Eric Clapton Autobiography – A Review
Nov 17, 2011 Reviews
I should point out before I begin that I am not EC’s biggest fan – I have never forgiven him for 461 Ocean Bvd.
Having got that off my chest I must say that I enjoyed this book. It is well written with lots of insights and honesty (as far as anyone can tell). He acknowledges his arrogance and failings though he becomes a bit self serving towards the end of his book. All in all, however, it comes across as an honest account of his life.
The account of his upbringing seems so removed from the experience of today’s youth, it is even removed from those of us born just 10 years later than him. The privations of the post war years, the birth of skiffle, the part played by the old jazzers in introducing the Blues to these shores are covered. That EC became fixated with the blues resonated with me. I remember the effect of listening to Muddy, Howlin’ Wolf etc. for the first time and understand what that would mean to a socially inadequate, but talented youngster.
The lost years, fogged by various addictions, are covered openly. EC makes no excuses. The one question that I have is how much of the past can he really remember, but then I asked myself that when ready Life by Keith Richard.
Worth buying? I would say yes. You will not get a track by track explanation of the albums as you sometimes find in other biographies. What you do get is a worthy attempt to put his life into context. Motives and feelings are the name of the game here. It is an exceptional book because it is so personal. The flaws and mistakes are addressed (though I would have liked a bit more about the Birmingham racist comments). This is a man who was known to be a bastard to his family and friends, a man who dodged his responsibilities for years, a man who took the easy way out and relied on others.
EC started as an exceptional talent who could not live up to other peoples’ expectations. He became a jobbing guitarist, going through the motions. He both believed his own hype and hated the attention that it brought to him. That he survived is a testament to his resilience, that he survived and reclaimed happiness and the ability to play sublime music is a testament to his strength.
I still have not forgiven for 461 but I understand better, I just wish that I had not bought it. This book should be on your Christmas list, you will not be disappointed.
Tags: Blues, classic rock music, cream, eric clapton, eric clapton the autobiography, george harrison, love rock music, real rock, real rock and blues, rock, rock music
Not The Post It Is Supposed To Be!
Nov 8, 2009 Reviews
I was going to write a post about the reissue of Maxinquay by Tricky from 1995. This in itself was a bit of a surprise as I am not into Hip Hop (or whatever the genre is called these days) however, I have kept a bit of a watching (listening) brief on Tricky. For one thing he was born bristol which is where I grew up. Secondly, his music is a bit dark and he comments on social problems.
Anyway I was looking for clips from Maxinquay, which I heartedly recommend by the way, and came across this tremendous clip. It is called Puppy Toy and is from the 2008 album Knowle West Boy (the part of Bristol he was brought up in). It shows how he has developed as a writer and performer.
An interview with Tricky.
This is from Maxinquaye.
In Summary, Maxinqaye is a welcomed reissue, although I am not sure why it went away, however, Knowle West Boy shows what grown up hip hop is all about. And for my friends who deride hip hop as not being ‘real’ music I urge you to get yourself over to Youtube and just wander around the clips of Tricky you will be converted. As Frank Zappa said there is no such thing as bad music (mind you he obviously never listened to Country and Western, or ELO!)
Tags: hip hop, knowle west boy, maxinquaye, real rock and blues, rock and blues, tricky
Review – Really a ‘Must Have’ Reissue – REALLY
Oct 29, 2009 Reviews
We have all read the publicity blurbs about this or that ‘must have ‘ reissue. Generally they are for second rate didn’t-make-it-first-time-may-make-it-this-time-anyway-it-was-gathering-dust-on-the-shelf albums. It is good, very good, to find one reissue of a real my-life-would-not-be-complete-without-it album.
The Feelies were great. They came from New jersey and were called the best underground band in New York by the Village Voice in 1976. The reissue is of their first album released on Stiff Records (always a good sign) in 1980 it is called ‘Crazy Rhythms’. With smart lyrics drawing comparisons with the Velvets and a real rock attitude and energy they were an amalgam of what went before but with their own stamp.
The influences are all there to see. The vocal delivery owes a lot to Lou and the Velvets,as does the uncomplicated drumming, there is something of Patti in there and Iggy. Comparisons to early REM – they were contemporaries after all. I am not saying that they were clones of The Velvet Underground (mind you I have included a great version of ‘What Goes on’ at the end of this review), The Stooges, or a poor man’s REM. They were 100% Feelies.
perhaps oddly REM have quoted The Feelies as a major influence. perhaps if the Feelies released more than one album every 6 years they would be better known…….
This album has been unavailable for over 10 years and so this is a real reissue, not a repackaged ‘remastered’ reissue. One of the essential albums for any collection.
1. Boy With Perpetual Nervousness, The
2. Fa Ce’-La
3. Loveless Love
4. Forces At Work
5. Original Love
6. Everybody’s Got Soemthing To Hide (Except Me And My Monkey)
7. Moscow Nights
8. Raised Eyebrows
9. Crazy Rhythms
Tags: classic rock music, lou reed, new wave, patti smith, rem, review, rock and blues, the feelies, velvet underground
