The Big Blue Wrecking Crew

It's funny how we don't think we have aged that much, and then we see rock groups from our era, and go, OMG.  That was kind of my reaction last year when Jefferson Starship took the stage in a very small venue near where I live.  Of course, Grace Slick was replaced by someone much younger, and she was okay.

As the Republican candidate debate begins, it occurred to me too late that I should have suggested a thread to follow along. May have been interesting....lol

SamAdams said:

It's funny how we don't think we have aged that much, and then we see rock groups from our era, and go, OMG.  That was kind of my reaction last year when Jefferson Starship took the stage in a very small venue near where I live.  Of course, Grace Slick was replaced by someone much younger, and she was okay.

Not taken aback, we will be seeing Journey and Foreigner in concert together Sunday.  We actually saw Foreigner for FREE after a Pirates-Dodger game in Pittsburgh's PNC Park about this time two years ago. (Yeah, the Dodgers were in a pennant race.)  They have a new lead singer and he was awesome.  He was so close to the original recording that I thought he was lip syncing at first.  That was after the only game the Dodgers won in that September series, so in my euphoric state, I might have liked anything.

Next month we see two of my ATF's, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald.  Still trying to recapture youth.

Mary and I attended an Reo Speedwagon and Styx show recently and aside from Kevin Cronin for Reo and Tommy Shaw and James Young for Styx, we didn't recognize anyone.   While Styx stayed away from most of Dennis DeYoung's stuff - I am okay with that, although I would've loved to have heard Suite Madame Blue one more time, live, they were very good and sounded fantastic.  Reo, on the other hand, seemed to miss Glenn Hall and Gary Richrath and seemed like more of a cover band (and a not very good cover band) than the Reo I remember from the day.  

Judas Priest is playing at a nice outdoor venue near here in October.  Just saw a Groupon for half off, but judging by the price it's a lawn ticket.

Be very careful with these re-tread bands. As G notes, most of the 70s 'name' acts these days are normally the original front man and a hired band. Blue Oyster Cult has been going for 15 yrs now with Buck and Eric and a changing cast of backing musicians. They've always sounded terrific.

On the other hand, 2 yrs ago I saw [what was billed as } the Marshall Tucker Band at a small town fall festival. Now, all of those guys are long dead, but the singer, Jerry Gray [ I think ] maybe Doug Gray, survives, but not voice wise. He had absolutely nothing. My brother-in-law at the time was a huge fan, but the look on his face when Gray finally opened his trap and barely a hoarse gravel sounding sound of off-key pain came out was one I'll never forget. These guys were musically good - played all the songs perfectly. The funniest and most transparent aspect, was Gray. He could not sing - period. So, for instance, on "Can't You See", the music intro would lead to the beginning of the vocals, then Gray, standing on the edge of the stage, would hold his microphone out to the audience and say 'c;mon...let me hear ya! " or something similar, and the crowd would then supply the lyrics. "Fire on the Mountain"....Gray scratched his off key and garbled verse, then the mic held out to the audience again.

I'm sure the audience must have caught on at some point, but I'm not sure. My brother-in-law was so crestfallen, we left after the 4th song began. I'd never expect these 60 somethings to have the same vocal chops as in their heyday. But it's a far cry from being a capable cover band of yourself, to being a desperate money grubber ripping off your own past, and cheating what's left of the fans.

SamAdams said:

Judas Priest is playing at a nice outdoor venue near here in October.  Just saw a Groupon for half off, but judging by the price it's a lawn ticket.

Just read the fine print and the seats are in the rear corners.  Still, not bad for $20.

$20?!?   I would jump on those.  They are playing at the Concord Pavilion and the cheapest seats - on the hillside about a decent mile from the stage - are $116 each.  The good seats, the ones the womenfolk want, are going for $168 per.   Guess which ones I bought.  Priest best kick ass or I will be miffed. 

jWerthfan said:

Be very careful with these re-tread bands. As G notes, most of the 70s 'name' acts these days are normally the original front man and a hired band. Blue Oyster Cult has been going for 15 yrs now with Buck and Eric and a changing cast of backing musicians. They've always sounded terrific.

On the other hand, 2 yrs ago I saw [what was billed as } the Marshall Tucker Band at a small town fall festival. Now, all of those guys are long dead, but the singer, Jerry Gray [ I think ] maybe Doug Gray, survives, but not voice wise. He had absolutely nothing. My brother-in-law at the time was a huge fan, but the look on his face when Gray finally opened his trap and barely a hoarse gravel sounding sound of off-key pain came out was one I'll never forget. These guys were musically good - played all the songs perfectly. The funniest and most transparent aspect, was Gray. He could not sing - period. So, for instance, on "Can't You See", the music intro would lead to the beginning of the vocals, then Gray, standing on the edge of the stage, would hold his microphone out to the audience and say 'c;mon...let me hear ya! " or something similar, and the crowd would then supply the lyrics. "Fire on the Mountain"....Gray scratched his off key and garbled verse, then the mic held out to the audience again.

I'm sure the audience must have caught on at some point, but I'm not sure. My brother-in-law was so crestfallen, we left after the 4th song began. I'd never expect these 60 somethings to have the same vocal chops as in their heyday. But it's a far cry from being a capable cover band of yourself, to being a desperate money grubber ripping off your own past, and cheating what's left of the fans.

Sounds like an Outlaws concert Mary and I saw some years ago.   Without Hughie Thompson it was pathetic. I mean they played the songs well, but there was no life to the band, it seemed like a bunch of session musicians going through the motions for a nice payoff.    

grabarkewitz said:

jWerthfan said:

Be very careful with these re-tread bands. As G notes, most of the 70s 'name' acts these days are normally the original front man and a hired band. Blue Oyster Cult has been going for 15 yrs now with Buck and Eric and a changing cast of backing musicians. They've always sounded terrific.

On the other hand, 2 yrs ago I saw [what was billed as } the Marshall Tucker Band at a small town fall festival. Now, all of those guys are long dead, but the singer, Jerry Gray [ I think ] maybe Doug Gray, survives, but not voice wise. He had absolutely nothing. My brother-in-law at the time was a huge fan, but the look on his face when Gray finally opened his trap and barely a hoarse gravel sounding sound of off-key pain came out was one I'll never forget. These guys were musically good - played all the songs perfectly. The funniest and most transparent aspect, was Gray. He could not sing - period. So, for instance, on "Can't You See", the music intro would lead to the beginning of the vocals, then Gray, standing on the edge of the stage, would hold his microphone out to the audience and say 'c;mon...let me hear ya! " or something similar, and the crowd would then supply the lyrics. "Fire on the Mountain"....Gray scratched his off key and garbled verse, then the mic held out to the audience again.

I'm sure the audience must have caught on at some point, but I'm not sure. My brother-in-law was so crestfallen, we left after the 4th song began. I'd never expect these 60 somethings to have the same vocal chops as in their heyday. But it's a far cry from being a capable cover band of yourself, to being a desperate money grubber ripping off your own past, and cheating what's left of the fans.

Sounds like an Outlaws concert Mary and I saw some years ago.   Without Hughie Thompson it was pathetic. I mean they played the songs well, but there was no life to the band, it seemed like a bunch of session musicians going through the motions for a nice payoff.    

That is usually always the case, with there being at least one original guy in the ripoff band to give it some type of linkage. There's been a Yardbirds band playing for years that only had the original replacement drummer. I mean, how are you the Yardbirds w/o Keith Relf, who's been dead 30 years or more?

On the other hand, a guy like Kim Simmonds still tours in his mid 60s as Savoy Brown. No problem there. Hi IS Savoy Brown, as they always had a constantly changing lineup, and he was never the singer. Just one of the tastiest and profcient blues guitarists E-Vah !

The thing is, the majority of fans, even in the day, rarely familiarized themselves with band members as they mindlessly sang along to music of the day, so if whoEVER is doing a good representation of the so-called band's repertoire, that's usually all a crowd needs to be happy.

In all honesty, I'd be very fearful of laying down a nickel for Judas Priest. You don't really expect Halford to be anything close to a competent vocalist, do you?

jWerthfan said:

grabarkewitz said:

jWerthfan said:

Be very careful with these re-tread bands. As G notes, most of the 70s 'name' acts these days are normally the original front man and a hired band. Blue Oyster Cult has been going for 15 yrs now with Buck and Eric and a changing cast of backing musicians. They've always sounded terrific.

On the other hand, 2 yrs ago I saw [what was billed as } the Marshall Tucker Band at a small town fall festival. Now, all of those guys are long dead, but the singer, Jerry Gray [ I think ] maybe Doug Gray, survives, but not voice wise. He had absolutely nothing. My brother-in-law at the time was a huge fan, but the look on his face when Gray finally opened his trap and barely a hoarse gravel sounding sound of off-key pain came out was one I'll never forget. These guys were musically good - played all the songs perfectly. The funniest and most transparent aspect, was Gray. He could not sing - period. So, for instance, on "Can't You See", the music intro would lead to the beginning of the vocals, then Gray, standing on the edge of the stage, would hold his microphone out to the audience and say 'c;mon...let me hear ya! " or something similar, and the crowd would then supply the lyrics. "Fire on the Mountain"....Gray scratched his off key and garbled verse, then the mic held out to the audience again.

I'm sure the audience must have caught on at some point, but I'm not sure. My brother-in-law was so crestfallen, we left after the 4th song began. I'd never expect these 60 somethings to have the same vocal chops as in their heyday. But it's a far cry from being a capable cover band of yourself, to being a desperate money grubber ripping off your own past, and cheating what's left of the fans.

Sounds like an Outlaws concert Mary and I saw some years ago.   Without Hughie Thompson it was pathetic. I mean they played the songs well, but there was no life to the band, it seemed like a bunch of session musicians going through the motions for a nice payoff.    

That is usually always the case, with there being at least one original guy in the ripoff band to give it some type of linkage. There's been a Yardbirds band playing for years that only had the original replacement drummer. I mean, how are you the Yardbirds w/o Keith Relf, who's been dead 30 years or more?

On the other hand, a guy like Kim Simmonds still tours in his mid 60s as Savoy Brown. No problem there. Hi IS Savoy Brown, as they always had a constantly changing lineup, and he was never the singer. Just one of the tastiest and profcient blues guitarists E-Vah !

The thing is, the majority of fans, even in the day, rarely familiarized themselves with band members as they mindlessly sang along to music of the day, so if whoEVER is doing a good representation of the so-called band's repertoire, that's usually all a crowd needs to be happy.

In all honesty, I'd be very fearful of laying down a nickel for Judas Priest. You don't really expect Halford to be anything close to a competent vocalist, do you?

To be honest, I never really cared for Halford's vocals.   I thought they got in the way of the guitar work of Tipton and Downing.   I seriously would prefer Ripper Owens singing for Judas Priest but what really hurts is that KK is not going to be out there.  Still, I expect them to be better than Kansas or Reo, two bands I have seen recently in money grabs for lack of a better word. 

jWerthfan said:

As the Republican candidate debate begins, it occurred to me too late that I should have suggested a thread to follow along. May have been interesting....lol

Herself watched that and I felt the need to be informed.   She was pleased that her boy, Mitt Romney, went on the offensive.    I was the usual deer in the headlights frightened by some of the stuff that was said, but I have to agree Romney did take the show, although Ron Paul was the most impressive, IMO. 

Per Grabarkewitz: "To be honest, I never really cared for Halford's vocals.   I thought
they got in the way of the guitar work of Tipton and Downing."

Sir, that is the most on-target capsule review of JP I've ever seen.   

grabarkewitz said:

jWerthfan said:

As the Republican candidate debate begins, it occurred to me too late that I should have suggested a thread to follow along. May have been interesting....lol

Herself watched that and I felt the need to be informed.   She was pleased that her boy, Mitt Romney, went on the offensive.    I was the usual deer in the headlights frightened by some of the stuff that was said, but I have to agree Romney did take the show, although Ron Paul was the most impressive, IMO. 

Personally, I think Perry sinks almost every time he speaks The attacks by the others have really done some damage. I give Paul credit for staying unwaveringly on message, though his foreign policy ideas defy sanity, I think. Bachman took another step backwards, Santorum makes great points, as does Herman Cain. For my nickel, I think Newt Gingrich demonstrates his superior intellect and understanding of gov't / politics every time he gets an opportunity to speak, which is nowhere often enough. I could care less about jewelry stores and divorces and such, but of everyone involved on either side of the aisle, I'd feel more hopeful of a successful turnaround for the country with Newt at the controls. His two word reply "It doesn't." to Megan Kelly's first question to him is a perfect example of how I think he has owned every debate, even though few have paid attention, it seems.

Because you are my friends....

...and my friends deserve the VERY best...even on a pink guitar!

Anyone else see this. One man's opinion of the worst music videos of all time, starring Styx, Jagger and Bowie, MJ [twice], Journey, GnR, and more. It's hard to argue any of them, but I'd never seen "That's How I beat Shaq", and think it's kind of good. This is a great way to kill about an hour of non-playoff time, or just sort through and go straight to the video that Billy Squier claims killed his career. I always wondered why he dropped off the map...and now I know.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/64353/real-turkeys-the-worst-videos-of-all-time/;_ylt=AiPWBCf_3uHlSzcwgJYnvV7LwSUv

jWerthfan said:

Anyone else see this. One man's opinion of the worst music videos of all time, starring Styx, Jagger and Bowie, MJ [twice], Journey, GnR, and more. It's hard to argue any of them, but I'd never seen "That's How I beat Shaq", and think it's kind of good. This is a great way to kill about an hour of non-playoff time, or just sort through and go straight to the video that Billy Squier claims killed his career. I always wondered why he dropped off the map...and now I know.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/64353/real-turkeys-the-worst-videos-of-all-time/;_ylt=AiPWBCf_3uHlSzcwgJYnvV7LwSUv

Can't argue with the man's opinions.   Mr. Roboto may be the most awful video of all time and to think I saw that performance piece live twice.   Oh, the humanities!

grabarkewitz said:

jWerthfan said:

Anyone else see this. One man's opinion of the worst music videos of all time, starring Styx, Jagger and Bowie, MJ [twice], Journey, GnR, and more. It's hard to argue any of them, but I'd never seen "That's How I beat Shaq", and think it's kind of good. This is a great way to kill about an hour of non-playoff time, or just sort through and go straight to the video that Billy Squier claims killed his career. I always wondered why he dropped off the map...and now I know.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/64353/real-turkeys-the-worst-videos-of-all-time/;_ylt=AiPWBCf_3uHlSzcwgJYnvV7LwSUv

Can't argue with the man's opinions.   Mr. Roboto may be the most awful video of all time and to think I saw that performance piece live twice.   Oh, the humanities!

Yeah, he put together a heckuva list - Jagger/Bowie....I couldn't believe anyone could look at that and release it. A friend of mine is a 40 yr Stones fan, and he refuses to acknowledge it's existence. And the Billy Squier thing - you have to wonder why he didn't murder whoever convinced him that was a good idea.

As to you seeing that Dennis DeYoung atrocity twice, I have to ask, why the second time?

jWerthfan said:

grabarkewitz said:

jWerthfan said:

Anyone else see this. One man's opinion of the worst music videos of all time, starring Styx, Jagger and Bowie, MJ [twice], Journey, GnR, and more. It's hard to argue any of them, but I'd never seen "That's How I beat Shaq", and think it's kind of good. This is a great way to kill about an hour of non-playoff time, or just sort through and go straight to the video that Billy Squier claims killed his career. I always wondered why he dropped off the map...and now I know.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/64353/real-turkeys-the-worst-videos-of-all-time/;_ylt=AiPWBCf_3uHlSzcwgJYnvV7LwSUv

Can't argue with the man's opinions.   Mr. Roboto may be the most awful video of all time and to think I saw that performance piece live twice.   Oh, the humanities!

Yeah, he put together a heckuva list - Jagger/Bowie....I couldn't believe anyone could look at that and release it. A friend of mine is a 40 yr Stones fan, and he refuses to acknowledge it's existence. And the Billy Squier thing - you have to wonder why he didn't murder whoever convinced him that was a good idea.

As to you seeing that Dennis DeYoung atrocity twice, I have to ask, why the second time?

Two very hot single women on separate dates.   I like to plunge an icepick in my ears and eyes before the second show even started.  As for Billy Squier, you can see him killing his career the minute he put on that pink shirt.   The bad part was that prior to that Styx concert, I had never seen them put on a bad show.   Of course, that was before Dennis DeYoung went Broadway on the band.  

Went to see Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs in concert in Houston.  Old Mike still has that distinctive sound, but has lost a lot of range.  Boz, on the other hand, sounded just like he did decades ago.

SamAdams said:

Went to see Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs in concert in Houston.  Old Mike still has that distinctive sound, but has lost a lot of range.  Boz, on the other hand, sounded just like he did decades ago.

I haven't seen Boz Scaggs since I was in college and he put on one helluva show.   As for Michael McDonald, I was never a huge fan, but his stuff with the Doobie Brothers was pretty good.    Herself wants to go to Sacramento on Friday for an Ozzie Osbourne book signing at the Barnes & Noble there.   Katja says she can get her in early because she knows the manager there.   Guess where I will be on Friday?   For some whacked out reason, Mary loves Ozzie even though she has no clue he was in Black Sabbath and the only Ozzie song she knows is Crazy Train.   I think she got hooked by the TV show IMO.  

SamAdams said:

Went to see Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs in concert in Houston.  Old Mike still has that distinctive sound, but has lost a lot of range.  Boz, on the other hand, sounded just like he did decades ago.

Hey, Sam, were they playing with Donald Fagen [Steely Dan]? I had heard they were putting a project together a while back.

The one time I saw Boz Scaggs was at an outdoor festival in Richmond, Va. Not long after Boz Scaggs and Band came out. Their performance was delayed over an hour following the previous band, Cactus [ who sucked], because during the break, 2 undercover narcs grabbed a long hair in the stands across the way from us, and when he resisted, they tried to cuff him. He broke free, and raced up and down and around the bleachers with the cops right behind him, and by then, everyone on our side of the stadium could see what was in progress. Some people gave the guy some cover by obstructing the narcs, but pretty soon it all emptied onto the infield, where they finally tackled him, sat on him, and were attempting to cuff him behind the back - and all HELL broke loose, as beer and wine bottles started pelting the cops, who again lost the guy because they had to protect themselves from growing hundreds of outraged stoners. Within minutes, units of riot gear helmeted police began pouring into the stadium in the bleacher entrances, and scaled to the top of the stadium, spread out into an assault line, and began a uniformed descent, herding everyone who occupied that section down and onto the field. Anyone that didn't move immediately on command got a club to the back, and several fought back - mini riots breaking out in several locations. Reinforcements showed up, and after an all out assault, the POd concert goers were running out of ammunition - there were actually a few than came through the bleachers where me and some chick I'd met were taking it all in [ great window pane ] that were collecting empty glass bottles for projectiles. Order was enforced.

So...back to showtime. The first time Boz and band came out, another skirmish broke out right of stage, and they retreated. When the fights ended, people from the stage were pleading for the attendees to let it go, or they'd have to cancel the rest of the festival, with the big acts yet to appear. This is about 3 in the afternoon. A lot of people had come a long way for this show, so about half the crowd was yelling at the other half to knock it off. Alternate chants of 'f__k the pigs' and 'peace now'. The entire opposite side of the bleachers were now empty, except for the riot control cops with weapons trained, who were still shielding off the occasional beer bottle, which of course triggered more riots when the cops would go after the offender.

Enforced peace finally prevailed - or all ammunition was spent - Boz and band took the stage, and Boz gave a passionate thanks to those who'd called for peace, which drew a few cheers and ' right ons '. But when he thanked the officers for their show of restraint, well, big mistake. Immediate F Ys and boos. The band huddled in the middle, the situation extremely tense [ the window pane now seeming like a REAL bad idea ], then finally began to play 'Runnin' Round Runnin' Blue'. His opening vocal coincided exactly with a thunderous boom from beyond the opposite bleachers where the cops were, and a billow of black/blue smoke - a police car, we found out later, had been overturned and set on fire. The song stopped, a large amount of people were being forced back IN the stadium to the infield, and 2 police helicopters appeared directly overhead, circling, with armed shooters as now there was near total chaos....amongst which Boz says 'sorry folks, catch you later.'

Now those were the days.

Wow!  The times have mellowed since then.  This was about as sedate a concert as you could attend, save for the exceptional music.  The venue was a 2,500 seat theater in downtown Houston.  I have got to say, though, that I really got into hearing Boz Scaggs' old hits, like JoJo, Breakdown Dead Ahead, Miss Sun, Lido Shuffle, Lowdown, What Can I Say.  

Rolling Stone proves to me once again, that they are still as largely irrelevant as they've been since MTV became a non-video channel [except for Beavis and Butthead, of course, listing the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

It would be easy enough to dismiss it just for including Joni Mitchell - seriously - 100 greatest guitarist...Joni Mitchell. Can anyone here remind me of some inspired guitar playing by Joni I missed?  I avoided her as much as I could, so, it's possible, I guess.

To me, any list that doesn't include Kim Simmonds [ Savoy Brown ] is absurd. They did, however, get all 3 Yardbirds guitarists, but does anyone think that Clapton is the best of that group [ Beck and Page] ?

I''ve always thought B B King was a one trick pony mostly, and I've had dozens of arguments over the years w/ Dickey Betts fans - "Ramblin' Man", from the first time I heard it, is one of the most annoying songs ever, and that guitar solo with it's seemingly never-ending four note repeat is worse than anything I can recall. But he's rated in the 30 somethings.

I do give props for the Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, and Glen Burton inclusions. I noticed no Judas Priest mentions [sorry, Grabs], and how does ANYone leave out Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser of Blue Oyster Cult?? Man, looks like there was TOO MUCH cowbell !

The list:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231

jWerthfan said:

Rolling Stone proves to me once again, that they are still as largely irrelevant as they've been since MTV became a non-video channel [except for Beavis and Butthead, of course, listing the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

It would be easy enough to dismiss it just for including Joni Mitchell - seriously - 100 greatest guitarist...Joni Mitchell. Can anyone here remind me of some inspired guitar playing by Joni I missed?  I avoided her as much as I could, so, it's possible, I guess.

To me, any list that doesn't include Kim Simmonds [ Savoy Brown ] is absurd. They did, however, get all 3 Yardbirds guitarists, but does anyone think that Clapton is the best of that group [ Beck and Page] ?

I''ve always thought B B King was a one trick pony mostly, and I've had dozens of arguments over the years w/ Dickey Betts fans - "Ramblin' Man", from the first time I heard it, is one of the most annoying songs ever, and that guitar solo with it's seemingly never-ending four note repeat is worse than anything I can recall. But he's rated in the 30 somethings.

I do give props for the Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, and Glen Burton inclusions. I noticed no Judas Priest mentions [sorry, Grabs], and how does ANYone leave out Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser of Blue Oyster Cult?? Man, looks like there was TOO MUCH cowbell !

The list:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231

Ritchie Blackmore at 55?  No Pat Travers, no David Grohl, no Allen Collins or Gary Rossington, no Nile Rodgers, no Robert Benson, no Adrian Smith, no Zakk Wylde, no Adrian Van den Berg, no Michael Schenker,....obviously a partial list.   Very disappointing.  The fact that they include Kurt Cobain, who could barely play his guitar is comedy enough.  

One of my favorite threads.....and definitely a favorite artist that [ imo ] never sounds  past tense

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwX0hMVrIo

 

 

can you spot the 3 dead folks>

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnKwChQAi2M&feature=related

 

Saw The Zombies as part of an oldies show a couple of years back and they were the highlight of the show. The original lead singer and Rod Argent were the two originals still performing and Hold Your Head Up was a real show-stopper.

Also saw Emerson and Lake (no Palmer) about a year or so ago and Lake got very fat (looks like Peter Griffin of Family Guy) but he still had that voice. Emerson brought his original synthesizer with him. Great show.

Somebody asked about Steely Dan. They tour every year, lately doing shows devoted to individual albums. Saw them in 2010 at the Beacon in NYC playing the entire Aja album plus other assorted hits. Always a tight performing band.

Who here lived through the Village People era and lived to tell about it? I have to admit that it's a guilty pleasure of mine. 

IF it were true, I would never admit it, James. :)

jWerthfan said:

IF it were true, I would never admit it, James. :)

Ouch, if that's the case, I retract my last post.

shmolnick said:

Saw The Zombies as part of an oldies show a couple of years back and they were the highlight of the show. The original lead singer and Rod Argent were the two originals still performing and Hold Your Head Up was a real show-stopper.

It's funny you happened to post about the Zombies, today.  For the first time in many months, I put on one of my favorite '60s albums, "Odessey And Oracle," this morning.  The Zombies are a criminally underrated band.  While they didn't last long, and had their share of cheesy Beatle-ripoff '60s pop, there's also some musically deep stuff in there, as well.  I always thought, for instance, "She's Not There" was a dark, slightly mysterious song that seemed a good 1-2 years ahead of it's time, for a song put out in 1964.  But there's definitely some great stuff to be had by them.  Rod Argent was a fine songwriter and Colin Blunstone had a fantastic voice.  

And as I referenced "Pet Sounds," I'll now be narcissistic and post something I recently did...  

Matthew said:

And as I referenced "Pet Sounds," I'll now be narcissistic and post something I recently did...  

So, some might know around here that I'm a pretty huge Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan, along with attempting to be a musician in the day time.  About a month ago, someone approached me about this project they were working on, which is essentially a "Pet Sounds" cover compilation album, with a bit of the "SMiLE" stuff thrown in.  I was asked to do a song for it, and I, being the nutjob I am, decided to tackle "Good Vibrations".  Everything on it is me (unless it sucks, in which I had nothing to do with it).  Here's the result.

And if you're interested in the whole project, and other people's contributions, here you go...  

Listened to the whole song. Sounds great. You're very talented

ShaDANG, Matthew! I detected nothing at all that sucked - in fact, LOVE it! Fantastic attention to detail performed near flawlessly, imho.

Hey Grabs since you mentioned Ritchie Blackmore have you checked out his new band with his wife? Blackmores Night. Amazing stuff if you like something kind of Celtic/medieval/with some heavy guitar on occasion and a beautiful voice

Saxgod said:

Hey Grabs since you mentioned Ritchie Blackmore have you checked out his new band with his wife? Blackmores Night. Amazing stuff if you like something kind of Celtic/medieval/with some heavy guitar on occasion and a beautiful voice

Yes!  Saw them perform a couple years ago on the TV and I do like their musical style.   Not a huge fan of Candice Night's voice, but I have heard worse.  Blackmore can also lose the mustache, it bespeaks 70's porn star Harry Reems.  

I'd love to catch a live show of theirs but doubt that'll happen anytime soon. And I definitely agree on the pornstache lol.

Saxgod said:

I'd love to catch a live show of theirs but doubt that'll happen anytime soon. And I definitely agree on the pornstache lol.

I saw it on Paladium, one of those all concert video channels on the satellite.   A couple weeks back I caught an old Styx concert video (I think it was the Kilroy tour) before Dennis DeYoung went all prima donna.   I think that channel also runs the old Don Kirshner Rock Concert series.   The kid claims to have seen the AC/DC first time in America show.  

jWerthfan said:

ShaDANG, Matthew! I detected nothing at all that sucked - in fact, LOVE it! Fantastic attention to detail performed near flawlessly, imho.

Thanks!  Much appreciated.  I actually want to do a mono mix of it, as that really gives it the feel of the original (also in mono).  But it was cool to finally tackle that one!  

metiquet said:

Matthew said:

And as I referenced "Pet Sounds," I'll now be narcissistic and post something I recently did...  

So, some might know around here that I'm a pretty huge Beach Boys/Brian Wilson fan, along with attempting to be a musician in the day time.  About a month ago, someone approached me about this project they were working on, which is essentially a "Pet Sounds" cover compilation album, with a bit of the "SMiLE" stuff thrown in.  I was asked to do a song for it, and I, being the nutjob I am, decided to tackle "Good Vibrations".  Everything on it is me (unless it sucks, in which I had nothing to do with it).  Here's the result.

And if you're interested in the whole project, and other people's contributions, here you go...  

Listened to the whole song. Sounds great. You're very talented

You're too kind.  Thanks!  

So, for those who are Beatles fans and are watching the Grammys... I'm hearing there might be a Paul/Ringo surprise at the end.  

Many of us have posted on this thread about seeing bands from our more youthful period, reforming and performing again, usually with only a couple key members for authenticity sake. I've been looking at a couple vids on YT from last years' Buffalo Springfield reunion concert - Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Neil Young headlining. I liked them in their day, and was a fan of all 3 as they continued their careers. I'm 59.  I just can't watch, and especially listen. There are points where it's actually visually painful [to me]. This is perhaps the latest and best illustration for why I quit going to reunion shows for bands whose members are older than me.

So, my question is, at what point do we wish our musical Willie Mays'es to hang up the electric guitars, and leave the legacy be? Is the opportunity to pay tribute to the old heros worth forever tarnishing the memories of the guys who were the fiery young rebels, movers, and rockers.

I also am interested in the younger people here who didn't grow up on 60s / 70s artists - how do you view these guys today? Do we give props for making the effort, or cast cynical eyes at legends sucking it up for one more payday? Personally, I'm thrilled that YT has tons of vids of these guys - and other icons - in their primes - here ya go...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW6oZ5pYfd0

As one who grew up on 60's-80's music, I must admit it is sometimes pretty disappointing to see these old time groups back on the stage.   Sometimes they bring in a fusion of fresh air with a younger member.  Foreigner is a good example of this and still sounds very good in person.  Others, like Jefferson Airplane/Starship, with a younger version of Grace Slick, just can't pull it off.  Journey is not the same without Steve Perry.  It was kind of sad seeing the Beach Boys on the Grammys, while Paul McCartney and Glen Campbell looked pretty good (Campbell's condition notwithstanding).

I guess it depends. In 2007 I saw Genesis on their reunion tour and loved it, and am sad to see that Collins has retired, sure some of his solo stuff is sappy, but the guy was a great performer.

I saw Earth, Wind, & Fire and Electric Light Orchestra long after they hey days, and they were both outstanding.  

Cool part of working for Apple Stores in Los Angeles:  As I was walking out of the store for lunch, Dave Grohl was walking in.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I just wanted to drop this, to show that some of these folks do actually age with grace,. I suppose it's that they don't try to replicate what they did in their youth AS they did in their youth. I saw an aged David Bromberg in DC a couple of times, and though understandably not as fast fingered, he and his long time band did a fine show.......and I highly recommend you catch any shows Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson do from time to time.

 

So...anyone in the mood for a classic...performed flawlessly by the 67 year old writer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAY7HhWpy_4

Hmmm... this reunion might not be completely disastrous, after all...  

I'm just glad Brian Wilson left the Giants to rejoin the Beach Boys.   B-)

RIP MCA

jWerthfan said:

Thanks for the replies, guys. I just wanted to drop this, to show that some of these folks do actually age with grace,. I suppose it's that they don't try to replicate what they did in their youth AS they did in their youth. I saw an aged David Bromberg in DC a couple of times, and though understandably not as fast fingered, he and his long time band did a fine show.......and I highly recommend you catch any shows Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson do from time to time.

 

So...anyone in the mood for a classic...performed flawlessly by the 67 year old writer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAY7HhWpy_4

Got tickets to see the Bromberg big band in October. Always wanted to see him.