The 500 - #369 - Louder Than Bombs - The Smiths

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

The 500 - #370 - Mott - Mott The Hoople

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

The 500 - #371 - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - Arctic Monkeys

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

The 500 - 372 - Reggatta de Blanc - The Police

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 372

Album Title: Reggatta de Blanc 
Artist: The Police

Genre: New Wave, Reggae Rock, White Reggae, Post Punk
Recorded: Surrey Sound, England
Released: October, 1979
My age at release: 14
How familiar was I with it before this week: Very
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: The Bed's Too Big Without You

One year ago, in May, 2020, I wrote about the 1978 debut record by The Police, Outlandos D'Amour. Four months prior to that, in January, I shared a personal connection to their final release, Synchronicity. 

This record, 1979's Reggatta de Blanc, is the sophomore release by the English New Wave/Reggae Rock trio. Despite the demands of a busy tour schedule, it hit the market less than a year after Outlandos. Drummer Stewart Copeland credits the speed of its production to the absence of any pressure from the music industry. As he put it:

"We just went into the studio and said, 'Right, who's got the first song?' We hadn't even rehearsed them, before we went in."

The title loosely translates from French to "White Reggae" -- two words that, in combination, have increasingly become an anathema in contemporary society. There are many who might rebuke their sound as the "cultural appropriation" of Caribbean music. However, I reject that hypothesis. Indeed, it was The Police, The Clash and, to a lesser extent, Eric Clapton who were the bridge that led me to my love of reggae.

The Police (1979) Andy Summers, Sting & Stewart Copeland (l-r) 

The 2011 BBC documentary Reggae Britannia went a step further, suggesting that in the mid-70s: 

"Reggae was vital in mending the rift between black and white youth (in the UK) as it merged with punk rock and cross-pollinated the charts."

Promotional Photo for Reggae Britannia

Sting, bassist and vocalist of The Police, also dismisses these spurious assertions from "woke" critics, many of whom were not even alive when Reggatta de Blanc was released. In 2018, he shared the following:

"Cultural appropriation is such an ugly term. For me, reggae is something I respect and value, and take seriously, It is something I have learned from."

I prepared for this post by listening to Regatta de Blanc in its entirety, which led me down a Police rabbit hole and, this week, I listened through their entire catalogue. I was transported to a time when White Reggae regularly blared from the headphones strapped to my portable Sanyo cassette player.

Sanyo Cassette Player (similar to my 80s model)

The Police only released five studio records between 1978 and 1983, covering the time between my 13th and 18th birthdays. In the early 80s, that felt like a lifetime, and in relative terms I suppose it was. Five years is more than a quarter of your life at 18. It was a halcyon time -- I had security, few responsibilities and a pocketful of disposable income from my many part-time gigs. 

I selected the track The Bed's Too Big Without You for 500 Spotify Playlist. It has a special meaning because my wife says those words every time we are separated. 

Over the past few weeks of distance learning with my class, I have been working from our cottage because the WiFi signal is more reliable. Consequently, when we talk each evening, she often signs off with those words.

Thanks for reading. We'll make our final check-in with The Police at #323 on The 500 in about a year. The record is Ghost In The Machine (1981), but I plan on talking more about my favourite Police album, Zenyatta Mondatta, which I received for Christmas, 1980...from my mom.

 

The 500 - #373 - Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 373

Album Title: Volunteers
Artist: Jefferson Airplane

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock, Folk Rock
Recorded: Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco
Released: November, 1969
My age at release: 4
How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: We Can Be Together

The Vietnam War, or Second Indo-China War (1955-1975), was ever-present when I was a teen and young adult in the 1980s. Not in reality, but in film. 

Vietnam themed films of the 1980s

This wasn't new subject matter. Films about the conflict in Vietnam were being released even as the war raged on -- John Wayne's The Green Berets, is probably the most recognizable example.

The Green Berets featuring John Wayne (1968)

However, unlike The Green Berets, which was decidedly pro-military, the films of my youth examined the war more critically. In the late 70s and early 80s, the returning Vietnam veteran, physically and emotionally wounded from the experience, loomed large in society. So, understandably, they became an important part of contemporary storytelling.

Vietnam veterans hold a silent march
past the White House - April 22, 1971. 

Additionally, many film-makers, including Oliver Stone (Platoon, Born On The Fourth Of July), had participated in combat during this war. 

It was a time when I was becoming a movie buff. The 1980s was also a decade when video-cassette-recorders (VCRs) were an affordable option for families. Additionally, I was fortunate to live a $1 bus ride away from dozens of movie theatres, including The New Yorker, a revival house or repertory cinema, which exposed me to war-themed films from the 70s, including Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter and Coming Home. 

Vietnam themed films of the 1970s

These films not only helped me develop my understanding of this turbulent period in history, they were also my first exposure to the music of that time. As a result, I became a fan of The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones and, this week's featured artist, Jefferson Airplane. 

Promotional photo (1966) Top Row - Casady, Slick Balin
Bottom Row - Kaukonen, Kantner, Dryden (l-r)

Volunteers was the fifth release by American psychedelic rock group Jefferson Airplane. It also marked the final release by the group's classic line-up: Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitars, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (guitars, vocals), Spencer Dryden (drums) and Jack Casady (bass).

The record was controversial not only because of its lyrics, which were anti-war and anti-government, but also because it contained profanity. The record company, RCA, was initially hesitant to release the album because of the R-rated language, but a precedent had been set when they released the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Hair in 1968. 

Original Cast Recording of Hair - released by RCA (1968)

The times and issues have changed, but frustration with government decision making continues today. Many Ontarians are justifiably angry about the federal and provincial mishandling of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including the unreliability of vaccine availability. Consequently, I returned to virtual learning with my Grade 7 class this week. 

As I played Volunteers, the themes of frustration, loss, nature, community and ecology found a way to resonate with me in 2021 as they must have with young anti-war protesters in 1969 -- when the second Indo-China War raged into its third decade under a fourth U.S. administration.

What about you? 

Got a favourite Jefferson Airplane song...or a favourite film about the war in Vietnam? 

 

The 500 - #374 - Siren - Roxy Music

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 374

Album Title: Siren
Artist: Roxy Music

Genre: Art Rock, Glam Rock, Art Pop
Recorded: AIR Studios, London
Released: October, 1975
My age at release: 10 (Guest blogger, Doug Hampson, was 16)
How familiar was I with it before this week: One Song
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Love Is The Drug

Last November, posted about album #396 on The 500, For Your Pleasure, by British Art Rock band Roxy Music. The post included a contribution from my long-time friend Bill Gudgeon who worked as an FM Radio disc jockey and band manager in the 1970s. Within minutes of the blog hitting my social media feed, I received a call from Doug, a friend I met 20 years ago through Bill.

Doug Hampson enjoying his favourite pasttime.

"I just read your Roxy Music post," Doug began, "I have a great story about that band." As he shared his tale with me, I quickly looked at The 500 List to discover that Roxy Music had another record, Siren, their fifth release, at position #374.

"Would you be willing to share that story next April, Doug?" I asked.

"Absolutely," he replied enthusiastically and, even through the phone line, I could imagine his face with the familiar grin my friends and I have all come to love from the guy we call "Dougie".  

Doug plying the waters of Ontario

From Doug:

On February 8, 1975, at the tender age of 16, I went to my first real concert. It was Roxy Music at the London Arena in London, Ontario. The only thing I knew about the group was the song Mother of Pearl from their third record, 1973's Stranded.

Album Cover for Stranded by Roxy Music (1973)

During the winter of 1975 I was a member of a local Boy Scout troop. Our fearless leader, Scout Master Larry, announced he was working security for the upcoming Roxy Music concert. He suggested that the concert would be an excellent outing for our troop and he would be able to monitor our safety while working at the show.

London Arena (1920) from The Western Archives

We couldn’t believe we were going to have this opportunity. We had to make preparations and began saving money in earnest. As luck would have it, we ended up with enough cash for our tickets, with money to spare. 

A partial ticket stub from the London show 

So, we did what most teenagers in the 1970s would do; we bought a bag of marijuana. One of the more experienced members of our group rolled the entire contents into doobies (marijuana cigarettes) and, after sneaking it past security, we each received three joints. 

With the passage of time, and perhaps those three joints, my memory about the event is a bit of a blur. However, I vividly remember the start of the show. The house lights dimmed and Roxy Music took the stage. The first five members were long-haired and freaky-looking. They went to their respective instruments and began playing. After a minute or two, out strolled a dashing man in a tuxedo. All I could think was, "Who the hell is this guy?"

Roxy Music (1975)

Then he started singing. What a voice! I later learned this was Bryan Ferry, founder, lead singer and principal songwriter for Roxy Music. But, I wasn't interested in details at the time; I was too busy having the time of my life on this "scout-sanctioned" outing. That feeling of excitement about live performances has never gone away. I still experience the same anticipation and electric delight when I attend a concert to this day.  Thanks, Larry.

More from me:

Roxy Music went on to release this week's album, Siren, eight months after the London performance. It featured one of their biggest hits, Love Is The Drug, which peaked at #2 in the UK and #3 in Canada. The video features Ferry dressed in a British air pilot's uniform, while sporting a gold and black eye-patch. This wasn't a fashion choice. Ferry had injured the eye a few days before the scheduled video shoot. Regardless, it created a buzz among Roxy Music devotees and many began to arrive at their concerts wearing the eye-patch as an accessory. 

Bryan Ferry in the Love Is A Drug video

Roxy Music released eight records between 1972 and 1982 before disbanding. Ferry continued with a successful solo career, while the other members found success with other bands. The group would reunite multiple times between 2001 and 2011 before declaring that they were disbanding permanently.

Roxy Music inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2014, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by John Taylor and Simon Le Bon of the group Duran Duran, who, like dozens of other artists, cite Roxy Music as a formative influence. 

The 500 - #375 - Late For The Sky - Jackson Browne

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 Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 375

Album Title: Late For The Sky
Artist: Jackson Browne

Genre: Rock, California Rock
Recorded: Three studios - California
Released: September, 1974
My age at release: 9
How familiar was I with it before this week: Somewhat
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Before The Deluge

Mad Men was a period drama set in Manhattan in 1960 and focused on the lives of employees at the fictional Madison Avenue advertising agency, Sterling-Cooper. In the Season One finale, an episode called The Wheel, protagonist Don Draper is tasked with developing a campaign for Kodak's new projector which houses photo-slides in a "donut-shaped" wheel on top.

Pitch Meeting in S:1 Ep:13 The Wheel on Mad Men

Here, in the dark and cigarette-smoke-filled room, Draper confidently launches an unexpected sales pitch as he patiently clicks through a series of sentimental family photographs.  

"In Greek, nostalgia literally means 'the pain from an old wound'. It's a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone. This device isn't a spaceship. It's a time machine. It goes backwards and forwards and takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It's not called 'The Wheel'. It's called 'The Carousel'. It travels the way a child travels ... around and around and back home again."  

I've reached the age where I am prone to prolonged bouts of nostalgia. They are sometimes predictable. Conversations with my high-school friend Terry are a common trigger. The discovery of old photographs or a forgotten song that was part of my teenage soundtrack will provoke a wistful reflection or take me back to a place where I "ache to go again".

And then there is the music of Jackson Browne.  

Jackson Brown (1974)

What is it about Jackson Browne? 

Browne writes songs that gently push the listener toward a contemplative and dreamy state of melancholy and nostalgia. However, most remarkably is the fact that these songs have always had a kind of power over me. Even when I first heard his music at the age of 12 or 13 I was filled with a yearning, or ache, to go back to a simpler time. Which is absurd. I was living in the simplest time of my life. What was I trying to "go back to"...last Wednesday?

Late For The Sky is the third studio release for Brown, a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. It is also the third of three records on The 500 List. I wrote about album #391, The Pretender, last December and For Everyman at #450 in December, 2019 -- which seems like a lifetime ago!

Late For The Sky was released in 1974 in between the other releases. It captures Browne at the high-point of the "classic period" of his career.

For Everyman (1973) and The Pretender (1976) 

This year, Late For The Sky was deemed "culturally, historically and aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and has been selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry. 

Library of Congress - Washington DC

It is a sublime and beautiful record with gorgeously crafted, often heartbreaking, lyrics that blend magnificently with stunningly structured, rich music. Browne was only 24 when he recorded it, but it has the sound of an artist more mature. 

Late For The Sky, much like Don Draper's carousel slide-projector, is "a time machine" which will transport you to a place where you "ache to go again."