Tuesday, April 12, 2011

 

The Trial of my Life


In my days as a federal prosecutor in Detroit, I played a role in cases against Hezbollah, Chinese snakeheads, crack dealers, and brilliant counterfeiters, but this may be the toughest one of all.

The judge is a former attorney general.

My opposing counsel is a trial skills professor, author, career public defender, world-famous advocate for victims' rights and against the death penalty, and a Northwestern homecoming princess. She recently completed a lecture tour of Japan, and also spoke in France... in French.

The defendant is the son of God.

Anyways, I've been looking for the right psyche-up music.

So far, here is what is in the rotation:

Al Green
Pantera
The Isley Bros.
John Lee Hooker
The Clash
Django Reinhardt

It's not working so well. Any suggestions?

Comments:
Django who?
 
I don't know who that defense attorney is, but get her on the faculty, already!
 
Just to clarify -- was the Pantera reference real or a joke? If it was real, may I then suggest a little Rage Against the Machine followed by some Miles Davis. It's a potent mix that will get you going, and keep you going.
 
Django Reinhardt was a gypsy guitarist who, like most gypsy musicians, played "by ear"...that is, he had no formal musical education, which didn't keep him from making brilliant music. Genius choice, Prof.
 
I thought about "Burn" by Papa Roach [*insert lyrics disclaimer here], but I like Ben's Rage Against the Machine suggestion better.
 
Pontius Pilate's Decision by Delfaeyo Marsalis
 
Until the End of the World by U2.
 
I would like to suggest a musical composition by John Williams that conveys a bit more gravitas, something that might also create a little drama for your courtroom entrance: “The Imperial March”
 
Oops . . . try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0
 
-"Way Down Now" by World Party
-"Train Kept a Rollin'" -Yardbirds
-"Psycho" - The Sonics
-"Shake Some Action" - Flamin' Groovies
-"Fresh Air" by the Quicksilver Messenger Service
-"Godzilla" - Blue Oyster Cult
-The entire first White Stripes CD
-Rancid's "And Out Come the Wolves" CD
-The Stones' "Let It Bleed" Album

And of course....
"I Fought the Law and the Law Won" by the Bobby Fuller Four, if you're not already listening to the Clash.
 
You know you win right?
No need to psych yourself up!
 
What, no Black Flag?
 
Little known fact: I once stayed overnight – before officiating at my first wedding – as a guest at the home of KC of KC and the Sunshine Band.

Well known fact: KC and the Sunshine Band found a lot of success with “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.” Might work for you too.
 
Ride of the Valkyries
 
incidentally, Django was also a serious burn victim and his fretting hand was irreparably mangled, thus his unique and celebrated musical style.

-ZZ Top "Jesus Just Left Chicago"
-Michael Garrick Trio "Moonscape"
-and maybe, dare I say, Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie album? I'm not a huge sucker for the 90's, but the heavy metal stuff make me think of trials-by-fire, SP probably has more finesse... pensiveness... etc.
 
slayer. very definitely need some slayer.
 
WHAM! Wake me up Before you Go go.
 
Anything by the White Stripes is great, but these are probably the best for "pump-up":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKntY8WkNYQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7aOWIFgIZQ&feature=related (not technically the Stripes, but close)

And, the obligatory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY
 
"Hummingbird",or "Why I have the Blues BB King and "Crying" by kd laing and I don't know why,they just peel off my paint and let me focus. something by John Klemmer
 
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