Buddy Miles :: Them Changes
Back in the day I used to dig for fun. There was a deep bin in the back of a record store called Flat Back and Circular (East Lansing, MI) that was one of my closest friends for a while. His name was Dolla Bin. One afternoon, Dolla and I were hangin’ out and he looked to me and said “Hey, you like Hendrix?”. I of course said yeah and he proceeded to hand me a copy of Buddy Miles Expressway to Your Skull. Seeing that Dolla wasn’t always the most reliable source for good music, I probably went home and put the album in a milk crate for a good couple of months. When I finally got to it, I had a big surprise. I loved it. I mean I really loved it.
It’s been almost 15 years since those days and old Dolla Bin has moved on to younger more vibrant friends. I also lost track of that album…until recently. The other day I found a copy of my old favorite and boy did it kick in some memories. It also reminded me of another song that Buddy did with Hendrix and the Band of Gypsys. Them Changes. Buddy went on to record this song outside of the Band of Gypsys and I think this version is my favorite. He cries, screams and those horns are just so sweet.
Them Changes is a song that would later dictate Buddy’s life of crime, sickness and suffering. There were times he lived in halfway houses, prisons and god knows where else. He never fully established the success he had in the late 60’s and early 70’s but he sure did try. Buddy died early this year and from what I can gather, it wasn’t the best of the times for the guy. I wouldn’t like to think of him in this manner but rather as a crazy bulldog of a drummer and one amazing singer. I know Dolla Bin would like it that way.
Them Changes (4.6MB MP3)
Buddy Miles (homepage)
John Prine :: the Bottomless Lake
As I prepare this week to head out for a fly fishing trip to the Ontonagon river up north in the grand UP, I’m needing a little inspiration. This is the beginning of Fall, a time of nostalgia. To assist in this time of recollection and warmth I thought about turning to Greg Brown or even a Croce tune or two. This isn’t cuttin’ it. What this trip needs is a good old splash of John Prine. John is a good old Chicago boy that has taken me on many trips with his lyrical paddle boat. Most of my time with John Prine has been spent listening to his whimsical album Prime Prine. Greatest hits albums are usually not my cup of tea but this one is a standard in my play list. Regardless of how great it is, I decided to venture out with the album Aimless Love.
It worked. I found my fall fishin’ song. It’s so great when you know you can rely on a musician to take you to that place you need to go. The Bottomless Lake is now my 2008 fishin’ anthem. I just hope the Ontanagon can produce some specs like Mr. Prine can produce timeless songs.
The Bottomless Lake (3.4MB MP3)
John Prine (homepage)
BB King :: How Blue Can You Get?
Living in Chicago, some might think that the blues was part of my everyday rotation. I came to the city over 10 years ago it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I used to LOVE the blues. Sittin’ up nights with friends, listening to Hooker ‘n Heat. Kickin’ back on Sunday afternoons with a set of Robert Johnson and rampin’ it up with some Hound Dog Taylor by evening time. Man, I had my heart set that blues like that still existed. I could take a trip to the deep South or the south side of Chicago and there it would be. To quench my thirst I’d hit a blues fest here or there, head over to the Green Door in Lansing, MI and watch Root Doctor tease me with some howls. I still never got what I was looking for. Nothing really hit me.
I ended up in Chicago in ‘97 and my search was done. I’m not saying it was complete, I just gave up. I’d hit a club here or there and try to drink my way toward admiration but that never seemed to work. Everything seemed so scripted. Every chord bent was something archived years before. There wasn’t any heart. It was time to move on.
Over the past few years, I haven’t spent much time thinking about the blues until yesterday when I was heading back from a weekend visit to Michigan. My iPod was turning songs randomly and on came a slice of one of my favorite albums: BB King Live At the Regal. How Blue Can You Get? began with screams, coasted with some more screams and ended with screams once again. Shit, even the album cover shows old BB screamin’!! This is the emotional power I needed. I remembered what I missed and loved those few years ago.
Everything came rushing back but now I knew what I was wanting. I love going to a show and shouting with the band. From jazz, to blues to indie pop, screaming has always enhanced my momentary relationship with the band. I’m not obnoxious with it by any means. I just think some music is meant to be screamed with. So next time you find yourself at a show and if the feeling is right, let it out. Join me. Let’s bring the feeling of the blues back someway, somehow.
How Blue Can You Get? (5MB MP3)
BB King (homepage)
Linda Ronstadt :: Y Andale
Back in the mid 90s I thought it was a great idea to move to Wyoming. I fell in love with the state on a spring break vacation during my college years. Combing the Teton foothills with friends, drinking tall beers and whiskey in wood smoke scented establishments pushed me toward a new found love, the Mountains. I spent some time searching for an internship just so I could get there. I needed an excuse.
I finally made it a couple of years later. Although Jackson Hole was not what I had hoped, I did establish some very wonderful friendships. One in particular was with a fellow Michigander named, oh, let’s say Dave Polito. He was a great drinkin’ buddy, fellow lover of comedy and purveyor of laughs. I was only there for 3 short months but during that time, Dave and I had some great times. We drank in lodges, played cards and enjoying the striking beauty of the Teton mountains. He got me through some rough patches with laughter, and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate it.
One of our favorite activities was to get wasted and listen to Linda Ronstadt. This wasn’t your regular Blue Bayou regalia. We broke out the good stuff. Canciones de me Padre. I love this album so much and it’s only because of Dave. He’d sing his poorly memorized Spanish lyrics with a fervor matched only by Linda herself. It was a true joy to see someone embrace an album so.
Dave has since moved around the country, married and probably had a few kids. He’s really, really bad at keeping contact but deep down we are still close in some other dimension. I haven’t spoken to him in over 10 years. At times I hate him for being so aloof but when it comes down to it, that’s Dave and the time I spent with him was good enough.
So lift a brew with me and sing your heart out to this wonderful tune in honor of Dave and friendships everywhere!!
Y Andale (4.9MB MP3)
Linda Ronstadt (homepage, video)
Wire :: Strange
If a song could be a dirty hooker, I think I found her.
I was mulling over a couple songs to pick for today. One was bouncy, cynical and full of summer. The other was a dirty hooker. I went with her.
Strange by Wire is easily one of my favorite tracks from one of my favorite albums. I feel like I need to have a pocket knife in hand when I listen to it. It’s full of attitude, disgust and menace. I can picture her parading down a West side alley. She’s trying to intimidate me as I walk past but doesn’t say a thing. The look she fires and her strut declare enough. She could fuck me up.
And she did.
That’s ok because I’m going to steal her theme music next time I have to walk down a dark alley. This time I’ll be the dirty hooker.
Strange
Wire (homepage)
Josh White :: Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dyin’ Bed
Today’s entry is going to be short. I spent the weekend in Michigan dealing with the passing of a close person, godfather, best friend’s father and a great neighbor. Joe Ludlam was a good man and was great to me, my family, and especially my best friend, his son. I bid him farewell and hope the greener pastures he prayed for his entire life truly exist. Farewell Mr. Ludlam, and thanks for everything. We’ll all miss you.
Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dyin’ Bed
Josh White (fan site)
The Sound :: Missiles
The saddest part of Adrian Borland’s story was the end. But perhaps the voices finally stopped.
I was introduced to Borland’s music with The Sound a couple of years back by a dear friend and I haven’t stopped listening. I can hear the trouble. I can hear the overwhelming concern. I can hear anxiety build. No, it’s not from the lyrics. It’s from his voice. It’s all right there. Post-punk has never sounded so good. Personal angst has officially turned to real worry and social concern. It all happens right here. This timeless piece will never die and neither will Borland’s desperate apprehension.
In 1999, Adrian Borland threw himself under a train.
They’ve got the money.
They’ve got the know-how.
It’s all above our heads;
It’s coming down now
Somehow this song makes me happy. I don’t think that was ever it’s intent but I can’t change that. That’s the one thing I don’t want to change.
Missiles
the Sound (homepage)
Frederick Knight :: I’ve Been Lonely For So Long
Freddy, Frederick, Fred, Night, Knight, Nite, whomever you are, you made Stax a better place. I don’t even know if people liked you or if you made a lasting impact on the Motown of the South. All I know is you’ve made a day or two for me, and you sure as shit could sport a leather coat. There isn’t much info out there about you but I kind of like it that way. Hell, I don’t even know if you’re alive. All I can say is you made a small, indelible mark on lonely people everywhere while tossing us a wink and a smile with your charming slide guitar. It shakes and shines like the first glimpsed grin after a long, long cry. Thank you Frederick.
I’ve Been Lonely For So Long
Frederick Knight (Stax site)