Category Archives for Culture

Only Good For Conversation – Rodriguez

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 38

RIP Sixto Rodriguez!

I discovered Rodriguez in 2010 when researching music for a Detroit-based episode of my former radio gig, the Fuzz Factory. Never heard of him before and his songs were good. At the time, I had no clue about his incredible life story. Turns out Rodriguez had a cult following in a few locations around the world. Unbeknownst to him, his music fueled the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa as well. In 2012, his incredible story was made into the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” It’s a fantastic movie. If you’ve not seen it yet, check it out.

Check out his music too. He has many really good songs, most notably, The Establishment Blues and Climb Up On My Music. I thought about featuring one of those.but ultimately decided on Only Good For Conversation, probably my favorite song of his. This song has a harder edge and a more viscerally bitter tone than any of his other songs. It also has an unforgettably badass fat guitar riff.

Unfortunately, I was not able to link up the studio version of the song. At least I was able to link up a few live versions. Here they are below.

So Good To See You – Cheap Trick

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 37

Hey all. Yeah, it’s been a long while (like a year) since I posted about a song. I’ve meant to many times but you know how it goes. Thirty years ago, I would’ve posted about a different song every day. These days, I mostly just think about it. The soundtrack of life continues regardless. 

Today I am posting about my current ear worm, So Good To See You by Cheap Trick. It’s been stuck in my head for days and I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s such a great tune. Quite often, an ear worm is a song you enjoy at first that eventually becomes annoying. For example, Don’t Take Me Alive by Steely Dan was a common ear worm during my divorce. I really liked it at first, even seemed appropriate. However, it eventually it became a bit tedious. Sometimes an ear worm is a song you never liked. Therefore, it’s annoying from the get go. That type of ear worm occurred when I was in California last month. I heard We Built This City by Starship. Needless to say, I wanted that out of my head ASAP. Sometimes it all works well and stays that way. Like it does with this song, one of many underrated power pop gems from Cheap Trick. Been humming it for days on end.

Ooh, it’s so good to see you
I couldn’t wait another day
Ooh, I hope everyone missed you
You know they want you to stay

Even More Twisted

The moral contortions so many Americans make are getting more severe. It’s far beyond typical cognitive dissonance. This affliction is worst within the Evangelical community. Back in 2018, I made a series of paintings called Mastering the Art of Contradiction about this part of our contemporary culture. Four years later, it’s even more twisted.

Here is Moral Contortionists, from that series. Every day, and in so many ways, I am reminded of this painting.

Back from Vacation, Back in the Studio

I’m back. I was on vacation in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. My first real vacation in five years. I traveled with my wife Kelli, my stepdaughter Grace, and her friend Bella. We stayed in Hull, a peaceful, friendly small town on the coast. It was much needed. We had a very nice time.

Back home in Chattanooga now, and back in the studio with Remy, my puppy. I’m picking up where I left off on some new paintings while catching up on the January 6th hearings.

I sure hope these hearings have an impact. Beyond preaching to the choir. So far. I’ve been impressed with the linear presentation. I have numerous thoughts about multiple subjects pertaining to the attempted coup of 1/6/2021. At the moment, I don’t want to write those thoughts. Right now, I want to listen and be further enlightened and get back to creative work.

Barbara Kruger is the Best

Last year, when I was home for the holidays, I saw the remarkable Barbara Kruger exhibition “Thinking of You, I Mean Me, I Mean You,” at the Art Institute of Chicago. Barbara Kruger is one of my favorite artists, and absolutely one of my biggest artistic influences. I was so happy to see her exhibition, I bought our tickets months in advance. My wife Kelli, stepdaughter Grace and my Mom went to the exhibition with me. They were unfamiliar with her work but loved the exhibition too. All three were blown away. I can’t even describe how much this pleased me.

Surprise, I took a lot of pictures! I’ll share my favorites here in a series of photo galleries coming up next.

Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown

Located a few minutes southeast of downtown, these two adjacent neighborhoods have long and storied roles in Atlanta history. Both are small in size, but large in historical significance.

Today, these are two of the quirkiest neighborhoods in Atlanta. I lived in Reynoldstown from 2014-2021, a block from the border with Cabbagetown. I enjoyed most everything about living in the area, including the collective sense of humor of its residents (see image below). My Instagram page is filled with dozens of pictures of my morning walks through these two neighborhoods.

Freedom of Choice – Devo

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 28

Working on posting to this blog when Freedom of Choice by Fu Manchu started playing. A great cover version of the fantastic Devo song. After the Fu Manchu version ended I played the original and decided to make a quick ARE post.

Freedom of choice means a lot more than we think. That’s what this song is all about. Always loved it for that, and for the groove.

A victim of collision on the open sea
Nobody ever said that life was free
Sank, swam, go down with the ship
But use your freedom of choice

I’ll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice
Your freedom of choice

In ancient Rome there was a poem
About a dog who found two bones
He picked at one, he licked the other
He went in circles, he dropped dead

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice

Then if you got it you don’t want it
Seems to be the rule of thumb
Don’t be tricked by what you see
You got two ways to go

I’ll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice
Freedom of choice

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice

In ancient Rome there was a poem
About a dog who found two bones
He picked at one, he licked the other
He went in circles, he dropped dead

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want

Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want

Backstabbers – Jesse Malin

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 25

Today I was driving when I heard this song for the very first time. I was immediately taken with it. I had that feeling, the one you get when you discover a new favorite song. This is definitely a favorite feeling of mine. Perhaps my favorite feeling of all.

I’ve played this song at least 20 times today. I don’t know much about the artist other than he’s worked with other people I’ve heard of. Lucinda Williams sings backup on this song too. It’s alright because this post isn’t about the artist or the song itself. This post is all about the moment of discovery. The feeling you get during those first few listens.

That’s all for now, I’m not gonna ramble about the moment. I’m gonna continue to experience it by listening to my newest favorite song again.

Celebration Day – Led Zeppelin

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 24

I’ve always loved this song. As a kid, I was sold within the first five seconds. It’s one of Led Zeppelin’s best and remains a favorite. I’d tell you where it ranks on my all-time Led Zeppelin list (yes, I did that) but unfortunately, I can’t locate my list at the moment.

This post is more about why this song came to mind, today. Today is the last day of the Trump Administration. That alone is a reason for celebration. This is the beginning of the end for him. Trump for jail. Beyond the title, the lyrics of the song came to mind. The third verse reminded me of what the future holds for Trump and the Trump brand.

This song was written in 1970, but like many lyrics of that time, they speak about our world today. Serving as another reminder that the more things change the more they stay the same. Real progress and true changes come at a glacial pace.

“Her face is cracked from smiling, all the fears that she’s been hiding, 
And it seems pretty soon everybody’s gonna know. 
And her voice is sore from shouting, cheering winners who are losing, 
And she worries if their days are few and soon they’ll have to go. 

My, my, my, I’m so happy, I’m gonna join the band, 
We are gonna dance and sing in celebration, We are in the promised land. 

She hears them talk of new ways to protect the home she lives in, 
Then she wonders what it’s all about when they break down the door.
Her name is Brown or White or Black, you know her very well, 
You hear her cries of mercy as the winners toll the bell. 

My, my, my, I’m so happy, I’m gonna join the band, 
We are gonna dance and sing in celebration, We are in the promised land. 

There is a train that leaves the station heading for your destination, 
But the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more. 
Yes, it has! 
And if you walk you’re gonna get there though it takes a little longer, 
And when you see it in the distance you will wring your hands and moan.”

Breaking the Cycle

The reality is this. Last week, I was sprung from the social media clink. I received a 30-day ban from Facebook for calling out a stranger’s ugly misogyny in a manner deemed too colorful by the all-knowing algorithm. Guess I got a month’s ban because I was a repeat offender.

I’m back but in the technical sense only. Getting kicked out of that joint was exactly what I needed. Couldn’t do it on my own. I’ll be the first to admit I am too compulsive and excitable as a whole. Therefore, I am far too susceptible to social media addictions and the subset of problems that arise from them. I realized long ago that Facebook was a time-sucking place that preys on my weaknesses and chews me up and spits me out in ways I don’t like. Finally gonna try to do something about it.

I’m always going to be an opinionated observer. You can count on that. Moving forward, my efforts will be focused on posting right here. I’ll continue to post promotional messages for my art and merchandise on Facebook. Since I primarily use it as an extension of my artist’s eye, I’ll continue to post on Instagram too. I am also still going to be active on Messenger.

Overall, I am happy to say, the cycle is broken and I’m not checking Facebook with any regularity anymore.

I highly recommend getting banned from Facebook for a month. It’ll do you some good.

On Fire – Van Halen

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 22

Seems to me, I have a backlog of music-related posts to make. The recent passing of Eddie Van Halen moves the band that takes his name to the top of that list of posts.

I’m not going to wax poetic about how brilliant a guitarist Eddie Van Halen was. Everyone knows he was a virtuoso that reinvented the instrument in ways unlike anyone else before or since. All rock fans have anecdotal moments centered around the virtuosity of Eddie Van Halen. My personal favorite is how the song “Eruption” instantly became the ultimate test for any aspiring guitarist. If you could play that you weren’t just good you were awesome. My mind goes back to that college dorm room with that guitar guy playing his attempt at that solo for the other dudes in the hall. It happened a lot. Usually followed by “Wish You Were Here” on acoustic, you know, to chill things out after the heat coming from that semi-blistering version of “Eruption.”

Instead, I want to reflect on my life at the time Eddie Van Halen came into my world. It was 1978 and I was nine years old. I was already starting to get into music. I had a record player of my own. I owned a few full-length albums. Bought them when going to neighborhood garage sales with my Mom. I had a few singles of my own too. Ultimately, Van Halen’s first releases were some of my very first albums on cassette tape.

When Van Halen’s debut came out, I heard it everywhere and like everyone else, it caught my ear. Never before had I heard any guitar like that. It was crunchy and fast but strangely smooth and slippery too. I have vivid memories of hearing that band in those days. Didn’t matter where I was, Van Halen was there too; the local recreation center, the swimming pool, the playground, the backseat of my Mom’s car, even coming from someone else’s car at a red light. Eventually, from my Walkman.

The gestalt present in their sound is unique. It’s simultaneously a cohesive unit and a single dominant force (Eddie Van Halen). Van Halen, Van Halen II and Fair Warning are my favorites. I could have chosen any song from the debut album. The album is that good. I decided to feature the song “On Fire” in my post for a few reasons. “On Fire” is the closing track and it’s a barnburner. It comes as advertised, three minutes of fire. It has remained one of my absolute favorite Van Halen tracks over all these years. Unlike many Van Halen songs, this song means business. It has a speed metal intensity and its purpose is to kick your ass. It’s not messing around. (“Mean Street” on Fair Warning is my all-time favorite Van Halen song for a similar reason). “On Fire” is good enough to close out their debut AND be an opening track in concert (see attached video).

To be fair, I started to lose interest in their music a couple of years into the Sammy Hagar era. That said, I can still listen to all the David Lee Roth albums with a smile on my face. That’s the secret ingredient and the true magic of Eddie Van Halen and the band Van Halen. They just wanted to put a smile on your face and that’s what they did best. Eddie Van Halen’s smile while playing guitar is my indelible, unforgettable memory of him.

Ain’t Got Nothing (To Go Wrong) – Dead Meadow

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 21

Today is my birthday. I’m 51. It’s the first day of my sixth decade. My day, year, and decade started with something that most would say is a minor serendipitous moment. However, I know otherwise. My higher power speaks through music. This was no accident.

I often wind down the day by listening to music in a lowly lit room. Last night was no exception. When I’m not in the mood for a specific artist or album, or a deep listening of something new to me, I’ll often hit shuffle on a vast playlist filled with hundreds of songs I know. That’s what I did last night.

At 11:59 (I looked at the clock) one of my absolute favorite songs came on. Ain’t Got Nothing (To Go Wrong) by Dead Meadow. Not only is this a favorite song, I consider it one of my theme songs. Only a handful of songs become theme songs to me. I’ve written about them before and will surely feature them again in my Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast posts. Typically for me, the music carries me through the song. That’s the case here as well. The guitar solo in this song is incredible. However, my personal relationship to the lyrics and their overall feel with the music, are for me, the elements that elevate a song to the highest level.

The moment midnight came and the calendar turned to the eleventh of September, my birthday, shuffle gave me this song. A piece of music with great personal importance to me. It wasn’t serendipity. It was meant to be. I wouldn’t have had my new sixth decade start any other way.

 

Lemon yellow sun up overhead today
What more is there that I could say then Lord, let it stay
I ain’t got nothing to go wrong today
No, not today

I’ve been up and down this street for quite some time
The gutters get filled, it takes all kind like fish on a line
The way that things go these days, I’m fine
Yeah, I’m doing fine

Good times come, they sure come slow
Why that may be I don’t know, just let it flow
All things in this world they come, they go
Yes, this much I know

If silence is golden then your words they’re lead
I can’t believe how that shit sticks in my head
The sun shines away, there’s nothing to say
People they talk anyway, they’re talking away