A Boy Named Shel

 

Today, Shel Silverstein would have turned 95 years old had he not passed away in 1999. I think it's the right time to remember an ever-active contemporary. Many will know his songs, which became famous through other performers. Few are likely to know that, in addition to being a songwriter and composer, he was also a cartoonist and children's book author.

During the Korea war in the early 50's he worked there as correspondent and cartoonist for an American magazine until Hugh Hefner hired him for Playboy. In addition to his work as a cartoonist, Playboy sent him on trips around the world, which he commented on in his own style. Alongside Hunter S. Thompson, he wrote some of the most exciting stories, some of which were published in the German magazine Sounds in the early 1970's.

From 1964/65 onward, he wrote A Boy Named Sue, a song that became a huge hit for Johnny Cash. Silverstein's sarcasm is rarely better expressed than in 25 Minutes To Go, which deals with the last 25 minutes in the life of a delinquent before his execution.

In 1971 he co-wrote The Taker together with Kris Kristofferson, one of the many highlights from his second album and forced his collaboration with Bobby Bare

In his next step he found Dr. Hook and his Medicine Show, a freaky country band who were able to translate his lyrics into music in a congenial way. I could take any song by them but I decided to feature this because it was filmed on Shel's houseboat and Mr. Silverstein appears on harp.

And at least one of his early songs interpreted by one of the best voices in country.

Old Vine In New Bottles

Today in the series two songs that are almost 50 years old and which was recorded when most of us played football with the kids next door on the street. Bob Dylan was always an artist whose songs were covered during the last decades. But Jimi Hendrix' version of All Along The Watchtower I've first recognized when I was at the cinema. In the 70's it was usual to show us some supporting movies before the main movie started. Most of them were very arty and we sat there waiting until the movie started. Some were inspiring others not. But I remember one afternoon when me and my mates went to see the latest Bruce Lee move and we sat down in our chairs and then no supporting movie started. Instead then they showed us a live version of this song with Jimi at the guitar. For me it was an epiphany to listen to this rough, clear and inspired sound. The movie was out of date and I felt for this sound. The next day I went to my local record shop to get me the first records. I still listen from time to time to his music. And I think that this version is much better than Bob Dylan's original.

As I told you some month ago I recognized Kris Kristofferson by his first movie Cisco Kid in the late 70's and from this time I was addicted to country-sized singer/songwriters. Me and Bobby McGee was a hymn to my generation and freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose was the slogan for us. For sure it is a song from the hippies but this could be also the slogan for every punk in the late 70's/early 80's.

Country Friday

I am everything but not a huge fan of country music. For a few times in my life I grab out some records of this genre and listen to them with amusement - mostly later in the evening with a last drink. And I won't call me an expert though I know who is who in this kind of music. A few days ago a record came to my appearance and from the first time I listened to it I was fascinated from this artist. Karl Blau is an indie rock and folk musician from near of Washington. He released music different records during the last 20 years. His latest recording Introducing Karl Blau is (for me) a little gem in a genre called country music. The songs are stamped by his sonorous voice and arrangements that are not typical for what you'll call country. I spent a few evenings listening to his songs. Sometimes they remembered me to Kurt Wagner, sometimes to Kris Kristofferson and sometimes to old fashioned country singers. He also covered songs by the Bee Gees and Townes van Zandt in his very special way and this versions were not too bad. What impressed me most was the way he interprets country music nowadays. It is played based on tradition style but also had influences by music made during the last decads. All in all a record you might listen to when you are alone to finish the day.

Karl Blau - Falling Rain
Karl Blau - If I Needed You
Karl Blau - Let The World Go By

Inflammable Material - First Records That Impressed Me Much # 9

It was back in 1972 when I watched a movie in German Television very late at night. I had nothing to do and wasn't tired enough to go to sleep so I decided to try out this movie. 'Cisco Pike' was the first movie Kris Kristofferson was the main actor. The drama stars him as a musician fallen on hard luck who turns into dealing marijuana as a means of income. This film was not a widely embraced by audience on its initial release but has become a cult movie because of the appearance of Kris Kristofferson and his soundtrack. But it also carries a cult status because of it takes on the subject of drugs, dealers and the lifestyle they lead. For me I was fascinated in the story and the music he played. I couldn't get his voice and his songs out of my mind so I went to my local record shop to get me his first records.

This records could be a best of compilation of his early works and many songs were covered by other artist in the upcoming years or became standards in the country music scene. Me I was impressed how he could sing in his deep dark voice about all the drop-outs, hanging around in bars searching for the things they have lost in their life. If his first record is great his second is marvelous. On his first record he gave us classic songs like 'Sunday Morning Coming Down', 'For The Good Times' and 'Help Me Make It Trough The Night' to give us with his second one his completest one. No song is a filler and I should post them all. It's one of those records that accompanied me during the last 40 years and I listened to it hundreds of times.

Kris Kristofferson - Help me make it through the night
Kris Kristofferson - Me and Bobby McGee
Kris Kristofferson - Blame it on the stones
Kris Kristofferson - The silver tongued devil and I
Kris Kristofferson - Jodie and the kid
Kris Kristofferson - Billy Dee
Kris Kristofferson - The Taker
Kris Kristofferson - The Pilgrim - Chapter 33

A few years later a phrase of 'The Pilgrim' appeared on the movie 'Taxi Driver' when Betsy compares Travis as a ' a prophet and a pusher, a walking contradiction, partly true and partly fiction'.

And a song from Cisco Pike which is not on the record.

In the late 1970s a German singer/songwriter covered Kris' second album an sung it in my native language. It was not too bad and transported the meanings of the songs absolutely correct.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Yesterday was one of those days I had one drink too much and now I fight against my headache. But I think that we all have to stand these situations after having a good evening. This classic from Kris Kristofferson is a live collaboration with the guitarist and singer Steve Earl.

Have a nice Sunday all out there

Kris Kristofferson & Steve Earle - Sunday Morning Coming Down

Taxi Driver

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.

Kris Kristofferson - The Pilgrim, Chapter 33