"I hear their passionate music, read the words that touch my heart. I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart. When I feel the powerful visions, their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct, I wish I had that drive"
- Rush/Mission
The secrets that set them apart. When I feel the powerful visions, their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct, I wish I had that drive"
- Rush/Mission
Introduction: Why am I here . . .
Hello everyone,
So this is my new (2014) Blog page about everything Music. Writing about music has been a newer passion of mine other than creating Art. Sometimes it seems that it holds my interest with more depth because I don't have to answer to anyone but myself, the discoveries I find, and to reflect on all the various musics I was raised with since 1963 (Thank you Papa'). But the music also influences and inspires my Art and keeps me focused. But it also keeps my sanity, inspires me to keep going and reflects all the emotions and life's trials, and happiness.
PLEASE realize that I am a "nobody". I play Guitar (improvisational) but am not in a Band, but I'd like to think I have good ear, an eye for Art (I'm a Conceptual Designer/Storyboard Artist and have worked in the Video Game Industry 10 years, (Indie) Film for 9+, and have 5 Album Covers/Logos published) but not a trained writer or musician. I am a FAN of the Arts, Entertainment Industry and various musics, especially Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal and super interested in its rich History.
Anything I write is not for any "Glory or Fame", though, if I could make a living at it, please let me know how because I think that would be a great thing to do. Because I enjoy writing about these eclectic musics, and like to share my experiences as if we were talking and hanging-out over a cup of coffee.
I'm not a "Reviewer", far from it. Because many bands people like, even in the categories I enjoy, I am critical of. But who am I to tell YOU your tastes are bad? So I may critique an album here or there, but it will be from my personal take and taste about it. But I'd rather talk about the music we love in general. WHY does a particular song or group move us? Or enlighten you to something new, or a band or album you
may have missed.
BUT . . .
when it comes to the "muzak" on the radio, that has everyone fooled because theyre million sellers selling the latest trendy flavor with gimmicky hooks to the Top 40 Pop masses that feed on the hype but not the music/musicianship. That these "Performers" are judged by their greatness on Record Sales ~ DON'T tread on the music I LOVE unless you have the ear, the variety of music tastes and the words to defend your point of view. You can dislike and like what you like - no problem, but don't use the word "Suck" and not be prepared to state why in a constructive intelligent way without the rhetoric and cliches. We can agree to disagree or simply state;
"MY opinion is just a Point of View, and YOUR position, is the other side".
Though the more extreme and progressive musics are my main interests . . .
Since 1963, from the music of my Mother and Father (my father who loved guitar driven musics), and musics of the 60's, 70's and 80's - I have lived through every incarnation of Heavy Metal, seen it all grow and split into sub-genres. Followed those who invented the sounds and went backwards and forwards in their catalogues. Through Progressive Rock and the seeds of Prog Metal. And where Punk crossed over and Thrashed. The Guitar Shredders, the Neo-Classical, the Jazz/Fusion musicians who inspired and influenced, the Classic AOR Rockers, the Folkies, the Crooners, the Contemporary Vocalists and Alternative/New Wave, New Age and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Country/Western before it was watered down, as well as R&B, Soul and Funk before it was Disco'd to death. But where the Blues still holds on to the past. I was taken to the emerald isle of Celtic Rock and the Black Forests of frost from Black & Folk Metal and various continents of World Musics and where great Films were scored. To the Epics and astounding works of Classical composers that influenced it all, along with the African and Middle Eastern to Spanish ties. There may be a few musics I don't enjoy, but bits and pieces may be found in the various musics that I do. For those who are maligned or cherished, or thought they invented the wheel, someone always came before to inspire and influence.
So take a trip with me and sojourn into its rich history, of those who took music to new heights, new levels and outside the box. May it be High Art, Avant-Garde, Classical triumphs, Virtuosic, Complex, Epic! or simple, melodic, to One Hit Wonders and the British Invasion. Lets enjoy all they had to offer, and let's see where those roots and branches of the Tree takes us. In the Black soil (yes, that's a metaphor) rich for its seeds to grow.
. . . WELCOME to the music that moves us, challenges us, and makes us think, ponder and wonder. Thinking outside the "Box" and believes no music has rules, if they do, they are meant to be broken. With soul, spirit and a bit of imagination, with extremes, enlightenment, with anger, with love and truth. May it all find its way into your heart like it has mine.
I do believe these are "Divine" gifts given to those who enter our ears and moves each one of us in our own way, to interpret a unique vision if lyrics are provided or imagined - it speaks to us all, provided we really listen.
TURN IT UP!!!
Your host who's got nothing better to do,
- A. Velasquez
Photograph: taken circa 1999 at Tower Records/3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica Calif.
Left to right: Mike Reyes and Me playing Air Guitar and metal on the PA's at full fucking aggression.
So this is my new (2014) Blog page about everything Music. Writing about music has been a newer passion of mine other than creating Art. Sometimes it seems that it holds my interest with more depth because I don't have to answer to anyone but myself, the discoveries I find, and to reflect on all the various musics I was raised with since 1963 (Thank you Papa'). But the music also influences and inspires my Art and keeps me focused. But it also keeps my sanity, inspires me to keep going and reflects all the emotions and life's trials, and happiness.
PLEASE realize that I am a "nobody". I play Guitar (improvisational) but am not in a Band, but I'd like to think I have good ear, an eye for Art (I'm a Conceptual Designer/Storyboard Artist and have worked in the Video Game Industry 10 years, (Indie) Film for 9+, and have 5 Album Covers/Logos published) but not a trained writer or musician. I am a FAN of the Arts, Entertainment Industry and various musics, especially Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal and super interested in its rich History.
Anything I write is not for any "Glory or Fame", though, if I could make a living at it, please let me know how because I think that would be a great thing to do. Because I enjoy writing about these eclectic musics, and like to share my experiences as if we were talking and hanging-out over a cup of coffee.
I'm not a "Reviewer", far from it. Because many bands people like, even in the categories I enjoy, I am critical of. But who am I to tell YOU your tastes are bad? So I may critique an album here or there, but it will be from my personal take and taste about it. But I'd rather talk about the music we love in general. WHY does a particular song or group move us? Or enlighten you to something new, or a band or album you
may have missed.
BUT . . .
when it comes to the "muzak" on the radio, that has everyone fooled because theyre million sellers selling the latest trendy flavor with gimmicky hooks to the Top 40 Pop masses that feed on the hype but not the music/musicianship. That these "Performers" are judged by their greatness on Record Sales ~ DON'T tread on the music I LOVE unless you have the ear, the variety of music tastes and the words to defend your point of view. You can dislike and like what you like - no problem, but don't use the word "Suck" and not be prepared to state why in a constructive intelligent way without the rhetoric and cliches. We can agree to disagree or simply state;
"MY opinion is just a Point of View, and YOUR position, is the other side".
Though the more extreme and progressive musics are my main interests . . .
Since 1963, from the music of my Mother and Father (my father who loved guitar driven musics), and musics of the 60's, 70's and 80's - I have lived through every incarnation of Heavy Metal, seen it all grow and split into sub-genres. Followed those who invented the sounds and went backwards and forwards in their catalogues. Through Progressive Rock and the seeds of Prog Metal. And where Punk crossed over and Thrashed. The Guitar Shredders, the Neo-Classical, the Jazz/Fusion musicians who inspired and influenced, the Classic AOR Rockers, the Folkies, the Crooners, the Contemporary Vocalists and Alternative/New Wave, New Age and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Country/Western before it was watered down, as well as R&B, Soul and Funk before it was Disco'd to death. But where the Blues still holds on to the past. I was taken to the emerald isle of Celtic Rock and the Black Forests of frost from Black & Folk Metal and various continents of World Musics and where great Films were scored. To the Epics and astounding works of Classical composers that influenced it all, along with the African and Middle Eastern to Spanish ties. There may be a few musics I don't enjoy, but bits and pieces may be found in the various musics that I do. For those who are maligned or cherished, or thought they invented the wheel, someone always came before to inspire and influence.
So take a trip with me and sojourn into its rich history, of those who took music to new heights, new levels and outside the box. May it be High Art, Avant-Garde, Classical triumphs, Virtuosic, Complex, Epic! or simple, melodic, to One Hit Wonders and the British Invasion. Lets enjoy all they had to offer, and let's see where those roots and branches of the Tree takes us. In the Black soil (yes, that's a metaphor) rich for its seeds to grow.
. . . WELCOME to the music that moves us, challenges us, and makes us think, ponder and wonder. Thinking outside the "Box" and believes no music has rules, if they do, they are meant to be broken. With soul, spirit and a bit of imagination, with extremes, enlightenment, with anger, with love and truth. May it all find its way into your heart like it has mine.
I do believe these are "Divine" gifts given to those who enter our ears and moves each one of us in our own way, to interpret a unique vision if lyrics are provided or imagined - it speaks to us all, provided we really listen.
TURN IT UP!!!
Your host who's got nothing better to do,
- A. Velasquez
Photograph: taken circa 1999 at Tower Records/3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica Calif.
Left to right: Mike Reyes and Me playing Air Guitar and metal on the PA's at full fucking aggression.
Please Note . . .
ALL essays are meant to be seen on a larger screen, not meant to be seen on a handheld smaller screen of a cellphone . . . at all.
So be sure to view on a Desktop or Laptop Computer, or at the very least, a Tablet, to see it in its intended format.
So be sure to view on a Desktop or Laptop Computer, or at the very least, a Tablet, to see it in its intended format.
"Hear the sound of music
Drifting in the aisles
Elevator Prozac
Stretching on for miles
The music of the future
Will not entertain
It's only meant to repress
And neutralise your brain
Soul gets squeezed out
Edges get blunt
Demographic
Gives what you want
Now the sound of music
Comes in silver pills
Engineered to suit you
Building cheaper thrills
The music of rebellion
Makes you wanna rage
But it's made by millionaires
Who are nearly twice your age
One of the wonders of the world is going down
It's going down I know
It's one of the blunders of the world that no-one cares
No-one cares enough"
Drifting in the aisles
Elevator Prozac
Stretching on for miles
The music of the future
Will not entertain
It's only meant to repress
And neutralise your brain
Soul gets squeezed out
Edges get blunt
Demographic
Gives what you want
Now the sound of music
Comes in silver pills
Engineered to suit you
Building cheaper thrills
The music of rebellion
Makes you wanna rage
But it's made by millionaires
Who are nearly twice your age
One of the wonders of the world is going down
It's going down I know
It's one of the blunders of the world that no-one cares
No-one cares enough"
LINKS:
I'd like to also recommend these Groups who share the music I love for the betterment of mankind and those who make the music . . .
Progulus.com
Progulus Internet Radio (Fb)
At Fates Hands
The Progressive Music Planet
The Prog Mind
Progressive Metal
Proggers
Doom Metal is the Best Music in the World
Jazz Rock Fusion
Jazz Fusion, Prog Rock & More.
Metal y Rock and roll
Metal Music Archives.com
I'd like to also recommend these Groups who share the music I love for the betterment of mankind and those who make the music . . .
Progulus.com
Progulus Internet Radio (Fb)
At Fates Hands
The Progressive Music Planet
The Prog Mind
Progressive Metal
Proggers
Doom Metal is the Best Music in the World
Jazz Rock Fusion
Jazz Fusion, Prog Rock & More.
Metal y Rock and roll
Metal Music Archives.com