The Days of Lore

It might, possibly, perhaps get loud(ish)

Thursday, February 25th, 2010 | fliX, musiX | 9 Comments

I recently watched Davis Guggenheim’s It Might Get Loud, the documentary that takes a gander at the electric guitar by way of the calloused fingers of David Evans, James Page and John Gillis. Yeah, I’ve never heard of ‘em, either.

And I really liked it (save for maybe the trio’s flimsy rendition of The Band’s “The Weight” at the end)—especially the backstories of Jimmy Page and The Edge (Page’s early days as a young virtuoso skiffle player, and The Edge barely knowing what to do with that old Explorer). Seeing/hearing that old footage again of U2 before the members had probably ever touched razors to their faces was fun. And the smile on the (then) 64-year-old Page’s face as he played air-guitar to a crackly 45 of Link Wray’s “Rumble” was pure gold.

When I first heard about the film—and who was being featured—my immediate thought was, “Jack White?” Don’t get me wrong, I love White’s Detroit punk and R&B background (especially his love of Son House and cheap Montgomery Ward guitars), and I’m probably more in tune with his philosophy on music than I am his elders in the movie. BUT (there’s always a but) while Page and The Edge define styles that can’t be duplicated, White is more of an encyclopedia of blues licks with a stomp box.

That said, I found his thread in the movie the most interesting. He’s definitely the most charismatic of the three … I mean he had a younger version of himself following him around fer chrissakes. And in all honesty, when asked by Poor Old Dirt Farmer, I was unable to come up with another guitarist that could replace him (at least one that I could stomach).

Of course, it could also be argued that Page and The Edge could have been replaced—hell, it would probably be easier. Townshend? Clapton? Johnny Marr? Eddie Van Halen? So, let me ask you this: If you could remake It Might Get Loud, who would you feature in the film?

Post your ideas in the comments section, along with a full script (just kidding). Keep in mind this is about the electric guitar and that each guitarist represents a different era. This is not a test, although you will receive bonus points for not choosing Yngwie Malmsteen.

Tags: Davis Guggenheim, It Might Get Loud, Jack White, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Son House, The Edge, U2, White Stripes

Rolling Stone: Not so pretty

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 | musiX | 7 Comments

It’s no secret that Rolling Stone magazine has steadily been going to hell in a handbasket for years. Financially, too, I’m sure. I receive a free subscription to the hippie-hipster rag because I purchased a few tickets through Ticketmaster (I figured I’m owed about $183 for all those service charges I’ve paid over the past 20 years).

It’s bad. Thin political pieces. Lame interviews. Predictable album reviews. Buzzing about buzz bands that buzzed so many moons ago. My favorite part of the magazine? Reading the From the Vault section and waxing nostalgic on the songs and albums that were popular decades ago.

Three things that have recently made me cringe: A sorry stab at satire in the form of a faux interview with former President George Bush in January; a five-star review of the new U2 record by usual suspect David Fricke; and the latest cover featuring two pretty young things from a show called Gossip Girl sharing an ice cream cone … looks like strawberry, perhaps.

Don’t get me wrong—I don’t like Bush, I like-like U2 and I really like pretty young things and ice cream … oh ice cream … sweet, sweet ice cream …

… where was I? Yes, during the first week of March in 1979, the Top 10 singles were as follows:

1. Gloria Gaynor
“I Will Survive”

2. Rod Stewart
“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”

3. Bee Gees
“Tragedy”

4. The Pointer Sisters
“Fire”

5. Donna Summer with Brooklyn Dreams
“Heaven Knows”

6. Olivia Newton-John
“A Little More Love”

7. Peaches and Herb
“Shake Your Groove Thing”

8. The Doobie Brothers
“What a Fool Believes”

9. Village People
“Y.M.C.A.”

10. Dire Straits
“Sultans of Swing”

Tags: David Fricke, Rolling Stone, U2

Knocking boots with U2

Saturday, January 31st, 2009 | musiX | 1 Comment

My relationship with U2 has always been pretty on-and-off. I like them. I hate them. I love them. I like-like them. I hate them again. It could be on again with the forthcoming No Line On the Horizon (due out Feb. 27). I’m at least willing to give it a try … even after being absolutely turned off by 2004’s How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

The video for the new single “Get On Your Boots” is here—loaded with eye candy and a nasty little riff courtesy of Adam Clayton and The Edge, the latter of whom got his guit-geek on last year with Jack White and Jimmy Page in the documentary It Might Get Loud. Well, “Get On Your Boots” is pretty loud. Bless their hearts.

U2, video for “Get On Your Boots”

Tags: "Get On Your Boots", Adam Clayton, No Line On the Horizon, The Edge, U2