The golfers' Music Room

First topic message reminder :

Mac started a really good thread today and while I'm not as fussy about things going off topic as some people, it does seem a shame to drown out Mac's thread with music chat - so I think we'll have a music corner for us golfers (in addition to the forum-wide music section)

I know Kwini is keen on his music, often throwing musical references into his ballwasher topics (I remember one of his last efforts on the old site being entitled The Boys Are Back In Town, and the conversation going off into Thin Lizzy territory!

S_R (on the other thread) made a reference to "hating the Beatles" - discuss!

Anyone interested in a fantastic jazz tone should look no further than Matt Otten on YouTube. The guy is a genius. I always thought Ronny Jordan and Zachary Breaux were the best but this guy is in a different league.

Bert, Bert....


I am glad someone mentioned the Muppets as they are pure music genius. Just think Phenomenon

Diggers wrote:What do people think is more important, melody or lyrics ? Im a melody man personally.

It's probably fair to say that this depends on the type of music. Not too much lyrics when listening to stuff like Mahavishnu or other kind of jazz in particular, but certainly lyrics can have a very importnt role if you listen to folk or stuff like that. But inbetween these, I'd always go for the melody. Mind you, I do enjoy hearing some interesting lyrics (e.g. Pink Floyd, etc.) or even lets say 'unusual' lyrics.
Probably one of my all time favorite songs, with one of the best ever intro lines is Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh, well' :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE4HGlmtOcg

"I can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin..."
Hard to beat that one IMO...

And I could give many other examples of 'unusual' lyrics from Frank Zappa's repertoire, but I fear for the integrity of this thread...

Suppose it comes down to what you think is Rock n Roll, or even pop. If you read the lyrics to Yellow submarine it you'd probably think that song wouldnt cut it. I personally dont think it does but like you say they made it work.

If I had to pick one over the other I would say melody. If the tune isnt right and the voice doesnt complement it then you'll never pay attention long enough to listen to the actual lyrics. Then, I suppose, if the lyrics are good enough then its the difference between a good song and a great one.

Jazz? Lets take the rhthym for a walk and all that? No, not for me thanks. Not yet anyway.

Davie wrote:Doc - I forgot to mention that when he sings he has the typical voice of a blues singer (sounds like he smokes 60 a day and gargles hooch) - but when he speaks he sounds like Kermit

Very true Davie and i cringe when he speaks, but luckily he doesn't speak that much as he just goes from one song to the next, only speaking a couple of times. I should also mention his chin, as it's quite large

Diggers wrote:What do people think is more important, melody or lyrics ? Im a melody man personally.

Me too - and instruments over singer. I could happily reel off dozens of favourite guitarists, drummers, keyboard players etc but find it harder to pin down favourite singers. In fact most of the bands I listen to the most have average singers at best

Excellent point Davie.
There are some excellent lyricists like Matt Johnson (the the) or Mark E Smith , but few really excellent singers who are worth listening to unless they are backed up by top notch musicians.
Sometimes a singer just isn't necessary.Some predominantly instrumental bands like The Album Leaf, Explosions in the Sky and Blktop Project would sound silly with a singer.

Very pleased to see Smokin' Joe Bonamassa getting ink on here . . . . . been following him since he was about 13.

Kwini - have you heard him in Black Country Communion?

super_realist wrote:Excellent point Davie.
There are some excellent lyricists like Matt Johnson (the the) or Mark E Smith , but few really excellent singers who are worth listening to unless they are backed up by top notch musicians.
Sometimes a singer just isn't necessary.Some predominantly instrumental bands like The Album Leaf, Explosions in the Sky and Blktop Project would sound silly with a singer.

Very little music Im interested in unless it has a voice attached. Little bit of classical, even less jazz, no "popular" music at all really. I do love hearing a bit of cello though, seems to get right through to my soul.

kwinigolfer wrote:Very pleased to see Smokin' Joe Bonamassa getting ink on here . . . . . been following him since he was about 13.

Good to hear kwini, so he must get plenty of airtime stateside? or are you just a blues fan.

I've got 2 spare tickets for the October Uk gig in Blackpool, a couple have had to pull out due to a wedding, so if anyones interested ......

Golfers really should be interested in "swing music"

Davie, Doc,
No, I'm cheating a bit; he grew up down the road from where I lived! So we were listening to him as a childhood prodigy; but interesting to see how his career has developed. Haven't actually seen him play for ages.
Most of what I've heard from him recently has been collaborations.

But, in the context of this thread, it's interesting that he credits "English Blues", Jon Mayall, Peter Green etc as strong influences.

I'll obviously have to seek out some CD's!

On a separate note entirely, does anyone ever listen to Brandi Carlyle? Her best known stuff is quite pop-py but I love her album with the Seattle Symphony - "Live at Benaroya Hall". The best version of Hallelujah - about the only Leonard Cohen song I don't much care for!

I really like Westlife

Davie wrote:Ah yes - JoBo .. the darling of the Planet Rock radio station. I first discovered him 3 or 4 years ago when there were a whole load of his albums available for free (and legal) download on we7. Great guitarist but has suffered a little in recent years (IMO) by over-exposure from the likes of Planet Rock (he even had his own show on there).......And yes, Satriani is cool - in fact I started a thread over in the music section one night asking if he was really the coolest man in rock! There are some guitarists who I consider "better" but none as cool as Joe. If you haven't heard him with Chickenfoot (another "supergroup") then I seriously suggest you rectify that immediately!

Don't have a DAB radio so don't ever listen to Planet Rock. Just listened to a YouTube-hosted version of his cover of Zep's Tea for One coming out of the speakers. This guy can play. I'm convinced. He's at Nottingham's CapitalFM next month so may have to see if there's any decent tickets left.

Always been a fan of Satch. Plays like a beeetch but plays definite songs unlike, say, Steve Vai who seems to be a guitarist's version of S_R's hated Blumenthal. Will have to check out Chickenfoot - good name .


Beninho

Good shout re. Muse. Very impressive, especially their stuff inc. and after Origin of Symmetry.


Re. lyrics/vocals vs. melody I'm pretty even on both. I think they can both contribute massively. As for an individual vocalist, has to be Freddie Mercury for me - my era, born to be on a stage, massive voice and good all-round musician. Saw Queen a few times and they were never anything but awesome.

The thread is amazing. I think my whole weekend might be spent seeking out all the acts mentioned on here I have not heard. If only I could get on youtube and spotify at work.

If anyone has some 60's/70's English folk type stuff I would be interested to hear it? I am thinking stuff like Fairport convention?

navyblueshorts wrote:Will have to check out Chickenfoot - good name .

Definitely worth checking out, NBS - and anyone else who likes good, old-fashioned, no-frills rock.

Very unchallenging - it's just a good fun album. The band is made up of Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony from Van Halen, plus Chad Smith of RHCP and Satriani on guitar.

Song titles like "Soap on a Rope", "Sexy Little Thing" and "My Kinda Girl" sum it up really and when you get a line like "'this one's for you' is tattooed on her ass", you get the picture.

There was a spate of "supergroups" a few years ago with Chickenfoot, Them Crooked Vultures and latterly, Black Country Communion. TCV and BCC both took themselves quite seriously and strove to make a "serious" rock album (BCC succeeded, TCV failed IMO) - but Chickenfoot do anything but take themselves seriously!

I saw Chicken Shack once in a dive in Edmonton . . . . . . . ! In the Christine (im)Perfect days!!
Sorry.

Wow - Christine Perfect - that's a name from the past! She was born near me...

I also once knew someone else called Christine Perfect - top name!

Anyone like stackridge?

or what about Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band?

Davie wrote:Wow - Christine Perfect - that's a name from the past! She was born near me...

I also once knew someone else called Christine Perfect - top name!

My auntie Lindsay went oot wi a lad called Mark Perfect frae Bonnyrigg

You'll be disappointed to hear I had a BDD-DB album, intro and outro etc.

Eric Clapton on eukalele?

kwinigolfer wrote:You'll be disappointed to hear I had a BDD-DB album, intro and outro etc.

Not at all they are really very amusing. Cant beat a bit of ali baba's camel.

Been trawling the 'Tube for Bonamassa and just rediscovered Stevie Ray Vaughan's version of Hendrix's Little Wing. Fly on....

Innes and Stanshall are two talents you would never have heard of over here - not the only ones of course.

The perils of moving: I kept all my vinyl albums in storage during a protracted move and the entire collection ended up damp and warped. Some good stuff gone to the tip, plus plenty of others that I'm sure I'd be derided for. But, hey, I liked Dory Previn and John Stewart . . . . !

Thought Neil Innes was known over there for The Rutles?

Very minority audience though Davie, guarantee 99.9% ain't never 'eard of 'im, despite his eminent lineage.
And; Hadn't heard any Bonzo Dog stuff here until Death Cab For Cutie came along!

Joe Bonomosso getting some nice ink! A local lad to Kwini and I. I don't mind him in doses, but no denying his work ethic and no "sell out" attitude.

Beatles: strip away ALL the non-music noise (Yoko Ono, Sir Paul/Heather Mills, etc.) and count me as one who's VERY impressed with their body of work.

Overrated: Elvis, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Anything Dylan did after "Blood on the Tracks" is hard to stomach and enough with Bruce's "wall of sound" stuff. I think the Stone Roses took this to a new level (at least on their recordings).

Underrated: Joni Mitchell and Elvis Costello

Guilty Pleasure: Beautiful South (what vocals), and Frank Sinatra.

Whatever happened to the the La's?

'Anyone like the Yardbirds or Cream? Don't much care for Clapton these days but he could play a bit back in the day.' NBS

Good call NBS - the Yardbirds, reponsible for three of the best British guitarists - Beck, Page and Clapton. But for sheer frenetic activity, Rory Gallagher took some beating!

shanker,
Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty are playing with some new boys in our neck of the woods tomorrow night. Area they're playing in got whacked last Sunday - any more of that and they won't know whether they over, under, sideways or down . . . . .

Very Good Kwini. Topical and apposite in the same post!

The missing person is of course Paul Samwell-Smith (is he still with us I wonder? Keith Relf of course died many years ago, precipitating the groups premature break up).

shanker,
No indication on wiki that he's moved on. Dunno.

Oldshanker
I was a cream fan.
I always thought that Clapton pinched Jack Bruces style and made a lot of money from it. Sunshine absolute clasic tune.
Always thought that Blondie were a good band as well.

Doon - I was quoting NBS, but I think at that time, Clapton was very much in a world of his own and although they did really produce some absolute classics, they also seemed on occasions to be musically fighting each other.

Clapton certainly had a "je ne sais quoi" about him - but to (mis)quote an old joke I'm not sure what it was!

I've seen/read interviews with him many times and he is the first to admit that he isn't the greatest when it comes to technique or raw talent - he's certainly not the "God" that the old bits of graffiti used to claim - yet with his staying power, he obviously has something!

Interesting OS mentioned Rory Gallagher (with a name like that he could have been a golfer!) - while I always thought he was OK, I never quite saw the reason for the huge accolades that were heaped his way - Denims, Jumberjack shirts and a battered old Stratocaster or Telecaster are certainly ingredients to put someone into the spotlight, but his overall career output was never that special IMO - I saw him live a couple of times in the late 70s/early 80s and while he put on a good show he never really grabbed me by the throat and shook me. I do wonder if his tragic, early death maybe gave him more street cred than perhaps he earned.

Earlier in the thread someone was slaughtering Quo, but Francis Rossi could thrash a knackered old Telecaster around just as well as Rory IMO

Did anyone on here ever go to the Opposite Lock Club in Birmingham; it flourished in the late 60's, early 70's but can't find any trace of recent history.
What a collection of artists they used to run through there, always good accoustics, artists usually very accessible, scarcely a bad spot in the house. Highlights for me included Stephane Grappelli and Jimmy Witherspoon but there were many many more, Blossom Dearie seemingly a staple there.

Wow never quite realised the strength of the anti-u2 movement out there, I'd liked them for years but was a tad disappointed at their last tour tbh. Also I do find Bonos holier than thou preaching more than just a bit tedious.

Anyone who has seen my anger management issues on course wouldn't be surprised to know that my musical tastes centre around the likes of the Pistols, the Clash & the Stranglers amongst others.

During the past 3 years I've been lucky enough to have a beer and chinwag with Johnny Rotten and also jump across and onto the stage at Hammersmith Apollo and pogo on stage while the Stranglers played No More Heroes. Have also made the stage at a Damned gig after a crowdsurfing incident. I do like to let my hair down at live gigs

JAS,
How could you??!! Went to a concert about 18 yrs ago where Steve Jones was opening. My ears are still ringing - and I stayed outside of the theatre, in the bar, throughout. Never again!

Another concert fave of mine from years ago was Bruce Hornsby . . . great Live!

Blimey Kwini - the opposite lock. Just off the Hagley road wasn't it, had a sign that was a steering wheel if I remember correctly. I did go there once, must have been around 1980. Can't remember if any bands were playing, but I was very 'hazy' then!!!

shanker,
On Gas Street, just off Broad Street, by the Canal. Great place, they don't make 'em like that anymore!

Coo - I wonder where it was that I went then? No wait, Broad St becomes Hagley road at the 5 ways roundabout. It could have been the opposite lock. Was it owned by .......... I'm really digging around here ........ something like Bobby Brown or am I completely off piste there?

No just googled it, it was Eddie Fewtrell.

I really must leave the falling down water alone. It was owned and run by Martin Hone. Eddie Fewtrell was a big name in Brum clubs, but he did not own the Lock.

No idea about the ownership, I was just a punter, but whoever it was he had some great guests. Fantastic really!

In the cold light of day, I now have realised why everything was muxed ip last night.

Bobby Brown wasn't a night club owner, it was the name of a club and it was on Gas Street, Number 52 to be exact. Possibly where the Lock had been and may even have been owned by a Fewtrell.

Funny how the mind can play grape enhanced tricks on you.

I hope everyone enjoys the Google home page today . . . . . . .

Awww it's back to normal for me - was it the Freddie one you saw?

Yup, 65!

PS: If Doon was singing Steeleye Span, perhaps the Z-Cars theme might have been apropriate - wasn't Maddy Prior the daughter of Alan Prior?

I'm familiar with Maddie but not Alan!