Here's to You My Little Love: Paying Tribute to Michael Been

For two nights in April of last year, the stars aligned and magic was made as the members of The Call and Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club came together to pay tribute to Robert's father and The Call frontman, Michael Been, who had passed away back in 2010.  I remember being with my parents that night here in Texas and telling my father, who was fortunate to see The Call back in 1986 on their 'Reconciled' tour, that these shows were happening and how cool it would have been to be able to be there and experience it live.  Being a thousand miles and two time zones away, I had no idea the magnitude of those nights, but lucky for me I would be able to still be a part of bringing one of those nights to life for everyone to enjoy.  And little did I know that in just over a week another Been would be forever changing my life when Robert and his band came to Houston for that fateful night.

It was a night about three years in the making ever since Robert reconnected with his extended musical family, those guys in his dad's band that he grew up with, Tom Ferrier, Scott Musick and Jim Goodwin.  You see, The Call never disbanded due to some high amount of drama or falling out.  Michael was just simply ready to hang up his bass guitar, but the remaining members always had that fire burning in their hearts to play together again.  When Michael passed away in August 2010, the seed was planted, but to make it grow would take a couple more years.  Then, in the midst of Robert preparing to embark on his own tour with BRMC upon their latest album release, he was still able to give The Call fans something they had been hoping would happen for many years, a reunion.  This wouldn't just be any reunion, however, as Robert would take the helm as frontman for the evening, singing his father's lyrics and even playing that very popular bass that his father played for so many years.  The very same bass that was stolen years before, but thankfully some vigilant Call fan spotted it, saved it and returned it to its rightful owner.  Robert is no stranger to his father's music.  Black Rebel Motorcycle Club do a very remarkable cover of "Let the Day Begin" and Robert's version of "You Run" never ceases to bring a tear to my eye, but on these two nights he would have to deliver in a way that would not disappoint those long time Call fans.  

Robert Levon Been with original members of The Call.

Not too long after the shows, The Call and BRMC announced that they were launching a Pledge Campaign in an effort to bring the Troubador show from April 19th to those that couldn't be there and allow those that were there a chance to relive it for years to come.  So, I quickly pledged to receive my T-Shirt, DVD and digital download.  Months went by, the goal was met and then we started receiving our gifts.  First the shirt, then the download of the album, but there was no word of the DVD.  We then started receiving messages from The Call that it was a work in progress because they wanted it to be perfect.  And then, after months and months of waiting, we received our DVD of that beautiful and magical night.  I was so excited to finally receive this gem in the mail because this was going to possibly be the only way I'd ever get to see The Call perform live in my lifetime.  

Once I received my DVD, I let it sit for a couple of weeks, because if you've read any of my other pieces, you know it has to be the "right" moment for me to experience music.  I knew that this performance could be a little emotional for me, so I waited until I had that perfect bottle of wine to accompany me and then I just pushed play.  I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I had seen the teasers that were sent to those that pledged and I had seen videos from those nights on YouTube, but there can sort of be this idea that when a band that hasn't played together in years gets together, a band that has "aged," you might cringe at them getting up there and maybe taking a chance of embarrassing themselves.  That was not the case at all with these guys.  It was almost as if time stood still and picked up where they left off.  And Robert.  Well, Michael had a voice that probably no one could ever match, but Robert blew me away the way he brought his own touch to his father's music yet keeping it original at the same time.  These guys played together so tightly and sounded so perfect for only being able to rehearse for a short amount of time.  Robert looked like he was at home on stage with those guys just like he does with his own bandmates.  Robert even admits that the songs seemed easier when listening to them on the record, but he played them and sang his heart out as if he had written them himself.  I think my favorite moment was when they did "I Don't Wanna." It was so emotional and I truly felt like at that moment Michael was sitting up there watching this show with the biggest smile on his face.  There are some great surprises and bonus features as well, but you have to get your own copy to see.  I shed a few tears, but it was all in good love for two bands that I adore.

To say my life has changed ever since BRMC stepped into my heart would be an understatement, but The Call also played a huge part in my life growing up and I am thankful I was able to be a part of this Pledge Campaign to make this happen.  There are still plenty of copies left, they're even signed by the band members, so go and get yours and bring home this special piece of music history for you to experience for yourself.   And maybe if we're lucky and Robert's crazy enough, they'll embark on a mini tour for all of us to experience live.  Thank you to all that were involved.  You made this girl very happy.  Until next time, sweet friends.   

Sometimes the Light Shines at the Right Time

It’s funny how you can listen to a song or an album as a kid and not really think much of it. Listening to it just becomes a part of your daily routine because your parents are listening to it, but somehow that song or album gets buried into your heart and soul and stays with you for years to come, molding what becomes your musical tastes for today. I must have been about six years old when The Call’s Reconciled album hit the airwaves. We were living in Corpus Christi and my dad’s band was pretty much on the outs by that point and soon we’d be moving to Houston. I remember listening to that tape in the car just about every day on my way to and from school and everywhere else in between. When you’re a kid, you don’t really pay attention to the lyrics and I couldn’t really understand why my parents had grown to love this album so much. I mean, “I Still Believe” sounds a little silly to a six year old that would rather listen to Duran Duran with her sisters instead of whatever band her parents were into at that moment. Now, as an adult, I’ve learned to appreciate that album and it is one that I still reach for whenever I’m in need of an old, comforting friend. Michael Been’s faith inspired lyrics are a breath of fresh air especially in today’s state of popular music that drones the radio waves. The Call was truly an underrated band in every sense of the word. They were pegged by critics to be the U2 of the US but never quite got to that point; still, they acquired quite the following that has stood by their side even to this day. When Michael Been passed in 2010, a huge part of music died with him. That is, until now. 

And I shouldn’t even say “until now” because this particular band has been around for the last decade and are only getting better as they go along. That band is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with Been’s son, Robert, taking on duties as bass player and co-founder. I had seen the name Black Rebel Motorcycle Club floating around various websites over the years, but I’m ashamed to say that I never really gave them the time of day. I don’t know why, I can sometimes be a little bit of a music snob and I just figured they were some “new, rock alternative blah band” that wouldn’t do much for me. That all changed last summer when I was tooling around on YouTube looking for something new and exciting to catch my fancy.  I clicked on BRMC’s “Love Burns” video and I quickly fell in love. So I did what any modern person does when they want to know more about a certain subject; I Googled them. And I discovered that Robert was Michael’s son and that Michal had been acting as BRMC’s sound engineer, mentor, friend and honorary fourth member for many years up to his death. Well, now I have to love this band, right? But as much as I enjoyed their sound, I sort of put them on a shelf for a later date. Not much was going on with them at this point. They hadn’t announced too much of what would be their latest album, Specter at the Feast, during that time and I sometimes have a knack of getting into a band on the tail end of their existence so I didn’t want to start something with his band that I couldn’t finish. Plus, even in the world of music listening, timing is everything and at that time, BRMC just wasn’t meant to become a part of my life. 

And that’s the funny thing about timing. It can be a person or a thing or a song or an album that can come into your life and you don’t have any idea that it is going to be a life changer. And that’s exactly what happened when BRMC’s Specter at the Feast came into my life. I casually picked it up at Cactus Music on Record Store Day in anticipation of the concert the following weekend thinking to myself, “Hey, I better know some songs for this show.” I didn’t have any idea as to how much I was going to fall in love with that album and the band as a whole. After Michael Been’s passing in 2010, the band understandably took time to grieve and figure out the next step. During that time, they wrote what I believe to be some of their greatest pieces to date. There are so many great moments on that album starting with the ethereal, bass driven opener, “Firewalker” before tearing into a dynamic and inspirational cover of The Call’s “Let the Day Begin.” The listener gets invited into a journey of grief, frustration, hope, joy and sadness. I really felt a lot of Robert’s healing as he sang “Returning” and “Lullaby” with lyrics like “You are the hand I can’t reach, you are the words I can't speak.” The center of the album revolves around the classic, gritty guitar laden rock anthem songs that BRMC is more known for with “Hate the Taste”, “Rival” and “Teenage Disease” proving that Peter Hayes is still a solid songwriter and guitar player. Other great tracks on the album are “Some Kind of Ghost” and “Sometimes the Light.” Each song gives a feeling of connectedness, picking up where the other leaves off and the band does an excellent job at bringing the listener full circle by ending the album with the epic masterpiece of “Lose Yourself.” 

I have to say, there is one song in particular that on most listens, doesn’t leave me with a dry eye and that’s “Returning.” I don’t know what it is about that song, but between Leah's beautifully rhythmic pulse of her drums, Robert’s poetic words and the intertwining layers of Robert and Peter’s melodic guitar and bass, I really feel like I’m there with them, experiencing whatever pain or sadness they experienced during these last few years. Personally for me, the message in that song is about returning from such a sad event and learning to start over and move on and having faith that it will all work out in the end. And sometimes we just need to be reminded of that. I really get a sense that Michael was with them throughout this whole process of creating this beautiful album, even if it was in a spiritual, emotional way. 

Music is an amazing thing. It can touch people in many different ways. It can lift you up, it can make you sad, it can make you laugh, it can make you cry and it can help heal your heart. When people are able to make music like that it’s a special gift and not everyone that creates music is given that gift to touch someone the way certain bands or musicians do. Michael Been and his music that he created with The Call started a legacy that would be carried on by his son and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. There’s no doubt that I’m certainly in a different place in my life now than I was a year ago when I first gave this band a listen and that is why now I feel like they have become part of my soul. I needed them now and I needed this album to come into my life now. I don’t know why and I certainly wasn’t planning on falling in love with them the way I have, but to say that I have become “obsessed” with this band is an understatement. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is something special and their loyal fans know it. Seeing them perform live in April, experiencing first hand their passion and love of music and appreciation for their devoted fans only solidifies that place in my heart that only a few have ever been able to reach. It is a place that I expect Robert, Peter and Leah will hold for many years to come. Perhaps one day our paths will cross and I’ll be able to thank them for sharing their heart and soul with the world. Until then, I hope they continue to spread their love and share their light.

Photo taken by Summer Davis at Warehouse Live in Houston, TX on 4/28/2013.