Something happened the first time I heard Big Star. It’s hard to say exactly what it was, but I felt a connection to them, both musically as well as in how they went about their career. So much passion, so much vision, and a tragic lack of recogntion. Over the years the recognition came and I was glad for them, like they were an old friend. Big Star is one of those bands that I have come back to time and time again and always found something new in their work. Just a few weeks ago I bought Keep and Eye on the Sky and was back again.
And then last night I heard that Alex Chilton had died. It hit me hard. I was motivated to do something, anything to mark the moment, so I decided to go into the studio and start recording. I didn’t know what I’d record, but soon I found myself fiddling with “Thirteen,” a song I’ve always loved because of it’s sparkling melody, but also because of it’s innocence and how it captures the emotions of youth. It makes me feel the way I felt when I asked a girl out for the first time. It’s an amazing song.
So over the next hour or so I recorded my own version as a tribute to Alex and the rest of the band. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone.
Here’s a link to a video: http://www.youtube.com/user/SadIronMusic1
Here’s a link to a free download: http://sadironmusic.bandcamp.com/track/thirteen
