Anyways, I thought I'd take the opportunity to take my boy to see the Kennedy's first to enjoy the music and also to see if he could sit through a concert as I want to take him to see a legend or two whilst they still exist. Halfway thought about taking him to Hippiefest at woodstock this weekend: the Animals (one of the greatest of all time), Jack Bruce of Cream (comes with those awesome vocals and tremendous bass playing, the Turtles (soft spot for me - esp. with a song like "You Showed Me", Melanie (love Melanie - surprised? don't be - Candles in the Rain, Brand New Key, Beautiful People etc.). But it's 2.5 hours away and pretty expensive so's I will hold on taking my 10 year old boy - though he loves the Animals - I am dead set on having my kids know good music before the Corporate Music Machine tells them what they need to like. oh, I'm a-going. Review will follow in a later blog.
So I'm off topic already. The Kennedy's - heard about 'em so I was curious. I like good folk when I hear it so I thought I'd check it out at the Hamilton Park. Great playing and singing but was one of those times that you benefit exponentially if you know the material. Unfortunately, there was a lukewarm hush to the proceedings by way of the audience (avg. age um, 52?), so that didn't help. Highlight was their Ukelele playing!! They ripped! I knew I would like to hear more though. What I liked is just what I want in folk - clever, engaging storytelling with some decent acoustic licks to flavor the tales. No vocal inflections that are trendy or annoying - just sweet, passionate, worked out choral kharma. It was there. It helped that they were husband and wife too! It was evident that there was soul-bonding.
Ok, so the last part of the story goes like this: I hung out to meet them as I am wont to do. I try to help with equipment as I've been there many times lugging sh*t while everybody leaves. I allowed my boy to bring his bike for the 2nd set (my first reaction was to say no and then I thought about it - why not?) He was cooperative, quiet (as much as he gets), and had a blast without disturbing anyone. But while I was helping out, he won the Kennedys over (Dave and Maura) but then skinned his knee when he fell off his bike. Well, Maura was like Clara Barton with a first aid kit and hugs and Dave came and offered him CD's - 3!! I halfway thought I should pay but y'know why not let a free offering be free! They wanted to bless him and I didn't want to tarnish it with "filthy lucre". But I am indebted to them and will do what I can to promote them for their talent and good spirit. They are playing two nights at the Colorscape in Norwich. Come on along!
CD's - a kids one by which they go by the Snacks - my boy digs it entirely - it's cute and pretty funny. The Kennedy's 2nd CD "Life is Large" is good tuneful, slightly psychadelic stuff (I love psychadelic folk by the way). Much of it is Byrdsian in harmony and string tone (12 string Rickenbacker helps) and that makes my day (grew up on the Byrds Greatest Hits). Then a solo effort by Dave (Guitar Slinger) that is steeped in Chet Atkins and Les Paul greatness. Wow! my boy stayed in the car the other day to listen to it in it's entirety! Yikes, Mr. Kennedy can pick an acoustic guitar!
So's I have this myspace page - a necessary evil for bands these days. well, not that they have a leaning toward corportaratizing your whole experience with rock-n-roll or nothing, nah - they just have more advertising per riff then anywhere else, but they currently happen to have a jingle contest for all bands registered on the site. I know what you're thinking - "commercial whoredom!" - and that's what I thought until I found out it's actually a "Big Mac Chant Off" Wow!
Well, you know I want to hit the Big Top with the Big Mac and all, but I had just become aware of Wesley Weiss' hilarious tune "Rock-n-Roll McDonalds" and it changed my world considerably! Not only does he take on the Corporation that served billions but has spawned a whole bunch of viral video spoofs of the mega-giant fast food peddler (including this one from QuafShizZel - no, it's not a typo, it features the agit-pop stylings of visual artist Ron English and his garish takes on the other Ronald ya know, the clown).
So hey, why don't I just humbly offer Wesley's version on my myspace page in keeping with the spirit of this campaign of musical adventourism in the name of a great american product and success atory McDonalds - but Noooo, myspace, that free market bastion of the open web pretty much disabled all the various video take-offs of the song available on myspace - not an option to post that video. Hey if McDonald's pays, we don't play it. So in honor of the open web portal that myspace should be and net neutrality which is our right as American citizens, here is my offering for the Big Mac Smack Down (or whatever it was called), Wesley's great take on the "restaurant" and their pernicious ploys to market junk food to kids. It is one of the best things I have found lurking on the web. Are You McExperienced? Well, I am.
Note of Caution: Though this video is just plain old mischievous fun and a good old poke at the powers that be, I will not be responsible for further delving into Wesley Weiss' work - it often gets down right twisted and perverse, he had demonic issues. Though a listen to "Cut the Mullet " is just plain worth it.
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