Mr. Moderator

When not blogging Mr. Moderator enjoys baseball, cooking, and falconry.

Pot-Luck Sound: John, Paul, George, and Ringo

Jul 282007

I’d like to see if I could build off Oats’ All Things Must Slide piece from the other day, which pondered the roots and significance of George Harrison’s signature slide guitar style. It was discussed in the thread that Harrison’s contribution to what we call a “Beatles-esque” sound wasn’t even used until Harrison’s solo career. Some made mention of what songs in Harrison’s work with the Beatles may have pointed toward this sound. I got to thinking, What exactly was Harrison’s most significant, most representative, signature contribution to the Beatles sound, and for that matter, what do I most consider the single, signature musical contribution of each John, Paul, and Ringo? In other words, if George Martin called the boys together for a pot-luck dinner, what would be the one musical dish that each Beatle would bring?

Before you answer, it’s very important that you read on!
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Songs You Wish Would Never End

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 272007

For me, lover of repetition and cool bass parts, the list begins with “Poptones” and “Marquee Moon”. I don’t know about these songs never ending, but I bet I could listen to their main grooves for a good 16 hours. The heroic bass playing of Paul McCartney on “It’s All Too Much” could keep going as well. For whatever reason – repetitive groove, lyrics, what have you – what songs do you sometimes wish would never end?

Feel Betta, Etta!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 262007

Townswoman Crystal sent in the following get-well note to Etta James.

I would like to send my personal get well wishes to one of my favorite singers, Etta James. She is currently being hospitalized for complications from stomach surgery. I first saw her on a tribute at the Kennedy Center, where she gyrated and practically scared the pants off the old, stuck-up senators. It was pure love after that.
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Happy Together: Meg, Jack, Porter, Marty, and Mom

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 262007

At her own space, Townswoman Citizen Mom delivers the goods on the recent Madison Square Garden concert by White Stripes with Porter Wagoner opening. Read all about it here, but first chew on the following excerpt, rock nerd hatas:

The prevailing wisdom on Meg White seems to be that she’s there only to be a foil for Jack, with people sneeringly wondering whether he writes the drum parts for her (as if that matters, actually), as if she’s little more than a performing doll, the little plastic ballerina who twirls only when you open the lid of the jewel box. Bullshit. This woman is far more sure of herself than her doe-eyed persona suggests, with far more skill as performer than her detractors allow. The importance of her presence to the expression of Jack’s furious genius is infinitely greater than any of us probably suspect.

Earlier on Rock Town Hall…
KingEd reviews Icky Thump and The Wagonmaster.

A Healing Mix

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 252007

(Rundgren tunes not included)

It’s been a stressful few days at Rock Town Hall. Heads have butted in the best of spirits, but it still takes a toll. Following is a healing mix of songs from Boston to wherever it is in the solar system that Sun Ra lived. Enjoy.

Ornette Coleman, “Sadness”

Sun Ra, “Nubians of Plutonia”

Black Moth Super Rainbow, “Lost, Picking Flowers In the Woods”

Big Dipper, “Mr. Woods”

The Pretty Things, “Cries from the Midnight Circus”

J. Geils Band, “I’m Looking for a Love”

Stigwood and Brothers Gibb Reunite to Produce Magical Mystery Tour Remake

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 252007

MIAMI, FL — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club movie producer Robert Stigwood and the surviving Bee Gees, Barry and Robin Gibb, have announced plans to produce a full-length feature remake of The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. The original made-for-television film will be expanded for theatrical release. The surviving brothers Gibb, who starred along with since-deceased brother Maurice and Peter Frampton as the fictional Lonely Hearts Club Band, do not plan to star in the Magical Mystery Tour film, but they will produce the soundtrack and do expect to make a cameo appearance.

“We expect to interest a contemporary band to portray The Beatles,” said Robin Gibb, stopped outside the brothers’ Miami headquarters. It was suggested Maroon 5 would be a strong candidate for the parts. “Yes, they’ve been bandied about,” confirmed Gibb, “but we’re concerned about finding a role for the fifth member.”
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What Song That You Like Begs for a Critical Rock Wedgie?

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 242007

A friend and I were discussing The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour album, which we both think is pretty great and each had in the back of our minds during that hypothetical discussion from a few days ago. Tracks like “Your Mother Should Know” and “Fool on the Hill” came up, and we admitted to each other for the first time, after 25 years of friendship, that we liked even those songs. Then one of us said, “That getting around will get you a critical rock wedgie!” Go ahead and try it, and while you’re at it, what song that you secretly like begs for a critical rock wedgie? Continue reading »

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