Well, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to feature today but there on my YouTube page suggested a great live version of one of my favorite Oasis songs, “Wonderwall.”

While it’s true I’ve featured the awesome rocking British group before, they just have such a great rock n’ roll sound. So distinct is Liam Gallagher’s voice along with the musical instruments of electric guitars blaring solos with the perfect drums and piano blending for awe inspiring stuff.

You just can’t go wrong with them. No wonder I’m hoping to score tickets for an MSG show in mid-December. What a night that would be. I should say will cause I’d be willing to bet the ranch I’m there for it. Anytime you give me a good concert to go to, I’m game!

I’ll even take it over tonight’s Rangers vs Devils game we’re headed to later in our customary 411 seats. And believe me. Rangers-Devils is as good as it gets with hockey. I love my Blueshirts. So, hopefully they’ll make it five-for-five in 2008-09 against an improved New Jersey team hell bent on seeking revenge for last year’s first round ouster.

Unless it’s the Rangers playing for the Cup in a Game Seven scenario, most of the time I’m going to take the concert. There’s just something special about seeing an artist/band live. It’s got a whole different feel. And the best aspect is usually they don’t let their fans down like sports teams can breaking your heart. Just ask a Mets or Jets fan.

So, Oasis it is today on tap. Here’s a few which I hope to catch in a couple of months in what will be winter. Uh. Wow.

Oasis: “Wonderwall“-Live at Wembley

this is a truly great rendition where everything sounds tip top with Liam’s outstanding pipes even being helped out by the crowd during the familiar chorus. My favorite aspect is the last minute with the electric amping it up and the piano solo for the dramatic conclusion.

Oasis: “Supersonic“-Live at Wembley

I like this song as it’s very sweet sounding. But really the best part of this live version is the amazing venue at Wembley with a packed house rocking and rolling. God. There are some great shots giving you some perspective of what it’d be like to be there. It’s kinda inspiring. I also love the background color coordination. That’s an underrated aspect of live performances. Most of Weezer’s was a cool kind of blue with some red and green mixed in. You can’t get that in some studio cut. Part of the concert going experience.

Oasis: “Roll With It“-Live at Wembley

this has always been an underrated song which has grown on me recently. This one’s all about the banter between Liam and older brother Noel before they start it up referencing a British gal in the audience:

Noel: “What the f*** are you doing all the way down there? Hey listen! Now if she starts getting out of line, give her a - smack.”

Liam: “Better pass her over very nicely. Otherwise, you stare at the -“

Noel: “This one’s for all the posh birds down the front then. No! Not you. Not you, You’re not posh, you only act posh.“

Noel: “I bet you wish you weren’t down there now, do ya?!?!?!?!?!”

The end is classic too where Liam basically gets a cutie to take her shirt off exposing her breasts. This must’ve been some show to be at! The dialogue is comical.

Oasis: “Morning Glory“-Live at Wembley

this sounds freaking phenomenal. Everything is tremendous from the Liam’s voice to the drumming, piano and moaning guitar which gives this such a cool sound. It’s just an absolute winner. Great up close shots too of the band performing.

Oasis: “Champagne Supernova“-Live at Wembley

This is their best song because it’s so utterly complete and trippy. Nice to see they worked in some cool effects much like the video. The lyrics are to die for and with such emotion behind them. I can tell. Everything is pure energy which is how it should be with a rock band. There’s something about the ending with the guitar almost echoing like seagulls which gives that extra burst. It don’t get much better.

Oasis: “Don’t Look Back In Anger“-Live at Wembley

it’s all about the beginning dedication. Haha.

This is just a totally random edition. And the best aspect is each video has nothing to do with the other. One is actually highlights from England’s recent 5-1 win over Kazakhstan in soccer while the other is a classic retro 1980’s music selection which I’ve been in the mood for lately.

Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” was once prominently featured in 2Pac’s “Changes.” Only one of my faves. And hey. It combined my all-time favorite rapper with one of my fave 80’s songs. The one I linked up actually combines both artist’s lyrics with the cool piano solo in the background. It actually sounds quite good.

As for the original track, It makes for a perfect combo because it actually works. And well, 2Pac always could make anything work. The great rappers often can.

Here’s Hornsby’s most popular song which can still be heard on the radio:

Bruce Hornsby: “The Way It Is”

I haven’t posted much about soccer since summer but I caught England’s win featured on YouTube and enjoyed watching the goals. God. Aren’t they so cool? Especially those headers setup off misdirection feeds. It so reminds me of a hockey goal where a player puts a slap pass in a spot for a cutting player to redirect in/deflect home.

I will always maintain that these two sports are very similar. Only differences are one’s played with a soccer ball on a field featuring two 45 minute halfs while the other’s played on ice with a stick and puck featuring three 20 minute periods. But you have offsides in both, penalties. Though soccer is usually even unless someone gets a red card. Hockey has power plays. Goalies have to be very good in both tho soccer netminders face a lot less shots on net but still need to cover more ground. And what about free kicks or corners? You don’t got that in hockey.

To me, they’re both similar emphasizing team oriented play, defense and unselfish passing. Global sports as well which are extremely popular in Europe. Though I doubt soccer is big in Canada.

And there’s also that common frustration where both along with tennis are disrespected here. And that’s even if tennis does get coverage for the four grand slams. It’s not on the same landscape as main sports like baseball, basketball and football.

So, here’s the cool highlights from England’s win with David Beckham getting in on the fun:

England vs Kazakhstan 5-1 Goal Highlights

love the team concept!

With another day off before the championship series, sports is basically on hiatus with not much else happening until later tonight. There’s some tennis going on which I curiously follow due to my passion for the sport but it’s nothing really big until the end of season tournament Masters Cup.

And so, while admiring latest tennis sensation Caroline Wozniacki, there’s not much really going on otherwise. There was some preseason hoops last night too with the new look Mike D’Antoni Knicks reminding fans that they still wouldn’t know the terms “defense” and “blockout” if it came and hit them. No wonder I can’t take Team Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 seriously even with a new coach and new GM Donnie Walsh in the fold.

Knicks fans can at least laugh at the pathetic first quarter Larry Brown’s new team the Bobcats displayed getting stormed 40-9 by Orlando in a 32-point humiliation. Path—etic!

Anyway, enough about that. I was watching some cool Puddle Of Mudd videos yesterday and discovered a couple of nice ones. So, I am gonna feature them in today’s fun filled video segment. I’ve always liked this group since big hits “Control,” “Blurry,” “She Hates Me,” and “Drift and Die” came out in the summer of 2001.

They’ve got some good stuff since which might’ve been overlooked. Well, let’s take a glance and give them their due:

Puddle of Mudd: “Famous”

the main track off their recent 2007 album has that classic Puddle of Mudd sound to it with Wes Scantlin’s fiery lyrics with guitars and drums creating the ultra cool grunge effect that made them so popular when they first hit it big. i like the energy in this one. it’s got that electricity and quick pace to it. emotion rocks!

Some lyrics:

Hollywood hills
pocketful of shells
Sunset dragging
I haven’t even slept for days
Zone in
Somethin’s gotta give
might as well live it up
until fat lady sings
I just wanna be famous
be so fucking jaded
Cause all playboy bunnies take my money from me
Show up at the Oscars
Smoke out Dennis Hopper
The money is for nothing
and the chicks are for free
yeah I wanna be

Puddle of Mudd: “Spin You Around”

I really like this video from a few years ago. it’s got that nice throwback feel to it recreating scenes with a girl he grew up with. SI swimsuit model Marissa Miller is featured as the all grown up version. Now wouldn’t that be nice? He fights to get her back when he sees her working out with someone else. The ending is really cool. All in all, a great video captivating what’s said kinda reminding me of Blurry with his kid.

Sometimes, my YouTube knows what I like. Let’s just call it one of those cool nights. Lloyd’s “You” featuring Lil Wayne is a solid track. And anything Weezy’s on is blowing up these days.

He’s got a couple of good ones I like. Maybe I’ll link up a couple.

Raise the roof!

Lloyd fea. Lil Wayne: “You”

the beat’s great and the video and words work. it’s very catchy. I like the scene and the car.
Lloyd: “Get It Shawty”

lots of energy and funky beat.

One of these days, I’m going to link up another one of my fave local rappers.

Stay tuned.

I felt like current rap today and there’s some good stuff out there if you just give it a try. DJ Khaled’s aight in my book. His biggest hit to date is hot track “We Takin’ Over.” Let’s take a look at it along with a couple of others:

DJ Khaled fea. Akon, TI, Lil Wayne: “We Takin’ Over”

it’s a great beat with an awesome combo with Akon doing his thang along with TI and Lil Wayne dropping it down. like the video too. pretty action packed. We Da Best!

DJ Khaled fea. T-Pain: “I’m So Hood”

I personally like this one better as it’s got a killer beat and is a great party song. The end’s kinda weird cause they suddenly change it up. It’s the best part IMHO.

DJ Khaled fea. Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, Fat Joe, Birdman, Rick Ross: “I’m So Hood-Remix”

honestly, this destroys the original track because everyone kills it on this remix. And anytime you can get Busta Rhymes, Wayne and Ludacris on it, it’s going to kick cerebral ass! Plus Young Jeezy’s damn good.

DJ Khaled fea. Akon: “Out Here Grindin’”

another winner featuring the one and only Akon along with Jeezy and Wayne. A deadly combo. Pretty crazy video. love the smoke in the background giving off that eerie fog while they rap. love the rapping on the buildings. fast cars. killer beat. Akon btw just rules this one.

Even at this early hour which describes how whacked my schedule is due in part to being tired yesterday afternoon and then daydreaming about something off the wall, I suddenly feel the urge to post something and not just copy and paste my latest creative work from my Xanga.

No. It’s not quite sports and won’t discuss how the Giants plan to defend a Super Bowl without Osi Umenyiora or breakdown the early rounds of the U.S. Open on whether Roger Federer can suddenly find it again.

However, as many know, I’ve got a deep passion and appreciation for music. I’ve attended great concerts and it’s less than a month until I get to see one of my fave bands Weezer rock the Garden on Sept.24. Usually, I do video features on rap or current rock bands.

Today isn’t one of those as for some reason, I felt like logging onto YouTube and digging some more of that epic Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood Feb.26 MSG concert in which they ranged from vintage Blind Faith hits to classic Jimi Hendrix…

I’ll never forget that night as it truly was magical and even more special to go see this Hall of Fame all-time duo perform with my Dad who of course goes back and really enjoyed it. At the time, I was a curious spectator wondering how they would be when really deep down, I knew it would probably be great. But I’m from the younger generation and though I always appreciated the 1960’s influence on rock n’ roll due to my diversification, I still sat there up in 407 waiting to see what it would be like. Seeing them come on earlier than expected and the kind of loud respectful cheers from a more experienced and knowledgeable crowd made me realize the impact and that no matter if it were some four decades later, their legion of fans were still there making them never forget.

As the night went on and I got drunker, even in that messed up state, I knew what I was witnessing was true greatness between a couple of the most gifted musicians ever. Watching Clapton on guitar was just pure heaven. He was so smooth. No wonder they called him Slowhand. There one of the greatest guitarists stood on that grand stage in NYC easily banging out chord after chord and shredding solo after solo like it were nothing. But what was even better was Winwood’s unbelievable versification going from one instrument to the next without missing a beat playing everything well. Guitar. Piano. Keyboard. Organ. Synthesizer. The man was awesome blending extremely well while showing off such great pipes. Clapton’s are good but Winwood’s are out of this world.

Perhaps that’s why all these months later, I felt like reexamining that classic sound where the past which I wasn’t part of was brought back to life kinda like an old Dark Shadows episode on DVD. Yes. I’m a huge fan and collect them.

So, I’m going to link up some more Clapton/Winwood stuff because I really came away impressed even as I limped back to the car out on my feet. But boy was I happy I got to see it!

Let’s take a look at some of their stuff:

Clapton/Winwood: “Glad”-2/26/08 MSG

this is one of my father’s favorites and I like it as well as it’s just greatness and what I admire most is it’s just about the music. no words. and you don’t need them cause the instruments do the talking.

Clapton/Winwood: “Voodoo Chile”-2/26/08 MSG

by this point, I was pretty gone but hearing it made me so proud that even in that state, it didn’t matter. With head spinning and hanging on, I so loved it and if you know me, I’m a huge Jimi fan like my Dad. This was such a treat along with Little Wing!

Clapton/Winwood: “Mr. Fantasy”-February, 2008 MSG

I’ve never been great with titles even on famous hits such as this unless I’m really in tune a la Jimi or GNR. But once it was played, I knew I’d heard it many times while in the car when were once a family vacationing or going out to eat in the city. It brought back so many vivid memories. Winwood’s voice is just terrific. I never really got to hear his old stuff and of course go back to his solo career which had its share of hits. However, listening to him here and recreate this magical sound with Clapton was out of this world.

Clapton/Winwood: “Can’t Find My Way Home”-2/28/08 MSG

I’d be lying if I said I was familiar with this song before it got played and it was one of their last at the show I went to. This one sounds just as tip top from the show a couple of nights later which my buddy Andrew attended and came away amazed when we scored our next bball game at Berkeley Carroll in Park Slope. And yes. That’s cause it was truly special. And now. All these months later, I can honestly say this has easily become one of my faves. There’s just something about it and how it’s played. I can’t quite put a finger on it. You just feel it and know!

Clapton/Winwood: “Presence of the Lord”-2/26/08 MSG

this is just very smoothly played and so relaxing. almost like calming affect. I never realized how nice the organ could mesh with the guitar. tho i have always appreciated it and the piano in music even if guitar shall always reign supreme. Clapton’s solo is wonderful. soloing is just what makes the guitar so special. then to go right back from it to the song, such a smooth transition which only the greats possess.

Clapton/Winwood: “After Midnight”2/26/08 MSG

this one’s quite familiar and not due to the much quicker pace they play at which is how it’s really supposed to sound but due to an old beer commercial. might’ve been Miller Genuine Draft where Clapton plays it as a much slower and more deliberate sexier pace. beer commercials. still, i prefer the faster version as it really kicks ass.

Clapton/Winwood: “Cocaine”-2/26/08 MSG

everyone has heard this popular hit. it’s just pure greatness and well, who doesn’t love the title and what’s said?!?!?!?!?!?! no. I’ll never ever try it. I’m not that type but still…that was a very different era. wish the sound quality was a little better. everything they play sounds like art.

Clapton/Winwood: “Forever Man“-2/28/08 MSG

it was one of the first songs and maybe the one they came out to. I do recall it getting huge pops and for good reason. God. Listen to that solo from about 1:14 to 1:42. Greatness! And yes. I really dig this song. It’s just so good!

Clapton/Winwood: “Sleeping in the Ground”-2/28/08 MSG

some old fashioned throwback blues. love dem blues! tremendous stuff!

Clapton/Winwood: “Little Wing”-2/28/08 MSG

i don’t know what i like better. this or Voodoo Chile. I love Jimi and always will but listening to Winwood who worked with him on the original combining with Clapton to make this sound was something else! it can’t be described. they’re so talented, it’s scary. what a tribute!

Clapton/Winwood: “Had To Cry Today”-2/25/08 MSG

i really like the bass played by Clapton in this song. it just really sounds good and Winwood’s pipes are something else. and yes. this is what they started with. you couldn’t ask for more. tho some were disappointed they played no Cream stuff. it didn’t really matter cause the two-plus hours they played was quite remarkable. like extended jam sessions captivating the audience.

Steve Winwood: “Georgia on my Mind”-2/28/08 MSG

Winwood’s special tribute to the late great Ray Charles and wow does it sound phenomenal. his organ playing is something to behold.  it really seems to bring out his voice. the video is pretty darn good as you can see him playing those special chords on the third and final show in NYC. the crowd really seemed to love it and the ending was incredible.

There’s only so much you can link up of these two legends. Just getting the opportunity to see them re-team and play so wonderfully was a privilege. Maybe I’ll link up some more after.

Hope you enjoyed it!

It’s that kind of night. I just feel like throwing together some cool old school stuff which once owned back in the day.  So, get ready to be taken to a new dimension as it’s come to our attention without much mention. Jump in our video time machine and feel the power!

Snap: “Rhythm Is A Dancer”

i’m going to say either late 1992 or early 1993. the beat was always cool to get down to. “You could feel it. You could feel it.“

Technotronic Fea. Felly: “Pump Up The Jam”

who didn’t play this at a house party back in the day or get down to it. heck. it became a common song played at Chicago Bulls games. when i hear it, i think of the misery MJ caused around these parts.

Salt N’ Pepa: “Push It”

this song was hot. no other way to put it. Salt N’ Pepa ruled. they had a lot of good stuff.

Run DMC: “Tricky”

they’re legends in every sense of the word. originators who set the standard. love this video as it’s just comical with a classic ending. Run DMC just rocks!

Quad City DJ’s: “C’mon N Ride It (The Train)”

i’m going to say 1997. i remember it frequently being played whenever New Dorp came out during their home bball games.

Tag Team: “Whoomp! (There It Is)”

Whoomp! Shaka laka! Whoomp! Shaka laka! Shaka Laka! Shaka. Whoomp! Late 1993. the end of this is hoooooottt!

69 Boyz: “Tootsee Roll”

i don’t know what makes me smile more. this or their classic “Daisy Dukes” track. classic beat. check. trendy. absolutely. it wouldn’t work today. i hadn’t heard the latter in forever. it’s a better song. and my god. i would blast this.

2 Live Crew: “Shake A Lil Somethin‘”

everyone knows that their stuff was too offensive for stations to even show. god damn this country is hypocritical sometimes. honestly, they’re stuff is off the hook. enough said!

Sir Mixalot: “Baby Got Back (I Like Big Butts)”

another epic from a different time. he comes right to the point. don’t ya think?!?!?!?!?! haha

Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch: “Good Vibrations”

there’s something about this song. well the video. working out and sex. it’s just a perfect combo. the beat always was great and the video really works. of course it made it’s big cameo in the first Mighty Ducks. yeah. of course i know! i also like the piano and keyboard as it just brings such a good background to the music. the most amazing thing is Marky Mark, better known as Mark Wahlberg made a smooth transition to acting yet it’s rarely ever covered.

C & C Music Factory: “Gonna Make You Sweat”

1990. God. I remember where I was. That’s kinda sad.

Naughty By Nature: “Hip Hop Hooray”

Hey! Ho! Hey! Ho! Hey! Ho! Hey! Hoooooo!!!!! i love this song. classic 1994 Naughty. They had so many good tracks.” OPP!” “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” Or the infamous soundtrack from Juice, “Uptown Anthem.” All I know is that was one great album. They had other good hits too but that’s the year of Naughty IMHO and what they’ll always be known for. The one thing that really stood out about all these hit songs were how well shot the videos were. It made you feel like you were there in the streets or ghetto. Whoever produced and directed it knew what they were doing.

I could easily link up more old school stuff and make this a crazy long entry. But I want to sleep at a decent hour. So, I’ll check back later.

Hope you enjoyed this retro video edition.

It’s been a while since we had some cool music videos. So maybe it’s about time I brought it back and use this category the way I usually do.

That said, I felt like linking up some Kanye West stuff. I like the Grammy winning rapper. What’s a Grammy mean to the Chicago born rapper anyway? He’d probably have rather won a VMA from the music station formerly known as MTV.

Regardless, the 30 year-old rapper/producer is extremely talented. His third album Graduation took home Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for the hit song ”Stronger.” Let’s take a look at some of his best work to date:

Kanye West: “Good Life”

this song just rocks. funny enough, during halftime of a b-ball game I was scoring last December in Park Slope, I started altering the words and creating my own rap to the beat cracking up the people next to me. Long story. :lol:

Kanye West: “Stronger”

this is the best song on the album and really went big time played all over gyms and even Madison Square Garden during Ranger games. Yeah. They promo’d it successfully showing players working out. It def. worked. Random thought: What’s the deal with those white striped shades? Anyway, the lyrics in this track are off the hook.

Kanye West: “Flashing Lights”

the song is great but the video’s a tad eerie. To quote my good buddy and co-host Rob “Kraze” Davis, “That chick could catch it.”

Kanye West: “Through The Wire”

this is the first single off Kanye’s debut album The College Dropout detailing his comeback from a near fatal car accident on Oct. 23, 2002. It has an oldschool feel to it. Does anyone else think he sounds a little like idol Jay Z who he’s produced for?

Kanye West: “Jesus Walks”

this is definitely one of his strongest tracks with a powerful message. The imagery in the video is really good. You can tell that they put a lot into the making of it.

Kanye West: ”Can’t Tell Me Nothin’”

another great song off Graduation. As good as the others are, I prefer this one as it just has a dope ass beat and is Kanye at his best.

Kanye West: “Bittersweet”

this is really different sounding but excellent and very deep. More top notch lyrics with a nice beat.

Kanye West fea. Chris Martin: “Homecoming”

this song recently came out and it just kicks ass. Having ColdPlay lead singer Chris Martin on the chorus works big time. It’s a great combo. Even better is the video itself which is shot in black and white in Chitown. Fireworks are cool as hell too.

On a night where Kobe’s Lakers destroyed the Spurs routing them by 30 to go up 2-0 and on another wasted night on the road for Willie Randolph’s Mets, why not stick with some cool music? Why not indeed?!?!?!?!?!

Anytime I watch a 2Pac video, it just captivates me. I’m so drawn into the amazing rhymes, lyrics and beats. The man was a wizard. Now I’ve always maintained that he’s alive somewhere in the Carribean kicking it. Mr. West Side (cause you all know it’s da best side) AKA Thug Life will always be remembered no matter what the story is.

I’ve reviewed some of his stuff before but decided maybe to throw a couple of different videos this time which aren’t as played but equally as poetic.

So, without further due, two videos of my all-time fave rapper!

2Pac: “Pain”

this is an unofficial video of the song we heard in Above The Rim which Pac was good in playing his bad self. The man could act. He had the skillz. The video is extremely well put together with great shots of our fallen hip hop legend.

2Pac: “Nothing To Lose”

this definitely is really strong and uplifting. I never really checked out the video. It’s pretty freaking crazy. The song itself is also how I’ve been feeling lately. I’m ready to just let loose!

2Pac: “Troublesome ‘96”

hard to believe this came out so long ago. freaking solid!

2Pac: “Last Mothafucka Breathin’”

this is really overlooked and sang over a different beat and just kicks ass. As usual, the video just is ridiculous with interesting shots. 2Pac always had memorable videos. The piano at the end is perfect.

2Pac: “Ballad Of A Dead Soulja”

hardcore 2Pac 4 real.

There are few better than Jimi Hendrix. I’ve already proclaimed him the greatest guitarist of all-time for what he accomplished during a brief period before passing away at the age of 27. We already examined what made him so special in Part I of the Hendrix Experience three months prior.

From 1966-70, Jimi owned the stage playing some of the most innovative guitar solos which inspired future artists. His rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock is one of the most spectacular. There’s only so much music you can choose from when talking about the legend of Jimi. One which shall never die. His music shall remain timeless.

Let’s take a look back at some of Hendrix’ special brand of music:

Jimi Hendrix: “All Along The Watchtower“-Live Isle of Wight

Jimi Hendrix: “Hey Joe“-Live Monterey

a classic sound of one of Jimi’s best plus the ever entertaining teeth solo. The man was an animal on the stage ripping it up!

Jimi Hendrix: “Wild Thing“-Live Monterey

this is the epic performance which has been shown over and over where he sacrifices his guitar setting it on fire really epitomizing the song and how it’s played.

Jimi Hendrix: “Purple Haze”

excellent shots of Jimi from various shows as a great song is played in the background.

Jimi Hendrix: “Fire”

You say your Mom ain’t home

It ain’t my concern

Just to play with me

And you want to burn

I only want to itch and desire

Let me stand next to your fire

Jimi Hendrix: “Voodoo Chile”

this song is so perfect. Everything about it is awesome. Jimi always played with such emotion really letting you in.

Jimi Hendrix: “Red House“-Live Randall’s Island

definitely one of his best. It’s got that perfect blues sound with just amazing lyrics.

I ain’t been home to see my baby
In about a ninety-nine and one half days
It’s about time to see her
Wait minute something’s wrong
This key won’t unlock this door
Wait a minute something’s wrong, baby
The key won’t unlock the door
Yeah
I got a bad bad feeling
That my baby don’t live here no more