Sad, sad news. I hope he had a wonderful life.

]]> http://musicforthemonth.com/2010/03/08/sparklehorse-singer-mark-linkous-dies/feed/ 0 http://musicforthemonth.com/2010/03/08/mike-rutherford-smallcreeps-day/ http://musicforthemonth.com/2010/03/08/mike-rutherford-smallcreeps-day/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:16:23 +0000 Laughing Dog http://musicforthemonth.com/?p=1091 UncleRaveyDavey got me thinking about the 80’s – and why I hate it so much.

But then I remembered that it wasn’t all that bad, with this album being one of the reasons – more to come I think, especially when URD starts the discussion going by emailing me why he loves the ’80’s (come on Ravey!).

The Road to You (live 1992)

Beyond The Missouri Sky with Charlie Haden (1996)

I was told once by a so called music-expert that Pat Methany made music for lifts – mmm.

OK there are two ways to listen to this guy – either you put it on to relax to and just chill out with friends and vino and you have this as soothing background music or you put on a pair of good quality headphones and listen, really listen to the music. Its the second approach that provides the most pleasure – try it and let me know what you think.

I do know that if I was in a lift and this guy was playing I’d be going up and down all day.

Hope you enjoy the samples

UPOJENIE (meaning Ecstasy) is the result of Metheny’s collaboration with Anna Maria Jopek, a singer/songwriter from Poland and together they have crafted an album of originals and re-workings of older Metheny tunes, along with Polish folk songs and several originals written by Jopek and her husband that is simply inspired. This atypical album is remarkable yet charming, bizarre yet extraordinary as Jopek’s sophisticated and silvery vocals merge with Metheny’s melodious style that always engages and absorbs; drawing me in to their dark but deeply fragile world.

Having lived in Poland for a brief spell in the 90’s I find the lure of Upojenie sometimes too enthralling; I only have to listen to the poetic interpretation of the standard “Are You Going With Me” or the simplicity of “Biel” to succumb to the magic on offer here. I feel that it epitomizes Metheny playing with a passion and creative spark often missing from his studio albums and highlights the seductive strengths of Jopek.

Immensely satisfying

Carrying on from March’s Music Mix did I tell you that Pat from Mama’s Boys is still around and still doing what he does best – playing electric guitar.

Just watched the documentary (Anvil: The Story Of Anvil) – just great. Never been a fan of the band but you have to admire their balls, their guts and their determination to carry on when many mortal souls would have quit.

Of course its kinda depressing and parts of the film reflect this (many would call these guys sad old gits) but there’s something about Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner, the two original band members, that make you want you to shake their hands and say “keep on doing what you do – cos you do it good”.

Good luck to them I say

Cover image from Pukey Cow.

Bore da ac croeso to March’s Music Mix. I feel this mix is the most natural mix so far with loads of tunes that are earthy, organic, simple and unsophisticated but are so refined and cultured. Loads of flute, trumpet, pan pipes, acoustic guitar and harmonious harmonies that remind one of the sounds of dew drops splashing lightly on a water lily floating down the River Taff at dawn… quick pass me the Gaviscon.

It was also one of the easiest to put together as all the tracks just naturally flowed – hope you enjoy.

Please remember to respect copyright law; if you like a song from the mix, there’s a very good chance you will also like the album – so do me and the artist a favour and buy the CD.

March 2010 Notes for Music Mix 08

[01] Godless – The Dandy Warhols [Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia]
And off we go on another musical journey and what can be better way to start it than The Dandy Warhols and Godless. Great intro, fabulous opening chords with the brass section just sounding so right – it’s just a great song and at 3 mins 28 secs it starts all over again – can you hear me smilin’?
 
[02] Joe Cocker – Woman to Woman [Joe Cocker]
First heard this song as a re-mix by Faithless on their Renaissance album – loved their version but (as is usual in most cases) you can’t beat the original. Written by Cocker and Chris Stainton it was originally released on Cocker’s 1972 album Something to Say. Poor guy is ranked #97 on Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest singers list – what! How can that be? I won’t tell you who are above him cos it will make you spit; but needless to say he should be higher, a lot higher. I just love his voice – he could sing Wonderwall and make it soulful.

Woman to Woman must be one of the most sampled songs as apart from Faithless you can hear it in Funky by Ultramagnetic MCs (1987), Knick Knack Patty Wack by EPMD (1989), Blast From the Past by Ultramagnetic MC’s (1992), California Love by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre (1995), Astro Black by Quasimoto (2000) and He’s Unbelievable by Sarah Connor (October 29, 2002) – boy you gotta love those royalties.
 
[03] Mama’s Boys – Needle in the Groove [Plug It In]
This is just the perfect rock song. It has a thumping bass and drums, good melody, two guitar solos, great voice – perfect just perfect. I remember seeing these guys at some Working Man’s club in Cross Keys sometime in the early ’80’s and they were superb. It’s such a shame that the three McManus brothers didn’t get the chance to take their career further as they had it all.
 
[04] Sparklehorse – Cow 1 [Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot]Sparklehorse are an American alternative rock band led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous, this song from their 1995 album Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot is a great example of what many call Americana or Lo-Fi. Me – I just call it great music that ebbs and flows, simply oozing class. Love the banjo and bass – good stuff.
 
[05] Y Gwyneb Iau – Super Furry Animals [Mwng]
I know Spacey won’t be too impressed but it is St David’s Day today and I do love this band – they just keep on doing what they do best. Hei! Gwyneb iau as the man so rightly sings. Just love the lyrics:
 
 
 

Cwyd dy bentan a dos lawr i’r de
Ble ‘roedd cartref nawr mae gwagle llwyd

Pwy wnaeth daflu’r ffrwyth at ein llwyth?
Pwy all dalu’r pwyth?
Pwy a wyr?
Wyr?

Codi’r allor o weddillion bom
Golchi’r clwyf sy’n cadw dod yn ?

Pwy wnaeth daflu’r ffrwyth at ein llwyth?
Pwy all dalu’r pwyth
Pwy a wyr?
Wyr?

Hei! Gwyneb iau
I ti mae’r drysau ar gau

 
Three In A Row from Cara Dillon’s Hill of Thieves:
As I mention in my album of the month post, these songs are simply delightful. A combination of strong vocal, excellent musicians, great songs, one can’t help but love what comes out of the speakers. Thanks Abdulla, I owe you one.
 
 
[06] Cara Dillon – The Hill of Thieves

[07] Cara Dillon – Spencer the Rover (Feat. Seth Lakeman)

[08] Cara Dillon – Fil, Fil A Run Ó

[09] The Ballad of El Goodo – Big Star [No. 1 Record/Radio City]
Now we’re getting acoustically challenged for the next five songs and I just can’t wait. First up is a classic from their debut album. The band members at the time were Chris Bell – guitar, vocals; Alex Chilton – guitar, vocals; Andy Hummel – bass guitar; Jody Stephens – drums with Terry Manning a guest on electric piano. Highly regarded by bands such as R.E.M. – they do deserve a wider audience as they produced music of quality and were power popping before power pop even had a name.

[10] She Talks To Angels – The Black Crowes [Shake Your Money Maker]
Not everyone’s cup of tea but I do like them – not only for their rockier stuff but some of their slower bluesy stuff which is really good. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide so they must be doing something right, plus the album that this song is from (Shake Your Money Maker) regularly gets played in the Dog House – not bad for an album that’s 20 years old.

[11] Small Mountain – Midlake [The Courage of Others]
Midlake sound to me like a band lost in time. Lost in a time when record companies gave more freedom to their artists to create the music they wanted to. It takes a bit of balls to release an album embracing so many acoustically driven songs, to include so much rhetoric about the past, about freedom, about things that matter. In this sample of the album Midlake talks of “a way of life that will surely be gone”. Implying, I feel, that we live in dark times, that the world is not a good place to be. All true I know and not exactly new ideas but it’s the manner that they say these things is the key to the success of this song and album – truly good stuff.

[12] Yellow Time – Mostly Autumn [Pass The Clock]
More flutes and harmonies and water lilies but a song that I feel is more progressive and atmospheric, underpinned by a lovely Celtic vibe. Pass the Clock the album that this song is from must be one my best buys of last year – 15 quid for 3 CD’s and a host of great songs. Highly recommended as each disc contains songs that fit well together and produce different moods. Disc 1 is subtitled ‘Something for the Spirit’, disc 2 is ‘Something for the Campfire’ and disc 3 is ‘Something for the Candlelight’ – so you could just put all 3 on your multi-changer, press repeat then lie on the sofa with a bottle of red or 6 and not come up for air for a fortnight.

[13] Arlanda – Julia Kent [Delay]
Last of the acoustic set and what a great way to end it. That cello just has so much emotion, so much passion and feeling that it’s strange that Arlanda is actually the name of an airport in Sweden! Must be a sexy way to fly.

 
Guest spot 3-in-a-row: Steve Hillage
Words and track selection by Spacepig

Featured artist this month, Steve Hillage is probably most noteworthy as a member of David Allen’s Gong line up from the early ’70’s, bringing his trademark ‘glissando’ sound to the “Radio Gnome” trilogy. However, there’s so much more to him than that.

[14] Habibi – System 7 [System 7]
Opener, System 7’s Habbibi, shows how Hillage adopted the dance scene of the era and combined it with his love of African influences. This one comes from 1991 and hints at where he was heading at that time. After this he went on to work with The Orb for a number of years.
 
 
[15] Josephine – Rachid Taha [Diwan 2]
The theme continues on the next offering, Rachid Taha’s Josephine from 2008. Of course Hillage is far from the first Westerner to collaborate (he produced and plays acoustic guitar on this track) with African or Asian musicians. In my opinion however, Steve displays much more understanding of the original music than so many other collaborators.

[16] Pinkle-Ponkle – Gong [2032]
We finish off my 3 in a row coming bang up to date with the trippiest track from Gong’s latest release, 2032. Pot head pixies the world over celebrated when we discovered that Steve was returning to the family for this release. This song shows exactly what we had been missing for the last 30 years or so.
 

[17] Telephasic Workshop – Boards of Canada [Music Has the Right to Children]
From BoC’s debut album Music Has the Right to Children this stunning slice of electronica has it all. A driving beat, good melody, good pace and a certain style and quality not always found in this genre. I just love it and enjoy the way it flows on seamlessly from Spacey’s beloved Gong.

[18] Genesis 3:23 – The Mountain Goats [The Life of the World to Come]
And now for something a little different – The Mountain Goats, an American band led by John Darnielle. Just love the lyrics here and the way Darnielle is able to paint a picture and tell a story with his words.

House up in Claremont
Where I used to live
Picked the lock on the front door
And felt it give

Touch nothing move nothing stand still
Keep my ears open for cars
See how the people here live now
Hope they’re better at it than I was

I used to live .. here (4x)

Pictures up on the mantle
Nobody I know
I, stand by the tiny furnace
Where the long shadows grow

Living room to bedroom to kitchen
Familiar and warm
Hours we spent starving within these walls
Sounds of a distant storm

I used to live .. here (4x)

Fight through the ghosts in the hallway
Duck and weave
Stand by the door with my eyes closed
When it’s time to leave

Steal home before sunset
Cover up my tracks
Drive home with old dreams of play in my mind
And the wind at my back
Break the lock on my own garden gate
When I get home after dark
Sit looking up at the stars outside
Like teeth in the mouth of a shark

I used to live .. here (4x)

[19] Concrete Heart – Great Lake Swimmers [Lost Channels]
The mix begins to slow down a bit as we head for the finale. Canadian band Great Lake Swimmers are fronted by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker whose voice I found simply amazing. Reminds me of Stuart Staples, the voice behind Tindersticks – one band that needs to be featured here as well.
 
 
[20] Change – Blind Melon [Blind Melon]
I have already stated my affection for this band in another post here so let’s just sit back and enjoy a simply magical song that brings March’s Music Mix to an excellent climax.
 
 
 
 

The Music Mix 08 for March 2010 [a 140 mb zip file] will be available for one month from today – until midnight on 31 March 2010.

Please support the artists – if you like a track, buy the album!

Laughing Dog

Just bought American VI : Ain’t No Grave the latest and probably last of Johnny Cash’s collaborations with Rick Rubin. I haven’t played it too much yet but I feel it’s in the same mode as the other albums and will I’m sure please all Cash fans and music lovers everywhere.

I find these albums incredibly sad, incredibly moving and actually find them very hard to listen to. I’m aware that music can be a powerful medium designed to impact upon your senses – but this guy just makes me cry.

I’m almost in tears as I write this, listening to his voice, listening to his words – so much passion so much emotion………………………….

I could not find a video from American VI so I decided to use Hurt, one of my favourite Cash/Rubin songs. Written by Trent Reznor and first released on Nine Inch Nails 1994 album The Downward Spiral. In 2002, it was one of Cash’s final releases before his death.

I hurt myself today,
to see if I still feel,
I focus on the pain,
the only thing that’s real,

The needle tears a hole,
the old familiar sting,
try to kill it all away,
but I remember everything,

(Chorus)
what have I become,
my sweetest friend,
everyone I know,
goes away in the end,

and you could have it all,
my empire of dirt,
I will let you down,
I will make you hurt,

I wear this crown of thorns,
upon my liars chair,
full of broken thoughts,
I cannot repair,

beneath the stains of time,
the feelings disappear,
you are someone else,
I am still right here,

What have I become,
my sweetest friend,
everyone I know,
goes away in the end,

and you could have it all,
my empire of dirt,
I will let you down,
I will make you hurt,

if I could start again,
a million miles away,
I will keep myself,
I would find a way.

Next day Abdulla comes to my office with the CD and tells me that Dillon was one of his favorite artists and that he was so pleased that she had won BBC2’s Folk album of the year. Now my ears pricked up and we started talking some more – it transpires that he studied in Bradford and Leeds and was friendly with a couple of guys who played in a folk group and used to enjoy going to gigs and listening to the music collection of his friends and fell in love with Irish folk music particularly Cara Dillon.

Abdulla is one of the sweetest guys in the world and I must thank him for introducing me to this artist and for lending (he actually gave me his copy to keep) me the CD as it has introduced me to Dillon and made me fall in love with her, her voice and everything about this album.

I am not too familiar with folk songs but I do know when an album is full of dazzling guitar, piano, melancholy pipes and Dillon’s iridescent vocals and has a beautifully balanced production. Dillon’s forte is the way she effortlessness expresses emotion; demonstrated with ease on the unaccompanied vocal of the Gaelic tune Fil, Fil A Run O which for me provides the highlight of the album – it’s impossible not be held enthralled and captivated by her magic. Hill of Thieves is gorgeous; dripping with comfort music for lost souls, or for people like me who simply love great music – Cara Dillon and her magic deserve a wider audience.

I’m aware that Hill of Thieves is not the usual type of music discussed on this musicforthemonth but it really is good – highly recommended.

Well I was having a quiet night… but my youngest pup brought home this CD and started playing this MF of a song. We are all now up and dancing and shouting and jigging and doing stupid things with the goldfish.

me thinks its time for bed

Great song mind you – has to be in a future mix