Its my favorite thing in the world. Some people don't understand it. Everyone likes music... but few people can understand the greatness of it, you know? Like a good song comes on, and you're lost. It gives you the chills. These are people who understand that music isn't "a catchy beat you can dance to", it's this beautiful transfer of energy. This is why I can't stand top 40 pop music. People just like that because everyone else does and you can dance to it, but its mindless garbage. You have to find what kind of music speaks to you and moves you like nothing else. For me, that's rock music. Classic, grunge, jam bands, some folk, reggae, ska.. I love it all. But all of these overwhelming feelings I have about the music I love is MULTIPLIED when the music is seen live. Here, I wrote this right after I saw my favorite band live. http://jasovskybaby.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-in-line-to-see-show-tonight.html
But there is some live music that is so powerful that you don't need to have been there to understand how great it was!! Here are some of my FAVORITE live versions of songs, ever.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Don't Forget Me - Live at Slane Castle - 2003
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favorite band in the world. I love EVERYTHING about them. And this song, from Slane Castle in 2003, its seriously amazing. The song just swallows you as soon as it starts. And Chad, Flea, John, and Anthony were all SPOT ON that night. It's perfect.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge Live Acoustic - 1991
Ok so John Frusciante was INSANE during this, but Anthony was way flat haha. But I dont even care. This whole video I'm just like ohhh my gosh I want to BE there. They just look so peaceful and wrapped up in the music, like they have nothing better to do than play that song right now. I can't even express how excited I am for the rest of the Chili Pepper's 18 new b-sides to come out this year.
Pearl Jam - Black - MTV Unplugged - 1992
This is without a doubt my favorite live version of any song ever. As soon as this second verse starts, a wave of anger mixed with pain washes over Eddie Vedder, and you can tell. He hits these sick high notes and starts shouting ad-libbed lyrics. The first timeI saw Pearl Jam on MTV Unplugged, I knew this song was something great, and I talked about it every time I heard the album version. Then, last year, PJ20 (the Pearl Jam 20 year anniversary documentary) came out, and the movie mentioned how amazing it was too! Apparently MTV told them it was one of the best Unplugged performances ever. Rightly so - To me, Eddie Vedder's singing voice is the best in the world.
Nirvana - Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - MTV Unplugged - 1993
Speaking of MTV Unplugged, Nirvana was my favorite band to have been on it. Every song done on that show was just so awesome. What a great album that came out of it. This song was originally by early 20th century blues singer, Lead Belly. But Nirvana's version is glorious. Kurt stays calm the whole song, except for the last verse. He sings the last verse in that unique voice he had, that sounds like he's gargling shards of glass, but still sounds like it's coming from an angel. That might sound terrible if you aren't a fan of Nirvana.. but trust me, it's great!
The Doors - Touch Me - Smothers Bros. Comedy Hour Performance - 1968
Keeping with the topic of television performances, this video is what made me become obsessed with The Doors. Just look at Jim, he's amazing, and his voice is like molasses! They will always be one of my favorite bands.
The Doors - Light My Fire - The Ed Sullivan Show - 1967
Haha okay I had to include this. This is when The Doors were banned from the Ed Sullivan show because Jim Morrison sang "girl we couldn't get much higher" on live TV when he said he wouldn't. Gotta love that guy hahaha
Sublime (Feat. Gwen Stefani) - Saw Red
I don't know the details of this concert, I would guess its around 1995, but man, isn't this just the sickest thing? Sublime had the coolest music, such a great band, and Bradley's voice was flawless. And this, in my opinion, was Gwen Stefani's prime. The early No Doubt days were golden. I love her freaky over vibrato-ed voice form that time. I wish she never went solo, and I hope there is good things to come out of No Doubt's new album Push and Shove. Needless to say, this song is Ska gold.
Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - 1968
Watch this, and then pick your jaw back up off the ground. Such a powerful and beautiful song, I cant even handle it. And Robert Plant's voice is PERFECT live.
The Grateful Dead - Throwing Stones - 1987
So yeah... Bobby Weir is wearing a Madonna shirt and short shorts...but I dont care. This is one of my favorite Grateful Dead songs, and anybody knows that The Grateful Dead are best live! And Jerry Garcia is so happy in all his 9 and a half fingered glory!
The Who - My Generation - Woodstock - 1969
Here is my favorite song by The Who, at the ever glorious Woodstock festival. I think the stuttering in this song is GENIUS. Its like, adolescent/young people are so defiant in being heard, but they are still young and inexperienced and have difficulty getting the words out maturely. ( I shouldn't be saying they, I should be saying we...)
Well there is TONS more I could share, but I put a lot of thought into this and it kind of took me all day.
Now I'm about to go parallel parking with my aunt....wish me luck!!
Aesthetically yours,
Cassidy
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