The History Of A Passion V

Concrete Blonde


     Summer 1988. Discovered my brother's copy of Concrete Blonde's self-titled, debut album. Listened to it over and over and over outside while painting my Mom's deck. It was a big job, but having my new companion made it a memorable and enjoyable chore. When I first saw the album I was intrigued by the band's name, "Concrete Blonde." It had to be awesome with a name like that, right? Well, it was alright from start to finish.
     They are or were a standard rock band, however, frontwoman, Johnette Napolitano is by far one of the most underrated vocal phenoms. She totally overpowered the other instruments. A true force born with a talent that encompasses that little thing we call soul. Her skill didn't fully bloom until the third album. This actually happens alot with singers as they continue to develop over time and practice. The actual music of the band is o.k. compared to the reins guided by Napolitano at the microphone. The guitar parts are way too pop-ish to match the depth of its singer. I'd give the band a B. Napolitano a B+ at first then an A+ by the end of C.B.(now defunct:-()

Concrete Blonde-Debut

Tracks:

1. True--any questions?
2. Haunted Head---punky
3. Dance Along The Edge--so 80's
4. Still In Hollywood--punky
5. Song For Kim(She Said)--cute tribute
6. Beware of Darkness--George Harrison cover, brilliant
7. Over Your Shoulder--making their sound
8. Little Sister--cutesy
9. (You're the only one)Can Make Me Cry--Awww
10. Cold Part of Town--pop-ish
11. True--instrumental
12. It'll Chew You Up and Spit You Out(Still In Hollywood Re-mix)


FREE

     They really got what they needed to make this album. Based on proving that they now had a loyal fan base that could only grow, I.R.S. Records stepped up and gave them the time and the concentration necessary to produce a masterpiece that would catapult them to cult superstars. My favorite.

Bloodletting


     Napolitano really takes control vocally on most of the tracks on this album. "Tomorrow, Wendy," is probably one of the best songs ever written. The studio version...the live version...wow. Also, "Bloodletting,"--fun. Napolitano shines with her vocal ray of light. They made a big mark on the pop charts with, "Joey," but I wasn't a fan of that song at all until they sped it up about 10 times at one of their shows. That was awesome! I think it was at The Paradise in Boston. They did record a few more albums, but really not noteworthy.


Technicalities:


Napolitano's vocal range: Contralto

Projection: The cheap seats

Style:  Rock-N-Roll


"Make it 7 or 9/California time...whoever said it was a small world...was either a liar or a fool."-JN

The History of A Passion IV

Sinead O'Connor


                     "She pictures the broken glass
                       She pictures the steam
                        She pictures a soul
                         With no leak at the seam."
            
                                                         -peter gabriel
                         


     Innocence-lost. Devotion-eternal. An inclination of virtuosity. Within the scope of accomplished vocalists, God's world set its gaze upon such a lass that made our heads spin. The name of the one that caused such a rotation is Sinead O'Connor. It is difficult at best to pen the exact words and/or description of what Sinead did for me personally. But I will try. The feelings, the inspiration, the recognition of the importance of emotional self-sufficiency, but above all, capability.
     In and of itself, Sinead's upbringing was raucous to the point of sheer rupture and to this day must endure the backlash of what we could call,"severe left-over emotional baggage." I won't dive too deep into the facts, but understand as someone who was thrust into the limelight brings with her tremendous grieving that can be read on both sleeves. It is like a rose whose petals have died and been swept away, but its thorns prove eternal. A thorn bush.

The Lion and the Cobra


     1988. Standing in the shower with my Mom's shower radio on listening to WBCN/104.1. Out of the clear blue airwaves..."I don't know no shame...I feel no pain...I can't see the flame."-Mandinka. O'Connor's first world-wide release, and my first awareness of the possibility that I could sing like that, too. I knew it instantaneously. I felt like I'd been mirrored. This album set the thorn bush aflame. No going back.


I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

     "Nothing Compares 2 U." The first single. The third best selling single of 1990. Platinum in the U.S. in 6 weeks. Peaked at #1 in its first week on Billboard. Catapulted O'Connor to the top. Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song. Stirred much controversy from its writer, Prince. O.k. at the time Prince was already a living legend and near billionaire. Why was it that he found it necessary to begrudge O'Connor's success? Jealousy seems absurd. Mental instability? Who knows? Anyway, guess how many times she had to sing that song? Countless. There are some other great songs on the album, too. "I am Stretched on Your Grave." Sung a cappella-even better.

Am I Not Your Girl?


     WOW. Sinead singing old big band pop songs...her way. The accompaniment-outstanding. Top-notch musicians put together. Definitely a grown up album. O'Connor seems to mature about 10 years with each album.

Universal Mother


     Double WOW. More electronics used on this one. Fun. Heavy mixing. Love it. Actually, her last best work. Have to be choosy, however, with the listening selections.



                      "A lark born only for you
                       Who sings only to you
                        My love, my love, my love."
                               
                                                                 -SOC


Technicalities

Vocal Range:  Soprano
                      G3-F5

Projection:  The edge of your soul

Style: Alternative pop+traditional folk