New album: THE LAST GUITAR

[HarperPR]

Okay, folks, I will start a little thread for your views and comments on the 2010 offering from Nick: The Last Guitar.

When you have heard the album and digested it, let us know your verdict, what you think. We are all waiting! :)

[pd]

The only thing I have to say about it is that there were no copies available at the Cambridge gig on Monday night so I don't have it yet. Not too happy about that ... :mad:

[scotpaulabear]

Paul, enjoy the order details here :biggrin:
http://www.harperspace.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16151&cat=0&page=1&featured

[Roydan]

Will there be copies of The Last Guitar at Selby do you think? Or is mail order the way to go on this one?

[NoCelebrity]

Well, I got my order in, and I also ordered Miracles for Beginners (they were OUT last Fall). It'll take about a week(or less?), so I'll have to hear more reviews from you all while I wait. Brings my NH total to 7 CDs, and I'm also feeling the pressure to collect the remaining Roy. Is "Once" in stock again?

[Rainbow]

Received a Nick newsletter in my e-mail this morning and ordered this latest addition to the Nick family ... my tenth!!:biggrin:

Spring is on the way and a new Harpic CD coming in with it ... after a long hard winter there is light at the end of my kennel!!:biggrin:

Best regards ... Rainbow:party:

[HarperPR]

Will there be copies of The Last Guitar at Selby do you think? Or is mail order the way to go on this one?

Yes - to your first question!

[Roydan]

Thanks Lynn :biggrin:

[HarperPR]

Really nice comment just got through from the manager of TJ + Murphy, who open for Nick in Liverpool, which I am sure he won't mind my quoting.

In reference to Passing Chord, from the new record: "******* hell, this is one of the best songs I've ever heard. And I don't say that lightly."

[scotpaulabear]

Been bugging me why I recognized Tchad Blake's name (mixed the album) - I suspect it may have been with his work with Crowded House and the Dandy Warhols most of all, but he's a musical whirlwind!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake
I love the line about "awkward sonic textures" :D

[Travellerman]

Tchad Blake mixed Nicks new album? :47: I didn't know that....

[katrina]

What a great album xxx definately recommend buying it -xxx

[HarperPR]

Coming up on Amazon Germany. Now we need some good comments. In German, of course. :)

http://bit.ly/cjUyCi

[Travellerman]

Done... at least I think so (it may take a while to appear though and my German is a little 'basic' :D)

[HarperPR]

Ich mag!:biggrin:

[Travellerman]

Sie mögen, was? Ich? :wink:

[HarperPR]

Sie mögen, was? Ich? :wink:

Erm...maybe I should do a google translate before I answer?! Are you asking do I like it?

[NoCelebrity]

Das Harper CD (ist)...

...Sehr gut (very good)! Ausgezeichnet (excellent)! Wunderbar (wonderful)!

...gefallt mir (pleases me, umlaut over the "A," one or two "l"?).

Ich glaube es sehr viel (poor grammar for "I like it very much").

Couldn't find Mogen on my translator (how do you type umlauts, Mr. T-man?)

[HarperPR]

Have you heard the new album yet, NC?

[NoCelebrity]

Have you heard the new album yet, NC?

Yes. I commented in a couple other posts about it. My German comments are the most generous.

I ordered it right away then listened to it a couple times along with Nick's previous CD (Miracles...) that had been out of stock. I like the first half well enough, but there is so much versus his live solo performance, I get kind of worn out before the end as I try to absorb it all. We'll see. It took me several more listens to pick out faves from his earlier work.

Is "The Last Guitar" a multiplicity of hidden messages about the state of the music biz, performing, or perhaps his emotional burnout being away from his family? I met, shook his hand, and raved quickly about his work at The Abbey Pub in Chicago last November. I didn't want to be a bother... Then I wondered if he just wanted to spend time in normal conversation with his fans. Are we too detached from our musical ICONS to give them the emotional reaction they need, or just the opportunity to de-compress and talk about ANYTHING ELSE?

"Pop Fiction" is a fun experiment that Nick could use for any number of social commentaries. I'm not sure where I would rank it among NH songs. I think the simple songs with simpler messages win our ears and our hearts more quickly (Karmageddon, Love Junky, By My Rocket..., Aeroplane--A guy's sentimental song with a beat). Nick knows how to grab our attention with these then make us think with more thoughtful lyrics, and wonder at his tremendous musical skill (guitar, vocals, composition) in other songs.

He's a well-rounded artist whose success should be measured in more than Dollars and Pfennig (and Pounds and Pence).

Loved the unusual singing style by Lily in "Silly Daddy." Made me listen.

[NoCelebrity]

My comments about our ICONS reflect my own dubious feelings about performing any of my own songs. I prefer interaction with others. I always wanted to write with others, but the axiom "musicians are flaky" seems more true than ever (except for ME, of course:wink:). I've made some rough recordings that seem to get approval from a few of my musical friends (those that will listen).

I don't need the income, and celebrity is a dubious honor. I identify with Roy when he hints he is done with touring for a few years (or more). Roy is one of my top ten influences and inspirations and always will be (and Nick is now part of that). I suppose I'll need to know if my songs are even worthy of that respect before I compare myself.

It is possible I'll try out one of my favorites soon at a local bar that has open jams on Thursdays. My friend Mary B. is encouraging me...

[HarperPR]

Nice of him to mention, but 'bought'? :wink: Think I recall logging as complimentary as he is a friend! See under Q+A with Jon.
http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/attitude/editors_levellers_05.asp

[NoCelebrity]

Just want to mention the album continues to grow on me. I've listened to it a few more times. The songs are more memorable and interesting to me like GOOD songs always are.

Maturity in a singer/songwriter is a tricky thing, but Nick continues to grow in my view!

[aspwatterson]

Just want to mention the album continues to grow on me. I've listened to it a few more times. The songs are more memorable and interesting to me like GOOD songs always are.

Maturity in a singer/songwriter is a tricky thing, but Nick continues to grow in my view!

Hear hear, hear hear,hear hear, mein heir No Celeb!

andi :m14::m14::m14:

[scotpaulabear]

Just want to mention the album continues to grow on me. I've listened to it a few more times. The songs are more memorable and interesting to me like GOOD songs always are.

Maturity in a singer/songwriter is a tricky thing, but Nick continues to grow in my view!

I'd agree with this, I'm really enjoying that I think Nick has done something new and not really what I'd expected with this album. I'm not sure why, but I was thinking he would go more acoustic with this, but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not allergic to the electric in general. :D Like NC, I'm finding this album memorable. As well as intelligent. And infuriatingly catchy!

What is everyone else thinking? It's been a bit quiet here about it... mea culpa, I haven't really said much either but I'm juggling many work and family stuff after my US trip and just starting to get ahead of it now *whew*...

[Bob Jacobs]

Despite my initial enthusiasm, I haven't played it that much - lack of suitable opportunities - but I did play it back to back with Miracles the other day and much preferred The Last Guitar, despite skipping Pop Music which I now find tiresome. It's witty and well performed but you just don't need that lengthy spoken word stuff as often as you need music. Passing Chord is now my favourite track and One of the 38 is growing on me.

Cheers

Bob

[NoCelebrity]

Like Bob, I've been listening to Miracles and Last Guitar a lot together, since I acquired them both at the same time. I like Guitar more so far, but I'm trying to get caught up. Even trying to catch up on the podcasts so I can listen to Nick's comments in order (last).

Yesterday I started listening to Magic Feather because others were trying to TAB the guitar parts. I contributed some more (lead style), and now that song is stuck in my head along with "For You" off of Miracles. For You seems more pop than I usually like, but I've learned to like it too.

Is it still the Acoustic (live) versus mixed/electric/studio debate? I usually like to "learn" the song by the studio albums, then discover the artist exploring the boundaries when live. That's why it's mostly Roy's live stuff that I have left to buy (and I love "Miles Remains" live the MOST!).

So SPB, Andi, Bob, et al.-- Glad it continues to grow on us!

It's time for the rest of the world to CATCH up!

P.S. There are many parts to every song, so I find Nick's composition of the song parts to be so very interesting. More subtlety than just Verse, Chorus, Bridge. These songs are typically harder to fully absorb without several listens and the passage of time, but they're worth it! Plus, the musicianship, voice, and emotional intensity (joy, enthusiasm, interplay/contrast between positive and negative emotions...)!

[aspwatterson]

My comments about our ICONS reflect my own dubious feelings about performing any of my own songs. I prefer interaction with others. I always wanted to write with others, but the axiom "musicians are flaky" seems more true than ever (except for ME, of course:wink:). I've made some rough recordings that seem to get approval from a few of my musical friends (those that will listen).

I don't need the income, and celebrity is a dubious honor. I identify with Roy when he hints he is done with touring for a few years (or more). Roy is one of my top ten influences and inspirations and always will be (and Nick is now part of that). I suppose I'll need to know if my songs are even worthy of that respect before I compare myself.

It is possible I'll try out one of my favorites soon at a local bar that has open jams on Thursdays. My friend Mary B. is encouraging me...

So when you going to put some stuff on here so we can see you, feel you, touch you? You gotta webcam facebook connect etc? Phps you are really a Celeb and playing with us poor moronic morsels? I'd imagine you as a Robert Plantish sorta figure, but only guessing? There's definitely a Jimmy Page thing about you?

Just remembered, that you saw Nick last year didn't you in USA?



andi:confused1:

[NoCelebrity]

So when you going to put some stuff on here so we can see you, feel you, touch you? You gotta webcam facebook connect etc? Phps you are really a Celeb and playing with us poor moronic morsels? I'd imagine you as a Robert Plantish sorta figure, but only guessing? There's definitely a Jimmy Page thing about you?

Just remembered, that you saw Nick last year didn't you in USA?

andi:confused1:

Yup! Just click on my name, my profile, then my photo album. Mary took two pictures of me with Nick after the show that show my nostrils quite well, but do hide my balding pate. The color difference in the photos of Nick is with or without flash.

I guess I'm generally modest, and always trying to get better. I started writing songs before I was a decent musician. Wanted to do it all. The "flaky" comment is friends are always too busy to practice, or have given up playing for money. And then of course I must be flaky to think I can be a success against all odds:wink:! I know I need more rehearsing than most. Now I'm fifty and beginning to think I can have fun at it without a big risk of becoming a target of Papparazzi. I hate the devolution of the spirit modern "CELEBRITY" imposes on a person's soul (I'm sorry for that horrible fusion of metaphors, etc.). Roy is sort of my hero in that way more than any other.

I'm gearing up for some solo intros this year at a couple jam nights nearby. Friend Mary is encouraging me, as her skill is similar to mine. She's more into jams -- I want to see what drums, soloists, and a bass player can add to my stuff. I know that's kind of cheeky, so I got to get up and show my chops. I figure the extra practice for two of my better songs is a fair investment of time at this time.

RP and JP? Well, duh... LZ, PF, TH, JJC, SD, TheB, TheC, TheD, TheP, TheW, CCR, JM, RS, Y, B52, and BC, GC, FST and SB were all strong audio influences in my teens.

Now digest all that, and get back to me. I'm also trying to figure out a little of Magic Feather TABS with lemurjin and/or justhebo (?). In fact, I bet you, Andi, can figure out some of the skiffle-ish portions better than me and contribute.

[HarperPR]

Maybe we should have a poll for the 12 Last Guitar tracks to vote for favourite?

[Travellerman]

Good idea... but let me buy it first :D

[tim.burton]

i have not heard new album yet but will order it as soon as poss.can someone describe what its like as i,ve read mixed reviews.is there other songs you can compare to any of nicks others?

[HarperPR]

Have you read the reviews on here, Tim, or some elsewhere? Do post a link if you find any I have missed! There are more album reviews due to come (it takes awhile to get album out, then they have to get someone on the various magazine/site to review) - I think Jackie must now dread my sending another batch of names through to her!

But reviews are really only the opinion of the one individual who wrote the review. You are best to judge for yourself.

[pd]

You can also, of course, hear two tracks from the album on the newest podcast...

[Tim-]

Hi all, well got the new album the other week at a gig in Preston (impressive as ever - particularly liked the slower version of Blood Songs which I'd never heard live before - gig finished at 1pm with Nick wandering the audience playing - I think - Swansong before doing a runner out of the exit). However the new record is not doing it for me yet - too many of the songs seems to chug-a-chug along with rather boring meoldies. For me it's not showcasing Nick's fantastic vocal & guitar talents. And, sorry, but Silly Daddy strikes me as just self-indulgent. Although I'm sure some of the songs will grow on me.

Tim

http://www.last.fm/user/stormcock

[scotpaulabear]

Hi all, well got the new album the other week at a gig in Preston (impressive as ever - particularly liked the slower version of Blood Songs which I'd never heard live before - gig finished at 1pm with Nick wandering the audience playing - I think - Swansong before doing a runner out of the exit). However the new record is not doing it for me yet - too many of the songs seems to chug-a-chug along with rather boring meoldies. For me it's not showcasing Nick's fantastic vocal & guitar talents. And, sorry, but Silly Daddy strikes me as just self-indulgent. Although I'm sure some of the songs will grow on me.

Tim

http://www.last.fm/user/stormcock

Hi Tim! I must have sold that CD to you :biggrin: That was some gig, what a fun night - and I think the last song was "Like Punk Never Happened" but hey it was 1am what do I know :wink: Give the album some more time, I find it's grown on me over time, I can't get some of those melodies out of my head...

[aspwatterson]

I would love him to team up with another really good acoustic guitarist, and maybe accompanying singer,and do some fancy stuff like Roy & Jimmy on Stormcock - as a whole story in the Album moving from one theme to another seemlessly.

andi

[Tim-]

Hi Tim! I must have sold that CD to you :biggrin: That was some gig, what a fun night - and I think the last song was "Like Punk Never Happened" but hey it was 1am what do I know :wink:

Yes, 'Punk...' - I'm sure you're right - titles not my forte. And yes, 1 AM! (1pm - that woudl have been a long gig!).

http://www.last.fm/user/stormcock

[Travellerman]

It's on the way.... :D

[NoCelebrity]

Hi all, well got the new album the other week at a gig in Preston (impressive as ever - particularly liked the slower version of Blood Songs which I'd never heard live before - gig finished at 1pm with Nick wandering the audience playing - I think - Swansong before doing a runner out of the exit). However the new record is not doing it for me yet - too many of the songs seems to chug-a-chug along with rather boring meoldies. For me it's not showcasing Nick's fantastic vocal & guitar talents. And, sorry, but Silly Daddy strikes me as just self-indulgent. Although I'm sure some of the songs will grow on me.

Tim

http://www.last.fm/user/stormcock

I agree with SPB. I first listened to it intently, then other listens I've left it on as background music. It'll grow on you more than you think, if you give it a chance. I think in the old days with a smaller selection of vinyl LPs available, people naturally gave their favorite artists more time.

[Travellerman]

Got it! :D

On first listen 'On', 'The Last Guitar' and 'Silly Daddy' standout.

Going to have a wander up the beach now and give it a 2nd listen. Very different sound though eh? :)

[HarperPR]

Gutted My Sunshine did not make final cut. Love that a LOT! Perhaps the next one, eh.

[Travellerman]

Yeah, I'm surprised that didn't make the cut. Not sure about the vocal mix on the album though, seems a little errrr 'mono'. :confused1:

[Travellerman]

'One of the 38' and 'Freestyle' are 'growers' - :biggrin:

[NoCelebrity]

'One of the 38' and 'Freestyle' are 'growers' - :biggrin:

I agree with all your choices so far, TM. On each of my first several listens different songs stood out for me. Right now "For You" is my favorite rocker!

Is the variety somehow different on this Nick CD, confusing first listens but resulting in the album "growing" on so many of us? I'm thinking Nick's ambition for this album was to broaden his sights creatively.

[aspwatterson]

Hey this is not Girlie stuff but Boysie! :biggrin:

I love about 80% of the album, but originally thought it sounded a bit home grown in a studio with a drum machine/sampler.You can achieve a lot of a similar output with just a Micro BR. But you have to have Nick's musical/lyrical/vocal/ guitar talent in the first place.

You are right though, it grows on you, and the songs stick in your head all day as you go round singing them internally to the mental world at large.

chrs
Andi

[Travellerman]

I agree with all your choices so far, TM. On each of my first several listens different songs stood out for me. Right now "For You" is my favorite rocker!

Is the variety somehow different on this Nick CD, confusing first listens but resulting in the album "growing" on so many of us? I'm thinking Nick's ambition for this album was to broaden his sights creatively.

'For You' reminds me of 'The Wanderer and his Shadow'... I'm not entirely sure why though. :confused1: As for the rest of the songs, I think it's going to take a few more listens to appreciate them :wink:.

The album sounds crap on my iPod too, though this is all I have to listen on at the moment. I wonder if I'm missing out by not listening on a larger system... anyone?

[HarperPR]

The Last Guitar will be available from amazon.co.uk from May 31. Time then to get some user reviews up, perhaps!

[HarperPR]

The Last Guitar will be available from amazon.co.uk from May 31. Time then to get some user reviews up, perhaps!

You can now add your user review here. Get em in! One up already.

[HarperPR]

You can now add your user review here. Get em in! One up already.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/cr/rR3W3IL6GX7LOV2/ref=aw_cr_i_1/277-3567725-0886240

[HarperPR]

http://www.123pricecheck.com/Product-229816/B003E52PCE-The+Last+Guitar.html

[pete c]

I just ordered it from Harperspace. It took a while, times is hard etc....

[NoCelebrity]

Well, I haven't posted for a while, but I'm still listening to The Last Guitar! It continues to grow on me.

I am of course intensely jealous you've all gotten to see Roy perform again live across the pond. I feel kind of left out since I can't really add my comments. Oh well, I was pleasantly surprised to find PD's new podcast a couple weeks ago on a day everything else was disappointing!:D