My First All Ages (a.k.a. Teeny bopper) heavy metal show

Saturday August 6, 2011
Hey The Police are playing over the speakers. Cool. And some of these young kids are actually singing the songs. Man I feel old. There are like 3 old people here. Me, one of the band member's dad and the guy who owns/ runs the place.
Where am I? In Baton Rouge at a thrift store watching (about to watch)5 young metal bands play. Why am I here. Madeline is friends with Mason, the drummer of one of the bands and she has seen 2 of these other bands (I think one of these bands is actually a Christian band) play a few times at an all ages venue in Slidell. (Actually the band isn't a Christian band but they were still pretty good - more on them later in the post).
Not many young folks here yet either. So far nobody is looking at me funny. Like. whats that old dude doing here?
I am old. I thought it was after 8 pm and they should be starting. But it is 5 minutes till. Actually this is a cool place. Old lamps along the wall on a shelf. There is an upstairs area. I will end up sitting there because the room where the bands play ( downstairs) is small.
Not that it matters but just for fun. I asked
Madeline if I am cramping her style. She gave the right answer. "no dad I'm glad you could bring me and hang out. Thanks."
Hey 2 more "old" people walked in. Must be parents.
8:02 pm. The first band is cranking up.
First little band. Iridescence. Not bad. Music was really good. Didn't understand all of the lyrics but hey. First band is done.
Cool. The Ramones are playing (actually they are playing the Ramones over the speakers) while the bands are changing over. I wish it was the actually Ramones. Its hot in here but no smoke. All ages show. Hey I won't smell like the House of Blues after this show. I won't have to change my smoky clothes in the garage and have my car smell like it for 3 days.
The local dog just walked in. Seriously a dog. The dog can get in ( he/she pushes the door open) but can't get out. So he/she (I didn't look) waits by one of the doors until someone opens it. Funny.
A couple of old people out the door. Must have been parents from the first band. But OK a couple more in.
Lions Among Wolves. Second band. Again good music but the sound quality of the equipment. Hard to hear much less understand. But who am I to judge.
So far this place is impressive mainly because you have a bunch of older teenagers hanging out having a good time. They aren't out on the streets. But if it weren't for the parents, the only adult would be the guy running the place.
Aw right. Playing the group Cake now in between bands. Cool a couple of more "old" folks walked in.
The third group Walking Under Water is playing. OK music but the vocals are horrible. Can't understand a word.
Calibrate the Massacre (what a name - I have to look into that one) is about to play. This is the band Mason is in.
Calibrate is finished. Very impressive musically. The 2 guitar players are very clean and the bass and drums kept the flow going. I could tell the bass and the drums were uniform. Best band of the night so far. But the vocals - again, can't understand the lyrics too good and can't hear them either.
After their set, Mason grabs a guitar and he and one of the guitar players from Calibrate impress the crowd with a guitar trade off. Both guys can play the axe. They remind me of Zakk Wylde when he first hit the mainstream as Ozzy's guitarist. And a young George Lynch (Dokken). Clean, crisp guitar licks.
I like music - of all types. I like some better than others. So far the music from these young bands is impressive. I didn't say the vocals were impressive.
To Crown a King is next. This is one of the young bands out today that the young folks like very much. They actually have an EP out and their music is supposed to be really good. We'll see ...
OK almost midnight. The music is over. Time to head to Gonzales to sleep. This old dog is tired.
My final reflections on the night...
To Crown a King was supposed to be the best. And all in all they were - only because I could actually understand their vocals.
Musically - Calibrate was the best - hands down.
To Crown a King's drummer was supposed to be one of the best young drummers around. He was good, but Calibrates drummer - Mason - was far superior. Actually if I had to rank the drummers on the night TKAK's drummer would have been 4th best. But it wasn't about a competition, so all were good musically.
I think - at least 3 - of these bands could go pretty far if you had cleaner and better vocals. I know some younger kids wouldn't agree, but the people who have money to support (purchase records, etc) bands like these actually like to hear lyrics and vocals.
So, my first All Ages (aka teeny bopper) heavy metal show ended and I didn't even get into the mosh pit.
These young kids - although very energetic - don't respect the pit. Too many arms and fists moving around - out of control. It isn't about that. The mosh pit is about the feel. You gotta feel it and respect it.
One thing I did get a kick out of is that music really does live forever. When you have kids singing words to bands (the music played over the speakers in between sets)that were out before many of the kids were born, it is funny (in a good way) to me to watch. I got a kick out of it.

Adding to the Noise

Yesterday was Music Monday and I missed it. Really too busy to even think about getting on the web. Today is really the same but sometimes you have to make the break!
Adding to the Noise of the last post...Quick Hits and to go along with Music Monday.

I have been really getting into the band All Time Low lately. Really just a few of their tunes. But one Therapy is a good one.

The words are quite interesting.

also have been listening to Tenth Ave. North and Switchfoot.
There is too, a really good Christian group or singer - not sure (need to research) Addison Road.
(I will report on A.R. next week)

Today however is a Train day.

I will listen to Train's new CD Save Me, San Francisco.

Next Monday I will report on it.

The music research for Wade's Top 100 has taken a back seat to my busy work schedule.
But hopefully soon I can start on it again and finish it. I am close...but I can't yet smell the cigar.

If the aliens stop taking me up into space and Force me to watch hours and hours of YO! MTV RAPS...I may be able to get somewhere.

Also - I take each day at a time. Yesterday was SUPER BUSY, but it was my best day (work day) in a long while.

In the Spirit of My ancestor - 12 times removed - Hernando Julio Jorge Perez Cortez...........

Adios!

Music Monday.....Susan Boyle

Music Monday is back (and hopefully will stay- at least until "Wade's Top 100" hits the Blog).
I don't always follow what everyone else listens to in music. If you know me then you know my musical tastes stretch the spectrum of the music world.
But like much of England, Scotland, the USA and probably the world, I was blown away by Susan Boyle's first performance on Britain's Got Talent. As a fan of America's Got Talent, I still enjoy watching her clip on you tube.
Well, from what I see and hear, Susan Boyle's CD is selling many copies.
I can attest that it should! It should be a Hot seller that is.
Quite frankly, the lady has a breathtaking voice.
Where has she been? Why did it take a TV show for the big break? And, after this debut album, will she sustain what she has now?
I wish I had time to go into my thoughts on these questions, but you can read other's thoughts on her and the many sites that discuss her.
I want to quickly talk about her album.
I Dreamed A Dream.
When I listen to this record, I hear all sorts of influences, changes in pitch, movements in voice, and emotion.
All of the songs are beautifully done and enjoyable to the ear.
The arrangements put down for her really help the listener to be captivated by her voice. She proves her worth though by that same voice. She can go high and go low and the flow between each is incredible.
Her cover of The Rolling Stones "Wild Horses" and "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables kick the record off with tremendous hooks - in other words - after you listen to those two songs. you will be hooked!
She does some awesome classics like "Cry Me A River," "The End of the World," and "Who I Was Born To Be."
She included 2 spiritual favorites on the record: "How Great Thou Art" and "Silent Night" and "Amazing Grace."
Her rendition of Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" is truly breathtaking. As is Madonna's "You'll See."
I love all of the songs on the record, but my favorite two are The Monkees' "Daydream Believer" and her version of "Proud".
As you can see I like this record.
Out of 5 stars?..............it gets a 5.

check it out for yourself.

Back in Time?

For some reason, I feel like I have going back in time when it comes to music.
Other than Lucinda Williams and Rosanne Cash (although they both have new stuff but have both been around awhile) I have been hitting the 80's music.
On my mp3 last week I went back and listened to 80's hard rock band Ratt. I even listened to some Ozzy Osbourne. Maybe because Kelly is on Dancing With The Stars. ???.
I also landed on Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
In my car I have Sirius Satellite radio. I have been listening to 1st Wave - the 80'2 alternative channel. All sorts of "blasts from the past" have been on the radio.
Tears for Fears
Wang Chung
The Cure
REM
Blondie
Big Country
Psychedelic Furs
Peter Murphy

One song stuck out. IT wasn't even one of my favorites back in the day, but I really like it now.
The song is Pure by Lightning Seeds.

check it out. It is pretty good.

Music Monday...Lucinda and Rosanne

Normally, I go into great detail when writing about music.
Not because of lack of respect or love of the music, bit for time; today I won't go into great detail on 2 singers, but will let you look and hopefully listen for your self.

Two of the most influential women in music - in my opinion - today are Lucinda Williams and Rosanne Cash.
Most of you have heard of Cash and may or may not have heard of Williams.

Rosanne Cash, to me, has always been in the shadows of her father's name. This is both a pro and a con. She can stand on her own music when it comes to this.
I was exited when my wife told me about a Rosanne Cash record called The List. Cash basically honors her dad and the artist whose songs she covers on this record. Johnny Cash would sing these songs (and many more) to her. This record is great. We listened to it on Saturday and I had to down load it and order it. IT is that good.
Check out these links on this record and on Rosanne Cash herself.

http://www.rosannecash.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosanne_Cash

http://www.cmt.com/news/nashville-skyline/1623474/nashville-skyline-rosanne-cash-talks-about-the-list.jhtml

Lucinda Williams is an incredible singer. She is one of the last "folk-rock-country rebels".
Her music has been covered by other artists (that is always a positive testament) and she continues to produce high quality tunes. She was born in Lake Charles, LA and has many songs about towns in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Many singers and bands credit Lucinda as being one of their influences.
Check out these links to read and hear more of Lucinda Williams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucinda_Williams

http://www.lucindawilliams.com/
On this site, you can hear clips from all of her music. Go to "Records" and it will take you from there.

Wade's Top 100 ...update

Wade’s Top 100 (songs and LPs of all time) update:
The research (the long research) is moving along. I am about 80% done on the research end.
If you ever decide to take this on and honestly give all songs you have ever heard an equal and fair shot, DO NOT DO THIS. This is a long and tedious task. If I wouldn’t be so far into it, I would abandon the project.
But I will truck along.
Like I said, the research is approximately 80% done. If someone comes out with a new record while researching, I do check that record out. I would hate to pass up a hidden gem.
The top 100 songs might end up being the Top (more than 100) songs. I already have well over a thousand songs making the second tier. We shall see.
The entire process is approximately 78.3% research, 24.5% compiling, and 11.7% recording (I know this doesn’t add up – but neither do I).
So, hopefully before the end of 2009, You will be able to delve into my music world and check out Wade’s Top 100.

Until then…
Some listening suggestions (new and old):

These are some albums you may like.
Lucinda Williams - West
This is her 8th studio album, release in 2007. This is probably my favorite overall Lucinda Williams record. But, all of her records are so good; you wouldn’t go wrong with any one of them.

Paramore – Brand New Eyes
This is their new album – just released. Every song is pretty good. This is a good listen. The lead singer is from Meridian, MS – I think.

Stellastarr – Civilized
This is their latest record. It was released this past summer. It is their 3rd full-length record. This is a pretty good Alternative/Indie rock band.

Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
This is the band’s 4th record. It was released in July 2001. Shortly after the attacks on September 11, 2001, the band changed the title to Jimmy Eat World. This is an awesome record.

The Lemonheads – It’s A Shame About Ray
This 1992 record is one of my favorites of all time (it is probably a sure thing to make Wade’s top 100.

Matthew Sweet – 100% Fun
This 1995 record…same as the Lemonheads record. Both are tremendous works.

Well, if you listen to any of these, let me know what you think.

Roses For Black Moses

if you happen to be in Memphis tomorrow and have some time, you should go the the Isaac Hayes Tribute at Soulsville USA - Stax Records.....wish we could go....

http://www.soulsvilleusa.com/programs-events/detail.asp?id=93

By Your side

I was "snookered" into renewing Sirius Satellite radio....I got a good deal.
I listen to all sorts of music. I was listening to "Sirius 66" The worship channel.
I heard this group Tenth Avenue North. The song was Hold My Heart. Great song.
I liked it so I downloaded the album on my Rhapsody and finally got a chance to listen to the whole record. Great!
There is a song on the record called By Your Side. It BLEW me away.
check it out.....and check out the lyrics.

Lyrics to By Your Side :
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life I want to give you life(Chorus 2x)
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you I'll never let you go

Gonzo's Connect the Classics

today is Wednesday, but when you read this play like it is Monday - music Monday...

Gonzo’s Connect the Classics

On one of the local New Orleans radio stations, WKBU – Bayou 95.7, there is a show called Gonzo’s Connect the Classics.
Basically, listeners call in and request the play list. The only rule is that whatever song the listener requests, the first letter of the song must be the same as the last letter of the song playing. If the song playing ends with an “E” then it is considered a wild card and any song can be played. I don’t really listen to this station (I do like the type of music they play) but Joel in our shop has it on often. It is a pretty cool idea and sounds fun.
So in the spirit of this show, I give you Wade’s Connect My Classics.
Why? You might see a song on here that sounds interesting….you might listen to it….you might like…….then again, you might not.
I will start with a song I have been listening to a lot lately (I will not use any “E” wild cards. For game purposes I will only capitalize the first and last letters of the song title (the band – in case you want to look up – will be in parentheses)
Help I’m alivE (Metric) – Everlasting frienD (Blue October) – Done stealiN (Carolina Liar) – Near wild heaveN (REM) – Nyc’s like a graveyarD (The Moldy Peaches) – DizzY (Jimmy Eat World) – You’re beautifuL (James Blunt) – Lost my minD (Matthew Sweet)….

Ok this isn’t as exciting as I thought it would be….I guess the concept works better on a radio show with actual listeners calling in…….oh well…

From Leslie to Sam...Phillips stays the constant

Music Monday (on a Sunday)

Did you ever hear of or listen to a young Christian music singer from the 80's named Leslie Phillips?
I listened to a lot of her music and enjoyed it. Especially her 1985 LP, Black and White in a Grey World. This album had the perfect mix of true spiritual tunes to melodic inquisitional hits. Songs moved me like "When the World is New", "Your Kindness" and the title song. Prior to that, she had 2 LPs that were pretty good too. After the 1985 album, Phillips recorded The Turning where she met her future husband T. Bone Burnett. I didn't keep up with Leslie Phillips much after the Black and White in a Grey World record.
One day in 1994, I heard a song by a female singer named Sam Phillips. The song was "I Need Love." I liked it straight away. I couldn't get the voice out of my head. That voice sounded so familiar. I would hear the song periodically on the radio but eventually I didn't really think about it anymore (the voice - I mean).
One day in early 2000, I was going through some old CD's and came across Recollection (a "best of" record by Leslie Phillips. I listened to a little of it and it hit me. Sam Phillips sounded a lot like Leslie. I did some research and yes, they are one in the same.
So I started digging a bit and looking to see why Leslie was Sam now and not Leslie. The song "I Need Love" sounded like it could be a Christan type song. It sounded 50/50. My research took me to a few different stories.
Leslie was tired of Myrrh (the Christian label) records trying to label her as a Christian Cyndi Lauper. she was not agreeing with of the road "the Church" was heading.
Who really knows, expect her.
One thing I know is, that regardless of Leslie or Sam, the music of the lady Phillips was, is and hopefully always will be great.
The music is the constant.
I enjoy breaking out the old Leslie tunes as well as the newer Sam songs.
You may have also seen her on one of the Die Hard movies. You may have also heard her doing some songs for and appearing on an episode of Gilmore Girls.
Check some out for yourself. I will tell you this, the song "I Need Love" is one of my favorites.
Here are some links for you to enjoy and get to know Leslie and Sam a little better.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_White_in_a_Grey_World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinis_and_Bikinis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Phillips_(musician)
http://www.samphillipsmusic.com/

When Every Song is Good

For me, when I come across a record where every song is good, I get keyed up. This occurrence does not happen every day, but it does happen. When I say all songs are good, I mean good. I don’t mean 4 or 5 or great, a few are good and the rest are so-so.
I mean all songs are REAL GOOD.
Thanks to Sirius Satellite radio (which I don’t have anymore – I had a free trial when we bought the car), I was “turned on” to a few bands I have never heard of.
Two of which had recent albums that rank in the above-mentioned category.
Joining the likes of 10,000 Maniacs’ In My Tribe from 1897; Matthew Sweet’s 1995 release 100% Fun; Cocoon Crash, the 1998 album by K’s Choice; and Third Eye Blind’s self titled 1997 record Third Eye Blind are two splendid 2008 records.
Coming To Terms by Carolina Liar and Only By The Night by Kings Of Leon are two of my favorite records of all time and they are new. I first heard “Show Me What I’m Looking For” by Carolina Liar and loved the song immediately. The song “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon (don’t worry – don’t let the title fool you into thinking it is a vulgar or bad song) sort of struck me the same way, but not as much.
I downloaded the 2 records plus Kings of Leon’s previous 3 releases on Rhapsody.
Coming To Terms instantaneously became one of my preferred records to listen to.
As much as I like “Show Me What I’m Looking For” (I actually quoted part of the lyrics in a message at church), I enjoy some of the other tunes on the record even more. “Done Stealin” and “When You Are Near” are top-notch tunes.
Only By The Night by Kings of Leon was also enjoyed immediately but not all of the songs hit me like the Carolina Liar record. It took me a few listens to the Kings of Leon record to realize “Man – all of these tunes are great as well.” I will say that the previous 3 Kings Of Leon records do not strike me the Only By The Night. They aren’t bad, but I think Kings of Leon (3 brothers and a cousin) hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th with this record.
You can feel free to check out these records for yourself. They might not be your taste and then again they might.
So, if you check them out, let me know what you think.
The question remains: Will any songs from the 2 records make Wade’s Top 100 of all time?
Will the albums themselves make Wade’s Top 100 Albums of all time?
Only time will tell.

http://www.carolinaliar.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Liar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_leon

http://www.kingsofleon.com/

Music Monday etc

In an effort to be better organized (and to promote the upcoming Wade's Top 100 Songs and albums of all time) I have decided to dedicated Mondays to music (at least for the most part).
With this Monday blog i hope I can accomplish the following:
1-introduce new (either brand new or stuff you haven't heard before) music to you.
2-get feedback on music that you like.
3-get feedback (good or bad) on music I may suggest to you.
4-broaden the mind (mine and yours) through music.

With this first installment, I will quickly list a few cool band/artists that you might enjoy:
These are bands/artists that I have been listening to more than others (both Christian and secular)(both old and new):
Third Day
Carolina Liar
Adele
Alkaline Trio
Blue October
Kimya Dawson
Counting Crows
James Blunt
Katie Melua
Kings of Leon
Matt and Kim
Meat Puppets
Refreshments
Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Styx
Switchfoot
The Fray
The Mighty Stef
The Pogues
XTC


Hope you find the time to look some of these up and give a listen.

Future Music Monday installments:
Quick album reviews.
Quick song reviews.
Future concerts.
Music stories.

The Power of "The Rose"

The Power of The Rose
One of my favorite people to watch in movies or on TV is Bette Midler. She just has that thing about her. Her songs, however, aren’t my favorites. She does have some good original tunes out there and I do like some a lot. She has done some good cover classics and The Divine Miss M from 1972 was a pretty good album.
So why am I writing about a Bette Midler song? The other night I had the Rhapsody going on the laptop and various tunes were playing on it. I cam across a Michael Sweet (do you remember Stryper?) album where he does a bunch of cover tunes. He does some old Stryper ballads along with a Billy Joel tune and some other great classic hits. One of the other tunes he covers on this record is Bette Midler’s The Rose.
So we are sitting there listening to it and I pull up the lyrics. I do have to tell you while reading the lyrics I was blown away. I’m not some glamorous boo-hoo sap. And I have heard this song numerous times. But hearing it here and reading the words did something.
I just have to share that the lyrics to this song are breathtaking. The words are artistic and strong. They are picturesque. The song portrays love in so many ways with just a few words. So read these words, but do one better. Listen to the song while reading the words. I guarantee you will be singing. And you will probably think about the song more than you may have in the past.
Or you might not.

The Rose
Some say love, it is a riverthat drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razorthat leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,and you its only seed.
It's the heart afraid of breakingthat never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonelyand the road has been too long,
and you think that love is onlyfor the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winterfar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.