Courtin’ the Frogs

This weekend I watched my fair share of movies including one advertising monsters. This one in particular called “Cold Skin” (2017) has the tagline “A young man arrives at a remote island to take a post of weather observer only to find himself defending the watchtower from deadly creatures which live in the island shores.” The film opens with a quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche about men, monsters, and abysses. I was intrigued and found out the deadly creatures are some sort of amphibious Mermen/Mermaids or Frog People. The first song that popped into my head was Bob Dylan’s take on “Froggie Went a Courtin’ ”

In a loose way, this film reminded me of the 1985 film “Enemy Mine”, which also featured a small number of main characters stranded at a remote location. From what I read, “Cold Skin” took 10 years to get made. Its ratings are around the 5-6 range on a scale of 1-10.

There’s basically a young, fresh faced dude and an older Viking-ish dude who are stuck on this remote island with a lighthouse. Then, there are these monstrous Frog People invaders. However, there’s also one female Frog Person. She’s so friendly that there’s even interspecies intermingling? Fortunately we’re spared the gory details, but Yikes!!

I’d be curious to know what inspired the writers and directors to come up with this one. I thought about including the Jimi Hendrix tune “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)”, but decided against it.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Simmons: Singer-Songwriter?

When you think of the hard rock band KISS, your first thought might be of the 70s, their stage show, or specific songs. I started thinking about how many songs the band members wrote and recorded. Bass playing demon Gene Simmons has written around 100 songs and recorded even more. While boogie woogie piano doesn’t usually go hand in hand with any of those things, Simmons did come up with something called “Christine Sixteen” for their 1977 release “Love Gun.”

The song’s style reminds me of a 50s style rock n roll song with its spoken word recitation in the middle of it, but you’ll also hear suspended guitar chords a la The Rolling Stones in it as well.

Apparently, Alex and Eddie Van Halen played on the demo version of this tune. I found out about that while watching some YouTube videos about “Gene Simmons Vault” which was released in 2018. It contains over 100 song demos and some collectible stuff for the super fans. Another interesting thing I learned is Simmons actually wrote a song with none other than Bob Dylan called “Waiting for the Morning Light.”

Apparently Simmons even recorded their writing session which, I believe, is on the previously mentioned “Vault” collection. It makes me wonder if Simmons wanted to record it for posterity, to prove it actually happened, or just for the dough.

By the way, Dylan donned the whole white pseudo-Kabuki style makeup during The Rolling Thunder Revue. Does Simmons get credit for that, too? I mean KISS did the same thing, right?

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Tombstone Disguise

Do you think some actors are better at playing extremely different characters/roles than others? In other words, you don’t realize who the actor is while you’re watching the film. It’s definitely happened to me. It’s actually happend in the same movie. I’m talking about 1993’s “Tombstone”, which had about a million big name stars in it: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Dana Delaney. Even Charlton Heston, Jason Priestley, and Billy Zane popped into this film, too. So did the guy who played Lowell on “Wings”(Thomas Haden Church)!

Val Kilmer got plenty of praise for his portrayal of Doc Holliday in the film, but I doubt many viewers would remember who played memorable bad guy Ike Clanton in this film. The answer surprised me. It’s an actor named Stephen Lang. I suppose the cowboy hat and beard contributed to his “disguise”.

Lang has been in a lot of different films and TV shows: Avatar, Law & Order, and it looks like he even played Babe Ruth in a made for TV movie. Give the guy some credit for his diverse catalog of character acting. I think the beard and cowboy hat helped, but it goes deeper than that.

Another actor in “Tombstone” was Billy Bob Thornton, but he seemed to look much heavier than the usually lean dude we’ve seen since that time. Thornton played an obnoxious faro dealer. (This film is the only place I’ve ever heard the game mentioned. )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_(banking_game)

He was the guy that Wyatt Earp slapped around and then said, “Are you going do something or just stand there and bleed?” It probably left him with the “Tombstone Blues”.

I’ve heard music critcs mention people like Dylan and David Bowie have a knack for “reinventing themselves. ” I suppose that’s really what actors get paid to do, but some seem to take it to another level. I’d love to say more, but I have to get ready for “the reincarnation of Paul Revere’s horse.”

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

John Wesley Gillan

Bob Dylan is an interesting dude. Like all musicians with mainstream success, he has had his various periods or phases. First, he became the king of folk and protest by basically “going Guthrie.” (I just made that up.) Then he abandoned the acoustic thing and “went electric”. By the way, was the electric thing just to piss off everybody….because I think it worked. In December of 1967, he released an album which I’ve seen described as everything from semi-acoustic to agrarian-themed. I think I was first exposed to the song “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” via the Concert for Bangladesh, but it was originally released on the album “John Wesley Harding.”

I’ve always liked this song. It’s basically a twangy country waltz. Big surprise, it was recorded in Nashville! I really like the bridge or middle section’s lyrics — especially, the vocal phrasing on the last line “We’re gonna let it – you won’t regret it, Kick your shoes off”, etc.

From what I can tell, the song has been covered well over a hundred times. If you were going to pick two of the least likely singers to record this twangy Dylan tune, would you ever have guessed a duet with Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) and Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)?

The album Gillan’s Inn was released in 2006. To my ears, this version is a little less twangy and a little more Tex-Mex, but I have to say I like it. I don’t remember it, but apparently there was a version of this song on the Cocktail Motion Picture Soundtrack which featured Robert Palmer and UB40. How Very Eighties!

There are plenty of country-ish versions you can hear like Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Norah Jones, and even John Hammond, Jr. The Hollies also have a unique take on it.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Van’s Bob Dylan Blues

I had the honor of visiting Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Bob Dylan Center https://bobdylancenter.com/ during the past year, which I thoroughly enjoyed. During said trip, I answered an interactive question…What’s your favorite Bob Dylan song? Talk about a loaded question!

I officially went with “Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat.” The title alone makes me smile, but there are plenty of others in the running. My personal preference is on the bluesy side. I think “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” is a safe choice. I heard that for the first time when I rented a VHS tape of George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh. Another personal favorite of mine is “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” I would be hard pressed to find a better version than the one featuring Van Morrison in the group Them.

I like the bass guitar intro and the instrumentation on it…like the sad sounding organ …not to mention Van Morrison on lead vocals. I’m guessing I heard the Them version on a Van Morrison collection. The original Dylan version from “Bringing It All Back Home” is more sparse as it’s just Bob’s nasal shout, acoustic guitar, and harmonica. However, you have to give Dylan credit for the lyrics and chord changes. I also found an alternate take.

As far as I can tell, this song has been recorded over 100 times so you have lots of choices: Grateful Dead, Marianne Faithful, Joan Baez, Link Wray, The Byrds, and Echo & The Bunnymen. If you’d like to test some obscure waters, check out the version by a guy named Leroy Van Dyke. Van Dyke is best known for his oddball country song called “The Auctioneer.” There’s also a heavier take on it from 13th Floor Elevators.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Like a Rolling Spirit

I ran across a list of close to 200 different recording artists who have tackled the well-known Bob Dylan song “Like a Rolling Stone.” There are enough unique versions to do a week’s worth of blog entries on it, but the one that really grabbed my attention was the band Spirit.

How would you describe this version? The words which pop into my mind are “trippy” and “ethereal”. Talk about making a song your own! Wow. I wonder what Bob Dylan would think of it?

I’m no expert on the band Spirit, but here are a few things which pop to mind. They had a hit with the song “I Got a Line on You” and also recorded the eco-friendly tune “Nature’s Way” as well. Another important aspect of Spirit’s Dylan cover is the unique voice of Randy California.

His real name is Randy Wolfe. I didn’t know this until today, but the name “Randy California” was actually given to him by Jimi Hendrix when they played together in Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. (Hendrix was Jimmy James. Thanks, Wikipedia! )

I wonder what sort of effects were used on this particular recording? I thought I could hear a rotating Leslie speaker effect on the vocals, but I could be wrong. The studio version is from the “Spirit of ’76” album, which also includes some additional cover songs.

It’s interesting to think about the Hendrix-Randy California-Bob Dylan circles of influence. Hendrix was a big Dylan fan and even recorded his take on “Like a Rolling Stone” as well.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Revisiting Highway 61

Ironically, I think I was working in news radio when “Highway 61 Revisited – Revisited” was released in 2005, but I don’t remember reading or hearing anything about it. What a deal. (In case you missed it, the original “Highway 61 Revisited” was released by Bob Dylan in 1965 and contained “Like a Rolling Stone” along with several other great tracks.)

Recently, I found a really interesting cover of the title track by Dave Alvin on the various artists Revisited-Revisited release. Try saying that 10 times quickly…maybe even in an Elmer Fudd voice if you like.

Alvin’s take on this Dylan tune is pretty unique. It’s basically a spoken word thing with a trippy musical accompaniment, but I have to say I like it — it’s poetic. I don’t usually pay much attention to “official videos”, but this one is a sort of black and white open road montage. It works for me.

Dylan’s original release is pretty off the wall as well.

Lyrically, this is a good example of why people like Dylan’s writing. You’ve got references to the bible, the welfare department, bleachers in the sun. Again, it’s not only poetic as a whole, but how do you describe the music…funny, raucous, bluesy, funky, unique? I would agree with all of those. The comedic siren whistle is a nice touch.

There are at least 40 other cover versions of this song so I….reserve the right to revisit the already Revisited? Elmer Fudd, out.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Blueszilla Guitarists

If you follow this blog with any regularity, you see the term “Guitar God” from time to time. To me, this means the well-known, stadium-filling guitarists who have achieved some level of mainstream success….Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Those are the obvious ones to me. I suppose their ability to play both mind-blowing solos and tasty licks contribute to the label as well. You can certainly add other names to the list…Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, and many more. Alex Lifeson’s “Working Man” guitar solo wins a lot of points with me for example.

We all have our personal preferences on what moves us and what doesn’t. Personally, I love a lot of roots and blues music….slide guitar especially. I’m sure I was searching YouTube for certain guitar models when I came across a guitarist named R.J. Ronquillio.

I know I have watched many of his videos doing demos on resonator guitars I’d love to own from brands like Danelectro, Eastwood, and Hwy 61. Plus, he gives lessons on slide guitar as well. Recently, I saw one video demo of a distinctive guitar called the Guild Guitars Starfire I Jet 90. https://www.rjronquillo.com/

Another bluesy guitarist I came across is a Canadian guy named Colin James. I’m not certain, but I might have encountered his playing while searching for covers of songs I know and love like John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” or Bob Dylan’s “Watching the River Flow.”

I had not heard his name previously, but his recordings left a memorable impression on me. According to Wikipedia, he has played with musicians like Bonnie Raitt, Long John Baldry, and The Chieftains. He even played a command performance for the Queen. According to his website https://colinjames.com/ he is currently touring Canada.

Have these two achieved Guitar God status? Maybe not, but they are really damn good in my opinion. This wins them both my inaugural Blueszilla Guitar award. Congrats!

Till next time keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

LeopardSkinPillBobDylan

Bob Dylan…an interesting dude. He’s one of the most bootlegged recording artists around and has had many different chapters in his career: folk singer, “protest” songwriter, Grammy winner, member of The Traveling Wilburys, etc.

Some people loved his acoustic recordings, but went nuts when he “went electric”. Others can’t stand his voice, but love his songwriting. I would probably say I’ve been a Bob Dylan fan since my teens or twenties. (The Concert for Bangladesh was probably my initial introduction to him. Thanks, George Harrison!) Recently, I was made aware of a museum called The Bob Dylan Center https://bobdylancenter.com/ …I assumed it would be in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota, but I was wrong….it’s in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

During a recent road trip, I was fortunate enough to check out this museum and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has some of the things one might expect to find like backstage passes, handwritten lyrics, and interviews. (I’m not including a whole bunch of pics to spoil the fun for those who are able to visit. I will say some of my favorite display items were cards mailed to Dylan from George Harrison.) Museum attendees are provided with headphones and will get a chance to listen to performances and interviews.

So what’s the appeal of Bob Dylan? Some call him a poet. I think part of that poetry he does really well might best be classified as “stream of consciousness.”

And, yes, I’m partial to the bluesy arrangement and unique lyrics of “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat.” On my drive home from Tulsa, I was listening to a classic rock station and two songs reminded me of Dylan’s impact. The first was Guns ‘N Roses cover of Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”. It’s interesting to think about how many people have heard this song just because this Sunset Strip metal band recorded it. Thanks, Dylan. The second was R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as we Know It (and I Feel Fine).” While Dylan didn’t write this song, it certainly seems like an attempt to imitate him or craft some Dylanesque lyrics.

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was which souvenir to purchase from the BDC’s gift shop. I decided on a guitar capo with the museum’s name on it. I’m going to see if it “balances on my head just like a mattress on a bottle of wine.”

Viva, Tulsa! Viva, Bob Dylan!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Dylan’s Bloody Buckets

Pop quiz… Q: What does Bob Dylan plus April showers equal? A: Buckets of Rain. I hadn’t heard this song up until the past few years, but I thoroughly enjoy it. I believe a YouTube acoustic cover version turned me onto it. The original Dylan release was on 1975’s “Blood on the Tracks.”

I would describe the vibe of this song as airy — almost nonchalant. It’s very laid back. I think one thing which attracted me to this song is Dylan’s use of an open guitar tuning. Apparently, he used this Open E tuning on a lot of other songs on the same album.

For non guitar nerds, standard string tuning is E, A, D, G, B, E. But guitar nerds already know putting one’s precious guitar into Open E would involve tuning some strings higher than normal which will put undue pressure on the neck. Instead, you may use a capo on the 2nd fret, and tune to Open D (D,A,D,F#, A, D).

At the risk of sounding like my own personal “Pandora algorithm”, I tend to enjoy playing and listening to songs in open tunings. It gives songs a totally different feel. (Insert your own “How does it FEEL?” from “Like A Rolling Stone” punchline here.)

Lyrically, there are some nonsensical lines about monkeys, little red wagons, bikes, etc. in addition to the use of the pet name “Honey Baby.” I found some interesting cover versions out there. They can be found on Dylan Tribute albums, respectively, by Steve Howe and Joan Osbourne. Osbourne’s is piano driven, which is a departure from the original. There are also covers by The Waterboys, Happy Traum, Dave Van Ronk, and more. There’s even a duet of Dylan and Bette Midler.

Prior to today’s blog entry, I had never heard this duet. Second pop quiz…Q: What duet should Bob and Bette record next? A: “Barbara Ann”, but with the name “Bobette” or “Bober-ette”. Now that’s entertainment!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

p.s. “Barbara Ann” was written by Fred Fassert.