I spent a great portion of this past weekend listening to the music of Hank Williams, most of which was on vinyl. His music is best listened to that way. There is something about the fidelity and rawness of the vinyl that adds to the experience. The light hiss and crackle of the record transports you to another time and place. That’s what I look for in music…to be taken away.
It was about six years ago when I first began to develop a real appreciation for Hank's music. His songs spoke to me with a raw honesty and vulnerability. His genre was mainly old country and western, accompanied by a touch of old southern gospel. The old country and western sound shares a close kinship to the blues, and Hank embodied that sound. Some of his songs are so haunting, introspective and dark it will take you to those depths and give you a keen insight to the landscape of his soul, and perhaps your own.
Even though Hank was a young man when he died at 29, in reality he was an old soul. He suffered most of his life with chronic back pain brought on by spina bifida. He lived a turbulent life marked with alcoholism and morphine addiction. As you listen to Hanks songs you see someone who is articulating his painful reality, but sincerely hopes for, and believes in, a brighter tomorrow. That is something I love and respect about him.
Whenever I’m downtown in Nashville I like to walk up 5th Ave, by the historic Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry, where Hank was a regular. I will peer down the ally way and in the eye of my mind I will see him standing around out back. A flask of whisky in his hand, a smile on his face and a faraway look in his eyes. I like to picture him happy, doing something he loved, sharing his passion with those in attendance.
On January 1, 1953 he and a hired driver left Knoxville, Tennessee in a Cadillac convertible, on his way to perform a New Years Day concert in Canton, Ohio. Reportedly, he had injected himself with some morphine and was carried semi-conscious to the car. It was somewhere in West Virginia when he was determined to have died.
Whenever I hear “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” I can’t help but picture him curled up in the backseat of that old Cadillac. A body wracked with pain, seeking the only relief he knew… I wonder when he breathed his last breath if angels welcomed him; perhaps they were even singing one of his songs.
Sometimes, I picture Hank in the afterlife dressed in a white suit and signature cowboy hat. Its beautiful there and everyone is nice and happy. Hank takes the stage and with a smile on his face sings one of his sad songs. It’s not sad anymore though. For the mirror that he used to only see in dimly, now shows his true radiant, shimmering self.
Below is a playlist of some of Hank Williams’ finest. Take some time to get acquainted.
Lovesick Blues
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
I Saw The Light
(I Heard that) Lonesome Whistle
Your Cheatin’ Heart
Mind Your Own Business
Lost Highway
I Won’t Be Home No More
Wedding Bells
I’ll Have a New Body (I’ll Have A New Life)
There’s A Tear In My Beer
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive
Hey Good Lookin’
I Can’t Get You Off My Mind
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
“No shelter if you’re lookin’ for shade”: Songs of dissent…
Friday July 23, 2010 will be a special event in the annals of musical performances. The Los Angeles based rock band, Rage Against The Machine (RATM) will be playing their hometown for the first time in 10 years.
RATM is known for supporting causes, exposing injustice and being a champion for the oppressed. The catalyst for this show is SB 1070, Arizona’s controversial anti-immigration law. A law that if passed, will no doubt lead to racial profiling and unfairly target minorities, specifically Latinos.
To some people this is no big deal, but the fact of the matter is, that by default, it criminalizes a race. When we start targeting specific races we are in a dangerous territory. It can happen so easily and innocently. Soon we discover we have someone to blame, and someone to punish. Slowly a sentiment creeps in and we begin to view that group as less than, and at the darkest depths, inhuman. That is how easily a holocaust can occur. Like a cancer it can start out as just a tiny, isolated spot, lying dormant for months or maybe years, until it becomes aggressive, and metastasizes quickly…
RATM’s performance at the Palladium in Los Angeles will be epic. They definitely know how to put on a show. I saw them 2 years ago at Lollapalooza and it was amazing. Their performance was electrifying and properly known as “The Battle of Chicago”. There were well over 80,000 in festival attendance and reportedly barricades were stormed and hundreds more bum rushed the show.
My friends and I were about 50 yards away from the stage. There was a frenzied madness in every direction. The crowd surge was intense and mosh pits would explode sporadically, like a bomb, without notice. Bodies pressed together on all sides churning like a fierce and angry ocean. It was a sea of people, jumping in unison, singing along with Zack De La Rocha’s angry, lyrical rhetoric, while Tom Morello was working what can only be described as the darkest of mojo, on his guitar. All the while surrounded by a beautiful Chicago skyline.
We were young, unified, frustrated and angry. We had been lied to repeatedly. There were two ongoing wars with no end in sight. $5.00 per gallon of gas. There was government and corporate corruption at every corner, accompanied with an economy spiraling downward at almost free-fall speed. Rage’s incendiary performance was just a mirror reflecting the zeitgeist….and as a group we were emoting.
Unfortunately I can’t fly out to L.A. this Friday to experience the show at the Palladium. I will be there in spirit though. Standing in solidarity with my fist in the air, screaming: “Lights out…Gorilla radio…turn that shit up!”
In closing I will leave you with 3 thoughts:
1. Until we truly realize the divine spark within each of us, there will always be prejudice, inequality and bigotry.
2. As long as there are big profits to be made in war and chaos, we will always find an enemy.
3. When popular political platforms promote injustice, there must be voices of dissent.
Below I have put together a playlist that confronts injustice, intolerance and atrocity. Consider it a soundtrack for revolution and change. WARNING: Sensitive ears listen elsewhere, because “There’s no shelter if you’re lookin’ for shade…”
Testify – Rage Against The Machine
People of the Sun - Rage Against The Machine
Bulls on Parade - Rage Against The Machine
Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen Cover)- Rage Against The Machine
Calm Like A Bomb - Rage Against The Machine
Fight The Power – Public Enemy
Can’t Truss It – Public Enemy
Street Fighting Man – The Rolling Stones
For What Its Worth – Buffalo Springfield
Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young
Fuck Tha Police – N.W.A.
This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
What Did You Learn In School Today? – Pete Seeger
Alice’s Restaurant – Arlo Guthrie
Revolution – The Beatles
Redemption Song – Bob Marley
Rise Up – Cypress Hill (featuring Tom Morello)
Masters of War – Bob Dylan
Blowin’ In The Wind – Bob Dylan
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
No More – Eddie Vedder
Society- Eddie Vedder
Give Peace A Chance – John Lennon
Imagine – John Lennon
RATM is known for supporting causes, exposing injustice and being a champion for the oppressed. The catalyst for this show is SB 1070, Arizona’s controversial anti-immigration law. A law that if passed, will no doubt lead to racial profiling and unfairly target minorities, specifically Latinos.
To some people this is no big deal, but the fact of the matter is, that by default, it criminalizes a race. When we start targeting specific races we are in a dangerous territory. It can happen so easily and innocently. Soon we discover we have someone to blame, and someone to punish. Slowly a sentiment creeps in and we begin to view that group as less than, and at the darkest depths, inhuman. That is how easily a holocaust can occur. Like a cancer it can start out as just a tiny, isolated spot, lying dormant for months or maybe years, until it becomes aggressive, and metastasizes quickly…
RATM’s performance at the Palladium in Los Angeles will be epic. They definitely know how to put on a show. I saw them 2 years ago at Lollapalooza and it was amazing. Their performance was electrifying and properly known as “The Battle of Chicago”. There were well over 80,000 in festival attendance and reportedly barricades were stormed and hundreds more bum rushed the show.
My friends and I were about 50 yards away from the stage. There was a frenzied madness in every direction. The crowd surge was intense and mosh pits would explode sporadically, like a bomb, without notice. Bodies pressed together on all sides churning like a fierce and angry ocean. It was a sea of people, jumping in unison, singing along with Zack De La Rocha’s angry, lyrical rhetoric, while Tom Morello was working what can only be described as the darkest of mojo, on his guitar. All the while surrounded by a beautiful Chicago skyline.
We were young, unified, frustrated and angry. We had been lied to repeatedly. There were two ongoing wars with no end in sight. $5.00 per gallon of gas. There was government and corporate corruption at every corner, accompanied with an economy spiraling downward at almost free-fall speed. Rage’s incendiary performance was just a mirror reflecting the zeitgeist….and as a group we were emoting.
Unfortunately I can’t fly out to L.A. this Friday to experience the show at the Palladium. I will be there in spirit though. Standing in solidarity with my fist in the air, screaming: “Lights out…Gorilla radio…turn that shit up!”
In closing I will leave you with 3 thoughts:
1. Until we truly realize the divine spark within each of us, there will always be prejudice, inequality and bigotry.
2. As long as there are big profits to be made in war and chaos, we will always find an enemy.
3. When popular political platforms promote injustice, there must be voices of dissent.
Below I have put together a playlist that confronts injustice, intolerance and atrocity. Consider it a soundtrack for revolution and change. WARNING: Sensitive ears listen elsewhere, because “There’s no shelter if you’re lookin’ for shade…”
Testify – Rage Against The Machine
People of the Sun - Rage Against The Machine
Bulls on Parade - Rage Against The Machine
Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen Cover)- Rage Against The Machine
Calm Like A Bomb - Rage Against The Machine
Fight The Power – Public Enemy
Can’t Truss It – Public Enemy
Street Fighting Man – The Rolling Stones
For What Its Worth – Buffalo Springfield
Rockin’ In The Free World – Neil Young
Fuck Tha Police – N.W.A.
This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
What Did You Learn In School Today? – Pete Seeger
Alice’s Restaurant – Arlo Guthrie
Revolution – The Beatles
Redemption Song – Bob Marley
Rise Up – Cypress Hill (featuring Tom Morello)
Masters of War – Bob Dylan
Blowin’ In The Wind – Bob Dylan
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
No More – Eddie Vedder
Society- Eddie Vedder
Give Peace A Chance – John Lennon
Imagine – John Lennon
Monday, July 12, 2010
"Use two sticks to make it in the nature": Live music…
I love concerts. There is just something incredibly special about the atmosphere they produce. A synergy occurs between the performer and the audience, and you cannot help but get caught up in the magic of it all. I would honestly say that I’m at my happiest when I’m at a concert. Whether it’s a large-scale festival like Coachella or Lollapalooza, or a small club venue, the result is the same: superabundant, full-bore, ear-ringing bliss.
A natural intimacy occurs in a live performance and for a couple of hours a community is formed. Now, with the advent of mobile technology, it’s not uncommon to see people taking pictures, texting, or updating their Facebook and Twitter statuses regarding the show. Some of that obviously is just “look at me & the awesome stuff I do”, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I believe that the greater intent is our desire to share the experience with those that we are close to that may not be at the show. We realize that something special is occurring and for a moment, however brief, we want to include them in this community.
Sometimes we can’t make it to the live shows. Fortunately, now we can watch a lot through live streams and Youtube videos, or live vicariously through our friend’s social media updates.
That wasn’t always the case though. There was a time when your only opportunity to experience the show was to either be there or maybe procure a poorly dubbed bootleg copy….or in the off chance the group was putting together a live album, you could wait several months for it to be produced and then buy it.
In the spirit of this I have put together a list of 5 great live albums. There is no ranking involved, nor by any means is this a list of the greatest live albums. To make this list I set up the following criteria:
1. The music had an influence on me.
2. It was an album I owned.
3. It couldn’t have already been covered in one of my previous blog posts.
4. The performance occurred prior to the advent of rampant, readily available mobile technology and social media.
Kiss Alive II
My musical indoctrination occurred early. From the ages of 4-7 there was no other band than KISS. For two Halloweens I dressed up as members of KISS, once as Paul Stanley, the other as Gene Simmons. My mom bought me many of their albums, among them KISS Alive II. On countless Saturday mornings (before watching cartoons) I would bring my little turntable into the living room and the couch would become a stage. I would alternate back and forth between air guitar and air drums. To be honest I doubt any other’s transition between the two could compare…it was that dynamic.
Side note: For a couple of years my mom felt somewhat guilty for this after a Fundamentalist friend handed her a poorly written pamphlet that made her aware of the evils and diabolical influence of rock music.
U2 - Under a Blood Red Sky
This was my first exposure to U2. This album had been out for a couple of years before I listened to it and at the time I didn’t know who Bono or The Edge were. Something in the performance connected with me. I was still a child and at the time I didn’t know what activism or social justice was. A seed was planted though, and I knew it was more than music.
Neil Young – Unplugged
Some people don’t like Neil Young, and I’m not here to argue that. He’s proven himself and his catalog stands on its own. His songs tell a story and usually the eye of your mind takes you to some lonesome highway out west. Hearing him wail on the harmonica will bring tears to your eyes.
John Denver - The Wildlife Concert
Growing up, John Denver’s music was a staple in my home, and from an early age I felt a kinship with him. He was a champion of nature and conservation. His songs spoke of happiness, simplicity and a genuine love for life. This live album is beautiful and captures some of the best versions of his greatest songs. He was a troubadour and poet. I was in college in 1997 when John Denver died in a plane crash, and I wept…
Rage Against The Machine Live at The Grand Olympic
Rage is true to their name. I can honestly say they woke me up to reality of things and kindled a fire for social justice deep down inside. Consider this a soundtrack for revolution…
Below is a playlist for the above albums:
Detroit Rock City – KISS
Love Gun - KISS
Beth – KISS
Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
I Will Follow – U2
New Years Day – U2
Unknown Legend – Neil Young
Long May You Run – Neil Young
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Rocky Mountain High – John Denver
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
Poems, Prayers and Promises – John Denver
Bulls on Parade – Rage Against The Machine
Bullet in the Head – Rage Against The Machine
Guerilla Radio – Rage Against The Machine
A natural intimacy occurs in a live performance and for a couple of hours a community is formed. Now, with the advent of mobile technology, it’s not uncommon to see people taking pictures, texting, or updating their Facebook and Twitter statuses regarding the show. Some of that obviously is just “look at me & the awesome stuff I do”, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I believe that the greater intent is our desire to share the experience with those that we are close to that may not be at the show. We realize that something special is occurring and for a moment, however brief, we want to include them in this community.
Sometimes we can’t make it to the live shows. Fortunately, now we can watch a lot through live streams and Youtube videos, or live vicariously through our friend’s social media updates.
That wasn’t always the case though. There was a time when your only opportunity to experience the show was to either be there or maybe procure a poorly dubbed bootleg copy….or in the off chance the group was putting together a live album, you could wait several months for it to be produced and then buy it.
In the spirit of this I have put together a list of 5 great live albums. There is no ranking involved, nor by any means is this a list of the greatest live albums. To make this list I set up the following criteria:
1. The music had an influence on me.
2. It was an album I owned.
3. It couldn’t have already been covered in one of my previous blog posts.
4. The performance occurred prior to the advent of rampant, readily available mobile technology and social media.
Kiss Alive II
My musical indoctrination occurred early. From the ages of 4-7 there was no other band than KISS. For two Halloweens I dressed up as members of KISS, once as Paul Stanley, the other as Gene Simmons. My mom bought me many of their albums, among them KISS Alive II. On countless Saturday mornings (before watching cartoons) I would bring my little turntable into the living room and the couch would become a stage. I would alternate back and forth between air guitar and air drums. To be honest I doubt any other’s transition between the two could compare…it was that dynamic.
Side note: For a couple of years my mom felt somewhat guilty for this after a Fundamentalist friend handed her a poorly written pamphlet that made her aware of the evils and diabolical influence of rock music.
U2 - Under a Blood Red Sky
This was my first exposure to U2. This album had been out for a couple of years before I listened to it and at the time I didn’t know who Bono or The Edge were. Something in the performance connected with me. I was still a child and at the time I didn’t know what activism or social justice was. A seed was planted though, and I knew it was more than music.
Neil Young – Unplugged
Some people don’t like Neil Young, and I’m not here to argue that. He’s proven himself and his catalog stands on its own. His songs tell a story and usually the eye of your mind takes you to some lonesome highway out west. Hearing him wail on the harmonica will bring tears to your eyes.
John Denver - The Wildlife Concert
Growing up, John Denver’s music was a staple in my home, and from an early age I felt a kinship with him. He was a champion of nature and conservation. His songs spoke of happiness, simplicity and a genuine love for life. This live album is beautiful and captures some of the best versions of his greatest songs. He was a troubadour and poet. I was in college in 1997 when John Denver died in a plane crash, and I wept…
Rage Against The Machine Live at The Grand Olympic
Rage is true to their name. I can honestly say they woke me up to reality of things and kindled a fire for social justice deep down inside. Consider this a soundtrack for revolution…
Below is a playlist for the above albums:
Detroit Rock City – KISS
Love Gun - KISS
Beth – KISS
Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
I Will Follow – U2
New Years Day – U2
Unknown Legend – Neil Young
Long May You Run – Neil Young
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Rocky Mountain High – John Denver
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
Poems, Prayers and Promises – John Denver
Bulls on Parade – Rage Against The Machine
Bullet in the Head – Rage Against The Machine
Guerilla Radio – Rage Against The Machine
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