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The Peace, Crazy, Love Train. Wow, That Can Drive Someone Insane

1 Nov

Drew Angerer/The New York Times

This past weekend saw the Comedy Central sponsored “Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear” provide both humor and seriousness to television viewers and those who attended the event at the National Mall. Political satirists Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted the event. And, while the event was politically based, there were several defining musical moments. This was the best one.

The clip may be a bit lengthy but I suggest you watch the entire thing. It is just a wonderful combination of musicians that I am sure no one ever thought would be together in any shape or form. Well, leave it to the Comedy Central duo to produce such an amazing concert. The exchange is scripted, but, funny. Big shout out to Ozzy, Yusuf (Cat Stevens) and The O’Jays. Yes, Ozzy vs. Yusuf provided a mash-up of two songs that should have never been put together, but, hey in the name of train comedy. It was nice hearing the sweet sounds of Cat Stevens (he did record “Peace Train” as Cat Stevens). Actually, for the sake of this article, let’s call him Steven Demetre Georgiou. Yeah, I dug up his name before Cat before Yusuf Islam. He is a tremendous singer and performer. Ozzy was Ozzy and that’s just fine.

The O’Jays had the longest performance and their uninterrupted “Love Train” was a hit.

Some people may be calling this a train crash, but, I thought it was fun.

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Becoming Jimi Hendrix and a Song for the Road

18 Oct

I have probably exhausted every photo of Mr. Jimi Hendrix that Google images has to offer. But, I can’t help it. It is hard not to write about perhaps the greatest guitarist of all time. Well, in my opinion, he is the greatest. But, what’s the sense of sparking arguments. HE’S THE BEST!

But, seriously, Jimi has not been with us on the physical Earth realm (sounds like a cliche video game) for 40 years, but he still lives on as an indelible musical presence. He is a rare music immortal, a mark in the history books one could say. Well, I am saying it. I know two people agree with me.

Steve Roby and Brad Schreiber published Jimi Hendrix: From Southern Crossroads to Psychedelic London, the Untold Story of a Musical Genius in August of this year. The book is a magnificent read and it provides a well-written, entertaining look at one of music’s greatest. It is the essential inside look at Jimi Hendrix.

PopMatters was kind enough to post an excerpt from this wonderful book and I would like to share it with all of you.

One rainy night, Private Billy Cox and a friend, after seeing a John Wayne movie, waited for the downpour to ebb. Through an open win¬dow of Service Club 1, Cox heard a solo guitar played in a wildly unique manner. He later claimed it was as if Beethoven and John Lee Hooker had merged.

“It was something the human ear hadn’t heard,” Cox reported. “I said, ‘That’s incredible!’ And the guy I was with said, ‘Sounds like shit to me.’ I went in and introduced myself to him and said I played a little upright bass, and I checked out the Danelectro he was playing.”

Boy, Jimi Hendrix was awesome.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/129823-becoming-jimi-hendrix-from-southern-crossroads-to-psychedelic-london/

Let me also give you all a good song for the road. I know this is a repeat, but, I am in the guitar mood. “Bridge of Sighs” by Robin Trower is an epic piece of music. A 10 minute live version is just heavenly.

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Get Back to Where You Once Belonged

11 Oct

I went out with a Beatles‘ song and six long days later I am certainly back to where I once belonged.

I apologize for the long Court hiatus. Court was still in session, but, blog posts were left entrapped in my head while my body moved from place to place to place. Business is in my nature.

But, as the Jets prepare for their Monday Night Football game against the Vikings of Minnesota, I am finally back writing and am quite happy to do so.

How about some Links?

How can we not remain on the subject of those man on the rooftop above. Well, specifically just the man in the picture. Arguably the greatest rock musician since Louis Jordan composed one of the first rock songs with “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie in 1946, John Lennon would have celebrated his 70th birthday two days ago, if he was still alive that is. His murder stopped an incredibly talented 40-year-old right in his tracks and cut off any chance of him to achieve more musically and politically. No post can do the man justice so I thought I would just provide you with something I found interesting in the large amount of news about Mr. Lennon that has been popping up on the internet recently.

Link: http://www.nme.com/news/john-lennon/53338

The FBI is still bothering Lennon even after his death. What? Conspiracy Theory? I am just kidding of course. I am keen to absurdity and the Lennon conspiracy theories are certainly absurd, but, so is the FBI seizing 34-year-old fingerprints. Seriously, even if it is government property, how is it affecting anyone anyhow. I am confused.

I mentioned Louis Jordan and this inspirational song helped bridge the gap between country and blues music. It formed some true rhythm and blues and was truly before its time. Enjoy.

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Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and the Roots Entertain

1 Oct

Who knew that Late Night With Jimmy Fallon could be funny? Just kidding! Justin Timberlake, the only modern teen idol who actually has proven that he has talent, was a guest on Fallon’s show last night. After getting into a brief (and planned) conversation about old hip-hop, Fallon and Timberlake erupt into a medley of rap/hip-hop songs (old and new). With the Roots providing the instrumental backing, this hilarious tribute entertained the audience and will most likely become viral and spread throughout the internet like a virus. It’s a funny, light-hearted video that will wake you up this morning. Plus, wow Fallon, way to not trip up on words. Enjoy.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xf0jen_late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-a-hist_news

I Now Pronounce You: Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Worthy

29 Sep

It’s the story of the Hall of Fame. One already inducted rock ‘n’ roller unexpectedly makes a dream come true as other rock ‘n’ roll all-stars wait to possibly hear their name announced at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction. Let’s start with the lounger.

Hey...isn't that Bruce Springsteen

That question (look at picture) was on the mind of Ed Dwyer, his fiance Jennifer Smith, and his friend as they were participating in an engagement photo shoot on the beach of Manasquan, New Jersey. Dwyer, a musician, happened to be strumming his guitar on the beach and Springsteen, who actually was sitting on a bench close to the beach, took an interest in the 32-year-old musician.

“”Bruce said to Ed, ‘Play that box,’ said Smith. “Ed’s reaction was, ‘No, you’re Bruce Springsteen, so, here, you play.’ ”

So, that is what he did. The couple got the opportunity to just chill with Bruce Springsteen and take a few laid-back engagement photos with him. According to Dwyer, Springsteen was “laid back and chill”

Bruce even fooled the photographer initially. “He just looked like this really cool guy hanging out on a bench at sunset with friends,” Kella MacPhee said.

That is just amazing. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Occasionally, these awesome events happen and I hope musicians understand that they can make someone’s life. This couple now has pictures and a story that will last them a lifetime. Springsteen acted like a true professional and I am sure he had some fun with them. Talk about those:

]

Article Link: http://www.app.com/article/20100927/NEWS/100927086/1001/rss

The king of New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen, has already been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame (which is pictured above). The nominations for the 2011 class has been released and on it is what many people consider to be the prince of New Jersey, Bob Jovi.

The list includes first-time nominees, Jovi, Donovan, Alice Cooper, Dr. John and Neil Diamond.

Also on this list is, Tom Waits, the Beastie Boys, Chic, Donna Summer, LL Cool J and a few more.

Artists first become eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first single or album. The 2011 inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan on March 14.

Out of all of the nominees, I think the only lock is Bon Jovi…no surprise there. I do hope that Cooper is inducted. He deserves the respect.

Article Link: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominees-announced/

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