5a) In Which More Cowbell is Needed...

4a1) SNL - More Cowbell

4a2a) ...and in which Will Farrell gives one of his great unhinged performances, Jimmy Fallon cracks up halfway through, Horatio Sanz gives his "I'm just lucky to be here" performance, and Cristopher Walken tries to keep the whole thing going.

4a2b) Which is all to say the skit itself is not that good. The concept is hilarious, especially to classic rock fans (see next item), but what saves it is that no one can really hold it together once things really get going. SNL often operates more on charm than actual comedic chops, and this is a prime example. One that never gets old. 

4a2c) And like a true music geek, I have to point out that Bruce Dickinson's (he, the lead singer of Iron Maiden, and fencer of Olympic medalists), first production credit was in 1984, nearly ten years after Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was released. Arguably putting them in the influence seat, not the other way around. But then, you knew that. And so did whomever wrote the script. 

4a) Daily Zen

4a1)  Lee Hazlewood and Suzi Jane Hokum "Sand" The Very Special World Of Lee Hazlewood (1966)

4a2) One of the better subtle sex songs. While the metaphors may not be subtle, the intertwining vocals, the backing vocal sighs, and the rhythmic strumming produce a hypnotic simulation within the style of the time. Just another example of Lee Hazlewood's unique genius. 

This version is better than the Hazlewood/Sinatra version, recorded later. The slower tempo of Hokum's version, and her far more seductive vocals round off the Spector-ish wall of sound pop of the Sinatra version. While I love a good sitar, it feels added on, and does little to make up for the sex-stoned atmosphere of the Hokum version. 

4a) Daily Zen

 

4a1) "Raging Rumble" 

Composed By – Julien, Raphael Aletti 

Composed By [Picture of Spring] – Jack Arel, Pierre Dutour 

Remix – Count De Money 

4a2) "To start this series off, Galerie, the super left-field label from France, present a collection of remixes of the legendary Jack Arel Chappell sessions, recorded in Paris in the 60s.

["Raging Rumble"] contains elements from Picture of Spring."

Discogs 

4a3) Most of the Chappell library collection is worth listening to. But it never hurts to have a set of DJs comb through and remix the breaks into new compositions. This is one of the early examples from the first volume of a ten volume set called Nuggets, released by Universal. Any library or beats fan would be remiss in opting out. You can view the whole series at the Universal website.

 

4b1) "Crazy Flute and Happy Guitar" 

David Perian Orchestra 

Happy Music and Crazy Music, 

Luke Vibert's Further Nuggets (2002) (Listed under Roger Davy)

4b2) A nice example of the near unhinged exuberance the Chappell crew could get up to. 

4a) Reprise

 

  4a1) Can "Vitamin C" Ege Bamyasi (1972)

 

4a2) 24-Carat Black "24-Carat Black (Theme)" Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth (1973) 

4a3) In a bit of a who made who mystery, this is a stunning coincidence. It is unlikely that Can made it to Dale Warren's turntable as he was putting together Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth. Was anyone outside of Europe listening to Ege Bamyasi in 1973? Even in the 70's, I would assume there was a crew of global heads that had knowledge, access, and the wherewithal to grab up the oddities coming out of Germany, and Europe at large. 

I don't know that anyone would know the "true" story. But the similarities between the two songs are enough that it would be an odd coincidence if both groups stumbled across a similar rhythm, and then built a song out of it. That is, unless there was something in the ether of a more nascent form.

4a4) DJ Food's loop of 24-Carat Black pointed me to the similarities when I mistook it for a Can sample. 

4aWTF?) Just in case someone needs a copyright defense.

4a) Daily Zen

4a) Christophe "Sunny Road to Salina" Road to Salina (1970)