Musings on the byways of popular culture
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Just in case anyone is not aware, it now being November, means that Dead.net have their annual 30 Days Of Dead – a live track from the archive to download each day this month. They are only mp3 quality, but they are free……
It’s already up to Day 3 (as I write this) but scroll down to the bottom and previous days are available.
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As some of you may be aware, last Friday saw the release of the second batch of the remastered Prefab Sprout albums on vinyl (Steve McQueen, Protest Songs, Andromeda Heights & Let’s Change The World With Music).
Not having a vinly player, I got the hi-res downloads. However, on importing them, all the tracks are screwed up – the track names appear correctly and in the correct order, but they are the wrong songs – it appears like the actual songs are in alphabetical order – so Steve McQueen starts with Appetite instead of Faron Young (even though it’s listed as Faron Young). Same thing for all four albums.
I’ve just spent the whole day (well half an hour at least) re tagging all the tracks. I’m annoyed.
I don’t understand (a) how you can actually screw the tracks up like this and (b) did nobody actually listen to them before releasing…. ?
So what has annoyed / irritated you this weeks (apart from Boris) ?
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From Joe Jackson’s “What I’m Listening To” blog (which is ALWAYS worth a read – see link below)…….
XTC – Everything
I’m going to finish with something that’s not only What I’m Listening To but an Appreciation I’ve been wanting to write for a long time. There are two kinds of people in this world: XTC fans and, well, the rest of you, who might want to skip this.
One of my favourite down-time pleasures over the last few months has been re-listening to pretty much everything this un-classifiable band did on their dozen albums from 1978 to 2000, while also dipping into the two essential books, XTC – Song Stories, by the band themselves with Neville Farmer, and Complicated Game – Inside the Songs of XTC, in which Andy Partridge talks to Todd Bernhardt about a selection of his songs while going off on endless fascinating and hilarious tangents. Andy is a very funny guy, who buzzes with enough ideas for a dozen bands. It’s a kind of miracle that this one also found room for Colin Moulding, a less prolific but fine songwriter, whose three or four tracks per album I always looked forward to. He was the » Continue Reading.
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Article in today’s Sunday Times on the exhibition and box set celebrating the 40th anniversary of Factory Records.
The final paragraph from Stephen Morris (New Order) with sentiments that resonate with many of us on here……
“But I listen to those records, even now,” Morris had said when we met, “and think, ‘This is me!’ So I’m conflicted. The two sides of me, the person making the music and someone who consumes me. Well, as the first person, I don’t like the idea of rehashing and marketing that. But as a music fan, I love box sets. I love squandering ridiculous sums of money on things I’ll never play.” Spoken like a true Factory man.
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For those of you in that there London, there is a “one night only” screening of the legendary Hendrix 1969 RAH concert on 21st Oct. Tickets on sale tomorrow (4th Oct).
I presume this is a 50 year copyright thing and that we will probably see this on DVD / Blu Ray sometime in the near future.
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The comment by @paul-wad on my Prefab post that Jordan: The Comeback was the first CD that he bought reminded me of a thread that I posted many many years again on the old Word blog. Given all the changes since then, it’s seems like a good idea to post again. So…..
What was your first…. – Single – Album – CD – concert
And first in any other category you may want to add.
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I know that you are all busy listening to your new Abbey Road remix, but there was another major release this week…. the first batch of the Prefab Sprout vinyl reissues, which includes Swoon, From Langley Park To Memphis, Jordan: The Comeback and A Life Full Of Surprises.
Whilst I don’t have a Vinyl player, they are available as downloads and on the usual streaming sites. Downloads available in hi res (although only 24bit / 44kHz). No CD version was released (or planned as far as I know).
First impressions of Jordan (one of my all time favourite albums) are positive with a cleaned up and more punchier sound. A couple of tracks appear to have also been remixed as well as remastered – a couple are listed as the single version and the attached “Looking For Atlantis” also sounds a little different.
Obviously I can’t comment on the quality of the vinyl pressings, but from what I read online, they appear to be good. Anyone on here bought and tested ?
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In my humble opinion, one of the most massively underrated British singer – songwriters gets a BBC Four documentary next Friday (27th Sept).
An artist that I have enjoyed for many a year (although I last lost touch with some of her later material) that had a few hits, but always seemed to stay just under the radar. Amazing that she has been going for almost 50 years.
Looking at the programme info, it looks very AW friendly – guests Gambaccini (and she’s not even dead yet), Pino Palladino……
So any more love out there and if so, your thoughts, favourites etc on her varied discography……
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Featuring Robbie Robertson, Ringo Starr, Lukas Nelson, Larkin Poe and many many more…….
And this song is 50 years old !
R.E.M. have just released “Fascinating” on Bandcamp in support of relief efforts for the effects of Hurricane Dorian that hit the Bahamas (it was recorded there).
It’s an unreleased track that was left off the Reveal album (apparently as it didn’t fit) and is a 2004 version of the track. The 2001 bootleg version is in the below YouTube.
It’s a good track, it’s only 2 USD and it’s for a good cause.
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I know there are a lot of XTC fans on here who will appreciate this just released 4 track EP from Andy Partridge and Robyn Hitchcock.
Someone has posted the whole EP on YouTube so you can take a listen – the track “Got My…” (from 7.33 in the YouTube video) is sublime and very reminiscent of English Settlement era XTC. Rest of the tracks are pretty excellent and all have the XTC / Beatles / Psychedelic vibe (goes well with the upcoming Dukes release).
Buy if you like – it’s only £4 at Burning Shed.
https://burningshed.com/store/ape/robyn-hitchcock_andy-partridge_planet-england_cd
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Posting the Gonzo / Trumpet video on Tigs “blowing your trumpet’ thread reminded me how brilliant The Muppets were.
Especially good are the numerous mashups that have been done pairing muppets video with contemporary tracks – particularly that hippity-hoppity genre.
So to cheer us all up after Brexit, Boris, the ashes and the price of the Pink Floyd box set, lets have some Muppets mashups. To start the ball rolling here’s Cookie Monster with Mr Tom Waits.
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It appears that many music sites worldwide are going into meltdown over the new Tool album, Fear Inoculum – their first for 13 years.
Ashamed to say, but it’s not a group that I am familiar with – although the descriptions of ‘post metal prog’ and them being a cross between Sabbath, Rush and King Crimson, do whet my appetite….
So, what have I missed and where to start (now that their full discography is on Apple Music / Spotify / etc) ?
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The latest in the XTC archive series has just been announced and its rather surprisingly both of the Dukes Of The Stratosphear albums.
Again comes with CD/BluRay with Steven Wilson 5.1 surround mix, hi res, original mixes, bonus tracks etc etc and all for the very reasonable price of £16.99 (are you taking note Pink Floyd). Also available in that vinyl that everyone raves about for £20 each album. Available for pre order on Burning Shed with Oct 11th release date.
Also I note there is a new Andy Partridge / Robyn Hitchcock EP featuring 4 tracks to be released 6th Sept.
https://burningshed.com/xtc-as-the-dukes-of-stratosphear_psurroundabout-ride_cd_blu-ray
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Whilst it’s not yet been officially announced (this Friday I believe) the latest Pink Floyd box set covering the “Later Years” (I.e post Roger Waters) is up for pre order on Amazon at a staggering £429.
It looks good and there are 17 discs of audio / video, but it’s not really them in the absolute prime is it? Surely this has to come down significantly in price before anyone buys?
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What does it sound like?:
A new artist to me, although this is apparently their third album. Native Harrow are the group name for NY state based Devin Tuel on vocals and Stephen Harms on instruments.
On first listen it immediately grabs you, sounding both familiar and yet fresh. There’s a distinct Laurel Canyon vibe to a lot of the songs and lovers of a young Joni would certainly find plenty to like here. The Joni Mitchell comparisons are strongest on the tracks “Blue Canyon” and the gorgeous closer, “Way To Light” – an attack on materialism featuring some lovely slide guitar from Stephen Harms
Devin Tuel has a gorgeous voice singing mature wistful lyrics – not bad for someone not yet out of her twenties and hopefully a sign of more greatness to come.
This is an album that was a complete unknown to me, but has weaved its way into one of my most played these past couple of weeks. Highly recommended,
What does it all *mean*?
Folk is alive and well and there’s.nothing wrong with looking back to the past for inspiration.
Goes well with…
Warm summer evenings with a nice glass of red (Tignanello by any » Continue Reading.
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Not the original TV themes, but covers from your favourite rock n roll (or jazz) artists……
I’ll start the ball rolling with The James Taylor Quartet / Starsky & Hutch
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I like it.
Seems to be back to their earlier material and on first listen to me has that “Peter Gabriel” feel to it (I remember on first hearing “Asleep At The Back” and thinking it was PG)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=-CR628yT7aE
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Was recommended this album (Tokyo Blues Breakers) by a buddy last week when it came out and it’s been on constant rotation in the car ever since. Great fun.
Can find bugger all about them on the web (although album is on Spotify / Apple Music / etc)
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Whilst the “as near an XTC reunion as we will ever get” project from Colin Moulding and Terry Chambers didn’t last long, it was long enough to play a few nights in Swindon.
Burning Shed are now showing a live album capturing the best of those concerts with an August release date.
https://burningshed.com/tcandi_naked-flames_cd?filter_name=Tc&i&filter_sub_category=true
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We are on a short trip up to Penang, which is an island off the west coast of Malaysia (only an hour and a bit flight from home in Singapore).
It just happens to be peak Durian season in Malaysia and Penang is famous for Durians (a lot from Singapore come just for that). For those that don’t know a Durian is spiky husked fruit that is indigenous to SE Asia that contains seeds with a yellowish / white pulp – that is what is eaten. It’s known as the king of fruits here, but is characterised by is very ‘distinct’ smell – some say turpentine, some say raw sewage, some actually like. Added to that it’s a fairly strong tasting fruit. I actually don’t mind – the flesh is creamy, almost custardy – the only problem is the aftertaste lingers for hours……
So what disgusting / unique / strange / obnoxious foods have you eaten ? Why and what were you overall impressions ?
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As a companion thread to Ganglesprockets “Thread of Sh**e’, how about the worst music video – i.e. the song may be good and so not warranting a mention in that thread, but the video is awful / cheesy / etc etc……
We all know that the actual worst ever video is David Bowie / Mick Jagger’s “Dancing In The Street”, but what else comes a close second…….
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Reading the excellent review of the Rory Gallagher / Blues album, it immediately went on my to buy list. However, I now see that it’s not released until May 31st.
With the increase in pre release reviews on here, should we add a field to the Nights In entry for Release Date, otherwise, could reviewers of pre release stuff just add a comment as to when it will be released ?
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Reading the papers today, I came across trailers for Black Mirror Season 5 and the HBO / BBC adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials”.
So with Good Omens on Amazon at the end of the month (and BBC later in year), Black Mirror in June, season 3 of Stranger Things in July and His Dark Materials later in the year, this is shaping up to be a pretty good year of TV.
What else are folks looking forward to ?
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What does it sound like?:
Reese Wynans may not be a household name, but for anyone that’s ever listened to Blues or Southern Rock, you have probably heard him playing before. Keyboard virtuoso for 50 years or so and part of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, this is his first solo album. Currently part of Joe Bonamassa’s touring band, who produces this (and obviously plays guitar on a number of tracks).
Kicking off with the SRV track “Crossfire” (one of several on the album) featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the Double Trouble rhythm section and Sam Moore on vocals, you immediately know you are in for a treat with its mix of rock out guitars, funky horns and solid groove. There’s a varied selection of styles on show here – from the Keb Mo guitar / Reese piano blues of “I’ve Got A Right To Be Blue”, the funky horn led Willie Mitchell song “That Driving Beat” to the multi vocal (seven I think) Boz Scaggs title track “Sweet Release”. A highlight being the SRV track “Riviera Paradise” featuring both Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa on guitar. The album finishes with a solo rendition of The Beatles “Blackbird” – » Continue Reading.
