Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tommy James and the Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion HD
"Crystal Blue Persuasion" is a 1969 song originally recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells and composed by Eddie Gray, Tommy James and Mike Vale.
A gentle-tempoed groove, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was built around a prominent organ part with an understated arrangement, more akin to The Rascals' sound at the time than to James's contemporary efforts with psychedelic rock. It included melodic passages for an acoustic guitar, as well as a bass pattern, played between the bridge, and the third verse of the song.
In a 1985 interview in Hitch magazine, James said the title of the song came to him while he was reading the Bible's Book of Revelation:
I took the title from the Book of Revelations in the Bible, reading about the New Jerusalem. The words jumped out at me, and they're not together; they're spread out over three or four verses. But it seemed to go together, it's my favorite of all my songs and one of our most requested.
With an appropriate lighting scheme, the 2000s edition of Tommy James and the Shondells perform "Crystal Blue Persuasion"
However, according to James's manager, James was actually inspired by his readings of the Book of Ezekiel, which (he remembered as) speaking of a blue Shekhinah light that represented the presence of the Almighty God, and of the Book of Isaiah and Book of Revelation, which tell of a future age of brotherhood of mankind, living in peace and harmony.
Many listeners thought "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was a drug song advocating the use of "crystal meth" (Methamphetamine), while on the West Coast-- where at the time of the song's release there were several popular types of high quality blue-colored LSD tablets in circulation--listeners generally assumed James was referring to "acid". In 1979, noted music writer Dave Marsh described it as "a transparent allegory about James' involvement with amphetamines." However, until the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was enacted into law by the Congress of the United States as Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, most illicit amphetamine use involved the more readily available pharmaceutical-grade pill form rather than the then-rare "crystal meth" form. It was after the pill form became harder to obtain on the street (with enforcement of the CSA) that "crystal meth" rose in popularity. Thus it is unlikely that "Crystal Blue Persuasion", written before 1970, would refer to "crystal meth".[citation needed] Moreover, until the mid-1970s methamphetamine was most commonly called "speed" or, in the case of cheap home-brewed product, "crank"; the term "methedrine", under which name it was once commercially manufactured, was generally used instead of "methamphetamine", the term that became common after the drug's resurgence in the 1980s.
When released as a single in June 1969, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" became one of the biggest hits for the group, peaking at number two on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. The single version differs from the album version of the song with horn overdubs added to the mix and a longer bongos overdub before the third verse.
Robbie Robertson - Ancestor Song & Mahk Jchi
This video is dedicated to the memory of those murdered at The Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890.
The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek (Lakota: Čhaŋkpé Ópi Wakpála) on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. It was the last battle of the American Indian Wars. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M. Whitside intercepted Spotted Elk's band of Miniconjou Lakota and 38 Hunkpapa Lakota near Porcupine Butte and escorted them five miles westward (8 km) to Wounded Knee Creek, where they made camp.
The remainder of the 7th Cavalry Regiment arrived, led by James W. Forsyth and surrounded the encampment supported by four Hotchkiss guns.
On the morning of December 29, the troops went into the camp to disarm the Lakota. One version of events claims that during the process of disarming the Lakota, a deaf tribesman named Black Coyote was reluctant to give up his rifle, claiming he had paid a lot for it. A scuffle over Black Coyote's rifle escalated and a shot was fired which resulted in the 7th Cavalry's opening fire indiscriminately from all sides, killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow troopers. Those few Lakota warriors who still had weapons began shooting back at the attacking troopers, who quickly suppressed the Lakota fire. The surviving Lakota fled, but U.S. cavalrymen pursued and killed many who were unarmed.
By the time it was over, at least 150 men, women, and children of the Lakota had been killed and 51 wounded (4 men, 47 women and children, some of whom died later); some estimates placed the number of dead at 300. Twenty-five troopers also died, and 39 were wounded (6 of the wounded would later die). It is believed that many were the victims of friendly fire, as the shooting took place at close range in chaotic conditions. At least twenty troopers were awarded the Medal of Honor.
The site has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Laurell Eden - We're All Still Here (We Survived Dec. 21st, 2012! MUSIC VIDEO
Funny dance song about how we all survived Dec. 21st, 2012. So much fun! Check it out. Buy the single on ITunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wer... WHY I MADE THIS VIDEO: I created this video to help people not be afraid about December 21st and instead to celebrate, laugh and be joyful. The song is a joyous post-Dec. 21st anthem of celebration. Its major theme is in the chorus, "We're all still here, alive. There's a party and it's worldwide. So, throw your hands up high cause we made it here alright". By the middle of the video, we've already made it safely to December 22nd. When people see or imagine a positive outcome in advance, it helps them to chill out and expect to be okay. And laughter is such good medicine.
WHAT I BELEIVE ABOUT 2012: I see 2012 as a mile marker in our collective spiritual journey. It marks an approximate time that has already begun -- a time when more and more of us are waking up to our essential spiritual nature and to the knowledge that we are all one. Knowing we are one, we naturally see the benefit of making choices that benefit the whole. And that makes the world more peaceful, more loving and a whole lot more fun to live in. December 21st, the solstice, is "New Year". Remember that you have a choice in what the significance of this particular "New Year" will be for you. My suggestion, whatever you choose to do and wherever you choose to be, is to take a few moments on this day, and the days leading up to it, to sit peacefully with a heart full of love. Love yourself and everyone. See and feel your mind, your life and the world as loving and peaceful. And then, celebrate cause, "We're All Still Here"!
THE MAJOR TALENT IN THIS VIDEO: The talent in this hysterical video is outstanding. It features Comedian Liam McEneaney, New Realities TV host Alan Steinfeld, Spiritual Diva Laurelle Rethke, stunning performer and finalist on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" Robert Taylor Junior, Sali Oguri, Henry Harvey, Gwynedd Vetter-Drusch superstar DJ X-Ray, and bunch of other amazing entertainers listed below.
VIDEO PRODUCTION: Shot and edited by the super-talent team of Dustin Tolman and Jonathan Jordan at Midas Management.
SONG, RECORDING AND PRODUCTION: Music and lyrics by Laurell Eden. Produced by Adam Small and Laurell Eden. Vocals recorded at Think Big by Barry Goldstein. Mixed by Adam Small. Mastered by Chris Gehringer.
THANKS AND CREDIT DUE: Thanks to Westerly Natural Market and Arrow Bar. Beautiful signs in video by Vaios Soriano and Mike Diana.
Thanks to ALL of you for your love and support. Thank you in advance for sharing this video on Facebook and emailing everyone you know who will love and share it.
Buy the single on ITunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wer...
Other entertainers appearing in "We're All Still Here":
Allyson Brunetti
Amanda Cross
Brian McMinimee
Brian McMinimee
Cathrine Alessa Aichinger
Cathryn Hardy
Chelsea Rowe
Christine Martinez
Christopher Jackson (Cjai)
Eileen Cella
Erick Hellwig
Erin Dahl
Fred Pantozzi
Jamie Monahan
Jenny O'Connell
Kika (Francisca) Magalhaes
Lillie Johnson
Mallory Kinney
Millie Pacheco
Natasha Corbett
Paulina Ruiz
Sh'lon Anderson
Taylor Lynne Phillips
Vickie Stevens
With Big Mega-Bunches of Love,
Laurell
***************
"We're All Still Here." We're all still here. We're all still here. Were all still here. All still here. " We're All Still Here Dec. 21 12-21-12
I'm Pregnant and I Know It MUSIC VIDEO
Congratulations!
McKenlee Joy Profitt was born April 6th, 2012 at 4:06pm weighing in at 7lbs. 4oz!!!
Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing - with Zach Galifianakis
This is the highest-quality version of 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' on YouTube.
Song: Can't Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West
Video: Zach Galifianakis and Will Oldham
Exec. Producer: Kanye West
Producers: Zach Galifianakis and Inman Young
Director: Michael Blieden
Editor: Michael Blieden
For more on Zach Galifianakis, visit: http://www.zachgalifianakis.com/
For more on Kanye West, visit: http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com
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For more on DJ Matt Werner, visit: http://mattswriting.com
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