At least I like them now...

Funny how tastes in rock and roll music can sometimes change.

Sure, I know people who listen to the same songs over and over, and over, and...

But that's their loss. They are missing out on the most eclectic variety of music there is. "Rock and roll" covers a lot of ground, and it's a shame to at least not try something a little different from the buffet.

When I was younger I couldn't stand Frank Zappa, Steely Dan or Bob Dylan. Perhaps it was a matter of not appreciating the depth and nuance of their songs. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I got past it. Now they are some of my favorite performers.

There was also a time when doo wop, psychdelic, progressive and punk were completely of my music radar.



I still like to explore new (to me) rock songs. Sometimes they aren't that great, and other times they become new favorites.

So, why not challenge yourself to listen to something a bit different from time to time? After, all it's only rock and roll.

R.I.P. to another rock and roll great

Alex Chilton just passed away of an apparent heart attack.

Chilton was the lead singer of The Box Tops, and scored a #1 with "The Letter". You would never know he was only 16 years pld at the time, as the vocal has a much more mature quality to it.



OTher hits by The Box Tops included "Cry Like A Baby" and "Soul Deep". After The Box Tops, Chilton went on to become a member of Big Star. They didn't sell a lot of records due to distribution problems, but the influenced many bands, and practically invented power pop.

TV fans may know them best for the original recording of "In The Streets". Listen, and see if it rings any bells.



Here is a piece on Big Star that aired on public radio recently.



You certainly were a big star, in more ways than one. Rest in peace, Alex.

And now a word from our sponsor...

Yes, before the Now That's What I Call Music compilations, there was a little company known as K-Tel. Rock and roll fans of the 70s and 80s were sure to have at least one K-Tel record or 8-track in their collection.

Keep in mind that this was before YouTube and MP3s made it easy to listen to virtually anything you want, any time of day.

This particular compilation is a typical offerings from K-Tel.

Pure Power!



Geez!

Alice Cooper, The Doobie Brothers, Hall and Oates, Kiss, AND KC and the Sunshine Band all on one album! And at $5.99 for LP and $7.99 for 8-Track, it's impossible to pass up!

Now, back to our show.

NOT a Beatles' Rock Band Review

I've wanted The Beatles Rock Band video game for the Nintendo Wii ever since I heard about it in early 2009. It was released on 09-09-09, but it seemed that other purchases had to be made first.

However, the time to buy it finally came this past Friday. To say I was excited woukd be an understatement. I had the whole family on board, and they couldn't wait either.

This is where I had planned on writing a rave review for the ultimate rock and roll gaming experience. But...

I went to Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Game Stop on Friday afternoon, and not a single store had it.

I then went to two other Wal-Marts and another Game Stop on Saturday. All to no avail.

So a big, sarcastic "thank you" to Nintendo for not giving the people what they want. ;) Seriously though, I don't know why I didn't just go online to track it down first.

As soon as I can I will get it and let you know what I think. In the meantime, here's a trailer to give you a brief overview of what it's all about.

Rock And Roll Christmas Song? Not Really!

Christmas morning, 2008.

I woke up with a song going through my head. My wife was already downstairs. Instead of first saying the traditional, "Merry Christmas", I felt as though I has to exorcise the lyrics from my head first.

So, I surprised her by saying the following verse:

The keeper of the city keys put shutters on the dreams

I wait outside the pilgrim's door with insufficient schemes

The Black Queen chants the funeral march

The cracked brass bell will ring

To summon back the Fire Witch

To the court of the Crimson King

I will be the first to admit that "The Court Of The Crimson King" may not be the most festive of songs, but I will let you be the judge.

Naming A Rock Band - True Story

It was 1991 and Nirvana had just released their groundbreaking rock and roll album, Nevermind. Many bands were formed after hearing it, and I belonged to one of them.

We did all original material in a hard rock, punk style. We had several songs ready to record, and it was at that point we starting brainstorming a name.

There were four of us, and each had what he thought was the perfect name. However, the other three invariably shot it down. Some of the names that were put forth for consideration were Gilgamesh, Corned Beef Hash, Blue Horizons, and Lemon Trend.

Again, only the person who came up with the name liked it. We weren't arguing, but with the recording date looming the pressure was to derive a name was tangible.

Then...

Somebody said, "how about Laconic Yak?"

Silence.

Blank stares.

Nobody liked the name. We all agreed it wasn't really a good name. But, what counted is that we all agreed we didn't like it. That put an end to the debate, and that's how we chose the name.

We recorded a demo and broke up a few months later. Over the years we lost touch. However, we recently reconnected over Facebook and we are writing and practicing new songs and plan on being in the studio in April.

I will post a track or two here as soon as it's ready.

Rock on!

Rock and Roll St Vincent Style

I was flipping through the TV stations and happened upon a unique live performance of St. Vincent doing "Your Lips Are Red". It was the first thing I heard by Annie Clark (who uses St. Vincent for her stage name), and I was mesmerized.

This clip from "Austin City Limits" is nearly two and a half minutes longer than the track from her debut album Marry Me. Yet, the way the song builds from Vincent pounding on her guitar to a spellbinding climax, the time seems to float on by and you're left with the feeling of wanting more.

The sound and video quality is excellent. Watch until the end to be treated to some commentary from Annie Clark herself.

Hear and see for yourself. But don't blame me when you become a new fan, too.



As you can hear, it isn't easy to put St. Vincent into one neat category. But that's okay, because it's rock and roll. Her ability to meld styles into a "singing along before it's half over" type of song speaks for itself.

Happy Birthday George - A True Rock And Roll Legend

Even though he was the youngest of The Beatles, today (February 25th) would have been George Harrison's 67th birthday. While he was regarded as "the quiet Beatle", George had a wonderful sense of humor and contributed greatly to the best rock and roll band of all time.

It would be difficult to imagine the Beatles' canon without songs like "Here Comes The Sun", "Taxman", or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Here is an acoustic rendition that George recorded right around this time in 1968. It has a somewhat haunting quality that is reminiscent of Elvis' version of "Blue Moon". Be sure to listen for the extra verse.



George recorded solo music before the Beatles disbanded. However, he didn't have his first big hit until "My Sweet Lord" was released at the end of 1970.

He had a few more hits, but as the years passed his popularity (with a few exceptions) waned. Then, in 1987 he collaborated with Jeff Lynne of ELO and released the album Cloud Nine. "Got My Mind Set On You" went to #1 in the US. It was played in heavy rotation on MTV along with "When We Was Fab". A nice retrospective that captured the feel of the Fab Four days.



The following year saw Harrison team up with other rock and roll legends Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison as The Traveling Wilburys. The album was well-received by fans and critics alike.

In his later years, George was quite reclusive. This was due in large part to the heinous murder of John Lennon. As it turned out, his fear was not completely unwarranted. In December of 1999 an intruder stabbed Harrison seven times. Luckily, his wife was able to fend off the attack and George survived.

He died of cancer on November 29, 2001 His final album, Brainwashed, was released in November of 2002; just shy of the one year anniversary of his death. "Stuck Inside A Cloud" was from that album.



We still miss you, George. Perhaps you gave us the best perspective with another one of your songs from all those years ago...

Woodstock '94 A Rock And Roll Experience

I'll be the first to admit that nothing can compare to the original Woodstock festival held in 1969. However, I wasn't able to drive out to that historic rock and roll festival because the state of Wisconsin doesn't issue driver's licenses to 10-month-old babies.

So, I was thrilled at the chance to go to the 25th anniversary concert. I was not thrilled at the cost of tickets ($144 each) but it was worth it.

It was an awesome experience that I will mention from time to time.

We pitched our tent closer to the smaller South Stage which tended to host the less popular (for the time) acts. One of the performances we saw was The Cranberries. They have a nice mellow edge to their rock and roll, yet their tunes tend to linger long after you hear them.

If you look closely you can actually see me in the crowd in this video for "Dreams".

Heavy Metal Crackers - Huh?

Does anyone else find it odd that the song "Rock You Like A Hurricane" by the Scorpions is now being used in a television commercial for Nabisco Premium Saltines crackers?

I mean I understand the juxtaposition of using it compared to "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton, but it just strikes me as strange to use a classic heavy metal song to promote something like a cracker.

Oh well, rock and roll really is here to stay!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I have been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, and each time it's a thrill! What I like most about it is that it covers the entire history of rock and roll.

As you walk in through the front you are in a wide open glass pyramid designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei. The large area has had cars from U2's Zoo TV concert tour suspended from the ceiling and inflatable props from The Wall. And, as one would expect, there is rock music from all eras constantly playing in the background.

There are interactive displays, movies, and special exhibits. The Jon Lennon exhibit was incredible, and heart-wrenching. Seeing the cracked, blood-stained glasses he wore when he was murdered caused me to break down right in the middle of it all.

Downstairs, in the museum, is where you will see most of the items related to different artists. Instruments, automobiles, personal effects, stage props and outfits from the legends of rock and roll are all there to be seen. On a personal note, I found it humbling to see just how skinny some of these rock stars were in their prime.

The actual Hall of Fame has small video screens embedded in the wall in a quiet room. Each rotates a few different inductees. It is done tastefully and lends some weight to the importance of being inducted.

Now, for my least favorite part. The nominating committee is now out of touch with what rock and roll is all about. They have made it more about bringing in revenue, instead of keeping the flame of rock and roll alive. I like all kinds of music, but why hasn't Alice Cooper (just one example) been inducted. He's been recording since the mid-1960s and is still going strong today. He was also a trendsetter and an influence on many artists that followed.

In the words of Ian Hunter, "Cleveland Rocks!", but if they keep going down their current path they will continue to lose out to those who understand the true spirit of rock and roll.