Rare bootlegs? Deep cuts? Alternative versions of classic tunes? These are what excite me as a lover of all types of music. Music touches the heart, the mind and stirs the soul, and it has been and always will be a passion for me because music continues to evolve. And, as technology allows "lost" or "forgotten" outtakes, re-recordings and other live and demo recordings to be made available for fans to enjoy, music will remain a living, breathing art form.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Carpenters - Awesome Love Songs to Make You Sad, Lonely and Depressed
Music Wed - I will confess that I dig The Carpenters. Yes, I know they are the height of "easy listening" to the point they are almost elevator music without the Muzak touch. Be that as it may, I like them and their sweet, sad songs. Yes, their songs are profoundly sad. They have a reputation as singers of love songs, but if you listen closely, you will note that they actually sing songs for the deeply depressed, the maudlin and morose, the lonely and obsessed. Consider some of their biggest hits - "Rainy Days and Mondays"; "Solitaire"; "I Need To Be In Love"; "Close to You". A huge hit was about domestic abuse - "Hurting Each Other" (http://youtu.be/sqkVNHwJfKc) while another mega-hit featured an obsessive, perhaps even dangerous, stalker - "Superstar" (http://youtu.be/u4VlpT52f0o). Really creepy stuff. Even their biggest hit, "We've Only Just Begun" (http://youtu.be/beFIpOs_qJ0) seems happy, but the whole tone and melody shifts signal bad times to come for this young couple. To prove my point, check out near the end of the song as they move to the final verse when they alter the tempo and change to a minor key, I always expect Karen to sing "And when the evening comes, we sigh" not "smile" (which is the actual lyric), because the whole musical shift seems to indicate that something bad is coming. So, check out The Carpenters because Karen has a truly gifted, special voice, and her brother Richard is a brilliant musician and producer - but just don't put them on if you are feeling bummed or on a downer, because their so-called love songs have a darker, gloomier side that will drag you deeper into your sadness. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Return of Music Wed Featuring a Tribute to the Power Trio - Cream, Rush and Hendrix!
Music Wed - Joan Jett said it best when she wailed, "I Love Rock N Roll." I do - it is the most complete expression of passion, poetry, musicianship and raw, natural emotion. What are the essentials of Rock? Of course it is a guitar, bass and drums. The Power Trio is still, to me, the purest expression of sublime rock creation and performance. A Power Trio requires the musical knowledge of jazz impresarios combined with an unfailing trust between the performers. Here is my short list of original, pioneering, all-time great Power Trios (in no particular order). First has got to be Cream - Jack Bruce on bass and vocals; Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals; and the mercurial (some would say completely mad!) Ginger Baker on drums. This gathering of musical prodigies both perfected the Power Trio and created the first Super Group. They made two albums, fought themselves into extinction, then reformed 30 years later, only to fight themselves out of any hope of a repeat performance. Here they are in their glory with "Sunshine of Your Love" from their first farewell show at the Royal Albert Hall (http://youtu.be/pwDo0JUeKqM). Next is a medley of "White Room/Crossroads/Badge" from their second farewell show from the same venue (http://youtu.be/QtWzR5RkB3U) -- sheer brilliance! Next up is a band I have already spotlighted, but since most of you still don't "get" them, here is Rush playing a medley of "2112/Limelight" live in Rio (http://youtu.be/USfsPTwSinw). Yes, Neil Peart IS the greatest Rock drummer of all time, and this clip gives you a peek at his majesty behind his massive drum kit. Finally, let us not forget The Jimi Hendrix Experience regaling us with masterful versions of "Hey Joe" (http://youtu.be/Om3JfoMkYbo) and "Voodoo Child" (an absolutely brilliant performance live from Stockholm - http://youtu.be/A98UVsmKGXs). I know I have left out a number of awesome trios, so I will just have to do parts 2 and 3 on this subject. But these are the pioneers in what is the purest format for timeless rock. As a bonus, I MUST SHARE the definitive performance of "Layla" by Clapton - although not ever conceived or performed by a trio, this version is just too perfect not to include here (http://youtu.be/ZEx9O9x8Jnw). Enjoy!
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