Career Opportunities

I would like to preface this post by saying how blessed that in the current economic environment, I HAVE a job. Unemployment is one of my biggest fears in life; not just financially, but because work is where we get a huge portion of our sense of purpose. But Good Grief, staying positive while working in current Corporate America is tough sometimes (for various boring reasons).

NOTE: I did not write this post at work!

I was brought up to work and work hard, but thought work was just a place to go for 8 hours and earn a paycheck. The concept of actually "liking" your job is so foreign to me. I think the people who actually do what they WANT to do and enjoy it are the luckiest people on the planet. The older I get, the more I think about this concept. How much is a paycheck really worth? In the 50+ hours a week that I work, do I provide and bring something useful good into the world? Again, with the recent struggles in the economy, I realize these thoughts are a luxury I am blessed to be able to have. It's just lately I am realizing that liking what you do for a living and having inner balance and happiness in your life do go hand and hand.

So, for all those out there having issues finding, keeping, or even loving your jobs, I hope these songs can bring you some catharsis and temporary relief.

Pete Townshend-Scoop

Well all know Pete Townshend is a genius, but here is more proof. As a lifelong fan of The Who, I have recently re-discovered the treasure trove that are Townshend's "Scoop" releases. Currently totally four and counting, "Scoop" is a collection of Pete's solo work covering everything from Who demos to instrumental piano pieces. The albums also include liner notes written by Pete that explain each song in detail as well as the recording process used for them.

These releases are a must have for any fan of Pete's and in my book, are the most interesting collection of self-released material from any living popular musician. Listening to these, you get a much wider picture of Pete then what you thought you already knew. Almost like a window into Pete's soul, I only wish more artists would consider collections like these.

Below you can hear one of the most interesting selections in the collection. "Eminence Front" has long being one of my favorite songs, but this version from 2005 puts the song in a completely different light. I may even like it better then The Who's fiery take. Here are Pete's notes for this fascinating version:

"I was preparing at this time for a solo appearance at The Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of a benefit by and for Paul Simon and his charity The Children's Health Fund on Sept 10 1995. Agreeing to appear, I picked up a guitar and realised that since the middle1992 I had probably spent more time home playing piano than guitar (I was recovering from a serious wrist accident and keyboard practice was more useful physiotherapy). So it seamed to me I should play piano in public for the first time. On this occasion the Wynton Marsalis orchestra, some of the best jazz musicians on the planet, were in attendance. I was nervous. But I did well. This demo was to help me get idea of how I might sound on the night."

R.I.P. Robert Sherman

While this site tends to focus on honoring my heroes in the world of Rock music; today we must honor songwriter Robert Sherman, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89. Mr. Sherman was co-writer (with his brother Richard) of many of the classic Disney songs, including tunes from two of my personal favorite movies; "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".

Sherman's contribution to enriching the youth of countless children (mine included) cannot be overstated. On top of that, I would rank "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins as one of the greatest songs ever written.

Thanks for the memories Robert!!

Golden Smog Remembered

"Supergroups" in rock and roll have been a spotty premise to say the least; take some famous musicians from already successful bands and put them together so they can make their own, unique artistic statement. Many have flat-out sucked (looking at you Asia, The Firm, Power Station, Mr. Big) or were at the least, huge disappointments (Blind Faith, Monsters of Folk, Travelling Wilburys).

But a select few have been really, really good (Cream, Temple of the Dog, CSNY, Broken Social Scene, Derek and the Dominos). Add to that list one part Wilco, one part Soul Asylum, and 2 parts Jayhawks, and you have the wonderful concoction that is/was Golden Smog. Having only released three albums in 20 years, Golden Smog is likely more a holiday for the guys then a true "Supergroup", but the results were great. Sounding like a perfect hybrid of all their other bands, the music sounded fresh and original as opposed to sounding like the discarded solo tracks that their other bandmates wouldn't play on.

I'm hoping we haven't heard the last of the venture but if we have, it sure was a fun diversion while it lasted. Enjoy this 1995 video of their killer Faces cover as well as their best original.

New Bruuuuce!

So the fantastic new Bruce Springsteen album "Wrecking Ball" leaked last week. A longer post is certainly warranted and forthcoming, but this song especially stands out for me right off the bat. Full of biblical imagery, this sounds nothing like any Springsteen song to date, and for me it ranks with his best work.

Prepare to be moved......

The "Real" Purple Rain

Being a teenager in the Mid-1980's, you simply could not escape Prince's "Purple Rain". The songs from the soundtrack were everywhere and because Prince was such a unique and dynamic artist, music fans flocked to the film. Due to the fact that rock stars stopped making movies with themselves starring in them since about the time of 1978's "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park", no one our age had seen anything quite like it. But as a kid who loved the old Elvis and Beatles movies, "Purple Rain" was right up my alley. With its racial and genre bending script, in 1984 the film seemed almost revolutionary. Watching it 30 years later is a different story. It's corny, the acting is awful, and it's beyond misogynistic. But...there are those songs. The songs that still sounds as fresh and groundbreaking today.

If you know the film well, you certainly will remember the concert scene at the film's climax which included a scorching version of ""Purple Rain". From listening to the soundtrack 8,000,000 times and watching the film countless amounts, I was always under the assumption that song was recorded in the studio, lip synced in the film, with the audience being over-dubbed to create a live effect Boy was I wrong, and the killer proof is below!

The real story is that the basic track you hear in the film were recorded during a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at the First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis on August 3, 1983. The song was later cleaned up and used in the film. This amazing video of the original performance contain more drama and excitement then the entire movie, and make it so you will never want or need to watch your old VHS copy again. I can only imagine what the audience thought hearing this epic 13 minute version of "Purple Rain" for the first time.

Even if you only care to hear this song one more time in your live (once you get past the two minute intro), this is MUST SEE rock and roll viewing!


Prince - Purple Rain [Live 1983] by Vilosophe

Song of the Day-"Here She Comes Now"

Today I present to you a wonderful song of longing, in which the two versions are in complete contrast with each other.

The original Velvet Underground version is a tender, plaintive plea for a love that seems to elude. Nirvana's twice as long version starts out just as sweetly, but builds and builds with the sound of a man on the edge of such longing, that he can't live with himself.

Like all great cover versions, I love how one can get completely different feelings from the same song. Hence; the power of music on full display once again!