Dave Clark Five

Happy Birthday Dave Clark, 68 years old today.



They were a great 60's pop/rock band who followed The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. Too bad Mike Smith, the lead singer, passed away a couple of years ago, but they still make me Glad All Over!

44 Musicians Who Have Died

The guy who made this video was kind enough to forward it to me, knowing I'd appreciate it.  I am going to make room for it on "Gone But Not Forgotten".  Speaking of that - we have not lost anyone (that I know of) since Ronnie James Dio back in May.

Happy Birthday, Jim Morrison

Happy Birthday, Jim.  I know I'm a day late in wishing you one, but you know how its been the last 30 years - the focus has been on John on December 8th.  You probably understand and don't mind people remembering his death before your birth...but I just wanted you to know, I didn't forget.

Oh, and btw, I heard you were being pardoned for your "indecent exposure" charge all those years ago.  Times have changed, its amazing what people do on stage these days.  I doubt that you were indecent at all...maybe just a little feisty.

Remember John Today

LOON CHOIR

EXPANSION FORCES

Courtesy of online accessibility, a wealth of new sounds are bubbling up from the underground to a waiting world, readily available to those who want something of substance in their musical diet. While much from the indie menu commends itself, sometimes it's helpful to have a map with clear directions to the best, undiscovered gems out there.

Loon Choir's debut should be your next stop.

Hailing from Ottawa (Canada), the young sextet manages to balance icy synths with the warmth of a very human approach to their songcraft. There is fantastic counterpoint in the vocal department as male and female leads are deployed, cleverly, to bring additional depth and variety to the material. The bedrock tempo of the songs easily translates to the dance floor, yet there is melody present and a great deal of care taken to infuse the hooks with thoughtful lyrical subject matter.

Highlights of the disc include "New Forewarnings", "Bricks" and "Soil Science", though all of the tracks are pretty stellar. Having had the pleasure to catch them in the act, I was most impressed by the fact that their tunes have an even greater impact in a live setting. They come across as grittier while retaining the polish of the recorded versions.



Layered in the mix, there are echoes of groups from the early eighties who married technology to real playing (Gary Numan, Joy Division) and managed to strike a balance between keyboard oriented themes and guitar-centric ideas. This provides only a hint of the overall sound, which again greatly benefits from the vocal interplay of Nicole Yates (who has a strong Kate Bush inflection-definitely a compliment) and Derek Atkinson. Overall, this is a satisfying listen that begs the question of what direction they will choose to take in plotting their next project.

Put Expansion Forces on your list and share it with your friends. Check out selections from the CD here (also available for purchase on itunes)

Get to know the band

10 Grammy Nominations for Eminem

So often when you ask someone (of my age) what kind of music they like they will say "oh, everything.....except rap/hip hop of course!"

Well, I used to say that too but I begrudgingly became a fan of Eminem.  I say begrudgingly because when he first appeared on the scene with his obscenities and violent lyrics I forbid my son to listen to him and judged him as a bad influence with nothing beneficial to say and very little talent.

But then I had to follow my own advice and not judge a book by its cover (or in this case a hip-hop artist by his image).  I learned more about him and listened not to the words he was saying, but to the message.

As time went on I started to realize why my son liked him.  I liked him too.  I especially like his latest CD, "Recovery".

I wish him the best of luck in winning all those nominations.

What about you?

- do you like him?
- are you surprised that I do?
- have you listened to "Recovery"?
- who do you like that I may be surprised by?
- do you watch the Grammy's (I don't)?

A Lad Insane

I was in the mood for some Bowie tonight.  Its amazing how much music he's produced over the years.  This will always be one of my favorites.  It was the first album that came out AFTER he became well known, it followed Ziggy, and that was a very hard act to follow.  Here is what David had to say about Aladdin Sane:

"Bowie himself described Aladdin Sane as simply "Ziggy goes to America", most of the tracks being observations he composed on the road during his 1972 U.S. tour – the reason for the place names following each song title on the original record sleeve.  Biographer Christopher Sandford believed the album showed that Bowie "was simultaneously appalled and fixated by America".

Do you like David Bowie?  Which songs/albums/era?

Michael Hutchence

Watching an old doc. on INXS and appreciating all that he was:

Passionate
Intense
Engaging
Beautiful
Sensual
Sweet
Sexy as hell
Talented

What doesn't show is the depression, the angst, the torment.

About 6 years ago I met someone who knew Michael for a very short time when he was assigned to do an exclusive interview.  He was a journalist from London, his name is Ian _____. (I can look it up if anyone wants proof that this is not bullshit, but I can't think of his last name at the moment).

Ian told me that he was backstage at a few concerts and has spent time with Michael and his father.

After Michael's death his father was going through his belongings and came across his journals.  He immediately called Ian, he wanted him to be the one to see them.  Ian told me he didn't want to share specifics but that Michael was very depressed for a long time.  His writing was so dark and hopeless.

In a way it made me feel better knowing for sure that his death was his choice, not an accident and not a murder.  But the bottom line is - - - he's gone.  And in spite of what his bandmates thought - there is not replacing him, he WAS the band.  INXS was just another band without him.

Depression is everywhere.  Its affecting several people that are close to me....including my son and myself.

What Should I Listen To?

I'm feeling really "blah" and fighting the blues big time (mental, not rhythm and blues).

What should I listen to to inspire me to carry on even when so much around me is seemingly hopeless?

TONIGHT ONLY! Springsteen on Jimmy Fallon (plus a sad personal announcement)

Today marks the release of "The Promise" DVD Box set is released.  I wrote about it in detail HERE.

"Springsteen is the only guest booked for the hour, and the appearance will mark his only performance to promote the Darkness On The Edge of Town box set. There's no word on what he's going to perform, but it'll likely be at least two songs — and possibly even more to be posted on Fallon's website."

More details can be found at Rolling Stone.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:


Its with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of very close friend of mine, Gary Means.  Gary had a heart of gold - but sadly that heart suddenly gave out on him over the weekend.  I mention Gary here because he made the banner for this blog and for "Gone But Not Forgotten" (as a gift for me to make me smile...I think I screamed in joy when I saw them!)

I will miss Gary more than words can say.  He was the big brother I never had.  He touched so many lives with his generosity, wisdom and humor.  Gary leaves behind a wife and two college age sons.

He would enjoy being on the same post as Springsteen because he loved to tease me about my passion for Bruce.  So Gary, this one's for you: