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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 29, 2012 23:05:37 GMT -5
Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson Cindy and Kate are best know as members of the quirky, party band the B-52s, who emerged from the New Wave era, and were one of several groups to come out of the Athens, Georgia music scene (along with R.E.M.) From Wiki – “The B-52's were formed when Wilson, her older brother and guitarist Ricky, organist and vocalist Kate Pierson, drummer and percussionist Keith Strickland, and vocalist Fred Schneider played an impromptu musical jam session after sharing a tropical Flaming Volcano drink at a local Chinese restaurant. They later played their first concert in 1977 at a Valentine's Day party for their friends
The band broke onto the music world with their remarkable, and enduring, "Yellow Album", called simply The B-52's, had the hit single Rock Lobster, and Planet Claire.”I liked the 52s – not to the same level as Devo, but they were always a fun listen. Kate also did a bang up job performing on the CD, "The Lost Songs of Lennon and McCartney". Of the two, I felt Kate had the better voice. Here's "Roam", because it features the ladies... Jacqui McShee From wiki – “McShee's musical career began as a soloist in British folk clubs in the mid 1960s. After working with guitarist John Renbourn, she co-founded Pentangle (with the great Bert Jansch). Pentangle rapidly established itself as one of the earliest exponents of the British folk rock movement. However, in addition to attracting fans of traditional British Folk, they also drew audiences from the rock, pop and psychedelic folk worlds. The original band played a mixture of ballads, blues, and jazz, often blending these genres in the same piece. In 1994, McShee formed a new band named “Jacqui McShee's Pentangle” which, with a few personnel changes, is still performing today.” I’ve always dug “Let No Man Steal Your Thyme”, but Youtube wont let me embed this one, so here's a link for your enjoyment... www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwT0COKXFMM
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 30, 2012 23:08:45 GMT -5
Cyndi Lauper I’m not certain when I first saw the video for "Girls Just Wana Have Fun", but I remember it left an impression. The tune was a kick, as was the unusual performer who sang it. Cyndi was an kooky oddball -- her voice was distinct, and strong. I loved her first album, which gave up tracks like She Bop, All Through the Night, a cover of The Brains, Money Changes Everything, and the ballad Time After Time. The aptly named LP "She's So Unusual" was the first release by a female artist to have 4 top 5 singles and it helped her to win Best New Artist at the 27th Grammy Awards in 1985. For time Lauper was blistering – as red hot on the charts as Madonna. And while that stay at the top didn’t last long, she has still built a long, critically hailed career. Though her follow up album offered up the single, True Colors, sales had slipped, and by the 3rd record, had fallen even further and her tour cancelled due to anemic ticket sales. I had a chance to see Cyndi live, but her concert was scheduled only a few days after Alice Cooper was in town. I could only afford one ticket and one night off from work. Alice won out (and it wound up being one of the best shows I've ever seen). My friend at work saw Cyndi and said that while she was great, there were not many people in the stands. I don't know why her popularity waned. I was one of those folks that loved the first album, thought the second was decent, but lost interest thereafter even though I liked "I Drove All Night". Sometimes an act is wonderful for a specific time and place, and then you move on. Josie and the Pussycats They started out as a cartoon (with future Charlie Angel, Cheryl Ladd singing some vocals), which inspired a live action bomb. The movie was okay, but what was great was the album, which exploded on the Billboard charts the way the film never did at the box office. It was a big collaborative effort that gathered some of rocks hookiest best: Kay Handly provided the voice of Josie. Joining her was Bif Naked, Matthew Sweet, Jane Weidlin, Babyface and Adam Duritz (to name only a few). The pretty ballad "You Don’t See Me" credits 9 songwriters, "Come On" lists 10! You’d think there’d be too many cooks in the kitchen; but from this collective, emerges one of the funnest, catchiest pop rock records you could ever hope for. I remember the Nashville Scene naming it one of the albums of the year, saying that this is how they used to make rock and roll albums, back in the days of Beatlemania, where every song was a pulse popping joy, and each was backed by an steady or bombastic drum beat that kept your toes tapping. I loved the CD, played it death -- cranked up the radio whenever "3 Small Words" came on. And when I hear it today it takes me back to that first wonderful year living in Nashville.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 1, 2012 1:12:35 GMT -5
Here are a few quick snapshots...
Shirley Manson With her contralto voice, red hair and independent attitude, Scottish born Manson made a distinct impression. It’s too bad she got burnt out on all the music business politics and turned to acting, because our alt-rock hungry ears are all the poorer for it. EDIT: I was informed that Garbage reunited, recorded an album and are on tour. Yay!
With Garbage she recorded one of my favorite Bond themes (The World Is Not Enough) -- and with “I’m Only Happy When It Rains”, she recorded my personal anthem (at least according to a gal I was living with -- who once asked me if I was happy. I answered dryly, “I’m only happy when it rains, baby.” She laughed, in that way someone laughs when they really know you)
Ellen Foley Anyone remember Ellen? She provided the vocals on Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”… but wasn’t featured in the video. She acted in the first season of Night Court, but then was replaced because producers didn’t like her chemistry with Harry Anderson. She’s recorded several solo albums, sang backup on others, but not many people know her offhand. Me? I’ll always remember her for this great cover of the Rolling Stones “Stupid Girl” that used to play on Nightflight – she had a tough rock and roll voice that fit the song to a T.
Karen O Born in South Korea to a Korean mother and a Polish father, stylish Karen Lee Orzolek is best known as the frontwoman for the band, The Yeah, Yeah Yeahs. I’ve got a few CDs by the trio, but they change their sound style from album to album and I don’t always love everything they come up with. I did however adore the EP “Isis”, (which lyrically was all about sex and death). Oh, if it were only a full-length release, because they’ve never recorded anything as big and bombastic. Here’s the track 10x10…
Janis Joplin Gravel voiced blues singer, Janis Joplin had a terrific range. She could muster up an unexpected sensitivity in quieter moments, then be a blast furnace when she was called to deliver the big punch at the chorus. Joplin was quite an intelligent person (though she hid that) and a musical perfectionist. As good as the band Big Brother was, she didn’t think they were serious enough about the craft, and she spent years piecing together musician (The Full Tilt Boogie Band) that she felt could match her work ethic. Still, with Big Brother she recorded a masterpiece. Piece of My Heart is truly a magnificent track, which shows off her estimable talents.
I wasn’t a Joplin fanatic, but she was always around in my life. My uncles and whatnot all had the albums. Bobby McGee was a family favorite. I do own her greatest hits CD and enjoy it.
Courtney Love She and Kurt Cobain were Grunge’s royal (and royally screwed up) couple. While she might not be the most wonderful person on the planet, lets focus on her music. Musically she created a buzz with her band Hole, and recorded one of the great albums of the 90s, “Live Through This”. She’s never matched it, though she’s still able to lay down some solid tracks. These days her voice is showing some wear and tear, and she’s more nasally than ever. But back in the good old days, she could snarl and spit with the best of ‘em.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 2, 2012 15:08:07 GMT -5
-5 Notable lyricists-
Laura Marling If Luna Lovegood grew up and became an indie-alt-folk singer...
Kristin Hersh Hersch is one of best female songwriters in rock. And she likes to work in a varity of styles, playing in the alternative rock group "Throwing Muses" and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio "50 Foot Wave". Here’s an incredible solo song, "Her Ghost".
Justine Frischmann Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Elastica -- a Brit band who released two post-punk, new wave rock albums in the 95 and 2000, before parting ways. Wiki notes that these days Justine is pursuing a career as an abstract painter. I need to check that out, see if she's as good at painting as she was at music.
Beth Gibbons She could sound creepy or moving, depending on the song. Best known for her work with Portishead, who are a strange band, difficult to define, though I see them listed as trip-hop. Some tunes, like “Undenied” can only be described as hypnotic. And at times they sound like they are making music for a spy movie. Here is one of their most stirring (and straight forward) pieces, performed live.
Tori Amos Talented lady: She is a classical trained pianist, with a mezzo-soprano voice, a poetic lyricist, friend of Neil Gaiman and an activist. Tori has an impressive resume. I loved the acoustic based piano sound of "Under the Pink" (Rolling Stone named it one of the greatest albums of the 90s), and I really, really liked the track "Cornflake Girl", just ate it up... Here's the UK version of the video.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 3, 2012 23:28:06 GMT -5
Brody Dalle I’m not a monster enthusiast of either the Distillers or Spinerette, as all their tunes sound pretty much the same… right down the drumbeat. But I wanted to share a song because I thought y’all should see what a genuine ass kicker looks and sounds like. (Hey, I love Avril, but she is not a punk, I don’t know why people started calling her that… one look at Brody is all you need to know the difference) Here’s a good one from the Distillers (even if she isn’t wearing the spiked mohawk in the video)
Cass Elliott & Michelle Phillips Ah the contentious but talented “Mamas & the Papas”. John didn’t want Cass in the group because of her weigh. Michelle was kicked out after cheating on her husband (John) with band-mate Denny Doherty (so why wasn’t Denny voted out of the group?). Unable to get over Michelle, Denny started drinking heavily and John was a seriously screwed up druggie (and if certain allegations are true, he was something even worse). Somehow the foursome made beautiful music. Of the 2 women, Cass had the better voice – She split after John said something insulting about her in front of friend. Sadly while on a solo tour, she died of a heart attack. Here’s my favorite song from the M&P…
Patty Donahue She was part of the Akron new wave scene that birthed Devo and the Pretenders -- In 1982 The Waitresses released their unique debut LP, "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" While the album wasn't a smash hit, and the band split after only 2 years, they did leave a mark. Their song "I Know What Boys Like" was an MTV staple, "Christmas Wrapping" still pops up on the radio during the holidays and they wrote and performed the theme to TVs "Square Pegs".
Their sound was funky, with a touch of ska -- danceable and silly. Donahue spoke/sang the vocals, which were playfully matter of fact and sexy/bratty.
After the breakup, Patty worked behind the scenes in A&R and was heard on Alice Cooper's LP "Zipper Catches Skin" (credited with "vocals and sarcasm"). On December 9th 1996, Patty Died at age 40 after a yearlong battle with lung cancer.
Cerys Matthews Catatonia were an alt-band from Wales who gained some popularity in the 90s. And Cery was their singer. I dug her strange voice, which could be raw, girlish and spacey. After the band split she did some solo recordings and even applied that voice to cartoons and in stints as a DJ.
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Post by Mr. Atari on Sept 4, 2012 16:53:11 GMT -5
I know you've mentioned that you're not a big Pretenders fan, but I can't imagine any list of Women Who Rock without a mention of Chrissy Hynde.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 4, 2012 23:49:38 GMT -5
Ha Ha I was just going to mention her because your right, she deserves to be on the list. I'll go ahead and post what I had written.. Funny, I had that video pulled as well. Chrissy HyndeI had the Pretenders first album, and while I liked it, and the band was tight, there was just, something, missing. I’d be sitting there and thinking, "Okay, now take it up a notch!" - "Uh, okay, now! Kick me in the teeth!" -- "Um, take it to the mountain? Uh, hmm. No? Alrighteethen"... The engines were never roaring at full capacity for me. So no, I wasn't a giant fan, but I did recognize the talent and skill and liked several songs. Plus Chrissy was part of the Akron scene, even once played in a band with Mark Motherbaugh (I wonder how that sounded). "Middle of the Road" was the Pretenders at their punchiest, so I’ll share that one. (See above) Patti SmithNever owned an album, but I admired many a song. Patti was just one of the guys. What I mean is, in the 70s it was like, "here's a girl group, or here's a female performer..." with Patty it was just... "Here's a great artist". She was part of the proto-punk movement that gave birth to Iggy Pop and the like. She is considered one of the great lyricists, a 'rock poet', if you will. I always liked the line "Pissing in a river, watching it rise" so lets share that one... Marnie Stern You know your getting something interesting when an artist names Yoko Ono and Bruce Springsteen as their inspiration. Marnie plays what is described as "Math Rock", "Noise Rock", punk and experimental. She's considered one of modern rocks very best, technically proficient guitarists and is known for her string tapping style. I love that unlike most in that punky, noise rock world, she doesn't play angry. The woman always has a smile or this look of euphoria when she plays, like what she's doing is the greatest fun in the universe.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 5, 2012 23:36:06 GMT -5
Terri Nunn Because I was hot for 80s New Wave, I bought Berlin’s LP “Pleasure Victim” (1982). I thought it was their first, but they actually recorded one previously without Nunn (she was trying her hand at acting… actually auditioned for the role of Leia in Star Wars). Victim offered the controversial “Sex (I’m a) and as far as synth pop goes I found the album a little thin (I liked tougher Bass and Drums, even with my New Wave). Not a bad record but I thought they would be one of those acts that would disappear without leaving much of an impression.
And then Top Gun came out in 1986, and with it a huge hit for the band, the Oscar winning, “Take My Breath Away”. Shows what I know. I never bought another record, but my future wife had their greatest hits. Which showed the band’s sound had gotten fuller, and the opening track on that cassette, “Blowin’ Sky High” was pretty cool, Terri really let it rip on the vocals. While I often see her compared to Deborah Harry, Nunn had a stronger voice. Unfortunately Youtube can’t show that video in America (hu?), so I can’t share “Sky High”… but here’s another goodie.
Tina Weymouth We can’t have a thread about women who rock without Tina, can we? Best known as the bassist for the Talking Heads, and as leader of the Tom Tom Club. From wiki - As a bass guitarist, she combined the minimalist art-punk basslines of groups such as Wire and Pere Ubu with danceable, funk-inflected riffs to provide the bedrock of Talking Heads signature sound. Her sound is often very syncopated (i.e. reggae/funk) in feel, combining low fundamental notes with higher flourishes in clipped, staccato rhythms.
Grace Slick Grace was arguably the best female psychedelic vocalist of the 60s. When San Fran folkies Jefferson Airplane bought her contract from the “Great Society”… and with it her songs, they struck the mother load. While the first album recorded with Grace, “Surrealistic Pillow” would have been good without her, the addition of her two songs, White Rabbit and Somebody to Love, turned it into a classic -- One that Rolling Stone ranked 146th in their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Rabbit one of my favorite tunes from the 60s…
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 6, 2012 4:55:47 GMT -5
I have nothing left in word. Nothing written up and ready to post. I might get back to this, I don’t know. I know I left off a lot, such as Joni Mitchell, Judy Garland, Siouxsie Sioux, Liz Phair, PJ Harvey, Sheryl Crow, Annie Lennox, Kim Gordon, Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Loretta Lynn, Kate Bush and the girl who sang “Yipe Stripes”.
But maybe I get in the mood later on and add them, and others.
Thanks for reading, and for the musical contributions and comments. Feel free to continue to post for any artist you feel should be included.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 7, 2012 2:29:47 GMT -5
Women Who Rock List-O-Rama Women who rock was more than just women of rock – it was about talent in any genre. It looked at those I loved and those I liked, those I saw in concert and owned albums (or album) and those I listened to on Radio or MTV (and now, Youtube). And even a few fictional figures.
This isn't a definitive list, and I might add to it.
From MJ Kelly Clarkson Kaki King Kim Pine Kim Deal Re Styles Carol Kaye Kim Shattuck Dorothy Fields Ann and Nancy Wilson Respect – Aretha Franklin Joan Jett Amy Lee Elizabeth Cotton Deborah Harry Avril Lavigne Pat Benatar Sandy Denny The Go-Go’s Judy Dyble The Bangles The Supremes Mother Maybelle Carter Julee Cruise Björk Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday Carrie Brownstein The Fabulous Stains Aimee Mann Stevie Nicks Linda, Linda, Linda Dorothy Moskowitz Trish Keenan Mary Hanson and Lætitia Sadier Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson Jacqui McShee Cyndi Lauper Josie and the Pussycats Shirley Manson Ellen Foley Karen O Janis Joplin Courtney Love Laura Marling Kristen Hersh Justine Frischmann Beth Gibbons Tori Amos Brody Dalle Cass Elliott and Michelle Phillips Patty Donahue Cerys Matthews Patti Smith Marnie Stern Terri Nunn Tina Weymouth Grace Slick
From mummifiedstalin Happy Rhodes June Tabor
From afriendlychicken Ella Fitzgerald Joni Mitchell Linda Ronstadt Annie Haslam Paula Cole Tori Amos
From Mr. Atari Chrissy Hynde
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Post by afriendlychicken on Sept 7, 2012 4:21:22 GMT -5
I thought of three more whom you may or may not mention later. The first two were heard from for only a short period of time and the last records only once in a blue moon.
Martha Davis:
Dale Bozzio:
Patty Smyth:
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 8, 2012 5:38:11 GMT -5
All 3 bring back such MTV memories.
I have a vague recollection that I used to own that Motels album, but I don't have it anymore. maybe I just borrowed a friend's copy for a spell?
And, aw Dale... another one of Zappa's discoveries.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 9, 2012 20:23:00 GMT -5
I had another dream about you. I don’t know why or what sparked it. But even after all these years your still there, floating around in some hidden corner of my mind. Emerging from time to time in these vivid dreams that are reminiscent of some old Twilight Zone episode. You know the ones I speak of, where an imagined world is better than the real one. “Next stop, Willoughby” The dreams are so real -- with sight, sound and smell as tangible as what I experience while awake. Many are mundane. I come home from work, your cooking dinner, the kids are playing in the backyard. In another it’s just the two of us on vacation at some unnamed beach. Some are eventful: You giving birth -- us on our wedding day. Some are sad, a few are naughty and in all I wake up and my first thought is, “No! No! No! I want to go back, and I don’t want to be here!” What are dreams, do they fill in the holes in our lives – in a life where I couldn’t quite… get there (in whatever particular “there” you want to address.) Career, marriage, musical goals, financial wishes… etc. I always fell a little short. But in the dream I grab that brass ring and hold fast. They have tapered off over the years, almost gone completely - but last night... I’ll be damned; there was your ghost again. And we just talked, and you told me your were sorry for how it all turned inside out... something I never heard from you in the real world. A year or two or three ago I wrote a song about it. It’s a slight thing. But since you paid me a visit, I remembered the tune and felt like hearing it again. click title to listenMake Believe WorldBy Shawn David I live in a world of my own creation Forged in the heat of my imagination You wear my ring and carry our child, there’s a white picket fence a dog and two cars Most people find love interchangeable, lose one and merely plug in another Most people go through people like candy, most people find a way to go on, but not me I come from work and you greet me with a kiss Though nothing here is real what could be better than this I’d rather live in my make believe world than spend an hour in the world as it is Cause all I find there is loneliness All that I find there is you without me Repeat verse and chorus
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 11, 2012 1:23:23 GMT -5
I've done movies and music and now...
10 Fab Comic Book Artists
It’s important to note that this is a "favorites" rather than "Greatest" list. If I called this thing a list of "greats", I'd obliged to named Jack Kirby #1. And while I acknowledge that the man was a master storyteller, designer and -with Stan Lee and Steve Ditko- one of the primary architects of the Marvel Universe. I can't help it; aesthetically speaking I found his art... well, ugly. Big gaping mouths, square heads, and squiggly lines for shading – all of it was visually unappealing. Jack deserves to sit atop the heap in a "best of" list, but I wanted to talk about people I liked, artists who filled me with awe and wonder, in addition to drawing something that was pleasing to my eye.
So now that the Elephant is out of the room, you might also note the word unusual. This list will have several non-traditional entries (at least listed this high). In addition, I give a lot of points to artists I read on a regular basis or had a huge impact on me throughout my comic collecting life. In one or two cases I name the "student", but not the "teacher" - the reason being, I grew up with and was exposed to the art of the student, more so than the guy who did it first.
So lets get this party started...
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Post by Mighty Jack on Sept 11, 2012 1:24:49 GMT -5
10. George Tuska He was muscular and stood 6 ft 2, with wavy blond hair and an easy, warm smile. They called him "The Gentle Giant" because in addition to his height, he was one hell of a nice guy. George worked during comic's golden and silver ages, for just about every company and on just every character. He cut his teeth on romance and adventure books, worked for Will Eisner's studio (even ghosted a few issues of the Spirit) and became the illustrator on "Crime Does Not Pay" in the late 40s/early 50s, which depicted true stories about gangsters and the like. With this title he caught the eye of a young gun named Stan Lee and was eventually gainfully employed by Marvel Comics. With issue #5 he illustrated the first of what would become a 10-year –on again/off again- run on Iron Man. Tuska doesn't get the praise he deserves, he's seen as old fashioned, cartoony, in an age that revels in realism. He used the same action poses for years and maybe some see that as corny. But I love George and as an Iron Man fan I have nothing but respect for all the great issues he provided through the years. Iron Man didn't always have the best stories, and the other artists who filled in when George was off on other projects were downright awful. The one constant bright light for us ‘friends of Tony Stark’ in those days was Tuska. I loved his early work on Iron Man, I loved the way he experimented on layouts and perspectives, the odd sharp-angled panels... whether it was George or Marvel who made the change, eventually Iron Man would take on a standard page design – a bummer, but Tuska's exciting action was always present. I remember those early covers. Issue #7 was one I stared at for days on end. It depicted a scene with the Gladiator menacing the Golden Avenger; his scary saw tooth blades cutting a swath through the title above. Man was it breathtaking to my young eyes! George's faces were always distinct, sure the criminals often had big teeth and weak jaw lines, crooked noses... but darned if they didn't stand out. I was reading a recent issue of "Phantom Lady", which was filled with gangsters - only they all looked the same. I couldn't tell who was who. Is that the boss? No, well why is that guy there, wasn’t he just back in another room? It was like watching "Radar Secret Service". I never got this confused by a Tuska penciled comic! He also drew some pretty ladies… even those whose features were covered up: Madame Masque was not only cool and tough but had sex appeal (I remember being wowed by the final pages of issue 17, with Tony Stark on the run in a downpour. In the final panel George sets the action at worms-eye view -- we see Masque from above as she has just bound the inventor in rope, and steals him away). George’s last issue of Iron Man was #106. It was said that writer Bill Mantilo didn't like his work and wanted him off the book. Stupid mistake and the art took a downward spiral (until John Romita Jr. & Bob Layton took over) I missed ya George. Thank you for all the memories. You might not have garnered a lot of love from the industry and its fans, but those who did; we loved ya with all our hearts. Notable Works:Crime Does Not Pay Iron Man Luke Cage: Hero For Hire X-Men Teen Titans
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