February 6th, 2010
[The Dukes of Stratosphear]
Time Machine Playlist for 02/06/10 after the cut…
December 5th, 2009
I regret to pass along the sad news that Jack Rose, Philadelphia’s finest guitarist and all around great guy, has passed away. He was 38.
Jack stayed with me for a few days back in September. He had recently signed with Thrill Jockey Records, and had released an album of traditional and original tunes with The Black Twig Pickers on VHF. He embarked on an extensive solo tour of the U.S., and found himself in Tallahassee after I’d spent a number of months shooting e-mails back and forth with his booking agent.
After an evening of record shopping and seafood, we stopped at a liquor store down the street from my apartment and picked up a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ales. At home, he opened the first beer and stepped outside to call his wife. After a while he came back inside, opened another, and sat wedged against a wall in my hallway. I grabbed a beer myself, and we started to talk about music. He decided to go downstairs to fetch a few records he’d purchased on tour. Most of them were obscure country and bluegrass LPs that he spoke very lovingly and enthusiastically of.
Somehow we started talking about Kraftwerk, and for an hour or so we just talked about krautrock, from Amon Düül to Popol Vuh. He brought in his copies of Coeur de Verre and Paradieswärts Düül, and we listened to significant parts of both.
Then he changed gears and pulled out a copy of Labradford’s Prazision. Though he had mixed feelings about Pelt’s relationship with the band, he was resolute in saying that Prazision was an outstanding accomplishment. He dropped the needle on the record and paid close attention, frequently expressing his awe.
As we talked, we continued to drink. I paced through two beers, while Jack finished off the case. Around 2am, we called it a night. I took the floor, gave him the bed. After class the next morning, I came home to Jack practicing guitar on the floor in my room. As he played, I sat still on the couch, enjoying and admiring his masterful technique.
Those were among the best days of 2009.
Rest well, Dr. Ragtime.
