4/28/2009

Looking across the Bay. Damn, I want to head north and open the cottage. Have to wait another four weeks.

Looking across to Parry Island

The first time I heard this song it had to be in about 1977. Punk opened the light, that music was more then just something to listen to, but I had always been attracted to the English blues rock guitar, Hendrix, Clapton and Beck, not the stuff they did in the 70's, that was boring old shit, ego masturbation is the best way I can describe it, but the music they created in the 60's when they were young and trying to prove themselves. I wanted to know where these guys came from and how their styles developed. I watched every rock documentary that came on TV. I read every book that I could (that's not saying very many, as I come from a town with one public library). I don't know if I wanted this information to have standing in the yard in between classes while we grabbed a smoke or was it for myself because the sound talked to me.

Anyway, I found a album in the record store .. 5 Live Yardbirds with Eric Clapton. I've since discovered that it was a bootleg of the "5 Live Yardbirds" live album. But this song was on it. "Smokestack Lightning". Wow! This led me to Howlin' Wolf, who lead me to Muddy Waters, and so on.

Take a listen:

Howlin' Wolf => Smokestack Lightin'
The Yardbirds => Smokestack Lightin'
The Grateful Dead => Smokestack Lightin'
Soundgarden => Smokestack Lightin'


Enjoy the spring.

1 comment:

Cormac Brown said...

I haven't heard it in some twenty four years, but the Animal's version of this song is my favorite. Unfortunately the CD version of "Animalism" is missing "Smokestack" and about four other songs that were on the Euro vinyl version.