Two For Tuesday Playlist
Our very first Two For Tuesday Playlist is a great one. We categorized this type of music as "Old Soft Rock". Most of the songs come from either the 60's or 70's. I was tempted to call it folk music, but we decided that Old Soft Rock, fit their description better.
Earlier today, I announced the introduction of this new feature. If you haven't read it yet, just CLICK HERE! We put together a list of 5 artists and chose one well known song and one song that most people haven't heard of. This is a great opportunity to learn more about some of these artists that are very well known. The artists we included today include Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor.
Please let us know if you LIKE this new feature! We are very glad that you are all happy about our return!
Paul Simon
1. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
2. Duncan
Van Morrison
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)
Neil Young
5. Heart of Gold
6. Runaround Babe [Previously Unreleased]
Bob Dylan
7. The Times They Are A-Changin'
8. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
James Taylor
9. Fire and Rain
10. The Promised Land
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Billy Joel - "The Stranger" (1977)
The Stranger was Billy Joel's fifth studio album, released in the fall of 1977. This served as Billy Joel's breakout performance. This album spent six weeks at number two on the album charts in the United States. His previous four albums were fairly successful as well, releasing classic albums such as Piano Man. The lead single off of that album, released in 1973, was called "Piano Man", and is often considered one of the most famous songs of all time. This collection of songs creates one of Joel's most memorable albums. There is not another Billy Joel album that is as consistently listenable as The Stranger. It is another one of my personal favorites, and I hope this article inspires you to give it a listen!
1. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) [9/10]
The Stranger starts off as good as any album could. "Movin' Out" tells the story of a boy who is "working too hard" at his low-end job. He tells of his disapproval of how people try to make a living in the United States. It is about how all anyone cares about is "trading in a Chevy for a Cadillac"and that that is the most important thing in the perspective of many immigrants as well. Billy Joel has said that "Anthony" is not a real person but rather "every Irish, Polish, and Italian kid trying to make a living in the U.S." This song does a great job at showing off the way Billy Joel can tell a story. He narrates htis song very well.
2. The Stranger (8/10)
The title track demonstrates Joel's ability to be a great rock and roll singer. The song starts with a short intro period of Billy whistling and playing the piano softly. This quickly progresses into a thrilling guitar riff that is constant throughout the majority of the song. This is a song that has the ability to get stuck in your head and drive you crazy for days. The whistling and piano return at the end of the song as the album gets ready switch moods, with "Just The Way You Are" up next. This instrumental piece also serves as a two minute reprise at the end of the album.
3. Just The Way You Are (10/10)
If you haven't heard "Just The Way You Are" yet, go listen to it right now. It was the most successful single off of The Stranger and was a milestone track for Joel. This was his first top ten song in the United States, his first Gold single in the United States, his first top 20 single in the United Kingdom, and it won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards. Billy wrote this song for his first wife, and he did not like it. His band did not like it either and it was not originally supposed to be on the album. But with a little convincing from his other peers, he added it to the final cut. It is one of the most popular love songs of all time and is one of the highlights of this album filled with hits.
4. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (9/10)
While "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" was never released as a single off of The Stranger, it is one of the most popular Billy Joel songs amongst his fans. It is the longest Billy Joel song, coming in at 7 minutes and 37 seconds. It is an assortment of three separate chapters. The first is a gentle piano ballad. This morphs into an upbeat jazz song, highlighted by a classic saxophone solo by a band member. The final piece is a rock and roll driven rock song commonly referred to as "The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie". The original write-up of this song was only this last part, and was going to be called "The Ballad of Brenda and Eddie".
5. Vienna (7/10)
According to Billy Joel himself, "Vienna" is a song about the rest of your life. He uses Vienna, Austria as the metaphor in this song because of a personal experience he had while visiting his father there. It is a beautiful song with a lot of meaning behind it. You have to listen to it for yourself because everyone will get something different from it. Joel has also said that this is one of his favorite songs. I wouldn't put it at the top of my list when it comes to his songs, but it is a classy song.
6. Only The Good Die Young (10/10)
"Only The Good Die Young" was the first Billy Joel song I ever heard. I remember this moment vividly because it was an eye-opening experience for the way I looked at music. At that time, I didn't listen to music the way I do today. It was the first time I ever heard a song that I really loved to listen to. That was many years ago, but listening to it now gives me the same feeling. This song was controversial for its time, due to its risqué lyrics. It is a fun and cheerful song that you will definitely get hooked on.
7. She's Always A Woman (7.5/10)
This is another love song, similar to "Just The Way You Are". However, this single was not nearly as successful as the former. "She's Always A Woman" peaked at number 17 on the US charts. It's about a woman he falls in love with, and how he even loves her flaws. It is a soft piece highlighted by Joel's magnificent piano playing. For any reader that is a serious musician, here's a fun little piece of information. This song is played in three very obscure time signatures: 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8. Another interesting fact is that a version of this song was playing in the World Trade Center as it was destroyed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
8. Get It Right The First Time (6/10)
I found this song to be forgettable. It is a light rock and roll song that just doesn't match up with some of the other powerful songs on this album. For me, it was the album's low point. With so many great singles on one album, there has to be one that doesn't fit well. Don't get me wrong, it helps make the album what it is, but as an individual song, it isn't the best. The song begins by fading in to a cool drumbeat. The addition of a flutist is something you don't usually find in a Billy Joel song. It is definitely not the worst song he has ever done, but on this giant album, it just doesn't stack up.
9. Everybody Has A Dream (7/10)
The final track on this album is another average one. Its not in the same league as "Only The Good Die Young" or "Just The Way You Are" or even "Movin' Out". However, it's a great song to end the album, as it completely sums up the mood of the album. It has moments where it is mellow and parts where it is quick and happy. It all comes together in the end when the song goes back to the haunting whistling and piano playing from "The Stranger" returns. It sounds like something you would here in a Quentin Tarantino movie. This time it lasts almost two minutes as the album comes to an end.
The Stranger is one of the greatest Billy Joel albums, and possibly one of the best albums of all time. If you are just beginning to listen to him, this is the perfect album to start with. The way this record was put together, my highest recommendation would be to listen to the album from start to finish. Don't just skip to the ones you hear on the radio often. Take the time to listen to it all. The Stranger is such a great album, there are really no words that will do it the justice it deserves. The best thing for you to do is go and listen to it for yourself. While he has had many great albums in his day, I believe that this record represents Billy Joel at his best.
Here's a short clip of Billy Joel talking about recording the album, The Stranger!:
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John Coltrane - "A Love Supreme" (1964)
Last night, I asked you all to pick the album we review today. Our ONLY response was a suggestion to review "A Love Supreme" by John Coltrane. When I saw this, I was very excited because this happens to be my all time favorite jazz record. The only problem I saw in reviewing it was that it was cut to just 4 tracks. This may cause a bit of an issue when using our unique format of reviewing albums by individual songs. But here at Taking Notes, the reader comes first, and we decided to give it a try. It definitely won't be our longest review, but we hope you enjoy it anyway.
A Love Supreme is an album recorded by the John Coltrane quartet towards the end of 1964. Most critics look at this as one of his greatest works. This is said to be because of his use of both hard bop and free jazz styles. The record was split up into four separate parts called "Acknowledgement", "Resolution", "Pursuance", and "Psalm". The parts blend together so well, the average listener would say that there is hardly any difference at all between the four parts. The original album released in 1964 actually only had three parts, combining "Pursuance" and "Psalm" to create one song lasting 17 minutes and 53 seconds! This is simply a case of quality over quantity. The 4 parts combined are leave the album with a total length of just 33 minutes, which is short for a regular CD. Even in such little time, Coltrane was able to produce one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. A Love Supreme comes in at number 47 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. This also happens to be Coltrane's first album since he gave up his addiction to heroin. This adds to the experience that he describes as "a spiritual journey."
1. Acknowledgement (9/10)
The first song opens the suite with the loud bang of a gong. I think of this as the back-bone of the album. John Coltrane is such an incredible musician, I find it hard not to enjoy his music. His ferocious solos make for an unbelievable opening to an unbelievable album. The opening to this song is its best characteristic. The dramatic opening acts like the intense formation of the album. Towards the end of the first part, which comes in at 7 minutes and 43 seconds, there is a background group of vocalists that take part in chanting "A Love Supreme." I find that the hypnotic nature of this song is reminiscent of Coltrane's albums with Atlantic Recording Studios.
2. Resolution (9/10)
Again with this song, the best part is the beginning. The first twenty seconds consists of the bassist playing a very quiet series of notes. At about the 23 second mark, the rest of the quartet bursts into action loudly. This actually startles me almost every time I listen to this record. The pianist especially has some great moments in this track. He provides a beautiful solo of chords about three minutes into the song. The hard bop style of the second movement is a stunning way to show off the incredible talent that is in the John Coltrane Quartet.
3. Pursuance (10/10)
I forgot to mention earlier that the version of A Love Supreme that I have does not separate Pursuance and Psalms. I can't differentiate the two on my version, but I will do my best to identify them correctly. The third part, Pursuance, is highlighted by incredible solos from both John Coltrane and his drummer, Elvin Jones. This is the longest track on the album and it comes in at an awesome 10 minutes and 43 seconds. As the song progresses, each member takes his turn at soloing for a few minutes. It is the drum solo that opens Pursuance. As odd as this sounds, Jones' drum solo reminds me of a really mellow version of John Bonham's drum solo on Led Zeppelin's live album, The Song Remains The Same. I know, it's a really bizarre comparison. Coltrane continues to amaze his audience, and the bassist, Jimmy Garrison ends the third piece with a mesmerizing bass solo that perfectly merges the third and fourth portions.
4. Psalms (10/10)
The final piece of this puzzle is the slowest and most dramatic song of the four. The beauty of this piece is absolutely astonishing. The performers surrounding Coltrane all play in a lower register that emphasizes the sadness and drama of this song. This song reflects John Coltrane's free and lyrical style as opposed to the hard bop style on the first tracks. It feels almost like Coltrane is speaking to the listener through his instrument. As I mentioned before, Trane called this album "a spiritual journey." As the album moves from one piece to the next, you can hear and feel the different stages in the "journey." This final part is the ultimate enlightenment, he has completed his journey and is one with the Lord. It is a tremendously beautiful song.
With only four songs, A Love Supreme comes in with an overall length of just over 30 minutes. This is really the perfect length. I think if it was any longer than what it is, there is a possibility that listening to it would become tedious. It seems almost impossible to imagine a jazz collection that does not include this masterpiece. It is the record that I play before I go to bed every night and it's hard for me to imagine going to sleep without it! It is the ideal jazz album and deserves a spot in any music listener's collection.
By the way, we are really trying to encourage your involvement, as the reader. If you have any suggestions for the site, or an album you want to see reviewed, just leave your comments in the section below. Thanks!
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The Rolling Stones - "Let It Bleed" (1969)
Let It Bleed is the tenth studio album released by the Rolling Stones in America. Due to some differences in some release differences in their home country of England, it is the eighth album that was released in England. It was released in December of 1969. This was the final album to feature band member, Brian Jones. He was a founding member of the band and played a wide variety of instruments. He died in July of 1969; his death was reported as "death by misadventure." His death was a tragic loss for all of the music industry, and has been the topic of many theories of conspiracy. This album features some of The Rolling Stones' most famous songs, including "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want." When discussing the success of The Rolling Stones, this is an album that is sure to be brought up.
1) Gimme Shelter (10/10)
This is possibly the best Rolling Stones song ever. When it was released, it also had great emotional appeal, due to the suffering everyone was feeling because of the Vietnam War. One of the greatest parts of the song is when Merry Clayton in the background. She is the standout female voice that sings the powerful lines including "War, Children, it's just a shot away." Her exceptional performance along with the band's stellar job creates one of the best songs in rock and roll history.
2) Love In Vain (9/10)
What comes as a shock to most people is that this song is actually a cover of a blues song from 1937 by Robert Johnson. It is surprising because it seems to fit the Stones' style perfectly. There is a big difference in the arrangements for both versions however. The Rolling Stones added a few new chords here and there and the song had a unique country tone to it. The lyrics are very poignant and their new arrangement made that even more evident.
3) Country Honk (7/10)
This is actually just a country version of the much more famous, "Honky Tonk Women." The version on this album is the original version of the song. They wrote and intended the song to sound the way it does on Let It Bleed. However, a more modern version was created to become a single. I personally prefer "Honky Tonk Women," but "Country Honk" has a very distinct ring to it.
4) Live With Me (8/10)
This song really shows off their influences and their own original characteristics. The song has a definitive blues backbone, along with a number of other traits that only the Rolling Stones could successfully use. A couple of minutes into the song, there is a wonderful saxophone solo. The lyrics may be a joke about the way Jagger is looked at by the public. Lines like "I got nasty habits, I take tea at three," give me this impression.
5) Let It Bleed (9/10)
This is a fun song that allows Mick Jagger to really show off his personality. Its loud and rambunctious attitude is at a level only The Rolling Stones can reach, and it is amazing. Everything just comes together in a way that is somewhat stupefying. In order to understand what I am trying to say, you really have to just listen to it. You can listen to it on YouTube by clicking here.
6) Midnight Rambler (9/10)
This is another song that is filled with the blues. This is a result of the constant harmonica jamming in the background. This song mostly shows off how talented Mick Jagger really is. It has been said that this song is actually about The Boston Strangler, who murdered many women in the early 1960s. If you read the lyrics, the resemblance between the "Midnight Rambler" and The Boston Strangler is very obvious.
7) You Got The Silver (7/10)
This is the first time that Keith Richards held the role of the lead vocalist on a song by the Stones. Both Jagger and Richards recorded a version of the song, but the band eventually decided on Richards' version. This is partly because it is Keith's own compositions. It is also the last song to ever feature Brian Jones, who plays the autoharp on this song. This is a song with intentions of pure entertainment.
8) Monkey Man (8/10)
2) Love In Vain (9/10)
What comes as a shock to most people is that this song is actually a cover of a blues song from 1937 by Robert Johnson. It is surprising because it seems to fit the Stones' style perfectly. There is a big difference in the arrangements for both versions however. The Rolling Stones added a few new chords here and there and the song had a unique country tone to it. The lyrics are very poignant and their new arrangement made that even more evident.
3) Country Honk (7/10)
This is actually just a country version of the much more famous, "Honky Tonk Women." The version on this album is the original version of the song. They wrote and intended the song to sound the way it does on Let It Bleed. However, a more modern version was created to become a single. I personally prefer "Honky Tonk Women," but "Country Honk" has a very distinct ring to it.
4) Live With Me (8/10)
This song really shows off their influences and their own original characteristics. The song has a definitive blues backbone, along with a number of other traits that only the Rolling Stones could successfully use. A couple of minutes into the song, there is a wonderful saxophone solo. The lyrics may be a joke about the way Jagger is looked at by the public. Lines like "I got nasty habits, I take tea at three," give me this impression.
5) Let It Bleed (9/10)
This is a fun song that allows Mick Jagger to really show off his personality. Its loud and rambunctious attitude is at a level only The Rolling Stones can reach, and it is amazing. Everything just comes together in a way that is somewhat stupefying. In order to understand what I am trying to say, you really have to just listen to it. You can listen to it on YouTube by clicking here.
6) Midnight Rambler (9/10)
This is another song that is filled with the blues. This is a result of the constant harmonica jamming in the background. This song mostly shows off how talented Mick Jagger really is. It has been said that this song is actually about The Boston Strangler, who murdered many women in the early 1960s. If you read the lyrics, the resemblance between the "Midnight Rambler" and The Boston Strangler is very obvious.
7) You Got The Silver (7/10)
This is the first time that Keith Richards held the role of the lead vocalist on a song by the Stones. Both Jagger and Richards recorded a version of the song, but the band eventually decided on Richards' version. This is partly because it is Keith's own compositions. It is also the last song to ever feature Brian Jones, who plays the autoharp on this song. This is a song with intentions of pure entertainment.
8) Monkey Man (8/10)
This song has an awesome guitar part played by Keith Richards. It's not that it is such a complex part; the simplicity of it is what makes it so thrilling. Mick Jagger also sings some very strange lyrics, including "Yes, I'm a sack of broken eggs, I always have an unmade bed, Don't you?" Nevertheless, it is a great addition to this outstanding album.
9) You Can't Always Get What You Want (11/10)
Words can't really describe how great this song is, but I'll do my best to give it proper justice. It represents the 1960s generation in a really smart way. The three major themes of the sixties were drugs, love, and politics. The first part of the lyrics is about love, the second part is about politics, and the last is about drugs. This is all on top of the band playing a song that has a groove to it that is hard to match. They even featured a the London Bach Choir and an orchestra on the song. Mick Jagger said "The orchestra was not just to cover everything up. It was something extra. The Stones were working on this song since they were working on their last album, Beggars Banquet. And yes, "it goes to eleven!"
I hope you are all inspired to go and listen to Let It Bleed now. I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. It was an album that helped define a generation, and end it. It was the last Rolling Stones album of the 1960s. Rolling Stone Magazine rated Let It Bleed as the 32nd best album of all time. From the lethal guitar on "Monkey Man" to the ferocious blues on "Midnight Rambler" to the incredible symbolism on "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," this is the best album by The Rolling Stones.
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Van Morrison - "Moondance" (1970)
Moondance was Van Morrison's third studio album and was released in February of 1970. The style of this album was so unique during its time. It blended jazz with soul and soft rock, creating a truly intimate experience. This has been widely considered to be Van Morrison's most famous albums. This album has been critically acclaimed since its release and it continues to please listeners to this day. It is one of my favorite albums of all time; and the title track is one of my favorite songs of all time. Van Morrison is intensely articulate with this work of art, creating a one of a kind experience that is hard to top.
1) And It Stoned Me (9/10)
In these older albums, the artist could tell a story and express themselves through the music. In this opening track, Van Morrison told the story of a day in the life of a young freedom seeker. This could very well be an account of an actual experience he took part in. The soft rock and roll backing up his distinct vocals makes this one of the best songs on the record. Somehow, this song is both relaxing and exhilarating at the same time.
2) Moondance (10/10)
This is one of the standout songs off of this album. It is probably the most famous song from it. This also consists of soft background noise surrounding Van Morrison's voice. It is a jazzy, romantic song that brings out the best in his music. The soothing nature of this song does not take away from the passion in Moondance's lyrics.
3) Crazy Love (8.5/10)
Van Morrison sings so softly during this song, it is close to a whisper. This creates a feeling of powerful intimacy that is not matched on the entire album. The album starts with a few quiet songs that focus on his wonderfully unique voice. The group of back up singers add to the suspense of this classic love song.
4) Caravan (9/10)
The music and lyrics to this song look so simple on paper. Nevertheless, Van Morrison throws his personality into it and creates a very intricate piece of music that touches the soul. The way this song was put together is genius. The way the band fades in and out somehow allows Van to communicate his emotions.
5) Into The Mystic (10/10)
This song basically sums up the entire message behind Moondance. The way Morrison sings this song makes the listener feel like he is directing his words to one specific person, not millions of fans. It is a beautiful representation of romance because of its traditional structure. The lyrics are wonderful, but they can be interpreted differently by any listener. The lyrics are beautiful, the song is beautiful, and this is the best song off a great album.
6) Come Running (8/10)
Van Morrison described this song as a "happy-go-lucky" song. That is exactly what it is. The song comes in at a fairly short 2 minutes and 33 seconds. This does not leave Morrison enough time to completely express himself as he did in the past 5 tracks. However, it's a fun song to listen to, and begins the transition into the more light-hearted second half of the album.
7) These Dreams Of You (7.5/10)
After a couple of minutes, the repetitive style of this song began to get a bit boring. Don't get me wrong, it's a great song. However, it is definitely not the best song on the LP. The lyrics consist of the telling of what are apparently dreams Van Morrison has had. A pretty saxophone solo makes this a good one, but it can't be compared to the genius of songs like "Into the Mystic."
8) Brand New Day (8/10)
"Brand New Day" is a very down to earth song that is very fervent. The amount of capability this song offers is beyond that of most of the songs I have ever listened to. It leaves a lot to the listener to put things together and completely absorb the magnitude of this song. The only negative thing about this song is that it leaves you wanting more. It shows off the broad spectrum of talent Van Morrison has to offer.
9) Everyone (7/10)
10) Glad Tidings (8/10)
This is the perfect song to end this album. The upbeat tempo rolls along as Van Morrison's signature horn section plays in the background. It's the fun kind of ending that makes you want to listen to the entire thing all over again. While it is not the best song on the record, it is the best song to end the album.
In my opinion, Moondance is Van Morrison's best album, and the most defining release in his career. Every song is a masterpiece in its own way, and that is what makes the album come together and become such a breath-taking piece of art. Moondance was such an innovative album for its time. It combined a unique style of jazz, with the popular genre of rock and roll to create one of the best albums of all time. Even Rolling Stone rated it as number 66 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. I believe that this album represents the peak in, not only Van Morrison's career, but in the entire genre of European soul music.
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ReplyDeleteVery Cool...I thought I new every Neil Young song out there but never heard Runaround Babe...Nice...
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