FIRE AND RAIN ENCAPSULATES A FORMER ERA
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THE WEB GOSSIP
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THE WEB GOSSIP
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James Taylor
FIRE AND RAIN AND 1970 --- As I said the other day, I just finished reading David Browne's excellent book Fire And Rain (Da Capo); which encapsulates the four major artists of 1970: The Beatles; Simon And Garfunkel; James Taylor; and, CSNY, amid the turmoil in society. First off: As a music fan, I appreciated the new details that he uncovers for each of the artists. Truth be told, all these years later, it's remarkable that he's been able to even do this. Second: The way he weaves in the timely moments in society (Kent State; Vietnam); wrapping them around his words … is miraculous. I liked the way Browne describes the break-up of The Beatles; the bombshell announcement from McCartney that literally shook the music world to its roots; I also loved his words about CSNY's imminent-breakup even before their much heralded second album, Deja Vu, was even released: at a major-awards ceremony for the record industry, where they won a major award … they couldn't even show up! And, Taylor's fragile emotional network isn't a new revelation, but the details here are, and are mesmerizing. Some other amazing revelations: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” - Summer 1969 - piano-player Larry Knechtel said that Paul Simon was so finicky that he made Larry and Art do 72 takes! The Beatles - “I Me Mine” - With Lennon in Denmark getting his hair cut and visiting Yoko's daughter from her first marriage, Paul, George and Ringo convened without him to record one of George's songs for the Let It Be soundtrack. It would be the last song the group would record together. The track would appear on their last-ever released album of original material, and producer Phil Spector stretched the song out by doubling the chorus. James Taylor - "Sweet Baby James" - This lullaby to Taylor's nephew was the first single released from his second album Sweet Baby James in February, 1970. It stiffed, and the label didn't release the breakthrough hit "Fire and Rain" until the fall. Stephen Stills - "Sit Yourself Down" - Another gospel-rock moment from the summer of '70, from Stills' first self-titled solo album. The "Raven" in the song, the girl he longs to spend time with is, Rita Coolidge, his girlfriend at the time. Just after this was recorded, Coolidge and Nash hook up, which infuriated Stills and became one of the factor's in CSNY's breakup. If you're a music fan from those halcyon days of the 70's. ... this one's for you. Also: As a reviewer of ALL these music books, this one came with one of the best-ever press kits I've seen. Praise for Da Capo Books ... terrifically impressive!
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COUNTING ON DURITZ --- Has there ever been a more misunderstood band than Counting Crows? Their debut album, released in late 1993, August And Everything After, went on to sell over seven million copies in America and immediately certified them as one of the country's premiere bands. Certainly the inclusion of the song “Mr. Jones” helped; as it was a composition worthy of Dylan himself: complex, moody, atmospheric … it had everything a true music fan wanted in a song. Simply brilliant! The band itself evidenced the best elements of everyone from Van Morrison, R.E.M., Nirvana, The Band, and Zimmy himself. Scanning the many reviews of the album now; it appears that the album moved many … one calling it “the most emotionally charged album I have ever heard.” They also received a 2004 Oscar nomination for the song "Accidentally in Love," from Shrek 2. The band went onto selling almost 20 million records worldwide … and, then kind of went into a tailspin. After touring heavily and appearing on everything from Saturday Night Live to David Letterman, success took a toll on the band: original drummer Steve Bowman left and Duritz suffered a widely-reported nervous breakdown; which was not his first. Dealing with the theme of Duritz's unease with new found fame was immediately striking. Actually, for me, the highlight was the song “A Long December,” which was moodier still, but almost a cinematic song that begged to be on some movie-soundtrack … just utterly brilliant. In fact, every time I'm in L.A. I think of this song. Interestingly, actress Courtney Cox appeared in a video of the song; as they both dated at the time. Duritz said of the album, “its a concept album of sorts about trying to pick up the pieces of a family, a social life and a psyche shattered by fame.” Scary ... eh? In July 1997, after nine-months of near-constant touring, Duritz developed nodules on his vocal chords, leading to a number of canceled shows. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment has released a live DVD/CD of a concert from N. Y.’s Town Hall, called August And Everything After-Live At Town Hall that is as brilliant a live performance as I've ever seen. Interestingly, the concert is from September 2007, so, it is somewhat dated, but still as powerful as any I've ever seen. The band, and Duritz in particular, are so exacting in their performance that it's a bit overwhelming. One track, “Rain King,” is delivered in such an emotional way that it immediately jumps to my favorite-CC- track. Oddly, the song is from their first album, which somehow I had missed. A gem for sure.
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COUNTING ON DURITZ --- Has there ever been a more misunderstood band than Counting Crows? Their debut album, released in late 1993, August And Everything After, went on to sell over seven million copies in America and immediately certified them as one of the country's premiere bands. Certainly the inclusion of the song “Mr. Jones” helped; as it was a composition worthy of Dylan himself: complex, moody, atmospheric … it had everything a true music fan wanted in a song. Simply brilliant! The band itself evidenced the best elements of everyone from Van Morrison, R.E.M., Nirvana, The Band, and Zimmy himself. Scanning the many reviews of the album now; it appears that the album moved many … one calling it “the most emotionally charged album I have ever heard.” They also received a 2004 Oscar nomination for the song "Accidentally in Love," from Shrek 2. The band went onto selling almost 20 million records worldwide … and, then kind of went into a tailspin. After touring heavily and appearing on everything from Saturday Night Live to David Letterman, success took a toll on the band: original drummer Steve Bowman left and Duritz suffered a widely-reported nervous breakdown; which was not his first. Dealing with the theme of Duritz's unease with new found fame was immediately striking. Actually, for me, the highlight was the song “A Long December,” which was moodier still, but almost a cinematic song that begged to be on some movie-soundtrack … just utterly brilliant. In fact, every time I'm in L.A. I think of this song. Interestingly, actress Courtney Cox appeared in a video of the song; as they both dated at the time. Duritz said of the album, “its a concept album of sorts about trying to pick up the pieces of a family, a social life and a psyche shattered by fame.” Scary ... eh? In July 1997, after nine-months of near-constant touring, Duritz developed nodules on his vocal chords, leading to a number of canceled shows. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment has released a live DVD/CD of a concert from N. Y.’s Town Hall, called August And Everything After-Live At Town Hall that is as brilliant a live performance as I've ever seen. Interestingly, the concert is from September 2007, so, it is somewhat dated, but still as powerful as any I've ever seen. The band, and Duritz in particular, are so exacting in their performance that it's a bit overwhelming. One track, “Rain King,” is delivered in such an emotional way that it immediately jumps to my favorite-CC- track. Oddly, the song is from their first album, which somehow I had missed. A gem for sure.
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Lenny Kravitz
LET LOVE RULE --- I'll never forget a night in 1990, when I was at NY's Beacon Theater during some music event; I was backstage for one reason or another and heard the audience just go-crazy. I'd never heard anything like it before, so naturally I ventured out … and, found it was Lenny Kravitz performing on stage … singing his “Let love Rule.” Ultimately, it wasn't the biggest ovation I'd ever heard … but, it was big. The song eventually reached #61 on the pop charts, selling over 2 million copies and most importantly catapulted the artist to rock-god status. He appeared this morning on the Today Show and was just brilliant. He performed The Guess Who's song “American Woman” and his new song, “Stand,” off his brand new CD Black And White America. Truly, one of the greats. I look forward to hearing his new album.
Photos By: Sara De Boer/Kirkland/Retna
Photos By: Sara De Boer/Kirkland/Retna
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