I just received my copy of Jimmy Carl Black’s “Stick Man For Ever!” in the mailbox from Cafepress. Except for lacking the appropriate ID3 tags to the mp3 tracks when I uploaded the CD onto my computer, and the non-existent liner notes (a playlist would have been helpful, too), which I chalked up to the obvious hurry to get this limited edition CD out and available so as to aid Black with imminent medical bills.
Thanks, Barry, for sending me the playlist:
* Blonde Haired Woman
* Stick Man
* Low Ridin Man
* Lady Queen Bee
* Ocean and Love
* Thank You, Come Again
* Teenage Credit
* 59 Chevy
* Freedom Jazz Dance
* Black Limousine
* Indian of the Group
* Chief Old Fox
Some have suggested that there are “no FZ influences” on this CD, but I suggest they need to listen a little closer, and also recall both the beginnings of the Mothers of Invention as a basic blues band, and the style and tone of music being performed in and around those beginnings. Almost all the tracks on Stick Man are full of killer blues riffs which remind me of early Mothers recordings found on various Zappa CD’s (think of the presence of saxophone, bass, guitar and drums) such as “Memories of El Monte” on Cucamonga, “Original Mothers At The Broadside (Pomona)” on Mystery Disc, and various individual tracks on Joe’s Corsage and Xmasage. I am also struck by the familiar Zappa themes such as the relationship between males and cars, boys and girls, teen culture, and L.A. cultural references which are also found on Stick Man.
Indeed, sometimes the influences are not as obviously “in your face” as on other CD’s by Zappa alumni, but they are there. And if you’re also a Grandmothers fan like me, this CD is a must have from one of the most endearing members of the early Mothers. That it’s helping him pay his medical bills in his fight against cancer, makes it all the more worthwhile. Pick up your copy here today.
[quote post=”432″]Some have suggested that there are “no FZ influences” on this CD, but I suggest they need to listen a little closer, and also recall both the beginnings of the Mothers of Invention as a basic blues band, and the style and tone of music being performed in and around those beginnings.[/quote]
Hey, since when do you refer to me as “some”? 😉 Guilty as charged — and yes, you do have a valid point in that there is a strong link to early MOI material. Regardless, I’m thoroughly enjoying this release.
[quote comment=”2307″][quote post=”432″]Some have suggested that there are “no FZ influences” on this CD, but I suggest they need to listen a little closer, and also recall both the beginnings of the Mothers of Invention as a basic blues band, and the style and tone of music being performed in and around those beginnings.[/quote]
Hey, since when do you refer to me as “some”? 😉 Guilty as charged — and yes, you do have a valid point in that there is a strong link to early MOI material. Regardless, I’m thoroughly enjoying this release.[/quote]
It wasn’t my aim to single any one out in this review, Barry (though, thanks for coming forward and claiming that quote as your own). Perhaps, listeners of FZ’s music sometimes tend to forget that it wasn’t only Frank, but the entire early MOI band as well that were affected by the blues sound coming out of Chicago at the time, and by and large resided in California, and in that way, they all share something in what we refer to now as “FZ influences.”
Hi there,
I want to thank you for not only making a purchase of “Stick Man For Ever” but for sharing it with others in your article and passing on the story of Jimmy’s situation. I am afraid he is very sick and needs all our prayers. The music industry is a strange business and how such a great man and musician such as Jimmy Carl Black can be left in this financial shape is a sad commentary.
You are very right, we did rush to get the CD available so that Jimmy could not only receive some much needed funds but also so that he might feel it’s healing powers as well….. He lives for his fans! Many, Many Thanks to all who have and are buying the CD and other JCB items.
Also….. All the material on “Stick Man For Ever” is available on various CDs available at Jimmy’s On Line Record Shop and the sound quality would be better, CafePress only uses MP3s and it was a fast way to get the CD available. Many thanks to CafePress!
Remember, there was The Soul Giants before The Mothers, Frank “joined” THEM. And oh, Barry…. Thanks for the play list!
Jimmy feels your love,
Jerry Ford
Inkanish Record Co
http://www.myspace.com/inkanishrecords
http://www.cafepress.com/jimmycarlblack
Hello,
I spoke with Jimmy this morning and at this time his main concern is to get his two sons to Germany before he goes. He has asked me to help get them there. I have offered to help Geronimo in any fund raising efforts or even play at a gig if it would help. I might be headed for Texas soon.
They need quick cash to get to Germany, I am working on a raffle thing but they can’t wait for that to come together. What I am doing now is looking for something WAY COOL to put on Ebay ASP to get those kids to Germany.
Jerry Ford
bentmusic@sbcglobal.net
[quote comment=”2524″]I spoke with Jimmy this morning and at this time his main concern is to get his two sons to Germany before he goes. He has asked me to help get them there.[/quote]
Jerry: check your email.
Hi,
It has come to my attention that there is concern if I am working on behalf of Jimmy Carl Black. I AM! I have known JCB for almost 30 years now and he asked me to work with him on his On Line Record Shop and most recently to help get his sons to Germany before he goes.
Anybody that want s to check me out can ask Don Preston, Ed Mann, Tom Leavey, Art Tripp, Denny Walley, Arthur Brown and almost anybody else that knows Jimmy. No bullshit here! Jimmy is just too sick to take calls or answer emails.
Sincerely,
Jerry Ford
http://www.myspace.com/davidfoam
http://www.cafepress.com/jimmycarlblack
http://www.myspace.com/inkanishrecords
PLEASE HELP ME HELP JIMMY….. SPREAD THE WORD I AM NOT A CROOK!
[quote comment=”2535″]PLEASE HELP ME HELP JIMMY….. SPREAD THE WORD I AM NOT A CROOK![/quote]
Jerry, let me start by saying: nobody thinks you’re a crook. We all just want to make sure that any money raised at the behalf of JCB effectively ends up on JCB’s bank account. Hence the concern.
Now, as for enabling JCB’s sons to fly over to Germany: from the various emails that have been flying back and forth recently, it looks like that has pretty much been taken care off, am I right?
[quote comment=”2535″]Hi,
It has come to my attention that there is concern if I am working on behalf of Jimmy Carl Black. I AM! I have known JCB for almost 30 years now and he asked me to work with him on his On Line Record Shop and most recently to help get his sons to Germany before he goes.
Anybody that want s to check me out can ask Don Preston, Ed Mann, Tom Leavey, Art Tripp, Denny Walley, Arthur Brown and almost anybody else that knows Jimmy. No bullshit here! Jimmy is just too sick to take calls or answer emails.
Sincerely,
Jerry Ford
http://www.myspace.com/davidfoam
http://www.cafepress.com/jimmycarlblack
http://www.myspace.com/inkanishrecords
PLEASE HELP ME HELP JIMMY….. SPREAD THE WORD I AM NOT A CROOK![/quote]
Damn, but there sure are some cynical folks in the world. Hasn’t anyone ever heard the phrase: “benefit of the doubt”? I don’t think anyone is ever going to get rich pretending to help Jimmy Carl Black. It’s an act of love, people, pure and simple. If I had such friends when my life’s flame was ebbing…
God bless ya all! I am glad people are being cautious, there are many scam artists but I pity the fool that tries to scam JCB! His ghost will make sure they NEVER get any rest…. BELIEVE ME!
During our last phone conversation Jimmy kept saying “Your gonna get paid Jer”, and I finally said for f@%king sake Jimmy YOU HAVEN”T BEEN PAID YET!! Jimmy is the salt of the Earth a real man’s man and a dear friend. GOD BLESS JIMMY CARL BLACK!!!!
Yes we have raised the money for the sons Darrell and Geronimo to fly to Germany but now we are waiting on passport crap…. Hurry up and wait you know.
Jimmy feels your love,
J.F.
[quote comment=”2564″]God bless ya all! I am glad people are being cautious, there are many scam artists but I pity the fool that tries to scam JCB! His ghost will make sure they NEVER get any rest…. BELIEVE ME!
During our last phone conversation Jimmy kept saying “Your gonna get paid Jer”, and I finally said for f@%king sake Jimmy YOU HAVEN”T BEEN PAID YET!! Jimmy is the salt of the Earth a real man’s man and a dear friend. GOD BLESS JIMMY CARL BLACK!!!!
Yes we have raised the money for the sons Darrell and Geronimo to fly to Germany but now we are waiting on passport crap…. Hurry up and wait you know.
Jimmy feels your love,
J.F.[/quote]
Great to hear that the money has been raised to fly Jimmy’s son’s to Germany. I’ve always been a big fan of JCBs, right from the early days of the MOI. I knew he was a great musician in his own right, along with the rest of the original Mothers (sans Frank) when I bought that first, and then subsequent, Grandmothers albums. Indeed, without JCB, Buzz and Bunk Gardner, Roy Estrada, Motorhead Sherwood, Don Preston, Ray Collins and Lowell George there wouldn’t have been a group such as the Mothers. It’s really quite terrible that their contributions have been so utterly whitewashed by the ZFT.
That’s so good to hear that JCB’s sons will be able to get over there! The Indian of the group has been in my thoughts for the past few weeks, and it’s been bumming me out.
Once again, though, I am so glad I got to meet him.
[quote post=”432″]It’s really quite terrible that their contributions have been so utterly whitewashed by the ZFT.[/quote]
What are you talking about, Urban? They were just a bunch of R&B players…(by the way, totally being sarcastic. These guys had inflection that I don’t think Allan Zavod could ever dream of matching.)
[quote comment=”2567″][quote post=”432″]It’s really quite terrible that their contributions have been so utterly whitewashed by the ZFT.[/quote]
What are you talking about, Urban? They were just a bunch of R&B players…(by the way, totally being sarcastic. These guys had inflection that I don’t think Allan Zavod could ever dream of matching.)[/quote]
Just a bunch of R&B players, Alex? Do you really think that FZ alone could have pulled off the on stage antics and theatre that the original Mothers of Invention were so known for? Particularly during their stay in New York at the Garrick Theatre? It’s these very contributions that the ZFT seem to minimize while elevating FZ’s role is what I see as a whitewash of MOI history. For instance, it’s pretty much a given that when Lowell George joined the band, George was the better guitarist — you never hear the ZFT promote this fact. Why? It destroys the illusion they like to uphold that the other members of the original MOI were little more than bumbling R&B players. It is very same illusion that Frank himself, and later the ZFT, used to justify their position as mere “employees”. To suggest that the original members didn’t play an essential part in the creation of so much early Mother’s music is preposterous. There’s an important reason why even Frank described that original band as a gestalt.
[quote comment=”2567″][quote post=”432″]It’s really quite terrible that their contributions have been so utterly whitewashed by the ZFT.[/quote]
What are you talking about, Urban? They were just a bunch of R&B players…(by the way, totally being sarcastic. These guys had inflection that I don’t think Allan Zavod could ever dream of matching.)[/quote]
* Paging urbangrafitto: put on sarcasm goggles 😉 *
[quote comment=”2575″][quote comment=”2567″][quote post=”432″]It’s really quite terrible that their contributions have been so utterly whitewashed by the ZFT.[/quote]
What are you talking about, Urban? They were just a bunch of R&B players…(by the way, totally being sarcastic. These guys had inflection that I don’t think Allan Zavod could ever dream of matching.)[/quote]
* Paging urbangrafitto: put on sarcasm goggles 😉 *[/quote]
Hey, of course, I know Alex is just being sarcastic, Barry. Trouble is, GZ and the ZFT is not, which is the point of my comment. 😉
[quote comment=”2576″]Hey, of course, I know Alex is just being sarcastic, Barry. Trouble is, GZ and the ZFT is not, which is the point of my comment. ;-)[/quote]
Well, um, of course I got the point of your comment! I was merely trying to um, out-sarcasm your sarcasm! So there!
[quote comment=”2577″][quote comment=”2576″]Hey, of course, I know Alex is just being sarcastic, Barry. Trouble is, GZ and the ZFT is not, which is the point of my comment. ;-)[/quote]
Well, um, of course I got the point of your comment! I was merely trying to um, out-sarcasm your sarcasm! So there![/quote]
Oh my, I’ve just been out sarcasmed by the reigning King of Sardonia (hell, does that sound freaky, Barry)!!!
Hi boys and girls….. Well, Darrell Black left on the 14th for Germany and just as soon as Geronimo’s passport comes together he will be off (actually waiting on a phone call now).
Jimmy feels your love,
J.F.
[quote post=”432″]Just a bunch of R&B players, Alex? Do you really think that FZ alone could have pulled off the on stage antics and theatre that the original Mothers of Invention were so known for? Particularly during their stay in New York at the Garrick Theatre? It’s these very contributions that the ZFT seem to minimize while elevating FZ’s role is what I see as a whitewash of MOI history. For instance, it’s pretty much a given that when Lowell George joined the band, George was the better guitarist — you never hear the ZFT promote this fact. Why? It destroys the illusion they like to uphold that the other members of the original MOI were little more than bumbling R&B players. It is very same illusion that Frank himself, and later the ZFT, used to justify their position as mere “employees”. To suggest that the original members didn’t play an essential part in the creation of so much early Mother’s music is preposterous. There’s an important reason why even Frank described that original band as a gestalt.[/quote]
😉 Trust me, I love these guys.
Jimmy told us when he was here September 10, 2007: “We were a BAND, man! We were a real group! Everyone else he had, they were just hired guns. We were FUNNY. The other guys, they could try to be funny…they just weren’t.”
Wonder if he was talking about Flo & Eddie?
I say this because right now I’m Andy Hollinden’s grading assistant in his Zappa class (which he is completely Gail-neutral – just want to get that out there). We just covered Chunga’s Revenge through The Grand Wazoo and the students were pretty mixed. Some loved the comedy and didn’t care for the jazz, some thought Flo & Eddie were funny once (like I do…except Playground Psychotics) or not at all and found Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo to be sublime.
And as for JCB’s sons getting over there – AWESOME.
urban – do you live in the US or over in Europe?
[quote comment=”2659″];) Trust me, I love these guys.
Jimmy told us when he was here September 10, 2007: “We were a BAND, man! We were a real group! Everyone else he had, they were just hired guns. We were FUNNY. The other guys, they could try to be funny…they just weren’t.”
Wonder if he was talking about Flo & Eddie?
I say this because right now I’m Andy Hollinden’s grading assistant in his Zappa class (which he is completely Gail-neutral – just want to get that out there). We just covered Chunga’s Revenge through The Grand Wazoo and the students were pretty mixed. Some loved the comedy and didn’t care for the jazz, some thought Flo & Eddie were funny once (like I do…except Playground Psychotics) or not at all and found Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo to be sublime.
And as for JCB’s sons getting over there – AWESOME.
urban – do you live in the US or over in Europe?[/quote]
Alex, I live in neither the US or Europe. I live in Canada.