To wrap up this weeklong discussion of rare diseases, I thought of stretching it a little. "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie-Woogie Flu", for instance. Or I was going to go with alcoholism. The medical community agrees it's a disease, but if half of the Who can have it, it can't really be that rare. At one point, I was just going to list all of the things that are wrong with Ozzy Osbourne.
But I'm going to go the sentimental route and highlight Danny Federici, the recently departed keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He provided the memorable organ part from "Hungry Heart," as well as the accordion solo on "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)." Federici's contributions never stole the show, and they weren't supposed to. The chemistry he shared with pianist Roy Bittan made for a thick, seamless sound, full of virtuosity but not its usual ego. Their partnership was not unlike the one enjoyed by The Band's Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel. (Manuel was an alcoholic, but we've already decided that doesn't count towards the theme.)
Thom Zimny's documentary Wings for Wheels: The Making of 'Born to Run' fascinatingly deconstructs that album's title track to show the dozens of layers that make up the song. Federici's glockenspiel part, which sounds odd out of context, fits perfectly into the Phil Spectorish blend of raucous noise "Born to Run" became. It's a unique touch you'd never notice, but you'd miss if it weren't there.
Federici died on April 17 from melanoma. My friend Jeff, a Springsteen fanatic, could tell you exactly which songs feature which Federici licks and what he was thinking while he played them. But it's more fun if we all listen and find out for ourselves.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
AVAILABLE ON: The River; iTunes
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
RARE DISEASES: Heart of Gold; Immune System Leaves Something to Be Desired
Today's post is a little more cheerful than the others so far this week, if only because its subject isn't dead. Yet.
Neil Young is an artist of such creative resilience, it's surprising to learn how many times he's come close to death, and not for the usual rock star reasons. As a child, Young was diagnosed with diabetes. Then he survived polio. Years later, pushing 60, Young suffered a brain aneurysm, which was corrected with two surgeries (the first one didn't take). All of this, and he's breathed the same air as David Crosby for four decades. How is he still able to stand under his own power?
The rest of Young's family hasn't gotten away unscathed. His father, Scott, who was sort of the Ron Burgundy of Toronto, suffered senile dementia. Young also has two sons with cerebral palsy.
Did I promise this post would be more upbeat? Then I should mention Young's remarkable work with the Bridge School. For over twenty years, Young has invited his rock star friends to perform with him to raise money for special needs education. The concert is held every year and is typically an eclectic affair. Last year's show featured Metallica, Tom Waits, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
I've made it this far, and haven't talked about Young's music. You may think Young's voice sounds like somebody rubbing two cats together, but I don't care. Try and find someone else to sing "Old Man" with the same pathos and dark intensity. You can't.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Cowgirl in the Sand" (live acoustic), by Neil Young
AVAILABLE ON: Live at Massey Hall 1971; iTunes
Neil Young is an artist of such creative resilience, it's surprising to learn how many times he's come close to death, and not for the usual rock star reasons. As a child, Young was diagnosed with diabetes. Then he survived polio. Years later, pushing 60, Young suffered a brain aneurysm, which was corrected with two surgeries (the first one didn't take). All of this, and he's breathed the same air as David Crosby for four decades. How is he still able to stand under his own power?
The rest of Young's family hasn't gotten away unscathed. His father, Scott, who was sort of the Ron Burgundy of Toronto, suffered senile dementia. Young also has two sons with cerebral palsy.
Did I promise this post would be more upbeat? Then I should mention Young's remarkable work with the Bridge School. For over twenty years, Young has invited his rock star friends to perform with him to raise money for special needs education. The concert is held every year and is typically an eclectic affair. Last year's show featured Metallica, Tom Waits, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
I've made it this far, and haven't talked about Young's music. You may think Young's voice sounds like somebody rubbing two cats together, but I don't care. Try and find someone else to sing "Old Man" with the same pathos and dark intensity. You can't.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Cowgirl in the Sand" (live acoustic), by Neil Young
AVAILABLE ON: Live at Massey Hall 1971; iTunes
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
RARE DISEASES: I'm Sure Marvin Was a Complete Gentleman
Earlier today, I came across a photo of Motown legend Tammi Terrell labeled, "Tammi Terrell in her early years." Terrell died at 24. I would argue they were all early years.
Terrell is best known for her magnificent duets with Marvin Gaye, who, apparently, liked women. Her voice, sweet but powerful, brought out the best in her famously randy partner. Her death rattled him so much that he went into seclusion for over a year, emerging finally with What's Going On.
No amount of cheesy movie soundtrack appearances (or wretched Diana Ross covers) can dull the thrill of hearing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." That song, along with "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," seems to enforce the theory that the worse the grammar, the better the tune.
Terrell might have had a great career outside of her partnership with Gaye. She just ran out of time. She died of a malignant brain tumor, leaving behind a few solo recordings and three albums with Gaye. Her early years were very productive.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "You Ain't Living Until You're Loving," by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
AVAILABLE ON: 20th Century Masters: The Best of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell; iTunes
Terrell is best known for her magnificent duets with Marvin Gaye, who, apparently, liked women. Her voice, sweet but powerful, brought out the best in her famously randy partner. Her death rattled him so much that he went into seclusion for over a year, emerging finally with What's Going On.
No amount of cheesy movie soundtrack appearances (or wretched Diana Ross covers) can dull the thrill of hearing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." That song, along with "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," seems to enforce the theory that the worse the grammar, the better the tune.
Terrell might have had a great career outside of her partnership with Gaye. She just ran out of time. She died of a malignant brain tumor, leaving behind a few solo recordings and three albums with Gaye. Her early years were very productive.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "You Ain't Living Until You're Loving," by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
AVAILABLE ON: 20th Century Masters: The Best of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell; iTunes
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
RARE DISEASES: Now He Can Do Those Things in Denver
It's amazing Warren Zevon lived as long as he did. Not just because of the substance abuse problems, but the man also loved to tempt fate. Songs like "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" and "My Ride's Here," about a hearse, encourage even the listener to knock on wood. He also had a lot of guns and hung out with Hunter S. Thompson. Death finally told him to knock it off and took Warren at the age of 56.
Like fellow ironist Randy Newman, Zevon is often praised for his wry, sardonic writing. "Werewolves of London" isn't the work of a man who takes anything too seriously. But like Newman, Zevon's tender side is underappreciated. Though he may sound like he's joking, I believe Warren shows some real sympathy for his subject (Marilyn Monroe) in "The French Inhaler." "Mutineer" and "Accidentally Like a Martyr" also show a serious, mature writer, incapable of cliches but full of genuine emotion.
Zevon died of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer, in 2003. "I may have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years," he told David Letterman shortly before he succumbed. Characteristically, he balanced out the wisecracks by writing "Keep Me in Your Heart," one of his most heart-wrenching songs. There was plenty of tenderness left on the block.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Keep Me in Your Heart" by Warren Zevon
AVAILABLE ON: The Wind; iTunes
Like fellow ironist Randy Newman, Zevon is often praised for his wry, sardonic writing. "Werewolves of London" isn't the work of a man who takes anything too seriously. But like Newman, Zevon's tender side is underappreciated. Though he may sound like he's joking, I believe Warren shows some real sympathy for his subject (Marilyn Monroe) in "The French Inhaler." "Mutineer" and "Accidentally Like a Martyr" also show a serious, mature writer, incapable of cliches but full of genuine emotion.
Zevon died of mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer, in 2003. "I may have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years," he told David Letterman shortly before he succumbed. Characteristically, he balanced out the wisecracks by writing "Keep Me in Your Heart," one of his most heart-wrenching songs. There was plenty of tenderness left on the block.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Keep Me in Your Heart" by Warren Zevon
AVAILABLE ON: The Wind; iTunes
Monday, April 21, 2008
RARE DISEASES: When He Was Stronger
This week, for sheerly morbid reasons, we will be celebrating rare diseases in rock and roll. Whether musicians fell victim, or just waxed poetic, we'll explore the role of these afflictions in some of our favorite music.
At the end of Wes Anderson's film Rushmore, Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) hands a record to a party DJ in the hopes it will liven things up. The record is "Ooh La La" by one of Britain's most influential bands, Faces.
Originally called the Small Faces (they had to change their name when they finally added a member over 5'8"), the rowdy Brits scored a number of successful singles, including the Oasis-inspiring "Stay With Me" and "Cindy Incidentally." Faces launched the careers of lead singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood, who later became the youngest Rolling Stone, which is sort of like being the world's prettiest warthog. Rounding out the lineup were Ian McLagen on keyboards, Kenney Jones on drums, and Ronnie Lane on bass.
Lane was the elfin heart and soul of the band. His most enduring contribution is as co-writer (with Wood) of "Ooh La La." Though I like Wood's ragged, Dylanesque take on the song, Lane's post-Faces rendition gives it the right amount of sweet wistfulness.
Lane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977. He moved to Texas, where he continued to perform almost until his death in 1997. The following year, young Max Fischer brought his music back to cinematic life.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Ooh La La" by Faces
AVAILABLE ON: Ooh La La; iTunes
At the end of Wes Anderson's film Rushmore, Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) hands a record to a party DJ in the hopes it will liven things up. The record is "Ooh La La" by one of Britain's most influential bands, Faces.
Originally called the Small Faces (they had to change their name when they finally added a member over 5'8"), the rowdy Brits scored a number of successful singles, including the Oasis-inspiring "Stay With Me" and "Cindy Incidentally." Faces launched the careers of lead singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood, who later became the youngest Rolling Stone, which is sort of like being the world's prettiest warthog. Rounding out the lineup were Ian McLagen on keyboards, Kenney Jones on drums, and Ronnie Lane on bass.
Lane was the elfin heart and soul of the band. His most enduring contribution is as co-writer (with Wood) of "Ooh La La." Though I like Wood's ragged, Dylanesque take on the song, Lane's post-Faces rendition gives it the right amount of sweet wistfulness.
Lane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977. He moved to Texas, where he continued to perform almost until his death in 1997. The following year, young Max Fischer brought his music back to cinematic life.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Ooh La La" by Faces
AVAILABLE ON: Ooh La La; iTunes
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