Oh yes, there's still a few things that I did buy and regretted. Leon And Mary Russell Wedding Album (Wounded Bird) for one. Leon lost his way on this lovefest to his later ex wife Mary McCreary and it just sounds fucking weird. Nick Lowe was raving about Jim Ford The Unreleased Capitol Album (Bear Family) and he did cover 36 Inches High and Bobby Womack (RIP) covered Harry Hippie but I come to find the album to be somewhat of a snoozefest. Oh it starts out well, a groovy cover of Sam Cooke's Chain Gang a highlight but the problem of the album is that it needed a fadeout on some of the songs that go on forever, You Just A is about 3 minutes too long. Big Mouth USA is probably my fave track off this album but it's your typical A and B side album, with side A has the best songs, and side B wonders all over the place. The Johnny Cash/Carl Perkins/Jerry Lee Lewis The Survivors (Razor And Tie) is interesting for Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis making to a 1981 Johnny Cash show in Germany and did a bunch of sing along gospel songs like they did when they were at Sun Records and Elvis was alive. It sounds tossed off, since Carl and Jerry Lee improvised on the spot, Cash's songs are the best with Get Rhythm starting off. But sing along gospel numbers may have been fun, you had to be there to witness this and they haven't aged very well after the fact. Best part is the Johnny Cash penned liner notes talking about Jerry Lee on his deathbed and Johnny and June Carter Cash were there to help him through. But Carl Perkins and both Johnny and June Carter have gone beyond the sunset and Jerry Lee Lewis ended up being the sole survivor. He'll probably outlive me...or you.
Speaking of which...I lost another friend and classmate over the years. My good friend Steven Fry died Monday from lung cancer I think he was 54. Same age as Dennis Pusateri. Steve and I became friends in junior high, he was always the smartass, the guy that told the funny and dirtiest jokes out there, but he eventually would drop out of school and started a life of construction work and would eventually locate down around Sigourney Iowa. We would meet up during high school reunions or at the John Wayne Festival in Winterset and bullshit a while. He was a hard living guy, and perhaps what did him in was a love of Marlboro Reds, which seems to be the suicide of choice of smokers. A few of my other friends who died of cancer smoked them nasty things. Anyway, on our 30th reunion get together, Steve did mention that he wouldn't make it to the 40th reunion, saying that he didn't think that he'd be alive to be there. Sad to say that turned out to be true.
I was thinking about Dennis the other day, and fell asleep on the couch, only to wake up and see his picture on the newscast. Of course, Dennis left us three years ago, but it seemed like he was a victim of a hit and run, he was riding his motorcycle and a car or SUV pulled out in front of him and he ended up on the pavement. Ended up having a blood clot on his brain that eventually ended his life. Three years later, he still does not have a headstone up on his grave site to which I think he's buried with his parents and brother Matthew, who was murdered in 1988 and the killer remains at large to this day. I guess the bar Dennis used to hang out, well his step son is trying to raise funds to get that long deserved headstone for Dennis. And was hoping that KCRG would repeat that story, but they never did. And there's not a link either. At least not for now. But I'll keep searching just in case somebody has it up. Whereever that might be.
Life is a fleeting moment, even while I'm bitching away cleaning up the water mess in the basement for the 50th time this decade and cussing each and every rainstorm that comes here. But death is always around the corner and we all die but don't know when that time comes. So we continue to do what we do best. Music and records. And when you're my age, time becomes shorter and shorter by the minute of every day. Things could be a lot worse, you could be in Gaza or Africa or some war torn nation. Or living by the ocean in the Philippines and hoping that a tycoon don't blow you into oblivion. But everybody shares one thing and that everybody dies. And you can't take your money nor your CD and LP collection with you either. I have no idea how this life is going to pan out in the years, or when the music stops, the music stores all go away and the only way to hear music is the dreaded Spotify or streaming. But this has always been my life and I simply don't see that going away anytime soon.
So I'll make a toast to the memory of Steve Fry, knowing that he is no longer suffering from cancer. And hopefully I'll get to meet him and Dennis in the great beyond, telling bad jokes and listening to music as well.
RIP brothers.
(due to limitations of the links, I copied and paste the obituary from the local papers)
Steve Wayne Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014 at University Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. He was born February 15, 1960 at St. Luke’s Hospital to Richard Dean and Betty Flanegin Fry. He attended Marion High School. Steve worked construction and did carpentry in the Marion and Cedar Rapids area He moved to the Sigourney over 30 years ago and was a self-employed carpenter and handy man. Steve loved the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and making wine.
He is survived by his mother Betty Fry of Hayesville, two brothers Doug Fry of Ottumwa, Tim Fry of Hiawatha, and his loving companion of 18 years Deneal Walraven of Hayesville and her children April Dumermuth of What Cheer, Joseph Walraven of Williston Tennessee, of Sharmin Koppes of Waterloo.
Graveside
Service: Friday 10:30 A.M. Conner Cemetery Sigourney
Visitation: Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Holm Funeral Home Sigourney
A memorial
fund has been established
Steve Fry
Ottumwa Courier
---- — HAYESVILLE — Steve Wayne Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
A memorial fund has been established.
HAYESVILLE — Steve Wayne Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
A memorial fund has been established.
- See more at: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/obituaries/x1927850156/Steve-Fry#sthash.uKw6asmq.dpuf
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Conner Cemetery, Sigourney.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
A memorial fund has been established.
- See more at: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/obituaries/x1927850156/Steve-Fry#sthash.uKw6asmq.dpuf
STEVE FRY
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
STEVE FRY
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
STEVE FRY
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
Hayesville
Steve Fry, 54, died July 7, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Conner Cemetery, southwest of Sigourney. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Holm Funeral Home, Sigourney.
Surviving are his mother, Betty Fry, Hayesville; two brothers, Doug Fry, Ottumwa, and Tim Fry, Hiawatha; and companion, Deneal Walraven, Hayesville.
Music Review:
JUDAS PRIEST-Redeemer Of Souls (Epic)
One thing about Rob Halford, he hasn't lost any of the vocal power, he can go from growl to scream in a matter of seconds. But still Redeemer Of Souls is Judas Priest's best album since Point Of Entry, although these songs are more metal sounding than of said album of 33 years beyond. Richie Faulkner has replaced retired and future golfer K K Downing and his playing inspires the band. In some ways Redeemer Of Souls is like Black Sabbath's 13, both are metallic and doomy (March Of The Dammed and Crossfire do sound like they could fit on 13 had B.S. written them). But once Halford hits those high screaming notes on Halls Of Valhalla you know it's vintage Priest. Even though it does goes over an hour total performance wise the whole album is somewhat a better listen than Nostradamus, it's not as labored and the band sounds a bit more committed to ROS. However the surprise track is The Beginning Of The End, which ends things on a subwhat mellower note, in some ways like Planet Caravan is to Sabbath (again). There's a expanded edition of five more songs but for myself I'll settle with the single album and keep a positive thought that Judas Priest is back with a vengeance. It could be the comeback album of 2014
Grade A-
THE CRICKETS-Still In Style (Bear Family)
Why we love Bear Family; they tend to dig deep in the archives and they do it very well on this CD of life after Buddy Holly. Earl Sinks does have that Lubbock hiccup down pat although the biggest complaint was he couldn't do ballads very well. Sonny Curtis was more country sounding than Earl judging by the alt takes of Smooth Guy and and So You're In Love, and more professional sounding too. This collection goes beyond the original Coral release and is the missing piece between Buddy Holly and the just about forgotten Liberty years which was more pop than rock, including the last Norman Petty produced sessions, one Love's Made A Fool Out Of You stems from a Buddy Holly demo and a work in progress judging by Jerry Allison's drumming. Legend has it that the band had a falling out with Petty after this got released as a B side to the ho hum Someone Someone and they never worked with him again. Anyway, Still In Style collects all (with the exception of a couple lost maters) of the Earl Sinks, and Sonny Curtis sessions and although this pales next to you know who, the songs still remain top notch garage rock country. It's important to note that this version of Love's Made A Fool Out Of You and I Fought The Law would be the songs that Bobby Fuller would cover to greater effort and of course covered by the likes of Hank Williams Jr and The Clash. But credit must be given to David Box who sings on The Crickets last single Peggy Sue Got Married/Don't Cha Know, the former featuring one of Jerry Allison's best drumming in his career. And that somebody at MCA thought so highly of this song to include it on the 20 Greatest Hits that came out in tribute to Buddy Holly in 1978. But like Buddy, David would end up on an ill-fated flight that would claim his life a few years later. Of course Still In Style will pale in comparison to The Chirping Crickets but that doesn't mean the music is less interesting. In fact it does rock as hard at times, I Fought The Law for 1959 could be punk rock in that day and time. As always, Bear Family liner notes and discography is first rate, the sound quality better than the scratchy old 45s. They may have lost Buddy but they always found the right vocalists to keep the Buddy Holly sound going. And God bless David Box, and Earl Sinks wherever he may be.
Grade A-
John Spinks, the songwriter from The Outfield has passed away from liver cancer at age 60. While The Outfield might be considered disposable corporate power pop, I have come to enjoy most of their albums. While Play Deep is their best known, my favorite remains Voices Of Babylon. They later recorded for MCA, Platinum, and Side Winder where their About Time album in the late 2000's might have been their best. Since radio didn't play it, we'll never know. RIP.
I see our Russian spam ref site xolodremont are back inflating the non existent ratings here again. Worthless pieces of shit that they are.
Cymbal Talk from Clifford Hoad:
A fello drummer mate just asked me this question -
"Debating on changing cymbal brands.... From Zildjian to Sabian ....I started on Paiste, then to Zildjian..Thoughts ?? "
MY ANSWER -
" In my opinion , don't do it !!! As far as sound is concerned Avedis Zildjian are superior boasting a shrillness, plus full bodied sound , they are tempered at a much higher heat to get this, it does make them more brittle and more prone to cracking. Sabians are a much more economical cymbal tempered at a lower degree , more flexible not so brittle . With each cymbal being similar or the same in their casting just like Paiste. Avedis Zildjian on the other hand tend to all be different . This was told to me by one of the guys in the Zildjian factory in the USA . If you like to wack into your cymbals without a worry, go the Sabian , but if its the SOUND you want , recording etc, I would go the Avedis for a more personalized vibe. Avedis were originally a Jazz cymbal Buddy Rich etc and were never hit that hard but if you wanna hear classic Avedis sound , check out Doug Clifford's 16 inch Avedis Zildjian Crash on the track "HEARD IT THOUGH THE GRAPEVINE" by Creedence Clearwater Revival . MAGIC !!!! A Sabian will never sound like that !!!. The downside of this is in Australia, there is not much of a choice concerning Avedis Zildjian Cymbals & buying on the net could be disastrous as they are inconsistent in their sound where Sabian like Paiste an 18 inch crash will sound like a 18 inch crash . Its taken me 30yrs to get my fleet of cymbals. I recently bought a 26 inch ride , the seller sent me a soundscape on my request, this way I could hear it, thankgod when it got here, it sounded the same, unbelievable, its on my new album ROCK TIL YA DIE ! p.s. One other thing that bothers me about all the new cymbals is the mist of clear lacquer warding off dirty finger marks but suffocating the metal trying to breathe when its being hit , the great old Jazz drummers never cleaned their cymbals, I know Ginger Baker never cleaned his, I've seen some photos of where they looked green probably a build up of the smokey rooms of the past !
Kings Of The Sun - Clifford Hoad
I always thought that Doug Clifford played Paiste on the classic CCR recordings and that he favored a 602 16 inch crash. Doug is known for having a hi hat set up of 18 inch cymbals as well. Cliff Hoad on the other hand has been a Zildjian user for all of his recordings, most notably off the wall china and sizzle cymbals. The latest Townedgers album, yours truly resorted back to an vintage Zildjian lineup. Nothing wrong with the other cymbals, The Paiste lineup has its own sound but if one is brought up on a certain type of cymbals, they tend to stick to the old and vintage.
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