The Whole in the Record

I visited the Grande for the first time in quite a while. Seems to have grown up. The lights are better, more people, wild pop clothes, and less self-conscious of ‘freaking out.’ The MC-5 played what has got to be the sound of the Big City. They come on with a rush of muscle; like being in the middle of a factory. It crashes and bangs and swirls you around; and it’s not a particularly easy trip. You sweat with them through some hard music.

I went to the Wayne State Folk meeting too. They had Marc Chover (lead guitarist of the SOUTHBOUND FREEWAY) playing and explaining the transition from being a folk guitarist to becoming a rock musician. Interesting.

ROLLING STONES stoned “Between the Buttons” in my head “Smiling Sweetly” (“there’s nothing in ‘Why or When;’ no use trying, you’re here, thinking again, over again.”), and over again in the “Na Na No’s” Ba Ba-ing” through the mind. Their game to play is to out sound the “Cool, Calm and Collected.” the music is everywhere, not like before when they were caught in the limited bag doing colored music for white audiences. The final song on each side switches from the fast back again to Now.

“Ruby Tuesday” is done without any electrical instruments. Interesting little ditty is that “Ruby Tuesday” was the B side of the single, but DJs wouldn’t play “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” That’s WEIRD. I hear Dylan’s influence as well as a tuba and a kazoo. It’s honest because, like when they were on Ed Sullivan, they defy you to disbelieve because they do seem to be free (the only way to be). It all works. I don’t hear them being stuck in a rut (like the Animals) where they can’t make the freshness happen. It’s all whole, no holding back, or copying of themselves. This album will be as much borrowed from, probably, as was “Aftermath.”

Even after expecting a smooth sound (easy to listen to; inside the parts together yet apart enough to groove within the whole), the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE’S “Surrealistic Pillow” caught me by my insides and I was grinning, listening, grinning, listening, grinning. They’re great. Their sound is incredibly white and clean. It never bugs me cause the bass creates a sea to build on, and up-down you go so effortlessly. They do an acoustical instrument that gives electrical vibrations of love too.

Singles by the BYRDS, (using screams to create a new electrical sound dimension), the BEATLES (‘forever ), Donovan (from whose lyrics?) and even Herman (Donovan’s Mickey Most responsible? ) haven’t yet dulled my ears with the monotony of involuntary turning in the radio. Better late than never is the lyrics of the new MAMAS AND PAPAS record that I don’t think you’ll ever hear on the radio.

A bit of free advice, Will tell it to you nice;

If you got a habit some people won’t allow, Be cool, be clean,

If you know what I mean.

We all got our ups, we all got our downs; Some of us are careless

And leave them around. Be neat, discreet and keep your head to the ground.

Everyone has a loved one far away and if you don’t want to take that trip someday ”

Be cool, be clean,

If you know what I mean!!!