LoVE: Signed D.C.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:35 am
"Signed D.C."
From: LoVE, side two, song four
-Running time: 2:44
-Recorded: January 26, 1966 Sunset Sound
-Written by: Arthur Lee
-Lead vocal and harmonica: Arthur Lee
-Lead guitar: Johnny Echols
-Rhythm guitar: Bryan MacLean
-Bass: Kenny Forssi
-Drums: Alban 'Snoopy' Pfisterer
-The "D.C." is Don Conka, orginal LoVE drummer who was unable to maintain membership in the group due to personal probems.
-Redone by Arthur for the "Out Here" album. That version was twice as long and more electrified than the debut album version.
-Quotable: Johnny relates his first encounter with Don Conka:
"I was one of those kids, who couldn't seem to get enough of school. So just before entering the eleventh grade, I attended summer school at Hollywood high. One Friday morning, I noticed a huge crowd of people heading for the parking lot, (obviously the wrong direction, school hadn't even started yet.) Being a rather curious young man, I joined them. My eyes soon found the object of all that attention! A short skinny dude, with a mop of black hair, in the back of a "Woody" that had been turned into a pickup truck. He'd just finished setting up his drums, and had started to play.
I stood there, and proceeded to have my mind blown. His Name was Donald Conka, he was not a finesse drummer, or someone who would sit back, and establish a groove. He was from the Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich school of drumming. The type of drummer, who would have his kit in front of the bandstand, not in the back. Conka enthralled the crowd for at least an hour, non-stop. One couldn't help notice the effect he was having on the girls in attendance. Either they stood watching [him] with adoring eyes, or they were dancing, either way they were all tuned in...too him. This skinny little dude with all the hair, was a star!
When he had finished playing, and while he was drying the sweat off with a towel, I walked over and introduced myself. I informed him that I was a guitar player, and that I was working down the street at the Sea Witch. His eyes lit up, "oh you're playing with Fleck?" Surprised I said yea! Then Don informed me that he had known John Fleckenstien since grade school. We'll be there tonight, I replied.... He said "cool I might fall by." That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship."
-IMHO: Arguably the best song on the first album. The sparse guitar and drums are the perfect compliment to the stark lyrics and Arthur's harmonica. The instrumental break in the middle is chilling.
-Fun fact: Arthur played the song to Johnny on a small Wurlitzer organ which Johnny then translated to guitar chords. Johnny sees some similarities to "House Of The Rising Sun"; I think that they are very disimilar songs, but you decide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUhze7Scug
Lyrics:
Sometimes I feel so lonely
My comedown I'm scared to face
I've pierced my skin again, Lord
No one cares
For me
My soul belongs to the dealer
He keeps my mind as well
I play the part of the leecher
No one cares
For me, cares for me
Look out Joe, I'm fallin'
I can't unfold my arms
I've got one foot in the graveyard
No one cares
For me, cares for me
Cares for me
Signed D. C.
From: LoVE, side two, song four
-Running time: 2:44
-Recorded: January 26, 1966 Sunset Sound
-Written by: Arthur Lee
-Lead vocal and harmonica: Arthur Lee
-Lead guitar: Johnny Echols
-Rhythm guitar: Bryan MacLean
-Bass: Kenny Forssi
-Drums: Alban 'Snoopy' Pfisterer
-The "D.C." is Don Conka, orginal LoVE drummer who was unable to maintain membership in the group due to personal probems.
-Redone by Arthur for the "Out Here" album. That version was twice as long and more electrified than the debut album version.
-Quotable: Johnny relates his first encounter with Don Conka:
"I was one of those kids, who couldn't seem to get enough of school. So just before entering the eleventh grade, I attended summer school at Hollywood high. One Friday morning, I noticed a huge crowd of people heading for the parking lot, (obviously the wrong direction, school hadn't even started yet.) Being a rather curious young man, I joined them. My eyes soon found the object of all that attention! A short skinny dude, with a mop of black hair, in the back of a "Woody" that had been turned into a pickup truck. He'd just finished setting up his drums, and had started to play.
I stood there, and proceeded to have my mind blown. His Name was Donald Conka, he was not a finesse drummer, or someone who would sit back, and establish a groove. He was from the Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich school of drumming. The type of drummer, who would have his kit in front of the bandstand, not in the back. Conka enthralled the crowd for at least an hour, non-stop. One couldn't help notice the effect he was having on the girls in attendance. Either they stood watching [him] with adoring eyes, or they were dancing, either way they were all tuned in...too him. This skinny little dude with all the hair, was a star!
When he had finished playing, and while he was drying the sweat off with a towel, I walked over and introduced myself. I informed him that I was a guitar player, and that I was working down the street at the Sea Witch. His eyes lit up, "oh you're playing with Fleck?" Surprised I said yea! Then Don informed me that he had known John Fleckenstien since grade school. We'll be there tonight, I replied.... He said "cool I might fall by." That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship."
-IMHO: Arguably the best song on the first album. The sparse guitar and drums are the perfect compliment to the stark lyrics and Arthur's harmonica. The instrumental break in the middle is chilling.
-Fun fact: Arthur played the song to Johnny on a small Wurlitzer organ which Johnny then translated to guitar chords. Johnny sees some similarities to "House Of The Rising Sun"; I think that they are very disimilar songs, but you decide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUhze7Scug
Lyrics:
Sometimes I feel so lonely
My comedown I'm scared to face
I've pierced my skin again, Lord
No one cares
For me
My soul belongs to the dealer
He keeps my mind as well
I play the part of the leecher
No one cares
For me, cares for me
Look out Joe, I'm fallin'
I can't unfold my arms
I've got one foot in the graveyard
No one cares
For me, cares for me
Cares for me
Signed D. C.