Christmas Playlist
CATCH UP
Ok, boys and girls, it's been quite a while since I last checked in. I bet you're all dying to see some new material after I posted that graphic known as my CS project. It was actually a hit, and it drew a whole bunch of laughs from family and friends. Though a conformist in many ways (As seeming seems necessary as we pave the way to true dialog and revelation of being!), I like to be different as well.
So while we guys are on our breaks, I got on with my monthly upgrade to my CD collection with the following titles:
Dream Theater - Live at Budokan (3-CD Set): This epic 2 and a half showdown at the Budokan in Tokyo features stunning live cuts from DT's latest album Train of Thought. It also includes cuts from Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, their 2002 Album, as well as from 1999's Falling into Infinity. A 19:38-long jam on 2000's Scenes From a Memory album is present in the song Beyond this Life. As a standard with all DT live CDs, the carrier single of 1992's Images and Words album, Pull Me Under (their first hit) comes before the last track.
Anybody who knows and listens to Dream Theater will be surprised at how these five guys possess such great endurance and accuracy when they play live. These guys don't waste notes. On "Instrumedley", Jordan Rudess (keyboards) shines as he shows how fast and creative his playing style is. From a hard rock riff, he suddenly comes in with this "Charlie Chaplin" sounding solo, adding humor to the track. John Petrucci (Guitar), the eminent shredmeister, is as stellar as ever, picking up precise and beautifully arranged guitar solos. His acoustic licks on "Hollow Years" and "Goodnight Kiss" are bright moments across the CD.
John Myung (Bass) is such an amazing act to follow. Watching him live makes you leave your mouth wide open. He slaps and pounds on the bass with such speed and precision. Using a 6-string bass guitar, he collaborates with Mike Portnoy (Drums) in keeping the rhythm and tempo of the entire live performance. Portnoy, Modern Drummer Magazine's Best Drummer for 13 years straight, displays intensive footwork and control of odd time signatures.
To wrap it all up is James Labrie (Vocals), who posesses such an incredible vocal range, capable of hitting the highest notes on the scale. The classically-trained Labrie brings soul and power, completing the act.
But what you notice first is the stunning sound quality at which this concert was recorded. The sound is absolutely crisp. Crowd noise is cleaned out, and there is not much noise interference. It's amazing how these guys can perform and sound like the original studio recording. An amazing experience, which I'm hoping to complete with the purchase of the Budokan DVD.
Wolfgang - Wolfgang, Semenelin: As a late bloomer into the rock genre, there were a lot of legends I never came across until after they broke up. And among them was Wolfgang.
The band, which was composed of Basti Artadi on vocals, local guitar hero Manuel Legarda, bassist Mon Legaspi and drummer Wolf Gemora, is known as the finest Pinoy metal/hard rock band that has come across our history. These guys brought Pinoy rock to a level that was never realized before. Combining influences from Metallica, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Razorback, these two Wolfgang albums are for me, the essential definition of Pinoy old skool rock. A sound that was more authentic that what the "Hu-Paw Ku-Paw" and the "Rap-metal" bands that we have now.
Lyrics-wise, Wolfgang directed much of its expression towards the number one enemy of society: the corrupt and deceitful TRAPO. Songs like "Halik ni Hudas" and discuss the anatomy of such a character:
"Mga asong nanloloko, kunwari'y maaamo. Pangakong matamis, puro langaw at ipis. Kaibigang nakaitim, dadalhin ka sa dilim. Pagkatao mo'y papasukin tapos dudurugin."
On "Bought and Sold", such sentiments arise as well:
"Pied piping foreigners arrive each day to blindly lead the innocent toward their indecent ways. Branded children who only see the money and toys supposedly given for free."
More on this legendary band in the articles to come.
ROCKER'S PARADISE: LOVING IT LIVE
An interesting development as of late is my diversion into a new, but complemementary passion besides my Audio CD library. The foundations for my live concert and music video library have been laid, with a starter list of artists I have grown with. My current selections are a product of intense waiting, as much of these have come from the states. It just happens that most concert DVDs being sold here are crappy and poppy. The same artist, the same songs, the same content. Thank God for Amazon.com, Costco and locally, Virra Mall! So what makes up my lineup? Here they are:
CATEGORY A: Live Concerts
Incubus - Alive at Red Rocks: Incubus' June 2004 performance at the Red Rocks ampitheatre in Colorado, showcasing their new songs from A Crow Left of the Murder, their latest album. It contains a solid performance, with an incredible 20-minute drum jam on "Vitamin", the first time I heard keyboards on "Drive", an amazing guitar solo on "Sick Sad Little World", and a cute vocal improvisation of "Doo doo doo, Da da da" on "Stellar". DJ Kilmore performs an interesting DJ solo on "A Certain Shade of Green". The concert came with a 5-track bonus CD featuring Brandon Boyd's first appearance on guitar, a track called "Monuments and Melodies" that was missing in the latest album, and a new single called "Follow". A must-have for all Incubus Fans.
It allowed me to relive those ecstatic moments during their March 2004 concert in Manila.
Incubus - The Morning View Sessions: An intimate performance of Incubus' songs from their 4th studio album, Morning View. It also features a documentary on how the album was made, the gorgeous mansion in which they recorded it, and the making of the video for "Wish you were here."
Incubus - When Incubus Attacks, Vol.2: Vol. 1 was an EP containing acoustic performances of songs from Make Yourself. Vol. 2, however, is a recap of videos, performances and candid shots from the early years of the band's career, from Fungus Amongus, to S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and the release of Make yourself. Notable is their kick ass performance of songs from SCIENCE and MY at the Sno-Core in Texas, their Acoustic concert sponsored by AT&T, and the music video for "Take me to your leader". This DVD is a flashback of the old school Incubus, who wish to witness the roots of one of the greatest bands out there today.
Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert: There is only one word to describe this: Indescribable. This 2-disc DVD showcases DMB in their finest concert ever, performed in NYC's Central Park, to an audience of 100,000. DMB is the epitome of fusion jamming, with its mix of classical, jazz, country and rock influences. Dave is my hero when it comes to the rhythm guitar. His strumming patterns are so complex, and he pulls it off while singing at the top of his voice! The band demonstrates its technical wizardry and flair for jazz and blues improvisation with epic 14-minute jams on Crush, Cortez the killer (a Neil Young cover) and an incredible 20-minute stretch of "Two Step", featuring guest artist Butch Taylor on the keyboards.
Carter Beauford (drums) is arguably the finest drummer I've seen perform live. He just keeps the engine running for DMB throughout the concert. Boyd Tinsley is an absolute master on the violin, as he initiates the band's entry into its jams. Stefan Lessard keeps the pace on the bass, and performs an amazing solo before the band's cover of Bob Dylan's "All along the Watchtower".
Metallica - With the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra: One of the world's most briliant Orchestras ties up with the greatest legend of heavy metal in this once-in-a-lifetime concert. Mettallica delivers a brilliant performance together with the SFSO, conducted by reknowned maestro Michael Kamen. What one intially perceives as impossible became reality: The union of classic and metal into one powerful musical experience. I shall delve deeper into this epic performance soon, as much has yet to be discovered (just bought this the other day, haven't watched it fully).
Dreamtheater - Metropolis 2000 Live Scenes From New York: Much has yet to be said about Dream Theater, but for now this DVD features the band's live performance of their 2000 concept album Scenes From A Memory. The hope of watching DT live came through the other day as well, when I discovered this rarity along a dark corner in Virra Mall. The DVD promises 2 hours of sonic bliss, with a dark story to tell.
G3 - Live in Denver: This features the ultimate Gods of guitar: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen in one concert. These 3 artists have pushed the guitar to heights never realized before. Satriani is known as one of the pioneers and early legends of the post-Hendrix era. Steve Vai is critically acclaimed for his technical wizardry and "space-age" sound on the guitar, and Malmsteen is the founder of neoclassical rock, performing Bach, Handel, Mozart on the electric guitar, at breaknecking speeds.
Staind - MTV Unplugged: Staind is recognized for hits such as "It's been a While", "Outside" and "Mudshovel", and of course we know the crazy story behind their discovery by Fred Durst. The DVD features their acoustic performance, which is now a fine moment in Unplugged history. Warning though, the songs are really depressing. But if your name is Ms. Valerie Averia, you won't mind. The songs are real. The pain and torment felt when hearing Aaron Lewis belt his heart out is authentic.
P.S. Would recommend the song "Excess Baggage" for those extremely gray moments. Not heavy, but dark to the deepest extent.
Matchbox Twenty - Show: The Atlanta concert featuring songs from their latest, More than you think you are. This is definitely a star in my collection, as I've always been in love with Rob Thomas' songwriting. The songs on the list resemble a greatest hits collection. However, I am not content with this pirated copy, and I will buy the original soon. (Val, Cza, you can't miss this!!)
CATEGORY B: Music Videos
Dave Matthews Band - The Videos 1994-2001: A collection of music videos from Under the Table and Dreaming, to Everyday, their fourth RCA studio album.
Sarah Mclachlan - The Video Collection 1989-1998: One of the finest female songwriters and singers. Definitely a rocker's refuge from the noise and chaos.
(As we speak, someone is planning to beg me to let me lend it to her!! Will I? Hehehe! We'll see!)
CATEGORY C: Biographies, Documentaries
The Beatles - The First U.S. Visit: An In-depth look into the first U.S. Visit of the greatest band of all time, this DVD features the Beatles at the start of the worldwide Beatlemania phenomenon. 2 Cameramen went along with the band and filmed them all along the way during their 1964 visit, arguably one of the first reality TV documentaries made. This is a chance for die-hard fans to glimpse the real Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr, and know what it's like to live in the eternal, undying spotlight. Fortunately for the fab four, they enjoyed it.
So that marks the beginning of my new collection. More upgrades and updates in the coming articles. See you around.
posted by bl4ze @ 25.12.04
4 Rebounds
