David Bowie: Starman

Artist, Hero, Starman...

David Bowie touched something in all of us and made us feel that it was okay to be different.  An oddball himself, he lead his life with dignity and grace and all on his own terms.  In a world where being different isn't always easy, Bowie shouted out his differences in the only way he knew how - with music.  And what glorious, wonderful music it is.

From Space Oddity to Golden Years to Under Pressure to This Is Not America his talent, passion and artistry shines through, every song unique just like he was.  And it's this uniqueness and inspiration that will live long in each and every one of us every time we hear one of his songs.

RIP David Bowie.  You are a Starman to us all.

Stalking the catalogue: The girl in the song

"Wake up Maggie
I think I've got something to say to you
It's late September and I really should be back in school..."
- Maggie May by Rod Stewart

This book! OH. This book. I'm not sure it adds any great meaning to anybody's life but my own, but it fills one of those feel-good boxes (that I do so enjoy ticking) with its quirk factor and trivia.

If I had to nail it down (by all means, let's), it'd be the fact that it appeals to my not-so-inner-quiz night-attending geek. My three favouritest ever, ever, ever songs inspired by women are, in order, Maggie May by Rod Stewart, Lola by The Kinks and My Sharona by The Knack.

I always knew why Stewart penned the lyrics to Maggie May: he lost his virginity (many, many, many years ago) with an unknown girl at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival in 1961.  As songs of regret go, it's a classic (in my mind).  Lola, by The Kinks, is a song my very open-minded dad liked to sing to me as a kid which, going by the rather oppressive environment he grew up in, is rather surprising.  The song itself is about a sexual experience with a transvestite.  I'm not sure who the song is really about - Rolling Stone had their own idea that it was Candy Darling - whether or it not it was isn't categorically stated in the book, but it makes for interesting reading, anyway.  And My Sharona, gosh as rock tracks go it is awesomeness personified.  As rock tracks inspired by dirty lustful intentions towards young girls not even out of their teens go, oh dear *pulls a face*  Did it put me off the book?  No way!  But I listen to My Sharona with a prejudiced ear, now.

If you're into music trivia this is well worth the read. I'd also recommend The boy in the song: the true stories behind 50 classic pop songs.

Title: The girl in the song : the true stories behind 50 rock classics
Authors: Michael Heatley & Frank Hopkinson
Published: Chicago Review Press, 2011

This month I am Loving...

Music.

It seems appropriate to carry on with the music theme this week since May is NZ Music Month.  I can't think of a better idea than a month that celebrates music in all it's wonderful glory.

I love music.  All kinds of music.  In fact I'm probably something of a music junkie.  And one of the things I love doing is discovering new songs to listen to and to share them with others.

So here's a random list of songs that I have been playing lately.  Many of which you may not of heard but which I hope you might like and maybe even become addicted to - just like I have.

Cut My Hair by Luca Vasta

It was Amazon that got me onto this song; listed as it was as one of the songs to watch out for in 2013 and Luca Vasta as an artist on the rise.  And I'm so glad I checked it out.  Its boppy and catchy and a perfect head banging dance song.  So click on the link below and see what you think

Haven't Had Enough by Marianas Trench

Another song that I have been playing on instant replay.  I found this band courtesy of Teen Wolf  and have fallen in love with this song and Stutter which I also recommend that you check out.
 

Magic by Leagues

Another break out band that many are predicting as one of the bands to watch out for in 2013 and their debut record You Belong Here as a must buy.  I have to say I agree and I've already got my copy.

Blowin' Smoke by Kacey Musgraves

I'm usually not much of a country music fan but for some reason this song appeals to me.  Maybe it's because it's not as country as some but has a nice laid back feel to it.

Hold On by Alabama Shakes

These guys (and girl) are just awesome and so deserved last year's Grammy nominations which they or the Lumineers should of won but we won't go into that.  All you need to know is that you have you check them out.

Bones by MS MR

I fell in love with this song earlier this year after hearing it on the Season 3 trailer for Game of Thrones.  It's moody and soulful and the amazing lyrics are made even more so by the lead singer's  voice.  Their debut album has just been released overseas but until then have a listen to the video link below and see what you think

Head Bangers Unite: Rock Music to Fuel Your Inner Rock God

I may be an 80's pop queen in my heart but my soul belongs to rock n roll. Hard rock, classic rock, blues rock, I'm there in all my head banging, foot tapping glory.

Of course it wasn't always that way.

In the late 70's and the early 80's I was a disco dancing pop queen. First with the Bee Gees and Abba,  then onto the likes of  Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Spandau Ballet and all the rest. Pop for me was it.  Then again I was only 10 so what did I know.

Secretly though rock music had an almost dangerous allure for me.

This was the music after all that the black t-shirt brigade listened to.  The bad boys who wore faded jeans, black t-shirt's (often with a band's logo on them), drove beat up cars and were the kind of guys your mother warned you about.  Mates who hanged around together drinking, smoking and listening to rock music while girlfriends came and went.

I admired them from afar until I became one of those girlfriends and my first love and I bonded over music. I introduced him to The Cure, The Clash and The Jam while he introduced me to AC/DC, Def Leppard and the ultimate rock legends - Led Zeppelin.

From the moment I heard the first few bars of Friends, The Immigrant Song and Kashmir I was hooked and my love of rock music has stayed with me ever since.  After all who can resist those moments when you can get in touch with your inner Rock God.

Led Zeppelin Head banging rock just wouldn't be the same without these guys.

They are the ultimate in rock gods and deservedly so.  My only regret is that I was too young to see them at their finest during the early 70's and that I had to make do to listening to their music on vinyl and admiring Jimmy Page on the posters on my wall.

Yeah that bad boy rock guitarist did it for me again.

Jethro Tull Aqualung is considered one of the best albums... ever.  It certainly is a must have album for any dire hard music fan and my own copy was frequently played when I brought it back in 1985.

An unlikely rock band Jethro Tull managed to combine rock, folk and even a touch of classical music to produce a unique sound that was all their own.

And all fronted by the amazing Ian Anderson and his flute.  Who knew that a flute could rock music the way it could.

Cheap Trick Not as well known here as they are in their native America Cheap Trick had the reputation for being one of the best rock bands to see live and their album Live at Budokan is considered another must have album for any music fan.

I discovered them courtesy of  American Top 40 which I listened to religiously every Sunday morning as a teenager.

Guns N' Roses Tattooed, drug taking, model dating hard rock gurus Guns N' Roses burst onto the music scene in 1987 with their album Appetite for Destruction and a rock legend was born.

Sadly 6 years later the magic was gone and the band fell apart but the legacy of their music lives on in such head banging classics as Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers One of my all time favourite bands Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers are my go to music for starting any road trip.

Their songs are the songs I can bop my head along to while singing loudly to the words.

American  heartland rock at it's best I'm just surprised that they've never played a song of theirs on my favourite show Supernatural.  Because they so need to.

This month I'm loving...

Well not the heat, that's for sure but even if the weather can sometimes be a bit much to handle there are plenty of things on offer at Auckland Libraries to take one's mind off it.

January is one of those lazy month's where we all ease ourselves slowly back into work after the madness of Christmas, eat bucket loads of cherries (well you do if you're me) and winter seems like a million days away.

For me there are always plenty of wonderful things coming across my desk.  At times it's hard to decide what to choose and what to start with first.

This month I've discovered new bands, new authors and indulged in a few fav's.  So what have you been enjoying this month?

The glorious dead / The Heavy.

I so love these guys but can't help wonder why I hadn't come across them before.  Still never mind, I've found them now and have been busy listening to all 3 of their cd's, courtesy of my bestest bud Youtube.

This, their latest album, is just brilliant.  It's bluesy and rocky and just a little bit indie with a touch of soul thrown in for good measure.

My favourite's are Same Ole' and What Makes A Good Man.

Best served cold / Joe Abercrombie.

"Monza Murcatto is one of the best mercenaries around but being the best can sometimes have a hefty price.  Only thing is Monza never thought that price would be her life..."

I've been meaning to read Joe Abercrombie for absolutely ages and I'm so glad that I finally did.

Bloody and violent and ruthless and that's just the female character, Murcatto could so kick Buffy's butt.

There's a lot to love. Betrayal and back-stabbing are so me. All I can say is... on with the sequel.

Pines : a novel / by Blake Crouch.

"FBI Ethan Burke wakes up near the town of Pines with virtually no memory of who he is.  Pines though is not the safe haven he would like it to be and there are things going on around him that make him wonder what exactly it is that the town is hiding."

The ending of this book will thrown you for a loop.  Trust me, you won't see it coming, or maybe you will and it was just me you went Oh My God.

Like the book above I'm now hanging out for the sequel.  Why do authors insist on teasing us so...

Wool / Hugh Howey.

"In a ruined and hostile landscape, a community exists in a giant underground silo. To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are allowed outside. Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last."

First published as an e-book Wool is now in print after the huge and I mean HUGE public demand.  Having recently read it myself, I can see why.

It's so good to see Sci-Fi books doing so well.  As with the others I am now waiting impatiently for the sequel Shift which is due this April and also for the film adaption, which rumour has it, Ridley Scott is interested in making.

Ghost planet / Sharon Lynn Fisher.

"Imagine an alien world where the alien's manifest themselves in the form of the dead.  What would it be like to be haunted by a loved one? Psychologist Elizabeth Cole is about to find out, only not in quite the way she'd imagined.  Living with a ghost should be relatively easy but what if you're the ghost..."

A book with a little bit of something for everyone, from romance to sci-fi to paranormal to adventure, Ghost Planet covers them all.  A genre mesh or should that be mess.  Either way it was enjoyable.

The essential Supernatural : on the road with Sam and Dean Winchester / Nicholas Knight

"Fill a flask with holy water and make sure your car is stocked with rock salt and shot guns, you're about to drive headfirst into the world of Sam and Dean Winchester, hunters of demons, ghouls, vampires, and all things supernatural."

Yeah, you just knew that I had to include something to do with Supernatural, but trust me, for fans of the show this book is a must.  Filled with glorious coloured photos, a history of the show and its characters plus interviews with the actors and behind-the-scenes-staff, this is the ultimate book.

In the words of the boys... Got salt?

Rock On Supernaturally

"Driver picks the music.  Shotgun shuts his cakehole."  Dean Winchester from Supernatural.

You just knew that I would get around to doing this eventually, a post dedicated to Supernatural or least one aspect of Supernatural. 

If you've read any of my previous posts then you know that I am a HUGE fan and one of the reasons (and there's alot of reasons...) is that it features some of the best classic rock music around. 

I have gotten almost every song from the show loaded onto my MP3 player.  From foot-tapping, head banging rock songs to power ballads to good old fashioned blues, it's all there.

Don't you just love shows like this.  Shows that have great music that you just have to have and listen to again and again.

With Supernatural, every fan (of course) has their favourites.  My current top 5 (in no particular order) are

• Thunderstuck by AC/DC
• Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
• Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
• Shambala by Three Dog Night
• Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull

Though if you were to ask me tomorrow this list would probably change, it's just so hard to pick just 5 as they are all so good. 

Strangely enough no one yet has thought to bring out an CD featuring music from the show.  I'm crossing my fingers that someday someone will.  After all if they can do soundtracks for Glee and Twilight surely a Supernatural soundtrack is a must.

Until that day comes why not try some of the following CD's to put you in that Supernaturally frame of mind and rock on.

Greatest hits / Journey

Never really that big here, in the US Journey along with lead singer Steve Perry were mega popular, despite the fact that they never had a No. 1 single.

Their popularity, even today, can be shown in the fact that Don't Stop Believin' was the greatest selling song in itunes history.

My personal favourite is Who's Crying Now

Iron Man 2 / AC/DC

Even though most of the band are nearing retirement age AC/DC are still considered one of the bands to see live. 

Hugely popular with rock fans around the world, their album Back in Black is the 2nd biggest selling album in music history, being beaten only by Michael Jackson's Thriller. 

Not bad for a group of Aussie boys.

Foreigner: the definitive collection

I've been a Foreigner fan for a long time and it's no wonder with such great rock songs as Juke Box Hero, Double Vision and Cold As Ice as part of their discography. 

Again like Journey they were never really that big here, yet in the US they had 9 songs that reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts.

The platinum collection / Deep Purple

Who hasn't heard of Smoke on the Water.

Considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time and a song that pretty much every wanna-be guitarist learns, this classic rock song is familiar to many, even those that aren't rock fans, which is pretty amazing for a song that never even got into the top 20 let alone the top 10 on the Billboard charts.

Rock of Ages: the definitive collection / Def Leppard

I mentioned my love of this band in my very first post which goes to show how much I enjoy their music.

Still performing and producing albums, they have lasted more than 30 years in the business, continuing on after the tragic death of their lead guitarist as well as surviving alcohol addiction and a drummer who had to adapt his drum kit so he could continue playing after he lost an arm in a car accident.

The essential Heart

Women can rock too and Heart have done this for almost 40 years.

The core of the band are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, Ann's the voice and Nancy the guitarist and together they have had 7 albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard charts and even had a No.1 hit song with These Dreams in 1985.

Music from the Sound FM

The Sound are one of the newest radio stations around.  

Dedicated to playing rock music from the 60's, 70's and 80's this compilation CD features such great rock songs as Don't Fear The Reaper by The Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Police by Cheap Trick and Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon.

Pure Hard Rock

Looking for some head banging rock?  Then look no further.  Pure Hard Rock is the CD for you.

Featuring classic rock and heavy metal songs by Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Ted Nugent and many more there is something here for every fan.

The greatest hits of mullet rock has never looked so good.

Double shot blues

Blues is the grand daddy of rock.  Pretty much every rock artist and band have gained their inspiration and style from blues music.

Its changed and adapted over the years but blues still rocks on and this CD has features the likes of Janis Joplin, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Robert Cray, The Allman Brothers and so many other great blues exponents.

If you've like some of the above you might also want to check out some (if not all) of the following bands: Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Bad Company, ZZ Top, Jethro Tull, Kansas, Styx. Joe Walsh, The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin.