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Rock’s Unfulfilled Fashion Ideas: The Cape

Oct 132010

In the above clip, one of Prog-Rock’s Sexiest Men, Chris Squire, and Yes bandmates Steve Howe and Alan White, humorously discuss the halcyon days of rock cape-wear. It’s fitting that they should have the first word on the matter because, along with their bandmate Rick Wakeman, they took The Cape about as far as it has gone in rock ‘n roll history to date. The Cape is our latest subject in an ongoing series assessing of Rock’s Unfulfilled Fashion Ideas. Maybe you can help us better understand the cape’s appeal and possible resurgence in rock ‘n roll style.

Finally!

Posted by cdm

Oct 122010

A shot in the arm of the recording industry!

For a while now, I’ve been wondering when the music industry would grab their shoulders with both hands and yank their collective head out of their collective ass.

Now, they are finally starting to cater to the criminally underserved 78 rpm market.

According to Tom Waits’ website, “On November 19th, Preservation Hall Recordings will release 504 limited edition hand-numbered 78 rpm vinyl records featuring two tracks by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with very special guest Tom Waits.”

Although this doesn’t benefit me directly, it gives me hope that someday soon I’ll be able to enjoy new releases on my preferred format, the wax cylinder.

On a related note, is anybody else excited about the Leon Redbone box set that is being released exclusively on 1,500 kg piano rolls?

Mystery Date Revealed: Tame Impala

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Oct 122010

Innerspeaker, by Tame Impala

The moment of truth has arrived. Yesterday’s Mystery Date was a track by Tame Impala, a new Australian psych band whose debut album, InnerSpeaker, is a fine homage to the sounds of Piper at the Gates of Dawn, S.F. Sorrow, and related “head” records from the Summer of Love. Here’s one of the “hits,” a most Norman Smith production-styled “Lucidity.”

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/04-Lucidity.mp3|titles=Tame Impala, “Lucidity”]

Calling Rock Town Hall’s Greatest Minds to Contemplate This Star-Studded Tribute to John Peel of The Buzzcocks’ “Ever Fallen in Love”

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Oct 072010

First, what must have been the commercially released video to accompany this star-studded cover of The Buzzcocks’ most-successful song. A list of the contributing artists appears toward the end.

Then, if the notion of the UK as a small, close-knit music community unlike anything we could imagine in the United States still hasn’t hit you, there’s the following, more mind-blowing homemade video: Continue reading »

A Bit of the Old Chepooka*

Posted by ladymisskirroyale

Oct 042010

One could make a strong case that Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Orange has had a significant impact on the literature scene (vocabulary, style, etc.). And I think many of us would agree that Stanley Kubrik‘s movie also has lasting cultural significance. But what about that novel’s impact on music? As recently mentioned in a recent RTH post, Heaven 17 is the name of a band referenced in the novel and in the movie. Other bands have also acquired their “eemyas” from characters or vocabulary in the book (see “Devotchka,” “Moloko”). The Echo and the Bunnymen label out of Liverpool was named Korova, in reference to the club, Milkbar. And The Libertines have a song called, “Horrorshow.” Blur also referenced the look of the movie in their video, “The Universal.”

Can you think of other A Clockwork Orange references in music? Are there other novels that have had an effect on Rock (eg, J. G. Ballard’s “Crash.”)?

*chepooka = nonsense in the Nadsat argot.

The Rock and Roll Hall of… ah, who gives a crap.

Posted by cdm

Sep 302010

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees have been announced.

And the nominees are: Beastie Boys, Chic, LL Cool J, the J. Geils Band, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Donna Summer, Joe Tex, Chuck Willis, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, and Tom Waits.

Perhaps I’m still holding a grudge against Bon Jovi for his lunkheaded comments about The Replacements (“Last Great band of the decade? I don’t even know who they are.”) in the late ’80s, but really, the fact that he and Tom Waits might be sharing the same honor on the same night for their contributions is ridiculous. (Jon, if you’re reading this, Tom Waits is the guy who wrote that song “Downtown Train,” which Rod Stewart ended up butchering.)
Continue reading »

Help a Brother Out!

Posted by northvancoveman

Sep 272010

And another one bites the dust. Proud Rock Town Haller and RTH’s Official Vancouver 2010 Olympic correspondent, NorthVanCoveMan is tying the knot. Yep, I’ll be getting married next July at a golf course just outside Vancouver. As the goalie on my Beer League hockey team put it I’m “Being Sent to the Penalty Box of Life.”

The future Mrs. NorthVanCoveMan has bookmarked 700 wedding sites, watches Say Yes to the Dress ad infinitum, and is generally running the show…

Your humble NorthVanCoveMan is in charge of exactly one and a half things; signing cheques and music.

I say a half on music, but it’s really closer to two thirds. I get the opening cocktail hour, which will be moderate tempo rock and soul etc., and the “dinner” music, which is taking the form of Dean Martin and Latin Jazz by the Gilberto family. The Dance Party section of the evening is my future wife’s territory and she needs no help there, Lady Gaga be damned.

I’m sitting at my desk You-Tubing Dean Martin and Ella FitzGerald songs, when it strikes me, I have a whole Army of help at my disposal. So HELP A BROTHER OUT, ROCK TOWN HALLERS: What songs am I missing? What uncovered gems are out there in the Dinner Music/Light Rock Zone?

I know I am missing something great? What are your best Wedding Songs?

[Mr. Moderator’s early bachelor party gift: Click here, NorthVanCoveMan (courtesy of Dave “The Hammer” Schultz).]

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