| Author | Message | ||
     Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3560 Registered: 05-2005 |
Joy Division - The Best Of Joy Division (two disc edition which includes the brilliant BBC sessions) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3562 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sigur Rós - Svefn-G-Englar EP. I just came across this while looking for something else. I'd completely forgotten I owned anything by them. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 663 Registered: 10-2008 |
new pornographers - together. the best alt-pop album ive heard this year, chock full of hooks rolling stones - exile on main street. the best reissue lp this year, or most years. phosphoresecent- heres to taking it easy. the best americana album ive heard this year, actress - splazsh. the best electronic/dance album ive heard this year. the hold steady - heaven is whenever. the worst hold steady album imo. still like this band though. padraig - what do you reckon to the teenage fanclub album now you've lived with it? i reckon ive played it a dozen times, and do like it for the songs, but whats happened to the vocals? they are pretty limp whoever sings them, and what happened to those glorious harmony vocals they built their reputation on as well? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3563 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin, I think Teenage Fanclub's recording budget is probably a fraction of what it was in the days of glorious harmonies, and I imagine they take a lot of expensive studio time to get right. Just a theory. I still like it a lot though, and the disparity between the first and second sides is not as wide as I first thought! I played disc 2 of Exile last night. Three of the 10 bonus tracks are great and could easily have fitted on the original album - Following The River, So Divine (Aladdin Story) and Loving Cup (alternate take). What do you think of the extra songs Kevin? | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 291 Registered: 05-2005 |
the vocals are pretty laid back on the Fannies album Kev, there are some nice backing vocals though including Euros Childs on Baby Lee. I played Man-made again this morning and the vocals dont sound alot different on that- still sounds fabulous and I think Shadows is great too | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 664 Registered: 10-2008 |
padraig, to be honest havent really bothered with the bonus disc. gave it a cursory listen but had been put off by reports that the vocals had all been added this year and werent recorded at the time. will give it a listen soon, most of the reviews seemed complimentary. james, listened to shadows on headphones last night and the vocals sounded better. and yes, baby lee was the one song that i thought had good backing vocals. its easily the most commercial song on the album which has a lot of reflective, laid back tunes. especially raymonds songs which really are growers and suit the mood of the album. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 292 Registered: 05-2005 |
just had a listen to most of the Exile bonus disc in the car, sounded pretty good and a darned sight better than any of the Stones albums released in the last 25 years | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2353 Registered: 03-2005 |
Last night: Paradise Motel--Flight Paths I wasn't expecting the cover of Ric Ocasek's "Drive." Really nice record. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 252 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy, decided not to mention or send you that track in case I put you off the band. :-) Re 'Left Over Life To Kill' which version arrived ( 6 track or 10 track )? Current listening to :- Parallel Lions - Holding Patterns Lee Memorial - The Lives of Lee Memorial Devastations - Coal | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 665 Registered: 10-2008 |
the exile outtakes seem front loaded to me. the first 3 and so divine are great, dont care for the rest. loving cup sounds like everybody is out of sync to my ears!! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1809 Registered: 09-2006 |
A Date With John Waters (comp) The Panic is On: Depression Era songs (comp) Professor Longhair - 'Fess: The Anthology U2 - The Unforgettable Fire - Deluxe Edition | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2354 Registered: 03-2005 |
Hugh, as you expected, it was the 10 song U.K. version. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 671 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Paradise Motel is pretty nice stuff. Will try to see them when they tour later on this year. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 293 Registered: 05-2005 |
You not liking 'Following the River' then Kev? I think it's great! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3567 Registered: 05-2005 |
The High Llamas - Nomads EP | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3568 Registered: 05-2005 |
DJ Shadow - Stem EP | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2356 Registered: 03-2005 |
Meanwhile, following on my Oz tourism post and originally inspired by Shane Greentree's excellent recent entries on the song of the day thread I'm listening to the Triffids' Born Sandy Devotional. Up to "Stolen Property" at the moment. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 671 Registered: 10-2008 |
ariel pinks haunted graffiti - before today. the 80s revival continues here. well it is on 4ad after all. the new beck apparently and it is good, although more lo fi than beck is now. juan atkins - 20 years of metroplex. think grandmaster flash or afrika bambaataa crossed with berlin techno - yes it is that good. both these albums and a dozen or so others being transferred to my mp3 player just now. will be listening to these in stockholm over the next 4 days, the trip is a 20th wedding anniversary gift for me and my wife. back in time for the world cup starting - phew!! | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 367 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hope you enjoy Stockholm, skulld, a really lovely city - 4 days isn't much, but if the weather's good a boat trip into the archipelago is worthwhile! Bit too early for a dip in the Baltic, though, I guess. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 255 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skully, it might be a bit more hi-fi than Beck is now but it is highly polished in comparison to some of his earlier work ( Haunted Graffiti 5; The Doldrums; Worn Copy: Scared Famous.) From what I have heard so far, I much prefer the earlier recordings. Enjoy your trip to Stockholm. You really should have taken a selection of Swedish music with you on the trip. I know someone who could have provided you with some. :-) | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 672 Registered: 10-2008 |
i'll make up some beck hugh, he's swedish isnt he? :-) | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 256 Registered: 03-2007 |
Here is me thinking he was American. :-) | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 673 Registered: 10-2008 |
im really liking this ariel pink album hugh. i had read that he had about 500 "bedroom" type recordings behind him - blimey!! there is a real 80s vibe to the music. track 4, bright lights, is a ringer for microdisney musically, and track 5 round and round has the vocal mannerisms of cathal coughlan in some passages. an influence? probably not! | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 306 Registered: 05-2005 |
The new Fannies. I liked their last one Man Made but this is definitely a step-up in terms of the overall song quality. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3575 Registered: 05-2005 |
Morrissey - Three CD box set of his singles and b-sides on EMI. It's stunning. I had never even heard about half the singles and I don't think I'd previously heard any of the b-sides. It only cost 8 pounds too. Bargain. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 674 Registered: 10-2008 |
mark, it seems the fannies have had a bit of a creative renaissance with this album. then again, with a 5 year gap and 3 songwriters i should bloody hope so!! i love it, but its obviously not as good as bandwagonesque or grand prix,that would be a tall order. i reckon i've played the ariel pink haunted graffiti album 4 times in 24 hours, its fantastic. everybody, critics and fans, will be talking about this at the end of the year, i can feel it in my water!! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 257 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skulldisco, I will definitely pick up a copy in due course as I do like him. Three of the four albums I mentioned above ( Haunted Graffiti 5/House Arrest; The Doledrums; Worn Copy ) were released by Paw Tracks ( home of the Animal Collective ) and they consist of home recordings. Compared to them, the new album is a lot more hi-fi and I am having a little trouble coming to terms with it as I like the old stuff so much. I have forwarded a couple of songs from 'Worn Copy' to your forum e-mail address. Currently listening to 'Beachcomber's Windowsill' by Stornoway. | ||
| Lewisdhead Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 61 Registered: 01-2007 |
Teenage Fanclub-Shadows. I see it's been mentioned a few times. I think it's a top class album that gets better and better. Also on track 8 "When I Still Have Thee" the Go-Betweens get name checked in verse 3. Cool. Pernice Brothers-Goodbye Killer.Ignore the power reviews in Uncut and Mojo. It's a gem. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2358 Registered: 03-2005 |
Disc one of The Moffs--The Collection. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2359 Registered: 03-2005 |
Paradise Motel--Left Over Life to Kill David McComb--Setting You Free EP | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 677 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm keeping my eyes peeled to see Paradise Motel when they tour. Nice stuff. A little Jill Birtish Triffidy. How's that surf psychedelia going Randy?? Makes we wanna break out the purple paisley shirt! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 258 Registered: 03-2007 |
Geoff, their new album ( Australian Ghost Story ) can be ordered from their website. Not sure if it is available in the shops. Randy, what do you make of 'Left Over Life To Kill'? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2360 Registered: 03-2005 |
Oh, it's gotta be a tie dye shirt Geoff, for that swirly effect. The surf psychedelia is perfect for an upcoming summer in Los Angeles. They must have been big Atlantics fans, which is exactly as it should be. The connection between surf and psychedelia is not exactly one most of us would expect but it seems just right for Oz. Hugh, I like it very much. In fact I might like it better than "Flight Paths." The only criticism I have--and it's not a major one--is that the songs would profit from being a little shorter on average. I haven't ordered Aussie Ghost Story yet but I will be doing so. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 676 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hugh, thanks for the 2 Aeriel Pink tracks. To be honest,having listened to them both a few times, I think they wouldnt sound too out of place on his new album, especially "the drummer". if these two songs are representative of his back catalogue i think too much is being made of a big leap forwards in recording quality from his early stuff to the new album. although i did like this quote from the review of the new album by allmusic.com "While this is the first of his albums to sound like it was recorded in a proper studio, there’s still a film coating his music; Pink's surroundings are just polished enough to make Before Today's lush harmonies and synths sound like they’re on a cassette that’s been dubbed over only a few times and left in a glove box for a couple of years instead of a couple of decades." and how great is the record label for some of his early releases? - non emi. thats a classic!! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 677 Registered: 10-2008 |
robert wyatt - his greatest misses. just listen to this man sing, he really is a soul singer!! he proves that you may be a technically proficient singer, hit all the right notes, but if you dont have feeling you are basically pissing in the wind. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 261 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skulldisco, you really should check that Inbox more often. :-) I have only listened to the tracks from the new album on the computer but I have to say they do, in my opinion, seem a little more polished than his previous recordings. Perhaps it will not be so noticeable when I pick up the c.d. and play it on my hi-fi. Currently listening to Le Danger by Francoise Hardy which arrived this morning. Yet another good recommendation Randy. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 678 Registered: 10-2008 |
yeah hugh, its a big failing on my part. m.i.a - /\/\/\Y/\ excellent 3rd album, even if you dont like her check out the single with the suicide sample. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 682 Registered: 10-2008 |
napster have the new album by paradise motel, am gonna listen. truly dreadful name for a band though!! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 263 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skulldisco, the album is themed around the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain on 11 June, 1980 in Australia. It was released on 11 June, 2010, to coincide with the 30th Anniversary. Check your forum mailbox. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 683 Registered: 10-2008 |
thanks for the songs hugh. having listened to the 4 songs you sent me twice, and the new album once i dont think this band will get many more plays from me i'm afraid, a bit too polite for my tastes. that said, "four degrees" i enjoyed quite a bit, and the first two songs on the new album had a bit more edge about them, especially "the witnesses". i dont want to be too critical though, as the arrangements on most of the songs are thoughtful, but would surely benefit from a vocalist with a bit more character? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2365 Registered: 03-2005 |
I listened to "Flight Paths" last night and marveled at the luxuriant bass sound in the recording. Nice record too though I still find "Drive" disconcerting! I'm listening to "Left Over Life to Kill" again to exorcise the vocorder-boosted pop rubbish I was dosed with while in a clothing store. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 264 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skulldisco, my pleasure. I have been around the board for some time and have a fair idea of your taste in music so I am not really surprised that they do not appeal to you. I only sent the samples because you expressed an interest in giving them a listen. I am still waiting for the new album to arrive hence why I sent tracks from 'Flight Paths.' Their music is generally slow and restrained but the melodies and arrangements are excellent in my opinion. The first time I heard the band I was not sure about the vocals but I now feel they are an integral part of their sound. It has been a long time since the release of 'Flight Paths' and I am really looking forward to taking delivery of 'Australian Ghost Story.' Randy, you would have thought they could have found a better songs than 'Drive' to cover. I would love to find out why they picked it. Currently listening to 'Cosmic Peekaboo' by The Free Design. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 685 Registered: 10-2008 |
still playing ariel pink haunted graffiti album, find myself playing it at least once a day. i wish the i am kloot album would hurry up and come out, july 5th i think? the singles great for starters, and there seems a bit of a buzz about this being "the" album. its a bit dull just now as far as new albums are concerned, always seems to dip as the music industry retires for 8 weeks over the summer to get wasted at glastonbury, t in the park etc etc unless i accidentally stumble across it, i cant see me watching any over the countless hours of glastonbury footage on the bbc - truly horrendous bill. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2367 Registered: 03-2005 |
This morning: Paradise Motel--"Some Deaths Take Forever." Tracks from this low fi EP are probably what should have been sent to Kevin. "Polite" isn't the word that comes to mind. Stoned, maybe. The version of "Raining Pleasure" is quite a makeover. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 680 Registered: 05-2005 |
I thought last weekend that I'd pick my favourite 5 of the last few years to put on the 5 disc changer. Sounded pretty great on random!!! Nary a dud song and lots of nice memories. Fleet Foxes - self titled If I could only remember my name - David Crosby Seven Seven - Machine Translations Engineers - self titled Isidore - self titled This afternoon/tonight: Court and Spark - Joni: maybe a bit too 70's california for me The Drums: Joy Division/Bunnymen meet Altered Images (in sound AND dress!)Also has a song called "Lets go Surfing" which I will try out as a psyche up song before going out tomorrow!!!! Silverwater - the Necks: INTENSE!!!!! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2370 Registered: 03-2005 |
The Triffids--Early Singles & EPs | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1807 Registered: 01-2005 |
Coralie Clément - Salle Des Pas Perdus | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 295 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tim Buckley - Blue Afternoon | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 297 Registered: 05-2005 |
Richard James - We Went Riding gorgeous summer sounds from the ex Gorkys man | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 694 Registered: 10-2008 |
still playing the ariel pink haunted graffiti album each day, easily the best album of the year. i've surprised myself by also giving "high violet" by the national dozens of plays. its a subtle grower, with loads of sounds that only reveal themselves with repeated plays. its an introverted stadium album, the kind that arcade fire wish they could make but unfortunately for them they have listened to to many u2 albums. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2372 Registered: 03-2005 |
Another Hugh recommendation: Butcher Boy--Profit in Your Poetry I think this is my third or fourth hearing of this album. At the moment they make me think of a cross between the Soft-Hearted Scientists and the Field Mice. But I can hear strains further back, of the pop folk of Unit 4 Plus 2. If they did a cover of the Hedgehoppers Anonymous' (really Jonathan King's) "It's Good News Week" I wouldn't bat an eye. None of this is a put-down. It's a lovely album and it commendably clocks in at 30 minutes. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3598 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love. First time playing it in a very long time. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 697 Registered: 10-2008 |
iggy and the stooges - raw power i am kloot - sky at night gene clark - two sides to every story. randy, whats the low down on this album? i'd never heard of it, apparently its out of print and has hardly ever been in print. a friend burned me a copy of it, sounds great on first listen but then again i'm a sucker for most things he does. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 467 Registered: 01-2007 |
Gaslight Anthem-look away Skull and Randy as too Bruce like for your tastes but good songs. Liking Gorrilaz, and can't get DBT-Decoration day off the cd | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 698 Registered: 10-2008 |
frank, decoration day includes my favourite DBT song, "outfit", written by the sadly departed jason isbell. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1018 Registered: 08-2004 |
KLF - The White Room The Kinks - Arthur... Monsters Of Folk - Monsters Of Folk Nada Surf - Let Go Neil Young - After The Goldrush Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain Bob Marley - Legend (Rarities Edition) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2374 Registered: 03-2005 |
Kevin, I don't really know much about "Two Sides." I have only a ripped copy too! I used to see it in the CD racks regularly and assumed I'd pick it up eventually and then it disappeared. I knew that it was one of his more country-oriented records which is what made me think it was not something I had to have in a big hurry. I think I was also put off it by my brother who had told me he didn't think I'd like it. He knows my tastes when it comes to Gene Clark. Given that all but two of the songs are Clark originals I should love the album but for my taste it's not really all that great. "Silent Crusade" is magnificent and so is the cover "Give My Love to Marie." "Past Addresses" is pretty good but not as good as those two. The rest of it seems kind of generic 70s Los Angeles country pop to me. I put it far behind "Gosdin Bros.," "Fantastic Expedition," "White Light," "Roadmaster," the crazy "No Other" and "So Rebellious a Lover." I can't decide if I put it ahead of "Firebyrd" which suffers from an even more generic set of arrangements but might have a few more good songs. I do wish I had a proper original copy though. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 699 Registered: 10-2008 |
randy, "give my love to marie" stood out on first listen to me, sound very like something that would fit right in on "no other". i actually quite like when he does full on country, although the other records you mention are all magnificent of course. the review in allmusic" is a strange one, they give it 2 stars but it reads more like a 4 star review if not higher. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg &sql=10:hifyxqe5ld6e | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 265 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy/Kevin, 'Two Sides To Every Story' was originally released in 1977 on the RSO Label which existed between 1973 and 1981 or thereabouts. It was owned by Robert Stigwood who managed the Bee Gees. Stigwood left the label around 1981 and it was taken over by Polygram a few years later. My guess is that RSO/Polygram were the only labels to release the album ( LP and CD.) 'Give My Love To Marie' was written by James Talley. He released four excellent albums ( Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love; Tryin' Like The Devil; Black Jack Choir; Ain't It Something ) on the Capitol label between 1975 and 1978. Bear Family Records subsequently released them as Two Albums on One CD sets. I have sent copies of his version of the song to both of you. Currently listening to 'Australian Ghost Story' by Paradise Motel. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2375 Registered: 03-2005 |
Kevin, I agree the Allmusic review is not a two-star review. I may eventually end up liking "Two Sides" better than I do now but I just can't escape the sense that the overall quality of the songs is not as high as his various demos show him to be capable of and the arrangements, well . . . . For me it probably WOULD be a two-star review I'd give it. Gene's vocals are great as always though. I did have a fast look at the portion of the bio "Mr. Tambourine Man" dealing with the sessions for "Two Sides." According to the book, Clark originally planned to record it with his traveling players the Silverados. He had been performing with the Silverados for approximately two years and the songs used for "Two Sides" were developed with them. But producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye sacked them and brought in the usual LA session players plus a few long-time Clark friends like Doug Dillard. Emmylou Harris sings backup. There was no record contract when the recording was made; it was all a spec deal funded by Kaye. It should have been brilliant but it just seems deadly glossy. I don't really have a problem with Gene Clark doing country, but I want it to have his idiosyncratic stamp all over it which is definitely the case on "Fantastic Expedition" and "So Rebellious a Lover." This gets into my attitude about country music in the U.S.. Nowadays, much of what is called country is a cynical test-marketed stereotype. There was always a syrupy pop country sound being made, usually in Nashville rather than Los Angeles. I like very little of that. The Bakersfield sound, which was almost always recorded in Los Angeles, was vastly superior. It was hicky, crude, honest and had a lot of edge but then it got watered down during the 1970s with an LA pop country sound borrowing players and elements from the LA singer/songwriter folk rock scene. In the early years of that transition you got great records like the Gram Parsons solo albums. But eventually a certain bland slickness set in; you got people who were very proficient but not very inspired. Gene's version of country didn't come from either tradition; his was from the hicky hillbilly southern part of the midwest but "Two Sides" was treated to that new slick LA sound. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 700 Registered: 10-2008 |
thanks for the insight randy. i actually should buy a book on gene, is "mr tambourine man" the best one out there? i'm not too well versed in how the whole country scene evolved from city to city,and which cities went "glossy" and which stayed truer to the roots. no doubt the eagles have a lot to answer for!! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2376 Registered: 03-2005 |
Oh, I'm no expert on country music, Kevin, but that doesn't stop me from being opinionated about it! There are so many different strains, from the Texas strain which often melds with a bit of Mexican music, to the bluegrass Ozarks sound--which is Gene Clark's basis--to the flat-earth Oklahoma sound which basically moved to Bakersfield when the population moved there during the depression and dust-bowl drought in the 1930s. Nashville was the big music center for country in the middle of the 20th Century much like Kansas City, St. Louis and New Orleans were for jazz and Memphis and Chicago were for r&b. I have some decent familiarity with the Bakersfield sound because I grew up just 100 miles north of there and most of what we heard as "country music" in my childhood was the Bakersfield version. I wonder if any city stays truer to the roots when it comes to country. Maybe Austin. Somebody more knowledgeable will have to answer that question. Just like the name suggests: it's music made by rural people. As the nation's population has continued to urbanize or suburbanize there might not be much authentic country music around any longer. It seems to me that country music has devolved into an affectation for people who drive around in giant air-conditioned pickup trucks. (If Little Keith were on here, he'd probably go jumping down my throat for this last comment.) Re "Tambourine Man," it's the only Clark book I've read. I think it's pretty good but you do have to be prepared to be depressed because the guy was his own worst enemy so much of the time. Once out of the resilient period of his early adulthood it was a rocky road. I remember reading the book in the winter--mistake!--and getting depressed. It did inspire me to write my most overtly Gene Clarkesque song though. I think I've mentioned that I managed to see Clark do one of his last three shows. It was a truly great show but he oozed discomfort and neediness. He seemed so much like a dog that had been kicked by its master too many times. And he sounded just great. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 701 Registered: 10-2008 |
thanks randy, my knowledge of country is limited although far from non existant - you seem to have a fairly decent knowledge going by these few posts here. one thing ive never been sure of, most country sounds influenced by scottish, irish and english folk music, but i'm not sure if the germans, swedes and other northern european immigrants brought their own strain. re the gene clark book - i read the reviews on amazon and they were all glowing, although one woman pretty much concurred with what you say: "You will not read a more heartbreaking book this year. The story of the Byrds' Gene Clark celebrates his unique talents as a singer and songwriter while revealing the emotional/chemical imbalances and addictions which somehow conspired to eventually destroy him. Only 46 when he died, Clark left behind a wonderful and varied body of music. This book has been meticulously researched and written with care and honesty. You feel immense pity for Clark, anger and grief at how he never could quite hold himself together yet also feel sheer admiration for how he always managed to produce beautiful songs and sing with such soul and skill. A sad but gripping story of a troubled but wildly gifted musician and writer. And it makes you want to hear the music. God bless Gene." i have ordered the book i have also downloaded the uk version of "firebyrd", called "this byrd has flown" which adds 2 or 3 extra tracks and revises the running order. on first listen i thought it was pretty dreadful(well the arrangements anyway, not genes wonderful voice), it is playing again as i type this and i must say that i do like the very different arrangement he does of "mr tambourine man", maybe i was being too harsh after only one listen. the allmusic review says that "firebyrd" was "... an artistic triumph and a commercial disaster -- released to rave reviews and an enthusiastic response as one of the finest solo projects ever to come from an ex-Byrd" http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg &sql=10:aiftxqe5ld6e http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg &sql=10:gpftxqehldhe i do remember you saying you saw gene in the flesh (i think you said you went with your brother, maybe not?), and i think i posted at the time that i was incredibly envious!! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 702 Registered: 10-2008 |
digital mystikz - return to space. widely reported as the most anticipated dubstep album of the last 5 years - and it doesnt disappoint tom waits - swordfishtrombones - hadnt played this in years, magnificent. i am kloot - sky at night. a return to form, very atmospheric. like a less anthemic version of elbow, strange given it was produced by two members of that band. wilco - the album - sounds a lot better than i remember, although 3 or 4 tracks still disappointingly weak and going through the motions. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2377 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wow, Kevin, I had no idea anybody called "Firebyrd" an artistic triumph. "Rain Song" is great and so is "Vanessa." "Most of All" is almost a new Byrds song. So there are some great moments. But the album rates so lowly for me that I only loaded five songs from it onto my computer. I should give it another listen because probably something will rate a little better but, yeah, I can't get into a lot of the smarmy arrangements. He is certainly in great voice. I AM curious about the extra songs on "This Byrd Has Flown." Every time I see something is a reissue of "Firebyrd" I dismiss it and I should probably pick this one up. It makes sense that germans, swedes etc. brought their element to American country music but they mostly settled in parts of the U.S. not really known for country music (Wisconsin, Minnesota) so maybe country really is primarily a development of British Isles folk coupled, of course, with a lot of african american blues and soul. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1020 Registered: 08-2004 |
B.A.D. - This Is Big Audio Dynamite Daniel Johnston - Continued Story + Hi, How Are You? Byrne/Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today Sigur Ros - () | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 703 Registered: 10-2008 |
hugh/randy - thanks for the gene clark related songs. hugh,the james talley original of "give my love to marie" is beautiful. havent heard the gene clark adaption enough times to compare yet. randy,the songs from "under a silvery moon" sounded good on first listen so i have downloaded the album from napster. they also had "tryin like the devil" by james talley which includes "give my love to marie", so i downloaded that too | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 266 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, I think James Talley must have become disillusioned at how his first four albums were received as he all but disappeared from the music scene in 1978 and it was a long time before he released a follow up. As well as country there is a huge blues influence to his music. An excellent songwriter with a good voice. Get in touch if you want to hear more. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1821 Registered: 09-2006 |
Lost my copies of Got No Milk... and Tryin' Like the Devil when I lost my vinyl. Thanks for the headsup on the twofers, Hugh. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1823 Registered: 09-2006 |
In a family mood: Sly & the Family Stone - Fresh Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood Both smoking hot and juicy to the core. Which is not an appropriate thing to say about one's own family, of course... | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 267 Registered: 03-2007 |
Allen, according to the sleeve notes it looks like both twofers were released in 1989. New copies of 'Black Jack Choir/Ain't It Something' are still readily available but I think 'Got No Bread/Tryin' Like The Devil' is out of print. I suspect any copies you do find will be used and pricey. The said albums are available individually from his website but I am wary of the term 'Custom CD' which applies to three of them. These titles are not on sale at any of the major retailers and I am wondering if they are self produced CDRs. The exception is 'Got No Bread' which was released on Cimarron Records in 2005 or 2006. Currently listening to 'Book Of Hours' by Green Pajamas a neo psychedelic band who formed in Seattle in 1984. Originally released on vinyl back in 1987 it has just been released on cd for the first time. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 704 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks Hugh. Napster had about a dozen albums so I'm guessing thats his total output. I'll see how I get on with "tryin like the devil" and if i like that i will download more from napster. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2378 Registered: 03-2005 |
Sort of my version of Jeff listening to Black Sabbath, I'm now listening to the Evie trilogy by Stevie Wright. It really is striking how excellent a hard rock singer Wright proved to be in the mid-70s. With him as vocalist and the Vanda/Young writing team the Easybeats should have been so much bigger than they were. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3604 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lulu - After The Feeling Is Gone. Courtesy Randy a long time ago! | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 731 Registered: 07-2006 |
liberty belle. about half a dozen times over the past 48 hours. i can't believe i was ever vaguely conflicted as to naming my favourite. is there anything close to a moment of non-perfection on there? my least adored would be spring rain and palm sunday, both of which get four and a half stars. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 732 Registered: 07-2006 |
also, altered images - "bite" reissue. yummy. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 710 Registered: 10-2008 |
Gene Clark - No Other. I really have a love/hate relationship with this album. I love Gene Clark as an artist and this album includes some of his greatest work, but includes a good few songs in the style music I hate, bland MOR. Tracks like Silver Raven make me cringe. Randy, whats your thoughts on this album? A lot of people think its his masterpiece, but to me it sounds like an album "of its time", and it hasnt aged that well. I am Kloot - Northern Sky. Definite return to form after a couple of dodgy releases. I was drawn to this from the sleevenotes of the I am Kloot album. "turn me up. to preserve the excitement,emotion and dynamics of the original performances this record is intentionally quieter than some.for full enjoyment simply turn me up! (turnmeup.org)" this led me to the link below, some interesting stuff there http://www.turnmeup.org/ | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1024 Registered: 08-2004 |
As great an album it is. I'm not a huge fan of Liberty Belle's closing 2 songs, Joe. I must be in a minority who actually look forward to hearing 'Little Joe' on the expanded edition. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 711 Registered: 10-2008 |
i always thought "apology accepted" was a great song badly performed. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2379 Registered: 03-2005 |
Kevin, I used to kind of get on peoples' nerves with my opinion of "No Other" so I usually keep quiet about it now. "From a Silver Phial" is up there in my personal top ten favorite Gene Clark recordings but notice that it's also the shortest track on the record. The "No Other" project is a classic case of mid-70s "too-much-money-on-the-project" disease. David Geffen was super pissed at Clark for only doing 8 songs while burning up such a huge budget. That right there killed Geffen's inclination to promote the album or to extend Clark's contract for another one. (Plus Clark didn't want to tour to support it; a big no-no for a major label release.) There's a lot of craziness to the arrangements, which would work a lot better if the songs weren't stretched out beyond their natural length. So I'm cool with the nutty incongruous gospel singers backing "Life's Greatest Fool." I can even deal with the wah wah pedal where it shows up, but CUT THE F*CKING LONG MEANDERING INSTRUMENTAL BITS DOWN. And I've always thought that "Some Misunderstanding" is done in a way that sounds like self-parody. For these reasons the "No Other" album does not go on my list of his best albums. His best IMO are "Fantastic Expedition," "White Light," "So Rebellious a Lover" and the not-really album "Roadmaster." The first one with the Gosdin Brothers probably gets on that list too. I should say, however, that I haven't purchased the re-release of "No Other" that includes demo versions and haven't heard them. It's my understanding that they're much simpler. I'll bet they're better, at least on some of the songs. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2380 Registered: 03-2005 |
I love "Apology Accepted" as is. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 712 Registered: 10-2008 |
cheers randy. totally agree with your list of genes best albums. i hadnt heard "so rebellious a lover" till last year though, it was you who tipped me off to how good an album it was. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 733 Registered: 07-2006 |
aye randy, apology accepted is an all-time favourite. it leaves me tense with sweet longing. i guess i've never been one for a proper vocal. damaged goods is truly where it's at. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 686 Registered: 05-2005 |
Apology Accepted seems to me to some up a lot of the charm of the Go Betweens - great, great songs sung by someone you (nearly) know who isn't going to go all Celine Dion over it - someone who was (nearly) in a band with you but persisted. In the hands of a talented vocalist, many of the Go Betweens songs would have been classics and EVERYONE would know and love them...like a certain group from Liverpool. The "non technical singing" I always see as a bit of post-punk "forks" to the fickers who are making all the money but who don't have the songs. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 734 Registered: 07-2006 |
you're probably right. but there's truly no one else in the world i can think of who could make me swoon like grant does here or... better yet... bachelor kisses. after all these years they really make me feel so much better about everything. especially this frequently infuriating country. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 268 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy, there are no gospel singers on the Alternate Version of 'Life's Greatest Fool' which appears on the 2003 release of 'No Other.' | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 301 Registered: 05-2005 |
James Yuill - Movement in a Storm | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1971 Registered: 10-2004 |
I always thought Apology Accepted was a bordering-on-generic chord progression brought to life and made great by a very non-generic band and singer. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1817 Registered: 01-2005 |
I agree that No Other would have sounded better with shorter arrangements and 2-3 more songs. Maybe some stronger pickers would have helped the situation (like Gram had on GP and Greivous Angel0. Randy, The bonus tracks make the 2003 reissue a must buy and a hint at what we would have gotten if Gene hadn't have let arrangements get out of hand . Too bad there isn't a alternative take on Strength Of Strings. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3613 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Faces, Boy And Bear, Cabins, Gaslight Anthem. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3614 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tanita Tikaram - Ancient Heart (sorry Kevin, I've probably caused you some great physical pain...) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2382 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ancient Heart is a good record. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 716 Registered: 10-2008 |
sugar minott - the roots lover. fantastic compilation of this great artist who sadly passed away yesterday. too many of the great reggae stars from the 70's dont seem to make it to old age. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1827 Registered: 01-2005 |
Padraig wrote: >>Tanita Tikaram - Ancient Heart (sorry Kevin, I've probably caused you some great physical pain...) Randy came back with: >Ancient Heart is a good record. Th only TT (not including Til Tuesday) I have is her follow-up to Ancient Heart, the 1992 release Eleven Kinds of Loneliness. It's been years since I've given it a spin. She seemed to have lost out to likes of Tracy Chapman and Shawn Colvin in the late 1980's early 1990's female folk singer/songwriter movement. Sara Hickman was another that got lost in the shuffle. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 303 Registered: 05-2005 |
prince - 2010 | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 304 Registered: 05-2005 |
the coral - butterfly house | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 307 Registered: 05-2005 |
teardrop explodes - kilimanjiro (special edition) it's a good day for new releases today | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1831 Registered: 01-2005 |
Cosmo, Does the UK issue new releases on Mondays? We have to wait until Tuesdays in NA. A triple Deluxe Edition of Kilimanjaro looks very tempting! I've copy my vinyl copy and a 1989 Fontana issue cd of Kilimanjaro as I never bought the 2001 Ume reissue (I did pop for the 2001 Ume reissue of Wilder though). | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 720 Registered: 10-2008 |
michael, yes its mondays in the uk, although i regularly get new releases on the friday or saturday due to the wonders of royal mail. if you shop online a lot of outlets post on the thursday to guarantee a monday delivery, but like i say these usually arrive early. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1834 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gene Clark & Carla Olson - So Redbellious A Lover First impression: Very nice album by Gene and Carla that will get a lot of repeated spins. The bonus tracks are all keepers. National - The Alligator | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2383 Registered: 03-2005 |
Michael, So Rebellious a Lover--god, what great lyrics to the song that line comes from!--has always had a special place for me because it was released as a new album in the CD era and it bridged the musical world my oldest brother lives in and my own later one with the involvement of Ms. Textones herself. I'll bet I've played this album more than any of the others because when it came out I no longer lived in a household in which someone else would be playing it and it was so good. The all-acoustic instrumentation and arrangements are so unmarked by the current fads that I think the record will never sound dated. And Carla's unusual almost-Sylvia-Tyson throaty contralto turned out to be a great foil for Clarke's baritone. They created an unusual and satisfying sound. The Byrds, of course, were great heroes to Carla Olson and Clark really needed to work with some new, younger people--as the previous Firebyrd album demonstrates painfully. As I recall, one of the original issues of the album on CD included "Lover's Turnaround" as a bonus track which was not actually part of the original vinyl album. I bought that particular CD for the spare track of course. It was a big thrill when the 2003 reissue came out with all those Textones-backed recordings (from which "Lovers Turnaround" originates) which explain how it is that Clark and Olson wound up working together. I've always wished they'd been able to do a second studio album together. It would have been great to have them tackle some of his newer songs like "Your Fire Burning" or "Dangerous Games" and maybe a re-do of her classic "Number One is to Survive." I remember hoping that they were romantically involved with the naive idea that she would rescue him from being a Hollywood burnout. A great album and a fine one to have as his last official full-length effort. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2384 Registered: 03-2005 |
And on that note, I finally picked up copies of the reissues of the great "White Light" and the less-great "No Other." It was just cussed cheapness that stopped me buying them before. (I get grouchy about the continual reissue of improved versions of things but like everybody else on here I've certainly bought of lot of them). "White Light" is playing now. Judging from "The Virgin" the "White Light" album is a lot more vibrant-sounding with a hotter master. I hope it doesn't overload on tracks like "Tears of Rage" ala "Oceans Apart." | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2385 Registered: 03-2005 |
And now to "No Other." I haven't actually sat down and listened to this album all the way through in at least several years. I am struck by what a dead weight drummer Russ Kunkel is. He was probably the most in-demand session drummer in Los Angeles at the time and he really phoned this job in and probably carries a lot of the blame for the plodding, insufficiently varied tempo of the album that is one of its faults. He displays absolutely not one hint of imagination, the perfect illustration why bands are usually much more enjoyable to listen to than session musicians. The bassist (Lee Sklar) doesn't cover himself in glory either. "Strength of Strings" is a good song musically--indeed it's nice the way Clark made an effort to move out into the peripheral areas of his typical musical range--but the word "cosmic" probably would never show up in a Gene Clark lyric at any other period of his career. You're right, Kevin, this album is an artefact of its time. Even with a good arrangement I suspect "Some Misunderstanding" would have to lose a verse to avoid bogging down. The title song works (helped by the absence of Kunkel), the kickoff song is always great and "Silver Phial" is unlikely to ever move from my list of top ten favorite Gene Clark creations. "The True One" is pleasant but not remarkable and the closing track displays some really beautiful harmonics undercut by the dreary plod of the rhythm section. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1974 Registered: 10-2004 |
Finally scored a coveted original RCA CD of David Bowie's Low, my favorite album of his. Sounds about as lush and beautiful as the original LP (I geekily a/b'd them). After all these years, this album *still* floors me, especially the second half. The layers of analog synths and chamberlain (similar to the mellotron) are so mesmerizing, the melodies so sweeping and spine-tingling. And the production of the poppy side 1 was so ahead of its time. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 722 Registered: 10-2008 |
amen to that jeff on a bowie note, i dug out and played "station to station" after reading it was to be given the deluxe reissue in september. it has never been in my top5 bowie albums but i was blown away with how great it sounded. not that im advocating drugs you understand, but he made some great albums on them :-) i think it was cocaine at the time? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1975 Registered: 10-2004 |
Kevin - yeah, Bowie was coked out of his mind when making Station to Station. He was also suffering coke-fueled paranoid delusions and became obsessed with the occult and mysticism. There's a famous quote where he says, "I know Station to Station was made in LA because I read it," which pretty much sums up his state of mind at the time. But yeah, I definitely rank Station to Station as one of Bowie's very best. Just the title track alone is pretty incredible. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1026 Registered: 08-2004 |
Yeah, Bowie lost it in LA. He thought a stain in his swimming pool was the devil out to get him. 'Station To Station' is my 2nd favourite of his after 'Hunky Dory'. It's got that soulful/Disco thing from 'Young Americans'. With a nod towards the experimental side he was heading towards on 'the Berlin trio'. The playing on 'STS' is superb. Imagine moving to Berlin to get away from drugs?!?! Not only that but taking the worlds least balanced insurance salesman with you. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 723 Registered: 10-2008 |
now theres a thing jerry - the berlin trio (or berlin trilogy). for years i thought that low,heroes and lodger were written, recorded and produced in berlin, but gradually over the years i read this being disputed. dont know if anybody can state with 100% accuracy how much of each album was done there, but for the sake of quickness i googled the wiki and heres what it says. "The Berlin Trilogy is a series of David Bowie albums recorded in collaboration with Brian Eno in the 1970s. The three albums are Low, "Heroes" and Lodger. They became known as the Berlin Trilogy because Bowie was living in West Berlin at the time of their inception, at least part of them was recorded there, and they were influenced by the new music from Germany that was popular at that time; most notably, the sound of electronic pop pioneers Kraftwerk (who, in the song "Trans-Europe Express", mention the lyrics "From station to station / back to Düsseldorf City / Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie" as a nod to the two artists' work in Berlin). The albums are experimental and rank among the most highly-regarded in the Bowie catalogue. Among the later styles influenced by the albums were New Wave, post-punk and industrial. The accuracy of the moniker "Berlin Trilogy" is debated, as only "Heroes" was wholly recorded in Berlin, and none of Lodger, but the term has been used by Bowie himself to describe the albums. Credit for producing the albums is occasionally mistakenly given to Brian Eno because of his extensive involvement with the trilogy and his well-known production work with other artists. Though Eno performed on all three records and co-wrote a number of songs, all three albums were in fact produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti. Lead guitar on the "Heroes" album was handled by Robert Fripp, and lead guitar on the Lodger album was handled by Adrian Belew; these two guitarists later formed a partnership in a reincarnated King Crimson that has lasted nearly three decades. Their shared experience with Bowie later led to Crimson regularly performing "'Heroes'" on their 2000 tour." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Tril ogy funnily enough dont think bowie gets discussed too much on here given that there must be loads of us who are fans. who's gonna start the first bowie thread then? | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 724 Registered: 10-2008 |
so you are really immersing yourself in gene just now randy? i love white light, you reminded me i need to dig it out and listen (i find that very often somebody mentions an album on these pages and i make a mental note to play it for the first time in ages) i love your take on kunkel the drummer, and laughed at how he "phoned this job in"!! the biography on gene we discussed arrived the other day, have just started reading, intrigued to see he has native american and irish lineage - what a dynamite combination that is!! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1976 Registered: 10-2004 |
Kevin - I actually just read "Low" from the 33 1/3 series (http://www.amazon.com/David-Bowies-Low-H ugo-Wilcken/dp/0826416845/ref=sr_1_2?ie= UTF8&s=books&qid=1279226317&sr=8-2), which I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of that album. A lot of those 33 1/3 books are crap, but this one's good. The book states that most of Low's basic tracks were actually recorded in France at a studio an hour outside of Paris in the countryside called the Chateau. After two months there, they finished the album at Hansa studios in West Berlin, doing overdubs, vocals, and mixing there. The book also talks about how Bowie and Iggy Pop were working on The Idiot at the same time, and they seem to have completed most of that at the Chateau in France. (In fact, The Idiot was finished before Low, but wasn't released until after, since the two albums shared a lot of similar sounds and Bowie apparently didn't want people thinking that Low copped those ideas from The Idiot). So, Low was at least completed in Berlin. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1835 Registered: 01-2005 |
That's one of the two Allman Brothers Band drummers, Butch Trucks, playing on the two non-Russ Kunkel tracks from "No Other", the title song and "The True One". Too bad Butch didn't play on all the tracks. Regarding Randy's comment about hoping that Carla could save Gene. I guess we will never know on that score. I haven't read the Gene bio yet, but I'll be ordering it soon. I guess you could have applied the same hope to Emmylou saving Gram. Gram already filed for divorce from Gretchen, and Emmylou was about ready to declare her love for Gram to him, but then Gram had the fatal backsliding drug episode at The Joshua Tree Inn. So sad. I'm listening to one of the best jazz albums I've bought in a while and will make my top 10 for the year. It's just eight standards played by two masters on acoustic piano and bass. I highly recommend the following: Keith Jarrett & Charlie Haden - Jasmine | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1830 Registered: 09-2006 |
Top 5 Bowie 1. "Heroes" 2. Station to Station 3. The Singles Collection 4. Low 5. Aladdin Sane That list hasn't changed much for many, many years...the two-disc Singles Collection replaced the one-disc ChangesBowie a little while ago, but that's about it. I keep thinking Hunky Dory should be up there, but even though I enjoy it when I play it for some reason it never compels me to give it the immersion it might need to make me fully fall in love. It's one of my wife's very favorites, so perhaps she can convince me. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2386 Registered: 03-2005 |
In the lyrics to "Del Gato" Clark says "from white blood and red blood I came." So I guess he told us already. Yes, Kevin, since I picked up copies of the reissues of "White Light" and "No Other" I gave myself a nice refresher. I also listened to "So Rebellious a Lover." Tonight I think I'll listen to "Echoes" which contains the entire Gosdin Brothers album and some well-chosen additions. Michael, Gene was never romantically involved with Carla as it turns out. He had another screwy relationship going instead. Carla's admiration for Gene appears to have been purely professional. I haven't listened to the Bowie Eno records in a long long time. I always liked "Heroes" the most. Jeff, how do I tell if I have the original CD of "Low?" If you mean "not the Rykodisc" I have one that says RCA and looks pretty early in the CD era, though it doesn't have the four language explanation of how to care for the discs and what AAD, ADD and DDD mean. Why does it matter? I've never actually heard "Station to Station." I hated his "Young Americans" schtick and so stayed away. Yes, I suspect there are a LOT of one-time Bowie fans on here. I love virtually ALL of his pre-Ziggy Stardust stuff (really love the Ken Pitt era music) and then kind of checked out until "Low." I suspect I should revisit "Aladdin Sane" and "Station to Station" now that they're no longer overexposed. Then I'm all in through "Scary Monsters" which I think is a great album and better than "Lodger" as I recall. I also have the not-very-wonderful "Let's Dance" and I stopped buying after that dreary LP with "Blue Gene" (or is it "Blue Jean"? I seem to have lost my copy). Maybe it's time for a Bowie immersion. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1978 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, the RCA CD is definitely *not* the Rykodisc, nor is it the EMI/Virgin remaster from the late 90s. The RCA CDs are coveted among audiophiles because they sound closest to the original vinyl (and they fetch a pretty penny, as a result). The RCA CDs were only issued once, in 1985. Apart from them having the little RCA logo on the bottom corner of the front covers, and saying RCA on the actual CD, you'll know it's an RCA because it'll have little red-orange-yellow horizontal bands on the spine (which means it was made in Japan for US market) or the same horizontal bands but in shades of blue (which means it's West German). The Rykodisc remasters are really shrill and glassy with lots of high range frequency hype, while the EMI remasters are unpleasantly louder, compressed, and "no-noised." RCA CDs, by contrast, sound much "warmer" and more natural. I'd love to find RCA CDs of Station to Station, Heroes, and Scary Monsters. At any rate, you should definitely give Station to Station a listen. It's pretty far removed from the "Young Americans" shtick. It's much more artsy, icy, and European sounding, if that makes sense. It's not nearly as art-damaged as Low, but it was definitely (and audibly) the start of a new phase in Bowie's career. I'm not a big fan of the Ziggy era, but I do like Aladdin Sane, and as for pre-Ziggy, I LOVE The Man Who Sold The World. But Low and Scary Monsters are my absolute favorites, with StS falling into third place. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2387 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ok, yeah, I have the RCA one. I have all three Eno albums on RCA because they were the RCA-contract Bowie that I regarded as absolute necessities to replace my vinyl to CD when I got my first player. And "Man Who Sold the World" which I agree is a great great album. In fact I purchased the expanded Ryko version of "Man Who Sold the World" and after reading your answer just plucked my old RCA copy out of the dusty "for trading whenever I get around to it" pile. Fortunately, I never remember to take the trade stack to Ameoba to get rid of; I'm sure the Bowie disc has been sitting there for years. I'll have to compare the two versions at some point. Ok, I'll move to the dedicated Bowie thread. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2391 Registered: 03-2005 |
T Rex--Electric Warrior (Inspired by listening to Bowie). | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1981 Registered: 10-2004 |
T Rex - now that is some early 70s glam that I can get behind, unlike Ziggy. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1836 Registered: 01-2005 |
I suppose I should break down and get Electric Warrior, Something/Anything? and the first Dolls albums one of these days. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1831 Registered: 09-2006 |
Was trying to figure the common link between those three, Michael, assuming you actually meant there to be one.  . Bolan & Dolls: glam although in completely different ways? Rundgren produced the first Dolls album. They're all fine records? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3618 Registered: 05-2005 |
A fascinating documentary about Delia Murphy, Ireland's original rock star (though she predated rock 'n' roll by some way). | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1838 Registered: 01-2005 |
Allen, No common link really beyond that they were all were released in the early 70's, are fine records like you mentioned and I never bought them for some reason. It took me until six years ago this month to pick up another landmark album, The Modern Lovers debut. So I do get around eventually to purchashing the great ones that I've missed out on. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2393 Registered: 03-2005 |
I totally understand Michael. I was fortunate enough to hear the Modern Lovers' first LP back when it was new. It was a huge fave for myself and my circle of friends. But I never got around to "Electric Warrior" until a few years ago. I was reminded that I own it when I heard it a few weekends ago in the San Francisco Amoeba Records. Somebody working in the store played it in order to exorcise the previously played Gene Parsons country rock album. And during Mr. Bolan's opus I found a copy of one of Jeff's band's CDs in the second-hand racks! I still haven't gotten around to the Todd Rundgren record. He's definitely a good producer but I found the Nazz comp I bought a couple years ago to be so undistinguished that I just don't feel like it. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1985 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, Michael - if you don't already have them, I recommend The Slider and Tanx by T-Rex. I think all three are essential. The underrated Tanx is sometimes my favorite. I have Rundgren's Something/Anything - in fact, it's the only record of his I own. It's got some pretty good songs but I haven't played it in a while. Right now I'm listening to some records I bought today: Bobby Hutcherson - Spiral - a nice Blue Note reissue on vinyl, no less. And only $10, new! And I also scored the Blue Aeroplane's Lover and Confidante 12", which I'll be playing next. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1840 Registered: 01-2005 |
Randy, Jeff - thanks for the Marc Bolan/T-Rex rememberances and recommendations. Friday night and now Saturday morning listening: The National - Alligator A very fine album that I just got last week and have been playing a lot lately. The Lester Young & Teddy Wilson Quartet - Pres and Teddy An easy choice as a top 50 best jazz album. David Bowie - Low (1999 Virgin cd version) | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1832 Registered: 09-2006 |
Randy, I'm with the general consensus on that Rundgren, that it's the only one a non-fan need own. It could stand a little pruning, but there's some wonderful pop there. If you resonate at all with the two big hits from it ("I Saw the Light" and "Hello, It's Me") you might give it a whirl. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 730 Registered: 10-2008 |
electric warrior was a massive album for me in my teens. i was a huge bolan/bowie/lou reed&velvets fan, but electric warrior was my favourite album out of all of the albums made by them. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2405 Registered: 03-2005 |
"Intended Instrumental Album"--Lilac Time. Ok, this is apples and oranges compared with the Bowie/Eno instrumentals. While there the instrumentals are fitting for the Serengeti or the rings of Saturn, the Lilac Time instrumentals are more appropriate for a small beer party in the Swiss Alps. A fun and unexpected artifact. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2004 Registered: 10-2004 |
Allen - you've got that right about Something/Anything being the only Rundgren album for non-fans. Every other Rundgren album I've ever bought went right into my "records to sell" pile. Listening to Eno, which was spurred by the recent Bowie binge. I've got an original blue rim Island UK import of "Another Green World," which sounds beautiful. Also listening to "Music for Films," my favorite of Eno's instrumental/ambient albums. Next up: "Before And After Science," which has always been a favorite of mine. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1839 Registered: 09-2006 |
Been on an Eno kick myself recently. Most of the above, plus the lovely twistedness that is "Taking Tiger Mountain," the flat-out loveliness that is "Wrong Way Up," and "Possible Musics Vol. 1" | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2406 Registered: 03-2005 |
Can't Stop It!--Australian Post-Punk 1978-82 | ||
| Shane Greentree Member Username: Realinspectorshane Post Number: 30 Registered: 03-2007 |
Speaking of Rundgren, I do think its worthwhile checking out his followup album A Wizard, A True Star. That one's pretty great. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2407 Registered: 03-2005 |
Can't Stop It! Vol. 2 Glenn Richards--Closed off, cold & bitter. Solo demos from 2005. Only one song (Bottle Baby) wound up on an Augie March album. I'm having a very Australian night. Next up: the new Paradise Motel album. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 312 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises just Kozelek with nylon strung guitar continuing with his special kind of melancholy | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2006 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy - I'm intrigued by that Australian post punk comp. Anything good on it? Does it contain a lot of obscurities? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2007 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy - I just saw your email, never mind! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1852 Registered: 01-2005 |
Stars - In Our Bedroom, After The War | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1029 Registered: 08-2004 |
I listened to Sun Kil Moon's 'Ghosts Of The Great Highway' a couple of nights ago, Cosmo. Melancholy indeed. You could even say "maudlin" Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power - remastered Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Road - Soundtrack Joy Division - Heart & Soul - Disc One The Smiths - The Smiths + all the early B-sides McAlmont & Butler - Bring It Back Mansun - Attack Of The Grey Lantern Les Paul Trio - Les Paul Trio Leonard Cohen - So Long, Marianne Electric 6 - Switzerland Eels - Hombre Lobo | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 122 Registered: 06-2005 |
Jerry, have you heard Eels latest one? Great tune on it called "Line In The Dirt" Binged on Mark Everett last year while reading his aching and honest "Things The Grandchildren Should Know" One of the year's best so far: The Black Keys - Brothers | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1030 Registered: 08-2004 |
No, Peter. I haven't heard that one yet. I'm growing to fully appreciate Eels/E's back catologue. I find his work endures in a similar way to Lloyd Cole. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2410 Registered: 03-2005 |
Triffids--Treeless Plain Paradise Motel--Australian Ghost Story | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1496 Registered: 08-2006 |
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening I was liking this album before Pitchfork, but seeing them live really drove it home. It's been in the CD player all week. I never thought Sound of Silver was as great as the critics claimed (although it contains my favorite song of the last few years), so this is encouraging. And, as always with Murphy, it's fun to play Guess the Influence. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2411 Registered: 03-2005 |
The remaster of The Who Sings My Generation. This is the only Who album I truly enjoy and I enjoy it a lot. They went back to the 3 track master but somehow managed to lose the overdubs. It doesn't matter; that just makes it more honestly live in the studio. Sadly, Nicky Hopkins' idiotic tinkle piano wasn't on one of the lost overdubs. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 745 Registered: 10-2008 |
ariel pinks haunted graffiti - before today. head and shoulders above any other albums i've heard this year, and about the only album competing for play time with my recent bowie,iggy,eno overdose. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 123 Registered: 06-2005 |
It's growing on me at this stage too Kevin, though not to the same status, I found it a slow burner, maybe it was the cheesy synths initially but the harmonies, fuzzy ideas and rough warmth of the songs are reeling me in with each listen. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1846 Registered: 09-2006 |
Some self-made comps of Eno songs (the ones with vocals) | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 575 Registered: 04-2005 |
Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal - Chamber music (Malian kora player and French cellist) Television - Marquee Moon (remastered Rhino edition) Big wow! As someone who has loved this album since 1980, but only as a cassette recording of a scratched record, this is heaven. The CD booklet has some interesting notes about the recording (see http://www.coverdude.com/cd-covers/1546- television-marquee-moon-rhino-remaster-p art-2.html) Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls - self-titled. Produced by Martin Hannett. Again, something I loved on a crappy cassette copy for many years. Does anyone have the CD of this and could copy it for me please ? I managed to download some MP3s of the record, but they are not great and the CD goes for silly money at present. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2412 Registered: 03-2005 |
A CD I burned some time back of all the non-"Love of Will" songs on David McComb's two EPs "Setting You Free" and "Clear Out My Mind" with a bonus of his version of "Still Alive and Well." Many thanks to Padraig for half that material. I'm a big fan of the best of his post-Triffids work which usually means the not very rockish stuff. "I've Heard Things Turn Out This Way" is one of the more poignant christmas songs I've ever come across--I genre I'm not normally keen on, to say the least. You can just hear the bittersweet knowledge that the beautiful moment celebrated in the song is not going to last without his ever needing say it. But "My Friend Sleep" really bares his growing psychological and emotional desperation. It sounds like something Lou Reed might have done. It sounds like a song by someone who wasn't going to make it to old age. I hope Graham Lee and Domino have a David McComb solo reissue planned. There are some serious classics totally overlooked from this period. From the melodrama of the Triffids he'd graduated to subtle and complex explorations of spiritual and emotional struggle. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 747 Registered: 10-2008 |
lightnin hopkins - his blues. fantastic new comp which compiles all his best known sides. rem - fables of the reconstruction. i've always been mystified at how this album wasnt rated higher in the rem canon. less well regarded than the execrable out of time and automatic for the people, unbelievable!! i reckon its not too far behind reckoning overall, in fact somedays i think it surpasses it. interestig to note that uncut and mojo both give it 5 stars this month, history being rewritten? murmur of couse is peerless. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2413 Registered: 03-2005 |
The Lives of Lee Memorial. I'm listening to something from 2009! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2414 Registered: 03-2005 |
And now back to 1998 with the Cannanes' "Living the Dream." | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1859 Registered: 01-2005 |
>murmur ofcouse is peerless As is the ep Chronic Town for me. I only sensed a slight decline in the song quality with fables of the reconstruction back in the day from the previous Reckoning. The bad rep it has was the result of the poor recording quality/mix from Joe Boyd and not the songs themselves. Why did they not continue using Mitch Easter and Don Dixon? I still gave it a slight edge over Life's Rich Pageant and Document, and huge edge over Green. Green was always the stinker for me of R.E.M.'s 1980's recordings. I bet I haven't listened to it in over 10 years. If I add up the good songs from Out of Time and Automatic and filter the bad ones out, I still might be a couple songs short of a four star album. When I listen to AFTP these days I start with Try Not to Breath and then I skip to the last two songs (Nightswimming and Find The River). | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 750 Registered: 10-2008 |
michael. apparently stipe wanted van dyke parkes to produce fables of the reconstruction. elvis costello was allegedly desparate for the job, but was vetoed by rem management. horrifyingly, hugh padgham who produced sting and phil collins was also in the frame! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1861 Registered: 01-2005 |
Van would have been a good choice. I bet 4AD producer John Fryer would have done a lot better job then Boyd did. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2416 Registered: 03-2005 |
I've given it a nice long rest so it's a great pleasure to listen to now: Before Hollywood. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1848 Registered: 09-2006 |
Charlie Parker - A Studio Chronicle 1940-1948 | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1864 Registered: 01-2005 |
Randy, That's my pick when it's my turn to select a album of the month for the fegmaniax (Robyn Hitchcock) mailing list. There's about four more folks ahead of me yet, so around December or January I'll forward the fegmaniax comments about BH from the friendly fans of Robyn. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1865 Registered: 01-2005 |
Allen, How is that Bird boxset? The huge jazz fan that I am I'm embarrassed to admit I've only got four Bird discs. Massey Hall, Parker With Strings, Bird and Diz, and the recently discovered/released Town Hall-NYC-June 22, 1945 live set. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1849 Registered: 09-2006 |
Michael, the box is a treasure trove...the best versions of pretty much everything he recorded in those 8 years. I got it from the library, so was lucky not to have to shell out for it. I like the Parker With Strings and Bird & Diz albums quite a bit, too. IMO, two very good (and not so hard on the pocketbook) compilations are Rhino's "Yardbird Suite" and "The Legendary Dial Masters." | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 270 Registered: 03-2007 |
The Sugargliders - We're All Trying To Get There The Steinbecks - At Home And Abroad With | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 469 Registered: 01-2007 |
I've always loved fables and still do, and for me things started to go slowly down hill from then on, but my wife still really likes the newer ones as well which is interesting she sees things in them, she sees colours were i see uniformity. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1855 Registered: 09-2006 |
Patti Smith - Radio Ethiopia Not quite as varied as the others, but one of my favorites. The title track wanders a little bit, but everything else absolutely crackles with energy. In reply to Rob from the other thread, the slight disconnect you mention was one of the big reasons it took me so long to fully get into her, but what can I say...when the light went on for me that disconnect just melted away. Just like all my other favorite music, if I don't feel like focusing on the words I can just let the music/ambience take me and have just as wonderful an experience. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1873 Registered: 01-2005 |
Frank, I'm thinking that the last really good collection of songs that R.E.M. did in the studio were on 1996's New Adventuers in Hi-Fi. Then again I don't own a copy of Up, Reveal or Against The Sun, but I do own a copy of Accelerate. The Live At the Olympia In Dublin cd was a nice surprise. Allen, I ordered a copy of the Bird boxset (A Studio Chronicle 1940-1948), and I'll let you know what I think of it after it arrives. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 759 Registered: 10-2008 |
if we're talking an rem album where at least 80% of the songs are great, or at least good, i reckon we're talking life's rich pageant. thats 25 years ago. i would be as well listening to crowded house, coldplay or similar dross, as i am listening to automatic for the people. much of a muchness if you ask me. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1874 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kevin, I'm with you on life's rich pageant and the 80% fiqure. Document was less then 75% and it went off the cliff from there. I think New Adventures is an improvement though over Green, Time, AFTP and Monsters as it has some decent songs in Electrolite, New Test Leper, Be Mine, E-bow the letter and Bittersweet Me. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3623 Registered: 05-2005 |
Halfway - An Outpost Of Promise | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1875 Registered: 01-2005 |
Tom Waits trilogy of ground breaking 1980's albums: swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 760 Registered: 10-2008 |
michael, i dont know if you saw a recent edition of mojo that tom waits guest edited, which i just got round to reading tonight. the issue is a waits bonanza, a good quarter of the mag devoted to the man. included is a career retrospective, and the 3 albums you mention get 5 star reviews. i was going to play either blue valentine, rain dogs or mule variations but totally forgot. your post jogged my memory, so i think i'll put on rain dogs. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 761 Registered: 10-2008 |
whilst listening to rain dogs i did some surfing to see if i could find any interesting info on the album. turns out it was nme's album of the year. here's the top 10, some stiff competition. 1. Rain Dogs - Tom Waits 2. Psychocandy - The Jesus And Mary Chain 3. Vu - The Velvet Underground 4. Steve Mcqueen - Prefab Sprout 5. Mad Not Mad - Madness 6. This Nations Saving Grace - The Fall 7. Live At The Harlem Club - Sam Cooke 8. So Many Rivers - Bobby Womack 9. New Day Rising - Husker Du 10. Hounds Of Love - Kate Bush however, some bizarre placings elsewhere. fables of the reconstruction only made number 30, lowlife by new order only number 22, meat is murder was number 11 (not my favourite smiths album i must admit) - and most bizarrely of all at number 41 was the evening visits by the apartments. shockerooni!! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1860 Registered: 09-2006 |
Neil Young - Dreamin' Man Basically it's Harvest Moon live and acoustic from 1992, and lovely indeed. Laurie Anderson - Homeland | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2423 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wow. I'm impressed they had the Apartments album at all. Astonished. Wow. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2424 Registered: 03-2005 |
Oh, Kevin, my copy of the Congos record arrived today. It's really amazingly good. I still can't decide if the muffled sound is Lee Perry's sound or if I'm getting a dose of crappy-Jamaican-CD-mastering. But the record itself is seriously great. I have a Lee Perry antho. I'll have to pull it out and give it a listen but I don't remember hearing anything associated with him that appealed this much. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 470 Registered: 01-2007 |
Kevin I remember that year well and I think they (NME) gave Joint LP of the year to Raindogs and Psychocandy, both excellent but Rain Dogs is just up there with the best. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 471 Registered: 01-2007 |
listening to Bonnie Prince Billy and The Cairo Gang, I am always a little underwelmed by him does anyone else feel he is over rated. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 762 Registered: 10-2008 |
yep,i do prolific doesnt mean good. look at ryan adams and robert pollard | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2425 Registered: 03-2005 |
Yes, Jerry. I have one Bonnie Prince Billy record (The Letting Go). I listened to it a handful of times and that was it. If he didn't have the Icelandic collaborators lending a bit of interest to the arrangements I doubt that I'd have given it more than one listen. The lyrics seemed soppy and uninteresting and his "just got out of bed" vocal style wore out long before the album was finished. Snooze. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3628 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes, I fourth that. Definitely overrated. I gave up on him a long time ago. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 763 Registered: 10-2008 |
randy, the muffled sound on the congos album is probably just perry's signature sound. it normally suits his productions as long as you have a good pressing on vinyl, or a good mastering job on cd. i'm guessing your copy is on vp records, the copy to have is the one released by blood and fire, remastering is their speciality. although i think the blood and fires are pretty rare now. i have the vp on vinyl, and the b+f on cd. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1879 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kevin, I'll have to pick up that edition of mojo if I can find it. Continuing my Waits marathon yesterday, I watched my Criterion DVD copy of Short Cuts. PT Anderson sure used it as a basis for Magnolia, and I must say that although it has some fine acting performances, the characters don't work for me like Altman's do in Short Cuts. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1880 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kevin, For nme not to list the following in their top 50 albums for 1985 seems really strange: Replacements - Tim Mekons - Fear and Whiskey Waterboys - This Is The Sea Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Fegmania! and a favorite of mine from the great white north: Jane Siberry - The Speckless Sky | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2427 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for the info Kevin. You're right; I have the vp version. On the second listen I realized that it had to be Perry's sound because there's always at least one element in the mix that is given a high end. The first song (Fisherman) is particularly muted with the top end rolled off the entire drum kit. Very Joe Meek really, except that Meek had better reverb and knew how to make something sound silky and muted at the exact same time. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 765 Registered: 10-2008 |
even though it was perhaps 15 years ealier randy, i'm guessing meek had better toys to play with. perry's studio was very rudimentary, and his equipment was basic found this on the web "And it was all recorded at Black Ark with only a four-track 1/4-inch Teac reel-to-reel, 16-track Soundcraft board, Mutron phaser, and Roland Space Echo. Bouncing tracks together to create 16-track thickness, albeit with considerable signal degradation and tape hiss Using fairly simple equipment, Perry was able to take four tracks and make them sound like eight or more by dumping several tracks onto one and then repeating the process. With less than state of the art technology, Perry managed to create a huge bag of tricks that many producers still puzzle over today" i think the sound he got was extarordinary, and i really do class him along with martin hannett as someone who was more often than not as important as, if not sometimes more so, the musicians for creating the music | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2429 Registered: 03-2005 |
Kevin, Meek recorded in his apartment in North London. He built his own reverb units using crap like a spring from a garden gate. He usually managed to have at least one new tape machine, a 4 track pro Ampex in his later days, two track EMI machines earlier on. He probably did have a little more money than Perry but probably not a lot. He did have the advantage of starting out as an engineer in pro studios (IBC and Lansdowne which he helped design and build) so he knew what sort of equipment to try to acquire, lack of money notwithstanding. I'd probably put all three producer/engineers in the same category. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1881 Registered: 01-2005 |
Kevin and Randy, I have yet to explore The Congos. Should I start with Heart Of The Congos? Which version, the double disc remaster from 1996 by the Congos themselves or is the sound from the single disc from 1992 decent? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2430 Registered: 03-2005 |
Michael, this is almost certainly Kevin's question to answer. I get the impression from the comments on Amazon that Heart of the Congos is the only record of theirs to get. I think the CD I have is ok but, again, Kevin's answer will be more valid on that. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 767 Registered: 10-2008 |
michael, this is the only congos album worth having, to be honest there arent that many more, certainly not from their heyday of the 70s. if you can get the blood and fire version that is the one to have. not only does it sound better(the vp is still fine though)it is a great package with a slipcase and a nice booklet. i checked the sleevenotes from the blood and fire version and it says all but a few tracks were transferred from the master tapes, and the others from vinyl. i would guess all the vp tracks were sourced from vinyl but could be wrong. jamaican music is notorious for not paying royalties, something that b&f admirably tried to do for about 15 years before being forced out of business. they devoted a lot of their budget on sound restoration and packaging. i just remembered that my first version of this album was bought in 1979. it was released on go feet records which was owned by the 2 tone affiliated group the beat. i wish i still had that, worth a bomb i would think. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2025 Registered: 10-2004 |
I once had a Go Feet LP pressing of Heart of the Congos which I believe was a bootleg pressing. It sounded atrocious - like it was taken from a fluttery cassette tape. I sold it. I need to buy that album again, though. "Fisherman" or whatever its called is such an amazing, classic tune. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1882 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jeff, That "Fisherman" song is the bomb! Heart Of The Congos will be included in my next music purchase. Thanks for the info Kevin!! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1886 Registered: 01-2005 |
R.E.M. - Fables Of The Reconstruction 25th Anniversary Edition Rockin' great reissue. It comes alive and reveals the buried instruments just as the double disc remastered Tallulah did. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1036 Registered: 08-2004 |
John Cale - Helen Of Troy Barzin - My Life In Rooms | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2432 Registered: 03-2005 |
Tactics--Sound of the Sound Vol. 1 | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2028 Registered: 10-2004 |
Music For Pleasure - Into the Rain | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1887 Registered: 01-2005 |
X - Under The Big Black Sun (2001 reissue with bonus tracks). I forgot what a rocking kick booty album this was. Too bad they went steeply downhill two albums later with the 1985 album Ain't Love Grand. Their first four albums are all essential 80's albums. I find it odd though that people forget about them, but mention The Replacements all the time. Maybe it's because they were almost done by the time college radio exploded? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1863 Registered: 09-2006 |
They were sort of artists on the cusp, Michael, with feet in both the first and second waves. Definitely agreed on those first four albums..."Wild Gift" especially just goes and goes. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2030 Registered: 10-2004 |
Under the Big Black Sun has always been my personal favorite. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1889 Registered: 01-2005 |
Allen and Jeff, Wild Gift and Under The Big Black Sun, you can't go wrong with either as your personal favorite. I'm going listen to Los Angeles, Wild Gift and More Fun In The New World next. Has any listened to or watched the 2005 live album (X - Live in Los Angeles) CD/DVD with the original line-up? | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 774 Registered: 10-2008 |
i came to x late, about 3 years ago. great band. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1890 Registered: 01-2005 |
I read a year end recap of the best albums of 1981 and Wild Gift was on it, so in early 1982 I bought a vinyl copy of it. If fact, I've got all of their first four albums on vinyl. Hopefully my turntable will be done by Friday! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2434 Registered: 03-2005 |
Sophie Hunger -- 1983 Thanks Andrew. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2435 Registered: 03-2005 |
The Bathers--Unusual Places to Die Screw it. I decided to make up a phony CD copy of this great album since there doesn't seem to be an official one. I've been limited to hearing it on the iPod until today. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2032 Registered: 10-2004 |
Funny you mention that, Randy, as I'm about ready to make up a phony CD copy of the Friends Again album. The cheapest I'm seeing that LP go for on-line is $30, and about $80 for the CD. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2436 Registered: 03-2005 |
Even the vinyl, eh? Well, one of your magical Amoebas will maybe cough up a copy. And if "Unusual Places to Die" shows up buy it; it's the Bathers album most closely related to Friends Again in feel. Are you pulling images of the album artwork off the net? That's how far I've gone for my phony CD. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1892 Registered: 01-2005 |
the monochrome set - Eligible Bachelors | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 777 Registered: 10-2008 |
jeff, a lot cheaper here http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_ id=135061&ev=mb | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2033 Registered: 10-2004 |
Oh wow, Kevin, thanks! Funny that they're all in Spain. Randy, I have been keeping an eye out for that Bathers album. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 272 Registered: 03-2007 |
Jeff, snap up that US$80.00 copy of the Friends Again album. There are used copies listed on AmazonCo for £176.32 and £145.92 ( US$275.00 and US$228 approximately.) Crazy prices. :-) Jeff/Randy, two copies of 'Unusual Places To Die' are currently on sale at AmazonCo. They are listed under Audio Cassette Format on the front page but one seller ( 5Records ) states that his copy is a vinyl lp ( new ) with slight storage wear to the sleeve in the full listing. Price is £7.99 plus delivery. Said seller has a 96% Rating with over 4000 sales. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 778 Registered: 10-2008 |
hugh, with all due respect to all here who are fans of friends again, but $80 is crazy money for what imo is a pretty average band. the bathers on the other hand are a different proposition. unusual places to die is a monumental leap on from the funk lite of friends again. listening to it just now and it certainly has aged well. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 273 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, my comment was made with tongue planted firmly in cheek hence my reference to crazy prices ( all of them ) and the little smiley at the end of the sentence. I can safely say that I never have and never will pay silly money for an album no matter how much I like an artist/band. I saw Friends Again play live in 1984 and they were far from an average band. I would however accept that 'Trapped And Unwrapped' is not a great album. For me, Thompson was the major songwriting talent in the band hence why I subsequently followed The Bathers and not Love & Money. Artists/bands need to start somewhere and I like catching them at the outset so that I can watch them develop. Thompson may not have had any great commercial success but he did produce several excellent albums that have stood the test of time very well in my humble opinion. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 779 Registered: 10-2008 |
no probs hugh - but your smiley was at the end of your second sentence, and you appeared to be urging jeff to buy it at $80 in the first sentence - lost in translation i guess. i have just played the first 3 songs from friends agains debut album from a rip i found on the net, not my bag at all. didnt like it at the time, like it even less now. time hasnt been kind. very glasgow early 80s vibe - just a few rungs up from wetwetwet :-) | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1894 Registered: 01-2005 |
R.E.M. - Fables Of The Reconstruction 25th Anniversary (Disc 2 Athens Demos) Very nice. This 25th Anniversary box reminds me of why R.E.M was my favorite band from 1983-87. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 1864 Registered: 09-2006 |
The Wild Tchoupitoulas X- Wild Gift Rolling Stones - Rewind 1971-1984 Laurie Anderson - Strange Angels and United States Live | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2437 Registered: 03-2005 |
Shack--H.M.S. Fable | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2438 Registered: 03-2005 |
C. W. Stoneking's King Hokum Aptly named. I made it to the fourth track. J. Walker sure gets himself involved in some odd crap sometimes. |