Dirt Cheap

Written by Chris Simoni Friday, 02 July 2010 08:34

 

I was just looking the Top Ten from 10 years ago, just to see what songs I remember, and the songs I liked. I supposed if I don't remember the song, it wasn't worth remembering. Some of these songs, I need to remember to forget, because they were that bad. I have not listened to any of these recently, and I am trying to recall from memory.

Here are songs, along with my 2 cents. 

1. Breathe, Faith Hill-Sappy chick song.
2. Smooth, Santana Featuring Rob Thomas.  Great song written by Rob Thomas, but Santana's mediocre guitar noodling kind of ruins it for me.  Where's the switch to turn off the guitar playing?
   
3. Say My Name, Destiny's Child- How did this one go?  One of the many gospel groups to go mainstream to worhship their new God, money!
   
4. I Wanna Know, Joe- Does anyone know who or what song this is?
5. Everything You Want, Vertical Horizon-I actually liked this one.  Kind of Poppy.
6. Maria Maria, Santana Featuring The Product G&B- More bad Santana guitar playing.  Argh...
7. Bent, Matchbox Twenty-  I Like Matchbox 20, but this is not one of their best.
8. Amazed, Lonestar-  Liked this one.
9. I Knew I Loved You, Savage Garden-  I like Savage Garden, but don't remember how this one goes.
10. He Wasn't Man Enough, Toni Braxton-No Idea, apparently I am not man enough either.
11. Higher, Creed- This is their best song. 2nd best song on the list.
    
12. Try Again, Aaliyah- No clue.
13. There You Go, Pink- I like P!nk, but don't remember this one.
14. Thong Song, Sisqo-  OMG- I must remember to forget this one.  The video is burned in my mind.
    
15. Kryptonite, 3 Doors Down-Awesome song, the best on this list.
16. Jumpin', Jumpin', Destiny's Child-Another one by a big name act, that I don't have a clue.
17. What a Girl Wants, Christina Aguilera-  I actually remember this one.  Maybe because Aguilera is super hot!
18. Doesn't Really Matter, Janet- This song doesn't matter either.  More waredrobe malfunctions, please!
    
19. Music, Madonna-Madonna, you haven't done anything good in over 10 years.  Time to retire.
    
20. Back At One, Brian McKnight- I faintly remember this one, I think I liked it, but I am not sure.  I think this guy dropped off the face of the earth.
    

There you have it, the bestselling of 2000, but definitely not the best. Obviously, a forgetable year for music, but who knows what the future holds (Britney Spears?).

Written by Chris Simoni Friday, 23 April 2010 14:21

Happy Spring!  Well, its been a while since my last post.  I would like to get some info out to all of our Dirt Cheap!!! peeps, that check our website regularly.  School (college) will be out in a couple of weeks, and I plan to focus on some good new cover material for the band, during the break.  The last break (Christmas) went great for us and we picked up many new Top 40 songs to get the crowd pumpin.  I have about 3 weeks before the summer semester starts up, which will give us some rehearse time, and maybe some time in the studio (I hope).  I haven't been listening to any Top 40 radio lately, so if anyone has some suggestions for some NEW dance music, leave us a comment, and I will give it a listen.  Don't forget to check us out on May 1st at Friends....   See you there.....

Written by Chris Simoni Wednesday, 09 September 2009 06:13

When it comes to bands, the best bands are not only great players, but are also great performers and entertainers.  While I have seen many great musicians in bands, some are not the best performers, and certainly not entertainers.  While it may seem that playing, performing and entertaining are all variations of the same; they are actually quite different things in a band context.  Here we will talk about the differences in these.

Playing

Playing is the culmination of many years of practice needed to develop the chops to pull off great solos that fit into the context of the song that is being played.  Playing develops on the individual level and also the level of the band as a whole.  Bands that work to hone their craft have tight and distinct breaks in their songs, finely tuned harmonies, and a show that flows from one song to the next.  It is often that a band may spend many hours practicing and repeating a song, before an actual show, to work out the kinks and so the players can mesh their parts within the song.  The result is a smooth performance at a later show.

Performing

Performing is having a command of your instrument or voice.  When you have a connection to your instrument, your playing is natural and graceful.  This comes only after years of training and practicing.  The practicing not only makes the part you are playing accurate, but also allows the player to relax while playing and make it seem easy.  The final result is playing that is natural and effortless, so that the performer can move about the stage, make eye contact and interact with the audience.

Some examples:  Slash, EVH, Foo Fighters, SRV.

Entertaining

This is usually the extra step a member in the band makes to interact with the audience and with other members of the band.  Usually only one member takes up the entertainer role, and is usually the lead singer.  This may include talking to the audience, dancing, and doing other things that draw attention.  Entertainers are fun to watch, engaging and connect with the audience.  Having a great lead person in a band, is many times what differentiates good bands from great bands.

Some examples: Mick Jagger, Bono, Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury.

So next time you are out checking local area bands, consider which ones follow these basic concepts.  Are they connecting with the audience, or do they seem distant and indifferent?  Are they moving around or are they wearing concrete shoes?  Are they enjoying themselves?  Just remember playing, performing and entertaining at the next show you attended.

Written by Chris Simoni Thursday, 04 February 2010 17:13

Here is the list of the Dirt Cheap!!! Top Ten All-Time Greatest crowd pleasers in no particular order.....

Drum Roll Please.....

1. I Love Rock and Roll

2. Highway to Hell

3. December 1963

4. Sweet Child O'Mine

5. Billie Jean

6. You Shook Me All Night Long

7. I Want You Back

8. All Summer Long

9. I Want You To Want Me

10. What's Up