Author: chimesfreedom

Editor-in-chief, New York.

Tougher Than the Rest

Springsteen Tougher than the Rest Columbia Records released Bruce Springsteen’s Tunnel of Love on October 9, 1987. While the album was a quieter follow-up to the mega-hit Born in the USA and modern fans often consider it shadowed by other albums like Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town, it is a great album.

Had almost any other artist made Tunnel of Love, the album would have defined their careers. Instead it remains one of Springsteen’s somewhat overlooked albums.

Tunnel of Love also remains one of Springsteen’s most personal and least political albums. While he has many other love songs, the songs on Tunnel of Love focus largely on the heart, isolated from any one time and place.

Of course, Springsteen fans at the time sensed that the album reflected one particular troubled heart. In May 13, 1985, Springsteen had married actress Julianne Phillips after the two knew each other less than a year. Many thought Tunnel of Love reflected rocky waters for the marriage with lyrics in the title track such as “It’s easy for two people to lose each other in this tunnel of love.” The two had separated before the release of the album, and soon the couple filed for divorce on August 30, 1988.

During the tour for the album, tabloids reported on Springsteen’s new love with backup singer Patti Scialfa. Within a few years of Springsteen’s divorce, he and Scialfa would get married and the two are still together today.

In this video from the Tunnel of Love tour for “Tougher Than the Rest,” it may be acting, but one can sense some smoldering passion in the looks between the two on one of Springsteen’s greatest love songs.

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    The Eyes of Alfred Hitchcock

    In this video essay, Kogonada explores the way that director Alfred Hitchock used the eyes of his subjects to create a sense of terror. The video, which was created for the Criterion Collection, uses only images (and some music) to illustrate how one technique can convey a specific emotion well. Check it out.

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    Marty Brown Rocks a Packed House (October 4, 2014 Live Review)

    Marty Brown October 2014

    On Saturday, October 4, 2014, country singer Marty Brown returned to Middletown, New York to play before a packed house at Brian’s Backyard BBQ and Blues. This time, Brown brought together an excellent backing band, mixing covers and a number of his great original songs, including songs from his latest CD like “Whatever Makes You Smile.”

    Marty Brown NY Brown, in the midst of a career renaissance after his appearance on America’s Got Talent, performs like a man who knows how fortunate he is to have a second chance at his career. His playing and singing reflect a rare joy that is catching. He happily engages with his audience and tells stories to introduce some of his songs. Several times he asked the audience for input on what they wanted to hear. His genuine appreciation for his fans is not limited to the stage. When he is not on stage, he hangs out with the audience members, moving around and talking to folks, taking pictures, and signing autographs.

    I especially enjoyed when Brown dug into his back catalog, as when he played “High and Dry,” the first track on his debut album form 1991 of the same name. Although his voice has grown deeper in the ensuing decades sine he released the song as a young man, Saturday’s performance infected the song with the hard-won blues of an older man who has seen more of life. I liked the new version just as much as when I first heard the song back in the 1990s.

    At the Brian’s Backyard BBQ performance, the members of Brown’s outstanding backing band included drummer Vito Luizzi (a member of the late Johnny Winter’s band), guitar player Rob Daniels (who also performs on his own as a singer-songwriter), and professional bassist Chuck Torres. The band sounded great on both the cover songs and on Brown’s originals.

    Brian’s Backyard BBQ and Blues is a fun venue with excellent food, great service, comfortable atmosphere, and surprisingly exceptional acoustics. Opening performers during the “Country Fest” evening included Shannon Scott, Alyssa Startup, Matt Johnson, and Rob Daniels, all who did a great job entertaining the crowd. Another opening act was the Jason Casterlin Band, which got the audience going with a fun set of country songs. The Hudson Valley group played a combination of originals and covers like “Wagon Wheel.” Casterlin has an excellent voice, so country music fans should check him out if he plays in your area.

    For more on upcoming Marty Brown shows, check out his website or his Facebook page.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    BBC Releases All-Star “God Only Knows”

    Charity God Only Knows

    Reminding us of the old days when mega-stars would gather together to sing a song to benefit a charity, the BBC is celebrating the launch of BBC Music with a charity single version of the 1966 Beach Boys classic “God Only Knows” to benefit the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. Produced by Ethan Johns, the song is being released by Sony, and Universal, and Warner Music.

    The singers include the song’s writer, Brian Wilson. Other stars include Elton John, One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Lorde, Emeli Sandé, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Brian May, Dave Grohl, and Baaba Maal. The song also features the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Check out the “God Only Knows” video, which includes some cool special effects.

    The video was filmed at the Alexandra Palace theatre in London.

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    Official Video for Matthew Ryan’s “Boxers”

    Singer-songwriter Matthew Ryan has just released the official video for the title track to his upcoming album Boxers (2014). The video, directed by Gorman Bechard, displays Ryan performing “Boxers” intercut with black and white images of actress Audria Ayers. Check it out.

    Matthew Ryan’s Boxers album is available for pre-order through Bandcamp on his website and will be released October 14.

    Innocent Words describes Boxers as being for “those who have been beaten down by everyday life in a blue collar society.” Similarly, Ryan explained to ARTISTdirect, “It’s a brutal hope at a brutal intersection of our story in a world that feels on the verge of something. And that something will be what we make it or allow it to be.”

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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