Archive for April 12, 2009

The “be green” Hollywood syndrome

Posted in hollywood actors, hollywood stars, movie theaters with tags , , , , , , , on April 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

metalodyssey6It really feels like we are all being measured in our society, based on how green you are living your life. Well, just so the extremely wealthy Hollywood actors/actresses know, not everyone on planet earth can afford your celebrity green homes. Duh? It costs much more money to renovate or re-build green than it does to renovate or re-build the old fashioned way. Oh, but God forbid, if middle America does not listen to the almighty “Carter Can” on television. Someone should ask Mr. “Carter Can” carpenter model if he knows where the t-shirts are manufactured that he wears on television. Huh? Maybe in sweat shops in third world nations? Huh Carter carpenter? It is o.k. to constantly tell the viewing public that green is the only way to go, however, never question the model carpenter, for he is all knowing.

I recycle and reuse more than any other person that I know, yet I am supposed to feel like an environmental criminal, if my center island of my kitchen is not made of recycled material. I am laughing at just how far this green fad is going. I was recycling and finding use for throw away objects, well before Hollywood needed to tell me it was cool. I was/have been gardening and toiling my own backyard soil, long before any television celebrity said it was – cool.

Hey Hollywood, how green are your movie theaters nationwide? That is where you bilk the billions out of middle America, remember? The last time I checked, uh, I never saw a green movie theater. Nope, all I see are popcorn containers, paper wrappers, plastic straws and other miscellaneous garbage – strewn about everywhere in these Hollywood movie theaters. Oh, and get this “Carter Can” – none of your movie theater garbage is being recycled is it? All I ever observe are overflowing trash cans, with plastic liners, waiting for their final dumping destination into a “regular garbage dumpster” – NEVER TO BE RECYCLED! 

Therefore, it is safe to say, that due to Hollywood and their priceless movies, they are in fact, generating more un-recycled trash than any other industry in America. Congratulations Hollywood, “Carter Can” model carpenter  and all the television actors that tell us all how to live. Hey Hollywood – I’m more greener than you arrreee!

Women of Hard Rock & Metal – Janis Joplin

Posted in 1970's Rock, Guitar, Hard Rock, janis joplin, psychedelic rock music, Rock, rock music, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

2367085The voice of Janis Joplin, in my opinion, has never, ever, bean duplicated, nor has any female Rock vocalist even come light years close. The raspy, sand papered and bluesy vocals of Janis Joplin has always sounded magical to me. The raw emotion that Janis Joplin exhibited vocally will always come through to me as honest and true. Janis Joplin was an all encompassing Rock legend – singer, songwriter and guitarist. 

I never like to look back at any Rock music legend and wonder what could have been, if tragedy did not strike. Like so many Rock stars and in some cases, icons, that have passed before their time,  I accept the gift of music that these musicians left behind, for the world to enjoy forever. Janis Joplin has left us with her songs and her gifted voice. How wonderful it is, to be able to reach for Janis Joplin at any time and listen away to one of the most powerful voices in all of Rock music history! I cannot tell you how many times I will listen to Janis Joplin, smack dab in the middle of listening to Metal bands like Helloween and Kiss! In doing this, it reminds me that there still is an unparalleled female Rock voice that I can turn to and enjoy. Janis Joplin’s voice and music will set me straight, reminding me of real Rock roots, where Hard Rock was born from.

“Me and Bobby McGee” is a song I kick back to while enjoying the story telling approach of Hard Rock, as only Janis Joplin can deliver. “Mercedes Benz” is easily as relevant a song today as it was in the early 1970’s. “Piece of My Heart”, for me, is as groundbreaking of a Hard Rock song as there ever could be. Musically, the formula for the foundation of Hard Rock was in place – it was Janis Joplin that took this song to another Rock stratosphere with her thrilling and bluesy vocals. From her musical beginnings with Big Brother & the Holding Company to her solo career, Janis Joplin was all along – carving out a path for future female Rock vocalists and female Rock musicians. Janis Joplin was a star of Psychedelic Rock, yet she forever is a star in the Rock and Hard Rock genres as well. Janis Joplin’s accomplishments and place in Rock music history can never be measured, her legacy can only be revered.

Janis Lyn Joplin – January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970