Helping Bobby Sutliff of the Windbreakers

Well, Black Friday has rolled around once more. The day after Thanksgiving is a day I try to stay away from shops. But here's one thing I finally did today.

I'm a pretty good procrastinator, and people who know me pretty well would concur. But I finally made a small contribution to a good cause. I made a  donation to help Bobby Sutliff, an extraordinarily great musician/songwriter, who was once in the Windbreakers with great musician/songwriter Tim Lee.

Here's what happened. From the ChipIn site created on his behalf:

 

Helping Bobby Sutliff

 

On Friday, June 15, our friend Bobby Sutliff was involved in a serious single-vehicle accident near his home in Powell, Ohio. He sustained several serious injuries, and as of the 29th was still in the SICU at the Ohio State University hospital. Due to the severity of his wounds, Bobby faces a very long uphill climb to recovery. Fortunately, he has good health insurance through his employer, but faces many months of recuperation, and thus will likely require some very real help with his living expenses and other expenditures.Whether you know Bobby personally or through his music, we request that you donate what you can to help a beloved musician and friend in his time of need.Also, please share this page with your friends. Bobby needs all the assistance he can get. Thank you.

 

I spoke about this before, but didn't do anything about it myself until this morning. While their are innumerable causes people could donate to (certainly victims of Hurricane Sandy), and there are many people who do not have any disposable income at all that they could spare, I think this is a worthy one.

 

If you are a fan of the Windbreakers, or have heard some of Bobby's terrific solo albums, I'm sure even a small donation would be greatly appreciated.

 

Here is a link where you can go to help, if you are so inclined.

 

http://www.chipin.com/contribute/id/112434bb6becde08

 

 

If you are in the Atlanta area, be advised that the Rain Parade have reunited to perform a benefit concert to help Bobby. Additionally, the Tim Lee 3 will also be on the bill. January 19th at the Earl.

Sounds like a fantastic show, where you can also contribute to a good cause.

 

Believe me, I'm as big a slug as the next guy, but for some reason I felt an obligation to at least help a little. It just took me a little longer to do. But I feel a lot better now that I've followed through.

The Windbreakers Time Machine Compilation

The Windbreakers were a great rock band from Jackson, Mississippi. I first heard about them through a good grade received in Robert Christgau's music column in the Village Voice. So at some point I made a trip down to Midnight Records on West 23rd Street, and got some of their vinyl. Good jangly pop music--I probably knew them before I became acquainted with REM. And despite their lack of commercial success, I consider them to be one of most important groups of the new Southern Pop Music, best known by the aforementioned group from Athens, Ga. But other groups like Pylon, Let's Active, dB's, and the Windbreakers also made some great music, music that probably grew from a trickle from the legacy of Big Star to Mitch Easter's garage, to fully fledged musical scenes.

It's strange that I just picked up a copy of the Windbreakers Bobby Sutliff's first solo album, Only Ghosts Remain. A very enjoyable pop album with a nice Byrdsified cover of Small Town Romance by beret-wielding guitar savant Richard Thompson. Then I heard the terrible news while thinking about doing a Windbreakers post.

Bobby Sutliff was in a major car accident last month, suffering serious injuries. Although he has health insurance for medical expenses, they expect that it will be a long road to recovery, with extensive rehabilitation. His co-partner in the Windbreakers, Tim Lee, has established a chip in fund, for anyone who is a friend, acquaintance, fellow musician, or simply someone who appreciates the great music made. If you want to help, this is an easy way to make a difference. I don't personally know the band, but I have a great appreciation for the Windbreakers, as a band and as to their solo material. And as I tap the keyboard, a benefit tribute album is being planned. I know word is out across the Internet, but for a good cause like this repetition is a good thing.



I strongly endorse The Windbreakers compilation Time Machine, which cover their output from 1982-2002, including new two songs recorded for this release. The Cd was released on the Paisley Pop label in Portland, Oregon. My only quibble is that it is only one disc.




Listen to these tunes and I think you'll get an idea of the quality of the music these guy made, and if you have the means despite these tough financial times, I'm sure even a small amount to help a worthy musician would be appreciated. If you aren't familiar with the band but like the new southern pop sound of the 80's, Time Machine will leave you impressed.