DJ's Required Listening: Eagles of Death Metal
Alright...the blues from last week ain't workin' no mo. Time to get our butts up & shake 'em til the sun comes out. And the economy gets better. And the NCAA Tournament gets here. For me, there's no better way to turn a frown upside down than to pop in some Eagles Of Death Metal. Morbid....? No. For those that may not know, EODM is anything but a death metal band. Basically it's a garage band that can be ingratiatingly smug while tapping into every full-blooded male's inner thoughts. Don't even claim to be above this band after you've listened to them a few times. You're not THAT sophisticated because you still, after all, are by default, a pig. Might as well celebrate the fact instead of looking foolish trying to deny it.
EODM is the brainchild of Josh "Carlo Von Sexron, aka Baby Duck" Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age) & Jesse "The Devil, aka Boots Electric" Hughes that originated from Homme's legendary Desert Sessions, numbers 3 & 4. Homme describes the Eagles Of Death Metal as "bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." The Desert Sessions are a series of collaborations between Homme & a virtual who's who in the rock world, including Dave Grohl, PJ Harvey, Dean Ween, and members of QOTSA, Monster Magnet, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, and many others. EODM, with homme on drums & Hughes as front man, released their first album in 2004 - "Peace, Love, Death Metal" which completely blew me away. I had never heard anything so genuine & simple, yet throat clenchingly powerful. They followed up in 2006 with "Death By Sexy" - another good effort with Hughes coming into his own as the true persona of the band. In 2008 EODM released "Heart On" - which I have yet to get a feel for.
Here are a few essentials to start your EODM collection. Children under 18 may need parental supervision. Adults may need to go take a long drive in the country...
1. "The Gosso King Of Crater Lake" - The Desert Sessions 3 & 4. Lyrically right up there with Carole King & James Taylor. Ehh-hmm. You get a feel for what's to come with the serious, rump-shakin' groove. It's a jam.
2. "Speaking In Tongues" - Peace, Love, Death Metal. My first EODM favorite. Still can't resist wanting to jump around like my pants are on fire after hearing this. Then I saw the video & realized it would be probaly best to have a partner.
3. "Whorehoppin (Shit, Goddamn)" - Peace, Love, Death Metal. Umm, the title kinda says it all. Find you a bro & give him the knux...wooo! Yeah! Footage at about 3:30 is priceless.
4. "Cherry Cola" - Death by Sexy. Just goes to show you don't have to be good lookin' to get laid, just exhibit confidence. Oh yeah, being in a rock band & making videos doesn't hurt either.
5. "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)" - Death By Sexy. Worth a look just for the Dave Grohl & Jack Black cameos. Ahh, to have such superpowers.
EODM is the brainchild of Josh "Carlo Von Sexron, aka Baby Duck" Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age) & Jesse "The Devil, aka Boots Electric" Hughes that originated from Homme's legendary Desert Sessions, numbers 3 & 4. Homme describes the Eagles Of Death Metal as "bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." The Desert Sessions are a series of collaborations between Homme & a virtual who's who in the rock world, including Dave Grohl, PJ Harvey, Dean Ween, and members of QOTSA, Monster Magnet, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, and many others. EODM, with homme on drums & Hughes as front man, released their first album in 2004 - "Peace, Love, Death Metal" which completely blew me away. I had never heard anything so genuine & simple, yet throat clenchingly powerful. They followed up in 2006 with "Death By Sexy" - another good effort with Hughes coming into his own as the true persona of the band. In 2008 EODM released "Heart On" - which I have yet to get a feel for.
Here are a few essentials to start your EODM collection. Children under 18 may need parental supervision. Adults may need to go take a long drive in the country...
1. "The Gosso King Of Crater Lake" - The Desert Sessions 3 & 4. Lyrically right up there with Carole King & James Taylor. Ehh-hmm. You get a feel for what's to come with the serious, rump-shakin' groove. It's a jam.
2. "Speaking In Tongues" - Peace, Love, Death Metal. My first EODM favorite. Still can't resist wanting to jump around like my pants are on fire after hearing this. Then I saw the video & realized it would be probaly best to have a partner.
3. "Whorehoppin (Shit, Goddamn)" - Peace, Love, Death Metal. Umm, the title kinda says it all. Find you a bro & give him the knux...wooo! Yeah! Footage at about 3:30 is priceless.
4. "Cherry Cola" - Death by Sexy. Just goes to show you don't have to be good lookin' to get laid, just exhibit confidence. Oh yeah, being in a rock band & making videos doesn't hurt either.
5. "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)" - Death By Sexy. Worth a look just for the Dave Grohl & Jack Black cameos. Ahh, to have such superpowers.
DJ's Requirerd Listening: Canned Heat & Ten Years After
The economy sucks. People are losing their jobs left & right. My 401K is tanking. Winter will not let up & give us back our green grass. Yeah...I got the blues. Except I can't find any remedy in my standard blues catalog to fix it, so I went a lookin'. Impressive stuff is what I found - and I extracted it from the era that produced some of the best blues musicians, a genre that I call the "I Got Them Ol' Cozmic Blues Again, Mama" blues (with a gracious nod to Ms. Janis). Two groups stood out then, but often go unnoticed today - Canned Heat & Ten Years After. This is the loud stuff, that puts a little boogie in yer britches...not your front-porch pickin' blues. I get very headstrong & indignant listening to this stuff, and for me that's the mindset you gotta have to get through these tough times. Take a hit...and pass it on.
1. "On The Road Again" - Canned Heat. Bob "The Bear" Hite nails the harp here on one of Canned Heat's signature tunes. Great performance here though, although without founding member Al "Blind Owl" Wilson.
2. "I Can't Keep From Crying" - Ten Years After. Alvin Lee absloutely rips through a solo on this one @ about 3:00. These kiddie-metal guitarists today couldn't even begin to keep up with Lee in his prime.
3. Canned Heat/Woostock - not sure if this jam has a name...but I get a kick out of The Bear lighting up a Marlboro for a cat that crashes the stage and generally having the time of his life. Priceless...
4. "I'm Going Home" - Ten Years After. Alvin Lee = Guitar God in TYA's signature performance from Woodstock. This is golden here, folks.
5. Ten Years After/Woodchopper's Ball Jam - If you didn't believe me after watching #4, try #5 out. Awesome.
1. "On The Road Again" - Canned Heat. Bob "The Bear" Hite nails the harp here on one of Canned Heat's signature tunes. Great performance here though, although without founding member Al "Blind Owl" Wilson.
2. "I Can't Keep From Crying" - Ten Years After. Alvin Lee absloutely rips through a solo on this one @ about 3:00. These kiddie-metal guitarists today couldn't even begin to keep up with Lee in his prime.
3. Canned Heat/Woostock - not sure if this jam has a name...but I get a kick out of The Bear lighting up a Marlboro for a cat that crashes the stage and generally having the time of his life. Priceless...
4. "I'm Going Home" - Ten Years After. Alvin Lee = Guitar God in TYA's signature performance from Woodstock. This is golden here, folks.
5. Ten Years After/Woodchopper's Ball Jam - If you didn't believe me after watching #4, try #5 out. Awesome.
DJ's Required Listening: Roxy Music
Every now & then through the history of rock music, you'll come across an act that is/was totally indescribable. Roxy Music is not one of those bands. I could fill a whole page trying to describe Roxy Music, & it would all be correct. Many have tried describing Roxy Music as "avant garde," "new wave," art rock" but there's really too much going on in Roxy Music to just settle with one, but we'll try with the cop-out word, "eclectic." Founded by self-styled crooner Bryan Ferry in 1971, he added Andy McKay on sax & oboe (oboe...?), the legendary Brian Eno on synthesizer & "treatments," Phil Manzanera on guitar, & Paul Thompson on drums/percussion. The band's music, while different, was not as alarming as their on-stage presence which helped usher in the "glam" period of rock in the early to mid-70's. Ferry always was out front dressed in dapper lounge attire, with finely coiffed hair. McKay looked like a wholesome high-school sock-hopper. Eno looked liked he'd raped an ostrich, & lost his frontal lobe in the process. Manzanera looked like a white Bootsy Collins, & Thompson was just a dude playing drums. Their performances had to be at the time a little hard to take, given the costumes and Ferry's almost Rasputin-like charm on stage.
This core group would not stay together long as Eno left the group after their second album to become one of the most sought after producers in the business, recording with the likes of Bowie, Talking Heads, U2 & countless others. Ferry maintained progress with a revolving door of musicians, all the while constructing a persona for himself as the alpha male of international style, dating Playmates, supermodels and the like (including Jerry Hall. Ferry would frequently include these beautiful women on Roxy Music's album covers, which have become iconic in their own right. Check them out when you get time...wow! Also, worth a listen for those of you that aren't familiar with Roxy Music & need something a little "different"...
1. "Virginia Plain" - from 1972's Roxy Music. The group's debut single. Interestingly, it has no chorus & ushers in the new era of the synthesizer.
2. "Do The Strand" from 1973's For Your Pleasure. Great lead-in in this video from the "Old Grey Whistle Test" archive, which was where I first heard this song. This performance epitomizes Roxy Music at it's best. Ferry went against the grain on this show, which prided itself on musical purity, & lip-synched to get the performance right, further emphasizing Roxy Music's visual emphasis.
3. "Mother Of Pearl" from 1973's Stranded. Great song with a mesmerizing flow, once you get past the mish-mash of noise at the beginning. First effort post-Eno. The album cover also features 1973 Playmate of The Year Marilyn Cole, Ferry girlfriend at the time. 'Nuff Said.
4. "Out Of The Blue" from 1974's Country Life. So many layers to this song. You can tell the influence Roxy Music had on stuff we'd hear just a few years later. Way ahead of its time. Best Roxy Music album cover ever, BTW.
5. "Love Is The Drug" from 1975's Siren. Roxy Music's highest charting single in the U.S. @ #30. Jerry Hall is the cover "siren" on this album.
This core group would not stay together long as Eno left the group after their second album to become one of the most sought after producers in the business, recording with the likes of Bowie, Talking Heads, U2 & countless others. Ferry maintained progress with a revolving door of musicians, all the while constructing a persona for himself as the alpha male of international style, dating Playmates, supermodels and the like (including Jerry Hall. Ferry would frequently include these beautiful women on Roxy Music's album covers, which have become iconic in their own right. Check them out when you get time...wow! Also, worth a listen for those of you that aren't familiar with Roxy Music & need something a little "different"...
1. "Virginia Plain" - from 1972's Roxy Music. The group's debut single. Interestingly, it has no chorus & ushers in the new era of the synthesizer.
2. "Do The Strand" from 1973's For Your Pleasure. Great lead-in in this video from the "Old Grey Whistle Test" archive, which was where I first heard this song. This performance epitomizes Roxy Music at it's best. Ferry went against the grain on this show, which prided itself on musical purity, & lip-synched to get the performance right, further emphasizing Roxy Music's visual emphasis.
3. "Mother Of Pearl" from 1973's Stranded. Great song with a mesmerizing flow, once you get past the mish-mash of noise at the beginning. First effort post-Eno. The album cover also features 1973 Playmate of The Year Marilyn Cole, Ferry girlfriend at the time. 'Nuff Said.
4. "Out Of The Blue" from 1974's Country Life. So many layers to this song. You can tell the influence Roxy Music had on stuff we'd hear just a few years later. Way ahead of its time. Best Roxy Music album cover ever, BTW.
5. "Love Is The Drug" from 1975's Siren. Roxy Music's highest charting single in the U.S. @ #30. Jerry Hall is the cover "siren" on this album.
DJ's Required Listening: Ryan Adams Leaving the Cardinals
"Yeah, he's at it again. He needs attention, and this is just his way of doing so." That's what you kind of say to yourself if you're a fan of Ryan Adams, but you do have to respect his decision. OK, the guy's a flake, but he's an incredibly talented flake with a little ADD to spice things up. We got a hint of this late last fall when Adams went AWOL for awhile during The Cardinals tour. I think the guy just needs a break, but instead of saying "we need to get off the road for awhile to put our feet up & rest," Adams, in his own distinct way, blows up The Cardinals. You kind of take it with a grain of salt, because I'll bet within the next two years they're out touring again. Given his long-winded blog on alt-country.org (which you can read here), there seems to be no conflict of any kind, other than Ryan & his alter-ego, the kitsch author/artist. As for the rest of the band, I don't think Neal Casal will have trouble finding work. He's incredibly talented and could really break out on his own with a great deal of success. Jon Graboff also will be successful. He's a very cool pedal steel player that will work plenty. I'll miss those two guys the most.
Anyhow, The Cardinals are still touring currently abroad, and until March in the Southern U.S. Those last few shows should be really...interesting. I saw them last fall, & I'd go again in a heartbeat. Yeah, I'm a mark, so what?. Here's some of what I'll remember most about The Cardinals as I've grown to love them over the past year. Don't be gone long, Cardinals!
1. "Fix It" - from 2008's Cardinology album. Just a tremendous song that's a lyrical double entendre. Kind of like "I'll tell her I'll fix it, but the fix is really on." Stupid girls...you should know that when he says "I'll always win in the end" you're being duped.
2. "Cobwebs" - also from Cardinology. They opened their Cincinnati show with this one, just a great vibe to set the tone for the evening. Great experience in a great venue - Taft Theatre. Neal & Jon are great on this one.
3. "Everybody Knows" - from Easy Tiger. Great tune, especially the backing vocals of Neal Casal. This song has become a staple in The Cardinals' live shows.
4. "Cold Roses" - from Cold Roses. A very powerful song, both vocally vocally & instrumentally. Gives me the shivers to hear it live. Most, if not all of The Cardinals stuff sounds better live, by the way.
5. "Magick" - from Cardinology. This is from the Columbus show, right before I saw them in Cincy. I've got this show downloaded if anyone needs a copy. Great banter in between songs. "Magick" really shows off The Cardinals' ability to rock and have a good time.
Anyhow, The Cardinals are still touring currently abroad, and until March in the Southern U.S. Those last few shows should be really...interesting. I saw them last fall, & I'd go again in a heartbeat. Yeah, I'm a mark, so what?. Here's some of what I'll remember most about The Cardinals as I've grown to love them over the past year. Don't be gone long, Cardinals!
1. "Fix It" - from 2008's Cardinology album. Just a tremendous song that's a lyrical double entendre. Kind of like "I'll tell her I'll fix it, but the fix is really on." Stupid girls...you should know that when he says "I'll always win in the end" you're being duped.
2. "Cobwebs" - also from Cardinology. They opened their Cincinnati show with this one, just a great vibe to set the tone for the evening. Great experience in a great venue - Taft Theatre. Neal & Jon are great on this one.
3. "Everybody Knows" - from Easy Tiger. Great tune, especially the backing vocals of Neal Casal. This song has become a staple in The Cardinals' live shows.
4. "Cold Roses" - from Cold Roses. A very powerful song, both vocally vocally & instrumentally. Gives me the shivers to hear it live. Most, if not all of The Cardinals stuff sounds better live, by the way.
5. "Magick" - from Cardinology. This is from the Columbus show, right before I saw them in Cincy. I've got this show downloaded if anyone needs a copy. Great banter in between songs. "Magick" really shows off The Cardinals' ability to rock and have a good time.
DJ's Required Listening: Son Volt
Alright, back at it here in 2009. Hope you all had a great 2008, as we did here at Rock Hard Times. It's been a great year for me musically, I know. With the help of the associations here @ RHT I've easily expanded my listening boundaries tenfold. I wanted to share with you this week one of the acts I've picked up on here in the last quarter of 2008 - Son Volt.
First, let's get everyone on the same page chronologically. Son Volt was formed by Jay Farrar in 1994 after the breakup of the great Uncle Tupelo, one of the most influential acts of the burgeoning alt-country scene. Uncle Tupelo band mate & high-school chum Jeff Tweedy took most of the band to form Wilco after he & Farrar found their tastes & relationship to be no longer compatible. While Wilco has gone on to a great deal of success, Son Volt was actually dropped from Warner Bros. after only three albums in 1999. Still recording & performing as Son Volt & as a solo artist, Farrar still has left a great legacy in those first three Son Volt albums: Trace, Straightaways, & Wide Swing Tremolo. 2007's The Search is a great return to form though, & I'd like to continue to see Son Volt make a full comeback. Of course, since I'm featuring Son Volt here & not Wilco, it's easy to see where my preferences lie. not that I have anything against Tweedy & Wilco, I just think Son Volt & Farrar simply sound better & Farrar is a superior songwriter. Here's a few to check out & ponder....
1. Catching On - from 1995's Trace.
2. Drown - from 1995's Trace. A minor college radio hit for Son Volt.
3. Methamphetamine - from 2007's The Search.
4. Highways & Cigarettes - from 2007's The Search (Farrar acoustic)
5. Medicine Hat - from 1998's Wide Swing Tremolo.
and of course...
6. Jet Pilot - from 2005's Okemah and the Melody of Riot. Good riddance, Mr. Bush.
DJ's Required Listening #6- The Underpinnings & Impetus Of Punk
There I just spat on you with that title. Say that 5 times in a row real fast, you'll see. That's so punk of me. Anyhow, I digress. The head cold/sinus infection has left me a bit surly still, so I've taken some refuge with my thoughts behind some music some might call "punk" but others would call the foundations of said genre. I can't just say "I feel punk" & throw on some Ramones though...it's my nature to make this way more complicated. I've got to cut through layers & get to the roots. It's a burden that's self-imposed, but I bear it gladly nonetheless.
Alright, we all know about mid-70's punk. There it was, plain & simple. The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Clash - The Unholy Triumverate. CBGB's, man...that's where it was at. NYC vs. London (Biggie & Tupac had nuthin' on that). And, sadly, we know all about what we have...today. Green Day, Blink 182, Sum 41, Jerkoff 911...they all sound the same & I hate 'em. There...I said it. They are not punk - never were, never will be. Punk as it was died with Kurt Cobain, with Joe Strummer, with Joey Ramone. This isn't what I'm here to get into though, I want to go back to when that spark to ignite that candle that burned ever so briefly, but long enough to make it safe to be...dare I say...Rotten.
OK. I'll go on record as saying Elvis Presley was the first punk rocker. For about 3 minutes on Ed Sullivan. Then he made horrible movies, got fat & went to Vegas. The Clash payed a lot of homage to this era, especially with "I Fought The Law." The Beatles & Stones had tendencies, but valued U.S. currency too much in the end. Yet tucked in that British Invasion were two groups that had some balls...
1. The Kinks - "You Really Got Me" & "All Day & All Of The Night." The Brothers Davies originated the "power chord" in 1964, & along with a dead-pan vocal delivery this became the structure many punk bands would follow.
2. The Who - "My Generation." Allegedly the inspiration for this song was that The Queen Mother herself had Townshend's Packard hearse towed because it offended her so on her daily drive through the "neighbourhood." Sounds like an early "God Save The Queen," eh? (Classic version here, with the exploding drum kit, etc. that led to Townshend's hearing loss).
Two other British grous that also deserves mention are The Troggs, who popularized "Wild Thing" & Them (featuring a young Van Morrison) who released "Gloria." Stateside, however, American kids were doing some serious damage to their parent's picket fences & new, Sears catalog garages. The Kingsmen cranked out "Louie, Louie." ? & the Mysterians offered "96 Tears." The hippies had their day for a while in the late 60's, but on the fringe was the psychedilc crowd led by Jimi Hendrix. Tucked away in Michigan, however, were two bands that would take the term "anti-establishment" to a whole 'nother level...
3. MC5 - "Kick Out The Jams." Crude, raw, agressive. Just listen to the opening call to arms & your brain is stamped for good. If you want power, we got yer damn power...
4. The Stooges - "I Wanna Be your Dog." Iggy Pop is introduced to the world in 1969, and has become known as "The Godfather Of Punk." His influence is so all over the place I can't even begin. The Stooges self-titled first album is produced by John Cale, & I want to get to him in a moment. Even better live....
That brings us to NYC - the mecca of what would become the American punk scene. Home to CBGB's, the famed club were anyone that was anyone in the alternative music scene played in the 70's. NYC is also the home to the Velvet Underground. Led by Lou Reed & the aforementioned John Cale in their heyday, The Velvet Undergound came out of the NYC art counterculture & were sponsored in great part by Andy Warhol, who as their manager suggested German model Nico as a singer for the group. Meh. Their greatest contribution was the relaxing of societal norms & bending of rock norms that paved the way for punk & other forms of alternative music.
5. The Velvet Underground - "I'm Waiting For My Man." Notice the same pounding piano that is also in the original version of The Stooges "...Dog." Definite Cale influence. Not your run-of-the-mill leather & chains punk, but I doubt the Underground were entirely against the notion.
There it is...what would become, PUNK. Now "piss off, wank-ahs!!!"
Alright, we all know about mid-70's punk. There it was, plain & simple. The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Clash - The Unholy Triumverate. CBGB's, man...that's where it was at. NYC vs. London (Biggie & Tupac had nuthin' on that). And, sadly, we know all about what we have...today. Green Day, Blink 182, Sum 41, Jerkoff 911...they all sound the same & I hate 'em. There...I said it. They are not punk - never were, never will be. Punk as it was died with Kurt Cobain, with Joe Strummer, with Joey Ramone. This isn't what I'm here to get into though, I want to go back to when that spark to ignite that candle that burned ever so briefly, but long enough to make it safe to be...dare I say...Rotten.
OK. I'll go on record as saying Elvis Presley was the first punk rocker. For about 3 minutes on Ed Sullivan. Then he made horrible movies, got fat & went to Vegas. The Clash payed a lot of homage to this era, especially with "I Fought The Law." The Beatles & Stones had tendencies, but valued U.S. currency too much in the end. Yet tucked in that British Invasion were two groups that had some balls...
1. The Kinks - "You Really Got Me" & "All Day & All Of The Night." The Brothers Davies originated the "power chord" in 1964, & along with a dead-pan vocal delivery this became the structure many punk bands would follow.
2. The Who - "My Generation." Allegedly the inspiration for this song was that The Queen Mother herself had Townshend's Packard hearse towed because it offended her so on her daily drive through the "neighbourhood." Sounds like an early "God Save The Queen," eh? (Classic version here, with the exploding drum kit, etc. that led to Townshend's hearing loss).
Two other British grous that also deserves mention are The Troggs, who popularized "Wild Thing" & Them (featuring a young Van Morrison) who released "Gloria." Stateside, however, American kids were doing some serious damage to their parent's picket fences & new, Sears catalog garages. The Kingsmen cranked out "Louie, Louie." ? & the Mysterians offered "96 Tears." The hippies had their day for a while in the late 60's, but on the fringe was the psychedilc crowd led by Jimi Hendrix. Tucked away in Michigan, however, were two bands that would take the term "anti-establishment" to a whole 'nother level...
3. MC5 - "Kick Out The Jams." Crude, raw, agressive. Just listen to the opening call to arms & your brain is stamped for good. If you want power, we got yer damn power...
4. The Stooges - "I Wanna Be your Dog." Iggy Pop is introduced to the world in 1969, and has become known as "The Godfather Of Punk." His influence is so all over the place I can't even begin. The Stooges self-titled first album is produced by John Cale, & I want to get to him in a moment. Even better live....
That brings us to NYC - the mecca of what would become the American punk scene. Home to CBGB's, the famed club were anyone that was anyone in the alternative music scene played in the 70's. NYC is also the home to the Velvet Underground. Led by Lou Reed & the aforementioned John Cale in their heyday, The Velvet Undergound came out of the NYC art counterculture & were sponsored in great part by Andy Warhol, who as their manager suggested German model Nico as a singer for the group. Meh. Their greatest contribution was the relaxing of societal norms & bending of rock norms that paved the way for punk & other forms of alternative music.
5. The Velvet Underground - "I'm Waiting For My Man." Notice the same pounding piano that is also in the original version of The Stooges "...Dog." Definite Cale influence. Not your run-of-the-mill leather & chains punk, but I doubt the Underground were entirely against the notion.
There it is...what would become, PUNK. Now "piss off, wank-ahs!!!"
DJRL #5: Chicken Soup for the Ears
Man...been down with a head cold since the day after Thanksgiving. What a bitch. Enough to make even my cuddly demeanor more sardonic than usual. Having a tough time coming up with 5 songs you monkeys need to check out or revisit, especially since Shoe took my Christmas Song list and wiped his rear-end with it. Just kidding...it was a good list and saved me the effort. Anyhow, it is almost Christmas so I'd better figure a way to cheer the hell up, and quickly (before I lose my gig for calling out the Bossman). OK...smiles everyone!! We're going to mellow out a bit, nothing too heavy...my sinuses can't hack it. Nothing that's going to intellectually challenge anyone...I know my brains are on loan to Kleenex. What we're listening to this week are some simple songs that will warm even the deepest cockle in Scrooge's heart. Screw the lyrics, we just want a melody that's soothing, maybe some nice, simple guitar, and some harmonizing vocals - gots to have some harmony, y'all. Here's five that'll turn that frown upside-down, I promise:
1. "Blue Sky" by The Allman Brothers. From Eat A Peach, this was the first time Dickey Betts laid down a lead vocal for the Allmans. Couldn't find any video with Dickey & Duane Allman trading those amazing guitar solos, but here's a lost live audio version that would be killer to have in anyone's collection. So, ummm, that's a hint, you dig? Love this song...
2. "We Just Disagree" by Dave Mason. I know, I know, kind of a tacky little slice of 70's AM Gold, but hey, it's frickin' Dave Mason...yes the one that co-founded Traffic. This one takes me back to my childhood, when everything was copasetic. Great sing-along tune for long road trips, by the way, as are all these tunes.
3. "Southern Cross" by Crosby, Stills, & Nash. "Think about how many times I have fallen/Spirits are using me/larger voices callin'." Good stuff right there. Just Wikipedia'd this.. I guess Crosby & Nash didn't sing on the original recording. Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles bassist) did though, maybe that why it sounds so...damn...good!
4. "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" by George Harrison. Say all you want about the Plastic Ono Band & Wings, George Harrison was the Beatle that kicked the most ass following The Breakup. Interestingly enough, this song replaced McCartney's "My Love" at #1 in 1973. I love George's vocal on this one...a lot of emotion building up through each verse, you can almost picture a tear on his cheek as he strums his guitar. R.I.P. George - you are greatly, and sadly, missed.
5. "Seven Bridges Road" by The Eagles. "This is a song we that learned from a fella named Steve Young, who lived in San Diego. This is called Seven Bridges Road. I hope you like this..." Umm...hell yeah I like it!! The greatest vocal harmony even captured on tape in my opinion. For the last 25 years or better, hearing those introductory words from Glenn Frey has sent a tingle down my spine, and a calm over my mind. A very special song to me (& also to my bride of 15-1/2 years).
1. "Blue Sky" by The Allman Brothers. From Eat A Peach, this was the first time Dickey Betts laid down a lead vocal for the Allmans. Couldn't find any video with Dickey & Duane Allman trading those amazing guitar solos, but here's a lost live audio version that would be killer to have in anyone's collection. So, ummm, that's a hint, you dig? Love this song...
2. "We Just Disagree" by Dave Mason. I know, I know, kind of a tacky little slice of 70's AM Gold, but hey, it's frickin' Dave Mason...yes the one that co-founded Traffic. This one takes me back to my childhood, when everything was copasetic. Great sing-along tune for long road trips, by the way, as are all these tunes.
3. "Southern Cross" by Crosby, Stills, & Nash. "Think about how many times I have fallen/Spirits are using me/larger voices callin'." Good stuff right there. Just Wikipedia'd this.. I guess Crosby & Nash didn't sing on the original recording. Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles bassist) did though, maybe that why it sounds so...damn...good!
4. "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" by George Harrison. Say all you want about the Plastic Ono Band & Wings, George Harrison was the Beatle that kicked the most ass following The Breakup. Interestingly enough, this song replaced McCartney's "My Love" at #1 in 1973. I love George's vocal on this one...a lot of emotion building up through each verse, you can almost picture a tear on his cheek as he strums his guitar. R.I.P. George - you are greatly, and sadly, missed.
5. "Seven Bridges Road" by The Eagles. "This is a song we that learned from a fella named Steve Young, who lived in San Diego. This is called Seven Bridges Road. I hope you like this..." Umm...hell yeah I like it!! The greatest vocal harmony even captured on tape in my opinion. For the last 25 years or better, hearing those introductory words from Glenn Frey has sent a tingle down my spine, and a calm over my mind. A very special song to me (& also to my bride of 15-1/2 years).
DJRL #4: The Bends
I recently picked up a Radiohead "Best Of" collection, mainly to help round out my library but also out of curiosity. I'm not the world's biggest Radiohead fan I'll admit right away. In the mid-1990's I just wasn't feeling these guys, nor was I receptive to a lot of new music at that time. The pages just got turned so fast with grunge coming in & out so fast that a lot of good bands got swept under the carpet amongst our need to label and categorize them. In retrospect, Radiohead is one band that kept one step ahead of "The Inquisition," and became leaders of the "post-grunge" movement, if you will.
Their first album, 1993's Pablo Honey featured their breakthrough single "Creep", but Thom Yorke & his bandmates quickly wanted to escape the "Nivana-Lite" label & heavy MTV rotation that the hit song brought with it. Which brings us to 1995, and the release of The Bends. As I said, I wasn't a big fan at the time, but recently through my internet travels & daily dose of Pandora Radio, vintage Radiohead has become a viable option to check out. I was surprised as I started rounding out my Radiohead library that virtually all of my favorites came from The Bends. I knew this album & OK Computer, Radiohead's third which featured the great "Karma Police" and "Paranoid Android," were considered to critically be among the elite not only in the decade of the 90's, but of the past 25 years. That being said, and thirteen years after fact I'll have to agree that The Bends is a formiddable compilation of songwriting, vocals, & plateau-topping musicianship. I just wish I had been in a different place in 1995, that way maybe I'd understand Radiohead's music of the new millenium. My friends, in my humble opinion...here's the best of The Bends:
1. "High and Dry" - Singer Thom Yorke's least favorite song. Has not been performed live in over a decade due to the taxing vocal by Yorke (or it because Coldplay stole this sound?) Interesting video you just can't look away from.
2. "Just" - great guitar here by Jonny Greenwood. Another interesting concept video. Is Thom Yorke the spawn of John Lydon? Just wondering...
3. "Fake Plastic Trees" - we could all take a lesson from this song right about now. Over-consumerism will destroy our society if we don't frickin' chill out. I do remember being memerized by the video back in the day, as I had written a college paper on Wal-Mart destroying small-town America.
4. "My Iron Lung" - kind of Radiohead's transition song between Pablo Honey & The Bends. Was actually released on an EP of the same name. Still that little punch-in-the-gut guitar by Greenwood like in "Creep," but definitely more melodic.
5. "The Bends" - title track, referring to decompression sickness. Kind of a metaphor for the success that was quickly thrust upon the band, & the struggle to maintain composure through the unpleasantness that also goes with fame.
Their first album, 1993's Pablo Honey featured their breakthrough single "Creep", but Thom Yorke & his bandmates quickly wanted to escape the "Nivana-Lite" label & heavy MTV rotation that the hit song brought with it. Which brings us to 1995, and the release of The Bends. As I said, I wasn't a big fan at the time, but recently through my internet travels & daily dose of Pandora Radio, vintage Radiohead has become a viable option to check out. I was surprised as I started rounding out my Radiohead library that virtually all of my favorites came from The Bends. I knew this album & OK Computer, Radiohead's third which featured the great "Karma Police" and "Paranoid Android," were considered to critically be among the elite not only in the decade of the 90's, but of the past 25 years. That being said, and thirteen years after fact I'll have to agree that The Bends is a formiddable compilation of songwriting, vocals, & plateau-topping musicianship. I just wish I had been in a different place in 1995, that way maybe I'd understand Radiohead's music of the new millenium. My friends, in my humble opinion...here's the best of The Bends:
1. "High and Dry" - Singer Thom Yorke's least favorite song. Has not been performed live in over a decade due to the taxing vocal by Yorke (or it because Coldplay stole this sound?) Interesting video you just can't look away from.
2. "Just" - great guitar here by Jonny Greenwood. Another interesting concept video. Is Thom Yorke the spawn of John Lydon? Just wondering...
3. "Fake Plastic Trees" - we could all take a lesson from this song right about now. Over-consumerism will destroy our society if we don't frickin' chill out. I do remember being memerized by the video back in the day, as I had written a college paper on Wal-Mart destroying small-town America.
4. "My Iron Lung" - kind of Radiohead's transition song between Pablo Honey & The Bends. Was actually released on an EP of the same name. Still that little punch-in-the-gut guitar by Greenwood like in "Creep," but definitely more melodic.
5. "The Bends" - title track, referring to decompression sickness. Kind of a metaphor for the success that was quickly thrust upon the band, & the struggle to maintain composure through the unpleasantness that also goes with fame.
DJRL #3: Music of The Band
By now most of you loyal RHT readers have figured out that a) The Band is revered mightily on our little slice of the www & b) Shoe & I have a respectful disagreement as to whom "The Man" is in "The Band. I'll not speak for Shoe, but it is my summation that he is of the belief that Robbie Robertson is the heart & soul, the driving force of The Band. For me though....I'm a Levon Helm kinda guy. After the death of bassist/vocalist Rick Danko in 1999, it became clear to me that Robertson had taken his Band-mates to the cleaners, pocketing an untold fortune from royalties that none of the other members, Helm, Danko, Garth Hudson, or Richard Manuel, would see. It's no wonder Robertson was content with breaking up The Band in 1976, he was on easy street while the rest of the members of what was supposedly "a collaboration of style & influence" struggled to make ends meet. But anyway, I'm not down on the music of The Band. They left a legacy that has inspired more than one generation to play from the gut. The world is forever in their debt...
I'm not going to go into a big history lesson; you can find that here. Those who enjoy The Band's music know they formed as a backup band for Ronnie Hawkins as The Hawks (with Levon Helm as the first recruit I might add) and soon outgrew that routine. The group made their way to upstate New York, were "rediscovered" by Bob Dylan, were renamed The Band, played a lot of music with Bob in the mid 60's. In 1968, they released their debut, Music From Big Pink and the rest is history. The Band's two biggest albums were there first two; the aforementioned ...Big Pink and 1969's The Band. Off of these two albums came for me & most listeners the "Holy Trinity," if you will, that epitomizes the sound & spirit of The Band:
1. "The Weight" from Music From Big Pink. Robertson gets the songwriting credit, although the folks mentioned in the song such as Carmen, Crazy Chester, Luke & Anna Lee were nonexclusive acquaintances of all members. Great storytelling, and the vocal exchange between Helm & Danko is by far one of my favorites. Only reached #63 on Billboard, but was #41 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All-Time.
2. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" from The Band. Written by the Canadian Robertson, Arkansas-born Levon Helm steals the show with his vocal delivery. A lot of Civil War history embedded in this song...a very real story. Excellent backing vocals by Danko & Manuel, but the little skip beats on the snare drum is what caught my ear the first time by Helm...like a military cadence out of step.
3. "Up On Cripple Creek" from The Band. Another winning combination of Robertson at the pen & Helm on vocals. Boy, for a Canadian Robertson sure is up on his lore from the American South. Anyway, the tremendous musical abilities of The Band are on full display here, especially the clavinet & organ playing of the classically-trained Hudson.
You'll also want to check out:
1. "I Shall Be Released" from Before The Flood. This is a live album by Bob Dylan & The Band from 1974, and for me the definitive recording of this classic. The first was by Dylan, who wrote the song & included it on his Basement Tapes in 1967. The Band was present for these recordings while Dylan was laid up after a crash, & they also included it on Music From Big Pink. The 1974 version with Richard Manuel's pleading vocals & Danko/Helm in the background for reassurance is the one for me. Also note Hudson's new infatuation with the synthesizer.
2. "It Makes No Difference" from 1975's Northern Lights - Southern Cross. One of the most plaintive love songs of all time, Danko provides a great lead vocal with Manuel backing up in falsetto. Great song by Robertson, who again gets 100% song-writing credit, but this is Rick Danko's signature song for me. Love the sax at the end by Garth Hudson that takes us on down the steet, dejectedly kicking that stone along the curb.
3. "When I Paint My Masterpiece" was written by Dylan but also included on The Band's 1971 Cahoots album. I really enjoy the version from Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary celebration in 1993 though. Helm & Danko are at their best in a reunited effort, belting out this Dylan classic. So much soul there...what a treat.
I'm not going to go into a big history lesson; you can find that here. Those who enjoy The Band's music know they formed as a backup band for Ronnie Hawkins as The Hawks (with Levon Helm as the first recruit I might add) and soon outgrew that routine. The group made their way to upstate New York, were "rediscovered" by Bob Dylan, were renamed The Band, played a lot of music with Bob in the mid 60's. In 1968, they released their debut, Music From Big Pink and the rest is history. The Band's two biggest albums were there first two; the aforementioned ...Big Pink and 1969's The Band. Off of these two albums came for me & most listeners the "Holy Trinity," if you will, that epitomizes the sound & spirit of The Band:
1. "The Weight" from Music From Big Pink. Robertson gets the songwriting credit, although the folks mentioned in the song such as Carmen, Crazy Chester, Luke & Anna Lee were nonexclusive acquaintances of all members. Great storytelling, and the vocal exchange between Helm & Danko is by far one of my favorites. Only reached #63 on Billboard, but was #41 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All-Time.
2. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" from The Band. Written by the Canadian Robertson, Arkansas-born Levon Helm steals the show with his vocal delivery. A lot of Civil War history embedded in this song...a very real story. Excellent backing vocals by Danko & Manuel, but the little skip beats on the snare drum is what caught my ear the first time by Helm...like a military cadence out of step.
3. "Up On Cripple Creek" from The Band. Another winning combination of Robertson at the pen & Helm on vocals. Boy, for a Canadian Robertson sure is up on his lore from the American South. Anyway, the tremendous musical abilities of The Band are on full display here, especially the clavinet & organ playing of the classically-trained Hudson.
You'll also want to check out:
1. "I Shall Be Released" from Before The Flood. This is a live album by Bob Dylan & The Band from 1974, and for me the definitive recording of this classic. The first was by Dylan, who wrote the song & included it on his Basement Tapes in 1967. The Band was present for these recordings while Dylan was laid up after a crash, & they also included it on Music From Big Pink. The 1974 version with Richard Manuel's pleading vocals & Danko/Helm in the background for reassurance is the one for me. Also note Hudson's new infatuation with the synthesizer.
2. "It Makes No Difference" from 1975's Northern Lights - Southern Cross. One of the most plaintive love songs of all time, Danko provides a great lead vocal with Manuel backing up in falsetto. Great song by Robertson, who again gets 100% song-writing credit, but this is Rick Danko's signature song for me. Love the sax at the end by Garth Hudson that takes us on down the steet, dejectedly kicking that stone along the curb.
3. "When I Paint My Masterpiece" was written by Dylan but also included on The Band's 1971 Cahoots album. I really enjoy the version from Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary celebration in 1993 though. Helm & Danko are at their best in a reunited effort, belting out this Dylan classic. So much soul there...what a treat.
DJRL #2: The British Blues Invasion
Hey folks...time for another installment of DJ's Required Listening. Let's go back to the late 1950's, where in America rock & roll had taken over. At least rock as we knew it at the time. Stax & Motown had yet to make their mark, but soon would become the best the U.S. had to offer. During this void where rock music was stagnent, the British began to embrace classic American Blues. Sure, the first wave of the British Invasion consisted of mostly Merseybeat groups such as the Beatles that borrowed some rythym & blues from America & mixed it with British skiffle, but THE REAL BLUES had set up shop in Soho. B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, & Bo Diddley found new, more enthusiastic audiences in London and it wasn't soon before the second wave of the British Invasion, The Blues Invasion, took place. It is interesting to note when studying the British Blues how intermingled the cast of characters becomes with band lineups & jam sessions taking place all over - some recorded & some not. Checkout this lineup, for instance.
Here are 5 of the more important songs of the British Blues Invasion you'll be quizzed on later:
1. "Little Red Rooster" by The Rolling Stones - 1964. A Willie Dixon original, this was what The Stones were "supposed" to sound like if Brian Jones had his way (notice the stare Jones keeps giving Keith as he plays lead). Eventually, The Stones (Mick & Keith) made some concessions due to their U.S. distributor refusing to release the song stateside, even lthough it was a UK #1. It did, however, put the world on notice that The Rolling Stones were a little "randy" as the Brits say. . .
2. "For Your Love" by The Yardbirds. The song that indirectly made Clapton a Blues God because he bolted right after it was released due to it's pop feel & lack of blues purism. The Yardbirds started the careers of Clapton, Jeff Beck, & Jimmy Page...all guitar legends. Nice little bio here on The Yardbirds.
3. "Crossroads" by Cream. Clapton was already an icon as a guitarist after finishing up stints with the aforementioned Yardbirds & John Mayall's Blues Breakers before founding Cream with Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker. This version of Robert Johnson's 1937 tale of selling his soul to the devil in exchange for blues fame is also significant due to it being one of Clapton's first forays into lead vocals.
4. "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals. If I had to put together a blues band, Eric Burdon would be my lead singer for sure. Burdon's vocals pack such a punch that he made this song his own, even though it is an American folk standard of unknown origin that had been previously recorded by the likes of Roy Acuff, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Bob Dylan, & Joan Baez. Just check out those eyes to find out why...killer keyboards too.
5. "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin. The finest British Blues outfit ever assembled...period. Possibly even the greatest rock & roll band ever, but that's always up for debate. You got it all with Led Zep, the rythym section of Bonzo & Jones, the blueprint vocalist in Plant, & a wizard on guitar in Page. Their adherance to the blues standard has been questioned; many thought of Led Zep as rip-off artists because of the lack of acknowledgements in their early song-writing credits. You cannot discredit their musicianship though, they took the blues and amplified it like no one had before. This version is living proof - the into bass line, the plaintive vocals, the iconic bow solo by Page, & the crescendo led by Bonham as he destroys the skins.
Here are 5 of the more important songs of the British Blues Invasion you'll be quizzed on later:
1. "Little Red Rooster" by The Rolling Stones - 1964. A Willie Dixon original, this was what The Stones were "supposed" to sound like if Brian Jones had his way (notice the stare Jones keeps giving Keith as he plays lead). Eventually, The Stones (Mick & Keith) made some concessions due to their U.S. distributor refusing to release the song stateside, even lthough it was a UK #1. It did, however, put the world on notice that The Rolling Stones were a little "randy" as the Brits say. . .
2. "For Your Love" by The Yardbirds. The song that indirectly made Clapton a Blues God because he bolted right after it was released due to it's pop feel & lack of blues purism. The Yardbirds started the careers of Clapton, Jeff Beck, & Jimmy Page...all guitar legends. Nice little bio here on The Yardbirds.
3. "Crossroads" by Cream. Clapton was already an icon as a guitarist after finishing up stints with the aforementioned Yardbirds & John Mayall's Blues Breakers before founding Cream with Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker. This version of Robert Johnson's 1937 tale of selling his soul to the devil in exchange for blues fame is also significant due to it being one of Clapton's first forays into lead vocals.
4. "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals. If I had to put together a blues band, Eric Burdon would be my lead singer for sure. Burdon's vocals pack such a punch that he made this song his own, even though it is an American folk standard of unknown origin that had been previously recorded by the likes of Roy Acuff, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Bob Dylan, & Joan Baez. Just check out those eyes to find out why...killer keyboards too.
5. "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin. The finest British Blues outfit ever assembled...period. Possibly even the greatest rock & roll band ever, but that's always up for debate. You got it all with Led Zep, the rythym section of Bonzo & Jones, the blueprint vocalist in Plant, & a wizard on guitar in Page. Their adherance to the blues standard has been questioned; many thought of Led Zep as rip-off artists because of the lack of acknowledgements in their early song-writing credits. You cannot discredit their musicianship though, they took the blues and amplified it like no one had before. This version is living proof - the into bass line, the plaintive vocals, the iconic bow solo by Page, & the crescendo led by Bonham as he destroys the skins.
DJ's Required Listening, #1
Welcome to the first installment of "DJ's Required Listening," where I'll be checking in periodically to share some of my favorite songs from my infinitely ecclectic catalog. Sometimes there'll (is that a real word?) be a theme & sometimes not; but these are songs I enjoy & what I'm listening to presently. You'll notice if you check in often enough that I don't get real locked in on any particular genre or artist, but I know good music from bad (if you'll allow me that one chest thump right there". Now on with it, monkeys...
This week I'm keeping things close to the vest & well within my comfort zone. Classic Rock. Pretty broad, huh? Well, I'm discriminating and have hurt some feelings before with my opinions on your FM radio standards from days gone by. Mostly my distaste for groups like Boston, Bad Company, Journey & the like comes from heavy rotation on said FM radio, and their inclusion on the "Compliation Of The Month" found next to the Stacker 2 by the cash register at your nearest gas station. Here are 5 songs that'll not only get your rump shakin', but also make you feel less like a tool & infinitely wiser than your dim-bulb buddy riding shotgun beside you:
1. "Feelin' Alright" by Joe Cocker from 1969's With A Little Help From My Fiends. Written by Dave Mason of Traffic fame, Cocker's version of this much-covered tune excels due to the excellent rythym section & his unique vocal stylings. Joe Cocker's first album - try not to stare at the cover. Uuugh...great song though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4mr8HLVQT8&feature=related
2. "30 Days In The Hole" by Humble Pie from 1972's Smokin'. Post-Peter Frampton Humble Pie, but the band at their best nonetheless. Quite possibly the song with the most drug references ever, but a classic that gets play nonetheless. Steve Marriott flat out works his ass off on this tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwWEoMM4PDY&feature=related
3. "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) by The Hollies from 1972's Distant Light. Totally out of character from this British Invasion band, the song was released almost as an afterthought. The song's vocalist/guitarist Allan Clarke had actually left the band, but came running back after the song became a hit. One of the best opening guitar riffs & bass lines ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP94PlEtsEQ
4. "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" by The Rolling Stones from 1971's Sticky Fingers. Possibly Keith Richards' finest guitar work. Great song, bad-ass attitude...but admittedly I always skip the improvised instrumental interlude at 2:43. Shame on me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fa4HUiFJ6c&feature=related
5. "Soul Sacrifice" by Santana from 1969's Santana. This was how Santana was introduced to the public, with a scorching version of this instrumental at Woodstock in 1969. Possibly the greatest percussion ever laid down on vinyl. Organist Gregg Rollie epitomizes the dawn of a new decade with his playing on this track. One of my all-time favorites. (Oh, I gorgot Carlos Santana plays a little guitar on this one too!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko
This week I'm keeping things close to the vest & well within my comfort zone. Classic Rock. Pretty broad, huh? Well, I'm discriminating and have hurt some feelings before with my opinions on your FM radio standards from days gone by. Mostly my distaste for groups like Boston, Bad Company, Journey & the like comes from heavy rotation on said FM radio, and their inclusion on the "Compliation Of The Month" found next to the Stacker 2 by the cash register at your nearest gas station. Here are 5 songs that'll not only get your rump shakin', but also make you feel less like a tool & infinitely wiser than your dim-bulb buddy riding shotgun beside you:
1. "Feelin' Alright" by Joe Cocker from 1969's With A Little Help From My Fiends. Written by Dave Mason of Traffic fame, Cocker's version of this much-covered tune excels due to the excellent rythym section & his unique vocal stylings. Joe Cocker's first album - try not to stare at the cover. Uuugh...great song though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4mr8HLVQT8&feature=related
2. "30 Days In The Hole" by Humble Pie from 1972's Smokin'. Post-Peter Frampton Humble Pie, but the band at their best nonetheless. Quite possibly the song with the most drug references ever, but a classic that gets play nonetheless. Steve Marriott flat out works his ass off on this tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwWEoMM4PDY&feature=related
3. "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) by The Hollies from 1972's Distant Light. Totally out of character from this British Invasion band, the song was released almost as an afterthought. The song's vocalist/guitarist Allan Clarke had actually left the band, but came running back after the song became a hit. One of the best opening guitar riffs & bass lines ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP94PlEtsEQ
4. "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" by The Rolling Stones from 1971's Sticky Fingers. Possibly Keith Richards' finest guitar work. Great song, bad-ass attitude...but admittedly I always skip the improvised instrumental interlude at 2:43. Shame on me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fa4HUiFJ6c&feature=related
5. "Soul Sacrifice" by Santana from 1969's Santana. This was how Santana was introduced to the public, with a scorching version of this instrumental at Woodstock in 1969. Possibly the greatest percussion ever laid down on vinyl. Organist Gregg Rollie epitomizes the dawn of a new decade with his playing on this track. One of my all-time favorites. (Oh, I gorgot Carlos Santana plays a little guitar on this one too!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Danko . . .
DJ, did you know that Rick Danko and Steve Forbert were best friends? Forbert wrote a song about him after he died called "Wild as the Wind." Good stuff.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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