i'd call it my death, but i'll only fade away

Gary Anthony James Webb, aka Gary Numan started out as a punker.  Got kicked out of his first punk band for being too 'creative'.  He would then form Tubeway Army and following some success release 'The Pleasure Principle' as himself.  Talk about anti-punk!  The album was completely void of guitars, with Gary using only synths.  Some consider it one of the founding synth pop albums along with the work of Kraftwerk, a heavy influence on Gary.  It also relies heavily on Gary's fascination with sci-fi themes and particularly his thoughts on androids and machines.  Of course the albums big hit was 'Cars', but everyone knows that one.  For this post we'll look at another track.  'M.E.' is sung from the point of view of the last machine on Earth.  Basement Jaxx really liked it....

it's just that demon life has got you in it's sway

What's your favourite Stones era?  60's? 70's? Do I dare ask, 80's?  I think for me it's the 70's.  Starting in 1971 with 'Sticky Fingers' and ending in '78 with 'Some Girls' it's a period where the boys were playing a loose type of rock'n'roll that I can always listen to.  Of course if I had to choose my favourite Stones' album it would have to be 'Sticky Fingers'.

Gotta love a cover with a real zipper!!

I got my first vinyl copy of this while at university in Victoria.  I believe it was at Endangered Species Music in Fernwood.  The store is gone now but I remember picking up the album and seeing the real zipper and knowing I had to have it.  Somehow lost that copy but I've picked up another one since and I'm glad I have it in the collection again.  When it comes to the tracks, 'Sway' is probably my favourite followed closely by 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' and 'Wild Horses'.  The distortion on the guitar in 'Knocking' is awesome.  The Burrito Brothers cover of 'Wild Horses' was actually released before this version came out. Gram Parsons heard it and convinced the boys to let him do a version.  The album was also the first released on their own label 'Rolling Stones' in conjunction with Atlantic.  It was a big deal then because they finally got their own way and had total creative control of what they were releasing and when.  Before then, they were under the thumb of Decca Records.  This was also the first time the iconic Stones 'Lips' logo was used.

Like I said earlier, 'Sway' is my fave so here ya go!

you wanted the best you got the best

June 27, 2011.  Abbotsford, BC.  KISS.  The site of my son's first concert.  What can I say, great first show for a kid.  The boys still know how to put on a spectacle.  Lights, pyro, fire breathing, blood spitting, it was all there.  My brother and I took him and he loved it!  Right from the first song until the encore.  They ended the show with 'Rock and Roll All Nite' and showered the entire arena with confetti from 4 giant cannons.  We were literally covered.  My brother had never seen them before and said to me that he had been waiting 31 years to see them live.

Kiss was such a huge part of our growing up that I can't help place their songs on the classics list.  When we were kids we dressed up as Kiss for Halloween.  We dressed up and put on fake concerts in the basement.  Posters, albums, tapes, hell even 8-track tapes, we had it all.  You got to hand it to Paul and Gene, they figured out early on in their career that they needed a hook.  Something to make them stand out.  Well it worked and here they are 30 plus years later and still out there, putting on a show.  And lets face it, with Kiss, its all about the show.

Gonna feature one of the tracks that I think got the crowd going the most.

Recent Hair Metal Finds

Went on a 80's Hair Metal Search recently.  Here's what I got.

Been looking for this for a while now.  Finally got it a Apollo at a decent price.  I had mentioned in an earlier post that it was one of my purchases one Xmas in Edmonton.  It's probably one of my faves from back then.  Round and Round, Lack of Communication, You're In Trouble, all classics.  For some reason I always loved the way 'Lack' started, all spontaneous sounding.  In hindsight its probably planned but whatever.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for 80's metal.  These guys had a few good albums in the late 80's early 90's but it's this one, their debut, that I like the best.  Tom Kieffer had this weird raspy voice that really worked perfectly with the music.

Ah yes, more 80's metal goodness.  'Seventeen', gotta love it.  Kip Winger, leader and bass player, cut his teeth working for Alice Cooper before forming Winger with Reb Beach.

Now the next question is what song to post?  Each album has its own gems, so what's it gonna be?

Lack of Communication.  That'll work.  Do yourself a favour and check the other albums out as well.

Billy Preston Pt 2

Billy Preston.  Fifth Beatle, in demand session musician, actor, and damn fine solo artist.  The list of musicians he worked with is too long to list here but a quick wiki will give you the 411.  I've been on a bit of a Preston collecting spree as of late and this album is my latest acquisition.  Released in 1971, the album is a mix of soul, gospel, and funk that Billy had always been doing.  The reason I got the album was for the Grammy winning instrumental jam 'Outa-Space'.  So with out further ado, I present 'Outa-Space'

watch me do the humpty hump

Now I have to preface this post with a quick comment.  I'm not really a rap guy.  At least I wasn't when I was younger.  I've come to appreciate it later in life but back then I only listened to a select bunch of hip hop.  One of the groups I listened to was Shock G's Digital Underground.

Shock G had personality issues when he was in Digital Underground.  On 'Doowutchyalike', the first single from their debut album 'Sex Packets' he was himself.  But on the next single 'The Humpty Dance' he was his alter ego Humpty Hump.  And Humpty was a horny, big nosed, not always rhymin' playa who didn't really care if he was ugly or not, cause he was still getting laid.  Now I prefer Doowutchyalike but ya got to give props to this song.  And it also contains one of the sickest bass grooves that still keeps me wondering if its a sample, an instrument or what!  I think I liked these guys because I got the feeling that they didn't take themselves too seriously.  I felt the party coming through the speakers.  When I found this 12 inch at Neptoon Records it was a no brainer.  Had to have it.  When I find Sex Packets I'll post 'Doowutchyalike' but for now ya get 'The Humpty Dance'.

we all live with our vices

It's funny what parts of your youth you remember.  I have lots of memories of events that have happened to me but the timelines of when they happened sometimes get skewed.  One memory that is very vivid in my mind is Xmas, Edmonton 1985.  That was the year I got my first walkman.  It was about the size and weight of a small brick, but that was what passed for portable in those days.  Didn't matter to me though, I was in heaven.  I spent that entire holiday with those headphones glued to my ears, burning through batteries at a frightening rate (anyone remember the Radio Shack battery club!) and reading my new Thieves World books.

Now I mention the books because, well they were awesome, but also I literally didn't interact with anyone that holiday.  I immersed myself in those books and listened to music.  And the music was purchased at the original West Edmonton Mall.  I bought these albums:

And finally,

I also got Van Halen 1984, and Quiet Riot Metal Health so you can see I was in 80's metal heaven!

Now besides 1984, the album that keeps creeping back in my mind all these years later is Vices.  Kick Axe was a Canadian band from Regina Saskatchewan that had their heyday in the mid 80's.  Their best album was their debut Vices.  Based on the positive reviews from the album they ended up on the road, opening for Quiet Riot, Priest and Whitesnake.  I remember hearing their follow up album, but it really didn't do much for me.  For me this was the album.  Pure 80's metal goodness, and from Canada to boot. I preferred this album to the other 'Canadian' metal band Helix.  I'll take 'Heavy Metal Shuffle' over 'Rock You' any day.  Big drums, big guitars, perfect!  Also you get a touch of the over-processed background vocals that Mutt Lange would eventually paint everything he touched with.  And for this type of music it totally works.

Now I've been looking for a good copy of this for some time.  Found a copy in one of the local shops but it was in rough shape.  Had it on my Discogs wantlist for a while and even looked on ebay until I finally found it.  And once again Apollo Music to the rescue!  Picked it up at their table at the spring record fair for a decent price and great condition.  Couldn't wait to spin it.  And the first track I played was this one:

Enjoy!

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing Baby?

Gotta get the orig' right!  I mean there's something about the search, the quest, that really gets me going.  Hunting the bins, digging, hoping to find that album that you've been looking for.  The Meters, Jimmy Smith, Shuggie Otis.  Need to find some vintage Sabbath and Maiden.  Would love to find some Grant Green for Bill.  I've had two copies of License to Ill pass through my hands and had to pass on a third because of funds, but I'll find it eventually.  Paul's Boutique as well.  It just takes time right?

Well the other day I was at Audiopile digging through the racks and I decided to check out the re-issue section.  Damn!  Look at all the awesome 180 gram releases.  I easily could've bought a dozen records.  Price was good, selection was great.  If only the money was available.  But it did get me thinking, "What's wrong with picking up the odd re-ish once and a while?"  My son bought Ill Communication and Tribe Called Quest, both 180gram releases, with his christmas money.  They're great.  So why don't I buy re-issues?  The answer to that is I don't know.  I mean I always preach it's about the music.  It shouldn't be about the age right?  I mean I love the music and the medium, do I really care about the age?

So what's it gonna be people?  Are you original only?  Or do you buy re-issue when you find something you want?  I'm starting to lean towards a bit of both and I'll tell you why.  If we all start buying the re-issues it will let the higher ups know that they should release more.  And then more music will start coming out on vinyl.  Maybe down the road there will only be two delivery forms, online and digital for the casual listener, and vinyl for the collector.

Note: turns out that Universal Music Group was listening!

http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/universal-music-group-distribution-umgd-launches-groovetown-vinyl

Dance The Night Away Part Deux

Today I have the great honour of conducting a fictitious interview with founder and lead guitarist from Van Halen, Edward Van Halen.

me: Thanks Eddie for talking to me about Sammy's new book.  He says he didn't pull any punches when it comes to his time in Van Halen.

eddie: No problem, I haven't read it yet but I'm sure he's telling the truth.  As he remembers it anyway.

me:  Before we talk about the book, have you heard Santana's cover of Dance The Night Away?

eddie:  No but I love Carlos' stuff.  I was listening to Abraxas just the other day.

me:  Want to have a quick listen before we start?

eddie: Sure

< play song for Eddie >

< song ends >

me: What you think?

eddie: Sorry man, I must have fell asleep 'cause I just had a terrible nightmare.  I dreamt that Carlos trashed the song with his noodling and he had that dude from Train singing!

me:  No nightmare my man, that's the track.

eddie:  Don't ever call me again!

< hangs up>

Great!  Thanks Carlos, I don't think Eddie will ever do a fictitious interview with me again.  And I didn't even get to fake ask him about Sammy's book.  Damn You Carlos!!

Recent Finds

Thought I'd do a post listing some of the albums I've come across lately.  A little wrap up of the newest collection additions.

1) Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum (1968)

Saw this one at Zulu Records in the New Arrivals section.  I had been looking for this one for a while so had to grab it.  Some people say it is one of the founding albums of heavy metal.  Rhapsody online lists it as one of the 10 Essential Proto-Metal Albums, and go on to say they not only invented the term 'Power Trio' but practically invented heavy metal.  Listening to it, it really is more of a loose garage blues album run with a lot of distortion.  Their cover of Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues is great.

2) Booker T and The MG's - Melting Pot (1971)

This is the bands last album on Stax Records and also the last with the original line-up.  You owe it to yourself to try and pick this one up.  It has some longer instrumental jams on it and the title track is awesome.  Got this one at Carson Books

3) Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles! Live! (1972)

Another Zulu purchase.  A buddy of mine (Gord) posted a request on facebook for people to keep an eye out for this one.  Saw it, bought it, now I'm not sure if I'm gonna give it up.  The live version of Buddy's 'Them Changes' is superb.  Side 2 of the album contains only one song.  'Free Form Funkafide Filth' is a 25 minute jam that is the perfect background to any vinyl listening party.

Now for an example, I'm gonna go back to the first album on the list and play the Cochran cover. Enjoy!

Shout At The Devil

When it comes to this band I prefer not to think about the recent history.  The porn movies, reality shows, fights and all the other drama that has taken up a huge portion of their time these days.  Instead I like to remember their youth, and by extension, my youth.  Because when this album was released in 1983 I was 12 and was just starting to spread my wings musically.  I had been a Kiss fan for a long time but a group of us were starting to embrace the 'metal' of the time.   I still remember when a friend of mine played it for me.  It was heavy.  It felt like the type of music that our parents wouldn't approve of, hell they had a pentagram on the cover.  We would all listen to it on whatever 'ghetto blaster' was around at the time and thought it was the coolest stuff ever.  

As far as the imagery that went along with the music, well we thought that was cool too.  I mean this was what the inside of the gatefold looked like.

What the hell!!  I was never quite sure what to make of it.  They looked bad ass but they were wearing a hell of a lot of makeup!?!  In hindsight I now see that it was just an extension of what bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper and the like were doing, creating a persona that would leave an impression.  But forgetting that, if you focussed on the music, you got to hear what I consider one of those milestone albums.  Maybe not their best.  I think as he matured, Nikki's songwriting got better.  Also they got better as musicians in later albums, Dr. Feelgood being a good example.  But you will never find another album of their's that affected me as much.  I listened to it all the time, and from this album branched out to other metal bands.  In fact the whole genre was my focus from the age of 12 til I was about 15.  This album, along with a few from other bands, influenced everything.  We wore jean jackets with back patches cause we thought that was metal.  We proudly displayed our allegiances with band shirts and we all had the necessary posters on our walls.  We all thought we were 'metal'.  Maybe, maybe not, but at least the music was great.

I first had this album on cassette but recently picked it up on vinyl.  Let me tell you, it still sounds heavy.  I brought it into work the other day to play it for a buddy's birthday.  Real metalhead.  The following Monday, he commented how great it was to hear it again.  He was right, hearing it again really felt good.

Now as far as posting a song from it, there really is a lot to choose from.  You got the title track, Too Young To Fall In Love, Looks That Kill, the Beatles cover Helter Skelter.  So which one?  I'm gonna go rogue and pick Red Hot.  Enjoy!  Oh, and go out and get this album if you don't have it!

PS: On the cover that had their pictures on it, they were doing a tribute to the Beatles album 'Let It Be'

Just like the did with their debut album 'Too Fast For Love'

Is vinyl dying???

I've been going back and forth with this one for a while.  Reading various websites, blogs and articles, I get mixed messages.  Stats say that vinyl sales are increasing: according to Nielsen Soundscan, in 2010 vinyl sales increased 14% from the previous year while overall album sales dropped 13%.  But I've also read that a lot of record store owners are questioning how long they can stay in business.  Also at the last record fair I was at I overheard one of the vets saying he lost his store and might not keep coming to the fair because he isn't making the money he used to.  Then recently a local record store, Zulu Records, removed some of their CD racks and converted half their store to vinyl.  So it's mixed messages at best and utter confusion at worst.

What I do know is back when I was actively buying CD's I basically bought from two stores, AandB Sound and Sam The Record Man.  There was a couple of other places that I would go to occasionally but that's it. Two.  And in Vancouver they were side by side.  So I would make one trip and hit both.  Done.  No traipsing around the city, just hit Seymour Ave and start buying.  In Victoria I bought from AandB Sound and Lyle's Place. In Nanaimo it was AandB Sound.  Noticing a trend.  AandB was the go to place for music back then, and they were strategically placed everywhere I happened to need to buy music.  Convenient to say the least.

Well now AandB is gone, couldn't compete with iTunes and the box stores that sold things other than CD's like Future Shop and Best Buy.  Sam went extinct as well, same fate.  Lyle's Place is still around but they have an almost legendary following in Vic and they sold used CD's and vinyl so they weathered the storm.  So as album sales plummeted in the late 90's early 00's, the shops people used to go get CD's died.

So fast forward to how I purchase music now.  I pretty much exclusively buy vinyl and I don't go to just two shops like back in the day.  On the side of the blog is a partial list of record shops in Vancouver.  I haven't finished adding everyone to the list but as you can see we have a good selection.  I go to everyone on the list.  I've also bought from everyone.  So now that I'm buying only vinyl, I buy from more places.  Not because I have to but because I want to.  These shops each offer me a different buying and crate digging experience so I frequent them all.  I also go to used bookstores, thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist ads and flea markets to get my digging fix.  So when you add it all up, even though overall album sales are down, vinyl is rising and the amount of shopping around I do has also risen.

So is vinyl dying?

I guess I'll let you know when I've bought the last record from the last store left open.

Anyone remember 'The Beat'?

Back in the early 80's, on Saturday nights, instead of watching the Canadian video shows, I was watching 'The Beat'.  You see, for reasons I still don't fully understand, back in the day the local cable provider in Ucluelet got our US stations from Detroit.  Detroit?  Why not Seattle?  That would've made more sense, given the geography but nope we got Detroit.

Well lucky me, cuz on Detroit PBS (WTVS) on Saturday nights I got to watch 'The Beat'.  It was a video show hosted by Doug Podell, a local radio DJ, and for me it was the number one source for all the best videos of the time.  Also they weren't afraid to play the metal.  If I think back to all the great 80's metal videos, I saw them first on 'The Beat'.  Motley Crue, Ratt, Priest, W.A.S.P, Iron Maiden and Scorpions to name a few.  I've searched the web trying to find clips of the show but nothing has sprung up so instead I've got a picture of Doug from back in the day.

As far as a musical post I'm torn what to pick.  I watched so many videos on that show it's hard to really pick one, but if I have to choose this is one that to this day sticks out in my mind. It's Aerosmith's video for 'Let The Music Do The Talking'.  I first saw it on the show and it quickly became my favourite video for a long time.  I'm really not sure why.  Enjoy!

By the way, this video is the reason I love Dan Armstrong's clear acrylic guitars!

Make up your mind!!!

I can't seem to stop thinking about cover songs lately!!  First I hate Santana's version of 'Dance The Night Away':
http://thisvinyllife.blogspot.com/2011/01/dance-night-away.html

Then I talk about how I love Robert Palmers version of a couple of Lowell George tunes:
http://thisvinyllife.blogspot.com/2011/02/robert-palmer.html

Then what do I do?  Post King Curtis' cover of Led Zeppelin:
http://thisvinyllife.blogspot.com/2011/02/king-curtis.html

Is it just me or does that seem like a lot?  Well in order to really milk this whole cover thing for all its worth I now present to you a Paul Simon cover by 'The Persuasions'.



These Brooklyn boys started their careers in the early sixties singing a cappella interpretations of gospel and popular songs of the day.  It was actually Frank Zappa that first got them into a studio!  He heard them singing over the phone while they were in a record store in Jersey and flew them out to LA to record their first album 'Acappella' in 1970.

This cover of Paul Simon's song is from the album 'Comin' At Ya' released in 1979.  I picked up this album at Apollo Records and once again it was one of those 'take a chance' purchases.  Didn't know anything about them but it looked good so there you have it.  When it comes to music you really should push it a bit and try to listen to a bit of everything.

So I guess I don't really have a problem with covers.  I guess when I hear a bad one it just really jumps out at me.  And yes I'm talking to you Carlos.

Billy Preston

Who was the fifth Beatle?  Was it George Martin because of the way he helped them shape their sound?  Stu Sutcliffe the original bass player when they were a 5 piece?  The original drummer Pete Best?  George Harrison was quoted once as saying there was 2 'fifth Beatles', Derek Taylor their PR man and Neil Aspinall their road manager.  Paul McCartney stated that if there was a fifth member it was their manager Brian Epstein.

Or was it Billy Preston?

Billy received joint credit on the song 'Get Back'.  He also played on 'Let It Be', 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)', and 'Don't Let Me Down'.  In 1969 Harrison brought him into the studio to help diffuse the tension that was felt amongst the other band members. It was suggested by John or George (differing stories about who said it) that he even join the group.  Rumour has it Paul said that if we can't get along as a 4 piece, how would adding another member help?  Whatever the outcome, the album 'Let It Be' lists the song credit on 'Get Back as 'The Beatles with Billy Preston'.  This stands as the only time a joint credit was ever given on a Beatles album. The wording separates him from the group but places him higher than a regular session musician.  When they performed their final 'rooftop' concert he was there playing with them.

Some people prefer to call him 'The Black Beatle' that way he doesn't fall into the whole fifth Beatle argument.  I think I'll go with that.

Now logic would dictate that after all this Beatle talk I should include a Beatle/Preston tune in the post.  'Get Back' perhaps?  But by just mentioning it, it's probably already in your head right?  Beatle tunes are easy.  And Billy provided the world with lots of other great music.  'Will It Go Round In Circles', 'Nothing From Nothing' and lots of others.  So I'm pickin' a tune from his 74' album 'The Kids And Me'.

The song I've chosen is 'Struttin', which blew my mind when I first heard it.  Enjoy!

PS - After his time with the Beatles, Billy went on to play with the Stones.  Played keyboards on 7 of their albums, starting with Sticky Fingers.  But that will have to wait for a another time.

King Curtis

I first heard the name when Duane Allman mentioned it on a live version of Soul Serenade that the Brothers did.  He talks about how it was a beautiful service, Stevie played and Aretha sang.  He then goes on to say that whoever did what he did will get what he deserves.  So my introduction to King Curtis was a speech by a guitar legend talking about his murder before he launches into one of Curtis' legendary songs.  I listened, processed, and then really didn't give it much thought for a long time.  Fast forward a number of years and I was trolling YouTube and came across a video of 'Memphis Soul Stew'.

Now this video started me on my quest to learn more about the man.  Curtis Ousley, born Feb 7, 1934, was a sax player that was at various stages in his career, a bandleader, session man, band member, producer and music director.  He gained his first major bit of notoriety for providing the sax solo on the Coaster's song 'Yakety Yak'.  The amount of people he played with is too long to list here, but a partial list includes the names Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, The Drifters, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Herbie Mann and Aretha Franklin.  Her backing band 'The Kingpins' was led by Curtis.

In the 70's during his time with Aretha he played on 'Aretha Live At Fillmore West'.  During these shows he also recorded 'King Curtis Live At Fillmore West' with his band, along with Billy Preston on organ and The Memphis Horns.

This is the first King Curtis album I bought.  The tracks are a mixture of originals and covers of popular songs of the time.  If you haven't heard this album you owe it to yourself to check it out.  It would eventually become King's biggest selling album.  The track I've decided to showcase from the album is his cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love'.  Re-interpreted as a saxophone song it easily ranks up there as one of my favourite covers.  Like I mentioned in an earlier post, a cover should bring something new to the table.  This one does.

Now for the sad part.  In August 1971, he was murdered during an argument on the steps of his apartment, with a couple of drug addicts who were in his way.  Asked them to move and then dead.  

Tragic.

The Heptones

I was crate digging at a local used book store and came across this.

Now when I picked it up I had no idea who they were.  But looking at the cover I'm thinking 3 things:
1) Reggae
2) Jamaica
3) 70's

So I took the risk.  The one thing I've realized in the last few years is you have to take a chance on an album because the reward is so worth it sometimes.

The Heptones: Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn came together in Kingston in 1965. They spent their early career recording for numerous major Jamaican producers, as well as doing session work.  In 1975 they signed with Island Records and released 'Night Food' in 1975.

Now these guys were a early example of reggae and rocksteady music that was around Jamaica in the 60's and early 70's.  They moved from their rocksteady roots into reggae and this album, although reggae, is a very laid back version of their earlier styles.

When I finally got home and spun this album it proved once again that taking a chance is worth it.  It's a great album for a lazy day with some great harmonies and slow relaxed reggae.  Nothing like the reggae of Marley or Tosh, where the music had political or social overtones, just music meant for relaxed listening.

For your pleasure I present song 1, side 1, Country Boy.

Robert Palmer

Confession.  Until recently if you said Robert Palmer I would say, "Addicted To Love".  Maybe "Power Station" if I was feeling like I wanted to show off the ol' musical knowledge.  Turns out I didn't know sh!t!!

If you go back to the beginning Mr. Palmer was a good English boy who released music that sounded like he had lived in New Orleans his whole life.  His first solo album "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" was him backed by funk band The Meters and produced by Little Feat leader Lowell George.  It is filled with track after track of great rock funk fusion and featured songs penned by Palmer, Lowell and the great Allen Toussaint.

On his second album "Pressure Drop", he was backed by Little Feat and even went on tour with them.  Once again, the album had a mix of song by Robert, Lowell, Toussaint, and he even covered the classic Maytals reggae song that is also the album title.

What I love about discovering all this early music that I didn't really know about is I've developed a new respect for Robert as an artist.  The music he made in the beginning of his career is in heavy rotation on the turntable right now and because of that I've turned a few friends on to it as well.  And that is the great thing about digging into the past.  You uncover stuff you had overlooked or weren't even exposed to.  I am smart enough to understand that I don't know everything about the music that is out there and when I find old songs that are new to me I get a great rush.  It's all about the journey and the exploration of music.  And the sharing.  Friends getting together and discovering, or re-discovering, music is one of my favourite things in the world.

In honour of the two great albums, I present to you one track from each.  From 'Sneakin', side 1, track 1, the Lowell George song 'Sailin' Shoes'

And from 'Pressure Drop', another Lowell track, from side 2, song 2, 'Trouble'

Enjoy, and if you hadn't heard these before, go out and find these albums, you won't regret it!

H.P. Riot

Last time I was at my Dad's house my son was digging through the garage and came across a pile of my old records.  Mixed in was a bunch of my brothers and one of them was a record I had never seen before.

Now this fantastic gem needs a little explaining.  It was recorded in Vancouver, B.C. in 1973 and released on Concept Records which was based in Regina Saskatchewan.  Now comes the puzzling part. The band was a funk band from San Francisco.  A 10 piece 'rock and soul' band that took their name from the neighbourhood they grew up in Hunter's Point.  Named after a 'race riot' that took place there in 1966.

On the back cover it says:  Hunter's Point Riot, better known as H.P. Riot, is excitement.  Excitement in sound, excitement in feel, excitement in movement, and, especially, excitement in their ability as performers.  It's music from the soul.

Makes perfect sense to me.  What we have here is a San Fran funk band that spent a large amount of time touring and preaching the funk gospel to Western Canada, and probably signed the record deal while on tour.  That's how lots of funk bands did it.  I'll let you take a minute to come up with some other 70's funk bands that took the same route.  Go ahead, I'll wait...........I spent a bit of time on it myself and didn't come up with anything either.  Talk about taking the unconventional path.

But enough of all that, it's the music that's important right!  Well the music is good.  Early 70's funk done the right way by young men eager to be heard.  I've managed to get my hands on a second copy (in case my brother wants his back) and I've seen it around here and there so I could get a few more, but it seems outside of Vancouver it's on the rare side.  If you can get your hands on it I would highly recommend it.

For now let me give you a taste.

Song 1, Side 2 "Help Me (Get It On)"

Dance The Night Away

Sometimes a song shouldn't be covered, and if it is great care should be taken.  Case in point, Santana's cover of 'Dance the Night Away' from Van Halen 2.  I could take the easy route and just say it sucks and be done with it but for me it goes beyond that.  A cover should bring something new to the table.  Spin it in a different direction, off course if you will.  You should still hear the original intent but why not push it a bit.  


The cover on the album 'Strummin' with the Devil' is an example.  I'll admit I'm not totally in love with this version either but at least they re-interpreted it a bit. 


When it comes to Santana, I'm starting to get a little disappointed in some of the choices made in the twilight of his career.  He seems to be content with noodling over top of other peoples music and cashing the cheques.  The music he made early in his career ranks up there with some of the all time classic rock songs.  Now, not so much. He has instead decided to cover others peoples songs.  And while I applaud the idea of making a cover album of great guitar rock songs, there really should be a 'parachute clause' built into the process where if what is coming out of the speakers sucks everyone involved should stop before anymore damage is done.  For those of you that haven't heard it here is a link:


http://www.vhnd.com/2010/09/19/santanas-cover-of-dance-the-night-away/


I won't post it on here because, well, I don't like so it has no business on this blog.


This is the Stummin version:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7XHoncmCd0&p=014FCCBAF3257C32&playnext=1&index=1

Now in an effort to cleanse here is the orig...

Now that is how it should be done.  The covers can now drift away into obscurity please.

Money for Nothing

So the CRTC has banned 'Money For Nothing' because of the word 'faggot'.  It only took them over 25 years to get around to it though.  I find it interesting that a song that went to number one, stayed there for around three weeks, won a Grammy, had already gone through the same controversy when it originally came out, is now thrust back into the spotlight because 1 person complained. ONE.  Not a gay and lesbian alliance, not a whole group of people, but one person who obviously didn't pay attention to the context that the word was used.  Don't get me wrong, calling someone that word is wrong on many levels, but in the song, the character that utters the word is a caricature of a knuckle dragger that uses the word because he is jealous that the rock star on TV is getting more tail than him.  Could Mark Knopfler have gone with a different word?  Yep, and he did in a radio edit that was done in the 80's.  Does he have to?  Now that is a different question because there is something called artistic license, not to mention freedom of expression.  Up here in the Great White North in a little document called the 'Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms' in section 2(b) there is a provision that guarantees: "Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: ... (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication". 


So what's next.  I can think of numerous songs that if you picked apart the lyrics, you could find issues.  Not gonna list them though.... no need to make it easy on anyone.  If someone wants to do that I ain't going to help.


I guess the only thing I can do is this....

Oh, by the way..... Money For Nothing is number 91 on the iTunes top download charts.  Not too shabby for a 25 year old song.