Fri, 18 July 2003
Here is the Guitar Tab for "Off With Your Head," plus thoughts on Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light," The Refused's "Shape of Punk to Come," and the Smashing Pumpkin's "1979."

Here is the Guitar Tab for "Off With Your Head," and some thoughts on Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light,"  The Refused's "Shape of Punk to Come," and the Smashing Pumpkin's "1979."

Jael asked for this one. With this I've actually finished tabbing a while CD; of course there are only two songs on it. I don't know why is on the One Beat CD proper.

Daughter #1 gave told me a Refused CD, "Shape of Punk to Come," and told me to listen. Whoa, I like that. It's got everything, especially talent and originality. I awarded the guy who recommended it to her a blue ribbon. It's a great find for me. The reviews say it's political. Fortunately I can't hear the lyrics and don't care anyway.

I also made a rare music purchase this week, Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light" DVD. It's a live performance from 1979. Years ago Sam McPherson, my guitar teacher, handed me a video cassette and without explanation said, "Watch this." I kept it for 3 months and watch it over and over again. Sam was always right. There are two songs, "Amelia" and "Furry Sings the Blues" that get me every time. The guitar riffs in Amelia make me run for the guitar. Joni is the total package and has been since they paved paradise.

I guess "X" radio stations around the world are playing 1979 right now. I know ours is. I'm always glad to hear it. I imagine it as a Sleater-Kinney song but more elegant. The Pumpkins have their own style of ecstatic bridges. 1979's is subtle. You barely know it's there and then sadly it's over and you want to hear it again.

What to do next?   E-mail me if you have any ideas.