RIP Howard Hesseman

Howard Hesseman, Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81 

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I first saw him performing his comedy in the movie Billy Jack but, of course, his Johnny Fever character is his most iconic and, of course, he, or his character, actually played some pretty damn hip music on WKRP. Sad to hear of his passing.

RIP Leesa Gallentine

 

This one is a tough one. I met Leesa while she was fronting the fantastic punk rock band (in the best sense of the word), the Creamers. Smart, sweet, funny and a great frontperson. She cared about people and animals and tried to make the world a better place. 

As always - FUCK CANCER!

Jimi Hendrix - A Brother's Story - Leon Hendrix

 This is something that I stumbled upon in a Facebook Hendrix page, if I remember correctly. I had no idea that it existed but I liked the concept and was able to find it at a reasonable price so grabbed it to get a different perspective on this musical genius and a personal hero of mine.

Leon Hendrix was Jimi's younger brother and grew up with him in Seattle (and various other cities, off and on) with their alcoholic father (although there was some dispute over whether Al fathered both of them) and a mother that was in'n'out of their lives until her untimely death at a young age. There were other siblings, as well, several with disabilities who were placed in foster care (this was all new to me), but for the most part - there were interruptions - Leon and Jimi were fairly inseparable. Leon did look up to his older brother and followed him around and was highly influenced by him, as younger siblings can be, especially by someone as charismatic as Jimi apparently was, even as a child.

There are lots of intimate details of the familiar lives and the various'n'numerous characters that they interact with as they strive to survive as dirt poor African Americans trying to make ends meet. Leon was placed in relatives' homes off'n'on, but usually close enough that they could all see each other regularly. Jimi's initial contact with musical instruments - first a one string ukulele and then a beat up Kay acoustic - are described as transformative and soon Jimi was playing along with records and with anyone who would let him, including an older gentlemen who recorded the two of them jamming on blues songs! Imagine hearing that tape now! Wow!

Once he finally got his first electric, things moved fast. He spent all of his time with it, played in bands every chance he could, joined the army and played there, as well, was discharged and started playing the Chittlin' Circuit, ending up in NYC, was he was discovered by Chas Chandler. Of course, he didn't have much of a chance to connect with the family during these hectic, exciting times, so Leon learned of his brother's exploits via postcards and the occasional call home. Leon had by then made a name for himself in a bad way by getting caught stealing, but then in a good way, by winning an art contest, the prize being a job at Boeing! Unfortunately, the streets called him back and he went back to hustling'n'stealing, but then heard his neighbors playing his brother's debut album!

After years away from home, Jimi finally made a triumphant return to Seattle in 1967 as one of the biggest rock stars in the world. Leon and the family got to spend a little time with him on this and the subsequent return trips. There is a great story of Leon spending some time in Hollywood with Jimi and girls, girls, girls, along with drugs, alcohol and rock stars galore - who Leon didn't know cuz he was mostly into Motown and so he was unimpressed when he was introduced to Janis Joplin, Eric Burdon, Mick Jagger or Paul McCartney! 

Of course, besides moving fast for Jimi, Leon's life was also a rocket ride of hustlin', women, alcohol, drugs (and more drugs) and lots of bad choices, including a stint in the army in order to avoid jail, but he went AWOL (in order to see Jimi, in fact) and ended up back in jail, where he heard about his brother's death. Lots more ups'n'downs followed, until he finally straightened out and made a life for himself with his own art and music.

Leon disputes other accounts of Jimi's family life, especially his father's adopted daughter claiming to be a blood relative, and, after 50 or more years, it's difficult to know whose version truly is the truth, but Leon really does seem to believe this tale and it's a good one to hear - regardless of the troubles during their upbringing, Leon has nothing but good to say about Jimi, which is heartwarming to his fans who want to believe that he was the truly good soul he appears to be. In any case, it's a good read to get a different perspective. I'm going to have to pull out some of my other Jimi bios now!

recommended gigs

 Saturday 1-29-22 - Shanda and the Howlers record release party with Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Monday 1-31-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 2-2-22 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday 2-3-22 - IV and the Strange Band with The Devil's Duo and Whiskey Breath and the Nuclear Undead at the Dive Bar

Friday 2-4-22 - The Psyatics with Thee Swank Bastards and the Silhouettes at the Double Down

Saturday 2-5-22 - Cash'd Out and Paige Overton at Soul Belly

Saturday 2-5-22 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Friday 2-18-22 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-19-22 - Franks'n'Deans, Jerk!, Happy Campers, Fall Risk at the Double Down

Friday 2-25-22 - Far Out Underground Rainbow with Kilfeather and the Cheeks at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 3-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-9-22 - Shannon and the Clams with Shanda and the Howlers and the Paranoyds at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Wednesday 4-13-22 - The Delta Bombers, The 40 Acre Mule and Los Malditos at the Space

Saturday 4-16-22 -The Unwieldies and Jeff Mix and the Songhearts at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-23-22 - The Psyatics at the Double Down

The Akron Sound - Calvin Rydbom

 Of course, growing up in the Mid West in the 60's and 70's means that the sounds from that area are near'n'dear to my rock'n'roll heart, particularly, the ever-popular, high-energy Detroit sounds and the true bizarreness that came from Ohio. I bought whatever I could find from the new bands at the time, but not many of the Ohio congregation came to my small hometown or surrounding area, so I didn't see many, at least until I moved to LA and bands like the Rubber City Rebels would come through regularly. I did manage to play a gig with the Bizarros in the late 70's though and they were a nice as could be!

Rydbom was an aspiring punk musician himself, but decided that he did not really have what it takes for that end of things and became a writer and this book is actually an exposition on a well received chapter of a previous release about the area in general. He also is a mainstay in the Akron Sound Museum, which appears on all major social media platforms, has had pop-up exhibits and hopes to have a brick'n'mortar building soon, if it doesn't already. (This book was published in 2018).

There is a short chapter touching upon the musical history of the area and the various musical acts throughout the years to emerge from this locale - including hitmakers Ruby and the Romantics and Joe Walsh, among others. From there we move into the meat of the "Akron Sound", the 70's, in which music everywhere moved from Top Forty/Heavy Metal to Glam to Punk and beyond. Calvin spotlights groups such as the Rubber City Rebels, Tin Huey, the Bizarros, and many more, some much more well known than others. His writing style is not polished (not that I am one to talk) - appropriate for the subject matter - and overall reads more like an enthusiastic fanzine. There is word-for-word repetition and many references from chapter to chapter which may be a way of keeping the ideas fresh in the reader's mind, but is a bit awkward, regardless. It also may come from writing articles as opposed to books, and I mention it only as a nit-pick, not a serious critique. 

In any case, there is a lot of information here, even with major bands like Devo (some of their early philosophical influences are a bit of a revelation to me) and the Waitresses, who started as a fake band and, after becoming a "real" group, weren't nearly as popular as their most played songs would make you think, but who had major players in the group, such as drummer Billy Ficca from Television and bassist Tracy Wormworth, who would play with numerous other acts, and became a mainstay with the B52s.

Calvin also highlights the clubs that supported the scene, along with the small, somewhat primitive recording studio associated with Tin Huey and the record label started by the Bizarros, both of which helped to herald the sounds of the city.

Despite my criticisms, I enjoyed this and certainly learned more about the area so while I wouldn't necessarily call it a great work of literature (which I'm sure was not the intent), I would recommend it for those who want to learn more about the midwest punk/new wave scene? Now, where the heck are my Akron compilations?!

Junior Brown - The Austin Experience

 Although he occasionally falls into purposeful near-parody in a bid for commercial sales, Junior Brown is one of my favorite living guitarists - a master of both the Telecaster and steel guitar, which he has combined for his custom guit-steel! Although I have only been able to see him once so far, his abilities astonished me and the occasional live cut that I've heard has been terrific so this Live at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas was a sure-fire buy for me. As usual, he is accompanied by his wife Tanya Rae Brown along with bassist Johnny Penner and, for some reason, an unnamed drummer. 

For me, his guitar playing is always the star and in a live setting he does tend to stretch out a bit more, rather than relying solely on his (legitimately) humorous numbers like the opening three, "Broke Down South of Dallas", "Party Lights" and, a crowd favorite, "My Wife Thinks You're Dead". For me, the highlights are numbers like the 8+ minute workout, "I Hung It Up" as his flies over his two fretboards while always playing tastefully. He brings on Flaco Jimenez on accordion for the Spanish-sung "Juan Charasquado", he hicks it up in "Highway Patrol", "Gotta Get Up Every Morning" and "Lifeguard Larry" but "Long Walk Back to San Antone" is more straight-laced (straight-faced?) country, with some excellent playing, Junior duets with Tanya on the bluegrass-ish "I Want to Live and Love Always" and he closes with his surf-laden (and drum dominant - who is the mystery man or woman?) "Rock and Roll Guitar Medley", unleashing more riffs than you can count!

Great stuff, as always, despite the forays into lyrical silliness - still totally recommended!

John Coltrane - The Classic Collaborations 1957-1963

 

I freely admit that I am not very knowledgeable in jazz speak or the history or even many of the players, but I know what I dig, and Coltrane has also been a fave of this genre. I've owned the Monk'n'Coltrane LP since the 70's, but there is a lot that I've never explored and this 4-CD set merging 8 LPs at a discount price was a deal I couldn't pass up!

An award-winning saxophonist who has collaborated with nearly all of the greats of the field, Coltrane is also know as a pioneer in BeBop, Hard Bop and Free Jazz. I will again grant that I could not truly define or delineate between these designations, but I would say that all of these forms speak to me in one way or another.

To repeat, I don't really know how to talk jazz, but this starts off with some fairly smooth, melodic numbers, with Coltrane's excellent tone'n'phrasing and fine piano, bass'n'drum backing. By the second CD, things get  a bit more frantic - maybe this is more of the "hard bop" stylings - without losing any other the melodic elements. I really dig this energy and the backing band continues to impress (including some bowed stand up bass!). 

I am a bit partial to the record he did with Monk since I've had it for so long, but also because it has some fabulous songs'n'playing on it. Sweet tones, great interaction, memorable tunes and downright whimsical numbers like "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Nutty" make this album highly enjoyable. Of course, I can't argue with the work that he did with guitarist Kenny Burrell, either, as these two great players are a joy to listen to and they seemed to inspire each other. 

I have to say that I'm not crazy about the collaboration with the singer Johnny Hartman (the only such collaboration as co-leader, according to the liner notes) , for some reason. I think the man's voice, while good, tends to give the proceedings more of a dinner club/schmaltzy feel than a swingin' jazz combo. But, that's just me, of course! All of the numbers are particularly slow, as well, with little real variation. The mellowness is retained, for the most part, in his work with Duke Ellington but for whatever reason, I prefer this session, and enjoy the playing and the more swingin' vibe here.

Again, I concede that I am far from an expert in jazz, but this is a fine collection and a terrific, inexpensive place to start for anyone interested in Coltrane's career.

RIP Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf, 'Bat Out of Hell' singer, has died at 74 

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I can't say that I was a huge fan - I never personally owned any of his records - but he was a talent and I sure dug him in Rocky Horror!

Nico - The End...

 

As usual, I tend to revisit music by an artist when I read a biography about them, and so it's no surprise that I am looking through my collection of Nico releases and finding it pretty sparse, with records that I once had now gone. I'm also surprised that I have not referenced here the two CDs that I do have, but I just picked up this one - Nico's third solo album - that is once again produced by John Cale and this time augmented by Eno and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music. Of course, it is Nico, so it is droney and depressing, but that it something to recommend it in my book! Nico wrote all of the songs, other than the title cut, which is her take on the Doors' classic (she had a short but torrid affair with Morrison) and the controversial German anthem "Das Lied Der Deutschen". This CD comes with a fine booklet with plenty of information and details that would probably have been missed otherwise, such as the first side of the LP starts with production tricks that filter out until by the end of the side, she is alone with her harmonium, and the fact that the keys descend from Em to Am in thirds, and the second side is solely in Fm. Who would think of such things? There is also a bonus CD of live cuts from John Peel sessions, The Old Grey Whistle Test and the album with Cale, Eno and Ayers, simply title June 1, 1974 (how have I skipped that one here, as well?). 

Her music is not exactly sing-along songs, but she does use real melodies and they are, I suppose naturally, better fitting for her voice than some of the songs that were written for her, by others where her vocals were even deeper than natural for her and somewhat off key. The tunes are truly haunting, though, and certainly a template for the goth scene, and the atmospheric touches added by Cale, Eno and Manzanera just compliment the feel of the song, without interfering with the sparse arrangements and strong emotional appeal.

I suppose that you have to be in a certain frame of mind to appreciate this style of music, but for those who dig the dark'n'depressing, Nico's music is quite a find. Cale's production and the extra flourishes help the listenability although I think that I could easily be enthralled by her on her own. 

Cajun and Zydeco - Milestones of Legends

 

I love these bargain 10-CD sets! Even if there's some stuff you don't care for (which has actually been rare for me), there is so much music at such a reasonable price that you can't really complain.

This set proposes to be sort of a history of Zydeco, with early Cajun music from a wide variety of sources and many different variations on the theme. As I have only recently really started to appreciate Zydeco with its emphasis on fiddle'n'accordion (in the past, I was primarily looking for guitar-based music) and I have been having somewhat of a difficult time finding any good collections, this was quite a find for me!

As is naturally the case in this melting pot country that we are in, this music is quite a mix, with the French-born Cajuns blending their styles with the hillbilly/country folks and the African-Americans blues musicians to create another truly American genre. Of course, its history can be traced, but it all became something new in this country.

This set includes some more well known names in the field, such as Clifton Chenier, Angelas LeJeune, Iry LeJeune, Mayuse Lafleur, Amedee Adoin and Cleona Breaux Falcon but also countless others, giving their interpretations of this joyous music. I won't get into details regarding the vast amount of music here, but suffice it to say, if you are interested in Zydeco and its early beginnings and incorporation of other genres, this is a terrific place to start! A great deal with hours'n'hours of fine music!

Nico, Songs They Never Play On The Radio - James Young

 

This book was actually referenced by the author of You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone, and it was written by the pianist that performed with Nico in her later years. Young simply fell into the band by the fact that he had a previous relationship with the man who was managing Nico at the time, and really had no experience in rock bands, much less a band of junkies. He is frank in his descriptions of the characters involved and writes in an intelligent fashion with tales of fairly crazy times.

His duration with Nico sounds pretty bleak'n'dire - to the point that you have to wonder if there is at least some exaggeration, although living with junkies certainly can be bleak'n'dire, to say the least. Considering the fact that Young was, apparently, pretty straight-laced before this experience, you have to wonder why he stayed in the described squalor, especially as he claims that basically no money was coming in, even when there were shows'n'tours. There must have been some impetus, although he never says what it might have been.

He obviously does have some fondness for Nico and their history together, although he is frank about how difficult she could be, especially when jonesing for junk. But despite everything, there seems to have been some fun, as well, even if it was few and far between. Things did appear to improve as time went on and she released a record with Beggar's Banquet, which upped her notoriety, and they did recordings'n'tours with John Cale, who, although Young does not have many kind words for him, the association certainly helped Nico's stance.

Young did play with Nico for her final gig, which apparently was bootlegged eventually, and he was one of the few in attendance at her funeral, even if he only got a second hand (at best) description of her final days'n'hours, as is the case with most everyone other than her son, who she was staying with at the time.

Even with the ostensible poetic license, Young does give a down to earth description of life on the road, everywhere from Europe to American to Australia to Japan, so I suppose if really is no wonder that he stayed with her, seeing as where else would he have gotten these experiences, even in the anarchistic ways that they traveled.

This is only meant to be a snippet of Nico's life, but the road was her life for the final decade or so for her, so this is a fairly appropriate requiem. Worthwhile for anyone interested in how small bands tour (although the junkies here add an extra bit of danger'n'grotesquery that most groups do not have to deal with. In any case, he does entertain throughout. 

recommended gigs

 Friday Jan 21 - Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 1-22-22 - Soldiers of Destruction, Gob Patrol, SorrowSeed, Lean 13, the Twilight Atomiks and Burlesque at the Dive Bar

Saturday 1-29-22 - Shanda and the Howlers record release party with Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Wednesday 2-2-22 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday 2-3-22 - IV and the Strange Band with The Devil's Duo at the Dive Bar

Friday 2-4-22 - The Psyatics with Thee Swank Bastards and the Silhouettes at the Double Down

Saturday 2-5-22 - Cash'd Out and Paige Overton at Soul Belly

Saturday 2-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 2-19-22 - Franks'n'Deans, Jerk!, Happy Campers, Fall Risk at the Double Down

Saturday 3-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-9-22 - Shannon and the Clams with Shanda and the Howlers and the Paranoyds at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-16-22 -The Unwieldies and Jeff Mix and the Songhearts at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-23-22 - The Psyatics at the Double Down

Serious Sam Barrett - The Seeds of Love

 

I was happy to have another chance to see Serious Sam Barrett play, after being highly impressed with his set opening for the Pine Hill Haints a few years back and his album, Sometimes You've Got To Lose, so I had to pick up another record of his this time out, along with the fine album he did with James the Fang. This record is based on a book that Sam's wife found called "The Seeds of Love", published by the English Folk Music and Dance Society, in which Sam either performed the songs with traditional melodies or made up new tunes for the words in the book. This album he considers to be a "proper folk record" made up of love songs, be they "tragic, misguided, unrequited or true". 

Sam accompanies his clear, tuneful voice with banjo'n'guitar, and, on occasion, sings acapella, and the recording is well done and crisp and he sounds like he is in a room or intimate club playing for you. The music does all sound traditional, in general, and the melodies are lovely. Sam includes a homemade booklet explaining his variations on the themes from the original book, and tells a bit of the story and whatever he does to switch it up. 

Another great acoustic record and again, majorly recommended! Seek it out and see him whenever you can!

James the Fang and Serious Sam Barrett - The Divine Horseshoe

 

Having just seen this duo last night at the Double Down, I had to pick up the record that they were touring with (apparently, there is at least one other - it is impossible to keep up with these highly prolific cats). While they both sing'n'harmonize, here Sam mostly plucks his lovely old Harmony 12-string (he is an excellent finger-pickin' player) and Jamie is generally on his upbeat, sawin' fiddle, keeping things jumpin'n'lively. 

Although they each contribute a couple of originals, the set is predominately made up of traditional songs, cowboy tunes, hillbilly and folk numbers from both sides of the ocean (I presume). Their record collection must be pretty astounding, as they continually come up with numbers that I've never heard before and I thought that I had a pretty good selection of early folk material these days. There is always more, I suppose, and never enough time to hear it all!

As I've said, I love this kind of music, and these guys do a fantastic job of presenting it - both are superior players'n'singers and give the tunes a fresh'n'unique perspective. I can't recommend this highly enough and be sure to see them if you are lucky enough to have them come to your town!

The Pine Hill Haints - 13

 

Of course, any time that Jamie comes to Vegas, I have to pick up whatever new music that I can - and he always has something and usually multiple new items - the man is nothing if not prolific! This orange-colored, Halloween-inspired 13th LP from the Haints continues in the quest of resurrecting Alabama Ghost Country Music and spreading the word to all who will listen. The line up this time out is Jamie (James the Fang) on vocals, guitar and fiddle, his lovely wife Katie Kat on singing saw, washboard and mandolin (and the excellent front cover painting), Stevie on washtub bass, Justin on accordion and Ernie Criminal Class (that's what the cover says!) on snare! 

So while the sound is fairly open'n'sparse, purposefully, of course, it does have enough of a band feel to fill things out. Their mix of old school folk, Americana, country, blues, zydeco, bluegrass and whatever else falls into the mix continues here with songs like "Halloween in New Orleans", "Your Wooden Heart is Dead", "Cemetary Dance", and traditional numbers like "Short Life of Trouble" and "Wolves O'Howlin'", among others. 

I truly love this combo and collect whatever I can whenever I can, although I assume that there is always more and there are always side projects that are impossible to keep up with. In any case, if you dig old school acoustic-y Americana, while there are some great combos doing similar stuff, I'd be hard pressed to think of anyone else doing it better and with more originality. Always highly recommended and see Jamie currently touring with Serious Sam Barrett when they come to your town!

James the Fang with Serious Sam Barrett, the Unwieldies and the Devils Duo at the Double Down, Monday Jan 17, 2022

I've been a huge fan of the Pine Hill Haints since I first saw them - coincidentally, at the Double Down with Serious Sam Barrett opening - and so when I found out that Jamie was coming to town playing alongside Sam, I certainly wanted to get in on the action and what better combo then our new, revamped Devil's Duo?

Since Melanie decided to learn how to play the banjolele during Covid times, the Duo now consists of Mel on vocals and banjolele and myself on vocals and electrified acoustic (1964 Harmony Hollywood) guitar. Our set list is fairly varied, ranging from old time murder ballads to blues to country to Americana to our own twists on more modern tunes. Backed by a simple drum machine to keep us on time, we take turns on lead vocals and harmonize when we can and this evening, we managed to keep things at a reasonable volume and with the help of Jack Unwieldies fab PA system, we had a good mix and were able to actually hear our vocals. Although it was a sparse Monday night audience, we got a good reception and one kind soul actually gave us a $100 tip! How crazy is that?! We're hoping to be back on stage shortly, so look to our Facebook or Instagram for updates!

Vegas' premier acoustic combo, the Unwieldies, were good enough to set up the night and include the Duo and accommodate Jamie and Sam, so high kudos to them! Their songs of love won'n'lost and the injustices of the haves'n'the have nots were particularly strong this evening, again highlighted by a superior sound'n'mix with Dani's sweet vocals combining with Rob's more earthly croon and backed by their guitar'n'bass and Richard's singing dobro touches (he came through clearly this time out) and Jack's melodic violin layered on top. They have a huge selection of terrific originals and have no problem with pulling out an occasional oddball cover, such as tonight's "Billie Jean"! They're doing a monthly residency at the Gold Mine Tavern in Henderson, so make sure to see them when you can!

Jamie's "Alabama Ghost Music" blends well with Sam's Northern England folk music, which is really no surprise as the South's early music traditions obviously came from the old country. In this duo, they trade off vocals'n'harmonize while Sam primarily plays his old Harmony 12-string guitar, although he occasionally picks up his banjo, clawhammer style, and Jamie fiddles and once in a while pulls out his beat-up acoustic/electric guitar. Sam is a fine finger-picker and Jamie's fiddling makes the tunes swing'n'sway, and both are excellent singers, as well. After discovering Melanie's British roots, Sam made a point of playing a couple of numbers from the area, and the night was filled with modern takes on music from the ages! See these cats if they come to your town - just great stuff!

Once again, thank you to the Double Down for hosting a fine night of eclectic tunes and thank you to those who came out on a Monday night and to the Unwieldies for setting things up and Jamie and Sam for coming to town, since so many touring acts skip our city!

And once again, sorry for the mediocre quality of my phone's photos!

Yardbirds Live and Rare Box Set

 

I'm sure it goes without saying that I've been a Yardbirds fan since the 60's and while I know that I do not have everything that they have released, I have a fair collection, including some oddball live records, but I'm always interested in hearing new-to-me performances, so I grabbed this 4-CD, 1-DVD set.

Disc one is the DVD (kinda of confusing - I thought it was a defective CD when it wouldn't play, but then I finally read the cover!) and it has some fantastic footage - some that I've seen before but plenty that I have not, especially the early cuts with Eric Clapton that has the whole band positively wailing on "Louise" and "I Wish You Would". These cuts are damn near worth the price of the set on their own! But there's a number of tunes from the Jeff Beck incarnation (I've seen parts of this set before) and then the final, Jimmy Page line-up that kinda vary in quality - the songs themselves and sometimes the sound'n'mix, but are great rockin' fun, regardless. It's particularly entertaining to watch the evolution of Page's Telecaster and the various designs he augments it with. Drummer Jim McCarty is positively explosive on these performances, as well.

I have a tendency to prefer a band's earlier works, and while the first numbers here on the first CD are beyond fierce, there is plenty of greatness throughout. The Eric Clapton version of the band borders on punk rock in many places - unquestionably during their patented "rave ups", but there is an underlying intensity in most of the numbers - the power of youth, I suppose! Keith Relf gets to show off his harmonica skills on many of the blues songs and Eric's playing is piercing'n'pointed, with no excess. The rhythm section - Jim McCarty on drums, Paul Samwell-Smith doing flying bass runs and Chris Dreja imitating Johnny Ramone a decade before the Ramones - is incredible from start to finish and truly carry the songs and give them the dynamics needed behind the soloists. The set list is phenomenal, as well, with plenty of frenzied Chuck Berry ("Little Queenie" is done at warp speed!), John Lee Hooker and one of my faves, "Respectable" (even with the silly "Humpty Dumpty" coda).

There is a break for the nice, acoustic guitar'n'bongos ballad in "Hush-a-Bye" before returning to the heaviness with Jeff Beck's first numbers with the group (in this set) and he shows why he is revered to this day and had no problem with replacing Clapton. His tone is excellent and heavier , and, as the CD progresses, he shows that he was willing to experiment even more than Eric, with feedback, slide, and distortion - and he really impresses in the two versions of "Jeff's Boogie" included here. 

OK, I really haven't been paying attention and I just realized that my box set was packaged out of order and the above CD is actually number 4 and the DVD IS supposed to be at the end of the set as number 5! Yeesh! So anyway, disc number 1 is the Jeff Beck version of the band and encompasses the addition of Jimmy Page, as well - on second guitar and on bass - with live cuts and some truly odd rarieties, like two wimpy songs done in Italian for a pop festival that they were roped into as well as a couple of commercials! Much more successful are live takes of "Train Kept A-Rollin'", "Shapes of Things" and "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" and terrific semi-rarities like the hard-psych of "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (one of their best!) and the dynamic, edgy R'n'B of "Psycho Daisies" (another near perfect number). Other additions are the Blow Up take of "Stroll On" ("Train Kept A-Rollin'" under a pseudonym), a couple of Keith Relf ballads (Mr. Zero" and "Knowing"), a cool psych-pop-ballad in the single version of "Shapes In My Mind", a lightweight, harp-led blues in "Blue Sands" and concluding with an alternative take of "Shapes In My Mind".

CD 2 is made up of 1967 Jimmy Page-led live versions of their hits (with plenty of repetition), showing that he could hold his own against the previous two guitar gods and also emulate pretty much any of the tricks that they had done in the studio, while adding many of his own - with plenty of wah-wah and even using his violin bow in a precursor to his Led Zep days on "I'm a Man". Chris Dreja was now on bass and doing a great job keeping up with McCarty's ever-fabulous drumming while Relf's vocals were still strong overall (he strains at times) and his harp playing remains superior.

For the third CD we're in 1968 and the final days of the band. Jimmy has pretty much taken over (he even does the intro BBC interview) and while they still perform the lame single "Goodnight Josephine", they are also now playing "Dazed and Confused", complete with the violin bow and the drum'n'guitar call'n'answer that was a pivotal part of the Zep arrangement, along with a hip Page composition, "Think About It", and Jimmy does his solo instrumental raga-rock number (with bongo accompaniment), "White Summer".

There is a nicely done booklet with liner notes by none other than Mike Stax and each CD/DVD has its own, smaller booklet describing the material within. All-in-all, this is one helluva package - it looks and sound great!

Leon Russell In His Own Words (With a Little Help From His Friends)

 I probably became a fan of Russell's when he had his hit with "Tightrope", but really came to love his work when I saw him in such films as Concert For Bangladesh and Mad Dogs and Englishmen, where his style, voice and poundin' piano just knocked me out. He easily became one of my top keyboard players.

Obviously, I know the basics of his career path - working with the infamous Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles on countless sessions before being allowed to step out on his own - but never knew many details, so I was looking forward to this book. I was a bit surprised and disappointed by its diminutive size - considering all that this man has done, his tale could certainly fill volumes - and the fact that the story is cobbled together post-mortem, mostly through old interviews. That said, this was done by Steve Todoroff and John Wooley with Lon's blessing and help, even if he wasn't around to round it all out in the end.

While the early days move by pretty quickly, he does talk about working in the Tulsa, OK music bars as a teenager - you didn't have to be of age to work in the joints back then. He saw lots of the greats - Jackie Wilson, Ray Charles, Bobby Bland and even Esquerita, who Leon thought was terrific, even when he was hitting on Leon! Russell and his band even toured with Jerry Lee Lewis, opening the show and backing Jerry, with Leon even sitting in the Lewis for one show that he was too sick to play!

Leon also played in bands with David Gates - who later hit big with his band, Bread - although he does not have many kind words for David, and, after moving to LA,  did session work for Phil Spector, Ricky Nelson, Gary Lewis and the Playboys (he co-wrote, played on and produced several of their hits), the Shindig TV show and the TAMI Show, among many others! Damn, what a pedigree! 

Of course, he ended up being a huge star in his own right and had a successful career that lasted until his death in 2016. He tells some amazing stories, but the book doesn't come close to covering his entire life, and it ends randomly in the 70's. There is talk of a further, more complete book, so let's hope that it comes about but in the meantime, this is a fun read of various anecdotes of this great man's time on the planet.

recommended gigs

 Thursday 1-13-22 - Supersuckers, Rhyolite Sound at the Dive Bar 

Thursday 1-13-22 - TV Party Tonight at the Double Down with a showing of Clerks and live music from Battering Ham

Friday 1-14-22 - Neil The Wheel Varga and Professor Rex Dart DJ'ing at the Golden Tiki (I don't normally promote DJ's, but Neil came all the way from Australia to do this!)

Saturday 1-15-22 - Deadbolt at the Dive Bar

Saturday 1-15-22 - 1/2 Ast, Guilty By Association, Lords of Dust, Jerk! at the Double Down

Saturday 1-15-22 - the Souvenairs at the Underground at the Mob Museum

Saturday 1-15-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf

Monday 1-17-22 - Jaime from Pine Hill Haints with Serious Sam Barrett and the Unwieldies and the Devil's Duo at the Double Down

Friday Jan 21 - Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 1-22-22 - Soldiers of Destruction, Gob Patrol, SorrowSeed, Lean 13, the Twilight Atomiks and Burlesque at the Dive Bar

Saturday 1-29-22 - Shanda and the Howlers record release party with Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Thursday 2-3-22 - IV and the Strange Band with The Devil's Duo at the Dive Bar

Friday 2-4-22 - The Psyatics with Thee Swank Bastards and the Silhouettes at the Double Down

Saturday 2-5-22 - Cash'd Out and Paige Overton at Soul Belly

Saturday 2-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 2-19-22 - Franks'n'Deans, Jerk!, Happy Campers, Fall Risk at the Double Down

Saturday 3-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-9-22 - Shannon and the Clams with Shanda and the Howlers and the Paranoyds at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-16-22 -The Unwieldies and Jeff Mix and the Songhearts at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-23-22 - The Psyatics at the Double Down

RIP Ronnie Spector

Ronnie Spector, Lead Singer of Classic Girl Group The Ronettes, Dies at 78 

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Ah man, this is a tough one. Besides having a wonderful voice and providing incredible music, Ronnie was a truly beautiful woman, with plenty of style. 

Once again, far too young - fuck cancer!

The Who Live At the Fillmore East 1968

 

Anyone who knows me or who has even read this blog knows that I am a Who fanatic and have been since I first hear them blasting out of an AM radio in the 60's and especially after seeing the incredibly exciting footage of them in the Woodstock movie. After Moon died I pretty much lost interest, but the 60's and 70's Who releases are about as good as rock'n'roll gets!

Naturally, The Who's Live at Leeds is an essential live album and this new release was recorded just previous to that tour and, with the exception of the yet-to-be-recorded Tommy material, the set list is fairly similar, as well. That is far from a problem though, as each performance has its own variations, and the between song patter is always amusing.

Funnily, they chose to open their set with two cover songs (ah, the liner notes say that the actual opening numbers, "Substitute" and "Pictures of Lily" were unusable - a pity!) - incredibly powerful covers songs, but still - "Summertime Blues" (a Top 40 hit for them) and "Fortune Teller", the later which segues into their own ode to inked skin, "Tattoo". "Little Billy" was an anti-smoking anthem that even the Cancer Institute thought was too morbid (but is still damn catchy!), and their incredible debut single, "I Can't Explain", never lost its power and was a staple throughout their career.

For whatever reason, I was never a big fan of the fairly goofy "Happy Jack", although this take is more ferocious that even the Live at Leeds version and a considerable improvement over the somewhat tame studio take. Poppier numbers like "Relax" get a new lease on life in the live setting, as well, with a particularly strong, extended, noisy, jammy solo section, which, in its roundabout way, segues into "I'm a Boy" followed by their fantastic "mini-opera", "A Quick One", here given a superb treatment damn near worthy of the Rock'n'Roll Circus version (the Live at Leeds was, comparatively, a little weak to my ears). 

They obviously loved Eddie Cochran as they do an incredible, hard-edged, harmony-driven "My Way" AND a wild, feedback-y "C'mon Everybody" (previously unreleased) that moves into their unique, stretched-out take on "Shakin' All Over" before the first CD closes with Entwistle's "Boris the Spider", given a pretty straight reading. The second CD is dedicated to their 30+ minute rendition of "My Generation" - a jammed-out noise fest (in a good way!) that kind of meanders since it does not include the medley of other songs that it does on later recordings. This tune is almost better as a historical document than a song that you will listen to regularly. 

As I said, I love this band, particularly at this point in their career, so I have to recommend this, since it has some superb performances, although I'd still say that Live at Leeds wins as an overall better record. Fans will certainly want this, regardless.

A Treasury of Library of Congress Field Recordings

 

This is another album that I just happened upon, most likely as something that was recommended to me on some platform or another. It's another goodie, though, with 30 (!) songs representing early Americana and folk music that was collected by the Library of Congress fieldworkers.

Opening with a fun fiddle workout from W.H.Stepp, we get an acapella group take on "Rock Island Line" from Kelly Pace, old folk numbers like "Pretty Polly" (this time by E.C. Ball), kinda nursery rhyme raps like "Pullin' the Skiff" and a great take on "Shortenin' Bread" (both from Ora Dell Graham), a fun run through on "Soldier's Joy" by the Nashville Washboard Band, a soulful acapella "Another Man Done Gone" (Vera Hall), a harp'n'vocal version of "When I Lay My Body Down" (Turner Junior Johnson), a fiddle howdown in "Grub Springs" (W.E. Claunch), Bozie Sturdivant's powerful acapella "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down", the old world shanty "Iron Merimac", a nursery rhyme attributed simply to "Margaret", and a great banjo workout in "Coal Creek March" among others - and that's all just in the first half!

The second half of the CD includes David Honeyboy Edwards, who made it to 96 years old, but here he's a young bluesman doing a terrific "Worried Life Blues", there's a few gospel and sacred numbers, more old world disaster songs, fiddle hoedowns, bluegrass banjo, field hollers, acoustic slide guitar melodies and basic folk/Americana numbers, including Woody Guthrie's version of "The Gypsy Davy". 

This CD comes with an extensive booklet with an overview of the collection and its inception along with extensive notes from Lomax about each and every number. Any fan of early Americana should definitely pick this one up!

Fire on the Strings Volume One

 I believe that this compilation must have popped up on my recommended list due to the fact that I'm a huge fan of Joe Maphis' flying fingers and his album of this same title. This is a collection of fast movin', guitar'n'banjo bluegrass numbers from the like of Maphis, Eddie Adcock, Arthur Smith and DOn Reno, Sonny Osborne, and Merle Travis.

Besides Maphis, there are some fiery fret-workouts like the multi-instrumental "Limehouse Blues" (Adcock), a bouncy take on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (Smith and Reno) and the fast'n'furious "12th Street Rag" (Reno and Smith, this time!), "Black Mountain Rag" (Adcock), and "Water Baby Boogie" (Smith and Maphis) the eclectic "Bluegrass Concerto" (Osborne), a mix of blues'n'bluegrass for "Stalk of the Cat - Part 1" (Adcock), somewhat more melodic pieces such as Travis' "Sugar Moon" and Maphis' jazzy "Liebestraum", and more! 

I'm a huge bluegrass fan and I love to hear highly talented musicians showing off their chops and this comp has that in abundance! A great set!

You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nice by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike

 

Of course, I first learned about the lovely and enigmatic Nico from her appearance on the first Velvet Underground album, but I soon explored her solo work and was always somewhat enthralled, even if her work didn't touch me like Cale's or Reed's solo performances did. Regardless, I wanted to learn more about the woman and my wonderful wife picked this biography up for me for Xmas.

Born in Germany during World War Two, there were many hardships, from the loss of her father to the ravages of war when she was two years old, to the continual bombings (she and her mother did go to the country to get away from the worst of it) to a later alledged rape by the victors. At 16 she fell into modeling, which opened up the world to her and she traveled, earned a good amount of money, became involved in films, and had a child by an actor that she was infatuated with. Having a knock for being at the right place at the right time, she met Dylan and the Stones, having affairs with Bob (who she credits for giving her the idea of being a pop singer) and Brian Jones and recording for Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. From there, she wandered to New York and became part of Warhol's clique and, of course, appeared and recorded briefly with the Velvet Underground.

Her solo career was slow to get off the ground, with Nico performing to cassette tapes at one point before working with Tim Buckley and then Jackson Browne and befriending Leonard Cohen (who wanted more, but he was "too old" for her). Of course, her fling with Jim Morrison is well documented and he was the first person to encourage her to write her own songs and accepting her intellectually as well as physically. She then picked up a harmonium and, with some help from Ornette Coleman (!), she started working on her solo act.

I love her dirgey, droney solo work, but the record buying public was really not ready for Marble Index when it was released and very possibly still isn't, but it gave Nico a true outlet for her own, personal creativity and is highly revered by those in the know. She wasn't much for promoting her own works, but she happened onto Iggy Pop around this period and followed him around NYC and back to Ann Arbor. He is quite complimentary to Nico and rounds out her personality a bit more with some of his unique insights.

The depiction of Nico's years as a junkie are squalid and sad - terrible living conditions, very little support for her musical career, her looks and health already fading in the 1970's. While she has the respect of many, it is difficult for her to earn a living, with her reputation as a junkie preceding her. She does hook up with a manager of sorts, who does keep her in gigs and she does eventually sign with Beggar's Banquet Records, and actually, finally, quits heroin. Of course, the final irony is that once she kicked heroin and was inspired to work on new projects, then she died an ignoble death, falling off of her bike in the summer heat of Ibiza. 

Bickerdike did extensive research for this book and sites the interviews that she used  and there is an entire chapter of footnotes, as well - she is quite detailed, but still keeps the story flowing and highly readable. Of course, I now what to revisit all of Nico's records, some of which I unfortunately sold in my poorer days, and they are not all available any longer. Regardless, this is a fine read of an unique and fascinating character.

RIP Michael Lang

Michael Lang, a co-creator of the Woodstock festival, has died at 77

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Obviously, Woodstock was one of the defining moments of my generation.

RIP Dwayne Hickman

Dwayne Hickman, TV’s Lovelorn Dobie Gillis, Is Dead at 87

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I loved this show as a kid, especially Bob Denver as a deadbeat Beatnik!

recommended gigs

 Friday 1-7-22 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Gold Mine Tavern

Tuesday 1-11-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Usual Place

Thursday 1-13-21 - Supersuckers, Rhyolite Sound at the Dive Bar 

Thursday 1-13-21 - TV Party Tonight at the Double Down with a showing of Clerks and live music from Battering Ham

Saturday 1-15-22 - Deadbolt at the Dive Bar

Saturday 1-15-22 - 1/2 Ast, Guilty By Association, Lords of Dust, Jerk! at the Double Down

Saturday 1-15-22 - the Souvenairs at the Underground at the Mob Museum

Saturday 1-15-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf

Monday 1-17-22 - Jaime from Pine Hill Haints with Serious Sam Barrett and the Unwieldies and the Devil's Duo at the Double Down

Friday Jan 21 - Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 1-29-22 - Shanda and the Howlers record release party with Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Friday 2-4-22 - The Psyatics with Thee Swank Bastards and the Silhouettes at the Double Down

Saturday 2-5-22 - Cash'd Out and Paige Overton at Soul Belly

Saturday 2-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 2-19-22 - Franks'n'Deans, Jerk!, Happy Campers, Fall Risk at the Double Down

Saturday 3-12-22 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-9-22 - Shannon and the Clams with Shanda and the Howlers and the Paranoyds at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-16-22 -The Unwieldies and Jeff Mix and the Songhearts at the Gold Mine Tavern

Saturday 4-23-22 - The Psyatics at the Double Down

Son House The Complete Library of Congress Sessions 1941-1942

 

Of course, I have been familiar with Son House for quite some time, as he is one of the premier bluesmen and a contemporary of both Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson who exchanged material with both men (among many others, of course). But, most of the recordings that I have are from House's reemergence in the blues revivals of the 60's, as opposed to his original material. While these recordings are not his earliest - those were done in the 30's - this still gives a good overview of the man still in his relatively early days and before the alcoholism that affected some of his later performances. 

Many of the later recordings that I have show House as a solo performer but the first cuts on this comp have him accompanied by harmonica, second guitar, fiddle and even mandolin, giving the songs a very different flavor, especially when the other members add their vocalizing. But Son is still front'n'center, with his powerful voice and stinging slide guitar playing. I do love that you can hear a train going by on some numbers here, as the session took place in a local store which had the necessary electricity needed for the equipment!

There are also some acapella "Camp Hollers" included - as the liner notes say, this is most likely due to Alan Lomax's prodding, rather than being part of House's regular repertoire - but it is numbers like "Delta Blues" that are the highlights for me - the title is truly apt, as this is about as true to the name as this music ever is! Of course, there are some solo performances, as well, and some numbers that I have heard in some version or another on other releases.

Overall, another great compilation of sessions from this powerful and unique bluesman!

A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector

 

Obviously, I'm a little late on this one, but while I've had the vinyl album forever, it has been packed away with a multitude of other Xmas albums and I rarely get around to pulling it out during the holiday season, so I thought I'd pick up this discounted CD to make sure that I was able to enjoy this terrific album at the appropriate time.

Originally released on the day that JFK was assassinated (a tidbit I did not realize), the record did not initially chart, but has been reissued so many times over the ensuing decades that it is truly a vital part of the sounds of the holiday for most people.

Utilizing the entire Philles Records stable - The Ronettes, Darlene Love, the Crystals and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans - Phil Spector put his patented "Wall of Sound" to eleven traditional holiday tunes along with an excellent original "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for a true Christmas treat. Every one of the singers do a terrific job, making these versions many people's favorites.

If you need to get into the holiday mood, simply put on these amazing album! 

Patti Smith Live in the USA - 10-CD Box Set

 After taking a chance and loving the 10-CD Tom Waits set by this same company, I ordered this set of live Patti from 1975-1979 when she was at her height, and at the time when I was able to see a number of her concerts and loved each highly unique performance.

Once again, the sound quality is excellent overall (with a couple of very minor exceptions), as these were recorded for radio broadcasts, and the early sets are relaxed affairs, with Patti giving solo poetry readings/improvisations/monologues and even a question'n'answer section! When the band comes in they are on fire, with incendiary readings of numbers from her debut, along with the assorted oddity'n'cover tune (the Who, Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground, primarily).

Of course, songs are repeated but that's to be expected since the sets are relatively close together, chronologically, but she and the band never did a song exactly the same twice, especially the more poetic excursions, such as "Land". (Hah, she gives kudos to Boston band Third Rail who yelled out to her on the 3rd CD!) Of course, as the years go by, she performs numbers from each album, right thru to Wave. There are some surprise cover tunes, such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" (on Bob Dylan's birthday and played right after their take on "So You Wanna Be a Rock'n'Roll Star"), "Jailhouse Rock" (!), "You Light Up My Life" (I've got the bootleg with that title, as well), "The Kids Are Alright", "We're Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together", "Pale Blue Eyes", "Time Is On My Side", "All Along the Watchtower", "Twist and Shout", "Cold Turkey", "Secret Agent Man" and, of course, "My Generation", among others!

As I've said before, I've been a fan even before her debut, due to her work with Blue Oyster Cult and her rock writings, so it's no surprise that I dig this, but it really is pretty damn great from start to finish. Highly recommended!