It's The Future
Posted by Leedsboy on 29 May 2008 - 11:27am.
So we've had first single, first album, last vinyl and most played in the past few weeks. Thought it may be more forward thinking to admit to what we are all about to buy. On my list are:
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
The National - Virginia EP
Blonde Redhead - 23
Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas
Half Man, Half Biscuit - CSI:Ambleside
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The in tray.
Fleet Foxes ~ Fleet Foxes
22 Dreams ~ Paul Weller
Lotus ~ Santana
Some People Can Do What They Like ~ Robert Palmer
Proof Through the Night/the Complete Trap Door ~ T-Bone Burnett
The first two should be out soon, while the rest, sadly, are long awaited reissues not yet available.
If anyone has any informed opinions about the Fleet Foxes, let me know, I'm just going by a review or two. You can head me off at the pass, and save me a tenner, if you know they're really crap.
Fleet Foxes
Their self-titled effort dropped through the box chez Leek yesterday as part of my Rough Trade Album Club subscription, and I must say I was very impressed with it. There's nary a spare note on the whole album, and the vocal harmonies are gorgeous. I'd say it's a safe tenner.
Fleet Foxes
are certainly getting quite a polishing up from the critics at present. I have just got round to listening to my Unshod coverdisc (sorry, Team, but I'm not alone) and they are the first on this month. Sounds well worth further investigation, and the blogs can probably provide many an odd track, I suspect. It does sound all a bit C,S,N&Y,no harm in that if therefore a bit deja vu (ouch!), but I can see it slipping into my purchases soon, somehow....
Otis Blue Randy Newman
Otis Blue
Randy Newman Songbook
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Paul Weller
Spiritualized
It is the future...
...More precisely it is June 30th, 2008. Peace negotiations between the Terran Federation and the Haaathyn Galactic Empire have reached an impasse. 12 billion people hold their collective breath, as they await to hear the fate of the Mars colonies and wonder whether this will spell an end to cheap broadband.
Meanwhile, on earth, economic uncertainty has sent the price of pale-blue A4 paper sky-rocketing past that of gold, leaving me in the happy position of being an overnight millionaire. That morning my telekinetic chauffeur uses the power of his mind to raise me from my bed and transport me to the branch of HMV on Queens Road. Here I purchase:
Coldplay - Viva la Vida: Mainly out of curiosity as to what effect Eno has had in helping the band break out of their template.
Joan As Police Woman - To Survive: In these turbulent times Joan Wasser is literally a singing detective - an Angela Lansbury in silver spandex who solves murder mysteries before and after her sell-out shows on Luna Vegas.
The Fall - Imperial Wax Solvent: A final collection of speeches by the late war hero - Spacefleet Commander Mark E. Smith.
well...
if the first single is anything to go by, I'm fairly happy. It don't sound like them for a start. Imagine - someone finally got Chris Martin to stop whinging so much!
Next in line
When my eMusic quota fills up again (in about 3 weeks time), top of my list will be:
"Classics" by Aphex Twin
"Happiness" by Fridge
"CSI: Ambleside" by Half-Man Half-Biscuit
Meanwhile, my program of buying brighter and better remasters of old favourites continues, with Amazon about to send me the latest remasters of "Still Life" and "World Record" by Van der Graaf Generator.
Finally, on the eBay front, winging their way to me should be:
"Third" by Portishead (£5)
"Roadrunner, Roadrunner" by Jonathan Richman (the excellent Rhino double-CD compilation from Richman's five Beserkley albums)
...whilst hooks still dangle in the waters of eBay for the following:
"In Visible Silence" by Art Of Noise (proving damned elusive)
Various CDs by Swedish jazzers the Esbjorn Svensson Trio
Various must-have CDs I'm still lacking by Pat Metheny
The one and only CD by The Bhutan Philharmonic (another elusive one)
The double-CD of live recordings Caravan made for the BBC
Chumbawamba's "The Boy Bands Have Won"
"Von" by Sigur Ros
Anything and everything by Epic45. Yet another hard to get at a bargain price!
That'll do to be getting on with.
Any info
on the Bhutan Philharmonic CD? Been looking for it since 'Snakecharmer' appeared on the Word 43 disc, but it seemed to permanently in the pipeline ...
Sunk without trace
Amazon.co.uk list it as available for pre-order, but with no release date. Amazon.com list it as released in 2006, but not available from them - it lists 2 copies available from marketpace sellers for about 28 dollars a pop. It's a bit of a mystery, frankly. Was it ever released? It seems so, since a few rare copies are available. Why was it deleted so apparently quickly, when everything seems to stay "in print" indefinitely these days? Can anyone else shed some light?
to buy list
Mike Bloomfield-double album retrospective
Sandy Denny's BBC Box Set
I am also interested in James McMurty's output after buying a superb track recommended on here a few weeks back, anyone got any recommendations where to start??
I have also purchased the last two Go-Betweens' albums and am interested in going further back to see what other gems there might be lurking about. Anybody have any thoughts on where to start with this lot?
Go-Betweens.....
Buy them all. "Before Hollywood", "Spring Hill Fair", "Liberty Belle....." and "Tallulah" still get regular hearings on my stereo and ipod. The ones I haven't mentioned are good as well.
If you can get hold of it the compilation 1978-1990 buy it because its brilliant. It collects "hits", album tracks, b-sides and a few rarities. Highly recommended, but sadly deleted methinks.
GO BETWEENS
TA VERY MUCH
If I Had A New York Girlfriend by Robert Forster
Forgot to also recommend Robert Forster's solo cover versions Lp "If I Had A New York Girlfriend". Good choice of tracks.
The songs on the album were:-
Nature's Way written by Randy California
originally performed by Spirit on the album The Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus (Epic, 1970)
Broken Hearted People written by Guy Clark
originally performed by Guy Clark on the album Texas Cookin' (RCA, 1976)
Echo Beach written by Mark Gane
originally performed by Martha And The Muffins on the album Metro Music (Dindisc, 1979)
Tell Me That It Isn't True written by Bob Dylan
originally performed by Bob Dylan on the album Nashville Skyline (Columbia, 1969)
2541 written by Grant Hart
originally performed by Grant Hart on the single 2541 (SST, 1989) and the album Intolerance (SST, 1989)
Anytime written by Ricky Nelson
originally released on the Rick Nelson album Rick Sings Nelson (Decca, 1970)
Locked Away written by Keith Richards and Steve Jordan
originally released on the Keith Richards album Talk Is Cheap (Virgin, 1988)
Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow written by Neil Diamond
originally performed by The Monkees on the album More Of The Monkees (Colgems, 1967)
Alone written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg
originally performed by Heart on the album Bad Animals (Capitol, 1987)
Bird written by Michael Hansonis
originally performed by King Candy on the single White Skin (Take Me To The Sea) (Chlodwig, 1993)
Frisco Depot written by Mickey Newbury
originally performed by Mickey Newbury on the album Frisco Mabel Joy (Elektra, 1971)
3 AM written by Bill Anderson and Jerry Todd
originally performed by Bill Anderson on the album The Bill Anderson Showcase (Decca, 1964)
Grant
Grant McClennan's Horsebreaker Star is my pick of the Go-betweens solo stuff - back in the day when someone thought they might make a star of him. There is a joint best of solo CD for Grant and Robert out as well.
Grant is still a sad loss.
James McMurtry and The Heartless Bastards
Great band!! I love them. He has a new one out called "Just Us Kids" I think. This'll probably be my next purchase.
I have "Childish Things" and "Live In Ought Three". They're both good.
His songs lean well to the left with lots of anti-war messages a la Neil Young/Steve Earle. His "We Can't Make It Here Anymore" caused a bit of a stooshie in the USA.
He has a website which has tons of info and also a myspace page which has at least half a dozen songs you can listen to.
McMurty
Thank You
Currently
I'm waiting for the postman to deliver:
Various Colin Blunston-related people: The Zombies And Beyond (thanks for the tip, Paul)
Bhundu Boys - The Shed Sessions (thanks Nick White)
Dengue Fever - Venus on Earth
Seun Kuti - Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Various Artists - Songs the Cramps Taught Us - Volume One
Blimey. I'm spending way too much money.
Nothing
I have nothing on the horizon. It is an unblemished, clear sky (once my current backlog has been worked through). Nothing interesting is due for release as far as I know.
Spacemen 3
The release of the actually-rather-disappointing-on-first-listen-despite-the-hype new Spiritualized album, made me check out the Spacemen 3 back catalogue on iTunes. Interest duly piqued, I bought The Perfect Prescription. Very good it is too. I think I might buy one or two of the others: Playing With Fire will probably be next.
I also keep forgetting to buy the new Death Cab For Cutie and Last Shadow Puppets albums, so I must do that soon. And like Bingham above, I have thought about buying something by the Go Betweens, so thanks for your recommendations Steve Hill. (Out of interest, does anyone know if there is there a reason why there seems to be a double 'L' in all their album titles: Before Hollywood, Spring Hill Fair, Liberty Belle..... and Tallulah...? Is it just coincidence?)
Double L
On purpose I believe. First album was "Send me a lullaby" so the first five had a double L in the title. The reprised the double L on their eighth album "Bright Yellow Bright Orange".
No idea why, but it surely isn't a coincidence.
More
There were also the compilations Metal and Shells and Bellavista Terrace.
What About Me?
I've been loving the Channel 4 series from the One Giant Leap project team, and can't wait for the CD which is going to be available for down-load from the OGL web-site in early June.
These are about to be ordered from Amazon:-
22 dreams - Paul Weller
Fleet foxes - Fleet foxes
Chessmoves - remixed blues standards - I am a bit of a fan of the Verve remixed serious and thought I would give this a bash.
Nils plays Neil - Nils Lofgren
Am toying with the Reverend and the makers album too as i recently saw them at Gateshead but I have a feeling they may just be a good live band. Anyone got this album and,if so,is it any good?
From Taxman to Start!
On order:
Jam - Snap! Used to have on vinyl. It's a great collection. Talk about Jam songs on thread about Brit patriotic songs has made me want it again.
Beatles - Revolver. Gave a cassette of this to my sister years ago. Now it's got cheaper thought about time to get another copy now I am returning to them since putting Beatles' songs on my MP3 player. Especially been loving 'Help!', 'Ticket To Ride' and 'Paperback Writer'.
Also contemplating acquiring new product by Devotchka (will be seeing them live soon in Sweden), Nick Cave and Portishead.
In the cart....
The Essential Rory Gallagher: having been blindspotted all these years, my recent purchase of Wheels within wheels has set me off, but I don't want it all. This seems to be the best of many retrospectives.
Love must be tough/Eleanor McEvoy: that voice and good choice of covers. A must buy, I hope.
Pistola/Willy De Ville: I like the sound of it. I liked Spanish Steps and his Hey Joe, so time to expand my knowledge of him.
Thats Proper Folk: Thanks for the tip, Steve.
Just bought.....
Portishead 3 (fabulous), Robert Forsters the Evangelist (Lou Reed meets Lloyd Cole), The Warner/Reprise sessions by David Axelrod (which includes the entirety of Mass in F by the Electric Prunes, the graveyard music from Easy Rider. Good if you like that sort of thing, which I do,)Pilgrim Road/Willard Grant Conspiracy (buy this now!!!!!!!!), Rain on the Window/John Surman (baritone or soprano sax with church organ, a bit Jan Garbarek/Hilliard Ensemble-y)and Worrisome Heart/Melody Gardot (mmm, nice)
john Surman
Recently bought his "The Road To St Ives' which is a damn fine beautiful album. Also his tune "from Kerry to Caithness" is lovely from I think a record called "Reflections". John Surman is filed away in the "British Jazz" section of peoples heads, which is a shame because he produces such atmospheric,accessable music which should appeal to a wider range of music fans.
Will check out Rain On the Window.
Am going to add
The Paul Weller new one to my list. Have heard 2 or 3 tracks on the radio over the weekend and it sounds great - in a way Wildwood never did. May have to cast off my post Jam prejudices. His hair is shit though....
I VOWED TO CUT BACK ON CD EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR
and as ever am failing. On the "Will quite probably buy" list are:
Paul Weller - 22 Songs (saw him on Later and was mighty impressed)
Nils Lofgren - Nils Sings Neil (Nils' Neil Young covers album)
Emmylou Harris - All I Intended To Be (recent cd's have been super so on spec / faith)
Coldplay - Viva La Vida (partly the Eno connection, secretly I quite like Coldplay)
Walter Becker - Circus Money (I'm a Dan completist / fetishist)
New Uriah Heep cd - Just Joking!
Nils sings Neil!
Not previously spotted that one creeping out under the radar: sounds an essential, as confirmed by the Logfren website and songlisting. "Beautiful solo accoustic versions" may be the advertising tag b(u)yline, but it sounds good enough for me. (Memo to the young 'uns, Nils was the piano player for Neil Young at the time of After the Goldrush, squeezing in a credible solo career for several years long before Bruce gave him that call, perhaps as short term fill in for Miami Steve, on time off to slate Sun city)
Thank you MarkJF.......
.......Until tonight, I had no idea Nils Lofgren was even doing solo stuff any more! I saw him last Friday at the Emirates with the Guvnor (no, not that tw*t Paul Ince)and he still rocks - though he looks increasing like the arthritic monkey from the Stones.
I bought Cry Tough years ago on vinyl, but for some reason its not on I-Tunes - WHY ?
Anyway, thanks again, ordering this will be my next pc task after posting this...
NILS, NICKY HORNE & THE BOOTLEG
I remember Nicky Horne on Capital going loopy about Nils back in the 70's. He got hold of an "official bootleg" of Nils doing a radio show in San Francisco and playing a blinder. Imagine my deep joy to find out you can now download it: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND
has a new cd soon. "Bring Me The Workhorse" was terrific but rather overlooked - perhaps because of all the fuss around Joanna Newsom? I had a listen on iTunes (who have it already) which suggests it is terrific.
16 Lover's Lane - one more Go-betweens album
Continues the double LL theme, after a fashion. Pity about Ocean's Apart and Friends of Rachel Worth (the titles only - the albums are excellent).
Back to Macc
Band on the Run - Wings (was at Anfield on Sunday, can't help myself)
Employment - Kaiser Chiefs (ditto)
Definitely nothing by the Zutons (this is a statement, not an album title)
Tour de France Soundtracks - Kraftwerk (they weren't at Anfield)