July 2008 Archives

The Correlate of Soul?

Jul 082008

In a positive sense, what is the correlate of soul?

Let’s be frank, as we look into this question: the term soul is strongly associated with qualities found in African American music. It’s considered a positive quality and a quality that is bound to impress when attained by rock ‘n roll musicians. However, it’s not the be all and end all of rock ‘n roll. Rock ‘n roll can have soul, but we’ve seen it also succeeds through the expression of other qualities, some of which we characterize as “white” musical qualities.

As painful as it may be to process these ideas, you do understand what I’m saying, right? For instance, The Beach Boys are considered a very “white” group – and a great one at that. They took a vocal group tradition that was based partially on what would be considered some of the building blocks of what would lead to soul and made it their own. They came up with a great approach to music, but if it doesn’t have soul, in the sense that we commonly use that term, what does it have? What is the correlating, positive term that can be used to describe musical attributes we typically ascribe to white people?
Continue reading »

Rock Town Hall Determines the Top 5 Rock ‘n Roll Artists from the ’50s

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 072008

Like my 11-year-old son, some of you are probably too young to have any even remotely direct experience with rock ‘n roll from the 1950s, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shed some light on this topic. Over the weekend we were playing an 18-song Buddy Holly Greatest Hits album in the car. My boys have liked this CD the couple of times they’ve heard it in the past, and it’s good summertime music, not to mention simply great music (perhaps by whatever standards we might define great).

Our oldest boy was amazed at how many of Holly’s songs he knew from movies, commercials, and the like. “I can’t believe how many great songs he made,” he kept saying, “almost every song was a huge hit!”

He wanted to know more about Holly, eventually arriving at this core question: “I don’t get it, why is Elvis more famous than him? I don’t see what’s so great about Elvis.”

It was a tough question to handle on the spot like that. Elvis is King, right? I love Elvis, but not including the pathos of Fat Elvis, which was too much to explain to an 11 year old, Buddy Holly may have produced a stronger run of songs during the ’50s. “Elvis’ early singles are really exciting,” I told him, “plus he was more handsome and drove the kids wild.”

I handed him the Holly CD and had him look at the photos of Buddy and the Crickets. “Whoa,” he chuckled, “now I see where Elvis Costello got his Look!” (My wife quickly added, “You know, he was kind of handsome!”)

This all got me thinking, Who are Rock Town Hall’s Top 5 Rock ‘n Roll Artists from the ’50s? I ask us to discipline ourselves and refrain from throwing acknowledged blues artists (eg, Muddy Waters) and other ‘tweeners (eg, Louis Prima – I’m looking your way, HVB!) into the mix. Rock ‘n roll. This could include, as the genre is usually defined, vocal groups, such as The Platters. But no Muddy Waters, no Hank Williams, no Louis Prima, no jazz. Got it?

Most Rockin’ Breakfast Cereal Award Winner for July 2008 Announced

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 072008

We’re announcing the Most Rockin’ Breakfast Cereal award winner for the month of July a little earlier in the month than usual. I’m sure we all feel confident that Townsman Hrrundivbakshi is the clear-cut winner for his Top 5 Rock ‘n Roll Artists of the ’50s Rating Scale. Congratulations!

Bands You’ve Spent So Much Time Hating That You Start to Think You Like Them, in Some “Campy” Way or Other

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 062008

Townsman Mwall called for this topic. The title says it all. Now ‘fess up!

The Styx Conundrum Lives On

Posted by Oats

Jul 062008

I couldn’t help but watch the first song of this Styx concert on VH1 Classic. We’ve already discussed the bewildering, inherent contradictions of the classic Styx lineup. This recent Styx iteration — Tommy Shaw, James “J.Y.” Young, and hired hands — raises some new questions. Pay very close attention to the keyboardist’s innovative accoutrement. You’ll first see it 24 seconds into the video. Where can I get one of those?

Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 062008

In round-robin fashion, let’s share our rock ‘n roll regrets. I’ll start. Your regrets do not have to mirror my initial example in form or content. The regret could be over the buying of a particular album, like one of those Style Council lps. The regret could be about a public expression of rock beliefs among the wrong crowd. Just be honest.

I regret not buying Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols on vinyl within a few years of its release. For years I was content to listen to friends’ and roomates’ copies, saving my precious few dollars for buying other records that no one in my circle of friends owned. Then, by the time I felt I should own the album myself, CDs were out and I didn’t want to be confused with some yuppie asshole who was coming late to the party. Cool record store clerks keep track of that stuff, you know. To this day I do not own Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols. I keep thinking I’ll find a used, worn copy at some out of the way location, where my latecomer purchase may not be recognized and reported by The Cool Patrol.

Happy 4th

Posted by sammymaudlin

Jul 042008

I really thought about that patriotic song challenge and came up empty. I couldn’t think of a single song that made me “proud to be an American” until latelydavid mentioned Buffalo Springfield and then I realized that the protest songs of the 60s genuinely make me feel proud to be an American.

ehzRS8mZOFM]

I know a lot of these types of songs feel cheesy in hindsight but if you can’t set that aside for just a moment and revel in the revolution and the sentiment of these tunes and time well then mister you’re a better man than I.
Continue reading »

Older Entries Newer Entries