Songs to Get Into the Halloween Mood

Music Wed, and I am suspending the "greatest band" series with a Halloween tribute. I am not sure that at this season of my life I am a real lover of Halloween. Sure, as a kid I lived for getting that large pillow case filled to the top with candy (even if I never ate even a fraction of it, it was the thrill of the "haul" that counted). And when my children were young, and dressing up was such a big deal, I loved walking the streets to trick or treat with them and holding their hands as we visited one of those special streets where everyone lives for Halloween and the whole street is transformed into a "spook alley". We were lucky enough to live next to (but thankfully not on!) the aptly named Raven Ave which was our special spooky street. Now I am a bit of a Halloween Scrooge of sorts - the whole thing feels a bit like a hassle. Bah humbug - I am going to use music to get me in the spirit of the season, and let's start with a truly creepy, slinky, atmospheric song by Concrete Blonde, "The Vampire Song" http://youtu.be/NFc2Qs49VkA. I love the opening riffs that set the mood, and when Johnette starts to sing over a spare bass groove, the song really kicks into gear. Pay particular attention to when this notoriously spartan band gets rolling and even adds a bit of production tricks (e.g., notice the groovy organ playing softly over the third verse) to create a totally cool song that captures the true Lestat-vibe that others tried to find, but sadly came up short, sounding either campy or just lame. Now, let's get really heavy with two classic examples of the so-called "devil's music" with Metallica ("Enter Sandman" http://youtu.be/_W7wqQwa-TU) and the original line-up of Black Sabbath ("Black Sabbath"  http://youtu.be/cyVWpqCLYgY). This is some heavy s*#t. I love Metallica, and even though Mo Rivera's retirement threatened to make this great song a cliche, there is no denying it is a metal classic with monster-under-the-bed scary lyrics. And as for Sabbath, this song makes u really wonder if Ozzy, Tony and Geezer (yes, I am intentionally leaving out the drummer since he refuses to join the others in their reunion efforts in a bid to extort money, and all he proved is that he was the only dispensable member of the band) had a Crossroads-type moment when they were promised heavy metal immortality if they sold their souls to Satan and played his music forevermore. This song is that foreboding. The final picks fall into the "what the heck"/"just for fun" basket. First, while u r putting on ur costume, listen to all 11 mins and 31 secs of Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend" http://youtu.be/z314pQhLb2Q (I can assure u that u will be ready to have a good time at the end of this hard rocking tribute to the death of a friend and a love affair), then put on The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" http://youtu.be/EJ9oHLqO0Vc to get into the mood as u drive to ur holiday party (this song, when played loudly in a car driving on a dark, rainy night will send a lil fun chill up ur spine), and finally, what Halloween party would be complete without playing Oingo Boingo, "Dead Man's Party" http://youtu.be/mdBiKCoT7d8. For all the Boingo haters, all I can say is that this pop, lightweight confection is a seriously fun song that has brightened up many a Halloween party (not to mention a huge number of late '80s/early 90's teen movies, starting with the great Weird Science!). Get ur ghoul on, and as always, Enjoy!

Welcome to this blog

I have been creating text messages for select family and friends with my comments, observations and opinions on a variety of musical topics. I'm excited to now be able to share these random and clearly debatable musings by posting on this blog site. Feel free to comment, challenge, criticize (or praise) and/or share your thoughts in response to any posting. I love the exchange of opinions because the great thing is that no one is right or wrong in any such exchange. So, check it out if you love musical minutia and want to check out some musical rarities. Enjoy!

Great Protest Songs

Again, late Music Wed, but yesterday was a tough day, so my picks would have been all sad songs. New day; new picks. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 march on DC and the MLK speech of "I Have A Dream." That vision of America still enthralls and inspires me. So, in recognition of that momentous event, here are three picks: U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" http://youtu.be/YQVZAh8WCw8 - Pretentious? Maybe. Uplifting? Most definitely. No list of MLK songs would be complete without this tribute. "We Shall Overcome" sung by James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, CSNY and others at the No Nukes concert (or u can also listen to Bruce's classic rendition from the Seeger Sessions http://youtu.be/oqT9yegqoRk). Finally, I have to finish with the great Bob Marley and his mash up on the Legend album of "One Love/People Get Ready" (http://youtu.be/N3KosOPCSiU). Listen and be inspired to show someone some kindness, and Power to the People ✊ Enjoy!

Musical Musings on Home - Going to, Leaving and Missing

Music Wed (back on a Wed!). This is dedicated to the feeling of "home" - being in it; returning to it; leaving it (and those left behind in it); wondering if u can ever really go back to it; and the joy of being welcomed back to it. So here we go. First, one of my fave Beatle songs which evokes such sadness is "She's Leaving Home"-  http://youtu.be/V4PFC6bIexo - her desperation to leave and her parents' desperation of being left behind, alone with each other. Next is Michael Buble's "Home" (check out the Caught In The Act live version or this super cool version recorded live at Abbey Roads http://youtu.be/PFGcVyASR2I ). Listen to this on a road trip when u r by urself and u will ache to return home to those u love. And now to the really maudlin - Joe Jackson's powerful, beautiful "HomeTown" which raises the question of whether u can ever really go home becuz maybe the "home" of ur memory never quite existed in reality (this version is a great solo rendition which adds in another fave, " Number Two"  http://youtu.be/NP_6aBG6Nq4). We end on a high note with Kenny Loggins' classic celebration of being joyous to come home with the knowledge that those u r returning to r as excited to have u back as u r to come back - "Celebrate Me Home" http://youtu.be/Ktwgi9vTL1A. I have loved this song for 30 yrs, and I will love it for 30 more. Enjoy - and be grateful for ur home.

Great Ski Songs - Ultimate Shredder's Playlist

Music Wed! Having spent a week or so in the mountains near two of my fave ski sites (i.e., Targhee and Jackson Hole), and having played with my GoPro during our adventures, it made me start to dream of my favorite time of the year -- ski season! Hence, this Music Wed I am noting some of my favorite songs to listen to on my headphones while skiing. I like the constant musical soundtrack playing in my head as I ski, so here are some songs that always jack me up and inspire me to want to take on that Double Black Diamond mogle run or that off trail run thru the trees instead of settling for the groomed main trail.  First pick is one of the most laughable tracks u will ever hear if u listen to the words. The track is "Born with a Tail" by the Supersuckers (here is a hilarious live version! http://youtu.be/tLbnlgaBZ38). Sit back, bang ur head and raise ur middle finger in salute to this weird tune. The second song is The Vapors' classic, "Turning Japanese" -- pure MTV brain candy with an irresistible beat and chorus (and here is the original MTV video version in all its early '80s glory http://youtu.be/gEmJ-VWPDM4). Bring on the mogles! Finally, I was tempted to pick The Knack's "My Sharona", but that was not quite aggressive enough - I need more Linkin Park, or even perish the thought, Limp Bizkit, to kick me into high gear for a ripping run, so in tribute to Jenelle, I have to pick My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers" ( http://youtu.be/wqSF7Qu89jw ). Awesome chorus, good screechy guitars and lots of anger. A perfectly combustible mix for charging headlong into a steep run or a plunge into the trees. Listen, rock hard, and most of all, Enjoy!

Love Me Some Don McLean and Van Morrsion - Sweetest Tenors in Rock

Music Wed! Listening to Jake Buggs last night - he's a British singer/songwriter who some are likening to Dylan, but I heard two other influences: The great tenors Don McLean and Van Morrison. By some cosmic coincidence, I read in USA today an intrvw where Jake cited Don McLean as an early influence. So, he might have failed to mention Van, but I will pay tribute to both here. In terms of temperament (DM was kind and quiet, while VM was rude and abrasive), music stylings (DM had early rock n roll and country as influences, while VM leaned to jazz and Welsh/Irish ballads), and productivity (DM was huge in the 70s and then quietly settled down, while VM has been raging and rocking for 40+ yrs), they couldn't be more different. But in terms of having sweet tenor vocals, great poetic instincts and lasting influence on generations of writers and performers, they r remarkably similar. So, let's get to the songs. For Don McLean, just soak in his greatest hits - "American Pie" http://youtu.be/tr-BYVeCv6U and "Vincent (Starry Night)" ( http://youtu.be/4wrNFDxCRzU). I suggest multiple listens of each. For Van Morrison, u can't go wrong with his classics "Brown Eyed Girl" http://youtu.be/kqXSBe-qMGo (hey Evi!) and "Moondance" (try to find a live version http://youtu.be/6oZg2B08uvM), but if u want a deeper cut, check out "Into the Mystic" (http://youtu.be/cpPSBzGEklE ) (which the Zac Brown Band kills on their live album -  http://youtu.be/1D6dgk8etew awesome cover of a great, cool song). Also, as a bonus, check out this ultimate version by the Allman Bros. Band - Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and Gregg Allman absolutely slay it http://youtu.be/OOwBDlcasZ8 .  Enjoy!

Reminder - Popularity Does Not Indicate Quality

Music Wed - ok, my picks r idiosyncratic and at times contrary to popular styles and more commercially successful songs. So, I am exacting my revenge by reminding everyone of the weaknesses of deferring to popularity as an indication of merit. Top 3 songs played on the radio of all time -- 1) Righteous Bros.' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (solid song, but #1 of all time? R u frickin kidding me?); 2) The Association's "Never My Love" (say what?); and 3) The Beatles' "Yesterday" (please note that The Association and The Beatles have the same number of songs in the Top 20 with 2 each, and Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, and Bruce have a combined 0 songs in the Top 50, while Simon and Garfunkle have 3 in the top 20 - is there no end to this madness?). Well, there u have it. This the dreck and pablum fed to us unwashed masses. Lap it up while I rock on with Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Allman Bros., Todd Rundgren, Bruce, Hall & Oates, Joe Jackson and so many others who have no songs in the Top 100. Ugh - it is truly more than I can bear. If u need a mental and aural sorbet to cleanse ur pallet after this serving of pop crap, take a listen to Eric Clapton's live version of "Voodoo Chile" - this is tonic for the soul. Enjoy!

Greatest Live Venues, and the Songs to Prove it

Music Wed - if u know me, u know I love anything musical which includes the appendage "live" to decribe the recording. I will always choose a live version over a recorded version, and once I hear a live version, I rarely will ever listen to the original studio recording. Music is a communion, both between the artists and the fans, but also between the artists themselves as they explore and test each other's respective abilities. Some albums r recorded "live" without overdubs, sweeteners, time signatures manipulations, echo chambers and other studio tricks, and those are pretty good and might even merit a future Music Wed exploration. But nothing beats playing live before an audience with no safety net. When it is done right, it is magic. And when it is not perfect, it is still better than a sanitary studio mixed, overdubbed, professionally sanitized version that passes for what people call a record. There are three legendary locations that have been the sites of more live recordings than any other locations. In no particular order, they are Budokan (Tokyo, Japan), Red Rocks (Morrison, Colorado) and Fillmore East (NYC) (which clearly outstrips Fillmore West as the site of choice for a live recording). Here are my picks for the greatest live albums at these venues based on the following criteria - great sound recording; importance of popularizing a historic venue loved by musicians for the public; and elevating a band that had "chops" but had not exploded into the public consciousness.  Here are my picks in chronological order: First is 1971's Allman Brothers "Live at Fillmore East". More than anything put out by the Grateful Dead before or after 1971, this album popularized not only this great blues rock band but virtually created the jam band ethos that the Dead, Phish, Dave Matthews Band and others have been living on for the 40+ years since this seminal recording. Since I suspect none of you has the patience for their 20 and 30 minute jams, I propose listening to the modest 12 minute version of "Stormy Monday" (http://youtu.be/KD4Exmbk04U) which highlights Duane Allman's historic guitar playing, Dickie Betts' supporting rhythm and co-lead guitar skills, and Gregg Allman's double threat of killer vocals and silky organ playing. Classic Southern Blues Rock at its transformative best! Second is 1978's Cheap Trick "Live at Budokan" which took a quirky, solid band with a modest following to an epic live band that made playing Budokan a must for every musician who has toured Japan since 1978. Feast on "I Want You to Want Me" (http://youtu.be/p6hxsd1n6vo) which features an audience sing along that was not only spontaneous but took a rather pedestrian song and made it unforgettable, and then listen to the band's take on Fats Domino's classic "Ain't That a Shame." (http://youtu.be/-C-jXJl0Zrg) Fun music without pretension, but with undeniable skill for a three piece band that features two of the weirdest dudes in rock (namely Rick Nielson and Bun E. Carlos [who is sadly estranged from the band for unknown reasons]). Finally is 1983's U2 "Under a Blood Red Sky" which featured video and audio from their almost-immediately legendary show at Red Rocks. Recently in a poll of musicians, Red Rocks was voted as their favorite live venue, and we all have U2 to thank for taking a rainy night and making it a dramatic showpiece which expressed the natural beauty and great acoustics of this legendary venue. A must hear song from this album has got to be "Bloody Sunday" (http://youtu.be/EM4vblG6BVQ) which was filmed, put out as an early MTV video in heavy rotation that helped force this new video channel into every teenager's home (remember "I Want My MTV!), and turned on the U.S. to the political, spiritual and sonic urgency, power and authority of U2 that they carry into every live show they have done over the 30 years since this show was recorded. Here's a toast to live music and three legendary venues that have collectively been the sites of over 100 live albums, but none finer than the three albums listed above. Enjoy!

Tribute to Seals & Crofts - Forgotten Writers and Performers of Lovely Songs

Music Wed - coming live from the Deep South. U'd think my location would inspire a tribute to Lyrnyrd Skynyrd or Molly Hatchett - or at least a quick sneaky reference to my fave the Allman Bros. But, in a twist born of jet lag and loneliness, I am going to honor a forgotten 70's band that continues to influence music today, as evidenced by their songs falling in the Top 5 of all time samples. I am referring to none other than the great Seals & Crofts. Come on - u pretend u don't know them, but u do, and chances r u even like them. Kick back and play "Summer Breeze" (super cool live clip --  http://youtu.be/DTv0K2SUlCY) or "We May Never Pass This Way Again" (http://youtu.be/ysJ0Dg16-CA). Calming, soothing music from two of the weirdest dudes in pop music. First, one was tall, heavily bearded and played a ukele or mandolin (Crofts, I think); the other was short and looked exactly like Vladimir Lenin (complete with the lil glasses and workers cap - Seals, again I think). They reigned over the early 70's radio with classics like those two above and others like "Diamond Girl" (http://youtu.be/JD25KJ3Mkp0) and "Get Closer" (http://youtu.be/pXTawaNMBGE).  What ended their career was a very sad event. They were of the Baha'i faith, so they wrote an anti-abortion song titled "Unborn Child" (http://youtu.be/Bm7JACG-CTk), which brought scorn in them and their Eastern faith. The whole thing is sadly ironic becuz the S&C song is pretty good, while Paul Anka's piece o crap "Havin My Baby" (http://youtu.be/SFHWl-ZyRAg) was released 6 months later and went to #1 on the charts. Unfair, and after this travesty, S&C stopped recording. So put on ur Birkenstocks, watch the sunset and crank up some sweet tunes from Seals & Crofts. Enjoy!

Radiohead Are Beatleesque in Studio Mastery

Music Wed - it dawned on me that I have neglected any analysis of great bands and their respective places in history. These picks are influenced in part by longevity of relevance, consistency of greatness, and variety of influences across genres and generations. So, here is the list, and then I will start a series of picking favorite songs for each highlighted band. All-time greatest band -- The Beatles (No disputes, please). All-time best touring band -- E Street Band (7900+ calories burned at the concert - untouchable record!). Best combined recording/touring band -- U2 (consistently great records and transformative concert experiences - just not very prolific). Best recording band -- Radiohead (they have continued the tradition The Beatles started during their ltd 6-yr run and have produced 20+ years of amazing! challenging! mind-expanding! music). In the spirit of "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first", I will start this series with my top 5 Radiohead songs. In no particular order, let's start with "Creep" (http://youtu.be/QhFSmAoGhhc) and "Fake Plastic Trees" (http://youtu.be/KglFXn0fg9M). Yes, they are obvious picks, but they both sound amazing in both acoustic and electric versions, and familiarity does not discount the beauty of the melodies and the poignancy of the lyrics. Next are "Blow Out" (http://youtu.be/sguWprhm7hY -- from the classic album "Pablo Honey"), and "(Nice Dream)" (http://youtu.be/Wxa36QAz9RU -- from my fave album "The Bends"). Beautiful, haunting songs that carry u away on an aural pillow ride (just like Jasmine and Aladdin, only with deep, dark anxieties and fears!). Finally, let's end with "Bodysnatchers" (http://youtu.be/wRka8e6d8hw -- from the latest album "In Rainbows"). Truly a disjointed, but irrepressible song. I could go on and on, but this is a good start to let u see the range and diversity of this ever-changing band that continues to grow and morph, which I expect they will continue to do as long as Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke are alive. Enjoy! P.S. Here is a bonus song I could not in good conscience leave out, "High and Dry" http://youtu.be/5uLTP-EtdLQ

U2 Are Masters of the Studio And Crowd Dynamics - A Rare Combination of Genius

Music Wed - continuing working backwards on my list of "Greatest bands". This week is U2, my pick for best combined recording/touring bands, and I am faced with the hopeless task of distilling my love of this band to my self-imposed limit of 5 key songs. I'm still kicking myself for songs I didn't pick last week for Radiohead, so I know that no matter what songs I choose today, all next week I will think of equally good or better songs that I should've included. So with that caveat, here we go (in no particular order): "Bad" from the Wide Awake in America EP (http://youtu.be/2zIW8qDPhos). I could listen to The Edge's layered guitar effects that build to a stunning repetitive crescendo on this song in a continuous 6-hour loop. I love this early glimpse into the songwriting and band cohesion that gave birth to the historic Joshua Tree album. I have paid tribute to this next song in earlier postings, but I must include my personal all-time fave, "Love is Blindness" ( http://youtu.be/xUXVE4GEwmc). As great as the version is on Achtung Baby, if u want a real treat, look up on YouTube one of the many live versions from the Zoo TV tour, which is the only tour on which they played this song. These rare live cuts literally seethe and crawl with The Edge's pain and desperation at the collapse of his first marriage, but u can also hear the healing he was experiencing in these live renditions. Next for me is "Miss Sarajevo" (http://youtu.be/XtXl7mJErFU). Heart-on-the-sleeve politics? Of course, and those of us who love this band would have it no other way. I next must include a live song I love as much as Paul MacCartney and Wings' live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" (http://youtu.be/x_FiIilTwIA), and that is ANY live version of "Bullet the Blue Sky" (http://youtu.be/BfxLhrg139M). This shows that U2 can be kings of rock, in addition to being masters of dance, electronica and anthemic ballads. Finally, let's end with the song that I associate with the end of nearly every U2 show I have ever seen - namely "40" (http://youtu.be/axEyeurOMxw). I get a chill down my spine as I think of singing along with the crowd long after the band left the stage to this oh-so-satisfying concert ending ode to a band that hit a peak 30 years ago and have never come down from the mountain top. Enjoy!

E Street Band - Hardest Working Band in Show Business? Yeah!

Music Wed, and this post is, of course, dedicated to the hardest working band in show business - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Asking me to pick my favorite live songs from this band is like asking a wine expert to pick their favorite Burgundy - he will give you the vineyard, the year and even the season of the wine that is his favorite. So it is with me and Bruce. If you venture to listen to these picks, please listen to the specific versions that I suggest to really have the audio experience I am intending to present for your pleasure. So, buckle up and here we go! Again, in no particular order, let's start with the 2001 acoustic version of "Born in the USA" (http://youtu.be/d8TwMqpBeL4) first introduced in the Live in New York City album. U must listen to this version, because it sounds like no other rending of this well known song. This version taps into the true protest meaning of the song, and the best way I can describe it is to ask you to imagine that Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters had a baby, raised him on the Mississippi Delta and fed him nuthin but the blues, then gave him a steel body Dobrow guitar and asked him to play that song. Totally cool. Next is the song "I Wish I Were Blind" (http://youtu.be/_8MkGqT0Z54) from the In Concert (Plugged!) album. Such pain and heartache at seeing ur former lover with her new love. Exquisite anguish. Let's shift to the original live recording of "Jungleland" (http://youtu.be/VoFGHNbfDmg) from the Live at  Hammersmith Odeon album - this is from Bruce's first trip outside the US and his first show before a crowd that knew his songs, but didn't know his showmanship. So as u listen to this album, u can hear the crowd warming up and catching on, and by the time he hits this iconic song near the end of the concert, they are ready to frickin rock! The band is a little raw, but the magic of Roy's piano solo, Clarence's plaintive wails on his horn, and Bruce's desperate lyrics conjure musical magic. Let's gear it back down to the version of "If I Should Fall Behind" (http://youtu.be/6DITmbm8u1M) again from the 2001 album Live in NYC. Each band member gets to sing a verse, and it is a tender song, performed by each artist in their unique way, but with respect and love, both for the craft of the song and for each other. The sentiment is beautiful, and "if you should fall behind, I will wait for u." And I mean that. Finally, let's take this baby home, and no live performance would be complete without a 20-minute, gospel tinged, come-to-Jesus revival type song from a master storyteller. I loved telling the girls I would play "just one more song" and then picking one of these endless epics to their squealing disdain. Good times. My choice for this tribute to my devious nature is "The River" (http://youtu.be/2dlYd018jjQ) from the Live 1975-1985 compilation. It clocks in at a weak 12 minutes, but that excludes the 5 minute intro story about his father, so it qualifies for the category. A bittersweet ode to a bad decision which leads a young boy and young girl into a life where they become trapped in a box devoid of hopes and dreams. This is real life, and no one captures it better than the The Boss. Please, check out these specific performances, and I assure u that u will not be disappointed. They will deliver all that I have promised, and then some. I dare say u may feel a warm flow in ur heart and a tear on ur cheek as u listen to each song. Enjoy a master at the top of his game over a sampling of tunes from every decade from 1970s through the present. Enjoy!