When the boys were babies, they grew up on Rock and roll Lullabies. Both Ashley and I would rock the boys to sleep… much against any child rearing wisdom that said..”lay them down and let them fuss their way to sleep.” I think our method was not so much for the boys as it was for us.
It was that moment out of a hectic day when that squirming bundle of arms nd legs settled down into a warm, irresistible child. We had a rocking chair I the bedroom. We would sit there, boy on arms, and sing song after song. Some nights, it went very quickly. A story book, or a made up tale, then the tunes. Ashley loved to sing Peter, paul and Mary’s “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Eternal Flame” by the Bangles. Fletch would ask for “Close your eyes..” .. the first line of “Eternal Flame.”
Close your eyes, Momma! Close your eyes!” MY choices tended more toward the Beatles and the Monkees. I often sang “Mother nature’s Son,“ and “I Will” from the White Album. The Monkess were poured into their little brains with tunes like “I’m A Believer” and “What Am I Doping Hanging Round.” I also sang Todd Rundgren’s “A Dream Goes ON Forever.” Some nights, I would lay on the bed and listen as Ashley sang softly to either Fletch or Corwin. Patting their backs, bumping them up and down as the drifted away on the tunes of old songs until, at last, snoring softly, limp, they could be laid in the crib. As warm as freshly baked bread, and the smell of a just bathed baby, it was a good step toward sleep for us as well. I often wonder today, if the boys heard those songs, would they begin to doze? Would it be a good idea for a sleep aid on those sleepless nights, to hear the songs our mother or father sand g to us, to float us, reluctantly, from the busy world of awake on soft bed of rhythm? I know that my mother would sing to me, “Marianne”, a calypso song that was on the charts twice… once in 1946 and again the year after I was born. All day all night is Mary Ann,
Down by the seaside, sifting sand. Even little children love Mary Ann, Down by the seaside, sifting sand.
But, I guess even children can become music critics. As Corwin grew older, one evening as I started to sing, he put his little chubby hand to my mouth and said, “No Daddy. Don’t sing.” So much for my delusion that I sounded like Paul McCartney.
I always thought of the BJ Thomas song, “Rock and Roll Lullaby.” And she'd sing Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na It'll be all righ tSha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Jus t Hold On Tight , Sing it to me, mama My, my, my, my, mama Sing it sweet and clear Oh mama, let me hear That old rock and roll lullaby “Rock and Roll Lullabye” BJ Thomas
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Is Susan Aphrodite?
This weekend, Susan Herndon is one of the many musicians playing at the 100th birthday anniversary of Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma. I know Susan has played the Guthrie shows before and I think she currently lives in Okemah.
Susan is a very talented musician. She is someone I always hoped would get a shot at bigger things as a writer, musician and singer. She took the big leap, leaving a steady paying job to pursue her dream, playing music. It’s funny, because the first time I heard about Susan, she was a new teacher at Cascia Hall High School in Tulsa. She had been hired as a French teacher. My wife Ashley, also teacher at Cascia, called me during the day and said, “You should see this new teacher we have. She’s like Aphrodite. She’s gorgeous!”
Ash said she knew right away this was a woman she would get along with because one of the first things Susan asked her at Cascia was “Where’s a good place to take a shit here?”
Susan promoted her career early. She teamed up with other local artists, including Dee Dee Ralph and my wife, , Ashley to put on a poetry and music evening. They read their poetry and Susan played songs to a group of invited guests for an arts happening. At one event, Ashley sang along with Susan on a song
Susann composed music for Ashley’s poem, “Saturn Returns.” Susan, Dee Dee and Ashley are all very talented ladies. Each of them can turn and phrase and create a scene with their words and music.
Susan began to play the local restaurants and clubs. She often played solo, and sometimes began to mix with other musicians. She would mix in originals with a large catalog of covers. We would go to Rick’s American Bistro to hear Susan play. We chose the French hen for an anniversary dinner because Susan was playing that night. Susan has always been a free spirit. She did move to France at one point, living for a while at a Buddhist Monastery, spending time playing her guitar, perfecting her style. She wrote many of her songs in French. When she returned to the U.S. and Oklahoma, she took the teaching gig for a few years, but it did restrict her playing time.
One of my favorite stories about Susan took place in my back yard. Susan wanted to take some photos for new next CD cover. She bought an underwater camera, brought it to my house so Ashley could take underwater pictures of her for the “1000 Pies” cover. They went out to the pool; Susan stripped off her clothes and hopped in. Ash climbed in the water and began snapping shots.
After they finished, my mother, the song leader and Sunday school teacher at a Southern Baptist Church, wandered into the back yard since no one had answered to door bell to find a stranger, the naked Susan standing poolside.
Susan also penned an instrumental called “Grandma’s China.” It never made it on any of her CDs, but it was great. She had come to dinner at our house with my wife, me and Dee Dee Ralph. Ashley had pulled out old China inherited from her grandmother. Susan was inspired and in fact, played that song as part of the music she did at the wedding of another friend.
Susan is nothing if not versatile. She sand lead for a Jazz band. It was a bunch of much older musicians with the much younger Susan on vocals. We got to see them perform at the Philbrook. The led guitarist was the elderly writer of the song “Tequila.” She has played with more Red Dirt oriented musicians and even cranked out some rockin’ stuff with others. Susan has her groupies and dedicated followers. I try to see her play every time she is at Mayfest of local festivals. Her area of play has increased from the Tulsa bars and restaurants to stretch across Oklahoma and Texas.
Often, Susan’s songs will come up on my IPOD shuffle playlist, and they always make me smile. It always makes me think of the dinners, late nights hanging out at her house, Dee Dee’s or ours, For a while there, the 4 of us, Susan, Dee Dee, Ashley and I kept in close touch. It was nice, and life seemed to have a soundtrack with it.
Susan is a very talented musician. She is someone I always hoped would get a shot at bigger things as a writer, musician and singer. She took the big leap, leaving a steady paying job to pursue her dream, playing music. It’s funny, because the first time I heard about Susan, she was a new teacher at Cascia Hall High School in Tulsa. She had been hired as a French teacher. My wife Ashley, also teacher at Cascia, called me during the day and said, “You should see this new teacher we have. She’s like Aphrodite. She’s gorgeous!”
Ash said she knew right away this was a woman she would get along with because one of the first things Susan asked her at Cascia was “Where’s a good place to take a shit here?”
Susan promoted her career early. She teamed up with other local artists, including Dee Dee Ralph and my wife, , Ashley to put on a poetry and music evening. They read their poetry and Susan played songs to a group of invited guests for an arts happening. At one event, Ashley sang along with Susan on a song
Susann composed music for Ashley’s poem, “Saturn Returns.” Susan, Dee Dee and Ashley are all very talented ladies. Each of them can turn and phrase and create a scene with their words and music.
Susan began to play the local restaurants and clubs. She often played solo, and sometimes began to mix with other musicians. She would mix in originals with a large catalog of covers. We would go to Rick’s American Bistro to hear Susan play. We chose the French hen for an anniversary dinner because Susan was playing that night. Susan has always been a free spirit. She did move to France at one point, living for a while at a Buddhist Monastery, spending time playing her guitar, perfecting her style. She wrote many of her songs in French. When she returned to the U.S. and Oklahoma, she took the teaching gig for a few years, but it did restrict her playing time.
One of my favorite stories about Susan took place in my back yard. Susan wanted to take some photos for new next CD cover. She bought an underwater camera, brought it to my house so Ashley could take underwater pictures of her for the “1000 Pies” cover. They went out to the pool; Susan stripped off her clothes and hopped in. Ash climbed in the water and began snapping shots.
After they finished, my mother, the song leader and Sunday school teacher at a Southern Baptist Church, wandered into the back yard since no one had answered to door bell to find a stranger, the naked Susan standing poolside.
Susan also penned an instrumental called “Grandma’s China.” It never made it on any of her CDs, but it was great. She had come to dinner at our house with my wife, me and Dee Dee Ralph. Ashley had pulled out old China inherited from her grandmother. Susan was inspired and in fact, played that song as part of the music she did at the wedding of another friend.
Susan is nothing if not versatile. She sand lead for a Jazz band. It was a bunch of much older musicians with the much younger Susan on vocals. We got to see them perform at the Philbrook. The led guitarist was the elderly writer of the song “Tequila.” She has played with more Red Dirt oriented musicians and even cranked out some rockin’ stuff with others. Susan has her groupies and dedicated followers. I try to see her play every time she is at Mayfest of local festivals. Her area of play has increased from the Tulsa bars and restaurants to stretch across Oklahoma and Texas.
Often, Susan’s songs will come up on my IPOD shuffle playlist, and they always make me smile. It always makes me think of the dinners, late nights hanging out at her house, Dee Dee’s or ours, For a while there, the 4 of us, Susan, Dee Dee, Ashley and I kept in close touch. It was nice, and life seemed to have a soundtrack with it.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Admiral Twin on a hot July night
Tonight I sat with two friends in our foldout camp chairs in the July heat of an Oklahoma evening. Tonight was free concert night at Utica Square. The feature band was Admiral Twin. They are one of the more well known of the Tulsa grown bands with a long history that tattered on near stardom in 2000.
When I first saw the band, they were called the Melodramatic Wallflowers. I heard about them through an ex-student named Don Holman. Don was acquainted because he knew two of the saplupa guys in the band, Mark Carr and Steve Franzen. My wife and I followed them at a local Tulsa club called The Eclipse. Their music was creative and sometimes esoteric. It had a lot of instruments and sounds not typical to pop music. I bought their cassette from Don, and listened to it often in my car. We were fans.
Then something happened. Steve left the band. His parents lived just a few doors down from us in Sapulpa. I saw Steve a few times. He told me he was working on a few things, toying around with some music. The erst of the guys, now a quartet, carried on, but under a different name. Apparently, they heard threats from the Wallflowers, a band fronted by Bob Dylan’s son Jacob, that they must change their name. They decided to go with some local flavor and called themselves the Admiral Twin, Tulsa’s seminal and long enduring drive in theater. Apparently, Jacob Dylan was a little melodramatic about the whole thing, and although his band still exists in some shadowy place, they surely wouldn’t have been confused with something titled “melodramatic.”
The new Admiral Twin recorded their first CD in ’97. It was called “Unlucky.” It was a great power pop collection. The songs were good enough o get an invite to open form the Hansons who were experiencing their notoriety from the pop hit “mmm Bop.” Admiral Twin signed a record deal and recorded “Mock Heroic” which included new material and upgrades of “Unlucky” material. At this point, the band consisted of Mark Carr - vocals, bass, keyboards, Jarrod Gollihare - vocals, drums, keyboards, John Russell - vocals, guitar, keyboards and Brad Becker - vocals, guitar, keyboards. Mark was the other guy from Sapulpa.
Apparently the tour went well.. or so I was told, but soon there were problems with the record company. Mojo Records was dropped from their larger affiliate and Admiral Twin suffered as a result. Brad became disenchanted and left the band to pursue an employment opportunity out west. After several years of struggle and a near miss, he didn’t want to fight anymore. Mark, Jarrod and John carried on . They play everywhere, including clubs, casinos, festivals and events like the Utica Square free concert series. Their namesake burned down a short time ago, and after drives to rebuild the Tulsa monument, of which the band played a part, they will play at its rededication tomorrow night. You can’t keep a good thing down, or a good band down. The drive in and the band are a part of Tulsa. They are here to stay. Admiral Twin has continued to record and release original music.
On this hot, hot evening, as the relentless sun finally sank, and the band started their 2nd set to a crowd of renewed vigor, the people filled the front to dance to the covers and original music. My friends and I, max, and Michelle, snag along with the songs and clapped our appreciation as the sweat cooled in the late evening breeze. My beer was cold in my hand and the cool sounds of their last song, an original, “The In Crowd,” washed over a happy crowd. I know I will see them again, and also listen to their music on my IPOD. I only wish that such hard working musicians as these could enjoy the success that reflects the enjoyment and pleasure they have given me and so many others who sat in these chairs, casinos and clubs.
When I first saw the band, they were called the Melodramatic Wallflowers. I heard about them through an ex-student named Don Holman. Don was acquainted because he knew two of the saplupa guys in the band, Mark Carr and Steve Franzen. My wife and I followed them at a local Tulsa club called The Eclipse. Their music was creative and sometimes esoteric. It had a lot of instruments and sounds not typical to pop music. I bought their cassette from Don, and listened to it often in my car. We were fans.
Then something happened. Steve left the band. His parents lived just a few doors down from us in Sapulpa. I saw Steve a few times. He told me he was working on a few things, toying around with some music. The erst of the guys, now a quartet, carried on, but under a different name. Apparently, they heard threats from the Wallflowers, a band fronted by Bob Dylan’s son Jacob, that they must change their name. They decided to go with some local flavor and called themselves the Admiral Twin, Tulsa’s seminal and long enduring drive in theater. Apparently, Jacob Dylan was a little melodramatic about the whole thing, and although his band still exists in some shadowy place, they surely wouldn’t have been confused with something titled “melodramatic.”
The new Admiral Twin recorded their first CD in ’97. It was called “Unlucky.” It was a great power pop collection. The songs were good enough o get an invite to open form the Hansons who were experiencing their notoriety from the pop hit “mmm Bop.” Admiral Twin signed a record deal and recorded “Mock Heroic” which included new material and upgrades of “Unlucky” material. At this point, the band consisted of Mark Carr - vocals, bass, keyboards, Jarrod Gollihare - vocals, drums, keyboards, John Russell - vocals, guitar, keyboards and Brad Becker - vocals, guitar, keyboards. Mark was the other guy from Sapulpa.
Apparently the tour went well.. or so I was told, but soon there were problems with the record company. Mojo Records was dropped from their larger affiliate and Admiral Twin suffered as a result. Brad became disenchanted and left the band to pursue an employment opportunity out west. After several years of struggle and a near miss, he didn’t want to fight anymore. Mark, Jarrod and John carried on . They play everywhere, including clubs, casinos, festivals and events like the Utica Square free concert series. Their namesake burned down a short time ago, and after drives to rebuild the Tulsa monument, of which the band played a part, they will play at its rededication tomorrow night. You can’t keep a good thing down, or a good band down. The drive in and the band are a part of Tulsa. They are here to stay. Admiral Twin has continued to record and release original music.
On this hot, hot evening, as the relentless sun finally sank, and the band started their 2nd set to a crowd of renewed vigor, the people filled the front to dance to the covers and original music. My friends and I, max, and Michelle, snag along with the songs and clapped our appreciation as the sweat cooled in the late evening breeze. My beer was cold in my hand and the cool sounds of their last song, an original, “The In Crowd,” washed over a happy crowd. I know I will see them again, and also listen to their music on my IPOD. I only wish that such hard working musicians as these could enjoy the success that reflects the enjoyment and pleasure they have given me and so many others who sat in these chairs, casinos and clubs.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Top Ten Albums of All Time
Here are the top 5 albums ever made according to a Rolling Stone poll. 1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles 2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys 3. Revolver, The Beatles 4. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan 5. Rubber Soul, The Beatles
I will give it to them, they are truly amazing albums. And as a Beatles fan, I am not surprised that the Beatles held court over the top 10. In fact, The "White Album" ("The Beatles") rounds out the top 10. 6. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye 7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones 8. London Calling, The Clash 9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan 10. The Beatles ("The White Album"), The Beatles It is a tough thing to pick the top albums, but we all have an opinion. Although I love everyone of these LPs, I have a few others that I pick as the top 10 LPs of all time. Some were further down on the list while others were not. I would exclude any collection form a list of top LPs. If they are included, then a band's "best of" ought to top their list of entries, right? A "Best of" is immediately disqualified from any list of top albumns.
No doubt, some LPs are monumrental and trend setting, such as "Sgt. Pepper" and maybe I am being blasphemus by not making it my #1, even though I would be considered a huge Beatles fan, but I don't consider it the best Beatles LP. Funny that Rolling Stones' top Beatle selections (Sgt Pepper, Rubber Soul and Revolver) all come at the end of their touring days in '66 and '67. here are my top ten 1. The Beatles "Abbey Road" 2. The Who "Tommy" 3. George Harrison "All Things Must Pass" 4. Neil Young "Harvest" 5. Queen "Queen II" 6. Derek and the Dominos "Layla and Other LOve Songs" 7. Led Zepplin "IV" (Zoso) 8. Pink Floyd "dark Side of the Moon" 9. Yes "Close to the Edge" 10. Todd Rundgren "Soemthing Anything" "Abbey Road" was the LP that the Beatles managed to pull it together for a great finish. They had recorded "Let It Be" or "Get Back" as it was originally intended, and then shelved the project, ready to break up and frift apart. After a few months, under McCartney's encouragement, the Fab Four pulled together for a classic beatles collection. The side two medley finishing with "The End" is a orgasmic musical treat that left you exhausted.
Later, Apple would try to salvage the "Let It Be" project with an LP and movie. The movie showed the last live performance of the Beatles on the rooftop at Saville Row. The sadness felt by a Bealtes fan watching the movie was undeniable in the fact that you could see thew band drifting apart. It is a shame that this image is what we are left with as a finale and not the triumphant "Abbey Road" which in truth was their last best effort.
Pete Townshend is a genius. He drove rock music to operetic heights with "Tommy", "Quadrophenia" and the aborted "Lifehouse" that became the "Who's Next" LP. Pete has written so many athems of rock music they are hard to lsit. But, in 1968, when "Tommy" was released, it was an awakening in the fairly young world of rock and roll. "Pinball Wizard", the so called 'deaf, Dumb and Bliand Boy" who reached enlightenment and fortune.. and fall.
Townshend's own philosophical being is evidenced in hsi rock operas. pete is a long time follower of Guru Bab Meher. "Tommy" illustrated the person cut off from the truth and his sudden enlightenemnet. That theme would resurface again in Townshend's offerings in "Lifehouse." The song "Pure and Easy" was "OM". The story followed a universal blending of sound into a one-ness. 'Lifehouse' became a 20 plus year effort through his solo career, but he started that move in "Tommy."
Although I believe that the solo Beatles have produced many great albums, such as Lennon's "Plastic Ono Band," McCartney's "Band on the Run" and "Ringo" by Ringo (obviously), george Harrison's 3 lp set after the Beatles breakup was a masterpiece. harrison, who always felt stymied by the song writing strengths of Lennon and McCartney was unleashed on this LP.
The LP features a star studded cast, including Eric Clapton, teh Dream Weaver Gary Wright, Ringo Star, members of Badfinger, etc. It was produced by Phil Spector's wall of Sound. Spector was also working a lot with Lennon. Harrison's songs were dynamic! He struck top 10 gold with "My Sweet Lord," and was finally able to truly express his religious self on the solo LP.
George would soon assemble a acst of rock stars as had never been seen before, playing hits form his new LP at madison Square Garden in a charity show for banla Desh disaster vistims. Dylan, Leon Russel, Ringo, ravi Shankar and Clapton all pitched in for the effort. I is probably one of the most poignant concert movies ever made.
Neil Young is as prolific and unpredicable as any musician on the charts. He might play the blues (On TH e Beach), go Country Coems a Time). be electronic (Trans) or rock the roof off (Sleeps With Angels). He is both the innovator and Grand daddy of grunge. Young has his hands in so many things ranging form developing a new digital music format to eletric car innovation. But, "Harvest," a masterpiece of the heart. .. because who can not feel the song "Old Man" or "Herat of Gold?" His lyrics and acoustic guitar mesmorize you. In the Neil Young concerts I have been to, he manages to captivate the crowds with his acoustic, a harmonica and that strianed unmistakeable voice. Everyone should own "Harvest."
Queen II would not have existed without "Abbey Road." Nor would My Chemical Romance's "The Black parade" have existed without Queen II. "The Ogre battle," "The Fairy Fellow," "Nevermore" and etc... all woven together in a medley that at once is mystical and fanciful, but then roars with eletric gi=uitars and Queen ahrmonies.
I remeber the first time I heard this LP, bought on a whim, it was like a baby tasting ice cream for the first time! I felt like the Monster in "Young Frankenstien" heraing the violin for the first time. It made me a Queen fan.
ERic Clapton mad ethis group, Derek and the Dominos. It featured a couple guys who would play with Clapton for the next several years, including Carl Radle of Tulsa. Radle had been introduced to Clapton by Leon Russell. IT contains the seminal rock song "Layla," which would later be revealed to eb the love song Clapton wrote for George Harrisons's wife Patti. Eventually, Eric and Patti would end up together, but like all of the bands Eric was a part of, this band and his marriage to Patti had an expiration date. Clapton was still dealing with a heroin addicition which would result in taking a year off after DErek and the Dominos faded. He would later have a career revived at the uring of Pete Townshend, gin=ving us the 1973 "rainbow Concert" followe dby one of my favorite solo LPs, "461 Ocean Blvd."
Clapton is still palying a hot guitar. He may be called "Slowhand" but the straings wail for him No, Clapti=on hosts guitar festivals to raise money for his charity organization, "Crossroads," for additon sufferers.
In the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," one guy confides to another, the best make out music is side 2 Led zepplin 4. Now, as far as making out to this piece of music, I am dubious of that claim. But, it does contain one of the most well known of 70's album oriented rock tunes "Stairway to heaven." The album was also a marked change in Zepplin style and included several "Lord of the Rings" rferences throughout the lyrics. The album also became the target for the back-masking preachers in the 80's. There were supposed demonic messages when the LP was played backwards illustrating Zepplin's worship of Satan. That, like the other preposterous claims of media seeksing ministers disappered, btu the LP and its songs live on.
My 8th and 9th LPs have one thing in common.. I mean besides their 70's release date, progressive rock genre, etc...I first heard them sitting on a bean bag chair, a pair of cushy headphones on my head at my friend Jerry reale's house. Jerry and I were collectors, searching used LP stores, pawn shops, yard sales, etc. for the musical nugget given up by someone. We dealt in bootlgs, traded imports and chased elusive out of print music.
Pink Floyd grw into this LP with the addition of David Gilmore and the slow painful departure of Syd Barrett. In 1973, "dark Side of the Moon" was released, and stayed on the top 200 charts longer than any other LP. It is one of the best selling LPs worldwide. ranging form rock guitar oriented "Money" to the eclectic "Drak Side of the MOon" and "Brain Damage," this lp is made for hearing through great head phones. Anything by Yes is complex and imaginative.
"Close to the Edge" set a standard for later Yes works that were more symphonic in their structure than rock. The LP was basically 3 songs with various movements that combined the intricate guitar of Steve Howe, the wall of sound from the keyboards of Rick Waheman and Jon Anderson's soaring voacals. The previous LP, "Fragile" paved the way for this with tunes like "Roundabout."
Yes was the epitome of the progressive rock era. They still continue to make music, tour and sell out, but like many other artists of the refused, have never been recognized by the Rock Hall of Fame. This is another LP I would love to make the people who nominate Hall of fame inductees sit down and listen through those cushy, padded headphones. Yes would make it on the next ballot.
Todd is Godd. Todd is the Wizard, a true star. He is one of the true renaissance men of pop music, He shares a quality with Neil Young of innovation and a variety of styles and genres. He prodced someof the best seeling LPs (Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell" for example) and constantly toors and reimagines music.
Anyone who likes pop music should own a copy of "Soemthing Anything." Released as a double album set, Todd plays all the instruments on 3 sdiea and then uses dome buddies to amke the cuts, icluding one of his best known songs in pop circles ("Hello Its Me") on side four. The LP contains seberal songs that are still standards of his performances such as "Couldn't I jsut tell You" and "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference."
No one writes a pop song like Todd, but at the same time, he has gone through stages of progressive rock (early Utopia music), eletronic ('No World Order"), Blues ("Todd Rundgren's Johnson") and appearances with bands, such as the Nazz, Utopia and even fronting the New Cars on a tour and LP. Todd is also among the SArtists of the Refused. Despite his enormous contributions to rock music, he sits on the sidelines awaiting the call from the coach to eneter the Hall. Now these are m top 10 choices, and at times, I may think, well.. this one should be in there... but this is pretty close.
You can see the Rolling Stone list at this address http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231
I will give it to them, they are truly amazing albums. And as a Beatles fan, I am not surprised that the Beatles held court over the top 10. In fact, The "White Album" ("The Beatles") rounds out the top 10. 6. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye 7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones 8. London Calling, The Clash 9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan 10. The Beatles ("The White Album"), The Beatles It is a tough thing to pick the top albums, but we all have an opinion. Although I love everyone of these LPs, I have a few others that I pick as the top 10 LPs of all time. Some were further down on the list while others were not. I would exclude any collection form a list of top LPs. If they are included, then a band's "best of" ought to top their list of entries, right? A "Best of" is immediately disqualified from any list of top albumns.
No doubt, some LPs are monumrental and trend setting, such as "Sgt. Pepper" and maybe I am being blasphemus by not making it my #1, even though I would be considered a huge Beatles fan, but I don't consider it the best Beatles LP. Funny that Rolling Stones' top Beatle selections (Sgt Pepper, Rubber Soul and Revolver) all come at the end of their touring days in '66 and '67. here are my top ten 1. The Beatles "Abbey Road" 2. The Who "Tommy" 3. George Harrison "All Things Must Pass" 4. Neil Young "Harvest" 5. Queen "Queen II" 6. Derek and the Dominos "Layla and Other LOve Songs" 7. Led Zepplin "IV" (Zoso) 8. Pink Floyd "dark Side of the Moon" 9. Yes "Close to the Edge" 10. Todd Rundgren "Soemthing Anything" "Abbey Road" was the LP that the Beatles managed to pull it together for a great finish. They had recorded "Let It Be" or "Get Back" as it was originally intended, and then shelved the project, ready to break up and frift apart. After a few months, under McCartney's encouragement, the Fab Four pulled together for a classic beatles collection. The side two medley finishing with "The End" is a orgasmic musical treat that left you exhausted.
Later, Apple would try to salvage the "Let It Be" project with an LP and movie. The movie showed the last live performance of the Beatles on the rooftop at Saville Row. The sadness felt by a Bealtes fan watching the movie was undeniable in the fact that you could see thew band drifting apart. It is a shame that this image is what we are left with as a finale and not the triumphant "Abbey Road" which in truth was their last best effort.
Pete Townshend is a genius. He drove rock music to operetic heights with "Tommy", "Quadrophenia" and the aborted "Lifehouse" that became the "Who's Next" LP. Pete has written so many athems of rock music they are hard to lsit. But, in 1968, when "Tommy" was released, it was an awakening in the fairly young world of rock and roll. "Pinball Wizard", the so called 'deaf, Dumb and Bliand Boy" who reached enlightenment and fortune.. and fall.
Townshend's own philosophical being is evidenced in hsi rock operas. pete is a long time follower of Guru Bab Meher. "Tommy" illustrated the person cut off from the truth and his sudden enlightenemnet. That theme would resurface again in Townshend's offerings in "Lifehouse." The song "Pure and Easy" was "OM". The story followed a universal blending of sound into a one-ness. 'Lifehouse' became a 20 plus year effort through his solo career, but he started that move in "Tommy."
Although I believe that the solo Beatles have produced many great albums, such as Lennon's "Plastic Ono Band," McCartney's "Band on the Run" and "Ringo" by Ringo (obviously), george Harrison's 3 lp set after the Beatles breakup was a masterpiece. harrison, who always felt stymied by the song writing strengths of Lennon and McCartney was unleashed on this LP.
The LP features a star studded cast, including Eric Clapton, teh Dream Weaver Gary Wright, Ringo Star, members of Badfinger, etc. It was produced by Phil Spector's wall of Sound. Spector was also working a lot with Lennon. Harrison's songs were dynamic! He struck top 10 gold with "My Sweet Lord," and was finally able to truly express his religious self on the solo LP.
George would soon assemble a acst of rock stars as had never been seen before, playing hits form his new LP at madison Square Garden in a charity show for banla Desh disaster vistims. Dylan, Leon Russel, Ringo, ravi Shankar and Clapton all pitched in for the effort. I is probably one of the most poignant concert movies ever made.
Neil Young is as prolific and unpredicable as any musician on the charts. He might play the blues (On TH e Beach), go Country Coems a Time). be electronic (Trans) or rock the roof off (Sleeps With Angels). He is both the innovator and Grand daddy of grunge. Young has his hands in so many things ranging form developing a new digital music format to eletric car innovation. But, "Harvest," a masterpiece of the heart. .. because who can not feel the song "Old Man" or "Herat of Gold?" His lyrics and acoustic guitar mesmorize you. In the Neil Young concerts I have been to, he manages to captivate the crowds with his acoustic, a harmonica and that strianed unmistakeable voice. Everyone should own "Harvest."
Queen II would not have existed without "Abbey Road." Nor would My Chemical Romance's "The Black parade" have existed without Queen II. "The Ogre battle," "The Fairy Fellow," "Nevermore" and etc... all woven together in a medley that at once is mystical and fanciful, but then roars with eletric gi=uitars and Queen ahrmonies.
I remeber the first time I heard this LP, bought on a whim, it was like a baby tasting ice cream for the first time! I felt like the Monster in "Young Frankenstien" heraing the violin for the first time. It made me a Queen fan.
ERic Clapton mad ethis group, Derek and the Dominos. It featured a couple guys who would play with Clapton for the next several years, including Carl Radle of Tulsa. Radle had been introduced to Clapton by Leon Russell. IT contains the seminal rock song "Layla," which would later be revealed to eb the love song Clapton wrote for George Harrisons's wife Patti. Eventually, Eric and Patti would end up together, but like all of the bands Eric was a part of, this band and his marriage to Patti had an expiration date. Clapton was still dealing with a heroin addicition which would result in taking a year off after DErek and the Dominos faded. He would later have a career revived at the uring of Pete Townshend, gin=ving us the 1973 "rainbow Concert" followe dby one of my favorite solo LPs, "461 Ocean Blvd."
Clapton is still palying a hot guitar. He may be called "Slowhand" but the straings wail for him No, Clapti=on hosts guitar festivals to raise money for his charity organization, "Crossroads," for additon sufferers.
In the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," one guy confides to another, the best make out music is side 2 Led zepplin 4. Now, as far as making out to this piece of music, I am dubious of that claim. But, it does contain one of the most well known of 70's album oriented rock tunes "Stairway to heaven." The album was also a marked change in Zepplin style and included several "Lord of the Rings" rferences throughout the lyrics. The album also became the target for the back-masking preachers in the 80's. There were supposed demonic messages when the LP was played backwards illustrating Zepplin's worship of Satan. That, like the other preposterous claims of media seeksing ministers disappered, btu the LP and its songs live on.
My 8th and 9th LPs have one thing in common.. I mean besides their 70's release date, progressive rock genre, etc...I first heard them sitting on a bean bag chair, a pair of cushy headphones on my head at my friend Jerry reale's house. Jerry and I were collectors, searching used LP stores, pawn shops, yard sales, etc. for the musical nugget given up by someone. We dealt in bootlgs, traded imports and chased elusive out of print music.
Pink Floyd grw into this LP with the addition of David Gilmore and the slow painful departure of Syd Barrett. In 1973, "dark Side of the Moon" was released, and stayed on the top 200 charts longer than any other LP. It is one of the best selling LPs worldwide. ranging form rock guitar oriented "Money" to the eclectic "Drak Side of the MOon" and "Brain Damage," this lp is made for hearing through great head phones. Anything by Yes is complex and imaginative.
"Close to the Edge" set a standard for later Yes works that were more symphonic in their structure than rock. The LP was basically 3 songs with various movements that combined the intricate guitar of Steve Howe, the wall of sound from the keyboards of Rick Waheman and Jon Anderson's soaring voacals. The previous LP, "Fragile" paved the way for this with tunes like "Roundabout."
Yes was the epitome of the progressive rock era. They still continue to make music, tour and sell out, but like many other artists of the refused, have never been recognized by the Rock Hall of Fame. This is another LP I would love to make the people who nominate Hall of fame inductees sit down and listen through those cushy, padded headphones. Yes would make it on the next ballot.
Todd is Godd. Todd is the Wizard, a true star. He is one of the true renaissance men of pop music, He shares a quality with Neil Young of innovation and a variety of styles and genres. He prodced someof the best seeling LPs (Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell" for example) and constantly toors and reimagines music.
Anyone who likes pop music should own a copy of "Soemthing Anything." Released as a double album set, Todd plays all the instruments on 3 sdiea and then uses dome buddies to amke the cuts, icluding one of his best known songs in pop circles ("Hello Its Me") on side four. The LP contains seberal songs that are still standards of his performances such as "Couldn't I jsut tell You" and "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference."
No one writes a pop song like Todd, but at the same time, he has gone through stages of progressive rock (early Utopia music), eletronic ('No World Order"), Blues ("Todd Rundgren's Johnson") and appearances with bands, such as the Nazz, Utopia and even fronting the New Cars on a tour and LP. Todd is also among the SArtists of the Refused. Despite his enormous contributions to rock music, he sits on the sidelines awaiting the call from the coach to eneter the Hall. Now these are m top 10 choices, and at times, I may think, well.. this one should be in there... but this is pretty close.
You can see the Rolling Stone list at this address http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Revisiting "America"
I went to see America perform at the Tulsa state Fair in September. This is something like the 4th time I have seen America over the years. Back in their so called "Heyday" (miod 70's), I saw them at the Tulsa Civic Center. Grat show! It was opened by Chad of Chad and Jeremy.. who was trying to make a solo career after the 60's furor had died down
At that show, all three guys, Dan, Dewey and Gerry played and harmonized. It was fantastic!
I had been turned on to the 1st America LP by my younger brother Tim. He bought the LP because of the song "Horse with No Name." I was, at that time, into a little harder edge of music... even though I had my bubble gum side, and my love for anything any of the ex-Beatles was doing, my collection had strayed into ZZ Top blues ( which they were doing then rather than the later MTV stuff like the "Eliminator" LP. As a side note.... Billy Gibbons can kick ass on a guitar), Nugent and etc.
The America LP was haunting. There at the tail end of the Vietnam War was a song about being drafted ( Sandman), and folky tunes that included "Riverside", "Three Roses" and "I Need You."
Seemed like everything they touched became a hit. The 2nd LP, "Homecoming" had the same folk oriented standard guitars. "ventura Highway" made me ant to drive that road. Te 3rd LP, they introduced some electric to, including some Joe Walsh solo.
Took my high school sweetheart to the show (even though she was destined to break up with me that winter...not even "Muskrat Love: could save that relationship!) WE had "way Back" seats, but they were great!
Dan Peeks eventually left the band to pursue a Christian oriented music career. Gerry and Dewey continued on. They scored the soundtrack to an animated version of a great book by Peter Beagle, "The Last Unicorn." "You can Do Magic" was classic America harmony.
I saw them again in the 80's at the Tulsa River parks floating stage, Once again, a great show. Then, I didn't see them agaion for 20 years. I know they passed nearby on their regular toursm, but between coaching and raising a new family, I missed a lot of concerts!
Just a couple years ago, I wnet with my son, Fletch, who had developed a love for classicl rock music, to see them play in Oklahoma City at the open Zoo Amphitheater. They opend the show for Chicago. Both ends of the show were better than expected. Gerry and Dewey were still great in their vocals and the music was tight. Chicago played a great set even though the band had been a revolving door of musicians for years.. since te early death of Terry Katt and the 80's departure of peter Cetera. A few of the originals are there... and they played like they were still in 1974. It was powerful.
I always check the fair schedules to see if there's anyone worth going to see. I rarely go to the fair now unless there's a band to see. The last couple had been disappointing. A few years ago, "Grand Funk," my first concert band, played there, but the only original member was Don Brewer the drummer. No Mark Farner. Then. last year, went to see another fav of mine, "Blue Oyster Cult." It rained like crazy, forcing the outdoor show to be moved into the fairgrounds pavilion and delayed till the finish of the rodeo that evening. Lead Guitarist Buck Dharma was delayed in Dallas because of the storm, and his licks were played by a back up ( who did a great job... but ti wasn't Buck) and the crowd was small because of the hellacious rain storm.
I was excited to see "America" listed at the big outdoor Oklahoma stage. I told some buddies about it.. and Max, fellow coach and teacher, was fired up about it. Max made me burn a best of CD so we could listen to it on the way to the show.
Max showed up at my house in his pick up to drive us to the show. As soon as I got in, he handed me a beer. I was a little nervous... open container, etc. We stopped to pick up Doonie, who brought 2 more beers out for each of us to drink on the 20 minute drive to the fairgrounds.
By the time we got to the stage, after stopping to buy another expensive fair beer, we stationed ourselves in the best seating possible... just behind the preferred seating section and waited, gossiped and sipped the most expensive cheap beer ever.
The sun finally dipped below the horizon and the band stepped on the stage. They played almost everything, including a few tunes from their new CD. Max was insistent that he, not pnly did not want to hear "Muskrat Love" at the show, but "By God", I better not put it on the CD I burned either.
It took me back. Their vocals were right one. The music was terrific. They had lost nothing, nor had they become one of those "oldies" bands that simply lived on 20 year old songs. It was like I was there in the 70's again, except for the fact that my date then was much cuter than Max or Doonie.
Just one month before the show, original member Dan Peeks had passed away. If I remember correctly, the immediate cause of death was unknown. He died in his sleep at teh age of 61.
I can still recall his soft vocals on songs such as "Lonely People." Great musician.
At that show, all three guys, Dan, Dewey and Gerry played and harmonized. It was fantastic!
I had been turned on to the 1st America LP by my younger brother Tim. He bought the LP because of the song "Horse with No Name." I was, at that time, into a little harder edge of music... even though I had my bubble gum side, and my love for anything any of the ex-Beatles was doing, my collection had strayed into ZZ Top blues ( which they were doing then rather than the later MTV stuff like the "Eliminator" LP. As a side note.... Billy Gibbons can kick ass on a guitar), Nugent and etc.
The America LP was haunting. There at the tail end of the Vietnam War was a song about being drafted ( Sandman), and folky tunes that included "Riverside", "Three Roses" and "I Need You."
Seemed like everything they touched became a hit. The 2nd LP, "Homecoming" had the same folk oriented standard guitars. "ventura Highway" made me ant to drive that road. Te 3rd LP, they introduced some electric to, including some Joe Walsh solo.
Took my high school sweetheart to the show (even though she was destined to break up with me that winter...not even "Muskrat Love: could save that relationship!) WE had "way Back" seats, but they were great!
Dan Peeks eventually left the band to pursue a Christian oriented music career. Gerry and Dewey continued on. They scored the soundtrack to an animated version of a great book by Peter Beagle, "The Last Unicorn." "You can Do Magic" was classic America harmony.
I saw them again in the 80's at the Tulsa River parks floating stage, Once again, a great show. Then, I didn't see them agaion for 20 years. I know they passed nearby on their regular toursm, but between coaching and raising a new family, I missed a lot of concerts!
Just a couple years ago, I wnet with my son, Fletch, who had developed a love for classicl rock music, to see them play in Oklahoma City at the open Zoo Amphitheater. They opend the show for Chicago. Both ends of the show were better than expected. Gerry and Dewey were still great in their vocals and the music was tight. Chicago played a great set even though the band had been a revolving door of musicians for years.. since te early death of Terry Katt and the 80's departure of peter Cetera. A few of the originals are there... and they played like they were still in 1974. It was powerful.
I always check the fair schedules to see if there's anyone worth going to see. I rarely go to the fair now unless there's a band to see. The last couple had been disappointing. A few years ago, "Grand Funk," my first concert band, played there, but the only original member was Don Brewer the drummer. No Mark Farner. Then. last year, went to see another fav of mine, "Blue Oyster Cult." It rained like crazy, forcing the outdoor show to be moved into the fairgrounds pavilion and delayed till the finish of the rodeo that evening. Lead Guitarist Buck Dharma was delayed in Dallas because of the storm, and his licks were played by a back up ( who did a great job... but ti wasn't Buck) and the crowd was small because of the hellacious rain storm.
I was excited to see "America" listed at the big outdoor Oklahoma stage. I told some buddies about it.. and Max, fellow coach and teacher, was fired up about it. Max made me burn a best of CD so we could listen to it on the way to the show.
Max showed up at my house in his pick up to drive us to the show. As soon as I got in, he handed me a beer. I was a little nervous... open container, etc. We stopped to pick up Doonie, who brought 2 more beers out for each of us to drink on the 20 minute drive to the fairgrounds.
By the time we got to the stage, after stopping to buy another expensive fair beer, we stationed ourselves in the best seating possible... just behind the preferred seating section and waited, gossiped and sipped the most expensive cheap beer ever.
The sun finally dipped below the horizon and the band stepped on the stage. They played almost everything, including a few tunes from their new CD. Max was insistent that he, not pnly did not want to hear "Muskrat Love" at the show, but "By God", I better not put it on the CD I burned either.
It took me back. Their vocals were right one. The music was terrific. They had lost nothing, nor had they become one of those "oldies" bands that simply lived on 20 year old songs. It was like I was there in the 70's again, except for the fact that my date then was much cuter than Max or Doonie.
Just one month before the show, original member Dan Peeks had passed away. If I remember correctly, the immediate cause of death was unknown. He died in his sleep at teh age of 61.
I can still recall his soft vocals on songs such as "Lonely People." Great musician.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Summer songs
Ok.. since I have been a music collector for years, amassing quite a bit on the tune side of things in various formats from vinyl to digital, I was inspired this afternoon as I drove through this white hot Oklahoma afternoon, stereo playing, singing along with the IPOD at the top opf my lungs. (mind you, that is the only place I am allowed by law to sing at the top of my lungs.. alone, in a sealed auto)
The tune that set me off was "Sunny Afternoon" by the Kinks. I began to think.. "What would be the ultimate summer playlist?" I have a bunch of favorites, and there are the summer songs that seem to recycle over and over through the years.
But, what makes a great summer song?
It has to capture something we either experience azs summer, or embody the imagined summer of our fancy. It might be a song that we identified with some great summer experience. It might be that tune we heard playing over the radio while we lay, blisfully, in the hot sun on a dock, slowly drying after a swim. It might be the song that brings back the memory of that breath taking girl we saw on a summer day.
Lots of songs qulify in one of those categories, but some are pure SUMMER.
Below I ve listed a collection of my favorite songs that seem in one way or another to capture something about these mythical summers thta we always look forward to with such great anticipation.Sure... the list is not complete and does not include some new or some old tunes that fit the bill, but it is my list and will probably bear some revision as toime goes on.
These are not lsied in order of preference, but randomly... and of course, those eternal boys of summer, The Beach Boys do have the most tunes on the list. It would be blasphemy to do otherwise.
Some are obvious, such as "California Girls" by both the Beach Boys and katie Perry. Others are listed more by their feel, such as "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondels.
I'd like your input. What would you add or delete?
the Dugan List
Hot Fun in the Summer Time- Sly and Family Stone. To me, this is teh ultimate one. It is funky and laid back.. it reminds me of a summer day. Probably my number one.
Sunny Afternoon - the Kinks. Lazing on a sunny afternoon... in the summertime!
Summertime- Will Smith (Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff). Kinda catches that same feel of Sly Stones summer. Laid back and funky.
In the Summertime- Mungo Jerry. It keeps showing up. one hit that ever went away.
Summertime Blues - the Who or Eddie Cochran. Sometimes there ain't no cure for summertime blues.
Girls in Summer Clothes- Bruce Springsteen. When I heard this, I thought, "I know what he means." You know it's summer whne the girls are in the summer clothes.
Goou Vibrations- the Beach Boys. Never mentions summer, but is there any doubt that the best vibrations are on a summer day?
California Girls- Beach Boys- Man... those summer girls beach boy style!
Summer Song- Chad and Jeremy. And when the rain beats against teh window pane, I'll think of summer days and dream of you
Summer Breeze- Seals and Crofts. Tis has to be early summer.. caus ethe summer breeze, amkes me feel fine!
boys of summer- Don Henley. Cool images of summers gone. along with a Dead Head sticker on a Cadilac.
Summer nights- John Travolta - Olivia Newton John- Who doesn't know the words? even for the rockers, this is a guilty pleasure.
cruel Summer- Bananarama. Great late 80's tune that makes you feel the heat.
Summer in the City- Lovin' Spoonful- Hot town, summer in teh city!
California Girls- Katry Perry- Skin so hot it'll melt your popsicle? well, yeah!
All Summer Long - Kid Rock- even though I am not a great Kid Rock fan, this tune does amke the summer sun shine into my car stereo.
Summer of 69- Bryan Adams- Those blissful summers of our youth that become more mystical as time passes.
Kokoamo- Beach Boys- It was the summer come back by the Beach Boys, and they did nail it on this tune.
Wipe out - The Safarais - It doesn't take words to make a summer song and a beach blanket spontaneous dance!
Soak up the Sun- Sheryl Crow- and a bikini Sheryl Crow in video soaking up the sun?
Good day Sunshine- The Beatles- The sun is shining down,. Burns my feet as they touch the ground!
Crimson and Clover- Tommy james- What could be any more groovy than Tommy James on a summer day?
Indian lake - Te Cowsills- It's teh scene you should make, swim in teh cove, have a snack in the grove!
the Way= fastball- That fanciful idea of driving off into an eternal summer. Ahhhhh
Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees- suburban summer, lawns being mowed, people cooking out...
Saturday in the Park- Chicago- Chicago managed to capture a summer day picnic in a song... and it's the 4th of July!
Rock Lobster- B 52's - The 80's beach party!
The tune that set me off was "Sunny Afternoon" by the Kinks. I began to think.. "What would be the ultimate summer playlist?" I have a bunch of favorites, and there are the summer songs that seem to recycle over and over through the years.
But, what makes a great summer song?
It has to capture something we either experience azs summer, or embody the imagined summer of our fancy. It might be a song that we identified with some great summer experience. It might be that tune we heard playing over the radio while we lay, blisfully, in the hot sun on a dock, slowly drying after a swim. It might be the song that brings back the memory of that breath taking girl we saw on a summer day.
Lots of songs qulify in one of those categories, but some are pure SUMMER.
Below I ve listed a collection of my favorite songs that seem in one way or another to capture something about these mythical summers thta we always look forward to with such great anticipation.Sure... the list is not complete and does not include some new or some old tunes that fit the bill, but it is my list and will probably bear some revision as toime goes on.
These are not lsied in order of preference, but randomly... and of course, those eternal boys of summer, The Beach Boys do have the most tunes on the list. It would be blasphemy to do otherwise.
Some are obvious, such as "California Girls" by both the Beach Boys and katie Perry. Others are listed more by their feel, such as "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondels.
I'd like your input. What would you add or delete?
the Dugan List
Hot Fun in the Summer Time- Sly and Family Stone. To me, this is teh ultimate one. It is funky and laid back.. it reminds me of a summer day. Probably my number one.
Sunny Afternoon - the Kinks. Lazing on a sunny afternoon... in the summertime!
Summertime- Will Smith (Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff). Kinda catches that same feel of Sly Stones summer. Laid back and funky.
In the Summertime- Mungo Jerry. It keeps showing up. one hit that ever went away.
Summertime Blues - the Who or Eddie Cochran. Sometimes there ain't no cure for summertime blues.
Girls in Summer Clothes- Bruce Springsteen. When I heard this, I thought, "I know what he means." You know it's summer whne the girls are in the summer clothes.
Goou Vibrations- the Beach Boys. Never mentions summer, but is there any doubt that the best vibrations are on a summer day?
California Girls- Beach Boys- Man... those summer girls beach boy style!
Summer Song- Chad and Jeremy. And when the rain beats against teh window pane, I'll think of summer days and dream of you
Summer Breeze- Seals and Crofts. Tis has to be early summer.. caus ethe summer breeze, amkes me feel fine!
boys of summer- Don Henley. Cool images of summers gone. along with a Dead Head sticker on a Cadilac.
Summer nights- John Travolta - Olivia Newton John- Who doesn't know the words? even for the rockers, this is a guilty pleasure.
cruel Summer- Bananarama. Great late 80's tune that makes you feel the heat.
Summer in the City- Lovin' Spoonful- Hot town, summer in teh city!
California Girls- Katry Perry- Skin so hot it'll melt your popsicle? well, yeah!
All Summer Long - Kid Rock- even though I am not a great Kid Rock fan, this tune does amke the summer sun shine into my car stereo.
Summer of 69- Bryan Adams- Those blissful summers of our youth that become more mystical as time passes.
Kokoamo- Beach Boys- It was the summer come back by the Beach Boys, and they did nail it on this tune.
Wipe out - The Safarais - It doesn't take words to make a summer song and a beach blanket spontaneous dance!
Soak up the Sun- Sheryl Crow- and a bikini Sheryl Crow in video soaking up the sun?
Good day Sunshine- The Beatles- The sun is shining down,. Burns my feet as they touch the ground!
Crimson and Clover- Tommy james- What could be any more groovy than Tommy James on a summer day?
Indian lake - Te Cowsills- It's teh scene you should make, swim in teh cove, have a snack in the grove!
the Way= fastball- That fanciful idea of driving off into an eternal summer. Ahhhhh
Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees- suburban summer, lawns being mowed, people cooking out...
Saturday in the Park- Chicago- Chicago managed to capture a summer day picnic in a song... and it's the 4th of July!
Rock Lobster- B 52's - The 80's beach party!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame??
I was elated to hear that , finally, Oklahoman Leon Russell would be inducted into the 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pretty cool and long overdue.
Not only because I have managed to see a lot of Leon shows over the years, including a tour rehearsal in an auction barn in Glenpool, Ok., but also the cred this man has racked up
Not only does Leon have a great history, as a young man he took the chance moving from "Dusty Oklahoma" to California where he struck musical paydirt. He soon became a regular musician on Shindig with fellow Okie Carl Radle. he played back up to visiting musicians, and also some of his own tunes. he produced music for Gary Lewis and the Playboys ( "This Diamond Ring" and :she;'s Just my Style"), and ended up meeting people like Clapton and the the Beatles.
Leon not only wrote tunes for Joe Cocker, but also organized, played in and directed the music for Cocker's famous "mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour.
From there, Leon released a series of weell known LPs and singles, including ."Home Sweet Oklahoma," "Lady Blue" and Masquerade." He co-wrote and performed with Bob Dylan. One of my personal Dylan Favs is "watching the River Flow" with Leon on Piano. Leon appeared on George Harrison's "Concert for Bangla Desh." he also produced and played on Eric Clapton's first solo LP.
Why did it take so long for this master of Space and Time to finally make it into the Hall as a "sideman" while other acts, some short lived and less talented, made it in early?
Leon joins a few other notables in this year's inductees. Congratulations to them, but what speaks volumes is the people who have not been inducted. I went to the Hall web site and looked at the list. pretty amazing collection of talent there and most, undeniably, belong in that number.
The ones that puzzle me are the individuals and groups that made it there with less sales, longevity or impact than some of those who still sit, waiting, as some lesser talents make their way into the Hall. It's almost as if there is an attempt to include some of the lesser acts in order to placate the fringe and gain support for the hall from people of different generations.
As I look at my CD, LP and DVD collection, I see a host of worthy occupant of the Hall of Fame who have as of yet been denied while others slipped by.
Some of these notables include KIss, the Moody Blues, Rush, Def Leppard, Blue Oyster Cult and Todd Rundgren. . While these performers have been bypassed, other acts That I consider less deserving have been inducted.
Let's take Blondie, the Rammones and the Pretenders for example. each of these, good acts and sold music in their time, but lacked the longevity and wide base of appeal that many of the omitted acts have had. Blondie was basically an overrated band living off the sex appeal of their lead singer, Deborah Harry and willing to adapt to whatever musical form was getting airplay- for example, their 'rap' song "Rapture" and disco tinted "Heart of Glass.: As a live band , they were sloppy and forgettable, yet somehow are displayed in the Hall of Fame while a band like the Moody Blues is not. The Moody Blues produced hit after hit ranging from early blues tinged music to later progressive rock hits such as "Nights in White satin" and :Story in your Eyes." They had :greatest Hits while Blondie and Ramones were still flipping burgers. The Moody Blues produced radio hits while the Stooges gained an audience through shock and irreverence. The Moody's were a tight band while these others sucked in their live performances, hoping to make up for lack of skill through bloodletting, power chords and skimpy costumes.
I love the Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde, and saw them live a couple times. First time I saw "Brass in Pocket" on MTV in the 80's, I was a fan. But, does the band deserve to be in the R and R Hall while KIss is not? Kiss has continually produced massive live shows, drawing millions to their events over the years.
what do the Ramones have that Kiss does not? And whatever the Ramones have, Kiss has more. The funny thing is, if you check my CD collection, I have more Ramones than I have KIss, but seeing KIss live was truly an event. T This is not to say the Ramones were not an entertaining band, but that when it comes to being recognized in a Hall of Fame, they should still be waiting.
And that brings me to a couple of my personal Biases. The hall has ignored Rush, Def Leppard and Blue Oyster Cult, These bands have produced some of the seminal cuts of Rand R. Rush's career has spanned into now 5 separate decades. They still blow the roof off in their live shows, cranking out "Tom Sawyer" and The Spirit of radio." They are still used in movies and played on radio. Def Leppard still tours, filling stadiums. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Rock of Ages:" still rock the airwaves. BOC, along with these others, created some of the most recognizable cuts from rock music. Who doesn't recognize the opening guitar riffs of "Don't fear the Reaper?" each of these bands dominated play lists back when music television still played music instead of reality shows.
But, the prince of the passed by, the czar of the ignored is TTodd Rundgren.
Todd started his career in the late 60's as guitarist, vocalist, writer for the Nazz. After 3 LPs, Todd went solo, starting a career than has made creative twists and turns while producing pop masterpieces and electronic works of rt. He is creative and innovative. He really is a Wizard, a True Star.
Songs by Todd litter movie soundtracks and sports arenas. His "Hello it's Me" is a pop classic. His "Bang the Drum All Day" roars out from arena sound systems. His musical compositions are found everywhere from off broadway ("Up Against It") to TV and movies("Pee Wee's Playhouse" and "Dumb and Dumber."). He has produced his own music since the early 70's along with Def Leppard, the Tubes and even Meat Loaf's original "Bat Out of Hell" LP on which he also plays and sings. He has produced Badfinger and Cheap Trick.
He has dabbled in electronic and synthesized music , fronted the band Utopia, and even took over Ric Ocasek's place as the lad singer of the Cars in their 2010 tour. He has performed in vegas in Beatles revues. He self produced the first digital video ever shown on MTV ( day one, 1981 - "Time Heals the Wounds.") He produced tones and programming for Apple and also created the first interactive Musical CD "No World Order." Todd started Patronnet, the 1st direct patron system for fans to invest in and receive direct products from their favorite musician.
Todd still tours, plays and produces. What does it take to put someone like this guy in the Hall of Fame??
The Dve Clark 5? I loved "catch Me if You Can." What was their lasting impact? The Young Rascals, Bonnie Riat, Rod Stewart....All people I like to listen to, but why are they in the Hall while other deserving and accomplished acts are not?
Bad Company, Badfinegr, Cheap trick, Deep Purple, Electric light Orchestra, Peter Frampton, Humble Pie, Grand Funk, Kansas, Monkees, Nugent, Nilsson, Styx, Joe walsh, etc.
Waiting Waiting Waiting.Each of these with equal or superior credentials to some of the acts already in the Hall.
Not only because I have managed to see a lot of Leon shows over the years, including a tour rehearsal in an auction barn in Glenpool, Ok., but also the cred this man has racked up
Not only does Leon have a great history, as a young man he took the chance moving from "Dusty Oklahoma" to California where he struck musical paydirt. He soon became a regular musician on Shindig with fellow Okie Carl Radle. he played back up to visiting musicians, and also some of his own tunes. he produced music for Gary Lewis and the Playboys ( "This Diamond Ring" and :she;'s Just my Style"), and ended up meeting people like Clapton and the the Beatles.
Leon not only wrote tunes for Joe Cocker, but also organized, played in and directed the music for Cocker's famous "mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour.
From there, Leon released a series of weell known LPs and singles, including ."Home Sweet Oklahoma," "Lady Blue" and Masquerade." He co-wrote and performed with Bob Dylan. One of my personal Dylan Favs is "watching the River Flow" with Leon on Piano. Leon appeared on George Harrison's "Concert for Bangla Desh." he also produced and played on Eric Clapton's first solo LP.
Why did it take so long for this master of Space and Time to finally make it into the Hall as a "sideman" while other acts, some short lived and less talented, made it in early?
Leon joins a few other notables in this year's inductees. Congratulations to them, but what speaks volumes is the people who have not been inducted. I went to the Hall web site and looked at the list. pretty amazing collection of talent there and most, undeniably, belong in that number.
The ones that puzzle me are the individuals and groups that made it there with less sales, longevity or impact than some of those who still sit, waiting, as some lesser talents make their way into the Hall. It's almost as if there is an attempt to include some of the lesser acts in order to placate the fringe and gain support for the hall from people of different generations.
As I look at my CD, LP and DVD collection, I see a host of worthy occupant of the Hall of Fame who have as of yet been denied while others slipped by.
Some of these notables include KIss, the Moody Blues, Rush, Def Leppard, Blue Oyster Cult and Todd Rundgren. . While these performers have been bypassed, other acts That I consider less deserving have been inducted.
Let's take Blondie, the Rammones and the Pretenders for example. each of these, good acts and sold music in their time, but lacked the longevity and wide base of appeal that many of the omitted acts have had. Blondie was basically an overrated band living off the sex appeal of their lead singer, Deborah Harry and willing to adapt to whatever musical form was getting airplay- for example, their 'rap' song "Rapture" and disco tinted "Heart of Glass.: As a live band , they were sloppy and forgettable, yet somehow are displayed in the Hall of Fame while a band like the Moody Blues is not. The Moody Blues produced hit after hit ranging from early blues tinged music to later progressive rock hits such as "Nights in White satin" and :Story in your Eyes." They had :greatest Hits while Blondie and Ramones were still flipping burgers. The Moody Blues produced radio hits while the Stooges gained an audience through shock and irreverence. The Moody's were a tight band while these others sucked in their live performances, hoping to make up for lack of skill through bloodletting, power chords and skimpy costumes.
I love the Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde, and saw them live a couple times. First time I saw "Brass in Pocket" on MTV in the 80's, I was a fan. But, does the band deserve to be in the R and R Hall while KIss is not? Kiss has continually produced massive live shows, drawing millions to their events over the years.
what do the Ramones have that Kiss does not? And whatever the Ramones have, Kiss has more. The funny thing is, if you check my CD collection, I have more Ramones than I have KIss, but seeing KIss live was truly an event. T This is not to say the Ramones were not an entertaining band, but that when it comes to being recognized in a Hall of Fame, they should still be waiting.
And that brings me to a couple of my personal Biases. The hall has ignored Rush, Def Leppard and Blue Oyster Cult, These bands have produced some of the seminal cuts of Rand R. Rush's career has spanned into now 5 separate decades. They still blow the roof off in their live shows, cranking out "Tom Sawyer" and The Spirit of radio." They are still used in movies and played on radio. Def Leppard still tours, filling stadiums. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Rock of Ages:" still rock the airwaves. BOC, along with these others, created some of the most recognizable cuts from rock music. Who doesn't recognize the opening guitar riffs of "Don't fear the Reaper?" each of these bands dominated play lists back when music television still played music instead of reality shows.
But, the prince of the passed by, the czar of the ignored is TTodd Rundgren.
Todd started his career in the late 60's as guitarist, vocalist, writer for the Nazz. After 3 LPs, Todd went solo, starting a career than has made creative twists and turns while producing pop masterpieces and electronic works of rt. He is creative and innovative. He really is a Wizard, a True Star.
Songs by Todd litter movie soundtracks and sports arenas. His "Hello it's Me" is a pop classic. His "Bang the Drum All Day" roars out from arena sound systems. His musical compositions are found everywhere from off broadway ("Up Against It") to TV and movies("Pee Wee's Playhouse" and "Dumb and Dumber."). He has produced his own music since the early 70's along with Def Leppard, the Tubes and even Meat Loaf's original "Bat Out of Hell" LP on which he also plays and sings. He has produced Badfinger and Cheap Trick.
He has dabbled in electronic and synthesized music , fronted the band Utopia, and even took over Ric Ocasek's place as the lad singer of the Cars in their 2010 tour. He has performed in vegas in Beatles revues. He self produced the first digital video ever shown on MTV ( day one, 1981 - "Time Heals the Wounds.") He produced tones and programming for Apple and also created the first interactive Musical CD "No World Order." Todd started Patronnet, the 1st direct patron system for fans to invest in and receive direct products from their favorite musician.
Todd still tours, plays and produces. What does it take to put someone like this guy in the Hall of Fame??
The Dve Clark 5? I loved "catch Me if You Can." What was their lasting impact? The Young Rascals, Bonnie Riat, Rod Stewart....All people I like to listen to, but why are they in the Hall while other deserving and accomplished acts are not?
Bad Company, Badfinegr, Cheap trick, Deep Purple, Electric light Orchestra, Peter Frampton, Humble Pie, Grand Funk, Kansas, Monkees, Nugent, Nilsson, Styx, Joe walsh, etc.
Waiting Waiting Waiting.Each of these with equal or superior credentials to some of the acts already in the Hall.
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