Obscure Or Worth A Listen?
My first memories of music go back to my parents listening to Mitch Miller. When my sister and I were very young we had a ‘record player’, something even the most astute youth today could not fathom. It was about 14” square with one speaker on the front of the player but did feature a ‘volume’ and a ‘tone’ knob. That was what the standard household boasted as an “extra” in the mid 1960’s.
A friend of my mom’s had a “Hi Fi” with two, yes…two whole speakers. It was an RCA and it was so loud that when they cranked it up you could hear it playing a half a mile away. It not only played records but included a radio and had a volume and two “tone” knobs. That was high tech in the 1960’s.
Anyway, it may sound corny but when my sister and I were in grade school, we would often play the Mitch Miller records that my parents collected and have a sing-a-long. Entering my youth though, I began to listen to the music of the day and in 1967 my dad was transferred to New Jersey. We picked up and moved for one year and it was eye opening from a musical perspective.
Cousin Brucey was the radio (WABC) and the hits played all day long from The Amboy Dukes to Deep Purple to The Temptations. Returning to Barnstead the next school year, I was far more musically aware than many peers and they viewed my new found taste in music as “obscure” or in 1968 talk, “dumb”.
The first real album that I ever ‘owned’ was the Beatles, Hard Day’s Night followed by Led Zeppelin (which my peers referred to as ‘crap’), Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vita, Grand Funk Railroad, The Doors, Status Quo, Vanilla Fudge. Yes, I was known as an “acid rocker” and I took heat from my peers as being a “fool” for my taste. Last week, my foolish taste in music proved out as the major networks all ran segments on the historical reunion of that ‘crap’ band Led Zeppelin. Hmmm…my obscurity came full circle.
Then in college I worked at the radio station and was constantly criticized because I enjoyed music that did not fit into pop culture of the day. Constantly, others badgered because I shunned what I termed “music for the ignorant masses” for lesser known artists that were just as talented but just did not have the record company backing financially and were not supported by payola schemes.
Yes I embraced such obscure artists as Al Stewart, Supertramp and Thin Lizzy as well as lesser known’s Kayak, Jukka Tolonen and Status Quo. The industry then was much more convoluted than today and much less open to emerging artists. Still, my peers laughed and rolled their eyes. Of course Status Quo has sold more records than any rock artist in history worldwide, Al Stewart released 2 platinum and a gold album, Supertramp released 3 platinum albums and Jukka Tolonen today, is a world renowned jazz guitarist with 20 albums to his credit today worldwide.
For most of my life I have enjoyed some popular music but have always had a knack for listening to something and realizing that it deserves more recognition. In 1980 I handed a couple of albums to friends and said: “you have to listen to these, they are going to be stars”. They laughed and ignored my suggestion and asked why I focused so much on ‘obscure’ rock. The two albums that I handed on were the first by Survivor and Bryan Adams (I think that they beat out obscurity). I would go to flea markets and pick up brand new promotional albums for $1.00 and give them a listen. At one point I owned over 5000 albums. Still, those who embraced conformity mocked my taste as obscurity, dismissing anything that was not popular on radio as not relevant.
In recent correspondence received from a person who is an obvious musical Neanderthal he wrote: “Bill Bunker tells you what to read, where to eat….what ‘obscure’ rock to listen to.” It started by saying that my “toxic sense of self-importance has pushed most of us over the line”…most of who? What line? The line of free speech, free expression and open mindedness to new thoughts and ideas? How do you define obscure…through your narrow pseudo intellectual view?
So let me explain why I write on the subjects like food, music, etc. Believe me that it is not about my toxic self importance but more about sharing and maybe opening up closed minds and exposing them to things that they might never be aware of.
I like to share ideas about books that maybe readers have not read or some places that might please their palate and in this case, music that is really good. Many of the artists are just as talented if not more so than popular bands that have won the lottery of massive radio airplay. Luckily today, we have the internet and record companies are becoming irrelevant as artists now start their own labels and market their music independently.
In that spirit I offer three suggestions on three very different artists and some new and re-released music:
Cinder Road-Superhuman
As far as modern rock goes, this is an excellent example of straight ahead rock meets a bit of alternative. This release features “Get In Get Out” which appeared on the charts and Sirius satellite radio during the Summer and they have toured extensively throughout the country. They also have an impressive tour record playing for our military troops all over the world. I can’t pick a ‘best tracks’ list because they all are great songs loaded with instantly memorable hooks and tight musicianship…a home run. Two criticisms that I do have are that the intros to the songs are not representative of what is to come and the mix could be a little crisper. Beyond that, you would have to be tone deaf not to like this one.
You can find Cinder Road information at www.cinderroadmusic.com , their CD is available at Amazon.com, and on iTunes.
Re-Issue Rubinoos-Party of Two
Everyone has probably heard of the Rubinoos. I never really cared for this band when they were with Beserkley Records in the late 70’s and early 80’s. In 1983 they signed with Warner Brothers and released this eight song EP, then faded into oblivion until a few years ago. This is a true musical gem and I can’t say enough about the energy, harmonies, arrangements or musicianship on this recording. My favorite songs are: If I Had You Back, The Girl and Magic’s Back but all of the cuts will pick up your spirits and leave you humming these tunes all day long. This was produced by legend Todd Rundgren and backed up by Utopia, his live band. The Rubinoos reunited and released a couple of CD’s in 2003 and 2005 (Paleophonic and Crimes Against Music) and they are pretty good but this one is excellent! This is available at Amazon.com, cduniverse.com and other sites. I have not found this in stores as yet but I am sure it will appear soon!
To find out more about the Rubinoos go to http://www.rubinoos.com
They have been brought back to life on Party of Two by Wounded Bird Records which is an independent label that strictly re-releases music of the 1970’s and 1980’s. No matter one’s taste from that era, there are some real gems on their website that even the most mundane pop-centric musical tastes can enjoy. Those compliant and subservient to popular musical trends can knee jerk their way to this site and will find themselves a ton of lost gems.
That website is http://www.woundedbird.com
Lynn Allen-And The Horse You Rode In On
Fronted by Billy Peiffer a legendary rock artist from Iowa, this is truly a melodic rock masterpiece. Instant memorable hooks and tremendous harmonies fly in the face of the modern and alternative rock in a lesson on what real rock and roll is really about. Favorite tracks include: I Will If You Will, Warning Shot, Tonite Is Alright. The solid sound, solid vocals, solid songs and hooks will suck you into a web of musical delight. This is the story of “Local Boy Makes Good” and finally a solid representation of mid-west rock and roll meets mainstream sound. Nice listening and driving music. If you are interested in purchasing this CD you can pick it up at: http://www.nehrecords.com
Check Lynn Allen out at http://www.lynnallen.com
So there are some suggestions on melodic rock or just plain good music. Take a listen and I hope you enjoy what I hope to provide as new discoveries and suggestions for those who are open minded enough to see the value in lesser known and talented artists who deserve the attention.
