Congratulations go out to Rush & Public Enemy for their acceptance into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Both groups have led to a few discussions by the boys of the Discordants.
Rush, although eligible since 1998, were only put on the ballot for the first time. The Canadian trio are something that girls just cannot understand, but seems to resonate with most 30+ men. The master drummer & lyricist, the quiet guitar soloist, the bass, playing, keyboard playing high pitched lead singer make up a group that has spanned almost 40 years. They deserve their moment in the limelight.
Public Enemy was just discussed in our Three for the Road: Hip-hop post. I will share this little anecdote. About 20 years ago, my father was flying (1st class.) when he returned home, I remember him telling this story that he sat next to this strange man. He was African-American with gold teeth. He had a baseball hat with a top hat on top of it, and he wore this giant clock around his neck. He was on a cellular phone (before it was common to have one) the whole time. My mother cracked up, and I was floored to know my dad brushed with a legend - only he thought the guy was crazy. Keep on fightin' the power boys!
Has there been an artist who has had more relevance for as long as David Bowie has? He's been pushing the envelope on many levels -- music, visual arts -- for decades. But having said that, my picks all come from the 1970s -- here goes:
"Heroes" - We had a German language version of this song growing up ("Helden") and even that was good.
"Starman" - I always love Bowie's soaring choruses -- like on this track and also on "Life on Mars" (which admittedly I probably like because of its inclusion in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou).
"Kooks" - Always a fan of this one -- and even more so now that I'm a dad.
Notice, no inclusion of "The Laughing Gnome." And that wasn't an oversight on my part. By the way, Bowie's five-borough tour in New York City a few years ago was one of the highlights of my concert-going life.
As I was taking care of me weekly grocery shopping, I strolled through the magazine department to look at my usual favorites (Car & Driver, Men's Health, Rolling Stone, etc.) when I saw the cover of the newest Rolling Stone magazine featuring the 50 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. The top portion of the chart is filled with many old school rap, which, like most Rolling Stone charts, plays ode to pioneers and ground breakers. So this led me to my "Three for the Road" for today. Three hip-hop songs. I excluded all Beastie Boys songs, out of an unfair bias. Still, I had a hard time whittling down the list to just three. So, with all respect to Jay Z and Kanye West, who both JUST missed out with "Jesus Walks" & "Big Pimpin'" respectfully, here are my three.
"Peter Piper" - Run-DMC.
I practically wore out my Raising Hell cassette, not because of "Walk the Way," but because of this song. So much of the newer hip-hop owes respect to Jam Master Jay for sampling so many classics that show up in today's rap world: the bell, video games, and some fine scratching. Awesome!
"Can't Truss It" - Public Enemy
Truly one of the pioneering hip-hop groups. So powerful. Chuck D.'s vocals are so booming, intertwined with the playful interjections of Flavor Flav. Mix that with the live presentation of Professor Griff, and the mixing of Terminator X, and this group was the coolest around. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb listening to this, but you cannot go against greatness. Most people do not choose a song form their later catalog, but it's quality. The video was also a solid and striking one. I still get ticked when I see the baby, and it's the slave masters!
"My Mind's Playing Trick's on Me" - Geto Boys
In my mind, this is the greatest hip-hop song of all time. Gald to see it got soem respect form RS, coming in at #5. Scarface tells about how he is delusional and cannot handle his new day to day life. He was supposed to do all three verses, but then Bushwick Bill comes through with a gem. This group was so hardcore, that when Bill suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the eye, the boys met him at the hospital and posed for a photo that would later become the cover art for the album.
Maybe I'm pushing it a little too hard. But the new song from Bob Mould proves the ex-Husker Du and Sugar frontman is back at the top of his game. It's called "The Descent" and even my kids like the video.
I bought a new car today. So now I have cars. Plural. And that got me thinking about today's Three for the Road entry, about classic rock's favorite new wave band. The Cars came out of Boston in the late 70s and were pegged as part of the new wave, but with guitars AND synths they were acceptable to mainstream rock and today remain unique in their status as the only new wave band in the classic rock pantheon. And they were one of the first new bands I listened to as a kid and kind of got into -- you know, knowing the band members by name and instrument and all that. Definitely brings me back to my youth.
Needless to say, they've been an influence - albeit an understated one - on a lot of bands, and they've had a bunch of great songs. Here are my three:
1) "Let's Go" - I like the nightlife, baby. OK, this is an obvious choice for the leadoff spot, but too bad.
2) "It's All I Can Do" - The highlights for me are Greg Hawkes' synths over Benjamin Orr's chorus, and the great interplay between Hawkes and Elliot Easton's guitar solo.By the way, that's two-for-two off Candy-O.
3) "Moving in Stereo" - Let's give Hawkes his full due on this one -- he partially wrote the song, from the band's debut album. Not sure who gets credit for the great line "Life's the same, except for my shoes."
What's the last musical purchase you made? Yesterday, I picked up a used copy of the 1973 Krautrock classic Future Days by Can. It was $6.99 at Academy Records in New York. What a deal! And, like our recent posts about the Grateful Dead, Can's at heart a jam band. Check out the title track of Future Days.
For today, I tried to go with a band that has such a vast catalog that we wouldn't share a song. I had a very hard time picking the three songs to go with. Here is what I came up with (and I'm still debating #3 as I type.)
1. Jack Straw. Something tugs at my heartstrings as we learn of two forced outlaws where one has to kill the other just to be able to stay on the run. It is one of the few Dead songs that have Jerry and Bob trade the lead vocals. I still love the line "We use to play for silver, now we play for life." The slow start which picks up pace is the best opener to get moving.
2. Brown-Eyed Women. Another song that tells a story of a time and place of the American past, that sounds romantic. So much to like here. The band gets into a nice groove that allows Jerry to freestyle in between verses. It has a catchy chorus to sing along with and a nice, soft ending. A very underrated Dead song.
3. Box of Rain. A masterpiece. Written by Phil Lesh to his dying father. I melt with this song. So emotional. The harmonies following Phil's lead are just a thing of beauty. The sweeping slide guitar of Jerry, and the drum fills just make this, in my opinion one of the greatest songs of all time. I almost didn't go with this, for it's not truly a car song. I debated "U.S. Blues," "New Speedway Boogie," "Ramble on Rose," among so many other gems. Good luck!
