reality interrupts....
gets in the WAY
of LIFE.
Yes, I've had to focus my attention...and t i m e
on resumes, cover letters, studying job pdq's (not a lotta fun...but helpful).
Until I'm back in a regular routine and the job search is over
(amidst great relief on my part!!!)
blog publishing may become a little...irregular.
So here's what I haphazardly have noted. I'll try to keep within a week next time.
***
Jandek: "Glasgow Sunday" (2004)
Initial impression...I was startled at the dynamics of the music!
I had only heard New Town (1998) which was quiet, dark and acoustic.
This is louder, dark and electric.
Am I the only person who sees a connection between Jandek and Krautrock???
The way the music ebbs and flows...improvised, but in tune with each other.
Jandek's young rhythm section drive hard and keeps the pulse of the music flowing.
The mysterious Mr. Jandek is very thin and quite youthful for his age (sorry J). Like a young William S. Burroughs on electric guitar...
I love the way the video starts without any big introductions...
3 guys on a small stage
nod at each other
start the journey
and we are invited
along to savor the sounds
and observe the action.
The lyrics and singing are something else!
Jandek certainly understands how it feels to be
lonely, isolated, depressed
one would think he has an intimate knowledge of these feelings.
The vocals threw off The Guru somewhat who kept mumbling about drugs...I don't know what she meant! I wasn't that high!!
I remember placing my first order for a Jandek (ordered "New Town" from Amazon for like $12!! Great deal!), and the darkness of that album may have been a bit impenetrable on first listen. I feel that this dvd opens up his music and makes exploration of this muse long overdue!!
I should have time over the long weekend to view this amazing documentary again, and give my opinion (or whatever the hell it is I do!) in more detail. It's worth it! Thanks Mole!!! When I get a chance I'll throw you some more great krautrock I got recently. Jandek web site.
***
Charalambides: Market Square (1995)
What a brilliant wrapped way to start an album.
"please, pick up the phone...
pick up the phone!!
If you don't pick up the phone
...I'm calling the police!!"
...the desperation,
pleas falling on empty ears...
The strumming of the electric guitar, the whispered vocals...
enticing you into Market Square.
think about...before it's too late...I mean, just "think about".
This is spooky, enchanting, thought-provoking... Excellent!!
Randy heard of these guys through a top 100 list on Terrascope.
This is another great way to discover new/old bands. Check out lists. Rate Your Music has tons. Top 50 krautrock albums you never heard...Top 100 Dylan bootlegs...I mean the possibilities are endless out there!
***
It's no fucking joke...Yoko Ono WAS the BOMB!!!
Fly (1971) is EVEN better (!!??) than Plastic Ono Band (1970)...Absolutely stunning and brilliant. She had so much fucking GALL...I love it!!!
Another reason to love her: She broke up The Beatles!!!
***
OK
Life is getting..weird
The past week:
1) Steve and I were talking about this cd Psychedelic States in the 60s: Alabama and were laughing at imagining hippies in Alabama in the 60s.
So, I leave, get in the car, turn on the radio. What do you think was playing? Of course, it was "Sweet Home Alabama" by Skynyrd.
2) Yesterday I started thinking about my old workmate (for 13 years!!) from Hamilton, Marg Turnbull. [aside: Hi Marg!!] Out of the blue. We haven't communicated since xmas. I get home, go to my email and sure enough...there's an email from Marg notifying her contacts of an address change!
3) I have been recollecting parts of my childhood in excruciating detail that I haven't thought about for...decades!! Let's leave this one alone!!
***
Bob Bannister: Dives and Lazarus (2002)
Oh My fucking God!!!!
Who the hell is this guy? This is absolutely stunning.
"Maria Marten" starts the cd off with fantastic violin and Bob singing about killing his fiancee instead of marrying her. A little drastic maybe, but...isn't this what folk music is about?
"I Am A Pilgrim" rocks along with the desperation of hope.
"A Minature Rainbow" experimental beauty
"Got To Hurry" I love his singing! Bob's in a hurry to get to the promised land...and the song convinces me that Bob's well on his way!
"Dark Hollow" has some amazing electric guitar.
"In Christ (Slight Return)" ends the cd beautifully.
If you like intelligent, string based (and not afraid of electricity) folk this is HIGHLY recommended. The musicianship and vocals are top notch. Brilliant!!
This is firmly in the folk tradition BUT not tied to it. It is free, experimental, traditional.
There's not much online about Bob, but here's a link to his label.
***
fragility...
broken glass cells twist into unending fury
dreams become your reality...
your dreams are a fucking nightmare
sweat drips into unseeing eyeballs
the terror of the future
has you clutching for something
...you never had, you've never seen
- only sensed -
friends come
... go
lovers come
...go
...you're still...
with yourself
addictions supply
warmth and comfort
BUT
isolated and withdrawn
the walls enclose
you like a prison
but the prison
is your mind
...in your mind...
Link to Walsh gallery - Lucy Kim page (artist of painting)
***
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