Jack Johnson: Hawaii Ain't Just Hula Girls

Didn't you always wonder what those sun-drenched hot surfer dudes did when they grew up? Well, sometimes they realize their true calling. Such is the case with the taste of the day.

"we used to laugh a lot, but only because we thought that everything good always would remain"

Jack Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Hawaii. Surfing was in his blood and if not for a surfing accident, his path may have been different. College brought a degree in Film and eventually music overtook all else and a career was born.

Five studio albums later, Jack Johnson has established himself with featured songs in film and a devotion to the environment and charitable causes.

With a sound that blends some funk, reggae, pop and his Hawaiian influences, Jack Johnson has a real easy sound to listen to.

Take a seat, try to imagine a cool tropical breeze and enjoy some sounds from a unique and gifted singer-songwriter.


"Mud Football"
"Bubble Toes"
"Banana Pancakes"
"Upside Down"
"Better Together"

Aloha.

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On The Soapbox: Where There's Liability, There's Stupidity

It's always about the lawyers isn't it?

In a move which reeks of stupidity, a Florida lifeguard has been fired for going to the aid of a drowning man. I shit you not. Here's the background: Man outside of the lifeguard's area starts to drown. Lifeguard abandon's his post to assist other swimmers in bringing the man to shore. Once on shore, the lifeguard stabilizes the man and waits for medics. You broke the rules, you're fired.

It seems by leaving his post, the lifeguard put his employer in a liability situation. What if someone in his designated area started to drown as well. Well, I guess the next lifeguard down the line would have had to leave his post to. And on and on. That my friends, is what we in Jersey call...a clusterfuck. It was a perfect storm waiting to happen...but it didn't. The man was saved, no one else was in need of a rescue and the lifeguard deciding to do the right thing...is fired.

Now I hate to play devil's advocate, but what if the man was drowning, no other swimmers were able to help him and, the lifeguard did not leave his post? This poor guy would have kept his job and been crucified in the press. He would have been an internet sensation...and not in a good way.

All because of liability. As my friend and best ever partner-in-crime would say "This is why we drink." Indeed. Stupidity wins again.

In honor of this insane occurrence, today I'm gonna pick just one cool song. The real name is "Never Been Any Reason" by Head East, but everyone know's the songs as...


"Save My Life, I'm Going Down For The Last Time"... get it?


Will common sense eventually triumph over stupidity...News at 11.


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Celebrate America: Through The Eyes Of A Cowboy

Today is the fourth of July. In my mind, I had already decided where today's music blog was going. Then around 5:30 this morning one of my twitter followers retweeted a video that spoke to me of America and the dream of what America was...and is  It took me no time at all to decide to make it the focus of today's blog.

Andy Martin Jr. sent me this video from PetaPixel. It is the story of a man's dream to become a cowboy, how he attained that goal, and reached for another. His vision of America is seen through awe-inspiring photographs of his adopted home state of Wyoming. Having seen the beauty of the Wyoming landscape while riding on horseback or by backpacking, Carl Oksanen is able to capture nature...almost intimately.

The mini documentary runs about twelve minutes, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and on this Independence Day, let yourself be reminded of why our forefathers wanted this country to be our own.

Ok, so I couldn't post this without a little music to inspire us...

Singing Woody Guthrie's anthem...Bruce Springsteen and assorted troops live at the finale of SXSW 2012 with "This Land Is Your Land"  ...this is one incredible version of a great song.

Today we celecbrate America.

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Always Tellin' The Story: Otis Taylor

Born in Chicago, raised in Denver, Otis Taylor first began his musical journey on the banjo. He later switched to guitar, learned the harmonica along the way and became one of the great blues chroniclers of the world around him. The man can write a whole lot of story in his songs.

In 1977, Otis Taylor took a leave of absence from the music business for almost twenty years, then in 1995 he came back with a vengeance. In the years since his return, he has released a dozen albums, had his music appear in movies and TV and been nominated for and won several honors. He heads up a music program for elementary schools and universities to enlighten and mentor students in all things blues. That is very cool.

Today, we will take a few tastes of Otis Taylor. If you're not familiar with the music of Otis Taylor, don't miss this chance to find it. Listen to the music, listen to the stories.

"Walk on Water"
"Black Witch"
"Ten Million Slaves"
"505 Train"
"Plastic Spoon"
"Few Feet Away"

and I just can't resist saying it...


Otis, my man. Love the Blues Brothers.


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Guilty Pleasures: Have You Heard...

Past few days, I have not been feeling real good. There's something going around and I caught it. So while I am able to pretty much function normally (take that for what it is), I am not in the mood to spend a half a day researching some great new band.

So today, we will enjoy the second installment of Guilty Pleasures. My definition of: A song or an artist totally outside your normal, but there's something about it that makes you happy. Not too complicated.  If you don't remember, the first blog that centered on Guilty Pleasures was on Howard Jones. Nice 80's slightly techno music, but good lyrics and catchy melodies.

This morning, we go to the other side of the world...down under to be specific. Over the years there have been some great bands out of Australia: INXS, Men At Work, Midnight Oil and AC/DC...to name a few.
Another fairly successful Aussie group was The Little River Band. Back in the 70s when the group came together, they were considered kind of a supergroup, with founding members Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles and Graeham Goble, all having previously successful ventures.

In the states there were several songs which moved up the charts. Many of the singles released by the Little River Band were a bit too pop for me, They did however have one song, which had a great chorus, nice arrangement and just a really good feeling about it.

"Have you heard about the lonesome loser

Beaten by the queen of hearts every time

Have you heard about the lonesome loser

He's a loser, but he still keeps on tryin'"

That song, today's Guilty Pleasure is... "Lonesome Loser"
A great beginning, they start out with an a capella rendition of the chorus...immediately setting the tone of the song.

"Sit down, take a look at yourself

Don't you want to be somebody

Someday somebody's gonna see inside

You have to face up, you can't run and hide"

Take a listen, we all know the song, and if you can keep yourself from singing along, you are seriously missing the enjoyment chip in your DNA.

Have you heard...

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