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Another obit (sigh), two fave new reissues, and this week’s birthdays.
Except for The Guardian’s, the obits I’ve read elevate him to sainthood. Don’t expect me to rhapsodize over him. Yes, he had good taste – when he wanted to; when bad taste sold, he sold it. True, Atlantic didn’t rip off its artists quite as much as some labels did – but they were still systematically, deliberately cheated through unfair accounting practices, and what amends Ertegun made came only decades later when he was rich and many of them were dead, and even then only under pressure. That said, Atlantic probably has produced more great music than any other label, and he was a major factor.
This album, originally on Philips, compiled material from a number of 1964-65 sessions, possibly outtakes, but it’s pretty good anyway. “Four Women” is one of Simone’s most moving originals, deftly outlining the struggles of black women. For all the variety of instrumentation, ranging from a solo reading of “If I Should Lose You” to quartet arrangements (including the traditional “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” gaining a whole new layer of meaning here) to full orchestrations by Horace Ott, everything coheres because of Simone’s inimitable voice and the overall pensive tone. A classic late-night program.
The revival of ESP has brought not only the umpteenth reissues of old favorites (though at least now they’re legit), but some previously unreleased albums, notably this gem. Wright may not have been a household name, but for fans of high-energy free jazz sax, he ranks in the pantheon of the greats. His intense sound was Ayler-influenced, but his tone on tenor is even bigger and bolder. This quartet concert recording from 1974 finds him with his usual group of the time: pianist Bobby Few, bassist Alan Silva, and drummer Muhammad Ali. They create quite a ruckus; this remained “in the can” for over three decades not because of any lack of quality, but because of the label’s struggles. It’s fully up to the high standards of most of Wright’s work.
12/17
Art Neville – 1937
Vocalist/keyboardist co-founder of The Meters and then the Neville Brothers. Clearly when funk was being handed out he got much more than most.
Eddie Kendricks – 1939
An original member of the Temptations, and thus automatically a soul immortal, he had one of the greatest falsettos ever. Just as “Just My Imagination” became a hit, he went solo and eventually became an early disco star with “Keep on Truckin’.”
James Booker – 1939
The greatest pianist to come out of New Orleans, which is really saying something. Even if you never heard of him, you’ve probably heard him; while Fats Domino was touring, Booker laid down tracks for him to sing over when he got back. Booker was a pretty good singer himself, despite not having a great voice. He made few studio albums under his own name, but Classified – titled for one of his best originals – is enough to ensure his immortality. There are many live albums documenting his solo club playing, most issued after his 1983 death; one that came out in 1976, Junco Partner, remains the best.
Paul Butterfield – 1942
One hell of a harmonica player, Butterfield first mastered Chicago blues, then transformed it with infusions of raga and psychedelia. When Dylan “went electric” at Newport, it was with Butterfield’s great band.
Paul Rodgers – 1949
Cock-rocker supreme with Free and then Bad Company. The less said about The Firm and his recent stint fronting Queen, the better.
Ikui Mori – 1953
The drummer of DNA, and thus clearly one of the most imaginative and creative tub-thumpers around. Since then she’s been a tireless collaborator with the cream of NYC’s downtown avant-gardists.
12/18
Peg Leg Sam – 1911
A medicine show performer, Sam was an excellent harmonica player and an all-around entertainer.
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson – 1917
One of the great jump blues vocalists, he was also an excellent alto saxophonist with jazz chops.
Sam Andrew – 1941
One of the singers and guitarists in Big Brother and Holding Company, which for its first two albums (and on some spirited concert documents) was one of the greatest acid-rock bands even when Janis Joplin wasn’t singing. When she went solo, Andrew was the only Brother she took with her for her Kozmik Blues Band. Later he studied music and has pursued a parallel career as a composer of classical music and soundtracks.
Keith Richards – 1943
More famous for debauchery, but one of the greatest rhythm guitarists ever.
Elliot Easton (Elliot Shapiro) – 1953
Lead guitarist of The Cars.
12/19
Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland “Roy” Byrd) – 1918
Another New Orleans character,” Longhair’s piano style lives on in the playing of practically every pianist who followed him, including Dr. John, and they’ve all had to play Longhair’s classics “Tipitina” and “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” ever since.
Phil Ochs – 1940
One of the greatest protest singers, thanks to his biting wit. “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” and “Power and the Glory” remain classics.
Maurice White – 1941 or ‘44
Before he founded Earth, Wind & Fire, White was an ace session drummer for Chess and other labels, backing Ramsey Lewis, Buddy Guy, Sonny Stitt, Little Milton, and many others. But it’s EWF he’ll always be remembered for, and rightly so; the concept was his, and for it he wrote some of the most memorable songs of the 1970s.
Alvin Lee – 1944
The leader of Ten Years After, Lee’s one of the finest British blues-rock guitarists. He’s most famous for the triple-split-screen appearance in the Woodstock movie, jamming out on “I’m Going Home,” but “I’d Love to Change the World” is also classic.
Zal Yanovsky – 1944
The goofy guy in the Lovin’ Spoonful, he never got enough credit for his guitar skills and imagination. His 1971 solo LP Alive and Well in Argentina is not exactly a classic, but it’s an endearing bit of post-’60s weirdness that certainly deserves to be reissued (it’s never been on CD, which nowadays is almost a mark of distinction).
12/20
Michael Hurley – 1941
A legendary underground folkie/songwriter fondly remembered for collaborating with the Holy Modal Rounders and various offshoots, he’s also had an on-again, off-again solo career marked by his off-the-wall wit. He’s played at Sound Fix twice and never fails to charm.
Mike Watt – 1957
With the Minutemen, fIREHOSE, and on his own, he has forged a brilliant career that only deepens in profundity as he gets older. Few other punk icons can say that. And he’s a helluva bass player.
Billy Bragg – 1958
This year’s Yep Roc reissuing of his catalog is one of the best things to happen in 2006. The resulting two-CD deluxe issues are bursting with fascinating additional tracks, but the main point is that his superb songwriting and performing are back out there for all to admire.
12/21
Frank Zappa – 1940
The one, the only. Freak Out! is one of the most amazing debut albums in the history of rock.
Carla Thomas – 1943
The daughter of Rufus Thomas. Back when duet albums were soul staples, hers with Otis Redding was one of the best. She’s still going strong.
12/22
Rick Nielsen – 1946
The brains behind Cheap Trick, a truly underrated band even after all its hits. Oh, and he’s absolutely hilarious.
Maurice & Robin Gibb – 1949
Maurice came out 35 minutes after Robin.
12/23
Johnny Kidd (Frederick Heath) – 1939
“Shakin’ All Over” was the first great rock song by a British band, and a lot of it had to do with Kidd’s scary singing.
Jorma Kaukonen – 1940
Kaukonen was a very distinctive electric guitarist with Jefferson Airplane – a surprise considering he started out as a blues purist, technically adept in the challenging finger-picking style of Rev. Gary Davis. He returned to that inspiration often, first with change-of-pace Airplane tracks, then with the side project-turned-full-fledged band Hot Tuna. In recent years, while still keeping up an active performance schedule (he’s an excellent concert attraction), he has put a great deal of time and energy into Fur Peace Ranch, his music/guitar school.
Eugene Record – 1940
The leader of the Chi-Lites, one of the great Chicago soul bands. “Oh Girl,” their #1 hit in 1972, features his great falsetto.
Slash – 1965
I dressed as him two Halloweens ago, I can’t let his B-day pass unnoted! Although he is shilling for Volkswagen now….
