Is $12,000 a lot of money to you?
If you answer NO, you're an arrogant ass who doesn't know the value of a dollar, or what's going on in the United States economically.
For everyone else:
My entire life I've had hand me down cars. My all time favorite was a puke green Gremlin that constantly had problems. But, when it rode it was a blast to drive. Maybe it's because I was a teenager and just beginning to live, but man I long for that car.
Like 99.9% of people, I can't fix anything on a car. My father was a mechanic and he would help me with tune-ups, oil changes and brake replacement. In his later years, even he couldn't make out the workings of newfangled engines with their computer parts, emission thingies and all the other crap that goes into making the enviornment and passengers safer and more efficient.
In 1988 I bought the cheapest model Hyundai for $6000 and had it till I left Long Island in 1996. I sold it for $500 to a friend who was still driving it years later. It served me and him well.
2010 we've been driving an Oldsmobile Acheiva that Karen's mom gave us when her son bought her a new car in 2004. It has more then served us well, as we got it with 97,000 miles and it now has 169,000. But, it failed inspection and the mechanic that's been servicing it for all these years said it's not worth the money to fix. So, we're in the market for a new car.
We don't want to buy used because we don't want someone else's headaches. You just never know how the previous owner drove. For thousands of dollars you don't want a lemon. So, we want a new car. We want a car we can ruin on our own, without help from strangers.
This past Saturday we went from dealer to dealer and put this very simple question to each salesman "What is your cheapest car with air-conditioning, a CD player and automatic transmission". Basically the answer was the same $11000 when all is said and done. Taxes, and all the other WTF fees are not included yet. Hyundai still has the best warranties, but the biggest asshole salesmen around (that's a whole other post).
Can you believe at some dealerships, if you go with the most basic model of their base car, you do not get a radio? Now a base model is still $10,000 and for that you're not worthy of a radio. That's ridiculous and WRONG. But, that's not the kicker.
So what do 99% of new car dealers have in common?
If you're only willing to spend $11,000 you will not get ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. How fucked up is that?
Even people who don't know about cars, know the safety of Anti-Lock brakes. This is your SAFETY. This helps keep you alive. It's the most basic fundamental piece of equipment on any vehicle. It's proven to save lives. It's the #1 piece of equipment on your car. Hell, at EPCOT it's part of the TEST TRACK ride. Turning a corner with old-fashioned brakes where you skid or "Now lets try it using the ABS system" where you make the same smooth turn without the skid.
SHOULDN'T THIS BE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON EVERY CAR? This is common sense.
Fuck common sense, and fuck any consumer who buys a vehicle under $12000. Your safety means nothing to these car makers. Don't ever let them tell you otherwise. Safety is our chief concern! But, only if you buy a fully equipped car.
But, the shit that really gets my goat is; You can't just add ABS to a base system. It's a $2000 plus package that includes these other safety features "power windows and door locks". Really? I don't like power windows and doors.. I can roll down my own window, and unlock my door.
I am completely dumbfounded by this.
We ended up purchasing a Toyota Yaris, which surprisingly enough is the only base model car that has standard ABS.
Thank you Toyota for looking out for us lo-end buyers.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Musicianship 2010 and beyond (ew)
Musicianship/Songwriting/Arranging
I've never followed one style of music. I grew up listening to rock and swing via my mom, and my father who hailed from North Carolina was a country man. As each new style of music makes its way into mainstream, I'll give it a listen. A few styles I haven't taken a fascination with are hardcore death metal/punk and rap/hip hop has been lame to me since the late 80s. That doesn't mean there aren't songs which I think are great, but on a whole for me there isn't much there.
I've always had a fancy for female vocalists, and if they write their own songs it's a major plus. Right now the two I'm hooked on are Shelby Lynne and Miranda Lambert. Lynne has one of the purest voices I've heard in years, and Lambert's latest album Revolution is great song after great song done by an artist really coming into her prime. This album rightfully won album of the year at the CMA awards. It's fabulous.
But, that's not what this post is about. It's about the art of music.
The 60s really started the revolution of "you don't have to be a great player to make a record", and that's a wonderful thing. Because Les Paul would rip the guitar from my hands, and cut them off saying "You think I invented this for that?". But, I'm told I can write a decent song. The 70s brought punk which meant you barely had to know three chords, and rap showed you just had to be able to steal someone else's riff and talk over it to have a hit. Literally you don't have to know anything about music to record anymore.
The majority of people nowadays won't go back into music's catalog and listen to anything recorded before they were born. So, the vast majority of people have no idea what great musicianship is all about. This past weekend I bought a bunch of used Roy Clark albums. Anyone who has seen Hee Haw knows the man can play any stringed instrument with the ease of spreading warm butter on bread. But, how many people nowadays even know who he is? Who even cares? I know I do. As I listen to the music, I'm not just impressed by the songs, but by the instrumentation that's taking place. These guys can play. I love hearing music where I get angry because the craft of the artist is so intense and perfect that no one else could ever duplicate it. Jimmy Page and Zeppelin are a prime example. No one can touch them for sheer musicianship. Then add on top Page's production value and artistry, and its almost incomprehensible how he did it. If it was black magic, I bow to the master.
The last band that I've heard where I was impressed by a musician was Rilo Kiley. Blake is a great original guitarist, but he's not even close to a master. He and the band put together great riffs and excellent songs.
The last band that had true master musicians (that I know of) was Nickel Creek. This trio know their instruments from the inside out. Unfortunately they don't know how to write a great memorable song. Chris Thile the mandolin player was part of Dolly Parton's bluegrass band and when he played you noticed. Fucking phenomenal is about all you can say about his playing. He stood out on Dolly's master songwriting craft (Dolly does not get the credit she deserves for being a master singer/songwriter)
Unfortunately the art of musicianship is rarely seen anymore. On the few occasions it pops its head up, no one cares. Honestly, how sad is it that being a great musician doesn't matter in music? Hell, being a musician in music doesn't matter anymore. There's literally computer techs making money on music.
Effects have taken the place of learning progressions and arranging. Overdubs have removed the skill of knowing what you're doing before hitting the record button. It's too easy to record nowadays, and it's made finding worth whlle music difficult.
While they are not my favorite bands, I enjoyed and appreciated the music of prog rock bands like ELP and YES. They knew how to play their instruments, and they knew how to write a good song.
The masses have literally been listening and purchasing crap for too many years. I turn up the volume loud nowadays in hopes that by the time I'm 70 I'll be completely deaf, because music keeps heading in a terrible direction.
If you're a young student of music. Learn your instrument. Impress everyone around you with your knowledge of your chosen instrument. Don't settle, be the best you can be. Make me jealous. I want to hate you for the talent you possess that I never will.
I've never followed one style of music. I grew up listening to rock and swing via my mom, and my father who hailed from North Carolina was a country man. As each new style of music makes its way into mainstream, I'll give it a listen. A few styles I haven't taken a fascination with are hardcore death metal/punk and rap/hip hop has been lame to me since the late 80s. That doesn't mean there aren't songs which I think are great, but on a whole for me there isn't much there.
I've always had a fancy for female vocalists, and if they write their own songs it's a major plus. Right now the two I'm hooked on are Shelby Lynne and Miranda Lambert. Lynne has one of the purest voices I've heard in years, and Lambert's latest album Revolution is great song after great song done by an artist really coming into her prime. This album rightfully won album of the year at the CMA awards. It's fabulous.
But, that's not what this post is about. It's about the art of music.
The 60s really started the revolution of "you don't have to be a great player to make a record", and that's a wonderful thing. Because Les Paul would rip the guitar from my hands, and cut them off saying "You think I invented this for that?". But, I'm told I can write a decent song. The 70s brought punk which meant you barely had to know three chords, and rap showed you just had to be able to steal someone else's riff and talk over it to have a hit. Literally you don't have to know anything about music to record anymore.
The majority of people nowadays won't go back into music's catalog and listen to anything recorded before they were born. So, the vast majority of people have no idea what great musicianship is all about. This past weekend I bought a bunch of used Roy Clark albums. Anyone who has seen Hee Haw knows the man can play any stringed instrument with the ease of spreading warm butter on bread. But, how many people nowadays even know who he is? Who even cares? I know I do. As I listen to the music, I'm not just impressed by the songs, but by the instrumentation that's taking place. These guys can play. I love hearing music where I get angry because the craft of the artist is so intense and perfect that no one else could ever duplicate it. Jimmy Page and Zeppelin are a prime example. No one can touch them for sheer musicianship. Then add on top Page's production value and artistry, and its almost incomprehensible how he did it. If it was black magic, I bow to the master.
The last band that I've heard where I was impressed by a musician was Rilo Kiley. Blake is a great original guitarist, but he's not even close to a master. He and the band put together great riffs and excellent songs.
The last band that had true master musicians (that I know of) was Nickel Creek. This trio know their instruments from the inside out. Unfortunately they don't know how to write a great memorable song. Chris Thile the mandolin player was part of Dolly Parton's bluegrass band and when he played you noticed. Fucking phenomenal is about all you can say about his playing. He stood out on Dolly's master songwriting craft (Dolly does not get the credit she deserves for being a master singer/songwriter)
Unfortunately the art of musicianship is rarely seen anymore. On the few occasions it pops its head up, no one cares. Honestly, how sad is it that being a great musician doesn't matter in music? Hell, being a musician in music doesn't matter anymore. There's literally computer techs making money on music.
Effects have taken the place of learning progressions and arranging. Overdubs have removed the skill of knowing what you're doing before hitting the record button. It's too easy to record nowadays, and it's made finding worth whlle music difficult.
While they are not my favorite bands, I enjoyed and appreciated the music of prog rock bands like ELP and YES. They knew how to play their instruments, and they knew how to write a good song.
The masses have literally been listening and purchasing crap for too many years. I turn up the volume loud nowadays in hopes that by the time I'm 70 I'll be completely deaf, because music keeps heading in a terrible direction.
If you're a young student of music. Learn your instrument. Impress everyone around you with your knowledge of your chosen instrument. Don't settle, be the best you can be. Make me jealous. I want to hate you for the talent you possess that I never will.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Johnny Thunders & Courtney Love
Growing up on Long Island we went flea marketing each week at either Huntington or Bay Shore. Both were located in Drive In facilities. My quest each week was vinyl.
I usually paid 25 or 50 cents per album. The way I chose most of the time was by interesting album cover. Some I bought this way were Iggy Pop's Raw Power, Suzi Quatro's first two albums, and my all time favorite The New York Dolls. This album started me on a love affair that lasts to this day. My Dolls album is a promo. I bet I could get at least a buck for it now. : )
Anyway, I love me the Dolls. But, more importantly I worship Johnny Thunders. He was the first and the best. I've seen so many wannabes try to copy his style, and they all fall flat. No one who wears his Peggy Bundy hairstyle looks as good. No one who tries his swagger moves as well. Johnny is sorely missed in the 21st century. But life goes on... just not as much fun. He'd hate what New York City has become. Shows end now hours before he'd even get to a club.
Johnny also near the end of his life, formed a band that kept him as straight as he could be. They were a unit, but not in the way the Heartbreakers were. The Heartbreakers were sloppy, raw and magnificent. Johnny would ramble to the audience, cuss them, and then play half a brilliant song. They were magnificent to see, because you never knew what you were going to get. The unit which I believe were the Oddballs, played a specific set, and Johnny showcased his songs. His patter was down, his eyes were open. He was great as he always was, but the showmanship (and drug use) were down.
Which brings me to Hole and Courtney Love. Scratch that Courtney Michelle.
Courtney like Johnny recorded great albums. Each are limited in their vocal ability. Okay, lets be honest, neither are great singers. But, what they do, they do to the hilt, and they do it their way. God Bless them for that.
April 27, 2010 I went to Terminal 5 in NYC to see the re-mergence of Hole starring Courtney Michelle. This is Courtney and the Oddballs. There was no running, jumping, cussing the audience. Just Courtney standing in front of the mic singing her songs. She barely moved her feet, but to position them in an ever so cutesy pose. This was cute, adorable and professional Courtney. She must need the money bad.
I enjoyed the show, as did the audience. They listened to the new songs "Letter to God" is my favorite. As a matter of fact, she performed most of my faves from the new disc. Courtney knows the meaning of putting your best songs forward. She wants that big perfect pop song and she's done it with "Boys on the Radio", "Sunset Blvd" and now "Pacific Coast Highway". But, the audience went nuts over the early material.
What was missing is trouble-maker Courtney. When I saw her years ago at The Bowery Ballroom, she was all over the place. For the most part she sang while being crowd surfed. I remember leaving that performance and thinking, she's the female equivalent of Johnny Thunders. Oh how bad we need someone to fill his shoes. That Courtney show was incredible. This Hole show was very good.
Courtney needs to allow the entertainer to entertain. Drugs don't make you feel and react to the music, the music does. She has great songs, and a natural outgoing personality. Free it up, let it fly.
I'm looking forward to the Wellmont show late in June. I want to see if she's a little more Love then Michelle.
I usually paid 25 or 50 cents per album. The way I chose most of the time was by interesting album cover. Some I bought this way were Iggy Pop's Raw Power, Suzi Quatro's first two albums, and my all time favorite The New York Dolls. This album started me on a love affair that lasts to this day. My Dolls album is a promo. I bet I could get at least a buck for it now. : )
Anyway, I love me the Dolls. But, more importantly I worship Johnny Thunders. He was the first and the best. I've seen so many wannabes try to copy his style, and they all fall flat. No one who wears his Peggy Bundy hairstyle looks as good. No one who tries his swagger moves as well. Johnny is sorely missed in the 21st century. But life goes on... just not as much fun. He'd hate what New York City has become. Shows end now hours before he'd even get to a club.
Johnny also near the end of his life, formed a band that kept him as straight as he could be. They were a unit, but not in the way the Heartbreakers were. The Heartbreakers were sloppy, raw and magnificent. Johnny would ramble to the audience, cuss them, and then play half a brilliant song. They were magnificent to see, because you never knew what you were going to get. The unit which I believe were the Oddballs, played a specific set, and Johnny showcased his songs. His patter was down, his eyes were open. He was great as he always was, but the showmanship (and drug use) were down.
Which brings me to Hole and Courtney Love. Scratch that Courtney Michelle.
Courtney like Johnny recorded great albums. Each are limited in their vocal ability. Okay, lets be honest, neither are great singers. But, what they do, they do to the hilt, and they do it their way. God Bless them for that.
April 27, 2010 I went to Terminal 5 in NYC to see the re-mergence of Hole starring Courtney Michelle. This is Courtney and the Oddballs. There was no running, jumping, cussing the audience. Just Courtney standing in front of the mic singing her songs. She barely moved her feet, but to position them in an ever so cutesy pose. This was cute, adorable and professional Courtney. She must need the money bad.
I enjoyed the show, as did the audience. They listened to the new songs "Letter to God" is my favorite. As a matter of fact, she performed most of my faves from the new disc. Courtney knows the meaning of putting your best songs forward. She wants that big perfect pop song and she's done it with "Boys on the Radio", "Sunset Blvd" and now "Pacific Coast Highway". But, the audience went nuts over the early material.
What was missing is trouble-maker Courtney. When I saw her years ago at The Bowery Ballroom, she was all over the place. For the most part she sang while being crowd surfed. I remember leaving that performance and thinking, she's the female equivalent of Johnny Thunders. Oh how bad we need someone to fill his shoes. That Courtney show was incredible. This Hole show was very good.
Courtney needs to allow the entertainer to entertain. Drugs don't make you feel and react to the music, the music does. She has great songs, and a natural outgoing personality. Free it up, let it fly.
I'm looking forward to the Wellmont show late in June. I want to see if she's a little more Love then Michelle.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Howdy
My name is George Snow. I'm a musician, film-maker, magician, and I work a regular day job to make money. Damn. But, above all these artistic endeavors I'm an entertainment lover. I love movies, especially 30s and 40s. I love the Yankees since I was a kid. My mom was a devote follower since she was a child. But, above all of these there's going to concerts. I've been to countless, my first was Led Zeppelin opening night back in 1977 MSG. What an incredible show. I was hooked. My last for now was Hole last night at Terminal 5. Good show, but Courtney... Well I'll blog about that later.
This is my blog. My spelling is pretty good. My punctuation sucks, so get used to it.
I'll be ranting and raving a lot. Because that's just the kind of guy I am. But, mostly I'll talk about entertainment, and rooting for the YANKEES!
Oh and entertainme MF!!
This is my blog. My spelling is pretty good. My punctuation sucks, so get used to it.
I'll be ranting and raving a lot. Because that's just the kind of guy I am. But, mostly I'll talk about entertainment, and rooting for the YANKEES!
Oh and entertainme MF!!
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