Burning Wood

Monday, August 27, 2012

Don't Hate Me Because I'm A Power Ballad




Anonymous commented on last week's post:

"And what about the power ballad? Guilty pleasure or waste of time?"

I've never liked the term "guilty pleasure" when referring to music. I'd like to think that if I like something it's because there's something there to like, unlike say "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks. Though, if you happen to like "Seasons In The Sun," then you must have found some redeeming qualities. No guilt, I say.

But the "power ballad," like heavy metal, seems to get no respect. Believe me, I understand. Sometimes.

I'd opt for a Hot Vicks enema over listening to "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison every time. But not every power ballad is as crappy as that stupid crappy piece of crapola.

Not sure why this comes to mind, as the original song is neither a power ballad nor heavy metal, but I know many who needed John Wesley Harding's acoustic take on Madonna's "Like A Prayer" to finally admit, "Hey that's a really great song."




I can't help but think if John Hiatt covered Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie," that song would suddenly be in hot rotation for a lot of us. Irony rules, I guess.

What about this? Tolerance is non-existent in my life when it comes to Christina Aguilera, but it's mostly because of her melismatics. (And partly because of everything else.)

 Is this better?




Anonymous also mentioned Cheap Trick. He asked, "Why was 'The Flame' their biggest hit?"

I'd like to save Cheap Trick for another Burning Love? post, but I too am baffled by the success of "The Flame." Not necessarily because I hate the song, though I don't like it very much. I just don't think that particular song comes close to representing the best of what Cheap Trick has to offer. So my issue is not with the "power ballad," but with the people who made "The Flame" a bigger success than "Mandocello." Who are you? Show yourself!







I happen to like the next song. It's "Unbelieveable" by America's favorite punching bag, Def Leppard.  Again, this is not about whether or not this song is as worthy as Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" or "Sir Paul's "For No One." (What is?) I just wonder occasionally...or maybe more than occasionally...why this particular "sound" is such a mighty turn-off.

I will give you this--the cheap drum machine and chintz 'n' glitz production are not the wisest of sonic decisions. But, strip it of its gloss, come down a bit on the bombast and that melody on the chorus rivals many of our favorite, well-respected tunes. Couldn't you hear Adam and Chris of Fountains Of Wayne harmonizing and absolutely killing this tune?

 I feel no guilt.






If you're still with me, tell me:

Fave power ballad?

Why you'd rather have a Hot Vicks enema than listen to Journey?

That said, I think this is one, hook-filled monster of a song, Yamaha DX7 notwithstanding.

(Guilty pleasure?)




Monday, August 20, 2012

Hard Rock/Heavy Metal


 (Gene Simmons, Nassau Coliseum 1979. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, Palladium 1980. Pics taken by me. Me, Zappa's Brooklyn, pic not taken by me)


I listened to Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell" this weekend, the first with Ronnie James Dio taking over for Ozzy Osbourne. That record came out in 1980 and 32 years later, I still play it with the same enthusiasm.

This also made me realize, as Burning Wood approaches its 4th year, that hard rock and heavy metal is rarely represented on those pages. It's not for lack of trying. I've made several attempts, with posts, or at the very least, dashes and pinches, with songs or videos by everyone from the aforementioned masters of doom, to Rush to Thin Lizzy to Motorhead and back. And the response has mostly been...well...unresponsive.

Why?

We have no problem listening to punk rock and Joni Mitchell. Some of you have expressed love and respect for both the Beastie Boys and Bobby Darin. Our minds are clearly open. So what gives?

I'll say this, I'm not talking about the hairspray and camera-mugging stylings of inferior, poseur bands like Poison or Cinderella, though I did see the latter open for someone, might have been Kiss, and I loved every minute. I'm talking about the guys that do it well.

So many suggestions from readers over the years have never...yes, never...produced a hard rock or heavy metal record for Burning Wood readers to explore. Maybe it's my fault for not writing about this music more often. Maybe you're all ready to come out but never felt comfortable.

The following are some of my very faves that I still listen to with great fervor and absolutely no irony.  Feel free to critique, good or bad. Though, comments like "This sucks" really aren't helpful. Better yet, add to the list, if you hear what I hear.

Again, I love this music with the same truth as I love The Beatles and Todd Rundgren and James Booker and David Bowie. I'm interested in knowing why you don't...or hopefully do...assuming you've not run off already.


























































And sorry, politics and complete assholiness aside....this rocks.













Saturday, August 18, 2012

Songs & Records: RECAP




A fine job by all!

Many thanks.

Here are some of my faves of your suggestions:



























And two from the incomparable Julie London:









Finally.....


Your "amazing" Weekend Mix compiled from your "amazing" record suggestions:

TRACKLIST

Don't Worry Baby- The Beach Boys
Hush- Deep Purple
From Head To Toe- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Gimme Shelter- Rolling Stones
Hurt- Johnny Cash
Kentucky Rain- Elvis Presley
Sally Go Round The Roses- The Jaynettes
Tainted Love- Gloria Jones
Baby, Now That I've Found You- Alison Krauss & Union Station
Avenging Annie- Andy Pratt
Money- The Beatles
Try A Little Tenderness- Otis Redding

the zip

See you on Monday with Topic #2.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Songs & Records




As a kid watching the Andy Williams hosted Grammy Awards, separate categories for Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year never made sense to me. I had no one to ask what the difference was, so I just stewed when Stevie Wonder won both...and everything else for that matter. Once I learned the difference, I never listened to music the same way again. Suddenly, I was able to appreciate so much more.

For those who don't know:

Record of the Year is given to the artist who performs the song and the people who produce the track. Song of the Year is also awarded for a single or individual track, but the recipient of this award is the songwriter who dreamed up the song in the first place.

Yeah, whatever Grammys. I prefer to listen this way.


AMAZING SONG/TERRIBLE RECORD






FAIR SONG/AMAZING RECORD









INFANTILE SONG/FANTASTIC RECORD





GOOD SONG/MEDIOCRE RECORD






GOOD SONG/AMAZING RECORD






OKAY SONG/FANTASTIC RECORD






AMAZING SONG/AMAZING RECORD







Over to you.....