You may have heard this before, and if so you will likely hear it again. For newer participants in the Halls of Rock as well as veterans, it’s important to note that this is your Rock Town Hall. Use the Comments section to register your dissent. Take the discussion down previously unseen paths. Knock a Townsperson off his or her high horse, if need be. Request Main Stage privileges and start your own threads. Check out the Archives. Have fun.
Townspeople,
I SUMMON you to carry the day! I’m sure you’ll agree with me that what we most need around here is that shocking, bold statement on the state of rock, an overlooked gem, an overrated classic, a new release, etc that blows our minds. This is more than an All-Star Jam; this is your Rock Town Hall. Seize the day!
Beside, Mr. Mod’s hip deep in responsibilities today. Thanks.
Well, how did country rock and the influence from a group like The Band go, in only a few short years, from an intriguing rebellion against too much Britishness to acoustic guitars and almost content-free love songs? How did we get from The Band and The Byrds to America and Firefall? What happened?
Not that I expect anyone to care, but this is what I’ve been thinking about.
Doesn’t every “intriguing rebellion” wind up inspiring some crap music? How was this one any different?
I think the big difference between The Band and all those country rock and country rock-influenced bands is that The Band weren’t “playing country” to any extent. I think they incorporated a wide range of American music influences into what they did, including soul, gospel, and early rock ‘n roll. When The Byrds did the country-folk thing, they seemed to more or less set their regular style of music in new-old rhythms and textures. I don’t think of any of the well-known country rock bands really creating some new mix from the old elements. I mean, I like Flying Burrito Brothers a lot, but even they did little more than add hippie vibes and some Memphis soul.
Doesn’t every “intriguing rebellion” wind up inspiring some crap music? How was this one any different?
Maybe so, but the crappier country rock became, and the more it shed anymore than the vague trappings of country music, the more popular it became. By the mid-70s it was a total cash cow–and about to be slaughtered, of course, by new wave.
I think there’s a lesson here somewhere if I can just figure out what it is.
I need to buy a Hawkwind Album.
What’s the best Hawkwind album?
According to BigSteve’s theory, it will be the first Hawkwind album you buy.
I don’t own any Hawkwind myself, but I happened to be reading Mojo last night, and they reviewed a reissue of Space Ritual that’s come out in a deluxe edition. They suggest that’s the one.
Hi, I’m diskojoe & I’m a newbie here at Rock Town Hall. I stumbled onto this site from the Martin Newell website to read your interview w/him & I’ve been going through your site ever since. I finally decided to sign up & add my views & opinions in the mix.
Welcome diskojoe. What part of the globe do you hail from?
-db
Great to have you, diskojoe! Any friend of Newell is a friend of the Hall. Thanks for joining in. Feel free to jump in on any threads, past or present. A lot of us use the “Latest comments” link on the right side of the page to see what’s been happening. Sometimes people make comments on topics that have dropped off the main page, at which point we sometimes bring them back to the fore for further discussion.
How did you get into Martin Newell?
Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. I’m from Salem, MA & I got into Martin the same way I got into Francoise Hardy, via Ritchie Unterberger’s Unknown Legends of Rock & Roll & the discovery of The Greatest Living Englishman at a bargain bin in my local Borders. The Kinks are my fave rave band & I’m a sucker for anything described as “Kinks-like”.