Apr 032007
 

Townspeople,

I have an experiment to propose. You know those wife-swapping, trading places types of reality shows? I’d like to find two Townspeople with widely divergent tasts who would be willing to take part in a Mix Swap.

But this isn’t some friendly “Hey, let me turn you onto these boss tunes!” sort of mix swap. Rather, it’s a “Deal with living in my shoes!” mix swap. The two participants will have to live with the each other’s mix tape, listening to it exclusively over the course of a week. Dig:
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Apr 022007
 

Folks, it’s time again for another edition of the RTH Thrifty Music series, hosted by yours truly. As you can read in greater detail here, this is the place where we discover — and, today, perhaps rediscover — interesting and timeless music that we might not bother with had it not been thrown away by somebody before we acquired it.

Today’s focus is a simple one: Classic Rock. There are times when I’m not even sure what the term means, but — like the art critic once famously said — I think we all know it when we hear it. Today’s triptych presents one vital tune I rediscovered; one questionable tune that, well, begs questions; and one new discovery that may help us define yet another Rock Niche that’s not really in need of further definition.

On to the show!


First up: “Rat Bat Blue”, from Deep Purple‘s otherwise execrable Who Do We Think We Are LP. I found the album for 99 cents, saw that it had “Woman From Tokyo” on it (one of my all-time DP faves), and thought it might have a few undiscovered treasures buried deep on its grooves. Wrong! This album sucks! However: I was downright startled to hear one song — “Rat Bat Blue” — for the first time in almost 30 years, and to be reminded of just how totally boss it is. Yeah, yeah, the “lyric” is retarded, but the band cooks, the riff is to die for, and the production is hard-rock perfection. Seriously — I admit I’ve got a huge boner for the Vanda/Young AC/DC studio sound, but this may be the greatest-sounding hard rock album in history.

I was also startled to realize that this song must have marked a major milestone for me as a young music listener, because as soon as I heard that riff come pounding out of the speakers again, I realized it’s one of those riffs that I’ve always had stuck in my head, and as crazy as it sounds, I almost mean that literally. Perhaps other musicians here will understand what I’m trying to say. It’s like the drum intro to the Clash’s “Revolution Rock”, or the opening fanfare to the theme from “Rocky” — it’s always been on instant recall in my head, so strong was its original pull. A riff by which all other riffs are measured. In this case, I had completely forgotten who wrote it, and where I’d heard it, until I plunked this dusty vinyl on the turntable. But now, the prodigal riff has come home at last. Slaughter the fatted calf and prepare to make merry, for the riff that was once lost is now found!

So this calls for answers to two questions:
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Apr 022007
 


Thanks to Townsman Matt, we’re headed for a Rock Town Hall-style confrontation with The Beach Boys’ Love You, the 1976 Brian Wilson “comeback” (Hrrundi wears the Pince NezMark IV) album that some hail as an unintended outsider masterpiece and others scoff at as the most-desparate of rock nerd faith-based initiatives. Chances are The Truth is at one of these poles or the other! Or at least that’s how we’ll likely begin this discussion.

But first…let’s take a few days to listen to the music! Your Moderator himself has only heard part of this album one time, and that was many moons ago in a land, well, not so far away. You may download a .zip file with the entire album here. If you’re having trouble with this file, send me a message offlist or post your difficulties in the Comments box for this post. We’ll see what we can do to help you.

Now gather your materials, and begin taking notes!

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Apr 022007
 


I’m listening to today’s tasty Thrifty Music selection, Deep Purple’s “Rat Bat Blue”, and I’m struck by the thought that kick-ass rock guitar riffs may preclude intelligent lyrics. Does Rock Guitar Heroics require thinking with one’s dick? And you know what I’m talking about, SmartyPants – not Tom Verlaine or some other “brainy” guitarist. I’m talking about practitioners of Hot Licks from the late-60s Age of the Guitar Hero and beyond: Hendrix, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, King Crimson, Aerosmith, Frank Marino’s Mahogany Rush

What’s the best lyric any of these fierce riff-driven artists has produced, “The Wind Cries Mary”? Name a mighty guitarist, and then name a song lyric associated with this artist that’s stupid, funny, or plain silly. I challenge you, and I shall determine which suggestions do not qualify.

I look forward to your responses.

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Apr 022007
 

A Trayful of The Iceman: Click image for iTunes Mix.

Jerry Butler, “You Make Me Feel Like Someone”

In conjunction with partner Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler was a Chicago soul architect and founding member of The Impressions before launching his solo career, initially with continued collaboration with Mayfield. “The Iceman,” as Butler was known, sang about the transformative powers of love with the best of them. He also sang about being a man, or a mensch, if that helps you understand what I’m saying without thinking in terms of blues-based braggadocio. I know these are among corniest, cliched, and suspect claims one will make regarding a musician in this day and age, but bear with me.

Following are two examples of Butler’s work on the Vee-Jay label.
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Quiz Time

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Apr 012007
 

Which of these high school dullards went on to fame and fortune in the pop music industry — and famously reminisced, in song, about his years with this rockin’ teen combo?

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