Two pretty cool clips from Horslips, who were Ireland's first major contribution to rock & roll.
"Furniture" is live in Dublin, 1973 (dig those costumes!) and "I'll Be Waiting" is live with the Ulster Orchestra in March of 2011. Both tunes feature one of rock's best kept secrets: guitarist Johnny Fean.
Chunky, Novi and Ernie ("Ilene Rappaport," Novi Novog and Ernie Emerita) were a strange group who released a couple of LPs for Warner/Reprise in the 1970's. Their first self-titled album, released in 1974 and selling about 18 copies...I'm one of those folks that bought it... is something of a forgotten classic, co-produced by Ted Templeman (Doobie Bros.) and John Cale (Velvet Underground).
"Chunky," who called herself "Ilene Rappaport" at this time, first came to my attention on Frank Zappa's GRAND WAZOO album, where she was a vocalist. She was simply credited as "Chunky" on that album. When I heard that John Cale was producing an album for her band, I had to check it out.
"Underground," side 1, cut 1 on the first (and best) CN & E album is a tune that radio had no business ignoring. In fact, Montrose covered the tune on their PAPER MONEY album, where it also resides as side 1, cut 1.
After the demise of CN&E, Chunky began calling herself "Lauren Wood," and had a sizable hit with "Fallen," which found its way onto the PRETTY WOMAN soundtrack.
Novi Novog plays the distinctive violin solo on the Doobie Brothers' "Black Water."
I don't know what the heck happened to Ernie.
Neither CN&E album as been officially released on CD, though it's rumored that their first album was briefly available as an expensive Japanese import.
What jogged my memory about CN&E is the previous posting on this blog featuring Rodriguez performing on Letterman. I swear that the woman playing the keyboards in the center of the soundstage is Lauren Wood. But I'm probably wrong.
Jesus "Sixto" Rodriguez is the subject of a new film called "Searching For Sugar Man." Rodriguez released several critically acclaimed (but dismally-selling) albums in the 1970's before disappearing from public view. He's now 70 years old and finally getting his due. Fans of Arthur Lee's Love circa FOREVER CHANGES will enjoy this one. Good stuff. And see the film if you get the chance.
And here's the trailer for "Searching For Sugar Man."
This is pretty cool. It's nice to see these four guys perform simply as a band. It's not often you get to see a Monkees soundcheck/rehearsal! Peter's a fine bassist.
A good, short set from a fairly undocumented time in the Groovies' history. Roy Loney had just departed, replaced by Chris Wilson, who is doing his best Mick Jagger. Drummer Danny Mihm would be the next to leave, replaced by David Wright. This is pre-"Shake Some Action."