First off, I should say that the true vinyl enthusiast in my family is my younger brother Nick. He’s got an absolutely massive collection which I discovered first hand this past weekend when I helped him move from Chinatown to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He also funded the vinyl that we have available for sale at shows – the guy loves vinyl. But that said, I’ve been known to spin a record and I remember the story of my first record very well. Here we go…
Growing up, every Saturday morning, my mom would dish out a set of chores to me and each of my brothers and sisters. On this particular Saturday, I got arguably the worst chore in the history of chores: cleaning the attic. My attic at the time was full of decade old toys, pots and pans from old apartments, toaster ovens etc. But among all that useless stuff was my mom’s record collection, which she kept in a white milk crate. I waded through most of her 80’s collection (my mom had about 100 Bee Gee’s records) and found a copy of Bob Marley’s Catch a Fire. To be perfectly honest, I was drawn to it because Mr. Marley looks so unbelievably badass on the cover. I mean, I knew who he was from the radio and stuff, but I definitely didn’t consider myself a fan or anything.
But I can remember digging out my parent’s record player and putting it on and being blown away immediately by the first song, “Concrete Jungle.” This, in my humble folk-rocker opinion, is Marley at his best. Those first lyrics: “No sun will shine, in my day today…” you know right away you’re in for it. It’s so dark and intense and emotional but plenty accessible all at once. Even as a kid I could figure that out. I’ve tried covering it but it’s just impossible to recreate the honesty that he brings to that song. I have no business even trying, you know.
You’ve got some other classics on that record: “Stir It Up,” “Kinky Reggae” among others. But Concrete Jungle is the one that sticks with me. And over the years my musical tastes have changed, I’ve moved away from Mr. Marley at times. But I always come back to that one. It’s just too good.
-Tim Noyes
Tim Noyes is the front man and creative spark of the band Aunt Martha. Formed just two short years ago, Tim and Aunt Martha have covered considerable ground – the band tours constantly; just played four shows at Bonnaroo 2011, and are gearing up to release their second LP in early 2012. Until then check out their Bloodshot EP and The Bedroom Sessions – which is a new free download each week for the next 6 weeksand posted on the Aunt Martha FB page.
