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Coldplay Accused of Plagiarism – Again
White Stripes’ Meg White Getting Married
Ean Evans, Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist, Dead At 48
Van Halen confirmed for “Guitar Hero”
Yoko Ono Displays John Lennon’s Bloodied Clothes
May 132009
May 132009
Early poll results, as of 11:05 am EST on 5/13/09.
This is a tough one so I thought I’d create a post to work this thorny issue out in public. I’d need someone with good writing and organizational skills and an eye for detail. They would also have to be reliable.
Springsteen and Buckingham both strike me as control freaks musically. This could be a big benefit if channeled properly. I would imagine that they would really turn in good work product when they were done, and Springsteen in particular has a way with words. My concern with both of them is that they might let Great become the enemy of Good. Seldom are things perfect in life and I can’t be waiting around on a project while they continually revamp it in search of perfection. So, I’ll bring them in for interviews and hang on to their resumes but they wouldn’t be my first choices.
Sheryl Crow and Chrissie Hynde are appealing because they both strike me as team players, notwithstanding Chrissie’s past association with the punks. Also, as women, I could get away with paying them 33% less than a man, and in this economy I have to keep an eye on the bottom line. However, over the years I’ve heard a lot statements that Chrissie has made in support of various causes and I can’t risk her blurting that kind of stuff out during meetings when we are trying to close a deal. As for Sheryl, I suspect there is very little chance that she would pass the drug screening.
Peter Gabriel is out because he bailed on Genesis right as they were on the cusp of getting big. To me, this shows that he will put his own interests before that of the team. Also, I’m uncertain if he’s charmingly eccentric or just plain weird. In either event, I have a business to run and I don’t want to have to revise my office dress code to include the phrase “no fox head hats”.
That leaves us with Seger and Petty. Both seem very dependable. Seger is the ultimate “C curve” guy. He would punch in right at 9 and leave right at 5. He would meet every deadline. He would be a real asset to the company softball team. But I wouldn’t expect any extra effort from him no matter what the circumstances. And there might be union problems.
There’s no question that Petty’s work product is much higher quality than Seger’s. I often tend to underestimate Petty (perhaps it’s the lethargic speaking voice), but he is extremely reliable. You’re rarely going to get “A” quality work with him but you will always have a steady stream of “B’s” and “B pluses”. His loyalty is well demonstrated by the fact that he stuck with his second bass player through his addiction and after Howie died, he hired the original guy back. He’s constantly progressing but in a steadfast way. He seems like he’d put in the extra hours if need be but he wouldn’t let the job take over his life. I don’t want my staff to burn out.
So I’m going with Petty. I’ll offer the low range of the salaries and two weeks vacation but I’ll let him talk me up 10% on the salary and up to 3 weeks’ vacation so he can feel like he’s getting a deal. I’ll need him to start ASAP.
May 132009
In rapid-fire style, Rock Town Hall wants to know what’s NOW PLAYING (or was most recently playing) as you read this post! How is it? Is there a story to tell? Would you recommend this to anyone? There’s not a minute to waste!
May 122009
Here’s a little game I’d like to try out, without having put a great deal of thought into it to ensure its chances of success. In other words, I ask you to cut me a break in advance, if this turns out to be a terrible idea.
A Townsperson will suggest a guest musician on a noted artist’s record, such as Eric Clapton playing on The Beatles‘ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” We’re talking actual guest appearances or appearances as session musicians, not a spell when said “guest” was actually a member of the band (eg, Johnny Marr‘s membership in Modest Mouse does not count as “guest appearance”). Easy enough, right?
Then, the next Townsperson needs to cite someone who has 1) guested on that guest musician’s own recording, 2) another recording by an artist on which the first guest musician has recorded, or 3) a guest musician on the most recently-introduced artist’s recording who can be tied back to the previous guest artist.
For instance, in the case of Clapton guesting with The Beatles, the next Townsperson would need to cite either 1) someone who has guested on a Clapton record or 2) someone who has guested on a recording by another musician with whom Clapton has guested. In this example, for instance, Townsperson #2 may play George Harrison guesting with Delaney, Bonnie and Friends, with whom Clapton also guested! (Harrison may have been a guest musician on a Clapton record, for that matter – either direction would work, if this is the case.)
With that move played, Townsperson #3 would need to cite a musician who has 1) guested with Harrison, 2) guested with another musician with whom Harrison has also guested (eg, Clapton!), or 3) guested with the most recently-introduced artist in this tangled web, Delaney, Bonnie and Friends.
Got me? I’ll tell you what, to make sure you’ve got me, let’s say those first two moves have been played and the first Townsperson to play is Townsperson #3. You may even play that Clapton card I just gave you as a possible answer at your own risk: the coencentric circles of Clapton-associated musicians may quickly become too much to bear!
We may never get off this topic, or we may throw up our hands and determine it’s time to put a halt to these proceedings in the Halls of Rock. Godspeed, Townspeople!
May 102009
Hint: 12 songs.
Click to play: Happy Mother’s Day
CLICK TO TRY THE: TRAINING WHEELS VERSION
Extended clips for #s 2, 5, 7, 10.
CLICK TO TRY THE: BIG WHEEL VERSION
Extended clips for #s 2, 10.
May 102009
Enjoy your day!
May 082009
Admit it, this is the kind of live prock experience you wish you could have witnessed in person! At least I wish I coud have been there to see a beret-wearing Tom Verlaine playing one of my favorite songs from my favorite of his solo albums, Dreamtime! Love the chops-wielding drummer! Dig the other guitarist’s huge, unbuttoned cuffs. And is that Fred Smith on bass?
