My ears are blown to bits from all the rifle hits, but still I crave that sound.
Bill Hicks. Rant in E Minor
Lifted directly from allmusic.com
Rant in E-Minor is the comedy equivalent of an Ingmar Bergman film. This posthumously released CD is so brutal, bitter, pessimistic, and honest that it is a very difficult task indeed to listen to it. Recorded most likely while he was going through chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in 1993, Bill Hicksmust have sensed the end was near for him. Like John Coltrane‘s wailing saxophone on “Interstellar Space,” Rant in E-Minor seems to exorcise the burden of life from Hicks‘ body, while simultaneously reaching a level of passionate intensity rarely matched. That being said, Hicks spits out words like shards of glass, bound to lacerate anybody in his audience. While some may laugh, his bits about Jay Leno (“Artistic Roll Call”), Jesse Helms (“Deficit”), and Rush Limbaugh are sadistically cruel. His bleak notions include totalitarian world rule (“The Elite”) and the loss of artistic integrity in American pop culture (“Fevered Egos”). Anybody who is anti-abortion, Catholic, or Republican is bound to be offended by this spitefully honest and slanted material. In listening to this disc, you will laugh as Hicks takes comedy to its most extreme boundaries, but you will also be saddened at the lack of optimism in his life at the time it was cut short. While listening to this man, who was so filled with bitterness, loneliness, and pessimism, one must realize that he was quite unlike any other comedian, because night after night he unleashed his convincing, but idealistic vision of the world on his audience. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that he ever got to live in it.
Please let this collaboration blossom into a full album, ala Iron & Wine with Calexico’s In the Reins.
And Brazilian Portuguese is sort of its own thing, see:
Working on finding some more Portuguese Fado..
Oh, a storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don’t get some shelter
Oh yeah, I’m gonna fade away
I am extremely lucky to have many interests in this life, and many passions. This fan promo combines two chief passions of mine- Space and Rock and Roll.
This video absolutely captivates me, make sure to grab your headphones and fucking crank the volume. To feel the rumbling of a Saturn V rocket during lift off is incredible. I’m fascinated by the woman at the 1:07 mark.
Her facial expressions and body language make it very clear she is physically overwhelmed by the dangers and wonders of science and exploration.
This whole video is just moment after moment of chills for me- all to the glorious soundtracks of a sweating screaming Rolling Stones soundtrack. I’ve also been fascinated by the ambiguous crackling sounds of radio chatter, probably from growing up with a police scanner in my house.
To see John Glenn look up with uncertain bravery as we hear fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter crackle over the radio: “GOD SPEED, JOHN GLENN” *BOOM*
As my friend once wrote:
Say what you will about the ugliness of military recruitment and the unapologetic machismo of the high-and-tight types, but the pure decibel load and extra-natural majesty of a space launch’s physics never fail to, as he puts it, “Transcend the body politic and rouse [his] inner suspicion that man is God.”
Well said, Cornelius.
The Bear Jew.
“Whatd’ja get that fah? Killin’ Jews?”
“Bravery.”
*WHACK!*
I want you…
I have waited with a glacier’s patience
smashed every transformer with every trailer
till nothing was standing
sixty-five miles wide
still, you are nowhere
still, you are nowhere
nowhere in sight
Can’t get this song out of my head.
Its the centerpiece for a new Alternative-country mix I’m working on. Stay tuned.
…Alright, one more.
All The Wine – The National
“This is the sound of a nation breaking at the seams.” – Unknown
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Vietnam lately. Also, completely out of character for me, I’ve been playing Spec Ops: The Line, a super gritty realistic modern military shooter praised for its in depth story about the reality of war- not the glory. The game, about a rogue US Army combat unit, uses this song on its title screen played over an inverted American flag torn and shredded.
Going back to 1968ish, From I’m always reminded of one of the most iconic scene in film history, music (and Vietnam) are at its heart
But Hendrix’s rendition of The Star Spangled Banner in 1968 at Woodstock takes my breath away every single time. Hendrix could make a guitar speak, but it turns out not only in English.
During the course of his performance, many things have been heard by many people. The aggregate suffering and confusion of a generation. Machine gun fire, crying, wailing, bombs dropping, mud, mania, the jungle, Vietnam.
Like the quote so aptly says at the top of the page “This is the sound of a nation tearing itself apart at the seams.
The audience too seems to have appreciated the moment. As Hendrix starts playing, many cheers, some genuine, some sarcastic go up in the air. Jimi extends an arm and acknowledges the crowd which amps them up more. And then the song takes a turn.
At Jimi’s first major departure from the sacred melody begins, the audience is completely silent, and although the camera is not trained on them, I imagine transfixed. The air is gone from the field, we focus on Hendrix’s mastery with pinhole pupils.
The sounds are alien, foreign, threatening. No one could ever imagine one guitar and a fuzzbox were capable of such noises. He plays with his eyes closed, enveloped in the music. His hands glide over the fretboard in familiar ways, making unfamiliar sounds. He violently bends strings, and aggressively bends his whammy bar in a static fueled haze that continues to echo through feedback and time.
The bass drum in the background sounds like a heart palpitation as melodies rise and fall. As guitar strings crash over loud pickups- and we hear wailing, pleadings of “NO! NO!” and a sharp bomb whistle.
“The rocket’s red glare” refrain remains intact as an aural sign post, letting us know where we are and what to expect. It’s one of my favorite moments.
But my key, key moment is the final verse “The land of the free” *meteoric crash of fuzz and loud noises* “And the home of the brave”. And then he has the absolute wherewithal to use the final crashing sounds and discordant sounds into a jumping board for Purple Haze.
There’s no information I could find to support that Jimi Hendrix had practiced this vision and planned this loaded political art statement, or if it was a completely unrehearsed spontaneous improvisation. Either way it worked out, thank god the tapes were rolling to capture this for the ages.
I’ve had some amazing luck in my time. I rarely turn down a chance to see a concert of any band I’ve even remotely interested in. I think I’m making up for having missed so many past great concerts. I can walk through the lobby of The Rialto without weeping at all the autographed show posters of the amazing acts that have crossed through Tucson.
Here’s a list (in no order of significance, mind you) of some of the most amazing and memorable music moments I had the chance, honor and privilege, something through just pure dumb luck, to have seen.
1. No One Was Like Vermeer – Jonathan Richman
Last fall, I’m already stoked to see legendary Alternative Country maestros Wilco coming to Tucson, then I read that JONATHAN RICHMAN is the ‘opener’. I’ve been fascinated my Richman since high school. I was introduced to him through the movie Something About Mary.
Most people I talk to have no idea who he is, having seen the movie or not. Perhaps I would be the same if I hadn’t studied that movie like it was a documentary. Try to refresh your memory here, here and here… and here.
Richman absolutely amazed me live. Hi stage personality and charisma were mesmerizing. His gentle teasing of the audience and unique speakign style put me under a spell. More so, his playing style appeared effortless on the stage, but I know his hand work is extremely difficult to replicate. It was the little nuances that got me. Like the way he held him guitar almost above his shoulder during solos.
Likewise, his song choices were spectacular. I had never heard Vermeer until that night. It sends chills down my spine now. The dark and moody lyrics match the namesake’s art style perfectly. And during the drum interludes, Tommy Larkins (Tucson native) sounds like Thor, the Thunder God pounding out a rumbling, rolling rhythm.
Jonathan Richman was so phenomenal that night, he received a standing ovation that could only be quelled by an encore. Something even he noted on stage “is not something that openers usually do”.
2. Upward Over the Mountain – Iron & Wine
Unfortunately, I have not seen Sam Beam live. But I did share an especially poignant moment by myself one afternoon that did involve a literal mountain. The lead up and context for this story would take too long, and might actually cheapen the moment. So I will save that for myself. But this song was at the heart of it all.
3. Corona – Calexico
This band alone has shaped so much about my musical attitudes and tastes over the past 2-3 years. A last minute decision to see this band at a tiny venue on 4th Ave made all the difference.
Seeing this song played live, only one person deep from the stage was a life affirming moment. The energy, the romping and whooping of live music were on full stage here. This video does a remarkable job of catching it all, and I share it whenever I can.
4. Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta
See: Mambo Mexico and Tracionera
One of my most fortunate surprises from live shows. At that same Calexico show at Plush, I was introduced to not only DePedro, who came all the way from Spain for this show, but also Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta. I never thought I’d say I was a fan of mambo, but latin music played live changes a lot of things.
Then add in Brian Lopez on guest guitar and Salvador Duran on vocals, and the rest is absolutely pure gold. These guys travel regularly with Calexico for good reason, and the fact that Sergio is now a regular contributor makes me proud to say I saw this band back when. They’re going somewhere.
5. Mr. November – The National
Just skip to 0:41. Never mind the bollocks.
Powerful song, powerful emotion by The National’s front man. The video explains it all. Down to him passing through the throngs of the audience and into the hall with unchained desire for music.
6. Kilojoules – Freelance Whales
Video from the actual show! When an obscure hipster-esque band travels cross country to your back door, and they open with your favorite song, sounding almost like a chip tune soundtrack from your Gameboy, words don’t do the anticipation and eventual pay off justice.
7. Transatlanticism- Death Cab For Cutie
The last song of the encore of an incredible dream show. The girl in front of me who had been jumping and screaming the entire time stood perfectly still, tears flowing freely down her face. This powerful song meant something profound to her.
I didn’t dare ask why and cheapen the moment. I have no idea who she was, or what experience from this song brought on such a strong emotional moment. And I never want to know. Some things are best left a mystery.
8.Pride of AZ – All Soul’s Procession
More actual video from the actual moment. Another day at another Calexico concert. The All Soul’s is a spiritual Tucson tradition as a manifestation of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos. While I found this horrible macabre and off putting for so long, seeing this labor of love is unreal. Suddenly, the University of Arizona marching band, who is also superb passed by in formation and in full skull make up for the festivities.
Hearing this fight song that I’ve help sacred since my childhood played 5 feet from me to honor the dead still leaves me breathless. Pardon the shitty video camera work, had I known I would have witnessed this, I would have prepared.
9. LOVE
This will be the closest any of us will ever come to seeing The Beatles live. I waited for months after this album was released to see it live.
I am in fact a Beatles scholar. The music is nothing short of miraculous and candy for the ears. All production was supervised and handled by the original Beatles producer, Sir George Martin and assisted his son. I can remember the moment I heard the guitar from Get Back over laid with the drums from The End (heavily implying this album picks up where Abbey Road left off) and it absolutely floored me. Musical moments and hodgepodges like this make up the ENTIRE FUCKING ALBUM.
Hearing Ringo sing Octopus’s Garden to the tune of The White album’s Goodnight, knowing the master himself reconfigured the master tapes puts me into a dumbfounded stupor. Timeless music made somehow even better. Buy this album immediately.
10. Boss DJ – Long Beach Short Bus
This song may be the most perfect acoustic song ever. Simple, accessible and sincere. I’ve played this song a million times. Sublime may be the greatest band that died before their peak. The potential is so great, it hurts to think of what might have been.
The remnants of the band play with friends and tour sporadically through rotating line ups…first as The Long Beach Dub All Stars and then Long Beach Shortbus, and sometimes even with this little shithead named ‘Rome’. RAS1, Eric Wilson and some drummer stopped through Tucson at The Hut. While the drummer beat his heart out, he also broke a snare drum. While waiting for a replacement from the van, RAS1 played this as an acoustic sing along, and the entire bar knew every word on a hot and humid July day. Guess I’m not the only one with impeccable tastes.
Grandma, take me home. Grandma take me home.
Grandma, take me home. Grandma take me home.
I despise children. But video knocks me for a fucking loop every time. The lyrics are painfully honest and accurate. I feel like I can peer into the mind of confused toddler asking where his mother is.
The words pierce through me like a knife.
Mom and dad went to a show
They dropped me off at Grandpa Joe’s
I kicked and screamed, said please don’t go
Grandma take me home
Had to eat my dinner there
Mashed potatoes and stuff like that
I couldn’t chew my meat too good
She said, well, don’t you start your crying
Go outside and ride your bike
That’s what I did, I killed a toad
After dinner, I had ice cream
I fell asleep and watched TV
I woke up in my mother’s arms
Grandma take me home
I wanna be alone
Maybe because I hate thinking of my childhood. I hate thinking of myself as a child. I’ve done a lot to distance myself from my childhood. But video challenges all that.
This video makes it all too clear that at one time- ALL OF US were nothing more than screaming, crying, pain in the ass children. I may hate all of these facts, but the emotions that get stirred up are incredible.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I’d expect as much from you.
That ’59 Sound. With a an album name like this, how can it not grab your attention? I found this album through providence at my local record store (a few still exist) on a side end display, mixed in with numerous other albums that I approve of tremendously. But something about That ’59 Sound just stuck in my head.
Heading home, the tracklist obviously was referencing and alluring to vivid imagery of the past…
Here’s Looking At You, Kid, Film Noir, Miles Davis & The Cool. I was blown away. But not as blown away until I listened and re-listened to the aptly named Great Expectations.
The softest of guitar intros explodes in your face with lyrics proclaiming: “Mary, this station is playing every sad song.
I remember like we were alive.”
The lyrics floor me on a deeply personal level, over and over and over. The first line specifically of the chorus.
“I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.”
In one simple sentence, the author sets an incredible stage. With this line, he establishes he’s been through some shit in his life, with the scars to prove it. He was married- and at least once. He’s still not over her, he’s tormented by her memory, god or bad. To the point where his own sub conscious won’t lose its grip on the memory of her. Perhaps because I too often have troubled dreams I feel I’ve been in this perspective too.
I think about this line often. Coupling it with the context of Great Expectations (the movie), it absolutely haunts me. That movie left a deep impression on my younger self, though I don’t seem to remember much from it other than some plot points and the crucial line “If what we had was not real love, then I can’t handle the real thing.”
So with 5 simple word, the band has set an incredible stage and draped against a tragic back story In 5 words. Bravo, Gaslight Anthem.
I Crave That Sound 
