Ray Davies is the Best Songwriter Exhibit H

This is part H of of a semi regular segment systematically proving that Ray Davies is the greatest songwriter this planet has ever produced. Today's song, "Have A Cuppa Tea" is our first from The Kinks record Muswell Hillbillies but sure not to be the the last. Video and lyrics below. Click here to read previous Ray Davies exhibit.    Enjoy! - Colin G.

Have a Cuppa Tea  (Ray Davies)

The Kinks - Have a Cuppa Tea from Muswell Hillbillies album Formed in 1971. Ray Davies: Rhythm guitar and Vocals Dave Davies: Lead guitar and background vocals John Dalton: Bass Mick Avory: Drums John Gosling: Keyboards Lyrics: Granny's always ravin' and rantin' And she's always puffin' and pantin', And she's always screaming and shouting, And she's always brewing up tea.

Granny's always ravin' and rantin'
And she's always puffin' and pantin'
And she's always screamin' and shoutin'
And she's always brewin' up tea

Grandpappy's never late for his dinner
'Cos he loves his leg of beef
And he washes it down with a brandy
And a fresh made cup of tea

Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea
Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea

If you feel a bit under the weather
If you feel a little bit peeved
Take granny's stand by potion
For any old cough or wheeze
It's a cure for hepatitis, it's a cure for chronic insomnia
It's a cure for tonsillitis, and for water on the knee

Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea

Tea in the morning, tea in the evening, tea at supper time
You get tea when it's rainin', tea when it's snowin'
Tea when the weather's fine
You get tea as a mid day stimulant
You get tea with your afternoon tea
For any old ailment or disease
For Christ sake have a cuppa tea

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Rosie Lea

Whatever the situation, whatever the race or creed
Tea knows no segregation, no class nor pedigree
It knows no motivations, no sect or organization
It knows no one religion, nor political belief

Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea
Have a cuppa tea, for Christ sake have a cuppa tea

Top Ten Vocalists: Part Three - Number One

You've been reading, watching, listening, and debating.

You've seen the first nine of my Top Ten list - agreed and fervently disagreed.

Now you want to know who my number one is.

Here's the crazy thing - it's a tie.

I can't decide. See... I was raised in the 80s during the days of power chords, big hair, and leather spandex. But my brothers were ten years older than me and they taught me rock 'n roll starting with the music they listed to in the 70s.

So I'm stuck living in both worlds - the 70s and the 80s, which is why it's a tie.

My first #1 is Freddie Mercury

If you've been following along this isn't going to be a surprise to you. I'm into the power vocalists from the 70s, the guys with range and talent.  I've been saying you have to have more than passion or attitude to be on my list. Here's the thing... Freddie's got the complete package: attitude, performance, presence, and a voice like no other. The guy has a massive range and total control of this voice. The way he used vibrato then add a little growl is his trademark. Listen to these isolated vocal tracks from the recording of Somebody To Love. Here's the truly miraculous thing: there wasn't autotune in those days.  It was all pitch perfect.

Only Freddie Mercury could write and sing a song that blends opera and rock n roll, and then have the masses fall in love with it. Think about this for a moment. Practically the same audience that would blast out any other rocking 70s tune would still turn this song up on the radio.

Finally, check out this song - "Who Wants To Live Forever?" On the record, Brian May the guitarist sings the first verse then you can instantly tell when Freddie takes over. Listen to the passion that he slowly builds throughout the song to an explosion at the end.

But here's the thing: Freddie's awesome but he's not perfect.  In fact, I was hard pressed to find any rock vocalist that fit my high standards to be number one. That's why I have a tie.

My other #1: Axl Rose

Yeah. You read that correctly. Axl f'n Rose. The guy has that distinctive angry rock voice but he's got talent, too. He's got this weird range that's both tenor and baritone at the same time. When I first listened to Appetite For Destruction I actually thought there was two lead singers. But why should that keep him off my list? If anything that's a plus in rock 'n roll.

A couple video tracks here. First is one of my favorites - Paradise City. Axl's sandpaper voice scrapes out the high notes on the chorus while his rythmic melodies rock out the verses. I swear that the Axl's on beat during the first verse and Adler's off rhythm. I'm also pretty sure that Axl's singing both leads and back-up vocals on the opening chorus.

Here's Axl's baritone voice at it's best. Again, the rhythmic melodies really kick ass here. This is live in '88 at the Ritz. Slash isn't at his best in the clip, nor is the rest of the band. My guess is they are all flying high on heroin.

Here's Axl's softer side that really lets his melodies shine. It sounds nothing like the guy who sings Paradise City and Welcome To The Jungle. This is Patience off of Lies, Lies, Lies.

So here's the problem with Axl and why he wasn't a clear #1 for me. Everything after Lies, Lies, Lies was an abomination. Use Your Illusion I & II was such an overproduced bag of shit it was pathetic. Way to ruin the rawness that made Guns N Roses what it was.

So that's my top ten.

Wal Ozello is the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars and was the lead singer of the Columbus hairband Armada. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

Learn more about Wal Ozello and other Pencilstorm contributors by clicking here

Top Ten Vocalists: Part Two - Five through Two

Wow. The debate I stirred with Ten Through Six was high.  I never realized how passionate people were about their singers.  Click here if you missed Top Ten Vocalists: Part One - Ten Through Six.

Here comes Part Two - remember the rules.  These singers just aren't a distinctive voice or a sound, they have to have talent. They must be able to use their voice as an instrument.

#5 Sting. While many rock vocalists are influenced by blues, Sting did something slightly different. He brought jazz to rock n roll, creating haunting melodies that are burned into our memories. His phrasing sounds like a jazz guitar soloing over a driving rock n roll beat. There's no one like him. Two video clips here - one is him singing at Live Aid with saxophonist Bradford Marsalis. He had just left The Police at this point.  You'll be able to hear his raw jazzy rock vocals of Roxanne intertwined with counter melodies from a soprano saxophone.  Bonus track: Eddie Murphy's  rendition.

#4 Jon Anderson. Lead singer of the Prog Band, Yes, Jon has the most angelic voice in rock history.  Seriously, when I die I expect to hear Starship Trooper blasting over the speakers as I enter the pearly gates - that's how I know I've gotten into rock n roll heaven. The most amazing thing to me is that he sings these high beautiful melodies with calm and ease. I equate his melodies to a butterfly fluttering around on a warm summer morning near the ocean. As his phrase ends the butterfly finds his destination, settling on the tall grass just above the dunes, the sun glistening through it's wings.

There's lots of clips of Yes that shows off his voice, but most have about two minutes of instrumental music before the vocals hit. So here's the classic I've Seen All Good People. He's about 57 in this clip. Any other Tenor his age would be way past their prime. His voice is still magically angelic.

#3 Robert Plant This is a voice that gets you laid. Over and over and over again. Sex just oozes out of his melodies. It's rock n roll with a heavy helping of soulful blues. He can climb up a phrase with a perfect attack then gently release it with an airy bliss that melts up into the clouds. He can change up the melodies and phrasing to capture the mood of the song but still maintain his signature blues-rock style. Here's my favorite - Kashmir.

#2 Steve Perry. Love Journey or hate Journey, what's undeniable is the strength and power of Steve Perry's voice. He brings beautiful blues to corporate rock. Many tribute bands and vocalists have tried to copy him. But if you listen closely there are nuances to his phrasing and melodies than make it almost impossible to duplicate.  Be it an extra breathe here or there, or a few grace notes that lead into the power note, or parts of the phrase that build up into a climax - Steve knows how to use his voice as an instrument. A typical singer with his range just hits the high notes and wails away (e.g. Dio, Brian Delp from Boston, Rik Emmett, Dennis DeYoung, the Bee Gees), instead Steve finesses the note, plays with it, and makes it his own.  Take a listen to this bonus track from Frontiers, a song called Liberty. It marries his bluesy phrasing that grows into his power pop, then releases it - letting it subside back into a blues phrase.

Want to know who number one is?  You'll have to check back in a few days to find out.

Wal Ozello is the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars and was the lead singer of the Columbus hairband Armada. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

Learn more about Wal Ozello and other Pencilstorm contributors by clicking here

Top Ten Rock Vocalists: Part One - by Wal Ozello

I'm sure this list will bring on comments-a-plenty, but I'm also sure to surprise you on the way.

Let me set the ground rules for my list. Only those with vocal talent are on it. These aren't front men.  Don't expect to see David Lee Roth, Mick Jagger, or Bruce Springsteen on my list.  Just because they can shake their ass, dance around, or have a shitload of stage presence doesn't mean they can actually sing. And just because they are an amazing songwriter like John Lennon or Billy Joel doesn't mean they have a voice that transcends the ages.

These singers use their voice as an instrument. They know how to sing a phrase, turn a note, and add color. They know when to rip out lyric with power or suddenly add that magical breathiness.  Most importantly, they are distinctive and instantly recognizable. You hear them and you know it. A band without them is just a bunch of musicians.

My runners-up for this list were (in no consecutive order): Jim Morrison, Axl Rose, Don Henley, Grace Slick, James LaBrie from Dream Theatre, Dio, Geoff Tate from Queensryche, and David Gilmour from Pink Floyd.

#10: P!nk. And right out of the chute I'm sure to get people to say WHAT????  Yeah, I said it. P!nk. There's got to be a woman on this list and it's not going to be Janis Joplin with her whiskey voice.  Remove the fact that P!nk's a pop sensation. She's got shitload of talent, blues, power, range, and dynamic. She can cross many genres and pull all of them off. Yeah, she's known for her pop and I can't blame her for wanting the fame and fortune and everything that goes with it. You still think I'm crazy?  Listen to her rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow at the Oscars. Sure, it's not rock... but it's bluesy as all hell.

#9 Eddie Vedder Eddie's voice reminds me of a string double bass that strums around in the lower range and every now and then works down the neck to surprise you with a higher note. He's able to bring emotion to a phrase without overdoing it - which is something most singers can't do. Listen to the opening notes of his song Release. At first, you'll mistake them for a low end note of a synthesizer.

#8 Roy Orbison I got to reach back to good ol' days of rock n' roll for at least one singer on my list. It's not going to be Elvis. It's not going to be one of The Beatles, either.  Roy has an amazing voice and complete control of it. He has range like none other and that soft, gentle voice that makes you think everything is going to be okay.   I fell in love with this song during my Blue Velvet days. Cue the candy colored clown they call the sandman.

#7 Bon Scott This guy is like an angry Bob Dylan with a range - sometimes you can't understand a word he's saying but that gravely bluesy angry voice makes you want to f'n rock. There's raw power in his voice but don't be fooled. He's not your ordinary angry hard rocker. The guy knows how to sing like a growling tenor saxophonist in a dive bar on Bourbon Street. Listen to the phrasing and rhythmic melodies he creates, entwining the lyrics in between the drum beats.

#6 Geddy Lee from Rush. Geddy doesn't have the panache like most of the singers on my list and ends up on more "best bassists" than vocalists lists.  But after personally singing his stuff over the past 20 years of my life, I can attest that it's extremely challenging. Just try hitting the high notes in Temple of Syrinx or the baritone notes of Trees. Geddy makes it all look effortless while he's playing the most complicated bass licks and keyboard parts. There's a certain beauty and awe about his melodies - they are a bit odd and different but that adds to the magic that is Rush. Here's one of my favorites.

Check out Part Two - Vocalists #5 through #2

Wal Ozello is the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars and was the lead singer of the Columbus hairband Armada. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

Learn more about Wal Ozello and other Pencilstorm contributors by clicking here

Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Live @ Ace of Cups May 2nd

The ten day Kiss Kountdown has ended and last night another class of musicians was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, there is one question still to ponder, Why isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? It is a simple question, yet nobody seems to know the answer.

If you follow Pencilstorm you already know that Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is now a band in addition to a damn good question. Once again we will be performing a FREE show of power-pop protest calling attention to this injustice. So please come out to Ace of Cups (2619 N High St.) on Friday May 2nd for a FREE show of ALL Cheap Trick covers. It is an early show with doors at 5 pm. Teenage Fanclub Fanclub opens at 6pm and WICTITRHOF is on at 7:30 sharp.

Last year the band performed twice and got a whole bunch of press including Rick and Robin holding up a "Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?" T-Shirt. Click here to see all the dust we kicked up.    

Just to be clear, I am a big fan of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame so you haters that think Poison or Foghat should be inducted need to take your business someplace else. This is about Cheap Trick fans uniting and trying to find the answer to this pressing question. So as the show approaches, please post "Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?" and maybe even pick up a limited edition T-shirt while you are at it. Click here for link to T-shirt.

As for my Cheap Trick bona fides:

1) Please read the best selling book "Hitless Wonder - A Life in Minor League Rock n Roll" which is all about "my" band Watershed and filled with good Cheap Trick nuggets. It is a must read for any fan of rock n roll or good books. Do it. 

2) Check out "My Obsession - The Complete Cheap Trick Song Rankings". This comprehensive guide is the final word on all things Cheap Trick. It is always evolving, so check often. It takes more than a day to see it all. Sort of like Disneyworld. Ok Cheap Trick fans, It's up to you, to get things started and maybe next year will be the year. - Colin Gawel

Below: Rick and Robin holding up the shirt.

Cheap Trick performing Surrender live at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at the Q96 Wing Zing event.

Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Five Must Read Bruce Springsteen Stories. Take That, Grantland

Last week I took my ten year old son Owen to his first Bruce Springsteen show in Columbus, Ohio. Tonight, ignoring all logical reasoning I'm driving to catch the Boss in Pittsburgh because you know, he is the boss. At some point Springsteen's magic powers have to fade and I want to see him at least one more time while he is still in top form. In honor of this, I thought I would tidy up our excellent Bruce coverage here at Pencilstorm with a quick recap of past stories. They are all excellent and worth your time. You find anything comparable on our rival website, Grantland. Please share them with other like minded music fans. Thanks- Colin

Click here to read "The Perfect Age For Rock n Roll Pt 2"  - Ricki C. describes seeing Bruce for the first time in 1976. This whole series is a must, must read. 

Click here to read "My Chance Meeting With Bruce or His chance Meeting With Me" - Colin G. once hung out with Bruce, one on one, for about 45 minutes. Go figure.

Click here to read " A Review of Bruce Springsteen Cincinnati 2014" - Ricki C reviews Bruce 38 years after seeing his first show.

Click here to watch Bruce cover Highway to Hell by AC/DC  - Not really a story but worth a revisit nonetheless. So fun.

Click here to read "In His Passing, Clarence Has Given Bruce the Gift of Music Everlasting" - Before there was Pencilstorm. Colin wrote this review of the dazzling new E Street line up on the Wrecking Ball tour for Colingawel.com