Yo La Tengo Is Still Mudering the Classics
March 5, 2010 1:21 PM   Subscribe

Yo La Tengo's annual request show on WFMU has become something of a Metafilter tradition (2002, 2006 2007 2008 2009). Listen live tonight at 8 pm Eastern time.

Unlike many public radio stations' fundraisers, WFMU's annual marathon is a cherished event for the station's listeners. Last year's marathon unfortunately didn't quite reach its goal, making this year more important than ever. Each day throughout the marathon, check the blog for sample mp3s from the homemade CD premiums that will be available that day.

It's been a big year for the station's online presence. In addition to a live stream and show archives, they've added three internet-only stations: Ichiban Rock and Soul, UbuWeb (previously), and Do or DIY. They've also launched their Free Music Archive, an ambitious project to bring together free music from a a host of curators.

The big thrill of last year's YLT show was when ocherdraco had the DJs namecheck Metafilter and then won a copy of Icky Boyfriends' Love Obscene. She told me in a memail that it was "something else."

A word to the wise: start listening a 5 or 10 minutes before the show starts, as the stream always gets maxed out. Try the other streams too.

Previously
posted by roll truck roll (55 comments total) 17 users marked this as a favorite
 
Are donations still open? I can't find a location on the site to make a donation/request.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:26 PM on March 5, 2010


weeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiird.......

I just hit "submit" on my pledge about two seconds before this post popped up.

Pledging is the only chance we have to keep the chumps from winning. Do it!
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 1:26 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


Are donations still open? I can't find a location on the site to make a donation/request.

Start here.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 1:27 PM on March 5, 2010


I think TheWhiteSkull was asking about how to use your pledge to make a request. There was a box for that on the paper newsletter, but I don't see it online. Call when the show starts and make your pledge/request then.

Oh, I should have included the phone number in my post: 800-989-9368
posted by roll truck roll at 1:29 PM on March 5, 2010


WFMU deserves your money. They provide free shows streaming over the internet (for those of us not in the Jersey City area) and archives for almost all of it in case you missed it the first time.

Donate here.

While you consider doing so, you might get a taste for what the station offers:

The Best Show (Call-in show. Also, incidentally, the best show ever.)

The Cherry Blossom Clinic (Rock show. Strangely, also the best.)

Mudd Up! with DJ Rupture (Music show; Varying styles.)

Seven Second Delay with Ken and Andy (Weirdos. Ignore this show at your own peril.)

Nardwuar the Human Serviette (A strange man interviews musicians.)
posted by basicchannel at 1:35 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


One other thing: The Best Show offers a "greatest hits" podcast called Best Show Gems that can help the new listener make sense of the show's particular brand of comedy.
posted by basicchannel at 1:40 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


Won't be around to listen to this live tonight, but can't wait to find it on archive-- always a great show. Great post!

Here is my goddamn pledge: $100 on the night that Beware of the Blog changes their black background. I wouldn't listen to WFMU if there were some annoying continuous high-frequency buzz in the background, and this special snowflake stopped going to the ever-fantastic BotB because he was tired of firing up Readability in Firefox (and now Readability Redux in Chrome, which doesn't work as well) every time he visited. Which is a huge shame, since Beware of the Blog has had consistently great content for years and years now.
posted by NolanRyanHatesMatches at 1:42 PM on March 5, 2010


My favorite FMU shows/archives:

Fool's Paradise with Rex (Trashy 50s and 60s rock)

Sinner's Crossroads with Kevin Nutt (Gospel show with the correct amount of earnesty - also available as a podcast)

Radio Thrift Shop with Laura Cantrell (scratchy country. Sadly not on anymore, but she occasionally fills in for people)

Coffee 2 Go with Noah (Podcast only - unsigned hip-hop)
posted by roll truck roll at 1:52 PM on March 5, 2010 [2 favorites]


I don't get the love for WFMU.

Their blog is so much better than the actual programming.

They play about 40% arcane garage and soul, which I can handle.

Another 40% noise/ambient/soundscapes, which I can occasionally handle

and 20% is just mumbling uninteresting DJs.

I mean, I love Professor Dum Dum and all, but rarely listen to that station and find my mind getting blown.
posted by orville sash at 1:56 PM on March 5, 2010


Thanks for letting us know you don't care! Please come back and share more insights into who gives a fuck!
posted by basicchannel at 2:02 PM on March 5, 2010


Anywhere I can listen to the Yo La Tengo request show from the last few years? Looks like it's not in their archives.
posted by rottytooth at 2:04 PM on March 5, 2010


I don't get the love for WFMU. Their blog is so much better than the actual programming.

Did you stop watching Lost after Season 1, too?
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 2:06 PM on March 5, 2010


Anywhere I can listen to the Yo La Tengo request show from the last few years? Looks like it's not in their archives.

Pretty sure they don't archive YLT's sets. Sometimes fan captures circulate, though.
posted by anazgnos at 2:09 PM on March 5, 2010


I don't get the love for WFMU.

Interestingly, WFMU, the public radio station of Jersey City, NJ, is the rarest of things - a cultural and creative output of music, comedy, and commentary that some people enjoy and some people do not. In this crazy world where art is either universal praised or universally panned, WFMU stands alone as an institution which people are willing to regard with differing opinions.

The difference between a chump and a champ is you.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 2:10 PM on March 5, 2010 [4 favorites]


Yeah, some years, people in these Metafilter threads have sent around recordings (I got one from 2007, but I think it was lost in a hard drive crash). I'd imagine they're an bittorrent and whatnot.
posted by roll truck roll at 2:13 PM on March 5, 2010


Metafilter sweetheart contingent in full effect.
posted by orville sash at 2:13 PM on March 5, 2010


Their blog is so much better than the actual programming.

You really don't get it. It's like Coney Island, the worse they can get away with sucking on a day to day basis, the better they are.
posted by StickyCarpet at 2:30 PM on March 5, 2010


For iPhone owners who won't be at their computer, WFMU has an iPhone app (iTunes link) that will allow you to listen live over 3G, EDGE (which is still quite listenable) or WiFi.
posted by basicchannel at 2:36 PM on March 5, 2010


Metafilter sweetheart contingent in full effect.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I think the best thing about WFMU, though, is that if you don't like what's currently playing, but do like other shows or music on the station, they provide a ridiculously immense archive for free perusal - so there's really always something to listen to that you might like. And their general attitude is pretty great, in the sense that it's not about posturing and "we're so cool," but rather, about sharing what they love with people who might also enjoy it. I think that's why there's so much love for WFMU - it's because it's so welcoming.
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 2:51 PM on March 5, 2010 [2 favorites]


I will say that the archive is pretty nuts. I enjoy getting lost in that.
posted by orville sash at 3:09 PM on March 5, 2010


About four years ago someone gifted me about a 1.5 gigs of Scharpling and Wurster calls from The Best Show. I would like to go on record saying that those calls have probably brought me more joy than anything I've listened to in the interim. And it kills me that, out of probably the twenty people I've actively tried (forced?) to pass them off to, only one other person has enjoyed it as much as I have. And now he's deep into it, too. If you're a fan of slow-burning comedy, you owe it to yourself to dig through the Best Show archives and give a few shows a listening, or contributing WITH YOUR POCKETBOOK and buying some CDs of their calls.

Conventions Inc., Kid eBay, The Gorch, Mike Sajak, Bill Cheetah, Marky Ramone, Kevin, Philly Boy Roy, Old Skull, Kenny Dupree, Bryce, One on One News, Tool Belt Killer, and on and on and on. All of it deserves a much wider audience than it has now.
posted by NolanRyanHatesMatches at 3:09 PM on March 5, 2010 [3 favorites]


NolanRyanHatesMatches: did you listen to this week's show? I won't spoil it, but Bryce + Ted Leo = epic.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 3:12 PM on March 5, 2010


NolanRyanHatesMatches: did you listen to this week's show? I won't spoil it, but Bryce + Ted Leo = epic.

I can't wait for my Chump Steamroller Funpack!!!!!!
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 3:27 PM on March 5, 2010


I can't wait for my Chump Steamroller Funpack!!!!!!

Trading cards, chumps!!
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 3:27 PM on March 5, 2010


For iPhone owners who won't be at their computer, WFMU has an iPhone app (iTunes link) that will allow you to listen live over 3G, EDGE (which is still quite listenable) or WiFi.
posted by basicchannel at 5:36 PM on March 5 [+] [!]


I use an App called Stream Furious for my Android phone and it works a charm for FMU and a bunch of really interesting internet stations.
posted by Skygazer at 3:30 PM on March 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


Anywhere I can listen to the Yo La Tengo request show from the last few years? Looks like it's not in their archives.

rottytooth, this isn't precisely what you're asking for, but YLT did release a best-of-WFMU-fundraisers album a couple years ago, Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics.
posted by cirripede at 3:34 PM on March 5, 2010


I use an App called Stream Furious for my Android phone and it works a charm for FMU and a bunch of really interesting internet stations.

The awesome thing about the iPhone app (and I suspect there's an Android one in the works) is that it gives you access to a month or two of recent archives for every show, including a ton of their podcasts, all of their different live streams, and, as an awesome gesture to lack of multitaskin on the iPhone, they've implemented a Safari-launching background play workaround.
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 3:34 PM on March 5, 2010


about 40% arcane garage and soul... Another 40% noise/ambient/soundscapes... and 20% is just mumbling uninteresting DJs.

Actually, I think WFMU aims for 90% crap and 10% good stuff - the inverse of the normal icing-to-cake ratio. More than one DJ has said they want listeners to get so frustrated/angry/bored with what is being played that we switch stations. It's that 10% -when you hear Irwin play a new artist he's taken a liking to, Laura Cantrell explore the connection between LA jazz and Nashville country, Rex or Dave the Spazz play messed up rockabilly, Scott Williams brilliantly manipulate a track, Ronald Thomas Clontle discuss the history of rock, or Andy Breckman make an old lady cry, etc.- that makes supporting the station worthwhile.
posted by plastic_animals at 4:28 PM on March 5, 2010


Thanks MeFi! I had been waiting for this one and I knew it was this time of the year, but there's been nothing on Yo La Tengo's website. It's 2am here and my pledge is in.... such dedication to hear a song!
posted by cotterpin at 5:39 PM on March 5, 2010


First Set:
Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
Beatles - Rain
Sandy Denny - For Shame of Doing Wrong (I Wish I Was A Fool For You)
Dump - Secret Blood (my request)
Grateful Dead - Ripple
posted by trashflow at 5:40 PM on March 5, 2010


Cool! What did you request, cotterpin?
posted by roll truck roll at 5:48 PM on March 5, 2010


I requested So Long Marianne, from Leonard Cohen. Won a premie too!
posted by cotterpin at 5:51 PM on March 5, 2010


Ah, you were the person from Berlin they mentioned. Sweet.
posted by roll truck roll at 5:52 PM on March 5, 2010


Yeah, it's 3am here but I am on vacation and Request-a-thon happens but once a year.
posted by cotterpin at 5:53 PM on March 5, 2010


Someone requested a Yo La Tengo non-cover?
posted by cotterpin at 5:56 PM on March 5, 2010


Second Set:
Hotlegs (Godley and Creme) - Neanderthal Man
Fleetwood Mac - Second Hand News
Yo La Tengo - Drug Test
Brownsville Station - Smokin' In The Boys Room
Iggy Pop - TV Eye
posted by trashflow at 6:04 PM on March 5, 2010


Ha. Awesome.
posted by roll truck roll at 6:16 PM on March 5, 2010


Third Set:
Violent Femmes - Add It Up
Lulu - To Sir With Love
Big Star - When My Baby's Beside Me
The Embarrassment - Sex Drive
Yo La Tengo - Can't Forget
Ronettes - Be My Baby
posted by trashflow at 6:32 PM on March 5, 2010


Their cover of the Ronnettes was awesome.
posted by firemonkey at 6:34 PM on March 5, 2010


Fourth Set:
(instrumental) (can anyone identify it? I can't)
Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Television - Marquee Moon
Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
Grassroots - Midnight Confessions
posted by trashflow at 6:59 PM on March 5, 2010


I have no idea on that instrumental, trashflow. I was hoping you knew. Thanks for posting these, by the way (I actually messaged him earlier today asking if he'd be listening). Too bad there's not a big MeFi party here this year.

I loved their Midnight Confessions.
posted by roll truck roll at 7:09 PM on March 5, 2010


The thing that strikes me about WFMU, is that they dont do underwriting out of principle ,which is so rare for any community station to do, and just once a year plege drives is awesome. They deserve (and need) the money,
posted by wheelieman at 7:22 PM on March 5, 2010


Fifth Set:
Question Mark & the Mysterians - 96 Tears
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug
Sam The Sham - Wooly Bully
The Scene Is Now - A Man's Coconut
(don't know) ("your reality" - bop bop bada)

Anyone know that last song? Once again, I didn't.
posted by trashflow at 7:25 PM on March 5, 2010


This has been fantastic. I could hear them practicing Marquee Moon in the background between sets. Got me all amped up.

Is there an archive of last year's YLT show anywhere? I'd love to hear those Kinks covers. If you've got an .mp3 of it, MeMail me and I'll get you my email address.

Some will burn. All will pay.
posted by Team of Scientists at 7:27 PM on March 5, 2010


Ah it's the medley of songs they didn't know or didn't have time to practice.
posted by roll truck roll at 7:41 PM on March 5, 2010


Oh, nevermind. It wasn't.
posted by roll truck roll at 7:42 PM on March 5, 2010


Sixth Set:
Barbarians - Moulty
Neil Young - Cinnamon Girl
Chic - Le Freak
Tommy James & the Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now
posted by trashflow at 7:45 PM on March 5, 2010


I have Metafilter to thank for alerting me to this last year, and it was appointment listening for me this year. Hearing Yo La Tengo play I Think We're Alone Now live ... this is one of those things that I like.
posted by thebergfather at 7:49 PM on March 5, 2010


weeeeeird I just played white light/white heat on the juke at the bar an hour ago and now one of my favorite bands from high school is covering it on my internets. what a wild world.
posted by Juicy Avenger at 7:59 PM on March 5, 2010


Awesome. The last medley didn't disappoint.
posted by roll truck roll at 8:15 PM on March 5, 2010


Seventh Set:
Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze
Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Mission of Burma - That's When I Reach For My Revolver
Flipper - Sex Bomb (medley)
posted by trashflow at 8:15 PM on March 5, 2010


Some lyrics I think I heard in the "Sex Bomb" Medley:
The Who - Long Live Rock
Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows
Rodd Keith - How Can A Man Overcome His Heartbroken Pain? (American Song Poem Anthology)
Kingsmen - Louie Louie
Leonard Cohen - So Long Marianne
Inflatable Boy Clams - I'm Sorry
Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
Sesame Street - Rubber Duckie
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
Velvet Underground - We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass
posted by trashflow at 8:23 PM on March 5, 2010


If anyone got a recording, I would be grateful for a copy!
posted by trashflow at 8:23 PM on March 5, 2010


Okay, here is what I think is the final, corrected setlist. Thanks to Jeff Tartakov for identifying "Blue Line Swinger" in the fifth set. (I am deeply embarrassed that I failed to identify that Yo La Tengo original myself). Thanks to Ira Kaplan for disclosing that the instrumental that kicked off the fourth set was "Caravan," and that in the second set "Indian Giver" was performed in medley with "Second Hand News." Ira also filled me in on some of the references in the closing medley that I didn't catch, though he thinks there were still more that he can't remember. Any help in further perfecting this list would be gratefully accepted.

2010 YLT WFMU Marathon Set List:

Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
Beatles - Rain
Sandy Denny - For Shame of Doing Wrong (I Wish I Was A Fool For You)
Dump - Secret Blood (my request)
Grateful Dead - Ripple

Hotlegs (Godley & Creme) - Neanderthal Man
Fleetwood Mac - Second Hand News / 1910 Fruitgum Company - Indian Giver (medley)
Yo La Tengo - Drug Test
Brownsville Station - Smokin' In The Boys Room
Iggy Pop - TV Eye

Violent Femmes - Add It Up
Lulu - To Sir With Love
Big Star - When My Baby's Beside Me
The Embarrassment - Sex Drive
Yo La Tengo - Can't Forget
Ronettes - Be My Baby

Martin Denny/Duke Ellington/Dave Brubeck/The Ventures - Caravan
Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Television - Marquee Moon
Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
Grassroots - Midnight Confessions

Question Mark & the Mysterians - 96 Tears
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug
Sam The Sham - Wooly Bully
The Scene Is Now - A Man's Coconut
Yo La Tengo - Blue Line Swinger

Barbarians - Moulty
Neil Young - Cinnamon Girl
Chic - Le Freak
Tommy James & the Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now

Seals & Crofts - Summer Breeze
Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Mission of Burma - That's When I Reach For My Revolver
Flipper - Sex Bomb (medley), including, among other things: Donny Most - Rock Is Dead; Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows; Rodd Keith - How Can A Man Overcome His Heartbroken Pain? (American Song Poem Anthology); Kingsmen - Louie Louie; Modern Lovers - Astral Plane; dBs- Dynamite; Leonard Cohen - So Long Marianne; Brenda Lee - I'm Sorry; Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy; Sesame Street - Rubber Duckie; Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You; Velvet Underground - We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together; George Harrison - All Things Must Pass.
posted by trashflow at 6:55 AM on March 6, 2010 [4 favorites]


For anybody interested, it looks like WFMU has released their Android App, and it looks like it's pretty great!
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 6:11 PM on March 18, 2010


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