Song of the Week: Birdland

Hello all, I hope this post finds you full and content after the holidays.  Following the trend from the last, this is a song with great bass.

Birdland is the first track from Weather Report's album Heavy Weather.  The album put the jazz fusion band on the map with hit's like "Birdland" and "Teen Town".  Weather Report revolutionized fusion jazz.  Formed by saxophonist Wayne Shorter and keyboardist Joe Zawinol, they laid the foundation for future jazz rock.  And of course, the lineup featured famed electric bassist Jaco Pastorius.  Jaco was an unparalleled member of the jazz community and one of the most influential and innovative bassists of all time.  The opening melodies come from pinch harmonics on his bass.  

Anyways I won't bore you with fancy technical terms.  I hope you enjoy the track.  The above is a live version from 1978.  

For the song of the week, I chose Power of Soul by Jimi Hendrix.  I recently entered a contest that was sponsored by the music networking site Jamsbio.com.  It was a contest in honor of the 40th anniversary of Jimi's album Electric Ladlyand.  The following was one of my entries for the contest.

There is no need to come up with a flashy title for this post because the song says it all. Power of Soul is an exquisite song that displays. Jimi's ability to reinvent himself.  In the time leading up to his untimely death, he was seeking to find a new sound.  As all great artists do, he wanted a change.  He formed Band Of Gypsies with drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Cox, and a whole new Jimi was born.  He was seeking an R&B sound for an R&B audience, and he was largely successful.

This track is steadily funky and complex. From the start, you hear the difference in the production, the music and the playing. The first 50 seconds changes constantly, to a new lick and a new key; a new musical idea. One could say that it reflected Jimi's musical direction at the time: changing constantly. He then gets to a main riff that he stays on, and as usual, explores all the possibilities. The song, like it's composer, is always on the turn around and always has something new to offer. Its verse comes in and Jimi preaches his message of love and it’s power. With the chorus, comes the famed line and the source of the song's title, "With the power of soul, anything is possible. With the power of you, anything you wanna do." What a powerful message within those two lines.

Jimi's soul was clearly boundless, and he was able to clearly channel it through his music. He is without a doubt, one of the largest influences on popular music. His ability to speak to the soul, and express himself through his instrument is nearly unparalleled. He defined and redefined himself and his music much like the great Miles Davis, a friend and peer of Jimi's. He makes it clear that anything is possible. So I say this to Jimi, thank you once again. The sky is the limit for you. Give it a kiss for me.

All Free Societies Throw Shoes?

In a recent article on CNN.com, President Bush was quoted in response to the shoe throwing, "... this doesn't represent the Iraqi people, but that's what happens in free societies where people try to draw attention to themselves."

You must forgive the opinionated notions in this post, but I call extreme bullshit. Shoes may be thrown in free societies, but this was not a demonstration of freedom. This was a statement and a message being sent. It is the result of the Bush administration's gun barrel democracy, and it's devastating effect on the Iraqi nation.

I suggest Bush rescind his statement. Because don't forget, Iraq is free because you "liberated" it. You gave them their independence, and you reap what you sow.

Song of the Week: Amazing Grace (by Victor Wooten)

This is probably the most intense and amazing bass performance I have ever seen.  It is bass virtuoso Victor Wooten's solo interpretation of the old Christian hymn "Amazing Grace."   Wooten is renowned in many musical circles, and is known as one of the best bassists alive.  He is credited with pioneering the technique of "double thumping" while playing slap bass, which allows him to play at a rapid pace that mirrors the sounds of a guitar.  Many consider bass to be just a back up instrument, but here Wooten breaks through every stereotype.  This piece combines all the aspects of music I love: passion, soul, amazing technique and creativity.  This is from a Bela Fleck and the Flecktones concert, and group  which he helped found and still performs with today.  They are playing at the Kimmel Center on Tuesday, December 16th.  

Song of the Week: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

Sorry folks, I know I haven't updated in a while.  In any event, here is the song of the week.  It's off the Grammy winning 1986 album by Paul Simon: Graceland.  For those of you who don't know who Paul Simon, he's one of the greatest musicians and songwriters to come from this country.  I guarantee you that there is a song you know that he wrote.  

This song is one of many on the album that was inspired by South African music.  The album was recorded in South Africa with many musicians from South Africa.  It's an incredible blend of musical styles that makes for an exquisite listen.  I recommend this album for any music lover.  Enjoy.  

The Return of Sith [Walmart]

Just a brief note on these Black Friday happenings.  May I just say that if we, as a society, can't remain composed enough to enter our beloved retail establishments without trampling a fellow human being... then how can we expect to revive our economy? How can we expect to pull out of Iraq with any grace we have left?  How can we expect anything sane from ourselves?  Those people behaved like a bunch of hogs, scrambling towards the trench of slop so that they can get the most food.  But when you think about it, that's what Black Friday is.  A bunch of animals scrambling to feed.  Except the real hogs are rushing to get nourishment needed for survival, and us humans are rushing to get a bargain on a plasma television.  Thoughts?