Showing posts with label youtube. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youtube. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020
A merging, an ending
My Aunt sent me a cassette of I'm Your Man when it came out in 1988. I'd never really listened to Leonard Cohen before, so chalk up another one for Sandy.
She died four years ago yesterday. This is the first video of a posthumous release of Cohen's.
And here we are. Brexit begins, the senate acquits. Putin wins.
She died four years ago yesterday. This is the first video of a posthumous release of Cohen's.
And here we are. Brexit begins, the senate acquits. Putin wins.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
The Cars saved my life in high school
In the late 1970's, as a lonely high school kid, I thought The Cars were the coolest. Their debut and Candy-O lived on my turntable. There was something aloof about Ocasek. He seemed to be above all the craziness of rock stardom (he was about 10 years older, in his mid 30's, than everyone else). Great chords, flashy solos by Elliot Easton, quirky seemingly interchangeable vocals of Orr and Ocasek. It was all brought together by the stellar production of Roy Thomas Baker, who produced Queen's greatest work.
The Cars were the first band I ever saw live, although technically it was the opening band, XTC. We were in the last row of the Nassau Coliseum. We were still buzzed from a bottle of Canadian Club and I remember they chose a weird song, Shoo Be Doo as the opener. They were not flashy, and I am not sure if they were an ever meant to be arena band and I never did connect with the Panorama album - the one they were touring on. But it was not a bad show.
They really took off with the Shake It Up and Heartbeat City records, and those records were good, but I was moving on to other music.
Ocasek put out a few uneven solo records, reunited the group after Ben Orr's death. I was not really listening anymore. The memories will always be good though, and always there.
A few years ago, his daughter in law owned an art gallery in the Short North and put on a show of his work, which I did not really connect with. He was here for the opening and I was walking south on High and saw him and his family (including his wife Paulina) coming toward me. He was in black, black and white tie tied loosely around his neck, dark sunglasses on. He did not look much different than the late 70's. I was too stunned to say anything. I was stunned to see the news of his death cross my social media tonight.
Rest in Peace, Ric. Thank you for the music.
The Cars were the first band I ever saw live, although technically it was the opening band, XTC. We were in the last row of the Nassau Coliseum. We were still buzzed from a bottle of Canadian Club and I remember they chose a weird song, Shoo Be Doo as the opener. They were not flashy, and I am not sure if they were an ever meant to be arena band and I never did connect with the Panorama album - the one they were touring on. But it was not a bad show.
They really took off with the Shake It Up and Heartbeat City records, and those records were good, but I was moving on to other music.
Ocasek put out a few uneven solo records, reunited the group after Ben Orr's death. I was not really listening anymore. The memories will always be good though, and always there.
A few years ago, his daughter in law owned an art gallery in the Short North and put on a show of his work, which I did not really connect with. He was here for the opening and I was walking south on High and saw him and his family (including his wife Paulina) coming toward me. He was in black, black and white tie tied loosely around his neck, dark sunglasses on. He did not look much different than the late 70's. I was too stunned to say anything. I was stunned to see the news of his death cross my social media tonight.
Rest in Peace, Ric. Thank you for the music.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Rest in Peace, Scott Walker
He was born in Hamilton, Ohio 76 years ago. Moved to California, made some records, became a huge multi-media star in the UK. Then he chucked it all away for the avant-garde and we're all better for it
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Shred in peace
My guitar teacher gave me a tab of some of this man's work. Some of it is technique, but so much is tone and feel. My wife did recognize what I was trying to do though.
Dick Dale was a true Influencer in guitar playing and manufacturing. The man was still going at the end, colostomy bag and all. He said he had to pay medical bills, but I think he also loved playing.
Dick Dale was a true Influencer in guitar playing and manufacturing. The man was still going at the end, colostomy bag and all. He said he had to pay medical bills, but I think he also loved playing.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
When the hunt eats you
Went to my off the beaten patch record store today to do some digging. And dig I did. For a change, I went in with a list of four records and ended up finding three of them. Purchased two since one of them was not in decent condition.
I’ve written about and told others about Memory Lane Records before and how it is so quirky. The owner is a fair man who today was in the rum and cokes. We were talking about a singer/songwriter who neither of us knew or could find out any information about. He somehow scored a single side of a five disc collection on VJ Records. It could have been a misspelling on the label, because I found a Wikipedia entry about this dude, Bobby Jameson. But the cataloger in me cannot find a true connection between the songs on the record and the songs he wrote. So be it.
Found five records to buy, and here is where the fun lies in this place - none of the records are priced. One of the records was a copy of Los Bravos’ Black Is Black in very good condition.
“Where did you find this?” Al asked as he marveled at its condition while turning the pages of his price book.
It had a book value of $75, he was going to charge me $50 and I passed on that. Al said he was probably going to take it home with him. He did play a couple of songs from it and may be still. It’s a very good record in excellent condition. I would have been thrilled to own it.
When I left I thanked him and said I was glad I could find that record for him. I’ll be back, but damn.
I’ve written about and told others about Memory Lane Records before and how it is so quirky. The owner is a fair man who today was in the rum and cokes. We were talking about a singer/songwriter who neither of us knew or could find out any information about. He somehow scored a single side of a five disc collection on VJ Records. It could have been a misspelling on the label, because I found a Wikipedia entry about this dude, Bobby Jameson. But the cataloger in me cannot find a true connection between the songs on the record and the songs he wrote. So be it.
Found five records to buy, and here is where the fun lies in this place - none of the records are priced. One of the records was a copy of Los Bravos’ Black Is Black in very good condition.
“Where did you find this?” Al asked as he marveled at its condition while turning the pages of his price book.
It had a book value of $75, he was going to charge me $50 and I passed on that. Al said he was probably going to take it home with him. He did play a couple of songs from it and may be still. It’s a very good record in excellent condition. I would have been thrilled to own it.
When I left I thanked him and said I was glad I could find that record for him. I’ll be back, but damn.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
More from the Westgate Cavern
Today is Scott Hutchinson's birthday. I'm doing my part, with clumsy fingers, to keep Frightened Rabbit's music alive.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Not the Mets, but something good
Finally had the time to watch this zeitgeist video segment last night. My son was on the couch, lying down and working on falling asleep. I was on the other end of the couch and put the video up on the laptop. He heard the start of it and opened his eyes a little bit. I noticed him looking and asked if he would like to watch it with me. He immediately bounced up and sat next to me. He intently watched the whole thing. It was quite the experience watching this video with him, instead of him just being in the room in his own world. We were doing something together, which has been rather rare.
It continues to be a mystery what he knows and pays attention to. Once thing is clear to me, he is Team Paul. He used to be obsessed with a Silly Love Songs video of his and pays more attention to the McCartney songs on a Beatles DVD he likes to watch. Never really been a fan of James Corden, but this is a very sweet segment.
It continues to be a mystery what he knows and pays attention to. Once thing is clear to me, he is Team Paul. He used to be obsessed with a Silly Love Songs video of his and pays more attention to the McCartney songs on a Beatles DVD he likes to watch. Never really been a fan of James Corden, but this is a very sweet segment.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Terrific song and video
Great to hear Traceyanne Campbell again. Fine, new record she made with Danny Coughlan.
Friday, May 11, 2018
I've got this disease I can't shake and I'm just rattling through life
The news that Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit succumbed to his demons and took his own life has struck me rather hard.
It’s not the same grief as when an icon you never met died, either suddenly or by natural causes. Frightened Rabbit were far from a household name, but they have a niche of very devoted supporters.
I’ve been following the band for over ten years, almost as long as they have been in existence. They had a good social media presence, you knew what they were working on, and where. Hutchinson wrote so eloquently and honestly about the human condition, flaws and all. He really put himself out there, to the point of a twitter meltdown a couple of years ago in which he asked us to not buy his records. The disease was speaking.
I saw them live in 2013 here, and the band delivered the goods as promised. It was a catharsis for both band and audience as we all got to yell scream and shout for a couple of hours.
The band came through town again in 2016, and tweeted that they were looking for a bar where they could watch the Leicester City soccer match. Several of us recommended a place.
The morning of the match I was there, along with other soccer fans, waiting for the game to statr. The band came in. I have to say there were very approachable, even when people wanted to give them their privacy, to let them watch the match in peace - they were very cool about it.
I got to talk to Scott briefly, to thank him for the good work he was doing. Handed over a couple of bottles of Irn-Bru, which they gratefully accepted. Grant cracked open a bottle right on the spot. They signed my CD, took some names for Monday’s guest list and that was it.
Did not get to go to the show, figured I’d catch them next time. You know how that goes.
See ‘em while you can, there may not be a next time.
Scott spoke openly about his condition, his depression and dark side and put them in his music.
Whatever he was listening to when he put out those two last, cryptic, tweets was lying to him so hard. The beast lies. Depression lies. As the band said today, he’s no longer in pain, may he have finally found some peace.
It’s not the same grief as when an icon you never met died, either suddenly or by natural causes. Frightened Rabbit were far from a household name, but they have a niche of very devoted supporters.
I’ve been following the band for over ten years, almost as long as they have been in existence. They had a good social media presence, you knew what they were working on, and where. Hutchinson wrote so eloquently and honestly about the human condition, flaws and all. He really put himself out there, to the point of a twitter meltdown a couple of years ago in which he asked us to not buy his records. The disease was speaking.
I saw them live in 2013 here, and the band delivered the goods as promised. It was a catharsis for both band and audience as we all got to yell scream and shout for a couple of hours.
The band came through town again in 2016, and tweeted that they were looking for a bar where they could watch the Leicester City soccer match. Several of us recommended a place.
The morning of the match I was there, along with other soccer fans, waiting for the game to statr. The band came in. I have to say there were very approachable, even when people wanted to give them their privacy, to let them watch the match in peace - they were very cool about it.
I got to talk to Scott briefly, to thank him for the good work he was doing. Handed over a couple of bottles of Irn-Bru, which they gratefully accepted. Grant cracked open a bottle right on the spot. They signed my CD, took some names for Monday’s guest list and that was it.
Did not get to go to the show, figured I’d catch them next time. You know how that goes.
See ‘em while you can, there may not be a next time.
Scott spoke openly about his condition, his depression and dark side and put them in his music.
Whatever he was listening to when he put out those two last, cryptic, tweets was lying to him so hard. The beast lies. Depression lies. As the band said today, he’s no longer in pain, may he have finally found some peace.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Monday, April 9, 2018
I hope he passes by the 91 Club
The drollest man in history. The greatest musical satirist of all time. Tom Lehrer turns 90 today!
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Spring, yeah right
First day of spring my ass. Rain, ice, snow. Fifty degrees is a pipe dream. You suck, weather.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Coming for you, Trebek
Took the online Jeopardy quiz tonight. I know a few questions were missed but I feel good about it over all. Just because I feel confident does not mean I'll get the call. Watch this space.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
To distract myself from the violence
I first saw this band during Holler last March. A couple of things impressed my about this Columbus band: they write their own songs, play no covers, and they do not suck.
What I thought was missing was one key song. The arrogant A&R guy in my wondered where the hit was.
They're getting closer, a lot closer.
Good stuff here.
In other music news I bought an Ibanez AS73 on eBay a couple of weeks ago on a very good auction win. Took it in to my guitar teacher and he went nuts over the instrument. He was very impressed.
Had my lesson tonight and the luthiers in the shop told me he bought an Ibanez they brought in this week. Not the model I have, but an upgrade. I went to the practice room, saw it on the stand and asked him if I should get a referral fee from Ibanez.
Then we worked on Downtown. Yes, the Petula Clark song.
Had a blast tonight. Needed it.
What I thought was missing was one key song. The arrogant A&R guy in my wondered where the hit was.
They're getting closer, a lot closer.
Good stuff here.
In other music news I bought an Ibanez AS73 on eBay a couple of weeks ago on a very good auction win. Took it in to my guitar teacher and he went nuts over the instrument. He was very impressed.
Had my lesson tonight and the luthiers in the shop told me he bought an Ibanez they brought in this week. Not the model I have, but an upgrade. I went to the practice room, saw it on the stand and asked him if I should get a referral fee from Ibanez.
Then we worked on Downtown. Yes, the Petula Clark song.
Had a blast tonight. Needed it.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
A crowded room is a burning battlefield
No one has captured my recent mood more than Jason Isbell. I first heard this it really hit home. Then he opened his show with it.
It's been rough since the accident. A lot of post trauma. Looking at every corner for the car that I was. I struggle with confidence and break out in rashes.
It's been rough since the accident. A lot of post trauma. Looking at every corner for the car that I was. I struggle with confidence and break out in rashes.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Sunday, November 12, 2017
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