Red Mosquito

What do you smell like, Jorge?

theplatypus wrote:"AROMA OF MAN"

YEAH! It's good, isn't it?!

Okay, here we go:


Apples in Eden

Prince: Vocals/guitar
Billy Corgan: Vocals/guitar (Siamese Dream era Corgan, please)
Laura Burhenn: Piano/guitar
Dave Abbruzzee: Drums
Paul McCartney: Bass /occasional vocals
Leonard Cohen: Lyrics/vocals (late career vocals)

Band Concept: This team is built around Prince and Billy Corgan. There are some really interesting (I think) parallels between their vocal styles—the way they inhabit multiple identities within the same songs. Prince’s voice oozes sophisticated seduction and temptation on one end and an unhinged toe curling petulant ecstasy on the other. Corgan alternates between tortured angel and precarious innocence, but there’s a ferocity underneath both. I can easily picture them singing each other’s songs (or at least picture Billy singing Prince) in a way that feels simultaneously transformational and familiar.

I also think that early 90s Smashing Pumpkins could have come up with some really awesome covers of Prince songs. Corgan and Prince are both amazing guitar players, and I am envisioning Prince’s songs with the rock components amped up. I want the guitar work on his records to come to the fore (as it does live) instead of being buried underneath the clinical funkiness of his studio recordings. And I think his songs would sound great washed in the hazy fuzz of Billy Corgan’s dreamscape playing.

I added Laura Burhenn because I think her voice bridges the gap between Prince and Corgan. There is an earthy quality to her that will keep the other two grounded, with enough sexiness to mesh with Prince and enough bittersweet sentimental vulnerability to work well with Corgan. I also wanted a piano player since I was going to be building off of Prince’s catalog.

I added Paul McCartney because I think he can do a great job of highlighting the underlying melodies that might get buried under Corgan’s dense style.

I think Dave A’s playing can match the funkiness in Prince and the heavier dynamics that Corgan will bring. I want rock songs, but I don’t want to lose the groove.

Leonard Cohen is mostly there to write and edit lyrics, because there’ s probably no one better (minimal singing and absolutely no arranging).

This group is full of amazing songwriters (you can make a pretty strong case for Prince, McCartney, and Corgan as the dominant songwriter of the 60s, 80s, and 90s), and Burhenn and Cohen aren’t slouches. But they’re not writing new music together. This group was formed for one purpose.

They are going to rerecord Purple Rain.

If you think this would be an amazing record, then my team is awesome. If you think this would be a disaster then my team is a mess. This really comes down to whether or not you believe:

THIS Prince is awesome:
http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/02/w ... -go-crazy/

And that Purple Rain or When Doves Cry (you can’t get Prince on Youtube) would sound great filtered through:



I am going to assume that people are familiar with McCartney and Dave A and what they can do.

Since people may be less familiar with them, here are my favorite Laura Burhenn songs, which hopefully show off the beauty in her voice and the darker, funkier elements that the right collaboration could bring to the fore.





And Leonard Cohen (who is mostly here for lyrics)






The Rise and Fall of Apples in Eden

Paul McCartney always regretted not doing more collaborative work with Michael Jackson. There was some talk of the two of them teaming up with Pete Townsend to form a super group that would re-record Thriller, but for some reason the association made Townsend uncomfortable. And now it’s too late.

So McCartney looked to Jackson’s great contemporary, Prince, as a second chance to rewrite history. Prince was intrigued because when you’re Prince the only person on your level is a Beatle. With Prince on board, McCartney recruited Billy Corgan, fresh from breaking up the Smashing Pumpkins (and when you’re Billy Corgan the only person on your level is a Beatle orPrince). Dave Abbruzze, fresh from lunch with Stone, was asked to anchor the rhythm section, and up and coming talent Laura Burhenn was tapped for vocals and keys. McCartney was particularly intrigued to see how the innocence/innocence lost tension in Corgan’s vocals could reproduce the same, albeit sexier, dynamic in Prince. Likewise, he wanted to see how the feminine sensibilities in so much of Prince’s music would sound coming from a female singer.

The plan was to re-record Prince’s seminal Purple Rain record, downplaying Prince’s funky sterile 80s aesthetic, washing the record in the huge gauzy guitar sound of Siamese Dream, grounded by McCartney’s unimpeachable melodic sensibilities and held together by Dave A’s versatile playing. Vocal duties were to be split between Prince, Corgan, Burhenn, and McCartney, although a severe case of laryngitis at the start of the sessions sidelined McCartney. A tragedy.

Perhaps the most controversial decision was bringing in Leonard Cohen to rewrite some of the lyrics. Prince was surprisingly sanguine about the whole thing, respecting the talents of an 80 year old man capable of seducing any woman on the planet.

The session went great. Fertile, collaborative, productive, great chemistry and teamwork. Corgan in particular is smitten by Burhenn, who serves as his secret muse. And the result:

Purple Rain II

Lets Go Crazy: Prince on vocals, the guitar solo at the end (Prince) extends an extra 3 minutes. This is an aggressive, uptempo number that hits harder than the original, with each member of the band struggling to rise above the others in a glorious cacophonous finale

Take Me With You: Duet with Corgan and Burhenn. McCartney’s musical influence is particular prominent on this song.

The Beautiful Ones: A smoky number dominated by Burhenn’s piano and a fractured vocal from Corgan. Some particular unhinged screaming by Corgan at the end.

Computer Blue: Burhenn on vocals, the whole song coated in Siamese Dream fuzzy guitars and Prince solos.

Darling Nikki: After several unsuccessful experiments with Corgan on vocals the decision was made to hand the reigns of this one over to Leonard Cohen, his one vocal appearance on the record. Musically the song has a Sergeant Peppers psychedelic feel to it.

When Doves Cry: The song maintains its stark simplicity, with Corgan on vocals (the main vocals and the background harmonies), Burhenn on keys and backing vocals, Dave on drums, Prince handling the solos, and everyone coming in together for the final minutes of the song.

I would Die 4 U: A slowed down piece, turned into something of a dirge, with Corgan on vocals.

Baby I’m a Star: Burhenn and Prince share vocals on a lively but slightly more menacing version of the original, with dueling guitar solos from Prince and Corgan closing out the song

Purple Rain: If Lets go Crazy was Prince’s guitar showcase, Purple Rain is Corgan’s. No changes to the core structure of the song, just filtered through Corgan’s aesthetics. Corgan is also on vocals.


The album is dedicated to Joey. No one knows who that is, but the internet is rife with speculation.


The album is a massive hit, and the group quickly enters the studio to record a follow up. Once again, the bulk of the songs are reimagined versions of classic Prince hits. Tensions in the band mar the recording process. Not long into the sessions Burhenn realizes that Prince is Prince and she’s a woman and nature takes its course. Billy Corgan, devastated, grows increasingly alienated from Prince and fills 32 note books musing about his broken heart. Nevertheless, the group keeps it together long enough to finish recording, with Corgan feeling marginalized. The album is entitled 2wo.

2wo

1999: Prince, Burhenn, and Corgan share the vocals. Similar to Lets Go Crazy it’s a more rockin, aggressive version of the original, while retaining its essential funkiness.

Sign o the Times: Burhenn on vocals. Cohen makes ‘The Future’ look like ‘It’s a Small World After All’ , turning in the darkest lyrics of his career

I Feel For You: Paul McCartney, his voice now recovered, makes his one lead vocal contribution in this entire enterprise.

Little Red Corvette: Duet with Prince and Burhenn

Raspberry Beret: Duet with Prince and Burhenn

U Got the look: Duet with Prince and Burhenn

Cream: Duet with Prince and Burhenn. A series of increasingly sexy performances that move from a shy sweetness to playfulness to aggressive sexuality to practically fucking on tape.

Kiss: A particularly dramatic reinvention of this song with Corgan on vocals handing in the rawest, most exposed nerve performance of his career. The sex and funk in the original is replaced with the forlorn desolation of Corgan’s most lost and lonely work.

Dave’s Song: Dave’s principle writing contribution to both albums, and the closest thing to a classical funky Prince track to emerge from these sessions

Sexy MFer: Leonard Cohen on vocals for what is otherwise a fairly straight cover.

7: A massive ensemble epic featuring everyone harmonizing during the chorus, and taking lead vocals at various points .



Two additional songs are released following 2wo.

The band records a cover of Concrete Blonde’s song Tomorrow Wendy (itself a cover) for their fanclub holiday single. Burhenn on vocals, with the full band on the chorus. It turns out to be one of the band’s biggest hits. Corgan insists that the money be donated to charities that teach anti-vaccine awareness.

They also record the credits song for the upcoming Superman vs. Batman film, The End is the Beginning is the Batdance. Corgan and Prince share vocals on a moody, atmospheric, curiously combative club piece.

2wo is another smashing success, but the band cannot survive the internal tension. Prince sunders his ties with McCartney, claiming he is bigger than the Beatles. The two are still mired in an extended legal battle over the rights to the collaboration.

Burhenn, forgotten by Prince in his feud with McCartney, seeks solace briefly with Leonard Cohen before moving onto a pearl jam message board (Dave really got her into the early albums), looking for someone, anyone, to help her forget.

Dave A is fired by Corgan for enjoying himself too much. He retires from music knowing that he has averaged more sales per release than any other drummer in history.

Corgan, free from the no talent hacks he had been carrying, retreats into a studio and spends 2 years turning his journal entries into songs, releasing a song a day. Entitled ‘Blue is the Zeroest Color’, he considers it his magnum opus, a work years ahead of its time. The world has yet to catch on.

Leonard Cohen is doing fine.

I didn't know Annie Clark but that was a cool song.

Nice write up Stip. Obviously the only way your band would work is if everyone bowed to Prince. I'm not sure why that cast of characters including Prince would want to rerecord all those songs. I have a hard time believing they would sound better. A Siamese Dream stye cover of Purple Rain would be cool but your timeline occurs when Billy was over that sound. Still neat though nice job.

This is a magic world where all things manage to work out timing wise. That's why dead people are still good musicians.


Thanks

Your magic has to make sense Stip don't get me going again!!!!

i'm okay with that as long as you vote against every team with a corpse!

And I even broke up my band for you Bada! They don't last. It's a tragedy.

Ok, I've started putting all of the presentations/write-ups in the OP under spoiler tags. I've also moved the draft results into a single, chronological list that is also spoilered in case anyone just stopping in wants to see what order everyone was picked in without scrolling through all 44 pages.

If I've made any mistakes in the OP, just let me know.

thanks Lament

I just hope I'm proving myself worthy/capable of running future tournaments. My reputation is on the line here.

Once you establish a timeline you have to live with the consequences!

Why do you hate Prince so much?!

I love Prince.

then quit standing in the way of this amazing project!

I fairly certain Prince would set all this up and then not show up.

Alright, the band is called:

AUGUST HEAT

The Lineup:

Beck – Vocals / Slide Guitar / 12-String Guitar / Banjo / Sitar / Glockenspeil


Levon Helm – Drums / Percussion / Vocals


Aimee Mann – Bass / Acoustic Guitar / Vocals


Billy Preston – Piano / Electric Piano / Organ / Keyboards / Harpsichord / Accordion


Sara Watkins – Fiddle / Ukulele / Percussion / Vocals


Jack White – Vocals / Guitars / Marimba / Mandolin


Neil Young – Vocals / Guitar / Harmonica

First and foremost, I wanted to assemble a band that I would love listening to -- that I would relish listening to. Drawing on my favorite genres (blues, “grunge”, alternative rock, and country), I wanted to bring together a group of people that epitomized everything I love about those genres, and a group that had at least half a chance of working well together.

When I think about what I love about music (of any genre), I keep coming back to melody, harmony and guitar interplay. My favorite bands have always had multiple guitar players that know how to sing together (Beatles, CSN&Y, The Decemberists, Dixie Chicks, The Mynabirds, etc). Naturally, that was a huge focus for me. I tried to bring together gifted players, but also good to great vocalists who could sound amazing together. And everyone in August Heat understands harmony and has a gift for melody.

Look at the work Young did with CSN&Y. The man has such a unique voice on his own but manages to blend it with the likes of David Crosby and Graham Nash. That’s no small feat. The same can be said of Jack White and his work with Dead Weather and The Raconteurs and Loretta Lynn: a huge, unique voice that can find a home within the harmony.

My next idea was finding breadth within each member. I love bands like The Decemberists that can do folk, country and prog rock, but aren’t afraid to whip out non-traditional rock instruments like the glockenspiel, or the accordion, or the hurdy-gurdy. They manage to create a strange and intoxicating traveling gypsy vibe along with everything they do. And all of those instruments lend themselves well to the kind of aggressive, alternative country-rock, band I wanted to create. I wanted a band that isn't afraid to get into those hard to reach corners. Jack White and Beck are clearly guys who love experimenting with sound. And everyone I drafted is a multi-talent with experience in a wide range of instruments and sounds. Aimee Mann is the straightest line in the group, and that's okay, since her primary responsibilities will be bass, background vocals and songwriting (at which she excels).

I think at the heart, August Heat is an “Alt-Country Rock” band. Which is why Sara Watkins is essential. Having a brilliant fiddle player who knows how to sing (and does so with unabashed soul –- those who saw her on tour with The Decemberists will know what I’m talking about) enhances the definition and draws the ultimate through-line of the band. That fiddle has spirit and that voice has nails. You could build a house on Sara Watson’s voice and gut-punch fiddle playing.

Blues and Country are close cousins by mariage. Having Neil Young who knows dirty country rock better than anyone, paired with Jack White who does alternative blues better than anyone not named Waits, paired with Beck who glides effortlessly between all genres while never taking his foot out of a single one, is the essence of what I was aiming for here.

Billy Preston adds to the blues / funk angle. He’s also one of two dead people in my dream band (Levon Helm being the other). I wanted to limit myself to as many living artists as possible. Not that there’s anything wrong with the deceased in this tourney, it was just one goal for my group. And if I had to have one, who better than Billy Preston and Levon Helm? Both are brilliant musicians and songwriters who got along with big egos. Both helped define the sound of a certain generation and both knew how to rock out with total abandon.

Which brings me to the final ingredient: collaboration. I wanted to be able to imagine my group getting along in a studio and/or on the road for a few shows. These people who know/knew how to work in a group. Neil Young recorded with the likes of Crazy Horse, CSN and Pearl Jam. Jack White has been in three different bands (SO FAR) as well as jamming with The Edge and Jimmy Page. Levon Helm was in The Band and played with Ringo in his all-star band, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan. Preston played with The Beatles, Little Richard (name a bigger personality!), Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and even appeared with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as Eric Clapton. Sara Watkins has played with Nickel Creek and The Decemberists. Aimee Mann is the only band member I have that isn’t known for playing with at least one other band. But her energy and laid back style make her a good fit. It's easy to imagine her singing along with Young on something like Harvest Moon, for example. Her collaboration with Ben Folds and William Shatner, as well as her work with Michael penn on the I Am Sam soundtrack, shows how well her voice and percussion skills can play with other distinguished talents. Plus having her and Sara in the band helps balance out the onslaught of testosterone in August Heat. I wanted as many different points of view as possible, but I also wanted common ground. I think I’ve achieved just that. The pedigree here is nothing short of astounding. And all of these artists have a love for blues, bluegrass, country and aggressive rock and roll. These are super talents with their hearts and tastes orbiting the same galaxy.

I managed to achieve every goal I set out to achieve in this contest and I could not be happier with the result. This is a fucking balls-out band. Super stars, all. I can hear them perform in my head. I can hear their voices blending. I can imagine an album where they each bring several songs to the table (because they are all songwriters) and they all take turns playing different instruments –- because they are all multi-instrumental talents –- and it blows my mind. Imagining Jack on electric guitar for one song and drums on another. Or Beck on banjo for track one and sitar for track twelve. Or how about Preston on organ for track three, but accordion for track six? The possibilities are endless, the tapestry layered, complex and gorgeous. Just imagine the sounds these people could make together. Imagine all those talented voices blending -- White and Young scratching the highs while Beck and Mann hold down the lows. And imagine the full, round production quality. Man! I get excited thinking about this band.

August Heat is a band I would shit my pants to hear and see perform live. They embody everything I love about rock music. I’m proud of my imagination today, team.

And here are some videos of songs that inspired my choices. These were some of the songs I had in mind when I put these fuckers together:

Neil Young & Crazy Horse performing Cinnamon Girl (imagine Jack White on guitar and Beck on vocals w/ Young)


Jack White performing Top Yourself with his female band.


Sara Watkins singing with The Decemberists


Sara Watkins performing Jolene w/ Fiona Apple


Levon Helm playing/singing The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down


Billy Preston - Will It Go Round In Circles live


Beck being Beck.



Aimee Mann - Humpty Dumpty Live




So there's the band.

August Heat is their name and I think there's nothing quite like 'em.


This was so much fun!

Oh balls... Hey, Lament. You put up the spoilers in the OP as I was editing/posting my write-up. Mind cutting and pasting what so the OP reflects the entire post w/ vids?

Thanks.

You're on your shit, my friend. Thank you again, so much, for this tournament. I don't expect I'll last past the first round, but I've had so much fun.

Good luck, all!

By the way, how funny that so many of us chose band names starting with the letter A.