#Gene’s deleted ballads | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

musicalepisode · 5 years

Photo

Closer to Heaven: An Hour of Love and Longing.

Listen on Mixcloud

Happy to say I’ve settled into a new house and though I’m still doing a lot of construction and my studio/work space with all my records isn’t even close to finished (I’ve barely started demolition!) I have been able to set up my tables and work out a way to get some podcasts up and get back to posting. I said it years ago and I’m sticking by it- I won’t apologize for gaps in my posting because this is meant to be educational, fun and to celebrate and learn about music and not a chore- but I’m happy to be able to get back to more frequent updates!

Another housekeeping note. I signed up for mixcloud at the prompting of a friend but hadn’t done anything with it but after Tumblr’s recent regressive policy changes I think it’s a good idea to have a back up space that won’t threaten to arbitrarily remove or delete my blog because an algorithm things a 45 spindle is a nipple. So when I get all the old episodes up over there I’ll let you know, will also likely be a cleaner interface if you just want to breeze through each mix.

Anyhow, on to the music. This podcast comes from a box of records I pulled for a night I’ve been doing on and off for the last year called “Deep Down Inside” that focuses on slower music and not played for a dancefloor. Some of the songs are mid or even uptempo but usually qualify in my mind as companions to sweet soul, doo wop, deep soul and an assortment of other ballads that I love to listen to but don’t have a home at our weekly soul party.

I really love all these songs so I won’t go into too much detail but there’s a range here from slinky R&B to Pat Lundy’s deeply mellow track. Inez Johnston is the talent we know later in her career as Inez Foxx, The Inspirations are better known for the flip of this record but I like em both, Up The Ladder is an incredibly common and well known record but it’s one of my favorite supreme songs. A couple of tracks from 70 and though The Sequins record says 71, the first issuing of the song on Crajon were 69 but the mix is basically all 60s tracks. The Neville song- and what a song it is!- is a Jazzman reissue of a record that it seems was never issued back in the day so I’m sure you’ll excuse the fact it’s not an original pressing and enjoy what is arguably one of the heaviest grooves (never originally) committed to vinyl.

As always, reach out if you have any questions or clarifications and I’m very happy be back sharing all this beautiful music.

Peace, George / Snack Attack

The Girls - The Hurts Still Here (Memphis, 1970) The Charmels - Loving Material (Volt, 1967) The Van Dykes - Shaking Me Up (Mala, 1966) Brenton Wood - Great Big Bundle of Love (Double Shot, 1970) Pat Lewis - Warning (Solid Hit, 1966) Gene Chandler - After The Laughter (Checker, 1967) The Sequins - Someday You’ll Be Mine (Fantasy, 1971) The Originals - I Like Your Style (Soul, 1970) The Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof (Motown, 1970) The Cruisers - I Need You So (Gamble, 1967) Betty Harris - I’ll Be A Liar (Jubilee, 1963) LC - Put Me Down Easy (SAR, 1963) The Sapphires - Who Do You Love (Swan, 1964) Barbara Lynn - You’ll Lose A Good Thing (Jamie, 1962) Dimples Jackson - Love Came Tumbling Down (Gardena, 1960) Inez Johnston - Why Did Ya? (Brunswick, 1961) Pat Lundy - Does She Ever Remind You of Me (Columbia, 1968) Jackie Verdell - Why Not Give Me A Chance (Peacock, 1963) Erma Franklin - Right To Cry (Shout, 1963) The Inspirations - What Am I Gonna Do with You Hey Baby (Black Pearl, 1967) The Radiants - Voice Your Choice (Chess, 1964) Aaron Neville - Hercules (Jazzman, 1969 - reissue)

#musicalepisode #soul #r&b #vinyl #45 #soul 45 #chicago soul #podcast

1 note · View note

petty-crush · 4 years

Text

A particular artform I have fondness for is Bonsai tree cultivation.

To keep a small tree that mimics a larger one, careful attention to detail, shape, and wild form must be exacted. Too much cutting, and overall shortsighted zeal to “balance” can reduce the beautiful plant to a stump.

“Psycho Circus” is the rotten stump of Gene Simmons(should be) 90’s solo album.

Let’s unwind this yarn.

“Circus” came about after the four original members of Kiss (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehely, and Peter Criss) reunited in 1996 to much bombast. There was a tour, where Frehely possibly played the best and most lethal live guitar of his life, and enough goodwill for an album.

And then the bed was shat.

Exact reasons are a “he said, she said” but pretty much the album was Gene and Paul plus studio musicians, and one track where all four where on the same song.

So the prospect of a band making it work is null and void.

However.

Spend a few minutes and an exact search for demos /outtakes on this album, and it’s clear at least eight songs were recorded during the “Circus”sessions but not included on the album.

Almost all are Gene songs. And they are terrific.

Research shows that Paul was very headstrong with the record producer Bruce Fairban. One point of contention was that Fairban was “spending too much time with Gene”.

The thing is, I can totally see why.

Gene Simmons is my pick for most creative and oddball song writer in Kiss. Consider that a booby prize or not, the man is really willing to go out there. He worships at the mountain of Lennon/McCartney and has climbed some serious heights.

Additional research shows that Gene stopped giving a damn when the make up come off in 1983. He gave more and more control to Paul (to my ears bleeding). He had a notable second wind with the 90’s hard rock return in pop music (I think “Childhood’s End” is a bummer ballad of the highest order).

He was prone to larger than life takes in music, and something in the grease paint brought back a man committed.

Here is the songs he wrote and sang in during the “Circus” (he gave an additional song to Ace), in order of album(the first four) and bootleg tracks(the remaining)

1. Within

2. We are One

3. You Wanted the Best

4. Journey of 1,000 Years

5. Carnival of Souls

6. It’s My Life

7. Sweet and Dirty Love

8. I Am Yours

9. I want to Rule the World

10. The Rain Keeps Falling

Yes, six songs left on the cutting floor. Granted, one (“It’s my Life”) kicked around since at least 1982, and two (“Carnival”, “Sweet”) later made it out to his 2004 solo album.

To these ears, it’s best recorded of all those songs. These versions dive head first into the 90’s love for 70’s music, and work to an alarmingly convincing way. There are the era’s tropes of recording and phrasing but these never ever get in the way of the songs, they bolster them.

When I said Gene was the most creative, I put his 1978 solo album as exhibit A (the masterful “Goin’ Blind” as a close second). He took a big gulp of the 70’s States music; funk, boogie, several divas (Cher, Donna Summer), a cover of “Wish Upon A Star”, a beautiful Beatles homage “See You Tonight”, and his most revealing “Mr. Make Believe”.

This was not an album easy to pigeonhole or lacking in ambition.

And yet, if the possible 90’s solo were to come out (I’m calling it “Life”) it would have utterly smoked it.

Gene Simmons’ voice in the 90’s was as good as he got (see the song “Unholy”) it had an unbeatable mix of coarse grit and clubbing melody. This is a big part of the reason all these songs register so deeply. He simply had a voice that was the Beatles but “dangerous”.

His willingness to be utterly committed and far reaching is still in effect. “You Wanted the Best” has all four members singing and it falls over the top several tunes but remains ear worming. It holds an appealing boldness.

This is something rarely seen in Kiss. To my amusement, the best songs by them never get anywhere close to their albums.

I’m frankly utterly bored of any and all Paul Stanley songs after 1982 (and not many I liked before that).

His humorless and try too hard songs (somehow combined with the most pandering banter live) has the scent of a person so committed to not working a regular job he’ll put out whatever product he needs to be seen.

Can the same be said of Gene? I can see that, but his songs engage me. At least until 21st century.

Every single song on “Life” has some hook or texture that appeals to me. There’s something that makes me tune in.

It’s doesn’t bother me that he used so many studio musicians because the same thing happened on 1978 release.

Context means everything, doesn’t it? In light of a band putting out a reunion album, this balderdash album (“Circus”) is a boring farce. There’s no joy of teamwork. And, my gawd, are all of Paul’s songs (including the one he wrote for Criss) so whatever. Like, if one is going to steer the bull, go for Brian Wilson land, not Mike Love chasm.

Simply deleting those songs is a bushel of fun. I’m not saying they shouldn’t exist, I’m saying I don’t want them.

Gene’s (would be) 98 solo album would have been a high voltage ride. A collection of songs that show demons need love melodies too.

For me it would have been the best thing he ever did, album wise.

I’m talking of a misty ghost, but one I can recommend and praise. I can’t do that for “Circus”. So whip out that mixtape and jam on.

It’s your life. Do what you wanna.

#gene simmons #bonsai tree #music #kiss #what if #90s music

0 notes