Jt Smith

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Sixto Rodriguez was an immensely talented folk songwriter. He did not gain attention in the wider United States. The musician was born in a rough neighborhood of Detroit. He was a recluse. His music left an everlasting impression on those who listened to his songs. Cold Fact would have been his breakthrough album in America. It was an underwhelming response. No exposure. His music was quite popular in South Africa where Apartheid was prevalent. He reminds me of a Bob Marley or a Bob Dylan with protest songs. The oppressed people were the ones he championed for. This music doc is one of the most beautiful and raw profiles on Rodriguez. The film deserved its Oscar. RIP.

I am averse to Good Fellas. it's my favourite mob family drama. yes i know that the Godfather Trilogy, A Bronx Tale, Casino, Donnie Brasco & Carlito's Way are included but let's be frank. the Irishman is a sprawling, introspective, yet grounded thread. it is definitely a near-masterpiece if only it was cut more. 3 and a half hours later, u need a stiff drink too. i am not talking about Canada Dry either. the acting in the Irishman is top-notch and consistent. Robert De Niro is the star along with Al Pacino & Joe Pesci. Frank Sheeran, Jimmy Hoffa, & Russell Bufalino capture the grand stage. the awkwardness between Frank & his daughter is quite realistic. if your dad was a hit man and you knew of his dirty deeds, there would be a coldness. Overall, the Irishman is well executed by Marty and there is no need to fret about De Niro's recent output. he is a bright star in an otherwise crowded constellation of other vibrant objects in the Irishman.

If we rewind back to the low 90's while i was in college upstate. Letters to Cleo performed with a few classmates in tow. i didn't really know who Kay Hanley was. i was absent for the show on campus. my friend Chris who lived in Stamford reintroduced me to the power pop/rock quartet. he was like a young Yoda who instructed me to listen to Cleo. i was hooked after the first album Aurora Gory Alice on cassette. analog rules btw. i decided to check out Kay and her bandmates on this compilation. it features the Cheap Trick pop anthem I Want You to Want Me & the synth new wave of Dangerous Type by the Cars. Also, there is a nod to Nick Lowe. Cruel to be Kind is a classic, vintage pop song. the production is so effortless too. after a few spins, Letters to Cleo is in heavy rotation once again. so dive in. boston is calling u.

i discovered the evocative, darkly romantic lyrics of joseph arthur in a local library. Big City Secrets was my introduction into his alt.folk rhythms. the art inside We Almost Made It is quite abstract and experimental. it mirrors the sound of the instrumental album included. there are bits of spoken word within The Invisible Parade. Beatniks would dig the openness and surreal nature of these tracks. Joseph Arthur is more than a random artist who paints, sings, writes poetry, and creates these dreamscapes. he is the essence of cool for the uncool. so if u haven't heard of Joseph Arthur's art and/or poetry books, this will blow out your psyche.

i was a student in college when i was introduced to Paul Kelly. the local radio station was rotating certain songs on Wanted Man. i thank WDST for this discovery. don't be deceived. you might have read some negative press of this "folk rock" album. Summer Rain is gorgeous, a step above U2's bonus track. the sounds tend to blend together. it's like hearing the Beatles again this time from down under. You Keep Pickin' the Same Sore is pure pop bliss. the lyrics are infectious too. there are even strains of jazz within this record with Lately. there is even a traditional indigenous track called Nukkenya which is subtle and tranquil. Love never Runs on Time is appropriate because it's true. so feel free to extract some Paul Kelly and add him to your Australian playlist.

greetings 1 and all happiness more or less. i watch my fever growing. how many times do i have to learn? i'm a lucky fan with the melodies in my hand. the Verve should have been as massive of Blur, Coldplay, Radiohead or Oasis. this compilation works on multiple levels of noise. there is the swirling psychedelica of nick mccabe's guitar licks and the stirring vocals of Mad Richard. Urban Hymns is their swan song. Lucky Man, Sonnet, & Bittersweet Symphony became anthems of swagger and tenderness too.

it's 2019. the Joshua Tree album by U2 is still vital and relevant now. i am watching the Classic Albums doc now that exhibits the phenomenon of the Irish Quartet. U2 love em or leave em dry still evokes a sense of epic wonder, space, and cool nostalgia. U2 were not masters of their coolness until the ZooTv tour. i waver back and forth on which LP is the epitome of U2. Joshua Tree celebrates the past while Achtung Baby focuses on the future of tech, hardware, and fashion. the dynamic duo of Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois are responsible for the sound of U2. i still wish Bono wouldn't resort to technology to produce mass music. the Joshua Tree was quite simplex, meaningful, provocative, and quite revolutionary. the lyrics are in the forefront while Bono chants and preaches the message of love, forgiveness, grace, and blasphemy. i know that i too am not overly immersed in U2's world anymore. the music has changed.

We all know the love fest that once was Fleetwood Mac. u cannot consider it relevant anymore. no negativity towards Finn or Campbell. Lindsay Buckingham is definitely an overlooked guitarist. He also composes his own songs. Holiday Road was my first excursion into Lindsay's wild, eclectic journey. i have watched him perform live on tv as well. he's such a magnetic personality. this compilation features a bit of everything. just don't skip the odd tracks.

The British Invasion introduced us Americans to a new language of sound + vision. the Beatles descended on our shorelines and forever changed the landscape. the late 60's in the UK were elemental with such rock luminaries as Pink Floyd, the Yardbirds, the Small Faces, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Zep, and of course the iconic the Who. power pop became a phenomena much later. the Anderson Council exhibit their guitar shred and wail, namely from an old classmate. David Whitehead is one of the coolest musicians i have experienced along with Big Jim Wheeler, Billy Roues, & Dan Bern. this type of rock/pop contains loud guitar chords, propulsive drumming, & DIY style lyricism. Peter Horvath is a cult-like figure (in a very cool fashion) with the reinvention of post-brit invasion during the 21st century. Mrs. Kirby's Refrigerator is the epitome of that calm, collected, and cool demeanor. Peter Noone is the guest vocalist which is perfect for TAC's irreverent sound textures. the rest is Gravy. pure, golden harmonies.

I watched a few highlights on PBS last night. it's timeless and endless music too. George was the quiet Beatle yet his songwriting was mere boundless joy and other soulful meditations. You will be amiss if you ignore this rock concert. It has the concept of a tribute experience alla The Last Waltz. Ringo & the percussionists like Jim Keltner are icons. Slowhand is front and center as is Macca. i recognized most of the artists. Dhani, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Clapton, Billy Preston, etc. My Sweet Lord was indelible and quite moving. btw who is the ukulele player at the encore? It is twenty years later and we are still recollecting on the life of a Beatle. Thanks George.