Retro Chicken

I think I am too young to appreciate the massive impact the Byrds had on pop music, though judging from the audience frenzy in this video clip they were obviously huge (David Crosby, from Crosby, Stills and Nash was one of the original members). Killer harmonies, Rickenbackers jangling and meaningful lyrics from the Bible - what more could you ask for?

Possibly the Byrds’ most important legacy stems from the relationship between singer/guitarist Roger McGuinn and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones. It was McGuinn who introduced Richards to open tunings, transforming his songwriting and inspiring incredible classics like Gimme Shelter and others. (Open tunings are when you tune a guitar to a chord instead of in the standard way; most typically an E, A, D, or G major chord. They are traditionally used by blues players and are a basic feature of slide guitar. Open tunings are also Dolly Parton’s secret weapon - enabling her to play guitar without having to trim her long fingernails.)

Andy Statman is one of those guys who is good at everything he does. He was already a well known and established bluegrass mandolinist (having played with people like David Grisman and Jerry Garcia) when he became an observant Jew. His interest in Judaism led to mastering the clarinet and initiating the Klezmer music revival. (Klezmer music is the traditional music of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe.)

Although Andy’s playing is innovative, refreshing, experimental and unique - the palate he works from is traditional and therefore sets him apart from the cool Downtown Jewish music scene.* Andy’s music is sincere, honest and an expression of a deep-rooted spirituality.

The lighting in this video is terrible, but listen to the music - it is truly remarkable. (Does anyone know where this is?)

*The downtown Jewish music scene was started by John Zorn, Michael Dorf from the Knitting Factory and others. They are basically a group of extremely talented Jazz, experimental, punk, out-there-gonzo musicians who all happened to be Jewish. They express their eccentric, eclectic, other-worldly inner essences via a template of “Jewish” music. The results can be anything, ranging from spiritually transformative to ear-splitting (and I mean this as a compliment).

Golem is the new rage in Yiddish music. They are on Jdub records (the people who brought you Matisyahu) and have a great live show. Their hype draws a lot of comparisons to early punk and the Sex Pistols - which I think is overdone - except that they have an edge, great energy, and don’t conform to the crusty image that usually comes to mind when thinking about music from the old country.

I used to be in the Mellow Edwards with Curtis, their trombonist. We were a combination of free jazz, early metal, and goofy weirdness (featuring lead trombone, rhythm guitar and drums). The Mellow Edwards are still around (although now they are dubbed the “New” Mellow Edwards) and have even recorded a CD. The last time I played with them was in the spring of 93 at CB’s Gallery (a little art gallery in the Bowery owned and run by CBGBs - neither exists anymore) - I think I should hassle Curtis to get the band back together - we could do a reunion tour, earn a fortune, and maybe even make the cover of People magazine.