Oregon: Coincidentally enough (once again), my own girlfriend, before we began going out, happened to be a guest (of the opening band, Cracker) at the only Dead concert she's been to, at the University in Eugene, about '94 I think. Not sure I could actually fall asleep at a concert myself, but if I could I feel sure that the Dead could inspire it, with opera running not far behind. Haven't been a big Lobos fan for many years now, mostly because of that creeping jam-band influence which I have no use for, but I rocked my ass off to them at club shows many times back in the early- to mid-80's when they were sharp as a tack.
Spun today:
Small Faces - S/T [Decca/Deram, '66/'96] Expanded re-ish of the British debut long-player. Most American 'classic rock' radio listeners have only ever heard the later hit "Itchykoo Park" (which made famous the 'flanging' effect), but if you've heard Robert Plant singing Zep's "Whole Lotta Love", you've heard more of this record than you know.
The Clash - Crucial Music: 1977 Revisited [CBS/Relativity, '90] Listening to this collection of B-sides -- a couple of which weren't included on the "Black Market Clash" EP or appended to reissues of their debut LP "The Clash" -- basically just pisses me off to think that Joe Strummer is dead, and there aren't any rock bands in the world today fit to lick the soles of his boots. I guess Nirvana were supposed to have been it once upon a time, but right about now we could use another Clash to lead the way and tear everything up again. But I don't think that's ever gonna happen anymore.
Guided By Voices - Under The Bushes Under The Stars [Matador, '96] One thing's sure, none of *my* high school English teachers ever delivered a jump-kick to the heart like this no-fi primer.
