The Afterword

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Classic Albums as EPs

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Inspired by @Tiggerlion ‘s dissection of Transfomer, let’s reduce classic (or almost classic)( albums to the 4 really necessary tracks. Why say it in 40-45 minutes when 12-15 minutes is enough.

Lou Reed – Transformer

1. Walk on the Wild Side 2. Satellite of Love 3. Perfect Day 4. Vicious

All you need. I am sure we can all think of more …

Abbey Road Anniversary Edition Official Details

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SDE:

Super deluxe edition, 3 CD+1 Blu-ray:

Disc 1: 2019 Stereo Mix

1. Come Together 2. Something 3. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer 4. Oh! Darling 5. Octopus’s Garden 6. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) 7. Here Comes The Sun 8. Because 9. You Never Give Me Your Money 10. Sun King 11. Mean Mr Mustard 12. Polythene Pam 13. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window 14. Golden Slumbers 15. Carry That Weight 16. The End 17. Her Majesty

Disc 2: Sessions

1. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Trident Recording Session & Reduction Mix) 2. Goodbye (Home Demo) 3. Something (Studio Demo) 4. The Ballad Of John And Yoko (Take 7) 5. Old Brown Shoe (Take 2) 6. Oh! Darling (Take 4) 7. Octopus’s Garden (Take 9) 8. You Never Give Me Your Money (Take 36) 9. Her Majesty (Takes 1–3) 10. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight (Takes 1–3 / Medley) 11. Here Comes The Sun (Take 9) 12. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer (Take 12)

Disc 3: Sessions

1. Come Together (Take 5) 2. The End (Take 3) 3. Come And Get It (Studio Demo) 4. Sun King (Take 20) 5. Mean Mr Mustard (Take 20) 6. Polythene Pam (Take 27) » Continue Reading.

The Kinks – Arthur 50th Anniversary Deluxe Set

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7″ square x 3” deep, 2-part rigid card box containing: 4 x CDs, 4 x 7″ singles, book, printed memorabilia, enamel badge

4 x CDs (in individual card wallets) • 2019 newly remastered stereo and mono versions of original Arthur album from HD sources • Mono and stereo single versions, B-sides, alternate mono / stereo mixes, demos, BBC mixes and Dave Davies’ solo • 2 new recordings of Ray Davies with The Doo Wop Choir, including one previously unreleased track • 3 previously unreleased tracks written for Arthur, and recorded by the ‘Come Dancing’ Workshop Ensemble (1998) • New Ray Davies remixes of album tracks ‘Australia’ and ‘Shangri-La’ • 81 tracks total, comprising 5 previously unreleased tracks and 28 previously unreleased versions

4 x Arthur related 7” singles (with reproduced original international artwork) • Drivin’ / Victoria / Shangri-La / Hold My Hand (Dave Davies solo)

Softback book • Extensive essays by world-renowned Kinks experts, original cancelled Arthur play co-scriptwriter Julian Mitchell, and original album sleeve designer Bob Lawrie • New interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory • Band photos, original release international cover artwork and memorabilia

Printed memorabilia • Reproduced original photos & posters

Badge • » Continue Reading.

Stella McCartney Beatles Collection

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I am thinking of getting the “All Together Now” denim jacket reasonably priced at $1690 (Canadian). What are other Afterworders going to pick up?

https://www.stellamccartney.com/experience/us/introducing-the-new-beatles-inspired-all-together-now-collection/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social_Organic&utm_campaign=SMC_FacebookAllTogetherNow_12072019&fbclid=IwAR3-cEh-Y1c_wcr5ZKMw27AjT9wCLuaU4oanhxIMQiKaq5M9Jsx2Of0Ks_c

Solid Sound Festival 2019

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Venue:

MASS MOCA, North Adams, MA

Date: 28/06/2019

My 2nd visit to this festival set in the former industrial town of North Adams, deep in the magnificent Berkshires of Massachusetts. It is now the home of the largest museum of contemporary art in North America, MASS MOCA. The festival, curated by Wilco, takes place every 2nd year. I previously attended in 2015 and wrote about it on this site. Unfortunately I was unable to attend in 2017 for some sad immigration reasons, wild horses couldn’t keep me away this time. I realise there was another festival on the other side of the Atlantic this weekend, the one in North Adams was on a smaller scale, about 9,000 festival goers (sold out), around 30-35 musical acts (plus comedians, authors etc), 5 permanent stages, plus several “pop up” ones inside the museum.

This year I opted to stay in town in (extremely basic) student accomodation where rooms were made available for the festival duration. It meant that I parked my car on Friday and didn’t use it again until Monday. Also I got to see more of the lovely town and could see more time on site including the museum (the » Continue Reading.

Turbulent Political Times

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We are living in turbulent times with Brexit, Trump, terrorism etc. However I was watching the recent multi part documentary on Thatcher, in the early/mid eighties we had:

– 3 million unemployed in the UK – Most dangerous cold war situation since the early 60s – Greenham Common Peace Camp – Falklands War – Brighton bomb (plus many other examples of Irish republican terrorism) – Miners’ strike with resulting riots, police brutality and at least one death.

Quite a list.

Brian Wilson

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He’s still with us, folks. But as you may have heard he has postponed a tour because of mental health issues. I saw him last Nov and it was indeed a sad spectacle.

Let’s use this thread to send out some love to the great one. Hope he gets through it.

https://www.brianwilson.com/

Soul Covers of Beatles Songs

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There are good ones, but I am perplexed as to why they did them. Was there record company pressure to be in on the biggest thing around? Were artists like Aretha or Otis lacking in material?

In general I don’t think they really work that well. Am sure Lennon amd Macca were thrilled, but hearing Otis Redding grunting his way through A Hard Day’s Night as an example is not really an improvement on the original.

https://youtu.be/TlHaX55wG0Y

What’s your most played album?

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This may not necessarily be your favourite one, but instead something that came along at a certain time in your life and resonated deeply

Mine is Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen

May these days make my top 5 Bruce albums, but probably not my top 3. It was released in 1984 when I was 22, I am guessing it was released on the UK on Fri June 8th, I had been a fan for about 4 years and had seen one live show (still the best I ever saw), after the low key solo Nebraska album there was some excitement at a new offering with the E St Band. I had probably already heard the first single, a UK flop called Dancing in the Dark (initially only got to no, 28 ).

I was living in North London and simply had to get it on the day of release, I had a one hour lunch break so I got the bus to HMV and picked it up, on the way back to work I stopped off at my place. I had time to play the first 2 tracks Born in the USA and Cover Me. It sounded vibrant, » Continue Reading.

Match the Sleeve Note!

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Which album is this from? Please add your own if you feel it could be a fun way to waste some time.

“There is so much light here – his life force pulling us all together. letting himself finally touch; the gentle eyes of the people ***** and I love so much smiling – and, incredibly, I have seen ***** open those parts of his secret self – his essential core of aloneness I had always feared could never be broken into – and say, yes, come in here. Know me …”

New Springsteen album – Western Stars

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Press release:

Bruce Springsteen’s Western Stars New Studio Album Out on Columbia Records June 14 Bruce Springsteen’s first new studio album in five years takes his music to a new place, drawing inspiration in part from the Southern California pop records of the late ’60s and early ’70s. The album was recorded primarily at Springsteen’s home studio in New Jersey, with additional recording in California and New York. Columbia Records will release Springsteen’s 19th studio album on June 14. Western Stars will be available for pre-order on Friday, April 26.

“This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements,” says Springsteen. “It’s a jewel box of a record.”

The 13 tracks of Western Stars encompass a sweeping range of American themes, of highways and desert spaces, of isolation and community and the permanence of home and hope.

The song “Hello Sunshine” and a video will be released just after midnight ET tonight.

Ron Aniello produced the album with Springsteen and plays bass, keyboard, and other instruments. Patti Scialfa provides vocals and contributes vocal arrangements on four tracks. The musical arrangements include strings, horns, pedal steel and contributions from more » Continue Reading.

RSD How was it for you?

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Went to my local store 15 mins before opening and got what I wanted. Namely Tweedy and Dylan, also licked up Trout Mask Replica. Then went to a much more popular store where I had to wait outside for 45 mins (in lovely weather), got Pink Floyd mono for a friend, with a free Canadian only Rolling Srones album.

Would still like to get Van Morrison alternate Astral Weeks if I see it, maybe 1 or 2 other things, but I did ok.