Your last listen

[CN211276]

Blackberry Smoke - The Whipoorwill

[NSNO2021]

In no particular order, all on vinyl.
Tracy Chapman
Johnathan Butler
Sade
Stones
Paul Simon

[CN211276]

Porcupine Tree - Stars Die

[Grumpytim]

Love 'Forever Changes' (1967)



Love 'Forever Changes Concert' (2003)



The autobiographies of the Doors members threw up a couple of bands active in the 60's California scene and one of them is Love. A multi-racial (very unusual at the time) rock group who were highly influential back then.

Their masterpiece was the third album 'Love Forever Changes' which I am discovering anew. Had a cassette of this that I fished out of a Sale bin as a teenager, finding it an odd and complex listen.
Coming back to it with a fresh view of the period and background, it suddenly makes sense! After 40+ years I can finally appreciate what is going on here.

In 2003, singer Arthur Lee performed the entire record on stage in London with a new band. This recording is fresh and vital, bringing a new perspective to the original vision.

Next up - Jefferson Airplane.

[Grumpytim]

To be honest I think that their first three were an excellent run of LP's that easily equal the Doors first (or any) three LP's. Live in England 1970 is also worth checking out.

As for the Airplane, another great band that's often overlooked - though the less said about a certain Spaceship the better.

[CN211276]

UFO - Obsession

[Fretless]

Jefferson Airplane
'After Bathing at Baxter's'
'Crown of Creation'
'Volunteers'

This band have been stuck on my 'To be investigated' list for many years and I'm making a start with these late 60's albums.

Excellent musicianship, adventurous production, great songs and occasional weirdness-trips into the psychedelic netherverse. All making for addictive listening.

This has whetted my appetite and discs from related acts Kantner/Slick, Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship are on the way.

[TheRealAleman]

Dire straits - Dire straits
Communiqué - Dire straits
Making movies - ... You get the picture

I picked up a new unopened copy of "The studio albums 78-91" from discogs, having missed out on a used copy on Eil ... Not just reissued, but remixed from the original master tapes. While bringing Knopfler more to the fore, they are pretty faithful. And just jaw dropping musically. Knopfler's tone is just so pure, and it's clear when he or David are hybrid picking, or finger picking, rather than using a plectrum. Soundstage is amazing, instruments placed well, and separated so following along to lead/rhythm/ bass guitars is effortless. Great if you are trying to work out how to play the song.

I stumbled across NVA on a Facebook post from Paul, some time ago, and when the opportunity arose to give them a try, I jumped at it.

Je ne regret rein!!

Well apart from the cost of buying all the vinyl I couldn't afford as a student

[CN211276]

Genesis 'Transmission Impossible' (2020)



Looking forward to the forthcoming box-set of Genesis concerts I came across this 3CD collection of radio broadcasts which is rather fun.

Disc 1 is from the 1977 Wind & Wuthering tour with Hackett's guitar fully realised (they mixed him out of Seconds Out after he announced he was leaving). Unusual track is 'Inside and Out' from the 'Spot the Pigeon' EP.

Disc 2. 1976, Hammersmith Odeon on Trick of the Tail tour. The first major outing with Phil Collins as frontman. Bill Bruford stepped in to help out on drums to give Collins the confidence to concentrate on singing. Very interesting to hear this lineup but BB's style didn't really match and he moved on to his own solo career.

Disc 3: early BBC radio sessions that show the progression from wide-eyed schoolboys (the Jonathan-King-produced first album) to a seasoned band on their third album 'Nursery Cryme' with Hackett and Collins.
Fascinating.

Sound is overall pretty good and Collins' between-song banter is hilarious

[CN211276]

Ozzy Osbourne - Patient number nine