I have been reading the book “Please Kill Me” by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain.It is billed “The Uncensored Oral History of Punk” – which is from a New York City perspective.It is entertaining reading, despite my not being terribly interested in some of t music / musicians being discussed.
The book starts with a bunch of stuff about The Velvet Underground.I am not a fan.I tried those records in the early 70’s, and couldn’t get the message.I also eventually tried some Lou Reed records, because of the apparent connection to David Bowie, and I couldn’t get that through my head either.I don’t mind David Bowie from the early 70’s, but…no go on Lou or the V.U.
Next comes Iggy Pop.I am not an Iggy & The Stooges fan.I once lived in an apartment in Hermosa Beach, CA – and a neighbor across the way used “I Wanna Be Your Dog” to cover up the sound of her arguing with her boyfriend.“Ugh, and I have to get up and go to work in the morning with this crap blaring at 2:30am?” – I don’t mind “The Idiot”, “Lust For Life” and even “New Values” – but I haven’t got that far in this book just yet.I always chuckle when I think of the song “Lust For Life” being sung by TomJones – or being used to sell cruise ships to…yuppie punks?
Also not much of an MC5 fan.Heard ‘em when I was a kid – but the pull of Krautrock was much stronger.It didn’t even matter to me about the “m. f.” stuff – that kind of language was all over records by The Fugs – years earlier!
Television and The Ramones – two groups that have never much troubled me.I own the debut album by each artist, however – the result of prowling inexpensive used CD bins.I heard both artists at the time they were ‘new’, as I was working in a hippie record store, and there were always a few punks around – Hi, Mott!
And not much more patience for Blondie or the Talking Heads.At least T.H. used Toshio Nakanishi artwork!I have “Best Of” CD’s for both these artists, which will likely suffice.I remember seeing the members of Blondie walking around The Whisky in Hollywood, desperate to be noticed.I think we were all there seeing The Screamers, a really good band.
I don’t do and have never done Patti Smith.It wasn’t enough that John Cale produced her debut album.It just didn’t say anything to me.And I would’ve been all of 17 or 18 when I first heard her.“Please Kill Me” paints a fairly ‘accurate’ picture of her – highly motivated, but majorly derivative.Not so interested in Jim Carroll either.
I still enjoy reading about all of this stuff, even if they don’t make my playlists.R.I.P., Jim Carroll and all deceased members of The Ramones, V.U., MC5, Stooges etc.It is a tale to be told.
Would a book about L.A.’s punks be better?Well, only in that I met / knew some of ‘em.
My brother liked Santana a lot, so that’s basically how I first encountered them.They were also real good in the “Woodstock’ movie.Lately, I’ve been trying to push forward (into the 70’s) with the band, and I’m all the way up to “Festival” or “Moonflower”, whichever came last.And I recently found a 1998 nicely re-mastered “Best Of” Columbia US CD, with lots of tracks.And as you can see by my list, I have 2 x Santana Sony Minidiscs.
I would probably be happy having all of the Columbia releases, but I am still working on all titles after the debut album, actually.I really should get re-mastered CD’s of “Abraxis” and “Santana (3rd Album)”.The packaging of “Lotus” is amazing, easily the most elaborate packaging of any LP set – Tadanori Yokoo artwork, even!It has been masterfully reproduced as a little paper album cover (kami sleeve) CD, with all original inserts.
Not so sure about any titles after the Columbia era.I suppose it was always a question of “Who is the vocalist?” – ‘cause you always know who the guitarist is!
I’ve been a fan since the 70’s of French band Catharsis and their keyboard master Roland Bocquet.I’ve met him a number of times, usually in Paris.It’s weird how Catharsis aren’t more famous.My good friend Yael finally found me the CD of “Vol. 6” recently.Great stuff, mostly instrumental.Both “Paradia” and “Robot Rose” are amazing solo albums.
CD5JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF MEPOLYDOR JPNPOCH-1927
2000 5 TRK CD EP CD5
CDK.K.K.K.LE GRAND M60012.2
1998 15 TRKS U.S. pressing
LPK.K.K.K.CRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 044A
1998 15 TRKS U.S. pressing, LP+12"
CDL'ARME DE CROCODILECRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 031D
1997 10 TRKS kami sleeve
LPL'ARME DE CROCODILECRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 031A
1997 10 TRKS clear vinyl, U.S. pressing
CD5LE ROI SOLEILTRATTORIA JPPSCR-5500
1996 6 TRK CD EP; Menu 99
CD5LEUR L'EXISTENCETRATTORIA JPPSCR-9102
1995 6 TRK EP CD5 + CD3; Menu 62
CD5MIKE ALWAY'S DIARYCRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 003D
1992 4 TRK CD Single CD5
CD5MY FIRST KARIETRATTORIA JPPSCR-5348
1995 6 TRK CD EP; Menu 56
CD5ONCE UPON A TIMEPOLYDOR JPNPOCH-1913
2000 5 TRK CD EP CD5
CD5ONE THOUSAND 20th CENTURY CHAIRSPOLYDOR JPNPOCP-7297
1998 3 TRK CD Single CD5
CDTILTPOLYDOR JPNPOCH-1949
2000 13 TRKS
12"TINY KING KONGCRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 029A
1997 4 TRKS with pic sleeve, U.S. pressing
CD5TINY KING KONGCRUE-L JPNKYTHMAK 029D
1997 4 TRK CD Single CD5
Kahimi Karie is a Japanese female vocalist who used to hang around with Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada); some of her more interesting records were created by Momus (Nick Currie).I’ve seen her play live, I’ve met her.Her voice isn’t much, and I have tried to collect all of her Trattoria label recordings, but I have not succeeded 100% in this endeavor.
I was always a bit baffled that she seemed to be signed to two different companies at the same time in Japan (Crue-L and Trattoria).I never got past her “Tilt” album, either.It just seemed like I didn’t see her stuff anymore, when I visited Japan last.
“Good Morning World” is a great place to start – it’s a Momus song that utilizes SoftMachine samples!How can you go wrong with that combination?I am also quite fond of her EP “Le Roi Soleil”, which has a nice set of Momus and Cornelius tunes.
p.s. pictured 1996 CD EP is for sale, 6 tracks, looks to be factory sealed - easily her most consistent work: 1. Le Roi Soleil 2. Take It Easy My Brother Charlie 3. Ma Langue Au Chat 4. Son Of A Gun 5. A Fantastic Moment 6. Humming Ga Kikoeru - $10 postpaid in the US/Canada, $15 outside of the US.
7"BURNING CAR / 20th CENTURY pic discVIRGIN UKVSY 360
1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, pic disc
12"DANCING LIKE A GUN / SWIMMER I + IIVIRGIN UKVS 459-12
1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve
12"ENDLESSLY / A KIND OF WAVEVIRGIN UKVS 543-12
1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"ENDLESSLY / DANCE WITH MEVIRGIN JPNVIPX-1722
1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"ENDLESSLY / YOUNG MANVIRGIN UKVS 513
1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"ENDLESSLY / YOUNG MAN pic discVIRGIN UKVSY 513
1982 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, pic disc
12"EUROPE AFTER THE RAINVIRGIN UKVS 393-12
1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"EUROPE AFTER THE RAIN / PATER NOSTERVIRGIN JPNVIPX-1618
1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"EUROPE AFTER THE RAIN / THIS JUNGLEVIRGIN UKVS 393
1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
CDGARDEN, THEVIRGIN UKCDV 2194
1981 16 TRKS (6 x bonus tracks)
LPGARDEN, THEVIRGIN UKV 2194
1981 10 TRKS 2nd album, large booklet
CDGOLDEN SECTION, THEEDSEL UKEDCD 704
1983 16 TRKS (6 x bonus tracks) ('01 issue)
LPGOLDEN SECTION, THEVIRGIN UKV 2233
1983 10 TRKS 3rd album
CDIN MYSTERIOUS WAYSVIRGIN UKCDV 2355
1985 10 TRKS 4th album
LPIN MYSTERIOUS WAYSVIRGIN UKV 2355
1985 10 TRKS 4th album
LPJOHN FOXX (Collection)VIRGIN CANMETA 1101
1981 10 TRK Collection
12"LIKE A MIRACLEVIRGIN UKVS 645-12
1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"LIKE A MIRACLE / WINGS AND A WINDVIRGIN UKVS 645
1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
CDMETAMATICVIRGIN UKCDV 2146
1980 16 TRKS 6 x bonus tracks
LPMETAMATICVIRGIN UKV 2146
1980 10 TRKS 1st album, Ultravox
7"MILES AWAY / A LONG TIMEVIRGIN UKVS 382
1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"MY FACE (Flexidisc)SMASH HITS198082
1980 1 TRK flexi-disc
7"NO-ONE DRIVING (7" x 2)VIRGIN UKVS 338
1980 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2
7"STARS ON FIRE (7" x 2)VIRGIN UKVS 771
1985 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2
7"UNDERPASS / FILM 1VIRGIN UKVS 318
1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
12"YOUR DRESSVIRGIN UKVS 615-12
1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7"YOUR DRESS (7" x 2)VIRGIN UKVS 615
1983 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2
I saw Ultravox with John Foxx live a couple of times in 1978 or so.They were already playing “Touch and Go”.I was the natural intended audience for “Metamatic”, when it was released in 1980.I ate it up.Mr. Foxx never came back to L.A. as a live on stage solo act, unfortunately.
I only recently completed by 80’s CD collection of Mr. Foxx’s first 4 solo albums.It took forever for me to find the right version of “The Golden Section” (with the right bonus tracks).The only CD that has the same tracks as the LP is album #4, “In Mysterious Ways”.All the others are healthy with bonus tracks.
I wonder why “Young Love” wasn’t released as the debut John Foxx solo 45?It exists only as a bonus track on the “Metamatic” CD.There’s no 45 of it that I am aware of.
And “Metamatic” is, of course, the most interesting for me.Real tight sound, perfect for serious young insects in 1980.“Metal Beat” was even the name of his record company.Kraftwerk already said “Metal On Metal” – and we’re not talking heavy here!I remember getting the early John Foxx music videos off of “Music Box”, the forerunner of MTV Europe, but I forget if it was “Underpass” or “No One Driving”.We eventually got a PAL VHS video of some of the early Foxx solo music clips.
There were also unique couplings in Japan, Canada – plenty to keep the obsessive fans busy.I remember that I absolutely loved the “Miles Away” b/w “A Long Time” 45.Just loved it, wished that there were whole albums that sounded like that – when they’re weren’t, really.And I felt like I was “in on the joke” with the “Endlessly” 45 – John Foxx plays psychedelic hits.
I probably don’t have every 45 / 12” of his in my original collection – I sort of lost interest at the time of “The Golden Section”, so I didn’t keep up.I was very focused on Australia and New Zealand, as some of you will recall.There wasn’t much going on in England in 1985 that interested me, actually (apart from old UK favorites such as Scritti Politti and A Certain Ratio).
But in 2010, I am OK with the first 4 solo albums by John Foxx.As with the usual law of diminishing averages, I like the first one best.
I have been ‘reading’ the Japanese magazine “Strange Days” for a while now.A regular feature of this magazine has been “Time Machine – 40 Years Ago” – listing many records released in 1969.Last year, I wrote 5 blogs on the releases of 1969.I have yet another one for you today!
Strange Days 2010.02 lists “December 1969 Albums” as The Rolling Stones “Let It Bleed” (Decca UK SKL 5025), John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band “Live Peace In Toronto 1969” (Apple UK CORE 2001), John Lennon & Yoko Ono “Wedding Album (Apple UK SAPCOR 11), Fairport Convention “Liege and Leaf” (Island UK ILPS 9115), Renaissance “s/t” (Island UK ILPS 9114), Creedence Clearwater Revival “Green River” (Fantasy US 8393), and Quicksilver Messenger Service “Shady Grove (Capitol US SKAO-391).
I muse be getting old, because I remember each and every record on this list today.I own all of them in 2010 – but in 1969, I didn’t go for John & Yoko’s “Wedding Album” because the kind hippies at the downtown Long Beach hippie record store warned me that it “didn‘t have any songs like on Live Peace in Toronto 1969”.I also took a few years to come around to the Fairport Convention LP, but I like it fine in 2010.
The Rolling Stones LP comes with a poster and special inner sleeve; I got my copy the day it was released in the US – and I still think “Live With Me” is a real highlight of late 60’s Stones’ songs.Pretty much everybody was waiting on the follow-up to “Bayou Country” by CCR; I think the sole disappointment of the “Green River” LP is that it’s darned short (approx. 30 minutes only).I had been listening to Quicksilver for a few years by the time “Shady Grove” came out.Their music was changing, but I was still so young…I took it at face value, and liked it.
Renaissance was very interesting me for two reasons:Keith Relf had been in TheYardbirds and bassist Louis Cennamo had appeared on a Colosseum LP that I liked.And it had a great cover, and was on Island UK.
For some reason, today’s list seems a bit more mainstream than some of the other 1969 releases.Hit product ready in time for Christmas?
We’ve now been through all the Strange Days (Japan) magazine “Time Machine 1969” columns.I wonder if they’ll continue with this train of thought and have “Time Machine 1970” columns?That would be cool.
I find that I am rather aware that it has been 40 years since 1970 – and I remember 1970 very well.I was in 6th grade, but I believe I was already a record collector, doing my best to pay attention to everything that went on in record stores.I tried to find and read issues of Billboard, Melody Maker etc.In a short time, I would be reading Crawdaddy, Creem, Circus, N.M.E., Sounds…
