will chime in with a few recommendations. All I need to know is that Mark is running a midnight show at Roo and we will be posted up to see it.


Money Mark's selection is "Tomorrow Will Be Like Today" which has an Elvis Costello meets Badly Drawn Boy vibe. I dig it - maybe you will too.