It's just one record. That's all it took. One record. And I saw them live before that record was even released. Not at CBGBs, but as the opening act for Peter Gabriel at The Palladium in 1977. I was there for Peter Gabriel. I was hoping to hear Genesis songs, which did not happen. But by the end of Television's opening set, I didn't care about Genesis or Gabriel's solo set. That night was all about Television.
"Marquee Moon" was a game changer. It literally changed my life, because without that album or that live performance by these so-called punks who were playing jazz licks and extended jams over twisted vocals and melodies with as many hooks as your pop Top 40, I may have never moved forward and discovered so much music that quite frankly would have frightened me just a few years prior.
Tom Verlaine was a giant, with all respect to Richard Lloyd, who is just as incredible. But watching Verlaine stand there, like the Frankenstein monster with that impossibly soulful fingernails on a blackboard voice, stayed with me, even now, almost 50 years later.
"Marquee Moon" remains one of my favorite records of all time. It's a record I play as often as any and it never fails to excite me the same way it did in 1977.
21 comments:
Spot on Sal
I am totally, totally crushed - no words.
Randy
Just posted on FB how we saw them at the Palladium…couldn’t quite remember who they opened up for so thanks for that..at that tender age thought they were quite strange…now I know how strangely beautiful….so sad to lose another innovator….playing Venus as we speak.
AL
Fuck
First Jeff and now Tom. Two of my favorite guitarists gone in the same month. Truth and Marquee Moon are in my top 10. Both opened my ears to much more great music.
- Paul in DK
In a tweet Steve Albini said that Television was jeered and bottled by the Peter Gabriel audience when he attended. Thankfully you and Steve had the good sense to keep an open mind ... RIP to TV
God damn. This year is off to a shitty start.
I've been saying "this year is off to a shitty start" since 1982.
I'm a greedy motherfucker.
The news of losing Tom brings mixed emotions, mostly, a great appreciation for the dazzling songs he wrote and recorded - he was an 'A-Lister' in my music world. His passing also brings out of feelings of me being self-centered and self-indulgent regarding his lack of musical output the last years of his life. He hadn't released anything since 2006 - what the hell was he doing all of that time? Didn't he realize how much I enjoyed his music and how much his songs meant to me?
It's the same with several of my other heroes: Jimmy Page, Peter Gabriel (I know he has a new album pending, but what the hell has he been doing for the past 20 years!), and currently, Jason Falkner, who hasn't put out anything since 2009. Christ Almighty, people, get with it - the clock is ticking!
Like I said, I'm a greedy motherfucker when it comes to music.
Unlike most people, Television, and more specifically, Marquee Moon, are not my go-too's when it when it comes to Tom's music. I am more into his solo work, most notably The Wonder and Flash Light. 'Shimmer', 'Kaleidoscopin', 'A Town Called Walker'- that stuff is the cream of my Verlaine crop.
As all of our heroes are aging quickly, as we are also, 'The year is off to a shitty start' is probably going to turn into 'The month is off to a shitty start'.
Randy
Great reflections Sal - and enjoyed yours, Randy. I'm with you ... on one hand, we have Neil and Van releasing a new album with every exhale - and without much thought to editing or crafting of songs per se.
On the other hand, we have giants who still roam/roamed the earth who have just said "I'm out." Sly Stone is at the top of that list for me, but there are so many, like Tom. I didn't realize he hadn't released anything since 2006. What a shame, because I'd love to have heard even his living room noodlings if he had them.
Randy (and Sal and anyone) - can you recommend a top 10 list of favorite Tom solo songs please? And, the one best LP overall. I'd like to get more into his solo work.
@ Noel,
I am also interested in Randy's answer to your question about solo Verlaine.
I will offer this, though-
The first Verlaine solo album, the one that is currently on the side bar, is absolutely fantastic. To my ears, it is the proper follow-up to "Marquee Moon" and not that weak crap "Adventure."
I've been playing "Marquee Moon" since it came out.
One of the best albums made by anyone ever.
I play Tom's "Warm And Cool", just as much. I recommend it highly.
One of my favorite songs by Luna - "23 Minutes in Brussels" - features Tom Verlaine. I had no clue until today.
Noel, I have to give the edge to The Wonder over a close second to Flash Light, mainly due to the production - it's the best sounding Verlaine album IMO.
'Kingdom Come' S/T (1979)
'Fragile' Dreamtime (1981)
'Down On The Farm' Dreamtime
'Lindi-Lu' Cover (1984)
'A Town Called Walker' Flash Light (1987)
'Kaledoscopin' The Wonder (1990)
'Shimmer' The Wonder ***My favorite Verlaine song***
'Sixteen Tulips' (b-side on Kaleidoscopin' 12" single
'Eighty Eights' Around (2006)
'The 62' Guitar Speak (various artists comp, 1988)
Have fun!
Randy
Nice words Sal, a real blow this one, I still had hopes of that fourth album.
Warm and Cool is excellent, my favourite is The Wonder.
I heard Adventure before Marquee Moon, so it’s one I’m still fond of, even though it’s not as good. I do, however, really like the eponymous third album.
Thanks for that, Randy, Sal and all - I'll check it out!
Sal -- I've been saying "this year is off to a shitty start" since 1982.
Hahaha.
I came to Marquee Moon because Rolling Stone put it on their list of the 500 Best Albums Of All Time and I dutifully worked my way through the albums I hadn't heard yet. Sometimes the albums on the list puzzled me. This? Why? Not Marquee Moon.
Was off of all tech/social media for a week and just heard about Tom Verlaine's passing. Shocking. "Marquee Moon" blew my socks off when it first came out. It's still in constant rotation at my house. Saw Television only once and it was a mind blowing experience. "Warm and Cool" another personal favorite. And I'm right there with Randy's sentiment. Loosing these people, well it's just too sad and too much.
Sal, yours is the best tribute I've read to Tom Verlaine.
Noel, I would add "Mr. Bingo", "Red Leaves" and "Breakin In My Heart" from Tom's self-titled album; "Penetration" from Dreamtime; and "True Story" and "Coming Apart" from Words From The Front.
"Breakin In My Heart" sounds like a tribute to the Velvet Underground. "Tonight the air has teeth/ I wish I had another way to breathe".
R.I.P. Tom.....had an opportunity to see Television at the old 'Fender Ballroom' in Long Beach (Ca.) many moons ago....dragged to the show by my drunken ex-wife (who'd heard that a 'Ramone or two' might show up!!).....it didn't matter that none of them did - that band was awesome!!
GMB
First saw Television performing on, er, television on The Old Grey Whistle Test. On the strength of that, bought the Marquee Moon album, constantly played that 10 minute title track to the annoyance of all and sundry. Did much the same with Foxhole from the Adventure album and, come to think of it, still today enjoy shouting out "Foxhole! Foxhole!" for no apparent reason so it must be ingrained in there somewhere. Tom Verlaine may be gone but not forgotten.
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