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Post by Mr Kite on Mar 17, 2020 21:42:52 GMT
Here`s a curve ball .
I have a mate who is a Beautiful South fan Were talkin` serious fan He tells me Paul n Jacqui are doing a acoustic set in sunny Stockport and there even throwing in there new CD all for under £20 . Did I fancy it ?!
Manchester Calling - Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott (2020)
Don`t really like this kinda music as you may have picked up on these many reviews I tend to stay clear of "Pop Music " But I have seen Beautiful South in the 90`s supporting R.E.M. , so I`m not a complete novice on that band I must admit , they did impress me .
But the question is Is this Album any good ?
Maybe a tinge bit too long , but it has some good foot tappers on it and they don`t go pass the three minute mark so much . This stuff really gives me that " And now our next turn at the Blackpool Ballroom" stuff Lots of lyrical goings on that gives a working class poetry essence to them and Jacqui sounds great I didn`t reach for the skip button , but I can`t say it will be played a lot as it`s not my cuppa But there is one track MCR Calling It`s a "tribute(?)" to Manchester and done in a " spoken Rap " style and it`s really interesting and very edgy. " Nowadays the Arena And apparently a bomb And tiny worker bees gives folk The strength to carry on " Edgy indeed Stand Out Track MCR Calling
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Post by Mr Kite on Mar 18, 2020 19:33:17 GMT
I go to a lot of Record Fairs these days as it gets me out . My mate (Dave) is a bit of a obsessive collector and the other week paid £130 for an album That`s One Hundred and Thirty Pounds . It`s rare apparently . So I thought I`d give it a listen on You Tube .
Chill Out - K.L.F. (1990) Via You Tube .
It`s an Ambient concept album It`s got sheep on it , Elvis and even bits of Albatross by the Mac Yes it`s Pink Floyd for the 90`s Imagine that you have never heard Floyd and hear this , you`d be very impressed . I`m not really that impressed . Hillage was doing this kinda stuff back in the early 80`s , Rainbow Dome Music with out Elvis and the Mac . Anyway ! Not much else I can comment on it really . I`ve heard worse and then again I`ve heard better A Hundred and Thirty Pounds !
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Post by Mr Kite on Mar 21, 2020 16:02:24 GMT
I don`t know if I`ve done any Tull , if I did I would tell you all about how brilliant all there 70`s albums are and Id be going "Masterpiece ! "this and Masterpiece!" that . So I thought go for a 70`s runt of Tull`s output with
Warchild (40th Annivesary Ed.) - Jethro Tull (1974)
A very up beat album of Tull`s I`ve always thought. It was meant to be a film project and in most cases of great bands when it comes to that kinda project they seem to always end up very below par , look at Floyd`s attempts. And one thing I must add is Steven Wilson`s remix really is quite brilliant With the opening track War Child we get the theme of playful little starts of songs with rattle of cups of tea and chatter No epic long Prog tracks on this but steady short songs and for most of them very low standard but then we do get "Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day" which is one of very favs of Tull`s and my most least fav Bungle In The Jungle Then we have Only Solitaire which is only under 2 minutes long but a wonderful ditty which really deserves a mention The album finish`s off with 2 more great songs The Third Hoorah and Two Fingers with the latter being another hidden Tull gem Maybe not a masterpiece and no way the worst of Tull`s but I do remember I did love it back in the day and I`ve enjoyed listening to it again it has been awhile.
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Post by Mr Kite on Mar 26, 2020 20:29:06 GMT
Retribution - Clark Hutchinson (1970) Via Spotify
Wow ! and all that I got a recon from the Spot and Wow !
Loved it , it`s a bit like early Fleetwood Mac on acid . Only 5 tracks on it and all quality except the last track which is what the white albums Revolution 9 does to the white album . The first track Free To Be Stoned is a gem and then we drop straight into After Hours which is a ten minute jam and has that feel of a track off George`s Apple Jam . Best Suit is another 10 minute track which is bonkers , but I loved it This barring that last track is a winner and I for one will be hammering it in the next few weeks as I`m on a lockdown apparently I`ve forked out for an album of his A=MH2 Expanded as this one oon Amazon is a bit steep !
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Post by Mr Kite on Mar 29, 2020 15:51:02 GMT
Yes reader !
Here is a thing , I`m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and I love all the Mac stuff , with a few exceptions One exception is "No Stevie " it`s not Mac So you can imagine my disdain when in the 90`s that even though Nick`s and Buckingham had done one , out came .
Time - Fleetwood Mac (1995) Via Spotify
Here we are then I thought I`d do the only Mac album I`ve never heard . Gone are the golden eggs of Lin n Ste In are David (hole in my shoe ) Mason and Delaney`s and Bonnie`s daughter Bekka Bramlett ( Nor me ) It has that 90`s AOR feel to it and the songs very coffee table and short and sweet and the musicianship is easy on the ear . It even feels like a Mac album with the harmony`s and nice little guitar licks thrown in The poor girl who has to take over from the Nicks makes the most of it, but not that much that has you taking much notice Our Chrissy is as good as ever , she seems to never really hit the heights like those wonderful songs of her`s in the 70`s but they are good little ditties and not having you reaching for that skip button ( I`m not allowed anyway ) The last track These Strange Times has Mick himself on vocals , very strange indeed It`s a safe album and I guess it payed the roof repairs on the Masons of our Macs , but you can hear that they really are missing the golden eggs and ironically the album has a chick breaking out of an egg . (No doubt a Penguin) God bless Mr. Bill Clinton who brought back the duo to the Mac for his Inauguration party . Stand Out Track Sooner Or Later ( Our Chrissy sounds like shes doin a tribute to Nicks n Bucks )
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 2, 2020 13:32:02 GMT
Caterpilla - Caterpilla (1971) Via You Tube
It`s that year again !
What a bonkers , crazy album this is . Think Prog Jazz Fusion with vocals of Nico of speed with touches of Gong , Crimson and hell of a lot of Sax played by Robert Calvert no less. Very extreme listening , but weirdly enjoyable . If any album should`nt be judged on one listen , this is it . The band went on to only record one more album after this . It seems that everything they had to offer was thrown into this album , but if your going to out , go out with a bang . Lets hope the meteor shower heading our way does`nt hit so I can go out and try and find a copy of this insane album . Stand Out Track Naked Death .
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 6, 2020 13:00:58 GMT
Hello ! I`d like to share a bit of waffle , and if anything would love some feedback on the subject But then again.. It`s Fleetwood Mac again , sorry . But this is more of a listening observation That saying it`s an album I havn`t really showed any respect to at the time it came out . It`s was just one of those albums that came out when I had that "They`ve done there best and this is a Roof over their head album" Which maybe so , but I now have the time to sit through the double album and give it a fair listen . Do you have any bands your into and adored so much and listened too until you knew all the lyrics and knew the albums backwards . But in the bands later years , just dismissed and to a point did`nt even buy ? I went through that with Paul McCartney Yes folks I never bought Driving Rain , Run Devil Run or even Kisses On The Bottom . I still hav`nt I think either it was down too.. Was it I had better things to spend my hard earned money on other things or albums that I was worth buying an album that I was sure I would get a better quality album than Macca singing Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive You now may be saying . "It`s a great album ! , how can you say your a Macca fan !" Or "I`m a completest , I have all of Macca`s albums and I buy then as I know they will be good as it`s Macca , for he is a Beatle and that`s all you need to know " Sounds a bit like religion doesn`t it ? Thought provoking is`nt it . Not only with Macca I used him as he`s very close to home as I was a besotted Macca fan even before I became a Beatle devotee, heck I even named my son after him . Heck I even own The Wedding album How often do you get that out to play John ? I think 1979 , maybe the last time . So my point is Have you bought an album , just for having sake or have you not bought an album as you thought it`s going to be naff as they peaked in 1977. Say You Will - Fleetwood Mac (2003) It`s Lindsey has come back album ! Yah ! It`s the Chrissy has had enough of the rock`n roll " life style and I`m not bothering so much I wont be writing any songs and I`m going to soon pack it in and never coming back album . "Never goin` back again " she might have sang on her way out ( A Mac in joke ) Aww ! I`m very grateful for this album as I got to see The Mac live again and I thought that would`nt happen again It really doe`s sound like a Bucks and Nicks album not that it`s a bad thing, the songs and there is a lot of them (18) seem very second rate as like the thing that went on once the Solo albums started to pop up with much better content Or it may have been a rushed album , and that`s maybe why we din`t get any McVie songs I dunno . It just did`nt hit the spot for me and weirdly enough not even the Nicks songs had me sitting up . But after Behind The Mask and Time albums without Bucks you think they would have pushed the bar a wee bit higher on this album . Shame . The Mac will always be a band that I have loved through the years from Albatross To Rhiannon If I had a girl instead of a boy , her name would have been Rhiannon if I`d won the toss . Big Mac fan , but not a completest . Stand Out Track Illume (9-11) 70
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Post by Amadeus on Apr 6, 2020 18:43:34 GMT
The Only Ringo album I have is Ringo. I only have George up to Material World. It wasn't hard to collect all of John's.
Macca's stuff I own up to Memory Almost Full. Yes I bought them because I'm a completist and just in case he came up with another knock out tune that might have enabled him to buy Kent. Sort of what Mull Of Kintyre did for him. But unfortunately he never did. He had some great songs, or what we optimistically called great songs but they never reached the heights we were used to him reaching.
But it's our age too. If a young gaffer for some reason got into Macca because of 'NEW' and loved it and worked his way back and discovered the gold after...… they'll feel differently. He'll look back on 'NEW' with fondness. It's like a guy I know that got into RUSH in the 80s and loves everything since 1985 but can't be bothered with the 'golden' age that we love.
Up to Grace Under Pressure I did stop getting RUSH albums because they didn't speak to me any more. But by Test For Echo I rediscovered them again. They're nothing like our golden age of RUSH but it's very good stuff taken at face value and stuff like Snakes and Arrows and Clock Work Angels are (in my mind) great even though it's not like the old days. I still can't listen with ease to the lost days of the mid 80s to the mid 90s.
Other groups I loved I just stopped buying, not because they sucked but because I needed to buy all the other stuff I accumulated and I'm older now and the 'old' group doesn't move me they way they used to.
It's a long topic to discuss. Almost philosophical maybe? Perhaps getting to the depths of mumbo jumbo before veering into mumbo pocus?
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 6, 2020 20:57:23 GMT
Nice one Amadeus !
Yes , it is a long topic indeed . I agree that as time goes by you do loose that "Love " and you do start to find that next band to give you that buzz again . I have spoken to younger Rush fans and they got into Rush with there 80`s albums and I honestly say I don`t think I would of loved Rush so much if that had happened .
Same with many other bands I guess most importantly Status Quo What the hell happened ! The 80`s I guess . It is a mind blower for sure . I will investigate more into albums that I have dismissed over the decades , listen to them and see if I can get that "Love " back Who knows I might even attempt Driving Rain . Laters
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Post by pothos on Apr 6, 2020 22:30:49 GMT
I think the only acts I have either all their LP's or nearly all (not counting new compilations and limited editions) are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Abba, all I can track down of Rory Storm and Kate Bush (all my vinyl is packed at the moment as I planned to move (obviously on hold) I am trying to recall if I have the Dreaming on CD I think I am missing Directors cut and 50 Words for Snow. I have no Beatles solo LP's but I have Coming Up and Starting Over. I was wanting the RobertPlants vinyl singles box set but waiting for that price to drop. I still have an immense fondness for all the records I won I have noticed that the 1980's productions have dated terribly. I am always after more Stevie Wonder, Bowie, Moby Grape, T Rex and The Pretenders. The problem I have is that not only do I still enjoy many contempory artists but I have also discovered the genius of older acts that worked before I was born (The Beatles)etc. If I had the imcome and the space I would have a large room dedicated to my records.
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 7, 2020 18:30:28 GMT
Nice one Pothos I know you have mentioned that you don`t own any Beatle Solo albums That really blows my mind . I was brought up with the wonderful sounds of Steve Have you heard the unearthed gem Think Of Me As Your Soldier , probably my fave of Mr Wonder .
2 new albums came today .
1st one is
I Am Moron - The Lovely Eggs (2020)
Where to start . Right.. Best thing is to give a bit of background ..
If there is ever a band that really is the underdog band of the century it`s the lovely Eggs . They put the Greggs on the crusine of the working class table like the Pound shops of the little northern towns of the west make the tatty souvenirs of the Blackpool sea front look like Marks n Sparks . They come from Lancaster and they really do sounds like they do . And you can not like them . It`s that Punk 3 minute smash and grab and lyrics you can learn and laugh along to in about 10 minutes . I watched their album launch on You Tube the other night which due to the situation we are in at the moment was the pair sat in their front room cracking the cans and playing a few albums along to answering questions . One question was to Dave "What did you have for tea ?" Beans on toast he replied . That sums up the album . No fills , no thrills and no sauce but it hits the spot . Stand Out Track Digital Hair . With lyrics like "Do Pigeons eat chicken ?"(sic) Is a winner in my book
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Post by pothos on Apr 7, 2020 22:38:59 GMT
Thay is a new track to me. I think Stevie is still an underated artist. Radcliffe and Maconie play him a lot. I justy realised I have John Lennons Legend CD so I do have a solo Lp.
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 8, 2020 8:43:20 GMT
Oooh a best of. Technically not a solo album Pothos
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 8, 2020 9:01:23 GMT
2nd new one .
A = MH 2 - Clark Hutchinson (1970)
My second foray into Mr Hutchinson and also we have Andy Clark Again it`s a Psychedelic , blues , jazz fusion and even a bit Indian scale thrown in one track and for the most of it instrumental . (I say most of it as by rights it is , but on the CD you get 8 bonus tracks which are not the Original, if you get my meaning ) Think Ummagumma and you have an idea of the album It`s late night listen for sure and I think after a few more plays I think I wont be too intense and I will relax and float along with it Stand Out Track Textures 3/4
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 10, 2020 19:18:45 GMT
And so we have yet another new release today . Postman Pat/tricia is on holiday but I got the download with the album . Song For Our Daughter - Laura Marling (2020) ( Download ) This album was`nt being released until September apparently but Laura decided to get it out earlier to raise the spirits I guess ! It raised mine I`ve been in full Marling mode for a few weeks now and so for to get yet another album listen too might have come a bit to soon But hell no ! As you know I go off the 1st listen unless noted and this seriously had me thinking I`ve been listening to it forever Maybe her best ? I think it has the potential to be , but it`s hard to say on 1st listen Mostly acoustic and a wee bit of piano , it`s very subtle but perfectly balanced in her unique voice and song writing . It`s absolutely wonderful . Enough said . Stand Out Track Fortune . 67
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 13, 2020 12:39:04 GMT
Ananda Shankar - Ananda Shanker ( 1970 ) Via You Tube
Ravi`s nephew . It`s a combo of western instruments and Sitar . With 2 covers of Jumping Jack Flash and Light My Fire It was OK , I guess listening to it in the afternoon really was`nt the time , more or a late night chill out I suppose. Not much else I can say about it really, I almost dismissed it worthy of the experiment , but won or lose it`s still a album listen . Stand Out Track Metamorphosis
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 14, 2020 8:25:13 GMT
The Best Band In The Land - C.C.S. (1973) Via You Tube
This band must have popped up in Pop trivia for decades as they did there version of Zep`s Whole Lotta Love and it was the theme for Top Of The Pops . And Alexis Korner with his Jazz and rock blues takes on my standard rock covers and this was record at Abbey Rd . This is a really a foot tapper and I Weirdly enjoyed it considering it`s not my cup of tea music 80% of the tracks are covers and they all work except Lola , that did`nt really work for me , but Sunshine Of Your Love ! Very much like Whole Lotta Love vain . Yep a funky record and it really has that 70`s vibe all over it . Stand Out Track Wild Witch Lady ( A Donovan cover )
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Post by pothos on Apr 14, 2020 11:13:04 GMT
As a kid I always thought that the CCS had written Whole Lotta Love and still have affection for their version as like you mentioned it was the Top of the Pops themes for years.
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Post by Mr Kite on Apr 23, 2020 19:01:36 GMT
Crisis What Crisis - Supertramp (1975)
I love Supertramp
And if you read my review on Crime Of The Century a while ago you`ll be saying
" Jesus that man loves Supertramp !"
So Yeh . Now this album My God and his talking Donkey this is a very underrated
It starts off bouncing ! Easy Does It and Sister Moonshine What a way to open a album , two short but top tracks . They perfectly slip into each other , I`ve always thought these two songs really are the very best of the Tramp
I`ll be back Laura is on live
Aint Nobody But Me What a track again , with what sounds like the Mike is sat on the Piano keys , very heavy man Again a track that is just a perfect singalong stonker It fact this is the beauty of the first side everyone is a great singalong , well I do
Soapbox Opera I here only what I want to hear . I here again a top tune Lady again a cracking stomping tune Poor Boy a slow of pace and that`s how the album pans out But it`s a 9 out of 10 for sure I love it .
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Post by Mr Kite on May 3, 2020 17:12:46 GMT
Are You Experienced - The Jimi Hendrix Hendrix Experience 1967 .
People like to point out the day Rock was invented . Some say The Kinks and some the day his Bobness plugged in and called for his band to F***kin Turn Up ! But I have to go with this Masterpiece in May 1967 1967 . What a year that was And this album is for me the birth of Rock . I heard this in and round about late 1978 and it blew my socks off 11 years on from it`s release and it still had you in awe . Every track is note worthy and I wont bore you with the whole shebang But there is for me 2 tracks that really make you smell those Marshall`s Red House Heaven is this track , the birth of Blues Rock ? The Yardbird`s maybe had been ahead on that score , but this track kinda makes them look like a pop group . Then we have the final and album title track Are You Experienced Just incredible how this song with along with Tomorrow Never Knows came out around the middle of the 60`s 'not necessarily stoned, but beautiful' sang Jimi That kinda summed up the album . Sad that he was`nt around to get into the 70`s but he left us with so many great albums and for me he is the trilogy The Beatles , Bob Dylan , Jimi Hendrix They left us Music in the 60`s that will never be equaled let alone surpassed in one decade I really think this album should get the respect it deserves . Stand Out Track Pick any .
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