With their second round pick, Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution is pleased to select, in the position of Bassist--- Flea, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Quote:
Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962), more commonly known by the stage nameFlea, is an Americanbassist, trumpet player, and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist and founding member of the alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. His work with the band incorporates several musical styles, ranging from aggressive slap bass, to more subdued and melodic techniques. Aside from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he has collaborated with many artists, including Jane's Addiction, The Mars Volta and Alanis Morissette. Drawing influences from funk and punk rock, Flea centers his bass playing on simplicity and minimalism, viewing complexity as a device that should be used in moderation.
Flea has displayed a wide variety of techniques throughout the years, ranging from his initial use of slapping and popping to the more traditional methods he has employed since Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Greg Prato of All Music Guide has noted that "by combining funk-style bass with psychedelic, punk, and hard rock, Flea created an original playing style that has been copied numerous times."[4] Flea has been considered as one of the greatest bassists of all time, with Greg Tate of Rolling Stone saying "if there were a Most Valuable Bass Player award given out in rock, Flea could have laid claim to that bitch ten years running."[55]Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan recalls that when he first saw the Chili Peppers in 1984, "Flea was playing so aggressively that he had worn a hole in his thumb and he was literally screaming in pain in-between songs because it hurt so bad. Someone kept coming out and pouring crazy glue into the hole."[5] Flea's sound is also determined by what type of instrument he plays. Before Californication, he did not believe the actual bass held much significance: "what mattered was how you hit them [basses] and your emotional intent, and I still think that's the bottom line."[54] Flea owns a 1961 Fender Jazz Bass, treasuring it for its "old wood sound".[54] He has contributed to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sound not only with the bass but by playing trumpet, as well; it can be heard on several songs, such as "Subway to Venus" from their fourth album Mother's Milk or "Warlocks" from their ninth album Stadium Arcadium.
Flea's bass playing has changed considerably throughout the years. When he joined Fear his technique centered largely around traditional punk rock bass lines,[56] however he was to change this style when the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed. He began to incorporate a "slap" bass style that drew influence largely from Bootsy Collins.[16] However, this technique caused Flea to receive attention from the music world and was often copied, and he therefore felt it necessary to completely remove slap-bass styles from his repertoire following Mother's Milk.[4] Consequently, Blood Sugar Sex Magik saw a notable shift in style as it featured none of his signature technique but rather styles that focused more on traditional and melodic roots.[57] His intellectual beliefs on how to play the instrument was also altered: "I was trying to play simply on Blood Sugar Sex Magik because I had been playing too much prior to that, so I thought, 'I've really got to chill out and play half as many notes'. When you play less, it's more exciting—there's more room for everything. If I do play something busy, it stands out, instead of the bass being a constant onslaught of notes. Space is good."[57] During the writing and recording of One Hot Minute, Flea integrated some use of slap-bass progressions, but continued to center his technique around the philosophy of "less is more" rather than complexity: "I can't even think of anything I played that was complex [on the record]; even the slapping stuff is simple. It's original-sounding, and I'm proud of that—but what I played was more a matter of aesthetic choice."[57] This led Flea to alter the way he wrote music by playing alone, instead of the jam sessions that would dictate how the band conceived songs: "[One Hot Minute] is the least jam-oriented record we've made. I mean, we definitely jammed on the ideas, but there's only one groove on the whole album that came from a jam, 'Deep Kick'. The rest of it came from my sitting down with a guitar or bass."[57]
Flea became interested in electronica during the Californication era and he attempted to emulate the same atmosphere given off by synthsesizers into his bass playing: "I feel the most exciting music happening is electronica, without a doubt."[45] He ultimately decided against this, acknowledging that, aside from Frusciante, the band was not moving in the same direction.[45]Californication also saw him incorporate more funk-driven bass lines than he had on One Hot Minute. In By the Way, much of the bass-lines were entirely stripped of funk. Flea felt the chords Frusciante had written were not supportive of his typical technique; furthermore, he does not feel the musical direction of the record was specifically melodic, but instead "a result of each one of us being who we are. The way we [the band] compose music is a very communal thing."[58]
I don't know how to embed youtube videos, so I guess you'll just have to click on these for yourself haha.
With our second round pick, 32nd overall, AliceLoveGarden after much deliberation and several minutes of technical difficulties is proud to select in the category of the UK (for now ) Sir Elton John.
Everyone knows the Elton songs that are played on the radio: Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock Bennie and the Jets, Candle in the Wind...maybe Daniel if you're lucky....you won't find those songs in my youtube links. There is so much more to Elton John's catalog. In fact, I haven't even digested as much as I want to yet. Along with writing partner Bernie Taupin, Elton John has created a massive body of work that rivals that of any artist in rock history. If you're not a huge Elton John fan and aren't familiar with anything much beyond the radio friendly hits do yourself a favor and dig deeper. You can start with my youtube links! But first, a little wiki info...
Sir Elton Hercules JohnCBE[1][2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March1947) is an Englishpop/rocksinger, composer and pianist.
In his four-decade career, John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s. He has sold more than 250 million albums[citation needed] and over one hundred million singles,[3] making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive #1 U.S. albums, 59 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, 4 #2 hits, and nine #1 hits. He has won five Grammy awards and one Academy Award. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #49 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.[4]
Some of the characteristics of John's musical talent include an ability to quickly craft melodies for the lyrics of songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, his former rich tenor (now baritone) voice, his classical and gospel-influenced piano, the aggressive orchestral arrangements of Paul Buckmaster among others and the flamboyant fashions, outlandishly excessive eye glasses, and on-stage showmanship, especially evident during the 1970s.
John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
Nice pick on Elton John, his concert last year was one of the best I've been to.
I pick, from The Doors, Jim Morrison in the Male Singer category.
Quote:
James Douglas Morrison (8 December 1943 – 3 July 1971) was an American singer, poet, songwriter, writer, and film director. He is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of The Doors, and is widely considered to be one of the most charismatic and influential frontmen in rock music history. He was also the author of several books of poetry, and the director of a documentary and short film.
I put lot of effort into this and tried to listen to most of the songs here, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I don't listen to this kind of music so here I thought I will give it a go, to make sure I don't miss out on great music. However, the only songs from this draft I liked were Stairway to heaven and High Hopes, and they were in my music collection before anyway. Other than that, seems to me most of these bands are condsidered "great" only because they are old and "classic". I understand sentimental reasons to pick bands from your younger days, but are these bands truly that much better than the rest?
Somehow I don't foresee people talking about Umbrella or Backstreet's Back in a few decades in the same reverent tone used to describe Light My Fire or Purple Haze...
Somehow I don't foresee people talking about Umbrella or Backstreet's Back in a few decades in the same reverent tone used to describe Light My Fire or Purple Haze...
Yup, because that's what I did, I drew comparion to Umbrella and Backstreet's Back...
However, Purple Haze is a good example, I'd bet if it was recorded last week by Joe Average, it would go pretty much unnoticed. Really what is so special about this song, if you forget it was recorded by Jimi Hendrix?
Debating the merits of one song over the other is rather pointless, but I've found this line of reasoning to be somewhat convincing;
In the sixties there were already tons of bands, writing tons of songs, making a whole bunch of albums (although nothing close to todays numbers). Only a handful of those albums are still printed today, and most people can only name a few bands from those days. The albums, songs and artists that are still remembered haven't "survived" by chance, they survived because they're good and the music still touches something in some people.
In other words, Purple Haze hasn't become redundant by a mountain of songs that are just-like-it-only-better (in sound quality if nothing else), mostly because you can't copy that Hendrix sound.
I put lot of effort into this and tried to listen to most of the songs here, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I don't listen to this kind of music so here I thought I will give it a go, to make sure I don't miss out on great music. However, the only songs from this draft I liked were Stairway to heaven and High Hopes, and they were in my music collection before anyway. Other than that, seems to me most of these bands are condsidered "great" only because they are old and "classic". I understand sentimental reasons to pick bands from your younger days, but are these bands truly that much better than the rest?
Anyone else feels that way?
Somehow, I have a hard time believeing that, in 20 years, people are going to remember Nickelback or Eminem.
I quite positive that we're still going to be talking about Queen and Metallica though.
Bands that have been listed here have defined entire genres and even generations themselves. Without Black Sabbath and Metallica, there's no Korn or even Tool. Without Queen, there's no Radiohead, Coldplay, Nirvana etc.
What makes them good isn't that they're "classic." What makes them good, is they actually are good. In fact, they are so good they defy age itself.
"Hammer to Fall" and "Stone Cold Crazy" sound just as awesome to me as they did when I first heard them 20 years ago as a teenager.
(don't forget, also, that this is still a "draft" - once we all get the legends and cultural icons out of the way, most here will be picking their current favourites)
I put lot of effort into this and tried to listen to most of the songs here, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I don't listen to this kind of music so here I thought I will give it a go, to make sure I don't miss out on great music. However, the only songs from this draft I liked were Stairway to heaven and High Hopes, and they were in my music collection before anyway. Other than that, seems to me most of these bands are condsidered "great" only because they are old and "classic". I understand sentimental reasons to pick bands from your younger days, but are these bands truly that much better than the rest?
Anyone else feels that way?
Just wait - we are making nearly 400 picks. The first rounds will see plenty of artists from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Things will get more modern and eclectic as we go.
Somehow, I have a hard time believeing that, in 20 years, people are going to remember Nickelback or Eminem.
I quite positive that we're still going to be talking about Queen and Metallica though.
Bands that have been listed here have defined entire genres and even generations themselves. Without Black Sabbath and Metallica, there's no Korn or even Tool. Without Queen, there's no Radiohead, Coldplay, Nirvana etc.
What makes them good isn't that they're "classic." What makes them good, is they actually are good. In fact, they are so good they defy age itself.
"Hammer to Fall" and "Stone Cold Crazy" sound just as awesome to me as they did when I first heard them 20 years ago as a teenager.
Hmm I get what you are saying but I am not entirely buying the whole concept of "Without X there's no Y." I mean without Edison we're still sitting in the dark? But I digress.
I am kinda torn on Metallica, I don't really appreciate their early trash era, and their new stuff is hardly noteworthy IMO. But during their "middle period" they created some great music, I will agree with that.
Last but not least, I truly don't care about Nickelback or Eminem. My point was that what sets musicians like Bob Dylan apart from other songwriters? I am not saying he is not good (however we define good,great,etc.) Many artists write deeply moving lyrics and you hardly ever hear about them, but he kind of gets into every TOP list by default. It's like the Orr vs Lidstrom (or insert any other great Dman name here) argument, Orr always wins because, well, he played during childhood eras of people who make the NHL Best Of lists
Hmm I get what you are saying but I am not entirely buying the whole concept of "Without X there's no Y." I mean without Edison we're still sitting in the dark? But I digress.
I am kinda torn on Metallica, I don't really appreciate their early trash era, and their new stuff is hardly noteworthy IMO. But during their "middle period" they created some great music, I will agree with that.
Last but not least, I truly don't care about Nickelback or Eminem. My point was that what sets musicians like Bob Dylan apart from other songwriters? I am not saying he is not good (however we define good,great,etc.) Many artists write deeply moving lyrics and you hardly ever hear about them, but he kind of gets into every TOP list by default. It's like the Orr vs Lidstrom (or insert any other great Dman name here) argument, Orr always wins because, well, he played during childhood eras of people who make the NHL Best Of lists
/rant
I was agreeing with you until Orr vs Lidstrom, that killed your argument
I never said my drafts were easy. I'm always anxious to see what the complete teams will be!
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
If a band came along today and wrote/performed Purple Haze, it would probably go unnoticed. But that may be largely because Purple Haze WAS written, and there have been so many derivatives that it impact may seem diluted in today's context.
If you could "undo" the music evolution between then and now, and a band today were to write Purple Haze, then I wonder what sort of response it would get.
A lot of the "great" bands must be viewed in the context of when their music was released in order to understand its uniqueness. Then look at the derivatives since then to get an idea of their impact.
But I have often wondered how much amazing music is being created today but the general public never has a hint that it even exists. Most people like music, but few are willing to sift through the rubble to try and uncover the gems. Mind you, one person's rubble is another person's gem.
__________________
"The problem with any ideology is that it gives the answer before you look at the evidence."
—Bill Clinton
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance--it is the illusion of knowledge."
—Daniel J. Boorstin, historian, former Librarian of Congress
"But the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity"
—WKRP in Cincinatti
Hmm I get what you are saying but I am not entirely buying the whole concept of "Without X there's no Y." I mean without Edison we're still sitting in the dark? But I digress.
I am kinda torn on Metallica, I don't really appreciate their early trash era, and their new stuff is hardly noteworthy IMO. But during their "middle period" they created some great music, I will agree with that.
Last but not least, I truly don't care about Nickelback or Eminem. My point was that what sets musicians like Bob Dylan apart from other songwriters? I am not saying he is not good (however we define good,great,etc.) Many artists write deeply moving lyrics and you hardly ever hear about them, but he kind of gets into every TOP list by default. It's like the Orr vs Lidstrom (or insert any other great Dman name here) argument, Orr always wins because, well, he played during childhood eras of people who make the NHL Best Of lists
/rant
Err... Orr doesn't win because because of fond memories. Orr wins because he was the greatest Defenceman that has ever played the game. Some people would even argue he was the greatest PLAYER (ahead of even Gretzky himself) of all time.
What defines "great" vs "good" isn't only about the product. It's about the impact of the product.
Queen, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Metallica... these bands didn't just make "good" music. They redefined the very concept of music itself. That's what makes them great.
It's the old argument: Who had the bigger impact - the guy who invented the light bulb, or the guy who made it brighter?
(btw - Comparing Lidstrom to Orr is like comparing Jagr to Gretzky. It won't win you very many arguments.)
My point was that what sets musicians like Bob Dylan apart from other songwriters? I am not saying he is not good (however we define good,great,etc.) Many artists write deeply moving lyrics and you hardly ever hear about them, but he kind of gets into every TOP list by default.
/rant
He doesn't make the tops of lists by default, he makes then based on merit. Just because he doesn't speak to you necessarily, doesn't mean that he wasn't a vanguard in the evolution of popular music and a person that completely changed the dynamic not only of the the way music was written, but more importantly, how it was consumed. His early period encouraged people that music was not just an escapist's pastime, that it could be a relevant theater for the expression of political and social ideas & ideals, something that had hardly been prevalent in Popular Culture up to that point.
Dylan is the absolute master of ambiguity... His songs have proven to be infinitely relatable to virtually everyone. For me, that is the whole point of art... I see the perfect work of art as being something that speaks to every single person who consumes it, at some level.
That is where Dylan was at his best. His characters were/are archetypes, virtually every person who has heard a Dylan song has felt like or encountered one of his characters. His is a music of human beings, our relationships to one another and with ourselves.
Bob Dylan is everyone (the central thesis of the movie I'm Not There, which is BANG on in it's exploration of the man)... He is one of the few artists who has understood and captured the essence of the human experience so totally in his chosen medium, who has inspired so much deep thought and introspection, thus inspiring multiple generations of artists to attempt to further that understanding.
All of these things reveal themselves in his vast catalouge... But I can understand these concepts are not completely self-evident to the casual listener of Dylan. You really need to sink your teeth into a big chunk of his work to "get it". But I always find those types of artists to be the most fulfilling, so I'd certainly recommend it.
I put lot of effort into this and tried to listen to most of the songs here, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I don't listen to this kind of music so here I thought I will give it a go, to make sure I don't miss out on great music. However, the only songs from this draft I liked were Stairway to heaven and High Hopes, and they were in my music collection before anyway. Other than that, seems to me most of these bands are condsidered "great" only because they are old and "classic". I understand sentimental reasons to pick bands from your younger days, but are these bands truly that much better than the rest?
Anyone else feels that way?
I certainly don't feel that way. As others have said it doesn't have to do with these being bands from childhood or teenage years but being bands that created and defined genres. They are classic bands because they did something no one else did.
And really when it comes to many of these bands all you have to do is look at recent bands that try to imitate a classic or try to cover a classic song. For the most part unless the covering artist is a superb and genre changing artist in their own right it just can't be done. It's particularily obvious when it comes to someone trying to cover a Queen song.
Some of these bands are classic not because they are superb musicians or songwriters but because somehow and someway they have an understanding of the music AND listener that allows them to transcend the ordinary boundaries of that genre of music. They transcend the decades with their songs.
The likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, U2, Bowie, Sabbath, Queen, and yes the Ramones...these are special performers. They are timeless and not because a bunch of 17 year olds loved them in the 60's or 70's or 80's or whatever but because a bunch of 17 year olds loved them in those original decades and NOW. The songs still hold up as being the best on radio/tv NOW.
Maybe not now, but when this thing is winding down FOL I think you should tell us what kind of music you DO listen to. Frankly, I'm quite curious as to why someone could digest all of that and come out with only 2 enjoyable tunes. Amazing really.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
) Sir Elton John.
