Music That Changed You
And now, as they say in Monty Python, for something completely different (from my usual twaddle).
I was thinking recently about the music that floored me and changed me and my perception of music. It's happened to me several times. In order...
The Ventures — Prior to their classic instrumental Walk Don't Run, like most kids I was primarily interested in pop vocals. They got me interested in the electric guitar. I've enjoyed electric guitar music ever since. However, while I've owned a few electric guitars over the years, I've never...well, let's just say I'm no Jimi Hendrix.
Lonnie Mack — His big hit Memphis introduced me to funky guitar. His down home mix of gospel, country, R&B, and rock music as displayed on the classic album The Wham of that Memphis Man inspired Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Howard Roberts — In rough parallel with my interest in Lonnie Mack, I discovered that there were funky jazz guitarists, too. HR's slinky style of "greasy" guitar is still a pleasure (for me) to listen to.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band — Powered by Butterfield's electrifying (and electrified) "blues harp" (aka harmonica) and Michael Bloomfield's unique electric slide guitar stylings, this was my introduction to electric urban blues Chicago-style. And that led me to many other electric blues discoveries such as the phenomena of British blues and Texas-style blues a la Johnny Winter.
Jimi Hendrix — What can I say. The whole world of rock music changed when his Are You Experienced? album was released with the great hits Foxy Lady and Purple Haze. There are many faster and better guitarists in terms of technique (Steve Vai, Buckethead, Tony McAlpine), but he was, many say, the first musician to play electric guitar vs. merely electrified guitar. If he'd done nothing other than All Along The Watchtower he'd be in guitar pantheon forever, but he gave us so much more.
Baden Powell — No, not his namesake, the founder of The Boy Scouts. This Baden Powell was a Brazilian guitarist/singer/composer who created a unique blend of classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar infused with native Brazilian rhythms, backup instruments, and melodies. I was once asked for my "desert island 10"... Ten albums I'd want to have to play if I found myself stranded on a desert island (a very strange desert island with an electrical system). I even surprised myself by saying "Any 10 Baden Powell albums." Yes, his music is that listenable. If his was the only music I had for the rest of my life, I'd never grow bored.
There's my list. Where's yours?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gallup's Mirror on -
Unfortunately the computer that has the finished tunes on it is inaccessible to me at the moment.
Is it inaccessible due to a technical problem? If so, post the details. I may be able to help.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on -
Not that bad. Inaccessible meaning on a hard drive not currently installed in a computer and waiting to be transferred to a proper external drive.
I haven't written much lately. I am a dots and sticks kind of writer so that's fine storage in the short term.
Thanks for the offer.
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Permalink Reply by Samuel Cheshire on -
Tool - Lateralus
Lyrically this song is loosely based off of the fibbonacci sequence with syllable placement and overall theme. Conceptually it is about transcending the mortal coil mentally and reaching our true potential as a race and the beauty of existence.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on
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Hey Sam I like Tool a lot too. Nice band.
My only complaint and it is a minor one. Tool, like King Crimson before them sometimes make me think like I'm listening to someone's math homework. It's not negative really, it's just that at times their stuff sounds more constructed than composed, if that makes any sense. They do some great, great stuff.
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Permalink Reply by jared manley on -
I can't count out stuff like this either: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRbpF9GoK24
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Permalink Reply by Marc on
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It's 4. What part are you having trouble with?
Great album BTW. Maggot Brain, classic.
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Permalink Reply by jared manley on
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Yes. 4/4. LOL!
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Permalink Reply by jared manley on
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I have to say these "van sessions" are killing me tonight. Fun stuff.
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Permalink Reply by Gallup's Mirror on
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Here are a few TV theme songs. They weren't exactly life-changing but they were important to me personally for various reasons, in addition to being incredibly catchy!
1. Doctor Who (1970s) | This show captured my imagination as a child, partly because Tom Baker never carried a gun and his scarf looked like it was about 20 feet long.
2. The Rockford Files. | Loved that electrified rock-n-roll sound.
3. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids | My favorite childhood cartoon TV show.
4. Superman (George Reeves) | I used to watch this instead of go to church. Reeves would stand there while the bad guy shot him and the animated bullets bounced off. Then the bad guy would throw the empty gun at him and he would duck!
5. Cheers | Rousing tune. Series set in my home state. The actual 'Cheers' bar that inspired the series is closet-sized and now the biggest tourist trap in Boston.
6. The Addams Family | 'Nuff said.
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Permalink Reply by jared manley on
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Hell yeah Gallup! I'd add: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR9WJToFsTs (Swear it was suppose to be in a porno) and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roHYXrLhmHc
How old am I? Old enough to know that barney miller theme is dope.
and this one had some power too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkNWGy4lVTQ
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Permalink Reply by Gallup's Mirror on
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Ah yes! Barney Miller. That track is one of the reasons I took up the bass.
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Permalink Reply by jared manley on
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It's pretty funky. Like (as George Clinton would say) "smell my pinky" funky.
Just to be clear I have no idea why he says that. ;)
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