Well I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas. I'm just catching my breath after all of the festivities and while everyone else seems to be at the sales, I at last have time to sit and ponder on the best new album releases of 2014.
I have to say, for my money it hasn't been a year of outstanding album releases. For a start there were a few disappointments which included a lacklustre album from Bruce Springsteen with the ironic title 'High Hopes'. Neil Young released not one but two albums but neither quite hit the heights of his best work. 'A Letter Home' featured some fine cover versions but was recorded in such a lo-fi way as to drastically reduce any enjoyment one might have had of listening to it. The other, 'Storytone' did feature Young's original material but sadly fell well short of what we have come to expect from him. The fact that we were presented with two versions of each song, one performed solo and the other performed in front of an orchestra or band, did little to alleviate the disappointment with the material.
Goat were a band I had high hopes for after their 2012 debut 'World Music'. Despite plaudits from a number of critics, I found the follow-up, 'Communion' to be just more of the same. I was also disappointed with '... And Star Power' from Foxygen who had impressed me greatly with last year's 'We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic'. Shame, but that gets the disappointments out of the way so we can move onto the good stuff.
The early part of the year saw the release of 'English Oceans' by the Drive-By Truckers. As I asked at the time, have they ever released a duff record? OK this may not be quite up there with their finest work but it is good to see Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley equally sharing the songwriting credits again. For some time it looked as though it might make it into my top slot.
The album 'Benji' by Mark Kozelek who operates under the moniker Sun Kil Moon was another early contender. Pitchfork were even daring enough to declare it one of the best albums of the decade so far. Heavy praise indeed! The subject matter of the album tends to be mortality so there are a few deaths to deal with but there is humour in there also. All in all it is a very fine album though fans of Sun Kil Moon don't need me to tell them that.
I was impressed with the return to form of Jack Bruce with his album 'Silver Rails' on which he was supported by several family members and friends. It was almost as if Jack was saying his goodbye and although he sounded strong on the album itself I watched a documentary about the making of the album and I thought he looked vary frail. Of course as we now know, he did not have long left with us which makes this album all the more poignant.
Another elder statesman, Leonard Cohen also returned with another fine album 'Popular Problems'. Full of bluesy themes and witty lyrics, the album carries on from where 'Old Ideas' left off which isn't a bad thing.
Two British bands that are forging quite a reputation in the melodic jazz style are the Neil Cowley Trio and Gogo Penguin, Their respective 2014 albums, 'Touch & Flee' and 'V2.0' were very much on my playlist in a year when I have been absorbing myself in an awful lot of jazz music both old and new. Of course Ginger Baker also produced a very jazz influenced album this year with 'Why'.
I have already commented on the releases from Lucinda Williams, Jack White, Jolie Holland, Royal Blood, Robert Plant, Pere Ubu, Opeth, Ryan Adams and Anais Mitchell. Clicking any of these links will take you to my original thoughts.
They are all very enjoyable albums but you may be surprised to hear that none have made it into my own personal top 3 this year.
To find out what has, I suggest you check back here in the next few days.
Showing posts with label Jack Bruce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jack Bruce. Show all posts
Monday, 29 December 2014
Saturday, 25 October 2014
RIP Jack Bruce
It has been a very strange afternoon.
I recently heard the very sad news about the death of true music legend Jack Bruce and as I was at the computer I felt compelled to write of my sadness in this blog. Having done so I browsed the web to try to find a little more information and was faced with a site suggesting that the reports of his death were in fact a hoax. Sick though that is, I hoped that it was indeed the case.
I quickly deleted my original posting.
Now more and more sites are posting the news of his passing and his family have posted a message on his own website. It would appear that Jack is no longer with us.
The word legend is used all too frequently these days but in my view Jack deserves the epithet. He was a wonderful songwriter, singer and musician and he has left a legacy of superb songs behind. Why, even this blog was named in honour of one of his great compositions.
The song 'We're Going Wrong' has a relatively simple chord progression but listen to Jack play it on piano and you realise what a wonderful song it is.
Beautiful.
Click here to hear it.
Rest in Peace Jack and thank you for all of your wonderful music.
I quickly deleted my original posting.
Now more and more sites are posting the news of his passing and his family have posted a message on his own website. It would appear that Jack is no longer with us.
The word legend is used all too frequently these days but in my view Jack deserves the epithet. He was a wonderful songwriter, singer and musician and he has left a legacy of superb songs behind. Why, even this blog was named in honour of one of his great compositions.
The song 'We're Going Wrong' has a relatively simple chord progression but listen to Jack play it on piano and you realise what a wonderful song it is.
Beautiful.
Click here to hear it.
Rest in Peace Jack and thank you for all of your wonderful music.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
New Albums From Jack Bruce and The Hold Steady
After a slow start as far as new albums have been concerned this year, it is rather nice to welcome two tasty new releases. Jack Bruce has not produced a new studio album for ten years but on 'Silver Rails' we see him accompanied by drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana and John Medeski on keyboards along with a host of illustrious guitarists in the form of Phil Manzanera ('Candlelight'), Robin Trower ('Rusty Lady'), Bernie Marsden, Uli John Roth ('Hidden Cities') and Jack's son Malcolm Bruce. Furthermore, Jack has been reunited on some of the numbers with his former songwriting partner, Pete Brown. The style of music represents most of Jack's career and includes reworkings of two older songs, 'No Surrender' (from 'A Question of Time') and 'Keep It Down' (from 'Out of the Storm').As one would expect, the playing is superb but considering Jack's past health problems, one might not be prepared for just how strong his voice sounds. Also the songwriting is still pretty sharp. OK there may be no absolute classics like 'Theme For An Imaginary Western' or 'We're Going Wrong', but musically Jack still has things to say. Currently my personal favourite is 'Hidden Cities' which seems to hark back to the style Jack employed on what for me are his two greatest albums, 'Songs For A Tailor' and 'Harmony Row'.
This is an album that is currently being played quite a lot in the White Room. Welcome back Jack.
The other release comes from New York outfit, The Hold Steady who disappointed me with their last album, 'Heaven Is Whenever'. The latest, 'Teeth Dreams' sounds much more like the in-your-face rock I was used to with their first four albums. Further listens are required but the signs are promising and I may be returning to this subject in due course.
Incidentally The Hold Steady are also playing a handful of dates in the UK early in May though Jack Bruce recently cancelled his proposed tour due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
Monday, 27 May 2013
Beware of Mr Baker
Last week I took myself off to a local cinema to see this documentary on the subject of Ginger Baker by writer/director Jay Bulger. The audience witness from the very beginning of the film, the kind of subject matter we are dealing with here, as Baker launches a torrent of abuse on the hapless director, culminating in a physical assault on the poor guy with the handle of Baker's walking cane. The indications were that the film was going to be anything but dull.
Which is as you would expect concerning a complex and volatile character like Baker. Surely someone with his musical background was going to have a wealth of interesting and informative tales to tell about his rock and roll lifestyle. Well, so I thought when I commenced reading his book 'Hellraiser' last year. Yet, I found myself bored before I reached the midway stage of the book and soon abandoned it. Despite this film covering essentially the same subject matter, it was anything but boring and once I became accustomed to the use of dark, disturbing cartoons to illustrate some parts of the story, I found the film to be very entertaining.
As one would expect the music used throughout is simply glorious though naturally the musical clips have to be kept relatively short. Nevertheless we are treated to The Graham Bond Organisation, Cream, Blind Faith, Air Force and a selection of clips from Baker's forays into African music in Nigeria and South Africa. Also there was some great footage of some of the jazz drummers who had influenced the young Peter Baker.
The story is told in Baker's own words through his interviews with Bulger. These are tempered and sometimes contradicted by contributions from Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Denny Laine, Jack Bruce, Johnny Rotten, Charlie Watts and members of Baker's family including assorted ex wives and girlfriends. The family especially have suffered from Baker's irrational and sometimes violent behaviour. I felt particularly for his son Kofi who appears to have been singled out for some very bad treatment at the hands of his father, yet he came across as a sensible and well-rounded personality in his own right. Good on him! He certainly comes out of the film with more credit than his father.
There are of course some moments of great humour in the film. For example when Jack Bruce is asked for his opinion of Ginger. With a slight pause and a wry smile, he claims that Ginger Baker is the best Ginger Baker in the world. There are also Baker's comments on Mick Jagger, Keith Moon and John Bonham.
Having hurt and angered so many friends and family members, I wondered whether Baker was capable of any emotions beyond anger and bitterness, yet towards the end of the film we see him shed tears about the fact that the four jazz drummers he most idolised were now his friends. This clearly meant a lot to him. I felt it a shame that such feelings appeared not to extend towards his own offspring.
One of Baker's main gripes appears to be the fact that as writers, Jack Bruce and Pete Brown have made more money from Cream than he or Clapton ever did. He claims that he added considerably to the success of some songs citing the bolero rhythm of 'White Room' as one example. This may well be the case but it is a hard fact of life that the writers receive the lion's share of the spoils while arrangers get zilch. Clearly Baker hasn't got over this and his bitterness is apparent for all to see.
The film appeared to go by in a flash so I clearly found it gripping. I would claim that it could also bear a repeated viewing. I suggest you go to see it if you get the opportunity.
Which is as you would expect concerning a complex and volatile character like Baker. Surely someone with his musical background was going to have a wealth of interesting and informative tales to tell about his rock and roll lifestyle. Well, so I thought when I commenced reading his book 'Hellraiser' last year. Yet, I found myself bored before I reached the midway stage of the book and soon abandoned it. Despite this film covering essentially the same subject matter, it was anything but boring and once I became accustomed to the use of dark, disturbing cartoons to illustrate some parts of the story, I found the film to be very entertaining.
As one would expect the music used throughout is simply glorious though naturally the musical clips have to be kept relatively short. Nevertheless we are treated to The Graham Bond Organisation, Cream, Blind Faith, Air Force and a selection of clips from Baker's forays into African music in Nigeria and South Africa. Also there was some great footage of some of the jazz drummers who had influenced the young Peter Baker.
The story is told in Baker's own words through his interviews with Bulger. These are tempered and sometimes contradicted by contributions from Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Denny Laine, Jack Bruce, Johnny Rotten, Charlie Watts and members of Baker's family including assorted ex wives and girlfriends. The family especially have suffered from Baker's irrational and sometimes violent behaviour. I felt particularly for his son Kofi who appears to have been singled out for some very bad treatment at the hands of his father, yet he came across as a sensible and well-rounded personality in his own right. Good on him! He certainly comes out of the film with more credit than his father.
There are of course some moments of great humour in the film. For example when Jack Bruce is asked for his opinion of Ginger. With a slight pause and a wry smile, he claims that Ginger Baker is the best Ginger Baker in the world. There are also Baker's comments on Mick Jagger, Keith Moon and John Bonham.
Having hurt and angered so many friends and family members, I wondered whether Baker was capable of any emotions beyond anger and bitterness, yet towards the end of the film we see him shed tears about the fact that the four jazz drummers he most idolised were now his friends. This clearly meant a lot to him. I felt it a shame that such feelings appeared not to extend towards his own offspring.
One of Baker's main gripes appears to be the fact that as writers, Jack Bruce and Pete Brown have made more money from Cream than he or Clapton ever did. He claims that he added considerably to the success of some songs citing the bolero rhythm of 'White Room' as one example. This may well be the case but it is a hard fact of life that the writers receive the lion's share of the spoils while arrangers get zilch. Clearly Baker hasn't got over this and his bitterness is apparent for all to see.
The film appeared to go by in a flash so I clearly found it gripping. I would claim that it could also bear a repeated viewing. I suggest you go to see it if you get the opportunity.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Jack Bruce at Tyne Theatre
Last night Jack Bruce played with the Big Blues band at Newcastle Tyne Theatre and a superb gig it was too.
My evening began when I met my pal Greg for a couple of pints in the Bodega bar next door to the venue. In there we met a couple Pete and Kate who had travelled from Oxford for a weekend in Newcastle where they would see Jack Bruce and then watch Newcastle United play Liverpool on the Sunday afternoon. After much reminiscing about bands of the past, we downed our pints and wandered in to the theatre just in time to see Jack Bruce take his seat at the electric piano and begin the opening chords of 'Can You Follow'. Gradually the other band members joined him on stage and we were then treated to a run through of some of Jack's greatest songs from various points of his illustrious career.
One of the early songs was 'Neighbour Neighbour' from his time with Graham Bond. This featured a scorching sax solo from Derek Nash. Then a selection from his first solo album 'Songs For A Tailor'. First 'Weird of Hermiston' which segued into 'Tickets for Waterfalls' and was then followed by an awesome version of 'Theme For An Imaginary Western'. I think it was at this point that a woman at the front of the audience shouted "I love you, Jack"
We then moved into the Cream section with 'Spoonful' closely followed by 'Born Under a Bad Sign', Jack treating us to some great playing on his trademark fretless bass. Time then for another shout of "I love you, Jack" to which he quickly responded "You're so loyal. I think this is the longest relationship I've ever had."
One of the many highlights was a terrific version of We're Going Wrong' from the 'Disraeli Gears' album. Then two from 'Wheels of Fire' as 'Deserted Cities of the Heart' was followed by the opening chords of 'White Room'. Finally the band played out with 'Sunshine of your love' and after a standing ovation, came back to encore with 'Politician'.
Jack was supported throughout by a fine set of younger (and taller) musicians. A tight six or seven piece band who provided just the right accompanyment without overshadowing the main man. I say six or seven piece as the core six were joined by Nick Cohen on bass when Jack moved to the electric piano. During 'Sunshine of your love' there were two bass players on stage - I think the first time I have seen that. Unlike many of Jack's contemporaries, he did not need to be carried by a superb set of musicians. His playing and his voice are still in fine shape.
I was reminded of a superb BBC4 documentary about Jack that I saw a few weeks ago. It was particularly revealing about some of the tragedies that have occurred in his life. Sexually molested by a trusted music teacher while still a very young man, he lost one of his sons at the age of 28 and then Jack himself almost died following a diagnosis for liver cancer and a subsequent liver transplant operation in 2003. Thankfully he recovered and has continued to thrill music fans ever since.
As the lights came up, the audience filed out of the theatre and we joined many of them back in the Bodega for a final pint. There we hooked up again with Pete and Kate who had also thoroughly enjoyed the show. Eventually they went off in search of Stowell Street (Newcastle's China Town) and we wished them a good weekend as we finished our own pints and headed towards the metro home.
The Big Blues Band are:-
Jack Bruce - vocals/bass/piano
Tony Remy - guitar
Frank Tontoh - drums
Nick Cohen - bass
Paddy Milner - piano/keyboards
Winston Rollins - Trombone
Derek Nash - tenor sax
Paul Newton - trumpet
My evening began when I met my pal Greg for a couple of pints in the Bodega bar next door to the venue. In there we met a couple Pete and Kate who had travelled from Oxford for a weekend in Newcastle where they would see Jack Bruce and then watch Newcastle United play Liverpool on the Sunday afternoon. After much reminiscing about bands of the past, we downed our pints and wandered in to the theatre just in time to see Jack Bruce take his seat at the electric piano and begin the opening chords of 'Can You Follow'. Gradually the other band members joined him on stage and we were then treated to a run through of some of Jack's greatest songs from various points of his illustrious career.
One of the early songs was 'Neighbour Neighbour' from his time with Graham Bond. This featured a scorching sax solo from Derek Nash. Then a selection from his first solo album 'Songs For A Tailor'. First 'Weird of Hermiston' which segued into 'Tickets for Waterfalls' and was then followed by an awesome version of 'Theme For An Imaginary Western'. I think it was at this point that a woman at the front of the audience shouted "I love you, Jack"
We then moved into the Cream section with 'Spoonful' closely followed by 'Born Under a Bad Sign', Jack treating us to some great playing on his trademark fretless bass. Time then for another shout of "I love you, Jack" to which he quickly responded "You're so loyal. I think this is the longest relationship I've ever had."
One of the many highlights was a terrific version of We're Going Wrong' from the 'Disraeli Gears' album. Then two from 'Wheels of Fire' as 'Deserted Cities of the Heart' was followed by the opening chords of 'White Room'. Finally the band played out with 'Sunshine of your love' and after a standing ovation, came back to encore with 'Politician'.
Jack was supported throughout by a fine set of younger (and taller) musicians. A tight six or seven piece band who provided just the right accompanyment without overshadowing the main man. I say six or seven piece as the core six were joined by Nick Cohen on bass when Jack moved to the electric piano. During 'Sunshine of your love' there were two bass players on stage - I think the first time I have seen that. Unlike many of Jack's contemporaries, he did not need to be carried by a superb set of musicians. His playing and his voice are still in fine shape.
I was reminded of a superb BBC4 documentary about Jack that I saw a few weeks ago. It was particularly revealing about some of the tragedies that have occurred in his life. Sexually molested by a trusted music teacher while still a very young man, he lost one of his sons at the age of 28 and then Jack himself almost died following a diagnosis for liver cancer and a subsequent liver transplant operation in 2003. Thankfully he recovered and has continued to thrill music fans ever since.
As the lights came up, the audience filed out of the theatre and we joined many of them back in the Bodega for a final pint. There we hooked up again with Pete and Kate who had also thoroughly enjoyed the show. Eventually they went off in search of Stowell Street (Newcastle's China Town) and we wished them a good weekend as we finished our own pints and headed towards the metro home.
The Big Blues Band are:-
Jack Bruce - vocals/bass/piano
Tony Remy - guitar
Frank Tontoh - drums
Nick Cohen - bass
Paddy Milner - piano/keyboards
Winston Rollins - Trombone
Derek Nash - tenor sax
Paul Newton - trumpet
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