Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Bo Diddley, Rock, and Being a Lunatic

Updated (June 9, 2010)

The song's title is "Bo Diddley Is Crazy" - see the comments.
"Bo Diddley is a Lunatic"

racingeagle94, YouTube (April 27, 2008)
video, 4:56

"Can't believe this song wasn't uploaded before
"Keith Richards helps out with the guitars

"edit: now I see that part of this song with a real music video is uploaded but this is the full straight from greatest hits CD version"

I'm listening to maybe my third replay of this song, as I'm writing this. It's fun, and it's one of those songs I can identify with.

Folks born in America after maybe 1975 or so might think that Bo Diddley's mother had some sort of problem. These days, the 'generation gap' between parents and children is which rock artists they like - or how loudly music should be played. (In my case, it's the kids - and my wife - who asked - told - me to turn down the volume.)

Bo Diddley was born is 1928. ("Bo Diddley Biography," Biography.com) Up through somewhere in the sixties, a fair percentage of Americans were convinced that rock and roll was anti-social, wicked, Satanic, or whatever they called things they didn't like.

I think an under-discussed aspect of rock's reputation among the 'proper sort' is the ethnic connection - but that's another topic.

Bo Diddley / Ellas Bates / Ellas McDaniel is quite a performer - and as I said, I like this song.

I haven't been able to find the "greatest hits CD version" that has this song on it. If you know the CD's title and label, I'd appreciate your sharing your knowledge in a comment. Thanks in advance.

Finally: enjoy!
A tip of the hat to legbamel, on Twitter, for the heads-up on this video.

3 comments:

David Blakey said...

Hi Brian,

The correct title of this song is "Bo Diddley Is Crazy". It's the opening track on Bo Diddley's 1996 album "A Man Amongst Men", currently available to download from iTunes etc.

It's a great song. Glad you like it!

Regards,

David Blakey, Webmaster,
BO DIDDLEY-The Originator Officially Authorized Website
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index.html
A Celebration of his unique contribution to Popular Music.

http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleyofficial
The Official Bo Diddley MySpace Page.

http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleylegacy
The Bo Diddley Legacy MySpace Page.

http://www.myspace.com/ladybomusic
Lady Bo MySpace Page - The First Lady of Guitar.

http://www.playlist.com/OriginatorRadio
Originator Radio.

http://delicious.com/bodiddleyonline
The Best of Bo Diddley Online.

Brian H. Gill said...

David Blakey,

Thanks! I read that the album was "underrated" - I'm inclined to agree.

I'm taking the liberty of making a few of your URLs into links:

David Blakey, Webmaster,
BO DIDDLEY-The Originator Officially Authorized Website
http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index.html
A Celebration of his unique contribution to Popular Music.

http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleyofficial
The Official Bo Diddley MySpace Page.

http://www.myspace.com/bodiddleylegacy
The Bo Diddley Legacy MySpace Page.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I have the album but I see you already got your answer. Bo Diddley deserves the attention and this song is so him that I love to share it. Thanks for the mention and do pick up some of the tracks off of "A Man Amongst Men"! There are some great tunes, like the bluesy Hey Baby that really underline the blues-rock connection.

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