In the early 80's Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, a Jamaican rhythm section, got famous. They started their career playing as session musicians in Studio One and in various local bands. Their first recognition outside of Jamaica they got for their work on bass and drum on this tiny little hit.
The late 70's / early 80's were the days where many artists discovered reggae for itself. It seemed like everyone wanted to record at Compass Point studio in Nassau. And both prepared the floor for some good records and their production decisively stamped the reggae rhythms of these days. It is impossible to name all the collaborations they did at this place so I just selected some songs that are big over 35 years ago.
The title shows one of the provocative marketing slogans for a record label in the late 70's. Stiff Record was formed by Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson, both enrooted in the pub-rock scene of the early 70's by managing pub-rock legends like Dr. Feelgood or Brinsley Schwarz. The legend tells that both founded the label by a loan on £400 from Lee Brilleaux of Dr. Feelgood. So it is nearby that their first single was by a veteran of the scene: Nick Lowe. They signed a lot of artists I could agree with and I bought a lot of records only because they was released on Stiff Records. It was also a label that had open ears for the dawning of new kind of music and musicians raised in the pub-rock scene got a panel to develop a new sound. Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric on the one and The Damned, Madness and Tenpole Tudor on the other side were the bands I connect with this label. Always good to listen to them from time to time.
If it ain't STIFF it ain't worth a fuck was the labels' claim. It was a message to all of those who were interested in new music. Formed in the era of punk in 1976 by Jake Rivera and Dave Robinson they signed a lot of artists with pub rock roots trying to make their own sound based on the basics. STIFF records were a trademark in these days bringing quality and new music to me. Most of the releases showed artists that became famous during the years. The quality of their producers, especially Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello made this label famous. They were alive until the mid 80's and vanished afterwords. STIFF introduced me into so many new music like none other label. They opened my ears to very new and great music in the late 70's. It is hypothetical question if my musical taste would be different without them. But I think they were at the hight of the musical taste in new music in these days. So let's get a journey back in the early days of STIFF were music was new, fresh and exciting. Not everything of this song are the music I listen now but it was a very pleasurable journey back in time.
A lot of new music received throughout the last weeks and now I found the time and muse to listen. And as ever I was surprised what great music is made especially over at the Atlantic ocean. So I would like to give you a survey about the most juicy music that arrived.
Let's start with a genre that's to George an CC. They posted some great country tunes in the last month. Here's an artist George featured last Tuesday as he was asked to review it. Deena got her first steps in the Hoboken music scene in the late 80s and is still in collaboration with other bands. If I had to type her music I would say it's country based music with a big touch of pop music. The songs were dominated by Deena Shoshkes clear and brilliant voice. The best parts are when they exalt the tempos. Anyway - like George said: It's worth listening to.
Another genre that apparently not is to be got deadly is Alternative rock. Many bands still trying to keep the spirit of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam alive. Many of them fail but sometimes there are bands who do the same thing in their very own way much better than the rest. One of them are Active Radio another Austin based band. It's good to hear this kinda music again - especially when it's played with so much empathic and verve. The guitars are well as well and the whole sound reminds me on the days the named bands were on their highest level.
When Active Radio learned a lot of Alternative rock than The Mourning Sickness got some different influences. The describe themselves as a progressiv-punk band. The more I listen to their music I can hear lot of prog-rock but Frank Zappa, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and sometimes Ian Dury. Their songs are filled with unpredictable melodies, odd rhythmic figures and changing of the rhythm in a song. And they put a lot of ideas into their songs. For example in 'Beelzebufo' when suddenly a twangy guitar appears, playing a solo and finish this with a typical prog-rock guitar. Awesome.
And finally for today G. Owen Evans an London based artist originally from Wales. I liked his voice that fits very good to the ballads he is playing. He did some very good songs that fits good to the end of the day. It appears once again that every good song is suited for a remix.
Seems like this little series will come to an end soon. This is post # 18 and I think I'll have two more artists I would like to feature. So let's start for the last rounds (as well the football world champion ship will come to an end). This one comes from a band that was formed in 1970 by Ian Dury and released only two records. It was a band that was far ahead of the times while most people listened to pub rock and other BOF-music. The brand name of the group was with certainty the voice and the texts of Ian Dury. Their first record has fascinated me from the outset. Mostly carried songs with mad or at least not for usual Germans to understandable lyrics. Mostly carried from a magnificent melody Ian has spoken his texts more or less. Then from time to time a saxophone was to be heard in the background what has still improved most songs. He was punk before punk was even born. He got his credits latest when he released his first record with The Blockheads. A monument of the New Wave era. It is still fun to listen to this record time by time.
Enjoy - and have let the last working days pass you very easily.
Cheers my friends.
One of the few artists in the so called New Wave era Ian Dury impressed me much. Handicapped with Polio he went on stage, singing his songs and had fun playing that new sounds. He managed sexual equivocal ones with in fantastic songs. You can read more about him, his life and his career on Wiki. For me he was an artist who gave all in his concerts to the audience. I saw him one in a small club in the very early 1980s and I was so impressed about his physical presence while he performed. He was one of the first acts signed to STIFF-records and was on the first tour together with Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and the underrated Wreckless Eric. His first record New Boots and Panties was very successful and his single Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll was banned because explicit lyrics. His first record is remarkable for me because his winking lyrics embedded in fantastic songs that doesn't stuck in that whole New Wave thing. He also tried to combine different influences funk, jazz, soul,R'n'R and typically British musical background to his own personal sound. In 1996 they diagnosed colorectal cancer and underwent surgery, but the tumours were later found in his liver, and he was told that his condition was terminal. Upon learning of his illness, Dury took the opportunity to marry his girlfrien, sculpture Sophy Tilson, with whom he had two children. His legacy is one of the best British albums of the 1980s which carries the spirit of New Wave and the message, that a handicapped one is also able to play and live the spirit of Rock and Roll. He died on March 27 in 2000. May you rest in peace, Ian.
This year I have concluded my education. My employer has offered to me an unlimited contract which I have also accepted. Main reason was to save some money to start a life on my own feet. In the middle of the year a letter arrived in which I was invited to pattern. In my whole life I have never dealt to go to the army. In my whole life before I used to protest against what I've seen about military operations and wars that accompanies since I grew up. Therefore, I have found out about the fact which possibilities there are, so that I am not drawn. The only possibility consisted in refusing the military service and therefore the service in the weapon. It worked in this way: You had to write down the reasons why you won't use a rifle or something like that. Most of my mates did it that way and argued that they have ethical reasons not to use any kind of guns.
The next thing was that you were invited to an interview where you have to explain your reasons again and again. They listened slowly to your arguments and they asked for example: 'What would you do if you and your girlfriend are in the park late at night and some guys come around trying to rape her. If you have a gun - will you use it?'. With questions like that they wanted to destroy your arguments of being a peaceful one. Of course you could get briefed about this questions and answers but my biggest problem was that I was in this time very active and successful in a protection association. I have denied competitions on state level so that my name was well known in my sport. When I come to the interview they just asked me the question why I take shooting as a sport but will not be able to carry a gun in the army. After all I failed and I had to accept to join the army next year. Knowing that I wouldn't have enough money when I do my job for 15 month in the army I didn't make a great vacation. But all in all it wasn't a very bad year.
In 1978 the Bee Gees entered the top of the charts with 'Staying alive' and 'Night fever'. Disco was born and Studio 54 in NYC was the blueprint of all clubs was founded.
The movie 'Saturday Night Fever' presented us the first star on the dancefloor with John Travolta. Now kids wanted to dance and act like him. After appearing in the American TV series 'Welcome back Kotter' he became famous with this movie and the following 'Grease'. It was the start to a lot of dancing movies following the next years.
With the dance boom the gay movement had it's coming out in the late seventies. With bands like the Village People they came proud out of their clubs. Without them and their attitude and confession to their gayness many bands in the later years would have it much harder to stand (like Frankie goes to Hollywood, Bronski Beat, etc).
It was also the year Kate Bush appeared with her fantastic and clear voice and brought us some unforgettable songs.
Garry Rafferty released his number one hit Baker Street with one of the most remarkable saxophone solo ever (our neighbor tried it for years but never got the right tune).
Stiff Little Fingers gave us their perception on the conflict in Northern Ireland with their song 'Alternative Ulster'.
Ian Dury came returned with my favorite 'Hit me with your rhythm stick'. Fantastic bass line.
Warren Zevon told us stories about 'Werewolfs in London'. (I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand walking down to Mayfair).
Blondie was present now on international stage but a hit all over Europe was Paul McCartney wit 'Mull of Kintyre' - what a shame (and I didn't notice any song from Siouxie and the Banshees, the Buzzcocks, Patti Smith at all)
Remarkable records that was published in 1978:
George Benson - Weekend in LA: Maybe his best record at the highest level. Listened so often to this record all over the years.
REO Speedwagon - You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish: Bought this record just because of the title. Old fashioned rock but great songs and guitars on it.
Nick Lowe - Jesus of cool: Producer of a lot of band (mostly on the STIFF label) got time to make a record with some of his best songs.
Little Feat - Waiting for Colombus: Aanother fantastic live record presenting the last days of inspired classic rock.
Thin Lizzy - Live and dangerous: Never been better than this. We danced to them songs until we fall down to the ground.
The Rezillos - Can't stand the Rezillos: Get us party all night long. Great record still.
Pere Ubu - Dub housing: Music from another planet
George Thorogood & the Destroyers - Move it on over: Back to the roots of rhythm' n' blues
Herman Brood - Cha Cha: Pure rock with a lot of punk style in it from our neighbors in Netherlands
Nina Hagen Band - same: Great voice from Eastern Germany with a fantastic German version of 'White punks on dope'
Steele Pulse - Handsworth Revolution: Pure British reggae.
Blondie - Parallel lines: Could listen to Debbie Harry often at this time What movies from 1978 are still worth to see again:
Halloween: Part one with Jamie Lee Curtis is still the best one
The Deer Hunter: Michael Ciminos drama with Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken of men going to a war that couldn't be won and coming traumatised.
Dawn of the dead: When there is no more room in hell the dead will walk the earth
Up in Smoke: Cheech and Chong doped
La Cage aux Folles: Gay couple, one of them running a drag club in St. Tropez adverrtising ultra-conservative parents
The Last Waltz: Goodbye to a great band
What moved the world in 1978.
Pedro Cardinal, a leading critic of the Nicaraguan governments was assasdinated - riots against the Somoza's regime started; Northeastern US blizzard kills more then 100 people; China bans the works of Aristole, Shakespeare and Dickens; American porn publisher Larry Flint is shot and paralyzed in Lawrenceville, GA; the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan is proclaimed under pro-communist leader Nur Mohammad Taraki; Messner/Habeler made the first ascend to the Mount Everest without supplemental oxygene; FIFA-World Cup was won by Argentine - Germany lost in semi-final against Austria; Iranian Army troopers open fire to rioters in Teherean, killing 122, wounding 4000; President Carter signs bill that allows homebrewing of beer; the world got a new pope with John Paul II - the first non Italian pope sins more than 400 years; Nobel Peace Price is won by the premiers Sadat and Begin.
My personal favorite this year was Magazine' first record 'Real Life'. It is one of the best first records ever. Punk turned into New Wave and the sound was different now. The three chords songs turned into another dimension. Now you could hear a new kind of songwriting. The member of the bands knew how to handle their instruments and to arrange songs. One of the best examples was 'Real life'. The band was formed by Howard Devoto after leaving the famous Buzzcocks with John McGeoch on guitar. They recruited Barry Adamson on bass, Jim Dickinson on keyboards and Martin Jackson on drums. Their first record is filled with experimental sounds that would be the blueprint of many other bands.
The songs are still fresh and innovative after all the years. I love to hear them again from time to time.
