My Favorite Albums of All Time (Part 15, and last)

 

My Favorite Albums of All Time (Part 15 and the last)

Book Musik: "It Came From Memphis" by Robert Gordon. Interview with Robert Gordon

 

Book Musik 038 – It Came from Memphis by Robert Gordon

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Book Musik

Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Robert Gordon to discuss his classic book It Came from Memphis newly revised for its 25th anniversary release. Many have made the convincing case that Memphis is the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. It is without a doubt a cultural hub on par with New York, Paris, and San Francisco and yet remains somewhat under the radar. Alex Chilton, Jim Dickinson, photographer William Eggleston and bluesman Furry Lewis are just a few of the prominent characters who make the scene in this riveting book. Gordon has a passionate attachment to his city’s history and culture and celebrates those on the edge and those creating the chaos that make life interesting.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Book Musik · Book Musik 038 – IT CAME FROM MEMPHIS – discussion with author Robert Gordon

January 12, 2021, by Tosh Berman

 

January 12, 2021

Today is Big Star's Chris Bell's birthday. He died at 27, and if alive, he would be 70. When you listen to his recordings, he sounds like a young man who died at 27. By his music, I can't think of him being at 70. His despair feels very young, in that one's emotions are at a peak, and the world is either opening up or closing on you. "Should believe in Jesus, it can do you no harm," from the song "Better Save Yourself," which I think is not really a song to someone, but for himself. It's a sad song, but then again, all of Chris Bell's songs are tragic sounding. Wishful, and with no poison in his soul, he stands the opposite of his one-time bandmate, co-songwriter Alex Chilton.

Similarly, as Lennon (Chilton) and Paul (Chris), the tension between the two artists gives the music and lyrics a pull/push. One can say the same for Brian Jones (non-writer, but iconic in that band) against the Jagger/Richards world. The relationships don't last forever. One tends to overshadow the other, but still, a fascinating relationship within the band's makeup.  

When I close my eyes, I like to imagine that Chris and Alex's portrait as an oil painting by John Singer Sargent. He was a master in capturing the aristocrat personality. There is something very class orientated about the two members of Big Star. Alex, having the experience of being a teenage pop star/musician and coming from bohemian family background, then Chris Bell, who worked in his Dad's restaurant. While watching the documentary, I can sense the difference in their approach to life. Chilton looks fearless, and there are some hesitant overtures from Bell.  I can't express it precisely; this is all that I see in photographs and hearing their music.  I sense a built-up tension in Bell's music. At least on his solo album, his spirituality is not enlightenment but from some form of mental pain. 

Chris doesn't want to be alone, and Alex wants to be alone. Now, both are dead, and I guess they're both alone. At the least in the physical sense. It's that yearning for some new experience, such as love, travel, or an adventure of some sort. I think this is what I find appealing in both Alex and Chris Bell's work. Now, I'm re-discovering Chris's music, and I now understand the moments of weakness, doubt, and the ability to think 'what the hell?' I am not that far from such a world, and I will never embrace religion, but the guitars' ringing is a good exit plan.