Careless Whispers

Okay -- I did that on purpose.  We ALL know that the name of this tune is "Careless Whisper" -- especially after all the recent attention it's gotten from "Sexy Sax Man."  Can you believe that when I was at the 2012 NAMM Show, "Sexy Sax Man" came by our booth and did his schtick right across the aisle?  I thought, "UGH."  Not sure if it was his sax playing or the fact that I was sick from the infamous salmonella incident.  I apologize -- please do not let me ruin your opinion of the song with that image.  I have to say that I do enjoy the song and feel that George Michael's voice is so smooth and beautiful -- and versatile.  I can't think of one George Michael or Wham! tune that I didn't like.  Yeah, I'm not embarrassed to admit it -- even "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."  I guess it all boils down to the fact that I was in middle school in 1984.  Can you believe George Michael and Tina Turner were on top of the charts at the very same time?  Amazing  And, just for the record, I titled this post "Careless Whispers" because that is what a caller on the Delilah show requested this evening.  We all know what he meant.  Seems kind of charming in a sense -- sort of like when you hear people say "Victoria's Secrets."

Anyway, George Michael had some terrific tunes -- "Freedom," "Father Figure," "Faith," and the list goes on.  Inspite of the extremely cheesy sax solo in this tune, there are some wonderful additional instrumentals -- like the beautiful acoustic guitar.  It compliments George's voice so perfectly, and I swear I even hear some soft bongos in the tune.  But that sax solo -- I guess we love to hate it and hate to love it.  I don't think I love it, although I do admit it's ensnaring.  Grabs a hold of your ear and won't let go!  Meanwhile, this is a simple tune about a man who cheated on his girlfriend/fiancée and now feels so, so incredibly sad and guilty.  "Guilty feet have got no rhythm..."  I never realized those were the words.  I always thought it was "guilty feeling's got no rhythm."  Makes so much more sense now!  I also hadn't seen the video in a long time -- maybe since '84!  Check it out.  George Michael looks terrific, and the ladies in the video are sporting some really '80s styles.  I don't think I have ever seen a more perfectly '80s swimsuit than the one worn by "the other woman" in this video.  Wow.  Don't see many like that on the beach anymore, but you also don't see many women who aren't pumped full of silicone in videos now.  Oh well...  Take a look at this video if you are longing for more natural times...

With or Without You

So, I was a bit inspired this evening by NAMM once again.  It's only been about two days since I returned from the convention, but I was completely thrilled one afternoon when I was there and saw Bono walk by our booth.  Yes!  Well, actually, no.  Come to find out, it was a really great Bono impersonator.  Oh well.  I should have known by the lack of an entourage.  Stevie Wonder walked by with an entourage, and that was the real deal.

So, I thought I would take a look at U2's "With or Without You."  This is one of my favorite U2 songs - and probably one of my favorite '80s songs in general.  Kind of seems timeless, though, and not very "80s."  I think we can attribute that to the masterful lyricism of Bono and the extreme vocal control he demonstrates throughout the song.  The entire band performs with just as much control, creating a really tightly-knit ensemble that kind of grips you a the listener from beginning to end.  It is like a well-cooked meal or a fine painting with a full color palette.  Hard to describe, but the progression and development of the song is amazing with its layers of instrumental parts building and its vocals intensifying with a careful crescendo.  It's no surprise that there are several instrumental versions of this on YouTube.  I chose two for this post: one by the Vitamin String Quartet and one by 2Cellos.  Both of these are beautiful.  Bono and U2 should be proud.  The have inspired so many of us.  Enjoy.

NAMM 2012

Just got back from the NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA.  NAMM is the annual convention for the National Association of Music Merchants, and it is pretty crazy!  All kinds of rock and roll glamming up the industry in the same space as all the band and orchestra folks.  There are also exhibitors from around the world showing traditional folk instruments and all sorts of new products.  Check out their site: http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2012

I really hoped to see Sharon and Ozzy Osborne, because I heard they were there.  But, alas, I did not see them.  I did, however, see Stevie Wonder walking by, and that was pretty neat.  Saw a Bono look-alike, too.  Anyway, glad to be back on the East Coast.  I'm going to get a bit of rest and check out what awesome 80s songs I can unearth...