-
Featured News
Don’t Forget Me – Eddie Cochran documentary set for 2026
By Harvey Kubernik
Eddie Cochran, guitarist, singer, and songwriter was a pioneering rock and roll icon who left an indelible mark on countless musicians. Dying and just age 21 in 1960, h -
Featured Articles
Donovan's Sunshine Superman at 60
By Harvey Kubernik
Sunshine Superman is the third studio LP by singer-songwriter Donovan. On August 26, 1966, it was released in the United States on Epic Records.
Donovan and his recor -
Bo Diddley – The Black Gladiator
(Future Days) CD
Recorded and released in 1970, The Black Gladiator was Bo Diddley’s first album of all new material since 1965’s 500% More Man. In the intervening half-decade the music scene had been through some pretty radical changes, and the astute and forward-thinking Diddley wasn’t about to be left behind. “I just decided to do somethin’ different,” he told biographer George R White. “Everybody was wearin’ funny lookin’ crap—Isaac Hayes had come out with chains an’ stuff on, an’ it was kinda flowin’ in that area at that particular time—so I got me some belts an’ stuff, an’ said I was The Black Gladiator.”
The resultant album is one of the overlooked gems in the Diddley catalog, showcasing a freakier, funkier sound that was in step with the times, while retaining the raunch and swagger that defined his earlier work. Bo goes balls-out on the very first track, “Elephant Man,” whipping up a torrid, wall-shaking guitar riff over which he hollers some of his craziest rhymes yet, about how he constructed this bizarre animal, called the elephant (maybe you’ve heard of it?), piece by piece, naming its various body parts, then letting out a blood-curdling scream every time he gets around to not quite mentioning its ass. Such profundity was in short supply at the time.
The album never quite scales the elephantine heights of its monster opening number, but there’s still much to enjoy. The backing band cooks throughout—plenty of wailing organ, rattling tambourines and crisp, funky drumming—and Bo is clearly having a ball with this new, different sound. “Black Soul,” “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Funky Fly” all boast tough, memorable grooves as well as plenty of muscular guitar work. “You, Bo Diddley” is one of Bo’s archetypal self-tributes, as is “Power House,” a virile boast built around his trusty “I’m a Man” riff, while the strange but wonderful “I Don’t Like You” is one of Bo’s trademark signifying pieces in the tradition of “Say Man,” with Bo trading insults with backing singer Cornelia Redmond (a.k.a. Cookie Vee) and also showing off his abilities as an opera singer—was there no end to this man’s talents?
There’s been a vinyl boot doing the rounds, but this digipak CD with liners by Scott Schindler is a legit, from the masters, reissue on Light in the Attic’s new Future Days imprint. (MS)
(Originally published in Ugly Things #33, Spring/Summer 2012)
Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, as i want enjoyment, since this this web site conations actually
good funny material too.
I love this blog post, i’m going to tweet it on my leagle account
I am now not positive the place you’re getting your info, however great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or working out more.
Thank you for wonderful info I used to be searching for
this information for my mission.
debt reduction services installment payday loans no fax same day payday loans [url=https://installmentbunm.com/]personal installment loans[/url] ’
free app for laptop
[...]usually posts some incredibly intriguing stuff like this. If youre new to this site[...]
easy personal loans quick low interest payday loan unsecured loans [url=https://paydaykmae.com/]no fax no teletrack payday loans[/url] ’
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for equipment trader
online
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga
group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really
appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks
Kеep this going рlease, gгeat job!
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! Ι ԁefinitely enjoyed reading
іt, yoᥙ wіll be ɑ great author.I ᴡill alwаys bookmark youг blog and wіll
ｃome back ѕometime so᧐n. I ѡant to encourage you tߋ ultimately continue уour great
writing, havｅ a nice holiday weekend!