Sent by angels...

ARC ANGELS PROMO

Another promo pic dug out of the archives, a 1992 photo of the Arc Angels. Formed in Austin, TX, the Arc Angels were a joining of the forces being guitar heavy weights Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II along with drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon (the rhythm section of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble). The group came together at the Austin Rehearsal Center (ARC) while Sexton had been working on his next solo album. Layton also had a drum room there where he would often practice. The initial idea had been to create a band that can jam when people happened to be in town or when Layton and Shannon were not on tour with Stevie. After Stevie's passing, the band became more of an musical outlet. But they soon found they dug the idea of being in a band together, as Sexton and Bramhall put aside their solo projects and started writing specifically for the Arc Angels.

For more info on the Arc Angels, check 'em out here http://www.myspace.com/arcangelsmusic#ixzz0uM6tm4Tc

'Til we groove again...

Whadda you looking at?

When you think of New York cool, you automatically think of Lou Reed. Here's a promo photo I found of Lou from 1991. This is probably my favorite time period from Reed. 1989 saw the release of his "New York" album, with great tunes like 'Last Great American Whale', 'Dirty Blvd.', 'Strawman', and 'Hold On'. It certainly received a bit more commercial attention than he'd seen in a while and it was well deserved. Some of it is a bit dated, however, as Lou usually has his finger (which one?) on the pulse of what's going on, especially in his own back yard. Some of the names may seem unfamiliar now, 20 years later. That's what we have Google for now, huh?

1990 saw Reed team up with "old pal" John Cale for a tribute to Andy Warhol titled "Songs for Drella". The songs move their way through Warhol's life, telling the story from Andy's point of view, as if he's actually telling the story. Great moments include 'Trouble With The Classicists', 'Starlight', 'A Dream', and 'Forever Changed'. A video was also released with Reed and Cale performing the songs "live" in the studio.

1992 came the knockout punch (for me anyways) with "Magic and Loss". Written about a couple friends who eventually died of cancer, it's some heavy stuff at times without being dreary and depressing. Not exactly a collection of snappy pop tunes (how morbid!) but some real deep and powerful stuff on this record. Favorites here include 'Power And Glory', 'Cremation', 'Gassed And Stoked', and 'Magic and Loss'.

A coupla books also sprang forth during this time period. "Lou Reed - Growing Up in Public", a biography written by Peter Doggett, editor of "Record Collector" magazine. Also, in 1992, "Between Thought and Expression", selected lyrics of Lou Reed by Lou Reed, with a coupla interviews thrown in too. There were a handful of poetry readings thrown in here and there also, along with a few short tours and, not to mention some get togethers with the Velvet Underground as well. Busy time for Mr. Reed. Lotsa cool stuff well worth checking out! 'Til we groove again...

Playin' the Blues for You...

For my first blog sans radio station, I return to an artist I previously wrote about: the great Jimmie Vaughan. Today he lays forth his latest studio release "Plays Blues, Ballads, & Favorites". I've got on the 'phones and am checking it out as I type. No track by track review, just thoughts. This album is his first solo record in 9 years and is largely a tip o' the hat to the music and artists that have grooved him over the years. With the exception of the boogie instrumental 'Comin' & Goin'', this is a selection of covers ranging from artists like Willie Nelson, Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Roy Milton, Roscoe Gordon and others. In an interview with the Illinois Entertainer, Vaughan talks about the new recording. “There’s a couple of studios in town that I like,” he says, revealing the plot. “I got them to call me when somebody cancels on ‘em, [so] I go in and I start recording as if I’m making singles. That’s my latest trip. I’ll get a couple songs, go in and cut ‘em, fool around with them for the next couple days, and then that’s it – on to something else. That’s what I did on this record. I just want to have fun. My music has totally always been selfish and I’ve always played what I wanted to play. I figure, if I don’t like it I can’t expect anybody else to. I’m just trying to play what I want to hear. A guy told me that once. He said, ‘Just play what you want to hear.’ I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’” From what I'm hearing through da 'phones, this is one groovin' record. I've got some Napster credits to use but I think I want to hold the package (so to speak) and pick this sucker up later this week. That's all for now! 'Til we groove again...