Thursday, December 24, 2009

Xmas with Love on Letterman; plus Big Star gets all existential and sings about Jesus



The glorious original recording



Alex Chilton (of Big Star) is some kinda lunatic. But he’s brilliant and wonderful and I love this song. Always have. (I hear irony—especially when he sings, "we're gonna get born now," but Chilton is from the south, so who knows.)

From Big Star’s Third, recorded in 1974. Originally, only 250 copies were made.

Nevertheless, for what it’s worth, the album has long been a critical favorite. Rolling Stone included it on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. New Music Express ranked it as #1 of “the Top 30 most heartbreak albums.” (Evidently, the Brit rock press is illiterate.) Have a listen.

Some of you oldsters will  remember Chilton from his 1967 hit "The Letter," when he was singing for the Box Tops. He was sixteen-years-old when he recorded it. Had a gravelly, soulful voice. Another great song: "Cry Like a Baby" in 1968. (Love the fake-sitar guitar, the backing singers, the production—and Alex's soulful voice.)

As Chilton grew older, the growl in his voice disappeared. Go figure. I think he was moving toward purity, angelhood.
Angels from the realms of glory
Stars shone bright above
Royal David's city
Was bathed in the light of love

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

Lo, they did rejoice
Fine and pure of voice
And the wrong shall fail
And the right prevail

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

And we're gonna get born now

An excellent companion song/performance: Randy Newman in Rotterdam, 1979: "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (original album: 1968)
Broken windows and empty hallways
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with gray
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today

Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles
With frozen smiles to chase love away
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today

Lonely, lonely
Tin can at my feet
Think I'll kick it down the street
That's the way to treat a friend

Bright before me the signs implore me
To help the needy and show them the way
Human kindness is overflowing

And I think it's going to rain today

I’ve always included this among the great flawed songs. Why flawed? It’s flat bitter; its irony is callow. (No?) Another example: the Kinks’ “A Well Respected Man” (or “Dandy”). Great song (still magical for me), but it’s something that only a young and haughty whippersnapper would foist upon the world.

–Still…..

Big Star (were never big stars; just great little ones)

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...