Archive | March, 2011

St. Patrick’s Day – Updates on 1967 Album March Madness

17 Mar

 

The Definition of Irony

John Lennon once wrote, “If you had the luck of the Irish, You’d be sorry and wish you were dead.” Hence, the definition of irony above. St. Patrick’s Day has become a celebration of Irish culture in general and the holiday’s trademark is leprechauns and clovers. Clovers that definitely do not provide luck. But, let’s celebrate the triumphant Irish who have overcome much adversity to drink copious amounts of alcohol on this day. And, while we are toastin’ and drinkin’ why not listen to some quality celtic rock created by one of my favorite celtic rock band’s Great Big Sea.

Let me answer two of your questions. Yes, I enjoy celtic rock and Irish traditional music. Secondly, yes, Great Big Sea is from Canada, but they are from Newfoundland which has much Irish roots. Their sea shanties are perfect for a holiday like this. So, raise your pint and listen to this:

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Thank you gigantic update post-it. It is time for the 1967 March Madness Album Update. Thank you to everyone who is voted thus far. A few first round races are close. If you have not voted, follow the links below and get to clicking for your favorites.

#1 seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is destroying #16 seed: Absolutely Free by The Mothers of Invention 9-0

No surprise there.

#2 seed: The Doors by the Doors are beating Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues 8-2

#3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience are also winning 8-2 over Procol Harum

One potential upset is the close battle between Magical Mystery Tour and Velvet Underground and Nico. MMT is beating the proto-punk band’s debut album 6-5

Over on the mid-range battles only one battle is close and that is between Strange Days and the Left Banke’s debut. Strange days is winning by one vote.

GET THE VOTE OUT

1 vs. 16 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/march-madness-music-16-1-best-album-of-1967/

2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/march-1967-madness-continues-2-vs-15-3-vs-14-4-vs-13/

5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9 – https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/march-madness-best-album-of-1967-first-round-5-vs-12-6-vs-11-7-vs-10-8-vs-9/

 

March Madness – Best Album of 1967 – First Round – 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9

16 Mar

The first round keeps on trucking along. The higher seeded match-ups for the best album of 1967 have garnered a lot of attention and votes continue to come in. Currently, the 1,2,3 seeds are rolling along but Magical Mystery Tour, the 4th seed, is having issues with Velvet Underground and Nico, the 13th seed, which only trails by ONE VOTE! It’s an exciting potential upset. Haven’t had a chance to vote in the higher seeded first round matches yet? Follow the below links before voting in the last four first round match-ups below.

#1 Seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles vs. #16 Seed: Absolutely Free by The Mother’s Invention

Follow This Link To Vote: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/march-madness-music-16-1-best-album-of-1967/

#2 seed: The Doors by the Doors vs. #15 seed: Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues

#3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience vs. #14 seed: Procol Harum by Procol Harum

#4 seed: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles vs. #13 seed: The Velvet Underground With Nico by The Velvet Underground

Follow this link to vote:  https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/march-1967-madness-continues-2-vs-15-3-vs-14-4-vs-13/

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Let’s move on to some excellent first round matches. While many of the higher seed battles are going to be won by the higher seeds, we may see some mini-upsets in some of these mid-level upsets. You all ready? Let’s do it. Remember vote if you want your favorite to pass through. First round voting ends March 21!

#5 seed: Disraeli Gears by The Cream vs. #12 seed: The Pipers at the Gate of Dawn by Pink Floyd

Disraeli Gears may be The Cream’s best album. It was the second release by this supergroup and it featured classics like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew.” It was ranked 112 in Rolling Stones’ best albums of all time. It is a great example of the talent that oozed from this band. But, it does have some competition with The Pipers at The Gate of Dawn. While this is not Pink Floyd’s best album (by any argument), it is the debut from one of the most influential British rock bands that would later take progressive psychedelic rock to a new level. Syd Barrett provided direction for this album (the only Floyd album he would) and songs like “Interstellar Overdrive,” “Astronomy Domine” and “Bike” are featured, all excellent examples of psychedelic rock.

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#6 seed: Strange Days by The Doors vs. #11 seed: Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina by The Left Banke

Do not write this one off as a clear win for the Doors quite yet. Many may be looking at this and thinking who is The Left Banke and how did they manage an 11 seed. Well, they are a dark horse in the competition because of the absolute excellence of this release. On it is “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina” two of the best examples of baroque pop ever to be released. Listen to the songs before you vote. This is not intended to sway your vote. Strange Days is an excellent album that probably deserved a higher rating (that’s how good 1967 was for album releases). Released just eight months after their first release, the album features “Strange Days” and “People are Strange.”

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#7 seed: Forever Changes by Love vs. #10 seed: Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane

The battle of two psychedelic juggernauts. This may come down to matter of preference. On one side you have Love who with Forever Changes pretty much defined the genre of psychedelic rock. It is some of the most crisp and fine examples of the genre ever. Surrealistic Pillow, on the other hand, features “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit” two other exceptional examples of psychedelic rock. In a way, Jefferson Airplane’s music is more rock-oriented and Love, more psychedelic. Let the battle of the 1967 California psychedelic bands commence.

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#8 seed: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin vs. #9 seed: John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan

The diversity of 1967 album releases is striking. I do love how we go from Love vs. Jefferson Airplane (two bands playing psychedelic music) to Aretha vs. Bob Dylan, soul vs. folk. So, which way will you go? “Respect” or “All Along the Watchtower”

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And there you have it. The first round concludes. Remember voting ends on March 21 as soon as the clock strikes midnight. Happy Voting!

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The Holy Modal Rounders – Psychedelic Folk – 60’s Psychedelic Experiment

15 Mar

We move now to the psychedelic folk portion of our 60’s Psychedelic Experiment. Psychedelic folk is not as specified as last week’s garage rock psychedelic genre. Psych Folk (for short) exploded in the mid 1960’s as one of the most malleable forms of psychedelic music. One of the reasons why Psych Folk became the most common form of psychedelic music (at first) was because it was not a huge jump from current music. Psych Folk simply adjusts acoustic instruments and adds obscure sounds common with psychedelic music. As it became more refined and widespread, musicians added creative vocalization (like chanting).

When people explore the foundations of this broad sub-genre, most point to the band above, The Holy Modal Rounders, as one of the main Psych Folk originators. The Holy Modal Rounders came from the burgeoning music scene in Greenwich Village. They released their eponymous first album in 1964. The album is folk, but underneath the obvious exterior is some elements of latent psychedelia. (By the way, Sam Shepard played drums for them for a time – yes, the playwright).

Many people point to the Holy Modal Rounder’s version of “Hesitation Blues” because they actually mention the term “psychedelic” in this song. They pronounce it “psycho-delic,” but it was the first mention of the term in a song, ever. That stands for something. But, do listen.

This is simply a sped-up folk version of the blues classic. Yes, Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber have cool voices, but their Psych Folk mastery did not come until later. Listen to this.

“The Bird Song” released on the 1969 album The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders was featured in the movie “Easy Rider” which profiles the counterculture (and AWESOME music). This is a classic example of Psych Folk. We have a old-timey piano riff that you could hear at a saloon playing over a reverbed nasaly voice. In the background you can hear the airy backdrop of the song. This is clearly upbeat psychedelic music that has folk elements (especially with the addition of the acoustic guitar.)

R.I.P Owsley and Hugh – Bob Dylan…in China? – 1967 Album March Madness UPDATE

14 Mar

Owsley “Bear” Stanley, LSD Pioneer, dies at 76

Owsley Stanley took his last trip Saturday, dying of injuries sustained during a car accident. He was 76. Stanley’s influence on the LSD culture in California during the mid-late 1960’s is often understated. He produced a lot of the drug, yes, but he also inspired musicians and was a successful sound engineer for The Grateful Dead. Stanley, whose nickname was “bear” inspired the band’s dancing bear logo . Lyrics written by The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa reference Stanley and his conflicts with authorities. The Dead’s song “Alice D. Millionaire” is based on an LA Times newspaper headline about Owsley entitled “LSD Millionaire.”

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Hugh Martin Jr., composer, dies at 96

Well, it seems the news segment of the Music Court is quite depressing today. Hugh Martin wrote “The Trolley Song” for Judy Garland in the 1944 musical “Meet Me in St. Louis,” but he is most famous for his beautiful creation “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which, even though it was also written and sung by Garland in the same play, became a staple of Christmas music that still is equally as popular today. Yes, Martin’s composition is still getting air time around 70 years later. The wonder of Christmas nostalgia.

The creation of the song is actually quite interesting and particularly poignant. Originally Martin wrote the lyrics as:

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last. Next year we may all be living in the past.Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.”

But, while the song does has melancholic implications, a wise studio executive told Martin that the lyrics did have to be somewhat more uplifting. So, Martin went back and drew up what we now listen to today (starting in October – it seems) incessantly.

Here is a great version of the classic from Katie Melua:

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Bob Dylan Approved to Play in China

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine

Bob Dylan will be doing (above picture) in China. Yes, after scheduling dates in China last year only to be turned down, Dylan finally gained permission from China’s Ministry of Culture to perform in Beijing between March 30th and April 12th.

Dylan, who seemingly has played in every country, will be playing in China for the first time.

This, from the Rolling Stone article about the subject:

“The approval notice for Dylan’s appearance in Beijing will require him to stick with a setlist that has been vetted by Chinese officials. No details have been released regarding what Dylan material was deemed appropriate for Chinese audiences, but it is likely that his more politically oriented songs did not make the cut.”

LOL! Yeah, I don’t think “Blowin’ in The Wind” or “The Times They Are A’ Changin” will be played for the Chinese audience, especially now at the outset of recent protests quashed in China. I envision the setlist being quite conservative, focused mainly on blues. But, let’s be real China Ministry of Culture, Americans, who speak Dylan’s native language, cannot even understand what he is saying anymore. Do you really think a Chinese audience will understand?

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UPDATE ON MARCH MADNESS ALBUM TOURNY

After a couple of days of voting I have a quick update of the March Madness 1967 album Bracket Competition, where we are pinning the best albums of that year up against eachother.

Currently, the 1 vs. 16 battle is being led by heavily favored Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band 7-0. This can be voted on by following this link:

https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/march-madness-music-16-1-best-album-of-1967/

Other Match-Ups:

#2 seed The Doors leads Days of Future Passed 6-1

#3 seed Are You Experienced is beating Procol Harum 6-1

and…our only potential upset chance thus far (it seems)

#4 seed Magical Mystery Tour is only beating Velvet Underground and Nico by three votes 5-2

The above can be voted on by following this link: https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/march-1967-madness-continues-2-vs-15-3-vs-14-4-vs-13/

More first round match-ups will be posted up on Wednesday so sit tight and VOTE!

 

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March 1967 Madness Continues – 2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13

13 Mar

Did you know that UCLA won the 1967 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament? The 3-seeded album of our tournament was created by a man that would have one of the most amazing live performances in California come June of that year. Let’s continue with our tournament. Will we see an upset in the first round. Can our 13 seed take down the heavily favored four.

REMEMBER: In order for this to work, vote, vote, vote for your favorite!

#2 seed: The Doors by the Doors vs. #15 seed: Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues

A solid first round match-up. The albums are both exceptional in their own right. Days of Future Passed is an early example of progressive rock. It has their most famous song “Nights in White Satin.” But, the Doors’ debut album will be tough to beat. The album is stacked with big-time songs like “Light my Fire” and “Break on Through.”

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#3 seed: Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience vs. #14 seed: Procol Harum by Procol Harum

Are You Experienced features some of the best work by Hendrix and his band. The jam-packed album is rock n’ roll history. It is one of the greatest albums of all time (and it is a third seed – shows you how good 1967 was). In the North American release, songs like “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” and “Fire,” spin off the record in mind-blowing fashion. But, do not underestimate Procol Harum. Procol Harum, the band’s first release, features an interesting mix between psychedelic rock and classic elements. “A White Shade of Pale” is one of the more beautiful, haunting songs ever released. And, Robin Trower‘s guitar work is great. Obviously not what Jimi Hendrix was doing, but still excellent.

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#4 seed: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles vs. #13 seed: The Velvet Underground With Nico by The Velvet Underground

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do I smell an Andy Warhol banana upset. The Velvet Underground and Nico (also a debut album) features the work for pioneers Lou Reed and John Cale who, with this album, pretty much created the genre of protopunk and set the foundation for the late 70’s. “Heroin” and “I’m Waiting for My Man” are two pieces of lyrical candor and genius by Reed. Magical Mystery Tour, the Beatles’ second appearance on our list (released in December of 1967) does have “I Am The Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever,” two psychedelic masterpieces. This is going to be a tough battle.

 

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES OR THEY MAY NOT SURVIVE!

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