Music Bender

I JUST FED MY BLOG THIS MORNIN’, A-AN’ … IT … (geewhiz!)… SEEMED HEALTHY ….

Actually, I couldn’t get my blog up and runnin’ for awhile, but I took it to the vet (veteran blog-fixer) who told me it had too much exposure to the secret ingredient in Mozilla, which caused its internal organ (ization) to shut down temporarily. Finally, after a shot of IE8, it’s back to normal!

Since I’d just finished a decent fish dinner at the local Captain D’s, I can truthfully say, COD BLESS THAT VET!

Now … where were we (or were we goin’ anywhere with this?)? OH, yeah …

Gettin’ the gears greased to shift this rascal into overdrive within the next couple/three clicks. That’s right … we’re gonna rollback Prices (as well as the rest of the Animals), turn back the Clarks (Dave’s group), and wish upon a Starr (on fresh Lennon, no less … not to mention those other two guys) when we thunder through the creatively fab years from mid-’50’s to mid-70’s.
(Hey … while we got the music on the burner, why not turn it up a bit, right??)

In the meantime, I’ve got a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG quiz for ya.  Let’s see how ya do on this, rockaholics:

Think ya know your rock stars? Oooookay … try this real names quiz:  All are singers, and many are from the 60s (a few are from another space and time).  What are/were their stage names?

1. James Marcus Smith:
2. Concetta Maria Franconero:
3. Virginia Patterson Hensley:
4. Robert Smith:
5. Steveland Judkins:
6. Muriel Deason:
7. Harold Jenkins:
8. Randy Traywick:
9. Sophia Kalish:
10. Annie Mae Bullock:
11. Harold Ragsdale:
12. La Donna Andrea Gaines:
13. Gregory Lenoir:
14. Patricia Andrzejewski:
15. Salvatore Phillip Bono: (ouch! Did I give that one away!)
16. Ernest Evans:
17. Cherilyn Sarkasian:
18. William Board:
19. Frank LoVecchio:
20. Sidney Liebowitz:
21. Brenda Mae Tarpley:
22. Norma Egstrom:
23. Albert George Cernick:
24. Prince Rogers Nelson: (whoops! Another one …)
25. John Henry Ramistella:
26. Martin David Robinson:
27. Alan Caldwell:
28. George Spruce:
29. Edward Taylor:
30. Albert Wycherley:
31. Frederick Fowell:
32. Anthony Bookbinder:
33. Elaine Bookbinder:
34. Lionel Walmsley:
35. Donald Maughn
36. Reginald Dwight: (WHO??)
37. Christopher Hamill:
38. Rita Crudgington:
39. Peter Baker:
40. Leonard Borizoff:
41. Francois Silly:
42. Jape Perry Richardson:
43. Douglas Trendle:
44. John Symon Asher:
45. Don Van Vliet:
46. Lugee Sacco:
47. Philippe Pages:
48. Trevor Stanford:
49. Declan McManus:
50. Vito Rocco Farinola:
51. Charles Wilbury:
52. George O’Dowd:
53. Pauline Matthews:
54. Mary Frances Pennick:
55. Doris Kappelhof:
56. Howard Andrew:
57. Frank Abelson:
58. McKinley Morganfield:

WHEW! Let’s take a break … ahem … and once you’ve figured out who’s who, just leave a message at the beep (or on the “comment” page). Ummmm … what if I said, “please”? Hey … if ya don’t get ‘em all, don’t worry; I’ll tell ya who they were (and give ya some other quiz results) in a week or so (gotta give ya time to answer, don’t I? Geez …). So make some noize, rockers!

And remember, while you’re doing it, keep your eyes to the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

A coupla posts ago, we talked about how hip-hop music has gotten a bad rap with some preconceived notions about its sound, purpose and performers.
I got some really tough response from a few readers by Rockmail, so I’ll give ya some more 411. But before we do that, let’s review:

Though many baby-boomers think of it as noise that’s turning our nation’s kids into juvies, our folks (note this is an understood collective pronoun; I’m referring to the general boomer population, and not to just one or two people!) thought the same thing about The Beatles.
If you especially listen to the song Gitarzan, you’ll hear the same basic lyric pattern as used in a rap/hip-hop song — only with the wonderful silliness that became Ray Stevens’ trademark.

The musical instrumentation —  from turntables to synthetic loop – is still valid in most hip-hop arrangements, and found in artists as diverse as 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Ludacris.
The lyrics, at times, may seem harsh to some critics, but even those are being toned down and given a more universal slant in recent actions taken by many of the genre’s producers.

One thing that has to be remembered: Before passing judgement on the hip-hop phenomenon, consider that only a fraction of the hip-hop artists today advocate any kind of violence. The lion’s share of them, while letting their emotions play through their rap, are only venting what all of us feel at one time or another.

Yeah, the profanity should be cut back, if not removed completely. Any great performer is proficient at conveying his/her emotions (including anger) without ‘em – and still go gold with their products. And, listen: Don’t judge the brand by the loudness you hear from car stereos! Sure, it’s noise pollution, but it’s up to the listener to turn the volume down, not the artists!
In fact, if you were to take the same CD that’s blaring out of some heavy-bass-speakered car and listen to it at a sensible volume, then actually study the lyrics, storylines and emotions (beyond any profanity you hear), you’ll see that this is, in fact, music!

Now, the next thing to do is take in a live show. From concept of song to writing, rehearsing, laying tracks, more rehearsing, practicing dance/prance moves, mic arrangements, booking, promotion, travel, roadie set-ups and soundchecks, it takes a lot of time and skill to make a really good one.
On the show itself, you’ll see a lot of excitable movement across the stage, occasional audience interaction, and pure energy in each set. These make for great shows (acts like The Who, The Rolling Stones and others did the same in our day  – and still do!). Nothing more; no hidden agenda or riot incitement or anything.

To close this look into the hip-hop world, remember: If you want to know something a little better, you’ve gotta study, understand and compare it before you pass judgement! The rap/hip-hop genre is here to stay – and (after almost forty years in music, including studying, teaching, performing, DJing, performing, writing and recording) I can tell you it is an indelible part of our musical heritage!

Now … that being said, Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side.

It was the culmination of what millions strived for in the 1960s and ’70s.
It was the evidence of youth, vigor … and, most importantly, that hope is still alive in this country!

The inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States was nothing less than a thing of pure beauty and wonder!

Over the years, countless singers and bands — especially in soul, rhythm-and-blues and rock — have expressed, through song and interviews, the need for racial and generational equality. From James Brown and Stevie Wonder to John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen — with a generous helping of folk singers — the word had gone out that we must make this happen!

And, now, we have made that first, tremendous step toward its fruition.

The First Lady — of Soul — was there (and, say what you will about Aretha Franklin, but that lady can still stir the spirit as well as she did 40 years ago!) with her rendition of the anthem, My Country (’Tis of Thee).
Legends like Stevie Wonder, who got the house (and the Obamas) rockin’ on Sunday’s We Are One concert, could only say, “WOW!”
All around the nation, people were feeling the tremendous excitement and electricity …

At the first inaugural ball, the lovely Beyoncé sang for Barack and Michelle’s first dance as President and First Lady. As she reprised her song from “Cadillac Records” — the Etta James’ classic, At Last – tears started to flow from her and others at the ball.
Because, at last, the miracle had happened. We had witnessed history being made. Dreams can come true!

And, through the entire crowd at the Capitol mall, at home in front of their TVs, or in schools and places that provided wide-screen viewing, there was a presence being felt; that of a man who didn’t live to see the result of his tireless efforts; that of a man whose birthday we celebrated just the day before:

Dr. Martin Luther King

They come from London and Liverpool, joining together to make a sound so exciting that thousands of fans throughout Britain, Europe, Canada, South America, Australia and the United States are flocking to CD Baby, Indiestore, Amazon and other outlets for this indie CD.

Run and Hide — the second album by the megapop band The Fore — is a mixture of raw, driving rock-and-roll sprinkled with some of the most beautiful ballads in the musical universe!

Where their debut album Black and White, took us to a world of pure rock excitement, this one explores that world with a musical progression tha’s gonna put your entire system into overdrive!  And, through it all, you’ve still got the inimitable style that the band is famous fore!

TRACKLIST FROM RUN AND HIDE (with notes)

• FORGIVE AND FORGET — This upbeat rocker has a vocal hook that I dare ya to try and get outta yer head!
• WE WERE MEANT TO BE — Like your music flavored with a bit of the Motown dance sound of the early ’60s?  You’ve got it, mixed with some solid, Bo Diddley-style rock in the bridge.
• HAVE ME BACK AGAIN — A solid mover with the lads’ signature harmony sprinkled liberally throughout!
• SEND MY LOVE TO YOU — Sung by drummer Simon Thompson, this folk-rocker is already a fave among some of our servicemen overseas!  Great arrangement and strong acoustic rhythm adds to the beauty of this ballad.
• YOU’VE GOT TO CHOOSE — Sometimes, if a guy’s got a rival for his girl’s heart, he’s gotta confront her about the situation; that’s what this song’s all about.  A strong piano helps build this melodic mover (and wait’ll ya hear the chorus!).
• RUN AND HIDE — This thriller starts with a sharp attack and pointed lyrics, warning the cheating girl to run and hide. The bridge builds tremendous suspense, as does the last of the track (with Si and Matt creating a dark, chase-type backing that would sound great on a spy flick!
• RUMOURS AND LIES — It’s every teenaged boy’s plea to his girl:  Don’t listen to the rumours and lies that might “take your love away”.  This slower number has a great calypso-style rhythm and lyrics that aim straight for the heart.
• THAT’S A LIE — Imagine the ultimate rock song, with Everly-style harmony, rockabilly-style guitar, great progressive arrangement and upbeat tempo.  That’s whatcha got here! (Oh, yeah … there’s a hook in the chorus that’s innovative: As Matt and Spencer sing “then I’ll put you down”, the tempo slows in sync with the words — then builds back up at the words “I’m tellin’ you now”.)
• IT’S YOU GIRL — Merseybeat at its finest!  Fantastic harmony with a great guitar bridge!
• LAZY DAY — A breezy, summertime song with a great hook and warm, inventive vocals.  Again, a strong piano only adds to a song that’s as refreshing as iced tea on a hot July day!
• LEAVE ME ALONE — Have you ever had someone break up with you, just to find them calling or trying to get you back?  That’s the premise of this song.  In the chorus, you can feel Spencer confronting his ex while feeling the heartache of having to speak with her again.
• NO OTHER LOVE — A slower, heartfelt, harmonic melody with minimal instruments and great lyrics.
• TELL YOUR FRIEND — A throwback to the Invasion band’s Hamburg/Star Club days, this is an amazing, raw, in-your-face rocker, with the Chuck Berry 4/4 rhythm, clappers and all!  And wait’ll you hear Matt’s guitar solo!
• EMMA — It starts darkly with a quasi-flamenco beat, and when Spencer gets to the mic and starts singing to “Emma” about her leaving, you can actually feel his pain!  Coupled with Si’s drum fill and Matt’s stirring acoustic 12-string, it’s one amazing song!!
• AIN’T THAT JUST FINE — An upbeat song built strongly around the rhythm, it deals with the singer’s happy-go-lucky independence.  Lyrics like, “Don’t walk like a rich man, but I got all that I need” and “I’m not the kind of guy to settle down” flavour a tune that’s great to have in yer car’s CD player as you’re hittin’ the open road!

All told, I’ve gotta give this CD an EAGLE-SIZED, five-star “thumbs up” rating! Now, I’ve been in the biz for over 30 years, and this album, while released independently, is one of the best I’ve heard in years! If I were you, I’d order “Run and Hide” today, and start rockin’ with some serious inner energy tomorrow!!

One more word:  Though this album’s only been out for about a month, it’s already gettin’ some great airplay across terra firma, and CDs/tracks are selling at a fantastic rate … and it’s all due to the band, their managers, and yours truly promoting them; no A&Rs, no high-end record labels or fancy ads!

And if that doesn’t tell ya how good the CD is, nothing will!