I have been listening to Jackson Browne's new album Standing in the Breach. One of the things I like about Jackson Browne and Roy Harper is their criticism of the ugly politics in the world. If songs like “Cloud Cuckooland” "The Monster" "The Fourth World" etc.. speaks your language of how disgusted you feel then you might like the content of Browne's new album which has a more relaxing groove. Anyway the emotional response of disgust has produced a lot of songs from Roy and Jackson. If you are grumpy and disgusted then please write me a song because I love that kind of music. I also enjoyed the album Popular Problems last month from 80 year old Leonard Cohen. Humanity is a heavy issue from Browne and Cohen on their latest records. However I don't feel like Cohen is being something of a politically motivated moral police (I don't mean that a strictly negative way) like Browne. instead he just presents the problems. Some people criticized Cohen in comment forums for his rather retro sound particularly from the song “Never Mind”. Maybe I am quirky but I like the retro the sound. I also like the fact that the album is only 35 minutes long. It is my opinion that albums are too long. Jonathan Wilson's album was way to long. I would rather have him been break the 118 minutes into two albums. I think it makes more sense to release shorter albums more frequently if you want to promote yourself and I have never liked an album more just because it's longer. Unlike Jackson Browne I was unable to tell what kind of political attitude Cohen has from his songs, I am curious though if "Never Mind" has anything to do with Israeli spies. Those were some juicy sounding lyrics. I have also enjoyed Opeth's latest album Pale Communion. Opeth's latest album is a progressive folk/rock album unlike their previous metal albums. I am also going to check out Yusuf or Cat Steven's album along with Pink Floyd's as soon as they are released I have also just recently feel in love with the Incredible Sting Band from the the 60's and 70's I am having the urge to play the October Song right now.
Hmmm... my recent playlists include the latest albums from Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, Imogen Heap, Thom Yorke, Radiohead - throw in some Scott Matthews, Thomas Dybdahl, Volcano Choir, S.Carey and The National and I think that just about covers it for the last week or so. It'll be interesting to hear the Nick's new album too
I'm dreadfully out of touch with new releases but the FKA Twigs LP is really growing on me. Other than that I've recently been reacquainting myself with Caroliner who I like even more now. The new Pink Floyd album will be a load of shite
Dear Shane, you wrote that you were reacquainting yourself with Caroliner. I never heard of them before so I looked them up on youtube and found a video of them at the Dionysus Disco Wow, such vibrations. Man has certainly come a long way since the cave men first started making music by blowing through a mammoth ivory. The sequence of melody was even more complex then the musical scales of India. I was expecting a jarring dissonance but instead I heard enchanting harmony. Not only did they treat each note as being profound but they treated the harmony as being adequate to that profundity. I could imagine it being a beautiful elegy that one could die to or be born to. I found the song so emotional I am still crying. The last time a song made me cry this much is when I listened to In C by Terry Riley I found that when you play the Terry Riley video and the Caroliner video at the same time the harmonies and sequence of melodies complement each other.
Just got the new Rachel Sermanni live album 'Live in Dawson City' and oh my is it lovely - had me wiping away a tear or two in the car this morning. That said, I am beyond excited for Nick's new album, obvs
Well I've been getting down to some blues on Gary Clark Juniors new live CD .... intermingled with some rap from Kate Tempest's new CD "Everybody Down" ( not really into rap - but I do like her stuff ) and then maybe tonight, I'll get chance to listen to the new CD by the one and only Andy Waterson !!
I went to see the Neil Cowley Trio the other night. I'd never heard of them before but was immensely impressed (once I'd forgiven the bass player for exhibiting a monstrous beard). I've only bought the most recent album so far but will work my way back through the other four. http://www.neilcowleytrio.com/
It's been a long time since I saw or heard mention of this. I shall try to find my old vinyl copy but don't think it'll quite render me lachrymose
Without being over pedantic there are 2 Ts in Watterson, Christophiler... anyway what about a new thread, or continuing this one, about the top three songs that make you cry? For me probably Belfast Child, Georgie Boy and Tears in Heaven, but I could change my choice on the spur of this current moment, depending on whether I have any more funerals to attend to soonish? Am sixty now, and catching up with Roy's grand age, and been to eleven reflective sad Occasions in the last 12 months.... no more tears left, completely dehydrated.... and you wonder why I use alcohol as some form of soporific medication? Good excuse to carry on drinking; the Queen Mother liked her gin by all accounts [that makes you cry apparently?] and lived to 101 so I'll drink to that! Still got Clonakiltyitis I think: think, if I ever emigrated to the Emerald Isle in my retiring years every day would be Xmas?! A x
PS I have two spare tickets for 12th October at Roundhouse London to see Daughtry if anyone interested let me know? aspwatterson1@hotmail.co.uk 07910387644 A x
A nice lazy afternoon listening to Bare Wires, John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Roxy By Proxy, Zappa, and Animals, Pink Floyd (Discovery box set) among others.
Andi H20+T-son, I hate the auto-tuned Mister Rogers Neighborhood song so I won't click your link. It's on PBS every so often and kind of popular over here, so I'm sick of it. He was a wonderful man. As I recall, his family didn't know what to think about it at first (I think it was unauthorized), but accepted it as a nice tribute and promo for Public TV. BTW, did you get my email, or did you want my reality-based "addy?" I wish Pink Floyd (the three remaining) could all get along and play together.
