I am so stuck in the past, music-wise.
It's a tradition with me. While my high school buddies were getting into formulaic crap like Styx, Foreigner, and REO Speedwagon, I was jamming to the Beatles and Stones of the 60's. I am just now discovering that there was some pretty darned good stuff recorded in the 90's. My daughter was pleasantly shocked to hear that I got a kick out of Radiohead's OK Computer.
So prepare to be amazed, Boomer friends. I'm about to heartily endorse an album populated by lots of twenty-somethings!
There's a Boomer connection, of course: the songs all belong to the Grandfather of Grunge, Mr. Neil Young. I've been a passionate NY fan since I first listened to Comes a Time, way back when I used to style my hair.
Cinnamon Girl: Women Artists Cover Neil Young is a two-CD collection of songs by independent artists who all have two things in common: they hold the Canadian genius in high regard, and they all sound amazing.
I'll state right now that the current state of the recording industry is nothing short of disgusting. The RIAA and the lackey record companies who claim membership have kept the price of recorded music at an artificially high rate despite the fact that overhead has dropped precipitously. Plus, they like to sue folks for sharing music, including 80-something grandmothers and eight-year-old kids.
Ergo, you won't see any reviews here for any products that would profit any of them.
However, there is a rich storehouse of indie recordings available on the web, for free, for contributions, or for reasonable fees. Cinnamon Girl is of the latter persuasion. It's a two-CD set that will cost you a grand total of fifteen bucks or so to be delivered to your door.
Obviously, you don't know what you're going to get with independent artists. So what better way to sample them than to listen to favorite familiar tunes?
That being said, this wonderful album will appeal to two startlingly different groups of fans: Those of Neil Young, and those of young artists who have a distinctively modern sound.
The songs cover a wide gamut of Neil's portfolio, from his most famous tune, Heart of Gold, to songs that have stayed off the airwaves like Only Love Can Break Your Heart.
The overall tone of the album is mellow. Most songs are either acoustic, or lightly arranged. The exception is Kristin Hersh's Like a Hurricane, which has some seriously rocking electric guitar cooking.
It is simply a wonderful album. The songs, of course, are Neil Young quality. And it's as refreshing as a springtime shower to hear them sung by ladies young enough to be his grandchildren.
And this is the best part: profits from the modest fee are contributed to Casting for Recovery, a charity devoted to eradicating breast cancer.
It just feels wonderful knowing that you're listening to some great music and no slimeballs from the RIAA are making a nickel, but, on the other hand, you just might be helping to eradicate a loathsome disease.
Boomers, if there's a single Neil Young song you enjoy, please go purchase yourself a copy of this delightful album. You'll be glad you did!
Comments (1)
"Casting for Recovery" is a great way for Baby Boomers to remember the music we loved so much and give a hand against cancer.
Everyone should check it out and if you yourself is not interested in an album, get one as a gift for a friend.
You are right about artists and labels today. But, I do think that Michael Jackson was a good artist in the fact that his music had to be just so, for him to cut a CD.
Thanks for the memories,
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~
Posted by Sharon/Baby Boomer Queen | July 7, 2010 4:15 PM
Posted on July 7, 2010 16:15