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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

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.

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.

Song of the Day #71: “Lost in the Supermarket”

6 Jan

It has been 30 years since The Clash released one of the most influential and diverse punk/rock albums of all time. “London Calling,” their third studio album, is famous for its big hit with the same title. While London Calling is indeed one of The Clash’s biggest hits and is, in my opinion, in the top 3 of greatest punk songs, I thought we could focus on a heavily underrated song which features Joe Strummer’s lyrics but the soft voice of Mick Jones (not Foreigner’s guitarist).

“Lost in the Supermarket” is an unconventional punk song. Yet, do not be misguided, it still is associated with the punk era. It appears deep in London Calling as the eight song on the track listing. The song’s repetitive croon of the line “guaranteed personality” over lyrics describing disillusionment caused by the increased commercialism of the world (which has just increased more) displays Strummer’s lyrical prowess. Strummer is correct in his assumption that the youth (which included him at one point) is certainly swayed by the consumer world toward an addling labyrinth of products and styles. Hence, “Lost in the Supermarket” which just explains it best.

Check out the song:

Lyric of the Day #70: Top 100 Lyricists #77

5 Jan

A good Tuesday morning to everyone in the blogosphere. I am lying on a couch currently watching the Jason Bay news conference announcing his signing. As a Mets fan these are usually the most optimistic times of the season; pre-season mornings where established players don the blue, white and orange for the first time (well for Bay he came up in their farm system for a little while so that is not entirely true). On September 20th, 1976, Stephen Stills reunited for one album with Neil Young in the post-Crosby Stills & Nash era. Both proved to be prophetic in their song “Midnight on the Bay” (even though Young wrote the song). The song has the line “Midnight on the bay, sure feels good to be.” Two years later Jason Bay was born on September 20, 1978 and his signing with the Mets sure feels good to me.

The album that was prompted by Stephen Stills, the consensus 28th Greatest Guitarist of All Time voted on by Rolling Stone Magazine. Stills is a fantastic musician. The man has succeeded with Buffalo Springfield as a versatile guitarist who combined his acoustic/folk background with his blues and latin music foundation (the blues was inspired by his friend Jimi Hendrix who is just an okay guitarist). After Buffalo Springfield started falling off Stephen Stills moved on to form one of the first Supergroups with David Crosby of The Byrds fame and Graham Nash of the Hollies. Crosby Stills & Nash (& sometimes Young) just released back to back #1 albums so that is not a big deal or anything. Stephen Stills, while being a tremendous guitarist also wrote lyrics. The men of Crosby Stills & Nash shared the lyric responsibility and Stills, who flourished under Buffalo Springfield, wrote several hits including the first song which we will profile, “Love the One You’re With”

“Well there’s a rose in the fisted glove
And eagle flies with the dove
And if you can’t be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with”

This chorus is universal (well at least the last part which is often yelled out at concerts during the song…that and the doo doo doo doo part after it). It is just a very simple message by Stills which works perfectly. The song was quite successful and is still a noticeable song in the classic rock community today. It is a catchy lyric and Stills was able to capitalize on it. Yet, Stills’ best song is most definitely the renowned “For What It’s Worth” which is simply one of the best and most famous anti-war songs of all time.

“Paranoia strikes deep,
Into your life it will creep.
It starts when you’re always afraid,
Step out of line,the men come and take you away.

We better stop,hey what’s that sound,
Everybody look what’s going down”

This is my favorite portion of the song because of its truthfulness. There is no cryptic message or subtle hits at politicians or war. Stills is not afraid to state his opinion. War will come and take you away, cut and dry. Stills is just confidently and his lyric proves it strongly.

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