Crossroads by Mark Radcliffe

 

There are twenty five chapters in this book, each one telling us about a crossroads in popular music. Some are, some are not. Here are snippets from each.

I Went Down to the Crossroads

It all starts with a road trip to Clarksville, Memphis and finding a crossroads, the inspiration for a piece on Robert Johnson, the pioneer and his recordings of 1936/7.

The Gates of Hell Opening

This is something about Black Sabbath (although I'm not interested in heavy metal) but a familiar piece on Tony Iommi. I didn't know they started as a blues band. 

Disco Sucks!

I agree, it does.

I Hear a New World

Some more boring stuff on the first use of synthesisers. But interesting to hear about Joe Meek and his iconic number one "Telstar". One interesting fact: Of all the session musicians used for this record, the drummer Clem Cattini has the record for playing on the most UK hits with at least 44 number ones.

The Writing on the Wall

There are things I'm learning about, like three piece rock bands which includse Kurt Cobain and Nivarna.

An Original Soundtrack

This is about Multitracking as described with 10cc's album "The Original Soundtrack" that includes "I'm Not In Love".

Talking Real Fast

I wasn't sure you could compare folk music with rap. Was Blondie's "Rapture" an early rap recording? Another story about the recording of "Rapper's Delight". When Nile Rogers heard the drum and bass riff he knew they had ripped off his Chic sound. Legal action led to them being credited on a rap record.

Against Your Better Judgement

I didn't really get the part about "sonic exploration", but it does start with the words "A single note goes "clung". A four second whining sound follows". And I knew immediately what it was. The author tells us: "So were The Beatles ....... the instigators of experimental rock? Well, yes".

House Party

A chapter about house music that I skipped.

To the Manor Born

A piece about indie labels exemplified by Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells".

The Single Life

Does everybody remember the first single they bought? I enjoyed this bit about those 45rpm bits of vinyl, and through gritted teeth Radcliffe mentions that Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"is still the biggest seller in this format.

The Time of Your Life

Another nice chapter, this time about Fairport Convention and the wonderful Alexandra Elene MacLean Denny, Sandy to us all. And her wonderful "Who Knows where the Time Goes", many people's favourite folk track. 

Culture Clash

Foreign influences on British popular music through regee and ska are followed by Bob Marley described here as "the greatest world music star the world has ever known". ??? But I preferred being reminded of Millie's 1964 "My Boy Lollipop" and Desmond Decker's "Israelites".

Ride that Train

I was really pleased when I read the chapter on skiffle where the amalgamation of American and British influences was called "a truly significant crossroads". A number of songs were named, all of which I could remember the words. The story of Lonnie Donegan's breakthrough with "Rock Island Line" ( more on my blog) seems to omit the fact that Lonnie and a couple of others played in the break when the rest of Chris Barber's Jazz band went for a drink. Of course The Quarrymen get a mention.

From the Laboratory to the Sance Floor

Electronic disco  and Donna Summer was not for me. Not sure why it includes 1064's  "Together in Electric Dreams" by Georgio Morroder and Philip Oakey

Trouble in Motor City

The origins of punk seem to include Velvet Underground and MC5?

The Voice of Protest

But a chapter on protest songs was interesting, from Woody Guthrie to FGTH and Two Tribes.

It's Got to be Perfect

Why are we then told about the perfect line up for a band (why does it have to be guitar, bass, drums and vocal?) and why pick The Ramones? Must be the author's favourite.

The Concept

Obviously there had to be a section on the concept album, Pink Floyd etc. And double albums, remember them? 

Lady of the Canyon

And I was glad Carole King had a whole chapter. Her divorce from Goffin, moving to Hollywood (Laurel Canyon) and writing and recording "The Writer" and the genius that is "Tapestry". Definitely a crossroads for women in popular music.

Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll

Then a visit to Sun Studios and all those hits.

The Open Road

Guess who is labelled "the electronic Beatles had been created". Kraftwerk????

Background Music

The invention of "ambient music" ??? Brian Eno and Roxy Music???

The Red, White and Blue

And finally Radcliffe would have saved Jimmy Hendrix for the end. He calls him "The best player of lead guitar that has ever lived". Discuss. Then "the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music" according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lots of interesting stuff about his early career as a guitar for hire for so many artists. Then his performance at Woodstock and controversially playing "The Star Spangled Banner". 

The Beginning is the End

That goes to Thomas Edison who started it all in 1877. 

To summarise, I felt this trawl through the different genres of popular music was a very mixed bag. I guess it all depends on your taste. But my main criticism was there was so much deviation. Radcliffe would often go off on a very different tangent which spoilt his undoubted talent for all the interesting stuff.

I would have liked an index and it's omission seems a little lazy.