Friday random Blerts
- That's The Way from the album "BBC Sessions (Disc2) [Live]" by Led Zeppelin Plant and Page keep pulling crap out of the tape bin to release, but this is actually pretty good. A batch of recordings from the Beeb, from the days before Zep was Most Overplayed and songs referring to Tolkien got way old, the band is still fresh and vital and Page was still mostly in control of his habits and totally in control of his talent. The crowds are small, so there's no overbearing crowd noise, especially for one of the quieter songs like this one. Oh, and Plant was keeping that screeching to a minimum.
- Guns of Brixton from the album "Live: From Here to Eternity" by The Clash
- How Much Is Enough? from the album "Suffer" by Bad Religion
- Final Hurrah from the album "Suicaine Gratification" by Paul Westerberg Westerberg has been slowly climbing back from breaking up the Replacements. Since the split, I don't think he's ever reached the shambolic genius of records like Tim and Pleased to Meet Me, although he's gotten close with the first batch of Grandpaboy material. A friend of mine once said of Pete Townshend "We oughta send him a bottle of cognac" after expressing disappointment at his solo material; I wonder if leaving behind his hard-drinking ways has also had that kind of effect on Westerberg? Not that I want him to resume drinking, of course, cuz he could die like Stinson; but maybe he needs to find an alternative way to find that muse...
- Darktown Riot from the album "Darktown" by Steve Hackett Hackett has such an unusual approach to guitar. Parts of this album make me feel like his loss was far more devastating to Genesis than Gabriel's.
- If You Intend from the album "Our Time in Eden" by 10,000 Maniacs Hippy-trippy jazzy pop. what the hell, I like it.
- Shakin' Mad Baby from the album "Ladies and Gentlemen..." by The Gentlemen Side project from a member of the illustrious, ever-touring Figgs.
- The Analog Kid from the album "Signals" by Rush Nothing wrong with a little Rush on a weekend. Zelmo gives me crap all the time, but he was the one who went to the last show.
- This Time Darlin' from the album "Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell" by Social Distortion
- Come On (Live) from the album "I'm the Man" by Joe Jackson
- Many Rivers To Cross from the album "Labour Of Love" by UB40
Robyn Hitchcock tonight.
Speaking of Rob't Plant:
ReplyDeleteI generally don't give a crap what anyone thinks about my choice in music. It's varied. Some choices more evolved than others, but still, I feel if it strikes something in me, who cares.
But... so far I'm really enjoying the Alison Kraus/Robert Plant duets and find myself feeling sheepish. Why? Why Dr. Pilgrim? I ask, why?
I forgot to add, there's ALWAYS something wrong with Rush.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely nothing wrong with Rush. At their best they've made some great songs, at their worst, they make mediocre pop music that's a bit too heavy on percussion. Which pretty much sums up their last concert. At its best (Limelight, Witch Hunt) it was an extraordinary experience rivaling better concerts. At its worst, the sound levels were too high, the music blurred together into a sort of generic Rush song.
ReplyDeleteTangentially-- Undertow just came on my computer. My god, what a fine song! Right up there with Afterglow and Ripples for the best of Genesis' slower ballads. Possibly their best lyrics too-- a really, really, really underrated song. The boys at their very, very best.
Though I do not despise Hold On My Heart as much as most others here do, I would say Undertow would be a massive upgrade over HOMH.
Oh spooky. Afterglow followed it. If Ripples comes up next...
yep. Might have to ban Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteI've always had a soft spot for Rush, back from my high school metal head days. It was the first Rock concert my wife ever saw, which is just an amazing high point to start with, lasers and all.
I took a long time to warm up to And Then There Were Three, but I agree with you. Really fine, understated work all around, which I find to be very similar to Calling All Stations. It's like the loss of a member made them pull within their comfort zones and really finesse the details.
I'd say, though, if you saw how HOMH choked down the live show, you might change your opinion....
I'm sorry, but Geddy Lee sounded like he was the result of a union between a goat and a helium canister.
ReplyDeleteI will admit, I have not listened to much so I am probably not giving them a fair shake, but hey... it's a free country... or was.
I wasn't much of a Rush fan until I heard "La Villa Strangiato" off of Exit Stage Left. The guitar work on that is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGeddy is tough to listen to and the lyrics always seem to grate on me. Even with those complaints, they're still a great band.
Well, I spent all last night with a bunch of helium canisters and several goats and....
ReplyDeleteWell let's just say that they DON'T sound like Geddy.
Let's also say there's a helluva mess to clean up.
RF, Rush's mst recent work his voice has backed down to human range, and the lyrics have become a lot less nerdy, more immediate and personal. I guess having your entire family die will do that to a lyricist.