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Ten
Things you Should Know about Psychedelic Pholk Psongs
Reprinted from OUTER
SHELL Magazine March 2002
"OTHER" Music News & Views Vol. 2 No. 37
Editor Roy Harper OUTERSHEL@aol.com
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Welcome to another edition of Outer Shell. If you are receiving Outer
Shell for the first time, and would like to keep receiving it, simply tell
us. Our web site is @ http://members.aol.com/outershel. Giveaways are only
available to those
in the USA and Canada.
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TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRIAN GLADSTONE'S NEW CD
'PSYCHEDELIC PHOLK PSONGS'
1) The CD was recorded entirely in my basement on a home studio.
2) Most of the picking tunes were written after eating junk food and
peanut butter sandwiches on Wonder bread.
3) It took me a long time to come to agreement on the cover art with
Michael Wrycraft.
4) The CD got airplay instantly from the first station I submitted it to.
It has been posted on the Top 200 charts in
Europe.
5) To-Nite Magazine (Toronto Entertainment Weekly) listed the CD in the
Top 10 Canadian releases of 2001.
6) Many reviewers don't know how to handle it.
7) Everyone sees something different inthe CD, thus I have learned to view
reviewers as a lamp post sees a dog.
8) It took me months to get the picking up-to-speed on 'Finger Licking
Picking'.
9) It took 10 months of recording, hard work, and lots of mixing to get
the sound so simple.
10) The best part of the CD is all the social portals.
Check out Brian Gladstone @ www.backtothedirt.com.
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IN PASSING
Folk singer Dave Van Ronk, 65, has died in New York City of cancer. An
early mentor of Bob Dylan and partially responsible for the NY folk scene
in the 60s, he received a Grammy nomination in 1996.
The last founding member of the gospel Blackwood Brothers Quartet, James
Blackwood, has died at 82. The quartet won 8 grammys, and James helped to
establish the Gospel Music Association.
Abie "Boogaloo" Ames has died at 83. A blues and jazz pianist,
he toured Europe in 1936 with Louis Armstrong, and later worked with
Motown artists.
Harlan Howard has died at 74. Out of Nashville, Howard was a songwriter
who wrote over 100 top 10 hits, including
Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces" and Ray Charles'
"Busted".
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WAYLON JENNINGS June 15, 1937 - February 13, 2002
commentary by Ken Burke
None of his peers - not Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, nor Hank Williams Jr.,
infused country, folk blues, and good ol
rock n roll with more honest heart than Waylon Jennings.
Jennings came up thru the ranks, sharpening his craft every step of the
way. He paid his dues and then some as a disc
jockey, played bass for his good pal Buddy Holly prior to his death, and
lit a fire under drunken honkeytonkers and
impossibly fresh-faced sock-hoppers alike. All the while he strained to
make music - some great, some bad for
upstart labels ala Trend 61 & A&M. Burning his vital essences
night after night, Jennings learned to put a beat to the
paradoxes of humankind while developing a pretty reliable bullshit
detector.
When he became a star at RCA, Jennings didn't forget what he had learned,
and was eager to tell us about it as he
did in this self-composed ditty from the 1966 film 'Nashville Rebel'.
I've been chasing the big wheels all around Nashville,
Waiting for my big break to come.
Livin' on ketchup soup, homemade, crackers and Kool-Aid.
I'll be a star tomorrow but today - I'm a Nashbille Bum.
Well nowhere's a song I wrote, by myself note-for-note,
With a lot've help it might make Number One.
You could change a word or two and I'd give half of it to you.
I'll be a star tomorrow but today - I'm a Nashville Bum.
All the hallmarks of Jennings style were there - the self- mocking humor,
the cynicism, and the desperate need to
communicate some sort of truth. Candor, no matter artfully applied, is not
exactly Nashville's stock-in-trade. It took
years for him to eschew the chunky constraints imposed by producers Chet
Atkins and Danny Davis, and embrace
more pointed material.
As the heart and soul of the 70s 'Outlaw Movement", Jennings was the
first major Country artist to demand that
Nashville bigwigs just leave his music the hell alone ! Did he make
artistic compromises ? Sure he did - After all, he
liked selling records, but he also created a signature style that sounded
raw, expressive, and pure by today's
standards. We didn't like everything he did, but by standing up for
himself, the leather-clad singer-songwriter made the
whole genre more vital and interesting.
Jennings transformed the works of such great songwriters as Billy Joe
Shaver ('Honky Tonk Heroes'), Chips Moman
('Luckenback, Texas'), and Ed Bruce ('Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up
To Be Cowboys') into resonant anthems
of his era. However, the songs he penned himself, those kick-drum fueled
explorations into his own psyche ('Good
Hearted Woman', 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way', 'I've Always Been
Crazy', 'Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit
Done Got Out Of Hand'), etc.) proved he was a major contmporary artist
with something important to say.
Between 1965 and 1991, solo or with notable partners Willie Nelson, Johnny
Cash, Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr.,
The Crickets or the execrable supergroup The Highwaymen, Jennings racked
up an astonishing 89 Country/Top 40
hits. During most of that run, Ol' Waylon was on drugs - pep pills, smoke,
and cocaine. (None of which stopped him
from winning a whole raft of Grammy and CMA awards) By the time he got
sober, radio had purged itself of their veteran
acts in favor of largely flavorless pop singers with vague country
accents. As a result, the hits dried up for chief Waylon,
though he recorded rather prolifically, on his own terms, whenever he felt
like it.
When asked if he might change his style in order to get back on the
charts, the fallen superstar typically replied, "I
won't record modern Country music. I don't like it and they can't make
me." But the absence of his voice, that
haunting, cathartic baritone, made a statment more damning than any quip
or pronouncement -- Country music and
Waylon Jennings no longer had any use for one another.
Jennings got the final laugh when he teamed with fellow middle-aged
outcasts Bobby Bare, Mel Tillis, and Jerry Reed.
Employing the ironic folk tone that became his trademark, he provoked
laughs when singng "Nashville is rough on the
living - but it really speaks well of the dead."
If he were around to witness the fuss being made about him, eleven years
after his last hit,the puckish Jennings would
probably laugh and say, "I told you Hoss, I told you."
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SHELL NEWS
The discovery of petrified vomit of a dinosaur from 160 million years ago
proves that water creatures back then
reguritated inedible parts of shellfish to avoid chronic indigestion. This
process is shared by whales today.
Four shrimp farms have opened in Arizona by the University of Arizona.
They will focus on research on diseases that
threaten the shrimp farming industry.
South Carolina reports that in 2001 the shrimp catch was down 70% from
2000. Record cold weather is blamed.
Virginia expected a 11% reduction in blue crab harvests, as state
regulations have established a shorter work day
for fisherman and a minimum size for blue crabs.
Maine had a record lobster harvest in 2001, at over 48 million pounds,
worth nearly $200 million.
Florida will no longer accept endangered turtles recovering from cold
exposure in Massachusetts. Northeast wildlife
officials agree that the turtles should recover in their natural
environment.
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ALLIGATOR NEWS
In Polk County, in central Florida, $81.3 million will be spent to clean
up Lake Hancock. The 4,500 acrelake has been
the recipitent of liquid waste from industrial plants for years. The only
animals still able to survive in the lake are
Nile perch and alligators.
In Lakeland, Florida, in Polk Country, Benny Horn suffered minor injuries
when an alligator bit into the kayak he was
paddling. The gator's teeth grazed his leg.
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"OTHER NEWS"
Arthur Lee, of Love fame, is out of jail, after 6 years, and will embark
on a European tour in May. He also has plans to
play several US cities. In the fall/winter, Lee will present special
performances of the album 'Forever Changes' in its
entirety, complete with orchestration. Also upcoming is his web site @
www.Lovewith ArthurLee.com
An Elvis Presley theme park is being planned for Southaven, Mississippi,
on the land where Elvis & Priscilla spent
their honeymoon. The cost will be approx. $500 million for the project.
Thomas Maturo has been charged with unauthorized use of a computer after
he hacked in Philadelphia's WBEB-fm's
computer to access information and make himself the winner of a promotion
giving away a 2 year lease on a new SUV.
He faces 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
George Michael's London mansion was broken into.Among the stolen was his
$114,000 Aston Martin and $140,000
in paintings and jewelry.
Tampa 'Shock Jock' "Bubba The Love Sponge" has been found not
guilty of animaly cruelty. In February of 2000,he
had pig castrated and slaughtered on the ir. Though it was done by a
professional hunter, sounds of a pig squealing
were aired while the pig was being butchered, tho it was not of that pig.
Wildlife officials testified that the animal
suffered no abnormal pain, and that the pig was actually a feral hog, a
type of boar,that is legal to hunt and kill in FL.
The parents of the 4 year old boy that died at a party at Tommy Lee's
house last summer in the swimming pool at a
party, have filed a wrongful death & negligence suit against Tommy
Lee.
City officials in Asbury Park, New Jersey have decided not to move, or
demolish, the famed Stoney Poney club, for
a housing development. The club was made famous by Bruce Springsteen who
has played there since 1970.
Four years after the suicide of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence, INXS
will once again tour. New lead singer, Jon
Stevens, was formely with Australia's Noiseworks.
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TOP FIVE GROSSING CONCERT TOURS OF 2001
ARTIST AVERAGE TICKET PRICE GROSS, IN MILLIONS
U2 $77.64 $109.7
'N Sync $52.22 $ 86.8
Backstreet Boys $56.10 $ 82.1
Dave Matthews Band $44.68 $ 60.5
Elton John / Billy Joel $100.95 $
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THE BILL WHARTON INTERVIEW by Roy Harper
They call him the 'Sauce Boss', While playing Blues on stage he cooks
gumbo for his audience, and has treated his
audiences to over 80,000 bowls of gumbo so far.
RH - Like the chicken & the egg - Which came first - the music or the
gumbo ?
BW - The music. I've been playing since I was a kid.
RH - How does one play music and cook on stage at the same time ?
BW - Play guitar, stir gumbo, sing the song, add the okra, adjust flame.
Next verse, stir, stir, guitar lead, end song.
Talk to audience, add seafood, gather bowls and spoons, sing the blessing,
serve the gumbo. Get the picture ?
RH - When did you first start doing this ?
BW - December 31, 1989.
RH - How much gumbo is cooked at each show ?
BW - An average of 3 to 8 gallons.
RH - What is the secret to a good gumbo ?
BW - It is revealed @ sauceboss.com
RH - What kind of reaction do you get from people seeing you for the first
time ?
BW - Very deep appreciation. This is an inclusive mixed media experience -
not just a show.
RH - Describe your music.
BW - Swampy Florida Blues. Somewhere between New Orleans and the Carribean.
RH - Ever think of opening a restuarant versus touring the clubs ?
BW - I'd like to have a little bbq stand serving greens and having Blues
jams on Sunday, While I'm pipe dreaming -
maybe have a little sushi bar on the side.
RH - You also manufacture, and sell your own hot sauce, Liquid Summer.
What makes it special ?
BW - It is undoubtedly the best in the universe !
RH - I would be safe to say, I guess, that act wise/musically, you have no
competition. (Unless, maybe, a metal band
comes along that shucks oysters on stage !)
BW - Very safe.
Bill Wharton's CD is "Gumbo Man" - Bill Wharton & The
Ingredients. For more info on Bill and his sauce, gumbo, &
music, check out www.sauceboss.com
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***GIVEAWAY*** We have a copy of the CD 'Gumbo Man' to give away. Just ask
for it. Good Luck.
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GARY PIG'S 20 GREATEST RECORDS 1977-1997
1977 - Suicide - Suicide 1988 - Talk Is Cheap - Keith Richards
1978 - Pure Pop For Now People - Nick Lowe 1989 - Groovies Greatest
Grooves - Flamin Groovies
1979 - Metal Box - PiL 1990 - A Proud Canadian - Stompin Tom Connors
1980 - Deface The Music - Utopia 1991 - Arc - Neil Young
1981 - Pleasant Dreams - Ramones 1992 - 12 In A Room - Mark Johnson
1982 - Sundown - Rank and File 1993 - Rock - Tiny Tim
1983 - Bangles EP - Bangles 1994 - American Recording - Johnny Cash
1984 - Go Insane - Lindsey Buckingham 1995 - Boat Drill - Rick Harper
1985 - 25 O'Clock EP - Dukes of Stratosphear 1996 - Rockin On The Radio -
Sid King & the 5
1986 - Eye of The Zombie - John Fogerty Strings
1987 - Foster And Lloyd - Foster And Lloyd 1997 - Beach Boy's Pet Sounds
Sessions
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Correction - Last issue we reported that Freddy Fender had received a lung
transplant. It was a kidney transplant
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***GIVEAWAY*** We Have a copy of the CD 'Psychedelic Pholk Psongs' to give
away. Just ask. Good Luck.
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REVIEWS by Roy Harper
THE PERSUASIONS SING THE BEATLES - Unlike a lot of artists who try to out
do orginal artists' music, this CD
is a well sung tribute to The Beatles. But what makes it differant is that
there are no instruments. It is a capella.
The Persuasions give a whole new light to 14 Beatles songs, such as Eight
Days A Week, Love Me Do, From Me
To You, etc. Soothing, fun, and enjoyable listening. Chesky Records 2002.
www.chesky.com
LATITUDES - GOLD COAST - Combining styles of smooth jazz, Caribbean beats,
and island-style music. Not your
cup of tea ? I think you'd be surprised at how well executed these
instrumentalsglide along and make for a relaxing
musical experience. Featuring guitarist Jon Coleman, who was voted best
jazz guitarist by the Los Angeles Music
Awards in 2000, this is worth the diversion from your normal listening.
www.goldcoastmusic.net
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***GIVEAWAY/S - We have a copy of 'Latitudes', and The Persuasions, to
give away. Ask for one of the 2. Good Luck.
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ROBYN HITCHCOCK AND THE EGYPTIANS - Gotta Let This Hen Out! DVD Review by
Ken Burke
Visionary / VISDVD004N
Aficionados of late 70s through mid 80s New Wave and Bit-pop know Robyn
Hitchcock best as the leader of the
Soft Boys. Drawing from the tongue-in-cheek psychedelia of Syd Barrett and
Bryan Ferry's neurotic attention to detail,
Hitchcock and various ensembles conjured an eclectic body of work boasting
spiky lyrics and catch New Wave hooks.
This 1985 set features Hitchcock and the Egyptians (Roger Jackson, Morris
Windsor, Andy Metcalf) alternating
studio tracks with libe performances interspersed with filmed psychedelic
imagery. In most cases, the filmed moments
adds little to our understanding of the music or its creator's mindset.
Luckily, the music gets right to the point of what
Hitchcock's oeuvre is really all about.
Clad in black & white checkered suit, Hitchcock smartly executes a
heady mix of classic Soft Boys numbers ('Only
The Stones Remain', 'Kingdom Of Love', 'Leppo And The Jooves') and
atmospheric solo material ('America', 'Listening
To The Higginsons', 'Brenda's Iron Sledge'). At his best, the London-born
singer-songwriter evokes totally unique
images of romantic paranoia ('The Cars She Used To Drive', 'My Wife and My
dead Wife') and twisted family
dysfunction ('Sounds Great When You're Dead').
Boasting a complete discography from all phases of Hitchcock's career,
great sound, and vivid, focused performances,
this punchy DVD set provides the perfect introduction to the man and his
music. Michael Stipe, of REM, is a big fan.
If you dig his sensibility, then you should check this one out.
'Gotta Let This Hen Out!' is available from Music Video Distributors.
Visit them @ www.musicvideodistributors.com -
where you'll find thousands of new, rare, and hard-to-find music videos
and DVDs.
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***GIVEAWAY*** - We have a copy of the DVD 'Gotta Let This Hen Out!' to
give away. Just ask. Good Luck.
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THE TRAGIC ROMANCE OF PAMELA & JIM MORRISON book review by Roy Harper
by Patricia Butler Omnibus Press 1988 OP 48062 234 pages $17.95
Jim Morrison was like a caged lion at the circus. He behaved cause he had
to and let loose his inhibitions and furys
at their opportunities. And, Pamela Courson was a good match for
him.Together they hated each other one moment,
and the next moment, could not live without each other.
Morrison lived the rock star life/lifestyle on and off stage. He was at
odds with the other Doors from nearly their
inception. When the others wanted to be part of a TV commercial for Buick,
Morrison wanted no part of it. Morrison
seemed to put himself on a pedestal, and I highly doubt that any sidemen
would have been satisfactory to him no
matter who they were, or how good.
Pamela was an emotional release for his moods, and he seemingly used her
as his crutch, when needed. On one
occassion, she called the police to get him thrown out of their apartment.
The police came and recognized Morrison,
and settle the dispute peacefully. But - just before the police left, Jim
held out a bundle of unpaid parking tickets that
Pam had accumilated, and told the police, "You might be interested in
these." Pam was thereby arrested. Thus -
the humor of Jim Morrison, who relished the moment.
With Jim's death, friends and associates state how he was such a gentle
person. Fact is that he was an angry drunk
more than any other characteristic.
Jim's, and Pam's, lives, as well as romance were tragic indeed, but I
certainly wasn't left with any impression that I
should feel sorry for them. The only thing that wasn't tragic about Jim
Morrison was that for a few short years he did
give us some great music that'll live on for many years to come.
For this book, as well as hundreds of other music related books; ranging
from guitar tabs to history related books,
AND more - visit Music Sales @ www.musicsales.com
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***GIVEAWAY*** - We have a copy of 'The Tragic Romance Of Pamela & Jim
Morrison' to give away. Just ask. Good
Luck.
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Upcoming in Outer Shell - Heavy metalist David Neil Cline, Mark Harris,
The Brave Combo, and MORE.
Until next time - Enjoy An Oyster !!
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