Paradox One
WEARING
MY REVIEWER’S HAT-
THE
FESTIVE 40 - The Best Of
2007!
ALBUM
OF THE MONTH & NOT FORGOTTEN
'Album
of the Month' makes no pretence to be current, rather I respond
to when I hear music (irrespective of date of release) courtesy
of labels, friends and my own pocket!
SEPTEMBER
2007
D’ARCANA
- “Premonitions” double CD
The Van Der Graaf Generator of 2007 but much more than that!
D’Arcana ask big questions and explore some big issues in
their latest lavishly packaged (fold out digipak with great artwork
courtesy of Ed Unitsky) double CD, D’Arcana’s scope
and ambition are to be congratulated and, strange to say, with no
prominent organ or sax, this band is the nearest you’ll get
to the spirit and ethos of Van Der Graaf Generator these days. A
lot of this is due to Jay Tausig’s Peter Hammill like voice
and searching lyrics.
(A couple of the tracks are also reminiscent of vintage Steve Hillage
and there’s a hint of Yes in the epic concluding part of the
title track).
Bass (Shelby Snow) and guitars (Tausig and James Camblin) embellished
by Michael Snow’s violin and string arrangements and a variety
of well positioned instruments weave intricate patterns giving D’Arcana’s
music a deepness and meaningfulness effectively redefining a sound
and providing an originality and relevance beyond the melting pot
of progressive rock 70s influences. ‘Time stands still’,
Tausig sings on the album’s opener- it’s difficult to
pull off 108 minutes of quality music but, unusually, bigger IS
better on ‘Premonitions’ and this is an epic work that
you’ll want to return to again and again to fully explore
its musical and lyrical depths.
Contact: www.darcana.com
and www.myspace.com/darcana
(Lemuria Music 000403)
Read the full review in the next edition of ‘Acid Dragon’.
PROGRESSIVE
ROCK ALBUMS OF THE MONTH
MAGIC
PIE- CIRCUS OF LIFE
If you like
The Flower Kings and earlier prog rock giants like Yes, Genesis
and Focus check out Magic Pie An astounding follow-up to 'Motions
of Desire' bringing a fresh and exhilirating twist to the progressive
rock idiom- can't stop playing it!
RARE
BIRD- AS YOUR MIND FLIES BY
The first two
Rare Bird have been remastered and released by Esoteric Records
and while I recommend both, their second is more fluent and coherent
with the 19:39 'Flight' their most challenging composition with
obvious comparisons to label mates Van Der Graaf Generator and The
Nice. Each release has bonus tracks and tracks like 'Beautiful Scarlet',
'Sympathy' (covered by Marillion) (here in 2 versions) with excellent
b-side 'The Devil's High Concern', 'Hammerhead', even an early version
of 'Red Man' (later to emerge on 'Born Again') are essential listens
to anyone interested in the development of early progressive and
melodic rock music.
DERRIN
NAUENDORF - “Shipwrecked”
I predicted
when reviewing Derin’s excellent album ‘The Rattling
Wheel’ that the infectious, metaphorical ‘Shipwrecked’
(Cambridge University has picked up on his lyrics as a great example
of metaphor in music) would attract much radio play and I hope this
proves to be case for now it is released as a 3 track single with
two further tracks not on ‘The Rattling Wheel’ that
add greatly to Derin’s catalogue: the uptempo country rocker
‘Dance Steps’ and a solo ‘live’ performance’
of the visceral ballad ‘My Enemy’ on which I really
enjoyed the acoustic guitar sound and the thoughtful lyrics.
‘Shipwrecked’ is a great way to check out Derin’s
music. For more information go to:
www.gfi-promotions.com
(Also on My Space)
AUGUST
2007
HEAVY
PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH- AUGUST, 1970
LUCIFER WAS- “The Divine Tree”
The thing that is the most impressive about Lucifer
Was is their ability to produce something sounding so fresh and
new to a vintage heavy progressive genre in the tradition of Deep
Purple and Jethro Tull.
This Norwegian band originating from the late sixties is a conglomerate
of musicians using classic instruments and strong vocals to produce
lyrically and musically challenging music.
Distributed by Record Heaven
www.recordheaven.net
'INTELLIGENT
POP' RECOMMENDATION FOR AUGUST, 2007
Taking some time out from his selfless promotion of Pink Hedgehog
artists including Hamfatter who have just enjoyed some success on
the UK singles charts, Simon Felton has added some splendid new
songs for listening/ download with his usual subtle vocal harmonies
and electro acoustic indie pop of the highest order. Listen to them
all but if pressed for time select 'Nightmare'. Its chorus will
haunt you for days!
www.myspace.com/simonfelton
JAZZ
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
MATHILDE
RENAULT - “Over Oceans- Aliana Luda”
‘Dolcensita’ is led by violinist Caroline
Shaw with the exquisite Steinway touch of Mathilde Renault, a name
that is new to my ears but whose music will appeal to lovers of
light jazz, ambient and atmospheric music played with great sensitivity
and imagination.
‘In A Swedish Mood’ is a lovely piece especially the
ending where the unison of plucked violin and upper octave piano
is particularly evocative- one can easily imagine this music adorning
a film soundtrack.
‘Merengue’ has a more overtly jazz feel with double
bass (Arne Van Dongen) and percussion (Stephan Pougin) prominent.
Mathilde provides the voice on some of the tracks, at times in ‘scat’
style but mostly as wordless lines such as on ‘Aliana Luda’
where her vocalisations are repeated in a folky, playful way on
violin. ‘Rolling Tango’ is another good example of the
exceptional interplay between piano and violin with the plaintive
Grapelli like violin a perfect adjunct to Renault’s punchy
piano chords.
‘Saynatsalo’ starts off with some delightful piano triplets
and seems to be developing into a solo piece for piano and violin
until the rhythm section propel it into a jazz groove before returning
to its quiet origins, a clever composition.
.’Over Oceans is an album you ease into. Take your time with
it and you will be rewarded with some of the best ‘instrumental’
jazz currently on offer.
(C7-078)
Contact: www.carbon-7.com
JULY
2007 album of the month
HAMFATTER
- “What Part of Hamfatter Do You Not Understand?”
The nice people at Pink Hedgehog have high hopes
for this record, even an assault on the charts perhaps!
Well, The CD gets off to a good start with the autobiographical
‘Sziget (We Get Wrecked)’ (well they would go to a Radiohead
concert and play there!), as demonstrative an opener as the intoxicating
‘Girls in Graz’ off the last album- nice backwards guitar
break by the way.
Yes, Hamfatter is an indie ‘pop’ band in the fine tradition
of the likes of Belle and Sebastian and like their Scottish counterparts
Hamfatter take a risk with their music. There are more twists and
turns than a Highland road as the brass infused hand clapper ‘Come
Along’ and the bittersweet ‘Karma’ confirm. The
acoustic guitar and string introduction to ‘21st Century Sex’,
an autobiographical account of a young man’s early adult life
experiences (‘I was 17 years old with a new driving licence’)
are just perfect (with a dig at spending too much time on My Space
and not partaking of real life). Sometimes, Hamfatter songs read
like a travelogue but that only makes them all the more intriguing.
The characters inhabiting the songs are writ large like the landlady
who ‘takes too much drugs’ in ‘21st Century Sex’.
Frustrations sometimes spill over as songwriter Eoin O’Mahony
intones in the lines ‘haven’t got a hope’ in the
quasi reggae shuffle of ‘Do Something Stupid Tonight’.
The soulful ‘How Sweet It Is’ shows what a good lead
singer Eoin is with an earnest delivery that Morrissey would be
proud off and a nice vaudevillian piano flourish at the end- it’s
the attention to detail in the arrangements and instrumentation
that makes Hamfatter really special.
The Bratlgeiger String Ensemble do the band proud on songs such
as ‘Dancing Shoes’- despite the sweary words Hamfatter
show a literary bent on this one! (On songs like this and the infectiously
funky and touching closer ‘At Home Here’ the canvas
is apparently Cambridge’s Bohemian quarter). ‘What have
I done with my life except possibly belong here?’ pleads Eoin.
The punkish ‘I Want To Be You’ is, once again, no holds
barred musically or literally.
Commercial potential? Certainly! Wake up and smell the coffee, folks-
Hamfatter could well be the next big indie band! Whether they are
or aren’t they have confirmed with this release that they
are serious players in the music world and their idiosyncratic charm
is here to stay! Oh, and by the way, ‘Girls in Graz’
reached #3 in the Austrian charts (There’s a timely reminder
on the bonus 13th track!) and ‘Sziget’ is, at the time
of writing, sniffing around the UK top 50. Now how many hits can
you think of about a music festival in Budapest and how many bands
name check Listz, Rachmaninov and Kerouac? Intrigued, you should
be. Go buy!
(Smile 25)
.Contact www.hamfatter.net
or Simon Felton (I’m really chuffed for this man as he really
deserves this success) at www.pinkhedghog.com
APRIL
2007
CLASSIC
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH APRIL, 2007
CHEAP WINE-“Freak Show”
In my Zeitgeist review you’ll read 7 reasons to buy this CD
Here are three of them.
1. They carry on in the fine tradition of many classic artists including
The Allman Brothers, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
2. The musicianship is excellent.
3. The music has a message!
(‘Freak Show’ is available through I Tunes, CD Baby
and by visiting www.myspace.com/cheapwinenet or www.cheapwine.net)
PSYCHEDELIC/
CROSS GENRE:
SHAY
TAL“Tambourina”
Singer/ multi-instrumentalist Finn Millar is joined by ex Punishment
of Luxury drummer Stephen Robson in an eclectic, ethereal mix of
sounds and atmospheres that owe much in the vocal department to
some 60s chanteuses, in music to psychedelic rock, jazz, folk and
classical and in production to the ‘warm’ mastering
of Tim Jones..
Shay Tal play beguiling and cross genre visceral music with an other-worldly
touch, through the medium of Finn Millar’s exquisite vocal
style and sensitive clarinet, guitar and keyboard colourations and
Stephen Robson’s empathetic use of tone and colour in his
drumming, percussion and autoharp.
(Contact www.myspace.com/shaymuzic)
Read the full review in Zeitgeist.
BLUES
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
GWYN
ASHTON “Prohibition”
The
press release informs the uninitiated that Gwyn Ashton has toured
the globe with the likes of Status Quo, Johnny Winter, BB King and
Jeff Healey. On ‘Prohibition’ guitarist/ harmonica/ electric sitar
player Ashton is accompanied by Chris Glen and Ted McKenna of The
Famous Alex Harvey Band and is a timely reminder of classic heavy
blues rock the way it should be played- with no holds barred! Mostly
originals with a cover of Rory Gallagher’s ‘Secret Agent’ and a
7 minute tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan Compliments also to Riverside
Records for the neat fold out slipcase presentation. (Not due for
release until 18 June but well worth waiting for) (Riverside Records
RRUKCD 14) (To find out more contact www.GFI-Promotions.com
and www.gwynashton.com
and www.riversiderecords.com)
(Read the full review in Zeitgeist)
SUE
FOLEY, DEBORAH COLEMAN, ROXANNE POTVIN - “Time Bomb”
BLUES, FUNK AND MORE ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Drawing inspiration
from the likes of Earl Hooker, Memphis Minnie, Albert King and Buddy
Guy, Sue Foley and Deborah Coleman bring a vintage blues and rock
pedigree to their music, honing their skills as part of the blues
women tour with Roxanne Potvin who has her own impressive CD of
soul and blues just out. The whole album is infused with an atmospheric
warmth and a genuine feeling that the blues women are enjoying the
sessions.
There is enough variation in style to keep the most jaded of listeners
interested: Bob Dylan (Sue Foley on ‘So Far’), an excellent
cover of James Brown’s ‘Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’
Nothin’ (Deb Coleman on lead vocals and the highlight of the
album) ‘Get Up’ (Roxanne this time- think of an outtake
from The Commitments!), Memphis Minnie (Foley’s ‘Show
Me’), even Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis on the foot tapping
instrumental opener!
ROGER
CHAPMAN “One More Time For Peace”
VINTAGE ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
If you want to know why Chapman has such an enduring appeal then
look no further than this stunning album. I was totally blown away
by the strength of material (His best for a long time) and the performance
of this great singer and his musicians. The only song that doesn’t
fit is ‘Jerusalem’ as a closer- still you can’t
have everything!
Full
review to follow in Zeitgeist
ROXANNE
POTVIN - “The Way It Feels”
SOUL/ R &b/ BLUES RECORD OF THE MONTH April, 2007
Aided and abetted by a stellar cast of backing musicians and guests
like Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns, Daniel Lanois, Bruce Cockburn
and John Hiatt, Roxanne Potvin is held in high regard by music people
and on ‘The Way It Feels’ the Canadian guitarist/ songstress
gives 12 reasons why.
Only 23, there is still room for Roxanne to develop her song writing
and lyrics but there is enough great material on this album to give
artists like Joss Stone a run for her money!
(Read
the full review in Zeitgeist)
PRAVDA
- “Walking Through Walls”
INSTRUMENTAL PROG ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Influenced by the likes of Dream Theater and Rush,
Pravda mixes the metal with a more pastoral edge with a Page/ early
Zep acoustic moment on ‘the eastern flavoured ‘Giving
Chase’
There are many highlights and unexpected twists and turns in the
10 tracks (each member gets a solo piece but that doesn’t
interrupt the flow) but mostly the album works pretty whole as a
whole over its 40 minutes (still an ideal length!!) Pravda has established
itself as a prime exponent of instrumental progressive rock drawing
on many classic influences in a unique and powerful way.
The
CD is available at CD Baby and by contacting www.sonuswestrecords.com
Read the full review in Acid Dragon magazine.
FAR
CORNER - “Endangered”
AN ALBUM OF THE MONTH APRIL, 2007 EXPERIMENTAL CHAMBER PROG ROCK
Described as an American chamber rock ensemble playing exquisitely
composed, classically inspired instrumental music that ‘bridges
the post-classical and the prog worlds with a muscular and aggressive
rock-based stance’, these words are not mere pretension as
Far Corner genuinely do discharge this remit and lay down the benchmark
for a genre defying music populating a musical planet already touched
by the likes of Belgium’s Present. Other reference points
are Stravinsky and Emerson in some of the organ and piano playing
(Dan Maske). The other musicians are virtuoso bass player William
Kopecky, cellist/ violinist Angela Schmidt (who brings some ‘metalhead’
inspirations into the proceedings) and drummer Craig Walkner
‘Endangered’ is simply stunning.
Read the full review in the next edition of Acid Dragon. To subscribe
go to http://acidrago.club.fr/ad2.htm
or contact phil@paradoxone.co.uk
and I’ll put you in touch!
Contact: www.cuneiformrecords.com
(Rune 246)
PROGRESSIVE
JAZZ ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH APRIL, 2007
“Hopper Tunity Box” is the most coherent and remarkable
solo Hopper recording I have heard and it’s impossible to
disagree with the press release’s claim that ‘Hopper
Tunity Box is a technical, musical and sonic achievement for Hugh
Hopper’.
Hugh is accompanied by Dave Stewart with his distinctive organ sound
perfected as a member of Egg and National Health, pianet and tone
generators. Gary Windo plays bass clarinet and sax and Mike Travis
drums on most tracks.. Elton Dean also appears on alto sax and saxello,
Mark Charig on cornet and tenor horn and Frank Roberts on Fender
Rhodes
One would never guess that most of this music was performed ‘at
a distance’ so successful is this 1976 project (especially
in its new CD remaster incarnation). The whole really is more than
the sum of the parts and it is no surprise to discover that ‘Hopper
Tunity Box’ is one of Hugh Hopper’s personal favourites
over a long and distinguished musical career.
For a full review please subscribe to Acid Dragon and support small,
independent, non profit making prog rock magazines to continue spreading
the word.
Visit http://acidrago.club.fr/ad2.htm
or contact phil@paradoxone.co.uk
and I’ll put you in touch!
Contact: www.cuneiformrecords.com
(Rune 240)
FEBRUARY
2007
DANCE/
ELECTRONICA/ ECLECTIC
JUST JACK OVERTONES
Wow these categories are getting weirder. Don't
usually have a big hit album as a recommendation but Jack Allsop
is the exception as his 'cheeky chappie' street poet philosopher
music with lyrics that people will identify with (whatever age they
are) and crystal clear arrangements (Think Ian Dury meets Stevie
Wonder meets Austin Powers 60s kitsch) and irresistibly infectious
melodies that will enchant you.Love the Lilliputian cover as well.
Album is maybe a bit on the long side but at its best it's pretty
formidable. MP3/ iPod choices: Starz In Their Eyes (Yes, we've all
been asking these questions- what is the attraction?), I Talk Too
Much (Well, yes!) that segues wonderfully into acoustic start to
Hold On. Nice use of brass as well.
ROOT
DECO has just come up with the album of the month in ‘Rain
Steam Speed’ Like its predecessor on Pet Hippy, ‘This
Island Earth’ 'Rain Steam Speed' is a mixture of old and new
songs. I’ve not put a genre on it (see last question) but
suffice to say it’s well worth checking out if you like mid
to late 60’s west coast psychedelic rock delivered with real
conviction and high octane energy. In an occasional series of interview/
reviews I caught up with Larry Vilchek, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica
player and lead vocalist to talk about music, life and everything.
‘Rain
Steam Speed’ has some great songs on it One of these, 'Rainbow'
I think ranks among your best. Paul Johnson comes across sounding
very much like Jim Morrison and the whole piece has that classic
Doors etc. west coast sound, it could easily have been written in
the late 60s. On songs like this and 'Working Class' the social
conscience of your compositions comes across strongly with lines
like 'If your conscience don't kill you then your life style sure
will!' There's a lot of anger and frustration there that presumably
helps you to write passionate songs like 'Working Man' and the 'railing
against injustice' lyrics of 'Hole in the Sand'?
Larry: The upside
of being middle aged is that we remember the 60’s the first
time around. The word that describes it best for me would probably
be ‘potential’ The period between, say, '63 to '68 had
such potential. Music tied it all together. Within the same radio
half-hour you could hear The Supremes, The Byrds, Johnny Cash, Bobby
Fuller, Desmond Dekker and The Beatles. It brought people together.
As to the "anger and frustration," most of my stuff is
based on personal experience or close proximity. After working some
pretty nasty blue-collar jobs for way too long - some in places
where people died -, you get anger and frustration. ‘Working
Class’ was written when I was about to get laid off yet again.
’Hole In the Sand’ was my trying to wrap my head around
why bad things happen to good people. Of course, I also worked in
the corporate office of a U.S. defence contractor for many years,
Beside the insufferable office politics (Rainbow) you see warfare
in a whole new light, as a business. As the industrial complex slowly
takes over from the military you get "soldiers in breadlines"
at least figuratively. As a supposed songwriter I get annoyed with
people who sing of universals. Who needs another sermon? If you
want credibility get down in the dirt like all those unsung folkies
and blues guys who started it all. Then sing if you still can
Another new song 'Find Myself' is great fun, again like a forgotten
45 from a bygone era you wouldn't be surprised if it turned up on
one of those psychedelic nuggets compilations! You mention a big
Yardbirds influence on the title track. How would you sum up the
influences on your writing and playing? (Mostly late 60s groups
I would imagine but please tell me- Are Big Country really an influence
or am I just imagining that?)
Larry: "Find
Myself" was probably me channelling Gene Vincent during his
UK period. He's another sad case of a guy who let his lifestyle
do him in because it was expected of him. Yes, Big Country is a
big influence. I think Stuart Adamson was a hugely underrated songwriter.
with some of the most original guitar work ever. Their lead guitarist
(Bruce Watson?) (Got it in one, Larry!) played here in Virginia
late last year in a band of well known 80's veterans (Simple Minds,
etc.). The Yardbirds are probably one my own biggest influences.
I was never good enough to play guitar like that (or harp -Keith
Relf, if he'd been born African American, would have at least a
street named after him in Mississippi) but I'm OK with it. What
really fascinated me most was how they advanced the medium. They
were like the Coltrane of rock. ‘Happenings Ten Years Time
Ago’ is probably my all-time favourite song. Can't tell you
why, Just something about it. It was just a couple of Yardbirds
and some contractors. The result for me was transcendent. I'd love
to find out how those sessions transpired. They're still a killer
live band, by the way. Paul and I (Paul Johnson, drummer and vocalist.
Paul’s son Brian is also part of the Root Deco scene and delivers
the lead vocals on the title track and ‘Stretch 2’)
saw them tear up a packed house over here in Virginia last summer.
They're definitely not an oldies act.
There’s
some great drumming from Paul on 'Find Myself'!
Larry: I consider
him one of the most inventive drummers. I drag these songs in and
he always finds a way to play them, as opposed to forcing them into
a pattern. Although you'd need to ask him for specifics I know Gene
Krupa was a big influence on him. You know, the kind of drummer
who plays songs on the drum, like Joe Morello, and Ginger Baker.
for that matter. I've had guys in past groups literally refuse to
play certain songs (‘Alfonso’, for one) because they
couldn't make sense of them. But Paul thrives on the challenge.
I definitely don't take him for granted.
'Alfonso' has those folk, medieval touches I've spoken of in past
reviews. Where does that come from?
Larry: It's
an arrangement of a medieval pop song attributed to Alfonso the
Wise. We didn't want to rip him off so I wrote him into the thing.
We've actually played that live.I think someone died trying to dance
to it.
(Recovering
my composure): The pace on the CD is pretty relentless- not that
I'm complaining but ever thought of doing an acoustic number or
two?
Larry: Yes,
we've been dancing around adding a couple of acoustic tunes to a
CD but lack of self-confidence has prevented it. I think we'll give
it a try next time around. It's about time we grew up a little!
Do you play
many gigs? Also do you have any other musical collaborations apart
from Root Deco? (Btw where did the name come from?)
Larry: We play
as many gigs as we can dig up. We did play at a ‘battle of
the very desperate bands’. We didn’t win but someone
said we were one of the most original bands he’d heard in
ages. There aren't really many places that do live music hereabouts
to start with. You'd be surprised what kind of big names are coming
through here presiding at smallish venues .They don't leave us many
crumbs on the table. I hope things are better over in your area.
(They’re not!) As for side projects, nah. Keeping this Deco
thing going is a full time kidney stone. I also, personally have
different priorities than most musicians I meet (the reason why
would require a whole other rant about exopolitics, metaphysics
etc.) But my wife indulges me, Paul's wife puts up with our racket.
We press on.
Just to let
you know this one is going up as an album of the month on my paradox
one website soon. Any suggestions as to what genre I put it under?
Larry: Haven't
a clue where our stuff would fit in. Do you have an "anti-genre"
genre? (Good idea. I read an article in a newspaper recently by
someone complaining about all the different sections in record shops
saying it should all be arranged A-Z. After this eminent piece of
common sense hit me in the eyeballs I rearranged all my own music
A-Z irrespective of gender but, alas, the next time I visited my
favourite record store guess what- they had reorganised everything
and created some sub-genres making it impossibly complicated, I
couldn’t find a thing and left empty handed- well, nearly!)
Back to Larry: We try to, in our own limited way, to speak a number
of musical languages, like some of our predecessors: the Grateful
Dead (Now you’re talking!), Thin Lizzy, The Byrds, The Kinks,
even Big Country. was toying with Country while they were living
in Nashville. Obviously they're all way out of our league but we
do our best. To us music is just the rubbing together of sounds.
And, we're honoured to be your album of the month.I'm sure we'll
be crowing about it on our website. And - stay with me here Phil
I'm finally running out of steam I can't tell you how much I appreciate
your interest in what we're doing, I'm looking forward to hearing
your own tunes as soon I get them. Take Care, Larry.
Well, you may
be running out of steam, Larry but we’re having plenty of
rain here. Speed, well, you should try our public transport system!
ROOTS/
AMERICANA ALBUM OF THE MONTH
JINDER- “I’m Alive”
It’s astonishing to think that Jinder is just 25 years old
and is already a seasoned member of the roots and Americana touring
fraternity having been a founder of altrock band Candlefire. Apparently
download sales of the feisty opener ‘Hill Country’ outsold
Morrissey by a ratio of 2:1!
Backed by a band totally in empathy with his musical vision Jinder
sings and plays his way confidently through 12 varied creations
including a towering and heartrending cover of ‘In My Time
of Dying’. Strangely enough, despite my praise of the band,
I found myself enjoying most the more ‘stripped down’
parts where the backing was less obtrusive Jinder’s clean
acoustic guitar and sublime voice alone are worth the admission-
it’s hard to believe he is actually British!
Folkway Records FOO11)
Contact: www.jinder.co.uk
or www.myspace.com/jinder
MPE/ iPod Choices:
‘Townes’ Blues’ (for Townes Van Zandt)
‘Hill County’ (A brilliant travelling tale)
‘Shake Me’ (for contrast, a ‘Not Fade Away’
rhythm with a touch of Zep)
(Read the full review in Zeitgeist)
BLUES
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
‘Brad Wilson’ is an outstanding collection
of blues rock originals with passing similarities to classic influences
like Robin Trower, The Allman Brothers and The Doobies with a touch
of Springsteen in the vocals and Hendrix in the guitar playing backed
by an empathetic experienced road band.
Contact: www.bradwilsonlive.com
(Cali Bee Music)
MP3/ iPod picks: Hands on the Wheel, Rocket, and
The Healer
RETRO
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
UNDERGROUND BALLROOM “Contradictions”
Vivid bass and drums and choppy Hammond, a guitarist blasting into
an angular solo, a distinctive singer delivering some straight ahead
R’ n’ B lyrics, another guitar break, Hammond simmering
away, some guitar arpeggios- what an opener!- When I listened to
‘Drawing The Line’ I thought of what The Animals might
sound like in the year 2007.
To sum up -Retro definitely but not retrogressive, Underground Ballroom
brings a freshness to a genre where one would imagine every last
drop of creativity had already been milked. I was especially captivated
by Mike Atherton’s fantastic ‘drawl’ and the musicians
seem so at home in their music.
Contact: www.undergroundballroom.com
(Full
review in www.zeitgeist-scot.co.uk)
JANUARY
2007
BLUES/
SOUL ALBUM OF THE MONTH
IAN PARKER “Where I Belong”
‘Where I belong’ seems to convert form a soul/ blues
to a blues/ soul with the extended emotional guitar soloing on the
7 minute blues of ‘Love So Cold’. From there on it’s
bliss for the blues afficiandos. If you prefer soul the first half
is for you- the best of both worlds?
Read the full review in Zeitgeist
Contact: www.rufrecords.de
and goforit-promotions@ntworld.com
RETRO
ROCK ALBUM OF THE MONTH
SPACE DEBRIS “Three”
‘Three’ continues the fine tradition established by
an excellent retro rock improvisational trio on their ‘Krautrock
Sessions’ and ‘Kraut Lok’. CDs/ double LPs. A
host of classic late sixties/ early seventies influences percolate
through the music distilled into something fresh, vibrant and entirely
relevant to today’s listener! If any (or all of) early Floyd,
Krautrock, Brian Auger, Mountain, Deep Purple or The Allman Brothers
are your ‘scene’ you’ve got to check this out!
Contact: : www.spacedebrisprojekt.de
iPod/ MP3 picks: ‘Dark Star’ and ‘Trip Vitesse’
(Full review to be found in forthcoming edition of ‘Acid Dragon’
magazine).
SPACE
ROCK
ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE - “It’s All About Delay”
(double CD)
The OSC is a collective of Danish, Swedish and American musicians
who perform ‘free form improvised space rock music’
some of which can also be regarded as ‘ambient psychedelia’,-
the music bubbles along with ethereal, retro keyboards, swirling
and swishing synths, a solid backbone of bass and drums and twin
guitars providing soaring hooklines, the whole combining into a
quite hypnotic, spaced out listening experience. It’s All
About Delay’ is limited edition space rock gold! (Transubstans
Records 026)
Contact: www.recordheaven.net
Read the whole review by subscribing to Acid Dragon magazine.
ALBUM
OF THE MONTH- INTELLIGENT POP
PETER LACEY “Permanent Wave”
I didn’t get around to reviewing this in time for my Festive
30 of 2006 but include it as my first album of the month for 2007.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish that ‘small
but perfectly formed’ record label Pink Hedgehog all the best
for 2007 following the favourable review of Anton Barbeau’s
‘Drug Free’ in The Times. It’s also pleasing to
note favourable reviews of Peter Lacey’s work in Uncut and
Record Collector magazines.
Anyone who is unfamiliar with Pink Hedgehog Records should go to
www.pinkhedgehog.com
and acquaint themselves with label head Simon Felton immediately!
Macca, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Burt
Bacharach- I’ve cited a lot of classy influences in my review
for Zeitgeist because Peter Lacey is a class act who soaks up influences
to take the listener on a lush and lavish musical journey that never
ceases to amaze.
iPod/ MP3 choices: Surround Sound (Is this an outtake from ‘The
White Album’?)
Peter the Chanter (Try to work out what it’s all about!)
Caravel (It’s great to hear an instrumental break- Peter’s
music needs more of these to make it even more perfect!)
(Pink Hedgehog Records) (SMILE 19)
POP
SOUL ALBUM OF THE MONTH
THE
STEVE WILSON BAND - “Sideshows and Fairytales”
The music of Steve Wilson continues to impress and ‘Sideshows
and Fairytales’ is a triumph of soul and pop with a touch
of venom in the lyrics and outstanding musical and vocal contributions
from the band.
iPod/ MP3 choices: Wrap You Up (A passing resemblance to The Band’s
‘Whispering Pines’ , nice country feel and neat little
guitar break from Jonny Burden)
Can I Be You? (An early Beatles feel with Steve on harmonica and
some nice ‘ooh la las’ from Lemon Otter)
Hide (A very moving and soulful offering that has that stamp of
class on it with Lemon’s piano and harmony vocals and some
propulsive drumming from Ady Milward)
(Pink Hedgehog Records SMILE 18)
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2006
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2005
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2004
RECOMMENDED
RELEASES OF 2003
RECOMMENDED RELEASES OF 2002
/ 2001
NOT FORGOTTEN
This
is the part of the ‘recommended reviews’ website where
I dig out some albums I reviewed years ago. Tim Mungenasts
‘Birth of Monsters’ was released in 1999 and
I can still remember where I was in the car when I first listened
to it. It sounds even better now with an outstanding rhythm section
of Michael Bloom and Jonno Deily-Swearingen and some zany yet always
focused and well structured ‘60s flavoured rock psychosis’.
If you like Zappa. Gong, Jim Morrison, Love etc. etc. you’ve
got to hear ‘Birth of Monsters’ and Tim’ Mungenast’s
other CD ‘The Un-Stable Boy’ (I’ve just found
out from My Space that Tim has also released a 3rd CD)
Please
e-mail me at phil@paradoxone.co.uk
for further information on any of these albums
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