New Morning

30 Aug

Nestled into the 12-track New Morning release that marked Bob Dylan’s 11th studio album is a soft, bucolic, country track with the same title as the 1970 album. New Morning came out just four months after the release of Self Portrait which received a world of confused reviews. Dylan fans still argue about whether the album’s negative reception was correct. New Morning was definitely a warmer release and its simplicity was met with a sigh of relief from music writers and fans alike. Dylan is prolific…we all know that…and on this album is the example of true Dylan that I just love.

“New Morning” works well with today. I had my first class of the semester in the ground floor of my campus’ labyrinthine library. It’s a new morning and in only a few hours it will be another one. Please enjoy the music below and enjoy Dylan’s lyric. Here is a part I specifically like:

Can’t you hear that motor turning
Automobile coming into style
Coming down the road for a country mile or two ?
So happy just to see you smile
Underneath the sky of blue
On this new morning, new morning
On this new morning with you.

Here is The Grease Band covering Dylan’s New Morning

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Sing Sing Sing

27 Aug

More like sleep sleep sleep. I am tired. Who said living in a house would be hard? Dam, days with endless shopping, cooking, cleaning. Wow, I should have thanked my Mom more.

Well, I am in officially moved in. Internet and cable are working fine and right now I am watching my poor Mets actually win a game. That may not last. But, I had a few seconds to myself and I wanted to definitely post as soon as I could. Because…get ready for…

You like the picture inclusion? I don’t know, I thought it was clever. Well, as for a new posting schedule I am thinking something along the lines of:

Monday: Links

Tuesday: Lyricist of the Day

Wednesday: Anything from SWOD to Song of the Day

Thursday: Links

Friday: Feature Post

Of course, there is no guarantee that this will remain the schedule, but, for now it looks good with my school schedule. Also, the Music Court may be adding a new writer. The music writer from lolzplace.com may be providing you with some quality psychedelic music reporting in upcoming days. Keep a look out. Now, let’s get away from this boring stuff. How about some links?

I have two interesting places for you to visit.

So, how do they really sing?

One would presume that in the ears of a classical singer, heavy metal vocalists may not be looked at favorably. Well, that is not entirely true. Ozzy was not spared.

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2010/07/ask-a-real-musician-5-classic-male-metal-singers/

Claudia Friedlander, a classically-trained, New York-based voice teacher who knows virtually nothing about metal, is featured in this post from Invisible Oranges. Her responsibility? Judge metal voices. And, besides the overly raspy Ozzy (who Friedlander asks how long of a career did he have? That’s a big HAHA) Bruce and Rob get good ratings. If you know who these musicians are based on their first names then you know your metal. If not, still click on this article and check it out. Because, I am sure many of you have thought while banging your head to screeching guitars…I wonder how this singer matches up with true vocalists?

I wonder what Friedlander would have to say about Bob Dylan. Hmm…Bob Dylan.

Like a Rolling Canvas?

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/192502

Yes…Mr. Dylan may not be the greatest singer in the world, but, the man is incredibly talented. He is not only an inspirational musicians, but, he can paint. Dylan will be showing new paintings and drawings on display at Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst September 4th through January 30th.

Plain White T’s? I packed five of them.

24 Aug

Listen to this:

Yeah, the voice sounds different, right? Immediately when you see the band name Plain White T’s you think of their huge overplayed hit “Hey There Delilah.” Lead singer on that well-known pop track: Tom Higgenson. Higgenson is not singing lead on Plain White T’s new single “Rhythm of Love” which will appear on their Fall album The Wonders of the Younger. Taking lead duties on this particular track is guitarist Tim Lopez, who takes lead vocal on several of the new album’s tracks.

The switch of lead vocals is an interesting one. The change of sound is also quite a wonder. Plain White T’s, have you gone California pop on me? Hey, I kind of like it. The song is catchy and Lopez’ voice is…bubbly. It is only a matter of time before this becomes a hit (probably going to be overplayed).

The reason for this T’s plug? I like the change. I will also be changing tomorrow. I am moving up to Binghamton for the beginning of my senior year of college. Scary, right? I am quite excited, but, will unfortunately be without computer until Friday. We have to wait to get internet up at the rented house. So, until then, please enjoy this new track and have a good couple of days everyone!

Steven Tyler and Wyclef Jean are Giving…

23 Aug

Steven Tyler, the flamboyant lead singer of Aerosmith, will be seeing a lot of Cryin’ soon. Reports from Aerosmith bassist, Tom Hamilton, state that Tyler, and his magnificent rock voice, will be occupying one of the open seats on the ever-changing panel of American Idol judges. The music has stopped and Tyler has fought his way onto a seat in front of some fantastic soda subliminal messaging.

"It was horrible, but, this coke product is amazing"

“Steven is doing American Idol. The ink is dry on that,” Hamilton told the Newark Star-Ledger . “Steven is someone who absolutely lives to be in front of an audience, and the people closest to him know how witty and entertaining he can be. I don’t know if American Idol will be rock ‘n’ roll enough for him, but it is an opportunity for millions of people to see another side of Steven Tyler.”

Let me predict this now. American Idol, watch out. I know Tyler looks and probably is an exceptionally nice guy, but I bet you he is hard on contestants. The man has tremendous talent. He knows music. And, he will not put Abdul fluff on bad performances. Plus, if a rocker stinks, Tyler will certainly let him hear it. I don’t watch Idol…anymore…but, I am sort of interested in seeing how this turns out. Steven Tyler will be giving advice and – if Fox is lucky – better ratings for their struggling show.

Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/192587

In other giving news…Wyclef Jean is not giving up in his longing to run for president in his native Haiti. After receiving a flat-out no, no, no from the country’s elections board Friday night, Jean has said he will send a lawyer to to a Haitian court today to appeal with the national electoral dispute office. Jean claims to have his paperwork in check and is certainly genuine about his presidential aspirations.

Look, I just can’t say no if his status is correct. Obviously, the elections board does not think so, but, if the court overturns their decision and tells Jean he can run for president, then who am I to say that it’s terrible. Heck, I just don’t know. Sean Penn may think that the man is facetious, but, only the citizens of Haiti will have a say. And, if Jean can prove that he is not just riding a disaster and hot air then good for him. His running is the joy of Democracy and if he gets the go ahead to run his race I wish him luck.

Link: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/08/22/entertainment-cb-haiti-elections-jean_7868711.html

Top 25 Guitarists of all time: #21 George Harrison

20 Aug

Hello everyone. As the summer sun begins to fade, allow me to introduce a man whose impact has no sunset: George Harrison.

Born in 1943, Harrison rose to become an amazing English rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, and of course, the lead guitarist of The Beatles. On this rare occasion, both myself and Rolling Stone magazine place Mr. Harrison in the #21 spot. With his innovative guitar work with The Beatles, it is no wonder that George finds himself on this list. Harrison favored Gretsch guitars during early recordings, usually with a Vox amplifier.

In 1965, Harrison got his first Fender Strat, which was used on the Rubber Soul album. Harrison did quite well for himself, and even had quite the desirable wife: Pattie Boyd. Some may recognize this name as the subject of “Layla,” a song by Eric Clapton. Clapton was in love with Harrison’s wife at the time, a situation that tested their friendship. I wish I were a fly on the wall when Clapton told Harrison this. Anyway, in 1997 Harrison was diagnosed with throat cancer, which he attributed to his smoking in the ’60s.

He eventually died from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, the official cause of death written on his death certificate. On the first anniversary of his death, Royal Albert Hall hosted the Concert for George. The concert benefited Harrison’s charity, the Material World Charitable Foundation.

So, overall, Harrison finds himself on this list not because of his good intentions, but because of his pure skill and ability with a guitar. He has influenced countless musicians through his own work as well as his work with The Beatles.

Check out this video at the Concert for George, as his friends cover his song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Here is another version from when George was still able to play with his friends.

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