What would have been

I was a sophomore in high school when I first heard Led Zeppelin. At the time, I was listening to the likes of Styx, Queen, Journey and a little Pink Floyd, and wanted to expand my interest in classic rock. The first Zeppelin album I purchased was # IV, and I remember thinking that Robert Plant's voice was a bit extreme. I wasn't sure if I liked it. He certainly didn't sound anything like Dennis DeYoung, Freddie Mercury or Steve Perry (thankfully). Needless to say, his voice grew on me. Now, I can't imagine Zeppelin without Plant. Well, at least not until I listened to the following.



This video gives one a taste of Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, which I compare to chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips. They're palatable, but not much else. It is clear from The Yardbirds' earlier rendition of "Dazed and Confused" that Jimmy Page made a wise decision when he left the band for Zeppelin. The same can be said for the following who perspicaciously revised their bands.



I enjoy the Syd Barrett Pink Floyd era, but I enjoy it more for its novelty and nostalgic qualities than anything else. There is no question that Pink Floyd made a wise decision when it acquired David Gilmour.



Even if you don't like Queen, they were clearly better with Mr. Bulsara in its ranks. I don't think Smile would have gone very far without him.

Am I missing any?

Not your typical 4/4

I used to listen to Frank Zappa quite a bit when I was in high school. I have since stopped listening to anything he composed with words because his vocals were usually pretty vulgar, but I haven't lost my taste for unusual time signatures and amazing drumming. Below are some examples.

Terry Bozzio (in spite of the speedos)


Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphrey

The whole 40+ minute jam session is available at: http://www.drumchannel.com/entertainment/13294.aspx

Vinnie Colaiuta


Most rock drummers couldn't touch this stuff.

Best headline of the year

"Explorers On Global Warming Expedition Stranded in North Pole by Cold Weather"

(Fox News today)

Big Love vs. Prop 8

I just read the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's statement on the Big Love temple episode.* I thought it was well-written. Here's the link.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

The Church's statement notes HBO assured the Church that it would not bring mainstream Mormonism into the series but would instead focus on the polygamy-practicing factions in Utah, Colorado and Texas. I wonder about the timing of HBO's violations of these assurances. Prop 8 is not that old, and a few months later sacred LDS ceremonies are broadcast to the world.

I had a conversation the other day with an attorney friend of mine--who is also a PR guy for the Church--about the Big Love series. I suggested to him that the series was created in part to desensitize society to the idea of plural marriage. Such desensitization could weaken the slippery slope argument often wielded against same-sex marriage (i.e. allowing same-sex marriage will lead to allowing plural marriage). He said that that is unquestionably the case. He knows the two writers of the of Big Love series, Mark Olsen (a lawyer and member of the NY bar) and Will Scheffer. Both writers are openly gay and are, in fact, gay partners. Perhaps the Big Love temple episode was merely retaliation for Prop 8. Surely, Tom Hanks, Big Love's best-known producer, is on board with that.

Don't be surprised if HBO's next series revolves around an incestuous family.

*Even though it appears that no one (including my wife) reads my blog, I will continue to blog away for the sake of posterity; my posterity at least.

Inalienable rights

Someone asked me the following question last night: "So what are and who defines the inalienable rights of the people of CA?" I answered the question already, but I am curious to know how would you answer this question. (I anticipate many comments to this post because I know my blog is all the rage in the blogging community.)

Best guitar solos of all time (in my unbiased opinion)

Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb

(could also include Dogs and Shine On Crazy Diamond)

Frank Zappa: What's New In Baltimore

Steve Vai - True story of Baltimore
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Steve Vai: Call It Sleep

(could also include For the Love of God and Tender Surrender)

Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Flood


Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child

Floyd for Floyd Fans

Here's some good stuff you won't hear on the radio.



Grantchester Medows (Live 1970)

Grantchester Meadows first appeared on Ummagumma, which I think is one of Pink Floyd's better albums. The Ummagumma version was written and performed entirely by Roger Waters and is not as good as this one. David Gilmour's voice contrasts nicely with Waters' in this version. Gilmour's superior guitar playing also makes this version better.



Astronomy Domine (Live 1969)

This version of Astronomy Domine also appeared on Ummagumma. I think it's the best version. Syd Barrett deserves the credit for writing the song, but Gilmour does a better job of playing the guitar parts. I guess it helped that Gilmour wasn't tripping every time he played. (Incidentally, this video has Chinese water dragons and a leopard gecko, which is better than staring at a picture of Pink Floyd with their musical equipment.)



Wish You Were Here (Live 1977)

The quality is not much on this version, but it's the only live version of Wish You Were Here that I know of before the band broke up in '83. The quasi-Pink Floyd has played it many times since, and Pink Floyd played it at Live 8, but... This song is still fantastic, even after having heard it so many times.



The Nile Song

The Nile Song is probably the "heaviest" of all Pink Floyd songs (with the exception, perhaps, of Ibiza Bar). This is especially true if one considers that it was released in 1969. Even the drums are "heavy" (which cannot be said about Young Lust). It's from the More album, and it makes my ears happy. Note the lyrics at around 1:20, where it says "she will bring me to the island in the sun." I wonder if this is where Weezer got the title to "Island in the Sun."


Echoes Part I (live at Pompeii)

I used to watch the Live at Pompeii video at least monthly when I was in high school. Needless to say, my priorities (and availability) have changed since then.

Zeppelin for Zeppelin Fans

When I was in high school, my brother-in-law gave me Led Zeppelin III for my birthday. I can remember playing Immigrant Song over and over again without paying much attention to the rest of the album. The other songs on the album didn't particularly interest me because they were too mellow. I was more into Zeppelin I, II and IV. Now, my tastes have changed (after having heard Immigrant Song just shy of 3,000 times) and III is now my favorite Zeppelin album. Maybe I'm just mellowing as I age.


"That's the Way"


Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp (live 1975)


Since I've Been Loving You (live 1973)


Friends

There's not a bad song on this album.

My Name is Mud and Ice Ice Baby

Before our recent could spell, we had lots of rain and lots of mud. Alena stared at this particularly attractive bit of mud for at least one minute (in her white pants and new pink coat) before she was persuaded not to jump in. She probably still regrets the lost opportunity.



Shortly after leaving this frozen pond, Eli informed me that it was his first time walking on "wild ice" (as opposed to domesticated ice one finds in an ice rink).



Luke had so much fun on the ice that he managed to keep his coat on for a full ten minutes, even though it was only 32 degrees at the time. Typically, the temperature must drop below 15 degrees to inspire even five minutes of such behavior.

Sammy kept slipping on the ice in his rubber boots (hence, the look on his face) and retreated to a safer shore locale on several occasions.

Where can I get a saddle for my cat?

New Jersey has an interesting regulation in its code. N.J.A.C. 19:2-4.2 provides in part (a) that "[n]o animal shall be led, ridden, or driven on the hoof upon the Expressway at any time, unless acting under contract or permit." OK. I follow the logic here. The powers that be in New Jersey do not want people riding horses willy nilly on the Atlantic City Expressway. Lancaster is not in New Jersey after all.

But then! Part (b) says "[t]his restriction does not apply to dogs, cats or other domesticated household pets if kept on a leash." I guess that means you can ride your great dane down the AC expressway, provided you hold the leash. Maybe the leash could act as your pet's reins. This sounds like fun. Does anyone have a large domesticated animal I could borrow for a quick jaunt down to AC? My cat's too small.