The Monkees - A Better World
Ever since learning of Peter Tork's death the other day I and maybe even moreso my wife thought of him and THIS SONG.
See, my Monkees-lifer wife felt that THIS song "A Better World" was actually the best or her favorite track from the much praised Good Times! from 2016.
And it seems to receive very little to no love or attention!
It's really wonderful. The string arrangement, the sort of sad, cynical and in some way optimistic way it sounds and the lyrics specifically.
And so in thinking about Peter, this tune does not seem to leave my head.
IT WASN'T EVEN ON THE STANDARD GOOD TIMES! BUT ONLY A BLEEPING BONUS TRACK!
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I dunno, I love a lot of Good Times!
Birth of an Accidental Hipster, You Bring the Summer, She Makes Me Laugh, Me and Magdalena and some others...
but I may be siding with my wife now.
This is such a haunting, sad, beautiful tune.
And Peter never performed it live, I don't think. Not with The Monkees anyway, maybe at 1 of those solo shows he did in 2016 or 2017? I'd have to look it up.
It is kind of haunting me now..like his or his brother Nick's feeling about food and Global Food supplies. Why are people starving when there's more than enough food to go around.
It reminds me of "Earth Song" from Michael Jackson or a conversation I had with Johan Hallgren of Pain of Salvation in 2002 or 2004 at ProgPower USA.
In this song, it seems we are in a "Better World" and like Star Trek alludes to, starvation and famine are gone. A thing of the distant past, etc.
"Joytown" from Kevin Gilbert also comes to mind. Sort of a dream/fantasy utopia in some ways.
Rest in Peace Peter. Hopefully this song will reach even just more Monkees fans now posthumously.
I'm sure now you are living in this "Better World."
Maybe your brother Nick will at least be around to see that.
Bonus track from The Monkees' 2016 album GOOD TIMES
Credits Written by Nick Thorkelson
Peter Tork – Vocals, Guitars and Percussion
Micky Dolenz and Coco Dolenz – Backing Vocals
Joe Boyle – Lead Guitar, Bass and Backing Vocals
Sturgis Cunningham – Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals
Katlin Wolfberg, Corinne Olsen, Emily Elkins and Eliza James – String Quartet
A Better World"
A better world is needed
I believe anyone can see it
A better world is coming
If we live as we believe
A better world is started
No need to be broken-hearted
No need for longing
We can have all we need
There’s more than enough
To feed all the hungry
To mend every broken heart
We can bring this about
If we mean it
It’s not gonna be easy
So start, so start, so start
The way we live is funny
Anyone can see it’s gonna
Take more than money
It’s gonna take all we got
The way we live is tragic
Anyone can tell it’s gonna
Take more than magic
But believe it or not
There’s more than enough
To feed all the hungry
With enough heart and soul
And if we don’t tire
We can bring this about
It’s not just my imagination
It’s not just you and me
And it’s not just two or three
It’s the whole wide world
On fire
You’ll get your money back
Your heart’s desire
A better world is needed
I believe anyone can see it
A better world is coming
If we live as we believe
A better world is started
No need to be broken hearted
No need for longing
We can have all we need
There’s more than enough (There’s more than enough)
To feed all the hungry
To mend every broken heart
We can bring this about
If we mean it
It’s not gonna be easy
So start, so start
Whole wide world
On fire
Whole wide world
On fire
Showing posts with label Johan Hallgren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johan Hallgren. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Monday, May 1, 2017
Pain of Salvation News: Staffing Changes
So a lot of this stuff has gone down over the last 24+ hours (been kind of preoccupied with a showing of my apartment = many hours of cleaning required)
-Ragnar Zolberg unfortunately is not with Pain of Salvation anymore.
-Johan Hallgren is now back with Pain of Salvation.
The below accounts and comments on Facebook I always take with a grain of salt (no pun intended).
I want to believe this is for the best for both parties. The part about the money and songwriting credits, I guess on the surface is hard to see Daniel in the best light. But I want to believe Daniel and Ragnar just agreed to disagree unfortunately.
Ragnar showed on their new album In the Passing Light of Day, he is a talented singer/musician and songwriter, and with that, it hurts losing him. He in a lot of ways infused new life and interest in Pain of Salvation.
On the other hand, now learning of Johan Hallgren returning, I can't help but be happy to see. Longtime member and part of their "classic" lineup per say; I guess losing Ragnar, Johan Hallgren is as good a replacement out there.
But it does seem like a Soap Opera. Revolving door per say, almost like Yes in a way.
In the mean time, it will be interesting to see what Ragnar does going forward and of course what the next Pain of Salvation album may be like.
Ragnar
FB
I quit Pain of Salvation in 2013 after having been in the band for 1 year only. It was nothing like what I had expected and I had come to understand why some members before me had also left. At that time Roger stepped in and did the acoustic tour in which he did a very good job!
About one year later I was asked to do one more gig, prognation at sea, I agreed. When I showed up for rehearsals Daniel had been hospitalised and asked me to fill in his shoes for the show, after he got better he asked me to join the band again and write the next album with him. I love to make albums so I decided to stick around a little longer.
Recently, with our album In the Passing Light of Day the band has been doing considerably better. An album which Daniel and I wrote together during a 2 year time period and I also lent some of my previous compositions to it. With a lot of dedication, sacrifices and help from various people we managed to go from almost being dropped from the record label to selling a descent amount of albums and playing to sold out shows. Something that I am very proud of and obviously very grateful for the love shown to us by the kind people attending our shows.
I have had a great time with my friends Gustaf Hielm, Daniel Karlsson and Léo Margarit. I am going to miss hanging out with them as much, they are the biggest reason I managed to stay all this time. <3 font="" nbsp="">
As it turned out, everybody worked on the album as a team, but as soon as our album was finished last year, the band leader started acting in a very similar manner as what we have been seeing of the band Ghost recently. It was clear that this was not “our" album anymore, but his. I got payed a small amount of 1000 euros for my work for those 2 years, that did not even cover my travel expenses.
Although PoS have now been doing quite good business wise, being in this band has been bad business from the beginning and has cost way more than what I’ve had in return, both mentally and economically. Minimum wage is not to be expected when you play to sold out shows and full venues at our standards. Neither is pessimism and criticism after almost every gig.
I have spoken my mind about all of this while still doing what I could to keep a professional relation towards everything, after all it is also my music that we have been playing and I have wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible despite the unjust treatment I have faced.
Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it’s due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday.
I am happy for everything I have learned in the recent years and the people I have gotten to know through this adventure and I am also very happy to be moving on. One thing that I have learned and think should be kept in mind is: Never take credit for others peoples work, that’s just not nice and extremely disrespectful.
A Message from Daniel Gildenlow
FB
After a few years of working together with Ragnar, I feel that we have come to a point where it is necessary to part ways. It feels very sad, because we are losing a great vocalist and stage personality in Ragnar. It felt great writing the new album together with him, and I am very thankful for that time. We all are. But with time it has become clear that his true place is not in this band. Musically, it has worked very well, but there are so many other variables that need to click in order to make a band strong and stable.
We are not going into a period of uncertainty, but one of deliberate change and strength. We have a great record label and a great management/booking company that have both told us that they understand our decision, and that they back us up and support us fully through this. All scheduled shows will happen as planned. How? Well, we are happy to announce that, starting today, Johan Hallgren will be returning to the band as a full member again, and we will go full throttle ahead through this. We are very happy about seeing him back onboard, and we are sure you will accept him back with open arms, as will we.
One thing that we are looking forward to a lot is the regained possibility to meet up and rehearse more often, which is one of the main reasons why I started playing music in the first place: to have that small and devoted tribe, standing in a sweaty rehearing room, sharing a stupid dream. And then making it come true.
So, a new chapter in the life of Pain of Salvation, and yet not. We hurt, we heal, we rise. And we keep delivering, that is a promise. We hope for your love and support through this. We want to thank Ragnar for the good years together with us, and wish him all the luck with his future endeavours. And again, we warmly welcome Johan Hallgren back to our family!
Peace,
Daniel and Pain of Salvation
What the band members and Johan himself has to say about his return to the band:
Johan Hallgren:
“Already when I quit the band, I felt that I really wanted to come back. This feels fun as hell, and I will go into this with full force – hook, line and sinker. I have promised myself to supersede everyone’s expectations of my return. This is something I know well, and I am damn good at it. And more than that, I have really missed them all – it’s a wonderful gang!”
Daniel D2 Karlsson:
“I am very happy to see Johan back – I actually feel quite exalted. Johan is a wonderful human being with a warm heart, and he’s got a fantastic charisma as a musician. I am convinced our fans will welcome him with a warm embrace.”
Léo Margarit:
“It’s great that Johan is back – a good friend. I am certain the fans will be very happy, he was a beloved band member, and many were sad to see him go. It will be very fun to play with him again!”
A message from Johan Hallgren
-Ragnar Zolberg unfortunately is not with Pain of Salvation anymore.
-Johan Hallgren is now back with Pain of Salvation.
The below accounts and comments on Facebook I always take with a grain of salt (no pun intended).
I want to believe this is for the best for both parties. The part about the money and songwriting credits, I guess on the surface is hard to see Daniel in the best light. But I want to believe Daniel and Ragnar just agreed to disagree unfortunately.
Ragnar showed on their new album In the Passing Light of Day, he is a talented singer/musician and songwriter, and with that, it hurts losing him. He in a lot of ways infused new life and interest in Pain of Salvation.
On the other hand, now learning of Johan Hallgren returning, I can't help but be happy to see. Longtime member and part of their "classic" lineup per say; I guess losing Ragnar, Johan Hallgren is as good a replacement out there.
But it does seem like a Soap Opera. Revolving door per say, almost like Yes in a way.
In the mean time, it will be interesting to see what Ragnar does going forward and of course what the next Pain of Salvation album may be like.
Ragnar
FB
I quit Pain of Salvation in 2013 after having been in the band for 1 year only. It was nothing like what I had expected and I had come to understand why some members before me had also left. At that time Roger stepped in and did the acoustic tour in which he did a very good job!
About one year later I was asked to do one more gig, prognation at sea, I agreed. When I showed up for rehearsals Daniel had been hospitalised and asked me to fill in his shoes for the show, after he got better he asked me to join the band again and write the next album with him. I love to make albums so I decided to stick around a little longer.
Recently, with our album In the Passing Light of Day the band has been doing considerably better. An album which Daniel and I wrote together during a 2 year time period and I also lent some of my previous compositions to it. With a lot of dedication, sacrifices and help from various people we managed to go from almost being dropped from the record label to selling a descent amount of albums and playing to sold out shows. Something that I am very proud of and obviously very grateful for the love shown to us by the kind people attending our shows.
I have had a great time with my friends Gustaf Hielm, Daniel Karlsson and Léo Margarit. I am going to miss hanging out with them as much, they are the biggest reason I managed to stay all this time. <3 font="" nbsp="">
As it turned out, everybody worked on the album as a team, but as soon as our album was finished last year, the band leader started acting in a very similar manner as what we have been seeing of the band Ghost recently. It was clear that this was not “our" album anymore, but his. I got payed a small amount of 1000 euros for my work for those 2 years, that did not even cover my travel expenses.
Although PoS have now been doing quite good business wise, being in this band has been bad business from the beginning and has cost way more than what I’ve had in return, both mentally and economically. Minimum wage is not to be expected when you play to sold out shows and full venues at our standards. Neither is pessimism and criticism after almost every gig.
I have spoken my mind about all of this while still doing what I could to keep a professional relation towards everything, after all it is also my music that we have been playing and I have wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible despite the unjust treatment I have faced.
Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it’s due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday.
I am happy for everything I have learned in the recent years and the people I have gotten to know through this adventure and I am also very happy to be moving on. One thing that I have learned and think should be kept in mind is: Never take credit for others peoples work, that’s just not nice and extremely disrespectful.
A Message from Daniel Gildenlow
FB
After a few years of working together with Ragnar, I feel that we have come to a point where it is necessary to part ways. It feels very sad, because we are losing a great vocalist and stage personality in Ragnar. It felt great writing the new album together with him, and I am very thankful for that time. We all are. But with time it has become clear that his true place is not in this band. Musically, it has worked very well, but there are so many other variables that need to click in order to make a band strong and stable.
We are not going into a period of uncertainty, but one of deliberate change and strength. We have a great record label and a great management/booking company that have both told us that they understand our decision, and that they back us up and support us fully through this. All scheduled shows will happen as planned. How? Well, we are happy to announce that, starting today, Johan Hallgren will be returning to the band as a full member again, and we will go full throttle ahead through this. We are very happy about seeing him back onboard, and we are sure you will accept him back with open arms, as will we.
One thing that we are looking forward to a lot is the regained possibility to meet up and rehearse more often, which is one of the main reasons why I started playing music in the first place: to have that small and devoted tribe, standing in a sweaty rehearing room, sharing a stupid dream. And then making it come true.
So, a new chapter in the life of Pain of Salvation, and yet not. We hurt, we heal, we rise. And we keep delivering, that is a promise. We hope for your love and support through this. We want to thank Ragnar for the good years together with us, and wish him all the luck with his future endeavours. And again, we warmly welcome Johan Hallgren back to our family!
Peace,
Daniel and Pain of Salvation
What the band members and Johan himself has to say about his return to the band:
Johan Hallgren:
“Already when I quit the band, I felt that I really wanted to come back. This feels fun as hell, and I will go into this with full force – hook, line and sinker. I have promised myself to supersede everyone’s expectations of my return. This is something I know well, and I am damn good at it. And more than that, I have really missed them all – it’s a wonderful gang!”
Daniel D2 Karlsson:
“I am very happy to see Johan back – I actually feel quite exalted. Johan is a wonderful human being with a warm heart, and he’s got a fantastic charisma as a musician. I am convinced our fans will welcome him with a warm embrace.”
Léo Margarit:
“It’s great that Johan is back – a good friend. I am certain the fans will be very happy, he was a beloved band member, and many were sad to see him go. It will be very fun to play with him again!”
A message from Johan Hallgren
The guys in the band said some really kind things about me so I thought I would return the favor!
D2! First time I met him he was just a little kid about 11 years old and look at him now! He is handsome and a humble super musician who can switch between bass and keys in an instant! He is also a midi-wizard, sound engineer, light tech and so much more! Love to spend some time with him!
Leo! What can I say! Love the guy and everything about him! I don't think I need to mention his musical qualities! Seems like he was born through a drumroll singing!
Gustaf! Have had some sporadic contact with him over the last 25 years! Humorous guy and a killer musician! He is also a beast on bass but you already knew that!
Daniel! Sometimes he is a mystery to me! How can such an intellectual person go through hell sometimes squeezing out the last drop of blood in every musical and artistic insight! If he would be into economics he probably be a billionaire! Instead he beats himself almost to death to bring Pos forward giving everything he's got! But mostly he is just that loving, funny, person who is a close friend that always inspires me to be better on and off stage!
I've seen some pretty harsh posts out there about him during this member transition! Cut him some slack he is a human being! If the intentions was to hurt him, you did! Now we have two persons hurt! Let them heal and have two awesome bands out there! Johan
D2! First time I met him he was just a little kid about 11 years old and look at him now! He is handsome and a humble super musician who can switch between bass and keys in an instant! He is also a midi-wizard, sound engineer, light tech and so much more! Love to spend some time with him!
Leo! What can I say! Love the guy and everything about him! I don't think I need to mention his musical qualities! Seems like he was born through a drumroll singing!
Gustaf! Have had some sporadic contact with him over the last 25 years! Humorous guy and a killer musician! He is also a beast on bass but you already knew that!
Daniel! Sometimes he is a mystery to me! How can such an intellectual person go through hell sometimes squeezing out the last drop of blood in every musical and artistic insight! If he would be into economics he probably be a billionaire! Instead he beats himself almost to death to bring Pos forward giving everything he's got! But mostly he is just that loving, funny, person who is a close friend that always inspires me to be better on and off stage!
I've seen some pretty harsh posts out there about him during this member transition! Cut him some slack he is a human being! If the intentions was to hurt him, you did! Now we have two persons hurt! Let them heal and have two awesome bands out there! Johan
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Fredrik Hermansson (also) is leaving Pain of Salvation
facebook announcement from Daniel
"That odd feeling in our stomachs will be even more prominent this time around, since this tour marks the farewell of both Johan and Fredrik. See, I went and dipped my toes into the serious now, but I can't dwell on it too long then I won't have any energy left for convincing ending! Anyway, Léo and I are already guessing who of us will get to be Christopher Lambert in Highlander. Léo does have the youth, energy and motivation on his side. But I have red-hot statistics holding my fort."
after last week's Johan Hallgren-leaving announcement, Daniel writes this. So, Pain of Salvation is now just Daniel and Leo? Daniel could probably benefit from a hiatus for the band. Then they reform after x number of years. Mike Portnoy and Dream Theater? I wonder if Daniel is a little too stubborn to do that, even with all these longtime bandmates leaving.
Who knows, maybe a year or even 6 months from now, the Daniel Gildenlow/Mike Portnoy project will be announced. If it does, somehow it would be nice to see this post cited. The odds are probably better I join Pain of Salvation, than that happening though.
That all being said, Fredrik will be missed, assuming there is a Pain of Salvation sans their upcoming tour, much of which is with Opeth. I always liked Fredrik's work with PoS. The keys always seemed to fit in their music. Never over-used. Similar to the early Dream Theater or even somewhat how Porcupine Tree have used them. Texture instead of chops, etc. Although really since Be, they haven't been as noticed.
Maybe something more will come out with this announcement as to why he also is leaving, whether Fredrik will be doing other music, etc. I noticed on his Wikipedia page earlier how he released something titled "Piano" in 2007 and/or 2009. I have no idea what that refers to, a solo album(s) or something else. But I'm curious about it now.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Johan Hallgren leaves Pain of Salvation
I look terrible in this photo, but it is me with him and another friend at ProgPowerUSA in 2002
B-mouth
"After 13 years in the band, Johan Hallgren [guitar] has decided to leave PAIN OF SALVATION to focus on his daughter and wife. He will not leave music altogether, but plans to work with music in a way that allows him to stay at home with his family in Sweden. That means that the band's upcoming November/December tour together with OPETH will be his last. He will, of course, be sadly missed, both musically and personally, and very difficult to replace. So, if you know someone who sings and plays the crap out of basically anyone, send him or her our way — we might just have a thing or two to discuss."
Commented Johan: "I'm leaving the band with both joy and sadness. I need to stay close to my daughter and my child-to-come; they will be my greatest concern along with my wife. I will miss everyone I've met during the years, and the band will continue to have a warm place in my heart. So finally, treat yourself and all that surrounds you with respect, and stay with PAIN OF SALVATION — the greatest band on the planet! Sorry if I disappoint you; I miss you already!"
I probably don't have enough time to go into the desired detail and nostalgia about Johan Hallgren. But it was rather memorable not only seeing him with Pain of Salvation the 3 times at ProgPower USA, especially the 1st one in February 2001. But also the conversation I got to have with him and some others, namely my friend Paul Cashman aka Pellaz after their show in 2002.
I'll confess, I even taped it for the radio show of sorts I was doing on KFAI at the time. I never aired it (I don't recall), but listened back to it a few times. Topics like 9/11 (I remember him saying it was like a movie or a Tom Clancy novel watching on television), his dayjob (as a social worker I think), opening for other bands, music (he mentioned Stevie Wonder saying he likes his music because he always seems so happy) favorite foods ("you know, mac-donalds, potatoes..I forget the other stuff he mentioned), television (he really liked Seinfeld), etc came up. I honestly don't recall ever having a more memorable and heartfelt chat with another musician.
It's kind of funny as of course Pain of Salvation has been seen as, more or less Daniel Gildenlow's baby. But I never got to have one of those lengthly conversations with Daniel. But Johan, it may have been more profound.
But as far as him and PoS, this probably will affect them, but given how now he's the 3rd member to leave in as many albums, from that period of the most stable period of the band, I'm not sure really how much more they can change to being purely a Daniel Gildenlow solo band just using the Pain of Salvation name.
I am curious what he may do on his own now, of course. I suppose it might be worth going to the Remedy Lane Forum a bit more to read about what he's up to.
B-mouth
"After 13 years in the band, Johan Hallgren [guitar] has decided to leave PAIN OF SALVATION to focus on his daughter and wife. He will not leave music altogether, but plans to work with music in a way that allows him to stay at home with his family in Sweden. That means that the band's upcoming November/December tour together with OPETH will be his last. He will, of course, be sadly missed, both musically and personally, and very difficult to replace. So, if you know someone who sings and plays the crap out of basically anyone, send him or her our way — we might just have a thing or two to discuss."
Commented Johan: "I'm leaving the band with both joy and sadness. I need to stay close to my daughter and my child-to-come; they will be my greatest concern along with my wife. I will miss everyone I've met during the years, and the band will continue to have a warm place in my heart. So finally, treat yourself and all that surrounds you with respect, and stay with PAIN OF SALVATION — the greatest band on the planet! Sorry if I disappoint you; I miss you already!"
I probably don't have enough time to go into the desired detail and nostalgia about Johan Hallgren. But it was rather memorable not only seeing him with Pain of Salvation the 3 times at ProgPower USA, especially the 1st one in February 2001. But also the conversation I got to have with him and some others, namely my friend Paul Cashman aka Pellaz after their show in 2002.
I'll confess, I even taped it for the radio show of sorts I was doing on KFAI at the time. I never aired it (I don't recall), but listened back to it a few times. Topics like 9/11 (I remember him saying it was like a movie or a Tom Clancy novel watching on television), his dayjob (as a social worker I think), opening for other bands, music (he mentioned Stevie Wonder saying he likes his music because he always seems so happy) favorite foods ("you know, mac-donalds, potatoes..I forget the other stuff he mentioned), television (he really liked Seinfeld), etc came up. I honestly don't recall ever having a more memorable and heartfelt chat with another musician.
It's kind of funny as of course Pain of Salvation has been seen as, more or less Daniel Gildenlow's baby. But I never got to have one of those lengthly conversations with Daniel. But Johan, it may have been more profound.
But as far as him and PoS, this probably will affect them, but given how now he's the 3rd member to leave in as many albums, from that period of the most stable period of the band, I'm not sure really how much more they can change to being purely a Daniel Gildenlow solo band just using the Pain of Salvation name.
I am curious what he may do on his own now, of course. I suppose it might be worth going to the Remedy Lane Forum a bit more to read about what he's up to.
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