This week’s records around here:
Elton John ‘Regimental Sgt Zippo’ - I’ve only just caught up with this. Why it was left in the can for fifty-odd years is a mystery. It’s a joy, drenched in the same psych pop pool in which The Hollies dipped their toes. Cool sleeve too. If I still prefer ‘Empty Sky’, it’s only because that record sounds more like the Reg I’d come to know and love thereafter, though the perfect baroque pop of ‘Tartan Coloured Lady’ could’ve easily fitted on either set;
Sleaford Mods ‘UK Grim’ - such fun. Or is it? I find myself strangely moved by this, anger and all;
Derek and the Dominos ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs’ - I’m of the opinion that, for all his substance problems, Eric Clapton was never more artistically productive than in 1970. If forced to keep only his self titled solo debut and this tremendous double album I’d still be a happy man;
Squackett ‘A Life Within A Day’ - sounding exactly like you’d expect a collaboration between Chris Squire and Steve Hackett to sound like, which is a record that could’ve been made at any point in the last forty years. Which isn’t meant as a negative criticism. A couple of bland clunkers aside, there’s some fine writing here and - inevitably - world class musicianship. Vocals are a bit weak, and the 80s “big” drums well outre for a record made only eleven years ago, but I can put up with them. What a shame that Squire’s death put this project to premature end: it’s far more satisfying than anything Yes have put out since their 70s pomp;
Motorhead ‘Overkill’ - what a horrible melee of distorted guitar, trebley bass, clashy drums and gutteral vocals. Appalling. Never liked it. More please;
Marillion ‘Seasons End’ - for ‘Easter’, natch - but the rest of the album’s not bad either;
The Human League ‘Dare’ - hadn’t played this in decades. Hadn’t missed much either;
Tim Buckley ‘Greetings From L.A.’ - beneath Buckley’s seedy and lascivious sentiments lie some stellar grooves, all topped off with the great man’s inimitable voice;
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band ‘Gorilla’ - this is more like it. Pure musical fun with more than a little subtlety thrown in;
Metallica ‘72 Seasons’ & ‘If Darkness Had A Son’ - these tasters from Metallica’s upcoming album promise much to fans (like me) of their early records, to which they bear an enticing similarity. I might be tempted to invest. In the meantime:
Metallica ‘Damage Inc.’ - gotta be the baddest, rawest covers album in rock history. Most of these readings blow the originals out of the water. But not those of:
Discharge ‘Why’ - there may be more extreme punk records out there than this, but this is where I go to blot out the world. Horrific disturbing visions of war fill my head;
Various ‘Dance Craze’ - nice to see this back in the racks again four decades on. It’s amazing how fresh and exciting these 2 Tone (and related) bands still sound here;
John Surman ‘The Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon’ - as is often the case with Surman, the titles and/or concept behind his music rarely add to its appreciation. No matter. All that really needs to be said is that this unique combination of baritone sax, synths and drums makes for a very satisfying listen;
Arild Andersen ‘Lifelines’ - fab 1980 date with a one-off quartet featuring Kenny Wheeler, Paul Motian and Steve Dobrogosz. The last named’s ‘Prelude’ is particularly lovely;
Gombert: Four & Five Part Motets (Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice) - the polar opposite of Lemmy (see above*) yet every bit as involving, to my warped senses anyway;
Bach: Cantata ‘Christ lag in Todesbanden’, BWV 4 (Munich Bach Choir & Orch/Karl Richter) - rousing cantata for Easter Sunday with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau shining in its central bass aria. Wonderful, if you like this sort of thing;
Haydn: String Quartets, Op.33 (Festetics Quartet) - I’m up to the six works of Op.33 in the Festetics’ Haydn quartet box and remain in awe of the ensemble’s vitality and artistry. At £57 for the lot, this is proving one of the bargains of the century for me;
Weber: Clarinet Concerto (Leister/BPO/Kubelik) - relatively neglected clarinet showcase with an appealingly classical feel;
Bax: Tone Poem ‘Tintagel’ (RSNO/Lloyd-Jones) - Bax’s most endearing orchestral score with all colours intact in this excellent Naxos recording;
Liszt: Symphonic Poem ‘Tasso’ (Hungarian SO/Ferencsik) - tremendously exciting music given a suitably powerful reading;
Beethoven: Symphony no.5 (Staatskapelle Dresden/Kempe) - a contemplative, rather than powerful, interpretation - but well worth hearing;
Beethoven: Symphony no.3 ‘Eroica’ & King Stephen Overture (Beethoven Orch Bonn/Blunier) - straight, satisfying take on one of Beethoven’s first true masterpieces. The overture’s not half bad either;
Dvorak: Symphony no.8 (Columbia SO/Walter) - one of dear old Bruno’s finest recordings from his Indian summer in the studio.
Ain’t no feeble bastard no fucking scapecoat.
Love to all
Dave x
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