Everyone has their own taste when it comes to music.

What may be considered music to one’s ears, may be considered simply torturous to others. Just because I feel that Michael Bolton sounds like a cat getting skinned alive, and that his music is some sort of cruel joke to all of mankind, doesn’t mean that some other tone deaf person has to agree with me.

One thing is for certain, whether it is the sweet voice of Bonnie Raitt or the overrated raspy voice of Bruce who stepped in it Springsteen… if it is played at decibels to make you feel that your ears are going to bleed and it is played over and over… it can be quite torturous no matter who it is.

Everyone is aware that the prisoners at Gitmo (Guantánamo Bay) were needlessly tortured by water boarding along with other degrading and unspeakable acts. 

One of the methods used was music played repeatedly and at ear piercing levels. The songs used and some of the artists who made that music are not too happy to say the least. How would you feel if one of your songs was used to torture someone? I am sure you would be horrified.

Well, Michael Stipe of REM, along with twenty or so other artists have aired their disgust, and have banned together and formed Close Gitmo Now.   

A little info on Gitmo first, before we get into which performers are saying Gitmo has to go.

Gitmo has held nearly 800 detainees in it’s history. An alarming majority of those detainees were never charged, nor went to trial. Only THREE of those detainees have ever been convicted of a crime.To keep Gitmo open is costing tax payers MILLIONS.

So what did the spokesman for the CIA say when it came to using music as torture?
He said nuh-uh.

George Little, a CIA spokesman said:

“music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”

And in a 2005 CIA document, it stated,

“loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”

So what tunes and artists made it to the Gitmo “top 20″?

According to the National Security Archive, they used anything from the Meow Mix jingle, to the Barney theme song. They used such artists as Marylin Manson to Britney Spears. Although the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme song both make me cringe and is enough to drive anyone buggy, at ANY volume… I wonder if the Meow Mix or the Barney people have a problem with the fact their music was used at Gitmo? I haven’t heard anything from either of them and I have to say, if they don’t have a problem with it, then I have a problem with them.

Why would they use the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme if it was just “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”?
And why were detainees subjected to “variable light patterns” while this music was played? Is the CIA going to say they wanted to have a disco effect for the detainees? Although it really wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

If the CIA claims are true, then why didn’t they just use classical music at non dangerous levels without light patterns? The term liar liar pants on fire comes to mind.

Another little pesky factor besides the CIA not having the permission of the artists to use their music, is the fact that the artist’s music was used as an interrogation tool.

So which artists are pissed and saying close Gitmo now ?
Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, REM, Pearl Jam, Roseanne Cash just to name a few.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown

Roseanne Cash recently appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart to tell everyone about the petition they have created which people can sign at www.closegitmonow.org

The BBC recently reported:

REM call for Guantanamo closure

Rock bands including Pearl Jam and REM have joined a coalition of musicians to support the US president’s efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

The National Campaign to Close Guantanamo, which also includes former military officers, launched on Tuesday.

Many of the artists who have signed up are angry that their music was used as an interrogation tool in the jail.

But CIA spokesman George Little said music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”.

In a statement, REM said: “We have spent the past 30 years supporting causes related to peace and justice. To now learn that some of our friends’ music may have been used as part of the torture tactics without their consent or knowledge, is horrific. It’s anti-American, period.”

Other artists to sign up to the coalition include Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash, Billy Bragg, Bonnie Raitt and Rage Against The Machine.

On behalf of the campaign, the National Security Archive in Washington is filing a Freedom of Information Act request seeking classified records that detail the use of loud music as an interrogation device.

‘Terrify and punish’

A report published in November 2008 by the Senate Armed Services Committee report, has already made several references to the technique.

In one case interrogators played records to “stress” a prisoner, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who believed music was forbidden.

In 2003, he was questioned while being “exposed to variable lighting patterns” and repeated plays of a song called Let the Bodies Hit the Floor by the band Drowning Pool.

Jayne Huckerby, from New York University’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, said loud music was also played at clandestine prisons run by the CIA.

Following an early information request, Ms Huckerby received a CIA document dated December 2005 in which the agency explained that the use of loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”.

She argued that such sounds were not a “benign security tool,” but a way “to humiliate, terrify, punish, disorient and deprive detainees of sleep, in violation of international law”.

According to the National Security Archive, tracks by AC/DC, Britney Spears, the Bee Gees and Marilyn Manson were used at Guantanamo.

The Meow mix cat food jingle, the Barney theme song and an assortment of Sesame Street tunes also were played into detainees’ cells.

But the CIA insisted any music was played “at levels far below a live rock band”.

And Major Diana Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, said loud music has not been used with detainees since the fall of 2003.

Barack Obama pledged to close the Guantanamo detention camp by January, but Republican opposition in Congress has made fulfilling that promise look less likely.

 

So one of the reasons that Gitmo remains open is due to Republican opposition?
Although I am certianly not surprised by this…. WHY ARE THEY OPPOSED?
What reasons could the Republicans have to want to keep Gitmo going?

The NY Times stated that the estimated annual cost to operate Guantánamo Bay is anywhere from $90 million to $118 million. There are 226 detainees left at Gitmo. That is a cost of $400.000 to $520.000 per detainee. To incarcerate a prisoner in a supermax prison would be $75,000 in the US. Is anyone paying attention to this simple math? Get the facts

At a time when the US is in such an economic mess due to the carnage that was left behind by the lovely Bush administration, perhaps the millions of dollars spent on keeping Gitmo open can be used elsewhere? Ya think?

Now before our comment section turns into a shouting match between Republicans and Democrats…..
and people telling me to get my facts straight, (I only report what is out there) remember that this article is about how horrible it was to use an artist’s music to torture people AND the fact that their music was used without their consent. Not to mention what it costs to keep Gitmo going.

So if you have a comment about Close Gitmo Now or the musicians who started the petition, then that is fine. But if you want to argue about what Obama has done or not done to clean up Bush’s mess that he left behind, or the BS spin and scare tactics that the Republicans are using when it comes to the health care plan, (you know who you are, you silly teabaggers) OR if you are a Michael Bolton fan, then please go argue elsewhere. *SNICKER*

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Early Photo OF Les Paul Back In The Day

The legendary Les Paul has died at age 94. A truly great man whose expertise and talent will live on in the hearts and minds of many. His legacy will continue to inspire musicians for all eternity.

Rolling Stone wrote:

Les Paul, one of the most revered guitarists in history and the father of the electric guitar, passed away last night, August 12th at the age of 94. Paul’s manager confirmed to Rolling Stone that cause of death was respiratory failure, and a statement from Gibson indicates Paul was suffering from severe pneumonia and died at a hospital in White Plains, New York.

Look back at Paul’s life in photos: Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen and more stars with the father of the electric guitar.

An inductee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame, Paul is credited as the inventor of the electric body guitar and the pioneer of recording techniques like electronic echo and multi-tracking. Paul also had a celebrated career as both a solo artist and with singer Mary Ford, his wife until 1964. In 2003, Rolling Stone named Les Paul to our list of the Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and his influence on guitar greats who followed him is undeniable. “He was one of the most stellar human beings I’ve ever known,” Slash posted on his Twitter today, referring to Paul as his “friend and mentor.” Chickenfoot guitarist Joe Satriani released a statement that reads, “Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed. He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls.”

Slash, Tom Morello and more guitarists remember Les Paul.

In the early ’50s, Paul and Ford had a string of hits including Mockin’ Bird Hill,” “How High the Moon,” “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise” and “Vaya Con Dios.” Paul also began experimenting with the electric guitar, building the Les Paul Recording Guitar, an instrument that allowed for “hot” pickups and “fatter” tone than the Fender on the market. Paul linked up with Gibson Guitars and his six-string became one of the guitar maker’s signatures.

Around this time, Paul also made the first-ever eight-track recording, as well as the dual-pickup guitar, the 14-fret guitar, and various types of electronic transducers used both in guitars and recording studios. For his achievements as a technician, Paul was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005, joining Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

Read Gibson’s CEO’s memories of Paul’s impact here.

Paul was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1915, a fact noted in the name of the 1980 Les Paul documentary The Wizard of Waukesha. Last November, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honored Paul with its annual American Music Masters Concert, where Slash, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Richie Sambora and the Patti Smith Group’s Lenny Kaye paid tribute to Paul (watch footage from the event, below). Kaye told the audience, “Before Les, guitars were only amplified. Les made them truly electric.” During his acceptance speech, Paul joked, “Everybody thought I was a guitar until I played here tonight.” One thing is for certain: Les Paul is responsible for changing the way rock & roll sounds and he will be greatly missed.

Our many thanks and gratitude to a great man who blessed us with his ingenuity, his talent, his music and of course his guitars.
Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Name:  Paul Fredric Simon
Birthdate:  October 13, 1941

What do you say about Paul Simon?  Two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member (and rightfully so), multiple Grammy Award winner, guitar player and songwriter extraordinaire, long-time off and on partner of Art Garfunkel…the man truly eludes description.

My favorite Paul Simon song/album?  You gotta be kidding.  There’s no way I can narrow it down.  I’ve loved Paul and his music since I was a teenager and he continues to be a favorite to this day.  It is amazing to me that he continues to have a successful career long after so many of his contemporaries have hung up their guitars and microphones.  Plus, he has the good sense to be able to laugh at himself…a rare quality in a star of his caliber.

His music has touched and influenced my life possibly more than any other musician/songwriter today.  You can have your overhyped, overglossied, overplasticed so-called “artists” of today…give me Paul Simon, a guitar, and a microphone.

Love the sinner, hate the sin is the philosophy I apply to Fox News’ Roger Friedman. I hate Fox News and their over-the-top conservative slant, but I love Roger Friedman’s take-no-prisoners attitude towards celeb Scientologists, and his outright hatred toward Rolling Stone Magazine publisher Jann Wenner.

So today’s article was especially awesome, as he does BOTH.

Tom Cruise = FAIL

Apparently, Tom Cruise, second alien in charge at the Church of Scientology is under the faulty impression he’s still a major star, commanding a major paycheck. Unfortunately for Tom, movie studios aren’t under the same impression and Tom’s having trouble making his once typical $20 million per film. In fact, studios don’t want the liability related to negative press surrounding Tom and the creepy cult he shills for. Here’s more from Roger:

It looks like there’s a snag in Tom Cruise’s big career comeback film. According to sources, Cruise is probably not going to be playing the role of Edwin A. Salt, a fictional CIA officer who is outed as a spy.

“Edwin A. Salt,” which is set at Columbia Pictures, has had a rocky road. First Terry George was set to direct. He left and was replaced by Philip Noyce.

But now Cruise is out, and I’m told it’s because of money. Apparently, Tom is unaware of the change in his status in the Hollywood community. Where once he was the top-paid star, Cruise now is in a position where a $20 million salary is not possible. I’m told an internal memo went around among the film’s producers and top creators in which the Cruise situation was discussed and names were gathered for a replacement.

The reasons for Cruise’s departure are not just his diminished popularity, negative public opinion and Scientology.

This can not be good news for Cruise, who seems to be on the receiving end of this kind of misfortune a lot lately. His most recently completed film, Valkyrie, about real-life German hero Claus von Stauffenberg, has been plagued with problems, ranging from outrage from Germany, to footage being destroyed in fires, to general lackluster interest. The film’s release which was scheduled to open this summer, has been pushed back twice and is now set to release in Feb. 2009. Cruise’s efforts to revamp his career have not worked out so well either, and even a special show with Oprah celebrating his 25 year career did little to help.

Roger also points out one other major PR snafu — Tom’s handling of ex-wife Nicole Kidman’s blessed birth and visitation with her two adopted children from their ten-year marriage. Despite reports of Tom sending a “room full of flowers” to Nicole after the birth of her first biological child, Sunday Rose, Cruise is still keeping her children, Isabella and Connor away. More from Friedman’s article:

Meantime, Cruise remains at the center of the mystery concerning his kids Isabella and Connor’s continued absence from their mother, Nicole Kidman. The kids, I’m told, still have not visited Kidman in Tennessee nor met their new half-sister, Sunday Rose. This kind of thing, Cruise doesn’t seem to comprehend, only adds to his career predicament.

What Roger kindly left off, is that Cruise’s Church of Scientology, also has an nasty habit of separating parents from their kids. They call it “disconnection,” I call it the most despicable policy of the Church.

Rolling Stone Mag’s Jann Wenner Continues To Suck Out Loud

I have railed about Jann Wenner before on Glosslip. His choke-hold on the Rock Hall Inductees reeks of cronism, and those who DO vote, have major blinders on to some of the greatest talents in rock’s history. Oversights such as Roxy Music, The Cure, Rush, Graham Parker, Depeche Mode, Iggy Pop/Stooges, New Order/Joy Division, Moody Blues, Go-Go’s, Run DMC, Duran Duran and many, many more deserving artists proves the inductee list is all about WHO Wenner thinks should be in, not who DESERVES to be in. Well, apparently, this blindness extends to all aspects of Wenner’s misguided attempts to direct music history.

What Roger says:

Leave it to Rolling Stone, the magazine we boycott because of Jann Wenner’s tragic mishandling of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame every year.

In November, Rolling Stone is going to publish a list of the all-time best singers. It doesn’t matter if they’re dead or alive, active or retired, in their prime or over the hill. It’s just a free-for-all of names listed on a ballot and sent to Wenner’s friends.

Voters are asked to select “20 top singers, in order of preference. Among the criteria to take into account: originality, stage presence, influence and, most important, vocal ability.”

That last one must be why Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah and Perry Ferrell are on the same ballot as Whitney Houston, Paul Rodgers and James Taylor.

But it’s a list, you say, and these lists are simply marketing tools designed to infuriate readers and stimulate sales. Right you are. But if they’re going to do a list, regardless of their so-called winner, maybe “the Bible” (ho ho) of rock ‘n’ roll should try not to forget significant names.

Roger’s article includes a long list of names excluded from Wenner’s ballot, many of which I don’t agree with, but the point being, Jann clearly thinks that simply because HE created a list of names deserving of honor, that some how this makes the list definitive. It only means Jann think way too much of himself. Maybe he and Tommy should “hook-up” — if you know what I mean

Artist on Artist Scarlett Johansson – Debbie Harry
Actress and now songstress, Scarlett Johansson and Rock Hall Inductee and famous punker Blondie interview each other for a new series on MySpace: Artist on Artist.

The two gorgeous blondes discuss their mutual appreciation of one another, fan worship (Scarlett of Peter Falk and Blondie of Robert DeNiro), Scarlett’s new record, Anywhere I Lay My Head (a Tom Waits cover album) and a Blondie reissue of Parallel Lines, which coincides with tour to promote the album, one of their finest.

As I’ve mentioned before on this here blog, I am a HUGE fan of 80’s music a culture, which was heavily influenced by the greatness of Blondie. I am bummed they won’t be coming to Cleveland, but I encourage you to check the tour schedule for a concert near you.

Here’s one of my favorites – and I will be frightening the neighbors this summer with my own rendition of this classic. I might even break the internets and post it!

As for Scarlett’s debut, I gave it a decent listen and have mixed feelings. On one hand, she clearly has great taste in music. Tom Waits is classic singer/songwriter stuff and considering her very low, and gravely voice, Waits was a clever choice for Scarlett. She has a pleasant tone to her voice and with the right arrangement sounds pretty good, but she could use a vocal coach to help her.

While she isn’t “tone deaf” like I read some commenting at other sites, her range is quite limited and it shows in areas. I give the songs I heard, especially “Falling Down” a solid “B.”

With some practice, and good song choices, Scarlett could have a minor second career. I also like the behinds the scenes aspect of the video. The smiles that fade to sighs at the end say it all. Despite her inordinate beauty, I like Scarlett, she seems to have a fairly good head on her shoulders. She gets that it’s all a facade, even the fleetingness of beauty.

Yet another year has gone by and tonight we prepare for the next class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, and as usual, it sucks huge donkey testicles.

I blame Jann Wenner, the simpering queen and publisher at Rolling Stone for his constant need to pass up the greats so he can cater to his friends and special interests of the marginally talented. Lest you think I am being too harsh, take a look at this year’s artists, compared to who has NOT been inducted yet.

2008 Performer Inductees

* John Mellencamp
* Leonard Cohen
* Madonna
* The Dave Clark Five
* The Ventures

With the exception of Leonard Cohen, who is an amazing singer/songwriter and likely should have been in YEARS ago, this is a list of *ehhh*, who cares. Sure, Madonna is a master of marketing and mimicry, and John Cougar Mellencamp has some great songs, but the Dave Clark Five? Give me a friggin’ break.

Ok, here’s a list of groups who’ve been completely ignored for years (and mind you, this is a tad heavy on the 80’s New Wave, but STILL…)

Roxy Music – It is a crime against humanity that Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music have been ignored for years, YEARS I tell you. I mean if we aren’t going to judge on artistic integrity, creative genius, and sheer longevity, then what’s the point. Roxy Music is one of the most seminal art-rock bands who crossed over into popular music that ever existed. Period, the end. Case closed. Jann sucks.

The Cure – What the F*CK excuse does the RH committee have for not including the Cure in the Rock Hall? The Cure were as influential to rock as REM, U2 and the Clash, three bands from the same era who are in, yet somehow they keep getting overlooked. I would like to punch Wenner in the ballsack for this oversight.

Rush – I don’t even particularly even LIKE Rush, but still, come on. Progressive rock wouldn’t be the same without them. In fact, there are no prog rock bands in the Rock Hall. No Emerson, Lake and Palmer, no Yes, no Moody Blues, nothing. Why? Because Jann Wenner sucks big hairy ones, as do all the toady lickspittles who kiss his ass. BTW, Jann Wenner likes Scientologists. A lot. He might even be one.

But wait, there’s more glaring omissions: Duran Duran, Joy Division/New Order, Depeche Mode, B-52’s, Tears For Fears – the list goes on as far as the New Wave/Electronic/Punk set goes. What about Cyndi Lauper even? These bands and artists were not only immensely popular, and most still are, but they had tons of hits and sold massive amounts of records.

I will be at the Rock Hall tonight helping the publisher of Blogcritics.org, Eric Olsen, to cover the event for Cleveland.com. I will also be thinking evil thoughts about Jann Wenner, the sucktacularness of Rolling Stone, and his crappy taste in music.

Feel free to list bands who YOU think have been overlooked because the Rock Hall is run by a bunch of corrupt, scruffy-looking nerfherders.

 

It just goes to show that, for once, pretty pretty shiny shiny loses out to style and substance.  Yessssssssss!

Britney Spears, who’s latest CD “Blackout” is on sale at major retailers and music stores everywhere, has been beaten to #1 in the Billboard Top 100 by the Eagles, who’s current double CD “Long Road Out Of Eden” is available only at Wal-Mart.  Yes, that’s right…by confining their CD sales exclusively to one retailer and their website, the Eagles, who’s CD features their first original work in twenty-eight years, have whupped up on Brit, who’s album has to settle for #2 on both the Billboard charts and Nielson Soundscan.

The change comes about because Billboard has decided to allow sales numbers from music sold only at one retailer instead of mass market.  Wal-Mart shared their data with Billboard, and a star is born:

Early SoundScan numbers have the Eagles taking the top perch on The Billboard 200 with 711,000 copies sold, with most sales moved by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores. For now, the only other U.S. outlets carrying “Eden” are walmart.com, where both physical copies and downloads are sold, and the Eagles’ own Web site.

“Eden” became available at the mass-market chain Oct. 30. Aside from two compilations, this is the Eagles’ first album since the mostly live “Hell Freezes Over,” which led The Billboard 200 for two weeks in 1994.

Britney Spears’ new Jive album, “Blackout,” which would have been No. 1 had the Eagles’ data not been reported, will open at No. 2 with first-week sales of 290,000 copies.

All that work Britney’s music team put into producing, mixing, tweaking, and dragging her Frapp behind into the studio, all the time and money thrown at it, all the electronic twiddling and computerized machinations, were not enough to secure the top spot for Brit.  Turns out a bunch of old guys, who’s band has been around since before Brit was born, who have arguably put out some of the best music ever heard, and who (gasp) actually play their own instruments and sing without the aid of computers, beat her…and beat her by a considerable margin.  By my calculations, they sold 421,000 more copies in the first week…and that’s nothing to sneeze at.

I can tell you why…the Eagles may not dance and writhe around (and let’s face it…who wants to see Don Henley or Glenn Frey flailing about in a spangly bra and hot pants?), but they sing live in concert, they play their own instruments, they have mad songwriting skills, and about a gazillion multi-platinum albums (Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 went platinum twenty-nine times!).  Genuine musicality and unparallelled singing wins over a circus freak show…whodathunkit?

Welcome to the Hotel TheyStillGotItfornia!

  

Every year at this time we get to celebrate who made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and I get to lament who has been sorely overlooked. AGAIN!

I have no real issues with this year’s inductees.  They each have merit, certainly some more than others. But I am convinced that those who vote are deeply biased against certain genres.  They HATE new wave, punk, rap, prog rock and metal.  Dorks.

This year’s inductees:

The always angry, former Rage Against The Machine’s Zach De La Rocha, will induct rock queen Patti Smith who is LONG overdue.

Rap mogul Jay-Z will induct Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five finally representing a segment of rock that has been ignored for the last 30 years.

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder will induct R.E.M, whose record of hits and popularity is unquestionable. 

Swarthy pirate wanna-be Keith Richards will be inducting Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes which makes sense I guess (when’s Phil going to jail anyway?) 

And last, but not least, drug-addled Velvet Revolver will induct drug-addled Van Halen, who haven’t had a hit in more than ten years.

But what about those artists who have been overlooked year after year? 
But wait, there’s more…