Mixed Tape Tuesday Goes 70's: Part 1

Since I already feel like I'm late to class and haven't handed in my homework assignment, here's my second post of the day. This one is for Jen's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday. This week we are moving into Part 1 of the 1970's. Great decade for music. It came about after all the rules had been broken, after American blues clashed with the British Invasion and country and southern rock started to roll. I loved every minute of it.

This was the decade when I saw my first, second and probably my 250th live concert. I was old enough to do what I wanted and young enough to not have responsibilities getting in the way. Did I make some wrong decisions... hell yes, didn't we all. But did I have fun... indeed I did. And I have retained some of the memories to prove it. The rest were forgotten when those brain cells that were in such abundance back then, suddenly went pfft. C'est la vie.

My first choice is no big surprise, it is either #1 or #2 on virtually every Top 100 music list of the era. I could listen to it everyday of my life and still enjoy hearing it. The two parts of the song: the vocal and instrumental are each beautiful on their own. Put them together and it's seven minutes that are magical. The opening riff is one of the most recognizable in music.

What else can it be but "Layla"

The band which first comes to mind for me when I think 70's music is the Eagles. Initially I thought I would use "Take It Easy," written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Brown, as it's the first song I remember from them. But no Eagles song fills me with more emotion and takes me to a better place than this Tom Waits song.

"Ol '55."

I loved Loggins & Messina. I must have seen them a dozen times. When I heard Jimmy Messina from Buffalo Springfield was teaming up with this other guy, I was interested. Then I saw Kenny Loggins and wow. Not only was he hot, but he had that voice... yeah. Their first album, "Sittin' In" was brilliant, and their follow up was just as good. Their song that I've picked is the title cut. Loved the lyrics, loved the sound, love the long instrumental in the middle.

"What a shot you would be if you could look at me with those..."
"Angry Eyes"

Next up is the song I actually started this music blog with. It's all about the feeling. It's all about music. It's my definition of what music does to me. "Give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your Rock & Roll and drift away." Isn't that how music should make you feel? This blog began with a post about the death of Dobie Gray, it lives because of the music.

"And when my mind is free

You know a melody can move me

And when I'm feelin' blue

The guitar's comin' through to soothe me"

"Drift Away"

Then there was Traffic. Oy, such a decision. Do I go with "Dear Mr. Fantasy", "Low Spark" or "Feeling Alright"? In the end, I went with the first song I played on my first CD player. From John Barleycorn Must Die, one piano infused instrumental that just rocked.

"Glad"

So that's five, the number we're supposed to pick. But it's missing someone and as a resident of the "Great State of New Jersey," I feel the need to break the rules. I need to bring in The Boss. Again, the choice is tough. Just choosing which album to take a song from is tough. Greeting from Asbury Park's "Spirit in the Night," or anything from Born to Run would have worked. But I'm going with one song which I wouldn't hear at every concert, which just made it more special when I did. Coming from probably my favorite Bruce album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, it's all Max and Roy at the start, with the tempo building as the song explodes with longing and passion.

"She says, Baby if you wanna be wild,

you got a lot to learn, close your eyes,

Let them melt, let them fire,

let them burn"

The exquisite "Candy's Room"

As a sad side note. It's two years today that we lost The Big Man,Clarence Clemmons. Sure hope he's having a good time playing with the band upstairs.

Thanks Jen for having us over at your place again. Promise next week I'll bring the beer.

Research? How About Just Listen.

Writing a music blog, I get to hear some really bad music. No, I mean some really bad music. Everyone and his cousin who has an interest in the music business sends me links, follows me and wants to be my friend. People who know me are keenly aware..I am not that friendly.

I do however have a few friends and people in high places (well maybe not high, but a bit loftier than me), who give me a head's up for things of interest on the music front. Well, thanks to the 'cat's eyes,' we have a topic to discuss. That subject is pretty much the reason this blog was created in the first place. The state of music today. ugh.

It seems researchers in Spain have compiled musical data from the last fifty years, used crazy algorithms and figured out that the pop music of today is louder and more boring than music from years back. My first question is: Did they really need to do research to figure this out?

The research shows that today's music has less complex chord structure, simpler melodies and well frankly, it is crap. Basically the high, low and depth which makes music sound so layered and complex, has been replaced by extra bass and volume. ugh.

Now, I cannot comprehend the need for this whole research team, which by the way, was led by an "Artificial Intelligence Specialist." That term alone is enough to make me crazy.

Music is something you feel in your heart, something that breaks through to your soul. 

Music is something which can make you cry or bring you out of the bottomless pit of despair.

 I know, it's done it for me.

 Enough talk, let's just listen to what I consider a few really great songs.

First up, one of the greatest musical anthems for imagery, vocals, arrangement, and if you have ever seen it live...performance.

Meat Loaf  "Bat Out Of Hell" ... a masterpiece from Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman. an almost 10 minute roller coaster ride.
Jethro Tull "Heavy Horses" ...an insanely beautifully constructed song. As you listen, take a look at the lyrics. not exactly of the "let me do you on the kitchen table" type of lyric. musically...intense and vibrant.
Bob Marley "Could You Be Loved" ...a great rhythm, message and hell it's Marley.
Bruce Springsteen "Jungleland" ...story, vocal, piano...and the big man.

Now, there are thousands of songs I could have included here, feel free to leave comments on what songs you consider great. These are just used to make a point.. None of these songs were created with a beat machine, auto tune or any other tricks. These songs were written with deep emotion using all the skills necessary to create brilliant musical arrangements... full of passion.

One thing I can guarantee, long after we are all gone from this earth, another generation will hear the opening riff of "Layla" and smile. Can the same be said of 95% of the songs you will hear today?

Didn't think so.

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Happy Birthday Eric Clapton: I'd Would Do Anything

Friday is traveling time.

Just couldn't let the day go by without a shout-out to today's birthday boy...Mr. Eric Clapton. Now to pick one tune as his best is impossible. Sure we have, Layla and then there's the rest. I have two dozen favorites at least.

My taste for today is one song while not his best, is one that I enjoy more and more, each time I hear it.

"God's got a plan, he's making it clear
Sweet little love songs in your ear"


Happy Birthday Eric, hope all the birthday wishes you get today "put a little wind in your sail."

Eric Clapton "I Would Do Anything"

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