Another YouTube Discovery!!!

Well as I was messing around on YouTube last night and not doing homework I came across a very good young blues/rock band out of all places Texas. Although there are not many videos up on YouTube, the videos that are up showcase a very tight, soulful band from San Antonio. This band is Forty Six.

Here is an excerpt from the band's official website:

Born out of a high-school music theory class in San Antonio, Texas, Forty-Six has created a genre of music sure to capture the soul of anyone who listens to them. Comprised of Steven Marcus (Lead vocals and Guitar), Matt Franke (Bass and backing vocals), Chuck Costello (Guitar), and Jonathan Carter (Drums, Programming, and backing vocals), Forty-Six is on the verge of creating music history. Drawing on Marcus' passionate, soulful vocals, guitar and fresh song writing, Franke's smooth bass styling, the powerful guitar riffs of Costello, and Carter's precise rock style beats, Forty-Six's commercial style of blues/rock/pop music and lyrics provides something for fans of all ages.

After watching every video on the band's YouTube channel I can say that I am now a fan. As if it took much however. Blues/rock is my favorite type of music and these guys can definitely play it. The sheer power and soulfulness that are in these songs, it is no wonder why the band won a summer long battle of the bands competition at Sunset Station in San Antonio.

Of their original material songs like "Free Again"and "Mexico Blues" are just a taste of the immense musical talent and songwriting ability these four guys have. Also on there YouTube channel are a few covers that are very good as well. Most notably their take on the ever popular Los Lonely Boys song "Heaven" is one of the best I have heard.

Hopefully these guys can branch out of Texas and make it big soon. They definitely have the talent to do so. Make sure to check these guys out if you are reading this, I think you may just like them.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Say What!?!?!?

Ok everybody so this one will be short but I just have something to touch on here today.

Apparently according to comments by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett the band will enter the studio in May to record a project in a matter of a two week period. Say what!?!?!?

Metal icons Metallica are set to record a project in
a two week period this coming May.

According to Hammett:

"we (Metallica) had planned on doing it in March, but we pushed it back to May. I don't want to give too much away, but it's not really 100 percent a Metallica record. It's a recording project, let's put it that way. Without getting too deep into it, it's more a recording project than a bona fide Metallica album. Whether or not we can pull it off in just two weeks remains to be seen."

So Metallica is going to do a recording project that is not a 100 percent Metallica album and they will try to do it in two weeks. I don't know whether to be worried or excited for this "recording project." I am not a die hard Metallica fan but I do enjoy most of their music. After the poor reviews they had with their release of the album "St. Anger" and their recovery with the ever popular album "Death Magnetic"; one begins to wonder are we going to see another "St. Anger" or what?

I would like to think that this project could be interesting if they manage to do it in two weeks. However I also feel like it could be a bad thing to try and record something in that short of time. Artists spend months upon months, or years if you are Axl Rose, to try and perfect an album. So why would Metallica go and do this?

Well I guess it just follows with who Metallica is, rough and in your face. From their early years on they have not tried to be perfect but rather play from their heart in my opinion. I believe that is what they are trying to accomplish here. So I say best wishes Metallica, hopefully you come out with something that your fans will enjoy and not have another mess like "St. Anger" ended up being. That would not be good for the music industry right now.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Photo from Flickr/Creative Commons-Esparta Palma

I Am Shocked!

Lady Gaga at the piano at a concert
in Toronto. Her piano skills are featured
in her new song "You and I".

Hey everybody thanks for your continued support of my blog. Once again if you have any topic you want me to blog about then e-mail me at jesseastewartmusic@gmail.com.

As I was searching around the web today I came across a Rolling Stone article talking about Lady Gaga's new album "Born This Way." Now why I read this I do not know because I am not a fan of Lady Gaga's music at all. I have felt for the longest time and I still feel that her music is nothing more than the typical pop garbage of today. I want to hear music created by people not by a drum machine and crazy techno effects.

However in this article I found a video of her new song "You and I" and I must say I AM SHOCKED! The version of this song she played featured Gaga on piano and vocals with a basic band behind her; drums and guitars. Also the lyrics are very catchy and the song in my opinion is a damn good rock ballad.

Where has this been all along? That's what I want to know. If Lady Gaga made more music like this instead of her over the top pop music; I would listen more. Granted she is making millions right now off her current music but I feel like she could shine even more if she keeps making music in the style of "You and I" or in other words rock music.

I also see that on her new album she taps Bruce Springsteen's saxophone player Clarence Clemons to play on her new album. That is also something that intrigues me. So as much as I never thought I would say this; I will give Lady Gaga's new album a chance.

I highly doubt that the rest of the record will be like this and I will probably hate most of it, but maybe I will be proved wrong. However I feel that if Gaga can write more rock songs; she could take up the role of somebody like Janis Joplin from the 60's or Pat Benatar from the 80's. Granted rock music needs a new over the top women figure to pump some life into. Maybe Gaga could be the one if she can make more music like this. If anything I would hope she would so I don't have to hear anymore "Bad Romance" or crap like that.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Photo courtesy of Naomi Lir, Flickr/Creative Commons