Paradox One
WEARING
MY REVIEWER’S HAT- RECOMMENDED RELEASES
As
some of you may know I am not only Paradox One but also a reviewer
for ‘Acid Dragon’, and contributor to ‘Background’,
prog glossies ‘Colossus’ (Helsinki) and ‘Mellotron’
(Buenos Aires) and ‘Virgin All Time Top 1000 Albums’.
I have published two booklets on progressive rock music as well
as various articles.I am committed to and besotted with the unfairly
maligned genre of progressive rock but not exclusively so. For more
information on my written output, click here.
As
you will see from my play lists I never listen to music solely on
the basis of category. The reason I asked Stuart to add this section
to my web site is to acknowledge these brilliant, inspirational
artists who produce excellent music which deserves a much wider
audience.
Please let me know what you think of this section and share your
own thoughts on music with me.
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2003
This
year just keeps getting better and better. To view a list of the
Tracks Of My Year, click here.
There
is a lot of music I haven't heard yet- Flower Kings and Salem Hill
live, Kaipa's 'Keyholder', Galleon's 'Form Land to Ocean', the new
edition of Twelfth Night's 'Fact and Fiction', Crimson's 'Power
to Believe' as well as 'new 'groups I've heard good things about-
Pineapple Thief, Saens, Product, Trinity, Sphere- at last!! I've
still to hear the whole Flaming Lips album many are raving about
and have only heard snatches of the very interesting Lemon Jelly.
However, what I have heard reassures me that the quantity and quality
of 'alternative' music just keeps getting better and better with
more internet radio stations playing more and more music. All we
need now is for people out there to listen!
2003
releases that have impressed are:
MOBY GRAPE- CROSS TALK, THE BEST OF
 A
splendid collection from one of SFs (and America's) finest groups
with enthusiastic and informative sleeve notes by Dave Di Martino.
A large slice of country rock, a bit of soul and just pure dirivng
rock- the sublime 'Can't Be So Bad' has all the ingredients of a
classic rock song, towering lead and harmony vocals, snappy economical
guitar break and even brass thrown in for good measure. It's one
of five tracks off 1968's 'Wow', a disappointment after the seminal
eponymous debut in '67- I guess they just peaked too early. Despite
Skip Spence's well documented problems there are some very worthwhile
songs taken from 'Moby Grape '69' (Most of the album in fact) notably
the optimistic 'It's A Beautiful Day Today' and close relative of
'Can't Be So Bad', 'Hoochie'. 1969's 'Truly Fine Citizen' is only
fleetingly represented while '20 Granite Creek' and 'Moby Grape
'84' (with a reformed outift including 3 original band members Spence,
Peter Lewis and Jerry Miller) don't feature at all.
(Sony Music UK) (I got mine at FOPP)
RARE BIRD- THIRD TIME AROUND- AN INTRODUCTION TO RARE BIRD
 I
have mixed feelings about this one because of the track selection
of a band I have known and loved for a long time. I bought it while
I await the release of their albums to replace my well worn vinyl
copies and it is certainly worth the admission money (around £7)
for the inclusion of the singles Virginia/ Lonely Street' and 'Don't
Be Afraid/ Passing Through'. The last named song there in particular
has every right to be included as an all time classic Rare Bird
song. And we must remember this compilation doesn't claim to be
a 'best of'. And Mark Powell's sleeve notes and the quality of the
packaging idicate the seriousness and dedication of this release.
However, why no 'Sympathy/ Devil's High Concern'? The latter track
especially deserves exposure. I used to have it on a Charisma single
but goodness knows what happened to it. I do still own an 'Old Gold'
'Sympathy' (later covered by Marillion) with 'Beautiful Scarlet'
on the flip side (another serious omission from this compilation)
Indeed the early 'As Your Mind Flies By' period is ignored. Rare
Bird continually reinvented themselves and became less expansive
as time went on so the over concentration on the 'Born Again' album
gives a false impression I think. Others have commented on the omissions
on the Amazon site. Again 'Somebody's Watching', while an album
I have a lot of time for is over represented while 'Epic Forest',
their classic in my opinion is almost ignored. Full marks though
for including 'Roadside Welcome' from the EP that was given away
with that album. There are also two live takes with no information
on where they were recorded. Despite my reservations about this
one my advice to you is to get everything recorded by this under
rated band.
BILLY BRAGG- MUST I PAINT YOU A PICTURE? THE ESSENTIAL BILLY
BRAGG
 I
knew of Billy's Bragg's works mostly through singles heard on the
radio. I also knew of his 'hero' status as an outspoken champion
of worker's rights and critic of Thatcherite economic and social
policies. What I didn't know is just what a great songwriter he
is. Not only 'New England' self performed in fairly rough fashion
here from his first album through to the better produced title track,
worth the admission price alone. The song 'Must I Paint You A Picture?'
is one of quite a few songs dealing with love and relationships-
'The Price I Pay' is another well known one. There are 40 songs
in all spanning two CDs- an essential addition to anyone's record
collection. (COOK CD 266) (Cooking Vinyl digitally remastered) www.billybragg.co.uk
CREAM BBC SESSIONS (BBC/ Polydor)
 Between
the hilarity of Brian Matthew's radio announcements (Reminding us
that 'hip' talk at the time was not so 'hip'!) and trying to get
his tongue around 'swlabr' there's some 'groovy' (!) music here
with 22 short cuts recorded for the BBC Light Programme(!), World
Service, Home Service, Saturday Club, Top Gear (Ah nostalgia!) and
Radio One (Ah!) There are also four Saturday club interviews with
Eric Clapton between 1966 and 1967. Fascinating bit of musical history
covering material up to the as yet unreleased and unnamed 'Disraeli
Gears' with sleeve notes by John McDermott. Essential for all Cream
fans and rock historians.
FLAMING LIPS- EGO TRIPPING AT THE GATES OF HELL
4 new tracks plus some remixes on this extended EP. None of the
remixes outdo the 'Yoshimi' versions but 'Assassination of the Sun'
is worth the admission money. Oh, and one of the better Christmas
songs is included! (Warner Bros)
VERVE-
UNMIXED 2
The second volume of DJ remixes of classic jazz recordings from
Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone (twice including a stunning 10 minute
'Sinner Man'), Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan et al. High Maskela
steals the show with 'Mama'! The sound is fantastic and there's
also an Unmixed 1 and a Remixed 2. Heard playing in my local FOPP,
paragons of good taste most of the time! (Verve)
LEMON
JELLY- LOST HORIZONS
OK so it's a 2002 release but I first heard it in a FOPP shop last
year and, as I'm inclined to do, asked what it was. Filed under
'Dance/ Electronica' I was beginning to think the track I'd heard
was unrepresentative so I didn't venture any further. Then came
the dreaded sale! This time I couldn't resist- the price was right
after all! I wasn't disappointed. This is one of these hugely influential
works that come along once in a blue moon. I immediately went home
and wrote a tune- not for public consumption probably! Try' Nice
Weather for Ducks' for starters. (Sony)
PETER HILL- STARGAZING
Read Peter's adventures of a lighthouse keeper book while recovering
from the dreaded sickness bug. Found out he was a student in Dundee
University a few years before I was and frequented the same haunts-
the Tav on the Hawkhill, even the same pubs in Glasgow when visiting
friends. And I too went to some of the Art College gigs- that's
where I saw Brian Auger's Oblivion Express- amazing! Peter's book
about his spells on 3 Scottish lighthouses as a student keeper and
his fascination with music and poetry are rivetting. 'Stargazing'
is available on Canongate Books. Don't be misled by the title. It
has very little to do with stargazing, lovely though that particular
pastime is.
By the way found Keith Emerson's book a bit disappointing. Anyone
else got a view? Please e-mail
if you have.
PRODUCT- AIRE
"Aire" is a sprawling epic in two parts over 17 tracks
of between 2 and 5 minutes produced, amazingly, by just two musicians
(backed by guests on a few tracks): Arman Christoff Boyles, composer,
vocalist, guitarist and keyboards and Scott Rader who takes care
of the entire rhythm section. I hear many influences: 'Brave' era
Marillion (mostly), 'Discipline' era Crimson, No Man. Adventurous,
melodic, conceptual prog rock. (Cyclops Records).
SALEM HILL- BE
Thanks to Bill Neagle for keeping me up to date on Salem Hill's
releases- that's three brillliant albums now including this one.
Fast becoming one of the 'prog heavyweights' along with Spock's
Beard et al. The musicianship is stunning, the tunes great- bits
of Floyd, Giant et al in there but Salem Hill has also pulled off
the rare trick of developing a sound that's all their own. (Lazarus
Records) (Should be in all good record shops. If not ask them why
not??!)
ROBERT
PLANT- SIXTY-SIX TO TIMBUKTU
Lavishly packaged 2 CD set proving there was indeed life after Zeppelin.
'Big Log' is confirmed as one of 1983's finest musical moments while
1993's 'Fate of Nations' is represented by no fewer than 5 tracks.
CD 2 contains a version of the very fine Stephen Stills song 'For
What It's Worth' recorded by Band of Joy in 1967. There are many
pleaseant surprises like this- go treat yourself! (Mercury Records)
ABSOLUTE ZERO- CRASHING ICONS
At last the official release of this 2000 recording. If you like
your music on the experimental side and reocgnise the musical prowess
of the likes of Pip Pyle this is for you! Has marvellous 'spot the
liminary' poster. Go to www.absolute-zero.net
A book- KEITH EMERSON'S long awaited autobiography'
Pictures of an Exhibitionist' has at last been published.
FRAN
GRAY- ECLECTIC ENCOUNTER
From the opening bars of 'Alive' you know you're in for something
really special here. Fran reminded me so much of Joni Mitchell on
'In Your Room' (Great chord changes from guitarist Robert Rude add
the icing!) and this is a distillation of many influences from the
country of Emmylou Harris to the driving rock of Suzanne Vega with
the artist's own touch of course and some wonderful backing musicians-
listen to that rhythm section on 'In Your Room'. Review to follow!
www.frangraymusic.com
(Heat Spring Music)
RERELEASES
LET IT BE.. NAKED
Fans know the Rooftop Concert was, despite all the friction, one
of the Beatles' defining moments. Was this a lost opporunity to
officially release it in its entirety or was that just not possible?
Anyway, what we have here is certainly better than the 1969 release
and the sleeve notes are helpful. Only disappointment is lack of
bonus tracks. On Apple/ Parlophone Records
IAN DURY AND THE BLOCKHEADS- NEW BOOTS AND PANTIES
OK so this was released in 2002 but I only got round to hearing
the remastered version. Confirmed for me what a great band this
was in a musical era I'm not particularly fond of. 'Billericay Dickie'
still makes me laugh around. 'My Old Man' remains a favourite although
'Wake Up and Make Love' is, musically, the most stunning. They weren't
afraid to use synths and Ian Dury is much missed.
FAIRPORT CONVENTION- UNHALFBRICKING
Confirmed as my favourite Fairport album and Sandy Denny's loss
at such a young age is sad (although her legacy is considerable).
Didn't realise at the time how many Dylan songs they covered (all
given their distinctive stamp so that's OK) and this number is swelled
by the inclusion of 'Dear Landlord' as a bonus track (along with
'The Ballad of Easy Rider') Dave Swarbrick's violin on 'Si tu dois
partir' (as a session man!) contributes hugely to one of the best
2 minute snatches of 'pop' music history. It is Sandy's beautiful
rendition of her own song 'Who Knows Where the Times Goes' (covered
by Judy Collins) that steals the show though. This is my second
favourite Denny song after 'The Sea', a Fotheringay song- check
it out if you haven't heard it! On Island Records. If you have a
FOPP shop check it out first for remastered rereleases at very reasonable
prices.
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD- DUSTY IN MEMPHIS
Like Ian Dury's another remaster (with 8 bonus tracks) and also
a lady who, sadly, is no longer with us. 'Love' songs in such abundance
would normally make me cringe but this is the definitive 'love'
album and of course now sounds even better. For the unacquainted
this is the one that has 'Son of a Preacher Man' and the definitive
version of 'Windmills of Your Mind'. The sleeve notes are copious
and Elvis Costello adds his thoughts. On Mercury Records- again
check FOPP first!
TRANSATLANTIC-
LIVE IN EUROPE
Uncompromisingly long prog rock supergroup to end all supergroups-
and why not? The selections from 'Abbey Road' continue the band's
fine tradition of covering classic music- remember 'Magical Mystery
Tour', 'Strawberry Fields', 'Watcher of the Skies' and 'Firth of
Fifth' on 'Live in America'. And best of all Procol Harum's 'In
Held 'Twas In I' on 'SMPTE'.
MANDRA
GORA LIGHTSHOW SOCIETY 'Lucille's Grotesque Diary of Psychotic Love
Throughout the Galaxy' The packaging is eye catching and informative,
the music is excellent. There are really no excuses- for all lovers
of acid rock, psychedelia and space rock this is one trip you won’t
want to miss! Includes great covers of Floyd's 'Point Me at the
Sky', The Small Faces 'Song of a Baker', a lengthy jam with Hawkwind's
Nik Turner and a lot of very good originals. Indigo CD 2704-2 www.mandra-gora.de
Ron
Noyes - "Mosaic" - Intelligently conceived, beautifully
played with lyrics that are the mark of a genuine story teller.
There's a touch of Waits and maybe even Springsteen and Morrison
about it. Whatever the influences it would take a strong person
to resist the charms of ‘Up On Silence’ and the other nine fine
songs on this album. Contact: ronnoyes@hotmail.com
JACK
BRUCE- SONGS FOR A TAILOR- 'remastered with bonus material and
enhanced repackaging'- never quite reached the heights of some of
the Cream material- nevertheless there are some classics here. Released
on Polydor
JACK BRUCE- HARMONY ROW- I actually prefer this to 'Songs
for a Tailor' in some ways. A healthy 14 minutes or so ofbonus
tracks merely add to the enjoyment. A Polydor release.
PHIL MILLERS IN CAHOOTS- All That- even more jazzy than last
year's outstanding 'Out of the Blue' (except for a great prog rock
closer 'Your Root 2') but equally potent. The word is quality! A
Cuneiform
Records release
LOPE-
Necros- From Umea, Sweden, influenced by Angelo Badalamenti (Twin
Peaks) these ambient at times minimalist soundscapes have a deep
and lasting impression. The work of Victor Kvarnhall, one talented
guy! See Zeitgeist
Review
TRIGON- 3 live CDs this year from heavy zen rockers with
guitar/bass/drums improvisation at its best. All the old favourites
are there- HieZEN, TanZEN, Dekadenz und Korruption, even a version
of Verbiegt die Kontrollen zum Herz Der Sonne on the 78 minute long
'Art Rock Festival Live 2003'. This is also on 'Burg Herzberg' one
of 7 tracks. There's a 3rd CD with 14 tracks. Take your pick! Check
out www.heavyzenjazz.de
WHEN'S
THE FUTURE?- Then- What can I say, Stone Prem favourites Kromlek
reinvented in a much more experimental form. This CD has everything-
great songs, scintillating stereo synths swirling round the stratosphere-
now I am getting carried away!- and- check out the mind blowing
percussion. Hawkwind remains an influence but there is so much more.
One of the year's best releases-can't stop playing it!
SONIQ THEATER- The Third Eye/ A Second of Action (2002)/
Soniq Theater (2000)- It was a joy to receive 3 CDs from Alfred
Mueller whose brainchild this extraordinary progressive rock odyssey
is. There's far too much gooing on in his music to describe here
but a full review is coming up in Acid
Dragon (
STAR ONE- Space Metal- One I missed from last year. I love
everything Arjen Anthony Lucassen does- it's so bombastic, so OTT
lyrically. I love it- pure escapism! Since 'Into the Electric Castle'
through Ambeon I've been hooked. Indispensible!
TRIPOD-
Nice one from Moon
June records - their fourth release and every one a winner.
'When the press release informed me that Tripod was a trio employing
the services of neither a guitarist nor a keyboard player I was
intrigued.' So begins my review for Zeitgeist.
Think Crimson, at times Anekdoten and some great songs!
ROOT
DECO- DRAGON RINGS A BELL
Not sure what year this is released but I've just heard it so it
goes down as one of 2003's best- like a more adventurous Big Country
meets The Groundhogs ('Shallow Man')- great stuff from Canadians
Paul Johnson and Larry Vilchek. Contact: www.geocities.com/rdeco4u
Available from The
Rocker
CHURCH
OF HED- great electronic space rock with a couple of songs-on
Eternity's Jest- www.churchofhed.com
THE VIGILANTES- ALONE IN THE BLUE- if you like Dylan, Prine,
blues and the spriit of Springsteen a la 'Ghost of Tom Joad' you'll
love this- check out the forthcoming review on Zeitgeist.
Meanwhile contact phil@paradoxone.co.uk
for more info
THE
SUICIDE OF MISS MELANCHOLY - “Integrity is Plastique”
- see Zeitgeist
for forthcoming review
SPOCK'S BEARD- FEEL EUPHORIA
ANEKDOTEN- GRAVITY
FAMILY- FEARLESS
FAMILY- BANDSTAND
FAMILY- ANYWAY (The Mystic Records editions nicely packaged
with additional tracks)
DAVE
DILL - HEAVEN - If there was any justice in the world these
exquisitely crafted and played songs would be getting the maximum
exposure they so richly deserve. Great lyrics, a strong Beatles
influence and a voice at times like Jeff Buckley- all these comparisons
are unfair because everything sounds so fresh and original. (Pickled
Sun Records) Contact: www.davedill.net
and read the forthcoming review in Zeitgeist.
PETER
LACEY- ANDERIDA
Peter Lacey's first CD on Pink Hedgehog Records, 'Thru' A Glass
Darkly' showed much promise but on 'Anderida' the music has come
together in a more unfied way to produce a CD that I can't stop
playing. You'd be forgiven for thinking you were at a 'Pet Sounds'
session at times but there is much more to Peter's music than The
Beach Boys and the melodies and lyrics he produces are infectious
and thought provoking. Highly recommended. Read the forthcoming
review in Zeitgeist.
SETH
OSBURN- SEVEN
Two years in the making, apparently the ‘Seven’ solo piano
pieces have been receiving standing ovations at live performances
by Seth in the U.S. Depicting the operations of alchemy (the seven
stages of transformation) as revealed in the ancient Emerald Tablet
whose text is reproduced on the sleeve, this music could be described
as meditative and perhaps even metaphysical. There is something
very remarkable and ultimately inspiring in Seth’s music and
it appeals to this listener not only on a cerebral but also on a
visceral level.
See the full review.
Contact: www.sethosburn.com
LED
ZEPPELIN- HOW THE WEST WAS WON
A 3 CD set with live material discovered by Jimmy Page from performances
in LA in 1972. Contains a lot of my favourite Zep material- OK on
the 25 minute 'Dazed and Confused' they forget when to stop- but
what a period piece! 'Whole Lotta Love' (What only 23 minutes!)
works better because it incorporates some other tunes. Mind you
there's a bit of Holst in 'Dazed and Confused'- one or the other
anyway! Two tracks I was unfamiliar with 'Dancing Days' and 'The
Ocean' are useful additions. The only place where my patience was
really tested was on 'Moby Dick' although it does provide further
evidence that John Bonham came across even better live than in the
studio. You can hear on this reasonably priced set (Shop around!)
just why Zep deserved to win the west!
RADIOHEAD-
HAIL TO THE THIEF
Radiohead is one of the few bands that I buy as soon as their recordings
come out. Despite my obvious predilection for this band I recommend
this to you with reservations. What I hear here is a band in denial
of the natural flair they undoubtedly possess for a more 'progressive'
approach trying to incorporate more contemporary musical styles
that are not entirely natural to them and one that's been listening
to too much REM perhaps. There are some great songs but Thom Yorke
dominates the album with an almost claustrophobic intensity that
inhibits and restricts the other band members particularly the rhythm
section who never seem to get out of their shells. 'OK Computer'
remains the reference point although I did enjoy 'Amnesiac' and
'Kid A' (inseparable to me)- maybe 'Hail to the Thief' will grow
on me. I will probably still buy their next release whatever! It
cheers me up no end to think a challenging album such as this can
make #1 in this day and age! Also they still have the Glastonbury
crowds eating out of the palm of their hands.
GROUNDHOGS-
THANK CHRIST FOR THE BOMB
At last an opportunity to replace my scratchy old vinyl copy with
a meticulously remastered version with sleeve notes by Tony McPhee
and 3 bonus tracks taken from BBC sessions.
GROUNDHOGS-
SPLIT
Another classic album remastered onto CD with 4 bonus BBC In Concert
tracks- pity there are no sleeve notes for this one.
ROBERT
URBAN- ROCK WIDOW
The best yet from Robert backed by some great musicians on some
tracks. One of my all time favourite songs the Bruce/ Brown number
'Deserted Cities of the Heart' is performed solo though- amazing
stuff! I'll be doing an interivew with Robert soon to explore the
meaning behind the thought provoking songs. This is one CD you've
just got to hear! Contact: www.roberturban.com
CARPTREE-SUPERHERO
Wow, Robert Urban and Carptree in the same week! A different kind
of genius from the Swedish duo backed by quite a few other musicians.
Even better than their last one 'Superhero' is an hour of musical
bliss- I can't begin to describe how good this is. Remember some
of the great songs on Mike Rutherford's 'Smallcreep's Day'?- that
should give you the idea for starters.Thanks Carl for keeping in
touch and sending a promo. New contact details for Carptree- fosfor@carptree.com
and www.carptree.com
LONDON
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA conductor Sir Colin Davis- 'HOLST THE PLANETS'
I treated myself to this one having heard a preview of the whole
CD on Classic FM while on holiday. You think you've heard the definitve
versions of 'Mars' and 'Saturn'? You haven't until you've heard
this. The sound is stunning! And I picked it up in my local Virgin
for £4.99!
PAUL
McCARTNEY- Back in the World Live
OK maybe this man gets enough plaudits but this is sheer class with
36 songs taken from every era of this remarkable composer/ musician's
life.I've never really liked 'Coming Up' that much until I heard
this storming version. A double CD for under a tenner at my local
Tesco's with a 36 page booklet- what more can you ask for? Just
one small quibble- why wasn't more of 'Flaming Pie' on there- like
'Little Willow'.
THE
RICK RAY BAND- Into the Hands of Sinners-
Rick reckons this album has that indefinable something that marks
it out as one of his best and I'm inclined to agree- read the review
on Zeitgeist.
PROCOL
HARUM- THE WELL'S ON FIRE
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2002 / 2001
Please
e-mail me at phil@paradoxone.co.uk
for further information on any of these albums
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