How ’bout when they debuted that song on…was it Fridays or SNL? They had the graffiti artist working in the background. Very cool. I’m a fan of the song “Straight to Hell” from Combat Rock, which followed (right?), but I wouldn’t call that album or even that song “cool” per se.
I’m a big fan of Imperial Bedroom, but I’d say Elvis Costello’s last fully cool event was the release of Trust.
If we are defining cool as capturing something of the zeitgeist and reaching high level of quality then ‘Radio Clash’ and Trust are pretty reasonable benchmarks because after the Clash reached the Top 40 and EC went country it was never going to be the same. This is not a comment on Combat Rock, which, personally, I rather like; or EC’s post-Trust work, some of which I like a great deal.
For myself, as long as the artist ceases to strive for coolness, there is no problem. (Setting aside issues of quality.) It is–and examples surely abound–the sad spectacle of the post-cool artist begging to be regarded as cool that inspires contempt. McCartney’s pathetic pleas for retroactive coolness come to mind. Others?
The coolness of McCartney (the lp) is surely entirely the product of hindsight. Hindsight is correct: but at the time I don’t think anyone thought it was cool.
The question is: Can someone who was doing covers from The Music Man on With the Beatles ever be considered to have been “cool” per se?
Good points, misterioso. Upon further thought, I think the key to McCartney’s greatness is that he wasn’t cool. Talented (especially when it comes to melody), clever and hardworking, but not cool. And let’s face it: Most rock bands need a guy like that. Not everyone can be too cool for school.
Yes, McCartney’s uncoolness is not a problem at all, only his apparent need to be cool. But, then, I actually like Back To the Egg, which is pretty uncool, I think. And I am cool with that.
I remember seeing Conan’s first show after he took over from Letterman. I thought to myslef that this was going to be a disaster and that this guy had no business on TV. After about a year, the guy found his footing and became one of my favorite late night talk show hosts.
I don’t understand this loyalty NBC has to Leno. Give Leno four two-hour specials througout the year and leave the other two alone. Leno has become the Brett Favre of late night. How long has he known that he was leaving/quitting the Tonight Show?
I think Conan handled his response in a classy way and hopefully, he’ll still be on TV somewhere.
In my dream world the scenario would play out like this:
Letterman gives his CBS show to O’Brien. Couple of years go by and NBC begs Letterman to come back to them and do The Tonight Show (his long time dream). Letterman comes back. At the end of the first show, he flicks a cigar at the set and burns it down, effectively killing the franchise once and for all. He says, “Thanks, NBC…”
Agreed that McCartney’s greatness is rooted in the era when he grew his beard and decided to be somebody’s weird dad who made weird records. Still, he probably was the “cool one” when he was running around with Jane Asher and unfortunately, I think this is the period he’s been trying to recapture in his “I was the one who…” interviews of late.
misterioso, you’re not completely alone here in your appreciation of Back To The Egg.
Just came across this. Russell doesn’t get mentioned much, here or anywhere, but for my money his forst 4 or 5 albums are classics.
Leon Russell is recovering from brain surgery, according to Undercover.com.au. Here’s a statement on Russell’s website:
Leon is recovering after successful surgery on Monday to relieve a chronic condition. He is doing fine and resting in the hospital in good condition. He is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.
Leon is looking forward to beginning studio recording sessions during the last half of this month through February with Elton John, Bernie Taupin and T-Bone Burnett. He and his band will resume touring at the beginning of March.
Leon and his family wish to thank everyone who have kindly offered their prayers and support during his hospital stay.
Yes, most depressing–but are there any cheerful Badfinger articles? If you want to sink into a deeper funk then search for Badfinger+shock on youtube to see the clips of them performing on that local horror movie show. Ouch. A few notches below “Puppet Show and Spinal Tap.”
I just want to say that we’ve had our share of weird ads on RTH, but this Clapton thing is the creepiest. When did he turn into a slovenly Alan Rickman?
I heard “This is Radio Clash” today while driving into work. Is this the last vestige of their coolness?
What was the last moment of greatness/coolness for our other RTH hero’s?
How ’bout when they debuted that song on…was it Fridays or SNL? They had the graffiti artist working in the background. Very cool. I’m a fan of the song “Straight to Hell” from Combat Rock, which followed (right?), but I wouldn’t call that album or even that song “cool” per se.
I’m a big fan of Imperial Bedroom, but I’d say Elvis Costello’s last fully cool event was the release of Trust.
The last fully cool Elvis Presley movie was the excellent “King Creole.”
When was McCartney last cool? When he invented lo-fi on the album McCartney? When he coulda had Yoko, the first time?!
If we are defining cool as capturing something of the zeitgeist and reaching high level of quality then ‘Radio Clash’ and Trust are pretty reasonable benchmarks because after the Clash reached the Top 40 and EC went country it was never going to be the same. This is not a comment on Combat Rock, which, personally, I rather like; or EC’s post-Trust work, some of which I like a great deal.
For myself, as long as the artist ceases to strive for coolness, there is no problem. (Setting aside issues of quality.) It is–and examples surely abound–the sad spectacle of the post-cool artist begging to be regarded as cool that inspires contempt. McCartney’s pathetic pleas for retroactive coolness come to mind. Others?
The coolness of McCartney (the lp) is surely entirely the product of hindsight. Hindsight is correct: but at the time I don’t think anyone thought it was cool.
The question is: Can someone who was doing covers from The Music Man on With the Beatles ever be considered to have been “cool” per se?
Good points, misterioso. Upon further thought, I think the key to McCartney’s greatness is that he wasn’t cool. Talented (especially when it comes to melody), clever and hardworking, but not cool. And let’s face it: Most rock bands need a guy like that. Not everyone can be too cool for school.
Yes, McCartney’s uncoolness is not a problem at all, only his apparent need to be cool. But, then, I actually like Back To the Egg, which is pretty uncool, I think. And I am cool with that.
On another topic, I guess we would know already if Conan went uncharacteristically apeshit on his taping of tonight’s The Tonight Show.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011203595.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2010011203778
I remember seeing Conan’s first show after he took over from Letterman. I thought to myslef that this was going to be a disaster and that this guy had no business on TV. After about a year, the guy found his footing and became one of my favorite late night talk show hosts.
I don’t understand this loyalty NBC has to Leno. Give Leno four two-hour specials througout the year and leave the other two alone. Leno has become the Brett Favre of late night. How long has he known that he was leaving/quitting the Tonight Show?
I think Conan handled his response in a classy way and hopefully, he’ll still be on TV somewhere.
In my dream world the scenario would play out like this:
Letterman gives his CBS show to O’Brien. Couple of years go by and NBC begs Letterman to come back to them and do The Tonight Show (his long time dream). Letterman comes back. At the end of the first show, he flicks a cigar at the set and burns it down, effectively killing the franchise once and for all. He says, “Thanks, NBC…”
TB
Agreed that McCartney’s greatness is rooted in the era when he grew his beard and decided to be somebody’s weird dad who made weird records. Still, he probably was the “cool one” when he was running around with Jane Asher and unfortunately, I think this is the period he’s been trying to recapture in his “I was the one who…” interviews of late.
misterioso, you’re not completely alone here in your appreciation of Back To The Egg.
Don’t know where to post this so…
Clapton sells the “Fender” edition cell phone:
http://fender.com/promos/2010/tmobile/
And… just when you thought you’d read all the depressing stuff there was to know about Badfinger:
http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?NewMessageID=25096
Aren’t people supposed to give a shit about you to announce you’re starting a new band?
http://www.spinner.com/2010/01/13/jason-bonhams-new-band-black-country-recording-album/
I’m right, no one gives a shit about any of these guys, right?
“Clapton sells the “Fender” edition cell phone”
I’m a big fan of rock and roll so this seems like a must-have.
That video in the link is mesmerizing in its outlandishness. I love that they chose “Rock and Roll Heart” for the background music.
Just came across this. Russell doesn’t get mentioned much, here or anywhere, but for my money his forst 4 or 5 albums are classics.
Leon Russell is recovering from brain surgery, according to Undercover.com.au. Here’s a statement on Russell’s website:
Leon is recovering after successful surgery on Monday to relieve a chronic condition. He is doing fine and resting in the hospital in good condition. He is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.
Leon is looking forward to beginning studio recording sessions during the last half of this month through February with Elton John, Bernie Taupin and T-Bone Burnett. He and his band will resume touring at the beginning of March.
Leon and his family wish to thank everyone who have kindly offered their prayers and support during his hospital stay.
Jesus, that Badfinger article was depressing.
Yes, most depressing–but are there any cheerful Badfinger articles? If you want to sink into a deeper funk then search for Badfinger+shock on youtube to see the clips of them performing on that local horror movie show. Ouch. A few notches below “Puppet Show and Spinal Tap.”
Happy 69th Birthday to Don Van Vliet!
If Brian Wilson can have a comeback and even finish Smile, can we still hold out some hope for the Captain?
Too many obits these days… Misfits drummer dies:
http://www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/former-misfits-drummer-brian-keats-dies-at-46/
Just started listening to this. Pretty cool stuff.
http://rockcritics.com/2010/01/19/roxy-rollin-with-alfred-soto-scott-woods-i/
I just want to say that we’ve had our share of weird ads on RTH, but this Clapton thing is the creepiest. When did he turn into a slovenly Alan Rickman?
Oats, I am not sure of the exact date.
Great comparison, Oats – and troubling. Is this yet one more stage in Clapton and his Look Burden?
https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/2007/10/18/carry_that_weight