tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25818576292720112752024-03-17T08:28:17.426-04:00Some More BS from JaybeeContaining, among other things, my humble effort to bring my fellow fifty(ish) year olds up to date on some current, and frankly, not so current, pop music.Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.comBlogger376125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-7938828203269853142024-02-22T15:11:00.002-05:002024-02-22T15:11:37.275-05:00David and Neil's Excellent Adventures<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzcSa3CWRlfJnlfwZAVZrGiCa02yx-NpQsa_hd56MAf4Q_rh45NF8MfYFANU3wVLPjPAIQ1CxHiwuxZjVgBFUmI_cqjOQGL2Fbp8dMLU5-lIXl3_NzFXAwyUR5MdJtxSpwBe90c4Rn_iEJe50W-tuGcvAC8xN56MPpJmefMeq8zvJDxlBXVSgHUHfIA/s327/NY%20JB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzcSa3CWRlfJnlfwZAVZrGiCa02yx-NpQsa_hd56MAf4Q_rh45NF8MfYFANU3wVLPjPAIQ1CxHiwuxZjVgBFUmI_cqjOQGL2Fbp8dMLU5-lIXl3_NzFXAwyUR5MdJtxSpwBe90c4Rn_iEJe50W-tuGcvAC8xN56MPpJmefMeq8zvJDxlBXVSgHUHfIA/s327/NY%20JB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzcSa3CWRlfJnlfwZAVZrGiCa02yx-NpQsa_hd56MAf4Q_rh45NF8MfYFANU3wVLPjPAIQ1CxHiwuxZjVgBFUmI_cqjOQGL2Fbp8dMLU5-lIXl3_NzFXAwyUR5MdJtxSpwBe90c4Rn_iEJe50W-tuGcvAC8xN56MPpJmefMeq8zvJDxlBXVSgHUHfIA/s327/NY%20JB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZzcSa3CWRlfJnlfwZAVZrGiCa02yx-NpQsa_hd56MAf4Q_rh45NF8MfYFANU3wVLPjPAIQ1CxHiwuxZjVgBFUmI_cqjOQGL2Fbp8dMLU5-lIXl3_NzFXAwyUR5MdJtxSpwBe90c4Rn_iEJe50W-tuGcvAC8xN56MPpJmefMeq8zvJDxlBXVSgHUHfIA/w235-h320/NY%20JB.jpg" width="235" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDwCn7j8AOuoDt5526RQMlLWcp32zYL3759gQphDYUwI_0thBybxEwRKYH8pxGo8UmUxJwhLIwnMzeZXszz9bqsa1_wbQRnyFQyPxUV9WQ4deuSPRQu6KmpU0yrQpmgoXPcZegAytMQbQXgIkvb5-waFA82BXp1sRFOpUOHtO9wzl0IDG5vZjIPti0m8/s454/DB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDwCn7j8AOuoDt5526RQMlLWcp32zYL3759gQphDYUwI_0thBybxEwRKYH8pxGo8UmUxJwhLIwnMzeZXszz9bqsa1_wbQRnyFQyPxUV9WQ4deuSPRQu6KmpU0yrQpmgoXPcZegAytMQbQXgIkvb5-waFA82BXp1sRFOpUOHtO9wzl0IDG5vZjIPti0m8/w226-h320/DB2.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: left;"> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;"><i>"Live Music is Better" Bumper Stickers Should Be Issued!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;"><span> </span>Neil Young, <i>"Union Man" </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;"><i>They might be better off I think the way it seems to me, m</i></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: times;">aking up their own shows, which might be better than TV. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;"><span> </span>David Byrne, <i>"Found a Job"</i></span> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It take<span style="font-family: times;">s a lot for me to buy </span>a live album. They're usually a waste. If they do familiar songs faithfully, who needs it? If they do them poorly who needs it? New songs are a plus but it's only rare instances when an entire album is made up of new songs (<i>Running on Empty, Time Fades Away</i>).</div><p>If you're lucky you'll run across a well-made live album by a band you're not into yet, so even though there exist studio versions of many of the songs, you haven't heard them, so it's like getting a brand new album that happens to be live. A defacto <i>Time Fades Empty, </i>which is what happened to me when I got the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/10/blues-in-black-and-white.html" target="_blank">Fleetwood Mac</a> record last year. (and <i>Europe 72</i>, <i>Live Dead</i>, <i>Allmans at Fillmore</i>, etc.)</p><p></p><p>But there are also those sloppy-as-shit live albums like <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-song-remains-the-same-mw0000204431" target="_blank">The Song Remains the Same</a>. </i>And, no, I don't own it but the parts I heard sucked and I'm not gonna sit thru a twenty-six-minute "Dazed and Confused" unless Jake Holmes gets a royalty, and even then.... (Fully expecting Stupid-LZ-Fan-Hate-Mail now.)</p><p>And even worse are the ones with perfect renditions of studio cuts like <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/eagles-live-mw0000200567" target="_blank">The Eagles Live</a></i>. They even do a perfect rendition of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt2IFaCwTKk" target="_blank">someone else's cover version of a song</a>! Pathetic. It <i>may</i> be the point of a live <i>show </i>for some people (and to some extent I am one of those people), but a live album?? Never.</p><p>The Jaybee Gold Standard For Live Albums (or TJGSFLA, for short(er)) is one with <i>exciting/improved </i>versions of familiar songs - so that it all stands on its own as an album and the document of a live event. It's achieved more often on live jazz albums than rock/pop ones. On one hand, this makes perfect sense, since the jazz ethos is to create something new every time and they have the chops to do it. On the other, you'd think rock n' roll would give one more leeway to be sloppy, but it's surprising what a drag it is to hear your hero sing off-key. The original version of <i>Live at Leeds, </i>with its short tough rockers, and long power-chord-powered classics, works brilliantly. The expanded edition is even better overall, but Roger's better at shouting in this setting than singing the more melodic pop songs that are included.</p><p>So it took a <i>long </i>time for me to get these two live albums, which - oddly enough - were recorded around the same time, with Neil at his peak and Talking Heads approaching theirs.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>But First, a Major Digression about a Major Digression (That is Still In Progress):</b></p><p>In 1978, I was getting tired of tracking down every last <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-feat-mn0000313284" target="_blank">Little Feat</a> album to ever-diminishing returns. I was ripe for something new when Talking Heads caught my attention. They had a cool name, their new - their second - album had a very cool cover, and their single "Take Me to the River" got played on WNEW FM, the station that defined my horizons (and limitations, it would seem: I had no idea it was a cover of an Al Green song) for the 1970s. Punk seemed like a bridge too far but New Wave was definitely doable. </p><p>I read various music magazines throughout the seventies: classic-rockish <i>Hit Parader</i>, usually, but sometimes the glitter-leaning <i>Circus, </i>which had naughty words (My dad found it and banned it from the house), and occasionally <i>Creem</i>, or even <i>Crawdaddy,</i> but never the <i>Village Voice,</i> which was just asking for trouble, a tabloid being hard to hide between the mattresses. (I can just see my dad picking it up thinking for maybe three seconds it was the Daily News, and then my then-short life flashing before my eyes...)</p><p>But I kept hearing about this guy <a href="https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwKigsKTdg9BIoyk9KLSpRSM4oyiwuSU8sBQCLTgoQ&q=robert+christgau&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1008US1010&oq=robert+ch&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgBEC4YgwEYsQMYgAQyBggAEEUYOTINCAEQLhiDARixAxiABDINCAIQLhiDARixAxiABDIQCAMQLhivARjHARiABBiOBTIKCAQQABixAxiABDIQCAUQLhivARjHARiABBiOBTIGCAYQRRhBMgYIBxBFGDzSAQgzNDg3ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&si=AKbGX_qW2y9h6PBi7Qiy763JS4022bwCe6WaUjmVOiD80ui7SNV5jfsd7lg1J54dQcPeqByxjURvF_fUGn52tPwRO3nr-67arfV5icn0GJ0aHdth3XFQKnY%3D&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwjuxrOlqr2EAxVqv4kEHalgAwkQ_coHegQIUxAB" target="_blank">Robert Christgau</a>, who wrote for them who had the gall to NOT like Jackson Browne (actually it was worse than that. He found him boring). This made me very uncomfortable since I was a JB true-believer who nonetheless harbored secret nagging doubts about <i>The Pretender, </i>which is where all my friends jumped on the bandwagon, a little late alas. </p><p>Eventually, my curiosity got the best of me and I bought a copy of The Voice and found a rave review for Talking Heads <a href="https://www.amazon.com/More-Songs-About-Buildings-Food/dp/B000002KNV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14BD17FQPEP14&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yQzFaAG9jqDVh2skd7t7-bX3ZZSUqlrPEAS55CqSzXI.mNEhS_C_iiwP0xtsBS7wut64K78YWRj-S-solS-Firg&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+songs+about+buildings+and+food+cd&qid=1708376177&sprefix=more+songs+about+buildings+and+food%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>More Songs About Buildings and Food</i>,</a> by Christgau. His capsule review was - as I would learn - typically dense with ideas, but the phrase that stuck with me was "...so much beautiful (and funky) music...". <i>How about that?</i> I thought. <i>Enthusiasm! </i>(I'd come back for the ideas later.)</p><p>It was the push I needed, and hearing <i>MSABAF</i> was life-changing (if you consider music a big part of your life). The first listen was daunting. The first and last songs were fantastic, and each subsequent listen would shake loose another gem until I was a complete convert. (Yet, to this day I warn folks about David Byrne's vocals before giving my blessing.)</p><p>Like Little Feat, it wasn't their first album that was my first exposure. And that was a good thing, although I do think <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Heads-77-180g-Vinyl/dp/B001IT29FG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M00I9F8JL8Z1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zVYUqhedqhvxMv8n0BvCELN4waFVDEw49CNhkJDuXb7-qG7qD2o8iSMbVUjzS4nZlQVbiR1guG-zTazz1P42OAtFl9sT4bLq_Bd1tXDWUUVm8ClkpLPvIrpnNmp5MMUEb_KfbHRk3HshQLcKihjJrZXAEsl1xWc3oZbtvfEnGhrsJ2gYc_6c5ZvmrX0_6t5eX8ZL1uY6RN2b9M-AiMjxZU7hX8z_1-PQsth1FKOkXQ8.CW7OPxq87tFGgO5psjWq0UDWCUoIJ8CWzQqTRiqZfO4&dib_tag=se&keywords=talking+heads+77&qid=1708376348&sprefix=talking+heads+%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Talking Heads:77</a> </i>is damn near as good as MSABAF, <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2010/09/secret-history-seventies-feat-fetish-or.html" target="_blank">like how <i>Little Feat </i>was almost as good as <i>Feets Don't Fail Me Now</i>.</a></p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Music-TALKING-HEADS/dp/B000002KNY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2YWTKTYLVK2L6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N6-MLVRz_NgQA64w2KuFpvJD51GVWe6NWI-zHLwGzkob8caKDdIH3IjqUZZgbmtGvSdxf0bM-pqFDfbMS7xiRlvGgBmj4rt0_6rrrGa8bI0nMPBGfY0G4dCIjMm4my0jP72mkKSRVjlFOOuXsp81BUKT8CaAkrQPtkvz_ffyNDC_YNZJLg2zMjsqTEKr0hdWgmou2djdmqWOi8nI2g-cbT_3caSdjy1DOnzl2QnC1qw.rii0tL53J_OEfK6IEE9p8trXeEWPoEhDiyRq3jFoo6I&dib_tag=se&keywords=talking+heads+fear+of+music+cd&qid=1708376409&sprefix=talking+heads+fear%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Fear of Music</a></i> was a bit too much, though. Too much weird, not enough sweet. "Electric Guitar" and "Animals" were particularly annoying.</p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remain-Light-CD-Talking-Heads/dp/B09RQD6MHY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2YWTKTYLVK2L6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N6-MLVRz_NgQA64w2KuFpvJD51GVWe6NWI-zHLwGzkob8caKDdIH3IjqUZZgbmtGvSdxf0bM-pqFDfbMS7xiRlvGgBmj4rt0_6rrrGa8bI0nMPBGfY0G4dCIjMm4my0jP72mkKSRVjlFOOuXsp81BUKT8CaAkrQPtkvz_ffyNDC_YNZJLg2zMjsqTEKr0hdWgmou2djdmqWOi8nI2g-cbT_3caSdjy1DOnzl2QnC1qw.rii0tL53J_OEfK6IEE9p8trXeEWPoEhDiyRq3jFoo6I&dib_tag=se&keywords=talking+heads+fear+of+music+cd&qid=1708376464&sprefix=talking+heads+fear%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1" target="_blank">Remain in Light</a></i> was a rebirth that I may only now be fully appreciating. </p><p>This year is the 40th Anniversary of <i>Stop Making Sense</i>. Unless I can see it in a theater without a screaming baby, I'm not interested. When it came out, there <i>was </i>a screaming baby in the theater. Or at least I think it was in the theater. Maybe it was in the movie. (Interesting touch.)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Live and Let Live:</b></p><p>And as good as the movie was I had no desire to buy the accompanying live album. Especially since they had already put one out a couple of years before.</p><p>This one:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY0G7jIaMXkdmoEIEjuxnSU1zvpGhUpzR-VDqy_jI4dIjVmEnUy9B9_T2StO1vs2Mf3cA9rBEcKOPvQHm7yDgANaD5I4aED31rqNdaxwSrvz3nVFAW9i2bP2QkYc06Z1TaxBvPsYXWolork42jaLvU8ow26WnnpiAX929YuFJHvMxT-BoH3HAtl8u808/s329/TNOTBITH.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="329" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY0G7jIaMXkdmoEIEjuxnSU1zvpGhUpzR-VDqy_jI4dIjVmEnUy9B9_T2StO1vs2Mf3cA9rBEcKOPvQHm7yDgANaD5I4aED31rqNdaxwSrvz3nVFAW9i2bP2QkYc06Z1TaxBvPsYXWolork42jaLvU8ow26WnnpiAX929YuFJHvMxT-BoH3HAtl8u808/w200-h199/TNOTBITH.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+name+of+this+band+is+talking+heads+cd&crid=1YLQJ9NJMAPPP&sprefix=THE+NAME+OF+THIS+BAND%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_21" target="_blank">Talking Heads: </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+name+of+this+band+is+talking+heads+cd&crid=1YLQJ9NJMAPPP&sprefix=THE+NAME+OF+THIS+BAND%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_21" target="_blank">The Name of this Band is Talking Heads</a> </i></b></span></span><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+name+of+this+band+is+talking+heads+cd&crid=1YLQJ9NJMAPPP&sprefix=THE+NAME+OF+THIS+BAND%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_21" target="_blank"><b>Expanded</b> </a><b>(2004)</b></i></p><p>The earliest TH music, when they were a threesome, captured on video circa 1975 or so, is spare, tuneful, and a bit eerie. Imagine seeing David Byrne for the first time. Certainly interesting but maybe not built to last.</p><div>This set picks things up in 1977, after multi-instrumentalist Jerry Harrison (formerly with The Modern Lovers), has joined. His contributions both on guitar and keyboards add a crucial breadth to their sound. This is also the year their first album was released.</div><p>The original version of this record was 2 LPs and had 17 tracks. This expanded 2-CD edition has 33! It still covers the same 1977-81 time frame and includes about 75% of their catalog at that point. And the ommissions make sense.</p><p>With my vinyl versions of those albums gathering dust in the basement, and their old songs popping up in cover versions all over the place, I was, yes, <i>nostalgic</i> for what originally mesmerized me. So I caved and got this record. It is wonderful.</p><p>First, the band - especially the original foursome is tight, and Tina's bass is tuneful as hell. The later 10-piece incarnation is a little sloppier, and I'll admit SMS may have superior versions of the <i>Remain in Light </i>songs.</p><p>In those old videos, David Byrne/his character was <i>tentative. </i>But here, he leans into the weirdness and is a <i>monster</i>. (In a good way.)</p><p>The songs from <i>Fear of Music</i> (<i>The Pretender</i> of their albums) are an <i>improvement. </i>The music is, well, funkier and David Byrne sings his balls off. And quite a trick for someone who sounded like he had already done that.</p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">So this is a far more comprehensive set than the single CD <i>Stop Making Sense</i> soundtrack. The only thing SMS has that TNOTBITH doesn't is a few songs from </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Speaking in Tongues. </i></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">A-</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KxMhV1Hnwg" target="_blank">"Love ---> Building On Fire"</a></span></p><p><br /></p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIsuRuVr4tc-ZT_S7TY252XlAO-Qo5ISuyVDCi8eOAMyHiOlOxCrAfHcDDxkcynyh2Ck2pGzttHJvA39GmuTbMfhcXXD6_3RkgCkBiBOzUGnT0hgbfYGmyqbA76FdenGy6mKS0imFKD9kto2zYUliNTgo7MqhbtuLLYGhPUGBbKbM9-hygGrB_Z4mwlQ/s328/Neil%20Young%20Live%20Rust.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="328" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIsuRuVr4tc-ZT_S7TY252XlAO-Qo5ISuyVDCi8eOAMyHiOlOxCrAfHcDDxkcynyh2Ck2pGzttHJvA39GmuTbMfhcXXD6_3RkgCkBiBOzUGnT0hgbfYGmyqbA76FdenGy6mKS0imFKD9kto2zYUliNTgo7MqhbtuLLYGhPUGBbKbM9-hygGrB_Z4mwlQ/w200-h199/Neil%20Young%20Live%20Rust.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Live-Rust-CD-Neil-Young/dp/B0CL8ZTS2M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=336Q4LFNBTDCY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KI_CeckbPXiZL9Mm3CWRE_hYvueHR-UWOTEQs2DwywuEPcwkvOcFUJW8xdj5Y78yyoUbXd8IX8E7h5LpD7htJf7Ajqdo18oNtM2vP473RaeAR-D2Q6jIwK7beveTxp5eRsXQyrVrtIXfV1o1M7Ohh2O4xFO4P2mQ5BGLwzGbE5qCSnqU2grcKen9fXEYS1mV2sLoUbtokrLx-83Wt46FRiLLcbk-D8JYLt8C4qsWXv4.QlIHom1B_1G3qEqGNbFMWeupX_Yhd1kxMwaOd7gsZW0&dib_tag=se&keywords=neil+young+live+rust+cd&qid=1708281000&sprefix=Live+rust%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1" target="_blank">Neil Young: <i>Live Rust</i></a> (1979)</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">This one is less successful than TNOTBITH because of the issues I cited above. Neil's singing is not always on the mark, which matters less as you get to the rock and roll part, but it's still an annoyance. </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Plus what I'd call "unnecessary" songs, like "Comes a Time" and "Lotta Love" which were just fine on the great <i>Comes a Time, </i>and the live versions of songs that were live to begin with just a few months prior on <i>Rust Never Sleeps</i>: "My My Hey Hey" (and vice versa), "Sedan Delivery", "Powderfinger".</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I'm glad I have a live version of "Tonight's the Night", "I Am A Child" and "Sugar Mountain", but to be honest, none are <i>superior </i>to their prior versions.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Another issue is that a lot of these songs are staples of Classic Rock Radio so many are overplayed as it is. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">So it's not surprising that on my first play, I was meh. </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">But the 2nd listen, when I was in the mood for Neil, (and Mrs Jaybee was in the mood for a murder show) I put on my headphones and settled in. Pretty soon Mrs. Jaybee is telling me to stop stomping my foot. It was getting in the way of the murders I think. Go Figure.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Which all goes to show how f*ckin' great these songs are. </span></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400;">But I'm playing Talking Heads more.</span></b></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">B+</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/uCnYF9ablWc?si=IYWH9AZIAgRy-Q0u" target="_blank">"Tonight's the Night"</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Live and Let Die:</b></span></p><p>Christgau was right about something else, too: <i>Running On Empty </i>is better than <i>The Pretender.</i></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-54521362055613519962024-01-25T17:30:00.000-05:002024-01-25T17:30:45.656-05:00The 13th Annual Jaybee-bies: 23 and Me<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFh8pas_KVIDNTqkNoU7IC6ayc2rSq6NM2DdyFmi_cdsTDZw5uHnPYPJOxrILRSC5-6o4fsoEK1uUMLrKKu73LjiUrzwvhZYIEdB7xU1v7vDYhfJVNzyT7UIotl2HX5eBzFLe9kEjP9192m8CBp_Kql3J9_TOo-yPftEu2S-tjEMdepUFtQg5DDHgT8/s612/Alex%20g.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alex G, Not Jesus C" border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFh8pas_KVIDNTqkNoU7IC6ayc2rSq6NM2DdyFmi_cdsTDZw5uHnPYPJOxrILRSC5-6o4fsoEK1uUMLrKKu73LjiUrzwvhZYIEdB7xU1v7vDYhfJVNzyT7UIotl2HX5eBzFLe9kEjP9192m8CBp_Kql3J9_TOo-yPftEu2S-tjEMdepUFtQg5DDHgT8/w400-h400/Alex%20g.jpg" title="Alex G, Not Jesus C" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex G, Not Jesus C</td></tr></tbody></table><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b><p></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Executive Summary:</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Music: Pop good. Jazz and Blues great.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Music/Personal: Still striving for competence on guitar. </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Personal: I'm a grandfather now, and getting close to retirement.</span></p><p>Politics: Too many wars, dictators, climate deniers, and general assholery.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Abstract:</b></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times;">Pop in a holding pattern.</span></span></div><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;">Jazz strikes back. </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;">The Blues never went away.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;">Oldies make a comeback. </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: times;">Fascists making a comeback, too, and way too many people are okay with it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">(Note: Shouldn't abstracts be longer than executive summaries??)</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Humans:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><u>Best:</u></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The same group as last year but with one addition:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">An ex-President - Jimmy Carter</span></li></ul><p></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Worst:</u></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">And the bar just keeps getting lower:</span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Jim Jordan</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Tucker Carlson/</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Jesse Watters/</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Marc Levin/</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Laura Ingraham (what's plural for despicable?)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Elise Stefanik</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">An ex-President. You Know Who.</span></span></li><li>The Usual Suspects</li></ul><p></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best Books:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Railroad-Novel-Colson-Whitehead/dp/0345804325/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IRTIR94ZZGQT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AuvIyTZ6dknt_v8wdDxcE5UlkIt7BgvYar7rFNUsnSlK3NHCOS6uWO9RFCtJxO6kfRdXAk_j6nPzrIShRE26m7Q-OJstMHS1QWXaf4UHQRRUyybPHJzxMQtdb5EKQw9haLDq4w2OscGhB9lSUMN50IW3AY_KvAJ0-rE6k4oip2LiPOR5qBemtowtRJmZoZuMBpNhI1PIfp7gDzy6W2qFw3Scx7T8pFVGtLn067CyYik.-Fzwk1WhpCBpdEHoKWGx0-mFIkdK52YFuS_LFEjJZYw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+underground+railroad+by+colson+whitehead&qid=1705754003&sprefix=the+underground%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i><b>The Underground Railroad</b></i> by Colson Whitehead</a> - Pre-Civil War slavery with a bit of fantasy thrown in. </span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Known-World-Edward-P-Jones/dp/0061159174/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AFWRKC7NY0V2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Pbdbp1LPbi4sEVotuEneMyTvyGFQij1_7u2uUQO3DM3HPR9L5xIDkVFBvttoeItALrm61NKKJbtCat2yVjXsX3lVNUfM9IQ6qGvbrJ2RLhaKsKBiEnmwujdi56erUZnU7kSPmGNvYuRhBr8-XevnoK08XxUyjhoZkmQYMMukEk9KOoxmPX1-quNKouDQA-lEMpzOmkP9kbU5b084rVU4jD00PhDSF5ZKTZOOksyAOFY.k4bRSTym5Qj9IVnQwnOZEa1pmeJqQBSXGcT7-GqDiDc&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+known+world+by+edward+p.+jones&qid=1705754083&sprefix=the+known+w%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i><b>The Known World</b></i> by Edward P. Jones </a>- Pre-Civil War slavery with no fantasy, or illusions, for that matter.</span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Say-Nothing-Murder-Northern-Ireland/dp/0307279286/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BXH6YT48QYS9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ekXe3S-dd9tzAXE9SWlY6P2tu0t9Sxs_JQB0kVYw0iCY-oa-OmuuqFRzB6G21qMyo3zaid_d5QJZeF3tBb5_jOvrpE_2YuZueUMA2aTpDb3PVvU8qO2MytyPwYDcO2ySk3umh4uXr4-W9w8mwGeB8QXQ_70wikCsTY1BvkEY1dvr9zHesDDP5AlLIMwtZRbLtR9lciE7jNKqaLHr--fSbou9fRJSEa85_xzsksv6XKQ.fxcFlzmRkqTY7GIsjI8igx-k429wIc42OYczf_sXapY&dib_tag=se&keywords=say+nothing+patrick+radden+keefe&qid=1705754274&sprefix=say+noth%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i><b>Say Nothing</b></i> by Patrick Radden Keefe</a> - The Troubles. F*ck you, Gerry Adams. </span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Criminals-Ramblers-Gamblers-Survivors/dp/1477324992/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M6CDL24A2ID5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KjAGB1sVVIT4a3_-B7d8sT7cxIAQFf3YfeApnyH3QMuwYaFtY0vjikz8Idvj_8NSE5Q-llLlvTFbVxBKDnLZ52sfnK_qPAxJWVsDkTbHZ01DiRoZBbkVR30rUNJZxTteFvLXlSjywTD_2hpXnNvE3g.tP-Jl4wEbfatHLlr5_TmQhcKtGilnH9s7HYt8C4pnag&dib_tag=se&keywords=quantum+criminals+alex+pappademas&qid=1705754351&sprefix=quantum+crimina%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i><b>Quantum Criminals</b></i> by Alex Pappademas and Joan Lemay</a> - Steely Dan, for better or even better than that.</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Best Movies:<span> </span></b></span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Poor Things</i></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Oppenheimer</i></span></span></li></ul><p></p><p>I'm sure there were other good ones, but I don't get out much.</p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best TV:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Ted Lasso</i></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>The White Lotus</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>The Bear</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Baby J</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Slow Horses</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Reservation Dogs</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Catastrophe</i></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Suddenly I'm a couch potato.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Best Concerts:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">None. I'm still waiting for one that's worth time/trouble/$.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Music Awards:</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><u>Most Work (But Worth it): </u></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001K4B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Various Artists: <i>The Music of Erik Satie</i></a></span></li></ul><p></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Most Work (And Possibly Not Worth It): </u></p><p>Educationally worth it, musically, not so much: all that time spent on Lou Reed, and specifically his <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-2-in-lou-of-great-music.html" target="_blank">first five solo records</a>. Granted, it was wonderful to re-listen to the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-1-lou-velvet.html" target="_blank">VU albums</a>, and the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/09/summer-of-lou-3-skip-to-my-lou.html" target="_blank">good LR solo-ish records</a>. But I was hearing those first five from scratch. A<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">nd none of them cracked my top ten. Some way to spend the summer, huh?</span></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Most Surprising (and Not Necessarily in a Good Way): </u></p><p>But this year it <i>is </i>in a good way! (Lou Reed doesn't count, because I didn't have high hopes to begin with. Thank god for the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2581857629272011275/5452136205561351996#" target="_blank">Steely Dan book</a>. I finally got to it after Christmas. I should have read it sooner. It reminded me of how they produced way more great music in the 1970s than Reed managed. They weren’t exactly summer breezes either but at least they had something to show for it.</p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Most Disappointing: </u></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/04/springtime-for-hitl-er-pop-music.html" target="_blank">The Dismemberment Plan: <i>Emergency & I</i></a></span></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best Nostalgia:</u></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-name-of-this-band-is-talking-heads-mw0000199932" target="_blank">Talking Heads: </a><i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-name-of-this-band-is-talking-heads-mw0000199932" target="_blank">The Name of this Band Is Talking Heads</a> - </i>They really were a great band with great songs, just like I thought.</span></span></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best Artist: </u></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfDbMNwPHj57pnfGj8zuqTxCvyuRH1oSwZcOdIMhNAkiNo7Y2ReHZ37SjGqdVsCcxxaFPHgqd-atxvu_Lkaix37zGndNav7QclMaRgM-569Uq4-Piv8Dks3xUw6D-QL6utae2ICYhEginVYHq-Yt_oT8Qf7z8xPV0zH9Muao_BRfqcyvdAA_sHNQdMM4/s521/Miles%20Davis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfDbMNwPHj57pnfGj8zuqTxCvyuRH1oSwZcOdIMhNAkiNo7Y2ReHZ37SjGqdVsCcxxaFPHgqd-atxvu_Lkaix37zGndNav7QclMaRgM-569Uq4-Piv8Dks3xUw6D-QL6utae2ICYhEginVYHq-Yt_oT8Qf7z8xPV0zH9Muao_BRfqcyvdAA_sHNQdMM4/s320/Miles%20Davis.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><p>Miles Davis, due to sheer volume. </p></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I got </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">ten </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">(eight new) albums by him, a</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">nd aside from </span><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-of-that-jazz.html" target="_blank"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Bag's Groove</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> and </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Aghartha</i></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">, I haven't gotten to the bottom of any of them yet.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The eight new ones came from two "Four Classic Album" collections. Here <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/miles-davis-mn0000423829#discography" target="_blank">they</a> are:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Cookin'</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Steamin'</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Workin'</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Relaxin'</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Miles Ahead</i></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Sketches of Spain</i></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Porgy and Bess</i></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><i>Elevator to the Gallows</i></span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I <i>will</i> get to this before I die.</span></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best Albums of My Year:</u></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">At first, I felt like I had to split genres this year because it seemed ridiculous to put Alex G ahead of <i>Roots of Jazz Funk</i>. But because I lean pop-centric, I'm enjoying Alex more right now. In a couple of years, though, who knows if that'll still be true? </span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">But goddamn it, my pop-<i>democratic</i> brain decided to mix them back up. The only true genre is Good, and that's subjective anyway.</span></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/06/stands-for-giannascoli.html" target="_blank">Alex G: <i>God Save the Animals</i></a></b></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/05/rehearsals-for-retirement.html" target="_blank">The Beths: <i>Expert in a Dying Field</i></a></b></span></span></li><li><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-4-having-said-all.html" target="_blank">Various Artists: <i>Roots of Jazz Funk</i></a></b></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-record-mw0003910086" target="_blank"><b>Galaxie 500:<i> On Fire</i></b></a></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-of-that-jazz.html" target="_blank">Duke Ellington Orchestra: <i>At Newport</i></a></b></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/04/springtime-for-hitl-er-pop-music.html" target="_blank">Talk Talk: <i>Spirit of Eden</i></a></b></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/04/springtime-for-hitl-er-pop-music.html" target="_blank">The Smile: <i>A Light for Attracting Attention</i></a></b></span></span></li><li><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-of-that-jazz.html" target="_blank">Miles Davis: <i>Bag's Groove</i></a></b></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/10/blues-in-black-and-white.html" target="_blank">Fleetwood Mac: <i>Live at the Boston Tea Party, Vol. 1.</i></a></b></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/genius-of-modern-music-vol-2-mw0000011837" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk: <i>Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2</i></a></b></span></span></li></ol><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Honorable Mentions/Also-Rans/Tieds for Tenth:</span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </b><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-4-having-said-all.html" target="_blank">John Coltrane: </a><i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-4-having-said-all.html" target="_blank">Africa Brass,</a> </i><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/daydream-hangover/1673868168" target="_blank">Forlorne: <i>Daydream Hangover</i></a>, </b><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-4-having-said-all.html" target="_blank">Sun Ra: </a><i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-4-having-said-all.html" target="_blank">Lanquidity</a>, </i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/04/springtime-for-hitl-er-pop-music.html" target="_blank">Alvvays<i>: Blue Rev</i></a></b></p><p></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Oh, and Mrs. Jaybee's Favorites:</u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/first-two-pages-of-frankenstein-mw0003942199" target="_blank">The National:<i> The First Two Pages of Frankenstein</i></a></span></span></li><li><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-record-mw0003910086" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" target="_blank">boygenius: <i>the record</i></a></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">What can I say? She's way better at staying current than I am.</span></div><p></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Best Compilations:</u></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-of-that-jazz.html" target="_blank">Ella Fitzgerald</a></b></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-record-mw0003910086" target="_blank">Coasters</a></b></span></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-of-that-jazz.html" target="_blank">Billie Holiday</a></b></span></span></li></ol><p></p><p><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Album I listened to the most but had the least to Say About (Due to Density – Mine, not the music's.)</u></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001K4B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Erik Satie: <i>The Music of Satie</i></a></b></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Some of the best songs - including some great jazz - I heard this year can be found <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6JSJJDbfefNn5zCPwY0Voz?si=3739112f2a6b4b72" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Conclusions:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">A new granddaughter has pushed my musical concerns back to somewhat normal proportions. A positive development I think.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;">Pop was good but not great, a crucial difference. It does make me wonder if I'm all Popped out. Maybe I'm at that point where I get off the fence and stick to finding great older records and give up on current stuff. I've felt this way before and what typically happens is that someone puts out a pop album that completely dominates my imagination. I hope it happens. I'd like to avoid geezerdom if possible.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Jazz and blues filled the gap. The former via new records and the latter by dipping into ones I already had, more or less. (Sorry that BB and Sonny Boy count as 2022 records I just hadn't gotten to yet.)</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Still nice to still have a democracy. But I'm worried.</span></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-11493305280238161972023-12-28T06:58:00.002-05:002023-12-28T06:58:41.456-05:00 Meh-ry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICDjuZEpaq5vX3jIJhLsFh0iMpQrBenpWCmp-D-qYAUow8-ndYu_Lq0iYXodqYIKWQxLbosLwtS5JlJozf0VcXwe3DSO6R3AqkbcjGV6Z_c9qsMv1A5moDRrc_5ikn55W0mf2-J0T3CzfmIEL3TXv4hHrXFV1TJy-hmVsrL4BYdwLnHqcuLaUgu522og/s480/meh.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICDjuZEpaq5vX3jIJhLsFh0iMpQrBenpWCmp-D-qYAUow8-ndYu_Lq0iYXodqYIKWQxLbosLwtS5JlJozf0VcXwe3DSO6R3AqkbcjGV6Z_c9qsMv1A5moDRrc_5ikn55W0mf2-J0T3CzfmIEL3TXv4hHrXFV1TJy-hmVsrL4BYdwLnHqcuLaUgu522og/w400-h300/meh.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Okay, so the title <i>is </i>opportunistic and misleading since the actual meh-ness occurred in the fall. And it's possible I've used it before but it's our duty to recycle, so...</p><p>I've been listening to so much great jazz this year it muscled out pop music, which has been merely good. And just as the perfect is the enemy of the good, the good can also the enemy of the bad, which is at least good for a laugh.</p><p>But no one's laughing now.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpD4LGftm8APuXaO8INw_zZb8moxA96j3TrsoXr34iqImdgq4LHF48pahuDmVLwFnkPQG77WrJurpRPHPrN9c5_J_ybUmbTNtn0QYeefqiwZkgf7QnxlwIL0tGDek8w2uXuMt1sgs1ivVqtAlz5GeRdtPvPISO95K3LpC5PghxW4bg9ZPwtCYcLMW8Jk/s327/Primal%20Scream.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpD4LGftm8APuXaO8INw_zZb8moxA96j3TrsoXr34iqImdgq4LHF48pahuDmVLwFnkPQG77WrJurpRPHPrN9c5_J_ybUmbTNtn0QYeefqiwZkgf7QnxlwIL0tGDek8w2uXuMt1sgs1ivVqtAlz5GeRdtPvPISO95K3LpC5PghxW4bg9ZPwtCYcLMW8Jk/w200-h200/Primal%20Scream.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Screamadelica/dp/B00005G3X7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=JPBZZ0IR6ODZ&keywords=screamadelica+cd&qid=1702779499&sprefix=screamadelica+cd%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Primal Scream: <i>Screamadelica</i></a> </b>(1991)</p><p>This UK psychedelic/dance/dub and sometimes rock record starts off well enough but drags from there on, so nothing here really sticks to your ribs.</p><p>Loud and proud like <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2021/09/on-being-here-to-stay-never-forgetting.html">Spiritualized</a>, with (slightly) shorter (but still too long) songs. I want to say they're more focused, but when they repeat the title phrase of "Come Together" (Yeah, they're not great at coming up with original titles) for eight minutes, I realize there's such a thing as being <i>too</i> focused. </p><p>Excellent production by Jimmy Miller of Stones fame, and great backup singing, but I only put it on out of curiosity.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVm3mJPn5tE" target="_blank">"Movin' On Up"</a> (see what I mean?)</p><p><br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSB-j-sfdXBtmldvOFIgAFDpTyhUEv8Yl6xmVMPWjuDhZWaO8hsPcV0Y9rKqasAVShWSZiQmpynojgo_2rtNbhoV2NFJPqLZ4KXCgd3tGjpAwBKw-UiBmFmhFsw_YTn6tqu4o1mH9d70aEYFT4dI-8SD2b9TSjBujzgbyp95M4TLIsMZUvVW8XMXYwfuQ/s425/Laura%20Marling.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="425" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSB-j-sfdXBtmldvOFIgAFDpTyhUEv8Yl6xmVMPWjuDhZWaO8hsPcV0Y9rKqasAVShWSZiQmpynojgo_2rtNbhoV2NFJPqLZ4KXCgd3tGjpAwBKw-UiBmFmhFsw_YTn6tqu4o1mH9d70aEYFT4dI-8SD2b9TSjBujzgbyp95M4TLIsMZUvVW8XMXYwfuQ/w200-h200/Laura%20Marling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Song-Our-Daughter-LAURA-MARLING/dp/B087SDHPWR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14OOB75Y3Y05Z&keywords=song+for+our+daughter+vinyl&qid=1702779703&sprefix=song+for+our+%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Laura Marling: <i>Song for Our Daughter</i></a> </b>(2020)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Another UK artist. And like Primal Scream, it starts off great and then drifts a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>She's a little bit Joni, a little bit <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-god.html" target="_blank">Judee Sill</a>, a little bit <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Weather Station</a>. I’m embarrassed to admit it but I prefer the recent <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-young-to-feel-great-again.html" target="_blank">girly</a> (and thus potentially sarcastic) voices to the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2021/11/theres-surprisingly-thick-line-between.html" target="_blank">serious</a> ones, which can be mocked.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>I do not <i>not </i>like this record - I'm not suffering when it's on (that William Faulkner quote may be applicable) but it's not one I get excited about. Expert singing and songwriting. Down-to-earth folkish music. And I want to listen to the lyrics. Perhaps a little more change of pace and dynamics would have made it better? </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Given the choice, though, I'll put it on before I put on Primal Scream.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>B+</b></div><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOIxtDuLwSQ" target="_blank">"Alexandra"</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1Y6Q9gKOTU17RPlJcWrzhnpA_CaEq-Uu879IE6wuo9qaF-AMfAxZhF53pDUTme6qus_EFCDgOl8qD6rQ_3LosTuByMh27YlTejxfn7f31uSVOO8X8VzT9hGqVUZPO7H0wLYd_HPgwE2LBeAByufVRiut7YT8a9e77UoxXmF4-cGPe5Mih1F9Idh_-hw/s327/Tame%20Impala%20Currents.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1Y6Q9gKOTU17RPlJcWrzhnpA_CaEq-Uu879IE6wuo9qaF-AMfAxZhF53pDUTme6qus_EFCDgOl8qD6rQ_3LosTuByMh27YlTejxfn7f31uSVOO8X8VzT9hGqVUZPO7H0wLYd_HPgwE2LBeAByufVRiut7YT8a9e77UoxXmF4-cGPe5Mih1F9Idh_-hw/w200-h200/Tame%20Impala%20Currents.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Currents-Tame-Impala/dp/B00XBWBWBK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3B9BEY8RCDAXJ&keywords=tame+impala+cd&qid=1702779857&sprefix=Tame+im%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Tame Impala: <i>Currents</i></a> </b>(2015)</p><p>This time out Kevin Parker's melodies ride a wash of dance beats and synths. I miss the sloppy psychedelia of <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2013/03/jaybee-gets-out-of-bed-in-2013.html" target="_blank">Lonerism</a></i>, though. I guess I would prefer to hang out with a stoner for an hour than a car salesman.</p><p>Perfectly listenable, though.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_opF2Dn6Fk4" target="_blank">"The Moment"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVI36P6R5EMlKQSHelR4btmlxDHvPPa9GrU3UxzlabSTMR45srzoVUFYH9XKB0eU14Vs94FcthackmvVtKt9elp2pGGbD2qQo9qgZgwpBSi_sCNXKt80imKGeetA7cF8O_ptesuxjl0yAO9zbyBFLcrfNw1zcT3AZSuPGY-mpu6kMqF0sreospVooFPA/s480/Wednesday.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVI36P6R5EMlKQSHelR4btmlxDHvPPa9GrU3UxzlabSTMR45srzoVUFYH9XKB0eU14Vs94FcthackmvVtKt9elp2pGGbD2qQo9qgZgwpBSi_sCNXKt80imKGeetA7cF8O_ptesuxjl0yAO9zbyBFLcrfNw1zcT3AZSuPGY-mpu6kMqF0sreospVooFPA/w200-h200/Wednesday.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rat-Saw-God-Wednesday/dp/B0BSLWTHNH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FLUOSUZR79IL&keywords=wednesday+%22rat+saw+god%22+cd&qid=1702780169&sprefix=wednesday+rat+saw+god+cd%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Wednesday: <i>Rat Saw God</i></a> </b>(2023)</p><p>This record is so f*cking intense, it can be too hard to take. There's an eight-minute cut where the female singer sounds like she's being murdered, for instance. (I am <i>not </i>exagerrating.)</p><p> After that, things calm down a bit and the melodies and guitars really ring out. Then I hear a pedal steel guitar and I realize they're playing <i>country </i>rock and roll, like early seventies Neil Young.</p><p>Sort of the opposite of Laura Marling.</p><p>When they're good they're fantastic, which may entice me to give the murder songs another try. </p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJNFOO9UHX4" target="_blank">"Chosen to Deserve"</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXPWt8gHxV88Wein7ion-Y4STO8j4mYAcCFka2pibCqimpYXFJJnwG6hfqw7GHHCk9vYt8WEjah2i8AQp7zHH2gAoTcQ-4Hdo_BKombBPr1MbwdlnEpigb9xbdl77GJ9aXQ2QaPZ2c7uwaEYPmla6p76UpKslEGx5YJ6mrh-RJSNPGZrcCN9HnYT3o5s/s328/Selling%20England%20by%20the%20Pound.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="328" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXPWt8gHxV88Wein7ion-Y4STO8j4mYAcCFka2pibCqimpYXFJJnwG6hfqw7GHHCk9vYt8WEjah2i8AQp7zHH2gAoTcQ-4Hdo_BKombBPr1MbwdlnEpigb9xbdl77GJ9aXQ2QaPZ2c7uwaEYPmla6p76UpKslEGx5YJ6mrh-RJSNPGZrcCN9HnYT3o5s/w200-h199/Selling%20England%20by%20the%20Pound.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Selling-England-Pound-GENESIS/dp/B000002J1O/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KVVIJXB02NV8&keywords=selling+england+by+the+pound&qid=1702780266&sprefix=selling+england+by+the+pound%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Genesis: <i>Selling England By the Pound</i></a> </b>(1973)</p><p>One of the better prog-rock albums I've heard. The last time I tried PR was King Crimson, which was pretty good but oh so serious. Luckily Peter Gabriel is more modest than pretentious and is thus easier to take than Robert Fripp.</p><p>Here, they make sure there are melodies to accompany the keyboard histrionics. (As much piano as organ thank god.) Some actual guitar, too! </p><p>Of course, I have no idea what the story is about. Figuring that out might ruin the fun.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vyh1UeM57w" target="_blank">"I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)"</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu7yq_QjbHv6Bu_mHTcVrFc9odBGlqc0dSwdq6i0hz25-PgXlIgoij_E-AO9B40XsnCD9aW4JfEjZWFfKOsNce2PtfgdqJ3jHclOrt7vjdsrNnNMOyyJDJQzZwClp6_-t74O5OHLeJ6-xEJcUc0D1vchIQb4eKpG9UTSArmVocPwHerDpF11yt-RuZd0/s327/Galaxie%20500.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="326" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu7yq_QjbHv6Bu_mHTcVrFc9odBGlqc0dSwdq6i0hz25-PgXlIgoij_E-AO9B40XsnCD9aW4JfEjZWFfKOsNce2PtfgdqJ3jHclOrt7vjdsrNnNMOyyJDJQzZwClp6_-t74O5OHLeJ6-xEJcUc0D1vchIQb4eKpG9UTSArmVocPwHerDpF11yt-RuZd0/w199-h200/Galaxie%20500.webp" width="199" /></a></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Galaxie-500/dp/B0000009QN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QJBAKD5HSK4M&keywords=galaxie+500+on+fire+cd&qid=1703293470&sprefix=on+fire+galaxie%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Galaxie 500: </a></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Galaxie-500/dp/B0000009QN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QJBAKD5HSK4M&keywords=galaxie+500+on+fire+cd&qid=1703293470&sprefix=on+fire+galaxie%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1" target="_blank">On Fire</a> </i>(1989)</p><p>Kinda slow, but if you're tired it comes as a relief. Three then-young people are playing simple, familiar chord progressions and melodies (because that's all they know?) and slow them down so you get their full majesty. </p><p>But just to make it strange, the band - which does have a female member - uses one of the guys to sing the higher parts. It's like listening to "Cortez the Killer" with Neil singing it in his "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" voice.</p><p>The guitar solos are pretty rudimentary but get the job done. And on their cover of New Order's "Ceremony", they damn near improve it.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJUp4k4b41k&list=OLAK5uy_l8dCJgxXdUpTyY1Uje-IQA5vLyo7Y1LbY&index=2" target="_blank">"Tell Me"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesBSbXpoReVFnelH2YK_xJvk_m4rjDum0c-rxgTzU_h_MzZbZwRqRXIF0LR9_z99Bveax4s1eSocg5NinrPtrTHejUEfJNZPSL5fzgnxDgtgHJ5ekNeCLTJ2asb_7Vl1tcrA8kHndcBIMzxbwM6Vk890BHi3qrdOp3WiQgYxZEh1XxZV0WF0xFdsMwpE/s480/Coasters.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="480" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesBSbXpoReVFnelH2YK_xJvk_m4rjDum0c-rxgTzU_h_MzZbZwRqRXIF0LR9_z99Bveax4s1eSocg5NinrPtrTHejUEfJNZPSL5fzgnxDgtgHJ5ekNeCLTJ2asb_7Vl1tcrA8kHndcBIMzxbwM6Vk890BHi3qrdOp3WiQgYxZEh1XxZV0WF0xFdsMwpE/w200-h177/Coasters.webp" width="200" /></a></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/50-Coastin-Hits-Coasters/dp/B0000032WC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11OD37X54TC0F&keywords=50+coastin%27+classics&qid=1703268576&sprefix=50+coastin%27+classics%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Coasters: <i>50 Coastin' Classics</i></a> </b>(1992)</p><p>I used to <i>hate</i> '50s music. I was born in 1957, so, to me, the Beatles were the real Big Bang, not Elvis, and all good music started in 1963, etc.</p><p>And I was at the height of my anti-anti-rock snobbery - where I equated seriousness with quality - when people started listening to oldies stations. I was outraged! There was nothing wrong with current music! As Carly Simon said, these <i>are</i> the good old days! You don't need to feel nostalgic for another time. </p><p>Plus, '50s music was silly. The sound quality sucked, guitars were not prominent, and guys sang like girls.</p><p>Okay this seems a bit overboard, but then again 50s music made me feel a bit over-bored (see what I did there?)?(??)</p><p>I've come around a bit since then. Reluctantly exploring Chuck Berry, Elvis, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers. The turning point came with <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/history-of-new-orleans-r-b-vol-1-mw0000652901" target="_blank">History of New Orleans R&B, Vol. 1</a></i>, which is such a terrific record I began to see the whole era in a different light.</p><p>So from that point, I was willing to explore other lesser-known (to me) artists of the era. I'm up to C.</p><p>From the get-go, the songs are tuneful and funny - and silly!!! - the band is committed and the singing is right on the mark every time. Plus Leiber and Stoller wrote almost all of these songs and produced most of them, too.</p><p>Any record that packs in "Riot in Cell Block", "Smokey Joe's Cafe", "Youngblood", "Yakety Yak", "Along Came Jones" and "Poison Ivy" (I could go on...) all in one place is really special.</p><p>A delight.</p><p><b>A</b></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-63669748338245846392023-11-24T18:28:00.000-05:002023-11-24T18:28:27.380-05:00Some of That Jazz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxa6FQ2jyH23UI1-GCWATi3wdx-V-y4Cb2Hkkfl5BxouNcVGMmYID5jsZkoFyvh63FzM9jMuNz59kL63QRS_ygwTu5La3WrKTpQVESKzMUdTI159jLFOEJPTxm2_Wp9IcELFM35V94eaGFQWaBpYs0eQIi4rwo2D7ld8ChJOg7JTsXuKOf86HCbTEKac/s699/Miles%20Davis%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxa6FQ2jyH23UI1-GCWATi3wdx-V-y4Cb2Hkkfl5BxouNcVGMmYID5jsZkoFyvh63FzM9jMuNz59kL63QRS_ygwTu5La3WrKTpQVESKzMUdTI159jLFOEJPTxm2_Wp9IcELFM35V94eaGFQWaBpYs0eQIi4rwo2D7ld8ChJOg7JTsXuKOf86HCbTEKac/w218-h320/Miles%20Davis%202.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ah, Jazz. You only take up 5% of my record collection, but lately, you've been taking up half of my listening. </div><p>Rock 'n roll got a fifteen-year head start on you in my house. And you could never make up that ground as long as pop would remain my default setting. I'd only visit the Jazz section of the record store after having thoroughly combed the Pop bins. </p><p>But you were never an afterthought. You were always there, just over the horizon, beckoning, reminding me that if I truly was the music lover I imagined myself to be, I'd need to broaden my horizons. </p><p>I was one of those very <i>serious</i> teenagers. At <i>least</i> as annoying as the Zeppelin-loving potheads. I had to prove to my parents - but mostly myself - that "rock music" was as good as, or better than, any other kind of music, So I pulled away from anything simplistic or hedonistic, preferring the Allman Brothers and the Dead, probably because I could point to their virtuosity as proof of their superiority. </p><p>I also dabbled in prog rock. It's harder to play so it must be "better" right?</p><p>Luckily, for me, rock had a way of flipping the script. As I got older that very serious-sounding prog rock began to come off as a bit pompous and silly, whereas unpretentious records like "Louie Louie" became a source of joy. </p><p>All it really took was a sense of humor. Once I got one of those I embraced the joy wherever I could find it while still shunning the downright stupid. </p><p>Once I found my way, it opened up whole new vistas and old ones I had previously dismissed. And as long as I kept exploring things would never have time to get stale. And while rock is the greatest thing, it's not the only thing. Eventually, I'd make my way outside of rock altogether. </p><p>The most obvious places to go were Classical and Jazz, the latter being more welcoming because it had - scoff if you will - some similarities to rock music. Melodies, rhythm, passion, and blues, to name a few. So there was a way in.</p><p>But Jazz, you could still be <i>work</i>. Your songs came from the pre-Beatles era, and your chords were rarely just major or minor, thus your solos were for a time unfathomable. Also, your sound quality really didn't get good until the 1950s, which is why I latched onto small combos (like the Beatles, Jaybee?) rather than big bands. It wasn't simple, but I persisted. </p><p>Okay, I'll stop talking <i>to </i>Jazz at this point. (He/she <i>never</i> does answer.)</p><p>Perhaps I needed to convey that my expertise in Jazz is very limited (Not that I can be trusted with Pop, where my taste tends to skew weird. What till I tell you about that Galaxie 500 record I just got...) so it takes me a while to get my head around most Jazz records. </p><p>Add to that my propensity to deep dive where I barely have the right to dip my toe, and it can take forever. I have a long, meandering unpublished post on three multi-album collections (Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk) adding up to, oh, 28 f*cking albums. </p><p><br /></p><p>But very occasionally I slow down and <i>focus. </i>I'll get less voluminous collections and actually pay attention to them. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tz-T98Ghd9HatqY40Mzjvno8bAs35GycrPDLhwulGKKWy8XDEu4apotqdRoBYVa8VIIZIreEmF1WNR9nN5GFg3w58Pf2uKKqjP5wQEM-0vw_a_90rltVEy8llPIKgnUewzq5bixVNwbuLEacwUGP27dEx95ie8c4YvbKJPzyRy88kaQBMD3z_SOpHBc/s327/EF%20CP.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tz-T98Ghd9HatqY40Mzjvno8bAs35GycrPDLhwulGKKWy8XDEu4apotqdRoBYVa8VIIZIreEmF1WNR9nN5GFg3w58Pf2uKKqjP5wQEM-0vw_a_90rltVEy8llPIKgnUewzq5bixVNwbuLEacwUGP27dEx95ie8c4YvbKJPzyRy88kaQBMD3z_SOpHBc/w200-h200/EF%20CP.webp" width="200" /></a></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sings-Cole-Porter-Songbook-FITZGERALD/dp/B0034JKYZK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YODVL9VFGV7Q&keywords=ella+fitzgerald+cole+porter&qid=1699750809&sprefix=ella+fitzgerald+cole+porter%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Ella Fitzgerald: <i>Sings the Cole Porter Songbook</i></a></b></p><p>A while back, Mrs. Jaybee picked up the <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/75th-birthday-celebration-mw0000099153" target="_blank">Ella Fitzgerald 75th Birthday Celebration</a></i> to teach her students about scat singing. While it's a perfectly good collection, I was already completely obsessed with the Magnetic Fields' <i>3-</i>CD <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/69-love-songs-mw0000601205" style="font-style: italic;">69 Love Songs</a><i> </i>which we got at the same time. So there goes Pop shoving Jazz out of the way again.</p><p>Years passed and I felt no compunction to get anything more from Ella Fitzgerald. I'd gotten her best of, didn't I? </p><p>But whenever I'd peruse various GOAT Jazz Album lists, there she'd be with her Cole Porter songbook. I only knew Porter from what I heard on <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Hot-Blue-Various-Artists/dp/B000008JUM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L5L71YEQGKWT&keywords=red+hot+and+blue+cole+porter+cd&qid=1699809120&sprefix=red+hot+and+blue+%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Red Hot and Blue</a>. </i>No need for more, right? Right?</p><div>25 years later...</div><div><br /></div><div>As much pop as it is jazz, <i>The Cole Porter Songbook </i>is a delight throughout. The clever lyrics and cleverer melodies turn out to be a perfect fit for that incomparable voice, and these thirty-five delightful songs glide by in no time at all. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>A</b></div><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NTO2n35Xo0" target="_blank">"Anything Goes"</a></p><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlep61S4nNkNsOaf1DWABRT9Z65nmLySA_EZ_BvTJudatPdOriHx1krk_C6BknmhFR3Jo0xc2kLJDhyphenhyphenWbuizw3yYTP0t13NC1nS1rPGuNmsL-VtVRAPgnW9_2vg6PTpT_V1Mc9giPsbmf9Lw8fkXxrl3aPEzODjoc3aPyi2w0eV4gTalkYKmgmXXO08bA/s327/DE%20Newport.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlep61S4nNkNsOaf1DWABRT9Z65nmLySA_EZ_BvTJudatPdOriHx1krk_C6BknmhFR3Jo0xc2kLJDhyphenhyphenWbuizw3yYTP0t13NC1nS1rPGuNmsL-VtVRAPgnW9_2vg6PTpT_V1Mc9giPsbmf9Lw8fkXxrl3aPEzODjoc3aPyi2w0eV4gTalkYKmgmXXO08bA/w200-h200/DE%20Newport.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ellington-At-Newport-1956-Duke/dp/B00000IMYA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26VLGSPHR0R9&keywords=duke+ellington+at+newport+1956+complete&qid=1699750547&sprefix=duke+ellington+at+newpo%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Duke Ellington: <i>At Newport 1956 Complete</i></a></b></p><p>In a case of deja vu all over again, I'd gotten the very fine 3-CD <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/highlights-from-the-duke-ellington-centennial-edition-1927-1973-mw0000057264#userReviews" target="_blank"><i>DE Centennial Edition (1927-1973)</i></a> which should have been enough, right? </p><p>But as with Ella another Duke album kept popping up that for decades I had convinced myself I had no need for. Boy was I wrong.</p><p>I opted for the expanded 2 CD version, which includes the entire concert including the between-song patter and the band opening with a perfectly good "Star Spangled Banner". (Hendrix rules, though.) So things aren't as compact as I'd like them to be, but I can live with that.</p><p>It's one thing to listen to the original recordings of these songs on <i>Centennial </i>and enjoy them despite the relatively poor sound quality. But to hear his band dig into these songs with such gusto live, well that's another thing entirely.</p><p>And yes, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIX7fnYANak" target="_blank">"Diminuendo in D"</a> is everything you heard it was.</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><br /></p><div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0kmaH9q66A9KOyAbvWSuG291nRhC3qUDhK2CyR57mWCb5_KsQ86IXXkFHdXLPoOcmJzahu_3nEVxBsrSWhxKMXKI7Le2IzIK346OxMYIQV5_3kZQQKZTEGzPHPzw_7QAh372q345JDbUZnIes_ksKu4fkxYARXKJ9cjNneAtx2_CQFeGNd0va9MnYs/s327/Billie%20Holiday%20-%20UC.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu0kmaH9q66A9KOyAbvWSuG291nRhC3qUDhK2CyR57mWCb5_KsQ86IXXkFHdXLPoOcmJzahu_3nEVxBsrSWhxKMXKI7Le2IzIK346OxMYIQV5_3kZQQKZTEGzPHPzw_7QAh372q345JDbUZnIes_ksKu4fkxYARXKJ9cjNneAtx2_CQFeGNd0va9MnYs/s320/Billie%20Holiday%20-%20UC.webp" width="240" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Billie-Holiday-Collection-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B000AZ78RI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=18KF6E63AYFUG&keywords=billie+holiday+ultimate+collection&qid=1699728739&sprefix=billie+holiday+u%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Billie Holiday: <i>Ultimate Collection</i></a> </b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">(2005)</span></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div>Many years ago, I inadvertently banished Billie Holiday from my day-to-day play choices when she committed an unpardonable sin. Drugs or some other immoral behavior, you ask? Worse, she kept distracting me and Mrs. Jaybee as we engaged in our weekly Sunday Jumble competition. </div><div><br /></div><div>In her defense, we were listening to a single LP best-of (which is a ridiculous notion) which threw together all kinds of styles that didn't naturally flow together. So it was very detrimental to our ability to determine that OIAPN was in fact PIANO.</div><div><br />But really, the issue was that Billie <i>forced </i>you to listen, and I wasn't prepared to do that at the time. She was just too damned intense. </div><div><br /></div><div>I knew I'd eventually have to replace that single LP with something more cohesive and comprehensive. I did investigate it, checking Consumer Reports and the ever-reliable user ratings on Amazon, and I finally landed on this one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two CDs (and a DVD I haven't even bothered viewing yet). Honestly, at first, I gave it a few listens and left it for a while. (I was in my Blues period.) It was only this past week when I caught a bad cold that I found myself spellbound. I think it was because I didn't have the strength to do anything else, so I just gave myself over to it, and well, wow. An embarrassment of riches, even if some fanatics think it could have been better. It is just fine as it is.</div><div><br /><b>A</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouuRsRz8syM" target="_blank">"I'm a Fool to Want You"</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="361" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplvLFAKBu5Lp_52TWkx9LXJhqat22EJX3T4bQJ16YtR-B_TXFZZYLbns9JWDCpEkhRvLpqWaBIL9VwDU3QaaDEIY7MoCQf_NeumlDMU657RGPR55beksNimZEBHgIr9mwpBzGn-HJTLGKwvVgTPwQoWspjY4vcCaJt4kqTpqJ4T6CDsq8knC532eWVNA/w200-h181/MD%20BG.webp" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bags-Groove-Miles-Davis/dp/B0014DM8OS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=C4XOVN1E5ZT2&keywords=bags+groove+cd&qid=1699751096&sprefix=Bags+groove%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Miles Davis: <i>Bags Groove</i></a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I could say I needed another Miles Davis record. I think I just keep chasing the original high from <i>Kind of Blue</i> and <i>A Tribute to Jack Johnson. </i>Alas, he's always Miles Ahead of me. I'll never catch up, but I keep trying.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recorded in 1954 but only released in 1957 - a year when he released six(!) albums.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a remarkably smooth and often brilliant record. The band includes Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk, just not on the same songs. But everyone brought their A-game, and this is a thrill. The only issue is that the title cut(s) is so great, that the remaining excellent ones have to catch up.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll wait.</div><div><br /><b>A-</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5x8mW0aUJI" target="_blank">"Bag's Groove"</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04UutHJWVLD8GoWtth1I4zvXyASVw54Oee0FqBcCOI2geu7sbJs4nnZziDT214V_5lZejnKdUPm0PuM4jLjbTwCEu3PcYK9yVkYc3inKvl37bWj9rA1jqwyDc6XwAdP_ehV2Or3f0I2oHJGWR4GL0oTKYqoeuvDBa450O4P6aKVjgvnq9iO0z14olS0Y/s327/MD%20Agartha.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04UutHJWVLD8GoWtth1I4zvXyASVw54Oee0FqBcCOI2geu7sbJs4nnZziDT214V_5lZejnKdUPm0PuM4jLjbTwCEu3PcYK9yVkYc3inKvl37bWj9rA1jqwyDc6XwAdP_ehV2Or3f0I2oHJGWR4GL0oTKYqoeuvDBa450O4P6aKVjgvnq9iO0z14olS0Y/w200-h200/MD%20Agartha.webp" width="200" /></a></div><div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Agharta-Miles-Davis/dp/B000026FQ0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1U7WZ9S2BK4BW&keywords=miles+davis+agharta+cd&qid=1700867002&sprefix=miles+davis+ag%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b>Miles Davis: <i>Agharta</i></b></a> (1975)</div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;">Again? Yeah. I couldn't help it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone more or less came around to Miles' controversial electric period in the early 1970s. This record is one of several live double albums he released at the time and is considered the best.</div><div><br /></div>And it sure is better and more focused than that overrated "classic" <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/bitches-brew-mw0000188019" target="_blank">Bitch's Brew</a></i>. More rhythmic, more intense. More soloing, less dicking around.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">A-</span></b></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUR6zK9XcaM" target="_blank">"Prelude, Part 1"</a> (Because who but Miles would title a 30-minute cut "Prelude"?} </div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;">At this point, I'll pause because I'm <i>still </i>listening to Miles Davis: Four Classic Albums. </div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;"><i>Narrator: And yet, this was overheard at the Jaybee Thanksgiving dinner table:</i></div><div style="line-height: 28px; margin: 0px;">"Hey honey, I noticed there's <i>another </i>"Four Classic Albums" by Miles Davis on Amazon. How about that, huh?"</div></div></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-4149506113086502872023-10-28T20:04:00.000-04:002023-10-28T20:04:21.988-04:00Blues in Black and White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UaQea2xXJpskzrqshQaUbjx4qbPR_NAC_NY8HGeBp-xdIEseR1hH_6Pljzm_2kQLkTgf6NtGW2sl18kC5yg_K0ojbp3iVT9IyMcez8cp6EhmAu6xsieluzJ98DwxRZU50vWVPZ0gq9fopQ_JDHdSmt6LAOQoEK_5zecdkABE55ajxF6X7EEuVX_Zwy8/s640/BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UaQea2xXJpskzrqshQaUbjx4qbPR_NAC_NY8HGeBp-xdIEseR1hH_6Pljzm_2kQLkTgf6NtGW2sl18kC5yg_K0ojbp3iVT9IyMcez8cp6EhmAu6xsieluzJ98DwxRZU50vWVPZ0gq9fopQ_JDHdSmt6LAOQoEK_5zecdkABE55ajxF6X7EEuVX_Zwy8/s320/BB.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p>Thinking Jazz and Classical were my go-to genres when I got tired of pop music, I was shocked to realize how many blues albums I had gotten recently. (FYI, anything less than a decade counts as "recently".<i>)</i></p><p>While I had dipped into the blues via white artists during my youth, I got the impression that I liked it. But then a decade or so later while out driving on a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon, I put on my local Americana station which was playing actual blues at the time, not the white guys with the perfect technique but no singing (or writing) chops doing their serious version of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhymcCYC3jk" target="_blank">Ukelele Blues</a>". Was it Robert Johnson playing acoustic? Muddy Waters playing electric with no accompaniment? I forget, but whatever it was, I shook my head, knowing that I just couldn't get into it on such a nice day. I needed to hear nice day-driving music, which is usually some form of pop. Perhaps if I were sitting on a porch in Mississippi...</p><p>I was dismayed. Didn't I enjoy Cream, the Allman Brothers, and Mike Bloomfield? (Not so much John Mayall and the Blues Brothers.) I feared I was becoming a racist - or worse - a mere dilettante, vanity being my main motivational force.</p><p>Or was I slowly becoming the oblivious middle-aged codger-to-be who thought he was liberal, but who <i>just didn't get what the kids were going on about</i>, either musically or politically? </p><p>But I let it go, for quite a while.</p><p>The breaking point came one day when I suddenly realized I was getting all my clothes from <i>Costco. </i>Something had to be done. </p><p>The situation called for <i>immersion. </i>So about 25 years ago, I got the four-CD box set <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Blues-Various-Artists/dp/B000002OBW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1KHRR0V25T4EJ&keywords=chess+blues+box+set&qid=1698010687&sprefix=chess+blues%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Chess Blues</a> </i>which is an anthology of the many artists who recorded for that label for the two decades following World War II. And it worked! It proved I did like this music, which was largely electric Chicago-style blues.</p><p>Encouraged I got a few compilations of Buddy Guy, Bessie Smith, and Elmore James, all good to great. But in 2017 <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2015/12/youre-welcome-world.html" target="_blank">two</a> early sixties Howlin' Wolf <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2015/12/youre-welcome-world.html" target="_blank">albums</a> (not compilations, either) completely bowled me over.</p><p>Alas, some squirrels named Jazz, Classical, and a new one - AfroPop - came into my line of vision, and there went five or six years.</p><p>I guess it was my unconscious that determined it was time again to dig in again. And who deserved my attention more than BB King? Yeah, <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-regal-mw0000650357" target="_blank">Live at the Regal</a>, </i>was fine, but BB deserved more attention than that.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibHSI3W8bmJmUervh03Os30UReh0O3WxHul-pIyn0XffgnRnQiB3KVHfBi2O5fhs9Qf5A0K-wMNMe4ZUOqPHAvfhl8KG2lT_jIoqKj8rDfHE_F_-dqWCnRWjBZ6gahRMlLBT7IVxGZYFtu8DQcagztIgG6tj6ojVYaYNiGrr_b-AlmD1mpiAhGmp7mk4/s300/BB%20King.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="149" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibHSI3W8bmJmUervh03Os30UReh0O3WxHul-pIyn0XffgnRnQiB3KVHfBi2O5fhs9Qf5A0K-wMNMe4ZUOqPHAvfhl8KG2lT_jIoqKj8rDfHE_F_-dqWCnRWjBZ6gahRMlLBT7IVxGZYFtu8DQcagztIgG6tj6ojVYaYNiGrr_b-AlmD1mpiAhGmp7mk4/w199-h400/BB%20King.webp" width="199" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/King-Blues-CD-Box-Set/dp/B000002OMC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2JFZXJS3NQR9F&keywords=bb+king+king+of+the+blues+box+set&qid=1697916642&sprefix=%22king+of+the+blues%22+bb+king+box%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-3" target="_blank">BB King: <i>King of the Blues</i></a> (1992)</b><p></p><p>While I do wish there was a greater focus on the 1950s and 1960s since things start to get a little schlocky after that, this career-spanning box set is as good as it could possibly be. </p><p>Now I could finally hear BB's guitar in all its glory. He rivals Neil Young for minimal guitar technique. But edges him out for pure expressiveness. </p><p>Ditto the singing. Which is the secret ingredient the white bands tend to miss. Oh, and songs, too.</p><p>All of those elements <i>together - </i>not just a blazing lead guitar - make the magic happen. </p><p><b>A</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHYOWdAC_Qk" target="_blank">"Tired of Your Jive"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxcBoDD01gXS4FUfAaWNmRcb1tfTgwZ4FDPMvFD2lH-R7NnBKLFzwzW3-msw9mSQZ0lpGnNMQiAH4AVuCRBlv0qTUGIKHrBeehegZTvFdW5wE7-ziF8Il7GMcOaXFRy-uyi871iQaz8MV0ElaVZoGddTTyqzEwpeeaDoZQdlRB3fRPDtkzLXuArP6o4/s300/SBW.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxcBoDD01gXS4FUfAaWNmRcb1tfTgwZ4FDPMvFD2lH-R7NnBKLFzwzW3-msw9mSQZ0lpGnNMQiAH4AVuCRBlv0qTUGIKHrBeehegZTvFdW5wE7-ziF8Il7GMcOaXFRy-uyi871iQaz8MV0ElaVZoGddTTyqzEwpeeaDoZQdlRB3fRPDtkzLXuArP6o4/w200-h200/SBW.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Sonny-Boy-Williamson/dp/B01G64GOHG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YQRBC1NJ7AMU&keywords=essential+sonny+boy+williamson+cd&qid=1697917105&sprefix=essential+sonny+boy+williamson+cd%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson</i></a></b></p><p>Sonny Boy's a real piece of work. First, <i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/mystery-sonny-boy-williamson/" target="_blank">steals the original Sonny Boy Williamson's identity</a>. </i>Well, not exactly. But he does steal his stage name. Suddenly there were two SBWs and the audience voted with their feet. SBW 2.0 ruled.</p><p>Then he writes a bunch of songs about getting caught doing shady stuff, like “One Way Out” (later covered by the Allmans). In another song, he admonishes a woman he’s been cheating with to not tell her husband or his wife. Then, when someone gets fed up and pushes back a little, he sings he's “scared of that child".</p><p>And yet, he’s not short of advice for how other folks can keep their noses clean. So the man's got nerve.</p><p>At the beginning of a recording session for "Little Village", his producer had the audacity to inquire what the name of the song was. Sonny Boy - after first lobbing some general abuse at him, eventually suggested he name it after his mama. </p><p>So why do I like it so much? Because he’s fun. He's the shady friend who gets you thrown in jail, but you remember it fondly. Unlike Lou Reed, who couldn't even guarantee a good time. But like Lou Reed, there are casualties, most notably the first SBW.</p><p>And unlike Reed, Sonny Boy always had a great band with him. Maybe not technically the best, but who provided the exact right amount of raunch.</p><p>And he's one helluva harmonica player. </p><p>One caveat: Mrs. Jaybee says “It all sounds the same”. </p><p>My rebuttal: "And, your point is...?"</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHpqQaf0EK8" target="_blank">"Bring It On Home"</a> (with a middle finger to Led Zeppelin)</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZQgi0NAoE-1Uxfr1MeK_dnP_w1GKYDy-72CRsD6hAIDJTnxMLPW8P6uetpoo3mlBcLk90yINQOx6ychU_2ArCvozevdfhM3a1_l99NMfUcHXlvwei-HHXZzT1yu1yxOmZDKEhyphenhyphenMOvoT-e25HyVzUcxW6oGAARDfImR7wu4nBWSAUL84y0CwwE2nGjfg/s300/RCA%20Victor.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="300" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZQgi0NAoE-1Uxfr1MeK_dnP_w1GKYDy-72CRsD6hAIDJTnxMLPW8P6uetpoo3mlBcLk90yINQOx6ychU_2ArCvozevdfhM3a1_l99NMfUcHXlvwei-HHXZzT1yu1yxOmZDKEhyphenhyphenMOvoT-e25HyVzUcxW6oGAARDfImR7wu4nBWSAUL84y0CwwE2nGjfg/w200-h194/RCA%20Victor.webp" width="200" /></a></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RCA-Victor-Rhythm-Blues-Revue/dp/B000008JTV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CVZHWMJI2DFX&keywords=rca+rhythm+and+blues+revue&qid=1697917696&sprefix=rca+rhythm+and+blues+revue%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>RCA Victor Rhythm & Blues Revue</i></a></b></p><p>This collection opens with Lil Green singing "Romance in the Dark", where she gets so excited her man has to tell her to keep it down. It ends with the Isley Brothers' "Shout". Thematically, if not musically, correct. </p><p>Along the way run into Billy Eckstine, Earl Hines, Illinois Jacquet, Count Basie, King Curtis, and a young and unrecognizable Little Richard.</p><p>The performances are spirited, if not quite on the level of, say, <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/01/i-had-feeling-21-was-gonna-be-good-year.html" target="_blank">Township Jazz and Jive</a> but</i> very fine nonetheless.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdTH8p38HAc" target="_blank">"Romance in the Dark"</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mqYLCCSE7FxCe5OGnEJYCxkQ5q991s6r-t9zKl44N8T61oiCWCkKT9z8N98eioruhc0CyuM8xZuk3DczAEZlcYwGoqpB-QhBUid_Woa9X4MV53sS6qa5cR8SiXk3HjnElRKwCj9ODAicTJ4ckd9i0iER5Ecr5XgPbLMR-MYKU6bGXTvwqJAXeHgpACg/s90/FMac.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="90" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mqYLCCSE7FxCe5OGnEJYCxkQ5q991s6r-t9zKl44N8T61oiCWCkKT9z8N98eioruhc0CyuM8xZuk3DczAEZlcYwGoqpB-QhBUid_Woa9X4MV53sS6qa5cR8SiXk3HjnElRKwCj9ODAicTJ4ckd9i0iER5Ecr5XgPbLMR-MYKU6bGXTvwqJAXeHgpACg/w200-h200/FMac.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000007P3N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Fleetwood Mac: <i>Live at the Boston Tea Party, Vol. 1</i></a> </b>(1970)</p><p>This is the Peter Green Edition of the Mac. Version 1.0, if you will. Version 2.0 was the Christine McVie/Bob Welch era, and v3.0 was, well, you know. </p><p>Version 2 was about blues guitars. That's plural, by the way. Second guitarist Danny Kirwan was damn near as good as Green. While this does not have that <i>Allmans at Fillmore </i>level of intensity, it's close. The songs are mostly blues covers, which is just fine by me. </p><p>BB King once said of Peter Green,<span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> "He has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats." </span>And his technique, while not quite virtuosic, was still a perfect match for it. Not technically flawless yet exquisite.</p><p>Oh, and Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass. How could you go wrong?</p><p>The singing is not phenomenal but, in retrospect, you can detect that Green had his own unique type of blues to express. </p><p>It's not <i>all </i>blues here, but it's too good to exclude here. </p><p>Green had begun hanging around with the Grateful Dead around the time of this recording, and by an extraordinary coincidence, he began taking LSD. He also had no interest in fame and wanted to give away any money he made. He must have sensed that the Mac was on the verge of a breakthrough to the big time, so not long after this performance, he left. </p><p>His sad, interesting story is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Green_(musician)" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ure6_pa2M" target="_blank">"Jumping at Shadows"</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Well, I'm expecting a squirrel or two to drop by sooner or later. So I had to get this off my chest while I had the chance. So I'll be on my way to Costco to pick up some formalwear...</p><p>Wait! What's that over there??</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-25215283238808788462023-09-28T18:58:00.000-04:002023-09-28T18:58:48.904-04:00Summer of Lou 3: Skip to My Lou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjcZDzaLtBKIcCpNUbbIAWdkIY3spP65D91-bda32aW_vi48usNbmTKbin_T5hSOfQv7Xw1BkZRYSlkCvamOhAHm8bsbUkMkEwwv4-ztm4lXGyI2DVrd3_bp1yoxtPwNORpG9CY54W7QQDZMvBqv1ik6GKkwLJFuYoIKgXEJGZZTfQ9WIxQbeUHmxFa8/s491/Lou%20Xmas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjcZDzaLtBKIcCpNUbbIAWdkIY3spP65D91-bda32aW_vi48usNbmTKbin_T5hSOfQv7Xw1BkZRYSlkCvamOhAHm8bsbUkMkEwwv4-ztm4lXGyI2DVrd3_bp1yoxtPwNORpG9CY54W7QQDZMvBqv1ik6GKkwLJFuYoIKgXEJGZZTfQ9WIxQbeUHmxFa8/s16000/Lou%20Xmas.jpg" title="Lou and John Cale - Happy Times!" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On the left, Lou Reed, in the best of health. On the right, John Cale, overjoyed to be there.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;">For reasons that are only getting harder to explain, I spent the summer - one of my limited number of remaining ones - with Lou Reed. Not in hell, mind you, just reading about him and listening to his music.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-1-lou-velvet.html" target="_blank">First</a>, I looked back on his work with the Velvet Underground, almost all of which I'd loved for decades. They had a great run (of quality/not fame) from 1967-70. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/nyregion/lou-reed-king-of-new-york.html?campaign_id=44&emc=edit_ur_20230924&instance_id=103539&nl=new-york-today&regi_id=12749736&segment_id=145582&te=1&user_id=7ae7a35cf2c7d917e06c16e91039b661" target="_blank">Here's</a> how Lou spent the two years after quitting VU, and before starting his solo career.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-2-in-lou-of-great-music.html" target="_blank">Then</a>, I dug into his first five studio albums (1972-76), all pretty good, but none brilliant, so I ignored the rest of his 1970s output.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And that brought me - more or less - back to when I first encountered him.</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b>1980: Lou Who?</b></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">Aside from the occasional song on the radio, I avoided Lou Reed for the entire 1970s. He hooked up with the glam/gay/dress-up crowd who were anathema to us Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead loving - and gay fearing - fans. So my first real - if half-assed - encounter with Lou Reed was <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2014/05/blood-on-8-tracks-track-six-velvet.html" target="_blank">in 1980</a>. An intriguing start. </p><p style="text-align: left;">You'd think I'd have followed up on it, but two things held me back. First, as Johnny Rotten said <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-2-in-lou-of-great-music.html" target="_blank">last time</a>, there were too many Lou Reed records and none were safe bets. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Second, there weren't <i>enough </i>Velvet Underground albums. Except for the post-Lou Reed abomination-in-principle <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/squeeze-mw0000844914" target="_blank">Squeeze</a>, </i>they<i> </i>were out of print.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And what about Lou? After a decade of questionable decisions (lifestyle, substances, music), he, um, got married.</p><p style="text-align: left;">What?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu0OlBcoquARQPBcBiea8ybx4tQSZ4SK5uOEfRMpTtYON2cy2ThYAn7MVsTLStuhcPLqEqr8sMmNg0xF3-dGRqNpDhfFMuiXOhI68b8LbetH4E07IpLNP9CyDSQpZUnKwmOvs3AA9MQg4SymijdSE0GpV5pHk9aeM7pGszXK8EjtYr5QoLjxWmcoGNZY/s400/LR%20and%20Sylvia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu0OlBcoquARQPBcBiea8ybx4tQSZ4SK5uOEfRMpTtYON2cy2ThYAn7MVsTLStuhcPLqEqr8sMmNg0xF3-dGRqNpDhfFMuiXOhI68b8LbetH4E07IpLNP9CyDSQpZUnKwmOvs3AA9MQg4SymijdSE0GpV5pHk9aeM7pGszXK8EjtYr5QoLjxWmcoGNZY/w320-h320/LR%20and%20Sylvia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The expressions of the onlookers are priceless.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>Yes, the man who leaned into the gay side of his bi-sexuality for a decade was now - so he said - straight, in every sense of the word.</p><p>Remarkably, he <i>had </i>been married before, to a <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/bettye-kronstad-speaks-for-the-first-time-about-her-marriage-to-lou-reed-fame-is-a-fiend-it-turns-people-into-monsters-10166659.html" target="_blank">saint or a martyr</a>, since he spent all that time doing whatever the hell he wanted, and relied on her to clean up the mess. She did so, dutifully, until she couldn't take it anymore. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Day-Intimate-Portrait-Life/dp/1911036068/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KTTT8NHLNHIG&keywords=bettye+kronstad&qid=1695659691&sprefix=bettye+kronstad%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1" target="_blank">She wrote a book about it and I hope she makes a million bucks.</a></p><p>He then spent a few years with the frankly stunning <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/lou-reed-rachel-humphreys-transgender-tragic-story/" target="_blank">Rachel</a> (whose pictures I included in the last post) who was a pioneer in the use of pronouns shall we say. They obviously loved each other, but Rachel picked up where first wife Bettye left off, but Lou continued to be Lou so things ended in 1978.</p><p>Lou continued to - in ascending order - make music, tour, drink, do drugs, and be a huge asshole. But even he began to realize things couldn't go on like this.</p><p>So he married <a href="https://ghanafuo.com/who-is-lou-reed-wife-sylvia-morales/" target="_blank">Sylvia Morales</a>, someone who would - and could - fulfill the same role his prior partners did, but who was also strong enough to get him to straighten himself out.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1982:</b></p><div><div></div></div><div>It would take a couple more years for Lou to finally make a solo record that made everyone sit up and take notice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjJaoDqR7sZODEvAjM43sdB2MfjzlwSNoR3z2c__rnwIYa9MxPY3AAngx96krwYZLdl1_ZIYVhLfgvKkGhOMmAld2_0-gVhs-223ZE3peCs1RTDTtWdcJA4vCdex0m5p4cQJi4dc-YgBgYAsXpKi9JtXOFplONPTRH2kn6shi0rfr9TZsFvFRngkhjqw/s327/LR%20Blue%20Mask.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjJaoDqR7sZODEvAjM43sdB2MfjzlwSNoR3z2c__rnwIYa9MxPY3AAngx96krwYZLdl1_ZIYVhLfgvKkGhOMmAld2_0-gVhs-223ZE3peCs1RTDTtWdcJA4vCdex0m5p4cQJi4dc-YgBgYAsXpKi9JtXOFplONPTRH2kn6shi0rfr9TZsFvFRngkhjqw/w200-h200/LR%20Blue%20Mask.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Mask-Lou-Reed/dp/B002HMHROQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IBZBTQ4MTO79&keywords=lou+reed+blue+mask+cd&qid=1694448137&sprefix=lou+reed+blue+m%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b>The Blue Mask</b></a></i> (1982)</div><div><div><br /></div><div>After years of letting himself get pigeon-holed into a glam-gay-drug addict icon that producer-of-<i>Transformer</i>-David Bowie could only dream of being, by, well, <i>being </i>said glam-gay drug addict, suddenly Lou announced he was hetero and just an average guy, albeit with a drinking problem. Probably full of shit but okay. As long as he believed it at the time. And no one believed his own bullshit more than Lou.</div><div><br /></div><div>With folks shooting Lennon and voting for Reagan it's understandable that Lou - by now an aging rock "star" - may have taken the pulse of the times and decided this new, more conservation generation was not likely to put up with his hijinks.</div><div><br /></div><div>But questionable assertions of wholesomeness aside, Lou now had an actual band. Guitarist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Quine" target="_blank">Robert Quine</a> - who could go from cool atmospherics to cluster bomb skronk in a matter of seconds - most obviously, but also bassist Fernando Saunders, who managed to make such transitions almost graceful. And, per Quine's encouragement, Lou himself on guitar - something he hadn't done in quite a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>The songs were excellent - at turns heartfelt or horrifying - and well-suited to the production. My first take was an appreciation of the atmospherics, and maybe less so of the skronkery. A bit more melody might have helped but that's not what Lou had been selling for at least a decade. And I'd eventually learn to enjoy a bit of skronk now and then.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, it took some time for me to get what he was about, but looking back I see it as a high point in his solo career.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtiih7wk4uQ" target="_blank">"Our House"</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Later that year, the four original Velvet Underground albums started to appear in the record shops again. I picked up their first, <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-velvet-underground-nico-mw0001955423" target="_blank">The Velvet Underground and Nico</a>, </i>and never looked back<i>. </i>I was immediately convinced the VU was THE great lost band of the '60s. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I stuck around for Lou's next record.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1983: </b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP4T8_g12HUe8wuQVxNNGibaOBXxq-9cRgvTWZe94iV_IZ6n903pJFpQvQDZcHAK6AzozUWMZrTNrfDWiilXPcwufpzM8QycDXAqOmHkzQ9ENqHOtrQeMRsdNfXNP9_0e3aGkWpw2HGnuqprvMrqnBmGZUWYBI--IBKau6VGZo6pyXmOXaMmN09UuSlo/s327/LR%20Legendary%20Hearts.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP4T8_g12HUe8wuQVxNNGibaOBXxq-9cRgvTWZe94iV_IZ6n903pJFpQvQDZcHAK6AzozUWMZrTNrfDWiilXPcwufpzM8QycDXAqOmHkzQ9ENqHOtrQeMRsdNfXNP9_0e3aGkWpw2HGnuqprvMrqnBmGZUWYBI--IBKau6VGZo6pyXmOXaMmN09UuSlo/w200-h200/LR%20Legendary%20Hearts.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Hearts-Lou-Reed/dp/B002M9FSAO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V23EB2GDHOG1&keywords=lou+reed+legendary+hearts+cd&qid=1694448240&sprefix=lou+reed+legendary+cd%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Legendary Hearts</a></b></i> (1983)</p></div><div>You'd think after the return to form <i>The Blue Mask</i>, Lou would be settling into this newfound consistency. But Lou didn't like sharing the spotlight/credit, so although he kept the same band he basically mixed poor Bob Quine out of it. The result is a more muted record. Fewer sonic highs and lows, but still a steady engine churning nonetheless.</div><div><br /></div><div>The songs are of a more day-to-day nature. Love after romance, the ongoing drinking problem, insecurities, etc. There is also the beginning of an awareness of the outside world. Lucky for all of us he resists the urge to shoot from the hip or go for fake outrage. Geez, maybe he <i>is </i>a regular guy.</div><p></p><div></div><p></p><div>And while it suffers in comparison to <i>Mask</i>, soundwise, it's easier to hear the very good songs he wrote. The melodies are grudging, but Lou does his best to flesh them out, providing some actual vocals!</div><p></p><p><b>A-</b></p><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJepmBjB-ck" target="_blank">"The Last Shot"</a></div><div><br /></div><div>But that was enough Lou for now.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1984:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Having now given Lou two shots, a second VU album was long overdue. I picked their last one, <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/loaded-mw0000196213" target="_blank">Loaded</a></i>, a tuneful, playful delight, and one of the highlights of my summer.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1985:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Their third record - the quiet, mysterious <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-velvet-underground-mw0000022405" target="_blank">Velvet Underground</a> - </i>helped me through that very cold winter. An almost bewildering first listen, the songs are so good you keep coming back.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1986:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The loud, unremitting second VU album <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/white-light-white-heat-mw0000192323" target="_blank">White Light/White Heat</a> </i>damn near scared me away. At least their first has some great melodies. This one, released in January of 1968, was filled with shrieking feedback and distortion, not to mention tales of murder and depravity. A foreshadowing of the joys of 1968<i>.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1987:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The wonderful <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/vu-mw0000192204" target="_blank">VU</a></i> - a compilation of VU leftovers - was easily one of the best albums of that year.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I was more or less caught up on the VU studio albums. And I was perfectly happy with my two Lou Reed solo albums. I could stop now, couldn't I?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1989:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>But this was when Mrs. Jaybee got into the act. You see, Lou had sort of a hit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd-AIqJnN4RTXK8jypaRlTNryKZm17QlFc5Q4vS3YgydZDv1F9AUnC3dsyg3J3Ypoi7-n72Q2sRGJgkXpTfVUtxs-kNjJR8KqY0hZe8hxJEcaeYw9ERPYTMlU-rb4t7byLGZxw1szHl8xSDXYgy6cPEhnyk4CIdM8GZFQ_MwbQxJ-tqx60TDhActFq_M/s327/LR%20NY.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd-AIqJnN4RTXK8jypaRlTNryKZm17QlFc5Q4vS3YgydZDv1F9AUnC3dsyg3J3Ypoi7-n72Q2sRGJgkXpTfVUtxs-kNjJR8KqY0hZe8hxJEcaeYw9ERPYTMlU-rb4t7byLGZxw1szHl8xSDXYgy6cPEhnyk4CIdM8GZFQ_MwbQxJ-tqx60TDhActFq_M/w200-h200/LR%20NY.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-York-CD-Lou-Reed/dp/B000002LGA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21ZW1F1RAMUC2&keywords=lou+reed+new+york+cd&qid=1694448319&sprefix=lou+reed+new++cd%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b><i>LR NY</i></b></a> (1989)</p><p>"Dirty Blvd" caught Mrs. Jaybee's attention, and she figured, here's a Lou Reed album the <i>both </i>of us might enjoy. </p><p>It's probably his best-produced album. The guitar, drums, and bass sound is sharp and dense as hell, and a perfect match for Lou's vocal delivery. The words of outrage just roll off his tongue, and for once, who could argue with him?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_8-Fm1vfw0" target="_blank">"Romeo had Juliet"</a></p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>1992:</b></p><p>Then my dad died, on January 15 to be exact. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAHmdq8QgV8XUK1vifbN2XccUVHB88_8jhirsYo0sIkvDtoOsUcKUg7tbl0U_W9O_sRFpIgwx-xQtFs6bHN9weJVzt6ddyodGZQTtomUwXTzs8anjYfQC6A8cgsLwjd0We8mvNj64qGBHmk9aiS8Z5t2-gwSK6pLD3OOmtUW4bW4c3bzXb-zProX7wrs/s327/LR%20MAL.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAHmdq8QgV8XUK1vifbN2XccUVHB88_8jhirsYo0sIkvDtoOsUcKUg7tbl0U_W9O_sRFpIgwx-xQtFs6bHN9weJVzt6ddyodGZQTtomUwXTzs8anjYfQC6A8cgsLwjd0We8mvNj64qGBHmk9aiS8Z5t2-gwSK6pLD3OOmtUW4bW4c3bzXb-zProX7wrs/w199-h200/LR%20MAL.webp" width="199" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Loss-Lou-Reed/dp/B000002LQD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BBCR5DM0NZAW&keywords=lou+reed+magic+and+loss+cd&qid=1694448511&sprefix=lou+reed+Magic+cd%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Magic and Loss</a></i></b> (1992)</p><p>Lou released this meditation on loss on January 14 and it fit like a glove. Lou opens up more and shows some real compassion. By now, I'm amazed at Lou's ability to create yet more simple but compelling rock songs. </p><p>He sounds like he gives a shit. And he has, for some time by now.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgLY0BQN0zI" target="_blank">"Dreamin'"</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1993 - 2012: Breaks and Reunions</b></p><p>After a few records, I get my fill of artists. Sometimes it's the voice (Dylan, Elvis Costello), or a feeling of diminishing returns (Neil Young). With Lou is was his narrow range. There's only so much spoken word electric guitar freak-outs I can absorb let alone enjoy. So it was time to take a break from Lou.</p><p>In 1993, the Velvet Underground got together for a reunion, but - Lou being Lou - it was short-lived.</p><div><p>Lucky for him - and the rest of the world - around this time he met and fell in love with Laurie Anderson. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZm0BXvYiuBefIPhrU5sIVUc5BzMAVQVO3P7o5G48CRzhMg39PZnit_lmp88eNDcCVIdkWLpuy8RRw4sc0gqxBOR3xJr6if1eLDsWxyVMvwlbhqR_TNodPxSkakjk4mgMyfTA8JDmGbUOHpMjMKsPxzKqN8C3vOnyFYCndYp6ZhrXdTKUrynyAUUsEZA/s800/LRLA.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="793" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZm0BXvYiuBefIPhrU5sIVUc5BzMAVQVO3P7o5G48CRzhMg39PZnit_lmp88eNDcCVIdkWLpuy8RRw4sc0gqxBOR3xJr6if1eLDsWxyVMvwlbhqR_TNodPxSkakjk4mgMyfTA8JDmGbUOHpMjMKsPxzKqN8C3vOnyFYCndYp6ZhrXdTKUrynyAUUsEZA/s320/LRLA.webp" width="317" /></a></div><p></p><p>They stayed together for almost 20 years - eventually marrying in 2008 - and while it was no picnic this remarkable woman maintained her own independence while simultaneously bringing out the best in him.</p><p>Lou continued making records. All were ambitious, some were <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/ecstasy-mw0000056894" target="_blank">praised</a> and some <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/lulu-mw0002223324" target="_blank">derided</a>. In other words, same old same old, albeit at a slower pace. But most critically, Lou stood by every one of them.</p></div><div>In early 1997, I did pick up Nico's quite lovely <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/chelsea-girl-mw0000651868" target="_blank">first album</a>, mainly because her version of "These Days" appeared in <i>The Royal Tennenbaums</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2001, I got tired of retiring to the basement to play my VU vinyl and got the 5-disc box set <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/peel-slowly-and-see-mw0000125831" target="_blank">Peel Slowly and See</a>, </i>which is almost the complete studio recordings of the Velvet Underground. A great collection, but only for the already converted.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that was it for a <i>while.</i></div><div><br /></div><p><b>2013:</b></p><p>Then Lou himself intervened by dying, which motivated me to finally get the complete <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/1969-velvet-underground-live-with-lou-reed-vol1-mw0001970135" target="_blank"><i>1969: The Velvet Underground Live, with Lou Reed</i></a><i>.</i></p><p>Being annoyed with Reed after hearing many of the horror stories, I picked this time to give <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-think-i-killed-lou-reed.html" target="_blank">John Cale</a> a shot. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>2015:</b></p><p>I followed up with Cale, picking up his great <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2015/11/so-normal-its-weird.html" target="_blank">collaboration</a> with Brian Eno</p><p><br /></p><p><b>2016-2021:</b></p><p>I spent this time having thoughts like:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How could Lou have been such an asshole?</li><li>Did the rest of the VU hate him?</li><li>Did he hate Andy Warhol?</li><li>Did Warhol hate him?</li><li>And how <i>were </i>those '70s solo albums - the ones upon which his reputation was built (and sadly not the VU albums)?</li></ul><div><br /></div><p><b>2022:</b></p><p>In spring, I got a collection of Reed's first five solo albums. If you don't mind getting caught in an endless loop, you can look here to see <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-2-in-lou-of-great-music.html" target="_blank">what I thought of them</a>. </p><p>Later that year we watched the very touching six-part documentary <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18082212/" target="_blank">Andy Warhol Diaries</a></i>, which led me back to this record:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD-rQCP4hCXIJ0wLavDmXbqUpa1rjR8yekvDbNcpPkSRzxVcXXMGQE6vjmfyMmxgo3iFQJVgAoPRg3sS9gjD_cEdACfObhVCQGavA5O-5zvrNZE_glYlNqgt5jNQLfu3Gf4ljaLi53RhXOfNM2u5GUHedbfh6njYMxZcTRRpBKze87Y6BKKLRKlbtgQ4/s328/LR%20JC%20SFD.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="328" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD-rQCP4hCXIJ0wLavDmXbqUpa1rjR8yekvDbNcpPkSRzxVcXXMGQE6vjmfyMmxgo3iFQJVgAoPRg3sS9gjD_cEdACfObhVCQGavA5O-5zvrNZE_glYlNqgt5jNQLfu3Gf4ljaLi53RhXOfNM2u5GUHedbfh6njYMxZcTRRpBKze87Y6BKKLRKlbtgQ4/w200-h199/LR%20JC%20SFD.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Lou Reed and John Cale:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Drella-CALE-JOHN-REED/dp/B000002LKS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39TUHNKNJTTEP&keywords=lou+reed+songs+for+drella+cd&qid=1694448420&sprefix=lou+reed+songs+for+drella+cd%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b><i>Songs For Drella</i></b></a> (1990)</p><p><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/12/opposites-detract.html" target="_blank">Here's</a> my initial take.</p><p>Now, with a little more context, I can see that Lou and John released this between <i>New York</i> and <i>Magic and Loss. </i>With this dynamic pairing, Cale coaxes Reed out of his guitar-bass-drums comfort zone, and together they produce a record almost as good as the last time they were together.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Now: </b></p></div><div>Lou was, shall we say, hard to like. He exhibited all of the qualities I despised in humans. Egotism, selfishness, hypocrisy, mean-spiritedness, childishness, jealousy. I could go on.</div><div><br /></div><div>For every moment of compassion ("Coney Island Baby"), there would be an album's worth of bile. Yet the 1989-92 run of <i>New York, Songs for Drella, </i>and<i> Magic and Loss </i>summoned the humanity Lou always had in him but was reluctant to express. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get me wrong. Even though he straightened himself out in the 80's and made better music, he was still an asshole at heart. It wasn't until he met Laurie Anderson that he softened up even a bit. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, we have yet another story of "redemption". And I'm just so tired of them. Why don't we have stories of <i>forgiveness? </i>You know, about all the people who put up with his shit and FORGAVE him? Yes, I know, they didn't make the music, but still...</div><div><br /></div><div>I should explain: </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm the guy who watches a thriller and thinks <i>What about the families of all the people who got killed? Where's their movie? (</i>I realize this is nuts.) We don't go to the movies to watch children grow up without parents, etc. Plus, they're um, not real.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Lou Reed was real. And just another prodigal son who finds the love of his life, and gets everything that actual nice people deserve. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5xr2XuWF-c5xdciP1NPuG4WmTrp9nOTGLZTEIoLmW3pivuFUEaxQriiOrttXpANbB5DA2vs3oC-JCYXYKfM8VkvvjhGRJPP7c_gZyy64lKV0zVU8lAUby4396KJb_fl8Fz2ZRM94cVXNuixgKUfewE9lcX3HGAnTcY9mCxSEDCVoxQ7GPLu4exoQgoY/s600/laurie-anderson-lou-reed-600.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5xr2XuWF-c5xdciP1NPuG4WmTrp9nOTGLZTEIoLmW3pivuFUEaxQriiOrttXpANbB5DA2vs3oC-JCYXYKfM8VkvvjhGRJPP7c_gZyy64lKV0zVU8lAUby4396KJb_fl8Fz2ZRM94cVXNuixgKUfewE9lcX3HGAnTcY9mCxSEDCVoxQ7GPLu4exoQgoY/s320/laurie-anderson-lou-reed-600.webp" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I prefer the <i>non</i>-prodigal son, myself. And the <a href="https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-16-3/commentary-on-luke-1038-42-3" target="_blank">Marthas</a> who get shit done, not the Marys, who sit around like groupies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's my obviously Catholic upbringing - turning any potential turn towards the good into an occasion to remind the sinner of all that preceded it. In short, I'm no fun. But if there was any justice his talent would have gone to somebody kinder.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yet...</div><div><br /></div><div>In the several Lou Reed biographies I read, alongside the repeated negative descriptions of him, there was also a small but consistent number of dissenting views. Certain words and phrases kept popping up, like "funny as hell", "kind" (wait, what?), "devoted friend" and even "paid my medical bills"! </div><div><br /></div><div>But I think the two words that might allow all these wildly divergent views of him to exist in the same universe are <i>paranoid</i> and <i>insecure</i>. If you were an acquaintance who managed to get past the paranoia, you'd end up a friend, if only for a little while. But if you were an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx-mH9ZjnuM" target="_blank">interviewer</a>, musician, or (gulp) fan, god help you. And the insecurities that often come with a massive ego can make even the most intelligent of us strike out against perceived threats.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that adds up to a third word: <i>miserable</i>, which turned up <i>a lot.</i> Many people said he was the most miserable person they ever met. And the trouble with miserable people is that they have to <i>share</i> it with you, so you end up miserable, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, throw in a beautiful mother (his bi-sexuality didn't keep him from noticing <i>that</i>) and a hated father (guess why?), he was even tougher on his family than on strangers. Someone should have explained to him that Freud didn't write <i>instruction manuals.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>This is not an apologia - rather, a lame theory of why Lou was such a prick. </div><div><br /></div><div>But the man had a vast amount of talent. His songwriting run from 1966-70 is up there with the all-time greats. </div><div><br /></div><div>So let's give the jerk his due.</div><div><br /></div><div>So long, ya schmuck!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbWo32Bg8enVR17qYOub30bEv0C7U8UA7SPbS5KtE4VCK7kMXqsbVuXPR8Cl0B8-XkSo7my4rW-q1IkRhbb-Lh_c4Cb9wM5hdkqNoVDkW658I_REcyW7f3Q9KtpyVEzqItezjad_H2P58wa7Yqf41a-Ue_OjdJ_CbBSpU9QkRwMN-I89DCqE5cLU6ESQ/s440/LR%20Goodbye.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbWo32Bg8enVR17qYOub30bEv0C7U8UA7SPbS5KtE4VCK7kMXqsbVuXPR8Cl0B8-XkSo7my4rW-q1IkRhbb-Lh_c4Cb9wM5hdkqNoVDkW658I_REcyW7f3Q9KtpyVEzqItezjad_H2P58wa7Yqf41a-Ue_OjdJ_CbBSpU9QkRwMN-I89DCqE5cLU6ESQ/s320/LR%20Goodbye.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And THAT, dear teacher, is how I spent my summer vacation. And no, I <i>still</i> don't know why.</div></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-70373982534586464412023-08-25T17:11:00.001-04:002023-08-25T17:11:32.898-04:00Summer of Lou 2: In Lou, Of Great Music<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sDvBbHwqtaJn3wWcxUAC6B1MITufyTUWCV-h9UJnjzcSqnCkrzc71g0IAGsV8giRRnh5K4MHVUq1WBL9QwMHj-gWNVkWQQ1Q3OliZmdlR_foPnuTe58daLFOAfSQ6qRs_LeUrgvLtfmIWHa0i_9Cve4lowWHJsSFHWHW9SiuNot_fSq54Cly8d38asY/s541/LouReedFrankenstein-7-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="541" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sDvBbHwqtaJn3wWcxUAC6B1MITufyTUWCV-h9UJnjzcSqnCkrzc71g0IAGsV8giRRnh5K4MHVUq1WBL9QwMHj-gWNVkWQQ1Q3OliZmdlR_foPnuTe58daLFOAfSQ6qRs_LeUrgvLtfmIWHa0i_9Cve4lowWHJsSFHWHW9SiuNot_fSq54Cly8d38asY/w400-h258/LouReedFrankenstein-7-17.jpg" title="How It Ended Up, How it Started" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>How it Started Out and...</b></p><p>At the dawn of the 70s, Lou Reed - like many geniuses of the 60s - had a legacy to live up to. As with the individual Beatles and Dylan, Lou knew any new music he produced would be would be held to that standard, and likely suffer in the comparison. And VU produced a four-album run that stands with the best of them. </p><p>As such, his solo records would almost invariably meet with - at best - a mixed reaction. And depending on who you were, those perceptions would change, for better and worse. And throw in the variables of drugs, alcohol, sexual ambiguity, and general assholery, Lou would always provoke strong reactions. </p><p>Intimidated by all of that, and with over a dozen albums to choose from, I didn't get my first Lou Reed album until 1982 when he released <i>The Blue Mask. </i>The general consensus was that it was his best record<i>,</i> marking the beginning of his 80s renaissance. Lou Reed had finally produced something that could be mentioned in the same sentence with, say, <i>Loaded</i>. </p><p>So why would I spend the time looking back on what was to all concerned a low point? My minimal curiosity was piqued when his first five records covering 1972-76 were put into <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-of-lou-1-lou-velvet.html" target="_blank">a single, very reasonably priced package</a>. As long as I was willing to put in the time, I'd finally get to hear it.</p><p>So, to paraphrase Monty Python, Lou Reed suffered for his art. Now it was my turn.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Kind of Lou:</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0wL6eqTDogvn0m_JG-t_TU6ft6ROQQy8evxR5ppqtfO2a_6OEfDZZGMdJTs4nLdC-oU6Jl0dB6CWJldSjmaOGOzz86ItZ2KUp-ka_siT3IWereM0dYlucgI4GcaP-cc83OX4BPOW90RWbhTHG5dix6rB1vCUn0HTipKamYbMIy9wdQ1jsnlfJ2nmfU0/s356/LR1.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="356" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0wL6eqTDogvn0m_JG-t_TU6ft6ROQQy8evxR5ppqtfO2a_6OEfDZZGMdJTs4nLdC-oU6Jl0dB6CWJldSjmaOGOzz86ItZ2KUp-ka_siT3IWereM0dYlucgI4GcaP-cc83OX4BPOW90RWbhTHG5dix6rB1vCUn0HTipKamYbMIy9wdQ1jsnlfJ2nmfU0/w200-h184/LR1.webp" width="200" /></a></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lou-Reed-LOU-REED/dp/B00004LCBS/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=lou+reed+cd&qid=1692729402&sprefix=lou+ree%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-7" target="_blank">Lou Reed</a></i> (1972)</b></p><p>And we're off to a shaky start. </p><p>It must have sounded pretty good at the time, but a bit of a letdown. Fans probably wondered what could have been. Lou was working with six never-released Velvet songs, after all. And once the original VU versions were finally released, they confirmed what already <i>had </i>been. Which was much, much better.</p><p>But I came to the VU versions first and was appalled at how poorly the new versions come off. At first, hated this record. But that isn't the only reason.</p><div><p>Let me count the way this album sucks:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>From the dull thumps that start off the record (from that terrible 70s production that took away all the mystery, yet highlighted all the shortcomings of the music) the drumming sounds flat. Not even the Stones would sound good under these circumstances.</li><li>Backup singers are here to shore up Lou, who never needed shoring up before. </li><li>Excellent musicians instead of a <i>band</i>, which is pretty much the opposite of the VU.</li><li>And as I said, inferior versions of songs he originated with VU. Like the first Led Zeppelin album except Lou was stealing from himself. </li></ol><div>Let me count those versions. (You know an album is bad when you're resort to arithmetic).</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>"I Can't Stand It": Well named! The <i>VU</i> (1985) version is sparer, and far more intense. </li><li>"Walk It and Talk It" is peppy and it rocks, but the rip of the "Brown Sugar" riff is annoying. On its face not bad. But I prefer the slower, bluesy original.</li><li>"Lisa Says": See #1.</li><li>"I Love You": Lame. Earnest is not a good look for Lou.</li><li>"Ride Into the Sun": A bit overdone, but <i>something's</i> got to break through the blurry production.</li><li>"Ocean": It starts with a ludicrous gong(!) and is a bit melodramatic. See #1.</li></ol></div><div>But there are some perfectly good songs here, marred by the production, but not arithmetic:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Going Down" is a quintessential album track. Not spectacular but strong. The goddamn backup singers nearly ruin it.</li><li>"Berlin" is pretty good and there's an actual melody and decent singing!</li><li>"Wild Child" is Lou's Dylan song. Another album track that works well.</li><li>"Love Makes You Feel" is the most modest - and thus successful - track on the record. </li></ul></div><div>Lou is playing it safe. After being away for a couple of years, I understand. But the VU would have never stood for it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>And speaking of them, it's obvious how much Sterling Morrison is missed. These guys have the hot licks but they don't have SM's uncanny ability to find the perfect accompaniment to Lou's songs.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Overall, a pretty good record, so I take it back. It doesn't <i>suck. </i>It's worse. It's <i>disappointing.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>B</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XptK9NbPa8c" target="_blank">"I Can't Stand It" Lou Reed</a></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2HPctjQZTw" target="_blank">"I Can't Stand It" The Velvet Underground</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Louie Reed and the Spiders From Mars</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bSLljBWRzmE6MxX6FpQijd6g_gaVjkrJmX4qprZHlHfJjGK2iXh1pae6xlM7eTKmZk74wQ7Pt9kPSQ3XZNOpZgsBhj3E-Xh0jjlPU5TXQAtzNgBQkSZE4I5X66jO64_ebb60NTtzMVgx_xfoT7bOYf1hWI8LRzxGW0WASbmjnW5U7aiiTGYJrjexGVY/s327/LR2.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bSLljBWRzmE6MxX6FpQijd6g_gaVjkrJmX4qprZHlHfJjGK2iXh1pae6xlM7eTKmZk74wQ7Pt9kPSQ3XZNOpZgsBhj3E-Xh0jjlPU5TXQAtzNgBQkSZE4I5X66jO64_ebb60NTtzMVgx_xfoT7bOYf1hWI8LRzxGW0WASbmjnW5U7aiiTGYJrjexGVY/w200-h200/LR2.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-Incl-Former-Unreleased-Tracks/dp/B01EUKLORI/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lou+reed+cd&qid=1692729373&sprefix=lou+ree%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Transformer</a></i>: (1972)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Produced by David Bowie, with help from Mick Ronson, it's less cluttered and brighter than its predecessor. Lou sounds relaxed, confident, and funny. </div><div><br /></div><div>VU Recycles: </div><div>"Andy's Chest", which is actually an improvement over the original. </div><div>"Satellite of Love", is relaxed enough, but still slightly subpar to the superb original.</div><div><br /></div><div>The best new ones are, of course, "Walk on the Wild Side", and "I'm So Free". <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pnwE_Oy5WI" target="_blank">I find "Perfect Day" somewhat overrated.</a> The overall decadence of it is rather cute in retrospect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Catchy, but not Great. No one knew it at the time, but it adds up to the best anyone could expect of Lou in the seventies.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A-</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJoHspUta-E" target="_blank">"Satellite of Love" Lou Reed</a></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxxb0y6rFHQ" target="_blank">"Satellite of Love" The Velvet Underground</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>After the commercial success of <i>Transformer, </i>Lou had no choice but to show everyone he was above it all. And how would he do that? By making Art. He would bring literature to rock n' roll. And what is the highest form of literature? Shakespeare, of course!</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>LouReedian Tragedy:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkFCbGLQ56ioMbBW4WRroBdDZ_7C7HmbHUzCM1PkouUcEKGJ3z0f4nEAd5nCvY2No0dXf7xjb-FxeIGJnQ3WcuxkZKPvifeVMolJ-5bTJOvDSaMG8ydow6VE859CPm573m-Yffy9A2LcXZwTwi8uUp-OdGXDXCocAmvZGuLodkKzAfrx_Z5ke3P_490k/s330/LR3.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="330" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkFCbGLQ56ioMbBW4WRroBdDZ_7C7HmbHUzCM1PkouUcEKGJ3z0f4nEAd5nCvY2No0dXf7xjb-FxeIGJnQ3WcuxkZKPvifeVMolJ-5bTJOvDSaMG8ydow6VE859CPm573m-Yffy9A2LcXZwTwi8uUp-OdGXDXCocAmvZGuLodkKzAfrx_Z5ke3P_490k/w200-h198/LR3.webp" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Berlin-Lou-Reed/dp/B00000637V/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lou+reed+berlin+cd&qid=1692729243&sprefix=lou+reed+cd+berlin%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Berlin</i></a>: </b>(1973)</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what we used to call a Rock Opera, but no one would have had the nerve to call it that in front of Lou. Especially since he made it about a sadomasochistic relationship between two junkies. And in case you didn't get it already he rubs it in our faces, making it as grim and ugly as possible. In other words, he was no longer the miraculously detached singer of the VU, who could tell you about the nasty side of life without wallowing in it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The production is excellent - the sound is big, clear, and spacious. But, not content with a mere rock n' roll band to fill it (or god forbid, leave some of that space alone), Lou and producer Bob Ezrin couldn't resist adding strings and a full orchestra. And maybe it's me, but that's one transformation Lou can't pull off. Sometimes it works, like on "Caroline Says", but even that one goes off the rails at the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I'm happy to report there are a few actual melodies (which Lou actually sings!) and excellent musicianship.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>And this time the three recycled VU songs are comparable to the originals. But I'm getting tired of the recycling. Ah, but what's a druggie alcoholic to do when said drugs and alcohol are keeping him from writing? And with that back catalog and all lying around doing nothing...</div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently, the album they delivered to the record company ran over sixty-five minutes. Said record company didn't want to release a double album, so Bob Ezrin managed to cut it down to ten overlong songs. I'll bet if he just edited them <i>each </i>down he might have fit them all on, and that might have helped clarify the story. As it is, the three longest ones drag out the ending</div><div><br /></div><div>I suspect I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth. Maybe it's my discomfort with all the bells and whistles in service of Lou.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>It's a real mixed bag. Very ambitious, with some successes. A few misfires. Lou with an orchestra. And sad. Very, very sad. </div><div><br /></div><div>At least for all its cynicism, <i>Three Penny Opera</i> was kind of fun. This one's no fun at all. Lou wouldn't approve.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>B+</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wL1edIlgzs" target="_blank">"Caroline Says"</a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>So of course it was a bust and of course, the record company wanted a hit so they put out a very good live album made up almost entirely of VU songs.</div><div><br /></div><div>But by this point, his fans were starving for some Good Old/New Lou. The rest just wanted to see him die in public. Every artist has a subset of such fans. It's just that with his prodigious drug taking, he raised the subject himself, thus putting him a close second in the Who's Gonna Die Next competition after - who else - Keith Richards.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, not being one who liked being told what to do, what did Lou provide his rock and roll-starved fans? An R&B record, of course.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Soul Brother Lou:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXurBkFwNohmPWiVdfOSpjtE9_JmwLasbIAy1h_yfBIr6GGH0njra3m52CiZGlshDCfvlXJxF0Wc2ckUF91I57D6Ygft-2sYTc4MhT2muPKyxfm4b22lP2Q5SV3xhBmDBagzLcLCDz7mdHef5OcAu6lEiRrPjMCc5oflhB2W4dT8ZbyrVXxyehdBPLms/s327/LR4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="319" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXurBkFwNohmPWiVdfOSpjtE9_JmwLasbIAy1h_yfBIr6GGH0njra3m52CiZGlshDCfvlXJxF0Wc2ckUF91I57D6Ygft-2sYTc4MhT2muPKyxfm4b22lP2Q5SV3xhBmDBagzLcLCDz7mdHef5OcAu6lEiRrPjMCc5oflhB2W4dT8ZbyrVXxyehdBPLms/w195-h200/LR4.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Cant-Dance-Lou-Reed/dp/B07PZ6Q53Z/ref=sr_1_29?keywords=lou+reed+cd&qid=1692729320&sprefix=lou+ree%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-29" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Sally Can't Dance</a>:<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>(1974)</div><div><br /></div><div>It must have sounded <i>heretical</i> to those rock n roll-loving (but probably black people-hating) fans. Now though it sounds pretty good. Yes, the slick musicianship doesn't really fit him, but if you pretend it's someone else it's really all right. (It almost <i>is</i> someone else, since his role was limited to getting wheeled into the studio to sing, and then wheeled right back out again.)</div><div><br /></div><div>It would help if he were a little kinder but he can only manage that on one or two songs. Any more than that and it wouldn't be Lou Reed. And yet the arrangements - done by someone else - increase the fun factor somewhat. </div><div><br /></div><div>And not a single VU song. Progress!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>B+</b></div><div> </div></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXHpZq0_F0c" target="_blank">"Billy"</a></div><div><br /></div><div>By some miracle - catchy songs maybe? - it actually sold pretty well. But the record company probably figured they got lucky and put out another live album, just to be on the safe side. And that sold well, too. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><b>Louless</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lou noted a correlation between the high record sales for <i>Sally Can't Dance</i> and his very low level of <i>actual participation </i>in it. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>He also felt like a sellout (again). He'd grown to despise his fans and his record company (Hey Lou, <i>everyone</i> hates their record company). </div><div><br /></div></div><div>And wouldn't you know he found a solution to both issues? He took the next logical(?) step of removing himself completely from the music by propping up a bunch of electric guitars in front of a set of amps and letting 'em rip. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg133AeOuXGdC5iOmvhWkx8prv5gFgQAydt9Nv3OCeaACajfdXjxBPdJiNapt6tLXHiLfJ1rWonFb4K2UgOqT1l8OgsGo-v8o4PIIhZOgMMvsZVxwmL6XZhH7mi7f3kz7WWB9FxPPJShaAmJQU47_0-zIsdWDztzAirSJnwjJGy_Iu96a6YXYlGuxkS2rY/s841/LR%20Finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg133AeOuXGdC5iOmvhWkx8prv5gFgQAydt9Nv3OCeaACajfdXjxBPdJiNapt6tLXHiLfJ1rWonFb4K2UgOqT1l8OgsGo-v8o4PIIhZOgMMvsZVxwmL6XZhH7mi7f3kz7WWB9FxPPJShaAmJQU47_0-zIsdWDztzAirSJnwjJGy_Iu96a6YXYlGuxkS2rY/w136-h200/LR%20Finger.jpg" title="Lou meeting with his record company." width="136" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y-bhhjLV9GV1eO63fKocoWxY9KUAFsxnd8RVddFbtIN-rdXGDFtjYYAe9C4fb5svRMU4Va-_t65W_8zi3Nju5HaaVJv_cHyPlPztDHg98yvSTrp275VnUAc_IBUgFFCnU7fBzdlIPUGkHLwYeXafgUp5fJgV0GXNdzoiEDjQMuipHBkBEqGnWphWcRw/s499/LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y-bhhjLV9GV1eO63fKocoWxY9KUAFsxnd8RVddFbtIN-rdXGDFtjYYAe9C4fb5svRMU4Va-_t65W_8zi3Nju5HaaVJv_cHyPlPztDHg98yvSTrp275VnUAc_IBUgFFCnU7fBzdlIPUGkHLwYeXafgUp5fJgV0GXNdzoiEDjQMuipHBkBEqGnWphWcRw/w190-h200/LR.jpg" title="Lou Meeting with his Fan Club" width="190" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The result - <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/metal-machine-music-mw0000099717" target="_blank">Metal Machine Music</a> - </i>was a double album of screeching feedback and echo. Essentially two raised middle fingers to all involved. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I <i>finally </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB1cEyy0fKs&t=2472s" target="_blank">listened to</a> it (on youtube.com because even I have my limits) last week. And, well...I've heard worse. Not a ringing endorsement, but also not the worst record of all time. (I reserve that judgment for the mild, the safe, the wholesome, and the uplifting.) But I'm spending too much time with Lou to figure out my WOAT at the moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many were sold, but few found it pleasing. After a record number of returns the phrase "career suicide' started making the rounds...</div><div><br /></div><div>So after all that, Lou decided to buckle down and do something Good. And he did, kind of.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>A New, Improved Lou!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwCJxwKK-IeVtdLm1TQ8HXOLzhE7nLkVBvLWVRdV1gqh2b60E734LHedNkIyQO_GAxdzzaYkCUGU0pI3o4Eau5dw6eF_obH6qnCToWKRBZibTz2Jnfb0ALqVEP9OLmqmG_009ANTFcDCWUZx4DBHqNSbt8vnN1sekGV0ASWibG9eDDlt8giTDGNWSfGw/s338/LR5.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="338" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwCJxwKK-IeVtdLm1TQ8HXOLzhE7nLkVBvLWVRdV1gqh2b60E734LHedNkIyQO_GAxdzzaYkCUGU0pI3o4Eau5dw6eF_obH6qnCToWKRBZibTz2Jnfb0ALqVEP9OLmqmG_009ANTFcDCWUZx4DBHqNSbt8vnN1sekGV0ASWibG9eDDlt8giTDGNWSfGw/w200-h194/LR5.webp" width="200" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coney-Island-Baby-Lou-Reed/dp/B00701QSOO/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=lou+reed+cd&qid=1692729402&sprefix=lou+ree%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-9" target="_blank">Coney Island Baby</a>: </i>(1976)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>And it's... good. But nothing to get excited about. It must have seemed like manna from hell at the time but everyone was just so <i>parched</i> that warm spit would have sufficed. That they got water with an ice cube was nothing to write home about.</div><div><br /></div><div>One step back is the depressingly mediocre version of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpoDoB5ENJw" target="_blank">"She's My Best Friend"</a>. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jpdWDqeBRw" target="_blank">original </a>had a melody, singing, and some energy. But Lou was past all that, thinking his lyrics were people bought music for. And "Nobody's Business" is the same old <i>don't tell me I'm a drug addict</i> BS.</div><div><br /></div><div>The title cut is likely the highlight, lack of melody and all.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>B+</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SHCsgqZvQM" target="_blank">"Coney Island Baby"</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UUGoNyqg4pKNiowSkBcLofWbh_8EzOF5nT1yHiYbeVK9A3ropKgb2VlddRTIDe4fTq910v2areKXLgVbPoxVKKcDCemwFIX-3_XyQm73AxfuccUn3LJKFGZGQ_8uljDCQgcQMlD7cS3VLrNRl8LZrswPsUQl4SOqDAfprzDScj40Z7nB5C63_kKjuMk/s578/Lou%20and%20Friend%20Rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UUGoNyqg4pKNiowSkBcLofWbh_8EzOF5nT1yHiYbeVK9A3ropKgb2VlddRTIDe4fTq910v2areKXLgVbPoxVKKcDCemwFIX-3_XyQm73AxfuccUn3LJKFGZGQ_8uljDCQgcQMlD7cS3VLrNRl8LZrswPsUQl4SOqDAfprzDScj40Z7nB5C63_kKjuMk/w164-h200/Lou%20and%20Friend%20Rachel.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs6ZSYVJ-uRo8N3uckRCpgbmJBNUpSFGK9Ka6XEI-v1Kerx9FobwocWHv-DDoo5V8Q5zj3OGoIthtGq4OlyKiwreqlkENg586c7j9w69qEt5sIK0OfjZvlSuRf8rVv5Kz6txSCNR__Zt21rXUkXFZ6SMJpkQodnJfEz3z7ZGpMIJbhGdA8pwxFJZZVhg/s659/LR%20and%20Rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="473" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs6ZSYVJ-uRo8N3uckRCpgbmJBNUpSFGK9Ka6XEI-v1Kerx9FobwocWHv-DDoo5V8Q5zj3OGoIthtGq4OlyKiwreqlkENg586c7j9w69qEt5sIK0OfjZvlSuRf8rVv5Kz6txSCNR__Zt21rXUkXFZ6SMJpkQodnJfEz3z7ZGpMIJbhGdA8pwxFJZZVhg/w144-h200/LR%20and%20Rachel.jpg" width="144" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lou, looking happy for once in his miserable life, with his "friend Rachel", who inspired the record.</div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Epitaph:</b></div><div><div><br /></div><div>There's a second volume to this series, covering studio albums 6-10, but I think we've heard enough. If you don't believe me, ask Johnny Rotten from <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">1980, after Sid Vicious was found dead:</span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Reporter<i>: Did Sid die for Lou Reed's sins?</i></p></div><div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">John Lydon (Johnny Rotten)<i>: Yes, too many Lou Reed albums I blame it on. There was that horrible movement from New York to London, and they brought their dirty culture with them. Sid was so impressed by the decadence of it all. God! So dreary.</i></p></div></blockquote><div><p>To be fair, it didn't help that Lou - besides being a huge asshole and drug addict - was bi-sexual (at the very very least), and remarkably open about it, too. <i>Transformer</i> brought him into the Glam Rock arena, which was criticized by many, including 15-year-old Dead/Allmans fan (and somewhat homophobic) me as "not being about the music." I was wrong-ish, and the outright homophobes were far wronger. But it was just one more thing for people to hold against him. </p><p>He was also the '70s version of the guy who did his own research (on drugs no less). And wondered why he wasn't writing great songs. He <i>just knew</i> it wasn't the drugs!</p><p>But being a huge asshole and drug addict DID NOT HELP.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>...How It's Going</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hyraJ1BBmkpKwkJX83EFNDt_t5-x1aqbNU1koNTfTpDdqMZfEgJe4ZCgAUxGJNQvNStP8VdFxZjMv-yAhiAsNyWzcsmjzrl3qIvX-TTswHrYTOGyGOI8vt5hMJUjZporkyaGwIceGXiCzMduAOxPjosAccPxX1wfZRvLLCGm7YkGI1uqoG6Ppo6s9B8/s474/Frankenstein%20with%20Guitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hyraJ1BBmkpKwkJX83EFNDt_t5-x1aqbNU1koNTfTpDdqMZfEgJe4ZCgAUxGJNQvNStP8VdFxZjMv-yAhiAsNyWzcsmjzrl3qIvX-TTswHrYTOGyGOI8vt5hMJUjZporkyaGwIceGXiCzMduAOxPjosAccPxX1wfZRvLLCGm7YkGI1uqoG6Ppo6s9B8/s320/Frankenstein%20with%20Guitar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Next:</b> Lou finally gets it right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><br /></p></div><p></p></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-6599718397713092302023-08-18T19:57:00.001-04:002023-08-18T19:57:29.483-04:00Summer of Lou 1: Lou Velvet<p><b>What Where and Why:</b></p><p>Where have I been all summer? Well, spending time with Lou Reed, of course. </p><p>And like most who have done so, I'm asking myself why. And the only sensible answer is: so you don't have to.</p><p>It started with a Father's Day gift <i>which I asked for.</i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY360FGRt3YEKDRq-0uOavDYBv81fbasJH_kdKqXIc1qwXMF9W7y-C07QtnJd8W6fhaEcPeJGWRpEWM2_5yyb_-cBxBJlHBUq3uR2Km4Scp-26uMmNfOOar-x7feoA3Au8KDn2R8_T3tc4ywSDh00xFAnG8Wu-cC6hKpNIiugV8dTUvbZzmvS2i75ROkc/s327/Lou%20Reed%20OAC1.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY360FGRt3YEKDRq-0uOavDYBv81fbasJH_kdKqXIc1qwXMF9W7y-C07QtnJd8W6fhaEcPeJGWRpEWM2_5yyb_-cBxBJlHBUq3uR2Km4Scp-26uMmNfOOar-x7feoA3Au8KDn2R8_T3tc4ywSDh00xFAnG8Wu-cC6hKpNIiugV8dTUvbZzmvS2i75ROkc/w270-h270/Lou%20Reed%20OAC1.webp" width="270" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-5cd-Slipcase-Reed/dp/B0018BF1J0/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=lou+reed+original+album+classics&qid=1692398233&sprefix=lou+reed+origin%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b>Lou Reed: </b></a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-5cd-Slipcase-Reed/dp/B0018BF1J0/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=lou+reed+original+album+classics&qid=1692398233&sprefix=lou+reed+origin%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b>Original Album Classics</b></a> </i></p><p>It comprises his first five solo studio albums, skipping <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-n-roll-animal-mw0000650676" target="_blank">two</a> <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/lou-reed-live-mw0001958691" target="_blank">live</a> albums and <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/metal-machine-music-mw0000099717" target="_blank">Metal Machine Music</a>! I wonder why? I WILL get to that, eventually.</p><p>It was too hard to absorb all five records in one gulp, so I waited until I had some "free time" and did a deep dive. </p><p>Way too deep actually. I decided I would reed (see what I did there?) all the Lou Reed/Velvet Underground biographies I could find. Again, why? I don't know. I treated it like my <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-world-history-project-or-mother-of.html" target="_blank">World History Project</a>, and I can honestly report while VU was worth the effort, Lou himself may not have been. Of course, I'm not sure world history itself is worthy of those efforts either. But that's a topic for another day/decade. </p><p>But Reed is an important artist who blah, blah, blah. You get the idea. But when you get down to it, it's because he was the leader of the Velvet Underground. But since most folks my age <i>still </i>don't all that much about them, it's not so easy to care, is it?</p><p>Add to that, within the first few pages of any of those books you will find words and phrases like "prick", "jerk", "asshole" and "worst human in history". So the reading experience ranges from horrifying to hilarious to and back again.</p><p>I was lucky to start with Lou in 1982 with <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-blue-mask-mw0000204764" target="_blank">The Blue Mask</a></i>, considered by many to be his best solo record. It was also the one to kick off his 1980s resurgence. And I got a few more over those years from that period.</p><p>But I never got around to the early 70s, right after the Velvet Underground broke up, which was when the Lou as we all knew and feared him, emerged. This collection had the exact records I needed to fill that huge hole in the Lou Reed story as I understand it to be. </p><p>It's one thing to become familiar with the four original Velvet Underground studio records, as I did out of order and after the fact. That only covers five years. It's an altogether different task to track down all twenty-ish Lou Reed records, which I have no plan on doing. But I should at least explore the tumultuous early 70s period when Lou could do no wrong or right, depending on who you were.</p><p>But I'm not going to talk about that yet.</p><p>Before we skip to my Lou, we're going to talk about the Velvets again, because this trip gave me the chance to listen to them again, which only made me love them more, bad behavior notwithstanding. I was very lucky to hear them in the order I did because I went from most to least accessible record. It goes 1,4,3,2 and I highly recommend it. </p><p>So here is my <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2010/05/secret-history-velvet-underground.html" target="_blank">original take</a> on VU, which still holds up.</p><p>But for those of you who have to catch a bus, here's a quick summary:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Cni19kebM1srLz0-BhGmdfggaIb6aAkOMs5Dn0VzZG8c23Lq4XrzqblaHrUSQSYra7Lt_yENJqWZ_VbBUUR_QAnCIYv6lLj03dlRmkI5h1R-R6ahncbf3ravGs7yII8z9sploEwU--7QgT4ElVUAHNPzkNDdi4k9veXQ0PCoD7xc_mHlkkp5TkNmpnc/s327/VU%201.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="326" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Cni19kebM1srLz0-BhGmdfggaIb6aAkOMs5Dn0VzZG8c23Lq4XrzqblaHrUSQSYra7Lt_yENJqWZ_VbBUUR_QAnCIYv6lLj03dlRmkI5h1R-R6ahncbf3ravGs7yII8z9sploEwU--7QgT4ElVUAHNPzkNDdi4k9veXQ0PCoD7xc_mHlkkp5TkNmpnc/w247-h248/VU%201.webp" width="247" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Underground-Nico/dp/B000002G7C/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1M05YMWFI16GH&keywords=velvet+underground+album+loaded&qid=1692400228&sprefix=velvet+underground+album+loaded%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-5" target="_blank"><b>The Velvet Underground and Nico</b></a></i> (1967)</p><p>Epochal. Rockers, ballads, drugs, S&M, and good old-fashioned noise. One of the best ever. </p><p><b>A</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiM8F5_FHV1yZf9JoKcshT7SuvmEeu4U3FjdSwZ55he2ylUVhAjsZ0DL22bosAmM-6hhgBI1NZ7e41Sveo-7zVh2CBPXmPIZpPDM0uWYhqOxmpIb1bCLSxlMnBTtAY_bdlEZBzZ1TWLLCHTSjEGaT1A0TredNdgKHWY10tU7RDl2zVCi5BkZmUWRwvlw/s327/VU%202.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiM8F5_FHV1yZf9JoKcshT7SuvmEeu4U3FjdSwZ55he2ylUVhAjsZ0DL22bosAmM-6hhgBI1NZ7e41Sveo-7zVh2CBPXmPIZpPDM0uWYhqOxmpIb1bCLSxlMnBTtAY_bdlEZBzZ1TWLLCHTSjEGaT1A0TredNdgKHWY10tU7RDl2zVCi5BkZmUWRwvlw/w242-h242/VU%202.webp" width="242" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/White-Light-Heat-VINYL/dp/B07WQFWSLT/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1XKWDV7A3QI7T&keywords=velvet+underground+album&qid=1692400623&sprefix=velvet+underground+album%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6" target="_blank"><b><i>White Light, White Heat</i></b></a> (1968): </p><p>Breaking away from Warhol, losing Nico, and angry at the world for not loving them, they turn up the volume to twelve and give everyone the finger. (A pattern Lou would repeat this many more times.) And "Sister Ray" is earth-shaking. </p><p>But only for the converted. </p><p><b>A-</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Pm9pOUPuhV0f0btiazPvkinaAoIEdSrhwll4c_3cUtORBVYHBr0rRBwHOy3i1ut02j7HQ63-s2AQlM8YMTcisJe3YOmC6zKW4CmPfDXrFrlNpFIjiOJgb5n4vDH2dRbFfm0MZuxvGGNHtE66TOhXkPxHc7AZTK5izMQbrlF3JXMdq8FsaticMibjPk/s327/VU%203.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Pm9pOUPuhV0f0btiazPvkinaAoIEdSrhwll4c_3cUtORBVYHBr0rRBwHOy3i1ut02j7HQ63-s2AQlM8YMTcisJe3YOmC6zKW4CmPfDXrFrlNpFIjiOJgb5n4vDH2dRbFfm0MZuxvGGNHtE66TOhXkPxHc7AZTK5izMQbrlF3JXMdq8FsaticMibjPk/w244-h244/VU%203.webp" width="244" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Underground-45th-Anniversary-LP/dp/B00P11J7BG/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/145-5677144-8799461?pd_rd_w=rnIpP&content-id=amzn1.sym.26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_p=26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_r=JBRHNES8BDDVKR2W2JRA&pd_rd_wg=x3Crr&pd_rd_r=6a9a0598-ee9b-455e-a9de-4633e845aca4&pd_rd_i=B00P11J7BG&psc=1" target="_blank">The Velvet Underground</a></i><b> (1969): </b></p><p>With John Cale gone, it's now eerily quiet. Even a bit muffled. But well worth it because the songs are great. </p><p><b>A</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6QygBGy2t1pGSZmYMW6xBxm1yShngJ3b4Uiy6hdme3N8hyiTce2NljClyRFzrwNeS62uzDsF021ntUN63oeVxgJ_PrpwSnzQBjl3vRkIEKQAVDWMFhbxYYsM_FdKTTyJFIT98q5XFIwNU4L-gNcDaDNn5gRJlkF7T2ryqbWig8LSs55EtM5YvOgyLD4/s329/VU%204.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="329" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6QygBGy2t1pGSZmYMW6xBxm1yShngJ3b4Uiy6hdme3N8hyiTce2NljClyRFzrwNeS62uzDsF021ntUN63oeVxgJ_PrpwSnzQBjl3vRkIEKQAVDWMFhbxYYsM_FdKTTyJFIT98q5XFIwNU4L-gNcDaDNn5gRJlkF7T2ryqbWig8LSs55EtM5YvOgyLD4/w242-h240/VU%204.webp" width="242" /></a></p><p></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Loaded-Vinyl-Velvet-Underground/dp/B00J3D31ME/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/145-5677144-8799461?pd_rd_w=1JDcH&content-id=amzn1.sym.26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_p=26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_r=G0CHCWSHT7QJ6ZXDMEH8&pd_rd_wg=x3xIk&pd_rd_r=c64b52b4-749f-4553-a9f4-132808e0f210&pd_rd_i=B00J3D31ME&psc=1" target="_blank">Loaded</a></i> (1970)</b>: </p><p>As poppy as they'd ever get. It seems a bit slight at first. So why did I want to play it over and over again?</p><p><b>A</b></p><p>And for the hell of it, here's some snippets from the later compilations:</p><p>I caught <b><i>Live at Max's Kansas City</i> </b>on YouTube and kinda loved it. The ambiance can be a bit distracting, and Mo Tucker couldn't drum bc she was pregnant at the time. But she wasn't on <i>Loaded </i>either and I love that album, too. They all sound in great spirits. So why did Lou quit right after the show? <b>A-</b></p><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/1969-Velvet-Underground-Live-Reed/dp/B00845U2F6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EXPU8RU2YFV&keywords=live+1969+with+lou+reed&qid=1692401197&s=music&sprefix=live+1969+with+lou+reed%2Cpopular%2C84&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Live 69</a>: </b>Not revelatory, but oh, so steady. Look <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2014/05/blood-on-8-tracks-track-six-velvet.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more details. <b>A-</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/VU-Velvet-Underground/dp/B000008LZA/ref=sr_1_3?crid=WO86ERZ5CMIF&keywords=vu+cd+velvet+underground&qid=1692401263&s=music&sprefix=vu+cd+velvet+underground%2Cpopular%2C96&sr=1-3" target="_blank">VU</a></i> </b>(1985): This is "the great lost VU album" - songs recorded for a 69/70 release that never happened. This wonderful record almost ruins my experience of the Lou Reed solo albums because good old Lou was too busy taking drugs to write new songs, and used many of these instead. But we'll get to that at another time. <b>A</b></div><p>Anyway, after five years of recording and touring to no avail, an exhausted Lou Reed left the Velvet Underground and the music business altogether, dropping out for about two years.</p><p>For your listening pleasure, here's an hour's worth of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Big2pbpanJrVmJaTf3gdG?si=50154ea30a974f08" target="_blank">VU</a>.</p><p>Next: Lou, Alone</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-90925113218668006142023-06-29T20:14:00.000-04:002023-06-29T20:14:29.533-04:00Stands for Giannascoli<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJl-2mzl_pZHQFuUeYvDR-59dDrKLRsW5t7srJRGjinV36B1ptfNpmbmHUcft-PBH9Qqp77M4jpi7tDyM0D7diac955y6uh3Splvyym4E82qCt2CYqpOZDILkMqdEk-55f6SwChtXn8r6_ERbG0ZCFK4IC7xnQsZAS0Lz0qA-gJFFxLsL8ymVeFjXcvE/s248/Alex%20G%20Image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJl-2mzl_pZHQFuUeYvDR-59dDrKLRsW5t7srJRGjinV36B1ptfNpmbmHUcft-PBH9Qqp77M4jpi7tDyM0D7diac955y6uh3Splvyym4E82qCt2CYqpOZDILkMqdEk-55f6SwChtXn8r6_ERbG0ZCFK4IC7xnQsZAS0Lz0qA-gJFFxLsL8ymVeFjXcvE/s1600/Alex%20G%20Image.jpg" width="203" /></a></p><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I held out a while before getting an Alex G record. Since 2014 he's put out seven or (nine!) of them depending on who you ask. I often associate such fecundity with subpar quality. Albums are like kids. Only make as many as you can properly attend to.</div><p>My other carp was that he would now and then call himself "(Sandy) Alex G", so finding his records in the (not literal) record bins became a nightmare, me not knowing whether to look under <i>A</i> or <i>G </i>or <i>S </i>or <i>(</i>. </p><p>Turns out there are at least <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alex-g-mn0003509892" target="_blank">two</a> <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alex-g-mn0001295504" target="_blank">other</a> Alex Gs out there, so the one I'm talking about maybe needed to distinguish himself. </p><p>And he's done that by continuing to appear on best-of-year and decade polls and putting out this record last year:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGw7KGG_5zzBSKxMqXuFH0M0xxlJQI3WRWESax5BfEgVA4tvp9n8sbC_bh3LuaD32P8ztJWQeIDafYYRr1ijX8YRpH7bi5bKOeQiI6g97CYuZTcJzIKoWU9H_KlaHEv5AapDQoiqBUQrBDyQs4CqWvUhmg5RF4D6G7ghNoncMyAVxAkeGbm7D0KZSqp0/s327/Alex%20G.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGw7KGG_5zzBSKxMqXuFH0M0xxlJQI3WRWESax5BfEgVA4tvp9n8sbC_bh3LuaD32P8ztJWQeIDafYYRr1ijX8YRpH7bi5bKOeQiI6g97CYuZTcJzIKoWU9H_KlaHEv5AapDQoiqBUQrBDyQs4CqWvUhmg5RF4D6G7ghNoncMyAVxAkeGbm7D0KZSqp0/w258-h258/Alex%20G.webp" width="258" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/God-Save-Animals-Alex-G/dp/B0B3VLDCZ5/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=god+save+the+animals+cd&qid=1687715548&sprefix=god+save+the+animal%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b>Alex G: </b><b style="font-style: italic;">God Save the Animals</b></a> (2022)</p><p>I love the spare sound here. For the most part, just acoustic guitar, piano, and drums. I'm usually a more-is-better guy, but I realize now that it really only applies to things like chocolate chips and ketchup. This record leaves some <i>room. </i>And it's intimate enough to make it sound like he's playing in one, too. And sometimes there <i>is</i> more.</p><p>It's got the offhand feel of a good Neil Young record. I hear a bit of "Old Man" in "Forgive". And like Neil, he's a bit of a weirdo. Near the end, he sings:</p><p><i> How many more songs am I supposed to write B</i><i>efore I should turn it off and say good night?</i></p><p>You tell me, dude. You've got the nine albums out.</p><p>And he's clever enough to throw in a couple of female vocalists to compensate for his limited vocal range. He does manage to descend a dozen or so octaves (i.e., the depths of Hades) on "Blessing", though.</p><p>It doesn't have the relentless hooks of the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/05/rehearsals-for-retirement.html" target="_blank">Beths</a>, but it is unpredictable in the best possible sense, and that's what gives it the edge.</p><p>What with the many times I've blindly dipped into current pop music and come up disappointed, I have to say that this time I got lucky.</p><p>And even better, Mrs. Jaybee likes it, too!</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/JFaMCIVHz2I" width="480"></iframe></p><p><br /></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-38443262638066238572023-05-29T13:44:00.000-04:002023-05-29T13:44:51.951-04:00Rehearsals for Retirement<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8VyU6lZW2Xi2MNBIOT9Ma1p_GZJW16e68zL9PEnV8XhNe0DFAn-x0hj9_f7DLg0Ln-RkdbuM4hk07k8B9ldtuV74HOiGgWkIvo_yf5yMCo4f1ZPz2bRscksU7pDG4kvKQAvC6YHZ12ZelRM1CjhzzHjLGQ72Xq1wu5mWJuubd7w82_-zG41oLn1X3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8VyU6lZW2Xi2MNBIOT9Ma1p_GZJW16e68zL9PEnV8XhNe0DFAn-x0hj9_f7DLg0Ln-RkdbuM4hk07k8B9ldtuV74HOiGgWkIvo_yf5yMCo4f1ZPz2bRscksU7pDG4kvKQAvC6YHZ12ZelRM1CjhzzHjLGQ72Xq1wu5mWJuubd7w82_-zG41oLn1X3" width="204" /></a></div><br />As time passes most people begin to think about it differently. You start out luxuriating thinking about HOW MUCH time you have, but end up obsessing over how much time you have LEFT.<p></p><p>Musically speaking, a younger person might feel at ease exploring all the different byways, but later with a limited amount of time, focus on essentials. So how is it that I feel I've gotten it backward? Perhaps because I always tried to have it both ways. </p><p>As a teen with a lot of time, I'd occasionally sneak outside the Allman/Dead/Country Rock galaxy to explore singer-songwriters, bands like the Kinks, prog rock, and then punk/new wave. </p><p>Then, while balancing work and school, I stuck my toe into jazz with (what else?) <i>Kind of Blue </i>and classical with (what else?) <i>Beethoven. </i></p><p>And finally, as a working parent and spouse, I tried to take full advantage of the limited time I had to focus on the "best books", the "best movies", and the "best music". I probably relied too much on critics but it sure beat not utilizing them at all. I learned a lot and experienced many things I otherwise would not have.</p><p>Now, with children grown and retirement approaching, I'm changing my focus again. On one hand, I've got fewer days to look forward to. On the other, on a day-to-day basis, I'll have <i>more </i>time. So should I stick to the essentials? </p><p>I've decided <i>Hell </i>no.</p><p>My attitude, instead, is <i>why not?</i> <i>Why not </i>the "frowned upon" music? <i>Why not </i>the weird music? Better to experience it myself than to make assumptions based on what others say.</p><p>I carry around three frequently overlapping categories of music/art in my head:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Very Popular</i>, which I occasionally dip into. Knowing what I'm getting into allows me to do so with little regret, but occasional embarrassment. (Carla Rae Jepsen, Bad Bunny)</li><li><i>The Critically Acclaimed</i>, which, for a while, provided me with the sense of there being a "canon". There isn't but it helped me focus on that niche of the culture that gave me the biggest bang for the buck/hour. It should contain some of categories 1 and 3.</li><li><i>The Weird</i>, which I would only indulge in if it also fell into category 2. I no longer care now. Even if I end up <i>hating </i>something I won't regret <i>experiencing</i> it. A double CD set of <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/and-their-refinement-of-the-decline-mw0000566096" target="_blank">droning electronic minimalism</a>? You bet! A three-CD set of <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/metal-machine-music-mw0000099717" target="_blank">"unlistenable noise"</a>? Bring it on! But let's wait until winter.</li></ol><p></p><p>If anything, my greatest fear is to fall into the rut of getting "just another pop record" that, while pleasant enough, may not add any <i>joy </i>to my life. I want records that make me feel that it's good to be alive. A merely excellent record may not do that. </p><p>All of which - this time around - brings me to the last <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-beths-mn0003733651" target="_blank">Beths</a> record.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifq76kRBzidN25jm7j-lO_2ZmqGAeSMPW4NCFJyUHY-CFQKV3JsACQJbVUB9cUPYM8Qlyh8g0-HO1-jromzHfqdND3y0SpwYZoa5214DTaQSL5pCF9zNCxBTRp8oF5HP-DKThOiH-rcpR3D6I5S5aJgXJavwxsmFBFOH9lxOtdWrSnDr5DT8j24hF/s327/beths.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifq76kRBzidN25jm7j-lO_2ZmqGAeSMPW4NCFJyUHY-CFQKV3JsACQJbVUB9cUPYM8Qlyh8g0-HO1-jromzHfqdND3y0SpwYZoa5214DTaQSL5pCF9zNCxBTRp8oF5HP-DKThOiH-rcpR3D6I5S5aJgXJavwxsmFBFOH9lxOtdWrSnDr5DT8j24hF/w239-h239/beths.webp" width="239" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Dying-Field-Beths/dp/B0B3DMC4B9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RMJMGB93S5KE&keywords=the+beths+expert+in+a+dying+field+cd&qid=1685362266&sprefix=the+beths+expert+in+a+dying+field%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b>The Beths: <i>Experts in a Dying Field</i></b></a> (2022)</p><p></p><div>Singer Elizabeth Stokes doesn't seem to feel the need to minimize her adult femaleness by sounding like an eight-year-old, nor does she overcompensate for it by being mean. She's just a regular gal trying to get through her life. And melody is not a bad way to try. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's not that those melodies are revolutionary, just tried and tested before and applied here with care and intelligence now. </div><div><br /></div><div>The guitar knows just what to do, whether it's an arresting intro, a to-the-point solo, or a timely change of pace, Sweet most of the time, fuzzy or crunchy when called for.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the band focuses on putting this all across. And the title really sticks with me. Does AI make it may apply to all of us now? </div><div><br /></div><div>In other words, as good as almost any pop record I've gotten in the last few years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, but the eternal question now is, will it bring me <i>joy</i>? Not quite sure yet, which itself is not a good sign. The very reasonableness of the sound may undercut any attempt to go for broke, which may be what you have to do the get there.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I just don't know. But I'll let you know at year's end.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A-</b></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/-KACt6YhOyY" width="480"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-57372961729897153292023-04-30T07:45:00.001-04:002023-04-30T07:48:32.566-04:00Springtime for Hitl, er, Pop Music<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgeJqAXutmJsmg_oryX-5sTu6dxAu17foP37O9zB7d_mDNDXrsbGqnEmHm_6KmT1mCA98qkMb6rMkUFokciqFDQyk-U09dBeQQVInpo9x589ZWkmzrHU-kAqaBzA8QaBuQaSAhrZxnMA-b0uEApuSfbpOCZ8EYw_Xvoq274PqgWAOxAxlmh10eJ7/s290/Springtime%20for%20Hitler%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsgeJqAXutmJsmg_oryX-5sTu6dxAu17foP37O9zB7d_mDNDXrsbGqnEmHm_6KmT1mCA98qkMb6rMkUFokciqFDQyk-U09dBeQQVInpo9x589ZWkmzrHU-kAqaBzA8QaBuQaSAhrZxnMA-b0uEApuSfbpOCZ8EYw_Xvoq274PqgWAOxAxlmh10eJ7/w640-h382/Springtime%20for%20Hitler%20(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p><p>I barely got a jazz post in before Spring, and now I'm barely getting a pop post in before Summer, which - let's face it - starts on Memorial Day.</p><p>The problem this time was that Mrs. Jaybee had some "reservations" about a few of these records. So I told her to give it time. She said she's given it forty years. Well, that's fair.</p><p>Anyway, I wanted to see where she landed on them. Her final judgements follow mine below.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtsDZtLhOj6p_bhhylMLZ4kFONd4hiABxKUV8Lh4IBWSFzhUpFx0v9YwDEz7pD-AUVzF-0oZpC8eTuHfkRrhn-81vQ169d0wRz3INyoajY1wCIeECBq7v5dqyfbA9WP6hUwVl2lRn814PdSsO_He0K5AHExd2-kHzQl0g_8Hx4pgfg5bfn3dm6x_m/s300/Dismemberment%20Plan.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="292" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtsDZtLhOj6p_bhhylMLZ4kFONd4hiABxKUV8Lh4IBWSFzhUpFx0v9YwDEz7pD-AUVzF-0oZpC8eTuHfkRrhn-81vQ169d0wRz3INyoajY1wCIeECBq7v5dqyfbA9WP6hUwVl2lRn814PdSsO_He0K5AHExd2-kHzQl0g_8Hx4pgfg5bfn3dm6x_m/w245-h252/Dismemberment%20Plan.webp" width="245" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-I-Dismemberment-Plan/dp/B01M4OT5EZ/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dismemberment+plan+cd&qid=1682764125&s=music&sprefix=dismemberment%2Cpopular%2C60&sr=1-8" target="_blank">The Dismemberment Plan: <i>Emergency and I</i></a> </b>(1999)</p><p>They sound like a nineties version of Talking Heads, and I admit that I like this guy's voice more than David Byrne's. And the band is tight. The problem is in their pursuit of a unique sound they often sound like they're achieving it for its own sake. It might grow on me, but for now, it's a record to be appreciated, if not actively enjoyed. </p><p>Except for one brief shining moment when it all comes together in "Back And Forth".</p><p><b>B</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee: </b>I tried. I really tried. But no.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUXXuSzXXM" target="_blank">"Back and Forth"</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY7BdvBms7JIBTkbG-LeTcTVmsWjamQsYoMQGMO9jklM7RpAiO6OH2f0PlLzTbh9p7nRv2oLAdZWyPCgKkM-ijbdWfrTYjbb36ZFaJyhrTU4_BBmyt4HY2a0sZQi_c3qIRDcoVvG-J3acwNqBmLyUt48-Thg3e6fjT0Jrq_PCMzlj5M40j72LkCqj/s333/Rosalia.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="333" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY7BdvBms7JIBTkbG-LeTcTVmsWjamQsYoMQGMO9jklM7RpAiO6OH2f0PlLzTbh9p7nRv2oLAdZWyPCgKkM-ijbdWfrTYjbb36ZFaJyhrTU4_BBmyt4HY2a0sZQi_c3qIRDcoVvG-J3acwNqBmLyUt48-Thg3e6fjT0Jrq_PCMzlj5M40j72LkCqj/w247-h242/Rosalia.webp" width="247" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/MOTOMAMI-Rosalia/dp/B09RRHP9RW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36BOJIBBRCMNI&keywords=motomani+rosalia+vinyl&qid=1682711587&s=music&sprefix=motomani+rosalia+vinyl%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-1" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Rosalia: </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/MOTOMAMI-Rosalia/dp/B09RRHP9RW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36BOJIBBRCMNI&keywords=motomani+rosalia+vinyl&qid=1682711587&s=music&sprefix=motomani+rosalia+vinyl%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b style="font-style: italic;">Motomani</b> </a>(2022)</p><p>An eerily beautiful voice that is actually <i>helped</i> by autotune, assuming it's even there at all. She sings in Spanish(?) so I have no idea what's going on. But the constant flow of melody, beat, and noise in all the right places makes it hard to complain. The musical settings and styles are quite varied so there's rarely a dull moment.</p><p>And for heaven's sake, buy this record so she can go get a pair of pants!</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee: </b>Bleh.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y28_bM8h_Cg" target="_blank">"La Combi Versace"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYIy1ru9La2i0SOz0DUf1rp4s6hr9AHdoBAw3zQUqExxGP-6j9o46haNRYr0LKV170Q-vzE_f57JiMAg_iMAr_qbF3gwo0ZhJbgDQ1HZen0doqPxUhaIa93SEbzgiSNivZ4eVDwZ3ABgzfgSm5Ok5WWcKUQ-E3kv9UPZ_Y3C1x40FYZWIf6laeW9j/s450/Broken%20Social%20Scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="450" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYIy1ru9La2i0SOz0DUf1rp4s6hr9AHdoBAw3zQUqExxGP-6j9o46haNRYr0LKV170Q-vzE_f57JiMAg_iMAr_qbF3gwo0ZhJbgDQ1HZen0doqPxUhaIa93SEbzgiSNivZ4eVDwZ3ABgzfgSm5Ok5WWcKUQ-E3kv9UPZ_Y3C1x40FYZWIf6laeW9j/w242-h224/Broken%20Social%20Scene.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008RBJU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details" target="_blank"><b>Broken Social Scene: </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">You Forgot it In People</i></a> (2006)</p><p>Not a Canadian supergroup like the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Pornographers" target="_blank">New Pornographers</a>, but rather, a "collective", so right there they lose the Republican vote. But everybody else, stick around.</p><p>This is surprisingly mellow given the tendency of such formulations to rock out at great length since anything else would require um, songwriting. Kinda similar to <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2021/09/on-being-here-to-stay-never-forgetting.html" target="_blank">Spiritualized</a> but more modest.</p><p>Quite easy on the ear but not quite <i>compelling</i>. It's the kind of record where you just go with the flow unless they jam on a little too long. But they avoid that here.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee Reaction: </b>Good.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_hMeiD0XnQ" target="_blank">"KC Accidental"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-2NUE8nE-3fjXkQMm7JWQx6Nkkl1pIFX2X21-MRwPQeOLCmUp8WwWECsbhdVZnqF9CoUkJJSgDdBWp-rWkxw7tQ-xpUo_nEaog9JBMIPIAugfa7jOi9kYZFyFQpL9qJkK1gd9Q3Mo3LB2nF_4HhwXoSt_HNpb6qfmqHfJpQ5FxOL1sEHiLOUbJ--/s327/Talk%20Talk.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="318" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-2NUE8nE-3fjXkQMm7JWQx6Nkkl1pIFX2X21-MRwPQeOLCmUp8WwWECsbhdVZnqF9CoUkJJSgDdBWp-rWkxw7tQ-xpUo_nEaog9JBMIPIAugfa7jOi9kYZFyFQpL9qJkK1gd9Q3Mo3LB2nF_4HhwXoSt_HNpb6qfmqHfJpQ5FxOL1sEHiLOUbJ--/w243-h250/Talk%20Talk.webp" width="243" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Eden-TALK-2013-05-04/dp/B01G9A4ZN2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29QKV0LE8BTAZ&keywords=spirit+of+eden+talk+talk&qid=1682711710&s=music&sprefix=spirit+of+eden+talk+talk%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-2" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Talk Talk: </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Eden-TALK-2013-05-04/dp/B01G9A4ZN2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29QKV0LE8BTAZ&keywords=spirit+of+eden+talk+talk&qid=1682711710&s=music&sprefix=spirit+of+eden+talk+talk%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-2" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Spirit of Eden</a><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>(1988)</p><p>A classic Mrs. Jaybee's first reaction: "This is boring. Don't ever play this when I'm around." (Ah, but she's said this before!)</p><p>I usually hate the throaty nasal whine of English singers (Spandau Ballet's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR8D2yqgQ1U" target="_blank">"True"</a>; Duran Duran's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3a4OTh2Y8w" target="_blank">"New Moon on Monday"</a>), and, alas, Talk Talk (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFH5JgyZK1I" target="_blank">"It's My Life"</a>) seemed to want to make a career out of it, so while they were around I avoided them like the plague (heh, heh). But now that we've actually had one I thought I'd given them a chance.</p><p>I wasn't thrilled to see the album was comprised of six longish songs. However, slowed down, and with just the right amount of ambient dressing and guitar gnarl that whine sounds pretty soulful, even if in the same key throughout. A minor miracle.</p><p>And speaking of miracles, the lyrics are rather oblique, but with hints of finding God. So I respect the singer's willingness to risk sounding like an idiot, and the band's willingness to back him up.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee's Reaction: </b>I can't believe I'm actually enjoying this. (I can't believe it's Talk Talk, either.)</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKtp3SOQE6I" target="_blank">"I Believe in You"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9qDuwG1lD_2dZ1FfwH9oNJPb5DlFuGzXr_t93Nda5JJO273B1JhqcnDovDVNFuNl2H5r9RgeDhWSMKvLEDcT9Wc7rkn4yxZV8p1cwAsEZfw_8vAcMROHn5PFf0RqjpbkGaTWxGBkSQkcIFtDRF5Mu27bdkdPpF754H0UFms9AALusi4UWh9Fxqvm/s327/Blue%20Rev.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9qDuwG1lD_2dZ1FfwH9oNJPb5DlFuGzXr_t93Nda5JJO273B1JhqcnDovDVNFuNl2H5r9RgeDhWSMKvLEDcT9Wc7rkn4yxZV8p1cwAsEZfw_8vAcMROHn5PFf0RqjpbkGaTWxGBkSQkcIFtDRF5Mu27bdkdPpF754H0UFms9AALusi4UWh9Fxqvm/w239-h239/Blue%20Rev.webp" width="239" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Rev-Alvvays/dp/B0B65SZKLJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32UAI31SI9V5I&keywords=blue+rev+cd&qid=1682711303&s=music&sprefix=blue+rev+cd%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-1" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Alvvays: </a><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Rev-Alvvays/dp/B0B65SZKLJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32UAI31SI9V5I&keywords=blue+rev+cd&qid=1682711303&s=music&sprefix=blue+rev+cd%2Cpopular%2C76&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> Blue Rev</a> </i>(2022)</p><p>There is an absolutely frantic level of energy and melody. Which may go to show that more isn't necessarily better. Their last album was so good because they kept it all sharp, bright, and clear, if maybe too controlled. </p><p>But now they go all <i>Exile on Main Street, </i>and sound like they're playing on a subway platform with the train arriving. Last time the guitar solos were melodic and precise, and now they buzz and growl and roar, risking utter chaos. Luckily Molly Rankin's voice can still be heard through it all.</p><p>And sometimes I'm a <i>more </i>is better kind of guy so I say here we're breaking even.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee's reaction: </b>She has a high-pitched voice and here she sometimes insists on going even higher, but otherwise very good.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWfG7F-TAWY" target="_blank">"Easy On Your Own?"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSHNqg3gTw5utTMLTOVmioNhTY3hR14n_dLLLgOOFlkk0VapFx5AuJ_42ilANBcULcPtMQEfXjDX9TvBxYiZMNxGXk0SWlgXFyBMj-blhG4YMKFWuAIzYiRbzmYduGO29FF2wX7J5mXaa6iTgI59zWpJ6FvhKXAKNEHskNaqqEam7M6gOXw_pE38h/s327/The%20Smile.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSHNqg3gTw5utTMLTOVmioNhTY3hR14n_dLLLgOOFlkk0VapFx5AuJ_42ilANBcULcPtMQEfXjDX9TvBxYiZMNxGXk0SWlgXFyBMj-blhG4YMKFWuAIzYiRbzmYduGO29FF2wX7J5mXaa6iTgI59zWpJ6FvhKXAKNEHskNaqqEam7M6gOXw_pE38h/w234-h234/The%20Smile.webp" width="234" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Light-Attracting-Attention-Smile/dp/B09XX8WXVN/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682712047&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Smile: <i>A Light for Attracting Attention</i></a> (2022)</b></p><p>Two guys (singer, guitar player) from <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/radiohead-mn0000326249" target="_blank">Radiohead</a> plus one guy (drummer) from <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sons-of-kemet-mn0003146048" target="_blank">Sons of Kemet</a>, add up to kind-of-like-Radiohead but with a more intricate beat.</p><p>And like some Radiohead records this one veers between harsh racket and quietly melodic. Yorke's lyrics have never been great, he's got a nice voice, and man, the sounds Johnny Greenwood gets out of his guitar!</p><div>If forced to place it within other Radiohead records I'm familiar with I'd judge this as better than <i>Amnesiac </i>but not quite as good as <i>In Rainbows.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>You can take it from there.</div><p><b>A-</b></p><p><b>Mrs. Jaybee: </b>Love it!</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyq-YwrUJhw" target="_blank">"Open the Floodgates"</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Now let's see what Summer brings. I should know by Christmas.</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-51868420279322789602023-03-18T09:04:00.004-04:002023-03-18T09:09:40.856-04:00Full Disclosure, Part 4: Having Said All That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2CdBFKCIKnSAn9ZbplFBGzLhNgeglbYWBH9Mbil8Xqol7Nj1RvUu-esPM9AgDaqIYiZGgGn5g-1WHGMtbDytV1YWV1X2ulYG5BTUKm8wqGn1XVp38KepGO13cAhvTVnLorFzfzSEO9WmNWjTkl0PF89nqnjpfsoeOtZzWchWJGLErTp-ile8EJV1/s798/Sun%20Ra%20Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="798" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2CdBFKCIKnSAn9ZbplFBGzLhNgeglbYWBH9Mbil8Xqol7Nj1RvUu-esPM9AgDaqIYiZGgGn5g-1WHGMtbDytV1YWV1X2ulYG5BTUKm8wqGn1XVp38KepGO13cAhvTVnLorFzfzSEO9WmNWjTkl0PF89nqnjpfsoeOtZzWchWJGLErTp-ile8EJV1/w593-h391/Sun%20Ra%20Image.jpg" width="593" /></a></div><br /><p>As I've said in the past my jazz sweet spot is late-fifties small combos. 40s big bands are a big learning curve for me and I find 70s fusion revolting and 80s "quite storm" boring.</p><div>Here's a sort of list of my favorite jazz albums</div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Miles Davis: <i>Kind of Blue/In a Silent Way/Jack Johnson</i></li><li>Thelonious Monk: <i>Misterioso/Genius of Modern Music</i></li><li>Django Reinhardt: <i>Djangology</i></li><li>John Coltrane: <i>Giant Steps</i></li><li>Bud Powell: <i>The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1</i></li><li>Keith Jarrett: <i>The Koln Concert</i></li><li>Erroll Garner: <i>Concert by the Sea</i></li><li><i>Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman</i></li><li>Vince Guaraldi: <i>A Charlie Brown Christmas</i></li><li>Charlie Parker: <i>Ken Burns Jazz/Legendary Dial Masters</i></li><li>John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk: <i>Live at Carnegie Hall</i></li></ul>I'm not really sure how helpful that is, so I decided to try something else. Here's a table with several of the above, along with a couple I'm not crazy about, all scored via some not-so-well-thought-out categories, each using a scale of 1 - 5:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Accessibility: </b>How likely you'll immediately find it catchy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Depth: </b>How much there is to hear in there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Warmth: </b>How welcoming in tone.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tvMORnSiBCTj34cbSvbPZQqqHEVKeNgUbujEiI6cAEXeoYFTjzi72IqwodOCSmXPN8mbpCrQwIv6uazpQYf5MUPAsyDuNv_H6Bq6_2VebKZPL37guVsfotjbk_h11qXZX0M0umu8xegllCe9TssYYI4fKReL6VlE-QzAZF7s2S4sEwvjQQoz6bPe/s824/Jazz%20Matrix.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="824" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tvMORnSiBCTj34cbSvbPZQqqHEVKeNgUbujEiI6cAEXeoYFTjzi72IqwodOCSmXPN8mbpCrQwIv6uazpQYf5MUPAsyDuNv_H6Bq6_2VebKZPL37guVsfotjbk_h11qXZX0M0umu8xegllCe9TssYYI4fKReL6VlE-QzAZF7s2S4sEwvjQQoz6bPe/w567-h218/Jazz%20Matrix.png" width="567" /></a></div><p>If I threw in all of the ones I first mentioned you'd more easily see that my favorites don't score consistently highly in any particular category. That's where my own taste comes in.</p>So with this in mind let me tell you about a few records, which I'll try to grade, and also score.<br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYC3wwxQFRw0JuthNGQYnCGkfY2pzwIW1h6SuPHNbGFpy8J9qH2mYrHgTcdDpN7rW2za0mx9Cfkv4C2D-9lASgfTlM-jG88ZlpRtj5eJMqPsE_cP08etn5cgfcaMwxiWixAAyb1yH44X8Y303-QPE5ZGcudTn3jyqI-MwGl4PpIY3kIyvAgQA6HTf/s428/JC%20Africa%20Brass.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="425" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYC3wwxQFRw0JuthNGQYnCGkfY2pzwIW1h6SuPHNbGFpy8J9qH2mYrHgTcdDpN7rW2za0mx9Cfkv4C2D-9lASgfTlM-jG88ZlpRtj5eJMqPsE_cP08etn5cgfcaMwxiWixAAyb1yH44X8Y303-QPE5ZGcudTn3jyqI-MwGl4PpIY3kIyvAgQA6HTf/w254-h256/JC%20Africa%20Brass.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000008ALY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details" target="_blank">John Coltrane: <i>Africa Brass</i></a><i> </i>(1961)</b></p><p>Ever the explorer, here JC is with a big band (arranged by sweet weirdo Eric Dolphy) and it is so much better than I'd expected. The big band provides a huge sound wall that JC tries to bound over. It provides an outlet for all that pent-up musical energy.</p><p>My version contains both volumes, with some resulting alternate versions. Not a problem. JC always makes them worthwhile.</p><p>The best place to start with JC? Probably not. That might be <i>My Favorite Things.</i> But bitching JC disc? Absolutely.</p><p><b>Grade: A-</b></p><p><b>Score: 4/4/4</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VY8Z0YsOOc" target="_blank">"Song of the Underground Railroad"</a></p><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEmExx8akEUMgfFMqBYVHlHvs56v3kEOqd0sglD7mlq8xgvIC7JPmN7PLtt17uZZNIAn0lX1QN824igcZZUlfo-EVgfZweu7JLneMZzcpUrtUdVfPxtA1MmAGLPMxXEXXgbU6SWwqtNKna3vmkmeOj9k37ugFSkZcbuqcNmX2L3EaJpF2qbF5UAwT/s327/Sun%20Ra.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEmExx8akEUMgfFMqBYVHlHvs56v3kEOqd0sglD7mlq8xgvIC7JPmN7PLtt17uZZNIAn0lX1QN824igcZZUlfo-EVgfZweu7JLneMZzcpUrtUdVfPxtA1MmAGLPMxXEXXgbU6SWwqtNKna3vmkmeOj9k37ugFSkZcbuqcNmX2L3EaJpF2qbF5UAwT/w248-h248/Sun%20Ra.webp" width="248" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lanquidity-Sun-Ra/dp/B0994C9RY2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lanquidity+sun+ra&qid=1679095654&sprefix=lanquidity%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Sun Ra Arkestra: </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lanquidity-Sun-Ra/dp/B0994C9RY2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lanquidity+sun+ra&qid=1679095654&sprefix=lanquidity%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Lanquidity</a> </i>(1978)</b></p><p>I could swear I caught Sun Ra for the first time on Saturday Night Live. I couldn't track it down on Youtube, but Wikipedia not on confirms it, but says that this album was recorded right after their appearance!</p><p>Buck Henry was the host that night, and I remember him introducing Sun Ra and Arkestra with all due respect and reverence. The performance was easily one of the weirdest I'd witnessed up until that time. Unless Tiny Tim counted.</p><p>SR is the classic "difficult artist with a huge back catalog" that makes the idea of finding an entry point quite daunting. I asked some on-line acquaintances where to start, and they offered some helpful suggestions, like "anywhere". I finally broke down via a mysterious now missing Christgau recommendation and got this record, with bonus alternate versions of each cut.</p><p>And I'd take it over <i>Bitches Brew</i> any day. That bloated monster was almost all flash and awkward funk (Yes, I just invented that oxymoronic genre.) But <i>Lanquidity</i> is modest, almost halting, slightly out of tune saxophone duets and slow-churned miasma. A bit funky, a bit brooding. And the alternate cuts just extend the spell. Kind of like that strange neighbor of yours who talks to himself all day. </p><p>I'm not sure if this would be a good entry point for Sun Ra, so be warned.</p><p><b>Grade: A-</b></p><p><b>Score: 3/3/3</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h625GKA3B8E&list=OLAK5uy_mTPm8kC2IK2Wqu2CUfEY7mfauld4-JNbU" target="_blank">"Where Pathways Meet"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZHrR96AEcNTX7oAUjEurqtlRrFIudTpm4Li2x1Kst286COQGS7HgUH527U1dZwp4VDyc_Q9dvPfiioGKvAcPwj15RVZdoSlaCeib9dekYRMtggy26EAeUotlbLMUKeHsOUDNAljtmT35JG17XwauSJRGA79I09Rs74clm4tyqZCdbDa_ICJogfo/s301/Roots%20of%20Jazz%20Funk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="301" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZHrR96AEcNTX7oAUjEurqtlRrFIudTpm4Li2x1Kst286COQGS7HgUH527U1dZwp4VDyc_Q9dvPfiioGKvAcPwj15RVZdoSlaCeib9dekYRMtggy26EAeUotlbLMUKeHsOUDNAljtmT35JG17XwauSJRGA79I09Rs74clm4tyqZCdbDa_ICJogfo/w245-h244/Roots%20of%20Jazz%20Funk.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000003SI0?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details" target="_blank">Various Artists: <i>Roots of Jazz Funk, Vol 1</i></a> (2006)</b></p><p>This collection lands squarely in my jazz sweet spot, and is just wonderful.</p><p>I only own one of its eleven cuts. And the rest includes several artists who aren't quite in the pantheon but who have great performances (Lee Morgan, "The Sidewinder", Art Blakey, "Moanin", Horace Silver, "Song for My Father", Cannonball Adderly, "Work Song") and some who are, doing songs that had thus far eluded me.</p><p>The key concept: no standards (and thus, no trying to figure out the tune and what they're doing to it), just instrumentals with memorable riffs, and ace players to drive it home. Because if you don't do it right it can be deadly dull. This one gets it right every single time.</p><p>A perfect intro to the era.</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><b>5/4/5</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0C8LSE4is" target="_blank">"Work Song"</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Now, before I go all pop for the spring, as a parting gift, here's a performance from Sun Ra and Arkestra from about a year before the SNL appearance, where they let it all hang out:</p><p><br /></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Y_6h6LNxen4" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y_6h6LNxen4/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-66084840028231425722023-03-17T17:39:00.000-04:002023-03-17T17:39:06.887-04:00Full Disclosure, Part 3: Where I'm Coming From<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/vS-zEH8YmiM" width="480"></iframe></p><p>Music is an obsession for me, so I almost couldn't help but do a better job of staying in the <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2023/03/full-disclosure-part-2-convo.html" target="_blank">convo</a> than most. If I'm wrong, then I’m just another drunk in the virtual bar. </p><p>My goal is to keep you from being <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iPp-G3f0rp8" target="_blank">this person</a>, or an old geezer who says things like "Kids These Days". </p><p>But with that in mind, There Are Some Things About Me You Should Know. The following is a list of things that might provide insight into my taste.</p><p>I have a bigger-than-average (1,600 or so) record collection, with the inevitable gaps. I don't think I'd want every single record by <i>anybody, </i>and can speak with real authority about none. And I'm willing to accept the general consensus that, say, <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/dylan-1973--mw0000691016" target="_blank">Dylan</a> </i>(1973) is a <i>horrible</i> album. I did, however, hear his version of "Big Yellow Taxi" and...shudder.</p><p>I have my own unique tastes and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5u-H9OQT2c" target="_blank">enthusiasms</a>.</i></p><p>I'd like to think my center of gravity is pop music, but the definition of which changes daily, so to be more specific, I'll say "rock music" - bands that play electric guitars, preferably with some songwriting underneath it. </p><p>Rock 'n Roll should be fun. And if serious it should be <i>very </i>passionate. </p><p>I was always more Allmans/Dead than Zeppelin.</p><p>I like guitars that chime and that crunch. Loud, by itself, does nothing for me.</p><p>Great technical skill means nothing without good songs. The minimal skill required to put the song across is all that's really needed.</p><p>I am way behind on music by African Americans, only enjoying 70s (Funkadelic) in the last 20 years or so, and 80s/90s hip hop about now.</p><p>I find music <i>from </i>Africa - at least what I've been exposed to - to be very enticing. Probably because they like their guitars, too. The singing and the beats are a bonus.</p><p>I like “old” country music (Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, etc) but even then in small doses. (I don't ever see myself doing a "Country Weekend" at my house.</p><p>Modern county music just sounds like watered-down rock 'n roll with cornier guitar playing. Due to sexual - and political - politics, unless there's a female singer, I usually can't get through it.</p><p>I usually have my fill of bluegrass after listening to one album a year.</p><p>I also don’t see myself doing a “let’s play all my reggae albums today” unless I take up weed during my retirement.</p><p>I have a greater tolerance for blues, which I can play all day, but maybe not tomorrow. Not the summer, either.</p><p>Electronica would get its own day (by which I mean night).</p><p>Ditto ambient. Unless I’m in a depression, then it's for the duration.</p><p>Classical is best taken in small doses. But I can imagine a “classical-only winter” in my future.</p><p>I <i>look forward</i> to a jazz-only winter. In lieu of that there's always a John Coltrane Day, Thelonious Monk Day (in song title order, just for laughs) Miles Davis Day, etc.</p><p>I’m also a big believer in the “Don’t hate disco/funk/EDM, etc. because it’s got a beat, and don’t hate classical because it doesn’t”. It's like hating chicken because it tastes like chicken.</p><p>Each of these genres produces both good and bad music. My judgments are based on how well I keep up with the conversation. They may seem all over the place because of that - hating a perfectly pleasant album while loving something that doesn't even make sense to me. I will try to warn you when this happens.</p><p>And metal! How could I forget metal? </p><p>Because I want to.</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-41777543410153552252023-03-16T18:30:00.001-04:002023-03-16T18:30:56.709-04:00Full Disclosure, Part 2: The Convo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_l0DmeglklGjWx01kSHvujHf1jv_MV2KIWt1VuVUqL_ekVuWU3kfuXmPISZYeneHOPc6ZYdV8KpOA4fQBcF3JedES1rmdEcXJG9g3IQ1WWZsGT2ObJR87j84io2YCw72mcPPBFsnI-3kUqolcDSPm-5B5GZUDhvP5QXCL1CX8psaJtuIwFBj7tXw/s1600/conversation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_l0DmeglklGjWx01kSHvujHf1jv_MV2KIWt1VuVUqL_ekVuWU3kfuXmPISZYeneHOPc6ZYdV8KpOA4fQBcF3JedES1rmdEcXJG9g3IQ1WWZsGT2ObJR87j84io2YCw72mcPPBFsnI-3kUqolcDSPm-5B5GZUDhvP5QXCL1CX8psaJtuIwFBj7tXw/s320/conversation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Whatever anyone may tell you about hearing music that absolutely floored them that happens less and less as you get older. But it's not because of the music itself.</p><p>Some recent studies have found that we connect most with the music we hear at age fifteen. That's what we'll always look back on wistfully, often with good reason. But if you stopped listening after that, it's highly likely you'll hear something new and have that same feeling. </p><p>And it's not simply that you haven't listened. It's also that the music has changed over time. One of the reasons it changes is that it's not done in a vacuum. There <i>are </i>artists who will hole up in a studio and seemingly out of left field release something that completely changes the game. </p><p>More often, though, it's that an artist releases something that's a little different and listeners respond positively to it. (Let's for the moment forget about the 90% of the time when they react negatively.) The artist is then encouraged to continue to make music in this vein, or even explore further.</p><p>Then other artists respond - either through being inspired or wanting to cash in - by producing something like what the first artist did. Suddenly you've got a trend that will either die out or in turn push someone else to try something a little different again, and so on. The music is <i>evolving. </i>(Just call me Jaybee Darwin.)</p><p>So what I'm saying is that there is a kind of dialog going on between artists and audiences, with the first group doing something the other group responds to positively. Over time the dialog is such that there are references or even "in-jokes" the artist is confident the audience will get. </p><p>And here (finally) is the critical part: If you drop out of the audience for a while, if/when you come back you might be bewildered by the sound. If however, you don't leave you might find these same sounds to be quite natural.</p><p>And if you liken it to participating in a conversation, it's like you're hanging out with friends talking and you step away for a while. When you come back it's unlikely they're talking about the same thing as before so you have to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vROih4weKoM" target="_blank">listen</a> to get your bearings again.</p><p>With music those periods of stepping away can be years, what with life pulling and pushing at you. </p><p>And, man, when you come back it's jarring. I had a period in the early nineties when the kids were young so loud music was "counterproductive" to sanity, new music was replaced by diapers and formula. </p><p>By then, radio had discovered Classic Rock, and abandoned any pretense of playing anything new except in the strictest chronological sense. The internet was in its infancy. The best it had to offer was "Joe Schmo's All-Time Favorite Albums" on an AOL bulletin board. (Joe, by the way, likes Black Sabbath.) So I read about new music more than heard it.</p><p>My absence had an impact - the nineties are highly regarded for grunge, ska, etc. To this day I'm a bit cool to it all. I'm still not crazy about lo-fi guitars or white guys strumming off the beat.</p><p>The typical response might be a variation of "Kids These Days". But when you hear yourself saying things your mom and pop said - and I'm sure they were wonderful people - you should know you're in trouble.</p><p>But over time I worked my way back into the conversation.</p><p>But if you see this guy, don't even try:</p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/OGcen505JkI" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OGcen505JkI/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-83148703130913936312023-03-15T17:59:00.000-04:002023-03-15T17:59:03.393-04:00Full Disclosure, Part 1: Egrets, I've Had a Few<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIMnZTQU4TzeU1ETevvesoRJCUhqDDesjuW8ei3eN2vq55RZN5b1UYbdY732rMEu-oOHdcpkGke5ObeQB4HM6KDARyRxNTnOshMAawhvPslnl8Z7eTuxKeQnW_1v-QtNav4up4pFq9k0bv3ghWWSiy4cCenwEVxXM2miXd_0n73e1uxUGzhpkkMf0/s612/egret%20istockphoto-1254526712-612x612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="612" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIMnZTQU4TzeU1ETevvesoRJCUhqDDesjuW8ei3eN2vq55RZN5b1UYbdY732rMEu-oOHdcpkGke5ObeQB4HM6KDARyRxNTnOshMAawhvPslnl8Z7eTuxKeQnW_1v-QtNav4up4pFq9k0bv3ghWWSiy4cCenwEVxXM2miXd_0n73e1uxUGzhpkkMf0/s320/egret%20istockphoto-1254526712-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I was busy patting myself on the back the other day about some clever turn of phrase I came up with, when it occurred to me that my original goal in creating this blog - other than the obvious ones ("Ego Trip", "I'm Smarter Than You", "Avoid Actually Conversing with Humans", etc.) - was to bridge the gap between other people my age and all the great music available to them that they probably didn't know about. </p><p>A recent audit revealed that I suck at this.</p><p>The critical idea was to disprove the notion that "there's no good music anymore", by directing the reader to said good music. I felt qualified to do this because, except for a short period in the early nineties, I've kept up with musical developments while my dear readers may not have. This is due to them having a life while I don't</p><p>So, while I've been free and easy about <i>telling</i> you that I like something, it might have been more helpful to also have given you the context you might need to determine if you might like it, too.</p><p>After all, it's one thing to say "this is a good jazz record" but do you really know what I mean by that? Do you know I love late-fifties small-combo jazz and loathe fusion? And if neither of those two labels means anything to you, have I told you if said record might be a good <i>entry point</i> into jazz? Maybe not.</p><p>Thus my grades were based on personal enjoyment and not that of the reader who may be hearing free-acid-bop-dixieland jazz for the first time. As our beloved ex-President would say, who knew?</p><p>So who would blame you for just shaking your head/plugging your ears? Besides me, I mean?</p><p>I'll continue to grade according to my very specific tastes, but I will try to provide more context/ caveats/caution when needed. That way, when I recommend a jazz record, you will already know what I like, and thus, be able to judge if it's a good bet to check out yourself.</p><p>I may even - if so inspired - place the music somewhere on a spectrum of that genre.</p><p>Just don't ask for bar graphs, okay?</p><p>Oh, and don't buy this record:</p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/rDyb_alTkMQ" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rDyb_alTkMQ/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-76733822248772952862023-02-09T10:03:00.000-05:002023-02-09T10:03:22.997-05:00That's SO Last Year<div><p>Gone are the days when I could put on a record and know exactly how I felt (and <i>would</i> feel) about it. The best I can do after one listen now is to mumble "promising..." to myself. And even then I'm usually wrong. </p><p></p><p>It now takes me at least six listens to get a good handle on a record. Some don't become clear for months. </p><p>And then some just get crowded out by the other records that I can grok more quickly. Hence this post-Jaybee-bie catchup habit I've fallen into.</p><p>Since there's no reason to put you through the records I've not yet, ahem, "come to appreciate", I will limit this to those I've deemed worthwhile or better:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_JF5rA8P1ALvll7EtBpRi0LUXjzp1U1rAQR37On2ZoTxAr0Hzf88Y02pkgRdFkvCx7UdBlbzVoAXzwYO-08eP1PB5ynNrtCKXA1J-ZEvZprvzBxLzDPgxuQHk4M5Y5T9Vf7Q8RhMFZfTXCmjDjzRdXldcheMYzDtLjpIHko6aTvg3YudlCoh3YPz/s327/Papa%20Wemba.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="325" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_JF5rA8P1ALvll7EtBpRi0LUXjzp1U1rAQR37On2ZoTxAr0Hzf88Y02pkgRdFkvCx7UdBlbzVoAXzwYO-08eP1PB5ynNrtCKXA1J-ZEvZprvzBxLzDPgxuQHk4M5Y5T9Vf7Q8RhMFZfTXCmjDjzRdXldcheMYzDtLjpIHko6aTvg3YudlCoh3YPz/w243-h245/Papa%20Wemba.webp" width="243" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Mwana-Molokai-First-Twenty-Years/dp/B0001MBKNS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=papa+wemba+cd&qid=1674176700&sprefix=papa+wemba%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-5" target="_blank">Papa Wemba: <i>Mwana Molokai 1977-1997</i></a></b></p><p>I caught him on Sunday Night Live with Jules Holland and David Sanborn around 1989, and found him to be "catchy". Now that I've finally gotten this career overview - and a lot of other African albums in the meantime - I think he falls somewhere in-between artists like <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-2011-summer-of-jaybee.html" target="_blank">Franco</a> and <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/01/i-had-feeling-21-was-gonna-be-good-year.html">Ya Ntesa Dalienst and Le Maquisard</a>. </p><p>The melodies and the guitar lines were simpler and sweeter, and the tempos not quite as frantic. This really brings out the beauty. In a word, <i>poppier.</i></p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7LlFUzCkuc" target="_blank">"Esclave"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgtoGIFlGsOUizG5aS83v1LYO3_mxaEIsrtkHhazNf6gywlM4D31p_ARG7kxxG1lA9-hzTancO7ZyRuuG-58Fd3e9isJUnoOro5JyOUrlgfiMhnCW8Vs2L8o0bmY6B9nsOfdVRjGw_g134JmXJAfkWch3WHan8Nc2KafpITgLXu0jocSYjbkBL4ow/s327/Nas.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgtoGIFlGsOUizG5aS83v1LYO3_mxaEIsrtkHhazNf6gywlM4D31p_ARG7kxxG1lA9-hzTancO7ZyRuuG-58Fd3e9isJUnoOro5JyOUrlgfiMhnCW8Vs2L8o0bmY6B9nsOfdVRjGw_g134JmXJAfkWch3WHan8Nc2KafpITgLXu0jocSYjbkBL4ow/w247-h247/Nas.webp" width="247" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Illmatic-Nas/dp/B0000029GA/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nas+illmatic+cd&qid=1674177052&sprefix=nas+ill%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Nas: <i>Illmatic</i></a> </b>(1994)</p><p>Perhaps because it was considered a hip-hop classic, I shied away for a long time, given the extreme experiences provided by other classics like <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-2012-revenges-of-record-stores.html" target="_blank">Enter the Wu-Tang</a></i>. (Are you getting as big a kick as I am about a 65-year-old typing those words? Next, I'll be saying things like "Biggie" and "Dre"...)</p><p>But this one is nice and "flowy". The words lock in with the rhythm and there are nice snatches of actual melody. Exactly what I like.</p><p>It's also consistent - each song has a hook, and each one is a variation on a larger theme, which I take to be common decency in difficult circumstances.</p><p>Apparently, it was overshadowed by Biggie (see?) Small's <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/ready-to-die-mw0000118068" target="_blank">Ready to Die</a>,</i> which also came out that year. Dilettante that I am, I prefer Nas to that very strong medicine the hip hop connoisseurs prefer.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aps4sHL-Gis" target="_blank">"Life's a Bitch"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuZz-wNjFZe9vni54ijBLgSEiSsKS0-o6MSBGxGfF9zqzoQ55YXCj8nTO1_vr6GPRYId9jUptYV4vibPL1L7VrPoFQFM_gixFJyVgURAWcB0iN7UIGLvdHlfshJPnYF_rJ_fJ2JQbTRgEQvLCsRFBpYuzfl3StO94I-RnBV7hjgMZoJzorpe5uk6L/s328/Cocteau%20Twins.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="328" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuZz-wNjFZe9vni54ijBLgSEiSsKS0-o6MSBGxGfF9zqzoQ55YXCj8nTO1_vr6GPRYId9jUptYV4vibPL1L7VrPoFQFM_gixFJyVgURAWcB0iN7UIGLvdHlfshJPnYF_rJ_fJ2JQbTRgEQvLCsRFBpYuzfl3StO94I-RnBV7hjgMZoJzorpe5uk6L/w246-h245/Cocteau%20Twins.webp" width="246" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Heaven-Las-Vegas-COCTEAU-TWINS/dp/B00006L5PM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cocteau+twins+heaven+or+las+vegas+cd&qid=1674177160&sprefix=cocteau+%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Cocteau Twins: <i>Heaven or Las Vegas</i></a> </b>(1990)</p><p>With a gloss so thick, Mrs. Jaybee wasn't even sure they were singing in English. And they may as well not be - they're Scottish. This is shoe gaze for shoe gazers. But it is real purty. Enough to make me curious about how the songs would sound if done acoustically. Pretty good, I think.</p><p>But I don't see an Unplugged special in the past or future for them. So I must take <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pnwE_Oy5WI" target="_blank">the Peter Griffin position</a>.</p><p>It's commendable that they are always going for the sublime. It's just they rarely get there. </p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHi4VgIHJlc" target="_blank">"Fotzepolitic"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1kqtLjGkPxuMsKLRelmE68i5zSbYmQJKEug2hXkJLlCLneCJ-wZMxSaDbG2MBkV1V8sGx2uaUYXl8gmKXOU-4kGWOMEqYgqt2LGeIqxqTy3gDO0MuWa8iEnF8uf-qA7MazvisvPuuFIhpDeykNObyXUjbfOCH5BR4FusYqBzHE4x32Vw6Seji0gi/s330/Dave%20Holland.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="330" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1kqtLjGkPxuMsKLRelmE68i5zSbYmQJKEug2hXkJLlCLneCJ-wZMxSaDbG2MBkV1V8sGx2uaUYXl8gmKXOU-4kGWOMEqYgqt2LGeIqxqTy3gDO0MuWa8iEnF8uf-qA7MazvisvPuuFIhpDeykNObyXUjbfOCH5BR4FusYqBzHE4x32Vw6Seji0gi/w246-h244/Dave%20Holland.webp" width="246" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Conference-Birds-Dave-Holland/dp/B000026156/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=dave+holland+cd&qid=1674177249&sprefix=dave+hol%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-5" target="_blank">Dave Holland: <i>Conference of the Birds</i></a> </b>(1972)</p><p>A fine, muscular free jazz record. Not too loose like <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ornette-coleman-mn0000484396" target="_blank">Ornette Coleman</a> is to my ears, and definitely not smooth like all too much fusion and later commercial jazz.</p><p>It's fast and dares you to keep up. Fine by me, as long as I can follow it. The playing is remarkable and gives the lie to the idea that they're just playing wingin' it. And the calm spots give you time to breathe.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYTIXJuxvgY&list=PLEQOga0Cz66AGS7hKFd6p723Lm5GkrzGB" target="_blank">"Conference of the Birds"</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggbiRWOXPqeNNXJRPksN6ByXKQTKY7Ath7nosmocI71-eYvo1zFFPUiBTqTvGYasmECa9Dtg9aYnGm6108xVbMcKJTCpx8VPN_EC38WcEJJ6ALQ-NaURqwggLCNt0OPj612I2GjAhnjzq6tJ3_OqRRB0mTaNqOUQ8AV8JU9qhqDeSynOdYIqhbAZo/s327/John%20Martyn.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggbiRWOXPqeNNXJRPksN6ByXKQTKY7Ath7nosmocI71-eYvo1zFFPUiBTqTvGYasmECa9Dtg9aYnGm6108xVbMcKJTCpx8VPN_EC38WcEJJ6ALQ-NaURqwggLCNt0OPj612I2GjAhnjzq6tJ3_OqRRB0mTaNqOUQ8AV8JU9qhqDeSynOdYIqhbAZo/w257-h257/John%20Martyn.webp" width="257" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Solid-Air-John-Martyn/dp/B0000071YW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=john+martyn+solid+air+cd&qid=1674177336&sprefix=john+martyn%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1" target="_blank">John Martyn: <i>Solid Air</i></a><i> </i></b>(1973)</p><p>I thought this friend of Nick Drake's might wash the taste of <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-god.html" target="_blank">Judee Sill</a> out of Mrs. Jaybee's mouth. And she doesn't hate it. She even asks to hear it occasionally.</p><p>Between the vocals with a hint of religious ecstasy and a guitar he's not afraid to muck around with, John Martyn's music ends up muted, intense, and bluesy. </p><p>And not embarrassingly so, like all too many white artists who try things like this. It's even got a beat or two.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UikPQOaJpfU" target="_blank">"Solid Air"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBOv5Qwv7s_l7gJW_lWZZyBrFZv-rSJyZQCeGbyGZNFZuvZDUQnGAP6Ks_h60RmKAWX3I49JqjD4UH3gWjsL3gX4qwFuKwetiROQNdWJVEPLh2bgIxC_IF41hTBD0p5X9PrD0Am7Frb-xs5y3c5hsbnNlGq-9BnWO_fPskIH2xjkEgeejWGl_zbZj/s343/Bleachers.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="343" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBOv5Qwv7s_l7gJW_lWZZyBrFZv-rSJyZQCeGbyGZNFZuvZDUQnGAP6Ks_h60RmKAWX3I49JqjD4UH3gWjsL3gX4qwFuKwetiROQNdWJVEPLh2bgIxC_IF41hTBD0p5X9PrD0Am7Frb-xs5y3c5hsbnNlGq-9BnWO_fPskIH2xjkEgeejWGl_zbZj/w250-h238/Bleachers.webp" width="250" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Strange-Desire-Bleachers/dp/B00KFU303O/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=strange+desire+cd&qid=1674177470&sprefix=strange+desire%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Bleachers: <i>Strange Desire</i></a> </b>(2014)</p><p>Positively Springsteenian in its drama, with an energy level set to "Cheerleader". The trouble is I never did like going to football games.</p><p>And due to this, what some might call consistency comes across as monotony. Succeeding at this level requires a single-mindedness of purpose in service of a worthy cause like partying (a la <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-god.html" target="_blank">Andrew W.K</a>. link) or anarchy (The Sex Pistols). Here, it's about teen angst. You'd have to be the Beatles to pull <i>that </i>off.</p><p>And thus, it's the quieter songs that stick with me.</p><p>A good record. If you're in the right mood, very good. </p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns8eigeAUYk" target="_blank">"Who I Want You To Love"</a></p><p><br /></p><p>And now it's on to 2023, where I'm <i>already</i> behind. John Coltrane, The Roots of Jazz Funk, Alvvays, and Rosalia are waiting for me.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/OFiNaSTTgeQ" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OFiNaSTTgeQ/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-7837891598474820352023-01-19T15:45:00.002-05:002023-01-20T08:25:48.065-05:00Twelfth Annual Jaybee-bies: Journey Through the Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMGgDQn6c9PZTAMv8JU4P29z71nLFpwwv20nR8Mblj-jI7LMpP9VgHqPcWbrVzvQbxgy27HsfNgfrsi4wnVUXSLSyoBZtaZv3OV4jnkXnBl3IRx6gt3ik38m1E2Y-zKZ4o1XnK7_XRxnY6qQ1DuPdnfWfCKEE9tU-xJe3UbW9Kjts2sYTtfghM0qNo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMGgDQn6c9PZTAMv8JU4P29z71nLFpwwv20nR8Mblj-jI7LMpP9VgHqPcWbrVzvQbxgy27HsfNgfrsi4wnVUXSLSyoBZtaZv3OV4jnkXnBl3IRx6gt3ik38m1E2Y-zKZ4o1XnK7_XRxnY6qQ1DuPdnfWfCKEE9tU-xJe3UbW9Kjts2sYTtfghM0qNo" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Executive Summary:</b></p><p>Musically and politically, better than 2021. Personally stressful.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Abstract:</b></p><p>Slightly fewer fascists than expected in the Senate, but alas, they're in charge of it.</p><p>An excellent year in music. Women continue to damn near dominate. Few Masterpieces (frankly, they're usually overrated anyway). Just lotsa good rekkids.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Best Humans:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Volodymyr Zelensky</li><li>Jacinda Ardern</li><li>Greta Thunberg</li></ul><div><br /></div><p><b>Worst Humans:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Vladimir Putin</li><li>Ron DeSantis</li><li>MTG</li><li>Lauren Boebert</li><li>Alex Jones</li><li>Matt Gaetz</li><li>George Santos</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Best Books:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=all+the+marvels+douglas+wolk&sprefix=all+the+marvels%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_15" target="_blank"><i>All the Marvels </i>by Douglas Wolk</a>: Having loved Marvel comics from 1965-1975 this was like manna from heaven. A celebration of great storytelling. </li><li><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Orwell-Truth-George/dp/0358065054/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KIQEFUQUK8X9&keywords=orwell+on+truth&qid=1674134803&sprefix=orwell+on+t%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Orwell on Truth </i>by George Orwell</a>: Alleged stoolie tells you exactly what he thinks. Lucky for us he can see straight.</li><li><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=count+of+monte+cristo+book+unabridged&sprefix=count+of+%2Caps%2C82&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_9" target="_blank"><i>The Count of Monte Cristo</i> by Alexandre Dumas</a>: You have got to read the 1,300-page unabridged version, with a translation by Robin Buss. I'm a notoriously slow reader and yet I polished this off in three weeks. Rife with ludicrous plot twists and fantastical coincidences, this was an absolute delight to read.</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Best Movies:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Banshees of Inisherin</li><li>The Batman</li><li>Glass Onion</li></ul><p></p><p>This might just be a list of what movies I <i>saw. </i>What can I say? I don't get out much.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Best TV:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Better Call Saul</li><li>Barry</li><li>The White Lotus</li></ul><p></p><p>What can I say? I don't stay in much, either. (I spend a lot of time in the vestibule.)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Best Concerts:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>None</li></ul><p></p><p>Maybe I'm spending too much time in the vestibule.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Music Awards:</b></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>Most Work (But Worth it): </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/04/world-history-project-two-scoops-of.html" target="_blank">Schubert </a><i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/04/world-history-project-two-scoops-of.html" target="_blank">Leider</a>: </i>Sure, it will never be in my top 10, but I'm glad I've heard it.</li></ul><div><i><br /></i></div><p><b>Most Work (And Possibly Not Worth It): </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5Xc-rUef4" target="_blank">Arnold Schoenberg: <i>Verklärte Nacht</i></a> is the single piece of music I listened to the most this year, and I'm <i>still </i>not sure if I like it or not. Save it for a World History Project post, I say!</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Most Surprising (and Not Necessarily in a Good Way): </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/taller-children-mw0000810175" target="_blank">Elizabeth and the Catapult: <i>Taller Children</i></a> - An excellent singer and band saying the obvious very expertly. They relentlessly pursue their goal of music utterly at odds with <a href="https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxE4S4CbjUMP6pz8e5ojIJiKNomllmDa0s" target="_blank">whatever I happen to like.</a></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Most Disappointing: </b></p><p>No music. Some humans, though...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Best Nostalgia:</b></p><p><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2014/05/part-seven-you-cant-go-home-again.html" target="_blank">10cc</a>: Still as funny as when I first heard it and tuneful enough to keep me coming back.</p><div><br /></div><p><b>Best Artist: </b></p><p><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/judee-sill-mn0000248798" target="_blank">Judee Sill</a>, mainly because of neglect over the last 50 years.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Best of My Year:</b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-young-to-feel-great-again.html" target="_blank">Wet Leg: </a></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-young-to-feel-great-again.html" target="_blank">Wet Le</a>g (2022): </i>Funny deadpan girls, Serious rock n' roll band.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-god.html" target="_blank">Judee Sill: </a></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/11/thank-god.html" target="_blank">Abracadabra: The Asylum Years</a>: </i>Stunning melody - courtesy of God, it seems - gets me every time.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Yo La Tengo: </a></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Fade</a> </b><b>(2013)</b><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>Modest and lofi to a fault. But by the end, they've convinced you it was worth it.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-winter-of-jaybee.html" target="_blank">Spring Heel Jack: </a></b><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-winter-of-jaybee.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Busy, Curious, Thirst</a><i>y </i>(1997)</b><i> </i>Relentlessly invention electronica from beginning to end.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-winter-of-jaybee.html" target="_blank">Ben Webster: </a></b><i><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-winter-of-jaybee.html" target="_blank">King of the Tenors</a></b> </i><b>(1956) </b>So simple and straightforward you couldn't be blamed for underestimating it. I know I did. Indelible.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Japanese Breakfast: </a></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Jubilee</a> </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">(2021)</span><i style="font-weight: bold;">: </i>Somebody MUST have already come up with these melodies already, right?</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Bob Marley: </a></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Burnin'</a> </b><b>(1973)<i>: </i></b>A bit laid back but the songs just modestly pile up one after the other.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Dry Cleaning: </a></b><i><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">New Long Leg</a></b> </i><b>(2021):</b><i> </i>The guitar is the star here. The "vocals" add a bit of clove.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Max Richter: </a></b><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-summer-for-old-men.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">The Blue Notebooks</a><i> </i>(2004)</b><i>: </i>Not quite as haunting as <i>Intra</i> but damn close.</li><li><b><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/12/opposites-detract.html" target="_blank">Lou Reed and John Cale: </a><i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/12/opposites-detract.html" target="_blank">Songs for Drella</a> </i>(1990): </b>Nice to hear a bunch of songs from these guys. A highlight for both of them.</li></ol><b><div><b><br /></b></div>Honorable Mentions/Also-Rans/Tieds for Tenth: </b><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-winter-of-jaybee.html" target="_blank">Sonny Sharrock: <i>High Life </i></a></li><li><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk: <i>Monk's Dream </i></a></li><li><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Haim: <i>Women in Music, Part III</i></a> </li><li><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-young-to-feel-great-again.html" target="_blank">Amyl and the Sniffers: <i>Comfort to Me </i></a></li></ul><p></p><p>And a lot more not far behind! Another year with a bunch of also-rans. A good sign!</p><p>Some of the best songs I heard this year can be found <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4iYK4s14XUbZfBvBXBg3JM?si=b8f29e0bf6304d3c" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Conclusions:</b></p><p>A stressful year. Some drink more or smoke more. I listen more, which resulted in a lot of new records, plenty of which I haven't even mentioned. I hope I'll have a chance to. </p><p>The musical present seems pretty good but there's so much of it, I'm finding it necessary to wait it out a bit to let the wheat separate from the hype. Hence, I've been spending more and more time delving into the past, where that separation has already occurred.</p><p>Oh, and it's nice to still have a democracy.</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-24284526063473007932022-12-29T11:08:00.004-05:002022-12-29T11:08:23.433-05:00Opposites Detract<p> This one is about Lou Reed and King Crimson. </p><p>The reason I wrote that sentence is because those two names have probably never been in the same one. The very idea of it would piss off Lou Reed to no end. And since he can't retaliate, well, he'll have to settle for turning over in his grave. (Wait, wasn't he cremated?)</p><p>Anyway, I got these records as presents this year and it occurred to me they couldn't possibly be more different. </p><p>One was recorded at the beginning of a career, the other well into it.</p><p>One is bombastic and pretentious, the other calm and matter-of-fact.</p><p>One stresses virtuosity and technique. The other is more or less just banged out.</p><p>One comprises four or five lengthy epics, the other fifteen shorter ones.</p><p>One is a fantasy that would make Tolkien roll his eyes, the other a reportage of a man's life and death.</p><p>One I enjoy despite nearly being crushed under its avalanche of sound, the other doesn't give a damn if I like it or not, and is, in fact, damn good.</p><p>Even the cover art differs.</p><p>One thing they have in common, though, is that Robert Fripp appears to be almost as big an asshole as Lou Reed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5R_XLRWP-AZm0D0Q3VuQ9HW7tLUmJXGrPcT0ntiMuT7z9ncRpFXY57IMQ9Rtl_CbtEnpqV7awIfxYa3UDiHUfXSnwcei4gU1VAeHtd664ht8XNdrw4zKlRgrTSbtX2rBnTAQ_I_Nskf-mfZ-Ua3bR6cSxQxUXN-pmC1DxzoihW2LvQ_XfVRHCvdw/s327/King%20Crimson.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5R_XLRWP-AZm0D0Q3VuQ9HW7tLUmJXGrPcT0ntiMuT7z9ncRpFXY57IMQ9Rtl_CbtEnpqV7awIfxYa3UDiHUfXSnwcei4gU1VAeHtd664ht8XNdrw4zKlRgrTSbtX2rBnTAQ_I_Nskf-mfZ-Ua3bR6cSxQxUXN-pmC1DxzoihW2LvQ_XfVRHCvdw/w248-h248/King%20Crimson.webp" width="248" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Court-Crimson-King-Anniversary-Blu-ray/dp/B07X5GK2JJ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=in+the+court+of+the+crimson+king+50th+anniversary&qid=1672239844&sprefix=in+the+court+%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-4" target="_blank">King Crimson: <i>In the Court of the Crimson King</i></a> (1969)</b></p><p>I remember sitting on Eileen's family's stoop with Eddie and maybe Mike, listening to maybe Cream, when Kevin McGowan came walking up the block with an album he just bought at Korvette's. He pulled it out of the bag to reveal the red (okay, <i>crimson</i>)<i> </i>guy and his uvula (I almost wrote "urethra". What an album <i>that </i>would'a been!)<i> </i>and possibly his adenoids.</p><p>Covers being all important back then (summer of 1970?), we were impressed, and admitted it beat out <i>Wheel's of Fire.</i> Over the years I'd hear the title song, and caught a snippet of another on <strike>Adolph's</strike> Kanye's <strike>Mein Kampf </strike><i>Dark Fantasy</i> record. </p><p>But that was it, and all I'd ever hear from almost <i>anyone</i> was "oh, you gotta get it!". And I planned to but held back, probably due to Xgau's D+ grade and review ("...ersatz shit"...). But finally my curiosity got the best of me.</p><p>Firstly, it's a hoot, in a non-fun kind of way. What I mean is that I'm having a <i>hoot </i>at the utter seriousness of it all. Plus I'm impressed that they got to do this at all, in a simpler, more innocent time, when all they had to worry about was wars and assassinations.</p><p>I don't mean to be condescending. What the hell do I know anyway? Greg Lake's singing is endearing, and the rest are great musicians with vision who just don't happen to play music I'm inclined to put on. It must have sounded wild at the time. Even Awesome actually, back when awesome was enough.</p><p>There's plenty of sixties music I happily listen to to this day. But Prog Rock (my fond memories of <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/remember-the-future-mw0000254440" target="_blank">Nektar's </a><i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/remember-the-future-mw0000254440" target="_blank">Remember the Future</a> </i>not withstanding) has a built-in expiration date. In what should have been a perfect fit for me, such seriousness is directly aimed at equally serious (i.e., not getting laid) teenagers who will eventually have to lighten up. A sense of humor would help - the music <i>and </i>the teen-ager.</p><p>Otherwise, I'm just there for a visit - and the 50th Anniversary edition, with at least three versions of each song, is a long visit - and then <i>I gotta go. </i></p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MZWWyYFPGA" target="_blank">"Epitaph"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQBas0-Y7Eb4WbGbUKH49noRBI4otGS7XLtv13zG3ikDdYD77b1d8ebSVOPb6H1p-fFLfx2LRunmyDY1w0FGmOverlNOgu56lRP14Ak0GtR2OmmNsfLZG6fhPEbJ5BR0X6qKBmFxJBhVDIQx0MytWKFOhFOMervL5UnnN-drMmZaGFkHRv_31JDXI/s466/Reed%20Cale%20Drella.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="466" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQBas0-Y7Eb4WbGbUKH49noRBI4otGS7XLtv13zG3ikDdYD77b1d8ebSVOPb6H1p-fFLfx2LRunmyDY1w0FGmOverlNOgu56lRP14Ak0GtR2OmmNsfLZG6fhPEbJ5BR0X6qKBmFxJBhVDIQx0MytWKFOhFOMervL5UnnN-drMmZaGFkHRv_31JDXI/w247-h246/Reed%20Cale%20Drella.webp" width="247" /></a></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Songs-Drella-CALE-JOHN-REED/dp/B000002LKS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lou+reed+john+cale+songs+for+drella&qid=1672236237&sprefix=songs+for+drella+reed%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Lou Reed and John Cale: <i>Songs for Drella</i></a> (1990)</b></p><p>Not very "lyrical". Just a recounting of Andy Warhol's life by two artists who knew him. And it's all the more touching because I don't feel like I'm being coerced into liking it, which is a hazard for tributes of this sort.</p><p>The music, too, is right-to-the-point-simple, but with arrangements more varied than what Reed was doing at the time, which was the straight-ahead electric rock and roll of <i>New York</i>. Even at its loudest, this one - like his subsequent <i>Magic and Loss, </i>which also deals with the death of friends - is calmer than any of those records. </p><p>Estranged at the time of Warhol's death, Reed is regretful that they didn't patch things up. He even admits some fault. What a relief! </p><p>Cale is tuneful and stoic, even with Lou breathing down his neck. Who knew they'd be able to play together again? Not them, certainly. They would take another stab at fellowship after this, with the European reunion tour of the Velvet Underground. It's a shame that one didn't turn out so well as this. </p><p>I guess, in order for it to work, it's got to come from the heart.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Isl-5L0Jf5M" width="480"></iframe></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-24686833962919817272022-11-25T13:00:00.000-05:002022-11-25T13:00:10.822-05:00Thank God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoMeUhtIDcuLu1JYAwj9tMuVbn1yekPebEI254Drzz3rLTJ0b_ynMBd2uhJUcKgakjVc10qDS3s0bxfhJyB8OFYIwYwPE2m37gle08t7rOklF2olJl2ypzJKQzt0tjsjYpQDwU0tBnnT9sBy5S44pHwnCPyqyB3RuepkDMpQO3KLqnDE-SYaXUCWe/s328/JS1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="328" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoMeUhtIDcuLu1JYAwj9tMuVbn1yekPebEI254Drzz3rLTJ0b_ynMBd2uhJUcKgakjVc10qDS3s0bxfhJyB8OFYIwYwPE2m37gle08t7rOklF2olJl2ypzJKQzt0tjsjYpQDwU0tBnnT9sBy5S44pHwnCPyqyB3RuepkDMpQO3KLqnDE-SYaXUCWe/s320/JS1.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Jesus People showed up in our neighborhood in late 1974. I was seventeen. How do I remember you ask? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, one of them mocked me for having the latest issue of Rolling Stone with me instead of the Bible. It would have been futile to explain that I just <i>had </i>to read the review of Jackson Browne's new album, <i>Late for the Sky</i>. (A rave, of course.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She was the bad cop among many good cops who tried instead to <i>inspire </i>me to accept Jesus. How could I explain, after having gone to 8am mass <i>every weekday from fourth through eighth grade</i> I had probably spent more time with JC than all of them combined? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were talking about <i>quality </i>time, I guess. (One's mind <i>does </i>wander a bit during the eucharist.) But I think we all know what an overrated concept <i>that</i> is, even now that it's dressed up as "mindfulness". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I promised I would think about it that night. In doing so I concluded that JC and I had already worked out a perfectly good arrangement, which was to acknowledge each other's existence with a nod and a wave when we passed each other on Fifth Avenue and pick up a round at the bar. My creed amounted to something along the lines of "Let's Just Give Each Other Some Space, Okay?". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So how was I going to explain this to the Jesus People? But that's when the Miracle happened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I never saw them again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The six of them had been ensconced in a loft above the A&P right across from Johnny's Pizzeria where I hung out. So I figured they'd be around for a while. But no. They dropped off the face of the earth. Did the rapture occur and I didn't know it? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you imagine my embarrassment if I <i>had </i>accepted Jesus only to find myself the lone Jesus Person in Sunset Park? I guess I assumed I would live with the <strike>cult</strike> little group in the loft. That itself would have been an issue as at the time I was spending way too much time in the bathroom trying to get my hair just right. (High school-era photos indicate I failed.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, after listening to the record below, I realized how the Jesus People might have succeeded in converting me if they had only written some good songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9Fi93I_xhZ00RSFuq1JlIx-QSsIHMaBLYtzbOKS05VL6HjlY4KOKONV_IEl4LLVoJ66WhVtFSUiJJhA0teu5aNIE7ABF9_VWaxCcMtyhBdJO73od8mbw_gnwoT5spg1WKtkC1HmG3MHb0FaFriCyWqKLxf1Bpr3ylnPrcqLBcjZWYgTfeRYO0k4h/s327/Judee%20Sill.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9Fi93I_xhZ00RSFuq1JlIx-QSsIHMaBLYtzbOKS05VL6HjlY4KOKONV_IEl4LLVoJ66WhVtFSUiJJhA0teu5aNIE7ABF9_VWaxCcMtyhBdJO73od8mbw_gnwoT5spg1WKtkC1HmG3MHb0FaFriCyWqKLxf1Bpr3ylnPrcqLBcjZWYgTfeRYO0k4h/w248-h248/Judee%20Sill.webp" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Abracadabra-Asylum-Years-Judee-Heart/dp/B000FS9KS0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=judee+sill+cd&qid=1669291485&sprefix=judee+sill%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Judee Sill: <i>The Asylum Years</i> </a></b></div><p>Now <i>that's </i>quite the title, isn't it? Rest assured, they're talking about the record label, not the place. </p><p>As a matter of fact, Sill's first album was the first one ever put out by Asylum. It would soon be followed by ones by (well whaddya know,) Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, and the Eagles. This two-CD set consists of her two Asylum albums plus a bunch of demos and live versions. The consistency in quality throughout is remarkable, and I have no problem playing it all the way through. </p><p>I should point out that Mrs. Jaybee - the more religious of one of us - is not on board. (Heathen!)</p><p>Now, I'm so agnostic I'm agnostic about agnosticism. As such, I'm not very into gospel music (although I'll admit I'm missing something) and not at all into "Christian Music". There's a very practical reason: listening to someone get praised is <i>boring</i> (except - oddly enough - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruAi4VBoBSM" target="_blank">"Praise You"</a> by Fatboy Slim).</p><p>One of the few books I put down without finishing was <i>The City of God</i>, by St. Augustine, because it just goes on about how great god is. And since the author is speaking directly to God my BS detector went off and it smelled like one huge suck-up.</p><p>But someone who is plain-spoken in her faith and writes great melodies that span folk, country, and gospel, will always have my ear. Add to that, a good voice and clean, simple production and consistency and it's hard to resist, no matter how much I doubt. </p><p>One caveat is that her beliefs could be categorized as "old-time religion" - referencing lambs, soldiers of love, Jesus as bridegroom, and even the rapture. She'd give the Jesus People a run for their money.</p><p>A complicated person, to say the least, there are even some drug references in these songs. This would later come back to haunt her. A serious car accident got her addicted to painkillers and she died in 1979 of an overdose.</p><p>I wish I had known at that time. I would have prayed for her.</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhbnB1EDdQY" target="_blank">"Crayon Angels"</a></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-72680263304908799352022-10-29T16:26:00.004-04:002022-10-29T16:26:53.781-04:00Secret History 1981: Shelter from the Storm<p><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Super Secret, Secret History:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite the awful events of the prior year, this may be my personal favorite </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">musical </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">year. (Okay, maybe 1967 was better.) It was when I met Mrs. Jaybee, so there was a kind of magic in the air. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the music was good, too. Maybe even better, because of that magic.</span></p><p>So I'll depart momentarily from my usual method of just listing music released in 1981 to convey what else was in the air.</p><p>Always trying to impress people with music, I wanted to play stuff the future Mrs. Jaybee would like.</p><p>And of course, I'd take to real romantic places like J&R Music World.</p><p>Probably the first song I ever played for her was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFPOgHWQVlQ" target="_blank">“I Love You”</a> (talk about moving fast!) by the Steve Miller Band. I'd had <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/anthology-mw0000314691" target="_blank">Anthology</a> </i>for several years already but every few months I'd have the urge to put it on. And there was really no better time than now.</p><p><i>Then </i>I calmed down and played the avalanche of music that I'd acquired recently: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Elvis Costello: <i>Trust, Get Happy, Taking Liberties</i></li><li>Eno - <i>Another Green World, Before and After Science</i></li><li>David Bowie - <i>Low </i>and <i>Heroes</i></li><li>And many, many others</li></ul><div>And just as George Michael asked of us, she listened without prejudice. Otherwise, things could've ended right there. She <i>would </i>eventually draw the line at <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pere-ubu-mn0000838272" target="_blank">Pere Ubu</a> and <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/captain-beefheart-mn0000988638" target="_blank">Captain Beefheart</a> but I came out way ahead on the deal. In so many ways.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD8glfQAf1N4T5AHgF3JuDus1oRZZVLKlJdyKo7oh3gLgnd4bvI8pFm1B0rnmM1ceTo32tiMGwy6KyUJJU5kBhxC0W0v27UxOekvBapYWo2I6lbqG2ANbD8MOGUqtaZIw___eqpSpx3ETKCPqGLnnMBOes0Z4uHmmxp3zHynUy18rigNv8KKrVKbD/s751/Me%20and%20El%20-%20Winter%201981%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="751" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD8glfQAf1N4T5AHgF3JuDus1oRZZVLKlJdyKo7oh3gLgnd4bvI8pFm1B0rnmM1ceTo32tiMGwy6KyUJJU5kBhxC0W0v27UxOekvBapYWo2I6lbqG2ANbD8MOGUqtaZIw___eqpSpx3ETKCPqGLnnMBOes0Z4uHmmxp3zHynUy18rigNv8KKrVKbD/s320/Me%20and%20El%20-%20Winter%201981%20(4).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Plain Ol' Secret History:</b></div><p></p><p>But all that came later. Now I'll get back to my usual method. I'd be lying if I pretended my take on the music wasn't colored by the magic of that year.</p><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81yDVhb02NL._SS500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81yDVhb02NL._SS500_.jpg" width="232" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Costello-Original-recording-remastered-tracks/dp/B00G2IJATQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=elvis+costello+trust+cd&qid=1666959981&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjM3IiwicXNhIjoiMC41NCIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=trust+elvi%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-3" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elvis Costello: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trust</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With its effortless tunes, most varied arrangements, and great production, this may be his best record. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And this after the previous year's <i>Get Happy</i> (20 songs) and <i>Taking Liberties</i> (20 songs)! The man is a machine!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbZ6TkpflKc" target="_blank">"White Knuckles"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ku3v-4WJ24HvukT9PQfN-79roI7W65_bdAkyNpHPciGYBsdiIncVV7_irbVug9ogwg5QWq-PDRvHnXh-veGKWcWPZtH6vGev50_KANz4HEMA_6-I22nLgkB8YVHdOIo4PYFP6SJyoruN-zzcLssfsgEeIHyB9JZbA8pEJc5oosDO3PECYeENaRfC/s466/P%20Furs%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="466" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ku3v-4WJ24HvukT9PQfN-79roI7W65_bdAkyNpHPciGYBsdiIncVV7_irbVug9ogwg5QWq-PDRvHnXh-veGKWcWPZtH6vGev50_KANz4HEMA_6-I22nLgkB8YVHdOIo4PYFP6SJyoruN-zzcLssfsgEeIHyB9JZbA8pEJc5oosDO3PECYeENaRfC/w241-h241/P%20Furs%202.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=psychedelic+furs+talk+talk+talk&sprefix=psychedelic+furs+talk%2Caps%2C81&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-ranker-10hours_1_21" target="_blank"><br /></a><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=psychedelic+furs+talk+talk+talk&sprefix=psychedelic+furs+talk%2Caps%2C81&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-ranker-10hours_1_21" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Psychedelic Furs </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talk Talk Talk</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their second, and even better than their <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/08/secret-history-1980-or-ive-got-some.html" target="_blank">first</a>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is my idea of great hard rock, with the original and far more powerful "Pretty in Pink". And lots more where that came from.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A</b> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SyeO07DTLI&list=OLAK5uy_nNC5BwQfHKgI3FQYV7pZLPWCQtqw7629U&index=3" target="_blank">"No Tears"</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOFynFVnzLz2aeQU0NBXhNOkvU6VmhOhCTDpGhR-HJGI-8dYnknl6zkSVlQP2r_SV6ZE6XD_WQEqlWXgqIe2GcKjoFLAtiQr1ySM_8iAFv1xSbt7Y0F9dptO8Xc2ca6CpmFnDU1nGvgAJekzBn95C7XERS7-4Vm2fRlHYy6GqZUnfCnAlC0jb6L-V/s300/X%20Wild%20Gift.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOFynFVnzLz2aeQU0NBXhNOkvU6VmhOhCTDpGhR-HJGI-8dYnknl6zkSVlQP2r_SV6ZE6XD_WQEqlWXgqIe2GcKjoFLAtiQr1ySM_8iAFv1xSbt7Y0F9dptO8Xc2ca6CpmFnDU1nGvgAJekzBn95C7XERS7-4Vm2fRlHYy6GqZUnfCnAlC0jb6L-V/w244-h244/X%20Wild%20Gift.webp" width="244" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Wild-Gift-X/dp/B07MCW61NB/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=wild+gift&qid=1666960997&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjI2IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=wild+gift%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1" target="_blank">X: </a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Wild-Gift-X/dp/B07MCW61NB/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=wild+gift&qid=1666960997&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjI2IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=wild+gift%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Wild Gift</a> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't let the cramped sound get you down. This is one of the all-time great punk rock records. And an American one at that. Quite the relief after all those Brits. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Led by then couple John Doe (vocals and bass) and Exene Cervenka (vocals) who, in a very strange way, remind me of Paul Kantner and Grace Slick on the Airplane's live stuff. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And they are TIGHT. With <i>actual musical ability,</i> Billy Zoom (guitar, of course!) and DJ Bonebrake (whaddaya think?) make it go, and it GOES!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discovered and produced by Ray Manzarek (whose organ sorta marred their first record) they avoid that mistake but nonetheless end with the words:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We're waiting for the sun,</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>For any sun to come.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLXOLlvoEBY" target="_blank">"White Girl"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfIt5-CVgDIbgGMxYsohKLMaIJh1_kSyJlLDN8Sg4SfrDoYXtG1N9-AO2AVXt-8rwHO58xZoLVrgvZ8tLALBHrCzRwnrssNc2sjHlrg3Wz3r37aRjv1skfDGJQ8udtnBt-DXI6HbBa6gaJ1JuAoceADHdLAROy6KZ5SIzJpq89eLoSEivZ1cofq_N/s342/English%20Beat%202.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="342" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfIt5-CVgDIbgGMxYsohKLMaIJh1_kSyJlLDN8Sg4SfrDoYXtG1N9-AO2AVXt-8rwHO58xZoLVrgvZ8tLALBHrCzRwnrssNc2sjHlrg3Wz3r37aRjv1skfDGJQ8udtnBt-DXI6HbBa6gaJ1JuAoceADHdLAROy6KZ5SIzJpq89eLoSEivZ1cofq_N/w230-h200/English%20Beat%202.webp" width="230" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Wakeling-Autographed-Booklet-English-Whappen/dp/B082P8BQBR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GKWPJGZYS5AR&keywords=%22english+beat%22+wha&qid=1666961214&sprefix=english+beat+wha%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The English Beat’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Wha'ppen?</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not as catchy as the relentless <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/08/secret-history-1980-or-ive-got-some.html" target="_blank">I Just Can’t Stop It</a></i>, but it’s a real grower. It trades forward motion in for texture, as though it's intending to give you time to think after you've done all that dancing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A</b></span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J2GvipKEwE" target="_blank">"Get a Job"</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_rH2wU2QfP6gxNom5I_CV7szQnXJRd04WwIT97ZBfycwUKBlamLYyzDDytqdU-SFF_S8omG2ETAfI1XKjmxREge7_VUx4LMffFrP2hPWUjCdnwhikjSbsALsfKL8GqPzPH3SAY9jy2wheitcZErOPxrt_wKPle2Ou0e8BCgom0XiHFrJHM3vYTAx/s466/David%20Byrne%20CW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="466" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_rH2wU2QfP6gxNom5I_CV7szQnXJRd04WwIT97ZBfycwUKBlamLYyzDDytqdU-SFF_S8omG2ETAfI1XKjmxREge7_VUx4LMffFrP2hPWUjCdnwhikjSbsALsfKL8GqPzPH3SAY9jy2wheitcZErOPxrt_wKPle2Ou0e8BCgom0XiHFrJHM3vYTAx/w238-h237/David%20Byrne%20CW.jpg" width="238" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Catherine-Wheel-David-Byrne/dp/B000002KNC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=david+byrne+catherine+wheel+cd&qid=1666961420&sprefix=david+byrne+cath%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David Byrne:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Catherine Wheel</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before Twyla Tharp choreographed Billy Joel, she collaborated with David Byrne, who wrote and performed all new songs and instrumentals, with contributions from Brian Eno, Bernie Worrell, and others.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never one for/to dance, I didn't see the show and don't care. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not as bracing as Talking Heads and not quite as heady as great Eno, but it’s the sweet spot between them. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy9rSPBKLbs" target="_blank">"Big Blue Plymouth (Eyes Wide Open)"</a></span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibabQ4Jyp0dWFrWdADBwHUDp5C_2qLkZUB7ub9xjfpFI7CmEibK4ByBCQpKatuJ9f4rj5IzKQj_Y_BYY6I_oKJ2GPYt1CSp3U9hjVAgSjXACT2oLHXsiU9rT1DqP7s9DbdZ6yF0VmCcF67HB52gXgQM3GHdEjPEaeEOwNNLOlvAHi6B0E7YSKl0D22/s218/Tom%20Verlaine%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="218" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibabQ4Jyp0dWFrWdADBwHUDp5C_2qLkZUB7ub9xjfpFI7CmEibK4ByBCQpKatuJ9f4rj5IzKQj_Y_BYY6I_oKJ2GPYt1CSp3U9hjVAgSjXACT2oLHXsiU9rT1DqP7s9DbdZ6yF0VmCcF67HB52gXgQM3GHdEjPEaeEOwNNLOlvAHi6B0E7YSKl0D22/s1600/Tom%20Verlaine%202.jpg" width="218" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00CKPZP26?ref=sr_1_2&keywords=tom+verlaine+dream+time&crid=13RURCNL8FXGI&sprefix=tom+verlaine+dream+time%2Caps%2C67&qid=1667050280&sr=8-2&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjg0IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tom Verlaine’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dreamtime</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The former guiding light of <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-2012-my-head-in-cloud.html" target="_blank">Television</a>, Verlaine makes another album filled with furious but beautiful guitar sounds. He'd done it with his <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2014/11/that-is-question.html" target="_blank">first</a> solo record, but now erases any remaining doubts by singing - never his strong suit - less.</span></p><b><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div>A-</b><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBGR5hJ9760" target="_blank">"There's A Reason"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNRm2KcTlCM5Rj11H8gq-FTtM8tjaP_6VLGA7l5oXtbyoPELp35pAozzdQemqZUYAFru2iY_Md0B1nuAFROCZYpz9VsjNZAZf5hh3TUezpSaeShaVObv7EfCFBfbMA8jsPgGPyYmyB__fOg7i7IjcOp3ek46MSExaDzvDd1hbzvCyCUITzmwiUMUi/s492/Yoko%20SOG.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="466" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNRm2KcTlCM5Rj11H8gq-FTtM8tjaP_6VLGA7l5oXtbyoPELp35pAozzdQemqZUYAFru2iY_Md0B1nuAFROCZYpz9VsjNZAZf5hh3TUezpSaeShaVObv7EfCFBfbMA8jsPgGPyYmyB__fOg7i7IjcOp3ek46MSExaDzvDd1hbzvCyCUITzmwiUMUi/w243-h257/Yoko%20SOG.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yoko Ono’s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Season of Glass</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yep, her. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Beatle-killer's been making music for a long time – longer than the Beatles, actually. The early stuff was - as you’d expect - "experimental". But she got more pop as she went along.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was torn about including this because I still don't know what to make of her as a human. There are just too many... stories.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But there are some excellent songs here, and I will pay this possible devil her due.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A-</b></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uO8a661rXw" target="_blank">"Nobody Sees Me Like You Do"</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-79762134651819546392022-09-30T17:09:00.002-04:002022-09-30T17:09:27.057-04:00A Summer for Old Men<p>Having been less than overwhelmed by the amount of <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/07/no-summer-for-old-men.html" target="_blank">joyful summer music</a>, and quite underwhelmed by a series of "summer reading" novels that were <i>work </i>to get through (<i>Pathfinder</i>, <i>Possession</i> and <i>Green Mars</i>, I'm looking at you)<i>, </i>I was willing to entertain music I would normally have postponed until winter.</p><p>And was <i>delighted.</i></p><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeJGA3p_wyAzZSB176z0wDVuaUEx0cvYqWoZUUzz3LPcAg5pwczgjSHAQHgDSwlZV_KbB_uMSA9GXUtlOD3c25IKbLNEACpps8ggFx4dph2wn8D4DhoeZMWGCX8rkWYUg67JKoqFJ3SZaOXK3Uf6Y7aatam6RoHg4PcmY2XlEkvOZw9FWWVVJoOcc/s327/Max%20Richter.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeJGA3p_wyAzZSB176z0wDVuaUEx0cvYqWoZUUzz3LPcAg5pwczgjSHAQHgDSwlZV_KbB_uMSA9GXUtlOD3c25IKbLNEACpps8ggFx4dph2wn8D4DhoeZMWGCX8rkWYUg67JKoqFJ3SZaOXK3Uf6Y7aatam6RoHg4PcmY2XlEkvOZw9FWWVVJoOcc/w253-h253/Max%20Richter.webp" width="253" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Blue-Notebooks-Super-Deluxe-Discs/dp/B07L26XTLV/ref=tmm_abk_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1663974738&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Max Richter: <i>The Blue Notebooks</i></a> </b>(2004)</p><p>You may know Max (Mrs. Jaybee and I met him so I feel I'm on a first-name basis with him) for putting his musical stamp on <i>The Leftovers </i>and any number of films. Mrs. Jaybee and I saw him play a number of those pieces live, and took the occasion to get <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2018/12/in-city-without-voice.html" target="_blank">Infra</a></i>, which he had showcased that evening. It holds up remarkably well on CD, and is one of my favorite CDs of the last decade.</p><p>He works foremost with violins and keyboard, adding in various sound and vocal effects along the way. At the show, the house was full of couples holding hands for what is essentially classical music. Now that is no mean feat. </p><div>My favorite Max piece is - of course - "On the Nature of Daylight" which originated on this album (and pops up in <i>Shutter Island)</i>. The good news is that almost all of the other cuts strive for a similar intensity of feeling. Almost all succeed.</div><p>Either Max has got quite the scam going (the James Taylor of classical music??) or he's found a way to be both experimental and emotional simultaneously. </p><p>I'm glad he's around.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/rVN1B-tUpgs" target="_blank">"On the Nature of Daylight"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThxkB9kSaTwFUVFq3iowpbW37aucHZ2YSl4CbGLelwgbPzabWXl-TjO27DM1NmIlUz2AJV82cKa9bmR1nrs-J0pzv8f-cf6BoM7tVn6dnHYix8wxmNJG9fMaBvYUNzZZxCsN-YO-2tjPS61Ydk03deO2wBbZBjLLf4t0XVBKCgRnpVLw5dPc9Wn0U/s327/Monks%20Dream.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThxkB9kSaTwFUVFq3iowpbW37aucHZ2YSl4CbGLelwgbPzabWXl-TjO27DM1NmIlUz2AJV82cKa9bmR1nrs-J0pzv8f-cf6BoM7tVn6dnHYix8wxmNJG9fMaBvYUNzZZxCsN-YO-2tjPS61Ydk03deO2wBbZBjLLf4t0XVBKCgRnpVLw5dPc9Wn0U/w250-h250/Monks%20Dream.webp" width="250" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=thelonious+monk+dream+cd&crid=20K2URBCVEKRK&sprefix=thelonious+monk+dream+cd%2Caps%2C50&ref=nb_sb_noss" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk: <i>Monk's Dream</i></a> (1962)</p><p>I've got at least a dozen Monk records now. And a perusal of the titles on this one tells me there's only one composition here that's new to me.</p><p>T has a habit of re-recording his compositions, which means I must have at least five to ten versions of most of his songs. You'd think that would be a problem. </p><p>And yet, this one is one of my favorites. The band is <i>on it</i>, as is Monk himself. I can't even say they are the best musicians he's ever had. But they may be the most <i>sympathetic.</i></p><p>Everything here has got that extra added oomph to make you sit up and notice.</p><p>A pleasure from beginning to end.</p><p>I dream one day of burning all his CDs in order to make a playlist <i>sorted by title.</i> (Eight versions in a row of "Bolivar Blues" anyone?) I might not play it around Mrs. Jaybee though. She tends to notice things like that.</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/NiuXn8XgnSw" width="480"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p>All this may encourage me to explore, say, surf music. </p><p>In January maybe?</p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-65707483826259896472022-08-27T12:30:00.001-04:002022-08-27T12:30:25.516-04:00Secret History - 1980, or I've Got Some Good News and Some Bad News<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcuA5Smlmd1lRdq2bNRz1ZqYz4rVYJL22CxhZ-z1tOQ2Wbj7-Vs0mdlrnJq_56Q-h_Oife3dA9WQcLtBRBRFY4tX7uV1ioYBApwtlYyts0Km-waKC7FiilNN_wqSWOIGjLGafqYEXGQnE_mT4AXmy-RMZUA54uI7oq2i8Ab8aAchmTOcpurOQ8voW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="269" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcuA5Smlmd1lRdq2bNRz1ZqYz4rVYJL22CxhZ-z1tOQ2Wbj7-Vs0mdlrnJq_56Q-h_Oife3dA9WQcLtBRBRFY4tX7uV1ioYBApwtlYyts0Km-waKC7FiilNN_wqSWOIGjLGafqYEXGQnE_mT4AXmy-RMZUA54uI7oq2i8Ab8aAchmTOcpurOQ8voW" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><b>Now:</b><p></p><p>Although I got a lot out of my system last time, I'm still stuck between Luciano Pavarotti, the Drive-By Truckers, Dvorak, Lou F*cking Reed, and Sonic Youth. They go together surprisingly well, but because I kept bouncing back and forth between them, I didn't quite connect with any of them.</p><p>So, what to do when faced with such musical constipation? Well, the doctors say don't force it. So while we're waiting why not look back?</p><p><i>Greek Chorus: Oh Jesus, another World History Project post? What is it this time, Jaybee? Music by Dinosaurs?</i></p><p>Well, one dinosaur, but it's just the newest <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/search/label/Secret%20History" target="_blank">Secret History</a></i>. This is when I look at a year in the past (as opposed to the future, which is much harder) and try to identify some great records released that year that flew under people's radar. This is a different approach than my usual one, which is to write about records when I'm hearing them for the first time, no matter when released. But don't worry! I will try to make it about me somehow.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Then:</b></p><p>The last Secret History I did was for <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2018/05/secret-history-1979.html" target="_blank">1979</a>, which I posted in May of 2018. I paused there because - get this: <i>I thought I was going at too fast a pace. </i>The lesson here, of course, is that I don't procrastinate enough.</p><p>I also was hesitant to proceed because it was such a weird year. Great in some ways. Awful in others. Here are some, good to bad, more or less:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I became "single" again.</li><li>I got a new job.</li><li>I got <i>really </i>into Neil Young.</li><li>I got my first Clash record.</li><li>I heard a tremendous amount of good current music.</li><li>I had a fantastic record store trip, which - after the small steps I took in 1978 and 1979 - was my first major foray into punk/new wave/alternative whatever you want to call it with my first Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie records.</li><li>Me and Roommate Mike hosted a couple of Swedish hitchhikers who shared a lot of our musical tastes. We hung with them, me taking sick-day here and there. Ah, youth!</li><li>After a long "uneventful" summer, realized that being single wasn't all that great.</li><li>We got a new president</li><li>John Lennon got shot</li></ol><p></p><p>A couple of notes:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nine and ten are kind of a tie. Lennon's death was a reminder that - if you didn't know already - the sixties were quite literally dead. St. Ronnie came in to rein in the "excesses" of the seventies, making things immeasurably worse in the process. The seventies were certainly messy, but they were vibrant, too. </li><li>I cheated a bit. I found a new girl, but that came at the end, chronologically.</li></ul><p></p><p>Musically, 1980 strikes me as an "obvious" year. In other words, there were certain major records released then that we can all agree are well, <i>major. </i><i>London Calling, Remain in Light, </i>and <i>The River</i> all come to mind. And to my misanthropic ears, each is ever so slightly overrated. But it's okay. Things could have been - and would be - <i>much </i>worse.</p><p><br /></p><p>So here are the ones that matter to me:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAy429mdetQ4Gb7eIMkTW31ngMRZqZM-9zPL8bMe9Ws7KwTQypQjVsVvbqOPq0cEZq0bF6nmOsbFheP5DZBZC-dhvw1F8aey2euxAbcbFwaI3LhALnpZod2M_-KUbIYs3b4ri02ouVpR-J38IDbu8IH1POJnoEjEL3P36UiutXYVfYfedtz5vBHss/s359/Specials.webp" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="359" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAy429mdetQ4Gb7eIMkTW31ngMRZqZM-9zPL8bMe9Ws7KwTQypQjVsVvbqOPq0cEZq0bF6nmOsbFheP5DZBZC-dhvw1F8aey2euxAbcbFwaI3LhALnpZod2M_-KUbIYs3b4ri02ouVpR-J38IDbu8IH1POJnoEjEL3P36UiutXYVfYfedtz5vBHss/w250-h228/Specials.webp" width="250" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Specials-Special-SPECIALS/dp/B00NX6HZAQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=366YEZ3RVXJOG&keywords=specials+cd&qid=1661102646&sprefix=specials+cd%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The Specials: <i>The Specials</i></a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This actually came out in 1979, but I somehow missed that. So I'm cheating to make up for it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is, however, one of the best ska revival albums out there. Very spare, almost spectral arrangements. A nice piercing guitar, though. </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gotten in '90 when we were moving from an apartment into our first house. It reminds me of pulling up old carpeting. At the time I thought it was one of the great albums ever, but I was covered in dust at the time. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Highly recommended, nonetheless.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b>A-</b></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YthLQSqXjLo" target="_blank">"Little Bitch"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwt6Van7R3fC71MZ4-m7DzJPkt17T6NOrT9lHKE9To5qZmu0Ypy_pVikUfHe2cCbBeytxlkcWpYWNONlS8C-nFFca4tMZijlwMBaYx0hfSRYP5wdTfP57OsGzZgCkpWzzKN08O-qoRoAc0T8it5Lc7Yi9Itg5UE9Bnpb4-nUT4G9pQUXKLarrDFqe/s364/EC%20Get%20Happy.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="364" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwt6Van7R3fC71MZ4-m7DzJPkt17T6NOrT9lHKE9To5qZmu0Ypy_pVikUfHe2cCbBeytxlkcWpYWNONlS8C-nFFca4tMZijlwMBaYx0hfSRYP5wdTfP57OsGzZgCkpWzzKN08O-qoRoAc0T8it5Lc7Yi9Itg5UE9Bnpb4-nUT4G9pQUXKLarrDFqe/w242-h217/EC%20Get%20Happy.webp" width="242" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-8ac7af7f-7fff-0989-cf9b-77c0b289b226"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Get-Happy-Elvis-Costello/dp/B000OHZJL4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=elvis+costello+get+happy+cd&qid=1661101214&sprefix=elvis+costello+get+happ%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Elvis Costello: <i>Get Happy</i></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got this in early '81 while getting to know that new girl, so it's got all kinds of romantic memories attached to it that have nothing to do with the music itself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know how Elton John kept pumping out albums in the seventies, not all of which were great?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, Elvis 2.0, cranked out dozens and dozens of songs from 1980 - 82, twenty of which he put here - not all of which were great. So it's </span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">quantity over quality, but a lot of quality anyway. "King Horse", "New Amsterdam", and "Clown Time Is Over" are classics. A bunch more are not far behind. A few are negligible but you'd hardly notice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just like Elton.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And for some very odd reason, I play "Side Two" first. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A-</b></span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfK1_FBTMtA&list=RDsfK1_FBTMtA&start_radio=1" target="_blank">"New Amsterdam"</a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnImJj3nn3PxDyXyVutjTmEnY3bgXgeXD6Asf4c00wLtaULfFvYQBFdfemZGsDPaoskByUUKmg8v9G7JeZ-Lmib86F5_6U2-FHpqRFk6DwDiRp84p6jrK0B1Pwhiuw5HmRcXA8tTc_3LiJkCWWshaPB7eRUFa-Eb_8ls5GVmWRJBd0p02FAxswjYM/s480/Empty%20Glass.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnImJj3nn3PxDyXyVutjTmEnY3bgXgeXD6Asf4c00wLtaULfFvYQBFdfemZGsDPaoskByUUKmg8v9G7JeZ-Lmib86F5_6U2-FHpqRFk6DwDiRp84p6jrK0B1Pwhiuw5HmRcXA8tTc_3LiJkCWWshaPB7eRUFa-Eb_8ls5GVmWRJBd0p02FAxswjYM/w249-h249/Empty%20Glass.webp" width="249" /></a></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Empty-Glass-Pete-Townshend/dp/B01J6T5AGO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=pete+townshend+empty+glass+cd&qid=1661102807&sprefix=empty+glass+pet%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Pete Townsend: <i>Empty Glass</i></a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gotten in the summer of '80 after the recommendation of our new Swedish friends. We had agreed on <i>Exile on Mainstreet</i>, after all.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By this time I should have been done with this classic rock dinosaur, but Pete really brings it on this record. A bit overdone, but I wouldn't have it any other way.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And he gave me some lyrics to raise my spirits, whose default setting is depressed:</span></p></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Don't worry smile and dance</i></span></p></span></div></div><div><div><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You just can't work life out</i></span></p></span></div></div><div><div><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Don't let down moods entrance you</i></span></p></span></div></div><div><div><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Take the wine and shout</i></span></p></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span></span><span></span><span></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><b>A-</b><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKWaG0Wp-Ps" target="_blank">"Broken Glass"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBZLFoI2qSSNfFXTOty1kPiGLzm3b0nx8ziAifYGLfLEhIORM7YZ8F7vmTqmtiM8Gw9zkZPxGpcpPyJKzviJmFivfX6H125LZULYi9slO1VP7npeThP7ClBXXHk2wObWPcjbTYo2bSCZ53-mOpLZaiOZAFrxNMEVGs_9z6JhyK0Ro2XFPF9xj63xi/s207/P%20furs%201.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="205" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBZLFoI2qSSNfFXTOty1kPiGLzm3b0nx8ziAifYGLfLEhIORM7YZ8F7vmTqmtiM8Gw9zkZPxGpcpPyJKzviJmFivfX6H125LZULYi9slO1VP7npeThP7ClBXXHk2wObWPcjbTYo2bSCZ53-mOpLZaiOZAFrxNMEVGs_9z6JhyK0Ro2XFPF9xj63xi/w241-h243/P%20furs%201.webp" width="241" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-psychedelic-furs-mw0000650658" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-psychedelic-furs-mw0000650658" target="_blank">The Psychedelic Furs: <i>The Psychedelic Furs</i></a></b></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Gotten maybe in the mid-80s, after having already gotten their second one - one of the great hard rock albums of that decade. This one is almost as good.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Richard Butler snarls Johnny Rotten-ish-ly but the band eases off the gas pedal more than the Sex Pistols - who would proceed to drive off a cliff - ever would. The Furs were in it for the long haul. And made more good music.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>And when Butler snarls, he's not full of shyte.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><b>A-</b></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK2jKcIP898" target="_blank">"We Love You"</a></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4i0wSNMGUU_r6rjeCdeXCW5Ea2L-MIMhFbvs4M8AftJy26qU7q07gvRAgaI8LaWfDyFC49kWIPBS-rp1trU0xOLgSi_Wfg0BJXWaD_8edKrf6FanBBBXit_mmgc-x9eZ4cCYY3_2JM_VfllGBEeh0zk4W8ENlgy_IclLoCX-5QCgxCCUdTTWv2h6/s327/Peter%20Gabriel.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4i0wSNMGUU_r6rjeCdeXCW5Ea2L-MIMhFbvs4M8AftJy26qU7q07gvRAgaI8LaWfDyFC49kWIPBS-rp1trU0xOLgSi_Wfg0BJXWaD_8edKrf6FanBBBXit_mmgc-x9eZ4cCYY3_2JM_VfllGBEeh0zk4W8ENlgy_IclLoCX-5QCgxCCUdTTWv2h6/w226-h226/Peter%20Gabriel.webp" width="226" /></a></div></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Peter-Gabriel-33-RPM-Version/dp/B01MDRVO7M/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=peter+gabriel&qid=1661103706&sprefix=peter+gab%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Peter Gabriel: <i>Peter Gabriel</i></a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After he left Genesis but before he hit it big, Peter Gabriel put out a few solo records. This one is his third and is generally considered the best before the commercial breakthrough of <i>So</i>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This one is <i>very</i> serious, and I wish he'd crack a joke occasionally. But "Biko" is so great, all is forgiven.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><b>A-</b><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVpsM3YAgw" target="_blank">"Biko"</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLY5I0I7S1AifBfRC7yg7JfOXj7x-AjxOHIxejGqp0zz3PhnFo160BzK1dmXlmtqhskGrgeSOQ-65ajl9hqdH4-FaGsmsjnMrWskT6GyhHiJbqXNgAnimZl6Jz6VihJL8Xm3cKJTTWJSrvuTQjGKac9JHbdZ82BPj4FSsyXIkclT75iaX-mDpC1JU/s327/Feelies.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLY5I0I7S1AifBfRC7yg7JfOXj7x-AjxOHIxejGqp0zz3PhnFo160BzK1dmXlmtqhskGrgeSOQ-65ajl9hqdH4-FaGsmsjnMrWskT6GyhHiJbqXNgAnimZl6Jz6VihJL8Xm3cKJTTWJSrvuTQjGKac9JHbdZ82BPj4FSsyXIkclT75iaX-mDpC1JU/w240-h240/Feelies.webp" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Crazy-Rhythms-Feelies/dp/B002H3ETI2/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=feelies+crazy+rhythms&qid=1661104157&sprefix=feelies+cra%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Crazy Rhythms - <i>The Feelies</i></a></b></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Weird, jittery, almost frantic rhythm guitars, resulting in robotic voices because they're trying to keep up. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>But oh so tight.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><b>A-</b></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05GTWKu4uU8" target="_blank">"Crazy Rhythms"</a></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfGshfXJ_MsDJegPH8ffUbop8VLqw5SwgFb_EmoAOY4RtWqv-RAOsxa8V0l9VtQFWRqiN2hnRQeTWSYnoL-wUlaLP-dZCWjvG0Iprei-zubqgotad_2rTr394T6J1-EyWgiw1qiZxOTMB34tWDfrSrSxdo_u3M5LM2T_MeOWbps2cbaGQX8adw6zU/s327/Alberta%20Hunter.webp" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfGshfXJ_MsDJegPH8ffUbop8VLqw5SwgFb_EmoAOY4RtWqv-RAOsxa8V0l9VtQFWRqiN2hnRQeTWSYnoL-wUlaLP-dZCWjvG0Iprei-zubqgotad_2rTr394T6J1-EyWgiw1qiZxOTMB34tWDfrSrSxdo_u3M5LM2T_MeOWbps2cbaGQX8adw6zU/w250-h250/Alberta%20Hunter.webp" width="250" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/amtrak-blues-mw0000193668" target="_blank">Albert Hunter:<i> Amtrak Blues</i></a></b></p><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Just a little old lady singing the blues, a piano player, and an audience. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>A joy from start to finish.</span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><b>A-</b></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrYkgiyviCQ" target="_blank">"My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More"</a></div></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-z7jqVltAN31bSO2ZaWmGh1yGVISWr7AsCA2nUzq-8aoIlKh9etVxe1G4YtKvUAPVzf7PqV0yTUfuPlPzjfW7pvAI2SrZ_AkGQUohAfFhaZHzejEs5z7D9SZQbxEntThuYVMk14oiSV2niVNNYK-F7u2O3fkarhFlwO3obW1_SEI_z_Xkpu16Pbl/s327/PIL.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-z7jqVltAN31bSO2ZaWmGh1yGVISWr7AsCA2nUzq-8aoIlKh9etVxe1G4YtKvUAPVzf7PqV0yTUfuPlPzjfW7pvAI2SrZ_AkGQUohAfFhaZHzejEs5z7D9SZQbxEntThuYVMk14oiSV2niVNNYK-F7u2O3fkarhFlwO3obW1_SEI_z_Xkpu16Pbl/w235-h235/PIL.webp" width="235" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Second-Public-Image-Limited/dp/B004ETLJVW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=public+image+ltd+second+edition&qid=1661103925&sprefix=public+image+ltd+secon%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Public Image - </a></span><i style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Second-Public-Image-Limited/dp/B004ETLJVW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=public+image+ltd+second+edition&qid=1661103925&sprefix=public+image+ltd+secon%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Second Edition</a></i></span></div><div><span><span id="docs-internal-guid-8ac7af7f-7fff-0989-cf9b-77c0b289b226"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also known as </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Metal Box</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in England because it came in one there. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perfect for depression, assuming you want to stay depressed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got it in June of '80, but it was so odd, offputting, and flat-out noisy, that I had to put away Johnny Rotten's new band for almost six months. I guess Lennon and Reagan put me in the mood. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then one cold, dark day, I felt like hearing it. And it hit, <i>hard</i>. The dub-heavy bass and beats, the most expressive - of horror, that is - electric guitar I have ever heard. And Johnny Rotten proves that he wasn't just a one-trick pony. Of course, he eventually proved to be too clever by one and a half. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sex Pistols would hit you over the head but this one gets <i>into </i>it and never leaves.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>A</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JL5LyaFaEM" target="_blank">"Poptones"</a></span></p><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s9tPfAK4VwJF9v3OLwPeL7-08Nq4NUCybLvsLyKuguNHokpj9EPjwD9me3PxiVyg6famBKQOnukh3i49fO1lkpwEW2drkSw5QebFltRiKirDJ-JQxVu2cZrZGDg0UFf7WBTPdgJ2AZGWk7K_bjWd5_xMXZP9XIByQCUR0jtW1fUC7fAJ1_sA_hXc/s300/English%20Beat.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s9tPfAK4VwJF9v3OLwPeL7-08Nq4NUCybLvsLyKuguNHokpj9EPjwD9me3PxiVyg6famBKQOnukh3i49fO1lkpwEW2drkSw5QebFltRiKirDJ-JQxVu2cZrZGDg0UFf7WBTPdgJ2AZGWk7K_bjWd5_xMXZP9XIByQCUR0jtW1fUC7fAJ1_sA_hXc/w247-h247/English%20Beat.webp" width="247" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Just-Cant-Stop-English-Beat/dp/B01KAU4PFK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+english+beat+i+just+can%27t+stop+it+cd&qid=1661104017&sprefix=english+beat+i+just+%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The English Beat: </b></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I Just Can't Stop It</i></b><b style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </b></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe <i>the </i>greatest ska revival album. And just like the Specials, two-toned, as they used to say.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So propulsive. So tuneful. And the arrangements are more varied than on the Specials record. And slightly l</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ess political, too, which allows the songwriting to be more universal and personal.</span></p><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span><b>A</b></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFv1kqdl2VQ" target="_blank">"Best Friend"</a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Ahhh, now THAT works better than prune juice. </div></span></div></span></span></div></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-15785147256915692892022-07-31T08:08:00.001-04:002022-07-31T08:09:17.204-04:00No Summer for Old Men<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEJ9tsFEJd0WcpBGLAUKzNt-aKLKiS56s0gPaETMV704RIrdeiHQt9sejuSfk0v4fbZK1MsVaOv19Wj3xEq_tHq86tojl7Quk8ECIwCBbGNEdo7YFJRoCKNmiJVK5qgqYHXwHZTCsV_LaimHcEivIRAxxhdGR5cu2aFmxve-C99NPkk87z1YFJn8P/s499/summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEJ9tsFEJd0WcpBGLAUKzNt-aKLKiS56s0gPaETMV704RIrdeiHQt9sejuSfk0v4fbZK1MsVaOv19Wj3xEq_tHq86tojl7Quk8ECIwCBbGNEdo7YFJRoCKNmiJVK5qgqYHXwHZTCsV_LaimHcEivIRAxxhdGR5cu2aFmxve-C99NPkk87z1YFJn8P/s320/summer.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b><p></p><p>"Heatwave" by Martha and the Vandellas is a real snappy number, but the word itself no longer has the same attraction. It's just too damn oppressive to be very sexy.</p><p>The message of "Summer in the City" by the Lovin' Spoonful - maybe the greatest summer song ever - is that <i>despite </i>the heat, it'll be all right.</p><p>And "Summer Breeze"? No! Seriously, f*ck its overplayed ass.</p><p>It would be nice to still, as we did as youngsters, think of summer as a three-month preview of heaven. Most of us not living in temperate (meaning, not yet impacted by climate change) areas don't see it as a time to relax, have fun and get a tan. It's a ninety-three-day ordeal of humidity, sirens, explosions we hope are fireworks, and PEOPLE WHO TALK TOO LOUD. (No, not "loudly". LOUD.) And, worst of all, pale old white men in cargo shorts.</p><p>So I can't <i>wait</i> for autumn. That dry, cooler (but still sunny) calm idyll, when you have to wear a light jacket, which just happens to hide your gut.</p><p>This is all to explain why - aside from hearing these records <i>during </i>the summer, I am <i>hearing </i>these records as being "summer music" in both the best and worst senses. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz8_wCDX5H1-9jktorg3P6otnRgz-7fw9SoKIGKUCiBn3IOk30Urgkvd7Yv9bt-i43KPRLjyvZVOzmCoyWg7DywHLqawrGwMZPKOzZ3jh6VgOIG0HmKx0jgoYODELWj4ZK9-2ONnCBp-s2T2M__P60HAdf82_vp0kabpOlfslK0VrfIzeI_ZFEg6t/s330/burnin.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="330" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz8_wCDX5H1-9jktorg3P6otnRgz-7fw9SoKIGKUCiBn3IOk30Urgkvd7Yv9bt-i43KPRLjyvZVOzmCoyWg7DywHLqawrGwMZPKOzZ3jh6VgOIG0HmKx0jgoYODELWj4ZK9-2ONnCBp-s2T2M__P60HAdf82_vp0kabpOlfslK0VrfIzeI_ZFEg6t/w240-h238/burnin.webp" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /><b><br /></b></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Burnin-Bob-Marley-Wailers/dp/B00005KB9R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CCC8ASZPKLN8&keywords=burnin%27&qid=1658883088&sprefix=burnin%27%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Bob Marley and the Wailers: </a></b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Burnin-Bob-Marley-Wailers/dp/B00005KB9R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CCC8ASZPKLN8&keywords=burnin%27&qid=1658883088&sprefix=burnin%27%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b>Burnin'</b></a> </i>(1973)</p><p>Why summer music? As I learned on my honeymoon - when I finally <i>got</i> it - reggae goes well with hot weather. It's slow because it's too friggin hot to play (or dance) any faster. </p><p>Lucky for me (if not the planet) I've had more than enough hot sticky summers to catch up.</p><div>This one didn't immediately grab me the way <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/search/label/Bob%20Marley" target="_blank">Catch a Fire</a> </i>did<i>. </i>This one does have its share of classics but is more laid back. And the production is not as clean or immediate. But once I gave it half a chance the songs rose up to meet my ears. And each one sticks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I play it a lot in the mornings before the A/C kicks in.</div><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhQEBAl3Gpk" target="_blank">"Get Up, Stand Up"</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VBlGnzMhh-ItOJ9Gbw0EiiL7I8PpMWoaG6x7GbdVU4RV8C9ZEro1B4p6kv9PZl6uWK8GMVySC3sv_hQuOndhtezhsTWCHv1XAHZL8LozD5mpA5eW6ZX9B-3xbWFyyfvGC-x3MQ69tIYanS-71TVsauA8QO0UBzischsFSQtVINeBa7ayjCkbT9zv/s327/st%20etienne.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VBlGnzMhh-ItOJ9Gbw0EiiL7I8PpMWoaG6x7GbdVU4RV8C9ZEro1B4p6kv9PZl6uWK8GMVySC3sv_hQuOndhtezhsTWCHv1XAHZL8LozD5mpA5eW6ZX9B-3xbWFyyfvGC-x3MQ69tIYanS-71TVsauA8QO0UBzischsFSQtVINeBa7ayjCkbT9zv/w249-h249/st%20etienne.webp" width="249" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smash-System-Etienne-Saint-2001-09-17/dp/B014I79UE2/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=st.+etienne&qid=1658882851&sprefix=st.+eti%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-11" target="_blank">St. Etienne: </a></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smash-System-Etienne-Saint-2001-09-17/dp/B014I79UE2/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=st.+etienne&qid=1658882851&sprefix=st.+eti%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-11" target="_blank">Smash the System: Singles and More</a> </b>(2001)</p><p>A sort of greatest hits collection by this British trio is largely - but not exclusively - dance music. It's light, quick, and playful, so, on the surface, it's "fun". Like what summer is supposed to be. But it's also a little sad, like what summer too often is. </p><p>It starts with heresy - a dance version of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" - which turns out to be pretty damn good. And then it goes on balancing dance arrangements with good tunes.</p><p>It may be too much of a good thing, though. Two filled-to-the-brim CDs add up to two and a half hours of music. It can't help but get a bit repetitive. In other words, a perfect fit for those looooooonng summer afternoons.</p><p><b>B+</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw32-oDZ0kQ" target="_blank">"Kiss and Make Up"</a></p><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iM8E5Hl2gw-Mv8r5SZFiP2Dx8oSb20aYB_MZ3iM8m2mg4CAs4Kb-6fzYREYbKZawg-2AkySgA-llfrDEnbJDRh9w2PTSCV738guD7S6fz2jW-lcZaafQ7d6Lel8LlvwFiYzx4VR6eSd-RBHGGIod_7VA7H3qtVn8n-Qli3GFvA39cNx5VxQ3WI2F/s327/fade.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iM8E5Hl2gw-Mv8r5SZFiP2Dx8oSb20aYB_MZ3iM8m2mg4CAs4Kb-6fzYREYbKZawg-2AkySgA-llfrDEnbJDRh9w2PTSCV738guD7S6fz2jW-lcZaafQ7d6Lel8LlvwFiYzx4VR6eSd-RBHGGIod_7VA7H3qtVn8n-Qli3GFvA39cNx5VxQ3WI2F/w240-h240/fade.webp" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /><b><br /></b></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fade-Deluxe-Yo-Tengo/dp/B00F38GI46/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=yo+la+tengo+fade&qid=1658883328&sprefix=fade+yo+la+tengo%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Yo La Tengo: </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fade-Deluxe-Yo-Tengo/dp/B00F38GI46/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=yo+la+tengo+fade&qid=1658883328&sprefix=fade+yo+la+tengo%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Fade</a> (2013)</p><p>YLT can rival reggae in its languor. Despite their potential for the guitar freakout so beloved by the younger set, it's downright admirable how often YLT just chills, which as time goes by is more and more beloved by me. </p><p>Their ability to pull off either is reminiscent of the Velvet Underground. And their pinnacle - <i><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-can-hear-the-heart-beating-as-one-mw0000593102" target="_blank">I Can Hear the Heart Beat as One</a> </i>- is the perfect balance of both styles.</p><p>On this one, they favor the chill. Out of ten songs, there are only two outright rockers. The rest are either folkish or light pop bordering-on-Easy Listening, often sung in a whisper a la "Girl From Impanema". </p><p>Thank god husband and wife team Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley write such simple beautiful songs, and apply the most subtle harmonies to bring out the best of them, that you sometimes can't believe it's an original and not a cover.</p><p>So what may at first seem like a deliberate dare for you to dismiss them turns out to be evidence of YLT's great faith in their listeners to stick around. I definitely will. From the midtempo rockish opener to the wistful horns fade out at the very end. </p><p>It's the sound of the end of a good day when the temperature drops a wee bit and there's a hint of a breeze.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDojbuBQlmo" target="_blank">"Before We Run"</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6N6goEvhIhjkdDcteIurCBoKps3TK-KyLM-jxRZ73rAQ6jLCQP_8Jg19MFV91nnYOkDzzGuelk6QT6GAgj79AQ6088KPAgvB4NuSqWLXfeXvEhJb1382UK2YQCIGy9NE-tY0H_uMEIdx91TtuPHKb5F4YZeLXmpnoyiOmpmJvNT69mTFNVdV6QKH/s327/jubilee.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6N6goEvhIhjkdDcteIurCBoKps3TK-KyLM-jxRZ73rAQ6jLCQP_8Jg19MFV91nnYOkDzzGuelk6QT6GAgj79AQ6088KPAgvB4NuSqWLXfeXvEhJb1382UK2YQCIGy9NE-tY0H_uMEIdx91TtuPHKb5F4YZeLXmpnoyiOmpmJvNT69mTFNVdV6QKH/w248-h248/jubilee.webp" width="248" /></a></div><p><br /><b><br /></b></p><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jubilee-Japanese-Breakfast/dp/B08XXGN1WC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=japanese+breakfast+cd&qid=1659268712&sprefix=japanese+breakface%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Japanese Breakfast: </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jubilee-Japanese-Breakfast/dp/B08XXGN1WC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=japanese+breakfast+cd&qid=1659268712&sprefix=japanese+breakface%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jubilee</a> </i></b>(2021)</p><p>Just a young woman singing her songs, with nary a guitar, bass, or drums in sight (although the pictures indicate otherwise). And not dance music either. Just sweet mid-tempo pop music.</p><p>Mrs. Jaybee always <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">guesses this one correctly</a> when I put it on. And sometimes actually requests it! Now that is saying something. </p><p>Short, sweet, and wistful, you fear it might just waft away. In fact, it's so single-mindedly tuneful (if not exactly hooky) that it never does. One after another the songs unfurl, each one as good as the last.</p><p>A guitar does poke its head out at the end, in just the right place.</p><p>The sound of a now rare great summer day. </p><p>Maybe the young people can save us after all.</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYRggL-EITY" target="_blank">"Posing for Cars"</a></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-24997050093031727432022-05-30T08:06:00.001-04:002022-05-30T08:06:49.488-04:00It's Young to Feel Great Again<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkc70wI9Qb243wJVhDlvvDfFg3RoXo-xttm-1SppwZWD8NYxl0KVtNIxO0JhiFywsC6Rne-Iooujj_LnJ9d1y6U9d6S_K_wnpgxsynjdrgT4BorqQwMQbp9AXvDhPRY32JJT-atbgilsafahYIV2iR4xQArfU5kY1QJTCw91q5u51PLgxTEA6IfrN/s275/Wet%20Leg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkc70wI9Qb243wJVhDlvvDfFg3RoXo-xttm-1SppwZWD8NYxl0KVtNIxO0JhiFywsC6Rne-Iooujj_LnJ9d1y6U9d6S_K_wnpgxsynjdrgT4BorqQwMQbp9AXvDhPRY32JJT-atbgilsafahYIV2iR4xQArfU5kY1QJTCw91q5u51PLgxTEA6IfrN/w400-h266/Wet%20Leg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Around this time of year, I get a little tired of reaching into the past and decide to dip into current music. It's my version of actually going out and interacting with other humans.</p><p>Plus, we live in such a positive time, why not immerse myself in it?</p><p>But it's really due to my vanity. I would like to feel young at least for a few minutes, and there's nothing like turning on the radio and hearing a great new song to do that. Clearly, that has not happened in some time. The closest I can come to it is putting on a new album that sounds great.</p><p>I would thus play it safe and get some pop music. So why I chose this moment to get a punk album I'll never know. Perhaps I thought "punk" no longer meant what it used to? </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPDtPUJ12-FHKCBtL9XmQnxJ7yULSf3iG5FG_jZ2TjlGL2gmjdKdzCMRG27sp48ko6UhiXpdYIS_zz2UHTfqhZIiGG4F4Vrp_BXldpJHl-2bYCV1DYyqQ4y_l_Q-1y1LS2-UeCrbfy2WnV2lRcSbLEYJlB55phQu4Fnw0i9OP_Y68ZaX0ToPNOKFJc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="368" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPDtPUJ12-FHKCBtL9XmQnxJ7yULSf3iG5FG_jZ2TjlGL2gmjdKdzCMRG27sp48ko6UhiXpdYIS_zz2UHTfqhZIiGG4F4Vrp_BXldpJHl-2bYCV1DYyqQ4y_l_Q-1y1LS2-UeCrbfy2WnV2lRcSbLEYJlB55phQu4Fnw0i9OP_Y68ZaX0ToPNOKFJc=w243-h216" width="243" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Me-Amyl-Sniffers/dp/B098GV18QD/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JIUWMXGNS408&keywords=amyl+and+the+sniffers+cd&qid=1653752217&s=music&sprefix=amyl+and+the+sniffers+cd%2Cpopular%2C51&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Amyl and the Sniffers: </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Me-Amyl-Sniffers/dp/B098GV18QD/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JIUWMXGNS408&keywords=amyl+and+the+sniffers+cd&qid=1653752217&s=music&sprefix=amyl+and+the+sniffers+cd%2Cpopular%2C51&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Comfort to Me</a> (2022)</i></b></p><p>Wrong.</p><p>In terms of sheer energy, this beats out <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Dry Cleaning</a>. Amy Taylor's high-pitched-but-not-quite-a-shriek vocals are a perfect complement to the low roar of the guitar. And her Australian accent just adds to the fun. </p><p>Rage is the default emotion in punk, so what's odd here is the repeated use of the word "love". A welcome development! Of course, Amy is <i>demanding</i> that you love her. Still, it proves you can be angry and in love at the same time.</p><p>And I found out later Jaybee Son Mike loves it!</p><p>As with some other genres (reggae, blues, country, etc.) I only play it when I'm in the mood, like when I'm alone or when we've somehow invited someone over who I hate.</p><p>So in the long run I'll probably play Dry Cleaning a little more often.</p><p>But then again, I <i>could </i>go through my old address book and look up some old frienemies...</p><p><b>A-</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb5Ja6V4OeY" target="_blank">"Hertz"</a></p><p><b><br /></b></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0y-WYPss-gWs1sLBrIaZ2il7cEouI2eEqIOkcbOd75FRQjHifcfePYfHEgOqnky1wZ1Ul0ZuBBjMRWUFem42vsWypC1_0dJGWOebzNOOP22O54STh5ShHAtFF2l8X-dKn_YqyM09FSw6WmbBI6KpJqtCHCa4-pcdEizPoQQPhK4xR19hn_KV4NpVH" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0y-WYPss-gWs1sLBrIaZ2il7cEouI2eEqIOkcbOd75FRQjHifcfePYfHEgOqnky1wZ1Ul0ZuBBjMRWUFem42vsWypC1_0dJGWOebzNOOP22O54STh5ShHAtFF2l8X-dKn_YqyM09FSw6WmbBI6KpJqtCHCa4-pcdEizPoQQPhK4xR19hn_KV4NpVH" width="240" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Leg/dp/B09M7QDBXY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1PL2YLA1LV0QC&keywords=wet+leg+cd&qid=1653752171&s=music&sprefix=wet+leg+cd%2Cpopular%2C48&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Wet Leg: </a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Leg/dp/B09M7QDBXY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1PL2YLA1LV0QC&keywords=wet+leg+cd&qid=1653752171&s=music&sprefix=wet+leg+cd%2Cpopular%2C48&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Wet Leg</a> (2022)</i></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>"Dad, I think you would like this band," sez Jaybee Son Mike, making his second appearance here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever I hear this phrase - and I hear it a lot - I think of it as a statement about me rather than the music. I chafe at the suggestion I'm "predictable". Am I not the "independent spirit marching to the beat of my own drum"? Not with those cargo shorts ads popping up on my Facebook timeline, I'm not. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I look them up and the buzz is quite strong. So I gave them a try.</div><div><br /></div><div>Turns out, Mike was right! It's EXACTLY what I would like. Even Mrs. Jaybee likes it, and <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">she's pretty tough on the young ladies</a> (Editor's note: Don't tell her I said that.)</div><div><br /></div><div>(Editor's Note: Mrs. Jaybee would like to address the whole <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/search?q=girly" target="_blank">"girly voice"</a> question. It is not that they sing that way <i>per se</i>. It is that they don't <i>project. </i>If they've got a good voice, they should <i>use </i>it<i>.</i>)</div><div><br /></div><div>However, we both agree that the vocals here are less "girly" than quirky, and - critically - the band rocks, adding just the right touch a given song needs, moving several from good to memorable. So it's fun from beginning to end.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Warning: Slight Digression Ahead:</i></div><div><br /></div><div>And it edges out <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Haim</a>, simply because I don't feel <i>obligated</i> to put it on. The Haim record is "excellent" overall, and it deserves its due, but that adjective has never been a good compliment for a rock record. "Excellent" is not "great!", (and, of course, "great!" is not "Great!" which is not "GREAT". You get the idea.)</div><div><br /></div><div>But in case you don't:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Not Bad</i>: (B to B+) <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2021/11/theres-surprisingly-thick-line-between.html" target="_blank">Weyes Blood</a> or the first Grateful Dead album</li><li><i>Pretty Good</i>: (B+ to A-) <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2021/11/theres-surprisingly-thick-line-between.html" target="_blank">Sharon Van Etten</a> or <i>Her Satanic Majesties Request</i></li><li><i>Excellent</i> (A-): <a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/03/too-soon.html" target="_blank">Haim</a> or the first Allmans album </li><li><i>great!</i><b> </b>(A- to A) A real pleasure at the moment, but who knows if it will last? Wet Leg or the second live Grateful Dead record. </li><li><i>Great!</i> (A) Joy from beginning to end. <i><a href="https://jburns831.blogspot.com/2022/01/i-had-feeling-21-was-gonna-be-good-year.html" target="_blank">Township Jazz and Jive</a>,</i> Marshall Crenshaw's first album, and most Beatles, Stones, and Neil Young albums.</li><li><i>GREAT</i> (A+) The Pantheon, still bringing joy decades later: <i>Abbey Road, Tonight's the Night, Another Green Word, The Who Sell Out, Katy Lied.</i></li></ul><div><i>End of Digression:</i></div></div><p>And with (Spoiler Alert!) the final line: <i>I just need a bubble bath to set me on a higher path, </i>this record's "great!". Now let's see if it makes its way to "Great!"</p><p><b>A</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB3PJwPMHzQ" target="_blank">"Too Late Now"</a></p>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581857629272011275.post-65493778423847074202022-04-23T09:36:00.000-04:002022-08-06T17:27:12.727-04:00World History Project: Two Scoops of Schubert<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz_uq9qFFE46cRbyt02W6b4VVgZV8sG2PSkmKH2kmKFxG_0WZpmxKLcK1dzQGKYsOJPUMCgLp1jV1abhY36uL0aPsvdMq5kwfX-1Znq6CY815-8XDPYJMKeCIhLKCRjiXfJiuyB2iFivrlhroAvF85eUYLz30CBia_CuY5GQdfCBU3PoJIjmSGler1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz_uq9qFFE46cRbyt02W6b4VVgZV8sG2PSkmKH2kmKFxG_0WZpmxKLcK1dzQGKYsOJPUMCgLp1jV1abhY36uL0aPsvdMq5kwfX-1Znq6CY815-8XDPYJMKeCIhLKCRjiXfJiuyB2iFivrlhroAvF85eUYLz30CBia_CuY5GQdfCBU3PoJIjmSGler1" width="240" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><b>A Lack of Perspective:</b><p></p><p>After having tackled Ludwig van Beethoven (hey, that sounds funny, but he did get into a street fight with his brother over money, so...) last year, I figure it's time for another edition of WHP.</p><p>I wasn't sure who to dig into next so I started reading about some of the composers who followed after LVB. It turns out there was this guy who actually served as one of his pallbearers. Last name Schubert... </p><p>And it caused a reaction usually reserved for the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZV5g1CNZM" target="_blank">Susquehanna Hat Company</a>. Why you might ask? Well, after months of intensive therapy, a memory was unearthed.</p><p>Sometime after <i>The White Album </i>came out, I read a critic's quote, stating that Lennon and McCartney were the greatest composers since <i>Schubert</i>. Now, a normal person would have appreciated this affirmation of the value of pop music in general and the Beatles in particular.</p><p>But, my eleven-year-old brain's reactions were:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ol><li>Okay, he's in the ballpark, but... </li><li>No, they are the greatest composers OF ALL TIME.</li><li>And who the f*ck is this guy Schubert, anyway??</li></ol><div><div><p>At that age, we all had our lists of greatest whatever of all time. Here's mine (sorry, Kanye!):</p><p></p><ul><li>Band: Beatles</li><li>Guitar: Eric Clapton</li><li>Bass: Jack Bruce</li><li>Drums: Ginger Baker (Hey, those guys should form a band!)</li><li>Keyboards: Nobody cares.</li></ul><p></p></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Some Perspective:</b></div><div><p>It all sprang from a defensiveness about rock music built up over a childhood full of adults telling me how bad it was. My reaction - borne of my "how can I be more of an asshole?" adolescence was to strike back with the brilliant riposte: <i>Oh yeah? MY music is not only GOOD. It's THE ALL- TIME GREATEST and YOUR music (with everyone wearing suits in black and white movies and not a guitar in sight) SUCKS, </i>and so forth.</p><p>It hadn't yet occurred to me that <i>my </i>time on Earth made up an exceedingly small part of "all-time", so some stuff actually happened before I was, you know, born.</p><p>So how the hell would I know? Plus, that Schubert guy did write "Ave Maria"...</p><p>And legend had it there were <i>other</i> songwriters, too. Names like Ellington, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, and a few others kept popping up.</p><p>I knew the time would come when I'd have to, uh, face the music. (Sorry.) Which I did for a lot of those names. </p><p>Now it was time to give Franz a chance.</p></div><p><br /></p><div><b>Piano Guy: </b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>Schubert played and wrote for the piano. If you went to a party with him and there was a piano in the room, god help you. He'd sit down and just start making things up as he went.</div><div><br /></div><div>Advice: Always sit near the door.</div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIccjTGZDNY2A3CXSYlk5phrWMPzpSAtNtm-_aHUTPVNdBUVY-WiXYEEKx9ni2FMooEbDVB_IkHtJ4OitZaNXz8Jv1lKpXY7d2zvpEB8wnNrVF06hKDXQEMhgh7LCo0cAdeqRWmspZ1RIojSZacM6UIfB52Ryfl5YTFwu5j1LEXzkQ_fwtskYTUXYU" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIccjTGZDNY2A3CXSYlk5phrWMPzpSAtNtm-_aHUTPVNdBUVY-WiXYEEKx9ni2FMooEbDVB_IkHtJ4OitZaNXz8Jv1lKpXY7d2zvpEB8wnNrVF06hKDXQEMhgh7LCo0cAdeqRWmspZ1RIojSZacM6UIfB52Ryfl5YTFwu5j1LEXzkQ_fwtskYTUXYU=w239-h239" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IXG1HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Schubert: <i>Piano Sonata in B Flat and Fantasia in C, </i>Alfred Brendel, Piano</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>But his stuff was Pretty, Pretty Good.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Fantasia </i>is quite nice with a lot of flourishes of melody and movement, but the real find here is the Sonata. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, concertos and symphonies are great, but they also have lots of other instruments and it all can get rather busy. I'm a small combo guy, so I prefer sonatas, which are typically just one instrument. How do I remember which is which, you ask? With the following mnemonic device: <i>S'not a lotta that extra bullshit.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>And this one doesn't disappoint. While it's got the usual fussy parts, it also stretches out into some quiet, soulful territory, which is my sweet spot. Highly recommended.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A-</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKy0Lyl4g-s" target="_blank">"Piano Sonata in B Flat"</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lieder of the Pack</b></div><div><br /></div><div>But since this whole thing started as a comparison of songwriters, I knew I'd have to listen to, you know, actual songs. Or as Schubert insisted on calling them, <i>lieder.</i></div><div><p>And given the way he cranked them about - about 600 - I didn't know where to start. And then the good old internet came through with <a href="https://van-magazine.com/mag/every-schubert-song-ranked/" target="_blank">an article on where to start.</a></p><p>But even that was too much, so I put on my consumer cap and looked for how to get the biggest bang for the buck. </p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTvr8ExEADpqi1ThOFWAmQm1VRKrtpDz2GxLuJ8G8_x8V6KSocOv1hoRkH4c6WWJBsUtNEHiiOnzPfQtnQH-0nj7M-W3fpWlYiddyiVh992YPh3JvBSOUlMNDosMXoLpk4k6jT_Jcf6uvnjE-IsPq-jVe79pCFPbQqFMpY7j6CBQ2Yi9S8Frmn3t4V" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="327" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTvr8ExEADpqi1ThOFWAmQm1VRKrtpDz2GxLuJ8G8_x8V6KSocOv1hoRkH4c6WWJBsUtNEHiiOnzPfQtnQH-0nj7M-W3fpWlYiddyiVh992YPh3JvBSOUlMNDosMXoLpk4k6jT_Jcf6uvnjE-IsPq-jVe79pCFPbQqFMpY7j6CBQ2Yi9S8Frmn3t4V" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Cycles-Mullerin-Winterreise-Schwanengesang/dp/B001B56KT8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=schubert+song+cycles&qid=1650714671&sprefix=schubert+song+cy%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Schubert: <i>Three Song Cycles: Die Schone Mullerin, Winterreise, Scshwanengesan</i>g - Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, Gerald Moore</a></b></p><div><p>And it's quite the bang. Fifty-eight songs and nearly three hours worth. I really could have only gotten one <i>but by getting all three I'm actually saving money</i>. What was I supposed to do, <i>not </i>get it?</p></div><div>While I waited for it to arrive, I tried to not keep a picture of sound in my head regarding what to expect. The main thing I wanted was some sweet melody and relaxed singing. Not some stuffed shirt huffing and puffing like he was ordering panzers into Poland.</div><div><br /></div><div>And for the most part, that's what I got. Sure, it takes a bit of getting used to and there are moments when things get awfully...<i>formal</i> - I feel I have to change out of my pajamas before putting it on - but overall it's about the beauty. And there's a lot of it. There are parts that aren't great but at least I can hear what Franz is going for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the three, I give <i>Winterreise </i>the edge<i>.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>A-</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj6u4kMxw3I" target="_blank">"Gute Nacht"</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>More Perspective:</b></div><div><div><p>And through the wonders of the internet - which has done so much to bring us all together by spreading accurate information - I found the following in a Wikipedia article about the <i>White Album</i>:</p></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><i>In The Observer, Tony Palmer wrote that "if there is still any doubt that Lennon and McCartney are the greatest songwriters since Schubert", the album "should surely see the last vestiges of cultural snobbery and bourgeois prejudice swept away in a deluge of joyful music-making".</i></p></div></div></blockquote><div><p>Wow, that Tony Palmer really knew his shit.</p></div>Jaybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200911699085172539noreply@blogger.com0