The Most Influential Man in Music History

An icon of showbiz, a freak that everyone loved, a king on stage where his wicked ultra ego manifestations burst artistically; augmented by some of the most original and captivating dance moves you’ll ever see.

People may argue that the Beatles, Elvis Presley or even Frank Sinatra had better prominence.. But Michael was simply THE king “sorry Elvis”. He surpassed them all commercially, publicly, and even culturally.

My fond of Michael Jackson stopped after his 1996 - not so great- album “history”, simply I grew up and he grew weirder. But I’ll never forget his impact on me during my childhood & teenage years. I grew up in the 80’s & 90’s so the guy was around in many of my tapes & CD mixes. I won’t explain how he excelled or what is so grand about Michael, this is not what the post is all about, this post is simply a recognition of the man’s legendary status in the music business and a deserved respect to what he had accomplished in the realm of entertainment.

Thanks MJ, for all the good memories.

RIP Richard Wright 1943-2008

Your Broken China and Wet Dream will live

to testify your individuality

Your legendary presence and contribution

to the greatist band of all time

will live forever

echoed in our hearts

Thank you for being part of the inspiration

W i s h y o u w e r e s t i l l h e r e

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Darling won't you ease my worried mind

Mark and Eric, Class & Genious

Psychodelic funk overdrive

I don’t usually review my music, but I need to praise these guys for at least in one of my posts.

The red and very hot chili peppers (RHCP); one of my favorite bands of all time, released their most anticipated album “Stadium Arcadium” during the summer, a double CD named “Jupiter” & “Mars”.. a very risky move that proved later the status of where they stand in the history of music business.

It is funky, rockin' and rapping. I was a little skeptical about there being 28 songs. That is always a formula for disaster. For example - see Smashing Pumpkins. But I can honestly say there are only a couple snoozers on the 2 CDs. Most of the songs are fantastic. In summary, this is RHCP's best release in over a decade. It is a must buy if you are an old fan or are new to the RCHP's sound. I am really shocked they still had it in them to release something that sounds so good, they are 40+ something and they still rock.The main reason why I love this album though is because there's so much new sound mixed with so much old sound. It's like the Chili Peppers are evolving without losing what made us love them in the first place. And that's a hard thing for a band to do!.

I highly recommend watching their video “Danni California”on Youtube , they guys still got what it takes to dazzle minds.

The Pink Effect ..

What I know about Pink


I don’t know exactly how to write this, the recognition of my favorite band of all time sounds a bit cliché. So if you want to really know what pink does do me and does to millions of fans all around the globe, read this:

I was around 15 or 16 years old when my cousin gave me a tape of pink floyd’s pulse (tracks from a great gig in the sky to run like hell), if you want to impress a first time listener, A great gig in the sky is the best track to start with. I was blown away by the content and the many magnificent ways this track is composed, then came Money... what the hell is that? Is that jazz? Blues? Rock? I couldn’t tell at the time, and then after a while came wish you were here which is without a doubt the best melodic acoustic guitar song ever made in the history of music, simple chords reflecting vividness at its purest form; and the sing along gave the song the right vibe. Comfortably numb came with a heavenly 4:30 guitar solo that I’ve been hearing for the last 10 years and I cannot get enough of it, shear brilliance. To wrap up the perfect live performance came Run like hell an intense track from their 1979 wonder album “the wall”. I was left dazed and confused for an hour, what did I just experiment? What was this narcoleptic journey to the end of my mind? My status then was best defined as “comfortably numb”.

The thing about pink floyd music is that it’s more that just tunes and lyrics. It’s an experience that you “fit in” through an entire album. A hypnotizing therapy that makes you understand and cope with a bigger picture. I don’t know about others fans but their music made me view the life in a different perspective.


Best Album:
Dark side of the moon

Best 5 Guitar Solo:
Comfortably numb
Coming back to life
Time
Shine on you crazy diamond
Sorrow

Best 5 songs:
Echoes / Wish you were here (tie)
Comfortably numb
Shine on you crazy diamond
Coming back to life
Dogs

Best instrumental tracks:
Marooned
One of these days
Any Color you like

Best lyrics:
Echoes
Final Cut
Lost for words

Best live performance:
P.u.l.s.e (1994)

Best album cover:
Dark side of the moon

Favorite member:
David Gilmour

Favorite solo album by a Pink Floyd member:
Roger Waters – Amused to Death (1992)

On an Island?

If you are a Die hard fan of Pink Floyd, that is a must have album by David Gilmour, But let me warn you... This is not an album by Pink Floyd, This is an Album by Former member/Solo Artist David Gilmour, and after I heard the album for 3 consecutive days, It's has very little to do with Pink Floyd.


I had this album 2 weeks after I had David Gilmour in Concert (DVD) "which frankly, I much prefer than his new solo album”, In concert features a lot of Pink Floyd song with new arrangements, like the acoustic version of "Coming back to life" and the Chellos of "High hopes". So I was Forced in comparison between the 2 albums , On an island is unique in a way that only fans of Gilmour understand, it's an improved development since "About Face", His 1983 solo album, but not quiet different or diverse than it. I won't discus the album thoroughly, But I have to spell this out; I'm both relieved & disappointed, Relieved to see Dave active after almost a decade of hibernation yet disappointed that I’d rather see him, Rick and Nick get to the studio , come out 2 or 3 years later with a mind blowing Pink album , and after seeing Live8 , I thought there was still hope for Roger to re-join the band and re-write history again , but Alas , Roger had his opera later this year and Dave with his new album.

Bottom line, Go BUY the Album, you won't regret it... but you may get hurt listing to what could have been the next Pink Floyd, Not in term of music .. But in terms of "If Only if?".

Stranded on an Island .. seeking tunes

10 albums I would take with me on a stranded Island

Mmm... I asked myself this question as I spent a good 70 min ride to where I work; with my diskman being my true companion during this ride. That’s tough considering I have a lot of favorite albums, But then I thought I have to make a selection of albums that I won’t get bored of listening for 10 years or whatever years I’m going to spend on the island. My criteria I came up with “riding back another 70 min back home” is:

1.Since I can’t Pick a favorite Pink Floyd album, I won’t pick neither any of their albums nor any of their solo artists’ albums. The process of me selecting ONLY one album will be extremely harsh, even harder than the 10 years I‘ll spend on that island.

2.I’ll try to be as diverse as possible. My choices will include Pop, Rock, Alternative, Metal, Oldies

3.My choices will be based on how much I’ll enjoy the album for a long long time, meaning that this won’t have to be my favorite but rather “long-term amusing”.

In no specific order here goes my 10 albums:

1.Wet Wet Wet – Picture this
2.Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan
3.Crimson Idol – W.A.S.P
4.These Days – Bonjovi
5.Harbour of Tears – Camel
6.Liquid tension Experiment 2
7.Bat out of hell 2 – Meatloaf
8.Dangerous/Bad – Michael Jackson
9.Alternative 4 – Anathema
10.Vault – Def Leppard


Wet Wet Wet – Picture This (1995)

I came to know this band from the movie “4 weddings and a funeral” . Its title song was “love is all around me”, a beautiful, impressive, very touching song. A friend of mine bought the album for me as a present. The album plays out a very emotional feeling I can’t fairly describe. Musically, the album is one of the best Studio albums outhere, good job mixing with the instruments and the quality output of the entire album tunes is remarkable. The album stands out as one of the most coherent albums ever made in Rock/Pop music.

Ironically, the band didn’t get as much recognition as they deserve… at least for this album. I choose it in my short list because it always makes me in a state of relaxation and at “ease”.

Favorite tracks: Julia says , Gypsy girl , Love is my Sheppard , Love is all around me



Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde (1966)

Arguably, Dylan is considered the best lyrics writer in the history of music. I agree.
I can’t comment on this album , it speaks for it self.

Favorite tracks: None yet All !!!!!!!

W.A.S.P - Crimson Idol (1999)

“Long live the king of Mercy”

A Drama filling, Ear pounding concept album filled with plenty of vicious guitar riffs, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a big fan of WASP, but this album has a great storyline “I’m a sucker to albums with storylines such as Streets, The wall, Harbour of tears .. Etc”, this is the story of Jonathon battling with his own demons and figuring out the “Great misconceptions of me” .. That’s where I came up with my blog’s title.

I choose it on my list because I think it’s the “neatest” metal album ever made! I pick my words carefully, only people who listened to the album understand what I mean.

Favorite tracks: Arena of Pleasure , The Idol , The Great Misconceptions of Me



Bonjovi – These days (1995)

Jon, Ritchie, Brian, Tico. You reached the peak of your music career making this flawless album. Shear brilliance. It opens up with the provocative “Hey God” moving to melodic hits like “This aint a love song” and “these days” and ending with “diamond ring” and “bitter wine”. It’s this album and the great guitar work of Ritchie Sambora that motivated me to learn to play the guitar. Thanks Sambora

I choose this “All-Rock treat” album because I associate myself with it .. I’ve been listening to it for 10 years now and I can’t get enough of it.

Favorite tracks: This ain’t a love song , these days , as my guitar lies bleeding , Diamond ring , hearts breaking even

Camel – Harbour of tears (1996)

First I’d like to say that I’m a big camel fan, it’s hard for me to pick a single album for my “cast-Away” experience. But I choose “harbour of tears” because of its harmony is unique in a full-album sense, I can’t find any camel album with this sense of harmony commitment. The albums tells an Irish tale “which I don’t fully understand” and has great instrumental tracks. I must confess that the reason I’m attached to this album is because I bought it at the perfect timing and in the perfect mood, I was then ready to receive their music like never before. Lucky me!

Favorite tracks: Under the Moon, Running from Paradise, Coming Of Age... wow, the album has great instrumental music.


Liquid Tension Experiment II (2000)

The most extreme technically challenging album of all time , forget jazz, this is the heaviest Progressive Rock album I’ve encountered. Imagine the “Gods” of Dream Theater decided to make a small project with the commitment only their top-notch talents and improvised new ways of “making” music. This is a turning point in music industry as we know it. This “project” will defiantly live forever .. That’s why it’s my pick

Favorite tracks: Acid rain, Biaxident, When the Water Breaks

Meat Loaf – Bat out of Hell II (1993)

Meatloaf mixes rock with opera, the result is THIS, an album revolving on three axis, Piano, guitars, and Choir. Lead by a very distinctive voice of meatloaf speaking out his soul in form of beautiful beautiful lyrics, the kind of lyrics that makes your heart pound with his singing technique as a catalyst. Simply Awesome.

Favorite tracks: Objects In the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are , Everything Louder than Everything Else, Out Of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)



Michael Jackson – Bad (1987)/Dangerous (1991)

Michael Jackson is the king of pop.

Turn on page one in music history and you’ll find his name printed with gold. An extraordinary talent that only happens once in a lifetime. I grow up listening to Michael but I lost interest in him after the child molestation accusations. But the guy re-defined pop music that took the world by surprise. My favorites are both Bad and Dangerous, Both equally magnificent and show a lot of attitude and character.

Favorite tracks:
From Bad: Man in the mirror , Liberian girl, Smooth criminal , I just can’t stop loving you
From Dangerous: Give in to me , who is it, Dangerous, Will you be there, remember the time


Anathema – Alternative 4 (1998)

Very sad album that can make you commit suicide , not because of the lyrics but because of the music that sometimes sneak into your sub-conscience and other times rip you open forcing itself in your soul. It’s only 45min long. But has the effect of “echoes of silent cries” , dark isn’t it?

Favorite tracks: Lost Control , Regret

Def Leppard – Vault (1995)

80’s British Rock hysteria unmistaken for the talented/ill-talented/non-talented ear. Def leppard defines an era of rock that it totally mastered. I always think positive and “peppy” every time I hear them on the radio , Vault is a collection of their great songs during their 80’s and 90’s that simply RULE.

Favorite tracks: Two steps behind , Animal, Bringin’ on the heart break, Pour some sugar on me, love bites

As you can notice, Most of these albums are in the 90’s , that’s my teenage years , the golden years that both scar you and heal you in a mysterious way.