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Author Topic: Big Star  (Read 1477 times)

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Sondra

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Big Star
« on: May 24, 2006, 04:55:36 AM »
Does anyone know anything about them? I've heard of few of their songs and kinda like them. Especially Thirteen and The Ballad of El Goodo. Apparently they were hugely influenced by the Beatles. Are they worth me buying a cd? I looked them up and they're actually making a movie of them. Which is weird. Anyway, just wondering.

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Joost

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2006, 12:20:32 PM »
Pretty good band. Their first two albums are available on one CD, definately worth checking out.
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adamzero

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2006, 03:00:48 PM »
Quote from: Biscuit_Power
Pretty good band. Their first two albums are available on one CD, definately worth checking out.

I totally agree.  Great band, great songs.  Buy, buy, buy!
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Sondra

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2006, 05:26:31 PM »
Thanks! I'm going to get the first two albums and Chris Bell's solo album. It's funny, all of the articles I've read on them mention the Beatles and they compare Bell's solo stuff to Lennon's solo stuff. I didn't even start to get into them because of that either, it just started coming up. I don't see a resemblence yet myself.
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adamzero

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2006, 07:45:32 PM »
I'd start with the #1 Record and Radio City CD.  Chris Bell's solo record has some great songs like "I Am the Cosmos" but there's alot of unfinished filler/multiple takes, etc.  There's plenty of Chris Bell (and his excellent Beatles-inspired production) on #1 Record.  He and Chilton pretty much alternate singing lead on the songs.  Radio City is more Chilton's baby--creative primal mayhem approach (Bell had left by the time Radio City was producted).  

You can pick up the necessary Bell things off I-Tunes.  

"I never travel far/without a little Big Star . . ."
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Re: Big Star
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2006, 07:49:48 PM »
i know jeff buckley did a cover of there song 'kanga-roo' and thats pretty good, so yeah.
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Sondra

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2006, 08:28:57 PM »
Quote from: adamzero
I'd start with the #1 Record and Radio City CD.  Chris Bell's solo record has some great songs like "I Am the Cosmos" but there's alot of unfinished filler/multiple takes, etc.  There's plenty of Chris Bell (and his excellent Beatles-inspired production) on #1 Record.  He and Chilton pretty much alternate singing lead on the songs.  Radio City is more Chilton's baby--creative primal mayhem approach (Bell had left by the time Radio City was producted).  

You can pick up the necessary Bell things off I-Tunes.  

"I never travel far/without a little Big Star . . ."

Thanks! The review I read compared him to solo Lennon so I thought it might be interesting. But it's probably nothing like Lennon. It's mostly the self pity and depression lyrics they were comparing.
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andersonCouncill

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2006, 08:54:22 PM »
What type of rock are they?
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Re: Big Star
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2006, 11:53:42 PM »
Quote from: andersonCouncill
What type of rock are they?

In my opinion, I'd say in in a similar vein to Bad Finger.

I seem to recall hearing that they'd recentjy reformed and released a new album - produced by the semi-legendary Jon Brion no less!!
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adamzero

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2006, 01:11:00 AM »
Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens (drummer) from the original band have been playing with Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer of the Posies as the reformed Big Star.  They've put out a 1993 Live album and In Space (2005), but neither lives up to Big Star in its prime (nor does Alex Chilton's solo stuff).  

They are the godfathers of powerpop.  Badfinger is a good comparison, but there's a quirkier, darkness with Big Star (even if two guys from Badfinger committed suicide).  Todd Rundgren and The Nazz are also comparable.  But Big Star is the best for my money.  

Chilton was into Marc Bolan and still does "Jeepster" and some Kinks' covers.   Chris Bell was gay and tormented in the closet.  He was also a pretty serious addict.  Their stuff was recorded at Ardent Sound in Memphis (where Led Zep and The Replacements recorded).  

The movie is based on a book by Rob Jovanovic (think that's his name).  I'm wondering if the movie producers are shopping around for some money.  That's the last I heard.
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Sondra

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2006, 03:12:48 AM »
I can't believe I never really knew of this band. I didn't know it was their song that opened That 70's Show either. I don't like the Cheap Trick version as much as theirs though. Anyway, they definitely sound like they're worth checking out. It's sad what happened to Chris Bell. What a waste. I've been reading a lot about them online. It's funny how the Beatles keep getting mentioned. It's like I couldn't get away from them even if I tried. Not that I would want to. Just saying.
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adamzero

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2006, 09:34:39 PM »
Quote from: Maccalvr
I can't believe I never really knew of this band. I didn't know it was their song that opened That 70's Show either. I don't like the Cheap Trick version as much as theirs though. Anyway, they definitely sound like they're worth checking out. It's sad what happened to Chris Bell. What a waste. I've been reading a lot about them online. It's funny how the Beatles keep getting mentioned. It's like I couldn't get away from them even if I tried. Not that I would want to. Just saying.

That's Chris Bell singing "In the Street" on the original.  Chilton sings it live now.  Big Star's one of my favorite bands.  

Yeah, apparently Chris was getting back in the groove, had a band, was recording when he died in a single car accident.  

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Joost

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Re: Big Star
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2006, 06:34:02 PM »
I must say I prefer their ballad-ish stuff over their rock songs.
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Re: Big Star
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2006, 11:23:29 AM »
I think one of their albums was recorded at Stax recording studios!
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