Hey, long time no see! Where you been
there Mr. Catchagroove?? Well............
Over the past several months, the
ability to keep up with my desire to write here has been impacted by
circumstances both personal and otherwise. Some of those
circumstances have left me wondering if I have much to say, about
music or anything else. As part of this phase (which may still be in
progress), music continues to be a source of light and relief, for
which I am eminently grateful. I will refrain from waxing too
philosophical here about the healing power of music despite my
typical urge to do so. The opinions of some aging goofball with a
turntable and $1.50 might get you a cup of coffee, right? I mean,
really - what do I know?? I can only report what I've experienced to
the best of my abilities. What can I say definitively? Music has been
good to me. As a listener and active practitioner, music has been a
constant companion. And when the adversities of life set in, music
continues to be a touchstone to remind me that I am not alone. Not to
say life's always been a bed of roses, but the down sides have been
smoothed out often enough by the Great Vibration for me to be a
believer. So, in the spirit of passing it on - I intend to compose
several short-ish entries over the next few months to make up for the
lack of activity here. There's lots of great music happening and
positive vibrations to dig into - old and new. So hang on for the
ride!
From the bottomless bag of "Just
when you thought you'd heard it all........"
There's nothing like finding a new song
with words that open up a feeling you've had, but never knew how to
express - let alone the idea that maybe somebody else might have felt
the same thing and came up with a clever way to communicate that
experience. Dang! That's pure gold right there. I have recently been
hipped to the great songwriting of Kevin Ayers .
How did I miss this guy for so long? Well, the answer is - I've known
about him for a while, but how many Canterbury Scene dudes who struck
out on solo careers are you going to dig into in one lifetime? That
was my feeling for a few years - like "Yeah, yeah. Okay another
Soft Machine guy starts a solo career. I'm still trying to get
through the Robert Wyatt stuff. Ain't got no time for this other
guy." Then I recently picked up the legendary live album from
Eno, Cale, Nico and Ayers here:
While I bought it mainly to indulge my
erstwhile fantasy of being a John Cale completist, the best stuff was
the Kevin Ayers portion of the show highlighted on Side Two. I was
like "Whaaaat??" Where's THIS GUY been? Well, of course
when I finally do the obligatory wiki search I read the quotes
attributed to John Peel about how Britain has only produced so many
genius songwriters, Kevin Ayers and Syd Barrett among them it's like,
well well.......back to the drawing board. Here's a neat clip from
the early 80s with Andy Summers joining the Kevin Ayers band stomping
through a few classics.
Apparently the pre-Police Summers had
been among the guitar players Ayers employed along with the
criminally under-rated Ollie Halsall during the early 70s. Halsall's
highest profile moment was coincidentally his most invisible one at
the same time. He was drafted into the Rutles project by Neil Innes,
but his physical presence was substituted by Eric Idle (though the
musical contributions remained). Although this could be viewed as
the ultimate Rutles / Beatles in-joke of the whole parody (Idle
playing a "Paul McCartney" character who is really just an
image backed up by an invisible talent in the shadows - "Paul is
Dead" freaks anyone??), the lack of attention only helped to
keep Halsall in the obscurity bin, alas.
And for all I've read about Kevin
Ayers, he only managed to fare slightly better than his
marked-for-obscurity lead guitar player! The accepted explanation for
this includes a standard combination of esoteric talent mixed with a
consistently carefree attitude toward greater success. How rare
indeed is the magic combination of real rock-and-roll attitude /
lifestyle with sharp business acumen. Most folks just don't get equal
measures of those potions in their DNA. Usually the thing that makes
an artist unique can also be the thing that keeps them from being
responsible in a business environment. It can say a LOT about the
nature of our species, of course.........
What to say about the gifted artist /
musician / composer who creates timeless, magnificent art yet is
dogged by destructive addictions and/or personality quirks? Ayers is
certainly not alone in this experience. Maybe the balance tips
towards the art itself - what the art points to. If the art demeans,
shames and generally pulls people down, then that is the legacy no
matter who the person is. Likewise, if the art is transcendent,
uplifting and inspires a general appreciation of the humanistic
outlook, then that is also the legacy, no matter who the person is.
In the case of some artists, the art itself can be the best of who
they are - the best of what they have to offer. I think the issue
becomes more complicated when artists become insulated from their own
humanity by the success (or even perhaps likewise by failure) of what
their creative efforts bring into their lives.
This reminds me of a thoughtful essay
about the impact of success on the creative life of an artist (and
the artist's relationship to their audience - and humanity in
general) from Tennesee Williams. This brief, but precise essay
appeared in reprinted editions of "The Glass Menagerie" and
is among my favorite essays by anybody on any topic.
There are many who never manage to
reconcile success with their own humanity. Others may be inclined to
go to extreme lengths to "prove" their humanity by
indulging their lower natures - their human flaws - as a way to
connect to their human side. This is purely speculation, however. Who
really can say what motivates a person behind the talent of, say,
Charlie Parker? We remain dazzled by the art, if puzzled by the
people. Of course it can be refreshing to discover relatively down to
earth people behind fantastic talent. Yet, understanding the basic
realities behind creative pressure and the pressure of commerce - or
how the two intersect - can be enough to put even the most astute
individual to the test of sanity, not to mention an early exit off
the planet.
As time has gone on, I've become almost
used to the experience of discovering great musical talents long
after their demise. Or too close to their demise to see them in
concert. To counteract this unhappy trend I've put a little more
effort in to paying attention to LIVING ARTISTS and LOCAL ARTISTS in
the last few years. I have come to appreciate the artistry and
talents of regionally-oriented musicians more than ever. There are
giants who walk among us every day. You might never suspect the
beautiful artistry tucked away behind the short-order cook, bus
driver or 9-to-5 office person. It is often enough that I encounter
local artists who make me think "More people need to hear
this!". So in my own fashion, I am passing along some vibrations
from my area - which is quite liberally saturated with great musical
talent.
One really does miss the impact of the
regional support major music labels and radio outlets used to give to
artists years ago. What else could explain why it is nearly
impossible to find early Bob Seger records in my part of the US
(Northeast)? Maybe he just wasn't working that market in his early
years and consequently not many people bought his records here - in
spite of the fact that they were on Capitol Records (a
well-established and nationally distributed label). The regional
effect is the only explanation. However, he must have done enough
business in the mid-west for Capitol to justify taking the risk on him
for many years before he had major national success. And I cite Bob
Seger because I am only mildly aware of his late 60's / early 70s
output. Yet, who doesn't know "Old Time Rock and Roll"? As a
matter of fact, I can think of a few fine local artists that could
have a recording career much like Seger had in his early years, who
could find national success if only there was a company to get behind
them now so they have a chance to develop. When are people going to
just get fed up with the same 20 classic rock songs getting shoved
down their throats by the major broadcasting conglomerates - enough
to turn those stations OFF for good? So, instead of the umpteenth
time of hearing The Doors "Touch Me" - consider picking up
any one of the following releases from local and emerging artists
instead. I think there are some pleasant surprises in store for those
who catch an earful beyond the comfort zone from the corporate
schnozzle of destiny.............
Pottymouth - From the
Pink to the Stink
This one is long overdue. I have to
qualify - technically this band is not immediately local to me.
However, the great guitarist Freddy "The Fist" Miller is an
old friend from my musical stomping grounds. Initially being a bit
surprised by the, shall we say, specialized nature of the lyrical
content of the songs - one earful of the actual music informs the
listener this is no mere "novelty band". These guys play
hard and put their message over with catchy, accessible MUSCLE ROCK
(muscle in question is open to interpretation.......). In fact, I
enjoyed this CD after a long day at work while lazily sipping a
favorite chilled white wine........
If perhaps the bouquet of the vintage
grape might appear to contrast sharply with the bouquet of the
scatalogically-obsessed lyrics, the riffing and song-craft
complimented the complexity and boldness of the piquant finish. If
the general theme of body fluids might appear to be too narrow for
the average audience, consider the true universal nature of the
various topics addressed. Indeed, we find an admirable desire to
advocate for personal hygiene in the lyrics to "In the Shower".
Pottymouth singer Dread Spaghetti has your overall health at heart
with the song "Mysterious Lump" - best to get those yearly
checkups! The upshot of the entertaining lyrics is, certainly, how
they lead to a "must be seen to be believed" live show. I
will encourage the curious to investigate on their own the various
videos available via the band website and youtube. Of course, the
best thing to do would be to see these guys live. Although I have not
had the pleasure to do so yet - I would not hesitate. Aside from the
truly inspired guitar playing (yeah, Fred's my friend, but he's the
serious business on six strings!), what I find most refreshing about
this band is the "throwing caution to the wind" attitude
and the complete lack of connection to "supernatural
pretensions" common to so many metal-edged groups these days.
Pottymouth is grounded in the here and now and the celebration of the
earthy experiences that make life.........life! As an old media
attention grabber once noted, "Sacred cows make the best
hamburgers." Pottymouth is the band that writes the songs you
only ever dreamed about. A slamming good time is guaranteed for the
adventurous and brave. Be brave and check 'em out!
Real Estate - In Mind
Of
the several "new" bands I have decided to track over the
past few years, Real Estate is edging toward the top of the favorites
pile. I am utterly disappointed to have missed their only area live
appearance for me (due to having my own show). Yet, I am excited by
their new disc as being a logical step in creative development. In
Mind absolutely picks up where Atlas left off. Now, somewhere out in
cyberspace there was a review of the new album comparing it
unfavorably to the 2015 solo release from lead singer Martin Courtney
- Many Moons.
Now,
I also have Many Moons and dig it, but Courtney as a
solo act stands apart from the obvious power behind Real Estate as an
example of the "sum of the whole being greater than the parts"
if you get my drift. If you like Real Estate don't be a chump! Get
the Martin Courtney album! You'll dig it! However, don't think
Courtney is all that Real Estate is, squire. In Mind takes good risks
to advance the art of the band while keeping the fan base happy. And
the fan base ought to be darned happy - enough to get out there and
support the band on the road at live gigs. What I noticed immediately
with the new record was a more confident ensemble playing with the
tracks. A few years ago I wrote a tentative review of Real Estate
based on a live stream I watched / listened to of the Atlas material.
If it seemed they were finding their identity as a live band,
with the main event being the LP - the new record feels more the
product of a solid ensemble of players. As always it's always the
musical side of things that catches my attention initially. The
lyrical content hits me later on. Of the new songs I have a
particular affinity for the tracks "Serve the Song" and
"After the Moon". In both cases I'm hearing evidence of
growth - a building upon the unique group identity established so
far. This is what I have been hoping to hear - a good band developing
and improving over time. This is not an easy path to take in these
difficult times. The resurgence of vinyl has opened a new avenue for
exploration for many new bands and listeners. The trend of excellence
established years ago - the new "golden age" of music
appreciation - seems to keep chugging along. In fact, the cultural
side of life seems to be the best thing going. Might as well draw
deeply from that resource and give thanks for the vibrations that
carry us down the road. The new Real Estate has a fun mix of the new
and familiar. Let's hope these guys keep dishing up the goods to get
us through! Yeah!
Until
next time..........soon!
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