I Can't Explain ...

I am a musicologist. Granted, an amateur musicologist ... but a musicologist nevertheless.

Why amateur? Well, if I was a professional musicologist I'd know a lot more about music. As a professional, I like to think I would be teaching somewhere or at least have some sort of music degree. I do not.

Still, I consider myself such. Because I know a lot about music. Artists, bands, members, theory, titles, lyrics, trivia, eras, trends, history.

The thing about music, however, is there's always more to learn, so much more to glean. (Note: Did you see that? That was a proper use of the word "always." See yesterday's post.) In fact, there's so much musical knowledge out there it's impossible to absorb and know all there is about the subject.

Still ... I know a lot. 

Yesterday, though, I came across a couple musical items I did not know, a few exacting details in fact.


I was reading an article about Jimmy Page (member of The Yardbirds, founder and guitarist of Led Zeppelin) when I happened across an item that surprised me. It came out of the blue, as surprise information often does: Page played rhythm guitar on The Who's "I Can't Explain." Now, I knew he had a history of session work but I don't mind admitting I was a bit gobsmacked by the revelation about this particular item of news. If I was a bigger fan of The Who, or had previously delved into more of the history of Page himself, I probably would have known this news a long, long time ago. But the fact I wasn't and didn't gave me a head tilt at the discovery. A nice little nugget of information there. Interestingly, I also noted there is some question as to whether or not Page was actually included playing rhythm guitar on that seminal track when it was eventually released. There was some reluctance on Pete Townshend's (The Who's guitarist) behalf about letting Page's parts be committed to the final recording. (Because I'm more than curious about this little seductive morsel, I'm going to have to delve into it further.)

Immediately, right in the middle of reading the article, I put on "I Can't Explain" and listened intently for a couple spins at the various guitar parts. I couldn't determine for certain if Page's signature style was what I was actually hearing or otherwise. I wouldn't have questioned it at all but the fact it was raised in the article gives me pause.

And then a name came up as I was listening to the track: Yvonne Elliman. Not knowing anything about her, I sought out her history. Apparently, Elliman was quite the popular artist in her own right back in the day, as an original artist and member of Jesus Christ Superstar, first recording and then joining the original stage cast of the production, and later in the 1973 film version. (Note: Her performance in the film led to a Golden Globe nomination.) One of her biggest recorded hits - "If I Can't Have You" - is instantly recognizable from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. (And had I ever seen Jesus Christ Superstar or paid attention to the track listings on Saturday Night Fever I would have known of Elliman.) But it was the little side step I saw about her having her own version of The Who's "I Can't Explain" that drew my attention.

And, of course, I listened to that almost immediately on reading such. And it's not a bad version of the song, so there's that.

The Page article consumed, the ear candy listened to, the historical snacks and trivia firmly tucked away in my noggin, I went on with the rest of my day.

Little did I know "I Can't Explain" would crop up yet again.

At work I often have music playing. I get in moods: A 1950s bevy of hits here, some classical there, various soundtracks, rattle-your-brain rock and roll, oddities, particular artists' catalogs, et cetera. Last evening it was David Bowie. I'd never heard his 1973 cover versions album "Pinups" all the way through, just bits and pieces. So, "Pinups" it was.

Lo and behold, there was "I Can't Explain" for a third time, the sixth track on the album. And, honestly, it was the least attractive of the versions I'd heard that day, not a good piece of work. In fact, its slow pace threatened to put me to sleep on my feet. But I weathered through it because I had committed to doing so.

Now, why this specific The Who track meandered 'round my vicinity this particular Wednesday I don't rightly know. But it wouldn't have surprised me in the least if yet another reference had popped up to close the day out. (It didn't.) Additionally, why I didn't know all that information above - musicologist that I am - just goes to prove my point: There's always more to learn about music. That's a constant.

As to the coincidences well, really, I can't explain ...

Because I'm an all-around nice guy, below I've provided all three versions of "I Can't Explain" for your dining and dancing pleasure. Please enjoy as you see fit.

.......... Ruprecht ( You can't STOP the music ... )

Prince Story

With the surprising and unexpected passing of one of rock and roll's most singular voices, my "Prince" story isn't really mine at all.

It is. But indirectly.

In actuality, it's my son's story. But he's my son so I have the right to write about it.

In early 1991, Sinéad O’Connor released "Nothing Compares 2 U" (originally written by Prince). It made waves when it debuted, the accompanying video saw massive airplay on MTV (Music Television) and was a worldwide #1 hit in many countries. O'connor's video lent a striking take to the music, the majority of it involving nothing more than her bald and powerful portrait singing to the camera. It was polarizing. For me, that was part of its appeal.

And it was for my son as well.

When the video appeared, it didn't matter what he was doing at the time. He dropped his toys. He quit jumping around. He became still, silent as a tomb and was motionlessly transfixed to the television screen, wide-eyed while watching the song play out. I watched him often during these times; he barely seemed to breathe.

Despite the fact he wasn't even two years of age, I don't mind bragging I did a good job of introducing him to all sorts of music to fill his mind and fuel his imagination. Some favorites included BTO ("Takin' Care Of Business"), The Cramps ("Chicken") and a heaping helping of oldies, Bowie and lots and lots of standards.

But it was always "Nothing Compares 2 U" that isolated the child into single-minded focus, no matter how many times the video played on the screen.

To this day, I don't know if he even remembers that. I'm going to have to ask him ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

 

Bowie Podcast, Part 2

That Douglas Arthur ... he's such a card.

When we left Douglas and his Assault Of The 2-Headed Space Mules podcast, he'd cut me off in mid-sentence ... literally:

"... and we're going to stick a pin in it right there, right at that critical moment where we're just about to find out what Michael's favorite album from David Bowie is. What will it be, what will he choose?"

So, for those of you champing at the bit left on that frustrating cliffhanger of a ledge from Part 1 of the 'cast, here you go ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP ) 

It's Been A Year Already ...

It's been over a month since I've posted anything.


In fact, 2015 (last year!) was the latest anything got tossed out there for public consumption. I fleetingly wondered if the blog would continue. (News Flash: There was never any doubt it wouldn't go on and on ... much to the chagrin of many of you out there. Am I right?)

And oh ... is there lots to talk about entering into 2016.

Not the least of which is the abundance of notable deaths to start off the New Year. Of those passings who have made me sit up straight:

• Celine Dion lost her husband Rene Angelil to cancer. (And, right behind him and also to cancer, Dion's brother Daniel.)
• British actor Alan Rickman. The Harry Potter films. Galaxy Quest. Die Hard.
• Richard Libertini. (Law & Order, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Animaniacs and one of my favorites, Awakenings with Robert Dinero and Robin Williams)
• Dan Haggerty of the 70s television show Grizzly Adams.
• David Margulies (no relation to actress Julianna Margulies) of Ghostbusters and The Sopranos fame.
• And just yesterday? The Eagles' co-founder Glenn Frey.

 
And, of course, the one that really hit home for me: David Bowie last Sunday.

When I caught word of Bowie's passing early Monday morning, I was floored. It hit me hard. I was instantly awake and alert when I got the news and immediately jumped out of bed and accessed all the news I could.

I read the articles, listened to the news reports. I devoured the tributes that came flooding in. Bowie's catalog was on continuously throughout the day as I ran my own personal marathon of his output. I was in a funk, overcome by melancholia. As I watched and listened to his 2002 "Live By Request" performance from New York and "Changes" came on, tears gushed down my face uncontrollably. And then again when he began singing "Station To Station." I couldn't help myself.

I thought about posting something but my friend Douglas Arthur beat me to the punch. He contacted a few on-line acquaintances:

"Any of you interested in discussing Bowie for a show?"

Of course he was talking about recording another Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules podcast. 

Yeah ... I was in. 

So, in lieu of continuing to write something gushy, what say you just listen instead?

Recorded this past Saturday evening, Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules host Douglas Arthur, partners in crime Jim Fitzsimons, Brian Curtis and I talk David Bowie ...

 

Please enjoy. 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )