This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
Jeff Beck turns 76 this month and with his latest single he was able to defeat the lovely vocals of Ann Wilson. The battle the aging guitar icon won was over the John Lennon tune "Isolation" which ironically did not feature guitar.
Lennon related tunes have resulted in 25 percent of Beck's eight Grammy Awards. Age has been good for winning Grammys as he has won four of those in the last 11 years.
Jeff was joined by Johnny Depp who better known for his acting then his Rock and Roll. Jeff has hinted there might be more music coming from the duo. Johnny Depp has had a group featuring Alice Cooper and Aerosmith's Joe Perry called Hollywood Vampires. He has also recorded with Oasis.
Here is Hollywood Vampires with "The Boogieman Surprise"
Below Johnny plays with Paul McCartney...
Jeff Beck has played with singers such as Rod Stewart "People Get Ready"
Perhaps a good song for the times we are going through "Isolation" is my choice for this round of Battle of the Bands. The song is by John Lennon from his John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
I will now present two contenders. You vote on which version you like best in the comments. I count them up in a week or so. I announce the winner in a separate post.
Contender One: Ann Wilson
Contender Two: Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp
I hope you enjoyed! I look forward to your vote. Both covers are different from the original. Ann with her voice gives a female take in contrast to John. Jeff Beck covering a song that originally didn't feature guitar. Should be fun! I will be back soon.
Monday's Music Moves Me theme for December is Christmas and Holiday music all month long. I've been playing along and adding my own twists. My first one was about getting ready "Christmas Lights," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "First Noel." Next I went with Annoying, Band and Controversial. Now I am back with Rock and Roll. Turn it up and enjoy!
Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run"
Elvis Presley "Blue Christmas"
38 Special "Wild-Eyed Christmas Eve"
George Thorogood and The Destroyers "Rock-n-Roll Christmas"
John Lennon "Happy Xmas (The War is Over)
Queen "Thank Good It's Christmas"
Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoyed the songs!
Well my streak of shutouts ended on this last round of Battle of the Bands. Every vote counted and this battle was decided by the last vote. Elton John edged out Neil Young 4 to 3. The song was John Lennon's "Imagine."
Celebrating Elton's big win with "I'm Still Standing"
Well I am starting the quest to end the shutout streak or extended by picking a classic song. "Imagine" by John Lennon I am surprised I haven't used this one yet.
Contender One: Neil Young
Contender Two: Elton John
Two emotional live covers. Two great artists. You know the drill vote in the comments!
Well I am back on the Monday's Music Moves Me Christmas train this week...
I participate in another blog hop called Battle of the Bands on the 15th of the month, so with that coming up around the corner I thought it would be neat to post the songs that I have used for my Holiday battles here. If nothing else it will show me what songs I have already used.
Last year..
Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas"
In 2015 I used "Christmas Cookies" by George Strait
At that time we were doing Battles Twice a month so.."You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
In 2014 I used "Happy Xmas The War is Over" by John Lennon
I invite you to visit my blog on the 15th and see what song I use in my Battle of the Bands Christmas edition! Also a reminder I have a giveaway going on for a Christmas book through my Facebook page details are available here. I hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season!
35 years ago peace wasn't given a chance as four bullets penetrated the back of John Lennon. 10 minutes later Mr. Lennon was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
"Give Peace a Chance"
Thirty five years later there is no peace. Sometimes it is hard to "Imagine"..
I'm jumping right into the music with "Instant Karma." Today is the late great John Lennon's 75th birthday. A gifted musician and songwriter whose legacy was sealed with his work with the Beatles. Yet he continued to release several incredible songs as a solo artist.
This one is probably my favorite John Lennon song..
Might as well throw in some Beatles into the celebration. This one goes out to all the writers who read my blog..
Since it is his 75th Birthday I suppose I should include "Imagine"
What is your favorite post Beatles John Lennon song? Favorite Beatles song? Please feel free to join the celebration with your comments!
Did someone say "Birthday"?
Here is a solo gem.."Woman"...
I'll leave you with "Strawberry Fields Forever"
Well I'll be going out of town to a music festival, so I hope to post back soon. Thanks for visiting!
Today is World Peace Day. I read the question on Facebook "is the day still needed?" Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments. My answer is yes.
As sung by John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band..
Certainly we need Peace between countries, religious groups, and we need terrorists groups to dissolve. I spoke to a military veteran whose opinions I respected and he stated that "war is the failure diplomacy."
John Lennon "Imagine"...
Peace between other nations would be cool! However we need peace at home too.
We need peace from the senseless violence. We need to stop the shootings at churches, schools, movie theaters and our neighborhoods.
We need peace in our homes. (and homes for those without homes but that's another topic.) We need peace between neighbors. Peace between citizens and police.
Just look at the headlines and it is easy to see where we need peace.
Really "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding"...
Welcome to my Battle of the Bands number 11! This month I will be trying to keep it with a Holiday theme for the entire month.
Listen to the song clips in the blog post. In the comment section vote for the one you like the best. Feel free to explain why you voted the way you did. The battles take place on the first and 15th and winners will be announced on the 7th and 21st. I will normally post the winner in the comments. Of course have fun and enjoy! If you are still looking for more musical fun after you vote, you can check out these sites for more battles:
Original Song: John Lennon's Happy Xmas (The War is Over)
Christmas is just around the corner so this song is quite timely. Last time I used a legend in Chuck Berry and this time I picked another legend John Lennon.
Challenger One: The Corrs
Challenger Two: Sheryl Crow
I have seen both of The Corrs and Sheryl Crow open up for the Rolling Stones. Just a connection between the artists.
Vote in the comments! Happy Holidays! Next Battle of the Bands next year!
Yes John Lennon was in the Beatles, but his solo work is fantastic too.Above was his song "Beautiful Boy."
Today is John's birthday, he would have been 74 today. A Beatles song about 10 years off..
"Love" reflections on...
In the past I have paid tribute to John Lennon on his birthday and without looking I probably selected the typical top hits or popular songs. No excuses they are great! I just wanted to explore his greatness with some deeper songs.
Here is a treat "India":
Hope you enjoy! I will be back soon! Don't forget the next Battle of the Bands will be October 15!
I published a similar post last year to celebrate the late George Harrison's 7oth birthday. This year I felt it was appropriate to celebrate him again. 2014 has already seen the Beatles celebrated for their 50th anniversary of their first concert in the USA. George Harrison was a guitarist in the band who like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon went on to have a notable solo career. I'll try to mix up the videos this year to show something a bit different.
Here is a fan created version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" performed by The Beatles. Last year I posted a video of George playing it solo with some musical all stars.
Here is another great Beatle's song that really highlights George called "Here Comes the Sun"
Here is George playing a solo song from the late 80's "Got My Mind Set On You"
George talks about the Beatles break up
George Harrison maybe gone but he is not forgotten. We celebrate his birthday.
Today is Yoko Ono's birthday and turns 81. She is probably best known for being John Lennon's second wife. She is a musician, artist, mother, and activist. Some people blame her for The Beatles breakup. I think she should be remembered as the person John Lennon loved.
Above is Yoko's "Baddancer" a song she released last year at the age of 80.
Above is a clip and discussion about her performance art. Yoko Ono is still going strong at 81.
December 8 marks what would have been Jim Morrison's 70 birthday and today marks the anniversary of John Lennon's death. Both died early one by the excesses of being The Lizard King and one by a bullet. Both were great poets. That is where the comparison should end.Lennon had more musical talents, while Morrison was more The Shaman of Rock and Roll. Both left us with a great musical legacy.
Let the Celebration proceed..The Doors "Light My Fire"
Let's travel "Across the Universe" with John and The Beatles..
Jim's thoughts on the future of music was he right?
The Doors "Indian Summer"
John Lennon "Watching The Wheels Go By"
Thoughts on a reunion..
Another great song..
What do we do now "When The Music's Over"
"Celebration of the Lizard"
"Instant Kharma"
The songs could go on but I "Imagine" I will wrap this post up..
Perhaps George Harrison's solo career did not match that of his former Beatles band mates John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Maybe George doesn't grab attention like Ringo Starr. None the less, George Harrison did have a solid solo career despite his lack of touring. Harrison was also an important member of the Fab Four. Today marks 12 years since the guitarist passed away.
All things Must Pass including George..
Here is one great rythym guitarist talking about another. Keith Richards on George Harrison..
October 9 is a good day to be born if you want to be a rocker. I mean it worked for John Lennon, John Entwistle and Jackson Browne.I'll share some music, thoughts and memories.
I was probably robbed of my chance to see John Lennon when he was shot like a lot of people. The world was robbed of his future songs. Lennon was robbed of his future. We are fortunate as music fans that John Lennon created so many timeless songs with The Beatles and created some solo masterpieces as well.
It is hard to pick favorites, but this one is near the top of my list of his solo songs...
Of course everyone was posting tributes for John today and I found this incredible version of "In My Life" by Keb Mo, it is ear candy enjoy...
It is also John Entwistle's birthday. Entwistle was the bass player for The Who. I did get to see John perform with The Who and I did see the band on the same tour he died on, just a few shows later. Entwistle was able to part of a rhythm section that also included the legendary Keith Moon.
Here is a song John wrote for The Who...
Lastly it is Jackson Browne's birthday who might be running on empty but is still very much alive. I had the chance to review one of his concerts and you can read that review here.Below he performs "Take It Easy" at that show..
The Presidential Election is coming up in the United States and I have seen so much hate lately. If it isn't hate I have seen groups of people get offended. Heck, I have been offended by a lot of things I have seen. I was going to list the groups I have seen hate directed towards and groups that have been offended. However, I chickened out. I didn't want to offend anyone. I will say it goes beyond Republicans and Democrats. It also goes beyond sports rivalries.
Well today is John Lennon's 72nd Birthday. Yes he has been gone for almost 32 years but I think the timing is right to celebrate his life. Some of his words, songs, might just fit into our lives now.
The song "Imagine"
This one is one of my favorites if not my top John Lennon song.."Instant Karma"
There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving Peace a Chance...
If Instant Karma is not my favorite then this one is...
Happy Birthday John Lennon! Thanks for the songs and thanks for the break from the crazy world we live in. For a few minutes we can think about people in the world living together in harmony, shining on, giving peace a chance, all while watching the wheels go round.
Thirty years ago the world was robbed of incredible songwriter and musician when John Lennon was shot. We will never here the songs he would have written in the last 30 years. I might be biased but his solo work was the best from the former Beatles. He was the key songwriter with the Beatles along with Paul McCartney.
Perhaps it is selfish to complain of the music lost. Besides music, Yoko Ono was a robbed of her husband. Julian and Sean lost a father. The world lost a person who had the ways and means to change it. How, would the world have been different if John hadn't been shot.
Sadly we can't bring John Lennon back, we can't bring back the last 30 years. We can listen to the music of the Beatles and John's solo works. We can appreciate him for the musician he was. Yoko can remember him as the husband he was. Julian and Sean can remember him as the father he was. We can listen and the world will keep on spinning.
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