The 500 - #390 - Elephant - The White Stripes

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 390

Album Title: Elephant
Artist: The White Stripes
Genre:  Garage Rock, Revival Blues Rock, Punk Blues
Recorded: Toe Rag & Maida Vale Studios, London, England
Released: April, 2003
My age at release: 37
How familiar was I with it before this week: Somewhat
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: Ball and Biscuit

Elephant is the fourth studio album by Detroit garage-rock duo The White Stripes -- aka: Jack and Meg White. Acclaimed by critics and fans, it has multiple platinum sales certifications. It also received the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and now, nearly two decades later, its release is still hailed as "one of the defining events" in the 2000s garage rock revival.

Jack and Meg White - Grammy Awards Ceremony (2004)

Elephant is the second record by The White Stripes to appear on The 500 list. The first, White Blood Cells, appears at #497. For this blog, I reviewed what I had previously written. It wasn't awful, but it would benefit from some additional editing. 

White Blood Cells Album Cover (2002)

The Japanese use the term Kaizen to describe the notion of perpetual growth. Developed shortly after World War II, the philosophy is credited with transitioning fledgling companies, like Toyota, into industrial juggernauts. At its core is the acceptance that change is good and necessary for growth, prosperity and happiness. Additionally, it postulates that all things must contribute to growth; it does not occur in isolation. Change should not be dictated through a "top-down" approach governed by upper management.

Much of an educator's time is spent promoting improvement. The recognition of advancement, no matter how small, is essential to motivation and progress. Indeed, phrases such as "has shown improvement" or "is learning to" are staples 

on student report cards. 

Unfortunately, we are often reluctant to extend that courtesy to ourselves. Rather than dwelling on the negative while re-reading my first White Stripes post, I put on my metaphorical educator's cap, and reflected on my personal growth. 

My later posts became tighter, better edited and, I feel, more seamlessly blended my love of music with my experiences. Thus, my blog is in a constant state of change.  

Similarly, Jack White has grown and matured as an artist. Last October, he was a surprise musical guest on Saturday Night Live. The scheduled guest, country singer Morgan Wallen, was nixed from the program due to a violation of the network's Covid-19 protocols. (A remorseful Wallen was invited to return two months later).

Morgan Wallen (December 12 SNL Appearance Promotional Shot)

So it was that, on October 2, Jack White dominated the famous stage at Studio 8H, Rockefeller Center. He fronted a power-trio with bassist Dominic John Davis and Daru Jones, whose drum-kit was tilted forward at a such an improbable angle that seemed to defy gravity.

Jack White and drummer Daru Jones on SNL (October, 2020)

In the spirit of Kaizan, White opened with a remixed version of Ball and Biscuit from the album Elephant (2003). This blistering mash-up began with Don't Hurt Yourself, a song he co-wrote with Beyonce (2016). He transitioned beautifully into Ball and Biscuit, which was retooled to incorporate lyrics from the Blind Willie Johnson blues-standard Jesus Is Coming Soon (1927).

White's second offering was Lazaretto from his 2014 solo release of the same name. The guitar he played was designed for him by virtuoso Eddie Van Halen, who had died a few days earlier. Just before the three-minute mark in this performance, White presented a brief, finger-tapping solo on the guitar. Clearly, this was a tribute to Eddie, who developed that playing technique in the 1970s. It was a subtle, personal nod to one of the greatest guitar players of all time and one of White's heroes. It can be seen here.

Jack White is an artist that embraces music as a force in perpetual motion. He celebrates Beyonce, Blind Willie Johnson, The White Stripes and Eddie Van Halen (1927-2020) in two powerhouse performances. A moment that, if it were not for Morgan Wallen's ill-advised transgression, might never have been seen. A flash of Kaizan created amid the chaos of a global pandemic. At least that is how I like to frame it. 

Post-Script Coincidences

• The guest on the third episode of The 500 Podcast was comedian and actor Bill Burr. He and host Josh Adam Meyers discussed The White Stripes' album White Blood Cells.
• The host on the October 2, 2020 Saturday Night Live episode, featuring Jack White...was Bill Burr.
• The first time I learned about the The 500 Podcast was when Josh Adam Meyers was a guest on Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast. Thus began my blogging journey.

Bill Burr (left) and Jack White backstage
at Saturday Night Live (October, 2020)

 

The 500 - #497 - The White Stripes - White Blood Cells

This is the fourth in an ongoing series, the first can be found here and the second here and the third here.

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

So, here's my plan. 

• 2 records per week & at least 2 complete listens.
• A quick blog post for each, highlighting the important details and a quick background story.
• No rating scale - just an effort to expand my appreciation.

Album # 497

Album Title: White Blood Cells
Artist: The White Stripes
Released: July, 2001
My age at release: 35
How familiar am I with it: Somewhat 
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: Hotel Yorba
Great Lyric:
"It might sound silly
For me to think childish thoughts like these.
But I'm so tired of acting tough
And I'm gonna do what I please
Let's get married
In a big cathedral by a priest
Cause if I'm the man you love the most
You could say "I do" at least."

In the late 90 & early 2000's, I hosted a late show at CHRW - Radio Western - our local University station. It ran from 2 am until 6 am on Saturday mornings (Friday nights). With the exception of a group of grocery store workers on the midnight shift, I didn't receive a lot of phone calls or requests. Consequently, I was pretty much free to play what I wanted...as long as I respected the station mantra - No Hits - that is "nothing that has been on the Top-100 in the past year". Those grocery store workers loved a death metal band called Six Feet Under - so I always kept copies of those CDs close at hand.

A number of my friends were working musicians, so I could always count on them as listeners after their bar gigs ended. It also gave me a chance to feature their music. Consequently, I named my show Stomping Grounds and 30% of the material I played was by talent from London and the surrounding Southwestern Ontario region.

On one show, two former students, joined me for a shift. They brought some of the music they were listening to and one disc was The White Stripes. They played a few tracks and I remember feeling sort of neutral about it. I certainly wasn't wowed.  

I was wrong. I suspect I was being a curmudgeon and a tad pretentious - dismissing these teens with their sloppy, fuzz-rock.  I mean, I've heard Garage Rock before and thought affordable technology had moved us forward. Was this supposed to be an homage? I do know I was troubled by the drumming. It seemed sloppy & incredibly simple - like someone who had just learned to keep time, but had not developed subtlety or feel.

Much has changed. I have a new respect for the band and I love so much of Jack White's style. His live version of Dolly Parton's Jolene is exceptional and the DVD Under Blackpool Lights has a grainy, mystical power that is absolutely riveting. I truly think it will, eventually, be regarded as one of the great concert videos.   

I chose the song Hotel Yorba because it was one of the first songs I could play on the guitar while singing. It's fun lyrics and chunky rhythm is catchy and an absolute blast to play. 

As a side note: 

Kitchener area musician, the late Matt Osborne was playing a gig at The 'Wick and agreed to come on my radio show that same night. Despite arriving at 3:00 am and having to drive 100 km home, he happily agreed to an interview and played a couple songs for us.  He was an incredibly sweet guy and an exceptional talent. This is a version of one the songs he played . Sadly, he passed in 2004. I would absolutely recommend checking out his album Man vs. Concrete - it is on Spotify. Whining Teenager's Dramatic Exit is a personal favourite and, tragically, way ahead of the curve in its commentary on the phenomenon of school shootings - which, at the time, seemed like bizarre & temporary anomalies.

Things I learned

Jack White was born Jack Gillis and took his wife's last name in marriage.

Jack loves creating mythology by weaving believable lies around him & his life. Like suggesting that he and Meg were the two youngest of ten siblings who formed the band on Bastille Day or that the Hotel Yorba in Detroit once housed The Beatles. 

Next: Boz Scaggs: Boz Scaggs