Wednesday, April 21, 2010

"My City of Ruins" - Bruce Springsteen

Jon Stewart at the Kennedy Center
There are no words exceptional enough to describe the legend that is Bruce Springsteen. The best depiction I have ever heard of Springsteen was by Jon Stewart - who honored Bruce at the Kennedy Center Honors Gala Dinner in 2009.
"But that is not the power of Bruce Springsteen.  It is that whenever I see Bruce Springsteen do anything, he empties the tank.  Every time.  And the beautiful thing about this man is that he empties that tank for his family, he empties that tank for his art, he empties that tank for his audience, and he empties it for his country.  And we, on the receiving end of that beautiful gift, are ourselves rejuvenated, if not redeemed.  And I thank you."

Friday, April 16, 2010

"Brian Wilson" - The Barenaked Ladies

Many people are probably familiar with the song "Brian Wilson" by the The Barenaked Ladies, but few probably know the orgin behind it. The song chronicles the infamous breakdown of The Beach Boy's legend - Brian Wilson.

Brian Wilson with Eugene Landy
In the early 1970's the The Beach Boy's lead singer/song-writer, Brian Wilson, had relinquished much of the creative control and input he had with the band. He spent 3 years sitting in his bedroom over-eating, taking drugs and sleeping. By 1975 Wilson's wife hired a controversial therapist - Eugene Landy to help Wilson.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

"Already Over Me" - The Rolling Stones

Giddiyup
Strippers.  Now that I have your attention.. Strippers are dirty -yes,  but there is something about them that clearly appeals to people.  A beautiful (sometimes) person wearing next to nothing, gyrating and sliding their body all over the stage.  You have to give them credit though - it's not as easy as it looks.  It takes alot of confidence, coordination and skill to twist your body around that pole and dance naked in front of a crowd of strangers.  I think most people have a stripper fantasy.  I also think most people have probably performed a strip tease.  "Already Over Me" by the Rolling Stones is a perfect strip tease song.  The low purr of the guitar and super chill beat evokes images of night, smoky rooms and sex.