Musical Chairs
Posted on October 22, 2008 – 3:15 PM | by OldManFoster
Chad Stockdale is one of those dudes you see all over Midtown, like 100 times a year, but you never know his name. Then you find out that he played crazy saxamaphone in Antennas Erupt and you think, “oh, of course.” Then later you find out that he has his own record label where he puts out records that generate ridiculously loving reviews in the indie trades, and that even hard-to-please Dennis Yudt is a fan. All this, but you’d never know it, ‘cause he’s sorta shy and humble. We had to bug him for a full year to do this…
Have you ever listened to an album while you’re running around your house doing stuff and a song comes on that’s so good you stop dead in your tracks and you find yourself riveted in front of your stereo blown away with how beautiful the tune is? Here are some gems that have done that to me…
Scott Walker “Rosemary” from Scott 3
Usually I tell folks that this whole album is perfect and to just go buy it, but let’s take the song “Rosemary” which reflects the beauty of the whole album..the nostalgic descriptions of changing seasons..the bent narratives of Walker’s freakish outcasts..all belted out by the lungs of that singular dramatic baritone and accompanied by the greatest string arrangements ever. The thing that always blows me away about this record is that its so sad and melancholy yet it’s never depressing, only invigorating and enchanting. The perfect soundtrack for your upcoming winter nights.
The Strands “Someone Like You” from The Magical World of The Strands
Michael Head, singer for the cult UK band Pale Fountains, later formed The Strands with his brother John. They recorded a batch of songs that were shelved, then when on to form another group called Shack. Can’t tell you how the rest of this posthoumously released Strands disc sounds ’cause I keep playing the track “Someone Like You” over and over. Some subtle flange on the guitar, a lilting chamber orchestra, and lyrics that are pure romance. I’ve found a lot of people on the web that have written about how much this song moves them. Count me in, too. Thanks to Alasdair Maclean for hipping me to this lovely piece.
Choke “Skin Is Dead” from Kingdom Of Matresses 7”
I’m absolutely ga ga over any band with Jenny Toomey (Tsunami, Grenadine, etc.). At the height of DIY lady punk female vocals came in two sizes: high powered skree or soft slumberland doting. Toomey’s was a different grain: a dusky alto with a sense of longing. We go waaay back here to her first release on her own Simple Machines label. Her songs of people navigating the minefields of love are always rich with imagery: “We climb up the sides of dunes, we drink vodka from a Pepsi can, the sand gets into our socks we sing a love song, we sing it into the wind, and the wind takes our song away.” After wearing out my copy I found another years later at Manic Music (r.i.p.) purchased from my main man Loren. When I bought it he was very wary and said “this better be going to a good home.” Rest assured, my friend, it did.
Fleetwood Mac “Dragonfly” (live version from a DVD)
The deal with this Danny Kirwan-penned track is that it never came out on any of the Fleetwood Mac albums and was only released as a single, which is nowhere near as good as the live Beat Club version you can see on the internet. I picked this up on some cheaply thrown together DVD. My fucking god this is a beautiful song. That Kirwan didn’t continue to flourish is a sad state of affairs (problems with the bottle and erratic behavior got him booted from the Mac) ’cause he possessed a haunting voice, played the shit out of his guitar, and looked better in suspenders than anybody. Apparently Danny has resurfaced on YouTube posting comments only in spanish. Wish him well wherever he is. Endless gratitude to my homegirl Little Heather for hipping me to this gorgeous song.
Michael James “Change The World” from Runaway World
Uh, so as near as I can tell this late 70’s head-scratcher is about acid trips and aliens visiting from other planets, but smack dab in the middle of it all Mr James goes ahead and drops the most beautiful Bread song that Bread never wrote. Lyrics are about the dashed hopes of two young lovers struggling for social revolution along with gorgeous guitar lines that would make David Gates green with envy. Bonus points for the very fake looking flying saucer on the record cover.
B.Baker Chocolate Co. “Dreamer” from B. Baker Chocolate Co.
When people say “criminally overlooked” they mean stuff like this my friends. A quiet storm gem worthy to be placed in the pantheon. This one’s a Brad Baker affair, who did a ton of disco production from ’76-’80 for everyone from Gloria Gaynor to Andrea True Connection and worked for labels like Groove Merchant and Buddah Records. This slow jam burner is so bloody good it had to have not only Jimmy Mcgriff jamming the organ, but also muthafrackin’ Lonnie Smith doubling on the keys too! Plus, one of the bass players’ names is Babbitt. Add the Love Unlimited-esque string section and you have a winner. Much appreciation to The Stranger for hipping me to this mighty mellow jam.
Honey Ltd “Silk & Honey” from Honey Limited
The passing of Lee Hazelwood has left the fate of one of the greatest soft pop girl-group records of all time in limbo. This came out, sort of, on Hazelwood’s own LHI label back in the sixties but noooo one remembers the album being in stores. None of the girls in the band even got a copy. Subsequently this lp has become big game for soft rock collectors from Japan. The whole album is spot-on, but “Silk & Honey” is really the penultimate track. Really off the wall Hazelwood production with lots of reverb and echo-drenched vocal harmonies. Noise musician Boyd Rice booted this jam on his excellent Music for Pussy Cats compilation of obscure girl groups from the late 60s.
Steely Dan “Aja” title track off the album of the same name
You know what? The whole record is perfect. Just go buy it.