Today I was listening to some easy listening tunes, and the song Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying by Gerry and the Pacemakers came on. It really took me back to the old days.
I am not really old enough to remember the early days of the British Invasion, but I grew up listening to the Beatles, Stones, Herman's Hermits, Dave Clark 5, Hollies, and Gerry and the Pacemakers nevertheless. I also watched shows like Monty Python, the Goodies, and other British humor on PBS along with Sci Fi like UFO. It was almost like any foggy or rainy day could be a day in London or Liverpool.
When I was in high school, the British second wave came in the form of British MTV pop music and NWBHM rock. NATO was a big deal with the Warsaw Pact ready for war at any moment. The Cold War linked the Allies - especially the United States, the UK, and West Germany. It was like we were all one. We were all in it together.
Maybe I am just older, but I don't believe we have those ties anymore. I don't feel the same British and German historical bonds, and I don't see as much music coming from the Old World. Other than watching a bit of Dr. Who and Coupling on BBC America, there isn't much to grab a hold of.
I guess that it was bound to come with the end of the Cold War, but I really miss those days when the Atlantic Ocean linked us with our neighbors in Europe rather than divided us. I miss the crossover bands from the UK charts, and I miss all of that UK dry humor.
Perhaps I should put on Zenyatta Mondatta or dig out the Monty Python DVD's, but it isn't as much that I want to re-live the past as much as I want the future to be more like the past. No, not another Cold War, but a foggy day in Manchester would be nice.
Mid Atlantic Riff
Moderator: Moderators
Mid Atlantic Riff
We come from the land of the ice and snow .... 
I think talent just sprouts up where it sprouts up.
Right now, it's Canada. (IMO). Feist, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, and tons of other bands are coming out of Canada, Montreal specifically.
In the early 60s a bunch of bands happened to come out of Britain. In the late 60s a bunch of bands happened to come out of San Francisco.
New York has had its explosions, London has had its explosions. Hell, the talent that was in Kingston Jamaica in the 70s is just unreal!
I'm not getting into why these localized talent explosions happen, but I think that's all it is.
As for Britain, there's a band called Coldplay that's quite popular. And a BBC TV series recently took the country by storm, and spawned a US version. Guy Ritchie's films are still quite popular here.
Germany, I don't know. I'm part German, but I don't know how much German pop culture spread over here. There's Can, and Kraftwerk, and Werner Herzog, but not much.
Right now, it's Canada. (IMO). Feist, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, and tons of other bands are coming out of Canada, Montreal specifically.
In the early 60s a bunch of bands happened to come out of Britain. In the late 60s a bunch of bands happened to come out of San Francisco.
New York has had its explosions, London has had its explosions. Hell, the talent that was in Kingston Jamaica in the 70s is just unreal!
I'm not getting into why these localized talent explosions happen, but I think that's all it is.
As for Britain, there's a band called Coldplay that's quite popular. And a BBC TV series recently took the country by storm, and spawned a US version. Guy Ritchie's films are still quite popular here.
Germany, I don't know. I'm part German, but I don't know how much German pop culture spread over here. There's Can, and Kraftwerk, and Werner Herzog, but not much.
-
VikingMachine
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 5063
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:12 pm
- Location: Park Rapids, MN
-
VikingMachine
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 5063
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:12 pm
- Location: Park Rapids, MN
First and foremost, the king, Bob Dylan. Also:
Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Talking Heads, Shpongle, Aretha Franklin, Gil Scott Heron, The Goodie Mob, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Beastie Boys, Beck, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang, TI, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Mighty Diamonds, Neko Case, Roberta Flack, Joan Baez, The Mothers of Invention, Phish, The Disco Biscuits, Elton John, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Coup, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, 311, Sublime, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Wyclef, Young Jeezy, Smashing Pumpkins, Digable Planets, Ween, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Who, Pink Floyd, James Brown (and the JBs), The Moody Blues (early), Leonard Cohen, Peter Tosh, Nirvana, Dead Prez, Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin, Blackalicious, The Game, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, White Williams, The Velvet Underground, Tortoise, Rage Against the Machine, Black Star, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist
to name a few (I'm bored now).
Basically anything with soul and/or I can dance to.
Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Talking Heads, Shpongle, Aretha Franklin, Gil Scott Heron, The Goodie Mob, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Beastie Boys, Beck, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang, TI, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Mighty Diamonds, Neko Case, Roberta Flack, Joan Baez, The Mothers of Invention, Phish, The Disco Biscuits, Elton John, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Coup, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, 311, Sublime, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Wyclef, Young Jeezy, Smashing Pumpkins, Digable Planets, Ween, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Who, Pink Floyd, James Brown (and the JBs), The Moody Blues (early), Leonard Cohen, Peter Tosh, Nirvana, Dead Prez, Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin, Blackalicious, The Game, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, White Williams, The Velvet Underground, Tortoise, Rage Against the Machine, Black Star, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist
to name a few (I'm bored now).
Basically anything with soul and/or I can dance to.
-
TrenchGoon
- Hall of Fame Candidate
- Posts: 3515
- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:35 am
I like some of those choices, however, cannot stand the souless garbage known as "rap" music. I like the reggae though, some of the classic rock, was listening to bowie today. blues, classic country, classic R&B, Classical, Jazz...most everything made in the last 20 years is garbage to me, but I like all genres if they have soul.Colinito wrote:First and foremost, the king, Bob Dylan. Also:
Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Talking Heads, Shpongle, Aretha Franklin, Gil Scott Heron, The Goodie Mob, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Beastie Boys, Beck, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang, TI, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Mighty Diamonds, Neko Case, Roberta Flack, Joan Baez, The Mothers of Invention, Phish, The Disco Biscuits, Elton John, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Coup, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, 311, Sublime, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Wyclef, Young Jeezy, Smashing Pumpkins, Digable Planets, Ween, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Who, Pink Floyd, James Brown (and the JBs), The Moody Blues (early), Leonard Cohen, Peter Tosh, Nirvana, Dead Prez, Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin, Blackalicious, The Game, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, White Williams, The Velvet Underground, Tortoise, Rage Against the Machine, Black Star, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist
to name a few (I'm bored now).
Basically anything with soul and/or I can dance to.
Not all hip-hop is soulless. Check out the Tupac song "Unconditional Love," which is just one example of the beauty, wonder, and talent in some hip-hop. But most the #### on the radio sucks.
I seriously can't listen to the song without crying. Although it reminds me of a friend I lost, but still....almost too much soul.Come listen to my truest thoughts, my truest feelings,
all my peers doing years beyond drug dealing.
How many caskets can we witness
before we see it's hard to live
this life without God, so we must ask forgiveness?
Ask mama why I got this urge to die?
Witness the tears falling free from my eyes
before she could reply,
cause we were born without a silver spoon,
my broken down TV showed cartoons in my living room.
One day I hope to make it, a player in this game,
mama don't cry, long as we try maybe things'll change.
Perhaps it's just a fantasy,
a life where we don't need no welfare
or issues with our family,
maybe it's me that caused it, the fighting and the hurting,
in my room crying cause I didn't want to be a burden
watch mama open up her arms to hug me,
and I ain't worried bout a damn thang, with unconditional love.
[Chorus: 2x]
In this game the lesson's in your eyes to see,
though things change, the future's still inside of me,
you must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark,
and you will always be in my heart with unconditional love.
Just got the message you've been calling all week,
been out here hustling on these streets, ain't had a chance to speak
but you know, with you and me it's all G,
we could never be enemies, cause you been such a good friend to me.
Where would I be without my dogs?
No one to ride with when times get hard,
cause it ain't easy being who we are.
Driven by my ambitions, desire higher positions,
so I proceed to make Gs eternally, and my mission
is to be more than just a rap musician,
the elevation of today's generation if could make 'em listen.
Prison ain't what we need, no longer stuck in greed,
time to plan, strategize, my family's gotta eat.
We made something out of nothing,
no pleasure in the suffering, neighborhood would be good
if we could cut out all the busting, the liquor and the weed, the cussing
Sending love out to my block, the struggle never stops...
[Chorus]
I'll probably never understand ya ways
With every day I swear I hear ya
trying to change your ways while gettin paid at the same time,
just had a baby with the same eyes,
something inside, please let me die these are strange times.
How come I never made it?
Maybe it's the way the played it,
but in my heart I know one day I gotta be a star
My hopes and all my wishes, so many vivid pictures,
and all the currency I'll never even get to see
This fast life soon shatters,
cause after all the lights and screams
nothing but my dreams matter.
Hoping for better days, maybe a peaceful night,
baby don't cry cause everythang gonna be alright.
Just lay your head on my shoulder,
don't worry bout a thang baby girl I'm a soldier.
Never treated me bad, no matter who I was,
you still came with that, unconditional love.
[Chorus 3x until fade]
-
VikingMachine
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 5063
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:12 pm
- Location: Park Rapids, MN
Well there ya go! I saw some really unbelievably talented artists in your list and some completely horrific crap!Colinito wrote:First and foremost, the king, Bob Dylan. Also:
Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Talking Heads, Shpongle, Aretha Franklin, Gil Scott Heron, The Goodie Mob, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Beastie Boys, Beck, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang, TI, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Mighty Diamonds, Neko Case, Roberta Flack, Joan Baez, The Mothers of Invention, Phish, The Disco Biscuits, Elton John, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Coup, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, 311, Sublime, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Wyclef, Young Jeezy, Smashing Pumpkins, Digable Planets, Ween, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Who, Pink Floyd, James Brown (and the JBs), The Moody Blues (early), Leonard Cohen, Peter Tosh, Nirvana, Dead Prez, Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin, Blackalicious, The Game, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, White Williams, The Velvet Underground, Tortoise, Rage Against the Machine, Black Star, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist
to name a few (I'm bored now).
Basically anything with soul and/or I can dance to.
Everyone has different likes and dislikes (obviously) which is why you shouldnt probobly post that you hate something that someone else likes. I happen to think that 70's rock and 80's rock is and was the best music ever made....if you disagree thats fine but to post that you hate something that someone else obviously loves is pretty stupid.
I don't think there's any harm in it since most of us understand that, as you said, everybody has different tastes.VikingMachine wrote:Everyone has different likes and dislikes (obviously) which is why you shouldnt probobly post that you hate something that someone else likes.
You described some of the music he liked as "horrific crap" so pot, meet kettle.I happen to think that 70's rock and 80's rock is and was the best music ever made....if you disagree thats fine but to post that you hate something that someone else obviously loves is pretty stupid.
Music and art tend to get a reaction and that's good, not bad. if you make either, you get used to the idea that some people are going to hate what you do. It just comes with the territory.
FWIW, I can't stand a lot of those '80s "hair bands" either, although I'm relatively indifferent to the Scorpions. I love some of the artists/bands Colinito listed and really dislike some of the others. I think Talking Heads and James Brown are awesome but Rage Against the Machine, Joan Baez and Carole King? No thank you.
I think Rush is lousy and I like DEVO. I'm guessing neither of those opinions will be popular around here, but who knows?
Vive Le Difference!
Jim
P.S.) As for the Moody Blues, all I can say is: Breathe deep in gathering gloom..."
-
VikingMachine
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 5063
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:12 pm
- Location: Park Rapids, MN
Actually, you just left me totally confused. I took the exchange at face value. If you made a reference to something going on elsewhere on the board, I may have missed it because I haven't had much time to read posts here lately. I've just been popping into a thread here and there and making a comment.VikingMachine wrote:No not even close Jim, you know exactly what that was about so no need for the pot comment.
Jim
Agree with all of it. I love Ween. Obviously there are a few I'd remove, Smashing Pumpkins is terrible....Colinito wrote:First and foremost, the king, Bob Dylan. Also:
Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, The Talking Heads, Shpongle, Aretha Franklin, Gil Scott Heron, The Goodie Mob, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Beastie Boys, Beck, The Flaming Lips, Wu-Tang, TI, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Mighty Diamonds, Neko Case, Roberta Flack, Joan Baez, The Mothers of Invention, Phish, The Disco Biscuits, Elton John, The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Coup, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, 311, Sublime, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Wyclef, Young Jeezy, Smashing Pumpkins, Digable Planets, Ween, Sly and the Family Stone, Public Enemy, The Who, Pink Floyd, James Brown (and the JBs), The Moody Blues (early), Leonard Cohen, Peter Tosh, Nirvana, Dead Prez, Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin, Blackalicious, The Game, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, White Williams, The Velvet Underground, Tortoise, Rage Against the Machine, Black Star, Lee Perry, King Tubby, Scientist
to name a few (I'm bored now).
Basically anything with soul and/or I can dance to.
Throw in Tom Waits, Yoko Kanno (although not a band or a singer, close enough), Finntroll, Korplikanni, Manowar, Enya, Chris De Burgh, Bat for Lashes, Bruce Springsteen (more his newer stuff), Johnny Cash, Kingston Trio, Elvis, Johnny Horton, Marty Robbins, Pogues, Dubliners, DMX, Flogging Molly, Irish Rovers, Loreena McKennitt, Christy Moore, Clancy Brothers, Corries, Wolfetones, Thin Lizzy.
You're the one that took offense, not me. I really don't care that you called some of the bands I like "horrific crap." As Mothman says, you did the exact same thing as me, so whatever. We'll fix you up a bottle and you can have a nice wittle nap.VikingMachine wrote: Well there ya go! I saw some really unbelievably talented artists in your list and some completely horrific crap!
Everyone has different likes and dislikes (obviously) which is why you shouldnt probobly post that you hate something that someone else likes. I happen to think that 70's rock and 80's rock is and was the best music ever made....if you disagree thats fine but to post that you hate something that someone else obviously loves is pretty stupid.
And please, let's not lump 70s and 80s rock together! That's 20 years right there, and peak 1973 Grateful Dead does not belong alongside Warrant and Scorpions and Def Leppard, or whatever. 80s rock, in my opinion, was awful, and even the cool 60s artists (like Dylan, Moody Blues, etc.) turned crappy in the 80s. It was that stenchy it could ruin Dylan's sound. It wasn't til the 90s that Dylan was actually good again.
Demi, as to Smashing Pumpkins, their 1st 3 albums were great, "Mellon Collie" especially. And songs like "Mayonnaise," "Whir," etc.... wow! But I have no idea what happened to them after "Mellon Collie." But you threw out some good ones. (DMX pumps me the hell up, but he says anti-gay stuff so much it really turned me off, plus he fights dogs.)