107.7 The Bone commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Sputnik I
On this day, 50 years ago, Sputnik 1, was launched into orbit around Earth. To commemmorate this historic event, 107.7 The Bone, the San Francisco Bay Area's premier Classic Rock station took song requests that fit the theme of Space. Some of the songs played included "Space Oddity" by David Bowie and "Eclipse" by Pink Floyd.
Here are my picks fitting this theme:
"Big Bang Theory" - Steve Vai - Available exclusively through Vai-tunes, Steve Vai's own music download store (http://www.vai.com/vaitunes/). There are certain guitar players who, when they pick up the instrument, have that intangible quality to their playing - where you know it is them instantly. You can isolate certain elements from Steve Vai's playing - whammy bar technique, legato slides, intonation, phrasing, feel and touch, but alone, they are meaningless. When these elements are combined, however, the result is one one of the most inimitable voices ever forged on the guitar.
"Space-Dye Vest" - Dream Theater - The closing song on Dream Theater's Awake album, their last with keyboardist, Kevin Moore. Moore's departure in retrospect seemed unexpected given his musical and lyrical contributions to the band. Nowhere is this contribution more evident on Awake than on Space-Dye Vest where he accompanies vocalist James Labrie with haunting and dramatic lines.
"The Event Horizon" - Steffan Chace - A new song by 19 year old guitar phenom and instrumentalist, Steffan Chace. Drawing upon the theme of space, the song begins with rich keyboards and futuristic sounds. As the final notes fade out, the song kicks into high gear with double bass drums and driving guitars. The transition to the verse melody is noteworthy for what it leaves out. The rhythm guitars completely disappear, giving the song a live and spontaneous feel. The transitions between the verse melodies and guitar solos are so seamless I hesitate to separate them into different categories. There is a melodic foundation firmly established in the verse, but the guitar solos flow naturally from that foundation. No matter how technical or complex, the solos always serve the song. http://www.myspace.com/steffanchace.com
"Space Station #5 - Montrose - You cannot listen to a Classic Rock station without hearing at least one great song from Montrose's 1973 debut album. Some of the most well-known tracks include, "Rock Candy", "Bad Motor Scooter", "Rock the Nation" and "Space Station #5". The latter begins with space-like noises created by guitar player Ronnie Montrose. The song then takes off with a fast boogie riff. The edgy vocal performance that follows is from none other than Sammy Hagar. Whether performing solo, in Van Halen, or Montrose, Sammy has made a lasting mark on rock history with his great vocal talents.
"With Jupiter in Mind" - Joe Satriani - Crystal Planet - Joe has always captivated listeners' imaginations with his songs on space themes (alien life forms, space exploration). His style of music is so closely aligned with this subject matter that it's almost impossible to separate the two. Joe has always maintained that his style of music is rock, but what makes his music so different is that he plays with the sophistication of a jazzmaster. He knows the perfect chord no matter how complex or obscure and when to play it. "With Jupiter in Mind" has a fair share of uncommon chords and modal shifts - elements which make Joe's music so intriguing.
Here are my picks fitting this theme:
"Big Bang Theory" - Steve Vai - Available exclusively through Vai-tunes, Steve Vai's own music download store (http://www.vai.com/vaitunes/). There are certain guitar players who, when they pick up the instrument, have that intangible quality to their playing - where you know it is them instantly. You can isolate certain elements from Steve Vai's playing - whammy bar technique, legato slides, intonation, phrasing, feel and touch, but alone, they are meaningless. When these elements are combined, however, the result is one one of the most inimitable voices ever forged on the guitar.
"Space-Dye Vest" - Dream Theater - The closing song on Dream Theater's Awake album, their last with keyboardist, Kevin Moore. Moore's departure in retrospect seemed unexpected given his musical and lyrical contributions to the band. Nowhere is this contribution more evident on Awake than on Space-Dye Vest where he accompanies vocalist James Labrie with haunting and dramatic lines.
"The Event Horizon" - Steffan Chace - A new song by 19 year old guitar phenom and instrumentalist, Steffan Chace. Drawing upon the theme of space, the song begins with rich keyboards and futuristic sounds. As the final notes fade out, the song kicks into high gear with double bass drums and driving guitars. The transition to the verse melody is noteworthy for what it leaves out. The rhythm guitars completely disappear, giving the song a live and spontaneous feel. The transitions between the verse melodies and guitar solos are so seamless I hesitate to separate them into different categories. There is a melodic foundation firmly established in the verse, but the guitar solos flow naturally from that foundation. No matter how technical or complex, the solos always serve the song. http://www.myspace.com/steffanchace.com
"Space Station #5 - Montrose - You cannot listen to a Classic Rock station without hearing at least one great song from Montrose's 1973 debut album. Some of the most well-known tracks include, "Rock Candy", "Bad Motor Scooter", "Rock the Nation" and "Space Station #5". The latter begins with space-like noises created by guitar player Ronnie Montrose. The song then takes off with a fast boogie riff. The edgy vocal performance that follows is from none other than Sammy Hagar. Whether performing solo, in Van Halen, or Montrose, Sammy has made a lasting mark on rock history with his great vocal talents.
"With Jupiter in Mind" - Joe Satriani - Crystal Planet - Joe has always captivated listeners' imaginations with his songs on space themes (alien life forms, space exploration). His style of music is so closely aligned with this subject matter that it's almost impossible to separate the two. Joe has always maintained that his style of music is rock, but what makes his music so different is that he plays with the sophistication of a jazzmaster. He knows the perfect chord no matter how complex or obscure and when to play it. "With Jupiter in Mind" has a fair share of uncommon chords and modal shifts - elements which make Joe's music so intriguing.
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