Category Archives: Rock and Roll

Going Up the Country, by Canned Heat

What’s your paradise? Maybe when you close your eyes you imagine yourself on a sandy beach, facing a deep blue ocean with a cloudless sky above. Or you are in a pub with rich leather stools, worn wooden walls and beautiful Jazz music coming from the stage. Or you are walking down a wooden pathContinue reading “Going Up the Country, by Canned Heat”

I’ll Be There, by The Jackson Five

What comes to mind when you think of Michael Jackson? Is it the single sequined glove? Maybe it’s his famous Moonwalk dance, gliding effortlessly, backwards across the stage. Or do you think of his controversies? Do you think of how he built a secluded oasis for himself at the Neverland Ranch, his curious marriage toContinue reading “I’ll Be There, by The Jackson Five”

Well…All Right, by Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly will be forever frozen in time. Killed at the tender young age of 22 in a plane crash in the middle of a snow covered Iowa cornfield. Ritchie Valens and J.P (The Big Bopper) Richardson by his side. All on an airplane they should never have been on, taking a trip they neverContinue reading “Well…All Right, by Buddy Holly”

Ringo’s Best

Usually it’s about John and Paul, sometimes George. When we think about The Beatles though, we don’t consider Ringo Starr nearly enough. Sitting back there with his sad eyes, banging away on the drums all alone, we never paid him much attention. We are usually enthralled with the joy of watching Paul McCartney sing, orContinue reading “Ringo’s Best”

Rain on the Scarecrow, by John Cougar Mellencamp

Songwriters write what they know about. Bruce Springsteen writes about New Jersey and the plight of the working man (though he never had a 9 to 5 job). Brian Wilson writes about Southern California and surfing (though he never surfed). Loretta Lynn writes about the challenges of romance and relationships growing up in the DeepContinue reading “Rain on the Scarecrow, by John Cougar Mellencamp”

Impossible Germany, by Wilco

Maybe it’s because I’m from Chicago, but it feels like Wilco has always been around. Safely secreted away in their studio loft on the north side, consistently producing great music (it feels like) for generations.  Now, there are those people out there who are major Wilco fans, and I don’t think I would put myselfContinue reading “Impossible Germany, by Wilco”

Black, by Pearl Jam

Musicians can’t hide. Their creative and artistic development is laid bare before our ears and eyes. While they may achieve early success due to their passion and energy, it is often their later recordings make transparent an artistry that is truly a work in progress. The beginning of a creative statement that develops and maturesContinue reading “Black, by Pearl Jam”