Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Amaze: Awesome John



purchase [ Nazar Degdi]

Taking some liberalities with the theme, I replace Awesome with Amazing. (Hey... J. David said as much: relatively slim pickins for the current theme.)

However, the theme does leave us open to post songs that have some aspect - by the blogger's definition - of amazing to them, and this fits the bill by my definition.

I have previously taken the liberty to flog Turkish musicians which few of you are likely to have encountered.

So, here's another.

Nigh on 20 years ago, a celebrity to Turks (but essentially unknown outside) made the decision to return from a life in the U.S. to ostensible fame in his home country. Initially, he was feted at home: his own TV show, DJ gigs and some stage time playing guitar. But it never really panned out to the big time. Yeah, his son has since made some millage from the father's name - but more on his own credits (aside from the inherited name & fame)

The man's name: Asim Can Gunduz.

Few of you are likely know him. Fewer still are aware that he played Jimi Hendrix in <Jimi and Janis Together> on Broadway, as well as playing various NY bands, including Concrete Sky and Katawba, playing the Bottom Line and as an opening act for Deep Purple, Leslie West, Billy Cobham and more.

You might be amazed that Turkey produced someone as amazingly talented as Asim Can - 20 plus years ago.


Now, Internet ASCII character representation makes it hard to display the Turkish undotted i, and pronunciation guides don't help a lot, but this musician's moniker "Awsome John" helps sort it out. The undotted Turkish i in his name makes the two words (Asim and Awesome) sound very similar. It's up to you to decide if he is in fact awesome.

One of the most accessible YouTube videos for the man (died 2016 age about 60) is an original called Boku Yedik, clearly translated as "We ate S*#t", or "we've been had".



Asim Can's son continues his father's musical tradition - granted, in his own style.
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