Book Review: "Rod, The Autobiography" By Rod Stewart

                                                                 

If you ever wondered what it would be like to be born into a working class family and then evolve into a Mega Rock and Roll Star with more money than you could ever have imagined, then this is the book you need to read. In this autobiography, Rod Stewart holds very little back in describing his incredible career and his more incredible personal life. He is the prototype of what life is like when you are a rock and roll supper star. I recently read and published several book reviews of epic superstars including Eric Clapton, Steven Tyler and Keith Richards, and they all share some common characteristics.  First and foremost, they are all survivors. They knew what their destiny was, and they let nothing including drugs, lifestyle and limited financial resources stop them from achieving their dreams. Financial success was not the driving force motivating them. They were all driven by an unrelenting drive to create, play and perform music. However, when success and money did arrive, they could never get enough of the life style that money and public success brought.

As written in Rod Stewart's autobiography, his personality reminded me, in some way to Keith Richards. They both were totally happy being submerged in music. While they both enjoyed the financial rewards that success brought, they never lost contact with where they came from and who they were.

I found the stories that Rod wrote about some famous musicians very interesting.  Rod's life story in his own words rings of honesty you don't usually get from other biographies of famous people. Much like Keith Richards, Rod Stewart has remained true to his working class upbringing.
                                                                        Book Review
                                         The Music Man Awards this book "3 Quarter Notes"

                                                    4 Quarter Notes= Excellent, Must read
                                                    3 Quarter Notes= Good Read
                                                    2 Quarter Notes= Somewhat Interesting
                                                    1 Quarter Notes= Save Your Time And Money

Pre-Release CD Review: "Live" by Murali Coryell

The soon to be released CD, "Live" from Murali Coryell will be a treat for all my "Blues" fans.  Murali is the son of Jazz-rock fusion guitar legend Larry Coryell and contemporary soul blues artist and author/actress Julie Coryell. "Live" is a follow up CD to Murali's acclaimed 2009 release "Sugar Lips". This is my first experience with Murali and I was very impressed by his with both his singing and guitar playing. He also wrote most of the songs for the CD. You can clearly hear his idols B. B. King, Eric Clapton , Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix and Albert King working through his Music.

If you like any of these great guitar players, you will not be disappointed with the sounds from Murali new CD.  There are 11 cuts on the CD and Murali wrote all songs except for cuts #4,#7 and #9.

1. Introduction                                  2. In the Room With Jimi

3. I Can't Give You Up                    4. I Could've Had You

5. Softly Let Me Kiss Your Lips      6. Sugar Lips

7. Love Her With A Feeling            8. Music Sets You Free

9. What's Going On                        10. The Blues is Taking Its Place

11. Closer to You Baby

The CD was recorded live at Club Heisinki in Hudson, NY on July 30, 2012. I have always felt that Blues always sounds better when hear in front of a live audience.  I think this wonderful CD proves that point again. Murali Coryell plays and sings the Blues as good as any guitar player on the current scene! Supporting Murali on the CD is Dorian Randolph on Drums/vocals, Vince Leggiere on Bass, Bill Foster on Guitar, Stacey Waterous on Saxophone/Vocals and Cameron Melville on Organ on tracks 4 and 5. This CD was produced by Murali Coryell also. The CD will be release on January 22, 2013 and it will satisfy any lover of the Blues!

There is a bonus DVD included with the CD package that was recorded at The Roots & Blues Festival in Salmon Arm, BC.

Book Review of "Clapton, The Autobiography"

It's summer and like most of you, I am catching up on my reading list. Over the past years, several of my music friends highly recommended Eric Clapton's autobiography that was first published in 2007.  I finally got a chance to read it. Although this book became a New York Times bestseller, I personally  found it somewhat disappointing and not at all uplifting. I will give Clapton a good deal of credit for doing the writing himself and not going with the guest-writer route that most rock stars have used.  However, Clapton's lack of writing skills resulted in a book that was somewhat boring in parts for the reader.  That said, Clapton's honesty about his own shortcomings and his love for the blues and the major players that influenced his career makes the book "a must" for all Clapton fans.

 Eric painted a life story of a troubled young boy with an identity problem who evolved into a chauvinistic unhappy narcissist. It seemed to me that Clapton's life was consumed by the need to capture things and people he wanted and once he got them he lost interest which is what occurred with his relationship with Pattie Boyd. However, on a positive note, his description of his burning love for Pattie Boyd while she was still married to George Harrison produced his outstanding song "Layla".

Like most of the rock stars of the 70's, Clapton goes into great detail about his addictions that somehow did not kill him until he finally turned the corner and cleaned up.  I found his comments about his thoughts and relationship with other extraordinary musicians like the Stones, the Beatles, B.B. King, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan very interesting. I was disappointed that Clapton did not spend more time writing about his wonderful guitar playing.  I think it would have greatly added to the enjoyment of the book.

Music Man Awards This Book "2 Quarter Notes"

4 Quarter Notes= Excellent Book, Must Read
3 Quarter Notes= Good Book
2 Quarter Notes= Somewhat Interesting
1 Quarter Notes= Save Your Time and Money

Jeff Golub Ready To Release New CD Featuring Henry Butler

Great news for all Jeff Golub fans. Jeff will be releasing a new CD at the end of June that is sure to be outstanding. The CD is a tribute to the music of Albert King, B.B. King and Freddie King, I think that says it all about why you should own this CD. According to Jeff "When you look at the modern blues and rock vocabulary, it's almost impossible for anyone to play something that doesn't reflect their influence somehow.  Whether you're talking about Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, anyone you can name, they are directly or indirectly influenced by something that one of them did or played. Their songs are timeless and, while they also certainly had their influences, the impact of their work is unquestioned".  Keith Richards also credits the "Three Kings" in his new book, LIFE, in similar words to Jeff's. As soon a I can get this CD, I intend to publish a review. Stay tuned!

The Best Love Songs Written In The Fifty Years From 1960 to 2010. A Special Valentine Playlist For Your Special Person

One of my long time followers of the Music Man Blog, Zelda, recently suggested that the great Beatles' tune "Michelle" should be on the "Greatest Love Songs of All Times" list.  As I was thinking about this suggestion, Zelda offered another suggestion that maybe we should have a new list developed for great songs written after 1960. Excellent suggestion especially since Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Here is a knockout playlist to share with that special person on Valentine's Day.

1.  "Michelle" 1965 by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

2.  "Your Song" 1970 by Elton John & Bernie Taupin

3.  "The Summer Knows" 1971 by Michel Legrand

4.  "The Shadow Of Your Smile" 1965 by Johnny Mandel & Paul Webster

5.   "Something" 1969 by George Harrison

6.   "Evergreen" 1976 by Barbara Streisand & Paul Williams

7.   "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" 1982 by Michel Legrand

8.   "Yesterday" 1965 by Paul; McCartney

9.   "Just The Way You Are" 1977 by Billy Joel

10. "Send In The Clowns" 1973 by Stephen Sondheim

11. "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life" 1969 by Michel Legrand

12. "God Only Knows" 1966 by Brian Wilson

13. "My Girl" 1964 by Smokey Robinson & Ronald White

14."I'll Be There" 1970 by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis & Willie Hutch

15."Wonderful Tonight" 1977 by Eric Clapton

16. "Save The Last Dance For Me" 1960 Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman

17. "You Are the Sunshine Of My Life" 1973 by Stevie Wonder

18. "Have I Told You Lately" 1969 by Van Morrison

19. "Three Times A Lady" 1978 by Lionel Richie

20. "You Are So Beautiful" 1974 by Billy Preston & Bruce Fisher

I am sure you have lots of your own personal favorite love songs that are not on the list.  Let me know if you have any love songs that should be on this list!  Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Buddy Guy Live, The blues Guitar Legend Plays on!

This posting on the Music Man Blog was written by  guest writer Timothy Marchio.  Tim has been a reader of this blog from the beginning and his area of interest is R & B especially blues guitar players. Tim will be posting other articles in the future for our new section:
                   THE R & B REVIEW

On Saturday, 10/23 I went to see Buddy Guy in concert at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ.  I have been a blues fan for a few years and I have heard other current rock/blues players like Clapton and the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn sing the praises of Buddy and the influence he has had on them and the current crop of blues players.  In fact, Clapton once said in an interview that Buddy Guy was the best guitar player alive!  Well, I have to say now I understand.  Aside from the fact that Mr. Guy is 74 years young, he put on a great show for 90 minutes.  He bridges the gap from Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters to today.  In one section, he did songs from Hammond, Clapton and Hendrix and sounded great in all styles.  He also spoke often to the audience and it seemed like a more intimate show than the size of the venue would seem to allow.   It was really great to see a true legend who just still wants to play.  His voice was off with a bit of a cold (as per him) and he told us that the promoter suggested he cancel.  Buddy's response was "I don't know how to cancel".  Good for me.  He played some standards like Hoochie Coochie Man and some of his own music. I picked up a CD of his several years ago called Sweet Tea which was a fusion of hard rock and blues.  Great sound.  He is still a pretty theatrical player and showed off a bit.  On one song, he walked through the audience with his guitar singing and playing.  It was as if we were all in a huge living room.  If you ever get a chance to see Mr. Guy, don't pass it up.