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Rating: But who ever paid attention to Alex Chilton?
Is there anyone who loves this man who experienced fame and notoriety as a high schooler and teenager with the Box Tops at the end of the sixties, selling a ton of records? Money no, in those days the record company, producers (Dan Penn), and company ate everything, leaving crumbs to the artists. Alex had a clear path, with splendid melodies swirling in his head. Power pop, as those good at reviewing today would say. I, who am not, simply say it's music that moves the body. Alex could do everything at the time, but what did he do afterward?
Nothing, he just founded a seminal group (with Chris Bell who died very young) like the Big Star recording three albums that still shine today. As a solo artist then… Try asking R.E.M., Yo La Tengo, Weezer, Robyn Hitchcock, Teenage Fanclub, Kinks (yes, even them), Replacements, Wilco just to name a few, who the hell is Alex Chilton. Above all, wonder who bought his records… very few, damn few.
I don't like sad stories, so no solo Alex, no Big Star, just Box Tops (name inspired by Four Tops?).
I got to know the Box Tops (and many others) because of a friend who would visit me when I lived in Turin bringing me CDs that might appeal to me. When I strolled alone in the austere city looking at the mountains and crossing its vast squares, I listened to music and everything changed. The buildings became colorful and immensely perfumed of power pop, people seemed to smile, bondì tota neh, I started to like it. It certainly wasn't a good time for me, but this best of comforted and kept me company.
The story of the Box Tops is only made of singles, the records were collections of songs, so a best of is recommended (this or others), you don't miss anything compared to the LPs.
I wonder if someone knows I Corvi in Datemi un biglietto d’aereo, from the Italian beat era of 1968. Well, know that it’s a remake of The Letter, Box Tops. Joe Cocker will treat this masterpiece better. Less than two minutes for an irresistible world hit that makes you tap your foot, with Alex's sixteen-year-old (white) voice crafted to sound black and hoarse. Indeed, his voice won't be like that anymore in the future.
Neon Rainbow another little gem that seems to come out of Abbey Road. Then it changes, horns start coming in, mellifluous keyboards, female choirs, skipping guitars… the sound in Cry like a baby, She shot a hole in my soul, Choo Choo train is soul and R’n B and makes you want to dance in Piazza Castello (!).
A special mention for Soul Deep, picked up years later by Gary U.S. Bonds on On the line, with a certain Bruce Springsteen in charge…
Covers at the time were almost a must, let's say that here they didn’t turn out great, I shall be released could have been spared, but still, it's alright.
To answer the initial question, everyone who feels lonely in a big city should listen to Alex. For me… (until next time:-)
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