MONTHLY MEETING THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd, 2013
2:00 PM HOMEWOOD LIBRARY
Next meeting, December 8th, 2013 – 2nd Sunday
THIS MONTH’S MEETING
We will be nominating officers and setting committees for 2014 so be there to do your part.
We have one more segment of the documentary, ‘Rock and Roll’ to view. Part 1 of that segment will be played at the November meeting. The title of this segment is ‘Blues In Technicolor’. This segment looks at the infusion of the drug culture and psychedelicmusic of the mid- 60’s. Groups such as The Byrds, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & Holding Company, etc are highlighted.
NEXT MONTH’S MEETING
Two words – ‘Dirty Santa’. It’s time for our annual game of taking, not giving gifts, if what you get can be called a ‘gift’. Wrap up that crazy item you’ve been wanting to get rid of and join in the fun.
At our December meetings we also have our ‘Free For All’ time. Time to bring any records you’re ready to give away and let the members take what they want. Bring a box and records and maybe go home with 2 boxes!
BARE-LY SPEAKING
by Howard Baer
Jack Scott is not only one of my favorite singers; he’s one of my favorite kind of singers. Scott’s a good example of someone who is not unknown. He had some commercial success in a long career of releases, but except for one or two songs, his work is generally unfamiliar to a casual fan. Actually, Scott had more commercial success than his generally forgotten status would indicate. Between 1958 and 1960, he had four national top ten hits:”My True Love“, “What in the World’s Come Over You?”, “Burning Bridges”, and “Good-bye Baby”; that might be occasionally heard on “oldies” radio today.
Several things about Jack Scott made him different from most early rock and roll singers. He was one of the few really good, guitar based, white artists who was not a native southerner. Also, he did not have a high tenor voice like most young singers. He had a distinctive deep, lower pitched, emotional voice that always sounded sincere.
He could do fine with up tempo rockers like “Geraldine”, “The Way I Walk”, etc. and had a special feel for ballads and mid-tempo songs like “There Comes a Time”, “With Your Love”, and “Oh Little One”.And of course, “Good-bye Baby”, what a great, sound that is. Many of his best songs had an appealing melancholy feel about them. He never sounded like he was just going through the motions like so many other singers.
Scott’s previously mentioned hits were on the Carlton and Top Rank Labels. Through the 1960’s he recorded for Capitol, RCA, and Groove without a big hit. His unique style wasn’t exactly the kind of stuff that was selling at the time. But I believe a lot of Scott’s fans were like me; whenever they saw a new release by Jack Scott, they bought it and seldom were they disappointed. In this respect, I think he was a lot like Brenda Lee and Rick Nelson. Their loyal fans continued to buy their records in large numbers despite the fact you might no longer hear them on Top 40 Radio.
Special mention must be made of Scott’s backing vocal group, The Chantones. They were similar to Elvis’ Jordanaires and equally as good. Their fine background vocals gave a feeling of depth to Scott’s songs.
My perception of Jack Scott through the years is someone who had a lot of artistic integrity and also a bit of a loner, similar to Roy Orbison. And despite the indifference of the American media, Scott remains popular with collectors and anyone else once they heard him.
I’ll never forget what happened at our Record Show a few years ago. It was the busiest time of the show on Saturday, and a lot of people were bustling around the tables. I put the Scott 45 on the record player at a respectfully low volume. At least four people immediately turned toward the player and all said something like “Wow, that’s really good; Who is that? I was happy to tell them it was Jack Scott. HB
And one more of Jack’s for good measure – “Wiggle On Out”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
♪♫♪ ‘Oh, Susie Q’ ♫♪♫ Sing it with me. We all know the song and I bet everyone can name the artist, but who created that famous guitar intro riff? It was a 16 year old James Burton. Who?? You know, James Burton, the guitarist on Bob Luman’s, ‘A Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache’. OK, maybe this will help. ‘Waiting In School’ and ‘Stood Up’, James’ first recordings, in which he played rhythm guitar, with Ricky Nelson. A relationship that would last for approximately 10 years and give us songs like ‘Believe What You Say’, the first song James played lead guitar, ‘Hello Mary Lou’, ‘Travelin’ Man’, ‘Poor Little Fool’, ‘Lonesome Town’, ‘It’s Late’, ‘Ever Lovin”, ‘Young World, and many, many more. Check maidsofjacksonville.com.
After Ricky Nelson, James would join the Shindogs, the house band on the TV show, Shindig, and then join Elvis in 1969. Elvis told James that he would watch ‘Ozzie And Harriet’ just to see James play guitar. James would stay with Elvis until Elvis’ death in 1977. Over the years James would record and /or tour with Emmy Lou Harris, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Costello. The list goes on and on.
But what about today? The 21st Century has been a time of recognition, awards, greeting fans, recording projects, and helping administer the James Burton Foundation. In 2001 James was finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones inducted James and in his comments he said he never bought a Ricky Nelson record, he bought a James Burton record. He still makes appearances at fan club conventions, mostly in Europe. His recordings include a Christmas LP, and gospel LP, and being on the Brad Paisley track, ‘Cluster Pluck’, for which James won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. He was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame as part of The Wrecking Crew. He formed his own band, The James Burton Band in 2007. His son Jeff is the lead singer. James also has a guitar festival each year which raises money for his foundation. The James Burton Foundation provides musical scholarships and instruments to children and adults. In an attempt to give back to the musical community, James’ foundation has given away thousands of guitars thanks to donations and money raised from his guitar festivals. For more info go to to www.jamesburtonfoundation.org.
So, the man who, at now at age 74, played many a licks on songs you heard over the years is still out there and is staying busy in the music business, keeping in touch with his fans, and giving back to those who may one day come up with a guitar lick that another generation will remember.
UPCOMING EVENTS / RECORD SHOWS
FRIDAY NOV 1st Larry and The Loafers will be rockin’ and rollin’ with 60s and 70s MUSIC. Polish up your dancin’ shoes and join us at the Kelly Ingram V F W (downtown) Bham starting 7:30 till. Great Hardwood Dance Floor, secure fenced parking, and great bar prices. REMEMBER NOV 1st hope to see you there. Questions – 205-261-8397.
HAPPY (NOVEMBER) BIRTHDAY
HEY! HAVE YOU HEARD THIS ONE?
Bertha Tillman
Something Funny (Is Going On)