Showing posts with label Scott Weiland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scott Weiland. Show all posts

Friday, October 17, 2014

Three for the Ride: Scott Weiland, Burt Bacharach, Chicago

Some days, I take the train to work. Other days, I drive. Either way, I listen to music on the way. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really wish the world could appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't it great?!"

Here's what I heard this morning:

Scott Weiland: "Missing Cleveland"
Power Crunch Pop Perfection. That's how to best describe this song. I love's Scott's writing. The chorus progression is classic pop stuff. This song is from his 2008 solo release, "Happy" in Galoshes. The drum break coming back in off the bridge gives me chills. And lyrically, it's brilliant. "The lonely thoughts where everybody knows the truth and lets it be." Maybe one day he and the DeLeo brothers will work things out so STP can make more great music.



Burt Bacharach: "This Guy's in Love With You"
Tied for the greatest pop writer of the 20th century, Burt Bacharach has written or co-written some of the most iconic songs ever to grace the AM airwaves. This song is just dreamy. From 1990's Bacharach & David They Write the Songs, this version is mostly instrumental except for a group of background singers on the chorus. The melody is handled by a mix of brass and wind instruments.



Chicago: "Feelin' Stronger Every Day"
This great song is from 1973's Chicago VI. It features Pete Cetera's amazing voice. Not a whole lot more to say about this one, but listen to it.



Until next time...

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Three for the Ride: Creed, The Heavy, Velvet Revolver

Some days, I take the train to work. Other days, I drive. Either way, I listen to music on the way. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really wish the world could appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't it great?!"

Here's what I heard this morning:

Creed: "Faceless Man"
In the summer of 2000, I decided to drive into the desert in a rental car. I left Phoenix on an early Saturday morning after stopping at the K-Mart to buy water, and extra t-shirt, and music for the road. One CD I bought was Creed's Human Clay (1999). I drove to Winslow via the back roads and then west to Cameron, AZ where I spent the night at the trading post there, right on the edge of the Colorado River gorge. I drove he next morning along the east entrance into the Grand Canyon and then back to Phoenix that afternoon. It was a spiritual experience as much as anything else. I love Arizona. So, the connection I have to some of these songs is deeper than casual. This one in particular is pretty special to me. Scott Stapp's lyrics resonate with me on a deep level.



The Heavy: "No Time"
There's not a lot of new music that makes it into my rotation. I'm an old guy and I like old school rock and roll. That said, once in a while something comes along that makes me perk up and on even rarer occasions, some new music makes it into my collection. The House That Dirt Built (2009) is one of those special records that is new, but seriously old school. Their Wikipedia page describes The Heavy as a band from Bath, England, that plays a mix of guitar-heavy, neo-soul and rock with crunchy guitars, funky horns, and raspy James Brown-like vocals. 'Nuff said. Welcome to the collection boys.



Velvet Revolver: "Mary Mary"
Everything I love about Scott Weiland. There it is. His vocals on this are amazing, demonstrating the full range and dynamic of his vocal styles. This song has his writing style stamped all over it and the band is killing it. It's a perfect blend between hard rock and pop, which, when done right, will always win me over. The groove is infections and the harmonies, etc. are chilling. Also, props to Slash, who sounds like a different guitar player with Velvet Revolver than he did with GnR, a band I ever clicked with. He has earned my respect as a worthy player. How often does the super group idea actually work? It certainly does here. From 2007's Libertad...



Until next time...