Friday, November 30, 2012

Echoes by Pink Floyd

The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll ends today. I hope you've enjoyed some rock classics that go into the ten, fifteen, or twenty minute mark. The albatross is motionless above me this morning. The song of the day for November 30, 2012 is 'Echoes' by Pink Floyd. This twenty three minute song is featured on the 1971 album, Meddle.

I decided to use the 1972 Live at Pompeii version of 'Echoes' for today's selection. Live at Pompeii is a must see movie in my opinion if you are a fan of Pink Floyd. It is a concert film, but there are no fans at the performance. Pink Floyd haters love that last sentence.As far as rock concert films go, I must admit that Live at Pompeii just might be the best of the bunch.

Is there a rock band out there today that performs without their shirts? This seems to be a lost art in my opinion. There was a time when a rocker dude could show up at a concert only wearing a pair of jeans. That was acceptable. If that were to happen today then there might be some outrage or perhaps some concern over the mental state of the shirtless rocker.

As a fan of Pink Floyd, I must show some love to Meddle. 'One of These Days', 'San Tropez', and 'Echoes' are my top tracks from the album. Although 'Echoes' goes past the twenty minute mark, it is an enjoyable rock experience. Floyd's hit the twenty minute mark in other songs, and I'm going to give the title to 'Echoes' for being the best extra long track for the band. Enjoy.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Supper's Ready by Genesis

The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is almost over, but your supper's waiting for you. The song of the day for November 29, 2012 is 'Supper's Ready' by Genesis. This twenty-two minute epic is featured on the 1972 album, Foxtrot.

Many fans know Genesis from the 1980s Phil Collins pop era. 'Misunderstanding', 'Turn it on Again', 'Abacab' and 'Invisible Touch' are some of my favorites from the Phil years, but I must admit that I've had a very tough time liking the Peter Gabriel progressive rock version of Genesis. I know some of my fellow rock scholars love The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Foxtrot, but I've tried to like those albums. Seriously. I've given them a chance, but they just don't do anything for me as a listener.

The reason I chose 'Supper's ready' is because that seems to be the one Genesis song from the Gabriel era that I like. Yes, it is twenty-two minutes and I encourage those with a fondness for progressive rock to hit play below. For those of you that are adventurous or want to experience the Gabriel era of Genesis then give it a shot.  

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Starship Trooper by Yes

We are at the halfway point for The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I hope you enjoyed the short week last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Maybe this week is going by slowly and it feels as if this week will never end. I'm here to give you some extra long rock jams to survive. Sister bluebird is flying high above the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll this morning. The song of the day for November 28, 2012 is 'Starship Trooper' by Yes. This song is featured on the 1971 album, The Yes Album.

'Starship Trooper' only hits the nine minute mark and this selection might be debated by some readers for being too short for the Extra Long Week. I wanted a Yes song for today and was more interested in selecting something from The Yes Album or Fragile than something from Tales From Topographic Oceans. I've tried to like Tales From Topographic Oceans, but there is something about that album that bores me to tears.

I like 80s corporate rock Yes and I really dig the 70s progressive rock Yes. It's easy to dislike progressive rock because it is so pompous that it makes indie rock look humble. Even the shortened version of progressive rock, "prog rock", sounds obnoxious. I'm of the opinion that Yes is the most digestible progressive rock band for beginners. They are not too arty nor do they have the sound of a god-awful Renaissance fair act. Enjoy.    

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sister Ray by The Velvet Underground

Welcome to The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Maybe you had the week off for Thanksgiving or enjoyed a shortened work week. Now you are back to work and this week feels like an eternity. This week I am selecting some of the best long rock songs to get you through this week. Aw, you shouldn't do that. Don't you know you'll stain the carpet. The song of the day for November 27, 2012 is 'Sister Ray' by The Velvet Underground, which is from the 1968 album White Light/White Heat.

'Sister Ray' is a wonderful seventeen minute explosion of noisy New York City rock and roll. Lou Reed talked about the subject matter of 'Sister Ray' during an interview with The Stranger, and he said, "Sister Ray' was done as a joke--no, not as a joke, but it has eight characters in it and this guy gets killed and nobody does anything. The situation is a bunch of drag queens taking some sailors home with them, shooting up on smack and having this orgy when the police appear". The seventeen minute version is below. Enjoy.


If you wish to listen to a shortened version of the song then click on the video below. I really like how they out the music of The Velvet Underground on The Lawrence Welk Show.


Monday, November 26, 2012

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic

This is The Extra Long Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. You may have enjoyed an extended period of time off from school or work last week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but now we are all back to work for an extra long week. This week, I will play some really cool songs that are extra long in their length. Get your mind out of the gutter, you perverts! The percentage that you're paying is too high priced while you're living beyond all your means. The song of the day for November 26, 2012 is 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' by Traffic. This song was released in 1971 and is featured on the album The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.

It's easy to lump Steve Winwood into the yuppie fueled rock of the 1980s due to his hits 'Valerie' and 'Back in the High Life Again'. Winwood has had an impressive career, and the 80s hits sometimes overshadows his wonderful 60s and 70s accomplishments with The Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic. 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' was my first choice for The Extra Long Week.

I discovered Traffic back in the late 80s or early 90s while reading some rock and roll publication. I don't recall what the article was about, but I do remember the writer stated something about the brilliance of an album titled The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. It was not long after reading that article that I found myself at a garage sale. The family that was having the sale had a large stack of vinyl for sale. I found some great albums that day like 4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and Decade by Neil Young. While searching for some more vinyl, I discovered The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. I had never heard a song by Traffic at that time, but decided to purchase the album. It didn't capture my attention the first time I played the album because I was not in the mood for jazzy progressive rock.

I've always found the cover to this album to be pretty cool. And on an interesting note, the artist that designed this cover was named Tony Wright. Now that's a good name.

 

Over the years, I have come to appreciate the Traffic catalog, and I hope you enjoy today's selection.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Breath by Pere Ubu

Ohio Week has come to an end at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Let me walk with you 'cause it's breaking my heart. The song of the day is 'Breath' by Pere Ubu. 'Breath' is featured on the 1989 album, Cloudland.

Pere Ubu is a band from Cleveland, Ohio, and they have been one weird but interesting act for the pat thirty-seven years. It is not easy to explain the sound of Pere Ubu, and some are not ready for the stage antics of lead singer David Thomas. I'm giving you my Pere Ubu gateway song, which is 'Breath'. I've selected their live performance from Night Music, which was hosted by David Sanborn. Enjoy.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie

Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without the Arlo Guthrie classic, 'Alice's Restaurant' by Arlo Guthrie. This 1967 release is an eighteen minute spoken word tale full of comedy. I'd tell you what the song is about, but one must listen to 'Alice's Restaurant' to full enjoy this classic.

Thanksgiving in Reno by Too Much Joy

Ohio Week at The Lost Soul and Rock and Roll will be put on hold for some Thanksgiving hits. My first selection is 'Thanksgiving in Reno' by Too Much Joy. This song was released in 1991 and is featured on the album Cereal Killers. 'Thanksgiving in Reno' tells a tale where members of Too Much Joy are hanging out at a buffet in Reno, Nevada on Thanksgiving day. The story goes from the band hanging out to an encounter with a random girl, which leads to some drug use where the lead singer has a dream where he is Evel Knievel . Enjoy.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy With Myself? by Over The Rhine

Ohio Week is at the midpoint, and I am happy with myself at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. The song of the day for November 21, 2012 is 'Happy With Myself?' by Over The Rhine. This song is from their 1994 album, Eve.

Over The Rhine is a band from Cincinnati, Ohio and they have been together for some twenty-three years. The two core members are Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler. I've been a fan of Over The Rhine since I first saw them circa 1994 at the Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Since then, I have seen them four or five times in concert and they never disappoint. Over The Rhine has some great tunes and one of my favorites is 'Happy With Myself?'. Enjoy.


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Vincent Come on Down by Brainiac

This is Ohio Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll, so I am selecting some great tracks from the Buckeye State. I don't think you can tell me the things that I want you to. The song of the day for November 20, 2012 is 'Vincent Come on Down' by Brainiac. This song was released in 1996 and is featured on the album Hissing Prigs in Static Couture.

There was something happening in Dayton, Ohio during the early to mid nineties. I wasn't part of the local music scene, but I was living in the area at the time. There were some people who felt that something was about to happen where Dayton would be the next great rock city. It didn't turn into Seattle or Minneapolis or Boston. Whatever happened can be best answered by those who experienced it firsthand.

The Dayton Voice was a great local newspaper that gave local bands plenty of great press. That's how I discovered acts like O-Matic, Cage, Swearing at Motorists, Real Lulu, and Brainiac. There was even a local cable access show called Alternative Edge that played videos from local bands. I remember being in awe when they played the 'Weed King' video for Guided by Voices, and I recall when they started playing 'Vincent Come on Down' by Brainiac.

I never had the chance to see Brainiac live. Timmy Taylor, the lead singer of the band, was killed in an automobile accident in 1997 when Brainiac was in the process of working on their major label debut. The best way I can describe the sound of Brainiac is to imagine someone electrocuting punk rock. Enjoy.    

Monday, November 19, 2012

Tipp City by The Amps

This is Ohio Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll because I am traveling to Ohio this week to celebrate Thanksgiving. Stop drinking my beer! The song of the day for November 19, 2012 is 'Tipp City' by The Amps, which is featured on their debut album, Pacer.

The first time I saw the The Amps, they opened for Guided by Voices at the infamous 1995 'Benefit for the Winos' show at Gilly's in Dayton, Ohio. The Amps featured Kim Deal (guitar and vocals), Nate Farley (guitar), Luis Lerma (bass), and Jim Macpherson (drums). They rocked Gilly's with songs like 'Pacer' and 'Tipp City'. I had the opportunity to see The Amps play a few shows in the Dayton, Ohio area, and they were never disappointing live. Nate Farley and Jim Macpherson later joined Guided by Voices.

Tipp City is about 20 minutes from my hometown of Springfield, Ohio, and I'm pretty certain I've never visited the city formerly known as Tippecanoe. The video below gives an accurate representation of the city where chicks with big hair cruise around in a Camaro. I think that's a Camaro. It's hard to remember all of those popular 80's cruisin' cars. Enjoy.  

Friday, November 16, 2012

Hypnotize by the Notorious B.I.G.

Hip Hop Week has come to an end at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Where are my Detroit players? The song of the day for November 16, 2012 is 'Hypnotize' by the Notorious B.I.G. This song was released posthumously in 1996 and was featured on the Life After Death Album.

I've always liked this song, and I have a fond memory of it to share with the Lost Soul crowd. I'm a big fan of the band Blur, and had the opportunity to see them live in Cincinnati, Ohio back in '97 at The Garage. From this point forward, I am referring to Cincinnati as The Nasty, so pay attention. My good friend Ryan Dellwood lived in The Nasty, found out about the show, and purchased our tickets. That summer, Dellwood and I had made an epic trip to Ireland and the U.K.. Blur's self-titled album was the hotness over there and we spent our entire trip singing 'On Your Own'. Anyway, I drove down to The Nasty, met up with Dellwood, and he decided it would be best to take a cab to the show. We flagged down a cab that was a Lincoln Continental driven by some guy in his late 70s who had 'Hypnotize' blasting out of his car stereo. It was one of the coolest cab rides I have ever had in my life. On another good note, we were late for the show and missed the opening act which was Smash Mouth. Enjoy the clip below.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

It Takes Two by Rob Base and DJ E Z Rock

Welcome to Hip-Hop Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I want to rock right now! My name is TonyDoug and I came here to get down. The song of the day for November 15, 2012 is 'It Takes Two' by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock. This song was released in 1988 and is the duo's top hit.

'It Takes Two' is a great party jam and this tune deserves to be played at maximum volume. This hip-hop favorite features samples from Lyn Collins' funk classic, 'Think (About It)'. Did you enjoy that Soul Train clip? I hope you did and go ahead and play the clip below. Enjoy.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Caught, Can We Get A Witness? by Public Enemy

Hip-Hop Week can not be stopped at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Yo Lost Soul fans! You think we gonna sell out? All I know is that the song of the day for November 14, 2012 is 'Caught, Can We Get A Witness?' by Public Enemy. This song was released in 1988 and is featured on the album It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

Public Enemy is one of my favorite hip-hop artists of all time. It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is quite possibly one of the greatest albums in music history, and I would give this album to someone who was seeking a gateway album to the world of hip-hop. If you don't like Public Enemy then you need to get out of my rock room because they are on another level of greatness. I've played the PE super-fan card this morning, but The Man can't keep PE down!

 It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is an album that addressed the issues of the time, but some of these songs are still relevant today. 'Caught, Can We Get A Witness?' is a great example of how Chuck and Flav's lyrics are still relevant. The line, "You singers are spineless as you sing your senseless songs to the mindless. Your general subject 'love' is minimal. It's sex for profit". Tell 'em, Chuck D. Get the S1Ws ready! Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Stronger by Kanye West

Hip-Hop Week continues at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. You should be honored by my lateness because the song of the day for November 13, 2012 is 'Stronger' by Kanye West. This song was released in 2007 and is featured on the Graduation album.

It's nice to see that the world of music still has some interesting characters. Kanye is no stranger to controversy, but it shouldn't overshadow the fact that the guy is one cool artist. I'm a fan of his work and 'Stronger' is one of my Kanye favorites. Enjoy.

Monday, November 12, 2012

99 Problems by Jay-Z

Welcome to Hip-Hop Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Am I under arrest or should I guess some more? The song of the day for November 12, 2012 is '99 Problems' by Jay-Z. This song was released in 2004 and is featured on The Black Album.

It amazes me to hear how negative some rocks fans are towards hip-hop. "You can't spell 'crap' without 'rap'"! Shut your mouth, fool. Hip-hop is part of the rock and roll family tree, and hip-hop has give us some incredible music. For example, we have '99 Problems' by Jay-Z. This is a great song where the worlds of rock and hip-hop collide to create one killer tune. I must admit, that I was amazed that stations like MTV and BET played the unedited version of this video that contains explicit language and violence. In my opinion, this is one of the best hip-hop tracks of the past decade. Enjoy.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Songs for Maggie

My daughter Maggie turns two today, so I've decided to share some songs that have the name Maggie in their titles. Happy birthday, Maggie!


'Maggie My' by Rod Stewart and The Faces


'Maggie's Farm' by Bob Dylan


'Maggie Turns to Flies' by Robert Pollard

Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue

We must say goodbye to Hair Metal Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Don't worry kids, I will post more hair metal clips in the future. You know I'm a dreamer, right? The song of the day for November 9, 2012 is 'Home Sweet Home' by Motley Crue. This song was released in 1985 on the album Theatre of Pain.

Cheesy hair ballad? Check. Tommy Lee wearing a jock-strap while playing piano? Check. Typical 80's overindulgent hair metal concert footage? Check. We have something special today, kids. Hair Metal Week comes to an end with the poster children for everything hair metal. Motley Crue set the bar high for coked-up makeup wearing dudes playing the most awesome hair metal possible. 'Home Sweet Home' was their best ballad and it is one of my favorite songs by the Crue. If anyone wants to know why Grunge became so popular then look no further than the catalog of Motley Crue.Enjoy the hair metal.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

House of Pain by Faster Pussycat

Welcome back to Hair Metal Week at The Lost Soul of Rock & Roll. I ain't trying to fake it and I want you to know that the song of the day for November 8, 2012 is 'House of Pain' by Faster Pussycat. This song was released in 1989 and is featured on the album Wake Me When It's Over.

Did you know that the video for 'House of Pain' was directed by Michael Bay? I love hair metal videos, because they are completely outrageous. We have the black and white film with the flashbacks of the good ol' days with wife beater daddy. Did that mom in the video rent out the basement to Faster Pussycat to pay the bills when daddy bailed? The ending is unintentionally hilarious. The harmonica holding kid grows up to be a leather jacket wearing tough-guy and drops off the harmonica to his old man. The kid tries to walk out, but looks back at daddy one last time and the video ends. God, that was awful. Let us exit this 'House of Pain' and enter this House of Pain. Awwww yeah!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Love Song by Tesla

Hair Metal Week will never die at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Love is all around you, my faithful followers. The song of the day for November 7, 2012 is 'Love Song' by Tesla. This song was a major hit for the band in 1989, and was on the album The Great Radio Controversy

Ah, Tesla. I was a fan of this band back in the day. Five Man Acoustical Jam was on heavy rotation when I was a senior in high school. 'Love Song' was one of those popular hair metal ballads, and I'm certain there is some guy in the middle of a midlife crisis rocking out to this song right now in his Camaro. I like this song, but sometimes I can do without the minute and a half intro. It's cool, but someone in the recording studio should have taken charge and said, "Cut that intro shit in half, bro". Enjoy.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Gypsy Road by Cinderella

This is Hair Metal Week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I think my gypsy road can take me home. Maybe. The song of the day for November 6, 2012 is 'Gypsy Road' by Cinderella.This song was released in 1988 on the album Long Cold Winter.

My wife and I are Cinderella fans. She loves 'Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)' and my favorite is 'Gypsy Road'. A year ago I found a greatest hits CD for Cinderella at Best Buy priced at four dollars and it was immediately purchased. Sadly, I did not read the fine print because it was a CD of 'new' recordings of their hits. Bastards. Despite the CD fiasco, I am still a fan of this band. Enjoy!

Monday, November 5, 2012

I Remember You by Skid Row

Sorry folks, I am not doing an Election Week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I'm here to rock and not get all political on my followers. Welcome to Hair Metal Week, boys and girls. Remember yesterday? The song of the day is 'I Remember You' by Skid Row. This song was on their 1989 eponymous debut album.

This song is a guilty pleasure. The Skid Row album was the hotness back in '89 and '90 due to the popularity of tunes like '18 and Life' and 'I Remember You'. My wife was playing some Skid Row on Friday night and it inspired me to have a hair metal week at this site. Haters gonna hate, but my love of rock and roll goes into the hair metal universe.

Songs like 'I Remember You' were perfect for teen angst back in the late 80s and early 90s. There was the girl you liked in high school, but you saw her wearing some other dude's varsity jacket at the mall. Maybe there was a boy that you liked at work, but he started dating the bitchy girl who referred to you as "fat". What do you do? You play 'I Remember You' over and over until the pain goes away. You know you screamed along with Sebastian Bach at this point. Enjoy!


Friday, November 2, 2012

We Are 138 by the Misfits

Misfits Week has come to an end at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. We might be 138 in the eyes of the tiger. The song of the day for November 2, 2012 is 'We Are 138' by the Misfits.

 I hope everyone has enjoyed Misfits Week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. My selection for today is 'We are 138', and I have no idea what the 138 represents in this song. Glenn Danzig, the lead singer of the band, is rumored to be the only one who knows, and said it represents violence. Apparently, this will remain a mystery.

I didn't know anything about the Misfits until the late 1990s. However, I first heard Danzig circa 1991 during a high school biology class. Our teacher was ill that day, so our athletic director was our substitute teacher. He was the kind of guy that didn't care much about teaching, so when he showed up to class as a sub, then you knew anarchy was imminent.There was this one guy in class with a Danzig video, and he asked the athletic director if we could watch it during class. The athletic director looked at the video with a 'WTF?' look on his face and said, "I don't care." There was no biology that day, kids. We rocked out to Danzig.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Attitude by the Misfits

Misfits Week continues at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll, but if you don't shut your mouth, then you're gonna feel the floor. Ain't that the truth. The song of the day for November 1, 2012 is 'Attitude' by the Misfits.

This is the perfect song selection for dealing with fools who run their mouths. You want to hit them so hard that their grandchildren feel it, but you know they are not worth your energy. I hope you guys and gals have enjoyed Misfits Week and tomorrow is our last day of celebrating New Jersey's finest. Enjoy.