I also like listening to a lot of other music such as house, dub (some), new wave, punk, grunge and some reggae. Needless to say, I prefer music from a certain era. In fact, I don't know if this has to do with age or not, but I have a really hard time understanding the lyrics in a lot of today's music. It almost sounds like they're just making crazy sounds. When my kids are around and if we're in the car, and they want to hear their music, I secretly wish they wouldn't ask. I really wouldn't mind listening to their stations (ok, yes I would), but barely understanding what they're saying in the song can be rather frustrating. So I usually make a deal--you can listen to your station on the way, and we'll listen to mine on the way back--or something on that order. But if I'm in a less than generous mood, I'll say "the driver gets to choose the station" or "no, I don't want to hear that". But truthfully it's really never a big deal because they actually enjoy old school music.
Today will be the first of a few posts where I will highlight some of my favorite female rockers. When I hear these songs, which I do quite frequently, I'm always transported back to high school. My best friend Sandrus and I loved our music and we would just sing and sing and sing, with San always adding harmony even if the song didn't include it. And now, the first profile is of one of our favorite groups.
First up:
Heart
The Wilson sisters were (are) simply awesome. When I first heard Magic Man and Crazy on You, I was hooked. They had the kind of energy that you'd rarely get from female musicians--strong and powerful, yet sweet and so melodic. Ann's voice was beautiful and boy did it soar. As for Nancy (who is also a very good vocalist and flutist), frankly, I think she's so underrated. I know I'm not the first to say this, but listening to her play was like listening to Led Zeppelin. She also reminded me of Tom Petty.
It's kind of funny, but the name of their band was really quite appropriate. The Wilsons were from San Francisco but the family relocated to Seattle after their dad retired from the Marines. A local band called The Army changed its name first to White Heart and then to Hocus Pocus in the early 70s after Ann joined. Soon after she began dating one of the band members, Mike Fisher. According to Wikipedia, Mike's brother Roger wanted to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War and fled to Canada. Mike, Ann, and Nancy later followed him there. Eventually, the Wilson sisters and the Fisher brothers were not only dating but formed a band, naming it Heart.
The first video is from a fairly recent performance (2012) of Straight On. This song is so funky, I really want to stop writing right now and go get my guitar (which I'm horrible at) and pretend to outplay Nancy.
Quite some time, I been sittin' it out
Didn't take no chances, I was a prisoner of doubt
I knocked down the wailin' wall, it ain't no sin
I, got, the feel of fortune, deal me in
And then there's the beautiful power ballad, These Dreams. This song still moves me. This video was produced for the song. If memory serves me correctly, the age of video was not kind to Heart primarily because Ann began to pick up weight and critics were not kind. It's too bad that great musicianship took a back seat to lip-synching, costumes. fancy sets and editing.
Spare a little candle
Save some light for me
Figures up ahead
Moving in the trees
White skin in linen
Perfume on my wrist
And the full moon that hangs over
These dreams in the midst
BONUS
I just had to add their performance of Barracuda at the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. These girls are just BAD!
Good post. I love music as well, and can listen to almost any kind of music, but most of my life my favorites were Classic Rock, Funk, Classic R&B, and especially any British Invasion Rock outside of The Beatles. They never did much for me. Now I find myself loving Classical and Jazz (except smooth jazz) more than anything. But I still love my British Invasion.
ReplyDeleteOur tastes in music are similar. I had to laugh when you said "except smooth jazz", my feelings too. Although some of my favorite pre-smooth jazz artists such as Ronnie Laws tend to get lumped in with the smooth jazzers like Kenny G. And no doubt the British Invasion was a force to be reckoned with. But no Beatles? Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThe Beatles were good, but I liked them the least of all the British bands. I'll take The Kinks, The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, etc...over them anyday. Also, I forgot to add House to the first post.
ReplyDeleteLOL...would you agree with me that the Stones are the best?
ReplyDeleteNot quite. I love the Stones and they def have the largest body of work, but I would give the edge to The Kinks. Stones would be a close second though.
ReplyDelete