Another Sixties Icon Kicks The Bucket. Which is a real fuckin' shame. Still, we're all going to peg it sooner or later, so let's just celebrate Arthur's life with reflections of how good the songs of Love really are. Damn, they're shit hot songs to boot, filled with sublime melody, quirkiness, intelligence and they've not aged too badly. I'm still able to listen to any one of the three well known albums (Love, Da Capo and Forever Changes) and I think "Wow!"...Did You Know? While Lee was in a band (a precursor to Love) called The Lags he wrote a song called My Diary for the R & B singer Rosa Lee Brooks who performed and recorded it. The session guitarist was Jimi Hendrix and certain musos believe that it was Hendrix's first vinyl recording and, indeed, possibly the first known Hendrix recording session. Lee was impressed by the guitarist after seeing him as a session player in The Isley Brothers band.
I managed to see a reformed Love of sorts just a few years ago. The first time was at The Forum in Kentish Town which included Lee with a five piece rock band backing him. They were supported by sixties garage stalwarts The Seeds. The second time saw Stac, Jules and I venture up to the Shepherds Bush Empire to see Arthur and co (plus a string section) perform the whole of the Forever Changes album. Both concerts were fantastically enjoyable, but personally I prefered the gig at The Forum as it had a more raw sound, more rocking.
Another talent that will be sadly missed.
Arthur Lee (March 7, 1945 – August 3, 2006) Rest In Peace.
2 comments:
didn't know he bit the big one? yes, he was good at what he done and I enjoyed the concert (shame bout de udder event)
Real shame he died - bloody genius and such an amazing life. At least he led his life to the full! I might play some Love on the next one.
PS: 2nd cast up on me blog if you're interested - played a song for you. thanks for your kind comments re: first one.
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