Don’t they do at least one Lee Dorsey cover, “Holy Cow” on Moondog Matinee, iirc.
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 28 July 2019 20:42 (four years ago) link
Ah, right, I don't know that album but indeed they do! I definitely hear a lot of Lee Dorsey in Levon Helm's vocals; Robertson's guitar playing; the Band, in general, when they get a little funky.
― Arthur Lowe & Love (Tom D.), Sunday, 28 July 2019 20:48 (four years ago) link
Iirc, part of why The Band hired Toussaint for "Life Is A Carnival" (and then Rock of Ages) was his work on Yes, We Can.
― frustration and wonky passion (C. Grisso/McCain), Sunday, 28 July 2019 21:15 (four years ago) link
There is a Levon drum instruction video which I recommend even if, like me, you are not a drummer, in which he talks about being influenced by the New Orleans drummers. One version of the story I think heard somewhere, maybe not there, is that Earl Palmer and others started playing 4/4 instead of a shuffle, only it wasn’t quite a straight 4/4, which is one of the reasons for that particular strain of funkiness.
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 28 July 2019 21:26 (four years ago) link
I hear you.
― Arthur Lowe & Love (Tom D.), Sunday, 28 July 2019 21:37 (four years ago) link
Another thing I noticed, long acknowledged, is the influence of New Orleans R&B on ska and, thereafter, reggae.
― Arthur Lowe & Love (Tom D.), Monday, 29 July 2019 09:57 (four years ago) link
Yes. Your powers of observation are strong, if we needed anymore evidence of that, as this is pretty well documented, I believe.
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 29 July 2019 10:01 (four years ago) link
I haven't read much about the nuts and bolts of why that happened. Did New Orleans radio signals reach Jamaica?
― Οὖτις, Monday, 29 July 2019 15:31 (four years ago) link
Yes. And think sailors or other travelers brought vinyl back and forth.
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 29 July 2019 15:33 (four years ago) link
I think more radio than sailors tbh.
― Arthur Lowe & Love (Tom D.), Monday, 29 July 2019 15:35 (four years ago) link
Listening to a comp of Dorsey's early Amy Records singles this morning (thanks, thread!) Allen Toussaint's songwriting style is all over them, but it's Dorsey's laconic vocal that really puts them over; he's a super affecting singer imo. And I never made the connection between his voice and Levon Helm's, but it's totally there.
I hadn't heard "Mexico" before; great, quirky Meters arrangement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9f4mlx85gE
― confusementalism (Dan Peterson), Monday, 29 July 2019 16:02 (four years ago) link
the radio got people interested in New Orleans' sounds, which prompted JA merchants/importers to focus on those records to bring back.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Monday, 29 July 2019 16:15 (four years ago) link
I mean Tom the Great Sebastian was not downloading stuff off of Napster.
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 29 July 2019 16:31 (four years ago) link
At least as far as I know
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 29 July 2019 16:48 (four years ago) link
Christgau's writing got me in Lee Dorsey a bit plus then I also saw Dorsey open for the Clash in Philadelphia @ the Tower Theatre in 79
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 12:15 (four years ago) link
Well, that's something to write home about.
― How to Book Michael Fish (Tom D.), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 12:22 (four years ago) link
― U or Astro-U? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 12:55 (four years ago) link
Just heard about the apparently huge influence Fats Domino had on ska.
― Another Fule Clickin’ In Your POLL (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 11 August 2019 22:36 (four years ago) link
Oh yeah! "Be My Guest" basically <is> Ska.
― frustration and wonky passion (C. Grisso/McCain), Sunday, 11 August 2019 23:01 (four years ago) link
RIP
― Working in the POLL Mine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 8 May 2021 18:02 (two years ago) link
Well, 34 years ago, but the thought is still a good one.
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Saturday, 8 May 2021 18:26 (two years ago) link
Ha, sorry
― Working in the POLL Mine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 8 May 2021 18:47 (two years ago) link
Just three years to the centenary of his birth!
― Are Animated Dads Getting Hotter? (Tom D.), Saturday, 8 May 2021 18:50 (two years ago) link
Lord, I’m so tired.
― Working in the POLL Mine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 8 May 2021 18:54 (two years ago) link
How long can this POLL on?
― Working in the POLL Mine (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 8 May 2021 19:00 (two years ago) link