Tuesday Tunes...

Alright, alright, alright. I hope this is a nice mellow Tuesday for you folks. I am certainly hoping that it is for me but I really do not know what it is going to be and I am trying to enter it with no expectations that is for sure. The plan within the plan to have no plan is to do some writing today and to listen to some sweet tunes and to just keep on keepin' on.

If She Wants Me - Belle and Sebastian

Starting off with these lads is always a good way to start. This is a very nice song. 

I watched the season premier of the Jimmy Fallon hosted Tonight Show last night. I really am not sure what to say about it. There were moments of humor during the show and some slightly funny moments as he interviewed Will Smith. But I am not a big fan of Will Smith anymore so that was just kind of pointless as far as I was concerned. Fallon and Will Smith did a history of hip-hop dancing sketch but it just wasn't as good as anything that Fallon has done in the past with Justin Timberlake. I think Timberlake is a better dancer than
Will Smith. But that may be a conversation for a different day. All in all it was different than the Jay Leno era Tonight Show and that is a good thing.

 
See What a Fool I've Been - Queen

Wow. This is a B-side but I have to tell you that as I listen to it. I can't think of very many other songs that rock so hard. Brian May just goes to work on the guitar and while the song came out in 1974 I can hear how it inspired several other rock songs over the years. I am looking at you AC-DC.

What else is going on? Oh it hasn't been covered much if at all, near as I can tell, by American Media but things are getting pretty unstable in Venezuela. Though I am reading that the U.S. diplomats have just been given 48 hrs to leave the country. I am making no predictions as to how this plays out or the reasons behind it. I just feel sad for the amount of people that are going to die in the violence that I think is probably going to follow as people continue to protest. I just hope people and their families are safe and I hope that the United States are not dabbling in regime change again. I think we did enough of that in the 70's and 80's. I guess I did have an opinion on this one. But this is not really a political blog so that is going to be the last I say about this one.

Awake My Soul - Piano Tribute

This is a nice version of the song and really the whole piano tribute album makes for some nice relaxing listening. If you are looking for some nice music to take a nap too, you can't go wrong with this album. 

My coffee this morning is the dregs of the yesterdays pot reheated in the microwave and I know that many of my coffee purist friends would be horrified by this, but honestly it is tasting really good this morning. But that may be because I got the correct amount of sleep last night and I was able to get up get my coffee and get back to writing with out seeing a single soul. I did not have to speak except for the mumbling that I do with myself and I am now just sitting here sipping my coffee, typing on the keyboard, and listening to my tunes with my headphones on. As far as I am concerned my friends this is very nearly what I would call the perfect morning.

The Bitch is Back - Elton John

A classic rocker by Elton John. Not much to say about it. Nearly everyone knows of this song and it is a good one for its type. Though I feel that their is to much saxophone in it. 


I also do not have a neck or headache this morning and that is always a plus as well. I do not have one of those everyday and they do not last all day long by any means but it is nice to have a morning when I have neither of them. I had a slightly odd dream about playing poker last night. It was odd because while I dream and remember my dreams on a regular basis I have not as I recall ever dreamed about playing poker. I used to play poker on a regular basis but I have not for several years now. I think not since the divorce so close to four years. I suppose that I could be missing that. I just do not know and as far as dreams go I usually do not bother to speculate.

Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

This was a great concert and I am still enjoying the song. Though to be fair it was being played so often on radio that I took a break from listening to it. The crystal ballroom made for a good venue and the lady I was with made it a fun experience as well. Good times. 

That is it for me today folks and I know that I try to leave you with a little reminder each day to love each other and to remember each others humanity but today I feel like this paragraph says it better than I can.

"Inhabit your true Self today. See things as they truly are. See people as they really are. Be mindful of the suffering of those around you. Do what will aid the liberation of others today. Seek to do no harm. Be an expression of loving-kindness, compassion, and goodness. Do not look at others through eyes of judgment. See every person as your mother or father, son or daughter, sister or daughter. Honor your highest truth today. Be kind and compassionate with yourself. When you get off track, simply be aware and return to the life that is unfolding before you in that moment. Don’t complicate it. Respond to each situation today as it requires. Don’t become embroiled in drama. Realize that you are undisturbed, at peace, and full of joy in your true self." 

                       - Jim Palmer

Keep On Dancing...

Boxing Day Music Fest

It is Boxing Day. Let the music hit you like a fist.

Giving Me A Chance - Gotye

Some nice ambient music by Gotye. His breakout hit was 'Somebody, That I Used To Know' and I thought the whole album was pretty solid. I really do like the ambient nature of his music and I think he puts on a really good live show as well.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and was able to spend some time relaxing or really just being able to do what brings you the most joy. I had a good time with my brother being in town and as a family we went to see 'Saving Mr Banks'. It was an enjoyable film.

Blood On The Coal - The Folksmen

I love the film 'A Mighty Wind' and I loved that the guys who had been Spinal Tap were able to become folk singers named 'The Folksmen' and sounded just as good. What a fun, fun film and a great soundtrack as well.

Something About The Way You Look Tonight - Elton John

This is a pretty typical Elton song and that doesn't mean that it is bad. If you like Elton John then you will like this song. It would be nice to hear something new but I don't think that at his age he needs to do anything new. He has paid his dues and should be allowed to play what he wants to play.

40 oz. To Freedom - Sublime

This is a kind of ska song and I enjoy it. I like Sublime but overall I am not a big fan of dub and what Sublime does is not even really a good version of dub. Now Lee Scratch Perry that is good dub. But I do not dislike this band. Though I do think that if Bradly hadn't OD'd they would not be functioning still as a group if what you can call what they do as 'Long Beach Dub All-Stars' functioning.

I am going to see 'Anchorman 2' with my brother this afternoon. I do like that my family often gets me gift cards for the movie theater as Christmas gifts. I always put them to good use and it is one of the few times that I see actual new films.

Unguarded Moments - The Proclaimers.

I like these crazy Irish twins. Good music

Love of an Orchestra - Noah And The Whale

Not much I can say. I just really love this piece. Some people think Noah is a little too hipster. I myself do not care. I like what is going in this song.

That is it for me. I hope you guys have a great day.

Tuesday Tunes Day

California Dreaming - America

This is kind of a nice song anyway and I like the way that America covers it. It makes for some pleasant listening that is for sure. Some might call it easy listening.

I am hoping to continue the momentum from yesterday and keep on bringing you folks the fun good times music and who knows, perhaps once in a while in between songs I might come up with something good or at least slightly interesting to say. You never know!

Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

It is kind of amazing to me how much anger this band can generate. I enjoy their sound and yes they did get overplayed on radio and television but that is not the bands fault. I have never understood that. It just blows my mind how fast a groups popularity can turn on itself but I suppose that is the nature of passion and one of the failings of us as human beings. That being said. I still enjoy them and enjoy listening to their music and I hope that they return with a third album but I do not think it is going to be happening.

Believe - Elton John

I can always listen to some Elton John. I think that sometimes his public persona got more notice then his musical ability did but I really enjoy listening to his music. I suppose that it is pretty much old persons music at this point but I am okay with that. If it is listenable and interesting lyrically and musically I do not care from what time period or whence it came. I just want to listen to it. Music soothes the soul and more of us could stand to remember that.

Genocide Matinee - Fionn Regan

This is an artist that I, admittedly, know very little about. I own the music because of my love of the British series 'This is England'. A series that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves good cinema or television or who has an interest in both Thatcher era and post Thatcher era England; it is well worth watching. The first one is a movie and was followed by two more BBC television series that each took place two more years after the first film. They are worth watching. I am sure that this is something that I will be saying and have said over and over.

This is England - Bonus trailer for the film. I hope you enjoy it.

Something About You - Five For Fighting

I think that this is the only band named after a hockey term. They are kind of nice to listen to now and then when I am in a pretty mellow mood. I suppose one could say that they tend to be romantic in the songs that they write and perform. I feel like their is a time and place for that depending on the mood one is in.

Nellie Takes Her Bow - Electric Light Orchestra

This is a great band and  while it may be a tad to disco for some I do not think that is the case. Jeff Lynn is a genius and put out some amazing music over the years. If you have not listened to them much then you should do yourself a favor and track them down. ELO is well worth the listen.

Well that is going to do it for today folks. I hope your Tuesday treats you well and that I can talk to you again tomorrow. Now if you will excuse me I have to young minds to corrupt.

"Who wants to take communion with, Father Soulman?"

Time Travelin....

I listen to a lot of music and watch a lot of music videos. (Thank you YouTube.) I really, really enjoy good music and one of the neatest and best things about the internet and YouTube is the ability to go back and watch concerts and other live performances of bands that no longer exist or still exist but are just not the same. You know who I am talking about, Rolling Stones, just give it a rest already you are becoming an embarrassment to all right thinking music fans.

When I listen too and watch these performances it always makes me wish that I could go back in time and actually be at the concerts and actually be physically in those venues smelling the air and experiencing everything that is going on around me. I also would like to take a bunch of mushrooms and trip balls during those shows but that is a story best left for another time.

I am inspired today though too look at a 5 year period and I am going to pick 1970 to 1975 and look at 5 concerts that I wish I could have attended and show you some clips of those shows. So why don't you strap in and give a watch and a listen to some good classic rock and try to remember that when these shows were recorded these bands were either struggling to make it big or had already become some of the biggest acts in the world. I hope that the blog today can act as a little time travel machine for you. I also have to give a quick thank you to av.com for this article that sparked my idea. http://www.avclub.com/articles/thick-as-a-brick-pleasures-of-the-long-song,89194/

Pink Floyd - Live at Festival de Musique (San Tropez 1970)



Sadly the video is unembeddable but if you like Pink Floyd at all I would highly recommend that you give it a listen. It is amazing.

Now this one isn't all that happy dippy but Neil Diamond at the height of his formidable vocal powers is something worth listening top. Thank you BBC for making this available to us. So, so good. Bonus, I think he is high as the proverbial kite as well. I just am having a hard time describing in words how much I am enjoying listening to this. There is something that is so good about his music that really touches me.

Now I am really torn because 1972 was an amazing year for music off of the top of my head there was David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" which is one of my all time top favorite concept albums and even as a stand alone album it is amazing. As far as I am concerned there is not a weak song on the album. NOT ONE!!

I couldn't find concert footage but this is the whole album. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.

Led Zepplin was, arguably, the greatest band in the world. This concert is in London and comes off of the "Houses of the Holy album. So good and if you ever get the chance to go to laser Zepplin at the planetarium I will totally let you borrow my van. Rock on!!

One of, if not the master showman of rock n roll Elton John live in London in 1974. Take sometime and give it a look. He could really, really play the piano well.

Finally lets close out this look at potential concerts to go see when I go back in time from 1970 to '75. This band was so good. I have written about them before and I do not intend to repeat myself other then to say this just give them a listen with an open mind. It wasn't just the vocals that made them an amazing band it was also the level of talent that was playing the instruments.


In addition to what I just wrote above I also have something else to share with you my loyal readers. I had a bit of an epiphany today and that is that I really do enjoy writing and furthermore I enjoy it the most when I am writing about music and bands and those type of things with a smattering of television shows thrown in and other entertainment things. So, that is what I am going to concentrate on a little more for know anyway. I am sure that I will also do some writing about other issues now and then as well but I am going to try to give a real effort at focusing more on musical stuff.

Adios, for today.

More Music (Elton John)

Hey everybody, I know that it has been awhile since I last posted on my music collection and I must apologize to you all for that. I am hoping that I can use the week of thanksgiving and the holiday season to get back into the swing of things. I am working again and living with my parents and both of those things are bringing me some real calm and stability and I am feeling more like I am living on a normal schedule again. So here we go. I left off with Electric Light Orchestra and up next on my list is another artist who was a little extravagant and a lot talented and that artist is Elton John. I only have a two album greatest his collecting of Sir Elton but I really do enjoy it. His career as spanned four decades and he has sold more then 250 million records. So lets get it started shall we.

"Levon" is a great song. I just love it so much and it never fails to make me sing along.



This song is a little overwrought but I tend to like things that are overwrought. No regrets for me. "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"



I wasn't going to post this one but I really love this song. "Rocket Man"



"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" another classic number.



I simply have to close this out with a song that was used to great effect in the film Almost Famous that song is called "Tiny Dancer"