Author: Jody Whitesides

Growing up and learning to play guitar I remember hearing about these guys that just ruled on the instrument. Of course if you want to be an amazoid type of guitarist your going to pay attention to guys like Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler. Then there’s guys from the 80’s who took over like Randy Rhoads, and Eddie Van Halen. I’ll stop right there as I could continue with my journey of guitarists that I paid attention to while learning and the list would take forever. Today I want to relive a song I loved when I was learning to play guitar. It featured the talents of Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar and it’s called Best of Both Worlds. I wish I would have been old enough to see this tour.

Best of Both Worlds

I don’t know what I been livin’ on but it’s
Not enough to fill me up
I need more than just words can say
I need everything this life can give me

Come on baby close your eyes let go
This can be everything we’ve dreamed
It’s not work, that makes it work no
Let the magic do the work for you

Cause something heached out and touched me
Now I see that all I want…

I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth

There’s a picture in the gallery of a
Fallen angel looked alot like you
We forget where we come from sometimes
I had a dream it was really you

Cause something heached out and touched me
Now I see that all I want…

I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth

SOLO

You don’t have to die to go to heaven
Or hang around to be born again
Just tune into what this place has got to offer
Cause we may never be here again

I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth

Songwriter(s): Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Alex van Halen, Edward van Halen
Copyright: Mugambi Publishing, WB Music Corp.

A few years ago, I was getting a lot of auditions for bands that were signed and going on the road. Or who were freshly signed and also going on the road. Some of the bands I auditioned for got some traction, some did not. I’ve got a plethora of stories about various auditions. But today I’m pulling out a little ditty about an artist by the name of Tal Bachman. Tal is the son of Randy Bachman, yes that musician you’re familiar with. Tal is one uber talented musician in his own right. Probably due to growing up in a musical situation.

I was called into his management’s office after they heard about me from an A&R guy named Barry Squire. The way they talked to me, it was as if I already had the gig and the jam I was to get to was merely a formality. But let’s back up a little. Before I got to that point, the label sent me a copy of his CD. From the moment I heard it I was like “Fuck Yeah!” It was awesome songwriting and great songs, so I was stoked on getting this audition. Especially when most of the music I hear and was getting was less than exciting.

At the audition, I walked in knowing the songs front and back. However, Tal had such a presence about him that I got a little unnerved. It also didn’t help that I was the odd guy out, the rest of them were friends. What I didn’t know about Tal was that he was Mormon at the time. Thus had I had know I wouldn’t have brought the guitar I did. A guitar that had an image of Jesus on the front and back, but the back side Jesus wasn’t in good shape. I’m not religious (Atheist actually). Tal grilled me a bit about it as it is really arty, my dad did the art on the guitar. Of course Tal asked about my parents, where they were from, and such. It all came down to me spilling the beans about how they were Mormon, but got divorced and left the church…

To shorten this up, they liked my playing, but I was 2nd pick and didn’t get the spot. His manager called me a month later and told me, it’s not bad that you didn’t get the gig, Tal just fired them all. Regardless, I still dig listening to his CD. This was the big hit of the CD, though I feel there are better songs on it. Much like peanut butter on pancakes, it’s alright, but I prefer organic syrup.

She’s So High

She’s blood, flesh and bone
No tucks or silicone
She’s touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound
But somehow I can’t believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing’s going to happen, yeah

‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Da-da-da-da-da
She’s so high
High above me

First class and fancy free
She’s high society
She’s got the best of everything
What could a guy like me
Ever really offer
She’s perfect as she can be
Why should I even bother

‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Da-da-da-da-da
She’s so high
High above me

She calls to speak to me
I freeze immediately
‘Cause what she says sounds so unreal
‘Cause somehow I can’t believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing’s going to happen, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Oh, yeah
She’s so high
High above me

Songwriter(s):Tal Bachman
Copyright:Bachman & Sons Music, Emi Blackwood Music Inc.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about my brush with Tal and his song She’s So High. Enjoy!

– Jody