No Condition Is Permanent

Pictured: Mick Ronson.

When rock does rear up on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, it almost feels like a cameo appearance, [Mick] Ronson strutting out to take a turn in the spotlight, unfurling a solo or some flourishes at the song’s end. A genius arranger, Ronson fits like a glove with Bowie because they’re both Apollonian in sensibility, all about clarity and control. From his much-praised guitar tone – poised perfectly between clean and distorted – to his contoured riffs, Ronson’s playing has a sculptural quality. A sense of stylised distance is also evident in the way the guitarist moved onstage: striding between legs-splayed poses that act out ‘guitar hero’, a Kabuki-like abstraction of rock-performance codes. Despite his discomfort with having to wear the theatrical costumes, Ronson instinctively grasped what Bowie’s vision required.

— Simon Reynolds, Shock and Awe: Glam Rock and its Legacy.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 296 OF NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT:

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 296 OF NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT BY CLICKING ON THE THREE DOTS /\

Here’s what we played in Ep. 296 of No Condition Is Permanent:

THE FIRST SET

Spinners — “Mighty Love” — Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia

Pagadeja Custom Band — “Okpe See” — Afro-Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves (Ghana & Togo 1972-78)

The Pyramids — “Pressure” — Lost Legends of Surf Guitar Vol. 1: Big Noise From Waimea!

The Upsetters — “A Live Injection” — The Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection Vol. 1

Tommy Neal — “Going To A Happening” — Mod Life Crisis: 60’s Mod Anthems For The In Crowd

Rosnah & The Siglap Five — “Gembira Ria” — Steam Kodok: 26 A-Go-Go Ultrarities from the 60’s Singapore & Southeast Asia Underground

Doctor Mix and The Remix — “I Can’t Control Myself (Version)” — Rough Trade 45rpm

IT’S MADISON TIME…

The Nite-Liters — “Itchy Brother” — Funky Crimes

THE SECOND SET

The Blue Birds — “Hussani Lal Qalander” — Pakistan: Folk and Pop Instrumentals 1966-1976

The Koobas — “Royston Rose” — Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers

Seaboy & Nyame Bekyere — “Tinitini” — Essiebons Special 1973 – 1984: Ghana Music Power House

Velveteens — “Ching Bam Bah” — Fort Worth Teen Scene Vol. 3

Knowledge — “Camouflage” — Straight Outta Trenchtown 1975-1980

Bobby Byrd — “Hot Pants . . . I’m Coming, Coming, I’m Coming” — James Brown’s Funky People (Part 2)

Ibo Combo — “Ti Garçon” — Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds 1960-1978

Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm — “Twistin’ the Strings” — Ike’s Instrumentals

Los Crazy Kings — “Crazy Kings” — Greasy Rock ‘N’ Roll Vol. 12

THE THIRD SET

Novak’s Kapelle — “Hypodermic Needle” — Warfaring Strangers: Acid Nightmares

Los Wembler’s De Iquitos — “Mi Negrita” — La Danza Del Petrolero

Albert King — “I Get Evil” — Mod: The Early Years Vol. 2

Black Santiago — “Paulina” — African Scream Contest 2: Benin 1963​-​1980

Funkadelic — “Loose Booty (45 Version)” — America Eats Its Young

Poder Del Alma — “Terciopelo” — Poder Del Alma

Mick Ronson — “Only After Dark” — Slaughter On 10th Avenue

The Sons Of Light — “Land Of Love” — A Place Called Africa: Songs Of The Lost Tribe

THE FINAL SET

Andre Williams — “You Got It & I Want It” — Rib Tips & Pig Snoots: Rare & Unreleased Au-Go-Go Soul, 1965-1971

Franco et OK Jazz — “Azda” — Congo 70: Rumba Rock

Television — “Beauty Trip” — Television

Fruko Y Sus Tesos — “El Brujo Y La Bruja” — Tesura

Skip Ellis — “You’re Bad” — Last Of The Garage Punk Unknowns Vols. 3 & 4

Junior Ross & The Spears — “Bow Down Babylon (Dub)” — Stars 45rpm

LORD BUCKLEY’S WEEKLY BENEDICTION…

The Ronettes — “Baby I Love You” — Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica