Why I'm Starting To Like Michael Bolton

I can honestly admit that I am starting to really like Michael Bolton...more so for his recent work than the stuff he's actually known for...here's some examples...

Office Space with Michael Bolton from Funny Or Die

Lyrical Story Telling

There was a time when the only way you would hear what was happening in other parts of the world was through the songs sung by traveling minstrels. It was through the minstrel’s musical tales that the legends of iconic characters like Robin Hood, William Wallace and King Arthur grew. It was also these same songs that blurred the lines between historical facts and exaggerate fiction.

Over the years music continued to introduce us to new characters. In later years, these characters tended to be more fictional, but through the mass popularity of some of these songs their names became just as well known as the artists singing about them.

For example, we learnt that Billie Jean is not my girl, and heard a little ditty about Jack and Diane. Ricky was a young boy and rat-tailed jimmy was a second hand hood. We didn’t have to worry about Cecilia breaking our heart, because we later learnt that it was really Stacy’s mom that has got it going on. Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends who decided that Earl had to die.We know Tommy used to work on the docks and Gina works the diner all day. Years later Bon Jovi actually brought these characters back, mentioning them in their song “It’s My Life” and I remember when I heard the line ”For Tommy and Gina who never backed down” it was like getting an update on long lost friends.  

You may have noticed, these are all older songs. Do we still see this kind of song writing in today’s music? Is this something that is maybe missing? I don’t want to come across as that old crotchety guy screaming “Today’s kids don’t know how to write music! Back in my day musicians wrote songs that told stories!” I’m asking a legit question. Are we missing this kind of song writing? Has this style been lost? Does today’s music miss that tangible piece that draws us in? The lines and lyrics that captivate our attention and engage us to hear what will happen next? These qualities helped to make a song memorable. In fact, chances are when you read the majority of the lyrics I included in this blog, the song popped into your head. Some possibly even as soon as you heard the main character's name.

Now, I am also willing to fully admit that I could be wrong and if you are aware of any modern songs, more specifically popular modern songs that are chart toppers like the ones that were referenced in this blog, that introduce us to someone and tell us an intriguing story about them, please let me know. I would honestly like to know. As well if you can think of any other older songs that I may not have included in this blog, feel free to share.

As a special treat...here are the videos for some of the songs I was referring too...

Eight Days A Week

A while back I posted a blog about how I think creating and sharing playlists on streaming sites like Spotify, Rdio, etc could potentially be the new “mixed-tape”. (CLICK HERE to read that blog) 

In that same blog I hinted/suggested I was toying with the idea of creating my own regular playlist to share with others. Since then I’ve asked a series of questions to see which streaming sites people use and if they follow any specific playlists to get a sense of where I should make my playlist available for others.

I’m excited to share with you my first playlist called Eight Days A Week.

Here’s the basic premise of what this playlist will be about and include.

Once a week I will be sharing a playlist made up of 8 tracks. These tracks were all new to me during the week. I will not discriminate when it comes to genres (although the majority will probably be rock, hard rock and metal)

I love hearing new music and earlier this year, I challenged myself to try and hear at least one new song a day. To make it slightly more challenging, I added the stipulation that I can’t seek out new music, I had to come across the new song randomly.  Listening to streaming sites, satellite radio, playlists I follow and other option waiting for a new song to come up in the mix.

Along with my love of hearing new music, I'm also very passionate about introducing others to new music and what better way to do that than by creating my own mix-tape/playlist. 

Knowing that not all people access music in the same way, I've made the Eight Days A Week playlist available through three different options. Mixcloud, Spotify and Rdio. Feel free to follow my playlist through these options so when the list gets refreshed every week, you won't miss any of the new tracks! 

***Side note...because I've actually been thinking of doing this for a while, I've technically already put together 2 weeks worth of new music and have another 3-5 weeks of new music to put together to catch up to this week. So the first couple playlists will be published fairly quickly, slowing down to one a week once I'm caught up to the current week of new music. Also, some songs may not see 'new' as I heard them for the first time weeks ago and other sources may have started playing them. 

Anyways...enough of that...lets get right down to the music. 

Eight Days A Week - Episode 1

Eight Days A Week - Episode 1 by 0ddball on Mixcloud

CLICK HERE to listen on RDIO 

CLICK HERE to listen on SPOTIFY

Eight Days A Week - Episode 2

Eight Days A Week Episode 2 by 0ddball on Mixcloud

CLICK HERE to listen on RDIO 

    

CLICK HERE to listen on SPOTIFY

Let me know what you think of the playlists, the concept, the tracks and if there is anywhere you'd recommend I go to hear new music, let me know! (Also feel free to share this with others)

Playlists - The return of the mixed-tape?

Back when cassette were the dominant format for listening to music, making a mixed tape for someone of your favorite songs or songs you think that other would like was fairly common practice. Some music enthusiasts would spend hours finding the right mix of tracks, putting them in the perfect order from start to finish, and even taking the time to consider what songs would be on side “A” and side “B”

This practice resurfaced for a bit when the CD-R was made available to the public. But the mixed-disc was never as powerful or impactful on music engagement as the mixed-tape. Making mixes for friends faded away once the internet became the dominating music provider/resource for music. Some could argue that some podcasts or online radio shows could be considered the modern day mix-tape, but the personal aspect was missing, as the target audience was a lot broader.

In 2014 we saw a surge in music streaming services subscription and a shift in how we attain and listen to music change. With this new shift, music has become very customizable. For example Songza offers playlist based on your mood, the day of the week, the activity that you are participating in. As the streaming market becomes more and more flooded, other streaming sites have tried to replicate Songza’s approach creating topical playlists or ones revolving around a specific theme. Some streaming sites have even reached out to artists, asking them to create playlists of their favorite music to share with their fans.

I’m hoping the next step in this evolution brings back the ‘mixed tape’. Every streaming site that I’ve used gives users the options to not only create their own playlist but to share said playlist with friends on social media. Some even give you the option to follow other user’s playlists. If the streaming sites want to really engage their subscribers and get them to stick with their service, I think encouraging them to create playlists and share them is the way to go. It could lead to a whole new generation of music taste makers. Individuals whose playlists become known for introducing great music to others. People would start subscribing not just to the streaming provider, but also the playlist curator.

I’m already following a couple music industry guru’s playlists, considering doing my own (let me know if you want me to send you the link if I do). Instead of asking people to share their music/videos on facebook, independent artists should encourage fans to add their music to playlists. If they're sharing their playlists or have followers, there's not only a better chance that their music will get listened to but it would also mean additional revenue from streaming sites.  

If done properly, this could be a new engaging channel to discover new music. Sharing ‘mixed-tapes’, I mean playlists with your friends.  Who's up for it?

Canadian Christmas #1?

The Christmas Number One Single is a single that reaches number one on the national pop music charts in the week in which Christmas Day falls. It is primarily a pop culture phenomenon in the United Kingdom. 

Over the past couple of years the Christmas number One Single has drawn a lot of attention, some of which may have been kick started by a story line in the movie Love Actually where an old rocker tried secure the number one spot at Christmas. 

In recent years, the Christmas Number One Single has also drawn a lot of attention to itself due to massive online campaigns to try and help a specific track reach number one. These efforts were successful when Rage Against The Machine's "Killing In The Name Of" secured the number one spot, 17 years after it's initial release. 

This past year's Christmas Number One Single was from UK X-Factor winner Ben Haenow. How do I know this? A wide variety of music journalist, bloggers, critics and fans posted a wide variety of articles, posts, on the race to see who would be number one and finally who secured the coveted spot. 

The Christmas Number One Single is derived from the UK music charts and reflects what is happening musically in the UK. What I find interesting is even when reporting on the UK #1 single at Christmas, you see no mention of what is currently number one during that same week in Canada (or the US...if the article was written by an american). Doesn't anyone care?

So if you've been wondering "What was the Canadian Number On Single this past Christmas" according to Billboard's Canadian Hot 100 and Mediabase's Canada - Top 40, the number one single in Canada the week of Christmas was...

Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" (okay...maybe that's why no one reported it...)

Don't like playing shows where less than 20 people show up?

Don't like playing shows where less than 20 people show up? It can be frustrating, but all bands have done it at one point or another. Even The Beatles. Here's a picture of them playing a show where only 18 people showed up. (You can see more pictures and read the story here.)

Most Played in 2014

Every year on New Years Day I hit 'reset' on the play count for my iTunes library, but before I do I always take the time to see which songs I listened to most during the year and then share the Top 10 online. For the first time in a long time, I was kind of surprised with what came in at #1, the song I listened to most in 2014. Here's the list...

Top 10 Played Songs in 2014 

10. Jim Croce "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"

9. A Day To Remember "Right Back At It Again"

8. Crobot "Nowhere To Hide"

7. Dallas Smith "Tippin Point" 

6. Baby Metal "Gimmie Chocolate"

5. Sixx A.M. "Gotta Be Right"

4. Nothing More "Mr. MTV"

3. Brantley Gilbert "Girls, Girls, Girls"

2. Eve 6 "Lost & Found"

1. Pearl Jam "Even Flow"