The Single Musical Artist Discussion Thread Vol 1.

[readyeddy?]

I want to start a series of threads devoted to the discussion of a single artist or group. I'd like to see anecdotes about concert experiences. Your likes and dislikes about the subject, and any general observations you might have.
I'd like to begin with (drumroll please) Concrete Blonde.
I'm not competely familiar with this group; but what I have heard, I like. I first became aware of their existence through a Nineties collection I own that had the song "Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)". I loved this song. I couldn't get enough of it. Then I discovered I had another song by them on a soundtrack collection for a Showtime anthology called "Fast Track to Nowhere". The song was called "Endless Sleep". Paying closer attention to it I discovered I really loved this song too.
So I finally stumbled across "Bloodletting" the CD and managed to expand my Concrete Blond horizons. I really love "Caroline", "Joey", and "Tomorrow Wendy". Later I found the CD collection "Still in Hollywood". I intend to get the rest of their catalogue as time and money permit.
As with a lot of the groups I like, I discovered them a little late and I don't think they're together anymore. So tell me, what are your thoughts on this band?

[Amora's_best_friend]

Never heard of Concrete Blonde...

They sound funny though.

[Fat_Ninja]

I want to start a series of threads devoted to the discussion of a single artist or group. I'd like to see anecdotes about concert experiences.

Emphasis mine.

You sure ya want me relating concert experiences? I don't think I have enough hours to type up concert anecdotes.

On the subject of Concrete Blonde, they're not my favorites by far, but they're acceptable. Some few really superb songs, but most of it just blends together a bit too much for my tastes. Heck, I can't even pick out one good single that stands out more than others.

All that said, I'd rather hear them than about 98% of the current rock/pop/R&B.

[readyeddy?]

Well, for this thread, the concert experiences should be for Concrete Blond.

[VelvetGuru9]

Haven't seen them in concert but love the song Joey.

[readyeddy?]

Haven't seen them in concert but love the song Joey.
Have you heard any of their other stuff? Anybody who likes vampires ought to enjoy Bloodletting (the Vampire Song). It's got great lyrics.
Like I said, I came too late for the party to even have had a chance to check them out live, but I think they would have been smokin'.

[readyeddy?]

Hmmm, is Concrete Blond too obscure for a thread like this? I tried to resist starting a thread about the more obviously familiar names from the classic rock era, choosing to save them for later. Surely more then three people on the Realms have checked out this group?

[hail_eris]

Have you heard any of their other stuff? Anybody who likes vampires ought to enjoy Bloodletting (the Vampire Song). It's got great lyrics.
Like I said, I came too late for the party to even have had a chance to check them out live, but I think they would have been smokin'.
They were a good time. I saw them post-"Joey," so the crowd was certainly more mainstream than it would have been just a year or two prior (said crowd was scared to death by opening act Babes in Toyland). So when Johnette hit the stage and she launched into "Still in Hollywood," the crowd was a bit confused. I dug it. They did their version of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows" that appears on the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack, and I thought that Johnette did it even better live. Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd was checking their watches while they waited for "Joey." And behavior like that just makes us music snobs feel that much more superior. I suppose it's worse these days, though, because now performers can look down from the stage and see people disinterestedly chatting away on their cell phones. So, yes, I can give a hearty thumbs up to Concrete Blonde - although I'd say that you probably could have skipped "Bloodletting" and gone straight for the greatest hits collection (most of "Bloodletting" is on there)...

[Badgerbite]

A few years back, the Talking Heads reformed without David Byrne.
They called themselves, "No Talking, Just Head", Johnette was the new lead singer, they were just plain bad.

[hail_eris]

A few years back, the Talking Heads reformed without David Byrne.
They called themselves, "No Talking, Just Head", Johnette was the new lead singer, they were just plain bad.
See also:
The Doors without Jim Morrison
INXS without Michael Hutchence
Queen without Freddie Mercury
Van Halen in any post-"1984" incarnation
Any version of Jefferson Airplane that features the word "Starship"

[readyeddy?]

So, yes, I can give a hearty thumbs up to Concrete Blonde - although I'd say that you probably could have skipped "Bloodletting" and gone straight for the greatest hits collection (most of "Bloodletting" is on there)...
Actually I'm glad I picked up "Bloodletting" as it's one of those rare releases that I liked every single cut on it. You don't see that with many artists these days. Even REM didn't pull that off for me, though Radiohead has.

[readyeddy?]

I can't believe they transferred this thread over. Now I'll have to do a volume II.

[readyeddy?]

Here are some links for Concrete Blonde, I only wish there was a link for "Endless Sleep", I love that song too.

Bloodletting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Xm-gNiFOc

Caroline
http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQw5DoGBhOs

Tomorrow Wendy
http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO6qrtSTkew

Joey
http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIIlUHBNkEc

[VelvetGuru9]

I forgot about this song of Johnette's but she was on the disc for "If I Were a Carpenter" doing the song Hurting Each Other. She does a very smoky version of it.

[hail_eris]

I forgot about this song of Johnette's but she was on the disc for "If I Were a Carpenter" doing the song Hurting Each Other. She does a very smoky version of it.
That's a fun compilation, but I've always felt that every other track pales before the Sonic Youth cover of "Superstar." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRiyN_Zn5L8) They treat the source material with respect, and turning the vocal duties to Thurston was an inspired choice. And the dirgey wall of guitars manages to turn a sappy '70s ballad into a desperate, kinda crazy-sounding, message from a performer's "number one fan."

[readyeddy?]

I'm bumping this for the benefit of Magnito.

[neutralmarkhot]

the bassline of bloodletting always reminded me of the Stray Cats. not that that's a bad thing.