http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/02/26/entertainment/doc4b8720370bc4c729448547.txt
February 26, 2010
By David Malachowski
ARTIST: The Fugs
ALBUM: "Be Free! Final CD (part 2)" (Fugs Records)
Formed in Manhattan in 1964 by Ed Sanders and Tuli Kupferberg, the
Fugs were forerunners of the Velvet Underground, Mothers of
Invention, and for all purposes invented the concept of an
underground band, coming up in the Beat scene where politics and
culture collided. The band broke up in 1970, but fortunately have
reunited as of late for shows as well as recordings. The latter day
Fugs include founders Sanders and Kupferberg, Steve Taylor (vocals,
guitar, bodhran and keyboards) Scott Pettito (bass, cello mandolin,
co-producer) and Coby Batty (drums, piano).
The first course of their alleged last supper is the raw, yet
righteous "Be Free," a celebratory romp where they rally their
brothers and sisters singing "We're all Fugs now." Ever wonder what
would happen if you played "Onward Christian Solders" backwards?
Well, it might be something like "Backwards Jewish Solders," with its
dark cabaret sound. A love song to a tree, "My Darling Magnolia Tree"
could have come off a Randy Newman record, its bluesy feel falling
into a circular Beatles-esque outro.
"This Is A Hit Song" isn't, but who cares? The Fugs have nothing to
lose, and let loose a litany of rants and complaints, the gentlest of
which is "Why don't you play it you DJ jerk?/then I won't ever have
to work." Things get romantic with "Loose Peach Gown," while "The CIA
Made Me Sing Off-Key" is simply brilliant.
The barely controlled chaos all comes together in glorious fashion
with vibrant imagery of "Greenwich Village of My Dreams," which has
so many quotable lines, it would be a disservice to one to feature
another. Therefore, you'll just have to go get it yourself, and
wallow in the words of these master poets.
If you go back to first track "Be Free" (as you will playing this
repeatedly) you'll find the most revealing line; "What's left? Rock &
roll music/the song of the poet goes on and on."
You can say that again.
An inspired work from one of the most of important bands of their
generation (or any), the Fugs do not disappoint. Thankfully, some
things never change.
Visit www.thefugs.com.
--
David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist
living in Woodstock.
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