I have tried it with Faust (surprise surprise) but it doesn’t work. How about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJp0rr54OU0

Isn’t someone else going to give us some poetry to get going with? Come on LZ, you must have some tucked away somewhere. If no one else does, I may just have to post some more (that ought to do it!).

As to the Rush question. I don’t actually have the CD (yet) although it is on it’s way. The problem I have is that I do know all the songs on it, and I must admit I am a little bit concerned as to how they have interpreted some of them, but, nothing ventured and all that!

Glad you enjoyed Rush in Rio – I’ve ordered the Led Zep and Neil Young DVD’s that you and Ravey Davey suggested so tell your friends in dispatch to get a move on.

Feedback – apart from Summertime Blues I like it – its 3 talented musicians playing songs that they love – it has to be good. But I can see why some people criticize it but as I’m not overly familiar with many of the songs on it I found it to be a good album. Maybe if I had grown up with the originals I would not be so kind – in fact someone I used to work with actually snapped his copy of the CD in front of me because he hated it so much. So did you snap your copy?

Do buy Snakes and Arrows and its less than 4 quid now

A poor man’s Led Zep – that must be the first time I’ve heard that argument (not) anyway you are right there does not seem to be any middle ground with Rush – but they have given me (and my son now) a great deal of pleasure over the years and you can fault that.

You also say that the flow of the last mix was not so good – mmm…… I do believe you are right – I think the same although it wasn’t done on purpose I simply wanted to include this set of songs and they didn’t flow as I would have liked. Not to worry I enjoyed putting it together and now enjoy listening to it. What I also find very enjoyable, and I recommend to all to do is to put all the music mixes you have on a playlist and shuffle them – now that’s what I call music.

The process of putting together a mix – is a harder question. I’m always listening to music, always thinking about what song would sound good in the mix, often listen to my ipod on shuffle and will hear 2 or 3 songs that sound great together and will add these into my mix. I do try to start with a bang, have a bit of a relax in the middle then finish with a bang (I’M STILL TALKING ABOUT THE MUSIC MIX – LETS NOT GET MUCKY) so I do have some sort of methodology but really all I do is to try to put together a bunch of great songs that my friends here will enjoy – just like I did in my bedroom all those years ago with my friends then.

And Faust would be perfect for Spacey’s poetry

Another point concerning your latest mix – on reflection it does not appear to me to flow like previous mixes. I have re-listened to previous mixes and the flow is much smoother with each song gliding effortlessly into the next. With this mix, I feel that you have placed more emphasis on the song and the quality of the song regardless of the flow. Please don’t take this as a criticism – as I stated in my previous comment it was one of the highlights of my Christmas – this is simply an observation that you may or may not agree with.

Also, one more point – I also take great joy in creating music mixes, mostly for personal pleasure, and I was wondering what approach you take when you start to create one of your mixes.

Note to Spacepig – I agree with Laughing Dog, Clapton’s version is far superior to Greens and even dare I say the original but only because production techniques are more advanced providing an enhanced and better quality sound. Also, you do not appear to enjoy the Teitur song, I bought the album after hearing Catherine the Waitress in the mix and it is a delight and I thoroughly recommend it to you.

Also, I believe I have found some music to compliment your poetry – anything by your favourite band Faust.

Although 2112 has always been my favourite Rush album, I have enjoyed many others. There are some great tracks on Signals and Red Sector A was just awesome. I really don’t have a problem with them evolving although I don’t have many of their most recent releases, but I always seem to find my way back to 2112 and Permanent Waves. I am really going to have to getting around to picking up Snakes & Arrows sometime though. I would also be interested to hear your opinion of their covers album, Feedback. Is it worth investing in?
And….. I finally got around to watching Rush in Rio – right the way through – very very good! I realise that as I get older my taste in music gets stranger and stranger, but I did really enjoy this DVD. And the sound quality was just stunning, should have done that years ago.

I have the Heartless Bastards clip playing at the moment – still not 100% convinced but I am trying. I was kinda hoping it was a cover of the old Argent song but no such luck.

Eric Clapton is the kind of artist who can split opinion in any company. At least we can agree that he should play more Blues. With him, I am afraid that I am stuck in my old time-warp again. I loved Cream and Blind Faith, but got bored with his stuff after that.

As for the poetry threat!!! As long as you include some Robert Browning you won’t hear any complaints from me. How’s this for a start:

Porphyria worshipped me; surprise
Made my heart swell, and still it grew
While I debated what to do.
That moment she was mine, mine, fair,
Perfectly pure and good: I found
A thing to do, and all her hair
In one long yellow string I wound
Three times her little throat around,
And strangled her. No pain felt she;
I am quite sure she felt no pain.
As a shut bud that holds a bee,
I warily oped her lids: again
Laughed the blue eyes without a stain.
And I untightened next the tress
About her neck; her cheek once more
Blushed bright beneath my burning kiss:
I propped her head up as before,
Only, this time my shoulder bore
Her head, which droops upon it still:
The smiling rosy little head,
So glad it has its utmost will,
That all it scorned at once is fled,
And I, its love, am gained instead!
Porphyria’s love: she guessed not how
Her darling one wish would be heard.
And thus we sit together now,
And all night long we have not stirred,
And yet God has not said a word!

Now the challenge is – find some music to put it to!!!!

I actually think my mixes are better now as I know my audience a little better and try to direct the music to fit this. I have been putting together mixes for over 30 years in some shape or other starting with C90 cassettes and will still include songs that I like (Lee Fields, El Perro Del Mar) as the mix will always reflect me and whatever music is making me go “mmm…I like that” but the direction of the mixes is certainly getting better.

However,

Rush – Earthshine: Not one of their best known tracks, but it does press all the correct Rush buttons. This is another CD I have which doesn’t really get played that often, call me an old fogey (why not, everyone else does) but I still prefer the earlier releases, 2112 in particular – Of course 2112 will always be the album and the era that made these guys especially as it followed ”Caress of Steel’ which was undeservedly criticized by press and record company and nearly stopped a rather promising career.

But Rush are more than 2112 and one of their key attributes has always been the ability to develop their music and evolve as a band.

Since 1976 (when 2112 was released) Rush have produced 15 studio albums with each one, I feel, different from the last with their musical style changing over the years. Don’t forget their debut album was strongly influenced by British-Blues rock such as Cream and Led Zeppelin, and it wasn’t really until ”Caress of Steel” that they were influenced by the British progressive rock movement and became successful with albums like 2112, A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. The 1980s saw Rush evolving their sound to include the use synthesizers, sequencers and electronic percussion and creating 2 more classic albums in Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures and of course being accused of selling out when in fact all they were doing was making great music – you cant please some folk. The ’90s saw Rush’s transform their sound and style once again that maybe reflected the alternative rock movement of the time and while their albums have not been the classics mentioned above they still contain enough good music to warrant buying especially Snakes and Arrows and Signals (from the 80′s) but even Counterparts an album that even Rush fans criticized has gems like ‘Animate’ and ”Nobody’s Hero”. So, my point is…..give them and their later albums a chance.

Heartless Bastards – The Mountain: There’s more to this band than just being plodders try http://www.mtviggy.com/video/iggy-music-heartless-bastards-hold-your-head-high-live-performance for an acoustic version of ”Hold Your Head High”

Lee Fields & The Expressions is one of those songs and one of those artists that I love and know that you don’t. This won’t stop me putting songs like this in the mix as it does add a bit of soul a bit of groove to proceedings – plus this guy is just amazing try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XwdRSMs4FY

Teitur – Catherine the Waitress – it’s alright rhymes with aural marmite and that what this guy is a bit of alright. This song is actually the most upbeat on the album but fitted into the mix better than the other tracks on the album. I reckon you might actually like the album as its very different, a little dark but just great especially songs like ‘We Drink the same Water”, ‘Your Great Book’and the title track ‘The Singer’ – and they use such a variety of different instruments that make this album a bit special.

Eric Clapton – Sweet Home Chicago – Listening to Peter Greens version as I type and I reckon its more like the original being quite lo-fi and less rocky but I still prefer Clapton’s version with the great Billy Preston on keyboards, Nathan East on bass, Steve Gadd drums, Doyle Bramhall II on guitar and Clapton playing and singing at his peak you just can’t fault it. You are right on one thing – he should do more blues.

So….how am I going to top this – you’ll have to wait until February 1st to find out.

P.S. I’m glad Mrs. SP enjoyed the Keith Jarrett song

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Them Changes: The biggest attraction for this CD for me was Steve Winwood’s participation. Traffic were one of the first bands I ever really got into. Difficult to choose this version over Hendrix’s, but it does make interesting listening.

Rush – Earthshine: Not one of their best known tracks, but it does press all the correct Rush buttons. This is another CD I have which doesn’t really get played that often, call me an old fogey (why not, everyone else does) but I still prefer the earlier releases, 2112 in particular.

Deep Purple – Never Before: And I only found out this week that The Purple are coming to Cork in the summer! Just wish it was this line up though. Like Mr Dog, this one takes me back to an earlier, more innocent age. Well I remember my older brothers blasting this one out of the bedroom stereo to my mother’s constant roars of “Turn that racket down”. Thankfully, they never did. Great song, timeless, even Junior SP has been known to get rocking to this one.

Heartless Bastards – The Mountain: Mr Dog has said he likes a “plodder”. I often-times agree, but the plodding has to have a purpose of some kind. I honestly can’t see the point of this song. I have been told that their earlier releases are more Blues/Rock orientated, but I can’t say that this one would convince me to investigate them any further. Still, buy me a drink, you never know!

AC/DC – Love Song: Just so unlike the Aussie rockers that unless you had told me, I would never would have guessed. Different yes, but this is not the AC/DC we know and love. Not hard (for me anyway) to see why this one never made it onto the original UK album. The guitar work is quite good though.

Neil Young – The Loner: Ah you can’t go wrong with a bit of Neil Young. I especially like to hear him with nothing but the acoustic guitar. Its the feeling he somehow manages to squeeze into every word, every note that just makes him so special. Not quite sure of my favourite track of his, although this one rates highly, how about Down By The River from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, or maybe Cowgirl In The Sand.

Staff Benda Bilili: Just what is that weird instrument they use in the first song? I can’t say that I’ve heard that one before, certainly adds a whole new dimension to the overall sound. Very good music all the way through these three tracks, maybe not quite what I was expecting. I can see how the comparisons to Buena Vista Social Club arise. They are similar, but different enough to keep it interesting. I think I would have to listen to a whole lot more though before stating that I preferrred one or the other. Good as it is, I don’t think I would have made it my album of the year.

Lee Fields & The Expressions – Ladies: Not really my kind of thing I’m afraid. A bit too slushy for me: “You’re sugar. You’re spice and everything nice” – come on, get a grip, try using a chat-up line like that in Cork and see how far you get!

Four Tet – And Then Patterns: Chilled, laid back, relaxing. Nothing offensive but maybe just a tad on the boring side, it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Mr Dog says their earlier stuff is better so I’m not going to write them off yet. May take a while before I delve much deeper though.

El Perro Del Mar – Change of Heart: Just kind of drifts along, easy to listen to. If only I had a nice sunny day and a glass of wine to accompany it!

Gillian Welch – Revelator: I see what Mr Dog means by the distinctive sound of the guitar. I don’t know the first thing about the mechanics of such machines, but I know when I hear something I like, and this song sounds excellent.

Dave Rawlings Machine – Method Acting / Cortez The Killer: And it just gets better. When the first song started I thought it appeared a bit dreary, but stick with it and you’ll hear some beautiful music. And then the way it blends into Cortez the Killer is just simply spooky. I’ve got this one on my MP3 now and played it a few times, can’t wait for the CD to arrive. Problem is now, I have to decide if this is even better than Mr Young’s version. Oh well, no point in agonising over it, just enjoy them both.

Bright Eyes – Four Winds: Not quite so sure about this one however. Oh it’s jaunty enough, just seems a bit amatuerish when compared to the previous two tracks.Maybe a bit like a second rate Waterboys (now there’s a band we haven’t discussed yet, what about it Mr Dog?).

Teitur – Catherine the Waitress: “like aural marmite” ? Hmm, wonder what rhymes with that? I don’t want to knock anyone’s taste, so lets just skip ahead to the next one!

Foo Fighters – Wheels: OK so I suppose as far as heavy rock bands go they’re OK, not a patch on Nirvana though. I know Mr SA likes them, and I can understand that but I do think there are much better bands of this genre out there. Definitely sounds better played loud.

Eric Clapton – Sweet Home Chicago: First of all, I am going to take Mr LD to task over his sacriligous comments!!! Shame on you, how can you say that this remake is better than Robert Johnson’s original? I disagree 100% and if you think Clapton can interpret Johnson’s music better than the master then you obviously haven’t heard peter Green’s Johnson songbook!. having said that, I do wish Clapton would stick with the Blues and forget all the slushy MoR stuff he has churned out of late. I don’t know that this song can be done badly, I certainly haven’t heard a bad version of it.

Space Ritual – Otherworld: many people have remarked on how this band are more Hawkwind than Hawkwind are these days. To a certain extent I agree. Whereas Hawkwind tend to repeat their old (but brilliant) songs time and time again, Nik Turner just takes Space Ritual into other dimensions and show us where Brock could have gone if he had wanted to. This entire album is outstanding, whether it’s the new versions of the oldies, Black Corridor, Arrival In Utopia or the new songs cleverly crafted by Mr T, this album just rocks. This song is typical of the CD, spacey, trippy, but very very clever at the same time.

Keith Jarrett – God Bless the Child: And so to finish with one of the coolest guys ever to walk the planet. A late night chill out. Mrs SP, being the jazz pianist devotee that she is has decided that this month’s mix is worth the admission price for this track alone – can’t say that I disagree.

All in all then the year is off to a flyer. How are you going to top this I wonder?