Wow… I guess the Kevin Kolb era begins now in Philly. I am a huge D-Nabb fan yet I'm not sure how I feel about this trade. While I hated how underappreciated he was in Philadelphia, I'm not sure I like him in a Redskin uni. The Eagles get a 2nd Round this year and 4th that could become a 3rd depending on performance. While its better than him going to Oakland, I’m not sure I understand the logic of trading with a division opponent. They will see him twice a year… the networks are salivating.
Interesting they now have a three headed attack of washed up RBs with Portis, LJ and now Fast Willie P. They will have to trade Campbell (likely to Buffalo) to get at least a 3rd back. They have a Pro Bowl QB with 4 NFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl app and a talent for doing more with less. They draft before the Chief’s … they HAVE to take a tackle to protect their new investment (said another way … older less mobile QB). Which means the Draft will be completely off da chain!!!! Because we’ll have a shot at Eric Berry and a long shot at Suh.
Was just a thought.
BTW... I'm coming back.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday Flashback - On vacation
Nothing good came of doing this on the 13th... we will be back next week.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday Flashback: Down Under (Sort of...)
So this week I have get in and get out. While I can't miss a Friday, I'm going to need to keep it short... gotta wake up early. Yea, I know that's crazy coming from me. You know, for a guy with dysfunctional sleep habits, I do get a few moments of rest. I digress. I'm feelin' a bit Aussie (and a tad bit New Zealand) right now.
The Church - "Under the Milky Way". Not for any reason but Lincoln is using a version of this classic in a new commercial. You know me, nothing ever beats the original...
Split Enz is a group from the 80's that very few people talk about, however, they are one of the best. Certainly the most influential when viewing the landscape of 80's music imported from New Zealand and Australia. From Split Enz came one of my favorite groups: Crowded House. This track is one from the last Split Enz album which is arguably the first Crowded House album. Ironically, Neil Finn and his Crowded House bandmates would revisit "I Walk Away" but in my opinion that result was the inferior version when compared to this one.
What would a trip down under be without a song from Men at Work. "Overkill" is the song most people forget. Not their biggest hit but certainly one of their best.
INXS is the group that makes me sad everytime I hear one of their songs. Michael Hutchence was the quintessential frontman. He had 'it'. Their songs were deep and affecting in so many ways. I chose the live performance of the classic "Never Tear Us Apart" from the Jools Holland Show in '94. It does a better job of showcasing Michael's charisma...
Daniel Johns is a freakin' genius. Silverchair caught so many people off guard. I remember marveling at the fact that this sixteen year-old kid was fronting this kick ass rock band. The music was solid... Silverchair would never be huge beyond the first album here in the states but they would be just that and more in their homeland. Five years ago, Daniel would take a break from Silverchair and hook up with Paul Mac to form the Dissociatives. A truly interesting side project that is strong in its own right. The videos were visual inviting if not somewhat oddball. 'Young Man, Old Man' was the biggest hit from the self-titled debut album but, by far, not the best... I recommend you check it out.
A few of the songs that have been in my head...
The Church - "Under the Milky Way". Not for any reason but Lincoln is using a version of this classic in a new commercial. You know me, nothing ever beats the original...
Split Enz is a group from the 80's that very few people talk about, however, they are one of the best. Certainly the most influential when viewing the landscape of 80's music imported from New Zealand and Australia. From Split Enz came one of my favorite groups: Crowded House. This track is one from the last Split Enz album which is arguably the first Crowded House album. Ironically, Neil Finn and his Crowded House bandmates would revisit "I Walk Away" but in my opinion that result was the inferior version when compared to this one.
What would a trip down under be without a song from Men at Work. "Overkill" is the song most people forget. Not their biggest hit but certainly one of their best.
INXS is the group that makes me sad everytime I hear one of their songs. Michael Hutchence was the quintessential frontman. He had 'it'. Their songs were deep and affecting in so many ways. I chose the live performance of the classic "Never Tear Us Apart" from the Jools Holland Show in '94. It does a better job of showcasing Michael's charisma...
Daniel Johns is a freakin' genius. Silverchair caught so many people off guard. I remember marveling at the fact that this sixteen year-old kid was fronting this kick ass rock band. The music was solid... Silverchair would never be huge beyond the first album here in the states but they would be just that and more in their homeland. Five years ago, Daniel would take a break from Silverchair and hook up with Paul Mac to form the Dissociatives. A truly interesting side project that is strong in its own right. The videos were visual inviting if not somewhat oddball. 'Young Man, Old Man' was the biggest hit from the self-titled debut album but, by far, not the best... I recommend you check it out.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday Flashback: Live
Nostalgia reigns supreme. I saw 'This is it' today. All I can say is: Wow! More on that later. Suffice to say this has put me in a reflective mood. Don't worry, I'm not going to throw a bunch of MJ at you, even I realize that wouldn't be prudent ... save it for another day. Instead, I figured we should focus on live performances. So much of what we as fans of music love is the intimacy of the live show... no matter how many people are in the bar, arena or stadium, every person believes they are the one being sung to.
Those of us who remember the great show Midnight Special (specifically Wolfman Jack) also know that strength of the show was the incredible performances. It took years for those shows to get released on DVD but they did back in 2006. I was but a wee lad but my mother let me stay up on Friday nights to watch. Before there were videos there was Midnight Special.
Here's the great George Benson with the classic, 'This Masquerade'
How could I have gone three months with this blog and not ever posted a Radiohead clip? Geez! They are the standard barriers for challenging the status quo for what passes as the music industry ... risk taking at its best and most raw. People who don't like Radiohead misunderstand those of us who do. We don't like them because they are perfect or even accessible, because they aren't. In fact, they are at there best when they are imperfect, flawed ... sonically rough. With them its really about the journey. Radiohead doesn't reinvent themselves to meet what others feel is excellent, they more or less reinvent the standard for what excellence should be. Flaws and all. Creativity in its most honest form is fearlessness. They are fearless.
A live performance of 'Idioteque'. I love this song.
Scotty Moorhead was just a kid who loved music yet never wanted live in his famous father's shadow. Fate being what it tends to be from time to time, he would ultimately meet his prematurely ... like his father. You may not know him by that name but perhaps if I told you that his father was Tim Buckley then maybe a light in your brain might flicker...no? You know him as the guy who sang (and made famous) the Leonard Cohen classic 'Hallelujah', but to many he was so much more than this ... Jeff Buckley. Jeff is my Elvis. I really can't explain it except to say the void that appeared since his death in '97 has yet to be filled. He was truly a genius. One of Jeff's greatest recordings in his limited catalogue is from his live performance at Sin-e. This was the performance that essentially broke him into the big time. The following performances are from the aforementioned Sin-e (The Nina Simone classic 'If You Knew') performance and the great Chicago (Eternal Life) recording from 95.
A little band from York, PA has been making music together for over two decades. Live is a band that many people know, however, those same people are hard pressed to admit they like this band. I've seen these guys in concert many times and they have always delivered. Now, you can certainly argue with the obtuse writing of Ed Kowalczyk or the strength of their recent offerings but what you can't argue is their energy. As excellent and impactful as the album Throwing Copper was, its near inconceivable that it would be the peak of their success. That said, they are performers ... Ed certainly loves the stage (favorite song from Throwing Copper).
Here is my second favorite song from TC ... 'I Alone'
Last, but not least is a band who arguably is so much better live than they are in the studio. My like for them has wavered over the years as I felt they tended to be more commercial than sticking to their college circuit roots. I understand that bands do evolve, but why do they have to make such a pronounced shift from a formula that works? Now, I know I can't knock them for the very thing I celebrate in others, like Radiohead ... perhaps its the execution that bugs me. Before These Crowded Streets (Everyday was aight) was the turning point as was the much boot-legged Lillywhite Sessions which would be re-recorded and become Busted Stuff. You could easily see the evolution and the experimentation but a lot of it just didn't work. Seriously, go back to Under the Table and Dreaming or Crash and compare, lyrically and musically these were not on par with the early work. That said, I was encouraged by Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King as it seemed to get the band back on track (albeit without LeRoi Moore...RIP).
'Recently' is a song that always gets the crowd going.
One of my favorite groups, The Clash. Here's a live performance of 'London Calling' in Paris from 1980.
Those of us who remember the great show Midnight Special (specifically Wolfman Jack) also know that strength of the show was the incredible performances. It took years for those shows to get released on DVD but they did back in 2006. I was but a wee lad but my mother let me stay up on Friday nights to watch. Before there were videos there was Midnight Special.
Here's the great George Benson with the classic, 'This Masquerade'
How could I have gone three months with this blog and not ever posted a Radiohead clip? Geez! They are the standard barriers for challenging the status quo for what passes as the music industry ... risk taking at its best and most raw. People who don't like Radiohead misunderstand those of us who do. We don't like them because they are perfect or even accessible, because they aren't. In fact, they are at there best when they are imperfect, flawed ... sonically rough. With them its really about the journey. Radiohead doesn't reinvent themselves to meet what others feel is excellent, they more or less reinvent the standard for what excellence should be. Flaws and all. Creativity in its most honest form is fearlessness. They are fearless.
A live performance of 'Idioteque'. I love this song.
Scotty Moorhead was just a kid who loved music yet never wanted live in his famous father's shadow. Fate being what it tends to be from time to time, he would ultimately meet his prematurely ... like his father. You may not know him by that name but perhaps if I told you that his father was Tim Buckley then maybe a light in your brain might flicker...no? You know him as the guy who sang (and made famous) the Leonard Cohen classic 'Hallelujah', but to many he was so much more than this ... Jeff Buckley. Jeff is my Elvis. I really can't explain it except to say the void that appeared since his death in '97 has yet to be filled. He was truly a genius. One of Jeff's greatest recordings in his limited catalogue is from his live performance at Sin-e. This was the performance that essentially broke him into the big time. The following performances are from the aforementioned Sin-e (The Nina Simone classic 'If You Knew') performance and the great Chicago (Eternal Life) recording from 95.
A little band from York, PA has been making music together for over two decades. Live is a band that many people know, however, those same people are hard pressed to admit they like this band. I've seen these guys in concert many times and they have always delivered. Now, you can certainly argue with the obtuse writing of Ed Kowalczyk or the strength of their recent offerings but what you can't argue is their energy. As excellent and impactful as the album Throwing Copper was, its near inconceivable that it would be the peak of their success. That said, they are performers ... Ed certainly loves the stage (favorite song from Throwing Copper).
Here is my second favorite song from TC ... 'I Alone'
Last, but not least is a band who arguably is so much better live than they are in the studio. My like for them has wavered over the years as I felt they tended to be more commercial than sticking to their college circuit roots. I understand that bands do evolve, but why do they have to make such a pronounced shift from a formula that works? Now, I know I can't knock them for the very thing I celebrate in others, like Radiohead ... perhaps its the execution that bugs me. Before These Crowded Streets (Everyday was aight) was the turning point as was the much boot-legged Lillywhite Sessions which would be re-recorded and become Busted Stuff. You could easily see the evolution and the experimentation but a lot of it just didn't work. Seriously, go back to Under the Table and Dreaming or Crash and compare, lyrically and musically these were not on par with the early work. That said, I was encouraged by Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King as it seemed to get the band back on track (albeit without LeRoi Moore...RIP).
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday Flashback: The 80's - Tears For Fears
Perhaps long overdue. This week, I've chosen to focus on some of my favorite groups from the era of greed and excess. The 80's. This one goes out to all the children who were raised on a steady diet of MTV, BET and VH1 back when they played videos. Do you remember Alan Hunter? Donny Simpson? Nina Blackwood? Back when the word "video" meant something. Happier times.
Next up is a lesser known track from the album which is my favorite of the entire disc. "The Working Hour" is a song about the values of toiling away in your day to day with little to show for it... always hoping for more. Who among us hasn't?
The follow up to Songs From the Big Chair was Seeds of Love which was interesting because of its slight departure from its predecessors. The sounds still had the Tears signature elements like the synth and the powerful bassline but the instrumentation was richer and they would add an additional vocalist ... Kansas City's own Oleta Adams. The legend is that Tears discovered Oleta singing in a jazz bar and would later invite her to perform on their next album not to mention also guiding her debut (remember this?).
Let's go...
This week we will focus on Tears for Fears. Okay, let me be clear. I love this group. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are really the unsung heroes of the era. Their music was, in a lot of ways, ahead of its time. The knock on these guy is that they tended to get too deep in the lyrics department but alas sometimes you have to overachieve to make a point.
These two have been friends since they were teenagers in Bath, England. They would begin their recording career as part of the group Neon. After the demise of that group Roland and Curt would join the group Graduate while the other two members of Neon would go on to become Naked Eyes (Promises, Promises anyone?) Their first album The Hurting produced the haunting classic "Mad World" along great tunes like "Pale Shelter" and "Suffer the Children". They would achieve worldwide fame with the smash "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" from their classic follow up album Songs From the Big Chair. Of course, you geeks will remember that song as the track at the end of the Val Kilmer ode to rebelious nerds everywhere, Real Genius.
Don't ask me why the brothas are dancing in front of a gas station, videos really didn't make sense back then ... here's "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
So these guys hit big with a classic song which in some ways would go on to become an anthem for the time ... one hit wonder, right? Wrong, my friends, way wrong. The album Songs From the Big Chair would churn out several hits. "Shout" being easily one of my favorites of all time. The song very clearly states its intent, we are pissed about how screwed up the world is and we are going shout, damnit!!! Okay, so perhaps it didn't quite mobilize a revolution but it made for great thought provoking music. If you can get past Roland's coat and mullet the song is awesome.
"Shout"
Next up is a lesser known track from the album which is my favorite of the entire disc. "The Working Hour" is a song about the values of toiling away in your day to day with little to show for it... always hoping for more. Who among us hasn't?
The follow up to Songs From the Big Chair was Seeds of Love which was interesting because of its slight departure from its predecessors. The sounds still had the Tears signature elements like the synth and the powerful bassline but the instrumentation was richer and they would add an additional vocalist ... Kansas City's own Oleta Adams. The legend is that Tears discovered Oleta singing in a jazz bar and would later invite her to perform on their next album not to mention also guiding her debut (remember this?).
This next track is the powerful "Woman in Chains" ... this song is about empowerment and building inner strength to move beyond those who would hold you down. Oleta's voice is angelic and the perfect counter balance to Roland's. On a sidenote, Phil Collins plays drums on this song...
"Woman in Chains" (feat. Oleta Adams)
Wow...
After this album, unfortunately Curt and Roland would break up for nearly 15 years due to artistic differences. Roland would carry the Tears for Fears banner for two more albums (Elemental and Raoul and the Kings of Spain) while Curt would do a solo project and create a new band called Mayfield (I'll spare you). Mayfield was on the other side of the spectrum musically from the Tears material ... it seemed to be rooted in the mellow flow versus trying to push the envelope. Roland would do just that. Elemental was a beef album if there is such a thing in pop music. He calls out Curt in the track, "Fish Out of Water". The lyric "We use to sit and talk about primal scream..." refers to the theory which would inspire the duos name. He seems to feel abandoned, reflective ("The Goodnight Song") and yet determined to prove that Curt would fail in his quest while he would go on in spite of the slight. Whereas these are not classics by any stretch as some songs tend to get way too abstract lyrically for their own good (particularly on Raoul). That said, some of the individual songs from these two albums were some of the best of their discography...
"Elemental" (from the album Elemental)
The lamenting and sentimental track "The Goodnight Song"...
The truly dark "Sketches of Pain" - Raoul and the Kings of Spain)
Roland would produce a truly incredible solo album in 2001 using his proper name... risky to be sure but the results were strong. Tomcats Screaming Outside is a diverse mosaic of Orzabal's various influences but he blends them in a way that is accessible and in many ways revealing.
"Maybe Our Days are Numbered"
Happily in 2004, the duo would put their differences aside and record together again on the aptly named Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. Title track here. While this album leans heavily to their Beatles-esque tendencies with mixed results, overall its a welcomed return by a group who's impact will be felt for years to come.
"Woman in Chains" (feat. Oleta Adams)
Wow...
After this album, unfortunately Curt and Roland would break up for nearly 15 years due to artistic differences. Roland would carry the Tears for Fears banner for two more albums (Elemental and Raoul and the Kings of Spain) while Curt would do a solo project and create a new band called Mayfield (I'll spare you). Mayfield was on the other side of the spectrum musically from the Tears material ... it seemed to be rooted in the mellow flow versus trying to push the envelope. Roland would do just that. Elemental was a beef album if there is such a thing in pop music. He calls out Curt in the track, "Fish Out of Water". The lyric "We use to sit and talk about primal scream..." refers to the theory which would inspire the duos name. He seems to feel abandoned, reflective ("The Goodnight Song") and yet determined to prove that Curt would fail in his quest while he would go on in spite of the slight. Whereas these are not classics by any stretch as some songs tend to get way too abstract lyrically for their own good (particularly on Raoul). That said, some of the individual songs from these two albums were some of the best of their discography...
"Elemental" (from the album Elemental)
The lamenting and sentimental track "The Goodnight Song"...
The truly dark "Sketches of Pain" - Raoul and the Kings of Spain)
Roland would produce a truly incredible solo album in 2001 using his proper name... risky to be sure but the results were strong. Tomcats Screaming Outside is a diverse mosaic of Orzabal's various influences but he blends them in a way that is accessible and in many ways revealing.
"Maybe Our Days are Numbered"
Happily in 2004, the duo would put their differences aside and record together again on the aptly named Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. Title track here. While this album leans heavily to their Beatles-esque tendencies with mixed results, overall its a welcomed return by a group who's impact will be felt for years to come.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday Flashback: Blue-eyed Soul Pt. 1
As I look at possible topics for Friday Flashback, in keeping with the theme, I always reach back to my past for inspiration. One of the things I've always been intrigued by over the years is blue-eyed soul which is a much more palatable way of saying a white boy sang it. There have been so many artist in the last century that have had impact on the music industry... some with a measure of controversy (Elvis). I will try to avoid the polarizing figures as their stories have been told ... multiple times. Here are some of my favs...
"Under My Skin"
Perhaps his last great hit. For him a very telling song... "Fast Love"
Next up is Steve Winwood. Steve has been around for years. Go all the way back to his Blind Faith days with the great Eric Clapton to Traffic to his successful solo career in the 80's. Back in the High Life was intricately crafted album with great music that any fan could appreciate. A great duet with Chaka Khan in "Higher Love" ... y'all know how I feel about her. One of my favorites is the song "The Finer Things", a song about truly appreciating all that life has to offer and not taking love for granted. "I will live while I can, I will have my ever after." We should all be so lucky.
So, I have to go here. My mother first exposed me to Daryl Hall and John Oates at the tender age of 5. Before they became the 80's hit machine, they had a string of songs that made people sit up and take notice. "Sara Smile" is an great track with all the marks of a great love song. Tell her to go, knowing she wants to stay. Tell her she's your personal heater ... that always work for me. Hall & Oates take it on the chin for some of their music (and John's mustache) but wrongfully so, these guys were very talented. Their string of consecutive hits from the last seventies through the 80's is something to be marveled.
"Sara Smile" live... don't stare at the 'stache.
One of my all time favorite songs of yesteryear is a little track by Paul Young. Paul was, in my mind, the poster child of blue-eyed soul. He was the guy that you got into arguments about because no one could believe he wasn't black... then came the video. Uh... damn, Paul, I mean dude looked like your accountant or maybe a car salesman on a really nice lot. Nevertheless, he made a career remaking a lot of R&B groups music and very well I might add. How ironic that his greatest hit was a track written by another blue-eyed soul artist ... yep, that's right: Daryl Hall.
To further connect the dots, I thought it would be cool to post a rare duet from Live Aid with BES luminary, George Michael ... here's Paul (and friend) with his hit "Everytime You Go Away".
Last, but not least is probably the least rock star looking guy ever. But, man, could he sing. Robert Palmer. The man's voice was incredibly smooth. And then came the videos... I think there is something genius in the blatant sexuality on display in a self-aware wink to the crowd. Palmer used this approach a number of times. It was his trademark (sorry Tone Loc). It became an iconic image of the 80's and a key moment in the video era. Many would point to this as the sum total of his impact but they would be wrong. His stint with Power Station is viewed as another example of his constant need to reinvent himself. The rocker (Doctor, Doctor), the lover man (I Didn't Mean to Turn You On), the pop star (Addicted to Love) and the super band frontman (Get It On (Bang a Gong))... Palmer was a chameleon. Later in his career he would, until his untimely death in 2003, make a final shift to blues man. A truly gifted artist.
I leave you with his strong remake of the Marvin Gaye classics "Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You"
When talking blue-eyed soul you really have to begin with the man who started it all. Francis Albert Sinatra. Frank is the truth. Pop music would mean nothing without Frank. He was the first true pop star this country ever had. Ole' blue eyes broke out of the swing era of the 40's and brought in a smoothness with music that was in so many ways transcendent. Very soulful. His voice was like Red Velvet cake with chocolate ice cream on top. The man reinvented himself several times over. The first pop star to act and subsequently win an Oscar. Will Smith hasn't done it. Frank became a movement in bringing the cool to a whole new level with a bunch of hard chargin', 40 (and 50)-somethings in the Rat Pack. Pop culture mainstays like George Clooney, Will Smith, Harry Connick, Jr., and Diddy, like so many others, have been following that template ever since. Frank can't be replaced ... he was the original.
"Under My Skin"
When Wham! released Make It Big, the world was introduced to Andrew Ridgeley, of course many promptly forgot him because George Michael was obviously way more talented. So after Wham! broke up and Andrew became that 'other guy', George went on to become a superstar. George was a mainstay on not only the pop chart but also the R&B charts. I don't see George as being controversial as he universally regarded as a talented guy, that really wasn't his problem. George couldn't shake the addictions that ruled him. To bad, because the guy can sing...
Next up is Steve Winwood. Steve has been around for years. Go all the way back to his Blind Faith days with the great Eric Clapton to Traffic to his successful solo career in the 80's. Back in the High Life was intricately crafted album with great music that any fan could appreciate. A great duet with Chaka Khan in "Higher Love" ... y'all know how I feel about her. One of my favorites is the song "The Finer Things", a song about truly appreciating all that life has to offer and not taking love for granted. "I will live while I can, I will have my ever after." We should all be so lucky.
A man and his keyboard. "The Finer Things"
So, I have to go here. My mother first exposed me to Daryl Hall and John Oates at the tender age of 5. Before they became the 80's hit machine, they had a string of songs that made people sit up and take notice. "Sara Smile" is an great track with all the marks of a great love song. Tell her to go, knowing she wants to stay. Tell her she's your personal heater ... that always work for me. Hall & Oates take it on the chin for some of their music (and John's mustache) but wrongfully so, these guys were very talented. Their string of consecutive hits from the last seventies through the 80's is something to be marveled.
"Sara Smile" live... don't stare at the 'stache.
One of my all time favorite songs of yesteryear is a little track by Paul Young. Paul was, in my mind, the poster child of blue-eyed soul. He was the guy that you got into arguments about because no one could believe he wasn't black... then came the video. Uh... damn, Paul, I mean dude looked like your accountant or maybe a car salesman on a really nice lot. Nevertheless, he made a career remaking a lot of R&B groups music and very well I might add. How ironic that his greatest hit was a track written by another blue-eyed soul artist ... yep, that's right: Daryl Hall.
To further connect the dots, I thought it would be cool to post a rare duet from Live Aid with BES luminary, George Michael ... here's Paul (and friend) with his hit "Everytime You Go Away".
Last, but not least is probably the least rock star looking guy ever. But, man, could he sing. Robert Palmer. The man's voice was incredibly smooth. And then came the videos... I think there is something genius in the blatant sexuality on display in a self-aware wink to the crowd. Palmer used this approach a number of times. It was his trademark (sorry Tone Loc). It became an iconic image of the 80's and a key moment in the video era. Many would point to this as the sum total of his impact but they would be wrong. His stint with Power Station is viewed as another example of his constant need to reinvent himself. The rocker (Doctor, Doctor), the lover man (I Didn't Mean to Turn You On), the pop star (Addicted to Love) and the super band frontman (Get It On (Bang a Gong))... Palmer was a chameleon. Later in his career he would, until his untimely death in 2003, make a final shift to blues man. A truly gifted artist.
I leave you with his strong remake of the Marvin Gaye classics "Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You"
Silly me, I forgot a good one. The quitessential blue-eyed soul one hit wonder. Dan Hartman. Dan's voice was very deceptive. Most people had no idea what he looked like or who even sang his big hit "I Can Dream About You" from the soundtrack of one my great guilty pleasures Streets of Fire. Michael Pare, Willem Dafoe, Diane Lane, Bill Paxton, Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan and the Sorels (Robert Townsend, Stoney Jackson, Mykelti Williamson and Grand L. Bush), go rent it! The Sorels sang the song in the movie ... well not really ... Winston Ford did but Stoney looked like he did. If fact, he was so convincing they used the Sorels' footage for the video with Dan's vocals. Then the song took off and became a big hit. Dan got no buzz. He would later sing the track "Fletch, Get out of Town" from everyone's favorite quotable movie, Fletch and release an album or two. Dan would die in '94, sadly. This is his tribute...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Friday Flashback: Native Tongues
This week is we are going flip the wax back to the street with a little hip hop history lesson. I got a request from a friend of mine that I should focus on more Tribe and De la... which got me thinking, why not go all out? I should tribute my favorite hip hop collective. Lord knows, there were plenty to choose from, but none, in my mind, featured the talents that the Native Tongues Posse did. The Tongues were comprised of A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, Black Sheep, Queen Latifah (yes her), Monie Love and eventually Common, Mos Def and Talib Kweli. So, what's the scenario?
The turning point in the creation of the Natives Tongues came when DJ Red Alert brought together the group that would become A Tribe Called Quest, along with the Jungle Brothers and De La Soul they would form a like-minded collective focused on raising the consciousness of the hip hop community to higher level. These groups were the masters of crate digging... mining the endless vinyl archives for beats that would leverage a rich history that many youths of the day were out of touch with. The Jungle Brothers would introduce the world to Q-Tip on the track "Black is Black" from their first album Straight Out the Jungle which would also be the where the name A Tribe Called Quest would be coined. This is regarded as the first Native Tongues album.
Collabo number 1, "Doin' Our Own Dang" from the Jungle Brothers with NT proper... De La Soul, Tribe, Monie Love and Queen Latifah.
Many people forget that Queen Latifah was a rapper before she went mainstream. She was one of the best female MC's of the time and a formidable music force in her own right. The Queen tackled topics many of her male counterparts couldn't handle, however, she could throw a party jam together as well.
I have to hit you with "Ladies First" as its another collabo with Monie Love, plus it was one of hottest tracks from '89.
So then comes the De La. De La Soul did more to inspire many of the backpackers and indy rappers of today that potentially any other group for the exception of Tribe. De La is unique in so many ways than I could possibly cover in this post. They chose unique groups to sample from (The Turtles, Hall & Oates etc.), the wordplay in their songs tended to challenge the listener beyond going for the obvious metaphor or rhyme. Their flow was always mellow with a hint of self-deprecating humor.
The obvious pick here would be "Me, Myself and I" but again, I try not to be that obvious... instead I go with another classic from the immortal 3 Feet High and Rising the NT collabo "Buddy".
Next up is one of my favorites and yes it is the obvious pick but who cares it IS a classic. Black Sheep and "The Choice is Yours". The true illness of this song can only be appreciated if you have ever been with a group of friends on the dance floor when Dres hits the memorable line: "Engine, engine number 9 on the New York transit line, if my train falls off the track. Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!!!!" The move is sufficiently busted, the sh#t has been dropped and it is most certainly on. Shut up and listen...
Last but not least is a little ditty by my favorite group of the Native Tongues crew. A Tribe Called Quest has done sooooo much for hip hop music. To say they are under appreciated would be an understatement. Q Tip, Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammed (and Jarobi) have etched a permanent place in the minds of New School hip hop fans that can never be erased. Please buy, download or borrow the CD The Low End Theory, it will change your thoughts on hip hop if you aren't a fan. If you are a fan, go listen to the damn thing again because there is likely something you missed or forgot. There are so many songs I could choose so I'm giving you two ... because its my blog and I can do that.
First is "Jazz (We've Got)/Buggin Out" ...
Last is the instant classic that put Busta Rhymes on the map. Leaders of the New School was a Native Tongues affiliate but this was by all manners that count Busta's coming out party while cementing Tribe as one of the most innovative hip hop groups. The was a watershed moment for Native Tongues as they would become a source of inspiration for many groups and would later spin into yet another collative at the tail end of 90's - the Soulquarians. Several members of NT would join the Roots, D'Angelo, Bilal and Erykah Badu. We'll save this story for another day... now here we go, yo...
Parting thought: I know I have not likely done these artist justice, which I can accept because that is a daunting task and I'm only one blogger. Whether you listen to the albums these song came from or download these specific tracks then I feel like I have succeeded. I also understand that many of you are aware of these groups, which means this post was an excuse for you to enjoy some tracks you haven't heard in awhile. Others of you may have been familiar but not well versed, which I hope you got something out of this.
It begins with the Zulu Nation. You can't talk about Native Tongues without mentioning about where the concept sprung from. Zulu Nation was more than a hip hop movement. It layered religious ideology with political activism and put it all under an umbrella of vicious beats and afro-centric pride. The Universal Zulu Nation was created by the legendary DJ, Afrika Bambaataa as a way to take youth headed down a violent and dark path in crime and gang life and turn them into positive community activists. Many of these individuals were immersed in hip hop culture, they were MC's, break-dancers, graffiti artist. Through his influence, many artist from all over the five boroughs became disciples including the collective that would become known as the Native Tongues.
The regal Afrika Bambaataa (with Soul Sonic Force) performs the classic Planet Rock...
The turning point in the creation of the Natives Tongues came when DJ Red Alert brought together the group that would become A Tribe Called Quest, along with the Jungle Brothers and De La Soul they would form a like-minded collective focused on raising the consciousness of the hip hop community to higher level. These groups were the masters of crate digging... mining the endless vinyl archives for beats that would leverage a rich history that many youths of the day were out of touch with. The Jungle Brothers would introduce the world to Q-Tip on the track "Black is Black" from their first album Straight Out the Jungle which would also be the where the name A Tribe Called Quest would be coined. This is regarded as the first Native Tongues album.
Collabo number 1, "Doin' Our Own Dang" from the Jungle Brothers with NT proper... De La Soul, Tribe, Monie Love and Queen Latifah.
Many people forget that Queen Latifah was a rapper before she went mainstream. She was one of the best female MC's of the time and a formidable music force in her own right. The Queen tackled topics many of her male counterparts couldn't handle, however, she could throw a party jam together as well.
I have to hit you with "Ladies First" as its another collabo with Monie Love, plus it was one of hottest tracks from '89.
So then comes the De La. De La Soul did more to inspire many of the backpackers and indy rappers of today that potentially any other group for the exception of Tribe. De La is unique in so many ways than I could possibly cover in this post. They chose unique groups to sample from (The Turtles, Hall & Oates etc.), the wordplay in their songs tended to challenge the listener beyond going for the obvious metaphor or rhyme. Their flow was always mellow with a hint of self-deprecating humor.
The obvious pick here would be "Me, Myself and I" but again, I try not to be that obvious... instead I go with another classic from the immortal 3 Feet High and Rising the NT collabo "Buddy".
Next up is one of my favorites and yes it is the obvious pick but who cares it IS a classic. Black Sheep and "The Choice is Yours". The true illness of this song can only be appreciated if you have ever been with a group of friends on the dance floor when Dres hits the memorable line: "Engine, engine number 9 on the New York transit line, if my train falls off the track. Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!!!!" The move is sufficiently busted, the sh#t has been dropped and it is most certainly on. Shut up and listen...
Last but not least is a little ditty by my favorite group of the Native Tongues crew. A Tribe Called Quest has done sooooo much for hip hop music. To say they are under appreciated would be an understatement. Q Tip, Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammed (and Jarobi) have etched a permanent place in the minds of New School hip hop fans that can never be erased. Please buy, download or borrow the CD The Low End Theory, it will change your thoughts on hip hop if you aren't a fan. If you are a fan, go listen to the damn thing again because there is likely something you missed or forgot. There are so many songs I could choose so I'm giving you two ... because its my blog and I can do that.
First is "Jazz (We've Got)/Buggin Out" ...
Last is the instant classic that put Busta Rhymes on the map. Leaders of the New School was a Native Tongues affiliate but this was by all manners that count Busta's coming out party while cementing Tribe as one of the most innovative hip hop groups. The was a watershed moment for Native Tongues as they would become a source of inspiration for many groups and would later spin into yet another collative at the tail end of 90's - the Soulquarians. Several members of NT would join the Roots, D'Angelo, Bilal and Erykah Badu. We'll save this story for another day... now here we go, yo...
Parting thought: I know I have not likely done these artist justice, which I can accept because that is a daunting task and I'm only one blogger. Whether you listen to the albums these song came from or download these specific tracks then I feel like I have succeeded. I also understand that many of you are aware of these groups, which means this post was an excuse for you to enjoy some tracks you haven't heard in awhile. Others of you may have been familiar but not well versed, which I hope you got something out of this.
To those who are in the latter camp, I will recommend like-minded groups or artists that are out and available today: Little Brother, J-Live, Murs, The Foreign Exchange, Talib Kweli, the immortal J-Dilla (he will be covered on this blog), Rhymefest, Strange Fruit Project, The Unspoken Heard, the Kidz in the Hall and more...
If you listen then your ears will thank you...
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