"Look Back" 1976: Aerosmith's "Rocks"

The year was 1976.....

.....and what an incredible year for music! The year that saw KISS have their footprints added to the sidewalk outside Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, top Grammy honors were Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" (Album of the Year), Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" wins Record of the Year, and Judy Collins' version of "Send in the Clowns" wins Song of the Year...Queen played the biggest show in Europe that year at Hyde Park (200,000 people) while Yes and Peter Frampton played to 130,000 in Philly....chart topping songs like "Tonight's the Night" (Rod Stewart), "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (Elton John & Kiki Dee), "Silly Love Songs" (Paul McCartney), "Disco Lady" (Johnnie Taylor), "December, 1963" (Four Seasons), and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (Paul Simon) ruled the charts, as well as one hit wonders like the incredible Starlight Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight"....the year we lost legends like blues legend Howlin' Wolf, jazz giant Vince Guaraldi, songwriting great Johnny Mercer, classical composer & theorist Walter Piston, guitar icons Freddie King and Tommy Bolin, and future legends were born like Melanie C (real name Melanie Chisholm), country singer Blake Shelton, rapper Ja Rule, vocalist Chester Bennington (Linkin Park),and singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus). We saw the birth of bands like U2, Foreigner, The Cure, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and The Clash, and the death of bands Deep Purple, Ike & Tina Turner, The Band, Three Dog Night, and Steppenwolf.....and so much more!

A host of amazing albums were released in 1976 and I hope to have time to write about many, including Boston's debut self-titled release, Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life", TWO albums by The Eagles ("Greatest Hits" as well as "Hotel California"), the legendary "2112" by Rush, and of course, "Frampton Comes Alive" by Peter Frampton!

Today, however, we'll look at the groundbreaking album by Aerosmith, "Rocks".

Sam Cooke

(editorial note: Inspiration to write this article came from the sad fact that so few of the younger budding musicians I come across seem to know of Same Cooke, and so this is my small step to rectifying that condition, as I will be referring them to this article henceforth.)

DURING HIS LIFETIME - 29 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 (and on the R&B charts, 4 of those landed at #1 and 20 of those were top 10); inventor of a musical style that opened the door for the rise of artist like Aretha Franklin to Al Green, Curtis Mayfield to Stevie Wonder; helped popularize James Brown and Otis Redding; composed his own songs in a pop music world typically separating writers from performers, and demonstrated a business savvy that rivaled the established label owners & management companies (he started his own label in 1961, a move unheard of for an artist at the time)....and all this in an all-too-brief 8 year career.

David Bowie & the Guitar

I've been either teaching or performing various Bowie songs as of late, and since I teach primarily guitar, discussion of Bowie's guitarists has come up a lot. It occurred to me that I should jot all this info down for anyone & everyone who may find it of interest.

David Bowie had an incredible career full of splendid musical challenges (and much more, but remember our focus is on guitar), and he had an entire stable of incredible musicians with whom he forged this path; his '70s work saw players from Mick Ronson in the early days to tag team Carlos Alomar & Earl Slick to Robert Fripp to Adrien Belew as well as guests like John Lennon, followed by his '80s output with the likes of Nile Rogers & Stevie Ray Vaughan to Peter Frampton (with Carlos a constant traveling companion) as well as guests like Charlie Sexton, to his 90s catalogue featuring the introduction of Reeves Gabrels (with a brief return of Rogers & Ronson & Alomar) and guests like Lenny Kravitz. The 2000s saw a collaboration with David Torn and Gerry Leonard, and guests ranging from Pete Townsend and David Grohl and more as well as a return of Earl Slick and, for his final album, Ben Monder.

And the list is longer than this.

But even so, the above list is far too dense for this medium. As such, I'm going to trim it down to only a half dozen so we can focus with greater depth the players on the brief roster. Apologies in advance, as I'll be leaving out some amazing guitarists....including Fripp (who created the long sustaining guitar soundscape of "Heroes"), SRV (who played on much of the "Let's Dance" album), and Bowie himself, who handled much of his own guitar duties throughout his entire career (including the lone 12-string of "Space Oddity", the amazing chord riffing of "Ziggy Stardust", and the iconic electric signature riff of Rebel Rebel").

That said, here we go....

Another 50 Years.....

Another 50 Years...

As we ended 2017 with a look at music from 1967, I thought it appropriate to kick off the new year with another look back - this time to 1968. For some, just interesting trivia, but for others, perhaps, inspiration.

A cursory glance at the events of the year see Johnny Cash performing his iconic show (and later released as an album) at Folsom Prison in January. This followed by a string of amazing happenings: David Gilmour joins Pink Floyd, promoter Bill Graham opens the Filmore East in NY, the wedding of Johnny and June, "Hair" opens on Broadway, Aretha Franklin records her live album in Paris, Lennon & McCartney launch Apple, then begin recording "the White Album" (which is released later the same year), Jeff Beck releases "Truth" (which launches the careers of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood), The Who begin recording "Tommy", Janis Joplin breaks from Big Brother and goes solo, Elvis becomes the highest rated TV special of the entire year, and more.

The year sees the forming of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, CS&N, Yes, RushN Free, King Crimson, Deep Purple....and the demise of Buffulo Springfield, the Yardbirds, Cream, the Righteous Brothers....

January alone sees albums by Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, John Coltrane, Johnny Cash, Richie Havens, Steppenwolf, Nancy Sinatra, Velvet Underground, Aretha Franklin, Gordon Lightfoot, Iron Butterfly, the Byrds, Dr. John, Simon & Garfunkel, and more...while the remainder of the year is equally explosive, with albums released by Otis Redding, Fleetwood Mac, the Bee Gees, James Brown, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, Sly & the Family Stone, Herb Alpert, Tom Jones, Beach Boys, Joan Baez. Jose Feliciano, the Band, the Doors, CCR, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, , Jefferson Airplane, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, solo albums by Beatles' George Harrison and John Lennon, Dean Martin, Curtis Mayfield, Rolling Stones, Temptations...

The year also sees the biggest selling songs in "Hey Jude", "What a Wonderful World", "Dock of the Bay", and "Jumpin' Jack Flash"....as well as songs like Jimi's version of the Dylan classic "All Along the Watchtower", Steppenwolf's "Born the Be Wild", Aretha's "Chain of Fools", "Mighty Quinn", "Piece of My Heart" & "Summertime", the novelty hit "Tiptoe Through the Tulips", "White Room", "Mony Mony"....

1968 also saw musical films from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" to "Yellow Submarine".

Sadly, it brought the deaths of blues harp master Little Walter, jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery, and many more....but it also saw the births of Sarah McLaughlin, guitarist Charlie Sexton, Thom Yorke of Radiohead,  rapper LL Cool J, Celine Dion, Dawn Robertson of En Vogue....

So now you're ready for trivial pursuit...or you have some fuel for your creative fires.

Go carve your name in history, friends.



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Monthly support: https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic​ or https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic​ (Pay What You Will)

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50 Years....

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE, 50 years hence, think of us (in music and art) today?

I don't know, but 50 years ago saw HUGE songs like "Whiter Shade of Pale" and "All You Need is Love", and "I'm a Believer", and "Strawberry Fields Forever", and "Light My Fire". It saw music from Phillip Glass and from Steve Reich. Album releases like The Doors and Between the Button and Sorcerer and Are You Experienced and Surrealistic Pillow and Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits and Magical Mystery Tour and Waylon Sings Harlan and Sgt Peppers and many, many more...from Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard and Miles Davis and the Rolling Stones and the Beatles and the Beach Boys and Dione Warwick and James Brown and the Monkees and Willie Nelson and Elvis and Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, and Otis Redding and Johnny Cash and the Yardbirds and the Temptations, and Dean Martin and Aretha Franklin and Zappa and Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson and Pink Floyd. And so many more besides.

Albert King's Born Under a Bad Sign and Merle Haggard's Branded Man and Frank Sinatra's The World We Knew and of course Big Brother and the Holding Company's debut (that introduced Janis Joplin to the World) and Cold Sweat by James Brown and Frank Zappa's Lumpy Gravy all came out in August of '67.

The final 2 months saw Disreali Gears and Amboy Dukes and Axis: Bold as Love and the Who Sell Out and Dusty Springfield's The Look of Love.

1967 saw the Summer of Love and BB King and Burt's Bond epic Casino Royale and George Benson and Julie London to Ritchie Havens.

I don't know what we'll look like in 50 years, but I know 50 years ago has set a very high bar.

Happy New Year!

=====

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Monthly support: https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic​ or https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic​ (Pay What You Will)

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Review: "Contemplation" by Alan Robinson

Guitar shredder and master musician  Alan Robinson has released his album "Contemplation"!

This collection of instrumental, guitar-driven progressive rock has everything the shred guitar fan desires...and much more! Gorgeous melodies, inventive lines, beautifully executed & arranged, splendidly composed, loads of harmonic magic, and top-shelf technique fully on display.

The musicians on this album are: Alan Robinson (lead and rhythm guitars; bass, keyboards on "Watermelon Seeds"), James Weeks (bass), Daniel Phelps: (drums; rhythm guitar 2 on "Contemplation"), Beth Dean (keyboards), and Kyle Hall: (drums on "Contemplation").

Alan - a graduate of Berklee School of Music in Boston (he also was awarded his master's in music from EKU) - has put together an incredible collection of music that will engage and inspire not just high-level musicians and guitarists, but (with his emphasis on composing quality and interesting songs) music fans of any particular style. This is what places him above the guitar-hero heap: his desire and ability to compose fascinating songs that stand on their own, not requiring the pyrotechnics to carry them along.

This makes his stunning technical virtuosity all the more amazing, and welcome, when it shows up in spades!

You can listen to clips & purchase the album at CD Baby.

Visit Alan on-line at his Web-Site to learn more about him, hear music, watch videos, enjoy a series of free lessons, sign up for private lessons, and much more!

Review: "FOREVER WORDS" by Johnny Cash

"...The lights are on past midnite
The curtains closed all day
There's trouble on the moubntain
The valley people say..."

A beautiful little book just came out earlier this year. Edited by none other than Pulitzer Prize winning poet Paul Muldoon (with introduction by Johnny's son, Grammy winning record producer John Carter Cash), it is, simply, a book of poems.

Poems written by the Man in Black: music legend Johnny Cash.

Poetry review: FLESHED

"Fleshed" is a fabulous little book by what I can only describe as a stunning writer. Twists and turns and fabulous word play...but always in the service of a piece with all the edge and precision of a sharped spear-head striking a bullseye into the emotional heart of the matter.

To wit:

"Therapy"

After I got
a diagnosis
& prescription
the doctor said
You need 
to keep in mind 
          – noncompliance 
is common 
for people 
with your condition. 

No it’s not 
I thought, then left
without paying
my copay

-----

That's the 7th of 15 wonderful poems in this book.

Worth every second. Worth every cent.

I'm looking forward to much more from Leigh Anne Hornfeldt in the future!

Find it here: FLESHED at Argus House Press

Review: "The Life of Kid Grayson"

Barry Miller debut novel "The Life of Kid Grayson" is the best indie debut I've ever read.

Chock full of history and music, Barry brings the story to life with his expert use of the pen, weaving words into images, transporting the reader like few writers can really do. In the case of this book, through the backwoods of Kentucky to the jungles of Viet Nam, from the bright lights of Nashville to the long American highways....kills a man before his 18th year, fights side by side with his fellow soldiers, plays guitar from hollers to bar stages & backrooms, and has his share of run-ins with those on both sides of the law.

Music is woven through this novel like a living pulse. And our own cultural history.

This is a must-read for all music lovers AND book lovers.

Get it at Smashwords HERE.

(ed note: October 2014, you can download it FREE)

Diana Chittester "Find My Way Home"

Diana Chittester is a one woman music machine. With multiple albums to her credit and shows all over the eastern US (and Canada), she's been burning up the concert stage, the speakers, the ear-buds....and clawing her way to the top of the heap by shear force of her formidable musical will.

She's also been featured right here at Skinny Devil Magazine: both Guitar Gods and Guitar Gods: LIVE.

Now, she has released a new album. Her first that features her as she performs: One woman, one guitar, and no gimmicks.

The album is "Find My Way Home" (Fighting Chance Records), and on it, Diana is on fire!

Gregory: "...in a matter of days"

Completely unexpected turn from Gregory with his new release "...in a matter of days". No crunching guitars, soaring vocals, deep pondering lyrics, bone-crushing rhythms....

The new album is 9 songs that are primarily contemplative, introverted, and will likely transport the listener to lost inner worlds.

A mix of electronic and acoustic instruments, the shortest song clocks in at just under 5 minutes. The longest at over 14 minutes! With titles like "the sacrifice of pawns", "after the fall", and "the perfect emotion", this is a meditative collection that will not only sooth and transport, but also likely bring up images and poetic fragments from your mind.

GET IT.

"Neuromancer" The Most Influential Book of Your Lifetime?

What? You haven't heard of "Neuromancer"? Yes, my friend, you have....

"Neuromancer", published in 1984 by then-unknown author William Gibson, came out of nowhere and immediately changed the face of science fiction. It was the first book to ever win the sci-fi "triple crown" (Nebula, Hugo, and PK Dick Awards) and defined the cyber-punk genre.

That would be enough of an accomplishment to revisit this book 30 years later. That would be enough to make anyone's career.

But it didn't stop there.

KXM - Album Review

It was at a birthday party for the son of Ray Luzier (drummer of the band Korn) that George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) and dUg Pinnick (King's X) got the tour of Ray's home recording studio. And it was in that studio that Ray suggested that the 3 get together as a classic power trio.

Fortunately, George and dUg agreed, and KXM was born.

KXM: "Gunfight"

My buddy Mike Froedge mentioned in passing one day that I should listen to KXM, so I filed in the back of my mind that I'd get around to it at first opportunity. Then I heard it was George Lynch's new band and thought I best make time! Turns out KXM is not only Lynch, but Ray Luzier (drummer for Korn) and dUg Pinnick (bass/vocals for King's X).

Note to self: When Froedge says listen, do it.

RORY BLOCK: When a Woman Gets the Blues

For my money, Rory Block is the best acoustic blues player alive, and one of the best acoustic blues players to ever live. Her ability to not only compose new material but to interpret the songs of the masters (Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Tommy Johnson, and more) is, quite simply, un-matched. She is the best at what she does. Period.

And allow me to go a step further. Though it is anathema to say so (and Rory herself - as well as the blues establishment - will certainly disagree with me), , allow me to make a bold prediction: Rory Block will be remembered, 50 years, 100 years, and more from now, as better than not only her peers, but than most of the guitarists she looks up to. Better, in fact, than most players of any style.

"Small Batch" - the Review

Did you know that whiskey can be made anywhere, but that particular brand of whiskey called "bourbon" can only be produced in the US? Did you know that law was passed in 1964 by congress? Or that it is at least 80 proof? Or is made from mash of at least 51% corn?

Did you know "small batch" bourbon doesn't have a specific definition, but that the name implies (almost always correctly) high quality?

And so it is with a small book of poetry called "Small Batch: an anthology of bourbon poetry" (Two of Cups Press, 2013 - http://twoofcupspress.wordpress.com/). A high quality collection of poems from over 50 high quality poets, straight with no chaser.

Before we get any further, I should note that I am no poet (I'm a musician) and poetry not tethered to music often confuses or eludes me. Not so this little gem. To wit:

I heard this press wanted poems about

bourbon.

This confused me, because I thought

bourbon

was already a poem.

(David S. Atkinson)

Makes perfect sense to me.

And so begins this fantastic book! It weaves through poems with titles like "The Bourbon Drinker's Guide to Intimacy" and "verge" and "Spirits" and "Shadow Traffic"...."Julep" and "Don't Marry Before You Liquor" and "Ode to Bourbon".

Each a new wonder of words and images.

Kudos to Leigh Anne Hornfeldt and Teneice Durrant on editing a fantastic book that should be owned and read by every lover of both poetry and bourbon everywhere.

P.O.M. - ''Lost Contact''

--David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 15 2005 @ 15:03:27 GMT

"Lost Contact" is the new full-length feature film by writer & director Andrew Crawford - a dark, brooding film that is an "...Absurdly comic and totally unpredictable...tour de force in 'no budget' filmmaking. Having all the looks of classic cult film noir, its photography is complemented by the witty, dry humor of its dialogue and the twisting plot lines...". The soundtrack for this film is equally unpredictable, and absolutely astonishing.

The music for "Lost Contact" was written, performed, & recorded by P.O.M., an intense and extremely gifted guitarist & composer who also tackles percussion and vocal duties for the soundtrack.

Doppler, Inc. - ''Nu Instrumental''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music 
Date: Tuesday, March 22 2005 @ 13:24:06 GMT

Doug Doppler, former student of Joe Satriani (and personally picked by Joe to take over his teaching duties), formed a band in 2002 named simply Doppler, Inc. Their debut CD, "Nu Instrumental", features the amazing line-up of Doug Doppler (lead guitar), Steve Sarina (rhythm guitar), Uriah Duffy (bass), and Atma Anur (drums), with special guest appearances from Stu Hamm (bass), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Brad Gillis (guitar).

They waste no time leaping into the instrumental rock fray with the opening track, "Fat Lip" - an intense, driving song that features all manner of cool sound FX, whammy pedal guitar antics, crunching rhythms, and more. This song really throws down the gauntlet and sets the pace for the entire 11 song CD.

''Electric Goddess'' - Debra DeSalvo

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
 Date: Friday, April 23 2004 @ 17:46:07 BST

The name of Debra DeSalvo's new album is "Electric Goddess", which sort of throws the gauntlet down, if you ask me. Lucky for us, win, lose, or draw, it's a GREAT show! But then, whaddya expect from a record that opens with a song titled "Demon in the Sack"?

Dave Weiner - ''Shove the Sun Aside''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 22 2005 @ 13:34:18 GMT

Most people who have heard the name "Dave Weiner" know him as the guy with enough talent and balls to stand on the stage next to Steve Vai in Vai's touring band, The Breed. What they may not know is that Dave, until Favored Nations signed him, is a DIY artist with a new & wondrous CD, "Shove the Sun Aside".