"Mojo Man" single for November 27th 2011

[trampledunderfoot]

I really am fond of the Last Poets. Especially because of the poetry aspects. In 1970 this was truly revolutionary.

Check out purple jim's post. Are the lyrics the "revolutionary" part? Because, at least to me, it sounds like the backing track was just a few bars that have been repeated ad nauseam.

Really? I think it is completely fascinating. I'm hard-pressed to think of something more ahead of it's time than "Doriella Du Fontaine" - I think the early Lost Poets records are legit 5 star albums. One day they will get the respect they deserve.

One thing that bugs me is all versions of "Doriella Du Fontaine" are coated in nasty early 80s candy ass digital reverb. The raw track should sound just like the mixes on the Jimi/Buddy workouts on Morning Symphony Ideas (in other words amazing).

It just seems really boring to me. *Shrug* It's certainly no "Rapper's Delight," nor a "Children's Story."

[dino77]

Check out purple jim's post. Are the lyrics the "revolutionary" part? Because, at least to me, it sounds like the backing track was just a few bars that have been repeated ad nauseam.

But that is the essence of rap.
And some misogynist lyrics over that loop. Hooray.

[Ezy Rider]

So, Hendrix was not only involved in the invention of rap, but also created the loop! What a man!

[MourningStar]

So, Hendrix was not only involved in the invention of rap, but also created the loop! What a man!

Hendrix is Ground-Zero ... the Axis. All roads begin and end with The Man.

[trampledunderfoot]

But that is the essence of rap.
And some misogynist lyrics over that loop. Hooray.

I wouldn't say that at all...while repetition/staccato is certainly a staple of the genre, it isn't (or shouldn't be) what defines it.

Maybe you've inadvertently pointed out my problem with the song, though: That loop sucks, while others don't. (Not to mention the lyrics, which I've never really paid any attention to...)

So, Hendrix was not only involved in the invention of rap, but also created the loop! What a man!

If the act of being sampled is equivalent to being the precursor/inventor of hip-hop/rap, then Jimi has a lot of company.

[neutron]

Sorry to burst your bubble but this press release for the 2011 re-release of "Doriella du Fontaine" states that Lightnin' Rod added his vocal in 1973. Still relatively revolutionary I supposed but it fell on deaf ears at the time.

Doriella Du Fontaine (Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles And Lightnin' Rod) To celebrate and support Record Store Day 2011, the newly re-launched and Karakos-powered Celluloid Records presents a limited repress of the classic "Doriella Du Fontaine". The project began in late 1969 with famed producer Alan Douglas recording the unmistakable Jimi Hendrix and legendary Buddy Miles in rolling and groove-laden musical backdrop. Fast forward 4 years and Lightnin' Rod (aka Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin) adds in his distinctive vocal soundtrack. Rod calls it "spoagraphics" (spoken pictures) but to most listeners hear it as the roots of an early form of rap. Rhythm, spoken-word and the art of the storyteller all wrapped up into one. The two meld together to create something new and unheard in 1973 and something still sounding fresh in 2011. 7" single Label: Celluloid Records

This 2011 quote flies in the face of what previously said about the session. I've posted before on this, but think it worth requoting that Douglas is on record as saying: "Jalal wrote that whole thing from pieces of things he'd been hearing for years. We also did more stuff, like the toast about the famous hooker, Doriella Du Fontaine, with Jimi. I was recording Jimi one day and Jalal walked in. I had him do it for Buddy [Miles], and Buddy got all involved with it and started playing with him. Jimi came in and said, "Wait for me," and he jumped in on it. They improvised 13 minutes straight; it was beautiful." ( from http://www.me.umn.edu/~kgeisler/ad.html)

A couple of possibilities spring to mind - maybe the vocals were redone in 1973, which would make both the original Douglas comments and the notes for the new releases correct. Or maybe reattributing the vocal recording to 1973 places part of the recording into the 'Douglas era' which may give Douglas and Co. some leverage on copyright.

[purple jim]

I read somewhere once about Jimi's affect on the black community and that Jimi should get credit for the first rap song.

The seeds of Rap were already sown by some of the early blues greats, that is if we are talking about half-spoken vocals over a rhythmic beat. James Brown was also an obvious pioneer of what Rap was to be but I would agree that Jimi's vocal approach and general "cool" was a great contributor in the defining of the "rap attitude", the rap feel. I hear rap in "Hey Joe", "Stone Free", "Gypsy Eyes", "Crosstown Traffic", "Freedom", "Power Of Soul", ... The press always focus on his "greatest guitarist" status but his music was so deep in many other ways.

[jhendrixfanatic]

"The press always focus on his "greatest guitarist" status but his music was so deep in many other ways."

How true.

[Ezy Rider]

+1

[trampledunderfoot]

This 2011 quote flies in the face of what previously said about the session. I've posted before on this, but think it worth requoting that Douglas is on record as saying: "Jalal wrote that whole thing from pieces of things he'd been hearing for years. We also did more stuff, like the toast about the famous hooker, Doriella Du Fontaine, with Jimi. I was recording Jimi one day and Jalal walked in. I had him do it for Buddy [Miles], and Buddy got all involved with it and started playing with him. Jimi came in and said, "Wait for me," and he jumped in on it. They improvised 13 minutes straight; it was beautiful." ( from http://www.me.umn.edu/~kgeisler/ad.html)

A couple of possibilities spring to mind - maybe the vocals were redone in 1973, which would make both the original Douglas comments and the notes for the new releases correct. Or maybe reattributing the vocal recording to 1973 places part of the recording into the 'Douglas era' which may give Douglas and Co. some leverage on copyright.

...Or Douglas was a liar, as he's been shown to have been in the past?

Maybe he simply didn't remember, or had conflicting memories. It's a moot point...that track is still abhorrent to my ears.

[Roland Stone]

Myself I love comics, so the video wasn't really wasted on me. In fact, it made me think how wonderful it would be to have the same treatment for Doriella du Fontaine. I would love to see a Devon like Doriella going though her wild adventures. Could be a massive hit!!!! :-)

Or a live action version perhaps. There is a young lady on Facebook who has adopted the name "Doriella Du Fontaine". She is quite photogenic (to put it mildly) and has posted many photos of herself with Leon, The Twins, and other members of the Hendrix community. There's talk of her portraying Devon soon in a film bio.

[Roland Stone]

This 2011 quote flies in the face of what previously said about the session. I've posted before on this, but think it worth requoting that Douglas is on record as saying: "Jalal wrote that whole thing from pieces of things he'd been hearing for years. We also did more stuff, like the toast about the famous hooker, Doriella Du Fontaine, with Jimi. I was recording Jimi one day and Jalal walked in. I had him do it for Buddy [Miles], and Buddy got all involved with it and started playing with him. Jimi came in and said, "Wait for me," and he jumped in on it. They improvised 13 minutes straight; it was beautiful." ( from http://www.me.umn.edu/~kgeisler/ad.html)

A couple of possibilities spring to mind - maybe the vocals were redone in 1973, which would make both the original Douglas comments and the notes for the new releases correct. Or maybe reattributing the vocal recording to 1973 places part of the recording into the 'Douglas era' which may give Douglas and Co. some leverage on copyright.

It seems highly unlikely if not impossible that those lyrics were added to an existing track. In several places Jimi is actively illustrating the lyric. Most obviously when the plane crashes. Whoever wrote the 2011 liner notes was misinformed or intentionally spreading misinformation.

On the other hand, I don't quite buy Douglas' version that Jimi was hearing the lyric for the first time as he improvised on guitar and then added the bass subsequently. Again the illustrations from Jimi's guitar seem too appropriate to be completely impromptu. More likely they had at least one run through before the recording, or that Jimi layed down the bass first and THEN the guitar.

[trampledunderfoot]

It seems highly unlikely if not impossible that those lyrics were added to an existing track. In several places Jimi is actively illustrating the lyric. Most obviously when the plane crashes. Whoever wrote the 2011 liner notes was misinformed or intentionally spreading misinformation.

On the other hand, I don't quite buy Douglas' version that Jimi was hearing the lyric for the first time as he improvised on guitar and then added the bass subsequently. Again the illustrations from Jimi's guitar seem too appropriate to be completely impromptu. More likely they had at least one run through before the recording, or that Jimi layed down the bass first and THEN the guitar.

...Or Douglas was a liar (and his cadre, too) as has been proven in the past. It could always be that the lyrics were written in order to match the music, you know.

[Roland Stone]

...Or Douglas was a liar (and his cadre, too) as has been proven in the past. It could always be that the lyrics were written in order to match the music, you know.

Rather than continue this debate here in the Mojo Man thread, I will carry on over in the Doriella Du Fontaine lyrics thread.

[stplsd]

^
So the single was that disappointing it turned into a debate on Doriella Du Fontaine?

And DDF is obviously not well rehearsed as the rap is a pretty shitty delivery (that ain't a question

[stplsd]

I read somewhere once about Jimi's affect on the black community and that Jimi should get credit for the first rap song.That same article I read says he should also get the "pimp clothes" award also. Think about it, the "brim"(hat) became popular after Jimi wore it in 1968-69 right? The song mentioned would be If 6 was 9. He definitely raps with the bass and guitar playing the repeated run. You all know the words in the song. "I'm not gonna die until it's time for me to die". White collar conservatives,etc! Someone here must have a copy of the original release? I heard it but never tried to save it, not sure if I could.

It's obvious to all, that have an inkling, that JH didn't 'play the game' and was surrounded by jealousy on all sides, especially, and most obviously by several factions of the US 'black' 'community', many of whom were, allegedly, embarrassed by his open association with 'whitey' (his music certainly wasn't!) and 'that whitey drug' (pish!) LSD; his being respected internationally, making loads of money! etc. etc.and his obvious lack of interest in the separatist/Afro centric movement, apart from clothes.
That 'black' folk didn't dig Jimi is pish, check the R&B charts, hair styles, clothing, the amount of 'black' folk around Jimi at 'Woodstock' an astronomically higher percentage than the alleged 'demographic'. And the 'black' mags, who were amongst the first to mention him, the best of which are not shown by 'blacky'/'whitey' "collectors" who keep these to themselves, but are well documented to exist (do we really need to know that Jimi was initially a sensation in the 'black' press? Apparently not!) I'm sure Caesar and chums has that first issue, and the others, but doesn't fit in with whaTever) the generally 'Let's All get it together philosophy, much of it supported, if not created to a degree and made possible by various factions of 'whitey' including many Jews some of whom were brutally murdered during their efforts for the cause) but there is no denying that Jimi was well known and emulated in the 'black' community' (in an original way)and also 'ignored' later to a large degree when they realised (were taken over by) unless you are deaf, dumb and blind and only read 'rock mags'
Check out Sly & the Family Stone at 'The Harlem Cultural Festival'. Cynthia, "Go Home Squares" (they had a mixed band and didn't appear to be too welcome, generally?) Assert, claim, demand equality, defend, but don't be a negative racist, was Dr. King, Panthers, Sly, Jimi, 5th Dimension, BB King, Stevie Wonder etc. etc. Jimi played his part in this 'Black Woodstock' (it was free) as it during/shortly afterward? became to be known (it began before and ended after) by performing, not in the park festival site, but in the street in Harlem at a charity gig for the UBA.
An obvious adjunct and ending to the 'Harlem Cultural Festival'
Or get mad, baby, tell me I'm a dog, come ahead first!

[purple jim]

Well, wasn't this a damp squib. No CD release and now the website is down.

[ranasakawa]

Well, wasn't this a damp squib. No CD release and now the website is down.

What CD ? What website ?

[J.Lucas]

I didn't see anything about a CD...perhaps the 'music aliens' didn't approve..
-----------
(dead)
http://www.urbanstreettales.com/index.html
(1 capture from 2011)
http://web.archive.org/web/201102011...reettales.com/
------------
(still up..has couple images and 1 video)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-...92361250791619
(still on youtube)
Teaser 1(45sec)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9sZn7whxig

Teaser 2(30sec)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NxbIUotzP8

Trailer 3 - Jimi Hendrix Contacts Music Aliens(2mts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlXffpCneUc
------------
(Seems to still have the single and video
..no ratings have ever been entered...I wonder why???..
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/moj...le/id484710466
(part 6 - still on youtube)
JIMI HENDRIX SERIES #6 ON CACE INTL TV: THE TWINS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1he2x...eature=related

[purple jim]

I don't know if a CD release was ever evoked but I'd assumed that it was a logical step. It's ridiculous to have kept this suppressed for so long, put out a crappy cartoon with a bastardized backing track and then go silent. What a disappointment. Just give us the raw tapes fer crissakes! Hey twins, do you love Jimi as much as us? Prove it.