Ramsey Lewis was definitely an on ramp to jazz for a lot of people. My dad was a huge jazz fan, and artists like Lewis, Hubert Laws, and Earl Klugh were always playing in our house.
In recent years, he'd caught my attention with the sessions he'd been doing during the pandemic. I liked the music, but was delighted to see that he was still going strong even in his mid-80s.
I inherited the records I mentioned above. On hearing of Lewis' passing, I was delighted to find that I owned a copy of "Sun Goddess." It's been (more or less) playing nonstop this week.
Hey Kevi!n. Thanks for reading and for commenting--I really appreciate it. Great to hear that you grew up listening to great music and that you still have many of those records. 'Sun Goddess' is definitely a great one to have and hear.
Gonna start raving, now, Marshall! I had to jump to the Mott article, and I'll happily return to dig into the Ramsey one! Can't imagine you're as old as moi, but, in July '73 (when this album was released), I was in between high school grad (Houston), and going up to college @ N. TX State.
I KNOW I took this album with me. In fact, I can't recall, of course, or prove it, but I HAD to have read the Edmonds review in Creem, 'cause I was all about the rock mags back then! Did you know other '70s-era rock critics are here on 'Stack? Wayne Robins and Robert Christgau to name two! I've already told Wayne I read him all thru the '70s (which makes me wonder how I ever got homework done!)
You so clearly described Mott's place in the glam universe, and where they accurately fit in the Bowie/Marc/Roxy, et al space! And, an Alvin Stardust reference?!? You can't have known about him (and where his puzzle piece fit) unless you lived thru that time frame! He, of course, never had product released in the US. Too "Briddish"!
I never thought I'd see such a well-conceived piece on Mott and that era here on the 'Stack...I'm stunned I haven't written about Mott yet, myself! But, now, I may not need to....I also loved this album, in particular, but especially "Honaloochee Boogie," to the point where I actually obtained the import (UK) single! I was consumed and obsessed!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go and enjoy your Ramsey article! Casual readers, do yourself a favor, and subscribe to New Directions in Music (as I do)! Marshall's a champ, and if he can transport me back in time to a personally-beloved era in music, he's worth his weight in glitter!🎼🎸😁👍
Brad, I cannot thank you enough for your kind words. I'm glad I could evoke that time period for you...I was eleven when 'Mott' came out, I got into it probably four or five years later. Like so many records, I borrowed it from the local library & taped it. That's since been replaced by a well worn copy.
I do read Christgau and Robins here on Substack, also Nelson George. Christgau was one of my heroes. He wrote a piece entitled 'Growing Up Grim with Mott the Hoople' that was included in his collection Any Old Way You Choose It that I nearly memorized.
Anyway, thanks as always for reading, Brad, and for your comments. Looking forward to your next newsletter.
Ramsey Lewis was definitely an on ramp to jazz for a lot of people. My dad was a huge jazz fan, and artists like Lewis, Hubert Laws, and Earl Klugh were always playing in our house.
In recent years, he'd caught my attention with the sessions he'd been doing during the pandemic. I liked the music, but was delighted to see that he was still going strong even in his mid-80s.
I inherited the records I mentioned above. On hearing of Lewis' passing, I was delighted to find that I owned a copy of "Sun Goddess." It's been (more or less) playing nonstop this week.
Hey Kevi!n. Thanks for reading and for commenting--I really appreciate it. Great to hear that you grew up listening to great music and that you still have many of those records. 'Sun Goddess' is definitely a great one to have and hear.
Gonna start raving, now, Marshall! I had to jump to the Mott article, and I'll happily return to dig into the Ramsey one! Can't imagine you're as old as moi, but, in July '73 (when this album was released), I was in between high school grad (Houston), and going up to college @ N. TX State.
I KNOW I took this album with me. In fact, I can't recall, of course, or prove it, but I HAD to have read the Edmonds review in Creem, 'cause I was all about the rock mags back then! Did you know other '70s-era rock critics are here on 'Stack? Wayne Robins and Robert Christgau to name two! I've already told Wayne I read him all thru the '70s (which makes me wonder how I ever got homework done!)
You so clearly described Mott's place in the glam universe, and where they accurately fit in the Bowie/Marc/Roxy, et al space! And, an Alvin Stardust reference?!? You can't have known about him (and where his puzzle piece fit) unless you lived thru that time frame! He, of course, never had product released in the US. Too "Briddish"!
I never thought I'd see such a well-conceived piece on Mott and that era here on the 'Stack...I'm stunned I haven't written about Mott yet, myself! But, now, I may not need to....I also loved this album, in particular, but especially "Honaloochee Boogie," to the point where I actually obtained the import (UK) single! I was consumed and obsessed!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go and enjoy your Ramsey article! Casual readers, do yourself a favor, and subscribe to New Directions in Music (as I do)! Marshall's a champ, and if he can transport me back in time to a personally-beloved era in music, he's worth his weight in glitter!🎼🎸😁👍
Brad, I cannot thank you enough for your kind words. I'm glad I could evoke that time period for you...I was eleven when 'Mott' came out, I got into it probably four or five years later. Like so many records, I borrowed it from the local library & taped it. That's since been replaced by a well worn copy.
I do read Christgau and Robins here on Substack, also Nelson George. Christgau was one of my heroes. He wrote a piece entitled 'Growing Up Grim with Mott the Hoople' that was included in his collection Any Old Way You Choose It that I nearly memorized.
Anyway, thanks as always for reading, Brad, and for your comments. Looking forward to your next newsletter.