#433.999: The Aftermath (of the Top 15 on the 15th)

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GETTING MORE TALE #433.999: The Aftermath (of the Top 15 on the 15th)

That “1537” guy can get to be a bit much sometimes.  “Oh you have to listen to this!” or, “Be sure to read that!”  He’s so demanding of our collective time and attention.  The fact that he writes good shit (jatstorey.com) about music with great visuals to boot, well, that’s just window dressing isn’t it?

Back in September, over 20 writers put down our Top 15 of “all time” lists for posterity.  These lists were mostly albums with a few anomolies…like Mr. 1537’s.  No, he wouldn’t be content to sit with the sheep and do a plain ordinary list.  No, he had to stand out from the crowd (as usual) and do something a little different.

Mr. 1537 (just ’37 to his friends) did the Top 15 music books of all time for his list.  It was a quite excellent list featuring the likes of the Stones, the Beatles, the Crue, Hawkind, Chuck Klosterman, and more.  The one that jumped out at me was Mick Wall’s Sympton of the Universe.  Historically speaking, Black Sabbath are a fascinating band.  How many dozen members have Sabbath had over the decades?  The count varies, depending on criteria, but regardless it’s an extremely interesting history.  For a while it was impossible to find anything decent in print.  Mr. 1537 assures us, Mick Wall did right by Sabbath:

“This is a wonderful rollicking tale of the underdog having its day, being neutered by excessive drug use and some appalling choices, triumphing again and then falling prey to being used as pawns in a father/daughter struggle of mythic proportions.”

That right there is a perfect tagline for a rock book, isn’t it?

As mentioned, Mr. 1537 can get to be a bit much sometimes, always trying to convince us to spend more of our money on music (specifically vinyl).  Like we need encouragement?  Music fans have wishlists as long as the day.  We don’t need more added to them, do we?

In steps Mr. 1537 again.  Look what just arrived in the bloody mail.

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It’s Symptom of the Universe, by Mick Wall!  My very own brand new copy!  Now, I suppose he’ll expect me to read it.  See what I mean?  Just a bit too much sometimes!

All joking aside, I can’t wait to get my face into this book.  There is still a lot of Sabbath history that is foggy, and I’m eager to see what research Mick Wall has to clarify the mudification!  The 1980s in particular are a puzzling period, featuring band members from the Clash, Deep Purple (x2), Lita Ford, and just about everybody else.  Wall covers all of this.

Thank you, 1537.  I suppose I should send that parcel of Lego I’ve been sitting on for like 6 months?

The Complete Top 15 on the 15th:

J at Resurrection Songs – Top 15 on the 15th
Uncle Meat – Top 15 on the 15th
Iron Tom Sharpe – Top 15 on the 15th
James at the KMA – Top 15 on the 15th
Sarca at Caught me Gaming – My Top 15 Music Albums of All Time
Deke at Arena Rock – DeKEs All Time Top 15 (Kinda,Sorta)
Geoff at the 1001 – Top 15 Albums
Aaron at the KMA – Top 15 on the 15th
Danica at Living a Beautiful Life – My Top 15 Albums of All Time
1537 from 1537 – Top 15 Books About Music
We Left This World Today – 15 is not enough…
Andytallman from A Hole in the Head – Top 15 Albums of All Time
Pop Culture Forays – Top 15 Albums
Brian from Boppin’s Blog – Top 15 on the 15th
Ovidiu Boar at Tangled Up In Music – Top 15 on the 15th
80sMetalMan – My Top 15 Albums
Jimmy at kingcrimsonblog – Top 15 on the 15th
Another Bad Conversation – My Top 15 on the 15th
Nick from Nick Green’s Reviews – Top 15 on the 15th
Zack at The Audible Stew – #top15onthe15th
Quirky T at The Guitar Train – The Guitar Train’s Top 15 Albums
Ian at The 80s didn’t suck – Top 15 Albums (Plus 54 Others)

52 comments

  1. Way to go Mr. 1537! COMMUNITY! Right on. He has also recently sent me LPs, so I know of his generosity already.

    Also, this book would be a great read, for sure. Definitely looking forward to your review of it!

    Send The LEGO. Send The LEGO!!

    Liked by 4 people

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  2. He made me buy the Hawkwind book as well, he is evil and a shill to the corporations, he also made me listen to Fields of the Nephilim and other bands with guitars. he has an unholy ability to make you do things you want to do.

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  5. PS- you’re very welcome, they practically give copies of the book away here with every supermarket purchase.

    Where I think this book scores really highly is in the Dio years and the messy bits afterwards.

    I shall expect a full book report on my desk by 8am tomorrow.

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      1. Brent Jensen in No Sleep has a whole chapter on the Kerrang writers and how they were losey goosey And more fun than the Circus writers ….have to,agree with him! Kerrang was like a big frat house Metal Mag while Circus was like having Sunday dinner with your family!

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        1. I’ve probably mentioned this but I have a buddy, Dan Slessor, who writes for Kerrang. And he used to ask hilarious questions. He was the guy who asked David Coverdale and Joe Elliot the question, “Who would win in a fight? A white snake or a deaf leopard?” He also asked Tom Araya if they have ever passed the time on the tour bus by sticking pencils in his pubes.

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  11. I think that buried deep under Mr 1537’s curmudgeonly exterior of hard Lego shell, there’s actually a nice guy trying to get out! I also try to resist his persuasive charms too. He’s been trying to get me to buy a Poison album and something from a band called UFOMarmot for ages.

    I’m very keen to read what you think of this. I’ve read a couple of other Sabbath biogs and they’ve all been less than satisfactory!

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      1. Well that’s what I thought! If anyone was going to spot inaccuracies here it’d be you. I read the Wheels of Confusion one and it was total nonsense. And then I read one by Joel McIver. It was OK, but just not a very good read. So I’m reluctant to pick up another Sabs book now.

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        1. One of the interesting things about Sabbath history is the contradictory testimony from various members. For example the song Heaven & Hell…so many people have taken credit for writing that damned song. Some people recall it being around in the later Ozzy days…Dio says that’s bull and he and Tony came up with it together, alone, nobody else. Anyway that’s an example…I’m curious what Wall digs up.

          I have a few great Sab books and when I read this, I should rate them all.

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        1. The mid 90’s were definitely a low point, just before Ozzy came back. Basically everybody knew the band’s status was up in the air due to the desire for Ozzy to come back, and there was no spirit left.

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