The Big Sell-Out
Encyclopedia
The Big Sell-Out is the fourth and last CD by the experimental college rock/art-rock band Bongwater
. It was recorded in 1991 and released in 1992.
The album is widely considered to be a representation of the growing rift between Magnuson
and Kramer
. The cover boasts of containing the singles "Celebrity Compass", "Schmoozedance", and "Free Love Messes Up My Life". "Celebrity Compass" was originally introduced during a performance of "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erikson on an episode of the variety show Night Music
, which also featured Screamin' Jay Hawkins
.
Maintaining their tradition of neo-psychedelia, "Ye Olde Backlash" contains a melody somewhat reminiscent of "For Your Love
" by The Yardbirds
. The band's habit of name-dropping also continues as Magnuson mentions a casual meeting with Lenny Kravitz
in the song "What's Big in England Now?"
The title track ends with a sound file of the self-promotional audio tape by "J&H Productions", the talent agency of an unknown man living in Cincinnati, Ohio
sent to the entertainment industry, claiming to represent "star after star after star". "Holding Hands" is actually a gruesome tale of young lovers trying to escape Nazi-occupation of some undetermined Eastern European country. The album ends with a cover of the Fred Neil song "Everybody's Talkin'
" where Ann narrates, assisting one of her relatives in suicide preventions.
Bongwater (band)
Bongwater was a psych rock band formed in 1985 and dissolved in 1992. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer , who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III...
. It was recorded in 1991 and released in 1992.
The album is widely considered to be a representation of the growing rift between Magnuson
Ann Magnuson
Ann Magnuson is an American actress, performance artist, and nightclub performer who first gained prominence in the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan...
and Kramer
Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer , known professionally as Kramer, is a musician, composer, record producer and founder of the New York City record label Shimmy-Disc...
. The cover boasts of containing the singles "Celebrity Compass", "Schmoozedance", and "Free Love Messes Up My Life". "Celebrity Compass" was originally introduced during a performance of "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erikson on an episode of the variety show Night Music
Night music
Night music can refer to:* A nocturne, usually a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.* Night music , a stylistic evocation of the night found in the music of the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók....
, which also featured Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Jalacy Hawkins , best known as Screamin' Jay Hawkins was an American musician, singer, and actor...
.
Maintaining their tradition of neo-psychedelia, "Ye Olde Backlash" contains a melody somewhat reminiscent of "For Your Love
For Your Love
-Album reissues:The Yardbirds' 2001 compilation album Ultimate! contains eight of the eleven tracks from the original album. For Your Love has been reissued by several record labels, including JVC, Castle, and Repertoire...
" by The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
. The band's habit of name-dropping also continues as Magnuson mentions a casual meeting with Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
in the song "What's Big in England Now?"
The title track ends with a sound file of the self-promotional audio tape by "J&H Productions", the talent agency of an unknown man living in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
sent to the entertainment industry, claiming to represent "star after star after star". "Holding Hands" is actually a gruesome tale of young lovers trying to escape Nazi-occupation of some undetermined Eastern European country. The album ends with a cover of the Fred Neil song "Everybody's Talkin'
Everybody's Talkin'
"Everybody's Talkin" is a folk rock song released by Fred Neil in 1966 that became a global success for Harry Nilsson in 1969, reaching #2 and #6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and Pop Singles chart respectively and winning a Grammy after it was featured on the soundtrack for the film...
" where Ann narrates, assisting one of her relatives in suicide preventions.
Track listing
- Ye Olde Backlash - 2:41
- The Real Thing - 3:09
- Free Love Messes Up My Life - 2:17
- You're Like Me Now - 4:31
- I Wanna Talk About It Now - 3:42
- What's Big in England Now? - 1:44
- Schmoozedance - 3:53
- Celebrity Compass - 3:26
- When Johnnie Dies - 3:49
- The Big Sell-Out - 3:49
- Over the Credit Line - 3:09
- Flop Sweats - 4:08
- Holding Hands - 1:40
- Flute of Shame - 1:54
- On the Cusp of 1970 - 2:57
- Her Litigious Nature - 2:57
- Love Song - 3:50
- Everybody's TalkingEverybody's Talkin'"Everybody's Talkin" is a folk rock song released by Fred Neil in 1966 that became a global success for Harry Nilsson in 1969, reaching #2 and #6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and Pop Singles chart respectively and winning a Grammy after it was featured on the soundtrack for the film...
- 3:16
External links
- [ The Big Sell-Out (All-Music Guide.com)]