Archive | January, 2010

Court Links: Hendrix and Ringo Starr’s ‘Y Not’

11 Jan

CD Releases

“Valleys of Neptune” by Jimi Hendrix

A few weeks ago I mentioned that Jimi Hendrix had some unreleased recordings that would be posthumously released come the new year. Today, I have a date and a name. An unearthed song “Valleys of Neptune” (pretty awesome name) leads the pack of 12 tracks recorded at Hendrix’s last recording sessions. On February 2nd Valleys of Neptune, also the name of the album, will be released. The album will include covers of “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Bleeding Heart” as well as recorded versions of Are You Experienced songs. The album will certainly be good because, come on, it is Hendrix. So, consider this preview a very early notification!

“Y Not” by Ringo Starr

When Ringo Starr decides he wants to make an album he calls up his high-profile list of musician friends. Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Van Dyke Parks (the indelible studio musician), Ben Harper, Joss Stone, Edgar Winter, Billy Squier and even Richard Marx (who recorded one of the corniest songs of all time “Right Here Waiting” and yes you have heard of it). Each one of these musicians had their hand on this album, their voice, instrument or influence. Paul McCartney notably went in for one song and ended up doing a whole slew in similar fashion to tests in a doctor’s office. The album is released tomorrow, January 12 and I seriously suggest you take a listen

Buy it tomorrow: http://www.amazon.com/Y-Not-Ringo-Starr/dp/B002WBYDJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263224963&sr=8-1

Bestowing the Crown: Kina Grannis

9 Jan

 

Hey Guys,

 I think you all should check out rising star Kina Grannis (no relation). Grannis is currently 24, and a California native of French, Scottish and Japanese descent. Most of all, she’s a really cool folksy/acoustic artist with one heck of a voice. You’d probably find her quite easily on YouTube, considering she has literally performed dozens of covers ranging from the likes of Leonard Cohen, John Mayer, and Michael Jackson. She currently has a loyal following, with nearly 30,000 fans on her Facebook page. Grannis been signed with Interscope Records since 2008, and her debut album Stairwells, is said to come out soon this year.

Court Links: Queen Muse

8 Jan

Congrats to Alabama who has just won the National Championship of College Football. In celebration of their victory I thought I would post two songs having to do with victory. Queen’s “We are the Champions” and Muse’s new hit “Uprising” which has lead singer Matt Bellamy belting out that “We will be victorious” in a pretty kick a** chorus, if you do not mind me saying. There is no better way to celebrate with music; especially with youtube videos. A little info that you might not know about Muse before I post the two videos for your listening pleasure. Matt Bellamy’s father George was the rhythm guitarist for the instrumental rock band The Tornado’s. You may be thinking, “So, big dead,” but The Tornados released one of the biggest instrumental hits with “Telstar” which I guarentee you will recognize. I am so sure that I will give you a link to look it up now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ybCjf6ras. Did you listen to it? Sound a little like Muse. I believe the old apotheghm is the apple does not far fall from the tree. That could not be closer to the truth.

Things to Never Do #2: Play the Guitar really fast and think that makes you a good player/musician

8 Jan



This just turns me off even more

Once again, I was bored and searching through videos. This time, however, I have come up with an item that does not amuse me, but rather disheartens my hope for young musicians. It seems that a growing trend is developing that has young musicians equating guitar playing speed with skill and good playing. The sad thing is: there are so many people who can do that. With a lot of time on your hands and a basic knowledge of the pentatonic scales, you can most definitely teach yourself how to play with great speed on the guitar.

I am a guitar player myself and was shocked as I was offered a job teaching guitar to a young kid after he and his mother were listening to me. I was doing nothing impressive. I was testing out the action of the fretboard, just playing some of the aforementioned pentatonic scales. I also played the very beginning to classical gas. However, these people paid no heed to the older gentleman near me, who was playing beautiful blues on a guitar that he also could not afford. The trend leaves young musicians disregarding musicality and feeling, hoping to learn quick, easy ways to seem impressive to their friends or nearby girls. By the way, I am not insinuating that I am a great guitar player by any means. Check this video out:

Why this kid thinks he’s awesome is beyond me.

As far as this guy is concerned, I am left speechless. It is true that he can play extremely fast. So what? Can you listen to that for more than 5 seconds without

begging your fingers to type another URL into your browser? I didn’t last that 5 seconds.

So please, to all the young musicians out there: Please learn from the greats who have put all their emotion into their music. I am not saying that speed and technical proficiency don’t have their place, for they most certainly do. But please learn balance and where the line is that divides tasteful speed with showing off. Please Check out the following video of Joe Bonamassa. He employs exactly what I am talking about: a balance between speed and feeling, and utilizing speed in a way to express an idea. I wish you all good playing and a good 2010.

And with that, good luck on Saturday Jets.

SWOD (Song of the Day/Word of the Day) #2

7 Jan

Quotidian: Occurring or returning daily; Of an everyday character

Example: Bob Dylan (I used him last SWOD) writes of the quotidian draw of daily life in the song “Workingman’s Blues #2” which is off of Dylan’s 32nd studio album “Modern Times” which was released in 2006. The song is crowded with Dylan’s story-telling lyric, but always comes back to the four line chorus which supports the SWOD.

“Meet me at the bottom, don’t lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman’s blues”

The chorus repeats several times in the same fashion of the work day. It is sure worth a listen.

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