The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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The incredible shrinking band… does it exist?

by 66 Comments

I’ve been musing on how many bands frittered their early promise by becoming more bloated as a live entity as time went by. Take most guitars/bass/drums outfit, and by the time they’re on their third album, their live presence has incorporated a keyboard player, an extra guitarist, backing singers… you name it.

Take Guns’n’Roses. Whether you like their music or not, it’s fairly undeniable that their early impact was due to their uncompromising, punky take on hard rock. Two guitars, bass, drums and a singer with a (ahem) unique delievery. By the time they’d put out TWO sprawling albums on the same day in 1992, they were touring with a keyboard player, backing singers and a four-piece horn section. Fleetwood Mac (Rumours and onward) toured with five members in 1977. When I saw them they had an extra keyboard player, an extra guitarist and three backing singers. Ditto the Eagles. Did it make life easier for the main men and women? Of course. Did it make them sound any better? That’s debatable.

Some acts play with a USP of their lineup, eg current media pincushions Royal Blood. Some clearly have a bit of ‘help’ from backing tracks or triggered samples » Continue Reading.

And on cowbell: you!

by 46 Comments

A propos of nothing, I have just discovered that I have the power to transport you to any gig in history so that you can perform on stage as part of the main act. As if by magic, you can play any instrument (and/or sing, if you like). Which group/singer would you like to join, and when?

To start things off, I will be joining Taylor Swift’s band for the gig that is hopefully linked here, which was part of her 1989 world tour. I could play the triangle, tambourine, or anything, as long as I can be part of what looks like the most joyous time anybody has had on stage (or on a huge revolving platform).

Next I will be off to the Pasadena Rose Bowl for Depeche Mode’s 101 show. I will stand alongside Dave Gahan and get everybody’s arms waving for Never Let Me Down, and discover what it feels like to be in a band at the moment they realise they have really, really made it.

Finally, I will join the Beatles at Shea Stadium. It doesn’t matter what instrument I play as nobody will hear it anyway, but I’d like to find out » Continue Reading.

Bowie (Again)

by 14 Comments

I suspect like many on here, following The Dames dramatic exit, I have been reacquainting myself with his legacy. I remain convinced amongst his greatest output is Stage.

I have a CD which I think is a retail version from long ago. It sounds awful. The mix is tinny and does not do justice to the quality of the performance.

Can anyone help me with the best remastered version available, ie. bin number, reference or whatever?

Many thanks.

Goodbye David Bowie

by 20 Comments

Today I played Blackstar for the first time. I wanted to allow my first listening to be untarnished and uninfluenced the hyperbole surrounding its release.

He has since died.

It is a masterpiece. It is superb. It is an amazing, considered epitaph. What a glorious exit.

Never a great Bowie fan, but I was knocked sideways when I first heard ‘Stage’ in the late ‘70’s or early ‘80’s and today found a spliced DVD of the live album on YouTube. The production is not great, but it contains everything you need to know about his importance, his place and his impact in popular music.

Rock n’ Roll.

Thank you.

Goodbye David Bowie