Life with The Swell Guy!

Wow. Really...just, wow.

A gift from buddy, Paul, at lunch today. It's instant awesomeness. Check out the creepy airbrush work on the cover. 

About the actual album....the product of the two singers' unlikely and turbulent relationship and marriage, it attempted an even more unlikely musical melding of Allman's southen rock with Cher's idiosyncratic, personality-driven pop. The uncharacteristically airblown cover notwithstanding, Allman's musical ideas and singing generally took the lead.

The album was not well-received; Rolling Stone said "It's hard to imagine a more inappropriate combination ... It's the bottom of the barrel after a long fall for Gregg, and more of the same for Cher".

You heard it here first. No. 1

 

For every group that hits it big there are a number of bands making great music heard by a smaller audience. Young Rebel Set from the UK has a great sound. Will them make it big? That depends on many factors. Until then, maybe you heard them here first.

Happy Mumbling.

Yes, Bill Murray is even cool when he mumbles.

 

Friday Funk

 

This Week: Funkas Obscureas

The seven-piece Brooklyn funkateer ensemble Mandrill had a No. 58 hit with “Fencewalk” in early May 1973. It still makes for a nice way to step off into Friday morning. Enjoy.

Plate Full of Blues

We went on location at the new restaurant and night club of blues legend Mac Arnold for the Wild Mercury Productions documentry project. Mac should be declared a national treasure. Actually he already is so I guess we don't need  that official announcement after all. 

Good Mojo at Brooklyn Bowl

Last Friday night we caught this guy at this place. It was awesome having dinner on leather sofas while bowling and then catching great live music. What a cool venue. Good times with a couple of good guys. There is nothing like not having a plan and things working out just right. I love it.

Oh, we've got The Funk

My all time pal, Paul, is working on a documentary called "Finding The Funk Machine". He and his Wild Mercury Productions partner, Tom Neal, are interviewing professional bass players and researching what happened to Motown legend James Jamerson's 1962 Fender P-Bass that was stolen shortly before his death 30 years ago.

I was on hand Friday when the guys interviewed bassist Brandon GilliArd. Some big music names are jumping on board with the project. This time the bass player does get some love.

Rx for a Smooth Monday

Here at The Swell Guy Blog we do our best to make life more enjoyable. How about we start our week of smooth with a dash of The Bo-keys? Enjoy. 

The Stax Soundboard

Occassionally I stumble back across the photo I took in Memphis on a buddy trip several years ago. I smile and wonder how it must of felt to hear tunes like this coming through the board for the first time. Man, that crew at Stax had it going on back in the day. 

Have a nice Friday. Go ahead and turn the knob to the right on your ride home. Enjoy the weekend.

Muscle Shoals Movie

 

Me and my girl caught the Muscle Shoals documentary film last night. If you love good music...if you dig soul, funk, rock, or Southern Rock...if you like it greasy and swampy...you will want to check this film out. As a bonus you will pick up some music trivia to impress your chums next time you have a conversation about modern music history. This one gets The Swell Guy Two Thumbs Up, A Wink, A Nod, and A Smile Signature of Approval.  You will do well to check it out.

Rock on - Zig