Global Tintin

IBR 1975 Page Two

Kevin Ayres is a very few degrees separation from anyone in 60s and 70s British rock music. From the fusion sounds of "Soft Machine" to the avant prog of early Brian Eno, as well as the British eccentrics and acid casualties embodied by Vivian Stanshall and Syd Barrett, all can be linked. Mellow songs with under-rated and entertaining lyrics, Ayres put out alot of albums as a solo artist; first on Harvest and later on Island.

One of the great cross-over points in his career was the "June 1, 1974" live album featuring co-billed Brian Eno, John Cale and Nico, and lovingly referred to as the ACNE album, which was a post-Roxy and post-Velvets coming out, to some degree, for the featured participants. Also tucked away on the live album recording are fellow Softy Robert Wyatt and a pre-"Tubular Bells" Mike Oldfield. Highlights on the recording are two Eno songs, "Driving Me Backwards" and "Baby's On Fire" and a really great take, by Nico, of The Doors' "The End."

Here's a video link to The Creepers performing "Baby's On Fire."

Bad Company became leader of the pack of the blues cock rock bands of the 70s with a blend of the defunct Free, who supplied a lead singer (Paul Rodgers) and a drummer (Simon Kirke); Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs, who jumped the Ian Hunter ship to join Bad Company; and, Boz Burrell who radically changed musical directions having previously been the vocalist on the first King Crimson album.

Bad Company had a string of successful albums under the guidance of Zep-manager Peter Grant with Swansong management (and label in the US). They also had a rope of crap LPs with a range of personnel that should (and) have been forgotten. Paul Rodgers also worked with Jimmy Page in a band called "The Firm;" with ex-Faces and part-time Who drummer Kenny Jones as "The Law;" and, to some cash reward, but surely embarrassment toured as Queen + Paul Rodgers in the role of the straight (late) Freddie Mercury.

The first Bad Company albums, released by Island in much of the world, still stand up very well.

John Cale was a member of the Velvet Underground, and is Welsh. Apart of The Alarm, I can't think of many rock n' roll musicians from Wales. His Island albums were either produced, co-produced, or featured Brian Eno.

SonicState.com on Brian Eno

SonicState.com has a series of video interviews with Brian Eno here. And a print profile here.

The Island Book of Records 1975 Page One

One of the great record labels of all time, Island used to put out a consumer catalog with a listing of it's releases. 1975 was a particularly good year. As you will see as I get to post it over the next who-knows-how-long. Really, before punk, this was where British pop music was in the 1970s.

The Amazing Blondel. "Amazing" because noone EVER bought a Blondel (Amazing or otherwise) record, despite guest appearances on their albums by rock royalty like Steve Winwood and Paul Kossoff, and opening slots on major tours by the likes of Genesis, Procol Harem and Steeleye Span. Maybe it was the rockin' accoustic medieval tunes, which at its most commercial has been compared to Jethro Tull. They put down their lutes and recorders in the mid-70s and did reform in 1997 to release an album appropriately called "Restoration."

Art (the band) is most interesting as a fore-runner to the band Spooky Tooth, which in turn was a spawning ground for folks like Mick Jones (Foreigner), Greg Ridley (Humble Pie), Luther Grosvenor (Stealers Wheel and Mott the Hoople) and Gary Wright ("Dream Weaver").

And here is a video link to the wonderful rock soft "Dream Weaver" performed by Gary Wright.

Three Stiff Little Things

Three music videos I never thought I would see again. Now we can courtesy of youtube. Stiff Records was a beacon for indie record labels in 1976/1977. It all seemed so honest and hand-to-mouth, when it was really a mini-major able to promote playfully and quickly in a way that the corporate labels never could. It all went silly, but it was fun while it lasted.

Wreckless Eric Whole Wide World
Eric Goulden is still around. He releases albums under different names. Alot out of France where they like him -- sort of the Jerry Lewis of punk. This single was produced by Nick Lowe.

Nick Lowe I love the sound of breaking glass
The first record released by Stiff. The Label number was BUY ONE.

Ian Dury Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll
One of Stiff's biggest stars. The album, "New Boots and Panties!!!" was a huge seller, going Gold. This single was not on the initial pressings of the record.

Carpets of Las Vegas Aladdin and Wynn

Aladdin above and below. Wynn last.

Carpets of Las Vegas MGM and Paris

Continental CO 569 Seat 4F Newark to Las Vegas

Carpets of Las Vegas Luxor and Excaliber

Gaming Floor carpets from Excaliber

Gaming floor carpet at Luxor

Luxor from the 38th Floor of THEhotel

Carpets of Las Vegas THE Hotel and Mandalay Bay

The carpet on the walkway between Luxor and Mandalay Bay
The classic Mandalay Bay
THEhotel bedroom
THEhotel outer suite
THEhotel corridor (38th Floor)

Continental CO 468 Seat 4E

Evening flight to Las Vegas

Late Night Videos shot on a Canon Digital Elph

Passing Luxor

Arriving in Las Vegas at midnight.

Billboards leaving McCarren Airport

Turn down the volume! Wind from open window. 12 midnight arriving form Newark

The tomatoes of summer

from Southern Columbia County, New York

Roadside advice Hudson, New York

French Bulldogs don't like water, but love garden hoses

Bubbles takes a shower

The thrill of it all in the East Village

The CD stores in Greenwich Village are disappearing. There are none left on West 8th Street. Even Coconuts and Sam Goody are finished on 6th Avenue. Second Coming and the first home of Bleeker Bob's are long closed. In the East Village a few hold-outs remain. It's bad for book stores too. Still, it's fun to go to the remaining stores and occasionally find things. The above promo isn't particularly rare and it doesn't contain music you can't find other places, but it is still a good feeling to look through the bins at Sounds and find something that isn't on Amazon of even eBay. For ten bucks. Finding rarities on the web is no fun. You use a search engine and you are done. Very passive.

When Top of the Tops surprised (and was on the air!)

Magazine - Shot By Both Sides TOTP


Just great. Howard Devoto is so cool. Saw the band at Hurrahs in New York City in the early 1980s. More than once.

Roxy Music Over You

Roxy Music - Over You TV performance


Don't know this clip or this tv show. "Flesh and Blood" is a very good, under-rated album.

Crowded House performs Split Enz

Crowded House One Step Ahead Live 87


Like very much that Neil Finn is never ashamed of his past and will always perform older songs.

And now for something completely Star Trek

A song from the Tony Award-winning musical "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" performed by the original series cast of "Star Trek."

It's just a bunch of pictures

Why doesn't the blog say anything? Why isn't there any opinion or attitude? What is it? I am very critical and there are things that I really like and I feel passionate about. It's how I spend my waking hours -- guiding others to share and enjoy what I love. How about a blog that just presents? Do we need another "voice?" Make of it what you will. Images and ideas that make me laugh or make we happy or make me think or make me remember. Besides, did you ever hear of a French Bulldog that expressed an opinion? Here's a link to KAOS' remix of Roxy Music's Angel Eyes.

Elton John MSG 1976 Tour Program

Delta is ready when you are

Venus de Milo

Vampire tomatoes

Those zany French gardeners -- Safe Corn

Walking by City Hall in the Snow