Archive | March, 2010

“American Idol” Rolling and Pearl Jam Touring

11 Mar

Who is the next Mick Jagger? I don’t know, but, “American Idol” will attempt to find out next week. The competition’s top 12 will take on the Rolling Stones challenge according to an announcement by “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest. So, prepare for two to three memorable performances of songs like “Satisfaction” and “Wild Horses,” and a whole bunch of bad imitations. I like when “American Idol” attempts to spice the competition up with band tributes and it did work two years ago when “American Idol” contestants took on the Beatles’ immense track list. But, the Stones. I can only wish the contestants good luck. My only suggestion to contestants is to not attempt to imitate Mick Jagger’s carefree swagger. Make the songs your own or face the judges scorn. Trust me. I have only been watching the show for over a third of my life. Wow, that is incredibly sad.

Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/03/11/american-idol-set-to-tackle-songs-by-the-rolling-stones/

Video:

Pearl Jam is coming to Madison Square Garden. My good friend is jumping for joy. The short spring tour concludes in New York with two shows on May 20 and 21. The tour will support the release of their recent album Backspacer. Die-hard Pearl Jam fans are quite loyal and unwavering in their belief that Pearl Jam is god’s gift. I am not among those who are crazed with this Seattle band. They are not my cup of tea. But, I have heard they put on some pretty awesome shows. They will sell out the Garden so that counts for something.

U.S. Tour Dates:

May 1: New Orleans (New Orleans Jazz Festival)
May 3: Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center)
May 4: St. Louis (Scottrade Center)
May 6: Columbus, Ohio (Nationwide Arena)
May 7: Noblesville, Ind. (Verizon Wireless Music Center)
May 9: Cleveland, Ohio (Quicken Loans Arena)
May 10: Buffalo, N.Y. (HSBC Arena)
May 13: Bristow, Virginia (Jiffy Lube Live)
May 15: Hartford, CT (XL Center)
May 17: Boston (TD Garden)
May 18: TBA
May 20: New York (Madison Square Garden)
May 21: New York (Madison Square Garden)

Link: http://www.billboard.com/news/pearl-jam-unleashes-u-s-concert-dates-1004074568.story#/news/pearl-jam-unleashes-u-s-concert-dates-1004074568.story

Video:

Seeing Eye to Eye with Equaleyes

10 Mar

Band: Equaleyes

Genre: Rock/Reggae/Pop (Always, if delicately done, a great mix)

Members:

– Jeff Crosby (Guitar, Vocals, Songwriting)

– William Prescott (Drums, Vocals)

– Daniel “The Hawk” Blumenfeld (Keys, Accordion)

– Tom Borda (Bass, Vocals)

Band Review:

There is a short list of known musicians from Idaho. This list includes Paul Revere, from Paul Revere and The Raiders, Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue bassist), and the prominent singer/songwriter Josh Ritter. We can add a burgeoning band to this list; Equaleyes (E-Qual-Eyes: To Make Equal).

The name Equaleyes suits this Boise band particularly well. Hidden behind their interesting music is a heart that numerous bands tend to lose as they start playing professionally. This can be heard in their music and seen in their numerous humanitarian efforts. Equaleyes has affiliated themselves with organizations including the U.S. Special Olympics, Casting for a Cure and Veterans for Peace. They have also donated the proceeds of several of their shows to raise funds for cancer patients in the state of Idaho. In an interview with http://www.livemusicnewsandreview.com, where they were featured as the Band Spotlight, lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeff Crosby spoke of their endeavours.

“We’ve realized that our music and music in general is a great way to bring attention to a cause and to help people in need. There’s no better way to spread awareness about something than through the power of songs. Knowing people personally that have dealt with cancer or are a military veteran has been a huge motivation to be involved and help in some way. Being aware of the environment and helping those in need we hope is common sense to our generation and definitely plan to always be involved in helping a cause or something bigger than us.”

Big words from a 22-year-old. The band has focused on not only giving back, but also making great music. Boy, they are the full package. So, how about we get to some music.

Equaleyes is a fresh blend of rock, pop, funk, bluegrass and reggae. That is certainly an earful. But, unlike some bands who quickly fall apart because of their ambition, Equaleyes is talented enough to make it work. They ably switch gears in each song on their most recent release While I’m Alive (released in 2008). Songs on this album range from pleasant experimentation to upbeat reggae/pop. Then, after you are immersed and ensconced in the reggae funk explosion, you are taken on a wild ride through the mountains of Idaho. It is such a treat to hear young musicians create a beautiful palette of music with such ease. This is a band that has the ability to strike it big. So, it is time we show these Idaho boys some east coast love.

This post comes at a good time for Equaleyes. They are due to release a new album in a month that, if While I’m Alive is any indication, will sure to be quite entertaining. You may want to put that CD on your list of upcoming releases. Also, they are embarking on a tour (I will include dates below)

Best Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_46K39mKQ (Sorry embedding was disabled)

“The Beaten Path” is a fun, upbeat tune that really makes you want to get up and move. It is highlighted by Crosby’s excellent vocal and the carefree, but cogent lyric. Here is a portion of the lyric.

“We walk our own path / we sing our own songs / we live the life of our choice
When this all gives in / and true life begins / we’ll all use our own voice / let’s use our own voice”

This seems quite appropriate for Equaleyes

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Mar 11 2010 The White Owl  Logan, Utah
Mar 12 2010 The Downstairs  Park City, Utah
Mar 13 2010 The Hogwallow  Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 15 2010 Cervantes W/ HOME Denver, Colorado
Mar 17 2010 Whistler’s Cafe  Nederland, Colorado
Mar 19 2010 Connor O’neill’s Boulder, Colorado
Mar 20 2010 Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins, Colorado
Mar 22 2010 Cervantes Otherside W/ Fatty Lumpkin Denver, Colorado
Mar 23 2010 Salida Cafe   Salida, Colorado
Mar 24 2010    Crested Butte, Colorado
Mar 25 2010 Fly me to the Moon Telluride, Colorado
Mar 26 2010 The Summit  Durango, Colorado
Mar 30 2010 Mystic Hot Springs Monroe, Utah
Apr 2 2010 Woody’s   Moab, Utah
Apr 3 2010 Woody’s   Moab, Utah
Apr 9 2010 Liquid (Yonder Mtn. Afterparty!)Boise, Idaho

Information:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/equaleyeslive

Website: http://www.equaleyeslive.com/

If you’d like to contact the band for booking, cds, merchandise, general info, send an email to equaleyeslive@hotmail.com, or leave a message on the myspace.

*Are you a new band that thinks your music is better than most of the stuff out there in the music world today. Well, we at the Music Court want to hear you. Send your band info; a band bio, updated band members, pictures, a sample track and potential tour dates (basic press pack) to musiccourt@gmail.com for a chance to be profiled on the blog.*

Who Doesn’t Love Pan-Flute

9 Mar

So, I like songs that feature a pan-flute (or panpipes or quill) and no I am not Peruvian (bad South Park joke sorry). This ancient mouth organ has been improving songs for a pretty long time. Back in the crazy 60s, pan-flutes saw a kind of semi-revival back into mass consumption; as they were featured in numerous songs during the era.

Perhaps the best example is Canned Heat’s “Going up the Country” which became a beloved song of the Hippie culture. Yet, I believe the title of most underrated pan-flute song goes to a virtually unknown song by a band that not many have heard of. In 1968, Peter Haycock, Arthur Wood, Derek Holt, Richard Jones, George Newsome and Colin Cooper formed The Climax Blues Band. If you are a fan of 60’s/70’s music you have probably heard their huge hit “Couldn’t Get it Right,” but today we will feature “That’s All” from their 1971 release Tightly Knit”


Unfortunately, I could not find a full audio file on the internet. But, below I am including a link where you will be able to hear a sample of the song. The song you want to listen to is “Let’s Work Together (this is “That’s All).”

Link: http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?pid=917714

This song is a fun-loving pan-flute medley. It’s a folk groove at its finest and it is hard not to sing-a-long if you know it or get it perpetually stuck in your head if you do not. Great song from an under-appreciated band. Enjoy!

Top 25 Guitarists of All Time: #25: Keith Richards

8 Mar

That's how he rolls...

NUMBER 25: Keith Richards

Born in December 1943, Keith Richards had no idea the levels he would reach. As a founding member of The Rolling Stones and with fourteen songs listed by Rolling Stone magazine  among the 500 greatest songs of all time, Richards has really gotten the ball rolling…or perhaps a stone would be more appropriate (it’s a corny joke…deal with it). Keith Richards began with his first electric guitar: a hollow-body Hofner cutaway. Over time, and many drugs later, Keith has become one of the most respected guitarists around. Inspired by Chuck Berry, Richards developed a style that interweaved lead and rhythm guitar. Although Richards has done amazing things with the electric guitar, he has always favored the acoustic, claiming you “lose that touch” with an electric. He has also dappled in bass playing, drumming, and keyboard playing, which have been heard on Rolling Stones studio recordings. Due to his amazing song writing, creativity, and emotionally proficient guitar playing, Keith Richards finds himself at #25 on this list. Check out this video…with Keith Richards doing his thing…I probably would have sympathy for the Devil.

The Important Oscar Awards

8 Mar

Who else found it absolutely hilarious that the end of the Oscars was so clearly rushed. Tom Hanks practically ran to the microphone to announce the winner of the award for best picture. This was not Hanks being quirky. The show was running out of time. The nightly news and documentation of the after party had to be salvaged. I felt like I was watching Ryan Seacrest attempt to end American Idol on time.

Yeah, kind of like this

But, it was the Oscars. It was the annual award ceremony that means so much to so many. “The Hurt Locker,” a film that profiles Staff Sgt. William James and his dangerous military job of bomb defusing, took home the best picture prize. Hanks didn’t even have time to read the 10 movie nominee list.

But, here at the Music Court, we were only focused on two awards. Who would win best original score and best original song? I had my pre-show favorites written down and, wouldn’t you know it, I was correct on both of my predictions.

Original Score

Winner: “Up” by Michael Giacchino

My Thoughts: Great choice. The nominees for this year’s award were strong but this was the clear choice. Giacchino’s score narrates the animated film. “Up” is a beautiful tale that lives by a touching moral. At times when it seems that all hope is lost, a plump and adventurous child can take you out of your comfort zone and show you what it means to love again. And, the music that takes us on a soaring, balloon assisted journey is proof of this moral. “Married Life,” the third track on the “Up” soundtrack, acts like a good story. There is no dialogue in the scene it is played over. We only get the moving, cartoon image of a couple growing old together. This ends in the wife’s death. The score provides us with a single hook that is played at different speeds throughout the piece. This acts as a powerful narration. The song is inspiring and emotional. It is perfect for this movie and is one of the main reasons why Michael Giacchino won the Oscar for best original score.

Information: http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees/up/3335

“Married Life”:

Best Song

Winner: “The Weary Kind” by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett from the movie “Crazy Heart”

Congrats to Jeff Bridges for finally winning an Oscar (BTW)

My Thoughts:

The obvious choice. The country tune is tender and real. A plucked acoustic guitar acts as a rhythm background to light strings and a heavy bass and drum. Ryan Bingham’s voice screams Springsteen in a tender and genuine way. The song feels like a Springsteen tune. But, Bingham puts his own spin on the song to separate himself from others. The lyric is truthful and the song is warm and cozy like a Zebra Snuggie. Yeah, I couldn’t help myself. I needed to make some odd comparison. But, in all seriousness, the song deserved the honor and I am glad that it won.

Information: http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees/crazy-heart/3343

“The Weary Kind”:

Great New York Times article about the awards ceremony: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/movies/awardsseason/08oscars.html?src=sch&pagewanted=all

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