Bernard Sumner who co-founded legendary post punk band Joy Division and still fronts the imperishable New Order (and had some fun, along the way, with buddy Johnny Marr
in Electronic) was born on 4 January 1956. Happy 61 to the quietest Mancunian frontman ever. Here are 3 big ones to celebrate his birthday and career…
‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by JOY DIVISION
‘Your Silent Face’ by NEW ORDER
‘Get The Message’ by ELECTRONIC
Looking back in time… memorable moments in sonic history!
THE DOORS by THE DOORS – Released 4 January 1967 – 50 years ago…
The legendary L.A. band formed in 1965. With their astonishing self-titled debut album released 4 January 1967 – fifty years ago – charismatic, provocative and much troubled frontman/lyricist Jim Morrison, tremendous keyboardist Ray Manzarek, inspiring guitarist Robby Krieger and quiet drummer John Densmore displayed their mind-boggling organ-fueled, debauched, sultry and sensual rock bravado for the first time with single Light
My Fire making an instant and everlasting impact on a whole generation in the year of
the summer of love…
.
Here are some reflections on the album by American music magazine Rolling Stone:
“The Doors arrived in 1967, the same year as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; both were psychedelic touchstones and among the first major rock discs that truly stood as albums, rather than collections of songs. But whereas the Beatles took a basically sunny view of humanity, the Doors’ debut offered the dark side of the moon. Their sound was minor-keyed, subterranean, bluesy and spacey, and their subject matter — like that of many of rock’s great albums — was sex, death and getting high. On “End of the Night,” the band invited you to “take a journey to the bright midnight.” The key to the band’s appeal was the tension between singer Jim Morrison’s Dionysian persona and the band’s crisp, melodic playing. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger’s extended solos on the album version of “Light My Fire” carried one to the brink of euphoria, while the eleven-minute epic “The End” journeyed to a harrowing psychological state. Scattered among these lengthier tracks are such nuggets as “Soul Kitchen” (“learn to forget”) and Morrison’s acid-drenched takes on the blues (“Back Door Man”) and Kurt Weill (“Alabama Song”). Though great albums followed, The Doors stands as the L.A. foursome’s most successful marriage of rock poetics with classically tempered hard rock — a stoned, immaculate classic.”
To my and millions of other ears this spectacular debut still sounds dangerous, excitatory, bluesy hot, far-out at times, rockin’ & rollin’ and damn cool these days. No fillers, all killers. Not bad for an album released 50 years ago. Here we go, on repeat today, to celebrate…
Looking back in time… memorable moments in sonic history!
Here are ten blockbusters from one of the most important years in popular music, 1967, as some groundbreaking, legendary artists released their astonishing debut albums (The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, and Leonard Cohen) & other giants continued to produce flabbergasted LPs. It sounds incredible, but yes, these masterpieces turn 50 in 2017…
1/ ‘The Doors’ by THE DOORS
Listen
Released: 4 January 1967 – debut LP
2/’The Velvet Underground & Nico’ by THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
Listen
Released: 12 March 1967 – debut album
3/’Are You Experienced’ by THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
Listen
Released: 12 May 1967 – debut LP
4/’Absolutely Free’ by MOTHERS OF INVENTION
Listen
Released: 26 May 1967 – second LP
5/ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ by THE BEATLES
Listen
Released: 1 June 1967 – 8th album
6/’The Piper At the Gates Of Dawn’ by PINK FLOYD
Listen
Released: 5 August 1967 – debut LP
7/’Forever Changes’ by LOVE
Listen
Released: November 1967 – 3rd album
8/’Their Satanic Majesties Request’ by THE ROLLING STONES
Listen
Released: 8 December 1967 – sixth (British) album
9/ ‘The Who Sell Out’ by THE WHO
Listen
Released: 15 December 1967 – 3rd LP
10/ ‘Songs Of Leonard Cohen‘ by LEONARD COHEN
Listen
Released: 27 December 1967 – debut album
THE MOONS, Northampton’s rockers, led by singer/guitarist/songwriter Andy Crofts
(who used to be in Paul Weller‘s live band) are currently working on their fourth album.
And to celebrate the new year they just shared (free download) their affectionate version of THE DOORS‘ sad love ballad THE CRYSTAL SHIP (according to drummer John Densmore it was written by Jim Morrison shortly after splitting up with his first serious girlfriend, Mary Werbelow). I think Crofts chose this poignant song for a specific reason. The Crystal Ship is on the legendary Los Angeles band’s self-titled debut album that turns 50 this Wednesday. Yes, that historic LP was released on 4 January 1967, fifty years ago. Enjoy this serene and respectful interpretation by The Moons…
.
Before you slip into unconsciousness
I’d like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss
The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
We’ll meet again, we’ll meet again
Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
You’d rather cry, I’d rather fly
The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, I’ll drop a line
The Doors’ eponymous debut released on 4 January 1967 – 50 years ago…
Weekly firework to splinter Blue Mondays into a thousand pieces…
2 January 2017
I don’t like Mondays and I certainly don’t like 2 January to be on a Monday and… whatever… Karen O and her striking cohorts made a classic killer track back in 2009 to blow this very day into space. Here come YEAH YEAH YEAHS with ZERO! Pop brilliance! Hallelujah…
YEAH YEAH YEAHS: Website – Facebook – Twitter
From their 3rd album… ‘It’s Blitz!’