R.I.P Arthur Lee
Just a few words about one of rock'n'roll's greatest. I saw Arthur Lee and his new version of Love a couple of years ago at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne and it was a truly spiritual and revelatory event.
To hear 'Forever Changes' in its entirety (but for one Brian Maclean track, I think) was akin to the Brian Wilson 'Pet Sounds' live experience - that good. Seeing and hearing Arthur up close was like being in the presence of history: you just had that sense of being in the presence of someone special.
Getting older often means getting cynical; part of the reason you don't see many old-timers at gigs. If you've seen plenty of shows in your youth, shows begin to blur into a mess of noise, sweat and beer. Truly great shows become few and far between. Arthur Lee and Love was a truly great show.
After getting his shit together in the last few years, it was upsetting to hear about Arthur Lee's illness. I kept hoping he would tour Australia again at some point. As it is, I only saw him once. I just remember after the gig being in an absolute daze, unable to quite believe what I had heard, that anyone could sing so sweet, that music could be so intoxicating.
My girlfriend and I were ready to pack up and join an Arthur Lee led cult - as long as we got a weekly performance, we would become willing slaves.
There will never be another Arthur Lee.
To hear 'Forever Changes' in its entirety (but for one Brian Maclean track, I think) was akin to the Brian Wilson 'Pet Sounds' live experience - that good. Seeing and hearing Arthur up close was like being in the presence of history: you just had that sense of being in the presence of someone special.
Getting older often means getting cynical; part of the reason you don't see many old-timers at gigs. If you've seen plenty of shows in your youth, shows begin to blur into a mess of noise, sweat and beer. Truly great shows become few and far between. Arthur Lee and Love was a truly great show.
After getting his shit together in the last few years, it was upsetting to hear about Arthur Lee's illness. I kept hoping he would tour Australia again at some point. As it is, I only saw him once. I just remember after the gig being in an absolute daze, unable to quite believe what I had heard, that anyone could sing so sweet, that music could be so intoxicating.
My girlfriend and I were ready to pack up and join an Arthur Lee led cult - as long as we got a weekly performance, we would become willing slaves.
There will never be another Arthur Lee.
posted by Engel at 5:22 PM
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