Comments on: A Reason to Go On Living: The Poor Boy’s on the Line http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/ culture blogging for the good of the planet Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:43:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kevin Wolf http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-87630 Kevin Wolf Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:42:20 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-87630 Long, long ago I heard somebody (no idea who) talking about Chuck Berry's "Johnnie B Goode" on NPR. His take was that the song seems to have always been around, as if it had existed back when there was nothing else but primordial ooze. You can take that a couple of ways, some of which are pretty insulting to Mr Berry. I think he's not only taken for granted but that his <em>craft</em>, in both songwriting and guitar playing, is often barely taken into account. Thanks for the reminder Neddie. Sometimes it seems Keith Richards is the only one acknowledging the master. Long, long ago I heard somebody (no idea who) talking about Chuck Berry’s “Johnnie B Goode” on NPR. His take was that the song seems to have always been around, as if it had existed back when there was nothing else but primordial ooze.

You can take that a couple of ways, some of which are pretty insulting to Mr Berry. I think he’s not only taken for granted but that his craft, in both songwriting and guitar playing, is often barely taken into account.

Thanks for the reminder Neddie. Sometimes it seems Keith Richards is the only one acknowledging the master.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-86398 Tom Watson Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:30:27 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-86398 Hey Ned, thanks for being here! I love this song, Chervokas is right, ole Chuck doesn't get his proper due. Hey Ned, thanks for being here! I love this song, Chervokas is right, ole Chuck doesn’t get his proper due.

]]> By: Jason Chervokas http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85683 Jason Chervokas Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:57:13 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85683 I'm not sure how disguised it was. Very peculiar, but a much better read--more entertaining and more revealing--than the Bruce Pegg bio, and fascinating language. Can't get any hipper than the Flight Deville! I’m not sure how disguised it was. Very peculiar, but a much better read–more entertaining and more revealing–than the Bruce Pegg bio, and fascinating language.

Can’t get any hipper than the Flight Deville!

]]> By: Neddie Jingo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85648 Neddie Jingo Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:58:47 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85648 A-and you'll never convince me that rock's <i>coolest</i> song isn't "You Can't Catch Me" -- how much hipper can you be than to own a <i>flying car?</i> I did read Chuck's autobio, years ago, and I thought it barely disguised a <i>very peculiar man.</i> Great songwriter, sure, the most influential guitarist who ever picked up a Gibson ES-355, but a <i>mighty odd duck (walker).</i> A-and you’ll never convince me that rock’s coolest song isn’t “You Can’t Catch Me” — how much hipper can you be than to own a flying car?

I did read Chuck’s autobio, years ago, and I thought it barely disguised a very peculiar man. Great songwriter, sure, the most influential guitarist who ever picked up a Gibson ES-355, but a mighty odd duck (walker).

]]> By: Jason Chervokas http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85620 Jason Chervokas Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:05:35 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/01/27/a-reason-to-go-on-living-the-poor-boys-on-the-line/#comment-85620 Great post. Phenomenal song. Chuck Berry is rock's greatest songwriter. Never gets his due anymore. Imagining rock w/o Chuck Berry is like imagining English lit w/o Shakespeare. For a kick, check out Chuck's autobiography, really peculiar language. BTW, for the reference standard version of the song, please dig Elvis' Dec 1973 recording--probably his last great studio performance, and a blistering one, one of the King's greatest records. A lot of Chuck's songs fit Elvis like a custom Nudie suit, but none more so than Promised Land. Great post. Phenomenal song. Chuck Berry is rock’s greatest songwriter. Never gets his due anymore.

Imagining rock w/o Chuck Berry is like imagining English lit w/o Shakespeare. For a kick, check out Chuck’s autobiography, really peculiar language.

BTW, for the reference standard version of the song, please dig Elvis’ Dec 1973 recording–probably his last great studio performance, and a blistering one, one of the King’s greatest records. A lot of Chuck’s songs fit Elvis like a custom Nudie suit, but none more so than Promised Land.

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