When I crossed paths with the mercurial bandleader, his star was barely flickering. Two decades after his death, he’s revered as an avatar of psychedelic rock—and a cautionary tale of self-sabotage.
Nice write-up, Seth, and a somewhat decent memory to have of Arthur. He had his demons, for sure. I have often said that if Arthur trimmed the fat from 'Out Here' and edited it to a single LP, it would be revered today as 'Da Capo' (side one, at least) and 'FC.' There are some brilliant songs. I know Dan Epstein would say a similar thing about a post-'FC' LP, but he would swap 'Out Here' for 'Four Sail.'
Appreciate that Michael! It's been sweet to read the trickle of remembrances here (and on other platforms) about what those later performances (and those indelible songs) meant to so many of us....
Nicely rendered; it’s good to see a fresh eye and ear on FC. Inspirational verse: “Oh the snot has caked against my pants.” And the trippy audacity of “My Little Red Book,” a Bacharach-David song, on the first album. Had the same experience saying hello between sets at Generation (later Electric Ladyland studio) in 1968: “loved your set, man”; reply was a snore. I interviewed Arthur around the time of the Baby Lemonade shows and recently found the tape. Inaudible mumbles, I remember him crawling on the floor, barking.
Forever unsettling. This may explain why there is always something new when I return to this group. (Can't necessarily say that about other bands of that time and space.) There's a push and pull between psychedelic, folk, pop, garage in those recordings. A resolved tension. (Like Lee himself.) They're of their time but they don't feel dated. The draw influences but they don't copy. Maybe because I hear so many other bands in their wake. Arthur Lee -- and Johnny Echols -- send me back my guitar every time, trying to find them, deep in those songs.
Nice piece, Seth. Arthur was indeed a puzzle that I don't think anyone was ever able to fully solve. Those Baby Lemonade dudes are dear friends of mine, and I've heard so many jaw-dropping Arthur stories from them; but as much time as they spent with him over the years, I don't think they could ever predict which way his moods would swing, or how he might react to a certain situation. He sure left us with some incredible songs, though.
Oh FASCINATING! Oh man, I can only imagine. Not to go all “woo,” but it really calls to mind the shaman/trickster archetype. Sounds like it fit him to a T….
Nice write-up, Seth, and a somewhat decent memory to have of Arthur. He had his demons, for sure. I have often said that if Arthur trimmed the fat from 'Out Here' and edited it to a single LP, it would be revered today as 'Da Capo' (side one, at least) and 'FC.' There are some brilliant songs. I know Dan Epstein would say a similar thing about a post-'FC' LP, but he would swap 'Out Here' for 'Four Sail.'
Appreciate that Michael! It's been sweet to read the trickle of remembrances here (and on other platforms) about what those later performances (and those indelible songs) meant to so many of us....
Nicely rendered; it’s good to see a fresh eye and ear on FC. Inspirational verse: “Oh the snot has caked against my pants.” And the trippy audacity of “My Little Red Book,” a Bacharach-David song, on the first album. Had the same experience saying hello between sets at Generation (later Electric Ladyland studio) in 1968: “loved your set, man”; reply was a snore. I interviewed Arthur around the time of the Baby Lemonade shows and recently found the tape. Inaudible mumbles, I remember him crawling on the floor, barking.
Incredible, every bit of it! The absolute pinnacle of self-sabotage; no wonder he’s still a touchstone all these decades later….
Self -sabotage is definitely there. Also, sadly, was a touch of schizophrenia, if I remember my research right.🤷🏼♂️
Sigh. I think you’re sadly correct….
Forever unsettling. This may explain why there is always something new when I return to this group. (Can't necessarily say that about other bands of that time and space.) There's a push and pull between psychedelic, folk, pop, garage in those recordings. A resolved tension. (Like Lee himself.) They're of their time but they don't feel dated. The draw influences but they don't copy. Maybe because I hear so many other bands in their wake. Arthur Lee -- and Johnny Echols -- send me back my guitar every time, trying to find them, deep in those songs.
Appreciate that deeply. And agree completely: There is always more in there, and it's often unsettling even as the music reveals its beauty.....
Nice piece, Seth. Arthur was indeed a puzzle that I don't think anyone was ever able to fully solve. Those Baby Lemonade dudes are dear friends of mine, and I've heard so many jaw-dropping Arthur stories from them; but as much time as they spent with him over the years, I don't think they could ever predict which way his moods would swing, or how he might react to a certain situation. He sure left us with some incredible songs, though.
Oh FASCINATING! Oh man, I can only imagine. Not to go all “woo,” but it really calls to mind the shaman/trickster archetype. Sounds like it fit him to a T….