How is everyone getting on then? As the world goes to hell in a handbasket and filling up your car now needs a mortgage, what better time to listen to stay in and do some ‘active listening’ as they ask you to demonstrate in job interviews I am assured by the youngers. In an ideal world you’ve had all your CDs/dropbox drops and posted yours so we can move onto the reviewening phase. Take this as a gentle reminder to get a shift on if this is not the case.
Each group gets their handles in a comment, so post all reviews and sub-comments under that comment. Should be clear. Post reviews here and not the original swap post. We’ll remind everyone with a deadline before the track reveals so post your track listings and any liner notes to @kid-dynamite and myself. Let the reviewening begin!
@El-hombre-malo
@Pyramid
@Kid-dynamite
I have received and listened to @Kid-dynamite ‘s selection – no word yet from @Pyramid .
Is it best to wait until I have both ? Or should I post my thoughts on the first one ?
If it helps at all, I won’t be posting a review of yours until at least the weekend as I’m away this week, so you could consider this an opportunity to wait and hone those bon mots just a little more, or alternatively, put up your thoughts, delete the files and move on with your life while trying to forget it ever happened…
On first listen, I wrote one or two words on each, which I may extend to phrases, or even all the way out to actual sentences during the upcoming third listen. (the second listen generated no additional words)
Thoughts on @El-hombre-malo‘s mix:
1 – Exciting driving soul, wouldn’t be surprised if it was Wilson Pickett, but that might just be because he mentions the watusi.
2 – More upbeat soul, feels very contiguous with the previous track, even more urgent with some lovely horns and an insistent piano. My favourite of the opening soul 1-2 by some distance, I am daydreaming about the E Street Band covering it sometime in the late 70s, although I have no idea if it’s from Detroit or not
3 – Radio rock, I can smell the hairspray from here. Sounds like something from the soundtrack of an 80s action film, where the brief was “get me Billy Idol but cheap”
4 – Feels like it’s from the borderlands between pub rock and early punk, vocals sound eerily like Mick Jagger having some kind of episode. Not that, given some of the vocal performances in my own mix, I should be casting any aspersions in that direction.
5 – Very Nuggets-y, a garage stomper. I don’t think you could do any dance to this apart from a frug
6 – Slowing down now, about time for a breather. Feels like what they call heartland rock, but there’s trace elements of grunge in there as well. Soul Asylum or someone like that? Very earnest anyway
7 – I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard it but this is exactly what I suppose Psychotic Reaction sounds like. The early Horrors were taking notes.
8 – this kind of close harmony singing gives me the heebie jeebies I’m afraid, it’s the aural equivalent of touching cotton wool. Shame as the music has some nice laidback vibes, could it seeing being sampled by Jurassic 5 or someone of that ilk
9 – sure I recognise this voice – BW? Trying to be coy but I have realised that might give you the impression that I believe this is by the Walrus Of Love, which I do not. Another one that flows nicely from the previous track. I would like to hear this one sampled also.
10 -see, I like this kind of harmony. Big generous open soul, anyone who doesn’t like this kind of sound is suspect imo
11 – more stomping soul, and another winner. Love the horns again, and the organ throughout
12 – This song was on my shortlist as well, not this version though. Not sure at all who this is, and to be brutally honest I reckon it’s one of those where the original was better. Sorry, mystery lady.
Good mix, thanks. Very heavily weighted towards soul and garage, which are genres I enjoy but don’t necessarily put on at home, so it was nice to be forced to listen to some. Also very very different from the tunes I’ve sent your way, so increasing trepidatious as to how they might go down…
Top three tracks would be 2,9 and 5 I reckon
hola! my selections were :
1. Wayne Cochran – Goin’ Back to Miami (an OG, wild rock and roller)
2. The Solution – Communicate (Scott Morgan, Detroit hero)
3. Hanoi Rocks – Back To Mystery City (early 80s rockers – inspired the whole LA Glam scene)
4. Claw Hammer – Come Back Jonee (Hardcore chaps cover Devo)
5. The Thanes – Evolver (Edinburgh Garage Rock Maestros)
6. Brian Charles – Want You Back (From the powerpop masterpiece sadderdaydreaming)
7. Fe-Fi-Four Plus 2 – I Wanna Come Back (From The World of LSD)
8. Allen Toussaint – Go Back Home (N’awlins genius)
9. Eddie Hinton – I’ll Come Running Back To You (Muscle Shoals guitarist, wrote some great songs)
10. The Fantastic Four – Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy (60s soul)
11. Sandra Phillips – Please Don’t Send Him Back To Me (produced by the great Swamp Dogg)
12. Lucinda Williams & David Crosby – Return Of The Grievous Angel (I love how the voices work together)
My thoughts on @Kid-dynamite ‘s selection
1. spooky, ethereal – sounds like a folky version of a band on 4AD
2. bouncing piano, sounds like nu-jazz
3. guitars like a more sophisticated Husker Du – sounds like it was mixed by the guitarist (I say this as a guitarist)
4. another groovy one – this is the first track where I have thought I could venture a guess – The Charlatans.
5. post-krautrock – nice.
6. very indie, with a guitarist determined to impose his singular, ragged, version of the 1967 Lou Reed choppiness on the band, despite their reluctance to follow. I approve of this kind of activity. I picture the band wearing over-sized hooped t-shirts.
7. poppy indie, sunshine, nice harmonies.
8. another nu-jazz track with querulous flute – a track that feels like it is standing on tip-toe, waiting to go somewhere, but doesn’t actually step off. interesting tension
9. an americana song about ghosts and dreams, nodding to Blind Willie Johnson – well executed.
10. a dreamy intro lulls you into a false sense of calm then it breaks into a shoutcore/raspy-voiced rant over a very fast backing before a pastoral closeout section.
11. good jazz quartet -strong interplay, good bass player, especially
12. chamber music with vocals ? an interesting listen.
Overall, this was a change to my regular listening – I think 5 was my favourite, with 7 and 9 also ones I would follow up.
Gracias, amigo!
I omitted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing change to my regular music programming!
@el-hombre-malo, my tracklisting was
1. These New Puritans – Return (UK arty indie band)
2. H ZETTRIO – Retro Back Summer Action (Japanese jazz trio)
3. Texas Is The Reason – Back And To The Left (US second wave emo act, split after one album in the mid 90s)
4. The Charlatans – Come Home Baby (good spot!)
5. Konformer – Reunion (German Neo-kraut)
6. Galaxie 500 – When Will You Come Home (US indie cult heroes and at 1989 the oldest track here)
7. Lande Hekt – Coming Home (the newest song on the mix, from this very year)
8. Kuniyuki Takahashi – Back In The Day (Japanese electronica producer with heavy jazz influences)
9. Jeffrey Foucault – Ghost Repeater (Americana bloke, also does a good cover of Powderfinger)
10. Deafheaven – Come Back (long time Afterword heroes)
11. Kassa Overall – Back That Azz Up (from an album of jazz covers of hip-hop classics)
12. David Lang – You Will Return (new arrangements of Schubert’s lieder featuring the voice of Death)
@Vulpes-Vulpes
@dan-druff
@Bozo
@Bozo does not appear to be registered – could @Vulpes-Vulpes or @dan-druff let us know if they’ve heard from them, and @Bozo please come in if you’re out there, and perhaps have changed your handle or something…
As you still haven’t found, who you’re looking for…
@paul-hewston
Radio chatter from Dan and Bozo has been successfully received, and we are all in the process of choosing/burning/transferring as I type.
I’m aiming to post physical CDs this Thursday. Bozo’s in that Manchester, so no worries there, but Dan’s in the antipodes.
Some pals of mine are (were) on their way to NZ shortly to visit their son, and the half-way changeover was going to be very adjacent to the Persian Gulf – as a consequence they have no idea if their expensive tickets will actually get them to Auckland anytime soon or not. So if it turns out that avoidance of the Middle East is going to cause delays in the arrival of my airmail disc in Oz, I’ll sadly be turning to WeTransfer as an alternative.
Sorry @moseleymoles, just seen this – Salwarpe is correct, my recent name change doesn’t seem to have made it as far as my @name (I’m sure there must be a techy name for this). Not made my offering yet but it is in the development stage. The pressure is on….
My discs are now both dispatched, one winging north to that Manchester, the other dodging the drones on its way to Oz.
@dan-druff @paul-hewston
Could you chaps confirm if you’ve received my swap CD yet?
@Moseleymoles
@Salwarpe
@Timtunes
Plenty of slacking here from me, but finally here is @Timtunes top twelve tracks:
One.
Mid-century crooning – 10/10 for being on point for theme, but slightly arch balladeering is not me.
Two.
Rawk – the endlessly theme of making it to the top/losing it all/making it back again. Possibly eighties – its quite sweary so can’t be much earlier. Keen to find out who this is. Shades of Alice Cooper, though it’s not.
Three.
More rock. More tales of heroic and dastardly deeds from the world of rock. This feels a bit more slacker than the previous one and maybe a decade later. Some surreal lyrics about Kiss, a kite festival and eyebrow shaving. Not sure this was that pleasant to listen to – I kept waiting for something musical to happen, and it never quite did.
Four.
Complete change of tone to classic EWF style seventies funk, but poppier and much whiter – I’m thinking Hall and Oates. I shouldn’t like this, but it’s catchy as hell. You do like a widdly guitar solo (I can say already).
Five.
Second pop funk soul track, a little more seventies in feel than the previous track. There’s a touch of Stevie Wonder in the arrangement and rhythms, but again sure it’s not.
Six.
The first female singer, with a floaty, strings and groove-based track. Not a clue who this could be but along with two probably my favourite so far.
Seven.
Beach boys surely? But slightly twisted. Very short and over almost before I can make my mind up.
Eight.
Dandy Warhols surely? But slightly lighter. Absolutely of that era – mid-nineties to early-noughties, maybe the Brian Jones Massacre. This is also a very good track which i may already have somewhere.
Nine.
Crooners again. Frank. Dean. Sammy. Really not a crooner ol’ wine drinker me type of guy. You can go back to Joes anytime so I know where you are and I can go somewhere else.
Ten.
Its jazz. Starts with a piano solo setting out the jaunty ragtime-influenced melody which suggests that the bandleader is a pianist. Not a clue but again a great track to discover.
Elevent
Crooners again, but Elvis-influenced rather than rat packy. I like the backing vocals.
Twelve.
Crooners again again. More reverb and spectral backings. You can tell from about 30s in this is building to an OTT kitchen sink finish. Neil Diamond? If that’s a theremin in the background, respect, and for the first 20s I thought it was a theremin-version of Blue Moon which would have been awesome. The bits where he wasn’t singing were great.
So, there’s some strong clustering around rock/metal, around pop-funk and crooners. Ten (jazz) and six (female vocalist) are outliers and among the ones I liked best! The crooners (a reductive word for the tracks featuring a prominent male vocalist hitting lots of notes giving it some) the least. Ten, eight, six really good – four not sure it’s a great track but it’s quality earworm material.
And the twelve from the man whose fault it is this time round, @Salwarpe
1. Not a clue. It’s Arabic with percussion and some synths alongside traditional-sounding instruments. Not unpleasant but doesn’t do that much for me.
2. Fifties kitsch – witty wordplay and a cocktail vibe. Sophisticated. Like this and would add to playlist. Not sung by Eartha Kitt but should be.
3. A bit big beatish. Very nineties. Again, a cocktail bar vibe. I’m thinking someone like Thievery Corporation. But now the vocals are a bit too prominent. So someone with a vocalist or two.
4. I love this – surely Scandipop of some ilk. Crystal-clear female vocals, and a mid-tempo Europop beat. The standout track of the selection for me.
5. More dub excursions, a bit of a repetition of the vibe of 3 but with added flute. This again could be Thievery Corporation.
6. Another perky female vocalist (like 2) but this time it’s the disco seventies. I like this, and am thinking it’s someone not a disco singer but a pop one who has ‘gone a bit disco’. Beyond that clueless.
7. Seventies singer-songwriter, luxury arrangements around an acoustic guitar. Probably my least favourite so far. Kind of like Joni Mitchell with all the interesting bits ironed out (sorry, has to be one you come down hard on).It does improve a lot when the band kick in and there’s a bit of a wig-out, but still not much for me here.
8. I do know this one. A good mix. Will always, along with ‘toast on your head’ – actually Professional Widow, Armand Van helden Remix, and ‘natty natty vimto’ (actually In A De Ghetto by David Morales) be the sound of Ibiza when we finally got there in 1996 Several years too late but still a great, great time was had.
9. You see I would have sequenced this after 7, wig-out to gospel-induced holler. Not Aretha.
10. Virtually the first electric guitar led track. Kind of if Gang of Four had been big beat. Maybe Reverend and the Makers? Maybe even the long-forgotten Senser. Catchy sloganeering, ironic takes on Jonny and Mary, Mission Impossible, lots going on.
11. Actually, can I go back to track 7. This goes on and on and although the singing is impeccable, it’s the same refrain repeated many, many, many times. Mazzy Star or Spiritualized could perhaps have made this work as an epic.
12. Getting strong This Mortal Coil vibes here which is absolutely fine by me. But it is Sinead O’Connor? Certainly someone who can make a living as a tribute act. And a great track to finish on whoever is singing it.
In summary one track I already know and love, and a strong clustering around 90s dub/chill out/balearic with a side order of seventies lushly arranged soul/disco. Lots to like, one track to absolutely love (4) and only 7 and 11 as duffers.
Thank you @Mosely Moles for a great listen…..
One
Stately Dead Can Dance vibes, could be a bit Maximus funeral or he’s coming back through that field? Goes on a bit though 6/10
Two Those fields are behind us and we are shoegrooving – nice guitars. Bit indistinct in terms of actual hook. Sure would be good live 6
Three Very obvious Back reference..just a bit too twee. 3
Four A bit more tweeness – but at least it doesn’t have that female vocal. Ah Goth going back to Leeds – OK, I wish it sounded like him though 4
Five Porkpie hat time. Time and a place for this and a rainy Good Friday doesn’t cut it. Nice spacey bit. Oh lord there’s 8 minutes and now we’ve got odds & ends. Prefer the odds & ends. Not sure on the back-ness bit.It’s now a bit Tex Avery – the soundtrack for a mad cat, with those spiralling eyes. Oh now that diddly dum bit is back. Three more minutes.. 4
Six Classy lady..she’s lived..she is WISE. Nice Rhodes? I’d be scared to not be back in love. Favourite so far. I’m not adult enough to understand this song though. 7
Seven More classic soul grooves. Heard it before. A bit too blues brothers..really didn’t get that. 4
Eight I have this one. I have a lot of this stuff. This one is better but I’m sometimes not as much a fan as I should be. This is nice. The soundtrack for a condor returning to its nest with some inspirational footage (or, yes, a spacecraft) 7
Nine This one isn’t twee and isn’t soul grooves yeah time. This is a good mood friend to Track one. Album track. It’s OK 5
Ten Nicer scratchy groove. Rings a bell. Bit Album Leaf? Probably has clever graphics of stuff when live. 7
Eleven BIG fat groove. Chemical Brothers deleted track. 6
Twelve Can only be one artist. I may have it. Sometimes his stuff kind of blends? But crazy lights and dry ice make it sound epic.Nice build. Great production. Like the way it degrades like rotted by nuclear fallout. Oh a coda ..we are all dead and I am dreaming. The world..it was good while it lasted
7
Summary Overall. Great variety – if you don’t like this then something else coming up (with exceptions for the 2 in a row twee and OK 2 porkpie stompers but one has weird bits.) enjoyed the journey but not sure I will treasure the postcards. 6
And thank you @salwarpe – same badly formatted review,,,
Zero This was on my ‘back’ search through iTunes – classy tee-up, not quite sure what he’s on about.
One
This is a fabulous start – no idea what’s going on, sounds like the radio is tuning in & out but in a good way 8/10
Two Wow! Great swinging sound – like Frank Sinatra circa ‘Come Dance With Me’. May be not the strongest singer but I’m here for it Daddio-O. 9
Three Interstitial..not really going anywhere..I think I’ll hear the full track 3
Four Anthemic thing, production – backing vocals in the next room (day-o..’). Next 3
Five Regaae dub beats..feel like I’m in the record shop when the shop owner is impressing a mate. Nice groove though – I think I’d have put this after track 3. 6
Six Oh my. Karen C disco/yacht…wowzers. Love the odd vocal and they way she says ‘curm’..’hey look at me I can Disco!’. Slightly odd piano stings. Instant classic 9
Seven Its’ day by day’ but its not..it sounds like a classic ballad is fighting its way out..it has to be 3am in the OGWT studio..is that quite a lot of improvising going on..hang on…its gone groovy, nice drumming..love it. NO idea who it is. 8
Eight And into BIG BEAT….ah yes ok, very long version..bit tired of this song, it’s not quite as good as it thinks it is. Nine minutes. 6
Nine Come on clap along….funkier breakdown better. I prefer the ballad side of this singer not the shouty soul stomping 6
Ten Good lord..anti-nostalgia? Whilst being nostalgic. I can’t cope. Interesting but annoying clever clogs 3
Eleven Lovely.Have some of this guys stuff..not this one I think. Maybe outstays its welcome. 7
Twelve The end scene…they’ve made it through, it’s been tough but now finally they are standing on their own two feet. Recognise the singer, great vocal and sounds genuinely proclamatory and in a good way. Great ender 7
Summary Great varied listen & some corkers on there for sure. 8/10 overall
I wait ages for a review and four come along at once, race past me and leave me running to catch up. I’ll post mine (written weeks ago) below,before I read the devastating criticism of my cherished and polished compilation and the clear sighted analysis by and of my fellow compilers. I should say, that in the meantime, these 24 songs gifted to me have become like cherished companions that I would never wish to be parted from (well about half of them) and many have taken up earworm status in my head.
I may add further reviews of my reviews (if that makes sense), as well as IMHO a perfect super compilation of mm melodies and tt tracks.
So signing off before I read and post more – thank you guys for the music, the songs you’ve given.
Melody Maker moseley moles’ musings of magnificence:
1. Announcing itself with pipes, then sonorous synths and swelling strings, martial drumming and gentle female choir voices, at first I thought this was Vangelis doing a Hollywood Celtic movie soundtrack. Then I heard the unmistakeable and wondrous female singer and immediately recognized the band (reinforced when I heard the male singer come in), though not the song. The first time I heard it, it seemed to last for ever , but repeated listening reminded me of many familiar tropes of this band, and brought more sense of movement. Apart from the lead vocals, it doesn’t have enough of the dynamism, grit or sharpness of some of my favourite songs by this band. It’s a slow song, with a deadening drumbeat and Christmas bells, but there’s an ocean-going swell to the music, with a triumphant brass section announcing the male vocalist which makes it interesting. It feels like a portentous opener for this collection of songs.
2. Then into what felt like a more harmonious version of a Sonic Youth song (Teenage Riot or Silver Rocket maybe) only with a well-tuned guitar. Typical indistinct vocals buried deep in the mix – articulate, young man! Something I always found frustrating about the shoegaze bands – hiding themselves behind loud waves of guitar noise. But this morning on my way into work, I had raised my saddle giving me more power to my legs and this song was a rocket of noise driving me forward and it felt fantastic. Once I knew where the noise was going, I could anticipate it and ride with the sound. Context is everything – not a song for anything else than bombing along in motion, I feel.
3. This song struck me immediately as insipid, with naïve rhymes and fey vocals. But the more I listened, the more I enjoyed how well-constructed and confident and unashamed it was. One of my favourites from the compilation. Really lovely, the instrumentation supports the quite distinct yet harmonious male/female vocals in a beautiful way, solid punctuating drumming, a very optimistic positive song that left me feeling really good about the world.
4. Every compilation should have one comedy track (mine does) and this could almost have been aimed at me, given my Sisters-fixation. I think I had been told about this song about a week before I received the compilation, though I hadn’t actually heard it yet. As with all songs with clearly-articulated lyrics, it takes a few listens to put together all the different parts to the lyrics until they form a unified whole (still not there yet). Not sure what I think of this yet. It’s mildly amusing as a concept, not sure about the deeper significance – maybe a commentary on nostalgia and the embedding of every youth culture in historical form. Maybe no need to read anything into it.
5. This one made me smile. Every compilation should also have a dub/reggae/ska track, and this is the one on this compilation. In fact at the outset it sounded like one I was considering including in my compilation. Except mine was fairly uniform, a decent enough dance track but no progression. About 2 minutes into this track, it skidders off the track into a delicious bit of free-form, where things get very wibbly. I like it a lot, the ska rhythm is still there, but it’s far from Kansas in its yellow brick road oddness – until it veers back on track to complete nice and neat
6. A good full-voiced soul track, completely at ease with itself, another of my favourites to slip inside, rather wonderful, a rich full-creamed coffee of a song. A mature approach to relationships, full of words of wisdom.
7. This track is presumably called “Truck backing up”, as there is a discordant reverse lorry two tone beeping away throughout this rowdy jazz funk track. It’s raucous and tight yet all over the place. Rather wonderful with parps and toots and everything. If only all municipal vehicles sounded like this when they thrust their booty in a backwards direction. Get jiggy, Mr refuse collector!
8. And now we come to the quiet, sedate part of the collection – until the last two tracks, of which more later. This one I initially thought as being ambling, meandering ambience of no value. But closer repeat listening has revealed its patient intricacies – gently interfolding instrumental melodies harmonising and slipping in and out between each other, it isn’t dynamic, but there’s a pleasure in following the different strands as they weave between each other, then fade out into…
9. More ambience with a heavily treated generic female vocalist. A bed of synths, repeating a simple run of notes, a very 90s singer wafts in a rather Balearic indistinctness form of words that aren’t much, it could be Air or Groove Armada or even Zero 7 or some such chill out post rave anonymity. It’s not unpleasant, but it doesn’t offer much that is memorable. Sorry!
10. This one is more like it – back on track with contrasting melodic lines of distinctive flavour, plucked strings, skittering drum rhythms, other notes dropped in, cello or other strings. All separate, but all interesting. Now some double bass and bells. This is a fun one – lots to entertain a restless mind, and a track that grows in appeal the more I hear it.
11. Get on your feet, Sal – this one needs to be danced to. Fresh out of bed this morning, making the children’s breakfasts and pack lunches, I was shaking my stuff to this. Clearly layered pieces, I could do without the odd bass vocal, which was irritatingly artificial, the rest slinked along nicely, the cymbals, the synths, the squelchy bits, the flow, the intermittent basslines – all good. Nothing revolutionary, but decent dancefloor stuff – I could happily bob along to this between more interesting and more bipolar tracks.
12. Now the last track – a piece in three movements, electrogoth, which deteriorates crackingly into a long dose of noisy fuzz, before a final section of gentle voices, electric piano, chimes and cello. I like experimental music on the whole, but this felt gimmicky. After a while I just wondered why I was listening to the repetitive sound of a building collapsing for fun. The last section felt inconsequential.
Tim Tunes’ 12 titles of terrificness:
1. A show tune by someone who can sing in a mannered way and play the piano functionally, which I guess is impressive. I don’t like it at all, particularly the lyrics – this is one I skipped on repeat listening.
2. This is a bit like AC/DC – heavy metal with good tight rhythm. Just a shame that I’m not so keen on the singer, his lousy timing, his obvious machismo or the dumb lyrics that my 11-year-old self would probably have liked. Could do without the screechy guitar too. This is going well.
3. I wasn’t sure about this one – at first I thought more power, heavy blues rock with an Aussie accent. Really not my thing, But it soon emerged for me as this compilation’s comedy track. The (conversationalist) singer is confident and relaxed – the complete opposite of the inadequate in the previous song. Kiss on stage at the kite festival – memorable and fun. Unlikely I will play it again deliberately, but I wouldn’t switch it off if it came on – there’s a nice easy groove to the music which swings well.
4. Starting with chugging guitar – Tim, you like your axes, don’t you? But this soon got into a nice 70s groove – a bit Steely Dan/10CC jazz pop, a bit 90s Daft Punk revisionism – a pleasant enough listen.
5. easy listening 70s blue eyed soul, with lots of brass, harmonised vocals. Smooth. A class act, and easily forgettable
6. Give me bass and lots of it. Easily the best of this compilation – synth stabs and washes, occasional breathy vocals seem fairly inconsequential, but forgiveable given the big fat ever-present bass
7. Is this some sort of weirded out Beach Boys track? There are familiar vocal harmonies, and occasional odd instrumental sections that could be a Pet Sounds outtake – the languid drawn out singing ain’t for me, but it’s an item of curiosity
8. Vocoder vocals, then power pop with the sort of forceful harmonies that reminds me somehow of the Dandy Warhols. This is more interesting than I intially gave it credit for. Definitely a grower.
9. First of three out of four crooners. Going back to Joe’s. Swooping strings and rat pack vocals. Sinatra/Martin/Davis Jr. It’s well done, but I don’t like this sort of sentimental male nostalgia one bit
10. Break out the Les Dawson/Tom Waits piano playing, add in sax jazz and drumming, let the drummer have a solo, then reel back in the drunken piano player (I thought he had gone home?). The sort of zany tune I could imagine soundtracking one of Laurel & Hardy’s mixed bungled slapstick/awkward interminable Godot dialogue performances. Not for me
11. Is this Roy Orbison? It sounds like him in his typical echo chamber. He sounds like he is really suffering. Poor man. Put him out of his misery
12. One last crooner, doing a ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ tune with strings, martial drums introduced by theremin(?) The instrumentation is intriguing, and well-orchestrated, soaring and swelling with the vocals – a rousing conclusion to a compilation that is uinlilke anything I would have chosen to listen to, but which has unusual highlights. Thanks, Tim
Thanks for the reviews and the honest opinions, mm&tt. They made for interesting and revealing reading. I like that both of you knew some of the acts, was entertained by some of the guesses and musical associations, was pleased that there were some complete novelties for each of you, surprised that some weren’t recognised, and comfortable that for each of you (though mostly different songs) there were skippable tracks. You can’t please…
0 – not surprised mm didn’t review this as it broke the rules. I loved it on listening to the dozens of tracks on the salwarpe long list and almost immediately knew it had to be the opener. It’s smart, enigmatic and philosophically wistful, just like me*. Also there are male and female voices which I tried to balance across the selection, having a feeling there wouldn’t be many female singers favoured by the blokey AW.
1 – I knew I wanted as wide a range of music on this compilation as I could achieve within the topic focus, but I didn’t want to totally alienate the listeners. So I programmed this first as a bit of a provocation, but also to get the wild card out of the way, and because I loved how it segued from the opener. I like Arabic electronica, but recognise it’s not for everyone.
2 – I’m very pleased you both like this. Some years ago I dived into a defunct music blog that championed hundreds of (mainly) pre-60’s female singers – so many, and so many I’d never heard of before. This is from Sex Symbols “a sublime selection of sultry sensual screen sirens”** and is one of a lot of good time songs. I like to mix tracks up a bit (in a Peel-inspired approach), so took delight in throwing this in between 1 and 3. I thought it was lightweight at first, but the more often listened to it, the more I appreciated the weight of the words***
3 – I wanted this close to the beginning because of the opening words (all aboard all aboard), though wasn’t sure about including it because I thought it might be over familiar. I guess I get the Thievery Corporation and ‘interstitial’ comments. The group’s cultural kudos comes I think from the main areas of collaboration-U may be more familiar with, and this is an entertaining side project with more traditional blues focus, which make it a bit more conservative. I like it, but I think I added it mainly to add to the diversity of genres.
4 – A track that clearly divided you the most, which doesn’t surprise me, given the 12 tracks you each chose. One of my favourite artists of recent times, I did an AW post on all her albums a couple of years ago which clearly you didn’t pay attention to. That’s ok. Scandipop is an interesting assessment, but mid tempo Europop beat is fair, given the inspiration behind the album this is from. I love her music – she’s mainstream, but not to the Taylor/Lana level, which I kind of like – and she clearly follows her muse wherever it takes her.
5 – nice groove is a good assessment for this lunatic bit of academia. Somewhat inconsequential, but a pleasant, well- composed interlude, I thought. Possibly a wasted slot, but it seemed to give balance and space to tracks around it.
6 – well spotted, tt. This is from a sadly unreleased late solo album and gives an indication for me of what might have been if she’d been free to fly. I like the impish funk in her voice as she owns this song.
7 – a bit of a companion piece to the last one, I thought it might be catnip to AWers, but can see why the first half might send you to sleep. It’s the contrast with the second half which really gets me – from 2.49 it starts to get moving into the best Dead/Quicksilver territory – love the fluid bluesy guitar and driving beat.
8 – I checked my previous contribution to a CD swap and I’d chosen another track by this group – clearly I like them a lot more than I’d ever realised. Though they’re now defunct, there’s a back catalogue to explore, which I’m looking forward to. I’d always found this song somewhat irritating and repetitive, but like the last one, and why I put it here, it breaks out into superb freeform instrumentation which makes it much more than handbag house. A song to dance to, not to study the lyrics from.
9 – an artist whose fire and rasp I love as much as her poise and innate musicality. Having done a lot of the 500 songs podcast, I was intrigued by the gospel in this number that’s quite different from her big hits. She also seems ecstatically happy in her singing which is just lovely.
10 – The closest I get in this set to conventional indie rock, the comedy element can become quickly tiresome, but this is just a throwaway compilation and I think it’s fun.
11 – I don’t think I’d listened to anything but this artist ever before, judging him to be too worthy and still to be worth listening to. But there was something naive and our that appealed to me about this, like mm’s track 3. I concede it goes on too long with too little variation, but sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of coma music to drift off to, without having to pay close attention – real mood music. Just go with the flow, man.
12 – I took advantage of the natural gap at the end of the previous song to have a bit of a hidden track to surprise you out of your stupor. From an album I’d never listened to before, in light of her recent demise, this song struck me so profoundly and powerfully, combining the gentle sweetness and the strident force of her voice in an enveloping paen to hope. I’m glad you both like it as an ending. The moment I heard it, I knew it had to have that place, echoing into your ears after it fades out. Bless her.
Thanks for your reviews. I’m glad there were songs you liked and songs you didn’t – showing you were honest in your opinions.
*I wish
**I have no shame
***possibly
@timtunes gave us
1 Come Back to Me Michael Feinstein Michael Feinstein Sings the Burton Lane Songbook, Vol. 2
2 Back In Business Again The Four Horsemen Gettin’ Pretty Good…At Barely Gettin’ By
3 Back in ’74 Endless Boogie Vibe Killer
4 Back on the Road Earth, Wind & Fire Faces [The Columbia Masters]
5 Got To Get You Back Sons of Robin Stone Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night: Brooklyn Disco 1974-75
6 5 – Running Back To You Juan MacLean In A Dream
7 In the Back of My Mind The Beach Boys The Beach Boys Today!
8 Backstairs The New Pornographers Brill Bruisers
9 I Keep Goin’ Back To Joe’s Nat King Cole Love Is The Thing/Where Did Everyone Go?
10 Lulu’s Back In Town Thelonious Monk It’s Monk’s Time
11 Crawling Back Roy Orbison All Time Classic Country Tearjerkers
12 Back To The End Of The World Jim James & Teddy Abrams & Louisville Orchestra The Order Of Nature [Explicit]
and @salwarpe‘s selection was
0. (Intro) Back And Forth by UNKLE
1. Return to Iqrit by Checkpoint 303
2. The Point Of No Return by Diana Dors
3. Back To The Crossroads by Little Axe
4. Back In My Body by Maggie Rogers
5. Return Of Mandinka by Mad Professor
6. Don’t Try To Win Me Back Again by Karen Carpenter
7. Laid Back Days by Jackie Deshannon
8. Sing It Back (Boris Musical Mix) by Moloko
9. I’m Going Back Home by Nina Simone
10. Stop Trying To Sell Me Back My Past (Vol. 1) by Terry Edwards & The Scapegoats
11. I Called You Back by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
12. (hidden track) Hold Back the Night by Sinead O’Connor
@Mousey
@NigelT
@Myoldman
A couple of very interesting selections from @Mousey and @MyOldman ! As with my selections, I’m sure many of these tracks were chosen for their fit into the theme rather than for being particular favourites, although I’m sure they broadly reflect taste and listening habits, which is always fascinating.
Anyhow, let’s get to it…
The set from @Mousey
1. A kind of country/soul/Gospel crossover – probably called ‘I Can’t Get Back There’ (!), this is a good song and I like this a lot. Several listens and it gets better too. I have no idea who this is, probably an 80s/90s track from the production, but that’s a guess. Great voice! A good and promising first track. 8/10
2. Countryish with a US Southern style, if rather mannered, vocal over some lovely loose playing. This again is pretty good, probably from 1990’s/2000s (?). Nice track, although it does go on for a bit too long. Not a clue who it is (not for the first or last time!). Catchy, 7/10
3. A big band type sound. At first I thought it might be Cab Calloway, but I suddenly spotted the voice and the mention of New Orleans is a bit of a giveaway. Another good track, if not exactly to my taste. 7/10
4. Change of pace. This is an instrumental track – a slow piano intro – is that a harmonica? Pleasant enough but doesn’t really grab me to be honest. Meanders along a bit without really developing. 4/10
5. A jazzy piano and sax intro, then some lovely trumpet – I feel like I am in a 30’s speakeasy. This is surely an old, classic, recording by someone extremely well known, but my jazz knowledge is shamefully lacking. This will be embarrassing. A good track – I love hearing this sort of thing from time to time in the right setting but would never choose to listen at home. 6/10
6. This is an odd one – lots of female harmonies behind the lead and minimal instrumentation. Reminds me of another (old) record but can’t bring it to mind. Southern vocal stylings again. Old or new? I can’t decide! Not too keen on this to be honest. 3/10
7. Back to the jazz. Opening bass lines take me to a late night bar, probably nursing a bourbon on my own. Lots of nice piano and bass extemporising – again, probably someone really well known. 6/10
8. The jazz theme continues – horns and an alto (?) sax over polyrhythmic beats. I quite like this – again, I’m guessing a classic old track. Really showing my ignorance here, aren’t I? 6/10
9. I thought this was a female vocal at first, but further listening questions that. A very hooky chorus, which a bit like the Bee Gees…actually, very Bee Gees! Probably a late 60s track psych period, but could be a pastiche…? I like this – it’s pretty good! 8/10
10. I know this. I nearly included it myself. Terrific late career peak from a towering music figure. Great, of course. 9/10
11. Sort of a power pop feel to this. A bit generic, probably late 70s/early 80s I reckon. Not great. 4/10
12. Blimey, another track which I have in my collection I now realise. It took a while to spot it but got it via the vocal and the smart lyrics which were typical of course. Not his/their best, but a nice fun surprise! 6/10
The set from @MyOldMan
1. Punky/power pop garage rock type production, but not too shouty, which makes me think this isn’t classic late 70s punk – almost psych elements, so late 60s? Listenable, but not brilliant – at least you can hear the words. 5/10
2. A very bass heavy backing with an ethereal female vocal. A hooky chorus. No idea who this is but sounds recent. Interesting, almost psych again. 6/10
3. Almost folky guitar and vocal, a bit Sandy Dennyish (but it isn’t her). An odd mix with the vocal panned hard left and the piano on the right in a spare production. It’s OK. 6/10
4. A funky start – this surely has to be a Motown or Northern Soul rarity from the 60s. Not really my thing, it’s pleasant enough if a bit formulaic. 5/10
5. A lazy piano and horn intro then the vocals come in. A bit tune free and dissonant, and I don’t care for his voice at all. I assume this is quite recent. I dislike like this track I’m afraid. 2/10
6. A 70s style soul opening. Very smooth, you can imagine the backing singers moves behind the lead vocalist. Not my favourite vocal style, but it’s OK. Does go on a bit. 6/10
7. I thought it was Jagger at first, but it isn’t. This could be a pastiche rather than an old record. Very garage rock, but it is a very good recording. Not bad at all. 7/10
8. This sounds very 80s. Nice female vocal, a catchy riff, if a bit of a murky bassy lo-fi production, which presumably is deliberate. Quite like this! 7/10
9. Not keen on the ethereal female vocal on this – the track is a bit plodding and doesn’t really go anywhere. 4/10
10. Countryish backing with harmonica and pedal steel with nice lead vocals. Sounds familiar but can’t place it. Again, probably recent. Repeated listens have made it grow on me a bit. 6/10
11. Sounds very West Coast garage band style – a bit like early Love but it isn’t them. Not bad at all – interested to learn more. 7/10
12. Bit ambient this one – could be a soundtrack to a horror movie or thriller. There isn’t much tunage. I thought it was going to all instrumental, but then you get a middle eastern style vocal. I does go on a bit – is this part of something longer as it sort of doesn’t make sense on its own….? Intrigued to find out. 6/10
I’ll wait until @Mousey has reviewed before I follow-up comment on your review @NigelT.
And I’ll review both when @Mousey has sent me the goodies!
If that’s ok with you both?
@myoldman – have sent apologetic grovelling message…
No problem at all! Downloaded now, thanks!
@NigelT – wonderful to see your reviews! I’ll refrain from identifying the tracks till the Mods for this thread deem it appropriate. But I will say that some of the songs that are unknown to you are well known in this part of the world! All will be revealed…
@NigelT, firstly thanks very very much for the “CD”. I always enjoy the process of listening to an unfamiliar mix of tunes even if I’m not keen on some of them.
I have a bit of a stumbling block here in that I generally detest country music and country rock (although I don’t mind small elements of it in things which aren’t strictly country – REM for instance).
So here goes
Track 1 – I have no idea who this chugging country rock track is and I did listen to it a half a dozen times (like I did with the whole CD) to see if I could get over my anti-country stance. Sorry but really not for me at all
Track 2 – an absolute classic, and his first 4 solo albums have never been too far from the stereo since I picked them up in the late 80s
Track 3 – not sure who this is but I thought did recognise the distinctive and intense vocal on this bluesy rock track. Quite liked it, might try out some more when I know who it is
Track 4 – I knew this, a theme for a very good tv series too, unmistakable vocal. Really good and if he produced an whole album along these lines I’d probably go for it (although his previous solo albums haven’t been great as far as I can remember)
Track 5 – a serviceable Beatles cover but very similar to the original. I’ve got a fair idea of who this but I’m not 100% certain. I think one of his backing bands may have all been Egyptians
Track 6 – not sure who this is. Didn’t like it at all at first but it grew on me a bit. The trombone reminded me of The Specials. The slightly clunky lyrics, cod-reggae and the delivery suggests someone whose first language maybe isn’t English. Probably a chart hit in the 80s or early 90s but I must have missed it.
Track 7 – started off with some really syrupy strings which would normally put me right off. I reckon that I know who it is and this is more of his soulful 70s phase (which I prefer) instead of his 80s big mtv pop-rock hits
Track 8 – starts of a bit like REM before the vocal kicks in. Again a bit country-rock, didn’t make me want to turn it off but it’s a bit bland and I probably wouldn’t bother to listen to it again
Track 9 – more country and banjos and stuff. I actually quite like the storytelling of the lyrics but no idea who it is. Like a watered down version of The Pogues. Its alright.
Track 10 – country again… Probably a classic of the genre but I really couldnt get on with it and it was a real struggle for me to get to the end of it as well. Schmaltzy, twee and cheesy. Probably the thing I disliked on here the most. Sorry!
Track 11 – really enjoyed this folky epic with all the drones and stuff. Absolutely no idea who it is. I’d like to listen to more of this. Far and away my favourite thing on here.
Track 12 – this ties with track 10. horrible. I know the band and love a lot of their stuff but mainly through a couple of compilations. Obviously I don’t know them as well as I thought because I’d never heard this before. Can only assume they did it as a joke in the studio.
So really for me
1 absolute classic (2)
4 things I really liked and would like to hear more of (3,4,7,11)
3 things that were just ok but possibly wouldn’t be bothered finding out any more about (5,6,9)
2 things I didn’t really like and left no impression at all (1,8)
2 things which I thought were horrible (10,12)
So a pretty good return I reckon there. Thanks again!
Until the tracks get fully listed, just a few scribbles about your review @NigelT.
1 – yes late 60s from the Pebbles comps
2 – yes it is fairly recent and she’s made a few albums which are very good if you like this sort thing
3 – correct, not Sandy Denny and I don’t know much about them, it’s off a Bob Stanley comp from a few years ago packaged up to look like a Sainsburys-own product
4 – I’ve always loved the bass on this
5 – modern proggy pop and not everyone’s cup of so not too surprised you weren’t keen
6 – from one of my favourite groups on Stax (they didn’t do a lot of records to be honest)
7 – it’s an old 60s record and surprised it reminded you of Jagger as I always thought he sounds like Them-era Van (but I guess he was probably aping Jagger a bit anyway!)
8 – this is a modern group who’ve just done a few eps I think
9 – from a BBC sessions album
10 – I’d be surprised if you knew this (I’ve no idea really), reminds me a lot of REM and it’s off an Emusic sampler so I guess it’s pretty obscure
11 – another nuggets type thing, off the Where The Action Is! box set. There’s not a lot by them (just 2 singles) and I tend to think they might have been the inspiration for Rock Lobster
12 – on the right lines with the Middle East thing and it’s the opening track off an album she did with another couple of folkish musicians so probably not so good out of context. We saw her live here last year and she was absolutely incredible.
Glad you enjoyed some of it anyway!
Finally got round to “reviewing” the CD from @NigelT. So good to hear music I’ve never heard before!
1. “Funny how the circle turns around” – sounds like the Nitty Grit Dirt Band or some such Americana. A pleasant listen
2. “The old man’s back again” – no idea who this could be. Not my thing, nice bass playing though
3. Rootsy/bluesy, starts well till the unpleasantly distorted vocal kicks in. I like it though
4. Instantly it’s Mick Jagger, but not the Stones – is this a TV thing?
5. “If I Needed Someone” sung by someone. Faithful version, thankfully
6. Afro/reggae, always good to listen to. No idea who it is.
7. Soul groove/strings, lovely to listen to, again no idea who it is
8. Jackson Browne – ish vocal, plodding country-ish, “I’ve figured it out I need you”, sorry not interested in this stuff these days. It’s good, but don’t need to hear it again
9. Folky 2 beat, English as they come “I’m a West Country boy”.
10. This is Emmylou, who I love, or rather I did when I listened to Pieces Of the Sky endlessly as a heartbroken 21 year old. Immaculate
11. Droney folky fiddles, sorry not my thing at all.
12. Lovely Bryds-ish version of We’ll Meet Again. Easy listening!
Now, a review of the selection from @Mousey . And again, thanks a load for putting this together
Track 1 – no idea who this. Bit bland and overproduced for me. Not very interesting and probably wouldn’t listen to it again
Track 2 – Again, no idea at all. Quite liked it on the whole. Slightly formulaic chugging pop but I like the vocals very much. Would like to hear more I think
Track 3 – I think this guys a Doctor of some kind (wink) but I don’t know the track. It’s good and I’ve got a few albums of his
Track 4 – this sounds like a theme from a musical, mainly because of the harmonica giving it a slightly Moon River feel. Could feel myself nodding off while listening to it. Not really my thing
Track 5 – nice jazzy instrumental, quite liked this, no idea who it is.
Track 6 – know exactly who this and one of my favourite female vocalists, great tune. Most famous for her Ode
Track 7 – lovely bit of jazz, especially the bass. I do like a bit of jazz but I’m not very knowledgeable so I couldn’t say who it is. Would like to hear more
Track 8 – more jazz, again liked this, and again no idea
Track 9 – lovely bit of 60s (or 60s sounding) pop with a big production. Vocal sounds familiar so just going to give it one more go and see if I can work out who it is. Is it a woman singing about a woman she loves?
Sounds a bit like Cher at points but I don’t think it is. Big fan of this
Track 10 – unmistakable voice and one of those tracks he did with RR. Tom Petty cover. It’s probably sacrilegious to be anything other than completely gushing about this guy but it’s just ok
Track 11 – an 80s bit of paisley underground type powerpop. Sort of thing that would be on Children of Nuggets and the sort of thing I should know. Good and I’d like to hear more
Track 12 – nice bit of slightly garagey 60s sounding pop (the echoey jazzy sax about one minute in means it probably isn’t actually 60s), I’m thinking it might be early Flamin’ Groovies. Ends very abruptly. Quite liked this even though it sounded a bit like a (very good) pastiche of other things.
Really good mix, thanks very much. Nothing I really really disliked here and that would annoy me and a few things that I’d like to investigate further too.
Finally here’s my “review” of the @myoldman CD. Really enjoyed it!
1 Sounds like something from Nuggets and as such I love it!
2 Pleasant but unintelligible (to me) female voice, big production, melodic.. No idea who it is (this will apply to every track I fear)
3 Fingerpicked folky acoustic guitar, which I always like, joined by flutey sounds and piano. Winsome female vocal, nice
4 70s ish soul/funk, kind of generic but I like this stuff. Feel like I should know who it is.
5 Oh hello – more flutes, this time light male voice. Dreamy folkie, pleasant enough
6 Slow soul/funk, again feel like I should know who it is
7 More Nuggety pop, Jagger-ish vocal, love this!
8 60s sounding song but not from the 60s. Good
9 Dreamy and melodic – again! Interesting melody and chord sequence. Interested to know who this is
10 More vaguely 60s but not real 60s, complete with ooh la las. OK
11 Very 60s “back seat 38 Dodge”?? Like this. Nuggety again
12 Long electronic sleepy ambient track. Quite like it
from the other side of the world, @Mousey picked
01. Can’t Get Back – Bill Lake & Rick Bryant – We’re in the Same Boat, Brother
02. Come Back Again – Daddy Cool – Daddy Who? Daddy Cool
03. Goin’ Back To New Orleans – Dr. John – Goin’ Back To New Orleans
04. Back Home – Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin & Bill Frisell – Americana
05. Basin Street Blues – Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges – Back to Back
06. Reunion – Bobbie Gentry – The Delta Sweete
07. Back Home Blues – Charles Mingus – Mingus Three
08. Tin Tin Deo – Coleman Hawkins & Pee Wee Russell – Jazz Reunion
09. Home – The Fourmyula – The Complete Fourmyula
10. I Won’t Back Down – Johnny Cash – American III: Solitary Man
11. I Want You Back – Hoodoo Gurus – Stoneage Romeos
12. Status Back Baby – The Mothers of Invention – Absolutely Free
@myoldman and @NigelT. I look forward to seeing your track lists!
Interesting you both liked my Track 9. And completely understandable you couldn’t identify it. It’s a New Zealand group, The Fourmyula (yes NZ groups in the 60s had stupidly spelt names too. The Kal-Q-Lated risk anyone?). In 1967, as the prize for winning the Battle Of The Bands, they won a trip to England, and they recorded at Abbey Road, and met The Beatles. When John Lennon asked where they were from and they told him NZ his reply was, apparently, “Ah – The Land Of Butter”
They remain well known in NZ as their song Nature was voted (some years ago now) the best NZ song ever. Have a listen. Wayne Mason, the composer (2nd from right) is still performing.
Hi @Mousey and @NigelT
I’ll need to find myself some Fourmyula, Zappa and Mingus then!
My selection as as follows
1)I wanna come back (from the world of lsd) – the fi-fi-four plus 2
2)Hell and back – rose Elinor Dougall
3)two steps back – Tudor lodge
4)I want my baby back – the ethics
5)carrying the great cold on our backs – Oddfellows casino
6)I’ve done it again- the charmels
7)don’t look back – the remains
8)never coming back – bleach lab
9)world backwards (bbc radio session) – broadcast
10)back where I belong – asteroid no. 4
11)back seat 38 dodge – opus 1
12)to remain/to return – arooj aftab, Vijay iyer & shahzad ismaily
Cheers!
@myoldman
Mingus – try Mingus Ah Um
Zappa – try either Hot Rats
or One Size Fits All
@Carl
@SteveT
@Bogart
@Rigid-digit
@Carl @SteveT @Bogart @Rigid-digit
here are my thoughts on Carl’s selection,
1) Sounds like a theme tune top a late 70’s early 80’s American sitcom. I seem to remember one such a thing called Welcome Back Kotter, although I have no memory of actually seeing it or of it being on UK TV. I guess this could be from that., lounge type jaunty ear candy, ideal for a US sitcom.
Theme Welcome Back, no idea who sang it.
2 The opening melody had me thinking of Ronnie Laine’s How Come, then the voice comes in and surely it’s Ronnie Laine and in comes a mandolin and it has to be Slim Chance. Probably turn out to be Guns and Roses, but what the heck, it’s another ear worm, but a good ear worm. Must get my Slim Chance ‘best of’ out and give it a spin
Theme a few bevies to celebrate the road home.
3 Ethereal folk violin, a tapped out beat , and a very folksy vocal, that proceeds to step on the toes of folk rock, it sounds more modern folk than say 70’s Pentangle or Fairport, but is still very much of than genre. Enjoyable, but wouldn’t make me search her/them out.
Theme going back to Harland(?) or possibly it’s her accent and she’s singing Ireland.
4) On my first listen, which admittedly was though my phone speaker, I wrote the word ‘bland’. Now listening on the decent speakers, I can’t really disagree with myself. It’s very lush, sound wise the voice is fine, but , to my ears bland, MOR AOR, ideal Radio 2 fodder.
Theme
5 A cover of Nick Caves rather excellent Into My Arms, the musical intro has me thinking of The Delines, then the vocal comes in and I’m 75% sure that it’s not Amy Boone singing, when the instrumental break comes up, if it had bee an trumpet I’d have said it was deffo Delines, but as it’s a piano and the doubt over the vocal, I’m shying away.
But I have just got The Delines new album and after listening to it, now I’d say the vocal is 80% chance of being AB. Listening again before I post, I’m now sitting on the fence, at time I’m sure it’s Amy, but then a phrase later, I’m sure it’s not. I used to be indecisive now I’m just not not sure.
Either way, like this track, not a radical rework but original enough to make it an interpretation rather than a cover.
6 Americana or possibly better put into the Country rock category, or is that one and the same? Telling the story of Carla and of her coming home at Christmas and how did she get the blood on her clothes. I’d put it on my driving play list.
7 ‘Proper’ 70’s sounding country rock, complete with fiddle and slice guitar moments, I’d not be surprised to see them playing this in Nashville establishments. If pushed I’d hazard a guess it could be Gram and Emmylou, based purely on my extremely limited l knowledge of this genre. Again will put it on my driving play list.
Theme 20,000 roads taking them back home to their one true love.
8 Female singer, possibly she accompanies herself on the guitar, maybe a singer songwriter, a blue collar working song but I’d hazard this is a cover as she sings “I’m no hero, just a working man”. I then chastise myself for as she could simply be telling his story. I do like the voice, I like the song, I like the understated musical accompaniment, this is rather good. Play list again..
Theme – Returning to work from Grand Central Station and parting from somebody?
9 More Country-rock, sounds like an IKEA version of ‘Alt-country, has all the right bits, the sounds, the words, the timber of the voice, the vocals do grate somewhat, the music is pedestrian and uninspired, it does it’s job, just lacks ‘essence’
Theme on their way back home
10 Americana folky mountain, a female vocal with a twang that could grate for some, but for me it hits the right spots. Nice harmony vocals over a sparse, delicate musical accompaniment Something to investigate.
Back in Missouri
11) Countyish, something Bob Harris probably would champion. IAnodyne, doesn’t do anything for me.
Theme – The last stop before home.
12 Some kind of penny whistle type instrument and a drone introduce the track, before a Van Morrison sound-like guitar and voice take over, and a show band drummer joins the fray. I always say music should cause a reaction, be it good or bad, and in this case it’s bad. For me it’s a twee, sentimental dirge. It’s only redeeming factor is that it’s cause a reaction.
Over night it’s been bugging me, I felt I had to listen again, as on the initial listen I thought it could be something by Van the Man, and when listening again I can see why that came to mind But it’s still a twee sentimental dirge, but there’s a something there that could, in a better arrangement, a less histrionic and stronger vocal and without those bloody awful pipes, be a somewhat decent song.
Theme
Being back in Donegal.
On the whole enjoyed it, will be interested to check out a couple of the artists further, thanks for putting it together
I reckon I can guess a good number of these, just from your detailed descriptions. Sounds right up my corral!
@Carl @SteveT @Bogart @Rigid-digit
And now here’s my thoughts on Rigid’s
1) Friday night at the May fair, smell of candy floss, fried onions and this booming from the waltzers, 99% sure the band is called The Upsetters and the tune is possibly Return of something or other. A good rock steady start
2) After the ska and nutty boy sounds of previous songs it was something of a surprise when the Nutty Boys put this sun lounger MOR track out as a single, it sounded then and still does as though it’s Mike Yarwood/Two Ronnies impersonation of the Mad’s. Pleasant but forgettable Theme Return of the Las Parmas (however it’s spelt) 7
3) Sounds like a Brit pop era take on the sounds of the 60s. A rather bland chugger I’m afraid.
Theme – whoever it is coming home.
4) Can’t beat a bit of Vanian and co, with a nod to the Glitter band thrown in, what’s not to like
Theme – Returning to haunt a old love
5) New wave power pop ear candy/worm, Squeeze meets Elvis Costello with a guest spot from Clarence C lemons.
As I listened to the voice sounded so familiar, listening to some of the ‘social commentary’ lyrics got me thinking, is that Jake Burns,surely it’s to poppy for the Fingers. Could it be Big Wheel (or whatever his post SLF group were called ) Is it JB? The more I listen, the voice hasn’t quite got the rasp, but i could be. Or not.
But I like it,
Theme still having to sing about the same old woes
6) Jilted John’s Dad. lounge music as it should be.
7) As it stared my immediate thought was oh heck it’s going to 5 minutes of American hair Poodle rock. thankfully I was wrong. Suddenly it clicked it’s the same name as a former the scouse manager singing about Oz, Kev, Barry Nev and Pat Roaches character, taking on a new job. As TV themes go, it was one of the better ones.
8) Back in the day, this Southern Soul (?) sound wasn’t for me*, but occasionally there would be a song from a genre that you don’t care for, crosses the road demands you like it. This was one. It’s still cracking.
Theme – a long and eventful or adventurous journey back to their roots…
*Now in hindsight, there is some good listening.
9) In my notes I put ” a country tune”. A duet, the female voice sounds vaugely familiar, but no real idea who it is. Pleasent-ish, by the numbers country.
Theme taking many country roads back to his lady.
10) From the opening moments I thought, hello, I know this, then the mouth organ joins and confirms it. They don’t make pop songs like this any more. Possibly because they made so many in this groove back then they used them all up.
Theme – they’re Back In The New York Groove
11) When this exploded from the speaker, I checked to make sure my copy of Easy Action wasn’t still in the CD player, it wasn’t, and so it was a case of great minds. I think Pretties For You is both one of the great début albums of all time and also one of the greatest ‘weird’ albums of all time. But as it was (still is) too ‘out there’ to achieve the type of success the band were after. This track shows how, in a short few months they refined their sound and set a course to be the great rock band they were to become.
Theme – Spiders return
12) As a teen, Prog never tickled my fancy, but as I sat patiently waiting for punk to arrive, 2 bands kept me company, The Coop’s and these 3. The album this track was taken from was my introduction to the trio, well actually it was flexi disc they gave away with the NME ( I think) that featured ‘highlights from their latest album, that introduced me to them. Still enjoy them all these years later.
Welcome back..
Over all a good selection, and with a number of them being familiar to me, we must share a similar(ish) record collection,.
Thanks
Thanks @bogart – glad you found something worthwhile there (even if it was the same track as yours).
Pretties For You – hmm, never really floated my boat, I own it but Easy Action is the real start of Coop for me.
Track 9 – see also Track 7 from @carl
Track 12 – still they turn you on?
So without revealing track list or specifics, I was obviously not obscure enough
And apologies all, not got round to martialling the scribbles and post-it notes into readable prose yet.
But rest assured, each selection has had (at least) a 50% Tigger Rule
@bogart
1. As the track opens, I thought I was descending into some sort of medieval madrigal, and then a breathy, whispery vocal comes in. And I feel I should know this, in fact I’m sure I’ve heard and possibly even own it.
Spiritualized?
Perhaps not, but it sounds like they’re homecoming clean (or should that be home coming clean?)
2. Similar musical backing, initially sounding a bit Ivor Cutler-ish in the voice with a mid-Atlantic accent.
This aint the Scottish poet beloved of Peel, and is definitely from the US – but quite who, I haven’t a scooby.
Everything is exactly OK – yes it is, but that is the thing … it’s OK
(maybe not something I’d play regularly, but wouldn’t turn it off either)
3. That peculiar moment when you hear it and think “hang on, I know this” – the musical Venn Diagram converges for at least one moment in the selection.
The Spiders returning, but with no mention of Weird or Gilly.
4. A folk tale, possibly written by Trad Arr.
All I can surmise is that the less gruff Guy Garvey narrator will not be returning to England no more.
Me intrigued by this one … and the cracks in my limited musical horizons are showing.
5. I’m saying this is from a similar stable (musically, if not historically). Picking up more of a southern glint in the voice. But then Irish skies and Belfast streets are mentioned. Which points me to a lament commentating on the divisions and troubles.
(what they are needing is an Alternative Ulster … sorry, had to throw that in)
6. State Of The Nation address from the Sleaford Mods stables … may not be them, but expressing similar concerns.
Whoever it may be, they have a point to make, and seem to be quite angry about it.
7. Now a complete change of mood – simple piano with strings.
Nice enough, but just doesn’t seem to go anywhere.
Is this the interlude between Part 1 and Part 2.
8. Now it’s time for a group of potty mouthed, post-menopausal ladies regaling stories of visiting car parks and public places seeking communal entertainment – cabaret humour (with a risque undertone – although this is more “blatant” than “suggested”) in the lineage of Flanders and Swann or Tom Lehrer.
Marvellous, although may need to be careful playing when the Grandkids are about.
9. The moment this starts my brain said “Jonathan Richman” – although the more I listen, and the references make me doubt that.
Props for trying to get so many words into single sentences.
Thought it was an autobiographical tale, until the ages of 50, 63 and 80 made an appearance.
This one is, for me, the pick of the 12.
10. Blue Collar Blues Country Rock (or whatever the sub-genre is called). Another area of the great musical landscape that I have rarely explored – I’m going all in and suggesting Steve Earle (which it isn’t!), but I’m pretty sure he’s gotta get known and his momma doesn’t talk to him no more.
11. Triumphant subdued horns gives way to a bit of Oh La La Faces echo.
That chorus/repeating mantra “Never let me come back here” has huge earworm possibilities
12. Who let the seagulls in? Piano and oboe(?) or clarinet(?), very soothing. Sort of Sunday Morning Coming Down soundtrack
Couple of things there to investigate further when the big reveal happens.
@carl
The offering came with the health warning “may not be your usual listening, but hopefully something there you like”.
Well, correct on both counts. Not my usual playlist, and there are indeed a few I want to investigate further
1. Bright sounding, and me recalling from some imported US Sitcom played at 515 on ITV in the 70s … guessing it’s called Welcome Back (was the sitcom called Welcome Home Kotter?).
I’m thinking Andrew Gold (I know he did the theme for Golden Girls, so may have had a sideline in sitcom themes)
2. Country twang, with a bit of Faces underlying (I can hear bits of Maggie Mae and Every Picture Tells A Story). Pretty sure that’s Ronnie Lane’s quivering vocal, so I’m punting on Slim Chance.
3. Slow and quiet, plaintive and gentle vocal. Country-ish, Folk-ish, not sure if it’s from US or UK (“Going back to Harlem” suggests US, unless it’s “Holland”). Who knows where she’s going back to.
4. Americana/Country/Sheryl Crow sounding (doubt is though!). Key change chorus. Nowt wrong with it, no criticism of it, just can’t find greatness in it.
(sorry).
Edit: listening again, that chorus aint half bad …
5. Minor key country … and then I’m hearing some recognisable lyrics and then the chorus hit’s – a fine -thinking cover of Mr Cave’s Into My Arms
(To be honest, that song is one of those that you just can’t knacker whatever style you read it in)
6. My problem with much Country is the screechy fiddle, and that is what is at play here. Can’t fault the song, but it’s not something I would seek out.
I do know that Carla came home in the middle of the night though
7. I’m recognising this from somewhere … ah yes, it was included in my own selection. I can only conclude that you are a man of impeccable taste.
8. And this is another I’m recognising, sure I’ve heard it before, but cannot place it at all.
Song is OK, but I’m not feeling it going anywhere
9. Country with pedal steel I do enjoy though – but I’m finding another song that “exists” but doesn’t seem to grow on me.
10. And here’s another in the Country vein, consisting mainly of voice and guitar, and a rich chorus. And a voice I should/do recognise.
Can’t place it, but she wishes she was back in Missouri
11. Same style as previously, but production sounds richer, so maybe a couple of from late 80s/90s (or maybe early 21st Century?).
Another of those “subdued verse, lifting rousing chorus” toons with a key change incorporated somewhere. Although in this case, I very much like the guitar, but the song doesn’t seem to “lift” enough.
Good track though.
This may be the last stop before home, but not the last track before this selection concludes.
12. Welcomed in with Irish Pipes evoking misty green hills (my limited experience of Ireland is Northern so I’m going to say the hills over Belfast, even though mention of Donegal confirms I need to visit more of the Emerald Isle than Belfast and Dublin).
The atmosphere is one of Van’s “homethoughts” moments, and the voice has a passing VM about it (although on first hearing, I picture Peter Cetera!).
Not bad, but not one I’d choose to seek out.
In summary, yes I did indeed find a couple of tracks that piqued my interest, and will take a deeper look/listen when names are known.
And like bogart’s selection, just re-enforced my relatively narrow musical landscape.
hot off the presses, this was @rigid-digit‘s selection, very on brand I must say
1. The Upsetters – Return Of The Django
2. Madness – Return Of The Los Palmas 7
3. The Prisoners – Coming Home
4. The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette
5. Jake Burns & The Big Wheel – Here Comes That Song Again
6. John Shuttleworth – I Can’t Go Back To Savoury Now
7. Joe Fagin – Back With The Boys Again
8. Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots
9. Gram Parsons – Return Of The Grievous Angel
10. Hello – New York Groove
11. Alice Cooper – Return Of The Spiders
12. Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Karn Evil 9 1st Impression Part 2
and in the same group @Bogart played
Homecoming Queen – Sparklehorse
The Resurrection – A. Dyjecinski
Return of The Spiders – Alice Cooper
Flanders Shore – Harp and a Monkey
My Youngest Son Came Home Today – Billy Bragg
Flag – Benefits
The Tearjerker Returns – Chilly Gonzales & Jarvis Cocker
Dogging – Fascinating Aida
Back When I was 4 – Jeffrey Lewis
Back To Coeur d’Alene – James McMurty
The Kirckcaldy Book of the Dead – Jackie Leven & Michael Cosgrove
Lapwings at Shifford – Virginia Astley
while @carl offered
– John Sebastian – Welcome Back
2 – Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance – One For The Road
3 – Kate and Anna McGarrigle – Goin’ Back To Harlan
4 – Kim Richey – The Other Side Of Town
5 – Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer – Into My Arms
6 – Chris Knight – Carla Came Home
7 – Gram Parsons – Return Of The Grievous Angel
8 – Mary Chapin Carpenter – Grand Central Station
9 – Sam Outlaw – Ghost Town
10 – Emmylou Harris – I Wish We Were Back In Missouri
11 – Rosanne Cash – Last Stop Before Home
12 – Paul Brady – The Homes Of Donegal
@Pizon-bros
@Bamber
@Retropath2
@Mike_H
Our swap moderators have received my playlist and my CDs are all in the mail, having been collected by the postman on Monday.
I have @Retropath2‘s CD and have given it a couple of listens. Waiting till I have all three before I post any reviews.
And I have yours, @mike_h ! Listening now!!
Right then, I have 2 of my 3, so to get the ball rolling and the egg on my face, let’s go.
First up, it’s @mike_H :
I’m expecting lots of jazz, given the source.
A neat little jingle as a prelude sets the tone: “put it on again”, repeated a few times.
1. I know the song, of course, the seemingly best loved by the Get Down Hitmaker. I hoped it was the Lori Cullen version but is too smooth and supper club. Good female vocal but her duet partner reeks of actor slumming it on a TV gala performance, in an ill-fitting tux.
2. Slow delicate piano trio jazz of some sophistication, and a sultry female vocal of yearning intensity. I’m sure I have this album, in fact. Terrific singer. (Memo: got it! It isn’t Gentleman Rook, to keep it vague.)
3. Big band over orchestrated pop of the 6o’s. Here It Comes Again, but I can’t remember the group. A wild guess, Paul and Barry Ryan?
4. Lovely Django-esque guitar jazz. No violin, disappointingly. Could be anyone from Barney Kessel to Chet Atkins.
5. Shirelles/Chiffons sort of stuff, 60’s girl pop, produced by Phil Spector or copying his sound. Not unlikeable pap. My Boyfriends Back or some such variant.
6.Big bandy jump jive. Not as louche as Louis Jordan but could be. Or, as I think again, could this be the Feetwarmer’s frontman. In fact, I’m sure it is George Chilton’s singer!!!!
7. A slightly samba Latin wind blows through this, but not a clue who. Are the vocals a trio or the wonders of multi-tracking. If the former, possibly the Puppinis, if only because I can’t think of any others.
8. A bit of modern, hip-hop drums and synth. But that’s a tuba, surely. I only know of one tuba player in modern jazz that I’d “cross” the street for. Meringue?
9. I thought it was going to be the Teddy Bears picnic at first. Clever clever broadway jazz of the sort that I loathe, with kitsch vocals that impress those who like being impressed by atonal nonsense. (Sorry!)
10. Some majestic post punk pomp that I know. On the tip of something. Come Back is the song, so I searched for the title in my library. And it was there, right where I anticipated. A “mighty” voice from Liverpool, in his earlier guise.
11. You really (didn’t) get me. As in the riff but little else. Very minimalist. No idea. Complete guess would be “William Likeachild”. I’ve never heard him or any of his thee bands, but it sounds like how it always gets described.
12. Jazz fusion hip hop, unless it’s a speech segued in to what is then jazz hip hop. The only thing I have that is anything like this is the band who, were there 4 and came from the UK would be UK4.
Interesting selection. 2 is my favourite by a country mile.
And now, to @bamber and his selection:
1. Bit o’ freaky and funky vintage soul. The ensemble vocals and the unmistakeable timbre of one of the males makes me sure I know who it is. but it isn’t a track I have on my Greatest Hits. Still sure tho’, has to be the DTTMHM.
2. Good synth’n’backbeat start, with some ethnic woodwind of a township style. Naggingly familiar vocal. A deep cut from the If I Had a Rocket launcher Canadian?
3. Great vintage feel and slowly the vocal makes the singer obvious, even ahead the playground chorus. If only he was (dider dider dider dider dider di etc.), eh?
4. I’ve got the title, Back Of Your Hand, but not who. A very American voice has me guessing. Lucy Kaplansky?
5. Scratchy record? Marx Bros song. A very distinctive voice, less frog in throat, more throat of frog, methinks. (See also the coda, aka track 13.)
6. Well I don’t think Eric Goulden ever fronted Foreigner.. But, if he did, it would sound like this. Ill conceived, irrespective, especially as a kids chorus peals in. Vile.
7. Pedal steel is the way to my heart. Another naggingly familiar voice, it and the production smacking of one of the refugees from pub rock. a lesser member of the Rumour or Brinsley Schwarz, possibly even the one that gave the latter their name. But I don’t know. Something/someone like that, anyway.
8. Very Noo Yawk post punk, as it absorbed outside influences. a fluid bass line makes me wonder as to the player having the name of south coast ferry port. Her band with the drummer, both fond of tom toms. (Groan……)
9. Vintage “and western’. Sounds authentically 1950s. The are usually sibling set ups, so a guess would be they share a surname with a knife. (Not Bowie!)
10. More likely pastiche than kosher, with enough curdle in the vocal to give away the source. This singer does loads of covers albums and I am sure I reviewed this one recently. And panned it. Anyway, she was once in a band with a name like the Bracelets.
11. I am sure I recognise the stentorian vocal style, even if the backing sounds unlike his band. But, as I am unfamiliar with later stuff by Paradise, somewhere between 16 and 18, I’ll stick with that guess.
12. Lovely stand up bass before piano sweeps in with a distant memory. Is the tune the Goffin-King Goin’ Back? Altho’ it has flavours also of Forever Young, which fits the brief less well. Is the (nearly) model train company heir that is tinkling the keys?
A coda to close confirms the source of 5, with the same scratches.
A nice selection, with a couple of keepers in there.
Thanks @retropath2 for your feedback. At this stage all I’ll say is that more of your guesses are wide of the mark than on target. I am also finding it hard to follow which ones qualify as “keepers”. Having listened to yours many times now I shall give my pronouncements fortified by a few well earned weekend-starts-here Budvars…
Firstly the artwork. When my wife saw the cover photo, she commented that it was exactly how she would picture the old gits I communicate with on this site. The tin in the foreground is a source of intrigue.
1) I find this a somewhat weak opener. I think it’s earnest but veering close to pastiche. A voice that reminds me of John Grant but that I think is not him over a wimpy early 80s arrangement of a tune suggesting a return in a spiritual or sci-fi way. I’m not sure what to make of it at all.
2) Track two opens with a melodica playing a folky/sea shanty refrain joined early by a surprising drum and bass style backbeat. Ultimately it’s repetitive but nice. I can’t help hearing it as a suitable background to “Goal of the Month”, on MOTD.
3) I recognised this 80s AOR hit but not the singer. First thoughts were that it sounded like “the werewolf man”, but I’m less certain. The singer is clearly cranking out music though his voice is shot by age. It’s quite a nice (that word again) arrangement. Quietly affecting though.
4) I feel sure I’ve heard this before. Having initially had difficulty settling on the appropriate pronouns as it sounded like Kim Carnes doing a Bob Dylan tribute with Mike Scott’s phrasing, I think its’s a man singing and I wondered if it was that lad who recorded his first album since the 60s with Big Thief or another modern band. This was the opposite to a grower in that I liked it at first but the sheer volume of meaningless cliches as if AI was writing a Dylan song wore thin and I liked it less.
5) I like oddities on these compilations and this certainly fits. The song was easier to identify than the language. I don’t think it’s the obvious answer. My memory dredged up a band called the Ukrainians who, IIRC, were an offshoot of some lower league indie band. My other notion was that this was those Finnish Cowboys that I have vague memories of watching post-pub in the 90s. I liked this.
6) I thought I knew who this was instantly. A bespectacled singer with a cowboy lawman name. I’m not sure at all now. It’s catchy with a hint of cajun/tex-mex about the arrangement and lifts the mood. I’d be interested in seeing who it is.
7) Another recognisable number but done in a klezmer/New Orleans arrangement. I couldn’t escape the notion that this is the Welsh Velvet morose crooner but I’d bet it isn’t. It’s hard to fully appreciate as the sound on the recording is only audible at loud volume. I will seek out a better recording and I think I may well be adding it to my Covers playlist on Spotify.
8) A major tempo and volume change – Stay Close to The Controls – has us in Celtic crossover territory. The more I hear it, the more I’m convinced it isn’t Irish apart from the flute/low whistle. It sounds 90s and the vocal contribution sounds Indian or possibly North African. It’s energetic and well played. Envigorating. I’ll be interested to hear more from whoever this is.
9) I found this one hard work. The word earnest sprang to mind again. They may be from agricultural stock but it sounds more like some fops whose hands have never cleaned a sheep’s arse or picked stones in a field. I married into farming stock – my father-in-law has prizes for horse-drawn ploughing – and I think they’d find this patronising.
10) A change in tone and a nod towards modernity although this could date from the 90s on. We’re in trip-hop, Bjork adjacent territory. I like the arrangement and would like to hear it on a better system. It’ll only play in the car or on our kitchen radio/CD player. I quite like this. The voice is like Cat Power but far too passive for her.
11) The music nerd in me knows who did the original of this. This clearly isn’t it. I think it may be Fonzie’s girlfriend. This song is well known to Irish people of my generation as a GAA football song from the 80s (?) “Galway are Back”. I quite like it.
12) I find it hard to understand how this earned its place on the compilation. It’s a lukewarm guitar boogie with Louisiana vibes that wouldn’t be out of place in the worst musical wasteland there is… the boot-scooting Country’n’Irish scene. In fact I’d be surprised if Daniel O’D or his like haven’t done a cover. It sounds 80s and was the nearest thing to a skip on this compilation.
I hope I’ve been fair. I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t one track on this that wouldn’t be played on the John Creedon radio Show on RTE1 every weekday. I like the show – in the background – of an evening but I rarely make sure I turn it on. Sounds like faint praise but it’s a good show heavy with roots/county/folky stuff that I think you’d like. This was perhaps the most thematically consistent CD I have ever received in these exchanges. Thanks.
I’ll take “most thematically consistent”!
All the songs contain the word for the opposite of front, if not too great a spoiler.
Some good guesses, that remain so, with one bang on target and one where you shoulda stuck with your first instinct. You dissed 2 particular favourites, but, hey. Elsewhere your criticism, of 2 others, wasn’t far off the mark. In fact neither I nor Heppo, if he reads this, will ever be able to listen to that one particular singer again. (Big clue, there, in that he offered to refund anyone who bought the album on his recommendation, but didn’t like it.)
@Mike H
Here is my review:
1
Sounds like some barbershop or something by one of these groups using choir song as a new medium.
It has beatnik references and doesn’t try to show off the several years studies that would feel like from the listener’s side, the operation (the singing) went well but the patient (the audience) died (of boredom).
2
Lounge singing alone again naturely, with some Elton John intonations. Back to celibacy. Not my favourite in that blend, makes sense with the thematic.
Alone again naturally when back doesn’t mean looking back.
3
It will never happen again.
A great jazz singer a very touching voice. I can’t think, I’m a mesmerized as Ulysses tied to his boat.
4
“Here it comes again” a very sixties sounding song with that intro déjà entendu, this Hammond organ that reminisces of the seventies. I don’t know those singers but I guess they were pretty famous at that time. Could this be Jan and Dean?
5
“Sakta genom stan” ? or probably not, this one is tricky. I know that Melody there is a song written for Monica zetterlund
But I’m pretty sure that the song is older and it had been translated in such a way that the original meaning is not totally perfect pretty much as swedes always do I can’t find the back there, probably in the original song.
“Walking my baby back home” 1930.
Now that makes sense, music by Fred E. Ahlert. I had to check this out on the related Wikipedia page.
When I settled in Sweden, my teacher in Swedish told us about the accident that led to Monica Zetterlund’s death, much later when the movie about her came, there was a scene where Ella Fitzgerald wood lectures her about her trying to imitate Afro American jazz women instead of doing something personal. So this song was very symbolic in the movie. I don’t know if it’s true but of course the story is more important than the truth in movies. The style reminds me of Jazz Manouche by the likes of Django Reinhardt. I love it.
6
Rythm and Blues funk, “my boyfriend’s back, gonna save my reputation…”
Did that girls group escaped literally or not Phil Spector’s clutches. This reminds me of the times born in many countries women were expected to do a lot of things, just to be respected. In those years in France, women earned the right to have their own bank account while in Paris women were supposed to wear gloves at all times, that’s what my neighbor told me of teenage years in Paris in the 60s. Knowing the lyrics makes the song less pleasant.Ô tempora ô mores.
7
Big Fat mammas are back in style.
You get two backs for the price of one, who am I to complain, I won’t say more because I’m a gentleman.
That’s some nice American Jazz. The composition reminds me a lot of Luis Prima except that’s, and for obvious reasons an afro American singer.
8
It started like the Shelleyan orphans but in that case it’s more crewed by the population of an orphanage, and the text is a bit more simple, more catchy.
You make me home again. Beautiful voices I want to know more about the group.
9
Sounds like a blue note remix probably for a Christmas song or is it an original and not a sampling?
A very refreshing jazz that I enjoyed every second of it. “Back” exist only in the title.
10
Feels like some good Kurt Weil with a Lotte Lenya that had taken pills for the throat.
This is complex spoken word orchestral background plus some jazzy rythm assonance and skat because there was no time off
I like this one a lot.
No trace of back, probably in the title as often.
10
Lo fi (I had to put the volume higher) recording come back seventies
“Come back!”, pretty nice song, it reminds me of the time when I couldn’t understand English and it was impossible for me to understand any word in a song no it’s not about my knowledge in English but mostly poor hearing or a problem with the recording? I would like it even more if I understood.
11
I did it again that’s Frank’s Zappa?
Probably not, he was a bit more complex. It’s the kind of recording that I would use as a way to express a feeling in a conversation, like Ionesco’s “J’en ai marre”. I would say that one for that purpose.
12
Back to block classic afro American rap, it feels like the right thing, not the boring show off, I’ve been fed up with rap very quick when it was spreading on the TV channels but if I would have heard that one I would have changed my mind, I noticed a subtle/ unsubtle reference to Griffith’s famous movie that tell me enough.
Good stuff.
Well that’s blend was very creative, I didn’t like everything but most of it and I enjoyed the discovery. Thank you my cash (I dictated your name the computer misunderstood but still, with my friend accent that’s how your name sounds like.
I received all of yours CDs. My laptop has let me down but I will fix that soon.
Fixed it. Send it today.
It’s arrived, @pizon-bros
Got mine today as well.
Good, I finish the reviews now.
Mine arrived this morning. Thanks.
Now it’s time for my critical gaze to turn towards the @Mike_H compilation. The minimal packaging features an eyecatching Bridget Riley cover and a cardboard support for postage made from the box of a Sainsbury’s quiche. That’s two senses covered…
The first track I take to be an intro rather than the CD proper. Sounds like the Beach Boys entreating us to play it again…
1 The opening track is a very tasteful and polished cover of the Waterford Bacharach’s finest tune. I think the male vocalist is the Canadian crooner who surfaces at Christmas and in an unlikely duet, the female sounds like the Fame graduate Diner frequenter. I’m probably way off. This has been a real grower. Coincidentally the writer was interviewed on Irish TV last weekend. He still looks the same and has a serious fanbase here.
2 The polished vein continues with some cocktail piano with sultry vocals by a lady I’m sure I recognise. This is top quality late night listening and reminded me that I haven’t really explored her back catalogue.
3 Mid to late 60s by the sound of it. I know the song well enough but not enough to be definitive on the artist. I think it might be a band who went on to have notable hits in the 70s and 80s after one of the main men went on to success overseas. It’s got a lot of arrangement and production to it. This was a grower too having initially dismissed it as just a throwaway pop song.
4 Next up is a guitar heavy jazz arrangement of a well known whistler-friendly tune from the 40s or 50s. I’m not sure if it’s gypsy enough to be himself but my knowledge of guitar of this style is somewhat limited. My actual guess could be an answer on Mastermind. It’s a very nice version that sounds like a sunny day.
5 Back to the 60s again with some classic girl group pop. A song about a certain part of her beloved’s anatomy that doesn’t usually get singled out for attention. Mine is quite hairy as it happens. It would be impossible not to enjoy this . As to which Girl Group it is, I have no idea.
6 Continuing an enjoyable streak we’re into some goodtime big band jazz now – not far off jumpin’ jive. My wife raised an eyebrow when this was on in the background. I stood over it as unlikely to corrupt the kids. I’d guess at the alliterative big band leader but with no great conviction.
7 Gently strummed guitars with harmonising female voices in a somewhat timeless style. It’s maybe a bit too sweet for my taste and triggers my latent folk-group scarring. I don’t really dislike it but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as the others so far. No idea who it is other than some Unthanks support act maybe.
8 The urgent hippity hop beat indicates that this was made some time in the last 20 years at least. Minimalist instrumentation suggesting a mood rather than anything you could hum to yourself. It’s like a more attention seeking Stereolab in its persistence and slow variation. Vocalese sounds come along later that have me thinking of a Latin American origin. My knowledge of who this might be is an empty file. There’s always a risk with instrumentals on these that they’re not distinctive enough to stand out. This was quite good but easily forgotten.
9 This has the bang of musical theatre off it – modern and avant garde musical theatre. Lyrics sound meaningful but their meaning evades me. The music goes off into experimental animation soundtrack jazz which doesn’t endear it to me. It sounds like music made with the help of an Arts Council grant because no record company would scream “we gotta hit!” listening to this. I’m obviously not the audience for this but I admire the decision to throw it into the mix.
10 This is a song I know by arguably the least crucial of the three. The audio quality is notably poor like a BBC session recorded from the street outside their Maida Vale studio. I always have time for his stuff, more the earlier sillier name period. This is okay but doesn’t really justify its place in the starting grid.
11 As if by magic. I think this might be one of the bands I alluded to earlier. It has most of their hallmarks but not the usual Gallic vocals. If it’s them, I saw them when I went to a recording of Later back in the 90s. I’m glad they exist and I like them when I’m in the mood but this doesn’t qualify as a standout track among their oeuvre. If it isn’t them, they should sue!
12 Old School Hip-Hop/Rap. I still listen to some stuff of this era (late 80’s?) but this doesn’t have me spinning on the kitchen floor or rushing to overthrow Whitey’s oppression. It sounds more dated than NWA for example. I’m not sure who this is. Possibly the track mentioned early on is a clue. This will not have me rushing to the archive. A bit of a weak end to a mostly enjoyable collection.
There you have it Mike. As with Retro I hope I’ve been fair and at least close with some of my guesses. I obviously preferred the earlier tracks. Thanks again for going to the trouble. I much prefer having an actual CD as I’d rarely ever play MP3 files. I look forward to your review of mine…or do I?
Preliminary reaction to your reactions:
As we’re still awaiting one last CD, I’ll try not to give too much away before the big reveal.
Suffice to say my intro track is not of Californian origin. From an unlikely southern english town, he’s been a very prolific writer compared to his former bandmate, who wrote their biggest hit. From his vast collection of demos and outtakes.
Track one is two Canadian singers, one of whom is a respected instrumentalist also.
Retropath’s hint re: track two’s singer is right on the money.
Track three is the second of two top ten ’60s hits for this harmony beat group from Birmingham. They also had two more minor hits in the early ’70s. Still in existence on ’60s revival package tours but with no original members since 2008.
Track four is by a contemporary of John Fahey and Stefan Grossman. Acoustic guitarist favouring nylon-stringed guitars. Makes guitar instructional videos. Still around AFAIK.
You’re unlikely to know who sings track five as I’d never heard of them either. I do remember the song getting airplay in my long-ago youth. On Radio Luxembourg. That long ago.
Non-PC track Six is not who Retro thinks it is. American early rhythm and blues.
Number seven is something I discovered by accident. Never heard of them before or since. I liked the harmonies and the way they were used.
Retro was correct in his guess for track eight. From his recent solo album.
I doubt you’ll have heard of track nine’s German pianist bandleader. Someone I recently discovered and liked. Neither of you seem to have taken a liking but that’s OK.
Track ten is by an artist that you both quickly recognised. It’s not the version of the song that was a minor indie hit, with changed lyrics. It’s the original version that was deliberately intended to be unreleasable by their previous label. A close listen to the lyrics explains that. Sound quality is poor because it was taken from a worn-out NME cassette. Remember those?
Track eleven is old UK psychedelia/experimental from ’68. Featured – at great length – in their live sets at a famous London hippie club.
Track twelve contains some clues in the rap as to who is performing.
@Bamber‘s “Go Back!” disc review:
1) Funky! Late ’60s or early ’70s, I’d guess. The male voice is recognisably that of the trailblazing and very influential DTTM hitmaker, as are the harmonies. From before he (writer, arranger, producer) got over-involved with self-medication and his music took a darker turn. Not very familiar with the man and his cohort’s albums, so I can’t pinpoint it. It’s a grower! Thumb Up.
2) Another instantly-recognisable voice but I suspect he’s singing as a guest vocalist here. Maybe I’m wrong as I’ve not taken much account of his doings since the band he originated with went into permanent hiatus. This doesn’t quite work for me, somehow. A clash between his vocal mannerisms and the music behind them. Rather clunky rhythm. Not unpleasant but not for me.
3) And now we have recognizable voice #3. Interesting, but this doesn’t grab me like earlier (I’m guessing this is later-period) stuff of his that I’m familiar with. It’s OK but not outstanding.
4) It’s OK but this illustrates something I’ve felt for a while now. A well-sung, well-played, well-recorded and produced song that is pretty much indistinguishable from quite a lot of other well-sung, well-played, well-recorded and produced efforts of this type. Harmless, dirge-y (droning guitars and keyboards) and a bit bland. My attention drifted. No idea who it is.
5) Instantly-recognisable little green creature sings an old comic song. Light relief. Inconsequential, but there’s nothing wrong with inconsequential, is there. Thumb Up.
6) This one I find annoyingly full of itself. Punk-pop in it’s least pleasant guise, IMO. And at least a minute-and-a-bit too long. A waste of good production and musicianship. Thumb Down for this one. Worried it could earworm me if heard too often. No idea who it is.
7) Another recognisable voice. It’s OK but he’s done better stuff. Vocal lines don’t scan so well at first. Nice guitar solo. A deceptive beginning with that steel guitar. I wasn’t expecting to hear his voice after that intro. It gets better as it progresses but it’s not quite for me, I’m afraid. Without the steel guitar it could be a grower. Nothing against steel guitars, just not appropriate on this recording.
8) Annoying in a few different ways. The trebly barely-intelligible lead vocals, the horrible boop-boop backing vocals, the insistent drumbeat (looped?), the muddy sound. And it’s another one that could benefit from being shorter. Thumb Down. No idea who.
9) A good few years back I downloaded a tranche of ’60s V-Disc (recordings sent out by the US government to entertain their overseas forces) mp3s of live shows from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. In between short 3-song sets by the Country stars of the time were occasional comedy song interludes. This sounds like one of those. Witty-ish lyrics not especially well sung, over fairly generic country instrumentation. Inoffensively innocuous. No idea who.
10) Recognised the singer as rhythm guitarist co-vocalist of an American all-female rock/pop 80’s(?) group that had a few very good international hits. This lady was the prettiest one of the four (well I thought so anyway), though not the best singer. Voice a little reedy. She did a bit of acting after they disbanded. They have relatively recently reformed with a single change of personnel. This particular lady is still a group member. She’s, again relatively recently, recorded a few duo albums with a male musical partner, either all or predominantly cover version collections, some of them pretty effective. I’m guessing this is from one of those, though I’m not familiar with this song. I’m guessing it’s ’60s psychedelic pop. It’s not the best work they’ve done but it’s OK.
11) Another one that I recognised by the vocals and elements of their overall sound. A rather miserablist band that had no mainstream success AFAIK. This is from a bit later in their career, I surmise. I’m only familiar with their first album (re-recorded (or remixed/remastered) entirely with better sound when a bigger label signed them) and with their early singles. I wasn’t taken by about 50% of that initial album, hence not following up on them. The band’s name is how this ties into the swap theme. Better with repeat listening.
12) Distinctive double bassist was the clue, my entry to the puzzle of this one. The noted and very prolific pianist took a while to recognise, as this is pretty early on in his career and is very untypical indeed of what has come from him later. Elements of how C&W pianists like Floyd Cramer used to play, on first hearing. I finally realised this is from an early trio album which I have, in fact, but have not ever played more than a couple of times. Good stuff. Thumb Up.
13) Follow-on from #5. A self-review by two notedly-grumpy old farts.
Mostly this collection is demonstrably on-theme. I’m assuming that on the few where the lyrics were hard to follow this was the case.
Our tastes are quite different, it seems, but with just a little convergence.
Only two that I actively disliked and only a few that I actively liked.
Not complaining.
No fence sitting there Mike. Your explanations are clear and well-put. I’m glad you liked a few of them and I agree that our tastes differ significantly. I’m surprised by the strong dislike of both reviewers for track 6. It was one of the first on my list.
The process of boiling my list down from 20+ to the 12 chosen involved jettisoning many tracks that I can see in hindsight would probably have gone down better. On reflection the tracks that endured are 90% songs I’ve liked for years by some of my favourite artists.
Righty ho, then, it’s the Retro view on @pizon-bros, to complete my listening pleasure. Presented in an elegant reproduction of retro CDR packaging, it augured well…….
1. Hmm, unexpected, as it opens with a flourish of chanson, all Gallic melodrama and mawk. I am only familiar with Charles La Mer singer and Serge Trousers, and it isn’t either. So, am I in the wrong country? It’s that Belgian, innit, Jacky?
2. Well nobody plays guitar like the mittens wearing FUHM, and this is clearly his shaky fingers for a song I have missed from his interminable. Live with the unmistakable lame canter of the Horse. Love it.
3. I recognise the voice, I think, or should do. Plangent country as it headed east from Laurel Canyon. One wil be the home she is headed to, after being long gone.
4. Old school jump jive as it morphed into R’n’R. My stock answer is always Louis Jordan, but I am sure it isn’t. I like this sort of racket.
5. Blimey, rocketing through the genres here. Old school psychedelic whimsy. The acoustic track, I’m guessing, from an otherwise electric band, the sort who play on flatbed trucks outside festivals in 1969. “I killed myself today”, he sings………
6. Bleep and booster style electro-primitivism of the top order. Do I know that voice? Nothing I can retrieve at the minute. I need a prompt.
7. Jings, where is this all coming from. Garage band minimalism with tubular bells playing a classical refrain?!? Not a clue. And is that melodica providing further “melody”?
8. Trad bluesy rock with hoarse voice and harmonica. Love it as the piano rolls and ripples in. Either truly from the Blue Horizon/Mike Vernon blues boom or clever pastiche. Which has me wondering about the not called the Red Group, as the ex-Manfred Mann singer called his later group. But with DK on vocals, if so.
9. A lovely showpiece for the guitarist in an otherwise prog band would be my, yes, another guess. Wait a mo’, what’s happening? Suddenly it’s a ghastly Englishassecondlanguage gargle through Alan Price’s biggest pay check. Makes EB sound like Pavarotti by compare. Vile, after starting so well. HotRS.
10. Ay caramba, some bogus Tex-Mex in franglais and giggles. Someone who should know better, methinks, but I can’t abide it or make it all the way through. Sung straight I might have loved it, mind!
11.Night has come again, it seems, with another familiar voice. A hint of recycling about the tune being used, suggests it may possibly be Woody’s boy, which is the guess with which I will stick.
12. Well, a gorgeous cracker with which to end. Again I can’t place it other than N’Awlins, circa 1962. I am increasingly drawn to this sort of classicism. Probably my favourite in this mix of all new to me, with only one definite established.
Thanks, Pizon; enjoyable pot-pourri.
let’s start with @Bamber
Bamber
1 “I’m in for getting back on track”.
As I have read Paul Oliver’s book “Blues fell this morning” I understand how important the train as a metaphor is for afro-americans, since the 19th and “the underground train”, so , it has to do with jailbreaking from slavery. I don’t know the name of that group that’s definitely some cool funk from the us probably ’70s? Nice choice.
2 it starts like those exotica recorded in the seventies but with David Byrne and Latin American rythms pan flute and some nature destruction, I’ll be back again. Overly positive song of hope. I could grow on liking it.
3 Sixties country background music
The refrain is weird, . Cornerstore nostalgia. Indian shop? Could this be a parody? He don’t expect me to understand and he’s right. I need more infos.
4 I can’t place the singer, sounds like someone I heard before I cannot remember who (or not). It has definitely some romance and nostalgia touch.
5 Lydia the tatooed with Kermit instead of Groucho marx I watch some movie sometimes. That’s lovely. Her back has a tattoo so, that fits in. A perfectly goofy version!
6 Oh, that’s very schlager as people say here. It sounds like this song is about the first record by terje rypdal but it’s probably not? So he fell off the back of a lorry which could translate to “he was a stolen child ?” He’s trying to argue with the police officer so probably it’s not the first time so is back to jail anytime soon. Return it is. In France we have this expression: “un cheval de retour” “which means a horse being back to where it came from” an escapee which was catched. A bit tricky but clever.
I wish “the omoralisk schlager festivalen” had more fun of this one.
7 Pushing to the back of my mind
Also very schlager is this guy the the singer from Divine comedy. A song of willingly forgetting some experiences to start a new life.
8 I don’t know this one at all and I like it, what was the team again?
9 They sound like the Louvin brothers but they probably are not, they could be on the list of the country music singers that made Sting the righteous song I was so happy that I could not stop crying.
Tears in my eyes by laying on my back while I drive/cry on you. A sleepy lagoon, that’s a lot of tears even for a deceived country singer.
It should be a parody, I want to know more;
10 Rythm and Blues a happy song of return of the lover. Coming home. That’s cute! Oh the prison is involved, expect some action…
11
Pet Shop boys but with another singer or?
Till the greasy men are back again?
It raises more questions than it gives answer.
12
Of course I don’t get it, I suppose the only clue is in the title and us I don’t know who composed that beautiful piece of chamber jazz I will wait for you to tell me. I am sure that’s a Jazz standard that I missed in my collection. Nice one anyway.
13 those two old guys, this time I saw them it was on a Sting concert.
That was great patchwork of I didn’t get everything but I got some I discovered some gems thank you for sharing this one and I’m sorry that I had to replace sooo late.
@Pizon-bros I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll post the tracklist after I’ve reviewed yours. It might be Tuesday as we are away from home for the weekend.
Now for my review of @Pizon-bros CD.
1 French. Dramatic strings with a rousing chorus. I don’t think it’s the Belgian lad and it doesn’t sound like any of the few French chanteurs with whom I have any acquaintance. It’s enjoyable and a good opener.
2 I enjoyed the first few minutes of this one. Twangy guitar (a Gretsch with Bigsby?) that is SO-like a track “Lover Please”, by one of the artists on my compilation. I’ll confess to my heart sinking when the whiny Canadian started singing. Having said that, it’s not unlikeable as his stuff goes.
3 Delicate female vocal that sounds UK based to me. Minimal instrumentation adds to the folky vibe. I’d guess that this was recorded in the last 20 years but I’ve no idea who it is. It’s pleasant but passes me by somewhat without leaving much memory behind.
4 This lively track sounds 50s to me – around the time rock’n’roll was emerging from the blues. There’s call-and-response with the band and conspicuous electric guitar. I won’t guess who it is but its really good.
5 This morbid number could be from any decade from the 90s on. The voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it – probably English. I had to hit the stop button on this as my young kids were around, and I didn’t want them asking what the man was singing about. It’s a nice arrangement that builds towards the end and I quite enjoyed it while recognising it as not something I would choose to play again.
6 This was an odd track. Demo-quality production. It was almost parody-like in its adherence to the early-Numan blueprint. I’m guessing this might be American or European rather than British even though they’re trying to affect a Bowie/London accent. The “I’ve got a new toy”, attitude applied to the synthesised animal noises is quite comical. Odd but not a hit with me.
7 An echoey melodica(?) kicks into a driving modern bass heavy rock’n’roll riff. Muffled female vocals and likeably rough-edged production make this an exhilarating track. No idea who it is but I’ll check them out whoever they are.
8 This is a slow bluesy track with a world-weary vocal. I could imagine it on the Sopranos soundtrack. The pure bluesy guitar featured suggests this might be a guitarist who sings. Another good one.
9 This starts with a blackbird (?) and eventually develops into a version of a well-known song after two and a half minutes. I found this one had me reaching for the skip button more frequently as the show-off vocalist is trying much too hard to sell his take on it. Just too over the top.
10 This was a breezy Latin tinged song in French – very soundtrack friendly. I loved the arrangement and the female vocal. Not sure French is their first language. Lovely.
11 70’s sounding acoustic rock with a slightly Latin feel. This sounded to me like that singer who was the subject of a documentary a few years back. It’s okay but not a standout.
12 This compilation finishes with a laid-back bluesy groover. I think I know the singer with the almost biblical name. He featured on a compilation I was sent last time around. Lovely late-night track with a live-recording feel and understated playing and singing.
Thanks very much for this @Pizon-bros It was worth the wait and probably my favourite of the three CDs I received. There was a nice mix of tracks and very few that I could identify so it’ll give me a few artists to explore which is one of the main plusses of these exchanges.
I guess everything around Ebbot Lundberg might interest you.
@Retropath2‘s “Back, Back, Back” disc review.
1) It Will All Return seems to be the repeated refrain. California country rock, an early ’70s weed-saturated pipe dream of a social/environmental idyll that never actually existed as they paint it. Mandolin, acoustic guitars and organ. I find his kind of slightly nasal vocal timbre irritating, but not actually annoying. I don’t know why. No idea who this is.
2) Repetitious riff with accordions, bass guitar and clattery drums. Not much variation. I waited for something to happen, but in vain. No idea who.
3) Instant recognition of both the singer and the song, here. A song of yearning for a return to the good old days of the protagonist’s past. Added poignancy as the artist was fast approaching his last lap. He was never noted for the quality of his voice but he always sang effectively, with feeling. A great songwriter covering a quality hit from another great artist. Nice to revisit this, having not heard it in some years.
4) I couldn’t make my mind up if this was homage, pastiche or just plain plagiarising of ol’ Bob. The vocal mannerisms that are often mocked were reproduced, almost overdone. For the first couple of lines of the first verse, I thought the singer was female, which was a bit odd. There’s some clever wordsmithing in here but it’s a bit dull overall and with a repeated punchline that became annoying after the first few repetitions, of which there were rather a lot. It’s a long song, innit. I got dangerously close to being earwormed by that pronunciation of “Back Home”. The drum sound was a redeeming feature. Using brushes on the snare throughout, rather like on some liked album tracks of Bob’s and some of the Waterboys stuff. Not a clue who this might be.
5) A cover of a Fabs choon but in a language that I don’t recognise at all. No idea if it’s a translation or (which I suspect) a completely new set of lyrics. Klezmer-ish in parts.
6) Familiar Zydeco-ish song but the accents seem British. Bounces along quite nicely. Not too long with a nice bit of variation in the music. Is this a cover of something I’ve heard before or a new one? Interested to find out. Another artist/band about whom I’m clueless.
7) Very familiar song reinterpreted almost as vintage New Orleans jazz. Interesting idea. Cornet, clarinet and banjo all present. British vocalist. Recording level is too low to hear much detail. A live rendition. Not a clue who it might be.
8) Celtic whistle/Karnatic vocalising mashup with some punkish energy. Lots of percussion. Hand percussion and dhol drums (I think). Maybe there’s someone on a kit in there too. I’m not greatly enamoured of the fuzz pick-played bass guitar. Not playing anything interesting so should be further back in the mix. Another artist/band unknown to me.
9) Platitudinous and rather dull two-a-penny tale of country boy going to the city and then scurrying back with fingers burnt. Adenoidal voice. Back to the land. No idea who.
10) Electronica-ish female vocal with a wash of restrained strings. A rather miserable song which doesn’t seem to go anywhere. I think I recognise the voice, which she’s not using to it’s potential here.
11) Very familiar jangly pop song from my youth, done perfectly well with an American female lead vocal. The band and singers sound like they’re having lots of fun. Lovely guitar tone. A banger! Interested to find out who this is.
12) Recognised the player from the very first note from the slide guitar. This I have on a mix CD from an old friend from about 20 years ago. Didn’t much like this track then and my opinion hasn’t altered over the years. He plays perfectly well but I just don’t like the rather overbearing sound he favours. Bombastic with Zydeco traces. Mandolin and harmonium/accordion(?) noticeable on the few quiet bits. Drowned out by the drums and slide on the majority of the track, unfortunately.
Tracks 3, 6, 7 and 11 are the ones I liked. Particularly No. 11.
1, 4 and 9 were disliked. No. 4 not as much as the other two, due to the drum sound.
Those behind 7 and 11 may surprise. I remain disappointed by, now both the responses to 9 and really thought one might be AW catnip. Never mind!
Finally, my review of @Pizon-bros Return, Back, Retour etc. CD
1) I’m in agreement with Retro. It’s probably ol’ Jacky. Oodles of (melo)drama with an interesting weird orchestration that could never ever be mistaken for American or British. A long time since I studied French at school, so no idea what he’s singing about. Subsequent listens bring admiration but not quite a love of this.
2) From almost the very first guitar note I knew who this was. Never was a fan of his very distinctive voice, redeemed sometimes by his songwriting but sadly not for me in this case. There are some interesting bits in the extensive grungy and, again, distinctive guitar soloing but not enough really, considering the sheer length of the thing. I’m assuming it’s his usual band backing him. They sound a bit bored with it, toward the end. A strong urge to fast-forward on subsequent listens.
3) A good female voice. The repeated simple drum pattern irritates a bit with it’s lack of variation. A little bit of banjo comes along towards the end. I suppose this could be classified as Americana, though the singer doesn’t sound American.
A bit inconsequential, it sort of drifts to an ending without leaving much trace.
4) A classic old-style guitar-driven R&B boogie with call-and response vocals between vocalist and band. I couldn’t pinpoint him by his vocals but the more-aggressive-than-customary guitar sound makes me wonder if it’s a certain Mr. C. G. Brown.
5) A multi-layered epic performance. Slow build from an acoustic start becoming quite intense. The singer has a very very faint Euro accent, almost imperceptible. Perfect idiomatic English. A like this a lot. Familiar, somehow .. Who?
6) Primitive low-budget ’70s electronica. Gary Numan would have listened to this and got a few ideas, I reckon. Not a clue who it is but interested to know, even though I don’t especially like it.
7) Melodica intro. Jangly broken-indie somewhat atonal riffage and sub-optimal vocalising, sensibly low in the mix. A short one. Not my thing but not boring.
8) Relatively recent, I’m guessing, white-man blues with harmonica. A drummer who knows how to do blues riffing properly. Not much else to recommend it, for me. Handclaps are a bit of an odd addition. Another pretty short one. Unmemorable.
9) Birdsong and picked acoustic guitar to start, joined by a second acoustic after a while. A venerable song known to all and sung with a rather peculiar accent and some odd mannerisms. Several key changes as it drags on. Becomes very tedious after about 5 minutes and I’ll be glad to skip it if I can in future.
10) Female vocalist singing in French. Bubbles along quite pleasantly. No idea what she’s singing about “En Retour”. Interesting musical arrangement. Not bad.
11) Male vocalist and harmonising singers are of a fairly commonly-heard type and unremarkable. Complaining about his woman, naturally. Disposable.
12) More classic old-school jazz-inflected blues, from the border area between blues and soul. Well-sung with a good pianist and guitarist. Not a great example of the style but fitting to the project’s theme.
There’s not much to truly dislike here apart from track 9 and possibly track 2. I loved track 5 and found tracks 1, 6 and 10 pleasant. A wide variation in sounds. Wider than the other two and indeed my own effort.
Honestly, the first one was not my first choice. I would have used “Tonton Cristobal est revenu” by Pierre Perret but it was complicated to get it in Sweden.
You’ve got the wrong Brown on the 4, that was close…
@Bamber‘s tracklisting
]Go Back by Bamber – March 2026
1 Back on the Right Track – Sly & The Family Stone
2 Asa Branca – Forro in the Dark (with David Byrne)
3 Corner Store (original version) – Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers
4 Back of My Hand – Gemma Hayes
5 Lydia, the Tattooed Lady – Kermit the Frog
6 Back of a Lorry – Denim
7 Pushing it to the Back of My Mind – Edwyn Collins
8 Something I Know – Silverbacks
9 Tears in My Ears – Homer & Jethro
10 Care of Cell 44 – Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet
11 Faded Flowers – Shriekback
12 My Back Pages – Keith Jarrett Trio
13 Review!!!
vs @Mike_H‘s
Track 0 (instructions): Andy Partridge – Put It On Again
Track 1: Diana Krall & Michael Bublé – Alone Again (Naturally)
Track 2: Lady Blackbird – It’ll Never Happen Again
Track 3: The Fortunes – Here It Comes Again
Track 4: Duck Baker – Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
Track 5: The Angels – My Boyfriend’s Back
Track 6: Bull Moose Jackson – Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style
Track 7: Snowapple – Again
Track 8: Theon Cross – We Go Again
Track 9: Julia Hülsmann Octet – You Come Back
Track 10: Wah! – Come Back (original version)
Track 11: The Soft Machine – We Did It Again
Track 12: Public Enemy + Paris – Can’t Hold Us Back
I did send my list, but I guess it is being held back until @pizon-bros reviews my disc…
I am nearly done. The only thing that stops me is my inability to say if I like some titles or not. I should probably being silent about those ones.
Did it!
Track by track accounting for mine…
1 Great track. Never on Greatest Hits, Should be on best ofs.
2 David Byrne sings a Latin classic about vowing to return to his homeland some day when it’s restored after catastrophe.
3 JoJo longs for his old corner store and wishes it was back to how it used to be.
4 The lovely Gemma – Irish indie darling with an Irish hit that shamelessly lifts the melody from Love Will Tear Us Apart as a musical bridge.
5 I was torn between this (from my wretched 77? vinyl copy) or Groucho’s original. This is shorter. On her back is the battle of Waterloo! A special song to me as my eldest is called Lydia (possibly because of this song)
6 This was the first song on my list. I love it 70s pastiche and ridiculous as it is. I can’t fully understand the strong dislike it received.
7 This is from my favourite Edwyn album and, to my mind, features some of his finest singing. I love Edwyn as an artist and as a human.
8 I know nothing about this band other than that they’re Irish and this track is nothing like their other stuff. Great video too. I wanted something modern in the mix and I love this. Reminds me of Jane Weaver or Stereolab.
9 I found this online one day when I wanted to see if it was just a Basil Brush joke. He used to sing I’ve got tears in my ears from lying on my back while crying over you. Turns out it was this old timey charmer – to me anyway.
10 This was a track that caught my ear on a covers album largely because I didn’t know it. She’s waiting to welcome back her beau from prison. Let’s hope he was in for draft dodging. Anything else might make this problematic.
11 I wasn’t sure which Shriekback track to include so I went for this moody piece.
12 I don’t like Dylan at all but he’s written some great songs. This is one of my favourites and is given a really uplifting treatment here. I thought it was a nice bookend.
… this came up on the album straight after the Kermit song so I couldn’t resist putting Stadtler and Waldorf on at the end.
1
“It will all return”
A song of soothing nonsensical prophecy by an American folk singer. I imagine him as a beach bum looking like Eden Abbez. Return / back same / same. I fell asleep in the sun listening to that one.
2 It feels like the instrumental version of the first track.
Instrumental accordéon with rythm box alt/folk ? the reference certainly lays in the title. If the whole blend had been just one track I would never have been able to say when one is stopping and the other is starting they are so strangely connected both of them.
3
Back in the high life again
It sounds like the
opposite of first song
There are some intonations of Johnny Cash. I wonder if it’s really the high life he talks about.
There is so much sadness in that hope.
4
Tryin’ to find my way back home
Sounds like Bob Dylan in 98 percent of his repertoire but that’s not him. Are the similarities on purpose? Is that a parody?
5 Back to the USSR
I think I posted that one on Facebook on the afterword or is it?
There is a whole web page dedicated to back to the ussr covers in every languages. I can’t place this one. We are in Leningrad cowboys territory. Déjà entendu.
6
Back on the train never coming back accordéon… Very folk
There is this thing about the train again.
I guess it’s a return ticket this time, very positive.
Not my favorite in the mix.
7
it sounds like Brian ferry but without the glam feeling and clarinette music that reminds of east of Europe traditional music.
I kind of like it.
8
Starts like slow marimbas by Peter Gabriel then skat alt/ ethnic electronic I guess the references is in the title? I will keep it for my ex -girlfriend that likes crystal medicine and dream catchers.
9
Back to the land. English folk music again but not only. I think I have heard that voice before. Very pleasant. There’s one thing I don’t understand is he happy to be back to the countryside?
10
I thought first that was bjork gudmundsdottir there’s something about the accent and the rythm and everything. Still that’s not her, I’m not sure if it’s Icelandic but there is this feeling very scandinavic. I think I’ve heard that rhythm before in one song by Björk. She lent her her sampler I guess.
11
Baby come back by the Beatles I’m stating the obvious (one more cover!) by someone else, a woman singer. I grew tired of Beatles covers, it’s nicely executed though.
12
It feels like I know this group or I should know it back to the bayou.
The fuzzbox is very présent
Overall a good blend that all of my choir leaders would dislike because of the lack of “magstöd” but that’s a good point for me.
An agreeable eclectic blend that takes me to places where I tend to forget my wallet.
Ta, bigly!
So, then, @pizon-bros, @bamber and @mike_H, the retro-reveal:
1. Gene Parsons/Back Again. The “other” Parsons in the Byrds and the Burritos.
2. Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles/Anyway, Back to Me. Accordion and drums duo. Amy is more often to be found alongside Kathryn Tickell.
3. Warren Zevon/Back in the High Life Again. Well spotted by those that did.
4. Willie Nile/Back Home. (Was it that bad?) I wonder, did anyone get their money back after David Hepworth said he would refund anyone who didn’t like the album it came on.
5.The Ukrainians/Back in the USSR. Leeds’ finest cossack band.
6. The Electric Bluebirds/Back on the Train. Bobby Valentino’s first band.
7. The Bryan Ferry Orchestra/Back to Black. With the bandleader singing, too. Apols for the audio.
8.Jiggy/Back to Belfast. The pound shop Afro-Celts, sort of.
9. Anthony Thistlethwaite/Back to the Land. Generally surprised by the lack of love for the ex-Waterboy and current Saw Doctor. A lovely album of similar bucolica.
10.Olafur Arnalds feat. JFDR/Back to the Sky. Fairly generic ambient chill. I prefer his more piano based stuff.
11.Bonnie Raitt/Baby Come Back. I thought that would be more obvious, to be fair.
12.The Flying Burrito Brothers/Back to Bayou Tache. Fairly late Burritos, with nobody of note left in the band. I was, it’s true, running out of suitable backs.
You got me with Bonnie Raitt, I am more familiar to her songwriting than her voice and she go to price for that anyway, just like this.
@Mike_H @Bamber @Retropath2
Here is my tracklist :
Track
(Tonton Cristobal est revenu – Pierre Perret I wanted that one instead of Jacques Brel!)
1: j’arrive! : Jacques Brel.
As weird as it is, I choose the most famous Belgian singer songwriter.
The title translates to”Here I come!” But he really means, “I’m back (for good)” I can’t imagine a clearer expression of being back than this song, even if you were sleeping, he would wake you up so you wouldn’t miss any of it.
2: Country home: Neil Young. I first discovered Neil Young in the pages of The Word and in one of its CDs Now hear this! It’s only fair that I pay tribute to him here
3: Emily Barker: Return me, Australian singer songwriter discovered from some obscure TV show with Swedish roots.
4: Hurry Back Good news: Widemouth Brown.
A long time before I started to write for Jefferson magazine, I had a pretty big collection of blues recordings. I thought first about anything by Led better (Leadbelly) which had made an habit (and a public image) to be back to prison as quick as he had left it, but it would have been unfair, so I choose Widemouth Brown instead, because he is not the most famous of nowadays bluesmen and, as I consider Blues as a genuine therapy, I needed some good news, so there he was.
5: Second life replay: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives.
I’m very partial to TSOOL (former Union carbide productions) or anything that Ebbot does. I had been to most of their concerts in any of their incarnations and I don’t intend to stop in the future.
6: Fad gadget: Back to nature
Well I went there because of Einstürzende Neubauten that I saw in concert in an industrial area former slaughterhouse in Stockholm close to that truncated globe, last year (or was it before?) if you like this you will like that etc etc
7: the return of evil Bill: Clinic
Together with Dry Cleaning, Clinic is that kind of band whose name is complicated to search about, they place their energy somewhere else, something in between garage, rockabilly and Gorillaz and there’s RETURN in the title…
8: Going home: Allen Finney.
I have met Allen Finney several times in Stockholm, at Larry’s Corner, he has a weird past that involves a famous french duckling and a tour in France with the yellow creature’s manager. He is the most dedicated bluesman to the harp, even Amaury Faivre could learn from him.
Finney is the bluesman that had found rest in his lifetime and going home for him means a lot.
9: The flowers travellin’ band : House of the rising Sun. There are many versions of that song, with different levels of honesty, from worst by Jean Phillipe Smet to the original by who knows who (not even Lomax).
In this version, even if the now departed, Joe Yamanaka struggle with his Japanese accent to pronounce House in New Or(l)eans and house of the ” lising” sun, there’s so much sincerety in his voice that ones can’t help buying some oranges for the Filipino half blood.
10: la rivière sans retour: Jill Kaplan.
Jill Kaplan was a singer that I discovered on the eighties. We were all in love with her. The title translates as the river with no way back (the river of no return).
11:
Night has come again: The Maharadjas.
Garage rock veterans, the Maharajas had a 30 years party last year, the Nomads were there. I went for the Nomads first, then I discovered other groups and Maharajas was one of them.
12: Charles Brown: homesick blues.
I would have made the blend with blues artists only. I had to move 99,9 percent of my collection, so I kept two records from the ones I found while travelling in east of Europe.
Sorry but I need some help from someone who is tech savvy – my playlist is prepped on Amazon music and ready to send. I don’t know how to send from my Mac. Can some kind soul provide a guide for a technophobe.
No idea why they decided to do away with iTunes which was simple.
Someone more connected to the Apple universe will come along soon, but I read the following:
“Yes, you can download music from Amazon Music for offline listening within the app (Prime/Unlimited) or as DRM-free MP3 files (Purchased). Subscribed content (Prime/Unlimited) only plays within the app, while purchased songs can be downloaded to a computer via web browser or the desktop app”
So, I suppose it depends on whether you purchased or just subscribed to the tracks in your playlist.
And whether you still have the Mac you originally bought music on or ripped to. I had to use my old spare/back up to DL my swaps, as they were annoyingly only cloud on the newer one.
A long winded way is to use a music editing application (I use Audacity) – set it recording and play the tracks. Obviously it does this this in real time, so go and make a cup of tea while it is chugging along. When it has finished, you can then chop the resulting recording into individual tracks, saving them as mp3s as Track 1 and so on. I used this method for one of my tracks in the swap as I didn’t have it in physical form. As I say, it’s a bit of a faff, but it works. It’s a bit like making a mix tape, so it has some nostalgia value.
Has an advantage, in terms of this swapfest, that you can end up with a set of anonymous tracks from Audacity, just by not filling in any tag info as you save them.
A bit of progress – I have managed to email the playlist to myself ready to send to the lucky recipients. However I cannot blank out the data so am not able to comply with the rules currently.
Can you not get mp3 tag for Apple? If not, send it to me and I’ll do it for you and send it back. ‘My aw name’@gmail
I’m happy to do the Audacity malarkey for you @SteveT if that helps.
Should we pin this thread, to stop it vanishing onto subsequent pages by the end of the week?
I had a to-and-fro with the mods when the CDswap first started about its own section, pinning it etc. and I’m reluctant to impose again. You can search for ‘CDswap’ and that will always bring it up, and hopefully lots of postings will keep it in the ‘most updated’ lists. It’s currently making the 7 day chart so hopefully will stay visible.
Fairy snuff.
Compulsive reading, like reading Nabokov
in the original Russian. No earthly idea what’s going on but so glad it’s going on. ..
“Like Reading Nabokov In The Original Russian”
Afterword T-shirt
Would you liked to join the AW marketing team?
I fear this was launched too soon. Not many people are ready, and it will soon slip off the front page.
Sorry about my non-participation I don’t do downloads simple as that
@moseleymoles Just wondering when we get the Big Reveal of what we’ve all been listenng to. The curiosity is killing…
I was coming here to post about that!
I think it is review o’clock by now. If you have sent me a track listing I will endeavour to put it up this afternoon (feckless tradesmen permitting). If you haven’t either send it over or feel free to put it in the appropriate subthread up there!
And if you haven’t reviewed yet then consider this not so much a gentle nudge as a sharp dig in the ribs…
right, I believe I have cleared my inbox, so if you think you have submitted a listing to me and it hasn’t appeared let me know, or write to your ombudsman. (This is also probably my last time at the computer until Sunday evening so feel free to go ahead and post independently!)