Musical Monday - E o Tchan

Taking it back...

I was first introduced to E o Tchan back in the late 90s/early 21st century while I was studying/traveling in South America and I thought the music was very fun. I even took an aerosamba class in Bolivia, with Brazilian instructors, and learned how to dance to a couple of these songs. 

Seu Jorge in Brazil

One of my favorite singers in Brazil is SEU JORGE. I love his voice, his music, his look, his lyrics... And one of the best parts of living in Brazil is that I can turn on the radio and the TV and there he is. Now that he has a new CD, Musica para Churrasco, out he's everywhere. For example, I'm watching Domingão do Faustão now and he's performing live. I found a sample from his latest album so that everyone can appreciate him, too...so turn your speakers up.


It's called Amiga da minha mulher.




By the way, Happy Father's Day to all of the Brazilian fathers out there.

'All You Need Is Love'

I've been out all night. It's just after Midnight. Normally I'd have a few scheduled posts going live, but I've been partying. The family had a blast at the Beatles LOVE. I'll look for some LOVE videos I haven't posted and update later. The second time around is different, but the first is, well, the first time. Nothing like it. That said, I could see it again and again. It's so fun. I kept checking over at my kids and my oldest's (sorta) girlfriend. They loved it. And my youngest just turned 10 and he's already a HUGE Beatles fan. The Beatles are the great generational unifier

On the Road to Vegas for Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil

I imentioned it a week or so back. As this post goes live, I'm heading out the I-15 to catch up with my family at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. My oldest boy invited his (sorta) girlfriend along, so it's a big deal. A couple of weekends ago my wife and I went over to talk with (sorta) girlfriend's mom for a couple of hours. We shared stories and (sorta) girlfriend's mom laid down the line. She said she trusted her daughter. It was everybody else she was worried about. We assured her that we don't give our son too much free rein, that he's only allowed to walk across to the New York New York Hotel to ride the roller coaster there. All the hotels are connected by walkways so it's not like you're being accosted by a bunch of drunks or beggars down on the Strip. Anyway, girlfriend's mom loves my son so much permission for her daughter to go with us was a foregone conclusion.



The show's tomorrow night. I'll have regular blogging tonight, once I get set up in Vegas.



PREVIOUSLY: "The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil." Plus, "'A Day in the Life'," and "Impressions: The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil."

'New Age'

D.O.A., "New Age." The studio version's at the second clip, and dwell on that lead guitar solo for a minute or two. The rockin' guitar sounds set DOA apart back in the day:

And don't just take it from me. Keith Morris says DOA blew his mind at the Starwood on Santa Monica Boulevard in 1980. I was there as well. DOA opened for X, who were huge at that time. But Keith makes me laugh when he says, at 2:25 minutes, "I was thinking, how the f*ck was X going to follow these guys?"

See what I mean?

'Nothing From Nothing'

Perfect Democrat theme song. You don't gets to be hangin' with those mofos unless you be chippin' in some snaps (cash). And Billy Preston's 'fro is da kine!

I'm not tryin' to be your hero
'Cause that zero is too cold for me, Brrr
I'm not tryin' to be your highness
'Cause that minus is too low to see, yeah

Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
And I'm not stuffin'
Believe you me
Don't you remember I told ya
I'm a soldier in the war on poverty, yeah
Yes, I am

Musical Monday - Amy Winehouse

Like everyone else, I was saddened when I heard the news of Amy Winehouse's passing, but I was also not shocked. I almost expected it, unfortunately. In fact, I had just been talking about her drug addiction the night before she died. I mentioned that she was killing herself with drugs and that she was not going to live long (if she kept it up); the following day I heard the news from my friend's manicurist here in Brasilia that Amy had died that morning in London. 


I loved her music. Her soul. Even her wacky hairdo (well, maybe not the bees nest since I could only imagine what was inside. Ew). It really is our loss that she is gone. We won't be able to sit back, relax, and really listen and feel what it is she has to say anymore. I'm sorry that her family and close friends have to suffer because she lost her battle with drugs and alcohol. Not many people do win the war with crack. I'm sad to say that Amy didn't. 


Amy will be missed. Greatly. Many brazilians are huge fans of her and the notice of her death was on the local and national news every few minutes. Everyone who'd been around her, worked with her, or was a fan was interviewed, and images of her skinny-as-can-be self were plastered all over the television. I guess it's not a big surprise because she was on the news even before her death, especially because she was just in Brazil in January. People loved her. I loved her music, too. Fans in this country and around the world will sense the void she will surely leave behind.


I'd like to, then, post a few of my favorite videos from the late Amy Winehouse here to pay homage to a very talented woman, and to say again that she'll be missed and that I'm sorry she had to leave the Earth so soon. 


Tears Dry on their Own...




Rehab...




Back to Black...

Jazz and Blues in BSB

I just wrote (see yesterday's post) about the Bourbon Street Fest here in Brazil. This was the 9th year that the festival took place in Brazil, and the first in Brasilia. It really was an amazing show and the crowd was really jumping, dancing, singing, and (to my surprise) smoking reefer everything you turned  your nose could smell and of course drinking. A good time was had by all. The music could be heard from afar and as we approached the stage the singers' voices rose and the music vibrated invitingly.

I have been wanting to go to New Orleans for years, but have yet to make it. Therefore, this concert was exactly what I needed to bring the music of New Orleans to me, to hear English spoken by the musicians from Louisiana, and to bring me to my feet to dance to jazz and blues and sing along with the songs that I know surrounded by a crowd of people really enjoying themselves. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers Are Back

At Los Angeles Times, "A new beginning for the Chili Peppers: After a rough patch, the veteran L.A. band is back with a new guitarist and a new album due out this month."

Bourbon Street Fest - Brasilia

If you like jazz and blues and you live in Brasilia, an excellent choice for entertainment this weekend would be to go to the Bourbon Street Fest downtown, next to the Museu Nacional. The musicians come straight from New Orleans and the music is what you'd expect. I went last night and definitely enjoyed the (free) show. If you missed it last night, you can always go this evening.

'Rhinestone Cowboy'

Heard it yesterday while out driving my wife's new Jeep Liberty (been meaning to post pics, and no excuses other than lagging). She's got Sirius radio in there, and she loves it. What a variety!

'In For The Kill'

At the request of my youngest, and I really like La Roux:

Another version here (reminds me of Siouxsie Sioux).

'Pumped Up Kicks'

When you drive around with a teenager you get bombarded with the lastest hipster pop music. And I like Foster the People:

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet (link).

'Hey Jude'

It's ranked #8 at Rolling Stone's all-time best song list, "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

I'm taking my boys to see the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil in a couple of weeks, so bear with me on the continued Beatles postings, LOL!

'Nervous Breakdown'

This is gold!

If you were into punk, late-1970s, this was THE song of youth alienation and anarchic abandon.

Note though, I think this is OFF! at the clip, Keith Morris' new band (not the Circle Jerks). Off! launches a European tour this week.

Keith Morris sang the original "Nervous Breakdown" on Black Flag's breakout EP in 1978. Totally cool:

I'm about to have a nervous breakdown
My head really hurts
If I don’t get the hell outta here
I'm gonna go berserk,

Cause I'm crazy and I’m hurt
Head on my shoulders
I'm going berserk

I hear the same old talk talk talk
The same old lines
Don't do me that today, yeah
If you know what's good for you you'll get out of my way 'cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
Going ... berserk

I won't apologize
For acting outta line
You see the way I am
You leave any time you can 'cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
Going ... berserk

Crazy! crazy! crazy! crazy!

I don't care what you fuckin' do!
I don't care what you fuckin' say!
I'm so sick of everything
I just want to... Die!

'No Matter What'

Badfinger, rocking:

Singer Pete Ham committed suicide at age 27, same age of death as Amy Winehouse and so many others.

30 Years of MTV

At Independent UK, "It's 30 years since MTV launched and in its three decades, it’s changed the way we think about – as well as watch – music."

I just miss JJ Jackson and Martha Quinn. See, "MTV at 30: Original Veejays, Where Are They Now?"

40th Anniversary of Concert for Bangladesh

Well, this gives me the chance to play George Harrison (via Selena Gomez on Twitter).

And check the George Harrison page here.

Lady Gaga on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

I didn't even know she was in L.A.

At Los Angeles Times, "Lady Gaga takes over Hollywood Boulevard, peacefully."

Here's the clip. It might be taken down for copyright violation, so enjoy it while it lasts:

And at MTV, "Lady Gaga Finally Confirms 'You And I' As Her Next Single."

RELATED: At Daily Mail, "Lady Gaga takes the plunge in a daring low cut number slashed to the thigh", and "Forget your skirt Lady Gaga? Cheeky singer leaves little to the imagination in a pair of see-through tights." Gaga looks a little chunky at that last link.

'Piece of My Heart'

Well, I've been reflecting back a bit since Amy Winehouse passed away. It's the 27 Club, and I'm not the only one. See Vanderleun, "Someone Wonderful: Janis 'Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man —yeah!'":

With Janis Joplin I just want to teleport back to late 1960s to see her sing. Look at the clip. She makes love to the music at the guitar interlude. And as always, beholding her emotional pain is crushing.

Oh, and check the comments at the blog. An interesting discussion.