Since KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence is filling in for Jason Bentley on Morning Becomes Eclectic this morning, he gets to debut one of the most important lists he puts together each year — KCRW’s Most Played Records.
Two LA bands made the top 10 — Flying Lotus and Broken Bells – and my beloved Local Natives cracked the top 20!
Tune in during the 11am hour for his countdown and view the list below.   EJL’s show will also be up in the archives later, if you missed it live.
KCRW’s Most …

From DJ and KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence:
We learned today of the passing of rock icon and acclaimed painter Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart at the age of 69, due to complications from multiple sclerosis.  I don’t use the term “rock icon” lightly, despite the fact that he may be the least heard rock icon in the pantheon, but that’s due to the uncompromising nature of his work, the non-“radio-friendly” sound of his surreal, mind-bending records.
You’re not likely to ever hear his songs on oldies radio stations, despite …

KCRW volunteer Derek Sedam was key in getting Fox Sports Radio host Petros Papadakis to participate in the Guest DJ Project. The outlandish host brings the same trademark gusto he brings to sports analysis to his Guest DJ set, which you can hear online here.
Check out his set list and Derek’s story of working as an intern for Petros below.

Petros Papadakis on KCRW’s Guest DJ Project – Playlist
1. Can’t Do Without You – Terror Fabulous
2. Call Me Collect – Gregory Isaacs
3. Sweepstakes Prize – Mirah
4. Summertime – Charlie “Bird” …

I asked KCRW DJ and Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence about how he put together his pre-show compilation for Henry’s “Rare Cuts and Conversation” event last week. As always, EJL had a thoughtful response. My fave – he chose some people who reminded him of Henry…read on for details and a set list:
Occasionally I’m asked by KCRW’s Events Department to make a compilation for the pre-show entertainment as people arrive and find their seats.  I tend to be a good person to put such things together, having the keys to …

By DJ Anne Litt:
There is something about listening to recorded music collectively, among others.  Up until 18 months ago my central experience with this was clubs, festivals, and venues full of fans watching music performed live.  If I listened to recordings it was alone under headphones, in a meeting or with friends.
Last summer my musical godfather, Tom Schnabel, invited me to be a part of his resurrected music salon.  About 22 of us showed up at his house, ate hors d’oeurves, filled our glasses with red wine and proceeded …

There are many layers to The Books’ music. It’s really quite fascinating and many of our DJs have been enthralled by their latest album “The Way Out.” It even made it onto KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence’s top 10 albums of the year list.
The band announced this morning that they just remastered all of their records and will be rereleasing them so fans of the band should keep an eye out for that. Until then, here’s a live session to keep you entertained!
RR
The Books Live on KCRW Track List
I …

“Golden Years,” is a stone-cold classic, one of his biggest singles, a perennial on any Bowie greatest hits collection! It certainly was an honor to be asked, so I wasn’t going to say no. But it was also a bit of a bold move on Jason’s part as I am a total remix novice. So I must acknowledge and thank the boss man for trusting that I could do the song justice.
Golden Years Remix by Eric J. Lawrence
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Being a rookie, it was essential that …

KCRW DJ Eric J. Lawrence is also our music librarian. And, as you would expect from someone who sits in an “office” surrounding by over 60,000 recordings for 8 hours every day, he knows a LOT about music. I mean a lot. He’s our human fact checking machine on music minutia. His latest post for KCRW’s 5Things blog – on 5 Cover Songs You Might Not Have Known Were Cover Songs – is a perfect representation of his deep knowledge. Spoon’s “Don’t You Evah” was a cover?? What???
Read on…
One of …

Eric J Lawrence tells us about Martina Topley Bird’s new album “Some Place Simple,” streaming now as part of our Album Preview series.
Martina Topley Bird may be the best singer you’ve heard but don’t know the name of.  Her two solo albums became critical favorites, receiving a Mercury Prize nomination for her 2003 debut CD, Quixotic and teaming up with Danger Mouse on her follow-up, 2008’s The Blue God.  Over the past 15 years, she’s appeared on records by Tricky, David Holmes, Diplo, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Gorillaz, Common …

One of the better music critics around, Simon Reynolds has contributed to such magazines as Melody Maker, Spin, Mojo, Uncut, The New York Times and others.  His books range in topics from the cultural history of dance music (Energy Flash, Generation Ecstasy) and hip-hop (Bring the Noise) to a gender-based study of rock and roll (The Sex Revolts).
My personal favorite is 2005’s Rip It Up and Start Again: Post Punk 1978-1984, which explores the development of bands such as Joy Division, Talking Heads, Gang of Four, Public Image Ltd. and …