Records to Check Out: Small Talk at 125th and Lenox

Small Talk at 125th and Lenox

by: Gil Scott-Heron

In 1970 Gil Scott-Heron had something to say, & hell is it worth listening to. He's angry, but he has reason. He tells us that "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" & he means it with a conviction that consumes his young (as at the time he was) soul. The arrangements are simplistic & the poetry is harsh,but they capture the volatile atmosphere of the time, not for those who are conservative or easily offended.

Notice

I'm back after a nice looong break, but I'm back.

Notice

Sadly,I shall be away from my blog for about three weeks, so until no content will be posted, sad, I know.

Thursday's Song of the Week: 18/10/2012

Bang a Gong (Get it On) by T. Rex

Known in T. Rex's homeland simply as Get it On, but in the rest of the world by the longer title, this song is part of T. Rex' lasting legacy & stands as one of their best songs. Sandwiched right in the middle of one of Glam Rock's most important albums, Bang a Gong (Get it On) has so many great little nuances that make it one of Glam Rock's defining anthems: the piano glissando, the overdubbed humming, the ballsey sax riff, the sassy lead riff, short guitar & sax solos & an epic chorus with singer Marc Bolan being backed by some powerful female voices. MIND BLOWING.

The Wednesday Photo Show: Pete Townshend, Guitar Smasher

The Greatest Guitar Smasher in Rock 'n' Roll: Pete Townshend

Practiced a hand-full of time before him, & many times after; no one has ever taken hold of the sacred art as fervently as Townshend. Not content to simply "break" his guitar; Pete destroyed everything on stage, all whilst plugged in, creating cacophonous noise to complement the spectacle.

A rare smashing in the '80s, only nine guitars were smashed in the entire decade. The majority were smashed between '67 & '71

After a night of raucous & physical Rock 'n' Roll, it was almost expected that Townshend would smash his guitar. His instrument of choice was usually a Les Paul or one of Fender's flagship models.

The Who's particularly riotous appearance on the Smothers Borthers' show even included drummer Keith Moon detonating his bass drum & kicking the rest of his kit, a rare occasion of Townshed being upstaged.

Sending guitars skyward was also part of the repertoire.

The most iconic moment in the history of one of Rock's most time honored traditions.

 As anybody knows, The Who have a tremendous body of work & most readers should be familiar with it. For those who wish to witness some guitar smashing, check out this nice bootleg of an older Pete smashing a classic red Strat' & the iconic Smothers Brothers appearance comprising of a flawless rendition of I Can See for Miles, some light-hearted band interaction & an appropriately stuttering performance of My Generation which ends in beautiful mayhem.