Off To Never Neverland ... Metallica Black Album Turns 25

“He said, ‘Bob, I’ve never really sang before — I’ve just kind yelled,'” Rock recalled. “He played me a Chris Isaak record, and he said, ‘On ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven,’ I want to sing. How do you sing like this?‘”

Read More: James Hetfield Wanted to Sing Like Chris Isaak on Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/james-hetfield-sing-like-chris-isaak/?trackback=tsmclip

“He said, ‘Bob, I’ve never really sang before — I’ve just kind yelled,'” Rock recalled. “He played me a Chris Isaak record, and he said, ‘On ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven,’ I want to sing. How do you sing like this?‘”

Read More: James Hetfield Wanted to Sing Like Chris Isaak on Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/james-hetfield-sing-like-chris-isaak/?trackback=tsmclip

“He said, ‘Bob, I’ve never really sang before — I’ve just kind yelled,'” Rock recalled. “He played me a Chris Isaak record, and he said, ‘On ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven,’ I want to sing. How do you sing like this?‘”

Read More: James Hetfield Wanted to Sing Like Chris Isaak on Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/james-hetfield-sing-like-chris-isaak/?trackback=tsmclip

“He said, ‘Bob, I’ve never really sang before — I’ve just kind yelled,'” [Bob]Rock recalled. “He played me a Chris Isaak record, and he said, ‘On ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven,’ I want to sing. How do you sing like this?‘” ~James Hetfield inspired by Chris Isaak

That iconic opening of Enter Sandman ushered in a new era for Metallica and for new legions of fans. To the screams of them selling out, Metallica hit the mainstream. Gone were the 10 minute anthems from our greatest literature (For Whom the Bell Tolls, Johnny Got His Gun, and ... The Bible) and in were 3 minute made for video/radio songs that caltured Metallica's true talent. Totally their own choice to keep this one simple, they could not get away from the critics. The fifth album of Metallica's, simple known as The Black album is one of the best selling albums ever world-wide.

I bought this album at the stroke of midnight. By 1am, it was my favorite album and I was going to marry James Hetfield. In six months, I wore out the cassette. 25 years later, I've met James, married someone else, but The Black album remains of my my top favorite albums of all time.

If you want to see the 90's and what 'tallica was throwing themselves into I highly recommend the video documentary of the making of this album (my vhs copy only lasted two years).

Metallica deserves credit for putting their band on the line for trusting Bob Rock to hone the talent they had, but didn't know they could muster in certain ways. Learning to sing not scream, using varied guitar tuning, and turning up the bass! This album also debuted at the video age, allowing us more face time with the band, and giving us some scary nightmare videos.

Enter Sandman
What a way to start the new era of Metallica. This song has the perfect intro, crescendo, and a scary music video. The first to be released off the album, this song hushed some of those pesky critics.

Sad But True
Again, a driving song. Simple lyrics on this one - dare say, it sides on poetic.  

I'm your dream, mind astray
I'm your eyes while you're away
I'm your pain while you repay
You know it's sad but true
 

Holier Than Thou

Sticking with some of their old themes, this one speaks of the hypocrites. James, who often goes to his religious upbringing, brings some preaching to this song. 

Before you judge me take a look at you
Can't you find somethig better to do
Point the finger, slow to understand
Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand

It's not who you are it's who you know
Others lives are the basis of your own
Burn your bridges build them back with wealth
Judge not lest ye be judged yourself

The Unforgiven
Ohhh, a slow song but hardly a ballad. Classic guitar and James singing made everyone take a step back and realize this bad has talent. 
The video for this takes Metallica into an artistic realm that was perfect for the MTV era.

Wherever I May Roam
One of my favorite running songs, this song about the road is Metallica's answer to Bob Seger's Turn the Page. 

...and with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slave
Rover wanderer
Nomad vagabond
Call me what you will

Don't Tread on Me
With the Gadsden Flag snake already adorning the album, this Revolutionary inspired song opens with a familiar and clever sample: America from West Side Story. 

Hetfield said the song was a reaction to the anti-American tone of their album ...And Justice for All - "This is the other side of that. America is a fucking good place. I definitely think that. And that feeling came about from touring a lot. You find out what you like about certain places and you find out why you live in America, even with all the bad fucked-up shit. It's still the most happening place to hang out." ^{Fricke, David (November 14, 1991). "Metallica". Rolling Stone (617). Archived from the original on March 21, 2009.} 

Through the Never
Lots of new riffs from Kirk on this album. Hints at their past thrash memories and filled with the philosophy of Metallica.

Nothing Else Matters
The ballad that was not supposed to be. Hetfield wrote if for his girlfriend and thankfully it ended up on the album. A sellout to some, this song really brought Metallica to the masses. 
 

Of Wolf and Man
Driving rhythm and pretty simple song about finding your inner wolf. 

The God That Failed
Heartbreaking to hear this song when you hear it's inspiration. James blames his mother's Christian Science beliefs for her not seeking out medical help for her cancer. James' anger at God is painful. It is a profoundly deep and painful song that fits well with the angst of Metallica. 

I see faith in your eyes
Never your hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail

Follow the god that failed
 

My Friend of Misery
This is such a classic Metallica riff, memorializing the days of Fade to Black. A song about something putting everything on themselves but not accepting any help

The Struggle Within

If Sandman was the perfect intro, Struggle is the perfect conclusion to this album. It's very revolutionary drumming and simple guitar riff brings the album to a perfect close. 

“The fact is that we all like black as a color,” Ulrich said in Enter Night. For an added exclamation point, frontman James Hetfield then added, “Here it is, black sleeve, black logo, f— you.” In fact, the Black Album’s cover was distinguished only by the band’s barely perceptible logo in the upper left corner and a coiled snake in the bottom right corner.

Read More: The Story Behind the Cover of Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-black-album-cover/?trackback=tsmclip

The idea for the stark concept came to Lars Ulrich early in the recording process, according to Mick Wall’s Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica. At the time, the drummer was “browsing through a typically colorful heavy metal mag, noticing how the ads for various albums all looked the same,” which was not sitting well with him. “All these cartoon characters and all this steel and blood and guts,” Ulrich said. “It was like, ‘Let’s get as far away as possible from this.'

“The fact is that we all like black as a color,” Ulrich said in Enter Night. For an added exclamation point, frontman James Hetfield then added, “Here it is, black sleeve, black logo, f— you.” In fact, the Black Album’s cover was distinguished only by the band’s barely perceptible logo in the upper left corner and a coiled snake in the bottom right corner.

Read More: The Story Behind the Cover of Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-black-album-cover/?trackback=tsmclip

The idea for the stark concept came to Lars Ulrich early in the recording process, according to Mick Wall’s Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica. At the time, the drummer was “browsing through a typically colorful heavy metal mag, noticing how the ads for various albums all looked the same,” which was not sitting well with him. “All these cartoon characters and all this steel and blood and guts,” Ulrich said. “It was like, ‘Let’s get as far away as possible from this.'”

Read More: The Story Behind the Cover of Metallica's Black Album | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-black-album-cover/?trackback=tsmclip

The fact is that we all like black as a color,” Ulrich said in Enter Night. For an added exclamation point, front man James Hetfield then added, “Here it is, black sleeve, black logo, f— you.


Read More: The Story Behind the Cover of Metallica's Black Album | 

Flying Coach At the Speed of Sound Festival

I love airports. I love music. A music festival at an airport = heaven!

Totally on a whim on the way back from seeing Keller Williams at Levon Helm's Studios, our car found its way to the Dutchess County Airport when we heard about this festival. 

A one day amazing festival, with great musicians, at an airport!! 
Perks:

• Tickets were inexpensive (coach or VIP options)
• No line for the bathrooms
• Reusable aluminum souvenir cups to cut down on waste
• Great local food

 Eh:

• Lines got longer during the day (like an hour) but hey - you're still new so we forgive you

Fiction of the Future opened the second year with their very eclectic sound. It got the crowd moving and grooving in the early afternoon sun.

Nicole Atkins
Bonnaroo 2008 was the first time I heard this Jersey girl. She just keeps getting better. Decked out in her white flowing dress, Nicole treated the audience to some of new songs and we even got that cover of The Doors Crystal Ship from her Digs Other People's Songs album. And she's got new music coming out and you can help make it all happen and get some awesome thank you gifts too! http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/nicole-atkins-new-album
 
Swear and Shake
This Nashville-based indie band had everything you want in a band if you like The Lumineers, The Avett Brother, The Felice Brothers ... you get my point. They are sing songy and kept the crowd moving and grooving in the hot hot sun.

Rayland Baxter
It was during this Nashville artist's set that I had the sun and cider induced dream about me sleeping my way through the entire show. When I awoke (in my dream) everyone had left and one light lit the stage. A radio was left on as well. I also had a glass of wine so sitting in the airfield all alone didn't seem so bad after all. Then in real-life, Rayland invited Simone Felice on stage and I realized I was near dehydration as my hat blew off in the breeze and the sun was beating down on me. 

Simone Felice
Six years removed from The Felice Brothers, Simone has found his way musically and in the written word. Highlight - The Weight. Hard to top that moment. 


The Lumineers
After selling out in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, how could you miss the opportunity to see The Lumineers? They never disappoint and always deliver a larger than life sound. This Colorado band brought young and old to their feet. After playing some of the signature songs like Ho Hey, Dead Sea, and Ophelia of their newest album, the trio took to the audience to play some Dylan to the crowd.

Highly recommend this wonderful little music festival. I hope it remains small yet powerful in its gathering of musicians. Hope to see you next year, Speed of Sound! 

Could I Have Been Anyone Other Than Me - 25 Years of the Dave Matthews Band

It all began in 1990 at a bar in Charlottesville called Miller's. This bartender / musician / actor named Dave met a few other musicians.

Twenty-five years and over 2500 official band shows, imagine if Dave, Carter, Stefan, Boyd, and LeRoi had never met. Be it their unique sound, their infamous jams, or Dave’s funny stories, the band continues to draw their legions of fans and amass more young fans.

No one ever thinks the band they followed around in high school or college might still be touring and selling out arenas and stadiums when they are adults. Many of us grew up with the Dave Matthews Band. We remember when we heard that first drum hit of Ants Go Marching, heard Dave’s crazy guitar on What Would You Say (WHO PLAYS GUITAR LIKE DAVE??). And we all remember the first time we heard a 15 minute Two Step jam at our first DMB concert.

Even when the band lost LeRoi Moore in 2008, they marched on. It isn’t often that a band made of so many can say it had its original members for so long. Side projects, solo projects, and even stepping up to help put on Farm Aid each year, the band has simple dealt with things that weaken others. 

May 7th was the official kick off for the DMB 25th anniversary. In 1991, we were more apt to jam out in our cut offs and tee's and drink beer in the parking lot before the multi-hour jam adventure in stadiums. Now, we sip our Dreaming Tree wine in amphitheater fields and reminisce under starry skies in Central Park while Dave and Tim Reynolds offer us teasers of Stairway to Heaven during All Along the Watchtower, and Boyd Tinsley weaves us a solo to remember in Lie in Our Graves. 

Twenty-five years of memories shaped by those neverending jams that seem to be seamless and rehearsed to perfection. Thank you Dave, Carter, Stefan, LeRoi, Boyd, Rim, Rashawn, Jeff, Peter, and Butch for creating a soundtrack and for growing up together with us.

I am who I am who I am well who am I
Requesting some enlightenment
Could I have been anyone other than me
And then I'll

Sing and dance
I'll play for you tonight