I know I've been on and on and on about this big Dipper reissue, Superconductor, a 3 CD set of the band's long out of print (and some never in print) output. It's my favorite music so far this year. Anyway, this is probably my last post about it, unless it figures in the year-end wallow. It's a feature, based on interviews with Gary Waleik and Bill Goffrier, and I wrote it on my MOG holiday this weekend. Follow the jump for the full 3000 word opus.
Lost in Space: The story of Big Dipper
From its casual late 1980s beginnings, through three landmark Homestead albums and a heart-breaking ill-fated jump to the majors, Big Dipper’s story tells you everything you need to know about talent caught in the money machine. Yet, now 15 years after Big Dipper’s break-up, there’s also room for optimism, as a great, overlooked band finally gets the reissue it deserve. “I thought there was a good chance that we would never have all of our best material on one collection,” said Gary Waleik. “I’m really thrilled that we finally do.”
More here: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/736
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a bit too joe satriani for me.
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Dig this tune, haven't heard it or him years! Great post!
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Flippin' 'eck Ray, this brings back memories, bought the album this was originally on when it first came out. Around '83 I think. Great track.
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RobinH,
David Hyman says it sounds like Joe Satriani ... I can understand that, in a post derivative way ... because I could swear that this is nearly a direct lift from the Rory Buchanan songbook and guitar lexicon.
But it sounds nearly exact as a tune by Buchanan ... presently I don't recall the name of it ... is it an original tune or cover?
Caw
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Hi Ohm, It's an original from way back in 79, when it appeared on his Back On The Streets album and as a single which made No 8 in the UK singles charts. Became a bit of a 'signature' tune for him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_on_the_Streets
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Thanks for the clarification Robin,
I needed to make a correction in my above post, it should be Roy Buchanan, not Rory. (I was actually getting my blues guitarists mucked up as there is also a Rory Gallagher, whom I am not actually fond of.)
Anyway , this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI18-BeVzMI&feature=related
Not the specific tune I was thinking of but I can remember a Buchanan tune that was very similar, I suppose it may have been that Buchanan covered this song, but merely based on age and reputation, I would tend to think that the reverse would be more likely.
I tried to embed the video but I guess I don't know how to do that within the comments and reply.
Caw
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I like Gary Moore's playing, a virtuoso with a bluesy feel, not focused on speed and getting the most notes in, plays by "feel", works for me!
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Cheers for that ohm, will check that link out.
Dar. feel wins me over every time, speed has its place, but like to see someone who knows about 'placement'.
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On that last score I totally agree with you both.
Placement, feel, dynamic subtlety, rules over pyrotechnics anyday.
Just that you might know Robin, my asserting Roy Buchanan into my comments, was not a reflection that I did not like the piece, or appreciate Moore's playing ... I do on both counts, and dutifully clicked the 'like it' button up top before entering the discussion.
After listening to the cuts several times now however, along with sampling other Buchanan work on YouTube I've become quite convinced that Gary Moore has been highly influenced by listening to Buchanan ... indeed if one is not actually watching it might be hard to distinguish between the two, the playing is that similar.
To understand my comment it might be helpful to read Buchanan's wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Buchanan
"In 1971, riding on word-of-mouth reputation that included praise from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, and an alleged invitation to join the Rolling Stones, Buchanan gained national notoriety as the result of an hour-long Public broadcasting television documentary. Entitled "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World"
Further I noticed that Gary Moore has covered one of Buchanan's signature tunes: 'The Mesiah Will Come Again'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9ruYs7Xxhg&feature=related
And does a quite remarkable job of it.
Caw
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never heard of the Big Dipper :)
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Well, it's not like I haven't been trying.
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:) well at least i don't feel so bad
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i'm the st. jude of music writers...patron saint of lost causes