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Where do you view music video’s?

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Where do you see you favorite band’s music video, on the internet (Youtube or other internet sites) or on TV? I have to admit that I view pretty much all music video’s on youtube more then on TV. I’m just not all that interested in the programing of today’s music stations except maybe for AUX TV or HDNet concert series.

Way back in the day you could only see band video’s on dedicated music channels like MTV, MuchMusic … Where did you first see Micheal Jackson’s Thriller on? For me it was at a buddy of mine when we were watching the Toronto based MuchMusic channel. To be honest with you, I never ever come across this station while I’m TV surfing. In today’s world, Music video’s seem to be a endangered species on TV but with the advent of the internet they appear to be thriving.

Most company exec’s don’t think that this means the end of music video’s, it just that today’s bands are using a different form of media in which to launch their products to you. As well as, we now have the power and options to view them anywhere and at our convenience. An example of this is with your cellphone. When I was a kid in the early 80’s, cellphones where mainly used for business people or for those people who had more dollars then sense. Man have things changed since then!

“Now that MTV has actually come out and literally said, ‘We don’t play music videos anymore’ … people don’t have to make videos to fit into the MTV mould, and that mould was you essentially had to make a commercial with your song in it,” Canadian Press

So my question to you is where do you view your favorite music video’s?

Keep on Jammin’




Pink Floyd stops sales of individual songs by EMI

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Pink Floyd band membersPink Floyd has stopped EMI from selling individual songs on their on line store. Pink Floyd has always created concept albums that are meant to be listened to uninterrupted from start to finish. This is the band’s trade mark that that they are fighting for her folks. The super group had to wait for the result of a British court ruling this week that ruled in favour of the band ideals! Good for the band!

I can see that some fans might be only willing or able to pay for certain segments, which EMI considers individual songs, of the album. EMI is saying that is what the public wants and that is what they will get come hell or high water! This model of business would certainly bring in more revenues for EMI. And as we all now know, EMI is in big trouble, just look at some previous posts on this blog.

From a business perspective this is a sound platform to explore. As for the artistic integrity of the bands ideals … To add insult to injury for EMI, they also have to pay the band’s legal costs, estimated at £60,000. Even the Rolling Stones left these clowns in 2007 when the current owners, bought by Mr. Guy Hands of the British private equity firm, Terra Firma Capital Partners, in 2007. Losers!

Now rival Warner Music, led by Edgar Bronfman Jr.(Canadian boy), is said to be watching EMI’s problems with baited breath. Warner tried to buy EMI four years ago and may soon get a chance to buy it, as they say, for a song.

The British court ruling stopped EMI’s single song sales from Dark Side and other Pink Floyd albums, pointing to a contract forbidding the band’s albums from being sold in any other form without written consent. EMI had argued that the contract applied only to records, not downloads. The judge disagreed, saying the contracts protected “the artistic integrity of the albums.” Many of Pink Floyd’s albums are designed as continuous entities with songs flowing into one another.

So I hope that this will be a standard template for future artist’s contracts that they will sign with their record/distribution company. Imagine you being in a contract like this, with everything clearly stated in black and white and you give the company the benefit of the doubt but you still get screwed like this? I’d be be, how about you?

Keep on Jammin'(and read the fine print before you put your name to a document)

Gilligan’s Island the movie

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Gilligan’s Island the movie sounds like a big stretch but ah, what the hell. I can imagine the set now but I sure hope they keep that old coconut that still must be kicking around the island somewhere.

The theme song for this one is classic! It’s one of those songs that I love to play on my acoustic … late at a party that is! I have a collection of TV theme songs from past that are fun to play as well. Some of them are Beverley Hill Billie’s, The Brady Bunch, Flintstones (remember John Candy singing that one?), Friends and Green Acres! I remember playing Gilligan’s Island theme song in a bar one night as just a simple/stupid filler for a late set and to my amazement it just about brought the house down! The audience singing along WAY OUT OF KEY but it looked like they enjoyed it?! Music sure does calm the drunkin’ beast(s)!

Now for some interesting facts about the show!

  • In the very first shot of the opening credits, the American flag over the harbor can be seen flying at half-mast. Reason: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, shortly before the shot was filmed.(This one I find the most interesting)
  • Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role of Gilligan.
  • Raquel Welch auditioned for the role of Mary Anne.
  • The first season had the cast using cups that were made from real coconuts. However, they found that the cups were porous and soaked through like they were sweating. Thus in the later seasons, the coconut cups were ceramic replicas.
  • Gilligan saved the Skipper’s life once when they were in the Navy. A depth charge had broken loose from it’s mount and was rolling across the deck. Gilligan pushed Skipper out of the way. Skipper would later say that Gilligan didn’t save his life, he only prolonged it.
  • “The radio” seen in virtually every episode was a Packard-Bell AM Radio, Model AR-851. The small silver handle and telescoping antenna were added by the prop department (despite the fact that AM radios do not use telescoping antennas). The antenna was likely added to lend credence to the castaways’ ability to pick up radio signals so far from civilization.
  • The island shown in the opening and closing credits is actually located in Kaneohe Bay, about a mile offshore from the island of Oahu, in Hawaii.

The script of Gilligan’s Island the movie is to be written by Brad Copeland which is suppose to start be in production in 2011. Here’s the an idea for the cast that has been floating around on line for some time now.

Gilligan: Michael Cera
The Skipper: Zach Galifianakis
Thurston Howell III: Abe Vigoda (Barney Miller) this one is the best by far!
Lovey Howell: Judi Dench
The Professor: Jeff Daniels
Mary Ann: Anne Hathaway
Ginger: Christina Hendricks

So far I like it already! Any other personal picks for the members of this one? Come on, give it a go it’ll be fun!!!

Keep on Jammin’

Wanna buy Abbey Road’s Studio?

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Here’s a post I wrote a couple of weeks ago BUT DID NOT POST. This is when the story was first brought to the world’s attention! Thank God it didn’t end that way!

The world renown recording company that the Beatles once used and then purchased, has fallen on bad financial times and is about to be sold off to reduce the company’s, EMI and venture capitalists Terra Firma’s, debt. Doing so will go far in putting the company back in the black but at what cost?

Just think of some of the history or this location. The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, violin maestro Yehudi Menuhin, Mike Oldfield and Jeff Beck are just some of the bands that wielded their musical magic in this place!

It originally opened in 1931 by the Gramophone Company, which later became EMI. Abbey Road, which began life as a Georgian town house built in 1831, has an impressive history. Aside from the Beatles, who recorded most of their 1960s hit singles and albums there under the direction of EMI house producer George Martin.

It’s not known if the company will sell either the brand name or the physical location which is in St. John’s Wood in North London, England. It could bring into the company’s coffers up 25 to 30 million pounds ($39 million to $47 million US).

God I hope they don’t pave paradise and put up a condo and a parking lot!

And now for the happy ending!

The financially troubled record company issued a statement following days of press reports the studio — made famous by The Beatles “Abbey Road” album — would be put up for sale. The statement noted that English Heritage — which advises the British government on historical buildings and monuments — has accelerated plans to protect Abbey Road
, which has been losing money for several years.

I guess our prayers have been answered!

Keep on Jammin’

Simon and Garfunkle in Toronto

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Simon and Garfunkel are going to be playing May 12th, 2010 in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre and I hope to be there! These guys have produced so many great memorable tunes that it’s not funny! Do you plan to go and see them on their up coming tour?

I remember seeing these guys in the late 80’s at the old CNE bandstand and I’ll never forget it. We had concert seating which was like a free for all at the front of the stage. We brought a small blanket and some beverages, if memory serves me correctly. Our piece of the turf was center-right of the stage about 30 feet away.

The place was full of people sprawling out where ever they could with blankets, pick nick baskets full of food and wine. I was totally surprised to see little kids as young as 2-3 years running around everywhere! It had a nice small town fair feel to it.

The best part of that show for me was when they performed Scarborough Fair. For many year I’ve attempted to play this song and it turned out fine but this was the time to see it done right!

Before the song began, I noticed Paul Simon was practicing the beginning of it, so I asked this guy beside us if I could use his binoculars. I watched every single movement of his fingers and I found out that I was doing it ok except for a few parts. When I got home all I did was play the hell out of that song and I finally have it perfect!

So that was my favorite part of the show. Does anyone out there have a neat Simon and Garfunkel moment that they’d like to share with the rest of us?

Keep on Jammin’

One fishy looking guitar

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I’m not really too sure what to think about a guitar that is created to look like a fish. It looks kinda neat and might drive your cat crazy but besides that I wonder how this one plays? Maybe it’s for the fisherman’s inner guitar player in him/her. I’d love to see it’s case!

fishyguitar.jpg

Keep on Jammin’


Who was on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper album?

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Who was on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts club Band album is a question that I have tried to figure out the answer to this question every time I picked up the album or looked at a picture of it on line. I’ve looked at this great album for years trying to figure this who was on it and it was always fun to guess but now I’ve finally found out who is who!

To view this classic album cover, check out this link for a great picture and test your musical knowledge, without using the references below!

Top row left to right

  • Sri Yukteswar Giri (Hindu guru)
  • Aleister Crowley (occultist)
  • Mae West (actress)
  • Lenny Bruce (comedian)
  • Karlheinz Stockhausen (composer)
  • W. C. Fields (comedian/actor)
  • Carl Gustav Jung (psychologist)
  • Edgar Allan Poe (writer)
  • Fred Astaire (actor/dancer)
  • Richard Merkin (artist)
  • The Vargas Girl (by artist Alberto Vargas)
  • Huntz Hall (actor)
  • Simon Rodia (designer and builder of the Watts Towers)
  • Bob Dylan (singer/songwriter)

Next row down left to right

  • Aubrey Beardsley (illustrator)
  • Sir Robert Peel (19th century British Prime Minister)
  • Aldous Huxley (writer)
  • Dylan Thomas (poet)
  • Terry Southern (writer)
  • Dion (singer)
  • Tony Curtis (actor)
  • Wallace Berman (artist)
  • Tommy Handley (comedian)
  • Marilyn Monroe (actress)
  • William S. Burroughs (writer)
  • Sri Mahavatar Babaji (Hindu guru)
  • Stan Laurel (actor/comedian)
  • Richard Lindner (artist)
  • Oliver Hardy (actor/comedian)
  • Karl Marx (political philosopher)
  • H. G. Wells (writer)
  • Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (Hindu guru)
  • Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist) – barely visible below Bob Dylan
  • Anonymous (hairdresser’s wax dummy)

Next row down left to right

  • Stuart Sutcliffe (artist/former Beatle)
  • Anonymous (hairdresser’s wax dummy)
  • Max Miller (comedian)
  • A “Petty Girl” (by artist George Petty)
  • Marlon Brando (actor)
  • Tom Mix (actor)
  • Oscar Wilde (writer)
  • Tyrone Power (actor)
  • Larry Bell (artist)
  • Dr. David Livingstone (missionary/explorer)
  • Johnny Weissmuller (Olympic swimmer/Tarzan actor)
  • Stephen Crane (writer) – barely visible between Issy Bonn’s head and raised arm
  • Issy Bonn (comedian)
  • George Bernard Shaw (playwright)
  • H. C. Westermann (sculptor)
  • Albert Stubbins (soccer player)
  • Sri Lahiri Mahasaya (guru)
  • Lewis Carroll (writer)
  • T. E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”)

Finally the front row left to right

  • Wax model of Sonny Liston (boxer)
  • A “Petty Girl” (by George Petty)
  • Wax model of George Harrison
  • Wax model of John Lennon
  • Shirley Temple (child actress) – barely visible, first of three appearances on the cover
  • Wax model of Ringo Starr
  • Wax model of Paul McCartney
  • Albert Einstein (physicist) – largely obscured
  • John Lennon holding a French Horn
  • Ringo Starr holding a trumpet
  • Paul McCartney holding a Cor Anglais
  • George Harrison holding a flute
  • Bobby Breen (singer)
  • Marlene Dietrich (actress/singer)
  • An American legionnaire[1]
  • Diana Dors (actress)
  • Shirley Temple (child actress)

If you cannot make out who is who in my description then check out this link and I hope that it will make it a little clearer!

Keep on Jammin’

The Knack loses Doug Fieger

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Doug Fieger, the lead singer or front man for The Knack, has passed away at the age of 57. This took place in his home in Woodlands Hills. California according to The Detroit News. He was reportedly fighting lung and brain cancer at the time.

Best known for the 1979 #1 smash hit, My Sharona, and my favorite tune that I played with Allen Scott a lot was Good Girl don’t. Sharona was an obsessively catchy track about one of Fieger’s real-life girlfriends, and the bouncy cut off the band’s debut album, Get the Knack, scored another jolt of fame in the mid ’90s when it appeared on the Reality Bites soundtrack.

“Everybody knows they’re going sooner or later. I don’t know any better than anyone else when I’m going. I’ve had 10 great lives. And I expect to have some more. I don’t feel cheated in any way, shape or form.” Doug Fieger

Thanx for the memories Doug Fieger!

I agree with a few of the Grammy awards, but others – not so much

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This years’ Grammy Awards were ok I guess, if your into that kinda thing. I did not watch or tape this event so I’m not sure how it went. The awards going to Neil Young and Leonard Cohen was nice to see though.

The one person who did not make an appearance was none other then Kanye West. What that guy did last year at the VMA awards was truly unbelievable. Imagine what was going through Taylor Swift’s mind when that happened. Not that I am a fan of her music, but still I really feel for her! I don’t mind a little bit of today’s modern country music, I’m more from the old school guy. Acts like Johnny cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings are more to my liking!

Kings of Leon, won the album of the year with Use Somebody. These guys, I like. Funk Joint by Marcus Miller should have won Best Pop Instrumental Performance, that tune is great! Besame Mucho by Herb Alpert was 2nd on my list for this category.

I really like the winner for Best Pop Instrumental Album. It went to Booker T. Jones Potato Hole! You can’t go wrong with anything that a keyboardist using a Hammond B-3 with a Leslie amp does. Actually everyone that was nominated for this award was worthy of it. Chris Botti, Hiroshima, The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman and my favorite instrumental band for 20 years or more Spyro Gyra!

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance went to Bruce Springsteen. I saw this guy in Toronto a couple of years ago with my favorite brother in law Steve and I just didn’t enjoy the band. Sure some of his classic tunes will be around forever, but the only aspect of the band/show that earned my respect was the drummer! He literally ran the whole band, if it wasn’t for him that night I think the band would of been completely lost.

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals had lots of talent to choose from! Ultimately it went to Kings of Leon. What did you think about this one?

In the category of Best Hard Rock Performance, ACDC walked away with it. There wasn’t all that much there that interested me. Maybe it’s because I’m a little bit older now and tired of Hard Rock bands that would rather blow your head off then entertain me. Did I really write that down?!

Judas Priest, a favorite band my buddies Steve and Johnny from Gemini, took control of the Best Metal Performance class of 2010. Lamb of God should have honourable mention here kidz! I realize that Lamb of God is a loud band, but they’re really neat to listen to.

As for the rest of the awards, most are not all that appealing to me. Anyone out there feeling the same as I do?

Keep on Jammin’

The Fender Phone from T-Mobile, that’s what I’m calling it!

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I found the new T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Phone quite the novelty item. Hum, not sure though if I’d go running out there to get one. I realize that it is a limited edition (I’m sure they’ll make more) but if I was a real super fan of Eric Clapton then I’d bite.

We were watching the final episode of The Tonight show with Conan O’Brien that we taped on our PVR (TVO) last night and this ad came up talking about this product. With Eric Clapton and a wall of Fender Stratocasters behind him, hell ya, that got my attention real fast!

The thing that honestly grabbed my curiosity was an application for the phone showing the strings of a Fender guitar, I assume, and Eric strumming it, ha genius!

For the life of me I don’t know what you’d use this for? Is this app created just for it’s novelty or is it intended for tuning your guitar if the battery on your guitar tuner is dead? If so then they might be onto something here folks.

Fender will also be coming up with it’s own apps for it later on. If anyone out there knows of any apps for phones that Fender has done in the past then please tell us! I don’t have a phone that uses apps, I use it for calling people that’s it!

The look of it fascinates me. The Faux Wood’s fiery grain pattern to it, just like the one that a vintage Fender guitar has is always a smart way to go for that classy appearance. It comes loaded with some of Eric Clapton’s tunes on it, which ones I can’t say. The phone holds a 16GB microSD card in it as well. Just like in the past I can hear some people saying what the hell do you need a 16GB card in a cell phone for anyway?! That’s similar to what Bill Gates said about 4 MB of RAM that came installed in the early 80’s computers I believe?

So has anyone out there picked one of these bad boys up? If you do have one these phones then what other apps come with it and which other ones did you but to use that is guitar oriented?

Keep on Jammin’

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