Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase

When I last spoke of this album, my report concerned itself more with the story behind the concept of the recording.

As I was still in the early stages of absorbing the content, I hinted that I might need more time to make an accurate assessment of this double album.

Two months on, I find that my persistence has indeed paid off. Once again Steven Wilson has produced an album that will be vying for the accolade of album of the year - well, in the White Room at least.  

Less jazzy than it's predecessor 'The Raven That Refused To Sing' the music still maintains most of the elements that have made Wilson and his band Porcupine Tree so successful. And of course Wilson, who has been entrusted with the remastering of back catalogues of King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Yes and XTC, always ensures that his albums sound absolutely perfect. Of course the subject matter I referred to earlier, that of Joyce Vincent withdrawing into the the "safety" of social media, means that the album has poignant and unsettling moments. But the beauty and complexity of the music keeps the listener spellbound and interested throughout. 

The band are currently touring to promote the album and I see that a few UK dates have been added in January including one at Newcastle's City Hall. Having enjoyed him so much on his last visit, I have secured my ticket.

For Ever Amber at Laing Art Gallery

A current exhibition at Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery celebrates the work of Amber a film and photography collective based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

On display are an array of photographs and clips of longer drama and documentary films, many of which use the past industrial landscape of the north east of England as their theme. Having been brought up and lived for most of my life in the area, I was fascinated by the scenes of the shipbuilding on the Tyne, the North Shields fishing industry, the far from salubrious housing estates and of course iconic shots of Newcastle itself.

As the Amber website describes, "The work is rooted in social documentary, built around long term engagements with working class and marginalised communities in the North of England". 

I found myself totally absorbed by some of the images and came away wishing I could have spent more time there. Thankfully, the website contains I believe, all of the images included in the exhibition and many more besides. Whether you live in the area or are an exile, or simply have a liking for good photographs that tell a social story, then I strongly recommend that you visit the exhibition or the website. The latter can be accessed via this link.

The exhibition is free and runs until 19th September 2015. On certain dates, the films can be viewed at the Tyneside Cinema or can be purchased on DVD at the Laing or via the above website.

Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free

It's been eight years since Jason Isbell departed the Drive-By Truckers to begin his solo career. Through four albums (including a couple with his backing band the 400 Unit) he has shown a steady progression as a singer and songwriter. However those albums were hardly uplifting in their themes, often dealing with the darker side of Isbell's personality and his dependence on Jack Daniel's and cocaine.

Having married fellow musician Amanda Shires in 2013 and with a first child on the way, 'Something More Than Free' reveals a more positive, forward thinking side. Of course the process began with his last album 'Southeastern' but with this new release, things are taken to a different level with much grander and bolder arrangements.

Take for example what for me is the centre piece of the album 'Children of Children' which lyrically tells the story of how his own parents were very young (17 & 19) when Isbell was born and he reflects upon his mother with "All the years I took from her, just by being born". Musically however this is far different to anything Isbell has done before beginning gently but swelling into a power ballad with soaring guitar and Mellotron string effects. I can envisage it providing a wonderful climax to his live shows.

The change in emphasis is announced with the opening track, the rather jaunty 'If It Takes a Lifetime' which for me is the weakest on the album, but we're back on track again with the following '24 Frames' in which the writer is trying to make a better life, become a better person but is only too aware that God "is something like a pipe bomb ready to blow". In other words, things can change in an instant.

Whether this is the best album Isbell has produced will only be decided with the passing of time but I firmly believe that this is his most accessible and consequently may bring quite a few new followers. If so, can I just say, welcome to the party.

Vinyl Hunting - a Progress Report

One month on from purchasing a new record turntable and beginning my quest for vinyl albums, I can reveal how much I have enjoyed the experience. I have loved the physical side of handling and placing the records on the deck and even having to cross the room every fifteen minutes or so to turn over the disc has had a certain charm about it (and it's a bit of exercise isn't it)? Oh and while the record is playing, I can browse the cover and unlike with CD's, I actually have a chance of being able to read the sleeve notes.

Some of my aimless local walks have suddenly been given some purpose as I pop into charity shops or browse around local markets and seek out bargains - and there are bargains to be had despite the rise in the popularity of vinyl. (For example I picked up a Ry Cooder album in great condition for £1.50). Consequently up until last week, I had expanded my vinyl collection to a round dozen without breaking the bank.

My favourite finds have been 'Blues From Laurel Canyon' by John Mayall, Steely Dan's 'Katy Lied' and possibly my absolute favourite, 'Keep Your Hat On' by the Jess Roden Band.

I had forgotten just what a good album 'Blues From Laurel Canyon' was. The whole album is an autobiographical account of a visit Mayall made to the west coast of the US, mixing with the likes of Frank Zappa and the members of Canned Heat. The album has a great sound to it with a very wide stereo spectrum, some great songs and of course a very young Mick Taylor on lead guitar.

I don't believe that Steely Dan were capable of making a bad record and certainly not a bad sounding one. I'm delighted with the sound of 'Katy Lied' yet it appears that Donald Fagan and Walter Becker weren't owing to the malfunction of a new noise reduction system in the studio. They even famously refused to listen to the completed album. 

'Keep Your Hat On' is one I have never managed to own in any format and I don't recall it ever being released on CD. It was Roden's second solo album but the first credited to the Jess Roden Band and it features nine tracks, a mixture of covers and band originals. One of those covers is of the Eagles' 'Desperado' with Roden managing to give the song a soulful, bluesy feel. Far superior to the original in my view.

So far so good.

Then suddenly and very unexpectedly last week my meagre collection of vinyl was substantially increased owing to the generosity of a very good friend. Among the beauties he gave me were this lot.

And there were many, many more. 

It may be some time before I am back out vinyl hunting again. But then you never know do you?

Hogwarts Application - Declined

I laughed out loud upon reading this report of a failed application to study at Hogwarts.

The rejection letter says: “Dear Applicant, we regret to inform you that your application to the stated establishment cannot be processed at this time due to the fact that it does not exist.

“After consultation with our mystic advisors we have also determined that even if it did exists, the course ‘Wandology’ would be highly in demand and hence require at least two As and a B in any of the following subjects:

Advanced Spellcrafting, Mystimatics, Defence Against the Dark Arts, History of the Occult and Shaft Design.”

It adds: “Your handwritten grade sheet claiming top marks in “Waving a stick about”, “wearing a pointy hat” and “watching Paul Daniels TV Specials” is sadly not suitable for submission.

The letter concluded that if the applicant wishes to resubmit an application he or she can tie a “letter to an owl and hope for the best”.

Seen A Shooting Star Tonight.....

"Seen a shooting star tonight and I thought of you."
So sang Bob Dylan on 'Shooting Star' from the album 'Oh Mercy'.

Well on Wednesday night I was even more fortunate. The annual Perseid meteor shower which took place this week provided a great end to my first day under the clear star-filled skies of the Yorkshire Dales. At about 11.30 PM I was fortunate enough to witness four shooting stars in the space of as many minutes. Absolutely fantastic!

But that was only one of the highlights of three days spent in the company of a good friend and ex work colleague. Living in different parts of the country, we hadn't seen each other for far too long and there was much catching up to do. 

Among all the chatter was an opportunity for a fine 10 mile walk in glorious countryside as this shot of Wensleydale from near the market town of Leyburn will testify.

And over mid-day sandwiches, we were able to admire this fine English country garden.


Having enjoyed good craic, sunshine, walking, good food and company, fine music, plenty of laughs and of course shooting stars, we certainly won't be leaving it as long until our next reunion.

Moondog - The Viking of 6th Avenue

Among my recent acquisitions on vinyl was this double CBS sampler entitled 'Fill Your Head With Rock'. Released in 1970, it was the third in a series of such records promoting the work of artists signed to the CBS label, a series which began two years earlier with the excellent 'The Rock Machine Turns You On'. Most of the acts featured will be familiar to you as they were to me. Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, Leonard Cohen, Spirit, Santana, The Byrds, Johnny Winter and Taj Mahal are just a few.

Almost hidden away in the middle of side three however were a couple of names that were totally unfamiliar to me. Amory Kane and a certain Moondog. Both are actually very fine tracks but there was something about the Moondog song 'Stamping Ground' that seemed vaguely familiar. Further research revealed that this track had featured on the soundtrack to the wonderful Coen Brothers movie, 'The Big Lebowski'. 

But who on earth is or was Moondog?

Thanks to the wonders of a certain search engine that shall remain nameless, it did not take me long to discover that Moondog was actually a certain Louis Thomas Hardin (26 May 1916 - 8 September 1999). 

Owing to his penchant for standing for hours on end on New York's 6th Avenue dressed in a cloak and viking helmet, he became known as the Viking of 6th Avenue.

What most passers-by did not realise was that Hardin was also a well renowned composer, poet and inventor of several musical instruments - despite having been blind from the age of 16.

More can of course be read about Moondog on Wikipedia using this link.

Better still is a German website called Moondog's Corner which has loads of information including a biography and details of all of his recordings. You can visit the site with this link.
I will certainly be investigating this site in more depth once I have the time.

Meanwhile here is the track 'Stamping Ground' which started it all for me. Enjoy.
Stamping Ground.

RIP David Nobbs

Very sad to wake this morning to the news of the death of David Nobbs the comedy writer perhaps best remembered for his TV creation, 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'.

One of his quotes I read recently was "Dyslexia is the product of a mis-spelt youth".

See what we will miss?

RIP Sir.

Looking Forward - Some Forthcoming Musical Treats

There's some very welcome and from my point of view, quite exciting news concerning new releases from the Drive-By Truckers, Blitzen Trapper and Captain Beefheart.

From the Drive-By Truckers website I learn that they have a 35 track live album 'It's Great to be Alive' being released towards the end of October. The deluxe version comes in the form of 5 LP records plus 3 CD's. a 16 page booklet and 4 mini concert posters. The recordings originate from three nights the Truckers performed at the Fillmore in San Francisco last November. The package is also going to be available in a reduced version in different formats. Full details can be obtained from the website using this link.

http://drivebytruckers.shop.musictoday.com/Product.aspx?cp=407_72052&pc=D2CD21


I'm also excited by the news that one of my favourite bands, Blitzen Trapper will release their eighth studio album 'All Across This Land' on 2nd October. Once again more details are on the website.

http://www.blitzentrapper.net/

And finally I learn that the 4th September sees the release of a 3 CD box set from the late, great Captain Beefheart. Titled 'Transmission Impossible' this set features radio transmissions from three separate areas of Beefheart's recording career.

The first disc contains broadcasts from the period 1966 to 1968 including what I believe is the full performance from the Avalon Ballroom in 1966. Previously only four of those cuts had been officially released on the 'Grow Fins' box set.

The second CD features the more commercial material that Beefheart was producing in 1974 and finally the last of the 3 CD's features the band's 1981 performance at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom.

Forty-eight tracks in all and all for the sum of of £11.99. 
Read about it here.

http://www.spincds.com/coming-soon/transmission-impossible-3cd-46153

Love & Mercy

At the weekend I eventually made it to see this biographical film about Brian Wilson. 

I can't claim to have "enjoyed" the film as the subject matter of Wilson's spiral into mental illness was too unsettling and at times even harrowing. Nevertheless the film was very well done and according to Wilson himself, was very accurate. Assuming he can recall the events portrayed, then I guess he should know.

The part of Wilson is played by two actors. The younger self by Paul Dano who with chubby charm and a floppy mop of hair pulls off a very convincing performance. Less convincing I fear is John Cusack who portrays the 1990's Wilson with ticks, twitches and quizzical looks but just doesn't look the part at all. Perhaps it's a shame that Melinda Wilson (Brian's wife) didn't get her choice of Jeff Bridges to play the part. Personally I think he would have carried it off far better than Cusack.

For me, the most enjoyable parts of the movie were the scenes set in the studio where we saw the array of fine session musicians including Hal Blaine and Carol Kaye, struggling to recreate the sounds that Wilson could obviously hear clearly in his mind. From what I have previously read about those sessions, the film recreated the scenes perfectly.

I guess that the subject matter of the film meant that there was going to be little beauty on display but what there was came in the form of Elizabeth Banks who played Melinda Ledbetter (a beautiful person inside and out) and of course the stunning music that would make up the albums 'Pet Sounds' and eventually, 'Smile'. The soundtrack which is due for release later this year should be worth hearing. Or of course I could just listen to the aforementioned albums.