epiphany

I had an epiphany last night at a CSN concert at Red Rocks. All the great rocks songs were written in the 60s about Patti Boyd/Harrison/Clapton. In the 70's it was Joni Mitchell. Then what happened?

Where are the muses now?

a life well lived

So, I was commenting to a friend how I am pretty much over concerts. How much I hate the entire concert industry. How I hate $40 parking, $7 beers, and $125 tickets. I still love the music, but it just isn't worth the trouble anymore. I go about once a year. I mean, I can't just stop all concerts. I live in the same town as Red Rocks. I got to see Van Morrison play Red Rocks. I mean... holy shit!

So, I was thinking about the shows I have seen. This is my 27th year of going to concerts (am 37 now, saw the Police farewell tour when I was 10). This is the stuff I have gotten to see with my own eyes over the years. Some, more than others.

Ø Tom Petty sing Free Falling
Ø Bruce Springsteen sing Born to Run
Ø Levon Helm sing the Weight
Ø Robert Plant sing Going to California
Ø Allman Brothers sing Blue Sky
Ø Eric Clapton sing Layla
Ø James Taylor sing Fire and Rain
Ø Paul McCartney sing the Boxer
Ø Grateful Dead sing Touch of Grey
Ø Crosby, Still, and Nash sing Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Ø Tom Waits sing Ole’ 55
Ø Tool sing Sober
Ø Snoop Dog sing Gin and Juice
Ø U2 sing Beautiful Day
Ø Van Morrison sing Moondance
Ø John Prine sing Sam Stone
Ø Tracy Chapman sing Fast Car
Ø Toad the Wet Sprocket sing Walk on the Ocean
Ø Steely Dan sing Aja
Ø The Police sing Every Breath you Take
Ø Rush sing Closer to the Heart
Ø Spinal Tap sing Big Bottom
Ø Janes’ Addiction sing Jane Says
Ø Red Hot Chili Peppers sing Under the Bridge
Ø Nirvana sing Smells Like Teen Spirit
Ø Pearl Jam sing Alive
Ø Pink Floyd sing Comfortably Numb
Ø Ozzy Osbourne sing Crazy Train
Ø Metallica sing OneNeil Young sing After the Goldrush
Ø 10,000 Maniacs sing What’s the Matter Here
Ø Kid Rock sing Batiwidtaba
Ø Joe Cocker sing You are so Beautiful
Ø Don McClean sing American Pie
Ø Motley Crue sing Smoking in the Boys Room
Ø Jethro Tull sing Aqualung
Ø Iron Maiden sing Run to the Hills
Ø BB King sing When Love Comes to Town with U2
Ø Edie Brickell sing What I am
Ø Bob Dylan sing Times they are a Changing
Ø Ronnie James Dio sing Rainbow in the Dark
Ø Cake sing The Distance
Ø Butthole Surfers sing Pepper
Ø Brad sing ‘The Day Brings’
Ø Blues Traveler sing But Anyway
Ø Big Head Todd sing Bittersweet
Ø Beastie Boys sing Sabotage
Ø Barenaked Ladies sing Brian Wilson
Ø Bad Brains sing Sacred Love
Ø Ac/Dc sing Back in Black

* you may notice those seem slightly alphabetic. True, I used my iPod to coax my memory.

So, who have I missed? What do I regret? I never got to see Guns & Roses, Johnny Cash, or John Lee Hooker. Those omissions bum me out.

Ed Force One > Iron Maiden Flight 666

I am watching the new Iron Maiden rockumentary, Flight 666. It's awesome. Let's start with the disc set itself. It's onsale at present at Best Buy and Amazon for $12. I chose Best Buy, so I wouldn't have to wait in the mail, nor pay shipping. The Dvd set is laid out beatifully. It is a booklet style set. It opens to a beautiful and detailed 23 page booklet and two discs. The first one is the movie documentary, and the second is a live concert set from said tour. I serious value for $12.

In the states, the movie was played on VH1 before it was released. I didn't want to watch it censored, cut up, and broadcast in mere stereo. I want the full Maiden experience, so I held out until today for the proper release. A wise decision.

So, the movie is the story of legendary British band Iron Maiden's most recent world tour. They were on a greatest hits tour to celebrate 25 years since 'Somewhere in Time'. I was at that tour, too. To be fair, every Maiden show I have seen (and it's a bunch) have all been 'greatest hits'. They never disappoint live, and have only gotten better. They are one of the most important, and still relevant bands still operating. This is why, after more than 30 years in the business, they are still filling soccer and football stadiums.

What makes the movie, then? Well, there has never been proper Iron Maiden documentary. Now, if you are hardcore, you know the featurettes of the last two Maiden DVDs 'Early Years' and 'Live After Death'. Those were more a cursory look at all the zillions of people who have been in the band before they got famous. The line up since then has been remarkably unchanged in 20 years. This film is more about 'a day in the life' sort of perspective. What is it to hang out with these guys and have this as your day job.

There is also some other cool aspects. Like Zeppelin, and not many others, they have chartered their own jumbo jet for the tour. It gets better. Way better. First off, the plane is badged all over with Iron Maiden iconography. See here. Second > it's called 'Ed Force One'. Third > the pilot is the band's lead singer Bruce Dickinson. Yes, it is good to be Maiden. The documentary is peppered with live material from nearly each stop. This live material is what comprises the second disc of just live concert material.

To me, the live material is hit and miss until you get to 'Number of the Beast' at the LA Forum. That song demonstrates well how beautiful and powerful and fucking awesome they are live.

The film was played around the world in movie theaters back in April. For some reason, it didn't play in America. You know, if it had, though, it would have cost $10 a ticket. Now, for $12, you own the whole experience... and and extra concert disc. A good investment.

Up the Irons!