While all vehicles come with some sort of car audio capabilities, many individuals desire a more enhanced listening experience. When it comes time to purchase new car stereo equipment, try considering some of the following car audio system tips:
Saving Money: New or Used?
Thinking of getting a new earphone for your audio equipment? Not sure if your decision should be based on price or brand? Read on to learn how to choose…
Acoustic Bass Guitar
Buying my first acoustic bass guitar was one of the high points of my year. I have had some experience playing bass before, but very little. I used to have an old beaten up Ibanez bass guitar that I got from my dad, but it wasn’t in very good shape. This was really my first chance to ever experiment with a good instrument, and I relished the opportunity.
I did not no this until recently, but the difference between a poorly made instruments and a high-quality one is enormous. Acoustic bass guitars can vary tremendously, and the one I had been using before was in pretty bad shape. The neck was bent and warped, which made it very difficult to finger correctly. The intonation was also a little bit out, so it didn’t even stay in tune very well. New, it would have been a very high-quality electric bass, but my dad hadn’t taken very good care of it and it showed.
I resolved to take very good care of my own acoustic bass guitar. Every day I used it, I would start by wiping it with a dry cloth, tuning it up, and checking to make sure that everything was in working order. Acoustic bass guitars are actually pretty low maintenance instruments, so as long as you keep them in the right conditions, they are not too hard to take care of. You don’t want to expose them to excessive moisture or to get them too hot or too cold. Most of all, you don’t want to have radical temperature changes. Basically, don’t leave it in the car or in your unheated apartment in winter if you can avoid it.
It is amazing what having a nice sounding instrument will do for you. I have experimented a little bit with playing bass before as I told you, but it has never felt anything like this. The sound was so rich and full on the acoustic bass guitar that I just couldn’t stop playing. My fingers were practically bleeding by the time I was done practicing every day, and the next day I was always ready for more. I knew that, if I persisted, I would be good in no time.
In a lot of rock bands, the guitar player with the inferior skills ends up playing the bass. As a result, there are a lot of lousy bass players out there. When I first touched this acoustic bass guitar, however, I knew that I would become good. I would not just be another second string musician. I would specialize in playing the acoustic bass guitar and really investigate all of the sonic possibilities. I’m not there yet, but I’m definitely making progress. Any day now, I will be the bass player I want to be.
Aaron Carter Songs
Performing is in the Carter family genes with older brother Nick being a member of boy band, the Backstreet Boys and younger brother Aaron having launched a successful music and acting career. Aaron Carter songs are just a part of his success story. Born in 1987, Aaron was always immersed in music and is a versatile instrumentalist, playing guitar, saxophone, piano, and drums. Choreography is yet another string to his bow.
The pop and hip hop scene has rewarded Aaron with chart success and widespread recognition. His debut single and first full-length album came out in 1997. The single was titled Crush on You and the album was simply called Aaron Carter. His 2000 album, Aaron’s Party went triple platinum, no mean feat in such a competitive field. Other albums followed in 2001 with Oh Aaron, and in 2002 with Another Earthquake. A compilation album of all the greatest Aaron Carter songs was released in 2006, titled Come Get It: The Very Best of Aaron Carter. Another album is scheduled for release in 2009.
Every singer likes to have the exposure of the movies and Aaron Carter records have been included on several soundtracks, including Pokemon: The First Movie, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and The Princess Diaries. In addition to this successful career in records, Aaron has acted in television shows, films and on the Broadway stage. Aaron has appeared in guest roles on the TV hits, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and on 7th Heaven, in which he plays Ruthie’s boyfriend.
Aaron’s Broadway appearance in 2001 was in the musical, Seussical the Musical, based on the books by Dr. Seuss, in which Aaron plays the part of JoJo the Who. Songs by Aaron Carter can be heard in Aaron’s 2005 debut leading role in a film, titled Popstar. The film was a straight to video production in which Aaron plays a fictional character called J.D. McQueen but the story is largely autobiographical. Saturday Night is an Aaron Carter song in the movie that Aaron performed whilst touring. The Popstar soundtrack was released in the same year and contained five Aaron Carter songs.
Aaron was also involved in a charity record, to raise money for the families of victims from the terrorist attacks of 9 /11. Michael Jackson wrote and performed on the song, What More Can I Give? Unfortunately, the record was never released through retail outlets because of a business dispute between Jackson and his record label, but it was made available as a pay for download. In addition to Aaron and Jackson, over thirty other artists are heard on the record, including Aaron’s brother Nick, Beyonce, Ricky Martin, Usher, Celine Dion, N Sync, and Ziggy Marley, son of Bob.
Aaron also contributed to a celebration of the world of Disney by participating in DisneyMania, a compilation album of various artists in 2002. The song from Aaron Carter was I Just Can’t Wait to be King. This is the Tim Rice and Elton John composition from The Lion King, sung by a young Simba and Nala in the film. Other artists on the record include Jessica Simpson, Anastacia, S Club 7, and Hilary Duff.
Hollywood’s greatest moment? 1940’s movies (IMHO)!
Americans are hooked on movies. Hollywood turns them out by the dozens, spending truly exorbitant amounts of money to bring them to the box office. Special effects are astonishing. Film technology is incredibly advanced. You’d think that today’s movies would be far superior to those produced in the 1940’s. However, I must be remarkably old fashioned. Most of today’s most popular movies are far too violent and graphic for my taste. There are a few currently popular actors I’d call talented, but so many lack that intangible depth of character that ring my movie watching bells.
I absolutely love the old 1940’s movies! Even as a kid, I’d watch them, sometimes again and again. I’d sit there admiring their lines, well thought out dialog and studies in character. Not least, 1940’s fashions were absolutely fabulous! So much so, that I accumulated quite an extensive 1940’s wardrobe, during my 20’s and early 30’s. Strange but true.
The 1940’s movies did not generally have expensive sets. An entire movie might consist of just a few locations. The emphasis was on the plot and the characters. Unlike today’s movies, the typical 1940’s movie was a study in human behavior, Characters were well developed and the performance of the actors relied on conveying the personality and perspective, which I find most intriguing.
As for violence, murders and heinous behavior was held in check. Instead of a highly graphic display of blood and guts, the viewer of 1940’s movies was aware that a murder had occurred, but you were not subjected to the grisly details in a visual. Suspense was maintained, yet your mind was not presented with images that would give you nightmares.
Maybe I’m just a big sissy, but I can do without the Texas Chain Saw Massacre genre. I know that there are serial killers and unspeakable acts which occur every day, but when I’m watching a movie, I’m looking for entertainment, not unabashed gore.
The big stars of the 1940’s movies were sophisticated, intelligent and able to deliver a performance that was dripping in character and insightful perspectives. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart were some of the top stars during this decade.
The story lines of the 1940’s movies were more akin to a good novel. In fact, some of the great 1940’s movies were based on classics, such as Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, or Orson Welles’ ‘Citizen Kane’, adapted from Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’. Each character had a story, which was not overtly pushed in your face, but subtly portrayed, through dialog, lighting and innuendo. Such devices were so refined, it required attentive observation to figure out the puzzle. Alfred Hitchcock was a master of such film devices.
If you haven’t seen the 1940’s movies, you’re in for a treat. Try ‘Treasure of the Sierra Madre’, ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ and ‘The Red Shoes’. These ought to bring you around to my point of view! Absolutely fabulous!
80’s Greatest Hits
Everyone has their favourite musical decade and many people are nostalgic for the 1980s. 80’s greatest hits compilations are very popular and this era supplies many floor fillers. The way that records were promoted changed during this period with the introduction of the MTV channel. Every singer and band was called upon to produce a video for their new release. Looking good became as important as sounding good and the top artists were able to bring a big budget to the videos. The compact disc was also introduced, changing the way we buy records forever.
The decade is also remembered as the one that introduced Hip Hop to the world. Starting as a cult genre in America in the 1970s, many greatest hits of the 80’s were by Hip Hop and Rap artists. This movement was an important influence on pop music in general and on fashion and dance moves.
A lot of artists at this time dispensed with the traditional guitar format and based records on synthesizers, drum machines and other electronic instruments. It was the time of young men and women with big hair and shoulder pads crouched over keyboards! These songs were great to dance to and a stark contrast to the punk music that had gone before. In the UK, the New Romantics were bands with flamboyant outfits and band names. The Human League, Adam Ant, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Depeche Mode provided some terrific hits for the 80’s.
Careers wax and wane but Michael Jackson was at the height of his stardom when his album, Thriller was released in 1982. It went on to become the biggest selling album in history, producing the hit singles, Billie Jean, Beat It, and The Girl is Mine (a duet with Paul McCartney). Soft Rock too was alive and well, spearheaded by Bon Jovi with their album, Slippery When Wet. This 1986 release was their third studio album and is the band’s most successful. Many greatest hits from the 80’s rundowns include the number one singles, You Give Love a Bad Name and Livin’ on a Prayer.
Another band, destined to conquer the world, made their debut in the 1980s. U2 hailed from Ireland and have enjoyed a long, eventful career. Their first album, Boy, came out in 1980 and more 1980’s greatest hits followed for them with War, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum.
After all the electronic sounds, performed by perfectly groomed artists, the decade ended on quite a different note. The musical genre of Grunge began in the Seattle area and was characterized by loud, aggressive guitar and musicians who liked to dress down. In 1989, Nirvana launched their career with the album, Bleach. The band would dominate rock over the next few years, their iconic singer Kurt Cobain proving to be an accomplished songwriter. 80’s hits are certainly a mixture of styles with something to please everyone.
70’s Music Artists
Following the musical revolution in the 1960s, the next decade absorbed different influences and produced a mixture of genres. 70’s music artists represented many different styles. There was something for everyone, with disco, soft rock, progressive rock, punk and new wave, and more.
There were many radio friendly artists that got a lot of airplay. The brother / sister duo, The Carpenters appealed to moms and dads, and their kids. Karen Carpenter’s voice was one of the best in pop. Country rock, as it was known, was a popular fusion and The Eagles had the most commercial success with their laid back vocals.
In contrast, Heavy Metal was alive and well, particularly in the UK. Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Judas Priest were exciting to watch live and commanded a huge following. Australian band AC / DC have also survived over many years, and recently had a number one album. The kings of rock however, were Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant was the charismatic front man whilst Jimmy Page was the guitar maestro.
Glam Rock was a true phenomenon that began in the 70’s. Many talented music artists of the 70’s wore the heavy make up, and flamboyant clothes and hairstyles. Platform shoes were the order of the day. The older generation was shocked when T-Rex, Queen, Roxy Music, and Slade appeared on their screens. David Bowie led the way in 1972 when his album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, was released. In America, glam was taken to extremes with Kiss and Alice Cooper.
Progressive Rock was also a movement rooted in the 1970s. Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer were some of the 70’s music artists in this genre. Their inspiration came from classical music and jazz, rather than any pop music that had gone before. Songs tended to be quite long and lyrics were about epic subjects. LP covers became works of art and were often packaged as gatefold. The concept album came to the fore, with a single theme running through the tracks. There was a high standard of musicianship.
Meanwhile, in a New York City club called CBGBs, another revolution was taking place. Bands such as Blondie, The Ramones and Talking Heads were developing their style. The scene in Britain was influenced by them and Punk was born, partly as a reaction to the Progressive Rock and stadium bands. The idea was that anyone could get up and play. Songs were short and lyrics were to the point. Fans felt that they were on an even footing with the likes of The Sex Pistols, Sham 69 and The Buzzcocks.
For those that wanted to dance under glitter balls, there was disco. Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor were two key 70’s music artists, producing the floor fillers. The Bee Gees too got everyone moving with their harmonies on the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever.
50s and 60s Music
Each generation likes to have its own heroes and a wide generation gap appeared following World War II. 50s and 60s music brought on a cultural revolution, not seen before or since. After the austerity of the war, people wanted to have fun. Dances were popular and record shops did good business.
The early part of the 50s had its share of crooners and balladeers. Perry Como’s relaxed style appealed to the older generation and country music fans enjoyed Frankie Lane’s cowboy songs. Johnnie Ray however, was the opposite of relaxed and liked to belt out a song to the back of the hall. Mainstream popular music went on unchallenged until Rock and Roll burst onto the scene. When Elvis first wiggled his hips, he paved the way for a very different kind of 50s and 60s music. Teenagers were jumping around to Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel and nothing would ever be the same.
In addition to Elvis, the airwaves were full of Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino. Rock and Roll spawned new dance crazes and radio DJs spread the message. Elvis fans cried for days when he was enlisted into the army. During the late 50s, many young English men sat in their bedrooms, trying to copy the songs they heard coming from America. Amongst them were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. Hundreds of groups were formed and would re-interpret the music of the 50s and 60s.
The Beatles and others burst on the scene in the 1960s and led what was known as The British Invasion to America. They had absorbed the American sounds and sold it back to them! Groups such as the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Small Faces, and the Who dominated the charts. Music from the 50s and 60s evolved into experiments with different instruments, influenced by many genres, and hair got longer and longer!
From the mid-60s, lyrics became more poetic and guitar solos more expressive. Popular groups included the Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Grateful Dead, The Doors and Jefferson Airplane.
There was also a big folk revival during the 1960s, fuelled by protest songs from Bob Dylan. Many folk artists came from small clubs into the large theatres, including Joan Baez, Tim Hardin, Tom Paxton, and Tim Rose. Dylan shocked the folk purists when he used an electric guitar. The combination of electric guitars and folk songs was dubbed folk rock and one of the leading exponents was The Byrds. Much of 50s and 60s music was revolutionary but it took from past traditions and gave them a new twist.
Jazz too was to undergo its own revolution with the introduction of Be-Bop in the 1950s, as exemplified by Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. This kind of free jazz was a shock to a lot of people but it thrilled many others. Even classical music, the last bastion of tradition, went through changes with music from the 50s and 60s. Contemporary composers, such as John Cage, were controversial in their experimental avant-garde pieces.
Nature Recordings
Although I listened to countless nature sound effects in movies as a kid, I did not hear my first nature recording until I was in college. I had never listened to the soothing sounds of the beach or recordings of bird calls in the wilds of the Canadian Northwest. It did not even occur to me that anyone would want to make such recordings, although I was an audio engineer at the time. I figured the only purpose of nature recordings would be for stock sounds in movies. I was surprised by what I found when I started to look closer.
The first nature recording I heard was actually one of loon calls in the Canadian wilderness. I was a big fan of loons, and a fan of canoing in Canada, so it struck a chord with me as you might imagine. It really brought me back to the place in a way I had not anticipated. I would close my eyes, let my mind drift, and suddenly see the things I was hearing. I could suddenly see the miles and miles of clear lakes, the lonely loons calling out to each other across unfathomable distances, and the winds slowly picking up through the pine trees. The nature recordings took me back to a picturesque environ I hadn’t seen in years more effectively than a movie would have.
I guess that’s what has impressed me so much about nature recordings. I’ve always been sort of bored by watching nature films. It never seems quite the same as being there. Yet somehow, when I listen to the sounds of nature with my eyes closed, I go there again. It transports me completely in a way that sound and video together can not.
Since I discovered nature recordings, I have begun to use them for a lot of different things. I use them a lot in my movies, of course, but I also get a lot of personal use out of them. I love listening to the sound of the ocean recorded in Hawaii as a way of revisiting that beautiful island chain. I don’t have the time and money to visit very often, but I can at least content myself to listen to nature recordings between visits. I miss the ocean so desperately when I haven’t gone to see it in a while that it is a great treat to be able to revisit it in my mind.
Musical Groups
As a club owner, finding musical groups is one of the most important parts of my job. From amateur groups to serious professional acts, the right band will really make a difference in the business I do. Finding musical acts who are going to put on a good show, however, is only half the issue. The other issue is whether or not they’re going to bring in a crowd. A great undiscovered musical talent might be pretty entertaining and interesting to see in a bar, but if they don’t have the following, they are no use to me. I need musical groups that can bring people and keep them drinking all night.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t give other sorts of musical groups a chance. Sometimes, it’s nice to have an amateur band with raw, unvarnished energy come in and put on a wild rocking show. It’s just that these bands can not be counted on to make you money. Usually, I’ll just give them a couple drinks and maybe 10 bucks each if it’s a good night. Enough to cover gas money, but not cut of the door. After all, if they’re not making me any money, I can’t really afford to pay them.
Most of the amateur musical groups get this, but a few of them don’t. I’ve definitely had my share of arguments with musical bands who are expecting me to be blown away by their performance and offer them loads of money. I don’t know what they think I am. I think in some of these guys heads, club owners are supposed to be waiting there just to see them play. I think they believe honestly that, if they play in the right club, they are going to be made millionaires overnight – or at least get enough money to pay rent. I can’t do that for a small, amateur musical group. I’m just trying to make do myself.
Still, sometimes it’s good to take a risk. I’ve definitely paid good money to bring in musical groups from out of town, sometimes with disappointing results. Other times, you find a small band with incredibly loyal followers who will go with them anywhere. You bring in one band from Georgia and they bring a hundred fans, driving across multiple states to come see them play. It’s really hard to tell how it’s going to go until it does. Basically, as a club owner I just have to trust my own judgment.