Tuesday 4 January 2011

R.I.P. Mick Karn.


Sigh. I can't believe I'm typing this right now, but here goes. Mick Karn, prolific bassist for seminal Romantic band Japan, Peter Murphy's musical partner in side-project Dali's Car, and accomplished solo musician in his own right, has passed away Tuesday evening from advanced cancer.


There was always such an avant-garde approach to his craft -- his riffs could be recognized from a mile away, they were so distinctive; forceful yet delicate, intricate things. It really saddens me that he's passed on. From the brilliant debut Japan record Adolescent Sex of 1977, to 1981's Tin Drum (on which he played all the wind instruments, as well), to 1993's Bestial Cluster, to his work with Bauhaus' Peter Murphy as one third of Dali's Car (seriously: check out their 1984 album Waking Hour -- it's pretty freaking awesome), and his collaborations with the great Japanese artist Yoshihiro Hanno, Karn was all over the map, never satisfied with sticking to one genre or other.


He was a greatly talented muso, a renaissance man in his own right, and he will be fantastically missed. Rest in peace, Mr Karn -- and thank you so very much for all the great musical memories. Amen.


Here are a few of my favourite Japan tracks to share on this sad day.


japan
"adolescent sex"
adolescent sex


japan
"art of parties" live at the old grey whistle test '82
tin drum




japan
"life in tokyo"





And here's Karn with Peter Murphy in Dali's Car's "His Box" recorded live at the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1984.

No comments: