Friday, May 11, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye Will Play Oasis Songs
Talking to British radio station Xfm, ex-Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has said that his new band, Beady Eye, will be playing Oasis songs live this summer.
Gallagher said: “We’re doing Fuji Festival in Japan, which is in July. And we will be dropping Oasis songs for anyone who’s bothered.
“We were always going to do it, but we thought the album needed to stand on its own. We’ve done some good gigs, we’ve done some s--t gigs. And it’s time to drop them in now. Everyone else is. I feel they’re just as much my songs as they are Noel’s. And if people don’t like it, go to the bar or f--k off. If they do like it, jump up and down, let’s have a good time.”
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sammy Hagar: Chickenfoot will Never Play Van Halen Songs
Rocker extraordinaire Sammy Hagar says that you’ll never hear Chickenfoot play Van Halen songs. He said that you’ll never hear him sing his solo material with the supergroup, either.
“We really do not want to dilute this band and become a Van Halen cover band, or become a Sammy Hagar cover band or a Joe Satriani cover band… The idea is that we are Chickenfoot, and we will stay that,” Hagar told Get Your Rock Out. “I don’t think we will ever play any of our old catalog unless you catch us in Cabo jamming, and then it’s more Hendrix and Zeppelin and Montrose and that kind of stuff.”
But, that doesn’t mean that Hagar fans won’t still have an opportunity to hear the Red Rocker perform his pre-Chickenfoot tunes.
“I save that for my solo tour – if you see Sammy Hagar on tour, you’re going to get my whole catalog,” he said. “You’re going to get [songs] from Montrose to the early Red Rocker years, Van Halen – the Van Hagar era … everything but Chickenfoot.”
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Let’s Get Physical! 10 Unlikely Workout Songs That Rock
January is traditionally the month to hit the treadmill on the quest to shed those holiday pounds and build up some guns. While typical workout playlists are filled with pop and dance-flavored songs that just don’t do it for the folks at Gibson.com. To help rev up your workout playlist, we’ve put together a list of 10 Unlikely Workout Songs That Rock, presenting you with heavy songs that should help get your blood pumping. What do you listen to when you’re pumping iron?
10. Disturbed, “Liberate”
From the moment the ragged riffing of “Liberate” gushes out of the speakers, one thing is pretty obvious: Disturbed know how to make a blustering rock song that doesn’t let up. Musically, the fast-paced rhythm makes this Believe song an ideal workout track. Credit guitarist Dan Donegan’s skillful guitar work for helping this alternative metal band really soar.
9. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage”
The signature track on the Beastie Boys’ Ill Communication sets the feel for the rest of this explosive record. “Sabotage” relies on old-school-styled rhyme schemes and dense, flogging rhythms, and the combination of frenzied instrumentals and catchy lyrics makes this a cut that’s perfect for strength training.
8. Foo Fighters, “Everlong”
At first, “Everlong” doesn’t seem like a great workout song, but the hushed opening quickly builds to a stream of rocking guitars and steady rhythms. This Foo Fighters track isn’t meant for high-energy workouts. Instead, “Everlong” is a steady-paced number that builds just enough to lean on when you need endurance, not speed. Cheering you on is grunge personality Dave Grohl and his commanding vocals.
7. AC/DC, “Thunderstruck”
“Thunderstruck” is prototypical AC/DC – loud, raucous, flagrantly fun metal brimming with scorching power chords, larger-than-life hooks and masculine lyrics. As with all AC/DC tracks, this great workout song has an edge to it, and the chanted lyrics are purpose-crafted to get hips shaking.
6. Shinedown, “Devour”
From the crescendoing opening drums, Shinedown’s first track off The Sound of Madness grows and grows until the thick guitars and singer Brent Smith’s powerful pipes flood in. On “Devour,” Shinedown tenaciously hit every mark, bulking up rhythms and lacing melodies with memorable lines. The song’s enthusiasm and energy makes it a great tune for gearing up for your next big run.
5. Papa Roach, “Last Resort”
Papa Roach are determined to get you sweating and burning fuel with “Last Resort,” a jumbled combination of Jacoby Shaddix’s rapped vocals and toothed, high-octane guitars. While its subject matter is serious, the song’s strength and momentum is so explosive that it simply makes you want to move. Fast. When you need to pump yourself up for a big round of training, turn this song up.
4. Jay-Z & Linkin Park, “Numb/Encore”
The beats on Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s famed “Numb/Encore” mash-up fly all over the place before settling into a pulsating, high-octane groove. Jay-Z is a world-class rhymer and Linkin Park’s rap-rock hybrid is packed with drive, which gets your pulse pounding in seconds flat.
3. Cake, “The Distance”
Cake’s “The Distance,” hands down, is the most likely workout song on this list. The lyrics of this Fashion Nugget gem are a must-listen for the start of any long run: “He’s going the distance / He’s going for speed … Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course / He’s fighting and biting and riding on his horse / He’s going the distance.” “The Distance” is a slow burner and a song that’s well-matched for long-distance runs.
2. Rage Against the Machine, “Testify”
Lead guitarist Tom Morello’s lively guitar sets the stage for “Testify,” off Rage Against the Machine’s third studio album, The Battle of Los Angeles. Shortly after, Zack de la Rocha and the rest of Rage join in, bringing the momentum to a new level of power and passion. Like most of Rage’s lyrics, the chants of “Testify” build to a feverish pitch: “Now testify / Now testify / It's right outside your door / Now testify / Yes testify!” Any song with this much energy belongs on a workout mix.
1. Kid Rock, “Bawitdaba”
One of rock’s biggest success stories in the late ’90s, Detroit rap-rock star Kid Rock broke into the mainstream with his fourth LP, 1998's Devil Without a Cause, toting a killer and cocky single called “Bawitdaba.” The big-headed anthem begs you to get up and move. If you find yourself dragging at the end of a long workout, put on this track and watch your vigor return.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Staind’s Aaron Lewis to Re-Release <em>Town Line</em> with Six Additional Songs
Despite Staind’s latest, self-titled album topping the charts and 2012 touring plans in the works, frontman Aaron Lewis hasn’t lost sight of the music that’s in his blood: country.
“There’s more country coming,” Lewis told the Dallas Observer. “It’s the first music that I was ever exposed to. It was when I was a kid and my grandfather was a huge country music fan 
and I heard it a lot… Country music is a part of me. It certainly reflects my lifestyle. I live out in the middle of nowhere in a town of 1,200 people. I’ve got chickens and a house pig. I deer hunt and I fish. I really don’t do many things that require a city.”
As for the new country tracks, Lewis is shooting to re-release his Town Line EP in 2012, this time as a LP with six additional songs. “I was actually just in the studio so that, at the beginning of the year, Town Line can be re-released as a full-length,” he said. “I just recorded six more songs. Now that my management is solid, we are going to re-release it.
“When I first released Town Line, I had let one management company go, hired a manager that didn’t work out. It was only three months ago, tops, that I finally acquired a proper manager. Now, things can start rolling the way they need to. Town Line as a full-length is going to have all sorts of extra, bonus stuff.”
Check out Lewis’ killer collection of Gibson guitars, here.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Mick Jones, Paul Simonon Play Clash Songs Together
Last night (December 8), Mick Jones partnered with former Clash bandmate Paul Simonon to perform Clash material together for the first time since 1982. As reported by NME.com, the show, staged at the Scala in London, saw the duo perform 12 Clash songs in total.
Musician guests who joined in included singer-songwriter Pete Wylie, Richard Archer of the band Hard-Fi, and members of The Farm. The set included several Clash classics, including “London Calling,” “Train in Vain,” “Guns of Brixton” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” Jones wrapped up the show with a rendition of The Farm’s “All Together Now,” which he dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.
The event was part of a series of concerts staged throughout England to support the Hillsborough Justice Campaign. The organization was formed in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough football tragedy, in which 96 people lost their lives.
Yoko Ono Says John Lennon’s Songs Still Conjure Poignant Memories
Yoko Ono says she continues to listen to the songs of her late husband, John Lennon, but the memories conjured up by doing so remain painful. “I play John’s songs all the time,” she said, speaking to USA Today, “mainly because [musicians] are asking if they can do this song or that. But I don’t listen for pleasure. When I do, it chokes me up to remember when it was written.”
Ono was speaking from Tokyo, where she was attending a concert being staged by Japanese musicians performing Lennon’s works. She alluded indirectly to the Occupy Wall Street movement, saying Lennon undoubtedly would be supporting such causes if her were alive today. “John was about making the world a better place,” she said. “He sang ‘Gimme Some Truth,’ so when I see all the activism out there, I feel like we will turn the corner soon.”
She added that Lennon’s impact, in death, is of a different sort than the impact he had when he was alive. “Now that John’s a spirit, he has a different effect on people than when he was alive,” she said. “Spirits talk on a pure level and don’t get distracted by people saying things like, ‘That’s nice, but why’s he wearing that?’ Of course, it would still be better if John was around.”
Metallica Post Two Never-Before Released Songs (with Audio)
On the heels of, shall we say, a mixed response to Metallica’s recent collaboration with Lou Reed, the metal icons are quickly shifting gears back to their bread-and-butter routine: making fierce heavy metal tracks. The guys have posted two never-before release tracks online, which you can check out via the YouTube players below. What do you think? Are the songs better than the Metallica-Lou Reed jams? Let us know in the comments section!
The guys taped the tracks, which carry such classic Metallica titles as “Hate Train” and “Just a Bullet Away,” while recording the band’s 2008 album, Death Magnetic, but the ditties didn’t quite make the album. Both songs will likely come out on Metallica’s forthcoming EP, Beyond Magnetic, which is expected to see a release in the following months.
Metallica are stoked the songs are finally seeing the light: “We’re pretty excited to be bringing these songs back to life nearly four years after they were recorded,” the band said, in a statement. “Once again, this is the unpolished version of the song... the original rough mix from March of 2008 in its rawest, untouched form.”
Metallica, “Just a Bullet Away”:
Metallica, “Hate Train”:
More on Metallica:
Jason Newsted Joins Metallica at Anniversary Concert
Metallica Books More ‘Black Album’ Tour Dates
Friday, June 3, 2011
Green Day Working on ‘Ton of New Songs’
While the band has yet to announce anything formally about recording a new album, it appears that Green Day are doing just that. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong recently broke the news via his Twitter account, according to NME.com.
“OK. Here's the scoop,” Armstrong wrote. “Green Day has been jamming new songs everyday. There’s a ton of new songs. The direction is fresh and high energy. Feels great.”
The songs could be part of the band’s ninth studio album, and the follow-up to 2009’s 21st Century Breakdown.
“I don’t want to give away too much but just know that me, Mike [Dirnt, bassist], Tre [Cool, drummer] and Jason [White, touring guitarist] are collaborating and having the best time playing music.”
Green Day’s most recent release was the live album, Awesome as [Expletive], which came out earlier this year.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Full Top 50 Cover Songs List, Readers Poll Revealed
With today’s announcement of the Top 10, Gibson.com’s Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time is complete. Below, you can check out the full list from top to bottom (for more on each entry, click here: #50-41, #40-31, #30-21, #20-11 and #10-1.
Plus, scroll down to see the readers’ Top 25 picks.
Top 50 Covers of All Time
1. “All Along the Watchtower,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Bob Dylan)
2. “Twist and Shout,” The Beatles (The Top Notes, The Isley Brothers)
3. “Hurt,” Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)
4. “I Fought the Law,” The Clash (The Crickets, Bobby Fuller Four)
5. “Crossroads,” Cream (Robert Johnson)
6. “Hallelujah,” Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
7. “Mr. Tambourine Man,” The Byrds (Bob Dylan)
8. “The House of the Rising Sun,” The Animals (Traditional)
9. “You Really Got Me,” Van Halen (The Kinks)
10. “Respect,” Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding)
11. “Jolene,” The White Stripes (Dolly Parton)
12. “Hound Dog,” Elvis Presley (“Big Mama” Thornton)
13. “Little Wing,” Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
14. “The Man Who Sold the World,” Nirvana (David Bowie)
15. “With a Little Help from My Friends,” Joe Cocker (The Beatles)
16. “Ain’t That a Shame,” Cheap Trick (Fats Domino)
17. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Guns N’ Roses (Bob Dylan)
18. “Not Fade Away,” The Rolling Stones (Buddy Holly and The Crickets)
19. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Devo (The Rolling Stones)
20. “Young Man Blues,” The Who (Mose Allison)
21. “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Marvin Gaye)
22. “Statesboro Blues,” The Allman Brothers Band (Blind Willie McTell)
23. “Hard to Handle,” Black Crowes (Otis Redding)
24. “Love in Vain,” The Rolling Stones (Robert Johnson)
25. “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” Nirvana (Traditional, Lead Belly)
26. “Proud Mary,” Ike and Tina Turner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
27. “Take Me to the River,” Talking Heads (Al Green)
28. “Higher Ground,” Red Hot Chili Peppers (Stevie Wonder)
29. “Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley (Carl Perkins)
30. “Blinded by the Light,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Bruce Springsteen)
31. “That’s All Right,” Elvis Presley (Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup)
32. “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Pearl Jam (Neil Young)
33. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Van Halen (Roy Orbison)
34. “American Woman,” Lenny Kravitz (The Guess Who)
35. “Come Together,” Aerosmith (The Beatles)
36. “Gloria,” Patti Smith (Them)
37. “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Gerry and the Pacemakers (Rogers and Hammerstein from Carousel)
38. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Otis Redding (The Rolling Stones)
39. “You Shook Me” Led Zeppelin (Muddy Waters)
40. “How High the Moon,” Les Paul Mary Ford (Benny Goodman)
41. “Rusty Cage,” Johnny Cash (Soundgarden)
42. “Blue Bayou,” Linda Ronstadt (Roy Orbison)
43. “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” Jason and the Scorchers (Bob Dylan)
44. “Blueberry Hill,” Fats Domino (Glenn Miller)
45. “Sabbra Cadabra,” Metallica (Black Sabbath)
46. “Sorrow,” David Bowie (The McCoys, The Merseys)
47. “Monkey Man,” The Specials (Toots & the Maytals)
48. “Money (That’s What I Want),” The Beatles (Barrett Strong)
49. “Suzie Q,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Dale Hawkins)
50. “A Day in the Life,” Jeff Beck (The Beatles)
Gibson.com Readers Poll – Top 25 Covers of All Time
The readers spoke loudly for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s cover of “Blinded By the Light,” which just barely edged out Hendrix’s famous take on “All Along the Watchtower” (the overall list’s #1). The readers also gave love to covers by Vanilla Fudge, Deep Purple and H.I.M. The most interesting result: the readers’ choice of Eddie Murphy’s version of “Respect” over Aretha Franklin’s.
1. “Blinded By the Light,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Bruce Springsteen)
2. “All Along the Watchtower,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Bob Dylan)
3. “Twist & Shout,” The Beatles (The Top Notes, The Isley Brothers)
4. “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Marvin Gaye)
5. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” Vanilla Fudge (The Supremes)
6. “Hush,” Deep Purple (Billy Joe Royal)
7. “Crossroads,” Cream (Robert Johnson)
8. “With a Little Help From My Friends,” Joe Cocker (The Beatles)
9. “I Fought the Law,” The Clash (Bobby Fuller Four)
10. “Further on Up the Road,” Eric Clapton (Bobby “Blue” Bland)
11. “Jolene,” The White Stripes (Dolly Parton)
12. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Guns N’ Roses (Bob Dylan)
13. “Stormy Monday,” Allman Brothers Band (T-Bone Walker)
14. “One Way Out,” Allman Brothers Band (Elmore James)
15. “You Really Got Me,” Van Halen (The Kinks)
16. “Hurt,” Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)
17. “After Midnight,” Eric Clapton (J.J. Cale)
18. “Hallelujah,” Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
19. “Mr. Tambourine Man,” The Byrds (Bob Dylan)
20. “Little Wing,” Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
21. “Wicked Game,” H.I.M. (Chris Isaak)
22. “Respect,” Eddie Murphy (Otis Redding)
23. “Gloria,” Patti Smith (Them)
24. “Am I Evil?,” Metallica (Diamond Head)
25. “Baker Street,” Foo Fighters (Gerry Rafferty)
Iron Maiden Give Away Downloads of Two Classic Songs
Iron Maiden are giving their U.K. fans an early present ahead of the release of their greatest-hits compilation next month: free downloads of classic Maiden hits, “The Wicker Man” and “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg.” If you’re a U.K. resident, click here to start downloading. If you’re not a U.K. resident, the songs appear to be unavailable.
On June 6, Iron Maiden will issue their From Fear to Eternity collection, which contains favorite songs from 1990 to 2010, all featuring frontman Bruce Dickinson. Songs originally sung by Blaze Bayley, who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999, are replaced on the new album by live versions done by Dickinson.
The full From Fear to Eternity tracklisting:
Disc 1
The Wicker Man
Holy Smoke
El Dorado
Paschendale
Different World
Man on the Edge (Live)
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
Blood Brothers
Rainmaker
Sign of the Cross (Live)
Brave New World
Fear of the Dark (Live)
Disc 2
Be Quick or Be Dead
Tailgunner
No More Lies
Coming Home
The Clansman (Live)
For the Greater Good of God
These Colours Don’t Run
Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter
Afraid to Shoot Strangers
Dance of Death
When the Wild Wind Blows
Thursday, May 26, 2011
<em>Gibson.com</em>’s Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time - #30-21
Some of the most famous songs in music history are cover versions – whether it’s The Beatles doing Motown hits, Elvis tackling R&B tunes or just about everyone covering Bob Dylan songs. In honor of the artists who didn’t write the songs, but recorded legendary versions of them, Gibson.com is counting down the Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time.
Gibson.com recently enlisted its editors, writers and you, the readers, to vote for the greatest cover songs ever released. After announcing #50-41 and #40-31, we’re revealing another 10 on the list – with the original artist, or, in some cases, the most famous previous artist in parentheses. Check back each day this week, as we unveil 10 more classic covers – with the Top 10 arriving on Friday.
30. “Blinded by the Light,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Bruce Springsteen)
Manfred Mann had stated out doing the British Invasion blues-based thing with hits like “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” and “The Mighty Quinn” (another excellent cover), but by 1971 were dabbling in more lavish prog rock sounds. New Dylan on the block, Bruce Springsteen, had seen his first tracks rejected by Columbia, who wanted something more radio friendly. He responded with “Blinded by the Light,” which made his debut album, Greetings form Asbury Park, N.J., but was never a hit for the Boss. In Manfred’s smart hands the bluster, pomp and musical majesty more than match Springsteen’s clever wordplay. – Andrew Vaughan
29. “Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley (Carl Perkins)
Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins was playing a small-town show when a teen ostracized his girlfriend for stepping on his “suedes.” Something registered with Carl. Later, Perkins came up with the classic intro, “Well, it's one for the money... Two for the show... Three to get ready... Now go, man, go!” (‘man’ became cat in the studio) for the rock and roll classic about shoes. Everyone remembers Elvis’ cover of the song, of course, but if a serious car wreck hadn’t de-railed Perkins career while promoting his version of “Shoes,” rock history may have been a little different. Maybe. – Andrew Vaughan
28. “Higher Ground,” Red Hot Chili Peppers (Stevie Wonder)
Red Hot Chili Peppers took this groovy, wah/Clavinet-driven 1973 Stevie Wonder song from the classic album Innervisions and turned it into a hyperkinetic funk/metal track on their 1989 album Mother’s Milk. The album was the Peppers’ first with guitarist John Frusciante. RHCP’s version felt more frantic than the original, and the video reflected this vibe in glorious Technicolor. The band’s hard work was rewarded with an MTV Video Award nomination. – Peter Hodgson
27. “Take Me to the River,” Talking Heads (Al Green)
A band of art-school punks scored their first real radio hit in 1978 by covering Al Green’s soul classic, in which lust and religion coalesced. Tina Weymouth’s grooving bassline and Jerry Harrison’s greasy keyboards brought new, subdued colors to Talking Heads’ twitchy sound. Frontman David Byrne somehow bridged the gap between R&B and punk with a delivery that was equally soulful and nervy – and included growling the song’s bass riff at the end. Somewhere in there, “punk” became new wave. – Bryan Wawzenek
26. “Proud Mary,” Ike and Tina Turner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
This may be one of the most extreme examples of how an already classic tune, with a perfect performance, can be made into not only a great remake, but a classic live performance! With Tina’s first delivery of the song “nice and easy” and then turning it into a whirlwind rocker that’s “rough,” she and Ike, and let’s not forget the Ikettes, make this one of the all-time, and out-and-out sexy, explosive masterpieces of soul and rock ’n’ roll! – Arlen Roth
25. “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” Nirvana (Traditional, Lead Belly)
Nirvana included a wealth of covers on their MTV Unplugged performance, but none seem to capture the band’s last gasp like this version of the early 1900s folk tune. Originally titled “In the Pines,” the most famous rendition was by Lead Belly – whom Nirvana credited with inspiring their take. With a foreboding cello looming in the background and Kurt Cobain howling “My girl! My girl! Don’t lie to me!” near the song’s conclusion, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” might be the most powerful folk cover ever recorded. – Bryan Wawzenek
24. “Love in Vain,” The Rolling Stones (Robert Johnson)
Upon the release of 1961’s King of the Delta Blues Singers, Robert Johnson became a touchstone for up-and-coming London blues artists. While Eric Clapton famously raved up Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues,” the Stones chose to take a more emotive approach with the painstaking fare-thee-well, “Love in Vain.” Countrified on Let It Bleed, the track attained greater resonance on the more bluesy Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out live version. Both Keith Richards’ studio flourishes and Mick Taylor’s live solo are a study in the emotional possibilities of the slide guitar. – Michael Wright
23. “Hard to Handle,” Black Crowes (Otis Redding)
Originally recorded (and co-written) by Otis Redding, “Hard to Handle” was posthumously released in 1968, shortly after the tragic plane crash that killed Redding and most of his band. Although covered by many over the years, including The Grateful Dead, who made it a staple of their live shows from ’69-’71, it was The Black Crowes’ swaggering, Faces-esque version from their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, that not only put the Crowes on the map, but made this soul classic a bona fide rock staple. – Sean Patrick Dooley
22. “Statesboro Blues,” The Allman Brothers Band (Blind Willie McTell)
McTell recorded this southern staple in 1928, and its lithe 12-string riffing remains a compelling insight into blues roots. In 1971, The Allman Brothers Band turned it into a stomping boogie, near-unrecognizable from McTell’s version, but it showcased Duane Allman’s peerless slide playing and the support-skills of Dickey Betts. The Allmans’ cover is indulgent, but with good reason. If you want to hear guitars “sing,” go here. – Michael Leonard
21. “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Marvin Gaye)
John Fogerty and the boys didn’t hold back when they took an R&B classic (recorded by no less than three Motown artists, although CCR was obviously inspired by Gaye’s version) and totally rocked out with it. Great vocals, long extended and interesting solos and jams help make this a unique piece in the Creedence library, from the incredibly overlooked album, Cosmo’s Factory! Classic upon classic material! – Arlen Roth
Votes for the Top 50 Covers of All Time were included from Michael Wright, Bryan Wawzenek, Andrew Vaughan, Sean Patrick Dooley, Cesar Acevedo, Paul Burch, Arlen Roth, Ted Drozdowski, Russell Hall, Peter Hodgson, Anne Erickson, Michael Leonard, Paolo Bassotti and the Gibson.com Readers Poll.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
<em>Gibson.com</em>’s Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time - #40-31
Some of the most famous songs in music history are cover versions – whether it’s The Beatles doing Motown hits, Elvis tackling R&B tunes or just about everyone covering Bob Dylan songs. In honor of the artists who didn’t write the songs, but recorded legendary versions of them, Gibson.com is counting down the Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time.
Gibson.com recently enlisted its editors, writers and you, the readers, to vote for the greatest cover songs ever released. After announcing #50-41, we’re revealing another 10 on the list – with the original artist, or, in some cases, the most famous previous artist in parentheses. Check back each day this week, as we unveil 10 more classic covers – with the Top 10 arriving on Friday.
40. “How High the Moon,” Les Paul and Mary Ford (Benny Goodman)
Les Paul’s name lives on via Gibson’s legendary electric, but he was also a master of recording. “How High the Moon” (1951) was the most influential side ever cut by Les Paul and singer Mary Ford. The sound was uptempo jazz-pop, but the 24-track concepts that Les pioneered here pretty much invented the modern studio. B.B. King reckoned that Les had a better tone than Charlie Christian, and LP also had crazy chops – the speedy guitar breaks of “How High the Moon” remain silky smooth. – Michael Leonard
39. “You Shook Me” Led Zeppelin (Muddy Waters)
When Led Zeppelin recoded this cover of a Muddy Waters classic for their debut album in 1969, Jimmy Page had no idea that former Yardbirds bandmate and old friend Jeff Beck had just recorded his own version. John Paul Jones knew though: he played organ on Beck’s version. Nonetheless, the Led Zep version had enough of its own character to stand on its own. The song is also noteworthy for its innovative use of backwards echo. – Peter Hodgson
38. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Otis Redding (The Rolling Stones)
"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" set the rock & roll world ablaze when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards spit out the racy hit, sensual hit with the Rolling Stones. At first, the song was deemed too hot for radio, but that soon changed and it shot up the charts. With that kind of power and controversy, it’s no wonder countless artists have covered the track, from Vanilla Ice to Bill Cosby to Devo. In 1965, Stax vocalist Otis Redding put his own spin on the then-new single for his album, Otis Blue. His soul take on the song featured horns playing the signature guitar riff, and the ensuing success showed Jagger how to really get some satisfaction. –Anne Erickson
37. “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Gerry and the Pacemakers (Rogers and Hammerstein from Carousel)
It’s tempting to think of it solely as a sports chant, but the rousing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” actually began as a Broadway show tune. Though covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and scores of other heavy hitters, the song’s definitive version came from the unlikely source of Liverpudlian beat band, Gerry and the Pacemakers. Summoning a subtlety and nuance only glimpsed a handful of times in his recording career, Gerry Marsden shepherds the track for the quietest of beginnings to an absolute blockbuster ending. Absolutely spine-tingling. – Michael Wright
36. “Gloria,” Patti Smith (Them)
Patti Smith could hardly have chosen a more perfect song than “Gloria” to announce herself to the rock world. Written by Van Morrison and recorded more than a decade earlier by Morrison’s band, Them, the track embodied garage rock’s primal energy even in its original state. By prefacing her version with a lengthy section rife with poetic imagery, Smith came off as the pioneering punk priestess she was. – Russell Hall
35. “Come Together,” Aerosmith (The Beatles)
Written primarily by John Lennon and appearing as the opening track to The Beatles’ 1969 album, Abbey Road, “Come Together” was recorded by Aerosmith nine years later for the soundtrack to the Bee Gees/Peter Frampton trainwreck (nee film) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Where the movie flopped, Aerosmith’s outstanding cover of “Come Together” soared, especially Steven Tyler’s angry vocals and Joe Perry’s staccato guitar punctuations, both of which breathed a sinister, almost manic, air into the song. You can almost feel Aerosmith’s own self-inflicted wounds – wounds that would lead to their eventual doom as a band. At least for a while. – Sean Patrick Dooley
34. “American Woman,” Lenny Kravitz (The Guess Who)
Those born post-1980 may not even associate “American Woman” with The Guess Who. When Lenny Kravitz covered the shaggy track for the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, adding a funk-jam flair, it all but took over American pop culture. The single also scored the retro rock performer a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 2000 ceremony. –Anne Erickson
33. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Van Halen (Roy Orbison)
The Big O’s 1964 original made #1 on both sides of the Atlantic. Nearly 20 years later, Van Halen decided it was ripe for a party-metal makeover. Hey, why not? They had already mashed The Kinks, to devastating effect. Van Halen’s version walks a fine Spinal Tap line of clever/stupid, but it somehow works. EVH’s riffing sounds super-steely and David Lee Roth adds a comedic “grrrrrrrrr.” A hit was guaranteed. The fact remains, more wannabe bands rock Van Halen’s version than Orbison’s original. Mercy! – Michael Leonard
32. “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Pearl Jam (Neil Young)
Released in the summer of 1989, Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” from his Freedom album, was an unveiled critique of the policies and rhetoric of President Bush’s administration (“We got a thousand points of light/For the homeless man/We got a kinder, gentler/Machine gun hand”). Pearl Jam, who by all accounts began collaborating with Young in 1992 when they both performed at a Bob Dylan tribute, deliver a spot-on cover that loses neither tenor nor impact. The real treat remains seeing the double-barrel shotgun blast of Young and Pearl Jam performing the song together. – Sean Patrick Dooley
31. “That’s All Right,” Elvis Presley (Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup)
If judged on sheer cultural importance, Presley’s cover of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s “That’s All Right, Mama” would surely top the list. Sam Phillips’s 1954 session with a local truck driver was going nowhere when the young Presley busted out this blues classic. Suddenly, Phillips had found the sound and the star he’d been looking for to take rhythm and blues to the masses. The rest, as they say, is history. – Michael Wright
Votes for the Top 50 Covers of All Time were included from Michael Wright, Bryan Wawzenek, Andrew Vaughan, Sean Patrick Dooley, Cesar Acevedo, Paul Burch, Arlen Roth, Ted Drozdowski, Russell Hall, Peter Hodgson, Anne Erickson, Michael Leonard, Paolo Bassotti and the Gibson.com Readers Poll.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
<em>Gibson.com</em>’s Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time - #50-41
Some of the most famous songs in music history are cover versions – whether it’s The Beatles doing Motown hits, Elvis tackling R&B tunes or just about everyone covering Bob Dylan songs. In honor of the artists who didn’t write the songs, but recorded legendary versions of them, Gibson.com is counting down the Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time.
Gibson.com recently enlisted its editors, writers and you, the readers, to vote for the greatest cover songs ever released. Today, we’re revealing the first 10 on the list – with the original artist, or, in some cases, the most famous previous artist in parentheses. Check back each day this week, as we unveil 10 more classic covers – with the Top 10 arriving on Friday.
50. “A Day in the Life,” Jeff Beck (The Beatles)
Jeff Beck’s instrumental rendition of this classic Beatles tune for Sir George Martin’s album In My Life pulled off the rarest of musical feats: it made the song sound like it was always meant to be played that way. Beck’s trademark use of whammy bar tricks and vocal-like phrasing brought out the song’s pensive melancholy in similar fashion to Beck’s own track “Where Were You,” but if anything, his performance of “A Day in the Life” took this technique even further. – Peter Hodgson
49. “Suzie Q,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Dale Hawkins)
Written and originally recorded by Louisiana-born Dale Hawkins (and covered by a phalanx of artists over the years, most notably The Rolling Stones, the Everly Brothers, Gene Vincent and Lonnie Mack), it was Creedence Clearwater Revival who really made “Suzie Q” their own. Clocking in at over 8 minutes on their 1968 debut album (a shorter version was released as the single), “Suzie Q” was one of Creedence’s first big hits, and it remains the only Top 40 hit the band ever had that was not penned by John Fogerty. – Sean Patrick Dooley
48. “Money (That’s What I Want)” The Beatles (Barrett Strong)
The Beatles loved Motown, of course, and this cover of Barrett Strong’s 1959 classic was rife with affection. Although the arrangement is relatively faithful to the Motown original, Lennon, in typical early Beatles fashion, injected jubilant rock and roll fervor into Strong’s more R&B-style rave-up. Just as “Twist and Shout” had done for The Beatles’ full-length debut, “Money” capped the Fab Four’s second album with an exultant exclamation mark. – Russell Hall
47. “Monkey Man,” The Specials (Toots & The Maytals)
In the late ’70s, the U.K. pop charts were ignited by a ska revival, the leading lights being Madness, The Selector, The Beat and The Specials. The Specials fused ska with punk-esque energy, no better than on this 1979 cover of the 1970 Toots & The Maytals hit. It’s an odd cover version, lyrically; The Maytals’ song was originally a playful jibe at their producer Leslie Kong, who died in 1971 at just 38. The Specials’ nevertheless turned the track into a celebratory floor-filler. “This one’s for the bouncers,” was their introduction. And bounce, it did. – Michael Leonard
46. “Sorrow,” David Bowie (The McCoys, The Merseys)
This track from Bowie’s 1973 Pinups covers album foreshadowed the crooner style Bowie would often adopt on the albums that followed. Sporting a less sprite arrangement than The Merseys’ 1966 hit upon which it was based (The McCoys, of “Hang on Sloopy” fame, had actually first recorded the song), Bowie’s version was power by watery keyboards and a sax-fueled bridge. His performance of “Sorrow” on the legendary 1980 Floor Show was a highlight of that TV spectacle. – Russell Hall
45. “Sabbra Cadabra,” Metallica (Black Sabbath)
When Metallica put out Garage Inc., the eclectic variety of covers on the compilation – from Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” to Blue Oyster Cult’s “Astronomy” – was a pleasant twist for die-hard fans. The heavy metal behemoth’s crowning triumph on the album was Black Sabbath’s “Sabbra Cadabra,” the bulk of which showcases boogie-woogie riffing and near-danceable rhythms. The interpretation surely shows Metallica can bring their style to the vanguard, even through other people’s songs. –Anne Erickson
44. “Blueberry Hill,” Fats Domino (Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra)
Written in 1940 by Vincent Rose, Larry Stock and John L. Rooney, “Blueberry Hill” was a sedate jazz tune covered six times in its first year. But it took until 1956 for Antoine “Fats” Domino to eclipse the biggest hit version of 1940 by Glenn Miller. Now a rock ’n’ roll standard, Fat’s funky, up-tempo piano version became his signature and later versions by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and even Led Zeppelin didn’t deliver similar thrills. – Michael Leonard
43. “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” Jason and the Scorchers (Bob Dylan)
More than a couple Bob Dylan covers will appear on this list, but none were injected with such fervor as this one from ’80s country-rock heroes Jason and the Scorchers. The Nashville band gave this Blonde on Blonde ditty a swift kick with their cowboy boots, turning a folksy tune into a barn-burning explosion of energy. Ringenberg’s howled delivery – equal parts Iggy Pop and Jimmie Rodgers – was mesmerizing enough to help his cow-punk group land an MTV hit in 1983. – Bryan Wawzenek
42. “Blue Bayou,” Linda Ronstadt (Roy Orbison)
Linda Ronstadt, the most successful female singer of the ’70s, played a major role in reviving Roy Orbison’s stagnating career when she recorded his “Blue Bayou.” Orbison recorded it originally on his In Dreams album in 1963. Orbison’s version was a minor hit, but in Ronstadt’s hands it became a mega-seller around the world and played a significant role in giving Linda superstar status. A gifted interpreter of songs, Ronstadt blew a country breeze through Orbison’s forlorn epic, unaware that her name would become a baseball term – the “Linda Ronstadt,” for a fastball that “blew by you.” – Andrew Vaughan
41. “Rusty Cage,” Johnny Cash (Soundgarden)
A few years before it happened, who could have pictured Johnny Cash playing a Soundgarden song? The other way around, maybe, but Cash’s American Recordings series found The Man in Black exploring tracks from all sorts of unlikely sources. On his 1996 album, Unchained, Cash made the song his own, stripping away its electric grunge but maintaining its propulsive groove with some mean acoustic picking, before melting down into a lowdown bluesy groove in the middle (courtesy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). – Peter Hodgson
Votes for the Top 50 Covers of All Time were included from Michael Wright, Bryan Wawzenek, Andrew Vaughan, Sean Patrick Dooley, Cesar Acevedo, Paul Burch, Arlen Roth, Ted Drozdowski, Russell Hall, Peter Hodgson, Anne Erickson, Michael Leonard, Paolo Bassotti and the Gibson.com Readers Poll.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Silly Love Songs: Paul McCartney to Release Standards Album
John Lennon used to chide his partner, Paul McCartney, at times for playing what Lennon called “granny music,” but those barbs never dissuaded Macca from occasionally visiting the styles and sounds of previous generations. Now, McCartney is apparently set to revisit some of the standards that played over the radio airwaves during his youth 
with a new album of covers.
“It’s my dad’s style of music,” he told Rolling Stone. “I’ve wanted to do that kind of thing forever, since the Beatle days. But then Rod [Stewart] went mad on it. I thought, ‘I have to wait so it doesn’t look like I’m trying to do a Rod.’”
As far as the selections, McCartney said, “They’re just songs I admire, I’m trying to steer away from the obvious ones. It’s get-home-from-work music. You put it on and get a glass of wine.”
Fans of “Rock Show” Paul McCartney needn’t worry, though. The former Beatle said that he also is planning an album of “heavier rock.” His hope is to enlist the services of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.
“It sounds quite wacky, but it keeps it fresh,” he said. “I love that – you get a crazy idea and go with it. You never know – I may run into a garage to make this other album. But it won’t be in Dave’s garage.”
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Johnny Depp Writing Songs with Steven Tyler?
Johnny Depp might have based his Captain Jack Sparrow character on Keith Richards, but he’s been hanging out with a different Rock and Roll Hall of Famer lately. According to Spinner.com, the actor has been working on songs with Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler.
“We’ve been hanging out here and there,” Depp told Extra. “He’s someone I’ve admired greatly for such a long time. The idea of writing songs with him is a dream come true.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time Depp and rock and roll have crossed paths. The Pirates of the Caribbean star played bass in a ’90s band called P, which also featured Butthole Surfers singer Gibby Haynes and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In addition, Depp contributed guitar to a couple of Oasis records and played on Shane MacGowan’s Snake album.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Offspring Testing New Songs on 5-Year-Olds?
The Offspring are “12 or 13” songs into the writing process for their new album, according to the band’s official podcast. The forthcoming release will be the group’s first since 2008’s Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace.
“It’s going to be great,” frontman Dexter Holland said. “It’s going to be the best damn record we ever did.”
He also said that the reactions of a five-year-old provided the telltale sign of how good the new songs were.
“You know what’s a really good sign?” Holland asked. “When you are working on a song and you play it for a niece or nephew, or a young kid, preferably about five and if it sticks with that kid and you hear them humming it later in the day!”
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Civil War - Traditional American Songs And Instrumental Music Featured In The Film By Ken Burns: Original Soundtrack Recording
Groundhog Day 207 "Hip hip hooray, it’s Ground Hog Day!" Jack is so excited for his favorite holiday and can’t wait to find out if the ground hog will see her shadow or not! But he might not find out because a scared Gertrude the Ground Hog runs into the clubhouse and nervously peeks out the window, "Are they out there yet? Are they?" Jack and the gang learn that today is Gertrude’s first Ground Hog Day as the ground hog (the one who everyone gathers around to find out if it sees its own shadow). But Gertrude can’t do it, she doesn’t want to be the center of attention, she’s too shy to face all the people and cameras! Gertrude is not going out there! What will happen to Ground Hog Day?! Jack and the Bean Stalk 208 Jack finds some magic beans, which promptly grow into a huge beanstalk, breaking through the clubhouse ceiling, straight up into the clouds. Jack and the gang climb up to investigate and find themselves at the enormous door of a beautiful kingdom high above the clouds. It is here Jack, Mary and Mel meet the Giant, who is very sad. The Giant explains that he just doesn’t know what to get his wife for her birthday. All he has given her in the past are golden eggs, and she’s had enough of them. After trying out some gift ideas, the gang decides that the Giant should give his wife the gift of song. But what song will he sing? How Mel Got His Groove Back 102 Today, the clubhouse is rocking big-time! Mel gets a little carried away with his drum solo and accidentally sends a drum flipping through the air. The drum lands right on Mel and bonks him on the head. We soon discover Mel the dog thinks he’s a cat! Jack tries to bring back Mel’s "dog-gone" memory with his favorite dog toys and treats. Luckily, our good friend Cathy stops by and teaches us a song that gets Mel’s doggie groove back! What a day! Little Bad Wolf 101 Hold on to your musical instruments. Jack, Mary and Mel get a visit from The Little Bad Wolf, the Big Bad Wolf’s brother. He huffs and puffs and blows the instruments all over the place making piles of musical messes. How can we get The Little Bad Wolf to stop blowing down the clubhouse? We can teach him how to play the perfect instrument for a wolf full of hot air. He learns how to blow a tuba! The Little Bad Wolf helps us rock the clubhouse and we all make marvelous music together. What a day!Price: $18.98
100 Singalong Songs for Kids
No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: CEDARMONT KIDS
Title: 100 SINGALONG SONGS FOR KIDS
Street Release Date: 04/17/2007
Genre: CHILDREN'S
Price: $9.98