The Stranger: LIVE 1977

If you are familiar with the musician/singer-songwriter/recording artist: Billy Joel - then you might know that one of his biggest selling; most critically acclaimed; and fan favorite records was his breakthrough album of 1977: "THE STRANGER"
- (The previous album: "TURNSTILES" is probably my favorite B.J. album)

There is now a re-issue/ remaster / box set edition available - which contains video of vintage/period performances.
One - from British Television:
"The Old Grey Whistle Test" - an hour of brilliant Billy Joel and band LIVE -in their prime.(promoting the new album "The Stranger" - and playing through a rousing set of selections from that album - and past material of Mr. Joel's. )
The other - an historic performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.(From the same period.)(With the accompaniment of an orchestra)
These are just wonderful things to watch! - and I highly recommend procuring a copy to enjoy for yourself.
-I watched/ listened - and enjoyed them immensely.
Recorded at a time -(mid/late 1970s ) - when music on television wasn't so slick and sanitized.
There was sweat; and glare; and yellow, crooked teeth. (the teeth of the frontman / the star of the show!) - - - Unheard of these days!!! - (Billy's teeth today, are perfect white; straight rows of Chiklets.)

AND - The revolutionary concept of: actual musicians/singers performing REAL music on stage!

Here assembled - was a great group of backing musicians/ sidemen:
- Liberty DeVitto on drums: a longtime member of the Billy Joel band who employed a combination of jazzy and exotic rhythms - melded with pop rock power.(making it all so accessible)
Liberty was a perfect drummer to match Billy's use of a variety of unusual styles.(Pop; Rock 'n' Roll; Latin; African; Jazz; etc.)
-Doug Stegmeyer on Bass: another longtime member of the band. (Always playing lovely, solid, tasteful basslines - so integral to the records and stage shows.)
-Richie Cannata on Organ; Sax; Flute, and more: -He always added that rich, atmospheric, layered sound to Billy's records and shows.
Also, his various instrumental contributions helped to create this cool, jazz nightclub vibe.
-Howie Emerson on guitar/electric and acoustic: adding shimmer and edge to these performances.

This, to me, was Billy Joel's greatest period - he was still hungry/still angry -"THE Angry Young Man" / still having to prove himself.
He could still be called "The Piano Man".
Playing, (through most of the "Whistle" performance) on a Bechstein - baby grand? - which had a charming; old-timey jangle.
The band ran through a speedy-ragtime /vaudeville-styled instrumental called: "Root Beer Rag" - and also, "The Entertainer" - an early song about the pressure to stay on the charts - or risk ending up on the "discount rack -like another can of beans."

The success of "The Stranger" - and the next few follow up albums was definitely prolific - and yielded many quality songs - with growing commercial appeal.
"She's Always A Woman" brought the waltz ballad back to the mainstream.
"Just The Way You Are" made the Rhodes electric piano a household name.
"Only The Good Die Young" probably offended some hard-core Catholics - but was sweetly accompanied by strumming 12 string guitars - and drums played aggressively with brushes.
An even jazzier record followed : "52nd Street" - which brought the edgy rock hit: "Big Shot" -( a kind of fish out of water song )- on such a jazz-flavored record.
Though "My Life" (from the same record) was a pretty safe; commercial hit too.
This record led to more adaptable stylings - such as 1980's: "Glass Houses";
1981's: "The Nylon Curtain" - and 1983's: "Innocent Man" - the beginning of the Christy Brinkley years.
- - - eventually leading to the downfall of the former artist - and the rise of the has-been pop star - who married a supermodel...later, helping lead him to his near ruin.

Today, clinging to the frayed ends of his sanity; talent, and hair - Billy survives as a legend, who-( with all his blunders )- still has the respect of music fans.


Please, do yourself a favor - and check this one out!
Bye for now.
Philippus Van Yaas

hope for the funny-looking

Hello, Everybody: (AND - especially Boys in Bands)

This music video has given me hope.
"Natural Disaster" by Plain White T's.
To me - This is a "CLASSIC"-style music video.
-With dramatic lighting; a variety of attractive women; and a band frolicking/partying- and rocking out on stage. (pretending to perform their song.)
The thing that strikes me - is that: the lead singer of this band is pretty goofy / funny-looking. (with big; goofy ears and a big; flaring schnoz/nose.)
It gives me hope that a band - (with virtually only one big hit: "Hey There, Delilah")- gets to make a music video with all the trappings of rock and roll.
- Plain White T's are from a nearby suburb of Chicago, Villa Park,IL. (So, I've heard.) - this is another reason for hope.
-I'm a funny-looking guy from a Chicago suburb . . . Maybe I can make it too!

In the same way that "Country Music" makes obligatory and gratuitous use of these themes: pick-up trucks; drinking whisky and beer; overcoming life in small town/rural America, and thanking "the lord" - So too, rock music is guilty of it's use of hot babes/models; guys that appear to soon be "getting some" from said babes, and all the trappings of a cool rock band in a cool rock video. (You know? . . . all the smoke and mirrors)
The music business(as we used to know it) may be on it's way to extinction, but the last gasps have really brought it full circle.

a continuation

Oh, I was actually trying to edit some things from my first posting - - - but, what the hey!?.... I guess I should continue the story.
So...That first gig came in the Summer of 1987(Sept. 9) - while I was on an indefinite break from academic studies.(between stints at a community college and a university in Chicago)
Unfortunately, I was working a summer job - as a painters helper. (busting my hump: taping and painting walls - and literally busting my balls moving cabinets and furniture around.)

Our band: FUTURE MANAGEMENT-(a name lifted from a Roger Taylor song from his solo album) - played a mixture of originals(mostly)- and typical, bar band covers for this first gig.
Our originals were a combination of up-tempo 1980s rock (The Romantics); angy-young-man punk (a' la' Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello)- and heavy metal / "hair band"/ mook rock.( a' la` Dio; Poison; and Ratt)
After all, it was the late 1980s and we had Los Angeles' "Z-Rock" broadcasting into Chicagoland - on 106.7 fm. (and our own "METAL STATION" at night - WVVX - - - which started on AM, I think - and later switched to 103.1 fm)
In the wake of MTV's first five years, we were also influenced by the influx of Euro-pop music and American recording artists - featured on videos. (A few favs of mine: Joan Jett and The Blackhearts; Big Country; U2; The Police; The Clash; etc.)
The night went well - for a Wednesday - it was at a rock club / bar called : The Iron Rail.
(Kind of a dump, really - - - but, they'd have some pretty decent bands there regularly.)
The true rock club was The Thirsty Whale in River Grove, IL. - where you had to be pretty full- on / hard-core rockers to get a gig.(And have a significant following)
Cash-wise, we ended up in the red - and had to pay back a fee to the soundman.
I was not then, and haven't ever been in this for the money.
-Something, I realize - has been to my detriment - - - in the long run.
(Nowadays, I'm ONLY in it for money and chicks! . . . . NOT! HA! - - - unfortunately, I'm still in it - for the love of music. PRETTY SAD!)
Overall, a good experience though.
A supportive crowd of friends showed up to cheer us on - and we received positive feedback from strangers too.
I forgot to mention - that with about 2 weeks notice: we did get a replacement bass player.
Before we located this guy though, I also began preparing to play bass - as I knew several drummers who could fill in.
This really began my 16 year run(on and off) as predominantly a bassist.(Thanks Vince!)

After the gig, I was battered physically and mentally - so, I decided to put the band on an indefinite break - and work on some of my own personal songs/ideas - and come up with new material/ new direction/ style.

With the confidence that I could sing well enough to front a band- I began to audition for a couple new groups.
Singing lead vocals, I soon realized, was not really my strong suit- and I decided to concentrate on bass playing and writing.
And ended up playing bass in an original hard rock/ metal band: called Wide Eyed.
This ended up in a dead end - but I learned a lot, I guess....
I'll pick up the story next time.

foundations

View my page on Gene Yaas

foundations

Hoi / Hello Everyone:
This is the first entry into the fascinating arena of blogging for me.

Let me introduce myself - I am Van Yaas, a lifelong resident of Chicagoland and a member of the Chicago Music Scene for 20 years. (This coming September 9 : 2008 - will mark the 21st anniversary of my first paying gig.)
My musical career began like most suburban kids who end up playing in bands - - - taking up an instrument in High School and plunging headfirst into the deep end of rock music.
Even though I only actually got my drums at the age of 16, I always considered myself a musician-from the earliest time I could remember.
I grew up in a house with the radio on; records playing; and singing with family and friends.
It was in the late 1960s and early 1970s when I awakened to popular music.
Day and night, my brother; sisters; cousins; friends and I listened to A.M. radio in Chicago. (mostly WLS and WCFL)
Sonny and Cher were on t.v.; even The Ed Sullivan Show was still on; The Osmonds and later Donny and Marie; Tony Orlando and Dawn - and variety shows -like Carol Burnette dominated prime time television.

So, it was in this climate that my musical foundations were formed.
On the radio - there were so many things to make your ears perk up and stimulate your senses.
Radio in the '70s was strange - such a mish mash of sounds.
You'd hear: a multitude of "one-hit-wonders"(Player-"Baby Come Back"; Argent: "Hold Your Head Up"); lots of "Light Rock" (Bread; Ambrosia; America; Little River Band);Heavy metal came into existence- (though A.M. radio didn't play any Black Sabbath or much Led Zeppelin)
California bands ruled(The Eagles); the original glam bands hit hard(The Sweet); there was David Bowie(in all his various incarnations); and a host of singer/songwriters from around the country and world - were plentiful.(James Taylor; Jim Croce; Cat Stevens,Carole King, etc.)
Strange and interesting bands were introduced:(10cc; E.L.O.; Kansas; Styx,etc.)
And, of course - we always heard The Beatles; and Paul McCartney and Wings - on radio and records.
But in 1975 - a song came on the radio that took everyone by surprise.
It was "Bohemian Rhapsody" by QUEEN.
This song stopped me dead in my tracks- everytime it came on.
I'd wait until the last note was played, before breathing normally again.
At this point, QUEEN had a few minor hits in the States - and a pretty big one the year before with "Killer Queen" - a one of a kind track(very unusual/totally unique- but very catchy and memorable), which established the band on American radio.
"Bo-Rhap" began my lifelong devotion and admiration for the music of QUEEN.
They've taken me on such exciting adventures through their creative; imaginative and masterful recordings and live performances.
-My first concert experience was seeing QUEEN! - 1977 at Chicago Stadium.
My cousins' aunt had a connection with someone at the Stadium - and the guy got us fourth row center seats - UNBELIEVABLE! - I've never had stadium seats that great since.
-I've never even been on the main floor since.
The concert was spectacular! - the band were touring for their album "News Of The World" - with the hits"We Will Rock You" and We Are The Champions" - though their older material was what we preferred most. (still do)
This was , I think - their first U.S. headlining tour. (no opening act!)
On previous tours, they'd served as opening act to Mott The Hoople; and Thin Lizzy.
They're still the biggest influence on my life in music.

So . . . By the time I started playing in a group, it was the mid-1980s - - - and radio had changed.(now, it was F.M. we were all listening to - and either VERY commercial:(Madonna;Michael Jackson; Men At Work; Kenny Loggins) -OR - more indie: (Pretenders; Talking Heads; R.E.M., etc.)
There were also several "ROCK" stations to choose from. (That played what we now call: "Classic Rock")
Starting in about 1982, I was regularly listening to WXRT in Chicago.
My High School art teachers used to let us put the radio on during class.

This was great for stimulating discussions and hearing new bands.
And for a budding musician and his cohorts, this environment served as a springboard for rock and roll dreams.
My closest friend, at the time: John H. -(and for much of the next 2 decades)- was a fellow art student and an upstart musician.( he chose guitar- and I was on drums)
We both started playing around the same time - and decided to join forces.
Though, I had an older brother and 2 cousins who also played musical instruments.
We played mostly originals - almost exclusively.(being either too lazy / undisciplined OR -uninterested in learning other peoples' songs. ?)
We chalked it up to: Creative people like to make their own creations.

Our group found a "sometimes" bass player in my cousin: Vince N.(a natural-born bassist and great supporter of our sporadic and manic antics.)
When that first gig rolled around - Vince had to bail.( he was recovering from an exploded appendix- at the time.)
I'll continue the story in the next blog post.
Till then: keep dreaming.
p Van Yaas