Brilliant piece on Anderson's legacy. The parallel between Von Freeman encouraging him and Anderson nurturing Vandermark really captures how scenes sustain themselves through mentorship rather than just venues. I've noticed that kind of generational handoff matters way more than press or funding when it comes to keeping experimental music alive. The Birdhouse failure almost seems necessary inretrospect for the Velvet to succeed.
A tremendous essay, and an important, valuable remembrance. So many good things about it. Those of us who grew up in Chicago could never forget Fred. His sound is as characteristic of the City as anyone’s in any genre. Hopefully your writing will encourage more listeners to discover and rediscover Fred’s music.
This post made me wish I had been living in Chicago in the 80s/90s. I have a lot of the music referenced, but to have heard it live, WOW. I have added quite a few albums to my Bandcamp wishlist. When my wife sees the next cc bill there will be a loud noise emanating from central OK. Music is the Best.
I went to the Velvet Lounge once; I was in Chicago to interview the metal band Disturbed, and made a pilgrimage to the bar after my journalistic duties had been discharged. Met Fred, and Chad Taylor (who was hanging out), and bought a T-shirt and a Missing Link CD.
I love Anderson's records, though he was definitely a guy who did one thing very well - you can hear the same few phrases recur over and over again in his catalog. But he knew how to find a space for himself in the music (and in the world; the good he did by operating the Velvet for decades is frankly immeasurable).
Brilliant piece on Anderson's legacy. The parallel between Von Freeman encouraging him and Anderson nurturing Vandermark really captures how scenes sustain themselves through mentorship rather than just venues. I've noticed that kind of generational handoff matters way more than press or funding when it comes to keeping experimental music alive. The Birdhouse failure almost seems necessary inretrospect for the Velvet to succeed.
A tremendous essay, and an important, valuable remembrance. So many good things about it. Those of us who grew up in Chicago could never forget Fred. His sound is as characteristic of the City as anyone’s in any genre. Hopefully your writing will encourage more listeners to discover and rediscover Fred’s music.
Thank you for this.
Yes, I second that.
This post made me wish I had been living in Chicago in the 80s/90s. I have a lot of the music referenced, but to have heard it live, WOW. I have added quite a few albums to my Bandcamp wishlist. When my wife sees the next cc bill there will be a loud noise emanating from central OK. Music is the Best.
🤘😎🤘
This is fantastic. Anderson is iconic, great to read all this.
Nice piece
I went to the Velvet Lounge once; I was in Chicago to interview the metal band Disturbed, and made a pilgrimage to the bar after my journalistic duties had been discharged. Met Fred, and Chad Taylor (who was hanging out), and bought a T-shirt and a Missing Link CD.
I love Anderson's records, though he was definitely a guy who did one thing very well - you can hear the same few phrases recur over and over again in his catalog. But he knew how to find a space for himself in the music (and in the world; the good he did by operating the Velvet for decades is frankly immeasurable).