By Caroline Vella,
boss of boomitude
Rumors started swirling again last week about the Beach Boys possibly reuniting next year in celebration of their….yikes…. 50th anniversary. Every so often the topic heats up on the rumor mill but then very quickly fizzes out. Our crew has worked pretty closely with the boys, in particular Brian Wilson, and we have no reunion confirmation despite Al Jardine’s wishful statement. Maybe it’s best to leave well enough alone? We met up with with them a couple of years ago to talk about the career retrospective record The Warmth of the Sun and put together this video podcast. If summer just ain’t summer without these California guys, then here’s another chance for you to catch the wave…at least until the next reunion…..or not. And as luck would have it….just as I write this, KCRW’s Eclectic 24 is playing “Hushabye” ……may the gods of summer speak!
By Caroline Vella,
boss of boomitude
Since seeing NPR’s list of top records of 2010 (so far) I’ve been thinking. Gorillaz…#1? Really? I like their Plastic Beach. It is good. But #1? It took me a few listens to fully appreciate it but I get it. It’s hip and varied and there’s some very cool collabos with Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed and an especially nice Bobby Womack piece. It’s no High Violet but I do like it. My guys in The National took the #2 spot and I’m good with that….but Gorillaz at the top of the heap kind of threw me. Not too many surprises from the rest of the list with Black Keys, Vampire Weekend and Band of Horses to be expected. Although, no Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons? No fair! No Tift Merritt? I’m hoping that’s just a release date thing. I’d take either of those records over the new Corrine Bailey Rae or Sade any day… both of which made the cut and are ok. They say the people have spoken and apparently they have said, “Me love Gorillaz!” I’m not knocking it….I’m just sayin’. Here they are doing their thing…with a touch of Captain and Tenille. What do you think?
By Caroline Vella,
boss of boomitude
Squeeze is back?! I used to love those guys and then they just vanished. I can’t believe they were at Radio City last night and I missed it. I’ve got to get out more. Word is they put on a great show. I would have loved to have been there. In case you missed it too, here they are on Jimmy Fallon. (They were also on Regis and Kelly but I’ll spare you that.) I’m happy to see they look and sound pretty good. Check it out and don’t miss the super sweet keyboard solo toward the end! Pulling mussels from the shell….. pulling mussels from the shell….. Now that’ll be stuck in your head all day!
Links:
Official Squeeze Website
If you didn’t know that Colin Hay has been making beautiful music since retiring Men at Work 25 yrs ago, you’ve really been missing out – Hello, Garden State?! But no worries to him because as he jokes on stage, “he’s f-ing rich” – maybe not “Mick f-ing Jagger rich” but comfortable all the same. At times he may be a funny, unfiltered, self-effacing teller of tales but make no mistake, he’s also a hugely talented songwriter and musician. Take a listen to this boomitude original podcast as this honest and insightful voice traces his steps from the land down under to basking in his American Sunshine.
Recommended:
American Sunshine
Transcendental Highway
Man @ Work
Going Somewhere
Topanga
Company of Strangers
Links:
Colin Hay
Compass Records
Photo credit: Robert Hakalski
Aaahaa……..Poco…..The band that kicked off the country rock sound that helped define the 70’s. Founding member Rusty Young is in the house for this boomitude quick q&a and he’s talking music, influences and the making of a lasting Legend. It doesn’t happen all the time…….
What was the first album you purchased?
I don’t remember the album title, but it was a Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant album. They were a brilliant steel guitar and electric guitar duo.
As one of the most accomplished steel guitar players in rock/pop field, how did you find the instrument originally?
It was 1952 and I was six years old when my parents, who loved country music, signed me up for steel guitar lessons.
The 1969 album Pickin’ Up The Pieces was innovative in that it created a new genre blending rock and country. When you guys were putting that work together, did you have a sense that you were embarking on a new blend in popular music?
Yes. Although both the Everly Bros. and Ricky Nelson were doing country rock music way before we did.
Poco’s sound influenced a number of bands over the years, who were your influences?
We were influenced by everyone from Buck Owens to Buddy Holly. Our goal for Poco was to marry the instrumental sounds of country music with the melodies and lyrics of rock and roll.
You and Paul Cotton were at the helm for the band’s best known work Legend. When did you guys realize the magnitude of the album’s success and what was that like?
When I heard “Crazy Love” on the car radio in Los Angeles I realized we’d finally found the commercial success that had eluded us for so long.
If you had to suggest 3 Poco albums to a person unfamiliar with the band what would they be and why?
First, I would recommend Pickin’ Up The Pieces because it kicked off the L.A. country rock era. Next I would recommend Legend because that album will stand the test of time. And finally, I’d recommend Legacy because it brings the band full circle. It has the original lineup and what other band can boast it’s members have played in bands like the Eagles, Loggins and Messina, Buffalo Springfield AND Poco.
Who are you listening to these days?
I listen to as much new music as I can, as well as, the classic artists. I like John Mayer, One EskimO, Van Morrison, Snow Patrol and Tom Petty. I like Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Pink and Emmylou Harris.
Links:
Official Poco Website
