12/31/2012

Happy New Year!




Fat man lookin' in a blade of steel
Thin man lookin' at his last meal
Hollow man lookin' in a cottonfield
For dignity

Wise man lookin' in a blade of grass
Young man lookin' in the shadows that pass
Poor man lookin' through painted glass
For dignity

Somebody got murdered on New Year's Eve
Somebody said dignity was the first to leave
I went into the city, went into the town
Went into the land of the midnight sun

Searchin' high, searchin' low
Searchin' everywhere I know
Askin' the cops wherever I go
Have you seen dignity?

Blind man breakin' out of a trance
Puts both his hands in the pockets of chance
Hopin' to find one circumstance
Of dignity

I went to the wedding of Mary Lou
She said, 'I don't want nobody see me talkin' to you'
Said she could get killed if she told me what she knew
About dignity

I went down where the vultures feed
I would've gone deeper, but there wasn't any need
Heard the tongues of angels and the tongues of men
Wasn't any difference to me

Chilly wind sharp as a razor blade
House on fire, debts unpaid
Gonna stand at the window, gonna ask the maid
Have you seen dignity?

Drinkin' man listens to the voice he hears
In a crowded room full of covered-up mirrors
Lookin' into the lost forgotten years
For dignity

Met Prince Phillip at the home of the blues
Said he'd give me information if his name wasn't used
He wanted money up front, said he was abused
By dignity

Footprints runnin' 'cross the silver sand
Steps goin' down into tattoo land
I met the sons of darkness and the sons of light
In the bordertowns of despair

Got no place to fade, got no coat
I'm on the rollin' river in a jerkin' boat
Tryin' to read a note somebody wrote
About dignity

Sick man lookin' for the doctor's cure
Lookin' at his hands for the lines that were
And into every masterpiece of literature
For dignity

Englishman stranded in the blackheart wind
Combin' his hair back, his future looks thin
Bites the bullet and he looks within
For dignity

Someone showed me a picture and I just laughed
Dignity never been photographed
I went into the red, went into the black
Into the valley of dry bone dreams

So many roads, so much at stake
So many dead ends, I'm at the edge of the lake
Sometimes I wonder what it's gonna take
To find dignity


Bob Dylan, 1995

12/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, December 2012


01 - Miles Davis (1960) - Concierto De Aranjuez (Adagio)
02 - Dizzy Gillespie (1976) - Barcelona
03 - Thelonious Monk (1954) - Hackensack
04 - John Coltrane (1960) - Giant Steps
05 - Brubeck & Desmond (1975) - Blue Dove
06 - Chick Corea (1966) - Litha
07 - Clifford Brown (195X) - Walkin'
08 - Charlie Parker (194X) - The Gypsy
09 - Louis Armstrong (1964) - Moon River
10 - Putte Wickman (1995) - Wedding Music

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

11/30/2012

Larry Hagman, 1931-2012




In the dark you can sometimes hear your own heartbeat
Or the heart of the one next to you
And the house settles down after holding itself up all day
Shoulders slump, gives a big sigh
You hear no ones footfall in the hall

That drip in the kitchen sink keeps marking time
June bug on the window screen can't get in but it keeps on tryin'
One way or another we're all in the dark

Fireflies and sparks and... lightning and stars
Campfires, moon, headlights on cars
The northern lights and the milky way and...
You can't see that stuff in the day

The earth turns it's back on the sun
And the stars come out, and the planets start to run, around
Now they call that day is done
But really it's just getting started
Some folks take comfort in that

And how dark is it? It's too dark for goblins
And how dark is it, when it's so dark you can smell the moon?
How dark is it? So dark the wind gets lost
How dark is it? So dark the sky's on fire
How dark is it? So dark you can see Fort Worth from here...


Guy Clark, 2002

11/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, November 2012


01 - Björn Afzelius & Mikael Wiehe (1986) - Natten
02 - Ulf Lundell (2012) - Kom Fram Ur Skuggorna
03 - Hoola Bandoola Band (1975) - Victor Jara
04 - Rolf Wikströms Hjärtslag (1978) - Solidaritet
05 - Björn Afzelius (1974) - Bläckfisken
06 - Peps Blodsband (1974) - Falsk Matematik
07 - Blå Tåget (1972) - Den Ena Handen Vet Vad Den Andra Gör
08 - Aaron Copland (1942) - Fanfare For The Common Man
09 - Mikael Wiehe (2000) - En Sång Till Modet
10 - Tältprojektet (1977) - Vi Äro Tusenden...

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

10/13/2012

Powerslaves


Yesterday, on Youtube, I watched Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson deliver his keynote speech at the IBM Smarter Business 2012 convent in Stockholm, Sweden. The subjects of the day were creativity and entrepreneurship, and - lo and behold - the close connection between the world of music and the world of business. And, it did not take long before Mr. Dickinson was referring to Iron Maiden's fans as customers.

Long gone are the days when phrases like "They ain't got a thing on me, I'm running wild, I'm running free yeah" at least rang reasonably true. Today, Iron Maiden are as closely intertwined with the western power sphere as any multinational corporation, and they are as much agents of capitalist expansion and part of British foreign policy as any politician or businessman.

On their recently released live DVD, En Vivo, in between songs, Mr. Dickinson offers the South American audience to be part of one big happy Iron Maiden family, transcending politics as well as religion. But of course, what he and his companions are offering is neither unpolitical, neither very new, it's just good old fashioned western cultural imperialism, presented in a soft power package, signed, sealed and delivered 10 Downing Street with allies.

  

Ulf Lundell @ Skavlan, October 2012 [In Swedish]




10/04/2012

Some Practical Advice


When all appears quiet, look for the noise in the silence. When all is calm on the surface, look for the dynamics underneath. When all seems to be present, look for what is absent. When someone is pointing toward a certain (point of) view, look for the view he is hiding. When all is claimed to have been said, look for the un-said.

10/01/2012

Gordon Gekko Was Wrong, Gotta Breathe Some Life Into The Embers Before I Freeze To Death...




Artist: Ulf Lundell
Title: Rent Förbannat (CD)
Year: 2012

>>> Listen! >>>

Mix Of The Month, October 2012


01 - Rainbow (1986) - Spotlight Kid
02 - Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi (1986) - In For The Kill
03 - Magnum (2012) - On The Thirteenth Day
04 - ZZ Top (2012) - Over You
05 - Eldkvarn (1997) - Jag Är Bättre Än Dej
06 - Mark Knopfler (2012) - Kingdom Of Gold
07 - Ulf Lundell (2012) - Är Vi Lyckliga Nu?
08 - Bob Dylan (2012) - Scarlet Town
09 - Ronnie James Dio (1974) - Sitting In A Dream
10 - Barry Manilow (1978) - Ready To Take A Chance Again

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

9/08/2012

Tempest!




Artist: Bob Dylan
Title: Tempest (CD)
Year: 2012

>>> Listen! >>>

9/03/2012

9/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, September 2012


01 - Manowar (1988) - The Warrior's Prayer
02 - Metal Church (1984) - Gods Of Wrath
03 - Wendy O. Williams (1986) - Ain't None Of Your Business
04 - Pretty Maids (1984) - Red, Hot And Heavy
05 - Kreator (1989) - Extreme Aggression
06 - Flotsam And Jetsam (1988) - No Place For Disgrace
07 - Sabbat (1989) - Mythistory
08 - Motörhead (1987) - Rock And Roll
09 - Sötlimpa (1984) - Stark
10 - Helloween (1985) - Heavy Metal (Is The Law)

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

8/07/2012

An Album Worth Mentioning...




Artist: Herman Frank
Title: Loyal To None (CD)
Year: 2009

>>> Listen! >>>

8/01/2012

Happy Birthday Jerry!


Mix Of The Month, August 2012


01 - Johan Stengård (2000) - Berzelii Park
02 - Ulf Lundell (19XX) - Vänd Dej Inte Om
03 - Don Henley (1984) - The Boys Of Summer
04 - U2 (1984) - Pride (In The Name Of Love)
05 - ABBA (1976) - Dancing Queen
06 - Jean-Michel Jarre (1993) - Chronologie, Part 4
07 - Mike Oldfield (1983) - Moonlight Shadow
08 - Dire Straits (1985) - Brothers In Arms
09 - John Farnham (1986) - You're The Voice
10 - Alphaville (1984) - Forever Young

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

7/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, July 2012


01 - Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force (1985) - Anguish And Fear
02 - Jon Oliva's Pain (2008) - Walk Upon The Water
03 - Dio (1985) - Sacred Heart
04 - Iron Maiden (1988) - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
05 - Marillion (1984) - Emerald Lies
06 - Black Sabbath (1983) - Born Again
07 - Savatage (1991) - Tonight He Grins Again
08 - Asia (1985) - Voice Of America
09 - Magnum (1983) - The Word
10 - Putte Wickman (1995) - Roland Hassel Theme

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

6/09/2012

Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 Remembered


Some 23 years ago the Moscow Music Peace Festival was held in the USSR, at the Central Lenin Stadium, an occasion which marked the first time ever a rock concert had been arranged in the arena, featuring acts such as Cinderella, Gorky Park, Scorpions, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne and Bon Jovi. Although somewhat of a forgotten event these days, I remember it well from back in the day, with lots of reports in Metal Hammer, and not the least, with MTV broadcasting the whole event. It was also released on two VHS volumes, and later on, on DVD. I suggest you get hold of a copy, it's a fantastic document of the times, with great performances, well worth the buck! Until then, help yourselves with this teaser...

6/04/2012

If You Put Your Heart And Soul Into It, There's Still Some Good Music To Be Made...




Artist: Joe Bonamassa
Title: Driving Towards The Daylight (CD)
Year: 2012

>>> Listen! >>>

6/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, June 2012


01 - Fate (1990) - The Whalesong
02 - Cinderella (1988) - Coming Home
03 - Genesis (1997) - Uncertain Weather
04 - Herman Frank (2009) - Heal Me
05 - W.A.S.P. (1989) - Thunderhead
06 - Skid Row (1989) - Youth Gone Wild
07 - Ratt (1990) - Givin' Yourself Away
08 - Pretty Maids (1992) - Nightmare In The Neighbourhood
09 - Page & Plant (1994) - Wonderful One
10 - Scorpions (1975) - In Trance

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

5/26/2012

An Album To Remember



Artist: Genesis
Title: Calling All Stations (CD)
Year: 1997

>>> Listen! >>>

5/02/2012

Dream Theater... Go Bust!



Artist: Samla Mammas Manna
Title: Snorungarnas symfoni (CD)
Year: 1976

>>> Listen! >>>

5/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, May 2012


01 - Robbie Robertson (2011) - How To Become Clairvoyant
02 - Ronnie Hawkins (1959) - Odessa
03 - The Band (1968) - The Weight
04 - Bob Dylan & The Band (1975) - Don't Ya Tell Henry
05 - Neil Young (1980) - The Old Homestead
06 - Bruce Springsteen (1982) - Atlantic City
07 - Rick Danko (1977) - New Mexicoe
08 - Richard Manuel (1985) - Across The Great Divide
09 - Levon Helm (2007) - Wide River To Cross
10 - Garth Hudson (2001) - Little Island

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

4/05/2012

Happy Easter!




Ring them bells, ye heathen
From the city that dreams
Ring them bells from the sanctuaries
'Cross the valleys and streams
For they're deep and they're wide
And the world's on its side
And time is running backwards
And so is the bride

Ring them bells St. Peter
Where the four winds blow
Ring them bells with an iron hand
So the people will know
Oh it's rush hour now
On the wheel and the plow
And the sun is going down
Upon the sacred cow

Ring them bells Sweet Martha
For the poor man's son
Ring them bells so the world will know
That God is one
Oh the shepherd is asleep
Where the willows weep
And the mountains are filled
With lost sheep

Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf
Ring them bells for all of us who are left
Ring them bells for the chosen few
Who will judge the many when the game is through
Ring them bells, for the time that flies
For the child that cries
When innocence dies

Ring them bells St. Catherine
From the top of the room
Ring them from the fortress
For the lilies that bloom
Oh the lines are long
And the fighting is strong
And they’re breaking down the distance
Between right and wrong


Bob Dylan, 1989

4/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, April 2012


01 - Pete Seeger (2008) - The First Settlers
02 - Aaron Copland (1942) - Fanfare For The Common Man
03 - Bob Dylan (1970) - Copper Kettle
04 - Steve Young (2000) - Little Birdie
05 - Bruce Springsteen (2012) - Jack Of All Trades
06 - The Allman Brothers Band (1990) - Gambler's Roll
07 - Guy Clark (2009) - The Guitar
08 - Blind Willie Mctell (1940) - Murderer's Home Blues
09 - Studs Terkel (XXXX) - Blessed Be The Nation
10 - Meat Loaf (2011) - Another Day

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

3/28/2012

An Album Well Worth Checking Out:




Artist: Steve Young
Title: Stories Round The Horseshoe Bend (CD)
Year: 2007

>>> Listen/Buy! >>>

3/06/2012

3/05/2012

The Boss Is Back In Town!




Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Title: Wrecking Ball (CD)
Year: 2012

>>> Listen! >>>

3/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, March 2012


01 - Sweet (1973) - The Ballroom Blitz
02 - Guns 'N' Roses (1987) - Paradise City
03 - Uriah Heep (1972) - Easy Livin'
04 - Meat Loaf (1981) - Dead Ringer For Love
05 - Bruce Springsteen (1975) - Born To Run
06 - Cher (1989) - If I Could Turn Back Time
07 - ZZ Top (1985) - Rough Boy
08 - Bonnie Tyler (1983) - Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
09 - Neil Young (1989) - Rockin' In The Free World
10 - Tina Turner (1984) - Private Dancer

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

2/28/2012

'Meat' Is Back In Town!




Artist: Meat Loaf
Title: Hell In A Handbasket (CD)
Year: 2011

>>> Listen! >>>

2/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, February 2012


01 - Pacific Gas & Electric (1970) - Are You Ready?
02 - Jimmy Walker (1971) - Where Do We Go From Here?
03 - Al Green (1972) - Let's Stay Together
04 - The Supremes (1965) - Stop! In The Name Of Love
05 - Dusty Springfield (1966) - Little By Little
06 - Eric Burdon & The Animals (19XX) - Monterey
07 - Marvin Gaye (1973) - Let's Get It On
08 - Tower Of Power (1973) - So Very Hard To Go
09 - Elvis Presley (1970) - You've Lost That Loving Feeling
10 - The Hollies (1969) - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>

1/01/2012

Mix Of The Month, January 2012


01 - Iron Maiden (1988) - Moonchild
02 - Manowar (1988) - Kings Of Metal
03 - Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force (1988) - Heaven Tonight
04 - Pretty Maids (1987) - Future World
05 - Scorpions (1988) - Rhythm Of Love
06 - Helloween (1985) - Starlight
07 - Motörhead (1986) - Doctor Rock
08 - Vinnie Vincent Invasion (1988) - Ashes To Ashes
09 - Ace Frehley (1987) - Rock Soldiers
10 - Lita Ford (1988) - Close My Eyes Forever

>>> I Wanna Hear It! >>>