All over the years new bands covered the songs of their heroes to get a tribute to them or just because it were simply great songs. Some bands or artists were covered many times others less. I just know a only few bands who tried to cover a song from Pink Floyd. One of those who did it was Wyclef Jean, a Haitian-American Rapper . He first received fame as a member of the acclaimed New Jersey Hip Hop group the Fugees. In 2010 Jean filed for candidacy in the 2010 Haitian presidential electio, allthough te Electoral Commission subsequently ruled him ineligible to stand as he had not met the requirement to have been resident in Haiti for five years. I like this version, it's slow groove and the words Jean added to it.
Last Friday J.J. Cale died on a heart attack in California at the age of 74. He was well known as the one who wrote 'Cocaine' and 'After Midnight' which was made popular by Eric Clapton. Playing the guitar the way he did had a very big influence to bands like Dire Straits. Not that he was a great guitar slinger at all but if you had seen him once play that rich in variation it seems like unbelievable. Holding his left hand on the guitar board nearly immovable his fingers more quickly moved about the strings. I loved him for his laid back music - partly so laid back that you thought he might fall asleep soon.
It's late night and I crawl through my archives and found a a little masterpiece from a well known band in Germany. You might know The Toten Hosen but in their early times they called ZK what means to get your drinks come up again. Saw them when they were younger than 20 years and they played an extraordinary mix of punk, rock and rockabilly. Joining their concerts were great and I did not expect that they make the step into super stars. That's one song from their early times - simply rude but you could imagine how good they were. It is a song about a guy who wants to be like Conrad, the one who's the best in football and dancing and talking every women home. Another song how it feels jelously.
Sad together with my brother yesterday in the late afternoon in the beergarden when a couple next to us started talking about 9/11. They talked about the place where they have been as they get informed about the terror attack to the Twin Towers. We have taken to the occasion to think about whether we can assign certain places unambiguously to a certain date. After all we both agree that remarkable days in our life were very few. Our both weddings and the birth of our children were the only days we remember quickly where we have been. Thinking a little longer about it we some sports events and also 9/11.
This song from Lou Reed is just about this I've written about.
I am in a sentimental mood, cause I had had hard discussion with C. this evening. It was about something fundamental on our relationship and it was long ago that we spoke open word to each other. I think it was time to to talk with open word from the bottom of our hearts. I might have too much booze right now, but I grabbed this song right out of my basket that express the way I feel right now. Don' worry mates, I'll get my things done.
This year brought a big change into my life because I decided to quit school for a education to a bank clerk. The principal reason that I have decided on the education was the fact that they get me paid for this. Another reason was also to get more independence of my parental home. Looking back to this days I think this was the first time a decision changed my way of living completely. From this time I changed my outfit: Now dressed in suit and tie instead of wearing jeans and T-shirts during the daytime. This was the hardest thing for me to get used to this dresscode. The first thing I did when regular work was over I changed my clothes as quick a possible. It has used a long time, until I have got used to my new clothes style and could also carry this with pleasure.
In 1976 it became clear that the musical development has come nearly to the shutdown. Big bands like Led Zeppelin the puff went out and they were only an imitation of themselves. Period of disco music has left the top behind and it seemed that acts like the Welsh songstress Bonnie Tyler will take over control. This was the background when I first time came to London. I have given myself a few days of vacation, before I start my education. And I was surprised what I saw there. Young bands playing in small clubs extremely fast and short songs, mixed with an rebellion attitude, wearing rotten clothes and needles in their ears and cheeks. Never heard that sound before and from this time on I was infected to the new sounds that would come the next years.
Some good and after the years remarkable songs were hard to find but I remember this ones:
Chicago: A simple ballad that still sounds well today
Steve Miller Band: One of the last rebelling of the hippies
Climax Blues Band: Return of the funk
Elton John & Kiki Dee: Summer tune
The Damned: Punk starts
Remarkable albums published in 1976:
Steve Miller Band - Fly like an eagle True sound of the ending hippie decade but great songs
Boz Scaggs - Silk degrees Great musician with one of the best songs of love gone wast on it (It's over)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - dto First album with his remarkable sound
Dr. Feelgood - Stupidity Amazing live album filled with rhythm and blues
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the key of life Still a monument of an album
Graham Parker - Howling wind Pure rhythm and blues 'Don't ask me questions'
Stanley Clarke - School days Pure fusion, very hip these days
Flamin' Groovies - Shake some action Retro sound, every song another style
And what happened in the rest of the world:
The pol-pot regime proclaims a new constitution for the Democratic Kampuchea - trying to recapture the country to a stone age communism million people had to die. The trial against jailed members of the Red Army Fraction begins in Stuttgart, Ulrike Meinhoff (member of the Red Army Fraction) hanged in an apparent suicide in her prison cell. West Germany. Patty Hearst is found guilty of armed robbery of a San Francisco bank. Argentina military forces depose president Isabel Peròn and was replaced by the dictatorship of general Videla. Soweto uprising begins in South Africa. The Ramones made their first 'professional' performance at CBGB. Another mass murder dies: Mao Zedong in China.
Remarkable movies in this year: Rocky, All The Presidents Men, Carrie, Taxi Driver, Marathon Man.
I decided to feature Ry Cooder and his album Chicken Skin Music for the year 1976. Ry Cooder is one of those guys always referred to as a 'guitar player's guitar player'. He is all that and more, having played as a sideman on dozens (if not hundreds) of other artists' records. Like almost all of Cooder's recordings, the point on this record is not the guitar but the music. Lots of guitar on this album to be sure, but also wonderful songs drawing on just about every aspect of American music: blues, soul, jazz, Tex-Mex. Also a very cool cover like Leadbelly's 'Goodnight Irene'. Since I heard this songs the first time I deeply liked his combination of classic American music as well as Tex-Mex and Hawaiian.
If punk was merely loud, quick and aggressive music at the beginning , it has changed during the following years. More and more bands developed a nearly infallible feeling for melodies and harmonies. Other discovered reggae for himself and developed an individual sound. Of course The Clash did it extremely well. Another group has also discovered very early this music for itself and has made this sound popular.
The Ruts started 1977 as a typical punk band, made two top-selling singles (In A Rut, Babylon's burning) , a good longplayer and were highly promoted by John Peel. The band continued as Ruts D.C. (an Italian term standing for da capo, meaning 'back to the beginnings') in a different musical vein. They released two albums in 1981/82. Ruts D.C.split in 1983.
Todays songs were from their second album Rhythm Collision and are dub versions they did in collaboration with Mad Professor a Guyanese dub music producer.
Got into a mood to listen to some records I have for so long years. It was Tommy Bolin that I picked from my archive. He was an American guitar player, maybe known as a substitute for Richie Blackmore when he quit playing with Deep Purple. Before Bolin joined Deep Purple he played also with jazz musicians like Billy Cobham Alponse Mouzon and was also a member of the American rock band The James Gang. For me, Tommy Bolin is one of the best guitar players ever. He died too soon on the normal rock star life with an overdose of heroin, alcohol and other narcotics.
Now that we nearly melt in the heat that we waited for so long times it is nice to see people in cafes or beer gardens how they enjoy their spare time. It's also the time to listen to relaxed and chilling sounds. Some days ago when I have sat late in the evening on the balcony, having a glas of wine I listened to Kathryn Williams and thought by myself that this might be the perfect soundtrack for a summer night.
Williams is a Liverpool born singer-songwriter who released a couple of records throughout the last 12 years. From time to time I can't get enough of her clear voice. This song is from her superb 2004 album 'Relations' that's filled with real good cover versions.
It's a pretty little piece of indie folk that appeared on my mobile phone these days. Two Gallants are a two piece folk rock duo from San Francisco founded in the early 2000s. They toured several times through Europe and were also invited to some open-air concerts. Saw them a couple of years ago in a small club close to my place and had a very relaxed evening with them.
It took a very long time until summer arrived - but now he's here. Wonderful evenings with friends to share, sitting outside and enjoying the warmth of a summer evening. No more words about it - here is some reggae tune from the Upsetters. Some of the best music for evenings like the ones we had some days ahead.
Enjoy your summer days and especially evenings.
Cheers, Walter
Weekend is too soon over and another working week ahead filled with meetings, monthly returning jobs and making a presentation for our CEO's. Not that I want to complain, but all should be done yesterday. Because I have talked very intensely with C. about our little business down/from Sri Lanka it's conversion, a lot appears to me in another perspective. But we have to do it slowly and step by step.
So let's start this week with a song from Python Lee Jackson, an Australian rock band and one hit wonder with 'In a broken dream' featuring young Rod Stewart on guest vocals.
It is 30 years ago that me and my brother spent an evening at a live gig in Stuttgart. Announced for this evening was the newest big thing from Britain. The Scottish based band Big Country was there to promote their first record The Crossing. I bought the record a couple of weeks beforeand had big expectations of the concert. They did a superb show that night and was fascinated about the fantastic sound, infused with Scottish folk and martial music styles as. They played a guitar driven sound added with the spirit of bagpipes, fiddles and other traditional folk instruments.
Stuart Adamson, a former member of The Skids - a punk band from Scotland who released several singels and LP's, formed Big Country after he left the group in 1980. Big Country had a very successful period while they released their first three records. Throughout the 1990s they became a o´popular supporting act, supporting bands such as Rolling Stones and The Who. Big Country had backed Daltry on his 1995 solo album 'Under the raging moon'.
In late 2001 Adamson disappeared again and the band asked over their website to call home or speak to someone in the band, the management company or his ex-wife. Stuart Adamson was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii on 16 December 2001. The autopsy revealed that he hanged himself. At the time of death he had a blood-alcohol content of 0,279%.
Today me and my colleges should carry out a common event in our team, so that we work together more narrowly and better. That is the masterplan - and what did they organized: Exploring a smaller town on the level country. It will take three hours to walk around the hometown of Gottlieb Daimler, the inventor of the first quick-running light petrol engine. I know this town and I am sure there is nothing more to see what you can't see in 30 minutes. And tomorrow it will be a real warm day and I have no desire for it. Yesterday, in addition, C. has come back from Sri Lanka and this makes to me even heavier in this duty event something positive to see. Not that I won't spent time with my colleges - they are all right. But I hate to do senseless things - only doing by the order of my bosses. Even thoug I will go to office and decide later what I will do or not.
This is the last song on Paul Weller's Stanley Road. A beautiful ballad about one person who waits for his love to come.
Enjoy and have a good day.
Fly on wings of speedThat will bring you home to meI'll never be free, the darkness I seeSo wait for your smile Though my hands are tiedMy feet are bound by fateWith clay at the base as I sit and waitWhat visions I see In dreams she floats on a streamWith Jesus at the helmThe water reeds that begHer boat along the way as she comes to me Now as the light is fallingCandle left to light the waySailing home to morningShe comes to me callingTo brighten up my darkest day And the world fades away with her smile oh yeaI wait for your smile yeaYea yeaYeaPaul Weller - Wings Of Speed
Leslie Feist, known professionally as Feist, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, performing both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock group Broken Social Scene. Round 2007 she was very successful by releasing her album The Reminder, which gave her nomiations for the Grammy award, the best album of the year, best new artist and on and on. For me The Reminder was one of the best albums in this year. She impressed me a lot with her clear and also rough and intensive voice. At some times I could listen to her songs for long time. Still worth to remember that amazing songs.
I love the Mekons for long, long years. The first time when I have taken notice from them was as they published their first single Where where you'. A short however intensive treatise about unfulfilled love. I felt so much with the words Jon Langford sung in this song.
Formed in the late 1970s, they are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands. Through the years, the band's musical style has evolved, incorporating aspects of country music, folk music, alternative rock and even occasional experiments with dub. These days, The Mekons are often described as a post-punk, cowpunk and/or alt country band.
Although most of them live in the United States they join for some concerts in Europe. When they visit Germany on their tour they will alway play in a small club close to the place where I stay. It was a few month ago that they showed up again and it was still great to see them live again. I was there with Ed trying to introduce The Mekons to him - and he was surprised about the great gig they played. Before the concert started I had a longer conversation with Sally Timms at the bar and after the concert we talked a long time to all the members of the band. All in all - we had a real good time together and we will watch out for the next concert they will play close to our place.
This song is more an adoption of a letter that a woman read out to her mate about what happened to close members of her family. Put under with a straight sound of an accordion sound Tally Simms reads the letter and tell us more about life in Britain in the 1980s than most stories in the newspaper. The Mekons - Rescue Mission
I don't know why but these afternoon I remembered Ian Dury. He was an English rock and roll singer, bandleader, artist and artist who intitially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave area. He's best known as founder and lead singer of the Blockheads. Still can remember when this small and handicapped man hit the stage, telling us songs about sex and drugs and rock and roll. He also combined funk with his punk attitude. Great songs, great sound - worth to remember him. He was awesome and died too early in 2000. His first record will have his place in history forever. His influence might be shown as Robbie Williams covered his 'Sweet Gene Vincent'.
Lovely sunday afternoon. Just came back home from a Turkish brunch at our local Turkish pub. Alladin did all well and served us a unbelievable mix of Turkish and continental brunch. Our bellies are filled and we need to a little rest. Therefor I grabbed out John Martyn's classical record 'One World'. Easy and superb tunes just to relax. Probably one of the best records ever - sadly less placed in someones Top. But anyway - enjoy your Sunday. Working week is ahead tomorrow.
Seems like the summer arrived yet and will stay for more than two days. It's the time to sit outside on your balcony, patio or Beer Garden with your family, friends or mates. That is exactly the time to listen to some relaxed music. Loggins and Messina is an Americansinger/songwriter duoconsisting of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina (former member of the country rock bands Poco and Buffalo Springfield) who achieved their success in the early to mid-1970s. Mostly know for their country/pop-songs they showed on their live record 'On Stage' what they are able to play. Some rocking tunes filled up with some Caribbean flavor and longer improvisations can make a sunny and warm day even better. Kenny Loggins quit playing with Jim Messina to start a solo career. Loggins also wrote the song 'What a Fool Believes'with Michael McDonald. Each man recorded his own version of the song, with McDonald's recording his version as a member of The Doobie Brothers. Loggins's version was released first, but the Doobie Brothers' version achieved greater success, scoring No. 1 on the popular music charts and earning Loggins and McDonald the 1980 Grammy for Song of the year." Later he was successful writing songs for soundtracks like 'I'm Allright' from Caddyshack. Hits followed with 'Footloose' from 'Footloose' and 'Danger Zone' from 'Top Gun'.
Last weekenc was the Glastonbury festival. Lot's of people discussed if it was good or not that The Rolling Stones played the first time there. Some comedians thought that it might be funny to believed to have to show up them because they are too old for the festival. But if they need this short applause - let them go for it. I remember one of my favorite live recordings ever by The Who. Live at Leeds shows them at their best. A wonderful rhythm group in Keith Moon plays percussion incredibly full of pressure and energetic plays, John Entwistle keeps the rhythm straight and Pete Townshend plays incredible guitar. Most of the songs on this record are reduced to a minimum of rock and roll or where played in longer versions. I think they never reached that level again.
Westworld is a British three-piece band aktive in the late 80s. Named after thesci-fifilm, Westworld (in which Yul Brynner appeared as a robot in a funpark going mad), they were formed in 1986 by the former Generation X guitarist Bob Andrews, and American vocalistElizabeth Westwood.The line up was completed by drummerNick Burton.
Musically they were a blend of classic 1950s rock and roll with twanging guitars, glam an punk, updated with beatboxes and sequenzer. They had an early success with their debut single, "Sonic Boom Boy", which reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1987.
Not that it is real great song but still it feels good to hear it again. Reminds me a little bit at Sigue Sigue Sputnik. I think about what a good remix could be made from this song.
Half of the working week is nearly over - so keep looking forward to Friday.
A few days ago I watched Martin Scorsese's movie Taxi Driver once again. Watched this movie first back in 1976 and was impressed about Robert De Niro playing Travis Bickle, an honorably discharged U.S. Marine, living as a lonely and depressive man in Manhattan, NY who becomes a taxi driver in order to cope with chronic insomnia, driving passengers every night around the boroughs of New York City. It was also a story about helping a 12-year-old prostitute to get rid of her pimp and sending her back to her parents and also about a little love affair to a volunteer for one who is running to be the next president. There a two remarkable scenes in this movie.
First is when he buys an album for his volunteer after she describes him, quoting a phrase form 'The Pilgrim, Chapter 33' by Kris Kristofferson: 'He's a prophet, he's a pusher, partly truth and partly fiction, a walking contradiction'.
Second is the dialog when he trains his body looking into the mirror speaking: 'Yeah. Huh? Huh? Huh? You fucking son of a bitch. I saw you comin', fuck you. I'm standing here- You make the move. It's your move. Don't try it, you fuck. You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Well, I'm the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to? Listen you fuckers, you screwheads. Here's a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filts, the shit. Here is ... You're dead'.
I think they don't make movies like this any more.
