Morning Steam From Gold To Green

I Am the Cosmos (gratis download)

Chris Bell - I Am the Cosmos
Listen HERE.

It should have been the debut album to launch the accolades that singer songwriter Chris Bell yearned for. The fact it is merely a compilation of unreleased work from a life tragically cut short only serves to add an even more solemn edge to a record that already revels in melancholy. For further stark proof listen to the poignancy of the songs he wrote and the excellent and touching sleevenotes written by his brother David that lovingly tells the story behind the album's posthumous making.

Chris Bell's recording career was not a vast one. He spent precious little time with Big Star before falling out with Alex Chilton. What remains of his Big Star contributions are featured on the debut album No1 Record. His solo output was even more sporadic.

'I am the Cosmos' released on Rykodisc is a flawed but beautiful, sensitive masterpiece panned out to 15 tracks by the inclusion of alternate takes. The album kicks off with his crowning glory, the passionate and powerful 'I am the Cosmos'. Both dark and uplifting at the same time. The great cover picture of the singer head bowed and lost high above the snowy mountains animates the powerful imagery this song evokes. Alex Chilton included the song in his reformed Big Star set and Ken Stringfellow of the Posies sung lead. His striking rendition of this song is captured on the Big Star live album, Columbia. Well worth a listen.

text cont....



DOWNLOAD;
SIDE 1

SIDE 2

You Don't Love Me Yet

Roky Erickson; solo at home doing a beautiful soulful version of 'You Don't Love Me Yet'. (taped by his mom possibly)

If you are not familiar with the majestic and tragic figure Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson through the history of rock (Spades, the 13th Floor Elevators and more), mental wards, and electroshock, you simply must check out the info and the documentary.(You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone)
See HERE for trailer and a brief summary of psychedelia, success and sorrow through the career of another rock pioneer and survivor. (he coined the term psychedelic rock)

And for more this is a trip. A clip from "Demon Angel" - A Day And Night With Roky Erickson. Here he speaks of his projects and the philosophy of, "You..and I and Me", 'Evil Hook Wildlife E.T.' and reveals Bob Dylan as an alien. good stuff.
See Here.

Again, to summarize a prolific figure as he in a silly blog post does little justice.
For more reading I suggest the links provided by WIKI.

Reeling Solo Session.

small, but well worth not seeing another surfer...because, ya see, I hate 'em.

Hang on to your Ego

The first meeting of Gram Parsons (Cecil Ingram Conner) and Keith Richards took place in 1968 while the Byrds were touring Europe in support of their landmark "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" record. This is documented in the book "Gram Parsons: A Music Biography by Sid Griffin" Published by Sierra Books, Copyright 1985. Quote from page 20 of the paperback edition: "The Byrds were in London to play a benefit at the Royal Albert Hall. On the morning after the show, Parsons told McGuinn, Chris Hillman and then-Byrds drummer Kevin Kelly he was not going to South Africa under any circumstances. Parsons left the group and stayed in London while the Byrds flew to South Africa..." also quote:"Gram met Keith Richards in London and stayed with him for a spell, turning the Stones onto country music. Suddenly songs like 'Dear Doctor', 'Country Honk', and 'Dead Flowers' became part of the Stones' repertoire". There is a second book called "Hickory Wind: The life and Times of Gram Parsons" Published by Pocket Books, Copyright 1991 which is also very good reference on the life and times of this significant influence on the Rolling Stones.



Here we have Keith with Hickory Wind.

note; Rumors abound as to Gram's part in the era of the Stones and their country leanings. From, "Gram and Keith wrote Wild Horses together; Gram wrote it for Keith;
etc. Hony Tonk Woman was a Gram song to Keith......

from what I gather the top text is most accurate with Gram deserting the Burittos to "hang" with Keith and his habits in England, all the time Gram was showing the country
feel to Keith and it's obvious in the paragraph above.
no doubt Gram was a fixture and a huge influence on the Stones sound...period.

And for a special treat for those in need (Jamie) here are some free downloads of a starter course of material.


download.


download


download

there is so much reading on this subject that a fan has much to seek!
enjoy.

Area Code 562

For those looking for something or anything in a surfboard you best be checking Shelter Surf Shop. (close to LA and the OC in the LB)2148 E. 4th Street Long Beach, CA 90814 (8 minutes off 405 fwy)(562) 342-4401 www.sheltersurf.com



They have currently started to carry boards from Ian Zamora (at a real bargain) including HP Quads/ Fishes and Hulls.



If you did not know Shelter also carries Campbell Bonzers and has the biggest inventory of Liddles in the South as well as Axe suits and geez.....just look!



need some volan fins?

YES.
Sleezy Ad Post.

The Bends

N. County rarity.

Burden of freedom

Kris Kristofferson Live Masterpiece.
LISTEN/WATCH HERE!

lyrics;

I stand on the stairway, my back to the dungeon
The doorway to freedom so close to my hand
Voices behind me still bitterly damn me
For seeking salvation they don’t understand

Chorus:
Lord, help me to shoulder the burden of freedom
And give me the courage to be what I can
And when I am wounded by those who condemn me
Lord, help me forgive them, they don’t understand

Their lonely frustration, descending to laughter
Erases the footprints I leave in the sand
And I’m free to travel where no one can follow
In search of the kingdom they don’t understand

Chorus:

Lord, help me to shoulder the burden of freedom
And give me the courage to be what I can
And when I have wounded the last one who loved me
God, help her forgive me, I don’t understand

Line Drive

a la lomo y cross process...

Measuring The Moron

Sitting here watching to the barrage of illegal fireworks shooting into the dry brush filled hills and the sound of the poor fire department on the hour, makes me sad.

A Song For You Live

Gram Parsons / A Song For You (Max's Kansas City)

Absolutely thee best live recording of Gram I've heard.
Just dripping soul and tears.
(if you want the audio track you can always use the converter)

I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand

Jim Reeves

Compact

I remember staring at these pics of Rex Huffman at Big Rock more than once in late 70's
Surfer mags.
All via Hydrodynamica

Trouble Weighs A Ton

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performs with his Uncle James Quine (first cousin of the late NYC-based guitarist Robert Quine), at a Auerbach's Akron, Ohio studio.

Want more?
i think my favorite song on this LP is 'Whispered Words'.

Robert Von Sternberg

Palms, 1977 ( MOCA Permanent Collection )




Malibu, 2009 ( 70 years old and still riding a shortboard )

via South Willard

Louder Than God

BLUE CHEER

GIRL GEORGE TV SHOW..JUNE 4,1979
DICKIE PETERSON"WON'T SOMEBODY TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH ME"
TONY.."NOW THAT I FOUND YOU"
GIRL GEO SINGS AT ALS BAR.L.A.5-3-90

note; part of a series of clips from the Al's show.
PLAY LOUD!!!

Another Thoroughbred

6'3 'hopped up' Octafish sired by Malcolm Campbell. glassed at Moonlight.

East-Side Story part 2 (w/extras)

EPA members ----- on a stealth planing mission.





and from land.

Sunlight From Six Feet Under

Via...Ready for the House
although, my preference for the representing track is Pushin' Too Hard.

“Well, I think you could retire when you die. I don't, however, believe in death, so I guess I will retire when I leave my body. But I plan to continue writing and performing in heaven” Sky Sunlight Saxon March 2009
link.

RIP