BONEHEADS 100TH POST!
BIG FUCKIN' DEAL!
A couple of weeks ago I wasted your time with a list of those questions / surveys that always make their way around social networking sites. Thought since everyone is wrapped up in the insanity of Black Friday, I’d take this opportunity to waste your time once again.
I like lists, and when someone invites me to offer my list of whatever, I often leap at the opportunity. I enjoyed the request to list your ten favorite books. Knowing some people who haven’t completed ten books in their life, I welcomed the opportunity to put forth my opinions on my personal top ten. I like to read.
I also won’t be sharing that with you today – we’ll save that for the Bonehead Bookclub launching next year in preparation to replace Oprah’s when she ends her show in 2011.
Today I think we’ll discuss what I believe often is the inspiration to the great writing the Bookclub will present. Music.
Music marks the time, (so does baseball, I get it) and everyone has a soundtrack to their lives. One of those surveys/questionnaires made it my way. For purposes of this article, it would have been nice if it asked me to map out the music to my own personal story. Instead it simply asked me for the top ten albums I would need to survive should I be suddenly shipwrecked on an otherwise deserted island.
Never mind the fact I might not have any food or flares, nor anywhere to plug in the victrola.
People don’t necessarily look at the music industry to deliver full albums, great from start to finish any longer. One or two popular cuts and a ton of filler seem to be norm. It’s either just harder to find that talent that can deliver a winner on every track, or we’re not looking as hard as we used to. So I wanted to list only albums that I could listen to multiple times in their entirety.
Thinking too, since I’d spent so long in radio, I must be highly qualified – let me put forth my personal ten, people want to know damnit!
Some Boneheaded suggestions for your shopping holiday online cart.
You know there was a time when Styx actually rocked. This album probably runs somewhere between stoner progressive rock (Light Up, Suite Madam Blue, Lorelei) and mid 70’s hard rock (Born For Adventure). Released in 1976 this was the last album before Tommy Shaw joined the group and they ventured into pop rock.
Rush has been a constant favorite of Bonehead since 1977. Actually was turned on to them as they appeared as the warm up band for Blue Oyster Cult at the Nassau Coliseum. The Canadian trio has been my favorite act since. Musically, lyrically, intellectually they have no equal, and I’d be pleased to have any album from their tremendous library with me on any island.
I’ve selected their most recent studio album, as it was a classic to me from first listen, probably their best full effort start to finish since Counterparts in 1990. Known for impossibly difficult chord progressions, check out the blues guitar intro into classic melodic prog rock of The Way The Wind Blows and you’ll know what I mean. My wife suggests Faithless as my current theme song.
Warren Zevon is another long time favorite. Never got the recognition he deserved, he was an incredible songwriter and composer. Most reviews of his music focus on his sardonic wit and sarcastic lyrics – so I guess that explains why I enjoy his music as much as I do.
His self titled 1976 album features several classics; including my single favorite track ever Desperados Under The Eaves. No song previews available for this album here – but do yourself a favor – enjoy Mohammed’s Radio below, and get your hands on the album for more classics like Carmelita, The French Inhaler, and Hasten Down The Wind.
Much of my musical preferences were formed in the early 70’s. A tremendous amount of influential music was released in this period and the albums featuring the songwriting duo of Bernie Taupin and Elton John were among the most prolific. The double album released in 1972 featured plenty of radio friendly tunes including the title track, Saturday Night’s Alright and Harmony.
Being one of the first albums I ever owned, it pretty much was worn out on my cheap record player but it introduced me to the complexity and diversity that well constructed rock music can deliver. From the slow build in Funeral for a Friend, to pre-punk guitar squeal of All The Young Girls this album delivers a touch of multiple genres of the era.
My personal favorite track is a relatively obscure song that only made it onto the album as an afterthought, a pop rock track that was actually initially recorded in 1969 that had not made the cut onto Elton’s previous three album – Grey Seal.
Ok, so it’s two albums, three if you consider that Pieces In A Modern Style was issued with several extended remixes on an extra cd, but I couldn’t select one over the other, and as I’ve always said, it’s my blog, so my rules. I also understand that this sort of music truly can be an acquired taste – so be it, I enjoy it.
William Orbit is in my opinion the benchmark for the Ambient Electronica/Trance style that has generally been my preference over the past few years. Most people know his name as the producer of Madonna’s “Ray of Light” and Blur’s “13” album, which coincidently could have easily made it onto the list as well.
These two William Orbit selections feature very different compositions, in that Pieces takes classical compositions from Joseph Barber, Maurice Ravel and Henryk Gorecki to name a few and presents them in an electronic ambient format. Waveforms are all original compositions that create a relaxed, down tempo atmosphere from first note to last.
The video selection below is my all time favorite – original composition written and performed by Joseph Barber in 1938 – Adagio For Strings was included in the soundtrack of Platoon among other films. The video features an uptempo trance remix from Pieces.
Like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this was one of the first albums I ever purchased. Badfinger got a bit of a bad rap in that they were often promoted as the second coming of The Beatles. They were the first band signed to the Beatles ill-fated Apple label, they looked like the Beatles, even sounded like them on a few songs. I’m pretty certain that their connection to the Fab Four probably had a lot to do with me picking up this LP from Korvette’s Department Store in 1972 – for $3.79.
The story of the band was tragic, as two founding members Pete Ham and Tom Evans both committed suicide. Pete in 1975, effectively ending the run of the band – although guitarist Joey Molland continues to tour as “Badfinger featuring Joey Molland”.
Pete Ham was a tremendous writer, penning hits like Day After Day, Baby Blue and No Matter What. He also wrote Without You – not a big hit for Badfinger – but a huge hit for Nilsson and years later again for Mariah Carey.
The album Straight Up was produced by Todd Rundgren – and it’s his version that most people knew for over 25 years. When it was finally re-released on cd in 1993 (In 1988, Straight Up had ranked as the most-requested CD release among out-of-print albums in a readers poll for Goldmine magazine) it included some alternate versions of tracks on the original, including the Phil Spector produced Name of the Game “Wall of Sound” version below.
ANGIE APARO - The American - Number 1
Angie Aparo is an Atlanta based performer, who may be best known for a remake of one of his songs, Cry – released by Faith Hill in 2006. The original was on his 2000 debut The American.
I was introduced to this great album by my wife (girlfriend at the time) as I was wrapping up the finalities of my divorce. She seemed to think this song sort of fit what I was going through. Listening through several times to the rest of the album, it quickly became a favorite.
Interestingly, Angie Aparo has forged a name for himself as an extraordinary solo acoustic performer, usually just him and his guitar, occasionally accompanied by a drummer. This album was by far the most electric in his discography, and actually considered over-produced many of his fans. Not to me, start to finish the adult alternative sound is simply perfect, concluding with the title track that in addition to the aforementioned Cry is probably my favorite track.
OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR SPACESHIP
FAN VIDEO FOR CRY
Ok, so in prototypical Bonehead fashion I only listed 9. If I was trying to sound intellectual I’d say it was because “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a double album, and I did offer 2 different William Orbit selections.
Truth is – there were a good dozen that were fighting it out for numbers 9 and 10, and I was frankly just too lazy to make a decision. Although a consequence of not making a decision might involve missing out on favorites like Radiohead, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Myles Davis, The Spinners or Seal while on this island, I finally came to the realization that what I’d really want to be stranded on a dessert island with is a phone.
Then I can just call someone to come get my stupid ass and take me home to where I could listen to whatever I want.
Of course – if I actually were to be stranded on a dessert island – I’d hope to be there with the singer from the old promotional clip below, Christine Clarke. She’s performed all over the world performing with Debbie Gibson and many others as well as fronting the band Hit Me in the mid 90’s.
Posts
7 comments:
I couldn't do a top ten music list, too many great albums I grew up with and find new ones everyday. Although the classics are, in my mind never to be out done. No list would be complete without a few classics like, Led Zeppelin, The Floyd (Pink that is), Bowie (to many to pick), The Who, Marvin Gaye, Nirvana. Gawd I best stop, I have a thousand more I can add. It all depends on your mood at the time you think of building a list, how can you compare Motown to Grunge?
Hi Bonehead.
Love "The sound of Bonehead"pic!
Yes the "good old days" now some of the stuff these youngsters call music is more lethal to your eardrums then a 747 at take off.
Have a great week-end!
Will.
Sorry for the previous comment thati removed bad spelling fault,to many languages and non native English speaker!
I'm pretty much stuck in the 70s as far as music is concerned. I love Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon. That Elton John album you mentioned with Funeral for a Friend, an incredible song. Candle in the Wind is another good one. Beatles, White Album and Let it Be. The Who, Tommy, Carly Simon, and Carole King, cannot recall titles of albums.
I have to say that Elton John would have to be my favorite out of all of them
Nice list. Equinox was one of the first albums that opened up the realm of 70's rock to me. My sister had a 45 of Beth by Kiss and I flipped it over and listened to Detroit Rock City over and over and over. Never did become a huge Kiss fan, but yeah, 60's and 70's rock became my main musical influences.
MOB: It’s a difficult task to single out a few specific albums, especially when you’re a fan of so many – I’m sure my list is different month to month, just wanted to see which ones I felt best could keep landing back on the list again and again.
Will: Thanks! I guess the Bonehead pics are as close as I can get myself to a hobby these days!! It does sort of remind me of my father when I listen to some of my daughters choices and my first thought is “noise”.
Lauren: Well, if you’re going to be stuck – it’s probably a good decade to be in!
Ann: Wished more of his later albums could have held onto that rock feel.
Mike: Glad to find another Equinox fan! So much of the music then had ability to stay relevant too – didn’t really see the lasting ability of much of the 80’s and 90’s music.
Post a Comment