The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California by vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger. They are considered a controversial and influential band, due mostly to Morrison’s cryptic lyrics and unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison’s death on July 3, 1971, the remaining members continued as a threesome until disbanding in 1973.Despite a career that barely totaled eight years, The Doors still enjoy a huge cult following as well as status in the mainstream music industry as being hugely influential and original.

The Doors were unusual among rock groups because they did not use a bass guitar when playing live. Instead, Manzarek played the bass lines with his left hand on the newly invented Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, an offshoot of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, playing other keyboards with his right hand. On their studio albums (with the notable exception of their eponymous first record), The Doors did use bass players, such as Douglas Lubahn, Jerry Scheff, Harvey Brooks, Lonnie Mack, Larry Knechtel and Leroy Vinnegar.

In September 1967 the Doors gave a memorable performance of “Light My Fire” on the Ed Sullivan Show. According to Ray Manzarek, network executives asked that the word ‘higher’ be removed in favor of ‘better’, as you couldn’t say ‘high’ on national TV. The group initially agreed to this, but nonetheless performed the song in its original form, either because they had never intended to comply with the request, or Jim Morrison was nervous and forgot to make the change (Manzarek has given conflicting accounts). Either way, ‘higher’ was sung out on national TV, and a furious Ed Sullivan cancelled another six shows that had been planned, to which Jim Morrison reportedly said: “Hey man, so what? We just did the Ed Sullivan Show”.

The Miami incident refers to a Doors concert on March 1, 1969, at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami, Florida where Morrison gave a controversial performance. The restless crowd was subjected to Morrison’s lack of interest in singing songs that night, as well as to his unconventional emotional outbursts, screaming challenges to the audience, and making irreverent social statements. Unknown to the audience was Morrison’s exposure to The Living Theater the week before, which influenced his performance. The confusion and taunts led to some out-of-control situations, such as Morrison allegedly exposing his penis, which resulted in an abrupt end to the show after only one hour.

At first the performance was simply seen as Morrison drunk beyond any saving grace, combined with his frustration over the trappings of rock stardom and his personal demons finally reaching a climax. But once a review of the show was reported in the local press on March 3, Morrison’s exhibitionism took on a snowball effect in the form of a media and legal firestorm. On March 5, a warrant was issued for Morrison’s arrest on charges of indecency and obscenity, and one after another all the subsequent shows were canceled. Back in Miami for his trial, Morrison took the stand on September 16, but the jury returned a guilty verdict for profanity and indecent exposure on September 20. Morrison was sentenced to eight months’ custody but was allowed to go free pending an appeal. On October 30, 1970, Morrison was found guilty of two charges: profanity and indecent exposure. He was acquitted of the charge of drunkenness but found guilty of lewd behavior, a felony. The verdict was contested and Morrison was to die in July 1971 while his case was still on appeal.

Morrison died on July 3, 1971. In the official account of his death, he was found in a Paris apartment bathtub by Courson. Pursuant to French law, no autopsy was performed because the medical examiner claimed to have found no evidence of foul play. The absence of an official autopsy has left many questions regarding Morrison’s cause of death. Herve Muller has reported that he believes that Jim died of a heroin overdose at the RnR Circus. This is corroborated by the manager of the club Sam Bernett in a 2007 interview, and subsequent book. Morrison was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery on July 7.

Please enjoy this video clip of The Doors performing the infamous Light My Fire on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968.

//

The Doors

Light My Fire

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a lier
If I was to say to you
Girl, you couldn’t get much higher
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
time to set the night on fire

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Yeah The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Yeah You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a lier
If I were to say to you
Girl, we couldn’t get much higher
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire

Tradução aqui!

POSTED BY: SKYWALKER

Now, THAT's a door! (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)

There’s an underground pathway that I take from the subway that stretches for a few city blocks beneath the city. Like the Catacombs … with shopping.

Each section of The Path, as it’s called, is closed off by big heavy doors. But you can open most of these doors by pushing a wheelchair accessibility button.

Now, I’ve never actually seen anyone in a wheelchair spin through these doors but there’s a sort of “code” I’ve noticed whereby every third or fourth person who passes through, taps on the button as they pass so that it won’t slam closed on anyone.

I usually walk above ground if the weather’s nice, but this morning it looked like rain so I wimped out and headed for the tunnel. And since I’ve been leaving it up to others to hit the “open” button, today I thought I’d do my part and made a point of hitting it at each entrance.

Oh, and to continue with my door-opening theme, I actually opened a few doors the old-fashioned way throughout the day. Not as high-tech, mind you, but it felt like it took more effort and, in some cases, muscle. (What the heck do they make some of these doors out of, anyway? Kryptonite?)

P.S. I wanted to share the “Notable Quotable” quote from my Outreach Connection connection, Mr. Singh. He picked a good one this week!

“We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.”
— Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) 

P.P.S. And here they are (from the Smothers Brothers show!), The Doors. Enjoy!

Chris Berry of CMC - Back playing live this Autumn

Chris Berry’s CMC – the electro-acousticoutfit featuring Chris and his great mate Mick Clarke is back in business this Autumn with 4 dates in Yorkshire.. and there could be more to come!! Rumoured to be guesting for Chris’ good friend Joe Longthorne at some of his shows in the future, Chris and Mick have built a tremendous reputation for their own acoustic-based versions of classic pop and rock hits from American Pie to Light My Fire; from Cum On Feel The Noize to I Wanna Be Like You; from I Will Survive to Hey There Delilah. Their show lasts literally all night with both Chris & Mick being consummate solo performers as well as a great duo. ‘The sets as a duo are just great,’ says Chris.

Mick Clarke back playing live with CMC this Autumn

‘We both have such a fantastic time together and the harmonies Mick produces are stunning. We play well over 40 songs every night, between the duo and two solo sets. The solo sets also allow both of us to take a break whilst not letting up with the entertainment.’ One of the occasional highlights of CMC is the inclusion of various guests during a night. Harmonic virtuoso Rick the Man has been known to turn up on several occasions – and Andy and Pete from Chris’ highly successful covers band FOG also get involved from time to time. Charlotte Hesp, CMC’s female singer, is usually involved too but having just celebrated the birth of her first child, Harry, she is taking a break this time. ‘We are all delighted for Charlotte and her partner Andy – and Harry. We look forward to Charlotte coming back soon.’ The four gigs lined up for the Autumn start next week.

CMC in action - Chris & Mick get it on!!

Dates as follows:

Friday 23 October      EAST COWICK VILLAGE HALL, near GOOLE – this is a village special event, but tickets are available. If you would like to attend please call Shirley Myers on 01405 862319. Starts 8pm.

Sunday 25 October    GEORGE & DRAGON, Wetherby – this is an afternoon/early evening gig at a little pub just over the bridge into Wetherby. It starts at 4pm and goes on until around 7pm. Should be a really relaxed, fun afternoon.

Sunday 1 November   FOX & HOUNDS, Boroughbridge – lovely pub, great people. It’s another early evening do, starting @ 7.15pm til 9.30pm

Friday 20 November  THE BUFFERS, Scholes, Leeds 15 – the homecoming gig. It’s our home gig. And probably the last before Mick goes back to Spain. Make it!!

www.chrisberrysingerandwriter.wordpress.com   www.myspace.com/chrisberrysinger     www.myspace.com/cmcacoustic   www.the-fog.talktalk.net       Email: chris@chrisberry.tv

Fantastic melodic acoustic duo Chris Berry and Mick Clarke are back together again this Autumn with four shows already organised. ‘Mick moved to Spain a year and a half ago so we only get a window of about a month or so three times a year when he’s back,’ says Chris, lead singer and manager of the duo that sometimes plays as a three with Charlotte Hesp.

CHris Berry & Mick Clarke as CMC

 ’Charlotte has just given birth to her first baby, Harry, and all is well,’ says Chris, so she can’t be with us for this tour. But she’s definitely still a part of us and we will miss her.’ Bringing their own special brand of electro acoustic music and great vocalising both Mick and Chris will once again be playing what their name stands for – classic music covers from American Pie to California Dreamin’ and amazing versions of Light My Fire, I Will Survive, Cum on Feel The Noize, Oliver’s Army & Babylon.. as well as other recent classics such as Hey There Delilah, Half The World Away and Use Somebody. Mick will once again be adding his Jungle Book song which proved so popular in recent times. CMC will be back in the studio again too – to record their third album shorthly. If you haven’t already heard PURE or ACOUSTIC JUKEBOX these are still both available and can be purchased for just £7 each. CMC BOOKLET FRONT BACKThey include all of Mick & Chris’ classics plus self penned numbers by Chris. If you would like  a copy please send a checue marked payable to Chris Berry to: CBM, 2 Elmete Croft, Scholes, Leeds LS15 4BE                             The first two dates are:  Friday 23 October  EAST COWICK VILLAGE HALL, near GOOLE,  Sunday 25 October  GEORGE & DRAGON, WETHERBY (starting 4pm) part of WETHERBY FESTIVAL… followed by Sunday 1 November FOX & HOUNDS, BOROUGHBRIDGE (starting 7.15pm)   Chris also writes for the Yorkshire Post every week and is presently writing the autobiography of his close friend, legendary singer Joe Longthorne, due for release next Spring 2010. ‘There are rumours that we could even be on the same bill as Joe maybe next year,’ says Chris. ‘That would be amazing. Both Mick and I would be so honoured to play in the same theatre – just to be the warm-up act would be fabulous’.

www.chrisberrysingerandwriter.wordpress.com   www.myspace.com/cmcacoustic    www.myspace.com/chrisberrysinger  www.the-fog.talktalk.net    Email:  chris@chrisberry.tv

Como estoy buscando alguna ropa técnica y artículos de montaña aprovecho para compartir con vosotros algunos enlaces por si queréis echar un vistazo.

Si buscáis material de montaña, de acampada, de deporte, no dudéis en tenerlas de referencia. Se trata de marcas buenas, de hecho son de las mejores, y que sin embargo son muy poco conocidas aquí en España o al menos en mi entorno. Particularmente me apetecía encontrar algo que no fuera The North Face, Locust, Columbia, Hi-Tech, Salomon, Trango o Ragatta… que es a lo que nos tienen acostumbrados aquí en España y bueno, no hablemos de Decathlon… en fin, que lo he encontrado. Algunos pensarán que no es lo mejor; no es una cuestión de puntos de vista diferentes. Tal vez alguien ha estado buscando algo así del estilo, pues lo mismo le sirven estos enlaces. Son muy buenas marcas aunque cuesta encontrar los productos de algunas de ellas aquí en España, sobre todo de estas primeras que son las que considero las mejores de las mejores.

]]> http://ticketsthere.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/tickets-there-likes-the-doors-%e2%80%93-the-doors/ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:53:05 +0000 'Tickets There' http://ticketsthere.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/tickets-there-likes-the-doors-%e2%80%93-the-doors/ http://marissacooke.com/2009/09/01/track-of-the-day-tuesday-2/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:45:01 +0000 marissacooke http://marissacooke.com/2009/09/01/track-of-the-day-tuesday-2/ http://hrxxl.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/light-my-fire-firesteel-scout/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:03:07 +0000 hrxxl http://hrxxl.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/light-my-fire-firesteel-scout/ http://cosbyorsova.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/mr-capone-e-feat-snoop-dogg-light-my-fire-video-mp3/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:02:07 +0000 Cosby Orsova http://cosbyorsova.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/mr-capone-e-feat-snoop-dogg-light-my-fire-video-mp3/

Download Mr. Capone-E Feat. Snoop Dogg – Light My Fire

Tisdag den 21 juli 2009

Jag stannade vid rastplatsen och tog den vilodag som jag tror var nödvändigt i går. Nu sitter jag och äter lunch i Hukejaurestugan, träffade precis stugvärden. En äldre kvinna. Vi börjar med de viktigaste just nu: skadeläget. Trots vilodagen i går är höger hälsena inte bra. Faktum är att jag är tvungen att halta betänkligt för att ta mig fram. Uppskattar att min förflyttning är halverad under dessa omständigheter. Har därför stannat för att lägga förband. Fick också en vandringsstav av stugvärden.

Dessa två saker gjorde att jag kunde ta mig vidare, sakta med säkert mot Singistugan. Har nu slagit läger för natten vid vackert vattenfall. På andra sidan reser sig Sälkaberget (1 865 meter) med Sealggaglaciären. Mäktigt! En viktig anledning till att slå läger just här, förutom naturupplevelsen, är att ett vad väntar. Det vill jag vara helt utvilad och skärpt för. Ett klart riskmoment. Mitt mål är att nå Singistugan i morgon. Sedan är det bara 14 kilometer till Kebnekaise fjällstation, där jag bör vara på torsdag. På fredag hinner jag lätt de 19 kilometer som återstår till Nikkaloukta till klockan 16, då bussen mot Kiruna avgår. Detta ser ut att hålla!

Pratade förresten med stugvärden i Hukejaurestugan om hur man blir stugvärd. Det finns tydligen en kurs som STF anordnar. Populär, enligt uppgift. Efter genomförd utbildning kan man ”söka” de perioder och stugor man är intresserad att vara värd för. Vanligt är tre-fem veckors perioder. Vissa stugor är naturligtvis mer populära än andra. Ersättning utgår som lön och traktamente, men man blir inte rik på att vara stugvärd. Annat än på naturupplevelser förstås. Detta är något jag definitivt vill undersöka närmare för framtiden.

Bortsett från stugvärden träffade jag bara två andra människor på hela dagen. Två män, varav den ena såg ut som någon form av guru. De vandrade Nordkalottleden från Riksgränsen mot Ritsem, och eventuellt vidare. Nordkalottleden är en kandidat för nästa års vandring. De rekommenderade dock senare på säsongen, det hade varit kallt och ”storm”. Jag gav dem numret till “den tokiga lappkärringen” för biltransport mellan Sitajaurestugorna och Ritsem.

På det hela taget har det här varit vandringens tråkigaste dag. Varför?

• Skadorna gör mig långsam och det gör bitvis riktigt ont
• Jag har saknat kontakten med andra vandrare
• Terrängen är av typen stenig blockterräng
• Inga spektakulära naturupplevelser (bortsett från slutet av dagen)
• Vädret har försämrats till mulet och kallare.

Men det är egentligen en sträcka som inte kan rekommenderas, oavsett väder och skadeläge. Varför då utsätta sig för de umbäranden som en längre fjällvandring ändå innebär? Därför att jag lär mig värdesätta mitt liv. Och mig själv. Ölen på tåget hem kommer aldrig ha smakat så gott. Sängen hemma kommer aldrig vara så skön som första natten. Slutligen lite utrustningskontroll:

• När jag köper en ny sovsäck, välj en som klarar ett antal minusgrader (till exempel Western Mountaineering UltraLite). Man ska inte behöva frysa när man ska sova
• Välj höga kängor (till exempel Lundhags Ranger High) om det går att reklamera nuvarande. Dels för enklare vad, dels för att byxbenen går att stoppa in i kängorna. Plus den ökade stabiliteten förstås
• När det gäller kryddor är inte Light my Fire riktigt bra. Dels är den ganska stor, dels blandas innehållet. Borde finnas bättre lösning
• Undersöka vilka proteinbars som ger mest näring och energi. Se också över alternativ till gröt. Det tar lite för lång tid att tillaga.

Vandringen går vidare.

Kat is singing into a hairbrush. So unlike her. She finds Patrick looking into her window and freaks out. He enters without permission. In walks Bianca, her hair in curlers, and wonders if she’s sleepwalking. Her dad calls saying he’s coming in. Patrick escapes back out the window. It seems there’s a brush fire and they must evacuate. No time for Bianca to take out the curlers. Everyone goes to the school for safety.

Their dad leaves them to check in while he volunteers at first grade. Bianca’s upset about her hair. Kat’s looking around and Bianca teases her about liking a boy. Chastity finds Bianca and says she was traumatized. The cheerleaders claim a room. Chastity wants Bianca to get her more blankets.

The dad comes to help a pregnant woman. He tells her to relax. He gets a long well with the woman helping her.

Cameron spots Bianca and is about to say something when Michael interrupts. A news report says the fire may have been started by homemade pyrotechnics. What about Cameron and Michael’s model rocket? They shot one the day before that never came down. Did they start the fire.

The cheerleaders talk about their time of difficulty. Bianca worries that she will lose her mom’s pictures in the fire. Chastity is jealous of the attention and tries to retake it. Everyone remembers their parents and decide to go be with them, leaving Chastity alone. Bianca says she’ll stay and listen. Chastity sends her to get some hot chocolate.

Kat gives out food and spots Patrick. She asks where his family is and he says he killed them all for slowing him down. Natural disasters bring ut the best in people obviously. Some girl runs up and is all over him. Patrick says it’s not like that. Kat doesn’t believe him and leaves.

Cameron asks Patrick for more advice about what to do if he regrets something. Pat convinces him not to confess through sarcasm.

Chastity wonders why noncheerleaders are in the cheerleading room. She wants Bianca to get them out. Chastity says this was supposed to bonding time so they should move everyone.

Kat continues being a do gooder and a grandma insists she go after Pat. Bianca asks Kat for help opening another classroom. They call each other pathetic.

The dad is still flirting with the pregnant woman’s friend. They share some wine. She asks what his deal is and he reveals that he’s a widower. She apologizes. It’s been 7 years. She’s been in therapy for her own failed marriage.

Chasity is still unhappy with the people and Bianca says it’s a good chance to learn about another family. Chastity says they must be used to small rooms from their native countries and the room must be overwhelming, they should be moved to a closet. Bianca says no. Chastity ignores her and Biana says she’s a bitch and can’t she see that no one likes her. Chastity starts crying.

Kat follows Patrick onto the roof. He’s looking at the beautiful fire. Now he can tell her what he wanted to tell her. He told the girl downstairs she should stop stalking him.Then the moment we’ve all been waiting for: he kisses Kat. He wanted to tell her that he finds her interesting because she’s different and has a mind of her own. She isn’t needy, they can just make out and it doesn’t matter. She says, “right, because I’m a slut.” She’s upset and insulted. He asks why she has to make everything difficult and she says she’s not easy. Ok, so not the moment everyone’s been hoping for.

Bianca apologizes to Chastity. Bianca says she’s sick of being used. Chastity points out that Bianca is using her to become a cheerleader and popular. She hasno friensd because she’s so beautiful and popular. Bianca apologizes. Chastity finally apologizes. Bianca says her when she’snot ordering her around and Chastity likes her when she’s not being whiny. And she’s not making her a cheerleader because she’s her best friend.

Dad and woman flirt and she asks for his number.

Cameron confesses because he can’t take it. Someone else was caught, they started it by smoking. Cameron spots Bianca and he’s thrilled. Chastity has given Bianca normal clothes to replace her hideous pajamas.

Grandma comes to talk to Kat to show her what Patrick left her. (She also tells Kat to lighten up.) He left her the box of cds that were her mother’s. (So if he can be sweet why be a jerk to hre?) Their dad is drunk and happy.

Episode 6 Episode 8
General Thoughts

Song Title: Light My Fire

Artist: The Doors

Released: 1967

Background: Want to get a taste of how geeky I was when I was younger? No? Well, too bad.

While every other kid was rocking out to P. Diddy or the Backstreet Boys, I was enthralled with The Doors. Yes, that’s right. I’m talking about the 1960s band that broke up several decades before I was born. But I didn’t care. I found The Doors to be an amazing band.

In particular, I became a huge fan of the song “Light My Fire.” I would suffice to say that it’s one of my favorite songs of all time. And my guess is that by the time my life ends, I will have probably spent a month of my life listening to that song.

So, I’ve established that I liked The Doors and “Light My Fire” a lot. But I don’t like “Light My Fire” as a karaoke selection.

What makes the song disappointing great: “Light My Fire” doesn’t work as a karaoke track because the organ and guitar solos are probably the song’s most appealing quality. That’s not to say Jim Morrison’s lyrics are unsatisfying. But never seemed to be the main focus of the song.

Now, I’m not a big fan of long instrumentals in karaoke songs. So I’m glad that most karaoke versions of “Light My Fire” have edited out the solos. But there’s something lacking about a condensed “Light My Fire.”  To provide an example, “The Trees” by Rush probably wouldn’t be as good if somebody chopped out the instrumental portion. It’s simply hard to beat the passion or musical complexity of the full version.

That’s not say “Light My Fire” is completely without merit as a karaoke song. The final verse is enjoyable to sing. And it’s a song that can be sung decently at a low octave, which is something I can certainly appreciate.

Best element of the song: As noted above, I enjoy the second verse a lot. It provides the singer with an opportunity to go a little crazy. And even in shortened form, I still think “Light My Fire” is better than 90 percent of mainstream songs.

Worst element of the song: The song, frankly, is unsatisfying. I’ve found that the song isn’t nearly as fun to sing as other selections. And the tune rarely gets the crowd energized.

Conclusion: There are some songs that will remain staples in musical history forever. But there are a lot of classic songs that simply do not transition well into karaoke. I wouldn’t go so far to say that “Light My Fire” is akin to “Like A Rolling Stone” or “Stairway to Heaven.” But there are better songs to choose.

There’s a silver lining. Many songs by The Doors do work for karaoke. I’ve found that “Break On Through” is particularly enjoyable and would imagine “Alabama Song/Whiskey Bar” could also work as a crowd pleaser.

Liste nere. La censura del regime colpì anche gli artisti. Tutti eversivi: dai folksinger Victor Jara e Joan Baez alla regina della disco music Donna Summer, compresi lo scandaloso Gainsbourg e i Pink Floyd. Gli Italiani? Disubbidienti e passionali, come la Carrà.

Che Questo piccolo grande amore di Claudio Baglioni con la sua «maglietta fina, tanto stretta al punto che mi immaginavo tutto e quell’ aria da bambina, che non glielo detto mai, ma io ci andavo matto» avesse rappresentato per una generazione un tormentone strappalacrime lo sapevamo tutti, ma che potesse in qualche modo portare con sè un senso di libertà e trasgressione tanto da infastidire un regime dittatoriale è una scoperta che vale la pena raccontare. Dagli archivi argentini del Comitato Federale della Radiodiffusione emerge un documento di sette pagine dattiloscritte (disponible online su www.comfer.gov.ar), contenente i titoli di oltre 200 canzoni censurate all’epoca della dittatura militare, tra il 1976.
Per la prima volta il governo argentino autorizza una pubblicazione di questo tipo. «Nessuno si era mai occupato della questione in modo istituzionale – ha dichiaratoo Gabriel Mariotto del Comfer alla rivista Criticadigital, che titola il servizio La discoteca del terror – Per noi ha un’importante rilevanza culturale, politica e sociale» .

La lista è democratica, unisce indistintamente artisti diversi, persino innocui melodici, comunque non graditi, autori di «canzoni ritenute non adatte per i servizi della radio-diffusione» come riporta in calce il documento scritto dal comitato responsabile della censura, controllato dei militari del generale Videla saliti al potere nel 1976. In cima agli indesiderabili le icone dell’impegno pacifista e antimilitarista come Victor Jara, arrestato torturato e ucciso dal regime di Pinochet, con Te Recuerdo amanda: «Ti ricordo, Amanda, – nella strada bagnata, che correvi alla fabbrica – dove lavorava Manuel. Col tuo largo sorriso, – la pioggia nei capelli… Non t’importava niente – correvi incontro a lui a lui, a lui, a lui. Che partì per la guerra, – che non fece male a nessuno, che partì per la guerra – e in cinque minuti fu trucidato… – Suona la sirena, – di nuovo al lavoro. Molti non tornarono, – come Manuel». Doppia citazione per la folksinger newyorchese per eccellenza, Joan Baez, sodale di Bob Dylan. Bandita anche Yoko Ono, che non stava simpatica neanche ai militari, con Kiss kiss kiss, apparsa sull’ultimo album di John Lennon. C’è spazio anche per l’antimilitarismo di Camarada di Charles Aznavour.

Scorrendo l’elenco, numerosi gli argentini finiti nel mirino della censura come Luis Alberto Spinetta, Charly García, León Gieco e il monumento nazionale, il re del “nuevo tango”, Astor Piazzolla. Stesso destino per cantautori spagnoli come Joan Manuel Serrat, politicamente impegnato, ma anche artisti pacifici come Camilo Sesto o José Luis Perales. Dentro anche il brasiliano Roberto Carlos.
Poi è la volta dei big stranieri, come una volta venivano chiamati a Sanremo, quelli occidentali, scandalosi, dissoluti. Eric Clapton con l’esplicita Cocaine «se hai ricevuto brutte notizie, e vuoi cacciarle via, cocaina…quando il giorno é finito e vuoi correre, cocaina…lei non mente, lei non mente, cocaina…», i Doors con l’allucinata Light my fire, la psichedelia dei Pink Floyd, il kitsch energetico dei Queen: «Lega tua madre, chiudi tuo papà fuori, dammi tutto il tuo amore stanotte». E poi le hit sexy da classifica: Donna Summer, la regina della disco music viene nominata addirittura quattro volte. Non poteva mancare la scandalosa Je t’aime moi non plus di Serge Gainsbourg e un altro classico groove Do you think I’m sexy di Rod Stewart.

E Baglioni? È in ottima compagnia, nella lista nera tra gli italiani ci sono anche Lucio Battisti con E penso a te, La donna che amo di Gino Paoli, Nicola di Bari con Mia che nel 1977 incise in argentino un album intero spopolando, Toto Cutugno, Umberto Tozzi con Ti amo, Tanti auguri cantata da Raffaella Carrà ma anche Un’età di Baldan Bembo. Melodici ed eversivi? Il testo della canzone di Tozzi sembra confondere le tracce della sovversione: «oggi ritorno da lei, primo maggio, su coraggio !, io ti amo e chiedo perdono, ricordi chi sono, apri la porta a un guerriero di carta igienica e dammi il tuo vino leggero». Forse ad essere incriminata è stata la passione e la disubbidienza, insomma al cuore non si comanda, e non solo a quello: da Battisti che cantava «Io lavoro e penso a te, torno a casa e penso a te ,le telefono e intanto penso a te, come stai e penso a te dove andiamo e penso a te le sorrido abbasso gli occhi e penso a te» alla Carrà «convinta che non c’è odio, non c’è guerra quando a letto l’amore c’è, com’è bello far l’amore da Trieste in giù, com’è bello far l’amore io son pronta e tu?».

I was digging through my old record collection and found this:  In my opinion, one of the boldest, brassiest cover versions of all time.

“Light My Fire”, music and lyrics by Robbie Krieger of The Doors, except here it’s sung by Shirley Bassey.  Now we all know The Doors’ version. But this… But THIS…

There’s really only one word for it.

It’s HUGE.

This song defines ‘Huge’.  Dictionaries the world over should be updated.

Listen to it at the YouTube link below…

It’s supremely funky, sung by one of the most powerful pop voices of the 20th Century (Shirley Bassey – “Big Spender”, “Goldfinger”), and the orchestral backing is so hipply dramatic as to be hilarious. I also like the stylish use of Seaweed on the front cover of the album.

It’s just so…

So…

So 1970.

Click on the link below to read another article by Justin…

‘The Man Who Would Be Bond’ – An appreciation of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, United Artists, 1969.

The Doors – Light My Fire

My favorite all-time group…

Here is a video showing the “Light My Fire” fire steel. Not the best video…trying to work out some kinks with the camera.

From a man who needs no introduction from this band, but whose biography I’ll put here for you youngsters out there: