Computer Age

Dennis Wilson (9 Dec 1944) was the most womanizing, and wild problematic of the three brothers, the black sheep in a family clan where over time you would see that no sheep was just white. Special felt passion for the sea, fishing and surfing, attractions attached to the music he combined delighted with the girls, cars and drugs. In a family where music was part of everyday life (his father, composer tyrant and frustrated by all accounts, played the piano, organ his mother), it was not uncommon to see the brothers Wilson performing songs in the school holidays or at family gatherings, especially Friday afternoon. His interest, hobbies and rebellion made Dennis did not show many faculties or interest as his brothers. He had to plead his mother to accept him in the band that would go down in history as The Beach Boys. Besides participating in the voices, they decided to offer the post of battery, but not always was he who recorded the instrument on the disks. Being the only surfing was logical that most influenced by all the fashion that emerged around this sport: girls, sun, holidays and music, with instrumental Dick Dale and the Deltones spearhead. He told the group how much fun it would be to compose a song about that youth fashion, born and what would be the band's first hit, "Surfin". Over time, though often got into fights and the odd car accident, ended up becoming a good performer, learned to play the piano and although it was probably the most limited of the brothers to sing, Dennis supplied the deficiencies of his voice with high doses of privacy and enviable capacity to achieve thrilling. It debuted as a composer when the fame of the Beach Boys traded downward and upward British Invasion, was the end of the decade of the '60s, the heyday of the hippies and psychedelia. Brian Wilson's shadow was blurred at times, using other components the cracks to start showing the brightness of your lights. The first song composed by all the Beach Boys without Brian Wilson collaboration appears on the 1967 album "Wild Honey" (this is the theme of "How She Boogalooed It"). In the next album, "Friends" (1968), Dennis Wilson signed his first compositions without the involvement of his brothers, simple but great emotional depth ("Little Bird" and "Be Still", the latter overwhelms with voice only keyboard), where excesses were beginning to show on his vocal cords. Friend risk at this time Dennis was not averse to any substance or party and if there were women through better. They were just two friends of Charles Manson what led him to make friends with this lunatic character friendship that almost cost him his life to him and his child ("I'm the luckiest guy in the world, because I walked out of this losing hardly any money "). Both his career like the Beach Boys were very touched by the discovery of his relationship with this murderer.
Dennis reached compositional maturity coinciding with the turn of the decade and record label, demonstrating his talent in the first Beach Boys album for Warner, much more collective and less direct involvement of Brian (although it continued to provide, of course, some of the best pearls from disk), titled "Sunflower" (1970), which deserves special mention Dennis composition "Forever" exciting ballad with all the ingredients to become a classic, standing at the height of the best songs of the group. In 1971 he edited the road movie directed by Monte Hellman "Two-Lane Blacktop" ("two-way paved road") in which Dennis played one of the lead roles as "The Mechanic". That same year in an accident with a glass door was cut several tendons of the hand, which prevented him from playing drums for five years. Reappears in the credits as a composer and producer on the album "Carl And The Passions - So Tough", released in 1972 ("Carl & The Passions" was one of the names of the group before called Beach Boys) with two songs disk uplifting the murky waters by sailing most of the time: "Make It Good" and especially that closes the album "Cuddle Up", intimate, heartbreaking at times, a masterpiece that would look in the back solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue". Found another gem to place on the altar of the best ballads on the album "Holland" (1973), "Only With You", this time sung by his brother Carl. In 1974 collaborated with Billy Preston on the composition of the song "You Are So Beautiful", which would become famous Joe Cocker and Dennis sing in many concerts as a tribute to their fans.
We must not forget that punk and new wave were imposed between the news magazines and music stations in 1977, when he published the first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys, the "Pacific Ocean Blue" by Dennis Wilson, that although it had good reviews, was acceptable but poor public response. No music was fashionable, even it could be seen in many ways as a review of previously developed and styles. But, as often happens with things in which one delivers it all, time to shine was charged with increasing intensity the whole personality, talent and excitement that their grooves contained. He became a cult album and today it is not unusual to see lists of the best albums of the rock. Dennis was involved throughout the full charge of the process composition, arrangement, production, vocals, keyboards and drums (with Gregg Jakobson outstanding collaboration, family and musicians abundant winds, vocals, bass and guitar). In this paper gave his soul, amid the chaos that had become his life managed to find the throbbing spirit destroyed years ago some flowers. He speaks of desires in the great "River Song", from his love of rock and roll in "What's Wrong" and "Friday Night" (this with an introduction that clearly remembers the "Shine On You Crazy diamond" by Pink Floyd , personally I think group floating in songs and sounds of this album), love and loneliness in the heartbreaking "Thoughts Of You" and "Time" (Randy Newman, also born in Los Angeles, comes inevitably to my head also in several Songs of this work) of ecology in "Pacific Ocean Blue" color and hope in "Rainbows" inevitable goodbyes atmospheric and great "Farewell My Friend", dreams and reality in "Dreamer" or that closes the album "End Of The Show", with a voice broken poignantly. Embraced by a sumptuous production and exquisite arrangements beating heart is that of a disk of shadows and solitude, away from the sun and joy, where the only lights that shine are those of the moon and hope.
The new edition of the album, released this year, is made with care and affection. In addition to the excellent presentation, pictures and information, provides abundant new material, with special emphasis on the songs of the album that was preparing before his death, "Bambu" (before the investigations for this reissue was known as "Bamboo"). It is generally less dark themes and I personally seem minor emotional intensity, with the feeling that I leave that often accompanies this type of reissues: are interesting, even exciting at times, that quench the enthusiasm and eagerness completist, but that at no time exceed what ya heard (for the moment I'll stick 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 release of the solo album did not mean to stop belonging to the Beach Boys continued as a member of the band with its ups and downs for problems caused by drug addiction, with expulsions and reconciliations, delivering two good compositions of the Beach Boys album " LA Light Album "of 1979, which had provided for" Bambu ":" Love Surrounds Me "and" Baby Blue ".
In 2007 it went on sale the DVD documentary "Dennis Wilson Forever", a look at his life through interviews with people who knew him very closely, produced and directed by his brother Billy Hinsche, band member Dino, Desi & Billy, as well as multi-instrumentalist accompany the Beach Boys and other formations (I have not had the chance to see it).
Rebel and charismatic, five marriages with their divorces (including Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac), five children, Dangerous Liaisons, several rehabilitation attempts unsuccessfully spent a fortune coming uncontrollably losing one of their most cherished : the sailboat "Harmony", expulsions several of the band coming to blows with his cousin Mike Love, who decided to hire bodyguards to not approach him, especially when he was drinking "orange juice" (used to use it to mix the vodka) . Fulfilled to the letter the slogans "Live fast, die young and you have a pretty corpse" or "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" accompanying them with heavy doses of self-destructive generosity. People who knew him knew he was not made to last, so the news of his death on December 28, 1983 but was somewhat expected surprise. In one of his dives in Marina del Rey not surfaced. While conflict still continue. The families argued over where to bury him, if with his father or at sea; won those who thought he wanted to do in the Pacific Ocean, although this will need the intercession of Ronald Reagan for permission. They also failed to agree on the farewell song or who read a story from the Bible, while his son Michael's funeral would have nightmares for years.
Finally, a family with their problems and conflicts that will be remembered for composing a soundtrack very special both for his film as well as ours.

Read more:
In this link you have a very complete page about Dennis and the other members of the Beach Boys (in Castilian)
Here 's a good story about everything surrounding his death (in English)
Here an interview in 1976 (in English)
In this other youtube a short interview on TV the group in 1980, with Dennis ... a bit "lost" is not of good quality but worth it. Pay attention to the greeting: "good morning" ... it is still morning ...

(Maritime Passeio Algés, July 19, 2008)

(Note: Part-gray-are personal rolls, to read the chronicle of the concert to start directly in black letter)

On July 19, newly released holiday in Galicia, I woke up remembering that day Leonard Cohen acted in Lisbon. He had not made ​​any plans to go to the concert, however I got the idea that I had to take the opportunity, I had family problems or work that prevented me from going to see it. They were many miles and many hours away, but I could not miss that opportunity "why not, now or ever." The concert had dismissed Benicássim wanted a concert devoted exclusively to him. I decided to go without knowing if would innings, but something told me that there would be problems, the biggest problem would be finding the site and on time. More than five hours in the car given to think many things, including my way of acting judge. I would have preferred to have everything planned out weeks in advance, have enjoyed preparing an important event, accompanied and spend the weekend with my wife also have been a good idea, however there I was alone, to adventure, as if youth had not gone through my life many years ago, with a camera that had caught at the last minute and could not check if it was loaded. I arrived in Portugal thanks to have an hour behind Spain, 50 minutes before the concert. When I said "YES" entries a huge weight had ceased to crush me. Time I did not eat anything, I wanted to be ahead, watch it closely, a coke to scramble a bit, and there would be time after the show to return to earthly life.
Lately this page looks like the Mount Olympus of rock (Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen ...), I want to add one more to this temple polytheistic, because what lived there was a true act of fellowship and worship. In Lisbon we were lucky to find paradise for a day, we hear the words of our passionate God beside levitate six apostles made ​​us with the sound of their instruments, reaching ecstasy rocked by three angels choirs singing the message divine dowm dowm dowm do da do dowm dowm ("thou shalt not lack" L. Cohen asked).

As I read in the press we go from 8 to 9000 people, from different countries, languages ​​and ages. Although in principle it was outdoors might seem inconvenient, the environment became magically in the perfect setting, achieving moments of intimacy and silence difficult to imagine in a concert of this nature. Leonard Cohen point out onstage after the band components, all with dark suit, light shirt them and hat. The first impression, plus see thinner and paler than I imagined, was to confirm what I already knew: "gee, if he is seen very old", but many years internalizing his music and his books made my mind was seeing on stage is not something external but the reflection of a very important part of my life. Just start to sing their old disappeared, surprising the good condition of his voice, just as seductive waterfall always much less than I expected (was broken only in rare moments of great intensity). Every gesture he made, every word he uttered was unanimously followed by laughter, shouts and applause from the audience, not missing repeatedly launching red carnations are highly significant in a country like Portugal. We saw a man who radiated magic and mysticism, with a gentle smile full of humility and unlimited power of attraction. Excitement, joy, choirs, silence, tears ... had us completely in their hands, like waves in a bathtub he formed and waved to his wise will. Even the temperature and moon opposite the stage, which was noted when one verse was referring to her, came together to make everything perfect. The essence of the concert was a rock show, but pushed to the limit of the personal, with influences from jazz, country, blues, pop and flamenco, but led at all times by the elegance and respect for the intelligence, hearing ( that sound so perfect!), the individual as physical and psychological set. The repertoire was based primarily on its many successes, making a tour of most of his albums, with particular prominence surely the "I'm your man". It began with the "Dance me to the end of love", kneeling before the virtuoso Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, lute, mandolin ...). On many occasions took the "alone" of the band members to present and Hats off to them (that sounded good old organ - Hammond? - In the hands of Neil Larsen!, And how sensitive the Dino Soldo on harmonica and saxophone to the flute and electric!), uncovering the head also in the public thanking each clap, implying that they were all there (were) a fundamental part of the trip. Among the best-known songs sounded (sorry do not remember the order) "Who by fire", "Everybody Knows," "Closing Time," "Bird on the Wire" ("like a little bird" change the letter), "Tower of Song "(with keyboard solo as simple as characteristic and being applauded, conscious of his little skill to keys, recognized that we were too kind ... more laughter)," First We Take Manhattan ", a beautiful version of" Suzanne "with just voice and guitar (the Tagus River near the stage came the hair), the wonderful" Hey, that's no way to say goodbye "," The gypsy's wife "," I'm your man "chanted so loudly by the public to reach the chorus, "Democracy" (I think it was before I started this topic when he said "it is fortunate to have wonderful moments like these when there is so much chaos, darkness and sadness in the world"), "In my secret life ", the well-known" So Long Marianne ", an unforgettable" Hallelujah "(adding" I did not come to Lisbon to deceive ")," Take this waltz "before the final had everyone dancing we tried the best we could, and many more wonderful just joined us for nearly three hours, with a break of 15 minutes and several encores of those who came and went dancing, giving sympathetic increasingly energetic jumps, doing the work that King Jester, what happy child old man in suit, as if each song was a dose of the elixir of youth.
It would be unfair not to mention, for their hard work and genius, the other musicians: Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar), Roscoe Beck (bass, bass) and Rafael Gayol (drums and percussion). The angels who did vocals had also highlights: Sharon Robinson on the song "Boogie Street" and the Webb Sisters duo interpretation with the thrilling "If it be your will" (Hattie Webb harp and voice, guitar and vocals Charley Webb ). To end all in chorus sang the farewell as Leonard Cohen thanked us for one night so memorable.
When I heard that Spain had acted only 1 hours me doubly glad I made the decision to go to Portugal.

"Suzanne takes you to her place by the river,
you can hear the boats sail,
You can spend the night beside her.
You know that she's half crazy
but that's why you want to be there "
(Suzanne)

The Dreadful Yawns
Rest
(Exit Stencil Recordings 2007)

This is an album that was saved in the computer, which at the time had written some data because I had found very interesting, but that eventually almost completely forgotten. After further listening I have to say that still seems wonderful album, the sound floating point aromas Donovan, CSN & Y, Gram Parsons, Spiritualized, Mojave 3, Wilco, The Innocence Mission, Belle and Sebastian and Beachwood Sparks. So I think it's time to complete these notes. The quintet was formed in 1998 in Cleveland, Ohio, but his first album ("Early" Undertow Music) did not appear until 2003, turning the entire project around the singer / songwriter Ben Gmetro. Following the critical success of the first work signed to the label Bomp! Records (last band was signed to Greg Shaw, founder of the legendary label that started in 1970 as a fanzine fully home and died in 2004 with only 55 years), which released a self-titled album in 2005, increasing the psychedelic influence his compositions, again garnering rave reviews and becoming more known to the public level. "Rest" is the CD released in 2007, produced by Ben Gmetro, after overcoming many problems of money, recording studios and music label. This is the first of two albums that were on record for Exit Stencil Recordings. If originally was conceived as an experimental rock album, would eventually transforming into a full artistic statement of arrangements, pedal steel, finder-picked guitars and gorgeous vocal melodies, achieving a beautiful album of folk-rock-country- pop-psychedelia. It took about 2 years to complete and was recorded in three different studios, departing during this time four of the five original members of the band, leaving only Ben Gmetro (along with 4 members-new): Ben Gmetro: vocals and guitar; Elizabeth Kelly: vocals, keyboards, bells, and tambourine, Chris Russo: drums and vocals; Clayton Heuer: keyboards and violin, and Eric Schulte: guitar and vocals. In 2008 have released the second album for the label Exit Stencil ("Take Shape"), with the same lineup as the previous and occasionally tightening sound. "Rest" is the disk group that most times I have heard and know best yet. Ten songs in just over half an hour. Among my favorite choose "candels" which even exceeds 7 minutes goes against my preferences (almost always in favor of short subjects), in this case the transmission capacity hum pushes you forget time ago (you know the good times fly by and as you said Bo Diddley book can not be judged by its cover), although I'm sure if it becomes a hit and sound continuously has all the ingredients to come to hate her. The songs revolve mainly in two directions, one to the country-folk side (the wonderful "When I Lost My Voice", the trotting and cowgirl, with banjo included, "Being used to you", or the successful version of Gram Parsons "November Nights"), others more inclined to pop with varying doses of country, folk and psychedelia (among the most pop "You've Been Recorded", "Changing States" or the catchy and with all the necessary ingredients for radiofórmulas sound in "Due South", including the more psychedelic or mental spaces reminiscent of the brilliant "We Go Up", seductive melodies wrapped by strings and atmospheric keyboards, and "End Of Summer" which closes the album, with a characteristic accompanying musical saw which brings the air of late summer, mosquitoes, heaviness, loneliness and reluctance in the environment). A disc of exciting vocal harmonies rocked by acoustic guitars, steel guitar and inspired soundscapes made with the help of multiple instruments with the right notes at the right times.

The Dreadful Yawns MySpace

"Bo Diddley" was born on a cotton farm near McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928, being baptized as Ellas Bates. With six years was adopted by a cousin of his mother, also adopting its name and passing They called McDaniel. Coinciding with the "Great Migration African-American" (in poor areas of the south to the northern industrial cities of USA) moved to Chicago where he studied violin, until his sister Lucille gave him an acoustic guitar. In this city lived the changes suffered by the blues, with the inclusion of electric instruments, drums, harmonica, and sometimes saxophones. It would be enamored of the sound of the electric guitar, formed different groups that played in the spare time he left the various trades with which he earned a salary. A first recording for Chess Records in 1955 (with Bo Diddley songs and I'm a man), the success of a band smiled and critical to get the sound so special, highlighting Jerome Green on maracas and vocals, and his stepsister "The Duchess" accompanying electric guitar, not forgetting wild African rhythms and drum. Frequently changing partners and domicile. Multiple collaborations with groups and leading artists, influenced by his style and music over the decades (from Buddy Holly to Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen The Who, Sex Pistols to Jesus & Mary Chain), hundreds of versions of their subjects (who do you love is one of the issues with less chords and different versions in the history of music), and recognition as the most outstanding popular music awards, have marked his career until 2 June 2008 when heart problems forced him to move out of the neighborhood, this time for good.
With a personal style, percussive rhythms, repetitive, raspy, tribal and distorted, became father of R & B, instrumental in the evolution of rock & roll and "creator" of a unique sound, the sound Bo Diddley, something very few have been able to accomplish. While it was based on African rhythms, nobody had done the sound and vibrations that your syncopated guitar compositions transmitted. Without fanfare or technical virtuosity in left for posterity riffs and rhythms that have become classics, recorded in the subconscious of many people who know but that I could not mention the name of its author. In the interpretation of his songs, filled with humor and enthusiasm, gave off a force contagious and primitive, fusing sound and movement, with the right amount of restraint and energy. I have been fortunate to attend a live concert of his, but I think it would definitely be one of the most powerful experiences. So you can travel back in time to see him have to settle for video singing and playing his guitar feature square Gretsh "square-bodied", but for this occasion I preferred to choose two of his early videos before to design this guitar.

"Bo Diddley - Road Runner"

"Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley, 1955 (in the controversial Ed Sullivan Show)

Surely the angels are celebrating, dancing seizure and maracas in his hands, the arrival of the French black and its fast pace. bee bee bam bam bam bam bam bee ...

The Everly Brothers
Roots
(Warner Brothers 1968)

This disc is a time when Don and Phil Everly had been cast out of paradise of success and had a few years with significant personal and professional problems.
They had started in music when he had only 6 and 8 years, in the 40s, singing country with his parents, Ike and Margaret Everly, by different radio stations. They lived the change stations when they found were much cheaper to hire a person to bug discs to pay musicians playing live. In 1955, after graduating from high school, moved, and as a duo, to Nashville, where the support of Chet Atkins was instrumental in getting record deal. Columbia Records signed them first six months. After a few singles that did not have the slightest effect decided not to renew it. It would be the Cadence Records label in 1957, who would take the upper hand by providing a composition of marriage record Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, specializing in songs for teenagers. The song was "Bye Bye Love", which had been rejected by up to 29 times by other artists (including Elvis Presley). The Everly Brothers had decided to add arrangements prepared for another subject and record with Chet Atkins on electric guitar. He quickly placed in the top lists of pop, country and R & B. The soft voice deeper Phil and Don, along with vocal harmonies witches to the mix of country and rock so personal, and his image of "suitable for all audiences", gave them a charm that did succumb, above all, the vast majority of teenagers at the time. They had opened the door to the harmonies of voices in rock & roll and helped change the vision and acceptance of this style, do not forget that at that time the rock & roll was considered cursed, rebellion and madness with bad taste without the slightest hint of quality, only suitable for degenerate. Then came "Wake Up, Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Bird Dog" and "Cathy's Clown", the latter written by themselves. Sales and successes did not stop growing, and millions were handled figures in that period. In 1960 left off, with the inevitable copyright dispute, Cadence Records, to sign for a million dollars and 10-year contract with Warner Brothers (another unprecedented move, more knowing that in those years the success of most artists was measured by weeks or months). In 1962 began the crisis in his career, agreeing on one side with joining the Navy, and on the other with an accident while on tour in the UK: Don suffered a collapse, as reported by some media through a nervous breakdown, according to other by food poisoning in disrepair, but the reality was that it was an overdose of his addiction to drugs. Anyway, Phil was forced to continue the solo tour, and from there ... will never be the same. Would alternate with other periods of separation reconciliation, with moments of varying success. Nor should we forget the appearance of the Beatles and other groups of the "British Invasion" that wiped out most of the old glories on the charts.
This record corresponds to one of those early periods of crisis in which they felt they were doing good jobs but were not recognized popularly. They tried to be part of the scene without success. They tried, without much hope, return to the country that had been sucked from their parents. Believed it important to be in the place where the country-rock was experiencing a major transformation, in Los Angeles. They spent hours playing with Linda Ronstadt, with members of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. In July 1968 Andy Wickham, from Warner Bros. suggested they make a concept album in which the subjects were chosen country mixed with selected footage shows the Everly family had done in the '50s, is back, as While the title suggests, his Estate. The Warner took the project as a personal challenge, brought enthusiasm and effort to achieve a work of maturity and transcendence means no skimping. In this respect the disc gets everything that had been proposed, masterfully combining evolution and tradition, some exquisite arrangements, and some wonderful songs. Was well received by critics, but not sales. The selection was made by choosing themes country classical and popular compositions by new authors that were outperforming. Among the topics of pure country chose two of Merle Haggard ("Mama Tried" and "Sing Me Back Home"), one of Jimmie Rodgers ("T For Texas", which apply an effect electric guitar wahwah more attractive) and the traditional "Shady Grove". "Less of Me" is a song by Glen Campbell played the style of the Byrds in his time with Gram Parsons. Among the new values ​​with the cooperation of Ron Elliott (of the Beau Brummels) in the arrangements, guitar and composition of two songs ("Ventura Boulevard" and "Turn Around", both enriched with discrete string accompaniments that enhance its charm) , "Illinois" was a song by a little known yet Randy Newman, who that year would publish his first album, "Living Too Close To The Ground" was the contribution of English bassist Terry Slater. In the wake of his albums of the '60s, the original compositions were scarce, this time there is only one, "I Wonder If I Care As Much", not being completely original, having been part in 1957 of the single "Bye Bye Love "Although time changes were made and arrangements that conferred new life.
This would be the last studio album for Warner, with whom at first only managed to reach the level of popularity achieved during your stay at Cadence Records (although that does not mean that, as in this case, not to perform more interesting discs).
Durable separations, solo careers, guest appearances, awards and reunions have occurred in subsequent years (as is the famous story causes greater separation period in 1973, when Phil broke his guitar in full play and left the stage, ending Don solo the last part of the concert, and commenting: "The Everly Brothers died ten years ago"). entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Note also his enormous influence on later artists at the beginning, as Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas and The Hollies, coming of course their influence to our country, being the clearest Dynamic Duo referent.
I think that Rick Rubin could still make miracles with them.