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Song of the Day #38: “Optimistic,” by Sounds of Blackness

9 Jul

            

Okay it is a little tasteless but still rather comical

Okay it is a little tasteless but still rather comical

         One of my favorite things on televsion has recently become the ESPN Make A Wish specials where they take a child who has suffered ten times more then anyone should ever have to suffer and they grant them their wish to meet their sports idol. It is not only touching but it humbles sports idols who are on top of the world. It is both inspiring and touching and I love watching the stories and how our sports stars, while they may be fantastic athletes, are all human just like us. So, inspired by the optimism displayed in these brief stories between highlights and top plays I am taking a completely different route and choosing “Optimistic,” the 1991 gospel hit by Sounds of Blackness.

         Yes, gospel. I know not usually my cup of tea on this site but it is necessary to touch upon all genres (except for hardcore rap because that is not music). You know gospel is an incredibly important genre. It is true roots music that is the main inspiration of blues and soul music. Without blues there would be no rock. Without rock and soul no R&B. Without R&B no hip-hop and Rap. You can see how important it is now. While Sounds of Blackness is more a fusion band which combined elements of gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz together, gospel music is still noticeable in a majority of their songs. “Optimistic,” is a good example of this.

          Sounds of Blackness

        The 1991 hit has inspiration lyrics that plead, “Don’t give up and don’t give in, Although it seems you never win, You will always pass the test, As long as you keep your head to the sky, You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky, You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky, Be optimistic.” It is a catchy song which focuses on great vocals as well. But, it really is the lyrics that pull the song together. Optimism is key in order to live life the correct way. Look at these kids for example. They have suffered terribly over their short lives. So, next time you may be stressing about work or a sports game for example, trust me, many have it much worse then you. So smile like them and stay hopeful.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML_QydtOae8

Lyric of the Day #37: “On Any Given Day,” Carbon Leaf

8 Jul

             

              My day has so far been focused on lists. A list of classes that my brother can sign up for, for his freshman year. A mental list of all the reasons I should not go running because of the tail-end of my head cold. A list of possible songs to use for the Lyric of the Day. I am a regular Tim O’Brien who wrote his best work, The Things they Carried, with many lists. So, with lists on my mind I wanted to find a good song with some lists. I also felt like it was a good time to give a shout out to the great indie folk/rock band Carbon Leaf. So, without further waiting, lists in a Carbon Leaf song.

“A flannel shirt at the five and dime
A leather coat cut big city style
Boots from plastic crocodile
A pine cone dipped in glitter glue
A penny 1942
A necklace with a cheap green stone
Barefeet, cold sand, chilled to the bone”

“On Any Given Day,” by Carbon Leaf off of Echo Echo

Echo Echo

He says he is window shopping in the song. I have two questions. Where are you shopping? The five and dime. Okay one question answered. Wait, I do not know any five and dime like that. I mean I know it is a variety store but where the heck are you finding a 1942 penny for sale? Great stuff from Carbon Leaf.

Links of the Day: Vinyls and Freebird

8 Jul

        

The Old Links are Back!!!

The Old Links are Back!!!

              An interesting combo for today’s links of the day. Two things that do indeed go together. I can prove it, I have the Vinyl record. Vinyls are apparently on the rise according to Pop and Hiss the LA Times music blog. Yes, Vinyls those big 12 inch LP’s that you need to spin with a needle that fits around 5-6 songs per side. Apparently people like nostalgia and I am one of them. With the rise of classic rock, vinyl record sales were sure to go up. It would seem that the youth is so used to torrenting and downloading music that while CD’s have lost their draw, records almost give this youth an old-time feeling.

Check out the article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/vinyl-sales-to-hit-another-high-point-in-2009.html

Freebird

Also, stop shouting  play “Freebird” at every concert if anyone still does that. The Lynyrd Skynyrd classic and the corresponding joke is long gone and over with. What punk! You don’t believe me.

Check out the article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-0705-freebird-2ndaryjul05,0,4832778,full.story

60’s Band of the Week #5: The Ace of Cups

7 Jul

            Ace of Cups

             Welcome to San Francisco in the late 1960’s. Hundreds of bands crowded the acid-filled Haight Ashbury scene. Some made it big like The Grateful Dead. Some did not want the fame and preferred just playing the music and remaining entrenched into the scene. A good example of one of these forgotten about bands is San Francisco’s original all-woman band The Ace of Cups.

            The story of The Ace of Cups is quite interesting and the list of the bands they played with is remarkable. Hendrix to Slick to the Dead to the Band. I know I was surprised to. If you are into 60’s music this is a must check out. An incredibly rare find in the seemingly endless list.

Band: The Ace of Cups

 Origin: San Francisco, California

 Genre: All-Girl’s Garage Rock

 Founded: 1967-1972

 Original Lineup:

 –          Denise Kaufman: Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals

–          Mary Ellen Simpson: Lead Guitar, Vocals

–          Marla Hanson: Organ, Piano, Vocals

–          Mary Gannon: Bass, Vocals

–          Diane Vitalich: Drums, Vocals

 Name: The Ace of Cups name comes from the Tarot card which portrays five streams flowing from a cup and representing the five senses. This symbolizes possibility and also the five women who started The Ace of Cups.

 History: As I said the history of this band is small but quite interesting. Their concert history is even more interesting and in the fun facts below you will see who they performed with. Yet, let us get to some history.

            The Ace of Cups was formed during the crazy psychedelic rock scene in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco. Most of the band sang and wrote but the real lead member was Denise Kaufman who did the majority of both writing and singing. Denise had been a member of Denise & Company in 1966 and released an obscure garage rock single.

            Despite receiving recognition as a great band they never were signed to a record deal. Apparently they had opportunities to sign with three separate labels including Warner Bros. but either the management or the band themselves thought they were not ready. Families were started by band members and slowly the opportunities faded. In 2003 a combination of music was released as a compilation, “It’s Bad for You But Buy It.”

Ace of Cups

 Album: Check out the compilation disc that can be acquired through mail. You can find info about it, as well as samples on the bands official website.

 Fun Facts:

 Did you know

 –          Jimi Hendrix gave the band a brief plug in a December 1967 issue of Melody Maker. He had performed with them shortly after the Monterey Pop Festival in the Golden Gate Park panhandle.

–          They commonly played with Quicksilver Messenger Service

–          On April 17 and 18, 1969 they played with The Band on the first date The Band was known as The Band rather then The Hawks.  

Song of the Day #37: “Now My Feet Won’t Touch The Ground,” by Coldplay

7 Jul
This is an awesome album cover

This is an awesome album cover

There seems to always be a controversy when discussing Coldplay. Whether it be about plagiarizing music or just simply people believing that it is particularly lame to listen and like Coldplay, there always seems to be some obstacle you must cross to say you like the band. Well, I like Coldplay. They are not my favorite band but their music is both catchy and meaningful and I believe this is what is important when judging a band. So, for all those who blindly dislike this band I want you to take a listen to my favorite song from them. A lesser known rarity off of the Viva La Vida EP Viva La Vida Prospekt’s March Edition.

“Now My Feet Won’t Touch the Ground,” is quite topical today because of the elaborate burial of Michael Jackson going on in Hollywood Hills, California. The song seems to be about death and how it should not be feared. Chris Martin sings,

 “Let me go boys, let me go

   Push my boat from the highest cliff to the sea below

  Rocks are waiting boys, rocks await

  Swoop down from the sky and catch me like a bird of prey.”

             He seemingly is saying death you cannot scare me. I know I will be caught and will forever be off the Earth in a heavenly state. What strikes me about this song is the compacted beauty. It is only 2 minutes 30 seconds long but it certainly packs a lasting punch. A picked acoustic guitar lays a perfect backdrop for Martin’s voice which never strains. It is mellow and feels right. So check it out and maybe learn to accept a band that doesn’t entirely deserve such a bad rap.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZIoFXmWbv0&feature=related

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