This piece is so beautiful it almost makes me cry.
The story of metal/jazz/neoclassic/oriental guitar player Jason Becker is sad. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in 1990 and was given 3 years to live. He eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Although his ALS gradually robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and eventually even to speak, he still remains mentally sharp and, with the aid of a computer, continues composing. In the back of the Perspective CD case, Becker states "I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind." His medical condition has remained stable since 1997. No recent updates pertaining to Jason's condition has been heard of aside from him stating that he has felt a little better and gained some weight, but this was in 2003. He is still alive, against all odds, now in 2008. His professional career as a playing guitarist was short but his name will forever be in the guitar hero hall of fame.
Something he composed with his computer. Performed by Michael Lee Firkins and unknown orchestra.
Last edited by Agios Ionas on Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
I present to you Jamiroquai... a band with a vocalist people love to hate. Often accused of being a white washed version of Stevie Wonder. Personally I love their music from between 1992 and 1996.
I kindly ask all of you to ignore your potential prejudice against "the twat in the hat" and his pro-cannabis appearance and just listen to the music.
Zan, if you're into jazz funk etc I think you will appreciate these clips.
This is the first guy that I feel I have to comment about. I like his style and I might even go as far as saying that I like him. I know this next bit is going to sound as if I am disappearing up my own butt, but I judge a performer on a song by song basis and never like everything a particular artist does. My problem with listening to JK is that he very rarely shuts up once he's started. He very rarely gives the music a chance with it's pauses and variations. He sings the entire length of the song in what seems like one key. I can listen to one of his songs at a time but find it very difficult to listen to an album of his. I feel tired after every track and an album I find exhausting. Hope you know what I mean.
You can divide the world into two halves; those that love James Brown - and those that have never heard him.
The undisputed 'Grandfather of Soul' created a whole new genre and influenced many artists. His energy was amazing; his shows left you breathless, even into his 60s his unrelenting, dynamism on the stage was like no-one else; from the synchronised swaying of the JBs (his backing group) to James Brown's own gymnastics (who else could do the splits, jump up again and flip the microphone, all in one movement, as he does in this clip?). He kept this up for 2 hours! I saw him twice on tours. He could repeat a 3 line rift for 10 minutes and still have you totally intoxicated. It was the driving repeatisism that got to you.
You have to forgive the dodgy moustache and an audience who look as though their dog has just died (how could they sit still?); the lady dancer is outstanding and provides hope for all size 14s!
He also worked hard for the Black community in the US, encouraging young people to stay at school and avoid drugs. He was not always so pure in his personal life; as a teenager he went to prison for theft; another time he was convicted of gun law violations. His marriages and offspring were numerous. It's worth looking him up in Wikipedia.
He is now in Soul Heavan; he just wants to make me dance!
Svetlana wrote:You can divide the world into two halves; those that love James Brown - and those that have never heard him.
The undisputed 'Grandfather of Soul' created a whole new genre and influenced many artists. His energy was amazing; his shows left you breathless, even into his 60s his unrelenting, dynamism on the stage was like no-one else; from the synchronised swaying of the JBs (his backing group) to James Brown's own gymnastics (who else could do the splits, jump up again and flip the microphone, all in one movement, as he does in this clip?). He kept this up for 2 hours! I saw him twice on tours. He could repeat a 3 line rift for 10 minutes and still have you totally intoxicated. It was the driving repeatisism that got to you.
You have to forgive the dodgy moustache and an audience who look as though their dog has just died (how could they sit still?); the lady dancer is outstanding and provides hope for all size 14s!
He also worked hard for the Black community in the US, encouraging young people to stay at school and avoid drugs. He was not always so pure in his personal life; as a teenager he went to prison for theft; another time he was convicted of gun law violations. His marriages and offspring were numerous. It's worth looking him up in Wikipedia.
He is now in Soul Heavan; he just wants to make me dance!
Thanks Lana....
I have real fond memories of this track. In GB terms I started late on the "Disco" scene. I went with my friends to a local soul club and this was playing as we walked in. We were only 16. There was a black guy and another guy doing the bump to this track (NO IT WAS NOT A GAY BAR). I had seen some half hearted versions done on TV before then but this was completely different. These guys were fantastic. They were as energetic and athletic as the man here himself. That and the fact they had the blue lights on and the fact they were just ordinary guys and not paid performers had me hooked. This was nothing like the commercialized disco dancers that came after that period...This was a proper soul club with great dancers.
