In Class Listening - The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Hey Readers,

This week in class, we listened to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  This album was voted the greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.  In my opinion it is definitely one of the best.  I really love the song With A Little Help From My Friends.  I think it is a revolutionary album.  Check it out:

With A Little Help From My Friends

One of my favorite Beatles tunes.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

(LSD...)

A Day In The Life

Full Album For Your Listening Pleasure

This album may have been voted number one, but I don't think it's THAT great.  Of course, it does have With A Little Help From My Friends on it, but compared to all other Beatles albums, it's revolutionary, but not better or worse.  The Beatles were WAY too talented.  It's not fair to other bands trying to compete.  Well those are my thoughts.  Thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.thebeatles.com/

http://www.beatlesagain.com/

What I'm Listening To - De La Soul

Hey Readers,

When someone brings up late 80's and 90's rap, a couple of groups should come to mind; Wu Tang Clan, NWA, ATCQ,  Nas, Biggie Smalls, Arrested Development, Blackstar, Jurassic 5, the list goes on and on.  But one group should be at the top of the list.  De La Soul.  These men are incredibly talented.  They have so much soul.  Don't believe me?  Listen for yourself:

Me, Myself, And I

Saturday

Stakes Is High

The Magic Number

Buddy

"Buddy buddy don't you know you make me go nutty
I'm so glad that you're not a fuddy duddy
Not too skinny and not too chubby
Soft like silly putty"

Ring Ring Ring

Eye Know

Breakadawn

Say No Go

Baby Phat

SURPRISE ENTRY:

Feel Good Inc. by The Gorillaz

De La Soul were actually featured on this track and actually won a Grammy for it.

I love De La Soul and I think I will continue to make sure you guys know about these great 90's rap groups.  Lil Wayne has ruined modern rap.  Sometimes you just have to go back to the classics!  Thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://shopdelasoul.com/

In Class Listening - Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is hilarious.  This is what I learned today in History of Rock.  He has a very interesting sound, making actual music while being incredibly funny at the same time.  His sound is very interesting, with influences of jazz, rock, metal, and more.  His music can take on so many different feelings.  See for yourself:

Broken Hearts Are For Assholes

He's So Gay

"Of course, his evening's not complete without some meat in the seat"

Titties and Beer

Cosmik Debris

Inca Roads

Bobby Brown

Joe's Garage

Muffin Man

Documentary about Frank Zappa

(Please let us watch this in class Mr. A!)

Dear Mr. A, thank you so much for introducing me to Frank Zappa.  He's kind of my new favorite.  Holy crap he's freaking awesome.  If this didn't convince you, check out his website.  There is way too many videos to post.  It's such a shame that he passed away at the young age of 52.  Well thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.zappa.com/

What I'm Listening To - Pac Div

Pac Div, short for Pacific Division are a group from southern California.  The group is made up of three members:  brothers Mibbs and Like, and friend Be Young.  I found out about Pac Div quite a while ago, but just recently remembered them.  I hate to sound like a hipster, but all of my music is going mainstream (ex. Odd Future, A$AP Rocky, etc...) and Pac Div is still on my list.  They have opened up for some of the biggest names in the game and are about to get super popular themselves.  Here are some examples of their marvelous work:

Anti-Freeze

Posted

Mayor

Top Down

Pac Div

Fallin'

Whiplash

Paper feat. TiRon

Your Fuckin Song

Pac Div is so close to fame that it's almost unbearable.  It's really refreshing to hear some rappers influenced by some old school rap (evident in their first mixtape:  Sealed for Freshness Blendtape).  Download their stuff on iTunes and Datpiff.  Give them a listen and tell me what you think.  Thank you for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://itspacdiv.com/

Datpiff:  http://www.datpiff.com/mixtapes-search.php?criteria=pac+div&x=0&y=0

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pac-div/id323729410

Album:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-div-deluxe-version/id474941480

In Class Listening - The Beach Boys

In class this week, we talked about The Beach Boys.  I personally love them because their music is so carefree and fun.  Their harmonies are very similar to The Beatles.  I really enjoy listening to their music because it makes me happy.  Their songs are so upbeat that you can't help but to sing along.  Examples below:

Wouldn't It Be Nice

I Get Around

Kokomo

(With John Stamos on the drums)

Good Vibrations

Barbara Ann

Surfin' USA

God Only Knows

The Beach Boys continue to make music, and just released a new album this year.  Check them out if you somehow haven't.  Stay tuned for next week's posts and as always, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.thebeachboys.com/

Brian Wilson's Website:  http://www.brianwilson.com/

What I'm Listening To - A Tribe Called Quest

Hello readers.  This week I'm switching it up a bit.  I feel that I'm getting predictable with all of the frat rap I post.  So......  I give you A Tribe Called Quest.  If you don't know ATCQ then your parents probably don't love you.  But that's ok.  That's what I'm here for.  ATCQ is a popular rap group from New York City that became popular in the 90's.  They combine clever and usually clean lyricism with jazz beats.  They are one of my favorite rap groups and in my opinion, one of the most talented.  Q-Tip is one of the better rappers out there and Pfife Dawg never disappoints.  If you haven't heard them then here are some of their best songs:

Check The Rhime

Electric Relaxation

Can I Kick It?

Jazz (We've Got) & Buggin' Out

Bonita Applebum

I Left My Wallet In El Segundo

Find A Way

Award Tour

Oh My God

A Tribe Called Quest really have a way with storytelling.  I find that storytelling is something almost unheard of in modern rap music.  Now it's all about women and money.  Sometimes you just have to listen to the classics.  Thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://atribecalledquest.com/html/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ATribeCalledQuest

In Class Listening - Bob Dylan

Recently, we have been listening to Bob Dylan in class.  Dylan is an interesting musician who shows that one can actually be successful without having the best of voices.  I'm not a huge fan of his, but there is one aspect that I think we can all appreciate.  His lyricism.  Bob Dylan is an incredible lyricist, often telling his opinion on 

the state of the country and whatnot.  His lyrics are similar to those of rap musicians in my opinion.  

Like a Rolling Stone

Like him or not, Bob Dylan is a legend.  He doesn't have an incredible voice, but he overcomes that.  If you somehow haven't listened to Bob Dylan, do it.  This concludes another post, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog, and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.bobdylan.com/us