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The Temptations – My Girl (1964)

February is Black History Month so to help you with your homework this month kids, let’s talk about the importance of the Motown era. At a time in America when it took a Pat Boon versions of songs by B.B King or Little Richard to became a pop radio hit, Berry Gordy set out with 800 dollars and an idea of creating a sound that would transcend race and the boundaries that were set in America during that time. Not only was he able to accomplish that, and by doing so play a major role in the Civil Rights movement, but his work and the artists he helped nurture have shaped the music we listen to today. My Girl was a massive hit for Motown in 1965 and was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of the Miracles; it was a hit for another great Motown group: The Temptations.

Jane’s Addiction – Underground (2011)

I’ve mentioned a few times before the importance of the band Mother Love Bone to the Seattle music scene taking over and changing music in the early 90’s’ (if you haven’t already, please finish your MLB assignments this week and hand them in). Now, try to follow me here: Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam were both in that band. Just before that however they were in a band called Green River and in 1987 Green River played their very last show in Los Angeles. That last show was very important because Stone and Jeff have both cited the moment of watching the headlining band that night as a huge influence in forming their post-Green River band which was Mother Love Bone. (Still with me?) The headlining band who made such an impact on Stone and Jeff that night was Jane’s Addiciton; one of the most important bands of the past 30 years.

Ryan Adams – Chains of Love (2011)

Ryan Adams wears an Iron Maiden jacket, loves Norwegian Black Metal, and his new album is full of the prettiest love songs you can imagine. Now, this might seem strange to some of you but it really isn’t…as Ryan himself says: “Music is kind of like Ice Cream-there’s no wrong answer”. Ryan Adam’s is one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation but had to step away from music a little while ago after being diagnosed with an inner ear disorder called Ménière’s Disease but thankfully he has managed to deal with it, and is back to making music.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Look Around (2011)

The Red Hot Chilli Peppers were born out of an early 80’s Los Angeles music scene inspired by the punk movement of the late 70’s; a scene that was trying to find its own identity. Goth was beginning to take shape before it was Goth, college radio was starting to become an important voice for the counter culture, and most bands were motivated to be as different as possible…we could use more of that today. The early bands that started to emerge from that time, who were putting their own glittery and dirty stamp on rock music, were names like Motley Crew, Poison, and Gun’s n Roses; but The Chilli Peppers were something different, they mixed their love of hardcore punk, R&B, funk, and Jimi Hendrix. Their earliest albums, pre-Blood Sugar Sex Magik, have for the most part become ignored gems as they started churning out the hits in the 90’s, but since those early days the Chilli Peppers have remained one of the most successful and important bands…..who perform naked.

The Pogues – Dirty Ol’ Town (1985)

This is not a lifestyle endorsement for aspiring musicians….just a musical fact: some of the greatest music of all time comes from the most messed up people imaginable. It’s something we tend not to think about because when we hear our favourite songs we visualize how the artists look in promo photos, in music videos, or on TV when they are usually at their best, or at least faking it really well. Here’s the exception, a man whose amazing talents unfortunately are often overshadowed by how incredibly messed up he is, all the time; Shane MacGown of the Pogues. Written in 1949 by Ewan McColl and recorded through the years by everyone from The Dubliners to U2, check out Dirty Ol’ Town as performed by The Pogues.

enjoy,
=maw

Tags: Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ryan Adams, The Pogues, The Temptations

Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Category: Matt Tracks
Tags: Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ryan Adams, The Pogues, The Temptations