There are two phenomenon that cause me great consternation. On the surface they seem to be polar opposites to one another but is reality they are intertwined.
On the one hand we have those music fans that are constantly bemoaning that music just isn't as good as it used to be and that records definitely sounded better in the analog days long before digital.
On the other hand we have those grizzled veterans who swear up and down that music is still a vital and exciting part of their life and they discover at least 2 or 3 records a year that come close to changing their lives every bit as much as the first time they heard the Beatles' Revolver.
Are either of these people telling the truth? I don't think they are and i think both are.
You see, when you're growing up and you're starting your life as a music fan, everything is fresh and new and exciting. Every new record is a profound discovery that seeps in to your soul and enters your bloodstream. In retrospect, how can anything you hear in subsequent eras of your life compare to those first few years of discovery?
On the other hand, there are kids today discovering new music for themselves and they are having the same experience as we had oh so many years ago. In a couple of years, they will discover the music that we loved and they will embrace it but it still won't be the same as the records that were recorded for them today by their generation of musicians.
No point...just saying.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
What ever happened to...
The title could apply to any number of artists but in the case of this post I am talking about Wide Mouth Mason and The Soundtrack of Our Lives. before you begin typing away about how both bands still exist and have released new music (I know, I know), please hear me out...
In the mid-90's Wide Mouth Mason literally burst out of nowhere - if you consider Saskatoon nowhere. Freshly signed to a major label they toured across Canada as an unknown opening act for Big Sugar. Each night, by the end of their set - after a rousing version of Stevie Wonder's "Satisfaction" and guitarist Shaun Verrault's orthodontic pyrotechnics - the crowd was converted. When their debut came out it was no surprise that it was certified gold in Canada and their touring base was solid. Three guys, one stage, incredible show, awe inspiring sound. I watched them do the same throughout the mid-west of the U.S. In Kentucky, while opening for Kenny Wayne Shepard, I watched as the guys got a standing ovation just for walking through the club after their blistering set.
Wide Mouth Mason were a blues-based band. As a classic three piece it made sense. After the first flush of success they settled in for their second album and decided they wanted to reach a pop audience. Their album sales declined. And on the third album as they continued down that path their sales continued to dwindle. You can blame it on many things and there's no definite answer but if a band does something well, why not stick to it, perfect it and let your audience celebrate it. Wide Mouth mason never lost their live edge but their performances suffered from weaker material.
As for The Soundtrack of our Lives...their performance 5 years ago at the Opera House in Toronto was a rock and roll epiphany for me. Their command of the stage and dynamic performance revived my faith in rock and roll and kicked my ass into the new millennium. The album Behind The Music was classic mixing The Who, Stones and Pink Floyd into a beautiful stew. the single "Sister Surround" got a ton of airplay and the video was in regular rotation everywhere. Their lead singer wasn't your everyday pretty boy but audiences couldn't take their eyes off of him. The band was poised to be the next big thing. And then they recorded their new album and the music wasn't as vital. Critics panned the record and music fans voted with their wallets. The Soundtrack of Our Lives disappeared off the North American landscape as quickly as they had appeared.
It's a shame that Wide Mouth Mason and Soundtrack of Our Lives aren't forces anymore. Their live shows were what put "incendiary" in to rock and roll.
In the mid-90's Wide Mouth Mason literally burst out of nowhere - if you consider Saskatoon nowhere. Freshly signed to a major label they toured across Canada as an unknown opening act for Big Sugar. Each night, by the end of their set - after a rousing version of Stevie Wonder's "Satisfaction" and guitarist Shaun Verrault's orthodontic pyrotechnics - the crowd was converted. When their debut came out it was no surprise that it was certified gold in Canada and their touring base was solid. Three guys, one stage, incredible show, awe inspiring sound. I watched them do the same throughout the mid-west of the U.S. In Kentucky, while opening for Kenny Wayne Shepard, I watched as the guys got a standing ovation just for walking through the club after their blistering set.
Wide Mouth Mason were a blues-based band. As a classic three piece it made sense. After the first flush of success they settled in for their second album and decided they wanted to reach a pop audience. Their album sales declined. And on the third album as they continued down that path their sales continued to dwindle. You can blame it on many things and there's no definite answer but if a band does something well, why not stick to it, perfect it and let your audience celebrate it. Wide Mouth mason never lost their live edge but their performances suffered from weaker material.
As for The Soundtrack of our Lives...their performance 5 years ago at the Opera House in Toronto was a rock and roll epiphany for me. Their command of the stage and dynamic performance revived my faith in rock and roll and kicked my ass into the new millennium. The album Behind The Music was classic mixing The Who, Stones and Pink Floyd into a beautiful stew. the single "Sister Surround" got a ton of airplay and the video was in regular rotation everywhere. Their lead singer wasn't your everyday pretty boy but audiences couldn't take their eyes off of him. The band was poised to be the next big thing. And then they recorded their new album and the music wasn't as vital. Critics panned the record and music fans voted with their wallets. The Soundtrack of Our Lives disappeared off the North American landscape as quickly as they had appeared.
It's a shame that Wide Mouth Mason and Soundtrack of Our Lives aren't forces anymore. Their live shows were what put "incendiary" in to rock and roll.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bob Egan
One of my favourite Canadian musicians isn't Canadian at all. I met Bob Egan when he was a member of Wilco during the Being There years. He lives in Kitchener now and plays with Blue Rodeo. Here is the beginning of Bob's bio:
It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."
He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."
An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"
A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus for a 2-year ride. That was a decade ago.
It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."
He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."
An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"
A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus for a 2-year ride. That was a decade ago.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Led Zeppelin at London's O2 Arena
The hoi paloi were out that night. For the record, I am not a part of the hoi paloi. A colleague of mine watched the concert from the Ertegun box and had this story to tell me.
Mick jagger and his girlfriend were also in the ox that night. Like most of the crown, jagger spent a majority of the concert on his feet dancing the night away. Near the end of the concert, Jagger's assistant suggested that he should leave early to miss the crowds coming out of the arena. he agreed and said his good-byes to everyone he knew in the box. he gathered his coat and headed out the door.
But before the door closed Zeppelin went into "Kashmir" and the door burst open again. Jagger ran back in, threw down his jacket and reclaimed his position in the box to dance to one more tune. I understand it was a terrific night for everyone.
Mick jagger and his girlfriend were also in the ox that night. Like most of the crown, jagger spent a majority of the concert on his feet dancing the night away. Near the end of the concert, Jagger's assistant suggested that he should leave early to miss the crowds coming out of the arena. he agreed and said his good-byes to everyone he knew in the box. he gathered his coat and headed out the door.
But before the door closed Zeppelin went into "Kashmir" and the door burst open again. Jagger ran back in, threw down his jacket and reclaimed his position in the box to dance to one more tune. I understand it was a terrific night for everyone.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
From Magnificent to Maligned to Nostolgia
My buddy got the recently released Brit Box set from Rhino which, all at once, aged him. "How did the music of my youth suddenly become nostalgia," he asked. he then went on to point out that of the three discs one was jammed full of hits, one had some hits and the third was all filler. Of course filler is only one opinion. When Rhino works on these boxes they are trying to piece together a quintessential snapshot of an era. one man's filler is another man's goldmine.
One could argue (and win the argument) that any three set box intended to encapsulate an era would do the same. My era would be mid-seventies hard rock. But after some Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Kiss, Queen and Thin Lizzy, what's next? I love Judas Priest but someone else might want to hear Black Oak Arkansas. As a fan of seventies rock I had to endure the years that everyone laughed in my face and called it the lost decade of rock and roll. I stayed true to my record collection and a few years ago the seventies finally started to get the recognition it truly deserved.
The same can be said of the new wave which seemed so saccharine and plastic not too many years ago has suddenly come back into vogue and sacchariney and plastically.
The nineties are due for a comeback too. For as popular as Nirvana remains, the countless soundalikes are sure to be recognized as the collective saviours of rock and roll and herald the decade as a sort of renaissance.
One could argue (and win the argument) that any three set box intended to encapsulate an era would do the same. My era would be mid-seventies hard rock. But after some Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Kiss, Queen and Thin Lizzy, what's next? I love Judas Priest but someone else might want to hear Black Oak Arkansas. As a fan of seventies rock I had to endure the years that everyone laughed in my face and called it the lost decade of rock and roll. I stayed true to my record collection and a few years ago the seventies finally started to get the recognition it truly deserved.
The same can be said of the new wave which seemed so saccharine and plastic not too many years ago has suddenly come back into vogue and sacchariney and plastically.
The nineties are due for a comeback too. For as popular as Nirvana remains, the countless soundalikes are sure to be recognized as the collective saviours of rock and roll and herald the decade as a sort of renaissance.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Norman Mailer
I lived in Brooklyn Heights years ago. Norman Mailer lived there too and I would often see him out for a walk on Clark St., shopping at Barnes and Noble or leaning over the railing on the Promandae looking at Manhatten (pre 9/11).
I didn't read much mailer, but what I did (Executioner's Song, The Fight) blew my mind. I loved listening to him talk in interviews and always appreciated that he had built a tough guy persona for himself.
One of the romantic notions I always talked about while living in new york City was the fact that I was walking the same streets, past the same brownstones as some of the most important writers in history. Norman mailer could be the last literary hero of our times with no one really waiting in the wings.
All those time I saw him I never spoke to Norman Mailer.
I didn't read much mailer, but what I did (Executioner's Song, The Fight) blew my mind. I loved listening to him talk in interviews and always appreciated that he had built a tough guy persona for himself.
One of the romantic notions I always talked about while living in new york City was the fact that I was walking the same streets, past the same brownstones as some of the most important writers in history. Norman mailer could be the last literary hero of our times with no one really waiting in the wings.
All those time I saw him I never spoke to Norman Mailer.
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