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Continue reading Today: Van Morrison released the album Moondance in 1970 44 years ago
Today: Van Morrison released the album Moondance in 1970 44 years ago
Tag Archives: Steve Earle
Today: John Mellencamp is 62 Happy Birthday
What is there to be afraid of? The worst thing that can happen is you fail. So what? I failed at a lot of things. My first record was horrible.
~John MellencampI’m your average Joe guy. I don’t really care for politicians.
~John Mellencamp
Induction of John Mellencamp @ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
From Wikipedia:
| Also known as | Johnny Cougar John Cougar John Cougar Mellencamp |
|---|---|
| Born | October 7, 1951 (age 61) Seymour, Indiana, United States |
| Genres | Rock, heartland rock, roots rock, folk rock,hard rock, folk |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica |
John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951) is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock which emphasizes traditional instrumentation. He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one. His latest album, No Better Than This, was released on August 17, 2010 to widespread critical acclaim.
Mellencamp is also one of the founding members of Farm Aid, an organization that began in 1985 with a concert in Champaign, Illinois to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. The Farm Aid concerts have remained an annual event over the past 27 years, and as of 2012 the organization has raised over $40 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture.
Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008 by Billy Joel. His biggest musical influences are Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, James Brown and The Rolling Stones. Said longtime Rolling Stone contributor Anthony DeCurtis: “Mellencamp has created an important body of work that has earned him both critical regard and an enormous audience. His songs document the joys and struggles of ordinary people seeking to make their way, and he has consistently brought the fresh air of common experience to the typically glamour-addled world of popular music.”
My fav Mellencamp song (Egil) – Rain On The Scarecrow (Live 2008):
… and my favorite (Hallgeir) – Small Town (live, 1987)
Album of the day: John Mellencamp -Scarecrow (1985):
Other October 07:
Continue reading Today: John Mellencamp is 62 Happy Birthday
Photo Special: Steve Earle at Bergenfest – Norway 2013
– Hallgeir (photo)
Bergenfest 2013: The Second day – a great festival day
The rainy weather could not spoil this lovely day @ Bergenfest. We got some fantastic concerts & had a helluva time!
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
| What a concert! My first show with Nick Cave, he stumbled through the first songs like an over-eager kid. Then he tightened his grip, he slammed us into the walls, he held us up to God’s jugdment and we felt like beaten sinners after the mass.I got all the songs that I hoped for, the highlights for me were; a ferocious Mercy Seat and a drawn out Stagger Lee that had the most “Motherfucks/-ing” in a song ever. And by the way, he is still the coolest motherfucker on the scene.The best concert at this years Bergenfest (so far).- Hallgeir |
| His presence was immediate.. he was in for the kill. Demanding & getting our full attention even though he was a bit rusty the first couple of songs. From Here To Eternity (#3) was intense, Weeping Song (#4) a bit out of focus, false start on Deanne (#6), but with Red Right Hand things got serious. Tupelo (#9) was majestic, & when he sat down at the keyboard and did my current fav People ain’t no good (#10) we were in some kind of a “Hellish Heaven”. The Mercy Seat (#12), one of the absolute best songs he’s written, could have been better.. but still lovely. Then came Stagger Lee (#13) – best performance yesterday – a real mother fucker version (yes… he shouted “MOTHER FUCKER” at least 20 times during this one). The last three songs were good, but could not touch Stagger Lee… (than again who/what could?) -Egil |
Magic Mirrors – 21:15:
| John Grant |
| I saw a John Grant solo concert two years ago (well, he had one guy on stage with him on some songs) and it really changed my view on Mr. Grant. I was mesmerised. I thought I was prepared for this years show, but when the man starts to sing everything else disappears. He is one of the finest singer/songwriters today. It was fantastic once again.GMF (the Greatest Motherfucker) is maybe the single best musical moment of this years festival. Marz was another highlight.I hope I get to see him and his very good band in a non-festival setting soon.- Hallgeir |
| My first John Grant concert… and WHAOO! Had done my job and listened to his albums, but this was WAY better than I ever imagined (even though Hallgeir had “warned” me). The first two songs (Vietnam & Marz) was unbelievably good.. I was blown away.Then came 3 songs that, though still very good, contained too much synths/electronics for my taste. Sitting down @ the keyboard he gave a quiet and lovely Where Dreams Go To Die (#6) – what a song! It Doesn’t Matter To Him (#7) was also brilliant.The last songs were solid, but not in the same league as the mentioned top 4. A wonderful concert with exceptionally good sound. And listening to his albums today (after the concert) .. feels different in very positive way.-Egil |
Plenen – 17:15:
| Steve Earle & The Mastersons |
| Steve Earle is a hero for us at JV, in many ways he embodies all the musical styles that we write about. I have seen him before, but this was my first concert with him when he has a band with him. I had a big expectations and they were fullfilled, he told short stories and entertaining anectdotes between the tunes. It was a good concert.Highlights: Copperhead Road and The Low Highway- Hallgeir |
| A real hero indeed. This was my 5th Steve Earle concert (2 solo & 3 with band), and my expectations were sky high… a bad thing. First – 17:15, the largest stage, and poring rain.. bad, bad, bad. BUT as soon as Steve Earle’s somewhat reduced voice hit us.. things felt alright… and one of my fav Steve Earle songs is.. I Feel Alright (Steve Earle’s top 20 according to Egil). The band were very good & surely inspired Steve to push his performance (even though struggling with his voice). Best songs were a beautiful This City, a hard rocking & rock solid The Revolution Starts.. (last song), a good Hard-core Troubadour & The Galway Girl. You’re Still Standing There also needs a nod. -Egil |
Plenen – 20:00:
| Band Of Horses |
| This was my fourth Band of Horses concert and as a band this is the best I’ve heard them since 2008, but even if they were good last night, it seemed like another day on the job. They’re a tight band and it’s too bad that it felt a bit uninspired. “Just another day on the job”. Not bad, but not great either.Highlights: Is there a ghost and The Great Salt lake- Hallgeir |
| Seen them twice before.. the band is tighter, but it has been a while since Bridwell has written a real good song. I’m still listening to the first 2 albums.. if I want some Band Of Horses. The “hard-core” rain didn’t hep either… solid stuff, but no cigar. -Egil |
-Egil & Hallgeir
Today – Steve Earle released Transcendental Blues in 2000 – 13 years ago
“Everybody wants to be somebody’s something
Ain’t nobody wants to be blue”
Transcendental realism: “…is a concept stemming from the philosophy of Immanuel Kant that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of the limitations of their own minds.” (-wikipedia)
Blues: “…refers to the “blue devils”, meaning melancholy and sadness…a depressed mood.” (-wikipedia)
Transcendental Blues: A philosophy that implies individuals have a perfect understanding of their own sadness and the limitations of their own minds (- me)
“transcendence is about being still enough long enough to know when it’s time to move on.” (- Steve Earle, liner notes)
Transcendental Blues (the song, live ACL):
“…what truly makes this one of Earle’s best records is that he refuses to be pulled down by musical decisions. It’s as if he never faced a problem of whether or not to add this or that instrument, or to veer off in this or that direction. He simply had the idea and went with it.” – Ryan Kearny, Pitchfork
Galway Girl – Steve Earle (live 2000):
This is one of Earle’s albums that I play the most (together with El Corazon), it is varied and all the songs are good (some are great). It sometimes reminds me of Johnny Cash, sometimes of the Beatles at their melancholy best. He references Harrison’s “Indian-style” music on the first (and second) track, and old-time droning blues on this and other tracks. He dips into celtic/irish folk music and he even touches heartland rock and bluegrass. As I said it’s an eclectic mix.
Steve Earle has a keen ear for melody, and the lyrics are as always good.
Everyone’s in love with you – Steve Earle & The Dukes (live, Leno 2000):
And last, but not least, the fantastic song, Over Yonder (Jonathan’s song):
Transcendental Blues (Spotify):
– Hallgeir
Sources: Allmusic, Pitchfork, Liner notes, Wikipedia