Thursday, May 7, 2020

THE RETURN OF SHIT WEEK

I woke up this morning and before I even had a sip of coffee I got some bad news. My friend Espen commented (comment below) on an old post that drummer Tony Allen had passed. So, fuck, I guess shit week is on. I don't care if anything else crappy happens this week. Losing Florian Schneider and Tony Allen back to back qualifies as a shit week by itself.

Seeing as how I'd just posted the songs below a year and a half ago, I'm not going to bother looking for more. If you're wondering if any of this is worth your time I should point out that Tony Allen was perhaps the greatest living drummer when he passed. A phenomenal talent. So, here's what was posted in September 2018 with a few minor update tweaks.



Hell yeah. I'm not going to give this a second thought. If you're at all into Tony Allen, the drummer behind the Fela back in the day, or Fela's music, or afrobeat, or even drummers for that matter, buckle up. Melting Pot recently posted a two hour radio show that's all Tony Allen, with an interview and a shit load of music, and it's split into two download-able segments. If you're not familiar with Allen, know this. He is a master, no one trick pony. Afrobeat, jazz, and a stint in The Good, The Bad and the Queen (which included Paul Simonon from the Clash and some other rock dudes). Hell, he had Ginger Baker's respect and that's not easy to come by.

Here's the radio show, and links to some other stuff that's been posted before so you don't have to go digging.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen:
Tony Allen Tribute and Interview at Melting Pot Originally aired on KPFK
Tony Allen - Crazy Afrobeat mp3 at Augasm
Tony Allen - Every Season mp3
at Augasm
Tony Allen - Elewon Po mp3
at Aurgasm
Tony Allen and Africa 70- No Discrimination
(streaming) at YouTube
Fela Kuti - Live! - Full Album
(streaming) at YouTube With Tony Allen and Ginger Baker
Tony Allen - Secret Agent mp3 at Honorama
Recent stuff (2017):
Tony Allen - Moanin' (streaming) at Twisted Soul Art Blakely cover
Tony Allen - Push and Pull
(streaming) at Impose
Tony Allen - Wolf Eats Wolf
(streaming) at Burl Veneer
Visit:

When Tony Allen Met Fela Kuti at Red Bull Academy
Tony Allen, Drummer Who Created the Beat of Afrobeat, Dies at 79 at NY Times

3 comments:

espege said...

Allen gone too now: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/arts/music/tony-allen-dead.html

e

Tom G. said...

Thanks E. This one really sucks. I appreciate you tipping me because you know this will not get the coverage he deserved. I might have missed it. Hoping all is well with you and the kids. If you're still locked down, put a guitar in Isak's hand and tell him to get busy!

Espen E said...

Actually missed it myself, but was mentioned by a friend of mine.

All well with all, Tom; hope you’re doing alright yourself, both healthwise and economically. Still somewhat locked here, but things are easing up. Although the four of us are still home-schooling/officing, schools are gradually opening again, so this next week will probably bring some changes.

@Isak/guitar: Four years ago, Isak's younger brother wanted an electronic drum kit for his eighth birthday. We said yes, on the condition that he: 1: took lessons, and 2: wasn't allowed to quit till he'd learnt to play them. Contract signed by eight-year-old-to-be and parents. Drums found second-hand. Boy sent to music school weekly.

Well, it so happened, that this school - who have band practice as an integrated part of learning to play "band related" instruments - was short on bass players... So, Isak okayed me signing him up for bass-guitar. Same deal as his kid brother. Now, I thought maybe if he kept at it for long enough, he’d develop some kind of drive for it. Never really happened. Bass guitar’s still in his room, but gathering dust. Shame, ‘cause I believe he actually had a talent for it, and he’s a music fiend with a capital F, so I just don’t get his not having the desire to get actively involved in music himself… but hey, that’s me.

Kirill is still bangin’ those drums though (proper ones now, mind you - the digital kit's sold off). Even goes down to the basement to practice by himself sometimes. Might be some hope there.

e