R.E.M. DOWN FOR THE COUNT..... SCOTT BATEY

Today's guest post come from my Rock Star Attorney friend Scott Batey... I have to tell you... Scott is an encyclopedia of the Law for sure but OMG what he knows about rock music is immense. Scott has a whole different take on rock than I do. I want to share his love for music with you all... Scott called today and told me that R.E.M. was folding so he wrote this story to go with today's call. Thanks Scott!! RK

R.E.M

From Scott:

For me Pretty Persuasion is the quintessential REM song:

These Days was the first saw I saw them do this live at the Fox in 1986.

Half a World Away is particularly special to me, in 1993 I spent the summer in London studying at the University of Notre Dame Law School’s London campus while my girlfriend (and future wife) stayed in Michigan.

I stayed in a dorm at the London School of Economics (where Mick Jagger and JFK also studied) and would go into the pub in the basement of the dorm (yes they had a pub in the basement of the dorm which I must say was very convenient) and play this song over and over thinking about my future wife. I think I drove the bartender Clive crazy, but it helped get me through the summer. Half a World Away

I think New Adventures in HI-FI was one of R.E.M.’s masterpieces and E-bow the Letter with Patti Smith is a beautiful and haunting song:

E-Bow the Letter

The concert in Rome was truly amazing and one of the great things about the internet is we get to relive some special moments:

Concert in Rome

In 2007 REM played 5 nights at the Olympic Theatre in Dublin what they called as a rehearsal. They released a live DVD, but what I found particularly refreshing was that unlike many of the contemporary bands of their time they didn’t forget their roots and actually played obscure songs that were not particularly radio friendly:

http://youtu.be/25GojFtBFI0

http://youtu.be/GyUmTK5Dmpw

http://youtu.be/l8Ii6AaZ3ZE

http://youtu.be/kj1gh4e-OCU

Which brings us to the release of their glorious album Collapse into Now which is absolutely brilliant. One particular interesting issue with this album was the appearance that Michael Stipe may have actually found faith.

Stipe who was a well known agnostic has several lyrics leading the listener (me) to conclude he has found God. I have not been able to confirm this, but in any event the CD offers the most optimistic and positive lyrics of their entire career. My two favorites are Oh My Heart and Uberlin:

Everyday is Yours to Win is the most inspiring REM song of all time with my favorite lyric “every day is new again, every day is yours to win and that’s how heroes are made.” As someone who believes this country desperately needs more heroes I think we should all focus more on winning our day, every day:

http://youtu.be/C3-YuGEW59c

And they can still Rock:

http://youtu.be/ayb1uoeYrgo

Finally, last week after hearing of their break-up, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam who sings on “It Happened Today” , shares with the crowd his thoughts on the break-up and does a nice version of the song:

http://youtu.be/CPr-UXHuGvI

Thank you REM for all of the beauty you shared with world.

READ MORE ON RK

SCOTT BATEY DETROIT'S ROCK STAR ATTORNEY

DETROIT'S ROCK STAR ATTORNEY: SCOTT BATEY!

Scott Batey

Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of hanging out with Attorney Scott Batey. We met through a mutual friend and talked on the phone about some things for business. We found we had so much in common. We both are total music fans and love Detroit Rock n Roll.

I have to tell you that Scott is the sharpest lawyer I have ever talked with. On top of that he is so nice! Sure didn't expect that. I heard what a top notch litigator he is and I assumed he'd be kind of tough... Not at all. Scott mentioned to me many times that he became an attorney to help people... Never had an attorney ever tell me that! How refreshing!

Scott has some really nice Tom Petty autographed memorabilia hanging in his law office. We both love collecting rock posters and back stage passes... Maybe I should take all of my rock stuff out to his office! LOL Need a big truck to do it... Here is Scott in front of some of his coolest memorabilia. I brought Scott a little gift. Gave him a really old Fred "Sonic" Smith button that Stanley T. Madhatter had given me. Hang on to that button Scott! :)

Scott and I could have sat in that office talking music and sharing videos all week! It was so much fun to see what music Scott is into. I asked him to pick some songs that are symbolic of his life and they are great. I learned so much from his choices. It is fantastic for me to be turned on to new music.. His songs picks were all completely new to me. Scott is totally immersed in the music, lyrics, arrangements, and biographies of his favorite bands. Truly encyclopedic in terms of Scott's favorite musicians.

Nice backstage pass for the Police reunion in 2007...

Maybe we can talk Scott into guest writing for Retro: Kimmer in the near future. I had a really great time at Scott's office and look forward to working with him soon. Thank you so much Scott and many thanks to Ban! RK

Scott's favorite band is Bono and U2

Here are Scott's video picks to listen to the music and lyrics. Lyrics are very important to Scott and myself. Understanding what the songwriter is envisioning is crucial to learning about a song

U2 Unknown Caller



Radiohead Let Down



Everlast What It's Like



MGMT Flash Delirium

From Scott:

Kim,

Thank you for the article, I was very happy with the result as were my parents. I didn’t know you were going to post those songs or if you listened to them, but the song “Unknown Caller” by U2 was blasted by critics who didn’t really understand the chanting. I thought you might find it interesting. At the beginning of the song Bono sings “3:33 and the numbers fell off the clock face”. Bono has said in many interviews that 3:33 is known as God’s telephone number, so this guy whose at the end of his ropes gets a phone call from God who sings/chants:

Go, shout it out, rise up
Oh, oh
Escape yourself and gravity
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Force quit and move to trash

* * *
Restart and re-boot yourself
You're free to go
Oh, oh
Shout for joy if you get the chance
Password, you, enter here, right now

Oh, oh
You know your name so punch it in
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Then don't move or say a thing

God essentially uses computer jargon to tell this guy to get rid of his demons and start over. Anyway, I think it’s an amazing song even without the lyrics.READ MORE ON RK
R.E.M. DOWN FOR THE COUNT BY SCOTT BATEY