Greetings my friends. I hope this entry as usual finds you in good health and spirit. This blog entry is a recap of the weekend plus an update on future musical happenings with me so it could get a little lengthy.
Saturday night, after enjoying a cheeseburger and a fine German-style märzen microbrew, Laura, Sarah Jo, and I stumbled our way over to the sold out Verizon Center, in Washignton, DC for the AC/DC "Black Ice Tour". I heard the mumblings of the opening act while in the tee-shirt line. "The Answer" didn't sound too bad, so no harsh review from me there. I would have liked to hear them but I conceded with the ladies to head over late and then once I saw the shirts, I just had to have one...or three.
So AC/DC starts the show with an amazingly well crafted, witty animation of the band on a train and its speeding out of control, with none other than a demonized Angus Young piling the coal into the boiler, followed with a brief spot of implying Brian Johnson receiving oral sex on the train. I was proud of the parents who brought their seven year old sons to this show, who were in front of us. Anyways, no moral commentary, we're here to rock. So as the train powers its way to its climax, the screen splits and a giant replica steam locomotive explodes onto stage with pyro and fireworks, and of course, devil horns.
AC/DC runs out and slams into "Rock 'n' Roll Train" from their new album. From there, it was just relentless. Angus's striptease to "The Jack", a crowd sing-along to "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Back in Black", I was glad I stayed sober for this show as I think they would have killed me. This was again, a highly emotional show for me. I can't tell you how much I like these guys. They never changed their sound, they played their cards right business wise and after 35 years, 28 with Brian Johnson singing, are still kicking ass. "Let There Be Rock" accompanied an extensive solo by Angus Young, where we were treated to see his amazing one hand playing technique, where he holds the fret with his index finger, and strums with the middle finger. I also took a solo on Laura's leg at this point. HA! After leaving stage, and a solid 3 minutes of crowd roar that was just as deafening as the band, a trap door opens and red smoke puffs out, and slowly rises from it is Angus, wearing his trademark devil horns. Once out of the pit, he slams into "Highway To Hell". The crowd, now frothing at the mouth practically, gets a glimpse of 6 cannons lined up across the stage, they just showed up there. You didn't see them roll out or anything. We're totally aware now with what they intend to close the show. "For Those About to Rock! FIRE *insanely loud cannon fire and pyro* We Salute You!". Just an insane set closed with the rock anthem that defines the band. They give back to the audience exactly what they are given. An amazing show. That's all I can say.
So this brings me to the appeal of AC/DC. Its not like the lyrics are deep, but its the composition style, and the fact that they are one of the last blues and riff driven rock bands left. Their composition style always starts with the guitar riff, then the bass, then the lyrics and melody. They build in a different way, and can be an acquired taste. This blues basis, though sometimes not seen due to their powerful playing is reflected in the fact that before they started playing, they were playing old blues recordings from the 1940's and 50's. All with dominant guitar riffs. Just more proof of my theory that bands define themselves by the music of others that they play before performing.
So now with no rock concerts until January with The Killers, we focus on some more tame topics. I have agreed to take on a production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Forum" at Howard Community College. This is the first time I've done a musical for this much money and it has me a ltitle worried but you know, I just have to have faith in my talent and experience.
This weekend is also looking busy, as the quintet will be playing in a benefit concert for cancer at a church in Pasadena, MD, and then playing in the UMBC Symphony Concert. It will be a chop busting weekend witht he potential to be the most rewarding musical work I've ever done.
I will be going to see "Dr Atomic" by John Adams this Wednesday night. It will be a rebroadcast of the Met's production. Which reminds me, I went to see "Norma" by Bellini this past week. It was so sad, I didn't expect an early Romantic Italian opera to hit me so hard. I almost cried in front of Sarah Jane. Crying in front of a girl at an opera could be disastrous.
And to close up, again, the work party planning committee has commissioned me write up the musical entertainment for the night. Sigh. Gone are the days of just attending and enjoying the company.
Also friends, check out Orange Album Project on iTunes!!! Its been released! Keep an eye also for a review of the new album by Killers.
Well good night friends, and as Bon Scott once said "Lets there be lights, drums, guitar...LET THERE BE ROCK!"
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I Can't Explain, but I Kinda Can...
Hello loyal readers, thank you yet again for tuning to my little piece of the Internet. This entry will obviously be about the life changing experience that was Monday night that occurred at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.
When I bought tickets to see The Who back in July or so, whenever they went on sale, I felt they were overpriced for an old band, but was a band important for me to see and hear as I continue to explore the roots of rock. So of course I was excited, and since I had no takers from friends to reimburse me for the $80 ticket, I gifted it to my mother. She hadn't been a headliner concert since seeing and meeting James Brown in the mid 1960's. Her friend's husband owned a strip club James Brown frequented in Charleston, South Carolina. Anyways, back on topic.
My mother didn't quite understand the importance of seeing The Who. I tried to explain to her that they were the innovators of modern rock. Before them everything was blues based. The Who invented the power chord. The Who invented the rock opera with "A Quick One While he's Away" from the album "A Quick One". They were one of the first bands to include synthesizers in their music. The Who even changed equipment practices. They were the first to use stacks of Marshall amps, John Entwistle helped develop the Rotosound guitar string, and even a new type of amp using higher wattage had to be invented for them. The list of things are countless. They were the cutting edge of rock. They were the definition of rock. They ripped the future of rock right out of the hands of Elvis Presley. Personally, I feel they are more influential than The Beatles.
With that said, I still did not expect much from the show. I knew they were aging, I knew Roger Daltrey's voice was fading, and I knew Keith Moon and John Entwistle were no longer with us. Pete's brother*, Simon, playing rhythm guitar, Ringo Starr's son, Zack Starkey playing drums, Pino Palladino on bass, and John Bundrick tickling the ivories. How good can this concert be?
Let me tell you. The Who were the second loudest band I experienced. They were louder than Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Ozzy, and Airbourne. The first power chord slammed into our bodies with them opening with "I Can't Explain". They then proceeded to play "The Seeker", "Relay", "Fragments", "Who Are You", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Real Good Looking Boy", "Sister Disco", "Baba O'Riley", "Getting in Tune", "Eminence Front", "5:15", "Love Reign O'er Me", "My Generation", and closed with "Won't Get Fooled Again". I remembered this set list pretty well this time. But if one looks at that list, you'll notice a disturbing absence. Not a single song from the iconic album by The Who. "Tommy". Where was it? Why? How? What?
After a solid five minutes of screaming and cheering, Pete Townshend sneaks out on stage and they play "Naked Eye". The crowd still not satisfied, still no "Tommy". They were chanting just to hear anything from the album. Never have I been to a concert where people chant for an album, not a certain song. The band stumbles around the stage a bit and look at each other, then the lights drop and and single spotlight illuminates Pete, and he hits that first minor seventh chord of "Pinball Wizard" then stops. Half the crowd realized what was about to happen, and of course, due to owning that album in 2 different formats, I know the chord. Pete then proceeds to play through the opening progression slowly, then whips into tempo with his brother* hammering the loud distortion entrance. The crowd explodes! Finally, something from "Tommy". They play through "Pinball Wizard" but they don't stop. They do a medley of the album, featuring full performances of "Amazing Journey", "Sparks", and "See Me Feel Me". After the crowd cheers itself hoarse, the backing band leaves stage and Pete and Roger close the show with a lovely duet they wrote, "Tea and Theatre". They then wished us good night and received a rousing cheer as a small chant was traveling for Pete to come out and bust his guitar. He did not of course.
So here I am 48 hours after the close of the concert. I reflect on it. Its changed how I listen. In the music of The Who, especially live, you can hear the birth of so many musical sub genres. The synth work from songs like "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" inspired progressive rock, the hammering down strum of power chords and melodic drumming was the birth of metal, the fast strumming of power chords and screaming fast and rebellious lyrics birthed punk. The long solo sections wandering their way back to the head influenced jam bands and psychedelic bands. I won't be able to listen to Pink Floyd in the same light, nor AC/DC. I listened to "Who Made Who" by AC/DC and all I could hear were the walking power chord progressions, pioneered by The Who. I can't explain the change in my life this concert presented, but I now understand those before me, and I understand the draw, and just how awesome and powerful this music can be. I understand their ability to move people. I am going to be honest and three times during this show I got chills to the point I shed a few tears. This was the first band I've seen that completely left it all on the stage. They left exhausted, they left us exhausted. There's not many more words I can use to explain this. My mom even understood after the concert now what I was talking about.
I must discuss the opening act though, Inward Eye. This band has a great potential, just if they learned control on stage. Their guitarist just jumps around too much to where it affects his playing I feel. I enjoyed the vocals and the drumming quite a bit. They had a real punk feel to them without being just obnoxious, except for the jumping. His jumping even knocked over a mic on the drumset. They were victims though of the sound guy making sure they didn't sound too good. I listened to their stuff on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/inwardeye) and I enjoyed it quite a bit more. I do believe they have a release soon on iTunes and I do intend to purchase.
In honor of the topic and for my friend Stefanie, h-h-here's the f-f-f-famous clip of The Who on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Watch the end where Peter Townshend nearly dies.
Good night my friends, I leave you with the lyrics The Who left me with in honor of this being the 40th blog entry:
"All of us sad - lean on my shoulder now
The story is done - 's getting colder now
A thousand songs - still smoulder now
We played them as one - we're older now
All of us sad
All of us free
Before we walk from the stage
Two of us
Will you have some tea?
Will you have some tea
At the theatre with me?"
*Thanks Anonymous for catching my error! (11/6/08)
When I bought tickets to see The Who back in July or so, whenever they went on sale, I felt they were overpriced for an old band, but was a band important for me to see and hear as I continue to explore the roots of rock. So of course I was excited, and since I had no takers from friends to reimburse me for the $80 ticket, I gifted it to my mother. She hadn't been a headliner concert since seeing and meeting James Brown in the mid 1960's. Her friend's husband owned a strip club James Brown frequented in Charleston, South Carolina. Anyways, back on topic.
My mother didn't quite understand the importance of seeing The Who. I tried to explain to her that they were the innovators of modern rock. Before them everything was blues based. The Who invented the power chord. The Who invented the rock opera with "A Quick One While he's Away" from the album "A Quick One". They were one of the first bands to include synthesizers in their music. The Who even changed equipment practices. They were the first to use stacks of Marshall amps, John Entwistle helped develop the Rotosound guitar string, and even a new type of amp using higher wattage had to be invented for them. The list of things are countless. They were the cutting edge of rock. They were the definition of rock. They ripped the future of rock right out of the hands of Elvis Presley. Personally, I feel they are more influential than The Beatles.
With that said, I still did not expect much from the show. I knew they were aging, I knew Roger Daltrey's voice was fading, and I knew Keith Moon and John Entwistle were no longer with us. Pete's brother*, Simon, playing rhythm guitar, Ringo Starr's son, Zack Starkey playing drums, Pino Palladino on bass, and John Bundrick tickling the ivories. How good can this concert be?
Let me tell you. The Who were the second loudest band I experienced. They were louder than Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Ozzy, and Airbourne. The first power chord slammed into our bodies with them opening with "I Can't Explain". They then proceeded to play "The Seeker", "Relay", "Fragments", "Who Are You", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Real Good Looking Boy", "Sister Disco", "Baba O'Riley", "Getting in Tune", "Eminence Front", "5:15", "Love Reign O'er Me", "My Generation", and closed with "Won't Get Fooled Again". I remembered this set list pretty well this time. But if one looks at that list, you'll notice a disturbing absence. Not a single song from the iconic album by The Who. "Tommy". Where was it? Why? How? What?
After a solid five minutes of screaming and cheering, Pete Townshend sneaks out on stage and they play "Naked Eye". The crowd still not satisfied, still no "Tommy". They were chanting just to hear anything from the album. Never have I been to a concert where people chant for an album, not a certain song. The band stumbles around the stage a bit and look at each other, then the lights drop and and single spotlight illuminates Pete, and he hits that first minor seventh chord of "Pinball Wizard" then stops. Half the crowd realized what was about to happen, and of course, due to owning that album in 2 different formats, I know the chord. Pete then proceeds to play through the opening progression slowly, then whips into tempo with his brother* hammering the loud distortion entrance. The crowd explodes! Finally, something from "Tommy". They play through "Pinball Wizard" but they don't stop. They do a medley of the album, featuring full performances of "Amazing Journey", "Sparks", and "See Me Feel Me". After the crowd cheers itself hoarse, the backing band leaves stage and Pete and Roger close the show with a lovely duet they wrote, "Tea and Theatre". They then wished us good night and received a rousing cheer as a small chant was traveling for Pete to come out and bust his guitar. He did not of course.
So here I am 48 hours after the close of the concert. I reflect on it. Its changed how I listen. In the music of The Who, especially live, you can hear the birth of so many musical sub genres. The synth work from songs like "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" inspired progressive rock, the hammering down strum of power chords and melodic drumming was the birth of metal, the fast strumming of power chords and screaming fast and rebellious lyrics birthed punk. The long solo sections wandering their way back to the head influenced jam bands and psychedelic bands. I won't be able to listen to Pink Floyd in the same light, nor AC/DC. I listened to "Who Made Who" by AC/DC and all I could hear were the walking power chord progressions, pioneered by The Who. I can't explain the change in my life this concert presented, but I now understand those before me, and I understand the draw, and just how awesome and powerful this music can be. I understand their ability to move people. I am going to be honest and three times during this show I got chills to the point I shed a few tears. This was the first band I've seen that completely left it all on the stage. They left exhausted, they left us exhausted. There's not many more words I can use to explain this. My mom even understood after the concert now what I was talking about.
I must discuss the opening act though, Inward Eye. This band has a great potential, just if they learned control on stage. Their guitarist just jumps around too much to where it affects his playing I feel. I enjoyed the vocals and the drumming quite a bit. They had a real punk feel to them without being just obnoxious, except for the jumping. His jumping even knocked over a mic on the drumset. They were victims though of the sound guy making sure they didn't sound too good. I listened to their stuff on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/inwardeye) and I enjoyed it quite a bit more. I do believe they have a release soon on iTunes and I do intend to purchase.
In honor of the topic and for my friend Stefanie, h-h-here's the f-f-f-famous clip of The Who on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Watch the end where Peter Townshend nearly dies.
Good night my friends, I leave you with the lyrics The Who left me with in honor of this being the 40th blog entry:
"All of us sad - lean on my shoulder now
The story is done - 's getting colder now
A thousand songs - still smoulder now
We played them as one - we're older now
All of us sad
All of us free
Before we walk from the stage
Two of us
Will you have some tea?
Will you have some tea
At the theatre with me?"
*Thanks Anonymous for catching my error! (11/6/08)
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