Three by Mel

I'm not going to talk too much on this one. Mel Brown is a blues artist that always has nice funky moments on his albums. His first album was Chicken Fat. Before that he played guitar on Bill Cosby's "Silver Throat" album. Yes, the cover of "Mel Brown's Fifth" is burned. I didn't do it.

Chicken Fat by Mel Brown from Chicken Fat
Need Love by Mel Brown from Big Foot Country Gal
Good Stuff by Mel Brown from A Fifth of Mel Brown

Gal Costa India

This record just came in the mail from Brazil. It takes a while for records to be shipped from Brazil. I started to get all nervous about being ripped off, but it eventually showed up. This LP is from 1973 just a few years after the Tropicalia movement and just before things got disco-y. Gal, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Ze, Os Mutantes were all making incredible music at that time. The movement also included art, poetry and film. I tried to read Caetano's book about the subject but it was way too academic for me. There was a lot of theory behind the whole movement according to Caetano who along with Gilberto Gil was actually jailed and eventually exiled from Brazil for a while. This Brazilian website is a great place to learn about the Tropicalia movement also.


Presente Cotidiano by Gal Costa from India

Relance by Gal Costa from India

Men With Breasts
Today I did some research on Throbbing Gristle. I read on a music forum that one of the former members, Genesis P-Orridge got breast implants to match his wive's. I became curious and headed over to Wikipedia to find out what the deal was. Not only did I find out that he really did get breast implants, but I learned that he was involved in some pretty controversial type dadaist, fluxist, art in London, hung out with William S. Burroughs, and was accused of being part of a Satanic cult. I also read that one of the most informative pieces written about Throbbing Gristle was done by Re/Search magazine. I then realized that I actually have a copy of that magazine! About three years ago I had picked up the magazine from a pile of junk because it had a picture of William S. Burroughs on it. So, I decided to take a listen to the only Throbbing Gristle album I own, Throbbing Gristle's Greatest Hits: Entertainment Through Pain. A few of the songs have some really cool early drum machine and synth sounds going on. A few of the songs are a bit scary which isn't too surprising because they were known to include imagery from concentration camps and other disturbing sort of things in their live shows. Read more about Throbbing Gristle and Genesis P-Orridge by clicking on the links. And, here is a picture of Genesis with his breasts (not work friendly and a little disturbing).


20 Jazz Funk Greats by Throbbing Gristle from Throbbing Gristle's Greatest Hits

Adrenalin by Throbbing Gristle from Throbbing Gristle's Greatest Hits

What is Punk Rock?

I didn't really start to appreciate punk rock until I was in my late 20's. One of my favorite bands of all times that is classified as punk rock is the Minutemen. My enthusiasm increased ten fold after watching "We Jam Econo" I love the fact that these three didn't even know how to tune their instruments when they first started. Although, they were part of the punk rock scene in L.A. and were on SST records they definitely didn't sound like a typical "punk rock" band which prompted many punks to spit on them during their performances. Their last tour was opening for R.E.M. and I bet they would have probably blown up after that, but unfortunately, D. Boon, the lead singer was tragically killed in a car accident. It's a bit fitting that I'm starting of my blog with a band who's influences included jazz, funk, rock, pop and of course punk. First is a cover of a CCR tune that was obviously recorded live and even though it isn't their song it shows the political convictions the band had. Embarrassingly I've never even heard the original version. The second tune is "Little Man with a Gun in his Hand." which really shows the power they could pull off as a trio. Both of these tunes come from Double Nickels on the Dime which is an amazing double album with over 40 songs.

Don't Look Now by The Minutemen from Double Nickels on the Dime

Little Man with a Gun in his Hand by The Minutemen from Double Nickels on the Dime