'Got tickets to Steve Vai's concert via 106.7 FM at the Royal Oak Music Theatre but missed the show tonight because of a bad case of migraine earlier.
Dang...
Friday, September 21, 2012
For the Love of God
Monday, July 16, 2012
Child in Time: Jon Lord, 71
The Lord of the Hammond is Dead.
Yes, Jon Lord, Deep Purple's legendary keyboard player, "suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism today, Monday 16th July at the London Clinic, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer."
Jon Lord was one of the driving forces behind the success of British supergroup Deep Purple. He co-wrote many of the band's hits, including the seminal "Smoke on the Water." Although he played with other bands (Whitesnake) and musicians, he will always be remembered for his days with Deep Purple.
To rock and roll fans, he was the 'master of the keys' who in his heyday made his presence felt with his legendary 'duets and duels' with Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple's guitar god and legend on many of their hits, wherein their instruments competed for attention and dominance -- riff by riff, keyboard versus guitar, Hammond and Stratocaster that made their music click and unique.
Jon Lord made the keyboard a major part, if not the centerpiece of the relevant Deep Purple songs. Jon Lord can speak with you, play with you and travel with you to parts unknown with the sound coming from his keyboard. Yes, he can tell a story with the tips of his fingers and help you explore the hidden universe with the power of his music. Who can forget the intense and explosive playing that he did in Child in Time or the fast and furious waves on Highway Star or the soaring, hard-driven riffs on Burn?
I have been a life-long Deep Purple fan ever since I bought their Machine Head album in the early 80s, and I now own every single album and record of the band. And just like many rock music fans, I lament the fact that Deep Purple is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but the likes of Madonna and other rap stars are in. It is really a shame that one of the pioneers of hard rock, an influence on many of today's best rock groups (including Hall of Famers Metallica (2009) and Aerosmith (2001)), and considered to be among the best musicians in rock and roll history, is being snubbed by the people in Cleveland, Ohio for whatever strange reasons that they have against the band.
But with or without the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame enshrinement, Deep Purple and Jon Lord's legacy is secure. Their music will live in the hearts and minds of true rock and roll fans. As long as there are people who love quality rock music, rock and roll will never die and Deep Purple and in essence Jon Lord's music will live forever.
It was really unfortunate that I have not seen Jon Lord play live since he retired from touring with the band in 2002. I have been to two Deep Purple concerts since 2008 with Jon Lord's very talented and very capable replacement, Don Airey, but still, his performance of the classic Deep Purple hits was not the same and will never be the same.
Jon Lord's death is not the end but only the beginning of another chapter in his musical journey. His website says it best, "Jon passes from Darkness to Light."
Goodbye and Goodnight, Mr. Jon Lord.
photo credit: Jon Lord The Official Website
Note: This article was previously published on Yahoo! Voices
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A Pocketful of Stones
Today is the birthday of David Gilmour, vocalist and guitarist of the legendary British band Pink Floyd. Call it a stroke of genius or 'a momentary lapse of reason' (pun intended) but David is giving his fans a gift on his birthday by allowing them a free download for 48 hours of "A Pocketful of Stones", a single from his 2006 album, 'On an Island.'
The single, with lyrics by Polly Samson, was written by David Gilmour, who aside from doing the vocals, also played guitars, percussion, Hammond organ and bass on the track. The song also features Polish classical/jazz musician Leszek Mozdzer on piano and Alasdair Malloy on glass harmonica.
You can download "A Pocketful of Stones" in MP3 or WAV form HERE, and will be available until 11:59pm UK time on Wednesday, the 7th of March.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Simply Beautiful
The song 'Simply' by Sara Hickman holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I hear this song, I cannot help but stop whatever I am doing and just let myself be carried away by its haunting melody.
It reminds me of Beth, my best friend in college who passed away a month and a half after our graduation in 1991, an event that I had to skip due to some important matters that I had to attend in Manila.
This was not the first time I've shared and written about this song and its significance in my life. I wrote 'Simply Beth-iful' in 2009 when I first came across a video of Sara Hickman playing the song for some close friends in YouTube. Just like before as it is now, the power of the song, the lyrics' message, and the effect of its melody remain the same to me.
Anyway, I found this video on YouTube today and I suddenly remembered that Beth's birthday was five days ago. Also, this time around Ms. Hickman performs 'Simply' in a duet with her teenage daughter, giving it a different take but still retaining the beauty of the song.
Sara & Lily Hickman: Simply from Andy Cafa on Vimeo.
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