March 6th was a tough day. The world also lost Alvin Lee, guitarist, leader and singer of Ten Years After. This band is one of those bands that etched a big place in the soundtrack of my life, this song in particular. “I’d Love To Change The World“. It has a short interview at the beginning and gets cut off at the end, Oh well.
The band hit its stride at Woodstock, and contributed to the idealism of the 60’s and early 70’s. Terrific player, great band, he will be missed, Alvin Lee, dead at 69.
English: David Byrne playing at Austin City Limits 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I heard this on Later with Jools Holland the a while back. I needed to put this up. First, I know it is the Talking Heads who did this, but hey, it is David Byrne. Second, it proves he is still around, at least in 2004 and third, what a great song.
Southern rockers Marshall Tucker Band in concert (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
August 4, 2012 saw the passing of guitar player Stuart Swanlund. He was 54. Stuart played guitar with the Marshall Tucker Band from 1983 until his passing. The band’s heyday was the 1970’s, but he was a great addition to the later version of the band. Here is the band playing Walk Outside The Line.
English: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in concert (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Quickly becoming one my favourites, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals cook. Great rock/blues voice that can also sing a mean ballad, all backed up by a great band. This video is the band live at Bryant Park in NYC and involves 2 songs, “Paris (Ooh La La)”, a great rocker followed by “Medicine” a good time, old-time song. When you hit 8 minutes, they do something I have never seen before. If you like Heart or Joan Jett, you’ll like this band, a lot. I’m not sure, but I think El Guapo introduced me to this group, can’t remember, but if he did, kudos. If not, pretend.
With this post, we have now covered the first 150 songs on this list I discovered. Only 350 to go, blogger gold. This set has some drinking songs and lots of rock and roll, some classic, some newer and some that raises hackles on some people. Enjoy.
This one is for Hotspur. It isn’t pissing rainbows, but it is purple. One of the great drinking songs, done by the Irish Rovers in 1967, it reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Glen Campbell played guitar on the original. I think most people can sing at least a little of this one.
Rush, one of the greatest bands ever. 2112 is not a song, but one side of an album, broken into 7 pieces. The total length is 20:33. One of the best albums of all time. The video here is a live 6 minute piece of the song, taped in 1976.
A little more recent is Treble Charger’s song, American Psycho. Recorded in 2000 on their album “Wide Awake Bored“, it reached number 4 on Billboard’s Canadian Alt chart.
English: Canadian hard rock band Helix in concert at the Friendship Festival in Fort Erie. From left to right, Rick VanDyk, Brian Vollmer, Brent Niemi, Jim Lawson, Paul Fonseca (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Helix was popular in the late 70’s to the mid 80’s. Their sound was definitely heavy rock, a classic 80’s style.
“Jets Overhead, from left to right, Jocelyn Greenwood, Luke Renshaw, Antonia Freybe-Smith, Piers Henwood, and Adam Kittredge” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kind of an interesting tune, and a good video.
Jets Overhead are a Victoria, BC, Canada band formed in 2003, who play an alt-rock style. Boredom and Joy is their 3rd album to go along with 2 EP’s.
Singer Songwriter Ryan Adams is from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Do not confuse Ryan Adams with Bryan Adams of Jacksonville, North Carolina with Jacksonville, Florida. The song here, “Chains of Love, is off his 2011 album, Ashes & Fire. A well written and performed song. If you would like more on Ryan, please hit these links
These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year. It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning its move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs. About time I’d say. I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc. The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.
I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1. In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012. I hope you enjoy.
The Echo Friendly – Same Mistakes
Haunting melody, interesting harmonies, good video. This one snuck up on me and really grew on me.
I suggest 2 things, in either order. Close your eyes and listen to the lyrics and let the sound wash through you, then open them and watch the video. Great song and message.
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Mo Kenney – Sucker
This video is a duet with a favourite of mine, Joel Plaskett. He produced her album as well. Beautiful song.
I don’t think Phil Spector was thinking banjos when he went with the wall of sound, but it works. And live, incredible. Singing lead, playing guitar and hitting the drum pedal.
I am an unabashed John Mayer fan. His consistency is amazing. Great player as well.
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Phillip Phillips – Home
When I first heard this song on Idol as the required song in the final, I knew there was no way he would lose. For the first time in American Idol history, the chosen first single for the winner was a perfect match. I also did something I had never done for an Idol artist, I bought the song.
Jake Bugg is today’s featured artist and the song is “Two Fingers”. Jake hails from Nottingham, UK. The astounding fact, 18, yes 18. Catch this tune and tell me that this not a great song. Looking forward to more.
