I am certain MoB will drop its “Best of 2010″ list in due time, but I thought I might get a jump on the proceedings and highlight three of the top box sets of the year. You have likely heard all about Springsteen’s The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story, the reissue of the Stones’ albums on 180-gram vinyl, among others, but here are three that might have slipped through the cracks. All would make top notch holiday gifts (click on the title for purchasing info). – By Jeff Kollath
If you don’t know Syl Johnson, it’s okay. Really. But, your life would be better if you got to know him. We all know James, Otis, Marvin, Curtis, and more, but for every one of them, there is a James Carr, a William Bell, and a Syl Johnson. An artist for Twinight and Hi Records, Johnson never reached the heights he deserved, but has been a superstar in deep soul circles for decades. Johnson came to prominence with his sides for Chicago-based Twinight, where he recorded some of his most poignant songs, “Is It Because I’m Black” and “Concrete Reservation.” Johnson’s songs pushed the envelope, taking a stand against injustice he saw in his adopted hometown. After moving to Hi in Memphis, Johnson had his greatest success but seemed to be unable to get out of Al Green’s shadow. Thankfully, Chicago’s Numero Group has given us “Complete Mythology,” a six-album, four-CD set of Johnson’s best sides. Like the rest of their obscure soul, folk, and world music compilations, this set is a remarkable achievement and revelation. The skill, care, and respect put into this set is worthy of praise.
For many, the music of the Vietnam Era is all about protest music – Hendrix’s ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ Country Joe’s ‘Fixin to Die Rag,’ and CCR’s ‘Fortunate Son.’ Beyond that, though, a cottage industry sprang up during the war years for songs that yes, spoke out against the war, but also championed the cause, championed the men who fought, and mainly, spoke out against hippies, radical college professors, draft dodgers, and dope smokers. Released by Germany’s Bear Family Records, this 13-disc montrosity was put together by retired University of Maryland Professor Hugo Keesing, who for a short time taught Psychology classes to GIs in South Vietnam and was later a DJ on Armed Forces Radio in Turkey. Keesing, who has collected over 4,000 songs about the war, narrowed his selection down to just 330. That’s right, just 330. Starting with some of the earliest songs about the war – when America’s aims were unclear and the war was shrouded in mystery – and ending with songs by or about veterans dealing with their wartime experience, the set is incredibly balanced, with each side getting equal say. Standout tracks include “The Ballad of the Yellow Beret,” an anti-protestor song written by a young Bob Seger, Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” “People Lets Stop the War,” the best Grand Funk Railroad song you have ever heard (yes, such a thing exists), and “Kathy’s Letter,” an absolutely bizarre spoken word recording by 6-year old Little Kathy Hoffman, imploring President Nixon to keep fighting the good fight. With a retail north of $200, it’s pretty steep, and some of the songs are hard to get through, but it’s an incredibly informative and rich resource.
Oh, Rhino Handmade, how you tax my wallet. The boutique label has issued some incredible things in the past couple years – reissue of Cher’s “3614 Jackson Highway,” the complete Wilson Pickett on Atlantic Records, unreleased Tony Joe White, live Stooges, and so much more – but this is really the tops. Mississippian Delaney Bramlett influenced many musicians, from Duane Allman to George Harrison, but none moreso than Eric Clapton. D&B opened for Blind Faith in 1969, and after the supegroup fell apart, Clapton joined the band. In later interviews, Clapton credited Bramlett for giving him the confidence to sing and lead his own band, which he later did, forming Derek and the Dominoes with D&B’s rhythm section. This set builds off of the stellar live album of the same name, but includes four complete shows from their early 1970 tour of England. The shows are dripping with intensity and incendiary guitars and horns (courtesy Keith Richards’ drinking buddy and good friend, Bobby Keys), paying homage to Bramlett’s southern roots, early American rock and roll, and providing a glimpse into Clapton’s future. Again, if four discs are too many, check out the single disc live album, or if you want to dig, try and a find a bootleg of a D&B show from July 22, 1971 with King Curtis, Duane Allman, and Gregg Allman guesting.
A look at the 90-minute documentary, “The Promise: The Making of ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town,’” from the upcoming Bruce Springsteen release, The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story. The recording sessions of Darkness On The Edge Of Town yielded over 70 songs. On November 16th, 21 of those unreleased songs will be released for the first time amongst a collection of 3 CD’s & 3 DVD’s. If you’re a die hard fan of the Boss, you’re already counting down the days.
Set List: Cadillac Ranch / Badlands / Hungry Heart / Working On A Dream / Thunder Road / Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out / Night / Backstreets / Born To Run / She’s The One / Meeting Across The River / Jungleland / Darlington County / Waiting On A Sunny Day / Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town / Loose Ends / Jole Blon / Growin’ Up / Into The Fire / The Rising / No Surrender / Living Proof / Kitty’s Back / American Land / Dancing In The Dark / Rosalita / Higher & Higher
At the end of a three hour performance that included a full performance Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album, Born To Run, even the harshest of critics would have a difficult time finding fault in last night’s show. Springsteen is no stranger to marathon performances, many will recall his last performance in Milwaukee celebrating Harley-Davidson’s 105th anniversary. Through the course of the night Springsteen crowd surfed, played requests, brought a young kid onstage to sing during Waiting on a Sunny Day, and let everyone know he knew he was in Milwaukee. While those things add to the memories that were created, it was the music and tireless energy that is pumped out night after night by this group that continues to amaze me.
There’s little to be said about Springsteen and the E Street band that hasn’t been said before. This is a band that could be mailing it in night after night, collecting the same amount of money, playing only the hits and dialing in a routine two-hour show. That wouldn’t be Bruce Springsteen though. I heard songs last night that I’d never heard them play before, some whose origin I’m going to have to research. Of course, there are few better live music instances than when you here the familiar sounds of “Born To Run,” Dancing In the Dark,” and “Rosalita.” I don’t have kids or know how long the Springteen express will be in full motion, what I do know is that I’ll be sharing my memories of last night’s show for years to come.
Bruce Springsteen will return to Milwaukee for a tour-ending performance at the Bradley Center on Sunday, November 15th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 1st. The rest of the US Tour Dates can be found here.
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