sing a long

[a9127]

Probably my last post from Zionsville for a while. We are heading out early tomorrow. Going to travel around the USA and visit relatives. Will be pulling the “5th wheel” RV I posted a few weeks ago behind a Ford F-350 Diesel “dually.” It’s black of course. My wife wouldn’t let me airbrush “Slayer US Tour 2019” on the side.

Will check in now and then and post from various locations. Hope to see some more activity on this site. Maybe it will pick up in my absence?

Found this “heavy metal classic” after searching almost a lifetime. First heard it on the radio when I was about five. The song had already been around for a while. The band was called “Riot.” Looked them up. Now they’re called “Riot V.” Regarding the album cover, is that ila as a little kid? Didn’t know he formed a band when he was younger.

“Swords & Tequila.” Fuck yeah! Can’t get better than that. True story of how I found it: Was searching for songs from “Riot” by Paramore (you know, Hayley? ) and somehow this came up in my results. Saw the title and decided to listen. So after 30 years, at last I have found it! Pretty good hard rock song. Not the “extreme” metal stuff I typically listen to. Enjoy!

[a9127]

We are heading East on I-40. This interstate parallels the famous “Route 66” that was once the main highway in the United States. A “must stop at” place along the way is the Big Texan in Amarillo. They have great food and beer. Except for the rattlesnake. It’s tough and bony. The menu warns that if you complain, you will be brought a live one. And they are known for offering a free 72oz steak if you can finish it. They also have a place to park your RV.

“Hurra Torpedo” hails from Norway and first got attention back in 1995 doing covers of popular songs played on appliances accompanied only by a guitar. Probably their best known cover is “Total Eclipse of The Heart.”

People in Texas carry guns on their hips like they are in a “Clint Eastwood” movie. And our Ford F350 is right at home here.

(I got in trouble with my wife. Our waitress was hot and flirted with me--I'm sure she does that with everybody. I’m sleeping in the back of the RV tonight… )

[a9127]

It’s already August 2019. Soon 1970 will be 50 years ago. Trying to think of something big that happened that year. Did the Beatles break up? Seems like 1969 was more eventful. But this was the beginning of “the 70’s.” It took a while for everything to get going. Nixon was still the US president but would resign in 1974. Personal technology like calculators, digital watches, and early video games were beginning to enter daily life. And the moon landings continued into 1972. I think “Apollo 13” occurred in early 1970 (Note: Everyone my age believes “Tom Hanks” was the commander of that mission. Why is it the thing I remember most was his Corvette in the beginning of the movie? ). Seriously, Jim Lovell was commander and yes they brought the astronauts home alive. Amazing and true story and from what I’ve heard the movie was fairly accurate.

But I am getting “off topic.”

“Venus” by Shocking Blue reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 early that year. Watching the video, I think they almost have a “grunge” look. Long before it ever existed. Except of course for their singer Mariska Veres who is totally gorgeous (RIP 1947-2006)

Here are a few more pics of Mariska.

[a9127]

The rest of the 70's. God knows I can't criticize anybody else’s taste in music. I’m sure my own “heavier” tastes do not meet with much approval for example.

Even my wife “hates” most the stuff I listen to. She calls it that “shit you work out to.” And remarked one time that you “like that crazy, loud, heavy stuff, and the stuff your girls do…” What could I say? She was right as usual.

Anyway here is a link to a site that has conducted polls going back to the 1950’s to determine the “worst” songs of each decade. And 1974 “a very special year” Please do not take offense at the selections. I bet we all like something that is on one of these lists. Even a few “oldies” that I like are on there. Especially “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon. Can’t be. Can’t fuckin’ be… See Carly’s pic below.

Unfortunately the poll ends in the 90’s. Would love to see it continued through today. Or is it just that everything in the 2000's sucks? I don’t think so. There is still good music being made.

[a9127]

Wasn’t “nu-metal” awesome? No? I’m not sure there will ever be another era like this. And maybe that’s a good thing… From “Life” released November 6, 2001. “Die MF Die” was always on my “workout” and “pre-game” playlists.

Hell, I still listen to it sometimes when I lift. If Hayley Williams represents my “kinder, gentler, better” side this… umm… well…

The funny thing is when I read the “YouTube” comments there appeared to be few people my own age commenting. But I have always sort of felt if you are “over 19” you shouldn’t be on YouTube anyway. This song must have been “re-discovered” by the younger generation. I see a lot of references to Fortnite, Call of Duty, and other games. Shit I bet Minecraft players even listen to it.

Or else they are all in their 30’s like me and still think they are “18.” Do they have jobs? Own a home? Support families? Have friends? Ever been laid?

I admit I like this stuff but not everyone does. I was also always very careful about where and when I played it. At football practice or the gym but not in front of mom and dad.

Interesting to note that Billie Eilish wasn’t born yet when this song came out. My nieces favorite singer. She is the future of music, trust me on this.

[a9127]

Amy Lee

Long before Hayley Williams , Amy was my #1 celeb crush. Checked her birthday since I just had mine. An “older” woman (like a year). Went to see Evanescence with my “ex” in the early to mid 2000s. I’m sure it contributed to the breakup of our marriage.

(I absolutely refuse to get drawn into Paramore/Evanescence comparisons. Can’t you like them both? Also I’ve heard critics say she can’t sing as well live. Think that’s bullshit. She was awesome when we saw her. )

[a9127]

Amy Lee again.

Since I couldn’t make up my mind which one to post I posted both of them

[techno883]

Originally Posted by a9127

The rest of the 70's. God knows I can't criticize anybody else’s taste in music. I’m sure my own “heavier” tastes do not meet with much approval for example.

Even my wife “hates” most the stuff I listen to. She calls it that “shit you work out to.” And remarked one time that you “like that crazy, loud, heavy stuff, and the stuff your girls do…” What could I say? She was right as usual.

Anyway here is a link to a site that has conducted polls going back to the 1950’s to determine the “worst” songs of each decade. And 1974 “a very special year” Please do not take offense at the selections. I bet we all like something that is on one of these lists. Even a few “oldies” that I like are on there. Especially “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon. Can’t be. Can’t fuckin’ be… See Carly’s pic below.

Unfortunately the poll ends in the 90’s. Would love to see it continued through today. Or is it just that everything in the 2000's sucks? I don’t think so. There is still good music being made.

OMG, her smile is breath taking. Who is she? Any other pics available? LOL, never mind , I just read the rest of this post. Boy do I feel silly.

[a9127]

To Dauls. Wow. Thanks for sharing this. “Shocking Blue” really were ahead of their time. Definitely hear and see the early “grunge” in this. Although I doubt it was called that back then. Maybe “acid rock”? Did not know Nirvana covered this song. Or were around in 1988 either! I noticed he’s listed as “Kurdt” Cobain and I was about to say something about Dave Grohl’s drumming but their drummer is listed as “Chad Channing.”

To techno883. Here’s a few more pics of Carly Simon along with “You’re so Vain.” I think this is the original from 1972. That’s Mick Jagger singing backup. She was married to James Taylor at one time. My “ex” and I saw him years ago here in Indianapolis. She wanted to go. He performed a “blues” jam that was awesome. One of the few concerts I’ve been to that featured “good” music. And the crowd was well behaved.

[a9127]

“Tom Sawyer” was recorded in the winter of ’80-‘81 at Le Studio. A residential recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains near the town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada built in 1972 by recording engineer and producer André Perry, Nick Blagona and Yaël Brandeis.

The studio, where artists recorded and stayed, was the venue for many notable Canadian and international artists, including Rush, The Police, Bee Gees, Chicago, David Bowie and Cat Stevens. Perry described the facility as "The United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."

Renowned for its retreat-like location as well as its state-of-the-art equipment, according to Wikipedia, it was one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State Logic mixing deck and RADAR digital-recording equipment.

Perry sold the studio in 1988. In 2008 the studio had gone out of business, and as of 2015 the property was up for sale. On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.

Neil Peart (drums)

(Picture must be from the 1970’s. “All The World’s A Stage” tour maybe?)