Hi everyone, I was going to put in a new blog entry tomorrow, but with the passing of Keyboard great Ray Manzarek, I decided to write one today.
Ray Manzarek born Raymond Daniel Manczarek February 12, 1939 in the Southside of Chicago. As a kid he took piano lessons from Bruno Michelotti, but also liked Basketball and wanted to play center or forward, but his high school coach wanted him to play guard, but Ray didn't like that so he quit Basketball. He has a degree in Economics from DePaul University and later found his way to UCLA studying cinematograpghy where he met fellow film student Jim Morrison. He liked Morrison's poems and put them to music and they formed The Doors.
We all know about the impact and great music The Doors have made, so I am not going to get into a whole history of The Doors at this point. Maybe a future blog can be devoted to The Doors. Right now I'm going to focus on Ray.
Beisdes playing Keys and occasion guitar and vocals for The Doors. Ray was also in the band Nite City. in which released 2 albums. He also recorded and released 6 solo albums. Besides music Ray also wrote a few books, a memoir called "Light My Fire: My Life With The Doors", a novel called, "The Poet In Exile" a story exploring the "Urban Legend" that Jim Morrison maybe faked his own death. A second novel called, "Snake Moon" a Civil War ghost story.
Ray married Dorothy Fujikawa December 21, 1967 and they remained married until his death. They have one son Pablo and 3 grandchildren.
He will be missed! The sound of his haunting keys in those classic Doors songs, added just the right element to those songs! He had such a recognizable sound that on first note anyone could tell it was Ray and The Doors!
My two favorite Doors albums are "The Soft Parade" and "Morrison Hotel".
Rest in peace Ray.
God's Blessings on your day, RB
Monday, May 20, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Hi all I'm back! After a much delayed hiatus, much longer than planned. I am back to fill you all in on part two of my review and interest in "Exile On Main St." The Rolling Stones, their 11th U.S. studio album. Released May 12, 1972.
As you start off with track one side one, with "Rocks Off", this song just grabs you by the neck and and drags you along to your enjoyment! LOL! Then we have "Rip This Joint" Which takes off at a break neck speed and doesn't slow down! The album to me has a great Rock and Roll, Country, Funk feel and also to me is what Rock and Roll should sound like! Albeit that's my opinion but this is a central sound of what Rock and Roll is.
Yes there are all types of Rock and Roll and everyone has their own definition of what Rock and Roll should be and this is my definition. If you want to make a great and successful Rock and Roll album you have to have the ingredients of "Exile On Main St."
The album was mainly recorded in 1971/1972 and additional tracks we taken from 1968 to 1970. The beginning of the album was recorded at Keith's house in his basement at Nellcote in Nice, France and it was finished at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A.
Now to get an original vinyl copy of "Exile" you have to look at the record label and look for this address 1841 Broadway, N.Y, N.Y and stock number COC-2-2900.
Additionally, if you get the original release of the 45 RPM single of "Happy"/ "All Down The Line" on Rolling Stones Records label with 1841 Broadway address "All Down The Line" has a completely different instrumentation. You can hear the piano really up front and it's a bit funkier. Subsequent re-releases of the single and the recent deluxe edition of "Exile" the Japanese import with the added "Happy"/"All Down The Line" 7 inch boasts the alternate take of "All Down The Line" it is not, it;s the same album take. So don't be suckered into buying that for the alternate version. It's the same old album version. Just a word to the wise! LOL!
That's all for now kids, Be back soon and in the mean time, may you always find the hidden track, blessings to all!
"Half-Baked Wax"
As you start off with track one side one, with "Rocks Off", this song just grabs you by the neck and and drags you along to your enjoyment! LOL! Then we have "Rip This Joint" Which takes off at a break neck speed and doesn't slow down! The album to me has a great Rock and Roll, Country, Funk feel and also to me is what Rock and Roll should sound like! Albeit that's my opinion but this is a central sound of what Rock and Roll is.
Yes there are all types of Rock and Roll and everyone has their own definition of what Rock and Roll should be and this is my definition. If you want to make a great and successful Rock and Roll album you have to have the ingredients of "Exile On Main St."
The album was mainly recorded in 1971/1972 and additional tracks we taken from 1968 to 1970. The beginning of the album was recorded at Keith's house in his basement at Nellcote in Nice, France and it was finished at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A.
Now to get an original vinyl copy of "Exile" you have to look at the record label and look for this address 1841 Broadway, N.Y, N.Y and stock number COC-2-2900.
Additionally, if you get the original release of the 45 RPM single of "Happy"/ "All Down The Line" on Rolling Stones Records label with 1841 Broadway address "All Down The Line" has a completely different instrumentation. You can hear the piano really up front and it's a bit funkier. Subsequent re-releases of the single and the recent deluxe edition of "Exile" the Japanese import with the added "Happy"/"All Down The Line" 7 inch boasts the alternate take of "All Down The Line" it is not, it;s the same album take. So don't be suckered into buying that for the alternate version. It's the same old album version. Just a word to the wise! LOL!
That's all for now kids, Be back soon and in the mean time, may you always find the hidden track, blessings to all!
"Half-Baked Wax"
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