Song Of The Day: March 10, 2018
Well, these guys were never posers. Dave & Phil Alvin used to travel from campsite to campsite with their father, who was a union organizer. They snuck into small clubs to hear their heroes like Big Joe Turner. When it came to finding a sax player for the Blasters, they brought in Lee Allen, who played on recordings for Little Richard and Fats Domino. And, man, could they rock:
White guys, black music. The Brits do it better.
So what’s the deal? You only promote the Gild Hall shows you put on yourself? Philly boys Marah will be audible in El Som’s backyard tonight. They’ll play their album “If You Didn’t Laugh You’d Cry” in its entirety. This song isn’t on it, but this appearance on Conan was the first time I heard the band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBj9W046g-E
Naah. It’s just that the show’s doing REAL well. Might still be a few tix left, I’ll check to see…
Love the Blasters, MEH to Marah.
@bam: Vice versa. The next original thing the Blaster do will be the first original thing the Blasters do. Garage music; covers by a cover band that can’t duplicate the sound of the originals though it slavishly tries.
But nobody ever went broke giving people something they’ve already heard and liked.
You’re wrong, Alby. The Blasters’ originals, mostly written by Dave Alvin, are a brilliant body of work. I played this cover today b/c it kinda fit in with rockabilly week. Alvin’s solo output is equally impressive. Many of his/their songs address social concerns, and are informed by history. I consider him to be one of the best songwriters of the post ’70’s timeframe. The Stray Cats they’re not.
Oh boy, I get a chance to partially illustrate my point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aap0wamFRQ4
And another one. Dave, the guitar slinger, wrote ’em, and Phil sung ’em:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSv5eCVAu6M
When I want that sound I choose Buck Owens. When I want that message musically I choose the old folkies. For me, the good-timey music and overt political message clash. I don’t like Steve Earle for that reason, either, though I like him fine if I can ignore the words.
At any rate, taste is not negotiable, and your selections fit the popular taste better than mine would. I like mostly weird shit.
I liked that Marah song when I heard it 17 years ago because it had that loose, sloppy early-Springsteen feel. And besides, I know Point Breeze.
Taste is not negotiable. You’re right. Even when you’re wrong.
However, if you like weird shit, we need you to do a week of weird shit. The door’s always open.
BTW, Bamboozer? Might just be time for your week in the crosshairs. Let me know and we’ll hook you up.
BTWBTW, I like Marah, and I’ll be at the show tonight. There are about 50 tickets left.