Live Music On German TV # 6

Back in the late 70s / early 80s it was a change in musical preferences. Lot's of people were based in traditional common music - the others had open ears for the new sounds British punk rock bands offered to us. In this time there were less bands you could agree to both parties. One of them were Little Feat. They made a very unique sound, influenced by traditional R'n'B, Funk and Soul. I was a huge fan of their music in these times. First was the voice of Lowell George with his nasal sound. Second was the arrangements in their songs. They combined the slide guitar on a funky, laid back groove. I remember one day when the first real discotheque closed their doors back in 1980. This location was the first real location we had in my hometown where they played very different music that we used to listen to. Frequented mostly by GI's from nearby. And so we got lead to the music of James Brown, Temptations, The Doors and the whole psychedelic stuff. And of curse it was a place where were was dealt with drugs. For me and my lads it was a place where you are close to the 'real tough guys'. This location was closed down because the owners couldn't stand the pressure of of the public guidelines any more. On the last day they made an auction of their records. One of the records I got there was Little Feat's record from 1974 Feats Don't Fail Me Now. This album was very mint but it is still a memory to a place I used to hit often.

Enjoy this little gems and have a good time.

English Ruse

If anyone remembers Supergrass, an Oxford based band which was named as another brit-pop band you might forgot them as well as me. Their lead singer and guitarist Gareth 'Gaz' Coombes released his first solo record a few month ago called Matador. It is one of those records that impress me much. Good guitars, an afficted voice and a great arrangement and some Krautrock improvisations added. Hymns for the future if somebody would listen to. The more I listen to them the more I get addicted to them. Not the usual sound with a beat, a repeating refrain or a guitar riff - more than very clever arranged songs where you explore more and more details the more you listen to it. Surely a highlight this year (and there were a lot of).

Twanging Tuesday # 70

Today's song is a classic in surf rock and got popular on the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction. One more time Quentin Tarantino had a fine antenna for cool songs for his movie. Dick Dale and his Del-Tones were pioneers in surf music. And nothing more should be told about. Just listen to this version from the late 90s and enjoy.

Netherlands Greatest?

Next Saturday the day of Herman Brood's death recurs for the 14th time. He was maybe the greatest musician and entertainer from this country. Herman Brood started his career playing with an Dutch underground band Cuby and the Blizzards before he went to jail for dealing LSD. In 1976 he started his second musical career with his band Wild Romance. Known for his excessive hedonistic lifestyle he was one of few artists that lived the real way of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. I was lucky enough to see him live in the late 70s with his energetic show. For me it was I expected by Iggy Pop on stage. And he was the missing link from continental r&b and the upcoming punk era. He was deeply based in classic rock music but had something really different. I can't explain what it was - maybe the way he performed his songs. Mostly high energy forward driving songs with very good arrangements. There are only a few bands from my neighbors that impressed me like him. And when I listen to his songs after decades they feel still raw, fresh and individual.

Herman Brood - Saturday Night
Herman Brood - Love You Like I Love Myself
Herman Brood - Rock and Roll Junkie
Herman Brood - Johnny

And one song he sung shortly before he commit suicide and that was played on his funeral.

Herman Brood - My Way

It Hugs Back

Another band I've never heard before and was recommended by my youngest brother are It Hugs Back. It is another London based band that released several records during the last years. It Hugs back was formed by Matthew Simms who played guitar by Wire for a few years and Pete Fowler, Super Furry Animals. Their music can't be described as post-punk or alternative rock like you may expect by them members. It is more a frantic burst of kaleidoscopic guitar pop with exuberant synths, some piano parts and emphatic vocals.

There were so many songs to feature but only a few today. Go Magic is a brilliant glam-rocker with a pounding groove, sharp guitar riffs and vocal delivered through a loudhailer.
   

Waiting Room is a delightful, with aching and countrified harmonies and some superb guitar picking.


On their last track Skateboard Rhythm they transform a low folk song into an euphoric Krautrocking jam.



Thank you Martin - this post is dedicated to you

Loud Places Again

I met my brother yesterday for another fantastic cup of coffee. Talking about the latest music he recommended me the live version of Jamie XX Loud Places. And he's right - this song works played live very good. It is also good to see the XX playing with him again.

Here Comes The Summer

The last days the temperature increased at my place over 30 degrees Celsius these days, Work is hard to do without any air condition right now. Every place outside the office is a place where you sweat all over. I don't want to complain but finally summer arrived at my place. Hope you can enjoy the summer as well.