VIDEOS OF THE WEEK: Frank Zappa-Bob Dylan-Tom Waits

[Niels (Mod)]

I will try to start up VIDEO OF THE WEEK once again, and see how it goes.

The reason for this, is so that I myself have a saying in, which artist are posted in CRB (and there will probably not be that much AOR around here).

I will start by posting 3 classic videos from 3 classic artists every week.

Feel free to join in by giving your response to my choice of videos.

I will post the videos, then a few facts (probably from wiki) and then my own comments.

And I'll start out with these:

FRANK ZAPPA - YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS

"You Are What You Is" is a Frank Zappa single from the 1981 album of the same name. The song is known for going out of its way to use improper English, basically mocking the rest of its context. It was the b-side for 1982 single Valley Girl. This song was also remixed for the 1984 album Thing-Fish. 

"You Are What You Is" is probably my favorite Zappa-studioalbum. Zappa was a genuine genius, but it takes time, to go through his enormous backlog, so it might be, there's an album, that I haven't heard, which end up as my favorite later on.

He was a funny, very cool dude, that played a great guitar. By the way, Steve Vai appears on this album.

TOM WAITS - JOCKEY FULL OF BOURBON


"Jockey Full of Bourbon" is a song by Tom Waits released as the first single from his 1985 album Rain Dogs. It is featured in the films Down By Law (1986) and Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995).

Rain Dogs is my favorite Waits-album. But there a so many good albums by him, and sometimes the jazzy albums from the 70's are the best, other times it's the more experimental albums from the 80's, or the mix from the 90's-00''s. Down By Law is a great movie imo. Some people hates Wait's voice, but I love the way it sounds. The more "rusty", the better. And again the humor is almost as important, as it is with Zappa.


BOB DYLAN - IT'S ALRIGHT, MA (I'M ONLY BLEEDING)


"It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and first released on his 1965 album, Bringing It All Back Home. It was written in the summer of 1964, first performed live on October 10, 1964, and recorded on January 15, 1965. Described by Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as a "grim masterpiece," the song features some of Dylan's most memorable lyrical images. Among the well-known lines sung in the song are "Money doesn't talk, it swears," "Although the masters make the rules, for the wisemen and the fools" and "But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." The lyrics express Dylan's anger at hypocrisy, commercialism, consumerism, warmongers and contemporary American culture, but unlike his earlier protest songs, "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" does not express optimism in the possibility of political solutions.

It took a while, before I became a "Dylan-fan". For maybe 10 years ago, I saw the film "No Direction Home", and finally I could see his genius, and he is a bloody genius, especially in the mid-60's. I know, a lot of people hate him, and a lot of people worship him. I'm probably in the middle. I love his work up until 1966, and I love most of the Bootleg Series CD's, but then that's it. "You" can get too much, and then I need a break (kind of like I have it regarding RUSH), but then I "discoverer" his greatness again, and listen to my favorite Dyaln-albums, and perhaps put on "No Direction Home" once again.

[Niels (Mod)]

I have to say, that even though, this is the title-track from the album, it's absolutely not one of the best tracks, from that album.

[Jon]

Just a quick note, and don't take this the wrong way, but this goes both ways. Rjhog, Scott and I post new albums/songs every week (minus a break at the end of the year) and would appreciate your input on those posts. Not all albums/songs posted are AOR, there is a wide variety of music posted every week.

That said, I have a few Frank Zappa albums but not this particular one. I have heard this song before and it's not bad. It depends on my mood, sometimes I like his experimental stuff, sometimes his mainstream work. He is a fine artist, but I haven't found a spot to post one of his albums since I really don't consider them lost or forgotten.

[Niels (Mod)]

Off course, it goes both ways, and I do make my occaisional input on your posts. I know, I don't really comment a lot on LAOTW, and the reason for that is, that usually when I "input", I know the music/album without listening to it here at CRB. As I've said before, I usually don't have the opportunity to listen at work, and I think that you guys, listen at work?!

But just makes comments on VOTW or don't. I won't "take it the wrong way" at all. I will continue, untill it's not funny anymore, and I will actually make some changes already: Each Wednesday, I think it will be, I will post VOTW containing 3 classic artist, that have something in common, because only one per week, is kind of boring for me.

[Scott]

The Zappa tune sounds very familiar but it's been so long I can't place it. I like it though it is a bit repetitive. I do appreciate his interpretations, if you will. My brother always mentioned Joes Garage as his best work, but there again, I'm not familiar.... Glad youre back!

[Niels (Mod)]

I may have posted it a couple of years back? Yes, it is kind of repetitive, and therefore not at all one of Zappa's best tunes. But I had to find a video, so I may still make changes around here, because it IS kind of hard, finding the best tunes as a video. I don't know why, but mostly the "worst" songs are singles/video's, well "worst" imo.

I've got "Joe's Garage". It's good, but there are a LOT of "offensive" words, kind of too much, again imo. If someone would be interested in knowing more about Zappa, I would definitely recommend "Stricktly commercial", a "Best Of"-CD, with only very, very good songs from Zappa.

Oh, and I'm not so sure anymore, that VOTW will be on a weekly basis. It might just happen, when I "feel like it". I don't really like the "pressure" of HAVING to do stuff at a certain point each and every week, but still it will be called VOTW

[Meow]

zappa. one of a kind. some awesome music, and some true dreck. this is awesome music.

[Niels (Mod)]

I absolutely agree, Meow. Zappa is awesome music, and was "taken away" much, much too early. But Tom Waits and Bob Dylan are also making (or at least made) awesome music, and they are still around

[RJhog (Admin)]

Zappa - This may be the first Zappa tune I've ever listened to in it's entirety.  And I don't think it's a tune that would make me go out and buy any Zappa albums.  Not trying to knock him, but I don't think his music suits my tastes.  Although, I will say, I can see this growing on me as it plays on. I'll give it a thumbs sideways.  The video itself also gets a thumbs sideways.

Waits - I like this.  Waits does have a very abrasive voice, but not so much on this track.  I like this style.  Some of the lyrics are a bit hard to understand, but it's still cool.  The video is in black and white, which is a big plus for me.  I don't really understand why the music was stopped several times, but oh well.  I have heard several of his songs that I like, and I even went out and bought Blue Valentine, though I have yet to listen to it.  I think there is a good chance that I could get into Waits.  Overall, thumbs up on the song and the video.

Dylan - "Don't hate anything at all, except hatred".  A timeless lyric that is still relevant today.  Honestly, I have never been a Dylan fan.  But his songwriting genius is quite obvious.  I have plans on picking up some of his music, I just have never done it.  I'd like to get that complete albums box one day if the price drops some (207 dollars right now).  That might be overkill, but then I could easily pick and choose.  I do like this song.  The video is basic live footage, and I dig it.  I'll give this a double thumbs up for both as well.

Good choices Niels.

[Niels (Mod)]

Thank you very much for this feedback!!

I will have to listen to album of the week, and give me feedback as well. Just give me some time (my daughter is being "confirmed" this Saturday, and it takes up a lot of time right now. Do you at all call it "confirmed" in english/american?)

If you get a chance to find it cheap, really consider to buy Zappa's "Stichtly Commercial". It might just be the only Zappa-album, casual "fans" needs. It really is great.

A box of Dylan's work is quite a mouthfull. I would suggest to start out with his work from 1964-1966.

I hope you will "get in to Waits", so I won't be the only one around here.

Thanks again for the feedback and the thumbs

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm gonna try to listen to Waits at work today.  I have Mike Pell's Rockollections and Scot't's Hidden Treasures to listen to first, then maybe Waits.  But we may have company at work today, so all three of them may be out.  We shall see.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I did get to listen to Waits, but it was on the way to work and at lunch.  It's okay, not great but not bad.  But sometimes his voice is so gruff that I can't understand him.  I do like the song Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis.  

[Niels (Mod)]

You mean to say, that you can't understand every word in this one?

BTW I love this one. Wait's at his weirdest.