What Are You Listening To Right Now? #25

I only think that the Beatles' original version, on the White Album, is better (& more punky) than what I listened to, of this cover. I think of it as a song in which Paul successfully emulated John's style.

Another example, from that same album, would be "Why Don't We Do it in the Road?" (even if that song was not involved with anyone's deaths, like the one you'd suggested). Here is just a 30-second clip:



Then again, I suppose, acting on this suggestion, could have led to some motor-vehicle related deaths.


There is also, on that eclectic album, this gem, from John himself:





I am not particularly knowledgeable about Punk, but this Beatle song, I've always liked, has what I would think of as a "punky" feel:


Unless ties or sweater vests, are a disqualifier?

 

One more hippy-punk, possible progenitor of modern Punk, once more, from the White Album, along with a couple of later covers of it.

 

You could have it all, my empire of dirt.

 

don't forget this disastrous Beatles' cover

 

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Witchy Woman by the Eagles. They quit playing this song after it became big hit. I wonder why.

 

Hilary objected?

 

Just wanted to share that I just turned on a music program called "Front & Center," often seen on public t.v. channels. The group they're showing in concert tonight, is fronted by ex- Tom Petty guitarist, Mike Campbell, and his band the Dirty Knobs, and from what I've seen so far, they are kicking ass!

 

Bonnie Raitt and David Lindley together again at the same time.

 

Van Morrison - Down to Joy

 

Since the name of the thread is What Are You Listening To, Right Now?, I am going to need to take a sharp turn, to answer that. For anyone who likes rhythmic vocals-- I know, not two words one usually sees combined-- you may be interested in this sacred chanting, which you can hear (and participate in) at any Hindu temple, worship service/ceremony. I would expect that lyric sheets would be available. The words, actually go back to Sanskrit writing, which is easier to figure out the pronunciation of, IMO, than is the case for some modern foreign languages. Below is just one chant rhythm, prolonged for 45 minutes, so you don't need listen to all of it, to get the feel, though a longer exposure may deepen your perception of it. The Indian rhythm differs from our Western ones, so it may take a little time, to feel the flow.

When I have chanted along, the temple only did a not more than 5 minute version, in this rhythm, but had numerous others, as well, similar to the various songs one finds, in a Christian Mass/service.
There is a distinct feel, however, to chanting along with a Hindu congregation-- it has a much greater power, than can be appreciated, just listening to this recording. In my mind, it is comparable to 5,000 year old Hip-hop-- except that it is "rapped" by a whole group of people, at once, that it feels very passionate, and, unlike most Hip-hop, the topic is religious in nature.

 

That last post was meant to set up my segue to a more recent song, of the Hip-hop variety. Though it's not a genre of which I am especially fond, it does have its worthwhile stuff. This song is by Kool G Rap, on his Giancana album. The instrumental part is just a short, looped phrase, which does help set the right mood, but it is the vocals (the rapping) which really gives this piece all its energy, and rhythmic groove.

Though the subject, like many raps, is about what a real Gangsta, he is, it has an authentic- feeling, and gritty immediacy. Since there are, just a few, "blue" lyrics, what I will do is remove the letter, "v" from my link, just before the first equal sign. To check it out, then, anyone only need copy it, and re-add that letter, so it will read: ...youtube.com/watch?v=2RwT4...

Here are just some of the lyrics, but you have to hear it, to get the true flavor. It passes to the end, very quickly-- believe me.



[Chorus]
It's nothing! Dudes'll talk like they killers
But they eyes can't disguise the fact--
they really fear us.
It's nothing! Them big rims on the truck?
That slim hoe that you pluck? That flossin'll
get you stuck, dude
It's nothing!
This ain't your ordinary rap--
It's extraordinary scrap: Cris'(tal). Pour the Henny back, like
It's nothing! (What's my name?) G Rap, Giancana
No throwbacks are fitted, we own rap and spit it, like
It's nothing!

[Rap]
Five star general ranked in the game; I don't respect y'all sergeants:
I wreck you varmints, eject them comments, and wet y'all garments.

I bank, sure as the flames from out them
Texas orange,
Keep fresh hoes in flesh and bondage,
collect and garnish;
This ain't a threat it's a promise: give you a hospital bed,
And a harness; reps get tarnished if you don't hit that deck--
For homage, and beg for your pardon;
G Rap: head of the squadron.

Kid be sent to alarmin'; you flipped and stepped out of margin;
You infuriated the Gods and the stars, and
The sky's 'bout to thunder-- you low-life come out, from under--
About to heat your winters, and drought your summers.

One right up on your fort-- forty-five Colt, buckin' the horse;
Give your body, your nuts, a divorce.
Dick in the dirt, you flip to the earth,
Check where the hit; tip, grippin' the shirt,
Get a flashback: flick to your birth.

It's war for you morons, we wave four arms
Draw with arms, more arms and more arms and more arms
G Rap Giancana that raw Don made my bones
When I was a young buck I played with chrome
Blaze Stallone, get your brains blown,
grazin' the dome
Get my stage on, the rage is on...


https://music.youtube.com/watch?=2RwT4102ELI&feature=share

See link directions, at top.

 

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One more Hip-hop tune, that might even appeal to some who think that there is no such thing as a good Rap song. I had hoped to be able to use a clean version of this one, but the lyrics that MTV deleted, were just ridiculous. In one line, for instance, they excised the word "dishes" from: "if my kids hungry, snatch the dishes out your kitchen." So I'll have to use the same method as I had, with Kool G Rap's "It's Nothing," for this song by Freeway (w/ Jay-Z), "What We Do." That is, I will remove from the link, the letter "v," which follows the "watch?" and precedes the "=ITSVEX..." You only need copy & paste it, reinsert the "v," then hit "Preview."


https://music.youtube.com/watch?=ITSVEXkuadk&feature=share

 

In 1971 The Carpenters released "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Superstar." I was 16 in '71 and I heard these songs played on the radio, but I had little appreciation for them, being into the rock n roll songs of the era. But now, I've gained a new appreciation for the incredible voice and talent of Karen Carpenter. I read that she was called "One take Karen" inside the industry because she could absolutely nail a recording on the first take. Her brother, Richard, also did a masterful job of arranging the instrumentals and back-up singers. But it's Karen's voice that just slays me. It was so beautiful. Many of The Carpenters' songs were light, happy songs. But I think this gifted voice was at its best when she sang songs that contained sadness or unrequited longing. Shame that we lost her at such a young age, only 32.

In this video she sings "Rainy Days and Mondays" and plays the drums at the same time.



"Superstar"

 

Now this is a real musical buffet, we've got going-- from Ravel, to the Eagles, and from Hip-hop to the Carpenters. To be able to post a video without forcing anyone to finish the operation on their own, as I did for two previous raps, I will switch to a Reggae tune here. Again, not something I regularly listen to, but this one, by Damien Marley, has a raw energy to it. This version, though, will probably be more to others' tastes, as it is a bit peppier, & less feral sounding-- but I still like it, this way.

Welcome to Jamrock

 

Not the greatest recording, but a kick ass tune! Who are you saying stopped playing it-- the Eagles, in concert? Really? That would be mystifying, to me.

 

Really good old-school Punk from Germany of the 1980's,
Razors: "Now I need the subway, looking for a flat"

Yes, their lyrics are English. I never heard appealing Punk lyrics in German language. Makes me sad ...

 

I listened to that song twice and still couldn't tell you what language they're singing it in. So much the better I guess.