Here’s something trivial to distract from the woeful world of Whitehall and Westminster.
Podicle’s post about 3 words identifying every location in the world focused an idea that’s been circulating in my head about band/artist identity: Is it possible to identify/create a shorthand for any musician(s) using three words?
It’s inevitably going to be a low res assessment or thumbnail sketch of what could be decades of musical creativity, but as an exercise in making me think about the music I love, I find it intriguing, Can I find three pithy descriptors that at least identify key elements? Can it help me to understand what I like in the sounds I resonate to?
I invite you to take this as lightly or as deeply as you choose. A scurry across the keyboard or a heartfelt haiku. As a suggestion, maybe one word for each of music, lyrics and character. but as you can see from my first attempts, that doesn’t always apply.
- Beatles: Love.drugs.yeah
- Stones: Sex.drugs.lips
- Led Zep: Sex.elves.drums
- Joy Division: Despair.entrapment,bass
- Gorillaz: Cartoon.collaboration,rhythm
An intrigung idea. But far more difficult than I thought.
I’ll try!
Canadian Hallelujah Lady-killer
Thanks, KFD. You saved the thread after hours of tumbleweed.
Would your triplet refer to laughing Len?
I think I’d choose
Gravel.Greece.Lorca
Len would have loved your Grecian Gravel!!
Howzabout
Stacia. Silver. Lemmy.
My first thought was kd lang!
Now k.d.lang fronting Hawkwind would be different!
It’s not unlike one of the games on Osman’s house of games, where three contestants have sum up say a film with one word each and the other has to guess it.
Trying to think of one is difficult even on a long drive back from Durham..
The problem with the Hawkwind one is it mentions two names which rather gives the game away.
Let me have a think I’ll get back later.
In the meantime try this
Bucket; monk; women
Well, Cohen was a Buddhist monk, and he wrote for and about women. Did he practise singing into a bucket?
First and last are from quotes.
Women have been
Exceptionally kind…
Bucket because he said he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.
headband, guitar, chicks
Dire Straits?
You are quite right Hubert. The rules should not allow the naming of a band member, A nickname might just be acceptable. e.g. The Ox.
Bucket; monk; women! Tricky!
How about….. Tallyman. Porgy. King.
No it’s not Tricky
Harry Belafonte.
Nice work Hubert..
Howzabout
Scrotum. Moon. Greenhouse.
Ah the divine Mr Standstill as he referred to himself.
I do like the idea of making it a game, but it’s also interesting generally to see what different people think the three core elements of a band/artist are – the distillation, the essence – the triangulation of what makes them them, (and not some other Van Morrison backing band).
We are getting the best of both worlds, Sal. The game aspect keeps us coming back for more.
I liked the way you had another stab at Laughing Len. There are no “right” answers for any artist.
Jams.tiedye.acid
Erm … I think I might know that one.
No surprise there, but what three words would YOU choose (if you had to)?
Erm …
Help>Slip>Franklin ?
Jerry. Bob. Phil ?
Kesey, Owsley, McNally as a googly.
Nasal.feedback,cars
Check (shirt)
drum machine,baritone.gloomy
Dollar
Sisters of Mercy.
Yes, but Dollar was the band Eldritch wanted to be in (see More for evidence).
Knives. Organ. Carpet
Emerson Lake & Palmer
Is there any truth in the rumour that Cozy Powell got the gig in the reformed ELP because he was the only drummer available whose surname had the correct letter?
Dockers.Gypsies.Insurance Salespeople
That is a good one. Just because I watched a video of theirs yesterday, I am going to guess: Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
That.It.Be
Liver, Triad, House
Crosby but not Bing.
Anarchofolkies. Leeds. Inebriated.
That’d be Chumbawumba.
Scotland? Come on up. We’d love to see you.
The Skidz. Pimply,Scottish,glorious. Did I meet this brief?
Harmonica Arsecrack Avalon
Does Bryan Ferry play the harmonica?
Kaftan. Keflaki. Cuddly.
Hmmm … looks like this thread is going to run Forever and Ever.
When David Duke tried rebranding?
Slik
Romantic. River. Reverend.
Al
INVENTOR, OF, EVERYTHING
It’s that bloke innit.
Mellow.Gurdy.Wind
Another devious afterword favourite artist.
Strong, going, still.
Gerry Rafferty
Correctamundo, well done
‘Ello.’ello.’ello
Summers.Sumner,Drummer?
Beret.Vincent.Marmite
kitchen.sink.dramas