Let it Bleed: The Rolling Stones, Altamont and the End of the Sixties
By Ethan A. Russell
Whoah! Quite a gripping and sometimes harrowing work with many of the photographs being simply stunning (and never before seen).
Reading about the Stones’ 1969 tour (with Mick Taylor & Ian Stewart on board) – Mick Jagger lamenting about being “so old” back then – is time travel at it’s best.
You get a sense of the evolving chaos from various perspectives, including photographer Ethan Russell, the band members, security man Tony Funches (who knocked out two Hells Angels and lived to tell about it) and others.
The book builds to the final concert, a huge festival held at the Altamont Speedway in northern California on December 6th. I had a really chilled, near visceral reaction to the firsthand accounts of what transpired here, with the Hells Angels providing “security” and ultimately stabbing a fan (who had a gun) to death near the stage. A detail is dropped in then a few pages later you see a photograph and instantly “get it”. A thousand words many times over, indeed.
The parallels mentioned to getting out of Vietnam by helicopter were right on as this concert was often a scene of mayhem, violence and general disorder. Not a happy scene.
Some of the photographs capture fans – some oblivious, many high, some focused on what is happening – from the stage, where the crush of humanity must have been stifling at best. The photo of a stunned looking Bill Wyman in the helicopter about to take off after the show is a real shocker, a moment in time.
The polar opposite of Woodstock, I’m not sure how anyone can argue that this event didn’t clearly “end the sixties”.
-Phil
The Avett Brothers introduce Emotionalism
This 2007 disc was my introduction to this excellent band, featuring the brothers Seth and Scott Avett who play a multifaceted, often joyous, plain-spoken, freewheeling mix of Americana ballads, love songs (one of their specialties are the “Pretty Girl from ___” songs), folk, country, bluegrass and flat out rock. Their harmonies are often spot on and you’ll have no trouble understanding the lyrics (almost unusual). Their stellar banjo and guitar interplay is also quite impressive.
They may be tough to categorize but are very easy to enjoy! I know there was quite a buzz among a few of my coworkers as they eagerly sought tickets for their upcoming shows at the Ryman. I can see why – this would be a fun group to see live! No pretentions – just good songs played with enthusiasm and wit here.
I’d be remiss to not point out some possible influences I hear (as I usually do when listening to anyone “new”). The pop bliss of The Reivers comes to mind (another great North Carolina band from the late ‘80’s early ’90’s), The Delevantes, The Band and even John Prine a bit on “Salina”. Their inclusion of a phone message from Gabriella (“Pretty Girl from Chile”) is great; reminds me of the Replacements. But this is a band that doesn’t seem derivative at all – just very talented and refreshing.
This CD is in heavy rotation in my car system (along with the likes of Marshall Crenshaw’s “What’s in the Bag?”) and is great for summer listening. Give them a whirl – if you like great pop-tinged folk songs you should like this one a lot.
-Phil
Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot Vol. 1
Along with Miles, Monk and ‘Trane, Eric Dolphy is one of my all-time favorite jazz musicians. His exuberant playing on alto sax and sometimes bass clarinet on these stellar sessions recorded at NYC’s Five Spot club in 1961 is often mind-boggling.
Dolphy is intense, passionate, creative and clearly following some inner logic as he blazes away with Charlie Parker-like cascades of notes on “Fire Waltz” over the steady 3/4 beat. “The Prophet” clocks in at over 21 minutes and features some impressive solos by the other band members. Key players include pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Richard Davis (who would become more known for playing on Astral Weeks) and drummer Ed Blackwell along with superb, young trumpet player Booker Little.
This group is capable of an astounding range of styles and is just bursting with energy and chops. Ah, to have been there for this night would have been really memorable but this lively recording, along with volume 2, is a great aural snapshot of a pivotal time in jazz and always gives me a lift.
Five stars!
Phil
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China
by Leslie T. Chang
Often brilliant, insightful, humorous, poignant and certainly unflinchingly descriptive, this book was a rewarding read. I learned much about the lives of young, ambitious Chinese girls leaving their home provinces to find work in Dongguan or Guangdong assembling electronic parts or working on handbags in crowded, hectic factories.
The author details the various fleeting accomplishments, relationships, ambitions and the social stratas involved in the lives of a few girls like Min and Chunming, who you will come to know quite well.
Chang has a knack for letting scenes speak for themselves – “On weekend afternoons, the Hopeful Computer Training Center was crowded with workers sitting at computers learning Word and Excel. (A sign outside advertised, in English, Microsoft Worb.)” She takes you on hilarious side trips into hyped up etiquette training sessions and inane adventures of an “Assembly Line English” training academy along with the fun involved at the Donnguan Making Friends Club.
Underneath this interesting, personal and often twisting travelogue through Chinese cities is the author’s own homecoming to her ancestral hometown of Liutai.
The book ends with an interesting look at Chunming, ever trying to reinvent herself, venturing into direct sales in the area of health foods. You’ll get an inside view of a company sales convention and the goings on there.
Be prepared to learn and laugh too.
Phil
It might get loud
This is a very interesting and unique movie – part documentary, part travelogue and part cross-generational rock star meet up. Great use of various archival footage, still photos and current film of these three guitarists alone and together keeps things moving along nicely.
I went into this not really caring for Jack White that much (or at least his singing) but I now understand his attitude and inspiration – Son House, and realize for him it’s all about passion and getting a feeling across. The White Stripes may be a slightly manufactured band but there is a core of real honesty in their music. The Edge is clearly and admittedly all about sound craft and getting the perfect tonal quality and feel from his guitars and the arsenal of effects he uses. “It’s my voice.” One scene has him listening to early U2 guitar parts in his kitchen (on cassette!) as he taps out the various digitally delayed time signatures, obviously second nature to this musical alchemist. There is also a wonderful outtake of him running through some classic U2 riffs on a soundstage – the tonal palette is unmistakably and uniquely The Edge.
Jimmy Page is like a wizard steeped in rock history; partially responsible for some of the heaviest, most creative sounds of the 70’s. He is a joy to watch and highlights include his unpretentious and remarkably luminous presence, complete with priceless facial expressions when he listens to someone sharing a story. Another great outtake is him demonstrating the intricacies of “Kashmir” on guitar as the Edge and Jack try to absorb it, with wonder in their eyes. Having Jimmy Page run through vintage Led Zep tunes in front of you has to be a thrill for anyone!
I liked this movie quite a bit – it shows three unique and very different musicians for who they are and shows some genuinely entertaining and sometimes amusing interactions. Never taking itself too seriously, there is sure to be something worthwhile here for everybody!
Phil
Lance: the making of the world’s greatest champion
by John Wilcockson
This is a very solid biography from a writer who certainly knows cycling at its highest levels and who did an excellent job combining interviews and insights from friends, racers and others back to Lance’s earliest years into a compelling read.
The portrait is built of a brash, determined, competitive child of a single mother who continued to excel at an early age as a triathalete then as a successful cyclist – one who won the World Championship road race at age 21 in Norway in 1993.
We learn of the trials of being a world class cyclist; the mentors, the camaraderie, the team strategies and dynamics, the demands and realities of competing in Europe at the brutal one day classics and at other important stage races.
Around the middle of the book the seriousness of his cancer discovery hits like a ton of bricks and is yet another mountain for Lance to climb. His winning the first of seven Tour de France titles in 1999 is expertly recounted, as well are the subsequent title defenses, complete with descriptions of the key competitors like wily Italian climber Claudio Chiappucci and the ever tenacious German multi-time runner up Jan Ulrich.
Going right up through his split with Sheryl Crow and training for his comeback attempt in 2009, this may be as close to a complete, tell-all, interesting and relatively unbiased view we’ll ever get of a remarkable athlete, cancer survivor and the all time winningest Tour de France champion.
As an avid cycling fan I still learned quite a bit about Armstrong, good and bad and this biography enhanced my appreciation for his remarkable achievements (in the face of some very dire odds). The uncommon early photographs are really great too. Lance at 4 with his two cats – Tommie and Tootsie – you’ve got to love it!
Lost City Of Z A Tale Of Deadly Obsession In The Amazon
By David Grann
I’m drawn to books like this – Shackleton’s Endurance, quests to find Hillary Scott’s remains on Mt. Everest, attempts to explain Amelia Earhart’s disappearance – which have a particular blend of mystery, time travel and research I find enjoyable and often compelling.
This one centers around acclaimed New Yorker writer David Grann doing his utmost best to find original sources that will let him retrace the route into the Amazon that British explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett took in his quest to find El Dorado or the city of “Z” as he called it. Fawcett himself, along with his son Jack and Raleigh Rimell vanished in 1925 while searching for this lost city know for its signs of beauty, culture and advancement.
What is really very impressive is the extent of effort made by Mr. Grann in creating this book. He not only seemingly interviews every remaining relative or associate of PHF, including getting original sources and diaries by visiting Fawcett’s granddaughter Joan in Wales, tracking down journals from his WWI Military unit, traveling to the offices of the Royal Geographic Society in London and to a map archive in Sao Paulo, Brazil – he ultimately goes into the Amazon region himself to check things out!
This immediately amps up the action after he starts out a little like Bill Bryson preparing for his Appalachian Trail attempt. Grann is totally immersed in finding the truth some 80 years later and his expedition experience is complete with deadly insects, piranhas (and other worse jungle menaces!), still hostile Indian tribes and difficult terrain. His descriptions pull no punches as you feel him becoming more deeply obsessed with this research mission.
It should be noted that the author is an excellent storyteller and makes great use of many historical documents in presenting this fascinating biographical mystery adventure.
Deserving of its place on many best of the year lists – the bibliography alone is a treasure trove of historic resources related to all manner of archaeology and exploration, early British explorers, nomads, Indian tribes, early discoveries and more. He references sources from Fawcett’s prolific writer son Brian (Exploration Fawcett 1953) up through the very recent book 1491.
Well done!
There Will Be Blood
Wow! This 2007 movie lives up to its accolades as an American epic, with Daniel Day-Lewis earning an Academy Award for best actor for his mesmerizing portrayal of oil prospector/land speculator/entrepreneur Daniel Plainview. Set in the dust bowl areas of California between 1898 and 1927, Day-Lewis is riveting as a swindling, greedy boss out for land in his quest for his ever-expanding oil drilling operations.
I was sometimes reminded of a few other favorite films, including Paper Moon, No Country for Old Men (in the ironic, elliptical discussions between Plainview and devoutly religious Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), whose main concern is always The Church (he is also a healer and has some hilarious early scenes) and Dead Man (especially in the belching, clacking soundtrack, composed by Johhny Greenwood of Radiohead).
This movie is full of great acting, surrealistic scenes and dark humor. Plainview negotiating with the Standard Oil executives is one such scene. Some of his memorable lines include “I really don’t like people” and “I like all religions…” (the latter as he tries to assuage the townspeople early on that he is sincere in his plans).
The cinematography is often stunning (Academy Award winning, in fact. Comparisons to Citizen Kane are not out of place.) as in the scenes involving building the oil drilling apparatus against the western skies. This is quite a long film and the tension and turmoil builds throughout as Daniel becomes embroiled in conflicts as the ultimate capitalist, obsessed beyond his wits against the determined preacher. Like in HBO’s late great Carnivale series, this central battle at times reaches crazy, epic, disturbing proportions.
A film based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel “Oil”, this one is not to be missed!
Whole Lotta Zeppelin: The Illustrated History of the Heaviest Band of All Time By Jon Bream
This book is truly great. For anyone interested in a band that really made its own rules while creating some timeless and never equaled rock music, this large book will satisfy you on many levels.
This is a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated history with all the bases covered; tour diaries and dates, memorabilia shots, complete reviews of their recordings by various writers, interviews, timelines, recollections and fascinating stories. The band members certainly have their say through various excerpted interviews as well.
The picture of Jimmy Page ordering at a Howard Johnson’s restaurant circa ‘68 is priceless alone, but this book also filled in many gaps in my Zep knowledge, including manager Peter Grant’s involvement in many incidents, the source of their early bluesy material, and how their music continued to evolve up through 1980. It also includes a close look at their film The Song Remains the Same and covers their 2007 London reunion performance with Jason Bonham on drums as well as an extensive discography.
I can remember when an older brother put headphones on me around 1973 and boggled my mind with the solo from “Heartbreaker” when I was about 10 years old. While we can’t go back in time this book will take you through the years with many excellent guest writers and critics, sound engineers and fellow musicians who share personal recollections. Like the band and their career, an enthralling tour de force!
Throw Down your Heart: tales from the acoustic planet Vol. 3 Africa sessions
by Bela Fleck
Anyone who saw the engrossing documentary on PBS some months ago or packed into the Belcourt Theatre one hot Sunday evening for a one time showing (with a special appearance by Bela) of Throw Down your Heart knows what this is all about.
This is the soundtrack that resulted from the ambitious trip made by Bela Fleck to several African countries in early 2005 to, essentially, “bring the banjo home” and jam with many outstanding musicians and groups in places like Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mali.
I’ve always enjoyed the purity and spirit of various African musical styles, and my Hi life compilations and King Sunny Ade juju recordings prepared me somewhat, but this is some really far-reaching, varied and impressive music! Eighteen tracks, many featuring serious polyrhythms, djembe drums, various stringed instruments along with possibly the thumb piano or even a giant wooden miramba comprise this soundtrack. Vocalists can be anyone from Oumou Sangare to a group of villagers.
Some of my favorites are the funky, bass heavy D’Gary Jam and the sublime title track which features raga like drones, ngoni (the banjo of Mali) runs and Bela’s intricate picking. What a tour de force! Zawose features some amazing gogo singing styles by an entire family that may sound jarring at first but is really unique. The song Mariam features phenomenally fast African guitarist Djrlimady Tounkara in a duet of sorts with Bela. Wow!
Overall, the first several tracks drew me in with really interesting and varied vocal stylings then after the title track I was thoroughly mesmerized by tracks 10 through till the end. In short, this is more about the fantastic musicians of Africa and their instruments; Bela Fleck often fades into the background and lets them shine.
A wonderful project; great documentary and superb soundtrack!
Phil
Finding Amelia: the true story of the Earhart disappearance
by Ric Gillespie
Inspired by the fine movie starring Hillary Swank as Amelia, and my general lack of knowledge about America’s most famous missing person’s last flight, I decided to read a few books on the topic. This one stood out as the best of the three I read.
Her last flight, with somewhat dubious navigator Fred Noonan (I always thought it was a solo flight) went wrong somewhere over the Central Pacific after they left New Guinea on July 2nd, 1937 with the intention of landing on a recently built runway on tiny Howland Island.
This book is a comprehensive, detail-packed account of the last few legs of the flight and is particularly strong in presenting information about the communication transmissions, the attempts at rescue by the Coast Guard and Naval ships and possibilities about what may have happened to lead to this disappearance, without much trace.
Mr. Gillespie, an internationally recognized expert on the Earhart disappearance, debunks some myths and speculations with numerous factual references in a very readable and compelling style. He definitely makes you feel the urgency of husband George Putnam’s many communications in trying to expand and extend the fruitless searches.
I was also really intrigued with the included DVD which contains numerous diagrams of search patterns, radio transmission logs, telegrams, Naval and Coast Guard documents and most fascinating, “Betty’s Notebook.” This is a scan of what 16 year old Betty Klenck is to have jotted down while listening to a shortwave radio broadcast in early July 1937 in St. Petersburg, Florida (her father rigged a super strong antenna in their yard). It presents fragments of what appears to be a distressed Earhart and Noonan communicating in their crashed plane, exact location unknown.
A very well done book on one of America’s most enduring mysteries.
- Phil
Dwight Sings Buck
by Dwight Yoakam
This is quite a straight-forward, enjoyable and lively set of tunes by one acknowledged master of the Bakersfield sound doing traditional country songs mainly penned by his idol, Buck Owens. Three others not written by Buck but part of his repertoire are (thankfully) included: “Act Naturally,” “Love’s Gonna Live Here” and “Close up the Honky Tonks.”
Yoakam’s voice is stellar here, with just the right joyfully sly yet reverential tone seeping through the lines. The band is confident, impressive and never too slick, just like you’d expect.
Usually Dwight just slipped in a tune or two from Buck on his many great releases; this one is All Buck! If you like that snappy, twangy sound done right you’ll love this release.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself tapping a foot while listening to someone clearly at the top of “his game” here.
- Phil
What now?
by Ann Patchett
This slight little book by one of Nashville’s favorite authors caught my eye and I read it in a day or two. It’s based on a recent commencement address given by Ann at her alma mater, Sara Lawrence College, in New York.
Ann uses her typically economic and well crafted style to illuminate how this came about and includes a very touching post script. She emphasizes the importance of listening and seeking counsel and while time leaps by quickly and technology engulfs us, some things, like the Greek chorus in her head asking (us) “What now?” don’t change.
A very personal and at times witty book – I particularly liked the few pages where she likened being a fiction writer to being a duck hunter (you have to read it) and a welcome read in these “uncertain times.”
- Phil
Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl
By Van Morrison, 2009
Ever since I can remember reading “rock journalism” three albums (as they were called) reigned on most respected journalists’ all time best type polls: Derek and the Dominoes’ Layla and other Assorted Love Songs, The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street and Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks. I have come to completely agree with their collective wisdom in deeming these all time classics (I never understood their strange fascination with Captain Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica though; I disagree on that one.) In any case, it is over forty years since the seminal, jazzy, reflective, literate, brooding, celebratory song cycle masterpiece known as Astral Weeks was released by Van Morrison. Can he still do these songs justice in a live format? The short answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Van’s rich Belfast voice inhabits these songs with passion as he stretches them out, drops in some scatting and new inflections and generally brings them alive for the lucky audience at the Hollywood Bowl. The recording is excellent with no crowd histrionics (I could have done without the voice from the stage calling out his name between the encore break but it’s a minor quibble.) and a rich balance of acoustic guitar, brushes, string bass that compliments Van’s inimitable voice. Hearing songs like Cyprus Avenue, Ballerina and Madame George played with such soulful, focused intensity and joy is wonderful to behold.
I’ve listened to this recording numerous times in a variety of settings and conditions and it always gives me satisfaction, which can’t be said for a lot of live recordings. Like the original recording – I just don’t get tired of it. Very well done indeed.
- Phil
Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played
By Jon L. Wertheim
4 stars
Senior Sports Illustrated writer L. Jon Wertheim weaves an intricately detailed recounting of what all agree was an epic, thoroughly well played tennis match into a compelling multi faceted book.
This is a very descriptive portrait of each man’s differences, backgrounds, tendencies, technical strengths and styles, coaching entourages and personalities which leads up to the titanic Wimbledon final that was played over five sets and seven hours in July of 2008.
Many interesting behind the scenes moments, humorous asides and detours including how Federer met Mirka, his disdain for Djokavic’s “boorish” parents, Nadal’s family dynamics and upbringing, racquet comparisons and endorsements all add background color to the event. Even chair umpire Pascal Maria gets his time in the sun (or rain as it were) here.
One of the best tennis books I’ve read; an often witty and full account of the quirks and glories of Wimbledon, “The Championships” and of what makes both Roger Federer and the eventual ’08 Champion Rafael Nadal so outstanding by anyone’s standards.
My only complaint: no photos included.
- Phil K.
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