Dick Wagner
Uriah Heep
Dec 062007
Dec 062007
(Rundgren tunes not included)
Townspeople,
I know I’ve been tough on you the last few days. You had it coming to you. I’ve been tough on myself as well. It’s pretty stressful trying to be as fair an open-minded as I was in heaping that relative and appropriate amount of praise on George Thorogood these last few days. He had it coming to him. Remember when Spock would do that Vulcan Mind Meld thing to save someone’s life, how exhausted he would be for minutes afterward? That’s how I feel. To encourage a well-deserved period of healing for us all I offer the following tracks, burned from vinyl, with all the love and surface noise I can offer. You are truly the greatest!
This kick-off track from Graham Parsons’ GP album, like all these tracks, goes out to each and every one of you. But this one especially goes out to Dr. John. We still tight, right, bro?
Graham Parsons, “Still Feeling Blue”
Here’s a rare song written by Neil Young that shows a trace of his supposed Motown heritage. Has anyone ever verified the story of the band he and Rick James had as youngsters being signed to that label? This track goes out to any fans of The Byrds whose feathers I may have ruffled in the past. I’ll take Buffalo Springfield any day of the week, but we’re cool, right, Byrds fans?
Buffalo Springfield, “On the Way Home”
I’ve always dug this Everly Brothers track. This one goes out to no one in particular…OK, maybe myself. I’m feeling better already.
The Everly Brothers, “I Wonder If I Care As Much”
This next track, from The Turtles’ Ray Davies-produced Soup, is for HVB. We’ve gone through the fire more than once. I’m sure our latest bout won’t be the last time. And you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The Turtles, “She Always Leaves Me Laughing”
I sensed that Alexmagic was trembling with a mixture of fear and disgust during our recent Steel Cage Match. I’m pretty sure this song from The Bee Gees’ Cucumber Castle lp will help calm his nerves.
The Bee Gees, “My Thing”
Years ago I turned General Slocum onto this Van Morrison tune. I believe he since bought the album, Veedon Fleece, in digital format. I’ve been keeping my eye out for a digitally remastered copy myself, but I bet the General sometimes misses the pops and scratches from my old vinyl copy. I bet you’ll miss it too, if you familiarize yourself with this version and then move on.
Van Morrison, “Fair Play”
Let the healing continue! Please share your experiences here. Thanks.
Dec 062007
Mod, I want to end this senseless Thorogood/Top blood feud before any real harm is done. Can we at least reach across the aisle to agree that the lead singer of this band may be sporting the Worst Current Look in rock?
Also, note the hilariously gigantic rhythm guitarist on the left. He makes that Les Paul Custom look like a freaking ukelele! Guffaw!
Your pal always,
HVB
Dec 052007
If it’s not clear what list of particular rock oddities I’m hoping we can exhaust, think about the Spencer Davis Group. When you and your rock nerd friends sit around and talk about Spencer Davis Group, do you ever talk about poor Spencer himself? Do you ever give him props for whatever instrument he played? Could you pick him out from a police lineup or Spencer Davis Group album cover? Probably not. Spencer Davis is nowhere near the best-known member of the group that bears his name.
Four bands immediately come to mind for this thread, along with a fifth band that is named after two band members who are not the best-known members of the band they founded. I’m banking on the fact that there are more than the five examples I have in mind. Let’s get it on! But first, remember the one rule in Last Man Standing competitions: Only one entry per post! You may not post a list that hogs multiple entries. Now, let’s get it on!
Dec 052007
I’ve seen still photos of the band Slade during their early, skinhead period, but I’ve never seen this period of the band in action! This is not to celebrate what would become known as unsavory skinhead values, mind you, but a pretty cool Look and sound. Check it out!
Hrrundi, I am counting on your commentary, in particular. You’ve gotta dig the little bass=guitar player interplay captured around 1:35. You know, we’ve been through the fire these past couple of days. It’s important that newer Townspeople, who may have been frightened during the recent Steel Cage Match, see how an occasional walk through the fire can forge stronger bonds.
Here’s another clip from the same 1969 performance. This one doesn’t do it for me; in fact, it’s a real soft-on. However, it does open the door to some healing via highly anticipated/dreaded Beatles chatter.
Dec 042007
I gotta wash this ZZ Top / Thorogood shit out of my consciousness. It reminds me of Lou Reed’s words, back when his music sounded like it was supposed to: “And since I don’t have to choose I guess I won’t…”
eMusic just released two live Pink Floyd tunes, Interstellar Overdrive and Nick’s Boogie from Peter Whitehead’s Tonite Let’s All Make Love In London documentary. Most of us have probably seen it, but if you haven’t it is a pretty nifty time/place capsule that includes a healthy dose of The Floyd before they officially released anything. The YouTube clip is from the film.
I immediately downloaded the tunes upon release and though I enjoyed them enough, I must say that they aren’t nearly as satisfying as listening while watching a hunched Syd meld with his guitar while the rest of The Floyd looks mildly unclear on their own concept.
Oh and shots of painted boobs help too.
So if you’re tiring of deciding who’s dumber, “dumb or dumber”, take a break from your workaday, crank up The Floyd and fly your freak flag high and strong.
Dec 042007
Doin’ the job Fogerty was too proud to do
It’s going to be extremely difficult for anyone under the age of 43* to properly feel the stinging blows that Team Destroyer will deliver in support of George Thorogood’s Steel Cage Match against ZZ Top and Team Top, but we’ll do our best. Truth be told, it’s going to be only slightly less difficult for the older heads of Rock Town Hall to see the dim stars that will result from our sure-footed jabs, but victory will be all the sweeter.
Before we get into the music, let’s start with the original Look of a young George Thorogood. Take a good look at that cover shot that kicks off this thread. Can you handle what you see?!?!
Now, those of you nerds who remember, circa 1977, high-fiving over the back cover shot of Talking Heads in their little plaid shirts; those of you who discovered Jonathan Richman in his simple, little shirts; those of who were sickened by what rock had become following the age of KISS and other overblown, tarted up arena rockers, look inside your hearts and give Thorogood some respect for his initial choice of simple stage threads. Compare it with that of UK roots rockers like Dave “Saint of Roots Covers” Edmunds, and tell me Thorogood’s not working the same angle, that is Rock of The People.
Now listen to this song while I continue. Listen to it!
George Thorogood, “Move It On Over”
*As of December 4, 2007.
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