Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Dancing to Lip Syncing Musicians

Nov 122012

This is a longshot, but has anyone in the Halls of Rock ever appeared on a dance show along the lines of American Bandstand? As someone who rarely dances in any situation, I find it really odd to imagine what it much be like dancing to lip-syncing musicians. What does it sound like in the studio? Can you hear the musicians banging their unamplified instruments? How can you focus on dancing with the nonsense in progress onstage?

I’ve been watching a number of old Who videos lately and also wondering if the Who was the first band that went over the top in providing “exciting” lip-synced performances. Have any of our musicians ever lip-synced for a live audience? How weird was that?

Last Man Standing: Bands Named After Articles of Clothing

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 092012

In honor of one of my favorite articles of clothing, which I will leave to you to identify through today’s Last Man Standing, let us cite bands named after articles of clothing. Need I say more? Go!

Angelina Jolie to Play Carly Simon in Upcoming Biopic

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 092012

You may recall these red carpet shots of Angelina Jolie from the 2012 Oscars:

She’s got leg.

Rock Town Hall’s Hollywood insider Links Linkerson reports that the actress has signed on to play singer-songwriter Carly Simon in a biopic tentatively titled You’re So Vain. The role of former husband James Taylor has been linked to John Hawkes. Other actors mentioned as possibilities for roles include Phillip Seymour Hoffman as drummer and later love interest Russ Kunkel, Harry Shearer as bassist Leland Sklar, and Holly Hunter as Mick Jagger. What’s believed to be an early cut from the film follows.

Which Version of “Blinded by the Light” Do You Like Better?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 052012

We’ve danced around this issue for too long: Which version of “Blinded by the Light” do you like better, Manfred Mann & The Earth Band‘s hit version or The Boss‘ original?

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Be honest. There’s nothing to be gained by trying to find the “cool” answer.

If you need a refresher on these versions, check out each version…after the jump!

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 042012

Good things come to those who report from the front lines of rock!

Molasses Cover

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 042012

I hate the “molasses cover.” HATE IT!

I’m not sure when this convention began, but that molasses-slow version of “Sweet Jane” from the 1980s by that Canadian band that recorded in a church is the first example of the phenomenon that made such a bad impression on me.

Why is it considered a good idea to cover a galloping or charging rock ‘n roll song at a third of the original’s speed? Was I previously not capable of getting the drama of the lyrics at the song’s original pace? Do artists think we’re, you know, “slow?”

I know some of you like Cowboy Junkies‘—that’s the band whose name I couldn’t remember—take on “Sweet Jane.” I can’t count that. Does the molasses cover EVER improve on the original?

I, most likely, dread your responses.

Legendary Bands Lacking Particularly Influential Musicians

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Nov 022012

WANTED: Bassist with good hair. No poseurs!

Some nerdboy with a thing for Pete Quaife‘s hairdo is bound to disagree, but driving into work this morning it occurred to me that The Kinks achieved a legendary body of work without having any particularly influential musician. Any musician with an ounce of taste will rave about songwriting and the songs, but beside Dave Davies‘ freakout solos on a couple of early singles, who ever thinks of any member of that band in a “Musicians’ Musician” type of way? Who’s ever posted an add seeking a musician with a description of the musical style of a member of The Kinks?

Sure, a case can be made for the influence of Ray Davies‘ fey vocal delivery, but has Ray ever made a “Top 100 Vocalists in Rock” list? Highly doubtful.

In no way do I mean to imply that there’s anything wrong with this thought, mind you, but I was wondering if any other legendary bands were composed of musicians who didn’t particularly influence future generations of musicians, you know, real musicians who practice, buy special gear, and shit like that.

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