GMVW # 76: "Overcoming Adversity"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 76:  Overcoming Adversity

Song:  I Believe in You by Bob Dylan

Covered Here By: Sinead O’Connor

(Songwriter: Bob Dylan)

June 18, 2009

“Shut up and Sing”:  So declared conservative radio talk-show host Laura Ingraham in the title of her post-911 period-piece book.  The book raged against musicians who spoke their minds on stage during that not-so-long-ago turbulent period in American history.  The most obvious targets were the Dixie Chicks, who supposedly betrayed the trust of some of their fellow country-music loving Americans.  And there were others in Ingraham’s cross hairs, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Kris Kristofferson. 

Springsteen, in particular was an interesting target.  Although not quite at the height of his popularity in 2002, he was still off the charts, so at some level you have to admire Ingraham’s boldness for taking him on.  It was that very popularity, however, that thrust responsibility on the outspoken Springsteen to speak up about where he stood on the big ticket items of the day: War, leadership and other touchy subjects. And since he was a pretty candid interview when times were relatively good, it would have been hypocritical of him not to be so in tougher times. 

Springsteen invariably has had plenty to say, not just between his songs, but in his songs too, which at face value are not always correctly interpreted (case in point: ‘Born in the USA’).  ‘Know thy audience’ is the first rule of thumb for anyone who takes center stage, and Springsteen knew that a fair number attending his shows were there because they had connections and cash, and were interested more in the spectacle and the bragging rights than the music.  Springsteen must have rationalized, “if this is how it’s going to be, then let me be perfectly clear why I’m here singing to you tonight and what I am singing about”.  Not always a good call, but appropriate at that time considering the convergence of musician and circumstance.

“Not fair”, according to Ingraham-like minds.  But what she and her audience neglected to recognize was that rock music has always had a rebellious, anti-establishment core.  There is no separating the music from the message, and if you enjoy listening, depending on your world view you may on occasion be forced to absorb that fact against your will.  ** On the flip side, I realize that on the rare occasion I want to listen to sports-talk radio after a World Series or Super Bowl win, the core audience of some shows are dominated by a different mind set, and I have to listen to the political viewpoints of Fred Smerlas, Gerry Callahan and others to get my Sox/Pats victory fix.  It goes with the territory.  **

Now this forum has never been about tossing vitriol, even if it’s a return volley, and I’m not about to start now.  So why lead off with this rant?  Well, the theme for this week’s Gem centers on musicians who have created and faced adversity, and as I zeroed in on the musicians I wanted to write about, the memory of that book came up.  Turned out to be a good intro, but I can’t dwell on it…. there’s more important business to attend to. 

Stirring the pot in general stems from bravery, foolhardiness, or both, but the results are usually the same:  Backlash.  Rebellion in music can be a luxury when you are surrounded by like minds, but when the tides turn, and you find yourself in the minority, or facing a hostile audience, how you deal with the adversity (and indeed your very willingness to take it on in the first place), can build character and open new avenues.  It can also tear you down, at least in the short term.  Very few musicians (or people in general) are willing to do this. I’ve always been intrigued by the few who have.  In the broader historical context, that short list would include folks like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, William Wallace, Martin Luther King, and Charles Darwin.  Several musicians who immediately came to mind were the aforementioned Kristofferson (rock rebellion in conservative strongholds does not always click) and Cat Stevens (neither does jihad), but the two I can most knowledgeably discuss are John Lennon and Bob Dylan.  I’ll start with Lennon, since Dylan is the lead into this weeks Gem. 

Few have taken a greater leap of faith than John Lennon did in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  Lennon had it made in all walks of life, but abandoned it all in search of his version of truth, which centered on his relationship with Yoko Ono.  An early sign of his self imposed exile from mainstream society was when he returned his British MBE award to Queen Elizabeth with the note, “Your majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against my single ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down in the charts” (though leaving much behind, Lennon’s wit remained intact).  Over the next few years he would:

•              Move to Greenwich Village to live among the counter culture

•              Pose nude with Yoko on the cover of their ‘2 Virgins’ album

•              Host ‘Bed-ins’ and ‘Bag-ins’ to protest war, facing ridicule in the process

•              Fund large bulletin board advertisements declaring ‘Give Peace a Chance’

•              Practice unorthodox ‘Primal Scream Therapy’ as an antidote for losing his mother at a young age

•              Write a slew of raw, no-holds-barred, non-conformist songs on his first two solo albums 

Lennon’s actions lead to FBI bugging of his phone lines, and they almost lead to his deportation:  Quite a departure from the mop-top grand entrance he made into the USA in 1963.  Looking back on some of his interviews during these days (easily tracked down on YouTube), it all seems somewhat comical and borderline absurd.  But it was very serious to Lennon at the time, and although he comes across awkward and occasionally 'out there', he would emerge from that period of adversity a stronger person, making his murder a few years later a very hard pill to swallow.  “What could have been?” has been a question on many minds since December, 1980.

And then there’s Bob Dylan.  Dylan has always been on the edge of controversy, but three periods in his career stand out as being particularly adverse.  The first was when he ‘went electric’ in the mid 60’s, and faced the wrath of his original folk-music loving audience.  On his first electric tour with The Band, he faced far more jeers than cheers.  I believe his recent resurgence of four fantastic albums in a row is another period, as he had been written off by many as well past his prime, and once again proved them wrong. 

Tucked roughly in the middle was a late 70’s stretch of 3 albums, ‘Slow Train Coming’, ‘Saved’, and ‘Shot of Love’, which all emphasized Dylan’s Christian conversion to the teachings of Jesus (speak of someone who faced adversity!).  These records are as good as anything in his lengthy catalog, but because they were what rock critics considered a departure from form, the albums were marginalized at the time of their release.  Recently, I’ve been listening again to ‘Slow Train Coming’ after years of neglect (way back when, it contributed to my faith, even more so than most music).  The first rekindled memory I had as I listened again was that the album title is apropos: This music sneaks up on you.  As far as adversity goes, this comes through in the posted lyrics to this week’s Gem, ‘I Believe in You’ which is a song off that album, and is covered in the video by, of all people….. Sinead O’Connor, a name synonymous with adversity.  I did not plan this, but her cover was far and away the best version of this song that I could find (the song was a toss-up with the 2nd url link below, 'Every Grain of Sand', as one which I wanted to Gem stamp this week, but there was no good live footage of that song). 

‘I Believe in You’ is the song O’Connor was supposed to perform at the Dylan 30th Anniversary show in 1992.  She walked on stage to a chorus of boos.   Some in attendance that evening were reacting negatively to her Saturday Night Live performance weeks before during which she burned a picture of the Pope in anger to the lack of acknowledgement Rome was giving at the time to clergy sexual abuse (just then being uncovered but not yet receiving widespread attention).  Booker T futilely tried to jump-start her singing by playing the opening piano notes to the rehearsed song as she stared down boo-birds in the crowd.  She finally cut off Booker T, abandoned the song and sang (a better word might be yelled) a solo a cappella version of Bob Marley’s ‘War’ (the only non-Dylan song performed that evening, albeit unscripted).  Anyhow, years later (1999) she finally performed ‘I Believe in You’ at an animal-rights benefit show in honor of the then recently deceased Linda McCartney (this is the Gem video). 

I’d like to think Pope John Paul II could find empathy for Sinead O’Connor… they were both, after all, admirers of the same musician: Bob Dylan (The pope invited Dylan to the 1997 World Eucharistic Congress in Bologna, Italy, where Dylan performed several songs), and although troubled, she was still (in the words of Van Morrison) ‘seeking higher ground’.

Following ‘I Believe in You’ is a bootleg version of the previously mentioned ‘Every Grain of Sand’ off the 3rd album of that Dylan trilogy, 'Shot of Love'.  I like this version even better than the one that made the album (even with the barking dog in the background).  Below that link are the words to ‘I Believe in You’.  Dylan’s Gem of a song could also have been subtitled: “Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness sake, for they shall see the kingdom of heaven”, but I think that line’s already been used somewhere.

Adversity….it’s something most of us try to avoid, but often the rewards for facing it square in the face can be worth it…eventually.

- Pete

Gem Music Video ‘I Believe in You’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9dG9_aUo4

‘Every Grain of Sand’ still shot link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3dKqm-XPj0

‘I Believe in You’ lyrics

They ask me how I feel

And if my love is real

And how I know I'll make it through

And they, they look at me and frown

They'd like to drive me from this town

They don't want me around

'Cause I believe in you.

They show me to the door

They say don't come back no more

'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to

And I, I walk out on my own

A thousand miles from home

But I don't feel alone

'Cause I believe in you.

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter

I believe in you even though we be apart

I believe in you even on the morning after

Oh, when the dawn is nearing

Oh, when the night is disappearing

Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart.

Don't let me drift too far

Keep me where you are

Where I will always be renewed

And that which you've given me today

Is worth more than I could pay

And no matter what they say

I believe in you.

I believe in you when winter turn to summer

I believe in you when white turn to black

I believe in you even though I be outnumbered

Oh, though the earth may shake me

Oh, though my friends forsake me

Oh, even that couldn't make me go back.

Don't let me change my heart

Keep me set apart

From all the plans they do pursue

And I, I don't mind the pain

Don't mind the driving rain

I know I will sustain

'Cause I believe in you.

About the Video: From the Linda McCartney tribute show

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Dad

PETE,  DON'T EVER CHANGE !

LOVE, DAD

And Jack:

Very good one Pete.  I didn't really consider the counterculture aspect of this.  If people are going to attend these concerts, they should at least have a pulse on what the singer's passions are...and EXPECT there to be some sort of dialog.  You go to an Amy Grant concert (in the 80s), you were going to hear about Jesus Christ.  I went to see McCartney at Sullivan I think back in 1990, (you were probably there too) :-), and much of his new stuff was for the green cause.  Of course I think the audience wanted to hear the old stuff...and they got plenty of that too!

The only two editorial comments I would make are the following....

1, The Dixie Chicks.  This was egregious for two reasons.  First, it was counter to their audience (Southern Country/Southern Rock crowd), and like you said Know thy Audience!  I don't really know the Dixie Chicks, but what triggered that off wasn't so much that the DCs denounced our actions in Iraq, but more that they did this in France of all places.   That just exacerbated the whole thing.  Personally, I could care less but there you have it. 

2. The dirty little secret about John Lennon.  Loved the guy...still listen to him from time to time.  He was a genius and definitely a man of conviction.  However, he once bragged that he took over 3000 acid trips.  If this is true, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, my guess is he would have died not too long after...if for anything because of the tremendous strain that sort of activity puts on the mind and body. 

Just a couple of observations is all....hope all's well with you and the fam!!

-Jack

GMVW # 75: "Northern Exposure"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 75:  Northern Exposure

Song:  50 Mission Cap by The Tragically Hip

(Songwriter: Gordie Downie)

June 11, 2009

A second Gem has been found via album recommendations.  This one comes courtesy of good buddy Steve Vance.  Steve recommended the album ‘Fully Completely’ by Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip.  The band was not listed in my priority list (in the write-up for Gem #58), but Steve’s talking points were convincing, and so I struck off in pursuit of the cd.  The quest proved to be harder than I had expected.  Traveling for work during the search, I frequented (or called) numerous new and used record stores in Washington D.C., Little Rock Arkansas, and Baltimore Maryland, finally tracking the cd down much closer to home, in Manchester New Hampshire.  It was worth the effort.

One reason for my difficulty in finding this record was that I was searching in the States.  Of the many great bands that have emerged out of Canada over the past 50 years, The Tragically Hip are about as ‘provincial’ as they get.  It is highly likely that a significant portion of their loyal following: 1) are able to name the Canadian Prime Minister and his party affiliation; 2) have an original (pre-USA release) game board of Trivial Pursuit in their closets; and 3) can explain the rules in curling.  They can also tell you who scored the winning goal in the 1972 Canada/Soviet Union Summit Series.  At first listen, ‘The Hip’ reminded me of the Australian band Midnight Oil….must be a Commonwealth thing.  Yet many of the songs on the album ‘Fully Completely’ are Canuck centric:  The use of ‘Pigeon Cameras’ during WW I, a false-accusation murder mystery in Saskatchewan in 1969 (‘Wheat Kings’) and the story behind this week’s Gem… but I’ll save the unveiling of that one for just a bit longer. 

Steve recommending an album as distinctly Canadian as this one opened the flood gates for me in terms of this write up, partly because, in all sincerity and admiration, Steve is as Canadian as anyone I’ve ever met.  My insight into what makes a Canadian ‘Canadian’ had faded a bit over the years, but recently I’ve had the pleasure of traveling a handful of times to Canada for work and upon reconnecting with the citizenry, I was brought back to old familiar and subtle perceptions of a culture that is very much distinguished from that here in the USA. I’m not going to even try to define it:  The German word for this type of familiarity is ‘Gestalt’, and I will leave it at that.  However, I’ll share a few thoughts here of my own personal experiences with our neighbors in the ‘Great White North’ (several of whom may be reading this), which will hopefully flesh out a few uniquely Canadian superlatives.

For me and other family members, visions of all things Canadian started with my maternal grandfather, Emmet Smith.  Grampy (also known as Gumpa by a majority of his 59 grandchildren) immigrated to the States from Prince Edward Island in the 1920’s.  He brought with him his down-to-earth, peaceful nature that radiated its way down the family tree:  Cousins Jack and Tom have the same easy-going personalities.  Grampy also brought his love of Canada and PEI here with him, and he often reflected on his native land in stories to us.  The stories had an undertone of hardship, but they were told in a most faith filled manner giving PEI an almost mythical aura as he spun his yarns.   

When Dana Carvey did his character, ‘Grumpy Old Man’, on Saturday Night Live, I was reminded of my grandfather.  Not because of the crankiness of the character, but because of the stories, which, for Carvey’s character, all started with “When I was a boy…..”.  He would then go on to tell of some outrageous walking distance to school or how his family survived hard winters, and he would finish with the line “And we liked it!”  The Grumpy Old Man’s exaggerations were the reality of my grandfather’s young life in Tracadie, PEI, which likely contributed to his well-grounded and faith centered lifestyle. 

Dad’s side of the family tree is also rooted in Maritime Canada.  A town in New Brunswick, Hillsborough, boasts ‘The Steeves Museum’, which Nancy and I have visited with the kids.  A great, great, great Uncle, William Steeves, was actually one of five New Brunswick delegates at the original Canadian Confederation Conference in Charlottetown, PEI in 1864, (an historic gathering which is brought to life at the Confederation Museum in Charlottetown > worth a visit if you are ever in the area).  So, in Canada, instead of “signing your John Hancock”, the saying goes “sign your William Steeves”….. ok, a bit of wishful thinking there. 

A number of family summer vacations during my teen years were to Canada, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.  It was during these trips that I started to make my own Canada connections, which ultimately led to a 1982 college exchange program excursion to Carleton University in Ottawa.  Steve, a suite mate, was the first person I met.  He took me under his wings and showed me the ropes (literally, in the case of the orientation-week tug-o-war over the Rideau Canal).  In no time, Carleton, the Canal, Parliament Hill, Hull, and the Market Place became friendly territory.   More importantly, Steve connected me with his friends, who became my friends.  I could write a dissertation on how that all panned out, but will leave that to the historians (actually, I’ve already hit on a few stories in past gems and plan on doing so in future ones).

Tucked in the midst of all this has been a reliable seasonal reminder of all things Canadian: The NHL.  Though less so now, the NHL has always been top heavy with Canadian talent.  This was particularly the case when I was young and fascinated with the Big Bad Bruins in the early 70’s.  Every single member of the Bruins ’70 and ’72 Stanley Cup winners were from Canada:  Orr, Esposito, Bucyk, Cheevers, Sanderson, McKenzie…. the whole lot of them.  These guys were good, but of equal interest to me was their character.  They knew how to have fun, and you could see it play out on the ice and hear about it in the headlines.  When the Bruins won the Cup in 1970, the story goes that Derek ‘Turk’ Sanderson spotted a cop’s motorcycle parked near the parade route, started it up and cruised the streets of Boston with Pie McKenzie in tow.  When Phil Esposito was in the hospital, Orr and others, disguised in scrubs, snuck into his ward and wheeled him out to a pub down the street where he spent the remainder of the evening on his roller bed in the middle of the pub floor, beer in hand.

More important than the recognition of camaraderie though, these guys were connected with the fans.  In the early 70’s, Fred and I sent chicken-scratch notes to many of the players asking for their autographs and we received responses from every single one of them, including players we admired on other teams like Gump Worsley, Yvon Cournoyer, Ken Dryden, and Pete and Frank Mahovlich.  The players were also humble and classy in their interviews, particularly Bobby Orr, and when I had the chance to meet a player in person (as was the case with Ken Hodge and John McKenzie) I was pleasantly surprised with their authenticity. When I see this humble style in modern hockey players as they get interviewed, occasionally I will look them up for their nationality.  More often than not, they are Canadians. 

Interest of the Bruins in our family goes way back to the Eddie Shore days. Dad’s parents (Jerry and Fred) had season tickets to the Garden and followed the Bruins through good times and bad.  These were the days of the ‘Original Six’ (Toronto, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Montreal).  It’s this era that The Tragically Hip connect us to in this week’s Gem ’50 Mission Cap’.  The title refers to military caps that were given to any Royal Air Force pilot who completed 50 hostile missions.  Although the title is relevant to the songs deeper meaning, the lyrics are more a window into NHL lore and the Toronto Maple Leaf glory days.

The Leafs won the Cup in 1951, on an overtime goal by one of their stars, Bill Barilko.  Barilko then disappeared that summer after a fishing trip in northern Ontario.  His disappearance remained a mystery until the small 2-man plane he was flying in was found crashed in the hinterlands 11 years later (35 miles off course).  The Leafs won the Cup that year (1962) for the first time since his disappearance.  Many Torontonians saw it as far more than coincidence.

Although I’ve had the chance to see passionate fans here in Boston, I realize it is hard to compare to Toronto Maple Leaf fans.  It’s been a while since Toronto won the Cup (1965).  The closest they’ve come since was a run in the ’93 playoffs (arguably the best playoff year in hockey in the past 40 years).  It would be a spectacle to see them win the Cup again (after the Bruins pull it off though!). 

Hopefully, for those who are hockey fans, this is all stirring more interest in tomorrow nights game between an original 6 (Detroit), and an original 12, (Pittsburgh).  It’s a game seven.  Winner gets to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.  It could be a doozy, and a viewing of the Gem should add a bit to the drama.  The lyrics are added below for additional context.  Also, below the Gem is a 2nd url link, that one of the Bruins early 70’s theme song:  ‘Nutrocker’ by ELP.

In closing, I want to thank Steve for his album recommendation and his friendship.  Steve’s love of music has been a connection since I met him.  I’ve also got a request for him.  No one I know has traveled to more locations far and wide in Canada than Steve.  If up to the task, I’m hoping he can reflect on several of the more interesting locales he has visited over the years for us, whether in British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Newfoundland or Thunder Bay Ontario.  I believe Steve’s exploits would put Farley Mowat to shame. 

Several year’s ago, I ran into 2 hikers on a mountain top in Maine who told me they lived in Nova Scotia.  After talking with them for a while I was confused.  They didn’t have that ‘Canadian’ thing going for them, and I asked, a bit skeptically, if they were originally from there.  ‘No’ they replied, they were from the States, and had only lived in Canada for 5 years.  They asked how I knew, as there was no accent to give them away per se.  “I’m not sure”, I replied, “I just know”. 

Perhaps I was making a mental comparison to Steve Vance, with some Emmet Smith, Pat Shea, Luc Polnicky, Ed Suen, Tom Murphy, Bob Mainguy, Joan Blakesley (Ottawa relative) and many other friends and relatives mixed in.  Not to mention Bobby Orr, Neil Young, Robbie Robertson, Alanis Morissette, Mike Myers, Don Cherry and other celeb types who have connected.

Yes, that would explain it.

- Pete

Gem Video ’50 Mission Cap’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tjFuuTCfB8

Bruins 70’s theme song: Nutrocker by Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0vOYwHj30

Lyrics to 50 Mission Cap:

“Bill Barilko disappeared that summer

 He was on a fishing trip

The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the Cup

They didn't win another until 1962 the year he was discovered

I stole this from a hockey card I keep tucked up under

My fifty mission cap I worked it in to look like that”

_________________________________

About the video: A custom video homemade by someone in Canada.  It shows old clips of Bill Barilko and the Toronto Maple Leafs

Video Rating: 1.5 (very nice homemade clips, but there’s room for improvement)

Best Feedback: Steve

Peter;

Thanks for the Gem. We have not seen each other in 13 years and I still love you Man!

If I made an impression on your life almost 27 years ago, think what you've done to mine and so many other people on the email list. You are like the glue that keeps us together. Wouldn't be cool if Peter was the US Ambassador to the UN. I mean Pete how to embrace procrastination!

I don't get into music as much as you do but I know what I like. And wow! is your memory good, those years to me are just a blur! I can't belive you have not heard or cannot find the The Hip.

I'm glad you enjoyed the album. This is my favorite hip song not on that album - New Orleans is Sinking. When they all had big hair. During Katrina radio stations refused to play it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd-x9H6lfMs&feature=related

I don't know what it is to be truly Canadian but I do know that Henderson scored the winning goal in '72 and "How's it going, eh?" is my favorite intro.

I was sorry to see the Bruins lose this year but Sidney Crosby will win his first Stanley of many tomorrow night and wreck havic on the Detroit Machine!

I will try to send you a nice story if I can remember one.

Cheers to Everyone!!

Steve

PS: Since you shined us Canadians so well, I had to pass on the Canadian "Talking to Amercians" Rick Mercer show. For some reason, we find it hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo

PSS:

Here's my page on youtube where I have acouple of videos but plan to add more.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Socialablesteve

GMVW # 74: "Overruling Jools and Jim"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 74:  Overruling Jools and Jim

Song:  Who Are You by The Who

(Songwriter: Pete Townshend)

June 4, 2009

It’s been too long since the last Who Gem (# 43 to be exact), which included my (insert adjective) attempt at a concert review.  This time, I’m going to review a Who album, but where the concert review was of a show performed the week before, this album review is 30 years in the making.  The album is ‘Who Are You’…. and it’s my all-time favorite Who record.

Now, if you were to poll avid Who fans on what their favorite Who album is, most responses would fall into one of three bins:  ‘Who’s Next’, ‘Live at Leeds’ or ‘Quadrophenia’ .  These are certainly seminal albums, making them very hard to best.  But for reasons not fully explored until now, ‘Who Are You’ nudges them out when it comes down to the one Who album I must have on a desert island.  I will try to explain the why, when, where, how, and WHO here. 

First a few related memories, since no album can rank at the top of a favorite list without a listen to it conjuring up highlight-reel moments from the past.  My initial memory of ‘Who Are You’ as an album is listening to it in my Lincoln Mercury Capri (must have been 1980/81) with Mac and Dave in the parking lot down by ‘The Rock’, which was a frequent hangout locale for the old gang (before houses were built there).  The album was being played in its entirety on one of the local radio stations.  As it played through several of the deeper cuts, Mac and Dave, neither of whom tossed praise out lightly, commented on how good it sounded.  They were both more familiar with the album than I at the time, so I just listened to the music and the commentary.  I was impressed on both counts.  Not long after, Joe (coincidentally?) bought me the album.

Another memory, a few years later, was also in a vehicle, this one a van belonging to good friend Luc Polnicky.  By this time I was well indoctrinated into the world of The Who and Who Are You.  Luc chauffeured an afternoon drive through Gatineau Park near Ottawa Canada during one of many memorable trips north of the border.  ‘Who Are You’ was blaring on the sound system as we wound our way through the hills and valleys, drowning out most attempts at conversation.  The van was packed with good friends, including Steve, Bob, Pat, Bec, Mac, and Dave (all who receive these weekly bombasts).  It was a never forgotten snap shot in time for me.

An aside:  For whatever reason, ‘Who Are You’ is a cd I cannot keep track of physically.  Whenever I purchase it, it disappears within months.  I picked up the cd again recently to see if I could rekindle some of those old memories and reconnect with the songs.  It did not take long.  Good thing, as any day now…..

(Postscript: I did indeed lose the cd again!)

So, what is it about ‘Who Are You’ that captures the imagination and has my ranking it so favorably?  This view, after all, is not shared by a majority of the rock critics who have reviewed the album over the years.  Most look at ‘Who Are You’ as The Who on the way down from the pinnacle of earlier success.  To me however, the comparison with past success is at the core of why this is a great album.  The Who were in the enviable position at this point in their history to capitalize on everything they had learned from that success.  All 4 charter band members were still on board (though not for much longer), which by 1978 was virtually unheard of for most 60’s bands.  ‘Who Are You’ in other words, is an album that could only be produced by a band with that kind of experience in tow.  This comes through in the music big time, and I’ve always been amazed most critics have overlooked it. 

In the history of rock music, there have been other bands poised to take advantage of past experiences and success in preparation for a new album.  The difference between the Who and many of these other bands, however, was that the Who had not sold out (despite what the title of their 3rd studio album would declare) to the commercial tug and artistic lethargy that eventually comes with fame and fortune.  They all remained focused on what motivated them from the beginning (the music), allowing the creative process to kick in to higher gear.

The remainder of this album review is broken down by band member, with a focus on what each of them brought to the table in the making of ‘Who Are You’.  Townshend first, followed by Entwistle, Daltrey, and Moon. 

Pete Townshend:

Writing about the Who in the April, 2004 Rolling Stone issue ’50 Greatest Artists of all Time’, Eddie Vedder states “What disturbs me about the Who is the way they smashed through every door of rock & roll, leaving rubble and not much else for the rest of us to lay claim to”.  This was actually a concern of Townshend’s in the making of ‘Who Are You’.  1978 was a period in rock music where the new punk movement was writing off all music that preceded it….that is, all except the music of the Who.  Punks were embracing the Who, and Townshend hated it.  Townshend wanted Punk and other new music genres to write off the Who as well.  He wished to be ‘rendered irrelevant’, believing this was the only way the new music scene could make a name for itself and maybe even rise above what preceded it. 

Townshend was in a dilemma, however.  Although he was ready to fall on his own sword, he continued to be driven by what kept him in the Who all along:  That the music of the band be a reflection of their fan base, a mirror for fans to look at and connect with.  This inner drive required effort and creativity.  Townshend was walking a fine line, and came up with a unique solution to say the least: Write good music but cut it to shreds through the lyrics.  The tortured artist was at it again.

Five of the six songs credited to Townshend on ‘Who Are You’ are about music: ‘New Song’, ‘Music Must Change’, ‘Sister Disco’, ‘Guitar and Pen’ and the title track.  These songs are fascinating because they explore Townshend’s concerns regarding the need for music evolution head on through the lyrics.  In ‘New Song’ (a brilliant song written to Who fans), for example, he writes:

“I write the same old song with a few new lines

 And everybody wants to cheer it

 I write the same old song you heard a few good times

 Admit you really want to hear it”

Several of Townshend’s songs on ‘Who Are You’ ended up too complex for the Who to ever consider performing them live.  My favorite song on the album, ‘Guitar and Pen’ (which is actually about song writing) is the best example of this. It rolls from one phase to another, testing Daltrey’s singing and Townshend’s own phenomenal guitar playing to the hilt.  It is an absolutely brilliant example of how untouchable the Who could be when all the stars were aligned.

John Entwistle:

Each member of the Who ended up the internal fan of the band at various times in its history.  During the making of ‘Who Are You’, it was Entwistle who appeared to play this role. The Ox put in the long hours in the studio, often sticking around well into the evening after everyone else retired for the day. He was ultimately responsible for putting the final touches on the product, a fine polishing that no one else could face, particularly Townshend. 

John Entwistle is credited with writing 3 songs on the album: ‘905’, ‘Trick of the Light’, and ‘Had Enough’.  It was rare for Entwistle, the number 2 songwriter in the band, to get more than one song on a Who album.  But he pulled it off here partly because he allowed Daltrey (as opposed to himself) sing two of them:  ‘Trick of the Light’ and ‘Had Enough’. This gave his songs more cohesion with the rest of the album.  His songs also connected, however, because they were very good.  The lyrics of ‘Had Enough’ reach Townshend-ian proportions, and the song ranks among the best in the entire Who catalog.  Then there is ‘905’, where a passion comes through in Entwistle’s singing that I can’t recall hearing in any of his earlier songs.  Just listen to how he delivers the bridge lines:

“I have a feeling deep inside that something is missing”

 It’s a feeling in my soul and I can’t help wishing

 That one day I’ll discover that we’re living a lie

  And I’ll tell the whole world the reason why”

As always, The Ox’s bass playing on the entire album is superb.  One of the great things about Who music which is incomparable, is that you can listen to one song 4 times and enjoy it in at least 4 different ways, focusing on a different instrument each time.  On ‘Who Are You’ this is particularly the case with ‘Sister Disco’, ‘New Song’, and ‘Had Enough’.  On all 3, the individual instruments (including vocals) shine, and the Ox’s bass playing is beyond textbook:  It’s unparalleled.

One final note about John Entwistle: This was the last Who album where he would put a concerted effort into his backing vocals. One of the hidden gems of Who music was the backing vocals, particularly the low/high vocal range Entwistle was able to cover.  He stepped aside in the 80’s as the Who brought on more backing singers.  It’s a shame this had to happen, as the Townshend/Entwistle backing vocal combination was a powerful one. But its there in all it’s glory on ‘Who Are You’ (although the Who were already using some hired help at this stage).

Roger Daltrey:

Daltrey was always the sober member of the Who, which was needed more than ever during the making of ‘Who Are You’:  Moon, Townshend and Entwistle were all on personal collision courses at the time.  Daltrey would ultimately ride out the storm, but his passion for the band was thoroughly challenged. If a session slipped out of focus and into consumption-centric chaos, ‘Squire’ Daltrey was out the door, heading for the hills in a helicopter to regroup at his British country side manor (which included a man-made trout pond).

Daltrey’s singing on the entire ‘Who Are You’ album is, I believe, his best singing period.  For example, he is somehow able to sound like John Entwistle (at his best) as he sings Entwistle’s ‘Trick of the Light’.  Trick of the vocals is more like it.  On ‘Guitar and Pen’, I love the part where he sneers “And she says that she’d like it ‘with more of a tune’ ”, as he reflects the character of an overly critical mother responding to her sons appeal to how she likes his songwriting (Townshend’s personal childhood playing out there). 

One of the amazing things about Daltrey is related to the fact that he was not as gifted as the others.  However, through his love of the band, he was able to rise to their level.  Pete Townshend is a very gifted singer, and the Who could have been successful as a 3 piece.  Roger Daltrey had to make himself better than Townshend in the singing department.... and he did.  If he ever had to write a resume, though, a 3-word document would suffice: ‘Who Are You’.

Keith Moon:

‘Who Are You’ was Moon’s swan song (overruling the ‘Not to be Taken Away’ declaration written on the chair he sat on for the album cover).  He would die of substance-abuse-related causes only several weeks after the albums release.  One of the biggest issues that rock critics had with ‘Who Are You’ was Moon’s drumming.  I’m not sure what they hear, perhaps there is an over-comparison to earlier Who albums.  What I hear though is ferociously good drumming, which remains uniquely identifiable to Keith Moon (the only drumming I could ever pick out of a crowd if I had to).

It’s well known, that it took the other members of the band a while to help Moon get his legs back under him when they reconvened in the studio to produce ‘Who Are You’ after several years of studio inactivity (Moon had let himself go in the interim). Townshend even reached a point where he had to threaten to replace Moon if he did not get his act together.  Of course, he knew this to be impossible, but Moon left him no options.  He had to find someway to get Keith’s butt in gear. 

As it turned out, only one song, ‘Music Must Change’ (which has a unique beat), ended up out of Moon’s reach.  There is no drumming on this song (if you listen close on a good sound system, you can hear Townshend’s miked and in-time footsteps in lieu of drums).  Other than that, I believe Keith Moon went out with a bang (not a whimper) on ‘Who Are You’.

‘Moon the Loon’ was the Who’s secret weapon.  They were never the same again without him (although the mid-90’s addition of Zak Starkey, Ringo’s son, was an unexpected positive jolt that brought some of the Moon magic back).  As Townshend aptly stated though, after Moon died: “but, we still have his records!”. 

OK, so up till now, I’ve said very little about the title track, which happens to be this week’s Gem Video. The becoming-legendary story behind the song goes that Townshend, who had just received a very handsome royalty check, confronted two members of the punk band ‘The Sex Pisols’ at a nightclub.  He was disgusted they would even be seen in (what Townshend determined) an old-fart rockers nightclub.  He proceeded to yell obscenities at them, then pulled out his royalty check and, standing on a table, ripped it up in front of them, yelling ‘Who Are You, Who Are You’ in the process. 

In the liner notes of the reissued album, Matt Resinicoff (a kindred spirit who gets it) writes “The Who knew that rock can’t peddle easy answers, but it can share the burdens of it’s listeners; remember, there is no question mark in the title of this recording.”

In other words, WHO are you and you are WHO!

The Gem Video is a uniquely great opportunity to see how the Who put a song together in the studio. 

‘Who are You’ was released in the States on the date of my 16th birthday (8/25/78).  Several years later, it was a much needed 2nd wind for me in terms of enjoying Who music.  I was already a year or so into the band’s best known releases (‘Tommy’, ‘Who’s Next’, ‘The Kid’s Are Alright’), but if this was going to continue, the lesser known albums needed to pull through.  They did, with ‘Who Are You’ leading the way.

Beneath the Gem video is a very nicely done cover version of ‘New Song’, done by (what appears to be) a Canadian based band.  It’s rare that I like a cover of a Who song, so I include it here.

- Pete

Gem Music Video: ‘Who Are You’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FZVD5lsAw

‘New Song’ cover band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB9oxOIiVGY

About the Video:  The studio clip from The Kids are Alright movie

Video Rating: 1 (although I would have chosen ‘Guitar and Pen’ if the song was available in video form).

Best Feedback: Tom

Pete, if there's such a thing as your outdoing yourself - you did it for me this week!  I thoroughly enjoyed your write-up, and seriously think you should be a writer for Rolling Stone or such.  I learned even a lot of nuanced facts about the members from this - thanks again.  As much as I enjoy other artists too, no other group gets me feeling swimingly rock crazed as The Who (Teenage Wasteland and Pinball Wizard may be overplayed on FM, but I never get sick of their sound).  Incidentally in the video you cite below - of Who Are You - it sounds like Daltrey is revealing what you said about its true intent, when at the 3:15 minute mark he utter after an emphatic "who are you!" "Clearly" and grins, with Pete nodding back in affirmation.

Cheers Pete, and have a splendid weekend too.

Tom

And: Steve

Good Job Pete. The Who still sends shivers thru me as I sing along to all their songs. I think I'll go buy 'Who Are You' album and crank while I drive to Kelowna, BC next week!

Cheers

Steve