There's A Sly Riot Goin' On Here

I remember being a little kid and my father coming up to me handing me a cassette tape that he picked up from Shell Gasoline when he filled up. He would get one each week for a total of I think four weeks. Each cassette tape had about six songs on them. They were mostly summertime pieces that set a mood or for my father full of nostalgia of the late 60's and early 70's. Some of these songs were like "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan, or "Horse With No Name" by America." It's funny I can remember a few songs, but not all of them. One cassette though had "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone. I think I overplayed it, but it is worth it. These cassettes I used to listen to religiously because I really did not have many cassettes for a while. I had albums and and stuff I tape off the radio, but I did not buy many cassettes for a while. That all changed when I was in seventh grade. I bought a cassette a week. At one point my collect grew to over a 1000 cassettes.

Most of these cassettes were sold, but I still have about 300 still around the house. I keep these because some of this music has not been around in the MP3 or CD form. I laughed the other day of all the tapes I kept. I do have some tapes that are somewhat collectible like a King Crimson's Young Person's Guide to King Crimson tape which is still only on CD in Japan. The tape is orange. I also have a promo only cassette tape of Jeff Buckley's Grace. I am sure it will fetch some money. All the Funkadelic tapes I got when I was in New York. The cassettes my friend made for me of all kinds of bootlegs. Pink Floyd live in 1967 or George Harrison Wonderwall Music. I even found a Thelonous Monk tribute disc with people like NRBQ, John Zorn, Joe Jackson, and so many others that is not even on CD. I could go on and on. These cassettes were my life.



The Sly & The Family Stone was one of my favorite because I loved the music. His songs were about the real world and about life. His words were great and wonderful. They were also telling the truth of what was happening in our society at that time. It hit the point and made sure everyone was clear in understanding it. As I got a bit older I knew why I liked Sly & The Family Stone. One day I was watching the Woodstock Movie. They showed his performance and I almost flipped on how great it was. The medley he did of his songs and how his energy got the crowd involved was amazing. Just remember all these people singing and clapping along with him was simply a experience. At that point I was old enough to go record shopping and I picked up a few of his albums. I had a tape copy of the greatest hits. That was good up to a point.

I decided to buy a few albums. I bought two monumental ones. I bought There's A Riot Goin' On and Stand!. Each one was so good I did not know what to think. I played them both many times and still could not figure which one to commit to tape. So I put them both on one cassette and threw it my tape deck. Each of these albums had moments that were beyond description to me as a young adult. I even to this day have the problem of picking one that I would recommend. I remember that when I listened to these albums they were full of energy and most of full of great music. The funky bass of Larry Graham, the heavy organ of Sly Stone. Even more the wonderful sound of the who band playing as one. It must have drove people like James Brown and Miles Davis crazy. I heard stories that Miles saw Sly & The Family Stone and saw how both white and black people dug it so much that he decided to form a band that had these funk type qualities to them.



When I even decided to write this post I had problems figuring out what to write about. I chose Stand!, because that is the most accessible. This album had three hit singles and all the songs were some of the best that Sly Stone wrote. I remember these songs on the radio all the time and wonder then how he wrote such great pieces of music. Even the longest song on any of his albums has got great grooves and soul. Each person takes a lead on it and he really makes a case for all things funky.

I am sure my readers have some Sly & The Family Stone, but if you don't then I would suggest that you start with this one. This album had three hit singles and is the most accessible of all the albums. It was also most of the music that was featured in the Woodstock movie. It's a classic like the album that came after it, but to me it's where his loyal fan base loved that they could now finally say that he actually can fit in mainstream musical history. He was a great, and to the point writer who could now be remembered for some great work. Enjoy!

Ubu Dancing

Dave Thomas is one messed up man. He is a man who no matter what he does he will not be a pop icon. He will be best remembered for fronting one of the most unusual Garage Rock and Avant-Garde bands in the world. Pere Ubu is that band and Peru Ubu is a band that I chose to like. I am not the only Ubuhead with my friends. I have friend who are quite religious when Pere Ubu tour. They don't tour my way that often, but they do come once in a blue moon. One of my friends get's so excited that the music of Pere Ubu is played for about a month in his stereo, car, or anything he can play it on. He is like a little kid waiting to get up Christmas morning to see what Santa dropped off.

The name Peru Ubu comes from the meaning "Father Ubu" which is derived from a play by Alfred Jerry. The lead protagonist is Ubu Roi who is really Ubu the King. Along with myself and my friends they are very underground and have a great following. There influence is quite important in the history of the Post Punk period of Rock and Roll. I have seen them a total of three times, but each time I can tell you that once the show was done it took you about a week to get things back to some kind of normalcy. They sound like some kind of twisted version of a punk band that Captain Beefheart would front.



The first time I saw Pere Ubu was in 1993 and I was still on the traditional music kick, listening to Classic Rock and popular music, but when I was done with the concert I knew that somehow I would listen to them again. It was part of a traveling road show that had a few other bands which also sounded very promising. Dave's voice and lyrics where out there enough that I knew the meaning was there. The connection that my friends felt was their too and that was good for me. At that point too I did not know what to buy so I asked my friends to make a mix cassette for the car so I can hear all the different things Pere Ubu can do. It was a wonderful challenge for my friend because he had to dig deep in their collection to find the songs that would be great to play over and over again, and the songs that would make me scratch my head so I can discuss them with him at another time.

The second time I saw Pere Ubu was by accident. They were playing the same night and same place I was seeing another show. The place called Knitting Factory had three places you can see live music. In a fall October day it fit pretty well with the air and the season. I really wanted to see my friend play in one of the smaller places, but then again I wanted to see Pere Ubu. I found out my friends show was a 10:30 performance while Pere Ubu was a 8:00 time. I looked at my friend and asked if we could do two shows. My friend did not mind, and to make it better she never heard of the band so this would have been a real treat. After the show she looked at me like I had more then a few screws loose, but also said that was the most oddest show she liked.



The third time was at the same club in New York and this time it was my friends who are the Ubuheads. We looked like a bunch of geeks. It was quite fun to see us get ready for this show. If you saw us, we would be the geeks in the corner at the dance waiting for the cute girl not to ask us to dance. It was a better show, now that I knew a lot more then the previous two times. This time the music was better then the last time I saw them and even the songs I enjoyed had better, and wonderful sound that I can remember how they were performed for the first time. The show was a classic in concerts for me. I mean, I was with friends and some of the lost Peru Ubu classics came out.
Modern Dance has many great songs. If I tell you to listen to it all maybe you should. Each has Dave Thomas's odd and quirky feel to it. His lyrics were some of the best stuff you ever heard. If I can suggest that you get this album and Dub Housing. You will be glad that you did. As allmusic says on the review "There isn't a Pere Ubu recording you can imagine living without." Well, you cannot live without this. Most of this is way ahead of it's time and you will be glad that you will be one of the futuristic listeners. Pere Ubu is a great way to start a wonderful music conversation and to play it for your friends and see their head never get it, but on the other hand you might convert a new fan. The Modern Dance is the signature sound of the avant-garage: art rock, punk rock, and garage rock mixing together joyously and fearlessly. Take a listen and of course rock out!

Shuggie Where You Been?

The first time I heard Shuggie Otis was on a Frank Zappa album called Hot Rats. I did not get it at first, but then I realized that his bass playing was a bit complex, but he was a child prodigy and you could tell he was wise beyond his years. The fact that he was he was only sixteen years old when he was on that album was amazing. It made me think of Tony Williams and his drumming at about the same age. Shuggie was famous already because his father. His father Johnny Otis was a legend in the R&B world as a bandleader and musician. His eagerness to learn and play was great. Shuggie was so good that he turned down the offer to replace Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones.

I was told by a friend that Shuggie recorded albums, but none of them were in print. So I was on the hunt for his work. I just wanted anything that had his stamp on it. I was told I would enjoy the fuzzy guitar and the funky grooves that came with his music. For a while I had problems finding his music. I went to my usual haunts and could find very little. I even went to the record stores in the city. I found them, but they were pretty expensive. I just wondered how was going to find this guys stuff.



I did not do much downloading when I went back to school in 2000 so looking for his stuff was put on the back burner. Then one day at the radio station I worked at the station and one of the music directors came up to me and asked if I knew anything about him. I was shocked to see that there was a CD. I read the press release that came with the CD and it told me that this was a re-issue of one of his classic albums. It came with some extra bonus material and some great liner notes. When I went into the studio to play it, I finally understood why this man was so good. Each song had a wonderful groove and hook to it. The music was alive with organ, fuzzy guitar, bass and wonderful drumming.

The notes in the CD spoke of this wonderful praise. In the notes it talks of his father telling us the readers that he was born to play guitar and how he really could no wrong. People who saw him play called him the musician, musician. Shuggie was once as one of the best west coast musicians and would have been a huge star. His unique sound was not of this earth I read and I am glad I found him.



His unique sound spilled over to his songs on Here Come Shuggie Otis. When you listen to this album you can hear that he loved the blues and playing with his father in the clubs. His imitations of fellow blues musicians on" Shuggie's Boogie" are spot on. Even the song "Hurricane" has a wonderful groove to it. All his albums have a wonderful feel that was not really around at that time. Classic Rock took a front seat and most of this wonderful lost Soul and R&B took a while to catch up. Shuggie put all on the line. His short career in the 70's proved you could do something yourself. That was pretty rare those days.

If you want to add some Funk, Soul, R&B to your collection you might want to pick this up. Shuggie and his genius put out some well crafted music out. He made people think that you can do it and have fun. What I like is the fact the music is fresh and wonderful to listen to. I put his music on the other day and it sounded so great that I wish I was back in the early 70's just listening to this stuff with headphones on. He could rock like no other and I promise you that it will be a treat to the ears. Enjoy!

Nick Cave's Love

I found her on a night of fire and noise
Wild bells rang in a wild sky
I knew from that moment on
I'll love her till the day that I died
And I kissed away a thousand tears
My lady of the Various Sorrows
Some begged, some borowed, some stolen
Some kept safe for tomorrow
On and endless night, silver star spangled
The bells from the chapel went jingle-jangle

Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Like I love you?

She was given to me to put things right
And I stacked all my accomplishments beside her
Still I seemed so obselete and small
I found God and all His devils inside her
In my bed she cast the blizzard out
A mock sun blazed upon her head
So completely filled with light she was
Her shadow fanged and hairy and mad
Our love-lines grew hopelessly tangled
And the bells from the chapel went jingle-jangle

Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Like I love you?

She had a heartful of love and devotion
She had a mindful of tyranny and terror
Well, I try, I do, I really try
But I just err, baby, I do, I error
So come find me, my darling one
I'm down to the grounds, the very dregs
Ah, here she comes, blocking the sun
Blood running down the inside of her legs
The moon in the sky is battered and mangled
band the bells from the chapel go jingle-jangle

Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Like I love you?

All things move toward their end
I knew before I met her that I would lose her
I swear I made every effort to be good to her
I made every effort not to abuse her
Crazy bracelets on her wrists and her ankles
And the bells from the chapel go jingle-jangle

Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Do you love me?
Do you love me? Like I love you?



The first time I heard Nick Cave was on a soundtrack called Until To The End of the World. The music featured U2, Can (who I just started liking), Elvis Costello, R.E.M, Talking Heads, Lou Reed and many great others. The movie was a very futuristic film and the director Wim Wenders wanted music that had a that futuristic feel to it. Can made a lasting impression because it sounded very futuristic. Nick Cave made the future sound bleak, but just enough light to make look like that there was some hope. Cave's vicious lyric combines fear and black humor perfectly, while his band The Bad Seeds' performance redefines "cinematic," a disturbing organ figure leading the subtle but crisp arrangement and Harvey's addition of a sharp bell ratcheting up the feeling of doom and judgment. His wonderful baritone sound makes it quite addicting to listen to.

I would play his song over and over on the tape and wonder where he got this wonderful gift of words. It was not long after that I became a fan of his work. I then saw him on a Alternative rock show on MTV called 120 Minutes. He came on with his band and put me into a trance. Not only did they show a live performance, but they showed a video. This man had a wonderful gift of telling great stories and giving us that creepy feeling to like it. It was great fun to hear this and got me on my Nick Cave fan base.



Nick Cave was somewhat popular when around the time I started hearing him. His voice and his wonderful band The Bad Seeds have this great feel around them. Nick does this with a live show too. His music is just got this way of sucking you in and not letting go, and on top of that his lyrics are just outstanding. Each of his albums have more then memorable words and great hooks to catch you when your not looking. The organ and eeriness of his music just creates this audio nightmare that you really don't want to be a part of and then you get caught in it and you love it and want your mind to make sure it's recorded so you can enjoy it again. Quite a feat for imagery and music.

I took the time to listen to his previous selections after hearing the soundtrack stuff. I did not even know where to begin at one point. Then in 1994 it all changed. MTV once again played them on 120 Minutes and the video for "Red Right Hand" came on and it put me in a trance like nothing ever before. I wanted this album at no cost. My friend who worked at another record store told me he had a promo of this album just waiting for me. It was like a dream come true. I got to finally hear all this great unusual music come to my brain. Every song was going to be exploration in new ways that would attack my skull.



When I got the CD home I quickly grabbed my headphones and listened to this wonderful album. On the full-on explosive front, "Jangling Jack" sounds like it wants to do nothing but destroy sound systems, strange noises and overmodulations ripping throughout the song. Songs like "Do You Love Me?" just wants you to tear down walls that you never heard in mood music. The Bad Seeds along with Nick do things that very few bands can do. When I put on "Red Right Hand" on the Stereo my father asked me if this was the X-Files of Music. He absolutly loved everything about it. It really felt like short story with a wonderful soundtrack to it. No band was doing this in 1994. They did not even know what to think. In 1995 and in 2001 I had a chance to see him perform and he was wonderful.

In all the music in my collection, no one more prolific is Nick Cave. I think I own most of his albums. His lyrics are few people can write and his ability to create some great emotion like no other. I suggest you start here and I am sure you will, like me have a great collection of his stuff. Don't stop at just his albums, check out his books, soundtracks, and surprisingly his B-sides. If you think his albums are great the B-sides should have not been leftovers, but just more stuff to enjoy and get a peak in a genius such as him. Enjoy!

Let The Family Meet John Hiatt

The first time I saw John Hiatt was on Letterman in 1990. He was playing a song called "Real Fine Love." The lyrics were great and the band was killer. I thought he was fresh and did not have that grunge feel and most of all it was very roots oriented and had a great rough sound that needed no polishing, it was just fun. I liked it because it did what it needed to do, sound great and fresh and most of all really gritty. I was liking the fact that he was in his own world, rocking out with the best and did not care who he did or did not impress.

I was a subscriber to Columbia House and one day I decided to buy the album that I saw on Letterman. It was not expensive so I figure I start there. I got the tape in the mail and I decided to drive work. When I pulled in the parking lot my co-worker asked me if that was John Hiatt. I was shocked to know that he knew who he was. I told him yes and this the only album I had of his. The next day he gave me a John Hiatt album Bring The Family. He told me that this where I should start. It was a good thing I did, because this album is one of his best.



I sadly knew only one artist on that album at that time and that was Ry Cooder. Ry was and still is an amazing guitar player. The other two I heard of but could not place where they were. When I placed the album on the turntable I got this feeling from the first song that I knew I was in for a genuine great album all the way through. The guitar work of Cooder and the wonderful steady drum beats of Keltner and holding the bottom of Nick Lowe. The groove of the songs could be felt all over it.

Sometimes the simple roots are the best. Every song is a keeper. This album also has one of the most frequently covered songs. "Have A Little Faith In Me" has been covered by people like Bill Frisell, Joe Cocker, Jewel, Mandy Moore and so many others. When you hear it it sure does sound like the world wants to cover it. It seems to be his most popular song in concerts too. The fans really do love this song. Another song on the album revitalized a wonderful career of one Bonnie Raitt. She won a ton of Grammys for a song called "Thing Called Love." If you heard both originals by Hiatt you can see that he really does have a talent for song writing. His fans are loyal and you can count me on that loyal train. Seeing him live is a treat and his storytelling between songs is great too. I saw him so far a total of seven times. My personal favorite on the album is "Memphis In The Meantime" a wonderful R&B fueled rocker with some great punch. It really shows that Hiatt has a few things up his sleeve and shows that he can and write a damn fine song.



Bring the Family was recorded after a period of great personal turmoil for him, and for the most part the archly witty phrasemaker of his earlier albums was replaced by an wiser and more cautious writer who had a great deal to say about where life and love can take you. But Bring the Family isn't an album about tragedy, it's about responsibility and belatedly growing up, and it's appropriate that it was a band of seasoned veterans with their own stories to tell about life who helped Hiatt bring it across; it's a rich and satisfying slice of grown-up rock & roll. (AM)
What makes this more exciting is the fact the next album is just is great. Slow Turning is got his wonderful gems down and wonderful presented. He even has the great Sonny Landreth on guitar that album.

So if you want something simple, fun and lyrically wonderful then I suggest you start here. The music tells more stories then I can, but it is a wonderful story. Each song is like a novella and is a great yarn about what John Hiatt can only tell. His world was full of ups and downs and all this is the top of his song writing. It's Rock and Roll at it's best. Enjoy!

Sure I like country music
I like mandolins
But right now I need a telecaster
Through a vibro-lux turned up to ten
(Memphis In The Meantime lyrics)

Sea, Cake in Nassau

When I went back to college I was looking for new music to listen to. I decided to go to the radio station and get that knowledge first hand. I heard music that I would not be normally exposed to. I also went to the local used record store and talked to people there. Eventually they knew me well enough that we can talk about all types and styles of music. Some of the people at the store told me about bands I don't remember hearing on my local stations back home. I took notes on what to listen to, after all I could more then likely hear them at the radio station and if I liked them, then I would pick them at the record store.

I really was open to many styles and genres of music. I remember doing my first show on the idea that I would devote half the show to bands or artists that people suggest. I trusted these people with their knowledge and welcomed it with open arms. In that time I got exposed to bands like Tortoise (which I knew very little at the time), Slowdive, Bright Eyes, Talk Talk and so many others. Most of the stuff I listened to had an attracted my attention in so many ways because of their unique sound. I grew to like all these bands and really appreciate the musical variety out there.



One semester I took a class on American Music. It was great class because we talked about Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll and Classical. The teacher, like myself was a huge fan of Charles Ives. After class he and I would discuss Charles Ives at great length. It was fun, because each talked about artists that uniquely Americana. We did a segment on Miles Davis, Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and many other American greats. After class I came up to the kid who talked about Miles Davis. I asked if he was a fan. He told me he was and had most of his collection. I asked him what he was missing, and in return I would make him a copy. He appreciated that and told me for my kindness he would give me a few things he liked listening to. Little did I know that he was friends with these two girls that I was friends with who I had great respect for. The next day he gave me the Miles Davis he was missing and gave me three CD's of music that I would like. It was a unique art project and design and me with my simple burned CD's I felt kind of bad just being simple. He told me just enjoy the music and if their is any band that I like on these CD's to let him know.

When I got back to my place one of my female friends who knew him recognized the artwork that came with the CD's. She commented that only one person could do that artwork and that would be him. His artwork was talked about in art class because it was uniquely different then the rest of the class who were doing art in the class. I found it fascinating and told my friend that he was in my music class. So we sat down and listened to these CD's. One of the bands was The Sea and Cake. Their unusual indie-rock and experimental sound was very fascinating. The next time I saw this classmate I asked if he had more The Sea and Cake. He told me had all five of their records up to this point. I really wanted to hear them all and maybe play them on my radio show one day.



Sea and Cake are a wonderful band that I thank my friend for introducing me to. They are quietly making a great name for themselves and are great quirky music and have a wonderful sound. As of this post they have a new album out in the fall and are touring with Broken Social Scene. If Indie rock sounds this good, then they are well done and defiantly something that should be checked out. I can suggest a few songs; such as "I Will Hold the Tea Bag" and "Nature Boy." Both are filled with wonderful hooks and great breaks. If this is something that sounds good to you then I suggest this one. Enjoy!

Kick Out The MC5

Kick out the jams motherfuckers !
Yeah! I, I, I, I, I'm gonna
I'm gonna kick 'em out ! Yeah !
Well i feel pretty good
And i guess that i could get crazy now baby
Cause we all got in tune
And when the dressing room got hazy now baby

I know how you want it child
Hot, quick and tight
The girls can't stand it
When you're doin'it right
Let me up on the stand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I want to kick'em out !

Yes i'm starting to sweat
You know my shirt's all wet
What a feeling
In the sound that abounds
And resounds and rebounds off the ceiling

You gotta have it baby
You can't do without
When you get that feeling
You gotta sock'em out
Put that mike in my hand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes ! Kick out the jams
I want to kick'em out
( guitar )

So you got to give it up
You know you can't get enough Miss Mackenzie
Cause it gets in your brain
It drives you insane
With the frenzy

The wigglin guitars girl
The crash of the drums
Make you wanna keep-a-rockin'
Till the morning comes

Let me be who i am
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I done kicked em out !!!



Imagine hearing those lyrics when you were in High School and wondering where the hell those came from. They were ahead of there time then and they are so true now. I mean they were really ahead of their time. The MC5 were a band that was full of Punk, Garage, Hard and Blues Rock and Roll. They were timely and also they were also very political in their own way. They were an influence on so many bands and artists. Here are some of a few; Jeff Buckley, Rage Against the Machine, Presidents of the United States of America, Henry Rollins, Pearl Jam and so many others. My influence was hearing them on a compilation that had an odd mix of music of 1969.

This compilation had Traffic, Procol Harum, Love, Deep Purple, Yardbirds and so many others. The odd mix of music was a welcome suggestion to a young kids (such as myself) to listen to. Each artist was an opportunity to listen to more music. I joined Columbia House Record Club and I saw this as a chance to get it. So one day I decided to get the CD. I always excited to get a new CD or tape in the mail. The day I got the MC5 I was a happy to get it. The notes inside the CD were fantastic and talked about a time where the band was the reason Detroit rocked so hard.



When I used to buy from Columbia House I used to get CD's that I thought I never thought I would like in the future. I picked up Love's Forever Changes, The Who's Tommy, and so many others. I liked all this music. I remember when I got the package that included the MC5
CD I was excited. I quickly put on the CD. The energy was raw and only could have done live. I cannot imagine an album such as this done in a lifeless studio with a man behind a window asking for another take.

Going back when I got this album in the mail I was so excited to get it I remember reading in a music book how this album like a few others was going to change my life. I got a couple albums that day but this stood out and in the few CD's I bought. I remember the description Columbia House gave. It described it as an album full of raw power and wonderfully live and is an essential. That was enough for me to get and I am glad I did.



When I came to school with it my Journalism and Graphic teacher grabbed me by the arm and asked me where I got that. I told him through the record club. He told me he loved that album and thought it was lost forever. He wanted to borrow it and listen to it. I did let him as long as I can take the liner notes to read in class. I went to my history class and before the class began I was deep in reading. My classmate who had horrible taste in music and I bet she still does asked me about the album and I told her it was the best thing ever and should be cranked up to eleven. She scoffed at me and told me that the I was a fool. Yea, I was a fool for listening to some great stuff and she listened to something is more then likely never heard of again.

I will tell you this, that the MC5 were great and should be remembered for a lot of influence in music. They are talked about in great music circles. If you think this is great then you will be not alone. I would strongly suggest that you check out where it all started. This is an album that refuses to be played quietly. For many years, Detroit was considered the High Energy Rock & Roll Capital of the World, and Kick Out the Jams provided all the evidence anyone might need for the city to hold onto the title. Enjoy!