5 guitarists that SHRED!!!!

(I am not one of them)

Solos that make me weep is more like it! But seriously, I love a good guitar riff and a long jam that has a ripple effect on my brain thereby causing me to bust out into “air guitar” mode!!!

These are the fab FIVE:

1) David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) the example song is DOGS (it’s stellar)

2) Adam Jones (Tool) the example song is “Schism” (holy crap is that a jam)

3) J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) a prime example is anything from the album, “You’re Living All Over Me.” In such short songs he squeezes these unbelievable solos. He packs a punch!!!

4) Lou Reed (of Velvet Underground) R.I.P. This man destroys this improvised song called “Sister Ray!” Damn he has endurance!!!

5) Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) on “Dazed and Confused” played live in New York for the film THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME…he busts out a violin bow string and seems to never stop playing! (See clip below)

Amen to the great guitar Gods!!!!

Later Lou

Lou Reed died on October 27th 2013. I don’t believe rock and roll bands change people’s lives. But when I was 19, in college, one of my roommates was listening to a song by Lou Reed that really resonated with me. Coney Island Baby is the name of it. We were smoking cigarettes and talking. I asked to play the song again. I went back home during winter break. I bought a compilation record called Different Times: Lou Reed in the 70’s. That song was on there as well as many other of his hits. I bought this compact disc at a strip-mall in Aurora, Illinois. Northgate, the neon sign read. The mall isn’t as pretty as it used to be, kind of a dump actually. But I loved it when my discman leaked a tiny reproduction of Reed’s voice into my head all day, every day for most of 1996. I enjoyed listening to him. His music is out there to be experienced any time you want to hear it. He made lots of records.

When you’re a teenager, rock & roll has a gravity that it can never have again. In the summers of my college days, Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground were sort of my emotional life. I have blogged before about his music and I have been still listening to his stuff. When I heard the news, I listened to Coney Island Baby right away. I tried, but could not recapture the intensity of feeling that song had for me in another time. I wouldn’t want to, however. But the spaces in that song are certainly planted in my DNA now. (paraphrased) Man, I’d swear, I’d give the whole thing up for Lou.

later lou

to be misunderstood
is not so bad
brutal honesty in New York City
crossing his legs
holding a guitar
on his lap
writing a sad song
with sunglasses on
(better artistic impressions)
to care
but not regret or change
to transform
but stay the same
a poet
a story teller
a man who will be missed
enjoy the twilight
as its reeling

-Christopher Noe Copyright 2013

I Remember November

I took a little break from blogging, due to the recent Halloween festivities. Then Lou Reed; the amazing musician, singer and songwriter; passed away. He was a great guitarist and storyteller from Brooklyn. I posted a couple of small blog entries on this man. His death reminded me about how precious life is. Now it’s November and it is time for my “playlist of the month.” The crumblings of summer are quite apparent, saying goodbye to what has been and what we must prepare for: Old Man Winter. He is coming. Although this entire month is still Autumn; here in the Midwest, we tend to get that winter chill somewhat early.

Lou Reed’s death inspired the theme for November. Of course we must remember our Saints, our soldiers and be thankful for our families and friends. We sit around and drink. Turkey raffles are won! Children learn about Plymouth Rock, Pilgrims and Indians. Of course, many football games are played and we eat chili and drink beer to celebrate all of this American nostalgia. Yet, it is still a melancholy time. Today we remember the dead, for it is All Souls Day. Or in Mexico, we call it Día de Muertos. So this playlist, which I have assembled, is a tribute to our changing weather, embracing what we have remaining of our Autumn season and finding comfort and understanding through loss.

Here is the list (and played in this order)

Remember November

1. Type O Negative = Everything Dies
2. Guns N Roses = November Rain
3. Tom Waits = November
4. Kansas = Dust In The Wind
5. Led Zeppelin = Ramble On
6. Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions = Blanchard
7. Smashing Pumpkins = Soothe
8. Pearl Jam = Indifference
9. The Beatles = A Day In The Life
10. NIN = A Warm Place
11. Neko Case = Don’t Forget Me
12. Hole = Dole Parts
13. Johnny Cash = Hurt
14. Lou Reed = Sad Song

(R.I.P.)

peace out….C-Note

“Rock & Roll” by The Velvet Underground

This is an incredible song! A joyous celebration of the power of rock ‘n’ roll! I name it as my favorite rock and roll song ever written and recorded. No pun intended. It has a real catchy hook to it. The lyrics evoke that sense of being saved by this music. I picture myself cruising through a busy street or by the ocean or on a country road or anywhere for that matter and listening to this rock song.

It tells the story of a girl named Ginny who was “just five years old,” messing with the dials of her radio in her car until she turned “on a New York station and she couldn’t be-lieve what she heard at all.” Lou Reed is a fantastic song writer and guitar player!

Lou Reed praises the glory of “Rock & Roll” with brutal delight in this Velvet Underground song of that simple title, seeing it as the solace of that young girl, previously mentioned when it explodes out of that radio. It is the third track on the band’s 1970 album, Loaded. I think a fresh audience discovered it when this ten-minute version appeared on Lou Reed’s 1974 live album Rock’n’Roll Animal. What a fantastic record that one is! But the song alone,”‘Rock & Roll,'” is about me, you, anyone really whose eyes and ears suddenly are opened. For me, if I did not hear any rock & roll on the radio, including the song, then I would not be the man that I am today.

But why do I love it? It just feels so damn good on my ears!!!

Take a listen:

Therapy in a Song

Songs are Therapy For Me

Everyone has a favorite song, at least I hope so. For what would this world be like without music? I can remember certain times in my life based primarily on a specific tune. These were always in the foreground for me. Whether I was at a dinner party, a grocery store, watching a movie or playing a board game. These songs tend to be in the background for most people but not for me. I hear every word and notice every nuance.

But how do they help shape my life? Did any particular song give you the strength you needed during a tough time? Was there a song playing when you told your girlfriend or boyfriend that you loved them for the first time? (Feel free to share your favorite songs when commenting on my posts). Music is all-encompassing for me.  Occasionally, I will try to start a new series for my blog. I will share what my beloved songs are. They are truly therapeutic.

So tonight’s tune…..Coney Island Baby  by Lou Reed

This is a really great song. It’s a nice simple sentiment about taking comfort from the people who believe in you even when you feel worthless. The guitar riffs are just out of sight. I can envision myself sitting by the ocean and starring at New York at sunset and getting the images of the coach and the princess at the carnival. They are characters in his short story of a six and a half minute song. I hear it and I freeze just to listen to it’s powerful words and the story Lou Reed is telling about passion, tastes, intimidation and most of all…love.

When I first heard “Coney Island Baby,”  I was 19 years old and in my second year of college. Sitting around in a friends’ dorm room smoking, drinking and relaxing. The groove of this melody was feeling comfortable to my ears. After I moved back home with my folks, I found myself hearing it more and more on stereos in cars, bars and at friend’s houses. I eventually bought a disc with this wonderful and magical song on it.  I even threw it in on a couple of mix tapes.

The song itself tells the story of teenage years in Long Island and the confusion that goes with it.  Am I going down the right path?  Do I fit in with my peers or am I following my own path? Which is what I do. I follow the beat of a different drummer, so I can relate to this song. This begins slowly with the mellow guitars and Reed’s soft voice and builds to a nice uplifting ballad. Despite its meaning, it is an awesome piece of work.

Lou Reed did a lot with the music group, The Velvet Underground, but his solo stuff in the mid to late 70’s was spectacular. And this song was truly his masterpiece because he was such an outsider from NYC. What do I mean? He was and always has been a brave story teller talking about the scums of Brooklyn and the wild parties and the horrors of drug use. It is so personal with Lou, and on this song, you hear him in his most emotional state.

I could go on for eternity about this song. But I won’t because I have other ones to talk about down the road. So do yourself a favor. Listen to this one and tell me why you hate it! Because I feel nothing but love for it.

Peace out

C-Note