musicology #447

NewYork NewYork #6

(Curtis Mayfield – We’re A Winner)

Monday morning, (and I mean morning !), in the Big A and my mind has been spinning like a whirling dervish trying to make some sense of this thing we call life. Was out all day yesterday and didn’t find the time and space to throw down a cut and today’s my last day so I’m determined to lay a farewell slice of the NewYork pie on the line…was all over Manhattan like a rash yesterday starting in a well known electronic/photographic retail emporium in search of a Lumix GF1 camera after being well and truly bitten by it’s amazing reviews but no dice as they are continually out of stock such is it’s popularity, making the desire to own one even greater. Then a short walk through Hells Kitchen on a mission to find a cupcake shop for Lucy’s friend where we breezed through a flea market. Nothing really took my eye enough for me to put my hand in my ’sky’ other than a small photograph which will serve as a visual reminder. a short walk through Times Square and onto lunch at Cipriani’s in Grand Central where we indulged in their famed Bellini..I’m not used to eating in the afternoon and after a cauliflower soup and a serving of Eggs Benedict I was well and truly stuffed and so we waddled down to the subway to take a ride downtown for a bit of retail therapy..truth was that nothing inspired me enough to buy other than a small gift a piece for Con and Fabes..I need to feel the vibes to shop and yesterday didn’t have that flavour. 4 days hasn’t been enough, I haven’t even begun to speak about what’s in my heart and on my mind. Didn’t sleep much last night and find myself standing on a crossroads..might step out? walking the streets often helps me to find the way.

The cut today has major significence for me as, (according to my dad), it was the tune that he used to rock me to sleep as a babe in arms, many moons have waned since then but my deep appreciation for Curtis continues and will remain until the ‘12th of never’. Recorded live at New York’s ‘Bitter End’ in 1970 regulars on themusicologist may be aware that pieces from the set have already featured here over the years and that not only is it my oldest musical memory but also my most treasured. from the Intro on side 1 right through to the outro on side 2 every recorded moment hangs off the top branch of the musicology tree.

LISTEN TUNE

musicology #446

NewYork NewYork #5

(9th Wonder feat ??? – New New York)

Saturday morning in the big A…and the city that never sleeps is snoring like a baby..I have been awake since 5:30 and looking out the window I don’t see a soul ! from where i’m plotted (the corner of 56 and Lex) and I’m itching to get out and tread some pavement….
Arrived in Manhattan yesterday afternoon after shooting the breeze all the way from JFK with a driver who hustled the fare between me and some Irish kid..which as it turned out was perfect because we spoke first about cricket, (he is from Trinidad), and then moved onto politricks, a topic I always enjoy. The fare was the same as I would have paid in a yellow so all good..although I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else. Unlicensed cars are dangerous and should never really be taken especially ‘up a foreign’.

Went to see a Bauhaus exhibition at the MoMa which was great due purely to the company I’m keeping on this whistle stop visit. Don’t get me wrong I am a big fan of the movement especially the photography and the architecture and it was nice to visit the MoMa but my primary reason for being here is to spend some QT with someone I have deep but as yet unpronounced feelings for..don’t worry I’m working up the courage to express myself in person but fear of rejection is the river I have always found hardest to cross but my will to succeed is growing stronger as I absorb my experiences along the way so I am determined to cross by any means neccessary after all what could be worse than drowning in fear?

Anyway, before I wander off into my all too frequent ramblings let’s get back to the music. Today’s cut is a wicked slice of what I have always known and will continue to call Hip-Hop…shows my age no doubt but I remember the inspirational call to arms when it sounded in the early 80’s and I marched right along with it until1985 when something else caught my ear.

Them early cuts hold great memories for me and one day I’m planning on rolling out a selection on themusicologist to pay tribute to cats like Whodini, Grandmaster Flash, Marley Marl, The Soul Sonic Force, Newcleus, The Wrecking Cru, UTFO, Run Dmc etc, ( to name but a few), for pioneering a NEW modernist sound..which along with ‘House’, (another musical product of the generation I am proud to have been on the vanguard of), have been the two most influential movements of the last 30 years. I look and listen around now and all I see and hear are variations on recurring themes that make me wonder if we have arrived at a point where ‘cultural history’ is on a loop?

So here without delay is a top ranking cut that is inspiring a rennaisance in the genre for themusicologist..extra BIG shout of love going out to our two children especially Fabian who likes this one. Haven’t got all my details here so i’m  a bit lost regarding the details…all I do know off the top of my head is that it’s a 9th Wonder production and it’s absolutely top class that for me has the lot..lyrics, music and delivery.

Listen tune..

musicology #444

NewYork NewYork #3

(Gil Scott Heron – Madison Avenue)

Bit late with today’s cut..such is life.
So without further delay hold this piece, (from his 1978 set ‘Secrets’ from Gil Scott Heron, a Cat who speaks.

Of interest, (at least to the football lovers among us), is that his father is the acclaimed footballer Giles Heron..the first Jamaican to play for Celtic in the 1950’s !!

musicology #442

NewYork NewYork #1

(Kool G Rap – Streets Of New York)

This week it’s all about NYC..The Big Apple. Why? because I’m going there on Friday to spend a few days with someone very special who is and has been an inspiration. Words don’t tend to do feelings justice so I’ll leave it at that…regular visitors to themusicologist will know that I have a tendency to wax lyrical and believe me I would like to continue in that tradition but being a dyed in the wool romantic the poetry could run away with me so I’ll do me best to rein it in before I get all 18th Century on yer arse and end up prancing about in velvet suits, curling up my ‘locks’ and spouting Wordsworth and Coleridge poems !!

So to balance that out hold this piece of 21st Century hip-hop from one of New York City’s legendary lyricists, the trail blazing, Kool G Rap .. one of the greatest rappers to have ever graced the M.I.C whose legacy runs deep. Member of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, (along with MC Shan, Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane and BizMarkie), the Cat has influenced many a BIG name and is highly regarded and respected by those in the know as a progenitor of the style which now dominates. A man whose authenticity regarding street narrative is beyond doubt..one final piece of information..he was born in 1968 which seems to be a significant year for many reasons.

musicology #441

Fragments #7

(Gil Scott Heron – Inner City Blues)

“Four vital functions as basic as the four elements: Sexuality, sociality, ideation and glory. Or: pleasure, speech, thought and prestige.
Being deprived of any of the four leads to stupor and death.”

Final piece of the Fragments selection..could have gone on for a while longer but new inspiration is knocking on themusicologist’s door so tomorrow I’m rolling out a new theme…just like to finish the ‘Fragments’ by paying a final tribute to Baudrillard for delivering such profound insights into the age of banality that we find ourselves inhabiting..for me the Cat penetrates some dark corners with illuminating observations.

What better way to wind up this session than with a combination of Marvin Gaye and Gil Scott Heron..I’ll say no more and just leave it up to the two of them to lay it on you.

musicology #439

Fragments #5

(Junior Byles – Fade Away)

“There is nothing left to protect us from the scene of the real. Nothing left to protect us from the obscenity of the virtual, (of information, transparency etc). We are no longer the actors of the real but the double agents of the virtual”

Baudrillard, (among others), spoke of the ‘Hyper – Real’. Which, as I have understood/interpreted it, is the place where reality, (of human contact, emotion, character and such things that used to define being human), is replaced by the virtual, (particularly visual media). Almost everything in the virtual is created, faked or at least edited to present and maintain the illusion of progress..politics and the news are clear examples…both offer but deliver nothing real.

Society is rotten at the core, (maybe it has always been?), and to cover that truth/reality the hyper – real was created to take our ‘eye off the game’. Look at the growth in so called social networking, (or to put it another way the network economy), which is clearly the brave new world of the hyper real…

almost everyone I know, (rebels..hold firm), is on facebook..my children included.  It seems to be the place where people choose to ‘communicate’ to their ‘friends’ and more importantly colleagues on the banality that fills the post modern desert that has been created for and forced on us. Do a search and see for yourself  what the champions of the hyper-real are trading in. My guess is that it’s value-less mediocrity or in the case of politricks….tomorrow. the day that never comes.

Anyway…enough of the social comentary and on with the musicology…Today’s cut is from the enigmatic Junior Byles..well known slice of the Channel 1 pie that has trembled my marrow for at least 25 years…Seems like the right time has come to throw it down.

musicology #436

Fragments #2

(Marvin Gaye – In Our Lifetime)

“The psychiatrists, analysts and all the psychological and social experts complain that they have to repair the immense damage done, to children in particular, by the social , parental and educational systems. But this human wastage is their stock in trade, whether they be therapists, politicians or social workers and the like. If everything only went well, the social welfare field would disappear, and all these fine people would be laid off. The system feeds, then, on its own misfortune. And every agonizing revision or alternative would involve an even more complicated, even more perverse machination”.

the musicology is courtesy of Marvin with a quality piece of 80’s Boogie from his final Motown set ‘In Our Lifetime’

musicology #427

noExcuses #4

(Children Of The Ghetto – Real Thing)

two slices ‘on the spin’ !!
progress.
is this a sign that themusicologist is back in the saddle?
who knows what tomorrow might bring? not me..what I do know though is that a ‘better’ tomorrow starts with one’s actions of today.

Back to the musicology which courtesy of England’s own 80’s Soul and Boogie collective known as the ‘Real Thing’ who many may have heard of in relation to their hit “You To Me Are Everything”. This piece, (more recently covered by Mary J Blige), is borrowed from their album 4 From 8 and goes out to all the children who know how it feels to live/have lived it. Stand strong, keep your heads held high, don’t allow the shit to get permanently stuck on your ’shoes’ or let other people try to tell YOU who YOU are and remember that:

“Deep inside the ghetto there’s a unity,
That cancels out the sorrow and the misery”

musicology #422

nowordsjustmusic2 #2

(Randy Crawford – Trade Winds)

Listen Tune….

musicology #412

Terry Callier #4

(Terry Callier – Fool em I Fool R U)

Slipping out of Mr Callier’s first cut in 1963 into today’s piece of MAJESTY from his current 2009 set ‘Hidden Conversations‘.
TOP ranking piece of 21st century ‘Steppers’ from the Man. A message of genuine authenticity from a man who walks it like he talks it…and let’s be honest, they don’t grow on trees..

Oh yeah…I’m experimenting with a new piece of interactivity on themusicologist today..it’s a ‘Ratings’ thing, (which I have just seen is only visible above the actual post rather than on the ‘front page’), just to get a better idea of what the community are in to. Not sure whether It will be a permanent fixture yet…just testing it to see if it has any value.

Well….?
Huh,
Is this a game we play,
Just a phase we go through,
Is this the price we pay,
Will there be reperations too,
If we’re not careful what we say,
If we ain’t careful what we do,
What kind of fool am I,
What kind of fool are you,

You can read it on the printed page,
It’s a fender bender…and road rage,
One for all and all for one,
Until some asshole pulls a gun,
Somebody’s hurt and somebody cries,
And somebody lives…somebody dies,
And we hear pleas of innocence..
Mental impairment and self defense,
Hey what can the matter be,
What’s happening with society,
And what’s the ransom and the cost,
To save a generation lost,
Who’s able to complete the task,
Solve the riddle and lift the mask,
Yeah pardon me but I just got to ask

This a game we play,
Just a phase we going through,
Is this the price we pay,
Will there be reparations too,
If we’re not careful what we say,
We ain’t careful what we do,
What kind of fool am I,
What kind of fool are you,

And so we catch the evening news,
With all of these conflicting views,
Plague and famine..third world plights,
Poverty and womens rights,
Yea bishop when does life begin,
And what’s a crime and what’s a sin,
Hey is there some kind of master plan,
To bring peace to the holy hands,
In brightest day or darkest night,
There’s rifle fire left and right,
And on this dark and dangerous road,
How long before the world explodes,
But one for the money…two for the show,
If we got to reap just what we sow,
Hey pardon me but I just got to know,

Is this a game we play,
Just a phase we going through,
Is this the price we pay,
For reparations overdue,
If we’re not careful what we say,
If we ain’t careful what we do,
What kind of fool am I,
What kind of fool are you.

musicology #410

Terry Callier #2

(Terry Callier – Alley Wind Song (Original Demo)

A quote from the man himself:

“People everywhere are searching, searching for a spiritual base to stand on, reach out from and react to. The way I understand it, I’m supposed to put the message out there as clearly as I can. The rest has to take care of itself.”

“And hear some strange magic man work some ju-ju if you can,
Or do you know a spell that’s worth repeating,
Trace your pictures in the sand,
Tell me can you work a mojo hand,
Can you start the drums of Kuru beating,
Beware of the South wind,
The heart and mind and mouth wind
And search the sacred sands for a solution,

And tell me now..is it true if I put faith in you,
Will you lead me to the bridge of bright tomorrows,
And will your grace see me through,
Will incense and candles do,
Will prayer remove me from the reach of sorrow,
Oh beware of the North wind,
A king of worlds comes forth wind,
And blow apoun the land in retribution,

In the land of the free where the huddled masses flee,
From the cold and cruel worlds of wars dominion,
In a dusky mirror that I see,
Dont you know it got a hold back on my jubilee,
If freedom’s just a matter of opinion,
Ah beware of the West wind,
A bitter black suppressive wind,
That leads your children home for revolution,
That leads your children home for revolution,

Listening ones…if I sing,
Will that make you do your thing,
Will the chatting reach your high and lofty places,
And what is this strange gift you bring,
It’s sparkling like a diamond ring,
Will that bright light reveal the prince of faces,
Beware of the East wind,
A god of man and beast wind,
A famine and or feast wind,
And the last but not the least wind,
A threat of silver fleece wind,
A follow great release wind,
Blowin all across the land,
Blowin all across the land,
Where you stand,
Where will you stand,

musicology #401

Sound&Fury #5

(Prince Buster – Too Hot)

Original cut of the song made ‘public’ by the Specials. The Prince has already featured on themusicologist so no need for me to wax lyrical about his life. Suffice to say that the Cat is a legend of Jamaican musicology.

musicology #381

Modernist #9

(Folks Brothers – Oh Carolina)

Today I’m rolling with another quote from early Mod/ernist Patrick Uden..who as far as I’m concerned has much of value to say on the subject.

“You have no idea how dreary it was. It was really dreary. And then what happened was that the first group of 15 year olds born after the war emerged into a world where they had some money to spend. And at the same time the British economy was being turned around, (other countries had been more fortunate following the war), It was going from what’s called a ‘command economy’ to a ‘demand economy’. This meant that things started to appear that people could buy and there were certainly imports starting to come in. Some of them were ‘grey imports like Levi’s coming through the PX stores in American bases and moving into the black market via, you know, the East End markets and that sort of thing. So very slowly, and then quite rapidly, this purchasing power began to affect what was available. And this blossomed into a kind of early spring, if you like. I’m talking now around 1961/2, and that’s when it started, although you can trace the movement, in terms of things like music and so on, back into the 50’swith the interest in Modern Jazz and those sorts of things. But popular Modernism began to emerge around 1961 and I think that’s the real source of it.”

Reflecting on this and other snippets of knowledge from those who were there at the time crystalises in my mind that the most important and enduring aspect of the nameless thing moved out of the shadows in late 1961 and flowered for almost three years before being rinsed by the establishment for many years to come. All the ‘movements’ that I have had the pleasure to be involved in, (Casual/Rare Groove and ‘House’), lasted for the same duration so I conclude that it’s the nature of such things that the vanguard move on to pastures new once the herd pitches in. Maybe that sounds, and is, elitist but I make no excuse for it. The Elite govern and in some cases dictate all aspects of society and in such matters as trends this is no different. I’m not a supporter of Elitism but in my mind there’s no denying that it doesn’t have the power to exert strong influence on the shifting sands change.

Today’s cut, (courtesy of my uncle), is one that was on the vanguard of the change from what’s known as ‘Shuffle’ to ‘Ska’ a piece produced by ‘The Voice Of The People’…Cecil Bustamante Campbell a.k.a Prince Buster who is as responsible as anyone for Jamaican music shaking off it’s colonial/imperial heritage to stand on it’s own as an authentic language for ’sufferers’ everywhere. Recorded, (according to Steve Barrow who has it on good authority from Owen Gray..thanks Steve), probably late 1961 but released on BlueBeat in the UK in 1962 if memory serves me right. Not only the year of Jamaican Independence but also the year that Mod arrived. Unique in that it was the first recording to feature Rasta ambassador Count Ossie. DEFINATELY played on the scene back in the day on release making it one of the first Jamaican crossover records to have a universal appeal.

musicology #374

Modernist #2

(The Miracles – Way Over There)

Today I would like to take the opportunity and quote from a top ranking piece of critique on the subject of Modernist by a Cat named Johnny Spencer who lived through as well as observed the changing face of London during the early Sixties.

“In London during the early sixties as in other parts of the British Isles a tiny minority of young, (mostly working class), boys and girls known only to themselves as ‘Modernists’ were walking, talking, dressing and dancing to a different song. These youngsters who were conceived in the heady and delirious optimism that marked the end of WW II had passed onto them in their genes a very real sense of supremecy, invincibility and confidence, a confidence that was fuelled and underpinned by the meta narrative of the western world, the concept of modernity, then at it’s zenith. By the early 1960’s the social fabric of cities in England had changed radically from the period before 1945, the war had dealt attitudes of authority and deference a mortal blow, conscription had ended, and the young en masse for the first time found themselves with a realistic disposable income. With history on their side this generation of independently minded teenagers felt able to think and act for themselves, not in a quasi-intellectual way as the ‘beatnicks’ had done, or to have to rebel, like the ‘Teddy Boys’, but as a truly autonomous entity.”

The musicology is courtesy of modernist icons ‘The Miracles’, (Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Ronald White and Claudette Rogers), whose unique and distinctive sound epitomised the emerging sound that became known as Soul. The cut that was BIG on the London scene was in fact the second version, (with strings), but in the essence of ‘Modernist’ I had to lay this, (regional) one, (without strings), on you. Recorded for and released in 1960 on Motown.

musicology #372

SuchIsLife #6

(Bill Withers – World Keeps On Going Around)

Final slice of the SuchIsLife theme…which for me have been less demanding mentally than the two that preceeded it so I’m almost tempted to stick with it but, there’s a subject that I would like to share that is not only close to my heart but has informed the I since birth and that subject is ‘Modernist’. I’ll say no more about it until tomorrow when it kicks off.

Back to today though and what more authentic way to finish than with this cut from a Cat whose influence on themusicologist stretches way back to the early seventies when as a toddler he was often to be heard, (along with Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder), drifting out of the speakers. Especially this 1973 album ‘Live At Carniege Hall’ which has been etched into my consciousness from the age of 4. Exceptional album from an exceptional Lyricist, Singer, Social Commentator and Performer. Still moves me and always will..every slice a winner. Not often that themusicologist makes recommendations but if you get the chance buy this album.

“Looking at the pictures of the places that he’s been,
Old man told me what he found,
Said it don’t make no difference whether you’re out or whether you’re in,
Know the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and round,

Said he looked at the places, and talk to the faces that he seen,
Then he turned the pictures upside down,
Said it don’t make no difference how many places that you been,
Said the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and around,

Then  he put up the pictures shook his head and with a grin,
He talked about his ups and downs,
Said it don’t make no difference how many fixes you been in,
Know the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and around,

Betty Joe Johnson, don’t you pull no Daisy Mae on me,
Daisy Mae she did me dirty,
so I had to leave her for Anna Lee,
Anna Lee she had big street feet,
she spends her nights out on the road,
So I started seeing Sally Jackson,
I had to let old Anna Lee go,
Sally Jackson was a player,
had another man along with me,
So I just took me one step backwards,
checked up on old Anna Lee,
Anna Lee still had them street feet,
Like to dance all night and sleep all day,
So I just took one more step backwards,
checked up on old Daisy Mae,
Daisy Mae is still doing dirty,
so I tell you what I had to do,
I had to go just one step further, Betty Joe Johnson
And that’s how I know you,

Then he looked at the places, talk to the faces in life that he had seen
Then he turned the pictures upside down,
Said it don’t make no difference how many places that you been,
Said the world keeps a going round and round,
Going round and round”

musicology #367

SuchIsLife #1

(Lord Creator – Such Is Life)

As promised, new theme kicks off today concerning musical wisdom as laid down by various Cats from across the musical spectrum, inspired by today’s slice of incredible musicology from Trinidadian singer, songwriter and sufferer,Kentrick Patrick, (A.K.A Lord Creator), who penned this unbelievable 1968 marrow trembler while down on his luck living in a tree!! in Jamaica having found himself ‘on the floor’ after a career stretching back to the dawn of Ska recording for the likes of Sir Coxsone and more prominently the producer Vincent ‘Randy’ Chin. In answer to his downturn in fortunes..Creator had this pearl of wisdom to say

“That is in my days of suffereation and alcohol, when I had nothing, when I could not pay rent, when I could not find food for me and my children to eat. While sleeping up in a plum tree with a pregnant woman, I put together a melody, and that is how I recorded the song called, ‘Such Is Life’. It was not a hit, it did not get much airplay, but it meant a lot to me”

For me this cut sums up the essence of music’s incredible power to communicate emotions..Respect is due to Alan from musical storeroom Honest Jon’s who brought me in on this one a few weeks back after a dialogue concerning music and the ‘Project’. I am eternally greatful..

“One day you got plenty money yeah…such is life, such is life,
Sometimes you ain’t got a penny no, such is life, such is life…..

musicology #364

Ideology&Philosophy #5

(The Wailers – The World Is Changing)

Out of the Tao and into the next phase in the wanderings with a slice of spoken word from a next facilitator of learning on the journey to the self. But as we move out of Classical Antiquity and into the modern world I would just like to add that a few minutes from each of these Cats is nowhere near enough to do such an important subject justice but doors are made to be opened and Philosophy along with music is, for me, a door to knowledge that has resonated loud and clear on the quest for ‘meaning’.

The music is yet another slice courtesy of The Wailers but this time it’s a later cut, (1968), on Danny Sim’s JAD label featuring the hard hitting Peter Tosh on lead with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer harmonising.

musicology #330

DownbeatTheRuler #10

(Wailing Souls – Don’t Fight)

Today’s cut, for me, epitomises the Studio 1 sound apoun which much of Reggae was built. Drum, Bass and Harmony..the trinity and who better to provide an example on the Downbeat tribute than the mighty ‘Wailing Souls’

Their story begins with Winston “Pipe” Matthews who as a youth living in Kingston in the early ’60s, learned to sing at the feet of singer supreme Joe Higgs, (already a veteran vocalist with a string of hits to his name, coaching up and coming talent in his tenement yard, his most famous protégés being the Wailers). Higgs’ training stood Matthews in equally good stead and by 1963, the aspiring singer and his vocal group the Schoolboys had come to the attention of Prince Buster. In 1965, the Schoolboys folded, but Matthews was soon back with a new group, the Renegades. This vocal trio comprised Matthews, Lloyd “Bread” McDonald, and George “Buddy” Haye, both of whom were also alumni of Higgs’ vocal classes. It was at this point that the trio came to the attention of Coxsonne Dodd and the Renegades embarked on a fruitful career at Studio One.

In 1968, Haye departed, in his place came two new singers, Oswald Downer and Norman Davis. Such a shift of lineup prompted the group to totally cut ties with the past, and they changed their moniker to the Wailing Souls. Studio One eventually released two seminal compilations of recordings from this period, The Wailing Souls and the LP from which today’s piece is taken Soul and Power.

Still going strong after more than 40 years the Wailing Souls continue to deliver soul stirring musicology that stands as a testament to both their quality and longevity. For more ‘Souls’ Knowledge visit their site from where the above information was unashamedly gleaned.

An early 70’s cut, with the bassline echoing the Larry Marshall classic ‘Throw Me Corn’.

musicology #326

DownbeatTheRuler #6

(Dave Barker – Johnny Dollar)

Today’s page of the Downbeat story is a 45 from an artist known by the name of Dave Barker, (a nom de plume courtesy of Lee Perry), who is probably best known for his part on the well known single ‘Double Barrel’. A singer and ‘DJ’ who was among the earliest proponents of the ‘chatting’ style made popular by such luminaries as U-Roy, Dennis Alcapone, I-Roy and Dillinger. There were earlier Cats who dropped ‘chat pon the mic’ but it wasn’t until Hugh Roy stepped up that the genre came of age and flew out of the dance and into the recording studio in 1970 on Arthur ‘Duke ‘ Reid’s definining rocksteady rhythms.

This one, a 1970 cut on the English Studio 1 subsidary label Ackee, is a cover of Garnett Mimm’s earlier majestic 1964 Soul recording ‘A Quiet Place’ and finds Mr Barker, who in my opinion was a much better singer than ‘DJ’, in fine voice expressing concerns about people intruding on his quiet time.

musicology #320

SongsOf Protest&Freedom#6

(Otis Redding – A Change Is Gonna  Come)

final cut of the freedom&protest…and what better way to finish with one of the greatest songs sung by one of the greatest singers. Sam Cooke’s original has already featured on themusicologist but couldn’t pass up this opportunity to throw it down again.

Otis singing Sam Cooke…doesn’t get any better. Taken from the LP ‘Otis Blue’…With Issac Hayes on the Keyboards, (and production), as well as the full Stax/Volt family Donald Dunn, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson, Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love, Gene Miller and Fred Newman.

musicology #319

SongsOf Protest&Freedom#5

(Billy Bragg – Ideology)

Day 5 of the freedom selection is a cut from  Singer, Songwriter and performer; Stephen William Bragg featured a couple of times already on the musicologist with his critique on two subjects close to my heart ‘Big Pharma‘ and National Identity.

This one, (another of the subjects close to my heart),  is taken from his 1986 set ‘Talking With The Taxman About Poetry’.

“When one voice rules the nation,
Just because they’re top of the pile,
Doesn’t mean their vision is the clearest,

The voices of the people
Are falling on deaf ears,
Our politicians all become delirious,
They must declare their interests,
But not their company cars,
Is there more to a seat in Parliament,
Than sitting on your arse?
And the best of all this bad bunch,
Is shouting to be heard,
Above the sound of Ideologies clashing,

Outside the patient millions,
Who put them into power,
Expect a little more back for their taxes,
Like schoolbooks, beds in hospitals,
And peace in our bloody time,
All they get is old men grinding axes,

Who’ve built their private fortunes on the things they can rely,
The courts, the secret handshake, the stock exchange and the old school tie,
For God and Queen and Country,
All things they just defy,
Above the sound of Ideologies clashing,

God bless the civil service,
The nation’s saving grace,
While we expect democracy,
They’re laughing in our face,
And although our cries get louder,
The laugh gets louder still,
Above the sound of Ideologies clashing,
Above the sound of Ideologies,
Above the sound of Ideologies,
Above the sound of Ideologies clashing…..”

musicology #318

SongsOf Protest&Freedom#4

(Fela Kuti – Colonial Mentality)

Utilising the universal language to communicate protest is not as easy as it sounds as there are many forces at work that try to silence the minstrel from speaking the truth and for themusicologist no one signifies this more than musicologist and freedom fighter supreme..Fela Anikulapo Kuti who was a constant thorn in the Nigerian, (and other African ’state’), Government’s side.

Third time featured on themusicologist for a Cat who certainly walked it like he talked it. Fortunately someone out there has translated and transcribed the lyrics for this 1977, (borrowed from the LP Sorrow, Tears & Blood), cut otherwise It would be hard for many of us to follow, (although not to understand), and for that I am extremely grateful.

LISTEN TUNE…

musicology #317

SongsOf Protest&Freedom#3

(The Kinks – Got To Be Free)

Today’s slice of the Freedom pie is from a well known and highly respected  English group yet to feature on themusicologist…with a cut from their 1970 LP ‘Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround’.

Ray and Dave’s career is reported to have began in a pub in North London in 1957 !! but it wasn’t until 1963 that the original line up formed and became known, (after a few name changes), as the Kinks.

The line up featured here however is minus original member Pete Quaife.

musicology #316

SongsOfProtest&Freedom#2

(Max Romeo – Blowing In The Wind)

Generally speaking protest&freedom springs from the well of first hand experience concerning the trials and tribulations in question. Although, I hasten to add, not always as there is also a concept known as empathy whereby others can feel/appreciate the anguish and frustrations? I’ll be honest with you up until a few months ago this was a concept that I couldn’t accept but then it was explained to me in language I understood and subsequently I felt it.

Today’s cut is, for me, an example of this. A tune that many people know, (or at least have heard), that concerns a human’s right to freedom. The human beings in question are still judged in many ways by the colour of their skin and not the love in their hearts. It might not be as blatant these days but as with all discrimination it is rife. The point I am making here is that Bob Dylan, (the songwriter and original singer of this cut), was empathising.

It wasn’t his personal experience but still he ‘felt’ it and wanted to do what he could to highlight and make comment on the situation. Sam Cooke loved it and was almost upset that it wasn’t written by him.Accordingly ‘The Lion’ was inspired though and wrote one of THE most passionate ’songs of freedom’ ‘A Change Is  Going To Come’ which, if it hadn’t already been thrown down on themusicologist would most certainly have been in this theme.

This 1969 version is by Jamaica’s own Max Romeo who unfortunately is perhaps best known, (outside of Reggae circles), for the forgettable but, at least in the UK, popular early ‘Skinhead’ cut ‘Wet Dream’. He is MUCH better than that as witnessed by his output over the years.

Listen Tune

musicology #315

SongsOfProtest&Freedom#1

(Woody Guthrie & Cisco Houston – Better World A Comin’)

this weeks selection is a collection of songs that speak the language of protest and freedom. bypassing the rhetoric of the chattering classes to deliver the message as directly as possible to those who have the power to make change….the people.

The ‘establishment’ know this so, as with all modes of communication, do their best to bury such knowledge and even wisdom beneath the mountains of information that are served up 24 – 7 – 365.

Who and what are the establishment?..I’m not saying there is a group whose ‘job’ it is to serve up such mis-information I don’t believe that’s not the nature of such things…ideology provides such a platform so no one person or even group is to blame, making it almost impossible to step outside of. Our times are not much different from previous ones although globalisation can and does, (for now), provide an opportunity to connect and communicate instantly which is relatively new. Obviously this is a two sided coin making it easier to spread the word of freedom as well as slavery but at least there is a choice as to what we spend our time doing, listening to, reading and watching.

only time will tell what opportunity is taken? education or entertainment.

With that in mind hold this cut from one of the fathers and greatest proponents of the protest/freedom song, Woodrow Wilson Guthrie, (named after the former president of the USA), whose relatively short life was FULL of experience and incident…

Mr Authenticity as far as I’m concerned whose musicology has touched my heart and mind from first hearing it a couple of years ago.Since introduction themusicologist is often to be found rocking and a rolling to this Cat.. This cut taken from the 1940’s ‘Asch’ Recording dates features his friend the singer and one time actor, Cisco Houston who along with Jim Longhi persuaded Woody to join the Merchant Marines during W.W II. Being political Woody was against supporting what was considered by some a Capitalist Fraud but rather than be drafted he settled for washing dishes and entertaining the troops.

Anyway….enough of the words and on with the music.

musicology #314

Live&Direct #10

(Curtis Mayfield – Stone Junkie Live)

Penultimate cut of the current theme and then something new on Monday…not sure what it might be but as always I’ll let the music be the shepherd.

Today’s slice of the Live&Direct pie is courtesy of the man whose musicology ‘begat’ themusicologist with my earliest musical memories; brother Curtis Mayfield with a piece from the, what is today well known, set ‘Curtis Live’. Not sure how popular it was in 1971? with it’s militant message and hard hitting social commentary but as is always the case with Authenticity it spoke to me. I was no more than a babe in arms at the time but thanks especially to my Dad who was, (and still is), a BIG Curtis fan, the music and message of Curtis burned into my consciousness and has stayed there ever since. I have read somewhere that the experiences and messages learnt from the so called formative years are the ones that exert the most powerful influence on our character. If so then Curtis was, for me, one of my most valued ‘teachers’ (along with certain members of my family), and for that I am eternally greatful. So without further delay hold this, the second cut from his ‘Live’ set to have featured on themusicologist.

Recorded at New York’s ‘Bitter End’ in 1971 and featuring the combined talents of Craig McMullen, Joseph “Lucky” Scott, ‘Master’ Henry Gibson, Tyrone McCullen and of course Curtis Mayfield.

Don’t know about Elvis but for me ‘Curtis Lives’ and always will.

“Here’s something that I know everybody knows about,
I ain’t gonna point no fingers, I don’t want nobody to point no fingers,
But I, right on yeah…I think it’ll break it down…

Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,

Times have now arrived in this nation,
There’s now a people with a different relation,
Black and white, yellow, red and blue,
All in the same bag we know it’s true,

They just,
Stone junkies, stone, stone junkies,
Stone junkies, stone, stone junkies,

Don’t let your mind become offended miss Lady,
‘Cause you ain’t no better than our typical Sadie,
You just got money, you can spend out at will,
But when comes aches and pains, you still use the pill,

I don’t mean nothin’,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie now,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie one mo’,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie now,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,

Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie yall,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie now,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,

I know everybody whose heart is still thumping, (he died)
I know everybody whose heart is still thumping,
Is drinking, shooting, snorting, smoking on something,

I feel like I fell in a hole, you know that hit home everywhere,

Now that might sound funky so I don’t mean to mislead,
So you can retract the thought of you on drugs or on weed
That ain’t my business you know what you do
I’m just singing for the majority of you

Should I say mister,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,
Stone junkie, stone, stone junkie,

Please give my fellas a great big round of applause…”

musicology #313

Live&Direct #9

(The Jam – Going Underground/Dreams Of Children/That’s Entertainment Live)

themusicologist regulars will know that along with Curtis Mayfield this Cat, Paul Weller, has exerted major influence on my thoughts, from first exposure in 1977 as a fresh faced nine year old right up to the present day. ‘Words’ have meaning as far as I’m concerned and his rank up there with the best I have ever had the pleasure of listening to and learning from.

Today’s cut is from his Jam days. A three cut selection recorded live at the Glasgow Apollo in 1982. Taken from the LP ‘Dig The New Breed’.

Watch the ride……

musicology #310

Live&Direct #6

(Jimi Hendrix Experience – Like A Rolling Stone Live)

Today’s cut features one of the best known and most talked about Cats in recorded musical history…Johnny Allen, (Jimi), Hendrix about whom much has been written and said. No need for themusicologist to bore you with facts and details about his life and times so I’m just going to lay his version of Bob Dylan’s famous song, (about Edie Sedgwick i do believe?), on you. Recorded live at Monterey in 1967. In a word…magic.

“Once upon a time you dressed so fine,
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didnt you?,
People call, say, beware doll, youre bound to fall,
You thought they all were kiddin you,
You used to haha laugh about,
Everybody that was hangin out,
Look atcha, but now you dont talk so loud,
Now you dont seem so proud,
‘Bout having to be scrounging yeah your last meal,

How does it feel,
Oh how does it feel baby,
To be on your own,
??????????????????
Look atcha a complete unknown,
Like a rolling stone?,

Gone to the finest school all right, hahah miss lonely,
But you know you only used to get juiced in it,
Nobody here to taught you how to live out the streets,
And now you just gonna have to get used to it,
You say you never you never compromise,
With the mystery tramp, but now you got to realize,
He’s not selling any alibis,
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes,
And he says hey baby would you like ta to make a deal?

How does it feel baby,
How does it feel,
To be on your own,
No direction home,
A complete unknown,
Look atcha like a rolling stone,

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people,
They all laugh and drinkin, thinkin that they huh got it made yeah
Exchanging all precious gifts and things but ah,
But you’d better take your diamond ring, I think you’d better,
you better pawn it babe,
Yes I know I missed a verse, don’t worry,

You used to be so amused,
At napoleon in rags and the sweet talk that he used,
Go to him now, he calls you, you cant refuse,
When you aint got nothing, you got nothing to lose,
Youre invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal,

How does it feel,
Oh how does it feel baby,
To be on your own,
With no direction home,
A complete unknown,
Look at ya like a rolling stone”.

musicology #305

Live&Direct#2

(Fela Kuti – Mistake – Live)

Day two of the theme has an element of synchronicity for me as the performance was recorded in Berlin…what has that got to do with anything I hear you say? well not only does one of my most valued ‘brethren’ live there but the woman in my life is there today working on/at the film festival. Couldn’t resist or pass up this ‘oppo’ to throw down a second piece on themusicologist by the legend that is, Fela Kuti.

Recorded in 1978 a year after his Kalakuta Republic had been destroyed by a thousand soldiers during which horror his elderly mother had been thrown out of a window suffering fatal injuries with Fela almost being beaten to death for his non-stop scathing critique of Nigerian politics. Word has it that after the tour most of the band left him as he intended to use all the proceeds to fund his election campaign.

Perhaps THE most political musician of all time Fela was his own project and an ‘Existentialist’ in the truest sense. NEVER allowing anyone to deny him the freedom to say and do what he thought right. The hugely influential philosopher Martin Heidegger spoke about Authenticity in relation to one’s life and for themusicologist Fela lived life in a way that, (among others), Heidegger would have been proud of.

musicology #299

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #10

(Mighty Diamonds – Have A Little Mercy)

Penultimate cut of the Jamaican Vocal Group selection…listening back over the proceedings I can’t help noticing that it has been heavily weighted in favour of the 60’s and with hindsight perhaps I should have called it ‘Sixties Jamaican Vocal Group Action’…still, hindsight is not all it’s cracked up to be as “too much thought spoils the action” in my opinion so even though there’s only two cuts from outside of the ’60’s, (make that 3 with todays), I hope this hasn’t dulled your enjoyment over the last couple of weeks.

Today’s outing on themusicologist is one from the Channel One stable which ruled the dancehalls, turntables and airwaves back in the mid 70’s after Coxsone lost the crown following major departures such as Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles and most of his big selling artists in search of a fairer deal. Channel One was set up by the Hookim Brothers and had the premier ‘Lab’ on the Island as well as the hottest young engineers and musicians such as Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespere and Don D Junior as well as stalwarts such as ‘Marquis’, Sticky and Tommy Mc Cook.

This cut features the vocal abilities of Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw, Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson and Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson known collectivley as ‘The Mighty Diamonds’ making a heartfelt plea to the establishment to ‘Have A Little Mercy’

LISTEN TUNE

musicology #298

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #9

(Justin Hinds & The Dominoes – Save A Bread)

TOP RANKING 1967 slice of the Rock Steady pie for all the Financial Crisis sufferers out there. Recorded and released at and for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label, (backed by Tommy Mc Cook and the Supersonics)

Not that, (if you live in good old ‘Blighty’), savings are going to get you out of the egg ‘n’ bubble as the Interest rates tumbling to 0% doesn’t make it an attractive proposition at the moment, resulting in all of us taking the proverbial ‘kick in the bollocks’ while the value of everything crash and burn…I think it’s called ‘The PolitRicKs Of Fear‘…

Looks to me like the new age is apoun us and the strategy is “if you can’t swim then you’re going to sink”. Employment as we have known it is in it’s death throes and now a larger percentage of people have something to lose, (property for example), an updated form of, (wage), slavery is rearing it’s ugly head. I have no answers other than to let the music, (and your community), be your guide…so in the words of foundation Jamaican musicologist Justin Hinds

“Today can be gladness mister, (you don’t know),
tomorrow can be sadness sister, (you don’t know),
what makes the world go around, (round and round),
you’ll never know, (you don’t know),
so save a bread mister, (save it for the future),
save a bread sister, (’cause things will be better),
you know not the minute nor the hour, (man shall come),
you know not the minute nor the hour, (for the time is now),

what you know you know, (what you don’t know you don’t know),
greatest thing is to know, (what you don’t know you don’t know),
anywhere you go, (what you don’t know you don’t know),

Today can be gladness mister, (you don’t know),
tomorrow can be sadness sister, (you don’t know),
what makes the world go around, (round and round),
you’ll never know, (you don’t know),
so save a bread mister, (save it for the future),
save a bread sister, (’cause things will be better),
you know not the minute nor the hour, (man shall come),
you know not the minute nor the hour, (for the time is now),

what you know you know, (what you don’t know you don’t know),
greatest thing is to know, (what you don’t know you don’t know),
anywhere you go, (what you don’t know you don’t know),

musicology #272

sleighbellsring #20

(Leadbelly – On A Christmas Day)

Christmas day cut from Undisputed King of the 12 String guitar, social commentator and bluesman supreme Huddie Ledbetter A.K.A  ‘Leadbelly’….another cat, (along with the Mighty Sparrow), we will be hearing more from in 2009 on themusicologist.

musicology #266

sleighbellsring #14

(James Brown – Santa Claus Is Definately Here To Stay)

Only TWO more, (full), days to go, ONE if, like me, you consider Christmas Eve to be the day of reckoning …..so hang on to your hats as we slide into the home straight with the next three cuts.

First up is James Brown delivering his and Songwriter/Arranger/all round musicologist..Nat Jones’ 1970 message of Christmas. One of my favourite slices of the Christmas pie..the combination of music, lyrics and production soothe like only sweet music can.

Had to transcribe the lyrics on this one…Quality…

“Aint no use in saying there ain’t no Santa Claus,
’cause Santa Claus is definately here to stay…in the mind,
ain’t no use in saying there ain’t no money in the bank for toys,
’cause it was put up a long time ago for a rainy day,

ain’t no use in saying you don’t love all your brats,
cause I’m, watching you as you hustle tham off to play,
keep the family strong with a little faith, love and hope,
and you can always get along,

ain’t no use, ohhhh now, in crying about spilt milk in the past,
because all the cats had a feast,
aint no use in worrying about who’s doing you wrong,
just leave them there and go away in peace,

ain’t no use in saying what you gonna do and what you ain’t gonna do,
because with your power you doing your best,
so release yourself from all that strain,
and take that money out the bank,
and just give your, give yourself a rest,
take some of that money in the bank and give yourself a play?
cause Santa Claus is definately here to stay,

ain’t no use, ain’t no use, hehehehe, ain’t no use,
ain’t no use in sayin’ “ahh I would like to get rid of them all”,
cause you know you’re only fooling yourself,
so grab one hand on the wheel and the other around your kids,
and go on and laugh yourself to death,

aint no use in saying “I wouldnt, I wouldn’t give a nickel for them all”,
when you know you wouldnt take nuthin’ for either one,
so gone on tell the truth ’cause if you don’t you a lying son of a gun,
’cause you wouldnt take nuthin’ for them all,

aint no use, ohhh now, haha,
you know I probably wont be there this christmas,
but if I do I still want to say merry christmas to you and especially you,

I wanna say merry christmas to all the people who can’t find themself,
lets try to get together live in peace love one another,
and treat each and man like he’s your brother
with a little love, and kindness………

musicology #232

communication #10

(The Classics – Civilisation)

New day dawning? maybe. Let’s hope so.

First I would just like to congratulate the new American president on his victorious campaign to be elected. No doubt that it has significence. What that significence is though is not so easy to articulate. I don’t know a single policy of his but his acceptance speech was on in my house this morning, my 10 year old son has been made aware of Obama, (political ideology at work), at school. People were on the streets of London last night talking about it being a historical day…Why? because we are deep into globalisation and it is being enforced by the media as well as the politrickians.

Don’t get me wrong I am more than up for change but change of what exactly? I hear the word often. It has been Obama’s key word in the same way that I hear education over emphasised by the ‘Labour’ government here in England but, I don’t see it happening. We all know that words, (especially English ones), have many meanings, (perfect for politrickians), but without action signify nothing.

With that in mind today’s cut of the communication pie is a plea from themusicologist to those who run things. Quality Lee Perry production, attributed to The Classics, (Denzil Dennis and Milton Hamilton), recorded sometime in the late 60’s/early 70’s.

Finally I would just like to add a non globalised mention for English cultural icon Guy Fawkes whose day it is today. Unfortunately this tradition has, (over recent years), been supplanted by the American tradition of Halloween which for themusicologist has absolutely no cultural significence whatsoever.

Penny for the Guy anyone?

musicology #214

12AngryMen #10 (alternativesoundtrack #3)

(Original Broadway Cast – Gee Officer Krupke)

second slice from the Original Broadway production of West Side Story and what else could it be other than this one. themusicologist only knows this song from watching the film as a youngblood growing up in the 70’s and 80’s but this cut is the only one that I can still see in my minds eye. an excellent piece of social commentary about what was a growing concern for America in the second half of the 50’s, Juvenile Delinquents.

The dilemma seems to have been a question of how to make money out of teenagers without too much cost to society. As first America, (and then the world), was manouvered away from a ‘needs’ and into into a ‘desires’ culture this proved impossible.

Emotions are a dangerous playground and a ‘got to have it at any cost’ mentality was never going to be conducive to a harmonious society. Some of the problems we now face are related to this move into desires in part because emotional responses are not rational so if one desires something they are more likely to be irrational in the pursuit of it. leading, in a ever increasing number of cases, to a ‘by any means necessary’ approach to the aquisition of such things.

musicology #185

nowordsjustmusic #1

(Will Greer Reading Woody Guthrie/Woody Guthrie – Do-Re-Mi)

musicology #184

soulsearching #6

(Sugar Minott – The More We Are Together)

the final cut of the soulsearching has found it’s way on to themusicologist’s, (endless), playlist at just the right time after five days spent alone. the synchronicity of music NEVER ceases to amaze me and I’m hoping that as time passes and runs I can look back on this tune as the one that inspired a new start.

majestic, top ranking piece of Jamaican musicology from the legendary Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott one of the island’s most inspirational singers, songwriters and producers as well as a man of great integrity and belief.

LISTEN TUNE ….

a look in a yourself jah man,
a look in a yourself yout’ man,
a look in a yourself jah man,
oh well, woohhh well,

the more we are together, the happier we shall be,
the more we are together, that’s the only way, we can be free,
thats the only way, for you and for me,

the more we love one another, the more we’ll see jah light,
the more we love our brothers thats the only way, for you and for me,
that’s the only way, ohh we can be free,

so look inna yourself yout’ man,
look inna yourself jah man,
the time you take linger,
pull trigger with your finger,
and shoot down your brother,
just fight ‘gainst your sister,
that no right unto jah, jah,
oh oh no, ohh no,

the more we are together, the happier we shall be,
the more we are together, that’s the only way,
oh, oh, we can be free,
thats the only way, oh for you and for me,

truth and right you cannot fight,
and if you keep doing wrong you no give me respect,

whether you a top rank, or you have ’nuff money in the bank,
jah no partial oh no, jah no partial oh no,

said the more we are together, the happier we shall be,
the more we love one another, that’s the only way, for you and for me,
thats the only way, ohhh we can be free,

a truth and right we a deal with now,
truth and right we a deal with now,

the more, we are, together

musicology #179

soulsearching #1

(Bessie Smith – Poor Mans Blues)

kept a low one last week to consolidate and regroup for an assualt on this existence called life.

what has this got to do with music? I’m glad I asked..

having always provided themusicologist with a means to externalise the internal turmoil that is ever present music has always been a consistent, reliable guide and trusted companion on the journey. as we experience the rough and the smooth, (together), there is always a slice of the musical pie that nails the feeling and even though this next selection is completely self indulgent it is, I assure you, very necessary.

the idea is to try and lay down a musical dialogue between the yin and yang of a turbulent soul existing in the post modern world. sound deep? in all honesty it is..and bottomless to boot!!

day one of the soulsearching..and who better to start proceedings than the incomparable Bessie Smith…Queen of the blues with a belter of a tune from 1928 that is as true today as it was back then, especially poignant considering the ‘Great Depression’ was just around the corner. which just goes to show how little, (of substance), has changed as a result of the so called ‘age of progress’. Produced by legendary musicologist John Hammond and featuring the musical talents of:

Joe Williams, (Trombone)
Bob Fuller, (Clarinet/Alto Sax)
Ernest Elliott (Clarinet/Alto&Tenor Sax)
Porter Grainger (Piano)

a musical gem from a legendary performer…watch the ride.

mister rich man, mister rich man,
open up your heart and mind,
mister rich man, rich man,
open up your heart and mind,
give a poor man a chance
help stop these hard, hard times,

while you living in your mansion,
you don’t know what hard time means,
while you living in your mansion,
you don’t know what hard time means,
hard working mans wife is starving,
your wife is living like a queen,

please listen to my pleading ’cause I can’t stand these hard times long,
ohhh listen to my pleading, can’t stand these hard times long,
they’ll make an honest man do things that you know is wrong,

poor man fought all the battles,
poor man would fight again today,
poor man fought all the battles,
poor man would fight again today,
he would do anything you ask him in the name of the USA,

now the war is over poor man must live the same as you,
now the war is over poor man must live as the same as you,
if it wasn’t for the poor man mister rich man what would you do?

musicology #178

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #10

(The Who – I’ve Had Enough)

final cut of the Quadrophenia selection and i’m finishing up with the piece of music that closes the film. pucker tune and one that definately had an impact on my mindset growing up.

Jimmy’s gone back to Brighton and had the final igmony of seeing ‘the face’ in his dayjob as nothing but a ‘bell boy’. it’s the final straw for him and reminds me of a saying that I once heard and took to heart…something like

“never try to reach out and touch a ‘golden idol’ as the gilding might come off in your hands..”

I always took it to mean, never idolise anyone as they chances are one day they will dissapoint you. it’s unfair to put such a weight of responsibility on someone elses shoulders because we are all human and full of contridictions.

for the record, even though I was introduced to ‘Mod Revival’ through the Jam’s first album ‘In The City’ a few years earlier than seeing the film the actual soundtrack was, for me, always a bit of a dissapointment. that said I rate Pete Townsend, (and the Who’s), original album from which the film was crafted. Townsend’s lyrics were a guide for themusicologist and will always hold fond memories.

“you were under the impression, that when you were walking forwards,
that you’d end up further onwards, but things ain’t quite that simple,

you got altered information, you were told to not take chances,
you missed out on new dances now your’e losing all your dimples,

my jacket’s gonna be cut slim and checked,
maybe a touch of seersucker with an open neck,
I ride a GS scooter with my hair cut neat,
I wear my war time coat in the wind and sleet,

love reign o’er me, love reign o’er me…..

I’ve had enough of living, I’ve had enough of dying,
I’ve had enough of smiling, I’ve had enough of crying,
I’ve taken all the high roads, I’ve squandered and I’ve saved,
I’ve had enough of childhood I’ve had enough of graves,

love reign o’er me, reign o’er me,
love reign o’er me…looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove

I’ve had enough of dancehalls, I’ve had enough of pills,
I’ve had enough of street fights, I’ve seen my share of kills,
I’m finished with the fashions and acting like I’m tough,
I’m bored of hate and passion, Iv’e had enough of trying to looooooooooooooooooooooooooooove

you stop dancing”

musicology #168

malevocals2 #6

(Fela Kuti – Sorrow, Tears & Blood)

didn’t throw one down yesterday…late night Friday and then headed straight out of ‘the smoke’ for some country air…slept for most of the day and be the time we returned it was too late.

this last cut of the malevocals is a song that has been getting a lot of exposure over the last few weeks and even though the cat in question may not be especially well known for his singing it was as a vocalist that he began his career.

as far as legends go ‘Fela’ stood as tall as anyone. almost singlehandedly inventing, (along with drummer Tony Allen), the genre known as ‘AfroBeat’. the life and times of Fela Kuti are well documented so i’ll leave it down to the music to provide an insight into the man.

taken from his 1977 album ‘Sorrow, Tears & Blood’ this is the title track about political conditions in his homeland. to say that Fela was an activist and thorn in the side of the government is an understatement for a man who was beaten to within an inch of his life, imprisoned on trumped up charges and hounded at every turn. but it never stopped him making powerful, immortal slices of music that communicated on many levels.

Fela was and still is an example of how music is the most effective form of communicating the message and is, as far as I’m concerned, the only ‘language’ that transcends all ‘boundries’

“Everybody run, run, run
everybody scatter, scatter….”

musicology #164

malevocals2 #2

(Amsterdam – Jacques Brel)

stepping outside of the sounds of Jamaica and blazing new ground with a singer from Belgium who themusicologist came across by pure chance one night when I fell asleep on the sofa with the ‘Ned Kelly’ on and was woken from my slumber not only by this cats voice, but just as importantly his passionate delivery.

I must admit I was blown away and having never listened to a song sung in French I vowed to dig some of Jacques Brel’s work up and aquaint myself with it. I can’t translate a word of it but after watching and listening to this live performance of his on the documentary it brought tears to my eyes and sent a shiver up my spine…in other words I felt it.

apparently he was a huge star in France and obviously Belgium and I can hear why. He pulled no punches and was known and well loved for his ‘protest’ songs as much as his songs of love…

it was this 1964 cut that woke me from my slumber. it’s a song about Amsterdam, sailors on shore leave and the so called dregs of society about whom Brel was a passionate defender.

David Bowie is a big fan of Brel’s, (and this song in particular), recording it first in 1970 for a John Peel session live at the BBC.

musicology #163

malevocals2 #1

(Cornell Campbell – My Country)

kicking off this weeks selection with a mighty cut from one of Jamaica’s finest, Cornell Campbell who has been dropping musical bombs like this for almost 50, (count ‘em), years. the man has laid down so many top ranking pieces it beggers belief that he is not an international star.

there at the birth of Jamaican musicology Cornell Cambell began his career at the tender age of 11, (according to the man himself), for none other than Coxsone ‘Downbeat the ruler’ Dodd. after a financial dispute he moved on to King Edwards, then formed vocal group ‘The Sensations’ with Jimmy Riley.

back to Dodd as a solo artist and lead singer of ‘The Eternals’ before hooking up with Bunny Lee in the early 70’s…the cat has worked with all of the great Jamaican producers throughout his long career, (which is still going strong), covering almost all of the styles from R&B through to Dancehall so I’m not going to bore you with the ‘information’ …. i’m just going to throw this one down and leave it to you to decide.

musicology #127

socialcommentaryweek #7

(Billy Bragg – Johnny Carcinogenic Show)

finishing up with this one from brother Bragg’s latest ’set’, Love & Justice, (the deluxe edition), a pucker selection of quality slices that is highly recommended. has to be the deluxe as it has the accoustic and the accompanied versions of each cut.

part of the inspiration for throwing down the social commentary selection has been my regular viewing of documentary’s made by Adam Curtis which are always to be found in the tray of themusicologist’s dvd player. each episode full of information on the how, who and why we find ourselves in the freedom trap of the 21st century.

‘The Power Of Nightmares’, ‘Century Of The Self’, ‘Pandoras Box’, ‘The Mayfair Set’ and ‘The Trap’ are not available on DVD, (surprise, surprise), but they are all out there available for consumption thanks to knowledge pirates who make an effort to share gems like these.

for me, the ‘Century Of The Self’ may be the most important as it outlines exactly how we, (the masses), have been sold into the slavery of a desires culture.

the truth is that in this ‘iwah’ the Economy is the deciding factor when it comes to making decisions/policies and so the pursuit of profit has become the bottom line.

a danger of the one ideology approach is that money doesn’t have a conscience and takes no responsibility.

I recommended tracking down all of the documentarys and watching them with your young ones because as the man says

“look i’m not responsible for the lessons children learn…….”

so if that’s the case then it’s up to us to help our children learn the truth..hard I know but nevertheless ESSENTIAL. one way is to use music…I know it works.

just like to add that your continued support on themusicologist is appreciated..

“saw some guy on the TV yesterday, selling poison by the ton,
how can you do such a thing the woman asked and he replied,
the secret is to hook em young,

look i’m not responsible for the lessons children learn,
i’m just responsible for giving my investors some returns,
here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,

you’d never belief just how much effort goes into,
adding some glamour to the brand,
to distract you from the damage that they do,
putting their products in your hand,

what other industry could ever get away,
with contaminating its best customers this way,
here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,

here’s a product that promises to do nothing but,
take your money and your soul,
poverty is toxic everybody knows,
no need to help it take its toll,

who will profit from the misery they sow,
not the grandchildren that you will never know,
here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show, poverty’s toxic,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
poverty’s toxic

musicology #126

socialcommentaryweek #6

(Phil Ochs – The Ringing Of Revolution)

penultimate cut on the ’social’ and themusicologist is rolling with one from an artist who was brought to my attention by the man that kicked off this current theme Stephen William, (billy), Bragg who not only cites Ochs as an inspiration but also recorded a tribute to the man ‘I dreamt I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night’ on his 1990 LP ‘the Internationale’

being an admirer of Billy Bragg, (“I just couldn’t help myself guess I was born with a curious mind”), themusicologist headed off on a journey and tracked down some of the man in question’s work. there are many great online sources of Phil Ochs Info so i’ll leave it to them to fill you in on the full and very colourful picture of his bitter sweet life and, in musicology style, let the music do the talking.

this piece of revolutionary prose is taken from the Phil Ochs In Concert LP (1966) and is, for me, as good as the song as message gets.

“in a building of gold with riches untold,
live the families on which the country was founded,
and the merchants of style with their vain velvet smiles,
were there for they also were hounded,
and the soft middle class crowded in to the last,
for the building was fully surrounded,
and the noise outside was the ringing of revolution

sadly they stared and sank in their chairs,
and searched for a comforting notion,
and the rich silver walls looked ready to fall,
as they shook in doubtful devotion,
the ice cubes would clink as they freshened their drinks,
wet their minds in bitter emotion,
and they talked about the ringing of revolution

we were hardly aware of the hardships they beared,
for our times taken with treasure,
oh life was a game and work was a shame,
and pain was prevented by pleasure,
the world cold and grey was so far away,
in distance only money could measure,
but their thoughts were broken by the ringing of revolution

and the clouds filled the room in darkening doom,
as the crooked smoke rings were rising,
how long will it take how can we escape,
someone asked but no-ones advising,
and the quivering floor responds to the roar,
in a shake no longer surprising,
as closer and closer comes the ringing of revolution

so softly they moan please leave us alone,
as back and forth they are pacing,
and they cover their ears and try not to hear,
with pillows of silk they’re embracing,
the crackling crowd is laughing out loud,
peeking in at the target they’re chasing,
now trembling inside the ringing of revolution

with compromise sway we gave it half away,
when we saw that rebellion was growing,
now everything’s lost as they kneel by the cross,
where the blood of christ is still flowing,
too late for their sorrow they’ve reached their tommorow,
and reaped the seed they were sowing,
now harvested by the ringing of revolution

in tattered tuxedos they faced the new heroes,
and crawled about in confusion,
and they sheepishly grinned for their memories were dim,
of the decades of dark execution,
hollow hands raised they stood there amazed,
in their shattering of their illusions,
as the windows were smashed by the ringing of revolution

down on our knees were begging you please,
were sorry for the way you were driven,
theres no need to taunt just take what you want,
and we’ll make ammends if were living,
but away from the grounds the flames told the town,
that only the dead are forgiven,
as they vanished inside the ringing of revolution”

musicology #125

socialcommentaryweek #5

(Curtis Mayfield – Power To The People)

yep it’s time for Curtis. one of the undisputed, hardest hitting social commentators to have graced us with his presence. as usual his lyrics are clear and concise and leave no room for interpretation.

regulars will know how much Curtis means to themusicologist and I could never sing his praises loud enough.

so i’ll leave it to the man himself to lay it on you…for me Curtis has always spoken for the oppressed whatever colour, race or creed and his message has always transcended those enforced divisions.

pucker tune that says it all.

musicology #124

socialcommentaryweek #4

(Bob Dylan – It’s Alright Ma I’m only bleeding)

house full of kids today, (easter holidays), so it’s an evening post..

hardcore social commentary from the man who needs no introduction.

must confess that themusicologist’s relationship to Mr Dylan had two periods..the early, (as a young child via my dad), and the second time round as an experimental 21 year old on the ‘bottom lips’. during that part of the journey this one in particular expanded my mind.

a lyrical and emotional tour de force that almost transports me back to me days wandering in a ‘diamond sky’

taken from the 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home..

Darkness at the break of noon,
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child’s balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool’s gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.

Temptation’s page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover that you’d just be One more
person crying.

So don’t fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It’s alright, Ma, I’m only sighing.

As some warn victory some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don’t hate nothing at all
Except hatred.

Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Made everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-coloured Christs that glow in the dark
It’s easy to see without looking too far
That not much Is really sacred.

While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have To stand naked.

An’ though the rules of the road have been lodged
It’s only people’s games that you got to dodge
And it’s alright, Ma, I can make it.

Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you’re the one
That can do what’s never been done
That can win what’s never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.

You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.

A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.

but though the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.

For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.

While some on principles baptized
To strict party platform ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him.

While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society’s pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he’s in.

But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it’s alright, Ma, if I can’t please him.

Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn’t talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares
Propaganda, all is phony.

While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer’s pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death’s honesty
Won’t fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes Must get lonely.

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They’d probably put my head in a guillotine
But it’s alright, Ma, it’s life, and life only.

Lyrics by Bob Dylan 1965 Warner Bros. Inc Renewed 1993 Special Rider Music

musicology #123

socialcommentaryweek #3

(Earl Sixteen – The System)

one of themusicologists favourite pieces of social commentary from 1994. a 45 on the appropriately titled Voice In Progress label

listen tune..

musicology #122

socialcommentaryweek #2

(Style Council – A Stones Throw Away)

not easy to find tunes that criticise the establishment. no surprise really, (especially these days), at a time when most artists concern seems to be with achieving the two F’s, (fame&fortune)

not that I blame them as, in this age, success is measured by material wealth…big motors, large amounts of ‘tom’, houses in every town..you know what I mean. art as entertainment is todays message as the culture of pop dominates every corner of our society.

this 1985 piece taken from the Style Council’s most critical set ‘Our Favourite Shop’ shows that there was a time when some saw it as their duty to openly criticise without fear…read ‘em and weep.

“For liberty there is a cost, it’s broken skulls and leather cosh,
From the boys in uniform, now you know whose side their on,
With backing, with blessing, from earthly gods not heaven,
A stones throw away from it all.

Whatever pleasures those who get, from stripping skin with rhino whip,
Are the kind that must be stopped, before their kind take all we’ve got,
With loving, with caring, they take great pride in working,
The stones throw away from it all.

Whenever honesty persists, you’ll hear the snap of broken ribs,
Of anyone who’ll take no more, of the lying bastards roar,
In Chile, in Poland, Johannesburg, South Yorkshire,
A stones throw away…..now we’re there”

musicology #121

socialcommentaryweek #1

(Billy Bragg – Take Down The Union Jack)

themusicologist has tried to keep politics off the menu but it’s one of the subjects that infuriates me. the deceipt, corruption, greed and unbeleivable hypocrisy is just too much for me to not have a musical say.

unfortunately the only politics left today is the politics of greed and the blame for that lies with those who shape society. ultimately responsibility lies with each of us but we all know that ‘the law’ restricts us from taking action in ever increasing ways and is in fact an establishment tool that has very little to do with justice.

the subjects that are, (for me), most important are Health and Education, essentially because I have two children and find myself at the ’sharp end of the stick’ in both areas. of course economics are an issue but money has no place in my heart so holds little interest.

one of musics greatest attributes is delivering a message and themusicologist is often heard singing this one as I go about my life so I was especially pleased when my eldest asked for this one to be added to her I-Pod..this is what I call education. just as Curtis and Paul Weller, (among many others), helped shape my views so it may be with the next generation.

I’m starting the socialcommentaryweek with this one by one of themusicologists most respected artists who has always stood up to be counted and in my humble opinion is one of the finest songwriters to hail from these shores…taken from his 2002 Set ‘England, Half English’.. just like to add that I am proud of the culture that is a part of me and it saddens me to see it fade away to be be replaced by the globalisation ideology that has been forced apoun us since the end of World War II. I believe whole heartedly in community but not in homogeny and brother Bragg articulates many of my thoughts and feelings perfectly … lyrics Bragg-La … lyrics.

“take down the Union Jack, it clashes with the sunset,
and put it in the attic, with the emperors old clothes,
when did it fall apart? sometime in the 80’s,
when the great and the good gave way to the greedy and the mean,

Britain isn’t cool you know it’s really not that great,
it’s not a proper country, doesn’t even have a patron saint,
it’s just an economic union that’s passed it’s sell by date,

take down the Union Jack it clashes with the sunset,
and ask our Scottish neighbours if independence looks any good,
cos they just might understand how to take an abstract notion,
of personal identity and turn it into nationhood,

is this the 19th Century that I’m watching on T.V
the dear old queen of England handing out those M.B.E’s
a member of the British Empire that doesn’t sound too good to me

Gilbert & George are taking the piss aren’t they
Gilbert & George you’re taking the piss.
what could be more British than here’s a picture of me bum
Gilbert & George YOU’RE TAKING THE PISS

take down the Union Jack it clashes with the sunset
and pile up all those history books but don’t throw them away
they might just have some clues about what it really means
to be an Anglo hyphen Saxon in England.co.uk
to be an Anglo hyphen Saxon in England.co.uk”

(Billy Bragg 2002)

musicology #119

jamboree #6

(Gil Scott Heron – B-Movie)

sticking with the 1981 selection the time has come to lay down some Gil Scott on yah..one of the kings of the social commentary lyric. not sure how many of you know this one but it completes, (along with ‘The Bottle’ and ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’ ), themusicologists top three from this hard hitting, no nonsense poet, astute observer and commentator.

“Well, the first thing I want to say is…Mandate my ass!

Because it seems as though we’ve been convinced that 26% of the registered voters, not even 26% of the American people, but 26% of the registered voters form a mandate – or a landslide. 21% voted for Skippy and 3, 4% voted for somebody else who might have been running.

But, oh yeah, I remember. In this year that we have now declared the year from Shogun to Reagan, I remember what I said about Reagan…meant it. Acted like an actor…Hollyweird. Acted like a liberal. Acted like General Franco when he acted like governor of California, then he acted like a republican. Then he acted like somebody was going to vote for him for president. And now we act like 26% of the registered voters is actually a mandate. We’re all actors in this I suppose.

What has happened is that in the last 20 years, America has changed from a producer to a consumer. And all consumers know that when the producer names the tune…the consumer has got to dance. That’s the way it is. We used to be a producer – very inflexible at that, and now we are consumers and, finding it difficult to understand. Natural resources and minerals will change your world. The Arabs used to be in the 3rd World. They have bought the 2nd World and put a firm down payment on the 1st one. Controlling your resources we’ll control your world. This country has been surprised by the way the world looks now. They don’t know if they want to be Matt Dillon or Bob Dylan. They don’t know if they want to be diplomats or continue the same policy – of nuclear nightmare diplomacy. John Foster Dulles ain’t nothing but the name of an airport now.

The idea concerns the fact that this country wants nostalgia. They want to go back as far as they can – even if it’s only as far as last week. Not to face now or tomorrow, but to face backwards. And yesterday was the day of our cinema heroes riding to the rescue at the last possible moment. The day of the man in the white hat or the man on the white horse – or the man who always came to save America at the last moment – someone always came to save America at the last moment – especially in “B” movies. And when America found itself having a hard time facing the future, they looked for people like John Wayne. But since John Wayne was no longer available, they settled for Ronald Reagan – and it has placed us in a situation that we can only look at – like a “B” movie.

Come with us back to those inglorious days when heroes weren’t zeros. Before fair was square. When the cavalry came straight away and all-American men were like Hemingway to the days of the wondrous “B” movie. The producer underwritten by all the millionaires necessary will be Casper “The Defensive” Weinberger – no more animated choice is available. The director will be Attila the Haig, running around frantically declaring himself in control and in charge. The ultimate realization of the inmates taking over at the asylum. The screenplay will be adapted from the book called “Voodoo Economics” by George “Papa Doc” Bush. Music by the “Village People” the very military “Macho Man.”

“Company!!!”
“Macho, macho man!”
“ Two-three-four.”
“ He likes to be – well, you get the point.”
“Huuut! Your left! Your left! Your left…right, left, right, left, right…!”

A theme song for saber-rallying and selling wars door-to-door. Remember, we’re looking for the closest thing we can find to John Wayne. Clichés abound like kangaroos – courtesy of some spaced out Marlin Perkins, a Reagan contemporary. Clichés like, “itchy trigger finger” and “tall in the saddle” and “riding off or on into the sunset.” Clichés like, “Get off of my planet by sundown!” More so than clichés like, “he died with his boots on.” Marine tough the man is. Bogart tough the man is. Cagney tough the man is. Hollywood tough the man is. Cheap stick tough. And Bonzo’s substantial. The ultimate in synthetic selling: A Madison Avenue masterpiece – a miracle – a cotton-candy politician…Presto! Macho!

“Macho, macho man!”

Put your orders in America. And quick as Kodak your leaders duplicate with the accent being on the nukes – cause all of a sudden we have fallen prey to selective amnesia – remembering what we want to remember and forgetting what we choose to forget. All of a sudden, the man who called for a blood bath on our college campuses is supposed to be Dudley “God-damn” Do-Right?

“You go give them liberals hell Ronnie.” That was the mandate. To the new “Captain Bly” on the new ship of fools. It was doubtlessly based on his chameleon performance of the past – as a liberal democrat – as the head of the Studio Actor’s Guild. When other celluloid saviors were cringing in terror from McCarthy – Ron stood tall. It goes all the way back from Hollywood to hillbilly. From liberal to libelous, from “Bonzo” to Birch idol…born again. Civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights…it’s all wrong. Call in the cavalry to disrupt this perception of freedom gone wild. God damn it…first one wants freedom, then the whole damn world wants freedom.

Nostalgia, that’s what we want…the good ol’ days…when we gave’em hell. When the buck stopped somewhere and you could still buy something with it. To a time when movies were in black and white – and so was everything else. Even if we go back to the campaign trail, before six-gun Ron shot off his face and developed hoof-in-mouth. Before the free press went down before full-court press. And were reluctant to review the menu because they knew the only thing available was – Crow.

Lon Chaney, our man of a thousand faces – no match for Ron. Doug Henning does the make-up – special effects from Grecian Formula 16 and Crazy Glue. Transportation furnished by the David Rockefeller of Remote Control Company. Their slogan is, “Why wait for 1984? You can panic now…and avoid the rush.”

So much for the good news…

As Wall Street goes, so goes the nation. And here’s a look at the closing numbers – racism’s up, human rights are down, peace is shaky, war items are hot – the House claims all ties. Jobs are down, money is scarce – and common sense is at an all-time low on heavy trading. Movies were looking better than ever and now no one is looking because, we’re starring in a “B” movie. And we would rather had John Wayne…we would rather had John Wayne.

musicology #116

jamboree #3

(Erykah Badu – Soldier)

as always the musicologist has been devouring a lot of diverse music from the Kinks, James Carr, Gnarls Berkley, Small Faces, Dizzee Rascal…but this one feels like today. a pucker slice courtesy of Erykah Badu….taken from her latest ‘Set’ .. the innovative New Ameryka, released last month.

puts me in mind of Curtis Mayfield…

(also featuring musicologists Roy Ayers and Madlib)

musicology #115

jamboree #2

(Michael Israel – Badness)

day two of the jamboree with a ‘one tune’ tribute to Jamaican Music ambassador and long time musicologist Michael ‘Mikey Dread’ Campbell who, sadly, succumbed to a Brain Tumor, 10 days ago….never knew the man but know, appreciate and value the man’s music

Respect is due…Rest In Peace.

musicology #112

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #35

(Wailers – Rude Boy)

penultimate slice of musicology on the six/six/six and one from Jamaica’s most famous vocal group, The Wailers.

Not sure whether this had a UK release at the time? the one we are hearing is taken from the Coxsone Import 45. But with a title like ‘Rude Boy’ it wouldn’t have got much promotion on these English shores. As we all know the Wailers went on, (certainley Marley anyway), to become a household name. Jackie Mittoo on the other hand didn’t receive anywhere near the recognition that he deserved for all the musicology he brought to each and every Studio1 session from 1963 up to his emigration to Canada in 1969? which is, unfortunately, an all too common story when it comes to the cats who  played the instruments.

Arranger, Piano player session leader and all round musicologist it would have been Jackie, (as much as any single artist), that drove the music towards the Spaghetti Western influenced, Gun Man Style that was to become more popular as the times got tougher and the rudies got ruder in Kingston, Jamaica.

for themusicologist Jamaican music is still the ‘voice of the people’….how long will it last? only time will tell but from 1962 to today it has always reflected and communicated the thoughts and feelings of the ‘man on the street’ .. and this one is no exception.

musicology #111

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #34

(Karl Bryan & The Afrokats – Money Generator)

no post yesterday…got caught up in too much ‘he say she say’ which took the wind out of themusicologists sails so couldn’t find the enthusiasm and motivation to invest the time, emotion and energy required for posting so thought it best to let yesterday go.

it’s a hard life and no mistake when you have to fight every inch of the way…it’s relentless and you can’t let your guard down for a minute and when you do there’s always someone ready with a metaphorical, (or if you’re really unlucky a physical), snaking jab, right hook, ‘glasgow kiss’ or a good old kick in the bollocks to remind you of the ’struggle’.

anyway enough of that…just wanted to let youse know where themusicologist is ‘at’ and why I left you ’swinging’ yesterday. Todays cut finds Jackie Mittoo keeping not only keeping time with his organ playing but also supervising, arranging and maybe even writing the music for this session.

for themusicologist this period of Studio1 musicology is beyond compare…the Golden Age where everyone involved at Brentford Road was at the top of their ‘game’.

One of the reasons Studio1 became such a mecca for the islands musicologists is that Coxsone would let the cats smoke the collie at the Studio, (something that no other recording studio allowed at the time), helping create the vibes that allowed such innovative and emotional music to flow.

We all know that many a musician has leaned on the ‘green crutch’ throughout history and Jamaica is no exception…no doubt it enhances creativity, supresses hunger and ‘packs up your troubles in the old kit bag’ while under the influence and Coxsone who didn’t encourage it, but was smart enough to know it’s positive qualities, turned a blind eye.

love this haunting, melancholic, emotion charged slice of musicology and for me the title nails it it two words.

musicology #106

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #29

(The Style Council – With Everything To Lose)

penultimate slice from the Paul Weller tribute selection and the second of two from his time spent in the Style Council, (the Humble Pie years), along with Mick Talbot formaly of, (relatively unknown), UKPressure band the Merton Parkas and ‘keeping time’ the young Steve White, (didnt the Pie have an unknown young drummer?),

not suggesting that this was the way he planned it..just another example of synchronicity I suppose.

this cut taken from the album..Our Favourite Shop, (not only a great album but, for me, one of the best LP covers of all time !!), reminds me of having just left school and going on holiday in what was then called Yugoslavia. this album was the soundtrack for that holiday and the few months that surrounded it, (memories are made of this), there are at least six pieces on the album that could have been the final choice and there’s nothing between them so I just picked this one mainly for the lyrical content..

Paul Weller at his poetic best..telling it like it was, (and is still)

“From the playground to the wasteground, Hope ends at 17
Sweeping floors and filling shelves, Forced into government schemes
11 years spent to dig out ditches, Forget your schoolday dreams
Guarantees and lie-filled speeches, But nothings what it seems
Qualified and patronised and with everything to lose

No choice or chance for the future, The rich enjoy less tax
Dress the girls in pretty pink, The shit goes to the blacks
A generation’s heart torn out, And covered up the facts
The only thing they’ll understand Is a wall against their backs
The only hope now left for those, with everything to lose
with everything to lose, with everything to lose

In desperation empty eyes, Signed up and thrown away
There’s drugs replacing dignity, The short sharp shock repaid
There’ll be no money if you dare to question Working the Tory way
The truth is up there carved in stone, Where 21 dead now lay
A family’s loss for a few pounds saved, With everything to lose

With everything to lose, with everything to lose
With everything to lose, everything to lose…

lyrics Don Weller….lyrics.

message received, (in ‘85), and understood.

musicology #105

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #28

(The Jam – Start)

If themusicologist could slow time down and make a week last a month it might be enough to do the six/six/six artists justice…as already mentioned it’s a challenge to select such a small number of tunes from such great catalogues of work.

Take the Jam as an example, for me, there’s at least 20 cuts that deserve an outing on themusicologist and to whittle those down to 2 … well, lets just say that it’s as tough as old boots.

on this album, (Sound Affects), there’s five cuts here that I would like to, (and probably will over the years), throw down on themusicologist as well as another five albums, (+ singles), to ‘choose’ from so what strategy am I going to employ? … none. just going to throw ‘em as I feel ‘em.

this 1980 selection I remember from me days as a young blade, at the start of the teenage years when I was spending a lot of time knocking about the West End, (especially Soho and Covent Garden), as a second generation Mod.

I say ’second generation’ because both my parents were first generation London Mod/ernists, so we, (‘the fox’ and I), grew up steeped in the culture, music and attitude of Englands first, (and most important), Youth movement as a birthright.

There were other influences of course such as Skin/Suedehead, ‘Hippie’ and, (later), Punk exposure through Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, (you know who you are), but Mod/ernist was and is the one where my heart resides.

So before I get too romantic and spend too much of me precious ‘time’ strolling down memory lane hold this one which, for some reason, always reminds me of Greek Street, (in Soho), the Thatcher years, and running battles with other groups of Youths at a time of great social unrest.

older and wiser, I now see that them days were just another stage of the ‘divide and conquer/rule’ strategy that poli-tricks always employs…you know what I mean…black against white, christian against muslim, rich against poor…the list is as long as yer arm…(brother Weller certainly knew and has always sung and wrote about it) so with that in mind..

“It’s not important for you to know my name,
Nor I to know yours,
If we communicate for two minutes only,
It will be enough,

For knowing that someone in this world,
Feels as desperate as me,
And what you give is what you get,

It doesn’t matter if we never meet again,
What we have said will always remain,
If we get through for two minutes only,
It will be a start,

For knowing that someone in this life,
Loves with a passion called hate,
And what you give is what you get,

If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you again,

If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you again,

And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get.”

just like to say that we, (me and Mr Weller), did and do communicate through his music for many minutes, over many years and it has always been a real pleasure…

musicology #101

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #24

(Impressions – Never Too Much Love)

you know what…I’m angry. angry with the mountain of useless information that is burying wisdom. why? allow me to break it down…today I ran a search for Curtis Mayfield lyrics. first stop lyrics.com. can you believe Curtis wasn’t even listed !!! let me say that again…..not even listed…

my conclusion..waste of time unless youre looking for the words to popular, (commercial), songs.

only way to do it then is for me to transcribe them myself…there are a few sites with some lyrics on them but I won’t waste your time linking them so in future I won’t be promoting any ‘lyrics’ sites on themusicologist

if anything it has strengthened my resolve to fly the flag for artists like Curtis and keep them in the public domain…back to the music with this uncomplicated plea for unity from 1963. if you think about it who else was writing and performing songs as deep as this at that time?

“after silence that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
-aldous huxley-

.. listen them lyrics

too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

an old story told now passed from me to you
in simple little words to get my meaning through

young and old I feel will understand
take heed everybody to a wonderful plan
we all know how, get together right now
clap your hands, sing and shout

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

maybe you don’t know how to sing or express words the way you like to say
but everybody I know can clap their hands and make a new friend everyday

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

Curtis Mayfield, Rest In Peace secure in the knowledge that your legacy and inspiration lives on.

musicology #100

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #23

(Impressions – Young Mod’s Forgotten Story)

landmark day today .. 100 posts on themusicologist. especially synchronistic that it’s fallen on Curtis Mayfield’s ‘watch’.

Iv’e banged on enough times during the time we have shared together on themusicologist about how much the man’s music and lyrics have meant to me as babe in arms, young boy, adolescent, teenager, young man, and now as man, (a title you can’t claim before 33 according to the ancients !!), so I’m not going to wax too lyrical today as Curtis says it all with this cut about the end of an era….

“Shall I tell it like it is, aint none of your business…YES IT IS..”

lyrics DON Curtis…lyrics

arranged by Curtis, legendary musicologist Johnnie Pate and rising soul star Donnie Hathaway…

musicology #99

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #22

(Curtis Mayfield – Kung Fu)

I enjoy and get great pleasure out of themusicologist but, (and it’s a price I’m prepared to pay), it takes up a lot of my time and doesn’t keep the wolves from banging on the family door. the bastards are circling, baying for blood and by the look in their eyes they sense victory…

what the wolves haven’t accounted for is, (with music as the proverbial shield and buckler), the determination to ride this wave of uncertainty and pass through this phase of insecurity not only in one piece but stronger, fitter and wiser, holding firm and not giving up as I continue the journey on the road to freedom with these words ringing in my heart and mind.

The wise man builds his house upon the rock while the foolish man builds his house apoun the ever shifting sand.

this cut is taken from the man’s beautifully crafted 1974 album Sweet Exorcist.

musicology #97

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #20

(Curtis Mayfield – Hard Times)

one of the tunes that convinced me to ‘play-out’ back in London’s Rare Groove days of 1985/6, utilising Curtis as messenger for how it felt growing up on the streets of London at the time.

back then Curtis didn’t figure too tough on the capitals wheels of steel, James Brown, (and related), was the DJ’s choice, (along with a host of others), Curtis didn’t get much of a look in as he wasn’t considered danceable..obviously he was very highly regarded but was mainly enjoyed at home in moments of contemplation.

taken from his 1975 critique ‘There’s No Place Like America Today’

the spoken intro has been added by themusicologist to provide an insight on and from the man himself.

musicology #96

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #19

(Curtis Mayfield – Mighty Mighty Spade & Whitey)

this week it’s all about the king … Curtis Mayfield.

the cat was first introduced to me as a 2 year old in 1971 and the two albums that are burned into my consciousness are Curtis and the album this cut is taken from..Curtis Live.

my dad, (respect is always due), was a BIG Curtis fan and was responsible for introducing me to music that has always been a constant source of inspiration.

along with Bobby Womack, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, Curtis ran ‘tings down in Circus Street. there were many others who made an apearance but, (subjectively), these three are an integral part of themusicologist’s upbringing.

lyrics as hard as nails, music as tough as old boots and vocals full of integrity. I could do four different Curtis sets, producer, songwriter, singer and inspiration, such has been his impact on music. without Curtis Soul would have travelled a different path as would the music of Jamaica and his impact on UK music is most apparent in another of the six/six/six artists Paul Weller, (the other major player in the themusicologists personal growth)

the lyrics to this one are, for me, as good as it gets so now ladies and gentlemen themusicologist is proud to present…Curtis Mayfield

listen tune…

musicology #83

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #6

(Sam Cooke – A Change Is Going To Come

had to be this one to finish up the Sam Cooke tribute. one from themusicologist’s top10 tunes of all time, regardless of genre…

another quote from the excellent book about Sam Cooke, (Dream Boogie), by Peter Guralnick

“He had given Rene Hall the ‘civil rights’ song he had played for J.W (Alexander), with no specific instructions other than to provide it with the kind of instrumentation and orchestration that it demanded. Rene was in no doubt as to the momentousness of the charge.

“I wanted it to be the greatest thing in my life……..”

’nuff said…

musicology #80

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial Sam Cooke Bonus #3

(Sam Cooke – Nobody Wants You When You’re Down & Out)

I know there are many out there who will be relating to and feeling this. no doubt that globally things are ‘coming on top’ for the man on the street and while the rich get richer “the little that the poor man got it shall be taken away”

‘Boom And Bust’ baby…crash and burn .. my advice….fiddle this one while Rome burns.

song written by Jimmy Cox, recorded for Sam’s 1961 album ‘My Kind Of Blues”
(Hugo & Luigi production)

musicology #78

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial Sam Cooke Bonus #1

(Sam Cooke – If I Had A Hammer)

so..back in the Sam Cooke saddle after some techno issues regarding the Streaming Audio, (boxnet)

threw a small spanner in themusicologist works but rather than dwell on it I’ll take it as a sign that more Sam Cooke is required. Three bonus slices is how it is going to be dealt with, (mon/tue/wed), and then it’s back onto the original sixtune program for #’s 4/5/6, (thurs/fri/sat)

thinking about it…it’s fitting that Mr Soul gets 3 extra tunes as everything in the sixartist selection that follows shares a connection … his legacy. what was/is it about the man that is so special?

not just his voice which, let’s face it, is second to none..it was his capacity to move people of all colours and creeds communicating a message that crosses all boundries. as an example hold this one from a 1964 performance at the Copa in front of a full supper club audience. for themusicologist a killer performance…the way he drops it into a deeper meaning in the middle is breathtaking.

the way he delivers the message to this audience and then gets them involved is nothing short of a miracle, he also laid Bob Dylan’s freedom anthem Blowing In The Wind on them . Consider that for a moment..Sam Cooke singing Blowing In The Wind to a Copa audience…obviously the call and response to a soul/gospel audience was part of the performance and to be expected but at the Copa, to a tune like this, full of undercurrents is almost beyond belief but Mr Soul rinses it like NOBODY else could have done….

I’m in danger of waxing lyrical…Sam step up brother and let us know what it’s all about.……..

LOUD is how this one should be heard ..

“where?…..where?, (all over this land), that’s the place…huh”

I do believe that’s Bobby Womack, (along with Cliff White), pluckin’ strings

musicology #72

newyearboogie #4 (Impressions – Keep On Pushing – 1964)

the ULTIMATE message tune..words aren’t enough, so im just movin’ on aside..

“now look a look a look a yonder, what’s that I see….”

only one thing dissapointing about this tune…it ends.

musicology #71

newyearboogie #3 (Johnny Clarke – Age Is Growing)

been involved in a lot of interesting debates over the last few weeks one of which concerned themusicologist and how it was/is evolving…..

allow me to elucidate…the early posts, (musicology #1-7), were raw, intense, deeply personal and provided a much needed outlet for expressing how it felt to be, once again, staring into the abyss and as music has always provided themusicologist with a most effective outlet for emotional expression the musical diary was born.

but when you find yourself on the ‘hill and gully ride’ as sure as day follows night, up follows down. and the next stage of evolution took themusicologist on a journey from down low to up high which just goes to show that “joy and pain are like sunshine and rain”

without getting too philosophical I suppose this could be seen as striking the eternal balance..or to put it another way the polarisation of extremity…hmmmm.

don’t get me wrong, ‘hill and gully’ has a lot going for it but, as I’m sure you will agree, it’s a hard road to travel and has just as many, if not more, pitfalls associated with it than ’slow and steady’.

it’s like riding a wave, sometimes you can stick to it like glue and you feel invincible and nothing or no-one can stop you. other times the wave comes crashing down and it’s immediate wipe out …. but I suppose if you ride like lightning, stands to reason that you’re more likely to crash like thunder.

in a sentance, themusicologist is a soundtrack to an existence…and as the only thing constant in life is change so the message is always changing but, there is always a message there.

so, with that ‘off me string vest’ back to newyearboogie…

this piece, sung from the heart and mind of roots and culture legend Mr Johnny Clarke, is from the very special and life changing year of 1995 when it appeared as if by magic on the occasion of my first born child ..

“man don’t run around every day wasting time, man don’t sit around every day, watching the days go by…just think of the youts cos there’s a lot to be done” …

true enough it kicked themusicologist up the arse back then so what better way to confirm and reiterate the direction of 2008 than with this prime slice of musicology. Winston ‘Niney’ Holness production on his own Observer label. proof, if needed, that music will always be there to deliver inspiration.

musicology #69

newyearboogie #1 (Walk Tall – Nat Cannonball Adderley Quintet- 1969)

just come back from a winter excursion to the area known commonly as the Lake District, an area of outstanding natural beauty in NW England. words can’t describe the feelings and thoughts being there inspired but maybe music can and as the mun dun gu, (musicology #68), vibes linger on themusicologist is rolling out an ‘inspirational’ selection to kick off the soundtrack for 2008.

driving, determined, focused .. tunes for stepping up to the challenges of living in this ‘iwah’ as the old becomes the new and we move, (together), through the age of uncertainty.

so, to set speed for 2008 hold this piece from the Nat ‘Cannonball’ Adderley Quintet taken from the 1969 ‘Country Preacher’ album recorded for Capitol in ‘Chi’

(introduction by the Reverend Jesse Jackson says it all)

musicology #56

coversweek .. day #4 (I Shall Be Released – Heptones)

“I see the light come shining from the west up to the east … anyday now, anyday now… I shall be released”

top ranking piece of Studio1 ‘ sufferers’ action from one of the great Jamaican vocal groups. Leroy Sibbles was also musical director, arranger, bass player, producer, (along with Sylvan Morris) and all round musicologist for the Brentford Road powerhouse after Jackie Mittoo had packed his bags for Canada in 1971.

the lyrics are courtesy of Bob Dylan who may or may not have been aware of this cover due to the non existent copyright laws on the island … but i’m sure he would have approved as the group certainly brought something new to the song.

musicology #30

day 3 . . mans week

(Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up)

for themusicologist there are two artists that have been the biggest influence on the direction life has taken. both will be featured this week. First up, this artist and this tune are at the forefront of my musical memories.

exposed to this Goliath of soul at the tender age of TWO by the legendary Tony Blue, (respect is always due), the foundation source of themusicologists education. All I can say about this cat is, whenever times are hard father Curtis never fails to turn the grey skies blue and always sends the spirit soaring.

(would have posted the full 9mins but edited it down to just the vocal half)

musicology #16

(The Toppers – If Money Grew On Trees)

slipping out of the 80’s boogie in to some, (1944), early vocal group action. a serving of social commentary from over half a century ago that still rings bells loud and clear.

“tell me more boy, tell me more”

p.s the Cats in question are actually ‘the 5 Red Caps’ moonlighting for the Savoy label.

musicology #12

(Marvin Gaye – We Need Love)

sticking with the love & heart selection

one of Soul’s kings whose voice and choice of songs are second to none. taken from one of the most underrated albums of all time …

“it don’t matter what you are…..a thief , a beggar or even a superstar”

musicology #9

moving and juggling…

“when the world is down on you……love’s somewhere around…and I want you to know that….(sing along with me children)…joy and pain are like sunshine and rain.“

a jazz funk anthem that still sounds just as good as when first heard more than 20 years ago..respect is most certainly due to Maze and Mr Frankie Beverley

if life is rough and your relationship is suffering and you don’t know how to breakthrough … send your companion a link to this one tell them the musicologist would like a word, and if this doesnt communicate the message then nothing will and it may be time to make a move

musicology#3

Cats…been a while since posting. To be honest I’ve been digging deep in an attempt to define, (in my mind), what direction themusicologist is heading.

Initially the plan was to communicate using music…but communicate what exactly?

Well, of the doors I find myself standing at one is marked social commentary….No room for standing on the fence where this subject is concerned. Hold this 3 piece and let me know your thoughts.

We got to do something….