Downtown Live

---

Rock ‘n’ Roll 101

KXCI’s Kidd Squidd takes his musical knowledge into the classroom

by Jamie Manser

For the last two decades, Kidd Squidd has spun a capricious cornucopia of killer tunes on KXCI 91.3 FM during his appropriately named show “Kidd Squidd’s Mystery Jukebox.”

Every Saturday, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Kidd has hosted many a party via radio waves. On a recent trip to the station, the phone lines were lit up with people calling to laud his musical cuts.

For the volunteer DJ, that’s what it is about – connecting with humanity through music. With the cross-section of selections, his choices please a wide variety of music fans. A recent show saw the Kidd spinning Blondie, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Bob Dylan, Stereolab, Peggy Lee, Dwight Yoakam, Morrissey, The Ramones, Bid Star and much more.

Squidd gives a whole new meaning to the word eclectic and possess an encyclopedic knowledge of music, making a perfect combination for someone who aspires to make a living teaching people the history of rock and roll.

“This has been a dream of mine for many years and now I finally feel ready,” Squidd said. “A couple of months ago, I asked myself, ‘What am I waiting for?’”

This month marks Squidd’s twenty-second year at the community station and January will see the musicologist teaching the history of 20th Century American music at Tooley’s Café, 299 S. Park Ave.

“I felt like my show is an ongoing history of rock and roll. I’ve spent most of my 57 years as a serious lover of music and 20th Century pop culture,” Squidd explained.

“I’m starting (the course) around 1880. Something significant took place in New Orleans. In Congo Square, slaves and ex-slaves were able to beat on drums and dance. Musicians of that era – white and black – were influenced by those syncopated rhythms. Those rhythms were incorporated into music and the birth of jazz in the 20th Century.

“Besides music, it’s a study in American culture. American music is fascinating because of the diversity; America is such a melting pot and cross-pollination of styles. Basically, American music is the melodies and structures from Europe and the passion and rhythms are from Africa.”

Squidd considers himself musically liberated who truly loves the vast variety of music types. “The more a person opens their mind up to different styles of music, the more they will be sensitive to the human condition.”

The class will cover blues, jazz, western swing, rockabilly, funk, psychedelic, soul, doo-wop, and big band.

The five-week course takes place Tuesday nights, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., starting January 3. The cost is $100, which includes CDs and a diploma.

“There is homework. I will give students CDs and they have to take it home and listen to it,” Squidd said.

“Basically, students get to listen to cool tunes and be with kindred spirits and meet new friends.”

Call Kidd at 404-4096 or email him at squidd@theriver.com to sign up.

---

Black Sun Ensemble: Bolt of Apollo (Slow Burn Records)

by Jamie Manser

As the name would suggest, BSE’s Bolt of Apollo is an auditory allegory that takes you out of this world. Beyond the amalgam of styles, exotic instruments and their corresponding descriptors, the album is a timelessly sonic and spiritual experience.

Opening track, “The Shining One,” rhythmically captures the thrusting and gyrating hips of a belly dancer adorned in deep purple and gold; the licks of a fire’s flames are compelled to follow the song’s cadence. It’s a middle-eastern vibe resonating with the sounds of sitar guitar, bass, Belzuki, Tibetan chimes, guitars, tenor sax and more. The doozy of a tune clocks in at over nine minutes and loosely sets the musical parameters of the LP.

The other nine tracks encapsulate prog rock, psychedelic, jazz, experimental, jam band and testosterone baking in the Sonoran Desert.

BSE’s core band members – leader/guitarist Jesus Acedo (Jesus Angel del Paz), multi-instrumentalist/engineer Eric Johnson, and tenor saxophonist Brian Maloney share in songwriting credit and prove to be a dynamic trio.

Music is the language they speak, and they speak it fluently and eloquently. Accenting and highlighting the compositions include Ernie Mendoza on drums, Rich Hopkins on guitar, plus a myriad of other local luminaries.

It’s an absolute gem and must-have for times of cosmic contemplation – and otherwise.

The CD release is in conjunction with the band’s 20th anniversary and the corresponding party will take place at Plush (340 E. 6th St.) on December 15. The three clam cover almost seems like winning the lottery.

For more dirt on BSE, check out www.BlackSunEnsemble.com.

---

BACK