Monday, April 04, 2016

It's Brinsley Schwarz Week: The Postscript

From 1975, and Subtle as a Flying Mallet (his second solo album), please enjoy the incomparable Dave Edmunds, backed by the five piece incarnation of Brinsley Schwarz, and an absolutely fabulous live version of Chuck Berry's classic anthem "Let It Rock."




This is, without question, my all-time favorite Berry cover that wasn't recorded by The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. What an absolutely tremendous groove, and I can't tell you how many times I have stolen (or attempted to steal, with some lack of success) Dave's licks from this version in various contexts.

In any case, non Brinsley-posting resumes on the morrow, including some of the most amazing music to have emerged from Norway since the heyday of Edvard Grieg, and -- on Friday -- the triumphant return of Weekend Listomania.

9 comments:

Blue Ash Fan said...

The keys have a definite Ian McLagan feel to them. That's high praise indeed.

Unknown said...

Mitch Ryder does a cool version on the Detroit album.
https://youtu.be/PEkc2DY0T3w

Anonymous said...

Choo Choo Choo! Jack it for me, Dave.

VR - blowin' the whistle loud and long.

Alzo said...

I got my first Rockabilly overdose at a Dave Edmunds show (the second was Robert Gordon). The man has a devotion to Rock 'n' Roll that is absolute.

Anna said...

One to look for at all the usual quasi-legal sources is "Born Fighters", a documentary about the simultaneous making of Dave's "Repeat When Necessary" and Nick's "Labour Of Lust", which aired November 1979 on Granada TV. Great stuff, though our Dave does have quite a temper from time to time. Nick...well, he's Nick, and lets it roll off his back.

Anonymous said...

The other track Edmunds recorded with Brinsley Schwarz on the album is the one I prefer: "No Money Down". Anyone who ever lusted for a new car can relate.

And it rocks like a MF!

Capt. Al

PS: I'm seeing Brinsley with Graham Parker Tuesday night.

buzzbabyjesus said...

Did you write the review in Stereo Review that influenced me to buy this album when it came out?

I remember the album was OK, but it didn't stick with me very long.

I liked Ry Cooder's "Billy the Kid" much better.

edward said...

Ok, watching Born Fighters. Does anyone else think Nick Lowe was the voice model for Christopher Guest in Spinal Tap?

Anonymous said...

"Subtle" is Edmunds' weakest album of the 1970's IMHO. Also, is "Let It Rock" authentically "live"? Sounds suspiciously tweaked to me.

Dave would sometimes play with Albert Lee at various impromptu jams throughout SoCal. This would be from the late 1970's thru the late 1990's. Bands would sometimes feature Buddy Emmons or Jay Dee Maness on steel. Keyboard players included Dr. John and Geraint. Don Everly would sometimes show up too, or Emmylou. Even "The Butt" and Max. In the 1990's, most of the action moved from the Sundance Saloon to the Agoura Valley/Firewater Inn. Craig Sheffer had money in the tiny dive and would sometimes come 'round. The Firewater was a cool place with unpretentious people and bikers. Rolled a lot of tape there. The building still stands, but it's been transformed into a boring BBQ restaurant now. Sigh.

VR