GMVW # 88: "This Machine Kills Fascists"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 88:  This Machine Kills Fascists

Song:  Where  the Streets Have No Name by U2

(Songwriter: Bono)

September 10, 2009

Few historical events in a lifetime are so extraordinary that they induce instant recall when reflected on.  Going back a generation or four, I’m willing to bet there’s a near unanimous ability for Americans of those bygone eras to nail down the time and place they were when they heard the news of Pearl Harbor, VJ Day, and JFK’s assassination. 

Eight years ago, September 11, 2001, most of us had our first encounter with an event of this magnitude.  There was nothing even remotely comparable.  It shattered our sense of reality.  Life has not been quite the same since.

The days and weeks immediately following 9/11 were, to put it mildly, intense.  Everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells.  Little flags decorated most cars in a display of patriotism.  Normally comedic talk show hosts were devoid of humor.  Days seemed dreary and nights felt darker than before.  Despite the efforts of Hollywood types, musicians, and political leaders it appeared nothing could be done to help us recover from what happened.  The country was in universal mourning and on the brink of despair.

At the same time, there was plenty of debate about how to respond to the attacks.  I was driving down Rte 128 later that fateful month, when I spotted a pickup truck with a large handmade banner in the flatbed reading “Kill all Arabs!”.  I looked over at the guy driving the car as I passed him by.  He stared at me as if to say “you got a problem with that?”.  It was a tough pill to swallow:  I was on the same team as this guy?

The experience got me thinking: 9/11 was horrible in so many ways, but as happens with all crises, it brought out either the best or worst in us.  What I really saw in that man was fear, and it was something I saw and heard from others in not so blatant ways over those weeks and months following the tragedy.  I admit to some of it myself.  But fear is a dangerous thing.  It stems from ignorance and often leads to vengeance and hatred.  Yes, there no doubt was a need for justice….but not hatred.  That’s what those who aimed the planes and coordinated the attack had in them.  To react in a similar manner would make us no better.  ** Side note: I once heard it said that the term ‘hate crime’, used by media types is a misnomer.  The suggested replacement:  ‘ignorance crime’.  I concur **

It’s difficult, but not impossible to rise above fear and hatred in such times.  The USA had done it before in its history.  Since the repercussions of 9/11 still linger, I think it’s too soon to tell if we will do it again.  The country is way too polarized today.  Joe McCarthy-like finger pointing and mistrust is standard fodder on our airways.  Hopefully, rational, well meaning, peace loving minds will ultimately prevail.

Healing and unity were a long time coming after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.  The first ray of light for me was a month later, when the ‘Concert for New York’ took place.  Most of the acts were not quite ready for prime time yet, but The Who were.  Their four-song set (one of Entwistle’s last shows) in front of the surviving NY Police and Fire Departments (taking up all of the first 20 or so rows) was exceptional.  The Madison Square Garden crowd reaction was uplifting to those of us who watched on TV.  Once again, the music prevailed.  It seemed the healing had begun, but there was still a long way to go.  Several more months passed, and expectation of a truly uniting moment passed with them. 

This brings me to football. 

Huh? 

Yes, football. 

First I need to rewind.  After a one week hiatus immediately following 9/11, the NFL kicked its schedule back into forward motion.  For New Englanders, the 2001 NFL season was to prove far from business as usual.  The Patriots, with a history more bizarre than the Bad News Bears, were climbing the ladder of success, lead by an amazing coach who ran a team that insisted on being introduced…. as a team.

After a great regular season run and two action packed playoff games (including the unforgettable ‘Snow Bowl’ game against the Raiders and the Troy Brown-dominated AFC Championship game against the Steelers), the Pats found themselves in the unlikeliest of places: The Super Bowl, against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams (“The Greatest Show on Turf”).  The Patriots surprised everyone, dominating most of the game.  The final score was not a true barometer of the lopsided play, with the Pats winning on a last second field goal.  Football’s ugly duckling reigned supreme! (much to the disgust of the powers-that-be).  ‘Team’ and ‘Unity’ were the key themes in this story.

But what was almost as memorable as the game itself (perhaps more memorable for those who were not fans of the Rams or the Pats) was the half-time show.  Most Super Bowl half-time shows up to that point were, for the most part, forgettable, over dramatized events. 

Not this time. 

With the names of the September 11 victims scrolling on a Twin Tower-like screen behind them, U2 performed ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ (this week’s Gem) with all the emotion and passion a band can bring to the stage.  As the song reached its climax, the names listed on the screen collapsed in an eerie but powerful moment of flashback.  The performance was intense, classy, and unifying.  These 4 lads from Ireland hit all the right notes, showing their respect, admiration and solidarity for the United States in 11 short minutes (which included a second song ‘Beautiful Day’).  Strangely enough, an unlikely event (The Super Bowl) and an unlikely group (a band from another country), allowed us to emerge from darkness. At least that’s the way I felt. 

There’s a great old photo of Woody Guthrie with a guitar slung over his shoulder on which are written the words: “This Machine Kills Fascists”…..that’s what U2 pulled off that day.  At the very least, they made democracy a little stronger. “Where the Streets Have No Name” is a song U2 have played at virtually every one of their shows since they penned it.  The song was written at the height of unrest in Northern Ireland, and envisions a Belfast where street signs do not distinguish Catholic streets from Protestant ones.  It’s a song that tries to break down prejudice-centric barriers between people.  Love thy neighbor.

After the Super Bowl, Bob Kraft, the Pats owner, said to the crowd “We are all Patriots here”.  One pundit rhetorically posed the question: “What if the Rams had won?  Would their owner have stated ‘We are all Goats here’?”

I guess even the wonderfully warped American sense of humor started making a comeback around that time too.

The Gem Video link is of U2’s performance at the Super Bowl that year.  The second url link is a ‘Thank You’ of sorts from the NY Police and Fire Departments to The Who at the Kennedy Center Honors last year (if you have not seen this, you have to wait to the end of the song to see what I mean). 

- Pete

Gem Video: U2: ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq08ouOwiqQ

Rob Thomas (and guests) performing ‘Baba O’Riley’ at the Kennedy Center Honors last year.  His performance of 'Baba O'Riley' is the fourth and last of the partial Who songs covered in tribute to The Who, all on this link (I could not find the isolated Thomas cover of 'Baba O'Riley).  The 3rd tribute song was an earlier Gem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1kYYbcmqWw

About the Video: U2 Live at the Super Bowl, Feb, 2002

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Dad

THANK GOD FOR PETER ANDRE STEEVES-PEACEMAKER !

                                DAD

And Steve:

Great write up Pete! Today we pay our respects to those that fell on 9/11. You are right, the world has changed since then.

Take care,

Steve

And Pat (Steeves):

Pete - that was great.  Thank you.

GMVW # 87: "The Strong Silent Type"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 87:  The Strong Silent Type

Song:  Bessie Smith by The Band

(Songwriter: Robbie Robertson)

September 3, 2009

What do Peter Quaife, Frank Sampedro, John Paul Jones, Robbie Krieger, John Entwistle, George Harrison, Garth Hudson, Maureen Tucker, Jaimoe Johanson, Elliot Easton, Peter Buck, Charlie Watts,

Ronnie Lane

, Mickey Hart, and Bill Wyman all have in common?

They are all members of famous bands who preferred to remain anonymous, in the shadows, as far from the spotlight as possible in some cases.  Most of them would likely have been just as content playing in small clubs instead of large concert halls and arenas.  They were/are the ‘quiet’ ones in their respective bands whose primary focus remained the music even as their bankroll and name recognition grew.  Unlike their more (seemingly) talented and famous band mates, they were rarely media savvy enough to toss out a good sound bite, but when they did speak up it was usually insightful and to the point. Most important, those more famous band mates found these reserved partners invaluable to the success of their band. 

I always loved looking into what made these musicians tick; just as much if not more so than the headliners.  Often this was a great way to uncover some rarely known element of how the band became successful.  It was also a good way to understand what motivated people who seemed less enamored by the glow of fame and fortune. 

Early on in my interest in the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman intrigued me the most.  I’m not all that sure why, although I have always rooted for the underdog. It was at least partly because the Stones had 5 members, as opposed to my first band of fascination, the Beatles, and Wyman held up that 5 spot pretty solidly.  In other words, it was not a major drop off like other bands where the lesser knowns are virtually invisible.  Wyman made himself fit without hamming it up for the camera.  He was just a solid and loyal bass player who played a strong music role on stage and in the studio.

The other quiet member of the Stones was (is) Charlie Watts.  Charlie was also dignified and the band loved him for his musicianship.  I never forgot reading about when the Stones were reforming for their ‘Steel Wheels’ album.  The article included an interview with Keith Richards who described pulling into the Rolling Stones studios in Barbados on the first day of sessions and hearing Charlie’s familiar drum beat inside.  He sat for a while and listened. A slow smile crept across his face as he looked at himself in the rear view mirror.  Keith was back in his element, which could not have been possible without Charlie. 

One musician who took this ‘quiet’ role to the extreme was The Band’s old sage, Garth Hudson (he was a few years older than the other members).  Hudson was content parked behind his large Lowrey Organ at the rear of the stage (often well behind Richard Manuel on keyboards) where it would be hard to spot little more than the mop of hair on his head as he waved it along in rhythm to the music he so eloquently teased out of the keys.  Like all the musicians listed above, however, Hudson spoke primarily through his instrument, which in his case reflected the mood and meaning of the Band’s songs as well as whomever was singing (The Band had 3 regular lead singers: Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Levon Helm and occasionally, Robbie Robertson).  He was like the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain, tossing out some brains here, some heart there, and a bit of courage on top.

Of the many anecdotes that impress me about The Band (some of which were discussed for Gem # 19) one in particular was how they stuck with Dylan during his mid-60’s experimental tours when he abandoned his folk roots and went electric.  It took a while for this sound to come together and where once The Band enjoyed cheering crowds, now they were hearing jeers.  Levon Helm could not take it and up and left for a time.  The remaining four members, however, stuck it out.  Of these four the one who impressed me the most was the elder statesman, Garth Hudson.  He was polished and commanded respect in his own right, so he surely had other options.  It must have taken quite a bit of insight for him to perceive where it all was going.

Recently, for the first time in a while, I listened to the masterful Bob Dylan/Band double album ‘The Basement Tapes’.  ‘The Basement Tapes’ was an album released in 1975, a full eight years after many of the songs on it were recorded.  The original intention was never to release these songs, but because so many of them had found their way on to bootleg tapes, the decision was finally made to do something official.  The cover of the album had fun with the hidden-treasure aura that the songs had taken on over the years, showing the musicians in a basement (‘Big Pink’), playing music while surrounded by circus performers.  The songs themselves were stripped down:  A back-to-basics sound that defied the psychedelic period during which they were recorded.

Anyhow, as I listened I recalled how the songs rolled easily from one to the next: ‘Odd’s and Ends’, ‘Orange Juice Blues’, “Katie’s Been Gone’.  And then, for the first time in a while, I found myself listening to ‘Bessie Smith’, this week’s Gem.  I had forgotten how much I loved this song.  The story line is classic Robertson, but what makes the song truly great is Garth Hudson’s performance on the organ midway through.  It ties everything together: The lyrics; the mood; and the music.

The Band and Bob Dylan rarely if ever played music from this album in subsequent tours (Jeff, is this an exaggeration?... as I have no recollection when thinking back on the Dylan or Band shows I’ve witnessed).  Perhaps the songs were meant for their ears alone.  Perhaps Dylan’s intent was to emulate early Americana music….pre-recording Americana.  Regardless, the music has taken on a level of mystique, and I always feel like a fly on the wall of Big Pink when I listen.

Since there are no official videos or live performances I could find for this song, I tracked down a nice still-photo piece put together by a fan, who seems to capture the essence of the song in the photography: Backcountry roads, some scenes evoking memories of Upper State (Woodstock) New York.

Quiet folk:  Sometimes they are the ones who say the most…. without saying anything.

- Pete

Gem Video of the Week: Bessie Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcX7RMfQQgU

Funny clip of Bill Wyman imitating Mick Jagger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0wSQv5MzRo

About the Video: The Basement Tapes version of the song played to still shots

Video Rating: 2 (although there may not be anything better)

Best Feedback: Steve

Hi Pete;

Did you hear that they are re-opening the Brian Jones case.

Check out http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/31/police-to-r

eview-1969-death-of-rolling-stones-brian-jones/

Cheers,

Steve

GMVW # 86: "Hello, Old Friend"

Gem Music Video of the Week # 86:  Hello, Old Friend

Song:  A Friend is a Friend by Pete Townshend

(Songwriter: Pete Townshend)

August 27, 2009

 I’ve heard it stated often and also experienced it: You make connections with an old friend who you have not seen in a while, and it’s like no time has passed.  Whatever bond you had way back when kicks in again, almost immediately.  Old memories are brought back from the dead and new ones take form.  This rekindling has never failed me, but if there was ever a time it would be put to the test it was two weeks ago.  Because two weeks ago, I reconnected with a friend I had not seen in twenty eight years.

Jeff Dangelo was a neighborhood friend all through grade school. He moved to Alaska with his family after high school and later ended up in Miami, Florida after joining the Air Force.  I made a few comments about him for Gem # 67 while lamenting the fact that we had lost touch.  Before two weeks ago, most of the old gang would have likely admitted that the chances of seeing Jeff again were slim at best, and I was beginning to believe it myself.  Too many opportunities to reconnect had fallen by the wayside: There was a last minute cancellation to attend my wedding, and a few other aborted reunions.  Also, for whatever reason, I’ve never been to Florida, never mind Miami. Ten years had gone by since Jeff had touched base with any of us.  Fate seemed to weigh heavily against us ever seeing him again and it appeared we had all moved on.

Twenty Eight years is a long time and a lot of water can pass under the bridge in that span, particularly if it’s that period of your life that covers your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.  For me, there was college and road trips, double dates, bachelor parties, weddings, home purchases and children, along with concerts, sporting events, weekend gatherings, parties, new friends, and, unfortunately/inevitably, funerals.  Even if there was a reunion, the idea of reconnecting at any meaningful level seemed far fetched.  We are all after all very different people in our middle age than when we graduate from high school…. aren’t we?

Two weeks ago today, I was about to find out.  A series of events over the previous month or so had led up to that point.  There was the initial suggestion by Amy that I get on Facebook (something I was very reluctant to do) and the virtual guarantee by Cousin Jack that it would one day pay off (Jack also made a noble but futile attempt to track down Jeff after reading the email for Gem # 67).  There was the surprise Facebook ‘visit’ from Jeff’s wife, Ivonne, asking if I was indeed who I appeared to be.  There was a follow up two hour phone conversation with Jeff, during which I half-jokingly suggested he join the old gang in Humarock at Mac’s cottage that very weekend.  Finally, there was the email from Jeff, stating he had a ticket and was ready to board a plane the very next day.  I spread the word to a shocked gang and we began to piece together what was to turn out to be a classic weekend itinerary. 

That Friday afternoon heading into Logan Airport, it all felt a bit bizarre. I was reassured, however, thinking back on the prior 24 hours and the reaction I was getting from everyone about seeing our old friend again. And so, after Jeff and I spotted one another in the baggage area, and sized each other up for a moment, that old truism kicked in yet again.  And though this time it was a twenty eight year challenge, it mattered not.  We were back on a track we left behind many years earlier.  There was no shortage of laughter and conversation on the drive back to Franklin.  On the contrary, we did a LOT of catching up on that ride, tumbling over one memory after another as well as catching up with each others lives to the present.  This carried through for the remainder of Jeff’s visit, not just between him and me, but everyone else as well. In some ways, Jeff’s visit even bridged a few gaps between the seven of us he left behind:  A much needed missing puzzle piece, I suppose.

Friendship can be a funny thing, playing out in all sorts of ways.  Two weeks ago, I saw it as a whole of eight; in a one on one moment; and all permutations in between of 3 or 4 of us, and so on.  I’ve seen it on entirely different planes with other friends from college, work and extended family, and certainly have seen it play out with Nancy’s long-time and extremely loyal friends (including Madeline, who is on the receiving end of these emails) and the friends of Fred, Jen, Joe, Amy, Pat, and their spouses, as well as Mom and Dad. 

This weeks Gem ‘A Friend is a Friend’ is live concert footage of Pete Townshend performing this song and it touches on much of what friendship is all about.  Sorry for the back-to-back Townshend-centric videos, but this I realized would happen sooner or later during the compilation of these Gems: There’s too much in Pete Townshend’s catalog (with and without the Who) that passes for Gem material to continue to avoid this inevitability.  As for this particular Gem, after what transpired two weeks ago, I’m more believing of Townshend’s lyrics now than ever before.  Below the Gem link is a second url link of the same song from the animation movie ‘The Iron Giant’.  Below that are the lyrics to ‘A Friend is a Friend’.

I searched a bit for other definitions of friendship on the Web.  Here’s one from a 19th century writer that stuck: “Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth and, with a breath of comfort, blow the rest away.” 

Ok, perhaps a line is needed in this definition regarding tossing some friendly abuse out on occasion, but not bad.  Not bad at all.

- Pete

A Friend is a Friend, Pete Townshend live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EIw9Q2d8Z0

From the animation movie ‘The Iron Giant’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpiYXRt5MyM

Lyrics to ‘A Friend is a Friend’

When eyes meet in silence

A pact can be made

A lifelong alliance

That won't be betrayed

Won't be betrayed

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

A friend is a friend

Nothing can change that

Arguments, squabbles

Can't break the contract

That each of you makes

To the death, to the end

Deliver your future,

Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly yeah

A promise is a promise

A handshake will seal it

No amount of discussion

Can ever repeal it

Commitment forever

To borrow or lend

Deliver your future

Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Come on

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

When eyes meet in silence

A pact can be made

(You need a pact)

A lifelong alliance

That won't be betrayed

(Won't be betrayed)

You need a mate

(You need a mate)

When facing the end

But what is the fate

(What is the fate)

Now facing my friend

Facing my friend, yeah

What faces my friend?

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

A friend is a friend

Nothing can change that

Arguments, squabbles

Can't break the contract

That each of you makes

To the death, to the end

Deliver your future,

Into the hands of your friend, yeah

Be friendly

Be friendly

Befriend me now

Be friendly

Befriend me now

About the Video: The Who on their 1989 “Farewell Tour”.  Townshend is on the stage without Daltrey or Entwistle for this number

Video Rating: 1

Best Feedback: Jeff Dangelo

Pete, old friend/new friend. As if my reunion with you guys couldn't have been any better, you top it off with your Gem e-mail. It brought tears to my eyes, as well as Ivonne's. You truly may not know how healing it was for me to see you all, and to know that I'm still, after all this time, thought of as a friend. I know now more than ever I won't waste this re-connection, and will consider going "home" every year a new tradition. Sorry I don't check my e-mail as much as I should, I really don't spend time on the computer that much, but I'll try harder. Keep those Gems coming, that's pretty cool that you write stuff like that all the time.

And Joe:

Pete - great write up below...it must have been nice to catch up with Jeff....does he look the same? 

And Fred:

And Happy Birthday week to you, Pete!

And Jeff’s wife, Ivonne:

Jeff was very emotional over your e-mail. I still can't believe how much it meant to Jeff to have you back in his life."