Nuno has formed a number of side projects outside of Extreme that included Mourning Widows, Population 1, and DramaGods. But I think his greatest work was on his 1997 solo record, "Schizophonic." This is his most consistent effort -- Nuno likes to incorporate experimental music into the mix, but on this record it was never at expense of a good melody. Nuno proves to be a more than competent singer, and has great instincts for harmony vocals. "Swollen Princess" is fantastic and should have made him a household name, but nearly every track is great.
Showing posts with label Rihanna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rihanna. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2019
"Swollen Princess" by Nuno
You may not know his name, but Nuno Bettencourt is no stranger to chart success. One of the greatest guitar gods around today, he is best known for his work in Extreme. But Nuno has also played with a wide range of musicians from Janet Jackson to Rihanna, Dweezil Zappa to Tantric.
Nuno has formed a number of side projects outside of Extreme that included Mourning Widows, Population 1, and DramaGods. But I think his greatest work was on his 1997 solo record, "Schizophonic." This is his most consistent effort -- Nuno likes to incorporate experimental music into the mix, but on this record it was never at expense of a good melody. Nuno proves to be a more than competent singer, and has great instincts for harmony vocals. "Swollen Princess" is fantastic and should have made him a household name, but nearly every track is great.
Nuno has formed a number of side projects outside of Extreme that included Mourning Widows, Population 1, and DramaGods. But I think his greatest work was on his 1997 solo record, "Schizophonic." This is his most consistent effort -- Nuno likes to incorporate experimental music into the mix, but on this record it was never at expense of a good melody. Nuno proves to be a more than competent singer, and has great instincts for harmony vocals. "Swollen Princess" is fantastic and should have made him a household name, but nearly every track is great.
Monday, October 22, 2018
"Promise To You Girl" by Paul McCartney
How do you top being a member of one of the greatest bands in history? You don't. But you can come real close. Paul McCartney has had a phenomenal run after his time in The Beatles, and with a new record out this month, he doesn't show signs of stopping even at the age of 76. (By the way, his new single "Come On To Me" proves he still has the magic.)
The Beatles were the #1 artist of the 60s, and McCartney came close to being the #1 artist of the 70s (he landed at #2 since Elton John claimed #1). McCartney currently ranks as the 18th most successful artist of all-time, and this does not include his time with The Beatles.
McCartney came out of The Beatles strong, with the #5 hit "Another Day" quickly followed by the #1 smash, "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey." He'd hit the #1 spot five more times in the 70s and three times in the 80s. Some of his biggest hits of the 80s included duets: "Ebony and Ivory" with Stevie Wonder was #1 for 7 weeks in 1982, and he scored two hits with Michael Jackson: "The Girl Is Mine" hit #2 and "Say, Say, Say" was #1 for 6 weeks.
McCartney fever began to fade in the 90s as silly love songs and catchy pop riffs fell out of fashion, but his 2005 record, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" was widely acclaimed to be a significant comeback album. "Promise To You Girl" is just one of the many fine tracks gracing this record. Nothing from this terrific record charted, nor has any of his subsequent work. However, an unlikely hit sung with Rihanna and Kayne West surfaced in 2015 that took McCartney back to #4 on the charts (his first top 10 hit in 30 years, since "Spies Like Us" reached #7 in 1985).
The Beatles were the #1 artist of the 60s, and McCartney came close to being the #1 artist of the 70s (he landed at #2 since Elton John claimed #1). McCartney currently ranks as the 18th most successful artist of all-time, and this does not include his time with The Beatles.
McCartney came out of The Beatles strong, with the #5 hit "Another Day" quickly followed by the #1 smash, "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey." He'd hit the #1 spot five more times in the 70s and three times in the 80s. Some of his biggest hits of the 80s included duets: "Ebony and Ivory" with Stevie Wonder was #1 for 7 weeks in 1982, and he scored two hits with Michael Jackson: "The Girl Is Mine" hit #2 and "Say, Say, Say" was #1 for 6 weeks.
McCartney fever began to fade in the 90s as silly love songs and catchy pop riffs fell out of fashion, but his 2005 record, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" was widely acclaimed to be a significant comeback album. "Promise To You Girl" is just one of the many fine tracks gracing this record. Nothing from this terrific record charted, nor has any of his subsequent work. However, an unlikely hit sung with Rihanna and Kayne West surfaced in 2015 that took McCartney back to #4 on the charts (his first top 10 hit in 30 years, since "Spies Like Us" reached #7 in 1985).
Friday, February 17, 2017
"Interface" by Extreme
Extreme hit it big in 1991 with their beautiful acoustic ballad "More Than Words." The tune went to #1 and introduced the world to the amazing vocal chemistry between Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt. The Boston-based rock band had a #4 follow-up hit with another acoustic ditty, "Hole Hearted". The hard rock they were best known for never made its way onto the charts.
After an extended break that included solo efforts, numerous other bands, playing guitar for Rihanna (Nuno), and Cherone's high-profile but ill-fated stint in Van Halen, Extreme reunited to make their fourth album, "Saudades de Rock" (2008). The song "Interface" originally appeared on a Nuno project called "DramaGods," but sounds even better with Cherone's harmonies. A gorgeous although heartbreaking song either way.
After an extended break that included solo efforts, numerous other bands, playing guitar for Rihanna (Nuno), and Cherone's high-profile but ill-fated stint in Van Halen, Extreme reunited to make their fourth album, "Saudades de Rock" (2008). The song "Interface" originally appeared on a Nuno project called "DramaGods," but sounds even better with Cherone's harmonies. A gorgeous although heartbreaking song either way.
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