Just went and saw an amazing film about Scott Walker, 30 Century Man. It’s playing here in Ireland and I think just played in UK but I’m not sure when it’ll make it to the states. We were out walking our first day here and I noticed it was playing at the local arthouse kino. I rousted a bunch of us to go watch it and we caught the matinee.
Thanks to my good friend and old roommate in San Francisco, Hilda, I had heard lots of Scott’s music, and while it had never quite jibed with me I was intrigued by his voice and his outsider approach to song. He did have a song on the Life Aquatic soundtrack, ’30 Century Man,’ an early tune that is great but not really representative of the avante garde direction he took through the 70s and 80s (a direction he’s still going in today, apparently).
One of the most interesting parts of his story is that at one time during the mid-60s, this California pop singer moved to Britain with the Walker Brothers (none of them Walkers and none of them brothers) and became almost as big as the Beatles. They had these incredibly lush arrangements and really drippy melodies. Then Walker started writing his own songs. The band broke up, and he released a string of albums that were also well-received. Then suddenly people stopped buying them. He disappeared — for almost 20 years.
But he had an underground following among the early punk movement, Julian Cope and Johnny Marr and so on (Bowie is also a big fan). He got a new record contract and continued releasing strange but interesting albums like Tilt and, more recently, The Drift.
His multi-layered, nonlinear arrangements are already a challenge, but an even more acquired taste is his voice. It’s best described as a sort of vibrato croon, quite dramatic (some might say melodramatic) and deep. It’s not for everyone, and I doubt I could stand to listen all the way through to his more recent albums. But his story is really interesting, and his refusal to compromise through all those years of obscurity (after being huger than huge in the 60s) is really inspiring. Catch this movie if it opens near you…
All right, it’s off to do my afternoon run in suddenly sunny Cork. And Happy Engagement Day, Tina!
Happy Engagement Day (yesterday)! 🙂 I didn’t see the moon….
Btw, “I’m a Rich Bitch” is playing on MTV right now. It’s not censored (I forgot I’m in Europe and was surprised by it for a second).
Hey, David. The film sounds interesting–I’ve been a fan of Walker for quite a while–his newer stuff is quite wonderful, in that it’s practically unlistenable.
I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your travels. Don’t become too Euro over there…
(whatever that means)
In my typical gloomy fashion, I used to be obsessed with his song “My Death.” So dark and great and romantic and goth, but not in any typical 20-21st century way.
Nick, too late. He stepped over to the dark side. 🙂
Sarah, hi! How’s summer treating you?
David,
Yes. Europe, etc.
More importantly, do you have any info on what is wrong with Placido Polanco’s head? I mean, before I commit myself to make fun of someone’s deformity, I usually like to make sure it’s just good old fashioned ugliness and not some horrible disease. I’ve often noticed his bulging noggin, but have never know the cause. I’d be grateful for any info you have. It’s really been bothering Melissa and I.
Later,
Andrew
sarah and nick — i knew you’d be into scott walker already. step to the goth side… the film IS interesting, you should both see it. lots of good interviews and walker actually participates, so it’s not one of those recluse things that becomes self-parody (although it still feels that way at times).
andrew — i don’t know and i don’t care as long as he keeps hitting.
tina, we seriously need the rich bitch album. no joking.