Every now and then, I will share one of my personal recipes with you. I present to you my recipe for pulled pork tacos.
INGREDIENTS
2 LB pork loin
1 package of your favorite taco seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 cup small-diced pineapple*
1 cup diced tomato*
1/2 cup finely chopped onion*
8 OZ Monterey Jack cheese
Your favorite taco shells (I prefer soft shelled for this.)
Your favorite taco sauce
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
Combine the taco seasoning with the other spices and blend well. Rub the pork loin in the spice mix until completely covered. Place pork loin on oven tray and place on middle rack in oven.
*While the loin is cooking, prepare your toppings.
Check the temperature of the loin after twenty minutes and every ten minutes after until the internal temperature is above 165 degree. Allow ten minutes for the loin to cool and pull into shredded pieces.
You are now ready to assemble and enjoy your pulled pork tacos.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Underrated Albums: Pornograffitti
Extreme's 1990 album, Pornograffitti is known for the success of two ballads, both top five hits. The first being the touching acoustic number, "More Than Words". The second is the folk infused "Hole Hearted", which to me is actually a better song than "More Than Words". However, Pornograffitti has much more to offer listeners than a couple ballads. It's an entertaining album filled with funk-fused hard rock and a perfect combination of thought provoking and simply fun lyrics.
Let me start with one of the forgotten singles from the album, "Get the Funk Out". This song had moderate success on rock radio, but was ignored in all other outlets including MTV which rarely played the video. (Yes boys and girls, MTV used to play music videos.) "Funk" brings together 90s hard rock with a horn section to create something that must be played loudly at every opportunity. Primarily, "Get the Funk Out" is a political/social message. I've always thought the Libertarian Party should adopt this as an unofficial anthem. The lyrics are very appropriate:
"You're all invited to the party but you know you didn't have to come. No rotten apple is going to spoil my funk."
And then the chorus: "If you don't like what you see here, get the funk out. We won't try to force feed you, get the funk out."
This song could also be an anthem for the rock and roll crowd as well. As most rock and roll fans will tell you, we don't care what you listen to. Just don't tread on our turf and start any shit.
"Decadence Dance" is not so much political but rather an observation of America and the obsessive need to one up the neighbors or a family member. It's about wanting more and refusing to draw a line or say enough is enough. This track also highlights the guitar work of Nuno Bettencourt, one of hard rock's most underrated guitarists.
The fun side of Extreme shows up on Pornograffitti on tracks such as "Lil Jack Horny" and "Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)". But let's start with "Jack".
The coolest thing about "Lil Jack Horny" is guest musician Dweezil Zappa showing off his axe grinding skills. The song itself is cheesy but considering the era, it fits right in with all other sexually charged rock songs. "Suzi" is a different story. This time around, the lyrics are done right and when vocalist Gary Cherone yells "Suzi wants her all day sucker", there is no doubt as to what he is referring. "Suzi" indeed does not go with subtle.
"Sweet and sour a bitter tasting treat; It's the only flavor I think she likes to, she likes to eat."
Speaking of Gary Cherone, let's face it, he is a poor man's Mike Patton. Now don't take that as me insulting or disrespecting Cherone (or Patton for that matter). Gary Cherone is an adequate vocalist. You can clearly hear he is having fun with the songs, especially tracks which allow him to ham it up a bit. That being said, I believe he is better suited for ballads rather than hard rocking songs. (This is also evident on Pornograffitti's other ballad "When I First Kissed You".) But keep in mind, Cherone recorded one album as the vocalist for Van Halen. So obviously he is not without talent.
"When I'm President" sounds like a title which would be very political. However, this is pure, over-the-top satire complete with a references to Alice Cooper's "Elected". It's one of my favorite tracks on Pornograffitti for that reason. And this track is great for the Mike Patton comparison as Cherone goes through it with a rap-rock style of vocals.
I can't figure out if the album's title track is a joke or a big middle finger, especially with Cherone screaming the word "sex" repeatedly. I mean it's a song from a 90s rock band about how sex is everywhere you look.
If you own a copy of Pornograffitti, please dust it off and give it another listen. If you don't own it, I'm sure many used CD stores would have it available for a very reasonable price. And there's always iTunes. This is an album that went double platinum based on the strength of two ballads. Just imagine what it could have been had more rockers been paying attention.
Thanks again for reading. I appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to do so. And as always, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTLovecraft
Twitter: @JTLovecraft
Let me start with one of the forgotten singles from the album, "Get the Funk Out". This song had moderate success on rock radio, but was ignored in all other outlets including MTV which rarely played the video. (Yes boys and girls, MTV used to play music videos.) "Funk" brings together 90s hard rock with a horn section to create something that must be played loudly at every opportunity. Primarily, "Get the Funk Out" is a political/social message. I've always thought the Libertarian Party should adopt this as an unofficial anthem. The lyrics are very appropriate:
"You're all invited to the party but you know you didn't have to come. No rotten apple is going to spoil my funk."
And then the chorus: "If you don't like what you see here, get the funk out. We won't try to force feed you, get the funk out."
This song could also be an anthem for the rock and roll crowd as well. As most rock and roll fans will tell you, we don't care what you listen to. Just don't tread on our turf and start any shit.
"Decadence Dance" is not so much political but rather an observation of America and the obsessive need to one up the neighbors or a family member. It's about wanting more and refusing to draw a line or say enough is enough. This track also highlights the guitar work of Nuno Bettencourt, one of hard rock's most underrated guitarists.
The fun side of Extreme shows up on Pornograffitti on tracks such as "Lil Jack Horny" and "Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)". But let's start with "Jack".
The coolest thing about "Lil Jack Horny" is guest musician Dweezil Zappa showing off his axe grinding skills. The song itself is cheesy but considering the era, it fits right in with all other sexually charged rock songs. "Suzi" is a different story. This time around, the lyrics are done right and when vocalist Gary Cherone yells "Suzi wants her all day sucker", there is no doubt as to what he is referring. "Suzi" indeed does not go with subtle.
"Sweet and sour a bitter tasting treat; It's the only flavor I think she likes to, she likes to eat."
Speaking of Gary Cherone, let's face it, he is a poor man's Mike Patton. Now don't take that as me insulting or disrespecting Cherone (or Patton for that matter). Gary Cherone is an adequate vocalist. You can clearly hear he is having fun with the songs, especially tracks which allow him to ham it up a bit. That being said, I believe he is better suited for ballads rather than hard rocking songs. (This is also evident on Pornograffitti's other ballad "When I First Kissed You".) But keep in mind, Cherone recorded one album as the vocalist for Van Halen. So obviously he is not without talent.
"When I'm President" sounds like a title which would be very political. However, this is pure, over-the-top satire complete with a references to Alice Cooper's "Elected". It's one of my favorite tracks on Pornograffitti for that reason. And this track is great for the Mike Patton comparison as Cherone goes through it with a rap-rock style of vocals.
I can't figure out if the album's title track is a joke or a big middle finger, especially with Cherone screaming the word "sex" repeatedly. I mean it's a song from a 90s rock band about how sex is everywhere you look.
If you own a copy of Pornograffitti, please dust it off and give it another listen. If you don't own it, I'm sure many used CD stores would have it available for a very reasonable price. And there's always iTunes. This is an album that went double platinum based on the strength of two ballads. Just imagine what it could have been had more rockers been paying attention.
Thanks again for reading. I appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to do so. And as always, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTLovecraft
Twitter: @JTLovecraft
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
A quickie
Coming this weekend, a look back at an album that deserves to be known for more than a ballad.
RIP James Gandolfini.
Do you believe what happened to Michael Hastings was really an accident?
Fuck you, Lil' Wayne.
Like me on Facebook for exclusive Facebook only content! :-)
https://www.facebook.com/JTLovecraft
RIP James Gandolfini.
Do you believe what happened to Michael Hastings was really an accident?
Fuck you, Lil' Wayne.
Like me on Facebook for exclusive Facebook only content! :-)
https://www.facebook.com/JTLovecraft
Monday, June 17, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
WWE Dream Matches, Part One
This will be the first in a series of entries detailing my WWE dream matches. This one will focus on matches bringing the best in one-on-one in-ring action. Later entries will focus on brawl oriented matches and also tag team matches. Keep in mind, I am writing this as though all wrestlers are in the prime of the careers.
Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Perfect
Kurt Angle and the late Mr. Perfect had a few things in common when it came to professional wrestling: arrogance, charisma and great technical wrestling skills. Mr. Perfect is already in the WWE Hall of Fame and one day Kurt Angle will be also. A program between these two would have legendary bombastic banter. After all, one was perfect and the other was your Olympic hero. As good as the mic work wold have been for these two, the in-ring action would have been better. If you are a fan of technical wrestling with reversals and submissions and simple holds used as significant moves in the match, then this would have been a match for you. A pinnacle for a feud between Mr. Perfect and Kurt Angle would definitely be a 60-minute ironman match. Allowing those two men to showcase pure in-ring talent in a match which requires to physical conditioning and ring general ability would be nothing less than epic.
CM Punk vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
There is just something about these two characters which just screams for them to have a match. The contrasting personalities would provide entertaining trash talk. (Imagine Punk mimicking Randy Savage!) And Punk is very much a student of the business. He has not only mastered the aspects of in-ring action but he took it upon himself to learn about the production side of things as well. Randy Savage was very similar in his approach to the business. He believed in the importance of knowing and trusting your opponent and discussing and working on match ideas right up until the entrance music played. Remember his epic match with Ricky Steamboat? CM Punk and Randy Savage would have taken the same approach to a match. They would have traveled together and watched the other's previous matches and been in each other's ear constantly to piece together a match for the ages.
The Rock vs. Shawn Michaels
You could debate for three straight days about which matches in these superstars careers were his best. The Rock and Shawn Michaels were two of the all time best on the mic and also two of the all time best in the ring. Just the mic skills alone would make this one hell of an entertaining feud. The Rock's cocky attitude and goofy humor going up against the just as cocky Shawn Michaels but with a drier sense of humor and Michael's willingness to make fun of himself would give audiences some of the most entertaining banter of all time. The in-ring action would also be epic. Shawn is referred to by many people as the best of all time for good reason. His matches with Triple H, Ric Flair, Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho are among the best matches of all time. The Rock has also had epic encounters with Triple H, Stone Cold, Undertaker and Mick Foley. Both men know how entertain a crowd either with the mic or in the ring. And this would be an Wrestlemania main event no one would ever forget.
Part one of my WWE dream matches is in the books. The next installment in this series will feature my choices for brawl oriented matches (Hell in a Cell, Last Man Standing, etc). And will hopefully be ready in a couple weeks. Until then, please check back for other entries on music, movies and food. Thanks for reading and remember, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
@jtlovecraft
Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Perfect
Kurt Angle and the late Mr. Perfect had a few things in common when it came to professional wrestling: arrogance, charisma and great technical wrestling skills. Mr. Perfect is already in the WWE Hall of Fame and one day Kurt Angle will be also. A program between these two would have legendary bombastic banter. After all, one was perfect and the other was your Olympic hero. As good as the mic work wold have been for these two, the in-ring action would have been better. If you are a fan of technical wrestling with reversals and submissions and simple holds used as significant moves in the match, then this would have been a match for you. A pinnacle for a feud between Mr. Perfect and Kurt Angle would definitely be a 60-minute ironman match. Allowing those two men to showcase pure in-ring talent in a match which requires to physical conditioning and ring general ability would be nothing less than epic.
CM Punk vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
There is just something about these two characters which just screams for them to have a match. The contrasting personalities would provide entertaining trash talk. (Imagine Punk mimicking Randy Savage!) And Punk is very much a student of the business. He has not only mastered the aspects of in-ring action but he took it upon himself to learn about the production side of things as well. Randy Savage was very similar in his approach to the business. He believed in the importance of knowing and trusting your opponent and discussing and working on match ideas right up until the entrance music played. Remember his epic match with Ricky Steamboat? CM Punk and Randy Savage would have taken the same approach to a match. They would have traveled together and watched the other's previous matches and been in each other's ear constantly to piece together a match for the ages.
The Rock vs. Shawn Michaels
You could debate for three straight days about which matches in these superstars careers were his best. The Rock and Shawn Michaels were two of the all time best on the mic and also two of the all time best in the ring. Just the mic skills alone would make this one hell of an entertaining feud. The Rock's cocky attitude and goofy humor going up against the just as cocky Shawn Michaels but with a drier sense of humor and Michael's willingness to make fun of himself would give audiences some of the most entertaining banter of all time. The in-ring action would also be epic. Shawn is referred to by many people as the best of all time for good reason. His matches with Triple H, Ric Flair, Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho are among the best matches of all time. The Rock has also had epic encounters with Triple H, Stone Cold, Undertaker and Mick Foley. Both men know how entertain a crowd either with the mic or in the ring. And this would be an Wrestlemania main event no one would ever forget.
Part one of my WWE dream matches is in the books. The next installment in this series will feature my choices for brawl oriented matches (Hell in a Cell, Last Man Standing, etc). And will hopefully be ready in a couple weeks. Until then, please check back for other entries on music, movies and food. Thanks for reading and remember, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
@jtlovecraft
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Just a reminder...
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Fucking crazy video
Blood and disturbing images? Check. Metal music? Check. Two gorgeous girls with electrical tape on their breasts screaming some vocals? Check. I give you the Butcher Babies.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Grammy Screwjobs -- Joan Osborne
One of the biggest screwjobs in Grammy Awards history is Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill winning the award over Joan Osborne's far superior Relish. I have always believed Pill to be nothing more than an average album. It contains a total of one great song and two good songs. There are plenty of average songs and one totally awful song. It did not deserve to win the Best Album Grammy.
Let's start with the one great song on Jagged Little Pill. That would be the grrl break-up anthem, "You Oughta Know". (Never mind it was inspired by her breakup with Dave "Uncle Joey" Coulier.) If the majority of the album was songs with the same angst and attitude as "You Oughta Know", I wouldn't be writing this entry. The second best song on the album is "Hand In My Pocket" and it is a big drop-off from "Oughta". Yes, "Hand" is catchy. That is wonderful for radio and karaoke. Sure, there is a listener connection to the lyrics. I'm sure that hasn't been done before. So why did millions of people get super excited about this album?
OK, so let's talk about the awful song on Jagged Little Pill. That would be the track "Ironic". Why is it awful? Because it doesn't have a fucking thing to do with irony! It's about really shitty luck! Why did no one point this out to Alanis? Or was it just assumed most Americans were too dumb to realize this? Nevertheless, it's an awful song, but yet became the biggest hit of Morissette's career.
Joan Osborne's album Relish could not be more different that Morissette's. It is stronger lyrically and far more musically diverse. Where Alanis relied on Glen Ballard produced grrl-pop, Joan Osborne dives into an album filled with a mix of blues, folk and alterna-country. Her song-writing, primarily partnered with Eric Brazillian, is also superior to the Morissette-Ballard team.
"St. Teresa", Relish's opening track is a dark and sorrow driven song fueled by folky-blues. It is one of the album's strongest tracks, especially from a musical standpoint. The song was also denounced by the Catholic Church for being a veiled invitation for fans to volunteer at Planned Parenthood. Take that with a grain of salt, if you will.
Joan also does something ballsy and covers Bob Dylan's "The Man in the Long Black Coat". The amazing thing here is, it works beautifully. Joan captures Bob Dylan's emotion but not in the raw sense Dylan did with the original. She captures in a spiritual way and by doing so, brings vivid visualization to the lyrics.
The alterna-country appears in full form on the track "Right Hand Man". It's not one of the album's strongest tracks, but it is able to bring forth an explosion of bold sexuality without being crass or vulgar. The song "Let's Just Get Naked" does the opposite of "Right Hand Man". It takes a title most people would expect to follow with sexual lyrics and instead extends a plea for honesty and openness. It's a clever and song and one of my favorites. Lyrically, "Naked" may be the best writing on the album.
Osborne achieved mainstream exposure with the mega-hit "One of Us" which asks bold questions about faith and God. Joan angered Christians of all denominations with the song because apparently we aren't supposed to ask provocative questions about God. Musically, "One of Us" is more pop than anything else, but it is the song which made her a star in the mid 90's. The song "Lumina" was featured in two popular television shows, the pilot episode of The Sopranos and also on an episode of The Good Wife.
I'm not sure how the Grammy voters arrived at their decision to vote for Jagged Little Pill over Relish, but they made the wrong decision. Next time you are at a used CD store, look though the bargain bin for Relish. It's an album far too many people wrote off and ignored. If you find it, buy it. If you buy it, listen to it repeatedly. You won't be sorry that you did.
Until next time, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
@JTLovecraft
Let's start with the one great song on Jagged Little Pill. That would be the grrl break-up anthem, "You Oughta Know". (Never mind it was inspired by her breakup with Dave "Uncle Joey" Coulier.) If the majority of the album was songs with the same angst and attitude as "You Oughta Know", I wouldn't be writing this entry. The second best song on the album is "Hand In My Pocket" and it is a big drop-off from "Oughta". Yes, "Hand" is catchy. That is wonderful for radio and karaoke. Sure, there is a listener connection to the lyrics. I'm sure that hasn't been done before. So why did millions of people get super excited about this album?
OK, so let's talk about the awful song on Jagged Little Pill. That would be the track "Ironic". Why is it awful? Because it doesn't have a fucking thing to do with irony! It's about really shitty luck! Why did no one point this out to Alanis? Or was it just assumed most Americans were too dumb to realize this? Nevertheless, it's an awful song, but yet became the biggest hit of Morissette's career.
Joan Osborne's album Relish could not be more different that Morissette's. It is stronger lyrically and far more musically diverse. Where Alanis relied on Glen Ballard produced grrl-pop, Joan Osborne dives into an album filled with a mix of blues, folk and alterna-country. Her song-writing, primarily partnered with Eric Brazillian, is also superior to the Morissette-Ballard team.
"St. Teresa", Relish's opening track is a dark and sorrow driven song fueled by folky-blues. It is one of the album's strongest tracks, especially from a musical standpoint. The song was also denounced by the Catholic Church for being a veiled invitation for fans to volunteer at Planned Parenthood. Take that with a grain of salt, if you will.
Joan also does something ballsy and covers Bob Dylan's "The Man in the Long Black Coat". The amazing thing here is, it works beautifully. Joan captures Bob Dylan's emotion but not in the raw sense Dylan did with the original. She captures in a spiritual way and by doing so, brings vivid visualization to the lyrics.
The alterna-country appears in full form on the track "Right Hand Man". It's not one of the album's strongest tracks, but it is able to bring forth an explosion of bold sexuality without being crass or vulgar. The song "Let's Just Get Naked" does the opposite of "Right Hand Man". It takes a title most people would expect to follow with sexual lyrics and instead extends a plea for honesty and openness. It's a clever and song and one of my favorites. Lyrically, "Naked" may be the best writing on the album.
Osborne achieved mainstream exposure with the mega-hit "One of Us" which asks bold questions about faith and God. Joan angered Christians of all denominations with the song because apparently we aren't supposed to ask provocative questions about God. Musically, "One of Us" is more pop than anything else, but it is the song which made her a star in the mid 90's. The song "Lumina" was featured in two popular television shows, the pilot episode of The Sopranos and also on an episode of The Good Wife.
I'm not sure how the Grammy voters arrived at their decision to vote for Jagged Little Pill over Relish, but they made the wrong decision. Next time you are at a used CD store, look though the bargain bin for Relish. It's an album far too many people wrote off and ignored. If you find it, buy it. If you buy it, listen to it repeatedly. You won't be sorry that you did.
Until next time, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
@JTLovecraft
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Five Greatest Rock Songs Of All Time
"Good Times, Bad Times" -- Led Zeppelin (1969)
This is the song which introduced Led Zeppelin to the world. It was the first track on their debut album and contained some of the most amazing and complex instrumentation of Zep's career and that's saying something. Jimmy Page used a Leslie speaker (which was developed for the Hammond organ) to create the swirling affect on his guitar for this track which was risky for a band starting out but it worked beautifully. Bassist John Paul Jones still insists the riff he wrote for "Good Times, Bad Times" was the most difficult of his career. Think about that for a moment. Finally, the drum work from the late John Bonham is beyond amazing. Originally thought to have been done by a double kick drum it was later revealed Bonham used only a single kick drum which Page described as "superhuman".
Despite rarely being played in its entirety live and not being a commercial success upon its original release (#80 on Billboard), "Good Times, Bad Times" receives heavy airplay on rock radio stations and is truly one of Zeppelin's finest tracks and one of rock n' roll's greatest ever.
"Layla" -- Derek and the Dominoes/Eric Clapton (1970)
There may not be many songs which exceed "Layla" from a musical standpoint. Separate guitar pieces written by legends Eric Clapton and the late Duane Allman highlight the first part of the song with Allman being credited for the song's signature riff. Originally going to be a straight forward ballad, it was Allman's influence which steered the direction of the song to it's rocking final version.
The piano coda was written by former band member for the duo Delaney and Bonnie, Jim Gordon. Not originally to be part of the song, Clapton convinced Gordon to record it for "Layla". Clapton and Allman improvised the guitar work to accompany the piano. Clapton describes "Layla" as one of his most difficult songs to play live and emphasized the need for a large band to play it correctly. It's difficult to play live because "you have to play and sing completely opposing lines, which is almost impossible to do," as explained by Clapton.
The song was written for Patty Boyd who was married to George Harrison at the time. She would divorce Harrison in 1974 and marry Eric Clapton in 1979. The two would remain married until 1989. Upon initial release in 1970 it was not a commercial success. It was re-released in 1972 and reached #10 on the Billboard charts. Clapton would record an acoustic version of "Layla" for MTV Unpluggedin 1992 and win a Grammy for Best Rock Song.
"Stranglehold -- Ted Nugent (1975)
It's all about the music for this song. Let's face it. When it comes to lyrics, Ted Nugent isn't exactly Bob Dylan. His strength comes from his axe and it is on full frontal display here. "Stranglehold" was the lead single from Ted Nugent's debut album and did not feature him on vocals. On many of Nugent's early recordings, Derek St. Holmes provided the vocals and "Stranglehold" was no exception. Nugent did provide some backing vocals for "Stranglehold", however. As I stated, "Stranglehold" is all about the music. It contains one of the most hypnotic and mind-bending instrumental stretches in any rock song. It's very much musical sexuality. When I hear it, I picture scantily clad biker chicks on ecstacy dancing and making out in a seedy bar. Musically, "Stranglehold" was the best of Nugent's career. The guitar work here was never again duplicated by the loin cloth clad crazy man of rock n roll. However, very few others have even come close to matching what Ted did with "Stranglehold". It is, and always will be one of rock's greatest tunes.
"Who Are You" -- The Who (1978)
"Who Are You" is the title track from the final album featuring drummer Keith Moon who died shortly after the album was completed. It is also one of the highest charting songs in the US for The Who (#14 on Billboard). The framework for this song (minus the synthesizers), was set during a tour in 1976, most notably at a performance in Toronto. However, the first official live performance was December 15, 1977 at a show in London's Kilburn district. Pete Townshend's vocals carry "Who Are You". It's a gritty song set to a very opposite musical style with an opening verse reportedly inspired by true events in Townshend's life where he actually was found by a police officer in a Soho doorway.
The song is also infamous for two distinct uses of the work "fuck" which were surprisingly not edited for radio versions of the track. Although after the FCC heightened its regulations after the Janet Jackson nipple incident, many stations requested edited versions.
"Who Are You" has also become familiar to a new generation with it being the theme song for the immensely popular crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Invetigation. It is not only one of The Who's finest, but one of rock's finest.
Sympathy for the Devil -- Rolling Stones (1968)
This song is my choice for the greatest rock song of all time and is incredible for many reasons. Not only is it widely considered to be the Rolling Stones most controversial song (which is saying something), it may lyrically be the best work from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It was also wrongly reported the Stones were playing this song during the killing of Meredith Hunter at a free concert in 1969. Hunter attempted to climb on the stage during the song and was pushed away by the Hell's Angels who were hired for event security. Hunter returned later with a gun but was stabbed and killed by a Hell's Angels member. The Stones were playing "Under My Thumb" by this time.
"Sympathy for the Devil" is a first person account from Lucifer of major atrocities throughout world history for which he takes full credit. The list includes the death of Jesus Christ, the Crusades, the rise of Stalin and Hitler and the assassinations of two Kennedys. It also includes a personal philosophy of Jagger's, "just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints". Following this list of horrors and bold accusations, Lucifer then pleads for sympathy. It drips with narcissism but Lucifer's argument is difficult to counter. In the late 60s, this angered many people who believed the band was promoting Satanism. Of course this song comes after the Stones previous album, Their Satanic Majesties Request which ironically contained no Satanic references outside of the album's title. It wasn't the Stones first bout with controversy as their song "Let's Spend the Night Together" gave television censors (and parents) everywhere heart attacks.
Musically Jagger originally envisioned this song in the style of Bob Dylan. It was Richards who suggested the samba style recording the song became. Outside of a brief hiatus in the early 1970s, "Sympathy" has been a staple in the Rolling Stones concerts and is very much a fan favorite.
There you have it. My greatest five greatest rock songs of all time. Until next time, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
This is the song which introduced Led Zeppelin to the world. It was the first track on their debut album and contained some of the most amazing and complex instrumentation of Zep's career and that's saying something. Jimmy Page used a Leslie speaker (which was developed for the Hammond organ) to create the swirling affect on his guitar for this track which was risky for a band starting out but it worked beautifully. Bassist John Paul Jones still insists the riff he wrote for "Good Times, Bad Times" was the most difficult of his career. Think about that for a moment. Finally, the drum work from the late John Bonham is beyond amazing. Originally thought to have been done by a double kick drum it was later revealed Bonham used only a single kick drum which Page described as "superhuman".
Despite rarely being played in its entirety live and not being a commercial success upon its original release (#80 on Billboard), "Good Times, Bad Times" receives heavy airplay on rock radio stations and is truly one of Zeppelin's finest tracks and one of rock n' roll's greatest ever.
"Layla" -- Derek and the Dominoes/Eric Clapton (1970)
There may not be many songs which exceed "Layla" from a musical standpoint. Separate guitar pieces written by legends Eric Clapton and the late Duane Allman highlight the first part of the song with Allman being credited for the song's signature riff. Originally going to be a straight forward ballad, it was Allman's influence which steered the direction of the song to it's rocking final version.
The piano coda was written by former band member for the duo Delaney and Bonnie, Jim Gordon. Not originally to be part of the song, Clapton convinced Gordon to record it for "Layla". Clapton and Allman improvised the guitar work to accompany the piano. Clapton describes "Layla" as one of his most difficult songs to play live and emphasized the need for a large band to play it correctly. It's difficult to play live because "you have to play and sing completely opposing lines, which is almost impossible to do," as explained by Clapton.
The song was written for Patty Boyd who was married to George Harrison at the time. She would divorce Harrison in 1974 and marry Eric Clapton in 1979. The two would remain married until 1989. Upon initial release in 1970 it was not a commercial success. It was re-released in 1972 and reached #10 on the Billboard charts. Clapton would record an acoustic version of "Layla" for MTV Unpluggedin 1992 and win a Grammy for Best Rock Song.
"Stranglehold -- Ted Nugent (1975)
It's all about the music for this song. Let's face it. When it comes to lyrics, Ted Nugent isn't exactly Bob Dylan. His strength comes from his axe and it is on full frontal display here. "Stranglehold" was the lead single from Ted Nugent's debut album and did not feature him on vocals. On many of Nugent's early recordings, Derek St. Holmes provided the vocals and "Stranglehold" was no exception. Nugent did provide some backing vocals for "Stranglehold", however. As I stated, "Stranglehold" is all about the music. It contains one of the most hypnotic and mind-bending instrumental stretches in any rock song. It's very much musical sexuality. When I hear it, I picture scantily clad biker chicks on ecstacy dancing and making out in a seedy bar. Musically, "Stranglehold" was the best of Nugent's career. The guitar work here was never again duplicated by the loin cloth clad crazy man of rock n roll. However, very few others have even come close to matching what Ted did with "Stranglehold". It is, and always will be one of rock's greatest tunes.
"Who Are You" -- The Who (1978)
"Who Are You" is the title track from the final album featuring drummer Keith Moon who died shortly after the album was completed. It is also one of the highest charting songs in the US for The Who (#14 on Billboard). The framework for this song (minus the synthesizers), was set during a tour in 1976, most notably at a performance in Toronto. However, the first official live performance was December 15, 1977 at a show in London's Kilburn district. Pete Townshend's vocals carry "Who Are You". It's a gritty song set to a very opposite musical style with an opening verse reportedly inspired by true events in Townshend's life where he actually was found by a police officer in a Soho doorway.
The song is also infamous for two distinct uses of the work "fuck" which were surprisingly not edited for radio versions of the track. Although after the FCC heightened its regulations after the Janet Jackson nipple incident, many stations requested edited versions.
"Who Are You" has also become familiar to a new generation with it being the theme song for the immensely popular crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Invetigation. It is not only one of The Who's finest, but one of rock's finest.
Sympathy for the Devil -- Rolling Stones (1968)
This song is my choice for the greatest rock song of all time and is incredible for many reasons. Not only is it widely considered to be the Rolling Stones most controversial song (which is saying something), it may lyrically be the best work from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It was also wrongly reported the Stones were playing this song during the killing of Meredith Hunter at a free concert in 1969. Hunter attempted to climb on the stage during the song and was pushed away by the Hell's Angels who were hired for event security. Hunter returned later with a gun but was stabbed and killed by a Hell's Angels member. The Stones were playing "Under My Thumb" by this time.
"Sympathy for the Devil" is a first person account from Lucifer of major atrocities throughout world history for which he takes full credit. The list includes the death of Jesus Christ, the Crusades, the rise of Stalin and Hitler and the assassinations of two Kennedys. It also includes a personal philosophy of Jagger's, "just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints". Following this list of horrors and bold accusations, Lucifer then pleads for sympathy. It drips with narcissism but Lucifer's argument is difficult to counter. In the late 60s, this angered many people who believed the band was promoting Satanism. Of course this song comes after the Stones previous album, Their Satanic Majesties Request which ironically contained no Satanic references outside of the album's title. It wasn't the Stones first bout with controversy as their song "Let's Spend the Night Together" gave television censors (and parents) everywhere heart attacks.
Musically Jagger originally envisioned this song in the style of Bob Dylan. It was Richards who suggested the samba style recording the song became. Outside of a brief hiatus in the early 1970s, "Sympathy" has been a staple in the Rolling Stones concerts and is very much a fan favorite.
There you have it. My greatest five greatest rock songs of all time. Until next time, if you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Another one of those rambling posts
This post is going to bounce around in all kinds of different directions. It's going to be like a bouncy ball on crack. So make sure your mind is strapped in tight. It's going to be a crazy ride.
This bullshit with the IRS and the DOJ is by far the worst abuse of government power I have witnessed in my lifetime. The Obama administration methodically and deliberately had the Internal Revenue (Robbery) Service target those who dared to oppose the policies of his holiness on high, the political Messiah, Barack Hussein Obama. Remind me again what in what country we are living? And in the worst attack on freedom on the press, the Department of (In)Justice seized information from the Associated Press and Fox News. So the DOJ is harassing and criminalizing journalists for...doing their job? Really? Why is this not scaring the shit out of more of you? Or have far too many of you been turned into zombies with your liberally washed brains barely staying alive in your heads? Wake up people! It's time to stand up and shout!
I don't usually like to go into sports much in this blog but I must say this: NBC's hockey "analysts" are the biggest group of arrogant, half-witted, impotent morons I have ever had the displeasure of listening to.
Interesting to note, the song currently playing on my laptop is Warlock's "All We Are". If you don't know it, YouTube it. You'll understand why it's significant right now.
I am fighting a lot of personal inner-battles and emotional turmoil. Eventually I will want to discuss some of those feelings here over the course of several posts. Sometimes it will be just words. Sometimes it may have a written introduction followed up with a music video. It will be whatever I feel best relays the message. But that it for later. I'm not ready yet.
President Obama said the war on terror is over. Did we win? Or are we forfeiting?
Weird movie trivia: OJ Simpson was first offered the lead role in The Terminator.
I understand racism will sadly always exist in this world. But kudos to Darius Rucker for how he handled the inbred jackass who sent him a Tweet saying should leave country music to white people. Rucker handled it with class and humor. And for that he deserves to be applauded.
I can't think of words to truly express my heartbreak over the death and destruction caused by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. I do know the Sooner State is filled with tough, proud and loving people and they will come together and bounce back stronger than ever.
The Boy Scouts of America will now allow openly gay members. Wow. It's 2013. So nice you yinz to catch up with the rest of America.
What the Phoenix Police Department did for Tatum Raetz was heart-warming. It brought something good out of a terrible tragedy.
Rock band from Hell: Motley Cutting Crew
Thanks for playing along. I'll return sooner rather than later.
This bullshit with the IRS and the DOJ is by far the worst abuse of government power I have witnessed in my lifetime. The Obama administration methodically and deliberately had the Internal Revenue (Robbery) Service target those who dared to oppose the policies of his holiness on high, the political Messiah, Barack Hussein Obama. Remind me again what in what country we are living? And in the worst attack on freedom on the press, the Department of (In)Justice seized information from the Associated Press and Fox News. So the DOJ is harassing and criminalizing journalists for...doing their job? Really? Why is this not scaring the shit out of more of you? Or have far too many of you been turned into zombies with your liberally washed brains barely staying alive in your heads? Wake up people! It's time to stand up and shout!
I don't usually like to go into sports much in this blog but I must say this: NBC's hockey "analysts" are the biggest group of arrogant, half-witted, impotent morons I have ever had the displeasure of listening to.
Interesting to note, the song currently playing on my laptop is Warlock's "All We Are". If you don't know it, YouTube it. You'll understand why it's significant right now.
I am fighting a lot of personal inner-battles and emotional turmoil. Eventually I will want to discuss some of those feelings here over the course of several posts. Sometimes it will be just words. Sometimes it may have a written introduction followed up with a music video. It will be whatever I feel best relays the message. But that it for later. I'm not ready yet.
President Obama said the war on terror is over. Did we win? Or are we forfeiting?
Weird movie trivia: OJ Simpson was first offered the lead role in The Terminator.
I understand racism will sadly always exist in this world. But kudos to Darius Rucker for how he handled the inbred jackass who sent him a Tweet saying should leave country music to white people. Rucker handled it with class and humor. And for that he deserves to be applauded.
I can't think of words to truly express my heartbreak over the death and destruction caused by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. I do know the Sooner State is filled with tough, proud and loving people and they will come together and bounce back stronger than ever.
The Boy Scouts of America will now allow openly gay members. Wow. It's 2013. So nice you yinz to catch up with the rest of America.
What the Phoenix Police Department did for Tatum Raetz was heart-warming. It brought something good out of a terrible tragedy.
Rock band from Hell: Motley Cutting Crew
Thanks for playing along. I'll return sooner rather than later.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Underrated rock bands: Tesla
Seriously, any rock band named for one of the most badass inventors who ever lived, Nikolai Tesla, is going to rock. And these guys do. However, they got lost in the shuffle during the 80s and never reached the level they should have. The band's career is loaded with rockin hits but they are most known for two songs: a power ballad (albeit an awesome one), "Love Song", and a cover of Five Man Electrical Jam's "Signs".
Vocalist Jeff Keith brings an attitude to his vocals missing from 80s mega-stars Poison and Bon Jovi. He's a a cross between Tom Keifer (Cinderella) and Vince Neil (motley Crue) and puts high energy into every song he does. Take the track "Edison's Medicine". It's a blistering assault on Thomas Edison who stole pretty much everything he knew from Nikolai Tesla. The same amazing vocals shine on the track "Modern Day Cowboy", the closest thing the band has to a dark song.
One of the band's super hits, the previously mentioned "Love Song" combines great vocals with great instrumentation, although the lyrical content in on par with the other love ballads of the era. I know these types of songs were obligatory during that time period but it doesn't weaken the track in any way. It's a kick ass power ballad and I'm disappointed it doesn't show up on many ballad compilations.
I don't usually give praise to cover songs beings close to or as good as the original. But with Tesla's rendition of "Signs", they achieve the former. It's close to the original. It respects the original. It is also a fun song to play loudly and one with to sing along.
Tesla's "Steppin' Over" and "What You Give" are two tracks which didn't (and still don't) get much radio play but are also worth jamming to whenever and where ever possible.
The band still tours, although in much smaller venues and includes guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta. Their most successful album remains The Great Radio Controversy.
Vocalist Jeff Keith brings an attitude to his vocals missing from 80s mega-stars Poison and Bon Jovi. He's a a cross between Tom Keifer (Cinderella) and Vince Neil (motley Crue) and puts high energy into every song he does. Take the track "Edison's Medicine". It's a blistering assault on Thomas Edison who stole pretty much everything he knew from Nikolai Tesla. The same amazing vocals shine on the track "Modern Day Cowboy", the closest thing the band has to a dark song.
One of the band's super hits, the previously mentioned "Love Song" combines great vocals with great instrumentation, although the lyrical content in on par with the other love ballads of the era. I know these types of songs were obligatory during that time period but it doesn't weaken the track in any way. It's a kick ass power ballad and I'm disappointed it doesn't show up on many ballad compilations.
I don't usually give praise to cover songs beings close to or as good as the original. But with Tesla's rendition of "Signs", they achieve the former. It's close to the original. It respects the original. It is also a fun song to play loudly and one with to sing along.
Tesla's "Steppin' Over" and "What You Give" are two tracks which didn't (and still don't) get much radio play but are also worth jamming to whenever and where ever possible.
The band still tours, although in much smaller venues and includes guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta. Their most successful album remains The Great Radio Controversy.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Covered in Awesome
In general, cover songs aren't nearly as good as the original. There are some exceptions, Johnny Cash's dreary rendition of Nine Inch Nail's "Hurt" and Aerosmith's version of the Beatles "Come Together" are a couple which most certainly do justice to the original song. However, don't get me started on Madonna's butchering of "American Pie" or the near blasphemous Sheryl Crow cover of "Sweet Child O' Mine". Today, I am going to discuss some really badass covers many of you likely have never heard.
"Baby One More Time" -- Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa
The sons of the late, legendary Frank Zappa take a cheesy song by nutjob poptart Britney Spears and turn it into something which is actually tolerable to your ears. (Not that it's difficult to improve a Britney Spears song, I mean, I could do that.) Featured on the soundtrack to the cult classic WCW film Ready to Rumble, the Zappa boys go all out, full gusto into this cover and without a doubt, improve upon the original. Dweezil Zappa is one of rock's most under-appreciated guitarists and he gets to display that talent here. Ahmet's raspy vocals compliment the hard rock instrumentation and work well on this tune.
"Bad Romance" -- Halestorm
Replace Lady Gaga's silly baby talk with hard rock guitar and her Autotune vocals with the pure talent of Lzzy Hale and you get what the song should have been in the first place: loud and badass. Lzzy's powerful vocals shred this song as her bandmates rock out behind her. The song can be found on the band's cover album, Reanimate (which by the way, has an HP Lovecraft inspired album cover). Lzzy is one talented and beautiful lady and this is truly a cover to go gaga over.
"Black Sabbath" (From the Satanic perspective) -- Type O Negative
This is the most unique of my selections as the lyrics have been completely rewritten. The late Peter Steele rewrote the lyrics to fit the perspective of Lucifer. No, he does not have the same compelling vocal style of Ozzy Osbourne, but his deep and brooding vocals fit this song, and its lyrical content, perfectly. It's not a traditional cover, but it is interesting take on the original, both musically and lyrically.
"Dream On" -- Ronnie James Dio ft. Yngwie Malmsteen
It's Ronnie James Dio. Need I say more? If there was one Aerosmith song for the late metal legend to cover, this was it. Just sit back and listen.
So now, get on iTunes and download these songs. You know you want to.
"Baby One More Time" -- Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa
The sons of the late, legendary Frank Zappa take a cheesy song by nutjob poptart Britney Spears and turn it into something which is actually tolerable to your ears. (Not that it's difficult to improve a Britney Spears song, I mean, I could do that.) Featured on the soundtrack to the cult classic WCW film Ready to Rumble, the Zappa boys go all out, full gusto into this cover and without a doubt, improve upon the original. Dweezil Zappa is one of rock's most under-appreciated guitarists and he gets to display that talent here. Ahmet's raspy vocals compliment the hard rock instrumentation and work well on this tune.
"Bad Romance" -- Halestorm
Replace Lady Gaga's silly baby talk with hard rock guitar and her Autotune vocals with the pure talent of Lzzy Hale and you get what the song should have been in the first place: loud and badass. Lzzy's powerful vocals shred this song as her bandmates rock out behind her. The song can be found on the band's cover album, Reanimate (which by the way, has an HP Lovecraft inspired album cover). Lzzy is one talented and beautiful lady and this is truly a cover to go gaga over.
"Black Sabbath" (From the Satanic perspective) -- Type O Negative
This is the most unique of my selections as the lyrics have been completely rewritten. The late Peter Steele rewrote the lyrics to fit the perspective of Lucifer. No, he does not have the same compelling vocal style of Ozzy Osbourne, but his deep and brooding vocals fit this song, and its lyrical content, perfectly. It's not a traditional cover, but it is interesting take on the original, both musically and lyrically.
"Dream On" -- Ronnie James Dio ft. Yngwie Malmsteen
It's Ronnie James Dio. Need I say more? If there was one Aerosmith song for the late metal legend to cover, this was it. Just sit back and listen.
So now, get on iTunes and download these songs. You know you want to.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Left Turn at the Right Time
One of the albums which took me awhile to warm up to was Bon Jovi's This Left Feels Right. When I first heard it, I absolutely hated it. So I shoved it in the bottom of my CD pile. But after a few months I dug it out and after a few more thorough listens, some of the songs started to grow on me.
This Left was arranged and recorded in less than a month during a break in touring. The lyrics remain 99% intact. However, there are some subtle changes die hard Bon Jovi fans will catch. The new musical arrangements are what really make this album interesting. Although to many long-time Bon Jovi fans, it may take more than one listen to appreciate them.
The track which really got my mind changing about this album was "It's My Life". Now, the version on Crush is my all time favorite Bon Jovi song. So for this one to be the track to ignite my appreciation of this pseudo-greatest hits album, that says a lot. The new arrangement has a much slower tempo which is just the opposite of the anthem-like feel of the original. But it works.
What doesn't work is the duet version of "Livin' on a Prayer" with Jon Bon Jovi and Olivia d'Abo. The arrangement isn't the problem here. I actually like the new instrumentation. It brings a sense of sorrow to the tune which really brings out what the song needs to be. The problem with this song is d'Abo's vocals. She sounds like a bird with strep throat and it's painful, not pleasant to listen to.
The dive bar, juke joint feel to "You Give Love a Bad Name" is the highlight of the album. You can picture Jon and Ritchie sitting on wooden rain barrels in a sawdust on the floor, dust on the bottle bar with just their guitars playing this song. It's definitely the most fun track on This Left.
The new arrangements of "Bad Medicine" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" are other tracks with stand up as being among the best on the album. Conversely, "Everyday", "Keep the Faith" and "Bed of Roses" are letdown tracks which do little to impress me. I'm disappointed "Someday I'll be Saturday Night" wasn't chosen as a re-arrangement for this album. And there were far too many songs from the New Jersey album. There is only one song from Crush and that album should have been better represented.
As I said, being a die hard Bon Jovi fan, it took me awhile to warm up to This Left Feels Right. But if you want something different, even if you are just a casual fan of the boys from Jersey give this album a listen. You may just feel right about this sharp left turn.
This Left was arranged and recorded in less than a month during a break in touring. The lyrics remain 99% intact. However, there are some subtle changes die hard Bon Jovi fans will catch. The new musical arrangements are what really make this album interesting. Although to many long-time Bon Jovi fans, it may take more than one listen to appreciate them.
The track which really got my mind changing about this album was "It's My Life". Now, the version on Crush is my all time favorite Bon Jovi song. So for this one to be the track to ignite my appreciation of this pseudo-greatest hits album, that says a lot. The new arrangement has a much slower tempo which is just the opposite of the anthem-like feel of the original. But it works.
What doesn't work is the duet version of "Livin' on a Prayer" with Jon Bon Jovi and Olivia d'Abo. The arrangement isn't the problem here. I actually like the new instrumentation. It brings a sense of sorrow to the tune which really brings out what the song needs to be. The problem with this song is d'Abo's vocals. She sounds like a bird with strep throat and it's painful, not pleasant to listen to.
The dive bar, juke joint feel to "You Give Love a Bad Name" is the highlight of the album. You can picture Jon and Ritchie sitting on wooden rain barrels in a sawdust on the floor, dust on the bottle bar with just their guitars playing this song. It's definitely the most fun track on This Left.
The new arrangements of "Bad Medicine" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" are other tracks with stand up as being among the best on the album. Conversely, "Everyday", "Keep the Faith" and "Bed of Roses" are letdown tracks which do little to impress me. I'm disappointed "Someday I'll be Saturday Night" wasn't chosen as a re-arrangement for this album. And there were far too many songs from the New Jersey album. There is only one song from Crush and that album should have been better represented.
As I said, being a die hard Bon Jovi fan, it took me awhile to warm up to This Left Feels Right. But if you want something different, even if you are just a casual fan of the boys from Jersey give this album a listen. You may just feel right about this sharp left turn.
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