A Musick Channel Blog - Musick is not just my name, it's a passion. Join me for my thoughts, performances, and links to download across the musical landscape. -Darryl Musick
We just got to spend a day with our families, some of us braved Black Friday, and we're hoping our teams do good this long football and turkey weekend. Maybe our patience is a little frayed at this point so let's try to lift your spirits a bit. Here are five songs to motivate you to get through this long, upcoming holiday season. "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" - Hank Williams, Jr. Are you ready for some football!?! Getting us all in the mood is the patron music saint of Monday Night Football. We're hoping our team does well and no hangovers the next morning.
"Won't Back Down" - Tom Petty. It's been long, hard, and sometimes exhausting but we need to keep going. As the late Mr. Petty reminds us, we won't back down. "Heroes" - David Bowie. Not everybody is having a good time this time of year. A reminder that we can be a little sensitive to those who dread it. Be a hero to someone this holiday season. "Mr. Blue Sky" - Electric Light Orchestra. I dare you not to have a smile on your face after listening to this song. "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" - Monty Python's Flying Circus. If Brian can keep his spirits up (with a little help from Eric Idle) while being crucified, anyone can. Darryl Musick Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved
They go into harm's way. Many times, with no idea for the reason why but they do a dirty job, putting their lives on the line, under orders from those above. Hopefully, it will be for a good cause and they'll come home to live a happy and healthy life. Sadly, that is not always the case but we still appreciate what our veterans have done to protect us and defend our country. We salute our those men and women this Veteran's Day weekend with a playlist in their honor. 5. "Star Spangled Banner" - Whitney Houston. The 1991 Super Bowl was played with the background of a new war looming behind it. Operation Desert Storm had just launched and our country's troops were in the middle east, trying to evict Iraqi troops from neighboring Kuwait. Ms. Houston channels her energies into a longing for those troops to come home and one of the most iconic performances of our national anthem. 4. "The Battle of Ira Hayes" - Johnny Cash. Cash doesn't sugarcoat things and this song is a fine example. It tells the story of an Arizona Pima Indian who went off to war, even when those back home abused his people and stole their water. He fights heroically, only to come home, become a drunk, and die in a ditch. 3. "Goodnight Saigon" - Billy Joel. A haunting song of the indignities suffered upon those who went to Vietnam. From boot camp in Perris Island to the battles in the jungle that didn't lead to any great victories. 2. "Fortunate Son" - Creedence Clearwater Revival. Great, hard rocking tune with John Fogerty singing about those sent off to fight our wars. They're not the senators sons. They're not the CEO's son...they're not those fortunate sons. They're the unfortunate ones who have no choice but to go off and fight.
1. "Fightin' Side of Me" - Merle Haggard. A counterpoint of patriotism, Haggard wrote 'em as he saw them and this song was saying, you can say what you want, feel what you feel, but if you're running down our country...well...those are fightin' words. Enjoy the music and your long weekend, especially those of you who have served our country. Darryl Musick Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved
We sold out all of our running auctions last week at The Musick Channel Garage Sale...thank you all very much...and now we're restocking for this week.
As a reminder, the Garage Sale is a way you can support our efforts across the family of blogs that make up The Musick Channel. You get great bargains on classic vinyl albums while giving us the means to continue. Also, we are past the halfway mark on this sale, once these albums are gone...that's it! The sale will be over so hurry up and get these deals while you can.
Here are some samples from this week's auctions...
"Europa and the Pirate Twins" - Thomas Dolby. While Dolby is well known for "Blinded Me With Science," this tech-nerdy new wave artist also had a hit with this song which is a longing for his childhood friend. It's a great song, more harmonic that 'Science' and more wistful with some great hooks and lyrics but...guess what!...you don't have to give either one up because both are on this album.
We're marking this down to a minimum bid of 99 cents due to a rather significant tear on the original, plain white paper inner sleeve but the vinyl's still in great shape as is the outer jacket and we're putting the disc in a new, plastic lined inner sleeve (you still get the original so you still have the complete original packaging).
"Miss America" - Styx. From their big album 'The Grand Illusion," This song is neither Dennis De Young (the Broadway influenced showman of the band, singing songs like the flying saucer themed "Come Sail Away") or Tommy Shaw (the more gritty vocalist on songs like "Fooling Yourself"), this one is by guitarist James "JY" Young who spits out an angry indictment of the shallowness of things like beauty pageants. Nice, hard rocking song.
"I Wish I Was Born In Beverly Hills" - Alice Cooper. Earlier in his career, Cooper struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse (he's a sober born-again Christian, now) and spent some time in rehab. Through that unique Alice Cooper vision, he came up with a concept album dedicated to spending time in an asylum, based on his experiences. 'From The Inside' is the result of that. While this album also features one of his biggest hits, the tender (really!) and lovely ballad "How You Gonna See Me Now?"...which was written to his wife, Cheryl, about how she'd receive him after letting her down...it also has this cynical view of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
This album also has one of the all-time best examples of lavish vinyl outer jacket cover art with a huge gatefold featuring die-cut doors allowing you to open them up and peek inside the asylum.
"Synchronicity 2" - The Police. This band has produced so many great songs but I think this one is my favorite. A gloomy look at the suburban rat-race life style, this is a fascinating song and very interesting musically, too. The album of almost the same name also includes "King of Pain," "Every Breath You Take," and "Wrapped Around Your Finger."
"Dancing Fool" - Frank Zappa. One of the most unique talents to come across the music spectrum, Zappa always explored his music deeply and, mostly, with humor. This comes from the double-album 'Sheik Yerbouti' which also contains such ditties as "Jewish Princess" and "Broken Hearts Are For Assholes."
This weekend, we're remembering musicians that passed on to the great beyond in November. Take a gander at a few of those who made their mark on the world of music.
5. "Southern Nights" - Allen Toussaint. Although Glen Campbell had the big hit with this...and it's a good version...I think I prefer Mr. Toussaint's slow, wistful, even dream version of the song he wrote. Allen Toussaint died on November 10, 2015.
4. "My Sweet Lord" - George Harrison. The former Beatle found himself in hot legal water when it was determined that he plagiarized "He's So Fine" for his ode to Hare Krishna. George died on Movember 29, 2001
3. "The Devil Inside" - INXS. No, the band didn't die...they're still going strong...but it's charismatic lead singer, Michael Hutchence died of autoerotic asphyxiation on November 22, 1997
2. "Cum On Feel The Noise" - Quiet Riot. Screamin' Kevin Dubrow made this a big hit for the L.A. area band back in the late 70's and early 80's. He died on November 19, 2007.
1. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen. Now that there's a biopic out for this band and the flamboyant singer, Freddie Mercury, it's a good time to remember one of the best talents of the era. Freddie died on November 24, 1991.
Darryl Musick
Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved
You have less than 24 hours before the auctions end on the albums below, bids as low as 49 cents on some of them. Here are some samples...
"Cielito Lindo" - Sons of the Pioneers. The premiere cowboy band. Roy Rogers once was a member. Great cowboy music, here they do their take on a classic Mexican song.
"Precious" - The Pretenders. A great group bridging the gap from punk to New Wave. Fronted by Chrissie Hynde, this is their breakthrough album. Here's a sample of a punk tinged, hard rocking tune that you'll find on our album.
You can buy this album at the following link: The Pretenders
"Midnight Rider" - Stephen Stills. Stills' solo record from 1979 is a blend of covers and original tunes including this Greg Allman tune.
"Planet Earth Night Version" - Duran Duran. Disco meets some of the kings of New Wave in this extended dance mix of their hit. This is a special, 12" 45 RPM single which means it's the same size as a regular vinyl LP but played at the higher speed.
The Dodgers are hoping to end a 30 year drought after making it to the World Series for the second year in a row. The Red Sox hope to spoil that. Whoever wins, we all win this weekend with a battle of the bands...three from L.A and three from Boston.
Who will win? Since the Dodgers are the home team, we'll give the visitors the first at bat...
"Rock and Roll Band" - Boston. Hmm, wonder where this band is from? Well, it say's it right there in the lyrics, "just another band out of Boston." Check out this classic autobiographical tune from a classic band.
"Good Vibrations" - Beach Boys. Just a couple of freeways away from Dodger Stadium, the Wilson boys and their cousin Mike Love must've heard their fare share of Vin Scully enhanced baseball games. Maybe this lush tune can send some good vibrations the blue crew's way.
"I'm Shipping up to Boston" - Dropkick Murphy's. Died in the wool Sox fans, the Dropkick Murphy's check in with their take on an old Woodie Guthrie tune.
"Light My Fire" - The Doors. L.A.'s own 60's classic band, Jim Morrison's vocals can maybe light a fire under the boys in blue with their entry.
"Dream On" - Aerosmith. Are the boys at Fenway dreaming when they think they can take it all this year? Local boys Steven Tyler and Joe Perry hope it'll all turn out to be real.
"Give it Away" - Red Hot Chili Peppers. Southern California's Anthony Keidis and Flea hope the Dodgers won't give it away this week and come home with a trophy.
Darryl Musick
Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved
Getting a bit chilly in the fall so we sleep cozy under our covers. Hey! It's also a good theme for this weekend's playlist.
Some cover tunes (songs remade by another artist after becoming famous for the original tune) are as good, if not better, than the original. Here are five for your listening pleasure.
5. "All Along the Watchtower_ - Jimi Hendrix. Only one of the most inventive and best guitarists could take this Bob Dylan song and turn it into a power rocker.
The original by Bob Dylan
4. "Respect" - Aretha Franklin. Originally a cool R&B tune by Otis Redding about a guy asking for some respect after spending all his money on his girl, Ms. Franklin turned it into a powerful song about female empowerment...she's demanding a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T here.
The original by Otis Redding
3. "Whole Lotta Love" - Led Zeppelin. They didn't want to admit it but this was a cover of Muddy Waters' blues tune "You Need Love." Kept denying it but a lawsuit and verdict says differently. Still, a very good tune by the 70's power band.
The original by Muddy Waters.
2. "The Man Who Sold The World" - Nirvana. Great guitar licks highlight this cover of a very good David Bowie tune.
The original by David Bowie
1. "Hurt:" - Johnny Cash. Maybe the best cover ever. Nine Inch Nails originally recorded this powerful song of the pain addiction causes, not just to the addict but to those around them. Then, Johnny Cash took it to a whole 'nuther level. Even composer Trent Reznor thinks it's better than the original.
The original by Nine Inch Nails
Darryl Musick
Copyright 2018 - All Rights Reserved
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