The Smiths
EVER FEEL LIKE A TOTAL NITWIT DISCOVERING AN ARTIST LATE IN THE GAME?
Examples:
1.) Chris Whitley. I was driving home after a long work day driving all over the place, my radio tuned to WFUV FM in New York. Ever hear a song for the first time and it feels like it lasted for an hour even though it was only minutes?The song was "Narcotic Prayer" and I was literally blown away. When I got home I searched iTunes and downloaded the album immediately. It was then I discovered he had died over a year earlier. &*^$%&$# I have everything he's ever recorded.
2.) Sublime. Same kind of episode. The song was "What I Got." Bought the album and started digging. Took a while before I finally found out that Bradley Nowell died. WTF? It's remained in my rotation ever since. Damn good album all the way through. I have the complete collection.
3.) Imani Coppola. I have absolutely no idea how I stumbled upon her while absentmindedly foraging amongst the depths of iTunes in January of this year, but somehow I clicked on a 1:30 sample of "I Am A Tree" from the album Chupacabra. Wowzers. To say the least. I was thinking, "wow, this is fresh stuff!" I saw all of her other records and. based on the strength of Chupacabra's tunes, purchased them as well. As I was listening to Chupacabra I started reading and... Well, Chupacabra was released in 1997! Here I am, a 63 year old white guy thinking I'm hipper than hell...Since then her music has become somewhat more edgy, incorporating more and more hip-hop and rap but, man, she's a fascinating personality, singer, lyricist and artist. An amazing talent.
I've got a few more but let's have some fun with this. Have at it!
1.) Chris Whitley. I was driving home after a long work day driving all over the place, my radio tuned to WFUV FM in New York. Ever hear a song for the first time and it feels like it lasted for an hour even though it was only minutes?The song was "Narcotic Prayer" and I was literally blown away. When I got home I searched iTunes and downloaded the album immediately. It was then I discovered he had died over a year earlier. &*^$%&$# I have everything he's ever recorded.
2.) Sublime. Same kind of episode. The song was "What I Got." Bought the album and started digging. Took a while before I finally found out that Bradley Nowell died. WTF? It's remained in my rotation ever since. Damn good album all the way through. I have the complete collection.
3.) Imani Coppola. I have absolutely no idea how I stumbled upon her while absentmindedly foraging amongst the depths of iTunes in January of this year, but somehow I clicked on a 1:30 sample of "I Am A Tree" from the album Chupacabra. Wowzers. To say the least. I was thinking, "wow, this is fresh stuff!" I saw all of her other records and. based on the strength of Chupacabra's tunes, purchased them as well. As I was listening to Chupacabra I started reading and... Well, Chupacabra was released in 1997! Here I am, a 63 year old white guy thinking I'm hipper than hell...Since then her music has become somewhat more edgy, incorporating more and more hip-hop and rap but, man, she's a fascinating personality, singer, lyricist and artist. An amazing talent.
I've got a few more but let's have some fun with this. Have at it!
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- 26 posts total
Discovering new artists is one of the attractions of Audiogon. That's why I go to HiFi shows, for the same reason. The whole music scene seems to have morphed into something new. Back in the 50's, 60's, an artist got a contract with a label, were promoted and became stars, or disappeared. Now there are 1000's of great bands, singers, Jazz groups out there, touring, recording in a garage, selling on line, whatever. How can anyone know about all of them, we all need a guiding hand. |
I worked in a huge record store (remember those) In the 1980’s, young guy around 15 comes up to me holding a Janis Joplin album and says “ I have all the albums you carry already. Don’t you any newer albums by her?” I said “that’s the last one she made.” I could see in his face he didn’t know she was dead. When I told him I think it broke his heart. I also once overheard some kid ask another kid who the Beatles were and his friend said “They were Paul McCarthy's backup band.” But that’s a story for another time. Oh and yeah, I missed the Whole 2000-2010 era due to kids and work, so I’m catching up on the whole era. |
BTW, Chris Whitley had a daughter, Trixie Whitley. She also plays and sings...She played in a group Black Dub. I saw them in concert, good stuff. Black Dub consists of Daryl Johnson (bass), Trixie Whitley (vocals), Brian Blade (drums), and Daniel Lanois (piano, guitar). https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=86N4lNuVz_8 |
- 26 posts total