This Is Rock'N'Roll! Opposite opinion

Hey Guys and Girls,

Two video's of two rock'n'roll sensations destroying their equipment on stage. The epic guitar smash and drum kit smash have been pioneers in defining what is "rock'n'roll". Everyone has had a moment in their life where they have seen a video or any type of footage of a band destroying their gear on stage. Whether it is an explosion or just throwing around instruments.

The great Who video is fantastic in my eyes. The way they smashed their gear in this particular video really pushed the boundaries of rock! It might be a bit dangerous in others people's eyes the way the explosion occurs so close to Pete Townsend but in my eyes it is really entertaining! I really believe this is the way the infamous stage breakdown/guitar smash/drum smash should be done. It should be something only few dare to do. And it should be something that can set people apart!

The Jimi Hendrix video is a bit soft in my eyes. I think it is great how he destroys his instrument and i like how it is very psychedelic + relevant to it's error but it is still missing something in my eyes. I think that missing link is danger! This video just is not extreem and dangerous enough for my taste. I think when you compare it to the Who it is clear Mr. Hendrix still has a lot to learn in the field of the guitar smash!

I think that as a conclusion we can definitely say that i expect a lot from somebody smashing their gear and i really believe The Who lived up to my expectations. Jimi Hendrix just did not totally do it for me.

Joss Stone! This is what soul is all about

Hey guys and girls,

I stil haven't given y'all my promised pop concert review so, here it is! On the first of February I made a trip to the Paradiso in Amsterdam to see the amazing Joss Stone. This concert was one I will never forget and I could just not stop dancing. This music is straight up groovy soul and makes you feel so good. The first thing that amazed me was what a great person Joss is. She gives of so much positive energy and she really feeds the crowd. She is a very special presence and a singer of a unique caliber. Her voice is so powerful and so musical! The feel she has and the way she phrases her lines and places her vibrato is simply out of this world. Next to the very pretty Joss Stone most of my attention was geared towards the drummer. This cat was so good I could believe what I was looking at. His grooves where so solid and his fills where so tasty! I do not care how "hot" Joss Stone is, this drummer was just one of a kind. I must give my compliments to the whole band. She tours with one of the best session musicians from the UK and this could definitely be heard. The whole band just played tight and in the pocket and this is really what you should do when playing soul/funk/r&b. Every band member took their liberties when allowed and for the rest they just kept pocket and grooved and served as an extension of Joss Stone's fantastic talent! If you ever get the chance to check out this girl life just take it because you will be amazed.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Drew

This Is Rock'N'Roll!

Hey Guys and Girls,

Two video's of two rock'n'roll sensations destroying their equipment on stage. The epic guitar smash and drum kit smash have been pioneers in defining what is "rock'n'roll". Everyone has had a moment in their life where they have seen a video or any type of footage of a band destroying their gear on stage. Whether it is an explosion or just throwing around instruments.

The infamous "Who" video is pretty shocking in my eyes. Normally i can really accept the fact that a band smashes their gear and to be honest I really enjoy it and think it is entertaining and "classic". Still, this situation was different in my eyes because it really unsafe. Keith Moon decided to use more explosives than planned without notifying the band. This got in the way of the bands safety. While Pete Townsend was smashing his guitar I found it all great but the moment the explosion occurred I was really shocked. Smashing instruments and things in that nature I find valid in the particular form of art that is rock'n'roll but using explosive I think goes a step to far. It did not offend me but it did simply shock me!

The example of Jimi on the other hand really defines the perfect guitar smash in my eyes. This video is so legendary and it contains so much emotion. It just really impressed me and almost made me want to play guitar! In comparison to the other video (The Who) Jimi at least keeps the aggression to himself and does not to much in the way of the other band mates safety. He keeps it to himself as you should. The fact that this video has the potential of actually influencing people in a positive way really gives me a "liberating" feeling. I am totally not offended by these images. I just see this video as a legendary piece of footage which changed the view on rock'n'roll!

To conclude I think smashing your instruments is destruction but I also believe it is a valid thing to do (if you desire) within the art form . Showing emotion by smashing your instruments almost seems to be something that has been accepted into the "world of rock" and we can thank all the old and legendary rock sensations for this. JIMI YOU ARE MY HERO!

Cheers and thanks to reading,

Drew

80 db, A musical and social gathering

Hey folks!

Let's start of this blog with the following: I think 80 db is one of the greatest social/musical initiatives i have ever been a part of. The following comments i will make are only constructed criticisms on top of the stated fact that 80 db is simply AMAZING! Obviously i also have a load of compliments and positive remarks to make.

The first thing i was very happy with this year is definitely the choice of songs. I thought the set-list was very mature and also very diverse. Especially the amount of "groove" really turned me on! Songs like Son Of A Preacher Man, Pick Up The Pieces, Peace Without The Rest and I Don't Need No Doctor are all very funky and groovy tunes and for the first time in my life i saw people in the audience wanting to get their groove on. But, the thing which is really interesting is that i can not give enough respect to the people that chose to pick "odd ball songs" like Liar In The Glass or less serious songs like Country Roads. Acts like this are more than necessary within a school concert. People also want to laugh and be surprised and songs like the two i mentioned really make sure those emotions translate into the audience.

Here is a link to a video which really captures the magic that is 80 db:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRn6xUc6G70

My only real criticism is not the sound itself but the levels. I had many members of the audience tell me that they could not hear particular solo's or could not here particular instruments. I really believe 80 db is a chance to let everybody that participates shine and when that solo moment of yours comes i think it should not be ruined because of the fact that your guitar, sax, trumpet or voice is not loud enough. I know and fully understand being in charge of the sound is not an easy task but i do think this is an issue worth focusing on. These kids work really hard and put a lot of time into making 80 db a fantastic show and so do the sound people. That is why i think we should focus on this issue and try to fix it as a team. Team-work is really what 80 db is all about right?

I thought this years 80 db was at a very high level in relation to other years and i am honored that i was able to be part of the crew again. 80 db is something that should never "die" in my eyes because i think and i know that many others agree that 80 db is basically what makes Laar en Berg the great school that it is! It is just a very special event that really brings students, teachers and parents together.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Andrew

Update on whats happening with Andrew Riezebeek in the music industry

PEOPLES!!!

I have been doing a ton musically and i thought it would be fun to let my fellow class mates know whats going on :).

First of all, 2/3 months ago i got hired to play in a band with graduating students from the Conservatory of Amsterdam! The group is called DINGUS and here is a link to a live video of us playing in the Wilhelmina Pakhuis, Amsterdam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joE95DHHMd4

We are an energetic Electro/Funk group exploring the world of groove and experimentation.

Next to this project i started a home studio project with the drummer of DINGUS (Flip van Schil). We built a little studio in my basement and have been messing around with some tracks. The project is called First Draft. We did not decide to lash on to any particular style so the creative we freedom we have is fantastic!

As you all know i am a summer student at the Berklee College of Music. Not to long ago i have gotten the great honor to start writing blogs for the college. They want to use me as a

"role model" for other young musicians by letting me share my experiences.

Here is a link to my first post:

http://www.berklee-blogs.com/2009/11/from-guitar-sessions-to-five-week-a-young-musician-on-a-mission/

That's about it! Now you guys know what i have been doing and i will make sure to keep y'all posted.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Drew

Elvis Unmasked

Hey Guys and Gals,

A couple of classes ago we watched a great documentary on Elvis Presley. Watching this documentary was a total trip. Everybody knows that Elvis is a legend that has changed Rock and Roll and music in general. Watching him being put in the spotlight by people that have first hand evidence was...... actually i think you could call it an honor!! All the footage used in the documentary was really special and this also counts for the pictures. When watching this film you really had the feeling you know the man himself. You feel like a close friend in a weird way.

Elvis was a white man but this did not stop him to show his love for black music. He always remained himself and i believe that is what made him the hero that he is! His perseverance and motivation in music where truly remarkable and he will never be forgotten.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Drew

Playing test on Funky Town

Hey Guys and Gals!

Not to long ago our class had a playing test on the tune 'Funky Town': (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CImrIKNmBo).

This was a great challenge because the song is not an easy feet at all. The rhythm and feel of the song are very hard to replicate. The most interesting part of this test was definitely figuring out how to get everybody sounding as one team in the particular time frame that we where given. I really learned how to use your time as efficiently as possible.

As far as judging other people this song was really useful. Knowing the tune has a great groove and sound it was really easy to see if groups where doing it right or wrong. The song itself was a very clear point of reference with clear indications of what makes the song so great :).

While i was grading i did not really find myself watching more closely than usual. I am a musician myself and i am always a critical observant as far as music goes. The feeling of "power" during the grading process was really nice. It made me feel very useful and the challenge of grading was also a lot of fun!

During the grading process the rubric where very handy. Having descriptors of what makes a group good is really useful when judging. The rubric also helps in making the test fair because with a rubric you can focus on particular elements of quality and you do not have to take everything into account.

This test was a lot of fun to participate in and it also made me realize that making music is a team effort that is very rewarding!

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Drew