1973

It is crazy how a bunch of unrelated references and observations can come together. This all started when I purchased a DVD about the making of "Dark Side of the Moon", it contained a mix of old and new footage of band members and Alan Parsons (engineer). Interviews and time at the mixing board. David replayed some solos and Roger demonstrated how some of the effects and sounds from the record were created all those years ago. No computers or other 21st century effects, in fact some of the sequences were not created until the album was being mixed. Layer by layer, genius and luck working together to create a masterpiece. I love it when I learn new reasons to love music I already love. Hmmm? Alan Parsons even explained how the mix was a performance itself.

Often he and the band had to work the board together and use a stopwatch to make the necessary edits. The amount of work was staggering. I was also surprised to learn that some of the vocals were improvised. Most notably Clare Torry ripping it up on the "The Great Gig in the Sky". It can still give me goose bumps even after all these years. No lyrics, just her voice taking you on a journey. We all know what she is singing about even without the words. Few albums match this classic in sonic beauty and conveyed emotion.

So after watching the DVD a few times I realize that I do not own a copy anymore. It's funny how some CDs you end up buying over and over. Anywho I decide to make a trip to Amoeba Records and pick up a used copy. Fast forward to the next morning. I get up and before I can get out the door I get sucked into a bad TV movie about the Osmonds. This made me remember a record that my sister Erin and I used to play all the time.

Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

The Plan - Osmonds

My sister was into the Osmonds while I was a more of a Partridge fan. Still we did share our records and I still know the words to all the songs on "The Plan". What I didn't know was the back story. According to VH1 (oh it must be true) this record was an attempt by the boys to break out of the bubblegum mold and become rockers (with that Mormon edge).

Brothers Merrill and Wayne Osmond were being influenced by the music and atmosphere of the times. Vietnam and social chaos made the headlines almost everyday. This record, like "Dark Side", was also released in 1973.

For those of you unfamiliar with this record, which I assume is everyone except for me and my sister Erin, check it out. The Osmonds tried to make a big bold concept album. Guitars and sound effects, backward vocals and trippy cover and sleeve art made this album a real experience. Remember there was no MTV yet. The album opened like a book exposing all the lyrics and more artwork depicting arms in the sky and man in front of what looks like a radar screen (Cold War image).

Thankfully Amoeba also had a copy of "The Plan" (I swear they have every record, ever) so I have been re-treated to this childhood classic. After a fresh listen I was struck by the similarities of "The Plan" and "Dark Side of the Moon".

The recording on this album is flawless. The guitars and other instruments are crisp and the vocals use echo and delay to give them a sonic depth. Wait this is headphone music? You can actually hear the Osmonds trying, I mean really trying to find a voice. The material gets thin at times but underneath it I could feel the teenage struggle to define their own music on their terms. The themes of a cold world and the questions of human kind are the same as Pink Floyd's. "The Plan" obviously did not move the Osmonds into the true rock pantheon but I give them credit for trying and taking a risk. It bombed but sometimes there is art in the attempt, or in the crater.

Failed attempts brings us to the final piece of my 1973 puzzle. The same VH1 movie that re-kindled my Osmond interest also got me to think about another old record. One of the actor's in the Osmond bio-rock-pic also played Brian Wilson (a Beach Boy) in another bio-rock-pic, "An American Family" I believe. Well in 1973 the Beach Boys also released a concept album of sorts. This obscure record contains the work they did in Amsterdam Holland under the influence of God knows what.

Holland - The Beach Boys

It is almost two records in one. Side one contains a series of songs and narration about (surprise) California. Nature and the folly of man are the key themes here. As a whole it fails, but nestled inside are some of the best Beach Boy vocals ever. Side two is some story of Brian's that makes no sense. They also wanted more than bubble gum hits and while they had dabbled with a concept albums before, this effort was a full on field trip. They were going to make it quadraphonic too, so all the recording equipment had to be shipped to Holland. Brian Wilson is at times a total genius. The parts of this record that are great are amazing. The sonic quality here calls to mind, you guessed it, " Dark Side of the Moon".

Recording albums was an art form back then. Few bands even try today. Maybe that's why this week I am listening to good and bad albums from that magic year. Pink Floyd created a complete and timeless classic but I also appreciate the effort and heart of the Osmonds and the spirit of music as art displayed by the Beach Boys. I t was also fun to re-live some of the less worrisome days of my youth. The Osmonds can still make me smile and I can still sing along. Knowing more about them and what they were trying to do makes the record new again too.

Finally if you want to try a new take on the Pink Floyd classic I suggest "Dub Side of the Moon". The reggae artists on this CD perform the songs in their original order and length. It even synchs up with "The Wizard of Oz"! They did a few Floyd inspired jams at the end so you do get a almost 80 minutes of reaggae-licious fun. It sounds like a bad idea (like the recent Kiss & Orchestra debacle) but trust me it works. Thanks for listening and remember to look deeper.

Peace,
Sean

Dub Side of the Moon