Some new 45's for the collection!

 

I have been on the hunt for 45’s recently as I truly find that they sound better than the LP’s. Although, since I am lazy, I usually still opt for the LP but lately I have been taking pleasure in the 45 as well. Sometimes it’s for the simple fact that I only have 10 minutes to do some quick listening. More often it’s because I have been drawn to these cool small discs lately and can see this part of my collection really starting to grow.

 

 

 

I am especially a sucker for picture sleeves. Just the fact that the cover is not as recognizable excites me. Everybody knows what “The Beatles – Revolver” cover looks like. But not everybody knows what the picture sleeve for Eleanor Rigby looks like! (btw. I’m looking for this picture sleeve, so if you have it or know somebody let me know!)

 

 

 

The next best thing about 45’s is that the shipping is cheap!. Absolutely the best bang for your buck when you’re buying vinyl online. I have some 45’s shipped for as low as $1.50 and they rarely cost more than $4. When they do cost $4 you can usually get 3 or 4 shipped for the same price.

 

 

 

First 45 on my bragging list is “Pearl Jam – The Fixer” b/w “Supersonic”. I am a huge “Pearl Jam” fan and “Backspacer” is one of my favorite albums by them. This 45 is pressed on white vinyl and has a nice glossy picture sleeve. The sound of this 45 was insane compared to the CD. I never had a vinyl pressing have such noticeable better sound than this 45!

 

 

 

 

I also picked up a copy of “Julie Doiron and the Wrong Guys”. I don’t know much about Julie and her music except that I know she was in “Eric’s Trip” and is responsible for the great “SappyFest” in Sackville every year. Also, I know that she is one of Keltie’s favorite artists. I have full trust in Keltie’s taste in music as we have always been fans of similar bands, so I picked up this 45 based on this alone. I really like this 45 and plan on buying her new LP “So Many Days”. This actually may very well be my next purchase.

 

 

 

 

Last but not least is “Jack White – Fly Farm Blues”. I purchased this 45 a few months back but really started to enjoy it as of late. It doesn’t have a “B” side song; however, instead it has the cool “Third Man” logo etched in the vinyl! Not as much music but it sure looks cool! This song was written and recorded by Jack White in 10 minutes. Jack feels that songs are over written and over produced lately, and recorded this song to prove his point.

 

 

 

I am a big fan of this concept.

 

 

 

Yes I know a few months back I wrote about how I didn’t understand lo-fi but Keltie and a few other friends have shown me the light! I get it now. It just has that raw feeling that I love so much. The same reason I love “Neil Young and Crazy Horse”, it just has that unpolished sound that is full of emotion. I am glad that I have finally come to terms with lo-fi because this past few months I have been introduced to some of the best music of my life.

 

 

 

 

 

I still have many more 45’s I picked up. I will post some more in the future!

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - The Impossible Dream

I pulled up to the house and went to the door even though I still couldn’t find the house number. I had already been to his neighbours and through the process of elimination; I knew this house had to be it. The driveway is dark and there are no lights on in the house.

 

He replied to my online ad that I was looking for vinyl records and he assured me he would be home.

 

So I went up to the door and sure enough he was waiting sitting in the dark waiting with just a candle lit for light.

 

I have met some interesting people traveling around looking for record collections. Either a hippie finally parting with his beloved records or middle aged working man who inherited the records of his dead relatives. Even though the majority of the time I come out with no records, at the very least it is always entertaining.

 

This man was different. His house was packed full of what appeared to be garbage. I’ve seen this before, on the television show hoarders and I knew he suffered from the disease. As he led me down to the basement to view his collection he pulled the string next to the hanging light bulb to give us just barely more light than the candle.

 

His house smelled of stale cigarette smoke and all his belongs were stained by nicotine. He told me how he knew I would be excited for his records. I have heard this many times before, everybody thinks because their albums are old that they are worth thousands. They are always disappointed.

 

But there was something about this guy that I knew he wasn’t exaggerating. With his pale complexion and blood shot eyes he did not look like a guy that people took seriously often; however, the way he talked I knew he was intelligent about music at the least. He flipped through numerous boxes of records and pulled out one obscure album after another. He was not interested in selling the entire collection specific records that he knew he had a CD copy of. I could tell that he was a hoarder that was slowly trying to get rid of his belongings to come to terms with his disease. Getting rid of all of his albums would have been too hard on himself, even though the thick layer of dust on them proved that they had not been enjoyed in years.

 

Ok ok ok .. I think I set the Halloween mood. The best part is that this is all true. This was the most memorable guy I ever visited to buy records. He was definitely a hoarder and chain smoker and it looked like he was already dead. But the excitement in his voice when he talked about the music he loved so much made me take him seriously and I took any album he suggested to try, and I loved them all.

 

Every year at Halloween I always think of this encounter as it’s where I bought one of my favorite albums. Even though it is one of my favorites, it only gets played around Halloween.

 

What’s your favorite Halloween album? (Besides “Thriller”… stop being so damn obvious…)

 

There are so many albums in my collection that only make an appearance at a specific time of the year.

 

As much as I want, I can only play “Elvis Christmas” albums during the Christmas season (I tried to give it a spin in August.. just ask my wife).. The new Paul McCartney LP “Kisses on the bottom” has Valentines season written all over it and Jimmy Buffett only makes it out when the sun is shining and its 30+ degrees outside.

 

There are also a few albums that only get on my turntable around Halloween.

 

My favorite album for this time of the year is hands down “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – The Impossible Dream”.

 

 

Why this album?  Are the songs written with Halloween in mind? I doubt it. But it’s the sound of this album that fits the mood so right. His voice has that “Monster Mash” type sound to it and the music is great. It reminds me of cross between “Queen” and “Motley Crue”.  

 

I really don’t know much about Alex Harvey except that he was a Scottish Glam rock musician who was big in Great Britain but never made it huge in the USA and Canada. Watching video clips on YouTube, he put on one hell of a great live show.

 

Tragically, he died very young from a massive heart attack in 1982. It’s a shame because I think he could have really fit in and been huge in the 80’s.  

 

This is the only Alex Harvey album I own and have ever heard, so my knowledge on him is very minimal. I always plan on getting more of his LP’s but always forget until Halloween shows its face again. I’m going to try to make it a point this year to grab a few more

 

I often wonder what type of people are fans of Alex Harvey. I think the guy I bought this album from could definitely be an Alex Harvey stereotype.

 

Maybe it was this experience that reminds me so much of Halloween rather than the album itself.

 

Anybody else have any favorite LP’s to spin at this time of the year? Let me know and I’ll post it on the blog!

 

Anybody have any experience listening to Alex Harvey?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clash on Broadway!

I had a nice thrift store score recently finding the box set released by ‘The Clash” called “Clash on Broadway”.

 

Once upon a time, most of the Clash LP’s lived within my collection. Then like many others, I traded them for other albums. Never again will I trade my last copies of albums, I always regret it! It never fails that later on I’m searching for the very albums that I traded. It’s a vicious cycle full of record collecting regrets. No more!

 

Regardless, I found this CD box set at the thrift store and it gave me a chance to gain a lot of “The Clash’s” music through one cheap purchase.

 

I can’t believe I was so passive with “the Clash” prior. I can’t get enough of this box set!

 

This box set walks you through heir career from beginning to end containing 63 of their best songs. Their sound evolved so much over their short career, You can virtually hear a difference in every song how their sound changed.

 

Unfortunately to me their sound peaked at London Calling and changed dramatically afterwards. Once “Sandinista” and “Combat Rock” came out the sound was not as appealing to me. I mean they are still great records, but just not want I want to hear from “the Clash”. I’m more drawn to their old school punk rock style songs than their later more mainstream hits.

 

It kind of reminds me of when “Motley Crue” released that album without Vince Neil. If you never knew it was the Crue it was totally a good album. However when people bought this albums, they wanted the Crue sound they were accustomed to. This album was not their normal sound, but if you put that aside, it wasn’t bad! (sorry for the hair metal references.. I’m still in the Anvil state of mind!)

 

So for all you music collectors looking for a great introduction to “the Clash”, this box set is a great bang for your buck. You can easily get it for under $20 on eBay and it is worth every cent.

 

 

 

 

Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day - by Keltie Harding

Today was Celebration day for me. I saw a screening of the new Led Zeppelin concert film "Celebration Day" this evening. This amazing concert movie was filmed at the O2 Arena in London, England. The show was a tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun who passed on in 2006. The date of the O2 show was December 10, 2007, almost a year to the day of Ertegun's passing.

 

 

 

The show marked a triumphant return for Led Zeppelin. This was the first time the band actually rehearsed for a full show since 1980. (The '85 Live Aid show and '88 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary were both plagued by little to no rehearsal and a bit of a lackluster performance.) The band was in great shape and once again, Jason Bonham (son of original Zep drummer John Bonham) sat proudly on the drum throne and played as if he'd been with the band all his life. (Well, by default, he was in a way!) Jimmy played beautifully, as did John Paul Jones. Robert Plant was in TERRIFIC vocal form. He certainly gave his all and could still hit a few high notes when it needed it.


Of course with the band being much older now, some of the songs had their key's changed slightly, to better compensate Plant's older voice. "Good Times, Bad Times", Stairway To Heaven" & "The Song Remains The Same" are all now in slightly different keys, but that's OK. Songs like "Kashmir", "Trampled Underfoot" and"Rock & Roll" all were in their original key (as heard on the records) and Plant nailed every one of them. The entire band was spot on. There were a few little fluff ups along the way, but that's to be expected. Especially when a band that really hasn't played together in 20-some odd years and were given 6 weeks to rehearse. Its all part of what makes this show so special. That its real. There were a few minor overdubs and fixes in the studio, but not very many as the bulk of the show was high quality.



One thing that struck me was despite the enormous stage, the band stuck really close together. You can see the band interaction, the smiles, the grins, the laughing. They were very connected during that show. And they were enjoying ever second of it. According to Page, that connection was there from the first rehearsal onwards.


I was already familiar with the O2 reunion show, having obtained audience recordings via the web just days after the event. At the time those circulating documents were the best and only way to relive the show. The circulating video of the show was filmed from the audience so as amazing these sources were (especially for fans who were unable to attend the show), fans hoped one day for a legitimate and proper issue. In "Uncut" Magazine in 2008, Page said "It was recorded, but we didn't go in with the express purpose of making a DVD to come out at Christmas, or whatever. We haven't seen the images or investigated the multitracks. It's feasible that it might come out at some distant point, but it'll be a massive job to embark on" Well 5 years on, the wait HAS been worth it. Celebration Day indeed.



Directed by Dick Carruthers, Celebration Day is a beautiful document of a triumphant show. Exquisitely shot & well done, but this has the earmarks of Carruthers' style, namely the super 8 and cellphone camera style footage interspersed with the hi-def footage.


The Audio portion of the show was mixed in 5.1 surround and was produced by Jimmy Page and mixed by Alan Moulder (who worked with Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode and Them Crooked Vultures, feaurting Zep bassist John Paul Jones.) The audio was quite well done but not without its flaws. I found a little too much reverb was used to re-create the live feel. At times, Jimmy's guitar was a bit buried and murky in the mix. This also could be due to the effects and pedals Page would use in that particular section of the song. But overall, it was very enjoyable.


Highlights for me was the track "For Your Life" (originally from "Presence") which made its live debut on this gig, "Dazed and Confused", "Kashmir" & "Rock and Roll". Of course there isn't a bad song in the whole show. "Ramble On" also made its live debut as well.


Unfortunately the 30 minute renditions of "Dazed" and 20 minute "No Quarter" are all in the past. The O2 show stayed true to the studio renditions, but some songs were extended slightly as a nod to the shows of the 1970's. Pagey did bring out the bow during "Dazed". How could he not. The bow is an integral part of the live renditions.


I was hoping that the live recording of "Celebration Day" from "The Song Remains The Same" would be played over the end credit roll. Unfortunate as it was, I think it would have been a nice finishing touch.


The show will be officially released in various configurations (CD, Vinyl, DVD,Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray Audio, digital download) beginning on November 19, 2012. I'm sure it'll be a top seller and under many trees this upcoming holiday season.


So was it worth 5 years to see this come to light? ABSOLUTELY. I would go back and see it again tomorrow if I could. I now need to wait for the Blu-ray.


Is there a Zep reunion on the horizon? Well, Page, Jones and Bonham are all up for it, but Plant seems to be content doing his own thing. In an interview he gave to The Times in January 2010, Page recalled: "We played really, really well. But we played with a totally different urgency, if you like, from how we played in the rehearsals — although the rehearsals were pretty damn good, too. I suppose in retrospect the fact there was only one gig then it’s great that everyone afterwards would say that it was an historic and inspiring gig for people to hear. It is a shame that there weren’t any more that followed on and now we got to two years later and everyone’s doing their own thing and that’s how that is at this point of time or certainly into next year. So that’s it" If this is in fact the last ever show Led Zeppelin gave, is sure was a hell of a show to go out on!



To quote from the title song of this release "we're gonna sing and dance in celebration, for we're in the promised land". Thank you Robert, Jimmy, John Paul and Jason. Bonzo, you would have been proud of your mates and your son. Thank you also for being a part of this event. Rock and roll dreams really do come true.

In Praise Of CAULDRON - by Keltie Harding

In Praise Of CAULDRON

 

 

 

Cauldron is an amazing 3 piece classic metal band from Toronto that was formed in 2006 by Jason Decay (bass, lead vocals) after the demise of his previous band "Goat Horn". The other co-founding member is guitarist/vocalist Ian Chains. After several previous drummers, Halifax/Moncton singer/musician Myles Deck brought his hard hitting drumming style to the band.

 

The band has played some pretty high profile gigs since their formation. They've played the "Keep It True" metal festival in Germany and has toured Canada, the US and Europe extensively. The band also scored a major coup by signing with influential Heavy Metal label Earache Records.

 

Cauldron has also appeared on the Moncton-produced web series "The McDon's House", produced by Kyle McDonald and John Jerome. The band was filmed & recorded playing live in the studio and the footage is stellar. You can check out this episode (and other just as amazing bands) at http://www.youtube.com/user/themcdonshouse?feature=watch 

I can't say enough good things about Cauldron. The band sometimes gets described as being part of the "new wave of traditional heavy metal" scene. I'm not a guy to slap any band with a certain "label" but these guys do that label justice and then some. First off I enjoy GOOD metal. And Cauldron has taken the best of classic early 80's speed/thrash metal (ie: Anvil, Motorhead, Angel Witch) and "L.A." metal (Motley Crue, Dokken), mixing powerful riffs, catchy hooks, and searing vocals from Jason with Myles and Ian providing killer harmonies. Cauldron is definitely one of my newest favorite bands, carrying high the torch in Canadian metal.

 

I'm coming off of a epic music high. I saw Cauldron 2 times this weekend. Once at an in-store free all ages show at Spin-It Records, then the traditional bar show at Plan B lounge (both in Moncton, NB.) Their live show was amazing. No flashy sets, no crazy lights. Just 3 guys, their gear and a sound that draws you in and makes you want to listen and soak it in. Of course the bar show was a "tad" bit more wild than the all ages. Cauldron are a great live band and I strongly urge everyone to see them.

 

Their new album is entitled "Tomorrow's Lost" and is out on Earache Records, available on vinyl, CD and cassette. YES. Cassette. The cassette artwork looks exactly like the CBS Canada cassettes of the mid 80's with the band name in bold red lettering and the classic "Chromium dioxide" banner at the bottom. How cool is that! (The cassettes were self-produced and not manufactured by Earache.) The band is sold out of vinyl & tape copies and they've only been out a few weeks. (The vinyl is still available from Earache.) I unfortunately was not able to get either the vinyl or cassette of "Tomorrow's Lost" but I did score a first pressing of thier debut 12" EP "Into The Cauldron". And a cool poster as well.

 

And they are really nice guys as well. I know Myles better, from the Moncton scene, being at shows and from his old band "Myles Deck & The Fuzz". Jason was super cool and thanked me for coming out (and buying the EP) as did Ian. Really down to earth guys. I bet they can sure throw a bad-ass party too!!!

 

The show at Plan B this weekend was also recorded for an upcoming live album. The recording was made by Kyle McDonald and I'm sure it's going to sound great. Keep your eyes peeled.

 

Go check out Cauldron, on YouTube, at the McDon's House, at

www.earache.com and at your local music emporium. Support Canadian music. Support GOOD metal! You will not regret it. Take it from me!

Keltie's response to my Anvil post!

The following is Keltie's response to my Anvil post from yesterday! (see my post here).



I was familiar with Anvil from the 80's when I heard "Metal On Metal" on a K-Tel compilation called "Masters Of Metal" (great compilation by the way ) but never really heard much about them. I knew they were a Canadian band. And, like most people, forgot about them for years.

 


The first time I heard about Anvil in many years was on CBC Radio's "Q" with Jian Ghomeshi. Lips & Robb were on plugging the movie which had just made the rounds of influential film festivals & was set to be shown nationwide. They were both very humble & passionate about keeping their brand of metal alive. So it gave me renewed interest in the band.



I found a website that was streaming the film for free, and yes it was sanctioned by The band & the film's producer. The movie was one of the most direct, real & heartfelt movies I have ever saw. Plus it's one hell of a rockumentary! After watching the movie I immediately became a hardcore fan, searching out their music. And I developed a deep respect for these guys who were slugging it out on their terms.



Not to give anything away to Brad, this movie does echo another very famous rockumentary of ages past. On another Jian Ghomeshi interview with Sascha Gerbaisi, he was asked if this was a deliberate artistic choice & he said it was,, as an homage to said film.



So with the film making me a fan, I hoped that they would play in NB sometime. And last year they played a SMOKING show at the (now defunct) Manhattan Bar in Moncton. (My friends in Iron Giant opened the show.) these guys were tight, and one of the BEST metal shows ever. Robb is a monster on the drums, and has the stamina of a young Turk. Amazing drummer. One of the best. PERIOD! Lips is a great guitarist & went from rhythm to lead & back with ease. Glenn Five was solid on the bass, propelling the band with a thunderous bottom end.



What really brought the whole experience home was that after they played, they came down to the main floor to meet the fans, sign autographs, take pictures and connect with the fans. I stayed for almost an hour afterwards & they made time for EVERYONE who wanted to talk to them. And they were ever so appreciative of every single fan! That's what I loved most about them. They were genuinely happy to be there. Plus I got quite a bit of merch too.



Most of their CD's had become collectors items & were getting harder to find. Recently they have been reissued on a domestic label & are easily obtainable. I'm working on getting the back catalog completed.



So an appreciation goes to Anvil for sticking with it, and fighting on their terms, and keeping it real, and I am happy that they've found success after all this time. JOIN THE HEAVY METAL FIGHT!!!!

Keltie (Anvil Metal Pounder's Union, Local 666, member 666-02345)

Anvil!

I have just been introduced the world of Anvil!

 

I picked up their book “Anvil-the story of Anvil” at Chapters on a whim. I completely did the ‘no-no’ and judged a book by its cover. It really worked out for me!

 

Who wouldn’t like this cover?

 

 

 

 

I’m sure many people have already seen their highly praised documentary of the same name. I’m perhaps only one of the few who read the book first. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. This book was ridiculously good! It was definitely not just a recap of the documentary so if you’re not picking it up for that reason I would highly suggest getting your hands on a copy.

 

The documentary only comes into play in the last few short chapters of the book. Everything else in here is way before the documentary and it rocks! This book is broken up written by both of the member’s perspective.

 

A quick background: Anvil is a speed metal band founded by Rob Reiner and Steve “Lips” Kudlow. They were a big influence on many of the biggest names in metal including Metallica, Anthrax, megadeth and Slayer. Regardless they never got mainstream success like all of the bands that they influenced. Anvil never had the big break they were hoping for, however they never let go of their dream and to this day are still together.

 

Regardless, Anvil never got the recognition that the rest of these bands achieved. A string of bad luck was always pulling them back from being the massive rock stars that they so strongly wanted to be.

 

Lips and Rob basically signed the first contract they were offered. During this time they played many big shows with many other big bands. The only problem is that they were never paid. Regardless of the thousands of fans that turned up, the money always went elsewhere than in Lips and Rob’s pockets.

Anvil finally seemed to get their big break when Aerosmith’s manager David Krebs promised them a major label contract and convinced their current label ‘Attic’ to release them. When they broke free from their ‘Attic’ contract they had a disagreement with Krebs over shipping Rob’s drums overseas. This caused Krebs to cut all contact with Anvil and he never followed through with a major label contract. Eventually Krebs dropped Anvil which allowed them to pursue other record deals.

 

Regardless Anvil continued to move forward. However with no proper management or record deal it was always a battle. They were always faced with problems such as no proper advertising (therefore no fans); or they played a show but couldn’t get paid afterwards. Nothing came easy for Anvil.

 

Reading this book really makes you fall in love with these guys. They always have such good intentions and great positive attitudes regardless of their bad luck.

 

There were even touching heartfelt moments. They came close to making me cry when they talked about losing their fathers.

 

Once I finished the book I couldn’t wait to watch the documentary.

 

This documentary, that’s based on them never getting their big break, turned into their big break. This documentary was so well done and completed by their longtime friend Sacha Gervasi (read the book! His name comes up lots!). This film brought them so much respect that they much deserve. It gave a great insight into what it has been like for them to be struggling to be heavy metal musicians for their entire lives.

 

Lips and Rob are always so grateful for everything they experience. This stands out in the film especially when you see Lips run over to Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy, etc..) like a kid when he sees him back stage at a concert. He is so genuinely happy to meet him.

 

It really makes you sad witnessing the trouble that they go through. Virtually every time they play at a club they are fighting to get paid. It really shows how a good manager could really help them. At least he could be fighting for the money and looking out for their best interest, Instead or all of this stress being on them. This is shown in a scene when Lips is literally fighting for his money on the film. He is seen grabbing a club owner by the collar of his shirt and yelling “you fucking piece of shit! You pay me! I’ll kick your fucking teeth in!” You really feel for him. If these guys don’t get paid they don’t have money for food or even travel to get to their next gig.

 

These guys are always so optimistic. They always get their hopes up and believe great things are coming. In the film they get so excited when they are told that their next show is expecting to have 5000-10000 people. Only 174 showed up for this gig. Regardless they still gave them an incredible show as if the venue was sold out.

 

These guys are true 80’s metal guys. Everything from wearing their own band t-shirts tucked into their jeans, to the 80’s hair. You have an idea of what they will sound like before they even play a note. Even though you can guess their sound you will be amazed at how good they actually are. They don’t just dress the part; they are very talented at their instruments.

 

I can’t help but compare this documentary to one of my favorite movies, “the Wrestler’. Even though one is fact and one is fiction they seem so closely related to me.

 

In “the Wrestler” Mickey Rourke’s character was a wrestler who never gave up on his passion, even after his 15 minutes of fame had passed. This is exactly the same for Anvil.

Mickey Rourke’s character always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. This is just like Lips! (Rob doesn’t smile much but he still seems to have the right attitude).

 

Mickey Rourke’s character works at a deli so that he can make enough money to survive while he wrestles at night. Lips works at a catering service and call centers to pay the bills and tours on his vacation.

 

I know it is kind of a weird comparison but I couldn’t help but notice the similarities.

 

Over all I really enjoyed the documentary, but the book was amazing!  I never even heard of Anvil before this week and still do not own an album but I will be sure to pick one up in the near future. For all you 80’s metal fans out there, this book and documentary is a must have!

 

Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes!

Electronic music. I can’t say I have ever been a fan. But up until a short while ago I could say the same about jazz and funk, and now these two genres dominate my turntable.

 

A friend of mine who I talk and trade records with has always had an ear for electronic music. He seems super knowledgeable on the subject and if I’m not mistaken he records his own electronic music.

 

Although our musical tastes have differed, we always seem to be curious what the other is listening to when we cross paths. I tried a few Prince albums he recommended but could never enjoy them.

 

Lately as I started learning more about funk music and soul we finally seemed to have some common records that are in both of our collections. This made me think that now we seem to be getting closer in taste, so I can go to him for recommendations on some new artists to try out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He recommended a handful of bands and although I could not find any specific albums he requested, I did find an album by one of the artists.

 

The album I picked up was “Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes”.

 

This album is classified under the electronic and electronic jazz genres.

 

I have to admit that the first three times I listened to this album I did not enjoy it at all. But the fact that I brought myself to try it three times rather than toss it aside after the first is what is strange about this experience.

 

This is similar to my reaction the first time I heard “Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew”. I could not understand the fuss everybody had over this Miles Davis album. It just sounded like a mess of noise to me the first few times I heard it.

 

But something kept drawing me back to it and putting on my stereo. The easiest way I can explain it is that it’s not that I didn’t like the music; it’s that I didn’t understand it. Not understanding it is what kept drawing me to it, I have to figure out what this crazy amount of noise is all about.

 

“Bitches Brew” is now one of my all-time favorite albums. ‘I get it’ now and I’m super happy that I kept returning to it after I never got it the first handful of times.

 

I seem to be getting a very similar feel about “Until the Quiet Comes”. Although I won’t go as far to say that I love it right now, I can sure see it being at the top of my list for great new music.

 

It was the same reaction as it was to the Miles Davis. I just couldn’t understand it.

 

I mean what are all these beats and crazy sounds? A few things helped me understand this album, the biggest being that I was not listening to it in the right environment. This album, to me,  is not an album I can blast in the car.

 

If I start being one of those guys with the bass so loud that it rattles the windshield.. well.. I’ll have to kick my own ass.

 

Having it on my home stereo playing out loud didn’t quite work either.

 

This album requires the headphones for me to get the full appeal of it. It needs my undivided attention. Sit back, close my eyes, and it almost feels like it is walking me through a crazy dream.

 

While I could never tell how people could suggest that they can achieve ‘feeling’ in electronic music before, with this album I get it.

 

He seems to be able to express so many different emotions and feelings just by the insane beats, keyboards and other sounds (some sounds that I can’t even relate to a specific instrument).

 

While it is not a genre I can see myself digging in full tilt with, I can definitely see myself following ‘Flying Lotus’ releases and enjoying his other albums that he has already released.

 

Thanks so much for the recommendation!

 

 

Tom Cruise and Rock of Ages!

Friday nights we like to keep it simple. BBQ for supper, watch “Shark Tank” on the dish, and usually relax with a movie.

 

Last night on Pay per view we saw “Rock of Ages” coming on. I saw the previews before and thought it might be worth a watch. I love Alec Baldwin and Paul Giamatti as actors. This and the 80’s rock them, well, I would usually be all over a movie like this (I think I saw ‘Rock Star’ twice in the theatre!).

 

What stopped me from watching this movie was the fact that Tom Cruise was in it. There are not to many actors I dislike more than Tom Cruise. Not on an acting level, on a personal level.

 

Either he is preaching on television about Scientology or I see him on the cover of every gossip magazine being portrayed as a prince. Sure this annoys me but it was not what did him in for me.

 

What bothered me about Tom Cruise was the Matt Lauer interview with him when he was badmouthing Brook Shields for taking anti-depressants and generally bad mouthing anti-depressants in general. I know it’s an opinionated topic and Tom has just as much right as anybody for an opinion. It’s the way he approached it that I hated so much, he wasn’t stressing his opinion, he was basically dictating to people that it is wrong and there is no exceptions. Keep on acting Tom, make your decision on topics like this and leave everybody else to make their own opinions. Your filthy rich, had relationships with the biggest names in Hollywood, your healthy and charming.. A depression does not seem to be something you have any experience with. If you were depressed before you would change your tune on this topic pretty quick.

 

I think Craig Ferguson had the best response to this. This was in response to Tom Cruise saying that anti-depressants just mask the sym

Craig-


That’s what you do with depression, you mask the symptoms. The symptoms of depression IS depression, it’s not a symptom of something else. It’s not like you go “Oooh, I feel really sad” and then your arse falls off. The symptoms of depression is depression. You take away the symptoms of depression, HALLOOOOO! You’re cured! But Tom [Cruise] was like “No, no, no Matt. Matt, these drugs Matt, these drugs they’re just a crutch, these drugs are just a crutch!” and I’m thinking, “yes?” THEY’RE A CRUTCH! You don’t walk up to a guy with one leg and say, “Hey pal, that crutch is just a crutch, THROW IT AWAY! Hop ya bastard! That crutch is masking the symptoms of your one leggedness.”

Craig goes on to say that if you find a lump on your back and you want to know what it is.. well you don’t ask him! Go to a Doctor. Leave it to the professionals Tom and let people make their own decisions. Don’t dictate. If they don’t believe in them they don’t have to take them just like you. Allow people to make their own decisions. Go back to your Scientology cult and find another girl half your age.. ptoms of depression and they are just a crutch.

 Anywho…

 

So for the longest time I refused to watch anything associated with Tom Cruise. I started to have second thoughts about this lately though. I was thinking that I have no right to judge him as much as he has no right to dictate to others. I have my opinion on him, but that doesn’t mean my opinion is right. Maybe Tom is right about anti-depressants, who am I to say. But again I just disagree with how he approached it.

 

The problem I have is that I think I have to like people as a person in order to like their talents. Well this is a problem I had. Like them on a personal level is irrelevant to liking their talents. This became even clearer to me lately when I read Bob Dylan’s new interview in the recent Rolling Stone magazine.

 

Bob-

“What others think about me, or feel about me, that’s so irrelevant. Any more than it is for me, when I go see a movie, say, Wuthering Heights or something, and have to wonder what’s Laurence Olivier really like. When I see an actor on the stage or something, I don’t think about what they’re like. I’m there because I want to forget about myself, forget about what I care or do not care about, Entertaining is a type of sport.”

 

This fits well with my current mindset. Sometimes when somebody else sums it up like that it clears up my own thoughts.

 

So who am I to judge Tom Cruise.

 

So we got the movie.

 

First off… I had no idea this was a musical.. NO IDEA.... I cannot believe I didn’t know this. I guess if I knew it was a musical I never would have gotten it. So it’s good that I didn’t know as I did enjoy the movie.

 

I’m not going to get into the details of the movie as I’m sure most of you have already seen it or are planning on seeing it.

 

What I am going to note is how well it worked for me to put my views of Tom Cruise aside. He did a great job in this movie acting as an 80’s rock star. The way he held the scotch bottle, roamed around tipsy and drunk. To the way he looked with the tattoos, long hair and leather pants on. He played the part great! When he was singing and leading the band, I don’t think they could have picked anybody better to play the part.

 

Now I know I shouldn’t have an opinion on Tom Cruise on a personal level but I can’t help it. I’m trying to change but at the moment I still have an opinion. My opinion is that he fit this part so well I think he should take this role on in real life. Now that you’re single Tom, get a drinking habit, cover yourself in tattoos, grow that hair out and quit wearing a shirt. Roam around in public half drunk and have the girls hanging off you. While the entire time your mouth is shut and your opinions are kept to yourself.

 

 

References:

Gilmore, Mikal. “Bob Dylan the Rolling Stone Interview.” Rolling Stone Magazine 27 September 2012: 42-51 and 80

Caputo, Michelle (producer), & Hartman, Shannon (director). (2009). Craig Ferguson: A wee bit o’ revolution (TV). USA. Green Mountain West