Welcome to a new series featuring songs that use clapping hands either to emphasize the rhythm or simply because it suits this song.
Almost exactly 50 years ago, Steve Miller released his masterpiece Fly Like An Eagle, on which he moves between blues rock, country and atmospheric sounds. Take The Money And Run stands out from the rest of the excellent material.
That’s exactly how old Rose Royce’s Car Wash is – a funky disco hit that was played everywhere back in the day.
John Mellencamp, who was still known as John Cougar at the time, reached the top of the charts with this simple song.
Legendary hip-hop groups are a dime a dozen. N.W.A are considered the toughest, Gang Starr are the perfect duo for many, Native Tongue fans regard A Tribe Called Quest as the gold standard, whilst the alternative scene swears by the Beastie Boys or Cypress Hill. Yet many fans, despite their prolonged dry spell, still regard the political rappers of Public Enemy as ‘The Greatest Hip Hop Group Of All Time’. I agree with that to a certain extent, because as far as I’m concerned, the Beastie Boys are a cut above the rest.
In 1986, Def Jam was the music label of the moment, and Rick Rubin made his breakthrough as a producer with the Beastie Boys, introducing a distinctly heavier sound to hip-hop for the first time. Shortly afterwards, he signed a band that had recently been formed by Chuck D and Flavor Flav. Public Enemy took their hard-hitting sound a step further. Melodies were left out; heavy drums and an electronic wail set the rhythm, which is enhanced by samples.
Lyrically, Public Enemy pick up where the Black Movement in the US left off with the Black Panthers. They describe everything that is wrong with the country – issues that were only taken up again years later by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Their debut album was far less successful in the United States than in Europe, and it was only with their second album that they achieved cult status. After a few years, it was all over and the band called it a day.
Ian Dury would have turned 84 today had he not died far too young from bowel cancer 26 years ago. I think this is a good time to remember him here.
He was an exceptionally talented singer, songwriter, actor and artist who refused to let his disability – polio, which he contracted at a young age – stand in his way.
Together with some fellow students from an art school, he formed his first band, Kilburn and the High Roads, in the early 1970's. They became local stars with their pub rock, and even back then he incorporated various influences and instruments into their songs that were rather atypical for that sound.
However, he didn’t really get his career off the ground until he signed a record deal with Stiff Records. Alongside Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Wreckless Eric, he was part of the first wave of bands on the label, which was set to herald a new era in music. Drawing on classic rock, Ian Dury incorporated elements of jazz, funk and new wave into his songs. He often sang in a North London Cockney accent, which made it difficult for me to understand some of his lyrics. Ultimately, his debut album brought together a host of timeless songs that are still well worth listening to, even after almost fifty years.
Another song in this series, which has been running for over 50 years. The Allman Brothers Band released Jessica on their forth album Brothers and Sisters back in 1973. This song is atypical for the band, which has made a name for itself with its blues-infused Southern rock and often improvised jams. Lead guitarist Dickey Betts saw it as a tribute to Django Reinhardt, who popularized gypsy jazz 90 years ago with his guitar playing. Jessica is a timeless work that is unrivalled in its virtuosity, melody and build-up of tension.
To be honest, I’m not sure whether to write about the music video or the song. On the one hand, the video is the most breathtaking I’ve seen in a long time; on the other hand, whenever I hear the song, the images from the video always spring to mind.
Romain Gavras, the son of French director Constantin Costa Gavras (“Z”, “Missing”), also makes films and, from time to time, music videos. Gavras has now directed the video for “Storm” by GENER8ION, a project by musician, producer and DJ Benoit Heitz, who also goes by the name Surkin. At the heart of the video/song is Swedish rapper Yung Lean, who plays a school bully in the ‘Storm Class of 2034’. In the first half of the clip, all hell breaks loose at the school, after which choreographer Damien Jalet takes over, and the whole package is bloody impressive, with associations raining down on the audience (Dead Poets Society, The Wall, A Clockwork Orange). Despite the setting, nothing feels like the future; in fact, it’s just business as usual at an English school with a few lads who just want to be lads.
The music complements the video. Aggressive synths, most reminiscent of Underworld, a rumbling bassline and Yung Lean’s voice blend seamlessly with the images on screen.
A few weeks ago a new album by Broken Chanter was released. It is the stage name of David MacGregor, former principal songwriter of the fabulous indie band Kid Canaveral. Once again, it’s clear just how much musical potential Scotland has to offer. *This Could be Us, You, Or Anybody Else* is a classic indie rock album featuring top-notch tracks that could easily have been released 30 years ago. Sparkling guitar riffs and a band that really drives the rhythm forward are its hallmarks. Occasionally, the songs have a funky edge, which suits them down to the ground. I’ve only recently discovered this band, but I intend to delve deeper into their catalogue.
Welcome to the last round of featuring songs that didn't leave out the harmonica. Let's start with an old song by Ewan MacCall which has been covered by many artists over the years. One of the finest versions is by The Pogues.
At the start of his career, there was hardly a single photo of Neil Young in which he wasn’t seen playing a harmonica.
It’s hard to believe that ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ is already 50 years old and still sounds as fresh as it did back then.
I’ve never really been into Canned Heat’s blues rock/boogie, but this song had to be included in this series.
The same goes for the pop-rockers Supertramp.
Next week will probably feature a series focusing on hand clapping.
