I’ve embedded this before (on the old iteration of this blog). I’ll probably do so again. And that’s because it might be the best live performance of all time.
Also, it’s so beautifully and empathetically filmed. What a masterpiece in every way.
Music Video
Kashmir
This is not to take anything away from Sina. She’s great. An amazing drummer. But there’s never been a pure rock drummer like John Bonham. Perhaps Karen Carpenter. And…that’s about it.
That’s a great cover. And there’s nothing wrong with this, but she’s not Bonham. She’s a little too on top of the rhythm. Bonham dances with the rhythm, he plays with it and brings it where he needs it to be before you know it needs to go there. He’s behind the next note when that’s what makes sense and emphasizes or drags out a few phrases to make the music better. And, mostly, Sina doesn’t do any of that. Because what Bonham does can’t be imitated and probably cannot be taught.
Sina’s cover is technically perfect. But it’s also a bit shallow. It just doesn’t have the same soul.
Sina is better than almost any drummer who has ever lived. But when you’re playing against Bonham that simply does not matter.
Now compare Sina’s version with the original.
That hurried little fills in Kashmir are so great. How you learn to do something like that I cannot even begin to imagine.
Nutshell
Impressive. She really captures the feel of the song. My second-favorite AIC song; my favorite is “Rooster.”
Bowerful
God she’s good. She really just has the touch. I don’t think I’ve seen her play that white Fender Strat before. Beautiful guitar with a bright but still melancholy sound.
I like that she’s not a show-off; Grace cares about the music and what would make a good sound, not merely playing the most difficult possible thing. And just think: she’s only 18. She is only going to get better.
(Also, I love her zip cord coat.)
Rachmaninoff – Prelude in C Sharp minor
That’s amazing. That she preserves the harmony and the spirit of the piece while playing it on guitar is so impressive (it was written for piano).
Horsegirl – Switch Over
They make it feel like the 90s again. Horsegirl is like the best of Stereolab and thatdog combined.
REMMI – Minimum Wage
It’s too bad Remmi never got more popular. This is musically interesting, fun, funny and incisive.
Nothing Compares Live
I’d never seen that before. What an amazing performance. All live, no backing track, no echo on the mic, singing parts most people wouldn’t attempt even if they managed it in the studio once.
And damn, Prince could write a song. I just wish they’d used a mic better suited to her big voice. That one is crap.
Pachelbellisimo
That’s a hell of an arrangement. I like the rock-like attack in the middle, and how she varies the tempo a lot. Helps it work better on piano which is obviously more limited than the typical passel of instruments that canon usually finds itself performed on.
In a lot of it she’s playing the piano like you would a harpsichord and the piece works all the better for it.
(And yes, she’s doing all of that deliberately.)
Graceful
Wow, they tear it up! They’re all so great musically.
Grace’s (the band leader and warrior princess-haired lead guitarist) style reminds me a lot of Samantha Fish, but more formal. That’s not a bad thing at all. There’s just a little classical influence there, like Eddie Van Halen had, but in a different genre. She’s amazing. Glad I found her.
That’s a really cool old Gibson SG Grace has. Must’ve cost a pretty penny. I think those usually sell in good condition for around $20K.
Melenas – K2
Esta banda está buenísima. ¡Merecen mucho más hype!
Lawrence – Do
Someone has been listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder! Super fun.
If you’re gonna steal, steal from the very best. Love this one.
Joaquina – quise quererte
Un par de canciones de Joaquina me gustan un montón. Este video también está bien chido.
BAD BAD BIRD – Tu vas te faire mal
Je dirais qu’elle est une sacrée bonne piaf.
Ruby Gill – The Flood
Intelligent weirdos are very much my jam, so I really like this.