Another Blast From the Past

T. Rex had a very unique sound.

Three members, including front man Marc Bolan, met early deaths....two to motor vehicles accidents and one to some unreported illness. Bolan wrote the songs and the music. This song (off of the 1971 release Electric Warrior) is a pensive piece that seems to highlight the writer's sense and understanding of his own mortality.

I have to wonder if he (like many others) had some weird premonition of his early fate, when he was writing it:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

This weekend we give a listen to one of my favorite male solo artists of all time. He has a versatile repertoire of songs he plays. But in each and every one I have heard, he brings out this Roy Orbisonesque mystique. This is to say, much of it is mysterious, pensive, and sensual.

If you are wondering what that sounds like, it's much like this one:



This one sounds like Orbison with a couple brief flashes of Morrison:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

This weekend we have my favorite of the Beatles, George. He was the quietest, but in my opinion, the most introspective of them all and it showed greatly in his music and lyrics.

Here is a performance with Leon Russell:



This is from the same concert and is a brilliant piece of work in my estimation:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Some Harry Chapin memories, this week.

Many thought Taxi and Cat's In The Cradle were his best works. They were definitely good, but I always liked this one about the broadcasting industry best:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Here is a band from the 60s, from NY's Greenwich Village. Despite being from the east coast, they had distinctive LA sound. Jesse Colin Young formed them before he went solo and Charlie Daniels actually produced one of their albums.

Their big hit was Get Together, but here is one of their more obscure tunes that really I liked a lot:



Of course, we all remember the Kinks and their musical legacy. Here are a couple songs performed in Glastonbury and sang as a tribute to the late Kinks bassist Pete Quaife, by front man Ray Davies:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Einer der führenden deutschen Bands aus den 70s. Sie sangen alle ihre Texte in Englisch.



Genießen

Another Blast From the Past

Souvenirs.

Over time, it's all we are left with to prove we were here or there, or we knew this person or another.

Today, I will go pick up a ceramic paw imprint of our little friend.



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

A little song about the Man Of Steel:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

I am in complete disagreement with this week's featured artists. One is never too old to rock and roll, but it's still a great song:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

This week, we feature a Chicago-based band I loved from the 90s....one that didn't make it very big, despite being incredibly talented and having a unique, refreshing sound. The guy who formed the band found the vocalists singing in a subway station for tips.

They only had one hit single, which reached #1 in Australia but only made it to #29 here in America. It's quite the catchy little tune, give it a listen:



Next up is the first song I ever heard by these artists and I think shows the real depth of their talent. If you listen to it, let it develop before you judge it. If you do, I bet you won't get the bass line out of your head all day:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Only one more weekend of Mardi Gras festivities, and this is some of the great music that comes from it:





Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Ten days until Fat Tuesday, so you know it's getting cranked up in NOLA. Here's one of the city's favorite sons and a real jazz legend:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

This week's musical selection comes with some political commentary.

The Progressive thugs are at their moment of truth, as we plainly see in Wisconsin. This is where the test of true grit and mettle is being played out before our very eyes.

They are desperate. They are weaker now than they were before the new Congress was sworn in... and they know it. So be ye not surprised at all this, because it's likely to get ugly before it's over. They cannot accept the fact that the majority of the people in the nation have rejected their message.

So they are pulling out all of the stops in Madison, by shipping in union thugs from all around the country to make this look like a huge show of discontent among the citizens of Wisconsin. But if we can withstand this last blast, if we can outlast this last ditch Hail Mary and "expend all ammo" strategy being employed by the Leftist unions, we can be heroes---even if it's just for one day:



Enjoy the music.

And stand firm for the Constitution. Stand for the rights of hard-working taxpaying citizens, everywhere. Stand firm for our democratically elected republic and the will of the people who make it strong, not the blood-sucking parasitical union thugs who produce nothing.....nothing but agitation and division. Stand tall and stand fast.

If not now, when?

Another Blast From the Past

An age old question put into lyrics and an awesome tune, by the man known as the quiet Beatle:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

Many of the modern artists, who are part of today's rock scene, clearly got their creative influences from others who laid the ground work before them. Music tends to be a bit cyclical that way.

If you close your eyes and just listen to this tune, you might start to think you are listening to Roy Orbison:



This next one isn't quite as obvious unless you can dig deep and go way back in your minds.

The singer, Scott Weiland, does not sound a bit like Allan Clarke or Graham Nash. But the musical composition and the melodic harmonies are what make me think of the Hollies when I listen to it.

See what you think:



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

While I do hear a certain unique sound in this tune, I also think it carries a bit of a Dylanesque quality. I don't think Ed Vedder sounds much like Mr. Zimmerman when he sings, but the structural components of this music/melody portrays the imagery that someone of his magnitude could capture.

Let me say that I am not necessarily a Pearl Jam aficionado but I think this is very good song, one that helped define an era of rock music.



As pensive and confusing the first piece may sound, this one is a little lighter. It's only lighter because the message supersedes the form. But even at that, I still think the form was pretty good. It's really hard to know why this guy didn't make it bigger than he did.



Enjoy.

Another Blast From the Past

What would you do if you won a million dollars or more in the lottery?



First, I would have one hell of a party:



Then, I'd pay everything off, save the rest in an annuity, and start banking everything I could for the next few years.

If I could do that, I'd retire early.

Oh well, that's why it's known as a dream for a buck.

Enjoy

Another Blast From the Past

For those sad moments that really make no sense:




Is there something written somewhere that says that it HAS to be this way?

Another Blast From the Past

Gerry Rafferty 1947-2011

His is not an uncommon tale for such a brilliantly talented musician. But he did leave us all with some great music to remember him by, like these two songs here:





Enjoy the music.

I'm Outta Here

Today marks the last day in my current position at my place of employment. After taking a week off to relax and get some personal affairs in order, I will start my new position in a new department on January 3rd, 2011.

This present job has been challenging and taxing. But I did enjoy the nature of the work during the course of its run, and I did meet some great people along the way. At times, it was even fun. But after two and a half years of long hours and lots of on-call days and nights, it's time to move on. Basically, you can say I am real, real gone:



This may be the last phase of my career, so I am looking forward to the new challenge.

It will not be too hard, as I have worked with many of the people I will soon be working with before, and I know what they expect. They, too, know me and know the high standards I have set over the many years I have been in the organization. So, I expect it to be another great run.