musicology #638

tUmp #1

the Wailers – Where is my mother

been busy…(still am), as I continue crossing the border into the ‘brave new world’ where the ‘immaterial’ is overtaking the ‘material’ and hegemony reigns…

but for me themusicologist has always been the space where I come to let off, connect and communicate with music that speaks so today sees the beginning of a new theme….tUmp (theUrbanMusicologyProject), of which there are, (already), material and immaterial parts.

The first step I took over the brave new threshold was here with themusicologist almost 5 years ago but the actual journey was already well under way. I’m a traveller, (it’s my nature), and I’m always ‘on the road’ with music as my only consistent companion along the way. theUrbanMusicologyProject is who, what and why I am and the next few weeks is the latest movement in the(Urban)musicologist’s symphony.

First up is a cut from the Wailers whose Urbanmusicology I was originally introduced to by my family in the early 1970′s, (‘Catch a Fire’ with the zippo style album cover), and it was there that my Jamaican music lesson began and the ‘SouL RebeL’ sound has remained a BIG part of my narrative ever since.

Today’s unreleased? accoustic cut is from the mid 60′s features the mighty trio at the place where their combined journey began, Sir Coxsone’s mighty Brentford Road musical power-house…Studio 1.

musicology #565

Down The Road A Piece #1

(Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee – My Fathers Words)

Where has themusicologist been for the last week?, (or the last 12 months come to think of it !!)
Lost and looking, Scheming and dreaming..for/about what? not sure but along the way much has transpired and it feels like I have walked backwards, forwards and round in circles…my poor shoes are worn and pants bottom torn but I’m still in the ring dancing, bobbing and weaving to the rhythm of life.

Sometimes it’s been blow after blow, (all landing square on me jaw), and the knees have almost gone but I’m still living and still learning hour after hour, day after day..

What I am trying to say is that I feel that themusicologist needs to change so I’m planning a new strategy that I’m working on. I’m not going to reveal it right now but hold tight and buckle up..it’s coming…

Until then I’ll just keep rolling with the ‘one tune’ in an effort to build up some consistency. After all ‘A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss’ so with that out the way hold this cut from the MAGNIFICENT Saunders ‘Sonny Terry’ Terrell and Walter Brown ‘Brownie’ McGhee. Bluesmen supreme who ‘climbed mountains’ to deliver some of the finest musicology ever recorded.

Hopefully you’ll listen, (and read), these poetic words of wisdom delivered by two Cats who knew exactly what the Blues, (and life), was all about…

My father, my father said these words,
Followed me down through the years,
Yes, yes, yes believe half you see son and nothing that you hear,
There’s a many broken hearts son that never sheds no tear,

It takes a rocks, takes a rocks and gravel,
To make wha? to make a solid road,
Yes, yes, yes everything that shines boy I declare it can’t be gold,
Well the brave old secret son that will never be told, (wooooh),
He said the longer, the longer the road,
The short, short, shorter the turn,
Yes, yes, yes listen my son you’ll never grow too old to learn,
I said why?
Because old coals will kindle light up and begin to burn,

He said the taller, the taller the tree,
The deeper, the deeper the roots yes, yes, yes
Blacker the berries well sweeter the juice,
Well with every rose son, there is some thorns too,

He said if you want if you want to be loved,
Here’s what you got, got to do,
Yes, yes you got to love somebody want someone to love you,
Well don’t let your right hand, know what your left hand do,

He said well a man well a man oh a man..man ain’t nothing but a man,
Yes, yes, yes..whole lot a things you’ll never understand,
Why?, so many people happy you catching as catch can
Go ahead Sonny Boy……

One more time now….

He said a man well a man oh a man..a man ain’t nothing but a man,
Yes, yes, yes..whole lot a things son you’ll never understand,
So many people happy you catching as catch can,

My fathers words…..

musicology #480

PoliceAndThieves #5

(Woody Guthrie – Pretty Boy Floyd)

Have to be quick with today’s post..man on a mission ! so without further delay hold this cut from Master Woody Guthrie who I am a BIG fan of. Regulars to the musical diary might have already guessed that I hunger for authenticity whether in music or in life..too much bullshit angers me which is why ‘news’ doesn’t interest me at all. At the risk of seeming indifferent the conventional propaganda machine or to use it’s common name..the media has an agenda…the promotion and pursuit of Capital over happiness…money ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on…how much has been printed over the last year? something like 20 Billion?? and yet still the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer. make no mistake the gap between the two is widening…how can that be?

Anyway…before I get involved hold this cut from Woody about outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd. Recorded in 1939 the song highlights Floyd’s apparent generosity to the poor which considering Guthrie’s Oklahoma roots and the mans authenticity I would imagine was true. Floyd’s funeral remains the States most attended funeral so he most have been popular for more than mere infamy… the outlaw is generally respected amongst the poor community and also revered for his generosity while his nefarious activities are often overlooked.

musicology #445

NewYork NewYork #4

(Leadbelly – New York City)

Ranking slice of New York musicology from the man known as Leadbelly. Much speculation as to the origin of the name but my money is on his fellow inmates in ‘Angola’ mispronouncing it. The two others that I like the sound of are his ability to drink hardcore moonshine and the belly full of lead he apparently took from a 12 bore shotgun…

Not sure where I’ll be posting from tomorrow..as I’m landing in JFK around 1pm but I’ll try my best to keep up the flow..

musicology #443

NewYork NewYork #2

(Bob Dylan – Talkin’ New York)

Highlighted from his first LP. Recorded in late 1961 but released in March 1962. One of only two songs written by him, (the rest being interpretations). This cut describes his feelings on his arrival and subsequent early days in the big apple. Produced by the legendary John Hammond only two months after their first meeting…Didn’t receive much attention in America but went down well over here in England.