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Crank it up!
There are a lot of songs that talk about summer and the joys of it. This column isn’t about those songs. It’s more about what songs and musicians make me think of summer. Music that immediately brings to mind images of driving with the top down, sitting in a warm breeze, the sun beating down and the warm starry nights. The first thing that pops into my mind is Santana. For some reason I associate Santana with summer more than any other music. I think it’s because I first started listening to Santana during the summer while I was just a young stoner in high school. There’s something to the way Carlos makes his guitar just sing unlike any other performer. From the late sixties to today, over thirty years later he still makes great music that just gives me a vibe, a groove, a feeling unlike any other. A lot of the music that makes me think summer are bands that I just love live. And I still believe the best live shows are outdoors. Neil Young reinforced this opinion for me last Thursday night. I’ve seen him four time previously, and would go again in a heart beat. Sitting in the seats at the Marcus Amphitheater on Milwaukee’s lake front with the wind blowing off the lake and through our hair while Neil went off on a twenty minute tangent that is also known as “Like A Hurricane” was amazing. I listen to Neil Young all year round, but when I think of him the thoughts that go through my head are always summer and outside; in college playing frisbee, sitting in a beer garden on Milwaukee’s east side, sitting at Alpine Valley just outside of Milwaukee and watching his live show. Most definitely summer music. There are plenty of shows coming to our area this summer that I just have to see. Peter Gabriel, the former member of Genesis is coming in support of his new album. I loved him with his former bandmates and still fantasize about a reunion, but his solo work is amazing. He isn’t afraid to experiment with new sounds and new trends. And he loves his audience, which is extremely evident when you see his stage show. He is as much an entertainer as he is a musician. So I’ll be more than happy to let him take a Sledgehammer and Shock The Monkey. A lot of the bands we are going to see are playing at Summerfest. Summerfest is supposedly the largest outdoor music festival in the world. If it’s not, it’s damn close. With over ten stages and bands playing from 11:00 am till midnight each night for ten days it is pretty amazing. I’ll be down there next Sunday night to see one of my favorite live acts, Cheap Trick. They play like nobody’s business. Songs I can sing to, songs I scream to, music that makes me think being a teenager wasn’t all bad. And quite honestly, I think Rick Nielson is one of the most underrated guitar players in the world. The truth is, the Dream Police probably are in my head, and it feels good to know someone understands. David Grohl was a great drummer. His work with Nirvana speaks for itself. However..... He is a tremendous front man. His band The Foo Fighters will be playing at Summerfest as well. Grohl is a student of rock and roll and it shows in his writing. He plays music that he would want to listen to, music that shows his influences and his talent. He loves the music and you can’t miss that when you see him. As much as I love the videos the band has done, I prefer to watch his hands fly across his guitar, and the joy on his face when he’s in front of an audience. In a previous column I went on and on about The Reverend Horton Heat. He’s coming to Summerfest as well, to save a few souls and blow a few minds. Everclear will be there and I love these guys, loud rock and roll and fun and intelligent all at once. The Blues have always felt more like summer music to me. I’ve seen BB King in the heat of the night and it stays with me to this day. We’ll be doing a blues night on the Third of July while we watch Jonny Lang perform. A younger dude who must surprise the hell out of people when they see how old he is, he is a seasoned performer and an virtuoso on the guitar. I still miss Stevie Ray Vaughn. I saw him quite a few times, back before he was huge. I’ve seen him play with his brother Jimmie and both of them playing the same guitar. Summer music? Damn right. So while I may not be able to see him any more, I can still crank it up, and I will, all summer long. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Live music is better. Live music outdoors is best. |
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