| Author | Message | ||
     Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2006 |
Sorry, this is more music-nerd, list-making fun. They call this kind of thing trainspotting in the UK, don't they? But this exercise occurred to me. I've been listening to a lot of the GBs lately - I guess the magnificent "Striped Sunlight" DVD got me all psyched on them all over again. So, I pulled out my "1978-1990" compilation, which is great, but if you had to distill the GBs down to their quintessence, I wondered, what 10 songs would best represent them? And, to be consistent with the 'Tweens' own ethos, you have to follow their rule: 5 by GM and 5 by RF. I know this is similar to other threads here, but how it's different is in boiling their genius down to 10 songs.... So here's what I came up with: 1) Spring Rain - one of RF's all time most rockin' and tuneful songs, this Creedence-influenced tune catches perfectly those moments in life where we're so desperately hoping for change, we know it's going to come. It simply has to... 2) Dive For Your Memory - RF is himself, according to the Acoustic section of the DVD, very proud of this one. Beautiful and elegaic and it really does have a gorgeous chord sequence... 3) Clouds - like Spring Rain, this one seems to be some sort of personal manifesto, also...it has a lot of great lines, by favorite being "They chopped my heart the way you'd chop a tree". RF, I have been there, my brother. 4) Draining the Pool for You - "Remembered your name..." It was about time someone put that particular sentiment into a song...not sure if RF means the pool draining job literally, or if it's a metaphor for thankless, menial tasks in general, but either way, it works beautifully...Although, in RF's mind, this song is probably set in Sydney, it could have just as easily taken place in some L.A. scumbag's tasteless McMansion..... 5) Part Company - According to RF, this ushered in a whole new era in his songwriting...it is utterly heartbreaking without being sentimental in the least (which, by the way, is a hallmark of the GBs best stuff.... 6) Streets of Your Town - OK, this may be too poppy for some, too "radio", but I love it madly...(was this a top-10 hit in Oz?)...the brightness of the melody and arrangement are tempered somewhat by the darkness of the lyrics, allusions to things like "battered wives" and "butcher's knives"...apparently, "Your Town" is not really thriving...don't buy any real estate there... 7) Bachelor Kisses - one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful melodies GM has come up with, this ascending chord structure takes you straight to jangly pop heaven. Don't pass Go, don't collect $200. The lyrics are great too and stake out a certain position, with regard to the object of affection.. Per GM, "Other Men's Bachelor Kisses": Bad, very bad. "GM's Bachelor Kisses": Good for you. In fact, "they're for your brow"....great middle 8 that apparently GM was coerced into writing by the record company... 8) Quiet Heart - More than any other song by them, this one has worked the best when trying to win over new converts to the GBs magic...some mash-up maestro should do a mix that blends this with those other great love songs that feature the same kind of loping tempo and chord structure: "Every Breath You Take" and "With or Without You", though this song easily trumps those two... 9) Cattle and Cane - Their first real masterpiece and GM's step into the ring as a songwriting force to be reckoned with. Great riff, strange time signature and haunting, moving lyrics. All about GM's early life growing up on a cattle ranch. 10) Boundary Rider - A sequel of sorts to C&C....it could be the same character, years later....probably about middle age, it features many quotable, koan-like lines, such as "to know yourself is to be yourself" and my all time favorite: "some days you ride it hard to stop them getting out, then one day you find yourself riding to stop them getting in"...the best song off of Oceans Apart, which is saying something, too... | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 187 Registered: 08-2004 |
Hardin, have you specifically chosen 5 RF & 5 GM songs on purpose or did it happen by accident. Here's mine 1. The House Jack Kerouac Built. 2. The Wrong Road 3. The Clarke Sisters 4. In The Core Of A Flame 5. You Can't Say No Forever 6. He Lives My Life 7. Bye Bye Pride 8. The Ghost & The Black Hat 9. Man O' Sand To Girl O' Sea 10. The Sound Of Rain | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 159 Registered: 04-2005 |
Ah yes, the "essence of the GoBs on single disc" question, following their "rules" (5 RF, 5 GM). I'd have to think about sequencing, but here are the five songs I'd pick for Robert and Grant: RF: Dive for Your Memory Twin Layers of Lightning Spring Rain Part Company Love Is A Sign Comments: Very hard to leave off "Draining the Pool," "The Clarke Sisters," "People Say," "He Lives My Life," and "Mountains Near Delray." GM: Cattle and Cane Streets of Your Town Bye Bye Pride Hammer the Hammer Apology Accepted Comments: As Hardin said, "Streets" might be a suspect choice (especially now that it's used in a Murdoch advert), but to me it's the #1 worldwide smash the group never had--a perfect pop song, light and airy on the surface, darker underneath. I can't really defend "Hammer the Hammer" over "Bachelor Kisses" except by saying that I consider the latter a similar but inferior song to "Bye Bye Pride," while "Hammer" is something unique. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 150 Registered: 05-2005 |
been meaning to rip a go betweens "best of" for the car, so this thread finally made me do it. decided to concentrate on b4 H'wood through to 16LL and came up with the following 18 tracks (in keeping with hardins request, I have also narrowed it down to ten tracks. i have put these in numbered brackets after each song, obviously songs without a number drop off) cattle and cane (1) spring rain (2) part company (3) bachelor kisses (4) head full of steam man o sand... (10) quiet heart (5) ask a bad debt follows you dusty in here (6) draining the pool for you to reach me that way (7) dive for your memory (8) the house jack kerouac built (9) slow slow music clouds i just get caught out | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 37 Registered: 05-2005 |
Not dividing into Robert's and Grant's 01 Love Goes On! 02 The House Jack Kerouac Built 03 Cattle & Cane 04 Bye Bye Pride 05 Was There Anything I Could Do? 06 Apology Accepted 07 Streets Of Your Town 08 Head Full Of Steam 09 Bachelor Kisses 10 Hope Then Strife | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good work Hardin! No, Streets... was not a hit in Australia, or anywhere. They've never had a hit single in Australia, or anywhere that I'm aware of. My 10 is designed to be an introduction to the band, showing how their songwriting developed over almost 30 years. I like the tracklist so much I'm going to either burn it as a disc or making an iPod playlist of it. 1 Lee Remick 2 Cattle And Cane 3 Spring Rain 4 Bye Bye Pride 5 Streets Of Your Town 6 Quiet Heart 7 Dive For Your Memory 8 The Clock 9 Too Much Of One Thing 10 Mountains Near Delray | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 64 Registered: 05-2005 |
1.Lee Remick 2.Cattle and Cane 3.5 Words 4.The wrong road 5.Spirit of a Vampyre 6.Dive for your memory 7.He lives my life 8.Darlinghurst nights 9.Mountains near Delray 10.Apology Accepted | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 55 Registered: 12-2004 |
I love all the lists posted so far: Here's mine: 1. Dive For Your Memory 2. Unkind & Unwise 3. Spring Rain 4. Boundary Rider 5. He Lives My Life 6. Cattle & Cane 7. Karen 8. By Bye Pride 9. Clouds 10. Right Here | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 48 Registered: 06-2005 |
caroline & i hammer the hammer cattle and cane that way unkind, unwise spring rain karen apology accepted bye bye pride right here bachelor kisses i just get caught out no further comment needed | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2005 |
You Can't Say No Forever Cattle and Cane That Way The Clarke Sisters People Say Spring Rain Streets of Your Town You've Never Lived Karen I Just Get Caught Out | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 40 Registered: 01-2005 |
Cattle and Cane Quiet Heart Bye Bye Pride In The Core Of A Flame Apology Accepted Love Is A Sign Head Full Of Steam Dive For Your Memory Clouds Part Company | ||
| Alex Bolton Member Username: Alexb Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2006 |
Cattle and Cane Spring Rain He Lives My Life Streets of Your Town I Just Get Caught Out Quiet Heart Right Here Clouds Magic In Here The Devil's Eye | ||
| Alex Bolton Member Username: Alexb Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2006 |
Cattle and Cane Spring Rain He Lives My Life Streets of Your Town I Just Get Caught Out Quiet Heart Magic In Here Clouds Darlinghurst Nights The Devil's Eye Early days but a few observations on the list. 1/ Grant's songs are more popular 2/ 16LL is the most cited album | ||
| Dusty Member Username: Dusty Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2005 |
In no particular order: 1. To Reach Me 2. Part Company 3. Spirit 4. Finding you 5. Love is a sign 6. Cattle and Cane 7. Born to a family 8. Spring rain 9. Five words (Peel) 10.Rare Breed (Peel) 11.You've never lived 12.Unkind and unwise | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 223 Registered: 05-2005 |
Caroline and I Cattle and Cane I just get caught out Twin layers of lightning Too much of one thing Man O sand to girl O sea Finding You The House Jack Kerouac Built Born To A Family Going Blind | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 205 Registered: 05-2005 |
Can someone with a maths degree work out a top 10 of the top 10? Give it another week or so so the straggles can contribute. | ||
| Bob Mail Member Username: Bob Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2006 |
anyone good with an excel spreadsheet?? to calculate all this :-) in no order Right Here Darlinghurst nights Apology Accepted Headful of Steam I'm Alright Bye Bye Pride Make Her Day Bachelor Kisses He lives my life Finding You | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 66 Registered: 05-2005 |
Only 10 songs?? CDs hold 74 minutes. I mean com'on they have 9 albums not counting solo and collaborations. Hardin, you make it tough. Interesting exercise. It showed me that I clearly like Robert's work more, although I had never thought this the case. I have to shave more of his songs done to 5. 1. Lee Remick (RF) - For me, you gotta start here. I even like the Meanies cover from the tribute album. 2. Hammer the Hammer (GM) - Such a queer song when I first heard it but I love the driving bass line. 3. Cattle and Cane (GM) - Great guitar riff and interesting story song. 4. Part Company (RF) - One of his best lyrical songs. I particularly love, "That's her handwriting, that's the way she writes. From the first letter I got to this her Bill of Rights, part company. And what will I miss? Her cruelty, her unfaithfulness" Gut-wrenching. 5. Five Words (GM) - "Ba-Ba-Ba-Bury them don't keep them." Great quirky song. There's two versions of this song and one is clearly superior to me but I can't remember which now. 6. Head Full of Steam (RF) - Another great song. "Exports but that's of no importance at all." 7. Bye Bye Pride (GM) - One of his best. I even like the BBC live version with different lyrics. 8. I Just Get Caught Out (RF) - Always loved this driving number. A good rocker. 9. Rock n Roll Friend (RF) - possibly my favorite track by Robert. At least top three. 10. Hope Then Strife (GM) - I always loved the epic nature of this track and the visuals "postcard over the bed and seeing Algiers". It would be a good end track. Songs that had to be cut to get to 10: Man O'Sand to Girl O'Sea Bachelor Kisses I'm Allright Dive for your Memory I didn't put any from the new album. It's still so new for me. Just picked it up last month. But I do like: Darlinghurst Nights, Boundary Rider quite a bit and of all the GoBs V2 albums, I would pick from this record. | ||
| Ulrich A. Bayer Member Username: Marenhannes Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2006 |
in order: 01 Dive For Your Memory 02 Karen 03 Dusty in Her 04 Lee Remick 05 Here Comes A City 06 The House Jack Kerouac Built (Live Vienna 2003) 07 Cattle And Cane 08 Too Much Of One Thing 09 He Lives My Life 10 Rock And Roll Friend (11 When People Are Dead) | ||
| Duncan Hurwood Member Username: Duncan_h Post Number: 39 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'll have a go too, in release order. As you can probably tell, I'm more a fan of the pop side of the band. 1: Cattle and Cane 2: Part Company 3: In the core of a flame 4: Bye Bye Pride 5: Clouds 6: Streets of your town 7: I'm alright 8: Spirit 9: Finding You 10: Boundary Rider | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 265 Registered: 10-2004 |
this is really hard. and subject to change at whim. 1. head full of steam 2. bachelor kisses 3. you can't say no forever 4. streets of your town 5. twin layers of lightning 6. unkind and unwise 7. part company 8. five words (peel sessions version) 9. bow down 10. that way (11. on my block) (12. love goes on) (13. rare breed) (14. palm sunday) | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 220 Registered: 03-2006 |
Glad to see "Streets" getting some mentions - it is a great song, end of story. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 240 Registered: 08-2004 |
1. In The Core Of A Flame 2. The House Jack Kerouac Built 3. Cattle & Cane 4. You Can't Say No Forever 5. He Lives My Life 6. The Sound Of Rain 7. Part Company 8. The Clarke Sisters 9. Emperor's Courtesan 10. The Ghost & The Black Hat | ||
| Peter Senning Member Username: Peter_senning Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
1. You Can't Say No Forever 2. Finding You 3. Magic in Here 4. You Won't Find it Again 5. Bachelor Kisses 6. This Girl, Black Girl 7. Quiet Heart 8. Apology Accepted 9. The Sound of Rain 10. Streets of Your Town | ||
| M. Mark Burgess Member Username: Fortysomething Post Number: 79 Registered: 05-2005 |
I won't go with obvious choices, so here's a second tier list 1.Love is a Sign 2.Ask 3.5 Words Peel Version 4.People Say 5.Magic in Here 6.Surfing Magazines 7.You Can't Say No Forever 8.Make Her Day 9.Quiet Heart 10.To Reach Me If I didn't know who they were and I heard any of these songs blaring out of the radio, I would be converted. | ||
| Charles Member Username: Charles Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006 |
1 Rock and roll friend (a great idea for a song managed with skill and sensitivity) 2 Dive for your memory (The last song on their last LP befor they broke up, could have been the perfect swansong) 3 He lives my life ( the first classic after the reformation) 4 Too much of one thing (a very long song which never stops being interesting) 5 Darlinghurst Nights 6 By By pride 7 quiet heart 8 Locust Girls (like a much darker Cattle and cain) 9 Crooked lines 10 No reason to cry | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2004 |
Love Is A Sign Spring Rain Ask Spirit Surfing Magazines Cattle And Cane Mexican Postcard The Devil's Eye The Wrong Road Crooked Lines | ||
| C Suabo Member Username: Chet Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006 |
Spring Rain Born to a Family Rock and Roll Friend Dive for your Memory Spirit That Way This Girl, Black Girl Cattle and Cane Bye Bye Pride 2nd Hand Furniture Only a thousand different variations could hve been created | ||
| steven drennan Member Username: Dj_steviedee Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006 |
WELL HERE GOES FIRST IT HAS TO BE CATTLE AND CANE 2, ROBERT =FRISCO DEPOT 3, QUIET HEART 4, APOLOGY ACCEPTED 5 , TWIN LAYERS OF LIGHTNING 6, THE CLARKE SISTERS 7, THIS NIGHTS FOR YOU 8,YOU CAN'T SAY NO FOREVER 9, SURFING MAGAZINES 10, SPRING RAIN | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
1. Cattle and Cane 2. Bachelor Kisses 3. The Ghost and the Black Hat 4. The House that Jack Kerouac Built 5. Bye, Bye Pride 6. Clouds 7. Rock and Roll Friend 8. Spirit 9. Finding You 10.Lavender | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006 |
no robert or grant preferences, just good music (without any ranking): man o'sand to girl o'sea draining the pool too much of one thing surfing magazines the house that jack kerouac built finding you the statue eight pictures bow down i need two heads | ||
| Sloan Nevidy Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2005 |
1. unkind and unwise 2. cattle and cane 3. boundary rider 4. love goes on! 5. bachelor kisses 6.part company 7. you tell me 8. house jack kerouac built 9. spring rain 10. dive for your memory --sloan | ||
| Leon Drewe Member Username: Leon_drewe Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2006 |
Top 5 albums in order: 1. Friends of Rachel Worth 2. Oceans Apart 3. Tallulah 4. Spring Hill Fair 5. 16 Lovers Lane Top 5 Grant songs in no particular order: Magic in Here Cattle and Cane Bye Bye Pride Right Here Hope then Strife Top 5 Robert songs in no particular order: Spring Rain Spirit Lavender Clouds Part company | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 583 Registered: 03-2005 |
Many thanks to Leon for bringing this thread back up. Welcome to the board, Leon. I enjoyed re-reading Hardin's commentaries on his choices, all of which are ones I'd consider for a list of my top ten. I think he was spot-on with everything he said except maybe his mention of that execrable overplayed Police ditty in his discussion of "Quiet Heart." I never put an entry on here because, frankly, I was too lazy to sit down and make the decisions necessary. It's really hard to hone it down to ten measley choices, and they would change every month. Right now? Here goes: You've Never Lived Spirit Dive For Your Memory Part Company Rock n Roll Friend Cattle and Cane Quiet Heart Wrong Road Bachelor Kisses Finding You And I already disagree with my decisions to leave out Spring Rain You Won't Find It Again The Clarke Sisters Boundary Rider Love is a Sign This Girl, Black Girl Draining the Pool Bye Bye Pride | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 825 Registered: 03-2006 |
It's hard to narrow it down to ten, but that's part of the fun, I think...it's my Zen nature, I guess, that the exercise appeals to... | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 153 Registered: 11-2004 |
Which Man O' Sand To Girl O' Sea are you guys listing: single version or album version? | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 137 Registered: 05-2005 |
Donat, Isn't the single version much better? I don't have them in front of me but I think the single version was on Metals and Shells which is where I first heard it. I wish I had a digital version of it. My record player is gone. :  Can anyone confirm? It also appears that the Five Words best version was the peel sessions version which I sold back years ago. Is this version on any other compilation that I can pick up? Also King in Mirrors is superios on the 12" single compared to the other one which I believe is on 1979-1990. Anyone else agree? | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 138 Registered: 05-2005 |
Damn mouse my post should read this way: Donat, Isn't the single version much better? I don't have them in front of me but I think the single version was on Metals and Shells which is where I first heard it. Can anyone confirm? It also appears that the Five Words best version was the peel sessions version which I sold back years ago. Is this version on any other compilation that I can pick up? Also King in Mirrors is superios on the 12" single compared to the other one which I believe is on 1979-1990. Anyone else agree? I wish I had a digital version of it. My record player is gone. : | ||
| Per Stam Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2005 |
I agree. The single version is better (7" and 12"; not on Metal and Shells, I think). Better guitar solo all the way, better sound, and the first version I heard... But Grant preferred the version on 1978-90. The sleeve notes say something about the single version, about singing in a closet, (mis?)pronounciation of a french word (if I remember it right). Which I interpret: Grant was not happy with the single version, that's why they chose another version on 1978-90, and probably why they chose that (same) version on the 2CD Spring Hill Fair. | ||
| Martin Schori Member Username: Martin_s Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2006 |
Sorry but for me that seems a bit strange. Most people have choosen songs from the first albums. Just listen to the last 3 albums and make a new list. Anyway, nobody's mentioned "Just A King in Mirrors", it seems I'm the only person that loves this song the most. And I recall the 7" Single B-Side, not the version on the compilation. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 597 Registered: 03-2005 |
Sadly, I've never heard the 7" single version of "King in Mirrors." I like the song quite a lot. But that's the problem with this "ten best" idea; you have to leave out all sorts of things you love. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 159 Registered: 11-2004 |
Single version of 'Man O' Sand..' would be my personal choice. Don't get me started on the mastering of Go-Betweens releases over the years. Go-Betweens folklore has suggested in the past that Robert and Grant weren't fans of the post-production process. And I for one believe it. Some mastering jobs (and Oceans Apart is just the tip of the iceberg) have a lot to be desired. Each re-release sounds different to the next and I guess the mastering/re-mastering is all a matter of personal taste at the end of the day. It all boils down to how much of an audiophile you are. I can tell you one thing, if you want to hear Send Me A Lullaby in all of its radiant glory, I suggest you track down the Red Eye CD version which came out in 1990. I managed to find a vinyl test pressing of this, though Red Eye never ended up pressing a commercial vinyl release. This version (for me) walks over anything else that's been released, including the original Missing Link and Rough Trade pressings. Though they did reissue Before Hollywood on LP with a 'Bringing It All Back Home' styled font on the cover to replace the boring black and bold typeface - which is worth looking for. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 416 Registered: 08-2004 |
That's a good thing, Donat. You never know what you're gonna get. It makes buying every version exciting.  | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 644 Registered: 04-2005 |
Speaking of remastering, has anyone heard more details about the upcoming reissue of the band's pre-1990 catalog? I forget--is it EMI doing the reissues? There can't be a lot of unheard outtakes left after the last batch of 2-CD reissues, but I'm hoping they'll have some surprises, like lots of previously released live tracks, early acoustic demos, or something. Given the eloquence Robert showed in the piece he wrote about Grant, it would be great if he'd provide lengthy liner notes for all of the reissues, much as Costello did with the Rhino reissues of his back catalog. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 615 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I gave a bum steer re EMI. I had the impression they were doing another re-packaging with more tracks, but they just issued Australian versions of the two-disc jobs already issued in the UK and elsewhere. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 656 Registered: 04-2005 |
Ah, I see. Thanks, Padraig. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 604 Registered: 03-2005 |
I wonder how Robert is feeling nowadays and whether he's writing. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 166 Registered: 11-2004 |
I was a little shocked that EMI did a facsimile the UK 2-disc reissues - more shocked that they didn't really bother telling anyone that they did! When I heard EMI were going to do it, I thought we Aussies were to going to have all six albums remastered, with all the right bonus tracks from the best available sources, featuring no silly low-res videos and simply a re-release that'll ensure no future re-releases! Sure, collecting Go-Betweens reissues isn't the same kind of fun you get from buying all of The Fall ones, but still... For example, The Triffids' 'Born Sandy' reissue is magnificent - especially with the bookets featuring tidbits David McComb's scrapbooks. But when you tack bonus tracks on the end and not devote a second disc to them, it sort of distracts you from the album itself. One good thing about the 2 CD reissues is that you get the album on one disc and the bonuses that not everyone cares about on the other. Speaking of bonus discs, does anyone here rate the Live At Snap CD that came with early copies of Bellavista Terrace? | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 146 Registered: 05-2005 |
Donat, are you asking what we all think of the SNAP cd? I've been dying to talk about this. And hope others do too. I feel like a voyeur when listening to it. It's like watching COPS, the tv show. Most fans rave about almost everything a band does, calling it pure genious. To me, that's not very discerning. Everyone makes duds. We're human. When I listen to the electric session, my first thought is "Wow, I'm getting to hear GB MK I live!" Then I think, "Wow how punk these versions sound." Then, "Ew they're pretty sloppy. I wish I had a tighter show by MK I." Then when I hear the acoustic performances with the 3/5 of the band, I think, "Wow, I get to hear GB MK I stripped down!" Then, "Wow, they must be out of their element, a bit nervous, and still learning the songs." Then when I hear AB has some pitch problems on Clouds I think, "Ouch." and GM's syrupy growl on QH I think, "Ew that could have been tightened up and restrained a bit." I think what pushed me further over the edge was the over-the-top gushiness of KCRW's Deirdra. I mean I do agree they are brilliant songwriters and have sound great records but these live performances weren't masterpieces. Years later, Live In London comes out and they've done the solo thing and then MK II is born and I'm literally blown away by the tightness of the band. The timing and the changes mid-song are pure musicianship. They came into their own for sure. That also has crystalized my thoughts about SNAP on the re-listen after LIL. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 420 Registered: 08-2004 |
I listened to Live On Snap last night. They were still a punk band then. Each record was a progression by mk. 1. Mk 2 although I like all 3 albums there isn't a great deal of difference in styles aside from production/studio. Where their technique became finely honed they lost some of the sonic spark of the early years & perhaps a little spontaneity. | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 147 Registered: 05-2005 |
Interesting thoughts Jerry. I agree that part of the draw to the GB MK I is their spontaniety and a feeling of flying at the seat of your pants. I've also always liked the fact that they were self-taught average musicians and yet they acheived cult status and released over 10+ records! With several re-issues. Without a hit! Amazing and endearing too. Kind of like "You can do it too." | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 121 Registered: 04-2005 |
The Go-Betweens (Mk 1) live for me were NEVER about musical proficency and technique. They were about creating something totally unique on stage. It did not in anyway lead to faithful reconstructions of the records, but in the end meant a lot more. It was about the way that the band looked at each other when things went well or not well. And then smiled.It was about Robert leaving the stage to conduct the group. It was about having a drummer that wore ballgowns. And a bass player that looked about 12 years old and wore 1960s suits. And finally it meant moments like 'Apology Accepted' on Snap when the electric guitar cuts out and comes crashing back in drenched in feedback. Ultimately though live recordings by bands like the (early) G-Bs are perhaps something not to listen to? | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 181 Registered: 02-2005 |
It’s interesting to read critical comments about the KCRW disc. I don’t agree (I like those performances a lot) but the first thing I did when I got that disc was to edit-out the deejay’s gushing intros… they weren’t even interesting to listen to once (may she rest in peace). I didn’t think of The Go-Betweens as a great live band in the 1980’s, but they were always engaging and I never knowingly missed an opportunity see them. I agree that the Mk.II band was a more consistently rocking outfit than the Mk.I. However, now that I’ve acquired live recordings from throughout their career my appreciation has changed. It’s really fascinating to hear earlier material fleshed-out for quintet after Amanda joined, or to hear the baroque-pop of Tallulah and 16LL stripped-down to acoustic duo treatment when Robert and Grant toured together in 1999. I’ve used this word before in describing their work – sturdy. The songs are written with such a mastery of the form, the arranging elements - which are so essential to the recorded versions - can be changed or dropped almost without detriment. This is especially telling because I know their recorded work so well; I should miss every note that’s been excised or bristle at the invasion of a new member’s contributions and it just doesn’t happen. It also doesn’t seem the least bit contrived, whereas “unplugged” shows by almost every other artist I can name have a kind of cloying preciousness about them. I know it’s too early to ruminate on such things, but I do hope Grant recorded demos of his final songs and I hope that one of these years Robert has the constitution to assemble an interesting compendium of unreleased material and live recordings. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 620 Registered: 05-2005 |
I love the Snap disc Donat. The performances are really great, and though Deirdre O'Donoghue is over the top in a very American radio kind of way, I kind of like that too because she is so genuine and honest in her love for the band and has no clue when they are gently having a little fun at her expense. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 423 Registered: 08-2004 |
I like Deirdre's voice. A Nick Cave bootleg called Constant Craving has a song which is followed by some gushing by the legendary broadcaster. What's especially good about LOS is it was never recorded with the intention of being released. It's a live broadcast with all the mistakes & hesitant, nervous chat inbetween. That's what's so much better than any Unplugged. To Quote Robert Forster. "That was The Clarke Sisters... quite a good version I thought, thank you for your applause." Unquote. You've got to love the man after the silence that followed that great song. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 253 Registered: 07-2005 |
Agree with Padraig again, the best tyhing with this compilation is the KCRW disc especially the acoustic numbers, the Quiet Heart knocks me over each time I hear it. Dierdre is gushing, but to my English ears the combination of the West Coast accent and the educated Australian accent of Grant and Robert add to its charm and romance.Her comments about 16 LL being kind of a tonic/therapy can't remember what she says is how I've felt about the GBs. About the concert in the 80's I saw them live acoustic in Virgin/HMV doing the acoustic thing at the time of Tallullah and were great but a concert later that year was disappointing short set no real engagement with the audience. At that time the triffids were a better live outfit.Blasphemous to say this but it was true.I could have just been to a bad show and did go with a group of people which is alsways detracting. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 169 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think out of the mountain of Go-Betweens live shows and radio sessions, the KCRW disc is quite weak performance-wise. I disgree with Robert's gushing comments and Dierdre does get a little tiresome at about the 20th listen. The version of 'Twin Layers Of Lightning' is quite flat, though the rendition 'Apology Accepted' is just beautiful - especially when I think it's Amanda who lets off that fiery burst of (accidental) feedback. Seeing it was recorded as somewhat of a duet, it's strange how Amanda never sang that song with Grant live. Jerry, I'll agree with you there - The Triffids in 1987 were the stronger band live when their pre-recorded tapes and sequencers weren't malfunctioning! Maybe I'm just a sucker for a good Velvets cover in a band's set. I think that when Willsteed joined, he tightened the band a little and made them more of a formidable live outfit - I'm happy to be corrected on this one. | ||
| Aidan Brewer Member Username: Uptowninvisible Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2006 |
1. Love is a Sign 2. Apology Accepted 3. Love Goes On! 4. Bow Down 5. Bye Bye Pride 6. Part Company 7. Cattle and Cane 8. Born to a Family 9. Spring Rain 10. Finding You | ||
| John B. Member Username: John_b Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2006 |
1. Part company 2. Quiet heart 3. Apology accepted 4. He lives my life 5. Karen (live in Hamburg) 6. When people are dead (live in London) 7. Bye bye pride 8. Dusty in here 9. Clouds 10. Spring rain | ||
| Charles Coy Member Username: Coy Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2006 |
1.Love Goes on...Anyway 2.Clouds 3.Bye Bye Pride 4.Lavender 5.Right Here 6.Wrong Road 7.When People are Dead 8.Quiet Heart 9.Finding You 10.Cattle and Cane | ||
| Adam Hogan Member Username: Hiimpact Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006 |
Bachelor Kisses Bye Bye Pride Clouds Spirit Right Here Love Goes On Spring Rain Here Come A City Dive For Your Memory The Devil's Eye | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 767 Registered: 05-2005 |
Welcome Adam. | ||
| Adam Hogan Member Username: Hiimpact Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2006 |
Thanks. I've been a lurker for sometime now. Not sure why it took me so long to register. | ||
| Elizabeth Robinson Member Username: Liz_the_new_listener Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2006 |
My favorite RF and GMcL songs from each of the five albums I have so far: man, this is so hard... Spring Hill Fair: Bachelor Kisses -- what else? The Old Way Out Liberty Belle: Wrong Road Round (pleasure to listen to in both versions, the earlier one is more interesting harmonically at first but more abrupt) Twin Layers of Lightning (hard to decide over and above 'Head Full of Steam' and 'Apology Accepted') 16 Lovers' Lane Quiet Heart Love is a Sign Friends of Rachel Worth Going Blind He Lives My Life (but how can I leave out 'Orpheus Beach' and 'German Farmhouse'?) Oceans Apart This Night's for You Here Comes a City (that's the toughest one of all to narrow down so far.) A Go Betweens top-ten whatsoever would be very difficult for me indeed because so much of this catching up has been so delightful. And yes, I mean to get Tallulah and the Live Album somehow | ||
| Malcolm Worthy Member Username: Malworthy Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
Here are rankings of every song so far. The number in front is the number of times each song appears in peoples selections. 27 Cattle and Cane 19 Bye, Bye Pride 18 Spring Rain 14 Quiet Heart 14 Part Company 13 Dive For Your Memory 12 He lives my life 12 Clouds 12 Bachelor Kisses 10 The house jack kerouac built 10 Streets of Your Town 10 Finding You 10 Apology Accepted 08 you can't say no forever 08 Spirit 07 The Wrong Road 07 Right Here 07 Love Is A Sign 07 I Just Get Caught Out 06 Rock n Roll Friend 06 Headful of Steam 05 unkind, unwise 05 TWIN LAYERS OF LIGHTNING 05 Too much of one thing 05 The Clarke Sisters 05 that way 05 man o'sand to girl o'sea 05 Magic in Here 05 Love Goes on...Anyway 05 Karen 05 In the core of a flame 05 Five words 04 The Sound of Rain 04 The Ghost and the Black Hat 04 The Devil's Eye 04 Surfing Magazines 04 Lee Remick 04 Darlinghurst nights 04 Boundary Rider 04 Born to a Family 03 You've never lived 03 To Reach Me 03 Lavender 03 Hope Then Strife 03 Here Comes a City 03 Hammer the Hammer 03 dusty in here 03 Draining the Pool for You 03 bow down 03 ask 02 When people are dead 02 THIS NIGHTS FOR YOU 02 This Girl, Black Girl 02 People Say 02 Mountains Near Delray 02 Make Her Day 02 I'm Alright 02 Going Blind 02 Crooked Lines 02 Caroline and I 01 You Won't Find it Again 01 you tell me 01 Was There Anything I Could Do? 01 the statue 01 The Old Way Out 01 The Clock 01 Spirit of a Vampyre 01 slow slow music 01 Rare Breed 01 No reason to cry 01 Mexican Postcard 01 Locust Girls 01 i need two heads 01 Emperor's Courtesan 01 eight pictures 01 a bad debt follows you 01 2nd Hand Furniture | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 835 Registered: 04-2005 |
Wow, Malcolm, that's an ambitious project for post #1. Good job--thanks! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 772 Registered: 05-2005 |
Nice work Malcolm. | ||
| Malcolm Worthy Member Username: Malworthy Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thanks. It was a nice distraction. Anyway, here's my selections (in no particular order) Finding you The Clock Cattle and Cane Bachelor Kisses Love Goes on Karen Spring Rain The Clarke Sisters The house Jack Kerouac built You've never lived | ||
| Eelco de Jong Member Username: Eeloc Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2006 |
Here's my list Twin layers of lightning Bye bye pride Spring rain Bachelor kisses Part company Too much of one thing Cattle and cane No reason to cry The statue Draining the pool for you (DVD live Version) | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 53 Registered: 05-2005 |
First seven were quite easy - after that very difficult I'm Alright Cattle and Cane Darlinghurst nights Love Is A Sign Clouds Dive For Your Memory Make Her Day Bye, Bye Pride This Girl, Black Girl The Ghost and the Black Hat | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2006 |
Oh, this is just impossible.. but Too much of one thing & Caroline and I seem far too low on Malcolm's list... 1)Too much of one thing (acoustic stories version) 2) Dive for your memory (ditto) 3)Love goes on (Live in London) 4)He lives my life 5)Caroline & I 6)Boundary Rider 7)Bye bye pride 8)Spirit 9)Finding you 10)Draining the pool (Tivoli) Whew. And I've changed my mind already. And Rocknroll Friend from Warm Nights should be in there, maybe. Stop. | ||
| John B. Member Username: John_b Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yes, Stuart, its just too difficult to be added: Draining the pool (Tivoli) Cattle and Cain (London) Maybe we should have a list of live songs as well (I guess that those of you with bootlegs can add much more here): 1. Karen (Hamburg 2005) 2. When people are dead (London) 3. Surfing magazines (London) 4. Draining the pool (Tivoli) 5. Cattle and Cain (London) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 729 Registered: 03-2005 |
I haven't revisted this thread in a long time and am highly amused by Malcolm's first entry. Welcome to the board Malcolm. |