life ends at 27
Basically, one guy singing Bohemian Rhapsody with 25 different voices. Amazing, hilarious too. His Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger are particularly impressive, but that shirt has got to go.
Like them or not, Nirvana was the voice of a generation. Their MTV unplugged performance was perhaps their most unusual, and with no small irony the sum of everything they were. Great musicianship, subtle nuances, angst (yes it has become a cliché, so sue me), all their everything.
Of the original compositions, All Apologies was particularly devastating, and of course with those lyrics: “Married…Buried…”. Yes, Courtney, we still blame you.
Actually, just Dave Grohl and his guitar in an outstanding acoustic performance of Everlong, the song that made me go from “Foo Fighters? Yeah they’ve got some catchy songs” into a raving fan boy.
Mark Goffeney was born without arms, but he not only managed to learn to play the guitar with his toes, he plays it well. The only word that describes this man is “amazing”.
This is a video of him playing Tom Petty’s Last Dance With Mary Jane in Bolboa Park, San Diego. Now, I probably (maybe?) can play this particular song as well as he can, but I sure as hell cannot sing as well. Truly inspirational.
Read an article about Mark in Ability Magazine.
David Bowie of course needs no introduction. This is a fine live performance of “Heroes” (obligatory quotation marks) from September 2002, Berlin. I rate it higher than the celebrated 1985 performance at Live Aid.
And may I add David looked very good for someone in his fifties… not that I have tendencies like that or anything…
Okay, the synchronised head-banging is pretty goofy (I might have found it cool when I was 16…) but this progressive metal band founded by Dutch progressive master Arjen Lucassen has got the goods musically. The lead singer Marcela Bovio was heavily featured on the Human Equation, the last Ayreon album, and I daresay she is one of the best female voices in metal. As for the band itself, as a friend opined “they remind me of Evanescence, but I can’t quite put a finger on what’s different…ah yes, they don’t suck”. Plus Marcela is much hotter than whatshername…
Stealing a good idea from Crooks and Liars‘ Late Night Music Club, here’s Pearl Jam with guest Chris Cornell performing Temple of the Dog’s Hunger Strike, Santa Barbara 2003. Its not everyday you get two of the best hard rock singers of the 90s on the same stage, singing the same song.
I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
Picked up the remastered Boston’s debut album. Now, I want to assume this album needs no introduction, but that is unlikely (kids these days…) so for the uninitiated, this is a short summary:
The remastering job is outstanding, so if you already are a fan and wondering if you should pick it up, the short answer is “yes”, and the long answer is “be a man, do the right thing“. If you are one of the unwashed plebes who have not heard of the album, then be aware that this album is the ultimate rock and roll fantasy and is much more than a feeling.
Very interesting article on the book “This Is Your Brain on Music”. Probably explains why I cannot accept new rock music, and also why old *coughbonjovicough* songs make me happy even though I know they are crap.
Paris Hilton cries when she listens to her own album.
Yeah, well, like, I probably will feel like crying too if I, like, ever have to listen to it.