Back in Time on the Oblivion Express
In our look back at the hidden gems of the Sixties & the Peace & Love Era, I want to focus today on an artist who is known by serious music fans of that era, but he's not someone whose music you're likely to find included in retrospective compilations. A great player who wasn't quite a household name.
Brian Auger on Hammond B3 – “Freedom Dance” live on French TV in 1971
Impressive live appearance
He's a jazz pianist who is best known for playing the organ. He was active on the British music scene during the sixties when the British Wave was spreading around the globe. In fact, in 1965 he founded a band called Steampacket which included the then unknown singer Rod Stewart.
Steampacket -- Interesting but not a musical highlight
His band Brian Auger and the Trinity achieved a modicum of success, but it was his 70s fusion band Brian Auger's Oblivion Express which really established his reputation. He also worked with drummers Tony Williams and Billy Cobham on some high energy fusion albums and projects, but to me what stood out about the Oblivion Express was that he fused the best of rock with jazz and reworked some classic soul music in the process.
In yesterday's post I wrote about the impact of Marvin Gaye's album “What's Goin' On” on jazz and rock worlds. Here is Brian Auger's version of Marvin Gaye's “Inner City Blues” from that album, below it for your comparison is Marvin Gaye's original.
Personally I like Marvin Gaye's version, but I love what Oblivion Express did with this song even more – it stands the test of time very well compared to a lot of 70s fusion IMHO. They took the song the a new place and appealed to jazz, rock, and soul audiences.
The band gave the same treatment to a very popular jazz vocal track from 1969 “Compared to What” by Les McCann & Eddie Harris.
Les McCann & Eddie Harris.
“Compared to What” by Donald Dean, Leroy Vinnegar, Benny Bailey, Eddie Harris
I love the lie and lie the love
A-Hangin' on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
That is hangin' up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what? C'mon baby!
Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old lady kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can't use it!)
Try to make it real, compared to what? C'mon baby now!
The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what? (Sock it to me)
Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preacher's fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!)
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what?
Where's that bee and where's that honey?
Where's my God and where's my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real, compared to what?!
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what?
