Under The Radar

Yesterday I listened to some groups that never quite made it big. I never understood why they never received the recognition they should have, but being in the business, it could have been a number of things...poor management, poor record company, no budget to market them, etc. Two groups come to mind: Batdorf & Rodney and Brethren. I believe the Batdorf and Rodney cd is available online. Both of these albums are self-titled, but Brethren is not available as a cd. You might be able to find a vinyl copy somewhere. I became aware of Brethre from concerts I used to see at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. At that time of my life, my family moved to Orangeburg in Rockland County, NY. I was a junior in high school and there was absolutely nothing to do. We moved into a brand new development and we were one of the first families to move in. I made friends with a guy my age and another a year younger. Thankfully, we all loved music, so we decided to take a critical departure in our lives. Every Friday or Saturday evening, we used to walk a couple of miles to the local restaurant, where we had hot chocolate and an english muffin or some other crap like that. Sounds exciting, no? We wanted to hand out with some girls, but we were sent to a high school in Pearl River, miles away from where we lived, and not to the local high school, where they claimed they were already overcrowded. Pearl River High School was like a neo-nazi academy for this Jewish kid from the Bronx and Yonkers...but that's an entirely different story. Anyway, we all decided that the closest concert venue to us, even though it was over the Tappan Zee Bridge was in Port Chester, NY. We asked our fathers if they would drive us to the concerts each week and then the 3 of us pooled our money together and we took a taxi back home. Now you may not believe this but tickets for each concert, and we went pretty much every week, was around $5.50 a ticket and we got to usually see 3 bands in a show, 2 at the very least. The taxi back from Westchester to Rockland County was a flat rate of $15. So with tip, etc., we each ponied up approximately $12 each for everything. I got to see so many acts at this venue, starting with the Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour. Just to name a few of the $5.50 bands, we saw everyone from Steppenwolf to The Byrds to King Crimson to Traffic and the list goes on and on and on. As a matter of fact, my cousin Jason, who I wrote about in a previous blog, called me up one day and said: "listen, tell your friends to go with you to ticketron and get tickets to the Derek and the Dominoes concert coming to the Capitol Theater in Port Chester. I remember laughing when he mentioned the name and I said, who are they? He said: This is Eric Clapton's new band and they are doing these shows without any prior hype or announcement. So I told my friends, and they laughted too...but nonetheless, they knew Jason wouldn't joke, so we got tickets and saw Clapton's new band...and all I can say is this...when he did Layla and Have You Ever Loved a Woman, I didn't pick up my guitar for fun for a few months. I was giving private lessons weekly, but I refused to play in a band during those months because I witnessed Clapton play the blues and hold a note for so long, that it took my breath away! I think that note is still ringing somewhere. Anyway, Brethren was an opening act for many of the headliners. They were a superb band. They had two albums out on Tiffany Records. As I said, the first one, which was just called Brethren was great. Every song grew on you with each listen. The genre was rock, but they had a unique almost gospel type thing going on, but not really gospel...you would have to hear it. As a note of interest, Dr. John is on this first album as a guest artist, but the sound is not akin to Dr. John. They never made it big, and soon after their second album they called it quits. Batdorf & Rodney were two guys who played in a Crosby Stills & Nash kind of groove. Their songs were tremendous...truly. John Batdorf still records to this day and he has excellent product online. But the gem is their self-titled called Batdorf & Rodney. John Batdorf did most of the writing, and I guess like Paul Simon, just didn't want to share the limelight, since he was the main writer. Again, each and every song is wonderful...great...they grow on you each listen. And if you are a fan of great songs, great harmony, nice production, then grab this before it goes out of print. I have so many bands to turn you onto that have flown under the radar for one reason or another, and from time to time I will do this. Blogging not only gives one the license to whine and complain, but it also gives me the opportunity to provide great listening experiences and once again, open up your ears. And I welcome anyone who reads this and ventures out there to try some of my suggestions, to post a response. I'm curious what you think. The news reports are that the swine flu has kind of peaked for the time being, but they all think after the holidays, it will spike. So get your H1N1 flu shot as well as the regular flu shot...especially if you are in a high risk group...of course the choice is up to you. I had my swine flu vaccine last week...I went and got a ham sandwich right after it...I wonder if this is a side effect?

Current music with a throwback feel

If you read my blogs, you will notice that I will be suggesting music from the sixties, seventies, and possibly a smattering over the next few decades. Recently two artists come to mind that you might find interesting. First, there is Kristina Train, a 27 year old who sounds like Dusty Springfield. Dusty was a singer from the sixties who had a very sultry voice. She was truly fabulous. Kristina has a very similar vibe and has great songs on her debut album. Another great album released recently, which is becoming one of my favorites is by a group called the Avett Brothers. They are a three piece band from North Carolina, I think. They are not new, as they have been making cd's for quite some time, but they hit their stride on their latest cd called "I and Love and You." Produced by recording producer guru Rick Rubins, the production is sparse and very simple, as are their songs and lyrics. However, they acheive a freshness to their sound while at the same time sounding a bit familiar. They also blend instruments together that would be more akin to a bluegrass album. For example, you will have plucked banjo accompanied with acoustic guitar, giving a bluegrass vibe, but not really...this is hard to categorize. They have elements of singer/songwriter material, but occassionally throw in a "punk" groove here and there. It is not punk by any stretch of the imagination. It is more in the way of their song presentation. You would have to listen to hear what I am trying to describe. You can check out bits and pieces on amazon.com or itunes. When I listened to these artists it reminded me of when I was a little kid searching the radio airwaves for the next cool group or artist. I shared a bedroom with my sister in Yonkers, and I remember having a very tiny transistor radio that broadcast am and fm stations. We didn't have stereo headphones back then, so I had a tiny ear phone for one ear. I would sneak it under the covers at night with a flashlight searching for WNEW fm and spent hours listening to their late night shows. This occurred on many a school night, so needless to say, I was not very awake during elementary school. I looked forward to three things back then. First, my nightly radio listen; Second, my weekly guitar lesson and Third, getting my tuna sandwich for lunch from the Roosevelt Deli. My elementary school was set back behind rows of department stores and little restaurants and they used to let us out for lunch, or we could stay at the school. I usually went by myself to indulge in my tuna sandwich. I have been searching for over fourty years for tuna like this...I cannot explain what the hell they did to make it taste so good, but it was all I ate for my duration in elementary school. If my mother felt generous she gave me an extra dollar which entitled me to a side of french fries...they made the kind that Nathan's sells...the crispy and cringly kind...yummy....(was that gay?). Anyway, check those two cd's out. Now, one more thing, just in case I forget. With the holidays coming, if you are having family and friends over, and you want to get away from the usual holiday cd's, check out the Windham Hill cd's. There is one called "Thanksgiving" which is great, and a variety of some called "Winter Solstice". These are mellow and beautiful and add great warmth and feel for background music. Also, another favorite of mine is Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." This is great too. I have so many cd's I just can't remember all of them, but I believe the Windham Hill Winter Solstice has some sort of compilation bringing the best of their Wintery type music. Windham Hill by the way was a label set up many years ago by a solo guitarist, who recorded beautiful music from a variety of artists through the years. There are many great cd's from them, but start with some of these holiday treats. If you like solo piano, try George Winston's "December". It's Sunday so I have to get my bagels, whitefish salad and lox. I've been doing this since I'm a kid. I think it is a Jewish thing. Being Jewish, a funny thing happened to me the other day. I got a turkey hero and was driving home with it. I felt a little dizzy and had to eat...I have diabetes and I felt my blood sugar dropping. So I pulled into a local synagogue and went to the far end of their parking lot. I ate my sandwich, which took all of ten minutes and then left to head home. As I was pulling out of the temple parking lot, a police car was pulling in. I noticed the cop stare at me as I went along my merry way. A minute later, two cop cars were following me. One pulled out and screached to a hault in front of me, blocking my way, and the cop that saw me in the parking lot was behind me. He got out of his car with a hand on his holster housing his gun. I was like "What the fuck is this all about?" He approached my window and I said "Hey Officer, what's up?" He said, can I see your license and I'll tell you in a minute. So I gave it to him. He then inquired why I was in the temple parking lot. I told him I was eating lunch and didn't want to drive and eat. The other cop got of his car and came over and they both said the temple reported me in their parking lot and that I looked suspicious. One cop, after seeing I was totally innocent, and Jewish to boot (my nose is a dead giveaway), he commented on what a different world it is we live in. They let me go and I didn't know if I should be pissed or thankful that people are vigilant these days. I think I was a little of both. After all it is an insane world. So, fill the insanity with some great music and great food, and you are there!!!

The Women That Made A Difference

I thought I was finished for today, but some thoughts just popped into my head. First, my daughter informed me that Lady Ga Ga is actually spelled Lady Gaga. Of course!!! What an idiot I am...this is what happens when you really don't give a shit about the artist...it is the small attention to detail...but this makes sense, doesn't it...because the first three letters spell the word "gag"...which is what I do when I listen or see her...thank you daughter...
Now, as we all know there are women in music who have made a mark and made a difference. We can go back all the way back to the blues through jazz and rock and list many artists. But today I want to mention just a couple, and for good reason. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, has a board that votes on their inductees every year. Each and every one of those board members should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for not inducting Laura Nyro or Joni Mitchell. I mean, talk about ignorant! Laura and Joni were brilliant songwriters and artists. Laura had many of her songs covered in the 60's by The 5th Dimension and Barbra Streisand to name a few, but as an artist on her own, nobody comes close. There have been artists over the years that have tried to emulate her, but uh uh...no good...keep trying. Laura Nyro, or Nigro, was born and raised in the Bronx. Her very first album called First Songs is a genuine masterpiece and a primmer on how to write gorgeous songs with gorgeous melodies. Joni's first album, Ladies of the Canyon is also in a class by itself. Accompanied by guitar or piano with a very sparse arrangement, allows Joni's craftsmanship to shine through. So, if I ever get lucky and some board member from the Hall reads this, then let me say WAKE THE FUCK UP...YOU PUT IN THE CLASH OVER THESE TWO UNBELIEVABLE WOMEN? YOU ARE ALL OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MINDS. Needless to say there are tons of female artists that made a difference. Just to name a few, in addition to Laura and Joni, you have Ruth Brown, Bessie Smith, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Ellie Greenwich, and dozens more. I'm certain there are obvious ones missing. I list them here because I want all of you to listen to these artists. Listen to their contribution. Some of these artists pre-dated television, and they had to live and die by the radio and their 78's or 45's or if they were lucky, their albums. Remember what I have been saying all along...great artists, great songs, survive without all the hoopla. When I was growing up I was all about listening to great songs. To me, it didn't matter if they were bubble gum type songs, pop songs, blues, jazz, etc., if they were great songs to my ears, then I bought the records. I remember when The 5th Dimension had monster hits with Laura Nyro's "Wedding Bell Blues"...and I bet each and every one of you know this song, but most know it from The 5th Dimension's version, not realizing Laura wrote it. And let's take the song "Woodstock." Yes, Crosby Stills Nash & Young kicked ass with that song on their album Deja Vu. However, did you know that Joni Mitchell wrote it. And she was supposed to appear at Woodstock, but never made it over there. Instead, we received a gift from her about that glorious day and time. The energy in the air during the 60's is very hard to put into words, and even harder to make someone appreciate it. But suffice it to say that during that decade, the music scene exploded with creativity and amazing songs and artists. I have always been an advocate for women's rights and would fight anyone to the death on their rights to receive equal pay, treatment, etc. So for me, realizing how the aforementioned women had to try and make it in a "man's world", makes their accomplishments even more profound. And today the struggle continues for women. No question it is a far better world for the ladies then yesteryear, but their fight will continue for quite some time. All I ask is that you give these ladies of music a chance. Listen to their words, their melodies, their plights, etc. When you take the time to listen, and I mean truly listen, you will come to the realization that today, nobody comes close to what Laura and Joni have done. I have heard many comparrisons over the years that Tori Amos and others like her, are musically gifted. And to some extent, they have talent...but again, not like Laura and Joni. I would love to travel to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but I won't set one foot in that door until justice is served on the ladies who deserve it! I must admit, I was also very blessed growing up the way I did for several reasons. First, my mother divorced my father when I was 6 months old. She met a great guy when I was 7 years old and they married. I was already into buying my weekly records on Fordham Road in the Bronx, but my step-father, who I have always called my father, loved music and played everything you can think of. Any given weekend could feature The 4 Seasons and the Herbie Mann and then the Broadway album of West Side Story. This could explain why I have such broad taste as well. In addition, my step-father had a nephew, who was now deemed my cousin Jason, who was my fucking idol. Jason lived with his parents in Pelham in the Bronx, and whenever we went to visit, Jason would play me all the newest groups that nobody ever heard of. Not only did he play them for me, but he could literally make his voice sound like any of the singers on the turntable at the time. Jason played in a blues band where he sang and played harmonica. He was a very special cousin. Since I wasn't a "blood" relation, I offen wondered how I would be accepted. Jason would call my parents and ask them if it was ok to take me into the city, especially the village. He took me all over the place and I saw The Rolling Stones movie "Gimme Shelter" with him. He was absolutely, hands down, the greatest cousin a kid could have. One day my parents told me we were going down to see Jason, as he enlisted in the Navy and was going over to Viet Nam. I didn't understand any of this. There were war protests all over the place, and I always thought of my cousin Jason as a hippie...what was going on? I remember sitting there with the family knowing that Jason was leaving the next day and I cried like a baby in front of everyone. Jason came over to me and took me into his room where I hugged him and kissed him goodbye. Little did I know taht it would be the last time I would see him. When Jason came back from the war, he was a very bad drug addict. He got addicted to heroin over there in the jungle. Not too long after he was home, he overdosed on heroin and my hero was gone from my life forever. As I write these words, the tears are rolling down my cheek...he was just very special to me and my musical education. I'll always remember Jason. Oy Vay, talk about a departure...its amazing what happens when you blog or just write for cathartic reasons...it just goes to show you how much you have up there in your head, just aching to come out. Till next time...

Lady Ga Ga versus Talent

My daughter sent me a text yesterday saying that after she and a few others formed a posse to hammer the online site to attempt to gain tickets for two new shows added for Lady Ga Ga, that they were successful in their efforts and they have 4 tickets for the Sunday night show. When I read this my first thought was I would rather hear that my daughter was a crack whore living in an abandoned building in harlem. I'm just kidding...I would prefer the building to be in the village. Anyway, after listening to how excited she was, I thought to myself maybe I've been too harsh about my comments of Lady Ga Ga. Maybe there is merit there afterall. So I searched out some music clips and videos and came to this conclusion. Nope, I was right...she absolutely sucks! No offense to my daughter, she's entitled to her opinion, but I cannot be swayed on this one. Her success is akin to why we choose Coke over Pepsi. It's all about marketing and hype. No more, no less. Conditioning and brainwashing is where its at in the music business these days, and it has been this way for quite a long time. This is due to the fact that the music, or songs, cannot stand alone on their own merit. So the industry decides it has to sell their acts via videos, magazines, planted stories, ya know, all the bells and whistles. It is a shame, truly, that my daughter's generation and many like her before and currently growing up, are not exposed to music the right way. That is to say that the song is a great song simply because it is true. Let's take a quick journey into the Simon and Garfunkel catalogue. Take a song like Bridge Over Troubled Water. This song is mostly piano and vocals until near the end of the song. It is an exercise in brilliance as far as a song goes. It stands alone with Art's beautiful voice accompanied by a simple piano backup, and that's it. A great song is also timeless. I hope that nobody is listening to Ga Ga years from now, and perhaps as the saying goes, history will repeat itself and better artists, more talented writers, etc., will find their way to the forefront of the music business and its listeners. The other thing about great songs are that they sometimes even befuddle the writer. I can only site an example of the great Paul McCartney song "Yesterday." When he awoke after a night of dreaming about this song, he put the pen to the paper and wrote the song. He was convinced at that time that somewhere in the deep recess of his mind he ripped the song off from someone, or it was a melody that he already heard on the radio or somewhere. He just couldn't place it. So Paul went around playing the song for his mates and friends, asking them if it sounded familiar to them. After all of them said it was not familiar, Paul was convinced that he wrote a hit song. Where did the Beatles talent actually come from? The stars were aligned and that's all there is to it. I do not think something like that will ever happen again. And, this is not to demean the great songwriters from Pete Townshend to James Taylor, it is just that the Beatles were just beyond definition. OK, I'm losing my concentration on this blog...let me get back to what I meant to state. Ever since MTV hit the television, the generations have been sold on more than a song. They have been sold on visuals, whether it was sexy or not. And for the record, I don't mean to single out Lady Ga Ga...she's just the flavor of the year for now. When I write about her, her name is a euphomysim for herself, Britney Spears, and all the other shitty performers, including most rap artists, who parade as serious musicians and performers. Can some of them dance? Yes. Can some of them sing? Not really. Do they have great songs? No. Sorry, but maybe its about time the truth be told. So the masses who disagree can say this is simply my opinion and that I don't speak for everyone. My answer is simply what I wrote in my first blog, I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about what I write...this is in some ways therapeutic for me...it is an excuse to vent my musical frustrations and offer some sound musical choices along the way to anyone interested in expanding their ears for the better. Which brings me to another musical recommendation. And when I make these suggestions, they are random. They are not in any chronological order, it is just perhaps something I might be listening to as I write this blog. And that is exactly what is going on at this minute, the album I am suggesting is the very first self-titled Crosby Stills & Nash. For those of you who need a little musical education, David Crosby came from the one of my favorite bands of all time, The Byrds. Stephen Stills came from Buffalo Springfield. And lastly Graham Nash came from a great band from England, The Hollies. All of these aforementioned groups had amazing hits and great albums as well. The first CS&N album was very special. Again, every song is a winner. However, the coolest thing about this group then, and still going strong, is their amazing ability to harmonize the way they do together. In the same way that Lennon and McCartney had a unique sound together, so did CS&N. I'm listening to the newley remastered 180gm vinyl copy. Yes, there is a warmth to vinyl that cd's were never able to replicate. I of course listen to cd's all the time as well. However, when I am in my home office where my lp's are stored, I listen to vinyl. I wish I had Lady Ga Ga on vinyl...I would use it as a frisbee. So in closing, let me list for you a sample of the top ten things I would do before I would listen to a Lady Ga Ga cd from beginning to end...and yes, it's like a Dave Letterman thing, but here goes:
10. I would boil water and soak my balls in it;
9. I would eat a dozen raw, chopped garlic pieces and down it with sour milk;
8. I would listen to a Brittany Spears song, just one, no more;
7. I would put a screwdriver into my ear and puncture my eardrum;
6. I would light my dogs on fire and watch them cry and burn...not really;
5. I would eat a Subway sandwich every day of the year (WTF, their turkey is like shitty meat, what's up with that?);
4. I would tatoo a picture of George Bush on my chest...uh...maybe not...maybe one of his daughters...no, maybe his father...no, forget it, maybe Dick Cheney;
3. I would turn gay for the year visiting as many gay bars as I could, and then force myself to be on the bottom during any sexual encounter;
2. I would jump off any nearby bridge dressed in nothing but women's lingerie, so as to embarass my family when they find my body;
1. I would throw myself into a pre-heated oven for about ten minutes...burning myself from head to toe and then experiencing pain from the scars for the rest of my life!

Do these seem extreme? You know, I really wouldn't do any of these, except maybe number 5. I mean, eating a Subway sandwich is not all that bad...

OK, so pick up CS&N, the self-titled album, and for those interested in getting turned onto jazz, get Miles Davis album "Kind of Blue." This should be in every jazz collector's bin.

How The Addiction Started

I think a backstory is in order. I am obssessed with music. I do not drink alcohol, smoke pot, take drugs (well, I do take pain killers), gamble, shop for clothes (except when I need to), or any other vice you can think of. I do however purchase music weekly. It all started when I was around 6 years old. I grew up in the Bronx and Yonkers. During those early years I would go with my mother to work on Saturday mornings. She worked off Fordham Road with my grandmother, aunt and cousin. My grandmother was quite the entrepreneur for those days. And man was she making money. She opened up an electrolysis service, which if you don't know, is a place where women and men go to remove unwanted hair. Yeah, not the most sexy job you can have, but it did unbelievable business. My grandmother gave me a little room where I could play with my army men and be kept out of sight for the morning and afternoon. However, around lunchtime, my grandmother would come into my room, hand me $5 and tell me to walk across the street to the record store and buy two albums. Two albums for $5...you can't buy $5 with $5 today! Yesterday I wrote how The Beatles changed my life, and they did, but at that time of my life, I was obssessed with Elvis Presley. Everyone was. He and Buddy Holly were like the only white guys playing what used to be termed "black music" or as we like to call it, rock and roll. So week after week, I would go and buy Elvis records. This became an addiction and as the years rolled along, I kept the habit up. Even to this day, I get music weekly. When money is tight, I don't buy as much, but I continue the addiction and absolutely love it. When things go good in my life, I celebrate by buying music. When my birthday rolls around, I tell my kids to buy me music. That's it...that's my vice...what can I say? I love having a large collection of the most eclectic music you can imagine. I was playing a cd the other day of blaxploitation music from England...I mean, who has this sort of cd? I laugh sometimes when I play music thinking about things like that, and sometimes I cry over the beauty of the music and/or lyrics and sometimes I rejoice in the energy and sometimes I put something on and take it off immediately because I thought I was in the mood, but turns out I wasn't. And again, I'm not looking for converts out there. I cannot change the younger generation that has been brainwashed over the years with all the music videos, etc. All I want to do is open up your ears a little bit and try to suggest music to make your day, your life...and possibly your obssession as well. I have to go get my H1N1 shot...to be continued...oh, one more story from the Bronx...in these days when we are all too consumed, and rightfully so, with keeping a nearby bottle of purell to wipe off the germs, I cannot help but think of the days when I lived in the Bronx, and at 6 years old, my mother would send me around the corner to the pickle guy to buy some pickles. I would give him the money, tell him what I wanted, and this fat guy wearing an apron, would go outside the store to the wooden pickle barrel, filled to the top with pickles and spices, and he would reach in bare hand and hairy arms, and grab the pickles I needed to bring home. I mean, shit, can you imagine someone doing that today? And yet, nobody thought twice about it back then...yeah Dylan was oh so right...The Times They Are A Changing...

Expanding My Thoughts

OK, so I did my first blog...and I'm thinking, perhaps I should vent, etc., about the industries and people I have worked with as well. I will not use real names, but I have many stories to tell about athletes, classic rock acts, etc. Some good, some bad...so as I go on this journey, I'll make an effort to spew some fun things for all to read...but the emphasis is still going to be about music. Let's talk about rap music for a second. I first heard rap when I was a personal manager in the music business, a million and one years ago. When I first heard it, my knee jerk reaction was that it was that year's disco...it would be around a little but fade over time. Shit, I was very wrong...however, it is still shitty music, if you want to call it that. And is it me? Every fucking rap artist sounds exactly the same. Now, I'm also a musician...a great guitar player, even if I do say so myself. I have great ears, and actually discovered the artist that wrote the two number one hits from Dirty Dancing. Although that story in and of itself is my own cautionary tale, it is for another day. The purpose behind this new blog is simply to ask again, as it pertains to rap music, just what the fuck are you listening to? Yeah, I heard all the bullshit before...it is about socail commentary, blah, blah, blah...fuck that...the music blows and blows big time. There are rarely any melodies and I swear, the rappers must all go to the same music school because they all sound the same each and every time. And mainstream rockers try being cool by accepting them onto their recordings, concerts, etc. Ya know what, all it does is make the rockers seem like shitheads! I have always tried to listen to music very objectively, but these days it is way too difficult. I remember years ago, while a student at NYU, I took a bullshit course about the history of jazz. I happen to love jazz, so for me it was not a bullshit class, but let's face it...in reality it was a bullshit class. So the professor puts on some avant garde shit...I mean, really atonal music...it had me jumping out of my seat. I actually raised my hand in class and said: "What is that shit you put on?" The professor laughed and said, remember they laughed at Dizzie Gillespie when he came out with the first bop recordings...I replied: "Yeah, but at least it had melody". Well, that's how I feel about rap...nothing redeeming...the lyrics? So fucking what! This is what makes this "music" special? It's simply just a series of beats, looped around lyrics that are either screamed or shouted or simply just spewed...I shake my head at every award show when I see rappers come out to perform. And believe me, its not an age thing...it is simply that nobody in the music business has the balls to come out and say what they all think behind their corporate doors...that rap music sucks! However, until the music business stops whining and crying about how sales are down and nothing sells anymore, they should realize a few simple things. First, lower the cost of the fucking cd...everyone knows it costs hardly anything to make, so pass it along to the consumer. Second, start signing acts that write great songs so the kids have a reason to go out to the store and buy the cd or go online and download it onto their ipod. I hate that these music executives all whine about the state of the industry...wake the fuck up. Years ago, circa 1980 or so, there was a bloodletting in the industry...all the great A&R guys were fired and music took a sharp detour and never found its way back on track. Those great A&R guys were the ones responsible for signing and developing the great acts of that time...But all of a sudden everyone lost their head. They needed a change so they decided to hire young people to fill the posts that couldn't pick a winner if their lives depended on it...and off they went as well...in the great words of my grandparents: OY VAY!!! What the fuck are you listening to? OK, so I said in the first blog, I'm going to start to educate those out there who are interested in great music. I will suggest all sorts of genres along the way, and hopefully get your ears to expand. So, let's start off with something harmless...great singer/songwriter and a great album. This is a throwback album in one sense...that is every song is a winner...did you get that? Every song is a winner...not just one or two like most records of today. So, although there is no rhyme or reason for my picks, let me suggest Cat Stevens album Tea for the Tillerman. Check it out...while you are listening to this genius of an artist, start going through your collection of cd's and ask yourself what comes close? If the answer is nothing you own, start throwing shit out...don't be nervous...just pick up the cd's you have, walk down the hall to the incenerator room and chuck them down into the fire...or, sell them at a garage sale...its time to clean house and get some good music on the cd player...enough for now, my back hurts...

Is it too late for you...musically that is?

This is my first attempt at blogging. I'm 54 years old and as I write this I wonder who is going to be reading this and what good will it serve? Well, being that I am for the most part disabled due to some major back issues and other health problems, I have nothing better to do than share some thoughts with the cyberspace planet. My blog has to do with music...specifically, the state of the music business today and the people listening. I can recall an incident in my life that changed me forever. I was in my bedroom in Yonkers, NY, that I shared with my baby sister. She was probably 1 at the time and I was 7 or 8. My father walked into my room and he put down a victrola. These are turntables with built-in speakers. He took out of a brown paper bag and album. I remember he looked at me and said, this group is going to be the hottest thing out there. He took out the album, put it on the victrola and handed me the album cover. From the first sounds, my eyes opened wide and I my soul was sold to the devil right there, no hesitation. The album was Meet The Beatles, and from that point on, my life would take a very storied path...I'll get to all that later on...but the most important thing I want to note for my first blog is this: The musical explosion back then had to do with one thing and one thing only...great songs. We didn't have MTV or VH1 or iPod or any medium to show us these bands and their songs. We had a radio and occassional tv show that had the band on every now and then. The music survived based on its merits. You turned on the radio, listened to the song, and if you liked it, you kept listening. If you didn't, you turned it off and went on to the next station. If you were cool, you went to 102.7 fm in NY, which played really cool stuff, and not just hits...more like the album tracks you never got to hear, but all in all, very special stuff. I'm not here to change anyone's position, nor do I give a shit what anyone thinks about what I have to say. I will only say this: Many of the younger generation for years, in fact, decades, has lost their musical compass. This is not necessarily your fault. You are spoon fed crap via MTV and the like, and you convince yourself that the music you listen to and want to buy is great. Wake up!!! Lady Ga Ga? Have we lost our fucking minds? I truly tried to listen to her the other day and all I could think of was, wow, this truly sucks! And when I saw her recently on tv, not only is she all "bells and whistles", but she has no soul, no rhythm, no nothing...So, I have to do this in spurts because I cannot sit for very long, but I'll be back in much more detail as we move through life. I will also recommend albums from my life, past and current, that have musical merit. Again, I don't care if you like them or not. I know what's good for you musically...the problem is, many of you have no idea...but you will learn...sooner or later, this one man crusade is going to make some waves...and in the end, if I convert a few along the way, then cool...I'm going to go through rock, jazz, folk, and other art forms and hopefully, your musical life can be measured in good taste, instead of bad taste...Later...Ken Friedson