[Landline] Everything Must Glow
Friday nights used to be alright
1. SNAKESKIN MOTORIK
I've enjoyed everything Bobby Lee has released, but this new album (via Tompkins Square) especially. Obviously it's not all motorik, but those tracks (“Impregnated By Drops Of Rainbow”, “Rainbow Reprise”) stand out — a new factor in this Sheffield (!) dude’s desert-contemplative J.J. Cale/Pops Staples/Sandy Bull instrumental blend.
2. FROM MAGPIES TO CROWS
The late Peter Lamborn Wilson on divine twins:
3. WE HAD A COUNTRY, ONCE
We had a country once — a culture, a system, a media complex, whatever you want to call it — where Ike and Tina Turner (and Edna from Akron, Ohio) performing "Nutbush City Limits" could be broadcast on national network television on Fridays, late at night, to massive audiences….
Born in 1970, I was too young to stay up and see The Midnight Special during its 1973-1981 run, but I remember some of the later shows were legendary/mythical on the school playground in the weeks following broadcast (“Blondie didn’t wear a bra!” was news of major significance). It’s really fantastic to see these sessions now—the sets, range of artists, song choices and production values are outstanding to unreal. Actual live (not lip synched, generally) performances in concert-like settings, shot in Burbank, California. Too bad it's taken so long for this stuff to emerge — in non-bootleg form — from the vaults but I’m glad it's happened. They’re gradually rolling out bits and pieces (and some full shows) of the 450 (!) Midnight Specials on Youtube. Here’s just a few that have caught my eye/ear so far. (Click on the image to go to the youtube video.)
Richard Pryor, in 1973, on cops shooting black people:
George Carlin, also in 1973, coming on like a slightly nervous 35-year-old dude musing on things to whoever’s there in the headshop. Such a strange, fascinating vibe…
David Bowie, again 1973, utterly astonishing…
Fleetwood Mac doing “Riannon” in 1976, at what's got to be a peak. That's something beyond performance from Stevie right here. Gone.
1974: Genesis perform “Watcher of the Skies” in their full drama mode: an outrageous, audacious level of artistic commitment in a commercial setting. Wait for Peter Gabriel’s costume change…
1973: Al Green, with a massive ensemble, in inspired form on “Let’s Stay Together.” Big bow tie, big time charm, one of the most seductive pop songs ever….
Too good for this world!
I’m out of space here but I severely recommend checking out Midnight Special footage of Sparks, Donna Summer, Ray Charles with Aretha Franklin (!!!), King Crimson, KISS, Alice Cooper, Bee Gees, Status Quo, Jim Croce, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, and, of course, these freaks of the universe:
(If you find some particularly good stuff in the MS archives, please share it with everybody in the comments.)
Be back soon,
Jay Babcock
Tucson, Arizona
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I snapped up a Midnight Special Soul dvd collection a few months back and it was solid entertainment. I'm sure that much if not all is on YouTube in I imagine comparatively good image quality.
1965. Antonia and I both wearing striped T shirts.. this kinda fat m middle aged straight guy says, heckle and jeckle! pretty close, actually.