Thursday, July 06, 2006

Norman Greenbaum: Spirit In The Sky

Mars Needs Guitars shows some respect for the classic Norman Greenbaum song Spirit In The Sky. Yup, he put up an MP3 of the original, quite a few covers and a link to funny video featuring Gareth Gates doing Spirit In The Sky with the Kumars.

One hit wonders are for the most part lousy, the rare occassion being greatness. Norman Greenbaum is one of the later. In March of 1970 Greenbaum released "Spirit In The Sky". Thirty Six years later he is still making a living off that song. If you never heard "Spirit In The Sky" shame on you (and can't believe anyone hasn't heard it). Besides being a one-hit wonder, the song has appeared in 31 movies and numerous TV advertisments. Also, the innards of the song have been copied and morphed into new tunes by other bands for sure. Greenbaum has literally lived off the success of this song and to this day is constantly seeking various avenues to derive revenue from the song. You can't blame him for that, especially with a song this great. A gospel rock 'n roll song if there ever was one. The song boasts rolling rhythms, fuzzed out guitar (Greenbaum used a heavy duty industrial fuzz box), handclaps and lyrics that celebrate life after death.

MP3: Norman Greenbaum: Spirit In The Sky

» I want the covers!
» I want the video!

posted @ 9:34 PM | Feedback (5)

For sale: Hard Rock Cafe

Good grief! You need to sell a lot of beer!

The iconic Hard Rock Cafe chain, once the symbol of all that was cool about American culture, is for sale and could fetch up to 1 billion dollars according to financial analysts.

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posted @ 5:47 PM | Feedback (0)

Picture this: Bob Minkin

Trey Anastasio by Bob Minkin

Bob Minkin captured the spirit of jamband music, punk and new wave.

Well known as one of the preeminent Grateful Dead photographers, Bob has also documented such music genres as Punk Rock typified by the Clash, Ramones and Talking Heads; the Blues of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and B.B. King; Jazz artists Ornette Coleman, Branford Marsalis and Roy Hargrove.

» minkindesign.com/photo

posted @ 2:27 PM | Feedback (0)

David Crosby: If I Could Only Remember My Name? outtakes

An Aquarium Drunkard has posted the outtakes of a legendary album ...

One of my favorite LP's from the early '70s is David Crosby's underrated masterpiece If I Could Only Remember My Name? A fully realized embodiment of the "sound" of California's folk/rock/country/psychedelia movement of the time, the album features such players as Neil Young, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Phil Lesh, etc., etc. Almost as good as the album (and just, if not more interesting) are these outtakes from the 1970 sessions. These tracks are further proof that Crosby was an artistic force to be reckoned with at his creative peak.

» I Want My MP3's!

posted @ 11:20 AM | Feedback (2)