only rock ’n’ roll
Richard Hell and the Voidoids (with Robert Quine [1942-2004], guitar, et al.), “Blank Generation,” live, New York (CBGB’s), Blank Generation, 1980
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lagniappe
art beat
Danny Lyon (1942-), Chicago, 1965
passings
Lou Reed, singer, songwriter, guitarist, March 2, 1942-October 27, 2013
Live (with Robert Quine [1942-2004], guitar; Fernando Saunders, bass; Fred Maher, drums), New York (Bottom Line), 1983
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
All great rock comes from a particular place. Take Lou Reed. Could he have emerged from Detroit? Nah—too self-conscious, too arty. San Francisco? Unh-uh—way too abrasive. He could only have come from one place, the city where, as the joke has it, a tourist goes up to someone and asks: “Can you tell me the way to the Empire State Building—or should I just go fuck myself?”
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taking a break
I’m taking some time off—back in a while.
sounds of Chicago
They sounded so good last week—let’s hear some more.
The Staple Singers, “Are You Sure,” live, 1971
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lagniappe
art beat
William Eggleston (1939-)
adlib-ability
Drummer Big Black (AKA Daniel Ray, 1934-), talking and playing (with Go: Organic Orchestra, Venice, Calif., 2005)
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lagniappe
art beat
Helen Levitt (1913-2009), New York, c. 1940
sounds of Chicago
King Louie, “My Niggaz” (2012-13)
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lagniappe
found words
From this week’s Chicago Reader music section:
. . . spastic, fuzzed-out bubblegum punk.
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Local seapunk originator . . .
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. . . like folk-shouter Odetta going through a goth/drone phase.
sounds of Chicago
Here’s another track I co-produced long ago, in a world without CDs, or MP3s, or Internet.
Pinetop Perkins (1913-2011), “Blues After Hours” (Living Chicago Blues, Vol. 2, Alligator Records, 1978)
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lagniappe
art beat
Helen Levitt (1913-2009), New York, c. 1940
two takes
“I Thought About You” (J. Van Heusen & J. Mercer)
Jeanne Lee (vocals) with Mal Waldron (piano), et al.
Live, France (Marciac), 2000
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Mildred Bailey (vocals) with Benny Goodman (clarinet), et al.
Recording, 1939
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lagniappe
art beat
Garry Winogrand (1928-1984)
sounds of Chicago
Art Ensemble of Chicago (Roscoe Mitchell, saxophones, percussion; Joseph Jarman, saxophones, percussion, electric guitar; Lester Bowie [MCOTD Hall of Famer], trumpet, percussion; Malachi Favors, bass, percussion; Don Moye, drums, percussion [first clip])
Live, Chicago (Jazz Showcase), 1981
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Recording (“Rock Out”), 1969
sounds of Chicago
The Staple Singers, “Sit Down Servant,” live (TV show), 1963
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lagniappe
art beat
Helen Levitt (1913-2009), New York, c. 1940
sounds of Chicago
Baby Huey, “Hard Times” (C. Mayfield), 1971
Stand Up Guys, 2012
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lagniappe
art beat
Helen Levitt (1913-2009), New York, c. 1940
music clip of the day 