Jerry Wexler, famed record producer, dies at 91.
- Bernie Mac
- Isaac Hayes
- Jerry Wexler
WE HAVE OUR 3rd
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Aug 15, 2008 3:27 p.m. Beatles6120:
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Aug 15, 2008 6:28 p.m. MarkW:
Nah he's not black.
He is however in entertainment and unless no other african-american dies in August that is in the entertainment field he will have to count.
But it is a shame to lose yet another talent in our industry!
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Aug 15, 2008 7:19 p.m. FrequentFlyer909:
No, Jerry Wexler wasn't black, but he did so much to advance the music of African Americans in the '60's that... well, his passing is as much cause for mourning among African Americans as it is for anyone.
If you aren't familiar with Wexler's life and work, please read one of the obits. The man was a titan in R&B; he was the "other" head of Atlantic Records.
Paul/FF909
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Aug 15, 2008 7:26 p.m. Deed Eddy:
Perhaps this will make the connection a bit stronger.
Wexler also had the idea to send Florida duo Sam & Dave to Stax’s South Memphis studio, sparking a collaboration between the two singers and songwriting tandem Isaac Hayes and David Porter that would yield a succession of genre defining hits like “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Coming” and “I Thank You.” (Hayes died Sunday in Memphis at the age of 65).
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Aug 16, 2008 12:28 a.m. yettoblaster:
Wexler's book, "Rhythm and the Blues," is a good read.
Much more bouyant than "The Hit Men" (another music industry best seller).
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Aug 16, 2008 5:46 a.m. MarkW:
FF909 - I am very familiar with his work. And he did a great deal to promote black artists.
I played in R&B/Soul bands so I am not insensitive, just kidding about the three's. I still say August isn't over yet...
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Aug 16, 2008 11:45 a.m. Beatles6120:
The three's theory is blind to race. It's a fame game. Maybe we should start a dead pool.
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Aug 16, 2008 11:49 a.m. Deed Eddy:
Perhaps not?
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Aug 16, 2008 11:58 a.m. Beatles6120:
Or not.
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Aug 16, 2008 12:42 p.m. DangerousMan:
Ronnie Drew died today. For those of you who don't know who that is... Not great info but it's something...
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Aug 16, 2008 4:28 p.m. Proteus:
Death. It pretty much sucks. Gallows games are a way to make light of it, defiantly pretend it won't win in the end. Since it's a fundamental condition of life, and we know how it all ends, I suppose the games represent a measure of victory.
I'm still not inclined to bet on the bodies falling.
DM, I must confess that's not the greatest rendition of "Raglan Road" I've ever heard...it rather makes a mess of a noble melody.
But even so, "Raglan Road" is right up there with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" as two of the most transcendant songs I know of.
Thanks for the reminder.
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Aug 16, 2008 4:45 p.m. DangerousMan:
Ah I don't think it's that bad... a lot of people do compare Ronnie with Luke - I think Ronnie had his thing. Luke's version is of course, supreme. I actually came across a version on the tube with Knopfler. It wasn't great but he gave a slight preamble and seemed exceptionally dignified and knowledgable.
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Aug 16, 2008 7:23 p.m. crowbone:
Proteus:
Death. It pretty much sucks.
There it is folks...what you'll read on my tombstone!
Thanks Tim.
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Aug 16, 2008 8:59 p.m. Deed Eddy:
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Aug 16, 2008 9:19 p.m. Proteus:
Why, you're welcome, cb...I always like to be direct and straight to the point...
More Raglan Roads. I suppose some haven't heard this song, but everyone ought. It's one of those melodies that somehow penetrates straight to the core of life's beauty and longing, joy and grief, and Kavanagh's lyrics come pretty close to nailing ineffable truths as well.
We had a thread about all-time favorite songs, didn't we? For me it's reposeful, contemplative, noble melodies like this one. And, again, Cohen's "Hallelujah," and "Whiter Shade of Pale" (you didn't think I'd leave it out, did you, Deed?). Along with "Greensleeves," and "Suo Gan" and part of "Saturn" from Holst's Planets,, and "Finlandia" and many hymns.
Something about these melodies, where every note is in place, and necessary, and you couldn't add to them to improve them, and taking anything away would weaken them. That kind of perfection pierces and blesses at the same time, and I can ask no more of art than it haunt and comfort at once.
Kavanagh sings one verse, then Kelly picks it up.
A stark and affecting a capela version by Donal Hegarty.
I think Knopfler does it justice, in his contemplative way, and the pipes and whistle always get me.
She's meticulous about articulation, though I can barely understand a word she sings – and her phrasing follows laws unto itself – but Loreena McKinnett's voice always wipes me out. Exquisite, and as close to the sound of angels as I expect ever to hear.
I don't suppose she's to everyone's taste, but...eh, whatever.
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Aug 17, 2008 9:21 a.m. Bernw:
Loreena McKennitt's voice is lovely on Raglan Road. I had never heard of her before reading this post. I was surprised to see she has actually lived in Canada - but she has not lost that typical Clannad style Irish Celtic vocal. Delicious.
And for someone who can't really "sing" (in the classical sense of the word) Sinead O'Connor does a very good version of Raglan Road. Not as good as McKennitt's rendition though.
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Aug 17, 2008 12:33 p.m. Proteus:
I've been a McKennitt fan since the early 90s. Her albums are magnificent...assuming you like her voice. She gets lumped in with Enya the Vapid, with whom the similarities are superficial, and I see from ütubery that she's a favorite of the elves-and-faeries crowd.
But she's not about that stuff either – she's much more substantial, and has a great deal more on her mind. The albums are great sonic tapestries, with subtle orchestration and arrangement details that continue to emerge after years of listening.
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Aug 17, 2008 12:50 p.m. Beatles6120:
What about Dead Pool are you in or out?
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Aug 17, 2008 12:51 p.m. Proteus:
I am most emphatically out.
