A Little Taste of The Raspberries - Sweet Tunes

I started writing this blog after a few years of sending Wednesday text messages to my daughters in my vain effort to "expand" their musical appreciation. Who knows if I did anything, but we had fun with it, and they encouraged me to write this blog. So going back to the roots of this whole thing, I want to turn my kids on to an early '70s band that mixed a little rock, a lot of pop, and just a smidge of grit - The Raspberries led by Eric Carmen.  I heard The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack and was reminded of my first time hearing this band and how fun and infectious their sound was "Go All The Way" - http://youtu.be/7wT_NpsYdes (live version) or http://youtu.be/jfgnc6Ey0q0 (live over tape so you hear those sweet backing vocals). The Rasberries were not a one hit wonder - they had three strong years, two really good albums, and more hits, like "I Wanna Be With You" - http://youtu.be/5mFUYm5QFUE - and "Let's Pretend" - http://youtu.be/tjzwcx3ie24. They had three strong elements: good musicians, a great frontman, and songs focused on getting chicks to stay the night with them. Pure Gold in the early '70s for aspiring pop rockers. Let me wrap up with the craziest, self-indulgent version I could find of Eric Carmen's first solo hit, which I have always loved, but this live version from the Midnight Special (best rock show on TV ever!) takes it "to 11" without a doubt - http://youtu.be/EzoazPPC7b8. Love that over-the-top piano piece he crammed in just to let you know he was more than a Teen Beat pin-up artist. Love it! Finally, let me end with a little nugget from John Lennon's favorite artist and his best drinking pal, Harry Nillson and "Without You" - http://youtu.be/_bQGRRolrg0. Harry was a super talent who first ruined his voice, then lost his life to a decades long battle with alcoholism. A sad genius. Enjoy!

Rocking the Bass - The Heart of All Great Music

I love the bass guitar -- I mean stop what I'm doing or saying to enjoy and call out a great riff or line -- and I have desperately tried to impart, if not my love then at least an appreciation, to my daughters how trascendant a great bass line can be and how transformative to a song a solid, unique bass line can be. Wow, I love the bass. And my children know it, and they are largely tolerant of my obsession. So, who are great bassists? I know whatever I say will be controversial, but here goes. First I must give a nod to John Entwhistle of The Who. He did not play rhythm bass; he played lead bass. He was playing lines, solos and riffs that played off Townsend's guitars and Moon's drums, but he never sat back and just played a backbeat. Check this out - http://youtu.be/g_SWP3qI7Rg - Pete's histrionics, Roger's machismo, Keith's madness -- nothing can keep The Ox from taking over this iconic song. Next, I have to defend a great bassist who is oft maligned or simply neglected in this conversation. Sir Paul McCartney. Ever want to learn how complex his bass lines are? Just play Rock Band on your gaming device and try, just try, to keep up with Paul on even the medium setting; forget about expert because he just blows you away. Proof? Come Together is a nice song, but all its grit and edge come not from John's sarcasm and anger in his vocals - no, no, no, it is Paul's sinister bass line -- http://youtu.be/DEZ4TChR7JI.  I will acknowledge the massive talents of Chris Squire of Yes, and the legendary Jack Bruce of Cream. But someone who transcended time and genres is Bootsy Collins. He started with the highly regimented sound of the James Brown Band; then he went Afro-psychedelic with Parliament Funkadelic; and he created his own sound as a solo artist and much in demand session player. Check this gem - http://youtu.be/m_84x4wFaoE - Bootsy laying it down with Snoop in an homage to a family favorite film, Undercover Brother. Listen to Bootsy killing it behind Snoop's buttery smooth rap. Bliss. Finally, let's end by going back 50 years to a bassist who played on over 50% of ALL the top 10 hits in the '60s, including all Beach Boys, Byrds, and Mamas and Papas hit songs, and that is the inimitable Carol Kaye of The Wrecking Crew - the baddest mother of all session musicians. Dig this - http://youtu.be/BI09eh020hE. Yep, she created so much of the music that so many others took credit for during that seminal time for rock music. Finally, let's groove to a personal fave, John McVie. Yeah, I know this will bug some folks, but he rocks! http://youtu.be/lpVCL00fPAc. John and Mick are seamless and timeless. So, next time you put on a favorite song, do me a favor and check out the bass in the background and Enjoy!