Not all the neural paths fire in such obvious sequence. The first time I saw those sun-blasted palms backdropping the yellow International, I thought immediately of chase scenes in The Rockford Files ... The theme music, ongoing answering machine joke, Jim's put-upon wit, the way he ran like a stove-up ex-jock, I am fond of the whole package. But whenever he is in flight or in pursuit, my eye is drawn past the Pontiac Firebird into the background where California lies apparently lazy and hot beneath a sun whiter than the one we know here in Wisconsin, and beyond the set I see the new highways and the bare hillsides and I think of the subdivisions and teeming engines to come, and I become petulant over the fact that I can't wander in there. Never mind that the series was shot between 1974 and 1980 and we're hardly talking about garden of Hesperides. It's not about the preservation or the loss. It is that I have been cheated of that place in that moment. This is something beyond nostalgia and verging on saudade, a Portuguese word I first encountered in a Jim Harrison essay in which he spoke of obtuse sentimentality, childish melancholy, and a sense of life irretrievably lost.
Van Duren is pure power pop. He spent time in the Memphis trenches with the big boys (Big Star, Chris Bell, The Scruffs), and knows his way around a hook and a melody as well as any of his heroes from Todd Rundgren, Paul McCartney, Emitt Rhodes and on to Badfinger. He went to high school with Jody Stephens, auditioned for Big Star after Bell's departure, and was in the short-lived but legendary Baker Street Regulars with both those cats. If you think Big Star never got the props they deserved, well they're the Beatles compared to Mr. Duren. This is his debut album, originally released in 1977 on the Big Sound label, and he is no also ran, he is the real deal, power pop at its finest.
The Mummies are especially known for their matching, tattered mummy costumes they wore on stage and their impertinent and insulting attitude that they brought with them. They created and promoted the concept of 'Budget Rock', which rejected professionalism and star status in favor of a simplified do-it-yourself aesthetic. As part of this concept they performed and recorded only on outdated and often damaged equipment. For a tour vehicle they used a garishly painted 1965 Pontiac ambulance. As part of their lo-fi manifesto, they released their music only on vinyl for many years, allowing 'official' CD format releases only in the 2000's.I've mentioned these guys before, but this collection of singles is worth a listen. Thanks for the heads-up, Joe. Flagrant Taffy Pulling, gents.
