Entertainment For Lively Minds
Frank vs Bob - no contest
Despite another well worn thread already existing about why Dylan is the alpha and omega of popular music, i happily admit I just don't get him. Sorry, but it's true.
On that thread, however, there's a mention of 'Blood On The Tracks' as the greatest break up album ever. Which got me thinking. And the thought was 'bollocks'. Just listened to it again, and half way through 'Idiot Wind' I thanked whatever deity it is looking over me that I have never been tempted to provide solace to a breaking heart with this album.
No, the hands down, no contest soundtrack to a busted love has to be, and always will be, Sinatra's 'In The Wee Small Hours'. As well as being the first concept album, it's a perfectly executed on plotted description of the stages of thwarted love, from shock, through daydream, to acceptance. All orchestrated perfectly by Mr Riddle, and sung by Francis Albert like he believed every word. Which, of course he did.
Whole lot classier than Bob's mawkish whinging, to boot.
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I love 'Blood On The Tracks'...
but 'In The Wee Small Hours' I love equally as much. It is perfect. As is your description of it. Truly one of the greatest records ever made, and for me, easily Sinatra's best work. It has seen me through many a long night of the soul...
And... I was gobsmacked when I first heard 'Mood Indigo' and realised that Morrissey had ripped off the 'No no no no no noooo no' line in The Smiths' "I Won't Share You'.
But what about.....
Richard and Linda Thompsons Shoot out the lights and John Martyn's grace and danger. They both are perfect break up albums and indeed the Thompsons were actually in the process of tearing each other apart during the recording of their opus. Not sure there are that many complete albums that would be contenders but there are some key tracks from throughout the years that have chronicled the end of relationships.I remember as a callow youth being dumped by a girl that i was smitten with and Joni Mitchells shades of scarlet conquering seemed to encapsulate every emotion i was feeling at that time.
Well done, Sir Matt..
..comparing 2 records from totally different musical traditions, and declaring one the winner.
Next in the series, I'll be comparing Lou's "Metal Machine Music" with Donovan's "Fairytale".
"In the Wee Small Hours" is indeed a great record, but the jury is out whether it is a "breakup" record at all, or if it's just a collection of songs following a given mood.
"Shoot Out The Lights" certainly is.
(But is it a patch on "The Shadows Greatest Hits?")
Ah, Lou vs Don...
...difficult one to call - can I declare a tie?
Shane, surely a break up is a break up whether you've specifically composed the songs, or you're (just) interpreting another's lyrics? The fact that the content of 'Wee Small Hours' is made up of already known standards makes Frankie's feat even better, in my ears - there isn't another version of 'Mood Indigo' I'd rather hear, and the same goes for pretty much all the tracks on the album.
And hey, traditions, schmaditions! From where we're sat, each of us possessing such perfect and catholic taste, why not compare and contrast? I constantly evaluate music across genres and decades - Johnny Kidd's 'Shakin' All Over', The Wailers' 'Small Axe' and The Beatles 'Run For Your Life' are all up in the top ten of my favourite Punk Rock Records, it being attitude that counts rather than decade or time line. For me, anyway.
And can I add to the list - it's not an album, but contains enough vitriol to be spread over a double CD set - Costello's 'I Want You' to the list. Whoever that young lady was, by George her ears must have been burning...
"I want You"...
I've always interpreted that as a song about unrequited love. ("I Want You" rather than "I Want You Back")
The Costello charm has not (so far) worked on the subject, so naturally a seven minute spew of acid and jealosy is bound to rope her in.
I actually do think the composed-non composed issue is important, but not, of course the be all and end all.
Dylan (being Dylan) has never, I believe directly attributed "Blood.." to his break-up.
For my money (what little there is!)the supreme break-up album has to be Marvin's "Here My Dear"
Matt, have you heard Dylan tackle "Answer Me My Love" a standard first tackled by Nat King Cole? Now there's hurt.
Another interpretation
I never took I Want You to be about either lost or unrequited love. To me it's a song about an unhealthy obsession and desire for control and despite the opening line love has little to do with it.
As Elvis was, to outward appearances anyway, happily married to Cait at the time of Blood and Chocolate, I never thought of it as an autobiographical song. I think it's a portrait, straight from his imagination. We don't assume every novel we read is autobiographical and nor should we assume every song is.
Not sure you'll like this, Matt...
But Frank did. I think it's probably Dylan's greatest live performance of the 90s. Must buy In The Wee Small Hours; have you tried this version of Idiot Wind? It's much better:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=256943871&...
Still trying
to convert the doubters. I admire your persistence!
To quote the song
"There's no one blinder than he who won't see"...
Not sure if it's persistence or stupidity!
Is that me or you...
...you're referring to there, Lucas? ;-)
The answer, my friend, is...
...obviously that there isn't one. But I take your point: I thought I'd long since given up the practice of trying to convert everyone to the music of Bob Dylan, but my stubbornness seems to still be fully operational. I just can't help myself!
Try that version of Idiot Wind, though. Seriously.