HALF JAPANESE Anarchic punk - improv duo. Thrilling stuff.
Essential "Half Gentlemen Not Beasts" l.p.
Perfect
sound forever article HEART THROBS Made at least one perfect pop single, "Hooligan".
RICHARD HELL Self proclaimed originator of punk. His best stuff has poetic, allegorical,
tongue twisting lyrics; spiky, jerky rhythms, and more than a hint of Beefheart
in the twin guitar melodies.
Essential "Blank Generation" and "Destiny Street" l.p.s, "The Kid With the Replaceable
Head" single.
HENRY COW Exploratory, innovative, uncompromising musicians with a lot of talent.
The first album had a slight Zappa influence,
and a touch of Matching Moles improvising style.
By the second album they sounded only like Henry Cow. Saw them at Drury
Lane , supporting Beefheart. They were excellent,
but the crowd was restless. The biggest cheer they got was when somebody
threw a paper dart from the balcony, which drifted to the front of the
stage. Saw them again at Brighton Art College, with Entron Fou supporting.
Both bands were great. Magic stuff from the Cow, Fred
Frith, Dagmar and Chris Cutler were especially brilliant. It was these
3 that went on to form the even further out Art Bears. Essential Everything.
http://www.scms.rgu.ac.uk/staff/dc/hcow/ JOHN LEE HOOKER Invented the boogie. Unique sound, music of the soul. Primitive genius.
HOUSEMARTINS Wacky, perfectly crafted pop with left wing lyrical leanings.
Essential "Hull 4 London 0" l.p.
SON HOUSE For me, the greatest bluesman. The stuff I've
heard from the 30s and 40s has strident, yet quirkily melodic guitar, and
powerful vocals. Imo his best period was the more intense stuff he did
in the 60s and 70s. "Vocal Intensity..." is the sound of an old man , possibly
the worse from drink, pouring out his heart and soul, and all the pain,
hurt and anguish he's ever felt is coming out. You can hear him grunting
and wheezing between the lines. It's like he can hardly get his fingers
round the strings, and each note is a struggle to get out. The rhythm is
S..L..O..W, and you're left hanging on a note, wondering when the next
one is going to arrive, and when it does, it's with such a heavy emphasis
that it's like someone cracking a whip across your back.
Essential "The Vocal Intensity of Son House" and "John
the Revealator" l.p.s
http://www.blueflamecafe.com/default.htm
son house HUGH HOPPER Canterbury scene bass virtuoso. Experimented
with multi tracking and treated bass.
Essential "1984" l.p.
HUMAN LEAGUE Electro pop pioneers who made the definitive 80s album, "Dare". Saw
them at Brighton Dome, they looked and sounded stunning. Breathtaking slide
show visuals.
http://linkhi.com/music/music2/human_league.html