THE SIGNAL from David Katznelson
"If you have light on light you have nothing, if you have dark on dark you have nothing."--Bob Ross
Yesterday was the 104th birthday of legendary Specialty Records head honcho Art Rupe. For those of you who follow this newsletter even somewhat regularly, you know that my wife and I have been working on a big project examining the early years of his label. I interviewed Rupe for the project over a decade ago, when he was a young 91, and am so happy that he will live to see this boxset get released!
Art Rupe was an incredible record man, who early in his career purchased every hit record of his day to figure out the science of what made them successful, and then launched a record label that boasted to never losing money on a release…and having more hits on both the gospel and secular site of the billboard charts than practically anyone…from the mid-forties to the late 50s. He laughs about only being head of the label for 12 years…and how his whole (long) life is defined by that moment. And when you hear the amazing productions he oversaw, the incredible artists he A&Red, and the legacy he grew in a little over a decade (including helping usher in Rock n Roll), it is understandable why.
Concord Music, who owns the Specialty catalog and who will be issuing the project Barb and I are producing, just released a “best of” Specialty mix called RIP IT UP, which contains a few songs that will be on our release but with a focus on the stuff that specialty is most known for, like Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti and some classic Lloyd Price numbers. No matter where you choose to start listening in the Specialty catalog, you know it is going to sound great--great production and musicianship overseen by Rupe…and some truly game-changing jams…just flying out of the speakers.
As for our project: Set The World On Fire: The Early Years of Specialty Records and the Beginnings of Rock and Roll…that project is nearing the finish line.
Happy 104th birthday Art Rupe! I have been digging in deep to your catalog--continuing to keep learning and grooving. Thank you!!!!!
This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of my father who would have been 92 today. Miss you all the time Dad. Look how great the Giants are doing!!!!!
Top 30 Most Expensive Items Sold on Discogs in July 2021
Always interesting to see what records people are willing to pay thousands of dollars for….
The Godfather of Swamp Pop, Warren Storm, passes away
Warren Storm is one of those artists that is slightly lost to the modern listener because of lack of web presence for most of his incredible early recordings (he was on SO many indie labels)…but damn were they great as well as genre defining. Big thanks to the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau who put him onstage during a Ponderosa Stomp…that is how I heard of him. Just check out killer tracks like The Prisoner’s Song, Mama, Mama, Mama, I’ve Got My Heart In My Hand, and So Long So Long (and I love this later live performance…what a voice he bellowed) There is SO little online and even the reissues that cover his early career are hard to get a hold of….but they are worth the digging….RIP.
The Divisive Legacy of D.H. Lawrence
A great weekend read: An epic article spurred by new book releases about “modern” Renaissance person DH Lawrence, digging deep into the dark recesses of his life…and there were many…and even the ashes of his afterlife. I knew he was controversial…and now I have a better understanding of how much so (if anyone has a fav Lawrence bit of writing to turn me onto, please reach out or put it in the comments below). As the article states: “His works have been banned and championed, praised and denounced. Love him or hate him, Lawrence is always worth arguing with.” What a full life.
The Flowering: The Autobiography of Judy Chicago
A new autobiography written during lock-down by such a huge, influential artist. And then there is her quote (as stated in the above article):“We were slaves in Egypt, and we became free, which leaves us with the mandate to work for everyone’s freedom.”
How 1960s Mouse Utopias Led to Grim Predictions for Future of Humanity
While this is a total compelling read, make sure you watch the “mouse utopia” footage at the end.
I AM A SHADOW
By: Diane di Prima
I am a shadow crossing ice
I am rusting knife in the water
I am pear tree bitten by frost
I uphold the mountain with my hand
My feet are cut by glass
I walk in the windy forest after dark
I am wrapped in a gold cloud
I whistle thru my teeth
I lose my hat
My eyes are fed to eagles & my jaw
is locked with silver wire
I have burned often and my bones are soup
I am stone giant statue on a cliff
I am mad as a blizzard
I stare out of broken cupboards
