Dolls and Maidens

Blind Faith

Lets all here it for the super group. Talented musicians from the period put together. A young scantily clad woman on the cover. And the classic Can’t Find My Way Home is one of the earlier tracks. Blind Faith you ask, no House of Lords the awful supergroup of metal musicians in the late 80’s. But like Blind Faith just because you are supposedly consider an awesome talent doesn’t mean necessarily mean the music will work. This cd is an example. “Jams” are endless and without direction, and in some cases boring. Yes Winwood has a great voice, and Clapton is a god but so what because you can’t find it here. I think the story of the band and how they changed music business was far more interesting. I think Blind Faith is a Band more suited to the members past groups then the actual music on the record. And by the way the House of Lords version of Can’t Find my Way Home is better. 1

Gorillaz

I think Feel Good Inc is the best single of the Year. It has a chorus you can’t shake, and de la soul in the middle. Plus with Damon Albairn involved how it go wrong. Unfortunately Demon Days isn’t filled with 14 other songs just like this. They come close and sometimes they fall way short. To probably no one surprise the songs that most resemble blur are the ones I really liked. But there were a few that just didn’t seem to do anything. Just some noise and beats. Thankfully it was not the same beats that can be found on practically every other r&b/rap cd released this year, and Danger Mouse should be applauded for that. But overall far more good than bad 2.5

New York Dolls

I first came across Davis Johansen about the time he was leaving his calling of trying to Eric Burden to become the greatest lounge singer in NYC. (He will never be forgiven for giving the world hot hot hot.) So I never took the New York Dolls too seriously. It wasn’t until later that bands I really liked kept mentioning them as their biggest influences and managed to stumble into someone who actually owned one of their records did I finally see why. Rough, raw, sometimes brilliant, sometimes stupid, but never boring. Personality Crisis is a classic that and band with dual lead guitars must be forced to cover. I like the way they use of sax, piano to support the guitar riffs and Johansen yelps, and the fact that as a band they can sing both rawk and also the slow heart felt ode. But most importantly it’s the guitars. Thunders and Sylvain playing dual lead. That is what I missing in what is called rock today. 3


My Morning Jacket
It is very hard to convey great live chops while playing on TV. When I saw My Morning Jacket on the Conan O’Brien show after the release of there last cd they were awesome. But when I listened to the cd it seemed so quiet and held back. Well new cd and another appearance on Conan and they were even better, Playing the song Anytime. So I submitted it for our listening. Well it is definitely better than the last cd. And some of the tunes you get the sense they would be even better live Gideon, Off the record. Anytime. But at times it seems too sedate as if they are in search of the perfect sound, rather than a rawkish chord. I still like the cd there are far better songs than bad songs. And with each listening I seemed to like it better. I definitely want to see them live, and hopefully someone will be able to capture all that energy and put it on there next cd. 3


Iron Maiden
There are only 5 Metal Bands that belong in the Hall of Fame. Iron Maiden is number 4. To consistently put out music as they have over the period of their career is incredible. They can write catchy songs, over the top epics and thankfully no ballads. Musically the have one of the best screamers this side of Halford. Two very good guitarists, a great drummer, and possibly the best bassist ever to play the instrument, not a bad group. To top it off the artwork on their cd’s can only be described as brilliantly witty. (For an example read the hieroglyphics on Power slave.) I have quibbled about the song selection. What no D’anno songs (Wrathchild or Phantom of the Opera would have shown off their more punkish earlier sound,) and to omit Hallow be Thy Name is in excusable.

Radio Format

Hour One
One must start the day off right. And nothing starts people better than a good march. Just ask the armed forces. So hour one will be all Souza marches
Hour Two
The bagpipe hour. Except the Third Friday of each month. Then it’s Tuba Jazz
Hour Three
Music for the mind or perhaps mindless. John Tesh, Yanni, Zamphir, Fred Eaglesmith. Yes bring your favorite New age musicians because we will Love to play them.
Hour Four
Now after an hour of expanding or possibly clouding the mind, we are ready for some meditation of the soul. Readings from the New Testament only, plus the Koran. Guest readers will be welcomed
Hour Five
Now that we have our listeners primed and ready, the truth shall be revealed. An hour of pure Satan. Death metal at its best. Slayer, Mercyful Fate, and Ken’s Favorite Celtic Frost shall all be represented.
This concludes our scheduled program please join us as we end our day in a heartfelt rendition of cumbaya.

If I was a programmer and had five hours to use I would throw the format out the window. Play what you want when you want. Disco, rap, metal, R&B 70’s hits, alternative classics. all in the same hour how cool is that. Feel like a bit of baroque, a Wagner classic or even Mozart, doesn’t matter if you feel the need then just play it. Mix it up It’s radio as it should be. And if you don’t feel like playing anything hey a hearty discussion on anything involving listeners can always be worked in.