Sunday 30 May 2010

Hell's Angels give Sympathy for the Devil

The next live performance I have chosen is Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones. This performance is taken from the Stones' show at Altamont in 1969, where the concert security were none other than Hell's Angels. Yes. Big scary men, who like fights and hate hippies.
The reason for hiring the Angels has never been clarified, but what is sure is the amount of trouble that went down at the now infamous festival. There was at least one murder at the festival, during the Rolling Stones' set and it was caught on camera.
The Grateful Dead were also supposed to appear at the festival that the Stones organised, but pulled out after there had been several cases of violence at Altamont. The Dead also advised against the use of Hell's Angels as security, but the Stones' management went ahead and used them anyway. The worst decision ever.
This performance isn't one the Stones will wish to remember, but it does show how live shows were a lot different to today.

Monday 24 May 2010

Live Life Live.

Today's a very sunny day and I am stuck inside at the moment, waiting to go for lunch with some friends; being inside sweating, whilst not exercising, gave me the inspiration to think of a theme for the next few videos that I will post. So, When was I ever as sweaty as this from doing something that didn't involve exercise (or sex)? It was When I went to see Pearl Jam live.

Therefore, the next few videos will be of live performances from various artists, who fall under the category of 'fucking amazing', or something similar, in live performances. The first live performace will have to belong to Pearl Jam, as I have already mentioned them and they are more than suitable.

Pearl Jam were arguably the greatest live band of the nineties and, to some extent, the greatest band of that era, too. During the early years of the 90s and the Seattle 'grunge' scene, Pearl Jam were thought to have brought grunge to the mainstream, because they received critical acclaim and sold a lot of records. However, many criticised Pearl Jam for 'jumping on the bandwagon' of the grunge scene, with criticism coming famously from Kurt Cobain. In brutal honesty, Pearl Jam were the better band and their logevity is, perhaps, a sign of that. However, the Music Media has chosen Nirvana as the symbol of 90s grunge, which is perhaps fair, considering Pearl Jam, although they were a Seattle band had a different sound to Nirvana.

Before Cobain's death in 1994 Pearl Jam were the dominant band in the gunge scene, with their 2nd album VS (5 against 1) hitting number 1 in the US billboards and breaking several records on the way. Pearl Jam were the MTV band of the early 90s, which is why the live performance I have chosen is from the MTV awards of 1993; possibly the best Pearl Jam performace. There is an edginess and clear passion to the performance, which doesn't get seen in live performances from bands of today.

Tuesday 18 May 2010

I'd rather chase a bee inside a jar than go out in Uxbridge sober.

I am sitting up at gone 2am drinking a can of cider (which is disgusting)that my friend gave me (as a result of me lending him £30) and I am feeling a bit apathetic about absolutely everything. I have, therefore, chosen this next song because it carries nothing in relation to anything. So precisely how I feel. Like chasing a bee inside a jar.

Mercury Rev were, in my opinion, one of the finest bands of the nineties; their first three albums were masterpieces in psychedelic mixed up fuckedness- my favourite genre. I find it difficult to understand why they were not as popular with a generation of grunge kids looking for new, far-reaching music when David Baker was in the band, yet when he left and the songs became as boring as a night out in Uxbridge sober, the band's popularity rose. That probably says more about me than it does the taste of the majority of people.

Friday 14 May 2010

The Cutter

Now I realise that it has been quite a while since I last updated my blog, but I have now finished my exams and my University life in all. A little happiness may have crept upon me. Anyway, that kind of stuff belongs in another blog.

Today's song I have been thinking about since last Friday, when I heard it in one of the scenes in Ashes to Ashes. The song I have chosen for today is Echo and the Bunnymen's The Cutter.

The song appealed to me, surprisingly. There's something almost Television-esque about them- maybe Joy Division? Also, the song reminds me of how we are now in for a Tory dominated 5 years. 'Spare us the Cutter' seems so relevant. Anyway, I had never listened to them before Friday and now I have even listened to more songs; I would have to say they were maybe a one hit wonder.


Sunday 2 May 2010

Hey Jimi...

Now, it doesn't get much better than forever young James Marshall Hendrix. The best guitarist this world has ever seen and from recent evidence, the best we will ever see. From 3 albums, Jimi produced an array of beautiful music, which vary album to album. It is quite likely that there'll be a lot of Hendrix on this blog and choosing the first one to put up was difficult, but I felt I had to go for the one that struck Jimi to fame in 1966.

The song is Tim Rose cover, but is probably better known for Jimi's take on it.
Absolute classic. This video of Hey Joe also has a great performance of sunshine of your love.