Monday, November 3, 2014

So? Sonic Highways?



HBO's "Sonic Highways," created by Dave Grohl and featuring his Foo Fighters, is three weeks into its eight week run. If you haven't heard about this, let me sum it up:

Band travels to eight music cities, spends time soaking in the roots and culture with legendary and not-so legendary artists, gets inspired, writes, records and performs a new song.

Brilliant idea! And it is working.

At no time during the first three hours did "Sonic Highways" ever feel forced. Whether or not you're a fan of Grohl and his band, there will be something for you here. Chicago, D.C. and Nashville have been covered so far and Grohl's love and respect for music is front and center. Buddy Guy, Cheap Trick, Chuck Brown and his D.C. go-go scene sitting side by side with the Bad Brains' Dr. Know and his hardcore scene, Emmylou and Dolly and Willie, all of these people offer insight about their respective cities as well as turining up spiritually in the Foos finished product.

I had no real love for the Zac Brown Band's music before the Nashville episode and quite frankly, I still don't. But I did enjoy every minute he was on the screen and I believe that has everything to do with Dave Grohl.




7 comments:

buzzbabyjesus said...

Dave Grohl is a real musician for sure. The premise of the show is interesting. If it was at all forced it would be cringe inducing like "Some Kind Of Monster".

cmealha said...

I saw the first episode and liked it a lot. Looking forward to watching the rest.

A walk in the woods said...

I really like some Foo songs, and I do want to see this production. One of the main things about Grohl that I love is his refusal to get po-faced with age. Every single time he plays, he looks like he’s having the absolute time of his life. Even others who smile a lot in performance (like Springsteen and Phish’s Trey Anastasio) don’t give me the sense of Dude-I’m-On-A-GoCart-Right-Now full teeth grin Grohl gets every time he plays, especially when getting to play with one of his idols. Love that.

Robin said...

The Nashville one has been my favorite so far. Tony Joe White! Zac can play, I do wish I loved his songs a bit more, I can assure you that he's quite likable even without the Dave magic but it didn't hurt. Impressed with the mix of folks they've included too. Had absolutely no idea about Elvis and "I Will Always Love You" and Dolly smartly keeping her rights.

Chris Collins said...

I agree. I'm a fan.

I like Dave Grohl as a person, as a drummer, as a rock music ambassador, as a music enthusiast, and as the leader of the Foo Fighters. In that order.

The show is really good so far.

Gene Oberto said...

Very nice cameo by Rick Nielsen in that video. Couldn't miss the cap.

I like Dave because he pushed back against Courtney,started a band and didn't play drums, plays with anybody that he fancies, got McCartney to rock, stands up for his principles and lives to play.

I like some of his stuff better than I like other stuff of his but all and all I admire that he walks the talk that some of his peers just give lip service to.

buzzbabyjesus said...

There are probably more drummer jokes than for any other instrument. My favorite is:
Q: what has 3 legs and an asshole?
A: a drum stool.

Here are Dave's:

1. What do Ginger Baker and canteen coffee have in common?
They both suck without Cream.

2. How many drummers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one, so long as the roadie gets the ladder, sets it up and puts the bulb in the socket for him.

3. What is the difference between a chiropidist and Ginger Baker?
A chiropidist bucks up your feet

4. How many drummers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Five: One to screw the bulb in, and four to talk about how much better Neil Peart would have done it.

5. How can you tell a drummer's at the door?
The knocking speeds up.

6. How can you tell a drummer's at the door?
He doesn't know when to come in.

7. How can you tell when the drum riser is level?
Drool comes out of both sides of the drummer's mouth.

8. What do you call a drummer that breaks up with his girlfriend?
Homeless.

9. How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
None: they have a machine to do that now.

10. What's the last thing a drummer says in a band?
"Hey guys, why don't we try one of my songs?
(sound of Grohl having last laugh)

We all know that great bands are driven by great drummers.