August 2024
1. The Sun
2. Eruption
3. Fuel the Fire
4. Ring of Fire
5. Steam
6. Water
7. Eminence Front
8. Alive & Kicking
9. Where It's At
10. Rio
August 2024 Set List
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
Signature
Every band and every solo artist has a signature classic to their name that is guaranteed to be on a concert set list.
With so much talk of Seal recently, his signature is "Kiss from a Rose."
So I thought I would take this opportunity to highlight all the best from a Seal classic.
Released as a single in July 1994
Included in the 1994 film soundtrack for The NeverEnding Story III
Re-released in the 1995 film soundtrack for Batman Forever
Point of intrigue - The re-release boosted "Kiss from a Rose" to No. 1 in the U.S. and Australia. The song also reached the Top 10 in such countries as Canada, France, Iceland, and Norway.
1996 Grammy Award Wins -
Record of the Year
Song of the Year
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Certified Gold in France, Norway, Spain, the U.S. (physical), the U.S. (digital)
Certified Platinum in Australia and Denmark
Certified 2x Platinum in the UK
Thursday, August 29, 2024
The Irish Tenors - Danny Boy
"Danny Boy" was an emotionally sensitive song...
...When Irish eyes smile...
...Her Swedish eyes were tearful...
A memory she would rather have forgotten.
Jag ar ledsen att jag delar med mig, Mor Mor
(I am sorry to share, Grandma.)
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Kiss from a Rose...Seal
Referred to as Seal II to avoid confusion with eponymous debut album
Released in 1994
"Kiss from a Rose" - "worldwide smash hit"
Point of interest - The cover image has frequently been used on singles covers and on Seal's greatest hits album.
Track List
1. Bring It On
2. Prayer for the Dying
3. Dreaming in Metaphors
4. Don't Cry
5. Fast Changes
6. Kiss from a Rose*
7. People Asking Why
8. Newborn Friend
9. If I Could
10. I'm Alive
11. Bring It On (Reprise)
Certified Gold in Brazil, Germany, & the Netherlands
Certified Platinum in Australia & New Zealand
Certified 2x Platinum in the UK
Certified 5x Platinum in the U.S.
*"Kiss from a Rose" received numerous awards and certifications. Follow the link highlighted.
Monday, August 26, 2024
Striking Sandblasted Guitar Collection - Purple
Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I will earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.
PRS SE Swamp Ash CE24 Sandblasted
Limited Edition Electric Guitar
(with Gig Bag) ... Purple finish ... $699
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Crazy Sunday
On this last Sunday in August, I feel like going crazy...Seal's "Crazy." In this post, I am not sharing the song via YouTube but rather the impressive success garnered for "Crazy." So...
The most iconic cover of "Crazy" was by Alanis Morissette for her 2005 compilation album, The Collection.
As for the original -
No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart & first Top 10 in the U.S. ...
Sold over 200,000 copies ...
No. 83 on Billboard Hot 100 (peaked at No. 7) ...
Top 5 on Modern Rock Tracks
Top 20 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
Seal's biggest hit in the U.S. until "Kiss from a Rose"
1992 Ivor Novello Award for songwriting
Certified Silver in the UK
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Crazy for Seal
In this final edition of going crazy for a musician &/or song &/or album, I am going crazy for Seal - not just the artist but the debut album in his name.
Debut solo album released in 1991
No. 1 in the UK
Best British Album at the 1992 BRIT Awards
Tracks
1. The Beginning
2. Deep Water
3. Crazy
4. Killer
5. Whirlpool
6. Future Love Paradise
7. Wild
8. Show Me
9. Violet
Certified Gold in Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand
Certified Platinum in Switzerland and the U.S.
Certified 2x Platinum in the UK
Certified 3x Platinum in Canada
Friday, August 23, 2024
Maoz Tzur (Rock Of Ages) - Hanukkah Songs
In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah encapsules the religious celebration. Yet, Christmas and all that entails dominates the media and retail to satisfy the Christian belief. Many want to see the decorated and colorfully lit tree, mantle decor, and indoor/outdoor home decor. The financial industry skyrockets on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and "regular" days taken to shopping. Of course, though, those hundreds & thousands & millions if not more please retail in the moment when in actuality, the gifts won't be around the following year (perhaps because of children's toys being outgrown).
Hanukkah is honored silently. Although fictional, consider the syndicated television series, "Friends." "Ross Geller" & "Monica Geller" are of Jewish faith respected by "Ross" but not by "Monica" who decorates her apartment with a tree and all over. Perhaps this is because the audience and viewers relate more.
I am not Jewish but I have enormous respect for the religious faith and beliefs. And so to cap off the work week with, like the holidays, Jewish celebration in August, enjoy a series of Hanukkah songs as compiled on YouTube.
(Explore Lauren Hovis Publications for a copy of Happy Hanukkah. The title is under Lauren's Top Links.)
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Musical Memories - "The Sunday After" Bill Evans
William "Bill" Evans
b. February 8, 1958
American saxophonist (tenor & soprano)
(There is a prior Bill Evans who played jazz piano. He was born on August 16, 1929 and passed away on September 15, 1980.)
Bill Evans once performed with the Miles Davis group in the 1980s and has since worked with his own bands.
17+ solo albums
Genres included - bluegrass, jazz, funk
2 Grammy Award nominations
Musical Memories
When I listen to "The Sunday After," I feel a sense of loss into musical romance and reminiscence of days I will always miss.
When I listen to "The Sunday After," I consider "Save A Prayer" by Duran Duran and the lyric "...'til the morning after..."
Although neither is the same in terms of genre and musical style, the message if on a literal level is similar. Wait until after. Only the best after. Love after. Yet after. What is after?
I will let you decide.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024
Striking Sandblasted Guitar Collection - Green
Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.
Striking Sandblasted Green
PRS SE Swamp Ash CE24 Sandblasted
Limited Edition Electric Guitar
(with Gig Bag) ... Green finish ... $699
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Special Announcement
Dear readers and passersby,
I am taking one last step back from Set List due to a familial loss.
I will return tomorrow as usual.
In the meantime, feel free to explore the archives should you need a play it moment.
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Special Announcement
Dear readers and passersby,
Due to unforeseen reasons, I will be away from Set List for the day - Saturday, August 17th.
In the meantime, feel free to explore the 2024 archives.
Friday, August 16, 2024
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Musical Memories - "Burma Road" Greg Adams
Greg Adams is an American trumpet & flugelhorn player as well as a music arranger.
Genre considered - Smooth Jazz
The better part of Greg Adams' career was spent with the R&B and Funk band, Tower of Power.
Discography (Solo)
Hidden Agenda (1995)
(No. 1 on U.S. Smooth Jazz charts)
Midnight Morning (2002)
Firefly (2004)
Cool to the Touch (2006)
Discography (Founder and leader of the band, Greg Adams and the East Bay Soul)
East Bay Soul (2009)
East Bay Soul 2.0 (2012)
East Bay Soul: That's Life (2015)
East Bay Soul: Conversation (2018)
East Bay Soul: Underneath the Mistletoe (2019)
East Bay Soul: The Real (2023)
Musical Memories
Early into my undergraduate years, I took to listening "Burma Road" when I had to write out homework assignments, specifically for my English courses. The first class in the three-part series inspired my imagination to blend creativity and academia. My personal take on the song was Native American in tone and musical imagery. To date, memories of then remain now. I still imagine peaceful land reservations with trumpet accent.
College is structured, demanding, and intriguing in experience. Life after is a guess that will either succeed or fail. Although I failed in living up to my Bachelor's and graduate degrees, I feel a sense of success in other ways - such as Set List and now designing journals for sale on Amazon.
I suppose all that is left to say now is play it, Greg Adams! "Burma Road" is a forever signature in my iTunes library.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Dressed to Kill
Dress to Kill
3rd album - released in March 1975
Track List -
1. Room Service
2. Two Timer
3. Ladies in Waiting
4. Getaway
5. Rock Bottom
6. C'mon and Love Me
7. Anything for My Baby
8. She
9. Love Her All I Can
10. Rock and Roll All Nite
No. 32 on Billboard 200
Certified Gold in the U.S.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Striking Sandblasted Guitar Collection - Blue
Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.
Striking Sandblasted Blue
PRS SE Swamp Ash CE24 Sandblasted
Limited Edition Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
Blue finish ... $699
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Sunday Set List Favorite
In this edition of Sunday Set List Favorite, your top choice is:
Tell all about the Kiss original lineup -
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Blizzard of Oz... Crazy Train
"Crazy Train" is Ozzy Osbourne's debut solo single from his 1980 debut solo album, Blizzard of Oz.
Theme - the Cold War and potential annihilation as a consequence
Certified Gold in Italy and the UK
Certified 2x Platinum in the U.S. (Mastertone)
Certified 4x Platinum in the U.S.
Honors -
- No. 9 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time
- No. 13 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time
("Crazy Train" is a signature song by Ozzy Osbourne.)
Certified Gold in Australia
Certified Silver in the UK (2011 release)
Certified Silver in the UK
Certified Platinum in Canada
Certified 5x Platinum in the U.S.
Crazy for Ozzy
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne
b. December 3, 1948
"Prince of Darkness"
"Godfather of Metal"
Lead singer/Founding member of the heavy metal band, Black Sabbath
Point of interest - Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath due to alcohol & drug addiction.
He has since produced 13 solo albums. The first seven achieved multi-platinum certification in the U.S.
Ozzy rejoined Black Sabbath in 1997. The band recorded their final album, 13 (released in 2013), followed by a farewell tour that ended in 2017 with a performance in Birmingham, England.
Ozzy, a family nickname, was greatly inspired by The Beatles.
Black Sabbath Discography
9 albums - 1970 to 2013
Solo Discography
13 albums - 1980 to 2022
16 Tours
From 1980 - 1981
to
2018
Filmography
11 in character/himself
Television
7 in character/himself
Music Videos
2 in character ... 1 himself
Documentary
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
Friday, August 9, 2024
Hold Back the Rain (2009 Remaster)
Sunshine in Chicago
Set the stage for the annual Air & Water Show
...In Chicago...
...The weather is always changing...
Any unforeseen sprinkles
Hold Back the Rain
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Musical Memories - "RPM" Boney James
Ride
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8th album by saxophonist, Boney James
Released in October 2001
Genre considered - Smooth Jazz
"RPM" is third on the album's track list
Musical Memories
"RPM" is in my iTunes Library. As with "Electric Barbarella," this song and associated album don't always come up automatically. Of course, I tend to opt for shuffle mode.
Some years ago, I was scrolling through my first Apple iPod (a forever classic despite retired design). I noticed "Electric Barbarella" and thought the beat was catchy and one to move to. Scroll after scroll led to "RPM" and its aerobic tone.
"Electric Barbarella" was whole body intense. "RPM" worked my arms.
"RPM" is a musical memory for the same reasons as "Electric Barbarella." However, my love for the song dates to its release when I first heard it on the radio. I was a freshman in college and loved the experience. "RPM" kept me going and energized if classes became difficult.
As for exercise memories, "RPM" kept me going and pumped up knowing that my set was soon coming to an end...
...as is this post.
Keep going, keep energized, and always play it.
Find your musical memory.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
KIss & Tell
Left to Right
Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley
Formed in New York City in 1973
Paul Stanley - vocals, rhythm guitar
Gene Simmons - vocals, bass guitar
Ace Frehley - lead guitar, vocals
Peter Criss - drums, vocals
Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons were the only consistent members amid a revolving door of members to replace others.
Known for face paint, stage costumes, & shock rock live concerts
(Shock rock is a form of heavy metal rock in theatrical live performances emphasizing shock value.)
The face paint was inspired by a comic book theme -
Stanley - "Starchild"
Simmons - "Demon"
Frehley - "Spaceman" or "Space Ace"
Peter Criss - "Catman"
After several departures and decline in success, an "unmasked era" brought the band together from 1983 t0 1996.
The 1996-1997 reunion tour brought back the face paint and costumes. In grossing $143.7 million, the tour was the band's most successful.
The End of the Road World Tour marked the band's last - January 2019 to December 2023.
Honors -
- One of the most influential rock bands of all time
- One of the best-selling bands of all time (over 75 million records sold worldwide)
- 30 Gold albums (the most of any band in the U.S.)
- 14 Platinum albums (3 reached multi-Platinum)
- No. 9 on MTV's "Greatest Metal Band of All Time"
- No. 10 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock"
20 studio albums
From 1974 to 2012
Club Tour (1973 - 1974)
through
End of the Road World Tour (2019 - 2023)
(35 total tours)
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014
Monday, August 5, 2024
Striking Sandblasted Guitar Collection - Red
Disclaimer - This post contains an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made at no cost to you.
Striking Sandblasted Red
PRS SE Swamp Ash CE24 Sandblasted
Limited Edition Electric Guitar
(with Gig Bag) ... Red finish ... $699
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Sunday Favorite
On this first Sunday in August, your top favorite for the week is:
The post link above was article style highlighting Beyonce's beyond impressive record breaking accomplishments that, I believe, will continue for some time.
In this entry, let's go crazy for Beyonce live - a concert in full.
Play it, Beyonce!
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Dangerously in Love...Crazy in Love
Dangerously in Love
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June 2003
Debut solo album
Genre - R&B
#1 upon release on Billboard 200
317,000 copies sold in first week
American Music Awards - 1 Nomination (2003)
4 Billboard Music Awards (2003)
BRIT Awards - 1 Nomination, 1 Win (2004)
MTV Europe Music Awards - 1 Nomination (2004)
5 Grammy Awards (2004)*
*Tied w/ Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, & Lauryn Hill for most awards won by a female artist in one night
As of 2011, over 11 million copies sold.
One of the best-selling albums of the 21st Century
"Crazy in Love" - #1 on Billboard Hot 100
"Crazy in Love" - 2 Grammy Awards
Certified Gold in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden
Certified 2x Gold in France
Certified Silver in Portugal
Certified Platinum in Germany, New Zealand, Russia, & Switzerland
Certified 2x Platinum in Denmark
Certified 3x Platinum in Australia & Canada
Certified 4x Platinum in the UK
Certified 6x Platinum in the U.S.
Crazy for Beyonce
Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter
b. September 4, 1981
"Queen Bey"
- World's Greatest Living Entertainer -
(Rolling Stone)
Records -
- Only woman ever to achieve 20+ Top 10 songs as a solo artist & 10 Top 10 songs as a member of a group
- 32 Grammy Awards
- 26 MTV Video Music Awards
- 24 NAACP Image Awards
- 35 BET Awards
- 17 Soul Train Music Awards
- Most successful black touring artist in history
Achievements -
- One of the best-selling music artists of all time w/ 200 million records worldwide
- One of the greatest vocalists of all time (Rolling Stone)
- Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award (MTV Video Music Awards, 2014)
2000 - 2010
- RIAA Top Certified Artist of the Decade
- Billboard Top Female Artist & Top Radio Songs Artist of the Decade
Discography - with Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child (1998)
The Writing's on the Wall (1999)
Survivor (2001)
8 Days of Christmas (2001)
Destiny Fulfilled (2004)
Discography - Solo
Dangerously in Love (2003)
B'Day (2006)
I Am...Sasha Fierce (2008)
4 (2011)
Beyonce (2013)
Lemonade (2016)
Renaissance (2022)
Cowboy Carter (2024)
Soundtrack -
The Lion King: The Gift (2019)
13 Films
2001 - 2024