Cream

While I was younger, I didn't understand quite clearly why classic rock was so important. I used to think, in my narrow-mindedness back then, that "If it's gone, it's gone" and, that I should look just for the new bands that I was hearing.

How wrong was I. Basically, all the great music you'll ever hear in your entire life, comes from that "Classic" era in rock. It's quite hard for me to say this, but there wasn't such an explosion of music like it was in the 60's. A friend o' mine and I discused once that, maybe the 90's were, in some ways that kind of explosion too, with the advent of alternative music, like grunge. But, as soon grunge idols were gone, the music was left away... At least, from the "mainstream".

There are so much things to learn from classic rock bands. First of all (And that's what caught me really) that, they were sort of, jamming over the base of another wonderful music, like the blues. If you hear CLOSER, all bands from the 60's sound very, very bluesy-driven. And simple blues (Meaning simple in a good way) is good.

The later excess of progressive rock sort of, carried away that tradition, and well, that's the way music evolves. Or involves, who knows.

One of the most notable acts from that time, was a band conformed by 3 gentlemen from England, called Cream. At the time they emerged, they were considered a supergroup, 'cause the three gentlemen weren't unknown. Two of them, came from a free-form jazz background, the bass player Jack Bruce and the drummer Ginger Baker. The third one, was a guy, who was - and still is - considered a God when it comes to guitar playing. It was Eric Clapton, who at the time was playing with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.




- This is what I'm talking 'bout. Year: 1968.

While I heard Cream, I was still quite dazed 'bout Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon. That record was the first thing in my life I heard with some blues doses, and it passed quite a long time before I understood what was David Gilmour playing. To be honest, I still am understanding it, 'cause blues for me is quite a different world, I come from a more classical-driven environment. Go figure.

And it happened the same that happened with Floyd. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. And also, I couldn't get it at first, but finally I felt in love with that bluesy-raw sound. Jimi Hendrix helped too, 'cause at the time I started to hear Cream I was really into Hendrix.

For me it's quite funny, to say this but, I ain't able to play the blues like those guys do, and I think I will never be. I'm not pessimistic, but I recognize that this particular music, it's not like classical music at all, which is the one I understand better. It's not technical, it's not driven by velocity and scale runs. And that's what makes this music (and classic rock, like Cream) so special, 'cause is different, refreshing, and simple.

The most important thing in music, I think -not that I made this "discovery"- is to actually, play what suits more you. If you're a guy (or a girl, I don't know who'll be reading this) like me, who's classical-driven, then do your thing. Learn as much as you could, but be honest with yourself and play what you gotta play.



- Cream in 2005. They do stand the test of time!

If you're a guy/girl who is bluesy, go for it. Play that blues loud and clear, with all the feel you could, play what you gotta play. And most important, no matter what your school is, either classical, bluesy, or jazzy or whatever, learn to appreciate the other music out there as well. Once you do it, like the guys from the 60's did, you're on the right track.

That's what I learned from the 60's music. What could you learn?

Tool

According to the dictionary, a tool is something that helps you to do some sort of task. When the human body finds its limitation, the aid of a mechanic-inspired artifact becomes clear.

Music-wise speaking, you could say the same 'bout Tool. The first time I heard 'em I was in my early twenties (Not sure if I was 20 or 21?), during an intense low-energy time in my life. I sort of felt stuck (not saying that I don't feel like that anymore...) and, weak.

What is more strange, and amazing, is that I got used to Tool's music quite fast. This drummer friend I got turned me on into Tool's music, and for some strange reason, the first CD I heard, was their latest (At the time, year 2005)... It was called Lateralus.

As usual, I started to dig the new album for hours... And it seemed to be an amazing journey, 'cause because of that particular album, I learned a lot of new things on guitar. I usually was a 4/4 guitar player, but one day, my drummer friend says "Ey, let's play the 5th song of the CD you're into man". So I said "O.K. Let's try it for real...".



-I didn't know what I was getting into.

Maybe my over-bloated self, took it as it was something easy. But it wasn't at all. "It's a dropped D song, usually this songs are easy to play" I thought. Oh man, how wrong was I. That song was actually a true pain-in-the-hands, since the times involved on the song are so UNUSUAL and changing.

The funny thing is, that it took like 3 jam-sessions to me to get used to the tempo changes, but I finally did it. My friend was a key part on the process, he has an amazing time as drummer, so he practically kept the beat of the song we were studying at that moment.

To me, personally, playing that song was almost like performing a piece of Classical Music, mixed with Rock N' Roll loudness. The song I'm referring to is called Schism...

The song deals 'bout the fact how two people who were related between each other, start growing some sort of "distance" between the two of them, after being practically one, due to the lack of communication between the two of them. The whole album, to be honest, deals with this kind of feeling, where the main thing to be reached is the balance between the body and the mind. Separate them, in fact.

To make things even weirder, the whole album could be heard in two ways. One is the traditional way, where you follow the order of the CD, and the other is drawing a spiral between the number tracks, and re-arranging the numbers in your CD Player... To be honest with you, the two things are totally SEPARATE, like body and mind.

That's what Tool's music is. A Tool that allows you to discover your inner self, and your place in the cosmos. At least, to me it's like that.

I don't know anything...

While you reach some stage in your life, where your stability complete menaces your survivor in the world you live in, this words come out to your mind:

"I don't know anything"...

I realised, I don't. At all, I don't know anything. Neither who I was and will be. Hardly I know who am I... Neither I don't know what some words mean, I don't know how some sounds are, and even I don't know if I'm just, living by accident.

Hope there's a candle light for me at the end of the tunnel...
Hope I will not fade away...
Hope I'll do what I've come to do to this world...

Hope...

Tim Buckley

-Back again in the blog entries. I've been out for a while, due to academic responsabilities, I want to get out of my college as soon as possible, so, you gotta study while you gotta study.-

Anyway... Today I'm gonna write 'bout a musician who, unfortunately is quite unheard in this modern days. I must admit, I've haven't heard him 'till January, but I'm glad I found his music.

This guy, not only had a great voice. He also could play the guitar really, really well. His main intention as a composer, I guess, was to continually explore musical frontiers, so that's why his music is sort of hard to catalog, some people used to call him a "Dylan-esque" musician. I've heard Bob Dylan too, he's one of my heroes too but, this man has his own credit.

He started from zero. As usual, back in the 60's days... You wanted to be a musician, you've had to find the way to make your way. It still works like that this days, but it's more hard due to the commercial emphasys in nowadays music. It always have been one, but today music is more than a market than art.

Discovered by a man who was drummer of the almighty "Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention", this young man started to make a name of himself, in the folk/beatnik circuits. And his lyrics, usually dealt with tons of personal issues, ranging from loneliness, despair, and love (of course). He incorporated jazz elements, rock elements, and so many other things, always changing and looking forward to reinvent himself, with every record he made. It is said that Miles Davis' model of constant change is what encouraged him to do so...

The young man's name was Tim Buckley. He lived a short life, dying at the age of 28... but his works are really unheard masterpieces. Albums like "Blue Afternoon" and "Lorca" are things that definitely, are so simple, and also so great to listen...



- As you hear Tim's music, you keep like this sort of "conversation", where you either could be, the listener, or Tim himself...

If you have a chance to listen to Tim's music, do it. You'll see...

Alice in Chains.

One of the most crucial things while you're devoted to study music, and any other thing in life, is being curious, and excited 'bout not having a single clue for what's coming up next.

When I was 20, I was really into progressive/complex rock. A lot of layered contrapunctual things, and all of that. But one day I started wondering if Rock was always like that, wondering why simple forms of music like blues and three-chord rock were so catchy among people. So I started to hear more simple-straight rock music.

My first new thing was Hendrix. I knew him because my uncle, who also played guitar in his youth, was a big fan of his music, and strongly recommended me, together with Hendrix, two bands more: Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. So I listened to my uncle, and listened to those guys, speciall Deep Purple and Hendrix. Zeppelin, not much.

Then, I started my new musical learning-journey with Soundgarden. Encouraged by my old school-driven friend, I listened to them, I liked them, and eventually become a really big fan of this band. So I was curious, and together with them, there were another bands that were sort of, like 'em. Like Nirvana, which I already heard while on my teens (Who doesn't), Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam.

The first tune I heard from Alice in Chains was "Whale and Wasp". It was one of the first times I heard something so simple, and amazing at the same time. No layered counterpoints, no 10000 notes being shred, nothing. Just, pure and simple music...



- You could actually hear a whale-kind of sound. It's really amazing.-

This incredible band was formed in 1987, by two guys, who were in their early twenties: Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley. Soon afterwards, in 1989 they got their first record deal. And in 1990, they publish their first album called "Facelift".

That was my first Alice in Chains album, but I purchased it on year 2005. The song that caught me was the first one, called "We Die Young". The whole album was a mix between anger, sorrow, loneliness, and despair, being manifested through Layne Staley's voice, and through Jerry Cantrell's heavy and loud guitar sounds. At the time, I used to carry a CD player everywhere, and this album, together with Radiohead's O.K. computer, were a must in my CD Pack.

I was really like "Fuck, this is amazing. You're depressed, and angry, and this is how it sounds like!". And it was, most of Alice in Chain's song deal with depression and loneliness. Watch their MTV Unplugged, and you'll know what I mean.



- This is a take from their song "Brother" from that performance -

I know this music have done a lot for thousands of young angry/depressed people around the world, like me.

- In memory of Layne, who passed away in 2002 -

Johnny Cash, The Man in Black.

While I was in my third year as a college student, I was sort of thrilled by all the music that I started to hear. Trip Hop music, Hardcore Punk, Electronica, Classic Rock and Industrial Music. It's kinda cool while you have such an amount of music to hear, nothing compares to the first time you do something.

In the middle of all this great music I was sort of discovering, driven by the ''progressive'' musician in me, there was someone who really, caught my ear since day one. I saw a film 'bout his life, and I got more into his music. In fact, after watching this sort of biographic film, I started to pay closer attention to what that man did music wise, and life wise. In fact, among with Neil Young and David Gilmour, he was the third driving force that encouraged me to learn how to sing.

All of my heroes, musical and non musical, have this sort of ''Outrageous-Mystic-Lonesome'' personna. Just today, I was telling this cute girl that, Bruce Lee and Clint Eastwood, were basically my first heroes, 'cause I admired them since I was a kid. Specially Bruce Lee.

The Man in Black, Johnny Cash, wasn't any different in his personna. In fact, he gained that nickname - Man In Black - because, he only wore black clothes... Legend says that he once was told ''Why you dress in black? Looks like you're going to a funeral'' and he answered ''Maybe I am''... That's what I mean. An Outrageous, Mystic and a deliberate Loner.

He was Mystic, because in every song he played -Even the ones he covered- you hear him singing all, very heart-felt driven. With total honesty, feeling sadness for the less fortunate people -Specially the people who lived in prison. They were his biggest fans- and also, singin' out of his heart what love does to every single human being. Both happiness, and sadness.



- Outrageous, Mystic and a Deliberate Loner. -

He was a deliberate loner, 'cause he had this ''No compromise attitude''. If he was doing something, he did it anyway 'till he finished, even it caused him some trouble. Part of his honesty come together with this, 'cause you know, honesty is such a lonely word... everyone is so untrue, as Billy Joel Said.

I felt identified with him, no doubt. Johnny always did his way, from the very beginning of his musical career, 'till the day he passed away.

Honesty is what makes great artists... just like Johnny was...

Black Flag

Black Flag isn't your traditional ''Britpop''-easy listening band. Black Flag isn't easy music. Black Flag is Attitude, a kick in your ass when needed, a motivation.

While I discovered Black Flag's music, I was thrilled. I've never listened to something like that before... So fast, angry, furious, no-compromise driven music. I swear, never.

I was used only to the melodic voices, and complications of progressive rock. But while I heard the Seattle grunge sounds, things started to change, and among the things I discovered during that change, was this amazing energy-driven music. I'm really glad.

The first song that caught my attention was the great ''Rise Above''. To me it was like an anthem, as Henry Rollins himself said once ''That song is the perfect American Anthem''.



Why? I mean... ''Jealous cowards try to control...Rise above...Were gonna rise above
They distort what we say...Rise above...Were gonna rise above''.

- That will be my new world order's anthem :D...

Rise Above like the motherfucking Phoenix... From ashes to life again. That's what I got from this song. And fellas, all of you, and myself included have been through shitty, fucked-up times. But after hearing this song? I don't give a fuck, I just want to tear down whatever comes on my way and on my path :D...

Black Flag's music is all about that. To challenge yourself, your environment, every day, having no rest 'till you rise above. Their sound is really amazing. This band was formed circa 1978, by the amazing -and the master mind of the band- Greg Ginn. Years after, a fan joins them, and Black Flag started to sound even better.

The fan's name was Henry Rollins, a guy who found in music his voice, his way to speak out all the hell of things he was living through, and seeing as a youngster...In fact, music was his catharsis, the thing that gave him focus.



- Just, amazing. I hope my ''revolutionary'' jerk president would face Henry one day, so he could give a kick in his balls.

Right now, Henry Rollins is a great spoken-word artist, I dare to say, one of the most influential men in contemporary rock history.

Greg Ginn is also among the Rock N' Roll guitar greats. His style defined a new way of melting your influences, no matter how disparate they are. In fact, the man fused his Black Sabbath influences, with punk-rock Influences, and even jazz influences. Go figure, that's why those guys had such an unique sound.

I believe Black Flag was put on earth to bring you down to earth, with no excuses... Glad I've found them.

Nine Inch Nails.

While I was in high school, some of my former classmates talked 'bout music quite a lot. They mentioned a lot of bands, some of them I knew, like Korn, Metallica and Iron Maiden, and some of them I didn't at the time. Of course, there were cases where they talked 'bout indie rock -I'm not much of a fan of it, but anyway- and also, the ones what I called ''Call-Your-Attention-Acts'', like Marilyn Manson, and Nine Inch Nails.

I, as a 17 year-older fathead, didn't paid much attention to it, and continued listening my ol' goodies. Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Korn. But somehow I was intrigued, why all this guys talked so much 'bout those bands/artists?

Anyway, I even remember having a conversation in Christian Values class talking 'bout this music. ''Heretic'' and ''Mundane'' were two words this people used a lot, and seemed to like to use to describe this music. And so I was a sheep, following 'em, the ''Lamb of God''. But anyway, I got enough of it one day, and let myself go. But that's another story...

-Remember that I told you, my dear folks that I used to study in a Catholic-boys institute that was more like a reformatory?. So don't be surprised.-

My increased music-hunger demanded me at the point to find more music to hear, to dig, to study, to listen while I closed my eyes, to listen while I just stared hopeless the ceiling room of my place. And one day, a friend o' mine just kept asking me ''Why don't you listen to those guys?''. And I gave the egotistical-dumb ass driven answer: ''Because they like to show off''. Jeez, what a jerk I was.

In some point, a concert is 'bout that. At least, the show you, as an artist have to put in to blow everyone's minds away...

So one day I started to find Nine Inch Nail's songs. The first one I heard were the piano-driven ones, like ''Something I could Never Have'' and ''The Day the World went away''.

I was out of my head. I could felt what the guy who was singing was feeling, in fact, I did related and reflected myself in each one of the things he was singing about. There's this particular verse of the song ''The whole world went away'' that I like a lot:



''There is a place that still remains, It eats the fear it eats the pain
...The sweetest price hell have to pay...The day the whole world went away''

To me, that was it. I found someone who I could relate on the sad/depressive side of me. And sometimes, I really go down folks... Life's like that. There's joy, and sadness. Sun and Moon, day and night.

The pure honesty of the main architect of Nine Inch Nails was very inspiring for me. Thanks a lot Trent Reznor...

And I didn't liked good art at first, go figure... but hey, that's the way we learn.

Soundgarden

While I was on my first years of college, like on my second year of guitar learning, I wanted to push more my musical boundaries. I continued following bands that could draw things like freedom, and good art. So one day I went to my old school brother's house, as usual, I stared at the wall of posters he had, there was one from a particular band I hadn't heard at the time. By coincidence, my friend was suggesting me some new music to listen, and get influenced by.

Among the music he was suggesting me -Neil Young and David Bowie- he said the name of a band that he called ''The Black Sabbath of the 90's.'' I thought that I should give them a chance, 'cause at the time I was into Black Sabbath as well as the other experimental acts, like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix.

So, he put the CD of this band, the song being played had a funny but catchy name. ''Spoonman'' it was. For sure, the sounds of the guitar weren't something you heard all time, or at least coming from a guitar. Same with the vocals, they weren't something you heard all time, at least in this times where all you hear is guys who attempt to sing. So the same happened with the drums, they had some sort of jazzy/intricate vibe, combined with good ol' rock n' roll drumming. And the bass? Well, go figure, the bass player used the bass microphones to do some vocal effects.

So I decided to pick up the CD my friend was encouraging me to listen. I remember going psyched by the whole group of songs issued on that CD. It was a ''Greatest Hits'' sort of album, it was called A-Sides.

There was a particular song that caught my attention. Jesus Christ Pose... It had a lot of energy on it, raw power, and fiery rock and roll. Everyone in the band was giving all of their best to give you a kick in the ass with that song. And I liked it... And in the same time, there was a song that was really, really sad, that suit any time of despair possible. The song was called ''Black Hole Sun''



- Believe me, it's a kick in your ass... -

The band's name, was Soundgarden... No one sings like you anymore, Chris. No one rocks like Soundgarden anymore...

Rhandy Rhoads.

During this days I had a lot o' trouble getting my ideas organised. I mean, through my long musical journey I've got a lot of musical heroes, so keepin' the right order of how they appeared in my head is quite hard.

Today I'm gonna write 'bout one of the most greatest guitar players in the shredding history. Mr. Rhandy Rhoads. Rhandy was the first guitar player Ozzy Osbourne had as a soloist. Legend says that Rhandy was just warming up, like running up scales through the neck, and Ozzy heard that and said ''That's God talking to me'' and hired Rhandy inmediately.

I heard him by accident. A classmate who was an avid music collector as your humble narrator is, lent me a cd where, you find a plenty of good guitar videos. Among any other names, there was Ozzy Osbourne's ''Mr. Crowley'' video. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought there were more than just one guitar player, but I was wrong. There was just one, and it was Rhandy.



- If you don't believe me, just hear this -

He was heavily influenced by two of the greatest guitar players in history: Ed Van Halen, and Jimmy Page. And also, he liked to hear a lot of non-metal/rock music too... like John Mc Laughlin's, Pat Metheny, and classical music as well. During his career span with Ozzy, Rhandy recorded the albums ''Blizzard of Ozz'' and ''Diary of a Madman''.

Unfortunately, what seemed to be a promisory career and a rising new inspiration for guitar players to come, ended abruptly one day, while a stoned plane pilot done wrong an airplane trick, and killed Rhandy. He was one of the passengers of that aeroplane.

But anyway, maybe Rhandy's gone, but his music stays in our spirit...