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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)

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’

Chill Out Music

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Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses on the timbral characteristics of sounds, particularly organised or performed to evoke an “atmospheric”, “visual” or “unobtrusive” quality. Ambient evolved from the early 20th century music of the impressionists, composers such as John Cage, Morton Feldman and minimalist composers of the 1960s and 1970s to rock musician Brian Eno, who is responsible for coining the phrase ambient music in the manifesto liner notes of his 1978 album, Ambient 1: Music for Airports.

Ambient music has influenced many other genres, most remarkably some forms of rhythmic music presented in chill-out rooms at raves and other dance events, with the intention of creating an calmer, relaxed atmosphere for ravers to take a break from dancing.

History

Early 20th century French composer Erik Satie created an early form of ambient music that he referred to as “furniture music” (Musique d’ameublement), in reference to something that could be played during a dinner whose sound would simply create an atmosphere for that activity rather than be the specific focus of attention.

Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses on the timbral characteristics of sounds, particularly organised or performed to evoke an “atmospheric”, “visual” or “unobtrusive” quality. Ambient evolved from the early 20th century music of the impressionists, composers such as John Cage, Morton Feldman and minimalist composers of the 1960s and 1970s to rock musician Brian Eno, who is responsible for coining the phrase ambient music in the manifesto liner notes of his 1978 album, Ambient 1: Music for Airports.

Ambient music has influenced many other genres, most remarkably some forms of rhythmic music presented in chill-out rooms at raves and other dance events, with the intention of creating an calmer, relaxed atmosphere for ravers to take a break from dancing.

Brian Eno is generally credited with coining the term “ambient music” in the mid-1970s to refer to music that, as he stated, can be either “actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener”, and that exists on the “cusp between melody and texture.” Eno, who describes himself as a “non-musician”, termed his experiments in sound as “treatments” rather than as traditional performances. Eno used the word “ambient” to describe music that creates an atmosphere that puts the listener into a different state of mind; having chosen the word based on the Latin term “ambire”, “to surround”.

The Story Behind The Epiphone Left Handed Guitars

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Epiphone left hand guitars have been for many years a way musicians start their music career. These LH guitars are a great value for many reasons. The workmanship is great and the quality rivals that of the original Gibson models. The price is attainable for just about any music lover.

Founded in 1873 by Greek luthier Anastasios Stathopoulos, the Epiphone guitar Company was manufacturing guitars for a while before succumbing to economic pressures during World War 2. Gibson at that time, was able to simply acquire the fledgling company. Today, Gibson still manufactures instruments under the name Epiphone.

Epiphone and Gibson

Prior to the acquisition by Gibson, Epiphone left and right guitars were a rival to Gibson. The sound quality was magnificent, the materials were the same and the electronics were just as superior. If Epiphone had not been absorbed by Gibson, I am sure the company would have either rivaled or bypassed Gibson eventually.

A good instrument can be hard to find, when it comes to a guitar lefty. Only more affordable in many cases, Epiphone left hand guitars are every bit as good as a Gibson. The controls and knobs to be oriented the same for a right hand guitar which is important. Epiphone LH guitars provide this detail nicely. So if you are a left hand player you dont need to use a right hand guitar with the strings and bridge reversed and the controls backwards.

Casino Hollow Body

One of the most famous Epiphone left hand guitars is the left handed Casino hollow body. This beauty looks like a Gretsch and was responsible for the Beatles famous sound in the 1960’s. The Beatles bought three Casinos and used them to record and play live shows as they toured. Obviously, the Epiphone left hand guitar was good enough for Paul McCartney.

I personally own an Epiphone Les Paul and it gives me great  pleasure to play live and in astudio. This is another well known Epiphone left hand guitar. I can used it for jazz, blues and even classical tracks. Besides that, I can crank the volume on the pickups and jam away with the metal heads.

Epiphone left hand guitars are an investment that you can  trust. There is a  web site that focuses on guitar lefty players. These folks know left hand guitars and left hand electric guitars. The site has a selection of instruments available and you can look up their different left hand instruments.

So if you are looking for an Epiphone left handed guitar, get on over to lefthandedguitarmall  as soon as possible. You will not find a more guitar lefty focused site anywhere and they really care about left hand players finding the right guitar. An Epiphone left hand guitar is the way to start off that career, especially for those on a budget and can’t quite afford that Gold Top LP just yet. Epiphone means quality and quality means a happy player.

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’

A Big Band with even bigger sound

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I have been a lover of the Big Band sound ever since I was little musician! When I found out about an old band mate had a Big Band called The 905 Band I just had to check them out.

Chris W. was the drummer and singer of Pylis. He also played guitar a wee bit and he was pretty good, even thought he thought that I was the least talented in that band! Now that wasn’t nice of him now was it?! Ha, gotcha CHICKEN MAN!

I caught up with him when the Keyboardist Tony F. and his wife thought that it would be a great idea if we got together for a concert with other bands from that time for a night of live music! What a FABULOUS idea I thought. I must admit that performing with these guys again really got my musical juices flowing. We did the show at The Hardball Cafe in Milton in November 2006.

So before we jammed he said that his band called The 905 Band was playing at Timothy’s in Etobicoke and I thought it would be great to see both of them. I went into the bar with this sign saying I liked you better on the drums and went right up to him in front of the stage while the band was playing trying to put him off his game! It didn’t work but we all got a laugh out of it!

The sound that these guys had was amazing! The mix was perfect and their set list was very impressive to say the least! I had the chance to meet a few of them after the show and these guys are a class act! The one singer/bassist well …

If your a lover of that Big Band sound then treat yourself someday and checkout where and when their playing next … it’s worth the drive trust me on this one!

Keep on Jammin’

Rush performing 2112 Live in 1976

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Rush’s 1976 album titled 2112 was a huge hit in my circle of friends. After listening to it the first time on the radio I had to go out and purchase it! Once I had it in my sweaty little palms I literally ran off to my brother Tim’s stereo a Apollo 861 by Electrohome and began my long journey in trying to reproduce this album on my guitar!

After attempting to reproduce as much as I could all my buddies were lining up for lessons! The learning curve was not that bad for most of my buddies but at times I must admit it was frustrating! During this period I was playing in this band called Deuce with Brian McGlinchy and Eddie Cudek from Gemini. We attempted 2112 and in the bands eye’s it was perfect, as for me well…

Then I joined a band with the great keyboardist Tony F. and guitarist Mike Vantresca? We didn’t have a name but we sure sounded fantastic! I recall trying to play 2112 and with Tony’s magical keyboard sounded quite better then Deuce, sorry guys.

Then after leaving Pylis, I was playing with Domenic Nardone, Eddie Steel and Jon Penrose. I must admit Domenic was outstanding on this tune! It was like Dom was born to play anything that Neil Peart could do.

So I hope that you all enjoy vintage RUSH performing 2112 and I know I’ll be thinking of Domenic on drums whenever I listen to it!

Keep on Jammin’

The Ramones Museum in Berlin looks like fun

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The Ramones are the forefathers of what genre? Some might call them new masters of garage rock minimalism. Others refer to the Ramone’s unique sound as either punk, new wave, power pop, or even surf punk but I just call them a GREAT Rock & Roll band!

So where did this idea for a post come from you say? To be honest with ya I was going through the paper the other day … while waiting in the ER at work as a patient this time around! I threw out my back a little bit while moving a VERY LARGE SET patient in a stretcher to his room. The Star (a big newspaper in Toronto) hands out free papers for patients and friends for free. I found an article in the Travel section. It was about what to do and see in Berlin, if your ever there, then this article about the Ramone’s Museum jumped right off the page at me. Check out the exhibits on the site, their really neat … I think you have to be a die hard Ramones lover to appreciate them.

My God they pulled off some great albums, 24 I think in total! The one’s that I had at one point in my life were Ramones (1976), Rocket to Russia (1977) and End of the Century (1980). I know that it’s hard to picture any of these musical creations in a vinyl collection such as mine but I knew they were a true stand out band that had their eyes wide open about the world in which they/we live in.

Tunes like Hey Ho … Let’s go!, Rock & Roll High School (I fell in love with that little riff just before the chorus, that was my idea of speed guitar soloing!!!), I wanna be sedated, Pet Sematary, Do you remember Rock and Roll Radio and a ship list more!

The thing that ties the Ramones way of life or legend together the most is not a song, album or scandal but the bar that seemed very close to their hearts and that of coarse was CBGB’s in New York city. I just drove by the place in a cab the couple of times that I was in the New York city and that was the closes that I ever got to the place! CBGB’s has such a close relationship with the band that they hold a Joey Ramone memorial ever year for the God father of Punk (or whatever you yourself classify them as being).

I’ve never been to Germany before but has someone out there been to this historic city and went to see the Ramones Museum? Is it worth going to even though you may not be a HUGE Ramones fan? Just wondering!

Keep on Jammin’

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