Okay full disclosure: Earlier on when I said I was listening to an album and it was a real eye opener, I wasn't talking about the Donna Summer album. I was actually on my third listen of another album (the one which was "eye opening") when I discovered to my chagrin that this was the 40th anniversary of the album I just reviewed so unenthusiastically and with minimal hyperbole. 😜
The other album I am getting back to now, now that Donna Summer finished for the 3rd time, is this weird, hilarious joint which is celebrating it's 49th anniversary today:
"The way I see, Barry, this should be a very dynamite show"
That line, delivered like a boozy idiot, is a brilliant way to get us started here, on this 2 track experimental, wildly idiosyncratic album.
But, I'd say this is a really really solid album. It plays like a 32 minute voyage into the mocking, cynical, comical, brilliant mind of the ultimate rock troll. Zappa just throws curveballs upon curveballs throughout this thing. Some of the banal dialogue is hilarious. As are the found sounds, and the structurally and tonally inventive musical detours are actually quite ingenious and fascinating. It seems Zappa thinks most people are really dumb. He seems to just be toying with people expecting a rock or jazz or classical album. He gives small doses of all those things, then he'll throw in a weird ditty or comical conversation, or some strangely composed farce. It makes for a truly engaging and fun album through and through.
And I'd say this is now my 2nd favorite Zappa or Mothers of Invention album I've heard. I have a strange disdain for Freak Out!, i know crucify me. I do, however quite like/almost love Hot Rats and Zoot Allures. I've heard maybe 8 Zappa records, and this Lumpy Gravy here is close to tops.
I am also really fascinated with the strain of rock artists at this time which were so freaky and so uncommercial. Some of the most starnge, avant-garde, and fun artists at the time were just undermining all the music which was being released so self-seriosuly at the time. From Velvet Underground, to Can, to Captain Beefheart, to Zappa, etc. They all sound so much more interesting now than the majority of the big acts of the time.
Anyway, I won't go into detail about this album. There's just too many great little moments here to unpack. It's an album a thoroughly recommend. This thing is just awesome! _________________ -Ryan
Okay, any stones fans out there? Have any thoughts on this momentous album?
Well, I'm not a die-hard Stones fan and if I have to choose between the Beatles and the Stones I definitely choose for the first but of course I hold them dearly as well.
The thing is I know that this album and Sticky Fingers are suppose to be the classics but in fact for me this is not entirely the case. I love their sixties albums (maybe more focused on "hits") and even like some of their 80's and 90's ones. Ex for some reason or another there are many good tracks on Steel Wheels, only the 18th Stones album on BEA, and Emotional Rescue, the 17th.
Well, that is a unique perspective on The Stones discog. I can't agree or disagree with anything you said, as I have only heard the most classic half dozen or so Stones records. I've listened to most of their albums from '65-'73ish. And yes I have a soft spot for their 60s singles. But never really was impressed with their albums from that era, the albums up to their first true masterpiece Let It Bleed (and yes I am including Aftermath, and *gasp!* Beggar's Banquet in that era.) _________________ -Ryan
I am listening now, and ... I find it silly, sophomoric and corny. The "controversial" lyrics are more often than not just overstated, risque for its own sake type things. And the music, while being quite energetic, is also just pretty plain and unimpressive to me. And the cartoonish vocals are just not at all something I enjoy listening to. IDK, not feeling it y'all.
EDIT: I just finished the album. The album ends with one of the worst and most annoying songs I've ever been subjected to - "B Grade Movie". 🤬
Also today is the 32nd anniversary of the big hit record Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits!
And this one I like a bit more. I gave it a listen a couple days ago when I saw it coming up on an anniversary. When I was 13 I used to love listening to this tape (lol) and just write EPIC poems which my teachers and parents were so supportive of. I tried to locate some of those poems a coupel days ago, but no cigar. I'm sure they're suitably energetically bad.
Anyway, about this album, some of the tracks are rightfully praised. I love the title track. The solo is pretty much awesome (Knopfler was stellar guitarist), and "Money for Nothing" is a solid hit.
As for the rest of the album, well it kinda blends together in my mind. "Walk of Life" is alright. And all in all, the majority of the album has this intentionally basic sound which is not particularly interesting to me. This seems to be the definitive "heartland rock" album. And for that I can say "cool. you are a thing, and you are well made. bye now."
Edit: I am giving this a listen now. Hopefully this washes the taste of Avoid Freud out of my mouth.
So far, I feel I underestimated the other tracks here. "So Far Away", is indeed pretty basic, but the guitars are very uniquely Knopfler. Its hard to explain, his guitar style is so chirpy and twangy. Yet it doesn't sound like country twang exactly. I don't know, people, I can't explain it. I'm not a professional critic or musician. Throw me a friggin' bone here! Oh shit, I gotta go! The riff for Money For Nothing just started, and I have to jam on some air guitar on my bedroom floor alone and in rock heaven! Bye now!
Edit2: okay I'm back, and I'm still digging this record. It's lovely. Way more heart than I gave it credit for. While "Why Worry" is a bit too pretty and saccharine for my tastes, it is indeed beautiful and touching in an 80s wedding staple kinda way. Should be played along with "Wonderful Tonight" on that sappy wedding dance floor.
--------
I am sorry if these reviews seem a bit shallow and offhand. I was bound to have a dive of enthusiasm after having my heart opened full followed by my mind blown wide with those first 2 albums I digested today. _________________ -Ryan
Okay, any stones fans out there? Have any thoughts on this momentous album?
Well, I'm not a die-hard Stones fan and if I have to choose between the Beatles and the Stones I definitely choose for the first but of course I hold them dearly as well.
The thing is I know that this album and Sticky Fingers are suppose to be the classics but in fact for me this is not entirely the case. I love their sixties albums (maybe more focused on "hits") and even like some of their 80's and 90's ones. Ex for some reason or another there are many good tracks on Steel Wheels, only the 18th Stones album on BEA, and Emotional Rescue, the 17th.
Well, that is a unique perspective on The Stones discog. I can't agree or disagree with anything you said, as I have only heard the most classic half dozen or so Stones records. I've listened to most of their albums from '65-'73ish. And yes I have a soft spot for their 60s singles. But never really was impressed with their albums from that era, the albums up to their first true masterpiece Let It Bleed (and yes I am including Aftermath, and *gasp!* Beggar's Banquet in that era.)
LOL. Those are two best, Mercury! What r u smoking? lol. But definitely, The Stones 60s singles were untouchable!!! Playing With Fire may be my favorite song of all time. 😁
I'm actually really surprised that you don't LOVE Beggar's Banquet. If I had to guess, I would have picked that as your fave fave. It has such a great love for country blues!
MercuryTurn your back on the pay-you-back last callProfile St. Louis
Okay, any stones fans out there? Have any thoughts on this momentous album?
Well, I'm not a die-hard Stones fan and if I have to choose between the Beatles and the Stones I definitely choose for the first but of course I hold them dearly as well.
The thing is I know that this album and Sticky Fingers are suppose to be the classics but in fact for me this is not entirely the case. I love their sixties albums (maybe more focused on "hits") and even like some of their 80's and 90's ones. Ex for some reason or another there are many good tracks on Steel Wheels, only the 18th Stones album on BEA, and Emotional Rescue, the 17th.
Well, that is a unique perspective on The Stones discog. I can't agree or disagree with anything you said, as I have only heard the most classic half dozen or so Stones records. I've listened to most of their albums from '65-'73ish. And yes I have a soft spot for their 60s singles. But never really was impressed with their albums from that era, the albums up to their first true masterpiece Let It Bleed (and yes I am including Aftermath, and *gasp!* Beggar's Banquet in that era.)
LOL. Those are two best, Mercury! What r u smoking? lol. But definitely, The Stones 60s singles were untouchable!!! Playing With Fire may be my favorite song of all time. 😁
I'm actually really surprised that you don't LOVE Beggar's Banquet. If I had to guess, I would have picked that as your fave fave. It has such a great love for country blues!
Yes. I know. I. Red to give it a good go again. I mostly feel like the rock moments don't hit home remotely hard as they do in their next 3 classics. I feel the rock stuff feels flat kinda. And yes some of the blues, Americana drenched songs I remember kick ass (Salt of the earth... I think is one I recall living). I guess when I go into a stones record I rightfully or more likely wrongly expect some sick rock that leaves me feeling dirty and exhausted. Beggars Banquet never did that for me. As for aftermath, idk, it feels like they hadn't really developed their identity yet. They rocked but there are moments of that album that just sound again kinda flat.
These are surface level, perhaps bs, words of analyses. I haven't tried giving them a hard listen in years and years. I've been sticking to Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile for a while. _________________ -Ryan
Today we have a few things to talk about. Hopefully its even half as fabulous as yesterday when I jammed to I Remember Yesterday literally 70% of the day. Great album, I'll say it again, GREAT ALBUM. As was Lumpy Gravy. Hell, Brothers In Arms was more interesting than I recalled. Let us not speak about Avoid Freud.
But what am I doing celebrating the birthdays of thinsg which don't have birthdays today! That's rude to the albums of today.
First off is not a significant anniversary, but still it was where my heart took me today first when I went to listen to an album for its anniversary. This artist recently had a B-Day. So back in 1965, just 2 days after his birthday his debut album dropped in England and went to as high as #3 in the UK charts. What a time to be alive. I think he had just turned 19 (good times, good times,) and he was a few days away from hanging out in hotel rooms with the king of his life, Bob Dylan. This whirlwind experience of his would be immortalized in on e of the coolest movies ever, Dont Look Back.
Anyway, enough hints, enough hedging...
Today is the 52nd anniversary of What's Bin Did & What's Bin Hid by Donovan!!!!
I gave this little gem a listen this morning and now I'm listening to it again. And it is, indeed, a minor gem. It's clearly in a state of awe of all the works of Dylan and other american folk artists releasing classics at the time. But the kid was just 18 when he recorded this, and he clearly had a beautiful warmth and talent which shines through on this album. Donovan seems distinctly himself throughout this album. And while the lyrics fall wildly short of (I'm sorry to mention him AGAIN, but he was the point of reference of this album) Dylan. Dylan when he was 18 and 19 was making even more simple songs, even more derivative of old woody guthrie and Lemon Jefferson songs. So, Donovan actually had a couple years on Dylan. Just saying.
Anyway, I got distracted onto a tangent there, where was I... Oh yes, this is a really solid, fun, gentle debut album. And at least one song - "Catch The Wind" - Is an all time favorite of mine. So sad, so honest, so romantic and touching. Just a fabulous track.
On other parts of the album he pays tribute to Woody Guthrie in a very endearing and funny way (Car Car (Riding In My Car). "Goldwatch Blues" is a really solid song, reminds me of a less fiery Dave Van Ronk. The first track "Josie" is pretty standard, sounds like many a folk track being churned out by Baez and Dylan at the time (or rather a year or 2 before).
"To Sing for you" is legitimately beautiful and relaxing and mellow (;))
And the next track has a cool detached drum back beat which I love with a darkish blues song song and played over top.
Anyway, there are other highlights. I'll stop my track by track thing riiiight....now!
It's interesting to hear this album, considering how much he evolved his sound in such a short time. Just 2 years later - when Donovan was just 21 i think - He made A Gift From A Flower To A Garden.. A quantum leap if ever there was one. A leap that almost challenges Dylan's leap from his folk standards to his trippy folk rock experimentation over a year and a half from 64-mid 65). It was like Donovan, seeing how prickish and unimpressed Dylan seemed to be in May of 1965 with not so much him but for all of the legion of folk music impersonators, decided to follow his lead yet again and go his own way. But this time he didn't just ape Dylan. He went on to make his own brand of psych folk lullaby strangeness.
Now Thats all I have to say about this album. It's a highly recommended album. I quite enjoyed it.
Apologies if you feel this review was more rambly than usual. Very tired. (excuses, excuses, excuses... I'll see myself out) _________________ -Ryan
I gave this little gem a listen this morning and now I'm listening to it again. And it is, indeed, a minor gem.
It's interesting to hear this album, considering how much he evolved his sound in such a short time. Just 2 years later - when Donovan was just 21 i think - He made A Gift From A Flower To A Garden.. A quantum leap if ever there was one. A leap that almost challenges Dylan's leap from his folk standards to his trippy folk rock experimentation over a year and a half from 64-mid 65). It was like Donovan, seeing how prickish and unimpressed Dylan seemed to be in May of 1965 with not so much him but for all of the legion of folk music impersonators, decided to follow his lead yet again and go his own way. But this time he didn't just ape Dylan. He went on to make his own brand of psych folk lullaby strangeness.
🙏
Great review, Mercury!
MercuryTurn your back on the pay-you-back last callProfile St. Louis
On this date - May 14th - in 1951, the legendary Howlin' Wold created one of the most eerie, heavy, just awe-inspiring songs in the history of music. period.
Where do I even start with this song? Well, I'll start by mentioning the iconic vocals at the start of the song. Throat singing or something. The song kicks in from there and the whole thing is so roughly recorded, but that just adds to the supernatural power of the track. The guitars and harmonica just sound like they're gonna break out of the grooves of the record and punch you right in the kisser. The vocals are eerie, rough, virtuosic, primal, astounding in so many ways.
I adore this song.
If you wanna hear some HEAVY blues which inspired Beefheart, Waits, PJ Harvey, The Stones, Zeppelin, etc, then give this track a listen. Play it loud. Then go and listen to more Howlin' Wolf. _________________ -Ryan
Happy 65th Birthday to art rock pioneer/genius extraordinaire Mr. David Byrne!
Along with all the musical greatness Byrne helmed, he also was arguably the auteur of one of the greatest films of all time in my opinion (all due respect to Demme...RIP) - Stop Making Sense
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