I Ain't Hiding from the Black Crowes No More

I like the Black Crowes. I have since I first time I heard "Jealous Again" almost 20 years ago. Their music is very similar to that of the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and The Faces -- gritty, funky, raw, with a dash of southern charm and dirty bong water.

Last year, after a lengthy hiatus, the Black Crowes released Warpaint. What a disappointment. I said, to myself, why did they release this? I wanted this "comeback" album to be so good and it was so boring. It was after my third or fourth listen that I decided that the Black Crowes were dead to me and nothing could bring me back.

Yesterday, I listened to their new single, "I Ain't Hiding." At first listen, I was like, "what the hell is this? Are you kidding me?" I bet I had the same reaction to this song as I did the first time I heard "Emotional Rescue" from the Stones. But there was something "cool" about this record and I listened to it again. And again. And again. Twenty-four hours later I've listened to this song about 15 times. I can't get enough of it. Like "Emotional Rescue" it's got a disco-like groove but its a lot more funky. There's even some "oooh oooh" background vocals, a little wah wah and the guitar solo? Forget about it. Its excellent.

If you get chance and you a have a few minutes to listen to this song a few times in a row I promise you won't regret it.

Welcome back Black Crowes. I missed you.

Listen / Download:
I Ain't Hiding - The Black Crowes
Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones

Billy Preston: 1946-2006

The Real Fifth Beatle

June 6 - Billy Preston has died after a long illness as a result of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications.

Billy Preston began his career playing in the bands of Little Richard and Ray Charles as a keyboardist, however he was probably best known for his work with the Beatles. He played on their 1970 Let It Be album and on the songs "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Something", from 1969's Abbey Road. Signed to their Apple label, in 1969, Preston released the album That's the Way God Planned It and a single of the same name (produced by George Harrison).
His relationship with Harrison continued after the break up of The Beatles; he was the first artist to record My Sweet Lord (the single flopped), and he was on several of George's 70's solo albums. Preston also made notable and energetic contributions to the Concert for Bangladesh, a Harrison-organised charity concert, and, after George's death, the Concert for George. Preston also worked on solo recordings by two other ex-Beatles, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.

After the Beatles, Preston played keyboards for the Rolling Stones, alongside pianist Nicky Hopkins. Preston appears on the Stones' albums Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, Goats Head Soup, It's Only Rock'n Roll and Black and Blue on which he contributed harmony vocals on "Melody." . He toured as a support act with the Stones in 1973, and recorded his live album Live in Europe in Munich with Mick Taylor on guitar. In 1974 composed one of Joe Cocker's biggest hits You Are So Beautiful. In 1975 he became the first musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
In 1975 and 1976 he again toured with the Stones, this time getting to play two of his own songs, backed by the Stones, in the middle of every concert. The Stones and Preston parted company in 1977, mainly due to a row over money. He continued to play on solo records by Stones members, and made an appearance again on the Stones' 1997 Bridges to Babylon album.

The 1980s were lean years for Preston. He was arrested and convicted for insurance fraud after setting fire to his own house in Los Angeles, and he was treated for alcohol and cocaine addictions. In 1991, he entered no-contest pleas to the cocaine and assault charges. He was sentenced to nine months at a drug rehabilitation center and three months of house arrest.

Preston managed to conquer his problems in the early 1990s, and toured with Eric Clapton, and recorded with a wide range of artists.

Preston participated in the tribute concert "Concert for George Harrison" at Royal Albert Hall and his performance of My Sweet Lord has received critical acclaim. He also recorded on the last album of Ray Charles. He toured with The Funk Brothers and Stevie Winwood in Europe in early 2004 and then with his friend Eric Clapton in Europe and North America. It has been claimed that his big contribution to the Beatles' sound was made clear with the release of the Let it be naked album.

Preston played clavinet on the song "Warlocks" for the Red Hot Chili Peppers album Stadium Arcadium released in 2006. Although very ill, he jumped out of bed after hearing a tape of the song given to him by the band, recorded his part, and went back to bed [1]. Preston's final contribution was playing Gospel-tinged organ on the Neil Diamond album, 12 Songs.

Listen / Download:
Get Back - The Beatles with Billy Preston
Melody - Rolling Stones (inspiration by Billy Preston)
Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston

Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang!

Today I listened to the latest Rolling Stones release - A Bigger Bang!. Listening to this album is like hearing When the Whip Comes Down 16 times. Now, that is not necessarily a bad thing especially if you like that song - which I do. Two songs - "Oh No, Not You Again" and "Rough Justice" - are two notable standouts. They're ooooozing of Rolliing Stones passion, attitude, and soul. Really good songs. And when it is all said and done the album is not that bad. Its the best album they've done since 1986's Dirty Work. But is it an album I'll listen to a year from now let alone ten? Probably not. A Bigger Bang! is not that memorable.

As I listened to A Bigger Bang I thought about my favorite Rolling Stones albums. Stones albums that I've listened to recently - Stones albums I've been listening to for 25 years. My top five Stones albums are albums every music fan should own. They're perfect examples of why the Stones are the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

My Top Five Rolling Stones Albums - in chronological order:

1. 1968 - Beggars Banquet - This album features "Street Fighting Man," "Stray Cat Blues" and my favorite Stones song of all time - "Sympathy For the Devil." For me this is the first real Stones album. They said, "...we're doing our own thing now - who cares about singles. We're making an album."



2. 1969 - Let It Bleed - "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Gimme Shelter", the title track, and my personal favorite, "Monkey Man." This album also featured two county flavored songs, "Country Tonk" and Keith's "You Got the Silver."



3. 1969 - Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! - The Stones were the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World the night they recorded this album way back in November 1969. I learned to play air guitar to album.



4. 1971 - Sticky Fingers - "Bitch," "Brown Sugar," "Sway," "Dead Flowers," and epic "Can't You Hear Me Knockin." All that great music plus a working zipper on the cover - what more could you ask for?



5. 1972 - Exile on Main Street - Simply, a masterpiece. This album has it all - blues, boogie, gospel, and country. The Stones mixed it up and produced one of the most satisfying rock and roll albums ever.

Rolling Stones - Rough Justice

I can't believe I'm writing this. I like the new Rolling Stones single "Rough Justice." The song starts off with a classic, signature Keith Richards riff that slams into Charlie Watts' signature drum fill. Then you hear Ronnie Wood's slide in the background followed by Mick Jagger's snarl of a vocal...

One time you were my baby chicken
Now you've grown into a fox
Once upon a time I was your little rooster
now am I just one of your cocks

It's classic raw, raunchy Rolling Stones. Have they recorded this songs in the past? Sure. Lots of times. But who cares. Its this sound that makes the Stones "The World's Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band."

Check it out: Rolling Stones - Rough Justice