Smed’s Music Club

Next week, I PROMISE!

Sorry, been busy but wanted to send my condolences on the death of Alex Chilton.

Some vids:

Title: Hey, Hey Helen

Artist: ABBA

Album: ABBA

Year Released: 1975

What It Is: A surprising hard rockin’ track from the Swedish hit-meisters. This wasn’t a hit, but was a crowd favorite, I suppose. At first, it really sounded a bit like it would be a Gary Glitter stomper. Anyway, it’s nice to hear an ABBA song that wasn’t played to death either during it’s time, or in all of the tributes, etc.

Riffage / Hookage: Well, you know it has a hook, since it’s ABBA. But it’s surprisingly riff-a-licious too! And it’s also kinda funky in the middle.

Cowbell?: Nah, but heavy drums, man.

Words Of Wisdom: “So at last you’re free
It’s the way you wanted it to be
And the price you pay
To become a woman of today
Is it worth the pain to see the children cry
Does it hurt when they ask for Daddy “

Well, maybe that’s why it’s not on stuff like Mamma Mia, eh?

Mixology Report: Oh, yeah, because people will be a bit surprised at hearing the heaviness.

Top Five Genius Results: Olivia Newton-John – If Not For You
Albert Hammond – The Free Electric Band
Carpenters – Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft
ELO – Yours Truly, 2095
Bee Gees – Spicks & Specks

For The Good Of The Order: ABBA will be inducted into the rock-and-roll HOF, but there will be no reunion. Agnetha doesn’t like to fly, and Bjorn has some family thing-deal-bit, so Benny and Anni-Frid will be there.

Here’s a vid from Don Kirchner’s Rock Concert. Yeah, they’re miming. Oh, well…

Title: The Great Deceiver

Artist: King Crimson

Album: Starless & Bible Black

Year Released: 1974

What It Is: A burst of jazz-prog rock with weird lyrics. The playing is expert on all accounts, and yes John Wetton does play those tricky bass parts and sing at the same time.

Riffage / Hookage: Robert Fripp is always good for a strong riff. He’s an exceptionally powerful guitarist. It’s a shame metalloids don’t give him his due. Perhaps it’s because most Crimson songs change tempos and styles at the drop of a hat.

Cowbell?: I’m sure Bill Bruford hits it once or twice. He hits EVERYTHING ELSE in his kit, it seems.

Words Of Wisdom: “Cigarettes, Ice Cream, Figurines Of The Virgin Mary.”

Mixology Report: Mix with care. The opening lyric is “Health Food Faggot”, but that’s British slang (well slang in 1974) for a veggie meatball.

Top Five Genius Results: Yes – The Gates Of Delirium
ELP – The Barbarian
Genesis – Can-Utility & the Coastliner
Van Der Graaf Generator – Man Erg
Gentle Giant – Black Cat

For The Good Of The Order: I think some incarnation of King Crimson going on right now, gigging periodically. Fripp is so mercurial though, it’s hard to tell what’s next with him.

Here’s a recording of a live version from “The Great Deceiver” 4-cd set. David Cross quit Crimson because he was often drowned out by Wetton and Bruford. Fripp complained about this as well, and rather much shut down during the “Red” album, which was the last Crimson record for many years.

Title: Person – Person

Artist: Joe “King” Carrasco & The Crowns

Album: Synapse Gap (Mundo Total)

Year Released: 1982

What It Is: A hella fun Tex-Mex rock ‘n’ roll song from one of the best party bands ever to come out of Texas.

Riffage / Hookage: Any song with a farfisa is going to have hooks.

Cowbell?: Nah.

Words Of Wisdom: “Herman? He can’t even tie his shoelaces!”

Mixology Report: Always great for a party mix!

Top Five Genius Results: Too much partying for Genius!

For The Good Of The Order: The discography of Joe “King” Carrasco is kind of a mess. Some songs, like “Buena” appear on three different releases with three different recordings. You may remember Joe from “Party Weekend” on MTV, but that song was recorded at least twice.

Here are two vids. The first is the MTV vid that is hilarious even now; gotta love the production value. Not values, value.

The second is from the “Son Of Stiff” tour in 1980 and it shows that the whole intro routine was worked out well before the song hit vinyl.