Better late than never I suppose
1. I've had this mix for awhile now and this is the track I've listened to the most. Not my favorite just the one that I kept listening in order to remember where on earth have I heard the trumpet part before. After two weeks it dawned on me that it was from War's Low Rider while walking on the street getting to work. Talk about stupid. Anyway the track reminds me a lot of what was going on in Britain in the late 90's. The sound is upbeat, perfectly danceable and very enjoyable. And yes the Low Rider part gives it an extra boost.
2. This one I couldn't get into at all. Reminds me of recent bands like Phoenix that a lot of people seamed to like but I just couldn't get into. Nothing wrong with it but not my thing ultimately.
3. This however is outstanding. Another one that I heard a lot the mix. I love the relentless rhythm that keeps going on and on.
4. And this is the highlight of the whole disc for me. A song about the Cherokees. It could easily have gone wrong and into cheeseland with the horns and orchestra but it somehow works.
5. A more mellow track and another one that I like a great deal. Again some trumpet(?) part that lifts the the mellow mood of the track and the vocal. Very nice.
6. Sonic Attack? Another I couldn't get into at all. The loop seems like noise to me. It worked better on the car I think.
7. That is a strange one. After an extended intro we move into something that reminds me of Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and some 70's electronic stuff. I like it from the off, but after a few minutes it gets a bit boring. Luckily around the 7 minute mark things change into a more atmospheric thing with unfortunately an annoying vocalist. The music overall is top notch and to be honest I would have preferred if it remained instrumental.
8. This must be The National. I'm not a big fan but mate has bombarded enough with their stuff over the years. I enjoyed this a great deal. And it was even better on the mixed version (more of this later).
9. Minimal piece with a very fitting and rather wonderful female vocal. Also the guitar part is exquisite.
10. Again not my kind my stuff, although perhaps I have not given this enough time. I can distinguish elements in this that I can easily come to like, there's a distinct post-punk influence that I usually love, but one think I'll never get used is the lifeless, flat vocalist. Oh and the backing vocals can fuck off too.
11. BLUES EXPLOSION! I love that band, one of the highlights at this years Primavera for me. My mates didn't think much of them for some reason. The grooviest band of the last 20 years (apart from Little Barrie).
12. On a similar vein, an interesting take on Seven Nation Army, that never threatens to overdo the original, but has the sleazy sound that is infectious. I would imagine this is what the Stones should have been sounding now if they were any clever.
13. Not really my kind of thing again. I can't imagine listening to this kind of stuff voluntarily but I wouldn't necessarily run away from it. It's just a bit indifferent.
14. I liked this quite a bit. A nice coming down kind of track (I don't know if this makes sense however.) It's nice for a closer.
Overall it was a disc that fluctuated between like and dislike but the overall verdict is on the positive side. I really must say that I enjoyed the mixed version of the disc a lot as it really enhanced the overall feel of the mix, and some of the changes worked much better that way. I listened to both a few times and in the end end I ditched the unmixed version, and only listened to the mixed. For the purposes of the review however I find it quite unpractical not to have an unmixed version. Thumbs up for the idea though.
September 2011 Reviews
- whodathunkit
- Posts: 12173
- Joined: 20 Aug 2004, 23:45
- Location: Down in the boondocks
Re: September 2011 Reviews
September brought me a nice mix with plenty of great old tunes. It also brought me a track listing with the mixers name on it . Thought about ignoring it and pretending I was Mr Name-that-tune but a rat would no doubt be smelled. A review and reveal all in one then.
1. "Scene Du Lever Du Soleil" from the soundtrack of Black Orpheus. Gentle little acoustic miniature. Is it Jobim? Pretty sure this eventually grew words and became a bit of a Bossa standard. Nice starter for a mix though.
2. "Mississippi Mud" - Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. "Just as happy as a cow, chewing on the cud, when the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi mud" . I have a version by Ray Charles in which the d-word becomes "people". Still a daft little song though. A real cheerer-upper.
3."Squeeze Me" - Louis Armstrong. For a long time I really didn't "get" Armstrong. Growing up, all we got on the radio was "that song" or something from the odd movie with Bing Crosby patronising him. And yet a lot of people who knew a lot about music were calling him the greatest musician of all time. Even when I got into Beiderbecke and King Oliver and came to appreciate the historical importance of the bloke, I still wasn't feeling the love. In recent years though I've stopped trying so hard and he's sounding pretty good.
4."I'm Not Rough" - J Geils Band.Fucking ace. "Full House" has to be one of my favourite live albums and yet I never really bothered with any of their studio stuff. Must do something about that.
5."Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" - Pearl Bailey. Apart from the name, I know nothing of Ms.Bailey's oeuvre. She can bang one out but she ain't no Dinah Washington. And I've never been a big fan of the song either.
6."Wait A Minute" - The Leaders. Moody rather creepy little tune with some very Miles-ish trumpet. Love this one.
7."Rags And Old Iron" - Nina Simone. Having already bored you with my problem with Louis Armstrong, let me rattle on about Nina. Sometimes I find there's too much diva in her vocals and not enough downhome - always straining for "proper" music rather than pop. Not the case here though - a cracking version of the Oscar Brown standard.
8."By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" -Ray Charles. No problems with Ray though . A cheesy old song, corny arrangement and some bloody awful girlie vocals but who cares? It's an old cliche but he really could sing the telephone directory.
9. "Ain't No Sunshine" - Roland Kirk.90% of jazz I admire rather than love but Roland is firmly in the other ten per cent. Bloody brilliant. And featuring some top-notch grunting .
10. "Bella Simamaer" - Bjork. Three of my favourite artists in a row.I'm currently trying not to be disappointed by the new album. Never heard this one before. Good fun.
11. "Brother Can You Spare A Dime"- Phil Alvin/Sun Ra . Pretty straight version of this considering Sun Ra's involvement. Very proficient and a bit boring.
12. "Bermuda Blues" - Henry Threadgill. A terrific jazz-funk workout. Difficult to describe. How about "the horn solos are full of fire, while the bottom line never veers from its stunning rolling accompaniment" ? A definite highlight.
13. "Candy's Ride" - Mal Waldron. Nice Monkish piano piece but I find the military-style snare drumming a little irritating despite the piece's brevity.
14. "Roll Em Pete" - Joe Williams/Count Basie . Standard Big Joe fare but a lovely blast of Basie.
15. "September Song" - Dizzy's Big Four. I presume this is Gillespie. Never knew he could do "mellow". A lovely closer. Some jazz cocoa.
Many thanks to Hookfinger. Something a bit different from mix-club. Look forward to the reveal to my reveal. Will also get around to the bonus disc on the next rainy afternoon.
1. "Scene Du Lever Du Soleil" from the soundtrack of Black Orpheus. Gentle little acoustic miniature. Is it Jobim? Pretty sure this eventually grew words and became a bit of a Bossa standard. Nice starter for a mix though.
2. "Mississippi Mud" - Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. "Just as happy as a cow, chewing on the cud, when the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi mud" . I have a version by Ray Charles in which the d-word becomes "people". Still a daft little song though. A real cheerer-upper.
3."Squeeze Me" - Louis Armstrong. For a long time I really didn't "get" Armstrong. Growing up, all we got on the radio was "that song" or something from the odd movie with Bing Crosby patronising him. And yet a lot of people who knew a lot about music were calling him the greatest musician of all time. Even when I got into Beiderbecke and King Oliver and came to appreciate the historical importance of the bloke, I still wasn't feeling the love. In recent years though I've stopped trying so hard and he's sounding pretty good.
4."I'm Not Rough" - J Geils Band.Fucking ace. "Full House" has to be one of my favourite live albums and yet I never really bothered with any of their studio stuff. Must do something about that.
5."Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" - Pearl Bailey. Apart from the name, I know nothing of Ms.Bailey's oeuvre. She can bang one out but she ain't no Dinah Washington. And I've never been a big fan of the song either.
6."Wait A Minute" - The Leaders. Moody rather creepy little tune with some very Miles-ish trumpet. Love this one.
7."Rags And Old Iron" - Nina Simone. Having already bored you with my problem with Louis Armstrong, let me rattle on about Nina. Sometimes I find there's too much diva in her vocals and not enough downhome - always straining for "proper" music rather than pop. Not the case here though - a cracking version of the Oscar Brown standard.
8."By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" -Ray Charles. No problems with Ray though . A cheesy old song, corny arrangement and some bloody awful girlie vocals but who cares? It's an old cliche but he really could sing the telephone directory.
9. "Ain't No Sunshine" - Roland Kirk.90% of jazz I admire rather than love but Roland is firmly in the other ten per cent. Bloody brilliant. And featuring some top-notch grunting .
10. "Bella Simamaer" - Bjork. Three of my favourite artists in a row.I'm currently trying not to be disappointed by the new album. Never heard this one before. Good fun.
11. "Brother Can You Spare A Dime"- Phil Alvin/Sun Ra . Pretty straight version of this considering Sun Ra's involvement. Very proficient and a bit boring.
12. "Bermuda Blues" - Henry Threadgill. A terrific jazz-funk workout. Difficult to describe. How about "the horn solos are full of fire, while the bottom line never veers from its stunning rolling accompaniment" ? A definite highlight.
13. "Candy's Ride" - Mal Waldron. Nice Monkish piano piece but I find the military-style snare drumming a little irritating despite the piece's brevity.
14. "Roll Em Pete" - Joe Williams/Count Basie . Standard Big Joe fare but a lovely blast of Basie.
15. "September Song" - Dizzy's Big Four. I presume this is Gillespie. Never knew he could do "mellow". A lovely closer. Some jazz cocoa.
Many thanks to Hookfinger. Something a bit different from mix-club. Look forward to the reveal to my reveal. Will also get around to the bonus disc on the next rainy afternoon.
- Mike Boom
- Posts: 4358
- Joined: 02 Sep 2005, 03:49
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Sorry to have taken so long over this - haven't had much of a chance to listen to this as much as I would have liked, still , now after a few listens it has been a most enjoyable set of songs, 99% of which I had no idea who it was, which is the great thing about the mix club, so looking foward to finding out. This will be staying in the car stereo for a while, its a nice variety of things all of high quality.
1. St James Infirmary - excellent long piano intro to this lovely version of a great song - not sure who it is tho but Ive always like this song and this a wonderful version.
2. A kinda rockabilly number, Ghost Riders in the Sky type guitar, nice
3. A nice long spoken word type tack, with female harmony vox, a kinda Nancy Sinartra / Lee Hazelwood thing, with a nice organ backing and some nice whoosing spooky guitar effects. Great stuff.
4.Acoustic country/folk thing with some nice violin.
5.I feel like I know this one, a nice laid back drum machine beat with nice male and female vox, can't quite place it, but I like it. Ebbs and flows nicely.
6.An English reggae number, no idea who this is, catchy.
7.I really like this, nice loose recording, atmospheric guitar and vocals, a nice driving rock number.
8.Dont know who this is either, kinda 60's sounding English blues song, a tiny bit Kinksish. Then it goes kinda noisy. i like it.
9.A noisy modern guitar pop thing, like this too, another one I have no idea who it is.
10. A bit of gospel/blues - wonderful female lead vocal.
11.A groovy early 60's sounding pop number.
12.Well at least I know this one, Israel Whatshisname and his uke version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, this song always makes my wife cry. Very beautiful and a lovely ending to a great disc. Thanks to my mixer and apologies again for the delay.
1. St James Infirmary - excellent long piano intro to this lovely version of a great song - not sure who it is tho but Ive always like this song and this a wonderful version.
2. A kinda rockabilly number, Ghost Riders in the Sky type guitar, nice
3. A nice long spoken word type tack, with female harmony vox, a kinda Nancy Sinartra / Lee Hazelwood thing, with a nice organ backing and some nice whoosing spooky guitar effects. Great stuff.
4.Acoustic country/folk thing with some nice violin.
5.I feel like I know this one, a nice laid back drum machine beat with nice male and female vox, can't quite place it, but I like it. Ebbs and flows nicely.
6.An English reggae number, no idea who this is, catchy.
7.I really like this, nice loose recording, atmospheric guitar and vocals, a nice driving rock number.
8.Dont know who this is either, kinda 60's sounding English blues song, a tiny bit Kinksish. Then it goes kinda noisy. i like it.
9.A noisy modern guitar pop thing, like this too, another one I have no idea who it is.
10. A bit of gospel/blues - wonderful female lead vocal.
11.A groovy early 60's sounding pop number.
12.Well at least I know this one, Israel Whatshisname and his uke version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, this song always makes my wife cry. Very beautiful and a lovely ending to a great disc. Thanks to my mixer and apologies again for the delay.
- NickC
- Posts: 1312
- Joined: 21 Mar 2008, 15:49
- Location: Panagea
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Mike Boom wrote:Sorry to have taken so long over this - haven't had much of a chance to listen to this as much as I would have liked, still , now after a few listens it has been a most enjoyable set of songs, 99% of which I had no idea who it was, which is the great thing about the mix club, so looking foward to finding out. This will be staying in the car stereo for a while, its a nice variety of things all of high quality.
Hi Mike. It was me this month. I apologise with the delay with you receiving your disc, but ive had trouble with our post office recently.
1. St James Infirmary - excellent long piano intro to this lovely version of a great song - not sure who it is tho but Ive always like this song and this a wonderful version.
Well, this may suprise you. Its actually the actor Hugh Laurie. Known on your side of the pond for the series House. Its from his debut album in which he performs his favourite 'blues' pieces, something he is very passionate about. He is a very talented pianist.
2. A kinda rockabilly number, Ghost Riders in the Sky type guitar, nice
A guy ive followed for a long time and someone who crops up regularly in the mix club. Dan Sartain.
3. A nice long spoken word type tack, with female harmony vox, a kinda Nancy Sinartra / Lee Hazelwood thing, with a nice organ backing and some nice whoosing spooky guitar effects. Great stuff.
I recently was fortunate to see this guy in a small club and he delivered a fantastic set. A bt avant garde for some on disc but live he is excellent. Kid Congo Powers.
4.Acoustic country/folk thing with some nice violin.
Brixton's Alabama 3 and their strange mix of acid house country blues.
5.I feel like I know this one, a nice laid back drum machine beat with nice male and female vox, can't quite place it, but I like it. Ebbs and flows nicely.
Ex Badseed Barry Adamson. Quite a long track and its best heard in context with the rest of the album this is from, King Of Nothing Hill.
6.An English reggae number, no idea who this is, catchy.
I bought this cd on a whim from a sale box. Its probably the best track on the disc the rest being too angst/angry for my taste and reminded me too much of The Streets. This is The King Blues from their debut Punk and Poetry.
7.I really like this, nice loose recording, atmospheric guitar and vocals, a nice driving rock number.
Bordering on the rock/psyche crossover. I like the echoey vibe of this group. Asteroid #4.
8.Dont know who this is either, kinda 60's sounding English blues song, a tiny bit Kinksish. Then it goes kinda noisy. i like it.
Spot on. A staple of early garage fans, the wonderful Deviants.
9.A noisy modern guitar pop thing, like this too, another one I have no idea who it is.
Noisier than their normal fayre. The Raveonettes.
10. A bit of gospel/blues - wonderful female lead vocal.
Female!!! Hells Teeth! This is the legendary Jackie Wilson.
11.A groovy early 60's sounding pop number.
Another English institution. Ronald William Wycherley...better known as Billy Fury.
12.Well at least I know this one, Israel Whatshisname and his uke version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, this song always makes my wife cry. Very beautiful and a lovely ending to a great disc. Thanks to my mixer and apologies again for the delay.
Izrael Kamakawiwoʻole. I recently started playing the ukulele, and this fella is the master.
There you have it. Im glad you enjoyed the mix.
1. Hugh Laurie - St. James' Infirmary
2. Dan Sarain - Ruby Carol
3. Kid Congo Powers - Power
4. Alabama 3 - R.E.H.A.B.
5. Barry Adamson with Lisa Love - Cold Comfort
6. The King Blues - The futures not what it used to be
7. Asteroid # 4 - Wicked wire
8. The Deviants - Coming home
9. Raveonettes - Break up girls!
10. Jackie Wilson - My tale of woe
11. Billy Fury - Wondrous place
12. Izrael Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over the rainbow
Apologies to my mixer as I was about to post my review...until I saw Mike's review of mine. Time wont allow me to do both, so my review will follow on Monday night.
- hookfinger
- Posts: 6331
- Joined: 23 Jan 2008, 18:43
- Location: the observation post
- Contact:
Re: September 2011 Reviews
whodathunkit wrote:September brought me a nice mix with plenty of great old tunes. It also brought me a track listing with the mixers name on it . Thought about ignoring it and pretending I was Mr Name-that-tune but a rat would no doubt be smelled. A review and reveal all in one then.
Incredibly inept would be perfect under my avatar. Next month's recipient show probably affix some masking tape over the led display on the cd deck, as that disc has already hit the mail as well. Not much of a reveal to be done here, so maybe just a few observations/notes.
1. "Scene Du Lever Du Soleil" from the soundtrack of Black Orpheus. Gentle little acoustic miniature. Is it Jobim? Pretty sure this eventually grew words and became a bit of a Bossa standard. Nice starter for a mix though.
Not sure if this ever got words. It took me a bit to nail down what I l thought you might like. I knew it would be different so I thought this might ease it in.
2. "Mississippi Mud" - Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. "Just as happy as a cow, chewing on the cud, when the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi mud" . I have a version by Ray Charles in which the d-word becomes "people". Still a daft little song though. A real cheerer-upper.
This makes Ray's version sound sappy. PC in the 50's?
3."Squeeze Me" - Louis Armstrong. For a long time I really didn't "get" Armstrong. Growing up, all we got on the radio was "that song" or something from the odd movie with Bing Crosby patronising him. And yet a lot of people who knew a lot about music were calling him the greatest musician of all time. Even when I got into Beiderbecke and King Oliver and came to appreciate the historical importance of the bloke, I still wasn't feeling the love. In recent years though I've stopped trying so hard and he's sounding pretty good.
Like Ray, Louis can be hit or miss, Both played to and/or knuckled under to industry pressure in their times. I think music owes more to Louis than Bix or Oliver.
4."I'm Not Rough" - J Geils Band.Fucking ace. "Full House" has to be one of my favourite live albums and yet I never really bothered with any of their studio stuff. Must do something about that.
Cool.
5."Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" - Pearl Bailey. Apart from the name, I know nothing of Ms.Bailey's oeuvre. She can bang one out but she ain't no Dinah Washington. And I've never been a big fan of the song either.
Nah ..Pearl's no superstar. Sometimes I am charmed by them that try as opposed to them that nail it perfectly every time. If that makes sense. I like her sense of humor on this recording. I actually found this record in my grandma's basement.
6."Wait A Minute" - The Leaders. Moody rather creepy little tune with some very Miles-ish trumpet. Love this one.
So do I. The Leaders only recorded 3 lps. They used to be hard to find but now everything is out there somewhere.
7."Rags And Old Iron" - Nina Simone. Having already bored you with my problem with Louis Armstrong, let me rattle on about Nina. Sometimes I find there's too much diva in her vocals and not enough downhome - always straining for "proper" music rather than pop. Not the case here though - a cracking version of the Oscar Brown standard. I really like Nina Simone and would tend to think the straining for proper music mostly came late in her a career. And affliction suffered by most of her contemporaries.
8."By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" -Ray Charles. No problems with Ray though . A cheesy old song, corny arrangement and some bloody awful girlie vocals but who cares? It's an old cliche but he really could sing the telephone directory. You think the Raelettes are awful? I kinda just think they are fun. They would be way over the top if Ray didn't throw in "Even the astronauts..." there at the end. Agreed...who cares..fun.
9. "Ain't No Sunshine" - Roland Kirk.90% of jazz I admire rather than love but Roland is firmly in the other ten per cent. Bloody brilliant. And featuring some top-notch grunting . A direct thanks is owed to BCB's DiMaio who insisted on taking me to used record store in his neighborhood despite my sloth like attitude. I bought this record (amongst many others!)
10. "Bella Simamaer" - Bjork. Three of my favourite artists in a row.I'm currently trying not to be disappointed by the new album. Never heard this one before. Good fun. Thanks to another BCBer, packrat, I got this for Xmas one year. I was pleasantly surprised out how much I enjoy it and am glad to share. From the Gling - Glo disc.
11. "Brother Can You Spare A Dime"- Phil Alvin/Sun Ra . Pretty straight version of this considering Sun Ra's involvement. Very proficient and a bit boring. Maybe a bad choice from this lp. I was trying to anchor things a bit. Still I like this and you don't see it about much.
12. "Bermuda Blues" - Henry Threadgill. A terrific jazz-funk workout. Difficult to describe. How about "the horn solos are full of fire, while the bottom line never veers from its stunning rolling accompaniment" ? A definite highlight.I was asked to blindfold review this record for a blog once. I found myself tripping over superlatives. Everyone I turn on to this record has enjoyed it.
13. "Candy's Ride" - Mal Waldron. Nice Monkish piano piece but I find the military-style snare drumming a little irritating despite the track's brevity. You're not the first to take exception to Waldron's accompanists. Nice little filler piece I thought.
14. "Roll Em Pete" - Joe Williams/Count Basie . Standard Big Joe fare but a lovely blast of Basie. Just a swell blues shouter. I was tempted to include the Blasters version but decided to go for this. Which may be the sole reason The Phil Alvin tracks was included above.
15. "September Song" - Dizzy's Big Four. I presume this is Gillespie. Never knew he could do "mellow". A lovely closer. Some jazz cocoa. It is. From a later Pablo release. A Kurt Weill song. Dizzy can easily be assimilated into the Ray/Louis camp. Shows a far more versatile side than was the norm. And a quiet closer.
Many thanks to Hookfinger. Something a bit different from mix-club. Look forward to the reveal to my reveal. Will also get around to the bonus disc on the next rainy afternoon.
Don't worry about the bonus disc. I actually included that track list on purpose. You once made a comment about post 70's jazz, so I thought you might want to check out something different.
If there is anything you want...well you know the drill.
Oh boy is it getting rough, when my old world charm isn't quite enough.
- Mike Boom
- Posts: 4358
- Joined: 02 Sep 2005, 03:49
Re: September 2011 Reviews
NickC wrote:10. A bit of gospel/blues - wonderful female lead vocal.
Female!!! Hells Teeth! This is the legendary Jackie Wilson.
Ooops!
- Six String
- Posts: 23087
- Joined: 16 Jul 2003, 20:22
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Sgt Pepper wrote:OK, review time. Apologies that this took a bit longer than promised but I've been having a few problems with my internet connection at home, so I've had to write down notes and then type them up at work.
Anyway, cheers for the disc. However, before we begin, I feel that I must warn you that I'm not really the biggest fan of 70s/80s bluesy classic rock so my review is slightly luke-warm overall. There was nothing that I really disliked, but nothing that really hit home either. I've tried to focus on the bits of songs that I like as well as the bits that I don't. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I appreciate the time spent making the disc and please don't get too sore if I come across as a bit moany/dismissive.
Ok here goes finally.
1. Decent enough, with a nice swing to it, but I've never really been a fan of that country blues bar-rock thing.
This is Dwight Yoakum's version of an Elvis Presley hit Little Sister.
2. I like the piano lots and the bass is pretty cool, but it's all just a bit forgettable I'm afraid.
This is from Phil Alvin's first solo album (Dave's brother and singer for The Blasters)
3. This is more my kind of thing. Laid-back grooves. Very warm sounding with a nice summer evening vibe.
One of my favorite songwriters and guitarist and Clapton's go to guy JJ Cale with Cajun Moon
4. I don't like this one. It just seems very 'paint-by-numbers' rock.
Yes it's pretty basic rock and certainly not his best song but it fit the mood for the disc. This is Peter Case from his first solo album and Old Blue Car
5. I'm a sucker slide guitar. I recognised a lot of the lyrics so for a while I assumed that I must own this somewhere, but then I figured out that it's a cover - it's the Nico version that I'm familiar with. I like this a lot though and I'd be keen to follow it up.
This is a Jackson Browne song sung by Greg Allman from his first solo album.
6. 80s power ballad! There was a time when kind of thing would've had me thrashing around looking for the skip button, but I've softened recently. There's a good song in here, and it's fairly understated and enjoyable, even if the backing vocals are really corny and the drums sound awful.
Maybe you'd prefer Emmylou Harris' version to this one by Roseann Cash. It was from the 80s no doubt but I've always liked the song, mostly from the lyric standpoint.
7. I like this more than the better-known versions, but it's still pretty limp. Sorry.
Rod Stewart had the hit but this is the guy who wrote it, Danny Whitten from the first Crazy Horse album and the title is I Don't Want To Talk About It.
8. Yep, this is just grand. Restrained, well sung, nicely arranged. A keeper.
Linda Ronstadt's version of You Don't Have To Cry, a James Taylor song.
9. Struggled with this one a little bit. The vocals just sound like they're phoning it in. The groovy organ bit was cool though.
This is one of Texas' finest, Dough Sahm with She Put the Hurt On Me. How anyone could struggle with this one is a bit perplexing but to each his own.
10. I quite like this, it's grown on me a lot. Nice sax action. It sounds like they're having fun.
This is Slunky from Clapton's first solo album and the sax is Bobby Keys.
11. I haven't heard this in a while, it sounds as fresh as ever. T'riffic
Torn and Frayed of course from Exile on Main Street. It's another track that I think fits the mood of the disc.
12. This is probably my favourite of the bluesy tracks although there's still that really glossy 80s production barrier that I struggle to get past.
Well you guessed the vintage again. It's a soundtrack from Ry Cooder Blue City Down.
13. I like how this one builds up. Guitar solos tend not to do anything for me, but this one sounds pretty organic and is the best bit of the song.
An early Allman Brothers classic Midnight Rider.
14. This one's got a sweet bounce to it, but the chorus is properly cheesy. It's enjoyable though.
This is from Rockpile. It veers a bit from the mood but not by much.
15. This jangles along pretty nicely. I like the quick tempo changes.
This is Pink Bedroom, a John Hiatt song by the great Albert Lee.
16. This is another likeable song held back by its dated sound and slightly sterile production.
This is a cover tune by David Lindley but I don't remember who the original artist was.
17. I can imagine that this would sound pretty good with the top down, driving though the Californian countryside on a summer's day. I don't think that it works quite as well when experienced on a rainy morning in Nottingham.
Well you're right about the mood. That is sort of what I was going for. This is Ain't Living Long Like This by Roseann Cash's ex-husband Rodney Crowell.
18. There's an enjoyable country twang to the bluesy vibe. A bit too boogie-woogie overall but pleasant enough.
This is a favorite group of mine from the southern rock genre The Atlanta Rhythm Section with Back Up Against the Wall. This was a hit if you lived in Georgia/Florida/Alabama at the time and they did have a few bigger hits before the pulled the plug but I prefered their earlier stuff.
19. A good one to go out on. The lyrics are kinda sweet. I'm not that keen on the 'big' bits but other than that it's pretty endearing.
This is Dave Alvin, the brother of Phil from track two with Every Night About This Time from his first album.
So there you have it. As you can probably tell, I preferred the country tunes to the electric blues. There are several tracks that I'll definitely be investigating further though, so thanks again.
I did a little research before I made this disc and though I didn't find a lot of evidence that you necessarily liked this music I didn't find anything that told me to stay away from it either so I approached this disc with the idea of maybe introducing you to some music you might not have heard before but might like. I can certainly hear those 80s production values when you point them out but since I like the songs obviously, I didn't think of them as a negative characteristic though I can see why one wouldn't. I know I've heard music with those sounds that I didn't like so it's not like it always works for me either.
1. Little Sister - Dwight Yoakum
2. Daddy Rolling Stone - Phil Alvin
3. Cajun Moon - JJ Cale
4. Old Blue Car - Peter Case
5. These Days - Greg Allman
6. I Don't Have To Crawl - Roseanne Cash
7. I Don't Want To Talk About It - Crazy Horse
8. You Don't Have To Cry - Linda Ronstadt
9. She Put The Hurt On Me - Doug Sahm
10. Slunky - Eric Clapton
11. Torn And Frayed - Rolling Stones
12. Blue City Down - Ry Cooder
13. Midnight Rider - Allman Brothers
14. Teacher, Teacher - Rock Pile
15. Pink Bedroom - Albert Lee
16. Something's Got A Hold On Me - David Lindley
17. Ain't Living Long Like This - Rodney Crowell
18. Back Up Against The Wall - Atlanta Rhythm Section
19. Every Night About This Time - Dave Alvin
Everything is broken
B. Dylan
B. Dylan
- Duncan
- Posts: 2009
- Joined: 26 Aug 2003, 11:39
- Location: 123 Fake Street
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Cheers. I do think that it worked well as a mix, particularly in terms of feel and flow, unfortunately it's just not really my scene. I enjoyed the ride though, and I'll be following up on some of several of the tracks, so you've not wasted your time. Thanks again
Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb...
Re: September 2011 Reviews
bhoywonder wrote:Glad you understand – you should have nudged me sooner No problem re the reveal, G, I'm off to Spain for the football until thursday so wouldn't see it anyway.
...It looks like I'm gonna be Slooped on this. Have you lost the disc?
- bhoywonder
- The Magnificent
- Posts: 27391
- Joined: 16 Jul 2003, 19:06
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Contact:
Re: September 2011 Reviews
TopCat G wrote:bhoywonder wrote:Glad you understand – you should have nudged me sooner No problem re the reveal, G, I'm off to Spain for the football until thursday so wouldn't see it anyway.
...It looks like I'm gonna be Slooped on this. Have you lost the disc?
I have, I think. I feel really bad. I was enjoying it too. I've done half the review. I thought it was in a bag of stuff I took home last week from work but I looked at home over the weekend for it to finish off and post alongside grovelling apologies and I can't find it there either. I think a mate might have picked it up off my desk with some other stuff, I've asked him to check. Sorry G, I know it's very poor form, I would like to point at my previous good behaviour record when sentencing commences
- dgs
- Posts: 4774
- Joined: 24 Jul 2003, 23:02
- Location: sconnie botland
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Better late than never I suppose
No worries and sorry for the lateness of the reply, been on a road trip last week in the US so this is the first chance, post jetlag, to get round to the reveal.
1. I've had this mix for awhile now and this is the track I've listened to the most. Not my favorite just the one that I kept listening in order to remember where on earth have I heard the trumpet part before. After two weeks it dawned on me that it was from War's Low Rider while walking on the street getting to work. Talk about stupid. Anyway the track reminds me a lot of what was going on in Britain in the late 90's. The sound is upbeat, perfectly danceable and very enjoyable. And yes the Low Rider part gives it an extra boost.
1. Silence Is Talking - Reverend And The Makers
Taken from their last album, this is has opening track written all over it and yes it has big beat sensibilities with the fuzzy bass that runs through it.
2. This one I couldn't get into at all. Reminds me of recent bands like Phoenix that a lot of people seamed to like but I just couldn't get into. Nothing wrong with it but not my thing ultimately.
2. Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice mix) - Deerhunter
Hmmm…one of my favorite tracks of 2010 given the remix treatment. Perhaps I should have gone with the original but I like the treatment this track has received and it works quite well in a late night way.
3. This however is outstanding. Another one that I heard a lot the mix. I love the relentless rhythm that keeps going on and on.
3. It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl - Faust
Fabby, isn’t it. The way it builds and sustains itself is great and it is one of the epitomes of krautrock, simple but mesmerising. Layers, apparently it’s all about layers.
4. And this is the highlight of the whole disc for me. A song about the Cherokees. It could easily have gone wrong and into cheeseland with the horns and orchestra but it somehow works.
4. Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Paul Revere & The Raiders
This was on one of those cheapo 5 CD comps that we get over here and inevitably there is a pearl amongst the swines. Having spent some of the summer visiting Indian reservations this struck a cord also.
5. A more mellow track and another one that I like a great deal. Again some trumpet(?) part that lifts the mellow mood of the track and the vocal. Very nice.
5. Dead Against Smoking - Admiral Fallow
Door Scots rule the world, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If Glasvegas were any good this is what they would actually sound like (excepting two tracks of course). Down beat and deadpan, what more could one ask for.
6. Sonic Attack? Another I couldn't get into at all. The loop seems like noise to me. It worked better on the car I think.
6. Us (Jon Hopkins Remix) - Nosaj Thing
Noise indeed. This works better in the mix than in the unmixed cd. JH remix taken from the mid insides period, the key in this is the juxtaposition of the harsh electronica with the sublime ambient organic piano. I find this strangely beautiful, but each to their own.
7. That is a strange one. After an extended intro we move into something that reminds me of Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and some 70's electronic stuff. I like it from the off, but after a few minutes it gets a bit boring. Luckily around the 7 minute mark things change into a more atmospheric thing with unfortunately an annoying vocalist. The music overall is top notch and to be honest I would have preferred if it remained instrumental.
7. Feet In The Sea Head In The Stars - Dan Arborise
I agree, Dan Arborise is a magnificent guitarist and I can’t help but feel this is a homage to John Martyn but where I don’t agree is that from start to finish I could loose myself in this, easily.
8. This must be The National. I'm not a big fan but mate has bombarded enough with their stuff over the years. I enjoyed this a great deal. And it was even better on the mixed version (more of this later).
8. Runaway - The National
Aye, cut and chopped for the mix, again on of my favorite vocal racks of ’10.
9. Minimal piece with a very fitting and rather wonderful female vocal. Also the guitar part is exquisite.
9. Singing From the Grave - Anna von Hausswolff
This is from 2010 but afraid I didn’t listen to it until I sorted my files in 2011. Hailing from Scandinavia, it is as you say exquisite. The vocal is mesmerizing.
10. Again not my kind my stuff, although perhaps I have not given this enough time. I can distinguish elements in this that I can easily come to like, there's a distinct post-punk influence that I usually love, but one think I'll never get used is the lifeless, flat vocalist. Oh and the backing vocals can fuck off too.
10. Featherdown Quilt - Pumajaw
Heathen! Pinkie McClure and John Wills (ex of loop) Bloody brilliant, this dark electropop. I will give you that it is an acquired vocal but see them live and you will be smitten.
11. BLUES EXPLOSION! I love that band, one of the highlights at this years Primavera for me. My mates didn't think much of them for some reason. The grooviest band of the last 20 years (apart from Little Barrie).
11. Flavor (Featuring Beck) - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Aye, raw as FUCK.
12. On a similar vein, an interesting take on Seven Nation Army, that never threatens to overdo the original, but has the sleazy sound that is infectious. I would imagine this is what the Stones should have been sounding now if they were any clever.
12. Seven Nation Army - Nostalgia 77
Yeah, sorry about this didn’t really work. Let’s move on.
13. Not really my kind of thing again. I can't imagine listening to this kind of stuff voluntarily but I wouldn't necessarily run away from it. It's just a bit indifferent.
13. Swimming - Tracey Thorn
Ex of Everything but the Girl, I heart Tracey.
14. I liked this quite a bit. A nice coming down kind of track (I don't know if this makes sense however.) It's nice for a closer.
14. Her Hair Hangs Down - Kid Canaveral
Yay, the intent was met. This is an great track but Kid Canaveral, another Scots band, but I guess the vocals gave it away. There are a couple of us on the board that do or used to bang on about the fence collective, fife and all that but check out this video that uses this tack as to why we do so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O1Nk2-y ... A3C87FFCA1
Overall it was a disc that fluctuated between like and dislike but the overall verdict is on the positive side. I really must say that I enjoyed the mixed version of the disc a lot as it really enhanced the overall feel of the mix, and some of the changes worked much better that way. I listened to both a few times and in the end I ditched the unmixed version, and only listened to the mixed. For the purposes of the review however I find it quite unpractical not to have an unmixed version. Thumbs up for the idea though.
Aye, a bit of an experiment but glad that the mix was the preference as that was the intent. So, better to be more like than dislike. Cheers
Tracklist.
1. Silence Is Talking - Reverend And The Makers
2. Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice mix) - Deerhunter
3. It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl - Faust
4. Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Paul Revere & The Raiders
5. Dead Against Smoking - Admiral Fallow
6. Us (Jon Hopkins Remix) - Nosaj Thing
7. Feet In The Sea Head In The Stars - Dan Arborise
8. Runaway - The National
9. Singing From the Grave - Anna von Hausswolff
10. Featherdown Quilt - Pumajaw
11. Flavor (Featuring Beck) - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
12. Seven Nation Army - Nostalgia 77
13. Swimming - Tracey Thorn
14. Her Hair Hangs Down - Kid Canaveral
No worries and sorry for the lateness of the reply, been on a road trip last week in the US so this is the first chance, post jetlag, to get round to the reveal.
1. I've had this mix for awhile now and this is the track I've listened to the most. Not my favorite just the one that I kept listening in order to remember where on earth have I heard the trumpet part before. After two weeks it dawned on me that it was from War's Low Rider while walking on the street getting to work. Talk about stupid. Anyway the track reminds me a lot of what was going on in Britain in the late 90's. The sound is upbeat, perfectly danceable and very enjoyable. And yes the Low Rider part gives it an extra boost.
1. Silence Is Talking - Reverend And The Makers
Taken from their last album, this is has opening track written all over it and yes it has big beat sensibilities with the fuzzy bass that runs through it.
2. This one I couldn't get into at all. Reminds me of recent bands like Phoenix that a lot of people seamed to like but I just couldn't get into. Nothing wrong with it but not my thing ultimately.
2. Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice mix) - Deerhunter
Hmmm…one of my favorite tracks of 2010 given the remix treatment. Perhaps I should have gone with the original but I like the treatment this track has received and it works quite well in a late night way.
3. This however is outstanding. Another one that I heard a lot the mix. I love the relentless rhythm that keeps going on and on.
3. It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl - Faust
Fabby, isn’t it. The way it builds and sustains itself is great and it is one of the epitomes of krautrock, simple but mesmerising. Layers, apparently it’s all about layers.
4. And this is the highlight of the whole disc for me. A song about the Cherokees. It could easily have gone wrong and into cheeseland with the horns and orchestra but it somehow works.
4. Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Paul Revere & The Raiders
This was on one of those cheapo 5 CD comps that we get over here and inevitably there is a pearl amongst the swines. Having spent some of the summer visiting Indian reservations this struck a cord also.
5. A more mellow track and another one that I like a great deal. Again some trumpet(?) part that lifts the mellow mood of the track and the vocal. Very nice.
5. Dead Against Smoking - Admiral Fallow
Door Scots rule the world, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If Glasvegas were any good this is what they would actually sound like (excepting two tracks of course). Down beat and deadpan, what more could one ask for.
6. Sonic Attack? Another I couldn't get into at all. The loop seems like noise to me. It worked better on the car I think.
6. Us (Jon Hopkins Remix) - Nosaj Thing
Noise indeed. This works better in the mix than in the unmixed cd. JH remix taken from the mid insides period, the key in this is the juxtaposition of the harsh electronica with the sublime ambient organic piano. I find this strangely beautiful, but each to their own.
7. That is a strange one. After an extended intro we move into something that reminds me of Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and some 70's electronic stuff. I like it from the off, but after a few minutes it gets a bit boring. Luckily around the 7 minute mark things change into a more atmospheric thing with unfortunately an annoying vocalist. The music overall is top notch and to be honest I would have preferred if it remained instrumental.
7. Feet In The Sea Head In The Stars - Dan Arborise
I agree, Dan Arborise is a magnificent guitarist and I can’t help but feel this is a homage to John Martyn but where I don’t agree is that from start to finish I could loose myself in this, easily.
8. This must be The National. I'm not a big fan but mate has bombarded enough with their stuff over the years. I enjoyed this a great deal. And it was even better on the mixed version (more of this later).
8. Runaway - The National
Aye, cut and chopped for the mix, again on of my favorite vocal racks of ’10.
9. Minimal piece with a very fitting and rather wonderful female vocal. Also the guitar part is exquisite.
9. Singing From the Grave - Anna von Hausswolff
This is from 2010 but afraid I didn’t listen to it until I sorted my files in 2011. Hailing from Scandinavia, it is as you say exquisite. The vocal is mesmerizing.
10. Again not my kind my stuff, although perhaps I have not given this enough time. I can distinguish elements in this that I can easily come to like, there's a distinct post-punk influence that I usually love, but one think I'll never get used is the lifeless, flat vocalist. Oh and the backing vocals can fuck off too.
10. Featherdown Quilt - Pumajaw
Heathen! Pinkie McClure and John Wills (ex of loop) Bloody brilliant, this dark electropop. I will give you that it is an acquired vocal but see them live and you will be smitten.
11. BLUES EXPLOSION! I love that band, one of the highlights at this years Primavera for me. My mates didn't think much of them for some reason. The grooviest band of the last 20 years (apart from Little Barrie).
11. Flavor (Featuring Beck) - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Aye, raw as FUCK.
12. On a similar vein, an interesting take on Seven Nation Army, that never threatens to overdo the original, but has the sleazy sound that is infectious. I would imagine this is what the Stones should have been sounding now if they were any clever.
12. Seven Nation Army - Nostalgia 77
Yeah, sorry about this didn’t really work. Let’s move on.
13. Not really my kind of thing again. I can't imagine listening to this kind of stuff voluntarily but I wouldn't necessarily run away from it. It's just a bit indifferent.
13. Swimming - Tracey Thorn
Ex of Everything but the Girl, I heart Tracey.
14. I liked this quite a bit. A nice coming down kind of track (I don't know if this makes sense however.) It's nice for a closer.
14. Her Hair Hangs Down - Kid Canaveral
Yay, the intent was met. This is an great track but Kid Canaveral, another Scots band, but I guess the vocals gave it away. There are a couple of us on the board that do or used to bang on about the fence collective, fife and all that but check out this video that uses this tack as to why we do so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O1Nk2-y ... A3C87FFCA1
Overall it was a disc that fluctuated between like and dislike but the overall verdict is on the positive side. I really must say that I enjoyed the mixed version of the disc a lot as it really enhanced the overall feel of the mix, and some of the changes worked much better that way. I listened to both a few times and in the end I ditched the unmixed version, and only listened to the mixed. For the purposes of the review however I find it quite unpractical not to have an unmixed version. Thumbs up for the idea though.
Aye, a bit of an experiment but glad that the mix was the preference as that was the intent. So, better to be more like than dislike. Cheers
Tracklist.
1. Silence Is Talking - Reverend And The Makers
2. Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice mix) - Deerhunter
3. It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl - Faust
4. Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Paul Revere & The Raiders
5. Dead Against Smoking - Admiral Fallow
6. Us (Jon Hopkins Remix) - Nosaj Thing
7. Feet In The Sea Head In The Stars - Dan Arborise
8. Runaway - The National
9. Singing From the Grave - Anna von Hausswolff
10. Featherdown Quilt - Pumajaw
11. Flavor (Featuring Beck) - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
12. Seven Nation Army - Nostalgia 77
13. Swimming - Tracey Thorn
14. Her Hair Hangs Down - Kid Canaveral
I'm a panic depressive and suffer from manic attacks.
- bhoywonder
- The Magnificent
- Posts: 27391
- Joined: 16 Jul 2003, 19:06
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Contact:
Re: September 2011 Reviews
bhoywonder wrote:TopCat G wrote:bhoywonder wrote:Glad you understand – you should have nudged me sooner No problem re the reveal, G, I'm off to Spain for the football until thursday so wouldn't see it anyway.
...It looks like I'm gonna be Slooped on this. Have you lost the disc?
I have, I think. I feel really bad. I was enjoying it too. I've done half the review. I thought it was in a bag of stuff I took home last week from work but I looked at home over the weekend for it to finish off and post alongside grovelling apologies and I can't find it there either. I think a mate might have picked it up off my desk with some other stuff, I've asked him to check. Sorry G, I know it's very poor form, I would like to point at my previous good behaviour record when sentencing commences
I have been reunited with the disc. Review to follow! Sorry man, I owe you a pint when I see you next.
- bhoywonder
- The Magnificent
- Posts: 27391
- Joined: 16 Jul 2003, 19:06
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Contact:
Re: September 2011 Reviews
I suspect the whole disc is Brazilian, but there’s a few at the start and end that don’t sound like they are, so it either is or isn’t all brazilian.
1. Piece of well-attired 60s psychedelic pop. I can’t think what it is that it reminds me of, but it reminds me of it a lot. It’s that sort of very british sounding grooviness – silly guitar sound, that sort of bass that only appeared between 1966 and 1968, but all very far out, I’m sure and a good opener.
2. Mo’ funkiness, this time with an American feel, with a very firm nod to the meters, although I’m not sure that it is them. It’s cool, of course.
3. A jazzier funk this time. Amazing keyboard skills on this. I like this a lot. Not something I’d probably listen to loads really, but if I heard it out I would probably flip.
4. What the hell goes on in the middle of this?! It’s a fairly innocuous piece of latin funk and then it suddenly stops, the bishop says a fee prayers in latin quickly and then it resumes. Mad as a woman.
5. Jazzy Latina with that infectious rhythm only south Americans can do. Try it yourself at home, you’ll see I’m right. No white man can even think that rhythm let alone play it. Hypercool.
6. Is this Brazilian? It’s hard to follow what language they’re singing in. It’s pretty cool, changes loads, almost like a pastiche of the style, but very slick.
7. I like this one, it’s a different league than the one before. I think it’s brazilian. I recognize the singer. A tropicalia woman? Weird bass and an electric guitar that doesn’t quite fit, but otherwise, yeah, I’ll have this with a drink, thanks for asking.
8. This is a bit baffling, frankly. The first half never really gets going, then it stops and some crazy topicalia guitar thing kicks in and then it stops. Weird shit.
9. More bonkers Brazilians. They knew how to make insane music better than even the germans, and they invented mental sounds. I’m at a loss for how to react to this track. I think I like it, but it’s hard to be sure.
10. I like the way this starts in one style and then completely changes. A lot of this reminds me a lot of David Axelrod. Especially the bass. It’s a very cool, if slightly dark, track. I bet it’s been sampled to within an inch of its life.
11. Not my favourite on here but still very good, which is a sign of how good the disc is. I think I’d like to know what he’s singing about really. Otherwise, I dig the syncopation and it’s amazing guitar playing. His wrist must have ached.
12. This one brings Scott Walker to mind, for some reason. Him and the soudtrack to Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. It’s a very busy track and the vocal is a little too effected for me, but it’s still an enjoyable listen.
13. It’s doing my head in who this is. I keep wanting to say gil scott heron, but I’m sure that’s not it. I’m afraid this is the only track that doesn’t really do anything for me. It just takes too long to do anything and then doesn’t really do anything. Fine background music, but who wants that?
14. Similar response again, I’m afraid, although this one’s far more pleasant. It just goes on a bit too long with some frankly bizarre vocal gymnastics. It would be a great instrumental, actually.
So there we have it. I feel ashamed it took this long. Sorry G, and thanks for being patient. It’s, in the main, a great disc, and as I’m quite a new but enthusiastic latin fan, I’m looking forward to the reveal ahead of a trip to the record shop!
1. Piece of well-attired 60s psychedelic pop. I can’t think what it is that it reminds me of, but it reminds me of it a lot. It’s that sort of very british sounding grooviness – silly guitar sound, that sort of bass that only appeared between 1966 and 1968, but all very far out, I’m sure and a good opener.
2. Mo’ funkiness, this time with an American feel, with a very firm nod to the meters, although I’m not sure that it is them. It’s cool, of course.
3. A jazzier funk this time. Amazing keyboard skills on this. I like this a lot. Not something I’d probably listen to loads really, but if I heard it out I would probably flip.
4. What the hell goes on in the middle of this?! It’s a fairly innocuous piece of latin funk and then it suddenly stops, the bishop says a fee prayers in latin quickly and then it resumes. Mad as a woman.
5. Jazzy Latina with that infectious rhythm only south Americans can do. Try it yourself at home, you’ll see I’m right. No white man can even think that rhythm let alone play it. Hypercool.
6. Is this Brazilian? It’s hard to follow what language they’re singing in. It’s pretty cool, changes loads, almost like a pastiche of the style, but very slick.
7. I like this one, it’s a different league than the one before. I think it’s brazilian. I recognize the singer. A tropicalia woman? Weird bass and an electric guitar that doesn’t quite fit, but otherwise, yeah, I’ll have this with a drink, thanks for asking.
8. This is a bit baffling, frankly. The first half never really gets going, then it stops and some crazy topicalia guitar thing kicks in and then it stops. Weird shit.
9. More bonkers Brazilians. They knew how to make insane music better than even the germans, and they invented mental sounds. I’m at a loss for how to react to this track. I think I like it, but it’s hard to be sure.
10. I like the way this starts in one style and then completely changes. A lot of this reminds me a lot of David Axelrod. Especially the bass. It’s a very cool, if slightly dark, track. I bet it’s been sampled to within an inch of its life.
11. Not my favourite on here but still very good, which is a sign of how good the disc is. I think I’d like to know what he’s singing about really. Otherwise, I dig the syncopation and it’s amazing guitar playing. His wrist must have ached.
12. This one brings Scott Walker to mind, for some reason. Him and the soudtrack to Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. It’s a very busy track and the vocal is a little too effected for me, but it’s still an enjoyable listen.
13. It’s doing my head in who this is. I keep wanting to say gil scott heron, but I’m sure that’s not it. I’m afraid this is the only track that doesn’t really do anything for me. It just takes too long to do anything and then doesn’t really do anything. Fine background music, but who wants that?
14. Similar response again, I’m afraid, although this one’s far more pleasant. It just goes on a bit too long with some frankly bizarre vocal gymnastics. It would be a great instrumental, actually.
So there we have it. I feel ashamed it took this long. Sorry G, and thanks for being patient. It’s, in the main, a great disc, and as I’m quite a new but enthusiastic latin fan, I’m looking forward to the reveal ahead of a trip to the record shop!
- NickC
- Posts: 1312
- Joined: 21 Mar 2008, 15:49
- Location: Panagea
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Here is my very late September review. First, I apologise for the lateness and my absence, but two weeks ago my laptop decided to give up the ghost and pack up in a major way. I only have access to a pc at work and anything other than work is a no no. I now have a brand spanking new laptop so all systems are go again!
Here is the revue..albeit as a continuum because the cd only registered as one track, each song 'mixed' into the next.
1. We start with a German? singing in English! The theme is colours and this sets the overall theme for the rest of the disc. This track would be classed as a novelty record and had a very Eurovision flavour to it.
We then blend into an 80s sounding song that reminded me of those polk-a-dotted Scots Strawberry Switchblade, though i dont think its them. Pleasant enough but is a little dated.
Now we have a female vocal backed by an acoustic guitar. A total contrast to the twee of the last track. The voice sounds familiar and im wondering if its a cover too. Not a bad track. Quite liked it.
This one is another female vocal but with a more modern feel. Reminded me of the current crop of female singer/songwriters. OK, but nothing too exciting. Would be the sort of thing found on an American tv series soundtrack.
A sampled and looped segment of classical/strings....that didnt go anywhere.
A pianola with another bit of Mozart style strings..
..that ends up a rather odd song about the Prince Of Orange. A track that tries to mix a bit of Van Der Graf's keyboards, Bryan Adam's guitar and surreal lyrics..
that then goes all reverse recorded/feedbacked/Hendrix'ed/Gilmour'ish axework (this portion was very good)...
which then settles into a Floyd flavoured instrumental (which again was very good).
..and now we're chasing rainbows with a track that harks back to a West coast vibe.
The next is very sombre and beatiful, about a yellow boat on a river. Quite haunting and has a great atmosphere about it. My favourite on the disc.
From a yellow boat..its not suprising that we have a brass rendition of the yellow submarine.
Now we're into a (sampled) number that has a laid backed feel and a smooth easy beat with a male vocal telling us about yellow reminding him of his trueloves hair etc.
Back with the pianola and the strings, which starts the Stones' Shes a rai...
..but then abrubtly changes into a Jarre type trance crossover. Nice piece of almost flamenque guitar work overlaying the whole.
A cover of Green Tambourine. Has a circus/barrel organ feel, keeping it far enough away from the original to keep it interesting.
Rainbow chaser...Nirvana if memory serves. Very typical of its time. Havnt heard this for years, oddly enough sounds better now.
..and we're back with the Stones' Shes a rainbow. Classic.
Blue Horizon? Ive heard this song hundreds of times, but havnt a clue who it is.
A nice smokey lounge style number, complete with lighting of cigarette at the start. I recognise this melody!
This next track is quite dark compared to everything else. Is it David Sylvain? It has that dark Japan feel.
Somewhere over the rainbow. I actually had a version of this included in my mix for this month.
Pianola..strings..Shes a rainbow...
...and then a carousel of colours a wonderful world of colours! by someone who sounds like the guy who sang the MASH theme.
Dialogue from Twin Peaks...the end.
Right. I think this is the first ever themed disc ive received in the mixclub. I applaud the effort and thought that has gone into this compilation of colours. Its far to ambitious an undertaking for me. I could easily find 20 tracks with 'colours' but to find tracks that flowed like these did would be my undoing. Everything worked well, and apart from the second 80s sounding track the disc was an enjoyable experience. Thank you.
Here is the revue..albeit as a continuum because the cd only registered as one track, each song 'mixed' into the next.
1. We start with a German? singing in English! The theme is colours and this sets the overall theme for the rest of the disc. This track would be classed as a novelty record and had a very Eurovision flavour to it.
We then blend into an 80s sounding song that reminded me of those polk-a-dotted Scots Strawberry Switchblade, though i dont think its them. Pleasant enough but is a little dated.
Now we have a female vocal backed by an acoustic guitar. A total contrast to the twee of the last track. The voice sounds familiar and im wondering if its a cover too. Not a bad track. Quite liked it.
This one is another female vocal but with a more modern feel. Reminded me of the current crop of female singer/songwriters. OK, but nothing too exciting. Would be the sort of thing found on an American tv series soundtrack.
A sampled and looped segment of classical/strings....that didnt go anywhere.
A pianola with another bit of Mozart style strings..
..that ends up a rather odd song about the Prince Of Orange. A track that tries to mix a bit of Van Der Graf's keyboards, Bryan Adam's guitar and surreal lyrics..
that then goes all reverse recorded/feedbacked/Hendrix'ed/Gilmour'ish axework (this portion was very good)...
which then settles into a Floyd flavoured instrumental (which again was very good).
..and now we're chasing rainbows with a track that harks back to a West coast vibe.
The next is very sombre and beatiful, about a yellow boat on a river. Quite haunting and has a great atmosphere about it. My favourite on the disc.
From a yellow boat..its not suprising that we have a brass rendition of the yellow submarine.
Now we're into a (sampled) number that has a laid backed feel and a smooth easy beat with a male vocal telling us about yellow reminding him of his trueloves hair etc.
Back with the pianola and the strings, which starts the Stones' Shes a rai...
..but then abrubtly changes into a Jarre type trance crossover. Nice piece of almost flamenque guitar work overlaying the whole.
A cover of Green Tambourine. Has a circus/barrel organ feel, keeping it far enough away from the original to keep it interesting.
Rainbow chaser...Nirvana if memory serves. Very typical of its time. Havnt heard this for years, oddly enough sounds better now.
..and we're back with the Stones' Shes a rainbow. Classic.
Blue Horizon? Ive heard this song hundreds of times, but havnt a clue who it is.
A nice smokey lounge style number, complete with lighting of cigarette at the start. I recognise this melody!
This next track is quite dark compared to everything else. Is it David Sylvain? It has that dark Japan feel.
Somewhere over the rainbow. I actually had a version of this included in my mix for this month.
Pianola..strings..Shes a rainbow...
...and then a carousel of colours a wonderful world of colours! by someone who sounds like the guy who sang the MASH theme.
Dialogue from Twin Peaks...the end.
Right. I think this is the first ever themed disc ive received in the mixclub. I applaud the effort and thought that has gone into this compilation of colours. Its far to ambitious an undertaking for me. I could easily find 20 tracks with 'colours' but to find tracks that flowed like these did would be my undoing. Everything worked well, and apart from the second 80s sounding track the disc was an enjoyable experience. Thank you.
- bhoywonder
- The Magnificent
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Re: September 2011 Reviews
Bump...
- bhoywonder
- The Magnificent
- Posts: 27391
- Joined: 16 Jul 2003, 19:06
- Location: Bristol, UK
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Re: September 2011 Reviews
Please can I have a reveal please and thanks.
Re: September 2011 Reviews
Sorry, Sorry, sorry!
I forgot all about this. We must have set the record for the most protracted review and reveal ever! Anyway if you're still interested this is what you heard.
I'm so pleased it went down well on the whole as this was a bit of a labour of love for me, containing a lot of the music that has become special to me over the last decade or so. Which makes my laziness in doing the reveal all the more embarrassing and shameful!
Full tracklisting -song, artist, album.
1.Gin-Bruno Nicolai L'Onorata Famiglia
2.The Hatch-TMG Vital Organs
3.Nunya -Tom Scott & The L.A. Express Diggin' Deeper 2 - The Roots Of Acid Jazz
4. Los Feligreses - Luis Santi Cuban Funk Experience
5. Aquelas Coisas Todas (Sanguessuga) -Toninho Horta The Brazilian Funk Experience
6. Gloria -Tom Zé Grande Liquidacao
7.Quero -Elis Regina Falso Brilhante
8. Acauã-Gal Costa Legal
9. Comunhão-Nelson Angelo e Joyce Nelson Angelo e Joyce
10. Obnóxius - José Mauro Obnoxius
11. Cassius Marcelo Clay -Jorge Ben Negro É Lindo
12. War Song - Jon Lucien Rashida
13. Trance on Sedgewick Street - Terry Callier Occasional Rain
14. Come On Snob - Lou Bond Lou Bond
I forgot all about this. We must have set the record for the most protracted review and reveal ever! Anyway if you're still interested this is what you heard.
bhoywonder wrote:I suspect the whole disc is Brazilian, but there’s a few at the start and end that don’t sound like they are, so it either is or isn’t all brazilian.
1. Piece of well-attired 60s psychedelic pop. I can’t think what it is that it reminds me of, but it reminds me of it a lot. It’s that sort of very british sounding grooviness – silly guitar sound, that sort of bass that only appeared between 1966 and 1968, but all very far out, I’m sure and a good opener.
Italian soundtrack composer Bruno Nicolai with Gin. It comes from an Italian film about the mafia with a very long title and is from '73. Nicolai may not be as well known as his compatriots Ennio Morricone or Pierro Piccioni, but he's worth looking out for.
2. Mo’ funkiness, this time with an American feel, with a very firm nod to the meters, although I’m not sure that it is them. It’s cool, of course.
Yes a definite Meters feel. It's by a rather obscure Michigan soul act called TMG and called 'The Hatch'. From 1967.
3. A jazzier funk this time. Amazing keyboard skills on this. I like this a lot. Not something I’d probably listen to loads really, but if I heard it out I would probably flip.
I thought this might be too in the smooth jazz-funk style for your tastes, but pleased to see you like it. It's by west coast jazzers Tom Scott & The La Express, who had quite a career, but are probably best known for the theme tune of Starsky and Hutch. This one is called 'Nunya' and is from their self-titled 1973 album, although I have it on a comp.
4. What the hell goes on in the middle of this?! It’s a fairly innocuous piece of latin funk and then it suddenly stops, the bishop says a fee prayers in latin quickly and then it resumes. Mad as a woman.
Luis Santi was/is (is he still alive -dunno) a fairly well known Cuban big band leader and so this track 'Los Feligreses' is meant to be untypical for him. I love the organ playing on this. It's from a nice comp called 'The Cuban Funk Experience' which you can get quite cheaply.
5. Jazzy Latina with that infectious rhythm only south Americans can do. Try it yourself at home, you’ll see I’m right. No white man can even think that rhythm let alone play it. Hypercool.
Toniho Horta is a very well known musician/arranger in Brazil who was associated with the Clube Da Esquina scene which produced Lo Borges and Milton Nascimento. This,"Aquilas Coisas Todas" is one of his best known and is from his debut 1980 album. He's a wonderful guitarist who I'd love to see live.
6. Is this Brazilian? It’s hard to follow what language they’re singing in. It’s pretty cool, changes loads, almost like a pastiche of the style, but very slick.
Yes, for the next half a dozen tracks or so we go into a Brazilian thing. This is Tom Ze from his 1968 Grande Liquidação album and is called Gloria. I like it's weird time signatures.
7. I like this one, it’s a different league than the one before. I think it’s brazilian. I recognize the singer. A tropicalia woman? Weird bass and an electric guitar that doesn’t quite fit, but otherwise, yeah, I’ll have this with a drink, thanks for asking.
This is the very celebrated Elis Regina, probably the most famous Brazilian female singer. I love the way this bursts into sunshine after its reflective start. It's called Quero and is from her 1976 album "Falso Brilhante"
8. This is a bit baffling, frankly. The first half never really gets going, then it stops and some crazy topicalia guitar thing kicks in and then it stops. Weird shit.
This shows the Brazilians got psychedelia as well as anyone. A really unique track I think with all those sonic effects. Anyway it's Gal Costa from her great 1970 album Legal.
9. More bonkers Brazilians. They knew how to make insane music better than even the germans, and they invented mental sounds. I’m at a loss for how to react to this track. I think I like it, but it’s hard to be sure.
Probably my own personal favourite of the Brazilian selections. I love the lo-fi, off-kilter of this (and indeed the whole album). There's something so fragile and pretty about it. It's from the classic Nelson Angelo & Joyce collaboration, which for me is one of the must have Brazilian albums, and is called Comunhão.
10. I like the way this starts in one style and then completely changes. A lot of this reminds me a lot of David Axelrod. Especially the bass. It’s a very cool, if slightly dark, track. I bet it’s been sampled to within an inch of its life.
Jose Mauro was an incredible talent, the whole album is like this -a dizzying mix of styles, but underpinned by this deep melancholy. Amazing string arrangements. Sadly he died very young leaving us just the one album Obnoxius, from which this is the title track. Let me know if you'd like a copy as I have the cd and it's very hard to get hold of.
11. Not my favourite on here but still very good, which is a sign of how good the disc is. I think I’d like to know what he’s singing about really. Otherwise, I dig the syncopation and it’s amazing guitar playing. His wrist must have ached.
It's Jorge Ben, a familiar name I'm sure -famous for composing Mais Que Nada, one of the most famous Brazilian songs and one you'll certainly be familiar with (it was used for the Nike world cup ad with the Brazilian team). But anyway, yes he was an amazing player. This is his Ali tribute Cassius Marcelo Clay.
12. This one brings Scott Walker to mind, for some reason. Him and the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. It’s a very busy track and the vocal is a little too effected for me, but it’s still an enjoyable listen.
We leave Brazil behind now. This is Caribbean singer Jon Lucien. Someone I try, with mixed results, to interest BCB in now and again. This is called War Song from Rashida, his great 1973 album Rashida and the best starting point for anyone wishing to investigate him.
13. It’s doing my head in who this is. I keep wanting to say gil scott heron, but I’m sure that’s not it. I’m afraid this is the only track that doesn’t really do anything for me. It just takes too long to do anything and then doesn’t really do anything. Fine background music, but who wants that?
I guess the last three tracks were meant to represent a genre I call soul folk or funk folk or something! Anyway this is BCB favourite Terry Callier with Trance On Sedgewick Street from Occasional Rain, probably my favourite album from his golden early seventies period.
14. Similar response again, I’m afraid, although this one’s far more pleasant. It just goes on a bit too long with some frankly bizarre vocal gymnastics. It would be a great instrumental, actually.
This is on Stax believe it or not. Kenji tipped me to this guy. It's Lou Bond with a track called Come On Snob from his only album released in 1974. It was pretty much forgotten before being reissued last year to some acclaim. For me this track is about the haunting dialogue between the string arrangement, flute and those gliding, spectral vocals. I think it's special stuff so I'd recommend persevering with it.
So there we have it. I feel ashamed it took this long. Sorry G, and thanks for being patient. It’s, in the main, a great disc, and as I’m quite a new but enthusiastic latin fan, I’m looking forward to the reveal ahead of a trip to the record shop!
I'm so pleased it went down well on the whole as this was a bit of a labour of love for me, containing a lot of the music that has become special to me over the last decade or so. Which makes my laziness in doing the reveal all the more embarrassing and shameful!
Full tracklisting -song, artist, album.
1.Gin-Bruno Nicolai L'Onorata Famiglia
2.The Hatch-TMG Vital Organs
3.Nunya -Tom Scott & The L.A. Express Diggin' Deeper 2 - The Roots Of Acid Jazz
4. Los Feligreses - Luis Santi Cuban Funk Experience
5. Aquelas Coisas Todas (Sanguessuga) -Toninho Horta The Brazilian Funk Experience
6. Gloria -Tom Zé Grande Liquidacao
7.Quero -Elis Regina Falso Brilhante
8. Acauã-Gal Costa Legal
9. Comunhão-Nelson Angelo e Joyce Nelson Angelo e Joyce
10. Obnóxius - José Mauro Obnoxius
11. Cassius Marcelo Clay -Jorge Ben Negro É Lindo
12. War Song - Jon Lucien Rashida
13. Trance on Sedgewick Street - Terry Callier Occasional Rain
14. Come On Snob - Lou Bond Lou Bond