Happy Trails is the second album Quicksilver Messenger Service put out. Recorded in 1968, the album is essential two live performances. Side one, the "Who Do You Love Suite", is a 25 minute jam based on bo Diddley's Who Do You Love. The song is divided into six tracks and retitled to allow the band a better take of the royalties. Side two is a live performance that starts with Bo Diddley's Mona and seques into a few originals. The album ends with a quick take on the Roy Rodgers "Happy Trails" theme. Happy Trails is a lighthearted way to end a otherwise heavy psychedelic album.
Of the two distinct acts on the album, I favor side one's improvisation on Who Do You Love. The band manage to venture far from original but they still find their way back. The album as a whole is great, though, and the second side shouldn't be overlooked.
Music reviews and recommendations. Discover something new today!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Music Documentaries.
I would like to consider myself a music historian. I don't know that I am at a point yet where that label would apply, but I am constantly learning about bands, performers, genres, and music history in general. There are a ton of great books out there, and I plan another post about music books soon. What follows here is a few of my favorite music documentaries.
Heartworn Highways
Filmed in 1975 and 1976, Heartworn Highways documents country music, focusing on outlaw country and country folk music. Featuring performances and interviews with Guy Clark, Steve Earl, Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, and more. This movie has such a good feel and flow to it. Lots of insights into the songwriters and the industry at the time.I cannot recommend this highly enough, especially to fellow songwriters.
J'ai Ete Au Bal (I Went To The Dance)
I think of this as the Cajun music version of Heartworn Highways. It flows as good if not better than Heartworn Highways. This film goes a little more into the history and roots of Cajun and zydeco music. It is filled with great interviews and performances. If you are a fan or merely curious, I wold recommend this film.
Until the Light Takes Us
This is a newer one, released in 2009. A document on the original Norwegian black metal scene. A lot of time in this film is spent with Varg Vikernes when he was still in prison. Hearing the stories directly from him is great. There is also interviews with and about members of Mayhem, Darkthrone, Immortal and others. This film covers the creation of the scene, the recording of some of the albums, the church burnings, and the murder of Euronymous
What are some of your favorite music docs? Let me know in the comments!
Heartworn Highways
Filmed in 1975 and 1976, Heartworn Highways documents country music, focusing on outlaw country and country folk music. Featuring performances and interviews with Guy Clark, Steve Earl, Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, and more. This movie has such a good feel and flow to it. Lots of insights into the songwriters and the industry at the time.I cannot recommend this highly enough, especially to fellow songwriters.
J'ai Ete Au Bal (I Went To The Dance)
I think of this as the Cajun music version of Heartworn Highways. It flows as good if not better than Heartworn Highways. This film goes a little more into the history and roots of Cajun and zydeco music. It is filled with great interviews and performances. If you are a fan or merely curious, I wold recommend this film.
Until the Light Takes Us
This is a newer one, released in 2009. A document on the original Norwegian black metal scene. A lot of time in this film is spent with Varg Vikernes when he was still in prison. Hearing the stories directly from him is great. There is also interviews with and about members of Mayhem, Darkthrone, Immortal and others. This film covers the creation of the scene, the recording of some of the albums, the church burnings, and the murder of Euronymous
What are some of your favorite music docs? Let me know in the comments!
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