I was sitting around the house one day as I often do, flipping thru the television channels trying to find something that would not rot my brain and I came across Oprah hawking some guys book on her Oprah’s Book Club. They say that if you are one of the lucky ones that Oprah reaches down from Mount Olympus and blesses with an appearance in her book club, you have an instant best seller.
I said to myself as I often do, “Bear you could do that. Start your own Bear’s Book Club. You’re as big as Oprah!” Well when I say I am as big as Oprah I don’t really mean as popular or powerful, more on the lines that I think we are within a few lbs. I mean depending on what day of the week it is we are within a Twinkie of each other I believe. That doesn’t say much about either of us!
I decided to start the Annual Bear’s Book Club this Memorial Day weekend to tell all my readers what the great summer reading is around the North Coast. Unlike Oprah, I am going to give shout outs to the local writers. People that live, work and breathe Cleveland. These are some of my favorite writers.
So sit back in your favorite lawn chair, open up a Great Lakes beer, and crack open one of these great books.
First up is John Gorman’s fantastic book on WMMS and Cleveland radio in its heyday, “The Buzzard – Inside The Glory Days Of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio”. I received a copy of the book for Christmas a couple of years back from my kids and I have to tell you, I tore thru it. Every page jumped off the book with memories of growing up in Cleveland in the 70’s and 80’s when it seemed we ruled the music world and WMMS was the sound track of our lives. John does a great job of recapping the historical aspects of Cleveland radio but his insights into the background stories of the bands and how they came thru here and the on air personalities make this book a great read. If you grew up in Cleveland from the late 60’s to the 90’s you know how important WMMS was on the psyche of Clevelanders and this is a definite book for you.
A great companion book to John’s is Carlo Wolff’s “Cleveland Rock And Roll Memories – True Tales Of The Glory Days”. Carlo does a great job going thru each decade from the 50’s until today letting the musicians, DJ’s, promoters and the fans tell the stories of the music scene in Cleveland. Carlo chronicles the radio scene, the concerts, the clubs, and even the record stores from the past. He starts the book in the Alan Freed days of radio and doesn’t miss much on the road thru Cleveland rock history. I especially love the chapter on local Cleveland bands that played the endless circuit of bars in Cleveland. Bands like Pere Ubu, The Numbers Band, Cyrus Erie, Beau Coup from the perspective of the bands themselves and the fans that went to see them.
One of my favorite Cleveland writers is Michael Heaton of the Plain Dealer and really the only reason I still subscribe to the PD. I read Michael’s “The Minister Of Culture” column in the Friday PD religiously as he is able to bring the real Cleveland out each and every week in his own way and he has written a great book “Truth And Justice For Fun And Profit” that has the same wit, style and humor we expect from Michael and it should be as this is a collection of around 40 of Michael’s best published stories. Michael has a way for us to look into all sides of our world whether we like it or not with a truth some of us refuse to see at times but what makes his writing unique is that he is not here to preach to us, instead he writes about “us in a sense” with humor and a cutting wit that makes you laugh and actually take a moment and think about what you just read.
I have been a fan of Derek Hess’s art for a long time especially his concert poster work (anyone out there I am still trying to find a print of his Pink Floyd work, hint, hint) and now Derek has teamed up with Kent Smith to produce a fantastic book “Please God Save Us”. The book is a collection of stories that address a wide variety of topics from The Christian Right, Global Warming, Fake News, SpongeBob and Santa (I loved it), and of course Rock And Roll to name a few. This isn’t exactly “light reading” but it is important reading whether you agree with them or not. With Kent’s words and Derek’s illustrations they have created a book that whether you agree with them or not it will open your mind to new ideas and maybe even inspire a few.
My final author is James Henke and he has written “Marley Legend – An Illustrated Life Of Bob Marley” which is a beautiful book about one of my favorite artists. James is the chief curator of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and a former writer for Rolling Stone both which I am sure helped in putting together this insightful book that chronicles the all too short life of this amazing artist thru words and photos, many I have never seen before. This is an authorized biography and it fully expresses the thoughts of Marley’s Peace and Love message thru the words and photographs from childhood to his death at age 36. Like I said earlier, a beautiful book to read whether you’re a fan of Marley or just a fan of music.
Well that’s it for my 1st Annual Bear’s Book Club selections. I am going to wait on pins and needles to see which book I helped shoot up the New York Time Bestseller List next week. Oh hell, if I get one of you to turn off the TV, to go out and buy one of these great books and support our local writers, then I think I did a pretty good job.
You won’t regret it.
Have a great Memorial Day folks.
Nuff said, till next week
Peace Out
Bear
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The 1st Annual Bear's Book Club or Oprah Who?
Posted by Bear at 1:19 PM 0 comments
Labels: Cleveland, Derek Hess, James Henke, John Gorman, Michael Heaton, Oprah, WMMS
Sunday, May 17, 2009
American Idol And What Is Truly Irrelevant To Music
Well folks you got the matchup you have been dreaming of. What am I talking of? Kobe vs LeBron? Crosby vs Ovechkin? Limbaugh vs Olbermann? No, none of these minor ones, I am talking about titanic matchup of the century. Adam vs Kris in the final of American Idol this week!
Isn’t that what you, America wanted. Ryan Seacrest makes it seem that all of humanity has been sitting on the edge of their couches waiting for these two titans of music to make it to the finals. I mean could 86 million voters be wrong? You heard me right, 86 million votes were supposedly cast to put these titans of the music world into the finals, at least that’s Ryan told us at the start of the show last week and you know what I say to that, Bullshit. Look they need to pump up the image of American Idol as the all encompassing-end all of the music industry to keep this cash cow going for Fox and 19 Entertainment but 86 million voters, again Bullshit. Look according to Neilson ratings last week an estimated 23 million people watched American Idol (based on about 5000 people who were asked what they watched last week) and if these estimated 23 million people that watched it actually picked up the phone and dialed the number to vote (for me that’s too exhausting) each person would have had to vote around 3.6 times. I personally don’t care if 86 million people voted once or 86 people voted 1,000,000 times it doesn’t matter. This show is a reality show, nothing more. The winner of this show will have as much to do with the future innovation of the musical landscape as the winner of the Bachelor or The Biggest Loser.
They make the American Idol season to be the event of the year. To me, it is a waste of two hours of my life each week. Your saying to yourself, “but Bear if you don’t like it, why are you watching it?” Simple because I am married. Mrs. Bear likes to watch it and as every married guy who is reading this understands the word “compromise”. She watches American Idol and I get to control the other 19 hours of primetime TV in our house, though sometimes I wish it was the other way around when I have to listen to some of these so called singers. When I sit there and watch it, I feel like I am in one of those Hulu commercials where Dennis Leary or Alec Baldwin are waiting for my brain to turn into soup. I figure I lose as many brain cells watching an hour of American Idol as I do a heavy night of drinking.
Why is this show such a sham to me you ask. Look how it starts each and every season. If this was just a singing contest as they keep telling us, we would not be deluged with the William Hungs of the world and the other train wrecks they put on and on and on during the so called auditions. Why do we see these sad people week after week? Ratings of course. We like to see people make complete fools out of themselves and you know what the sad part of it all is? If these people don’t really know how bad they are, it makes for better TV and the American public eats it up. Nothing is better for ratings than human suffering. If this was truly a singing contest don’t you think out of the thousands that tryout we would see more talent coming on that stage than we do. Look if my theory about watching these train wrecks doesn’t compute into ratings then how is Paula able to keep her job? Remember when she critiqued one of the singers a couple of seasons back on their two songs when they hadn’t even done their 2nd song yet. Priceless television! You can almost see week to week the adjustments of the meds.
Oh I know I am going to be overwhelmed with emails from some of my readers but come on folks, wake up! What has this show given us after 8 seasons? What is the total now, 4 of the past winners still have their recording contracts. Four. That’s it. Four total winners have not been dropped by their labels. I thought Ryan told us each and every season that these “artists” were the best in the country if not the world. Each and every week Randy or Paula tell us one these people are going to be huge stars and since this seems to be said at least once to each and every contestant during the season, where are the 80 superstars this show promised us over the past 8 seasons? (Okay lets make it 79, I can’t seriously put Sanjaya in there)
Eighty people have made the Top 10 over the past eight seasons. How many have made a real contribution to music as a whole. Two, three, four, maybe five. I am talking about having the career that Ryan and the judges keep telling us they are going to have after they leave the show. Off the top of my head, Kelly Clarkson has had a good pop career. Carrie Underwood certainly is having a great career in country music even though if you didn’t forget the whole time she was on the show Simon couldn’t stand it when she sang anything even close to country. The book is still out on Jennifer Hudson since her first album just came out even with an Academy Award to her credit. Chris Daughtry left the show in third place and started his band and has carved out a pretty good career in a short time. But who else has left an imprint of any kind in music? Clay Aiken had a short run but nothing your gonna remember in 10 years. Anyone else? Fantasia? Ruben? Taylor Hicks?....No, no and really no.
Each and every year we hear how these unknowns like Bo Bice, Blake Lewis, Tamara Grey, Melinda Doolittle, Justin Guarini, Carly Smithson and so many others are the next big thing. Bought any of their albums lately? People were outraged when these singers were eliminated. I guess your outrage only carries you so far. Can you fans of this show even name all of the winners let alone the runner-ups?
If we are going to use the criteria of American Idol to produce our next music icons, how do you think our past icons would have done on the show?
Imagine an unknown Robert Plant doing Immigrant Song.
Randy: I don’t know dog. When I was producing Marah I told her not to be so pitchy on the high notes and I think you were pitchy in spots but overall it was just ahright.
Paula: First let me tell you your hair is beautiful and I love your outfit.
Simon: I didn’t get it, it seemed like bad karaoke. What was the whole “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhha” Maybe if your got rid of the band it might work and please button up your shirt, Ryan is getting excited.
How about an unknown Neil Young doing Cinnamon Girl.
Randy: Dog you know you’re my dog don’t cha but I don’t know. I didn’t really like the arrangement, it’s like you didn’t make it your own. When I was working with Whitney….
Paula: I really love your outfit. You make flannel shirts work for you.
Simon: It was gastly. It was like you sang it thru your nose. Maybe you should team up with three other guys and try to harmonize.
And of course the unknown Bob Dylan doing Like A Rolling Stone.
Randy: Listen up dog. I liked the whole guitar, harmonica folky groove that you had going but you were all over the place with your vocals. It just didn’t do it for me. You should have done it like I did when I was in Chic.
Paula: First let me tell you, you look lovely tonight. I love the basic black look on you and I think the sunglasses pull the whole outfit together.
Simon: I didn’t understand a word you said. I don’t think you will be back next week. Your never going to have a career singing like that.
Okay I know there is a fourth judge this year but she was just brought in to phase out Paula but they quickly realized what a gem they really have in Paula. To me they could get rid of Randy and just let Paula ramble for twice as long.
You know what I have a problem with and what prompted this story. Being told countless times these past few weeks on every talk show, television news show, and it seems every magazine at the store on how Adam Lambert and Kris Allen (well really Adam, Kris is usually thrown in as an afterthought) are going to take over the music scene. How Adam is the greatest singer since well…….thinking about it I don’t think they feel there has ever been a greater singer than Adam. They compare him to Elvis Presley, Robert Plant, Stephen Tyler, Freddie Mercury and almost any other rock icon they can dredge up in their ravings but com’n folks It’s like this each and every season. The public every season is convinced that the new messiah of music is born on American Idol. (how can we forget that be-bopping Blake Lewis in Season 6 that was going to turn the music world on its ear) Remember what we were taught on Sundays about worshipping false idols.
People as I said earlier, wake up. The winner of this “reality show” is not going to fix our economy, cure the common cold, end global warming or even be someone we are talking about in a year let alone inducting in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 25 years. The only time they will enter the Rock Hall is when they buy a ticket. They did their jobs already. They gave you something to watch on television over the past 12 weeks so your mind didn’t have to actually think for those 2-3 hours it was on. That’s all it was meant to do, if not why did we have to sit thru those groups songs each week.
So if your favorite doesn’t win this week, don’t fret you can always see him in Idols On Tour this summer at the large arenas and next year you can catch him on the county fair circuit before seeing him in the drive through asking if you would like to supersize your order.
Nuff said, least till next week
Peace Out
Bear
Posted by Bear at 6:22 PM 1 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, American Idol, Bob Dylan, Music, Neil Young, Rober Plant, Simon Cowell
Monday, May 11, 2009
Those Two Dirty Words "Tribute Band"
I then looked at him with a “are you kidding me expression on my face” and said “Why, are you waiting to buy tickets for the Beatles or the Floyd reunion tours, because let me tell ya just in case you didn’t know, neither is going to happen.”
We went back and forth arguing our points, drinking beer, arguing, drinking more beer, and of course I won the argument with the simple logical reasoning, what are you going to do if you want to hear the music of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc live. He retorted “I can put on their live album” and I told him “shut up and have another beer.”
My friend is not the only one I’ve had this conversation with, but I don’t understand why the words “tribute band” or “cover band” are such dirty words to some people and I mean some of these people are music fanatics just like me but they don’t want anything to do with those…..ohhh “tribute bands”.
As my readers know by now, I am not your typical music fan. I love music. I listen to music most of my waking day. I love to go out and hear music. My only requirement, it has to be good music.
There is nothing worse than plunking down your hard earned cash to see a band and after a couple of songs saying to yourself, “why am I here?” I’m not just talking going to someplace like your neighborhood bar and watching some local band butcher your favorite song. I’ve walked out of shows from some major national acts playing their music that I loved that were rough to listen too, I mean they were terrible. When I owned the bar, the CafĂ© Rock we had bands 4 or 5 nights a week. Artists like Alex Bevan and Charlie Weiner played there monthly and were great but I would also book bands like Shout doing Motown covers and an unknown band called Comma like the symbol “,”. These 5 guys from Bedford would come in every other week and pack the place, I mean out the door pack the place. You know what they played? They played covers. They played what was hot on the radio, they made it fun and they sounded fantastic. I loved it when they played at the bar. I knew I was going to hear good music all night and also sell a lot of beer!
I want to hear good music period!
So what do I do if I want to hear the music live again? I find a, ohhhh I’m going to use that dirty word again, a “tribute band” to go see.
As I said earlier I want to hear good music. There are bands doing this great music and doing it well.
Talent can play talent.
Who do I like and who do I think is worth you spending your hard earned dollars on seeing
The three bands below are examples of bands that do it right!
Peace Out
Bear
Shaw Blades - High Enough
Posted by Bear at 1:55 PM 0 comments
Labels: cover bands, Fab Faux, Pink Floyd, Shaw Blades, Tribute band, Wish You Were Here
Monday, May 4, 2009
Springtime In Cleveland
Ahhh, springtime in Cleveland. Where else can it be 85 and sunny on Friday when you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt for the first time in almost a year and 42 and possible snow on Sunday. That’s why we go crazy when the first great spring day hits us and that’s what happened to me on last Friday.
It was beautiful that Friday, sunny and warm, almost tropical breezes coming across the yard. I went out and finally pulled the Adirondack chairs out of the barn and set up for a night to just sit out relax and enjoy the evening, just me and Mrs. Bear.
After mixing a HUGE pitcher of margaritas, cutting the limes, getting the bucket of ice ready, the important thing still had to be done.
I had to come up with the music. The music on a night like this is one of the most important elements of a great night; it can make or break it. This play list has to be songs that not only do you sit back and enjoy with a HUGE, margarita but pop the disk out and put it in the Jeep with the top down for a drive. Unlike other “summer mix tapes” I have read, I don’t feel you have to have every song that has “Summer” in its title. My CD has to have the songs that make me feel good, that I want to listen over and over
So with that in mind here is the play list I put together and basically how the night went. Hunny can you pass the limes!
1. “Domino – Van Morrison” – This song just plain reminds me of summer. The beat and Van’s voice says “shake off the winter blues and get on with it”. Great tune for driving with the top down, let’s go for a ride.
2. “Two Lane Highway – Pure Prairie League” – If I’m already driving with the top down, I should definitely do it on a two lane highway. Okay I know the wind is blowing your hair. We’ll go home and sit in our chairs.
3. “Happy – Rolling Stones” – As my readers know I’m not a big Stones fan but I love this song. Keith’s vocals just make this song and I think he might have had a tequila or two in his prime, or even today.
Ahh, time for a refill. Hunny can you pass me the ice
4. “I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James & The Shondells” – This is just one of those songs that over time I’ve got buried in my psyche. Great beat and you got to love those lyrics. Tell me it doesn’t take you back. Heh, hunny you want to go and check out the inside of the barn, No, oh okay.........you sure?.
5. “Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots” – Does this song not have one of the best openings ever!
6. “Keep On Running – Spencer Davis Group” – Can you believe Steve Winwood was only 17! Com’n no one should be that talented that young. Who does he think he is, an American Idol finalist!
7. “Houses Of The Holy – Led Zeppelin” – My favorite Zeppelin song. Got to have Zeppelin…
I once heard a story they never played “Houses Of The Holy” live, strange since the song is about playing in stadiums. Hmmmm, thinking too much. Hunny pass me the pitcher. Thanks hun
8. “Little Wing – Stevie Ray Vaughan” – In my opinion the best version of the greatest guitar song ever written. Just lay back and close your eyes and enjoy. What a loss
9. “Dirty Work – Steely Dan” – Man I love this song. The only Steely Dan song not sung by Donald Fagen. I wish there was more
10. “Starman – David Bowie” – Didn’t know what time it was the lights were low ow ow, I leanned back on my radio o o. Man, I love this song. What was that hun. I said that about the last one. Ohh, but man I love this song.
Hun, can you pass the pitcher, what do mean it’s empty? How many did you have? One! How can that be. Hold on I’ll go mix another one
11. “Once Bitten, Twice Shy – Ian Hunter” – Every time I hear this, it reminds me of getting in so much trouble in the 70’s. It seemed this 8-track was always on in our cars. Is that smile on my face from remembering those times or the tequila today?
12. “Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley” – Marley, even his name sounds like a party. What’s better with Marley than margaritas, ahhhhh….I’ll be back in a minute.
13. “Hey Tonight – Creedence Clearwater Revival” – The party always picks up with this song. John’s raspy voice usually is drowned out by the partiers. Wait that’s me.
What’s that, can I stop singing? Oh okay, is there anymore ice in the bucket? Heyyyyyy, tonightttttttt. Okay I’ll stop now
14. “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) – Kenny Rogers” – Were on the Big Lebowski trip now. First Hey Tonight, now Just Dropped In. The Dude would be proud except I don’t have any White Russians, think he’ll drink a margarita?
15. “Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard” – The ultimate stripper song. What’s that hunny, what do I know about strippers? Ahhhh, nothing. I just heard that from someone, no firsthand knowledge here….Let me refresh your drink for you….
16. “Got To Give It Up (Part 1) – Marvin Gaye” – Now I want to get up and dance. Ohh not a good idea. Maybe another sip will help me get my balance. I think the best scene from a movie was when this played in Barbershop and everyone in the city was dancing to it. Okay maybe I’ll just move my head back and forth.
17. “Rosalia (Come Out Tonight) – Bruce Springsteen” – The Boss! Just what we needed. Com’n hun help me out of the chair. Let’s dance.
You don’t want to dance, okay pass me the pitcher please
18. “On A Carousel – Shaw Blades” – I know, I know. The Hollies did this song, but I like this version so much better.
19. “And Your Bird Can Sing – The Beatles” – Ohhh man, another great song. I once heard Jimmie Vinino say this is one of the hardest Beatles songs to play. Where’s my guitar hunny
20. “Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison” – We started with Van The Man and ended the night with probably the ultimate summer song.
Well, the songs are over, the margaritas are gone, the stars are shinning. Time to call it a night.
Hunny, where you going?
Hunny….
Hun…
Help,
anyone there……………….
Nuh said, at least till next week
Posted by Bear at 3:18 PM 0 comments
Labels: Cleveland, Margaritas, Music, Spring