| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1921 Registered: 10-2004 |
Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but you can watch the Cathal Coughlan documentary in its entirety here: http://vimeo.com/9730708 or here: http://www.platformireland.ie/ I know there are a few other fans here of all things Cathal, and this is well worth watching. Cathal talks about Microdisney, the Fatimas, and spends a lot of time discussing his solo career, particularly the Flannery's Mounted Head project and the material that makes up his last album, Foburgh. He even does some urban spelunking in an abandoned and boarded up insane asylum in Cork! Oh, and word on his message board is that his new album should finally come out later this spring! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2303 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wow, Jeff, thanks for that. It was a marvelous 75 minutes. I've passed it along to some folks I think might be able to "get" it. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3466 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Jeff, will watch over the weekend. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 3467 Registered: 05-2005 |
Find of the century, thanks jeff! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3467 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jeff, this is so wonderful. I've just laughed out loud at 9.50 into it, as Cathal's wry, sly smile when he says "Why not just behead that thing in Downing St?" By the way, an old flame of mine worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse in that now disused hospital. The stories she used to tell of those days... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3468 Registered: 05-2005 |
That hospital used to be the widest building in Europe, as you can tell from that endless corridor. I don't know if it still is. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 3472 Registered: 05-2005 |
Face on, to look at him no, he's lost a lot of weight over the years, Cathal looks pretty much nothing like his former rotund self, however the profile clips, you could tell it was him. Having said all that he looks well, and you get the sense that there is some humour in this man waiting to pour out, which lyrically he has done on a pretty regular basis. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1964 Registered: 10-2004 |
Some Cathal Coughlan updates, for anyone who's interested: His new album, Rancho Tetrahedron, is due out August 9, on Kitchenware: http://onfirelive.blogspot.com/2010/06/r ancho-tetrahedron-cathal-coughlan.html And his website seems to be in the midst of a facelift - http://www.cathalcoughlan.com/ Where you'll notice that for those of you lucky enough to live in/near London, Dublin, and Cork, he's got some shows coming up in September. Exciting! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3591 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great news. I was just wondering the other day if he had any new release coming. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 3503 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Jeff, hey how are you man!!? Hope you good. For pop fact pickers, there's an interesting lineage emerging with Cathal, i see contributions from Olly of Turin Brakes (whom I really like) on his new album etc, I note the drummer from TB is a guy called Rob, (whose fantastic player) plays with Sean in high llamas too, and I see Sean's regular musical partners stereolab have loaned Cathal Andy, so looks like they are keeping it in the family.! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1965 Registered: 10-2004 |
Spence! I'm doing okay, how are you? I'm really curious to hear this new album of Cathal's. I don't think I've actually heard Turin Brakes, but this line-up is certainly bringing Cathal a few steps closer to Sean O'Hagan's world. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2366 Registered: 03-2005 |
I have one Turin Brakes record ("Ether Song"), of which I confess I'm not too fond. I was surprised by this announcement but I guess time is racing right on by, as "Foburg" carries a 2006 year on it. I think it would be very cool to have Sean O'Hagan show up on a Cathal Coughlan record at some point. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 3504 Registered: 05-2005 |
good thanks jeff. randy, the ether song albu is prob my least fave tb album, i highly recommend the first album, the optimist, and jackinabox, dark o fire is great too. they really float my boat. live they are wonderful ltoo. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3594 Registered: 05-2005 |
I also have one Turin Brakes album, probably the first one. I bought it on the back of rave reviews and, like Randy, couldn't see what the fuss was about. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 686 Registered: 10-2008 |
i'd be amazed if randy liked turin breaks. "polite" doesnt even begin to describe them!! they make the pale fountains sound like motorhead :-) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 1966 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, I think it would be interesting if Sean O'Hagan did the arrangements for a Cathal record. Would probably never happen, but I think it could work. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 3505 Registered: 05-2005 |
light is good kev! its not all dark ye know!!;) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2022 Registered: 10-2004 |
Cathal has uploaded some clips from the new album, which is due out on the 9th! http://soundcloud.com/cathalc/sets/ranch o-tetrahedron?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_ campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter&utm_co ntent=http://soundcloud.com/cathalc/sets /rancho-tetrahedron | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2023 Registered: 10-2004 |
And here's a recent interview with the man: http://www.hanspeterkuenzler.com/Intervi ew_Cathal_Coughlan.html | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2421 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for those links Jeff. I haven't hit the interview clip yet and maybe it'll answer my question but is Sean involved with those recordings? The first two sure seemed to have a bit of his sweetening approach to the choruses. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2422 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ok, that interview answered my question. I look forward to getting the new album. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3626 Registered: 05-2005 |
Looking forward to hearing the new record too. Hurry up and send it Amazon... | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 768 Registered: 10-2008 |
listened to cathal's new album courtesy of napster. i was a big microdisney fan, but have barely heard anything cathal has done since fatima mansions. first impressions are that he's doing quite a bit of crooning on the album. the arrangements remind me of some of the later robert wyatt albums, especially the songs with double bass and brushed drumming. some of the songs are vaguely jazzy. the playing is of a high standard, i'm guessing these guys are seasoned musicians? "tereline ghosts in the sunshine" sounds like an irish spoken word tom waits highlights on first listen are "the examined life" and "avail" | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2026 Registered: 10-2004 |
Kevin - I think all of Cathal's solo albums are worth a listen, especially "Black River Falls" and "The Sky's Awful Blue." | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2029 Registered: 10-2004 |
I just ordered it through Amazon.co.uk, which was much cheaper than US Amazon, even with the exchange rate. Can't wait to hear it! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2433 Registered: 03-2005 |
I did the same a couple days ago Jeff, also because the US website had it not yet available. The UK dealer has already sent me a notice that it was shipped. Kevin, I think Cathal's solo albums follow on Microdisney's work pretty well, but that means as you'd expect to happen when somebody gets older and more mature. It'll be interesting to hear what you think. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 775 Registered: 10-2008 |
Randy, have played the album 4 or 5 times. Its ok, but maybe a bit pedestrian for my tastes. Never thought I would say that about Cathal, because Microdisney were hardly Motorhead, but its just not doing it for me and I really did want to like it. The songs I highlighted on first listen are still the best for me, only The Frond Seller has made an impression since. But I will reiterate the playing is exceptional and I doubt you, Jeff and other fans will be disappointed. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2037 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, Padraig - either of you received yours yet? Still waiting for mine. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2441 Registered: 03-2005 |
Yes, Jeff, I got mine a couple days ago. It's a bit more polished than Foburg but still has a lot of that theatrical feel to it. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2442 Registered: 03-2005 |
Certain of the songs, especially the first one, have a bit of that Microdisney pop vibe which I think you'll really like. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3636 Registered: 05-2005 |
Mine came last Tuesday Jeff but I haven't played it yet. I've been preoccupied with the Australian election... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2443 Registered: 03-2005 |
Your discussion with Kevin about the Bowie remasters reminds me of another striking thing about the new Cathal album. It's mastered nice and low. I think you'll love the sound. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3637 Registered: 05-2005 |
I love the album. Played it last night. Very Microdisney in parts. Maybe my album of the year. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 783 Registered: 10-2008 |
Its ok, but not a patch on early microdisney. Cathals voice is good, the songs excellently played, but i dont find them too memorable to be honest. Have only saw one review of it so far, in Mojo, got a panning. Hopefully the rest of the reviews are more positive and it sells well. Padraig, you obviously havent heard Aeriel Pinks album, or that would be your album of the year!! :-) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2039 Registered: 10-2004 |
This has definitely got me intrigued. Still quasi-patiently waiting for mine to arrive. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2452 Registered: 03-2005 |
Padraig, Jeff, you heard this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izPKq7RFR Lk | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 3640 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the link Randy. I don't use YouTube enough. There is such a wealth of great stuff there every time I look. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2041 Registered: 10-2004 |
Yeah, thanks, Randy, I like that, and no I hadn't heard it before! I hadn't done a Cathal Coughlan search on youtube in a while. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2042 Registered: 10-2004 |
The torture! Mine apparently got lost in the mail and Amazon UK is having to resend. I noticed Amoeba is not even stocking it, which is no surprise since they didn't stock the last few albums, but I sort of wondered if it'd be different with the new album since it's on Kitchenware. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2050 Registered: 10-2004 |
Damn, my first and only experience with Amazon UK has been frustrating. The package seems to have gotten lost in the mail, and after giving me the run-around for a couple weeks, they're only just now re-sending it, with an estimated delivery date at the end of this month. Next time I'm special-ordering through Amoeba. Needless to say, I'm envious of those who've already had this album for a while! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 820 Registered: 10-2008 |
jeff, not much consolation but i've used amazon hundreds of times and cant think of a single problem. you've just been unlucky i guess. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2051 Registered: 10-2004 |
Kevin, I've used Amazon hundreds of times without problems, too, but this was my first experience with the UK branch. They used some int'l shipper I'd never heard of, and it's the int'l shipping where things occasionally get a bit wonky. At any rate, it finally arrived, and I've listened to it a few times. This is definitely an album that will take several more listens before I'm intimately familiar with all of the songs. It is less edgy than Foburg, a little more melodic and/or poppy, but still very theatrical in places, like Randy mentions. Overall, I think Black River Falls and the Sky's Awful Blue are still his strongest solo albums. Initial standouts are "The Frond-Seller" (which has a rather O'Hagan-esque chorus), "Shipman Memorial," and "The Sultan of Colton County." But it's not really an album where the songs jump out at you. It strikes me as the kind of album where the whole is stronger than the individual parts. Everything works together as a whole, and the album seems to unfold. |