Well this was a most interesting day. I was privileged to interview one of Rolling Stone's 100 Top Guitarists, and Jen gave a yell for us to join in tonight's Tuesday Twisted MixTape Party. This week's theme is interesting: Epic Songs.
Songs that tell a story, have a beginning middle and end, are epic tales.
Now the first one that comes to mind, will probably come to a lot of people's mind: "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald." Next one that comes to mind is Billy Joel's story of Brenda and Eddie, "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant." Did I ever tell you when that song came out I knew a couple named Brenda and Eddie? Yeah, story for another day.
Another song that pops into my head is one that is truly a great one, so I'll start out with it. For lyrics, it doesn't get much more visual, and great melody and sing-along chorus. Just good songwriting. And, it tells the story of...
"The Boxer"
This is a wonderful live clip, though it ends a little short. But a great vocal and some real pretty guitar work. AND, it has a story... sad though it is. Mr. Robert Cray.
"Right Next Door"
One of Eric Burdon's musical influences was Bo Diddley. They never did meet face to face while Bo was alive, but Burdon attended his funeral. This is that story.
"Bo DiddleySpecial"
Bruce Springsteen has told many stories. One of his best needs no introduction, The title song from his fifth studio album, a song of the promise of a future and the loss of a dream.
"The River"
Final Selection for this week is another song loaded with imagery. And a great vocal. Melissa Etheridge.
"You Used To Love To Dance"
Go figure. The happiest song of the bunch is the one about a funeral. Welcome to my world.
I was crazy busy last week and I missed the Twisted MixTape Tuesday which knocked off the 2000 decade. I wanted to finish off the years based theme mixtape, so I'll jump into the pool this week with a little something different. But first, I'm finally able to talk about the project I've been working on, and just why I've been so damn busy.
It starts with a guy... doesn't it always.
A few months ago, I saw a message on one of the group boards I follow on Linked-In. It was someone who was looking for a music blogger so I gave it a glance. Checked out his profile to see if it was the type of music I would be interested in writing about or be involved with. Well, he saw I checked out his profile, he checked out mine and got in touch. Long story short... he had a plan to do something very cool and I was offered an opportunity to be involved in it. Now I don't know about you, but these types of opportunities don't get offered to me very often.
His name is Robert Xeno and he has started a record company out of Nashville called Earth Hertz Records. But beyond the record company, he and his wife Eloa, have created a music streaming site which will offer downloads at various formats, from basic MP3s to top of the line audio. They also had they idea that artists should be fairly compensated for their music, without string attached or selling their souls. So they started the first Musician's Cooperative. This is really something special and it's just getting started.
The streaming site www.streambeam.us went live last week with a soft launch. The tech end of all of this is insanely complicated, so we are working out all the bugs and adding layers as we go. My part in this... well, a lot of writing, interviewing, liner notes and basically building the copy for everyone and everything involved. Needless to say it's been a little like cramming for a final exam. A whole lot needed to be done in a little time, and a whole lot still needs to be done. For me, this is a dream. To be involved with the music from start to finish, and be able to write about it... unbelievably fun. And not only do I have a title, I get to work with some very cool and interesting people.
So for the foreseeable future, I will continue to write in a hit or miss fashion as I get the other stuff under control. Thanks for hanging in guys, we will be having some good music to hear, so I'll let you know about that. Or check out our first few selections now. www.streambeam.us
Soooo, that's my story. Anyway onto Jen's party. Even though I really wanted back in this week, I didn't have a lot of time to spend on, well thinking long and hard about my choices for 2010-2013. I'm cheating just a bit. My list is not based on popularity of a song, or what it meant to the early part of this decade. This list is based on just some good music I found and wrote about either on my music blog, or Ourvinyl.com or MusicStarUniverse.com. So here we go.
There were a few good albums I reviewed, and some I've even had the pleasure of seeing the artist live. One of them is the latest album by Boz Scaggs, Memphis. This album is mostly covers of southern R&B from the 70s. The album is smooth and really well done. One of two songs on the album originally done by Mink Deville, this is just wonderful.
"Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl"
Second song is from Beth Hart's Bang Bang Boom Boom album. Beth Hart is hotter than hell right now and deservedly so. This album and the two she has done with guitar great Joe Bonamassa show that you can go home again. There aren't many blues voices like hers out there. Close your eyes and feel the raw emotion of this. If you can see her live, don't miss her.
"Caught Out In The Rain"
Eric Burdon released one hell of a record at the age of 71. Til Your River Runs Dry is as strong as it gets for a comeback album. And live, he still commands the stage. This is the opening track to the album.
"Water"
Steve Lukather is best known as the guitarist for Toto, but his solo work stands on its own very nicely. Especially his latest album Transition. Gone is the over-playing just because you can tendencies. Transition is down to basics and it one of the best of the year.
"Judgement Day"
Chances are if you're not Canadian, you haven't heard of The Trews. That's a shame because they are one hell of a rockin band. They've been around for like ten years, have opened for oh let's see, The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant and Bruce Springsteen, as well as headlining across the world. Last year they released Hope and Ruin, which is filled with catchy rock songs and sweet ballads. Again, if you get the chance, see them live.
"Misery Loves Company"
So that's it for the decades in the Twisted MixTape, and that's the deal with what I've been doing. Stay tuned guys, the fun is just starting.
Just a little preview as to what's coming up this week. There are a couple of reviews of shows I have seen in the past week, one is Eric Burdon which should be published soon. Then there is a Beth Hart review which is being written now. I'll set up the links here as soon as they go live.
Now about the weekend. It was a road trip which included a show and an interview. So there will be an interview and a review coming on that too. The band was Survivor and the interview was with founding member and lead guitarist, Frankie Sullivan. It was a lot of fun, can't wait to get it all together.
Just a little note about the night. As we were waiting for the interview to start, we were backstage in basically a corridor. The walls were once white, but now were covered with the signatures of all the artists who have played at the Mohegan Sun. As a music nut, it was fascinating to look at the history. Everyone from Sheena Easton to Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Toto, the Outlaws, Robert Cray to Air Supply either signed or doodled on the wall. For me, standing there in the same spots of so many gifted musicians, gave me the chills.
I'll be back as soon as I get my stuff together, but in the meantime, here are a couple of photos from the show.
