Once and for All: The Fifth Rutle

 Posted by
Jan 192008
 

Seems like we’ve been through something like this before.

There are two issues of vital national interest in the cross hairs here.

1. Was Ollie Halsall a Rutle?
2. Who was Dirk McQuickly? Eric Idle or Ollie Halsall?

Here’s what various sites on the internets have to say:

‘Leppo, The Fifth Rutle’ (Stu Sutcliffe) — seen only in a still photograph in the film – the photo showed Ollie Halsall, who actually played and sang on the soundtrack. (Halsall, in real life, was one of the four musicians who performed all The Rutles’ music, the others being Innes, Halsey and Fataar. Idle did not actually play or sing on the soundtrack.)

The fourth ‘real’ Rutle, Ollie Halsall, died in Spain in 1992.

Ollie desperately wanted to portray ‘Paul’ in the Rutles, alongside Admiral’ John Halsey’s ‘Ringo’. The US backers needed a ‘star’ however, and the part of ‘Dirk McQuickly’ was taken by Rutles creator Eric Idle himself Ollie had to settle for the ‘walk-on’ part of Leppo (original bassist ‘Stuart Sutcliffe’). But Halsey recalls that, when it came to recording the soundtrack, Idle couldn’t quite handle the vocals parts so, Ollie, as well as creating the amazing BeatIe guitar pastiches, also sang ‘Paul’s’ part, speeded up slightly. In this and other respects, Halsall’s contribution the Rutles project has never been fully recognised.

Video after the fold.
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Mick Taylor’s “Mick Taylor”

 Posted by
Jan 182008
 

Our hero, ca. 1979

At Mr. Mod’s suggestion, I am posting a few choice tracks from Mick Taylor’s spottily excellent solo album, entitled simply “Mick Taylor.” I admit to having serious nostalgia-colored glasses as far as this record is concerned; I bought it when it came out, and it was a key part of the soundtrack to most of my high school years. I pumped my fist angrily through the rockin’ numbers, incompetently noodled along to the introspective, jammier pieces — and shed a lonely tear or two to the accompaniment of the treaclier ballads (Carla Boswell, how could you?!). Anyhow, as I said yesterday, the album is pretty good, if a bit dated. Mick’s lyrics are kind of dumb, for the most part, but — like one of the better Jeff Beck albums from the era — the LP is a masterpiece of guitar wankery. All in all, it could have been a lot worse, and I struggle to think of how it could’ve been any better, given what it is and who wrote it. I’m sure Mick Taylor wanted to produce a solid album that put the music first, and that showcased his talents to the best degree possible. To that extent, it’s a winner — and there are a few particular tracks (including those that follow here) for which no excuse or explanation is necessary.

“Leather Jacket”

“Giddy Up”

“Slow Blues”

“Broken Hands”

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Expiration Date?

 Posted by
Jan 182008
 


With no disrespect to the deceased, booted, or left of own will, Mick Taylor‘s RTH birthday celebration got me thinking about whether certain band members left their bands just about the time they were reaching their expiration date. Did Taylor, for instance, have the good sense to get while the gettin’ was good? What use would the Stones have had for him had he stuck around much longer? Were they already getting a bit stagnant with him when he split?

Certainly this is a ridiculous chicken-and-egg question, but allow yourself to think ridiculous thoughts. We are in the Halls of Rock, you know.
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Could I Dig The Mars Volta If I Only Listened to Them?

 Posted by
Jan 182008
 

Sometimes the whole show is better than the parts, wouldn’t you say? A couple of weeks ago I caught The Mars Volta on Henry Rollins‘ talk show, which I come across on some music cable station now and then. I’d heard a little bit of this band before and was slightly impressed by all the noise they cooked up, but mostly I laughed at how over the top it was. Seeing them play this racket, however, was much more impressive. I was still laughing at how over the top it was, but I got into the revolutionary vibe. It was like Hendrix, Miles, Santana, the MC%, and Geddy Lee decided to jam. Hrrundi and Saturnismine, I’m especially interested in hearing what you think of this:

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Happy Birthday Mick Taylor!

 Posted by
Jan 172008
 

Happy birthday ya lousy quitter. Ahh I don’t mean it like that. I know you really needed to leave so you could gig with greats like The Dead Elvi.

Anyway, happy birthday.

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BATTLE ROYALE: Born to Boogie

 Posted by
Jan 152008
 


Do you boogie? Do you know what it means to boogie? You know, boogie down, baby, in your-your-your-your-your boogie shoes. Heads-a-bobbin’; sweat-a-floppin’; every musician, every dancer keying on the downbeat.

There’s nothing fancy about the boogie. You know that turkey neck and gizzard that you want nothing to do with at Thanksgiving? Meanwhile your grandparents go on about what a delicacy those parts were when they were kids. This is the state in which we find our old friend the boogie.

There are many ways to boogie. Some would even say chooglin’ is a form of boogie. See if you agree.

In honor of BigSteve, today’s Battle Royale seeks to crown the Ultimate Boogie. Let not genre, race, or geography stand in the way of your contender for Ultimate Boogie. If you’ve got a song that was born to boogie, throw it in the ring and see how long it stands! May I kick it off with the following Classic Boogie?
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