Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
No reason for posting this other than I think it's criminal that Jeff Scott Soto is not a bonafide star... absolutely insane versatile voice.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
If you have not heard Heart's rendition of Stairway To Heaven from the Kennedy Center Honors, run, do not walk, to iTunes & grab the full version. (Here's a link to the shorter version from the broadcast, which, while good, does not do the entire performance justice)
Now anyone who follows Heart knows that the ladies worship at the altar of Zep, from their beautiful acoustics to chugging riffs. Just listening to "Barracuda" & "Mistral Wind" back to back will essentially tell you everything you need to know about this talented sisterhood: Epic, intense, driven.
This tribute is one of those rare performances that somehow transcends mere music. There is an ethereal presence at play here, whether it be the gospel choir, Jason Bonham sitting in his father's chair, and the otherworldly vocals of Ann Wilson. In a time when Jon Bon Jovi has gone country, Eddie Money is doing commercials, & most other bands are tuning down to play their hits, Ann's voice seems to be getting stronger & more vibrant.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the lush acoustic talents of Nancy Wilson. If you listen closely, there are subtle additions, yet you never get the feeling that the song has gone off course from the original. Once the electric comes in, the fullness of the mix is brought to the forefront. None of the individual pieces intrudes on each other. They are separate, yet melded together, foreshadowing the power yet to come.
I thought the solo was an impressive amalgimation of one of the most recognizable guitar vocals in recorded history. It had just the right amount of familiarity & homage that it did not distract from the entirety of the song.
Where this recording truly hits the stratosphere is after the solo, when Ann winds on down the road. The sheer FORCE of this woman's voice is unmatched by anyone making music on this planet. I did enjoy the addition of the gospel choir, which added a certain immediacy to the crescendo. The true star of this single, however, is and will always be Ann's delicate handling of an iconic vocal delivery. Notice the ability to deliver lines like " There walks a LADY we all know" with every bit of power as Robert Plant ever did.
Then there is the defining moment, for me, when the goosebumps literally jump out of my skin & I feel a little closer to forces I cannot verbalize... "To be a rock and not to roll". Ann Wilson holds that last note a FULL 8 SECONDS, wringing every last emotion left in this performance. The penultimate tribute to a band that should top all lists, given by a pair of sisters that really don't get their due for changing the musical landscape in their own right.
My only summation is that I lived long enough to enjoy the Wilson sisters paying homage to their own heroes. I would like to thank them for allowing me to come along on this journey. You didn't need the R&RHOF to validate your impact and this performance proves that.
Clearly the performance of the year in any category, any day, any time, and twice on Sunday.
Now anyone who follows Heart knows that the ladies worship at the altar of Zep, from their beautiful acoustics to chugging riffs. Just listening to "Barracuda" & "Mistral Wind" back to back will essentially tell you everything you need to know about this talented sisterhood: Epic, intense, driven.
This tribute is one of those rare performances that somehow transcends mere music. There is an ethereal presence at play here, whether it be the gospel choir, Jason Bonham sitting in his father's chair, and the otherworldly vocals of Ann Wilson. In a time when Jon Bon Jovi has gone country, Eddie Money is doing commercials, & most other bands are tuning down to play their hits, Ann's voice seems to be getting stronger & more vibrant.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the lush acoustic talents of Nancy Wilson. If you listen closely, there are subtle additions, yet you never get the feeling that the song has gone off course from the original. Once the electric comes in, the fullness of the mix is brought to the forefront. None of the individual pieces intrudes on each other. They are separate, yet melded together, foreshadowing the power yet to come.
I thought the solo was an impressive amalgimation of one of the most recognizable guitar vocals in recorded history. It had just the right amount of familiarity & homage that it did not distract from the entirety of the song.
Where this recording truly hits the stratosphere is after the solo, when Ann winds on down the road. The sheer FORCE of this woman's voice is unmatched by anyone making music on this planet. I did enjoy the addition of the gospel choir, which added a certain immediacy to the crescendo. The true star of this single, however, is and will always be Ann's delicate handling of an iconic vocal delivery. Notice the ability to deliver lines like " There walks a LADY we all know" with every bit of power as Robert Plant ever did.
Then there is the defining moment, for me, when the goosebumps literally jump out of my skin & I feel a little closer to forces I cannot verbalize... "To be a rock and not to roll". Ann Wilson holds that last note a FULL 8 SECONDS, wringing every last emotion left in this performance. The penultimate tribute to a band that should top all lists, given by a pair of sisters that really don't get their due for changing the musical landscape in their own right.
My only summation is that I lived long enough to enjoy the Wilson sisters paying homage to their own heroes. I would like to thank them for allowing me to come along on this journey. You didn't need the R&RHOF to validate your impact and this performance proves that.
Clearly the performance of the year in any category, any day, any time, and twice on Sunday.
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