You know the drill: please provide your gut answers to the following questions. Let your gut be your guide!
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
Emotional Rescue, because it has a real spooky disco flavor that i dig for sure, AND it has not been played so hard by commercial radio
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
the trend in mix tape hip hop RIGHT NOW that involves speeding up the hook of an existing slow jam and using that as the chorus, then rapping over it. fucking dreadful.
see for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrisTT8kVrM
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
Albert King?
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
Dap Kings
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
late 70’s Stones-SOOOO good.
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
Avalanches
I don’t like either, but just because I’ve watched football, I’ve heard Emotional Rescue less, so I’ll go with that.
Pastiche Dixieland makes it sound a lot cornier that it really was.
Can’t think of one. Slow Down, Dizzy Miss Lizzy, She Said Yeah, Bad Boy, and Bony Moronie are a really good legacy.
Dunno, I never really went for those type of bands, all I can think of are the forumla ones like the Rumour, or where it’s not really a section per se, just a few guys added in a song. I can’t think of meaningful backup singers either for that matter.
The Minutemen using them on Project Mersh was unexpected, but I guess that is pretty mersh.
If someone throws a little 80s synth thing into something it doesn’t bother me as much as it did in the actual 80s.
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
Emotional Rescue, landslide victory. Hang Fire is also better than Start Me Up.
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?? This part in his wikipedia entry stood out to me: “Williams lived a life mixed with tremendous success and violence-fueled drug addiction.” Wasn’t it really more of a “drug-fueled violence addiction”, all things considered? Between that, the story of him holding Little Richard at gunpoint and the section on an Imposter Larry Williams, I think a case could be made that nobody has a more bang-for-your-buck short Wiki entry than Larry Williams, which seems to be a perfect parallel for his musical legacy.
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section? I’ll limit this to bands where the horn section isn’t just part of the band (that is, bands where a third or more of the official members aren’t horn players) and beat Oats to the Kick Horns.
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll? Radiohead’s “The National Anthem” or Brian Jones playing the sax on You Know My Name.
I’ll go with one of the early versions of Start Me Up. My wife was reading Keith Richards’ book last night and mentioned that Start Me Up was originally a reggae style song. Sure enough, the internets proved it. It was orginally recorded at the same time as Miss You, go figure.
I still prefer first generation ska to second wave, but the third wave of ska is insufferable.
Larry Williams was a bad bad man.
I suppose you’re asking about bands where the horns drive the song. That’s a good question.
I second the Minutemen, and also R.E.M. “Can’t Get There From Here”.
If there ever was a band that should not have done disco, it was the Stones (OK, there was the Grateful Dead with the embarrassing “Shakedown Street”). “Emotional Rescue” sounds like a National Lampoon parody. So it’s “Start Me Up”, but not by much. The last time the Stones had any real musical power and relevancy was Exile On Main Street.
Pastiche prog is pretty bad. What the original prog rockers did in the ’70s was – well – original and new. The new proggers haven’t added anything – they’ve just reanimated a corpse.
“Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?”
Yeah – Bob Dylan.
The other questions require too much thought for my so-far–uncaffeinated head. Maybe I’ll revisit them later.
bostonhistorian wrote:
I say this!
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
I’m going outside of the box and saying “Start Me Up.” I know it’s overplayed and overkilled, but that riff still jazzes me.
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
I’m tired of this recent revival of schmaltzy “songbook” music by the likes of Rod Stewart. How many of those damn records has he made? Just stop it, Rod.
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
You make a fine case for Williams. Perhaps Carl Perkins? I like Carl well enough, but there are some incredible covers of his tunes starting with Big E’s version of “Blue Suede Shoes.” Alot of folks did Carl’s tunes, specifically Beatles.
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
The Polyphonic Spree? I dunno. The Bosstones? A little of that stuff goes a really long way for me.
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
I always thought Morphine and Cake made interesting use of saxes and trumpets.
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
I kind of dug that swing and jump stuff Brian Setzer was doing. It certainly had a ton of energy.
TB
1. Emotional Rescue
2. As others have said frat boys doing ska
3. Neil Diamond
4. Average White Band was maybe the last time it sounded like something other than Stax-based head arrangements were requested on a session
5. Prehistoric Sounds by the Saints
6. 50’s piano boogie done by 70’s glam artists
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
“Emotional Rescue.” I still get a kick out of hearing it, especially that ridiculous spoken word part. I like “Start Me Up” fine, but I don’t think I ever need to hear it again.
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
The mid-90’s swing revival. Ugh.
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
JJ Cale?
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
Got me.
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
MC5, “Skunk (Sonically Speaking)”
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
There aren’t any. There are many current retro artists that I like, but I can’t think of one that really eclipsed the originals. There’s something about the vibe from music that was created in its moment in time that just can’t be replicated.
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
The Start me Up riff wins, even if we can’t hear it with fresh ears anymore. Plus I don’t like the falsetto vocal stuff in Emotional Rescue.
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
R&B played by fat white guys wearing bowling shirts and/or berets.
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
Larry Williams’ originals are better than any of the covers. I would say that Arthur Alexander was a mediocre recording artist, but a great songwriter, and the covers of his songs are often great.
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
Bands that are making a new style out of afrobeat (Budos band, Antibalas, Hearts of Darkness) are making good use of horn sections.
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
I was reminded just the other day of Tom Petty’s The Best of Everything, the last song on Southern Accents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELBC3fJOANM
Robbie Robertson produced the song, and the horns really add a nice touch. Richard Manuel singing background vocals doesn’t hurt either.
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
I find that what I would once have derided as smooth jazz often sounds great when it’s sampled or otherwise adapted by the hiphop generation.
how about the ridiculous trio plays the stooges for most unexpected use of horns in rock ‘n roll? trombone, tuba, drums…
http://4boxs.com/music/TRT_PTS_MP3/01%20No%20Fun.mp3
I’m sorry for the random venting but I know you all will understand. If my co-worker plays “Love Shack” one more frikking time I’m going to bust into his office and slam his desk drawer on his fingers repeatedly. That is all.
As you were.
As popular as that album was, and as Keef relates, that whole album was leftovers. It shows you that the Stones could do no wrong, chartwise, in the early 80s.
At the time, I don’t think it was widely known that it was an album of kind stiched together from a bunch of 70s sessions. At least I didn’t know it. It’s not my favorite of the period (Some Girls is my favorite), but it may be the most popular odds & sods collection ever released.
1. I like “Emotional Rescue” better. “Start Me Up,” while I love me some dumbrock, is too dumb. Which one was covered by The Folksmen? I rest my case.
2. That 20s Music Hall/Rudy Vallee stuff in the 60s, as used in “Winchester Cathedral,” “Brand New Key,” some Harper’s Bizarre, etc.
3. Just throwing out JD Loudermilk here. I don’t have a solid opinion.
4. Oingo Boingo
5. Toss up between Quarterflash’s “Harden My Heart” and Romeo Void’s “Never Say Never.”
6. Does Leon Redbone count as pastiche? I dropped out of college.
To which I say I’m being charitable, given that I find the Rolling Stones post-1970 to have absolutely no redeeming value.
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
Overplayed to death, maybe, but Start Me Up is that last great Stones riff so it wins. Stupid as it is, I do find the fart joke parody of the Start Me Up video funny. (http://www.stsanders.com/www/pages/videos/band-shreds/sts-rolling-stones.php)
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
serbo-croation hip hop
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
Sonny Bono or Joe South come to mind
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
Can’t think of one
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
The use of French Horn by Lucifer’s Friend in “Ride In the Sky” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5DpOdf-_yM),
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
serbo-croation prog rock
Love shack — baby!
I guess “Emotional Rescue” because I’ve heard it less
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
All of them
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
I like the Larry Williams versions.
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock?
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
I can’t think of unexpected but the last that I can think of that I enjoyed was Monday by Wilco
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
none
For real? I would LOVE to be able to hold that opinion. I’m a Brian Jones-era Stones fan more than any other period – by far, but there’s still a fair share of stuff I like past 1970. Seriously, that’s one of the cooler stances taken around here.
That’s great!
I’d say the Stones’ greatness lasts through Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street. After that, Mick started his descent into self-parody while the band as a whole lost its dense power for a patchier, dissipated sound.
SHOWDOWN (choose one): The Rolling Stones‘ “Emotional Rescue” or “Start Me Up.”
I really hated Emotional Rescue when I was younger, but it has since become the song I think they should play in concert more than any other. I think it would be cool to see, so I’m going with that.
Which older style of music usually sounds particularly worse than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
Folk
Is there any better mediocre artist in his own right who spawned more kick-ass covers than Larry Williams?
I guess not.
What’s the last meaningful horn section used in rock, one that sounds uniquely integrated into a song, not just “dialed in” a la the Rent-a-Memphis Horns or Earth, Wind & Fire horn section?
Is this like superfluous horns? Wah Wah by George Harrison doesn’t need those horns. It would be better without them.
What’s one of the most unexpected uses of horns in rock ‘n roll?
Music From the Elder by Kiss.
Which older style of music often sounds better to you than the original when revived in pastiche form by a more current artist?
Probably Garage Rock, though I have a pretty broad definition of that. But a band today can look back on all those singles by pioneering US Garage Bands, and get whole albums worth of great songs from the inspiration, where the originals were really lucky to come up with one side of a 45 that was truly great.
I seem to be struggling with reading comprehension today now that i start reading some other answers. I took What’s the last meaningful horn section as “What’s the least meaningful horn section” but I’m gonna stick with my original answer cuz it’s too early to change my ways now.
OK, I’ll play.
No doubt: “Emotional Rescue.” I love the groove and it makes me laugh, both intentionally and unintentionally. Beyond matters of saturation, from the git-go I never enjoyed “Start Me Up” beyond the opening riff. It goes nowhere and serves no purpose in terms of fulfilling the True Objectives of Rock ‘n Roll, which is, as some of you know, what I think the Stones were put on earth to do.
So many, but neo-prog and third-generation US ska are particularly bad, as a few of you have suggested.
Maybe not – and the way I framed this question did not mean to suggest that I don’t like Larry Williams’ versions of his own songs – some I like a lot better than the better-known covers. By calling him a “mediocre artist” I meant to acknowledge that he’s nowhere near a “great” artist. He’s a solid journeyman type.
Actually, as an indication of how comfortable I am with acknowledging Williams as a “mediocre artist” while in no way meaning to demean his goodness, I can offer my man Don Covay as another example of a, let’s say, second-line artist who produced a lot of kick-ass covers for better artists.
The Rumour horns, as someone mentioned, were one of the last super-solid constant horn sections in their early days with Graham Parker and on London Calling. Although they were not particularly original, they played their parts with a sense of ease and enthusiasm. They didn’t sound like slumming jazz session cats hired to fill an artist’s efforts at paying homage to Stax. Nick Lowe, on his last few albums, sometimes uses a “gentle” horn section with a slightly Latin feel that I like. I’ve heard some other more-contemporary artists integrate that Latin/Tex-Mex/desert horn sound to great effect. Maybe the fact that I know less about that kind of music makes it sound fresher to my ears.
Mmm, that’s a tough one, but maybe that band bruinskip turned us onto playing “No Fun” on horns is the answer.
UK white-boy punk-reggae still has its charms even since I’ve gotten used to the real thing.
Mod says “I can offer my man Don Covay as another example of a, let’s say, second-line artist who produced a lot of kick-ass covers for better artists.”
I ask, aside from Chain of Fools, which of the covers are better than the original? The original Mercy Mercy is untouchable.
What else? Donnie Hathaway’s version of The Ghetto?
Steppenwolf’s “Sookie Sookie” is the definitive version of that excellent song. No contest!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-VbtMkutlc
(What’s with John Kay’s stance in that silly promotional clip?)
The Stones do a fine job with the, admittedly, better original of “Have Mercy,” but the Small Faces give Covay’s “Take This Hurt Off Me” a run for its money:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cwthxno7Ig
I think Covay wins that battle by a nose, and that’s part of why Larry Williams maintains his top slot among second-line artists who produced a wealth of kick-ass covers.
For real. They should have packed it up after Altamont and the release of Let It Bleed, which both happened in December of 1969. Think about this: what if the last thing anyone ever heard out of the Rolling Stones was “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, and then think about the self-parody which follows. Does anything after Let It Bleed add to their reputation, or diminish it? There’s nothing on Exile as good as the best songs off Let It Bleed, and Let It Bleed also had a tiny bit of cultural relevance. After that, it’s a haze of drugs and navel gazing. I’ve gone on the record as characterizing Mick’s vocals on Exile as Amos and Andy-like, and I find the whole album turgid. Of course Mick and Keith could still write songs, but to what end?
You make a good case. That version of Take This Hurt Off Me is cool. I hadn’t heard it before.
If you want to go there, there’s a whole world of marching band versions of popular songs.
http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/20906507
Btw I just listened to the new TV on the Radio album, and it’s got some fine unselfconscious horn section work (see New Cannonball Blues) that doesn’t seem to me to reference the Memphis Horns vibe.
I haven’t heard the new one yet. Their last record had some cool horn parts too, if memory serves. I may be “misremembering,” but I seem to recall some songs with horns similar to David Thomas and the Pale Boys. That’s his band with the two horn players, right?