Should I Care or Should I Yawn?

     

     My views of the use of songs by rock and roll bands, particularly from the punk and new wave communities, has evolved over the years, and I have extensively written about the topic here and elsewhere.

We're selling what to who?

     While always recognizing the artist’s right to use, license, etc., his or her work in any way he or she chooses, I used to feel and express serious outrage over some perceived insult when a song was used for some product too trite, from an enormous corporation or that the song was too important or meaningful or other way sacrosanct. My favorite band, or at least one of its main songwriters/creators, has all but put the stake in the heart of my outrage.

     In its recent advertising campaign, Westin Hotels is/are using the Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” to try to entice people to stay at their hotels. The song, the second-most popular US single in the Clash’s history (“Rock the Casbah” obviously number one), is a simple love/love ending song sung by guitarist/vocalist Mick Jones.

Paul Simonon is not a Cadillac fan.

     It is hard for me to get offended by the sale and use of this song (with singer/guitarist and the band’s other songwriter Joe Strummer dying in 2002, Jones and Strummer’s estate apparently made the decision). I mean, it’s not like the band sold one of its most political and meaningful songs, the title song of one of rock and roll’s all-time best albums, to a car company; oh, wait. I mean, it’s bad enough his baby drove off in a brand-new Cadillac, but a Jaguar?

    You really can’t blame musicians and other artists in the end for supporting themselves with their art, although someone selling a song to say, Donald Trump, Bobby Jindal or the GOP national committee would deserve derision in my book. So maybe it’s time I put this topic away after this entry, unless someone shocks the hell out of us all; that becomes harder every day.

Gurf Morlix to Perform at PAUSA May 9

             One of Buffalo and Western New York’s true musical gems (genius would just embarrass him), the Americana/country/rock/folk and blues singer, guitarist and troubadour Gurf Morlix will perform his only Buffalo-area concert this spring at 8 PM Saturday, May 9, at the PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth Street near Allen Street, Buffalo.

            Morlix, originally from Hamburg and legendary for his guitar playing, arranging and producing (possibly best known for his years working with Lucinda Williams) as well as solo work, will perform music from his new CD, “Eatin’ at Me,”  (Rootball Records) as well as old favorites. As he has increasingly developed, Morlix will also spin some interesting and humorous stories, all for $15 admission; doors open at 6 PM.

            Gurf was kind enough to take a few questions while on the road earlier this week and here are a few of his comments:

KJH: Is the new CD, "Eatin' at Me," classic/traditional Gurf Morlix, something new or different, or a blend of sounds?

Morlix: The art of recording is a constantly evolving state, and I think there are changes with every album I make, whether I am producing someone else, or making my own album. The songs do have requirements, of course. If I'm recording a song about some really gritty subject, that calls for some really lowdown sounds. The songs dictate the sounds. It's not a conscious effort to "rock harder on this album", or anything like that.

KJH: You told me you really enjoyed your previous PAUSA Art House show. What made it such a good experience?

Morlix: I love playing in intimate environments. I love PAUSA Art House, cuz it's SO personal. I can see everyone's eyes, and I feed on that energy. I love to be able to talk to everyone who attends, if they want to.

KJH: You really seem to enjoy your storytelling to the point of telling more non-song stories during your shows, and the audience appears to enjoy them. A good sign for storytellers?

Morlix: Storytelling is quite an art. I never really appreciated it until I started to try to do it. Now I am fairly well fascinated by listening to master storytellers. I used to not say anything between songs, preferring to let the listener decide what the evening is about, but once I started telling stories, I found that everyone responded on a whole other level.

KJH: You've been working on some more autobiographical and Buffalo/WNY oriented songs. Are there more on the way? (“Eatin’ at Me” includes the songs “Dirty Old Buffalo” and “Born in Lackawanna.”)

Morlix: I never know where the songs will come from. I don't know why all these Buffalo related songs showed up recently, but I am glad they did. I hope there are more. I'm sure there's enough material in my WNY experience to mine for the rest of my life. IF the ideas are willing to float somewhere nearby, where I can reach them.