I've been playing this one obsessively now for over a week. Apart from the fact that it's great on every level, I am beginning to think that he's singing even better now then he did back in the day.
Have I mentioned that Ian Hunter is God?
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Ian Hunter is God
From his 2012 album When I'm President, here's the great Ian Hunter and the title track.
I've been playing this one obsessively now for over a week. Apart from the fact that it's great on every level, I am beginning to think that he's singing even better now then he did back in the day.
Have I mentioned that Ian Hunter is God?
I've been playing this one obsessively now for over a week. Apart from the fact that it's great on every level, I am beginning to think that he's singing even better now then he did back in the day.
Have I mentioned that Ian Hunter is God?
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Thoughts on Amy
Okay, pardon me for getting uncharacteristically serious for a moment.
So I saw the Amy Winehouse documentary over the weekend. Short version: It's great, go see it, the music is incredible, blah blah blah.
And yes, it raises all sorts of issues that I frankly don't have the energy to write about at length.
That said -- here's the thing that truly flummoxes me.
On every level, the story Amy is telling is beyond cliche. I mean, from the first frames on screen, it's practically a parody of any Road to Ruin book or film or Behind the Music episode you've ever encountered. Doesn't miss a pathetic trick, from the whole "if only she had been loved" to the "this was a person trying to disappear" voice-over. And the fact that it's all true just makes your jaw drop at the utter predictability of the thing.
That said -- and please don't think I'm being insensitive here -- what makes Amy a little different from most other exemplars of its genre is that Winehouse came of age in a period when everybody's life was being obsessively documented on film or on video. In the case of Winehouse, the filmmakers had access to live footage of her starting practically before she was even Bat Mitzvahed. This is kind of unprecedented when you think of it.
And THAT is why I'm scratching my head. I mean, one of the things -- besides her prodigious talent -- the film makes clear is that yes, Winehouse was genuinely fucked up, but also that she was absolutely whip smart as well.
So how, in Jeebus' name, could she have watched the footage of her life unfolding in front of her video monitor in real time for close to a decade and not thought to herself -- Jeebus fuck, I've seen this stupid, made-for-TV admittedly tragic but ultimately pointless, movie before?
Words, as they often do, fail me.
Meanwhile, here's a performance clip of Winehouse at her peak that didn't make the movie.
God, she was amazing.
So I saw the Amy Winehouse documentary over the weekend. Short version: It's great, go see it, the music is incredible, blah blah blah.
And yes, it raises all sorts of issues that I frankly don't have the energy to write about at length.
That said -- here's the thing that truly flummoxes me.
On every level, the story Amy is telling is beyond cliche. I mean, from the first frames on screen, it's practically a parody of any Road to Ruin book or film or Behind the Music episode you've ever encountered. Doesn't miss a pathetic trick, from the whole "if only she had been loved" to the "this was a person trying to disappear" voice-over. And the fact that it's all true just makes your jaw drop at the utter predictability of the thing.
That said -- and please don't think I'm being insensitive here -- what makes Amy a little different from most other exemplars of its genre is that Winehouse came of age in a period when everybody's life was being obsessively documented on film or on video. In the case of Winehouse, the filmmakers had access to live footage of her starting practically before she was even Bat Mitzvahed. This is kind of unprecedented when you think of it.
And THAT is why I'm scratching my head. I mean, one of the things -- besides her prodigious talent -- the film makes clear is that yes, Winehouse was genuinely fucked up, but also that she was absolutely whip smart as well.
So how, in Jeebus' name, could she have watched the footage of her life unfolding in front of her video monitor in real time for close to a decade and not thought to herself -- Jeebus fuck, I've seen this stupid, made-for-TV admittedly tragic but ultimately pointless, movie before?
Words, as they often do, fail me.
Meanwhile, here's a performance clip of Winehouse at her peak that didn't make the movie.
God, she was amazing.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Your Monday Moment of Words Fail Me
Mac Sabbath...
...re-imagine you know who's "Iron Man" as "Frying Pan."
I suppose it was inevitable. Maybe I should get my lounge/muzak band to cover Lou Reed songs and hit the road as The Velveeta Underground.
...re-imagine you know who's "Iron Man" as "Frying Pan."
I suppose it was inevitable. Maybe I should get my lounge/muzak band to cover Lou Reed songs and hit the road as The Velveeta Underground.
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]
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]
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Your Thursday Moment of Words Fail Me: Special It's the Charlie Watts Show Edition
The Rolling Stones at the Marquee Club in 1971. "Live With Me."
You know, some days I'm as bored with these guys as everybody else is, but for Jeebus' sake -- this is astounding.
Were they the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world at this point?
Fuck that -- they were the greatest rock 'n' roll band that ever wore shoe leather. Period.
Charlie's drumming alone...I don't even know where to begin. The whole thing sounds like Chuck Berry at his peak jamming with some out of control great punk band you never heard.
You know, some days I'm as bored with these guys as everybody else is, but for Jeebus' sake -- this is astounding.
Were they the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world at this point?
Fuck that -- they were the greatest rock 'n' roll band that ever wore shoe leather. Period.
Charlie's drumming alone...I don't even know where to begin. The whole thing sounds like Chuck Berry at his peak jamming with some out of control great punk band you never heard.
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Alas, No Rickenbacker Was Available
Honorary Floor Model and ace guitarist J. D. Goldberg in the studio last night, working on the 12-string part for our first "new" song in 30 years.
Doug nailed the part a few takes later (no cameras were running, however) and later in the session we started adding some very cool Pretender-ish electric six-string stuff. When this is finally done, which should be by August, then in the immortal words of Edith Prickley -- could be a hot one!
I should add that the title of this piece is my sad idea of a joke; the Gretch that Doug is playing sounds just fine.
Doug nailed the part a few takes later (no cameras were running, however) and later in the session we started adding some very cool Pretender-ish electric six-string stuff. When this is finally done, which should be by August, then in the immortal words of Edith Prickley -- could be a hot one!
I should add that the title of this piece is my sad idea of a joke; the Gretch that Doug is playing sounds just fine.
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Tales From the Creative Process
Off to the studio to work on the first "new" Floor Models track in 30 years. Regular blogging resumes on the morrow.
Monday, July 06, 2015
Your Monday Moment of Words Fail Me
From 2012, and somewhere in the mystic East, the Pen Friend Club cover The Beach Boys' "Please Let Me Wonder" live in their basement.
I can't find much biographical info on these kids, but apparently they'rebig in Japan major 60s pop fans...
...and you can buy some of their studio stuff over here.
[h/t Tony Jannelli]
I can't find much biographical info on these kids, but apparently they're
...and you can buy some of their studio stuff over here.
[h/t Tony Jannelli]
Thursday, July 02, 2015
Closed Just to Be Difficult
Regular, non-pissed off, posting resumes tomorrow, starting with a BRAND SPANKING NEW!!!!! Weekend Listomania (topic suggested by friend of PowerPop Peter Spencer -- thanks, Pete!)
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
The Kids Are Alright
The Strypes, live at the BBC in 2012, and their cover of "Route 66."
Best shit I've heard since Eddie and the Hot Rods. If these guys ever turn into songwriters, they're going to rule the fricking world.
UPDATE:
Capt. Al played that one -- which I hadn't heard previously -- on last night's intertube radio show. Here's a link to listen to the whole program.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/81p5wyd23scwxnv/LAS_06.30.15.mp3?dl=0
Lotsa laughs and some very cool music, if I do say so myself.
Best shit I've heard since Eddie and the Hot Rods. If these guys ever turn into songwriters, they're going to rule the fricking world.
UPDATE:
Capt. Al played that one -- which I hadn't heard previously -- on last night's intertube radio show. Here's a link to listen to the whole program.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/81p5wyd23scwxnv/LAS_06.30.15.mp3?dl=0
Lotsa laughs and some very cool music, if I do say so myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
