a personal favourite for themusicologist, RICH in memories of exposure to this set, Innervisions, as an impressionable 5 year old in 1973. Stevie was one of the BIG hitters on the stereo in them early years and Innervisions is a testement to the mans greatness, (having played and sung every part on this cut). I can almost taste the air of 1973 so strong and powerful are the connections.
Flow #11
(Kool & The Gang – This Is You, This Is Me)
Tried to lay this one down yesterday but my service provider wasn’t responding to my calls for internet freedom so was stuck behind the bullshit. Circumnavigated it though so here it is…prime slice of 1973 funk from Kool and The Gangs top ranking LP ‘Wild And Peaceful’. Some BIG tunes on the album and this is one of them.
Special mention goes out to Tony Blue who, (along with Stevie Marriott), had to make a quick exit from a New York club in the early 80’s with members of Kool & The Gang on the warpath sporting weapons of mass destruction..(Shotgun). Every time I hear their music it reminds me of it.
Terry Callier #7
(Terry Callier – I Would Rather Be With You)
Like I said yesterday Art is life. Regardless of the way it unwinds we only get one shot at living and sharing it. Today’s profound message is directed at three people..my two children and the woman of my dreams. Yeah I know I have said it before but all there is for me is to tell it like it is and for as long as my Heart and Soul continues to feel it I will continue to express it regardless of the cost. I don’t care about interpretation cause I know the time has come.
I could take my guitar,
And hit the road,
And try to be a star,
That sort of thing just don’t appeal to me,
I could play some one night stands,
Travlin’ light,
A one man band,
But I know,
This is where I’d rather be,
It’s your bright sunshine,
That lifted all the shadows off my mind,
And your sweet love lead me to a brighter day,
So you never have to worry,
‘Bout me leaving you behind,
Wait and see I won’t ever turn away,
Cause you made my dream come true,
And gave my life new meaning too,
And more than anything,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you babe,
If I could,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you babe,
I surely would,
I’d rather be with you,
Now this ghetto life is hard,
In our concrete front yard,
Nothing grows,
Except a single tree to mark our place,
But the moment that I’m with you,
Girl your light and love shine through,
And then I realise,
That You’re my saving grace,
I could catch that old greyhound,
Head out West and bum around,
Watch the sun set on San Francisco Bay,
But you mean so much to me,
That I could never put you down,
That would be too big a price for me to pay,
Cause you made my dream come true,
And gave my life new meaning too,
And more than anything,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you babe,
If I could,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you babe,
I surely would,
I’d rather be with you,
Well I’d rather be with you babe,
If I could,
I’d rather be with you,
Oh I’d rather be with you babe,
Surely would,
I’d rather be with you,
Well I’d rather be with you babe,
If I could,
I’d rather be with you,
Oh I’d rather be with you babe,
I surely would,
You know I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you,
I’d rather be with you
Terry Callier #1
(Terry Callier – What Colour Is Love)
“After the storm say there must be a calm” and as much as the process of catharsis continues for me I feel like the, (metaphorical), dark clouds are lifting and the sun is beginning to break through. Intense and passionate, (whatever the situation), I tend to immerse myself in the joy and the pain of existence and am always looking to engage with the project of living rather than watch it pass me by. I don’t believe in the afterlife and have witnessed how short our time on this beautiful rock can be. Not for me to look back and wonder what might have been so the “what if” question is never asked. Music for me doesn’t imitate life it opens a dialogue and last weeks theme has delivered a space for reflection and resolution.
Today’s cut kicks off a week long tribute to a Cat who has been an important and valued guide over the past few months the inspirational Terry Callier whose qualities are beyond doubt and question. A poet who stands tall in an age where it seems to me many are retreating to Plato’s ‘cave’ of illusion and appearance.
Highlighted from his 1973 set ‘What Colour Is Love’
“Is it wrong or is it right,
Is it black or is it white,
What colour is love,
Is it here or is it there,
Is it really everywhere,
What colour is love,
Is it strong like the mountains
Or deep like a fountain,that’s flowing free
And what about me,
How can you receive,
If youre not a believer
Is it blue like the sky,
And does it really reach that high,
What colour is love,
Is it near or is it far,
Is it distant like a star,
What colour is love,
Does it glow like an ember,
And do you you remember,
If love doesn’t last,
Does it live in the past,
And a heart cannot live,
If a heart isn’t giving,
When it’s over does it show,
Does it leave an afterglow
And I really want to know,
What colour is love?
theGood,Bad&theUgly #2
(Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Ain’t No Sunshine)
part two of the alternative soundtrack selection finds Blondie, (the good), getting his comeuppance from Tuco, (the ugly), for doublecrossing him, (sounds like Blondie wasn’t listening to Tuco’s threat from round one).
musicology courtesy of Jazz Funkers Ubiquity led by Roy Ayers, Vibraphone virtuoso who was given his first pair of mallets at the tender age of FIVE by the instrument’s undisputed champ Lionel Hampton.
this cut is taken from the 1973 Polydor album Red, Black & Green and is, for themusicologist, as good as the Bill Withers original especially as the piece does what all the best ‘covers’ do…bring something fresh to the table.
Day 5..
(Ann Peebles – Tear You Play House Down)
slipping and sliding into a deep soulful piece from 1973. recorded in Memphis for the HI label.
chaps..listen this keenly.
themusicologist 