OK, folks, this is a thread from a post I made on the Tir-ry sub in Muse. It occurred to me that this might be a topic of interest for, at the very least, myself and Shamrock.
This one is strictly classic rock 'n' roll; who are your favorite artists, which are your favorite albums or songs?
For me, it all started with The Beatles when I was just 5 years old--my father brought home the red (1962-1966) and blue (1967-1970) double LP compilations--and I've never looked back. I was something of a metalhead at 14, a Deadhead by 17 (discovered Dylan the year before that), and fully immersed in prog-rock at 18--Rush, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, The Strawbs, Jethro Tull--and classic heavy metal, most notably Led Zeppelin.
But I like to examine the bands not as well known, too--so let's chat this one up, folks.

wow .. this is right up the alley for pegs and tecumseh and lostsoul and celt !! just to name a few *smile* ........ an interesting topic, wolflikeperson.

Still, saying this is for classic rock-n-roll is a teensy bit .. ummmm .. restrictive? I still cant go past the Beatles, but have you heard of Johnny O'Keefe? http://cust.idl.com.au/powercd/jok/
or Jimmy Barnes and the boys?
http://www.angelfire.com/ar/ralif/chisel.html
..... just for starters *s*. I think when you say 'classic' you mean 'classic 'mericaaaaaaaan'?

Still, you might have a bit a fun checking out the links from those sites.

John Mayall Group, Kinks, Beatles "RUBBER SOUL"Cream, Blind Faith, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Yes, zepplin led, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Riders of the Purple Sage. Charlie Daniels Band. Eric Clapton! TRAFFIC. ~Santana~
Oye como va!

All of those.
Pink Floyd, Yardbirds, Byrds, Rory Gallagher (who used to play at our school dances before he found something vastly more rewarding to do)
Maybe the Trogs were not Rock? But I'll never forget "Wild Thing" - seminal, so to speak- brings back memories of a certain young lady :).

Ohhhhh.....too many to mention........

Hmmmmmm....Beatles,Yardbirds, Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Traffic, Pink floyd, Men at Work, Olivia Newton John (with her *big toothy smile*).......don't think they're American groups! Lacie's comments make me think of a great movie that came out about 20 yrs ago my wife and I saw about a group of kids in Sydney, Oz. who had pretensions of being rock stars, lots of music and lots of laughs, filmed on location right under that big bridge in Sydney, you know the famous one we all see when they show tourist pics of Sydney. Does anyone recognize it or know the name of it, i'd like to see if I can find it again on video, Lacie or Typan? *THANKS*

Velvet Underground (I'm from Christchurch, it's obligatory), Kinks (a lot), Zeppelin of course; Sabbath are quite funny in their way; Oooh, the Who, how could I forget? And from these parts, those days, the La de Das, Loved Ones, Machine Gun Kelly's Rejects(Aus)
More recently: Lacie, how 'bout them Boys Next Door/Birthday Party (just kidding) - I'm finally old enough not to be scared of Nick Cave (who has become very good in his middle age); hunters and collectors had a couple of good 'uns in an 80s sort of way -
And from NZ, Straitjacket Fits (world's least respected band.

I think these would be my favorite rock albums:
"Revolver," and the white album, The Beatles (1966, 1968)
"2112," "A Farewell to Kings," and "Counterparts," Rush (1976, 1977, 1993)
"In the Court of the Crimson King" and "Larks' Tongues in Aspic," King Crimson (1969 and 1973)
"Piper at the Gates of Dawn," "Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here," and "Animals," Pink Floyd (1967, 1973, 1975, 1977)
"Highway 61 Revisited," "Blonde on Blonde" and "Blood on the Tracks," Bob Dylan (1965, 1966, 1975)
"Space Ritual," Hawkwind (1973)
"Then Play On," Fleetwood Mac (1969)
"Loaded," The Velvet Underground (1970)
"Mad Shadows," "Brain Capers," and "Mott," Mott the Hoople (1970, 1972, 1973)
"Death Walks Behind You," Atomic Rooster (1970)
"Vincebus Eruptum," Blue Cheer (1968)
"Spirit" and "12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus," Spirit (1968, 1970)
"Tommy," "Live at Leeds," and "Who's Next," The Who (1969, 1970, 1971)
"Trespass," "Foxtrot," and "Selling England by the Pound," Genesis (1970, 1972. 1973)
"Master of Puppets," "...And Justice for All" and "Load," Metallica (1986, 1988, 1996)
"The Doors," "Strange Days," "Morrison Hotel" and "L.A. Woman," The Doors (1967, 1970, 1971)
"Kick Out the Jams," MC5 (1969)
"Forever Changes," Love (1968)
The first four Led Zeppelin albums (1969-1971)
"What We Did on Our Holidays," "Unhalfbricking," and "Liege and Lief," Fairport Convention (1968, 1969, 1970)
"Black Sabbath" and "Paranoid," Black Sabbath (1970-71)
"Machine Head" and "Made in Japan," Deep Purple (1972-73)
"The Dream Weaver," Gary Wright (1975)
"Performance--Rockin' the Fillmore," Humble Pie (1971)
"Gasoline Alley" and "Every Picture Tells a Story," Rod Stewart (1970-71)
"Tumbleweed Connection," "Madman Across the Water," and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Elton John (1970, 1971, 1973)
"Leftoverture," Kansas (1976)
The first 3 Santana LPs (1969-71)
"Aqualung," "Thick as a Brick," "Songs From the Wood," and "Crest of a Knave," Jethro Tull (1971, 1972, 1977, 1987)
...whew! Quite a list, that...

Damn! Almost forgot... <:)
"Disraeli Gears" and "Wheels of Fire," Cream (1967-68)
"John Barleycorn Must Die," Traffic (1970)
"Turn! Turn! Turn!," "Fifth Dimension," "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" and "Ballad of Easy Rider," The Byrds (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)
"Surrealistic Pillow" and "Crown of Creation," Jefferson Airplane (1967-68)
"Anthem of the Sun," "Live/Dead," "Aoxomoxoa," "Workingman's Dead" and "American Beauty," The Grateful Dead (1968-70)
"Cheap Thrills," Big Brother and the Holding Co. (1968)
All 3 Jimi Hendrix Experience LPs (1967-68)
"Tyranny and Mutation" and "Secret Treaties," Blue Oyster Cult (1973-74)
...think that about covers it for now...

that's a lotta favourites ....

.............. you have trouble making up your mind, Cbleidd ??

The Ramones changed my life when i was barely 14...from there it grew to include the most primal and important music I ever heard...X, Flipper, Black Flag, the Dead Kennedy's, the Germs, Bad Brains, the Blasters, The Flesheaters, Minor Threat, Scratch Acid, Teen Idles, State Of Alert with Henry Rollins...talk about classic...

mmmmmm....so many....I was lucky and got some influence from my big sis...Raheny always had the radio on and my first memories are of Elvis, The Platters and the old rhythm and blues...Everly's and then onto the Beatles..and Dylan, folk and the "english invasion".....and then on and on and on...Van the man....Pearl Jam and U2...my mind can't keep up.....

CSNY: Deja Vu.
Neil Young :Tonights The Night.
Jefferson Starship/Airplane:Blows Against the Empire.
Doors: L.A Woman.
Dylan: Blood on the Tracks
Singles- Something in the Air, Thunderclap Newman.
Long Cool Woman,Hollies.
Green Eyed Lady, Sugar Loaf.
and Mr Bojangles by whoever it was.

Guest: "Mr. Bojangles" was done by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Lacie: No, no trouble making up my mind. Just a lot of kick-ass rock'n'roll that I like! :)
Favorite singles:
Fleetwood Mac, "Oh Well" and "Landslide"
The Yardbirds, "Happenings 10 Years' Time Ago"
Grand Funk Railroad, "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" and "We're an American Band"
Hawkwind, "Silver Machine"
Donovan, "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
The Grateful Dead, "Uncle John's Band"
Atomic Rooster, "Death Walks Behind You"
Metallica, "One" and "Hero of the Day"
Van Morrison, "Tupelo Honey"
Bob Dylan, "Positively 4th Street"
King Crimson, "In the Court of the Crimson King"
Rush, "Cygnus X-1, Book One" and "Book Two"
...just a few favorite songs. Really, there's about 500 in my top 10. :)

April Wine, Five Man Electrical Band,BTO,Guess Who
RUSH, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse,Crowbar,Ronnie Hawkins - should tell you, at least, where I'm at
All time favourite single:
The Wanderer - Dion

much more into Celtic these days

Fav group *LEAHY*

If you don't know them - worth looking for!!!!

well lets see here...here are the groups i like!!! lol..
SmashMouth
Goo Goo Dolls
Britteny Spears
Christina Agulera
Maria Carey
Fiona Apple (some of her stuff)
and lots others that names i'm still trying to sound out...lol
but of course i can't forget my little bit of Celtic fav music
Maire Brennan:Whisper To The Wild Water....Christian Celtic btw,,,(by the way)
ok well ttfn!!!

the previous guest forgot to mention
Bobby Sherman
The Stampeders

Peter Gabriel is a prophet....Genesis pre-1977, and most of his solo work too...he also designed a computer game called Eve that has awesome art and music, but its a little hard to find....

HEY! I did not forget Bobby Sherman. Its says Classic Rock at the top not Transient Bubblegum. Its guests like you that give guests like me a bad name. hugs.

Bobby Sherman???? Puuuleassssssse...

Bobby Sherman.....what about David Cassidy? *g*

Dammit, people, next you'll be discussing the artistic sensibilities of the New Kids...or N'Sync...or (shudder) the Backstreet Boys! I said CLASSIC ROCK, *not* the FLAVOR OF THE FREAKIN' MONTH!!!
And I promise you, people...*anyone*...ANYONE...who dares come in here posting endless "Metallica R00LZ, d00d!" will be beaten senseless with a herring!

this guest sings " Hey little woman please make your mind . You've got to come into my world and leave your world behind . Come on now nah nah nah nah nah you've got to come down from that cloud girl and leave your world behind . When you're with me I feel sunshine even when I'm standing in the rain.
Something happens that I can't explain when I hear your name but you can't help it that you're always chasing rainbows in your mind. There so much I want to say to you and theres so little time."
Chorus ......... Hey little woman .....nah Where would the world be with out bubblegum music?
*LOL*

*wondering why it's so hard to find a nice-sized fish with which to slap the disrespectful when you most need one*
In the CD player right now: Island Records' 40th, Vol. 3: Acoustic Waves 1968-1975. Features: Fairport Convention, Traffic, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Renaissance, Incredible String Band, The Chieftains (among others). There's a total of 5 volumes available that I know of, and these were released in late '98/early '99. The first focuses on ska in the label's early years (1959-64), the second on R&B and soul (1964-69), the fourth on electric rock 'n' roll (1967-75), the fifth on reggae ('70s, '80s, '90s). Excellent series, though not quite as inclusive as you might wish...still, a lot of the music is very difficult to find on CD otherwise.

*wanders in and notices that noone has mentioned one of her all time favorites...!

JETHRO TULL!!!!!!!!!!! Fave albums being "Songs from the Wood" and "Minstrel in the Gallery". They put on one he** of a concert! *G*

*stumbles back out*

*on her bleary-eyed way back out the door she notices that Cbleidd HAD mentioned Tull right at the beginning....* Oops!

*continues on her very sleepy way back out into the mist*

aw gee Cbleidd..there is no accounting for some peoples taste, and Metallica isnt so bad...for a metal band ....

try not to take it too hard when your discussion is sullied with fluffy stuff...after all it's only rock 'n roll.......but I like it

;)

some people born raised to wave the flag, oh that red white and blue, it aint me it aint me.
http://www.ilos.net/~denden/CCRP.html

Don't get me wrong, Texa, I *like* Metallica, I just want to see some intelligent posts about their music. "Metallica r00lz, d00d!" is not my idea of an intelligent post, and it's the sort of junk that pops up in too many chat rooms (one of the reasons why I don't do chat rooms!).

LS: I, too, love Tull. I bought, not too long ago, "This Was," "Stand Up" and "Benefit" on CD.
Had to leave again/Just when I thought I'd found ya/It was a new day yesterday/But it's an old day now...
I came down from the sky to cry you a song...
(And the hard-jammin' strains of "Cat's Squirrel"...oh, HELL yeah!)
I would love to see Tull in concert, but they haven't been to Memphis since, oh, I think 1996? I wasn't able to get to see them then...oh well. Their most recent album wasn't too bad, "J-Tull Dot Com." And Ian's got a new solo album in the bins right now, "The Secret Language of Birds."
Tweet tweet, tweet tweet, see you in the morning.

AHHHHH, STEELY DAN, ONE OF MY FAVORITES...ALSO LOVE THE HOLLIES AAND NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN THE EAGLES!!!

that's fair enough Cbleidd, i'm not particularly a big fan of metal, altho RATM is cool..lol

still stuck on PG...


Echoes of the Broadway Everglades,
With her mythical madonnas still walking in their shades;
Lenny Bruce declares a truce and plays his other hand.
Marshall McLuhan, casual viewin, head buried in the sand,
Sirens on the rooftops wailing, but there's no ship sailing,
Groucho, with his movies trailing, stands alone with his punchline failing.
Ku Klux Klan serves hot soul food and the band plays "In the Mood"
The cheerleader waves her cyanide wand, there's a smell of peach blossom and bitter almond.
Caryl Cessman sniffs the air and leads the parade,
He knows in a scent, you can bottle all you made.
There's Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes, smiling at the majorettes smoking Winston cigarettes.
And as the song and dance begins, the children play at home with needles; needles and pins.

Broadway Melody of 1974
Peter Gabriel with Genesis

Ah, Peter Gabriel...

There is lambswool under my naked feet;
The wool is soft and warm, gives off some kind of heat.
The salamander scurries into flame to be destroyed...
The fleas cling to the golden fleece, hoping they'll find peace...
You gotta get in to get out...
Mild-mannered supermen are clothed in kryptonite...
--Peter Gabriel/Genesis (1974), "The Carpet Crawlers"

Stand up and fight, for you know we are right,
We must strike at the lies that are spread like disease through our lives!
--Peter Gabriel/Genesis (1970), "The Knife"

Genesis was never quite the same without PG, in my opinion. Not as good...

The Cinema Show


Home from work our Juliet
Clears her morning meal.
She dabs her skin with pretty smells
Concealing to appeal
I will make my bed,
She said, but turned to go
Can she be late for her cinema show?
Cinema show?

Romeo locks his basement flat,
And scurries up the stair.
With head held high and floral tie,
A weekend millionaire.
I will make my bed
With her tonight, he cries.
Can he fail, armed with his chocolate surprise?

Take a little trip back with Father Tiresias,
Listen to the old one speak of all he has lived through.
I have crossed between the poles, for me there's no mystery.
Once a man, like the sea i raged,
Once a woman, like the earth i gave.
And there is in fact more earth than sea.

Take a little trip back with Father Tiresias,
Listen to the old one speak of all he has lived through.
I have crossed between the poles, for me there's no mystery.
Once a man, like the sea i raged,
Once a woman, like the earth i gave.
But there is in fact more earth than sea.

Peter Gabriel/ Genesis (1974)

Another of my favorites, Dave Cousins of the Strawbs:

He came into the shop and he looked me in the eyes
And said, "You know, I'm Jesus"--and I must have looked surprised
For he said, "Please don't be hasty, no one understands,
But I've got a way to prove it." And he lifted up his hands;
He was the man who called himself Jesus....
--"The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" (1969)

I wandered far onto the lonely moor,
Sparse coarse tufts of grass reached out to trip me.
And above my head, the leaden clouds hung low
As I turned my face into the wind....
The mist rolled down across the countryside;
I thought I heard the coastal sirens sound
As I turned my face into the wind...
And still somehow, I sensed her presence near.
And tufts of sheep's wool hanging from a gorse bush
Were as though her hands were beckoning me home
As I turned my face into the wind.
--"I Turned My Face Into the Wind" (1970)

Children! Are you sleeping?
Are you innocent like me?
May you never cross that line--
I hope your dreams are not like mine.
--"Ghosts" (1975)

I would add anything done by Brian Eno from 1973 to the present, but esp ''Another Green World'' and ''Before and After Science''
Also might add a few odd bands like Kraftwerk and Devo who were very influential in the 70's and 80's.
*hah...and this from someone who now chiefly listens to 1930's delta blues...LLL

I completely forgot to mention Big Star.

Ah, Big Star...Alex Chilton...quite the local celeb here in Memphis. Used to have a copy of "#1/Radio City" on CD (the band's 2 LPs for Ardent Records). I would almost rather Memphis was known for A.C. than it is for "E" (thankyaverramuch, gimme sum jelly donuts, man). But, as this is not a perfect world... And Memphis' other great claim to musical fame, Stax/Volt, classic soul and R&B.

This is a post with a double purpose--to plug a CD on one hand, and to plug a website on the other.
In the mail today, I got a custom CD from MusicMaker.com that I'd had configured from the Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes "Live at the Greek" double CD set. On that site, where you can place orders for all sorts of custom CDs of your favorite artist(s), I ordered a CD of 8 selections from the aforementioned double-live album. You can even give it a title of your choice (mine was "Led Crowes Live"). For the custom CD configuration, it's a minimum of five tracks for US$4.99, with each additional track US$1.00 (throw in shipping and handling, too). It's a good deal, and you get the songs you want.

Am I to understand that nobody has heard any good rock 'n' roll just lately? Well, here's a few ideas for y'all:
The Flying Burrito Brothers, "Hot Burritos! Anthology 1969-1972" (A&M/Universal 069490610-2) If you like your country served up with the spirit of rock 'n' roll, the Burritos were among the first to do it. Put together in late '68 by ex-Byrds Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons (who was in the Byrds long enough to record "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" before leaving), they were snubbed by the Nashville elite, but they were the first true country-rock band. Features "Sin City," "Hot Burrito #1," "Wheels," "Six Days on the Road," and 39 other tracks on 2 CDs.

Pearl Jam, "Binaural" (Epic EK 63665) The Seattle grunge vets' sixth studio album finds E. Vedder & Co. in fine form, if perhaps not quite as raucous as on previous releases. Features "Nothing as it Seems," "Thin Air" and "Soon Forget" (this last features Eddie on ukelele!). The cover art is pretty cool, too--three different NASA photos of nebulae, the one on the front cover being the Hourglass Nebula, some 7000 light-years from Earth.

A few thoughts, notes, etc....
Happy birthday, June 18th, to one James Paul McCartney, ex-Beatles, ex-Wings (no further introduction necessary). Today, Macka is 58.

Also, a new Joe Walsh CD--or James Gang, actually; "Greatest Hits" (MCA/Universal 088112064-2). All the expected hits, of course: "Funk #49," "Tend My Garden," "Walk Away" and a few surprises, including 2 tracks from the soundtrack of the hippie Western "Zachariah," which starred Don Johnson in an early role and John Rubinstein, and also featured Country Joe & The Fish ("Gimme an F!").
And recently picked up the Genesis box set, "Archive 1967-75" (Atlantic 82858-2), which features the entire "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" performed live at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Jan. 24, 1975; rare live versions from '73 of "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight" and "Supper's Ready"; a whole series of unreleased demos recorded for the band's first LP, "From Genesis to Revelation." Good stuff, check it out.

ahhhhh McCartney - now there is a talent! A true legend.

(and he certainly turned this ones head to fancy as a wee lass ......... and, along with Sean Connery, still does!!)

the war was over and the spirit was broken.
the hills were smoking as the men withdrew.
we stood on the cliffs.
and watched the ships.
slowly sinking to their rendezvous.
............
sais tu acadie j'ai le mal du pays
ta neige acadie fait des larmes au soleil
j'arrive acadie, teedle um teedle um teedle ohh.

above by The Band

If you see something that looks like a star,
And it's shooting up out of the ground,
And your head is spinning from a loud guitar,
And you just can't escape from the sound--
Don't worry too much, it'll happen to you.
We were children once, playing with toys.
And the sound that you're hearing is only the sound of the low spark of high-heeled boys.

Chorus:
The percent that you're paying is too high a price,
While you're living beyond all your means.
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he made on your greens.
But today, you just said that the man was shot dead
By a gun that didn't make any noise.
But it wasn't a bullet that laid him to rest,
'Twas the low spark of high-heeled boys.

If you had just a minute to breathe,
And they granted you one final wish,
Would you ask for something like another chance?
Or something similar as this?
Don't worry too much, it'll happen to you,
As sure as your sorrows are joys.
And the thing that disturbs you is only the sound of the low spark of high-heeled boys.

(Repeat Chorus)

If I gave you everything that I owned,
And asked for nothing in return,
Would you do the same for me as I would for you?
Or take me for a ride,
And strip me of everything, including my pride?
But spirit is something that no one destroys.
And the sound that you're hearing is only the sound of the low spark of high-heeled boys.

--Steve Winwood (1971)
"The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys"

and in the end
the love you take
is equal to the love you make
(Lennon-McCartney)

And since I mentioned Steve Winwood in my last post, I think it only germane to mention that Island Records (the U.K. branch) has reissued three of Traffic's albums on CD with bonus tracks: "Mr. Fantasy" (1967-68), featuring the original British stereo LP and the original American mono LP (issued in December of '67 and April of '68 respectively) and each featuring quite different track sequences (CD: Island/Universal 314-546496-2); "Traffic" (1968), the group's sophomore release, which includes "Feelin' Alright," "40,000 Headmen" and "Vagabond Virgin" (CD: Island/Universal 314-546497-2); and "John Barleycorn Must Die" (1970), which was the group's reunion (factoid: It began as a Steve Winwood solo project in the wake of Blind Faith's breakup, and as he recruited Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood to help him out at producer Guy Stevens' urging, it wound up being a new Traffic LP. Furthermore, Winwood was originally going to call the album "Mad Shadows," but Mott the Hoople, also recording for Island [in the U.K., their U.S. deal was with Atlantic] at the time, had chosen that for their second LP title, having had to relinquish "Sticky Fingers" to the Stones!) LP, featuring "Glad," "Freedom Rider," and what I consider the definitive version of the ancient traditional song that is the title cut (CD: Island/Universal 314-546499-2). Any Winwood or Traffic fans here, I urge you to look into these reissues. I bought a copy of the remastered "Mr. Fantasy," and it sounds great and has some fine liner notes as well.

And while I'm at it, more Winwood lyrics:

Dear Mr. Fantasy, play us a tune
Something to make us all happy.
Do anything, take us out of this gloom,
Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy.
You are the one who can make us all laugh,
But doing that, you break out in tears.
Don't be so sad, if it was the straight life you had,
We wouldn't have known you all these years.
--"Dear Mr. Fantasy" (1967)

Forty thousand headmen couldn't make me change my mind
If I had to take a choice between the deaf man and the blind;
I know just where my feet should go, and that's enough for me.
I turned around and knocked them down and walked across the sea.

Hadn't travelled very far when suddenly I saw
Three small ships a-sailing on towards a distant shore.
So lighting up a cigarette, I followed in pursuit,
And found a secret cave, where they obviously stashed their loot.

Filling up my pockets, even stuffed it up my nose;
I must have weighed a hundred tons between my head and toes.
I ventured forth before the dawn had time to change his mind,
And soaring high above the clouds, I found a golden shrine.

Laying down my treasures before the iron gates,
I quickly rang the bell, hoping I hadn't come too late.
But someone came along and told me not to waste my time,
And when I asked him who he was, he said "Just look behind."

So I turned around and forty thousand headmen hit the dirt,
Firing twenty shotguns each, and man, it really hurt.
But luckily for me, they had stop and then reload,
And by the time they'd done that, I was heading down the road.
--"40,000 Headmen" (1968)

....cuse me, while I kiss the sky....

nobody's ever taught you how to live out on the street
and now you're gonna have to get used to it
you say you never compromise
with the mystery tramp, but now you realize
he's not selling any alibies
as you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
and say do you want to make a deal?
(Dylan)

Remembering two more rock 'n' roll greats this week: Jim Morrison, who died on July 3, 1971, in Paris, and Ringo Starr, former drummer for the Beatles, who celebrates the big six-oh on July 7.

When the still sea conspires an armour,
And her sullen and aborted
Currents breed tiny monsters,
True sailing is dead.
Awkward instant, and the first animal is
Jettisoned, legs furiously pumping
Their stiff green gallop
And heads bob up
Poise
Delicate
Pause
Consent
In mute nostril agony
Carefully refined
And sealed over.
--Jim Morrison, "Horse Latitudes" (1967)

I'm sorry that I doubted you
I was so unfair
You were in a car crash
And you lost your hair.
You said that you would be late
About an hour or two;
I said, that's all right, I'm waiting here
Just waiting to hear from you.
--Ringo Starr, "Don't Pass Me By" (1968)
featured on the White Album, this was Ringo's first songwriting effort

the lunitic is on the grass
the lunitic is on the grass
remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
got to keep the loonies on the path
(pink floyd)

All of the seasons and all of the days,
All of the reasons why I've felt this way,
So long--so long.
Then lost in that feeling, I looked in your eyes;
I noticed emotion and that you had cried
For me--I could see.

What would touch you deeper,
Tears that fall from eyes that only cry?
Would it touch you deeper
Than tears that fall from eyes that know why?

A lifetime of questions, tears on your cheek;
I tasted the answers and my body was weak
For you...the truth.

What would touch me deeper,
Tears that fall from eyes that only cry?
Would it touch you deeper,
Than tears that fall from eyes that know why?
--Rush (1976)
"Tears"

There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
Is that the oaks are just too greedy
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made;
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade?

There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads.

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights;
They said, "The oaks are just too greedy--
We will make them give us light!"
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw....
--Rush (1978)
"The Trees"

Oh, I'm on my way, I know I am
Somewhere not so far from here;
All I know is all I feel right now,
I feel the power growing in my hair.
Sitting on my own, not by myself--
Everybody's here with me.
I don't need to touch your face to know,
I don't need to use my eyes to see.

I keep on wondering if I sleep too long,
Will I always wake up the same, or so?
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long,
Will I even wake up again, or something?

Oh, I'm on my way, I know I am,
Though times there were when I thought not;
Leaving half my soul in bad company,
I thank the moon I had the strength to stop.
No, I'm not making love to anyone's wishes,
Only for the guide I seek.
'Cause when I'm dead and lowered down in my grave,
That's gonna be the only thing that's left of me.

And if I make it to the waterside,
Will I even find me a boat, or so?
And if I make it to the waterside,
I'll be sure to write you a note, or something.

Oh, I'm on my way, I know I am,
Somewhere not so far from here,
All I know is all I feel right now:
I feel the power growing in my hair.
Oh, life is like a maze of doors and they all
Open from the side you're on.
Just keep on pushing hard, boy, try as you may,
You're gonna wind up where you started from.
You're gonna wind up where you started from!

--Cat Stevens (1972)
"Sitting"

Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone, my senses reeled
Fatal attraction holding me fast, How
Can I escape this irresistable grasp?

Just another rusty brother seeing his old role replayed;
Looking in the world like a broken mirror, seeing his old face displayed.
They come and go, come and go--why d'you advertise goodbye?
Living a lie will lay you low; what can I tell you?
What can I sell you? But the truth will make you high.
Death is unreal, that's the way I feel;
There's more to be revealed.
Lovers and friends meet again and again
On the dear old
On the dear old
On the dear old battlefield.

I will see my memory likely let me go;
I know that we will always be, but time pass fast and slow.
Age-long cradle song almost had me sleeping for good
If not for the pen of the magick man who finally helped me out of the wood.

On the dear old battlefield.

--Robin Williamson/Incredible String Band (1971)
"Dear Old Battlefield"

on the CD player right now ...

John Farnham "33 1/3" - brand new album (for the so far uneducated in classic Aus Music he is the King - and well worth the listening)
Don McLean - The Very Best Of (say no more)
Queen Rocks - well ..............

Just got Mott The Hoople's "All the Young Dudes: The Anthology" box set from Amazon.com this week. It's 3 CDs, only released in the U.K. by Sony Music, and the first and third CDs are treasure troves of rarities and alternate takes by MTH, Mott, The Doc Thomas Band, The Silence, and The British Lions (the last 3 are bands that preceded MTH in the '60s and succeeded MTH in the late '70s); the second disc contains all the band's best tracks (singles and LP cuts) from their CBS years (1972-74), from "All the Young Dudes" (the first of three top-ten hits in the U.K., it only reached #37 in the U.S. singles chart) through "The Saturday Gigs," MTH's farewell single and the only track cut with the late Mick Ronson as their lead guitarist. Lots of rare photos, and the definitive Mott collection for sure.

Latest acquisition: Pearl Jam, "30-5-00, Wembley Arena, London." This is one of the 25 "bootlegs" that the band has released in an effort to stop bootleggers from profiting from their European shows; it's one of two performances at Wembley. The 25 double-CD sets cover most of the band's summer 2000 European tour (with the exception, of course, of Roskilde), and they vary somewhat from album to album. The two London shows, from May 29 and 30, come most highly recommended.

Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive
Plays that song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood.
Up on your way, hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers,
For the spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life,
Light antennae bristle with the energy.
Emotional feedback on a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price--almost free.

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted;
Not so coldly charted, it's really just a question
Of your honesty (yeah, your honesty).
One likes to believe in the freedom of music--
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life,
Light antennae bristle with the energy.
Emotional feedback on a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price--almost free.

"For the words of the prophets were written on the studio walls,
And concert halls,
And echo with the sounds of salesmen."
--Neil Peart/Rush (1980) "The Spirit of Radio"

I have discovered a new favorite--Pentangle. I had heard of (but not heard) them for a long time, then recently ordered the 2 CD set "Light Flight: The Anthology" from Amazon.com, and I must say that Jacqui McShee ranks right up there with Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior and Linda Peters (Thompson) as one of the great British female vocalists. Not to mention the splendid guitar playing of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch, and the tasty bass lines of Danny Thompson, and the magic of such tunes as "Travelling Song," "Lord Franklin," "Bruton Town," "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme," "Cruel Sister" and "The Trees They Do Grow High," to name a few. By all means, if it's available in your area, pick it up, or order a copy from Amazon.com.

after 40+ years of ignoring the beach boys I find out that Pet Sounds is a fantastic L.P except of course its a C.D.

after 30 years, I finally gave a listen to Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen", upon recommendation from McGuire...now how did I miss that one??? *G*

Pretty good, wasn't it?

eileen ivers was my last purchase.

Another great old one that I just recently heard for first time: Bob Dylan's very first LP. What a debut for a 20 year old...no wonder people were blown away...I sure was *g*

*sets cat free amongst the pigeons....* Y'know...a funny thing happened on my way to work today...I listened by accident to the "Road to Nowhere" album by the little boy band Hanson...and you know what?!!! I seriously, honestly, found it to be of exceptionally high songwriting skills and pretty bloody good musically too! Especially when you take into account the age of these youngsters! Give it a whirl ~ you may be pleasantly surprised.

*sings...* Mmmmm-Bop...doop wop...Mmmmm-Bop...

*wanders off wiggling butt and shaking head...*

I'm starting to wonder about silk

i'll vouch for silk, and add my own embarassment. - the new edition, love's on the menu. they're advertised as the black "new kids" who i never heard.

um I know this is supposed to be a Classic Rock board, but the best new CD I've heard lately is Bjork's "Vespertine"...a real gem, delicate and strangely beautiful. Never mind the swan dress, here's Bjork's best to date. *g

...and, and, and...whadddabout Rammstein's "Du hast Mich!" Now there's something to write home about!

Okay...I'll stop. *g*

Classic Rock. Hmmmmm....How about Classic Irish Rock...Thin Lizzy..."Da boys are back in Town!"...yeah!

I dreamt a dream the other night- I couldn't sleep a wink
The rats were trying to count the sheep and I was off the drink
There was footsteps in the parlour and voices on the stairs
I was climbing up the wall and moving round the chairs
I looked out from under the blanket up at the fireplace
The Pope and John FKennedy (and Jack Charlton) were staring me in the face
Suddenly it dawned on me I was getting the DTs
When the child of Prague and Flatley danced across the mantelpiece
This is one of my favorite songs but I need help with some of the references -
the fellow who gets arrested for supporting travelers rights. What are travelers rights?
Garrity I think my version says. The one I'm copying says the bishop of dublin. I don't know frank patterson or ruairi quinn or neil mccafferty or mary kenny or gusty spence or dick spring or roger casement

Hanson?

*FAINTS DEAD AWAY*

*LOL*...funny that's kinda the effect it had on me too! *g*

classic irish rock stamps being issued: U2 ,Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott (thin lizzy) and Van Morrison.
http://www.irishstamps.ie

http://www.chartattack.com/top50/top50intro.html

Chani............I thought that this was a ROCK theme... but from Gary Moore you moved to Christie Moore - Delerium Tremus (or something like that!!)

hey ghost, i love christy moore.

He's not really my taste but I think he is a good songwriter and an interesting man, I've seen him interviewed and he's very intellegent. I also saw him in concert in Cork Opera House many years ago.

Has everyone stopped listening to Good Old Rock music & Blues?

yesterday I was driving for work when I picked a small group of lads who were going my way. For those who don't know I'm Lebanese and I live in my country. Suddenly a girl sitting behind whispers 'he has Jethro Tull albums' (I love this band, it's among my favourite in Rock music). 'Do you know Jethro Tull? I asked, no she said, but I know Ian Anderson's son, James Anderson.
Such a small world, I pick people I don't know in my car, in Lebanon, and one of them turn to know the son of someone who's band I'm a great fan of.
cool ey? Now, could've been cooler if I picked Mr.Ian Anderson himself, but hey, shouldn't be greedy should I?

I have a few Tull albums myself - Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, Living in the Past, Minstrel in the Gallery, Too Old to Rock and Roll - Too young to Die, A, Crest of a Knave & Bursting Out are all I can remember for now. I rarely listen to them now as I am more into Rock or Blues at the moment.