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July 26, 2006
Retrohump Day - Lee Hazlewood
A depression era dustbowl refugee and Korean war vet., no one can say that country oddball Lee Hazlewood wasn't a genuine cowboy or toughguy. But what makes Lee's compositions endure to the hipster set when so many conventional Nashville types barely inspire the energy needed to yawn, is that he seems to be one of the only country producers equally influenced by the psychedelic Spaghetti Western soundtracks of Ennio Morricone as he is by some sort of rugged Western ideal.
Even if his music wasn't very interesting (which it is), his behind the scenes legacy would be ensured. He mentored Phil Spector on the subject of echo heavy taping techniques, and released the legend's first production work. He gave alt country patron saint Gram Parsons his first big break with a contract for his International Submarine Band. He produced songs for Dean Martin (including writing credits on Dean's hit "Houston"), and even manned the decks for Frank Sinatra on his father-daughter duet "Somethin' Stupid." Lee is probably best known now for his continued work with said Sinatra daughter Nancy, pulling her from nepotistic glamour project to full blown pop star with his production of "These Boots are Made for Walkin' ." Lee cashed in some well earned chips to record an influential record of duets, Lee and Nancy, that has been an obvious reference point for Nick Cave, Bobby Gillespie, Isobell Campbell, and numerous others. As the following video taken from a prime time 1969 TV special shows, it also allowed him to sincerely rock a serious mustache.
Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra - "Some Velvet Morning"
The best known, and flat out best, song from the Lee and Nancy team up is also hands down one of the weirdest hits of the sixties. This one did not make it through the regressive filter needed to become a oldies radio fixture, and in turn had to be embraced by obscurist weirdos the world over. It's popped up recently in cool places like the soundtrack to Lynne Ramsey's Movern Callar, as well as Ladytron's Softcore Jukebox compilation. It even inspired a truly unfortunate electro cover by Primal Scream featuring Kate Moss. This video has an odd, Planet of the Apes feel to it, but a quick look at an annoying Johnny and June cover from the same special gives you a clue to how much more compelling Lee was following his own muse than catering to country and western purism.
Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Lizell - "Leather and Lace"
After his commercial success, Lee used his clout to just start chilling out in Sweden, recording the appropriately titled Cowboy in Sweden. This may or may not have been an elaborate scheme to get drunk all day and scheme on Swedish girls. Nice work if you can get it. This video comes from yet another lost to time TV special, and sees a clean shaven Lee looking almost exactly like movie producer/ sleazeball/ burnout Robert Evans. The clip falls victim to either a poor film transfer or a basic misunderstanding of cinematography.
Not yet Tubed is material from my favorite Hazlewood record, Requiem for an Almost Lady. So maybe the invisible masses could get on that one.
Tags: Lee Hazlewood, Nancy Sinatra, Phil Spector, Nancy Lizell, Ennio Morricone, Frank Sinatra
Posted by Jeff Klingman at July 26, 2006 10:56 AM
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