Archive | May, 2010

It’s Number One in Israel

31 May

Currently, I am still recuperating from my 10-day Israeli journey. It is 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. What the heck am I doing up? The fact that my body thinks it is mid-afternoon may be a reason. Well, since I am up, it’s time to post.

My trip to Israel was filled with song. Songs constantly streaming from my Ipod to keep me occupied during bus trips and my two long flights. The interesting mix of Israeli and American music in Israeli markets that amalgamated into an almost incoherent combination of beats and sounds. The exciting sounds of commerce in loud Hebrew and broken Englsh. The repetitive and increasingly pestering singing on our tour bus. And, even the times of complete silence where only the sough of the light breeze picking up desert sand could be heard. Yes, music was a pervasive part of my Israeli vacation, and I knew I had to bring a particular music souvenir back for you faithful readers.

After a day of walking and sight seeing (we did a lot of these things on the trip) our group of 40 college students from Binghamton University were given 45 minutes to eat dinner at a mall. After spotting one of the most odd store neighbours in the world (a Mcdonalds next to a synagogue) and eating the Israeli version of fast food Chinese food, I spotted a Tower Records and jumped at the opportunity to check out some Israeli music. When I walked inside I saw Israel’s Top 25 albums. I promptly took a picture and unfortunately I am having major issues uploading it to the blog. So, just trust me. Most of the list was Israeli artists (including number one). But, a few American artists made it on. Justin Bieber was #20 (well, that’s a shame). #6 was Barbara Streisand (which is just too perfect). The title of #1 went to an artist named Yehuda Poliker (who I understandably did not know much about).

Yehuda Poliker (Credit ORENG -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/orenrosenfeld/)

Yehuda Poliker was born in Kiryat Haim, a suburb of Haifa, Israel, to Holocaust survivors. He is both a talented musician and known painter. His music combines pop/rock, Israeli folk, Greek and other Mediterranean influences. He can play numerous instruments and has a powerful and soothing voice. Take a listen to “Things I Wanted to Say”:

A Day of Remembrance…and BBQ

30 May

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, Moina Michael wrote:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

This seems to be a random piece of unimportant information, but, keep reading. Traditionally, Memorial Day, which will be officially observed tomorrow, involved poppies and proper American flag etiquette. Yet, as the years have marched on, tradition has been lost and replaced instead by backyard barbecues, beer, and a day off from work. Well, that’s all well and good, but the history of Memorial Day is often left behind. Did you know that Memorial Day was officially proclaimed by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic (veterans of the Union army), on May 5, 1868. And, it was first observed 142 years ago, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery.

This is why I have chosen to lead this post with this particular poem. It is so easy to lose the true purpose of Memorial Day among the vast quantities of burgers, hot dogs, cole slaw and apple pie (the classic American feast). Family comes over and discussion generally does not enter the realm of war and death. Why? Well, it’s rather depressing. I will be the first one to tell you. Such discussion can ruin a pleasant afternoon. Yes, I understand this particular quandary, but, it goes without saying that we must honor our fallen soldiers each and every day. Memorial Day provides a convenient calendar date to reflect, but, what good does it serve if many do not reflect. So, I will institute in this post a call to action. Go outside tomorrow into your garden, your local park, your street corner; at a Memorial Day gathering or by yourself. Pluck a flower from the ground (does not have to be a poppy). Think of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and think of their families who may be having a memorial day barbecue without the smile of their lost son, daughter, mom or dad. Think of them and let the flower go. Keeping them in our mind is the least we can do.

Now, onto some music. Many are probably assuming that I will go with the classic Memorial Day song choice on this blog post. Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” is as patriotic as kissing the American flag, but, I want to choose something a little different. Like Q1043 (the classic rock radio station of the New York City/Long Island area) often says, “Let’s take one off the back wall.” So, my Memorial Day must-have comes from Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, “Ballad of the Green Beret.”

Stay close tomorrow; another post will be coming out you. One having to do with my recent trip to Israel (which is still screwing with my sleep patterns).

Big ol’ jet airliner, don’t carry me too far away

15 May

In 1973, Paul Pena, a diverse American blues singer from Massachusetts, recorded “Jet Airliner” for his New Train album. Yet, after conflicts with his label, the album went unreleased (until 2000) and “Jet Airliner” was left as bootleg recording. For four years one of modern classic rock radio’s most overplayed hits laid on the shelf collecting dust. This until Steve Miller heard a recording of “Jet Airliner,” and decided to record it for his album Book of Dreams. Miller placed a Clapton-like “Crossroads” guitar riff in front of the airplane epic. The song hit #8 on the Billboard chart after being released as a single, and, like I said earlier, now is severely overplayed on almost all classic rock radio stations. If I ever get the opportunity to be one of the preservers of classic rock music on the radio, I will make a point not play “Jet Airliner.” How about “Swingtown or “Going to the Country?” I am not saying these are better songs, but, at least they are different.

The reason I am profiling “Jet Airliner” today is because on Monday I will be taking a big ol’ jet airliner to Israel on Birthright. Birthright is a Jewish charity that sponsors free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish youths. I fit the profile of a Jewish youth and therefore am fortunate enough to be going on this trip with fellow Music Court writers Josh Lampert and Amanda Grannis, my girlfriend, and our suitemate Marc. I am incredibly psyched. I will be away from May 17-27. So, I wish all of you faithful readers a fantastic 10 days and I am looking forward to posting when I return. During the 10-day span, a familiar face will be returning to the blog to write a couple of posts and “water the flowers” when I am gone. I trust he will do a great job.

Steve Miller:

Paul Pena:

What is the Best Album Cover of All Time

14 May

There is an old music adage first said by the wise Technotronic. It goes, “Pump the jam, pump it up.” That’s right people, get those feet stompin’. Excuse me. Random Technotronic outbursts have always plagued me. But, this festive 80’s hit does make a point that has become stuck in many people’s musical psyche for the past 20 or so years. Just pump the tunes and let me dance. Popular music today has warped into an odd mixture of auto tune, remixed fast-paced beats, and alien-like dress.

Ra Ra Ah Ah Ah roughly translates to I come in peace

There has been less of a focus today on the true art of a putting together an epic LP, and more focus on single hits that can destroy the charts. The tangible CD is a thing of the past and if you ask a 10-year-old what a Walkman is, their response would most likely be a twisted version of the game Hangman. But, I must admit this all just a natural progression. 78’s turned in 45’s which turned in 12-inch 33’s which turned into 8-tracks and then cassettes, CD’s and finally MP3’s and those fancy schmancy IPod’s. You know in my day I had to hold my thin Walkman while I went running and it usually skipped. And, unless you are overly nostalgic or just a little crazy like me, a record player is an antique.

CD’s still exist though and while they are often burned onto an MP3 player, they have not been fully weeded out quite yet. But, what has seen a tremendous decline, is album art.

Album art used to be one of the most important parts of a record (when they were the size of a laptop computer). It drew people in as they shopped for music in record shops. If the album cover was intriguing, the chances of an indecisive person buying the album increased. Therefore, the majority of the amazing album covers are trapped in the past; most created before the year of my birth, 1989. It is unfortunate that album cover art has mostly been lost. Album art included pictures with subtle intricacies, interesting messages and, sometimes, humorous/austere elements that certainly were embedded in many memories. These masters of the square palette of colorful album creations do not get enough/any credit for their works. For example, when I think of Abbey Road, I am immediately brought to a scene of the four Beatles walking in a single-file line across the street, and if it wasn’t for creative director Kosh and photographer Iain Macmillan, we may have seen a completely different image.

So, in honor of the necessary art of album cover creation, let’s run a poll today on the Music Court. What do you believe is the greatest album cover of all time? I will include pictures. Also, I anticipate many other votes, so, if you have an album that you believe should be included please comment and let’s discuss.

Lady Gaga wants to die in front of her fans…ZOMBIES

13 May

Lady Gaga, the incredibly eccentric pop musician who has utterly confused and enthused the music world, has recently told Various that she longs to perish while playing a show. “I would rather not die on vacation,” she said. “I’d rather die on-stage with all my fans.” Well, some people want their ashes scattered over the sea, or at a baseball stadium, but, Gaga wants to roma, roma-ma all over the stage. I wonder which song she would like to go out to. I am thinking “Poker Face.” Because, under her ode to a Stanley Kubrick masquerade ball, people won’t even know she is dead. They wont understand that what they are actually seeing is a Gaga ZOMBIE.

Gaga Zombie

Talking about zombies, BEATLES ZOMBIE! Remember Alan Goldsher’s graphic novel, “Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion.” Yeah, neither do I. The book of fantastic illustrations (so I hear) depicts the Beatles as zombies. The book roughly depicts a mass Beatles murder by John Lennon, who after killing his band mates, goes on a zombie tour where the zombie Beatles must be on the lookout for ninja Yoko Ono and zombie hunter Mick Jagger. Wait, this is not the real story of The Beatles after the release of Abbey Road. Well, this absolutely hilarious idea has just been bought by two filmmakers. Yes, this may be made into a film. And, do you know what’s funny. I am more looking forward to this movie than Liam Gallagher’s serious Beatles’ film.

Bealtes ZOMBIES

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