|
1950- |
Elvis Presley |
The first really major teen "pop Star"? |
Beginning on the Sun label, Elvis took some of the black
artist material and added his own, rather different interpretation!
He was censored on TV and film for a while, for "suggestive"
hip movements which are commonplace today, even on kiddies TV
channels.So, he only co wrote 4 of his hits? The INTERPRETATION
was the major factor! |
|
1930- |
Big Band Jazz. |
A whole range here. |
There were many big bands from the 30's on. Some have been
reincarnated too. Stan Kenton had several different ensembles
for instance. These bands depend on their membership for style and
character, especially in their many soloists. |
|
Link to Kid
A |
Interesting
observations from the Greenwoods in Radiohead. Seems they have
listened to at least some of this genre. The interview currently on
the Radio 3 website covers
this. It's even available as download or on line audio. |
|
1974-77 |
Lynyrd Skynyrd |
Pronounced (1974) Free Bird (1976) |
Came to a premature end. The track "Free Bird" is a classic! |
|
1970's |
Love and Arthur Lee |
Forever Changes is the classic Love album. Newly remastered too!
|
 |
This is a group of demo tracks, dating from "Love" period. |
|
This band was one of the first on the Elektra label, along
with Tim Buckley. Most of the artists were West Coast USA, or
at least US based. "Forever Changes" is a superb album. Bryan
Mclean has also had some material released by Sundazed
on CD and vinyl. There have been reissues, but Arthur Lee is
very much off the scene! |
|
1967-74 |
Tim Buckley
(see also the onsite influential pages) |
 |
Tim's work covers a VERY wide range, from self penned folk style to
the extreme Lorca settings and beyond. The album Starsailor
is a case in point, with an extraordinary vocal and
"lyrical" range! The early material is somewhat dated, but
a recent Telegraph article justly refers to his work. Most of his
albums are on CD today and there are a number of live bootlegged
items as well. His son Jeff wrote and recorded too, but was drowned
in the Mississippi. |
|
197 |
The Doors |
|
Another Elektra band. Jim Morrison set new standards as a band
frontman. He tended to let it all hang out on stage! There has been a
recent revival of interest, long overdue! There has always been a
Doors undercurrent, notably via covers such as "People Are
Strange" by Echo and The Bunnymen. (On a Soundtrack I think and
a Japanese mini album) |
|
199 |
Semisonic |
Feeling Strangely Fine.
|
Put Minneapolis on the music map, deservedly so. This trio really
rock! Many of their tracks have a strongly melodic line, notably "Closing
Time".
A New album was released in March 2001. "All About Chemistry"
is the title, with the first single "Chemistry" also
released. You can hear it on the Semisonic site. Streaming Audio. You
get (on real audio) a series of pics too! A Fast modem is better
though, or it cuts the bit rate drastically! |
|
1990? |
Moist / David Usher |
Silver. |
Canadian, issued in Uk on Chrysalis. David has also done solo work I hear? |
|
1983- |
R.E.M. |
"Radio Free Europe" set things going back in 1983.
|
 |
Monster was dedicated "For River" to the late River Phoenix. |
|
A very long established band. Michael Stipe is an accomplished
front man. The band also have a tendency to produce the unexpected,
which has resulted in lower album sales on occasion. They seem to
have moved away from AOR mainstream and have followed a more
"progressive" line, for want of a better word.It is
rumoured that Michael is trying to get some of the demos River
Phoenix taped released. |
|
2001 |
New album. |
|
1977-90 |
Talking Heads |
Fear of Music (1979) |
"Road to Nowhere" is a well known track and video. Remixes
are also appearing too. |
|
199 |
Hootie and the Blowfish |
Cracked Rear View Mirror |
Recent chart success in UK.Cracked Rear View Mirror (1994) was the
album in question. They seem to have faded from view just now. |
|
19 |
Counting Crows |
August and Everything After.
|
Heard a lot about this band, on Teletext quite often. Must look the
album up. The band website has messages etc. Seems they are having
radio / MTV airtime problems! As yet they are not represented in my
collection. I will remedy that shortly (2001) |
|
1975- |
Meatloaf |
Bat Out of Hell is one of the all time great music videos. 1979 too! |
Great performer, great personality! |
|
1977- |
Rush
|
2112,
Hemispheres. Permanent Waves and others.
|
Canadian band.
Had a big following and a very strong "progressive" style.
They are an example of "stadium rock" I suppose. Geddy Lee
has an impressive vocal and Bass Guitar style. Alex Lifeson
(guitars) and Neil Peart (drums) complete the lineup.More info
to follow soon I suspect. Seems like a DVD is on the cards? Tom Sawyer
video too! |
|
1984- |
Bon Jovi |
Slippery When Wet. |
They seem to provoke two schools of thought, but the music is strong
and listenable. Like Rush, their concerts are on a grand scale. |
|
199 |
Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
See Craig's site. |
Famous for that socks picture! |
Very strong band this, and keen to show it too. John Frusciante has
also produced solo albums, apparently with an unusual guest on
vocals on one of them. The new release mentioned below "shows
John on a creative roll!" |
|
Feb 2001 |
|
To Record Only
Water For Ten Days (Warner Bros) |
John has
released a third solo album. He in fact plays everything on it
himself, and according to April Long in NME (Feb17th) the songs are
"pointedly self analytical and emotionally probing." John
is also credited in the review as having revitalised the band's
career. The album has "underlying optimism and fondness for
unapologetically pretty melodies" Looks like it's on my buy list! |
|
19 |
Nirvana- (Foo Fighters are a spin off band).
See Craig's site. |
In Utero, Nevermind. |
Controversial and curtailed early by the loss of Kurt Cobain.
Many bands followed in their "grunge" type of music. The
albums cause a lot of discussion even now, reflecting their musical differences. |
