Friday, July 10, 2015

Actually, a Pretty Good Country For Old Men

Guitarist and keyboard whiz of the original Youngbloods -- (that's him on the right in the photo) -- Lowell Levinger (aka The Artist Formerly Known as Banana) -- with a gorgeous take on his old band's signature tune.




I have loved this guy since forever, and I would like to go on record as saying that it is a major cultural tragedy that -- to my knowledge -- there is no quality audio of the original four-piece Youngloods live; trust me, I saw 'em in a small club in 1967 and they were as good as it gets.

In any case, I think that video is quite wonderful on a number of levels.

[h/t Peter Spencer]

6 comments:

  1. By most accounts the guy who wrote this truly great song, Chester Powers (aka Dino Valenti), was a real asshole. Go figure. Among other things he falsely claimed to have written "Hey Joe," by Billy Roberts.

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  2. He was in the original lineup of Quicksilver, if memory serves. But yes, apparently an asshole.

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  3. The first three (RCA) Youngblood's albums are great!

    This clip is really cool. Any idea where it's from?

    Capt. Al

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  4. If all the women that slept with Jesse Farrow bought his records, he'd have a series on Number One's with a bullet.

    The Avalon Ballroom tape of the Youngbloods circa 1969 is pretty outstanding quality. I have a vinyl bootleg of it which came out in 1980 or 1981. Good stuff.

    And, of course, it's on youtube

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhLKTiNB7ak

    Put your hand on your hip and let your mind roll by.

    VR

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  5. Not as good as the original line-up, Vicki. Jerry Corbitt was irreplaceable.

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  6. Agreed. This is more San Francisco noodly.

    VR

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