No time for games this week so let's get straight into the music with Stevie Wright. This one is from 1975 and was the follow up to the very, very cool song, "Evie".
Stevie Wright - Guitar Band - https://youtu.be/2MbYxa1BM-Q
One of the things I like about the Steve Wright track is that there is plenty of space in it. What I mean is that there isn't just a wall of sound coming at you which is the case with a lot of rock artists. I suppose having George Young and Harry Vanda in charge of recording worked out well!
There is a good wall of sound though and that's the one pioneered by Phil Spector. It wasn't about everything being insanely loud and assaulting your senses that way. Instead his idea was to layer many instruments and voices to make the sound fuller. Here's one of the most famous songs produced in this way.
The Crystals - Da Do Ron Ron - https://youtu.be/L0dikX80Ed8
Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys is also well known for approaching this style for recording. What it shows is that while musicianship and songwriting is obviously important, recording itself is almost another instrument.
The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice - https://youtu.be/lD4sxxoJGkA
US thrash metal titans Anthrax have released a live album and DVD recorded in Scotland. But here's the thing: it's 2018, high definition audio and video is everywhere, Anthrax is a hugely successful band yet this release hasn't come out on BluRay. Bizarre. The concert also includes them playing their classic album, "Among The Living", in its entirety.
Anthrax - Indians (live in Scotland) - https://youtu.be/ttV7zifrI_Y
So, Anthrax was recorded live at Glasgow's "Barrowland Ballroom". If you happen to be in the area and get along there on Saturday night you'll have the chance to see one of my favourite Scottish bands...
Del Amitri - Always The Last To Know - https://youtu.be/Nox57hdgeAU
I was mucking around learning some new songs on the guitar this week and the next song was giving me no end of grief. Somehow I just couldn't get it to sound right even though it sounds so simple. After a brief period of frustration I let the internet help me out and discovered that it is played with the guitar tuned in a different way to normal. After a quick retune and getting my fingers around some new chord shapes I'm getting close to playing a reasonable rendition. I'm also really enjoying the way that the D-A-D-G-A-D tuning sounds so I might try some other songs too.
Del Amitri - Be My Downfall - https://youtu.be/ztKS9a-fKFE
Remember Neil from "The Young Ones"? Well, one of his favourite bands, Marillion, have released a live concert called, "All One Tonight". It was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2017. Yep, it's available on BluRay as well ha ha! This is a great track and if it's anything to go by, the whole concert should be a real treat. Power, prog and majesty...
Marillion - The Space - https://youtu.be/Nm_TcAAySbc
Iggy Pop has been working with Underworld. I'm really not sure what to think. It's not my kind of music really but it is annoyingly catchy in places. Take the vocal stylings Pop and combine them with almost Kraftwerk-esque electronica and it just works.
Underworld and Iggy Pop - Trapped - https://youtu.be/vjDbyewmOK4
The next track is another one I am learning to play. I'm really not sure why Maybe Dolls weren't bigger than they were but the album they left us with ("Prpopganda", 1992) is worth seeking out. It's NOT available on Spotify by the way which is a shame.
Maybe Dolls - Nervous Kid - https://youtu.be/fb083cYZdMk
This week I discovered that there was a Jason Isbell live album that I didn't have. Shock horror! Recorded in 2012 in Alabama it's an excellent representation of a hard working and tight touring band playing well crafted songs worn in on the road. It's recorded before the "Southeastern" album but don't let that put you off. Oh, and my copy is winging it's way here thanks to online shopping.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Danko/Manuel (live 2012) - https://youtu.be/jdZVcDt5MpU
I heard a cover version of this song yesterday and I was not, I repeat NOT impressed. I don't think anyone could improve on this classic...and then I found out that the version I knew so well was...indeed...a cover! Here's the real original.
Walter Egan - Hot Summer Nights - https://youtu.be/45-CrpU5y5I
The Screaming Jets have just released a whole album of Australian classic tunes done their way. I was excited to hear about it as the Jets are an excellent live band. And it seems that playing these tracks live is what they should have stuck to. To be fair, there are a couple of good efforts on the album but the rest is just a bit lifeless. If you haven't been to a Screaming Jets show then you need to understand that it is sweaty, loud, Aussie rock at its best. This album misses the mark. However, I reckon that any live shows where they roll out some of these numbers in alongside their extensive original repertoire would be a lot of fun.
To finish this week, a song that I listened to over and over in the car recently. For all of you Americans reading this, we don't have "turnpikes" down here in Australia and I'm not sure I even understand what one is. And rhyming "Saginaw" just sounds cooler than "Belconnen" any day. Another place to visit on my musical bucket.
Simon and Garfunkel - America (live) - https://youtu.be/sFAoWwUwknc
Rock on,
Rob
"...it's hard for us to understand,
we can't give up our jobs the way you've planned..." , We Work The Black Seam, Sting, 1985.
No comments:
Post a Comment