TheChez.net

By: Pedro

Well I haven’t contributed to this site in the longest time.  I have a few minutes before class so I decided to write about my favorite thing- Music.  I promised a while ago to write about the Socratic Society at Marywood.  I still plan on doing this but I decided to wait until the first meeting of the semester.  Until then I wanted to share some thoughts about musicians who I would like to see live and why.  By doing this I hope I introduce some musicians that aren’t mainstream in pop music today.  I know that most of these people are acquired tastes but don’t knock ‘em ’til you listen to ‘em. (them)

1) Loudon Wainwright III- The Will Ferrell of Folk Music

I first heard Loudon on a tape from the first season of Saturday Night Live.  I thought he sucked.  Then maybe two or three months later his name popped up.  I don’t remember where but I found out about his son, Rufus Wainwright.  I made an instant connection and did some looking into the matter.  In this process I stumbled upon more of Loudon’s music.  In my listenings I came upon many songs that demonstrated great lyrical wit and insight while being absolutely hilarious at the same time.  His voice is completely unique and I don’t know why but he has some sort of problem with his tongue.  The interesting thing about Loudon’s songs is that they are written about the simplest things in life, but they are very philosophical.  The song that is in this video is called Cardboard Boxes and is probably not the best example of a great song, but it’s catchy and a good example of his writing about everyday things.  This song is a satire on the subject of moving if you don’t have the incite to notice, but he does write serious songs.  Watch out for that tongue- it’s crazy.  Also, ignore the dumb tv host.

Why Live?-  Loudon Wainwright is an interesting man.  He is constantly writing songs that are relevant and interesting.  The thing is that most of these songs go unrecorded.  Seeing Loudon live is the best way to hear songs that might never be recorded.

2)Bob Dylan

If you know me then you know that I have a fascination with Bob Dylan.  It has died down recently but I still have to mention him in this list.  I won’t write about him because I will get bored but I will include this song (one of my favorites) from his album Together Through life.

Why Live?-  For the experience.  I’m going to include Pete Seeger in Number Two- He’s a legend and he is going to die any day now.  I’d like to see him before that happens, but  I can’t bring myself to write about him write now.

3)Tom Waits

So I come to one of my favorite singers of all time.  To describe his singing talent I can use two words.  He sucks.  That’s what’s so great.  His voice is the harshest that I have ever heard.  It’s worse than Bob Dylan’s.  It often reminds me of a Sesame Street character.  He doesn’t try to make his harsh voice different when he performs.  The thing is that he writes some of the greatest lyrics ever.  I often think that he gets drunk and high and then spits out miraculously “inspired” stuff.  This might be true, but if so I think he should keep doing it because it’s great.  Here is a video of him singing Rain Dogs live.  Can you say Unique?

Why Live?-  Of all the people that I have on this list I can say that I am only scared of seeing one of these musicians live.  That is Tom Waits.  I would be so scared of the stuff that might go on at his shows.  Drugs, sex, gay people hitting on me, creeps shooting up and offering me some, confetti hitting me in the face.  Hey- I’m just there for the music.  I think that watching Tom Waits on stage would be something else that perhaps would be cool, but I don’t want some fat lady poppin’ date rape drugs in my drink and kid napping me.  As you can see from this video a Tom Waits concert is unique and similar to performance art.  That is why I want to see it live.  However, if I do go to one I’m going to take a body guard with me.

4)Led Zeppelin

Let me go off on a tangent and say that I envy my philosophy professor very much.  He shook hands with and met John Bonham.  Anyways.   John Bonham has since passed away, but I feel like I still want to see Led Zeppelin live.  It would be legendary.  Of course they would have to get back together for a show and I would have to buy the extremely expensive ticket, but that’s besides the point.  I can dream.  This video is a crappy version of the song Rock N’ Roll.  I think seeing them live now might be a little disappointing on a musical level, but I still think it would be worth it.

Why Live? – It would be legendary!

5)Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon is perhaps my favorite singer songwriter.  I enjoy his music more than Bob Dylan’s.  And there is nothing I enjoy more than hearing him perform with Art Garfunkel.  I think that the presentation of Simon’s lyrics in two part harmony is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.  So naturally I would like the pair to get back together for a tour.  If they do I will be there.  Here is a video of Simon and Garfunkel live in 2009.  The look like they might topple over any minute.  I think that they sound a little different but still great.  Art Garfunkel still has an amazing voice.

Why Live?-  I saw Peter Paul and Mary live last year.  It was pure magic.  The honesty with which they sang was wonderful.  I think that seeing Simon and Garfunkel live would be a similar experience in that they are the purest musicians that I can think of.