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Friday Full-Length: Buddy Miles, Them Changes

Posted in Bootleg Theater on May 29th, 2015 by JJ Koczan

Buddy Miles, Them Changes (1970)

He’s probably best known as the drummer for Jimi Hendrix’s short-lived-but-unspeakably-righteous Band of Gypsys, but Buddy Miles was a side-man for years prior to that, for Wilson Pickett among others, and even at the time of Hendrix’s death, he had already begun to establish himself as a bandleader, if one who led from behind a kit. Listening to 1970’s Them Changes, with its hard-hitting rhythmic drive, classic soul vocals from Miles (“Them Changes”), forays into Beatlesian lovelorn acoustic balladry (“I Still Love You Anyway”), and James Brown-style horn flourish (“Memphis Train”), bass-led, guitar-fuzzed funk (the Neil Young and Crazy Horse cover “Down by the River”) and excursions into psych-rock jamming (“Paul B. Allen, Omaha, Nebraska”), one gets a picture of just how fluidly Miles was able to cross genre lines. As much as he’s at the center of it, vocally in the swing of his drums and with his name and picture out front, there’s a full-band feel throughout — Band of Gypsys bassist Billy Cox plays on the title cut — and Miles readily invites everyone to get in on the party.

And what a party it is. Them Changes is just 33 minutes long, and it follows two solo records from Miles — 1968’s Expressway to Your Skull and 1969’s Electric Church — but it has a clarity of intent that even in its quiet stretches like “I Still Love You Anyway,” which is as classic a second-track ballad as I’ve heard on any heavy ’70s rock offering — Cactus‘ “My Lady from South of Detroit” comes to mind as a comparison point, Miles having previously worked with Cactus guitarist Jim McCarty in The Buddy Miles Express, an earlier solo incarnation (hence “Expressway“) — is hell-bent for a good time. With closer “Your Feeling is Mine” rounding out its brief stretch, the final statement Them Changes makes is lighthearted in its intent and almost pushing back to a nostalgic kind of sweetness, Miles‘ voice recalling Pickett as much as it seems to be presaging Stevie Wonder‘s glory days later in the decade.

Miles died in 2008 at the age of 60, but his legacy in blues, funk, soul and of course rock continues to thrive. As always, I hope you enjoy.

Didn’t think of it when I picked the album — I promise, I didn’t — but Them Changes is pretty apropos to my having started work this week, of which I don’t mind saying even just four days kicked my ass. Memorial Day, which was this past Monday here in the States, feels like a lifetime ago. Today was my shortest commute to the office and it was an hour door to door. Mostly it’s been in the 75-80 minute range. Each way. In I-95 traffic with the other sad-looking 30-somethings wearing button downs in lines as straight as our descent into middle-aged mediocrity. It has not been a simple adjustment — and it is by no means one I’ve finished making, if the late nights writing reviews for this site are anything to go by; much, I think to The Patient Mrs.‘ chagrin, though as usual she’s been wonderful even if her silence is glaringly loud — but so it goes. I’ve had to leave the little dog Dio at home thus far. That might be the most heartbreaking of all. Even when I worked in an office, she always came with me.

I’ve also had to wear headphones. There are three people in this office currently, and I’m one of them. It’s strange not just blaring music at will. I need to get a pair of non-buds though because I think I’ve given myself an ear infection. I’m happy to have a job after so long unemployed, and the people I work with seem like down to earth, reasonable, non-dramatic types, and that alone is a boon. Everything else will sort itself out, I’m just not there yet.

The magazine I’m working for, if you’re wondering, is a trade journal covering the commercial gases industry — basically everything but oil, natural gas, gasoline. I’ve read more about hydrogen and helium in the last four days than in the entirety of my 33 years prior. I think even the people who work in the industry would tell you it’s not thrilling stuff, but apparently it’s how the world works. For what it’s worth, I’m fueled by coffee and compulsion. That’s how I get by.

Next week, track stream from Bison Machine (whose album was already out digitally but is getting the vinyl/official release treatment), video premiere from Kings Destroy (old friends will also be announcing tour dates either in conjunction with the premiere or close enough to for me to fake it), and reviews of Old IndianDemon Head and Weedeater. Ambitious, right? I also work full-time. Eat it, existence. I’d rather obliterate myself writing than be conscious anyway.

To that end, I’ve worked here four days, and yesterday and today both, I’m the last one in the office. So it will go, I think, at least for a while. They gave me keys, so I guess they’re not looking to can my ass in the immediate. Mark that a win.

Thanks to everyone who checked in this week and especially everyone who downloaded the podcast. We’ll pass 100 downloads today, which is four days it’s been up. I think that’s the fastest we’ve ever hit that mark. Much appreciated.

Off to Connecticut for the weekend, so an hour-plus home, then two hours south, so yeah, I’ve put in some road time this week. Past 210,000 miles in the Volvo of Doom. I expect to hit 211k much quicker than I went from 209 to 210. So it goes.

Have a great and safe weekend. Please. Do that. Also enjoy the Buddy Miles and check out the forum and radio stream.

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