My Senses are Sharp and My Hands are Like Gloves

You ever get an album from a friend or family member or buy it on the recommendation of someone and when you get it you are afraid to open it. Your so afraid of it you won't even play it. You just have this fear that the recommendation is either false or what you have in your hand my be one of the best albums ever. Well that was me when I was handed Marquee Moon. I was deeply paranoid to touch it. I would purposely put it at the bottom of the pile and claim to the person that gave to me that I listened to it already. Told him it was good and hope he did not notice that I did not elaborate on it.

The friend who gave it to me luckily did not notice that I only had few words for it. Those few words were "Oh My God" and "Holy Crap" to describe this wonderful piece of work. My best friend was about 6 years older then me. He had a appreciation for some stuff and other stuff he should have liked and quite frankly could have made him cooler. He was a product of liking Zappa and Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello and good old fashion classic rock. He should have liked Television, Clash and Patti Smith. His Talking Heads collection included the later stuff. If I remember right he had Little Creatures on cassette. He did not have Fear of Music or Remain In Light. I think the only reason he had Marquee Moon was to be popular with the "in crowd" and that was a shame. When he moved he handed me a bunch of LP's and told me to take care of them. In this collection was the Zappa and Joe Jackson and of course Marquee Moon.



The album was in my collection forever and still is, but it was not till I bought it on tape when I was 18 did I realize the full effect of this awesomeness. Driving to school one day I had a crappy tape deck in a crappy car. I put in Marquee Moon in the tape deck. After the first note I was transported to another world. I was wondering how this album escaped me. It was not till I was a little older that I understood that album. If you ever give this album to somebody make sure they are mature to handle it.

I always wonder if this album was never created, what kind of music would be from the 1970's. I mean if Television did not exist where would all those smart 70's artist be. This album is I think the most intelligent album from that era. You can talk about 3 chords of Ramones and The Clash taking mix of Reggae, Ska, Funk and other stuff and you can talk about the art of Patti Smith and Talking Heads. Then where would you put Television??

Marquee Moon is great because, it is, plain and simple. It rocks more then anything in this world. There is a reason that this album is a top 10 album for me. It it smart rock and roll in a time that too much was going on in the music world. I personally think this album is not for the faint of heart. If you want hear simple music, you have come to the wrong album.

There are reasons that I love music like I do. Marquee Moon is one of those reasons. You can never make an album that makes you think so hard that your brain will explode. Take a listen to a true classic. One day you thank anyone who is a Marquee Moon fan. When you do listen to it crank it up. Don't be afraid.



"I knew it musta been some big set-up.
All the Action just would not let up.
It's just a little bit back from the main road
Where the silence spreads and the men dig holes.
I start to spin the tale
You complain of my diction
You Give Me Friction
But I Dig Friction
You Know I'm Crazy About Friction
My eyes are like telescopes
I see it all backwards: but who wants hope?
If I ever catch that ventriloquist
I'll squeeze his head right into my fist.
Something comes tracking down,
What's the prediction?
I'll betcha it's Friction...
Stop this head motion... set the sails.
You know all us boys gonna wind up in jail.
I don't wanna grow up
There's too much contradiction."

Who's in the Bunker?

When OK Computer came out everyone wondered what the hell did they just do. I mean that album is amazing and you knew that Radiohead was a band not to be messed with. I think only Radiohead could have created OK Computer. I remember getting OK Computer and listening to it and not quite fully understanding it. I always wondered what they were doing in the studio to create this wonderful and yet challenging music.

I went to the tour for OK Computer and was so amazed that I knew that this band was one of the best in the world. Jonny Greenwood was my new guitar hero, and furthermore this band could do anything and I would listen to it. I also wanted to know how the song "Paranoid Android" was created. I mean this song could easily make prog-rockers proud on its different shift in speed and sounds that they blew anything that was out at the time. OK Computer proved that they needed no critics to bother them again.



The came the fall of 2000, my first year back at school. I was nervous, scared and had no idea what to do to shrug off this nervousness except join the radio station. At least I hoped I could get new friends that way. It worked, because I did gain friends. I had started a friendship with the people near me and also some down the hall and the music "geeks" downstairs. I even made friends that were classmates. In some way I felt better. Music is great because it can bring people together with shared likes and dislikes.

One day I was in my dorm listening to of all things the Flaming Lips when there was a knock at the door. I asked the person to enter. He did, we were introduced during orientation of our dorm. His eyes were wide open hearing me play the Flaming Lips. He was also intrigued that I was sorting my CD's and LP's just in case I did have a chance to do a radio show. He came closer to my collection and started looking at what I had in these giant tubs. In each tub was about 200 LP's. He saw I had OK Computer on record and he saw I had Miles Davis Bitches Brew and saw some Moby Grape, Talking Heads, Ornette Coleman, and others. Then he told me that the new Radiohead is on it's way to the station and was wondering if I would be interested in helping out and doing a listening party at the station. I agreed, and was ready for the followup to one of the best albums ever.

The day came when Kid A arrived at the station. I was in the lunch room and the young gentleman who came to my room that previous day came and sat next to me. He held a package in his hand. It was open and his eyes were beaming like a little kid who just got the best holiday present ever. "It's here," he said, "It's here!!!" He also told me to be at the station at 6pm sharp and If I run into some of the others to tell them the good news.



It took forever to get to 6pm and I was way to excited to keep it in. I went back to my room and put some Radiohead on to calm me. All of us had waited for this day. There was about 1o of us from the station and a few friends and a few from the school newspaper. One obstacle was a DJ who had a show on till 9pm and we wanted her shift to debut Kid A. She was reluctant, but she caved in. The person who lived in my dorm and who also showed me the copy got on the air. He told that listeners of the DJ who was just on will have to come back next week to listen to her stuff and the people who are here to listen to the debut of Kid A should crank their radio's up and get ready to enjoy!!!

A silence filled the room as we got thinks cued up and ready. We all looked at each other like this was the most important album ever. The first song started and a hush filled the room and all of us looked at each other like a bomb just went off. We had no idea what was happening, we even had no idea what to make of it. We knew it was cool, but how the hell did they do it. There was 50 minutes to this album and each song was a gift that we did not expect. The influences of what they listened to in the three years off was evident, there was Jazz of Miles Davis and Charles Mingus. There was influence of CAN, Neu! and most of all Faust. There was electronic of Aphex Twin and new electronic artists that I never heard of and then there was the 20th Century classical of Messiaen. Each song had some kind of mix of everything that they heard and Incorporated it into some beautiful masterpiece. Each song had us thinking so hard on what they did. I personally wanted to sit down with every member and ask the questions.

By the time album was over everyone in the room wanted to take it home and listen to. The buzz around campus was so wide spread it was The President of the United States was coming. We even made a special rule at the station, if you wanted to play it you had to ask permission to play it and when done you had to hand it to one of the directors of the station.

To me Kid A is an amazing piece of musical genius, and should be put in the proper spot of the evolution of music of the 20th Century. Each piece of this album is regarded and should be talked about the day Rock and Roll turned an enormous page. It's like seeing painting at a fine art gallery. People are still trying to do what Radiohead has done. It is an album that way in the future we will understand. Until then I wish anyone luck to tell what was that beautiful train wreck was.

Don't Forget to Boogaloo

So I was thinking today while I was listening to the radio in my father truck about Deep Purple. He asked if the song we were listing to was from Machine Head. It was "Smoke on the Water," and yes it was from Machine Head. He asked me where was my copy of it on record so he can play it when we get back.

Deep Purple is a funny band to me. I love them and hate them. I love then circa 1968-1973. That was the years that included the great Richie Blackmore and Jon Lord and I love Machine Head and Fireball. I also love the album that this post is going to talk about In Concert, but more about that later.



I hate them for the David Coverdale period which did not last to long. I think the only cool part about the hated period was Tommy Bolin. Bolin was and should be ranked as some of the best guitarist out there. Here is the other time I hate them when they did all these break ups that lasted 10 years between 1984-1994.

What I love is the the period of the band that included the classic lineup in the mid 90's that included Steve Morse in the spot of Richie Blackmore. Let me tell you, Steve Morse is an amazing guitar player. When I saw them in 1996 I think Richie Blackmore could have sued them for lick rites. that That was as close I saw a line-up I agree with. They continue on, but I have since lost interest because the departure of Jon Lord.

So I was wondering what I should do for the blog. Should I do Fireball? Should I even do Made in Japan. My first Deep Purple album I ever bought. Should I do the obligatory Machine Head like so many blogs before me?



I decided on In Concert and I will tell you why. I am a fan of artist when they love to test the waters with something new before the album is out. A good example is when I saw Charlie Hunter. He toured to support an album was out, but instead of playing that he played stuff from an album he was working on. It was fun and caught most of the audience off guard. Even though In Concert was issued in 1982, Machine Head was still a month away of being released when the 1972 part of In Concert was recorded. This part also first ever live performance of "Smoke on the Water" and "Maybe I'm A Leo."

The energy of this live stuff is amazing and very fun to listen to. What makes it more exciting is the 21 minute version of Space Truckin'. It blows most versions out of the water. It also grabs you and won't let go. Blackmore's solo is some of the best he has ever done. Just listen to the last 5 and half minutes of the song. The banter between song's is quite fun too. I came upon this one afternoon when I was a teenager as one of the classic rock station did these live archive shows of bands. They did people like Tom Petty, Aerosmith among others and they were live shows from their career. I used to tape these shows and the next day throw them in my car on the way to school. This one is still hiding in my collection. It is an amazing CD to listen to and it will replace any Deep Purple you have that is live, and quickly will become a favorite. Enjoy!!!

Can You Dig It?

He once told Fresh Air when he was being interviewed by Terry Gross that the reason he is bald is because of him living in Tennessee it was always hot and he figured being bald he did not have to worry about his hair getting wet due to the sweat. He also mentioned that he went into the barber and told him to cut his hair all off because of that fact.

To me Issac is a genius in many ways. His songwriting was some of the best ever done. I mean who does not love "Soul Man?" One of the best songs in the music repertoire. His music was even sampled by Portishead and Tricky and gave Issac a renewed popularity. Can we talk about him as chef in South Park. His lines were deadpan funny and most all had some kind of edgy from the master of cool. The most important was Shaft. What a great piece of music that stills has me wondering if everyone in the music world wished they wrote it.



I like Issac because of that coolness. He made songs about the world of folk who just need a little help. I mean just hear the lyrics to "Soulville."

"Black man, born free,
At least that's the way it's supposed to be;
The chains that bind him are hard to see,
Unless you take this walk with me;

The place where he lives, God, he gives them names …
The ‘Hood, ‘The Projects, ‘The Ghetto; they are one and the same;
And I call it “Soulsville' ah, yeah.

Any kind of job is hard to find,
That means an increase in the welfare line;
The crime rate is rising too, but
If you are hungry, what would you do?"

He made those lyrics ring out to everyone in America. Let's talk about Hot Buttered Soul. I mean it has only 4 songs and each has a great effect on the legacy of popular music. His version of "Walk on By" is far ahead of anything that was out there. The fuzzy guitar parts are amazing and i am sure had touched people like Eddie Hazel and George Clinton. The orchestration is the best hook and grabs you and won't let go. You will remember it as long as you live.

"Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" I am sure is the one word title in pop music history. The song gave me a feel up and down my spine and with lots of love all over. The groove is great and his piano playing has an influence of gospel, soul and funk. It too grabs you to make you want to groove.



"One Woman" is a great soul balled. It's got love and most of all it give you the courage to feel the same way he does plus the guts to feel the way towards that special person in your life. If it does not make you speak poetry to that loved one then I am not sure what will. Issac does it so well.

"By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is the classic that should be judged by it's own. It's the longest track on the record, but most of all makes it all right. He introduced the song and explains how deep this song. That is power that will give him his roots. It is well done and gives that extra kick that makes you want to start from the first song all over again.

The album is quite addictive and is and should be looked as a great classic in music. I know for me it rings some of the coolest music I have ever come across. I don't have a story about this, but I will tell you that I was turned on to it by a friend who knew good music and with that good music he passed it on to someone who loved it too. I now pass this great classic to you. Enjoy and I am sure you will play this all the time.

Ives For Me

Growing up in Connecticut was a state rich in culture. I did not know that till I was a teenager. I went cross country when I was 13 for 8 weeks and soaked in as much as I could as fast as I could. It was not until I was 15 that my cross country experience showed me how important my state is in the United States. I am sure every state brags about their importance too. I am not going to make fun of this.

I mean I was in Missouri to visit family. I saw the importance of the Gateway Arch and most of all the Thomas Hart Benton painting at the train station in a small town in Missouri. I went to the Four Corners of the United States. I went to through the Mojave Desert when the tempature was only 116 Degrees . I even saw, and followed the Mississippi River to some areas such as Memphis and Minneapolis and St. Paul. Those 8 weeks taught me a lot about our country.


Now it was not until I was at my community college that I learned about Charles Ives. Charles Ives was a person from Connecticut who was famous because of his music. His Symphony #3 and #2 are some of the most important in the classical repertoire. I found out later when I was in College up North that Symphony #3 is the one that could my Music History Professor cry. It was the piece he wanted us to hear was "The Unanswered Question." I mean I loved the piece before we studied it in that Music class. I was the one who suggested we do a little unit on Ives because of the emotions we felt about Ives.

I have close friends who grew up in the Ives area. The area we are talking about is Danbury Connecticut is a city that is close to the New York boarder. They surprisingly were not taught about Ives in the classroom like I thought they would. Did the History classes never discuss the history of Connecticut?

Ives sold insurance on the side to supplement his income. With that money he had time to devote himself to his pursuits like making this wonderful music. The wonderful music payed off as he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947. Music that was more recognized after his death. It was not till the early 1970's, the century of his birth there was a sort of Ives mania in the music culture.

What "The Unanswered Question" does for me is the expression of unsureness in the world and how we are also feeling of that unsureness. The piece is hard to explain, but if you listen to it, it will provoke some response. The piece is mentioned in all the good musicology books as a piece to listen to. It is his most talked about piece. His symphony's are amazing which incorporates just about everything listened to and most of all heard in his time growing up in Connecticut.



If you can read notes the sheet music above will help you give you a clue on what he is doing. I thought of this traveling around the state yesterday and how my state has so much rich history. It has been here since day one of these United States and is one of the original 13 colonies. That rich history Ives knew and added that to all his pieces.

Below is a video of "The Unanswered Question" listen for yourself and tell me what you think. It's richness in feel will evoke a response. To quote Charles Ives "Beauty In Music is too often confused with something that lets the ears lie back in the easy chair"."

My Band is Smarter then your Band!!

So your the son of one of the most influential Jazz artists of all time and you have a music background and you want to start a band. You look to your friends, they think your crazy. You ask your dad for help. He tell you to grow up. So, you do and you start an experimental indie rock band. You name the band Battles. After a stretch of EP's you decided to make a full length album. It's called Mirrored and your loved by all, even dad.

When I first heard this album 2007 I had no idea what the hell was going on. I loved it, but could not place my finger on it. I would crank up as loud as the stereo would let me. With the heavy drums and the vocal effects by Ty Braxton. Yes, his father is Anthony Braxton. One of my most influential people. It had a very interesting blend. That still ripples today.



What makes this album just scream with joy is the band it's self. Loose and tight, they know how to keep it going and play as a four piece then anyone. They are all on the same wavelength and know where to put it. Braxton might be the talent, but he does not display himself as the leader. This band is all equal. When you listen to it for the first time, It might take a while to catch what he and the band are doing, but just listen and keep focused.



Each song is a piece of the pie and they fit so well together. It's all so technical for us common folk, but what the band do is make it exciting yet fun to challenge the brain. You wonder about all the electronic with the acoustics, but it works without hurting and making a bad mix. This album will make you take all those indie rock bands that you listen to and throw most of them away. If all bands can be this creative then the music world would be very happy.

It is hard to say how this album is in today's chopped up corporate rock world, but I really think this album belongs far into the future and by then just maybe we will get it and understand it like we should.

It may sound like four guys fooling around, but there is much more then that. I cannot place the finger on it, but they have a creative power like no other. When I hear this album I feel like once I am done, I too want to create something like this with high IQ people. It is a monster, but one you can tame just by listening to it as a whole. Enjoy a really true 21st Century classic.

The start of Heavy Metal!!! Grrrrr!!!!!!

You ever listen to an album and was so blown away by the sound of the album it felt like you just got hit by a train. Well, this album was me getting hit by that train. From the first day I owned this album to just recently buying the 2CD re-issue of this it still has a huge powerful effect on me.

Black Sabbath's first album is an amazing piece of machinery. I know that it is still a amazing influence on Heavy Metal today as when it came out in 1970. It's powerful bass in front and Ozzy's lyrics are an animal. It takes you by the throat and won't let go for 40 minutes. The shear power back then could never be expressed in words.



I used to have this on album and played it religiously. So much so I had to commit it to tape. I put Paranoid on side 2. Both gave me more of kick in the ass then I had. The tape is still in my collection and once in a while to hear the vinyl rip is still a satisfying meal in itself.

The song's that jump up and attack are "Behind the Wall of Sleep" and "N.I.B." I like the way they mix into each other and often when I used to play this on my show It was a great way to keep a great flow going. The bass lines by Geezer Butler are outstanding and what I don't understand that he should be recognized for that. Not many Hard Rock let alone Heavy Metal Bands talk about how great he played.

The big heavy hitter is "Warning." It's 10 minutes in length is a powerhouse. Who ever gave the idea to make lengthy cuts with band fading in the background and let Tony Iommi just do a solo for little under three minutes. That was unheard of then. I immediately fell in love. It was not hard.

Then one day I had a car with a CD player. I could not bare to buy the CD that was in stores. All that wonderful sound is going to be compressed and not sound that great. I had a friend who felt the same way until he showed me the Castle Edition from 1999. There was not only better sound quality, and a better liner notes, but it included my new favorite song of theirs. "Evil Woman." That song changed my life. Somehow, America did not catch to the fact that this song was the single. What a piece of work this was. I thank my friend for turning me on to this version.

In the summer of 2009 I picked up the Deluxe Edition of this album. The Sound was rich and pure and what was the best part was the second CD of greatness. It is a must own in any one's collection. If you want to transport yourself to 1970, this is your CD. Take cover because this will hit you like a train wreck.

Strap in and enjoy the ride. There has never been anything like this before or since. If I suggest anything start with the second disc on the remaster to see how this classic progressed from the baby steps that gave a rumble to the Bigfoot steps that attacked the Rock and Roll world.

Wheels of Amazing Fire!!!!

I can tell you that when your 13 and see this at a tag sale for a dollar you wouldn't pass it up either. I mean in a box of LP's this had the aluminum foil type cover and when you open up the record gatefold this splash makes it's presence . I mean how would you not pass up that artwork.



I got more albums that day, but this was one of my favorite albums of that day's tag sale find. When I found out this album had Eric Clapton on it I was even more impressed. I was in heaven like any kid with a new toy and my toy was a shiny LP.

What I like about this album is the great splashes of Psychedelia and the musicianship of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. The subtle addition of Felix Pappalardi who I would consider their silent fourth member made the trio more tight and full of energy also Felix himself playing anywhere between organ pedals on "Passing The Time" to violas on "White Room" to Trumpet on "Pressed Rat and Warthog." The addition of lyric master Pete Brown also gave a great mix of unusual lyrics and an album that stands the test of time.



What is fun about Wheels of Fire is the mix of good old fashion Blues and Psychedelia and good old hardy Rock & Roll. I may have somewhat understood it when I bought it, but I still dissect it and give it rewarded listens all the time. To the common folk who just are happy with a best of Cream, this album is a big along with all the other Cream put out. What the common folk miss are the hidden gems that are on this album.

They also miss the Live LP that is part two of this two LP set. I mean who would not want to hear a 17 minute of "Spoonful." You here this as a full trio, live and at the height of their creative powers. Looking back when I got this album I wish I knew what I know now. Albums like this are to be treasured and loved. It's not very often a band like Cream can make a statement like this. I am really not sure if any band today can do that statement.



What makes this album fun is the joy I have playing it and just wondering what it would be like to be in 1968 hearing this for the first time. The anticipation back then must have had some buzz on it. By the this came out, Eric Clapton was one of the most popular guitarist out there. This album made it clear he is something special. Jack Bruce by this point, I am sure was revered as an excellent bassist and Ginger Baker is just crazy.

I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do. If you own it, play it again and crank it. If you don't own it, buy it and enjoy! When you first listen it might take you a while to figure how full this album is. I just hope you fall in love with this album as I did. Enjoy Wheels of Fire and take yourself back to 1968 and think to yourself if Hendrix heard this and we know he had because in October of that year he put out Electric Ladyland. I am sure their was a friendly jab. To Be Continued.......

The other band from LA

When I first heard Love it was only by accident and I was not really pay attention I was fast forward the cassette so I could hear something else. I even told myself that I would get back to the song later. This tape I still have it's all the artists that I love and got into in my teenage years. There is Traffic on it and The Seeds and countless others. It was one of those Time-Life Sets that my cousin belonged to and he told me he wanted me to hear the tapes he was getting. I told him I will more then likely be keeping this album for a while.

With this eclectic music mix on this cassette I played the tape often. Every band that was on that tape I wanted more of. I listened to Love and fell "in love" The song was "Seven & Seven Is" It may not be on this album, but it launched my understanding on who they were. They were even featured in the book of essential sixties music reading.





Then one day I decided to find more information about Love. I went to the record store and bought Forever Changes. It not only transported me to another world, but it really made me understand the 1960's. Rapped up in this 1960's culture was a band that had more to gain then anybody in that time period. They hid in the shadow of The Doors because both were on Elektra records. They had no pressure to be popular or conform to any expectations.

The first thing you notice about this album is Arthur Lee. His lyrics are pretty damn close to perfect. The next thing you notice is his voice. His voice is strong in your face. He is political without pointing a finger, he does it more subtle. He points out that we are all to blame. In the 1960's everyone pointed fingers at everybody.

"By the time that I'm through singing
The bells from the schools of wars will be ringing
More confusions, blood transfusions
The news today will be the movies for tomorrow
And the water's turned to blood, and if
You don't think so
Go turn on your tub
And it it's mixed with mud
You'll see it turn to gray
And you can call my name
I hear you call my name."

What great words from the eyes of Arthur Lee. The plush acoustics make it sound okay, but when he gets to those words above the electric guitar makes the chaos and the firepower he needs. One day we will see what Arthur Lee really meant to say. It's too bad never get to hear his side. I had the chance to see Arthur Lee and his new version of Love, but he cancelled the the show and died 3 months later. I was all set to have him sign that poster you see in the first picture of this post.

I wonder how this album would have turned out with Neil Young producing? This album is amazing start to finish. Again, another classic from 1967 and not to be ignored either. It does not have Beatles elements, but it's unique in it's own way. Have fun, but be warned that you might play this album more then once in a sitting. Enjoy LA in 1967 without anyone getting in the way.

Leonard Your Soups Ready!!

You ever listen to an artist and his words are like something you could whisper to some beautiful lady within your eye view. Do you wish you could write like that artist can. For me two people can do this one is Tom Waits and the other is Leonard Cohen. Leonard speaks so well, not only that, but he has such a way with words that if your English teacher back in school heard you speak these words you would be in High Honors English.

I heard his words from my aunt. She like so many people who followed Leonard Cohen, because you see he could speak so well. Leonard Cohen has some of the best words in the world. Just look at this;

"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind."



These words are what every poetry teacher wants his or her students to write. If I had that gift, I am sure my life would have been much better. In a time where the world was full of Summer of Love and Psychedelic Music, this man was straight ahead and even more was far ahead of the curve.

Something in his words and music for me strike a nerve. It is an world he lives in and wants you in his own way to join him. It's such a peaceful world in Leonard's life. I told my aunt after I listened to this that I think he is amazing. Every song is a story to Leonard and for him, you better sit down because each story has some great importance. I never saw him in his early career, but I saw him just last year twice and he is amazing. A old co-worker saw him in 1968 and she told me, that she fell in love as soon as he hit the stage. His words made every female who attended that show melt.

"Come over to the window, my little darling,
I'd like to try to read your palm.
I used to think I was some kind of Gypsy boy
before I let you take me home.
Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.

Well you know that I love to live with you,
but you make me forget so very much.
I forget to pray for the angels
and then the angels forget to pray for us.

Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began ...

We met when we were almost young
deep in the green lilac park.
You held on to me like I was a crucifix,
as we went kneeling through the dark."

Leonard Cohen is an artist that can transport you into his world quite easily. It does not take long to listen to his words and get transported in the world of Leonard Cohen. What I like is his simple life and his Buddhist philosophy. Many artist preach peace and love, but he does it and does it with very simple ways.

I have most of his books and I look at them often for inspiration. His life is something I would love to have. He knows more then all of us and is willing to share too. I am proud to be huge Leonard Cohen fan.

If you are looking for something different and something with thought in your music then Leonard Cohen is your man. Listen, because, you might not find a more appreciated artist then him. Jeff Buckley called him a genius and I cannot find a flaw in that word.

Soundtrack to the end of the world...or the new symphony

Godspeed! You Black Emperor Yanqui U.X.O. Is one of the most amazing albums to come out of the 2000's. It is also one of the albums I would choose for the soundtrack to the end of the world. I would never want to witness or even see this ever happen, but if it did the music of Godspeed! You Black Emperor would be some the main music for the end of the world.

I got into this band in early 2000 by a friend. He asked me to play them on my radio show and he was sure I heard of them. After the show he saw me and asked me why I did not play his request. I told him neither the station nor myself had any. The next day I had a ticket to see them and copies of all their stuff up to that point. I listen with intent to use for the next show. I was also very impressed with their stuff and the instrumentation.

GSYBE is a band not to be taken lightly. They are awesome and full of sound that I have never heard before. What makes it more fun they are great to make people stop talking when you have them in the background at a gathering. People just are just in awe of their power. I mean come on the instruments alone sound some kind of great orchestra. You have as follows; 2 Guitars, 2 Basses, 2 Drummers and a few cellos and a few violins. You make carefully and wonderful music that could make anyone just shrivel up and cringe with nervousness or even get them scared. Thank god there is no jukeboxes that have it because it would change the mood of the entire bar.



What makes Godspeed fun is they know how to use this music to create a emotion like no other. It evokes something that can not be describes and when played live (I have seen them twice) the place is silent and watching with intent. There are not many bands and or artist have this emotional feeling of uncertainty in their music, but GSYBE does and they do it well.

What is fun about this band is the fact it does not follow the simple standards of popular song. They don't even go with lyrics and even better the sound bites are people, common everyday people who talk about how they would change the world or their view of it. There are also just regular sound clips from field recordings that sound really well put together with the music that is playing.



What makes this band even more fun is the length of the songs. When I saw them the first time I needed to soak it all in so I did not pay attention like I should. The second time I saw them they played two and half hours and did a total of eight songs. It was an experience like no other and more then likely will be repeated again. These songs range in from the shortest being 6 minutes in length to the longest was twenty-two minutes.

This band treats there music with the up most care, and most of all they are serious about it too. There are not many bands like this and what I like is the fact they treat it this way. They even have many song titles for one song, the fact they tell you where in the twenty minute piece where the title is amazing. Even there titles are amazingly titled pieces of greatness. There are a few spin off bands that GSYBE is associated with and each has the same idea. This world of three minute pop songs never did it for me, and this band proves you can make great music without the help of video or airplay or even the three minutes. If I ever get a band together this what I would want to do. Enjoy a band that is tough on the surface, but once you start peeling the layers its quite a treat inside.

GSYBE make it fun just to sit back and zone out to hear all the pieces fit in a very complex but understandable puzzle. Once you hear it play out you want to hear again to hear if you missed and for me the structures are worth repeating just to hear how they got from point A to point B and from there to point C. Listen...ssshhhhh I can hear it now.

I sold England for more then a Pound

I am sure we all started liking Genesis in 1980 with the hit "Turn It On Again." I will admit that's what I remember. Also I remember on MTV the video for "Land of Confusion" with the puppets of the band, and also the President of the United States and First Lady. I thought for the longest time that is what started Genesis. Well I was wrong. I even remember going to record stores and picking up Duke or Abacab saying that these are the best albums ever.

One day I was going through vinyl when I spotted Selling England By The Pound I had no idea what I just got myself into. I bought it and took it home. I looked at the date and thought this must be another Genesis. When I saw the photo of the band on the lyric sheet and looking at the personal I noticed it was the same band (well almost) that created Duke and Abacab. I must have missed something.

Then I put the album on the turn table and heard these words, "Can you tell me where my country lies?" said the unifaun to his true love eyes. I was floored. The music did not sound polished or late 70's pop rock and roll, but it sounded Sci-fi or Fantasy. The singer transported me to another world I have not explored.



I continued listening, I loved the sound as a whole. It was a much fuller sound then what I was listening to. I could not believe that this band was that band I was listened to. I stopped listening to the later Genesis and started listening to this stuff. I was so amazed by the music. When I heard the guitar player I could not believe it was coming from this. This had a classic rock feel or so I thought. It was definitely Progressive Rock and it was my new favorite band to hear.

What makes this album exciting to me is that these songs speak of far away lands and have a very Progressive Rock feel to them. They make me think that Pete Sinfield came over from King Crimson and wrote these. I like the fact that this is a long album that begs for your attention. 8 songs in 53 minutes has the feel of what an album should be.



I love this album, It's an album that does not get tired after repeated listens and surely will never get played on classic rock radio. If classic rock radio got a hold of this, they would not know what to with it. I often smile when I hear a classic rock station try to play something that they don't normally play and try to explain to us the dumb listener. This album classic rock is afraid of.

I will tell you that if you get this you might be putting your later Genesis in the next tag sale. You will listen to the Mellotron and keyboard of Tony Banks and great guitar work by Steve Hackett and the the vocals of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins drumming which should be praised. This album is a joy to hear and you should too speak volumes after listening to it. I am sure it will be in rotation in your musical selections in the future.

That's Steve Miller...No way!!!!

Quick!!, Hey can you name the band in the above picture? Can you guess the year of the photo taken? Can you believe that this band was famous before 1974 and no one knew about it. Well I am one his most devoted early fans. I used to a really great classic rock show that incorporate some of the best of famous rock bands or artist that we all and love and play stuff that is their hidden gems or songs that would make you think. It was a two hour show and it was one of the best shows I ever did. I would play stuff by Spirit, Buffalo Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, It's A Beautiful Day and others. Once in a while I get someone who was on the same vibe I was. I get good requests too. If they requested an artist that I had, I would play their early stuff.

So if you don't know who that is on the picture or the year I will give you the answer to the quiz. Ready!! Alright, It's Steve Miller Band circa 1968. Yes Steve Miller had a career before late 1973/74. Steve Miller started in 1966 or so. In 1967 they were Chuck Berry's back up band. I bet you did not know that. Did you also know they played Monterey Pop Festival too. What I liked about the early Steve Miller was the Blues. He mixed Psychedelic and the Blues and good old fun and added Boz Scaggs and had a kick ass band.



This Band with Boz Scaggs only lasted two albums, but it was a great match. Boz and Steve knew each other since they were 12. They both were amazing performers. I have seen them both, but Boz wins hands down. His shows are not long (less then 2 hours), but he really has a great group backing him. Steve on the other hand plays for himself and if you ask for early stuff, he laughs at you and thinks your crazy.

This was a tough choice to put on the blog because, his first 3 albums are amazing. They are so close together in feel and in sound. They all have great musicians and really make a case for his early creativity. Speaking of musicians on the album I chose Brave New World there is a special guest on two songs. Paul McCartney plays drums and bass on two cuts. He does a great job and no one knows its Paul which is even better.

I will tell you how I got started on his early liking. I had the best of that everybody had. You know that one. The one that has a best of years from 1974-1978. I think it sold like a gazillion records. I mean I had it. I had on tape and thought that stuff was good. Then I did my weekly trek to the record store. In front of the new arrivals was Steve Miller Anthology. I looked at the date. The date was 1973, but I thought it was a misprint. The record store guy informed me that if you like the late 1960's stuff you should check this out.



So I did and I was very impressed. I was so impressed that I went back the next week and bought his first 4 records. Each album was better then the rest. It was so hard to pick a great album. I did have one thing going for me though when I bought these. They were short. They easily could fit on my tapes that I bought. I could listen to them in my Walkman. When it was a nice day I would blast that Walkman till I got to school.

What makes this album unique from the era of the 60's is that it's not overly Psychedelic like a lot of stuff from that period. There is a lot of blues feel to it too. He was a talent back then and now to me just a fizzle. If you want to one up somebody on the cool music that person should be listening to, then you have it right here. Thank God I listened and fell in love with this era of Steve Miller. His stuff is awesome!!! Check it out if you can, and treat yourself to a great era that will never come again.

Doin' that Rag!!

If I was around in the late 60's you catch me at a Grateful Dead show. Or for that matter any Fillmore Show. It has been always a dream and only a dream to go back in time and catch the Grateful Dead back in the late 60's and early 70's. I have been a Dead fan for quite some time, and when I started listening to them when I was an early teenager I felt transformed and a little wiser. Someone called them Electric Bluegrass and looking back, there sound was a mix of that and so many other genres.

I also noticed that most music fans are Grateful Dead fans or not. I had a friend who was a music "geek" like myself who was not a Dead fan. I had other people who loved them. When I went back to college there was a lot of Dead fans. But that's all they listen to, that type of music. The jam type music was a big thing when I went north for college. It was like thy were stuck and could not get out of the rut.

Going back to my early years of my Grateful Dead listening I think I played American Beauty and Workingman's Dead to death. I am sure that could have just ruined my Grateful Dead experience but it did not. They were so much more then that. They mixed all these beautiful genres of music together and created their own.



One Day I was on my way for a day of record finding I turned on the local classic rock station I heard them play Aoxomoxoa. They mentioned that this was the original mix from the original pressing that was issued in June of 1969. I listened with great interest because I only had the 1971 mix that I believe everybody had if you had some of the early years. I was floored, this album is so different and so fun to listen to. The best example of hearing the different parts is the song "Mountains of the Moon." In the 1971 mix there is no haunting chorus and that is sad.

Hearing the rest of the album, I had one album to at least find when I went shopping that day. I never did find it for about 3 years later when I saw it at a tag sale. The man selling it told me it was the 1969 mix of the album and I quickly bought it. Listening to it was like seeing an old friend. All the stuff I remember when hearing it on the radio made me love this album more.



After years of looking for a CD copy of the "Original Mix" I said there was no hope. Even when they re-issued the Dead catalog they did not even put it out. I was floored, I could not understand why they would let this great time capsule of 1969 go by with out saying a word. I even went on the Grateful Dead mailing hoping, praying that this mix would see the light.

Just rather recently I found it on line, and there was joy in the world. It's still a widely circulated bootleg, but at least I can listen to it. Aoxomoxoa is one of the best of the Grateful Dead, the part of the peek of their early career. The fun part is like it's predecessor Anthem of the Sun they continue with the studio fun. If you are looking to transport yourself to the late 60's and be part of the San Francisco scene then enjoy this true album. Space out and enjoy!!!

This is Respectable Street!

I grew up on the MTV Video generation and once in a while I would turn it on to see if there is any eye catching videos of a band or artist that I might like. If we all remember the presentation of a music video would make you buy their music. Thriller by Michael Jackson was the standard which all had to strive too. Some bands or artists tried to make things similar to that and some bands just went crazy and made you want to see the video again.

One such band was XTC. A wonderful product of the 1980's sound without being the 1980's sound. They were quirky and full of fun and always different. I sadly got into them late in my life but I caught on quick. What was great about their it was quirky and not your typical 1980's video.

XTC was British, they started in the 1976 and ended in 2003. In there time, they made some of the most interesting music in that time. Their albums were full fun and excitement and of course the singles. Not many made the US chart, but in England they were hits.



The album that had a hit among 4 other singles and I am talking about is Black Sea. Black Sea was a great album. It included the hit "General and Majors" it also included " Respectable Street" which is one of my favorite songs of XTC. Another song that was a hit for them on this album was "Towers of London." Most of these songs were hits for them in their home in England. They were uniquely British and very guitar pop sounding feeling like mid-60's Beatles or Kinks.

What I love about XTC is that British sound. It was unique enough to give them a cult following and catch my attention. I got into them kind of late in 1989, but I liked what I heard and wanted more. I always picked up their albums at the record store and always found 12 inch singles and bought those too. On most of the singles there was always true B-sides.

While at college I would always play records on my show and I would always find a way on my Indie/Modern Rock show to play an XTC song. I even found them covering Captain Beefheart. I was surprised a band of 80's musical lore would do such a cover.

Bands like XTC don't come around much and their unique and great sound made them a great catch for me. They even tried a side project called Dukes of Stratosphear. This side project was a one off idea of reliving the 1960's. Using the sounds of psychedelic Beach Boys, The Hollies, and Syd Barrett The Dukes of Stratosphear proved to me and some other people that XTC are a true band.



XTC is a wonderful joy to any one's collection. You could do okay with a greatest hits collection, but I assure you that would not help. The true gems are on the albums themselves. If you need to start with anything I would start with Black Sea and go on from there. There is so much material of theirs it is amazing. They have 4 box sets at least of just unreleased material. So I add my second 1980's pick with XTC. I am sure I will add others from the 80's, but this is from 1980 and might as well start with the first year of the 80's. Drink up and enjoy!

Don't get to close to the crazy piano player!

When I was a young kid I always like banging on things. It or at least making noise whether it was something that had some kind of beat or not. It was fun and kept me occupied till there was another distraction around the house. One day in my later years I was just starting my King Crimson quest when I went to the flea market and found Lizard by King Crimson. I never heard it before, but sure was so happy to find it. I got home and played it on the turntable. One thing I noticed through all the Fripp chaos was the keyboard player. His chaos seemed controlled and fun and interesting all rolled up in one.

The Keyboard player had great chops made me want to know more about him. I grabbed my copy of In The Wake of Poseidon and sure enough the controlled yet cool keyboard work was Keith Tippett. I remember getting In The Wake of Poseidon wondering how the hell he could do this Keyboard work so well, that he was in total control.



"Cat Food" by King Crimson proves he is a master at his field, but it showed me he knew how to play and play well. The way he played astonished me that Rock and Roll let alone any kind of music can be in a group. So my inquires of finding his stuff was difficult. For the longest time Keith Tippett fell off the earth. I even went to record stores looking. One day I had to ask at the record store.

"Hey you have any Keith Tippett?" The record store looked at me like I was crazy. a 17 year old asking for Keith Tippett. I looked like a kid who just did something wrong. My body language was like I just asked for something like Pollack or Warhol in a Van Gogh museum . He said back after my asking, "Matt, you know if you listen to him you are in uncharted territory." "Also you might have to work a lot of hours at the library for this one." He showed a picture of the album, he did not have a copy, the picture was to remind the guy at the store, that he was looking for it too.



He told me if you find this album, it's very rare and if you know someone in England (I did not at the time) you might be able to find it. He told me he had a tape copy, that was taken from the vinyl. If I come back by the end of the week he will make me a copy. I was like "WOW" that's awesome. At the end of the week I came back, picked up the cassette and went home and listened to it.

This was odd, but not in the odd sense that it was unlistenable, but it sounded like a King Crimson with horns and stuff. It took me forever to grasp, and what made it worse it was something that I could not play on the stereo without someone telling me to turn it off.

Fast forward the Internet age. I put that album on the back of my mind. I never saw the cover again, but I would look everywhere If I could remember it. I went on Amazon, and it always said not available. When downloading was around I found it. It took me about 3 months to get the complete album, I was in heaven. I finally had a copy. Just last year a record label put it out and now I officially own one of the most unusual albums of the 1970's.



To me Dedicated To You, But You Weren't Listening is amazing album. It one you don't play at parties, you don't play to casual music listeners or you don't even play it in the car loud. It's an album to be studied and listened to with the best of ears. Keep your mind always open and if you know someone who loves Progressive Rock or English Jazz this is the album. You want to open someone's ears this will do it.