An Album You Should Own - 7/17/09

The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses were the first shot fired in the British Indie-rock movement that swept the U.K. in the late 80's and early 90's. Their eponymous debut became an English sensation, inspiring bands like Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays, the Charlatans U.K. - and later, Oasis.

To this day, I can put the album on and listen to it from start to finish without it sounding dated. It never loses my attention and it makes me wish I could rock it like Ian Brown and John Squire. Their music was a curious blend of neo-psychedelia that was still heady enough to pave the way for the future of British rock.



If they could have held it together, they would have been one of the biggest bands in the world. Their second album, "Second Coming", never achieved the popularity or success of their first. But, their legend was already solidified.

The intoxicating blend of catchy guitar hooks and churning rhythms (the section of Reni and Mani) struck the perfect blend for the burgeoning rave culture that some say their music inspired. Around them, a scene exploded.

Unfortunately, so did the band.

Talk of a reunion and subsequent tours have persisted for years. If they do come back, I will be there. I am sure I won't be alone, either.

After all, the second coming of The Stone Roses is "what the world is waiting for".



Further listening: "Second Coming"

(I chose to include these two clips from The Stone Roses' legendary appearance at Blackpool. Many people consider the show one of the greatest moments in the history of British rock.)

Michael Jackson - A Capella*

I just wanted to offer a few last posts about Michael Jackson. I chose these two videos (actually sound files) to illustrate the power of his voice. These are just vocal tracks that feature Jackson (around ten years old) with no musical accompaniment.

The power and control he had over his own voice at such an early age is truly amazing. The emotion is so pure, too. It's amazing to think that a pre-teen child could have so much feeling for this material.

My friend James offered these thoughts:

"The amazing thing is that these are the original vocal tracks that he did on the first take. He has perfect pitch…perfect tonality…amazing. You can't sing like this at his age without having an off the chart I.Q."

Check out this version of "Got To Be There".
His voice literally soars.



In this version of "Never Can Say Goodbye", you can hear the raw emotion behind every note. Remember, this is a young boy somewhere in the neighborhood of ten years old.



After listening to these files, I was thoroughly convinced that we may never see/hear another entertainer like him...ever.

*Some musical dictionaries indicate the Italian a cappella is preferred over the Latin a capella (one "p") yet both are technically correct.

http://www.singers.com/a-cappella.html