Having damned Borders’ CD offering with faint praise on Friday - “But I don’t often buy music there – the CD/DVD stock lacks depth and is often uncompetitive on price”, it’s a slightly embarrassing pleasure to report that, less than 24 hours later, I picked up a long-sought album – The Waterboys’ Fisherman’s Blues, Collectors Edition (2CD, 2006) - at a knockdown £4.99, reduced from £15.99.
The 2CD version of Fisherman’s Blues, an album regarded by many aficionados as Mike Scott’s finest hour, brings to four albums the imaginative reissue programme. Earlier reissues of the classic Big Music trilogy – The Waterboys, Pagan Place and This Is The Sea – added a total of 25 new tracks to the catalogue. The Fisherman’s Blues adds a further 14 songs.
This peak period Waterboys material is life-enhancing music. And, at the Borders discount price, a must-buy.
Gerry Smith
Tuesday 31 July 2007
Thursday 26 July 2007
Joni Mitchell signs with Starbucks for two more albums
As widely forecast, after retiring in disgust from the music biz, Joni Mitchell has, er, changed her mind. According to Variety, she's signed a two album deal with Starbucks' new label, Hear Music. The first release, on Tuesday 25 Sept (USA), is entitled Shine.
Mitchell has already curated two albums for the label - Mitchell Artist's Choice, a compilation of songs by artists who had influenced her; and Joni Mitchell: Selected Songs, her recordings chosen by other musicians. If you've ever seen either of them, you're very lucky - I ain't.
Variety also reveals that Travelogue, Mitchell's sublime 2CD set, reinterpreting the cream of her immense catalogue with orchestral/jazz backings, sold a mere 72,000 copies. Criminal neglect by the millions of Baby Boomers, I'd say. I wonder what wall-to-wall crap they bought instead?
Mitchell has already curated two albums for the label - Mitchell Artist's Choice, a compilation of songs by artists who had influenced her; and Joni Mitchell: Selected Songs, her recordings chosen by other musicians. If you've ever seen either of them, you're very lucky - I ain't.
Variety also reveals that Travelogue, Mitchell's sublime 2CD set, reinterpreting the cream of her immense catalogue with orchestral/jazz backings, sold a mere 72,000 copies. Criminal neglect by the millions of Baby Boomers, I'd say. I wonder what wall-to-wall crap they bought instead?
Wednesday 25 July 2007
The Doors – the celebration continues
After the superlative 2007 best-of product aimed at Doors beginners, the surviving members of the band have turned their attention to hardcore fans, with the release of another high quality set, Live in Boston, April 10, 1970:
“Featuring more than three hours of music and mayhem, LIVE IN BOSTON finds keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger at the peak of their powers as Jim Morrison leads them on a booze-fueled romp through "Roadhouse Blues" and "Light My Fire", plus mind-bending journeys for "When The Music's Over" and Elvis Presley's "Mystery Train". Morrison scatters spoken word gems throughout both performances, including a short riff on Adolf Hitler where he professes: "Adolf Hitler is still alive? I slept with her last night."
LIVE IN BOSTON is mixed and mastered by engineer Bruce Botnick, who recorded several shows from The Doors' 1970 tour on multi-track tape for the Absolutely Live album. The superior quality of the original tape reflects Botnick and his team's attention to sonic detail. All but two tracks on this collection are previously unreleased. "These concerts are really interesting and very enjoyable," Botnick writes in the liner notes. "The opening scream going into "Roadhouse Blues" from the first show is stunning and worth the price of admission."
Tracklisting:
Disc 1 - First Show
[Total Time 77:59]
1. Start [1:44]
2. All Right, All Right, All Right [0:13]
3. Howling & Moaning [0:40]
4. Roadhouse Moan [0:34]
5. Roadhouse Blues [4:48]
6. Ship Of Fools [6:34]
7. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [2:02]
8. Back Door Man [2:17]
9. Five To One [10:26]
10. When The Music's Over [15:00]
11. Rock Me [7:03]
12. Mystery Train [7:15]
13. Away In India [1:54]
14. Crossroads [5:14]
15. Prelude to Wake Up! [0:48]
16. Wake Up! [1:33]
17. Light My Fire [12:07]
Disc 2 - Second Show
[Total Time 70:22]
1. Start [1:22]
2. Break On Through [8:12]
3. I Believe In Democracy [0:33]
4. When The Music's Over [14:19]
5. Roadhouse Blues [5:53]
6. The Spy [5:43]
7. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [1:40]
8. Back Door Man [2:27]
9. Five to One [7:05]
10. Astrology Rap [0:38]
11. Build Me A Woman [4:18]
12. You Make Me Real [2:58]
13. Wait A Minute! [0:52]
14. Mystery Train [8:26]
15. Away In India [2:27]
16. Crossroads [3:21]
Disc 3 - Second Show Continued
[Total Time 36:17]
1. Band Intros [0:35]
2. Adolf Hitler [0:23]
3. Light My Fire [5:47]
4. Fever [0:23]
5. Summertime [7:26]
6. St. James Infirmary Blues [0:49]
7. Graveyard Poem [1:13]
8. Light My Fire [1:45]
9. More, More, More! [0:19]
10. Ladies & Gentlemen [0:13]
11. We Can't Instigate [0:13]
12. They Want More [1:16]
13. Been Down So Long [6:46]
14. Power Turned Off [9:08]
“Featuring more than three hours of music and mayhem, LIVE IN BOSTON finds keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger at the peak of their powers as Jim Morrison leads them on a booze-fueled romp through "Roadhouse Blues" and "Light My Fire", plus mind-bending journeys for "When The Music's Over" and Elvis Presley's "Mystery Train". Morrison scatters spoken word gems throughout both performances, including a short riff on Adolf Hitler where he professes: "Adolf Hitler is still alive? I slept with her last night."
LIVE IN BOSTON is mixed and mastered by engineer Bruce Botnick, who recorded several shows from The Doors' 1970 tour on multi-track tape for the Absolutely Live album. The superior quality of the original tape reflects Botnick and his team's attention to sonic detail. All but two tracks on this collection are previously unreleased. "These concerts are really interesting and very enjoyable," Botnick writes in the liner notes. "The opening scream going into "Roadhouse Blues" from the first show is stunning and worth the price of admission."
Tracklisting:
Disc 1 - First Show
[Total Time 77:59]
1. Start [1:44]
2. All Right, All Right, All Right [0:13]
3. Howling & Moaning [0:40]
4. Roadhouse Moan [0:34]
5. Roadhouse Blues [4:48]
6. Ship Of Fools [6:34]
7. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [2:02]
8. Back Door Man [2:17]
9. Five To One [10:26]
10. When The Music's Over [15:00]
11. Rock Me [7:03]
12. Mystery Train [7:15]
13. Away In India [1:54]
14. Crossroads [5:14]
15. Prelude to Wake Up! [0:48]
16. Wake Up! [1:33]
17. Light My Fire [12:07]
Disc 2 - Second Show
[Total Time 70:22]
1. Start [1:22]
2. Break On Through [8:12]
3. I Believe In Democracy [0:33]
4. When The Music's Over [14:19]
5. Roadhouse Blues [5:53]
6. The Spy [5:43]
7. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) [1:40]
8. Back Door Man [2:27]
9. Five to One [7:05]
10. Astrology Rap [0:38]
11. Build Me A Woman [4:18]
12. You Make Me Real [2:58]
13. Wait A Minute! [0:52]
14. Mystery Train [8:26]
15. Away In India [2:27]
16. Crossroads [3:21]
Disc 3 - Second Show Continued
[Total Time 36:17]
1. Band Intros [0:35]
2. Adolf Hitler [0:23]
3. Light My Fire [5:47]
4. Fever [0:23]
5. Summertime [7:26]
6. St. James Infirmary Blues [0:49]
7. Graveyard Poem [1:13]
8. Light My Fire [1:45]
9. More, More, More! [0:19]
10. Ladies & Gentlemen [0:13]
11. We Can't Instigate [0:13]
12. They Want More [1:16]
13. Been Down So Long [6:46]
14. Power Turned Off [9:08]
Thursday 19 July 2007
More on the new Bruce Springsteen album
Thanks again to Lawrence Kirsch:
“There's a local (Canadian) arts magazine that I read today, which had an in-depth interview with Brendan Obrien. According to Obrien, the new record will be released as "Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band." No mention as to a specific title for the album.
The album apparently takes a cue from Jackson Browne's Running On Empty. The songs were recorded mostly in one take with Bruce AND the band.
“Forget all the talk of the different members only coming in to do their specific parts. Also, they recorded material for it everywhere- Obrien specifically mentions Bruce recording with Clarence and Steve backstage during the Devils tour. Apparently they recorded a lot of material at Bruce's house with Landau overseeing the sessions.
“Musically, Obrien compared it to Blonde on Blonde. Three song titles were given when Obrien described some of the songs as resembling the Stones' Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street material, as well as resembling some early Faces records. The titles he named were "The Blind Spot," "Taxi Cab Alley," and "One Dead Ringer."
“Nothing else was mentioned in regards to the new album. Obrien did talk about Bruce some more and their working relationship.
#2
“A post on RMAS and GL yesterday included a copied post from someone who claims to work for Sony and was told that the new album's working title is "Dead Ringers," and that another song on the album is called "Sabres, Steel, and Spades." Take with a grain of salt.
“However, it was pointed out to me yesterday that Bruce registered five songs with the Library of Congress Copyright office on June 15, 2006, none of which I was familiar with:
Where you goin'?
Faithless.
All God's children.
God sent you.
Goin' to California.
“Usually, Bruce doesn't register a song unless: he has performed the song live; he's giving it to another artist (see I'll Be There For You Always); or he's about to release it. In addition to these five, the other exceptions are Blindspot, Between Heaven and Earth, and Father's Day (copywritten in spring 1995 at the same time as Missing).”
“There's a local (Canadian) arts magazine that I read today, which had an in-depth interview with Brendan Obrien. According to Obrien, the new record will be released as "Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band." No mention as to a specific title for the album.
The album apparently takes a cue from Jackson Browne's Running On Empty. The songs were recorded mostly in one take with Bruce AND the band.
“Forget all the talk of the different members only coming in to do their specific parts. Also, they recorded material for it everywhere- Obrien specifically mentions Bruce recording with Clarence and Steve backstage during the Devils tour. Apparently they recorded a lot of material at Bruce's house with Landau overseeing the sessions.
“Musically, Obrien compared it to Blonde on Blonde. Three song titles were given when Obrien described some of the songs as resembling the Stones' Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street material, as well as resembling some early Faces records. The titles he named were "The Blind Spot," "Taxi Cab Alley," and "One Dead Ringer."
“Nothing else was mentioned in regards to the new album. Obrien did talk about Bruce some more and their working relationship.
#2
“A post on RMAS and GL yesterday included a copied post from someone who claims to work for Sony and was told that the new album's working title is "Dead Ringers," and that another song on the album is called "Sabres, Steel, and Spades." Take with a grain of salt.
“However, it was pointed out to me yesterday that Bruce registered five songs with the Library of Congress Copyright office on June 15, 2006, none of which I was familiar with:
Where you goin'?
Faithless.
All God's children.
God sent you.
Goin' to California.
“Usually, Bruce doesn't register a song unless: he has performed the song live; he's giving it to another artist (see I'll Be There For You Always); or he's about to release it. In addition to these five, the other exceptions are Blindspot, Between Heaven and Earth, and Father's Day (copywritten in spring 1995 at the same time as Missing).”
Wednesday 18 July 2007
New Bruce Springsteen album and world tour
Thanks to Lawrence Kirsch:
“A little Bruce news... I'm afraid I do not know the source of this info, but I believe it is quite accurate:
“About as certain as we can get at this point: The new album has been recorded with members of the ESB already having contributed. “Additional tracks are being recorded with and without the ESB. As can best be described at this point is the album is a cross between TOL and The Rising with some "rock" songs and a number of songs pared down. Having trouble describing the sound, but a lot of production is being used with the versions already recorded. Different versions of each song are being recorded (with and without members of the ESB) and the final versions of about half the album have not been settled on. It was agreed to go ahead with announcing a new recording since it is fully anticipated the final recording phases will go very
quickly. The good news is a flurry of recording will be ongoing over the next few weeks with August to be the month of final production, etc. Although a given, the album will have a least 10 songs with a goal of about 13 being projected.
“What is interesting is the most definitive and positive news relates to the tour, which will be the last for the entire ESB. Rehearsals for the tour are once again scheduled for AP around Labor Day. Look for the tour to kick off on or about 10/02/2007 in New York with a quick swing around the country until the end of November. All of the major cities, to include LA, DC, Philly, Boston, Chicago, etc. will be covered. The month of December will include a quick tour of Europe, about 10 shows or so. January and part of February look to be time off with a full world tour to begin in full effect during the Spring of 2008 (Feb/March) with outdoor arena shows scheduled for the summer of 2008. The U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, will all be on the schedule. Bottom line is that we are now entering the final stages in preparation for the final ESB world tour. Stay tuned.”
(If the owner of this copy contacts info@musicforgrownups.co.uk with a request to add a credit, or delete, we’ll be happy to comply. Gerry Smith, Editor.)
“A little Bruce news... I'm afraid I do not know the source of this info, but I believe it is quite accurate:
“About as certain as we can get at this point: The new album has been recorded with members of the ESB already having contributed. “Additional tracks are being recorded with and without the ESB. As can best be described at this point is the album is a cross between TOL and The Rising with some "rock" songs and a number of songs pared down. Having trouble describing the sound, but a lot of production is being used with the versions already recorded. Different versions of each song are being recorded (with and without members of the ESB) and the final versions of about half the album have not been settled on. It was agreed to go ahead with announcing a new recording since it is fully anticipated the final recording phases will go very
quickly. The good news is a flurry of recording will be ongoing over the next few weeks with August to be the month of final production, etc. Although a given, the album will have a least 10 songs with a goal of about 13 being projected.
“What is interesting is the most definitive and positive news relates to the tour, which will be the last for the entire ESB. Rehearsals for the tour are once again scheduled for AP around Labor Day. Look for the tour to kick off on or about 10/02/2007 in New York with a quick swing around the country until the end of November. All of the major cities, to include LA, DC, Philly, Boston, Chicago, etc. will be covered. The month of December will include a quick tour of Europe, about 10 shows or so. January and part of February look to be time off with a full world tour to begin in full effect during the Spring of 2008 (Feb/March) with outdoor arena shows scheduled for the summer of 2008. The U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, will all be on the schedule. Bottom line is that we are now entering the final stages in preparation for the final ESB world tour. Stay tuned.”
(If the owner of this copy contacts info@musicforgrownups.co.uk with a request to add a credit, or delete, we’ll be happy to comply. Gerry Smith, Editor.)
Friday 13 July 2007
At The Movies – an intriguing celebration of the art of Van Morrison
At The Movies, the 2007 Van Morrison compilation released before the even more recent Best Of Vol 3, is a wonderful anthology.
It reveals Morrison as a sometime great songwriter. Just listen carefully to the lyrics of Someone Like You, Real Real Gone, Moondance and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – pop for grown-ups doesn’t get any better than this.
The vocals – particularly the towering performances on Caravan and Comfortably Numb –remind you that Van The Man has the finest singing voice in rock. And if you haven’t heard Morrison for a while, you might well be surprised at the sheer musicality of his catalogue.
At The Movies is an intriguing release, though. Why are there so many live tracks? Presumably so that Morrison receives royalties that would otherwise go to Warner Brothers if their album tracks had been used.
Why was Brown-Eyed Girl re-recorded? Presumably to divert royalties to Morrison and away from Bang, Morrison’s hated first label as a solo artist.
And why was the cinema on the cover artwork given the exceedingly unlikely name of “CALVIN”? Presumably it’s a joke by a very witty Belfast Calvinist. It certainly made this fellow Calvinist laugh out loud!
Super album: a must-listen for grown-up fans of mature popular music.
Gerry Smith
It reveals Morrison as a sometime great songwriter. Just listen carefully to the lyrics of Someone Like You, Real Real Gone, Moondance and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – pop for grown-ups doesn’t get any better than this.
The vocals – particularly the towering performances on Caravan and Comfortably Numb –remind you that Van The Man has the finest singing voice in rock. And if you haven’t heard Morrison for a while, you might well be surprised at the sheer musicality of his catalogue.
At The Movies is an intriguing release, though. Why are there so many live tracks? Presumably so that Morrison receives royalties that would otherwise go to Warner Brothers if their album tracks had been used.
Why was Brown-Eyed Girl re-recorded? Presumably to divert royalties to Morrison and away from Bang, Morrison’s hated first label as a solo artist.
And why was the cinema on the cover artwork given the exceedingly unlikely name of “CALVIN”? Presumably it’s a joke by a very witty Belfast Calvinist. It certainly made this fellow Calvinist laugh out loud!
Super album: a must-listen for grown-up fans of mature popular music.
Gerry Smith
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Elvis Presley’s great 1956 recordings
Elvis Presley’s massive catalogue might be the least consistent of any major musician, but the early material – the Sun sessions and the early recordings for RCA – are beyond reproach.
Elvis and Elvis Presley, the first two RCA LPs, are widely available on CD, with added tracks. Borders is currently offering a 2CD, 35 track package at a mere £6.99. Elvis 1956, the beautifully designed repackaged compilation which has all 22 non-film recordings from an epochal year in popular music, is also being discounted by Borders at £7.99. One or the other is a must-have in any grown-up collection.
But the best value package of The King from 1956 has to be the new Elvis Presley: Original Recordings, in the Icons series released by budget label Green Umbrella. Its two CDs pull together 47 tracks, including the first two LPs – all the post-Sun early Elvis you’re ever likely to need. I bought mine from supermarket chain Morrison’s for the princely sum of £3.39: any cheaper and they’d be paying customers to cart the stuff away.
www.guentertainment.co.uk
(nb: the enterprise is so new, the site isn’t fully operational; linked here because it looks worth watching…)
Gerry Smith
Elvis and Elvis Presley, the first two RCA LPs, are widely available on CD, with added tracks. Borders is currently offering a 2CD, 35 track package at a mere £6.99. Elvis 1956, the beautifully designed repackaged compilation which has all 22 non-film recordings from an epochal year in popular music, is also being discounted by Borders at £7.99. One or the other is a must-have in any grown-up collection.
But the best value package of The King from 1956 has to be the new Elvis Presley: Original Recordings, in the Icons series released by budget label Green Umbrella. Its two CDs pull together 47 tracks, including the first two LPs – all the post-Sun early Elvis you’re ever likely to need. I bought mine from supermarket chain Morrison’s for the princely sum of £3.39: any cheaper and they’d be paying customers to cart the stuff away.
www.guentertainment.co.uk
(nb: the enterprise is so new, the site isn’t fully operational; linked here because it looks worth watching…)
Gerry Smith
Thursday 5 July 2007
How to enrich Bryan Ferry’s Dylanesque with bonus tracks
On release in the UK several months ago, Dylanesque, Bryan Ferry’s covers CD, got great press – positive reviews and a very high profile in the English media.
Some reviews of the new American release are less positive. Probably because, while Ferry is respected (even revered) in his homeland the US has never been so receptive.
Thanks to Martin Cowan for this link: “Amusingly scathing review of the latest Ferry CD from Pitchfork here”:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/43837-dylanesque
Pity. Ferry’s the real deal – a grade one popular musician. Dylan is the preferred singer of Dylan songs, but Ferry’s one of only two singers I’d have entrusted with a covers album. Van Morrison’s the other contender, as most who’ve seen him perform outstanding versions of Just Like A Woman and It’s All over Now, Baby Blue in concert will testify.
If you buy Dylanesque, you can enrich its 11 songs by burning a new CDR to include as bonus tracks Ferry’s earlier Dylan covers:
* A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (These Foolish Things, 1973)
* It Ain’t Me Babe (Another Time Another Place, 1974)
* It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Frantic, 2002)
* Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Frantic, 2002)
They make a strong album even stronger.
Gerry Smith
Some reviews of the new American release are less positive. Probably because, while Ferry is respected (even revered) in his homeland the US has never been so receptive.
Thanks to Martin Cowan for this link: “Amusingly scathing review of the latest Ferry CD from Pitchfork here”:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/43837-dylanesque
Pity. Ferry’s the real deal – a grade one popular musician. Dylan is the preferred singer of Dylan songs, but Ferry’s one of only two singers I’d have entrusted with a covers album. Van Morrison’s the other contender, as most who’ve seen him perform outstanding versions of Just Like A Woman and It’s All over Now, Baby Blue in concert will testify.
If you buy Dylanesque, you can enrich its 11 songs by burning a new CDR to include as bonus tracks Ferry’s earlier Dylan covers:
* A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (These Foolish Things, 1973)
* It Ain’t Me Babe (Another Time Another Place, 1974)
* It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Frantic, 2002)
* Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Frantic, 2002)
They make a strong album even stronger.
Gerry Smith
Wednesday 4 July 2007
UNCUT – Dadrock and films mag – celebrates its tenth birthday
UNCUT, the Dadrock and films monthly, is celebrating its tenth birthday with a special issue which has just hit the news-stands.
The mag’s coverage is mostly outside the scope of Rock for Grown-Ups, but it occasionally crosses over with a judicious cover feature: I’ve enjoyed the 9 (of 123) issues I’ve bought over the years.
Here’s the ranked list of musicians who’ve stared out from the news-stands on the front cover of a decade’s worth of UNCUTs:
1. Beatles - 11 covers
2. Dylan – 7 covers
3. Stones – 6
4. Pink Floyd – 5
5= Smiths/Mozz; Who; Led Zep; Clash; Bruce; Bowie; REM – 4 covers
Two thirds of the 123 covers feature 1960s/1970s rockers.
Gerry Smith
The mag’s coverage is mostly outside the scope of Rock for Grown-Ups, but it occasionally crosses over with a judicious cover feature: I’ve enjoyed the 9 (of 123) issues I’ve bought over the years.
Here’s the ranked list of musicians who’ve stared out from the news-stands on the front cover of a decade’s worth of UNCUTs:
1. Beatles - 11 covers
2. Dylan – 7 covers
3. Stones – 6
4. Pink Floyd – 5
5= Smiths/Mozz; Who; Led Zep; Clash; Bruce; Bowie; REM – 4 covers
Two thirds of the 123 covers feature 1960s/1970s rockers.
Gerry Smith
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