Rock Town Hall • Rock Music Discussion

More, More, More?

Oct 152012

I’ve long been a skeptic regarding the musical value of Leonard Cohen, but I’ve always liked the song “Suzanne.”

As a Beatles diehard who’s never been a big fan of vocal jazz music, I did make an effort to check out Nina Simone shortly after reading that a section of “Michelle” was lifted/inspired by one of her songs. Anything I’ve heard from her is OK. It’s got that jazz singing thing I usually don’t like.

This marriage of “Suzanne” with Nina Simone, however, is a revelation. I suspect the dashiki-wearing band factors into my enjoyment. Nevertheless, is there more like this?

Perhaps there’s an artist who has never otherwise impressed you yet who has one performance that’s caused you to seek recommendations of possibly more similar charms. Who might that be and what’s the one track that’s raised your curiosity? Maybe we can help.

Is There a Drummer in the House: Has Any Song Ever Been Improved by the Use of a Double Bass Drum?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Oct 152012

Is there a drummer in the house?

The first thing that caught my eye when I stumbled across the above video by Christie’s 1970 UK hit “Yellow River” was the double bass drum featured in the video’s still. As unappealing as I’ve ever found even the concept of hearing a song involving a double bass drum, those things look cool. I suppose that’s the point, but drummers: has any song ever been improved by the use of a double bass drum? Have you ever been playing a song with your band and thought to yourself, Damn, if only I had a double bass drum!

I am curious to learn of songs that were actually improved by the use of the dual kick drum, and I am curious to know whether you prefer Christie’s take on “Yellow River” using that set up or, as seen in the following clip, when the drummer is reduced to a single bass drum.

Gathering Storm

Posted by Slim Jade

Oct 122012

I might take it on the chin for this one, if my spouse’s reaction to Godspeed You! Black Emperor is anything to judge by. Ms. Jade is very vocal in her dislike of this Montreal collective. You know how some people turn green and can’t even be in the same room as tequila after having gotten sick on it? It’s that kind of reaction. And that makes me scratch my head.

Rockets Fall On Rocket Falls

Moya

So, I don’t know where RTH-ers are gonna stand on 20-minute long instrumentals of epic guitar glory, seasick violins, hypnotic bagpipe drones, stately drumming, insurrectionist soundbites and the loose-tight-loose woven compositions from the enigmatic and inscrutable GYBE. The time is right, however, since they’ve just released new material.

Mladic

The Dead Flag Blues

I say they’re sublime. Taking that odd name from a 70’s Japanese biker documentary, and subsisting on a word-of-mouth congregation, they play live with all the aplomb of a professional chamber group, while grimy and arcane film clips collage the stage. Talk about a zoned-out audience!

Motherfucker=Redeemer (Part One)

Providence

The sound is demanding, and also ambient. Difficult to unwrap, hard to find lucidity. Godspeed excels in symphonic movements that gather clouds and bloom, inviting periods of private focus and daze, are best for beatitude and elation.

Where do you stand? Rapturous or Overwrought?

New Rolling Stones: Doom and Gloom

Posted by 2000 Man

Oct 122012

Well, after the entirely craptastic A Bigger Bang, I didn’t expect much from the new Stones song, which is one of two that will be on their latest catalog cash grab, GRRRR! (which has a terrible cover as well as some truly spotty song choices on it). But I like this song. It sounds pretty okay, but I’ve only listened to it once. So I guess The Stones aren’t extinct!

All-Star Jam

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Oct 122012

Is that Mike Damone at the back of the crowd? Don’t just stroke your chin and watch, Mike. Tell us what’s on your mind.

Best Covers LP of All Time?

Posted by jungleland2

Oct 112012

Next up for Lynne: A self-recorded tribute album to ELO!

Enjoying the new Jeff Lynne CD Long Wave and was thinking about LPs that are all cover songs.

What are some of the RTH favorites? What am I missing?

Here are the ones that came to mind; am I missing any big ones?

Bowie, Pin Ups
Elvis Costello, Kojak Variety
Jeff Lynne, Long Wave
Bob Dylan, Good As I’ve Been to You/World Gone Wrong
Paul McCartney, Run Devil Run, Russian Album, Kisses On the Bottom
Rod Stewart, Great American Songbook Vol 1-4
Golden Smog, On Golden Smog
Def Leppard, Oh Yeah!
Stray Cats, Original Cool
Dave Edmunds, DE7
Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome
Johnny Cash, American Recordings 1-4

Chariots of the Rock Gods

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Oct 112012

In which we ask mind-blowing questions, such as Did indie rockers visit planet Earth as far back as the early 1970s?

Remember the book (and cheapo movie) Chariots of the Gods? Most of what little I know about religion comes through The Ten Commandments (the movie), The Last Temptation of Christ (ditto), and the paperback edition of Chariot of the Gods, the last of which blew my mind when I read it as a kid. The book speculated that stories from the Bible and other early texts were actually ancient civilizations’ attempts to explain visitations by…aliens! The thought of this happening (and you know it did) still boggles the mind.

Yesterday I stumbled across a photograph that blew my mind in a similar fashion. I forget how I even stumbled across it, but…well, why don’t I let you see it for yourself, with no further preamble:

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