Misguided Angel

I always get the question, "What is your favorite song?" I always give the answer, "Are you serious?"

Perhaps, this morning I can give a straight answer. However, check with me next month...

Canada. 1988. Siblings.

The group called Cowboy Junkies were known to me in this period of time, but I didn't pick up on them until some time later. The Timmins family made some great music. Sister Margo's voice is angelic in many instances.

That statement brings me to my "favorite" song. The second song on their second release, The Trinity Session. "Misguided Angel".

This song beckons you. It seduces you. Listen...

It starts with a moaning harp and guitar. Margo's voice comes in with the band as she tells a story of forbidden love. Generally, I reserve my "favorites" for songs with more of a sociopolitical bent. But, in this case Margo's plea is as irresistible as the music. The song is far from a rocker, but its power draws you in and carries you along.

Great songs, for me, tell great stories. This song is great. My favorite? Well, certainly one of them!

Soulful

Just in case the Chess Christmas album didn't whet your appetite for the alternative holiday soundtrack try the Atlantic Records release simply titled: Soul Christmas. This one may even be better than the Chess album. Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Booker T. & the MG's... Though, the best is probably Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa". This is the song that Run-DMC samples on "Christmas in Hollis". This Atlantic release is another good alternative to the sappy overplayed morning news show dreck (think Bublé!).

Must we?

It's officially here... The worst season of the year for music. Every place of business will now be playing holiday music for the next four weeks! Must we endure this? Not that there isn't any good holiday music. In fact, for people looking to spice up the holidays with something actually worth listening to I would recommend purchasing Chess Records' holiday compilation: Have A Merry Chess Christmas.

With two Chuck Berry offerings, you're already off to a good start. But, the gems may be "Christmas Ain't Christmas, New Year's Ain't New Years Without the One You Love" by the O'Jay's and "Blue Christmas" by the Meditation Singers. Truth be told, there really isn't a bad track on this album.

So, if you must play holiday music... and sometimes you must... this album gives the season a good twist!

Don't Follow

Prompted by a friend's post, I took a look at my 90s tunes. One of my all-time favorite songs quickly came to me..."Don't Follow" by Alice in Chains on their 1993 album Jar of Flies.

One of Alice in Chains' best-kept secrets, this song has a special place in my heart...

In 2006, I moved to Prague. One night myself, two English friends and a random guy I worked with were out at a very small bar. We were the only ones there so the young bartender let us pick out some songs on our guitars. After cycling through a handful of well-known numbers our Czech bartender could sing along with and throwing in a few obscure ones we each liked we began running low on ideas.

A moment of silence passed before Billy the Brit began picking out "Don't Follow". He very nearly stopped as he thought no one knew what he was playing. I urged him on and sang it (eyes closed) with all I had.

That was the spark that set the fire and we belted 'em out for another hour!

Page One; New Soil

Still diggin jazz...

Been listenin to Joe Henderson's 1963 record Page One and Jackie McLean's 1959 record New Soil all day. Literally, all day. Can't stop...

Avant-Garde

I'm really feeling jazz these days...

Dusted off some old Blue Note albums this weekend.

First, Elvin Jones' Live at the Lighthouse from 1972. This album is a great jam session. It's late for the Bop Era but retains many qualities associated with Bop. It's much more free form or avant-garde.

Besides Jones, who is always on time, there is a great crew of players. Each has time to stretch out on their own and they all produce. Dave Liebman has some exceptional moments on tenor and Gene Perla has a sweet rambling bass throughout. Well worth checking out if you're in a jazz mood.

Also, been jamming on Hank Mobley's Workout from 1961. This album totally grooves. One of my favorite drummers, Philly Joe Jones from Miles Davis' group, keeps the pace and the soulful guitar of Grant Green provides the vibe. Along with Wynton Kelly's piano and Paul Chambers' bass, this young group lead by Hank Mobley's impressive tenor sax steams through 45 minutes of great Hard Bop jazz! This is an essential recording.

Gangsta?

There are far too many musical fakers today. "You either are or you are not, hard." That's what I always say. Peter Tosh was hard. Period. His message was plain as day in songs like "Stepping Razor" and "I Am That I Am". Unlike many high-profile artists, he never pulled punches. He often said the wrong thing at the wrong time because that was what was really on his mind. He seemingly had no fear. Pete was even intimidating in interviews.

Obviously, I knew about Tosh from listening to the Wailers, but my first exposure to Pete's solo career was when a college friend bought Equal Rights on vinyl. We went back to his house to listen to it and I was in awe. I had long been a fan of reggae, but this was something else!

The record opens with "Get Up, Stand Up", which the Wailers had recorded nearly a decade before this album was released in 1977. It seemed like it was always meant to be Pete's song. The original never sounded the same again!

He is the type of singer that has the ability to have a conversation with his audience while he sings. The song "Brand New Secondhand" is that kind of song. But, I knew that about Pete from way back.

The Wailers' debut album, Catch A Fire, showcases Pete's talent on "400 Years" and "Stop That Train". These songs are tough. They are quite different from the songs Bob sings. Pete has an edge that is impossible to fake. The man is a singular talent and yesterday would have been his birthday.

Unfortunately, Jamaican thugs murdered Pete on September 11th, 1987. R.I.P, brotha!

The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice!

Charles Edward Anderson Berry.

His songs have been covered by almost everyone you can think of... and there's a reason for that! He redefined all notions of popular music.

Dig this list: Elvis, Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Sex Pistols, Peter Tosh, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buck Owens, Judas Priest, The Beatles, Johnny Winter... that's just who's covered the song "Johnny B. Goode".

Anyone who spouts off about the importance of Elvis is probably a white person trying to give him credit for rock n' roll. There is no Elvis without Chuck Berry. Most of the British Invasion bands would never have arrived either. They had been listening to raw country blues (acoustic) and trying really hard to imitate something that did not explain their existence. Once they heard Chuck Berry plug his guitar in and shred the blues and R&B they dug, they plugged in. Not vice versa.

The man did the Duck Walk! Forget gyrating white hips. Forget hair metal bands and glam rock! Chuck Berry is it! If you want to know what the desperate teenagers living in the Age of Conformity turned to for excitement (and danger!), go buy the compilation The Great Twenty-Eight! All the classics are there as well as some hidden gems.

Nobody got down like Chuck. Several late 50s rock n rollers picked up what he was into, but no one could get down like the original!

Happy 86th Birthday, Chuck!

This Mystic Decade!

Hot Snakes. Five short years was all the time this killer band was together. But, in that short time they hammered through several great albums. Their music is filled with so much intensity and power that it is impossible to turn off.

I was introduced to them through a record store employee/acquaintance of mine in college. He was standing near me when I picked up their second album Suicide Invoice. He very excitedly informed me how badly I needed to buy it. It was a self-released album from former members of Drive Like Jehu (Rick Froberg) and Rocket From the Crypt (John Reis), so I figured it was probably worth it.

I put it in the CD player in my car as I left and... it was more than worth it. From the first bouncing, manic, scathing guitar riffs to the final drum beat this record creates its own place in the world of music. I left it in the player for weeks. Unfortunately, I never came across another of their records until years later.

In fact, I was in Flagstaff, Arizona when I found their Peel Sessions. This is the most fabulous angst-ridden 9:08 you'll ever hear! If you do nothing else today... buy it!