December is the month of the phonograph record. I made that up. But it is. I'll be observing it all month at my mog and I encourage you to observe it with me. For the original post declaring December the month of the phonograph record, click here. Join the conversation!
Years ago my brother and I drove from Minneapolis to NYC to see the Lounge Lizards for four nights in a row at the Knitting Factory.
At one show (there were two a night for four nights), somebody shouted something about the flute.
Lurie's response: "I've always hated the flute...even when Dolphy played it."
At the time, I laughed and I agreed and for years I repeated Lurie's line when the subject of the flute in jazz - or, god save us, rock - came up.
Then one day I was visiting my brother at a house he shared with four other guys. From the room opposite my brother's I heard music.
It was ecstatic music...some sort of celebration. There was flute - there was flute and still it sounded really good. I walked to the door and knocked.
"What is this?"
My brother's roommate handed me the record sleeve...it was Yusef Lateef's 1975 release: 'Ten Years Hence.'
There was something about the song. I was hearing the opening minutes. It sounded like the Lounge Lizards.
That afternoon it was off to the record store (a place called Hymie's I think. Or maybe it was a place called Oarfolkjokeopus. It was to one - and often both - of these that I always turned for the really serious hunts).
Miraculously, I found a copy. I paid eight bucks. More than a decade later, that record finds its way to my turntable more than any other. Often, I only play the first side of the first record of the double-record release.
You can listen to that side at my Multiply page - it's never been released on CD best I can tell. From time to time I still come across the record. It seems to be priced higher each time.
If you find it and it's not priced by thieves...buy it. I've said a lot already, but I'll add this simple endorsement: there is, for me, no better trick for turning a foul mood to a mood that is other-than-foul than to submit myself to the first side of 'Ten Years Hence.'
...and you?
My Trusted MOGs
Oh boy, I can't wait to hear this! Finally some jazz flute that won't make me think of the movie Anchorman. I actually had to reconsider rock flute because of the band Dungen. They have a flute and they know how to use it.
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks for the great subject. As for me...hmmmm. Well, those who know what a huge Springsteen freak I am, will be surprised to learn that my most treasured album is "The Last Waltz" by the Band. That's been my go-to album hands down, whenever I'm trying to think of something to listen to. It brings me back to seeing the movie back in high school.
Did Clapton really "admit defeat" after going head to head with Robbie Robertson? Well, it looked that way to me.
Joni Mitchell sounding like an angel floating somewhere backstage.
Neil Diamond only needing to do ONE song to make his point.
And still to this day, I get chills whenever I hear that rousing ovation about two-thirds through "The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down." The definitive version of that song? To me, definitely...The crowd was so blown away, they couldn't wait til the end of the song to show their appreciation. Wish I could've been there! Well, I guess I was...a thousand times since.
If I can get a turntable into my casket, this is the album I want playing as they lower me into to the ground.
Thanks for letting me relive the memory.
My Trusted MOGs
js, I love the fact that you declared this the month of the vinyl record and the caring, eloquent, and respectful way you talk about LP's. Unfortunately,though, it reminds me of all the vinyl I've had and all the vinyl that I've had to get rid of over the years. There were just too many times I had to leave towns in small cars that could not hold all the records, and eventually after 4 or 5 cross country/island-mainland moves the collection was gone.I just can't bear the thought of trying to compile these records again, so I try to get 'em all back on CD. My prize possessions were: Cymande-Cymande (New London,CT-Salvation Army) Shuggie Otis- Inspiration/Information (Toad Hall in the woods of Wisconsin-The most incredible selection of vinyl I've ever seen) Wild Style Soundtrack (White label promo)- Electric Fetus,Minneapolis) Funkadelic-America Eats Its Young (White Label Promo for $5!)- Oarfolkjokepus,Minneapolis) Gil Scott-Heron- It's Your World (Hi Fi Records,Chicago) and the list goes on and on. Thanks again for all the vinyl posts. Peace in the New Year Cody B
My Trusted MOGs
I love walking into good, unknown music. Big houses filled with record junkies are best places to get hit with new and exciting stuff. Every room seems to holds a new insight.
Speaking of flutes, how about that Roland Kirk fella? Sounds like he's trying to push himself through the instrument.
Speaking of flutes, how many rock bands have pulled off using one? Let's see, there's...ah, Mercury Rev...there's ah...
My Trusted MOGs
There used to be this guy in Dinkytown, Minneapolis who played a flute. He was crazy. And, I believe, styled himself after our man Roland Kirk. He might have even called himself Roland, if memory serves. He screamed through his flute, most memorably in a song called "Castration Blues." On more than one occasion I accompanied this guy (he on flute, me on bongos (!)) on the streets of Minneapolis in an attempt to make some pocket change. I'm sure the music we were making was horrid, as evidenced by the empty pockets we ended up with.