Desert Island Trivia - Jimi Hendrix

December 18^th – A slight change to the advertised programme with the next few posts that will close out this 12 month, daily chat of mine. This was partly planned some time ago when, back in August or September, I wrote that I’d be posting my Desert Island Discs selection as part of the cycle. I’m shortening the guff but including a couple or three musical things to lead me (and you) up to Christmas. Some of my off-the-cuff remarks may offend your musical sensibilities to which I reply;

Tough. Get over it.

So, up-to-date information piece (1).

On this day (Dec 18^th) in 1981, on his 38^th birthday, Keith Richard was attacked on stage by a fan in the US. He managed to dodge the guy then hit him with his guitar: probably the best and most meaningful guitar solo the guy has ever done imho.

Catch-up information piece (2).

On this day (Dec 12^th) Connie Francis was born into an Italian family and a life of emotional turmoil but bore it with a stoicism and bravery hard to locate in the, usually, feather-bedded life of international recording stars. She was raped and very nearly suffocated in a hotel room whilst on tour, lost her voice and suffered catastrophic damage to her nasal passages but went through several operations and voice coaching in order to be able to sing again…and top the charts. Seven years later her brother, who she was very close to, was shot and killed by Mafia hit-men. She continued to tour throughout and even revisited the town where she was raped to give a concert. She was shortly after diagnosed with manic depression which stalled her career for four years in which time she attempted suicide. Gradual help and strength of character got her through and she still tours today…that’s as of December 2014. Way t’ go, girl.

Not in any particular order and as at 15/10/14

DESERT ISLAND DISC – #1

Machine Gun – Jimi Hendrix – From the album Band of Gypsies – Live at the Filmore East – Recorded 1970 – Jimi Hendrix/Lead Guitar – Billy Cox/ Bass Guitar – Buddy Miles/ Drums & B.V.

I’ve mentioned this track before so will keep it brief. Written at the time of the Vietnam War this is without doubt the finest anti-war piece of music ever composed. No amount of listening to Britten’s War Requiem will shake me loose of this fact. Everything else that I’ve heard that’s written about the horror and stupidity of war seems apologetic in comparison and holds a pleading quality that the hawks rely on. That mawkishness which causes us to burst into tears even as we ask them to stop; the difference between them and us is…they don’t. So, in the words of the prophet we have to fight fuck with fuck. It is an essential track to have in one’s collection; essential; and I play it regularly and often four or five times in a row.

The four rules of listening to Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix and his Band of Gypsies: -

1)    The pictures are superfluous so mask the screen

2)    Put on headphones

3)    Turn up to 11

4)    Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Q7e8VafRI