This counts as “news fit to print?” Ha! I bet the first question he really gets when he says he’s the singer for Foreigner is, “You don’t look like Lou Gramm!”
what is his last acknowledged “best” album, anyhow?
Scary Monsters, although I still believe that Heathen is the one latter-day Bowie album that comes closest to the same caliber as the ’70s-era albums. I only listened to this new one once, though, and look forward to digging into it more in the coming weeks/months.
A-level mike handling by Lou there at the very beginning but especially at 2:34 where he attempts something and fumbles it pulling back. He looks not the least bit surprised that the move fails but he gets that mike back on the stand with the intense focus that the extremely wasted spend on simple tasks of manual dexterity.
If you like 70’s-80’s old-soul/R & B with an electronica accompaniment, go to see this guy. Full band of excellent musicians, plus Toro at the front on keyboards. Slow jams and some good ol’ dance music for good measure – Chillwave, in the new parlance. The crowd was probably the most diverse I’ve experienced in quite a while (age, race, gender preference, hat choice, facial hair, etc), and the entire venue was dancing to the last 3 songs. He has a very pleasant voice and seemed to enjoy playing and interacting with the crowd. Toro (nee Chazwick Bundick) has recently moved to the Bay Area so I’m hoping to see more shows by him and his band. But if he comes to you part of the world, I would highly recommend seeing him.
His performance was part of SF’s Noise Pop Festival, and Mr. Royale and I try to go see at least one show from the festival each year. Several bands get crammed into the line up, and last night’s were all good. They did reinforce that The 80’s Are Alive And Kicking and that African American gents are doing more than shouting about bling and broads.
– James and Evander: local duo, keyboards plus guitar. Good facial hair and hat wear, plus 80’s Tears For Fears sound.
– Dogbite – Aztec Camera, Moose and Cocteau Twins driven by a dude with the longest dreads I’ve seen in ages.
– Sinkane – Polyrhythmic Afro-Beat/Funk with Psychedelia thrown in. Amazing musicianship. I was entranced. We bought their cd, “Mars” and I”m hoping the production is as good as the live show. Extra points for the trilby.
I’m not a big REM fan but I like some of their early stuff well enough. But I think that Losing My Religion is a pretty decent song that got weighted down by the horrendously pretentious video that accompanied it. Is there something about it in particular that bugs you or don’t you just not like it?
The video, yes, the video is unspeakably pretentious but in that it is a good match for the song. Still, I think what sends me over the edge is the plinka-plinka of the mandolin. Dear God, make it stop.
Did anybody else see this in the NYT about the “rock star” lead singer of Foreigner’s travel habits?
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/business/even-a-rock-star-has-to-be-careful.html?_r=0
Kelly Hansen? Seeing Foreigner is one tick up from a tribute band these days.
This counts as “news fit to print?” Ha! I bet the first question he really gets when he says he’s the singer for Foreigner is, “You don’t look like Lou Gramm!”
New Bowie album streaming here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPXXTBNX5Ms
I’m curious to hear whether it’s his best since…what is his last acknowledged “best” album, anyhow?
Scary Monsters, although I still believe that Heathen is the one latter-day Bowie album that comes closest to the same caliber as the ’70s-era albums. I only listened to this new one once, though, and look forward to digging into it more in the coming weeks/months.
Heathen is pretty darned good. It’s certainly much better than I thought it would be, but I’d like a few more crunchy guitars.
Jonathan Richman is one of my favorite musicians to see live.
A funny Billy Joel story (stay with it for a tad):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/binky-philips/billy-joel-shoots-a-video_b_2791315.html
I’m with Mod. It must have been a slow business news day for that stellar article to be printed.
I wonder if the iguana wears a scarf, too.
Lou Reed’s birthday:
http://dangerousminds.net/comments/its_lou_reeds_birthday_so_check_out_this_amazing_live_performance_from_1973
A-level mike handling by Lou there at the very beginning but especially at 2:34 where he attempts something and fumbles it pulling back. He looks not the least bit surprised that the move fails but he gets that mike back on the stand with the intense focus that the extremely wasted spend on simple tasks of manual dexterity.
I just started watching this. It’s off to a good start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8h19oF8GKuQ
Following up on cherguevarra’s request, I thought I’d do a quick review of last night’s show by this guy: https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/sound-off-8
If you like 70’s-80’s old-soul/R & B with an electronica accompaniment, go to see this guy. Full band of excellent musicians, plus Toro at the front on keyboards. Slow jams and some good ol’ dance music for good measure – Chillwave, in the new parlance. The crowd was probably the most diverse I’ve experienced in quite a while (age, race, gender preference, hat choice, facial hair, etc), and the entire venue was dancing to the last 3 songs. He has a very pleasant voice and seemed to enjoy playing and interacting with the crowd. Toro (nee Chazwick Bundick) has recently moved to the Bay Area so I’m hoping to see more shows by him and his band. But if he comes to you part of the world, I would highly recommend seeing him.
His performance was part of SF’s Noise Pop Festival, and Mr. Royale and I try to go see at least one show from the festival each year. Several bands get crammed into the line up, and last night’s were all good. They did reinforce that The 80’s Are Alive And Kicking and that African American gents are doing more than shouting about bling and broads.
– James and Evander: local duo, keyboards plus guitar. Good facial hair and hat wear, plus 80’s Tears For Fears sound.
– Dogbite – Aztec Camera, Moose and Cocteau Twins driven by a dude with the longest dreads I’ve seen in ages.
– Sinkane – Polyrhythmic Afro-Beat/Funk with Psychedelia thrown in. Amazing musicianship. I was entranced. We bought their cd, “Mars” and I”m hoping the production is as good as the live show. Extra points for the trilby.
“Losing My Religion” transposed into a major key. Well, it’s certainly no worse, since such a thing would be impossible.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/01/22/losing_my_religion_in_a_major_key_hear_the_rem_song_major_scaled_video.html
It’s Toad the Wet Sprocket!
Not every outfit is a winner:
https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/529858_499945750061575_1135444313_n.jpg
I’m not a big REM fan but I like some of their early stuff well enough. But I think that Losing My Religion is a pretty decent song that got weighted down by the horrendously pretentious video that accompanied it. Is there something about it in particular that bugs you or don’t you just not like it?
When was the last time you saw him? I’ll bet I haven’t seen him live in at least 15 years? Maybe at the Middle East?
The video, yes, the video is unspeakably pretentious but in that it is a good match for the song. Still, I think what sends me over the edge is the plinka-plinka of the mandolin. Dear God, make it stop.
What were the odds of my iPod randomly shuffling from a Blur song to Tom Verlaine’s “Mr. Blur”?