the of mirror eye

* The Ramones: Blitzkreig Bop (4.5 mb) Ramones_MP3 (136.5 mb) | Ramones_Flac (466.5 mb)
From Rock and Roll College : Northwestern College : Evanston, IL

Well, it’s been way too long since I’ve posted and for that, I definitely apologize. It’s been a topsy turvy month/month and a half and my regular postings have fallen by the wayside. But to make up for that we’ve got a barn burner of a concert by The Ramones. Largely regarded as being of the first “punk rock” bands out there, The Ramones played a fast, minimalist style of rock that influenced a who’s who of later punk bands. While I can’t claim to be the hugest Ramones fan, I definitely appreciate their energy and music and think they’re an awesomely fun band.

The Ramones revitalized rock and roll at one of its lowest ebbs, infusing it with punk energy, brash attitude and a loud, fast new sound. When the punk-rock quartet from Queens hit the street in 1976 with their self-titled first album, the rock scene in general had become somewhat bloated and narcissistic. The Ramones got back to basics: simple, speedy, stripped-down rock and roll songs. Voice, guitar, bass, drums. No makeup, no egos, no light shows, no nonsense. And though the subject matter was sometimes dark, emanating from a sullen adolescent basement of the mind, the group also brought cartoonish fun and high-energy excitement back to rock and roll. (Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame)

As the info file says, this is a definite “must have” for Ramones fans and people who want to become Ramones fans.

—–+—–

* Weasel Walter Quintet: weasel_walter-01-I-(excerpt) (3.5 mb) | Weasel_Walter_MP3 (47.0 mb) | Weasel_Walter_Flac (162.5 mb)
From Live At 21 Grand : July 31st, 2008 : Oakland, CA

Every time I listen to Weasel Walter, I marvel at how he consistently puts out some of the highest intensity, least compromising musics out there. Starting out in the amazing free jazz/metal group The Flying Luttenbachers, he’s since brought his considerable drumming talents to tons of other groups, ensembles and as a solo project.

Weasel Walter is a man on a quest. He is on a search for that elusive mix of extreme musical sound that will heighten existence. “What I am interested in,” he told Contemporary Musicians, “is creating an abstract music with superhuman qualities. I’m trying to realize a medium in which I can attempt to transcend the mediocrity of the human condition that surrounds me.” The vehicle for that quest is the Flying Luttenbachers. Along the way the band has morphed repeatedly from free jazz to no wave, punk jazz, industrial sound collage, and death metal. The Flying Luttenbachers have also passed through a series of band line-ups that have included the cream of Chicago’s recent improv scene, including Ken Vandermark, Jeb Bishop, and Hal Russell. Walter provides the only constant, and the history of the band is the story of his demanding musical nature. (Contemporary Musicians Bio)

What we have here is an incendiary performance by the Weasel Walter Quintet, featuring the line-up of Aaron Bennett (tenor saxophone), Jorrit Dijkstra (alto saxophone), Damon Smith (contra-bass) and Darren Johnston (trumpet). Aside from Damon Smith, a relatively constant bass player for Weasel Walter, I’m not too familiar with the rest of the group. Although judging from this display of free jazz prowess, I’ll be looking out for more of their stuff. Hopefully you enjoy this as much as I do.

—–+—–