Sunday, May 3, 2020

New Stones' Virus-themed Song Stirs Old-Time Reaction (SNS week of 4/26/2020)


I always think back to the days growing up and my ears glued to the radio.   Many of us had a core group of artists and groups that we loved, and when the deejay announced a new record by that artists as a "pick hit of the week", we listened carefully, and talked about it in school the next day.   Heck, I remember one day in June, 1968 when I was in sixth grade, one classmate had taped the new Gary Puckett & the Union Gap song, "Lady Willpower".   The group was coming off two big hits, and this one sounded similar to the last one, "Young Girl" and had many fans from our class.   The classmate brought in his reel-to-reel tape recorder and played a few times before the class started.

Of course, times have changed.   And while the younger generation probably still does the same when a new Drake, Lizzo or Taylor Swift song comes out (and they all download the song), when it comes to my generation, it rarely, if ever happens.    True, much of what we listened to was done before 1980, and many others gradually stopped listening to current music shortly thereafter, but every once in awhile there is interest in a current song.    But, except for a "Happy" (Pharrell Williams), or a Bruno Mars song, it's all in the past.

And since I started my blog, I was thirsty for those types of songs, since my positions on my playlist are in part, reflected by friend's take on a song.    Several friends do post current music, be it pop or even my preferred genre like alternative rock.   Social media makes those conversations rather easy these days.  But during the past week there has bene one song that has been talked about by friends; one that is rather topical, given the current sheltering in place guidelines in the wake of COVID-19.

And no, they weren't talking about the new Twenty-One Pilots song inspired by the experience, "Level of Concern", although I do add that song this week.   Attracting the buzz was by a venerable band that goes back to our childhood days, one that is very familiar:  The Rolling Stones.

While that band's last hit single was way back in 1989 ("Mixed Emotions"), the Stones have not missed a beat since, releasing a couple albums a decade, and more importantly touring.    The new song, "Living in a Ghost Town", while mostly completed before the pandemic, was tailored a bit to describe the current situation, as well as the video that had come out.    It is the band's first release since 2012.

I've always more or less, taken the Stones for granted and perhaps that is a mistake.   Originating in the blues, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, along with former members Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor and the late Brian Jones, and current (since 1974) member Ron Wood have encompassed many styles, including psychedelia, punk, disco ("Miss You"), new wave, but mostly straightforward rock 'n' roll.  And, while the releases have been few and far between, the band, if only for their longevity and the seemingly ageless Keith Richards depicted in memes every time a celebrity passes away.    

The Rolling Stones release their new single "Living in a Ghost Town", based on the current COVID-19 pandemic.


Music-wise, much of their music that's still talked about are their original 1960's output as well as their albums thru 1972's Exile on Main St, although the band continued to have success and high points such as Some Girls and Tattoo You.    Several members have released solo endeavors as well.

So, how is "Living in a Ghost Town"\, which has a high debut on my SNS 100 playlist at #41?   I like it a lot.   While it's not the band at full rock blast, the band in a way going back to their bluesy roots.  It's catchy and haunting at the same time.   Jagger and Richards were the process of recording new tracks in anticipation for a tour this year, but had to cancel it become of the coronavirus situation.  

The Stones has definitely been visible in the wake of the worldwide pandemic.   The band, always there to lend a hand during crises (remembering their awesome performance at Madison Square Garden during the Superstorm Sandy relief concert back in December 2012?).  As I mentioned a couple weeks back, the four members performed from their respective homes their classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want", and it definitely came off like they still have it.  

On the other side of the coin, Paul McCartney talked with Howard Stern on his radio show recently feeling that the Beatles were "better" than the Stones, in response to one of Stern's questions.  While Mecca admitted the Stones were a great group, he indicated that the band was always "one step behind" The Beatles, such as following their success in America, and following Sgt Pepper with Their Satanic Majesties Request.   McCartney even quoted something that Richards said to him, that The Beatles had four singers in the band while the Stones only had one (Jagger).

Jagger responded that while the Beatles had more influences, that they stopped touring after 1966, before the concert business became the heart and soul of rock music, and that the Stones, which prided themselves on the concert stage for decades after The Beatles hung it up.  

While the Beatles continued to experiment after Sgt. Pepper, the Stones in 1968 returned to back-to-basics rock and roll, and earned the title of the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll band", a title apparently bequeathed to them during a 1969 gig.  

What's your opinion?  We'd like to know.

 
As I mentioned above, "Living in a Ghost Town" debuts at #41 on my SNS playlist, while the other corona-themed song, "Level of Concern", by Twenty-One Pilots is also added.  Obviously more of a current alt-rock style,  the title has sort of a double-meaning, as it's also applied to an endangered relationship, including the lyric "would you be my quarantine".  The video has both of the band's member featuring in their respective homes.   It's actually a good song.  While the Pilots aren't my favorite band out their these days, they've had success and some of their songs are quite good.   This is one of them, although it take a couple listens  to appreciate it.   The song enters at #78.    And while the Stones' song, as with most traditional rock songs is not on the Hot 100, "Level..." debuts on the Hot 100 at #25, and finally breaks Portugal. The Man's 76 week lock on Billboard's Rock Songs chart (which should be named "Top Rock songs bought by pop music fans")

Aside from those two topical songs, added to playlist this week are the latest from Tame Impala, "Lost in Yesterday", Lovelytheband's "Loneliness For Love", The Strokes' 'Bad Decisions", and Joywave's "Half Your Age".   All of these songs have charted Alternative in recent months as I am still catching up from my hiatus.    Also, I add "Living For the Weekend", my fifth cut from Fitz & the Tantrums' latest, All The Feels, and "Crazy", the long-awaited single from Hawaiian-based reggae rockers Pepper, which is awesome.     Finally, an obscure Houston Texas-based band called the Suffers center with "Dutch", a song I accidentally discovered when Alexa couldn't play my new #1 song by The Outcrops; the song has elements of that band with some nice laid-back R&B mixed in.

LOCALLY:   North Jersey is doing well at the top of my playlist these days, as The Outcrops' "Lost Days" advances to my top spot.  They are the first Jersey artists since The Hounds of Winters' "Oh Paige" did the trick back in 2016.  I am loving their sound more and more, and in the midst of the quarantine, some members of the band are releasing acoustic videos on YouTube.    With Paul Czekaj (#5) and Christina Alessi (#6) firmly entrenched in the top 10, soon to be joined by C Lynne Smith, currently at #23, poised to join them, the time is ripe to discover local, aspiring artists.   Speaking of the Hounds, I will be doing a blog in coming weeks on its leader Tom Corea; be on the lookout for that.

With many of us just staying put, the opportunity to check out local artists preforming acoustic in their home is rising.   I really haven't had a chance to check out the ones that came my way, but I wanted to note two in particular.   My Roselle Park friend Rich Pasick had invited me to a set from Stan Steele (Jankowski), in which he performed last week.  He raised a good amount of money to help a food bank in Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey.  Among his Facebook friends are Nicholas Ciavetta of Sea of Otters, and Jersey bar band veteran Karen Wallo (currently with Jersey Cowgirls).   Here's a link to an April 26 performance in his home performing some covers.

Stan Steele - April 28, 2020


Another performer was referenced by a Prudential alumni page, with those like myself who worked for that insurance company.  Many referenced Elise Farnsworth as a noteworthy musician from the North Jersey area.  Here is a link to her page:

Elise Farnsworth Home Page


Hopefully I'll be checking these artists out and perhaps even add songs to my playlist.  And a reminder  that if anyone wants me to check out an aspiring artist, please feel free to do so!

Hang in there, and stay safe!


Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

April 26, 2020




This Week
Last Week
ARTIST-Title
Weeks on List
1
3
NUMBER ONE: 



Album: Peace of Mind
6
2
1
8
3
2
9
4
4
10
5
6
6
6
7
24
7
5
13
8
9
8
9
10
4
10
11
5
11
14
4
12
15
5
13
19
4
14
22
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:



Album: Swimmer
3
15
26
3
16
12
14
17
16
14
18
18
12
19
8
11
20
31
4
21
13
12
22
27
5
23
40
3
24
17
13
25
21
10
26
38
4
27
20
13
28
23
10
29
34
5
30
25
17
31
24
20
32
30
14
33
39
4
34
37
8
35
69
MOVER OF THE WEEK:



(Single Only)
2
36
32
9
37
28
14
38
43
4
39
33
17
40
36
32
41
 ---
TOP DEBUT:



(Single Only)
1
42
35
9
43
29
12
44
47
6
45
44
6
46
54
3
47
41
15
48
42
19
49
50
5
50
46
6
51
61
3
52
72
2
53
57
8
54
63
3
55
45
14
56
56
6
57
74
2
58
59
5
59
48
16
60
76
2
61
51
25
62
58
13
63
71
2
64
62
5
65
55
15
66
52
15
67
80
2
68
--- 
1
69
53
16
70
75
2
71
49
13
72
 ---
1
73
65
4
74
--- 
1
75
60
12
76
68
6
77
79
3
78
 ---
1
79
66
27
80
78
3
81
83
2
82
--- 
1
83
67
21
84
70
17
85
--- 
1
86
86
2
87
--- 
1
88
64
12
89
81
5
90
73
10
91
 ---
1
92
77
11
93
88
19
94
92
42
95
82
15
96
87
31
97
84
9
98
85
8
99
89
16
100
90
17






Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.   ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲   Songs with 50 or more plays.














Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)