Fleetwood Mafrica

 

44 years ago, Vin Scelsa played a cover of "Not Fade Away" that caught my ears. While it wasn't necessary groundbreaking, it had something that made me want to hear it again. And this is a song most people don't really need to hear at all anymore. It was Mick Fleetwood, from a solo record called "The Visitor," that was recorded in Ghana, West Africa. I found a promo at Vinyl Mania for $2.99 and I have had it ever since. But, I don't think I've listened to it in 43 years.

Yesterday, as I paced from room to room trying to retrace my steps to figure out why I went into the other room in the first place---it was to find a Five Royales record---"The Visitor" caught my eye in the "F" section. So I played it.

The verdict after 44 years? I am really happy I held onto it. 

The easiest way to describe "The Visitor" is to say it sounds like a 70's Fleetwood Mac record made in Ghana. But there is something extra going on here that makes it really refreshing. We've got Peter Green on a couple of tracks. We've got George Harrison on a track. And we've got these wonderful vocal groups like Adjo and The Ghana Folkloric Group making some joyful music on top of it all.

Maybe the "Not Fade Away" cover when played on its own won't thrill you. But I guarantee, if you give the whole of "The Visitor" a shot, at the very least, you'll think, "Not bad!" Or, like me, you'll want to hear it a second time. It is a truly beautiful record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totally Inspired Random Post Of The Week: Cher & Harry Nilsson

 

 

Unlikely bedfellows? Maybe. Maybe not. This one-off duet between Cher & Harry Nilsson on Holland Dozier Holland’s classic “A Love Like Yours” would have made more sense in 1966, but in 1975, it was unexpected. So much so, it’s all but forgotten. Phil Spector wasn’t exactly popular in 1975 and he still hadn’t killed anybody…that we know of. But man, this may be the best version of all.

Bob Dylan blah blah blah Neil Young blah blah
Elvis Costello yada yada yada reggae punk rock
Motorhead blah blah blah jazz Bruce Springsteen
Beatles yeah yeah yeah NRBQ New Orleans yawn blah blah
Todd Rundgren 10cc The Monkees
Trump Trump Trump Trump Nazi Nazi Nazi
zzzzzzzzzzz THUD

(In My Best Robert Plant Voice) "Does Anyone Remember Locksley?"

 

Back when Little Steven's Underground Garage was still in diapers, our little record store was one of their suppliers and I became friendly with some of the staff. Thanks to these great people, one of whom is a friend to this day, I was a big shot around the E Street camp for a few years, getting V.I.P. treatment at any Bruce show I wanted. I saw Bruce & The E Street Band more times between 2002 and 2006 than I did in the 25 years prior. It was a great time, especially since I can barely afford to do anything in New York Shitty these days.

I was also invited to a series of shows produced by The Underground Garage at a venue in Times Square and I can't for the life of me remember details. I do know one of those nights featured Locksley headlining a bill of three. 

Do you remember Locksley? It's okay if you don't, because I had forgotten about these guys myself until last night. I found the music on one of my once lost, recently located hard drives and that Times Square show immediately came to mind. I want to say these shows took place in the old Hawaii Kai, a legendary tiki bar and restaurant turned into a go-go club. As a matter of fact, I think this concert series had "go-go" in the title. If anyone remembers this, please help me out.

But I digress.

This Locksley stuff kicks ass.  And I am thrilled I found them again.

Leopold And Lisa Loeb

 

I loved "Stay" when I first heard it. And I still loved it after it became a smash. As a matter of fact, I loved Lisa Loeb for a few albums. She wasn't, I felt, a one hit wonder. "Firecracker" is a record filled with great music; great melodies, hooks, harmonies. You know, the stuff you need and don't always get from your favorite artists. But Lisa Loeb delivered. Maybe...MAYBE...her lyrics were a tad too self-assertive, or maybe even a bit smug for pop music. But they weren't unrelatable. They just tried a bit too hard to be Joni Mitchell. In many ways, Lisa hit that pop music pulse that Joni didn't always nail. It's apples and oranges, I know. But If I had to sell a hit single to a scummy suit, I'd find more hit singles on Lisa Loeb records than on Joni records. 

Lisa Loeb should have had a bigger and better career. I'm sure she's doing better than I am. But as a lover of all things music, I think Lisa Loeb deserves more from the "cognescenti."

 

Songs Of The Week, 2025: 3/1-3/7

 

Rocket #9- NRBQ
She Knew She Was Falling In Love- David Johansen
Pigs- Amyl & The Sniffers
Rollin' Stone- The Marigolds
Two Is A Couple- Ike & Tina Turner
Carnal Mind- Yabby You
Wedding Day- Alex McMurray

zip 

Rocket #9- NRBQ
(Omnivore Records reissued the Q's debut a few years back, but I only just found out it was mastered by the engineering genius Kevin Gray, so I had to grab a copy. And if you love this record, you need this version. It has never sounded so good.)

She Knew She Was Falling In Love- David Johansen
(I read somewhere that "In Style" was a disappointment to some fans after David Jo's debut because it had some "disco" tracks on it. Hardly. I think I like "In Style" more than the debut.)

Pigs- Amyl & The Sniffers
(This will probably go over like a lead balloon, but maybe some of you might dig it as much as I do. Loosen your tie. Unbutton your jeans. Turn it up!)

Rollin' Stone- The Marigolds
(And speaking of David Johansen, a friend suggested this track after hearing David play it on his radio show "Mansion Of Fun." Love this and the b-side of that Excello 45!)

Two Is A Couple- Ike & Tina Turner
(This is the original 1965 single only rocker and not the 1978 remake.)

Carnal Mind- Yabby You
(From the "One Heart, One Love" album, a reggae record I highly recommend.)

Wedding Day- Alex McMurray
(We close with one of Alex McMurray's very best. After this, there won't be a dry eye in da house.)

BW's Saturday #51