I know it's been a while since i've made a post. I've been busy, yes, but i've also been overwhelmed by all this wonderful new (and old) music and unsure how to fit it all into one post. But i'll sure as hell try!
First up, Nicky Hopkins' 1973 album, The Tin Man Was a Dreamer. Hopkins was a piano and organ player who had a hand in some of the greatest albums of all time. He began his career with Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages, and subsequently played one everything from The Who's My Generation to the Stones Exile on Main Street. The Tin Man Was a Dreamer is full of catchy, piano-driven songs that take full advantage of the all-star band Hopkins put together for this recording: George Harrison, Mick Taylor and my favorite Plastic Ono Band member, Klaus Voorman.
Their 2005 debut album, The Debt Collection, has been in constant rotation this month. It sounds like a bunch of rowdy Victorian kids got lost at a circus. Laptop-ukulele-piano-glitch-folk is the best genre description I can come up with. Check out the list of collaborators on their upcoming album: Danger Mouse, Van Dyke Parks and John Cale! I can't wait. Listen to more here: http://www.myspace.com/theshortwaveset
I've also been jamming to the 1972 album by Syreeta Wright, simply titled Syreeta. Known initially for her songwriting and collaborations with former husband, Stevie Wonder, Syreeta came into her own with this incredible record, featuring Stevie, as well as Minnie Riperton and Deniece Williams. The combination of her powerful and sweet voice with some superfunky arrangements makes this a must-have album for anyone who has an interest in 70's soul and funk.
Lastly, by appointment to her majesty, The Queen, Sir Richard Bishop. Of course, being Sir Richard Bishop, the Queen in question is in fact the Hindu goddess Kali. Probably known best for his work in the Sun City Girls, Bishop's solo guitar albums are likely to take you on an around the world tour of styles, from ragas to Robbie Basho-esque folk and desperate country picking. His newest album, called "While My Guitar Violently Bleeds" consists of three intensely different songs, each longer than the next. If there is anyone whose music could lead me into a trance state, it is Bishop. He manages to achieve both intense violence and utter stillness and peace with each song, almost a melding of Nels Cline and Ravi Shankar.
You can download two songs from Bishop's 1998 album, Salvador Kali, here: http://www.revenantrecords.com/index.php?section=mp3s and more from his personal site here: http://www.sirrichardbishop.net/audiovideo.htm
Damn, i've only made it through four artists. I'll be back...
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Suddenly everyones barraging MOG with amazing music, my list of things to make me poor has doubled in the past 48 hrs. I'm not complaining though. Thanks Kate.
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Wow!!! Thanks for the great posts! Best Alohas,DenRA
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A most copious post, if I may say so. As with any galore of good things, you tend to go for the familiar. So I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to listening to what The Shortwave Set will do with John Cale (one of my favourite rock silver foxes). Like Dachmo, I wish I could have 76-hour days to listen to all the trove of Moggers such as yourself Kate ;)
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I think this description sold me on Sir Richard Bishop. Gracias, Kate!
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Loved that Syreeta song. Totally dig that record cover as well. thanky thank!
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Love The Shortwave Set, Syreeta is a near revelation, and Sir Bishop but of course! Excellent recommendations all. Merci.
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love love love this post.
huzzah to new music.
lucy.
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Very eclectic selection, flagrantly so. Quick note: A major player on the Hopkins album was a young San Francisco-based drummer named Priarie Prince who was a charter member of the bawdy, innovative theatrical rock band the Tubes, and has manned the traps for, among others, XTC, Todd Rundgren and Jefferson Starship.
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I was enticed by the promise of an ear vacation and I was not disappointed. I love all the music I'm discovering...was I the only one that has never heard of Sareeta? Loved that song. I'm off to try to find more of her stuff now. Grazie!
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cgaro - you're not the only one - I hadn't heard Syreeta before this moment either. Kate, you were absolutely spot-on - I have an interest in 70's soul & funk and this track was a great appetizer. I'm still checking out the other groups, but the name "Stevie Wonder" grabbed my full attention first :)
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I am learning quite a lot from you, and am finding myself having to acquire even more music.
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yes, richard bishop rules. i did not know about the rest of these peeps, i will scope it all out. there is a byron coley penned piece on sun city girls in the upcoming arthur
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ah so!
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Kate as usual your collection has me imitating a Pavlovian experiment! But forget all that! I just noticed you are listening to Lucio Battisti !!!!!
Have you got the eponymous Lucio Battisti LP? check out the track 'Il vento' - Mind Blowing!
Anyway - Yeah Yeah Nicky etc great - sorry not being dismissive - just really liking your playlists!
Well done
CF
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I don't have the eponymous Battisti LP, but i've definitely been on the lookout for it. So far I have loved everything he's done, even the disco-y stuff.
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I love Syreeta! For those looking for more, "Black Maybe" and "Cause We've Ended Now As Lovers" are such beautiful, powerful songs. Thanks so much for bringing her to light. That self-titled album is The One I look for when entering any vinyl store. Oh, the collected hours I've poured through going through the general 'S' section. The day I find it will be one of the happier days I've had as a collector/appreciator.
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Syretta has something addictive and youthful in her voice. A bit like taffy. I could chew on it all day. Muchos gracias for the education.
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This song puts a smile on my face.
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That Syreeta track contains what I believe to be the 10 funkiest seconds to start off a track ever in the existence of everything. That entire album is phenominal.