Tuesday, September 4, 2007

PRESENTING YE OLDE OLDIES EXPO! PT. I

There are many odd things about me, and I don't just acknowledge them. I accept and embrace them.

A long time ago, I realized that striving for "normalcy in the eyes of other people" was a futile and, frankly, boring pursuit. It was much easier for me to embrace my idiosyncracies and unique interests and say "Fuck All" to whatever was popular at the time.

Of course, I’ve also taken certain aspects of my upbringing in stride...

Thus, since my parents were oldies/beach music/classic rock junkies, I also came to appreciate these genres (or basic classifications) in my own special way. Which is, of course, to stand atop the world and glorify them to the greatest extent of my powers.

And it’s funny how people my parents’ age (and older) seem amazed at how a black-clad, simultaneously-evil-and-goofy-looking, twenty-something-jackass can have such a comprehensive knowledge of and unconditional love for music made, in most cases, well over thirty years (and, in some cases, more) before he was born.

And, granted, I freak out, as well, when I meet people younger than myself (my funky brother excluded) who also have an anachronistic oldies obsession. But, granted further, people younger than myself are much more likely to have horrible musical tastes than those in their late-20's and above (generally speaking). I mean, anyone who’d rather listen to Justin Timberlake, Jet, or My Chemical Romance than, say, Stevie Wonder is in need of a violent and life-changing aural dropkick to the ears.

So, to help educate those with "musical deficiencies" and to bolster solidarity and enthusiastic discussion amongst those who are perpetually in the Groove, we shall provide a brief, intermittent list of classic songs and artists that have inspired and continue to inspire one Rev. J.J. Hull.

To begin, I submit one of my favorite songs that no one else I know has ever heard....

Wilson Pickett - Engine Number 9

They didn’t call my man "Wicked" for nothing. Take Wilson's throat-searing soul vocals, add in a nasty guitar line, some serious percussion (someone’s wearing a cowbell out), and a James Brown vibe, and you’ve got a cut that’s just as funky now as the day it was laid down.

And feel free to check out the rest of Wicked’s catalog. He simply refuses to disappoint.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I grew up in the 70s and 80s. I've heard that 70s music was a sharp peak in the history of ground-breaking music but this has to involve its influences from the prior 30 years. I haven't been exposed too much of that foundational music so thanks for bringing it out, Reverend.

Anonymous said...

I offer my testimony.

I was raised by an uncle who had about 2500 books devoted to his area of expertise, and held discussions every Saturday night in our basement...with lots of beer drinking...

He loved to spout Nietzsche, and had memorized large parts of his work.

After the drinking fest, he liked to rape my aunt.

Several years later, I found that he was raping my sister...

Anyway, he is in HELL now.

I thank GOD that there is a HELL for my uncle.

He was an atheist of course.

But not any more!

Anonymous said...

Very sad story, AD. Too bad you feel compelled to use/abuse it in such an incredibly stupid argument.

The Rev. Jenner J. Hull said...

Mel...

Oldies are all I know, as far as musical foundations go.

I find it amazing that even the most insipid oldies songs, like "the Age of Aquarius," are kick-ass compared to today's tripe.

And I've seen that same Atheist Debunker rant somewhere before, but I can't remember where...

Anonymous said...

Wicked Wilson Pickett is awesome. My husband is a musician and Mustang Sally is his signature song. (Personally, I prefer my husband's singing, but you would probably consider that blasphemy:) And our youngest son (who is 18) knows all about classic rock, including Pickett. He sat in with my husband's band a few months ago and my husband swore that our son played most of the songs, including Mustang Sally, better than their regular drummer!!