Friday noise

Eons ago, I used to write record reviews for FOCUS ROCK ENTERTAINMENT (screen capture of old publication here! Only image I could find online!). They paid me in t-shirts, movie and concert tickets, tote bags and other crap nobody else wanted, and records. RECORDS. Lots and lots of vinyl, some of which I still own because I can't bear to part with it.

One of the records I reviewed was VOLUNTEER JAM, which contained this major kick-ass song from the Charlie Daniels Band, jamming beautifully with members of the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band. (The song ultimately emerges as more Allman than Daniels, but with Charlie's signature holler.) The rest of the album is also very good, but as I wrote then, this song shoots the record right into the stratosphere. (And I'm STILL right.) Yes, you heard that smoooooth Dickey Betts gee-tar before you even saw him.

Look how young everybody looks! Ain't it good to be alive and be in Tennessee?!?

Birmingham Blues - Charlie Daniels Band/Volunteer Jam (live)



If you have never heard of Mike Bloomfield, you should have. He passed away in 1981, and I sobbed my little heart out. A member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band as well as Electric Flag, he also provided great music for one of my favorite movies, Medium Cool.

I don't know who is singing, but it's that amazing, stinging guitar noise I want you to hear! This song is credited to Robert Johnson himself.

The video has some good visuals of Chicago (beloved home of Bloomfield and Butterfield), and contains shots of some of the more famous venues they played in.

Sweet Home Chicago - Mike Bloomfield (live)

Hughie Thomasson 1952-2007

Left: The Outlaws, aka "the Florida Guitar Army"--Thomasson is second from left. Photo from TeddWebb.com.

I have just learned that the distinctively southern, ringing guitar of Hughie Thomasson was forever silenced last night. The former guitarist for the Outlaws, and author of the majestic rock anthem, Green Grass and High Tides, is gone. He died of a heart attack late last night. Thomasson also wrote the popular There Goes Another Love Song, which perfectly sums up the southern-fried rock sound of the 70s.

Thomasson also played with Lynyrd Skynyrd and often jammed with our local Marshall Tucker Band, with whom the Outlaws frequently toured.

With great sadness, we must announce the passing of our friend, Hughie Thomasson. Hughie died unexpectedly late Sunday night of an apparent heart attack at his home in Brooksville, Florida.

From www.outlawsmusic.com

For more southern rock history, see the invaluable Down South Jukin.

In a place you only dream of
where your soul is always free
Silver stages, golden curtains filled my head plain as could be
As a rainbow grew around the sun,
all the stars I've loved who died
Came from somewhere beyond the scene you see,
these lovely people played just for me.

(from Green Grass and High Tides)

Rest in peace, Hughie.