DreamPark 9

Try Too Hard

2009-11-12T02:26:00.000-08:00

The Dave Clark Five*** It's not all that complicated at the time when this band broke upon the British music scene in the middle sixties ; They did have a handful of finely crafted tunes , reverb drenched & all. Plus the dynamic sense of the music was quite strong.

So...They promoted the publicity at first as the answer to The Beatles ; Like they were the next biggest thing this side of white bread & were capable of possibly over-taking The Beatles. It worked for a while & I think they may have even put a movie behind the whole campaign.

Of course the men in that other band, knew perfectly well that their compositional craft was far above & beyond the conception of everybody else on either side of the ocean.

So in a nutshell, they took their best shot & it just about worked for a while, with tunes such as this high energy cut. Needless to say when they ran out of the handful of material that was truly stunning & on some levels, almost brought themselves up to the plateau shall we say.

Their true gift was actually the keyboard player, who at the time was playing a Farfisa & had the chops, the voice & the compositional ability to keep up with The Beatles for awhile.

As was always the case though, they ran out of the handful of really premium material & reverted back to just trying to blow the socks off of their fans with a more pure rock almost American style, which actually brought them down a level, whereas the Beatles had continually kept coming out with song after masterful song in the two to three minute range that they could no longer compete with.

This circle always came to pass upon most every group that was trying to keep pace with the Beatles. Or just take a ride on their coat tails.

Many a great band came to this conclusion, so they should not have felt too bad about it & rather could be proud enough to even come that close. The writing is what they couldn't come up with. At least not in that wide genre.

I mean who could one nominate as the best modern composers in the history of popular 20th century music. No One.

Even Coming up with a lot of data about the DC5 & the machinations of the promotion/publicity program that was extended to the utmost at that time of industry stupidity is not an easy chore to fathom.

Needless to say the four remaining "major"labels still grasp at the old ways of doing business. I find even the moniker "major label" makes me feel alienated right off the bat.

What a bunch of hypethat has been perpetuated through the years. So ,finally humpty dumpty is falling off the wall & they will not be able to put him back together again.

Thank the Almighty for the technology revolution. Finally a way to pull the walls down & let these folk run for cover inside their fortified mansions. What with the stock market meltdown, on one level, even that is almost funny.

But What Do I Know Anyway...* Perhaps I don't try too hard.

Valerie

2009-11-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

The Monkees***Written by Boyce & Hart , I believe this song to be about the best tune with a Monkee logo. As was the case , the best songs of this moniker, were for the most part the above mentioned writers. Even Neil Diamond threw in a song or two.

In studio a large variety of session players were utilized. Don Kershner at that time had his hooie together from three standpoints. He could recognize a probable hit song, he employed good producers & the big stuff is the T.V. show running weekly. Talk about marketing...

Ape-ing a pseudo Beatles appearance, as all the other acts, for the most part internationally to a large extent ; was a good way to go.

Now I am not trying to knock down any of the fellows in the band. there is a large volume of data on this subject , so I'm not going to drill this into the ground. All I can say is , there were quite a few masterful songs & for that , I am thankful.

I know it was hard for the guys , especially at the time of the industry & its' modus-operandi. Look that one up. It's a handy word , I don't know if it's Latin or what.

Let's leave it at that. You have my two cents...*

I Talk To The Wind

2009-11-10T23:43:00.000-08:00

King Crimson***Greg Lake vocals , from the first album.

I had a friend in high school who had a tough time of things because in his senior year, his parents were splintered & he was by himself cooped up in an apartment besides other inner troubles. He was An extremely artful & talented guy.

Much of my early drug experimentation came upon his promptings, as at the time it was nothing like today. So I had some drink & the rest through the next several years until about the time we were 25 yrs. old or so. We were best of friends for quite some time.

He turned me on to king Crimson & some of the other progressive bands. For the first time in my life that first night; After having drank some Colt 45 Beer, I for the first time in my life did not feel so alone & lonely.

I haven't seen him since those days past , but I always remember. I'm still alone & lonely, even in company of intimacy or friendship & otherwise. I guess the drink didn't change anything really. I was drunk only once. For 30 years. So I hope someone may learn a tiny bit from my solitude & ways to combat depression.

Have a listen to this song. I hope that you like it. You might even find that it affects your inner mood. But please don't get sad. We all talk to the wind from time to time

Please Please Me

2009-11-09T22:14:00.000-08:00

Paul McCartney***About the best version from Paul, of the classic timeless first #1 from The Beatles that I've ever heard. I'll take a bet with you it's Lennon penned too. But I don't really know. Perhaps it was one of the many times that the both scratched it up together.

He's got a solid band him & I'm wondering on the right side of the stage, the guitarist, is that Brian Adams or am I out of my mind ?

When Paul sounds this good, it's a fresh relief to know he still has it in him & why shouldn't he ?

Paul's not a young man anymore, but along with what he's done to himself, which I don't need to comment upon, I'd say all he needs is to grow his hair longer for Christs' sake. He'd look a lot better.

But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Yesterday's Gone

2009-11-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

Chad & Jeremy***What a duo. finely crafted music, with both electric & acoustic instruments & orchestra when needed : Mostly strings.

You could take a song like this & record a couple of different versions. One soft & smooth & one with steroids.

It's obvious that music in general has been stuck in the mud for the most part since around 1985. Perhaps many of early age & others with the herd mentality, believe that the junk being floated today is music. Music ? You gotta be kidding me.

The New Is Old...The Old Is Strikingly New...*

Cinnamon Girl

2009-11-05T23:05:00.000-08:00

Neil Young & Crazy Horse***A studio version of a timeless wondrous song. Another cut of this song, I thought I had somewhere, but as the postings are approaching 400 songs or so, even my search doesn't show it.

This tune reminds me of a girl & knew when I was quite young. My brother went out with her sister & ended up throwing her out of his car. My destiny wasn't quite the same to say the least. It was one of those first big crush kind of things when you first hit your teens.

I'll never forget her name was Debbie & I was as head over heels as a thirteen year old virgin could get. In a nutshell, she just ended up using me in the middle of her boyfriend breakup. It was the first time I ever remember the feeling of complete sadness & melancholy.

My chivalry never worked with Debbie or most anyone else. Being a broken hearted romantic fit into my persona, but it sure was a lonely way to work on girls. All through middle & senior high school she would occasionally show her face & play a little game with me & some of the other fellows. I stayed away from her as long as I Can remember after the initial experience.

Years & decades later, the same picture scenario plays across the tiny film screen of my life. Early on psychiatrists had a field day with me & still do. So thanks a lot for nothing Debbie, I hope you didn't hurt your husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends or any other sentient beings, after you broke my heart ; Ah...But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Prince Montreux 2009

2009-11-04T18:59:00.001-08:00

Prince***I was looking for the original video on this one as I consider it a very high level of soul-heart that's real.

After watching & hearing the man do his thing, it again engraves upon me his unique ability to re-invent himself over & over again.

His free form playing & live presentation is extremely fine to say the least. Like his re-arrangement of this classic. I really admire this fellow so much & respect him for his pure talent.

He looks great, he sounds superb & it seems that there's never an end to what he comes up with when he reaches into his magic bag of tricks. I have to admit a tad of envy on top of everything else, which is truly something that I rarely if ever feel ; Bubbling up to the surface of my subconscious.

We're about the same age & I have to be in some state of awe that he has reached this level, like this little cut from Switzerland. Yea, I do wish I was up there & by God perhaps at some point it might happen. God works in mysterious ways. But What Do I Know Anyway...*

The Beautiful Ones

2009-11-03T18:23:00.000-08:00

Prince & The Revolution***There is easily no comparison when it comes to this song & its' effect on the listener. Well, at least me. I think it's the best piece of work the man has ever done & he couldn't have done it without the girl brothers.

The movie song video of this cut was also excellent. This song is a timeless work of art, emotion & the soul. I just have to respect this man & admire his abilities . There really isn't anyone who will ever be quite like him & I can relate that idea to quite a few artists that I won't name.

Godspeed Sir Prince Rogers Nelson...*

Where Have All The Good Times Gone

2009-11-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

Van Halen***It's a very simple & natural thing to know. There's nobody that can do it in the hard rock arena better than Edward, David & company. No one can touch Edward Van Halen.

As for the consummate front man, there's nobody that can do it better than David Lee Roth.

They are a Juggernaut in & of themselves & it is so wonderful to see the core of the band finally back & intact.

God Speed Sirs...*

I Can't Smile Without You

2009-11-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

Barry Manilow***Oh...so I'm going to get it with this one. Well maybe I'm just getting old. I think it's actually the lyric in this one that sets the ol heart strings fluttering.

Hey look. I wouldn't mind the residuals he gets for this song. It's gotta be the best thing he's got going. That's my two cents...*

One Day At A Time

2009-10-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

Joe Walsh***I love Joe Walsh. Joe is great. He just came out that way. Even his most average song I can easily listen to because it's Joe.

The Eagles getting a hold of joe to play with them was about the best thing they ever did to keep the Eagles alive.

I too was drunk only once. For 30 years...; But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Dirty Laundry

2009-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Don Henley*** Oh...While we're at it, lets give a tip of the hat to Mr. Henley on this one too.

Sure has a nice synthesized B3 Hammond that just keeps the whole thing chugging along, not to mention the poignant lyrics, sad but true...*

Sunset Grill

2009-10-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

Don Henley***I think this is about the best cut Mr. Henley has produced. Hands down.-[what does that colloquial expression mean}-*

The synthesizer layers really add a nice texture, due to the adroit collaborations of good chemistry.

This song would probably make a nice book, which could lead to a nice flick. But What Do I Know Anyway...*

I've spent many a haunted night at the Sunset Bar & Grill & that whole Sunset area of Hollywood. Seen some good bands rise & fall as I sipped on some cold American beer. Some are still playing & others have walked onwards to their secret destinations.

The good bands drown, as the Sharks pursue their pray ; While others float on the dream, downstream with the flow.

So, If you're thinking about coming down to the Strip, think twice & stop by the Sunset Bar & Grill. Choose your poison & Welcome To Hollywood...*

Surfer Girl

2009-10-22T22:14:00.001-07:00

The Beach Boys***Another alternate version in stereo . This song with it's melancholy tone, is rather unique. The harmonies in this cut are on the fly. What a tune.

It's haunted me for a long time & becomes an imprint upon my mind's brain circuits. It's just so cool...* Brain Wilson's falsetto is superb...*

I Can't Tell You Why

2009-10-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Eagles***Mr. Timothy B. Schmit on lead Vox & company, play a genuine & melancholy classic.

Tim has a wonderful & poignant style of singing, besides his adroit electric Bass chops, that tends to knock my socks off. Alas...But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Godspeed Sirs...*

Happy Christmas(War is Over)

2009-10-19T22:06:00.001-07:00

John Lennon***If You Want It...; Changing the course of human history.

God has many names & we are all a part of this world. God Bless You John & your Ohana, which is Hawaiian, for you & your loved ones & we might also say everyone on this tiny little blue orb...*

Don't Worry Baby

2009-10-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

The Beach Boys***Alternate version; This has got to be one of the finest songs I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. It's not just Brian, but the whole chemistry of the moment.

I've played this song so many times & it still retains that edge that borders between crying for Gods' sake, or feeling like a warm wave is coming along to bail you out of, or propel you into something that you just know is going to be beautiful.

I was never lucky enough to have had a girl or woman say anything like that to me, & I sure could have used the positive power vibes, for all the messes that I've gotten into. It seems that some folk think of me as the "curse of their life" blah blah...or something on the other hand drops straight down from heaven onto my lap.

I wonder how they say "don't worry baby" in Japanese. I won't even go there. But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Real Love

2009-10-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

John Lennon***The best version, with a snap of guitar; On a cassette recorder. Johns chromatic chord pattern is eye opening.

Lyrical meanings can really have many meanings, depending on who is observing...*

Candy-O

2009-10-16T21:36:00.001-07:00

The Cars***At their primal best. It's hard to find an American band or European for that matter, that rides head & shoulders above the rest of the wolf pack...*

It's Only Love

2009-10-14T22:38:00.000-07:00

The Beatles***Can you ever tell which songs are written by Mr. Lennon, Sir Paul, or George or who ? It's not really that hard. On one level, just listen to who's singing...;

As a point of conjecture, or shall we say bias, as in my case, it revolves down to one primary level.

I'll say that John Lennon was The Beatles...But What Do I Know Anyway...*

Waterfalls

2009-10-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Paul McCartney Sir***Never heard this one. I've gone on a mini-rampage of some of Pauls' solo stuff, past Wings.

He's such a natural, his songs just drop like water falling into the sea, just like you & me. Don't we all need love...*

All My Trials-(live 1990)

2009-10-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

Sir Paul McCartney***I've never actually sat down & had a good listen to Pauls' work. Might seem strange coming from a Beatle fanatic...but there you go. So I'm experiencing this perhaps a bit like you are. God only knows...

This seems to me upon a random few listens, to be one heck of a fine song indeed...*

Please Please Me

2009-10-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sir Paul McCartney***Playing a song that's about my favorite tune that The Beatles ever conjured up.

Even though this live cover is quite good, we know that the original is far superior...*

Here Today

2009-10-07T18:09:00.001-07:00

Paul McCartney***When it's all said & done, there's no denying what true genius revolves inside Sir Paul McCartney. He's utterly amazing. What else can one say...*

Maybe I'm Amazed

2009-10-06T00:27:00.000-07:00

Wings/Paul McCartney***Rather a good song. I feel he really means what he's talking about at that moment. How can I knock the guy. He's brilliant...*