Looking for Good New Music? Check out Lorde and Jake Bugg - Teen Artists With a Talent and Vision

Music Wed - Most of the time I focus on what I consider more classic or more timeless music and don't spend a bunch of time on the disposable drivel that is churned out by the mainstream music industry. But I want to call out two contemporary artists who are fresh, relevant and talented. What is interesting about both of these artists is that they have gained popularity and success by defying the "formula" so-called hit makers have established to govern what ultimately makes it on the radio, finds space on restaurant playlists and earns award show accolades. So here's a shout out to Lorde and Jake Bugg. She is a poet with a wry wit and a low tolerance for fools, copycats and music industry sycophants; he is a skilled musician with a keen eye for topical issues. Ella (Lorde's real name and the name she uses in her life), earned my respect when she openly sang live at the Grammys over a harmonic backing track, just like Queen used to do when they performed Bohemian Rhapsody - there was no subterfuge or trickery, like Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Ke$ha and so many other pop stars resort to. Her stark Grammys performance of Royals was eerie, a bit disturbing, and wonderful in its use of the silent parts (just as Miles Davis has always done so brilliantly). Both of these teen artists have an ability to communicate as song writers and as people. Check them out, and here are a few items to get you started -- For Lorde, I recommend "Tennis Court" (http://youtu.be/D8Ymd-OCucs) and "White Teeth Teens" (http://youtu.be/ZWVZBwrQhsY) to get a sense of her abilities beyond Royals. As for Mr Bugg, I suggest you check out "Broken" (http://youtu.be/3EL20VKlvbs) and "Two Fingers" (http://youtu.be/J9XwFecNXyU). I think you will dig them because they are something that is a little rare in pop music today - they are real. Enjoy!

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!

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!

Best Christmas Songs By Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Live Aid, Wham, Chuck Berry, The Carpenters and Run DMC - Have some Christmas fun!

Music Wed - it was fun being a lil Grinchie last week, but I do love Christmas and all that it represents. So I want to share some of the Christmas tunes I never tire of, even though they are played year after year. First up is The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling" - it features all of the best features of this group: Karen's crystal clear voice, Richard's slightly cheesy backing vocals and slightly overproduced musical accompaniment. It all adds up to a sweet, lovely holiday song (http://youtu.be/nR34VJ7HWqU). Sticking with the slightly corny, but still fun, I always love Macca's best Christmas tune (he has written 15 Christmas songs over the years as a Beatle and as a solo artist!), which to me is "Wonderful Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/tY3MAguzzKA -- this is a fun version!). Before I get all sentimental, I need to throw in my fave hip hop Christmas song, Run DMC's "Christmas Time in Hollis" (http://youtu.be/OR07r0ZMFb8 - check out the hideous MTV style video production qualities from the original 1987 video). To round off the fun, I never tune off  Chuck Berry's original version of "Run, Run Rudolph" when it comes on the radio (http://youtu.be/b4GlAneEa78 - Chuck might truly have been the first King of Rock and Roll!). Turning serious, because Christmas is a time to reflect on blessings, to feel and express gratitude and to renew commitments to do more for those less fortunate, I have two favorite picks -- John Lennon's "So This Is Christmas" (http://youtu.be/XPm3CWvDmvc), and my perennial #1 Live Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/eYDEh-mhijc - word of warning, do NOT torture yourself with the Live Aid II re-recording of this tune; it is hideous! As great as the original version is, the remake is that much more horrible for its lameness; u can't capture lightning in a bottle twice). Finally, as my Christmas treat for all the 80's music lovers in the crowd (and u know who u r!), I could not leave out Wham's "Last Christmas" (http://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI - pure big hair 80's song magic, if you ask me). Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year - I love and appreciate you all. Enjoy!

Bad Santa Bringing You Naughty (Not Nice!) Christmas Songs

Music Wed - Since Christmas will fall on a Wed this year, I have the luxury of not making my holiday music picks today and can, instead, play the role of the Grinch, and make some rocking alternatives to Christmas cheer. And, of course, I will just start this whole item with a link to the original cartoon Grinch song (http://youtu.be/--aSgNEbmnI) - this song, sung not by the narrator, Boris Karloff, but by Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft (who also sang the bass parts for the headstones in The Haunted Mansion ride at D-Land), is iconic and inimitable. Sticking with this theme, but moving to the live-action movie starring Jim Carrey, I want to add Taylor Momsen's tear-jerking "Where Are You Christmas" (http://youtu.be/eDAfUiVYZDw). To keep this Grinchy, I have to smash cut to Taylor Momsen's current single "Going to Hell" to show what happens to a little Who-girl when Christmas is taken away from her - scary stuff (http://youtu.be/bmtbg5b7_Aw).  To wrap up this tribute to bad Christmas songs, I am going back to animation for The Family Guy's totally inappropriate sing-along version of "All I Really Want for Christmas This Year" (http://youtu.be/G46VIGn0aiw), followed by South Park' rendition of Hitler singing "Christmas Time in Hell" (http://youtu.be/vLhkStL0xyM - check out Satan's crazy skull codpiece!). So try not to lose your sense of humor while you are battling shoppers for the last pair of boots at Steve Maddon, cutting off a driver for a coveted parking space, and collapsing at home after failing to find that perfect gift for the ones you love. Remember, this is the happiest time of the year - Enjoy!

The beauty and power of musical restraint. Comparisons of A Great Big World and Dan Fogelberg.

Music Wed - More frequently than I care to admit, a song will capture my attention, and I can listen to it repeatedly, each time drawing out something new and interesting to me, whether these little "discoveries" come from the tune, melody, lyrics, production or artist performance.  A Great Big World's "Say Something" has become one of these haunting, obsessive songs for me. (http://youtu.be/ApHmlRl1aKU) - I particularly love the duet version featuring Christina Aguilera. Her vocal control and restraint are remarkable, and at least the latter is not a quality you usually associate with Xtina, the great diva. In this restrained performance, she reminds you that she is oh so talented, and to me, far superior to Mariah Carey. I love the simple, austere arrangement of this song, both musically and vocally, and the lyrics are plaintive and heartfelt. Cool new song, and it made me immediately think of two songs which, at least in the versions I prefer, are stripped down meditations on the difficult, but critical, task of finding and then keeping love alive in a romantic relationship. Dan Fogelberg is an artist who died prematurely of prostate cancer, but over a period of 35 years commencing in the early 1970's, Fogelberg was a prolific artist who left us with a lasting body of music that is beautiful to the ear and soothing to the soul. His songs are small literary works which are wrapped in beautiful melodies (I mean, who else has ever rhymed "consumed" and "exhumed" in a love song!). I think most of his studio work was overproduced, so the tender and dark beauty of his songs is lost in a producer's overkill - but his acoustic live versions of these same songs are as sweetly and quietly electric as "Say Something". Here are two gems from Dan's 1991 concert tour - "Make Love Stay" (http://youtu.be/SaXGydWdEvg), and "Believe in Me" (http://youtu.be/ZE28NxXQ5R8). Note how he lingers on the notes and draws out the words in both songs, and he does so without being flashy or obnoxious, even though his vocal skills are clearly abundant. Rather, he seems to be coaxing out all of the truth and emotion from his sincere and thoughtful lyrics. If you have never listened to Dan Fogelberg, you will not get a better introduction to him and his music than these songs; if you know him only from his pop records which dominated the charts in the 70's and 80's, these two live performances will open up to you a whole new side to his music and to him as a performer; and, if you are like me and have been a longtime fan, then these 22 year old videos will be a rare and pleasurable treat. . . . Enjoy!

Tricking Children is Acceptable in the Name of Musical Education - Springsteen, Frampton and MEAT LOAF!

Music Wed - When my children were little, I desperately wanted them to listen to and like my musical choices. So, when their taste in music did not naturally match my taste, I did what any self-respecting parent and adult would do - I cheated and tricked them into listening to my music. I used two ploys more than once to mixed reviews. The trick they hated most was when I put on my tunes and after two songs they got sick of what I was listening to, I would promise to just play "one more song" and then would pick a 15-20 minute live opus like "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" from the 1999 NYC shows ( http://youtu.be/9qbTSENLK_o), and Peter Frampton's 1976 live version of "Do You Feel Like I Do", complete with the extended talk box solo (http://youtu.be/edSo-8Jp_ho).  The more successful ruse was to play a song or set of songs and tell the girls a story I would make up about the songs in order to hold their interest and distract them from the length of the music I was trying to get them to experience. And my most successful incarnation of this strategy was the stories I would weave around the various songs on Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album. I would tell them stories of fantastic creatures, heroines and heroes, and dramatic feats based very loosely on the music and lyrics of rock operatic songs such as "Bat Out of Hell" (http://youtu.be/oOy03kfm-UM), "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" (http://youtu.be/9NTDHjVKQyo  - with the incomparable Karla Da Vito), "Heaven Can Wait" (http://youtu.be/R4r-xw04UcI), and, my favorite Meat ballad, "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" (http://youtu.be/Ml5xb4DrhZo). These songs are so over the top in terms of Meat's passionate singing, Jim Steinman's  overwrought music and lyrics, and Todd Rundgren's extravagant production. I love me some Meat Loaf, both as a meal and as a performance artist (for that is what he is, because he is so much more than just a vocalist with his heavily staged performances featuring a changing cast of overheated female duet partners). I dare you to listen to and watch these songs and not smile - Meat's transparent love for Jim's songs just sucks you in and carries you away to the made up world I conjured for my girls as I tried every trick in my bag to get them to listen to this music. Enjoy!