Beginning of the End?

So a lead up song and then the battle for Rock and Roll's first song. This of course is just a fun but ultimately fruitless game. But once we apply some suspension of disbelief towards the concept then we can look at some cool music recorded over 50 years ago that is really good. The latest installment in my continuing (mini) history timeline of early Rock and Roll. Post if you see glaring omissions (especially women. I don't really own a ton. I plan on posting some Tina Turner and some Big Mama Thornton though).

On a sidenote, I haven't been posting as often as before because of real life commitments and responsibilities but also because I finally got my nice stereo system hooked up including my turntable (a Thorens TD 160, nothing crazy but does the trick quite nicely) and since I figured out how to record my LP's using Garage Band I have been having a hard time avoiding that rabbit hole. I have tons of jazz that I don't have on any other media so it limits my ability to listen to it anywhere I want and when I want. I am extremely pleased with this new development.

(I have to figure out a way to post my m4a's in a better way, but until then it takes a bit to load the two music consoles. While you wait click on the Goree Carter track which is an mp3)

First off for songs today is "Boogie Chillen" by John Lee Hooker. One chord, with lyrics like, "it's in him, it's got to come out". Worshipped by folks like Bo Didley and Eric Clapton.

Boogie Chillen - John Lee Hooker


Next is our first entry in the battle for the title of "First Rock and Roll single" a song by Goree Carter called "Rock Awhile". I don't know really a whole lot about him except he is definitely influenced by T-Bone Walker (of whom I posted about earlier here) This one is definitely my favorite of the candidates for the first. This came out before Chuck Berry came out with any recordings and dig the guitar.


Goree Carter: "Rock Awhile"


and last but not least, Jackie Brenston - Rocket 88. This song is really Ike Turner's band recording under a pseudonym. The band was really called the Kings of Rhythm and I believe Ike plays on the keys here. According to legend, after an amplifier was dropped before the recording, this became the first example of guitar distortion. True or not, this song is dirty. Check out the sax solo.

Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats - Rocket 88

In other news:

We Got It For Cheap Vol. 3 mixtape from the Clipse was leaked for free recently.

Timbaland comes out with an album made specifically for cell phones.

25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album:



Peace