In Conclusion
Where do you
stop?
Tommy Boyce grew
up in Massapequa. Is he part of The Long Island Sound?
Goldmine's editor,
Jeff Tamarkin, has a favorite in The Epic Splendor
("A Little Rain Must Fall," Hot Bisquit 1450, 1967). This record was produced
by John Boylan, who went on to produce Linda Ronstadt and more recently "The
Simpsons Sing The Blues".
Does The Long
Island Sound include Roosevelt's Public Enemy.
Does it include The Touch (winner of recent competitons as "Long Island's Most Popular Band")?
Does it include Primo? (This rock/jazz/fusion/funk/latin band is comprised of Long Beach residents who only play when they're off the road. Guitarist Dean Brown, a veteran of Billy Cobham's band, just returned from a tour of Hungary with Kirk Whalum. Drummer Lionel Cardu has played with Little Buster, Kirk Whalum and recently, Special EFX. Bassist Schuyler Deale toured with The Village People and was a member of Kenny Dino's band. Occasionally, he takes over the bass slot in Billy Joel's Band. Primo is one hot ensemble. Remember, you read it here first!)
The Hassles--yes, definitely a part of The Long Island Sound, but why not Attila or August or El Primo or Topper or The Billy Joel Band. Why not?
And that may
be the gist of the whole thing. All these performers live on Long Island and
contribute to its disparate flavors and sounds.
The Long Island Sound is an elusive handle. There is a myriad of complexities that dog the issue. Perhaps a more cogent argument could be offered by claiming, "It is and it isn't." Long Island is just another melting pot of fleeing immigrants, albeit with a healthy dose of rock'n'roll in their blood. This is what music on Long Island is really about. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize. Yet it often finds its way onto the radio playlist. For a moment in musical history there existed the term--The Long Island Sound. This ambiguous tag had no more definition than that body of water that also laps the banks of Connecticut and Rhode Island. There has always been a lot of music here; a lot of great music.
And in fact there is a Long Island Sound.
But it can be heard.
You can hear it.
First, however, you must filter away much debris.
Clear away the automotive din and the fast-food clatter.
Penetrate suburban walls.
Remove the playlists. You will find talent in movement and the next wave of style developing - raw creativity on every block. From the garage,
...to the living room piano,
this is The Long Island Sound.
This is the sound one hears.
