Archive | Song of The Day RSS feed for this section

It’s time to “Get it On”

13 Sep

Football is back. Those three words are just so sweet for fans. Putting on that lightweight mesh material with your team’s logo on the front and a player’s name and number on the back is just invigorating. You know you will be in for a season of getting Queso dip on that jersey and tossing the jersey when your team plays poorly. As consistent readers of the blog may be able to tell you, I am a New York Jets Fan. Yes, the over-hyped team of the off-season. Well, as Jets fans can tell you, it does not matter how much hype is on this team, they are still our poor Jets, our “Same ol’ Jets” until they can prove something different. This may be the year that they do just that.

It’s Monday, and while most football crowded CBS and Fox yesterday, the Jets and Baltimore Ravens face off tonight on Monday Night. But, instead of doing the obvious and picking some Hank Williams Jr. for the blog post today, I thought I would try to be clever. Instead, in honor of our sexy coach, here is T-Rex performing “Get it On,” something I hope comes sooner rather than later, because I am getting impatient.

Now, this is a great song minus the weird British club dancers in the background. Released in 1971, “Get it On” was written by glam-rocker Marc Bolan. Bolan was an exceptional talent, a true visionary who was taken from the world at only 30 years old. It saw tremendous success in the UK (#1) and is certainly the group’s best known song. It hit #10 on the charts in the U.S.

This performance is from Top of the Pops (a British music chart television program). And, yes, that is Elton John playing with them as a guest musicians. Interesting story though, not about Elton John. On the record, the piano glissando (a glide from one pitch to another) was performed by Rick Wakeman. Wakeman, best known as YES’s keyboardist, was desperate for work at the time and needed to pay his rent. He bumped into Bolan on the street and Bolan offered him the session. “Wakeman pointed out to Tony Visconti that the record didn’t actually need a piano player. Visconti suggested that he could add a gliss, Wakeman said that Visconti could do that to which Bolan replied “you want your rent, don’t you?”” (credit: Wikipedia). Funny story. Bolan took the job and made some cash.

So, enjoy the music and, as always, J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

Tags: , ,

The Rest of the Night

8 Sep

Yesterday, it was the seven-year anniversary of Warren Zevon’s death. The sardonic and ebullient musician whose hilarious, but sometimes abstruse lyrical gifts still grace classic rock stations and my iPod alike, died September 7, 2003 at the age of 56. Zevon’s brand of hard piano-rock and his active playing and performance style combined to mold a wonderful musician. One, who was taken from the world a little too early.

I have always been a big fan of his final album The Wind. I love this album for two reasons. First, the music is just great. Look at the cast of musicians who contributed. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Don Henley, David Lindley, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty…the list continues. Seriously, where else can you find a collaboration like this. But, underneath the track listing is the reason why all of these artists came to the studio to record with Zevon. A goodbye. The solemn undertone that marks the farewell album (the album was recorded early 2003 and released only two weeks before his death) is quaint. Yes, it is quite apparent in the conclusion of the album, “Keep me in Your Heart,” an acoustic tear-jerker that emits a beautiful austerity and is carried by Zevon’s known, raspy and crispy croon. But, for the focus of this post, I would like to explore “The Rest of the Night,” track eight on the album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUnJvMd5qTQ

Enjoy the video above? Zevon adds Tom Petty as a backing vocalist and their combination begets this magical piece with a well-done guitar riff and excellent, germane lyrics. Because, even in the face of his illness, Zevon stayed true to his being. This album allowed him to toss out the conventions of how to act in the face of death. Instead of using his mortality as a sobbing crutch, he focused his attention on music and partying on this album with his friends. This is a valiant album and Zevon portrayed the true dogged, indomitable sonofabitch he is. Keep on partying, Warren.

And, to all my Jewish bretheren, a very happy and healthy new year!

“Please Speak Well of Me”: One Song Review From Weepies’ Be My Thrill

2 Sep

The Weepies released their new album Be My Thill two days ago and my friend, another Weepies’ fan, was able to pick up a copy after class. He listened to half the album and turned it over to me for some auditory consumption. I popped the album into my computer and let Deb and Steve sweep me off into a world of cool folk tunes. Cool is a good thing. My room is still quite steamy.

I have not gotten a chance to listen to the entire album yet, but, by the end of tonight I should have the majority of it finished. But, in the 4-5 songs I have listened to, I can tell you all with much confidence that The Weepies’ have not lost a step. I mean, yes, one could argue that because they play a pretty generic style of pop, it is kind of hard for the river to run dry. But, producing tune after tune is harder than it seems. The Weepies could easily fall into the trap of trying to do too much. Trying to expand their infectious pop genre. But, no, they stick to what they are good at. Chill music.

And, the aptly titled first song “Please Speak Well Of Me” (I see what you did there Weepies…very clever) does not deviate from the Weepies norm…and being awesome. It is a perfect opening track and the rest of the album follows in suit. Buy a copy and enjoy.

I am heading home tomorrow for break. If I don’t get to post tomorrow…I will be back Saturday. Keep tuned!

Tags: ,

Busy Songs

1 Sep

Sorry for the inability to post today. The past few days have just been very busy…and hot. I promise I will get back on a more consistent posting schedule very soon. And, we will be adding a new writer to the Music Court so get excited about that. Right now, here is an ode to business because I do not want to leave you all with nothing.

Hot Hot Hot

31 Aug

Man, I never thought I would wish for Binghamton to get cold. Living on the third floor of a house without central air and suffering through balmy days of 92 and sunny can certainly drive someone wild. I have two fans running, but, that is just recirculating steamy air in and out of my room. Well, if it is any consolation, Binghamton will soon plunge into a tenebrous winter. And, you can count on me complaining on how it’s too cold out soon.

Much apologies to everyone who reads this blog daily. Over the past few days I have been bogged down with class attendance, house maintenance, and GRE review. I take the GRE’s in 7 days and the hybrid-SAT-like test is making me study math all over again. I just can’t quit you mathematics, what with your esoteric geometrical equations and your “Hey, I can actually understand this” algebra and quadratic equations. At least, the English section has made me focus even more on new vocabulary and, if you have not noticed, I like words.

But, back to the soporific heat that is practically acting as a narcotic right now!

Yup, There I am

Ah, heat, how your temporary grasp on the Binghamton area is causing me such discomfort. Dare I say…we are going through a heat wave?

This 1963 heat…I mean hit was written by the renowned Motown songwriting team of Lamont Dozier and the Holland brothers. It was released in July and shot up the charts almost immediately. Martha Reeves combines with her Vandellas and the Funk Brothers provide the backing R&B, jazz track. Ah, must at its finest. Enjoy.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →