John Mikl Thor in action. I am truly dumbfounded, and do not know what to make of this. Thoughts?
HVB
Jan 232014
Jan 232014
Tymon Dogg (violin), Joe Strummer and The 101’ers.
Did anyone outside the London squatter and tube station busking scene of the 1970s know who Tymon Dogg was before he appeared as guest bandleader on The Clash’s Sandinista, where he sings and fiddles his way through one of the 3-album set’s most-challenging long songs? The vibrato on Dogg’s voice makes Feargal Sharkey’s voice sound straighter than John Wayne.
Listening to the previously unknown Dogg take his best shot on a major-label release this morning I started thinking about other unknown or cult artists who were dragged into the spotlight on a major artist’s record. The Clash made a habit of this practice in the latter half of their career. I thought of the English folk singer, Roy Harper, who no one in America (at least) had ever heard of prior to getting called in to sing lead on Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar.” Was he well known in England when he got the call (and before Led Zeppelin name-checked him)? At the risk of exposing myself as grossly ignorant, has anyone heard Roy Harper sing beside the moment the Floyd invited him to shine on like a crazy diamond?
Surely there are many other cult and unknown artists who’ve gotten their big chance in the spotlight? Who stands out for you? Are there interesting circumstances behind this person’s sudden appearance on the big stage? Did anyone grab that moment and explode onto the scene as a star in his or her own right?
Jan 222014
Peter Tork, mid-period Monkees persona.
Q: If you could throw a snowball at any member of The Monkees, who would it be?
A: Tork — his Monkees persona is really irritating in the later seasons
In a recent Dugout Chatter, Townsman hrrundivbakshi‘s answer to the above question brought to light a key rock ‘n roll topic that somehow has eluded public discussion…until now.
Jan 222014
Woo.
Which rock vocalist says “woo!” the most? Backup vocalists or secondary band members saying “woo-oo-oo” behind the lyric don’t count. I’m looking for the lead singer guy or gal who says “woo!” with the greatest frequency.
Can anybody beat Diamond Dave Lee Roth in this category? I have my doubts.
I look forward to your responses.
HVB
Jan 222014
A lot of us on the northeast corridor are snowed in today. Let’s get some Dugout Chatter going, shall we? There are no right or wrong answers, just the true ones that come direct from your gut. Here goes!
- When you think of the name Keith and rock ‘n roll, who’s the second Keith who comes to mind?
- What’s the first winter-related song that comes to mind that you love?
- What’s the first winter-related song that comes to mind that you can’t stand?
- If you could throw a snowball at any member of The Monkees, who would it be?
- Who’s the third Ray who comes to mind when you think of the name Ray and rock ‘n roll?
- What’s the rock ‘n roll snow day equivalent of daring to lick the flagpole?
I look forward to your answers.
Jan 212014
I still remember the night when Van Halen‘s “Dance the Night Away” blared out of the movie theater sound system while I watched Argo. Although I never liked Van Halen and still don’t, I have come to believe that the original edition of the band was brilliant in their execution of bad music. Nevertheless, that night in the darkened theater as Ben Affleck strutted to the sounds of Van Halen’s signature song, I first got goosebumps listening to the band’s music.
Last month, while watching the surprisingly funny Anchorman 2, I was once more treated to a movie theater sound system spin of that song. Once more, it sounded fantastic and perfectly set up the characters’ swaggering moment of getting their shit together before an inevitable critical turning point. This got me thinking…
Jan 202014
Fight through the narcotic madness of Rock Town Hall with reports from the rock frontier in this week’s All-Star Jam! It’s a trip that starts with a giggle and ends with a scream.
CAUTION: They don’t make trailers like this anymore. Coworkers may FREAK OUT if they look over your shoulder.
