If there was any doubt that Ian McNabb can’t write a great song this should dispel it:-
https://youtu.be/Hy7LTdL_ulw
Great Dreams of Heaven
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
A great song, agreed.
It’s a shame about the irritating (to me) bass guitar/bass drum thump all the way through it, but that’s how things often got recorded back then.
I know what you mean @Mike_H – there is a different version on Waifs and Strays without the thump. No idea why it wasn’t the final version as it is to my ears a better version.
A great tune from a great musician.
His new stuff is worth a look as well via his website. You will get a signed CD and I reckon he writes your address on the jiffy bag it comes in (he allegedly now lives with his Mum).
His latest release is very good…Star, Smile, Strong
http://www.ianmcnabb.com
Very good songwriter, same as `em all*, some great tunes, some stonkers but more great than shyte.
*Very good song writers that is.
As a musician he reached a peak with `Truth And Beauty` after aboutish 6-8 great tunes with the Icicle Works and many not so great but good tunes though. Then came `Head Like A Rock`, Ian`s Neil Young paean, oh boy Shakey would have been proud of those tunes, boy wouldn`t he. He even had Crazy Horse play with him. I`ve often wondered how much those hired guns cost him. Whatever it was, for us the fans it was bloody worth it.
Since then it`s been mixed results with Ian never reaching the heights of `TAB` but many good songs scattered like buck shot across 8-10 records.
I`m a fan, try to see him when I can, long may he run.
I loved Truth and Beauty when it came out but my cassette is in the loft (Rock snob alert) but should re-investigate and see how it stands up.
Head like a Rock was very rockist but good if you are in the mood which I sometimes am . Second Icicle Works album is their best.
Over and out.
The opening track, Go My Own Way, is probably Peak Nineties. It could not come from any other era.
Wonderful song. ‘Truth and Beauty’ came up on my random play today and was a delight as it always is. Was chatting today to someone who saw ‘The Icicle Works’ in Norwich last week and confirmed that McNabb was at the top of his game.
A veritable sleet storm of McNabb posts this past 3 months, contrasting the good, when he’s very very good with the lazy live sing it back to me chorales. I hope the above comment suggests he is back to just playing and singing, cos he is a mighty good singer, his heart out, letting his words restrict themself to his emotional lyrics.
I’m a bit confused.
‘can write a great song’, surely?
Correct.
Thank you. I am now at peace.