Johnny Thunders - From the Beginning to the End - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Czech composer Erwin Schulhoff absorbed the influence of jazz with genuinely distinctive results. The Funf Pittoresken reflect both Dada and Scott Joplin while more classicist influences, such as Ravel, suffuse the Second Piano Sonata. Esquisses de Jazz is perhaps his most outstanding Jazz-influenced piece - a perfect synthesis of dance rhythms, wit, and irony.

In 1979, Johnny Thunders, legendary Heartbreakers & New York Dolls guitarist, teamed up with Wayne Kramer, also legendary guitarist of Detroit's seminal MC5, to form 'Gang War', an alliance that lasted the best part of a year. Although Gang War released no records & at the time they got little attention, in retrospect the collaboration is looked on as a 'rock fantasy' supergroup. These live recordings bear testimony to this unique partnership between two renowned rock guitar icons.

Johnny Thunders introduced the last song on this live album by saying InchThanks a lot, kids, it's been boring as usual, Inch but he was just being modest. As anybody who ever saw the ex-New York Dolls guitarist in person knows, his shows could be many things-ragged, out of tune, confrontational, transcendent-but they were never boring. Here, backed by ex-MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, Thunders runs through a typical set, i.e., a mix of R&B oldies, reggae, old Dolls numbers, even a Dylan song. The only constants are his splendidly askew guitar work, endearingly slurred nasal vocals, and hilarious audience baiting. This music may not always be pretty, but it's rock & roll, and it's from the heart. Recorded live at The Channel, Boston, Massachusetts on June 20, 1980. Personnel Johnny Thunders (vocals, guitar); Wayne Kramer (vocals, guitar).