April 28, 2009
This week, we're listening in on the music of Spinal Tap, Delicious Vinyl, Sean Hayes, Playing For Change, Peter Gabriel, and Ted Hawkins.
U HEEP! That abbreviation was the derogatory name given by snob rock critics to Uriah Heep -- often cited (more than any others) as the band Spinal Tap was based on. I'd like to call attention to them as one of the most underrated '70s rock bands. They occupied a strange place on the early 70s rock continuum somewhere between the heavy metal of Deep Purple/Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin, and the prog rock of Jethro Tull, Yes and ELP. Uriah Heep found that perfect middle -- with David Byron's dramatic phrasing spewing out Lord of the Rings-type mythology backed by Ken Hensley's grandiose keyboard flourishes You'll hear this on songs like "Circle Of Hands," "The Wizard," and "Sunrise." But a closer look at their biggest hits "Stealin'" and "Easy Livin'" finds them in more classic rock territory -- two of best oultaw/"let's just party" anthems of the classic rock era. A great 12-song 20th Century Masters set has all of the titles mentioned here and a few more to correct another incidence of criminal and musical underexposure.
April 21, 2009
This week, we're listening in on the music of the grunge movement, especially Pearl Jam and Nirvana, as well as music from Bajofondo, Rascal Flatts, and Leonard Cohen.
With a 40-year history, approaching Leonard as a beginner (or even as an intermediate at times) can be daunting. And he's one of the few artists with a legacy who's not an oldies artist -most people got into him in the last 15 years which means that the nostalgia usually associated with classic rock is not applicable. Our Leonard Cohen Essential is the best place to stars. If you decide you're up for further exploration there a few approaches we'd recommend. First there's an excellent overview- the Essential Leonard Cohen (not to be confused with our feature with a similar name)that showcases both his early records (his Simon & Garfunkel-like folk singing on first versions of Suzanne and "Who by Fire") and covers all the high points from his late 80s reemergence ("I'm Your Man", Tower Of Song") -including all songs we mention in the podcast and one of the few songs he omitted from a recent tour that stands with his best, "Alexandra Leaving."Then there's the "Live In London" record, which duplicates most of the tour dates song for song (and rap for rap) -nothing wrong with that if you've been to the show and just need a second helping. Finally many have come to Leonard from hearing his work as a songwriter as interpreted by others. The best place to start is the album Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes -nicknamed Jenny Sings Lenny.-with great takes of "Bird On a Wire," "Ain't No Cure For Love" and "First We Take Manhattan." Now if somebody in the '00s will be as brave as she was in '87 and do an entire album of Leonard songs so we can hear a torch version of "Everybody Knows," an electronica version of "Democracy" or a gospel version of "A Thousand Kisses Deep."
April 15, 2009
This week, we're listening in on the music of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Jadakiss, The Yardbirds, and Paul McCartney.
While we were raving about Paul McCartney we had little time to extoll the virtues of his 20 years of post-early Wings/ pre-renaissance gems. A good staring point is his 1982 album Tug Of War. Yes "Ebony And Ivory" was the big hit but the album's real gems are the title song and "Wanderlust" -- arguably one of the best sides he ever cut. Also overlooked is the 1989 album "Flowers In the Dirt" -- recorded right after a songwriting collaboration with Elvis Costello that bore fruit on four McCartney and Costello albums. In addition to the Elvis and Paul duet "You Want Her Too," the album's other high point include the gospel-inspired "That Day Is Done" and "This One" -- that's on top of one of his best ever A-sides, "My Brave Face." If we go back to the early days -1973 to be specific - Red Rose Speedway's "Get On The Right Thing" (which got lost in the shadow of "My Love")might be the best hit he never had. In other words you have no idea how much you're missing by staying in greatest hits land.
April 7, 2009
This week, we're listening in on the music of The Replacements, Pitbull, Bill Withers, and Metallica.
To condense Paul Westerberg's work to the two songs we mention on this week's Rewind is to miss a 20-year solo career that is just as impressive as the first 10. Heretical as it might be to hardcore fans, consider looking at the Replacements as the first part of Paul Westerberg's career instead of the other way around. That way the Faces-like rock of "World Class Fad," the gentle introspection of "Sunrise Always Listens," the pure pop of "What A Day For Night," and the almost bubblegum (musically) perfection with wit (lyrically) of "Dyslexic Heart" make a case for a diversity and legacy that's far from over.
Step outside the confines of "Ioved his early records " and "whatever happened to" mindset and you'll see he's been there all along.
