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Electric Music of Barry Melton

14 Jun

Barry Melton may not be easily recognizable in the sea of 1960’s psychedelic guitarists, but his influence on the genre should not be understated. Melton co-founded and played lead guitar for the late 60’s psychedelic juggernaut Country Joe and the Fish, best known for the famous perversion of their own “f-i-s-h” chant at Woodstock. Melton celebrates his 64th birthday today.

Like stated above, most people know of Country Joe and The Fish because of their iconic Woodstock performance. This was the pinnacle of the band’s success and lifted them on a pedestal for the anti-Vietnam campaign. But in the popularity of The Fish’s chant followed by “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin-To-Die Rag, many listeners do not get the full range of the band’s talent. The Fish played an eclectic form of moving psychedelic folk and blues that was both efficient and enjoyable. Barry “The Fish” Melton contributed to the band’s underrated sound and for that we thank him.

Check out some early Fish from their debut album Electric Music for the Mind and Body. This is “Love.”

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Listening to “Saturday Sun” by Nick Drake

6 Jun

Nick Drake kind of looks like Jim Morrison

Nick Drake and Jim Morrison share a similar face and long hair. They also share two other unfortunate attributes. Depression and untimely death. Morrison died in 1971 and Nick Drake in 1974. Two great talents eradicated. But Jim Morrison is a well-known superstar. His brief work with the Doors made him more of a mysterious idol in his death. Nick Drake, on the other hand, remains practically anonymous, his tranquil compositions often falling into obfuscation.

Luckily, his work has been posthumously praised and while not many listen to Drake’s harmonious tunes, many critics rightfully consider his work to be that of a depressed genius whose sheer confidence in his talents was often overshadowed by his misanthropic attitude. After releasing his third album he fell back home with his parents and took his own life two years later by way of an overdose on a prescribed antidepressant. He was 26 years old.

I would like to travel back to 1969 and feature the last track on his first album Five Leaves Left. The album demonstrated an unheralded mastery of folk/rock from the 21-year-old Drake. It did not receive much admiration at the time, but years later it garners tremendous praise. The last song “Saturday Sun” is a melancholic track, slow, sensual and constant, like delicate waves lightly touching a sun-drenched shoreline. The piano’s bluesy sentiment provides a strong opening. Drake’s mellow and gentle voice is indescribable. There is a sad beauty to it. You can almost hear his inner torture. The song leaves any listener stung by its calmness and full beauty.

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Trust me Grandson

30 May

A quick follow-up to Anthony’s new Memorial Day inspired Musical Lexicon. This is in no way attempting to steal Anthony’s thunder, but cease your Google search for “The War Was in Color,” I’m just going to post it right here. Anthony and I are on similar wavelengths. “The War Was in Color” is one of Virginia folk/celtic rock band Carbon Leaf‘s best songs.

It is also a perfect pairing for Memorial Day, where since the Civil War we have honored those who have fought and continue to fight for the privilege of being a free American. The true meaning of this day is often lost to the gas grill and the cool wetness of a dip in the pool. Many people have marked Memorial Day as an unofficial beginning of summer and this has transformed the holiday into a day of festive family get-togethers.

I don’t believe this transformation is a perversion of the holiday. Some are quick to point out that by consuming franks and burgers while tanning in backyards across the country, Americans are not fulfilling their duty of honoring the military men and women (and dogs) that keep us safe. But I would argue that our actions represent a celebration of being American and being free. I do urge everyone to take a moment today to just think of the soldier lost during World War II whose body was never recovered. The soldier who is forever memorialized in grainy black and white photographs that will inevitably wither away with the memory of him throughout time. Think of the soldier in Afghanistan who cannot be with his daughter and wife today. Salute the memory of those lost and the life of those currently serving. Here is “The War Was in Color”

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All You Fascists Gonna Lose Three Years After Dylan’s Birth

24 May

The year was 1944. World War II was raging, No Exit by Sartre was first published and Bob Dylan was three years old. Woody Guthrie, Dylan’s main teenage inspiration, was creating lyrics about how fascists were never going to win. Yes, Guthrie was advancing the genre of protest folk music. As we celebrate Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday, I thought we could take a little spin on the birthday celebration and give some credit to Dylan’s folk inspiration. The reason? I need to be different. So, my gift to you on your 70th Bob is this:

Oh the 1940’s, where the term “hillbilly” was, at least in Woody Guthrie’s mind, an indication of educated patriotism. “All You Fascists” is one of the most prescient Guthrie songs, an incredible salute to an American dream that would not be realized for another 25 years.

“People of every color marching side by side
Marching ‘cross the fields where the million fascists died
You’re bound to lose, you fascists are bound to lose”

Guthrie sings of a world where race hatred is a thing of the past. He longs for great change in the country, where fascism can be ended domestically and across seas. Dylan learned from the best.

The Koobas Play “Sweet Music”

19 May

I will be a graduate of Binghamton University on Sunday. For some graduates the prospect of graduation seems unbelievable or “scary.” The word scary is thrown around. I am embracing graduation. I cannot wait to get out into the world of journalism and hopefully enjoy the fruits of my labor. This will most likely be my last post as an undergraduate and it leaves an opening for some nostalgia. I started this blog at my wise brother’s urging after I finished Sophomore year. Since then, The Music Court has amassed over 400,000 views and, while this statement does seem trite, it is because of the support of you all. Thank you to all my faithful readers and I hope to continue to provide you with enjoyable music writing as I enter into the post-undergraduate world.

We are in the early morning hours and I wanted to do a quick song of the day prior to going to sleep. The Koobas are The Beatles that never happened. The emerged as a Beat group from Liverpool in 1962 (two years after the Beatles) and were signed by Brian Epstein (The Beatles’ manager) in 1964. Heck, The Koobas even toured with The Beatles as their opening act during The Beatles’ last British tour. Yet, despite the connection with the most successful band ever, The Koobas could never catch a hint of success and fell off into obscurity, reserved for future listeners of 60’s music lovers. Here is my favorite song by The Koobas, the 1966 single “Sweet Music”

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