A   P E R S O N A L   M E M O R Y

 

---   W  E  S    W  I  L  S  O  N   ---

During the Summer of 1968 I began painting and creating lots of 'pop' art posters. They were little more than copycat versions of all the 'Flower Power' artwork I was seeing in magazines, newspapers and on LP covers. At the time I was barely aware of the artists I was being inspired by, those working in San Francisco like Rick Griffin, Kelley/Mouse studios and Wes Wilson. The amazing 'hippy' posters for concerts really caught my eye and it was these that I was attempting to mimic in my early attempts at psychedelic/dayglo paintings. 

What especially attracted me was all the far-out lettering, often difficult to read it intrigued me constantly. Wes Wilson was a pioneer in this and created a unique style for concerts produced by Bill Graham at the Fillmore Auditorium. Drawing type in shapes formed a big part of my early graphic designs and a future was evolving thanks to Wes and the many other artists from this time.

Below are some of his posters created in the late 60s, featuring some legendary bands. 

Two concerts for the Yardbirds, The Doors & Richie Havens (left) and The Byrds (right).

(Left): Moby Grape & The Chambers Brothers. (Right) Otis Rush, Grateful Dead &
The Canned Heat Blues Band.

My favourite story goes as follows: 'quote'

"Well, it's nice, but I can't read it," Mr. Graham is said to have remarked.

"Yeah", Mr. Wilson responded, "and that's why people are gonna stop and look at it."

Remembering Wes Wilson, who died in January of this year. 

I hadn't planned to post on Christmas Day - so how did this come about ?

Well I'll tell you... I recently saw a BBC programme entitled "The Truth About Christmas Carols" narrated by Howard Goodall. The Truro Cathedral Choir were featured and the singing of 'And The Glory of The Lord' was just fantastic.

Only available as part of a 6 minute 'out-take' from the programme (link: worth a look), I went in search of alternatives. There are many renditions, this is the Brussels Choral Society.

You may know the song, it's from the popular Part 1 of 'Messiah', sometimes called the 'Christmas' portion. December 25th 2020 - Today's Star of Wonder is a piece of music composed 279 years ago by George Frideric Handel. 

Simple rules: 
Track is predominantly vocal and the intro is at least 30 seconds long before any singing starts.

1990s - Fairly obvious choice here with some 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' from Nirvana. Hello, hello >

Honourable mention for the 90s goes to >>>  The Foo Fighters and their 1997 track 'Everlong'. Dave Grohl again.

2000s - Firmly in my kids music territory now, full on. 

[Warning: this track's video is from the movie 'Jackass' and comes with a PG rating 😬]  As crazy Andrew W.K. sings 'We Want Fun' > love it

Honourable mention for the 00s is >>>  Creed and 'My Sacrifice'. Plus Andrew W.K. is a bit of a specialist in the art of rousing intros: check out > 'Ready To Die'; 'She is Beautiful'; 'I Get Wet' or 'The End of our Lives', for good measure.  

That's my selection for you. Did I miss any of your favourites ?

Simple rules:
Track is predominantly vocal and the intro is at least 30 seconds long before any singing starts.

1960s - 'Tin Soldier', this brilliant intro from the Small Faces was featured last Friday.

1970s - I was really spoilt for choice during this decade, but I've gone for :- 

From 1971, a song inspired by the electronic music of Terry Riley this is The Who with the 1:08 lead in to 'Baba O'Riley' > I really like the visuals in this video too

There's many honourable mentions for the 70s >>> 'Question' The Moody Blues; Status Quo 'Down, Down'; 'Pretty Vacant' by The Sex Pistols; Faces 'Stay With Me'; and naturally 'Hotel California' and Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Freebird'. 

1980s - Most versions of this track have at least a 30 second intro, though some recordings do vary a bit. From 1987 comes Guns N' Roses and 'Sweet Child o' Mine' >

Honourable mentions for the 80s are >>> Hall & Oates 'Maneater'; Europa 'Final Countdown'; Flock of Seagulls 'Space Age Love Song'.

> more tomorrow pop pickers...

About a year ago I did a Midweek Spot featuring Rick Beato and his Top 20 Guitar Intros.

Now it's song intros, as selected by me. I've tried to pick songs you'd know, rather than any obscure album tracks, so you are at least partly familiar. (Rules are simple:- 1) it must predominantly be a vocal song & 2) the intro must last at least 30 seconds, to qualify). 

Last week's track, by The Doors, in fact set up the idea with its 1:06 minute intro. I have plenty of tracks ear marked and have gone for a one track from each decade approach, starting today with the sixties. 

From December 1967 a Christmas hit for the Small Faces and 'Tin Soldier'. One of my all time favourite intros at 40 seconds, this excellent video features P.P. Arnold, who sang on the original recording. From the top ... 'come on'

As mentioned this is just the beginning of a run through the decades, check back Monday for Parts Two and Three. 

Just look out for this sign: (see if you can think of what's coming next)

For the record over the last five years the   F R I D A Y  M U S I C  S P O T   has starred 250 tracks, beginning on 13th November 2015. 

The first 50 songs can be reviewed via this link. For 51-100 click here: 101-150 click this one and then 151-200 (link). Today lists the last 50, see below.
Click on the blue arrow ➤ to replay that track. NB: Many of the videos are showing unavailable now, but you can search for an alternative, if you wish.

201 ➤   Jollity Farm .…….….….……........… Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

202  ➤   Alone Again Or .……….…..........................................…… Love

203  ➤   Signs .…………...……….…...........… Five Man Electricial Band

204  ➤   Jungleland ................... Bruce Springsteen & East Street Band

205  ➤   Air Born .…..……....….............................................…… Camel

206  ➤   Running On Empty .…….….…….….….......... Jackson Browne
207  ➤   Touch and Go ..……...…..…....................................… The Cars

208  ➤  Shower the People .………….........….……......… James Taylor

209  ➤   When My Train Pulls In.…………...................… Gary Clark Jr.

210  ➤   Nostradamus .…………......................….……......… Al Stewart

211  ➤  Symphony .…….............................….....……..… Brooklyn Duo
212  ➤   He Reign's .……….…................................…… Bernie Williams

213  ➤  Jungle .…………...……...….….........… Electric Light Orchestra

214  ➤   Ghost Town ......................................................... The Specials

215  ➤   Lean On Me .…..……......................................….… Bill Withers

216  ➤   Wild Wild Life .….……….…............................... Talking Heads
217  ➤   Stand By Me ..……...…..........................… Playing For Change

218  ➤  Blues For The Lost Days ..….... John Mayall & Bluesbreakers

219  ➤  Sweet Release .……..……............… Reece Wynans & Friends

220  ➤  Home .…………...........................….…....…..........… Paul Rose

221  ➤   I Can Hear Your Heartbeat .…….........................… Chris Rea
222  ➤   Time For Me To Fly .……….…............…… REO Speedwagon

223  ➤  Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) ….…..........… Santana

224  ➤   Peace, Love And Understanding ..................... Elvis Costello

225  ➤   Brimfull of Asha .…..……..............................…… Cornershop

226  ➤   Mr Brightside .….……….….................................... The Killers
227  ➤   You Set The Scene ...…...........................… Arthur Lee & Love 

228  ➤  Rock Around The Clock ..............…. Bill Haley & His Comets

229  ➤  Can't Start Over Again .………......…...........................… Dion

230  ➤  Sacrifice .………..........…..…….................… Sinead O'Conner 

231  ➤  Man of the World.………......….......……......… Fleetwood Mac
232  ➤   Have You Heard .………......…...............……The Moody Blues

233  ➤  Please Don't Tease .………..............................… Cliff Richard

234  ➤   Apache ............................................................... The Shadows

235  ➤   London Kid .…..…….....…… Jean Michel Jarre / Hank Marvin

236  ➤   Dreaming .….……...................….......…....................... Blondie
237  ➤   Good Feeling ..…….........…....................................… Flo Rida

238  ➤  Toye / Pavan ..............…..................…......… Amazing Blondel

239  ➤  1952 Vincent Black Lightning ..............… Richard Thompson

240  ➤  Sweet Memphis .….…….............… Chris Daniels & The Kings

241  ➤  Tell Me Why.…….................................................… Neil Young
242   ➤  Lost All Day.……….…...................................…… Dinosaur Jr.

243  ➤  Pretty Pimpin' .…………........................................… Kurt Vile

244  ➤   Jerusalema ............................................................ Master KG

245  ➤   Boogie Oogie Oogie .…........…….…....…... A Taste of Honey
246  ➤   Time Has Come Today .................… The Chambers Brothers

247  ➤  A Million Stars .........….…...................................… Lone Star

248  ➤  One Last Chance .…….……....…...........… Dreaming David K

249  ➤  Gimme Some Truth .….……….............….......… John Lennon

250  ➤   L.A. Woman .………….................…........……....… The Doors

By my calculations today is the 250th Friday STAR TRACK.
Amazingly we have yet to feature this legendary band. Spoilt for choice perhaps? In regards to this particular track finding an ideal video wasn't easy. One had annoying cars revving over the music. Another had too many California Girls. This isn't that great, a bit grainy on quality but the music sounds brilliant and that's what matters here.
Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, John Densmore and Jim Morrison - The Doors, with the title track from the 1971 album 'L.A. Woman' > classic 'The Weekend Starts Here' Friday Star Track

 

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By some quirk of coincidence today's date also marks 50 years since the start of a "New Underground Scene - Every Friday in Wimbledon" called 'Hobbits Garden'. This new club's opening night saw The Strawbs performing on the tiny stage. I wasn't there and looking at subsequent weeks I don't recall a night there until sometime in early 1971. Therefore my Hobbits Garden Music Spot will be something I'll get to in the New Year. Any memories you have, please send them over. 

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Side Two, Track One of my 'Imagine' LP record label says 'Give Me Some Truth'. While on the record's sleeve it lists this track twice as actually being 'Gimme Some Truth' ! 

The song began life in 1968, with The Beatles, but wasn't finished and released until 1971. This subtle name change is somewhat ironic - nevertheless it is a great track that resonates as much today as then. Wonderful slide guitar from George Harrison with lyrics and locals by John Lennon 

A great phrase, I've heard of late, is we are all experiencing 'Truth Decay' 

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Saw this on Sunday night's 'Strictly' Show: (click link to Opening Dance number)*. Rather liked the song called 'Blinding Lights' by The Weeknd (aka: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) a Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer. Then I found this amazing video of the song from earlier this year. Talk about a location. Hold on tight... as we make a song and dance on my birthday > Go Full Screen

*This version is a slightly different mix - with a noticeable slower mid section.