Music, Life and The Band...

Have American Music exam at 9.30am. Bastards. Have decided to stay up rather than go to sleep for a couple of hours. Am meant to be, um... revising anyway. Haven't done any yet as such. I'm not sure whether to panic or not, you know. You want me to talk about genres and artists and songs? I can do that. Want me to namedrop books? More of a problem really. I have read a lot of the stuff (OK, some of the stuff) but it didn't stay in my head. I'm sorry if I have opinions of my own based more on music itself than someone else's opinion. Don't really know where to begin aside from reading me old notes, checking out some of the Levine book and listening to the tapes Music Nick made us. Well, I'm sure I'll either do fabulously or crash and burn. Either way, by the end of this week,

Have finally got around to watching The Last Waltz DVD. It's revision, honest! The Band are v.v.v. cool. Also, it's possible though not definite that their version with Ronnie Hawkins of 'Who Do You Love?' actually rocks more than the live Doors version. Haven't decided yet. Some of the film's interview stuff really reminds me of the bits like it in Almost Famous. As do many of the beards.

Some thoughts:

> Marty Scorsese, baby!
> Neil Young is boring. Nearly sent me to sleep. How did he become the Idol of the Grunge Generation? Honestly. Thin, reedy voice, too. Even Joni singing background can't disguise it.
> Robbie Robertson is a cool bloke. Goes on a bit, but still very cool. Has a bit of the Jeff Bebe about him (see Almost Famous) but v. cool.
> Dr. John looks very, very odd as a younger man. Was freaked out by sparkly jacket.
> I don't care if he's playing with The Band, I still think Neil Diamond is a dick.
> Doesn't matter what she sings, Joni is always good.
> The Band do 'Mystery Train' waaay better than either Little Junior Parker or that Elvis dude. Me digging the bass line.
> Muddy Waters. Nuff said.
> Eric Clapton. Nuff said. Except this: Eric Clapton. It's how the guitar was meant to be played. Oh, and I must have the velvet coat he's wearing in the Last Waltz.
> What is with all the fecking beards? Was there a razor embargo? Did barber costs skyrocket?
>VAN MORRISON! Van Morrison in a spangly jacket/shirt thing, but Van The Man nonetheless. God, I love this film.
> Bobby Dylan in a cream fedora. Sigh. The man is a god. Sigh. Bob, Eric, Van and the Band. Although, even Bob is beardy. I don't get it! All I need now is for a Beatle to turn up....
> Right on cue Richie! Ringo Starr, sigh.
> I loooove those grand finales when everyone comes out on stage. Live Aid was a bit shit musically, but this.... Dylan, The Band, Ringo, Ron Wood, Van, Emmylou, Joni, Dr. John, Eric etc. singing I Shall Be Released. I think I've died and gone to Heaven. It's *sob* practically perfect.
> Man, even the end credits are fantastic! Complete with trademark Scorsese long single shot.

Question: If The Band are Canadian, how come they represent American music? I really should have read more of Mystery Train. I'm getting the whole country-rock thing, but is that it? A part of me really hates this class. It's tried very hard to suck all the fun out of music.

I want to be rock musician. Better get back to that guitar. Am getting better. I've almost got Soul Kitchen, with its three whole chords, seamless. Almost.

Also: discovered that the Danny Boy lyrics were written by an Englishman. Always thought it was an American. Also, the melody itself might not be as old as we all think it is. It's also got two names: Londonderry Air or Air from County Derry depending on how offensive you find the 'London' to be in Londonderry. Long story, my friends.

Oh! I'm totally late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jade!

Music, Life and The Band...

Have American Music exam at 9.30am. Bastards. Have decided to stay up rather than go to sleep for a couple of hours. Am meant to be, um... revising anyway. Haven't done any yet as such. I'm not sure whether to panic or not, you know. You want me to talk about genres and artists and songs? I can do that. Want me to namedrop books? More of a problem really. I have read a lot of the stuff (OK, some of the stuff) but it didn't stay in my head. I'm sorry if I have opinions of my own based more on music itself than someone else's opinion. Don't really know where to begin aside from reading me old notes, checking out some of the Levine book and listening to the tapes Music Nick made us. Well, I'm sure I'll either do fabulously or crash and burn. Either way, by the end of this week,

Have finally got around to watching The Last Waltz DVD. It's revision, honest! The Band are v.v.v. cool. Also, it's possible though not definite that their version with Ronnie Hawkins of 'Who Do You Love?' actually rocks more than the live Doors version. Haven't decided yet. Some of the film's interview stuff really reminds me of the bits like it in Almost Famous. As do many of the beards.

Some thoughts:

> Marty Scorsese, baby!
> Neil Young is boring. Nearly sent me to sleep. How did he become the Idol of the Grunge Generation? Honestly. Thin, reedy voice, too. Even Joni singing background can't disguise it.
> Robbie Robertson is a cool bloke. Goes on a bit, but still very cool. Has a bit of the Jeff Bebe about him (see Almost Famous) but v. cool.
> Dr. John looks very, very odd as a younger man. Was freaked out by sparkly jacket.
> I don't care if he's playing with The Band, I still think Neil Diamond is a dick.
> Doesn't matter what she sings, Joni is always good.
> The Band do 'Mystery Train' waaay better than either Little Junior Parker or that Elvis dude. Me digging the bass line.
> Muddy Waters. Nuff said.
> Eric Clapton. Nuff said. Except this: Eric Clapton. It's how the guitar was meant to be played. Oh, and I must have the velvet coat he's wearing in the Last Waltz.
> What is with all the fecking beards? Was there a razor embargo? Did barber costs skyrocket?
>VAN MORRISON! Van Morrison in a spangly jacket/shirt thing, but Van The Man nonetheless. God, I love this film.
> Bobby Dylan in a cream fedora. Sigh. The man is a god. Sigh. Bob, Eric, Van and the Band. Although, even Bob is beardy. I don't get it! All I need now is for a Beatle to turn up....
> Right on cue Richie! Ringo Starr, sigh.
> I loooove those grand finales when everyone comes out on stage. Live Aid was a bit shit musically, but this.... Dylan, The Band, Ringo, Ron Wood, Van, Emmylou, Joni, Dr. John, Eric etc. singing I Shall Be Released. I think I've died and gone to Heaven. It's *sob* practically perfect.
> Man, even the end credits are fantastic! Complete with trademark Scorsese long single shot.

Question: If The Band are Canadian, how come they represent American music? I really should have read more of Mystery Train. I'm getting the whole country-rock thing, but is that it? A part of me really hates this class. It's tried very hard to suck all the fun out of music.

I want to be rock musician. Better get back to that guitar. Am getting better. I've almost got Soul Kitchen, with its three whole chords, seamless. Almost.

Also: discovered that the Danny Boy lyrics were written by an Englishman. Always thought it was an American. Also, the melody itself might not be as old as we all think it is. It's also got two names: Londonderry Air or Air from County Derry depending on how offensive you find the 'London' to be in Londonderry. Long story, my friends.

Oh! I'm totally late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jade!