Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Shinedown - "Amaryllis" is a true work of art by a great band!
Shinedown's new album Amaryllis was up for a free stream tonight on Itunes. I have already pre-ordered it and am planning on seeing them twice at the end of the month but I couldn't wait to hear the new album so I took a listen. I am glad I did. I am just reeling with joy on this one!
So I got onto Itunes and right off the start is a great hard hitting song "Adrenaline" which will have you ready to rock and gives you an immediate shot of sweet adrenaline. You know that Shinedown has been working hard to bring you another Kick Ass Rock Album with this one and you really get ready to rock when you hear this song and the incredible guitar work.
Next of course is the new single "Bully" that has been quickly climbing the rock charts and soon to be Number One. This song will have you cheering for the underdog who has had enough of the bully picking on them. We all may, at one time have all been in that position, suffering under someone else's words and insecurities as they push us all down and rise themselves above us. Well this is the song that will change all that. We gain power and regain our strength in numbers with this song. We will all overcome bullies. This song has a great message and hits a personal chord with me and I thank the band for writing this one. My son's personal favorite. Here is the video of the new single, "Bully".
The next song "Amaryllis" brings beauty and joy to my mind as I hear it. I think of those special great times and am filled with childlike love. It reminds me of first loves filled with innocence and being ready for anything. It is like a new beginning and looking out at a new rising sun with everything at my hands waiting for me. With this song I feel anything I want can be attained as long as I am with that special person.
The next song "Untiy" for me is like a dark side opening up to light for the first time. Feeling regret but wanting so much more. Giving up fears to live your life and bringing hope and regaining strength. This song makes me loved and feel like living my life. The vocals of Brent are so sweet and melodic and actually make me feel safe as his words wrap around me and tell me it will all be ok and bring me hope for my future. It is like the truth coming out and welcoming me to a new beginning. Here is a link to their video for "Untiy".
The next song "Enemies" is ENERGY. ENERGY. ENERGY. This is the pent up emotions finally ready to release. Rough and tumble harsh reality that just makes you want to move your carefree body. It is like a anthem for the new you. This is definitely my favorite song of the album. It has a groove that will make you regain your self esteem and walk as if you own it. Yes, you do and this is the NEWyou. Walk it, Talk it, Live it. Feel the new you ignite, the power is you. When you feel it, you can't stop here; you are ready to go, so dream big and make it happen. This is a kick ass song that will wake up your life!
"I'm Not Alright" is the next track and I think of carefree summer days, summer days where even though it may be all wrong, I just feel right right about whatever is going on. Ya, it may be crazy but crazy is ok! This is how it is supposed to feel. This song brings on a very sexy youthful feel.
"Nowhere Kids" reminds me of a don't piss me off '80s song. It has an awesome '80s feel throwback with fast tempo lyrics that have you feeling the energy of every word. It creates a flurry of emotions that can put you in a swirl and bring you into an uptempo positive energy. Definitely one of my favorites on this album.
The next song is an easy tempo song with a funky groove, "Miracle". For me it brings me to the feel of a small cafe where I finally find all the answers to my questions. It is a feel good love song. Feeling good about love expressed and love returned. Realizing how someone means so much to you and you want to express and share everything with them. Great love song.
"I'll Follow You" is a beautiful love song with great vocals right from the start. A true romantic ballad with that lighter in the air moment. . You feel the emotion of a "Freebird" moment along with a romantic ballad holding the one you love around the waist. Yes, corny but in all the right ways!! Just wanting love and nothing else, Giving up on all things except love. It is like a true proclaimation of love for just wanting to be with each other and nothing else.
"For My Sake" is the next track and Brent's singing is right on and hits you with his emotion with every lyric. Feeling the honesty ring out and touch your soul. It is trembling with emotion. Zach on guitars ties it all in together and sweetly brings the vocals to an even deeper depth.
The next track, "My Name (Wearing me Out)" starts off by feeding my soul. This is a true Shinedown song. It brings me to face all my fears and emotions and let the music take me to where it has to set me free. It is almost a song that can bring a cathartic moment to you. You can release all the negative and just breathe in the energy that the music brings to you. it is as if a renewed life comes from this one. Many of Shinedown's past songs have been told to be a life changer for so many; this is the song on this album that can definitely define that statement! Incredible track!
The final song, "Through the Ghost" is gracious exit song. It is almost like getting together after a funeral and just celebrating the person you knew. It is like a celebration of all emotion that you felt from knowing that person, but here it was with an album. It is touching your soul and wanting to know how much it meant to you. It is looking back on how much you enjoyed the album and how it could have affected you,. You glance back and think of it all and this song wraps it all around you. You feel it, live it and breathe it. That is this Shinedown album. The vibe I get is just that; feel the music, live it and breathe it. Don't sell yourself short, don't live behind those words of a bully, don't feel defeated, own it and feel it and gain your momentum. That is what this album bring you; possibly a new you.
I truly can't wait until our upcoming shows to see Shinedown. We are going to catch them first at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on March 28th, 2012 and then again on March 30th, 2012 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Make sure to check out the complete tour of Shinedown and get your tickets! This will be a great show....
~ Marisol
Shinedown band:
Brent Smith - Vocals
Barry Kerch - Drums
Zach Myers - Guitar
Eric Bass - Bassist, Piano
Here are some links for the band:
Shinedown Website: Shinedown.com
Shinedown Fan Member Site: Shinedownnation.com
Facebook Site: www.facebook.com/Shinedown
Twitter Site: www.twitter.com/Shinedown
MySpace Site: www.myspace.com/Shinedown
Itunes site: www.itunes.com/Shinedown
Sunday, March 4, 2012
One of our Bay Area legends; Ronnie Montrose passed away at 64.
His first band was Sawbuck in 1969. He later went on to play with such greats like Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs, Edgar Winter Group and then finally in 1973 he formed his own incredible band, Montrose which featured Sammy Hagar on vocals. After putting out albums as Montrose or Ronnie Montrose, he then formed GAMMA and then continued on playing with Seattle band; Rail, Paul Kantner, and even added his guitar work to Gary Wright's "Power of Love".
Whatever Ronnie was playing, one thing is for sure; he gave it his 150%. He was someone who would devote his entire passion to what he was doing. That is why he was our Bay Area Legend. We could go see him and always get an incredible show. It didn't matter who or how many people were there, he would play each show as if it was his last. He had energy and vigor and you could see on his face, his pure love of what he was doing.
Ronnie announced in 2009 that he had prostate cancer and was going to battle this head on. I always thought if anyone could beat the battle of cancer, it would be Ronnie. That man had a determination that could not be challenged. It has been reported that he had been in declining health. The following statement was posted on the Ronnie Montrose website:
“A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose’s 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn’t take any of our love for granted. He passed today. He’d battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we’re glad to have shared with him while we could.”
My son put together a memorial tribute video for Ronnie. I grew up listening to Ronnie and seeing him around at the Bay Area shows. I have shared stories with my son and he has always loved songs like "Bad Motor Scooter", "Rock Candy", "Rock the Nation" and what I think is the fitting song for his tribute; "Music Man".
My husband Stephen shared his story with me of seeing Ronnie Montrose play in the Bay Area. He tells me of how he was amazed by Ronnie's guitar work and his stage presence that let the fans know he was there just for them. He said he is honored to have seen him and wished he could have seen him at his upcoming show right here in Santa Rosa at the Last Day Saloon on April 28th.
Ronnie, you had such incredible talent and a personality that matched. You gave us years of incredible music that will live on in our hearts. Your gift to us will never be forgotten or taken for granted. I particularly love one story that someone shared on my son's video page about how they first discovered "Jump on It":
That is the kind of story that I am talking about. Ronnie was part of our past, part of our present and he will live on in our future.
Here are some haunting lyrics from Montrose , "Make it Last" that remind us of how to live:
But now I live my life from day to day
'Cause I wouldn't have it any other way
Whether I'm twelve or I'm 64,
I spend my time like there aint gonna be no more.
Rest in Peace Ronnie, you are in our hearts, Music Man.
Ronnie Montrose November 29, 1947 to March 3, 2012
~ Marisol
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