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The Best Songs of 2010: Sneak Peak – Number 11: “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

14 Dec

Last year at around this time in December I was summing up a decade of music. Today premieres a preview of the top songs of 2010, a post category that will run from December 20 – December 30 (Skipping the Sunday in between). Each day will feature a different song in a running countdown to the best song of 2010. Please understand this disclaimer. All opinions expressed in this list (especially order of songs) are opinions. That’s right. So, if you have another song that you believe deserved a spot, post it in a comment and let’s talk. Also, be nice. It’s New Years and Christmas and overall merriment should be the pervasive thought during this season.

Anyway, before I travel home tomorrow (today marked the official end of Fall semester of my senior year at Binghamton University), I wanted to leave you with the #11 song on my 2010 countdown. The list is made up of 11 songs to mark our transition into 2011 and to hold true to the “one for good luck” axiom. I know. Aren’t I witty? Okay, not really. Let’s get to some music.

#11.) “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

We kick off our list with a song about a dinosaur. Well, no, it’s not about a dinosaur, but Frank, the Black Keys’ puppet dinosaur, does star in the video for this catchy rock tune. Take a listen:

Yes, Frank is infectious, but so is the opening whistle, catchy riff, excellent bass and drum portion (Pat Carney at his best). The song is excellently put together, clean, but rugged. The mini-solo that repeats throughout the song serves as a shaking breakdown (or Frank dance portion). Because, as we all know, Frank is a Funkasaurus Rex.

The song, not to be confused with Archie Bell and The Drell’s “Tighten Up” from 1968 – because who in the world would confuse a Black Keys song with Archie Bell’s awesome hit – appeared on The Black Keys’ release Brothers (May 18, 2010). The song was created by The Black Keys and Brian Burton, a.k.a Danger Mouse (who actually makes several appearances on our list through numerous different projects).

As guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach told The Sun, “That was the last song we did for the record. We had a couple of days off and so did Brian (Danger Mouse) and since we are friends and like hanging out with each other we thought it would be fun to go into the studio and see if we could come up with a tune. We always have a blast when the three of us get together.”

The result was a rock hit that fuses pop and the Keys’ trademark gritty style. Also, let us not forget Auerbach’s vocal which is trademark Keys, bluesy and upbeat. The end of the song definitely shows some Danger Mouse influence, as the song slowly moves into an odd techno, robotic beat and cuts out.

I think the songs greatest strength is in its simplicity. That, and Frank, mark it as #11 on our countdown. Tune your dials to The Music Court on December 20 where we will pick up with #10. I will be back posting on Thursday. Wish me happy traveling tomorrow (and hopefully none of that white stuff)

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The Recession-Proof Industry and Zombies, Lovin’ Spoonful Anniversaries

13 Dec

Zombie Reunion

Back on July 6, 2010, I wrote a post celebrating Odessey and Oracle, the 1968 masterpiece by The Zombies. I started out the article by saying that it was a broiler that day. 103 degree heat. Well, like I said then, at least it’s summer. It can be read here:

https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/the-underrated-album-odessey-and-oracle/

We flash back to reality and I concur with my past thoughts. Currently it’s 28 degrees out and tomorrow will probably touch single digits. Well, hey, at least it’s winter. That does not work as effectively. The Zombies know it’s all about the “Time of the Season”

In a few months, the Zombies will be celebrating their 50th band anniversary and they have come a long way since being formed while members attended Grammar School in St. Albans, England. The Zombies will celebrate their anniversary with a new album and a London concert in May. Come to America and play in the New York area. I saw members of the Zombies play at Hippiefest, but would love to see Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone together again.

Link: http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/10/the-zombies-50th-anniversary

An Unfortunate Anniversary

We move on. Let’s remember original lead guitarist for the Lovin’ Spoonful, Zal Yanovsky, who died eight years ago today. It may be the polar opposite from the weather…and season…today, but, here is the Lovin’ Spoonful’s biggest hit, “Summer in the City”

The Recession-Proof Industry

Music artifacts. It seems that everyday I get up in the morning and glance over music news to find another music artifact being sold for somewhere in between $100,000-millions. While the majority of the United States and Europe may be suffering, the super rich are buying music artifacts at a high rate daily.

Just this weekend it was reported that the original handwritten lyrics of “The Times They Are a-Changin‘” by Bob Dylan was sold to American Art Collector Adam Sender for $422,500. Holy God! I mean the lyric is a pretty awesome find, but still that is a lot of money. Well, Sender is a hedge fund manager with an extensive art collection and he is absolutely, 100 percent, recession-proof rich. The guy has a lot of money. So, I guess power to him. Someone needs to keep this music artifact business going.

But, just some food for thought. I’m not advocating shared wealth or any unrealistic communist ideals, but, it does seem rather odd that one can purchase an artifact – which is probably only a small purchase – for the money that most American’s will never make in a lifetime. And, yes, is this a joy of capitalism and the fruits of hard work and intelligence? Of course. But, while my statement does come off with harsh direction towards the super rich, in times of economic deficit maybe even the super rich should show some frugality instead of shoving it in the faces of those who are not close to that wealthy and are struggling to keep their family afloat. Because, Republicans, trickle-down does not work. It will never work.

Well, that’s about the most political I will get on this music blog. The sale of this artifact is still note-worthy and I think it was a good purchase by Sender. As a hedge fund manager he would know that this piece’s monetary value will only increase.

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The No-No Song Directed At Finals

12 Dec

Hey. This book is inspiring. It's about an octapus

You see Ringo, this is exactly what I don’t want to do. I wonder if he was reading a work by Chopin or Hawthorne. Maybe we can get together for a joint study session on visions of reality in both author’s works. Okay, probably not. But, right now I am sympathetic to one of Ringo’s songs especially. That’s right folks. One of Ringo’s songs. Well, it is not really Ringo’s song but he sure did make it famous. The song is his 1974 hit “The No No Song.” It skyrocketed to #1 in Canada and #3 in the U.S. It’s a dumb song, I know, but right now if we take some creative liberty with the lyric, it does express some of my Fall semester finals woe.

The No No Song was originally written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson. Axton is one of those famous songwriters who never gets enough credit even though he penned several hits. “Joy to the World”? Axton. “The Pusher”? Axton. “Heartbreak Hotel”? Well, his mother actually co-wrote that one.

Here is Ringo’s version:

It’s trippy and really odd. Like seriously weird. I kind of feel scarred, maybe dirty, after watching it. Anyway, let’s focus on the chorus:

“And I said no-no-no-no, I don’t ___ no more, I’m tired of waking up on the floor. No thank you please, it only makes me sneeze. Then it makes it hard to find the door”

The blank portion can be filled in with anything you like. In the context of the song it is an action that relates to the drug Ringo mentions in the verse prior. In the context of my post, let’s put study. So, studying makes me sneeze and makes it hard to find the door? Sure, why not. Honestly, I think I am ready for my Tuesday final right now, but back to studying I go just to make sure. Wish me luck and I will be home, back to posting on a regular schedule, Wednesday. I may have a post for you tomorrow. Keep posted

 

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Six Degrees of Your iPod: From Barenaked Ladies to Harry Chapin

10 Dec

I apologize for the late posting. After a long day of work/final preparation I went to Binghamton University‘s Anderson Center and supported my Fraternity brother, Andy Castillo, who was playing drums in a Jazz ensemble. It was an excellent two-hour long show. Now, back in my warm house, away from the single-digit temperature of Binghamton, I thought I’d try to warm you night owls up with Six Degrees of Your iPod. That’s right, the Music Court category of musical connections. I hit shuffle on my iPod – which currently holds around 13,000 songs – and choose the first six songs that appear. After providing the first six songs, I attempt to link songs one and six. The lead singer of band one had a son whose wife’s brother-in-law is the drummer of band six. If that’s the case, I’ll dig it up. Let’s play!

1.) “Thanks That Was Fun” by, The Barenaked Ladies

This famous Canadian band formed 22 years ago in Ontario. Yes, how long ago it feels. But, they still maintain a youthful feel to their high-powered music, especially with their humorous live shows (including rap battles). The band knows how to rock it, and knows how to slow it down for intimate songs like my personal favorite “War on Drugs.” This particular song’s true video is a montage of old Barenaked Ladies videos. I could not embed it, but you can all certainly check it out on Youtube.

2.) “Cry Baby Cry” by, The Beatles

3.) “Goodnight Sweetheart” by, Billy The Vision and the Dancers

4.) “Uncle Johns Band” by, The Grateful Dead

5.) “Infinite Arms” by, Band of Horses

6.) “Cat’s In The Cradle” by Harry Chapin

The story of Harry Chapin unfortunately ends with his untimely death because of a car accident on the Long Island Expressway near exit 40 for Jericho, NY (which is where I live by the way…no not on the expressway). But, Chapin’s incredible musical talents paired with his philanthropic contributions make him an honorable musician and man. Chapin was posthumously awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal and “Cats in the Cradle,” perhaps his most famous song, still lives on today

Connection:

Well, like usual, I get the impossible task of linking two songs and bands that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. How can one link a Canadian band with a Brooklyn based singer-songwriter? Okay, let’s start with Chapin. “Cats in the Cradle” was released in 1974 off of Chapin’s fourth album Verities And Balderdash. It was the first track. The Barenaked Ladies’ fourth album was Stunt and the first track on that album is “One Week,” their famous fast-paced hit. “One Week” has several pop culture references mentioned in the song, including Harrison Ford, who is perhaps most famous for the Indiana Jones movie series. And, would you look at that. Harry Chapin passed away in July of 1981 and what was the #1 movie at the time…”Raiders of the Lost Ark” starring Harrison Ford. From Chapin to Barenaked Ladies to Harrison Ford. What does this have to do with anything? Absolutely nothing. That’s Six Degrees of Your iPod and I am going to sleep!

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Remembering John Lennon

8 Dec

Thirty years ago I was -9 years old. Yes, a non-existing age where conscious thought is, well, not at a premium. But, after I was born, I took the natural musical transition to the age of sing-a-longs to the 10-year-old euphoric, ‘Eminem is the best artist ever,” to the introduction to good music, to today. At 21 years old, this semi-adult audiophile has gathered a pretty decent opinion on music. And, there is no one better than John Lennon.

John Lennon. The name evokes such memory and emotion. He is like music’s version of Santa Clause. Everyone knows him. From those who express pure idolatry to those who may have only heard his name in passing, he is beyond a musical legend and icon. John Lennon is god-like, transcending “music” itself. His name expands into the realm of magic. An anagogic superstar?

His shocking murder 30 years ago still leaves an incorrigible scar on the face of all music. That is how superb Mr. Lennon was. When Mark David Chapman pulled the trigger and killed Lennon, he destroyed a fixture of music itself. Lennon is irreplaceable.

Imagine if all of a sudden dogs just disappeared. That’s right. No more Fido and Spot to walk and love. Would we live on as human beings? Yes. We would all adjust. But, there would be this grand lacuna in our lives. That is what happened when John Lennon was ripped away. That is what happened 30 years ago, tonight. The world shook. People like Lennon are not supposed to die at 40.

So, let us remember him. The loquacious, sardonic and arrogant Beatle. The loving, and obsessed husband to Yoko and his Sean. The pioneer for peace marches and an anti-war sentiment, even after the hippie generation had deteriorated. He was a man with a giant heart and an indelible, extraordinary musical skill that surpassed his work with the greatest band to ever play, The Beatles.

Was he a complete angel? Of course not. His distant relationship with his first son, Julian and volatile relationship with his first wife Cynthia was a certain black mark on his existence. But, as humans, we are marked with numerous foibles (some being worse than others) and it is how we work through them that demonstrate our personality. He was young. He became kinder, less cocky, and more focused on propagating a message of peace to the world.

It happened at around 10:50 p.m. The Lennon’s arrived home at the Dakota after spending several hours at the Record Plant. Lennon wanted to go home so he could say goodnight to his son, Sean, before he was put to bed. He also liked to oblige fans who generally waited for a long time to get a picture with John or an autograph. Chapman was there. He had come to New York with the intention of killing Lennon. Earlier in the day he backed away from his plan at another autograph signing. This time he did not. He shot Lennon numerous times in the back. Two of the shots inflicted fatal wounds. Lennon was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m.

The story broke in a very interesting manner. Being a journalist, this particularly interested me. Alan Weiss, ABC’s New York affiliate, was in the hospital following a motorcycle accident. He reported the story first. Remember this was way before Twitter, Facebook and cell phones! He contacted ABC news, who relayed it to Roone Arledge, the executive producer of Monday Night Football (which was going on at the time). The Dolphins were facing the Patriots. The report was read by Cosell:

Yes, we have to say it. Remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all of The Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, dead on arrival. Hard to go back to the game after that news flash, which in duty bound, we have to take.

And that was that. John Lennon was murdered. A world mourned his loss.

There are some great links that any fan of Lennon should visit today after viewing this post. Rolling Stone has put together an excellent segment of Lennon’s last days. It includes audio clips of interviews, photos and videos.

Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/68404/239168

The New York Times has released two good opinion articles on the subject, one written by Yoko Ono. Take a look:

Link (Yoko): http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/opinion/08ono.html?_r=1&src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/opinion/08wed4.html?ref=opinion

An excellent piece by Tom Rinaldi of ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” on the reporting of the story:

Remember, all we are saying is give peace a chance. Rest in peace, John.

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