Bad Reputation

I wasn't sure what to write about this evening, so I started browsing through some tunes from 1980.  Have to say that I wasn't too excited about any one of them in particular tonight.  In fact, I think I found some of them to be a little on the cheesy side.  It's no fault to the singers, though, because even someone like Diana Ross can get stuck with a tune that is just downright silly.  Sometimes, it just happens...

Anyway, somehow I came across Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," which was written just one year later in 1981.  Now, this is a classic tune that just about sums it up for me.  Yeah, I don't give a d@mn 'bout my reputation either, so this is perfect!  I'm just a clarinet player and not anywhere near as rockingly awesome as Joan Jett, but this message is probably shared by more than you'd think.  I noticed recently that Miley Cyrus covered this tune, and I even saw a video of her performing with Joan Jett.  Poor Joan.  No offense to anyone's creativity or artistic freedom, but Miley Cyrus?  Come on.  All I can think about is bubble gum and popcorn.  I just don't see Miley coming anywhere close to the renegade spirit of Joan Jett.  Teenaged rebellion just isn't the same, and I don't think Miley's hairdos or tattoos really are all that shockingly rebellious.  Anyway, back to Joan Jett.  SHE ROCKS!  Yup -- that about says it all.  The song was inspired by her search for a record company and the advice given to her by her producer Kenny Laguna.  She wasn't going to change for anyone, regardless of how many companies wouldn't sign her because of her "bad reputation."  Yeah -- right on, Joan.  I hear you loud and clear.  That message is so meaningful today -- and probably shared by even more than it was in 1981.  Let's face it, there is so much nonsense in the world today, and so many people talking about what is politically correct or not. Sometimes, you just have to say, "I don't give a d@mn" about what people think.  "A girl can do what she wants to do, and that's what I'm gonna do!"  You can, too -- just turn this tune on and crank it up!

Fleetwood Mac Tour - "Dreams" Can Come True

The other day I was driving home from work and heard this fabulous Fleetwood Mac tune on the radio.  I've probably heard it a million times, and you know, I never bothered to find out what the name was.  Sheesh.  After all these years, all I knew was "Thunder only happens when it's raining..."  Well, those are the lyrics in the chorus, but the title is actually "Dreams."  Yup.  I'm sure just about everyone in the world knew this except me  -- until now!  But, the nice thing about Fleetwood Mac is that their songs are so amazing lyrically that the title can escape you from time to time.  Certainly not like canned pop where the title can be very obvious and perhaps even the most prevalent line.  Anyway, I thought it would be perfect to post this since it was just announced that Fleetwood Mac will be touring in 2013.  YES!  I have to see them.  I think their first dates are in April, and they will begin rehearsals in February.

Meanwhile, this song was written in 1977, so I cheat once again here, but hey, Fleetwood Mac is a legendary group that spans the decades.  They haven't had a dull moment in over 30 years, so it seems perfectly fine to include them here.  I have to say that I hadn't really listened to the lyrics carefully until this evening, but as I thought about it, I figured it would be something heavy.  "Thunder only happens when it's raining..."  Yeah, I should have known it was about heartbreak.  Amazing how they can mask that in this amazingly soothing tune that seems perfectly slotted musically.  Kind of like trumpet players when they talk about how a trumpet "slots."  Kind of hard to explain, but in a nutshell, it means everything falls into place.  I am mesmerized at how Stevie Nicks sings this in such a calming, soothing tone -- almost like a lullaby.  Hmmm...  maybe that was her remedy for a broken heart.  Anyway, this video of their live performance is more perfect than ever.  I hadn't realized Mick Fleetwood could tear up the drums like that.  Wow.  Amazing as always.  Hope I get to see them!

Pat Benatar Live in NH

Finishing up with the series of concert videos here.  Pat Benatar was actually the second act to go on for the concert with Loverboy and Journey.  There was quite a long intermission to change the stage set after Loverboy and before Pat Benatar, yet oddly enough, she did not have an elaborate stage set at all.  Nope -- just Pat and her husband Neil Giraldo (on guitar) as the main focus.  When she came out on stage, it was quite thrilling.  Such a tiny lady with a huge voice -- and so much mystique and rock and roll power!  I remember seeing an interview with her, and the interviewer asked, "So how can we be as cool as you?"  She said, "it's all in the pointing," and proceeded to demonstrate her famous awesomely cool pointing technique.  I believe she said that it "makes you look tough."  Works for me!  I'm going to practice that now.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these videos.  I am so glad I saw her -- finally!

Journey Live in NH

Well, somehow time has escaped me again, and I am ashamed that it has been a month since I went to see Journey, Loverboy, and Pat Benatar in Manchester, NH.  I took several short videos with my Blackberry but had trouble uploading them directly from my computer -- so I added them to my YouTube channel.  I know they aren't the clearest or the best quality, but I think they certainly capture the excitement and general essence of the concert.  I can't tell you how blown away I was when Journey took the stage.  They basically exploded onto the stage with "Anyway You Want It."  I honestly felt like I was going to pop out of my seat - which I did!  I stood for their whole set, just mesmerized in a Journey trance.  The new lead singer is so full of energy, and the veteran band members are nothing short of amazing.  I hope you enjoy the videos!