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The CHIRP Blog
Josh Friedberg: Music Historian's Corner writesRediscovering Our Record Collections: “Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964” by Sam Cooke
Jerry Wexler, the legendary Atlantic Records producer, once said, “Sam Cooke was the greatest singer that ever lived, no contest.” That’s some praise from the man who produced Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and many others. But the 2003 compilation, Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964, does some justice to this praise. Unfortunately, it focuses mainly on his excellent pop work at the expense of his largely superior gospel records with the Soul Stirrers in the 1950s. Critic Dave Marsh once wrote something like that Cooke’s best records were his gospel ones, with 1964’s civil rights anthem, “A Change is Gonna Come,” being the exception that proves the rule.
When I first heard this compilation, despite some familiarity with hits like “Chain Gang” and “Cupid,” I was struck by how many of the songs used the same basic chord progression (some variation of I-IV-V, as it’s called in music theory terminology), and so I had trouble seeing how this CD deserved a spot so high on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest albums ever (putting aside quibbles about if compilations should be included). Over time, the more I’ve gotten into Cooke’s music, I’ve grown to appreciate the variety in the arrangements on these songs even as the chord progressions still sound the same across most songs.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesThis Week @ CHIRP Radio (Week of September 5)
Upcoming Events
- CHIRP will be at the Chicago Fringe Festival September 5th through September 11th
- CHIRP spins at the Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th
New Media
- Josh Friedberg rediscovers two classic albums by Peter, Paul & Mary
- Craig Reptile looks forward to the Sept. 3 Guided by Voices show
- Chicago artists Health&Beauty and Ryley Walker are In Rotation
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIn Rotation: Ryley Walker
Artist: Ryley Walker
The Album: Golden Sings That Have Been Sung
The Label: Dead Oceans
Available In Rotation or by request on CHIRP Radio!
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIn Rotation: Health&Beauty
The Band: Health&Beauty
The Album: NO SCARE
The Label: Wichita Recordings
Available In Rotation or by Request on CHIRP Radio!
Craig Reptile: Your Sunday Sonic Sundowner writesGuided by Voices Take Over Metro on Saturday Sept. 3!
[photo by Matt Davis]
by Craig Bechtel
Guided By Voices are back! Given that Robert Pollard is, and always has been the only constant member of Dayton Ohio’s GBV, it’s a fair question to wonder how any but the most hardcore fans will recognize the difference between this latest incarnation and any of the previous versions, not to mention delineating the distinctions between Pollard’s prolific solo output and his innumerable side projects. And this is coming from someone who’s listened to every Guided By Voices official release and most released under Pollard’s own name.
For the uninitiated, GBV are the best band you’ve never heard, who at their best sound like the weirdest, best Who songs in demo form and at their worst sound like the worst demos by Yes or Ween. Given that the volume of their discography can be intimidating (Pollard once released a 28 song “best of” just his solo material from 2010 to 2011, entitled, rather fittingly, The Kids Eat It Up, but didn’t slow down in 2012, releasing two solo albums and THREE Guided By Voices records) and despite moments (usually characteristically brief) of brilliance throughout their recorded output, the best places to start are still their breakthrough Bee Thousand (Scat, 1994) and the follow-up, Alien Lanes (Matador, 1995).