Like the guy says at the end -- yeah. Something like that.
I should add that it's no secret that, historically (by which I mean going back to my tenure at The Magazine Formerly Known as Stereo Review) I have never been a David Bowie fan. That said, "Rebel Rebel" has always been one of my favorite songs. And I defy you to watch this clip...
...without getting all choked up.
...please enjoy Paul Revere and the Raiders -- featuring Fang (and I absolutely love writing the phrase "featuring Fang) -- and their quite brilliant "In My Community."
I hadn't listened to this album since forever, and I frankly have no idea why I was suddenly motivated to do so -- although the fact that the new CD version I glommed has both mono and stereo mixes as well as bonus tracks may have something to do with it. That said, I have long been of the opinion that it's one of the absolutely best albums of its year, and by that I mean as good as anything -- Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Moby Grape -- that was being done in San Francisco at the time; I have no doubt that if the Raiders had dressed like the rest of their contemporaries, i.e. hippies, this would be received opinion.
And because I love you all more than food, here's a YouTube version for those unfortunates amongst us who have problems with the audio links I post using the Box.
...please enjoy the great Starry Eyed and Laughing and their sublimely Byrdsian "Money is No Friend of Mine."
That's from their eponymous 1974 debut album, which is one of the great forgotten masterpieces of its decade. If you're even remotely into jingle-jangle 12-string guitar -- and if you're not, why are you reading this here blog? -- you really need to hear more of their stuff. I recommend this 20-track best-of, which you can -- and should -- order over at Amazon HERE. Or if you ask me nicely, I'll be happy to burn you a copy.
I should add that I was lucky enough to see those guys live on two separate occasions in small clubs in '74, and I also got to interview lead singer and 12-string guy Tony Poole, who was a real sweetheart. Have I mentioned that I had a really great job?
In any case, because I love you all more than food, here's a live video version of "Money..."...
...in case you're one of those unfortunates who has problems with the audio links I post using the Box.
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
...please enjoy the great Brinsley Schwarz (featuring some guy named Nick Lowe on lead vocals) with the title song from said anthology.
That song originally appeared on the Brinsley's 1972 LP Nervous on the Road, which definitely behooves behearing in its entirety. I should also add that the organ playing on that -- by the American member of the band, the should be a household word Bob Andrews -- is among the most gloriously lyrical Hammond B-3 work ever committed to magnetic tape.
And because I love you all more than food, here's an absolutely glorious live performance (from long running Brit TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test)...
...in case you're one of those unfortunates who has problems with the audio links I post using the Box.
...I should stipulate that there are a couple of bands included on the anthology that have me scratching my head; I'll get into that more as the week goes on, but let's just say that what a glam-era track by Mott the Hoople is doing on the album is beyond me.
That said, here's the cut that closes disc three, and obviously it simply HAD to be there. From 1979, it's The Inmates and their absolutely killer reworking of The Standells "Dirty Water."
Which should be on anybody's short list of cover versions that improve on the originals.
Tomorrow I wax all historical and at more than usual length on the pub rock movement, but don't worry -- there will also be a great song to go with my wanking.
...please enjoy American ex-pats Eggs Over Easy and their infectious attempted single (recorded in 1971 but not released until 2016) "Funky But Clean."
Throughout this week, I'll have much more to say about a) the details of said compilation; b) the historical importance of the pub rock movement; and c) several of the bands on this new anthology. But for now let's just say that Eggs Over Easy -- and I briefly played in a college garage outfit with one of the guys in EOE -- are generally acknowledged to be responsible for getting the ball rolling, pub rock wise.
I should add that EOE didn't have a full-time drummer when they recorded the above, so they enlisted the great John Steel of The Animals to pound the pagan skins on the song above.
Tomorrow: also from Surrender to the Rhythm, one of of the greatest remakes of a 60s rock classic ever made.
Oh -- and you can (and should) order the album over at Amazon HERE.
[h/t Chris E.]
I originally wrote about this song when the album came out, but I had more or less forgotten it until this week. What a pleasure to find out it was still as to die for as it was back in the day.
And why am I putting this up right this minute?
Well, therein lies a tale, but you'll have to wait untill Monday to hear it. Let's just stipulate it's going to be a theme week.
And what the hell -- a coveted PowerPop No-Prize© will be awarded to the first reader who guesses what that theme is.
I lack the words to describe how amazing that is.
However, I will say this -- to paraphrase one of the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 -- it's pretty obvious that the Boss has felt a breeze from the powerful hind claws of Death itself behind him.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
