Long-Haired Hippie Music
Yep, I was a commune living hippie back in the 70's. And as time has rolled on, I am finding very little to like about today's modern music. Ack, I'm repeating the mantra of my parent's generation when they made fun of the Beatles, those "long-haired hippies."
Now it is my turn. I've been exploring some older music and trying to find some new music I like and I have opinions about them all.
Ex-Hippie's Table of Contents
- Who is Ritchie Blackmore?
- Listen to Some of my Favorite Deep Purple Songs
- Links to Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore websites
- Great Deep Purple Stuff on Amazon
- The Music of Woodstock
- Remembering Woodstock at YouTube
- Interesting Woodstock Websites
- Woodstock Stuff on Amazon
- Ex-Hippie Goes Country?
- More information on Trace Adkins
- My Favorite Trace Adkins You-Tube vids
- Trace Adkins products at Amazon
- "You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant."
- Arlo Guthrie Sites to Visit
- Listen to Arlo on You-Tube
- Get Your Arlo Guthrie items at Amazon
- The Beatles Forever
- Get a Real Abbey Road Poster from All-Posters.com
- YouTube Beatle samples
- Beatles Memorabilia on E-Bay
- Beatles Music on Amazon
- Great Places to Visit on the Web
- Blown Away by Concert for George
- You-Tube Selections from Concert for George
- Concert for George DVD
- New Guestbook
Who is Ritchie Blackmore?
I tend to come at things backwards at times. For example, when I pick up a magazine, I start reading it from back to front. So it was that I found out about the band, Deep Purple.Several years ago my husband became excited about the music of a renaissance group called Blackmore's Night. He told me that it had been started by Ritchie Blackmore and his partner, Candice Night. "And who is Ritchie Blackmore?" I asked. Dumbfounded, he said, "Have you ever heard of the group Deep Purple? Ritchie was the lead guitarist"
Okay, I admit, I was only aware of a few of their songs. I used to dance to "Hush" at high school dances. We also had a friend who played in a band and had to learn the guitar riff for "Smoke on a Water," which he said was very difficult. At the time Deep Purple was popular, I was more likely listening to the Carpenters, Carole King, and James Taylor. So I began to educate myself and soon became a Deep Purple fan (better late than never, right?)
According to Wikipedia, Blackmore was 11 when he got his first guitar. He took classical guitar lessons for a year, which often shows up in his playing. He was influenced in his youth by early rockers like Hank Marvin and Gene Vincent, and later, country pickers like Chet Atkins. With organist Jon Lord, he co-founded Deep Purple in 1968, and continued to be a member of Deep Purple from 1968-1975 and again from 1984-1993. Blackmore came up with the name of the group, named after his grandmother's favorite song.
My husband introduced me to some Deep Purple classics that simply blew me away. Songs like "Child in Time," "Black Night," and "Demon's Eye," And several years ago, we saw Ritchie in person with his Blackmore's Night group. They ended the show by playing some of the Deep Purple classics such as "Smoke on the Water". That was an incredible experience.
"Child in Time" was featured on their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock, The song is 10 minutes and 17 seconds long. "Black Night" was created when the group went to a pub and got drunk while searching for inspiration. The guitar riff was based on Ricky Nelson's recording of "Summertime."
Smoke on the Water was first released on the 1972 album Machine Head. In 2004, the song was ranked #426 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and in March 2005, Q magazine placed "Smoke on the Water" at number 12 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. Most people are familiar with the story of the fire at Montreux Casino in Switzerland which was the inspiration for the song.
So now I am a fan of both groups, and I'll talk more about Blackmore's Night in my next post.
Photo of Ritchie Blackmore from the Blackmores' Night Official Website.
Listen to Some of my Favorite Deep Purple Songs
Links to Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore websites
- More Black than Purple
- The Ultimate Ritchie Blackmore Magazine
- Deep Purple Offical Website
- The Official Deep Purple website is the best place for news, tour dates, tickets, VIP packages, interactive forums and information about the band.
- Deep Purple - Wikipedia
- Deep Purple : Rolling Stone
- Rolling Stone gives you total Deep Purple coverage including free music, videos, photos, music news and exclusive Rolling Stone articles.
- The Official Ritchie Blackmore and Blackmores Night Website
- Find out more about Ritche Blackmore and Blackmore's Night
Great Deep Purple Stuff on Amazon
The Very Best of Deep Purple
A great collection of hits from Deep Purple
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Machine Head
Amazon Price: $6.97 (as of 09/07/2008)
In Rock: 25th Anniversary (UK)
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Deep Purple - Come Hell Or High Water
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Black Knight: Ritchie Blackmore
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
The Music of Woodstock
I was still in high school when Woodstock happened in 1969, and I would have been too scared to participate at that time in my life anyway. But I've watched the video many times and feel like I was there in spirit. Some great songs were sung at that hippie love-in. Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the 50 Moments that Changed the History of Rock and Roll.There is much written about the actual event, so I won't go into that here. It was definitely a moment in time that can never be repeated. I've included some links to other sites that give the history of Woodstock and some personal stories of those that attended. It is definitely worth reading. You will notice on the You-Tube comments that many people bemoan the fact that they were born too late to be a part of the 60's generation.
But what I want to focus on are some of the songs that were sung at Woodstock. There is Soul Sacrifice by Santana, White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane (one of my personal favorites), and Try by Janis Joplin, who was dead by drug overdose 14 months after Woodstock.
The first time I ever used the F...word was in college singing the anti-war protest song by Country Joe McDonald "I Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag".."One, Two, Three, What are we fighting for?"
I had several Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young albums in college as well. I really like "See Me Feel Me" by the Who. My other favorites include Joan Baez, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. And of course, Arlo Guthrie was there. Joni Mitchell wrote the song that became the theme song for the whole Woodstock event and I've included her version in the You-Tube selections.
Remembering Woodstock at YouTube
Take a look at some of my favorites
Interesting Woodstock Websites
- 1969 Woodstock Festival & Concert
- A collection of Woodstock Facts, Figures, Stories, Photos, Current Happenings, Memorabilia, Links, and Assorted Tidbits. Assembled to give you a clearer picture of an event that reshaped Music and Society.
- Woodstock in 1969 : Rolling Stone
- Rolling Stone's 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll.
- Woodstock 69 Revisted by Glenn Weiser
- Woodstock 69 site with stories, photos, and highlights from the 1969 program guide
Woodstock Stuff on Amazon
If you don't get anything else, be sure to have a copy of the Woodstock movie.
Woodstock - 3 Days of Peace & Music (The Director's Cut)
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More
Amazon Price: $38.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Woodstock '69 Festival - 3 Days of Peace and Music
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
Woodstock Poster T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
Ex-Hippie Goes Country?
Several months ago I gave a group of my friends this challenge. "Find me something from this era of music that I like. Criteria, it must have a melody you can sing or hum to, the words have to mean something, and an extra bonus would be if there was some kind of harmony or great guitar riff or organ solo." I also clarified that I did not like anything country.
Well they gave it a good try, but after reviewing dozens of their suggestions, I was still no closer to finding a contemporary artist that I could totally embrace. So it is with some embarrassment that I tell you that I have become a fan of Trace Adkins, the country star.
That strange happening came about from watching the Celebrity Apprentice. Week after week I have watched the show, and have come to admire his strong, quiet, and ethical approach. He doesn't say much, but when he does it has meaning. Because of his daughter's severe food allergies, he is there to raise money for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. My heart was in my throat when he was almost eliminated after losing the last task.
So it came about that I have come to be a Trace Adkins supporter, having never listened to a single one of his songs. I figured it was time the Ex-hippie checked him out. I surfed through some songs at You-Tube, and found that most still had the "drowning in my beer" quality that turns me off to most country music.
I did find a few clips that I really enjoyed. I have to agree that Trace has an incredible baritone voice and his performance of the Star Spangled Banner was probably the best I have ever heard. And you could tell he believed in it rather than just singing the words. The song, "Arlington" is also very moving. It is told from the perspective of a soldier who has been buried at Arlington after serving his country.
The song I liked best was "I Got My Game On," I think it would have been hilarious if Trace had started singing this to Piers Morgan when it was announced they would be facing off in the finale.
So I doubt I will ever go to a Trace Adkins concert, but I will perk up my ears and listen when I hear that distinctive voice. Maybe we can get him to do some cross-over songs.....how about Trace Adkins singing "House of the Rising Son?"
Well they gave it a good try, but after reviewing dozens of their suggestions, I was still no closer to finding a contemporary artist that I could totally embrace. So it is with some embarrassment that I tell you that I have become a fan of Trace Adkins, the country star.
That strange happening came about from watching the Celebrity Apprentice. Week after week I have watched the show, and have come to admire his strong, quiet, and ethical approach. He doesn't say much, but when he does it has meaning. Because of his daughter's severe food allergies, he is there to raise money for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. My heart was in my throat when he was almost eliminated after losing the last task.
So it came about that I have come to be a Trace Adkins supporter, having never listened to a single one of his songs. I figured it was time the Ex-hippie checked him out. I surfed through some songs at You-Tube, and found that most still had the "drowning in my beer" quality that turns me off to most country music.
I did find a few clips that I really enjoyed. I have to agree that Trace has an incredible baritone voice and his performance of the Star Spangled Banner was probably the best I have ever heard. And you could tell he believed in it rather than just singing the words. The song, "Arlington" is also very moving. It is told from the perspective of a soldier who has been buried at Arlington after serving his country.
The song I liked best was "I Got My Game On," I think it would have been hilarious if Trace had started singing this to Piers Morgan when it was announced they would be facing off in the finale.
So I doubt I will ever go to a Trace Adkins concert, but I will perk up my ears and listen when I hear that distinctive voice. Maybe we can get him to do some cross-over songs.....how about Trace Adkins singing "House of the Rising Son?"
More information on Trace Adkins
- Wikipedia - Trace Adkins
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_Adkins
- Trace Adkins Official Website
- The Official Website including a fan forum
My Favorite Trace Adkins You-Tube vids
Trace Adkins products at Amazon
I can only recommend a few, but if you are a true country fan, you might want to stock up. He has also written an autobiographical book.
A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 09/07/2008)
Trace Adkins - Dangerous Man 2007 Wall Calendar
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. II
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Trace Adkins: Greatest Video Hits
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
"You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant."
I am a huge Arlo Guthrie fan. When Alice's Restaurant Massacree came out in 1967, I was hooked. I was a peace activist in those days, so I really related to his message. The movie came out in 1969. I am absolutely amazed at how many young people today have never heard of the movie or the song. So telling someone to sing a bar of Alice's Restaurant when they are fed up with the system, makes no sense to them.In the late 60's and early 70's, we were bombarded every day with the images from the Vietnam war. We were either being drafted or had friends that were being drafted. Those were scary times. And Arlo was one of the voices speaking out against the madness. Alice's Restaurant made a commentary about bureaucracy that expressed what many of us were feeling. This true story of his life was at the same time funny and entertaining as well as poignant.
My husband and I refer to this movie/song many times during our lives. If we feel the need to prove something, we talk about the "8-by-10 color glossy pictures with the circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was." When we feel as though people are judging us for our religious beliefs or the way we live, we talk about being sent to the "Group W bench," which is also kind of ironic since our last name begins with W. And don't get us started; we love to break into "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant," at a moment's notice.
Arlo, the son of Woody Guthrie, is still performing today, along with several of his children. I was fortunate to see him perform in California several years ago. It is an experience that I treasure because of the memories. I also enjoy his humorous commentaries. He was particularly funny when explaining how all the "good" lyrics seem to float by him to Bob Dylan, while he ended up with lyrics such as "I don't want a pickle, just want to ride my motorcycle." (The Motorcycle Song)
""The choice is ours to ignore or to serve; to fight or befriend; to fear or to love." Arlo Guthrie"
Arlo Guthrie Sites to Visit
Just a few sites with Arlo information
- The Official Arlo Guthrie Website
- This is Arlo's official website. Be sure to drop into the Forum where you can mingle with his fans. From time to time Arlo drops by.
- Rising Son Records
- Arlo's band website. Here you can see some of Mrs. G's "Homegrown Videos."
- Arlo Guthrie Official MySpace Page
- Arlo singing "In Times Like These" in the background
Listen to Arlo on You-Tube
If you've never heard Alice's Restaurant, you can see Arlo perform it on You-Tube. Warning, it is over 18 min. long. If you want to get nostalgic, listen to all the clips, including one from the Muppet Show
Get Your Arlo Guthrie items at Amazon
If you don't have the movie version of Alice's Restaurant, you have to add it to your collection. It is a classic.
In Times Like These
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Arlo Guthrie Greatest Hits
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Live In Sydney
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Alice's Restaurant
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Alice's Restaurant
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
The Beatles Forever
Yes, I was a screaming fan
I was in my early teens when the Beatles became popular in America. My parents did not have a TV, so I remember watching the Ed Sullivan show through the window of a local restaurant. We all had favorites; John was mine. Some of my friends preferred the Dave Clark Five and Herman's Hermits, but I was a die-hard Beatle fan. The first thing on my Christmas or birthday wish list was their latest album or 45 record. Most of you probably don't remember the old hi-fi record players. You could put a stack of 10 or so 45's on them and amazingly, when one song was done, the next record would fall down. The things they come up with these days.I took a lot of teasing from my parent's generation about this obsession of mine. Comments from "All they do is sing, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," to "When are they going to get a haircut?" Looking back, their haircuts were pretty tame!
But it was their music that captured my heart the most. I've tried to list my favorite songs, but they change every day, depending upon my mood. When I get really nostalgic, I like to turn on an oldies station and listen to:
I Saw Her Standing There
Twist And Shout.
She Loves You.
All My Loving.
I Want to Hold Your Hand.
Can't Buy Me Love
Then there is " Here Comes the Sun" - from The Abbey Road album. I played this at my first wedding, along with "Because" well just because I liked the words.
The great thing about Beatles' songs is that you usually know all the words and can sing along. They are also timeless. Several years ago I was on jury duty on a very strange case. Because the man was accused and convicted of attempted murder by hitting a woman over the head with a claw hammer, I call it my "Maxwell Silver's Hammer" case.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down on her head.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead.
I also have a lot of fun singing "Octopus's Garden" when I'm feeling silly. Now that I'm getting older, "Will you still love me, when I'm 64?" makes a lot more sense. When I'm feeling quiet and thoughtful, I might play "Let it Be" or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Then, of course, there is
see more crazy cat pics
I guess the rumors of Paul's death were true since there are only 3 "tabbies" crossing the road!
I was not happy when the Beatles broke up. In my young mind, it just didn't make sense. I didn't blame anyone in particular, but I've always felt that none of them have achieved in their solo careers what they accomplished together.
I would love to attend "Love", a theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which combines the re-produced and re-imagined music of The Beatles with an interpretive, circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance. It's on my To Do list.
Get a Real Abbey Road Poster from All-Posters.com
"What excuses do you have for your collar length hair?
John: Well, it just grows out yer head"
YouTube Beatle samples
Just a few clips to get you in the mood
Beatles Memorabilia on E-Bay
I wish I had kept all the Beatles Memorabilia I used to own. Start your own collection at E-Bay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Beatles Music on Amazon
Add some to your collection today
Abbey Road
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
![Revolver [UK]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510D51P8YKL._SL75_.jpg)
Revolver [UK]
Amazon Price: $13.97 (as of 09/07/2008)
Love
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
1962-1966 (The Red Album)
Amazon Price: $24.97 (as of 09/07/2008)
Let It Be
Amazon Price: $13.97 (as of 09/07/2008)
Great Places to Visit on the Web
- Concert For George Website
- More information from the Official Concert for George website
- The Official Beatles Website
- Plenty of information about all things Beatle related
- Granny Sage's Almanac
- GrannySage's blog. Learn more about this ex-hippie
Blown Away by Concert for George
I was wandering through Barnes and Noble one day, when I saw a Concert for George sitting on the video shelf. As a lifelong Beatle fan, I felt like it would be a good addition to my library. Little did I know how moved I would be watching it.On Nov 29th 2002, the one year anniversary of his death, George Harrison's friends got together to pay tribute to him. The first half of the concert is a special composition by his friend Ravi Shankar, played by Ravi's daughter, Anoushka, and an Indian orchestra. That is followed by a special selection of Monty Python skits which George enjoyed so much.
But my favorite part is the concert given by his friends, organized by Eric Clapton. The concert included many well known performers, such as Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, and Billy Preston. The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers set featured "Handle Me with Care" from George's Traveling Wilburys days.
The highlight for me was Sam Brown's bluesy rendition of "Horse to the Water," accompanied by Jools Holland on piano. Other great cuts include Eric Clapton singing "Beware of Darkness" and Clapton and McCartney on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
I wondered why Bob Dylan was not a part of this event. Wikipedia reports "Dylan, a friend of George's, could not attend "Concert for George" because of tour commitments in the US. So instead, roughly a week before the concert he played George's song "Something" as a tribute, at a concert of his at Madison Square Garden on 11th of November 2002"
George's son Dhani plays guitar throughout the concert, and was the co-writer for "Horse to the Water." Olivia, George's widow, tells Paul McCartney that with Dhani on stage it looks as though George stayed young and everyone else got older!
A Concert for George is another must for your music collection.
You-Tube Selections from Concert for George
Includes Sam Brown Singing Horse to the Water
Concert for George DVD
A Concert for George
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
The Traveling Wilburys Has Moved
One of my "new" favorite bands
In order to keep my lenses fresh and easy to use, I decided to give the Traveling Wilburys their own lens. Please check out The Ex-Hippie Recommends the Traveling Wilburys
New Guestbook
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katdaddy
Great Lens! "Tabby Road" cracked me up. I will check out your Traveling Wilburys site too. Posted April 06, 2008 |
Site Map
- Who is Ritchie Blackmore?
- Listen to Some of my Favorite Deep Purple Songs
- Links to Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore websites
- Great Deep Purple Stuff on Amazon
- The Music of Woodstock
- Remembering Woodstock at YouTube
- Interesting Woodstock Websites
- Woodstock Stuff on Amazon
- Ex-Hippie Goes Country?
- More information on Trace Adkins
- My Favorite Trace Adkins You-Tube vids
- Trace Adkins products at Amazon
- "You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant."
- Arlo Guthrie Sites to Visit
- Listen to Arlo on You-Tube
- Get Your Arlo Guthrie items at Amazon
- The Beatles Forever
- Get a Real Abbey Road Poster from All-Posters.com
- YouTube Beatle samples
- Beatles Memorabilia on E-Bay
- Beatles Music on Amazon
- Great Places to Visit on the Web
- Blown Away by Concert for George
- You-Tube Selections from Concert for George
- Concert for George DVD
- The Traveling Wilburys Has Moved
- New Guestbook
