Root Down in the Shadow

Where to begin with, when discussing the talented Saul Williams?  He came into my world, over a decade ago, as a Beat Poet/Spoken Word extraordinaire!  I have this vague recollection that I saw him performing on PBS???   Whatever exposure it was, it stuck in my head.  When I did stumbled upon him again during the era of Napster, the flood gates opened and I had started to down load anything I could of his. If I had to simplify my discussion of Saul Williams, I would recommend two tracks: 'Ohm' from Lyricist Lounge and 'Om Ni American' from Amethyst RockStar. Both tracks to me were and still are fascinating to me. They always came through to me as poetry, and I was lucky enough back then to see him perform his work before the musical aspect became a force. Saul Williams 'Ohm' Fortunately, his work is well beyond two great pieces. Amethyst Rockstar is an incredible work, which makes me think every time I listen to it. Likewise, She is a great col...

It is argued frequently what constitutes a good cover song.  Is it playing a song just like the original artist?  Is it stripping it down and recreating it in the covering artists' style?  Is it only good if you were not familiar with the original?  But what happens when the cover takes on a new life, and changes the intended song and what it stands for? 'Hurt' (live) by Nine Inch Nails, from the Downward Spiral The original 'Hurt' as shown in its officially released video version from Nine Inch Nails is in itself haunting. It speaks of a man questioning life in general and it's fragile existence. The video goes deeper showing the decay (in reverse) explicitly showing how everyone of us "goes away in the end" If you've never experienced this live, watch the video closely. This is not some effect of editing superimposing Trent Reznor and band over a screen. There is a large translucent screen that the band plays behind and in front of, while...