Creedence Clearwater Revival

One of my favorite bands, which I don't talk about very often, is Creedence Clearwater Revival ("CCR"). You'll never see me listening to them unless it's a sunny day and I'm either grilling or by a pool... and in those cases, you'll likely never be around me because I'll have my shirt off (gross!).

They don't have many live-music videos on Youtube, 

but this one isn't too bad.

CCR was popular from the late sixties into the early seventies. They are classified as a "hard rock" band by many, but today I'd probably put them into the "folk rock" category -- same difference, I guess. I always think of them as a less popular Lynyrd Skynyrd, but almost equally as awesome.



CCR put out some great jams, but nothing as epic as Skynyrd's "Free Bird" or "Tuesday's Gone" (or the incredibly popular, and extremely over-played "Sweet Home Alabama"). Still, I love CCR for having some smooth beats. They have really good songs for when you are relaxing, grilling up some hot dogs, drinking some beers, maybe going for a swim... etc. They remind me of summer... and the smell of  delicious beer.

CCR in the 70's. Hairy as shit... Just like

everyone else was in that decade.

One of the only things I don't like about CCR is that they ripped a lot of their songs from old blues singers. One prominent example is a blues singer called Lead Belly. Lead Belly was an African-American blues artist way back in the 1930's. CCR covered his songs "Midnight Special" and "Cotton Fields" (at least).

Huddie William Ledbetter, or "Lead Belly"

c. 1942

CCR wasn't the only band to cover Lead Belly. Nirvana did the same thing with "their" song "Where Did You  Sleep Last Night?" See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6yCEsDsGx4. It is difficult to know how many of these great songs were actually written by Lead Belly himself. He grew up in southern Louisiana and Texas, learning delta folk and blues music when he was very young, carrying some of it through to his modestly successful music career.

In the last analysis, CCR's use of Lead Belly's music doesn't ruin their appeal to me. I still like the music a lot. I just really enjoy music which is written and performed by the same band... it seems more personal to me. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I hope you enjoyed learning about CCR, they are one of my long-time favorites.

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The Black Keys

Grammy award-winning indie blues-rock from Ohio? Really!? The Black Keys. I have been into this band for about two months now, and they continue to grow on me, like a deep raw fungus. [?]

It's hard to describe the Black Keys any better than I just did.  They are a deep raw fungus, with some smooth bluesy beats and electrifyingly simple riffs.  They cut your soul with a butter knife made of diamonds and minced garlic (if you are a vampire).

The Black Keys

A two man band, the Black Keys have the same hurdle that other duos have: creating interesting songs with primarily two instruments.  Many of their songs include other instruments, but they primarily rely on their heavy, deep drum and buzzy guitar lines.  In this regard, they are similar to The White Stripes.  However, unlike The White Stripes, the Black Keys don't suck ass.

Lead-singer Dan Auerbach gets me with his skinny tie.

Dummer Patrick Carney looks gawky. 

They are simple and un-produced, straightforward rock, poured from a canned of distilled bluesy whoop-ass.  So basically, you can bet your top dollar that these bad boys will make your iPod catch on fire, and the rubber on your shoes melt.  You will not have a better time anywhere else getting electrocuted by awesomeness.

Looks like heaven, or any random grungy

pollution-filled American city -- you decide.

Lo! Hyperbolic metaphors abound!

P.S. See this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLSpj7q6_mM, for a rare cross between two features on The Good, The Bad, and the Badass (the hot Tricia Helfer, and The Black Keys).

2 Songs of the day ! Charlotte Gainsbourg - The songs that we sing & Carla Bruni