Greetings.
The trees are dropping acorns.
This all began one way, and is now some other way. An idea came to me, sat dormant for weeks, then reared itself once again, only to fall back away and be overtaken by yet another idea. So, what you have here, is it a shame, a sham, or what? I am after all, only giving you short segments (a few of which, in their entirety stretch past fifteen minutes). I thought I would include thirteen selections of music that, at these very specific points, to me, seem their most vital, or reveal their vitality in a most immediate way. Some selections are beginnings, some endings, and some are in between.
#1) Donovan - 'Sunny South Kensington' from "Mellow Yellow" (Epic, 1967).
This is what got all of this going; I had always been hypnotized by the ending of this song (the final song on the album as well), wishing it were to go on and on. Compare also with the ending to 'Riki Tiki Tavi' off of 1970's "Open Road" LP; a friend of mine shared an enthusiasm for the ending of this latter track too. Good Old Donny-Boy.
#2) Troyka - 'Early Morning' from "Troyka" (Cotillion, 1970).
This song is what brought this posting to reality. I helped a friend of mine move into a new house over the weekend, and unexpectedly was given several boxes full of records. This was in there, and was entirely unknown to me. This is their sole LP, and it seems to have a rather jubilant reputation, being treasured by a small group of listeners. I almost included the whole song, but I held back.
#3) Evan Miller - 'Marvels of Creatures and Strange Things Existing' from "Transfigurations on Lap-Steel Guitar" (Arbor, 2009).
Being a longer piece (in the original), it is almost a necessity to hear it in its entirety; I will leave that up to you. A marvel indeed, from Iowa. Hopefully these snippets will lure you. A trickle of water, and a bell.
#4) Henry Flynt - 'Blue Sky, Highway and Tyme' from "Back Porch Hillbilly Blues Vol. 1 and 2" (Bo Weavil, 2004).
Early 1960's recording from Mr. Flynt here. For nearly its entire length, it consists solely of a repeated vocal moan, and spare guitar, until he lets loose the lyrics heard here. No words are repeated, and it of course, as is fitting, ends immediately.
#5) John Coltrane - 'India' from "Impressions" (Impulse, 1963).
This first touched my ears on a trip last summer to Quebec. To be more truthful, my mother had played this for me before, as well as the music of Roland Kirk years ago, but I was somehow immune to both until recently. The sound of Eric Dolphy's bass clarinet with Coltrane's saxophone is almost too much to bear. This was the track that really got me into Coltrane's music.
#6) Yusef Lateef - 'Juba Juba' from "The Blue Yusef Lateef" (Atlantic, 1968).
There's just something about the bass drum, and the distant voices in the background. Stomping tonight.
#7) Lord Kitchener - 'Kitch In the Jungle' from "London Is the Place for Me Vol. 1" (Honest Jon's, 2002).
I mean, why not just go ahead and recommend the entire four volume series while I'm at it? This first volume has a healthy supply of other wonderful Kitchener tracks too; we need more cries and yells like this.
#8) Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra - 'And Otherness' from "Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy" (Saturn, 1967).
What is there to say? This leaves a grin on my face every time. Yes, startling.
#9) Skaters - 'Untitled B2' from "Dark Rye Bread" (Humbug, 2004).
Bees, hallowing out, and rising.
#10) The Shangri-La's - 'Leader of the Pack' (Red Bird, 1964).
What else is like this? This final convergence is unbelievable. Listen for that initial vocal\motor drone. If any music is cool, this is it. He may be gone, but I am glad. Overall, perhaps not as captivating as some of their other songs, but...
#11) Hala Strana - 'Haneros Halelu' from "Fielding" (Last Visible Dog, 2004).
Beautiful. And later, hearing the original piece of music by Hermann Steiner, makes both all the more ghostly.
#12) Leonard Cohen - 'Tonight Will Be Fine' from "Songs From a Room" (Columbia, 1969).
Always one of my favorite Cohen moments, from either this, or any of his other LP's. The faint jew's harp doesn't hurt either. Is she whistling out that window?
#13) Kraftwerk - 'Autobahn' from "Autobahn" (Vetigo, 1974).
Despite so many moments in this long track to choose from, this one always twinkles the most.
The squirrels are out, throwing acorns.
Farewell!
Comments