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Can 'Live in Stuttgart 1975' (2021)



... and then I find myself in a CAN phase, now searching out various oddities that I've not yet heard. Recently several full-concert recordings have been officially issued by the band, these were recorded illicitly at first but 'the fan with the tape recorder' soon became a friend of the band and was allowed to set his equipment up beside the sound-desk. These recordings have existed for decades as bootlegs but some have been professionally polished and remastered under the watchful eye of keyboardist Irmin Schmidt.

Stuttgart 75 is a double CD containing five long jams roughly in the style of 'Future Days' and 'Babaluma' (even though they were touring to promote 'Landed'), so it comprises of extended pieces that rise and fall from ambient spaces to funky get-downs. As very little live-work was ever put out by them, this is a terrific way to hear the majestic CAN at their exploratory best - unfettered and on-stage.

Dio - Holy Diver

Neneh Cherry - Homebrew

Yes - Mirror to the sky

Think I prefer it to The Quest

Bauhaus '5 Albums' (2013)



Like Japan, Bauhaus were a band that regularly crossed my path but failed to get any serious attention - except for their version of 'Ziggy Stardust' which was brilliant!

Currently I am digging through a vein of mutant pop from the likes of CAN, North Atlantic Oscillation and Mansun; Bauhaus seemed to fit in - and they do.

This box contains the first 4 albums and a singles collection - pretty well all that the original incarnation released: 'In the Flat Field', 'Mask', 'The Sky's Gone Out' and 'Burning From the Inside'.

To my surprise, Bauhaus turn out to be an adventurous bunch of talented musicians who explore genres and styles but retain a distinct identity despite the wildness of their experimentation.

Really rather stunning.

Status Quo - If you can't stand the heat

Having been out last night (playing D&D, not in the pub), I'm now listening to the BBC Sounds replay of "Late Junction" from Radio 3.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m5c4

A pretty eclectic mix of new sounds from Japan. . . .

Rival Sons - Darkfighter

Quite impressed on first hearing.

The Damned 'Strawberries' (1982)



Following a trail of late-70's and early 80's Post-Punk / New Wave bands, another half-remembered album from way back when drifts past as a cut-price CD reissue. My mental archive had this down as 'a good, fun listen' and a renewed acquaintance does not disappoint.

'Strawberries' tears along at breakneck speed through so many genres and styles that you just lose count. The sense of enjoyment doesn't let up for a second and the musicianship is surprising and exemplary.

A blast!