I started a proper job that involves writing :D. So the world should be like a pair of rose coloured glasses. BUT. yes i know the but may seem strange, but theres a reason for it. When I was previously writing it was informal about what I wanted (Mainly Led Zeppelin and music) and the quality and length were irrelevant.
However now that it is......formalised, it just doesn't seem as fun.....
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Songs and Mysticisim
The title is misleading I do not mean to discuss the links between songwriting and mysticism or mythology. This is more about songs that take on a mystic property. This thought came while watching a clip of "Stairway To Heaven" from Led Zeppelin's recent concert in the O2 arena in London. While the gig received great reviews ninety nine percent of the critics agreed that they made a mess of Stairway. As much as it pains me to admit it they were right, stairway was definitely sub standard for the biggest selling band of all time.
This let loose a train of thought, this is the third time that Led Zep have played Stairway live since John Bonham's death, and all three times it wasn't right. At Live Aid Page's guitar was out of tune, at the Atlantic Records anniversary concert there performance up till they attempted Stairway was great. And recently at the O2 gig it just didn't sound right, I'm not musically talented enough to say that Page was hitting flat notes or Plant's pitch was too high. But it sounded angrier, rougher not Stairway like. The original and the live versions that are available all sound so relaxed and calm. But at the O2 it was like they were just playing it to get it out of the way. Thats what I think anyway.
The song itself seems to have taken on this mystic property though. Ask any Led Zep nut and you'll hear that there is just something to the song, it seems to have a property or effect that goes beyond mere music. It has the greatest guitar solo ever, written by arguably two of the greatest song writers ever and on one of the biggest selling albums of all time. This song seems to have taken on its own identity independent of the minds that created it.
The band once considered dropping the song from the album, until they played it live at a show in Belfast. The crowd reaction let them know that the song was something special. It was, it has become one of the most famous and loved songs of all time. It seems to resist attempts to be played live without John Bonham. It gives the song that something extra that puts it beyond being a classic.
This let loose a train of thought, this is the third time that Led Zep have played Stairway live since John Bonham's death, and all three times it wasn't right. At Live Aid Page's guitar was out of tune, at the Atlantic Records anniversary concert there performance up till they attempted Stairway was great. And recently at the O2 gig it just didn't sound right, I'm not musically talented enough to say that Page was hitting flat notes or Plant's pitch was too high. But it sounded angrier, rougher not Stairway like. The original and the live versions that are available all sound so relaxed and calm. But at the O2 it was like they were just playing it to get it out of the way. Thats what I think anyway.
The song itself seems to have taken on this mystic property though. Ask any Led Zep nut and you'll hear that there is just something to the song, it seems to have a property or effect that goes beyond mere music. It has the greatest guitar solo ever, written by arguably two of the greatest song writers ever and on one of the biggest selling albums of all time. This song seems to have taken on its own identity independent of the minds that created it.
The band once considered dropping the song from the album, until they played it live at a show in Belfast. The crowd reaction let them know that the song was something special. It was, it has become one of the most famous and loved songs of all time. It seems to resist attempts to be played live without John Bonham. It gives the song that something extra that puts it beyond being a classic.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thinking of going to the Ring
So given that a two week sun holiday is not happening for various reasons. I went looking for other means of a break during the summer. Since you're reading this you probably know me, and the first thing that popped into my head was MUSIC AND FESTIVALS. I looked to Ireland and England and the festivals are expensive with shite line ups. Then while watching MTV2 I saw it the heavy metals fan utopia....salvation from the moaning snow patrol and hyped up boy bands.
ROCK AM RING
3 days, 3 Stages and HEAVY METAL HEAVEN.
With bands like Metallica, Rage against the Machine and Motorhead. It should be epic if it happens. But if I miss the Ring, then theres Pink Pop in the Netherlands and the Wachen Full Force Festival.....Mainland Europe seems to know How to rock....I'll let ye know in August.
For now though let me know if ye want to go
"I wake up in the morning and I raise my weary head, I don't know where going I only know where I've been"
With bands like Metallica, Rage against the Machine and Motorhead. It should be epic if it happens. But if I miss the Ring, then theres Pink Pop in the Netherlands and the Wachen Full Force Festival.....Mainland Europe seems to know How to rock....I'll let ye know in August.
For now though let me know if ye want to go
"I wake up in the morning and I raise my weary head, I don't know where going I only know where I've been"
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Musicovery.com
A quick post for anyone that bothers reading this thing. To check out musicovery.com if you are in anyway interested in music. It lest you select the genres you like then the mood of the music. It then makes a playlist from the genres and displays in a pretty sweet "musical tree". You can even have it set to make playlists according to how much and fast people should try to dance at a party you're having...a pretty kick ass site really.
There should be some actual posts up in the next ten days.....hopefully
There should be some actual posts up in the next ten days.....hopefully
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Why I love Second hand record shops
I was in London recently and while wandering down around Soho, I came upon a street full of second hand record shops. This was great because surprisingly even in the metropolis that is Dublin. Old 33 vinyls are quite hard to find, especially if what your looking for is hard to find on CD. For me anyway that street in London was as close to a utopia as I'll ever find. I went into all of them and they cater to all tastes in music. In fact I think they have a mini- union of sorts because if one shop has it they can direct you to a shop that specialises in whatever genre you may be looking for.
Anyway while browsing around one shop called "Sister Ray" (my new favourite shop) I discovered "The Honeydippers" album for £3. "The Honeydippers" that are on amazon are the a different group. "The Honeydippers" that I found in sister ray, is Jimmy Page and Robert Plant blues album from post Led Zeppelin. I heard about them at a record fair. I thought that was a pretty good find, my dad however was completely amazed by the fact that I was buying records not cd's. I explained it him but I don't think that he quite understood where I was coming from. (I'll try and explain it better in a later post) I picked up two other albums one was AC DC's "Back in Black" and the other was a limited white vinyl of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning"
Its not the stock in these record shops that I love though its the people working there. When you go to a Virgin and HMV everything fells very generic, from the greeting to the goodbye at the till its like its leaned from a script (as it probably is).
"Good day Sir/Madam, have you had a pleasant experience? Could you find everything ok?"
Then the infamous "Thank you come again"
In America this is taken to an extreme. I saw an employee handbook from an American retail chain that had scripted conversations about how to pressure customers to buy products they didn't need or want. I'll try to find the link again.
In these second hand stores though everything seem more chilled out. The staff actually know what they're talking about. They can even tell you how difficult its going to be to find the different albums. I think that its almost an older kind of service. From before big retail chains almost like the days of family run businesses. Theres an element of personal service that isn't available in the big retail chains.
So in summation the reason I like the smaller second hand shops is because the staff are more knowledgeable, they have stock that just isn't available in the bigger retail stores and there is an element of personal service.
But on the contrary to the above the stock tends to be a lot cheaper in the big chains, but thats just simple economics isn't it?
Anyway while browsing around one shop called "Sister Ray" (my new favourite shop) I discovered "The Honeydippers" album for £3. "The Honeydippers" that are on amazon are the a different group. "The Honeydippers" that I found in sister ray, is Jimmy Page and Robert Plant blues album from post Led Zeppelin. I heard about them at a record fair. I thought that was a pretty good find, my dad however was completely amazed by the fact that I was buying records not cd's. I explained it him but I don't think that he quite understood where I was coming from. (I'll try and explain it better in a later post) I picked up two other albums one was AC DC's "Back in Black" and the other was a limited white vinyl of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning"
Its not the stock in these record shops that I love though its the people working there. When you go to a Virgin and HMV everything fells very generic, from the greeting to the goodbye at the till its like its leaned from a script (as it probably is).
"Good day Sir/Madam, have you had a pleasant experience? Could you find everything ok?"
Then the infamous "Thank you come again"
In America this is taken to an extreme. I saw an employee handbook from an American retail chain that had scripted conversations about how to pressure customers to buy products they didn't need or want. I'll try to find the link again.
In these second hand stores though everything seem more chilled out. The staff actually know what they're talking about. They can even tell you how difficult its going to be to find the different albums. I think that its almost an older kind of service. From before big retail chains almost like the days of family run businesses. Theres an element of personal service that isn't available in the big retail chains.
So in summation the reason I like the smaller second hand shops is because the staff are more knowledgeable, they have stock that just isn't available in the bigger retail stores and there is an element of personal service.
But on the contrary to the above the stock tends to be a lot cheaper in the big chains, but thats just simple economics isn't it?
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Music , passion and Tattoos
Something that occurred to me recently while walking somewhere. I am hopelessly dependent on music. I've always liked and had music but at this stage I don't think I can live without it. This realisation came about during one particular line of a song.
"And he Tattoo'd the blues deep into your soul,
left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
Music has affected everything in my life. From the drinks I drink to the style of clothes I wear. But then again this is nothing new everybody tries to emulate there idols. In the general case it is applied to "celebritism" in general. That is where all the fads and brands come from. But with music especially it is more like buying into a lifestyle or image that has been turned into a brand. With my personal favourite type of music Rock music. Its buying into the image that you are answerable to nobody, free to do whatever you want. From the tour antics to the legendary recording sessions. Its a lifestyle, is it the excess or the money that draws people to it.
No, I don't think so. The best way to describe this is by reference to "Sailing to Byzantium" by W.B Yeats. The premise of the poem is that the only way to actually achieve immortality is by creating great works of art that live on past the ages. Whether consciously or not, a lot of rock bands have achieved this Rolling Stones, Beatles and Led Zeppelin to name a few. All though the bands previously mentioned have so far stood the test of time one does wonder whether they would have been as popular without the lifestyle that went along with it.
One example is when the Rolling Stones went to write and record "Exile on Main Street". They went to Keith Richards Chateau in France. Where they had an extended drug and alcohol induced blues jam which turned into one of my favourite albums. A French photographer was there and the pictures captured almost the essence of what went into making the album. There is one picture the shows Keith Richards asleep after an all night session on what would become "Tumbling Dice". It is reported that even after he was asleep his hands were still playing the chords. How different is that to how records are made today?
How cool does it sound to pack up and go to a Chateau in France for a few weeks to write, record and party. Thats the lifestyle that rock sells and represents that excess and luxury. Its breaking away from convention, not working at a desk or in an office from 9 to 5. Songs about being a rock star often sum this up pretty well, listen to "God Gave Rock and Roll to you" by Argent or "Rockstar" by Nickelback if you want examples.
That's what missing from music today the sense of spontaneity that there used to be, not knowing what was going to happen next or what these guys were going to do. But alas those days are gone...no more will there be stories of TV's being thrown out of hotel windows, or cars been driven into hotel pools. It seems that we are stuck with watered down music and personalities. This Cartoon sums up my point pretty well
"And he Tattoo'd the blues deep into your soul,
left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
Music has affected everything in my life. From the drinks I drink to the style of clothes I wear. But then again this is nothing new everybody tries to emulate there idols. In the general case it is applied to "celebritism" in general. That is where all the fads and brands come from. But with music especially it is more like buying into a lifestyle or image that has been turned into a brand. With my personal favourite type of music Rock music. Its buying into the image that you are answerable to nobody, free to do whatever you want. From the tour antics to the legendary recording sessions. Its a lifestyle, is it the excess or the money that draws people to it.
No, I don't think so. The best way to describe this is by reference to "Sailing to Byzantium" by W.B Yeats. The premise of the poem is that the only way to actually achieve immortality is by creating great works of art that live on past the ages. Whether consciously or not, a lot of rock bands have achieved this Rolling Stones, Beatles and Led Zeppelin to name a few. All though the bands previously mentioned have so far stood the test of time one does wonder whether they would have been as popular without the lifestyle that went along with it.
One example is when the Rolling Stones went to write and record "Exile on Main Street". They went to Keith Richards Chateau in France. Where they had an extended drug and alcohol induced blues jam which turned into one of my favourite albums. A French photographer was there and the pictures captured almost the essence of what went into making the album. There is one picture the shows Keith Richards asleep after an all night session on what would become "Tumbling Dice". It is reported that even after he was asleep his hands were still playing the chords. How different is that to how records are made today?
How cool does it sound to pack up and go to a Chateau in France for a few weeks to write, record and party. Thats the lifestyle that rock sells and represents that excess and luxury. Its breaking away from convention, not working at a desk or in an office from 9 to 5. Songs about being a rock star often sum this up pretty well, listen to "God Gave Rock and Roll to you" by Argent or "Rockstar" by Nickelback if you want examples.
That's what missing from music today the sense of spontaneity that there used to be, not knowing what was going to happen next or what these guys were going to do. But alas those days are gone...no more will there be stories of TV's being thrown out of hotel windows, or cars been driven into hotel pools. It seems that we are stuck with watered down music and personalities. This Cartoon sums up my point pretty well
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Pat McManus at the Bowery Waterford 28 Sept 2007
To start for those of you who don't know who Pat McManus is, he was in a band called Mama's Boys in the 70's/80's. They toured with Thin Lizzy and The Scorpions, they had a big hit single with "Needle in the Grove". After Mama's Boys went there separate ways Pat played in a trad outfit known as Celtus. As well many others.
Anyway Pat and his current band Hi-Voltage were playing in the Bowery on the above date. He was releasing his new album called "In My Own Time". I'll start with the gig. Pat is I suppose what you would call "old school". While the sound from the microphones was a bit off. What comes through is his passion and love for music. Even on that small stage with between 100-200 people in attendance. He played like he was headlining Slane or some other massive rock festival in front of fifty thousand plus fans. It is easy to see why Pat is mentioned in the same breath as other more widely known great Irish guitarists. When he's on stage he just gets lost in what he's playing. What it comes across as is that there is him and his guitar, and he's making the guitar talk.
The band are great as well, but its hard to shine when such a huge shadow is cast. The drummer played a short solo at the end very reminiscent of the one in Sha-La-La on Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" album. It was played flawlessly with slight embellishments that showed he was comfortably able to play at that level. Preceding that that Pat played a medley of comprised of his older material and it was unreal. Hearing soaring lead guitar against a trad backing track is an experience not to be missed if you have the chance and interest.Now on to the album.
The album is great, maybe even brilliant. Listening to it reminded me of the first time I heard the blues powered rock of Led Zeppelin. From "Got that Right" to "Just for Shannon" the album is the blues. There are two tracks that deserve special mention. "Juggernaut" is a wall of sound that echo's live and still retains its power on the CD. Its great to hear the fiddle in the middle as well showcasing his past with when he played in Celtus. Secondly "Return of the G Man" a song written in tribute to Rory Gallagher is a slower, more melodious affair that shows Pat's talent for lyrics. One line sticks in my mind
"And He Tattooed the blues down in to your soul and left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
The song also contains one of the best acoustic solos that I've ever heard and really shows how great acoustic solos can be when done right. The album is blues rock no ifs or buts, it's the best album I've heard since I heard the Answer back in April/May.
Speaking of the Answer they also deserve a mention in the blues rock category. Their debut album "Rise" absolutely blew me away. It's amazing how four lads from Northern Ireland can sound so much like the juggernaut that was Led Zeppelin on their debut album. I would like to say they are going to reach the heights Led Zeppelin reached but given current trends in the music industry, its unlikely that any band will reach the super-superstar status that bands like Led Zeppelin, The Police and The Rolling Stones reached. Hopefully they will be successful though because if the first album is anything to go by they have the talent to have a long and distinguished career, whether in the mainstream or not.
Anyway Pat and his current band Hi-Voltage were playing in the Bowery on the above date. He was releasing his new album called "In My Own Time". I'll start with the gig. Pat is I suppose what you would call "old school". While the sound from the microphones was a bit off. What comes through is his passion and love for music. Even on that small stage with between 100-200 people in attendance. He played like he was headlining Slane or some other massive rock festival in front of fifty thousand plus fans. It is easy to see why Pat is mentioned in the same breath as other more widely known great Irish guitarists. When he's on stage he just gets lost in what he's playing. What it comes across as is that there is him and his guitar, and he's making the guitar talk.
The band are great as well, but its hard to shine when such a huge shadow is cast. The drummer played a short solo at the end very reminiscent of the one in Sha-La-La on Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" album. It was played flawlessly with slight embellishments that showed he was comfortably able to play at that level. Preceding that that Pat played a medley of comprised of his older material and it was unreal. Hearing soaring lead guitar against a trad backing track is an experience not to be missed if you have the chance and interest.Now on to the album.
The album is great, maybe even brilliant. Listening to it reminded me of the first time I heard the blues powered rock of Led Zeppelin. From "Got that Right" to "Just for Shannon" the album is the blues. There are two tracks that deserve special mention. "Juggernaut" is a wall of sound that echo's live and still retains its power on the CD. Its great to hear the fiddle in the middle as well showcasing his past with when he played in Celtus. Secondly "Return of the G Man" a song written in tribute to Rory Gallagher is a slower, more melodious affair that shows Pat's talent for lyrics. One line sticks in my mind
"And He Tattooed the blues down in to your soul and left you burning with a passion that never let you go"
The song also contains one of the best acoustic solos that I've ever heard and really shows how great acoustic solos can be when done right. The album is blues rock no ifs or buts, it's the best album I've heard since I heard the Answer back in April/May.
Speaking of the Answer they also deserve a mention in the blues rock category. Their debut album "Rise" absolutely blew me away. It's amazing how four lads from Northern Ireland can sound so much like the juggernaut that was Led Zeppelin on their debut album. I would like to say they are going to reach the heights Led Zeppelin reached but given current trends in the music industry, its unlikely that any band will reach the super-superstar status that bands like Led Zeppelin, The Police and The Rolling Stones reached. Hopefully they will be successful though because if the first album is anything to go by they have the talent to have a long and distinguished career, whether in the mainstream or not.
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