It Was 50 Years Ago Today

Oh Yeah, I'll tell you something I think you'll understand;  When I say that something  I want to hold your hand... The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

 

 

 

It's hard to believe that it was 50 years ago that The Beatles made their way to America (left at Greenland) and to our televisions by way of The Ed Sullivan Show.  It was the most watched TV show up to that time and still on the list.  It was also the watershed moment for Rock and Roll; the possibilities of the music, the power, the influence, the mysteries... 




For 4 lads from Liverpool, England America was the place where they wanted to be.  After all America was the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll.  The home of many of their influences: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard and others.  Well on that night The Beatles conquered America and established themselves as world wide stars and their influence was felt immediately.  Steve Van Zandt put it best: “Feb. 8, 1964, there was not one single rock ‘n’ roll band in the country. February 9, the Beatles played ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ Feb. 10, everyone had one.”  Also in their wake what followed was a tidal wave of British Artists from The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Herman's Hermits, Dave Clark 5, The Who, etc...

Broken Bells Are Holding On For Life

Oh, ain't nobody calling;  Ain't nobody home;  What a lovely day to be lonely; You're holding on for life... Broken Bells - Holding On For Life

I am enjoying the new Broken Bells disc After the Disco.  Song 3 (Holding On For Life) is a really nice tune and listen for those Bee Gee like harmonies in the chorus.

Hopes Float

Einstein is scratchin' numbers on his napkin;  Shakespeare says, “Man, it’s just one and one makes three;  That’s why it’s poetry”... Bruce Springsteen - Frankie Fell in Love

Bruce Springsteen albums are really hard to review, because he set the bar so high in the 70's and 80's.  I think it's only fair to compare apples and apples and look at the albums from 2002's The Rising and forward.

I've always thought The Rising is a great record united by the 911 theme and a fairly recently reunited E Street Band, with both Little Steven and Nils Lofgren together.  The album sounded fresh with an emotional edge.  The songs were strong lyrically and musically.

Since then the releases have a been more spotty; for ever great song Girls in Their Summer Clothes, Long Walk Home, Life Itself and This Life; there were duds like Queen of the Supermarket or even Radio Nowhere.  There have also been some good songs, not great songs like Working on a Dream and We Take Care of Our Own; there have been some good ideas that didn't work so well like Outlaw Pete; and some ordinary songs like Land of Hope and Dreams.

On High Hopes Bruce has changed it up a bit; we get a little bit of everything from cover songs, songs that were previously released and re-recorded and a few new compositions to boot.  For the most part, I think the idea works well.

Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine fame) plays guitar on the majority of the tracks.  He and Bruce match vocals on a remake of the Springsteen solo song The Ghost of Tom Joad.  The track sounds remarkably fresh.  American Skin (41 Shots) and Dream Baby Dream both finally get polished studio versions.  The light hearted Frankie Fell in Love sounds as if it could have been on Tracks (Bruce's great unreleased music).  The Wall, a sequel of sorts to Born in the U.S.A., is quiet eulogy to a fallen war vet presumably at the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  Hunter of Invisible Game, Heaven's Wall and Down in the Hole are all winners.

It's early, but I think this may be Bruce's best since The Rising.  It's superbowl Sunday and we all have High Hopes.  Put this CD on and get excited (just avoid Harry's Place)...

Gary Clark Jr. Can't Feel a Thing

Well, I'm numb, Yeah woman I can't feel a thing... Gary Clark Jr. - Numb

Gary Clark Jr. is a Texas blues-rock guitarist.  My daughter introduced me to him through his fine new album Black and Blu.  His bluesy/fuzzy guitar is reminiscent of The Black Keys.  This is exciting new music...

Pete Seeger: 1919-2014

One of these days I’m gonna lay this hammer down;  Leave my burden restin’ on the ground... Steve Earle - Steve's Hammer

 

U2 Back on the Radar

The sea throws rock together, but time leaves us polished stones... U2 - Ordinary Love

It is great to hear U2 once again.  I think this could be a big year for the band.  We are expecting a new song, Invisible, to be released during the Super Bowl next weekend and a new album due possibly in April.  The band has been working with Danger Mouse, whose work with The Black Keys, Beck and his bands The Broken Bells and Gnarls Barkley are exceptional.

The new song, Ordinary Love from the Original Soundtrack to the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is terrific. The song strikes the right balance of inspiration and seriousness along the lines of Pride in the Name of Love.

I Was Like the Dead Sea

I headed West, I was a man on the move;  New York had lied to me, I needed the truth... The Lumineers - Dead Sea

The Lumineer's music is so catchy and sticks in your head (in a good way).  Bands like the Lumineers are why I am constantly seeking new music!

High Hopes For Tuesday

Give me help, give me strength, give a soul a night of fearless sleep; Give me love, give me peace; Don't you know these days you pay for everything; Got high hopes... Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

Bruce Springsteen's new CD makes it's debut tomorrow; Bruce Springsteen is releasing his 18th studio album High Hopes.

Phil Everly: 1939-2014

Kentucky, you are the dearest land outside of Heaven to me;  Kentucky, I miss your laurels and your redbud trees;  When I die, I want to rest upon your graceful mountains so free for that is where God will look for me... The Everly Brothers - Kentucky

 

News has just came out that Phil Everly, one half of the brother vocal duo The Everly Brothers has died at age 74.  The Everly Brothers were huge in the late 50's/early 60's with their trademark high harmonies with hits like All I Have To Do is Dream, Wake Up Little Susie, Cathy's Clown and my personal favorite Bowling Green.  They were a big influence on many artists including The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel.  Bye, Bye Love...

The Beatles - So How Come (No One Loves Me) (Everly Brothers Cover)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone, Gone, Gone (Everly Brothers Cover)

Billie Joe Armstrong  & Norah Jones - Kentucky (Everly Brothers Cover)

2013: Best Musical News

When the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band; From the coastline to the city all the little pretties raise their hands... Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Back a few weeks ago The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame officially announced 2014's inductees.  Nirvana, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt. But the big news for me was that The E Street Band (finally) will be given the Award for Musical Excellence.  This is long overdue, but welcomed. 

The E Street Band have been around in some incarnation since Bruce Springsteen's beginnings.  Clarence Clemons and Gary Tallent played on Bruce's debut in early 1973 Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.  Danny Federici came on board later in that year on The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.  In 1975 Steven Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg were added on the great Born to Run album.  Nils Lofgren and Patty Scialfa joined later.  We recently lost 2 of the original guys in Danny Federici and Clarence Clemons.  No other group of people deserve this award more than this outfit.  Way overdue, but well earned.



Additional The Beatles manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers.