Computer Age

Dell Pete (Peter Blumson) was born in 1943 in Oxfordshire, England. He learned to play the piano or admiring a Fats Domino Harry Champion, and the guitar at Scotty Moore, Cliff Gallup or Chet Atkins. The first musical steps at the professional level was in the Apollo Music label (Decca Records), working mainly as an arranger for Lionel Bart (author of the musical "Oliver!" Or the main theme of the James Bond movie "From Russia with love "). He performed as a guitar soloist among other groups with Red & The Tallis Tallismen. Later in Grant Tracy & The Sunsets, with whom he recorded several singles that had no impact. This coincided with Ray Cane (named Raymond Byart, had played bass with The Outlaws). When the group dissolved both joined the performer of soul Steve Darbishire to form The Band Steve Darbyshire, then Steve Darbyshare & Yum Yum Band with the addition of Terry No one on drums (he had played with Van Morrison and Them in with Gene Vincent) . Recorded five singles, most with songs from Dell and Cane; achieved a major success especially at the level of performances, coming to play as teloneros of Wilson Pickett or Frogman Henry, engaged in numerous tours. At the same time, Dell and Cane up, arranger and producing for other groups (The Applejacks, The Roulette ... The song that had the greatest impact was "I Do not Want You" recorded by The Anteeeks). In 1966, Pete suffered a collapsed lung that forced him to abandon the proceedings. While he was admitted to the hospital reflected on all that he had lived and what they were interested in doing. He took to compose the kind of songs I really wanted and focused on learning orchestral arrangements. Tired of touring, in 1967 Cane told him the desire to start a new project based mainly on studio recordings of live and forget. One day while taking a coffee Cane had the idea to name the new group to see a bus pass: Honeybus. With the collaboration of musicians from The Lucky Star, recorded a first single, with two songs from Dell ( "delighted To See You" / "The Scene Breaking Up"), which passed without penalty or glory. For the second recruited as a drummer Peter Kircher and Colin Hare (Honeycombs in before, he had collaborated with David Bowie on time and had a couple of songs recorded with George Martin Shuffle idea of launching a solo, an idea which failed) playing bass, guitar and voice. In the face of the second single recorded a new song from Dell, this time signed with his real name, Blumson, "(Do I Figure) In Your Life," which although not a principle reached the desired success, with the time was considered one of the best in his repertoire, becoming popular thanks to multiple versions of artists. It was the third single with which they reached their greatest success, "I Can not Let Maggie Go" was coló in the top 10 lists of radio and music reaped excellent reviews. This led to the house of discs intensify its promotion with performances on TV and a tour included. Dello refused to return to the road and left the band. Continued composing, producing, studying music and learning to play the violin in 1969 by editing the song "I'm A Gambler" under the name of Lace, and the single "Taking The Heart Out Of Love" / "Uptight Basil," this time with the nickname of Magic Valley. As companions with members of Honeybus and meeting musicians. They also recorded the disc was released in 1971 by the stamp Nephenta, "Into Your Ears", this time published under the name of Pete & Friends Dell. This is a delightful recording, with sound predominantly acoustic arrangements (by Ray Cane) strings and wind hot spot rapprochement with both the vaudeville and psychedelia, harmonies and a voice cared very fragile, with problems at the time, that far from diminishing their ability to move brings to the songs and humanity vicinity, boosted by the production with a very gentle percussion and voice in the foreground, natural effects and without distraction. A summit of the works of chamber pop. The first edition contains 12 songs, several of them published or performed live previously in its various projects, though in different versions. The cover was made Roger Dean (known for his designs for Yes, Asia or the logo of the label Virgin), based on the fourth song, "The Harry Earwig" to start writing appears on the cover ( "Harry scissor / was an insect very weird / He had a sword / and riding on a caterpillar ... "). The well-received by the critical components encouraged Honeybus to re-record the training and original name, but that's it, as the study project. They recorded several singles and an album that was never published ( "Recital"), assuming the project finally finished in 1973. In 1989, already out of the disc is Dell and Pete highly sought after by collectors, stamp See For Miles Records released a new edition "" Into Your Ears ... Plus, "referring to the plus the addition of the two songs on the single 1969 under the name Magic Valley, plus two previously unpublished 1972, the wonderful "Here I Only" and the beautiful ballad "Madame Chairman Of The Committee" that closes this album (also appeared Included in the full record of Honeybus "She Flies Like A Bird, "in 1982).
Convinced that "I'm A Gambler" was a great song and following are their particular game again reissued in 1973 under the pseudonym of Red Harring and in 1975 as Magenta. In 1976 a new version made by Dell's success "I Can not Let Maggie Go" was used for an ad on TV for a brand of bread. Finally decided to withdraw from commercial music and devote himself to teaching.
In 2002, those responsible for the festival Felipop Pete Dell invited to participate in this year's edition, who was joined by his partner Colin Hare (one on the list of illustrious claim). They had a great reception by the public, and was launched in collaboration with those responsible for the exquisite stamp Hanky Panky Records which resulted in the launch in 2005 of a new edition of the disc, with the original title but with a slideshow of Luxury and ten items as bonus tracks, including singles published under pseudonyms, plus three songs completely unprecedented, "Texas Candy," "Hold Up, Fold Up" and the original model of the face of the first single from Honeybus, "To delighted See You. " In 2006 removed for lovers of vinyl in a limited edition double LP (applause and congratulations for the warmth and quality with which they conduct their editions).
Finally, a statement that Dell's own Pete brings a few brushstrokes to better understand their attitude to fame, with a final sentence that I particularly like: "I never thought about being famous, I do not have wooden star. I had to climb to more concerns altar of fame. "

I'm A Gambler "

Pages visited most frequently for this review (¿weblografía?):

- SonicWave
- Alohapoprock
- Honeybus home page
- In search of lost vinyl

Richard William Wright, better known as Rick Wright, keyboard player and singer of the group Pink Floyd, died yesterday, Sept. 15, 2008, "after a short fight against cancer," according to a brief note to his spokesman to inform the media . Although he was always in the background was a key member of the group Pink Floyd from its origins. Along with Roger Waters and Nick Mason, who met as students at the University of architecture, were the three that stayed together after the various transformations, from the first band that formed in 1964 by rhythm and blues and its so-called Sigma 6 various name changes, members and instruments, until the introduction in 1965 of Syd Barrett and Bob Klose in the new draft Tea Set, the name changed to match that in a concert with another gang called the same, suggesting the Barret of The Pink Floyd Sound, The Pink Floyd later and finally Pink Floyd.
Among the most important contributions of Wright are the atmospheres and sounds of Hammond organ and synthesizers so characteristic of the group, besides the participation in voice and composition of songs in all disks key signature songs well together, either in solo (most often remembered the album "Dark Side Of The Moon" by his trascencencia, "The Great Gig in the Sky"-Wright, "Us and Them" -Waters/Wright- and "Breathe"-Gilmour / Waters/Wright-, as well as the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" -Gilmour/Waters/Wright-'s album "Wish You Were Here"), until the edition of the album "Animals" in 1977 where the role of Roger Waters and David Gilmour lesser extent dominated all compositions. Are irreconcilable with Roger Waters ended with the departure of Rick Wright of the band (although it continued as a musician of meeting), until Waters left and returned to progressively integrated with the other members. While in recent years, to coincide with Waters after the concert "Live 8" in 2005, again reconciled.
Recorded three solo albums, the first when he was still with the group (the problems and bullies in the environment) in 1978, entitled "Wet Dream", which never felt proud because they consider amateur and a poor production, but finally we cogería sweetheart (personally I think a good record, pop-symphonic rapprochement with the occasional jazz, simple and intimate and very pleasant melodies). In 1984 published an e-work away from all this, "Identity", along with Dave Harris with whom he formed the group for the occasion under the name of Zee (in the words of Wright: "pilot error"). And in 1996, considered by his fans as the most successful album of the components of Pink Floyd solo, "Broken China", recovering mode conceptual album, this time taking as the depression theme and the struggle to overcome it, dedicated to which would be shortly after his third wife, Millie (with the collaboration of Sinead O'Connor on two outstanding songs, "Reaching for the Rail" and "Breakthrough").
Serve this brief remembrance as a tribute to an artist even though he lived most successful among the shadows was one of the fundamental pillars on which the sound of Pink Floyd was erected.

Dennis Wilson (9-Dec-1944) was the most womanizer, and wild problematic of the three brothers, the black sheep in a family clan which over time would be that no white sheep was precisely. He felt special passion for the sea, fishing and surfing, attractions coupled with music that combines delighted with the girls, cars and drugs. In a family where music was part of everyday life (his father, a tyrant and frustrated composer, according to all reports, played the piano, her mother body), it was not uncommon to see the brothers Wilson performing songs in the school holidays or at family gatherings, especially Friday afternoon. His concern, hobbies and rebellion that Dennis did not show much interest as powers or their brothers. His mother had to intercede to accept what would happen in the band in history as The Beach Boys. In addition to participating in the voices, they decided to offer the post of the battery, although it was not always the person who recorded the instrument on the discs. Being the only surfer was logical that were the most influenced by any fashion that arose around this sport: girls, sun, holidays and music, with the instrumentals of Dick Dale and his Deltona as a spearhead. The group said it would be fun to compose a song about that youth fashion, born and that it would be the first success of the band, "Surfin '. Over time, but often got into fights and some car accident, ended up becoming a good performer, he learned to play the piano and although it was certainly the most limited of the brothers to sing, Dennis suplió the shortcomings of his voice with high doses of privacy and an enviable ability to bring emotion. Debuted as a composer when the fame of the Beach Boys quoted a downward and upward British Invasion, was the end of the decade of the 60s, the heyday of psychedelia and hippismo. The shadow of Brian Wilson is blurred at times, taking advantage of the other ingredients for the loopholes start showing the brightness of its lights. The first song composed by all the Beach Boys without the collaboration of Brian Wilson appears on the 1967 album "Wild Honey" (this is the theme of "How She Boogaloo It"). In the next disc, "Friends" (1968), Dennis Wilson signed his first compositions without the involvement of his brothers, simple but highly emotional ( "Little Bird" and "Be Still", the latter sobrecoge only with voice and keyboard), where the excesses already beginning to be felt in their vocal cords. Friend of the risk, in this era Ascos Dennis did not make any substance and if neither party had women through much better. They were just two friends of Charles Manson which led him to make friends with this lunatic character, friendship, which nearly cost him the life he and his son ( "I am the most fortunate of the world, because I came out of this losing just a little money "). Both his career like that of the Beach Boys were very touched after the discovery of his relationship with the murderer.
Dennis hit the compositional maturity coinciding with the change in the decade and house music, showing all his talent in the first disk of the Beach Boys for Warner, much more collective and less direct involvement of Brian (although this continued to offer it, as not, some of the finest pearls of the disc), the "Sunflower" (1970), which deserves special mention the composition of Dennis "Forever", thrilling ballad with all the ingredients to become a classic, reaching a height of the best songs. In 1971 the film was edited directed by Monte Hellman road "Two-Lane Blacktop" ( "paved road in two directions") in which Dennis played one of the roles as "The Mechanic". That same year in an accident with a glass door was cut several tendons in his hand, which prevented him from playing the drums for five years. Reappears in the credits as a composer and producer on the album "Carl And The Passions - So Tough", published in 1972 ( "Carl & The Passions" was one of the names of the group called the Beach Boys before), with two songs that elevate the disc from the filthy waters by sailing most of the time: "Make It Good" and especially that closes the album "Cuddle Up", intimate, wrenching at times, a masterpiece that no desentonaría in the posterior solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue." We found another jewel to be placed on the altar of the best ballads on the album "Holland" (1973), "Only With You", this time sung by his brother Carl. In 1974 he collaborated with Billy Preston in the composition of the song "You Are So Beautiful," which would make famous Joe Cocker and Dennis sing in many concerts as a tribute to their fans.
We must not forget that the punk and new wave were imposed between news magazines and broadcast music in 1977, when it published the first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys, the "Pacific Ocean Blue" Dennis Wilson, that although it had good reviews, was acceptable but little response from the public. Music was not fashionable, even I could see it in many ways as a review of styles already developed earlier. But, as often happens with the things in which one delivers it all, the time was in charge of making light with increasing intensity throughout the personality, talent and emotion that their grooves contained. It became a disc of worship and today is no longer unusual to see him on the lists of the best albums of the rock. Dennis was involved as much as possible throughout the process responsible for the composition, arranging, producing, voice, keyboards and drums (with the collaboration of prominent Gregg Jakobson, family and musicians in abundant winds, vocals, bass and guitar). In this work, gave his soul, in the midst of the chaos that had become her life managed to find the spirit of vibrant flowers destroyed years ago. We spoke of the great desires in "River Song", his love of rock and roll in "What's Wrong" and "Friday Night" (this with an introduction that clearly recalls the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" of Pink Floyd, a group that I feel personally that floats in songs and environments of this disc), love and loneliness in the heartbreaking "Thoughts Of You" and "Time" (Randy Newman, also born in Los Angeles, inevitably comes to my head too on several tracks of this piece) of ecology in "Pacific Ocean Blue", color and hope in "Rainbows", dismissed the inevitable in the atmosphere and great "Farewell My Friend", dreams and reality in "Dreamer" or which closes the album "End Of The Show" with a broken voice movingly. Embraced by a sumptuous production and the exquisite arrangements is the beating heart of a disk of shadows and solitude, out of the sun and joy, where the only lights that shine are those of the moon and hope.
The new edition of the disc, released earlier this year, is done with care and affection. Besides the excellent presentation, photos and information, brings a wealth unpublished material, paying particular attention to the songs on the album being prepared before dying, "Bambu" (before the research for this reissue was known as "Bamboo"). These are generally less dark themes and personally I think are less intense emotional, and the feeling that I leave that often accompanies this kind of reissues: interesting, even exciting at times, that sacian illusion and the desire Shopping but at no time exceed what has already been heard (by the time I stay with "Love Remember Me," "Wild Situation", "Album Tag Song," and especially the bonus "Tug Of Love" and the version played this time by It's "Only With You").
The publication's solo album is not meant to stop belonging to the Beach Boys, continued as a member of the band with its ups and downs due to problems arising from drug addiction, with expulsions and reconciliations, delivering two good compositions for the album of the Beach Boys " LA Light Album "of 1979 which had provided for" Bambu ":" Love Surrounds Me "and" Baby Blue ".
In 2007, was on sale on DVD documentary "Dennis Wilson Forever," a look at his life through interviews with people who knew him closely, produced and directed by his brother Billy Hinsch, a component of the group Dino, Desi & Billy, as well as multiinstrumentista to accompany the Beach Boys and other formations (I have not yet had a chance to see it).
Rebel and charismatic, five marriages with their divorces (among them Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac), five sons, Dangerous Liaisons, several attempts at rehabilitation without success, spent a fortune without losing control coming to one of his most cherished belongings The sailboat "Harmony", expulsions several of the band coming to blows with his cousin Mike Love, who decided to hire bodyguards for not approaching him, especially when they were drinking "orange juice" (used to use it to mix vodka) . Strictly complied with the slogans "Live fast, die young and have a nice body" or "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" accompanied by heavy doses of self-generosity. People who knew him knew that was not made to last, so the news of his death on Dec. 28, 1983 was somewhat surprised that most expected. In one of his dives in Marina del Rey did not come out alive. While conflicts still remain. Family members argued over where to bury the place, if next to his father or at sea; won the view that it wished to do so in the Pacific Ocean, but this required the intercession of Ronald Reagan to get the permit. Nor were able to agree on the song of farewell or who read a story from the Bible, while his son Michael would have nightmares for years with the burial.
In the end, a family with their problems and conflicts that will be remembered for composing the soundtrack for your very special film for us.

Useful links:
In this link you have a very comprehensive page on Dennis and the other members of the Beach Boys (in Castilian)
Here is a good chronicle about everything that surrounded his death (in English)
Here an interview in 1976 (in English)
In this other Youtube a short TV interview in the group in 1980 with Dennis ... somewhat "lost", is not of good quality but it's worth. Notice the greeting: "good morning" ... it is still morning ...