Like the title says; this week's music comes solely from some very talented musicians.
The Muppets - Bohemian Rhapsody (cover) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY
Epic. Also, beware the danger of video conference calls.
Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem - Can You Picture That? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hZciBilEcs
No one band enjoys what they do while sounding rad than Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, Janice and Animal. This collection of hip-cats and misfits has been rocking out together for decades; and they don't show signs of stopping any time soon.
Kermit the Frog - The Rainbow Connection http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM&feature=related
A lot of people love this track and the soulful musician who recorded it. We all know Kermit is a frog with a very old soul; at the same time, he's a frog who's happy to be your friend. He's happy doing his thing. Rainbow Connection's writers were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score in 1979 http://theoscarsite.com/1979.htm
Rock on my friends.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
3 creepy songs that are easily enjoyed
Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFtLONl4cNc
This catchy tune about smoking marijuana came out in the 1980's. The whole song is really pleasant. I'm not in the "horrified by songs about drugs" camp so that doesn't bother me; the group comes from Jamaica after all, where marijuana use is much more common than in the United States. What creeps me out is the fact that at the time of it's release, the members of Musical Youth were young kids and teenagers. This is especially evident when you see the video. Whether you can deal with 12-year olds talking about passing your joint to the left is a personal thing; I'll still song along to this track, after a shudder or two.
The Grateful Dead - Friend of the Devil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XacvydVrhuI
A track from an album I listen to quite often. I first discovered the Dead back in middle school and have listened to them off and on ever since. I've been told that Friend of the Devil's two guitar parts are very difficult to play, which only increases my appreciation of the track. The mood of the song is very laid back. A person could readily assume at first listen that the track is about traveling and hard days on the road. "...I get home before daylight just might get some sleep tonight". A closer listen reveals that the narrator has muliple girlfriends and is on the run from the law. He also may or may not be on the run because he doesn't want to support a child that "don't look like me".
Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby - Emmylou Harris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjVZB34ibNo
The harmony in this track is incredible. Each of the women singing on this, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Emmylou Harris is famous in her own right as a musician. Amazing synergy was created when they sang together. Though beautiful, the lyrics are about a baby who has been abandoned by all of his or her family, though they suggest the father might be dead. "Didn't leave nobody but the babe yeah". Later the lyrics suggest that the baby was left without food "didn't leave no bottle for the baby" and that the baby is going to die soon "come lay your bones on the alabaster stones and be my ever-loving baby". Creeptastic.
This catchy tune about smoking marijuana came out in the 1980's. The whole song is really pleasant. I'm not in the "horrified by songs about drugs" camp so that doesn't bother me; the group comes from Jamaica after all, where marijuana use is much more common than in the United States. What creeps me out is the fact that at the time of it's release, the members of Musical Youth were young kids and teenagers. This is especially evident when you see the video. Whether you can deal with 12-year olds talking about passing your joint to the left is a personal thing; I'll still song along to this track, after a shudder or two.
The Grateful Dead - Friend of the Devil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XacvydVrhuI
A track from an album I listen to quite often. I first discovered the Dead back in middle school and have listened to them off and on ever since. I've been told that Friend of the Devil's two guitar parts are very difficult to play, which only increases my appreciation of the track. The mood of the song is very laid back. A person could readily assume at first listen that the track is about traveling and hard days on the road. "...I get home before daylight just might get some sleep tonight". A closer listen reveals that the narrator has muliple girlfriends and is on the run from the law. He also may or may not be on the run because he doesn't want to support a child that "don't look like me".
Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby - Emmylou Harris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjVZB34ibNo
The harmony in this track is incredible. Each of the women singing on this, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Emmylou Harris is famous in her own right as a musician. Amazing synergy was created when they sang together. Though beautiful, the lyrics are about a baby who has been abandoned by all of his or her family, though they suggest the father might be dead. "Didn't leave nobody but the babe yeah". Later the lyrics suggest that the baby was left without food "didn't leave no bottle for the baby" and that the baby is going to die soon "come lay your bones on the alabaster stones and be my ever-loving baby". Creeptastic.
Monday, November 16, 2009
3 for cheers
These are for last week.
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwJ-g0iJ6w
Mr. Nash is one of the greats. The Midnight Special was THE show to perform on in the 1970's. Until a recent television episode all I ever heard from Johnny Nash was confined to Best of the 1970's compilation albums. I'm glad my appreciation of his work has increased. In that episode this guy had a steady job, a really attractive doting blonde wife and a dog. That's something all of us want to a degree, me especially. When we'll all be kings, Damn Hell Ass kings. I'm not there yet, to the point where I had three tattoos done that remind me of not being there yet. A blonde pin-up girl, a hot stuff devil and a broken heart. One thus far has led to the other, if I remember that early enough I'll save myself some trouble. Enjoy the track, I really like it.
The Dubliners and the Pogues - Whiskey in the Jar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5WgYoRCs2U
It rocks. A traditional Irish tune about a guy who is planning to dersert from the army and run off with his girl Jenny, but she double crosses him and sells him out to the army. The tune of the track is really catchy but it's the lyrics that make me love this as much as I do.
"The devil take the women because they never can be easy... There's some that take delight in their carriages a rollin, there's some that take delight in the hurly (the Irish sport Hurling) and the bowlin' (Cricket) but me I take delight in the juice of the barely (beer) and courtin' pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early." Respect.
Litmus test of the week
Brother Ali - You Say (Puppy Love) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32FN-Z1ORs
When you're drunk "in the wee small hours of the morning", sometimes you stumble onto moments of clarity. I've stumbled over a few and I will again. The point is that if you really love someone you want to help them grow in some way even though you may not always be consciously aware of having that desire. The relationship may not last but the good intentions should. It's been my experience that they do in fact remain after it's over. If you significant other is drunk beside you at 3am and you care about each other enough to go where ever the relationship may lead, you chose well. In the end a relationship may not be as awesome as it once was; or even be what you believed it was, remember the good times and appreciate your few pages in that chapter of their life.
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwJ-g0iJ6w
Mr. Nash is one of the greats. The Midnight Special was THE show to perform on in the 1970's. Until a recent television episode all I ever heard from Johnny Nash was confined to Best of the 1970's compilation albums. I'm glad my appreciation of his work has increased. In that episode this guy had a steady job, a really attractive doting blonde wife and a dog. That's something all of us want to a degree, me especially. When we'll all be kings, Damn Hell Ass kings. I'm not there yet, to the point where I had three tattoos done that remind me of not being there yet. A blonde pin-up girl, a hot stuff devil and a broken heart. One thus far has led to the other, if I remember that early enough I'll save myself some trouble. Enjoy the track, I really like it.
The Dubliners and the Pogues - Whiskey in the Jar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5WgYoRCs2U
It rocks. A traditional Irish tune about a guy who is planning to dersert from the army and run off with his girl Jenny, but she double crosses him and sells him out to the army. The tune of the track is really catchy but it's the lyrics that make me love this as much as I do.
"The devil take the women because they never can be easy... There's some that take delight in their carriages a rollin, there's some that take delight in the hurly (the Irish sport Hurling) and the bowlin' (Cricket) but me I take delight in the juice of the barely (beer) and courtin' pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early." Respect.
Litmus test of the week
Brother Ali - You Say (Puppy Love) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32FN-Z1ORs
When you're drunk "in the wee small hours of the morning", sometimes you stumble onto moments of clarity. I've stumbled over a few and I will again. The point is that if you really love someone you want to help them grow in some way even though you may not always be consciously aware of having that desire. The relationship may not last but the good intentions should. It's been my experience that they do in fact remain after it's over. If you significant other is drunk beside you at 3am and you care about each other enough to go where ever the relationship may lead, you chose well. In the end a relationship may not be as awesome as it once was; or even be what you believed it was, remember the good times and appreciate your few pages in that chapter of their life.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
3 versions of Glycerine
Bush's 1994 album Sixteen Stone was the first album I purchased with my own money, I was 10. It cost me around a month's worth of allowance. That was money well spent because I haven't stopped listening to the album since 1994. In the days before p2p online music sharing, I wanted the album for track number 10 Glycerine. That track knocked me out back then, and it still does. As far as meaning found within the lyrics, dictionary.com says that the term Glycerine is a derivative of the term gycerol.
Bush - Glycerine at Woodstock 1999 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9uqA-b-OU&feature=related
It pains me to say so but a lot of the top bands of the 1990's were at Woodstock '99. Whatever your feelings on the event, it was in my opinion one of the last times Bush was together doing the music that I enjoy so much. Gavin's quote "If you knew how good you fucking look" is my current favorite phrase. This was Bush as kings of their musical mountain.
Bush - Glycerine live on television http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfatUZ5RDG0&feature=related
This version of Glycerine encompasses what I wanted to be when I grew up. Not so much for the money, fame or legions of adoring fans. I wanted to move people with the music I made. This performance did and does that for me. Gavin Rossdale is by himself on stage leaving himself vulnerable both emotionally and physically. As the performance begins rain starts falling, as it progresses the rain falls harder and harder. The man is playing an electric guitar in the pouring rain, risking electrocution any second. I don't know why he risked his life to do this track that night. Was it pride, stupidity? Rumor has it he told the crowd that if they were willing to stand in the rain and see him play, he would stand in the rain and play. Whatever his reason for doing it, I'm really glad he did. The guy has Adamantium balls in my book.
glyc⋅er⋅ol
–noun
| a colorless, odorless, syrupy, sweet liquid, C3H8O3, usually obtained by the saponification of natural fats and oils: used for sweetening and preserving food, in the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, inks, and certain glues and cements, as a solvent and automobile antifreeze, and in medicine in suppositories and skin emollients. |
Also called glycerin, glycerine.
Sweetening , as in a sickeningly sweet and likely damaging relationship. The lyrics are heavy and for some screwed up reason they spoke to young Jack, even though it's never been easy with women, but who has it been easy for?
It must be your skin I'm sinking in
Must be for real 'cause now I can feel
And I didn't mind, it's not my kind
It's not my time to wonder why
Every thing's gone white and every thing's gray
Now you're here, now you're away
I don't want this, remember that
I'll never forget where you're at
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine, Glycerine
I'm never alone, I'm alone all the time
Are you at one or do you lie
We live in a wheel where everyone steals
But when we rise, it's like strawberry fields
If I treated you bad, you bruise my face
Couldn't love you more, you got a beautiful taste
Don't let the days go by
Could have been easier on you
I couldn't change though I wanted to
Should have been easier by three
Our old friend 'Fear' and you and me
Glycerine, Glycerine
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine, Glycerine
Glycerine, Glycerine
Bad mood whine again
Bad mood whine again
As she falls around me
I needed you more when we wanted us less
I could not kiss, just regress
It might just be clear, simple and plain
Well, that's just fine, that's just one of my names
Don't let the days go by
Could have been easier on you, you, you
Glycerine, Glycerine, Glycerine, Glycerine
Bush - Glycerine official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU6KhFWvKPM&feature=fvw
This video makes no sense to me, a lot of videos from this record make no sense to me. This track awakened something that's at the core of my being.
Sweetening , as in a sickeningly sweet and likely damaging relationship. The lyrics are heavy and for some screwed up reason they spoke to young Jack, even though it's never been easy with women, but who has it been easy for?
It must be your skin I'm sinking in
Must be for real 'cause now I can feel
And I didn't mind, it's not my kind
It's not my time to wonder why
Every thing's gone white and every thing's gray
Now you're here, now you're away
I don't want this, remember that
I'll never forget where you're at
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine, Glycerine
I'm never alone, I'm alone all the time
Are you at one or do you lie
We live in a wheel where everyone steals
But when we rise, it's like strawberry fields
If I treated you bad, you bruise my face
Couldn't love you more, you got a beautiful taste
Don't let the days go by
Could have been easier on you
I couldn't change though I wanted to
Should have been easier by three
Our old friend 'Fear' and you and me
Glycerine, Glycerine
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine
Don't let the days go by, Glycerine, Glycerine
Glycerine, Glycerine
Bad mood whine again
Bad mood whine again
As she falls around me
I needed you more when we wanted us less
I could not kiss, just regress
It might just be clear, simple and plain
Well, that's just fine, that's just one of my names
Don't let the days go by
Could have been easier on you, you, you
Glycerine, Glycerine, Glycerine, Glycerine
Bush - Glycerine official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU6KhFWvKPM&feature=fvw
This video makes no sense to me, a lot of videos from this record make no sense to me. This track awakened something that's at the core of my being.
Bush - Glycerine at Woodstock 1999 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9uqA-b-OU&feature=related
It pains me to say so but a lot of the top bands of the 1990's were at Woodstock '99. Whatever your feelings on the event, it was in my opinion one of the last times Bush was together doing the music that I enjoy so much. Gavin's quote "If you knew how good you fucking look" is my current favorite phrase. This was Bush as kings of their musical mountain.
Bush - Glycerine live on television http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfatUZ5RDG0&feature=related
This version of Glycerine encompasses what I wanted to be when I grew up. Not so much for the money, fame or legions of adoring fans. I wanted to move people with the music I made. This performance did and does that for me. Gavin Rossdale is by himself on stage leaving himself vulnerable both emotionally and physically. As the performance begins rain starts falling, as it progresses the rain falls harder and harder. The man is playing an electric guitar in the pouring rain, risking electrocution any second. I don't know why he risked his life to do this track that night. Was it pride, stupidity? Rumor has it he told the crowd that if they were willing to stand in the rain and see him play, he would stand in the rain and play. Whatever his reason for doing it, I'm really glad he did. The guy has Adamantium balls in my book.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
3 exceptions to rules
The Smashing Pumpkins - We Only Come Out at Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHSPVNbF5lY
I was avoiding my landlord last Tuesday. Just don't like the guy. I didn't want alcohol so I looked for a coffee shop. The first coffee shop that I stumbled upon still open at 8:30pm was a christian focused coffee shop. I bought a soy and caramel concoction I'd had before. The place features art from local and regional artists in a gallery upstairs and it's free, so I go there sometimes. This experience was different. It was like night and day. Unless you proselytize I don't have a problem with people who believe in some form of religion. This is doubly true because I was choosing to go where these people were, but most of the people there that night were jerks. I was grunted at by the barista. I got the sense he didn't want to be serving me. maybe he had a terrible day. If that wasn't the reason he just should have come out and said "I don't like something about you." I kept getting mean-mugged by either some of the the dozen people in bible study being held in an open corner of the bookstore portion or the handful of retirees that were also present. Getting leered at happens periodically but it generally happens much less here in L-town, I guess the christian coffee shop was an exception to that generality. Whatever it was, I left after I'd finished half my drink.
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - In the Colors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZwZDEMORtY
This was the first song I heard today. My favorite albums have some form of a timeline for lack of a better describing word or phrase. A few tracks will build up to a point, one or two will reach/describe that point and the rest will return the album to a sense of equilibrium. The whole of an album in my opinion should be more than the sum of it's parts. Ben Harper and the IC's have never been too focused about an album's musical layout. What I mean is that on their records a really fast-paced loud track will come before a slow crooning one, a really happy song will come before a really depressing track. With most other bands or groups, the lack of structure in an album pisses me off. Ben Harper and the IC's are an exception to that rule. The whole album called Lifeline is worth buying. There is no real sense of 'first this, then that" in it's track order, but what is there is really pleasant. In the Colors is a low-key song that makes me take a step back and exhale. Most tracks on this album help with that, the subject matter of the speak readily to an often-sleepy 20-something.
Litmus test of the week
The Ramones - I Want to be Sedated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD7Ezp3gWc
Screw The Monster Mash or other common Halloween tracks. This is the song that reminds me of Halloween the most. It does it in October only. If I hear it any other month, it is one of many rad tracks by the Ramones. They helped define punk music in America and didn't give a fuck what anyone thought in the process. If your girlfriend/significant other/hopefully either; can rock out to this during Halloween or any other time of the year, my only thought on the matter is an English fox-hunting term Tally-Ho! (Go for it).
I was avoiding my landlord last Tuesday. Just don't like the guy. I didn't want alcohol so I looked for a coffee shop. The first coffee shop that I stumbled upon still open at 8:30pm was a christian focused coffee shop. I bought a soy and caramel concoction I'd had before. The place features art from local and regional artists in a gallery upstairs and it's free, so I go there sometimes. This experience was different. It was like night and day. Unless you proselytize I don't have a problem with people who believe in some form of religion. This is doubly true because I was choosing to go where these people were, but most of the people there that night were jerks. I was grunted at by the barista. I got the sense he didn't want to be serving me. maybe he had a terrible day. If that wasn't the reason he just should have come out and said "I don't like something about you." I kept getting mean-mugged by either some of the the dozen people in bible study being held in an open corner of the bookstore portion or the handful of retirees that were also present. Getting leered at happens periodically but it generally happens much less here in L-town, I guess the christian coffee shop was an exception to that generality. Whatever it was, I left after I'd finished half my drink.
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - In the Colors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZwZDEMORtY
This was the first song I heard today. My favorite albums have some form of a timeline for lack of a better describing word or phrase. A few tracks will build up to a point, one or two will reach/describe that point and the rest will return the album to a sense of equilibrium. The whole of an album in my opinion should be more than the sum of it's parts. Ben Harper and the IC's have never been too focused about an album's musical layout. What I mean is that on their records a really fast-paced loud track will come before a slow crooning one, a really happy song will come before a really depressing track. With most other bands or groups, the lack of structure in an album pisses me off. Ben Harper and the IC's are an exception to that rule. The whole album called Lifeline is worth buying. There is no real sense of 'first this, then that" in it's track order, but what is there is really pleasant. In the Colors is a low-key song that makes me take a step back and exhale. Most tracks on this album help with that, the subject matter of the speak readily to an often-sleepy 20-something.
Litmus test of the week
The Ramones - I Want to be Sedated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD7Ezp3gWc
Screw The Monster Mash or other common Halloween tracks. This is the song that reminds me of Halloween the most. It does it in October only. If I hear it any other month, it is one of many rad tracks by the Ramones. They helped define punk music in America and didn't give a fuck what anyone thought in the process. If your girlfriend/significant other/hopefully either; can rock out to this during Halloween or any other time of the year, my only thought on the matter is an English fox-hunting term Tally-Ho! (Go for it).
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