If I Can Dream

In my opinion, no piece of anything to do with music is complete without even just a brief reference to the King. I'll try and keep it to one post, although I'm not too sure I'll be able to follow through with that. I'm referring of course to Mr Elvis Presley.  

I don't feel as though I need to do a detailed story of the life of Elvis, because I feel that's already more than well known, plus I would go on forever. So i'll skip through all of that and simply post my favourite song, and the story behind it.

If I Can Dream  was a song performed by Elvis, and as I may be contradicting myself posting my favourite "Elvis" song as a song not even written by himself, I couldn't help but fall in love when I watched Presley perform it during his '68 comeback special. 

After the first time of performing the song, it struck a chord with him, where he stated in an interview,  "I'm never going to sing another song I don't believe in. I'm never going to make another picture I don't believe in." 

A picture is it ever. Walter Earl Brown writes a track of such illusionary imagery, such a thought out, faithful portrayal of the beauty that surrounds us everyday, if we would just take the time to be at peace with one another.     

"We're lost in a cloud with too much rain
We're trapped in a world that's troubled with pain
But as long as a man has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly"

V.V

Sir Duke

Stepping away from the psychedelic era of music (don't worry, only temporarily), I've got to post about a musician who has inspired me in so many ways. His distinctive voice and unspeakable soul never fails to leave me amazed.

Stevie Wonder sets himself out from so many musicians and genres, and creates a sound that is entirely his own. Mixing a perfect blend of soul, jazz, pop and funk, its no surprise Stevie's a proud owner of twenty two Grammy awards (the most ever awarded to a male solo artist, might I add).

The song i'm choosing to post is not only my favourite, but I share very similar views to the lyrics in this song. Sir Duke was released in 1977. It was a tribute to the passing of Duke Ellington, an extremely influential jazz musician (If you have never heard a piece by Duke Ellington... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHRbEhLj540 ... you're welcome). A variety of soulful musicians are listed throughout the song, but it is so much more than that.

"Music is a world within itself 
With a language we all understand 
With an equal opportunity 
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands" 

The song describes music itself as so much more than just words poetically linked to a melody. He branches out towards such a fun, enjoyable meaning, and its in this song you can tell Stevie's passion for music, and what it really means to him.

V.V

Soul Kitchen

Soul Kitchen has definitely got to be my favourite The Doors songs. The melody is so fun and uplifting from the beginning to the end.

This song was featured on the Doors first album released in January of 1967. The tribute of the song is towards a restaurant called Olivia's  in Venice Beach, LA where Morrison often stayed for periods of time. It's said his frequent trips there were due to how the atmosphere reminded him of home.

From listening to the lyrics, one tends to try and twist and turn the lyrics into something of a deeper meaning...

"Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I'll wander baby
Stumblin' in the neon groves"


 ...when in all reality, he was literally just writing about his favourite restaurant. To make such a funky song out of something so simple, to me, takes a hell of a lot of talent.

V.V

Happiness is a Warm Gun

For my first post, I feel obligated to write about, what has to be my favourite song; Happiness is a Warm Gun by The Beatles.

     This song was written and performed by John Lennon and was featured on The White Album. According to Lennon, the name of the song was derived simply. One evening, George Martin showed Lennon a gun magazine. "I think he showed me a cover of a magazine that said 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun.' It was a gun magazine. I just thought it was a fantastic, insane thing to say. A warm gun means you just shot something." 


     He wrote the song in three entirely different sections, which explains the complexity of the melody itself. The imagery in the song is so surreal, and that level of creativeness is said to have come from when Lennon and Derek Taylor were both in the midsts of an acid trip while writing to opening lines. 


     The song has a unique sound with its frequent shifts in tempo, distorted guitar, and peculiar sayings ["A soap impression of his wife which he ate And donated to the National Trust"]. Very rarely, The Beatles would incorporate what is referred to as polyrhythm in their songs. This track is an example of that. 


     Paul McCartney and George Harrison both admit to it being their favourite song on The White Album, which was recorded during tense times among the band members. It was one thing that they could all finally agree on, which was that it was a truly spell bounding track. 



Happy Listening! 
V.V

Introduction

Hello Bloggers!

I am starting this blog as an assignment for my interactive marketing class. For this assignment, we got the opportunity of starting a blog of our choice. Vinyl Vibes was created when I wanted to incorperate my favourite music all in one place. The mission of Vinyl Vibes is not only to post music created by influential artists and bands, but to go further than that.

Compared to mainstream today, music from previous decades were written with so much more than just words. There was heart and soul put into every line, every verse. Each song tells a story of love, hurt, betrayl, illusion and imagination. Vinyl Vibes breaks down these artists, and the story behind songs they've produced.

I'm excited to start this blog, and for my own personal discovery to find out what was behind the creation of the greatest songs.

Happy blogging!

V.V

This is what I like to call, Vinyl Heaven.