al

Lou Reed Redux: Is This How He Was Meant To Sound?

Posted by al

Mar 072014

You think this is disturbing?

Back in the fall when Lou Reed died I read any number of the tributes to him. I’ve written before about how I’ll take John Cale’s post VU career over Lou’s by a wide wide margin but I confess to falling prey to the hype.

I gave up on solo Lou after 1992’s Magic & Loss. I realized I hadn’t enjoyed his last several before that, was buying them out of habit. Since then I picked up the off reissue of older stuff that I didn’t have on CD or for some bonus stuff but none of his new material (The Raven? Metallica? Tai-chi?).

Then he died and I read all about his genius. Had I been wrong? Had I been missing out?

I decided to give Lou a second chance via those cheap Original Album Classic sets that the record labels have been putting out in recent years, you know the ones, 5 albums that you can pick up for about $15 via Amazon resellers. There are 4 such Reed sets and I picked up three of them, duplicating more than a few albums in my collections but filling in enough holes and getting some post-Magic & Loss stuff to make it worthwhile for the price—or so I figured. (I only picked up 3 sets because the fourth for some reason was going for $40, more than I wanted to invest.)

Over the last few months, I’ve listened to Lou Reed, Transformer, Berlin, Sally Can’t Dance, Coney Island Baby, Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal, Rock ‘n’ Roll Heart, Street Hassle, The Bells, Growing Up In Public, New York, Songs For Drella, Magic & Loss, Set The Twilight Reeling, and Ecstasy.

33 Years

Posted by al

Dec 082013

I wonder how many RTHers got the news of the death of John from Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football like I did? Probably not all that many as I know I’m an old-timer here. Shocking to think that it was 33 years ago, the memory is so vivid.

Maybe more amazing than the fact that 33 years have passed since John’s murder is that last week marked 12 years since George died.

Anyway, I’m more prompted to write this by having heard a cover of “Merry Xmas (War Is Over)” the other day on the local radio station that plays all holiday music from Thanksgiving through New Years (there must be one of those stations in every city, right?). I’m not sure who the artist was. A search on amazon shows 15+ covers and I’d guess the one I heard was by Sara McLachlan.

I’ve admitted to being an old-timer but now I’ll admit to being an old fart. I’m sorry, I’ll allow as how this song maybe, maybe, maybe could be covered but there’s no reason for a radio station to play anything other than John & Yoko’s original. It’s sacrilegious.

Agree? Disagree? Any other songs that should only be performed by the original artist?

If you want it…

Reigning Champ: Getting Old

Posted by al

Jan 252013

We could have a Last Man Standing on children of rock & rollers who have entered the business. but it seems like there are so many of them it would go on for weeks. (Maybe we could have an anti-LMS and have children of rock & rollers who have not entered the business.)

I saw a listing on a download site this morning that is a variation though. It was a concert recording of Roseanne Cash from 1981. I thought “Wow, 32 years in the business, I would have never guessed that.” And looking on Wiki, her first album was released in 1979, so she’s been in the biz for 44 34 years.

So, not a LMS but maybe a Reigning Champ. Who can come up with a second-generation rock & roller (loosely defined to include all the genres we generally talk about here) with more time in the business than Roseanne Cash?

Some rules. Backing vocals on Mom or Dad’s recording when you were 6 years old don’t count. And let’s arbitrarily keep it to musicians who were active post-1955. (Well, it’s not really arbitrary: Hank Williams died on January 1, 1953—and why didn’t I see any 60th anniversary mention of that anywhere a few weeks ago—and this way I can keep Bocephus out of the discussion.)

CHRISTMAS SHOWDOWN (Choose One): “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” or “Wonderful Christmas Time”?

Posted by al

Dec 232012

John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time.” Amazing, isn’t it, that the John vs. Paul thing can be expressed so perfectly in the Christmas songs that each released.

John’s anti-religion (“Xmas” instead of Christmas), anti-war, thought-provoking song:

vs

Paul’s silly love song, holiday edition”

I think John’s song is the better, more creative, more distinctive one but, damned, if I’m not singing along every time Paul’s comes over the radio waves.

How about you?

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Please Don’t Ever Let Me Buy ______ Again

Posted by al

Sep 142012

The home page gives a mission statement for RTH. I’ve also referred to RTH as the Uni-Mind for Rock.

I think there is another purpose it can serve. In AA, recovering alcoholics have a sponsor, the person they can call when they feel the urge to fall off the wagon weighing heavy, someone who can talk them out of making such a big mistake.

RTH should serve the same purpose. For instance: Please don’t ever let me buy another sunshine pop/orchestral pop/Brian Wilson-inspired album again!

The latest mistake I made was buying The Critters, Awake In A Dream: The Project 3 Recordings.

I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ve been burned so many other times on stuff like this.

“Maybe there will be something as good as ‘Mr. Dieingly Sad’.”

“Maybe this one will really be of Brian Wilson-like quality.”

“Maybe, maybe, maybe…”

Never is though. File this one next to The High Llamas, The Beau Brummels, and others even more forgettable.

Please help me—and tell me how I can help you avoid such mistakes.

Rock’s Most Distinctive Opening Chords: Identifying the Field of 64

Posted by al

Sep 082012

[If you’ve ever entered Rock Town Hall through its root URL: www.rocktownhall.com, you were greeted by a Townsman strumming the opening chord of “The Kids Are Alright.” Our apologies to anyone who’s ever jumped out of his or her seat at that automatically generated sound. Those of us in The Back Office typically don’t support such obtrusive devices, but I think you’ll agree that it’s appropriate for our lot. My apologies, more importantly, to Townsman Al for the long delay in posting an idea he put forth in an offlist message a few months ago. This is a worthwhile initiative to determine—once and for all— rock’s most distinctive opening chord. But first…let us develop the Field of 64. Here’s Al to take you home. – Mr. Moderator]

Rock seems to have any number of single opening note/chord that instantly identifies the song and gets you singing it immediately. “The Kids Are Alright” is one example. Another great example is “A Hard Day’s Night.” Or The Move’s/ELO’s “Do Ya”—or maybe that needs those 4 crunches (although one does it for me). Anyway, I’ve never figured out a good way to structure it.

How about a Battle Royale, using the Field of 64 playoff structure, like the recent backing band tournament? First, let’s identify 64 worthy competitors. List your suggested competitors in this thread and hash it out with your fellow Townspeople. Next week we’ll release the brackets and let the games begin!

Addiction

Posted by al

Jul 132012

Can't get enough of your love.

I’ve said it before and I might as well lead off with it here: I’m an acolyte in the Church of 1983. As in, there’s been no good music since 1983. I’m not a fundamentalist though; pre-1983 artists have put out good music since then. And, like a blue moon, every once in awhile some post-1983 artist sneaks through (although off the top of my head I can’t think of anyone).

But—bad news—I’m addicted to music. But—good news—I already have more than enough fantastic music should I live another 57 years. But—bad news—I’m also addicted to acquiring music. What to do?

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