obligatory music thread

Phenomenal thread!! Like Karl I'm really digging some 'Smooth Jazz' at the moment. David Sanborn is always never far away from my bedside especially when me and the missus have had a few daquaris on a Saturday night. I am also partial to a bit of the old Marcus Miller, but then again we all are. I love a long deep slow sax solo that melts like plain chocolate on a sweaty back in a 'Miami Vice' kind of way if you get my crazy drift. Yup, that's what smooth Jazz is all about, Bournville baby Bournville. I love it because its real man's music and a soundtrack for seduction. Gaunty

Hot damn karl. 12 minutes behind you and I am already three posts down, unless some bastard beats me. Sorry. I was lost in another thread. Ice, such majorly bonza music you bring to mind. Mr Ice mentioned the Velvets and it recalls a seminal moment for me: when I heard them at their first release, they were something like nothing before. They have never lost that for me. Venus in Furz.

Bastard Gaunty beat me.

Chant - The Strokes album is not all it's cracked up to be and as my bank balance nears zero I am v.annoyed with sucha shite album. Though, I like your other choices of musical therapy. Mr.Gardiner - Oh it seems so long ago that I spoke to you in the Asylum - and then they let us out...the fools :-) I mentioned John Prine. Anyway, as I have spent nearly £200 this week on cd's I have strong opinions on my music. But here are some albums I bought and/or listened to : Little Shop of horrors soundtrack Bootleg of 1969 gig in Sydney - Bob Dylan Dinosaur jnr album Sattelite - Flaming Lips Anthology - John Prine Death to The Pixies - Pixies The Doggfather - Snoop Doggy Dogg Whatever and ever, Amen - Ben Folds Five Regeneration - The Divine Comedy Central Reservation - Beth Orton Sounds of Science - Beastie Boys Let it come Down - Spiritulized Harvest - Neil Young Supergrass - Supergrass Bachelor #2 - Aimee Mann 18 - Molby International Superhits - Green Day. Best of - Buffalo Springfield. Now is that enough for you?

I am late to the whole 'Neil Young' genius thing as well as to the, ' pixies rule fanclub.' After buying 'Harvest' by Mr.Young and 'Death to the pixies', I am now in the Young and Pixie club. Got both for £12 in HMV sale. Also bought Moby's '18' and was a tad disappointed with it. Though check out The White Stripes, Doves and Hives. Stellar stuff. Thought the Strokes' album was utter shite. I love Bowie and would like to buy more Bowie as I only got his double album entitled, ' Singles,' but was looking at his sessions at the bbc cd and was becoming tempted. Why are there so many Heathen's in rock these days? I mean the title and not actual heathens as all rock and rollers are heathens in my book - whoops turned into my grand parents. Will report back with more album buying. Oh yeah- anyone heard the latest Oasis, Eminem, Idlewild albums? Or to make me really happy - anyone heard when Beth Orton's newie album is to be released?

missi - bob who? ;o) spag.... am quite a fan of Molby myself...

Stevo, let me tell you that the Velvet's rock the frigging house. When I heard that album with that sex-mad bitch, with the Warhol banana on the cover, I was blasted into space and have never come down since. Was truly awesome but have to say that they did a couple of dodgy albums like 'Loaded' and ' Train comes 'round the bend.' I am more into folk/country music like Kris Kristofferson or Townes Van Zandt or the great John Prine. But a band I have gotten into big time over the last year or so are Ben Folds Five. Get the brilliant, 'For ever and ever, Amen.' It rocks.

How often do we buy CDs? Every week? When ever we see one by an artiste or band we like? On recommendation? Is it better to get one expensive album as opposed to say four cheap ones from back catalogue?

Lower your eyebrow and take that look of innocence off your face sweetheart, you know very well who I'm referring to. Go and listen to 'Ballad in Plain G', in fact listen to the whole damned album! If you need a little guidance Tom will be glad to oblige I'm sure.

Ballad in Plain D by Bob Dylan I once loved a girl, her skin it was bronze. With the innocence of a lamb, she was gentle like a fawn. I courted her proudly but now she is gone, Gone as the season she's taken. Through young summer's breeze, I stole her away From her mother and sister, though close did they stay. Each one of them suffering from the failures of their day, With strings of guilt they tried hard to guide us. Of the two sisters, I loved the young. With sensitive instincts, she was the creative one. The constant scapegoat, she was easily undone By the jealousy of others around her. For her parasite sister, I had no respect, Bound by her boredom, her pride to protect. Countless visions of the other she'd reflect As a crutch for her scenes and her society. Myself, for what I did, I cannot be excused, The changes I was going through can't even be used, For the lies that I told her in hopes not to lose The could-be dream-lover of my lifetime. With unknown consciousness, I possessed in my grip A magnificent mantelpiece, though its heart being chipped, Noticing not that I'd already slipped To a sin of love's false security. From silhouetted anger to manufactured peace, Answers of emptiness, voice vacancies, Till the tombstones of damage read me no questions but, "Please, What's wrong and what's exactly the matter?" And so it did happen like it could have been foreseen, The timeless explosion of fantasy's dream. At the peak of the night, the king and the queen Tumbled all down into pieces. "The tragic figure!" her sister did shout, "Leave her alone, God damn you, get out!" And I in my armor, turning about And nailing her to the ruins of her pettiness. Beneath a bare light bulb the plaster did pound Her sister and I in a screaming battleground. And she in between, the victim of sound, Soon shattered as a child 'neath her shadows. All is gone, all is gone, admit it, take flight. I gagged twice, doubled, tears blinding my sight. My mind it was mangled, I ran into the night Leaving all of love's ashes behind me. The wind knocks my window, the room it is wet. The words to say I'm sorry, I haven't found yet. I think of her often and hope whoever she's met Will be fully aware of how precious she is. Ah, my friends from the prison, they ask unto me, "How good, how good does it feel to be free?" And I answer them most mysteriously, "Are birds free from the chains of the skyway?"

I've sort of been wallowing in popular classic rock and never really shifted into the alternate bands. (I can already sense many disapproving nods!) Though, I can already say I'm sick of Billy Joel (he's only written maybe 5 songs I ultimately like), anything Post-Beatles McCartney (maybe that's because I just keep hearing them where I work), Styx (which I used to like quite a lot), and Queen (which at one time fell just below The Beatles and Andrew Lloyd Webber as my favorite musicians). Currently, I am working on getting all of Bowie's albums (I have ten so far, not including Heathen) and the older Kinks albums. I've also had a rekindling interest (from a long time ago) with classical music -- my favorite right now being Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Beethoven's 9th, Beethoven's 7th (2nd movement), and Mozart's Requiem. What's even more great about them is they're half of what you'd pay for Bowie! I can't get myself involved in bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, or Aerosmith. I never listen to my Eurythmics, The Smiths, or The Midnight Oil albums (good songs -- but that VOICE!) I wish I could be more enthusiastic about Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and Led Zepplin (I'm probably the only person who doesn't particularly care for "Stairway to Heaven" -- I always skip that track half way through). I like their music when listening, but I never crave it. Right now, I've been listening to David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, Scary Monsters, and The Man Who Sold the World, George Harrison's All Things Must Past, the Soundtracks from Chess and the West Side Story, the BeeGee's Odessa (getting sick of it recently, though, except for the title track among some others), The Kink's Arthur and The Village Green Preservation Society, and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique (more frequently than I would have thought).

Over the last few days: Come Away With Me - Norah Jones Missouri Skies - Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden Whisper Not - Keith Jarrett Sailing Shoes - Little Feat Wander The World - Jonny Lang Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan. Pink Moon - Nick Drake

I just ordered the Andy Warhol album (the first one) for a friend. Its really good stuff. I was reading somewhere that some critics rated them like an "Alternative Beatles" which is to say they experimented.... My favourite track from that album is "Sunday Morning", but there are a lots of other really good tracks on the Deluxe edition which is what I ordered. *** Ralph: The Jam were an inspiration to me, especially their first two albums. So much of my teenage life was reflected in their music, like when Going Underground went straight in at Number One it was quite incredible. I saw them in Westcliff in 82.

david bowie is a wonderful raconteur - he should have his own chat show. I could listen to him for hours. My friend, Yolanda, says 'he can leave his shoes under my bed any day'.

It was birthday time yesterday! Hurrah! Jolly nice people gave me: (1) The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots listened to it once so far - absolutely fantastic - storming (2) Lambchop - Nixon (3) Turin Brakes - The Optimist LP not had chance to listen to either but today's the day!

whoa, hang on a minute, Heathen's excellent. *books Stephen into a home for the musically challenged, after having burned his collection of Val Doonican records.* and the Strokes album is excellent too, Spags. *shakes head sadly. shades of old grandpa Spags in that appreciation failure.*

Now come on - a little off-topic I can take, but there can never, never be an excuse for quoting Bob Dylan lyrics. My question remains - has music come out of a trough recently, possibly a recovery generated by the Strokes (I don't like them, but their success does seem to have prompted A&R men to look at more interesting and diverse stuff), or was I just out of touch and things are no more exciting this year than they have been recently? In short, I wanted to discuss modern music, not the 'classics'. Not getting into the row about whether modern music is better or worse than older music, but I do tend to feel that we go through very dull periods, then one or two bands come along, shake things up and a lot of fresh good stuff appears as a result. Now, I could be wrong and it was just that as I can't stand dance and r&b, the last four years have just sucked for me but been great for other people. (And Liana - I bow to your knowledge of Jan Molby, but 18 was an alarmingly sucky album. Indulgent, dull and plodding. Maybe if John Aldridge had helped him out with some of the rapping it could have been improved. )

The car battery drained on Monday night, and though I've recharged it. the security lock on the stereo has kicked in, so I've been driving around listening to NOTHING for 3 days. I can't stand it much longer *twitches*

*relieved to find out Mr Gardenia appears to be as uninformed as I* 'Who are those guys?' *Listens to 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' for the 5000 time*

Heathen is brilliant. i almost wept when i heard it and realised that the old geezer has still definitely got *it* red hot chilis by the way, cos i just bought it, and i always play stuff to death in the first week i buy it Doves 'lost souls' because it is still way better than 'last resort' tom, pink moon is one of my favourite *cheer me up* songs.. anything trying too hard to be soulful and sexy can feck off. urgh..

catch me if you can cos i'm an england man - certainly beats And nailing her to the ruins of her pettiness as far as modern rock goes, the strokes may very well have shaken things up a little, but only so far as in new bands are coming out pre packaged as blondie and the mc5 instead of the velvet underground or vaselines. for an example just look at the von bondies and their imminent success. rock still needs a kick in the @!#$ so that something a bit fresher emerges, and i don't mean genre copyists. the freshest thing i've heard in ages is the coral's "skeleton key" which is a bit deranged in a pirates play the fall way, but very listenable and a little exciting too. also promising recently are the reindeer section despite the new album being a little below their first release. as usual, constellation records have the best alternative rock artists in silver mount zion, pan am and one speed bike, but given a couple of years they will go the same way as matador and kill rock stars. electronic music is the only thing that can arouse any interest in me any more, and although the chemical brothers have lost their way in the last few years, new order had an ok album out which should pave the way for a goodie when they get to grips with the new technology and how to f*&* it up. primal scream have a new single out "miss lucifer" which is miles better than anything out at the moment, despite being their weakest single since 97. the last album exterminator is probably the finest rock album of the decade so far, but we're still hoping that they haven't grown complacent. i haven't heard the new flamies album, but i'm hoping it's a lot better than the ridiculously overrated soft bulletin. still waiting on the new beasties album...

Heathen is fabulous - I am much obliged to Liana for that one! :) I could cry at the amount of money I've spent on CDs so far this month. Hard Candy by Counting Crows - as superb as ever, but not a single "Mr Jones" type song, which is a shame. Shenanigans by Greenday - B-sides one and all, and a good CD for diehard Greenday fans, but otherwise probably just confusing. Kick by INXS - It has "Mystify" on it, nuff said! Siamese Dream and Machina by the Smashing Pumpkins - so beautiful it makes me almost sad. Jimmy Eat World by Jimmy Eat World - every song a little gem. Rain of a Thousand Flames by Rhapsody - eheheheh, nobody will understand... Queen of the Ocean by Lana Lane - ohmygodWOW Right now I'm listening to I Love 90s, for my regular dose of "my god, pop music was so much better in the early 90s" feeling. Also very fond of the Jam right now.

Apologies to all Bowiephiles. It was always a risk for me to buy one of his records after thirty odd years of disliking his music, but I think last night I was in a particularly arch mood. I don't like picking favourite bands but there's one that will always have a special place for me, mentioned above by Tom, and that's Little Feat. They made some stunning records and seeing them live astounded me how tight a musically complex band could be on stage. Especially considering what Lowell was doing to himself in the dressing room. Ah... and who said John Prine. Sweet man. Now, where's my Val Doonican records, slippers and cardie?

From Time Loves a Hero by Little Feat Old Folks Boogie -- Paul Barrere, Gabriel Paul Barrere Off our rockers, actin' crazy With the right medication we won't be lazy Doin' the old folks boogie Down on the farm Wheelchairs, they was locked arm in arm Paired off pacemakers with matchin' alarms Gives us jus' one more chance To spin one more yarn And you know that you're over the hill When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill Doin' the old folks boogie And boogie we will 'Cause to us the thought's as good as a thrill Back at the home, No time is your own, Facillities there, they're all out on loan The bank forclose, and your bankruptcy shows And your credit creeps to an all-time low So you know, that you're over the hill When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill Try and get a rise from an atrophied muscle, And the nerves in your thigh just quivers and fizzles So you know, that you're over the hill When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill

Have to bow out then, Andrew. Don't know anything about "modern" music. Of course, as an oldster I'd have to say I don't hear much that's modern in what's going on nowadays. It all sounds like more of the same to me, and not in a good way. Limp versions of the Stones, half-hearted Beatles, Doors tribute bands. You should be so lucky to have a Dylan of your own. Every generation must have its own heroes, but if the music of today continues to be so backward looking I can't see any reason not to remind people of where the ideas originated. I wonder what albums the Strokes listen to? Where the dance groups get their samples? There are people of all ages on ABC. Are we to be disallowed from commenting?

Things Behind the Sun from Pink Moon by Nick Drake Please beware of them that stare They'll only smile to see you while Your time away And once you've seen what they have been To win the earth just won't seem worth Your night or your day Who'll hear what I say. Look around you find the ground Is not so far from where you are But not too wise For down below they never grow They're always tired and charms are hired From out of their eyes Never surprise. Take your time and you'll be fine And say a prayer for people there Who live on the floor And if you see what's meant to be Don't name the day or try to say It happened before. Don't be shy you learn to fly And see the sun when day is done If only you see Just what you are beneath a star That came to stay one rainy day In autumn for free Yes, be what you'll be. Please beware of them that stare They'll only smile to see you while Your time away And once you've seen what they have been To win the earth just won't seem worth Your night or your day Who'll hear what I say. Open up the broken cup Let goodly sin and sunshine in Yes that's today. And open wide the hymns you hide You find reknown while people frown At things that you say But say what you'll say About the farmers and the fun And the things behind the sun And the people round your head Who say everything's been said And the movement in your brain Sends you out into the rain.

18 - pure genius. sorry.

I think diverse musical taste is the only way to go for music lovers. I agree with packs about 18- was disappointed with it. Nothing like 'Play' at all. I like the oldies like Dylan, Floyd etc. But like newbie stuff as well. I think that there has been no influx of great new music. There are still the same old bands like Oasis and the stereophonics etc. I think we got a few new great bands but nothing to make me have faith in music in the new millenium.

Go on Tom, you tell him!

of course '18' wasnt 'play' how cheated would you have felt had it been similar? it was music from a man who is constantly ever changing... his work is always astonishingly good. as for the criticism of it being 'self indulgant' - well, ive thought about this for a while, and im sorry, i cant see what on earth that really means? for any artist, and i mean writers, artists, musicians, surely the point of it all is to write/compose/paint pictures/play music that comes from yourself... so therefore it ALL has to be self indulgant? or am i missing the entire point??

The Jam's first four albums show the development from a pub/punk band into an accomplished group capable of appealing to all sorts of people. The Clash - their first three albums follow a similar path, and of the three perhaps London Calling is best known, although The Clash is legendary. *** I admit that for a while I couldnt listen to early Jam, in fact any Jam at all, as it brought back bad memories, but now, I can appreciate once again the sound of my favourite band. *** You also have to appreciate that some people have never heard any Velevet Underground and to them its a new experience hearing it for the first time. :)

Went to the Respect Festival in Victoria Parkin London today. It was a beautiful day with a really friendly vibe. It was a throwback to the 'Rock Against Racism' concerts of the eighties. Mayor Ken spoke with passion and was well recieved even if the trains were fucked up this week because of him and his ball kicking. De La Soul headlined and gave a cracking version of 'Me, Myself and I'. They did not know it of course but they performed it for me, and for me only, such is my happiness these days. The daisy age lives on. Ralph

Heathen is poor in my opinion. He should pack it in really. I remember all the fuss about 'Tin Machine', everyone raved about it at the time and then realised it was rubbish when he tried to con a generation with his agit-pop videos that went with the record. I doubt very much if any of you will pay any attention to it in six months time. His last great record was of course 'Lodger'. I saw him on the 'Glass Spider Tour', he was appalling, mind you he did have Rick Wakeman in the band with him. Truly awful album. Iceman, I was at that gig at Westcliff as well, it was a warm up for 'The Gift' I think. Splendid. 'How do you feel at the end of the day? Just like you walked over your own grave?' (Ghosts) Paul Weller, the greatest English songwriter since Ray Davis. Ralph

'Scary Monsters' is pretty good, so was 'The Buddah of Suburbia Soundtrack' and 'Outside'. So it's The Man who sold the world to Scary Monsters, with a tiny blip earl to mid ninties.

Nick Drake, now we are talking. The song 'Solid Air' by John Martyn is about Nick Drake. My fave song of his is 'Northern Sky' from the 'Bryter Layter' album. The 'Pink Moon' album is so forboding and sad. Nice one Tom Ralph

Hey Ralph, its a small world ain't it. Weller was brilliant, and refused just to do oldies though we cried out loudly for the stuff from All Mod Cons et al. Did he do Tube Station? I cant remember....

~~~~~~~~ TONIGHT AT NOON --------------- Tonight at noon, tonight at noon, When we meet in the midnight hour, I will bring you night flowers (coloured) Like your eyes - Tonight at noon, I'll touch your hand, Held for a moment amongst strangers, Amongst the dripping trees - Country girl - Walking in city squares in winter rain - Walking down muddy lanes or empty streets - Arranging a time and place to meet - Tonight at noon, you'll feel my warmth, You'll feel my body inside you, We'll be together for hours Time and tears - Won't wait for evermore, For the time is now, - And now is the time to explore - Why waste the world outside, When you're sure (Paul Weller) ~~~~~ Transcribed from the inner sleeve of the USA import This Is The Modern World :)

Pink Moon (the track) is the least sad song i can think of at the moment...foreboding and sad, it is not.... it was used as the music for volkswagon a couple of years ago, and is incredibly lovely....

and it's going to get you all . . .

Been listening to: Jerry Cantrell (ex-Alice in Chains) - Degradation Trip Mr Bungle - California Joy Division - Still and just can't get 'Monitor' by Siouxsie Sioux & The Banshees out of my head.

*puts on another Creedence Clearwater CD*

I, too, saw Bowie's Glass Spider Tour at Wembley. And he was appalling. He did none of his old stuff and looked bored stiff throughout. By Sue and I were disgusted. However, I love Heathen!

I, too, saw Bowie's Glass Spider Tour at Wembley. And he was appalling. He did none of his old stuff and looked bored stiff throughout. Both Sue and I were disgusted. However, I'm sticking to my affirmation that Heathen is brilliant.

Pity he doesn't spend some of his ill-gotten gains on getting the worst set of teeth this side of a rat farm fixed! (You've probably worked out that I don't care too much for Dave Jones.)

Just went to see Wire at the ICA tonight. Dead Good. Andrew, have you heard the Sonic Mook Experiment Future Rock n' Roll 2 compilation, the one with the man holding his willy on the cover? That's a fair snapshot of some of the smallish bands sort of perculating through at the minute. Music at the minute does feel more exciting, but maybe it's because I'm getting out more, reading the music press again, listening to the radio. Energetic is in, quiet is out. exciting for people who want a jump about, boring for those who don't. I think it seems exciting at present because the music press have finally managed to catch a feeling and tie it together into a scene, which is translatable to the rest of the media, both with electro clash and the no name / back to basic rock n' roll. Everything is pilfered from somewhere or a collection of somewheres. Stuff sounds good to me at the minute because the bands have similar record collections to me, and therefore make records like I would dream of making. If I was good at anything musical. Which I'm not

Heathen was one of the first albums I bought since I started posting here. It is my favourite Bowie album.. I saw DB on telly and I thought that sounds good saw I searched out the album. The same day I bought Station To Station, Heroes and The Lodger.

Liana Pink Moon is sad and foreboding because it was his epitaph. I am talking about the album and not necessarily the song. You are right, that song is so beautiful. I once worked on a play that Gabrielle Drake (Nick's sister) was appearing in. I had a nice chat with her about him and she was and still is convinced that he did not intentionally killed himself but just accidentally took an overdose because of his, and this is a fact, very mild depression. Nick Drake was a genius before his time and was managed appallingly. I love him. Read the biography 'Nick Drake' by Patrick Humphries for a real insight. Bette still go and buy the albums, he only made three officially. Five Leaves Left. Bryter Layter and the spine tingling Pink Moon. Avoid the tawdry compilations. Ralph

It is odd isn't it on Jan Molby, that criticism of it is divided into those who complain it isn't Play part 2, and those who complain that it is. I must say, I was expecting something a bit more innovative and less sophorific and I fall into the latter camp, who suspect that he was following the money. I didn't feel that the pace differed after track two, and found it a bit tedious. And Tom - no, those of you that can appreciate the older music are welcome to talk (I draw the line at Dylan LYRICS, but if people want to talk about him, then I can't stop you. ) I'm grateful as hell that my generation never produced a Dylan, but that's because I never believed music was going to change the world, just make it a slightly nicer place to live in for an hour or so. Idealism and music don't mix well for me. Almost any critical consideration of music would put the music of the Sixties as the high point of popular music, and who am I to argue with the canon? It just does nothing for me, never has and never will. Save for the odd daydream about how many supermarket developers and town planners of today once sang along to that song about paradise and parking lots...

I still need to get Station to Station; next on my list. I procrastinated because it only has 6 songs on it, but I hear it is one of his best. I bought Aladdin Sane about a week ago and I am a bit disappointed with it (though I like the complicated piano playing.) I've gotten the impression that "Hunky Dory" is considered Bowie's greatest album by music critics, but I'd have to place that one as my fifth favorite among my collection (below Scary Monsters, Ziggy, Low, and Heroes). It is his most consistant! Ziggy has one really icky track on it (#5 I think), I seem to lose interest in Scary Monsters after Teenage Wildlife, "Heroes" first three tracks are killers but the rest are sub-standard in comparison, Low is pretty consistent but I'd say it is much bolder than Hunky. My favorite Bowie album is "Scary Monsters" just because I enjoy listening to it the most.

ralph without wishing to reveal myself ever more for being the total muso anorak i am, i have been a drake fan for years... i have indeed read the book, and have all the albums (more than three btw, he made 4) as well as a couple of bootlegs. watch the documentary made a couple of years ago if you get the chance ( i think its called A Skin Too Few) Gabrielle hmmmm..... i do hope she was better in the play than she was in Crossroads.... her *not so finest hour*