Tag Archives: Music

No “King of Limbs” Sequel – Rolling Stone Top Lead Singers

14 Apr

King of Limbs Sequel Denied

Despite the optimistic thoughts of Radiohead fans, guitarist Ed O’Brien crushed the rumors that there will be a sequel to Radiohead’s recent release King of Limbs.

“There are [other] songs that we have started, that we never finished, but there’s not like seven or eight finished songs waiting in the wings to be released now, or in the autumn, or something,” O’Brien said in an interview with BBC. “When we start a new record, we tend to start afresh. It’s kind of an evolutionary thing– only the fittest survive.”

I had a hunch that there would be a second release, so I am surprised by the news. It seemed all-to-perfect. Perhaps that is why there will be no sequel. It would’ve been too predicted by fans. Radiohead prefers to work in spontaneity and secrecy.

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Rolling Stone Readers Prefer Plant

In the world of lead singers, few command the stage with an excellent voice and flavor. Rolling Stone asked readers to vote on the top lead singer ever, and readers responded by picking Robert Plant. Robert Plant is the wrong choice. He is a product of misguided voting. I wouldn’t even put Plant in my top 10. I find his voice to be arrogant. By arrogant, I mean that his screech is annoying and disingenuous and his sneer is self-indulgent. His voice is not authentic and, therefore, should not be on the list. But, he is voted among the top vote getters in every poll and this is because of the success of Led Zeppelin, who are also horribly overrated.

So, who is the greatest lead singer of all time? Do you ever have to ask? Just, listen.

Freddie Mercury possessed the perfect rock voice. His voice maintains perfect timber while traveling into different realms of passion. His voice leads a song better than any lead singer was ever able to do. On the list, he is #2, and while this is a good placement, it is disrespectful for a singer of his quality.


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Slide Guitar – “Traveling Riverside Blues”

13 Apr


Yesterday was Josh Lampert’s birthday. Josh, as some of you may remember, has written for the blog before and is still technically writing his Top Guitarists Section. The man above is certainly included on his list. For Josh’s birthday, I bought him a slide for his guitar. We jammed for a while, Josh playing the slide and soloing over songs like “My Sweet Lord.” I made him play the opening riff. I was reminded of one of the masters of slide guitar during our birthday session. Robert Johnson.

Robert Johnson, who started the famous die at 27 music curse, was definitely a progenitor of popular slide guitar work. He played slide Delta Blues, music that originated from the Mississippi Delta, and he played the music with such rawness and precision that he left a lasting imprint in blues music style. Listen to this exceptional example of Johnson’s blues slide.

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“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by The 5th Dimension – Psychedelic Soul

12 Apr

Psychedelic soul is one of the most thought-provoking spawns of the psychedelic music movement. It initially seems like an impossible breed. Soul and Psychedelic are two different animals, right? Actually, no. Let’s break both genres down. Soul music is based in gospel and rhythm and blues. At the time of the psychedelic revolution, soul’s rhythms were morphing into the nascent phase of funk. Psychedelic music is characterized by eccentric instrumentation, keyboard and odd melody. These two genres can mesh. Rhythm and blues combined with psychedelic instrumentation form a brand of music that is fresh and different.

After Jimi Hendrix, who combined R&B and rock, added psychedelic to the mix, he proved that the two genres fit together like puzzle pieces. Other bands were inspired to take the leap into this style of music. The 5th Dimension, with strong foundations in melodic soul and pop, released “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” in 1969, recording a medley of the two songs that had appeared in the musical “Hair.” What came of this combination was tremendous success.

What makes this song psychedelic? The lyric fits the parameter. It is based in astrological belief and zany extraterrestrial writing is perfect for psychedelic music. Though, the lyric is not the tell-tale sign of psychedelic soul. The strong musical base beneath the heavenly harmonies fulfills the qualifications. The song is also two full parts (the first medley to ever hold the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart), and both parts are certifiable psychedelic soul (in their own ways). Let’s discuss part one first.

Listen up to 2:18. The whistle and percussion that comes before the opening lyric provides a mystical sound that gets listeners in the mood to hear something different. The first verse is psychedelic, no doubt. It has a keyboard backing and is airy. The chorus then comes and starts moving like a R&B/Soul/Pop song. The horns and harmonies keep us in the psychedelic realm. The second verse features even stronger keyboard and whispered backing vocals that demonstrate creative vocal interplay. The song is playing with both psychedelic and soul music in the first portion. The strong soul and R&B is not really there in the first part, despite the chorus which tinkers with these elements. Then, press play at 2:18, and woah!

The bass guitar and horns drive the song into soul music. Wow. Listen to that bass guitar. What is this? This is psychedelic soul. Hear the keyboard backing turn to more traditional piano? The transition into this soul exploration is awesome. The backing harmony and horns are still psychedelic, but that psychedelic feel has been replaced with R&B and Soul and this is genius. The songs feature different strengths. The first part is more psychedelic, while the second part is more based in soul.

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Great Moments in Cover History: Mad World

6 Apr

 

Hilarious movie...nothing to do with this post besides the mad world

“Mad World” is a hit. There are many qualities that define a hit, but one of the most telling factors is where the song charts. I know, arbitrary statistics that I often pan on this blog. Well, yes, this may be true to a point. Charts still do tap into the public music psyche. A true hit reaches the charts as an original and as a cover. There is a good number of these songs. “Mad World” is a good example of this. I am profiling it because it changes so much from successful original to successful cover. Let’s go exploring.

“Mad World” by Tears for Fears was released in 1982. It was the band’s third single and first chart hit, reaching #3 on the UK singles chart. It is also a classic 80’s song. The somber lyric is backed by extraterrestrial synthesizer and eccentric percussion. It is quick-paced and odd (which pretty much describes most 80’s music). That is not to say the song is bad. Though, the song seems to me to be more suited for a slower pace. Well, Gary Jules, your move.

Gary Jules and Michael Andrews worked on a cover of this song. The cover was made for the movie “Donnie Darko” and released as a single in December of 2003. The cover went to UK #1. Now, I am not here to say that Tears for Fears recorded their own song wrong, but I will say that I am sure they enjoyed Jules’ cover. It is slow and drawn out. The piano works so much better than the synth.

I am eager to hear your opinions? What do you all think?

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The Sick Post – Vote for 1967 Album Final Four

5 Apr

The Ramones wrote, “You sound like you’re sick, You look like your sick too,” for their song “You sound like you’re sick.” Well, I not only sound and look like I am sick, I feel like I am sick. Fever, stomach ache, coughing – the whole smörgåsbord of being sick. So, in between my bouts of sleeping, I wanted to throw together a post for the blog, as to not leave faithful viewers hanging. So, lets get to a song whose title describes an annoyance I have been dealing with today.

Here is “Fever” by Little Willie John:

While Peggy Lee is generally thought of when mentioning “Fever,” the song was originally written by Eddie Cooley and John Davenport and first recorded by Little Willie John in 1956.

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Please vote in the Music Court 1967 Best Album Final Four. Sgt. Peppers has taken a commanding lead over Disraeli Gears, but The Doors and Are You Experienced are neck and neck. Your favorite album needs your votes.

https://musiccourt.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/1967-best-album-march-madness-the-final-four/

 

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