September 16, 2016 - The Rolling Stones - Slave (1975/1981)

Slave is my favorite song from Tattoo You, an album filled with songs inspired by the character from Fantasy Island. Mick has that laid back Miss You quality to his vocals, dig that spoken word section about stealing something off the shelves, pass by the liquor store and be back by quarter to twelve. Amazing. Then at 1:56 he does that duh I'm Mick Jagger yeah baby yeah baby. Hilariously goofus. Boss! Boss! What is Meek Jahgairz fantasy? Well, Tattoo, he is tired of being a slave to the entertainment world and making lots of money. He wants to experience how his life would have turned out if he'd decided to become a physical education teacher like his father.

The music is a sweet funky groove that rolls along all slow and relaxed. The music is totally Tattoo You-ish, I swear the album sounds radically different from all their others, although there is definitely some Emotional Rescue in it (She's So Cold), and Some Girls (Lies). The drums are so cracking loud and out in front and everything is kind of in your face. The album is made up of songs they had recorded already, so maybe the additional overdubs gave it this sound. I haven't read up on it.

Slave features the excellent Billy Preston on keyboards and the mighty saxophone of Sonny Rollins, a spectacular treat. There are so many fantastic ensemble moments, it's hard to pick one. But if I had to choose, I would say Sonny's sax screech at 4:05 is the peak moment. That's the whoa! moment. The moment when Tattoo yells, ze plane! ze plane! Unlike Mick, Tattoo loved being a slave...to Mr. Rourke.


Mick: "Hey Keith, look how uncool Bill and Charlie are compared to us. Wouldn't it be funny if we made Ronnie go hang out with them?"
Keith: "Nice jacket, Mick. Maybe you should go hang out with those guys."
Mick: "Oh Keith, you're so funny."

September 15, 2016 - Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971)

Imagine Black Dog without those opening five seconds, or the whole Led Zeppelin IV album for that matter. Jimmy Page called it "waking up the army of guitars." It also prevents Robert Plant from sneaking up on us - we are ready when his voice bursts out of the speakers. The song is about a lustful old black Labrador Retriever that lived near Headley Grange during the recording sessions.

The precision of the music is indeed reminiscent of a military close-order drill. The main riff, written by John Paul Jones, represents the guitar army, layers of them, marching together, inspiring awe and respect. They even create a brass timbre somehow, at least to my ears. The call and response pattern lasts until 0:42, when the riff gets twisted up and discombobulated before righting itself at 0:52 as we head into the oh yeah break. Jimmy plays some nifty descending runs and we head into the second verse: I gotta roll can't stand still got a flamin heart can't get my fill.

At 1:27 we get a calming set of ah ah ah etc from Robert, but then at 1:38 John Bonham's drums explode with awesome power. This is a tremendously exciting moment, one of my favorites of any song. The levels are perfect: attack, loudness, reverb, emotional effect. Whoa. It takes us into another new part, the hey baby whoa baby I-don't-wear-pants-and-I'm-a-lecherous-black-dog part. This goes on until 2:04.

The song cycles back through the basic layout once more, adding a sweet guitar double helix at 3:07. Finally, at 3:37, the general of the guitar army proudly shows off the skills of improvised battle strategy, as the troops continue their parade with no signs of tiring.

September 14, 2016 - Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

Composed by Paul Simon, who said it came to him all of a sudden, Bridge Over Troubled Water is beautifully sung by Art Garfunkel. Larry Knechtel, a member of the Wrecking Crew, plays piano. It was inspired by a song from the gospel group the Swan Silvertones. It has been covered by such artists as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Simon began working on it in the same house George Harrison sang about on the Beatles' Blue Jay Way.

It is a song of comfort and solidarity, it has a light in the darkness quality, no matter how low you feel I'm on your side. The piano gives it the feel of some sort of old hymn that has been around forever. Towards the end, the duo sing in harmony on the Sail on silver girl part, and the drums gain strength on see how they shine.  Angelic strings carry it away to the horizon. Supremely moving.

September 13, 2016 - Amon Duul II - Jail-House-Frog (1972)

This is a story about the Jail-House-Frog. It starts off with a man being thrown in jail for speaking out against the evil ruler of his land. At 1:20, there is some sort of chaos in the jail and the man is able to slip out undetected. He runs blindly into the dark woods where he unfortunately trips over a log and falls into a deep swamp. He passes below the surface, where he is rescued by the wise and clever frog lords.

A transformation begins....

During the gorgeous middle section of the song, 1:39 - 4:04, the man passes into foggy froggy bliss. He enters a dream state, passing further and further into the depths of the swamp. He dreams about lazing on lily pads, all cozy and warm. Hey, this isn't so bad, lots of delicious flies to eat, I can go for a swim, my tongue is amazing...down further he descends until he is fully immersed in his new existence. Meanwhile, at 4:05....uh oh! The guards are aware that there has been a jailbreak and the man has fled! They search in vain for him, even in the woods, but all they can hear are the usual sounds of swamp life. The man is never found. The End.

Well, that's my take on it. That middle piano and effects passage is so beautiful, I hope you like it! Ribbit!

September 12, 2016 - Paul McCartney & Wings - Let Me Roll It (1973)

OK, after yesterday, we need to mellow out, so Let Me Roll It to ya. Great for late in the evening transitions, it's kind of a more languid, yet beefier cousin of Come and Get It. Very tranquil opening 30 seconds with lazy sun-drenched Dream Weaver keyboards. Then a bully guitar riff shoves in and the bass and drums do a quick dodge, as it to say 'well excuse me' ya bastard. We will hear this guitar riff in our sleep, it's played over and over, especially in the middle 2:25 - 2:55, that's 30 seconds of the sucker. But I love Paul's voice, the glossy shine of it. Listen to him at 3:17 (yeahhh).The guitar is pretty quiet, but if you tune into it there is a sweet little riff at 1:14, plus little spiky chops at the bully riff when it comes around.

The Band on the Run story is pretty strange. It was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria. Paul had had arguments with other band members so it was just him, his wife Linda and Denny Laine recording. Fela Kuti accused Paul of being in Nigeria to exploit African music. Paul had to play him some of the songs...'see Fela? Nothing to worry about, this music is as uncool as it gets.' They hung out a bit with Ginger Baker, that's pretty cool. Paul and Linda were held up at knifepoint, and Paul had a bronchial spasm that really freaked everyone out. I tell ya, those rock stars with their crazy adventures....

September 11, 2016 - Slayer - Angel of Death (1986)

Welcome to Mordor. Slayer are here to provide the background music, and their message is basically, 'WHAT THE F ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!!' This is not easy listening la-z-boy nappy time music. It is loud and intense and it confronts our worst fears and behaviors. For fans, this music is a spiritual release, a bloodletting. For others, even if they might acknowledge the artistic statement, the presentation is unappealing. Sure, it's not for everyone. Even more rail against it because it scares them. They believe that singing about Sauron means you are Sauron.

Angel Of Death is rhythmically complex, filled with jackhammer double bass drumming and high speed guitar. From 1:39 - 3:35 we pass through a slower passage of precision playing. At 3:35 Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman unleash monster Orc solos to send you screaming into Mt Doom.

The song was inspired by the horrible acts of  Josef Mengele. Because of their interest in the subject, Slayer were accused of being Nazi sympathizers. As Hanneman said:

"I know why people misinterpret it – it's because they get this knee–jerk reaction to it. When they read the lyrics, there's nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily he was a bad man, because to me – well, isn't that obvious? I shouldn't have to tell you that."




 

September 10, 2016 - The Incredible String Band - Koeeoaddi There (1968)

Ah, yes, the Incredible String Band. From Scotland. A merry band of minstrels passing through the Old Forest on their way to the Shire to entertain the little hobbits and their friends.

Koeeoaddi There is an interesting name for a song...what's that all about? According to Robin Williamson, the word Koeeoaddi was created by rolling some dice that had letters on them. It is the first song on the magical mythical medieval album The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. Some of the instruments played on this album are gimbri, oud, dulcimer, chahanai, and sitar. Gimbri the dwarf and Dulcimer the elf, no?

This song has a lot of twists and turns. Vocals and acoustic guitar appear right out of the gate. There is a sweet little finger cymbal at 0:09. After only 22 seconds, we slow down to a picked guitar and then some sitar notes. Step up to some strummed guitar at 0:44. Then at 0:58, listen a woman with a bulldozer...hmm, what is she doing here? Get me my jaw harp, I must have a word with her.

At 1:36 we enter the earth water fire and air part, a jaunty folky jig in cosmic two-step. But of course it's over like that, and we are lead away by an mbira at 1:53.

Now at the 2:00 mark for a nice long tale. Born in a house where the doors shut tight, shadowy fingers on the curtains at night...scary! But don't worry, it's just the stained glass memories from childhood, opaque and hazy. Besides, Brigitte and some people lived upstairs. That was a comfort.

At 3:03 we flow into a new story about skating on happy valley pond, and the jaw harp is back along with some clanky friends. The ice was nice.

Now at the 4:00 mark...time for ye olde nursery rhyme - ladybird ladybird what is your wish, your wish is not granted unless it's a fish...OK, I think the elves and dwarves have arrived to throw dishes and glasses around. At 4:25 we get one more round of earth water fire and air and then it's good night and off to bed. Get some sleep, hobbits...tomorrow we enter Mordor.

September 9, 2016 - The Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' Man (1973)

An icon of American country rock, Ramblin Man, for me, conjures images of the open road, mountains, rivers, forests, it's all about the freedom of ramblin around the country.

There are only two verses, but they are both about being on the road. They mention Georgia, Nashville, New Orleans, and being born in the backseat of a Greyhound Bus, rollin down highway 41. The chorus is so absurdly catchy it's no reason there are only two verses. Writer Dickey Betts sings and shares lead guitar duties with Les Dudek. Their combined solos go on for the last two minutes plus, as the rest of the band keep the groove heading on down the road, with a big Georgia peach sun sinkin low in the west.

Ramblin Man is from the Brothers and Sisters album, and it's one of the last songs Berry Oakley played on before he died. The song reached #2 on the US charts. It was kept out of the #1 spot by Cher's stupid 'Half-Breed'. Gregg Allman was probably thinking, 'If I can't get a #1, then I am going to get involved with the woman who kept me from it. And piss Dickey off at the same time. Perhaps Cher and I will record an album together as Allman and Woman. Yeah, that's a great idea!'

September 8, 2016 - The Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her (1971)

Can I have that record? No my brother, you've got to buy your own! The Chi-Lites...anyone remember that commercial for Hey Love? Classic.

Have You Seen Her is an early 70s R&B slow groove story of lost love. Dig that opening distorted guitar - bowwwww...bow wah bow wah bah ba ba baba...One month ago today, I was happy as a lark. The spoken word part lasts until 1:20 before the rest of the guys get to sing. They're like, yeah, you want some cheese with that whine? Man, she's gone and she's not coming back and you've been hanging out in a park with a bunch of kids for a whole month? What is wrong with you? The guy eventually admits that he's been used to havin someone to lean on, and now...well, I guess he has to make his own dinner and do his own laundry. At least he can go to the movies, or 'picture shows' if you will...by himself. Awww, he'll find someone else in another month...then he'll be singing 'I don't care if you've seen her, don't tell me if you've seen her.'

As another day comes to an end, I'm lookin for a letter or somethin'...come on dude, that's just sad.

September 7, 2016 - The Rolling Stones - Miss You (1978)

Miss You features a lush palette of twin guitars on a disco canvas. Just listen to that four on the floor drum beat, the offbeat bass strut. It is the foundation for the guitar exchanges between Keith and Ronnie. It seems like the guitars are playing something cool every second. Notice in particular these moments: 0:17, 0:26, 0:42-0:45, that little squeak at 1:10, and on and on...it's like finding musical pokemons. You just have to listen. Small/Faces Ian McLagan on electric piano and the great Sugar Blue on harmonica. Great riff.

Then there's Mick delivering a classic vocal, in particular on the spoken sections that serve to demonstrate how much Mick really misses, well, You, right? Not even his friends can entice him with Puerto Rican girls and cases of wine. He ends up stumbling around Central Park at night like some kind of crazy Aqualung figure, people think he's craaaazy.