A's Musical Daily Driver
(Newest On Top)
Feb 17 - 21, 2025
Feb 21, 2025
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Mr. Chuck Berry
"Thirty Days"
Studio Recording - 1955
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So... King of Rock n' Roll is a tagline typically associated with Elvis Presley. There are a number of reasons why this came to be, though I would strongly argue that he does not deserve that moniker. Many will, I'm sure, disagree, and that is certainly their prerogative.
Presley had his heyday in the 1950's & 60's. Seeing him in the context of the timeline is key to understanding why Elvis came to be so revered. One must remember the social climate of the U.S. during that time; the country was rife with racism. Frankly, Elvis became so popular, in large part, because he was marketable & hugely commercially viable for the record companies of the day. He was white, young & handsome.
For me, the person who deserves Rock n' Roll's crown is someone very different from Presley indeed, in nearly every way. Unfortunately, he simply was not as marketable as Presley at the time. That man's name is Mr. Chuck Berry. Long live the King.
Without going on any further, I'll share one of my favorite tunes of his. I do hope you dig it.
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- A
Feb 18, 2025
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Rush
(With with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies and Bubbles of the Trailer Park Boys)
"Closer To The Heart"
From: Home Studio Session - 2005
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These guys carried on for over 40 years and have a catalogue of 30 albums including live releases. They've always been considered an alternative, niche or dare I say cult band which is nearly impossible to understand given the length of their career along with their album sales of over 26 million. Go figure.
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They have the distinction of having been my very first live show at age 13. Like a number of other bands who are very near and dear to my heart, I honestly don't know how many times I saw them live over the years. Many.
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This tune was recorded in what I believe to be Geddy Lee's home studio. What a rendition; they crushed it. I'll envy and deeply resent the two other dudes that got to join in on this jam. They must have been absolutely over the moon over the chance to play with three of the finest musicians in the history of Rock n' Roll. As a guitarist I'd have been beyond heaven.
Geddy Lee, (bassist), Alex Lifeson, (guitarist), and Neil Peart, (drummer), are indeed revered by most to be the very finest players of their respective instruments. Three prodigies in a 3-piece band. Quite something, huh?​
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This band is also the very finest in another aspect of their live performances. They're the ONLY band I've seen over numerous decades whose live sound production got increasingly amazing over multiple decades. I've never seen another band whose live sound production was as good. It truly was something to hear.
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Their final performance took place in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. I caught one of their shows a few months before that. They were forced to quit by the death of drummer Neil Peart brought on by brain cancer. He's certainly the most talented drummer I've ever seen perform. I miss him.​​
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I hope you enjoy and have just a bit of the fun these guys had playing together that day. Cheers.
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- A
Feb 17, 2025
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Metallica
“Lux Æterna”
From: 72 Seasons - 2024
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Forty years these guys have been at it. I’ve been a fan for 35. Quite literally, they're the biggest band in the world right now. They have been for a number of years. There's a good reason.
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I was first exposed to Metallica in the 1987 as a sophomore in high school. The first record of theirs I heard was 1986's "Master of Puppets", the third in their catalogue and their most recent album at the time. It remains a bona fide masterpiece of Metal to this day. Definitely a favorite of mine from their discography. If you haven't yet heard it, give it a serious listen using the link above.
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In terms of their live shows I don't know how many I've seen over the years. Many. A unique & overwhelming musical experience to say the very least. Sledgehammer upside the fucking head. If a show is anywhere near you, it's most definitely not one to missed. Trust and believe.
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This tune is from their most recent studio effort, released in 2023 - "72 Seasons", (the first 18 years of one's life).
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It’s a very simple tune, and certainly uncharacteristically short, but frankly I love it. Bodes very well for the forthcoming record indeed.
James Hetfield’s, (rhythm guitar & lead vocals), skills are entirely unfair to the rest of us who think ourselves guitarists 🎸 and musicians. Enjoy.
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- A
