Nov 202007
 

Rock Town Hall apologizes in advance for the Prince-directed video that is used to represent Jimi’s last great single.

It’s a truism that the live bill briefly pairing The Monkees with opening act Jimi Hendrix was the most mismatched live bill in rock. Of course, at the heart of this mismatch was the fact that the headliners were a concocted, confected bubblegum band put together to serve a tv version of a fictional American Beatles while the opener was soon to make his mark as the Greatest Guitar Hero of the genre, a true artist and visionary. However, Jimi Hendrix and The Monkees had more in common than initially met the ear.
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Nov 202007
 


I was very excited to read one my favorite phrases in the world of rock used in The Big Dipper news release: “Lost Album.” Is there anything as exciting as a “Lost Album?!” Better than a reunion album, because it suggests a band in its heyday.

I only own, what I consider, two Lost Albums and both exceeded expectations. The Lost Album then is more rare and magnificent than the Bicentennial.

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Nov 192007
 

Some of you know the Last Man Standing drill: we post one (1) answer at a time in response to the game’s question until no other answers are possible. The Townsperson who posts the last possible answer wins the patented RTH non-prize! More importantly, the winner get’s to strut around as if he or she just had awesome sex the night before. Past Last Man Standing winners will back me up.

As for today’s question, we’re looking for songs that sound like nothing else a band or artist ever did or would do. A few ground rules to keep in mind (please pay attention, those of you who complain that the rules too often shift):

  • Said song must be by essentially the same band, so this rules out, say, a unique song that appeared on The Clash’s Cut the Crap.
  • Likewise, owing to constant personnel changes, the complete catalog by Fleetwood Mac is disqualified.
  • Remixes and other songs that sound greatly different owing to post-production outside the band’s domain will not be accepted.
  • A solo release by a former leader of a band will not count in regard to said artist’s larger body of work as bandleader.
  • Other, as deemed necessary by the Moderator.

Clear enough? Let the games begin!

Try building atop this opening volley: Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”!

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Nov 192007
 

Our lips had been sealed regarding the details of the 3-CD Big Dipper anthology, Supercluster, discussed here with guitarist/singer Gary Waleik a few weeks back. Now the ink has dried on the band’s deal with Merge (click title of this thread for full details)! Start saving for the March 18, 2008 release! Here’s a sample of track from Heavens–not burned off my scratchy vinyl record!

Big Dipper, “She’s Fetching”

More News!

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Nov 192007
 

It’s been a while since we shared selections from the RTH Mailbag. As you know, sometimes we receive mail that readers deem unworthy of our Comments section but important nonetheless! We agree. In fact, sometimes these comments are extremely instructive and worthy of a public airing. At Rock Town Hall, there’s always room to learn and grow. So, let’s get down to business!

Regarding what we thought was a rare ZZ Top performance found on YouTube that was posted a while back, a reader informs us:
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Nov 182007
 

Would you buy a used Hendrix song from this man?

How about this guy? SURE you would!

I was out walking the pooch, earbuds locked and loaded, when David Lee Roth’s version of “If 6 Was 9” surged into my earbones. Now, as it happens, I really, really like his version of Hendrix’s freakazoid anthem. Really. As I grooved my way through the park behind my house, I found myself asking the question: “yeah, but *why* do I like Diamond Dave’s version of this song so much?” — and it became clear to me that one of the main reasons I liked it — backstory or no backstory — was because it was *Dave* doing it. Not in any kind of snarky, post-ironic way, either; I think the song *means* something to the guy, and he gets into it in his own groovy kind of way, which — well, that’s the whole point of the song, right? Of all the songs in the freaking universe Diamond Dave should be able to cover without folks getting all uptight on his ass, this is the one. Right?

Or do you guys think it sucks?

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