Long Live Music

After an enlightening conversation Friday concerning music and its staying power across generations, I have determined that for every generation there comes an infinite number of contributions to the musical landscape, but only a select few transcend many generations.   What contributes to this? I think the answer is that there are certain "threads" that make up our culture....and composers that are successful are those that best adapt "threads" of the past with the "threads" of the present to create a fabric that sums up our culture.  Case in point:  New generations of music fans continue to "discover" the Beatles!  we are a society that shares stories in the form of music, art, and literature.  Those who are able to properly introduce music, art, and literature are able to keep it alive.  That's why efforts by long-standing musicians, artists and authors experience new life.  Parents, siblings, teachers, and others serve as "conduit" as well as contemporary artists simply by acknowledging the debt of influence to predecessors.  Even in this attention-deficit driven society that we live, others should share and discuss that which influences them.....seek to understand what motivates an artist, musician, or author.  It is this way we can better understand ourselves.  If I am interested in a particular genre of music or art,  I research what was going on at the time, what motivations were present, and how it all inter-relates with contemporaries of that time.  Then I can start to visualize and understand.  One genre is only part of the puzzle, so appreciation of all genres will complete the puzzle.  This is why culture adapts and survives across generations...think about it!

Thank You Solomon Burke

Sunday 10/10/10 the world lost one of the founding fathers of soul music:  Solomon Burke passed away Sunday in the Netherlands at the age of 70.  Born in Philadelphia he chose the church and gospel as a career path....rubbing elbows on occasion with Dr. Martin Luther King.  The late sixties saw Burke signing with Atlantic Records to pursue a more secular path.  He composed and recorded many songs now considered "standards" one of which was made famous in "The Blues Brothers":  "Someone to Love ".  Burke remained active right up until his death recording and performing....one particular effort  released in 2006, was a collaboration with Buddy Miller and others including Dolly Parton, Emmylou  Harris  and Patty Griffin that represented a return to country roots, called "Nashville".  This was a very impressive array of songs and personnel that exposed Mr. Burke to a whole new audience.  He will be missed by all.  Enjoy "Cry to Me"

Happy Birthday John

Search Amazon.com for john lennonToday would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday...It's hard to imagine that he has been gone so long!  The world has such an outpouring of love and admiration for a man who could quite possibly be one of the best songwriters and performers of the twentieth century.  Perhaps George Harrison said it best in the song "all those years ago" when he said "...you point the way to truth when you say all you need is love".  The most vocal member of the Beatles, he always said what was on his mind despite consequences personally or professionally.  It's easy to wax poetic about what the world would be like were it not for Marc David Chapman, but John would not want the world to get stuck on woulda coulda and shoulda...but rather will do and can do!  Let's spend this day and every day after working towards peace....."its easy if you try"

Go Gene Go by the Howling Diablos

check out this very cool sendup by the Diablos' paying homage to the great Gene Krupa! very slick!

A brighter artist for a brighter world

Heres what is perhaps the most amazing artist that has been heard by so few...Ben Harper has the vibe and the message that should be more widely broadcast, but again thanks to youtube we can bare witness!  Even though this particular song is from 2003, it is still very fresh and vital....I recommend also "Better Way" and "Diamonds on the Inside"  Ben will do the rest!  Remember two things:  Enjoy and Share!
Thanks

Nobody In Detroit by the Howling Diablos

Here's exactly what I'm talking about!  "Nobody in Detroit" is a clear example why these guys should have a larger audience.  Also I recommend "Junkyard Jesus" and "Carwash".  Support our local music scene! Thanks

Local Heroes

Heres to local heroes...the hard-working bands that are legends in their "neighbourhood" , yet seldom are shared with the rest of the world!  Luckily in our day of electronic media, more musicians can share through youtube and other social networking outlets.  Case in point is Detroit legends The Howling Diablos.  For decades frontman "Tino" Gross has built a name for himself in the greater Michigan/Detroit area with a strong following of loyal fans. The Diablos incorporate a bluesy funk sound that is the real deal.  I first became familiar with the Diablos when my wife's aunt called years ago and said that we should watch PBS' American Masters because her cousin (Tino) was going to be part of a documentary about Sun Records (Good Rockin' Tonight)....To our delight we saw a great performance of  Malcolm Yelvington's rockabilly standard "Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee- o-dee" featuring the Diablos with Kid Rock!  At the time I thought this was pretty cool...but I did little else at the time to seek out their story and their sound.  Recently my wife's aunt passed away and my wife spoke to Tino to offer condolences and I looked into what cousin Tino had been up to! It seems that the band has toured with national acts as diverse as George Clinton to Alice Cooper to Ben Harper! They have released several EPs and live offerings as well as full-length offerings.  Judge for yourself...there are some artists that deserve to be heard by more  and these guys are a prime example.  Look them up on youtube and visit their website www.howlingdiablos.com.