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Court Links: Happy Birthday George and Jimi Hendrix’s Interesting Brain

24 Feb

We are going to do a little switch around because of business. I hope to bring you a new Top 100 lyricist tomorrow. But, for tonight, as the skies above Binghamton prepare itself for the massive snow dump it is about to take, I bring you a special Wednesday version of Court Links.

Jimi Hendrix being a lefty and all that jazz

In an interesting article written by veteran journalist Tom Jacobs we are introduced to University of Toledo psychologist Stephen Christman who studied the ambidextrous Jimi Hendrix and indicated in his findings that there is a serious connection between his creativity and the interaction between the brain’s right and left hemispheres.

Check out the article: http://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/the-brain-that-gave-us-purple-haze-9680/

A big Happy Birthday to the kick-butt rocker George Thorogood. In honor here is some classic “Bad to the Bone”

SWOD (Song of the Day/Word of the Day) #9

23 Feb

Today’s Word

Bombast (Noun): Pompous or pretentious speech or writing.

Musical Example:

In the rap music genre there seems to be an abundance  of arrogant lyrics. This is a normal right of passage into the rap scene. Rap artists battle others and attempt to place themselves on top of the word/beat pedestal. Yet, some go over the top. Some artists fall into the ultra-arrogant level. I believe some of you may know who I am talking about.

I knew I would be able to find something on this wonderful internet

Kanye West’s bombast is off the charts and at times it approaches sickening but hilarious. Please understand, this is not a hit on Kanye West at all. Yes, he is an arrogant musician, but in many cases this may just be an intelligent act that has made him a lot of money fast. His actions seem stupid but his music is listened to. Take a peek at these lyrics from his song, “The Glory”

“What i supposed to now man the game all messed up
how am i supposed to stand out when everybody gets dressed up
so yeah at the grammy’s i went ultra Travolta
yeah that tuxedo might have been a little Guido
but with my ego i could stand here in a speedo and be looked at like ******* hero!”

Yeah, case closed.

Court Links: Albums Albums and Albums

22 Feb

As you may have been able to infer from the title, this Monday’s version of court links will be specifically focused on albums. An album that will be released tomorrow, and a guide to those that will be released throughout the year of 2010. Let’s begin.

There is a possibility that this may be a good year for music. With anticipated releases from Arcade Fire, Keane, Stone Temple Pilots, U2, Goo Goo Dolls, Maroon 5, Ozzy, and The Weepies (among many more) it would seem that 2010 may be a year that reaches back to older bands releasing more music while also sticking with bands like Arcade Fire to keep with the interesting Indie rock explosion. Billboard.com has been kind enough to put together an organized album preview. Enjoy!

Check it out: http://www.billboard.com/#/news/best-bets-2010-the-year-in-music-ahead-1004059387.story?tag=hppromo1

CD Releases (2/23/10)

Sticking with the theme of 2010 music releases let me preview and album that will be released tomorrow.

Of Men and Angels by The Rocket Summer

This is the fourth full-length studio album from the piano and guitar driven solo project of the talented multi-instrumentalist Stephen Bryce Avary. Avary writes every song on his record and he plays every instrument. Of Men and Angels is a 15 track exploration into the meaningful lyric of Avary and into his pop/rock sound.

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Men-Angels-Rocket-Summer/dp/B0034BW9EM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266853383&sr=8-1



20,000!!! and Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck: Night 2

20 Feb

20,000 views! Hooray! Pop the champagne and sip triumph. Just kidding; but 20,000 is pretty exciting. And, what better way is there to celebrate than with day 2 of Clapton and Beck.

I had first hand accounts this time around. My parents were at the concert and according to them it was a fantastic show. As my father said, “Beck was extraordinary and Clapton was Clapton.” He also said, “The combination of the two was great. It was arguably two of the greatest guitarists of all time.” What can be wrong with that?

Beck had a slight change in his set-list adding his original “Brush With The Blues” to the 10 song masterpiece he played the first night. Otherwise, everything stayed the same. The unbelievable same!

So, in honor of 20,000 hits and Clapton and Beck finishing up their New York stay let’s enjoy a little “Further On Up the Road”

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck Concert #1

19 Feb

My parents are heading out to the concert tonight pairing the guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck at Madison Square Garden in New York City and I am incredibly envious. Yesterday the duo played the first show of their four-city mini tour to a fantastic crowd (as I read). Beck and Clapton played separate sets and then combined for a eight song exploration into the craft of guitar.

Beck, who may be the most underrated guitarist of all time, had a 10 song set that highlighted his excellent 12 piece orchestra and his three other band members. Talking about Beck to Rolling Stone magazine, Eric Clapton was asked why Beck has never rose to superstar status like him. Clapton responded, “He deliberately carved that image. I don’t think he would deny that. He likes to be left alone. He wants to be underneath the car, working on the engines.” Yet, if last night proved anything. Beck’s modest denial of fame should not be a good enough reason for him to not be just as known as Eric Clapton. “Big Block” was certainly a favorite in the set-list. Beck’s immaculately crafted cover of “A Day in the Life” and his stunning performance of “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s opera Turandot were also favorites.

Clapton, who may be the greatest guitarist of all time, effortlessly played a 10 song set-list that included an opening of four straight acoustic songs (not normal by Clapton standards). “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and “I’ve Got a Rock N’ Roll Heart” were quite popular. Clapton then pulled out his electric and just played in procession “Tell The Truth”, “Key To The Highway”, “I Shot The Sheriff”, “Little Queen Of Spades” and “Cocaine.” No big deal or anything.

Clapton and Beck’s combined set included a fantastic variety of music including everything from “Moon River” to the classic encore of “Crossroads.” “You Need Love,” “Wee Wee Baby” and of course “(I Want to Take you) Higher.

I am sure tonight will be just as amazing. Enjoy the concert if you are going and let me know about it! I wish a I were going.

Here is the entire set-list and band lists from the Thursday, Feb 18 show courtesy of whereseric.com.

Band Lineup

JEFF BECK & HIS BAND
Jeff Beck – guitar
Jason Rebello – keyboards
Rhonda Smith – bass
Narada Michael Walden – drums

ERIC CLAPTON & HIS BAND
Eric Clapton – guitar / vocals
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Walt Richmond – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals

Special Guest(s)

During Jeff Beck’s set
12 Piece Orchestra *

Set List

Jeff Beck (Jeff’s Set List is pending confirmation)
01. Eternity’s Breath
02. Stratus
03. Led Boots
04. Corpus Christi Carol *
05. Bass solo by Rhonda Smith
06. Hammerhead * (possibly not performed)
07. Mna Na Heireann *
08. Big Block
09. A Day In The Life *
10. Nessun Dorma *

Eric Clapton
01. Driftin’ – acoustic
02. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out – acoustic
03. Running On Faith – acoustic
04. I’ve Got A Rock ‘N Roll Heart – acoustic
05. Tell The Truth
06. Key To The Highway
07. I Shot The Sheriff
09. Little Queen Of Spades
10. Cocaine

Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton
01. Shake Your Moneymaker
02. Moon River
03. You Need Love
04. Outside Woman Blues
05. Little Brown Bird
06. Wee Wee Baby
07. (I Want To Take You) Higher
08. Crossroads – encore

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