RIP Joe Cocker (No Longer Available)

Over the last 2 weeks, I have been listening over and over again to the Black Crowes singing Joe Cocker's "Space Captain" from their 2006 Freak 'n' Roll...Into the Fog: The Black Crowes All Join Hands, The Fillmore, San Francisco.  I kid you not.  As things connect dot after dot, I in turn started watching them on YouTube, and then thought, "why aren't I listening to the original, Joe Cocker version from 1970's Mad Dogs & Englishmen?  And so, I ordered that CD last week, and it still isn't here from Germany or was is PA that I eventually got it?  Anyway, still waiting for this classic when the BBC news of Joe Cocker's death arrived today.  

My heart aches at the passing of all these great, rock 'n' roll singers, players, geniuses.  Joe had the penultimate gravel-filled, whiskey-soaked voice.  I think only Van Morrison, and yes, Chris Robinson, (at times Chris Cornell in heartfelt bluesy mode) hold my soul in their hands when they sing.  The movements of their bodies possessed by what their voices are trying to express and feel.

I am failing miserably, trying to capture with words the emotions their gifts have given me--their willingness to go so deeply with their vocal ability.

RIP in peace, Joe.  You are irreplaceable.

Trying to catch his frenetic energy here.  I don't think it's possible.  

Joe Cocker's "Space Captain"

Black Crowes' "Space Captain"..(OMG--esp. at 2:22 and 3:33!  I could cry!)

Space Captain

Joe Cocker

Once I was traveling across the sky

This lovely planet caught my eye

And being curious I flew close by

And non I'm caught here

Until I die

Until we die

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Till we die

I lost my memory of where I've been

We all forgot that we could fly

Someday we'll all change into peaceful man

And we'll return into the sky

Until we die

Until we die

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Till we die

Live together, yeah,

Learning to live together

Till we die

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Till we die

Hum...Oh...

Ah... hum...

Until we die

Until we die

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

Learning to live together

To live together...

To live together...

To live together

Day 364. Vinyl Man (No Longer Available)

What I'm about to write is definitely not what I intended for today, but inspiration comes upon you at the drop of the hat so one must me open!

Back in my U of IL college days, yes, indeed, I was a freshman in 1983(!), I brought my entire record collection to school.  It was massive and grew much more massive through those years as I would spend any extra money I had at the wonderful and dingy "Record Swap" on Green Street   (and Record Service across the street).  Record Swap was the epitome of Indie and used records.  You would walk up this old flight of stairs to fluorescent music euphoria. It had that old book/cardboard smell. If you have the time, read this GREAT 2-part story on the store's glory days (part two having some fantastic memories of former employees).  Record Swap - The History of a Local Legend.

So loyal was my heart to dropping the needle down on a black, spinning disk, that when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Live 1975-1985 (5 LP BOX SET)" came out at the height of Springsteen's popularity, I went with the albums.  Now, mind you, that was pretty pricey at that time, and I had to make the right choice.  CD's were still in their infancy, and touted for their far superior sound quality.  However, I remember telling a friend at the time that I "didn't want to be a CD slut" so I went with the classic choice!  Now, of course, everyone says CDs are dead and it's all about VINYL!  Of course, I still call them albums, which ages me without giving away my college going years.  Records I used to get for $2.97 now go for $100--crazy how the wheel, or should I say turntable, goes around. 

Now we're coming to the inspiration point.  O.K., so I share this love of vinyl music, not only with my husband, but with my high school friend, Donny as well, although he is the most aggressive collector of albums now.  I had mentioned Don Keeley back on Day 327 (Global Storms Are Breaking Us)  when he lost his home, except for one wall of albums, to a tornado that swept through Washington, IL.

Stay with me peeps!  His friend (who my friend Cindy and I met when all 4 of us went to a Black Crowe's concert) Todd Clanin, put on the following shindig, for Donny last night.  Can you imagine?  They told him his remaining wall was on fire to get him out to this impromptu Christmas party in the freezing cold night.  I told Donny that he was a modern-day George Bailey.  Look at what his friends did for him (click link below picture--it's great)!  Now THAT is showing the Christmas spirit!  It makes a person's heart grow three sizes!  Merry Christmas!  Here's a pic. of his intact house before we all headed off for the Black Crowes.

Click here:

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20131222/NEWS/131229782

UPDATE:  Here's another article on Don, approximately 14 months later, as he finally returns to his home address, now with a new home, but with his classic record collection in tow.
Peoria Journal Star - Don Keeley Returns Home.

The 5 Record set back in the day--one of my last, first-release album purchases.

"COVER ME" from that great set, which I originally had posted is no longer available I see.  Here's the "Born in the USA" version:

A sight from days gone by...!

 

Day 156. Chris Robinson - When Your Soul Is In It

 I went to see the Black Crowes on Tuesday night (today's Thursday) with three other good friends.   I've seen the BC's three times, and they never disappoint.  Chris wore a plain "RC Cola blue" colored t-shirt, raggedy jeans, grungy beard, and sweat.  Perfect attire for Georgia rockers who do just that--rock out.  I like REAL music.  Rock music with a blues base.  I guess that's why the Rolling Stones are my favorite of all time, and why these true, get-down and dirty dudes are right up there at the top of my list.

Here's my take of Chris in "She Talks to Angels." (I think if you could see the hair on the sides of the canvas he would look less Jesus-like.)  Following that is a shot of my desk after making the pic; the set list we heard; a GREAT version of that song from Youtube performed at the Artist's Den; and finally a couple of videos I shot at our concert.  Also, I was using my Canon camera to record, and because I can't stand looking through a viewfinder instead of looking at the experience happening right before my eyes, most of the time I'm just shooting my camera DOWN into the dark abyss of a seat.  It's doesn't matter. Just hit play, and rock out.

• 1. Under a Mountain Play Video
  2. Twice as Hard Play Video
  3. Sting Me Play Video
  4. Medicated Goo Play Video
     (Traffic cover)
  5. Only a Fool Play Video
  6. Ballad in Urgency Play Video
  7. Wiser Time Play Video
  8. She Talks to Angels Play Video
  9. The Garden Gate Play Video
  10. Soul Singing Play Video
  11. Remedy Play Video
  12. Thorn in My Pride Play Video
  13. Hard to Handle Play Video
      (Otis Redding cover)
  14. Hush Play Video
      (Billy Joe Royal cover)
  15. Encore:
  15. Feathers Play Video
  16. Shine Along Play Video
      
      

       The best version of "She Talks to Angels" from Youtube.  SUCH an incredible voice here:

      
      

      
      

       From our concert:

      
      
      
      
      
      

      
      

      
      

      
      

      Great Harmonica Action: