Bill Drummond - "The Man" Vinyl, Album, 1989 (Bar/None Records)

 

Bill Drummond is a Scottish Jack-of-all-trades, which means he's a writer, A&R at Warner Brothers Records, conceptional artist, record producer, manager & producer of Echo & the Bunnymen, and a member of KLF. Recently he is on a world tour where he will produce 25 paintings by the year 2025. Oh, and he also made a solo album, "The Man" in 1989.

For someone who has almost a DADA-like approach to art and business, making this album comes as a surprise. 12 extremely well-crafted and produced songs that have a country-leaning but something twisted-like in its performance. A strong Scottish accent, at times it reminds me of Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline," only that it is suspicious that such an out-there artist like Dylan would make a 'straight' country album in Nashville. With songs like "Julian Cope is Dead," one suspects a tongue deep in the cheek, but on the other hand, it is a gorgeous album. A trebly solid electric guitar and lovely steel guitar throughout the album make it both a toe-tapper as well as a profound listening experience. 

The front and back of the album cover are so dull that one has to make it into an artistic statement of some sort. Still, the performance and the quality of the songs are remarkable. They can be looked at as some kind of 'art performance.' Still, I think in actuality, they are very straightforward works of beautiful melodies and, of course, being Drummond, understanding what makes a pop song work. For sure, an essential album to have in one's collection of crazed rock n' roll managers, such as Joe Meek and  Malcolm McLaren (who one can make comparisons with Drummond). If you see this album in the bins, get it.

January 22, 2021, by Tosh Berman

 

January 22, 2021

I have great admiration for people like Porfirio Rubirosa and Malcolm McLaren. Two hustlers on the make. Both would be OK to sell you anything you desire, and if you don't wish for anything, they'll find something for you to desire to. Malcolm has ideas and schemes to invent a culture of some sort.  Mr. Rubirosa basically just wanted to drive fast cars, play polo, and screw rich women. Rubirosa said, "I will risk everything to avoid being bored," but I think McLaren would follow that role in life.  

When Rubirosa was hard, Truman Capote reported to have seen him in this state, and he said 11 inches. "Eleven-inch café-au-lait sinker as thick as a man's wrist." A man asked him for advice in sexual manners. Rubirosa told him, "If you are going to have a hot date, then jerk off in the afternoon so that it takes you longer at night. You'll be a hero!" He wasn't born wealthy, nor had he ever had a full-time job; still, money found him. Rubirosa said, "Most men's ambition is to save money. Mine is to spend it." He married five times, and two of his wives were Doris Duke and Barbara Hutton.

Both Porfirio and Malcolm had plans for the present, never for the future, and the Past was used for either inspiration or personal connections. McLaren had a vision for himself in a world that he could create. Rubirosa was satisfied until another beauty came upon him or his finances dried up. The thing is that they successfully made their own identities and managed to live a full and argument ally a productive life. I think of these two men, and then I think of those who invaded the Capital a few weeks ago.

These are not men and women of great ambition, but just fulfilling a desire that can't be filled. I have met some of these people throughout the years. They are always got the short end of the stick. They're very proud to be an individual or that they can think for themselves. Still, the truth is they are totally ground meat to men like McLaren and Rubirosa. Even someone like Steve Bannon knows how to cradle stupid people's egos and somehow get the loose change from their pockets.  

Still, there are those who have no talents in social grace, understand or reading another person's moods or desires. Sometimes they're naturally sweet, but the mechanics of politics and power are either too gross or have a total lack of skills in dealing with people of that world. The frustration adds up when they are ignored, and why shouldn't they be? What do they have to offer? 

When they realize they have no hope or skills, they believe conspiracies why they are placed in such a position of no power, no economic strength, or the ability to see their creative talents. All they can do is complain, and feel resentment toward a world that has no interest in them.  The beauty of Malcolm and Rubirosa is that they really don't care what people think of them. Their game is to enjoy life and not allow a moment to go sour. Some people just dwell on the sourness of life, and eventually, it shows in their behavior and, ultimately, their fears. Insecurity is like a virus. If you hang out with them, you too will get it. 

The Important Albums and Singles from 1984 for Tosh

 

Finishing up the Twenties and going into being 30-years old in 1984. And living the bachelor life in Hollywood, both West, and Central. The number one album for me at that time was David Sylvian's (of Japan) first solo album "Brilliant Trees." I remember feeling excited about the possibility of the release of this album. In my mind, this album is going to be a masterpiece. And to this day, I feel it is an important work from a pop star turning into a more serious sort of music artist. Embracing world music, and surrounding himself with very forward-thinking musicians this is an album that didn't disappoint me. Also, my real introduction to Scott Walker took place with the release of "Climate of the Hunter," which I wrote about earlier. I also bought my first Prince album "Purple Rain," and clearly this is an extraordinary talent that seems to have a hold on the entire music world at the time. I was working at the record store, and everyone there loved Prince and this album. The dicey area now approaches with Malcolm McClaren's "Fans," his aural approach of mixing opera with pop. Not bad for a total non-musician such as Malcolm. One can argue about the quality of this album, but there is something brilliant in its concept, plus having Jeff Beck on the record as well. Bronski Beat's 'Smalltown Boy" struck me at the time as a very beautiful and moving song about being on the outside of the social world - - meaning if you are Gay on a very hostile planet. "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood was a fave of mine, just due to the obvious hype and presentation. Also, another version of Gay culture came upon my world due to this song and Bronski Beat. The other 'gay' presence is The Smiths. I have always preferred the Smiths compilations to the actual album releases. "Hatful of Hollow" is a fantastic collection of b-sides and single releases of this once remarkable band. - Tosh Berman