The Relevancy Thread

[Soot and Stars]

A lot of artist that are very talented and had an audience captivated at one time just lose steam and lose all but a cult audience or become a blurb as far as stature. Their names may never be completely forgotten by all and to some people they are that dark horse that paved the way for their music careers or what they listen to. Anyway, let's put aside the Zeppelins, Doors, Sabbaths, AC/Dc's, Aerosmiths and Queens of the world and pluck some names and actual discuss them.

Here's the format:

To start member #1 (Me as the OP) will pluck a name of a forgotten, one hit wonder or an artist that has become more obscure that they are either a fan of or are curious about.

To follow member #2 will reply to the following questions:

#1. What factors contributed to this artist being forgotten among their peers and over time?

#2. Why should they be remembered today as important/ what factors make them more memorable than they get credit for?

Member #2 then offers up an artist for a member to answer those questions and so forth and so forth! Easy, right?

I was thinking about this when I gave my recently acquired Charley Pride disc a spin:

Charlie Pride


I got it because I saw it in my grandmothers record collection and I know my grandpatrents on both sides listened to him. It stood out because he was a rare African American singing Country and he was very popular at one time. Listening today he does actually have a good voice and some above par songwriting for the time. They was actually a song I liked a bit called "Kaw-Liga". Anyway, he's never named dropped like the other oldies like Cash, Willie, Jennings, Jones, etc. In fact, I can't even say it's because he stopped performing as he had an album in 2010. So who has the answers to this one? ​

 

[Soot and Stars]

Was a country artist to far off the mark here to start off with? I figured there was such a variety of music being listened to back in the older eras of music that somebody could expand on this and other another artist.

 

[AboutAGirl]

IDK, people would probably be more involved if they get to answer the questions for their artist themselves. I mean if we're talking about reasonably obscure artists, most of us may not be equipped to answer those questions, but the person who named them would be able to.

 

[Soot and Stars]

IDK, people would probably be more involved if they get to answer the questions for their artist themselves. I mean if we're talking about reasonably obscure artists, most of us may not be equipped to answer those questions, but the person who named them would be able to.

Well I figured it would be a way for people to get perspective from those with more experience regarding those artist kind of lie a passing down of personal history type thing. I didn't think everyone would be up on an artist like Charlie Pride but I figured someone would. It may go to show just how forgotten some artist are and the reason we spend 90% of time talking about Zeppelin, Sabbath, Metallica, etc. until it's driven into the ground. I figured the format would open up the chance for a less self absorbed thread and people would trade off perspectives and information.

 

[gcczep]

Remember...?

OK...Sooty I'll play.

I am familiar with Charley Pride not that I am much into country. I do remember all these country music tv shows where he stood out because he was black. I agree that Pride had a very good voice. Why did he not become more sucessful? For one thing, I reckon he was thought of as a novelty and did not get much backing. Why should Pride be remembered? Well, for one thing it was not considered typical of his race to be involved in country. It was either Motown or funk. I can bet that the brothers and sisters viewed him differently too. He was a trailblazer though I'm sure there were others that were not as known.

There was Elvis. There was Ricky Nelson. Eddie Cochran... They led me to Johnny Burnette. I first heard "Dreamin" and loved the swinging, innocent vibe of the song. Damn shame he lived to only 30...

I may be Zeppelin-mad but I do have a few less known aces up my sleeve. ***:

 

[Phil B.]

Interesting idea for a thread!

As to Charlie Pride; he was another C&W artist that I grew up listening to thanks to my Dad's dedication to his music. Most people don't know it, but Jack D. Johnson (Pride's first agent/manager) made sure that no pictures of Pride were included in any of his releases for the first couple of years of his career.

Johnny Burnette is another pivotal character in the development of R&R. His version of Tiny Bradshaw's "Train 'Kept A Rolling" was instrumental in the crossover from a rock-a-billy/C&W background to early Rock and Roll. Everybody from Motorhead to Aerosmith to the Yardbirds have covered it.

I think his early demise had a lot to do with his obscure popularity.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Awesome guys! Gcczep, your love of Zeppelin is like mine for The Smashing Pumpkins so I know that like you there's always room for other bands even when you have one that represents your taste the most. I have to hold myself back when I go on a Pumpkin rant and I'll be shamelessly dropping a wide load of cash on them again when the new Aeroplane boxset reissue comes out. I would think your idea about race and pretty much being ahead of his time as far as races going outside their genre is likely right. Phil, that's a very interesting fact about not including his image. I'm assuming that was a racially motivated thing.

Do you have an artist you feel has been forgotten to put up for discussion?

 

[Sunny]

OK ............ Labi Siffre is someone I have always liked listening to. My grandmother often had his songs playing when we visited. His songs have been covered by various artists including Madness, Rod Stewart, The Flying Pickets and Kanye West. I don't think I know anyone who has heard of him.

Pretty Little Girl





It Must Be Love

​

 

[Soot and Stars]

^^^^^^^

Well I can't offer any reasons why this artist isn't more well known #1. because I've never even heard of him and #2. he's great. It Must Be Love has a very classic quality that would make you think it'd be a staple of the Soul sound. I can also see where Rod Stewart would have covered him as he has a very Rod Stewart like quality in his voice or Rod Stewart has a very Siffre-esque voice. Anyway, I would love to hear anyone offer there perspective on this as having been passed down to Sunny he obviously had a small following at one point. I'd love to hear if anyone remembers him and has any anecdotes to what may have effected his career and legacy.

 

[Phil B.]

Do you have an artist you feel has been forgotten to put up for discussion?

Whoops, forgot that was part of the package, here is my addition:



I have been playing this CD for a few months now. I don't know a whole lot about James Carr, except that he sang the great "The Dark End of the Street" and that many of the contemporary artists of his time have high regard.