a musical cul-de-sac (5)

Speaking of rock anthems, perhaps the most notable is Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Surely the most recognized guitar lead-in in rock history. The original version.

How about the London Symphony Orchestra.

Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) at the Kennedy Center honoring Led Zeppelin.

The Triple Door Cello Quartet, this one really builds.

And a truly classic and long version with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.

There's a feeling I get when I look to the West.

art by zOh3

Offbeat Colors

Don't have your reading glasses? Click photo for a larger view.

a musical cul-de-sac (4)

Most covered group ever? Easy question actually - The Beatles. For that reason and because I'm of the right age, several of these cover compilations will be music from the Fab Four. Today's offering: Blackbird from the White Album released in 1968. First the boys themselves performing.

Next, Crosby, Stills and Nash because anytime I can listen to CSN singing A capella I will.

There are dozens of covers of Blackbird on YouTube to choose from, here a couple of my favorites:

Dave Matthews Band live

Herbie Hancock & Corrine Bailey Rae at the White House honoring Paul McCartney

Flower or Water?

Happy Solstice

photography by Anthony Chang

a musical cul-de-sac (3)

Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas (original here) would not make my list of great rock 'n roll songs, but I just had to include this cover done with four trombones. Hang in until 45 seconds when the brass bones really rock out. Of course, the boys in the band have a website.

Got a problem with the Koch brothers?

Besides backing voter suppression attempts in a dozen states, the Koch brothers have launched a campaign to stop investment and government involvement in solar energy.

Got a problem with that?        Good!

Now do something about it and stop buying products that support the reactionary Koch wealth and greed machine.

a musical cul-de-sac (2)

Queen produced several classic rock 'n roll anthems, perhaps none as memorable as Bohemian Rhapsody. There are several different videos of Freddy Mercury and the boys performing this classic, this one seems the most compelling.

Now how about an inspiring cover from a woman on an upright piano right out on the street in New Zealand. A hidden gem listen here.

And a truly amazing if bizarre arrangement with Queen, Elton John, Axl Rose (and a vocal assist from the entire audience) at Wembley Stadium.

Finally, I couldn't leave you without a rendition from TED 2010 played on the ukelele.

Fordite

Last month I wrote about the Anthropocene Era, a time deep in the future when humans will be revealed by the geological footprint we are leaving today. Apparently a lot of the questions that alien geologists will be puzzling over will have to do with the residue our industrial age leaves behind. Those stones above are the result of excess automobile paint left by the factories that once flourish in Detroit and other sites around the world. Hence, the name Fordite, often also referred to as Detroit or Motor Agate. 

See more examples and a brief explanation here. Thanks to Amy for the world wide pointer to this slice of stoney art. And yes, of course, some of those beauties are toxic; I mean Duh!

image by Talyer Jewelry

a musical cul-de-sac (1)

Some of the greatest rock music over the years has been covered in some very interesting ways. I've been kicking around the idea of exploring some of the most delicious covers and bringing them to you in this little grey space. Today I begin with what I feel is one of the most beautiful renditions of a classic rock song - A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.

Here's the original, in case you need to refresh your memory from 1967.

And here is the brilliant rendition by Annie Lennox. Another by Eric Clapton and final gripping version from Joe Cocker.

Bucky Wisdom

Sorta, kinda how I've tried to live my life
or at least how I've chosen my various career paths.