Album (and Concert) of the week - Big Star “Radio City”

While watching the Big Star Quintet perform in Los Angeles last night, it struck me that Big Star’s output has held up better to me than any other guitar based music of the pre-punk era. It hit me when they were performing the first three songs of Radio City in its entirety; opener “O My Soul” sounds like nothing else. “Life Is White” on its own is a pretty straightforward song, but there’s just enough in the way of unexpected twists and turns that add a chaotic element to the music. Three songs in, and the gorgeous, vulnerable “Way Out West” brings an earthiness back to the music.

Used to be I wasn’t crazy about “O My Soul” and thought that Big Star blew it with the sequencing of Radio City. Why would anyone put this odd, kinda long, very complex song as an opener, when the album features so many stronger songs? Whether it was their/ Alex’s intention or not, the sequencing of Radio City gives us the gems, but we gotta stick around and take in some other ideas and some downright uncomfortable listening to get there. Pure art. I was wrong, not Big Star.

The Quartet put on a joyous performance that was full of love and such good vibes. I saw Alex live a bunch of times, and Big Star with Alex twice (the first of which was one of the earliest reunion shows, in 1994). Alex had a very compelling energy, but it was often a dark energy. I get it; the man gave his life to music since he was a teenager, and was victim to just about everything that goes wrong in the music. The music didn’t get the commercial success it deserved at the time, and his life was also full of substance fueled chaos of the romantic and social varieties. I can see where the whole Big Star trip was emotionally triggering to him, being that he went more or less sober at a young age.

Alex was one of the greatest musicians, songwriters, and singers that has ever lived. It’s not possible to replace him, but The Quartet strips away the darkness and presents the beauty of Alex (and Chris Bell’s) songs with respect, soul, and skill. Great effort was made to recreate the sound and instrumentation, with everyone giving their all. Special mention must be made of Jody Stevens singing several of the most tender songs (‘Thirteen’, ‘Night Time’), with maximum goosebump effect.

The shifting down/ up dynamic of this record gets more upbeat for the second half - the carefree and grooving ‘Mod Lang’, and the anthemic ‘Back Of A Car’, with one last detour into the emotional ditch for ‘Daisy Glaze’ before the grand finale. ‘She’s A Mover’ is an unhinged rocker that rarely get props for its proto-punk feel.

Radio City. It’s way too varied to be pigeonholed as power pop. There’s far too many moods, peaks and valleys for it to be in one box. However, ‘September Gurls’ is the ultimate power pop song. A glorious melody and stellar vocal Alex, chiming guitars, and Jody Stevens majestic drumming. Drummers who try to sound like him typically hit too hard and lack his finesse. It was such a joy to see and hear him play again last night; he’s an absolute treasure.

This music means the world to me. When I started working at a record store in 1991, one of the first orders of business I had was getting to hear Big Star. My boss, Greg, who seemingly knew everything, ordered in what was available at the time - an import of the first two albums on one CD, and he also had a spare vinyl copy of ‘Third’ that he sold me. I cherish that record. I spent the next several years telling everyone I knew about their greatness, and making many mix tapes with Big Star a constant presence. My dear, late friend Matt Hanner told me sometime in the late 90s after his apartment was robbed that ‘the thieves didn’t get his Big Star’. It’s music to live inside of, grow into and grow older with. These songs give comfort in dark times, and elevate the bright days to be a little bit brighter.

It was also so touching to hear the final two songs from this album live; the short, complex, and angular ‘Morpha Too’ would be a challenge for any skilled musician to play and sing, yet they nailed it. The gorgeous closer, ‘I’m In Love With A Girl’ was delivered flawlessly by Pat Sansone. I could imagine the spirit of Alex Chilton nodding and drawling ‘yeah, that was pretty cooooool, alright’.