The College Crowd Digs Me

"Y ou'll wipe off that graveyard grin, cause your time is gonna come." --> Willie Nile <-- When Willie Nile hit the music scene, critics were penciling in his name atop the short, but seemingly endless, "The Next Dylan" list ad nauseum. An Excalibur no one really wants and no one's ever owned. Neverthless, Willie Nile has been court and sparks with most critics since releasing his self-titled debut in 1980. He brings songs that play straight and unforced. Rocking with rumble one minute; Cool-burning the next. Like city bruises and small victories...Nile owns the words he sings. We feel it and own them as well. Lost Gem:--> "The Black Parade" ...is a deliciously spiteful reminder to whom it may concern..."What goes around, comes around." Have you heard this gem? Hand me down my walking cane. Tune up my New Orleans drum. They're gonna call my name when the morning comes. I wanna lead. Please let me lead ...

In grade school... Horse Head wanted to be an astronaut. He wanted the mad-skills of eating an entire slice of pizza in a single chomp ala Ninja Donatello. And he also wanted to randomly "bounce through time...putting things right that once went wrong" ...like Sam Beckett (and his friend, Al) in the early '90s sci-fi TV series, Quantum Leap . So when Horse Head discovered Innovation Comics published a Quantum Leap series (1991 -1993) ... he nearly "leaped" his pants. Each comic was a complete story and almost like watching an episode...minus the commercials. The run was short...(13 issues + 1 special edition)...but they're pretty good, lightweight fare and still a fairly easy series to complete. The Horse Head Five ... Issue #1 Sam leaps into a female high school English teacher. Issue #2 Sam leaps into a prison inmate on death row. Issue #5 Sam leaps into a reporter during a UFO scare. Issue #6 Sam becomes a teenage...

" I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress." --> King Crimson <-- Seven years had passed since the legendary prog-floggers... King Crimson released a studio album. It was 1981. A different climate. And most thought the band was long-gone, boned, and buried. However...nobody informed guitar genius, Robert Fripp , Bill Bruford (drums) Adrian Belew (guitar/vocals) or Tony Levin (bass). "Discipiline" (1981) is a stunning must-own album filled with thrilling maneuvers...both powerful and innovative. And it still sounds amazingly fresh. Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew Fripp spins one guitar web after another...but loosens the reins enough for the others to take their trip. And Belew , Bruford , and Levin sound inspired and dangerous. Lots of noise. No notes wasted. L ost Gem:--> " Indiscipline" ...has all the unnerving ramblings of a psychotic lone...

"Shadows run in full flight, to run, seek and hide." --> Rory Gallagher <-- Woody Allen (the actor) is the quirky conundrum wandering through much of his films as the self-doubting timid-timmy. Never sure what his next move should be or when it should be made. Woody Allen (the director) doesn't have that problem. "Shadows and Fog" is first and foremost a loving homage to the great b/w directors of lore. Fritz Lang quickly comes to mind...as does Bergman . Hints of Hitchcock and Fellini and others I'm sure I've forgotten. And it looks fantastic! Woody Allen & Mia Farrow Woody skillfully uses darkness and light to present a beautiful and amusing story involving sheepish Kleinman ( Woody Allen ) being roused from sleep by vigilantes demanding help catching a serial killer. There's also a subplot about circus performers and brothel activities that loosely connect like old Legos. Initially panned, there was argy-bargy about the all...

"I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow." --> Elliott Smith <-- This under-appreciated Midwest Magi was wickedly skilled in the fine art of song construction. Elliot Smith had a Brian Wilson ear for arrangements and a fearless John Lennon heart for exposing his wounds. With a gentle voice, Smith delivered lyrics that were both precise and personal ...and yet floated over melodies that were disarmingly catchy and achingly beautiful. And we trust taking the journey into the darker places...because Elliott used words like... R ushlight candles. Elliott Smith was a tortured soul with a complex box of musical bandages...who tried, but just couldn't stop the bleeding.  L ost Gem:--> "Waltz #2 (XO)" ...starts with a lone "boom-chick-chick-boom" drum beat that is quickly joined by a cheerless acoustic guitar. And as ear-worm beautiful, the melody... it is a heartbreaking song. Not about his favorite girl ...

"Hard work. Hard work." --> John Handy <-- (Lost "Radio" Gem :... a single that may have charted, but deserved better. ) Smokin' jazz great... John Handy ......and his bumblebee alto sax has been melting wax as leader or sideman for nearly 50 years. And will forever be recognized for giving us one of the great jazz albums ... "Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival" (1965). This was an incredible must-own burner with a quintet led by Handy and made up of brilliant, hungry newcomers..including Wichita's very own guitarist... Jerry Hahn . John Handy Handy took the reins again on "Hard Work" (1976) ...a tasty offering of jazz with a surprising R&B flavor . And though the album was a little hit-or-miss for jazz purists...trust your own ears. There's good stuff to be found. Lost Radio Gem: "Hard Work" (#43 BB Charts)...a smoldering jazz-funker. John Handy's sax-blow is epic sick ...burning with blue...

"This ele ctric phase... ain't no teenage craze." --> UFO <-- Another great Classic Rock album from UFO ...and one that never received much radio justice. Plenty of good stuff on... "Lights Out" ...to rattle your ceiling fans and poltergeist your curtains. These guys are terribly underrated and almost faceless in the States.  But just put your ears on...and then try to explain how they don't make the 'A' list. This is UFO Lost Gem:--> "Electric Phase" ...is a great song buried deep on side two. Classic Michael Schenker stokes the blazing rock-oven with churning guitar riffs.   And under-appreciated singer Phil Mogg carries the news that your daughters are gonna reach out and touch someone.  A nice bit of slide and bass underneath, as well. Have you heard this gem? On the wires I can hear you comin' With a rush and a strummin' This electric phase ain't no teenage craze In your house a phone ...