Go-Go has gone back to being virtually 100% underground (meaning its HUGE
but the only recordings available are PA tapes from local shows) The
tapes can be bought from guys in vans, temporary stalls by the subway,
etc....a rare recording of a show back in the 80s can fetch $100
easily.....within the last month there was an article on the Go-Go tape
business/culture in our City Paper....I'll look for it.
The shows still happen....but violence has made venues reluctant to host
the bands. There was once a time when Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers
played weekly to packed audiences....and nearly gained full acceptance
from the Buppies (Black Yuppies) Don't know where that all stands now.
In any case the listees here should know that Chuck Brown is actualy an
older fellow who makes a point of slipping in Jazz Classics over top of
these 2+ hours percussion jams. He is a truly fine guitarist from the
way, way back old school.....and even did a collaboration of classics
with a female vocalist not much more than a year ago.
Other go-go scene players have moved on to some straight jazz outfits (in
particular the members of E.U. (yes, Da'Butt) who backed up Grace Jones
on "Slave to the Rhythm"....
For the ethnomusicalogists on the list, you really ought to get a look at
one of DCs junkyard bands.....You'll turn a corner and find 1-3 fellows
on trash cans, shopping carts, paint buckets, milk crates, etc. playing
like f*ckin demons! When you bump into a good one you'll lose your mind!!
k
"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that go-go swing"
Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers