Chordplay - The Chords of Blue Oyster Cult
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ธ.ค. 2019
- Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords of Blue Oyster Cult.
Blue Oyster Cult is a legendary rock band from the 1970s that continue to tour and release new music to this day.
This lesson takes a look at a number of classic and inspiring chord-based ideas hiding in the music of guitarist/bandleader Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and will supply you with plenty of fresh ideas to tackle and begin experimenting in your own music and riff ideas.
This lesson includes a few secrets behind beyond-classic songs/riffs such as 'Godzilla,' '(Don't Fear) The Reaper,' along with lesser-known deep cuts such as 'Transmaniacon MC,' and 'Nosferatu' - to name a few.
Give this episode a view, leave some comments and feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
BOC discography is so diverse, I strongly believe there's a song for almost everybody. Look past the few classic radio hits and you'll find a goldmine of masterpieces. Underrated geniuses!
If memory serves, BOC would do some short tours, playing small, intimate clubs. They would tour under the name "Soft White Underbelly".
BOC could do anything! They are such an amazing band. They should be so much bigger commercially.
That's correct if you didn't know the name you didn't show up to the show. It was a good way for them to do small venues
they didn't help themselves or radio much with their first three albums, they play nonstop on every side, there's no pause between the songs, for me there's nothing like listening to them like that, the way they were intended,
I had a job cueing records for a radio station, and I can tell you radio couldn't play a song if they wanted to, if you look hard enough on TH-cam, you can find BOC albums in that Non-Stop format ,otherwise the songs are split apart like Siamese twins.
Goldmine indeed! They really cover all the bases.
By far BOC is one of the coolest groups ever. Incredible musicianship, intelligent/quirky lyrics and topics, killer riffs. No album sounds like another. Buck is a beast on guitar.
Absolutely agree. My favorite is ETI just for Buck's guitar licks. It's just that dam good to listen to.
Took the words right out of my diaphragm. :) Deep diving into their 70s albums...what treasures.
RIP(Rock In Peace), Allen Lanier. Blue Öyster Cult is my favorite band and I can hardly wait for the new album.
I would give anything for Sinful Love solos. Absolutely timeless guitar work.
Yes, Sinful's solo is one of my favs from Buck.
Great to see someone do this with the exceptional talent that is Blue Oyster Cult ... for anyone wanting to see Buck at his peak search for "Veteran of the Psychic Wars Live 1981", "Astronomy Live 1978 or 1979", "ETI Live 1977 Super 8 Film" or "The Vigil Live 1979 Super 8 Film" on here ... or listen to his sublime solo in "Last Days of May Live 1975" ... such a melodic, tasteful & unique guitar player.
Buck is my favorite guitar player
I was at the Hollywood Sportatorium for that 81 veterans of the psychic wars live clip on TH-cam
That was really a good concert
Dominance Submissions, Bucks Boogie were timeless classics.
I thought Donald was a very underrated guitarist,to tell you the truth,he is and was better than most of the better known guitarist.
I remember one song when I saw them live,all of them played guitars ....way cool
Speaking of the Sabbath BOC connection as it were, I remember when BOC & Sabbath in '80 did the tour together and the film that resulted, 'Black & Blue' became a regular staple at the midnight movies. 😎🤘
I saw that Black and Blue concert at Madison Square Garden. It was like the 4th time I saw Blue Oyster Cult and second for Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio singing.
Buck Dharma has such a great "sinister" kind of feel going on in his playing. I listen to him and think something ominous is about to happen. The only guy kind of comparable, I think is maybe Toni Iommi of Black Sabbath.
Very few bands can play such a vast number of songs in so many different styles, while telling a story. And no two songs sound the same. That is excellence!
I'm a BOC fan since 1976. They were my first concert and I was lucky enough to see them in New York City in 2022 on their 3 50th Anniversary shows which are going to be released on vinyl, Cd, and DVD/Blu-ray starting in December 2023. I enjoyed listening to your enthusiastic appreciation of the band and their music.
Deep in the heart
Of Germany...
Huge B.O.C. fan. Dig this vid. Very underrated rock band. The shift from their first 3 albums to then Agents and Spectres is real progression mature development. All members wrote and sang. Known now to a whole gen for cowbell joke. These guys have more talent and originality than half the bands in the phony Hall of Fame.
More Cowbell!! 🤘🤘
Might I recommend Hair of The Dog by Nazareth?
Forgot to mention, Spectres is my favourite BOC album, just a classic and hearing Nosferatu brings it all back. I am going to dig out my LP that I am ashamed to say hasn't been a long time.
Thanks for this reminder......
Buck's solos on Some Enchanted Evening are so fluid and his timing and phrasing is so funky, he's one of my favorites, awesome lesson!
I agree! He was so good on that album. One of my all-time favorite live albums (since I was a kid).
Lifelong fan since the early 70s, at age 14. My #1 guitar influence, I've seen them 9 times and am going to see them in February 2020 in Portland Oregon! Buck Dharma FOREVER!!
You got a good long show with an awesome setlist, no?
Transmaniacon! MC! Love love love BOC! I see them about once a year. Still putting on great live shows. That tune is one of my favs and is still making regular appearances. I dig the finger workout approach. Cool. Thanks for the lesson and the recognition of the rock masters!
Couldnt have clicked this one faster. I saw them for my first concert and I love them. Also heard something about a new album
BOC are totally awesome and always have been imo.... I have loved them forever
Great lesson! Love the heavy riff of Godzilla!
My favorite BOC songs are Shooting The Shark and Take Me Away.
Btw you have big glorious hands
🍺Sky I cant thank u enough. Still one of my favorite bands from my youth. Roser has long been underrated & is a great lead player. Thanks Again Brother!
BÖC has been my favorite band for so long and I’ve always wanted to play like Buck Dharma. This gives me a great insight!
That "I Love The Night" riff....wow, that was cool! Would be a fun Lydian jam!
I saw BOC in the basement of an aging hotel in Tacoma WA. The stage was all of a foot high, close enough the you could reach out and touch Buck Dharma. Awesome!
Joan Crawford has risen from the grave!
Yep! Definitely “odd”. That’s why we love em.
Not only do you share solid guitar theory, I appreciate all the backstories you add to all your YT videos! Oh.. nice haircut 💇♂️
HA! Yep, that was the first thing I said to myself when the vid opened up. Wookie. HAHAHA!
And we can't leave out the ending of Searchin' for Celine from the Spectres album. I could listen to that on a loop for hours.
I saw them do that tune in June 2016 and captured Buck's outro on my phone. Awesome.
Thanks David. I had lost faith in BOC. In the 90's they were doing dinner theatre. I refused to go get a salad and some turkey tetrazzini and listen to "Don't fear the reaper." It just seemed disrespectful. So I wrote them off as dead. It is good to hear that they are still alive and kicking.
Great to see BOC get some attention, they are just brilliant! One of the most interesting and original rock bands of all time. And, Buck is a seriously great player, never wastes a note. Great lesson!
saw them couple times in the 80's! loved it. Dont fear the reaper is just timeless. Easily one of best 10 rock tunes of all time.
They always had the best album covers or art,very cool for the times ,Secret Tredeies was my favorite album cover from BOC.
Great stories !!! Thank you. I just saw them tonight in Honolulu ! Amazing show! The last show of the 2022 tour!!
Love BOC, love the channel mate. Was just listening to Vigil, arpeggio and solo in the middle section gives the chills every time.
Sorry, I'm gonna suck up to David once more, but, man, did I enjoy watching this video ! Funny thing, I've been listening a lot to the 'Fire of Unknown Origin' album these past few weeks, and I've kept telling myself, 'Buck is really underrated as a guitar player' there's some sick stuff in many of those songs. Anyway, all I'm saying is that I was really happy when I stumbled upon your video. And I also wanted to thank you (again ! ) for reminding me of how amazing the riff from Cities on flame with R'n'R' is. The song's amazing, there's a killer riff, and the title is just....waow ! It sounds so cool (with a dash of humor maybe... ). If Sabbath and Zeppelin had had a hidden son, it would've been Cities on Flame..... ! Finally, Godzilla is also one my personal favorites by our oyster aquaculturists (!), but I have to admit that my favorite rendition of the song is the one by Racer X (Gilbert is doing an incredible job on that song ! ) I would make just one tiny criticism to finish, I was expecting you to talk about at least one of the songs from Cultosaurus Erectus which is definitely the BOC album I like most (heavier stuff on guitar). Maybe we'll have something about one of them in 'The Chords of BOC episode 2 ' ?? !! Take care.
Buck Dharma is possibly the greatest & most prolific guitarist in rock. I rank him with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton et al...he's a true virtuoso and has brought more to the table as a guitarist than anyone. He defies categorization because he fuses every style into his own.
Great lesson! I had only recently taken a deep dive into BOC, having only liked their "radio" singles before. Going back through their early albums, and learning about how they started - they were definitely led by Sandy Pearlman, who wrote some songs for them, but so also did Patti Smith - she even does guest vocals on some tracks. But what surprised me most was their sense of humor - they hid it a bit early on, but by Godzilla, it was out in the open. But they were spoofing the whole idea of "occult" heavy bands, but at the same time were a really good metal/hard rock band. Secret Treaties is my favorite - "Career of Evil" has a lot of that humor, "...And then I’d spend your ransom money.. But still, I keep your sheep." They were like Spinal Tap before that existed. Flaming Telepaths even says "Is it any wonder that my jokes in ire, and the joke's on you.."
Pearlman, Meltzer & Smith were only lyric providers for BOC (mainly the early albums), the band developed the music side ....
Dude, really love your channel. Buck was a guitarist that I count as an influence in my playing and my style. Saw the boys back in October. Fabulous show. They have Richie Castellano on keys, guitar and vocals. He is an incredible talent. Check out his tunes and covers he does with his wife (great vocalist) at Band Geeks. Everyone associated with this project can stand on their own. Most are multi-instrumentalists. Anywho, glad your site was suggested to me based on my viewing history and background. I play guitar (50 yrs), bass, keys, vocals. Looking forward to more great things on your channel. Peace.🤘
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've loved BOC from the beginning. Not only is Buck a nifty guitarist, but he is a decent lyricist as well. It's sad that most people never figured them out.
As my user name might imply, I agree Beverly! Buck is also a great songwriter and very good singer. And yes, more people should have been exposed to BOC's vast and stupendous catalogue.
Thanks for the breakdown. The Symbol remains!
BOC Awesome! Brings back all sorts of memories. Must have listened to 'Extraterrestrial Live' a million times.
Great stuff, thanks a lot! BÖC is really one of my favourites from eighties and it wasn´t so common to listen theme here in Finlnad those days. You nailed these riffs and songs really great. Backstories too! Black Blade is one of the killer tunes!
Buck Dharma is one of the most underrated guitarist ever! The TMC riff shows that huge influence Buck played in the playing of Jorn Viggo Lofstad of Pagans Mind. He uses that little fill in his songs.
I was in the BOC fan club by snail mail back in the 70's LOL Great band from day 1 all solid albums !!
Herd Cities on flame today and bam here you go we used to wait till we saw Soft White Underbelly playing around the bay area in San Francisco that was their club name at the time great high school memories always thought Buck was so tasteful as well thanks David 🤘
I love you for bringing Nosferatu into this….
Thank you!
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Buck Dharma, best rock name ever..
Buck Dharma!
That Burning for You solo is flawless. Always reminded me of a Neil Geraldo lead or even Caught Up in You (.38 Special).
Damn. Forgot... I actually saw Aldo Nova open for BOC.
Then the acid kicked in. Haha.
Had to look up the date.
Aug, 13 1982. Ridiculous.
Fire of Unknown Origin tour.
All I really remember of BOC is the little Phantasm cloaked dudes on stage. Haha. Wild times!
BOC is such a cool band you cover some good diverse bands on here I've enjoyed all of them, Accept one was kickass! That Aiming High riff was epic!
Love the factoids. BOC has definitely written some amazing songs. Donald is a great guitarist. I like watching the footage of him in the Stars Hear 'n Aid too. Thanks for breaking down these great riffs.
I didn't know this either, but double check the meaning of "Factoid." It doesn't mean Fun Fact. It actually means something that's not necessarily true, but it's been repeated so many times, that almost everyone thinks it's an Actual True Fact.
Yes you're right. And it can also mean a small piece of factual information or trivia. So I guess depending on how fun you think trivia is. :D Whenever I hear the word I always think of Topher Grace. Funnily though I cannot remember the movie in which the line of dialogue appeared. Anyone?
Thanks. BÖC were the first band I really got into as a teenager in the 80's.
Buck's solo on the live recording of Astronomy the reason I wanted to play guitar.
I enjoyed this lesson and will be back for more. In terms of well meant and hopefully constructive feedback, for me, you could have spent more time on each example, digging a bit deeper.
Anyway, enough typing. Time to replay this video with a guitar in hand...
One of the best concerts I attended was BOC December 1979 in San Antonio. I was 23 years old.
Very nice and informative material. I love the band and the kind of mystique that has surrounded the band from the beginning. BOC
I admire not only you great playing.but also the musical theory all you know.
Oh yes Blue Oyster Cult was my first concert. They brought their laser show. I hadn't started playing guitar yet because I was playing drums. There drummer gave me the aha moment. This guy was breaking stick after stick throwing them out in the audience. So I was like well I got to break sticks and drums too. And a big part of my drum style was because of the Blue Oyster Cult drummer His Name Escapes me right now. Just his hard-hitting flashy style fixed my problem lol. Don't Fear the Reaper is probably my favorite song of all time. The first few notes gets me every single time. Buck Dharma is a musical genius. The solo to Don't Fear the Reaper is unbelievable. Very Snappy very powerful playing. Their double live album is great. I couldn't believe how many records they were putting out I couldn't keep up. Cities on flame with rock and roll the great song. I used to practice at whole record on drums. I'm still working on the Don't Fear the Reaper riff LOL. Great lesson great insights thank you again
Love BOC and another good episode Dave. It's great to hear all this great material that you appreciate.
Hey Thanks a bunch man. BOC has been my favoriye band for 40 years , lol.
Never seen them , unfortunately. I've been playing for a while ( 30+) , so thanks for the awesome take-apart of these great songs. ( I've been playing DFTR pretty good ; alot like you ! ) Right on , Thanks man ! Pete
That is one great looking Les Paul.
Great playing, great riffs and lots of information about a great band. Thanks! I'll check out your other videos.
Thank You that was awesome , and for a future video suggestion could you do one on Terry Kath from Chicago!
Terry Kath was/is awesome and MINDBOGGLING (in such a great way)!
Dig the music lessons and the mostly the history and background info on the groups. ✨
Magic stuff... lovely insight into the amazing Dharma/Bloom interplay. Roeser is SO overlooked. Thanks for this post - brilliant.
I grew up listening to BOC. I actually love their new album "The sign Remains". BOC FOREVER!!!!
Great vid!
Black Blade from the Cultosaurus Erectus album is probably my favorite BOC song............
Always when I hear that song and look at the cover at the same time, it really takes my mind away
@@Forferdelse666 amazing album. The cover is amazing, so does the record is fantastic !!! My first buy of BÖC even when listened since 77, Secret Treaties my first encounter with the band.
Sandy also was involved with punk pioneers the Dictators.
Best hard rock band on earth
Going to the show in Santa Fe Springs, Oct. 14...Can't wait!!
Your fret hand challenge approach makes a lot of sense as legend has it that Donald first took up the guitar in his teens as a sort of homemade physical therapy after he broke his left arm. An amazing guitarist and an amazing band. I've been a fan long enough to have all of their studio albums on vinyl, except for the last two.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent.
BOC were excellent live..Saw them several times..Good production on
records too..Buck was a monster in his own style..Boomers are laughed at
and ridiculed these days but guys like myself who were into concert
going, have seen all the bands that millennials and gen z only dream
about..You name them, I've seen them, including Zep in '77 at the Garden 2
nights in one week, when they played 6 nights there..So theres one thing
boomers can be proud of.
Awesome! Thanks!
Maybe the best rock show I ever saw was BOC in the mid '70's with the laser light show. Rush was the opening act. The live BOC album "On Your Feet or On Your Knees" pretty much captured the vibe of the show! It remains my favorite BOC album for that reason. Arena Rock spectacle, '70's excess at it's best! Wide lapels, platform shoes, enormous bellbottoms, everyone in the band wearing mirror sunglasses, long, incredible, melodic guitar solos by Buck Dharma. Dense clouds of pot smoke hanging over the crowd. My favorite of many great musical experiences in the '70's. Fantastic!
that common tone on Reaper sounds almost like a bell, an interesting way to add more timing to the song too
As a BOC fan since 1975 it's interesting to hear the musical alignment that you discuss. Thanks for this, it was worth the time to watch it.
This channel is amazing. Just wanted to say that. Binged a lot of the chordplay videos and they are super informative and inspiring. Keep up the good work, you also have a chill vibe and seem genuinely interested in the topic. You should have a lot more subscribers!
Great vid. Thanks for doing this.
Thanks for Sharing... Really Nice
Nice video. Makes me want to explore these chord ideas more. The one that hooked me on BOC was Cities on Flame... The interjecting lead riffs and the huge dark kick are just mesmerizing!
Hi David,
Love the lessons,tips and insights!
And yes I love Blue oyster cult!
Keep up the great work.
Regards,
J
Great post! You hit most of my favorite BOC songs.
I dig your style! Hoping to learn this 🙂
The day is OK
And the sun can be fun
But I live to see those rays
Slip away...
I love the night
Great, thank you !
Great video, good information and good playing, nice to see how these riffs are done. I made the Black Sabbath connection while learning to play some of their riffs long ago, good to hear I wasn't on the wrong track!
Oh no_there goes Tokyo..
Saw them in the late 70s at CMU. Awesome opening of Godzilla with all guitars, smoke and laser light show - lasers coming out of the lead guitar!!
Eight people should fear the reaper. BOC fan since the 70s here; great video. 👍
Another great video from a group I listened to a lot BITD 😃 Have a great new year 👍🏻🍾
Love BOC...saw them live on the Mirrors tour 79...good stuff👍
If you could Dave,maybe do a cord play on Jon Butcher,a very well known Grammy award winning guitarist in this area,and still touring! I loved the intro to the song Wishes.
In the early 70's fly over country of southern Indiana a garage band at a teen dance did "Teen Archer". The next day I drove down to Karma in Louisville. and bought the first two BOC 8-Tracks!
Very informative! Thanks! I subbed!!
Saw them 3 times, late 80s early 90s era. Around the time of Imaginos, which was a fabulous album!
Cities on flame with rock and roll!
These guys are a huge influence on Ghost. That Dm7 and the following decent sound so cool! Thanks, David!, Happy New Year!!!
Cool vid Dave,BOC was my very first concert back in 1978 in Boston Mass. Never forget that show,such a iconic band from Long Island.
Love this!! Fireworks is another weird sounding one but awesome to figure out.
Well done. I always thought that Buck can play any ones guitar but no one can play Bucks