Bob Marley Live Bootleg

In my community college years I had a professor who was basically a Grateful Dead head. He always asked me about my dead shows I went to and would tell his stories about his past with the centered moment about meeting at a Grateful Dead show. He mentioned some good ones and I wish I could turn back time to his youth and see the shows he saw in the years circa 1973-1979. He mentioned one thing about his shows is that he loved seeing the people and soaking up the music. He also mentioned that he also had this moment when he saw Bob Marley. The whole class jaw's dropped when he saw him a number of times.

For myself I liked Bob Marley, but really did not know where to start. I bought his best of Legend, but the professor told me that is only the tip of the iceberg on what he has out there to listen to. I was one of like 12 million people who did and that was the only Bob Marley I knew. He handed me a cassette tape full of two albums. There was even a person who befriended me and gave me a better mix then what I heard on Legend. At this point I needed to hear more. That professor heard that and made me a tape of two albums. The two albums Burnin' and Catch A Fire. These were my first two official albums of his. I did not know what to expect. Even more special was a classmate and friend of mine heard us talking Bob Marley and he gave me a 100 minute cassette full of classic and some real gems of Bob Marley. He also handed me a tape called Talkin' Blues. All the music that I got was quite a dose of music, but it was a great place to start.



Over the years I picked up the CD versions of these albums and really listened to him. I did not pay attention to the hits, but the songs that had an impact. These albums were all so good. I did not even know what album to pick or listen to more then most because all of them were playing in my CD player or cassette player. Over the next few years I would put Bob Marley away and listen to other Reggae artists. When I went back to school I made a two CD mix of the cassette mix of what my friend gave me way back a long time ago. It was really great to hear these and soak in the music.

After college I decided to go on a search of other Marley music. During college I had someone who needed money and sold me the Bob Marley Box set. It was great and all but I knew I was missing something. The music I was looking for was something live. Yet the two live albums were good especially Babylon By Bus. I stumbled on a few bootlegs on line. I took advantage of those and decided to listen for myself. It's a good thing I took that chance. I listened to these bootlegs and really liked what I heard. It was something that now after all these years made sense to me. This is the Bob Marley I wanted to really hear. It was all so good and I knew this is what should be blasting in my speakers.



After many re-listens for this blog post I stumbled upon a bootleg that I had in my music files. I grabbed this bootleg and gave it a new listen. This was recorded in December of 1973. It was part of a series that I have yet to find the whole set. In the early 1970's the Record Plant recordings were something special. I have a few namely a AC/DC one and a Herbie Hancock one. Both with it's excellent quality yet great music is a great capsule of the era that was quite unique. The Bob Marley one is no different. This show is about the time Bob Marley would break in the states and also when he opened for Sly and The Family Stone. This is a great start and if you can find it, grab it. Enjoy this one and I hope this is a start of a musical love of Bob Marley.

Morphing Beck

Everyone has a favorite Beck album and of course everyone has a story too. Like myself I find his music a quite refreshing breath every time I hear him. All his music is so good and he does so many different styles and really knows what he is doing even though some of the music sounds a bit too odd. Beck is a person I admire for his world he lives in. He knows what is great and mentions it to us listeners or through his web site. The Beck Record club is a great way to hear albums that he think are quite important. That is why he copies them from front to back and really gives the people a new listen of a classic. I say this loosely because the last one he did is music that my mother loves. It might be a novelty thing but sure was a bit messed up for my taste.

I am not sure how many readers remember when Beck debuted to mainstream audiences back in late 1993 and 1994. I mean i still in some way cringe when I hear "Loser" mind you it's an okay song, but MTV played it 20 times a day. Way to much for this person to really love it. I even can remember the video. It was good for it's day. I mean we really did not hear anything like it at the time. I remember putting in the tape in my car and pulling in my driveway and my dad asking me what is this Beck. Is he a rapper or is he a real musician. I did not have a defense and I just said dad he is just a musician. If you dived into the album a bit further he was full of great musical eclectic taste. The "Loser" song had a Dr. John sample. Who finds stuff like that. I like the Beastie Boys because of their unique samples too.



Beck did a lot of this musical influence on Odelay. Again MTV did it's best to ruin the album for most of us. It turned out to be an anthem to many people. I did play it a ton, but my moment of the album was "Ramshakle." That song even though it really did not fit with any other Beck song on the album had a guest appearance then none other then Charlie Haden. Charlie Haden was Ornette Coleman's go to bass player. I think the introduction by Charlie's daughters who are great musicians themselves led to this little bit of magic for me. Beck asking Haden really did it for me. He was a musician now that should not be played with. Everyone loved Odelay too and I remember being asked the question what I thought of the Beck and Charlie Haden collaboration and praising it's great idea.

I surely did listen to Odelay a lot, but around the same time I really started dismissing popular music for a while. I mentioned this in previous posts. It got to much and over played made great songs ruined. It's like my Doors experience and that scared me for a long time. I have it a rest. I really wanted to see Beck play stuff that just made people think a bit more then him being a one hit wonder. One day that dream came true. After all the time away from rock I picked up his next album Mutations. The album that proved to me that Beck was someone to talk about. It's my favorite album in his cannon of music.



The album with a full band makes a difference to me. It seems like he did something like what Neil Young did in the early 70's. You get popular or commercial and then you turn your back on it and make something that makes you happy. This album really does it. From the first song "Cold Brains" to the hidden track at the end of the album it really is a marvel. The mix of musical genres he crosses are great too. The performances are natural, relaxed, and laid-back, without ever sounding complacent. It's what makes this album great and fresh. I listened to it the other day and really understand what he was doing. The song about Tropicalia is breathtaking and so much a great tribute to the genre that I love. Not many artists can do this and with Beck he was at the top of his game here.

I would think my loyal readers already have this album. If you do then take it out and really listen to it all the way through and say to yourself; This album is twelve years old. No way could have this been that long ago. He put it out today I am sure he would have been praised for a great album. Damn' right it is and this one to keep for a long, long time. I love it every time my shuffle on my Ipod plays one of the songs. Enjoy and renew your listen to this one and tell me what you think. It's a great new journey in the story of Beck! All the songs here have more character then anything out now! Classic!!! and enjoy!!

Pixies Doolittle!!

I came a bit late to the Pixies, but not late enough to embarrass myself. It was 1990 and I was given a cassette tape of the Pixies by my co-worker. He pointed out that this tape changed his life. The album was Surfer Rosa. At first listen I did not know what to think. It definitely had some kind of impact, but I could not place it. It did not follow a formula of what I was listening to. I really thought for a second I stepped into some kind of future where music did not sound like I knew. Well in some respect I did, and I liked it. I gave back the tape to my co-worker and told him how much that quick half hour cassette was quite amazing. I asked him if he had any more and he told me that he would let me borrow Doolittle. I was happy to get it and now I could fill the second side of my cassette.

For a while I listened and listened for what was going to the point of that ever changing, life altering event. The thing was it was not a song, but it was the whole album that made that decision. The forty minutes of this cassette made it all the more interesting. This was something I needed to understand and to understand it required many listens. This was much better then the music I was hearing from the little group I was hanging with. As I mentioned in previous blog post the music of REM, Cure, was some of their loves, but this was in your face and the words of Frank Black assaulted you like no other and I really liked that. I mean take the words to "Debaser." By the way what is a "Debaser?"

got me a movie
i want you to know
slicing up eyeballs
i want you to know
girlie so groovy
i want you to know
don't know about you
but i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia
wanna grow
up to be
be a debaser, (debaser)
debaser, (debaser)
debaser, (debaser)
debaser, (debaser)
debaser, (debaser)
debaser, (debaser)

got me a movie
ha ha ha ho
slicing up eyeballs
ha ha ha ho
girlie so groovie
ha ha ha ho
don't know about you
but i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia
i am un chien andalusia

(debaser), debaser
(debaser), debaser
(debaser), debaser
(debaser), debaser
(debaser), debaser
(debaser), debaser



It only last three minutes in length, but it quickly get's into your brain and stays there and the words come out of Franks mouth and quickly come to yours. The second time you hear them they are now on your mouth and now you too are singing these great words. I was converted for life. Sadly, my friend around my age had no concept of what this music was. Around the time the Pixies put out Trompe Le Monde I became a huge fan and really would not go without a week without listening to them. They supported U2 and of course my friends choice to ignore the opener. They do regret it now, because they come up to me asking for the Pixies. I won't give them the music because of there stupidity. It may sound callas, but they missed the boat once and now they have to deal.

Every song rolls off the pallet and is so well done, you wonder why this was created by such a short lived band. I saw the reunion tour and I really wish I could say I saw them in their prime because there is so much they said. It was like falling in love with your biggest crush. Then you wake up and she is right there for that quick five minutes. The Pixies never disappointed me their music was fresh and so well done that you really don;t get their music until after the fact. The popularity got a bit overwhelming because of Fight Club, but that was just a good way to expose a great band. I remember getting requests for the song that was used in Fight Club and of course I would tell my listeners that the better songs are the ones you will hear now.



The Pixies are a must listen. I don't think they are one of the first artist I would point out, but I am sure I would tell anyone who loves music to give them a try. The words and the music is fun and energetic. I wish I really could see them when they were a band of the late 80's and early 90's. I am sure I would have better stories to tell. Seeing them three times they really no fail to disappoint and furthermore have gotten bigger with the reunion they do once in a while. It is a great pleasure to tell you about them and take Doolittle and crank it up. You will be glad that you did. The music is wonderful and fresh and great. Enjoy!!

Mr. Gould Meet Mr. Goldberg

When I started listening to classical I did what I could of what I had. It was next to nothing in my collection, but it still was a good start. I did not shy away from my classical or for that matter the classical that was out there I honestly wanted to hear more. The first classical tape I ever owned was a copy of Beethoven's Symphony #9. It is one of the most recognized pieces of music and I used to play it over and over. I would pretend I was a conductor and think I was conducting the symphony over some challenging, rough waters and led them to safety. I liked it so much in my first year of middle school I brought it to my show and tell music class. They asked me to bring something to class that I liked to listen to. God only knows what I would have picked now if I had that same choice to make. I could only think about scaring the teacher or the classmates with Eric Dolphy or some really odd piece of music.

I held that honor of liking Beethoven as an badge of being cool. I had other classical pieces of music, but they were not as cool as that Beethoven. No one in my house had an interest in classical so to me I wanted to be the first. Over the course of my middle school time I got more and more interested in classical. I would buy a tape here or there when I went with my mother. The tapes were dirt cheap too. I could get a full cassette of classical for about $4.99. I did not know much about what I was listening to, but it was good. I think over the course of a few years I had about twenty cassette tapes that had all kinds of classical on it. I still have a few, but looking back on it some of this music is stuff I really don't listen to anymore.



In High School I got a bit more educated on what to listen to, but then again I did not listen to it much. I got advice on certain composers and what pieces of their music is a must listen. These include Beethoven String Quartets, Bartok String Quartets, Holst Planets, Vivaldi Four Seasons and Bach's Goldberg Variations. These pieces were all new to me. I mean I am still listening to stuff and I continued to grow on what knowledge of classical I had. I used my job as a resource to find the classical I wanted to listen to. One of the regular patrons at my job came to me one day and told me that Glenn Gould is the person I should listen to. He pointed out that his version of these Goldberg Variations was the greatest thing in music. He pointed out that the 1955 recording was the best of the many people who tried to copy or do.

It's true when I heard this because when I picked up the 1955 version to buy the friend who worked at the record store told me that was the one that all others try to copy. I now know that there are some others out there that need attention but this is the one that holds the candle to all others. I have about seven different versions of the Goldberg's and to me this is the one I go to the most. The way Gould performs these are quite fun and full of so much young energy. I have not heard anyone sound like his quite youthful approach to a piece of music. The more I hear it now it really makes me smile. His version is the most recognized version that people talk about. I am glad I got to hear it.



To me Gould is the one who not only got me into piano music, but classical too. I picked up a 2CD sampler of his interpretations of Bach and others and all of them had a life all their own. Eventually I branched out on other classical, but it was Glenn Gould who taught me that there was a world of so much. His piano playing was always the first person I went to. It was full of heart and also education. The learning from Gould is quite something that I will never understand, but his playing made me want to find more.

I have four copies of this album and it never gets old. I put it in the car the other day and It was like I heard it for the first time. The fresh sound and the way he played this piece is like magic. It might get anyone who does not listen to Classical and I think the Goldberg Variations is a wonderful place to go. Enjoy and I am sure you will start your classical collection here. It's a good guidepost for classical. Enjoy!!

Sepultura Will Rip Your Face Off

When I went back to college at 27 I was ready to learn and soak in all there was about living on campus and away from home. It was not the first time away from home, but it was interesting to interact with people younger then me who are having the same experience. I met all kinds of different people and my education was with these different people and also in the classroom. I had fun, but I also grew up a bit at the same time. I learned everything from tolerance to compassion to just figuring stuff on my own. I took a lot of this education home with me and it now has made me grow as a person. I did enjoy my moment in a somewhat foreign land. The meeting of different kinds of people really intrigued me and I found new people to hang out with as well as become friends with.

During this time I got exposed to new types of music that these roommates would listen to. I would everything to Techno, Classic Rock, Electronica, World Music Heavy Metal, and last but not least Hardcore. It was like being a DJ at the radio station on campus. I heard all these there and I did not mind them. I even told my roommates that the music is cool, but I could not take some of it large doses. The Hardcore was interesting, because this roommate would explain to me what they were saying and also what their philosophy was. He even mentioned that some of these bands preached about not eating meat or to believe in a higher being. It was quite impressive. This roommates favorite music was Hardcore, but he told me he was open to everything else. He really liked a band called Sepultura. A band I was a bit familiar with when I went to college, but never actually followed up on.



I heard from my roommate the whole history of Sepultura from beginning to present day (at that time). He showed me his massive collection of their recordings and his die hard hoodie and shirt. He told me how great some of this music really was and it was good to listen to when your working out a the gym and need to get out your frustrations of the day or what have you.

Sepultura did not take long for me to like there were some great guitar and drums to it that hooked me right away. I wish I saw this live for the first time when this album came out. I was told by my roommate in college that the original guy in the band was the man who really got this band going. I did not know much about him, but what he did on Roots I can see why he is what made this sound so great. It was my first adventure into this music and genre and I thank him for introducing me to a band that had a lot of power.



Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody

I believe in our fate
We don't need to fake
It's all we wanna be
Watch me freak

I say we're growing every day
Getting stronger in every way
I'll take you to a place where we shall find our
Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody roots
Roots bloody roots
Rain bring me the strength to get to another day
And all I want to see
Set us free
Why can't you see?
Can't you feel this is real?

I pray we don't need to change our ways to be saved
That all we wanna be
Watch us freak

I wish I could tell you more, but I cannot. The music of Sepultura is great and to me very fresh. It's music for you to get your frustrations out on. Enjoy it and I am sure you will feel the same way I do. I don't talk about Metal or Hardcore much, but I really think this one of the ones to listen to. Enjoy!

Giant Friends

The first time I heard Gentle Giant was about fifteen years ago. I heard it at the book store I always go to. The music was definitely Progressive Rock, but it was not like the Progressive Rock I listened to. It was great stuff and it gave me new ideas on what to listen to. I listened to this Gentle Giant all the way through and it was very good. It was extremely technical and seemed liked what they were doing. I also liked the way the songs had a lot to say in how technical the music was. It is after all Progressive Rock, but it is really well done. The only complaint I had about them was the shortness of their albums. Nowadays, these albums would be only an EP in length but the music here is full of stuff to digest.

Over the years I listened to them every know and then, but when I went to a small Jazz show with a friend the musician I saw mentioned how Gentle Giant was the music that got him through his youth. He mentioned the long songs and the technical side of things, he also mentioned how they just made him want to be a musician. He was right, the music is great and the way they play is very good. Of all people who plays Jazz this guy was mentioned Gentle Giant. I asked him after the show which in particular did he liked and he told me all of them, but if he had to chose one of the he would take Three Friends. I took this in consideration. When I went to see my friend at the record store he told me to give him a tape and he could put some of their music on it. Glad I did, because this stuff was wonderful.



Over the years I really did like listening this stuff. It grew on me how wonderful they were. I will admit that I kinda got off track by taking a break from them, but looking back I realized I made a mistake. I really should have really listened to them more and more. I realized this issue when I saw a group called Three Friends at Nearfest last year. They were the headliner. Three friends is a project that plays old Gentle Giant songs and really does it with accuracy. It includes two members from the old Gentle Giant and reinvents the songs to make them sound nostalgic and fun at the same time. It was a mind blowing event for me.

All this time I missed so much but on the other hand I really liked what I heard and wondered if this was something that would make me like them more. Well it did a great job of that. Three Friends the album and Three Friends the band really turned my ears on to something I would never think I would listen to. Take a listen and I am sure you will agree. The album is only got six songs, but it's enough for a full meal. Enjoy! Below is the words to "School Days" and a video of Three Friends singing the song.



The bell rings
And all things
Are calling
The days past
The play's cast
Remember
September
When we were
Together
Together
Together

Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change.
How long is ever isn't it strange

Did kites fly
And I spy
And you cry
To run fast
Or come last
You know how
We made vows
They're gone now
We made friends
We broke friends
No more friends

Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change.

Remember,
Remember when we
Together
Went to the sea
Was it real or did we dream. The days of children gone.
Seagull's scream and pink ice cream and the deep blue sky
And the waves seem high and golden sand and the town
brass band play on.

Wait for me
Wait for us always
Wait for me
Wait for us to come
Homework's dull. It's worth the pain to go out when I want
Mister Watson wants to see you in the master's room. It's
about the work you should have done and I think you
must go now.

Schooldays are gone.

Emercing Jackson

The first time I heard Jackson Browne was when I was a teenager. I bought one of his later albums called Lives in the Balance. I thought it was okay, but nothing to write home about. I really wanted to hear what I heard on the radio stations. This was not it and if this was my first impression of Jackson Browne then I more then likely would have never listened to him again. I would go around finding his albums at tag sales and it took me a bit to find them but when I did I was richly rewarded. The music from his early efforts are so much better then the stuff I heard and I am glad I gave it time.

Jackson Browne was a mystery to me after hearing that album I bought, but with these early albums they had more of a feel that I really liked. The music was far superior then what I was expecting. I was happy to hear that this stuff was so much better then I thought. I listened to the music and the words and it was all very very good. It had a Seventies feel, but it was still timeless and wonderful. I' am glad that I decided to start from the beginning because these songs were so good. Even the vocal harmonies where just classic.



One thing with Jackson Browne is that he can paint a really great picture of his songs. The lyrics are great and the music is so crisp and fresh. What else can you say. I know there are people out there who really are apprehensive about listening to him. Don't be because he will just be a new door for you to open. "Jackson Browne's sensibility is romantic in the best sense of the term: his songs are capable of generating a highly charged, compelling atmosphere throughout, and - just as important - of sustaining that pitch in the listener's mind long after they've ended."(RS) Jackson Browne's greater triumph is that, having perfectly expressed its times, it transcended them as well.

I am glad I took the chance on his early albums. His song writing was still a stuff of history because he wrote with the Eagles and also Nico. Both have some of their most memorable songs written by Jackson Browne. I do wish I could go back in time when these were created, because I heard his tours for this were quite amazing. I even heard he did a double bill with Warren Zevon. I bet those shows must have been great. He also had a really great guitar player named David Lindley on his early stuff and also the guests of people playing with him were quite amazing. I mean Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Terry Reid, Joni Mitchell and the Eagles as I said before and the whole world actually. He was the singer songwriter that everyone wanted to play with.



Get this and you too will love his music. I really do enjoy a good rock album with great musicians and with great songwriting. I suggest you try him and if you don't have his stuff try the first one and I am sure you will enjoy what you here. The music is fresh and really great and really fun. Jackson can really say it better then anybody else. Enjoy! Have a blast from the past and I am sure you will understand why Jackson Browne is one of my favorites.