Debate - March 2010
This month's debate section includes a heads up on cult musicians and a new essay by Guitarist/Composer Dave Randall (see below).
CULT MUSICIANS
A debate on cult musicians is bound to stir up some trouble. Indeed we have to ask how such a thing could be defined. To be a cult musician do you have to be dead before the age of 25? Do you have to be forever off the radar but often mentioned in hushed tones by rock gods? Or do you simply have to plot your own course without any attention to the mainstream.
Here are the nominations for Metal's Cult Musician list. You can draw your own conclusions from the order and please do join in the debate below.
1 Nick Drake
The renewed interest in Pink Moon has brought an album of extraordinary tracks back to life. As cult musicians go Nick Drake had it all. Died at the age of 26 from an overdose of anti-depressants, habitually reclusive, withdrawn and living on the edge throughout his short life. The unique melancholic voice combined poetic and sensual overlays with alternative tunings on a sparse yet compelling use of the guitar. Acquired fame only after death.
2 Daniel Johnston
Daniel Johnston's work straddles both music and art. A bedroom aesthetic of home recorded tapes and strange graphic characters define his early work. Johnston, still alive, suffers from bi-polar disorder and composes oddly disjointed songs inspired by The Beatles. His move to Austin, Texas brought him into contact with the cool music scene there in the mid-Eighties and MTV. Johnston's album Hi, How Are You is a compilation of his best songs. Cult status was secured when Kurt Cobain was regularly seen wearing a Jeremiah the Innocent t-shirt based on Johnston's album and musical work.
3 Scott Walker
One of the most unusual careers in rock and pop history. Originally came to fame in the Sixties as part of the Walker Brothers, including two UK number one records. Then diverted into a study of Gregorian chants, classical music and re-renderings of Jacques Brel songs. Said to have influenced David Bowie, Radiohead and many others. Difficult and inspiring to listen to. Recommended album Tilt from 1995 on Fontana Records.
4 Jeff Buckley
Another exquisite voice and guitar man. Only one studio album, Grace, now considered to be a classic with the seminal version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah included. Drowned by accident in the Mississippi river during a night time swim fully clothed.
5 Patti Smith
Still on the planet and occassionally gigging. Her 1975 debut album Horses stands out as one of the best records of that decade. Fierce, wild and taking no prisoners with her finely crafted lyrics. Co-wrote (with Bruce Springsteen) the classic track Because The Night. Then quit serious music in the Eighties, before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
6 JJ Cale
Mostly off the radar and unheard of in popular music. His songs have been covered by Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and Bryan Ferry. Said to have been the founder/originator of the Tulsa Sound, a fusion of blues, rockabilly and country music. Has succesfully avoided stardom for over thirty years while continuing to write and tour. Best album 5 released in 1979.
7 Mark E Smith
Consistently banging out penetrating and sardonic tunes for thirty years, with ever-changing line ups. A master theory based on creative detachment, interior tension in the band and musings on Victoriana. Bigged up by John Peel, with legendary disjointed appearance on BBC Newsnight show following Peel's death. Continuous catalogue of songs and Northern English work aesthetic applied to experimental music. Slates has to be one of The Fall's best works.
8 Janis Joplin
Dead at the age of 27 from heroin overdose. One of the biggest voices in American rock and roll history - said to be able to sing chords not just notes. Defining work has to be Cheap Thrills on Columbia Records from 1968 with a cover design by cult artist Robert Crumb.
9 Captain Beefheart
Now living in Valhalla in Northern Califronia and retired from music. Wrote and devised the seminal album Trout Mask Replica in 1969, consisting of surreal lyrics and tightly orchestrated guitar improvisations. Widely held to be unsurpassed in musical experimentalism.
10 Linda Perhacs
Psychedelic folk singer who recorded but one album, Paralellograms in 1970. No commerical success during this period but several rediscoveries of her work.
